Tag Archives: Fae

Ruby Red by Kalayna Price

July 14, 2017Book ReviewAlex Craft, Easy Reading, Fae, Kalayna Price, Kicking It, Paranormal Romanceskyebjenner

Title: Ruby Red
Author: Kalayna Price
Series: Alex Craft #2.5
In: Kicking It (Faith Hunter & Kalayna Price)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Ghosts, Grim reapers, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Roc
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Excessively deadly dead things.

A pair of shoes are wreaking havoc in the world of Alex Craft, and its up to two detectives to stop them!

It was really enjoyable reading a book based in the world of Alex Craft. The multi-layered structure of a fae-infused world has always fascinated me, although, in the rest of the Alex Craft series, it is only viewed through her eyes. Altering the point of view gave me a refreshing insight into such an intricately created reality.

I haven’t had the chance to re-read the first three Alex Craft books since the fourth book came out (at the beginning of the year), but reading this short story has inspired me to pick them up and start all over again. Not only to revisit such an amazing world and strong characters, but to learn more about the other prominent characters in this series. All strong. All fascinating. All stealing our hearts.

<- Grave Dance

Kicking It ->

Image source: Penguin

‘Twixt Firelight and Water by Juliet Marillier

June 24, 2017Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Celtic, Fae, Fantasy, Juliet Marillier, Legends of Australian Fantasy, Sevenwatersskyebjenner

Title: ‘Twixt Firelight and Water

Author: Juliet Marillier

Series: Sevenwaters #5.5

In: Legends of Australian Fantasy (Jack Dann & Jonathan Strahan)

Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)

My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Celtic, Fae, Fantasy

Pace: Fast

Format: Novella

Publisher: Harper Collins Australia

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: Likely the whole forest was ringed by them.

Long ago, the sorceress Lady Oonagh cast a curse over her own child. Now a druid, an ill-tempered raven and an adventurous young woman are drawn together as the time approaches for the evil magic to be undone. Fans of the Sevenwaters series will love this new episode, which fleshes out the history of druid Ciaran and his constant companion Fiacha.

I am madly in love with this novella. It combines Celtic and druidic knowledge, the dangers of the Fair Folk, an evil curse and a story of love. Honestly, it is impossible not to fall in love with this novella. After all, it is a tale of two brothers who support each other and understand the ties of family. The evil mother that bound them together just makes their love for one another all the more impressive and admirable. It is the sibling relationship that everyone dreams about – total acceptance and equality in everything they do.

Telling this tale from the two different points of view was a great tactic. After all, it allowed for Conri’s past to be told and his current feelings about the geis to be understood. Yet, the saviour of the day, Aisha, is also able to show her gumption and power throughout the story. This might be the first story that I have read in the Sevenwaters series, but it was definitely a great start and insight into a series that I can’t wait to sink my teeth into!

<- The Mad Apprentice Review

The Dark Road Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

There Will Be Demons by Lori Handeland

June 17, 2017Book ReviewAngels, Fae, Hex Appeal, Lori Handeland, Paranormal Fantasy, Phoenix Chroniclesskyebjenner

Title: There Will be Demons
Author: Lori Handeland
Series: Phoenix Chronicles #0.6
In: Hex Appeal (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Fae, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: He should be frozen like a gargoyle.

She thinks that she’s saving him from the demons, but could there be more to the story?

I really don’t have many words to describe this short story. Basically, I loved it, but at the same time, I was a little mad at the end of the story. It felt like a good beginning of a series, but also another tale about a strong, independent woman losing her identity for the sake of a man – not something that I am a huge fan of in the least. However, the writing and slow filtering of information that Handeland uses is a perfect counterbalance to create an enjoyable storyline that would probably otherwise have really, really, really annoyed me.

The use of the Nephilim, Grigori and Fae really drew me into the world created in There Will Be Demons. Handeland’s explanation of the different groups displayed a well-thought out reality which she has used to create a set of multi-dimensional characters. The obvious secrets that both Summer and Jimmy hold throughout the tale only built upon this world to leave me turning the page back and forth, looking for more of the story. Not all of their secrets are revealed, and it was both frustrating and disappointing to end this tale.

<- In the Beginning

Any Given Doomsday ->

Image source: Succubus

Buying Trouble by Karen Chance

June 11, 2017Book ReviewCassandra Palmer World, Dark Fantasy, Dorina Basarab, Fae, Karen Chance, On the Prowl, Paranormal Romanceskyebjenner

Title: Buying Trouble
Author: Karen Chance
Series: Dorina Basarab #1.1, Cassandra Palmer World #9
In: On the Prowl (Patricia Briggs)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Fae, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: The dragon was Tanet, my newly discovered brother.

Claire just wants to keep out of trouble. But that isn’t always easy when you’re a mage with the extremely unusual ability to block all magic around you. And when Claire’s sleazy boss decides Claire herself is the most valuable rarity to sell at a magical auction, trouble finds her. Now, her only hope for survival is to trust a mysterious and handsome stranger, a Fey Lord named Heidar. As their pursuers close in, there’s one thing for sure, savior or threat, Heidar can show Claire things she never imagined in this world, and in herself. . .

This story took a lot of unexpected turns – first, the journey started at an auction house, then Clare finds out that she’s actually up for auction, and then she finds out more about her true heritage. All in all, the combination of these facts created a tumulus ride which spanned a number of beautifully constructed settings. The fact that the alliances and loyalties of the obvious love interest within the story were vague and difficult to pin down helped to add to the unpredictable, fast-paced track of this novella.

The use of first-person in telling this tale helped to place me in the slightly uncomfortable shoes of Claire. Mostly due to her status in the magical world and the constant danger which her powers place her in. However, the irresistible pull she feels towards her male counterpart and her fear and frustration at being forced to flee are incredibly potent emotions that are stunningly displayed through her own words. Her description of her emotions, confusion and thoughts made me feel incredibly connected to this slightly unorthodox lead, something which I love when reading any story.

Although slavery isn’t supposed to occur anymore, the use of Claire as a pawn in overall political games and the willingness of others to sell her reek of a lack of women’s rights in this world – even when slavery is supposed to be abolished. Even her newly discovered family appear to be politically inclined, although at least they are grateful for her presence. It is a reminder that although overt ownership of women isn’t present in today’s society, there is still a sense of ownership and usage over women who can prove to be useful.

The thing that I loved most about this novella was the conclusion of this tale. It leaves the story open for more journeying into the world of Claire and the Dorina Basarab series, but also hints at a ‘happily ever after’ for Claire.

<- Inhuman

Mona Lisa Betwining ->

Image source: Goodreads

Switched by Amanda Hocking

April 22, 2016Book ReviewAmanda Hocking, Changelings, Easy Reading, Fae, Paranormal Fantasy, Switched, Trylleskyebjenner

Title: Switched
Author: Amanda Hocking
Series: Trylle #1
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fae, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: A wind came up, blowing back her coat a bit, and she reminded me of some kind of action star, like she should be in The Matrix.

Wendy Everly knew she was different the day her mother tried to kill her and accused her of having been switched at birth. Although certain she’s not the monster her mother claims she is – she does feel that she doesn’t quite fit in…

She’s bored and frustrated by her small town life – and then there’s the secret that she can’t tell anyone. Her mysterious ability – she can influence people’s decisions, without knowing how, or why…

When the intense and darkly handsome newcomer Finn suddenly turns up at her bedroom window one night – her world is turned upside down. He holds the Key to her past, the answers to her strange powers, and is the doorway to a place she never imagined could exist: Forening, the home of the Trylle.

Finally everything makes sense. Among the Trylle, Wendy is not just different, but special. But what marks her out as chosen for greatness in this world also places her in grave danger. With everything around her changing, Finn is the only person she can trust. But dark forces are conspiring – not only to separate them, but to see the downfall of everything that Wendy cares about.

The fate of Forening rests in Wendy’s hands, and the decisions she and Finn make could change all their lives forever…

I have to admit that I was a little worried when I started reading this. Goodreads had suggested Amanda Hocking as an author, so I obliged. And the beginning of this book felt a little bit like a teeny-bopper romance along the lines of Twilight. I love a good romance novel, but not the teeny-bopper, angsty, dramatic crap. Most of the time I think that it just makes the lead female look whiny, needy and kind of sad. Luckily for me, this novel quickly turned out not to be one of these sagas.

Don’t get me wrong, there was still a little teenage angst and she kind of made a fool of herself multiple times for a guy. But who hasn’t really? The darkness of her past and her inability to connect with others echoed a state that many of us have felt as teenagers. I also thought that it added a sobering amount of reality. Love stories are rarely easy (in my experience), and it’s the hurt, both in one’s past and present that make it such a beautiful thing.

Switched wasn’t just about romance and teenage love though, it embraced the idea of Changelings and the Fae (a not-so-mild obsession of mine). I loved the incorporation of teenage dilemmas with faery tales that have existed since modern man stood on his hind legs. The new and the old were a great combination that has made me order the second book online… now I just have to wait for it to arrive!

<- More Amanda Hocking reviews

Torn Review ->

Earth and Skye

The ramblings of a bibliophile.