Tag Archives: Paranormal Fantasy

Inked by Karen Chance, Marjorie Liu, Yasmine Galenorn & Eileen Wilks

Book Review, , , , , , ,

Overview

InkedTitle: Inked
Author: Karen Chance, Marjorie Liu, Yasmine Galenorn & Eileen Wilks
In: Inked (Karen Chance, Marjorie Liu, Yasmine Galenorn & Eileen Wilks)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Berkley Books
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Right now, I need some –

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Synopsis

Four tales of paranormal romance and urban fantasy explore body art that is more than it seems – in a world of magic and mayhem that always leaves its mark…

New York Times bestselling author Karen Chance’s “Skin Deep” tells the tale ofa war mage in Las Vegas who stumbles across an ominous magical ward that appears as a dragon on her skin – and has a mind of its own…

When New York Times bestselling author Marjorie M. Liu’s demon hunter Maxine Kiss investigates a grisly murder, she finds herself involved in a conspiracy dating back to World War II – and a secret mission that her grandmother may have carried out for the U.S. government, one that involes the mysterious “Armor of Roses.”

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.

When the magically tattooed body of a man is found in a Northern California town, FBI Agent Lily Yu is drawn into the case. Trouble is, the victim wasn’t human – and the killer isn’t finished in USA Today bestselling author Eileen Wilks’s “Human Nature”.

Thoughts

I love tattoos. I have two, I’m going to get more. I love stories that feature tattoos. I loved this collection which was basically all about tattoos. Actually, the most disappointing thing about this was how quickly it ended. After all, there were only four novellas in this collection, and I would have happily enjoyed far more.

I’ve held off on reading this collection until I was up to the right stage in the World of the Lupi series, after all, that was why I bought this. But, then I got a little bit too excited about the idea of tattoo riddled paranormal fantasy tales written by some very captivating authors. And I started reading this. And boy, was I not disappointed. Every single one of these tales drew me in and made me immensely happy. It also caused me to buy quite a few more books that I really didn’t need…

Even if you don’t really like tattoos (yes, I can’t quite believe that people like that exist either), this is a great collection of tales. It features strong women, chaos and magic in a turbulent mass that completely draws you in.

 <- Human Nature Review Skin Deep Review ->
Image source: Penguin Random House

God’s Creatures by Carrie Vaughn

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Dark and Stormy Knights

Title: God’s Creatures
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Series: Kitty Norville #0.8
In: Dark and Stormy Knights (P.N. Elrod) & Kitty’s Greatest Hits (Carrie Vaughn)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: When the body turned up, Harrison wouldn’t turn him in.

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Synopsis

Cormac has to hunt down the thing that’s killing Harrison’s cattle. But what he ends up having to face is nothing like what he expected.

Thoughts

Werewolf stories are always interesting. For such a well known mythological creature, it’s interesting to see how many different ways people can take such a common story and twist it. Even when they follow the generalised pattern, there is always something a little different and fun. Which is where this short story fits in. It was a fairly expected tale of a werewolf hunter finding, hunting and eventually killing a werewolf. It was the werewolf and where it was found that was a bit more of a shock.

The journey of the hunt normally makes a very good story, the trail that you take that leads up to the final moments. I absolutely loved this – the fact that the trail leads to a reform, Catholic school. The fact that there is a confusing and somewhat hidden past to Cormac helps to draw you in incredibly quickly. Actually, aside from the fact that I originally thought that this was a gangster story, you are thrust straight into the drama.

And now I have added yet another series to my To Be Read List and What I Want To Buy…

 <- Wild Ride ReviewWinnowing the Herd Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Gold, Babies and the Brothers Muldoon by Derek Landy

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Gold, Babies and the Brothers MuldoonTitle: Gold, Babies and the Brothers Muldoon
Author: Derek Landy
In: Armageddon Outta Here (Derek Landy)
Series: Skulduggery Pleasant #2.5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Dark fantasy, Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Harper Collins
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: “Ok,” Valkyrie interrupted, “I get it.

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Synopsis

Midnight. Valkyrie Cain approaches an old, ramshackle church to make a delicate deal with a trio of ugly, hairy goblins. To her absolute non-surprise, the goblins have no intention of honouring that deal- but not to worry. Skulduggery Pleasant is standing by to deliver a surprise of their own.

Things, however, don’t go exactly according to plan. Not least because the goblins have a sister. A very big, very strong sister. Who might just have a TINY crush on one of our heroes…

Thoughts

Trolls and goblins are always interesting, and disgusting, and a good misadventure for any books’ or series’ heroes. Which is where the Brothers Muldoon fit into this tale – they are disgusting and entertaining. They are a good counterbalance to the babies which Valkyrie and Skulduggery are trying to rescue. And the combination of evil cunning and sheer stupidity made me giggle all throughout this short story.

At the opening of this story I thought that this was just about Valkyrie and a solo mission. It was kind of an exciting idea, but what I love most is the witty repartee between the two leads, so it was also a little disappointing. But then Skulduggery bursts through the ceiling, gets trapped by a potential wife and general chaos ensues. Which leaves me not in the least bit disappointed, and very much entertained.

 <- Playing with Fire Review The Faceless One Review ->
Image source: Skulduggery Pleasant Wiki

Playing with Fire by Derek Landy

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Playing with FireTitle: Playing with Fire
Author: Derek Landy
Series: Skulduggery Pleasant #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Dark fantasy, Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Harper Collins
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: “I’m afraid I can, and I have.”

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Synopsis

“Valkyrie Cain looked down at her own dead body, cold and unmoving. She kept expecting to see it breathe. But it just lay in the boot, a thing, a corpse with her face…”

With Serpine dead, the world is safe once more. At least, that’s what Valkyrie and Skulduggery think, until the notorious Baron Vengeous makes a bloody escape from prison, and dead bodies and vampires start showing up all over Ireland.

With Baron Vengeous after the deadly armour of Lord Vile, and pretty much everyone out to kill Valkyrie, the daring detective duo face their biggest challenge yet. But what if the greatest threat to Valkyrie is just a little closer to home…?

Thoughts

Skulduggery Pleasant is the kind of series that I can pick up and put down whenever I feel like something light and kind of sarcastic. This week, that’s exactly what I felt like. So I picked up Playing with Fire. And I read it in just over a day. Actually, the bulk of the book get read in one night. While I was watching Pride and Prejudice. A little bit of an odd combination, but it worked really well…

There are two things that I love about Landy’s writing and Skulduggery Pleasant series. The first is the fact that the main character is a thirteen-year-old girl. I don’t find many action-type books that are aimed at a young audience, potentially male, that has a young girl as the lead. Especially when said series is written by a man. Valkyrie might be the sidekick to the magic-wielding skeleton detective, but the storyline tends to centre on her, rather than him. And I love it. It’s so important to have a strong, female lead and one that young girls can look up to. We’re not pretty little wallflowers after all.

The second thing I love is the sarcastic wit and the dialogue. I find it hard to find a book that will generally make me laugh. Actually, I find it hard to find anything comedic that I enjoy. It has to be witty and clever. And generally it has to be sarcastic and a little dark. All of which this style of writing manages to accomplish. The dry, droll, sense of humour is exactly what I love and, although the storyline is good, it’s really the sarcastic wit with which it is carried forward that makes me read the story so quickly and vehemently.

 <- The Lost Art of World Domination Review Gold, Babies and the Brothers Muldoon Review ->
Image source: Thirst for Fiction

Dark Lady by P.N. Elrod

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Dark and Stormy Knights

Title: Dark Lady
Author: P.N. Elrod
Series: Vampire Files #12.6
In: Dark and Stormy Knights (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Even the undead need an edge.

Synopsis

A local undead club owner has a ghost. And a brand new conspiracy to deal with.

Thoughts

I love the noir gangster setting of this short story. It made me think of the 20’s, and some of the old movies that I’ve admittedly never gotten around to, but always plan to watch… it was kind of dark, lots of fun and incredibly captivating. The only complaint I have about this story is that it was over way too soon.

This short story starts off with a dame in trouble, there is also a ghost and a conspiracy that twists and turns with every passage. Which, of course, is why I enjoyed it so thoroughly. Nothing was quite like I expected, and although Elrod followed noir themes and styles, it is also a little different and unexpected. At least for me, since I don’t really read much of the noir genre.

Myrna is a fun change from the rest of the story – a ghost that likes dance music and plays her part in the chaos that unfolds. She’s small, sweet and one that I would really like to get to know better…

<- Even a Rabbit Will BiteBeknighted ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Britlingens Go to Hell by Charlaine Harris

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Must Love Hellhounds

Title: The Britlingens Go to Hell
Author: Charlaine Harris
Series: Sookie Stackhouse #9.5
In: Must Love Hellhounds (Charlaine Harris)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Books
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: She had little use for Trovis, and she’d never hidden her opinion.

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Synopsis

Follow paranormal bodyguards Clovache and Batanya into Lucifer’s realm, where they encounter his fearsome four-legged pets in The Britlingens Go to Hell.

Thoughts

Inter-dimensional, cross planetary travel with a side of assassin type bodyguards. You can’t really get much better than that with a novella. Especially when the two bodyguards and their client (who happens to have two penises) have to go to hell. Lucifer’s domain. And fight their way in and out while finding stolen property and avoiding a sexual deviant… or ten.

It’s pretty obvious that there is going to be a hook-up at the end of this story. Most of the paranormal fantasy stories that I read have some kind of romantic and / or sexual entanglement. That was until I read the two penis comment… which just lead to a lot of questions and confusing thoughts… ones that I think are better left unsaid.

I’m not sure how this fits in with Bacon and the other Sookie Stackhouse short stories. But it was certainly an enjoyable story. And now I need to find some more of these tales…

<- Must Love HellhoundsAngels’ Judgment ->

Image source: Goodreads

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 ->
Image source: Pinterest

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