Category Archives: Book Review

The Mapmaker’s Apprentice by C.J. Archer

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Mapmaker’s Apprentice
Author: C.J. Archer
Series: Glass and Steele #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical fiction, Magic, Steampunk
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

I’m loving reading about the two couples in this as the story unfolds. Both Matt and India, and Duke and Willie are fantastic couples. They might both be in the budding stages of their respective relationships, but they both work so well together. Plus, it makes me want to dive into the next book just to see which couple gets together first!

I love that throughout this, India is discovering more about her magic and self. She spends the actions of The Mapmaker’s Apprentice growing into herself and gaining confidence. Plus, she’s finding out more about how magic works in the world and why it’s so forbidden in certain circles. Which, as the reader, I loved putting together the pieces alongside India.

Matt’s eligibility and marriageability is being seriously tested by his aunt throughout. I think that this is partly because she sees his attachment to India, but also because she’s an aunt and that’s what bored aunts do. The constant attempts to set him up and have him happily married are incredibly fun and somewhat awkward. I love that whilst the attempts petered off at the end of this novel, there’s so many hints of future attempts and just Matt’s feelings in general.

Although, for me, the focus in this story is on the relationships and growth of the characters, there was also the plot afoot. I was expecting the missing persons case they worked to have a much happier ending. So, although I loved this novel, I did find that I turned the last page with a bit of a melancholy mood. Which, somehow just makes me all that much more keen to dive into The Apothecary’s Poison.

<- The Watchmaker’s DaughterThe Apothecary’s Poison ->

Image source: Amazon

When an Alpha Purrs by Eve Langlais

Book Review
Overview

Title: When an Alpha Purrs
Author: Eva Langlais
Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel

Thoughts

I absolutely love a good romance with an alpha lead. I mean, strong men and women falling for each other is completely the kind of story that I love. However, I’m seriously over the whole ‘alpha’ male being an ignorant jerk trope. There’s a redeeming level of this jerkiness, but sadly for me, When an Alpha Purrs just didn’t have an alpha lead that I liked at all…

I really, really wanted to like this story. I mean, the beginning and the set up was great. Kira started off as a sassy and tough female lead with a serious backbone. But, it very quickly derailed, and she turned into mush at the hands of a sexy man. Again, if you like that kind of trope, this is a brilliant story. But that’s just two tropes that I’m really over reading about.

The premise for this story line was funny and had some really good moments. However, there was just not enough humour and character growth for me to balance the assholery out. Plus, there was no steps and development between the running away and the kissing…

Image source: Goodreads

Tents & Tights by Molly O’Hare

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Tents & Tights
Author: Molly O’Hare
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I really enjoyed this story, but it definitely wasn’t without its flaws. I’ll still read more of O’Hare’s writing though – her characters were fun. The shenanigans were entertaining. And the whole story was difficult to put down and incredibly engaging to read. A tale that I will happily read again in the future, flaws aside.

One of the things that irritated me the most in this story was that Eve was constantly fixated on her size and curves. Even though she was supposed to be a character who was proud of them and didn’t care what others thought. It was a bit of a tough contrast to read. A character who was proud of her body and literally owned and ran a shop that catered to those who are plus sized. But also one that can’t stop fixating on how girls “like her” don’t get happily ever afters because of how they look…

Austin and Eve were a really cute couple. I mean, they were best friends who have had a crush on each other for years. And also a perfect opposites attract story. It’s a great reminder that couples don’t have to have everything or even much in common. But, they need to have a connection. Austin and Eve managed to have that – I also like that they are both ultimately willing to try new things for each other. Even if they really, really don’t like the experience!

My favourite part of this story was definitely the hike to the overlook. I mean, the relationship part of that was great. But I just loved the idea of a hike and the romance of the setting. It was way too beautiful, and I look forward to finding more beauty in O’Hare stories in the future – I’m just hoping they don’t fixate so strongly on physicality of the heroine.

<- Nothing But a DareMore Molly O’Hare ->

Image source: Goodreads

Sorcery by Cathy Clamp

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

Title: Sorcery
Author: Cathy Clamp
In: The Mammoth Book of Hot Romance (Sonia Florens)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2011

Thoughts

This wasn’t my favourite short story – I mean, it played with some pretty big taboos from the very beginning. But then, somehow I also kind of loved it. There was just something about it that I found really fun and enjoyable, even while I was kind of cringing – for so many reasons. I may not read this again, but I don’t regret reading it in the first place.

I did love that this is a short story about taking what you want and not toeing the line for others. Particularly as a woman, this can be an incredibly hard power to harness. And it was achieved beautifully in this – plus, there was the fact that this was all about sex and using that for power. Power over oneself and others.

I honestly don’t know why I enjoyed this short story as much as I did – when in theory it’s everything I don’t tend to like in a story. It’s enough that I want more Cathy Clamp on my bookshelves – just because if I enjoyed something that I would normally nope right out of, then they’re an author worth having on my shelves.

<- Desperate ChoicesBlind Date ->

Image source: London Borough of Bexley

The Sea Hag by Melissa Lee Shaw

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Sea Hag
Author: Melissa Lee Shaw
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Mermaids, Retellings
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

Thoughts

I absolutely, completely, totally and utterly freaking loved this Little Mermaid retelling. Particularly since it mostly borrows elements from the Disney version, not the original… it just made this all that much more potent and loveable. I love that the Sea Hag is the mother of the mermaids, and at the end of the day, everything she has done is in an attempt to help her beautiful children. The love of a mother is intense and irreplaceable, and I love that this is featured in this tale.

Although I really liked reading about this redemption arc and recovery, I really want to read about the battle that first put the Sea Hag in her horrible position. Or the one that I’m sure is about to take place now that she’s freed from the father’s evil clutches. I mean, she’s going to seriously kick butt for being taken from her children…

As much as I loved this short story, this was a great reminder of how femininity and womanhood tend to be vilified. How if you are old and no longer attractive, you are a hag and something to be feared. And how easy it can be to turn woman against each other with bad intentions and evilly whispered words.

<- PreciousThe Frog Chauffeur ->

Image source: Wikipedia

Stargazy Pie by Victoria Goddard

Book Review
Overview

Title: Stargazy Pie
Author: Victoria Goddard
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

I absolutely loved the prose and style of writing in this novel. It was exactly the kind of story that normally would draw me in, and I read most of it just because I loved the writing. However, I just didn’t get engaged with the storyline. Or attached to the characters, and I have far too many amazing books on my shelves to keep on diving into one that isn’t ticking all of my happy buttons.

Image source: Amazon

Shift Happens by T.M. Baumgartner

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Shift Happens
Author: T.M. Baumgartner
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

This is a great new urban fantasy author to add to my shelves! One that not only swept me away on a great story, but also just, generally created a wonderful world in which to exist. I mean, the world was textured and enjoyable – there was a whole lot of conflict and mayhem and magic. Some of the conflict was magical in nature, but some of it was just the normal social nonsense that we all have to navigate.

I love that the lead of this story is an unattached, menopausal woman in her 50s. There aren’t many stories I read that have a female of this age and hormonal difficulties leading. And whilst I’m nowhere near in my 50s or ready for menopause, the hormone fluctuations were entertainingly familiar and had me giggling throughout. Especially how the hot flashes can hit at the most random and irritating times.

For two of the women in this story, the rage of being a woman is beautifully manifested in their shifted shapes. The rage of having to deal with ego-driven nonsense that is just… well, frustrating and rage-inducing. Both Angela and the dragon are transformed under less than stellar circumstances, and they both are reduced to trying to deal with the consequences of others’ stupidity. Probably more so Angela – I would’ve snapped FAR earlier than she did, but there’s a reason why I’m not a hero in a novel…

Throughout all of the mayhem and craziness that unfolds in Angela’s life, she has some amazing friends who manage to rally around her. It’s always lovely to read a story which features really strong friendships, and ones where the women just aren’t pitted against each other. It’s always heartwarming to read about characters that value each other as they are. And are willing to stand by their friends, even if it might cost them something.

Shift Happens is an absolutely unforgettable story. One that I enjoyed far more than I had anticipated from the blurb and cover to be honest. It was tragic in places and made my eyes water. But, then, had me giggling and smiling at other moments. I love that I was taken on a ride of insanity, but also experience a wide range of emotions whilst going on this journey. Now I can’t wait to see what else Baumgartner is capable of writing.

<- More T.M. BaumgartnerMore paranormal fantasy ->

Image source: OverDrive

Precious by Nalo Hopkinson

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Precious
Author: Nalo Hopkinson
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Fairy tales, Retellings
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

Thoughts

I often wonder just what happens after the happily ever after in fairy tales. Marriage is honestly not the ending, but just the beginning of another chapter in life. And, although I like to imagine sometimes that the happily ever after moment and joy continues, I’m not always that optimistic. I like that Hopkinson took this idea and emphasised that sometimes we have to recreate our own happily ever after.

The name of the original fairy tale completely eludes me, but Precious / Isobel is a very familiar character. I love that originally, having diamonds, flowers and precious jewels fall from her lips was considered a gift. Yet, it ultimately turns into a curse. And, although her husband ‘saved’ her from servitude to her family, it was ultimately Isobel herself who was able to save herself from her curse and craft a whole new life for herself.

The rage of women and the frustration that we sometimes feel when we are constantly overlooked and ignored seems to be a bit of a note that I’m finding in stories lately. I love that Isobel is able to use this anger to actually release herself. Her final rant and moment of release was beautiful, and definitely a moment that I will continue to remember with fondness.

<- Clad in GossamerThe Sea Hag ->

Image source: Wikipedia

Phantoms of the Midway by Seanan McGuire

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Phantoms of the Midway
Author: Seanan McGuire
In: The Mythic Dream (Dominik Parisien & Navah Wolfe)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Mythology, Retellings
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I spent this whole story trying to figure out which myth this short story was based on. And then, I realised that it was about Hades and Persephone. Which completely makes sense, but rather than being based on romantic or sexual love, it’s about a mother’s love.

I love that Aracely and Joanna have so much potential at the turning point of seventeen. And even though they’re both dead, that potential is somehow expanded, not diminished. But, they also have a reality and a life to grow into. One that they both grasp with eyes wide open.

There is something eerie and haunting about this story from the very beginning. And, it isn’t until the end that I could quite put my finger on why. On the one hand, it’s sweet and a reminder of the lengths that a mother will go to to protect her child. On the other, it’s a little bit creepy the lengths that a mother will go to to protect her child…

<- The Mythic DreamThe Justified ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster

The Polar Bear’s Fake Mate by Sophie Stern

Book Review
Overview

Title: The Polar Bear’s Fake Mate
Author: Sophie Stern
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This was such a fun and engaging premise, and reminded me a little bit of At Any Price – selling an aspect of your time and self for financial need and gain. Although this was a little less overwhelming with the nuances of their deal. I absolutely adored the idea – but I found that the storyline started to drag really quickly. I found that there was too much set up before the action, and I just couldn’t get any further through the story sadly.

Image source: Amazon