Tag Archives: Paranormal Fantasy

Keeping Watch Over His Flock by Toni L. P. Kelner

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for wolfsbane and mistletoe book cover

Title: Keeping Watch Over His Flock
Author: Toni L.P. Kelner
In: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal fantasy, Werewolves
Dates read: 30th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Brian just grinned.

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Synopsis

Jack has never really found a place to fit in. It’s Christmas Eve and he thinks he might have finally found his own pack. But, an impulsive decision might just be the end of his happiness.

Thoughts

There were three storylines within this short story. And I actually loved all of them. For starters, there was the Christmas Origins story of werewolves. I’ve heard (well, read, but that doesn’t sound as good) a lot of different werewolf origin stories. This is the first that features Christmas and probably the most innocent and sweet of all such origin stories. I really loved it – probably because it was so differently innocent to the normal stories.

Then there was the tale of young Jake. The way in which he finally finds a place to call home. And finally gets an understanding of what it means to be part of a pack. It’s a great little coming of age story as he finally shucks off the pain of his past and finds joy in his new family and future.

Finally, there’s the story of how Jake risked his role in the pack and actually experienced the Christmas spirit. This not only ties in the other two stories, but it also really bought about the Christmas feeling. Not feeling very Christmassy this past season, it was nice to read a short story that actually made me reflect on such a feeling. Plus, then there’s the fact that Jake finds his other form… and that is just absolutely brilliantly!

 <- Milk and Cookies ReviewWolfsbane and Mistletoe Review ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Everywhere by Sam Witt

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

Title: Everywhere
Author: Sam Witt
Series: Pitchfork County #3.5
In: Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Horror, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 30th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: He was debased and defiled, a broken shadow of his former glory.

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Synopsis

They’ve battled each other to the death before. But this villain managed to escape with a husk of himself. The next battle might make things even more dangerous. The villain might finally find a way to be everywhere.

Thoughts

The premise of this short story is kind of terrifying. After all, it’s the way in which a villain is able to make himself be a part of everything. Not exactly the kind of story that makes you feel safe. But, since it’s a tale about the villain of a series… it works perfectly. If you don’t think too hard about the whole hive mind villain thing.

At first I didn’t really enjoy this story. It talked a little too much about a past, epic battle that I had no idea about. I hate when I feel like I’m missing something. But, after a while, enough past information was filled in and I really started getting into this. After all, it was the beginnings of a new epic battle and setting up the storyline for a new version of the dangerous villain.

Once I sunk into this story. I seriously sunk into it. There was something not only fun and amazing about it, but the idea of a villain finding a way to get his consciousness into beer. And then weasling his way into soooooo many other consciousnesses (consciousii?). That was brilliant and somewhat terrifying. I can’t wait to start reading this series! In a long while… I want to finish some other series first.

 <- Balance ReviewUrban Enemies Review ->
Image source: Simon & Schuster

Haunted Nights edited by Ellen Datlow & Lisa Morton

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Overview
Image result for book cover haunted nights ellen datlow

Title: Haunted Nights
Author: Ellen Datlow, Lisa Morton, Seanan McGuire, Stephen Graham Jones, Jonathan Maberry, Joanna Parypinski, Garth Nix, Kate Jonez, Jeffrey Ford, Kelley Armstrong, S. P. Miskowski, Brian Evenson, Elise Forier Edie, Eric J. Guignard, Paul Kane, Pat Cadigan, John Langan & John R. Little
In: Haunted Nights (Lisa Morton & Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Horror, Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections
Dates read: 2nd November – 30th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Blumhouse
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: “Very good,” said I.

Synopsis

Halloween is the night the monsters come out to play. Long before its traditions became defined by mass-produced masks, blood-soaked horror films, and carved pumpkins, the murky origins of All Hallows’ Eve lay rooted in dark festivals and black magick, in old fables of diabolical tricksters and murderous pranks, and in tales of cursed souls lost in purgatory, of vengeance and changelings.

From sly modern narratives to haunting traditional stories, from the brutal to the experimental, these sixteen stories brilliantly and terrifyingly explore the many facets, cultures, and traditions of our most provocative holiday.

Thoughts

This selection is super creepy, intense and wonderful. I absolutely adored it. Even if I spent a lot of the time reading it with my feet curled under me feeling incredibly overwhelmed and somewhat horrified. A whole new world was introduced as I read through this. This might be why I’m starting to get into the horror genre though…

A few of the stories in this did make me laugh. But, mostly they were haunting. Not outright scary like a Stephen King novel, but this lingering feeling of overwhelming discomfort due to something in these stories. I can’t even put my finger on the cause of my discomfort… but after reading one of these short stories I was almost always left feeling like I was just slightly haunted… which was interesting.

Although this collection did make me understand America’s obsession with Halloween a little more. I still don’t like the holiday. There is just something about it that doesn’t sit well with me. So whilst this bought a great new light to a holiday I know basically nothing about… I’m still not convinced that it’s one that I want anything to do with.

<- The Folding ManWith Graveyard Weeds and Wolfsbane Seeds ->

Image source: Amazon

Milk and Cookies by Rob Thurman

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for wolfsbane and mistletoe book cover

Title: Milk and Cookies
Author: Rob Thurman
Series: Cal Leandros #7.5
In: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal fantasy, Werewolves
Dates read: 30th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: I guessed it didn’t take.

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Synopsis

Nick has ceased to believe in the joys of Santa. But, his little sister still does. So when a bully starts to give him a hard time, he decides that maybe he’ll bring her a little Christmas joy.

Thoughts

For those of us with a younger sibling, we would do almost anything for them. The fact that this is a story about that, and the spirit of giving over Christmas made this an amazing short story. The fact that as I write this review, I found out that it’s part of a greater series just makes me love this that much more. Having said that, this does take a darker spin on sibling relationships and gift giving… well, I’m not going to complain. I love some darkness in my life.

The whole story is about how the boy doesn’t believe in Santa anymore and how he’s really sad that he doesn’t. and he wants his sister to have that same belief that he now misses… that’s quite cute. When you find out what happened to Santa to stop him from believing in it… it becomes less sweet. A whole lot less sweet.

Bullies are always horrifying. One that is on the right track to becoming a sociopath… so much, much worse. But, Nick deals with him perfectly in this. He even gives him multiple chances to change his ways and become a better human being. He doesn’t take them… but at least there’s a sense of fairness before he becomes part of the Christmas festivities.

 <- Rogue Elements ReviewKeeping Watch Over His Flock Review ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Balance by Seanan McGuire

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

Title: Balance
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: InCryptid #6.6
In: Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 30th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: “Tangy,” I said, and felt him swell with pride.

Synopsis

The world needs balance. And in the reality of the InCryptid’s, maths and malice work perfectly to do so. A cuckoo creates a new nest, but is removed. Then hes kin remove the hunter… it’s all about checks and balances.

Thoughts

This is my first every taste of the InCryptid series. And now I’m so excited that I already have the first novel in this series on my shelves. There was just something completely amazing about the idea of cryptids (monsters) that are hunted down for preying on humans. And writing this whole short story from the point of view of the monster… freaking, totally and utterly brilliant. I’m hooked. I’m happy.

I’ve read about a lot of monsters in my many, many, many fantasy books. I’ve never read about a monster that is a cuckoo. One that parasitising on the human race by doing exactly what a cuckoo does. And now I’m wondering why there aren’t more parasitic creatures like this. It’s just such a damn brilliant idea! And it asks, they exploit us, so does that mean that they’re actually malicious? Or like the cuckoo, just doing what they’re designed for?

Ultimately this story is all about checks and balances. Or at least, that’s how it’s written and acts are justified. Which I kind of like. The idea is that humans keep ruining things, they are getting a little too big for their britches, so we have predators that keep us in check. After all, ecosystems don’t survive when one organism is overpowering all of the others.

<- The Difference Between Deceit and DelusionEverywhere ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster

Jack by Pat Cadigan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover haunted nights ellen datlow

Title: Jack
Author: Pat Cadigan
In: Haunted Nights (Lisa Morton & Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Horror, Paranormal fantasy, Spirits
Dates read: 30th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Blumhouse
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: There isn’t even any daytime, only darkness.

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Synopsis

For one night of the year, Jack has the opportunity to escape. It’s her job to stop him. But this is her first night solo. What will happen?

Thoughts

This short story is beautifully dark and impossible to put down. It has a bit of an urban fantasy feel that is reminiscent of a lot of the series that I read. But it also had a great sense of mystery to the story. One that made me wonder what was going to happen. And, since it was in this collection… if there would be a happily ever after in the end.

I’ve heard a few retellings of Jack, the trickster. This might be my favourite so far. There was something a little more down to earth about it. Yet, it had a great sense of modernity to an old story that I love. The modernisation and journey that this takes you on is seriously brilliant.

My favourite part of this story though is knowing that there is a trick coming. But not being sure what it is or when it’s going to appear. And when it does… it takes you by surprise. And then you wonder who will come out on top. A good little adventure to go on.

 <- The Turn ReviewLost in the Dark Review ->

Image source: Amazon

The Perfect Gift by Dana Stabenow

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for wolfsbane and mistletoe book cover

Title: The Perfect Gift
Author: Dana Stabenow
In: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal fantasy, Werewolves
Dates read: 28th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: It appears that each generation evidently married early and had children very young.

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Synopsis

How do you get rid of an unwanted / problematic pack of werewolves at Christmas time? Well, you give their end as a gift to someone else…

Thoughts

I’m still not entirely sure how this is a werewolf story. Actually, I am. Because I get where the werewolves come in. What I’m confused about is that it starts with a group of ?something? wanting to kill off a rogue pack. And then at the end, someone turns into a werewolf. It was all just very, very confusing.

Although I really enjoyed this story. I spent the entire time flipping back a page, thinking that I had missed some crucial piece of information. It just didn’t quite work. There was something more that I needed to make me feel truly happy about this storyline. It’s difficult to truly love something when you’re not entirely sure what is happening. Or at least, it is for me.

I did love the fact that this is the first time in a long time that plays with the mystical nature of the 7th son. And the fact that he was born on Christmas Eve… a unique take that I was incredibly excited by. One that completely made up for my confusion.

 <- Il Est Ne ReviewChristmas Past Review ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

All Through the Night by Elise Forier Edie

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover haunted nights ellen datlow

Title: All Through the Night
Author: Elise Forier Edie
In: Haunted Nights (Lisa Morton & Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Ghosts, Paranormal fantasy
Dates read: 28th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Blumhouse
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: But all that happened was a hand touched her head, warm and soft.

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Synopsis

She moved from Ireland to create a better life. But then she lost her husband. And then the fae came visiting on All Hallows Eve…

Thoughts

Most of the stories in the Haunted Nights collection have been a little intense and quite frankly horrifying. This one isn’t really horrifying. It’s just incredibly tragic and sad. I don’t cry, much, at all. But I did feel a sore point in my breast. It was just so… sad.

This short story is a fantastic weaving together of Irish folklore and the difficulties of travelling to America at the turn of the century. The poverty and the risks that were taken for such a thing. It’s also about a melding of the world and beliefs. She spends her time believing that the fae are going to take her baby. And her baby is taken… but it has a little more to do with the realities of the world in which she’s found herself.

All Hallows Eve is creepy. It’s probably why I hate Halloween so much. People celebrate it because they have no idea about the history of it and the darkness that surrounds the night. The thin veiling between the spirit world and reality. This was a great way to bring back those realities of what I actually think is a kind of terrifying night.

 <- Sisters ReviewA Kingdom of Sugar Skulls and Marigolds Review ->

Image source: Amazon

Naked City edited by Ellen Datlow

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Overview
naked-city

Title: Naked City
Author: Ellen Datlow, Jim Butcher, Delia Sherman, Richard Bowes, Ellen Kushner, Christopher Fowler, Patricia Briggs, Pat Cadigan, Peter S. Beagle, Naomi Novik, Matthew Kressel, Kit Reed, Lavie Tidhar, Nathan Ballingrud, Melissa Marr, John Crowley, Holly Black, Jeffrey Ford, Lucius Shepard, Caitlin R. Kiernan & Elizabeth Bear
In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 28th June – 26th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Out in Brooklyn in a couple of spots you can walk down a street and almost think it’s a hundred and twenty-five years ago.

Synopsis

In this thrilling collection of original stories, some of today’s hottest paranormal authors delight, thrill, and captivate readers with otherworldly tales of magic and mischief. In Jim Butcher’s “Curses”, Harry Dresden investigates how to lift a curse laid by the Fair Folk on the Chicago Cubs. In Patricia Briggs’s “Fairy Gifts”, a vampire is called home by magic to save the Fae who freed him from a dark curse. In Melissa Marr’s “Guns for the Dead”, the newly dead Frankie Lee seeks a job in the afterlife on the wrong side of the law. In Holly Black’s “Noble Rot”, a dying rock star discovers that the young woman who brings him food every day has some strange appetites of her own.

Featuring original stories from twenty authors, this dark, captivating, fabulous, and fantastical collection is not to be missed!

Thoughts

This is a seriously diverse collection of urban fantasy short stories. Not to mention fun and engaging. Probably moving right to the top of my list if I’m being honest. Normally my purview of urban fantasy is kind of small. But the breadth and width of these stories and the style in which they’re written… just wow.

I loved the fact that most of these short stories were standalones. I used to really enjoy finding new series through short stories and novellas. But, I have so many now that sometimes just reading a standalone without having to hunt out more of that world (I’m obsessive, I do this EVERY time) was kind of nice. I got a great taste of the imaginations and storytelling talents of a variety of authors, without actually feeling the need to buy more, more, more. Honestly, there is nothing worse than finding myself a new series to obsess over and then realising that I have a whole slew of new books to buy…

Although this is an urban fantasy collection, it does have a darker twist to it than usual. Every single one of these stories is a little bit dark, a lot bit fun and most don’t have a happy ending. Which, I tend to love, because I get a bit over all the happily ever afters… but it’s definitely something to keep in mind as you rip through the stories.

<- CorpsemouthCurses ->

Image source: Patricia Briggs

The Wager by Sherrilyn Kenyon

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

Title: The Wager
Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Camelot, Paranormal fantasy
Dates read: 26th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: In his day that Sir had meant that he was a man with standing.

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Synopsis

Sir Thomas Mallory thought that it was all a dream. So there was a drunken night in a bar. Then there was a book. And then he remembered that it wasn’t actually a dream…

Thoughts

Here I’m speaking from personal experience: sometimes you should just keep your damn mouth shut. And the narrator of this short story is definitely in agreement with me. He should have kept his mouth shut, and then maybe he wouldn’t be in purgatory. Definitely enjoyed this story. But it’s in a collection of romances… and I don’t feel like this is a romance at all. Sure, there’s a little lust, but it’s not exactly about a romance between two individuals.

I love that this story uses the stories of Camelot, Arthur and Avalon. That the narrator is Sir Thomas Mallory. The senses of history and truth interwoven with paranormality and supernatural fantasy worked really well. These are the kinds of stories that I love – the ones that use fact and fiction to create a fantastic new reality that you just can’t help but dive into.

I’m kind of annoyed that this isn’t part of a bigger series. I would love one in which the stories of Camelot are true, but with a supernatural twist. Weirdly enough, I did just receive The Guinevere Deception in a book box… so this might be what I have to pick up next to get my fix.

 <- Blue Crush ReviewIn Sheep’s Clothing Review ->
Image source: Goodreads