Tag Archives: Paranormal Fantasy

Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil by Kim Harrison

July 16, 2019Book ReviewDates From Hell, Kim Harrison, Paranormal Fantasy, Strong Women, The Hollows, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

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Title: Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil
Author: Kim Harrison
Series: The Hollows #2.5
In: Dates From Hell (Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Kelley Armstrong & Lori Handeland)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 22nd – 27th June 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Avon Fiction
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: Jerking in sudden decision, she dropped the pen and pulled out the Yellow Pages, looking for the biggest insurance ad that wasn’t connected to one of Cincinnati’s older vamp families.

Ivy and vampire Art are partners on homicide case for Inderland Security.

Ivy’s framing of Art is mentioned a number of times in the Hollows graphic novels, and Dead Witch Walking. Enough so that I was intensely interested in the why, the how and the every single moment of why she would do such a thing. Especially considering it is so at odds with the character that I’m steadily falling in love with as I read my first full length novel in the series. This novella explains her motives absolutely perfectly.

Normally I will read a novella in less than an hour. One sitting that will leave me with a smile on my face. Because this tale dealt with the darker side of Ivy and her bloodlust, I didn’t just read it cover to cover. Rather, I found that I’d read two chapters, then have to put it down. Harrison’s ability to bring her characters to shocking reality made my heart ache every moment that I spent in this world. In the best way possible.

One of the aspects of vampirism that seems to continuously come up in the stories that I read is their love of politics. Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil shows the depths and complexity of this. In a quite brutal manner. But, since I’m not the kind of person who generally feels comfortable with politics, it also drew me in completely – no consequences.

<- The Good, the Bad, and the Undead

Every Which Way But Dead ->

Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

Blood Crime by Kim Harrison

July 15, 2019Book ReviewGraphic Novels, Kim Harrison, Paranormal Fantasy, Strong Women, The Hollows, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Image result for blood crime kim harrison book cover

Title: Blood Crime
Author: Kim Harrison
Series: The Hollows #0.3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Graphic novels, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 14th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Graphic novel
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: 2012

You can’t tell the story of how it all began for supernatural cops Ivy Tamwood and Rachel Morgan without telling how it all nearly ended. The fiery living vampire and erstwhile earth witch never asked to be paired up in the first place. And having to work Inderland Security’s crummiest beat—busting two-bit paranormal street punks—sure didn’t sweeten the deal. But when it counts, Ivy and Rachel always have each other’s backs. They’d better—because someone just hung targets on both of them.

It doesn’t take a hotshot homicide detective to know that nearly getting flattened by a falling gargoyle or impaled by a lead pipe aren’t on-the-job accidents. But it doesn’t seem possible that the class of crooks Ivy and Rachel routinely collar could kill anything but brain cells. So who put Cincinnati’s tough and tender twosome on their “to do in” list? Is Ivy’s vampire master, the powerful and seductive Piscary, jealous of her growing bloodlust (and just plain lust) for Rachel? Or have forces unknown—living or undead—made the partners prey in a deadly witch (and vampire) hunt?

Before this case is cracked, Ivy and Rachel will face down vicious dogs, speeding locomotives, rogue bloodsuckers, and their own dark desires; spells will be cast and blood will be spilled; and Kim Harrison’s hair-raising, heart-racing, dark urban world of magic and monsters will leap howling from the pages of her second electrifying, full-color graphic novel.

I finished off Blood Work feeling really tense. Although I know that Ivy and Rachel must have a good, ongoing relationship after this first case, I still was seriously concerned for Rachel’s health. Blood Crime helped to continue on this origin story where you understand a little more of Ivy’s obsession and dark past. It also highlighted the strength of Rachel and the potential fun and sass of future cases.

The vivid imagery throughout this graphic novel completely swept me away. As did the total darkness of the storyline. Obsessive love is constantly featured. Actually I wouldn’t even really call it love. Just obsession. An obsession that is all consuming and seriously not healthy. I expected it from Piscray. I didn’t expect Ivy to mimic and mirror many of these emotions. Alright, Ivy’s thoughts and feelings came from a much nicer place, but they’re still totally not okay, and kind of seriously creepy.

The crime story throughout this is kind of interesting. But the part that I loved most about this was the darkness. The revealing of the damaging relationships between vampires and the ways in which there is constant abuse. It was completely blood curdling. Yet when I started reading Dead Witch Walking, I was ten times more committed to the characters within the first page.

<- Blood Work

Dead Witch Walking ->

Image source: Goodreads

Callie Meet Happy by Amber Benson

July 4, 2019Book ReviewAmber Benson, An Apple for the Creature, Grim reapers, Paranormal Fantasy, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

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Title: Callie Meet Happy
Author: Amber Benson
Series: Calliope Reaper-Jones #3.5
In: An Apple for the Creature (Charlaine Harris & Toni L. P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Grim reapers, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 3rd June 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Ace Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: “Not gonna happen,” Callie said, holding her ground in a pair of dirty Jimmy Choos.

Callie is in a class learning how to create wormholes. But a crabby teacher and judgemental peers seem to keep getting in her way… until she figures out how to go to a Happy place.

This was an easy and enjoyable short story. The teacher kind of reminded me of Umbridge (Harry Potter for those of you who aren’t quite educated on her evilness). This teacher was judgemental, power hungry and kind of a pain. Something that we’ve all had experience with at some point in our lives. And the judging looks from her peers… well, that was a little bit too familiar. Which, in all lead to a completely relatable, and kind of funny storyline that I was sad to see end.

Stories which feature grim reapers and death are something that always fascinates me. Especially when there is a nice dose of black humour interwoven throughout. A level of sass from a female (pretty much any female) which makes such a serious topic (death) so much less… well, serious. Actually, in the case of Callie’s internal monologue, it just made this entire adventure quite funny. And very, very cute.

Many of the fantasy stories that I’ve read with a parallel world or time portals of any kind tend to be insanely complex. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy them. But I tend to find it quite hard to grasp certain aspects of the storyline and then I have to go back and read certain sections again and again until I have a firmer grasp on what is happening. This tale was nothing like that. There is travel to a parallel world, but the storyline and lead character doesn’t get caught up in all of the minutiae detail.

<- Low School Review

Iphigenia in Aulis Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

June 22, 2019Book ReviewJeaniene Frost, Night Huntress, Night Huntress Universe, Paranormal Fantasy, Strong Women, Urban Fantasy, Vampiresskyebjenner

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Title: Halfway to the Grave
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Huntress #1, Night Huntress Universe #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 7th – 10th May 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Dinner for two.

Flirting with the grave…

Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father – the one responsible for ruining her mother’s life. Then she’s captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership.

In exchange for finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She’s amazed she doesn’t end up as his dinner – are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn’t have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her newfound status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side… and Bones is turnign out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.

I couldn’t believe how much I loved this story! I knew it was something that was going to go to the top of my favourites lists, but I had no idea how much I would love it. I was kind of expecting another great urban fantasy story that would sweep me along with a kick ass chick as a lead and a great alpha male by her side. I didn’t realise that this story would seriously investigate issues of prejudice. That it would highlight the ways in which people turn against a minority just because they’re perceived as something a little different.

Cat is the kind of woman I want to be. She is strong and independent. Has a mind of her own, and even when she falls in love, she doesn’t let it consume her. Rather, it acts as a vessel through which she can become even more independent and accepting of herself. Something that I sometimes struggle with. I think it’s something that we all sometimes struggle with. And it is this independence and strength that makes her make one of the hardest decisions of all at the end of the story. A decision I’m not really sure I could make myself…

Most stories of this type that I’ve read don’t really have a parental figure at all. So having Cat have a mother who starts as her driver, and ends as her executioner was a great twist on the typical trope. Not only did it include the difficulties of family, it also highlighted how the crimes of the past can inform the future. And not always to the best interests of anyone involved. Their relationship breaks your heart a little, but it also shows that not every relationship is good or bad, but a complicated mix of something in between.

<- Reckoning

Happily Never After ->

Image source: Amazon

Two Lines by Melissa Marr

June 22, 2019Book ReviewDark Fantasy, Melissa Marr, Paranormal Fantasy, Unbound, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Image result for unbound book cover kim harrison

Title: Two Lines
Author: Melissa Marr
In: Unbound (Kim Harrison, Melissa Marr, Jeaniene Frost, Vicki Pettersson & Jocelyn Drake)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 7th May 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: EOS
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: I’ve done everything I could to avoid this moment.

Eavan resists sex and murder that morph her into a glaistig until Daniel Brennan, sex slaver, tempts her into both.

I’m incredibly disappointed that this novella wasn’t part of a bigger series. I loved the idea of these fae women who rely on sex and death to live. That one of the children of the family refuses to continue in the line that is accepted by all of her family. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely loved this as a standalone, but I quite possibly would have loved it even more if I knew I had a whole new series to sink my literary teeth into.

In some of the older literature women are often demonised when they are strong and sexual. It’s a recurring theme throughout a lot of the stories that I read. And although I really don’t like the routes of the theme, I do love reading about it. Strong, independent women that are not exactly pure and innocent. That are sexual and powerful in their own rights. Eve manages to encompass this, but still have that beautiful, human vulnerability that is sometimes lacking a little in the characterisation of such women.

There is a love interest in this story, but it is a teasing one. And, unlike many other stories which have a love interest, I didn’t actually mind that their relationship was left open-ended. Normally I like the couple to get together in the end of the story. To have a bit of the “ride off into the sunset” feeling to it. There was no such thing in this story and I completely revelled in it. After all, this story really wasn’t about a romantic entanglement, it was about temptation and choosing your own path.

<- The Dead, the Damned and the Forgotten Review

Unbound Review ->

Image source: Harper Collins Publisher

Academy Field Trip by Donald Harstad

June 16, 2019Book ReviewAn Apple for the Creature, Cops, Donald Harstad, Paranormal Fantasy, Vampiresskyebjenner

Title: Academy Field Trip
Author: Donald Harstad
In: An Apple for the Creature (Charlaine Harris & Toni L. P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Cops, Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 6th May 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Ace Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: “Anyhow, that’s as close as they can come,” he said.

The Academy is teaching young police recruits about those odd cases. But one woman is about to be singled out… and it’s not for the reasons you’ll think.

It was surprising to read a cop story in this collection. Mostly because it’s a collection that is surrounded by ideas of school and teaching. And well, cops aren’t normally what I would associate with such a topic. Having said that, it was still a thoroughly fun and exciting journey to be taken on. And probably a little more enjoyable because it was such a surprise…

Since this was a cop story, I was kind of expecting a typical one – you know, the cops outline an issue, pull a newbie in to help them solve it. And after you turn the last page, you find that the bad guy has been caught, stopped whichever. This didn’t quite work out like that. Actually, it really wasn’t about the bad guy at all. It was more so about the battles that are fought. About the woman who is caught up in a vampire’s snare. And the ways in which the battle for good doesn’t stop, but sometimes does blur the lines a little.

<- Spellcaster 2.0 Review

Sympathy for the Bones Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Playing Possum by Charlaine Harris

May 25, 2019Book ReviewAn Apple for the Creature, Charlaine Harris, Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Fantasy, Sookie Stackhouse, Vampiresskyebjenner

Title: Playing Possum
Author: Charlaine Harris
Series: Sookie Stackhouse #12.6
In: An Apple for the Creature (Charlaine Harris & Toni L. P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 10th April 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Ace Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: “Oh,” she said, looking appropriately sober.

Sookie Stackhouse brings enough birthday cupcakes for her nephew’s entire class but finds she’s one short when the angry ex-boyfriend of the school secretary shows up.

I both thoroughly enjoyed this story and felt kind of concerned by it. This is the first short story in a collection of short stories based on our experiences in school. And it has a shooter entering the school grounds. Granted, this was written and published quite a few years ago and may not have been such a hot issue… but considering the constant gunning down of children happening in America at the moment… it was more than a little concerning that the story starts with a tale about a gunman.

I’ve only briefly dabbled into the world of Sookie Stackhouse, but every time I read one of the short stories based in this world, I really want to pick up another one. It’s not great for my self-control when I have two unread Sookie Stackhouse books sitting on my bookshelf just waiting to go… especially since I’ve been told again and again that the stories get better as they unfold, and short stories like Playing Possum really support this idea.

Although this was a tale that I thoroughly enjoyed in the moment, I still find it incredibly problematic. A crazy man taking a gun into a kindergarten in revenge of a woman… it’s a strong comment on our society today that that is so normalised that a short story can be written about it. After all, if this was far fetched, it wouldn’t work in this series…

<- An Apple for the Creature

Spellcaster 2.0 ->

Image source: Goodreads

Reckoning by Jeaniene Frost

May 23, 2019Book ReviewJeaniene Frost, Night Huntress, Night Huntress Universe, Paranormal Fantasy, Strong Women, Unbound, Urban Fantasy, Vampiresskyebjenner

Title: Reckoning
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Huntress #0.5, Night Huntress Universe #0.5
In: Unbound (Kim Harrison, Melissa Marr, Jeaniene Frost, Vicki Pettersson & Jocelyn Drake)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 18th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: EOS
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Jelani seemed surprised.

Bones, faces New Orleans ghouls who eat victims alive – horror.

I really enjoyed this introduction to Bones. This story hints that he’s going to be a great male lead for the Night Huntress series. Or at least, one that is going to make me happy. He has a strong moral compass, is incredibly tough and has a slightly rebellious streak. All things which I love in any literary character… the fact that it’s wrapped up in a good-looking package with an English accent just makes it all the better…

I’ve read a lot of stories set in America. It’s a bit like all forms of entertainment media, America seems to be the centre for a lot of this. This is the first story I’ve read set in New Orleans though. And I’m really hoping that the rest of the series is set here too. There is such a fun and different flavour to this town. It is so unlike any other American setting which I’ve read. Actually, it’s honestly the only place in the US that I’m really interested in visiting…

The name Reckoning made this seem like it was going to be about revenge, or somebody turning, or the end of the world as we know it. It was a little bit about revenge, but mostly it was about hunting down the crazies. And the moral arguments that Bones has to make with himself while he does so. Becca is used to find the villains, but at what cost? Does the sacrifice of one person’s safety mean the survival of so many more? Is it a fair trade off?

<- Ley Line Drifter

Halfway to the Grave ->

Image source: Harper Collins Publisher

My Lady of the Hearth by Storm Constantine

May 21, 2019Book ReviewParanormal Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers, Storm Constantine, Twisted Romanceskyebjenner

Image result for sirens and other daemon lovers book cover

Title: My Lady of the Hearth
Author: Storm Constantine
In: Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Twisted romance
Dates read: 7th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: EOS
Year: 1998
5th sentence, 74th page: In time, during our lovemaking I too began to make the sounds and Simew displayed her approval with purrs.

He has the best of the world – looks, intelligence and a great big estate. Yet, something seems to be constantly lacking from his life. That is, until his feline companion becomes something much more thanks to the dark gift of a goddess.

This short story was quite uncomfortable to say the least. It was a really interesting tale. Certainly, one that I enjoyed reading… but not one that I felt… comfortable about at the end. After all, the romance is between a man and his cat-turned-woman. And although it could have been considered a love story, I just couldn’t get the idea that the woman in the story started out as a cat.

The first story in any anthology tends to set the tone for the rest of the collection. Even if it is of a different theme or tone than many of the other stories in the book. So, I found it quite interesting that this series started with passions that weren’t quite natural. A story about being spurned by the people you are surrounding yourself with and accepted by those that have always been there.

This story was also about respect. The protagonist willingly takes Simew into his life, bed and home. Knowing exactly who and what she was, he still chose to marry her and keep her by his side. Yet, when she didn’t perform exactly as he wished (catching a mouse in your mouth will probably make most people a little upset), he starts to pull away from her. Which is a great reminder of how we should treat the people we love – even if they aren’t quite able to fit into the perfect world view that we have of our lives.

<- Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers

The Faerie Cony-catcher ->

Image source: Goodreads

Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne

May 14, 2019Book ReviewAssassins, Livia Blackburne, Medieval fantasy, Midnight Thief, Paranormal Fantasyskyebjenner

Image result for book cover midnight thief livia blackburne

Title: Midnight Thief
Author: Livia Blackburne
Series: Midnight Thief #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Assassins, Medieval fantasy, Paranormal fantasy
Dates read: 5th April 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Hyperion
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: Kyra grabbed the longer shreddings from the table as they fell.

Growing up on Forge’s streets has taught Kyra how to stretch a coin. And when that’s not enough, her uncanny ability to scale walls and bypass guards helps her take what she needs.

But when the leader of the Assassins Guild offers Kyra a lucrative job, she hesitates. She knows how to get by on her own, and she’s not sure she wants to play by his rules. But he is persistent – and darkly attractive – and Kyra can’t quite resist his pull.

Tristam of Brancel is a young Palace knight on a mission. After his best friend is brutally murdered by the Demon Riders, a clan of vicious warriors who ride bloodthirsty wildcats, Tristam vows to take them down. But as his investigation deepends, he finds his efforts thwarted by a talented thief, one who sneaks past Palace defenses with remarkable ease.

When a fateful raid throws Kyra and Tristam together, the two enemies realize that their best chance at survival – and vengeance – might be to join forces. And as their loyalties are tested to the breaking point, they learn a startling secret about Kyra’s past that threatens to reshape both their lives. 88 In her arresting debut novel, Livia Blackburne creates a captivating world where intrigue prowls around every corner – and danger is a way of life.

This was one of the books that I just happened to pick up in the Black Friday sales. It was an impulse buy that I am so not regretting! This was such an amazing story. I loved the mix of medieval setting, assassins running riot and a slightly paranormal twist that wasn’t quite what I expected. Kyra was also one of my favourite young female heroines in a while… she had spunk, independence and a lot of gumption.

Midnight Thief combined some of my favourite themes and subgenres in a way that I just wasn’t used to. From assassins to medieval fantasy with a mix of paranormal fantasy, it all worked seamlessly. And this is the first time that I’ve ever seen this unique combination. I also loved the cat aspect that was intertwined throughout the story. Not only Kyra’s unique talents and inclinations, but also the Demon Riders that are constantly showing up. I might not want a pet cat, but I do love any stories that feature them, especially the big cats which are such successful predators.

There was a hint of romance throughout this story that just made you want Kyra to have a happily ever after… but, it wasn’t so overwhelming that you felt a bit gaggy over it. And, of the three men who take centre stage at one point or another, you’re not quite sure what her feelings towards them are. Or what theirs are towards her. It was really nice to read a book aimed at a young adult population that wasn’t gushy romance all the way through. But, there’s enough that you can’t wait to see not only what happens to Kyra next as people begin to unravel her past, but also how her personal relationships are going to end up…

<- Poison Dance Review

Daughter of Dusk Review ->

Earth and Skye

The ramblings of a bibliophile.

Tag Archives: Paranormal Fantasy

Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil by Kim Harrison

Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

Blood Crime by Kim Harrison

Image source: Goodreads

Callie Meet Happy by Amber Benson

Image source: Goodreads

Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Two Lines by Melissa Marr

Image source: Harper Collins Publisher

Academy Field Trip by Donald Harstad

Image source: Goodreads

Playing Possum by Charlaine Harris

Reckoning by Jeaniene Frost

My Lady of the Hearth by Storm Constantine

Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne

Image source: Amazon