Title: The Totals Author: Adam-Troy Castro In: The Monstrous (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy, Horror Dates read: 25th March 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Tachyon Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: It seems strange but right for the door on the other side of the vestibule, leading to the diner interior, to be scaled to his dimensions: a novelty, he’s always possessed an awkward shape and monstrous bulk that makes breaking down doors somewhat more natural than opening them.
Clutch knows he has killed recently. But he can’t remember who. He can’t remember why. Walking by chance into an inn that feels like home might provide the answers… or just oblivion.
The start of this story is seriously creepy and horrific. It starts with Clutch knowing that he has killed someone recently. That he always knows this. He just doesn’t know who or why. He does know how… he literally “clutches” them to death. And then he walks into a dinner and you think that things are just going to get worse. It’s a spinetingling way to start a story. And the imagery of the blood still lingering on his clothes… just seems to make it all that much worse.
There are so many ideas about the things that go bump in the night. Although, there are always a few common, recognisable aspects among these. This story found unique ways to create new horrors, but also provided the reader with some of the classics that you immediately recognise. It’s a great mix of the traditional and the new. And spouting the things that go bump in the night as members of a corporation who just want to climb the ladder… well, it kind of mixes two things that are kind of scary.
Although this is a great little horror short story, it’s also a little amusing. In that satirical way. That way that makes you sit back afterwards and go “huh”. That was good, that made some great comments on the way that the world works. And yes, things aren’t ever equal. Regardless of how much we may want them to be.
Title: The Wings The Lungs, The Engine The Heart Author: Laurie Tom In: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk (Sean Wallace) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Dieselpunk, Science fiction Dates read: 25th March 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: Instead Karl and a handful of others were dispatched like jackals along the Western Front, each with a godforsaken contraption to use when a suitable candidate was found.
They’ve created a brand new way to keep people alive – a Heart in a Box. But when it’s attached to a pilot who was shot down, serious moral, social and ethical questions begin to come to light.
At the start of this story I was a bit “eh” about it. There didn’t seem to be much that seriously was going to draw me in. And I mostly cringed at the whole idea – a heart in a box that could bring the dead back to life. And they chose someone whose heart had been impacted by a bullet… it was a set up for something of a tragedy that I was waiting to find cringe-worthy. It didn’t end up going this way. But at the beginning I did have some reservations.
Yet, after that initial feeling of reservation, I actually found that I really, really enjoyed this short story. The pilot fought to keep his job, yet didn’t really understand the politics. Actually, the whole discussion surrounding politics, PR and the media was kind of fascinating. And probably the most realistic part of this whole collection.
This is a great short story, and a great way to round out The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk. I loved this ending. It was not quite what was expected. There was a bit of a feeling of a conspiracy and it all ended on a very open note. But it worked perfectly.
Title: Mum’s the Word Author: Kate Collins Series: A Flower Shop Mystery #1 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Chic lit, Cozy mystery, Mystery Dates read: 1st – 24th March 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Signet Mystery Year: 2004 5th sentence, 74th page: It’s not safe.
I don’t meddle, honest! But can I help it if my nose for injustice is as keen as my green thumb? Now I, Abby Knight, law school dropout, am the proud new owner of Bloomers, my hometown flower shop. Im devoted to making my business grow, but I’m no shrinking violent if someone needs my help to right a wrong – even if that person is already dead…
A THORNY PREDICAMENT
So maybe Abby’s life isn’t the bed of roses she was hoping it would be. She adores her job, but a new low-cost competitor is killing her profits – and a black SUV just rammed her vintage Corvette in a hit-and-run. Determined to track down the driver, she accepts the help of unky ex-cop Marco Salvare. But their budding relationship is threatened when the trail turns deadly. Now Abby is caught in a tangle of menacing phone calls, police corruption, and murderous road rage. If she’s not careful, the next flower arrangement might be for her own funeral…
This is the second Cozy Mystery series I’ve had the pleasure of reading. And I only bought it because I needed a book with a florist in it for a reading challenge (and then I didn’t get to read it in time. But anyhow…). Having said that. This was fun. This was light. A little lighter than the Vintage Magic Mystery series that got me into the genre. But still a great venture into mystery without all of the scariness of the other crime novels on my shelves.
I read this at a time that the world was going nuts and I am getting close to finishing my degree, and just in general wondering what was going to happen in the future. So, reading about Abby Knight leaving her law degree to own her own florist shop was kind of nice. It was a great reminder that you should do what makes you happy, not what you believe others believe you should do. I actually greatly admired her throughout this whole story and found her plight something that I probably need to remind myself of in the coming years – it’s okay to find what makes you happy, not what makes you rich.
Abby is one of those characters that can seem to help but meddle. In some, I tend to find this a wee bit tiring. After all, if I had somebody in my life that meddled that much… they would be quickly out of my life. However, she does it in such an endearing, smack yourself in the head kind of way that I didn’t find it too horrifying. After all, she’s a character in a book, and when I was finding her meddling a little too intense… I could close the book and move onto another one. This isn’t a heart-stopping, fast-action, fast-paced book. But it is an enjoyable one. Actually, it was quite nice to have this in my reading pile for a little while – it meant that I had a book that I could pick up and put down. Without being impossibly hooked into what I was reading. It’s the kind of book that is thoroughly enjoyable, but you don’t constantly need to see what is going to happen next. Just enough of an adventure to what the rest of the books, and give me that warm, happy feeling when I turned the final page.
Title: Mountains of Green Author: Catherine Schaff-Stump In: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk (Sean Wallace) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Dieselpunk Dates read: 23rd March 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: Surely, one of those Hakodate women would want something like this at a good price.
She’s a thirteen year-old fighting to create her and her little brother a new life at the close of the war. But will she have to give up her morals and parts of her soul so that they can survive?
At the beginning of this story I had a kind of sick feeling in my stomach. As the story unfolded, that feeling grew. And then… the conclusion was reached. And the sick feeling left and I was actually incredibly happy with the way that the story ended. And the karma that was dealt out. There was such a great sense of poetic justice to this story. That I seriously, seriously appreciated.
This short story shone a light on the atrocities committed against the native populations throughout World War II and in the occupation afterwards. More specifically, it focuses on the survivors of Hiroshima and the ways in which they were preyed upon… in the case of this story, preyed upon by literally everyone. It left me with an uncomfortable, guilty feeling. But also made me seriously appreciate the story that I was reading.
There is a great little Dieselpunk twist at the end of this story. One that incorporates a little bit of mythology and magic. A little bit of karma and a lot of better feelings than what the story started with. A great short story, and a pleasant way to break up all of the work that I need to do.
Title: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Author: Susanna Clarke Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one) My Bookshelves:Alternate history, Historical fiction, Magic Dates read: 7th – 23rd March 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Novel Publisher: Bloomsbury Year: 2004 5th sentence, 74th page: He said that he had always thought that it was a pity that magic was not more commonly used in England; he said it pained him to see Mrs Bloodworth and her daughters washing and sweeping and cooking and cleaning from dawn to dusk when they ought, in his opinion, to be sitting on cushions in jewel-spangled gowns eating comfits.
The year is 1806. England is beleaguered by the long war with Napoleon, and centuries have passed since practical magicians faded into the nation’s past. But scholars of this glorious history discover that one remains: the reclusive Mr Norrell, whose displays of magic send a thrill through the country. Proceeding to London, he raises a beautiful woman from the dead and summons an army of ghostly ships to terrify the French. Yet the cautious, fussy Norrell is challenged by the emergence of another magician: the brilliant novice Jonathan Strange. Young, handsome and daring, Strange is the very antithesis of Norrell. So begins a dangerous battle between these two great men. Their obsessions and secret dabblings with the dark arts will cause more trouble than they can imagine.
To be honest, I didn’t get all the way through this book. It was just really not my pace. Or my style. But I did get most of the way through. And then I skimmed the rest of the pages to at least get a bit of a gist of what the story was about and how it all ended.
The irony? Sitting down to write this review… I still don’t have any strong feelings or thoughts about this story.
Don’t get me wrong, I did really like the style of writing and storytelling. There was something in that alone that kept me hooked for quite a while. But I didn’t feel this overwhelming need to pick the book up and keep reading. My emotions were really just “meh” about it. Which is why I skimmed to the end. I was curious, but I wasn’t that bothered either. And since I have so many other books that I can’t wait to see what will happen next…
All in all, if you really love historical fictions that read a little bit like a telling of history. This may actually be the book for you. I can’t really fault it. But for me, who likes a bit more page-turning in my stories… I just didn’t quite get the yay feeling out of it.
Title: Sweep of the Blade Author: Ilona Andrews Series: Innkeeper Chronicles #4 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Science fiction Dates read: 22nd – 23rd March 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Ilona Andrews Year: 2019 5th sentence, 74th page: Everything had to be just so.
Maud Demille is a daughter of Innkeepers – a special group who provide ‘lodging’ to other-planetary visitors – so she knows that a simple life isn’t in the cards. But even Maud could never have anticipated what Fate would throw at her.
Once a wife to a powerful vampire knight, Maud and her young daughter, Helen, were exiled with him for his treachery to the desolate, savage planet of Karhari. Karhari killed her husband, and Maud – completely abandoned by his family – has spent over a year avenging his debts. Rescued by her sister Dina, she’s sworn off all things vampire.
Except… In helping Dina save the world, she met Arland, the Marshal of House Krahr, one of the most powerful vampire houses. One thing led to another and he asked for her hand in marriage. She declined. Arland is not used to hearing the word ‘no;’ and try as she might, Maud can’t just walk away from Arland. It doesn’t help that being human is a lot harder for Maud than being a vampire.
To sort it all out, she accepts his invitation to visit his home planet. House Krahr is extremely influential and Maud knows that a woman – a human, with a very questionable past – who’s turned down a proposal from its most beloved son won’t get a warm reception. Maybe she’s not sure about marrying Arland, but House Krahr isn’t going to decide for her. Maud Demille has never run from a fight, and House Krahr will soon discover that there’s a lot more to Maud than they’re expecting.
I haven’t had the pleasure of reading an Ilona Andrews book for a little while. I was waiting for some to come out, and then I just honestly got kind of distracted. And now I’m wondering why it has taken me so damn long to pick up the latest Innkeeper Chronicles book from my shelf. Or at least, the latest that I own…. I now need to buy the next book in the series. But anyway… this story has the usual, strength, action and intensity of Andrews’ books and I found it completely impossible to put down.
Although I did absolutely adore this story, I did kind of miss Dina in it. I am completely in love with Dina, Sean and the inn. Yet, it was amazing reading about Arland and Maud. Especially since Arland appears in the first novel, and his kind of dry humour and intense sense of honour drew me to him completely. Actually, although I think Sean is great (especially for Dina), he was my favourite of the two lead men. Partner him with Maud who is completely kick-ass from the very moment of meeting, and it’s an absolute match made in heaven… or in the inter-planetary stars.
I completely loved both Arland and Maud in this story, but for me… Helen kind of stole the show. She is adorable, fierce and independent. Her ability to find a new niche for herself no matter what world she’s in is completely admirable. My favourite part of the book? When Helen decides that punishment is okay, so she breaks another child’s arm. Her total acceptance of punishment if it means that she fights for what is right is admirable and adorable. It’s something that I myself would love to incorporate into my life, and this is a six-year-old!
Vampire lore and culture are often mentioned in the first three novels of this series. As is the fact that they’re another race from space, but that’s a whole extra aspect of this series. What I love though is the fact that this book gets into the nitty gritties of this culture and way of life. It’s one of my favourite aspects of Andrews’writing – she has epic world building. And even part of the way into a series, there are still new worlds and things to discover. In the most intimate of details…
Title: The Ill-Made Mute Author: Cecilia Dart-Thornton Series: Bitterbynde #1 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Australian authors, Fae, High fantasy, Romance Dates read: 8th – 22nd March 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Pan Books Year: 2001 5th sentence, 74th page: This warmed their spirits somewhat, although not toward him.
While the lordly Stormriders land their splendid winged stallions on the airy battlements of Isse Tower, far below them, in the fortress’s depths, their superstitious servants sit by the hearth to tell each other ghastly tales of evil creatures inhabiting the world outside – a world most of them have only glimpsed. Yet it is the least of these servants – a mute, lowly, utterly despised foundling – who dares to scale the Twoer, sneak aboard a Windship, and then dive from the sky.
The terrified fiugitive is rescued by a kindhearted adventurer, who finally gives the poor creature a name – as well as the gift of communicating by handspeak, and an amazing truth never guessed at previously. Now the newly named ‘Imrhien’ begins a journey to distant Caermelor, in search of a wise woman whose skills may change everything.
Along the way, Imrhien struggles in a wilderness of endless danger – for those hearthside tales are all true. Unhuman wights haunt every pool, every turn in the road, and they perpetually threaten and torment all travellers. Lost, and pursued by these monsters, Imrhien is finally saved by a mysterious Dainnan ranger whose gallantry and courage are matched only by his martial skills. Unknown to them both, however, a deadly plot is unfolding… as a dark force summons the malignant hordes of Unseelie, and foul things amass in the night.
As the journey grows longer, the challenges more deadly, Imrhien discovers something more terriyfing than all of the evil eldritch wights combined. For this spurned outsider, with an angel’s soul and a gargoyle’s face, is suddnely falling in love…
In a thrilling debut combining masterful storytelling with a treasure trove of folklore, Cecilia Dart-Thornton creates a lushly romantic epic adventure of stunning scope and magical proportions, set in a world brimming with wonders and terrors.
I’ve been putting off reading this because it just looked seriously intense. And a little bit scary. Which are the kinds of books that I’ve been avoiding lately. And now I kind of regret that. I wasn’t wrong. This was intense, and full on and so multi-layered that my head felt like it could explode. But it was also amazing, unforgettable and kind of impossible to not think about. Whilst there were moments when I could put it down. There weren’t many moments in the two-week period of my reading that I actually stopped thinking about it…
One of my favourite things about this book was the world building. It was done in an incredibly unique way. Rather than the typical world building were facts are provided as the character travels through the world, the history, facts and shape of the world is provided as a series of stories and anecdotes told by the characters. To the amnesic lead. I loved flicking between what was currently happening and all of the tales being told by the supporting characters, there was something fun and unique about the way in which this was done. Although, it did mean that I had to pay attention – that way I knew who was talking about what.
Although Imrhien does have a romantic interest in this story (eventually), it’s not a heavy-handed romance. I can see where this story can go with that feeling of interest, and I can’t wait. But it’s not like the many other romances that I’ve been reading lately. Which was nice. This actually was a great book to read – it reminded me of all the reasons why I love fantasy so much. I’ve been on a fair bit of a romance kick lately…
The use of another language, the fae and the more traditional outlooks on them was absolutely brilliant. I get a bit fed up with the Peter Pan version of fae… so I love any book that sticks to the more Celtic, pagan views. And I can’t wait to find out more about this world and the past of Imrhien – I can only imagine that it is going to continue getting better and better as the next two books unfold!
Title: Bird Count Author: Jane Yolen In: Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Lust, Twisted romance Dates read: 10th March 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: EOS Year: 1998 5th sentence, 74th page: The thing about Lewis was that even when we were together I was alone.
She’s stuck in a dead end relationship. One that is just easy and comfortable. With absolutely no passion. Until she finds the man… no hawk… of her dreams.
This was a kind of intense story. Which, considering what Yolen’s work is like… I shouldn’t have been so surprised. Yet, it also struck kind of a great cord with me. After all, it was about finding your own happily ever after. Not the expected one, but one which actually makes you happy.
The single minded obsession of a scientist is one that I recognise. It is intense and kind of terrifying at times. At least, I find it a little terrifying how single minded I can be when I fall down the rabbit hole of something that I love. It was interesting reading a short story which talks about the flipside of that coin. The partner and person who loves such a man. Someone who is an extreme of the example… but still eerily familiar.
If you don’t take the “romance” in this story too literally, then it’s incredibly beautiful. If you take it a little more literally… it’s not as beautiful, but still quite potent. Definitely the kind of story that got me seriously thinking… and contemplating. Again and again and again. I look forward to rereading this one in the future.
Title: Floodgate Author: Dan Rabarts In: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk (Sean Wallace) Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one) My Bookshelves:Dieselpunk Dates read: 10th March 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: But they sowed more than just salt.
A great little Dieselpunk story.
This was a pretty easy, simple read. I enjoyed it. But I didn’t really felt swept away by the story.
The writing in this short story was great. Which is probably why I enjoyed it so much. Yet, I didn’t find the storyline super engaging. There was something a bit, yes, this is fun, but I’ll forget about it as soon as I turn the final page. Which I effectively did.
As I said, an enjoyable story. But not one that is memorable, and not one that I am desperate to read again and again.
Title: Down by the River Author: Robyn Carr Series: Grace Valley Trilogy #3 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Contemporary romance Dates read: 23rd – 24th March 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Mira Year: 2003 5th sentence, 74th page: That’s the half of it.
IN THE PEACEFUL TOWN OF GRACE VALLEY, NEIGHBORS ARE LIKE FAMILY – AND JUST AS MEDDLESOME, TOO.
June Hudson is the town’s doctor, a craing, capable woman who now has a bit of explaining to do. People are beginning to notice the bloom in her cheeks – and the swell of her belly. Happily, DEA agent Jim Post is back in June’s arms for good, newly retired from undercover work and ready for new beginnings her in Grace Valley.
Expecting the unexpected is a way of life in Grace Valley, and the community is overflowing with gossip right now. Who is the secret paramour June’s aunt Myrna is hiding? Does the town’s poker-playing pastor have too many aces up his sleeve? But when dangers, from man and nature, rise up with a vengeance to threaten June and the town, this community pulls together and shows what it’s made of. And Jim discovers the true meaning of happiness here in Grace Valley: there really is no place like home.
I loved this conclusion to the Grace Valley Trilogy. Everything has come full circle and June gets her happily ever after. It was a great way to spend the day… reading this while I had a serious migraine and really couldn’t stomach the idea of moving. There is just something inherently sweet and cute about Carr’s writing and, with this trilogy focusing on just the one woman and the town that she loves… that feeling of sweetness just increased.
From the blurb of this story, I was kind of expecting a whole lot more conflict throughout this story. Something a little more dangerous from Jim’s past maybe. That really didn’t happen, but I wasn’t disappointed. There were still challenges and dangers. Still things that needed to be overcome. But they were a little more innocent and it made this such an uplifting, heart-warming series conclusion to read. After turning the final page, I seriously considered jumping online to buy another few Robyn Carr books, but you know… money.
I love that the Mills (who are introduced in the first Grace Valley Trilogy book) make more than a bit of an appearance throughout this. There are so many secondary characters throughout this whole series which make an appearance, and it isn’t until the final book that you realise they’ve been popping in and out all the way through. In the best, most subtle way possible. It was really nice that there was closure to not only June’s story, but also the stories of the other characters that I quickly came to love over the two, three days that I just devoured this trilogy. I absolutely adored this novel. I adored this trilogy. It had enough suspense and turmoil to keep me hooked, but not enough that it destroyed the happy-feeling that it all inspired. There is a great balance between action and sweet romance. Difficulties and solutions, heavily geared towards the happily ever after feelings. I’m so glad that I have these books on my shelves. And I look forward to reading them again and again and again.
Earth and Skye 