Tag Archives: Paranormal Fantasy

Etched in Silver by Yasmine Galenorn

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Etched in SilverTitle: Etched in Silver
Author: Yasmine Galenorn
Series: Otherworld #0.5
In: Inked (Karen Chance)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Fae, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Books
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: “Can’t stop… would… kill us…”

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Synopsis

In New York Times bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn’s “Etched in Silver”, a supernatural agent is on the trail of a sadistic serial killer when an unexpected – and dangerously seductive – ally comes to her aid, setting in motion a magical ritual that may end up binding them together, body and soul.

Thoughts

I didn’t know what to expect from this story. It is the first time that I’ve read Galenorn and it’s the prequel to her Otherworld series. So I really had no idea what I was getting myself in for, I just knew that I liked the cover of the novels within this series, so I figured reading the prequel novella would be a good way to introduce myself to this world. And I really wasn’t disappointed.

A mixture of the fae, a seedy underworld and hunting an evil creature worked really well to create a multilayered universe with a fast-paced plot. The fact that there was an incredibly potent and powerful attraction in between and a fierce sexuality which doesn’t quite manage to steal centre show just helped to make it all the more racy. After all, adding in a sexual / romantic encounter or two only helps to raise the stakes of the chase.

I absolutely loved the ending of this novella, and I can’t wait to crack the spine of Witchling – I want to see how much of Camilla’s choices are reflected in the novel and how her sisters react to them. Actually, it’s taking a lot of self-control to not rush around and read the rest of the series right now…

 <- Armor of Roses Review Earthbound Review ->
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Even Hand by Jim Butcher

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview
Dark and Stormy Knights

Title: Even Hand
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files #11.6
In: Dark and Stormy Knights (P.N. Elrod) & Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Wizards
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: I glanced past the young woman to Gard, who gave me a slow, cautious nod.

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Synopsis

Even Hand is a short story in The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher. It is set between Turn Coat and Changes, and is narrated by John Marcone.

Thoughts

It’s always interesting to read a short story from an alternate point of view. And although I am nowhere near up to book 11 in The Dresden Files, I have already met Marcone. And it was really fun to read a story about him. From his point of view. Which was kind of dark.

Something that I enjoy about Butcher’s writing is that he doesn’t have clear cut good and evil characters. Harry Dresden is the protagonist, and the “good guy”, but he isn’t completely innocent, and there is a darker side to him. One that I’m sure develops throughout the tale. Likewise, Marcone is strongly cast as the “baddie”. But, in reading Even Hand, you discover that there are good and nice aspects about him and his moral code. He’s still a scary, ruthless, unkind mob boss. But he does have some laws and rules by which he lives his life. Something that has certainly made me want to dive headfirst back into The Dresden Files….

 <- A Questionable Client ReviewThe Beacon Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Moon Called Volume 2 by Patricia Briggs & David Lawrence

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Moon Called Volume 2Title: Moon Called Volume 2
Author: Patricia Briggs & David Lawrence
Series: Mercedes Thompson #0.92
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Graphic novels, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Graphic novel
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: A lone wolf like you would only have contact with…

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Synopsis

Mercy Thompson is a walker, a unique magical being with the ability to transform into a coyote. Her human neighbors view the fiercely independent female auto-mechanic as eccentric; to the town’s darker denizens, the werewolves, witches and vampires, she is prey.

But the greater predators have underestimated Mercy. She’s seen her friends assaulted, kidnapped, and killed as a war between werewolves erupts, and Mercy has had enough! Only she can unravel the secrets of the dark conspiracy that threatens them all, but can Mercy do it in time to save her friends… and herself? Scores are settled and secrets revealed in teh thrilling slimax of Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson: Moon Called.

Thoughts

The second instalment of the graphic novel adaptation of Moon Called was even better than the first. Sort of. They were both amazing. Alright, maybe as good as the first. They were both amazing. The imagery is fantastic, the adaptation seems to add in what’s necessary, and leave out what’s not. The extra tale at the end positions this world alongside that of Alpha and Omega. And, well, it just all works out brilliantly.

One of the things I enjoyed about this graphic novel is the way that the very convoluted motives of Gerry (the villain) in the novel and places them within a simpler context. It’s difficult to take something that is quite complex and simplify it in a way that holds the essence of the original plot.

Sam, Adam and Stephen looked nothing like what I have pictured in my mind’s eye. And I will probably continue to picture them in my original way when I read the rest of the Mercedes Thompson novels. But, it was fun to see the same characters through a different person’s eyes. Weirdly enough, reading this graphic novel made me realise that I haven’t pictured Mercedes herself with much detail, since I normally follow along and watch the world through her own eyes.

<- Moon Called Volume 1 Review Moon Called Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Moon Called Volume 1 by Patricia Briggs & David Lawrence

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Moon Called Volume 1Title: Moon Called Volume 1
Author: Patricia Briggs & David Lawrence
Series: Mercedes Thompson #0.91
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Graphic novels, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Graphic novel
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: And then –

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Synopsis

Mercy Thompson inhabits two worlds without truly belonging to either. To the human inhabitants of Tri-Cities she’s an oddity, a fiercely independent woman who repairs cars for a living. To the otwn’s darker residents; werewolves, vampires, and fae, she’s a walker, a last-of-her-kind magical being with the power to become a coyote. Mercy warily straddles the fine line dividing out everyday world from that darker dimension… until a boy, mauled by vicious werewolves and running for his life, appears at her door. now her two worlds are about to collide! Outnumbered and out-muscled, can Mercy possibly save the boy… or even herself?

Thoughts

I’ve lost count of the amount of times that I have read Moon Called. And I will probably read it a countless many more times. Which is why I was so excited when I found out that it had been turned into a graphic novel. After all, it’s a story that I love, I have thoroughly enjoyed Homecoming, and I’ve been on a bit of a graphic novel kick lately anyway.

And I wasn’t disappointed. Although Volume 1 only covers up to about the halfway point of Moon Called, it was done amazingly. I’m now itching to open up Volume 2 and take the rest of the adventure. The images are beautifully rendered, the aspects that have been included (and not included) cover every main point, without expanding a graphic novel ridiculously and the themes are touched upon perfectly.

I also love the extra little story that is included at the end of this novel. It covers Mac’s conversion to a werewolf and a part of his history. It’s briefly touched upon in Moon Called, but somehow the comic version of it really bought home the horrors of his experiences. Plus, the very different style with which this is drawn (compared to the rest of the graphic novel) helps to highlight that it is separate from the main story. I also found this short comic to be drawn in a more comical way, which helped to detract from the horribleness of Mac’s conversion to a werewolf.

<- Fairy Gifts Review Moon Called Volume 2 Review ->
Image source: Book Depository

Veiled Menace by Deborah Blake

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Overview
Veiled Menace

Title: Veiled Menace
Author: Deborah Blake
Series: Veiled Magic #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Paranormal fantasy, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: InterMix
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: This was one conversation she didn’t want anyone to overhear.

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Synopsis

Since Witches came out of the broom-closet in the early 21st century, they have worked alongside humans as police officers, healers, stock traders, and more. But they aren’t the only paranormal entities in our world…

Witch and police officer Donata Santori is no stranger to magical mayhem, but lately her life has been unexpectedly charmed. Her job as a Ghost Yanker now includes the occasional paranormal investigation, and she’s advancing her magical abilities with the help of an ancestor’s treasured spell book. And while both of her former love interests—reclusive half-Dragon art forger Peter Casaventi and disgraced Shapechanger Magnus Torvald—are nowhere to be found, she’s not averse to being wined and dined by wealthy businessman Anton Eastman.

But Eastman isn’t what he seems, and what he wants from Donata is far more than she’s willing to give. When a mysterious relic, the Pentacle Pentimento, resurfaces, along with Peter’s Dragon father and a shocking Santori family secret, Donata must fight to save herself, her friends, and just maybe the fate of the world from a magic as old as it is dangerous…

Thoughts

I didn’t enjoy this as thoroughly as the first book in Veiled Magic. I think because the relationships were a little off, and her best friend Doc just appeared… there were just a few holes that made the continuity from Veiled Magic a little clunkier than I’m used to from Blake. That’s not to say that I didn’t still thoroughly enjoy this story, but I did take a lot longer to read this than I did the first novel.

Although Veiled Magic features a love triangle, Veiled Menace focuses solely on Donata’s relationship with Pete. Again, the continuity of this was a little disjointed. They had the off again, on again drama going on. Which was a fun driver, but when they were off, Pete wasn’t even mentioned. For the amount of passion in their on moments, it was weird to have such a lack in their off moments.

I liked that we finally discovered who the sixth race was in this and how they fit into the scheme of things. I had formed a number of opinions as to who and what this race could be throughout both Veiled Magic and Veiled Menace, but it still completely swept me away. Donata’s connection to this further surprised me, and I can’t wait to see how all of this unfolds in Veiled Enchantments. That, and how the relationship with Pete is going to evolve (if it does).

<- Veiled MagicVeiled Enchantments ->

Image source: Goodreads

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Wicked Lovely

Title: Wicked Lovely
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Wicked Lovely #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Fae, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Harper Teen
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Seth came up behind her.

Synopsis

Rule #3: Don’t stare at invisible faeries.

Rule #2: Don’t speak to invisible faeries.

Rule #1: Don’t ever attract their attention.

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. When the rules that have kept Aislinn safe from them stop working, everything is suddenly on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr’s stunning twenty-first century faery tale.

Thoughts

I loved this book when I first read it, and I love it today. There is something so completely captivating about this kind of dark faery tale that makes it impossible to put down. Something that seems to draw me in again and again and again. I like when retellings of old paranormal creatures, such as the fae are told in a way that sticks true to past tellings – that they are not good. They are not romantic. They are wicked. And lovely.

Although Aislinn is obviously different from every other girl that has been pursued by the Summer King (otherwise why would there be this story?), she is completely independent of him. And I love how she attempts to retain this independence throughout the entire story. Even when she is overwhelmed by fear, and well, overwhelming odds, she doesn’t succumb or relent. I love this independence and the modern-take on how faeries work in today’s society. That, and the fact that the female lead isn’t easy to take control of and push around.

I’m not sure that this is a good book to read when you want to be productive elsewhere. It has just enough of a pace that if you want to put it down, you can. But it is still fast enough that you really won’t want to. I read it in 2 days, and this is when I was supposed to be working on some fairly important things – it was just too good to stop. Even though I’ve read it a few times before…

 <- Cold Iron HeartInk Exchange ->

Image source: Goodreads

Shutter by Courtney Alameda

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

ShutterTitle: Shutter
Author: Courtney Alameda
Series: Shutter #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Square Fish
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: I eyed my bedroom door hinges.

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Synopsis

LOCK, STOCK, AND LENS, SHE’S IN FOR ONE HELL OF A WEEK.

As one of the last descendants of the Van Helsing lineage, Micheline Helsing has trained since childhood to destroy monsters both corporeal and spiritual. The corporeal undead go down by the bullet, the spiritual undead by the lens. With an analog SLR camera as her best weapon, Micheline exorcises ghosts by capturing their spiritual energy on film. She’s aided by her crew: Oliver, a techno-whiz who developed the camera’s technology; Jude, who sees death before it occurs; and Ryder, the boy Micheline has known and loved forever. When a routine ghost hunt goes awry, Micheline and the boys are infected with a curse known as a soulchain. As the ghostly sickness spread through their bodies, Micheline learns that if she doesn’t exorcise their entities in seven days, she and her friends are dead. Can she track down and destory a nightmare more powerful than anything she’s ever faced before the week is up?

Thoughts

I really liked this story. I loved the incorporation of Van Helsing and Bram Stoker into a modern day horror tale. The fast pace and Micheline’s terrifying past all help to create a slightly terrifying world and a hunt where the stakes are as high as they can possibly be. Actually, this really inspired me to buy and read Dracula, since it features so heavily within the storyline and construction of Micheline’s world.

Although this story is heavily based on the premise of Dracula, I loved the originality and uniqueness of the tale. I’ve read a lot of paranormal and vampire stories, but the creatures in this are far more terrifying. Actually I had to stop myself from reading this before I went to bed… mostly because it gave me some amazingly vivid (and weird) dreams. I love when the descriptions and writing are so realistic that it seeps into my psyche. And, luckily this one did so.

There is always a bit of romantic entanglement in a good story. It helps to heighten the risks and stakes of the battle. Sometimes it’s a little too predictable and boring. Which, honestly, I was half expecting this story to have that kind of love story. It is about two teenagers, one who is effectively royalty, after all. But that certainly wasn’t the case. Although it might come as no surprise to see who ends up with who, but the angst and the journey is far more enjoyable than I thought it would be. And it’s a big part of what has made me hope that there might be another journey on the horizon for these four amazing characters.

 <- Fixer Review Trigger Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

No Love Lost by Rachel Caine

Book Review, , ,

Overview

No Love LostTitle: No Love Lost
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: Weather Warden #1.5, Weather Warden Universe #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Online
Year: 2013

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Synopsis

A Weather Warden short story.

Thoughts

This short is the tale of David’s feelings and interactions with Joanne. It actually explains a lot of why he does what he does and makes the choices he makes throughout Ill Wind.

This is one of those quick, deleted scenes that you can find in a lot of series. It doesn’t really have its own storyline, but rather, adds to the overarching storyline of the main series. The thing that I love about these, and No Love Lost in particular, is that it gives you a glimpse into another character’s point of view. Here, it is David’s process of falling in love and his view of Joanne. Reading this actually helped me to form a much better, overall picture of Joanne as well.

 <- Ill Wind Review Heat Stroke Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Ill Wind by Rachel Caine

Book Review, , ,

Overview

Ill WindTitle: Ill Wind
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: Weather Warden #1, Weather Warden Universe #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Roc Fantasy
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: “Must be a bitch, being enslaved and all.”

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Synopsis

RIDERS ON THE STORM

The Wardens Association has been around pretty much forever. Some Wardens control fire, others control earth, water, or wind – and the most powerful can control more than one element. Without Wardens, Mother Nature would wipe humanity off the face of the earth…

Joanne Baldwin is a Weather Warden. Usually, all it takes is a wave of her hand to tame the most violent weather. But n ow Joanne is trying to outrun another kind of storm: accusations of corruption and murder. So she’s resorting to the very human tactic of running for her life…

Her only hope is Lewis, the most powerful Warden. Unfortunately, he’s also on the run from the World Council. It seems he’s stolen not one but three bottles of Djinn – making him the most wanted man on earth. And without Lewis, Joanne’s chances of surviving are as good as a snowball in – well, a place she may be headed. So she and her classic Mustang are racing hard to find him because there’s some bad weather closing in fast…

Thoughts

I’ve started this book twice. And both times I put it down because it was too good. Apparently, in my mind, that’s a thing – the first chapter was so good that I knew I would need to buy the rest of the series, or at least the next few books. And when I first went to read this, I didn’t have much money, so decided to make a more grown up decision. But as soon as I had a little surplus cash? I dived right into Ill Wind expecting the ride of a lifetime. And I wasn’t disappointed.

My biggest difficulty with this story was the length of the chapters. There are about 5 in this 300ish page story. It meant that I had trouble putting the book down and doing adult things like going to sleep, getting food, doing the work that I sometimes get paid to do… but, all in all, that really isn’t much of a complaint. I just had to be a little more aware and smarter about when I opened up this tale to start the next chapter. And really, I ended up reading it in almost one night (I read the first chapter a few days before). So ultimately, nothing much to complain about.

Joanne was an interesting female lead. Most of the stories I read have a heroine with a damaged past (check), a love interest that they can’t quite seem to trust, and an inability to have lasting relationships. Joanne only had the damaged past. Her sexuality and confidence in herself was entirely new to me. And I quite frankly, loved it. She was bold, confident and sex was something that she enjoyed, but it wasn’t a symptom of damage or mistrust. Actually, although it was a large part of her psyche, it wasn’t something that was dramatized in any way. It was just there.

The other incredibly unique thing about this story was the way that it was told. You are just dropped into the middle of her chaotic world and as the tale unfolds, you are slowly fed bits and pieces of her past. Actually, the tales of her past take up the vast majority of her tale, yet they are informing the future and the reasons for all of her decisions in the present. I’ve read other stories that do this, but not to this extreme. And I found that I really loved this incredibly different style.

 <- Red Hot Rain Review No Love Lost Review ->
Image source: SF Reviews

Fixer by Courtney Alameda

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Kisses and CursesTitle: Fixer
Author: Courtney Alameda
Series: Shutter #0.6
In: Kisses and Curses (Lauren Burniae)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Square Fish
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: I stop, wondering when Micheline became my girl.

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Synopsis

Ryder has recently rescued the girl he loves from a horrific monster – but that doesn’t mean that the battle is won. Both Micheline and Ryder are left with scars that they are trying to overcome.

Thoughts

This book has made me incredibly curious about the larger Shutter world in general. The idea of one of the descendants of Van Helsing is fun, although I’m still a little bit hazy as to what the team is hunting in the first place. It feels like a dark, demonic hybrid of a vampire, but I’m going to buy the novel to actually find out.

I found this a really interesting story – it flicked between the present day (and the aftermath of THAT NIGHT) to well, That Night. It’s a great way to see the harm that is inflicted upon Ryder in his attempt to save Micheline. The team’s risk and the ways in which this all interrelates is really fun and interesting. And something that I can’t wait to read more about.

The other thing that I really enjoyed about this story was how the name connected to the last scene. It seemed very random and non-descriptive when I first started reading this, but once the story actually unfolded, I finally understood it. And loved it. Which is why I immediately jumped online to actually buy my copy of Shutter.

 <- Trigger Review Shutter Review ->
Image source: Goodreads