Tag Archives: Family

Jack’s Back by Vanessa de Sade

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of jack the ripper stories book cover

Title: Jack’s Back
Author: Vanessa de Sade
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Family
Dates read: 29th March 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Never again…

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Synopsis

It’s been ten years since Jack the Ripper haunted the streets of Whitechapel, but a series of murders indicate that he just might be back…

Thoughts

I really liked this story. It posited not only an entirely different villain to the one that you would traditionally expect, but it also created an engaging story that was just, quite frankly, fascinating.

The part of the story that I found that hardest to digest in this story was the idea of a thirteen-year old striper. As someone in the modern age, this disturbs me more than I can describe. Yet, when I remembered the time in which this story is based, it made a lot of sense. And the protection of Daisy by another woman made this story a lot less ick, and a lot more sweet. Especially when the description of the real Jack the Ripper comes out in the end…

 <- The Simple Procedure ReviewA Mote of Black Memory Review ->
Image source: Amazon

One Letter Different by Joanna Cannon

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: One Letter Different
Author: Joanna Cannon
In: I Am Heathcliff (Kate Mosse)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Family
Dates read: 5th March 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Borough Press
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: Her father pulled straight into a space at the side of the road, and both her parents stared at her through the gap between the front seats.

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Synopsis

Sometimes it takes the beauty and serenity of the Moors to find a way to move on. Sometimes you just need to stop and be still to breathe again.

Thoughts

This was so much less creepy than many of the other short stories in the I Am Heathcliff collection. Where the rest are about weird, obsessive, unrequited love, this is something a little more different. The moors still play a major part in the story. As does the sense of love and loss.

To me, this story was a lot about healing. From the outset I was kind of expecting a horror and another unhealthy and creepy love. But, as it unfolded, I realised that it was about a slightly different kind of love. It was still one that couldn’t be returned, but it was one that wasn’t so unhealthy. And mostly it just left me with a feeling of comfortable loss and sadness. One that I can’t fathom, but could kind of sympathise with.

 <- Thicker Than Blood ReviewThe Howling Girl Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

The Cinderella Game by Kelly Link

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for troll's-eye view book cover

Title: The Cinderella Game
Author: Kelly Link
In: Troll’s-Eye View (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Family
Dates read: 2nd March 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Firebird Fantasy
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: He opened his mouth to explain everything, but Darcy got there first.

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Synopsis

Two step-siblings decide to play the cinderella game… with some interesting consequences.

Thoughts

My mother always taught me that it takes two to tango… and that idea carried through in her rearing of us, every time my sister and I got into a huge fight, we’d generally both get in trouble. So I kind of liked the fact that this story was about two (step) siblings who are playing a slightly sinister game and arguing. There are no good guys and bad guys in this story. But rather, a mix of motives that inform one another.

From the name of this story, I thought that the child who played the evil stepsister was going to do something kind of horrible. Then they started talking about evil Cinderella and I was expecting some seriously weird things to start happening. But it didn’t. I wasn’t uncomfortable at this tale, and I actually thought it was kind of cute. A promise for a future in which they could all live together happily, or one in which they would have a not-so-happily ever after. It could go either way.

This was a great story to end the Troll’s-Eye View collection on. It didn’t have a villain or a hero. There was no right or wrong. Instead, it had a vagueness in which everyone had a little bit of good and a little bit of bad in it…

 <- Observing the Formalities ReviewTwists of the Tale Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Kissingate Magic by Annette Blair

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

Title: Kissingate Magic
Author: Annette Blair
In: The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Family, Historical romance
Dates read: 4th March 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: I know Papa likes me, but I wish he liked Mama enough to keep her and not send her to heaven.

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Synopsis

Past lies and mistakes come back to haunt Jacey and Gabe as fate (and a little magic) intervene in their lives.

Thoughts

Romances that show a tragic past and soul mates are some of my favourites. They’re a reminder that some couples don’t get that love at first sight, happily ever after tale. And some do (which is why I also like the other type of tale). From the very beginning, this falling out was a beautiful travesty of mistakes, miscommunications and misunderstandings. With a happily ever after in it for all, of course.

I liked the romance aspect of this story, but what I enjoyed the most was that it was about a family. It wasn’t just about a man and woman rekindling their past love, but also about a child and what is best for her. As the story unfolds, it is evident that everything in the world centres around Bridget, and I love that the romance almost begins to take a backseat to the health of the child.

Then, there is the mystery of the past. Although some aspects of the past may be guessed at, there are many more that sneak up on you.

 <- Kidnapping the Laird ReviewHer MacKinnon Review ->
Image source: Hachette Australia

Till Death by Maggie Shayne

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for weddings from hell book cover

Title: Till Death
Author: Maggie Shayne
In: Weddings From Hell (Maggie Shayne, Jeaniene Frost, Terri Garey & Kathryn Smith)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Family, Scottish romance
Dates read: 5th – 14th February 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Fiction
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: He was Ian.

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Synopsis

Years ago, a heartbroken McLellan witch placed a curse on the would-be brides of her family. But Kira McLellan doesn’t believe in curses. Then she falls in love with Ian Stewart and is determined to break the spell…. Or die trying.

Thoughts

I absolutely loved this novella. It had everything in it that makes my heart go… romance, curses, and a woman that is not happy to take things as status quo…

From the very beginning of the story, it is obvious that Kira is a little lost and unsure of her role in the world. And, since this is a paranormal romance collection of stories about weddings, you knew that she was going to find her man… and probably get married at some point throughout. It’s a little cliché that she doesn’t really feel complete until she finds her partner, but it was still just a cute and easy read. One that had me smiling at the end.

Although this is a pretty predictable cliché of a story, I still really enjoyed it. Throwing in an ancient curse and reconnecting with family members that have never been met just made it all the more engaging, not to mention entertaining. I always enjoy a good romance, but one with a little extra spice and challenge thrown in works even better…

 <- Weddings From Hell ReviewHappily Never After Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins

The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces by Ellen Kushner

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for troll's-eye view book cover

Title: The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces
Author: Ellen Kushner
In: Troll’s-Eye View (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Family
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Firebird Fantasy
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: I couldn’t be responsible for all those men, as well as my horrible sisters.

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Synopsis

Sometimes being the eldest really sucks. Especially when you have eleven younger sisters who are determined to dance the night away. That is, until the “responsible” one finds a way out of their situation.

Thoughts

I’m an older sister. And it doesn’t matter how old my younger sister and I are. It doesn’t matter where life takes us. I will always be her big sister. And I will always feel responsible for her. And protective of her. So it’s really nice to read a short story that reminds me that I’m not the only one in this position. That is uses the story of the Twelve Dancing Princesses just makes it all the more fun and engaging.

Although this short story is in a collection about villains, I didn’t really feel that there was a villain in this story. after all, the oldest sister is just trying to watch out for the younger ones. Alright, they’re kind of bratty… but no one was truly evil. Or really cast as a villain in the story. But, mostly, I love the fact that although you can understand why the sister does what she does… everyone ultimately gets a nice ending and happiness.

 <- Up the Down Beanstalk ReviewPuss in Boots, the Sequel Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Mercury by Priya Sharma

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for mad hatters and march hares ellen datlow book cover

Title: Mercury
Author: Priya Sharma
In: Mad Hatters and March Hares (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Family, Fantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Beyond it were the cells.

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Synopsis

Alice is taking care of her sick father in a prison cell and trying to sell his beautiful hats at the same time. But, sadly as his disease gets worse, so do their circumstances until there may be nothing left for either of them to salvage…

Thoughts

The idea for the Mad Hatter in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland comes from the idea of mercury poisoning in hatters. So I loved the idea of a short story based around this idea. Especially one that still encompasses the innocence of Alice and the land of Wonderland.

Since writing that first paragraph, I have probably spent about thirty minutes trying to think of what to write next. What to say to emphasise the awesomeness of this story. But, everything that I can think of gives away part of the storyline. This story takes you on such an unbelievable adventure that at once feels both modern and old. There is a great number of twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

 <- Conjoined ReviewSome Kind of Wonderland Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

A World Done In by Great Granny’s Grateful Pie by Ken Scholes

Book Review, , ,
Overview
A Fantastic Holiday Season

Title: A World Done In by Great Granny’s Grateful Pie
Author: Ken Scholes
In: A Fantastic Holiday Season (Kevin J. Anderson & Keith J. Olexa)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Comedy, Family
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: World Fire Press
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: What’s that supposed to mean?

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Synopsis

It’s best to use fresh ingredients… especially when you are making a pie with a bit of a kick…

Thoughts

Family is always messy. It is always difficult. And it is always filled with crazy amounts of love (sometimes with extra helpings of the crazy). So an anthology of Christmas stories just wouldn’t be complete without a tale featuring a not-quite-functioning family. A set up. And a potential zombie apocalypse gone mad.

Although the potentially poisoning grateful pie is quite funny, as is the patient zero for the potential virus. What I loved most about this tale was the way in which everyone in the family is trying to set Kay Ann up. The plus ones that the family brings along all show what kind of person they think makes the perfect mate… and man do they run the gammitt. Yet, everything seems to work out well in the end with the craziness of family and the holiday season. Ending in a great scene with the lead striding off into the sunset, gun in hand…

 <- A Christmas Feast ReviewSanta’s Mortuary Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Midday Mangler Meets his Match by Rachel Vincent

Book Review, , ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

Title: The Midday Mangler Meets his Match
Author: Rachel Vincent
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Family, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: My vision finally merged, and the Midday Mangler stood in front of me, tall enough that I had to crane my neck to see him.

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Synopsis

There is a serial killer hunting vampire children, but it isn’t until he meets Keziah and Luci that he truly meets his match.

Thoughts

I really enjoyed the premise set in this story – that of a reality in which being a vampire is like being a human. Completely ordinary and the standard for everyone. They go to school, they have relationships, and they even have serial killers with weird nicknames such as “Midday Mangler”. It just makes the entire story line and system of vampires that much more… “normal”. And I honestly love stories that place a paranormal reality across our everyday one in such a seamless manner.

Although there is a little of a cute romance in this story, and the male romantic partner ultimately ends the story, I got a very family-driven vibe from this short story. The elder sister is willing to do anything to protect her youngest sibling, and her little sister is also willing to be very protective to save her older sister. After all, what are sisters for but to take on a kind of creepy, child-preying serial killer?

 <- The Sacrifice ReviewThe Music of the Night Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Lily-White & the Thief of Lesser Night by C. S. E. Cooney

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for mad hatters and march hares ellen datlow book cover

Title: Lily-White & the Thief of Lesser Night
Author: C. S. E. Cooney
In: Mad Hatters and March Hares (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Adventure, Family, Wordplay
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: I’ll make sure of it – if I have to conjure one up myself!

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Synopsis

Lily-White and her sister Ruby-Red have some unusual gifts and a talent for mayhem. When someone starts attacking the Cheshires, they find out how they can embrace this and find a bit of adventure of their own…

Thoughts

I felt like this short story was a kind of prequel to the rivalry that seems to feature throughout many of the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland retellings. At a young age, sisters Lily-White and Ruby-Red already have an intense rivalry. And although they get along famously within this story, there are the seeds of discord in all of their interactions… and on completing this story, there was kind of an uncomfortable feeling that lingered, making you think of the future of the two queens…

As an origins story, this not only covers the beginning of tensions between the sisters – but why there is just one Cheshire cat, and how the vorpal sword came about. I love how Cooney is able to build upon the ideas that are laid out in Carroll’s work, but still make it entirely his own. The complex wordplay is still there, as is the tripped out and intense worldbuilding and this great sense of wonder. I look forward to reading this story again and again and again, just like the stories that inspired this short story.

 <- My Own Invention ReviewConjoined Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository