Title: The Walker Behind Author: Marion Zimmer Bradley In: The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic (Mike Ashley) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy, Magic Dates read: 20th April 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 1987 5th sentence, 74th page: “At once sir,” said the hag, suddenly turning deferential.
She can hear the footsteps following her, so she goes to an inn with a bad reputation. It turns out that there is more to the Walker Behind than meets the eye.
I loved the dark, mysterious atmosphere of this short story. I love that there was so much background in this tale that hinted at a whole world behind the pages. Especially in the lead’s life and the ways in which she chose to live it. There was just an intensity and greatness to this story that I found impossible to look away from.
The poetic justice that is reaped out in this story is a little bit graphic, but certainly what I would do if I had any form of power (I don’t, I can dream). The idea that people can’t just get away with their acts of atrocity, and that sometimes those who are not quite evil, but definitely not good come out all the better… it’s a great series of fairly typical tropes that always leave me smiling.
Starting out as a somewhat scary tale and ending as one that had me smiling made this an incredibly little journey to take. Especially when everyone is in quarantine… it was just nice to have the company of a few interesting characters for a few moments.
Title: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Author: Susanna Clarke Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one) My Bookshelves:Alternate history, Historical fiction, Magic Dates read: 7th – 23rd March 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Novel Publisher: Bloomsbury Year: 2004 5th sentence, 74th page: He said that he had always thought that it was a pity that magic was not more commonly used in England; he said it pained him to see Mrs Bloodworth and her daughters washing and sweeping and cooking and cleaning from dawn to dusk when they ought, in his opinion, to be sitting on cushions in jewel-spangled gowns eating comfits.
The year is 1806. England is beleaguered by the long war with Napoleon, and centuries have passed since practical magicians faded into the nation’s past. But scholars of this glorious history discover that one remains: the reclusive Mr Norrell, whose displays of magic send a thrill through the country. Proceeding to London, he raises a beautiful woman from the dead and summons an army of ghostly ships to terrify the French. Yet the cautious, fussy Norrell is challenged by the emergence of another magician: the brilliant novice Jonathan Strange. Young, handsome and daring, Strange is the very antithesis of Norrell. So begins a dangerous battle between these two great men. Their obsessions and secret dabblings with the dark arts will cause more trouble than they can imagine.
To be honest, I didn’t get all the way through this book. It was just really not my pace. Or my style. But I did get most of the way through. And then I skimmed the rest of the pages to at least get a bit of a gist of what the story was about and how it all ended.
The irony? Sitting down to write this review… I still don’t have any strong feelings or thoughts about this story.
Don’t get me wrong, I did really like the style of writing and storytelling. There was something in that alone that kept me hooked for quite a while. But I didn’t feel this overwhelming need to pick the book up and keep reading. My emotions were really just “meh” about it. Which is why I skimmed to the end. I was curious, but I wasn’t that bothered either. And since I have so many other books that I can’t wait to see what will happen next…
All in all, if you really love historical fictions that read a little bit like a telling of history. This may actually be the book for you. I can’t really fault it. But for me, who likes a bit more page-turning in my stories… I just didn’t quite get the yay feeling out of it.
Title: In the Realm of Dragons Author: Esther M. Friesner In: The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic (Mike Ashley) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy, Dragons, LGBTQI, Magic Dates read: 9th March 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 1997 5th sentence, 74th page: Ryan sat at his father’s feet and looked up to see a taut jawline, a gaze fixed and fastened on Uncle Graham and Bill.
Ryan is trying to honour the memory of his estranged Uncle. Clutching a dragon figurine, he travels into the city to find the men who tore his life apart.
I actually really, really enjoyed this short story. Not only was it about the ostracization which can occur to an individual because of their LGBTQI+ status, the hatred towards minorities and the need for one person to make amends, it is also about dragons. Which I love. So the combination took me straight to my little happy place.
For starters, I loved that there was a blurring of lines between reality and imagination. Even at the end of this story, you’re not entirely sure if the dragons was there in reality, or whether it was all just hopeful imagination and revenge. There was great, powerful imagery with the use of dragons and figurines. The flicking back and forth between memory and present. Reality and dreams. I loved this mystic quality and the way it created an amazingly powerful storyline.
I also loved that this story featured a homosexual man. It was the cause of all of his tragedies, but it was nice to have a story that realistically and deeply investigated how ostracization due to your sexual orientation can destroy a life. Can rip and tear it apart in a way that is unexpected, powerful and potent. And, obviously, very tragically.
Title: Disillusioned Author: Lawrence Schimel & Mike Resnick In: The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic (Mike Ashley) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy, Magic Dates read: 5th March 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 1995 5th sentence, 74th page: Vivian sighed, wishing she were elsewhere, but she displayed no outward sign of her boredom, laughing along with the other assembled members of the Thirteen Families.
The world is run by those with powerful magic. Members of the Thirteen Families. But, when do the illusions end and reality begin? When does it become something much, much more?
This is a great story that reminds us – even when we get everything that we want, it might not be what we actually need. Vivian manages to rise to the top of her society, she uses all of her cunning and intelligence. Yet, once she’s there… there is nothing. No feeling of excitement no feeling of accomplishment. Just. Total. Disillusionment.
I found this short story quite a poignant reminder – sometimes the thing that you are working towards (power, prestige) isn’t necessarily what you need to be happy. Sometimes it is just empty and meaningless. Especially if you have a split moment in which you realise that it is all just an illusion. A figment of reality that is constructed by others.
This story is a little bit funny, a little bit dark and definitely one that will draw you in from the very beginning. It is intriguing and engaging. And not one that I am likely to forget anytime soon.
Title: The Closed Window Author: A.C. Benson In: The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic (Mike Ashley) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy, Magic Dates read: 12th February 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 1903 5th sentence, 74th page: In the evening, after they had dined, Roland had let his fancy rove in talk.
The closed window is a potent short story that will haunt your subconscious.
I really liked this short story. Although I don’t really know why I did so. There was just something that was powerful and fun about the storyline. Something that drew me in and made it kind of hard to move beyond the storyline.
As much as I loved this story, I’m still not entirely sure what this was truly about. Whilst reading the story I felt like I completely understood what I was reading and what I was loving. But, as soon as I turned that final page… I’m not entirely sure what it was that I enjoyed so much. Which is more than a little confusing.
Although I can’t really say much about the actual storyline and why I loved it so much. There was a dark, haunting quality about this story that I absolutely adored. Something that made you want to curl up under your blanket, stick your nose in the book and just not come up for air for a little while…
Title: Never Been Witched Author: Annette Blair Series: Triplet Witch Trilogy #3 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Magic, Paranormal romance, Witches Dates read: 29th February 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Berkley Sensation Year: 2009 5th sentence, 74th page: He let her go and returned to the opposite side of their wall, creaking the springs and mumbling beneath his breath about pink granite angels and walls he didn’t want toppled.
The Cartwright triplets – Harmony, Destiny, and Storm – are psychic sirens who use their magic for good and their good looks for seduction…
Three’s a charm, but the third Cartwright sister, Destiny, is certainly not lacking. However, she is troubled by her attraction to paranormal debunker Morgan Jarvis. Destiny opts out of a week in his company, hoping that a meditative stay alone at her sister’s lighthouse will shed some light on her contrary feelings and her psychic gifts.
Unbeknownst to Destiny, her sly sister also left keys with the unsuspecting Morgan. Late one night, they literally stumble upon each other – and the lighthouse’s ghostly inhabitants. Destiny and Morgan have nothing in common other than the one bed they need to share and some crazy physical attraction. Raising the dead might be easier than trying to make these two opposites work together, but Destiny has experience – and love – on her side…
I really enjoyed this final story in the Triplet Witch Trilogy. I felt like it could have done with one final chapter though. The final chapter of this reflects on each of the couples in both the Triplet Witch Trilogy and the Accidental Witch Trilogy. But it doesn’t really revisit them. It turns out that I was kind of hoping for this… but, still, it was a great ending to a series.
Unlike the first two men in this trilogy, Morgan has a completely surprising set of issues that he has to face. One of which is his past faith in religion – and more specifically Christianity. It’s the first book I’ve really read which talks about this faith and explores the departure from it. I found it completely refreshing and kind of gorgeous. It was completely fun, and a great way to think about a religion that I honestly don’t have a great past with myself. And, although Morgan has some seriously big issues with his faith, it still doesn’t deal with his religious beliefs in a derogatory or rude manner… it’s just a vessel of storytelling and the bringing out of flaws in some people.
I found the fact that there were no past children in this triplets’ love life kind of refreshing. As much as I love the blended families formed in the first two books, it was kind of nice to go with a very different spin on the storyline. Although, it still had that same great sense of sexuality and intensity as the other five Annette Blair books that I’ve read. That pleasantly toe-curling sense that doesn’t quite make you look guiltily over your shoulder, but also makes you want to reach out for your partner and give them a very passionate embrace.
As always with Blair’s writing, I finished this book quickly and happily. It left me with this feeling of hope about the world that we live in and true love and happily ever afters. Her books are the perfect stories for a dark, lonely weekend. For those days which you just don’t quite know what you’re doing with life. They’re a great comfort book. Like thick fluffy socks next to an open fire. Or curling up with a mug of hot chocolate…
Title: Gone with the Witch Author: Annette Blair Series: Triplet Witch Trilogy #2 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Magic, Paranormal romance, Witches Dates read: 6th – 15th February 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Novel Publisher: Berkley Sensation Year: 2008 5th sentence, 74th page: “Sounded like a great party.”
The Cartwright triplets – harmony, Destiny, and Storm – are psychic sirens who use their magic for good and their looks for seduction…
Shelter… Beautiful bad girl Storm Cartwright can be charming when she wants to be. So when she hears the sound of a baby crying every time she’s near Aiden McCloud, she turns on the charm. Because she’s sure the weeping means a child is in need – and that the handsome antiques restorer is the key to finding that helpless child…
…In a Storm. From the start, Aiden is attracted to Storm. Yet this gorgeous goth girl wont’ stop talking baby nonsense. then Storm sets up a seductive trap, kidnapping him in his very own RV! While Storm follows the sound of the cries, something magical starts happening between her and Aiden. But can they keep the magic alive once Storm finally finds what she’s looking for?
Absolutely adore the idea of having triplets which each have a power in the past, present and future. For Storm, her knowledge and power in the present finally come into use in this story. And I loved it. The ability to track down and save children in danger is kind of amazing. And I love that although she’s completely wrapped up in the present, moments of her past are highlighted as she struggles to find her happily ever after.
Although I really adored this story, it did take me a little while to get into it. Unlike Sex and the Psychic Witch, this didn’t really jump off to an insanely quick start. Probably a little bit insane though… considering it starts with Storm kidnapping Aiden and taking him on an adventure that he is completely not expecting. Still, it didn’t sweep me up like the first book of this series. About six chapters in, it suddenly took off and I was swept away.
Both Aiden and Storm have weird little hang ups in this tale. Although I just found Aiden’s weird. I completely got where Storm was coming from with some of her reluctance. Aiden on the other hand, it felt like he just subscribed to the whole idea of commitment-phobe. Without actually having some serious history which led him to that. I may just be being a little judgy though…
I absolutely adored the ending of this story. Not only are Aiden and Storm close to her sisters (I can’t imagine the triplet being separated), but Storm has also found the children she wanted to rescue. Plus, there is this whole team of psychics who choose to give their time to the finding and rescuing of lost children… of all kinds.
Title: Sex and the Psychic Witch Author: Annette Blair Series: Triplet Witch Trilogy #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Magic, Paranormal romance, Witches Dates read: 1st – 5th February 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Berkley Sensation Year: 2007 5th sentence, 74th page: Paxton started his jet-powered Eurocopter and winked.
Introducing the Cartwright sisters – Harmony, Destiny, and Storm – triplets and unstoppable psychic seductresses…
She could touch the past… As the buyer for her sister’s vintage curio shop, Harmony finds her job a challenge, since she has the ability to read objects and learn things about their former owners – even their deepest, darkest secrets. Now, a Celtic ring depicting a man’s empty embrace has led her to the Paxton castle on the coast of Salem, Massachusetts.
He needed her presence… King Paxton has inherited a haunted money pit of a castle. He must get rid of it before he’s cursed with the same bad luck that has plagued his family for generations. But out of nowhere, a leggy blonde walks in and stop construction, insisting that a witch haunts the place. What Harmony finds is an angry ghost, a disgruntled renovation crew, and a man who could use a harmonic convergence…
Annette Blair is one of those authors that just writes some incredibly sweet, cute, easy readers. And I always forget how much I love her work until the next time I pick up a novel. Sex and the Psychic Witch has a little more sass than her Accidental Witch Trilogy. But in the best way possible – I love Harmony’s ability to stand up for herself in spite of everything she’s put up against.
There is something fun and mystical about twins and triplets, particularly triplets since there is the Triple Aspect of the Goddess and all… but I don’t get to read about them much in my many, many books. I love that this is a trilogy based solely on a set of triplets, each finding their own way to a happily ever after and love. Plus, you can already tell who they’re each going to pair up with. And I do really love the fact that they’re each going to end up with a man who is in his own trio-friendship. It works beautifully – I know that my sister’s eventual partner is going to have to make friends with mine, and I can’t imagine that extra connectivity of being a triplet.
Harmony is an absolute spitfire. I love her penchant for ironic tees. Her ability to give King the message loud and clear, according to what she wears and find a way to hold onto her own identity. Even when she’s being partnered with a man who is ramrod straight, domineering and unwilling to yield. Plus, there’s the whole added complication of an angry ghost.
Sex and the Psychic Witch is a great little love story. But, what I love even more is the fact that there is a supernatural mayday. The preceding trilogy, Accidental Witch Trilogy touched on witchcraft, but it didn’t really use it as a major storyline. This trilogy is going to be quite different, probably because the triplets actually embrace their powers and find a way to work it into their daily lives.
Title: To Become a Sorcerer Author: Darrell Schweitzer In: The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic (Mike Ashley) Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this) My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy, Magic Dates read: 13th January 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 1991 5th sentence, 74th page: There was little to do that night.
His Dad was a sorcerer, so how did he become one? And what will it take to make his son walk in his footsteps?
There are four acts to this story. Or chapters. But, to me, they kind of read like the more traditional acts used in the telling of a story.
The first act is all about losing family. About having that love and losing it. About the confusion that this brings along for a young child.
The second act talks more about sorcery. About being set on the path towards sorcery and the journey that that takes you on.
The third act, is really about going into the belly of the beast. Specifically, it’s about actually succumbing to the need for power and going on a journey into sorcery.
Finally, the fourth and final act is the epic battle in which all secrets and plans are revealed.
I enjoyed this unique set up and journey. And I would love to see how this was formed into a full-length novel.
Title: Master of Chaos Author: Michael Moorcock In: The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic (Mike Ashley) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy, Magic Dates read: 8th January 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 1964 5th sentence, 74th page: “I’ll try this, lady.”
He is the conqueror of lands. The sword of the Queen. But even this castle and its mistress might be too much for the newly appointed Master of Chaos.
When I think of dark fantasy, I think of some incredibly twisty, crazy stories. Ones that have a sense of darkness that you can’t shake. Yet, this story didn’t quite have that feeling of darkness. It was a little bit more light and entertaining. With just a hint of darkness behind the storyline. I love that it’s a story which features trickery as the central battle. One that wins the day in the end.
This story features a castle which protects itself from invaders and conquerors. Just by showing someone their greatest fears. It’s intense, engaging and very, very interesting. I’m not sure what I would be shown if this happened to me. Probably a lot of snakes running around everywhere. (Slithering. Whatever, you get my drift.)
At the beginning of this short story, I found it quite confusing. But, as the story unfolded, I started to gain a little more understanding. And it suddenly became kind of amazing. Definitely a story which I’m going to enjoy reading again, as I discover more and more of this storyline.
Earth and Skye 