She’s supposed to be convicitng a murderer. But what happens when that murderer is possibly the love of her life? There is only one way to find out… solve the murder and save the day.
This was a fun and easy little romance. It wasn’t anything ground-shaking, but it was really cute. And I loved that there was so much history built into a few pages. Not only were you swept along by the storyline as it unfolded, you were tantalisingly fed parts of their past which helped to build on the fun throughout.
I’m always pretty keen on a nice little play on words. And this title does that perfectly. It highlights the vampirism in the story, it shows you that there is something at risk, and just generally works very nicely. It keeps in tune with the happy, fun and easy tone of this piece.
Title: Spider’s Bite Author: Jennifer Estep Series: Elemental Assassin #1 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Assassins, Dark fantasy, Elements Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Pocket Books Year: 2010 5th sentence, 74th page: In slowly flaying him alive.
My name is Gin, and I kill people.
They call me the Spider. I’m the most feared assassin in the South – when I’m not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don’t use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.
Now that a ruthless Air elemental has double-crossed me and killed my handler, I’m out for revenge. And I’ll exterminate anyone who gets in my way – good or bad. I may look hot, but I’m still one of the bad guys. Which is why I’m in trouble, since irresistibly rugged Detective Donovan Caine has agreed to help me. The last thing this coldhearted killer needs when I’m battling magic more powerful than my own is a sexy distraction.. especially when Donovan wants me dead just as much as the enemy.
This story was so good! I always love stories with a kick ass lead. Especially in those cases where the female is completely independent and has a tragic past. It’s a trope, but it’s one that I absolutely adore. And can never quite seem to get enough of. And Gin is no different. She has a horrible, and slightly mysterious past. She has built herself up to take care of herself and runs around the entire time kicking ass and taking names.
Aside from the great characterisation of Gin, I also loved the world building in this. I actually found it almost completely unique. (Almost, because after you’ve read like a million books, there is always the sense of same same throughout what you read). Ashland combines the sense of Gotham with the magic and mayhem of mythology, folklore and paranormal elements. And with a mix like that, you really can’t go wrong. Although, considering the story starts in an insane asylum, it’s not really surprising that it has the Gotham vibe to it.
The sexual tension in this was amazing. And I really hope that the relationship develops over the next few books. It’s obvious that Gin and Donovan are probably meant for each other, but both have that many hang ups that I think it may be one of the most dysfunctional literary relationships I’ve read in a long while. Which, I, of course loved. And it had me smiling and laughing silently to myself throughout. Definitely the kind of book that I will be revisiting in the future and binge reading… time to order some more books!
Title: Elvis Presley and the Bloodsucker Blues Author: Matt Venne In: Blood Lite (Kevin J. Anderson) Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this) My Bookshelves:Comedy, Horror, Vampires Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Pocket Books Year: 2008 5th sentence, 74th page: I followed his gaze over my shoulder, discovered that the dude was staring at the risin’ sun on the horizon.
The true, hollywood version of Elvis Presley’s death…
I have a mother who is obsessed with Elvis Presley. Actually, everytime I hear him I think of Christmas because that is the only time of year my dad can tolerate listening to it anymore. Somehow, Elvis Presley has become our Christmas music. Which is weird to say the least. So reading this gave me a weird feeling of Christmas. Even though it had ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with that time of year…
I thoroughly enjoyed this unique take on what truly happened to Elvis in his last years of life. The why and how of his death and the fact that he didn’t really go off of his rocker in his final days. It was very clever and unique. But, as much as I enjoyed it, something about the prose just wasn’t as enjoyable as usual…
Title: Spider’s Bargain Author: Jennifer Estep Series: Elemental Assassin #0.5 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Assassins, Dark fantasy, Elements Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Jennifer Estep Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: Which was one of the reasons my handler, Fletcher, kept nagging me to retire.
This short story takes place before the events of Spider’s Bite, the first book in the Elemental Assassin series. In “Spider’s Bargain,” Gin Blanco takes on a corrupt cop, but only one of them will be left standing in the end.
From getting halfway through Spider’s Bite before reading this, I knew that Gin killed Ingles because he wasn’t a very nice guy. This short story tells you exactly how not-nice. And also exactly how Gin leaves him. No wonder Donovan is so annoyed at her throughout the series. Having said that, I kind of loved it. There was such beautiful poetic justice in this tale.
Spider’s Bargain also introduces the nightclub that features kind of heavily in Spider’s Bite and a whole other world that I just wasn’t quite expecting. It just helps to draw me further into this world and now I can’t wait to read Web of Lies… when it finally arrives on my doorstep.
Title: The Mechanical Aviary of Emperor Jala-ud-din Muhammad Akbar Author: Shweta Narayan In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Steampunk Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2009 5th sentence, 74th page: And so it was; she made a little golden child with wings and tail enamelled green, and named her Devadasi.
A classic tale of pride coming before the fall. Mixing folklore, legend and a heavy dose of steampunk settings to weave a story that is as beautiful as it is meaningful.
I really enjoyed this story. The idea of a mechanical aviary built by a mechanical bird in and of itself is a great little story. Add to this the fact that a tale of morals is interwoven throughout, and this was the most fun I’ve had in the past few weeks. It was just so beautifully different and engaging. Without being overbearing in the way the message is outlined.
Although the primary story was fun, I actually enjoyed the creator’s tale much better. The way it interweaves was brilliantly done, and I like the fact that it echoes the primary story. The entire thing just worked seamlessly and I was actually really disappointed when it was finished…
Title: Web of Deceit Author: Jennifer Estep Series: Elemental Assassin #0.4 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Assassins, Dark fantasy, Elements Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Jennifer Estep Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: Inside, I knew that the house boasted the finest things that money could buy.
This short story takes place when Gin is a teenager. It’s told from the point of view of Fletcher Lane, Gin’s assassin mentor, and focuses on Gin’s first solo job as the assassin the Spider.
Another thoroughly enjoyable short edition to the Elemental Assassin series. It features Gin’s first kill, her youth and the pride and care that Fletcher takes in his young apprentice. I’m still only halfway through the first novel, and it is obvious in this how much Gin cares for her mentor, so it was incredibly nice to read about his feelings towards her.
I’m kind of obsessive over assassin books at the moment. They feature people who should, theoretically be completely deplorable, but often highlight this intense vulnerability and lack of family that many people would probably understand. And if not, well, it’s still fun to read about some incredibly badass characters (woman) who is able to hold life or death in the palm of her hand… literally.
Tara is an archaeologist. She’s at the dig of her dreams, if it wasn’t for the bad weather and the creepy boss. And then there’s the man that she finds buried in the dirt… he changes everything and her life takes on a supernatural twist.
I’m an academic. So anytime there is a story of any kind that features a woman who is an academic, I’m often drawn right in. Immediately and happily. After all, it’s nice to read about someone who has so much in common with you. Plus, it’s fun to have strong, intelligent women in a story. Even if it is just a short story in an ebook anthology late at night.
Tara is a fun and engaging lead and I like that although there is the sense of love at first sight, there is a building up of this relationship. They both slowly fall for each other, and the relationship is more built on their conversations with each other and personalities than lust at first sight. Spin in some paranormal issues and the fae, and this is definitely a thoroughly enjoyable tale that will keep you engaged for ten, fifteen minutes.
Title: Poison Author: Jennifer Estep Series: Elemental Assassin #0.1 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Assassins, Dark fantasy, Elements, Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Jennifer Estep Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: I winced, waiting for the pain that I was sure to feel from his vicious bite.
This short story takes place when Gin is a teenager and is told from the point of view of Finnegan Lane, Gin’s foster brother.
I always enjoy short stories from a different perspective. And this fit that bill perfectly. I have read this while I’m only halfway through Spider’s Bite, but it already helps to understand the relationship between Gin and Finn so much better.
Although it is written with Finn’s jealousy reeking off the pages, it is also very easy to see how their sibling relationship so quickly developed. Gin has the hero-worship need for acceptance from her big brother, and Finn has the jealousy that so many older siblings initially get around their younger counterparts.
This was a really fun and insightful look into the world of Gin and why there is such a bond between herself and Finn, and it just makes me want to finish Spider’s Bite all the more quickly.
She’s supposed to be a vampire hunter, an SOB. He’s supposed to be her target. But lust, hormones and a little bit of fate seem to be getting in the way of her first kill.
I really liked the narrator of this story. She had a completely relatable voice. She was pithy, sarcastic and full of sass. There was also this great sense of vulnerability and innocence in everything in this story that was, well, not entirely relatable, but certainly enjoyable to read. And that was all before the romance and the vampires got involved!
I love the idea of the main couple being naturally at war. That there is something far more at stake (pun intended) than just their lives, but their families, their hearts and their futures. It’s definitely a great indication of what the rest of the series is going to be like, and the first thing I did when I finished this short story was to order the first book of the series.
Title: The Eldritch Pastiche from Beyond the Shadow of Horror Author: Christopher Welch In: Blood Lite (Kevin J. Anderson) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Comedy, Horror Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Pocket Books Year: 2008 5th sentence, 74th page: If you finished Foucault’s Pendulum, you must really have a problem, Chris,” Tom said.
Chris is an addict and just when he thinks he’s about to break the habit, a spectre from his dreams (or is it nightmares) appears in the hopes that he’ll continue…
I laughed at this. So much. And so hard. Maybe a little harder than I needed to. It was late at night, so sue me…
Chris is an addict, and a writer and just when he thinks he’s about to beat the habit, he’s told not to. In the most condescending, patronising way possible. Which was incredibly fun to read. Mostly, I just love the patronising tone of the story and the way in which Welch is able to layer his twisted fantasy world on top of our real one.
There is no message behind this story. It isn’t horrifying or intriguing. But it’s funny. And easy. And just a really enjoyable tale to read late at night before going to bed, with a smile plastered across your lips.
Title: What’s at Stake?
Title: Elvis Presley and the Bloodsucker Blues
Title: The Mechanical Aviary of Emperor Jala-ud-din Muhammad Akbar
Title: Tara’s Find
