All posts by skyebjenner

Evolve edited by Nancy Kilpatrick

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Overview
Evolve

Title: Evolve
Author: Nancy Kilpatrick, Sandra Kasturi, Kelley Armstrong, Ronald Hore, Jennifer Greylyn, Mary E. Choo, Rebecca Bradley, Michael Skeet, Victoria Fisher, Kevin Cockle, Heather Clitheroe, Colleen Anderson, Sandra Wickham, Claude Bolduc, Claude Lalumiere, Rhea Rose, Gemma Files, Bev Vincent, Steve Vernon, Rio Youers, Bradley Somer, Natasha Beaulieu, Jerome Stueart, Kevin Nunn & Tanya Huff
In: Evolve (Nancy Kilpatrick)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Short story collections, Vampires
Dates read: 6th November 2018 – 1st April 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Edge
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: You are never in a hurry.

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Synopsis

New Vampires have evolved, and they are coming for you! Kelly Armstrong, Tanya Huff and twenty-two other dark fantasy and horror writers come together to re-imagine the future of vampires in this new collection of all-original short fiction – one of the most unusual and original vampire anthologies ever assembled.

Thoughts

This wasn’t my favourite collection of short stories. Maybe I’m not all that much into vampire stories, maybe because these are just the type of vampire stories that I really love. The only two tales I really loved in this were by Kelley Armstrong and Tanya Huff. They weren’t necessarily bad tales, just not ones that I was completely enthralled by.

If you like the more traditional and darker aspect of vampires, I think that this is for you. Some of the stories were a little contemporary, but they weren’t that romanticised, humanised version that we all know and love in modern literature. Maybe if I had have read some of the vampire classics such as Dracula before this, I would have been a little more intently interested. But as things stand, I found this collection quite… meh. Not bad, not great. Definitely worth reading, but not one I’ll be rushing to reread anytime soon.

 <- The Slowing of the World ReviewLet the Night In Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Into the Mist For Ever by Rosemary Laurey

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of vampire romance 2 book cover

Title: Into the Mist For Ever
Author: Rosemary Laurey
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Historical fiction, Vampires
Dates read: 17th April 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Seemed she was prepared to stare him down and fight over the kill.

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Synopsis

He’s a Roman, and she’s a Brit. Both are fighting on different sides, but unable to pull away from each other. When he’s struck down, will her secret be able to save them both for all eternity?

Thoughts

Although this short story is in a collection of vampire romance stories, I didn’t really find it all that romantic. Alright, the man and woman get together, she saves him, and then they run off into the mist together to live happily ever after. But it really just didn’t feel that… romancey. In that aspect it was quite bland. But, overall, I liked the take on historical fiction and the storyline.

I seem to be reading a lot of stories that involve a great deal of Roman, Greek and Celtic inspired mythologies. Or at least the local histories of this time. So reading a short story that features the Romans and the Britons as they fight to control their land fit perfectly into what seems to be my theme of reading lately. The added flavour of a bit of romance and the knowledge that at least one of these characters is immortal worked incredibly well. And thoroughly enjoyably.

This isn’t one of those tales that I think I’ll be remembering for years to come. But it is one that was an enjoyable, relaxing break from my daily life for a short time. One that I definitely recommend others sink their teeth into.

<- Blood and Thyme ReviewBlood Feud Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

The Witch’s Bicycle by Tim Pratt

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

Title: The Witch’s Bicycle
Author: Tim Pratt
In: The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic (Mike Ashley) & Little Gods (Tim Pratt)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Magic
Dates read: 26th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: So play with me and you’ll get better, right?

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

Synopsis

It’s an age old tale, two boys, one girl, a rivalry that ends in tears. But, what happens when they decide to change the script? Will the dark magic continue?

Thoughts

I was really dreading a horrible ending to this story. One that would involve a tragedy and the dark magic practitioner riding off into the sunset with her own version of happily ever after. But it didn’t quite end like that. In fact, it had a very happy ending with a bit of violence and darkness thrown in. Something that I thoroughly enjoy in a good story – some violence, some hope and a happily-ever-after.

The idea of a girl with two boys interested is kind of age old. Something that has been around since time and time again. And a story that serves its purpose in most of the books that I read. But there’s not normally an evil, meddling witch trying to extend the conflict and end a life. There’s also not normally a girl running around with a hockey stick, protecting the boy (rather than the other way around). It’s these quirky, happy little differences that made me that much happier.

This story was a great, dark twist on the fairy tales and stories of witches that I’ve been reading lately. It was darker and far more twisted than usual. But it also had a happy ending, and didn’t leave me feeling uncomfortable and filled with a kind of horror at the end of the story.

<- The InfestationThe Sage of Theare ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

The Lightning Thief: The Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover the lightning thief graphic novel

Title: The Lightning Thief: The Graphic Novel
Author: Rick Riordan & Robert Venditti
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians – The Graphic Novels #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Graphic novels, Greek mythology, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 9th Arpil 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Graphic novel
Publisher: Puffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Thank you, Father.

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

Look, I didn’t want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a Greek God.

I was just a normal kid, going to school, playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. Now I spend my time battling monsters and generally trying to stay alive. This is the one where Zeus, God of the Sky, thinks I’ve stolen his lightning bolt – and making Zeus angry is a very bad idea.

Thoughts

There is something about the Percy Jackson stories that I just can’t seem to get enough of. Actually, almost anything created by Rick Riordan seems to draw me in pretty fully and quickly. So I’m not really sure why it took me so long to realise that there was a series of graphic novel rewrites of the original series… and then why it still took me a little while to get my hands on the first one of these… and now that I have… I’m super, super glad. And looking forward to getting the other four and spending my afternoons in the beautiful illustrations.

It’s always hard to adapt a full length novel into anything shorter. I mean, there’s a reason that I very rarely like movie adaptations of well-loved books, there is ALWAYS something that needs to be left out. I might only just be sinking my teeth into graphic novels, but it’s definitely the same for these adaptations too. What do you leave out? What do you leave in? Luckily for me (and unluckily for my bank account), this adaptation was kind of perfect. Yes, there were many small details and moments left out, but the storyline was still able to move on quite happily. Within two pages I had ordered The Sea of Monsters, because this adaptation was able to meet all my expectations.

 <- The Last Olympian: The Graphic Novel ReviewThe Sea of Monsters: The Graphic Novel Review ->
Image source: Amazon

A Little Bird Told Me by Pat Cadigan

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

Title: A Little Bird Told Me
Author: Pat Cadigan
In: Black Feathers (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Death, Horror
Dates read: 22nd April 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Pegasus Books Ltd.
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: “There’s no actual paper-“

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Synopsis

She’s a pen-pusher for the Reapers and Death. But when the birds decide to get involved, things start to get a little confusing.

Thoughts

I have a bit of an obsession with stories about death. Especially ones which personify the collectors of souls which are ready to pass on. There is just something about them that sits so… right with me. Which meant that from the beginning of this story, I was finding it thoroughly enjoyable. If not a little bit odd – after all, I normally tend towards the urban and paranormal fantasy retellings of death, not the horror ones…

Birds have never seemed especially creepy. After all, they’re kind of intriguing, have an intelligence all of their own and can do the cutest, most engaging things. That is until I read this story. Which kind of has a bird uprising against the current system of death. And one that I think could be of both benefit and horror to the masses. It certainly left me feeling a little confused and not at all comfortable with the birds that like to hang out in my front yard…

 <- Isobel Avens Returns to Stepney in the Spring ReviewThe Acid Test Review ->
Image source: Amazon

High Stakes by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover high stakes erin mccarthy

Title: High Stakes
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Vegas Vampires #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romance, Vampires
Dates read: 9th April 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: Did you have a pleasant flight to Nevada?

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

From the USA Today bestselling author of Bled Dry comes a vampire-meets-girl story about lust and love in the city that never sleeps – except during daylight: Las Vegas…

He’s a bloodsucking freak of nature. But, unlike other politicians, Ethan Carrick is a nice guy – and a hot, casino-owning vampire. It’s election year for vamps, which means he’ll first have to escape his opponent’s hit men and then find a First Lady, like the smart and sweet Brittany Baldizzi. But when her protective sister, Alexis, steps in with a message for Ethan – Bite me – he realizes it’s no-nonsense Alexis who raises his stake. And as much as she denies it, she wouldn’t mind a romp in a coffin with him. But can a mere mortal make a centuries-old womanizer feel something new?

Thoughts

I have had a bad month. I needed something fun and happy to read. So I picked up High Stakes. And it was just amazing! I couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t get my mind off of the story. I can’t wait to open the pages of Bit the Jackpot. It was all just so cute and easy. A great, fun read to sink my teeth into (pun intended) when the world around me just isn’t quite working the way I want it to.

I’m not the kind of woman that most people would consider “traditionally beautiful and appealing”. I have average good looks and my personality is full of stubborn, difficult ticks. Especially when I’ve decided that I don’t want to do something. Which meant that I related very, very well to Alexis. The fact that she has a leggy, outgoing and social sister who tends to attract attention frequently just makes me relate all the more strongly to the lead female. The fact that Ethan decides to choose the difficult, non-traditional woman over the more outwardly suitable one… I thought it was just sweet. It shows that we don’t always need what we think we want in life. And that those little surprises that get you are the ones that make life fun and perfect.

Las Vegas features in so many TV shows and stories about America. It seems to be one of those destinations that everyone has been to or wants to go to on a messy weekend. Yet, this is the first story or series that I have read which is based in this town. It brings a whole less seedy side to light and makes it a lot more understandable why people like to travel here for a bit of fun. At least, for me. The use of romance to sit against the flashiness of L.A. works beautifully and helps to highlight the intensity and fun of each storyline.

If you’re single and alone, this is maybe not the best book to read. It’s just so damn cute and coupley… I was home alone the night that I read this and it definitely made me miss my partner. I may have started ringing him to hurry home, just so I could get an affectionate cuddle and kiss.

 <- Undead Man’s Hand ReviewBit the Jackpot Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Instead of Loving Heart by Jeremiah Tolbert

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

Title: Instead of Loving Heart
Author: Jeremiah Tolbert
In: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dieselpunk
Dates read: 17th April 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: It is the perfect transportation for a jewel thief of her skill; painted black, with stylized diamonds on the sides.

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Synopsis

A mad scientist runs rampant through his castle, but only his daughter cares about the artist-turned-machine that he created. Will tragedy strike, or will his work change the tide of the war?

Thoughts

I’ve never felt sorry for a robot before. I’ve liked them. But I’ve never actually felt incredibly sympathetic towards one and just wanted to give it such a big hug. Until this short story. Now I just want to reach through the pages and give this poor automaton a huge hug!!!

This tale beautifully highlights the battle between creative and logic. The idea that somehow the creative is worth less than the objective and logic seems to come up again and again in everyday conversation. The mad scientist in this story decided that a body and brain that were creating beauty and aesthetically pleasing paintings wasn’t worth keeping around. So he altered it to serve a purely logical purpose. And might I say, kind of a boring one too…

<- Vast Wings Across Felonious SkiesSteel Dragons of a Luminous Sky ->

Image source: Running Press

Aquicorn Cove by Katie O’Neill

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover aquicorn cove katie o'neill

Title: Aquicorn Cove
Author: Kay O’Neill
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Graphic novels, Oceans
Dates read: 7th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Graphic novel
Publisher: Oni Press
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: I’ve heard all about you and your mother.

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Synopsis

From Eisner Award-nominated author of The Tea Dragon Society and Princess Princess Ever After comes Aquicorn Cove, a heartfelt story about learning to be a guardian to yourself and those you love.

When Lana and her father return to their seaside hometown to help clear the debris of a big storm, Lana remembers how much she’s missed the ocean – and the strong, reassuring presence of her aunt. As Lana explores the familiar beach, she discovers something incredible: a colony of Aquicorns, small magical seahore-like creatures that live in the coral reef. Lana rescues an injured aquicorn and cares for it with the help of her aunt, who may know more about these strange creatures than she’s willing to admit. When a second storm threatens to reach the town, choices made many years ago about how to coexist with the sea start to rise to the surface. Lana realizes she will need to find the strength to stand on her own, even when it means standing up to the people who she has always relied on to protect her.

Thoughts

This is the last of the Katie O’Neill graphic novels on my shelf. And I put off reading it a little… just because I have completely fallen in love with this woman and I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into it. And now that I have… I feel both intensely happy and a little disappointed at the same time.

I’m Australia, so anything to do with the beach and the coast seems to be integral to our culture. Even though I don’t really like swimming in the ocean, I have that same fascination and need to protect this beautiful ecosystem. So it’s really nice to know that O’Neill feels the same way. Especially about coral reefs which feature so strongly in this great little tale.

Not only does Aquicorn Cove deal with the importance of conserving and protecting our aquatic environment, it’s also about moving on and dealing with grief. Lana has lost her mother and moved away from the home that she has always known and loved. This combination of storylines had the same impact as Princess Princess Ever After and The Tea Dragon Society. There is such a beautiful hope and love throughout the storyline.

This is a must have for any bookshelf. Regardless of what your preference is, it is such a cute, sweet easy and inspiring story. Accompanied by some of the most beautiful pictures I’ve seen for a while.

 <- The Tea Dragon Society ReviewPrincess Princess Ever After Review ->
Image source: Simon & Schuster

Mad Hatters and March Hares edited by Ellen Datlow

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Overview
Image result for mad hatters and march hares ellen datlow book cover

Title: Mad Hatters and March Hares
Author: Ellen Datlow, Kris Dikeman, Delia Sherman, C. S. E. Cooney, Jane Yolen, Priya Sharma, Richard Bowes, Stephen Graham Jones, Jeffrey Ford, Angela Slatter, Matthew Kressel, Seanan McGuire, Andy Duncan, Kaaron Warren, Ysabeau S. Wilce, Genevieve Valentine, Catherynne M. Valente & Katherine Vaz
In: Mad Hatters and March Hares (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Retellings, Short story collections, Wordplay
Dates read: 22nd December 2018 – 29th March 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Beyond it were the cells.

Synopsis

From Master Anthologist Ellen Datlow comes an all-original book of weird tales inspired by the strangeness of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There.

Between the hallucinogenic, weird, imaginative wordplay and the brilliant mathematical puzzles and social satire, Alice has been read, enjoyed, and savored by every generation since its publication. Datlow asked seventeen of the most brilliant and acclaimed writers working today to dream up stories inspired by all the strange events and surreal characters found in Wonderland.

Thoughts

I began my obsession with Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in childhood, but kind of forgot about it until the last year – when I finally got around to reading the original story! And then my obsession began to take a bit of a turn for the… well, obsessive… so I bought this collection as soon as I found it. And opened the page within days of receiving it.

This collection takes all of the many aspects of Alice in Wonderland and turns them around and around until your dizzy. From cute poems, to horrific ideals about Alis and retellings of particular aspects of the original. This collection of short stories and poems has it all. And it is just impossible to put down!

My only piece of advice with this amazing collection is to maybe not read these tales when you’ve been drinking. I tried a few times and it just makes you feel incredibly tripped out. And confused. And just not really sure where reality is situated… kind of like the original.

<- Children of the FangGentle Alice ->

Image source: Bookdepository

Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover midnight thief livia blackburne

Title: Midnight Thief
Author: Livia Blackburne
Series: Midnight Thief #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Assassins, Medieval fantasy, Paranormal fantasy
Dates read: 5th April 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Hyperion
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: Kyra grabbed the longer shreddings from the table as they fell.

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

Growing up on Forge’s streets has taught Kyra how to stretch a coin. And when that’s not enough, her uncanny ability to scale walls and bypass guards helps her take what she needs.

But when the leader of the Assassins Guild offers Kyra a lucrative job, she hesitates. She knows how to get by on her own, and she’s not sure she wants to play by his rules. But he is persistent – and darkly attractive – and Kyra can’t quite resist his pull.

Tristam of Brancel is a young Palace knight on a mission. After his best friend is brutally murdered by the Demon Riders, a clan of vicious warriors who ride bloodthirsty wildcats, Tristam vows to take them down. But as his investigation deepends, he finds his efforts thwarted by a talented thief, one who sneaks past Palace defenses with remarkable ease.

When a fateful raid throws Kyra and Tristam together, the two enemies realize that their best chance at survival – and vengeance – might be to join forces. And as their loyalties are tested to the breaking point, they learn a startling secret about Kyra’s past that threatens to reshape both their lives. 88 In her arresting debut novel, Livia Blackburne creates a captivating world where intrigue prowls around every corner – and danger is a way of life.

Thoughts

This was one of the books that I just happened to pick up in the Black Friday sales. It was an impulse buy that I am so not regretting! This was such an amazing story. I loved the mix of medieval setting, assassins running riot and a slightly paranormal twist that wasn’t quite what I expected. Kyra was also one of my favourite young female heroines in a while… she had spunk, independence and a lot of gumption.

Midnight Thief combined some of my favourite themes and subgenres in a way that I just wasn’t used to. From assassins to medieval fantasy with a mix of paranormal fantasy, it all worked seamlessly. And this is the first time that I’ve ever seen this unique combination. I also loved the cat aspect that was intertwined throughout the story. Not only Kyra’s unique talents and inclinations, but also the Demon Riders that are constantly showing up. I might not want a pet cat, but I do love any stories that feature them, especially the big cats which are such successful predators.

There was a hint of romance throughout this story that just made you want Kyra to have a happily ever after… but, it wasn’t so overwhelming that you felt a bit gaggy over it. And, of the three men who take centre stage at one point or another, you’re not quite sure what her feelings towards them are. Or what theirs are towards her. It was really nice to read a book aimed at a young adult population that wasn’t gushy romance all the way through. But, there’s enough that you can’t wait to see not only what happens to Kyra next as people begin to unravel her past, but also how her personal relationships are going to end up…

 <- Poison Dance ReviewDaughter of Dusk Review ->
Image source: Amazon