Title: O for a Fiery Gloom and Thee Author: Brian Stableford In: Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Fae Dates read: 30th April 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: EOS Year: 1998 5th sentence, 74th page: Like the rough-hewn roads of myth and history, the many roads of England were not at this time wont to run straight.
A classic styled tale of the fae and the passions that are ignited.
There was something completely beautiful and stunning about the language used in this story. It had that great lyrical value that doesn’t often show it’s face in contemporary writing. The story felt somewhat familiar, as it would to anyone who has an obsession with tales of the fae. I loved that this felt both familiar and new as the gorgeous lyricism of the story evolved.
One of the things that come up again and again for me in tales of the fae is that theirs is a passion that I don’t quite understand. Which is beautifully illustrated in this short story. Not only does it highlight that they are untenable. But also subject to their own whims and desires…
I look forward to rereading this story in the future – there is something beautifully lyrical about it that just screams to be read again. The style of the prose is of the sort that I know I will read this again and again in a journey of constant self-discovery.
Title: Ogre Author: Michael Kandel In: Black Thorn, White Rose (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Fae, Fantasy Dates read: 25th March 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Prime Books Year: 1994 5th sentence, 74th page: At least he had no problem carrying.
All he wants is to put on an amazing play. But, with a series of blunders, an inept crew and a few others out to get him… things aren’t quite going as planned.
You know that a story is going to be kind of funny and really interesting when it starts out with someone telling another character to stop eating human flesh. Because it gives him bad breath. And that he can’t have that when acting. It’s a pretty interesting and funny start to a story. One that I was giggling about from the very beginning of this very short story.
I’ve never really had an inclination to do any form of acting. Just not my thing I suppose. But I do love the fodder that it provides for story telling. And the fact that this was shifted to include what I can only assume is a paranormal / fae cast (one of which I hope is an ogre) just made it all the more fun. And incredibly funny.
This is a seriously short story (only about 5 or 6 pages). But it’s just enough to make me enjoy Kandel’swriting and wonder at what else he has written. That, and just enjoy the journey that I got to go on with this writing in the first place. It is enjoyable, fun and totally unique. Definitely a short story that I won’t mind reading again.
Title: The Ill-Made Mute Author: Cecilia Dart-Thornton Series: Bitterbynde #1 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Australian authors, Fae, High fantasy, Romance Dates read: 8th – 22nd March 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Pan Books Year: 2001 5th sentence, 74th page: This warmed their spirits somewhat, although not toward him.
While the lordly Stormriders land their splendid winged stallions on the airy battlements of Isse Tower, far below them, in the fortress’s depths, their superstitious servants sit by the hearth to tell each other ghastly tales of evil creatures inhabiting the world outside – a world most of them have only glimpsed. Yet it is the least of these servants – a mute, lowly, utterly despised foundling – who dares to scale the Twoer, sneak aboard a Windship, and then dive from the sky.
The terrified fiugitive is rescued by a kindhearted adventurer, who finally gives the poor creature a name – as well as the gift of communicating by handspeak, and an amazing truth never guessed at previously. Now the newly named ‘Imrhien’ begins a journey to distant Caermelor, in search of a wise woman whose skills may change everything.
Along the way, Imrhien struggles in a wilderness of endless danger – for those hearthside tales are all true. Unhuman wights haunt every pool, every turn in the road, and they perpetually threaten and torment all travellers. Lost, and pursued by these monsters, Imrhien is finally saved by a mysterious Dainnan ranger whose gallantry and courage are matched only by his martial skills. Unknown to them both, however, a deadly plot is unfolding… as a dark force summons the malignant hordes of Unseelie, and foul things amass in the night.
As the journey grows longer, the challenges more deadly, Imrhien discovers something more terriyfing than all of the evil eldritch wights combined. For this spurned outsider, with an angel’s soul and a gargoyle’s face, is suddnely falling in love…
In a thrilling debut combining masterful storytelling with a treasure trove of folklore, Cecilia Dart-Thornton creates a lushly romantic epic adventure of stunning scope and magical proportions, set in a world brimming with wonders and terrors.
I’ve been putting off reading this because it just looked seriously intense. And a little bit scary. Which are the kinds of books that I’ve been avoiding lately. And now I kind of regret that. I wasn’t wrong. This was intense, and full on and so multi-layered that my head felt like it could explode. But it was also amazing, unforgettable and kind of impossible to not think about. Whilst there were moments when I could put it down. There weren’t many moments in the two-week period of my reading that I actually stopped thinking about it…
One of my favourite things about this book was the world building. It was done in an incredibly unique way. Rather than the typical world building were facts are provided as the character travels through the world, the history, facts and shape of the world is provided as a series of stories and anecdotes told by the characters. To the amnesic lead. I loved flicking between what was currently happening and all of the tales being told by the supporting characters, there was something fun and unique about the way in which this was done. Although, it did mean that I had to pay attention – that way I knew who was talking about what.
Although Imrhien does have a romantic interest in this story (eventually), it’s not a heavy-handed romance. I can see where this story can go with that feeling of interest, and I can’t wait. But it’s not like the many other romances that I’ve been reading lately. Which was nice. This actually was a great book to read – it reminded me of all the reasons why I love fantasy so much. I’ve been on a fair bit of a romance kick lately…
The use of another language, the fae and the more traditional outlooks on them was absolutely brilliant. I get a bit fed up with the Peter Pan version of fae… so I love any book that sticks to the more Celtic, pagan views. And I can’t wait to find out more about this world and the past of Imrhien – I can only imagine that it is going to continue getting better and better as the next two books unfold!
Title: A Wife of Acorn, Leaf, and Rain Author: Dave Smeds In: Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Death, Fae, Lust Dates read: 18th March 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: EOS Year: 1998 5th sentence, 74th page: But your word is enough as far as I’m concerned.
He misses his wife, and a desperate attempt to get closure has him making a deal with The Outsiders. But will this beautiful doppleganger truly fill that whole in her heart?
I can’t imagine suddenly losing my other half. It’s actually what makes up my greatest fears – waking up one day to find out that he wasn’t part of my life anymore. So this story hit a little too close to home. And it took an interesting approach to getting over one’s grief. Hiring a fae doppelganger to take her place… it felt somewhat creepy.
Yet, as the story unfolded, I actually understood the man’s motivations WAY more than I would have liked. I can imagine wanting just one more moment with that one person that I love more than anybody else. I can understand needing just a few more moments to finally get that closure that you need.
As much as this story kind of started out creepy… it had a great sense of closure at the final conclusion. There was a sense of farewell and moving on that was healing and sweet. A great way to end a story that started out a little uncomfortably…
This novella provides a first taste of the world in which Anya’s new Dark Magick series is set.
I kind of found Ronan annoying at the beginning of this story. There was just something about him that was a bit too pushy and immature. He refuses the woman he loves, so he can escape and win back the woman he loves. Rather than just marrying her and working on their relationship in a way that would have been much simpler for both. Don’t get me wrong, it made an incredibly fun and impossible to put down novella. But he’s kind of stupid. He did grow on me though, so that was alright.
I loved the comparisons between the Seelie and Unseelie Court. There is still a hint of mystery about the Unseelie Court, but I assume that when I get around to buying the actual novels in this series, I will find out so much more. But I did love that this was the wonderfully traditional outlook on the fae courts. And that those who are normally considered powerful in the mythos (the Courts), were not so powerful. It’s a great start at world building and, since this is the prequel novella, a fantastic introduction to a brand new world.
This is a really cute love story. And I really enjoyed how Bella wanted nothing more than to find her way back to the man she loves, even if that means giving up everything else. But, what made me really hooked to this story was the fact that an amazing fae world was being created. And I want to explore every single aspect of it!
Title: All Through the Night Author: Elise Forier Edie In: Haunted Nights (Lisa Morton & Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Fae, Ghosts, Paranormal fantasy Dates read: 28th December 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Blumhouse Year: 2017 5th sentence, 74th page: But all that happened was a hand touched her head, warm and soft.
She moved from Ireland to create a better life. But then she lost her husband. And then the fae came visiting on All Hallows Eve…
Most of the stories in the Haunted Nights collection have been a little intense and quite frankly horrifying. This one isn’t really horrifying. It’s just incredibly tragic and sad. I don’t cry, much, at all. But I did feel a sore point in my breast. It was just so… sad.
This short story is a fantastic weaving together of Irish folklore and the difficulties of travelling to America at the turn of the century. The poverty and the risks that were taken for such a thing. It’s also about a melding of the world and beliefs. She spends her time believing that the fae are going to take her baby. And her baby is taken… but it has a little more to do with the realities of the world in which she’s found herself.
All Hallows Eve is creepy. It’s probably why I hate Halloween so much. People celebrate it because they have no idea about the history of it and the darkness that surrounds the night. The thin veiling between the spirit world and reality. This was a great way to bring back those realities of what I actually think is a kind of terrifying night.
Title: The Walled Garden Author: Michele Lang In: The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance (Trisha Telep) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Fae Dates read: 20th December 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2009 5th sentence, 74th page: You already know me from class and by my sign.
An attack has left her lost, confused and scared. But, a chance encounter with a polite young man might help to lead her on the way to recovery. Or a whole new world.
This short story was in a collection of time travel romances… yet, I spent the entire time trying to figure out where the time travelling actually was. There were bits and pieces of time travelling. But I wouldn’t put it on a shelf with that theme. This felt more about venturing into the underground worlds of the fae and the Otherworld.
I love that this story is all about recovering and finding your own way forwards after tragedy. Bouncing back is important, and we all do it in our ways. I wouldn’t necessarily want to go about it by venturing through a strange underground garden… but it was still a great way to find out how to recover and find your new reality.
There is a super surreal feeling to this entire story. Even trying to articulate what happened and why I enjoyed this is difficult. It’s like when you dream that you’re walking through a mist, and everything you experience is completely real. But it’s also entirely emotional. That’s the way that this story feels as you journey through the pages to the end.
Title: A Wish to Build a Dream On Author: Michelle Willingham In: The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance (Trisha Telep) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Fae, Romance, Time travel Dates read: 14th December 2019 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2009 5th sentence, 74th page: She took a deep breath, knowing he needed to understand everything.
She’s getting over a bad breakup. And all she wants is to find a man who can love her for herself. Yet, a wish made in a faery circle might have the power to change her fate and give her the family she’s always longed for.
If I had one wish… I don’t know what it would be. It would depend on my mood, surroundings, the sun, the moon. I’m a pretty indecisive person. But, this story really did make me think about what that one wish actually would be. The title alone gets you into this mood… A Wish to Build a Dream On is kind of reminiscent of a wish upon a star from Disney… or at least, that’s how I felt about it. There is something beautiful and lingering in the feeling of this story.
Having said all of that, the lead woman in this story is damn sure of what her wish is. And I loved the simplicity of this. Her dream is simply to have a family – a man that loves her for who she is, and children to come along. It would be one of my top dreams (I already have half of it though) … but I love that this is about someone who just wants to be loved. Who just wants to find a happily ever after that she can be happy with.
The best thing about this story though is that it is incredibly sweet and easy. It isn’t an insanely, tragically complex tale. It isn’t about lust and sex. Rather, it is just about true love and finding a version of happily ever after that makes you happy. Not anyone else’s version. And that means finding someone who completely accepts you for what you are, not an idealised version.
Title: The Princess and the Peas Author: Alyssa Day In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Fae, Paranormal romance Dates read: 13th December 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2009 5th sentence, 74th page: Rhys’ niece gasped.
A spoilt princess is about to run a test on the visiting fae… one that could potentially cost her life and the existence of a treaty.
I absolutely adored this take on The Princess and the Pea. I have no idea where the original story is from, but I might actually prefer this version of the fairy tale. It’s a little bit more gutsy, and considering the fact that I tend to find princesses in fairy tales mostly tedious, I loved that the spoilt princess in this completely got her comeuppance in the end.
One of the parts of this story that I enjoyed the most was the fact that it incorporated the fae into the storyline. I’m always a fan of any story involving the fae. Especially when it sticks to the more traditional ideas of them being incredibly dangerous and quite difficult to deal with. Partner this with a Lady’s Maid who has independence, strength and a moral compass of her own… well, of course I fell in love. This does tend to be a fairly typical trend with Day’s writings though.
The main message in this story – karma’s a bitch. And if you’re a bitch, karma is definitely going to get you. If you’re good, then you’ll get a good ending. Especially if you somehow have a tie to the fae courts…
Jordan has been thrust into the past. But it’s not the past that we remember… there’s griffins, fae and a magical house. Will she find true love or head back to a lonely future?
I read this short story really late at night. After a few
wines and fighting the effects of insomnia. I tend to write notes as I go to
make it much easier to recall my thoughts when I write reviews. But, since this
was on a sleep-deprived alcohol fuelled moment. I thought instead of writing my
traditional review, I’d share my very excitable notes instead…
Time travel, but to a magic land? Whaaaaa??
There’s a talking griffin. Who is actually a
man.
Oooooooooh, she travelled BACK in time – but
magic. Still magic.
Love a good, stubborn woman mixed up with the
fae!!!
Earth and Skye 