Point of No Return by Jennifer St Giles

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of vampire romance 2 book cover

Title: Point of No Return
Author: Jennifer St Giles
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Historical fiction, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 26th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: How could a mortal believe a slayer over a man like you?

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Synopsis

She’s been half in love with a statue for as long as she can remember. But when she meets the man in real life, her life may just be put in jeopardy. Will he arrive in time to save her?

Thoughts

Love hits us all. Not so often in the form of an obsession with a statue. But it still hits us. Luckily, nothing untoward happens with the statue… rather it happens with the man who inspired the physique. Which I can kind of understand… I too have stared at some gorgeously constructed artwork…

Prejudice exists in everyday life. But it seems to be so much more potent when told through the lens of fantasy and fiction. Maybe something to do with the fact that it removes us a little further from the situation, so we can see it a lot clearer. I like that instead of focusing on vampire prejudice (I have a LOT of those stories), this tale focuses instead on assumptions made about women and their sexuality. Actually, it was mostly the belief that she’s a witch because of her red hair… but still…

Every action has a consequence. I kind of hate the consequences in this story… in trying to save the woman he loves from a life of the night, he inadvertently places her in even more serious danger. Danger which makes you want to reach through the pages and punch the idiots who perpetrate it in the face. But that’s a soap box moment for another day…

 <- I Need More You ReviewWith Friends Like These Review ->
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It’s All in the Genes by Cara Cooper

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

Title: It’s All in the Genes
Author: Cara Cooper
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!),
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Crime, Easy reading
Dates read: 26th September 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: She never sits still, is always up and about, and fiddles with everything.

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Synopsis

She thinks that she’s finally found the love of her life. But, when she finds out that he’s been seeing another woman… she might just crack.

Thoughts

This was a nice, creepy little contemporary take on the Jack the Ripper mythos. For starters, it is in present day and deals with his descendants. For another, it is written from the point of view of one of these descendants. You spend most of the time wondering who is about to get themselves murdered… and just what genetics do mean for the serial killer gene… or if there even is one. Actually, this definitely swayed me towards the belief in a serial killer…

Nature versus nurture is a constant debate. One that seriously fascinates me. This tends more to the angle of nature. That genes can give us certain tendencies that aren’t great. Alright, not great is an understatement… this is talking about serial killers with no real purpose other than death. It makes yo concerned for who the real descendants of Jack the Ripper could be… if there are any (I’m kind of hoping not).

The flip in the culprit of the story took me completely by surprise. I like that there were two people who had a genetic tendency to be killers. The genetics aren’t really what I blame their actions on (we’re all masters of our own fate), but it still made things incredibly tense and spine tingling as I read about the different backgrounds of two people who aren’t overly nice. But it does raise a number of questions.

 <- The Keys to the Door ReviewA Child of the Darkness Review ->
Image source: Amazon

The Last Rhinos by Lawrence Anthony

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the last rhinos book cover

Title: The Last Rhinos
Author: Lawrence Anthony
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, Conservation, Non-fiction
Dates read: 16th June – 26th September 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: PAN
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: In some areas all you could see were the splintered stumps of once-massive jungle trees.

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Synopsis

Lawrence Anthony has been described as ‘the Indiana Jones of conservation’. His South African game reserve is home to many animals he has saved, from a remarkable herd of elephants to a badly behaved bushbaby called George. When he learned that there was only a handful of northern white rhinos left in the wild, living in an area of the Congo controlled by the infamous Lord’s Resistance Army, he was determined to save them from extinction.

What followed was an extraordinary adventure, as Lawrence headed into the jungle to ask the rebels to help protect the rhino. He was also battling to keep his own animals alive during a terrible drought and to save the eyesight of his elephant matriarch Nana. The Last Rhinos is peopled with unforgettable characters, both human and animal, and is a sometimes funny, sometimes moving, always exciting read.

Thoughts

I haven’t read this book for a while. But lately, I’ve needed the inspiration and the motivation to remind me what it is about conservation that I’m passionate about. There is just something about Lawrence Anthony’s adventures and dedication that are completely awe inspiring. Unforgettable and smakes you realise that you are just a small dot in the fabric of the world. Which sounds horrible, but I kind of love… it’s nice to know that your decisions and life isn’t going to change the fate of the world, and that you are something small in a greater reality.

I would do a lot to save animals and take care of the environment… but I really don’t know that I would take on one of the most dangerous and infamous armies in the modern world – the LRA. The intensity of Lawrence’s relationships with these men and his part in their attempts at brokering peace are overwhelming, awe-inspiring and a great read late at night. After all, very few people would have the confidence and gumption to actually do such a thing to take care of another species…

The Last Rhinos is a bit slow to begin with. It discusses a lot of politics, difficulties and barriers to the conservation agenda. Money, politics and bureaucracy are always getting in the way, it doesn’t matter which aspect of life we’re dealing with. But when these barriers occur against an innocent rhino, it’s incredibly frustrating. Which comes through amazingly in this novel. We should all start finding a way to unite and stop arguing against the minutiae… otherwise we will lose all of our beautiful wildlife… the Last Rhinos just being a warning for future Armageddon.

Not only do Anthony’s words carry a potency that many other conservation tales don’t. primarily because his raw honesty and inability to hear the word no… but his little anecdotes about life on Zula Zula fill the gaps. They bring to life a reality in South Africa would otherwise be completely removed from our reality. This is a must have novel for anybody who loves nature, the environment and a damn good story.

 <- The Elephant Whisperer ReviewLife on Air Review ->
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Priced to Sell by Naomi Novik

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
naked-city

Title: Priced to Sell
Author: Naomi Novik
In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 25th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: To make the day complete, after she’d gotten off the phone with the vampire, Jennifer’s phone went off with another all-caps CALL ME!!

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Synopsis

Real estate is a tough enough gig. But what happens when you are trying to find the paranormal beings that go bump in the night a home? When the homes are cursed? And your latest customer just happens to be Jekyll and Hyde…? Everything must be priced to sell.

Thoughts

We’ve just been through the process of trying to sell a house. So reading a short story about the difficulties of real estate felt a lot more real and hilarious than it probably would have previously. Especially the trying to sell your house in a way that matches your perspective buyers’ desires… the fact that there is a paranormal element added to this mix just made it all the more entertaining.

I had the pleasure of reading my first Naomi Novik story earlier in the month, and I absolutely adored it. However, I did wonder whether or not it was a once off, or all of her work had that same beautiful flavour. I’m pleased to announce that it wasn’t a fluke. She’s amazing. I need more of her. She takes me to many a happy place…

There were so many little threads running through this story. It wasn’t just a tale about one house and one client, but a number of them. There was a vampire, Jekyll & Hyde… and, my personal favourite, a cursed wall of bugs. All in all they combined to make the rigors of attempting to sell a house with paranormal influences downright hilarious. Impossible to forget, and an industry that I really, really want to read more about!

 <- Underbridge ReviewThe Bricks of Gelecek Review ->
Image source: Patricia Briggs

Charged by Leanna Renee Hieber

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for queen victoria's book of spells ellen datlow book cover

Title: Charged
Author: Leanna Renee Hieber
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Gaslamp, Historical fiction
Dates read: 25th September 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: While today’s fair was no joy, tonight proved a further trial – the first of what I assume will be many stumbling blocks along my pilgrim’s progress.

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Synopsis

Mosley was struck by lightning as a child, but he didn’t truly realise that that’s what it meant until his younger brother is murdered. Then, on his quest to meet Edison, he begins to understand the true meaning behind light, electricity and power at the turn of the century.

Thoughts

Tesla and Edison and their competition has always vaguely fascinated me. After all, they’re work is what we use in our everyday lives and it’s not something that I could imagine being without. And, apparently Hieber felt the same… since this pivotal moment in time is what is featured in this tale. It completely drew me in. To the point, that after reading this story, I bought a collection of works that feature Tesla’s experiments and life… you have to start somewhere, and I’m still not entirely sure who’s side I’m on in that race…

I really enjoyed Hieber’s wordplay on light and power. Both are intricately intertwined with electricity and they have some incredibly similar meanings, yet we use them so separately in our everyday lives. I don’t think I’ll be doing that so much now. From henceforth it seems more likely and useful to see them as their intertwined selves. And understand them in conjunction with each other.

Recently, I’ve been watching a lot of Smallville, and in one of the early episodes there is a young man who goes insane and has a lot of power (literally) running through his veins. Mosley made me think of this a lot. He is young, from a very bad family situation and just wants to find a way to make the world (mostly his world) better. Yet, the way he goes about it has a slightly sinister feeling to it. One that left me with goosebumps sliding up my arms long after I turned the last page.

 <- The Unwanted Women of Surrey ReviewMr. Splitfoot Review ->
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Love is Hell by Melissa Marr, Scott Westerfield, Justine Larbalestier, Gabrielle Zevin & Laurie Faria Stolarz

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Overview
Image result for love is hell book cover

Title: Love Is Hell
Author: Melissa Marr, Scott Westerfield, Justine Larbalestier, Gabrielle Zevin & Laurie Faria Stolarz
In: Love is Hell ( Melissa Marr, Scott Westerfield, Justine Larbalestier, Gabrielle Zevin & Laurie Faria Stolarz)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections, Young adult
Dates read: 10th July – 24th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Harper Teen
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: There hadn’t been any Scarcity classes back in his day, and he never understood how I could get worked up over an ungraded course.

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Synopsis

Sure, love is hell. But it’s totally worth it. 88 In these supernatural stories by five of today’s hottest writers – Melissa Marr (Wicked Lovely), Scott Westerfeld (Specials), Justine Larbalestier (Magic or Madness), Gabrielle Zevin (Elsewhere), and Laurie Faria Stolarz (Blue is For Nightmares) – love may be twisted and turned around, but it’s more potent than ever on its quest to conquer all.

From two students who let the power of attraction guide them to break the had-and-fast rules of their world to the girl who falls hard for a good-looking ghost with a score to settle, the clever, quirky characters in this exciting collection will break your heart, then leave you believing in love more than ever.

Thoughts

I both thoroughly enjoyed this series and consistently wanted to punch some of the characters in the face. I was expecting tragic tales of passion, lust and love. Instead I got a series of young adult tales with some seriously whiney leads. Not in every circumstance. Not in all ways. But enough so that I couldn’t give this collection a five star rating.

There were a few stories in this collection that I thoroughly enjoyed. They reminded me of the books I read as a child that had just a tantalising hint of romance. Nothing overt and sexual, but enough there to make you think that happily ever after was possible. I even found some of the stories incredibly cute. after all, there is something enjoyable about the innocence of young love that I just don’t find in many of the books that I read today. There was also a lot that had me questioning what constitutes romance these days, and what love is truly about…

Love isn’t something that is simple, beautiful and complete. Or at least, it hasn’t been in my experience. It’s this intensely complex and difficult thing to deal with. It makes part of your life better and can leave you feeling more complete. But it also leads to a lot of complications and indecisions. Some of these stories highlighted that beautifully in this “love is hell” theme. Some not so much. But it was definitely worth the read.

 <- Love Struck ReviewSleeping with the Spirit Review ->
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Double the Bite by Chris Marie Green

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
First Blood

Title: Double the Bite
Author: Chris Marie Green
Series: Vampire Babylon #3.5
In: First Blood (Susan Sizemore, Erin McCarthy, Chris Marie Green & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 25th September 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: As a deputy back home, he knew his way around an investigation.

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Synopsis

On a hunt to find the cause of his brother’s mysterious death, Ben Tyree finds himself at the infamous Studio 54, and soon in the path of two preternaturally beautiful women. Ginny and Geneva aren’t just twins, they’re vampires. Their connection is put to the test when Ginny falls for Ben, much to Geneva’s anger. How can Ginny choose between the man she’s falling in love with and the sister who won’t let her go?

Thoughts

I don’t think I will ever understand why men are so obsessively fascinated by identical twins. Ever. I do not understand the attraction. But I do get that it’s there, and it’s a great story tactic to fill out the hours. After all, there’s a huge attraction to the stereotype, so why wouldn’t it be used in a paranormal romance tale?

The idea that blood means you can get away with pretty much anything has never quite sat well with me. It’s not a great ideal, and, as is the case in this story, that bond is used in the worst possible way. Alright, that bond has previously been twisted beyond all recognition by a sadistic S.O.B. but it still added complications which shouldn’t have been there. Although, I can’t quite imagine going so far with getting my sister to stop… I suppose I’m just lucky that I’m not a twin and my sister is not certifiably insane…

This was a great story which took two sides of the same coin and showed how differently they can handle some severe changes in their social dynamics. For one, a sense of compassion and need to find oneself came about her awful turning. For the other, a desperate need to feel anything which led to a lot of death and mayhem. I like that the one who finds compassion also finds love… although, they may just be interlinked. Regardless, this story was intense, bloody and oh so good. Well worth the read.

 <- Russian Roulette ReviewThicker Than Blood Review ->
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Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for looking for alibrandi book cover

Title: Looking for Alibrandi
Author: Melina Marchetta
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Book to Film, Contemporary, Family, Young adult
Dates read: 23rd – 24th September 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin
Year: 1992
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘I can look after myself,’ I argued as I followed her into the house.

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Synopsis

And what’s this about you and your friends driving around Bondi Junction half-dressed last week?’
‘Who told you that?’
‘Signora Formosa saw you. She said you and your friends almost ran her over. She rang Zia Patrizia’s next-door neighbour and it got back to Nonna.’
Telecom would go broke if it weren’t for the Italians.

Josephine Alibrandi is seventeen, illegitimate, and in her final year at a wealthy Catholic school. This is the year her father comes back into her life, the year she falls in love, the year she discovers the secrets of her family’s past and the year she sets herself free.

I’ll run one day. Run for my life. To be free and think for myself. Not as an Australian and not as an Italian and not as an in between. I’ll run to be emancipated.

Thoughts

This book is amazing! Ground shakingly, life-changingly amazing. Which shouldn’t surprise me. Since I felt that way about the movie when I first saw it as a teenager. After all, it’s about a young Australian girl who is just trying to find where she belongs in the world. Trying to fit in amongst racism and parental expectations. Trying to understand the past and find a way towards a new future. All things that we struggle with ourselves, just with different pressures.

There is so much pressure put on students who are studying year 12. Stupid amounts. I remember my year 12 year, we were all told to put all relationships on hold and just study. That is not a sane, safe or reasonable thing to ask anyone. Let alone a teenager. Josie’s story encompasses that year and the pressures that we all feel about our future, our choices and the external requirements people place on us perfectly. Her sarcastic, attitudinal teenage voice carries the message better than any other story would – and make it far more relatable for someone like me, who was a highly attitudinal teenager.

The relationships in this story are intense. And real. And, when bad things happen, heartbreaking. Enough so that I started weeping in the car. In the middle of summer. With my partner looking on in total confusion. Marchetta manages to create characters that you knew in high school. Dynamics that you too had, even if they were people of a slightly different socioeconomic group, or background. From that moment of first falling in love to letting go of the crush you always had, to seeing the “mean girl” as just another real person… she manages to show the growth and change that we all went through at such an important time in our lives.

Australia is known as a multicultural country, but it’s not always so accepting. Marchetta helps to bring this to life, not only in Josie’s experiences, but the tales of her mother and grandmother. Interweaving three generations of strong women into one story and showing the importance of family takes you on a fantastic journey. Not only through Australia’s cultural past, but also in the making of Josie Alibrandi and bringing all three women full circle to who they are today. And oh, my beating heart… now I just want to read this amazing novel all over again…

 <- Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil ReviewOn the Jellicoe Road Review ->
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God Clown by Carol Emshwiller

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for coyote road book cover

Title: God Clown
Author: Carol Emshwiller
In: The Coyote Road (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Tricksters
Dates read: 24th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Firebird Fantasy
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: I treat myself to more of his lemonade.

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Synopsis

You would think that God is a trickster and maybe a bit of a clown… and, if this short story is anything to go by… you’d be right.

Thoughts

I’ve sometimes wondered if the world is run by clowns. Or something similar. After all, nothing really makes sense, everything is random, and whoever in charge probably has a sick sense of humour. Very sick. Sadistic even. Which is why I like the idea of a story which is based on the idea of a God Clown.

The idea of a clown running the world is kind of scary. But it’s also kind of fun. I’m pretty sure that the clown I’m imagining is the same as the one in IT because that’s where my brain tends to go… but that also somehow works into the entire ideal perfectly. If not in a way that made me want to stay up all night watching Disney movies…

One image that strongly sticks with me after turning the last page of this story was the image of the God Clown on the side of a mountain. That he is eventually replaced. And every decision made is about balance and future wellbeing. It’s not vicious and its not kind. But, rather, everything has to be in perfect balance to keep the world turning…

 <- A Reversal of Fortune ReviewThe Other Labyrinth Review ->
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Love Struck by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for love is hell book cover

Title: Love Struck
Author: Melissa Marr
In: Love is Hell ( Melissa Marr, Scott Westerfield, Justine Larbalestier, Gabrielle Zevin & Laurie Faria Stolarz) & Faery Tales and Nightmares (Melissa Marr)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Celtic, Fae, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 24th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Teen
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: He paused, considered telling her that he suspected that Veikko had entrapped her, and decided against it.

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Synopsis

Alana has been entrapped by a selchie. But what if all of the stories she’s heard aren’t true? What if it’s love, and not entrapment?

Thoughts

I’ve read quite a few stories about selkies and the fae. Or at least, stories which have a moment featuring them throughout. This was an incredibly different take on a familiar tale though. Which I’m beginning to expect from Melissa Marr. For starters, the selkie isn’t the one necessarily doing the entrapment, and vice versa.

Alana is kind of a perfect partner for a selkie. A race of seal-beings who are all about lust, love and sexual fixation. Alana on the other hand is basically living a celibate life. She doesn’t necessarily want to pursue the lust that her mother has so heavily involved herself in. And she really doesn’t want to tie herself down to one being, regardless of how deeply she is drawn to him. It acts as a nice balance to the traditional tales.

The betrayal and secrets interwoven throughout this story are kind of beautiful. Even though I was pretty sure I knew who the “good guy” was, there were still constant moments of doubt. Moments where you wonder if what you perceive to be the truth was really the truth and so on. It was enough of a mystery to hook me in and make me want to never put the story down. And then it ended. And I was left feeling the urge to pick up yet another Melissa Marr story.

 <- Fan Fictions ReviewLove is Hell Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers