Riding Bitch by K.W. Jeter

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Riding Bitch
Author: K.W. Jeter
In: Inferno (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Horror
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2007

Thoughts

Riding Bitch jumped around a little in its timeline, but overall had a pretty uncomfortable, dark vibe to it throughout. I kind of loved it too. The fact that it took me a little while to figure out what was going on from the bar to the past just added to that spooky and uncomfortable feeling. Which, of course, is what made me thoroughly enjoy reading this.

It was really hard to tell what was reality and what wasn’t throughout this tale. I mean, it involved drugs, speeding and gross bodily transportation. You don’t want to believe that everything within this is reality, but then, it felt like the majority of it was. I loved this blurring of fiction and reality throughout.

This short story left me feeling eerily uncomfortable. I can’t really explain why, but I definitely had goosebumps. Which is kind of why I enjoy reading horror short stories.

<- InfernoMisadventure ->

Image source: Goodreads

Real Men Knit by Kwanda Jackson

Book Review
Overview

Title: Real Men Knit
Author: Kwanda Jackson
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I really, really wanted to love this novel. I mean, the whole idea was great and I got most of the way through it. But, couldn’t quite get into it. I think that this was because, for me, the story as a little bit too predictable, and just kind of slow moving from the very beginning. I also hate how accepting the lead character is of being ignored, I mean, she has a backbone, and then, suddenly, she doesn’t. It was just a little bit difficult to get through.

Image source: Amazon

The Queen’s Gambit by Jessie Mihalik

Book Review
Overview

Title: The Queen’s Gambit
Author: Jessie Mihalik
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Science fiction, Space
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

I did enjoy this novella. But, I did find it a little bit predictable, and it didn’t necessarily grab a whole lot of my attention. Probably more than anything because it’s just not quite the genre I enjoy. I don’t mind a good SciFi, but it has to be really brilliant, and this one was just… good. If SciFi is your kind of thing though, I would certainly suggest this!

Image source: Jessie Mihalik

Nuts About You by Sylvie Stewart

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Nuts About You
Author: Sylvie Stewart
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I must say, that I’m really, really disappointed that I didn’t get to read the whole collection that this originally appeared in. I mean, it’s a whole collection of testicular stories. And, if Stewart is anything to go by, there would’ve been a HEAP of ball jokes. Which, I’m an adolescent at heart at times, so I would’ve found that absolutely hilarious. Having said that, even by itself, I really, really enjoyed this novella. And most definitely spent an obscenely long time laughing at all of the many little puns throughout.

Not to focus in too much, but I definitely enjoyed the ball jokes throughout a lot more than I maybe should’ve as a grown ass woman. A bit like the lead female in this – totally inappropriate sense of humour. One that is, luckily, slightly appreciated by her friends and loved ones. Even if it sometimes leads to awkward silences. I completely understand being the awkward girl that just verbal vomits on everyone and is a somewhat quirky individual. I just hope that my quirkiness is a little bit cute, just like it is in this novella.

I love that this is a romance that is set up by friends. It’s a fake heist that turns into a real one. One filled with a whole lot of fun. I loved each and every chaotic moment of this short story, and I can’t wait to read more of Stewart’s writing!

<- Full On ClingerPoppy & the Beast ->

Image source: Amazon

I Dream of Grizzly by Keira Blackwood & Eva Knight

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: I Dream of Grizzly
Author: Keira Blackwood & Eva Knight
Series: The Protectors: Quick Bites #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I absolutely adored the idea of a Dream Witch. It was a little bit unique and a whole lot of fun. Plus, the ways in which Valerie tests to see if she’s actually in a dream are good fun. I mean, she counts figures and runs through a whole bunch of steps before getting around to just pinching herself. That, and the idea of Dream witches opens up a whole new paranormal world for my enjoyment.

I figured fairly early on in this that the villain in this was going to be a bit creepy. And that he had some kind of ties to Valerie’s daily life. But, the reality was a little bit scarier and more uncomfortable than I’d anticipated. That, and he was a whole lot more involved in her past tragedies than I had anticipated.

Although Valerie isn’t totally in control now her powers, I love that she’s able to conjure her mate. I truly love the ides of fated mates who will do anything for each other. Mates that are able to fight against the confines of reality. Alright, fighting snakes in your dreams with a sexy man hunk might not be my total ideal situation, but I like the idea of someone by your side while fighting the horrible snake things.

Even though I’d guessed that the villain would be someone in Valerie’s life, I didn’t actually guess who the culprit would be. I was 100% expecting it to be the dorky partner. And even if I was a little disappointed it wasn’t him, I now want his story.

<- Midnight WishThe Ocean’s Roar ->

Image source: Amazon

Misadventure by Stephen Gallagher

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Misadventure
Author: Stephen Gallagher
In: Inferno (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Horror
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2007

Thoughts

This was actually a surprisingly sweet short story, even if it was also horrible. I mean, it had this kind of nice quality about it that somehow softened the edges of the horror. I mean, it’s still slightly horrible, just less so than originally expected.

There are two parallel stories within this tale – both about children whose lives were put at risk because their friends just didn’t want to call for help. I hate that this is not a surprising bent in a horror – it just makes it all that much more depressing that for one of these stories, the outcome was not a positive one. This is probably where the greatest horror of the story comes from – that realistic aspect.

Alongside all of the different creepy parts of this story, I love how there are a lot of ghosts and their lingering. That they continuously linger all around us, trying to get their final bit of peace.

<- Riding BitchThe Forest ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Lemming Factor by Isobelle Carmody

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for green monkey dreams isobelle carmody book cover

Title: The Lemming Factor
Author: Isobelle Carmody
In: Green Monkey Dreams (Isobelle Carmody)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Family, Retellings
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Year: 1996

Thoughts

Something about this short story made it feel like everyone was just… charging towards their death. Which kind of makes sense, since its a story called The Lemming Factor. And even, with the uncertain ending to this, I still felt like the majority had literally been running towards their death.

The Lemming highlights how damaging it can be to only look out for yourself. And how the great importance of loyalty and family is what often carries us through. I love that one of those who was thought to be the ‘winners’ of the race, was more focused on their family.

I felt like there were so many meanings to this story. And many possible interpretations. But, even if you’re not trying to unravel the hidden meanings, the very simple act of running after the pied piper provided and entertaining read.

<- The BeastThe Monster Game ->

Image source: Allen & Unwin

The Last Priestess by Elizabeth Baxter

Book Review
Overview

Title: The Last Priestess
Author: Elizabeth Baxter
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2013

Thoughts

I started off absolutely loving this story, but lost interest really quickly. The drama started off really well and pulled me in, but then I found that there was too much focus on highlighting the conflict of the two factions within this story. Personally, I would’ve preferred that the characters actually moved forwards with their journey and development. Not a book or author that I’ll be excited to read again.

Image source: Kobo

Knot My Type by Evie Mitchell

Book Review
Overview

Title: Knot My Type
Author: Evie Mitchell
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I loved that this was an Aussie author. And I absolutely love the premise of this story. I mean, I was seriously intrigued by accessibility in sex and knot play. Sadly, I got another halfway through this before I gave up. I just know a book isn’t for me when I’m not really excited to see what happens next. And that, sadly is where I found myself.

Image source: Amazon