Category Archives: Book Review

Little Red by Wendy Wheeler

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

Title: Little Red
Author: Wendy Wheeler
In: Snow White, Blood Red (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales,
Villains
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Signet
Year: 1993
5th sentence, 74th page: I wish you would buy me riding boots and dungarees.

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Synopsis

In this modern retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, the wolf is far more terrifying than the original. There is a far more modern setting. And the grandmother is just a lingering memory watching over the horrors of her granddaughters life.

Thoughts

This short retelling of Red Riding Hood lost half a point because of the creep factor. The creep factor still made the story thoroughly enjoyable and a perfect addition to a series of adult fairy tale retellings. But I didn’t like the feelings I got when I finished it. Hence the deduction of half a point.

I actually really enjoyed the shifting of a wolfish predator from traditional fairy-tale land to a modern day setting. Not only did it work immensely well, but it increased the sense of warning and horror that I’m sure the original story would have had. After all, the original fairy tales were not happily ever afters and nice. They were horrible, ended with some pretty intense torture and murder half the time and were mostly designed to show you how wrong your reality can go if you don’t heed the warnings.

And this story did exactly that. It showed the horrors of the modern world and what one person’s downfall can do to another. How predators and wolves lurk around every corner, and even with the thin veneer of civility, you can still be in a lot of danger. Did I mention that there was a pretty high creep factor in this story?

 <- Snow-Drop ReviewI Shall Do Thee Mischief in the Wood Review ->
Image source: Amazon

His Magick Touch by Kimberly Killion

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

Title: His Magick Touch
Author: Kimberly Killion
In: The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Scottish romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Hot liquid cascaded over him and triggered his own release.

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Synopsis

Kiernan has been in love with the chieftans daughter for his entire life, so when she needs someone to rescue her from an abusive husband, he gladly steps up to the challenge. What follows is a mess of war, conspiracies and the winning of trust.

Thoughts

I was kind of expecting the woman in this to die and become miraculously bought back by one of the fae, or some equally mysterious being. It didn’t quite work out like that, but I enjoyed the fact. After all, instead of being rescued by a mysterious man creature, she was rescued by the man whom she had loved for a long time and known her entire life. Which I always enjoy in a story, love doesn’t always bloom in the space of a moment, but over a lifetime of knowledge.

This is a fun, quick and sweet read that takes you to another world and another place. I really enjoyed the fact that although there was a past love between the two leads, the abuse that she had suffered at the hands of men made her hard of trust. Rather than just falling at the feet of a strange, new man, she is fiercely independent and that trust must be earnt. Something that I think speaks to many people across the world.

 <- Beloved Beast ReviewThe Laird’s Vow Review ->
Image source: Hachette Australia

When Demons Walk by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
When Demons Walk ebook by Patricia Briggs

Title: When Demons Walk
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Sianim #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Dates read: 7th – 11th January 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Year: 1998
5th sentence, 74th page: He laughed.

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Synopsis

Don’t try this at home.

Sham had spent most of her young life as a sorceress and thief, stealing from Southwood’s nobility to survive. Now she must face the greatest test of her skills…

A killer has struck Southwood, claiming the lives of nobels. Lord Kerim, Reeve of Southwood, turns to Sham for help. Posing as his mistress, she delves behind castle walls to find the killer. But this murderer is no mortal – and Sham must use all of her magical wisdom to send the demon away. Because the city of Southwood has nowhere to hide – and no time to run…

Thoughts

I forgot how much I love this book. I first read it about six years ago, and although I remembered that it was fun, I didn’t really remember anything else about it. Which kind of made this reread like discovering the story again for the very first time. And it was amazing. And beautiful. And really difficult to put down… I had to actually put a timer on to stop myself from over reading. Especially when I actually had study and things to do.

I love the premise of this storyline and the world in which this tale is based. It is a beautiful medieval city which is steeped in history and culture. There have been wars and pasts that have been won and lost beautiful you even open the first page of the story. This attention to detail and world creation is one of the things that I have always loved about Patricia Briggs. The fact that this is a standalone novel with this level of detail is somehow far more impressive and intriguing than many of her longer running series. After all, the same level of world building and history creation goes into this single story that has gone into the longer series. Or at least, that’s the way it feels to me.

I like the fact that there is a little romance in this story, but it isn’t the emphasis, rather there is a hint of people developing feelings for each other. And that’s it. it’s enough to help raise the stakes of the story. But not enough to overtake any of the storyline. Rather, it is a tale of battles and intrigue. A tale that makes you want to know just who the bad guy is… and when it’s finally figured out… how to get rid of it!

 <- Steal the Dragon ReviewWolfsbane Review ->
Image source: Kobo

An Ember Amongst the Fallen by Colleen Anderson

Book Review, ,
Overview
Evolve

Title: An Ember Amongst the Fallen
Author: Colleen Anderson
In: Evolve (Nancy Kilpatrick)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Edge
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Then he opened a vein on the cow’s wrist and dripped the blood into the wine, watching the drops swirl and spread.

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Synopsis

An interesting take on the idea of vampires keeping their own “sheep”, and the ways in which they view them. It’s a little too similar to how some people view cattle.

Thoughts

I felt super uncomfortable reading this short story. Which I’m pretty sure was the aim. It took a weird turn at the end which made me go from morally questioning and uncomfortable… to just downright uncomfortable. Like really. Like I have struggled to write any kind of review for this because I’m just… yup, you guessed it… uncomfortable.

Actually, this made me so uncomfortable that I’m just not going to say much more about it. Other than it is really worth the read…

 <- Come to Me ReviewMamma’s Boy Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Unappreciated Gifts by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview
A Fantastic Holiday Season

Title: Unappreciated Gifts
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha & Omega #3.5, Mercy-Verse #21
In: A Fantastic Holiday Season (Kevin J. Anderson & Keith J. Olexa)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Dates read: 29th January 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: World Fire Press
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: But Kelly did indeed know how to dance, and they soon progressed beyond the simpler moves into some more daring, dramatic… even melodramatic moves.

Synopsis

Some members of Adam’s pack think Asil should get out more, so they’ve challenged him to accept a series of blind dates . . .

Thoughts

I really, really like Asil. And I really, really like Christmas. So a story that features both… I’m most likely going to enjoy that. And when it is written in the drily humorous tones of Patricia Briggs… yeah. I really couldn’t put this down. I wandered around the house (and walked into a few doorways) for about ten minutes while I just completely devoured this story.

The premise of giving a “gift” of five dates for Asil was funny from the very beginning. And I was expecting it to be a series of five short almost mini stories which outlined each of his adventures. Instead, it was just about the first one. And honestly, that was enough. It was kind of hilarious, really sweet and definitely highlighted just why I love Asil so much. After all, he has this sly sense of humour and a strong sense of dignity. Both things that I love in a man (and a character).

Unappreciated Gifts is a fun little, Christmassy return to the world of Mercedes Thompson. It is a good little laugh and a nice way to fall into the world, without being dragged too deeply under.

<- Fair GameDead Heat ->

Image source: Goodreads

Puss in Boots, the Sequel by Joseph Stanton

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for troll's-eye view book cover

Title: Puss in Boots, the Sequel
Author: Joseph Stanton
In: Troll’s-Eye View (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Poetry
Pace: Fast
Format: Poem
Publisher: Firebird Fantasy
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: that his former master barely discerns

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Synopsis

Why didn’t such a smart cat outsmart his owner? Well, maybe he did.

Thoughts

I don’t think I’ve read the original tale of Puss in Boots. Although I have read a few retellings over time, and I thought that doing new take on an old classic using a poem was a quaint and attractive way in which to do so. This was quick, sharp, shiny and straight to the point. It was also well written, fun and great at highlighting the triumph of beast over man.

One of the things that I love about poems is the way in which a single page, or a few lines can quickly get the point across. If this tale was told in prose form, it would take at the very least a few pages of writing, not the quick, and descriptive wording that is conveyed in poetry.

 <- The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces ReviewThe Boy Who Cried Wolf Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Redemption by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
shifting-shadows

Title: Redemption
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercedes Thompson #7.4, Mercy-Verse #20
In: Shifting Shadows (Patricia Briggs)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Dates read: 29th January 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: “I figured out the install problem, too, thank you.

Synopsis

Ben (a major character in the Mercy Thompson series) is not good with people, particularly women, but he’s become strangely protective of a young lady in his office. This story was originally published in Shifting Shadows.

Thoughts

Ben is intriguing from his very first appearance in Moon Called. Although, not exactly all that attractive. Just… interesting. Yet, as the series progresses, he becomes a fair more enjoyable and beloved character. One that I constantly want to hear more and more about as the insanity of the storylines unfolds… so I was more than a little ecstatic when I found out that there was a short story solely based around Ben…

One of my favourite things about this short story is that it highlights the fact that dominance isn’t just about being bigger, tougher and stronger than everyone else. Rather, it is also about the willingness to protect and care for those who are weaker than you. And, since Ben is starting to grow up in this series… he is finally beginning to understand this! And understand some of his horrible past.

This might not be a truly feel good story, especially since it touches on many issues from his past, but it is a really good one. It lets you get to know a character that I completely adore. And it also allows you to gain further understanding into the structure of the wolf packs.

<- Frost BurnedHopcross Jilly ->

Image source: Patricia Briggs

Bitches of the Night by Nancy Kilpatrick

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Blood Lite

Title: Bitches of the Night
Author: Nancy Kilpatrick
In: Blood Lite (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Vampires
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Edge
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: She pointed in the direction of Celine.

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Synopsis

He turned three women in the hope of finding a happily ever after… in return he got a series of vindictive bitches.

Thoughts

This is the funniest vampire story that I’ve read in a long time. Not because of any outward and obvious humour, but also because of the fact that it featured a vampire that thought he was all that. Until his choices of “wives” proved again and again and again that he wasn’t.

One of my favourite things about this short story is the fact that it turns the idea of vampires as these gorgeous seductors completely on its head. Alright, it’s still kind of true for the women – but not so much for the men. Which I love. Because I’ve never understood what is sexy about an undead man running around at night. Just ew. And now I have a story that shows that some people still feel the same way!!!

 <- I Know Who You Ate Last Summer ReviewThe Bell from HELL!! Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for frost burned patricia briggs book cover

Title: Frost Burned
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercedes Thompson #7, Mercy-Verse #19
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Dates read: 28th – 29th January 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: “Sweats,” Kyle whispered to me, rolling off the chair like it hurt.

Synopsis

In this #1 New York Times bestseller, author Patricia Briggs “has reached perfection”, as Mercy Thompson faces a shapeshifter’s biggest fear…

After an accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercy and her stepdaughter, Jesse, can’t reach Alpha werewolf Adam – or anyone else in the pack, for that matter. They’ve all been abducted.

Through their mating bond, all Mercy knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. But she fears his disappearance may be related to the political battle the werewolves have been fighting to gain acceptance from the public – and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outmatched and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from any ally she can get, no matter how unlikely.

Thoughts

I always forget how much I love the books in the Mercedes Thompson world. Actually, I don’t quite forget… I just don’t think that they could possibly be that good. And then I open one, and I don’t know why I don’t just read these books on repeat. (Probably because I have FAR too many other books that I also want to read…. It makes decision making incredibly hard).

Frost Burned is the seventh in the Mercedes Thompson series and takes place after Mercy has finally healed from her… activities… in River Marked. It starts with one of those beautiful moments in which everything seems to be going well. And then it’s not. Which is kind of how all such books end up going. However, unlike most books I’ve read, it kind of seems like the main catastrophe and storyline is over. When the book is only halfway through. That’s when you kind of know that the shit is about to seriously hit the fan.

Ben takes a much more central role in this story than the other stories. And so does Asil. Both characters that I absolutely adore and find completely intriguing. They have intense backgrounds and aren’t what you would traditionally classify as “good”. Which is probably why I like them so much. Their presence in Mercy’s life and the fact that, in spite of all odds, she actually likes them, helps to increase the stakes of what is happening.

Unlike the other books so far in the Mercedes Thompson series, there isn’t one big storyline, per se. Rather than a very clear beginning, middle and end with only one big obstacle to overcome, there are a small handful. It means that instead of the expected highs and lows, this story is more like a rollercoaster. And because of that, all that much more difficult to put down.

<- River MarkedRedemption ->

Image source: Amazon

Lady Witherspoon’s Solution by James Morrow

Book Review, ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Steampunk

Title: Lady Witherspoon’s Solution
Author: James Morrow
In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Steampunk
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: “Martin and Andrew are merely making themselves useful whilst awaiting deportation,” the baroness replied.

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Synopsis

On a long, scientific voyage a young man thinks that he has discovered the origins of man – the only still existing population of Neanderthals. But, what he’s really discovered is something far more intense.

Thoughts

The imagery invoked in this image has layer upon layer of meaning which unfold as the story does. At the outset, it seems to be a slightly different approach and take to a scientific endeavour to the reaches of the unknown. Then there is the slow unravelling of just who the unknown people on the island are. And it makes you question the everyday world and the patriarchy in which we currently live.

I like that the story is told from two different point of views. From that of the scientist discovering, and that of the young woman who lies in a grave. It actually took a few unexpected twists using this. Which is what I always enjoy in a good short story. And something I’m really beginning to appreciate in Steampunk short stories in particular.

 <- Dr Lash Remembers ReviewReluctance Review ->
Image source: Amazon