Category Archives: Book Review

Two Blondes by Charlaine Harris

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for death's excellent vacation book cover

Title: Two Blondes
Author: Charlaine Harris
Series: Sookie Stackhouse #9.6
In: Death’s Excellent Vacation (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 30th June 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Our new masters have been chipping away at Edgington’s control of Mississippi,’ Pam said.

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Synopsis

Sookie and Pam just want a little vacation in Glitter Town. But then vampire politics get involved… and things take a turn for the interesting…

Thoughts

This was a really, really good, funny and enjoyable short story. It featured all of the aspects of the Sookie Stackhouse short stories that I’m seriously beginning to love and a little more information about the series as a whole… I should probably actually pick up the full-length novels again… this was just such a great reminder of how enjoyable they really are.

One of the aspects of this short story that I loved (and what I assume will be more obvious after the 9th book in the series), was the sense of gender fluidity and sexual identities in this story. I loved that there were characters who were most definitely part of the Vampire LGBTQI+ community (and what an interesting community that would be). It also showed Sookie exploring a little more of her own identity, something I haven’t yet come across as a major plot line in the first novel…

Probably what I liked so much about this short story, that didn’t pull me into the original series was the fact that Sookie is no longer kid of weak and whiny. I found her really irritating in the first novel, and I’ve been told multiple times to actually read more of the series, that this diminishes. But reading this short story really drove that fact home. And has left me kind of excited to actually stick my nose into these books again.

<- Death’s Excellent VacationThe Boys Go Fishing ->

Image source: Amazon

The Red-Headed Dead by Joe R. Lansdale

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for dead man's hand book cover

Title: The Red-Headed Dead
Author: Joe R. Lansdale
In: Dead Man’s Hand (John Joseph Adams)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Urban fantasy, Weird western, Westerns
Dates read: 8th June 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Titan Books
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: No one answered.

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Synopsis

This is a story that starts with a dead horse… and steadily goes downhill.

Thoughts

I love that this weird western story includes the origins story of vampires. As in, the Judas origins story. I’m not really sure why… but I always love when this mythos is included in any kind of story. Partnering that with a western? It worked ridiculously well.

Although I enjoyed this story because of the content, I didn’t necessarily love the writing style. I found it a little disjointed and unapproachable. And a little hard to follow at times. Yet, I did really enjoy the storyline. So I found it hard to be frustrated by the style of writing when I was drawn in by the content.

This is a story that starts with a dead horse. That has had a pole flung through it’s brain. And that is the least violent moment throughout. It just steadily gets bloodier and bloodier. Which is exactly what a western should be… or at least, a weird western that features a vampire risen from the dead…

<- Dead Man’s Hand CollectionThe Old Slow Man and His Gold Gun From Space ->

Image source: Amazon

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

Book Review, ,
Overview
Mansfield Park (Vintage Classics Austen Series) by Jane Austen ...

Title: Mansfield Park
Author: Jane Austen
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Romance
Dates read: 17th May – 8th June 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Vintage Classics
Year: 1814
5th sentence, 74th page: She entertains me; and she is so extremely pretty, that I have great pleasure in looking at her.

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Synopsis

Fanny Price’s rich relatives offer her a place in their home so that she can be properly brought up. However, Fanny’s childhood is a lonely one as she is never allowed to forget her position. Her only ally is her cousin Edmund. When her cousins befriend two glamorous new young people who have arrived in the area, Henry and Mary Crawford, Edmund starts to grow close to Mary and Fanny finds herself dealing with feelings she has never experienced before.

Thoughts

I have started and stopped this classic about three times. Which is super annoying. Because all of the other Jane Austen books that I’ve read thus far I have absolutely adored. As in I started and finished them in a short period of time and thoroughly enjoyed the adventure. Yet, there is something about this one that I found more difficult. Maybe it was the size. But I actually went to DNF this for a third time. Then I decided to push on. And boy am I glad that I did!

Once I got past that first third that just made me cringe constantly. I think it was Mrs Norris. What a horrible, odious woman. And I honestly just wanted to cuddle Fanny the whole time – the poor, quiet soul! Anyway, once I got past that first third, I actually started to really love this novel. Fanny’s darlingness grew on me and felt less tragic and painful. Mrs Norris was still horrible and annoying, but there was the sense that others had begun to realise this. And the story just generally started to pull me in. I wanted the happily ever after that I knew was coming because I was beginning to be heavily attached to all of the characters.

Having said all of that, I do still find it weird that the happily ever after involved Fanny marrying her cousin. I know that this was a common practice at the time of this story. But I just found it uncomfortable. Particularly when she was kind of raised with the boy. I mean. Seriously. It was just… uncomfortable. When I stopped thinking about that aspect, and concentrated on the fact that Fanny and Edward made a good couple and made each other happy… well, it began to work.

I think that my absolute favourite thing about this book was the poetic ending. The fact that each and every selfish and annoying character in this book got a comeuppance. That in the end, Fanny’s goodness was noticed and she actually got her happily ever after. Plus, some of the poetic justice was just downright funny.

<- EmmaNorthanger Abbey ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

The Monstrous edited by Ellen Datlow

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Overview
Image result for the monstrous ellen datlow book cover

Title: The Monstrous
Author: Ellen Datlow, Jeffrey Ford, Peter Straub, Dale Bailey, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Gemma Files, Livia Llewellyn, Adam-Troy Castro, Kim Newman, Jack Dann, Gardner Dozois, Carole Johnstone, Brian Hodge, Stephen Graham Jones, Adam L. G. Nevill, Sofia Samatar, Terry Dowling, Glen Hirshberg, A.C. Wise, Steve Rasnic Tem, Christopher Fowler & John Langan
In: The Monstrous (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Horror, Short story collections
Dates read: 8th January – 3rd June 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Tachyon
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: “I supppose I do,” I reply.

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Synopsis

Horror’s most acclaimed editor reveals twenty riveting tales of the Other gone wrong. Monsters who suffer from heartbreak, betrayal, ungrateful kids, and unpaid overtime. Creatures of darkness that struggle to adapt to modern living. Ordinary folks who find themselves inexplicably transformed. 88 But if you dare, come a bit closer and discover the most terrifying of beings – those who are living under your own skin and peering out from behind your eyes.

Thoughts

This collection is brilliant. It is dark, creepy and intense. It is fun. It gave me goose bumps. And it is filled with monsters who come in ALL shapes and sizes. And I mean ALL. A wonderful, fantastic and seriously enjoyable collection filled with the things that go bump in the night. The things that you really hope aren’t hiding under your bed.

Although this anthology sits in my horror shelf, it isn’t really all that scary. Sure, there are multiple moments of discomfort throughout. But they’re that, you have to think a little too much, or consider the many moments of confusion throughout this story that you really don’t necessarily want to think too much about. And, honestly, it’s not the things that jump out and yell BOO that make me love horror. It’s that underlying discomfort that makes you look at your own life that I am quickly becoming obsessed with.

I absolutely adored this collection. It was filled with some familiar names and new ones. Each and every story made me stop and really think about what the storyline was saying. And even now, when I have still finished the whole collection… I am still thinking about some of the stories that I read.

<- Run, Rabbit, RunA Natural History of Autumn ->

Image source: Amazon

The Perfect Holiday by Sherryl Woods

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for that holiday feeling book cover

Title: The Perfect Holiday
Author: Sherryl Woods
In: That Holiday Feeling (Debbie Macomber, Sherryl Woods & Robyn Carr)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 3rd June 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Mira
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Trace grinned at her.

Synopsis

Will bachelor Trace Franklin become a groom-to-be by Christmastime? He sure will … if Savannah Holiday’s aunt Mae as anything to do with it.

Thoughts

This is a beautiful, gorgeous and sweet novella. It is fun and light. And one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. It’s all about finding family and love in the middle of the Christmas time. It’s an incredibly light and generous story. One that transported me to a beautiful, snow-covered fantasy world and all of the things that you imagine a White Christmas to be.

I’m not all that knowledgeable on children or being a single mother. But, honestly, Hannah is one of my favourite child-characters in the recent stories I’ve been reading. She’s such a little fire cracker and is constantly adding in a needed dose of humour and entertainment to this storyline that would otherwise be a little more serious, and very romantic and lovey. It was nice to have this humorous little girl running around lightening everything.

Unlike a lot of the romances I read, there are no dark spots throughout this novella. It is all light and cheery. There are no arguments, and really no moments of doubt. Just one or two of confusion (because otherwise it would be TOO perfect). I had actually expected quite a few hangups from past relationships in both Trace and Savannah. And they do have this a little, at least, it’s mentioned, but it’s not informing their current relationship. If only we could all be this healthy.

Lastly, I love that this whole story is orchestrated by a dead great-aunt. Her personality and drives sing through the pages of the story, even if you never once meet the character. It’s kind of beautiful. And really, really fun.

<- Silver BellsUnder the Christmas Tree ->

Image source: Goodreads

Laura Nyro at the Wedding by Christos Tsiolkas

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for kindred 12 queer book cover

Title: Laura Nyro at the Wedding
Author: Christos Tsiolkas
In: Kindred (Michael Earp)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Family, LGBTQI
Dates read: 3rd June 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Walker Books
Year: 2019
5th sentence, 74th page: We’re thinking somehwere in Mordialloc, maybe summer so we can get married on the beach.

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Synopsis

Pat and Jack want to get married. But it’s brining up all sorts of history for Jack… history concerning his Dad and the horrible things he did…

Thoughts

I found this short story really sweet. It starts with two men. Happy, in love and comfortable in each other’s presence. And then it begins to make you think. Think about things such as “what constitutes a marriage?” “what shows true love?” “when is forgiveness necessary, or even okay?”. All questions that I frequently ask myself, and were very well answered in this small literary journey.

Although this is a nice little romance, it is also very much about family and forgiveness. The horrors of the past can linger in our present, and this story focuses on the ways in which you can move on from that. The ways in which you can find a way to forgive the past, and move on towards a better future.

The ending really wasn’t what I expected. It was one in which the outcome was not anticipated, but definitely very much appreciated. I actually really enjoyed the way in which this ended – it was unexpected, but somehow made much more sense than the ending I was expecting.

<- WaitingEach City ->

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Wine on the Desert by Max Brand

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

Title: Wine on the Desert
Author: Max Brand
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 3rd June 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: In the middle of the rainless season the well ran dry but, long before that, Tony had every drop of the water pumped up into a score of tanks made of cheap corrugated iron.

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Synopsis

What happens when your flask is filled with wine instead of water? And you’re in the middle of the desert.

Thoughts

I’m a little vague on the storyline of this short story. But I seem to be finding that the case with all the westerns I’m reading in the Mammoth Book of Westerns collection. There is just something about it that doesn’t stick in my swiss cheese brain after I’ve turned the last page.

Yet, I still found enjoyment while reading this. Although, after sitting down to write this review, I’ve realised I should jot down notes for the remainder of the short stories in this collection… I’m enjoying the act of reading them. But then have not much to say when it comes down to it.

The aspect of this short story that I did love was the idea of accidentally having wine in the desert. Instead of water. I like the stories in which people are kind of moronic and do moronic things. Things which could lead to death, but when they don’t are funny…

<- The RangerAt the Sign of the Last Chance ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Corpsemouth by John Langan

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the monstrous ellen datlow book cover

Title: Corpsemouth
Author: John Langan
In: The Monstrous (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Horror
Dates read: 3rd June 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tachyon
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: I didn’t know what to say.

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Synopsis

Take a journey into the not-so-pleasant world of Corpsemouth.

Thoughts

Writing this review, I struggle a little to remember exactly what this short story is about. I remember that I enjoyed this while I read it. That I thought it was fun, dark and enjoyable. But what it was actually about – that I can’t really remember. It’s a bit of a blur there.

One thing that I also remember about this story is that it was a brilliant style of writing. Disjointed and hard to follow. Which is probably why I don’t hugely remember what I actually read. But, it’s also why I still gave this a four out of five stars… it might be disjointed and difficult to remember the storyline. But it was also something that I remember really enjoying at the time.

This is one of those stories that, although I can’t write much about it in a review… I will definitely read it again. Not just because I enjoyed it the first time, so figure I’ll enjoy it the second time. But also because I think that this is one of those stories that I will gain more out of the more and more times I read it.

<- Piano ManNaked City ->

Image source: Amazon

Waiting by Jen Wilde

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for kindred 12 queer book cover

Title: Waiting
Author: Jen Wilde
In: Kindred (Michael Earp)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Contemporary, LGBTQI
Dates read: 2nd June 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Walker Books
Year: 2019
5th sentence, 74th page: I feel myself sinking into my shell, like I always do around him.

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Synopsis

Waiting in line at a comi-con with her best friend, a young, bisexual girl starts to discover the true meaning of friendship and who she wants to be.

Thoughts

This was a bit of a first in the Kindred collection – it wasn’t a romance. The lead character was Neurodiverse and LGBTQI. But there was no romance. It wasn’t about finding a romantic connection at all for that matter. Rather, it was all about finding a friendship that works for you. And honestly, it seriously made me think about the friendships we find ourselves in. And what makes them healthy and good. And what makes them toxic.

Although this is an LGBTQI story, there isn’t a focus on that. Or, really, a Neurodiverse identity. Rather, it is about that moment when you find a new friend. A person that you can get along with and has similar interests. I love that there is a Brooklyn Nine-Nine reference and this whole story takes place in the line for comi-con.

All throughout this story, I absolutely hated the “best friend”. So I was super glad when the girl FINALLY decided to stand up for herself. It made me realise that maybe sometimes I should do the same…

<- Light BulbLaura Nyro at the Wedding ->

Image source: Bookdepository

Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs - Penguin Books Australia

Title: Devil Bones
Author: Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan #11
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Anthropology, Crime, Science, Strong women
Dates read: 26th May – 2nd June 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Arrow
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: “She is one proud young lady.”

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Synopsis

An underground chamber is exposed in a seedy, dilapidated house. In the dark cellar, a ritualistic display is revealed: a human skull rests on a cauldron, surrounded by slain chickens and bizarre figurines.

Called to the scene is forensic anthropologist Dr Temperance Brennan. She determines that the skull is that of a young, black female. But how and when did she die? Just as Tempe is closing in on answers, another body is discovered: a headless corpse carved with Satanic symbols.

As local vigilantes begin a witch-hunt, Tempe struggles to contain her emotions. But the eventual truth proves more shocking than even she could have imagined.

Thoughts

This is probably the least spine-tingling Temperance Brennan book that I’ve read in a while. Which isn’t a bad thing. It’s nice to have a change of pace and not finish one of these novels with goose bumps up my arms and the need to check in every nook and cranny for a predator… it’s refreshing and definitely something I somewhat appreciate. It was nice to finish a crime novel in which you had to find out who the culprit was, and had a few moments of heart-racing action, but not as much as the other stories.

One of the aspects of Reichs’ writing that I always enjoy is the way in which she is able to take an honest and open approach to a number of different belief systems and lifestyles. In the case of this story, it was one near and dear to my heart – that of Wicca and some other beliefs which aren’t really considered main stream. It was nice to read such an open view, one that neither encouraged nor discouraged the belief. It was informative and open, a great way to explain some belief systems which are often demonised.

My one big issue with this novel – there were SO many questions left unanswered. Not about the crime… that was all tied up neatly as they so often are. But there were so many unanswered questions about some of the personal aspects of Tempe’s life throughout the story. Mysteries that I’m pretty sure I didn’t get the answers too. Although, it maybe just be the fact that I didn’t notice the hints and such…. I’m going to just have to read the next book to see if I missed something, or the questions are answered then. And, annoyingly, since I don’t like giving away spoilers in reviews, I can’t bitch and moan anymore than that (my partner DID get an earful though).

Tempe’s alcoholic history really comes to life in this story too. Which I think may be a bit of the cause of this not being such a spine-tingling story – it is intense and great. But, most of the really heart-pumping action (for me) came from dealing with those emotional issues that are rife throughout. Not the criminal.

Normally I can see the villain coming in a crime novel like this. But I really didn’t pick up on who it was AT ALL. I love when I’m surprised. And I’d be interested to see if years down the track on a reread I can pick up the hints that I’m sure are peppered throughout or not…

<- Bones to Ashes206 Bones ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia