Scales by Lewis Shiner

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for alien sex book cover

Title: Scales
Author: Lewis Shiner
In: Alien Sex (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Lust, Science fiction
Dates read: 17th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: ROC
Year: 1990
5th sentence, 74th page: I woke up to Richard moaning.

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Synopsis

When a woman finds out that her husband is having an affair, she takes their young daughter and leaves. But what if the woman who has her hooks in him is more than she seems? Who will she save?

Thoughts

This story started out simple enough. Woman thinks husband is drifting from her. Starts to believe that he’s having an affair. Then it starts to get weird, dark and twisted. And their daughter is pulled into the crazy. It very quickly becomes quite an uncomfortable story and anything but normal.

There seems to be a trend in the literature and common belief that it is men that are unfaithful. I’m not entirely sure, because I know people of both genders who have done the dirty. But it does highlight the questions “why are men unfaithful?” and “why do marriages end?”. It does this in a pretty intense way, but at least it asks the questions and makes you stop and think.

Compared to the other stories in the Alien Sex collection, this one is way less twisted and dark. It could almost pass for normal if there wasn’t one little bit of “otherworldly” presence. For this reason I probably enjoyed it a little bit more than some of the other stories in this collection. Because I didn’t finish it and immediately feel insanely uncomfortable.

 <- Arousal ReviewSaving the World at the New Moon Motel Review ->
Image source: Amazon

The Skinny Girl by Lucius Shepard

Book Review, , ,
Overview
naked-city

Title: The Skinny Girl
Author: Lucius Shepard
In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Death, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 17th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: No, it’s rather that he has yet to reach the point where life tips over into death, where the need for what she offers (be it surcease or something more graspable) outweighs everything else.

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Synopsis

When a photographer of the dead meets the skinny girl, he must finally face up to his obsession with death. But is she the real thing, or just a mimic? Only time will tell

Thoughts

I have a bit of a fascination with death and the macabre. However, I wouldn’t call it an obsession. I don’t hunt it out and I only truly appreciate it when the information is… well, there. But there are some people who have this obsession, and then there’s the character in this short story who just goes beyond what I would call an obsession to a whole new, fascinating realm. Also slightly disturbed, but the writing is so good that I choose to find it fascinating.

There is a bit of a Latin American theme threaded through this story. Specifically with the use of The Skinny Girl – I can’t remember what the other name for this death deity is. It was a nice departure from the normal mythos which I came across in my reading. Mostly they tend to briefly mention Latin America and then gloss over to the next cultural interest. It was nice to stay a little more (but not completely) immersed in one.

Although this story is about death, one’s obsession with it and their ultimate surrendering to the long night, I actually found this kind of poetic and sweet. Maybe because that’s a bit of my view of death anyway, it’s not necessarily a dark and horrible thing. Having said that, as romantic as I found this (in an abstract way), it is still a kind of dark story. One that I look forwards to reading again.

 <- Daddy Longlegs of the Evening ReviewThe Colliers’ Venus (1893) Review ->
Image source: Patricia Briggs

Red as Blood Collection by Tanith Lee

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for red as blood tanith lee book cover

Title: Red as Blood Collection
Author: Tanith Lee
In: Red as Blood (Tanith Lee)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Fairy tales, Feminism, Retellings, Short story collections
Dates read: 23rd October – 17th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Wildside
Year: 1983
5th sentence, 74th page: There were carvings in the sides of the tower, the magic symbols from the chamber as it had been, the zodiac, the Crown, the Sword, the Chalice – she knew such seals must hold the spire safely.

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Synopsis

Here are ten devilishly twisted fairy tales as the Brothers Grimm never dared to tell them. With her brilliantly macabre pen, Tanith Lee retells some familiar tales, and concocts some new and unusual ones, as she asks us to consider the possibility that things may not work as our fairy tales have them… In the title story, Lee shows us a perfectly good stepmother, whose Princess stepdaughter reeks of evil. Then there is Ashella, the Cinderella-like girl who, “When the Clock Strikes”, intends to give her Prince Charming a deadly surprise. In “Wolfland”, Lisel takes a trip through the woods to visit her grandmother – who bears little resemblance to the loving old woman we expect. And in “Thorns” you’ll find the haunting answer to the question, “What if awakening the Sleeping Beauty turns out to be the mistake of a lifetime – of several lifetimes, in fact?”

Populated with demons and devils, vengeful gods and not-so-innocent young girls, the ten tales of Red as Blood weave a tapestry of chilling visions, spun by the incomparably fiendish imagination of Tanith Lee!

Thoughts

This is the second feminist collection of fairy tales I’ve ever read. And I don’t know if I like this or Angela Carter’s version better. What I do know is that I love both of them and I will read them again and again. They’re fun, kind of brilliant and super dark. Much more likely in our lives than the pretty Disney-versions that I grew up with.

There wasn’t one story in this collection that I didn’t absolutely adore. Normally I’ll find one or two that just aren’t as good… but that most certainly wasn’t the case. This was brilliant! Honestly, as I turned the last page, I could have quite happily turned around and just started this all over again. I didn’t, because I have a whole stack of other books I want to read by the end of the year… but I don’t often have that desire in the first place.

Now I need to find some more Tanith Lee books. I have one other sitting in my shelf, but I want so much more now! There is no way that I won’t love it after this. Especially when you’re looking at a story which has a beautiful wordplay on the Brothers Grimm… equally dark versions, but with a focus on the women and the battles that they face.

 <- The Waters of Sorrow ReviewPaid Piper Review ->
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Reel Life by Steven Savile

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for urban enemies book cover

Title: Reel Life
Author: Steven Savile
Series: Glass Town #1.5
In: Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Science fiction, Thriller
Dates read: 17th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Taking him out of this place was the easiest way he knew how to hurt Eleanor.

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Synopsis

His jealousy caused him to steal the girl of his brother’s dreams and keep her trapped in limbo with him. Now he wants out in the real world. But his reality might just stop him from finally getting everything he wants. After all, this is reel life.

Thoughts

There’s something about tales of obsessive love that really pull me in. I never like the people / characters who have this tendency. I always find it annoying and want to smack the moron who is being so intense… but I also always love them. Not sure why. Don’t want to know what that says about me. And this was one such story. I hated the lead character (he’s a villain, I think that you should hate him). I felt sorry for his victims. I couldn’t put this story down.

I think that jealousy is one of the worst emotions. It seems to be the driver for some of the worst acts committed. Which, of course meant that every bad act that the villain in this committed had it’s roots in this disgusting emotion. I know that the colour green on me is often when I do and say the worst things… apparently that is also the case in this story. But getting your revenge for this and what you wished for? Luckily, as Seth found out… that revenge often isn’t the best thing in the world. 😊

I think that one of the things I loved most about this short story is the playing around with time. It’s often been discussed in my anthropology classes and studies that time is a human construct. It’s our understanding of it that shapes time. Of course there is still a passage of time… but yeah, it’s super philosophical and I freaking love that discussion. Threads of it make their way through this story. Which might be why I just couldn’t make myself put it down and / or stop thinking about it.

 <- Unexpected Choices ReviewThe Difference Between Deceit and Delusion Review ->
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At Second Bite by Michelle Rowen

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

Title: At Second Bite
Author: Michelle Rowen
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 17th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Unless it was self-defence.

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Synopsis

She just wants to go home and curl up on the couch. But then a man walks in and tells her that she is his long-lost soulmate… resurrected. And then she meets his brother… things are about to get very interesting.

Thoughts

This story literally made me laugh out loud. It woke my dog up because he couldn’t figure why I was making weird, random noises. Occasionally I’ll giggle a little bit at whatever I’m reading. But an outright guffaw? Not something I tend to do very frequently at all. And when I’m reading a short story? Never. I just don’t get drawn in quick enough to justify an outright laugh. Until I read this story obviously. Maybe it was being overtired, but I choose to think that there was just enough of a dry humour moment in it to have me giggling.

Although I do believe in soul mates, I love that the lead female in this has zero belief whatsoever. It makes it even better when a vampire is trying to convince her that she’s the reincarnation of his own long-lost love… it just makes this story even more humorous. A story all about finding your soul mate… when the woman in question doesn’t even believe in the idea. A beautiful, fun little paradox there.

I seem to be picking up on ideas of karma quite a bit in the stories I’ve been reading lately. But I actually enjoyed the karma in this a little bit more than I expected. Especially when you find out what the bad woman has been reincarnated as… not sure how that works into the ideas of soul mates… but it was certainly entertaining!

 <- The Princess and the Peas ReviewBlue Crush Review ->
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Autumn of Terror by C.L. Raven

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of jack the ripper stories book cover

Title: Autumn of Terror
Author: C.L. Raven
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Horror
Dates read: 17th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Even the gas lamps were scared to venture into the alleyways that sneaked through London like blackened veins through the devil’s dark heart.

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Synopsis

A lot of people like to go on serial killer tours. But, this tour about the Autumn of Terror is more than a little different. And the tour guide? Don’t follow him into a dark alley at night…

Thoughts

This so far has been one of the least graphic short stories in the The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories collection. Yet, the idea of an immortal Ripper recommitting his acts every night… that makes it one of the most terrifying tales in this collection. I like to imagine immortality being granted to the good and the just, not the evil and sadistic. But that might just be a personal preference.

Although this story is written from the point of view of the actual killer, it is filled with maybes. Rather than saying that this person did this because of this, the voice says maybe I did it because of this. Maybe because of that. Plus, although he states that everyone on the tour circuit knows the true face of the killer, there is absolutely no description. The vague ambiguity of this really helps to add to a feeling of mystery. The mystery that has surrounded the most famous serial killer for generations.

In the past I have briefly considered going on a Ripper tour. This has cured me of that. There was just something a little too intense about it. And although I’m sure I want see the murders occur again and again like they do in this… maybe I don’t actually want to give such a horrifying man the power of my attention. Even this many years later. But, you know, first I actually have to get to England…

 <- Signed Confession ReviewMadame X Review ->
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Charmed by Her Smile by Tracy Anne Warren

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for four dukes and a devil book cover

Title: Charmed by Her Smile
Author: Tracy Anne Warren
Series: The Byrons of Braebourne #1.5
In: Four Dukes and a Devil (Cathy Maxwell, Elaine Fox, Jeaniene Frost, Sophia Nash & Tracy Anne Warren)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Dates read: 17th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Avon Romance
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: And that’s how I want you to stay.

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Synopsis

All India wanted was to escape the notice of a very unwanted suitor. And then she found Quentin. After agreeing to their ruse, the two find themselves experiencing emotions that they really weren’t expecting.

Thoughts

This novella was an absolutely fantastic way to end out the Four Dukes and a Devil collection. It was sweet, funny and impossible to put down. I laughed, I smiled (a lot) and just generally loved the adventure that it took me on. The innocence to the story and the humour were a perfect mix. And, as this collection as shown me… I’m kind of falling in love with Regency Romances at the moment. So it worked kind of perfectly for my mood lately.

As with a lot of romances, this was kind of entirely predictable. You knew who was going to end up with whom. Alright, some of the bumps weren’t necessarily expected – but you knew that there were going to be bumps. But you know what? I actually enjoy having such a predictable story sometimes… just because you know that it’s going to end in happily ever after, it doesn’t mean you can’t join in the journey. Or enjoy it.

The two leads in this – India and Quentin are absolutely fantastic. Alright, as usual, the man is a little it slow on the uptake and too stubborn to realise his good luck. But, eventually he comes around and gives us the ending that we desire. And India? India is bright, fun and vibrant. She’s kind of naïve in her hope, but it’s the part of me that I sometimes wish I could reclaim, that unjaded outlook on life and ability to be excited by everything… if only.

 <- Tempted by His Kiss ReviewSeduced by his Touch Review ->

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The Waters of Sorrow by Tanith Lee

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for red as blood tanith lee book cover

Title: The Waters of Sorrow
Author: Tanith Lee
In: Red as Blood (Tanith Lee)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Fantasy, Ghosts
Dates read: 17th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Wildside
Year: 1983
5th sentence, 74th page: Without some attention it must have been easy to miss the spot.

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Synopsis

Along the river there are the women who were destroyed by love. The women who find men on a long, dark night and dance him to death. But there is another story at the water of sorrows that needs to be told.

Thoughts

As an ending to the Red as Blood collection, this short story was completely on point. It was, interestingly enough, also the only romantic story in the whole collection. So, I kind of liked that it ended on this note. Don’t get me wrong, it was still super and dark like all of the other fairy tale retellings in the collection, but the romantic aspect made it a little more bittersweet and somehow nostalgic… I slightly (but only slightly) softer note to end on.

This was the last story I read before going to bed. And it was kind of perfect. Something about the surreal nature of the storyline and the atmosphere that sweeps you along actually worked really well when I was home alone late at night. The betrayed women late at night, dancing their deathly dance. The mystery of the young girls death… everything combined in such a brilliant way to create an unforgettable tapestry. One which worked in with the dark of outside and the time of the night.

I’m normally fairly good at predicting what is going to happen in the future… not so much in this story. There were enough hints throughout that you’re curiosity was peeked, but I never actually did predict the ending. There were just so many misleading moments throughout. Which of course, moves this to the top of my short story favourites pile… I love being drastically mislead throughout a story!

 <- Beauty ReviewRed as Blood Collection Review ->
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Time Trails by Colby Hodge

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

Title: Time Trails
Author: Colby Hodge
In: The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Romance, Science fiction, Time travel
Dates read: 17th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Its head hung limply and its body trembled with weakness.

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Synopsis

A rip in the fabric of time has sent her back in time from 2143 to 1886. The man she meets there might just be everything she’s ever dreamed of… but what will she do with him?

Thoughts

There’s a fairly big time gap in this short story. Alright, it’s a time travel short story, so you know that there’s going to be some kind of gap… but 1886 to 2143 just seemed intense. Probably because most stories I read with time travelling involve the past or the future, and the present. Not both past and future. However, it was kind of fun. I enjoyed the departure from what I’m beginning to consider as normal for something a little bit more intense and difficult to put down.

Normally I like open ended short stories. They give you the ability to decide what you think has happened. Or the possibility for another, longer story in amongst it. However, this one was just a little too open. There must have been consequences for their actions, but it’s never even thought about. I love rebellious characters who make their own future. But they’re only so awesome because they face the consequences knowingly. Not so much in this story…

Having said that, this short story still left me with lots of happy, nice, gooey feelings. It was just a sweet and easy story. One that I don’t feel the desire to be a longer tale, but enjoyed my time with. A nice, easy read when I needed a quick break from my thinking work…

 <- A Wish to Build a Dream On ReviewThe Walled Garden Review ->
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Catch of the Century by Sophia Nash

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for four dukes and a devil book cover

Title: Catch of the Century
Author: Sophia Nash
Series: Widows Club #3.5
In: Four Dukes and a Devil (Cathy Maxwell, Elaine Fox, Jeaniene Frost, Sophia Nash & Tracy Anne Warren)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Dates read: 17th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Avon Romance
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: There was only the cook to find, and a maid-of-all-work.

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Synopsis

All Victoria wants to do is get her charges safely to their destination. Then a chance encounter means that she’s thrust into the presence of the “catch of the century”. Will they succumb to their emotions or have a little more self control?

Thoughts

Unlike the first three stories in this collection, it took me a little while to fall in love with it. When I did, it was amazing. But it did take a chapter for me to become emotionally invested. However, once I did I was completely hooked. And actually a little mad when the story ended. I have now discovered that I really love regency romances, and I can’t wait to find more stories in this series!

I’m a stubborn, painful woman. Often to the detriment of myself. Which made me fall completely in love with Victoria. She’s stubborn and independent. Unwilling to give up her sense of self and ideas of identity just because a good looking man deigns to smile upon her. Definitely my kind of woman. But, she’s also so stubborn that there’s moments when she’s kind of unwilling to see beyond her own thoughts to what might end in her happily ever after. I also love that she’s the stubborn, independent woman of the group mentioned, yet she’s also the one who comes from the lowest class background. A good little mix in there.

I read this at the end of a long day. I was exhausted, and feeling kind of low, and just really needed something sweet and happy to act as a pick me up. Catch of the Century did this perfectly. It also helped to remind me that sometimes I should try new genres and authors. I didn’t imagine that I’d love Regency romance so much (which is stupid, because I LOVE Jane Austen). The sweet nature, happily ever after and focus on relationships was exactly what I needed. And I am so grateful that I had this to look forward to when I was feeling overwhelmed.

 <- Devil to Pay ReviewCharmed by Her Smile Review ->

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