Tag Archives: Easy Reading

Friday Night at St. Cecilia’s by Ellen Klages

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

Title: Friday Night at St. Cecilia’s
Author: Ellen Klages
In: The Coyote Road (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Easy reading, Tricksters
Dates read: 1st April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Firebird Fantasy
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: She looked at the light switch across the room, but didn’t bother turning it on.

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Synopsis

Friday night at St. Cecilia’s means a night of board games and companionship for Rachel and Addie. But, when Queen Mabe decides to up the stakes, traditional board games become far more complex, and a whole lot more dangerous.

Thoughts

Game nights were kind of a big thing in my family when I was younger. Actually, they’re still kind of a big thing, although I’m not around as much to play now. They were always a great way to spend time together in a fun way. And, since we’re all more than a little competitive, a very fun, not to mention loud way to spend the night. So, a short story that features board games that I grew up playing and a trickster… it’s the kind of story that I was always going to love.

I was kind of expecting Rachel to learn some kind of lesson throughout this story. After all, she starts out as a very rebellious young woman in a catholic boarding school. Who is in detention. This is exactly the kind of not-on-the-right-path character that tends to need a bit of adjustment. But, it doesn’t really happen. Rather, her rebellion just leads her on a very fun and interesting adventure. And it is one that is full of nostalgia and humour. An easy read that made me think of all the times with my family. And all of the board games in my cupboard.

 <- A Tale for the Short Days ReviewThe Fortune-Teller Review ->
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The Little Dog Ohori by Anatoly Belilovsky

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

Title: The Little Dog Ohori
Author: Anatoly Belilovsky
In: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dieselpunk, Easy reading, Family
Dates read: 29th March 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: The woman’s hand tightens, just enough to see the tiny twitch.

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Synopsis

She’s losing her life’s blood on the plains of war. But, the baying of the Little Dog Ohori might just take her back to the ones she loves and a happily ever after after all.

Thoughts

It took me a little while to grasp the concept of what was going on in this short story. The storyline jumped around a little and it was kind of hard to realise which time frame you were in from the outset… but, once I got my head around that little aspect, I fell in love with this story. It still had the war aspect of Dieselpunk filling its pages, but it mostly had this sweet idea of family and kinship.

The mix of folklore, contemporary and fateful story lines throughout this short tale intertwine and weave amongst themselves in an incredibly artful manner. The mix of the different stories throughout may have been confusing at the beginning, but they quickly become intriguing and impossible to look away from. Meaning that at the end of all of this you are completely hooked and in love with not only Ohori, but the soldiers who populate the tale.

<- Don QuixoteVast Wings Across Felonious Skies ->

Image source: Running Press

The Glass Casket by Jack Dann

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for snow white, blood red book cover

Title: The Glass Casket
Author: Jack Dann
In: Snow White, Blood Red (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fairy tales, Romance
Dates read: 1st April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Signet
Year: 1993
5th sentence, 74th page: Before him a huge black bull and a red stag were charging at each other.

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Synopsis

A Renaissance Italy retelling of a classic Brothers Grimm fairytale. One that doesn’t have a happy ending, but a beautiful bittersweet one.

Thoughts

This short story had an incredibly bittersweet ending. One that I enjoyed thoroughly. It wasn’t sad, it wasn’t happy, mostly it was just incredibly lonely. A tale that makes you think about the things that you could have had, if only you stopped wishing for something just over the horizon.

The wording of this tale and the setting were kind of a nice, romanticised version of Renaissance Italy. Unlike some of the other preceding stories in this collection, there wasn’t a heavily sexual component, there were hints, but it was kind of a floating hint. Something that you can see and find, but you have to actually concentrate and look for it.

This was one of those fairy tales that made me content reading it. There was no intensity and chaos, but it was just an easy, happy and comfortable read. One that I will probably pick up again and again.

 <- Puss ReviewKnives Review ->
Image source: Amazon

A Tale for the Short Days by Richard Bowes

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

Title: A Tale for the Short Days
Author: Richard Bowes
In: The Coyote Road (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Family, Tricksters
Dates read: 29th March 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Firebird Fantasy
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: And the others were very impressed despite themselves.

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Synopsis

The God of Tricksters has been called on to help bring balance to a family in the Roaring Twenties. But, he is called on again and again throughout the following generations to try and find a way to correct the outlook of the family.

Thoughts

The mirror of folklore by using the idea of three aspects, or parts, of the trickster worked really well in this story. Part one tells the story of a young lady beseeching help from the trickster. Part two provides a little more of a mid-life crisis and lets you question the role of the trickster in the beginnings of the modern world. And, finally, part three highlights the end of an era, and the start of a new one. One in which the Trickster will either adapt and change or drown in the new world.

I love how this story takes the common themes of the trickster and twists and turns them to see how they fit into the modern world. But, not just alongside the modern world, but rather as an aspect of change as we’ve moved from old understandings to new.

A Tale for the Short Days is fun and thrilling. The kind of short story that I will be able to read again and again. Picking up something new each and every time.

 <- The Fiddler of Bayou Teche ReviewFriday Night at St Cecilia’s Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Five Sites, Five Stages by Lisa McInerney

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Five Stages, Five Sites
Author: Lisa McInerney
In: I Am Heathcliff (Kate Mosse)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading,  LGBTQI, Twisted romance
Dates read: 23rd March 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Borough Press
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: Like it would be good for, say, convalescents.

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Synopsis

Heidi loves Cass with all of her heart. But there’s a number of obstacles in their way, and she’s just not sure that they can be overcome.

Thoughts

From the outset it is obvious that this was a story about a not so healthy love. I mean, the whole I Am Heathcliff collection is kind of about unhealthy love. But this seemed a little more obviously unhealthy than some of the other tales. And a little bit more relatable to be honest, it was far more contemporary and written in a way that you can almost, almost relate to Heidi.

This story kind of worked through the five stages of grief (which, when you find out the ending, you understand the grief), and worked it’s way across the city. It intertwined brilliantly with the idea of a love that had gone horribly wrong. And it reflected the ideas of grief and loss that are highlighted in Wuthering Heights.

I was far more comfortable with this short story than many of the preceding ones. It wasn’t as intensely twisted, and it made a little more sense to me. I just wouldn’t necessarily want to read it again anytime soon.

 <- The Howling Girl ReviewKit Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

The Laird’s French Bride by Connie Brockway

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

Title: The Laird’s French Bride
Author: Connie Brockway
In: The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Historical romance, Scottish romance
Dates read: 16th March 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: “I said, not a word,” Rob repeated.

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Synopsis

Rob needs to make this marriage work for the good of his clan, but he’s really not sure what to expect from his mystery bride… will the French-raised woman meet his expectations, or dash them into the dirt?

Thoughts

This was such a cute story to end this collection on. It had a little less going on, and it wasn’t as intense as some of the other tales. But it was so much fun. And it centred beautifully on just the couple. There were other characters mentioned, but they almost faded into obscurity moments after they were mentioned. Which was kind of nice. It was all about Rob and Jeanne.

Although I knew that the lead couple were going to end up together, the journey to the end was still really fun. I’ve said it before, but sometimes the simplicity and sweetness of the moment is all that you need to create an amazing tale. And this is certainly a tale I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

 <- Forever Mine ReviewThe Mammoth Book of Science Fiction Review ->
Image source: Hachette Australia

The Fiddler of Bayou Teche by Delia Sherman

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

Title: The Fiddler of Bayou Teche
Author: Delia Sherman
In: The Coyote Road (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Music, Tricksters
Dates read: 24th March 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Firebird Fantasy
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Another man turns up with a washboard and a spoon, and he and Ulysse jump up on the table as ‘Dres Petitpas climbs down.

Synopsis

Cadence was bought up in the depths of the bayou, dancing her way through life happily. But, when her Tante passes away and she is accidentally spotted by ‘Dres Petitpas, her life of blissful peace is ended and a new one is about to begin.

Thoughts

I have a slight obsession with bayous and creole culture. Every time I read stories surrounded by this, I’m unable to look away. They’re beautiful and fun and there is just… something about them that makes me deliriously happy. Which is why I loved this story so much. It had the feeling of a fairy tale but was filled with a cultural backdrop that I know next to nothing about, and always want to know more of.

This had such a beautiful fairy tale and folklore feel to it. There wasn’t a trickster in it specifically (like other stories in The Coyote Road), but the spirit of the trickster ran through.  Not only in the setting of Bayou Teche, but also in the idea of a fiddler making a deal with the devil and a small swamp sprite gaining the upper hand.

I’m more than a little disappointed that this was such a short story. The setting, the characters and the theme all make me feel like I want to be sucked into this story for an entire afternoon, rather than minutes.

<- Realer Than YouA Tale for the Short Days ->

Image source: Amazon

Evolving by Natasha Beaulieu

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Evolve

Title: Evolving
Author: Natasha Beaulieu
In: Evolve (Nancy Kilpatrick)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Vampires
Dates read: 24th March 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Edge
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Shanella grips his arm.

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Synopsis

Anton has always wanted to be a vampire. But, what if he is already evolving into one? Does he have more power than he realises?

Thoughts

I’m a scientist. So I kind of loved the idea of a story in which somebody evolved into another version of themselves. Another version of a vampire.

This was a somewhat slow tale, and not one that really felt like it had a beginning, a middle and an end. Rather, it was almost like a bit of a character bio and introduction. You got to know Anton intimately, but there wasn’t much else happening around him. Or at least, that’s how it struck me.

 <- Bend to Beautiful ReviewHow Magnificent is the Universal Donor Review ->
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Ten Things I Know About the Wizard by Steve Rasnic Tem

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of dark magic book cover

Title: Ten Things I Know About the Wizard
Author: Steve Rasnic Tem
In: The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic (Mike Ashley)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Easy reading, Wizards
Dates read: 13th March 2019
Pace: Slow,
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 1983
5th sentence, 74th page: The wizard was indeed isolated; there seemed to be no other dweelings as far as the eye could see.

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Synopsis

There are a lot of wizards in the world, but here are ten things that we know about this wizard in particular…

Thoughts

I read a lot of lists online, but this is the first time that I’ve read a short story that is in list form. And it worked kind of brilliantly. I wasn’t really sure how this format would work, or if it would really be a story. But it did work, and a great story unfolded.

Dark magic always seems to be about power, especially over others. And what can be a more potent power than that of a parent exerted over their child? Especially when they are the creator of the child (not in the sense you are thinking, but you’ll have to read this short story to figure out what I mean there).

This short story plays on the idea of power in a parent-child relationship and the ways in which a suitor can upset this. There is constant plays of power and battles of the will throughout the storyline. And although there seems to be a clear winner at the end, you still have to wonder if he did win in the end…

<- The Mammoth Book of Dark MagicVillaggio Sogno ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Rolling Steel: A Pre-Apocalyptic Love Story by Jay Lake & Shannon Page

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

Title: Rolling Steel: A Pre-Apocalyptic Love Story
Author: Jay Lake & Shannon Page
In: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dieselpunk, Easy reading, Romance
Dates read: 12th March 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: He squinted into the depths of night through the prism that made up Rough Besat’s forward vision block, watching for the mill which loomed close, its fires never banked.

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Synopsis

A pre-apocalyptic love stories are just so hard to come by. Except for this one… this one is brilliant and beautiful.

Thoughts

This is my first ever dieselpunk story. And it was a really good, fun introduction to the subgenre. This was kind of funny, very fast-paced and had a slightly pragmatic love story throughout. Alright, it’s not the kind of romance that will make you clutch your chest and sigh, but it is one that makes you have a little giggle and grin at the end.

I loved the jumpiness of this storyline. It flicks between the two leads and in this completely alters the way in which the narrative is told. From a completely sane, but obviously slightly unhinged female, to a bat-shit insane male as they rocket through space to do… well, I’m not really sure what. But I loved all of the action regardless!

<- The Mammoth Book of DieselpunkDon Quixote ->

Image source: Running Press