All posts by skyebjenner

The Particular Talents of Lenny Bright by Zoe Sharp

Book Review, ,
Overview
Murder and Mayhem in Muskego: Jordan, Jon & Ruth, Phillips, Gary, Richardson, Kat: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: The Particular Talents of Lenny Bright
Author: Zoe Sharp
In: Murder and Mayhem in Muskego (Jon & Ruth Jordan)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Crime
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Down and Out Books
Year: 2012

Thoughts

I really loved the setup throughout this short story for the twist at the end. Which, if I don’t want to put spoilers in this review, I won’t talk too much about. But, the setup didn’t actually tell you what was going to happen, but, in hindsight, it definitely pointed you towards what that final moment was going to reveal.

This is a fun and light short story, particularly when you compare it to many of the other stories in the Murder and Mayhem in Muskego collection. I mean, there isn’t really any murder. Or blood. Or general stabbing-ness that has been prevalent throughout the rest of the short stories thus far.

This is a good reminder to never judge a book (or old lady) by its cover. I mean, we get told that all the time. And we all know that you shouldn’t just judge on outward appearances. But this short story is a great reminder as to why.

<- The Muskego Long CountLast Call ->

Image source: Amazon

Roaches by Isobelle Carmody

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for green monkey dreams isobelle carmody book cover

Title: Roaches
Author: Isobelle Carmody
In: Green Monkey Dreams (Isobelle Carmody)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Year: 1996

Thoughts

This is a very short and quick story, one that has some seriously uncomfortable dystopian future vibes. There are so many damn ways in which we can imagine the world as we know it ending (although COVID did give us more of a taste of that), and this definitely leans into that genre. It’s really just a world in where the children (and the future I suppose) are trying to understand just what happened and escape.

Even though this is kind of sad, and doesn’t have a happy ending, it was still somehow hopeful. It was actually pretty dark and sad. But, because I’m the kind of person who always wants the silver linings, I’m going to imagine a fantastic happily ever after…

Even without the structured happily ever after, there is a great message of hope. And the power of humanity in that hope. It’s about the written word, and the importance of books. How trust is integral and that we always should strive for something better.

<- The Glory DaysThe Beast ->

Image source: Allen & Unwin

Last Call by Bryan VanMeter

Book Review, ,
Overview
Murder and Mayhem in Muskego: Jordan, Jon & Ruth, Phillips, Gary, Richardson, Kat: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: Last Call
Author: Bryan VanMeter
In: Murder and Mayhem in Muskego (Jon & Ruth Jordan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Down and Out Books
Year: 2012

Thoughts

This short story is all a great, big build up to a murder. And it’s brilliant. You know that everything is going to end in death, although you kind of hope that you’re wrong. It’s a great way to build tension without making it too painful.

I spent this whole story kind of hoping that the bar tender would somehow be pardoned. Even though he knowingly got himself into this situation, I was still incredibly hopeful. There was something so relatable and likeable about the gambling degenerate. And his obvious love for his regulars and job definitely helped with this feeling.

The ending to this wasn’t necessarily quite what I’d hoped, although I’m not really sure what I hoped for. It was a good, fun read, and definitely a great departure from real life for a short while (which is generally why I read).

<- The Particular Talents of Lenny BrightUniversal Donor ->

Image source: Amazon

Kiss Kiss by Tanith Lee

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Kiss Kiss
Author: Tanith Lee
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) & Redder Than Blood (Tanith Lee)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Feminism, Retellings
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

Thoughts

I absolutely adored this Frog Prince retelling. It was kind of dark, a little bit twisted and definitely had a whole other approach than any other story of this sort that I’ve had the pleasure of reading before. Plus, I like dark, feminist twists to classic fairytales.

Even though this had some great feminist notes, but there wasn’t a good, happy ending. In fact, it was an incredibly tragic and annoying ending if I’m being honest. But also absolutely perfect.

This short story is a reminder that power corrupts. Even if you THINK a story is headed to a happy ending, the allure of power can be seriously consuming. A little heartbreaking in the end, but wonderful in its entirety.

<- Silver Birch, Blood MoonCarabosse ->

Image source: Wikipedia

The Horn by Stephen Gallagher

Book Review, ,
Overview
Hauntings: Datlow, Ellen: 9781616960889: Amazon.com: Books

Title: The Horn
Author: Stephen Gallagher
In: Hauntings (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Horror
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tachyon
Year: 2013

Thoughts

From the very beginning of this short story, and the tone that is powerful within this, it was very obvious that everyone was probably going to di3 in this short story. But, me being the ghoul that I am, I really wanted to see how they all died… I mean, who wouldn’t?

To be fair, I did think that the narrator or one of the men he was stranded with was going to be the killer. There was just that whole, lo ked in with a serial killer tone to this tale. But, the reality of this story was a whole lot more sinister. And creepy.

Normally I love tales that feature a snowstorm. Probably because I often read romances and fantasies and there is always a very powerful feeling to that. However, this short story worked as a great reminder that the isolation that works so well in romances and fantasies, can also be deadly. The kind of isolation where secrets grow.

This is definitely a horrible and creepy haunting. One that I feel like will keep coming back, through many snow storms to come.

<- Distress CallEverybody Goes ->

Image source: Amazon

The Grand Ishq Adventure by Sandhya Menon

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Grand Ishq Adventure
Author: Sandhya Menon
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Food, Romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I loved this little romance, it was sweet and cute. And, although I completely guessed that Prem was the one writing in and just why he was writing in, it was still a fun journey. After all, what better way to get advice on how to approach the person you are interested in, than by asking them? The fact that this involved food and gaining courage… well, it just made it all that much better.

Honestly, I kind of want to try this challenge – I mean, I’ve eaten out by myself before, but I’ve never done so without using some kind of “shield”. The idea of going out to a restaurant and eating out alone, without a shield, and just enjoying the world flow by. That kind of appeals, and scares me. Plus, doing so in new locations and with new experiences… that just makes it all that much more appealing.

I love that this is a story set in the between time of adulthood. That moment when you are about to jump into college and your first forays away from the parents. But, you’re not quite read to do so. Throughout this tale, the narrator sees people from her high school – and in a way says goodbye to that part of her life before embarking on the next steps. Her journey is not just about finding bravery in being alone, but also in saying goodbye to the past. A seriously enjoyable short story.

<- Kings and QueensSugar and Spite ->

Image source: Goodreads

Everybody Goes by Michael Marshall Smith

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Hauntings: Datlow, Ellen: 9781616960889: Amazon.com: Books

Title: Everybody Goes
Author: Michael Marshall Smith
In: Hauntings (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Horror
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tachyon
Year: 2013

Thoughts

This wasn’t quite the “haunting” tale that I was expecting, but it was even better. I mean, I was kind of expecting something that was scary and disturbed. Instead, it was actually a little bit sweet and innocent. I mean, there is still a haunting and a bit of a creepy factor, but overall, it was actually kind of innocent and sweet.

Before I got to that point of kind of innocent though, I got some pretty serious IT vibes. I honestly kept on expecting a creepy, horrifying, killer clown to dive out of the pages and attack the children. Which definitely lent to the feeling of suspense that kept me turning the pages. Then, the ending made everything much more innocent in hindsight.

This was a good, easy read. It had a bit of a suspenseful feeling. But it also worked as a great reminder of the innocence of childish days and memories.

<- The HornTransfigured Night ->

Image source: Amazon

Devil’s Bargain by Christine Warren

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Devil’s Bargain
Author: Christine Warren
In: Huntress (Christine Warren, Marjorie M. Liu, Caitlin Kittredge & Jenna Maclaine)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2009

Thoughts

This novella might not have been an epic, can’t put down page turner. But it was still a good page turner. It was a fun story that was easy to enjoy and get sucked into. You know from the beginning that this is a tale that is going to get a happily ever after. But, it was still a fun journey getting there. Which is all I want in a novella sometimes.

I love that Lilli and Aaron kind of have the insta-love thing going. But their relationship still starts off with the two of them beating the absolute crap out of each other. I always solve a good fight scene, and this one was kind of brilliantly written. It was very easy to imagine each movement and just how out of their depth both the characters are. Plus, what better way to meet your future partner?

Finally, this is all about prophecies and the apocalypse. It’s fun trying to figure out just where the prophecy is going to take you. And how a multitude of meanings can come from a single prophecy. A reminder that even if we believe that fate and the future is set in stone, there are always surprises on the horizon.

<- HuntressThe Robber Bride ->

Image source: Amazon

Carabosse by Delia Sherman

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Carabosse
Author: Delia Sherman
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Poetry, Retellings
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Poem
Year: 1999

Thoughts

I loved this poem, as with all poems, there are a number of meanings interwoven throughout. It was also nice to read the introduction at the beginning of this piece of prose. In the case of this poem, it is a great take on the curse of Sleeping Beauty. One that gives a whole heap of meaning to just what is considered a “curse” and a “gift”.

When you think of Sleeping Beauty, you think of her being cursed to sleep for a thousand years. But, in the case of this version, she is given the ability to use all of the gifts given by other fairies for herself. Each and everyone is to be for her and her alone, not to be given to whatever potential husband she has in the future. Because then her future happiness and marriage is based upon a partner, not an obligation.

This poem definitely had a great lyricality to it and a fantastic message – sometimes what we see as a curse is actually going to give us our freedom. Eventually. Just hopefully not in 100 years…

<- Kiss KissThe Price ->

Image source: Wikipedia

The Undead in My Bed by Katie MacAlister, Molly Harper & Jessica Sims

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Undead in My Bed
Author: Katie MacAlister, Molly Harper & Jessica Sims
In: The Undead in My Bed (Katie MacAlister, Molly Harper & Jessica Sims)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Short story collections, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology, eBook
Year: 2012

Thoughts

This is a very good and fun collection, filled with vampires, sex and lust. All of the good things in a paranormal romance collection of vampires. Alright, so I didn’t actually love the first novella. But other than that, I really loved this. It gave me a few new books / series to read. Because, lots of vampire fun and lust.

I like that there were different levels of spice and yum throughout this collection. Some stories were seriously steamy, others were just a little bit of a lower level. It’s nice to have the different intensities of smut, a good variety in a collection with a very common thread throughout.

I’ve definitely got a few books to continue reading… ones that I can’t wait to dive into.

<- Out with a FangShades of Gray ->

Image source: Amazon