Tag Archives: Fantasy

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover empire of storms

Title: Empire of Storms
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Romance, Strong women
Dates read: 11th January – 4th March 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: His mother and younger brother were still ensconced in their mountain residence in Ararat.

Synopsis

BLOOD WILL RUN.
DREAMS WILL SHATTER.
AN ARMY MUST RISE.

The assassin-queen has sworn not to turn her back on her kingdom again. Especially when she might be the only one who can raise an army to keep the Dark King from unleashing his beasts upon them all. But Erawan will wield Aelin’s past, her allies, and her enemies against her.

With a poewrful court trusting Aelin to lead them, and her heart devoted to the arrior-prince at her side, what – or who – is she willing to sacrifice to spare her world from being torn apart?

Thoughts

This is an “oh my heart” book. And it’s like that from the very beginning. I’ve been putting off reading it for a while since I always get ridiculously hooked on Maas’ writing. Normally that’s not such an issue because I can read the whole book cover to cover in just a day… this book is a little longer, and I had to be an adult. But I finally put aside a day to read it. And… oh my heart.

There is just something about Aelin’s story that is both tragic and intriguing. From the very beginning of the story nothing seems to work out for her… her triumphant return to Terrassen? Not so triumphant. Her court? A little bit frayed. And the end battle? I had tears streaming down my face. It was just… hurtful and tragic. And just… wow.

As soon as I finished this book I rang my sister. She’s read this… I had to have somebody who understood the many, many feelings that this book inspires. I also had to clean the house because I needed happy, non-tragic thoughts. Don’t get me wrong, this book is amazing. But it will punch you in the heart. Be prepared to have your jaw drop. Continuously. As Maas manages to systematically rip your heart to shreds. Every time you think that something is going to go right… it doesn’t. Hopes are dashed again and again and again. Yet, it is done in such a way that you still walk away from this book feeling somewhat… happy. Which makes absolutely zero sense. Because, as I keep saying, this whole thing is a tragedy from beginning to end. But there is still this sense of hope at the very conclusion.

I really wanted to pick up Tower of Dawn as soon as I turned the final page. Yet, I also felt like I needed to take a step back and be a little more productive. I know that once I open the second to last book, I’m going to get sucked right back into this amazing, impossible to forget world. One that is impossible to walk away from and forget.

<- Queen of ShadowsTower of Dawn ->

Image source: Amazon

The Colliers’ Venus (1893) by Caitlin R. Kiernan

Book Review, , ,
Overview
naked-city

Title: The Colliers’ Venus (1893)
Author: Caitlin R. Kiernan
In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 18th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: “How very inspirational.”

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Synopsis

There is something waking in the mines. But only he knows how to deal with it.

Thoughts

I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that mines are kind of terrifying places. The passage of time is also terrifying, but in a more abstract way. So a story that somehow combines these two things? It actually worked out incredibly well as a scary short story. Nothing terrifying, not like the Stephen King books I’ve been reading lately… but still not a comfortable story.

There’s something about Kiernan’s short stories that are just a little darker and more twisted than the others in my collections. Or at least, in the collections that she’s been in. It’s nothing obvious and poignant, but, as soon as I finish one of her short stories I just feel… uncomfortable. And kind of just sit there feeling a bit “huh” over what I just read. Which is kind of amazing. But also means that I have to be in the right mood to enjoy her stuff.

I loved how this story was created out of a vague, dreamy state. Nothing felt concrete and real in the storyline and as I turned the last page I just kind of sat there staring at the wall. Trying to figure out all the intricacies of the storyline. I’m still not quite sure that I’ve got it… but that’s why I love to reread stories!

 <- The Skinny Girl ReviewKing Pole, Gallows Pole, Bottle Tree Review ->
Image source: Patricia Briggs

Reel Life by Steven Savile

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for urban enemies book cover

Title: Reel Life
Author: Steven Savile
Series: Glass Town #1.5
In: Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Science fiction, Thriller
Dates read: 17th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Taking him out of this place was the easiest way he knew how to hurt Eleanor.

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Synopsis

His jealousy caused him to steal the girl of his brother’s dreams and keep her trapped in limbo with him. Now he wants out in the real world. But his reality might just stop him from finally getting everything he wants. After all, this is reel life.

Thoughts

There’s something about tales of obsessive love that really pull me in. I never like the people / characters who have this tendency. I always find it annoying and want to smack the moron who is being so intense… but I also always love them. Not sure why. Don’t want to know what that says about me. And this was one such story. I hated the lead character (he’s a villain, I think that you should hate him). I felt sorry for his victims. I couldn’t put this story down.

I think that jealousy is one of the worst emotions. It seems to be the driver for some of the worst acts committed. Which, of course meant that every bad act that the villain in this committed had it’s roots in this disgusting emotion. I know that the colour green on me is often when I do and say the worst things… apparently that is also the case in this story. But getting your revenge for this and what you wished for? Luckily, as Seth found out… that revenge often isn’t the best thing in the world. 😊

I think that one of the things I loved most about this short story is the playing around with time. It’s often been discussed in my anthropology classes and studies that time is a human construct. It’s our understanding of it that shapes time. Of course there is still a passage of time… but yeah, it’s super philosophical and I freaking love that discussion. Threads of it make their way through this story. Which might be why I just couldn’t make myself put it down and / or stop thinking about it.

 <- Unexpected Choices ReviewThe Difference Between Deceit and Delusion Review ->
Image source: Simon & Schuster

The Waters of Sorrow by Tanith Lee

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for red as blood tanith lee book cover

Title: The Waters of Sorrow
Author: Tanith Lee
In: Red as Blood (Tanith Lee)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Fantasy, Ghosts
Dates read: 17th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Wildside
Year: 1983
5th sentence, 74th page: Without some attention it must have been easy to miss the spot.

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Synopsis

Along the river there are the women who were destroyed by love. The women who find men on a long, dark night and dance him to death. But there is another story at the water of sorrows that needs to be told.

Thoughts

As an ending to the Red as Blood collection, this short story was completely on point. It was, interestingly enough, also the only romantic story in the whole collection. So, I kind of liked that it ended on this note. Don’t get me wrong, it was still super and dark like all of the other fairy tale retellings in the collection, but the romantic aspect made it a little more bittersweet and somehow nostalgic… I slightly (but only slightly) softer note to end on.

This was the last story I read before going to bed. And it was kind of perfect. Something about the surreal nature of the storyline and the atmosphere that sweeps you along actually worked really well when I was home alone late at night. The betrayed women late at night, dancing their deathly dance. The mystery of the young girls death… everything combined in such a brilliant way to create an unforgettable tapestry. One which worked in with the dark of outside and the time of the night.

I’m normally fairly good at predicting what is going to happen in the future… not so much in this story. There were enough hints throughout that you’re curiosity was peeked, but I never actually did predict the ending. There were just so many misleading moments throughout. Which of course, moves this to the top of my short story favourites pile… I love being drastically mislead throughout a story!

 <- Beauty ReviewRed as Blood Collection Review ->
Image source: Amazon

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover the young elites

Title: The Young Elites
Author: Marie Lu
Series: The Young Elites #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Science fiction, Young adult
Dates read: 3rd December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Speak
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: On a strange impulse, I reach out and close my hand tightly around the rose’s stem.

Synopsis

A decade ago, a deadly blood fever swept through the nation. Most of the infected perished, but some survivors were left with strange markings, rumored to signify powerful gifts for those who possess them. And though their identities remain secret, this group of survivors has come to be called
The Young Elites.

The Inquisition Axis seeks to destroy them. The Dagger Society aims to find them before the Inquisition Axis. And Adelina Amouteru just wants to be left alone. But two truths will soon surface:
Adelina’s powers are far from ordinary…
And she is not to be crossed.

Thoughts

This is a seriously intense, wonderful and amazing story. It also made me cry. Not heaps… but a bit. Enough that you know there are some serious heart-string pulling moments. Which is surprising because I thought this would be a great story with a girl coming into her superpowers. Rather, it was far more dark than I had anticipated. So dark in fact that I felt a little uncomfortable whilst reading it. Which is the kind of story that I absolutely adore.

As a forewarning to those who want to read this story… the ending to this story is kind of tragic. There were multiple heart-rending moments throughout this story… but it was the way in which it ended that truly made me have super feelings. It wasn’t what I expected at all to be fair. I thought there’d be a much happier ending. But, ultimately, the story becomes about sister bonds which makes me love this even more.

Ultimately, this story is about trying to find love and acceptance. Trying to fit in in a world that doesn’t necessarily want you. And to find those people who will actually love you, no matter who and what you are… sadly, it takes a long time to get to that point… mostly, there are a lot of characters who are using the lead. Alright, in a lot of ways it’s for a good cause… but it’s so incredibly hurtful.

I found this book almost impossible to put down. I knew that it was going to be good, because the Facebook group I’m in has suggested this multiple times. What I didn’t expect is to basically give up on doing anything productive because not only could I not stop reading this… the times when I did pause left me thinking about this… obsessively. I can’t believe I have to wait until next year to buy the next two books in the trilogy!

 <- More Marie LuThe Rose Society ->

Image source: Goodreads

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover a game of thrones

Title: A Game of Thrones
Author: George R.R. Martin
Series: A Song of Ice and Fire #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Grimdark, Medieval fantasy
Dates read: 22nd October – 1st December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Year: 1996
5th sentence, 74th page: Sansa had named hers Lady, and Arya named hers after some old witch queen in the songs, and little Rickon called his Shaggydog, which Bran thought was a pretty stupid name for a direwolf.

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Synopsis

Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.

As Warden of the north, Lord Eddard Stak counts it a curse when King Robert bestows on him the office of the Hand. His honour weighs him down at court where a true man does what will, not what he must… and a dead enemy is a thing of beauty.

The old gods have no power in the south, Stark’s family is split and there is treachery at court. Worse, the vengeance-mad heir of the deposed Dragon King has grown to maturity in exile in the Free Cities. He claims the Iron Throne.

Thoughts

It’s taken me a long time to get to this story. Like, a ridiculously long time. But now that I’ve finally gotten to A Game of Thrones over ten years after I had a friend first suggested it to me… I can understand why it’s such a well-loved book! Like, wow! I don’t normally plow through a book of this length in such a short period of time. In fact normally books of this length take me a lot of stopping and starting, with whole books in between.

There are some books, that when you finish them, you sit there, in total wonder and just stare out to the horizon. This was one of those books. Although I knew roughly what was going to happen because of seeing fragments of the TV show (I still haven’t watched it, will now start the first season…). I still sat there just staring out my window in wonder. There is just something about Martin’s writing that sweeps you up and away in a completely abandoned way.

Knowing that this novel follows a variety of casts, I was kind of expecting it to be a little difficult to keep all of the characters separate. I normally find it to be a bit difficult to remember who is who and how they’re all related when I read these kinds of novels. Yet, I didn’t find it to be like that at all. The way in which each of the chapters was started and the style that it was written in made it incredibly easy to not only remember who you were reading about, but how everyone was interrelated.

I don’t know if it’s bias from the TV show (because I know who is likely to survive through the published novels), or just the writing. But I already have clear favourites in this series. And I can’t wait to read the next book and find out how they survive the insanity of the Iron Throne.

<- More George R.R. MartinA Clash of Kings ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

“…Or Forever Hold Your Peace” by Susan Krinard

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for my big fat supernatural wedding book cover

Title: “…Or Forever Hold Your Peace
Author: Susan Krinard
In: My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Magic, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 30th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: Olivia frowned and studied him more carefully, sinking deeper into her Talent as an Anatomist.

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Synopsis

It’s the marriage of the season. Until a man objects, and then falls to his death. The bride goes missing and the groom and friends discover a secret that will shock everyone.

Thoughts

I’ve never really understood why people are happy to have that unless anyone objects part in their wedding vowels. If I had that in mine and someone objected, I’d probably want to march right up and sock them. I’ve also never been to a wedding that has that in the ceremony. But, it does make for a good literary tactic. Something that adds a nice sense of drama and suspense. Plus, the perfect moment for a spurned lover, crazy person, whatever to interrupt the proceedings.

There was a sense of completing the circle in this story – it starts and ends with pretty much the same scene. Just the final part there is a little more understanding about who the bride actually is. I really loved how this was a full circle – there was a bit of a humorous, poetic sense to the tale. And a much needed sense of closure that I don’t often find in short stories.

I’m so excited that this is part of a series. As I was reading it, I was hoping that it was – there was just something really interesting and fun about the world that was being built. Although, the series is just another short story… still, I get to revisit Kit and Olivia!

 <- A Hard Day’s Night-Searcher ReviewMy Big Fat Supernatural Wedding Review ->
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The Wren Hunt by Mary Watson

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover the wren hunt

Title: The Wren Hunt
Author: Mary Watson
Series: The Wren Hunt #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Romance, Young adult
Dates read: 11th – 18th November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘You the intern?’ A voice rang from across the room.

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Synopsis

Every winter, Wren Silke is chased through the forest in a warped version of a childhood game. The boys who hunt her are judges, powerful and frightening pursuers, who nothing of her true identity. If they knew she was an augur, their sworn enemy, the game would turn deadly.

But Wren is on the hunt, too. Sent undercover as an intern to the Harkness Foundation – enemy headquarters – her family’s survival rests on finding a secret meant to stay hidden.

As the enmity between two ancient magics reaches breaking point, Wren is torn between old loyalties and new lies. And rapped in the most dangerous game of her life.

Part thriller, part love story, this captivating debut novel will leave readers spellbound.

Thoughts

It took me a little while to get into this book. But, then once I did, I was completely hooked. The first third took a long time to read. But once I hit that amazing point… I couldn’t put it down. Which probably wasn’t great for my productivity that day. But it was great for my imagination and happiness. After all, sometimes you just need to take time and soar away on the wings of a wren.

This book is pretty intense. It’s a young adult book, and somehow I was expecting it to be quite a simple and easy read. Like many of the books in the same section on my shelves. There was just an added layer of darkness that I don’t normally find. Which pulled you along so quickly that it was impossible to catch your breath. I loved that dark intensity – it fit that perfect darkness inside me that sometimes needs to be fed.

There was a pretty serious twist at the end of this story. Whilst from the very beginning, something doesn’t quite sit right, it was just a slightly niggling feeling. I only guessed what was truly wrong about 2 chapters before the big bomb went off. And boy, was it a biggie. And completely unexpected. As was Wren’s response to the total change in her circumstances. I thought she’d go left, but she went right. I freaking loved the surprise! It makes me want to sink my teeth into the next book in the series… because there has to be more twists and turns that I wasn’t anticipating!

Although this is a little darker and more adult than most of the Young Adult books on my shelves, I would certainly recommend it to anybody who loves the genre. Sometimes its nice to balance out all the happy romances with something a little closer to Romeo and Juliet… albeit not with the tragic ending.

 <- More Mary Watson reviewsThe Wickerlight Review ->

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Magic of Thieves by C. Greenwood

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover magic of thieves

Title: Magic of Thieves
Author: C. Greenwood
Series: Legends of Dimmingwood #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Young adult
Dates read: 16th – 17th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: C. Greenwodd
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Drop the pretense.

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Synopsis

In a province where magic is forbidden and its possessors are murdered by the magickless, young Ilan, born with the powerful gift of her ancestors, has only one hope for survival – concealment. In the shadow of Dimmingwood, she finds temporary protection with a band of forest brigands led by the infamous outlaw Rideon the Red Hand.

But as Ilan matures, learns the skills of survival, and struggles to master the magic of her dying race, danger is always close behind. When old enemies reappear and new friendships lead to betrayal, will the discovery of an enchanted bow be Ilan’s final salvation or her ultimate downfall?

Thoughts

This was a quick, easy read. I didn’t mind it, but I did kind of find Ilan to be a bit of a bitch. She just used and abused so many of the people who love her. And for no good reason. Considering the fact that she loses her parents young, she actually has a fairly good upbringing. And absolutely no reason to strike out at the people she ends up striking out at… there are some people you should be bitter towards. The three people in the world who have always had your best interests at heart… probably not overly necessary to be a cow to them…

Luckily, even though I didn’t love Ilan as a character, I did love the characterisation and the storyline. Normally if I find a character just that irritating I won’t finish the book. And if I do, I don’t want to buy the rest in the series. That wasn’t the case for Magic of Thieves. I’ve already added the next two boos in the series to my wishlist and I’m eagerly awaiting the moment when I have enough money to actually buy them. Just because there is a bit of an anti-hero at the helm, it doesn’t mean I have to DNF a book. Although, it helps that she starts towards a major attitude shift at the end of the book…

I do love that Ilan is a girl who is raised by thieves and brigands. She isn’t raised to be a killer or super tough, in fact, she’s overwhelmingly naïve and weak. Yet, she’s surrounded by this completely new and unique world in which strength and the ability to kill are kind of integral. A great departure from most of the stories in which the young woman is raised in such a scenario. In fact, she acts more like a mascot than anything else to the troop she’s fallen in with.

Having said all of that, this wasn’t a stand out book. I will eventually get round to finish / reading the whole series. But, since they’re such short, easy reads… it’ll probably be when I haven’t read for a while, or finished anything and need a quick reading fix. A bit like the short story collections that I’ve ripped through this year…

 <- Rule of Thieves ReviewBetrayal of Thieves Review ->

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Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells edited by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling

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Overview
Image result for queen victoria's book of spells ellen datlow book cover

Title: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells
Author: Ellen Datlow, Terri Windling, Delia Sherman, Jeffrey Ford, Genevieve Valentine, Maureen McHugh, Kathe Koja, Elizabeth Wein, Elizabeth Bear, James P. Blaylock, Kaaron Warren, Leanna Renee Hieber, Dale Bailey, Veronica Schanoes, Catherynne M. Valente, Ellen Kushner, Caroline Stevermer, Jane Yolen, Gregory Maguire, Tanith Lee & Theodora Goss
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Gaslamp, Short story collections
Dates read: 8th June – 6th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: The sisters and I said nothing to one another, as I speak no German and they no English, but we watched the flames together until they seemed satisfied and departed, I know not where.

Synopsis

Gaslamp fantasy, or historical fantasy set in a magical version of the nineteenth century, has long been popular with readers and writers alike. Many wonderful novels, such as Stardust by Neil Gaiman, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, and The Prestige by Christopher Priest, ower their inspiration to works by nineteenth-century writers, including Jane Austen, the Brontes, Charles Dickens, and Anthony Trollope. And, of course, the entire steampunk genre and subculture owes more than a little to literature from and inspired by this period.

Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells is an anthology for everyone who loves neo-Victorian fiction and modern fantasists using vintage settings, characters, and themes. Their approaches stretch from steampunk fiction to the Austen- and Trollope- inspired works known as fantasy of manners. The result is eighteen stories by experts from the fantasy, horror, main-stream, and young-adult fields, including both bestselling writers and exciting new talents, who present a bewitching vision of a nineteenth century enhance (or cursed!) with magic.

Thoughts

This is an absolutely brilliant collection. One that I didn’t want to put down and introduced me to a whole new genre. It’s my first ever Gaslamp collection, and although I found some of the stories throughout a little weird and intense… I also loved the vast majority of them. Enough so that I plan to read this again and again in the future.

I was expecting a pretty simple and balanced collection. I really wasn’t expecting such a convoluted and twisted set of stories. But, as I’ve often found in life, it’s those unexpected surprises are the best and most exciting aspects of life. They’re the moments that you don’t want to forget because they were unplanned. And this anthology kind of felt like that.

I tend to read a lot of short stories late at night. Or when I’m just needing a quick little break from the many complexities of my PhD. This is not the collection that does that for me. It’s seriously intense, completely unexpected and very full on. The kind of short stories that you want to read when you have your concentrating brain working… not when it’s late at night and you just want some easy entertainment…

<- PoeQueen Victoria’s Book of Spells ->

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