Bertie is a money lender and the guidance to his family while Jack the Ripper roams the streets. But he has his very own secret, one that could change everyone’s lives forever.
This is my first ever Jack the Ripper retelling. Or
alternate history. And I kind of thought that it was a nice, gentle
introduction. Especially since I know next to nothing about Jack the Ripper in
the first place. Bertie not only pulled
me in immediately, but it also made me want to read far more stories like this
(so lucky I have a whole collection to dig through).
This was a quick and easy story. One that provided context
for the uninitiated (like myself) in the very last paragraphs. The extra
context and insight were immensely helpful to give me a little more idea of how
this story sits within the current knowledge and fiction.
This is a great, quick read that gives an alternate point of
view to not only who Jack the Ripper
was, but also why he did what he did.
Elsie thought she was going to a small town to die quietly and alone. That was until she found Persimmon…
The entire time I was reading this short story, I was remembering watching the movie Thumbelina as a kid. And how much I truly loved it. And then, when the little film reel in my head stopped, I started thinking about the original Hans Christian Andersen tale that I read only a few months ago.
Some short story seem to be quite a long read, and even
though they are a small number of pages, there is a lot of complex information squeezed
into not much space. This isn’t really like this. Yes, a fair amount happens
throughout the story, but it is simple and open. It’s honestly just a cute,
modern retelling of an old classic. Not one that is twisted and turned beyond
redemption (like many within this collection). There’s still a little adult
content in this, but not enough to make it uncomfortable.
Title: Terminus Author: Louise Doughty In: I Am Heathcliff (Kate Mosse) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Horror Dates read: 18th February 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Borough Press Year: 2018 5th sentence, 74th page: Paying that much long term is out of the question.
She’s trying to run from her past and start a new future. But will obsession catch up with her before she can find her happily ever after?
I decided to start reading the I Am Heathcliff collection because I was so damn disappointed and frustrated by Wuthering Heights. So, in my slightly twisty mind, I figured that reading a collection of Wuthering Heightsinspired stories might help me to understand a little more as to just why everyone seems to love this classic so much. And, although this didn’t highlight why people love the storyline, this short story that started the collection certainly reflected most of my feelings about the storyline.
It’s obvious from the very first moment that there is a darkness following the woman in the story. And as the story unfolds, it becomes even clearer that this is a darker “love” than I had kind of anticipated. It made me so damn uncomfortable in fact that I decided that this short story need to be shelved on the horror shelf. Especially when the ending almost makes the story of unrequited and unhealthy love close in full circle.
This story definitely echoes the ideas of obsession and
unhealthy, obsessive love that I got so clearly from the original tale surrounding
Heathclif…
Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures. Especially when you’re married to a laird who won’t even look at you…
The beginning of this story wasn’t quite what I expected. I
was really expecting a kidnap from the very start that possibly lead to a love
and marriage. Instead it started with a marriage, and the kidnapping doesn’t
occur until about halfway through. Though it works brilliantly and beautifully.
And I turned the last page of this book with a great smile on my face.
This story starts off with an estranged couple, and quickly
fills in the backstory as to their epic failing at being a couple. Even though
it’s pretty obvious that they’re going to reconcile their differences fairly quickly
in this story. After all, it’s in a romance collection. It’s still intriguing
and captivating the ways in which the two stubborn fools manage to make their
relationship work and start on a new adventure… together.
Title: One Odd Shoe Author: Pat Murphy In: The Coyote Road (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Mythology, Tricksters Dates read: 5th March 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Firebird Fantasy Year: 2007 5th sentence, 74th page: You’ll find small pools here and there.
If there’s a shoe on the side of the road, it’s probably best not to pick it up… it could be Coyote teaching someone a lesson.
This was a really cute, funny story. I loved the narrator’s
voice as it unfolds. There is a sense of wandering storytelling that isn’t common
in a lot of other stories. It made me feel like I was being told the story by
the woman in the story – sitting next to her as she told me about Mark, who
really should have known better.
I’ve always loved tricksters – they’re equalisers and
neither good nor bad. Any stories which have a grey area make me happy to be
honest. And this short story epitomised the idea of equalising. Mark is obviously
not the best person in the world, so Trickster decides to mess with him. And
teach him a lesson. And show him how to be a little less not-good and a little
more… better.
Now, every time I see a single shoe lying beside the edge of
the road, I’m going to wonder about who is getting their comeuppance. And who
is learning a new lesson.
Title: Alia’s Angel Author: Rhea Rose In: Evolve (Nancy Kilpatrick) Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one) My Bookshelves:Vampires Dates read: 19th February 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Edge Year: 2010 5th sentence, 74th page: ‘”Let me see.”
Alia is trying to help her Angel survive. But, is there are more sinister, hidden relationship going on here? Will Alia or her Angel truly survive?
The idea of a vampire (which I’m assuming Angel is, because it’s
never really explicitly explained) in the slums of an apartment building work
kind of brilliantly. After all, I really don’t like those stories which tote vampires
as the epitome of society. They’re predators. And generally the bad guy. So I
kind of liked that there is a story that features one in a kind of horrible
position. The dankness fits the theme a lot better than I was expecting.
This was one of those gloriously open-ended short stories. Although
there is a beginning, a middle and an end. You can expect Angel returning to
visit Alia again. The boy achieving his ultimate goal. Any number of endings
and storylines that would work in so well.
Years ago, a heartbroken McLellan witch placed a curse on the would-be brides of her family. But Kira McLellan doesn’t believe in curses. Then she falls in love with Ian Stewart and is determined to break the spell…. Or die trying.
I absolutely loved this novella. It had everything in it
that makes my heart go… romance, curses, and a woman that is not happy to take
things as status quo…
From the very beginning of the story, it is obvious that
Kira is a little lost and unsure of her role in the world. And, since this is a
paranormal romance collection of stories about weddings, you knew that she was
going to find her man… and probably get married at some point throughout. It’s
a little cliché that she doesn’t really feel complete until she finds her
partner, but it was still just a cute and easy read. One that had me smiling at
the end.
Although this is a pretty predictable cliché of a story, I
still really enjoyed it. Throwing in an ancient curse and reconnecting with family
members that have never been met just made it all the more engaging, not to
mention entertaining. I always enjoy a good romance, but one with a little
extra spice and challenge thrown in works even better…
Rumplestiltskin has always seemed such an odd name for one of the “fair folk”, but was it his real name? Here Michael Cadnum offers an alternative point of view to the classical fairy tale.
I never quite realised how weird a name ‘Rumpelstiltskin’
is. It’s just a name that has always been. But when you read a cute little
short story about how odd that is, you start to realise that it is quite an
absurd name…
There were two things that I loved about this short story.
The first was the fact that Rumpelstiltskin started out as kind
of a benevolent figure. He is constantly helping and assisting others towards a
greater future. This is so completely at odds with the original and my understanding
of him that I was kind of taken aback. Even his assistance of the girl spinning
straw into gold came from a good place. It was just her attitude that turned it
into something more sinister.
I don’t like the idea of eating babies. I thought I should
start with that, since I actually loved the fact that a baby was eaten in this story…
it kind of seemed like justice to the annoyances of the previously thought of
victim of the story. A poetic kind of revenge.
Title: Gene of Isis Author: Traci Harding Series: The Mystique Trilogy #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical fiction, Science fiction, Strong women Dates read: 4th – 12th February 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Novel Publisher: Voyager Year: 2005 5th sentence, 74th page: Her gown, like mine, was long-sleeved, and in accordance with the latest fashion was completed with short white silken gloves.
A heartstopping race to unlock the secrets of the grail bloodline…
Mia Montrose is a 21st century Australian woman with a Doctorate in Ancient Languages who has just scored the most promising job of her career.
Ashlee Granville is a 19th century clairvoyant forced to suppress her talents as she enters the marriage market of English upper-class society.
Lillet du Lac is a 13th century Priestess of an ancient order now protected by the Cathars, who are making their last stand against the Roman Catholic Franks at the giant hill fort of Montsegur.
Truth and deception, love and desire, the Cathars and the Church, the Templars and the secrets of ancient Egypt – all play their part in a grand adventure touched by the possibility of a genetic key to immortality…
I haven’t read this book in a very, very, very long time. As
in probably not since high school. When, to be honest, a lot of the intricacies
of this storyline went a little over my head. So reading this amazing, amazing novel
for the second time when I have much more knowledge… well, it was an absolutely
awe inspiring treat. One that I was incredibly sad when it ended… so luckily
there are two more intensely complex stories in this trilogy.
There are not many stories in which I appreciate having a dual
timeline. Mostly I find that they tend to be a little clunky and I’ll become
highly attached to one character, which means that I tend to get annoyed and
frustrated when the timeline flicks. However, I felt equally drawn to all three
women in this storyline. They had distinct journeys and personalities that were
all impossible to walk away from. They each had their own struggles which mirrored
each other, but also managed to be completely distinct. Not an easy trait judging
from all of the stories which I’ve disliked due to their dual timelines.
One of the things I’ve always loved about Harding’s work is that the leads are always Australian, and more often than not, strong women in their late twenties and early thirties. The age that I’m currently at. I love anything that utilises Australian culture in an honest and open way. So the fact that Mia, who most of the story ends up revolving around is Australian, from an English heritage… well, there is a lot that I have in common with her. Which, of course, makes it all the more difficult to put down the storyline, even when jumping across centuries and continents.
There is an insane amount of complexity in this storyline. Not just because of the time jumps and three parallel timelines. But also because of the intricate ties between religion and philosophy. Science and spirituality. Hardingmanages to tie so many pieces of reality together in a way that feels completely plausible and realistic. It makes it all that much harder to return to reality when you turn the very last page of this story.
Harry finally has a day off, and he plans to spend it showing a beautiful woman a good time. However, friends, apprentices and young morons keep getting in the way of his best laid plans.
I haven’t picked up anything in The Dresden Filesfor a while. Mostly because I’ve just been distracted by the multitude of amazing books that are out there. And reading this short story reminded me of just why I love this series so much. It’s funny. It’s quirky. And it always abides by Murphy’s Law – anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
I love how Butcher can take such a small thing as a day off and twist and turn it until all hell is breaking lose. Not just one moment of oh crap, or even one thing going wrong. It is a calamity of things going wrong. There’s the apprentice. The friends. And some weird wannabe rival kids. Anhy one of which would make an entertaining short story. But when you put all three together? I was laughing out loud… luckily there was no one else in the house at the time.
