All posts by skyebjenner

The Mane Attraction ReRead by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Mane Attraction ReRead
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #3
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2008

Thoughts

From my first read of The Mane Attraction, I really enjoyed Sissy Mae, I mean, the woman is chaos personified. But, on this read through, I didn’t quite enjoy her as much. And honestly, I felt kind of the same about Mitch. Yes, they were fun and I had a good laugh, but I didn’t quite love them as much on this read through. I think because some of the chaotic nature seemed a little bit more malicious in nature. Something I just wasn’t expecting.

Having said (written) all of that, I did absolutely adore the scene in which Sissy Mae just absolutely destroyed her brother. He had spent the entirety of The Mane Attraction seriously pissing me off with his attitude. And, honestly, Sissy Mae spends so long putting up with his shit and just ignoring it, that when she finally cracks… Chef’s Kiss. Slightly unnecessary violence, in the most beautiful manner. I mean, the woman does need to get revenge, and she works as a beautiful catalyst for the changes in her home town Smith Pack.

Honestly, my favourite thing about this book is Sissy Mae and Ronnie Lee’s friendship – they are truly a Ride or Die friendship. One that is definitely insane, but also incredibly loyal. It’s a pretty decent reminder of why someone like Sissy Mae, for all of her slightly bored / malicious tendencies, is the “Alpha” of her Pack. She is truly loyal to those she cares about. And she is also able to comfortably manage those around her, sometimes in more sublte ways that the original read throughout indicated.

The willingness of female lions to hunt for their somewhat lazy males has always astounded me. And I love that this is reflected in Laurenston’s writing. This whole story is a battle with the Shaw brothers thinking that they are constantly entitled to all of the food. And then the Shaw brothers being absolutely terrified of all of the nonsense that their women put them through with their driving… wonderful and seriously hilarious.

<- The Beast in Him ReReadThe Mane Squeeze ReRead ->

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The Beast in Him ReRead by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Beast in Him ReRead
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2008

Thoughts

The Mane Event and Shaw’s Tail might have loosely introduced the New York Smith Pack and all of their insanity, but it’s not until The Beast in Him that I became truly enmeshed in Laurenston’s Shifter World. Both in my first read, and this reread, I might have enjoyed the four novellas the preceeded this, but it was Bobby Rae and Jessie Ann’s story that really solidified my desire to dive into this series and story. Particularly because I absolutely adored Jessie Ann’s total and utter insanity, and Bobby Rae’s unshiftable will, regardless of what course and action he chose to follow.

I love that, paranormal tropes, Wild Dog insanity and just a whole lot of crazy aside, The Beast in Him, at its core is a second chance romance. Bobby Rae and Jessie Ann may not have actually been a couple in a past life, but they definitely have some history. And that history leads to some pretty decent hang ups. Mostly on Jessie Ann’s behalf, but that just made her refusal to dive right in all that much more fun. And some of the games she plays prior to letting Bobby Rae back into her life all that much more hilarious.

As the true start of the Pride series (at least in my mind, the four novellas are prequels), I love that Laurenston begins to introduce the idea of prejudice against hybrids. Nothing really obvious, but the occasional insidious comments here and there. It’s even better that all of this prejudice comes from external sources, and quite frankly, both Bobby Rae and Jessie Ann just do not care. Once they’ve both decided on a path, they stubbornly stick to it. Even if that path is towards one another and annoys untold individuals.

One of my favourite parts ever about this book though has to be the unity in Jessie Ann’s Pack of Wild Dogs. I, personally, am a big fan of the African Wild Dog, so I loved how Laurenston was able to create shifters in this image. Not only do they work fantastically as a team, but their joy and pleasure in each other that I’ve witnessed in real life just leaps off of the pages. As does their love for their pups… something that I totally understand, and I kind of wish I too had a pack of chocolate-obsessed weirdoes surroundign me and my own pups.

As much as I loved all of this story, I still found Bobby Rae’s stubborn adherence to his ideals to be frustrating. I mean, he’s decided what Jessie Ann deserves without discussing any of it with her. And, although he feels that he is being kind, honest, and open with her. He is actually being incredibly sexist and disrespectful. Luckily for my enjoyment and sanity, Jessie Ann absolutely calls him on this and makes him actually treat her with equality, not just parts of equality.

<- The Mane Event ReReadThe Mane Attraction ReRead ->

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The Mane Event ReRead by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Mane Event ReRead
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #1
In: The Mane Event (Shelly Laurenston)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2007

Thoughts

The Mane Event encompasses the first two modern-day novellas to start off the Pride series. Like a Wolf with a Bone and Miss Congeniality work as wonderful prequels from the generation before to lead into this series, but then Christmas Pride and Shaw’s Tail truly start off the whole series with a wonderfully loud and chaotic bang. And I love that both of these stories are great and quick snapshots into different aspect of the Shifter World. Particularly some of the Packs and Prides that form the backbone of this series.

It was really interesting going back and rereading this novella collection after reading the entirety of the Pride series and up to publication with the Honey Badger Chronicles. Plus, I actually read the Magnus Pack trilogy right before diving into my reread, and this was definitely something that I would call worth doing. It gave so much more context to just about everything. Plus, I just all around loved picking up the little hints of what is to come, or what has been in doing this reread. It’s also nice how The Mane Event is able to really drive home the stark differences between the three wolf Packs.

As with my first read through, I still wish that The Mane Event was two full-length novels, not two novellas. I just wanted more of these characters and romances. And yet, I kind of understood why they weren’t. It’s just my need for more strong women like Dez and Ronnie that make me want more. But, I also just love that both of these somewhat insane women show up frequently in the other books anyway, so I kind of get my fix.

I’m absolutely loving diving feet first back into the murderous and intense world of Laurenston’s Shifters. It’s always fun to pick up different nuances in a reread, and I’m definitely finding a whole heap of layers in this writing. Now I’m excited to dive into the next story in this reread… The Beast in Him.

<- Shaw’s Tail ReReadThe Beast in Him ReRead ->

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Shaw’s Tail ReRead by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Shaw’s Tail ReRead
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #0.9
In: The Mane Event (Shelly Laurenston)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2007

Thoughts

As the second Pride novella to open the series, Shaw’s Tail works wonderfully. Not only does it connect in with what happened in Christmas Pride, but it also introduces the New York Smith Pride. Who wonderfully kick off the full-length novels. I also love that Ronnie Lee Reed is the first wolf to kick off the insanity of the Smith Pack. I mean, the woman is a nut and had me laughing out loud throughout the entirety of this story.

The image that is 100% stuck in my brain from this story is Brendon Shaw’s play bow whilst in the throes of the fever. This level of humour and playfulness is something that I really enjoy about Laurenston’s writing. Plus, I love that the entirety of this story is pretty much Brendon chasing Ronnie Lee around. The stubbornness of a male who has decided on his female. Laurenston writes it brilliantly – it’s a welcome pursuit, but it was nice that Ronnie Lee was kind of non-plussed by what was happening, and their ultimate relationship honestly wouldn’t have happened without Brendon’s stubbornness.

Not only does Shaw’s Tail follow on wonderfully from Christmas Pride, but it also leads into The Mane Attraction wonderfully. I absolutely adore Ronnie’s friendship with Sissy Mae. They are wonderfully intertwined, as are Mitch and Brendon. The dynamic relationships throughout this series are phenomenal, and I love how Ronnie’s strong friendship helps to drive a lot of the story going forward.

I absolutely adored this novella, and I love that it starts to introduce the bigotry within the Pride world. This drives such a big part of the story arc throughout. And the fact that Ronnie Lee is scared to mate with a different species because she’s scared of having “half-breed, snaggle-toothed mutts”. It was a great and gorgeous way to lead into this not so pleasant aspect of the shifter world.

<- Christmas Pride ReReadThe Mane Event ReRead ->

Image source: World of Books

Christmas Pride ReRead by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Christmas Pride ReRead
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #0.8
In: The Mane Event (Shelly Laurenston)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2007

Thoughts

Diving back into the Pride series after reading through all of the published books is a great journey. I particularly love revisiting Dez when I realise how she sits within the greater world and series. She’s just this bad-ass cop who constantly shows up, and gives absolutely zero fucks. So going back to the beginning of her second chance romance with Mace and where she starts was fantastic and seriously enjoyable.

Christmas Pride is a second chance romance that isn’t really a second chance that’s required because of past mistakes and decisions. Rather, it is a second shot which is all about missed opportunities, circumstances and growing up. And I love how they are both able to completely grow into themselves and be their own selves. Man, do they grow into well-rounded beings, and I kind of like that their distance in youth is what helps them to become the adults they needed to be. Particularly for Dez who is able to completely hold her own space against Mace and all of the chaos within the shifter world.

Both Dez and Mace have the most insane sisters. I don’t like Mace’s at all as they just strike me as these horribly selfish she-bitches who think that their word is law. Dez’s sisters sit a little in the same space, but mostly they just strike me as absolute chaos gremlins. Which I adore. I might not externally be the kind of woman who is absolutely willing to throw down and fight with anyone, but I kind of want to be. And my Inside Voice most definitely is.

I enjoyed the Christmas Pride novella in my first read through. But, rereading it after knowing more about the world and how everyone sits within it made it all that much better. Particularly having more understanding of the species-driven politics made this a more enjoyable experience all round. I loved it the first time, but I adored it the second time.

<- Like a Wolf with a Bone ReReadShaw’s Tail ReRead ->

Image source: World of Books

Badger to the Bone ReRead by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Badger to the Bone ReRead
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Honey Badger Chronicles #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

Of course Max is going to be the first Honey Badger to fall for a damn cat – she’s just as contrary and difficult as any feline that I’ve ever come across. I love that she manages to find a cat who doesn’t know what he is. Then kind of adopt him, then just… decide that she might like him a little. Meanwhile, Zé is just following her around in a bit of a daze. And then, in the most catlike way possible, just decides that he’s going to keep Max, whether she likes it or not. The bemusement and the lack of courtship throughout this story was so very Max, and had me laughing again and again throughout.

I found the concept of Zé not knowing what he is to be a really interesting spin. I love that it’s Max of all people who has to introduce him to the world. And that it’s her sisters who really drive her to actually being kind to the poor guy. That girl has no chill and is completely unhinged, so having her be the one to introduce someone to a whole new world was quite frankly hilarious. I also love that, when Zé realises that his grandfather actually knows about this world and Honey Badgers, Max just takes it in hand and gives them the vessel / avenue throughout which to reconnect.

One of my favourite moments in Badger to the Bone, even in the reread is when Stevie announces that Max is not a psychopath because she can feel love. The fact that Max laughs in Mairi’s face and mocks her for not having love in her life just furthers this assessment. I really loved how Max’s shining light and reason for living is really her sisters. And although she’s not exactly the safest of bets, it’s her love for her sisters that keeps her grounded. It’s also what makes her walk from her mother and remind everyone that she has morals and a code that she lives by. Even when it’s a bit unhinged.

I had honestly forgotten all about the Black Malones (I don’t know how), and their psychotic little sister. I’m so glad that I loved them just as much in the reread. They are hilarious and fit perfectly in with the insanity that is the Honey Badger Chronicles. Then there is Max’s basketball team – again, a bunch of women who are just brimming with chaos, violence and total craziness. Now I can’t wait to dive into the next Honey Badger Chronicles book and get to know Max’s friends that much better…

<- In a Badger Way ReReadBreaking Badger ReRead ->

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Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Aurora Rising
Author: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Series: Aurora Cycle #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Science fiction, Space, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I just can’t even with this story, in the best way possible. I forget just how much I love Kaufman and Kristoff as a writing duo, and reading this was just a great reminder of why that is the case. They are the most amazing writing duo and I can never put their books down. Aurora Rising was no different – but, unlike the Illuminae Files, I had the most trashed heart after this book ended. In fact, I kept repeating that “this book ruined me” and drove my partner a little bit nuts. Without giving spoilers, there was a fair amount of heartbreaking activity in this.

I really enjoy well-written stories with an ensemble cast, and Kaufman and Kristoff manage to pull this off seamlessly. I love that each character has a really distinct voice, so that even if the chapters didn’t start with the name of the character you are currently following, you’d probably be able to guess within a few paragraphs. The diversity and strength of their characters made me fall in love even more with this story, and also made that point of heartbreak even more potent and harmful. Because I fell in love with each and every member of this unlikely band of heroes.

Opening this, I was expecting a bit more of the style of the Illuminae Files, I thought that there would be a multitude of moments throughout which had the graphic appeal of the first Kaufman / Kristoff series that I read. Instead, it was pretty much entirely prose, with very little of the structure of the previous books. Although I loved that in the past, I really wasn’t disappointed. Again, the language, the style, and the journey were represented perfectly within this structure and made me smile again and again and again throughout. So much love for not just the story and the voices, but the style of writing in this.

Aurora Rising is a story about outcasts, Found Family, heists and so many damn conspiracies. There was nothing predictable about any of the storyline, and this is part of what made it completely impossible to put down. I loved every moment of this story, and I can’t wait to read Aurora Burning. There are so many loose threads just flapping in the wind. Aurora Rising was about discovering the battle ahead, and bonding as a team in their outcast bunch. But now I can’t wait to see where the universe will take them next.

<- More Amie KaufmanAurora Burning ->

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Tower of Thorns by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Tower of Thorns
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: Grimm Academy #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Fairy tales, Retellings, Romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

Tower of Thorns had some pretty major Mother Gothel vibes to it, and because of this, I most definitely figured out who the culprit / bad guy in the story was. But, even though I 100% knew what was coming, I still loved going on the journey. Probably because it was still fun, still had a lot of emotion, and I loved how the story unfolded.

Rapunzel’s strength of self and forethought into how her prophecy might come true were beautiful things. I love that, although she wanted to trust her mother, she still decided to put things in place for just in case. I mean, the idea that she has this great strength of will and willingness to not let “fate” determine her future was beautiful. Particularly when there are so many retellings that have historically painted Rapunzel as a victim.

As much as I enjoyed Tower of Thorns, I really wanted to know more about Gavin’s prophecy. I mean, both of them have prophecies involving love. They both fall in love knowing that it will probably trigger their prophecies. You can understand how Rapunzel’s unfolded and what happened (plus, Greenwood brilliantly uses the more violent original of the fairy tale). But there is no hint about Gavin’s prophecy beyond the fact that he has one. And it is about being in love.

I really loved how Greenwood utilised the original Rapunzel fairy tale (which was slightly more violent and gruesome than Tangled). Which just means that I’m absolutely dying to jump into the rest of the series. I wonder if she will use the Grimm-style versions of the fairy tales, rather than the sweeter Disney ones… now onto Spindles and Spells, a Sleeping Beauty retelling.

<- More Laura GreenwoodSpindles and Spells ->

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Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Icebreaker
Author: Hannah Grace
Series: Maple Hills #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I had absolutely no idea what to expect when I first opened this book – I mean, I know that it has gotten good reviews and a lot of attention. But, that doesn’t always equate to a book that I’m going to love, or indeed, an author that I will enjoy. That was not the case here. I really, really enjoyed this story and can’t wait to dive into Wildfire. There was something fun and engaging about it all. Plus, I’m not really used to having a book throw quite so many curveballs at me. I literally thought that everything in the story was all tied up, but then realised that there were over ten chapters left to go, and began to kind of dread what was coming.

I’ve read a lot of sports romances over the past few years – there is something about them that I really enjoy. But I’ve never read one that features a figure skater. I really liked the mix of figure skater and hockey player. The differences and the things that they have in common due to their sport. I feel like, in hindsight, it’s a bit of a natural and obvious pairing, but when I started reading this, it certainly didn’t feel like it. In fact, some of my favourite moments are when the two are able to connect through their love of skating, even though their styles and approaches are vastly different.

Anastasia and Nathan are kind of an enemies-to-lovers trope, but they start more as frenemies than anything. I love how it is Anastasia that really drives the antagonism, because she is a tiny pocket rocket of a woman who doesn’t take crap from anyone. In fact, she absolutely calls Nathan on his nonsense from incredibly early on. And, even if she doesn’t quite know the full story, I totally get the vindication and approach that she takes to this nonsense. Although I loved watching their relationship go from frenemies to friends to more in my mind’s eye, I actually loved the process of Anastasia becoming friends with all of the hockey players more. They’re just adorable and kind of labrador-like in their drive to connect with her.

Of all of the relationships in this story, it was Aaron and his treatment of Anastasia that really got my heart racing. I actually couldn’t believe how manipulative and evil he is. By the midway point, I was really hoping that he would just… be set on fire or something equally drastic. But, Grace was a master at crafting her villain. I completely related to every decision that Anastasia made, even if I didn’t actually think that they were “smart”. It was kind of terrifying, a little like Gaston, because he is one of the most realistic and insidious villains I’ve read in a long while.

<- More Hannah GraceWildfire ->

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The Ruins of Gorlan ReRead by John Flanagan

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Ruins of Gorlan ReRead
Author: John Flanagan
Series: The Ranger’s Apprentice #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Fantasy, Medieval fantasy, Young adult
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2004

Thoughts

I absolutely adored The Ranger’s Apprentice series as a young adult, and I seem to be on a bit of a revisit with well-loved series lately. So I was interested to see how this would hit now that I’m that bit older. Luckily (because it’s always dangerous revisiting well-loved things from your adolescence), I loved The Ruins of Gorlan every bit as much on this reread. It was just as fantastic, fun and hard to put down as I remembered, but with a whole lot more nuances that I thoroughly enjoyed picking up on as an adult.

Will, for me, is still that quintessential misfit / coming of age type story. He just doesn’t quite fit the mold with anyone else, and is always on the outskirts. Even amongst his year-mates who are in a very similar boat, Willl still just doesn’t quite fit. Honestly, it’s probably why I related to him so damn strongly as a preteen – I’ve never quite fit in either. And then, he finds his home amongst all of the others who don’t quite fit either – a fantastic way to remind everyone that we all have our tribe, it can just take us a whole lot longer to find them sometimes.

Alongside all of Will’s training and the absolutely brilliant description of archery (I’m an archer, most books get it wrong), I love that this is a story about finding your place in the world. Although, as much as, as an adult, I focus a lot on characterisation and character development, this is also entirely about the battle and the weaponry. I mean, knife throwing and archery were already going to pull me in. But conspiracies and that last, final, epic battle? These are all moments that I loved as an adolescent, and just adore as an adult.

As much as I loved Will finding his place and beginning to grow into himself as a man, I also adored Horace’s redemption arc. Horace starts out as a kind of horrible bully. He was completely set up to be the typical antagonist in the story, and he did work as that for a fair portion of it. But, as in real life, he realised that a lot of his actions weren’t okay. I loved his redemption arc, and that he ultimately ends up being a true friend to Will. It just melts my heart every time, and is so wonderfully heart melting.

<- More John FlanaganThe Burning Bridge ReRead ->

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