Tag Archives: Paranormal Fantasy

Shifting Shadows by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Shifting Shadows
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercedes Thompson short stories, Mercy-verse short stories
In: Shifting Shadows (Patricia Briggs)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections, Strong women, Urban fantasy, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Collection
Year: 2014

Thoughts

This is such a fantastic collection, probably one of my favourite short story collections. Because, lets face it, anything that features the Mercyverse is going to be brilliant. A collection of novellas and short stories which visit the many, many wonderful characters… that’s just a wonderful adventure to go on.

Shifting Shadows is filled with stories of all lengths and tones. There are some pretty dark stories, some that are light, and some that are cute. I love that you are able to go through the gambit of emotions and pick a story of any length to suit your mood. Although, I would suggest digging into this when you’ve read the relevant novel in the series, that way you don’t get too many spoilers.

I love that if I need a Mercyverse fix, I can just pick this collection up and dive right in. It’s a bit of a shorter approach to diving back into the world without picking up a full-length novel. Plus, it gives you a bit of insight into the other, secondary characters throughout the series.

Shifting Shadows is one of my favourite rereads. It’s a wonderful and fun journey that I will take again and again and again as the years go by. Plus, there are some moments of closure and context that are provided in these tales that help to build upon the full-length novels.

<- Soul TakenMore Mercedes Thompson ->

Image source: Patricia Briggs

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Hollow by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Hollow
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercedes Thompson #8.5, Mercy-verse #25
In: Shifting Shadows (Patricia Briggs)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy, Werewolves
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Year: 2014

Thoughts

Hollow is a wonderful short story that follows on perfectly from Night Broken. It fills in a few of the moments and questions that are left unanswered after the main battle and storyline are completed. It’s also just a bit of a cute story, the secondary characters that come in asking for Mercy’s help are very cute and you are gunning for their relationship from the very beginning.

One of the parts of closure that I liked from  this story is just what happens to Mercy’s garage. I mean, crazy volcano god destroying your place of work and refuge is a pretty big plot point. And it was nice to know how Mercy and Adam choose to move forward with the structure. And Mercy’s future. It wasn’t a question that I necessarily wanted answered when I finished Night Broken, because I didn’t realise that it was a question I wanted answered…

Then there is the ability to get to know Zack a little bit better. After losing a submissive in another story, it was nice to get to know this new character. I’m hoping to spend more time with him throughout the future stories. That, and Mercy’s ability to constantly find out more about her supernatural abilities was brilliant. In fact, this very short fun dive into the Mercyverse was very much enjoyed and answered a number of questions I didn’t even know to ask.

<- Night BrokenFire Touched ->

Image source: Patricia Briggs

Night Broken by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Night Broken
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercedes Thompson #8, Mercy-verse #24
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy, Werewolves
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

This might be a reread, and my first time writing a review, but honestly, no matter how many times I read this, I will think it is amazing and wonderful. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I still couldn’t find it in myself to put this book down at any point while reading this. This is a high-energy, high-intensity story. I love that although Mercy has found her happily ever after with Adam, there are still constant challenges. The more she finds out about her heritage and assumes her role as part of an alpha couple, the more trouble that she runs into. Which is exactly what I love so much about this author, series, and book.

Christie damn well pisses you off from the very beginning of this story. Honestly, there are many moments throughout this that made me want to reach through the pages and smack the pettiness out of this antagonist. Actually, I disliked Christie more than I disliked the actual, dangerous villain. Probably because manipulative, annoying cow is horrible. And the way she tries to play the pack against Mercy to regain her “position”. Yet, I also love how Mercy is able to handle this with poise – I honestly wish that when I’ve come up against Christie-like characters in my own life, I could handle it with as much calm and control as Mercy does. There’s also the fact that Mercy does get her own petty revenge at the very end, which is nowhere near the level of discomfort she went through, but enough to make me smile and smirk.

I love how this story brings in a whole new form of supernatural being to contend with. Because vampires, werewolves, Native American shapeshifters and the ever-elusive fae aren’t enough. Then there’s the villain in this story. And it was truly terrifying in moments (even in a reread). Although, ultimately the villain was vanquished (or beaten), there are lingering aspects of this new form of supernatural in Mercy’s life. And I can’t wait to see how this evolves throughout the series. Night Broken is the last of the books in the Mercyverse that I haven’t read yet, so it’ll be interesting how this will evolve in the future…

Mercy and Adam are still one of my favourite literary couples. They are both feisty and powerful. Yet, even though they are wonderfully independent, they are also incredibly supportive of one another. They are able to see each other’s flaws and love each other in spite of them. The kind of relationship that I love reading about – after all, it’s not realistic to think that you can love someone long term and not ever get annoyed at them. I also love how although Mercy might be constantly fighting to have members of the Pack accept her, because they are important to Adam, they are important to her. And it’s this that makes for some great conflict, both within the social structure of the group, and the epic final battle at the end.

<- Hopcross JillyHollow ->

Image source: Amazon

Sweep of the Heart by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Sweep of the Heart
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Innkeeper Chronicles #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Science fiction
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

Love, love, love the Alien Bachelor. I mean, you get introduced to a whole range of different peoples, there is ridiculous drama and it’s just all around fun. I might not be a fan of shows like The Bachelor in real life, but if they were like this with death and aliens… maybe I’d actually have half an interest in actually engaging with such nonsense. Alongside all of this drama, there is also some wonderful more clues to Dina and Caldenia’s pasts and how they ended up where they are.

For starters, I loved finding out more about just how Caldenia managed to end up having so many bounty hunters on her tail. And why she ended up being such a well-known murderess. And, without giving anything away. It was actually kind of sad. I mean, totally not the motivations that I had expected and it made me like this character even more. Which was surprising, because I freaking love Caldenia anyway – she is all sass, pomp and careful manipulations.

Then, you also get to fit another piece of the puzzle into just what happened to Dina’s parents. There are still SO many unanswered questions. And probably actually created a few more unanswered ones if I’m being honest. But, I finally feel like there is progress as to just what is going on in the background of the innkeeper world. The big mysteries continue, making me need to dive in again and again to this series… I’ll just have to continue doing rereads until the next one is published.

Although you do spend the whole time wondering just who from the Alien Bachelor is going to win, you also spend about half of that time wondering just who it is that’s trying to kill the bachelor. My first impressions are often fairly spot on in these instances and I thought I would be able to guess exactly what was going on… I was wrong on literally every single account. I loved that my first impressions were basically universally incorrect, and it makes me want to read this again all that much more. Now that I know the true motivations for characters, I want to see if I can pick up on all of these nuances!

Yet another book that I absolutely loved and can’t wait to read again. I also love that it gave a little bit of closure to the George and Sophie story and gave us a little bit more time with Gaston. I loved these characters in the other Innkeeper books and The Edge series.

<- Sweep with MeMore Ilona Andrews ->

Image source: Amazon

Sweep with Me by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Sweep with Me
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Innkeeper Chronicles #4.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Science fiction
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel, Novella
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I really love the whole idea of an innkeeper specific holiday. I mean, most religions have something similar. And then there’s the fact that it falls just after Christmas (which in One Fell Sweep meant quite a bit to Dina). Then there’s the fact that it’s based on the first innkeepers and that the three main individuals who were present at their first lunch managed to be present at Dina’s celebration.

The idea of a warrior, pilgrim and philosopher being in the inn at the same time, some of whom wanted to eat each other was fun. I also loved that this novella also introduced me to a whole slew of new alien peoples. Particularly the Koo-ko (who we get the pleasure of spending time with again in Sweep of the Heart).

I also love that, where at the end of One Fell Sweep, Sean and Dina finally start to take the steps into their new relationship. Then, as this novella unfolds, they start to actually ease into the daily activities and nuances of a relationship. That, and the fact that they are acting as innkeepers together. Sean’s approach was definitely more my speed and happiness.

The illustrations in this just help to expand on the images that parade through my mind. Although, admittedly, when I showed my partner some of the illustrations, he was incredibly confused. Just how I like it.

<- Sweep of the BladeSweep of the Heart ->

Image source: Amazon

Last Wool and Testament by Molly MacRae

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Last Wool and Testament
Author: Molly MacRae
Series: Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Cozy mystery, Craft, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2012

Thoughts

This was an absolutely brilliant cozy mystery. And as a Yarn Fondler myself, I seriously appreciated all of the yarn throughout the tale. Cozy mysteries are a genre that I’ve only recently begun to really get into, but it’s definitely one that I love. And the fact that I have found one that features yarn-related crafts made me seriously happy. And kind of inspired to pick up my own projects and fondle my own yarn… there’s also nothing like a bunch of women united by their love of yarn to bust some butt and solve a mystery. The idea of these women being grandmothers and part of the TGIF (Thank Goodness It’s Fibre) group of women just made it all that much better.

Kath is thrown into a fair amount of turmoil before she even arrives at her destination – a cop pulls her over and then starts to make negative comments about her recently deceased grandmother. I mean, this is literally the opening scene and it’s kind of intense. But it works so well. Straight away I wanted to find out what was going to happen next. And figure out why there is such a divide in people’s opinions of Kath’s grandmother. Then, as the story unfolds, you realise that there is murder most foul afoot. And you really want to know about that too. Blackmail, murder and knitting… the perfect mix for my happy little brain.

I love that to add a bit of variety to this mystery is the fact that Kath is haunted by an INCREDIBLY irritating ghost. I mean, theoretically, she tries to help out with the murder solving bit. But mostly she is just whiney and irritating. I really liked her. And look forward to spending more time with her neurotic insanity in Dyeing Wishes. She’s a fantastic bit of comedic relief in some of the darker aspects of this story and a source of continuous entertainment. She’s also redeemable at the end when she actually helps to save the day – after being such a whiney pain throughout the rest of this.

I’m normally great with guessing who the villain of a story is because there are always clues. And although in hindsight there are all sorts of little hints throughout this, I genuinely had no freaking idea who the villain in this story was. Until they were revealed. And I still felt like it could have been someone else… so now I’m trying to figure out if that someone else is evil in a whole other range of ways, or just a bonehead… nothing like that confusion to make you want to dive into the next mystery in the series.

<- More Molly MacRaeDyeing Wishes ->

Image source: Amazon

Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Second Grave on the Left
Author: Darynda Jones
Series: Charley Davidson #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Grim reapers, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2011

Thoughts

This book, like the first in this series is filled with laugh out loud goodness. Charley is ridiculously sassy and glorious – she might find herself in situation after situation, but she always handles it with plenty of humour and wit. I absolutely love how she careens from one moment of trouble to another, with no real clue how she’s gotten there. That, and every chapter starts with a sassy pun on her t-shirt that helps to set the tone of the chapter. Starting a chapter with a bit of a giggle, and continuing in that vein throughout the whole book? It was a wild and incredibly funny ride. One that I look forward to picking up in the next Charley Davidson novel.

The first book in this series introduces Charley, Cookie and the many people in her life, this novel then starts to investigate and highlight not only Charley’s relationship to Reyes, but their powers. And the ways that they are intertwined, and just generally all of the somewhat horrifying implications of what their presence on earth means to the world. I love that there is a bit of an apocalyptic threat and theme to this story – one that I’m sure will get worse and more developed as the tale unfolds. Reyes and Charley are a great couple and I love how they are the literal definition of opposites attract (son of hell, daughter of heaven).

Not only is this a fantastic book that unfolds more of the lore in the world of Charley Davidson, but it also has not one, not two, but three mysteries throughout. Charley doesn’t just have to figure out how to find Reyes, save his life and stop this moment of Armageddon. She also has to help Cookie find Mimi (and discover just what it is that has her hiding in the first place). And finally, the mystery of the ghost in the trunk and just how he ended up there. All of which would be great drivers to the story in and of themselves, but when all three are combined? It made for an incredibly difficult book to put down. I just had to turn one more page…

Alongside the development of the relationship between Charley and Reyes, there is a bit more of a reveal as to the state of Charley’s relationship with her family. And it was a seriously heartbreaking reveal. My heart broke for what Charley has had to deal with. But, there is a hint of reconciliation with her sister, one that I clung to in the hopes that this would mean she finally gets to have a healthier relationship with the people who are supposed to love her no matter what.

<- For I Have SinnedThird Grave Dead Ahead ->

Image source: Booktopia

Battle for the Blood by Lucienne Diver

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Battle for the Blood
Author: Lucienne Diver
Series: The Latter-Day Olympians #4
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

I’ve definitely left a little bit too long between reading the Third and fourth (this) books in this series. I mean, I eventually reminded myself of where I was in the series and what had happened. But it probably took half the book. I should probably make sure I don’t let quite as much time pass before I read the final part of this very fun series.

Tori has spent the first portion of this series in a pretty complex love triangle. And although Battle for the Blood does pretty much resolve this, there’s still a lot of lingering emotions. I’m not always a fan of the messiness of some love triangles. But I have enjoyed this one thus far. Plus, Tori’s reason for choosing who she finally does and that farewell… it was very well done and doesn’t make anybody out to be the bad guy.

Tori’s pretty insane transformation is a pretty big driver throughout this story as a secondary plot and mystery. I’m hoping that a few of the potential challenges and secrets are concluded in the next novel. Particularly the wings. I mean, how in the he’ll are you supposed to live with a pair of giant damn bat wings flapping out of your back?

Battle for the Blood was a great adventure. There was love and lust, lots of Greek mythology and a whole apocalypse waiting at our doors. I was unable to put it down from the moment I picked it up, because I just needed to know what was going to happen next!!! And now, deep breath, I need to dive right back in and find out what insanity is going to occur next in the world of Tori.

<- Rise of the BloodBlood Hunt ->

Image source: Kobo

Cursed Luck by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Cursed Luck
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Cursed Luck #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

There is a very good reason why I love Kelley Armstrong so much. And everything I pick up one of her books, I’m reminded again of just WHY I think she’s so amazing. Although, admittedly, some of her works are pretty dark. This is nowhere near as dark and heart rending as some of her other stories though… there is such a pithy, light, and fun tone to this whole story that left me smiling throughout.

Kennedy is a little too much like me. And I loved her. She’s impulsive, loyal and doesn’t always think things through when trying to help. Which, of course is what ends up placing her in awkward position after awkward position. That, and she’s obviously and needfully very driven to find her sisters. Mostly though, her impulsively doesn’t always necessarily lend itself to being helpful in her situation. Something I am all too familiar with…

Aidan is a great counterpoint to Kennedy. He is sweet and buttoned up, and really very cute. His rule-following nature and tendency to want to plan his way through everything sort of acts as the voice of reason to Kennedy’s insanity. Like Kennedy though, he is incredibly loyal to his sibling. I loved how both the leads in this are very loyal to their siblings. It means they get manipulated constantly by this motive… but it’s yet another reason to love them.

The surprise of motive and culprit was brilliantly done within this novel. There were some wonderful surprise reveals from the second half onwards. It had me diving into this story page after page. I love when authors are able to take a great story and make it even more phenomenal with all of their tricky little twists and turns. The fact that Armstrong was able to use this surprise to provide a totally unexpected motive… I definitely can’t wait to read High Jinx.

<- More Kelley ArmstrongGoddess of Summer Love ->

Image source: Amazon

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
Author: Michelle Hodkin
Series: Mara Dyer #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Mystery, Paranormal fantasy, Young adult
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2011

Thoughts

I’ve been trying to get through a few of the young adult books in my ever growing TBR pile at the moment. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer being one such novel. And, honestly, I was kind of expecting it to be fairly typical. Love triangle, hidden importance, overlooked girl that is actually beautiful and gorgeous. And it was that a little bit… but it also completely deviated from that form. By starting the tale with and then they were all dead…

I did take me a little longer to connect to Mara than some of the books I’ve been reading lately. Mostly because she wasn’t all that relatable for me. Normally if the lead isn’t super relatable, I don’t connect with her. But there was something about Mara’s love of family and determination to be a better person that made me genuinely like her. And now I want to find out what happens next in her story.

Where Mara managed to break the mould a little with her characterisation in young adult books, Noah was WSY too typical. Popular boy who notices the girl. Rich. Gorgeous. Knows the secret and isn’t as douche as he seems… I think I kind of want a male lead in a young adult book that ISN’T Mr. Popular… having said that, he’s not overbearingly stereotypical. Just not anything really unique…

The part that made me seriously love this novel was that final scene. The imagery that is so potent throughout just took my breathe away. It was well and truly terrifying. Dark. Twisted. And an amazing cliffhanger. I can’t wait to see where the character develops from here…

<- More Michelle HodkinThe Evolution of Mara Dyer ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster Australia