Category Archives: Book Review

Weddings from Hell by Maggie Shayne, Jeaniene Frost, Terri Garey & Kathryn Smith

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Overview
Image result for weddings from hell book cover

Title: Weddings From Hell
Author: Maggie Shayne, Jeaniene Frost, Terri Garey & Kathryn Smith
In: Weddings From Hell (Maggie Shayne, Jeaniene Frost, Terri Garey & Kathryn Smith)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Short story collections, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 5th February – 27th March 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Harper Fiction
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: He was Ian.

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Synopsis

Some marriages are made in heaven… Some are not.

What happens when “the happiest day of your life” turns into a nightmare? Forget the drunken best man or the bridesmaid dresses from the ’80s… none of these wedding day disasters can compare to a cursed bride determined to make it down the aisle, or a vampire who is about to disrupt you wedding.

Thoughts

My best friend is getting married this year. Which made it feel like kind of a fun time to read this collection of four wedding themed novellas. After all, I get to be a bridesmaid, and this collection will definitely put into light the ways in which things can go seriously and drastically wrong. Especially since none of these things are going to happen at her wedding.

I was honestly expecting these to be four novellas about a couple getting married and things going drastically wrong for them. Instead, it was four tales of mayhem and magic where the weddings just happened to be the backdrop event, or, in some cases, the instigating event. It made the storylines so much less predictable and just that much more fun…

 <- The Wedding Knight ReviewTill Death Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins

Pigeon from Hell by Stephen Graham Jones

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for black feathers ellen datlow book cover

Title: Pigeon from Hell
Author: Stephen Graham Jones
In: Black Feathers (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Horror
Dates read: 21st March 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Pegasus Books Ltd.
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: We were trading babysitting jobs, Kara and me.

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Synopsis

Little Ben went missing one day, but his pigeon stayed around… to remind her just what she’d done.

Thoughts

This was a haunting story from the very outset. But, honestly, it wasn’t until the story started to unfold that I truly started to get goosebumps. And feel uncomfortable. This is a very different and… well, haunting tale that I don’t think will be leaving me for a very long time.

Initially I really loved this story. I thought that it was a tale with an observer retelling a tragedy. And a crapped out, musty old pigeon was somehow part of it. But, as it unfolded, I realised more and more that this wasn’t really a bystander telling the story. And that there wasn’t going to be any kind of happily ever after.

This is one of those stories that doesn’t have a happy ending. It doesn’t leave you with happy, glowy feelings. But it does leave you thinking. Which means that while I don’t plan on rereading this tale anytime soon, it certainly was a… not fun, but something like it… kind of read.

 <- The Fortune of Sparrows ReviewThe Secret of Flight Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Shifting Sea by Virginia Kantra

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
burning-up

Title: Shifting Sea
Author: Virginia Kantra
Series: Children of the Sea #3.5
In: Burning Up (Angela Knight, Nalini Singh, Virginia Kantra & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Celtic, Mermaids, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 29th March 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: “That’s why we came,” Hobson said.

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Synopsis

Virginia Kantra continues the haunting tales of the Children of the Sea in BB Shifting Sea BB, the story of a wounded soldier rescued by a strange and enigmatic young woman.

Thoughts

I like the switch from selkies to finfolk in this short story. It helps build upon the storyline of the past, but also to open up a whole new avenue in this series. Or at least, that’s how it kind of felt to me. (I haven’t actually read Sea Lord yet, but I know who it’s about). And Shifting Sea jumps from the modern day to the 1800s, featuring a different group of powerful children of the sea.

I really enjoyed reading about Morwenna and Jack. They had this gorgeous Scottish Highland fling that kind of made my heart melt a little. It was just such a beautiful concept, a beautiful setting and a fantastic romance. The fact that there was treachery and confusion sprinkled throughout this novella just made it all that harder to put down.

I loved this beautiful Celtic romance. It was kind of stunning and just set against a great backdrop. It was hard not to imagine yourself swept away in this situation. Hard not to imagine the world in which these individuals found themselves.

 <- Blood and Roses ReviewHere There Be Monsters Review ->
Image source: Nalini Singh

Don Quixote by Carrie Vaughn

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

Title: Don Quixote
Author: Carrie Vaughn
In: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dieselpunk, War
Dates read: 15th March 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: The battle here had been recent.

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Synopsis

Two journalists are in the war zone of Spain have found a machine that could turn the tides of the next war. But is it something that should be reported on, or feared?

Thoughts

I loved the idea in this short story. It was one of those tales that has a great meaning behind it, but it also was a really fun journey to get to that poignant point. It just worked beautifully and I honestly couldn’t stop thinking about it long after I turned the last page.

Journalists in war zones always kind of fascinate me. They put their lives on the line regularly to bring us information in the comfort (and safety) of our own homes. So I really loved that there was a story about journalists in a war torn country. Especially in a time period between the two world wars.

This short story is a fun, engaging and thrilling journey. But it is one with a powerful message – the question of whether power should be held by people or if it should be destroyed. I loved this because it is not only a great story, and it is a great read at the same time!

<- Rolling Steel: A Pre-Apocalyptic Love StoryThe Little Dog Ohori ->

Image source: Running Press

The Wedding Knight by Kathryn Smith

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for weddings from hell book cover

Title: The Wedding Knight
Author: Kathryn Smith
Series: Brotherhood of Blood #3.5
In: Weddings From Hell (Maggie Shayne, Jeaniene Frost, Terri Garey & Kathryn Smith)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 27th March 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Fiction
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Neither Eliza nor I want to see anything happen to either of us.

Synopsis

Payen Carr has reappeared at a most inconvenient time: on the eve of Violet’s wedding. But Payen desperately needs her help, for his immortal life is suddenly at stake… and Violet’s mortal one as well.

Thoughts

This was a bit slow to start with. A little too typical and vampire-y. A theme that I don’t completely love, and one that I do tend to take quite a while to warm to. Luckily for me, this does heat up pretty quickly and it sucked me right into the storyline and pages.

I really enjoyed the Victorian era setting in which this story takes place. The fact that it acts as a backdrop for a strong, independent woman who is quite determined to get what she wants (once she figures out just what that is) makes it an even better timeframe to place it in.

I’ve been a little obsessed with historical romances lately, and more than a little fascinated by secret orders. Both of these play heavily on the storyline, and now I can’t wait to find the rest of the books in this series and find them a nice, snug place on my overflowing bookshelf.

<- Ghouls Night OutWeddings From Hell ->

Image source: Harper Collins

Moon, and Memory, and Muchness by Katherine Vaz

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for mad hatters and march hares ellen datlow book cover

Title: Moon, and Memory, and Muchness
Author: Katherine Vaz
In: Mad Hatters and March Hares (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Family, Horror
Dates read: 29th March 2019
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: It’s itself, with its own intensifications.

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Synopsis

Alicia was lost to her years ago, but in the world she’s created of Wonderland, her mother might be able to find her replacement. But at what cost?

Thoughts

This was both an incredibly sad and an incredibly creepy short story. Which kind of matches with the whole Alice in Wonderland theme. It’s a bit of a creepy story when you really think about some of the things that have happened. It’s definitely nostalgic, and more than a little sad at moments. Especially when Alice is looking for her muchness. A bit like the woman in this story.

I can think of nothing worse than raising and loving a child, only for her to be taken away from you way too early. Especially in a quite horrific and dreadful manner. Which meant that I had so much sympathy for the lead voice throughout this story. The fact that what she eventually decided to do was somewhat horrible and something I could never conceive of, yet, I still felt sympathy for her… well, it made this into one powerful story.

There is a moment from the original that sticks with me in this rendition. One that I want to return to… the treatment of the dormouse by the mad hatter and march hare. I don’t remember it being this horrific, but when compared to the attack on a young girl… it becomes something which certainly inspires a little horror.

 <- The Flame After the Candle ReviewRun, Rabbit, Run Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

Jack’s Back by Vanessa de Sade

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

Title: Jack’s Back
Author: Vanessa de Sade
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Family
Dates read: 29th March 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Never again…

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Synopsis

It’s been ten years since Jack the Ripper haunted the streets of Whitechapel, but a series of murders indicate that he just might be back…

Thoughts

I really liked this story. It posited not only an entirely different villain to the one that you would traditionally expect, but it also created an engaging story that was just, quite frankly, fascinating.

The part of the story that I found that hardest to digest in this story was the idea of a thirteen-year old striper. As someone in the modern age, this disturbs me more than I can describe. Yet, when I remembered the time in which this story is based, it made a lot of sense. And the protection of Daisy by another woman made this story a lot less ick, and a lot more sweet. Especially when the description of the real Jack the Ripper comes out in the end…

 <- The Simple Procedure ReviewA Mote of Black Memory Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Puss by Esther M. Friesner

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for snow white, blood red book cover

Title: Puss
Author: Esther M. Friesner
In: Snow White, Blood Red (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Fairy tales
Dates read: 28th March 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Signet
Year: 1993
5th sentence, 74th page: Wizard? My sister asked, nose wrinkling with greed.

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Synopsis

A dark, adult twist on the classic fairytale of Puss in Boots. One that I find far more interesting and fun.

Thoughts

I kind of loved this version of Puss-in-Boots. After all, the original was so PG, and kind of didn’t explain just why the cat was so loyal and giving to his owners. There was just something a little too innocent about it, and I don’t love the idea of a character who is obviously powerful and intelligent from weighing hand and foot on such a horrible, selfish and downright irritating man. This short story put that all to rights.

I loved the idea of a contract and a blood oath to keep puss tied to his owners. The dark pacts that are made in a way that kind of surprised me, but definitely made me incredibly happy. It also added this great fantasy element to the fairy tale that I wasn’t expecting. One that I wish could be expanded on. After all, there is a whole race of beings that are able to help humans, make pacts with them and be changed. Something that intrigues me… and makes me yearn for more.

 <- A Sound, Like Angels Singing ReviewThe Glass Casket Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Five Sites, Five Stages by Lisa McInerney

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Five Stages, Five Sites
Author: Lisa McInerney
In: I Am Heathcliff (Kate Mosse)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading,  LGBTQI, Twisted romance
Dates read: 23rd March 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Borough Press
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: Like it would be good for, say, convalescents.

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Synopsis

Heidi loves Cass with all of her heart. But there’s a number of obstacles in their way, and she’s just not sure that they can be overcome.

Thoughts

From the outset it is obvious that this was a story about a not so healthy love. I mean, the whole I Am Heathcliff collection is kind of about unhealthy love. But this seemed a little more obviously unhealthy than some of the other tales. And a little bit more relatable to be honest, it was far more contemporary and written in a way that you can almost, almost relate to Heidi.

This story kind of worked through the five stages of grief (which, when you find out the ending, you understand the grief), and worked it’s way across the city. It intertwined brilliantly with the idea of a love that had gone horribly wrong. And it reflected the ideas of grief and loss that are highlighted in Wuthering Heights.

I was far more comfortable with this short story than many of the preceding ones. It wasn’t as intensely twisted, and it made a little more sense to me. I just wouldn’t necessarily want to read it again anytime soon.

 <- The Howling Girl ReviewKit Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

The Laird’s French Bride by Connie Brockway

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

Title: The Laird’s French Bride
Author: Connie Brockway
In: The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Historical romance, Scottish romance
Dates read: 16th March 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: “I said, not a word,” Rob repeated.

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Synopsis

Rob needs to make this marriage work for the good of his clan, but he’s really not sure what to expect from his mystery bride… will the French-raised woman meet his expectations, or dash them into the dirt?

Thoughts

This was such a cute story to end this collection on. It had a little less going on, and it wasn’t as intense as some of the other tales. But it was so much fun. And it centred beautifully on just the couple. There were other characters mentioned, but they almost faded into obscurity moments after they were mentioned. Which was kind of nice. It was all about Rob and Jeanne.

Although I knew that the lead couple were going to end up together, the journey to the end was still really fun. I’ve said it before, but sometimes the simplicity and sweetness of the moment is all that you need to create an amazing tale. And this is certainly a tale I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

 <- Forever Mine ReviewThe Mammoth Book of Science Fiction Review ->
Image source: Hachette Australia