Category Archives: Book Review

Hot August Moon by Katherine Sutcliffe

Book Review, , ,

Overview

lover-bewareTitle: Hot August Moon
Author: Katherine Sutcliffe
In: Lover Beware (Christine Feehan, Katherine Sutcliffe, Fiona Brand & Eileen Wilks)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Books
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: “Is there a problem?” She pocketed the shield.

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Synopsis

Among women of the night… An FBI profiler can see into the mind of a French Quarter killer targeting prostitutes – but not into the heart of the detective she must trust with her life…

Thoughts

I have very mixed feelings about this novella. It was incredibly difficult to put down. It was really enthralling. But, after I finished reading it… it wasn’t overly memorable. The really amazing stories that have completely gripped me, I remember them, days, weeks after I have closed the last page. But here I am, trying to write a review about Hot August Moon, and the main thing that I remember was that it was enjoyable.

I enjoy stories that have multiple points of view. It’s not something that I find easy to write (which expands on my fascination with this talent. It also provides a great alternate insight into what is happening, regardless of the other point of view. The fact that Hot August Moon has the point of view of the serial killer. Watching the main character, planning what he could do with her… well, it manages to make this a little bit creepier and more full on.

One of the reasons I find this story a little more difficult to recall is that it felt unfinished. The story built up tension, and then just kind of… finished. No conclusion was reached. There was a huge, gapping hole left in the relationship… it just felt… incomplete.

 <- Magic in the Wind Review After Midnight Review ->
Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Frankenstein

Title: Frankenstein
Author: Mary Shelley
Series: Word Cloud Classics
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Easy reading, Gothic
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Word Cloud Classics
Year: 1818
5th sentence, 74th page: Yet my heart overflowed with kindness and the love of virtue.

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Synopsis

Horror. Romance. Science. A classic tale that would be a fright to miss!

The idea for the story came to the author, Mary Shelley, in a dream she had about a scientist who had created life and was horrified by what he had made. This Gothic-style romance is among the first of true science fiction novels, if not the first. A young scientist named Victor Frankenstein, after going through his own near-death experience, decides to play God and create life in the form of a grotesque creature, which turns into a nightmare. Through his experience, he learns that the gift of life is precious, not disposable. His journey and personal transformation has deeply affected readers.

Thoughts

I’ve never read Frankenstein. I’ve not really spoken to anyone who has. And it was one that I’ve wanted to read for curiosities sake but wasn’t completely desperate to read like some others. All that changed when I started on the first page of this book. I can completely understand why this has stood the test of time and captured so many readers’ imaginations and fascinations.

I really enjoyed how this tale started off with a series of letters that helped to foreshadow what was to come. It highlighted the dark nature of the tale, and the sense of total and utter devastation of Frankenstein as his story unfolded. Even though I knew that this wasn’t going to be a sunshine and roses kind of tale, it still broke my heart a little as the tale unfolded. Not just for Frankenstein, but there was a few moments when I felt genuine sorry for his monster too. Although, not enough to accept the horrors of his actions.

The foreshadowing that is layered throughout this story is brilliantly done. It gives this horrifying sense of dread and an uncomfortable feeling that sits in the pit of your stomach. The commentary on social injustice and assumptions that cause his monster to completely lose his mind just add to that feeling of uncomfortableness. But it’s a good uncomfortable, it acts as a way to open your eyes, even in this modern day that makes you question all of the assumptions that you make about others. And to remind you that sometimes the worst monster in the world is the one of your own creation.

<- Shakespeare’s Sonnets and Other PoemsStrange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde & Other Stories ->

Image source: Amazon

The Blue Pebble by Shirley Kennedy

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: The Blue Pebble

Author: Shirley Kennedy

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Easy reading, Magic, Romance

Pace: Slow

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: He gazed around the tiny room and frowned.

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Synopsis

A young, Irish woman granted with a gift moves to England and finds deceit, passion and a whole new life.

Thoughts

This was such a sweet short story. I knew from the very beginning who would end up with who, but there was a moment that still made me doubt it. Which of course made me read through the tale even quicker than I was before.

My family is English, and Irish, and Welsh… and every time I read a story that uses any of these three countries and groups, I feel myself getting swept away. I have never been, and I may never get the chance, but there is something about these settings that seems to speak to me. Or maybe it’s just my obsession with where my family originally came from. Regardless, the setting for The Blue Pebble completely swept me away. It was picturesque, sweet and everything that I wanted in a before-bedtime story.

I enjoyed how this story highlighted the injustices and cruelty of class systems and the judgements that people make. Poor Evleen was forced to contend with this, alongside her growing emotions and insecurities. This is such a sweet tale and one that I will probably pick up every time I feel low and alone.

 <- The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance Review The Ballad of Rosamunde Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Must Love Hellhounds by Charlaine Harris, Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews & Meljean Brook

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview
Must Love Hellhounds

Title: Must Love Hellhounds
Author: Charlaine Harris, Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews & Meljean Brook
In: Must Love Hellhounds (Charlaine Harris, Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections
Pace: Fast
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Berkley Books
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: She might control his cock, but nothing else.

Synopsis

Follow paranormal bodyguards Clovache and Batanya into Lucifer’s realm, where they encounter his fearsome four-legged pets in The Britlingens Go to Hell.

Seek out a traitor in the midst of a guild of nonlethal vampire trackers, one intent on eradicating members of the species of bloodsuckers, in Angels’ Judgment.

Find out why the giant three-headed dog that guards the gates of Hades has left the underworld for the real world – and whose scent he’s following – in Magic Mourns.

Embark on a perilous search for the kidnapped niece of a powerful vampire alongside her blind – and damn sexy – companion and a hellhound in Blind Spot.

Thoughts

I feel so much love for this collection. Not only does it feature two of my already loved series, but it has introduced me to two more that I just have to get my hands on. The fact that all four novellas also feature a hellhound of some description… well, it just made me all the happier. And giddier. And just in general thoroughly enjoying this collection.

Although there was a great common thread throughout these four novellas, the styles and tales were completely different. I liked that they might all be paranormal fantasy, and they all had something to do with hell and demons, but they didn’t actually have all that much else in common with each other. I both loved and hated the fact that each of these tales is also part of a greater series – loved it because I have more books to fill my shelves now. Hated it because I can’t really afford to be purchasing said books.

 <- The Britlingens Go to HellBlind Spot ->

Image source: Goodreads

Lover Beware by Christine Feehan, Katherine Sutcliffe, Fiona Brand & Eileen Wilks

Book Review, , , , , , ,

Overview

lover-bewareTitle: Lover Beware
Author: Christine Feehan, Katherine Sutcliffe, Fiona Brand & Eileen Wilks
In: Lover Beware (Christine Feehan, Katherine Sutcliffe, Fiona Brand & Eileen Wilks)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romance, Short story collections
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Berkley Books
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: He was thick and hard and throbbing with his own need.

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Synopsis

BE WARNED – four of today’s most popular authors push passion and intrigue to the limit in four thrilling original stories…

In a sleepy coastal town… Early retirement turns deadly for a defense expert – until a beautiful woman steps between him and his assassins…

Among women of the night… An FBI profiler can see into the mind of a French Quarter killer targeting prostitutes – but not into the heart of the detective she must trust with her life…

Between two strangers… Sometimes one glance is all it takes. And sometimes all it takes is one man to tear apart what fate – and desire – have brought together…

Under the light of the moon… Investigating a series of grisly murders, a San Diego detective is caught off guard by the enigmatic man helping her find the killer…

Thoughts

I bought this collection because I thought that it was a prequel to Tempting Danger. It turns out that the Eileen Wilks tale in this collection was just an original version of the much better novel. Although that tale kind of fell flat for me (as I said, the novel was much better), I loved the collection. It introduced me to three new writers I had never before experienced and took me away to a number of entirely new worlds filled with romance and love.

The paranormal spin on the romances in this collection is a little less potent than what I’m used to. Most of the paranormal romance tales that I read have a heavy emphasis on the paranormal, and the romance (and often lust) occurs as a secondary plot line. With Lover Beware, the romance was first and foremost. It was fun and interesting. It made me believe in true love again and also gave me a great, romantic lustful story, or four to think about.

 <- Only Human Review Magic in the Wind Review ->
Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Inked by Karen Chance, Marjorie Liu, Yasmine Galenorn & Eileen Wilks

Book Review, , , , , , ,

Overview

InkedTitle: Inked
Author: Karen Chance, Marjorie Liu, Yasmine Galenorn & Eileen Wilks
In: Inked (Karen Chance, Marjorie Liu, Yasmine Galenorn & Eileen Wilks)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Berkley Books
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Right now, I need some –

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Synopsis

Four tales of paranormal romance and urban fantasy explore body art that is more than it seems – in a world of magic and mayhem that always leaves its mark…

New York Times bestselling author Karen Chance’s “Skin Deep” tells the tale ofa war mage in Las Vegas who stumbles across an ominous magical ward that appears as a dragon on her skin – and has a mind of its own…

When New York Times bestselling author Marjorie M. Liu’s demon hunter Maxine Kiss investigates a grisly murder, she finds herself involved in a conspiracy dating back to World War II – and a secret mission that her grandmother may have carried out for the U.S. government, one that involes the mysterious “Armor of Roses.”

In New York Times bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn’s “Etched in Silver”, a supernatural agent is on the trail of a sadistic serial killer when an unexpected – and dangerously seductive – ally comes to her aid, setting in motion a magical ritual that may end up binding them together, body and soul.

When the magically tattooed body of a man is found in a Northern California town, FBI Agent Lily Yu is drawn into the case. Trouble is, the victim wasn’t human – and the killer isn’t finished in USA Today bestselling author Eileen Wilks’s “Human Nature”.

Thoughts

I love tattoos. I have two, I’m going to get more. I love stories that feature tattoos. I loved this collection which was basically all about tattoos. Actually, the most disappointing thing about this was how quickly it ended. After all, there were only four novellas in this collection, and I would have happily enjoyed far more.

I’ve held off on reading this collection until I was up to the right stage in the World of the Lupi series, after all, that was why I bought this. But, then I got a little bit too excited about the idea of tattoo riddled paranormal fantasy tales written by some very captivating authors. And I started reading this. And boy, was I not disappointed. Every single one of these tales drew me in and made me immensely happy. It also caused me to buy quite a few more books that I really didn’t need…

Even if you don’t really like tattoos (yes, I can’t quite believe that people like that exist either), this is a great collection of tales. It features strong women, chaos and magic in a turbulent mass that completely draws you in.

 <- Human Nature Review Skin Deep Review ->
Image source: Penguin Random House

God’s Creatures by Carrie Vaughn

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Dark and Stormy Knights

Title: God’s Creatures
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Series: Kitty Norville #0.8
In: Dark and Stormy Knights (P.N. Elrod) & Kitty’s Greatest Hits (Carrie Vaughn)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: When the body turned up, Harrison wouldn’t turn him in.

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Synopsis

Cormac has to hunt down the thing that’s killing Harrison’s cattle. But what he ends up having to face is nothing like what he expected.

Thoughts

Werewolf stories are always interesting. For such a well known mythological creature, it’s interesting to see how many different ways people can take such a common story and twist it. Even when they follow the generalised pattern, there is always something a little different and fun. Which is where this short story fits in. It was a fairly expected tale of a werewolf hunter finding, hunting and eventually killing a werewolf. It was the werewolf and where it was found that was a bit more of a shock.

The journey of the hunt normally makes a very good story, the trail that you take that leads up to the final moments. I absolutely loved this – the fact that the trail leads to a reform, Catholic school. The fact that there is a confusing and somewhat hidden past to Cormac helps to draw you in incredibly quickly. Actually, aside from the fact that I originally thought that this was a gangster story, you are thrust straight into the drama.

And now I have added yet another series to my To Be Read List and What I Want To Buy…

 <- Wild Ride ReviewWinnowing the Herd Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
The Sword of Summer

Title: Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: He nodded and smiled.

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Synopsis

MY NAME IS MAGNUS CHASE. I’M ORPHANED AND LIVING ROUGH ON THE STREETS OF BOSTON. AND THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET MUCH WORSE.

My day started out normally enough. I was sleeping under a bridge when some guy kicked me awake and said, ‘They’re after you.’ Next thing I know, I’m reunited with my obnoxious uncle, who casually informs me that my long-lost father is a Norse god.

Nothing normal about that. And it turns out the gods of Asgard are preparing ofr war. Apparently, if I can’t find the sword my father lost two thousand years ago, there will be doom. Doomsday, to be precise.

A fire giant atatcking the city?
Immortal warriors hacking each other to pieces?
Unkillable wolves with glowing eyes?
It’s all coming up.

But first I’m going to die.
This is the story of how my life goes downhill from there…

Thoughts

I keep meaning to read this (which is kind of the story of my life), but I just haven’t found the time to pick it up as of yet. Until I needed to complete it for a reading challenge, and this gave me a beautiful excuse to drown myself, yet again in the world and writing of Magnus Chase. You would have thought that the name Chase would have clued me in on the relationship to Annabeth and Percy. But it took Annabeth’s actual appearance to make me understand… and then finally start grinning with joy.

I love how Magnus is a homeless child, with a bad two years and a mother that he has fond memories of. He has a completely different background to anyone else I’ve met so far in Riordan’s worlds and I found that this, once again, outsider was a great insight into the difficulties of a rough past. As the novel unfolds, you find out more and more of Magnus’ life on the streets, and his pre-street life with his mother. The slow unfolding and release of memories throughout help to really build his character and give a great structure to the battles that he not only faces in this book, but those I’m sure he is about to face in future stories.

I am vaguely familiar with the Norse Pantheon, enough so that I know the names of the major gods. So I was completely expecting Magnus to be the son of Odin or Thor, two of the most famous Norse Gods. He isn’t. And his father was completely unexpected, but so much more exciting in the discovery. I can’t wait to see how the son of a Norse God will develop further. Although I might have to dig out some of my books on mythology to find the tales behind this modern adaptation.

<- 9 from the Nine WorldsThe Hammer of Thor ->

Image source: Amazon UK

Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Cross Bones

Title: Cross Bones
Author: Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan #8
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves:Anthropology, Science, Crime, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Arrow Books
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: At the airport bookstore, only a few million copies of the year’s blockbuster bestseller barred my way.

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Synopsis

A full week after death, a barely recognisable body is discovered in a closet. ‘Death by self-inflicted funshot wound to the head’ is the initial assessment, but the victim’s relatives are adamant that this was not suicide.

Extreme heat has accelerated decomposition, and Dr Temperance Brennan’s forensic expertise is required. Even for her, it is virtually impossible to determine the trajectory of the bullet.

But just as Tempe is attempting to make sense of the evidence, she receives a photograph of a skeleton from an unknown source. Could this hold the answer to the victim’s death?

Thoughts

It’s difficult to write and read about Christianity. It is such a sensitive topic, and one that I tend to steer clear of at all times. However, Reichs manages to use discussions surrounding Jesus and Christianity beautifully. She doesn’t talk about the different aspects of faith, but rather touches upon the different groups who are heavily entrenched within this discussion. And I actually loved it.

Entwining a murder mystery with a theological mystery which impacts upon a large proportion of the world’s viewpoint seemed a little risky. Even the beginning of this novel starts with a foreword by Kathy Reichs that outlines some of the theological debates surrounding Masada, Jesus Christ and the many, many, many arguments which surround such a complex issue.

I found that Cross Bones went a little slower than the other Temperance Brennan stories so far. Most of the novels in this series so far, I have to read when I have someone else home with me. I tend to get swept away by it and also get really freaked out by what the main character is going through. However, because there was more of a focus on the social and political terrors of this story, than the physical ones that are normally faced. I liked that fact. Although, it did mean that I took longer to read this novel, because I didn’t need to watch the culprit getting caught to sleep at night.

<- Monday MourningBreak No Bones ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

Book Review, ,
Overview

Wishful Drinking

Title: Wishful Drinking
Author: Carrie Fisher
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, Comedy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Pocket Books
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: I mean, I could end up being financially independent… and Liza Minelli – but you take the good with the bad.

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Synopsis

Finally, Carrie Fisher comes clean (well, sort of) with the crazy truth that is her life. Intimate, hilarious, and sobering, it is an incredible tale. She reveals what it was like to be the child of Hollywood royalty – Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher – home-wrecked by Elizabeth Taylor, come of age on the set of a little movie called Star Wars, become a cultural icon and bestselling action figure at the age of nineteen, marry (then divorce, then date) Paul Simon, learn the father of her daughter forgot to tell her he was gay, and write four hit novels.

But it isn’t all sweetness and light sabres. Battling addiction and weathering the wild ride of manic depression, this is Carrie Fisher at her best – revealing her worst. She tells her true and outrageous story with inimitable wit, unabashed self-deprecation, and buoyant, infectious humour.

Thoughts

I grew up watching Star Wars and Carrie Fisher. So it was really interesting gaining a bit of insight into her life and what it was like to grow up as the child of two incredibly famous and prominent Hollywood legends. Ones that had their very private lives splashed across the front pages. I actually wasn’t even aware of her very, very famous parents, because apparently I live under a rock. So really, this entire journey came as a surprise to me.

Although Fisher has had her battles with mental health and wellbeing, she writes about it with this amazing humour. In some cases it’s quite a dark sense of humour, but I really enjoyed that. And then felt like I was probably a little dark too. Especially when one of the first chapters outlined how a man had died in her bed. Yes, it is sad, but the way she told it… not so sad, more like a very, very interesting anecdote.

The only complaint I have about this book is that it was way too short. One of my many impulse buys, I had no idea what to expect and what I received was quite a small, short paperback. Actually, the name pocket book (the publishing group) fitted this absolutely perfectly. I could easily have slid this into my coat pocket and read it while out for tea, ignoring the boys talking about their cars… that is, if I hadn’t have finished it so quickly…

<- Vanilla Beans & Brodo ReviewNaturally Tan ->
Image source: Simon & Schuster