Tag Archives: Dark Fantasy

Tales of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
tales-of-the-otherworld

Title: Tales of the Otherworld
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld Companion
In: Tales of the Otherworld (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Collection
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Your nose is fine, though.

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Synopsis

A young vampire learns the heavy price of his new existence; black witch Eve Leving meets Kristof Nast, her soulmate and her nemesis; Lucas Cortez, lawyer, sorcerer and unwilling heir to his father’s Cabal, sets out on a case that will change his destiny; Paige Winterbourne discovers just how fraught a white (witch) wedding can be; and Elena Michaels begins her unwitting journey to a new life – as the only female werewolf in the world…

Thoughts

This was such an amazing collection of short stories. It combined sass and humour with comments on the politics and power of a number of supernaturally gifted human beings. Yet, it was more than that, Tales of the Otherworld imparted important humanitarian reminders upon me as a reader – a reminder that acceptance and attempting to understand others is integral to leading long and happy lives. At least, that’s the message that I got from this collection.

The eight stories in Tales of the Otherworld fit beautifully into the Women of the Otherworld series and they help to build upon tales mentioned throughout the books. Although it isn’t important to read them to understand the greater Women of the Otherworld plot line, if you’re like me, and love to know the background of all of your favourite characters, then this is definitely a collection that you will enjoy reading!

<- Men of the OtherworldOtherworld Nights ->

Image source: Goodreads

Kitsunegari by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

men-of-the-otherworld

Title: Kitsunegari
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #9.1
In: Men of the Otherworld (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Let me rephrase that.

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Synopsis

Find Jeremy’s story in the Men of the Otherworld anthology.

Thoughts

Jeremy’s Asian supernatural heritage is shown in Infusion, yet, the true meaning of this and why it created the amazing werewolf Alpha wasn’t revealed until this story. The explanation of his heritage, and even why his mother was so desperate to reproduce with a man that even she found despicable finally makes sense. As does his constant drawing of runes and his uncanny ability to know when his Pack and family are in danger. Even the tattoo which Jamie decides to get at the conclusion of No Humans Involved has an unforeseen power.

I thoroughly enjoyed finding out how the relationship between Jeremy and Jamie progressed at the conclusion of No Humans Involved. They seemed such an odd couple, yet, once I finished reading their story, I couldn’t help but hope that they would get the happy ending they both so clearly desired. So, two years on from that conclusion, their happiness and ability to have a thriving relationship alongside their busy lives left such a warm, fuzzy feeling in my stomach. Jeremy’s disinterest in the Kitsune who wished to seduce him, and Jamie’s reluctant insecurity at this just furthered the feeling that all was right in their worlds. The laughing ending and trickery to this short story simply cemented this feeling of rightness to their story.

<- Living with the DeadZen and the Art of Vampirism ->

Image source: Amazon

Living with the Dead by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

living-with-the-dead

Title: Living with the Dead
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #9
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘But it looked as if Irving dreamed of more.

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Synopsis

Robyn Peltier has never done anything out of the ordinary. So when her new boss is murdered and she is named prime suspect, she finds herself way out of her depth. As friends and colleagues abandon her, only two people remain loyal – best friend Hope Adams, and Hope’s spooky but charismatic boyfriend Karl.

What Robyn doesn’t realise is that she has accidentally stumbled into a bloody and escalating supernatural turf war. She’s also completely unaware that Hope is actually a half-demon, and her ‘spooky’ boyfriend is a powerful werewolf. Now the only way Hope can keep her friend alive is by introducing her into a world she’s safer knowing nothing about…

Thoughts

I’m honestly still not sure what my thoughts are on this story. But, in the most positive way I have ever experienced – nothing was as I expected, the ending caught me by surprise and the entire story has been rattling around in my head for hours. There is just something about Armstrong’s writing and her Women of the Otherworld series that tends to linger with me after I finish one of her books, but this novel more so than the rest. It just helped to tie in the greater story, which until now, I couldn’t actually envisage, and, more than that, showed a different, stronger side to Hope Adams than the previous stories.

There is always something sinister about cults in writing. I’m not sure if it’s the idea of someone being so completely brain washed; the total control of one’s every thought and action; or the often publicised mass killings and suicides that occur when these communities are infiltrated. And honestly, from this came Armstrong’s creation of a villain from the bosom of such a group who was not only enmeshed in the terrifying ideals of confinement, but also so twisted that every chapter which featured her story made me cringe in disgust. Which, considering how few words were sometimes used to describe her thoughts and actions, is quite a feat.

Although Hope starts out this story unsure and insecure in her own relationship, determined to help her friend, in the course of solving the overarching mystery and murder of this tale she also solves the key to her own unhappiness. The fact that the way in which she decides to fix this problem in her daily outlook on life was not what I would expect, especially after all of the romance present in the past stories, was a fantastic surprise. And a poignant reminder that although sometimes we really want our partner around, even feel that they are necessary, it can be their very absence and the space they are willing to give you that is truly helpful. Sometimes, even when we really want others around to hold us up, we need to take a deep breath, and step away to hold ourselves up.

<- The Ungrateful DeadKitsunegari ->

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Personal Demon by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

personal-demon

Title: Personal Demon
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #8
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘I’d gotten the case, though.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Hope Adams inherited her Bollywood princess looks from her mother. From her demon father she inherited a hunger for chaos – and a talent for finding it. 

When Hope is asked to infiltrate a violent gang of supernaturals in Miami, she can’t resist the excitement. But trouble can be intoxicating, and soon she’s in way too deep. With a killer stalking the city’s mystical hol spots, Hope becomes dangerously entangled, and has no choice but to turn to her werewolf ex-boyfriend for help.

What started as a simple investigation has spiralled into chaos. And Hope finds chaos irresistable…

Thoughts

I loved, loved, loved Hope Adams! She is chaotic (literally) and sweet. I didn’t know what to expect from a story about a half-demon with powers over chaos and a jewellery-thief werewolf… certainly not the story that unfolded. But, honestly, this was a novel that was better than anything I could have imagined. It is not only a story about coming to terms with oneself, but also finding a way to work around someone else’s issues and insecurities.

Hope is placed within, yet still outside of her family, and greater society in general. Her secret abilities mean that she can’t communicate truly openly with her mother, whom she is incredibly close to. Yet, her uniqueness even in the supernatural world, means that she hasn’t been able to truly find her place and her home in this society. It isn’t until she finds someone who truly accepts all aspects of herself that she is able to feel comfortable. Not only the public face which she presents to her family and the world, but also the darker side of herself and her abilities. Karl echoes this with his placement in the Pack, he isn’t completely secure, even though it is something that gives him a true place and home within society.

The relationship between Lucas and his father, and the Cabals’ placement within the supernatural world is further explored and investigated in Personal Demon. His own worries and concerns that have been bought up throughout Dime Store Magic and Industrial Magic, are shoved into the limelight. Seeing the Cabal and Lucas’ relationship with his father from a different point of view and after time has mellowed some of the conflicts, was a great experience, and a reminder that even the most complicated of situations is filled with reasoning and altering motives.

<- StalkedChivalrous ->

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Ascension by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
ascension

Title: Ascension
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #0.4
In: Men of the Otherworld (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Nick wants a fight, and I want to give him one.

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Synopsis

Clay’s point of view of Jeremy’s ascension to Alpha.

Thoughts

I’d always wondered how Jeremy became Alpha. It’s obvious that although he is capable of fighting, he often choices not to pursue the past time. It was also difficult to understand how such a reportedly horrifying and devious character, such as Malcolm, ever had a chance of claiming power over a group that I very quickly fell in love with throughout Bitten. Ascension tells that story, alongside more tales of Clay’s teenage years and, even, the creation of his terrifying reputation amongst the Mutts.

Power struggles and negotiations occur in every aspect of our lives, in animal groups and packs (such as wolf packs), the knowledge of this is much stronger. Therefore, it is easy to conceive that a group of people who are half man, half wolf would be almost obsessed with hierarchy, power and dominance. For characters like Clay, who is more wolf than human, this is an easy aspect of his nature to claim and embrace. However, in Jeremy’s case, it is a constant battle to balance the two halves of his nature. Whilst he doesn’t feel the need to constantly prove his dominance like others, he also has the drive to protect those he considers family. Yet, this protection comes at a cost. In naturally occurring wolf societies, the strong protect the weak, and the weak obey the strong, this is obvious within Jeremy’s every action. Protecting and caring for the weak and the family is the most important aspect of his life, and it is this power play that leads to the rollercoaster ride of emotions in Ascension.

<- SavageBewitched ->

Image source: Goodreads

Savage by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
savage

Title: Savage
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #0.3
In: Men of the Otherworld (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: In…” Malcom glanced at his watch.

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Synopsis

Savage is about Jeremy Danvers finding Clay.

Thoughts

I just LOVED finding out the story behind Clayton’s transformation into a werewolf. The dry wit and humour that characterises him throughout Elena’s tales in The Women of the Otherworld series shines beautifully from the pages of this novella. Clay’s voice shows us that our preconceptions of people can be wrong – from the very moment he is intelligent and cunning, combining this childish mind with that of a wolf made him a slightly awkward and successful predator from the age of seven. Even if he was unable to physically show his prowess to others who were far bigger and more terrifying.

The break down of this novella into short chapters helped to give the entire story flow. It also broke up the time through which Clayton’s trust and dedication to Jeremy was built. Where I didn’t understand this level of devotion in the greater Women of the Otherworld novels, Clayton’s childhood (pre- and post-wolf) finally helped me to see why he chose to effectively become his alpha’s shadow. His loyalty and slight quirks are so beautifully explained throughout this story, and where some of his actions towards Elena later can be seen as possessive and indications of an abusive relationship, in the light of Clayton’s upbringing and absorption into the Pack, they can be understood. The depth of his love and regard for those he considers his is seen through his own, unassuming eyes. And honestly, it’s this loyalty (and incredible dry wit and humour) that makes Clay my favourite Women of the Otherworld man.

<- RebirthAscension ->

Image source: Goodreads

Infusion by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
infusion

Title: Infusion
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #0.2
In: Men of the Otherworld (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Malcolm’s fists clenched.

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Synopsis

About Jeremy’s mother and Jeremy’s conception.

Thoughts

I never quite understood throughout the Women of the Otherworld stories just why Jeremy’s father was so horrific – what it was that could turn a father so completely against his child. Yes, it sets up the character and storyline beautifully, but the rationale behind such a horrid creature has long fascinated me. And, finally, parts of Jeremy’s heritage and Malcolm’s rage are bought to light in this stunning short story. Although it is guaranteed to leave a sour taste in your mouth.

Although Infusion doesn’t completely explain Jeremy’s mysterious allure and powers, there are so many hints throughout. Likewise, his similarity to his grandfather and the incredible strength of his mother are highlighted in a way that makes it easy to understand the serious and contemplative man who he becomes. I love origin stories in general, and none can harken back to a character’s origin more succinctly than that of their very conception and birth.

<- RebirthSavage ->

Image source: Goodreads

Rebirth by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
rebirth

Title: Rebirth
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #0.1
In: Tales of the Otherworld (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Always remember that it’s a gift, and gifts from God are to be used in his service.

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Synopsis

About Aaron and how he got reborn into a vampire.

Thoughts

It took me a little while to place exactly who Aaron was in the Women of the Otherworld universe. However, after two pages, I was able to finally understand who this illusive do-gooder was. The appearance of Cassandra helps to further the identification of this character – a vampire member of the supernatural council.

Armstrong’s use of vampirism in her stories takes yet another turn which I didn’t expect – it is not just a process which occurs through biting, but also an inherited trait for some. This different take on what is possibly a genetic mutation to enhance a member of society’s survival was a really nice new approach. As was Aaron’s approach to the required one death a year, and even those whom he fed off of. Although he feels guilt at the taking of another’s life force, he finds a way in which to do it in a conscientious way.

<- Otherworld ChillsInfusion ->

Image source: Goodreads

Men of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

men-of-the-otherworld

Title: Men of the Otherworld
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld Companion
In: Men of the Otherworld (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Collection
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: What’s that?

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

As a curious six-year-old, Clayton didn’t resist the bite—he asked for it. But surviving as a lone child-werewolf was more than he could manage—until Jeremy came along and taught him how to straddle the human-werewolf worlds, gave him a home…and introduced him to the Pack. So begins this volume, featuring three of the members of the American Pack—a hierarchical founding family where bloodlines mean everything and each day presents a new, thrilling, and often deadly challenge. For as Clayton grows from a wild child to a clever teen who tests his beloved mentor at every turn, he must learn not only to control his animal instincts but to navigate Pack politics—including showing his brutal archnemesis, Malcolm, who the real Alpha is…

Thoughts

These four short stories may be centred upon the North American werewolf pack, but for me, it was mostly about Jeremy. With the first short story telling of his origins, and the last explaining them and his quirks to his adult (and fully realised) self. Whilst Clay’s story is also outlined throughout this, it is also told in the light of his devotion to Jeremy – after all, until Elena, Jeremy is also the centre of Clayton’s world.

Although I have loved every single character and story that Armstrong has rolled out in her Women of the Otherworld series, it is always Elena and the werewolf Pack that I enjoy returning to the most. Maybe because they are the ones I first fell in love with, maybe because there is just something about their characters that continues to draw me back. Regardless, reading a collection of short stories that focus upon their origins and history left me with a novel that I found impossible to put down.

<- Baby BoomTales of the Otherworld ->

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Strange Brew edited by P.N. Elrod

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Overview

strange-brew

Title: Strange Brew
Authors: Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, Karen Chance, P.N. Elrod, Charlaine Harris, Faith Hunter, Caitlin Kittredge & Jenna Maclaine
In: Strange Brew (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Murphy jumped on me then, pinning my left arm down as Meditrina started raking at my face with her nails, both of them screaming like banshees.

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Synopsis

Today’s hottest urban fantasy authors come together in this delicious brew that crackles and boils over with tales of powerful witches and dark magic!

In Charlaine Harris’ “Bacon,” a beautiful vampire joins forces with a witch from an ancient line to find out who killed her beloved husband. In “Seeing Eye” by Patricia Briggs, a blind witch helps sexy werewolf Tom Franklin find his missing brother—and helps him in more ways than either of them ever suspected. And in Jim Butcher’s “Last Call,” wizard Harry Dresden takes on the darkest of dark powers—the ones who dare to mess with this favorite beer.

For anyone who’s ever wondered what lies beyond the limits of reality, who’s imagined the secret spaces where witches wield fearsome magic, come and drink deep. Let yourself fall under the spell of this bewitching collection of short stories!

Thoughts

This was a thoroughly enjoyable collection of short stories – they all erred on the side of dark fantasy and had twists to traditional ideas that I didn’t expect. The balance of female and male chief protagonists was well thought out, with a range of characters for even the most discerning reader to fall in love with. I loved that each tale was strange and unique, but they all fit together in a fabric that made the stories flow easily into each other.

The nine authors collected together in Strange Brew contributed short stories from their larger series, but they were easily accessible if you have not read the greater series (as I hadn’t for the majority). They are a window into another world that encourages you to jump in, feet first, something that I, for one, intend to do!

<- Dark Sins Review Seeing Eye Review ->
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