The Goblin King by Shona Husk

Book Review, , ,
Overview
The Goblin King (Shadowlands, #1) by Shona Husk

Title: The Goblin King
Author: Shona Husk
Series: Shadowlands #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Goblins, Magic, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 10th – 26th June 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: He wouldn’t forget the woman who had reminded him what it was to be a man, if only for a moment.

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Synopsis

ONCE UPON A TIME…

A man was cursed to the Shadowlands, his heart repalced with a cold lump of gold. In legends, he became known as
THE GOBLIN KING.

For a favored few he will grant a wish. Yet, desperately clinging to his waning human soul, his one own desire remains unfulfilled:
A WILLING QUEEN.

But who would consent to move from the modern-day world into the realm of nightmares? No matter how intoxicating his touch, no matter how deep his valor, loving him is dangerous. And the one woman who might dare to try could also
DESTROY HIM FOREVER.

Thoughts

From the very beginning of this novel, I had some serious recollections of the Labyrinth and David Bowe. In fact, I almost leapt straight out of bed to go and watch the movie… at midnight. Which really wasn’t a great idea. And, I did stop myself from doing so. But, mostly, I just loved that from the very opening of this story… I thought of a movie that I loved. And had a great soundtrack going through my mind. What a way to draw you into a story…

Although there is a lot of darkness to this story – ultimately, I actually found it really sweet and simple. It was a fairly typical paranormal romance in which you know that the couple is going to get together. But it also had that extra, added layer of goblins. I really haven’t read many / any goblin stories. So reading one in which the male heartthrob is also a goblin… I actually really loved the idea.

One of the things that I loved about this story was the fact that the main complication, other than the fact that the lead male was a goblin, was Eliza’s fiancé. It’s the first story I’ve read in which one half of the romantic couples is already engaged. Don’t get me wrong, the relationship is honestly bone-deep terrifying to me. And I’m so glad that it is just a complication… but I liked that it took a completely different direction.

This was a great, fun and wonderful read. One that I seriously enjoyed and couldn’t get out of my head until long after I turned the final page. Sadly, I don’t have Kiss of the Goblin Prince on my shelves yet… so it’s going to take a little while until I’m able to immerse myself into the world of the Shadowlands again.

<- The SummonsKiss of the Goblin Prince ->

Image source: Goodreads

Sunchaser’s Quest by Mary Stanton

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Sunchaser's Quest (Unicorns of Balinor): Stanton, Mary ...

Title: Sunchaser’s Quest
Author: Mary Stanton
Series: Unicorns of Balinor #2
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Unicorns
Dates read: 24th – 25th June 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 1999
5th sentence, 74th page: She got on her knees and softly stroked the collie’s ears.

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Synopsis

A DANGEROUS JOURNEY

Princess Arianna has returned to Balinor – a peaceful, magical world watched over by a herd of beautiful unicorns. But a dark presence has invaded the land. And Arianna has no memory of her past or how to tend to her wounded unicorn, Sunchaser.

The unicorn’s horn was broken in battle and he is very weak. The journey to get Suncahser’s horn restored will be long and very dangerous. But it is Sunchaser’s only hope. And – as Arianna and Sunchaser soon learn – the only hope for all of Balinor.

Thoughts

This is one of those very fun, quick and easy reads. One that you can sit down and spend half hour, hour on and enjoy it. Without having to think too deeply about what you are reading and just genuinely enjoy the journey. It’s a nice journey and one that I found was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon, between reading textbooks and trying to cram other information into my poor brain.

I like that the first story in this series starts with a bit of a mystery as to Ari’s past and what happened in her “accident”. In this novel, they begin to remember their horrible past and find ways to move onto the future. There are so many instances where things are nicely revealed, and you can begin to build upon the history of the story. And can’t wait to find out what’s going to happen next.

Probably one of the things that I really like about this novel is that it is got a world that is full of unicorns. And they’re integral to the connection between man and animal. It is such a sweet, innocent world. Something that is great in a children’s fantasy novel. The innocence that you associate with unicorns just flows off of the pages.

This is such a nice, pleasant read and I seriously wish that I was able to read it as a child. Its definitely one of those very childish, easy reading stories. But it was also cute and ridiculously innocent. Which is what all good young children books should be.

<- The Road to BalinorValley of Fear ->

Image source: Amazon

Wolves and Daggers by Melanie Karsak

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Overview
Wolves and Daggers by Melanie Karsak

Title: Wolves and Daggers
Author: Melanie Karsak
Series: Red Cape Society #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Retellings, Steampunk, Werewolves
Dates read: 25th June 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Clockpunk Press
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: Sitting outside the hangar were two autos that I recognized from the warehouse night before.

Synopsis

Who’s afraid of the big, bad werewolf?

When London’s brightest tinkers and alchemists come up missing, Red Cape Society Agent Clemeny Louvel is on the case.

To help her get the problem in hand, Queen Victoria assigns her a temporary partner—a werewolf with a knightly history and a tendency to be far too flirtatious for either of their good. Can she trust him to help her chase down the monsters they’re hunting?

Wolves and Daggers is a retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale set in Melanie Karsak’s bestselling steampunk universe.

Thoughts

This really wasn’t quite what I was expecting from a Red Riding Hood retelling. It was great. It was unique. And it was completely unexpected. Which is probably what I enjoyed so much about it. I can see how the entire series will unfold as an overall retelling, rather than just this one story. There are so many aspects to the original fairy tale that just weren’t in this retelling, and I can’t wait to see how Karsak continues to weave Red Riding Hood into her wonderful world of steampunk.

One of the things that I love about this author is her ability to write steampunk retellings in a way that makes you feel really reminiscent of the original fairy tales. But also, to make an entirely new and unique story line. There are certain aspects which are seriously familiar, but there are so many completely new aspects which draw you in and leave you feeling happy, compelled and intrigued. In the case of Red Riding Hood, the wolves are werewolves and “Little Red” is a werewolf hunter.

I absolutely can’t wait to read more about “Little Red” and Sir Richard and all of the hunting and controlling of the werewolves that they do. There is just something fun and a little entertaining about Karsak’s take on such a common and well known fairy tale. I also love that although it is originally a French fairy tale, the story and the characters are just oh-so-British. It added a great extra layer to the adventure of Little Red and the Victorian steampunk setting.

It’s kind of impossible not to love this book – it has werewolves, hunting and a great steampunk setting. Not to mention the fact that it’s a world of fairy tales. Not quite like you remember them, but still kind of amazing and really, really fun. I absolutely adored this novel and can’t wait until I have the money to buy the rest of the series!

<- More Melanie KarsakAlphas and Airships ->

Image source: Goodreads

Omens by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Omens: Book 1 of the Cainsville Series: Armstrong, Kelley: Amazon ...

Title: Omens
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Cainsville #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 24th May – 26th June 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: sphere
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: The kind I’d only ever seen on TV, usually where the bad guys holed up until the cops came busting through the door.

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Synopsis

A LIFE SHATTERED IN ONE MOMENT.

On the eve of her wedding Olivia Jones discovers two shocking facts. One – she was adopted. Two – her biological parents are notorious serial killers.

A YOUNG WOMAN FORCED ON THE RUN.

With her life in immediate danger, Liv is thrown into a terrifying new world. But then she is confronted with a tantalising hope – is it possible her parents are innocent?

AND THE MYSTERIOUS TOWN THAT AVE HER SANCTUARY. AT A PRICE.

Arriving at the remote town of Cainsville, Liv believes she has found the perfect place to hide while she hunts for the truth. But Cainsville is no ordinary town – and Liv’s arrival was no accident…

Thoughts

So, there’s definitely a reason why I love Kelley Armstrong – Author. I’ve been putting off starting a new series by her because I tend to get sucked into her world, and then I’ll want to buy more and more books… but, I decided that I had to read Omens. I’ve read all the prequel short stories and really, really wanted to start on this series. It may have been a mistake… I now want to go out and buy the rest of the books in this series… and I really don’t have the money for that at the moment.

You really don’t need to read any of the prequel short stories to fall madly, stupidly in love with this novel. In some ways, it may even be a little better… you won’t know so much about the gargoyles, Gabriel and that slightly paranormal hint throughout the story. Although, if you’re like me and you want as much information as feasibly possible…. It’s well worth reading the short stories before this. It meant that I had some extra mysteries that I was just constantly guessing at. And some extra historical moments that helped to fill in some of the blanks…

I absolutely loved how Armstrong managed to layer the paranormal, omens on top of a very realistic storyline. It takes a long time to see how the paranormal starts to come into play. After reading her Women of the Otherworld series, it is really fun to see a more subtle and covert approach to the paranormal, and the way it is placed into a very realistic feeling setting. You can almost imagine that a town like Townsville exists and the power to read omens is strong and alive. I can’t wait to see how this “power” develops and the supernatural that is heavily hinted at throughout this novel develops as the series unravels.

There are many, many, amazing things going on in this novel. But one of the aspects that I enjoyed the most was that it definitely bought up the whole nature / nurture debate. That it highlighted the mixed and confused feelings that Olivia felt as she realised that part of her was created by two individuals she has never met. A good portion of this storyline is taken up with Olivia’s own internal battle, trying to figure out how to feel.

<- The Orange CatVisions ->

Image source: Amazon

Hellfire on the High Frontier by David Farland

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for dead man's hand book cover

Title: Hellfire on the High Frontier
Author: David Farland
In: Dead Man’s Hand (John Joseph Adams)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Cyborgs, Weird western, Westerns
Dates read: 23rd June 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Titan Books
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: The cigar clenched between his teeth smelled of sulfur.

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Synopsis

Morgan is hunting a murderer and a skinwalker. Then, after accepting help from a stranger, he is sent on a journey. To try and stop another murderer, one that he has little hope of surviving.

Thoughts

I really liked the book ending of this story – it started with Morgan on a hunt for justice. And ended with him on another hunt for justice. Two totally different culprits, but that same need for justice that made me wonder what was going to happen next almost from the very first moment. I loved that sense of justice – it’s always a great driver for a story in my mind – justice is almost impossible to truly get, but always desired.

Morgan is a great lead character. You spend the whole time hoping and wishing that he’s going to get his happily ever after. But you’re kind of resigned to something that’s not going to be so happy… it’s a weird dichotomy. You know that there will be a tragic ending because this story has great emotional foreshadowing, but you also hope against hope that you’re wrong. Since Morgan is just such a beautiful, relatable character.

This is a great reminder that there is no justice, only money. Particularly in the Old West which is run by gunslingers and gamblers. Demons and ghouls. And emotionless cyborgs.

<- The Old Slow Man and His Gold Gun From SpaceThe Hell-Bound Stagecoach ->

Image source: Amazon

Burning Up Flint by Laurann Dohner

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Burning Up Flint (Cyborg Seduction, #1) by Laurann Dohner

Title: Burning Up Flint
Author: Laurann Dohner
Series: Cyborg Seduction #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Cyborgs, Erotica, Science fiction romance
Dates read: 23rd May – 23rd June 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Her eyes opened so she could stare up in wonder at Flint as he climbed over her and pinned her under his body, caging her between his hands spread on the bed next to her arms.

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Synopsis

Flint is tall, gorgeous and dangerous. He’s a cyborg-the absolute ultimate alpha male. He takes what he wants and holds what is his. Mira is his now. He takes her aboard his ship and has her branded with his mark. He captured her, owns her, and she will serve his every need.

Mira is instantly drawn to Flint, fascinated by his seductive appeal. The sex between them is smoking hot. Until she finds out he is a breeder, contracted to a dozen cyborg women, and she is no more than a possession.

Mira won’t share her cyborg and she belongs to no one-not even to a man who has captured her heart. She doesn’t know if cyborgs feel… anything. Can Flint love her? Mira is determined to find out, no matter how much trouble she makes for the big guy.

Thoughts

As with some of the more erotic romances I’ve been reading lately, I finished this with mixed feelings. Mostly because it was a little too pushy and filled with moments in which Mira didn’t actually have a choice. Actually, my favourite part of this story was when she threatened to jump, because she was at her wits end. It was the only moment of real fight that she displayed and FINALLY made the stupid, pig headed male in this story sit up and pay attention to what she was saying. And yet, for all of that pushiness that I was really uncomfortable with, I did, ultimately enjoy this story…

This is my second series by Dohner that I’ve started. And although she definitely seems to like the alpha male trope, this one definitely took that to the next level. Flint literally kidnaps Mira because he’s decided he wants her. There is literally no choice. I mean, it all ends well, they fall in love and ya da ya da ya da. But, really, the whole I’m going to kidnap you and own you… not what I would call a healthy, happy beginning to a relationship. Not really sure that there is a happy healthy ending either, but that’s a little less clear…

I think the reason that I enjoyed this story so much, even though it was filled with aspects that I seriously didn’t agree with… was the fact that Dohner is an awesome writer. She manages to draw you in from that very first moment and make you feel emotionally bonded with both of the characters… even the ones that aren’t exactly of the mould that I would like. There is just something about Dohner’s writing that works for me…

Although I have many, many issues with this story. I still really enjoyed it. Major guilty pleasure here. And just because of that, and the brilliance of Dohner’s writing… I’m actually looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. a nice way to curl up late at night and make my self weirdly uncomfortable.

<- More Laurann DohnerKissing Steel ->

Image source: Goodreads

A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing by Jessie Tu

Book Review, , ,
Overview
A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing - Jessie Tu - 9781760877194 ...

Title: A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing
Author: Jessie Tu
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Mental health, Music
Dates read: 11th – 22nd June 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Year: 2020
5th sentence, 74th page: He smiles and opens it.

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Synopsis

Jena Chung plays the violin. She was once a child prodigy and is now addicted to sex. She’s struggling a little. Her professional life comprises rehearsals, concerts, auditions and relentless practice; her personal life is spent managing family demands, those of her creative friends, and lots of sex. Jena is selfish, impulsive and often behaves badly, though mostly only to her own detriment. And then she meets Mark – much older and worldly-wise – who bewitches her. Could this be love?

When Jena wins an internship with the New York Philharmonic, she thinks the life she has dreamed of is about to begin. But when Trump is elected New York changes irrevocably, and Jena along with it. Is the dream over? With echoes of Frances Ha, Jena’s favourite film, truths are gradually revealed to her. Jena comes to learn that there are many different ways to live and love and that no one has the how-to guide for any of it – not even her indomitable mother.

A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing unflinchingly explores the confusion of having expectations upturned, and the awkwardness and pain of being human in our increasingly dislocated world – and how, in spite of all this, we still try to become the person we want to be. It is a dazzling, original and astounding debut from a young writer with a fierce, intelligent and fearless new voice.

Thoughts

I was expecting a bit more of an uplifting journey when I read the blurb for this book. It’s not a happy book. It’s not uplifting and it probably won’t help you find meaning in your life. What this book is – is amazing. It is impossible to forget, impossible to put down and very, very difficult to get out of your mind. Tu manages to take you on a journey that will have you squirming and questioning all of your assumptions. It will make you seriously think about not only our own actions, but the actions of others. And it will make you reflect on your own relationships and childhood, and the scars that have been left behind…

About halfway through this book, I had to pause and take a breath, put it aside for a little while. There were a few emotions that Jen experienced that were just a little too close to home. And a few moments when I was genuinely fearful for her surviving into the future. I was so quickly attached to this character, that eve though she makes multiple bad decisions throughout this story, I really, really couldn’t handle the idea of anything bad actually happening to her. Hence, the having to take a break a few times and pick up a lighter, fluffier book. It’s been a very long time since a book has had the ability to make me feel this strongly. This quickly.

Although I was constantly fearful for Jen throughout this story, it did end in a much better place than I had expected. It wasn’t a happily ever after moment, which I really don’t think would have suited this story in the slightest, but it was a great, optimistic for the future ending. You finish with hope that the future will be better and that Jena would be able to find her own Zen and happily ever after moment. It creates a great coming-of-age story that happens a little later in life and is a little darker than you would normally expect. But that ending… if just gives you so much hope. Even for all of the tragedies that you experience in your own life.

This may not be a happy, chirpy coming of age story. But it is one that we all need to read. It is powerful, intense and fills your head and heart with information and feelings. Feelings that I really wasn’t expecting. Tu has managed to create a world that we all know on some level, a lead character who is drastically flawed, but impossible not to get attached to. And a narrative that will leave you in awe. Definitely a book that I will be suggesting to others and rereading.

<- More Jessie TuMore Australian authors ->

Image source: Allen and Unwin

An Arab Werewolf in Liverpool by Omar Sakr

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for kindred 12 queer book cover

Title: An Arab Werewolf in Liverpool
Author: Omar Sakr
In: Kindred (Michael Earp)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, LGBTQI, Werewolves
Dates read: 18th June 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Walker Books
Year: 2019
5th sentence, 74th page: He drifted to his knees, kissing Noah’s belly, driven by surging instinct to this, his own opening.

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Synopsis

He’s never really fit in in his family. And he’s never really fit in in his neighbourhood. But something is about to change as he grows into his true self and goes on the hunt…

Thoughts

I really liked this short story. Although, one of the things that I found kind of confusing about it was the fact that I seriously couldn’t tell whether or not the werewolf was a symbol or a fact. There were moments in which I completely believed that there was an Arab werewolf running free. And then other moments when I didn’t quite know what to believe…

I did like the confusion that the whole Arab werewolf lent to the story though. It echoed the confusion that the lead boy must’ve felt in his self as he realised his sexuality. And it highlighted the strains which must have been felt in his life – coming from a conservative culture and family, but being somewhat not conservative in his preferences.

Mostly, I just loved the imagery and the power of this story. It was brilliant, difficult to forget and seriously enjoyable. I loved this and I would be intrigued to see what other stories Omar Sakr has written…

<- Each CityStormlines ->

Image source: Bookdepository

Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels, #10) by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Triumphs
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #10
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Paranormal fantasy, Shapeshifters, Strong women
Dates read: 17th – 18th June 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: So, what triggered it?

Synopsis

Kate Daniels has come a long way from her origins as a loner taking care of a paranormal problems in post-Shift Atlanta. She’s found love and started a family with Curran Lennart, the former Beast Lord, and has made an uneasy truce with her father, Roland. But her magic is too strong for the power players of the world to ignore.

The Witch Oracle has begun seeing visions of blood, fire, and human bones. And when a mysterious box is delivered to Kate’s doorstep, a threat of war from the ancient enemy who nearly destroyed her family, she has no choice but to combine forces with the unlikeliest of allies.

She knows betrayal is inevitable and survival uncertain, but she has to try.

For her child.

For Atlanta.

For the world.

Thoughts

I have been putting off and putting off reading this. Simply because it is the last book in the series, and I really, really didn’t want the Kate Daniels adventure to be over! After all, this has been one of my favourite series since I first picked it up a few years ago and it’s one that I have absolutely adored. That final read is so bittersweet… and I really dreaded knowing what the ending was going to be like.

Sometimes when a series ends, one of two things happens. The first, the series doesn’t really end, and it just drags on and on until you kind of lose interest. Or two, it ties things up in a neat bow and just doesn’t really work with the rest of the storyline. This story was one of the rare third option – a closing of novel that is both brilliantly tying up ends, but leaving the future open-ended. There will be more battles and  monsters in the future, but the great challenge of Roland that has been building up throughout this entire series… that is solved. It leaves future stories open, but you don’t need to know them. Because there is this great sense of completion to the whole storyline.

The whole way through this novel, I had my heart in my throat. I think partly because I knew that this was the conclusion to the series. But, there was also no gradual build up like all of the other books in the series. This started at a crest and just kept on rising. I almost didn’t talk to my partner for a twenty-four hour period because I was so desperate just to finish off this book. There are NO GOOD places to put this down and take a breath. No crests and troughs, just rise after rise after rise. It’s not the kind of novel I always want to read… but when it’s the conclusion to such an amazing series… yeah, that’s the kind of novel I want to finish everything off.

After finishing this novel, I got straight onto the phone to my sister to tell her how much she needed to read this. Now, I’m hoping that she catches up soon so we can discuss it… in depth. Not only did I feel the mad need to discuss this with everyone and anyone… I also now have an insane urge to go right back to the beginning and reread all of the books in this series. Regardless of the fact that I have a TBR pile that towers over my head…

<- Iron and MagicCurran’s POV ->

Image source: Goodreads

Early Americana by Conrad Richter

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

Title: Early Americana
Author: Conrad Richter
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 17th June 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Their place was back in a gentler land where farmers hever heard of turning a furrow with a rifle lashed to the plough handles and where, on a Sunday morning, his mother used to say, she could still remember the peaceful sound of church bells drifiting across the blue-grass.

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Synopsis

Life on the frontier is not always easy. But there is always a beautiful, feminine light at the end of the tunnel.

Thoughts

I really loved the setting description in this short story. Again, being a Western, I wasn’t completely hooked on it. But it was so beautifully described, so that helped to draw me in in a way that many of the other stories in The Mammoth Book of Westerns hasn’t been able to.

I really loved the book ending in this story. It starts with a wedding, and ends with one. Alright, the first wedding has a bit of a tragedy surrounding it… but there is still that fantastic beginning and hope for the future. And you end up finishing this short story with the hope that even if the first wedding ending tragically… there will be a positive ending to the final wedding.

This is one of those short stories that really doesn’t try and glorify the trials of life on the frontier. It is brutal and cruel. And completely tragic. Although, there is a great sense of light at the end of the story.

<- At the Sign of the Last ChanceThe Wind and the Snow of Winter ->

Image source: Hachette Australia