The Frog Chauffeur by Garry Kilworth

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Frog Chauffeur
Author: Garry Kilworth
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Retellings
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

Thoughts

This was an interesting twist on the Princess and the Frog, but on a more original version when the frog was transformed due to trauma, not a kiss. I kind of like this intense and violent version more. And then, there’s the whole idea that what genetic legacy did the Frog leave behind? Did he leave a whole heap of little, twisted tadpoles who could also be transformed at any given moment?

The Frog Chauffeur had a bit of a sad ending, one that definitely echoed the feeling of fairy tales, but a bittersweet one all the same. I thought the entire time throughout this story that there would be a lot of darkness at some point that would make me slightly uncomfortable and horrified. Instead, it was a sad ending, one that plucked at the heart strings and made me feel kind of… nostalgic for lack of a better term.

I love that driving has that same eerie and enjoyable feeling of swimming – and that missing the water makes the Frog enjoy driving through the trees. I can just picture the dappled green coming through the windshield on a nice, spring afternoon. And it brings peace.

<- The Sea HagThe Dybbuk in the Bottle ->

Image source: Wikipedia

The Justified by Ann Leckie

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Justified
Author: Ann Leckie
In: The Mythic Dream (Dominik Parisien & Navah Wolfe)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Retellings
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I absolutely adored this short story, and now I really want to read the original myth that this was based upon. It was kind of dark and twisty, it was fun. And I love that, at the end, it was ultimately about justice and recognising that the powers that be might not actually be as ‘good’ as they think they are.

This short story was all about how the all-powerful and leaders still need to be answerable to justice and others. And that, even if they started off good, sometimes beings can become power hungry and do the unforgivable. Luckily, there is good in this story that doesn’t want power – and decides to question authority to find equality amongst all.

I love that at the end of this, it is the Hand of the leader who is also their downfall. Rather than being the mindless murderer of the past, they are able to take charge of their own life and actions, and find a new way forward. Ultimately, this story ends on hope and optimism for a fairer and brighter future.

<- Phantoms of the MidwayFisher-Bird ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster

The Dybbuk in the Bottle by Russell William Asplund

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Dybbuk in the Bottle
Author: Russell William Asplund
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Historical fantasy, Retellings
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

Thoughts

This was an interesting twist on the traditional (or in my case often read) story of outsmarting a demon. Or at least, I found that there was enough of a surprise in it that I found it intriguing and different.

I love that at the end of this story, the farmer is finally able to recognise how wonderful and rewarding farming truly is. Rather than wanting to perform miracles, he is finally able to see the miracles rhat make up a part of everyday life.

This was my first story with a hero Rabbi. I can’t say that they are a religious figure who feature much in my reading. But I most definitely enjoyed it and wouldn’t be opposed to reading more such stories.

<- The Frog ChauffeurThe Shell Box ->

Image source: Wikipedia

A Bountiful Film by S.K. Ali

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: A Bountiful Film
Author: S.K. Ali
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Food
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I love that this is a short story all about making a film for a film competition. The whole time, it is about new beginnings, changing where you are and, finding a way to show who you are through film. As someone who is not even remotely creative in the videographic sense, I found the process of creating a film to be absolutely fascinating. And, then there’s the ever present food intertwined throughout this story.

I really enjoyed getting to know Hungry Hearst Row through the lens of a mystery. The Hungry Hearts anthology has explored this area through many different genres, but this is the first and only mystery within the collection. I loved trying to unravel the different threads throughout and predict just how the mystery ended. I did not get it right in any way, shape or form, but it was still an interesting journey.

I love that, ultimately this was a short story with happy endings all round. It was a sweet and easy read, one that I thoroughly enjoyed and I’m intrigued to see what else S.K. Ali writes. All in all, I seriously enjoyed this and want to read more stories like this.

<- BloomSide Work ->

Image source: Goodreads

Beneath the Canyons by Kyra Halland

Book Review
Overview

Title: Beneath the Canyons
Author: Kyra Halland
Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

I’ve gotten to a point in my life that if something doesn’t hook me within the first 3 chapters, I don’t tend to stick with it. Sadly, this one lasted 4 chapters before I realised I just wasn’t reaching for my kobo to see what happened next.

For me, it was the writing style that put me off. I liked the premise, but I found it kind of repetitive with the he said and the descriptions were a little clunky. Enjoyable, but not enough to pull me in and make me care what happens next.

Image source: Pinterest

Bloom by Phoebe North

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Bloom
Author: Phoebe North
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

When there’s a tragedy in your youth, there is always something that sets you apart. Whilst my tragedy wasn’t quite as tragic as this, I do recognise that feeling of not quite being able to relate to my peers and just generally struggling with ideas and expectations of the future.

I love that Simon helps the narrator to bloom, but was ultimately a short term person to give her the chance. Instead, it’s a friendship with Chava that really feels like the monumental relationship and turning point. It’s a reminder that, even if a relationship is important, it may not be a long-term one.

The delivery food which takes up most of the story in this tale is definitely what comfort foods are made of. I know literally nothing about Jewish delis, so it was cool to imagine some of the foods that passed through their hands. And how such simple food can bring warmth to a cold heart.

<- Hearts a la CarteA Bountiful Film ->

Image source: Goodreads

Blind Date by N.J. Walters

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

Title: Blind Date
Author: N.J. Walters
In: The Mammoth Book of Hot Romance (Sonia Florens)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2011

Thoughts

I love the premise of this blind date also being a second chance. Alright, it might be a little underhanded to set yourself up on a blind date with your ex to get her back. But, it does also work kind of nicely. I also liked this in the format of a short story – it was a story that entirely took place over one evening with the reconciliation and date all happening in a short amount of time. And just the right amount of angst to keep you interested.

Honestly, this is one of the more basic second chance romances that I’ve read. Both characters put their careers before their relationship. And then, after a little bit of time and a whole heap of pride do their work, they realise they’ve made a mistake and desperately try to get back together again. It’s sweet and cute, if not a little bit ridiculously predictable. Although, sometimes, that’s just what we want.

This was honestly a very lustful and lust driven story. But, also quite cute and a little bit sweet. I do like a good second chance romance, and even if this didn’t quite hit all of my happy points for a short story, it still worked incredibly well.

<- SorceryHell’s Fury ->

Image source: London Borough of Bexley

Hungry Hearts edited by Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman

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Overview

Title: Hungry Hearts
Author: Caroline Tung Richmond, Elsie Chapman, Sangu Mandanna, Sandhya Menon, Rin Chupeco, Adi Alsaid, Jay Coles, Rebecca Roanhorse, Karuna Riazi, Phoebe North, S.K. Ali, Sara Farizan & Anna-Marie McLemore
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: Contemporary, Food, Short story collections
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I absolutely adored this collection – it was brilliant, light-hearted and fun. Plus, it was filled with many new authors and beautiful stories. A great journey of stories by #OwnVoices authors who gave me a glimpse into a multitude of experiences. Ones that I look forward to repeating again in the future.

As someone who loves her food, I really appreciated that each story in this collection featured food and the many feelings that an accomplish it throughout. Food is a great avenue through which to experience the world, and process feelings. The stories in this collection run the gambit of experiences. And I found it intriguing the different feelings that were expressed throughout.

This is one of those fantastic collections of stories that I will read and reread again and again in the future. I also can’t wait to read more stories by the authors that I’ve added to this collection. There wasn’t one that I don’t look forward to reading again in the future.

<- Panaderia ~ PasteleriaRain ->

Image source: Goodreads

1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Two by Lexi Blake, Larissa Ione, Lisa Renee Jones & Cherise Sinclair

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Two
Author: Lexi Blake, Larissa Ione, Lisa Renee Jones & Cherise Sinclair
In: 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Two (Lexi Blake, Larissa Ione, Lisa Renee Jones & Cherise Sinclair)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology, eBook
Year: 2015

Thoughts

I enjoyed this anthology more than I enjoyed 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle One, but it still wasn’t a collection in which I loved every single novella. Rather, I found that I adored two and was a bit meh about two. Still enough to make me want to continue reading through these anthologies – there are some wonderful gems and new authors to discover with just a turn of the page.

The stories within this collection are fairly intensely sexual at times. Which, depending on my mood and the style in which they are written, can be thoroughly enjoyable, or a little bit too intense. I always love to put myself in uncomfortable mindsets when reading. It’s how I learn and grow. Some of these might even be the kind of uncomfortable I enjoy on a second reading.

Although some of these stories were a little intense, I also loved that all four of them have a common thread. All four of these novellas featured some kind of Dom/Sub relationship, but they were also filled with love and respect, something I really enjoyed. I can’t wait to continue with these anthologies and keep pushing my comfort levels.

<- Silent BiteDungeon Games ->

Image source: Amazon

Reading Update as of Mid-August 2024

List, ,

Lots of reading and diving into some fun literary rabbit holes lately. A great way to check out a little after a tough day with two littles. ❤

Series

Standalones – Novellas

Standalones – Novels

Standalones – Short stories