All posts by skyebjenner

A Date With the Other Side by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for a date with the other side erin mccarthy book cover

Title: A Date With the Other Side
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Cuttersville #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Romance
Dates read: 12th January 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: The lock clicked into place.

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Synopsis

In the three years Shelby Tucker has been leading tour groups through the haunted houses of Cuttersville, Ohio, she’s never caught a glimpse of a ghost. But she does get pretty startled when she waltzes into the bedroom of a supposedly vacant house and stumbles upon a sexy, hot-blooded, naked man…

This is no ghost, though. This guy is solid as a rock. Bad boy Boston Macnamara is renting the so-called huanted house… and he’s about to shake things up in good ol’ Cuttersville. At least for Shelby, who’s never been so hot and bothered before. And especially if some feisty matchmaking spirits have their way…

Thoughts

I can’t believe that I’ve put off reading this book for like a whole month!!! I got it, I wanted to read it… I decided that I should read something else. And I kept putting it off. Until the other day, when I had a really severe migraine. Which meant that any urban fantasy or really any story that involved keeping intense track of the characters and the plot was completely out of bounds. Instead I read this. Cover to cover with no breaks. And made my migraine worse… but it was totally worth it!!!

The whole opposites attract thing really comes out in this story. Shelby is completely easy going, although kind of insecure and smart enough to know what she doesn’t want in life (even if she can’t quite figure out what she does want). Boston on the other hand is uptight and controlled… although peel back the outside layers of both the characters as you go through the story (as McCarthy does perfectly in this) and you’ll realise that under that crispy outer shell, both of the characters are almost exactly the same. Insecure, longing to be loved and not sure whether they can trust someone else.

Although this is an incredibly typical boy meets girl kind of story, I did love the ghostly influences throughout. It’s not quite a paranormal romance, in that it is very everyday lives that just happen to occur near a haunted house. The slight paranormal influence partnered with the small country town that I find completely relatable made this seem almost the more real. After all, there are places that people think are haunted… and why not have a story that means this haunting becomes something more positive?

 <- Seeing is Believing ReviewHeiress for Hire Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Mamma’s Boy by Sandra Wickham

Book Review, ,
Overview
Evolve

Title: Mamma’s Boy
Author: Sandra Wickham
In: Evolve (Nancy Kilpatrick)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Demons
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Edge
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Ruth cursed him, but lowered the knife.

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Synopsis

Ruth is about to give birth to a half monster baby. But will she find a way to make him a Mamma’s Boy?

Thoughts

This very short story gives a whole new meaning to the term “mamma’s boy”. And I know a few mamma’s boys… so it kind of made me feel uncomfortable. Maybe if they were a half demon baby, they would have turned out like this too…

I couldn’t believe how quickly this story went through the emotions and trials. It seemed like mere moments from the point in which Ruth is trying to get rid of her demon ex, to starting her new life with her demon baby. And although I really enjoyed it and could trace the entire storyline, it was pretty much over in the blink of an eye. A bit like this review.

 <- An Ember Amongst the Fallen ReviewThe Morning After Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for grave mercy book cover

Title: Grave Mercy
Author: Robin LaFevers
Series: His Fair Assassin #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Assassins, Historical fiction, Strong women
Dates read: 21st – 27th January 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Andersen Press
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: It could mean nothing; it could mean everything.

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Synopsis

Young, beautiful and deadly.

Trained as an assassin by the god of death, Ismae is sent to the court of Brittany, where she finds herself underprepared – not only for the fames of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

A dangerous romance full of intrigue, poison and ultimately finding one’s way.

Thoughts

I picked this book up ages ago. Because of a vague recommendation on Goodreads. And then I kind of forgot about it. Until this week. And now I’m kind of sad that I had forgotten about this amazing novel for so long. And currently don’t have the spare funds in the budget to buy the other two books in this trilogy.

I’ve only recently started getting into historical fictions. It’s not a genre that I had ever considered before, but after meeting a few authors who write in the genre and realising that I’m fascinated by history. Especially British history, it’s a subgenre that I’m slowly going to expand on. I also love when these historical fictions use figures and moments that are really potent in our history (I say our, since my family hails from the UK and I feel some weird kind of connection to it). In the case of Grave Mercy, Anne of Brittany and all of the political ruminations and squabbles that surrounded her life are utilised. It gives the storyline an extra level of reality and connection.

There is something about assassins that I always thoroughly enjoy… especially when they are female assassins, slight young things that can whoop anyone’s ass. Placing such a character in a period in history which is often characterised by the lack of respect and autonomy guided to women made a much better contrast. One of the best messages I have read in a long time was wrapped up in this idea. As two very similar women face off, the protagonist realises that they are very much the same. They have faced the same lack of choices and indecisions. Yet, they became completely different people with what they had before them because of the choices that they both chose to make.

 <- Mortal Heart ReviewDark Triumph Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Double Hexed by Allyson James

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Hexed

Title: Double Hexed
Author: Allyson James
Series: Stormwalker #2.5
In: Hexed (Ilona Andrews, Yasmine Galenorn, Allyson James & Jeanne C. Stein)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Strong women, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 18th January 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: I just wanted someone to talk to.

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Synopsis

National bestselling author Allyson James takes you to Magellan, Arizona, where Stormwalker Janet Begay and her friends are trapped by a powerful curse. It will take every bit of magic simmering beneath her skin for the Stormwalker to survive being “Double Hexed”.

Thoughts

I had no idea what to expect from this novella. I have never read anything by Allyson James and the blurb that accompanies the tale isn’t full of much information. So I basically started this completely blind. And it was so good that I found it impossible to put down. To the point that I was even reading this novella (and dying to finish it) while I was out for dinner and at a friend’s birthday…

This is very much characters in a bottle – take six supernatural characters, trap them in a hotel and then make all of their horrifying base urges come to light. I’ve read a few of these types of stories – ones that highlight the characters and basal human urges in a way that including the wider world wouldn’t allow. But, I haven’t read one that used a half-goddess, vampire-esque creature, trickster god and dragon when mixing up this bottle of characters. And that in and of itself made the story so much more enthralling and entertaining.

One of the things about this novella that I really enjoyed was the fact that although there is obviously a lot of back story (from the previous novels), it isn’t hard to follow the storyline. There is enough moments in which this backstory is filled in to make you feel like you’re not missing out on anything. And there’s just enough mystery in the story to make you want to pick up the first novels in this series…

<- FirewalkerShadow Walker ->

Image source: Ilona Andrews

The Boy Who Cried Wolf by Holly Black

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for troll's-eye view book cover

Title: The Boy Who Cried Wolf
Author: Holly Black
In: Troll’s-Eye View (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Villains, Werewolves
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Firebird Fantasy
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: There was barely any wind, and the swells were small.

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Synopsis

When a young lad sniffs a flower, he quickly finds out that not everything he reads about in books is fiction. Will he have what it takes to save his family?

Thoughts

While I really enjoyed this short story, what bumped up my great opinion of it was Black’s explanation for why she wrote it in the first place. On childhood vacations, she often wished that she could turn into a wolf and eat her family – so she wrote about a boy who could. And, honestly, who hasn’t felt like that on a family vacation?

This was a fun, easy and quick read. It took the idea of a boy who doesn’t quite fit in and twisted and turned it into a tale that was a little bit scary, a little bit about being right and a lot about family. It has that darkness that I tend to associate with Holly Black and one that I thoroughly enjoy.

 <- Puss in Boots, the Sequel ReviewTroll Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Ice Shards by Yasmine Galenorn

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for ice shards book cover

Title: Ice Shards
Author: Yasmine Galenorn
Series: Otherworld #9.5
In: Hexed (Ilona Andrews, Yasmine Galenorn, Allyson James & Jeanne C. Stein)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Fae, Paranormal fantasy
Dates read: 6th – 17th January 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: How could you do this to me?

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Synopsis

In “Ice Shards,” New York Times bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn returns to the Otherworld as Iris Kuusi, a Finnish house sprite, journeys to the frozen Northlands to confront the crazed shadow of her former lover and break the curse that is keeping her from marrying the man she loves.

Thoughts

Many of the stories that feature that fae feature characters with some level of power, or at least the court fae. So I kind of loved the fact that this story featured a house sprite. One that is still powerful in her own right, but of a completely different stature and power than the stories which I am used to.

I’m thoroughly enjoying the hexed and cursed theme throughout the Hexed collection. Yet, there was something about this curse and resurgence of the past which was even more intense and potent. Something which I thoroughly enjoyed. After all, there is nothing like a good curse and a lot of remembering into the past to help liven up a battle for justice.

I haven’t yet had the chance to sink myself into the Otherworld series. And reading my second novella of the series has made me want to sink myself into this world… I just have to finish a few of the stories that I have on my shelves first…

 <- Magic Dreams ReviewDouble Hexed Review ->
Image source: Ilona Andrews

The Bell FROM HELL!!! by Jeff Strand

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Blood Lite

Title: The Bell from HELL!!!
Author: Jeff Strand
In: Blood Lite (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Demons, Horror
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Edge
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Doubtful.

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Synopsis

A young office worker has a bell forged by Lucifer to call the Dark Lord himself… but what will push him over the edge to use it?

Thoughts

I was expecting an entirely different ending to this short story. I basically thought that Lucifer was going to show up and own everyone. But he didn’t, and I just felt uncomfortable about the whole damn story. Especially the ending.

What I did love about this story, was the style in which it was written. Strand has a wonderfully quirky, quick-paced and fun style of wording that constantly made me smile and giggle throughout. The words are fast-paced and slightly sarcastic, giving this short story a great satirical air that makes up for some of the plot holes that frustrated me so badly.

 <- Bitches of the Night ReviewDead Hand Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Silver Horse by Kate Forsyth

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the silver horse kate forsyth book cover

Title: The Silver Horse
Author: Kate Forsyth
Series: The Chain of Charms #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading,
Gypsies, Historical fiction
Dates read: 17th – 21st January 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Macmillan
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: You think that’s why she never strays?

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Synopsis

It is the fifth year of the Lord Protector’s rule and while life has always been hard for the gypsies, since Oliver Cromwell has seized control of England, life has become harder than ever.

Emilila and Luka Finch’s family have been accused of vagrancy and murder, and thrown into gaol with only three weeks to live. Emilia and Luka’s grandmother believes that only the collection of six ancient gypsy charms will see them escape the hangman’s noose.

Emilia and Luka are now on a dangerous quest to find all six charms and with a little bit of luck – or, as Emilia believes, magice – save their family from the gallows. They have the first, an old gold coin, but now they seek the second precious charm.

The charm, they believe, lies with the horse-trading Hearne family. But the Hearnes are reluctant to help, let alone give up their treasured talisman. With Coldham close on their heels, Emilia and Luka must race against time to win the support of the Hearnes – all the while trying to keep a grumpy old brown bear out of sight and out of trouble.

The second book in this exciting six-book series about the adventures of two daring children, a monkey, a dog and a dancing bear in search of the chain of charms.

Thoughts

I found this story kind of sad. Emilia and Luka are on the next step of their journey to try and find help for their family. And yet, the people who are supposed to be closer than kin are the very ones who turn their backs on the children. And also decide to take advantage of them. No matter that it is a family trying to take care of themselves, my heart broke a little for both gypsy children the further the story unfolds.

This is a reread of the Chain of Charms series, and although it has been over a year between rereading the first story, The Gypsy Crown, and this, the second, I still get that same great joy of the tale. And, as I’ve gotten older and revisited this story, I am realising more and more how amazing Forsyth’s talent is at mixing historical fact with imaginative fiction. The blending of the two, and the notes at the end of the story which highlight the facts and fiction intertwine beautifully.

As a child, there was something intriguing and alluring about being a gypsy. Probably for me, the no shoes and no permanent abode. I’ve mostly lost that intrigue (I can’t have a library like mine if I lived on the road). But, there is still something of that childish and innocent desire to explore the world. That nostalgia for a time and peoples that I’ve never met or experienced. It makes me incredibly excited to pick up the next in this story and continue my very enjoyable journey down nostalgia-lane.

 <- The Gypsy Crown ReviewThe Herb of Grace Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Reluctance by Cherie Priest

Book Review, , ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Steampunk

Title: Reluctance
Author: Cherie Priest
In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves:  Steampunk, Westerns
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: He moved like a compass pinned to a map.

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Synopsis

A regular pit stop to change his aircraft and swap over his loads in Reluctance becomes something far more sinister and worrying in this fantastic short story.

Thoughts

When I finally sat down to write this review a few days after finishing Reluctance, it took me a little while to recall what it was about. It isn’t one of those stories that glaringly sits in my mind. And that’s mostly because it was just a fun and easy read. It’s very good, but it’s not the sort of story that I usually read, and, unlike many of the other books in this collection, it didn’t have an overwhelming message that I took away when I’d turned the last page.

Having said that, when I remembered which story this was. I remembered how much I enjoyed it at the time. Actually, it kind of made me think of Firefly. Which I miss. And I’m annoyed that it was only one season… but I digress. It had that great western cowboy feel to it. partnered with the futuristic spaceships and steampunk machinery. A fantastic little world to lose yourself in for ten, fifteen minutes.

 <- Lady Witherspoon’s Solution ReviewA Serpent in the Gears Review ->
Image source: Amazon

The Obscure Bird by Nicholas Royle

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

Title: The Obscure Bird
Author: Nicholas Royle
In: Black Feathers (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Horror
Dates read: 27th January 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Pegasus Books Ltd.
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Lying in the darkness, she heard his carefully weighted footsteps approach their bedroom door, stop for a moment and then continue past.

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Synopsis

There is something dark and twisted sitting between a married couple. But it isn’t until the end that you realise how truly dark it is…

Thoughts

This story started out interesting and with a little mystery. It was engaging and I really liked it. And then it very quickly become uncomfortable. Very, very, very uncomfortable.

I’ve always liked owls and other birds of prey. There is something both mysterious and intriguing about them. Also a little creepy and dangerous. So the fact that this story took those aspects of owls and used them to create a horror short story worked really well for me. A little bit too well if I’m being honest… I had some very weird and shadowy dreams after reading this just before bed…

 <- O Terrible Bird ReviewThe Mathematical Inevitability of Corvids Review ->
Image source: Amazon