Gabriel loves his visits back to Cainsville every holiday. And this one is going to be extra special – he’s finally going to find that final gargoyle!
There are few books I’ve read that feature gargoyles. And, honestly, whenever I do read any mention of them, I think of the gargoyles from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Because you know, they’re some of my favourite Disney sidekicks. The gargoyles in this story though really aren’t as funny and fun as the ones in Disney.
I read this short story straight off the back of Devil May Care. Which was excellent timing. After all, Gabriel’s beginnings are a little dark and you seriously hope that he gets a bit of a happily ever after. This doesn’t actually provide that in the slightest. But it does show the strength and gumption that the young boy has. It also has a great hint of the secrets of Cainsville throughout.
Finding gargoyles that constantly move in a town enmeshed in secrets sounds like exactly the kind of thing that I would have loved as a child. It made me wish that this town, which feels fairly dark actually exists. The fact that Gabriel is already a young boy on his own hints at the kind of man he is going to become. And I for one, can’t wait to meet him in Omens.
Victorian London: For five years, Charlotte (Charlie) Holloway has lived as a boy in the slums. But when one theft too many gets her arrested, her only means of escape lies with a dead man. Charlie hasn’t raised a spirit since she first discovered she could do so five years ago. That time, her father banished her. This time, she brings even more trouble upon herself.
People are now hunting Charlie all over London, but only one man succeeds in capturing her.
Lincoln Fitzroy is the mysterious head of a secret organization on the trail of a madman who needs a necromancer to control his newly “made” creatures. There was only one known necromancer in the world – Charlotte – but now there appears to be two. Lincoln captures the willful Charlie in the hopes the boy will lead him to Charlotte. But what happens when he discovers the boy is in fact the young woman he’s been searching for all along? And will she agree to work for the man who held her against her will, and for an organization she doesn’t trust?
Because Lincoln and his ministry might be just as dangerous as the madman they’re hunting.
I bought this book because I needed a book with the word Necromancer in the title. I’d also heard of the author C.J. Archer in the past, and knew that she was one that I wanted to read. So, the combination of the two seemed like this was the perfect book to put on my shelves. And I was right. The Last Necromancer ticked all of my boxes. It took me to my happy place, featured a great storyline and was just impossible to put down. It’s been a while since I got this happily hooked into a novel.
This whole journey was thoroughly enjoyable and seriously fun. It also had the moments of darkness that I always love in a good novel. After all, if it’s all sunshine and light, there aren’t so many heart stopping moments. And, honestly, I just don’t find the storyline quite as realistic, and therefore harder to relate to. I love that this story featured a battle of wits between two wonderful characters who end up suiting each other really, really well.
I absolutely adored the way in which Archer was able to weave together the past and the present in this story. Whilst you start when Charlie is an adult and has been alone for five years, you constantly refer back to a time when she wasn’t. A time when she had a family. And what happened when that family was taken away. And destroyed. There is also the mystery surrounding exactly where she got her necromancy talents from and how everything in her life came to be. Different battles which you want to find the conclusion to… again and again and again.
This novel was definitely one of those enjoyable, love that it’s in my shelves, can’t wait to buy the next book in the series books. It was just a really great, fun read. And one that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. I’m very grateful that I had to buy a book with the word necromancer in the title… it meant that I got to have the great enjoyment of filling my head with this wonderful tale.
Patrick has always enjoyed being footloose and uncaring about the responsibilities he should have. But a mysterious fae has sent him running back to Cainsville. And no matter how hard he fights, the future is going to have it’s own way.
When I first bought Omens, I didn’t realise that there was a fae aspect to the storyline. Or at least, not one that is very strong. I just loved past works by Kelley Armstrong, so figured that I would get some more of her books. And then I realised that there was a whole slew of short stories that take place before Omens. So I figured I had better read those too. And, honestly, it wasn’t until this short story that I understood how much of an impact the fae were going to have on this story.
I loved the introduction of Patrick in this story. He is everything that I imagine when I think of a puckish, trickster-like fae. He keeps a balance and makes sure that he repays all of his debts. He pursues his own interests and pleasure, regardless of what other people think or want to know about his life. And he DOES NOT want any responsibility – so the fact that he is embroiled in a pretty major prophecy, one that is filled with responsibility… it’s pretty damn good.
There was something that was surprisingly fun about this dark little origins story. And it is the very epitome of origins stories – the story of how a character I’m going to assume will be very important is bought into the world. And the horrible characters which will be a huge part of their lives…
Prepare to be seduced by powerful magic — the sorcery of lust, need, and sensuality. Multiple award-winners Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling have gathered together twenty-two tales of unearthly temptations wickedly concocted by some of today’s most potent literary conjurers — including Neil Gaiman, Jan Yolen, Michael Swanwick, and Joyce Carol Oates. Here are stories of incubi and succubi, of forbidden fruits harvested in erotic gardens, of pleasures that persist beyond death. So heed the sirens’ song. Lie back, relax, and submit to the darkest delights you have ever experienced.
This collection isn’t quite toe curling, it isn’t quite horrific, but a nice mix between the two. It makes you think about the weirdness of sexuality. And the uniqueness of those things that go bump in the night. And thrive upon our sexual, deepest, darkest desires. I was honestly expecting this to be a little more of an uncomfortable read. However, mostly, I just found it intriguing.
This is a great collection of some very familiar authors, and some very new authors. It was a good way to depart from the realities of the world and be entertained by the imaginations of some very creative people. It wasn’t necessarily my favourite collection ever, the thread tying each of these tales together wasn’t as distinct as other collections. But it was a seriously enjoyable journey regardless.
This is definitely a collection that I’ll pick up again at some point in the future. It’s fun, light and easy. Also, there are a number of authors that I still need to hunt out books for… I enjoyed each and everyone of these stories.
Title: Taking Loup Author: Bruce Glassco In: Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Gender, Paranormal fantasy, Werewolves Dates read: 19th May 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: EOS Year: 1998 5th sentence, 74th page: Sometimes there are bandages on his face, and he claims that he cut himself shaving or fell through a window.
A total gender reversal is occurring in this great short story where women are suddenly the dangers, and men feel scared when they’re alone in the dark…
To be honest, it can be kind of terrifying sometimes to be a woman in the world today. I can only imagine what it would be like for women in the past, for those in a developing country… what I loved about this short story was that it totally flipped all of the expectations of what a women experiences on its head. A total and utter gender reversal.
Gender reversal stories are always something that enjoy and feel pulled in by. After all, they make you re-examine some of the things that you just take for granted. This didn’t do that so much for me, because I’m already aware of how scary that it can be for women… but there have been others which do make me seriously re-examine even the way I think about gender.
I thought that it was somewhat brilliant to use werewolves and the Loup virus to explain the feelings and experiences of women on a daily basis. The use of violence, fear and confusion when the man is talking about his past and future… the iconic moment at the end when he just can’t fall asleep… yeah, it works incredibly well…
Title: Our Turn Too Will One Day Come Author: Brian Hodge In: The Monstrous (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Horror, Paranormal fantasy Dates read: 30th April 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Tachyon Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: Noelle leaned against my back, her freshest tears on my shoulder.
You don’t want to get a call in the middle of the night. Especially not one that involves your sister asking you to bring a shovel… but what happens next is FAR FAR worse.
This was a very intense, family-secrets way too real kind of story. But it was brilliant. And gorgeous. And seriously put me in my happy place. Again, not going to delve too far into the fact that a freaky story with a pretty twisted family secret puts me in my happy place… there are just some questions we probably shouldn’t ask.
One of my favourite aspects to this story is that the big, bad family secret is handed down through the women in the family line. Although the men, and the voice of this story, know that there is something untoward going on. It is up to the women to harbour, and nurture their secrets. And then, when it is all finally revealed… well, I can’t say it was a comfortable moment… but it was an intriguing one.
After finishing this story, the question that kept popping up in my mind was… what price do we pay? What price is paid for money and wealth and security? For a lineage that we want to honour and love. What prices do I pay for my daily life? Definitely nothing as drastic in this story… but still, I keep wondering…
Title: For I Have Sinned Author: Darynda Jones Series: Charley Davidson #1.5 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Grim reapers, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women Dates read: 25th April 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: St. Martins Paperbacks Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: Absolutely perfect.
Darynda Jones revisits the sexy, suspenseful world of supernatural shenanigans she created in her Grave series with For I Have Sinned. In this Charley Davidson story, Charley helps a woman find out how she died and gives her the closure she needs to pass through to the other side.
This is my second ever Charley Davidson story. And I had no idea what to expect from it. What I loved about this though was the fact that although it’s about Charley, it’s not written from her point of view. Rather, it’s written from the point of view of one of her “clients” – a dead woman.
Throughout this short story there is the constant question of what did the departed do? There are so many different moments of mystery. And it’s only a very short story. And, even if you kind of wonder if she’s done the wrong thing… there is this beautiful sense of mystery that surprised me. But also one that I seriously wanted.
Reyes still, of course, makes a dark and intriguing appearance. Which, of course makes me just want to read the next book in this series all that much more. There is a great, big mystery going on and I want to know what it is!!!
Title: First Grave on the Right Author: Darynda Jones Series: Charley Davidson #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Grim reapers, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women Dates read: 23rd – 25th April 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: St. Martins Paperbacks Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: After a meaningful stare-down, I pointed to the exit.
With scorching-hot tension and high-octane humor, First Grave on the Right is your signpost to paranormal suspense of the highest order.
This whole grim reaper thing should have come with a manual. Or a diagram of some kind. A flowchart would have been nice.
Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Meaning, she sees dead people. Really. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light”. But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (like murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an entity who has been following her all her life… and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. But what does he want with Charley? And why can’t she seem to resist him? And what does she have to lose by giving in?
I had a challenge that said I had to read a book by Darynda Jones. I knew nothing more of the woman, but I was intrigued. And now, admittedly. I’m kind of a little obsessed. This was an amazingly fun book to read and I’m seriously disappointed that I now have to wait for the post to catch up and the next book to arrive at my doorstep… so very, very disappointed.
I’ve got a few stories on my shelves that feature women / witches who can see ghosts. I may even have one (that I haven’t really read yet) that features the woman as the grim reaper. But none like this. The grim reaper in this is sassy, unique and completely unique. She’s also a little unhinged. Which is probably why I loved her so much. After all, I’m slightly unhinged, and I don’t converse with ghosts on a regular basis.
Although I love the ghosts in this story, the grim reaper aspect to it, what I really love is that Charley is constantly trying to help. That no matter what is going on, she’s fighting to help others and make a better life for anyone who needs it. The fact that she does this in a myriad of ways that generally end up with her being beaten and bruised (sometimes because of others, often because she’s just not all that lucky) worked really well for me. Every time I get in the shower I tend to have a fresh bruise, so it was nice to read about someone who is WAY more accident prone than I am.
The intricate webs of this storyline made me incredibly happy. Mostly because instead of one main storyline, there were several. All of which drew me in and had me wondering in a somewhat perplexed manner just what was going to happen next. Normally I would have the potential of guessing the answer… but with so much going on, I found it almost impossible to figure out. Which is, honestly, something that I thoroughly enjoy. Now I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next novel!
Title: Iron and Magic Author: Ilona Andrews Series: Kate Daniels #9.5 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Dystopia, Paranormal fantasy, Shapeshifters, Strong women Dates read: 24th – 27th March 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Ilona Andrews Year: 2018 5th sentence, 74th page: And Elara would fight to the bitter end.
No day is ordinary in a world where Technology and Magic compete for supremacy… But no matter which force is winning, in the apocalypse, a sword will always work.
Hugh d’Ambray, Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Warlord of the Builder of Towers, served only one man. Now his immortal, nearly omnipotent master has cast him aside. Hugh is a shadow of the warrior he was, but when he learns that the Iron Dogs, soldiers who would follow him anywhere, are being hunted down and murdered, he must make a choice: to fade away or to be the leader he was born to be. Hugh knows he must carve a new place for himself and his people, but they have no money, no shelter, and no food, and the necromancers are coming. Fast.
Elara Harper is a creature who should not exist. Her enemies call her Abomination; her people call her White Lady. Tasked with their protection, she’s trapped between magical heavyweights about to collide and plunge the state of Kentucky intoa war that humans have no power to stop. Desperate to shield her people and their simple way of life, she would accept help from the devil himself – and Hugh d’Ambray might qualify.
Hugh needs a base. Elara needs soldiers. Both are infamous for betraying their allies, so how can they create a believable alliance to meet the challenge of their enemies?
As the propher says: “It is better to marry than to burn.”
Hugh and Elara may do both.
I have a really horrible habit of putting aside the series that I really love so that I don’t get too hooked into the books. Mostly when I have a lot of other work that I need to keep on top of. Which is why it’s taken me so long to get to this book. And it’s probably still a good way to go about things – because once I opened this up, I couldn’t keep my nose out of it! Or my mind away from it. And I’ve literally had to bury Magic Triumphs in a pile of books so I can’t quite pick that up quite yet.
Iron and Magic is a fantastic story. It’s one of those tales in which you suddenly see the other side of the story. Or, in this case, you finally understand even more about Hugh D’Ambray. And, for me, who kind of hated him in the rest of the Kate Daniels books, I came to absolutely adore him. I love the backstory and the reasons behind the horrors he commits. He’s not exactly a good guy, but at least I finally managed to begin to understand his actions and decision making.
Hugh is a fantastic male lead in this story. But, for me, as normally happens, Elara stole the show. She’s strong, independent and terrifyingly powerful. She’s also got this great sense of mystery about her past and her motives. It’s a great approach and adventure. Elara is so much more graceful and put together than any of the other women in this series. she might not be my favourite, but the whole “White Lady”, prayers mystery that springs up around her. The powerful people she surrounds herself with out of love and loyalty… it all works beautifully. And I still can’t stop thinking about what an amazing character this woman is.
This is an amazing story. I love the action, I love the drama. But most of all, I love the relationship between Hugh and Elara. Even when it takes on a more serious overtone, one of real emotion, they have this great, witty banter with each other. I love that there is this sense of rivalry and war between them. A power struggle that had me laughing out loud again and again and again.
Title: Sweep of the Blade Author: Ilona Andrews Series: Innkeeper Chronicles #4 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Science fiction Dates read: 22nd – 23rd March 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Ilona Andrews Year: 2019 5th sentence, 74th page: Everything had to be just so.
Maud Demille is a daughter of Innkeepers – a special group who provide ‘lodging’ to other-planetary visitors – so she knows that a simple life isn’t in the cards. But even Maud could never have anticipated what Fate would throw at her.
Once a wife to a powerful vampire knight, Maud and her young daughter, Helen, were exiled with him for his treachery to the desolate, savage planet of Karhari. Karhari killed her husband, and Maud – completely abandoned by his family – has spent over a year avenging his debts. Rescued by her sister Dina, she’s sworn off all things vampire.
Except… In helping Dina save the world, she met Arland, the Marshal of House Krahr, one of the most powerful vampire houses. One thing led to another and he asked for her hand in marriage. She declined. Arland is not used to hearing the word ‘no;’ and try as she might, Maud can’t just walk away from Arland. It doesn’t help that being human is a lot harder for Maud than being a vampire.
To sort it all out, she accepts his invitation to visit his home planet. House Krahr is extremely influential and Maud knows that a woman – a human, with a very questionable past – who’s turned down a proposal from its most beloved son won’t get a warm reception. Maybe she’s not sure about marrying Arland, but House Krahr isn’t going to decide for her. Maud Demille has never run from a fight, and House Krahr will soon discover that there’s a lot more to Maud than they’re expecting.
I haven’t had the pleasure of reading an Ilona Andrews book for a little while. I was waiting for some to come out, and then I just honestly got kind of distracted. And now I’m wondering why it has taken me so damn long to pick up the latest Innkeeper Chronicles book from my shelf. Or at least, the latest that I own…. I now need to buy the next book in the series. But anyway… this story has the usual, strength, action and intensity of Andrews’ books and I found it completely impossible to put down.
Although I did absolutely adore this story, I did kind of miss Dina in it. I am completely in love with Dina, Sean and the inn. Yet, it was amazing reading about Arland and Maud. Especially since Arland appears in the first novel, and his kind of dry humour and intense sense of honour drew me to him completely. Actually, although I think Sean is great (especially for Dina), he was my favourite of the two lead men. Partner him with Maud who is completely kick-ass from the very moment of meeting, and it’s an absolute match made in heaven… or in the inter-planetary stars.
I completely loved both Arland and Maud in this story, but for me… Helen kind of stole the show. She is adorable, fierce and independent. Her ability to find a new niche for herself no matter what world she’s in is completely admirable. My favourite part of the book? When Helen decides that punishment is okay, so she breaks another child’s arm. Her total acceptance of punishment if it means that she fights for what is right is admirable and adorable. It’s something that I myself would love to incorporate into my life, and this is a six-year-old!
Vampire lore and culture are often mentioned in the first three novels of this series. As is the fact that they’re another race from space, but that’s a whole extra aspect of this series. What I love though is the fact that this book gets into the nitty gritties of this culture and way of life. It’s one of my favourite aspects of Andrews’writing – she has epic world building. And even part of the way into a series, there are still new worlds and things to discover. In the most intimate of details…
Earth and Skye 