All posts by skyebjenner

Blood Lite edited by Kevin J. Anderson

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Overview
Blood Lite

Title: Blood Lite
Author: Kevin J. Anderson, Kelley Armstrong, Joe R. Lansdale, Lucien Soulban, Christopher Welch, Matt Venne, Don D’Amassa, Mark Onspaugh, J.A. Konrath, Paul Wilson, Charlaine Harris, Steven Savile, Will Ludwigsen, Janet Berliner, Eric James Stone, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Mike Resnick, D.L. Snell, Nancy Holder, Nancy Kilpatrick, Jeff Strand, Sharyn McCrumb & Jim Butcher
In: Blood Lite (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Horror, Short story collections
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Edge
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Sometimes, especially if I’ve been drinking, and I’m hungry, I revert to my basic nature.

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Synopsis

The Horror Writers Association Presents Blood Lite…a collection of entertaining tales that puts the fun back into dark fiction, with ironic twists and tongue-in-cheek wit to temper the jagged edge.

Charlaine Harris reveals the dark side of going green, when a quartet of die-hard environmentalists hosts a fundraiser with a gory twist in An Evening with Al Gore…

In an all-new Dresden Files story from Jim Butcher, when it comes to tracking deadly paranormal doings, there’s no such thing as a Harry’s Day Off for the Chicago P.D.’s wizard detective, Harry Dresden…

Sherrilyn Kenyon turns a cubicle-dwelling MBA with no life into a demon-fighting seraph with one hell of an afterlife in Where Angels Fear to Tread. NOTE: This story has been re-released in the Dark Bites anthology.

Celebrity necromancer Jaime Vegas is headlining a sold-out séance tour, but behind the scenes, a disgruntled ghost has a bone to pick, in Kelley Armstrong’s The Ungrateful Dead.

So let the blood flow and laughter reign – because when it comes to facing our deepest, darkest fears, a little humor goes a long way!

Thoughts

I’m kind of on the fence about this collection. Some of the stories in this were brilliant. Some downright weird. But all were enjoyable. Just not memorable. This is the kind of collection you read for a good, light laugh and something that isn’t going to make you think and linger in your mind’s eye after you’ve finished the story.

Although this hasn’t been my favourite collection of short stories that I’ve digested in recent times, it also wasn’t one that I ever considered stopping. I know that a collection or novel is truly horrible when I just can’t seem to pick it up and get through it. Yet I didn’t feel that way with this. I just didn’t want to completely bury my nose in these stories either. The best description I can think of for this series is easy. Easy reading. Easy to forget. But easy to spend some humorous time with.

 <- The Four Horsemen Reunion Tour ReviewThe Ungrateful Dead Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Drowned Kingdom by Kate Forsyth

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for the drowned kingdom kate forsyth book cover

Title: The Drowned Kingdom
Author: Kate Forsyth
Series: The Impossible Quest #4
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Adventure, Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Dates read: 18th – 20th February 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: The clap of thunder was so loud it deafened them all, leaving their ears ringing.

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Synopsis

I’ve heard of a kingdom that was flooded and drowned… and that is where the sea-serpents live…

Quinn, Sebastian, Elanor and Tom have found a dragon and conquered the dreaded Beast of Blackmoor Bog. Only one item remains on their impossible quest – the scale of a sea-serpent.

Now they must journey to the drowned kingdom, where they will face their deadliest challenge yet. And there they will uncover the truth behind all that has happened… the truth that will change everything.

Thoughts

The Drowned Kingdom pulls together all of the little story threads that have been slowly released throughout the first three books of the series. The interconnectivity of the characters, the plots that span a lifetime. It is all revealed. But not completely. Just tied in well enough that you know the final reveals and the completion of the tapestry which Kate Forsyth has created will be a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

I really enjoy the thematic ties to the four elements throughout this series – and this one is completely about water (in case you didn’t get that from the name). Even the moments when they revisit their old home to see what is happening take place amongst the mist and the moisture. There is a sense of completely surreal beauty about this story that worked really well with the water theme and the idea of lost memories and tragic pasts. It all tied in neatly to the secrets revealed.

Quinn has been my favourite character so far. A foundling, someone with a bit of mystery to her and a witch. I love that she spends the entirety of the storyline without shoes on, connecting with nature and spouting riddles. There’s something about this that I’m in love with – probably the idea that this is the kind of character that I would have loved to be this way as a child.

 <- The Beast of Blackmoor Bog ReviewBattle of the Heroes Review ->
Image source: Booktopia

Clockwork Chickadee by Mary Robinette Kowal

Book Review, , ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Steampunk

Title: Clockwork Chickadee
Author: Mary Robinette Kowal
In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Steampunk
Dates read: 13th February 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: “What fountain?”

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Synopsis

The Clockwork Chickadee is getting a little bored with the Sparrows constant bragging. So, with a little trickery and intelligence, he manages to turn it all on it’s head.

Thoughts

There was quite a bit of jealousy in this short story. Jealousy of another’s position, but also a little bit of frustration in not accepting the different benefits that one has. For the chickadee, being constantly on the ground allows her to see the world from an entirely different perspective from that of the sparrow who constantly flies.

I was expecting the stuck up sparrow to get a little bit of come-uppance in this story, but I was kind of shocked about how bad it really was. And how little the rest of the characters, especially the chickadee. The chickadee was honestly more than a little creepy with her lust for revenge and complete acceptance of the way that everything ends…

 <- Biographical Notes ReviewCinderella Suicide Review ->
Image source: Amazon

The Beast of Blackmoor Bog by Kate Forsyth

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for the beast of blackmoor bog kate forsyth book cover

Title: The Beast of Blackmoor Bog
Author: Kate Forsyth
Series: The Impossible Quest #3
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Adventure, Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Dates read: 16th – 17th February 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Elanor dressed and plaited her long golden-brown hair, then went across to the door.

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Synopsis

The dragons are long gone. This beast is something else – something huge and black and hairy…

After escaping the bog-men in the wilds of the Witchwood, Sebastian, Quinn, Elanor and Tom journey south on their impossible quest.

Sebastian and Elanor seek help from Crowthorne Castle, but both allies IandI enemies will reveal themselves. Tom and Quinn venture into the mysterious moors… where a hideous beast lies waiting.

Thoughts

In all of the Kate Forsyth books / series that I’ve read, one of my favourite things has always been the character development. Even in series such as The Impossible Quest, which is aimed at youngsters, as the stories grow, so do the children. And I think that (at least so far) The Beast of Blackmoor Bog shows the most growth. Especially in the two boys.

Where Tom and Sebastian are constantly bickering in the proceeding storylines, they settle down a lot in this novel. Partly because they aren’t actually with each other throughout the majority of the story. But even then, there are a few moments of acknowledgement of the fact that they are friends and need to stop niggling at each other. From jealous enemies to grudging respect and friends, they are able to show this a lot throughout the split storyline in this story.

The structure of the creatures tamed so far in this story reminds me a lot of the four elements. And I really enjoy the fact that each novel, whilst incorporating the ensemble, has a slightly larger focus on a different character.

I might be an adult, but I still loved this story. It’s one that will stay on my shelf for an easy reread again and again and again.

 <- Wolves of the Witchwood ReviewThe Drowned Kingdom Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Sentence Like a Saturday by Seanan McGuire

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

Title: Sentence Like a Saturday
Author: Seanan McGuire
In: Mad Hatters and March Hares (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Wordplay
Dates read: 18th February 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: “- just a little girl.

Synopsis

When a small child travels down the path to Wonderland, they have to swap places… Kitty finds herself in a whole new riddle and body. Once a Cheshire, and now a little girl. So why is a sentence like a Saturday?

Thoughts

This is my second Seanan McGuire short story (the first being The Mathematical Inevitability of Corvids) and it is just as twisted! In a less sick, going to kill someone way. But in a twisting of words and riddling kind of way. After finishing each paragraph I would take a deep breath. Just because the way the sentences stream into one another was so intensely done that I wouldn’t breathe. It almost worked like one whole sentence.

I’ve never been insanely into riddles, yet this story (and many of the others in this collection) have made me think that there is a need to ignite this interest. After all, the entire story read like a riddle. And I couldn’t tear my eyes off of it.

I loved the ending of this tale. It was both sad and sweet. Perfect and tragic. It certainly bought a tear to my eye as I turned the last page, and that’s something that I always enjoy and appreciate.

 <- In Memory of a Summer’s DayWorrity, Worrity ->

Image source: Bookdepository

Bertie by Barbara Nadel

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of jack the ripper stories book cover

Title: Bertie
Author: Barbara Nadel
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Alternate history, Crime, Historical fiction
Dates read: 27th February 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: But this time there was no work Bertie could do to make it right.

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Synopsis

Bertie is a money lender and the guidance to his family while Jack the Ripper roams the streets. But he has his very own secret, one that could change everyone’s lives forever.

Thoughts

This is my first ever Jack the Ripper retelling. Or alternate history. And I kind of thought that it was a nice, gentle introduction. Especially since I know next to nothing about Jack the Ripper in the first place. Bertie not only pulled me in immediately, but it also made me want to read far more stories like this (so lucky I have a whole collection to dig through).

This was a quick and easy story. One that provided context for the uninitiated (like myself) in the very last paragraphs. The extra context and insight were immensely helpful to give me a little more idea of how this story sits within the current knowledge and fiction.

This is a great, quick read that gives an alternate point of view to not only who Jack the Ripper was, but also why he did what he did.

 <- The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories ReviewThe Guided Tour Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Persimmon by Harvey Jacobs

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for snow white, blood red book cover

Title: Persimmon
Author: Harvey Jacobs
In: Snow White, Blood Red (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fairy tales
Dates read: 13th February 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Signet
Year: 1993
5th sentence, 74th page: Are you some angel?

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Synopsis

Elsie thought she was going to a small town to die quietly and alone. That was until she found Persimmon…

Thoughts

The entire time I was reading this short story, I was remembering watching the movie Thumbelina as a kid. And how much I truly loved it. And then, when the little film reel in my head stopped, I started thinking about the original Hans Christian Andersen tale that I read only a few months ago.

Some short story seem to be quite a long read, and even though they are a small number of pages, there is a lot of complex information squeezed into not much space. This isn’t really like this. Yes, a fair amount happens throughout the story, but it is simple and open. It’s honestly just a cute, modern retelling of an old classic. Not one that is twisted and turned beyond redemption (like many within this collection). There’s still a little adult content in this, but not enough to make it uncomfortable.

 <- The Princess in the Tower ReviewLittle Poucet Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Terminus by Louise Doughty

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Terminus
Author: Louise Doughty
In: I Am Heathcliff (Kate Mosse)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Horror
Dates read: 18th February 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Borough Press
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: Paying that much long term is out of the question.

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Synopsis

She’s trying to run from her past and start a new future. But will obsession catch up with her before she can find her happily ever after?

Thoughts

I decided to start reading the I Am Heathcliff collection because I was so damn disappointed and frustrated by Wuthering Heights. So, in my slightly twisty mind, I figured that reading a collection of Wuthering Heights inspired stories might help me to understand a little more as to just why everyone seems to love this classic so much. And, although this didn’t highlight why people love the storyline, this short story that started the collection certainly reflected most of my feelings about the storyline.

It’s obvious from the very first moment that there is a darkness following the woman in the story. And as the story unfolds, it becomes even clearer that this is a darker “love” than I had kind of anticipated. It made me so damn uncomfortable in fact that I decided that this short story need to be shelved on the horror shelf. Especially when the ending almost makes the story of unrequited and unhealthy love close in full circle.

This story definitely echoes the ideas of obsession and unhealthy, obsessive love that I got so clearly from the original tale surrounding Heathclif…

 <- I Am Heathcliff ReviewAnima Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

Kidnapping the Laird by Terri Brisbin

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

Title: Kidnapping the Laird
Author: Terri Brisbin
In: The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Historical romance, Scottish romance
Dates read: 19th February 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Cat focused on her task and soon the porridge bubbled in the cooking pot.

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Synopsis

Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures. Especially when you’re married to a laird who won’t even look at you…

Thoughts

The beginning of this story wasn’t quite what I expected. I was really expecting a kidnap from the very start that possibly lead to a love and marriage. Instead it started with a marriage, and the kidnapping doesn’t occur until about halfway through. Though it works brilliantly and beautifully. And I turned the last page of this book with a great smile on my face.

This story starts off with an estranged couple, and quickly fills in the backstory as to their epic failing at being a couple. Even though it’s pretty obvious that they’re going to reconcile their differences fairly quickly in this story. After all, it’s in a romance collection. It’s still intriguing and captivating the ways in which the two stubborn fools manage to make their relationship work and start on a new adventure… together.

 <- Next Time ReviewKissingate Magic Review ->
Image source: Hachette Australia

One Odd Shoe by Pat Murphy

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for coyote road book cover

Title: One Odd Shoe
Author: Pat Murphy
In: The Coyote Road (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Tricksters
Dates read: 5th March 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Firebird Fantasy
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: You’ll find small pools here and there.

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Synopsis

If there’s a shoe on the side of the road, it’s probably best not to pick it up… it could be Coyote teaching someone a lesson.

Thoughts

This was a really cute, funny story. I loved the narrator’s voice as it unfolds. There is a sense of wandering storytelling that isn’t common in a lot of other stories. It made me feel like I was being told the story by the woman in the story – sitting next to her as she told me about Mark, who really should have known better.

I’ve always loved tricksters – they’re equalisers and neither good nor bad. Any stories which have a grey area make me happy to be honest. And this short story epitomised the idea of equalising. Mark is obviously not the best person in the world, so Trickster decides to mess with him. And teach him a lesson. And show him how to be a little less not-good and a little more… better.

Now, every time I see a single shoe lying beside the edge of the road, I’m going to wonder about who is getting their comeuppance. And who is learning a new lesson.

 <- The Coyote Road ReviewCoyote Woman Review ->
Image source: Amazon