Goddess of Summer Love by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Goddess of Summer Love
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Cursed Luck #1.5
In: Hex on the Beach (Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost & Melissa Marr)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

It was really fun to dive right back into the Cursed Luck world. Its been a little while since I read the first book and had the pleasure of meeting the whole cast. Which meant that this was a lovely little break in time to re-meet everyone. Particularly since it is all written from Vanessa’s point of view – something entirely unique from the insights you gain from Kennedy’s point of view.

I love that although this is a story about a matchmaker trying to, well, matchmake – it is also fun to try and solve the background mysteries of this story. Not just what happened to Lisa Lake in the recent past. But also what on earth is happening throughout the tours now and how this is related to the past. I definitely didn’t expect either outcome of the mysteries, although, admittedly, I didn’t spend too much time trying to solve what had happened either…

At it’s core, this novella is a tale of four different couples. Each at totally different stages of their relationships and connection to one another. It was fun to read about the different dynamics and needs of each matchup. Plus, it was fun to realise that all of Vanessa’s behaviours were really just projecting her own wants and desires onto others. Luckily, she does realise this before it’s too late…

<- Cursed LuckHigh Jinx ->

Image source: Booktopia

Reading Update – Mid July 2023

Book Review

Another little reading update. A lot of short stories compared to usual – they’ve been a nice departure, and I’ve also been reading a lot of rereads lately… This is also not everything I had in my files. But I’ve got a bit going on at the moment in my family, so it may be a while until I get the chance to post on here again.

Standalones – Novels

Standalones – Short stories

This Much Is True by Miriam Margolyes

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: This Much is True
Author: Miriam Margolyes
Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again)
My Bookshelves: Actors, Biographies, Celebrity, Memoirs
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I really struggled to get into this biography – I really, really wanted to like it. But I just, couldn’t. Which was incredibly disappointing. Maybe I’ll try again in the future.

Although I struggled to get into this, I still skim read the whole book and found it well written and humorous. Margolyes is self-deprecating and realistic about her flaws. She’s also quite witty in what she writes.

Honestly, I think that the reason I couldn’t really get into this was because there is a huge gap in lived experience. Yet, it’s still within the same culture, so it’s similar. There wasn’t enough of a gap for this to be a whole new experience, but too much for it to feel familiar. Plus, I seriously can’t relate to wanting to be the centre of attention all the time…

<- Long Walk to FreedomJane Austen: Obstinate Heart ->

Image source: Goodreads

Rain by Sangu Mandanna

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Rain
Author: Sangu Mandanna
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Family, Food
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

This is a beautiful and touching short story about the grief of losing a loved one. And the long process that people go through to start moving on from that. Father and daughter are constantly struggling to find a way to say goodbye, and to find their way back to one another. And a beautiful change of pace in Hungry Hearts Row is just what they need to get themselves back on track.

Food is a pretty potent love language in my family – it comes from marrying a Maltese man and being a little food obsessed myself. It made the idea of father and daughter reconnecting over their mother / wife’s favourite food all that much more meaningful. I mean, what better way to remember someone? I myself tend to bake cakes and bread when I’m missing my grandfather – it was something that we shared and I still heavily associate with him.

Food is not only a great love language, but it is also great for healing and stirring up memories. It’s nice that in this, the first attempts to get the well-remembered curry right go epically wrong. And it is in slowly getting it right that father and daughter are able to reconnect and begin to talk to one another again. It’s only when they finally start to find laughter again that they also find the secret ingredient to the recipe.

For me, this story was all about food and love and healing. And the power of food in that healing. But, there was also the great symbolism of rain throughout that made me smile. I mean, every key moment throughout this journey is symbolised by rain, and it’s a great metaphor for the overwhelming emotions that are being experienced. Many nuances and moments throughout this that I seriously enjoyed. Definitely an author I will be reading again in the future.

<- Hungry HeartsKings and Queens ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Pennine Tower Restaurant by Simon Kurt Unsworth

Book Review, ,
Overview
Hauntings: Datlow, Ellen: 9781616960889: Amazon.com: Books

Title: The Pennine Tower Restaurant
Author: Simon Kurt Unsworth
In: Hauntings (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Horror
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tachyon
Year: 2013

Thoughts

This wasn’t quite the horror story that I was expecting. It was set out very factually. And it kind of worked in a fairly freaky way – I mean, I was expecting lots of emotion and personality to drive the story and make it a little bit scary. Instead, this was set out in an entirely factual way. As though it was a reporter just recording the history of a building and letting you draw your own conclusions. Lots of hints towards the creepy unknown, but nothing outright stated.

I found that by outlining a timeline and just hinting at the horrors that await, this story was actually far more creepy and intimidating than if you were told outright about the evilness that haunts the tower restaurant. At the beginning of the timeline, it actually doesn’t feel all that horrifying and creepy. But, as more and more evidence stacks up… you tend to get a whole lot of goosebumps.

Unsworth is able to hint at the unknown brilliantly and make you feel kind of uncomfortable as you read this story. Something that I loved – this was spine tingling and uncomfortable, without being overwhelmingly scary. A fun, haunting short story to read.

<- The TollDistress Call ->

Image source: Amazon

The Muskego Long Count by Tom Shreck & Nathan Banks

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Murder and Mayhem in Muskego: Jordan, Jon & Ruth, Phillips, Gary, Richardson, Kat: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: The Muskego Long Count
Author: Tom Shreck & Nathan Banks
In: Murder and Mayhem in Muskego (Jon & Ruth Jordan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Down and Out Books
Year: 2012

Thoughts

I really enjoy how this story jumps between two points of view. You have that really sinister voice that is planning bad things. And then there’s the more innocent bystander who ends up saving the day and making sure that the sinister things just don’t happen. It definitely helped to heighten the sense of thrill and suspense. Knowing that there were bad things about to happen, not knowing if the story will end with a better ending than death…

Duffy is a great character. Boxer, with an out of control dog. Actually, it’s really Al that technically saves the day. But I love the normalcy of Duffy’s interactions with the other characters and movements throughout this story. The unwitting hero is always quite a bit of fun. Particularly when they’re actually a bumbling dog that is just taking everyone out in his quest for food.

As with anything that touches upon the psychological, I found the bomb maker to be quite scary. I mean, massive many people killing vendetta is scary enough. But having that point of view written in a totally logical and calm manner? Terrifying.

<- Gravity and NeedThe Particular Talents of Lenny Bright ->

Image source: Amazon

Liberia by Kwame Mbalia

Book Review, , ,
Overview
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology by Dhonielle Clayton

Title: Liberia
Author: Kwame Mbalia
In: A Universe of Wishes (Dhonielle Clayton)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Science fiction, Space
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Crown
Year: 2020

Thoughts

Unlike some of the short stories that I’ve been reading lately, the title of this short story really didn’t give me any kind of hint as to what this tale was actually going to be about. The most I could assume was that the name had at least some allusion towards freedom. And it kind of did, although not exactly in the way that I was expecting. In fact, although it was kind of an underlying hint of a theme, it really didn’t take centre stage the way I was expecting.

Liberia is literally just the name of the ship that this young cohort of settlers is aboard, travelling through space to a better future. And here the freedom / liberation feeling of the story pretty much ends. Mostly, this tale is (for me) about our family and our ancestors. About those things that get passed down to us in our day to day lives. For me it is baking with my grandfather, for some of the members of this crew, its Cassava and its propagation.

Having never had Cassava, and it not being an important part of my culture, I love how this food source was highlighted as not just a food. It was, again, about ancestors and family. There is a whole lot of cultural significance in a lot of what we eat, and I think it’s great that I got to read a short story that focuses on this idea. It’s not about physical sustenance, but also mental, emotional and social… something we should really keep in mind if we’re ignorant enough to mock another’s food.

I love that there is constant conflict throughout this story – with the lead of the tale constantly at loggerheads with their captain. And, again, highlighting how something that is seen as maybe a little bit “everyday” is actually seriously important. And worth fighting for. A fantastic short story, and I would love to read more of Mbalia’s world and writings.

<- Cristal Y CenizaA Royal Affair ->

Image source: Goodreads

Kings and Queens by Elsie Chapman

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Kings and Queens
Author: Elsie Chapman
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Family, Food
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I really wasn’t expecting this short story to be about gang life to be quite frank. I’m not quite sure what I anticipated. But I think, from the cover of this collection (I know, you should never judge a book by its cover), I was expecting something a little bit more… cuddly. And I love that this wasn’t. I mean, I loved this short story completely. And part of that was because it was such a surprise, but it was also brilliantly written.

One of the things that I loved about this is that it is a story, at the centre, about family. And food, but mostly family. I really enjoyed how the mother manages to get her final revenge, in an incredibly symbolic and surprising way. I figured that this story was going to end in death, but I actually thought that it might be the death of the narrator as she tried to enact her revenge.

Whilst I really enjoyed reading this story, it was also kind of difficult. I can’t imagine the pain of having a brain dead child. Particularly when this brain death was caused by the actions of someone you love and respect. And then you have to look at her killers face and smile… I understand the anger that just seeps out of this storyline.

This is a fairly serious storyline, with a whole lot of anger and death. I love that there was delicious food that acted as a counterpoint to this more serious storyline. In fact, there was a lot of food in this that I kind of want to try my hand at making. Or at least, its inspired a few dishes in my mind…

<- RainThe Grand Ishq Adventure ->

Image source: Goodreads

Gravity and Need by Marcus Sakey

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Murder and Mayhem in Muskego: Jordan, Jon & Ruth, Phillips, Gary, Richardson, Kat: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: Gravity and Need
Author: Marcus Sakey
In: Murder and Mayhem in Muskego (Jon & Ruth Jordan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Horror
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Down and Out Books
Year: 2012

Thoughts

I knew that this was going to be a bit of a twisty kind of story. But I really didn’t see that ending coming. It was kind of brilliant and in one way, I really enjoyed it… on the other hand, it was pretty twisted and disturbing. There was not a moment in this that I could imagine being in the shoes of the two characters, but also not a moment in which I didn’t feel connected to them and sympathetic to both of their plights.

This short story makes till death do us part take on a whole new meaning. And not necessarily in a good way, it was pretty disturbed if I’m being honest. And of course, that is exactly what I loved about it. Kind of twisted and disturbed, a whole lot of fun. And when we talk about death, it’s really not the kind of death that you expect.

This short story is pretty dang dark and fatalistic. I, being the slightly twisted human that I am, absolutely adored it. Definitely a short story that I would be intrigued to read again.

<- The End is Never PrettyThe Muskego Long Count ->

Image source: Amazon

The End is Never Pretty by Greg Rucka

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Murder and Mayhem in Muskego: Jordan, Jon & Ruth, Phillips, Gary, Richardson, Kat: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: The End is Never Pretty
Author: Greg Rucka
In: Murder and Mayhem in Muskego (Jon & Ruth Jordan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Spies
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Down and Out Books
Year: 2012

Thoughts

You don’t even have to start reading this short story to realise that there isn’t really going to be an overly happy ending here. I mean, it’s literally called The End is Never Pretty. And then the story starts, and you continue to have that feeling that nothing is going to end well here. Which is fun, because you spend the entirety of this tale on pins and needles waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Although this is mostly in chronological order, it is kind of disjointed in its telling as well. As you read it, it becomes clear that it is more and more difficult for Nessuno to actually figure out who she is. I mean, we all have that battle at times – figuring out who we are and who we want to be. But most people aren’t doing this whilst literally pretending to be someone else. The disjointed nature of the story line works to highlight the disconnect that Nessuno is feeling more and more as her deception unfolds.

Honestly, there wasn’t really a surprising twist at the end of this story – two agents who have a moment in time together, and talking about the lines that you’ll cross to keep cover? Yeah, I kind of saw the ending coming. But I was really hoping that it wouldn’t be the case. It was just a little bit too tragic, most definitely working as a poignant end to a short story.

For all that this is a pretty damn dark story, it’s also a pretty easy read. I mean, it’s dark and twisty. Focusing on spy versus spy and the darkness of double agents, but it was still a simple read. One that I would probably enjoy reading again.

<- ChemotherapyGravity and Need ->

Image source: Amazon