Category Archives: Book Review

Honored Guest by Ellen Kushner

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for coyote road book cover

Title: Honored Guest
Author: Ellen Kushner
In: The Coyote Road (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Tricksters
Dates read: 3rd July 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Firebird Fantasy
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: When I kneel before my instrument, and my fingers bend and dance on the strings, I feel as if I know things no one has ever known before.

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Synopsis

Bright Phoenix is trapped by her greedy, malicious grandmother. But a chance visit from a tricky womann might help her escape to a new world, one where her creativity can truly shine.

Thoughts

This didn’t end the way I was hoping for / expecting. Which is probably not a bad thing. After all, I love a good story that surprises. Especially one that was as fun and descriptive as this one. We’ve all met that someone that we completely hate, that just strikes us as not good. The grandmother in this went that extra step further and seemed just downright evil, but Bright Phoenix’s responses and thoughts on the old hag were still completely recognisable.

This wasn’t a trickster story in the sense that many of the other tales I’ve read lately have been. Jessica, or the honoured guest, might have a trickster nature about her, but there isn’t the sense of balance and comeuppance that characterises most of the trickster tales I’ve been reading. Which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I kind of would have liked to see a little more karma, and a little less manipulation in this story.

 <- Cat of the World ReviewAlways the Same Story Review ->
Image source: Amazon

The Countess’s Pleasure by Emma Holly

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Hot Spell

Title: The Countess’s Pleasure
Author: Emma Holly
Series: Tale of the Demon World #2
In: Hot Spell (Lora Leigh, Emma Holly, Shiloh Walker & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Gaslamp, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 3rd July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: Two years had passed since her husband’s death, all the mourning decency required.

Synopsis

Georgiana has never been loved by a man, despite being married to one. Now, she has found a way to learn more about the pleasures of sensuality. But what she gets might be far more than she bargained for, and everything she could ever want.

Thoughts

My first ever Emma Holly story and I am caught. The mixture of the paranormal race and a Victorian England type setting for the storyline was kind of perfect. I also loved the fact that although Georgiana is an independent woman, she is also strong and independent, and more than willing to find herself a new life and love.

There is something a little bit extra fun about a group of people who don’t show emotions. When I first started reading about the Yama, all I could think about was the Psy in Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series. And the association was fantastic, since I loved them. And I now love this series. Or at least, I think I will… when I finally get my hands on the first novel…

Whilst this story felt like it was set in Victorian England, it did have a great sense of world building as well. I like that there was a lot of overlap, but also a sense of separation which helped to completely draw me into this story. Honestly, the only problem I actually had with this tale was the fact that I now have to wait at least a month before I can buy and receive some of the books in this series…

<- Hot SpellThe Breed Next Door ->

Image source: Meljean Brook

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for dead witch walking book cover

Title: Dead Witch Walking
Author: Kim Harrison
Series: The Hollows #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 15th June – 2nd July 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Harper Voyager Fiction
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: “Piscary’s.”

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Synopsis

All the creatures of the night gather in “the Hollows” of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party… and to feed.

Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining – and it’s Rachel Morgan’s job to keep that world civlized.

A bounty hunter and witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she’ll bring ’em back alive, dead… or undead.

Thoughts

I’ve been hanging to start this book for quite a while. There is just something which draws you in about the idea of The Hollows and Rachel Morgan. Plus, I kind of needed a storyline with a little bit of sass and attitude. I’ve been reading too many cutsey stories lately, and they were starting to grate on me a little. So Rachel’s gumption, sass and independence was exactly what I wanted to read, though tearing myself away from her adventures at night before bed was incredibly difficult.

Kalamack is one of the most hated villains I’ve ever read. Like, I’ve actually never wanted to reach through the pages of a book more and strangle a guy. And that was when I read The Turn. So I was both excited and disappointed to find him appearing again in this story, which takes place over forty years after the original story. I was really, really hoping that Rachel was going to take him out… although the fact that he wasn’t really the villain in this story kind of made it a little exciting as well. He was just another obstacle in the way, and his power-hungry ways are sure to continue messing with the people of The Hollows as the series unfolds.

I’ve read a few of the novellas in this series, and the prequel novel. And even though I really enjoyed them, they weren’t anything compared to the actual series featuring Rachel. It was everything that I look for in an urban fantasy and I can see myself sinking into many of these stories whenever I need a good paranormal fix. This entire novel is filled with highs and lows, every time you think you can relax, a new obstacle is thrown in the way. Which of course makes it almost impossible to put down and one of those stories that I will enjoy reading again and again.

 <- Blood CrimeThe Good, the Bad, and the Undead ->
Image source: HarperCollins Publishers

An Introduction to Jewish Myth and Mysticism by Steve Hockensmith

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for an apple for the creature book cover

Title: An Introduction to Jewish Myth and Mysticism
Author: Steve Hockensmith
In: An Apple for the Creature (Charlaine Harris & Toni L. P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Tricksters
Dates read: 30th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Ace Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: I’ve known it all along.

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Synopsis

This professor of Jewish myth and mysticism has a few secrets in his closet. And he’s about to use them to make the world a better place…

Thoughts

I know next to nothing about Jewish beliefs and practices. And by next to nothing, I mean nothing. Zip. Zero. Zilch. And that’s probably not going to change. But this short story made me seriously consider changing my outlook for about twenty minutes. It managed to bring to life an aspect of a belief system that (I’m assuming) is a slightly off kilter and different one to what is normally displayed on TV.

As soon as the little professor offered to “fix” the nice lady’s problem, I was kind of expecting a vampire story. I’ve been reading a lot of them lately and it seemed suitable that a vampire would lecture of Jewish myth and mysticism (I believe Judas is also tied up in vampires and Judaism and Christianity). Then I spent the rest of the story trying to figure out what the little man was… because he certainly wasn’t a vampire!

This was a fun, easy and enjoyable read. There was a great level of humour throughout. A nice departure from some of the more serious books I was reading at the time…

 <- Magic Tests ReviewVSI Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Fairy Enterprise by Jeffrey Ford

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for queen victoria's book of spells ellen datlow book cover

Title: The Fairy Enterprise
Author: Jeffrey Ford
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Fae, Gaslamp
Dates read: 28th June 2019
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: “Did you say fairies?”

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Synopsis

He wants to manufacture fairies and make a fortune. But when the wrong person hears about his plans, things will take a turn for the worse.

Thoughts

I really loved the industrialist spin of this story. The idea of taking the fae and mass producing them for some kind of gain. That in and of itself makes for an interesting story. The fact that someone with power finds out and seeks revenge on the perpetrator just makes it all that much better.

The story for this is a little convoluted and twisty, but I found that thoroughly enjoyable. Actually, the setting, the story-tale telling and the themes were all a little bit reminiscent of Jekyll & Hyde. There was an atmosphere of mystery, a sense of irony and a darkness about the tale that screamed Victorian England. Murders done in dark streets. And, eventually, wrongs being righted.

The Fairy Enterprise is a great short story that encompasses the needs and drives of industrialisation. It also helps to give a fantastical, fae spin to a story that is dark, twisty and more than a little fun.

 <- Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells Review From the Catalogue of the Pavilion of the Uncanny and Marvellous, Scheduled for Premiere at the Great Exhibition (Before the Fire) Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Dead Girls Don’t Dance by Mary Janice Davidson

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
cravings

Title: Dead Girls Don’t Dance
Author: MaryJanice Davidson
Series: Undead #1.5
In: Cravings (Laurell K. Hamilton, Mary Janice Davidson, Eileen Wilks & Rebecca York)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 28th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: She coughed out more sand, cursing herself.

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Synopsis

Vampire Andrea Mercer is literally dug up by an old crush, Daniel Harris, and during a trip to Minnesota to see the vampire queen, her desire for him reignites.

Thoughts

This was a funny, cute and easy read. It took me a little longer than most novellas because I was also trying to watch a cute little movie at the same time… but in general, this was just a nice little read. I especially liked that although I thought Andrea was going to be a sweet woman. One who meets her significant other and falls a little in love. I was kind of wrong. Although she does fall for Daniel, she’s not really sweet. She’s kind of a powerhouse. And she’s pushy. And she really refuses to take anyone’s crap.

I haven’t read the first book in this series, this is my first ever Mary Janice Davidson story for that matter. So I really didn’t know what to expect at the end of the story when Andrea finally meets the Queen. Within two sentences I fell completely in love with the woman. And, as always, had to fight the urge to go out and buy the books straight away. Actually, I’m still fighting that urge. Queen Betsy is totally different to any image of a vampire queen that I have ever carried in my head before. And I was completely obsessed with it.

For most people there’s always that “what if” person. That person that you constantly wonder what if something different had happened and we’d gone down that track? Daniel is that person for Andrea, and it’s kind of sweet how he manages to completely except all of the horrors in her new life and finds himself in love with her. The fact that he does so with a healthy dose of humour and a bit of stupidity had me smiling throughout, and clutching the book to my chest after I’d turned the final page.

 <- Blood Upon My Lips ReviewOriginally Human Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Cat of the World by Michael Cadnum

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for coyote road book cover

Title: Cat of the World
Author: Michael Cadnum
In: The Coyote Road (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Tricksters
Dates read: 28th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Firebird Fantasy
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: While I first set paw upon sand in the Egypt of the Ancients, I have travelled the world.

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Synopsis

The cat is in the bag… literally. But this cat has some sharp teeth and his captors are about to face more than they bargained for.

Thoughts

Cats are tricky, difficult and irritating creatures. They always have been. They’re also kind of fun, but, mostly irritating and tricky. Which means that it makes perfect sense to have a feline creature in a collection of trickster stories. I also love that although it is a cat trickster with extra powers, it’s not quite god-like and not quite mortal… but a glorious, contrary mix of something in between.

This entire tale was quick, quirky and filled with the sassy language that I’m sure a cat would use, if he could talk. It was a lot of fun. And, considering I was reading it will feeling the after-effects of a migraine, it was a nice, easy, happy read. Although I’m not really a cat person, and am, in fact, allergic, I do love tales of these insane creatures. There is something so fun, capricious and contrary about the silly creatures. Something which speaks to me on a personal level.

Many tales of tricksters involve a wit defeating another wit. Yet, this wasn’t quite like that… the cat is kind of witty. The foes he went up against though… not so witty. Which of course, makes it even funnier and more enjoyable.

 <- Uncle Tompa ReviewHonored Guest Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Curses by Jim Butcher

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
naked-city

Title: Curses
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files #10.7
In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Wizards
Dates read: 28th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: What stories are you interested in, specifically?

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Synopsis

Harry Dresden investigates how to lift a curse laid by the Fair Folk on the Chicago Cubs.

Thoughts

Baseball isn’t really my thing. Nor is it something that I’ve ever understood. Probably has something to do with being Australian and not really having many baseball players in the vicinity. But I still know that the Cubs are quite famous for not winning and having a loyal fan base. It seems to come up a lot in American TV, movies and books…

I love that this short story takes something that is so large in popular culture and gives it a beautiful, supernatural spin. It’s a great start to a collection of urban fantasy stories which I’m sure are going to get darker, grittier and far more fun as the tales unfold. It certainly started this book off with a great bang. One that made it kind of hard to put these stories down and get back to working like a real adult.

I was expecting a story in which Harry swings in and saves the day again. In this case, helps to unravel the curse on the Cubs and help them finally win the finals (or whatever they’re called). It didn’t quite work out like that, and I loved the change from routine that this indicates. The slight change from the typical trope. Which is probably why I love the Dresden series in the first place.

 <- Naked City ReviewHow the Pooka Came to New York City Review ->
Image source: Patricia Briggs

Flowers of the Chapel by Sarah Morrison

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of jack the ripper stories book cover

Title: Flowers of the Chapel
Author: Sarah Morrison
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Historical fiction
Dates read: 27th June 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Lizzie, dear Lizzie.

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Synopsis

Lizzie is hurrying home to report to her master, with the Ripper on the loose, she knows that she shouldn’t be out alone. But, when she finds out who the true culprit is, her whole world is turned upside down.

Thoughts

I loved this twist on the traditional idea of Jack the Ripper. Instead of being a man, she is a woman. And not at all who I expected. Which of course, made it all the more intriguing and impossible to put down. A little more tragic when the final ending hit.

This was a little sadder than most of the short stories so far in the collection. Most of them are kind of twisted, but this was a bit tragic. I felt Lizzie’s loss and confusion as the final words were read and it made me feel more connected to the trials of the victims. More connected to their fear, pain and suffering. Not only at the hands of the Ripper, but also the fear that must have coated the entire city in the months of his terror.

 <- Oh Have You Seen the Devil? ReviewThe Roebuck Cabal Review ->
Image source: Amazon

The Secret Science of Magic by Melissa Keil

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the secret science of magic book cover

Title: The Secret Science of Magic
Author: Melissa Keil
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Easy reading
Dates read: 27th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Joseph gives me what I think is a sympathetic smile.

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Synopsis

Sophia

She’s smart, like genius-calculator-brain smart. But there are some things no amount of genius can prepare you for, and the messiness of real life is one of them. When everything she knows is falling apart, how can she crack the puzzle of what to do with her life?

Joshua

He spends his time honing magic tricks and planning how to win Sophia’s heart. But when your best trick is making schoolwork disappear, how do you possibly romance a genius?

Thoughts

Holy crap. I have been in a bit of a reading slump lately (relying mostly on short stories, rather than novels to keep me slightly interested). And then I picked up this book. Which was quite possibly a mistake, because now I have a brand new author to obsess over. It is the first book in a long time that I struggled to put down. And read cover to cover. It’s also the first book in months that I stayed up way past my bedtime to read a book because I JUST COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN.

Although I often become emotionally invested in the characters that I meet in the pages of a book, I don’t often literally shed a tear. Let alone lie in bed with tears streaming down my face. There was just this one moment in this book that almost felt like a punch to the solar plexus, and it made me weep. This was surrounded by moments of smiling and laughter, so overall the mood of this book was incredibly cheerful, even though I had a moment of tears.

Everyone thinks that they’re a bit of a misfit in high school, which is why I can see how this story would speak to the masses. I’m sure even the popular kids kind of feel a bit uncomfortable, especially at the very ending of high school when they’re about to spread their wings. I assume, I had friends, but I was more like Sophia than any other high school character I’ve ever read about. It was also amazing to have a dynamic like Joshua in the story. In school he is quiet and reserved, but he has a fun filled, happy and thriving social life out of school that reminds you we can all find the place where we fit best… it just took me a few years out of high school to realise that personally.

I may not be quite genius-level smart, but I do understand all of the pressures that Sophia experiences throughout this book. There seems to be this idea that because you are smart, you should know what you want to do with your future. Have everything planned out and a goal in mind. For me, that has never been the case. I’ve never really had a future plan or goals. I just have a huge sense of curiosity and a drive to learn more, although sometimes I want to know more about how to interact a little better with others.

 <- Life in Outer Space ReviewThe Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl Review ->
Image source: Melissa Keil