All posts by skyebjenner

A Natural History of Autumn by Jeffrey Ford

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the monstrous ellen datlow book cover

Title: A Natural History of Autumn
Author: Jeffrey Ford
In: The Monstrous (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Japanese mythology, Monsters
Dates read: 2nd May 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tachyon
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Riku fired, but the face flinched away in an instant, and once the bullet went wide and filled a neat hole in the door, the creature returned and said, “Tomodachi.”

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Synopsis

Riku and Michi are spending a night away together in a mysterious location. But, before they see dawn, they’re going ot face up to some of the worst demons… both inside and out.

Thoughts

I really enjoyed this short story. it was a great introduction to the idea of monsters in a monster collection, and that sometimes they’re not always as they seem. I think if I was a bit more familiar with Japanese folklore, I would have picked up more in this story and a bit more of the symbolism. But even without that understanding, this was a great, fun and engaging read. One that I was kind of sad to see finished. And especially sad to find out that it’s not part of a greater series.

Autumn is one of those months that doesn’t really seem to get much attention… the other three all have traditions and histories, and, unless you’re American, Autumn just seems to pass on by. But there is something that is a little bit magical about the month. A little bit sinister. And a little bit dark and twisty. Which makes it the perfect setting for this monstrous adventure. It’s not entirely a dark story, but it’s also not all spring and sunshine either.

I like the twist at the end of this tale. I’m still not sure that I fully understand it, but I know that I enjoyed it. And it is one of those tales that on a reread will probably reveal clues that I never noticed before.

<- The MonstrousAshputtle ->

Image source: Amazon

Mina Wentworth and the Invisible City by Meljean Brook

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for mina wentworth and the invisible city meljean brook book cover

Title: Mina Wentworth and the Invisible City
Author: Meljean Brook
Series: The Iron Seas #1.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Pirates, Steampunk romance
Dates read: 30th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: When he left, Geordie asked me to ‘Take Billy.’

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Synopsis

Eight months after The Iron Duke, can their marriage survive a new danger?

After Mina is called in to investigate the murder of an aristocratic bounder, her husband Rhys—known to the world as the Iron Duke—must overcome his fear for his new bride before his need to protect her tears them apart. But when she invites him to join her at the murder scene, a search for a mysterious killing machine puts her in more danger than ever before…a danger that leads straight back to Rhys.

Thoughts

One of the most frustrating things that I tend to find about paranormal romance stories are that you don’t really find out how they live their lives after they ride off into the sunset, happily ever after. It’s all well and good to have that amazing story about passion and fire and those first, loving moments together when everything finally fits. But that isn’t entirely realistic… there is another kind of love, when the fiery passions become a slow burn that continues over the years. So the fact that there is a novella about Mina and Rhys 8 months after they get married… I was much happier and more settled in their happiness.

Although this story is very much about settling into a new way of life, and understanding what it means to love another, there is also a great secondary story. Like The Iron Duke there is a bit of a mystery as to who the villain truly is. And a bit of a risk lingering for both of the primary characters. One that you know is going to come to head fairly quickly. It gave the story a little more pressure and spice than just an insight into the daily lives of this unique couple. And one that made it impossible to put down this novella… even though I really, really needed to sleep.

 <- The Iron Duke ReviewHeart of Steel Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the iron duke meljean brook book cover

Title: The Iron Duke
Author: Meljean Brook
Series: The Iron Seas #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Pirates, Steampunk romance
Dates read: 26th – 29th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: And he wished to hell that he’d realized earlier why the red giant always followed her.

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Synopsis

After freeing England from Horde control, Rhys Trahaearn, the Iron Duke, has built a merchant empire on the power – and fear – of his name. And when a dead body is dropped from an airship onto his doorstep, bringing Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth into his dangerous world, he intends to make her his next possession.

With Horde blood running through Mina’s veins, becoming Rhys’s lvoer would destroy both her career and her family, yet the investigation prevents Mina from avoiding him… and the Iron Duke’s ruthless pursuit makes him difficult to resist.

When Mina discovers the victim’s identity, she stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens the lives of everyone in England. Now, Mina and Rhys must race across zombie-infested wastelands and treacherous oceans – as Mina is tempted to give up everything for the Iron Duke.

Thoughts

To start with I was a bit maybe not about this story. the lead male was just so damn possessive… and well, quite frankly irritating. He couldn’t even begin to imagine being told no. By anyone. Let alone the woman he’s fixated on. I love a lover who is a little possessive and protective… but not one that is so possessive that his partner is a possession rather than, well, a partner. In the first few chapters, Rhys actually made me want to put this book down. But, as the story developed, I steadily fell more and more in lust with him. Found him more and more enthralling and wanted to read the story far more keenly than I had anticipated.

Although Rhys bothered me from the very beginning, Mina made me fall completely in love. She was a strong, independent woman. With a lot of vulnerability. Especially when her history is bought up. It made the tough, cop exterior far more gooey and sweet on the inside. Actually, it was Mina’s plight and willingness to walk away from true love to save others that made me unwilling to put this book down. Incredibly unwilling, I wanted to know who the villain behind the murder was, but mostly I wanted Mina to have her happily-ever-after. Especially after she takes on a kraken…

Other than the great love story in this novel, I absolutely adore the genre. I already have a rapidly growing steampunk collection. Adding in romance just makes me want to read it even more passionately. And making the characters into steampunk pirates… well, that is a series absolutely made in heaven. Actually, I’m really disappointed that there aren’t many more novels in this series… I want a whole heap more steampunk pirates running riot through my bookshelves.

 <- Here There Be Monsters ReviewMina Wentworth and the Invisible City Review ->
Image source: Meljean Brook

The Double Shadow by Clark Ashton Smith

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of dark magic book cover

Title: The Double Shadow
Author: Clark Ashton Smith
In: The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic (Mike Ashley)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Wizards
Dates read: 28th April 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 1933
5th sentence, 74th page: And still the master had perceived it not; and still I forbore to warn him, hoping that the visitant would withdraw in its own time, going obscurely as it had come.

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Synopsis

They decided to summon something, but what they ended up calling to them was so much more dangerous and sinister than they had first realised. And now they might all carry a double shadow.

Thoughts

Although I gave this story a kind of low rating, I did thoroughly enjoy it. The wording was just so beautifully lyrical and swept me away. Which makes sense, since it was originally written in 1933. It definitely means that this is a short story that I’m likely to go back to and reread. After all, the very lyricality of the wording makes it a fun journey and an intriguingly poetic one as well.

What I didn’t love about this story was kind of the story line. It was alright, but it didn’t quite grasp me like other short stories I’ve been reading lately. Hence the low rating on the story. I think this is the kind of tale that I will enjoy the more times that I read it. rather than loving it unconditionally from the very first moment.

<- TimekeeperThe Rite Stuff ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Endurance by Ann Aguirre

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for endurance ann aguirre book cover

Title: Endurance
Author: Ann Aguirre
Series: Razorland #1.5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Science fiction, Zombies
Dates read: 27th – 29th May 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: “We didn’t kill them all.”

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Synopsis

When rebellion destroys the underground world in which Thimble and Stone have grown up, they take Stone’s son and try to escape the chaos. Along the way, they must evade the Freaks, beings who feed on human flesh. Leaving behind the roles of Builder and Breeder which they were assigned at birth, they wander the underground tunnels, looking for safety yet afraid to go “topside” where legend has it that the light and water will burn their skin from their bones.

Their journey takes them upward to an unimagined world of tinned food, comfortable furniture, and books. Away from their regimented society for the first time, and still facing imminent danger, Thimble and Stone acknowledge the forbidden attraction which both have denied for years.

Thoughts

This is a little bit cute. It’s easy, simple and just the right amount of activity to make you want to sink your teeth into it. I also love that it shows the Thimble and Stone survive. And have some kind of future ahead of them… I REALLY hope that they show up later in the series…

One of the parts of Enclave that I found a little difficult was the fact that Deuce just left the Enclave. She had no way to know what had happened after she disappeared. And, although her fever dream tells her that everyone was dead, it was a little abstract and that much more difficult to really feel like there was closure. I mean it was a great story telling technique, but I hate lose ends. This short story helped to fix up all of those lose ends and tie everything up in a nice, neat little knot.

There is a bit of a romantic entanglement throughout this story. It kind of hit on one thing that I tend to hate in young adult storylines – they’re so young when they fall stupidly, madly in love. After all, a sixteen-year-old finding her one and only is a bit hard to stomach. But, by creating a dystopian society in which the expected lifespan is less than twenty years… it makes this a little more relatable. Actually, it made the entire relationship between Thimble and Stone a very happy family creation tale. And I really, really hope that I get to see them again later on in the series!

 <- Secret Heart ReviewOutpost Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Foundation by Ann Aguirre

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for foundation ann aguirre book cover

Title: Foundation
Author: Ann Aguirre
Series: Razorland #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Science fiction, Zombies
Dates read: 28th – 29th April
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor.com
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: And Austin?

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Synopsis

Disease wipes out world’s humans. Family hides in underground. Boy narrator grows up, falls in love with another boy.

Thoughts

I absolutely loved Enclave. And one of the things that I loved the most about it was the world building. Which meant that it was such a pleasure to read this short story. It gave even greater insight into the amazing world that Aguirre had built. And it included a level of hopeful innocence that was in the main novels, but a lot less crushed.

The beginning of the apocalypse is thought to be caused in so many different ways. World war, nuclear attack, plague… there are so many different ways that people think the world could end. It’s hinted in Enclave that the end is caused by a bioweapon or plague of some sort. But the particulars are a little hard to unwind. Foundation provides that insight. In the moments before the world as we know it ends and just what it was like for teenagers at the time.

I also loved the fact that the lead boy in this story was in love with another boy. I’m finding that so many more stories and series I’m coming across include an LGBTQI character of some sort. And I love the normalisation that this provides. There is no big deal made out of their relationship, they’re just two boys in love. And it makes you smile as you turn the last page, even though they have to live the rest of their lives underground…

 <- Vanguard ReviewEnclave Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Timekeeper by John Morressy

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of dark magic book cover

Title: Timekeeper
Author: John Morressy
In: The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic (Mike Ashley)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Magic
Dates read: 28th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 1989
5th sentence, 74th page: Perhaps she loves him, Mr. Lockyer.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Mr. Bell has decided to open up his clock shop in a small town. His clocks might not be all that they appear though. As Monsoon and his cronies are about to discover.

Thoughts

Ideas of time change across the world. It’s an idea that completely fascinates me. So it kind of makes sense that a story about a timekeeper and conjurer finds it’s way into a collection of dark magic stories. Although this one isn’t as dark and twisted as the other tales, there’s still that sense of mystery and brutality that is present in the rest of the stories in this collection.

I love the idea of do unto others what you’d want done unto you. And this seems to be one that intertwines throughout this story. Mr. Bell is neither good nor bad… he doesn’t take sides but acts as an equaliser to others. For those who are good and need help, he is able to subtly provide that. But for people like Monsoon, he is a little more aggressive, and leaves people wondering where the bad man and his evil cronies have gone.

The timekeeper is a nice, soft version of tales of dark magic and dark fantasy. It has all of the integral aspects to it, but without the overwhelming sense of horror and discomfort that you sometimes get at the conclusion of the tale.

<- The Sage of TheareThe Double Shadow ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Black Feathers edited by Ellen Datlow

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for black feathers ellen datlow book cover

Title: Black Feathers
Author: Ellen Datlow, Sandra Kasturi, Nicholas Royle, Seanan McGuire, Paul Tremblay, Joyce Carol Oates, Richard Bowes, Alison Littlewood, Jeffrey Ford, Mike O’Driscoll, Usman T. Malik, Stephen Graham Jones, A.C. Wise, M. John Harrison, Pat Cadigan, Livia Llewellyn & Priya Sharma
In: Black Feathers (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Horror, Short story collections
Dates read: 23rd January – 27th April 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Pegasus Books Ltd.
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: A sudden croaking cry, and she turns to see the great blue heron flying overhead.

Synopsis

A dazzling anthology of avian-themed fiction guaranteed to frighten and delight, edited by one of the most acclaimed horror anthologists in the genre.

Birds are usually loved for their beauty and their song. They symbolize freedom, eternal life, the soul. But there’s certainly a dark side to the avian. Birds of prey sometimes kill other birds, destroy other birds’ eggs, and even have been known to kill small animals. And who isn’t frightened by birds who eat the dead – vultures awaiting their next meal as the life-blood flows from the dying.

In each of these stories, you will encounter the dark resonance between the human and avian. You will see in yourself the savagery of a predator, the shrewd stalking of a hunter, and you will be lured by birds that speak human language, that make beautiful music, that cypher numbers, and seem to have a moral center. You will wade into this feathered nightmare, and brave the horror of death, trading your safety and sanity for that which we all seek – the promise of flight.

Thoughts

This is my first collection of horror stories. Actually, it’s really my first ever horror novel. So reading this has been a very interesting journey. One that I was surprised to enjoy so much. And, although I didn’t really read any of these stories late at night, I also didn’t get any horrifying nightmares from the tales either. Unlike some of the crime, mystery and thriller novels that I’ve read.

Birds have always fascinated me. And I’ve been wanting to get a parrot for a little while. This collection definitely cured me of that desire. Actually, it cured me of really wanting anything much to do with birds for a little while if I’m being honest. This story not only used the symbolism and activities of birds as a catalyst for the tales of horror, but also pulled them out of your worst nightmares.

Pick this book up if you want a great introduction to the horror genre. And if you have a bit of a fascination with the avian community…

 <- The Best Horror of the Year Volume ElevenO Terrible Bird ->

Image source: Amazon

Thief of Hearts by Trent Hergenrader

Book Review,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of dieselpunk book cover

Title: Thief of Hearts
Author: Trent Hergenrader
In: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dieselpunk
Dates read: 28th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: The way it raises your hopes, only to dash them on the ground.

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Synopsis

Hieronymus loves his city and he loves his people. Years of experience in thieving have helped him to provide for them. Yet, when someone decides that they want to use his talent, he might find that something far more important is about to be stolen from him.

Thoughts

The title of this story suggests that it’s going to be some kind of romantic tale. A story of love and passion in the midst of a war. And one that involves a thief. Well, only the thief part of this story is really correct. It was a pleasant surprise to have this tale unfold around me, with absolutely no idea of what to expect.

I love that this story has revenge at the very end. But it also makes the protagonist learn an important lesson – that maybe his love for his country is seriously misplaced. And his own wealth and fortune have caused him to seriously misplace his priorities in life. After all, what good is the liberation of a country if everyone in that country is starving and unable to find a way to put food on their tables in the morning?

<- Tunnel VisionIn Lieu of a Thank You ->

Image source: Running Press

Broke Heart Blues by Joyce Carol Oates

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for sirens and other daemon lovers book cover

Title: Broke Heart Blues
Author: Joyce Carol Oates
In: Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Lust
Dates read: 26th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: EOS
Year: 1998
5th sentence, 74th page: But I’m sorry, I guess I’ll be going with –

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

John Reedy Heart is setting everyone’s hearts, and loins, on fire. But what are the consequences to this? Does uninhibited lust create a world in which no one is safe?

Thoughts

Everyone has their first moments of lust and obsession when they’re young. And there always seems to be one boy in the entire school that inspires this feeling more than any other. That one boy that makes every girls heart beat faster as she hopes that he’ll finally notice her. So it kind of makes sense that in a collection of romance and lustful stories, there is one that features this obsessive, adolescent lust and fascination.

This is a really jumpy and kind of hard to follow story. There isn’t a specific beginning, middle and end. Or really any kind of specific storyline. But it does have a lot of emotion, activity and movement. It made a very convoluted reading, but it was one that I did seriously enjoy. One that I would like to read again and again, just so I can get a better grasp on the storyline each and every time.

<- The Faerie Cony-catcherWolfed ->

Image source: Goodreads