Tag Archives: Paranormal Fantasy

Otherworld Secrets by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
otherworld-secrets

Title: Otherworld Secrets
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld Companion
In: Otherworld Secrets (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Collection
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: “Yeah, yeah,” he muttered.

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Synopsis

A collection of novellas and stories, both original and specially chosen by the author, featuring much-loved Otherworld characters in heart-stopping, pulse-racing action.

Kelley Armstrong captivated readers with her Sunday Times bestselling Women of the Otherworld series of supernatural thrillers. Now her characters return in this gripping anthology.

The collection begins with a brand-new novella featuring werewolf Karl Marsden and half-demon Hope, in what might be Karl’s last heist. Meanwhile Elena and Clay are trapped in a wintry small town with a killer on the loose, in the fast-paced and atmospheric novella ‘Forbidden’.

In ‘Angelic’, former black witch and part-tiome angel Eve is sent on a dangerous mission by the Fates, while necromancer Jaime tackles a ghost with a seriously bad attitude in ‘The Ungrateful Dead’. Zoe Takano is forced to defend her territory in the hugely entertaining ‘Zen and the Art of Vampirism’. And in the final novella, ‘Counterfeit Magic’, Paige Winterbourne and Lucas Cortez take on a troubling case that will change the couple for ever.

Thoughts

This was yet another brilliant collection of Women of the Otherworld stories. Although I have finished the main body of novels, it has been really enjoyable to revisit much loved characters again and again and again. It’s a great way to get another fix without rereading the entire series (which I will definitely be doing at some point in the future).

Heists, journeys and secrets take the centre point in Otherworld Secrets and it is not in the least disappointing. Going on a journey with the werewolves, Hope, Jaimie… it’s an adventure that I’m sad is over, and one that I look forward to taking again and again and again.

<- Otherworld NightsOtherworld Chills ->

Image source: Goodreads

Life After Theft by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
otherworld-secrets

Title: Life After Theft
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #13.6
In: Otherworld Secrets (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: I need you to talk to your husband.

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Synopsis

Karl has sworn to retire from the world of thieving and start life as a family man… werewolf. But, he doesn’t take into account the manipulations of the supernatural community. It turns out that Karl has one last heist to perform if it means saving his reputation and protecting his family.

Thoughts

Karl and Hope are an incredibly chaotic and entertaining couple. The fact that their daughter, who is now three-years-old, is just as incredibly chaotic and energetic as her parents, is kind of a fun bonus. It is this very chaotic toddler who was the cause of Karl’s retirement. But as with the world of Women of the Otherworld, nothing ever goes as planned. Now, Karl is faced with people ruining his reputation, double crossing and questioning his future plans.

Hope and Karl might be planning on the arrival of their next baby, and the amount of children they want in their little family, but they are also forced into an international trip. The sticky predicament that they find themselves in. luckily, Hope’s abilities and their teamwork work as they always do – to get the pair out of trouble.

<- ForsakenThe Puppy Plan ->

Image source: Goodreads

Forsaken by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Forsaken

Title: Forsaken
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #13.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Subterranean Press
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: And afterward.

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Synopsis

Three years after being named Alpha of the North American pack, Elena Michaels is in Londong battling for respect from the British pack. When it becomes apparent she won’t get it, she heads home, expecting a much-needed rest on her family vacation, only to discover a battle brewing of a very different kind.

One of her eight-year-old twins has disappeared, and all evidence points to Malcolm Danvers. It seems as if the psychotic former Pack member they’ve been tracking for the past year has brought the fight to them, setting the bait he knows Elena can’t afford to ignore.

Number one New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong returns to her much-loved Otherworld with this powerful novella detailing the latest trials and travails of a fan-favorite character, a working mother who happens to lead the werewolves of North America.

Thoughts

Elena’s position as Alpha is tenuous and difficult. Although her Pack may understand and appreciate that she is fully capable, the male-dominated world of werewolves doesn’t see it in the same way. Sound familiar anyone? So, an entire novella about how she handles her new role and the derogatory ways in which her Alpha-ness is approached was really beautiful. Plus, visiting a more stable, well-balanced version of Elena was incredibly enjoyable.

Honestly, I got frustrated just reading some of the scenes in this book – being called hysterical because she was getting pissy at the stupid men. Honestly, its’s one of the most irritating comments that I’ve heard from people. It’s also a great highlight of how badly we all experience double standards. After all, if a man gets annoyed, he’s just annoyed, but whenever us women feel the same, we’re hysterical, annoyed or probably PMSing… the fact that Parker (the British Alpha) then uses Elena’s motherhood and care for her family against her… I almost had steam coming out my ears just reading it. Which I think is kind of the purpose… throughout the entire series, we’ve watched Elena grow and change, and then everything is disregarded because of her genitals. It also leads to the complications that arise throughout the story, but, as always, Elena manages to triumph over the morons who challenge her.

Forsaken doesn’t just show how Elena has evolved, but how the entire Danvers clan has changed. The twins have also grown and altered as they’ve turned from screaming toddlers to kind of terrifying nine-year-olds. Alright, they’re definitely not normal, and the whole family is a little off-kilter. But the characterisation works beautifully. It also matches the incredibly off-kilter parents, and makes the entire journey so much more enjoyable. It also makes me wonder what kind of children I’ll possibly produce in the future…

<- Bounty HuntLife After Theft ->

Image source: Tez Says

Bounty Hunt by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Bounty Hunt

Title: Bounty Hunt
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #13.4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Graphic novels, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Graphic novel
Publisher: Subterranean Press
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: Meanwhile at Stonehaven…

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Synopsis

After the Australian Pack murdered Reese William’s parents, the young werewolf fled and took refuge with the American Pack. Three years later, the Australians have tracked him down and dispatched a bounty hunter to bring him back. That bounty hunter, though, isn’t the lone wolf who owes them a debt, but his twenty-one-year-old daughter, Madison. Maddie is determined to bring in the rogue Reese for her ailing father. Now Reese has to show her the truth behind her client’s lies…and avoid being the cause of an all-out war for Elena and the rest of the American Pack.

Thoughts

I love a good graphic novel – one that works in with a series that I love. But also that has a beautiful storyline, great imagery and, in this case, the same great sass that I’m used to in the Women of the Otherworld series. The fact that this brings us back to Reese’s predicament with the Australian pack, just makes it a much more enrapturing visual story.

Reese’s past is shown beautifully in Chivalrous, and it’s kind of a sad tale, but, ultimately it takes Reese to Elena. So, when bounty hunters come to the USA to take him back down under and kill him, the story has an almost more tragic turn. Luckily, Reese is wary enough after his experiences to be wary of the beautiful new girl in his life. And his trust in Elena lets her help him to overcome the hunt and another shard of his past can be healed.

Although the majority of this series is based in the USA, there is a sense of the global supernatural community throughout the series. Bounty Hunt just drives the constantly changing world of globalisation and how it impacts us all.

<- BrazenForsaken ->

Image source: Goodreads

Brazen by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Brazen

Title: Brazen
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #13.3
In: Otherworld Chills (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: Nick looked toward the window, where he could pick up the distant wail of a siren.

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Synopsis

Nick Sorrentino knows everyone in the supernatural world considers him the Pack’s playboy, the pretty but not very useful werewolf whose only reputation involves his amorous exploits.

Usually, Nick couldn’t care less what anyone outside the Pack thinks of him. But when it affects his hunt for Malcolm Danvers, a psychotic bogeyman from the Pack’s past, it matters.

Necessity forces Nick to team up with mercenary half-demon Vanessa Callas to run Malcolm to ground in Detroit. Together, they discover Malcolm is more deadly than ever. And he wants to play.

It’s time for Nick to prove he’s not just a lover.

Thoughts

Malcolm’s existence and survival in 13 was a bit of a shock – after all, I’ve spent the entire Women of the Otherworld series believing that he was killed. As did the remainder of the characters. So, it was nice to get a bit of an update as to how the werewolf Pack were dealing with his ability to survive almost anything. The fact that Brazen is a tale about Nick and his pursuit of Malcolm (as well as his new standing and responsibility in the Pack) just made this a far more enjoyable novella.

I love that every character in this series has their own perfect match. Mostly it’s unconventional, not quite what you expect, but it works. And, FINALLY, Nick meets his perfect match. She’s not what I would have expected, it’s not the meet cute you would expect, but it works out well. It would certainly be difficult to accept Nick’s playboy past, but Vanessa somehow manages to do it and I love the not-so-tactful way in which she does this.

Malcolm is the boogeyman of the werewolf world – he is kind of intimidating and overwhelming and a sadistic a-hole. The depth to which this sadism and horror has expanded whilst in Cabal custody has only expanded, and it makes him an amazing villain throughout this story. And by amazing, I mean really intimidating and terrifying, and kind of difficult to read this tale late at night.

The bounty hunters throughout highlight our inclination to negatively reflect on the more ‘animalistic’ sides of our nature. I love that through all of the Women of the Otherworld series, the werewolves are considered to be lesser in so many ways. Not just brutish and driven by impulses, but also unable to control themselves. This prejudice against following one’s ‘emotions’ (animalistic nature) causes them to be cast as the ‘other’, and worthy of hunting. Seeing it from the point of view of Nick and the rest of the Pack makes me understand how minority groups that are undertrod can possibly feel.

<- Vanishing ActBounty Hunt ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Lost Art of World Domination by Derek Landy

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

The Lost Art of World DominationTitle: The Lost Art of World Domination
Author: Derek Landy
In: Armageddon Outta Here (Derek Landy)
Series: Skulduggery Pleasant #1.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Dark fantasy, Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Harper Collins
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: You were asking all those questions.

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Synopsis

It isn’t easy to take over the world. First you need the scheme. Then you need the muscle. Then you need to come up with a system for ruling six billion people and keeping them fron revolting. It takes a certain kind of man to take over the world. Scaramouch Van Dreg, however, is not that man. But he has one thing going for him. He has his arch enemy, Skulduggery Pleasant, chained in his dungeon, and the only person who is coming to save him is the skeleton detective’s 13 year old sidekick. What could possibly go wrong?

Thoughts

This is a Skulduggery Pleasant story that I was expecting. Funny, witty and adorable. It also involved a villain that had no idea what he was doing, a detective that was kind of clueless about what said villain was doing and a poor rescue from his sidekick. Honestly, this was just a cute and funny side story between Skulduggery Pleasant and Playing with Fire.

There is an inherent flaw for the plan of world domination – it hinges on a small insect. Which is easily crushed. The contempt with which the plan for world domination is foiled would be sad, if it wasn’t for the conversations that proceeded it. And the fact that he wasn’t the aimed for villain. And that even Valkyrie had no idea who he was… alright, it was sad… but in a very funny, pathetic way.

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

The Horror Writers’ Halloween Ball by Derek Landy

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Armageddon Outta HereTitle: The Horror Writers’ Halloween Ball
Author: Derek Landy
In: Armageddon Outta Here (Derek Landy)
Series: Skulduggery Pleasant #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Dark fantasy, Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Harper Collins
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: They lay there like that for some time.

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Synopsis

Gordon Edgley has been invited to the famed horror writer Sebastian Fawkes’ legendary, very exclusive, annual Halloween costume ball, and has brought Skulduggery along (dressed as Claude Raines’ Invisible Man) thinking he’ll enjoy it. All present are horror writers and Gordon is struggling with his Creature from the Black Lagoon costume, but it’s not so bad when he runs into an old acquaintance, Susan DeWick , even if she’s more charmed by Skulduggery. After Fawkes himself makes a speech, he approaches Gordon and effectively berates him and his first novel, Caterpillars, before departing.

Thoughts

Gordon Edgely’s death is the instigator of the Skulduggery Pleasant series, and although Skulduggery talks about it, it’s kind of hard to see how they related to one another. Until you read The Horror Writers’ Halloween Ball – it’s one of the adventures the two had together and an idea of how their friendship operated.

The world of writing and publishing is overwhelming. I’ve been trying to dip my toes into the world, and can’t imagine what it’s like to actually “make it”. So, Gordon’s presence at a ball specifically for the elite of horror writers was fascinating. It sounds just as bitchy as I imagine any group of the elite can be. The sinister deals that the head of this group decided to make just help to highlight how compromising things can be.

 <- Across a Dark Plain Review Skulduggery Pleasant Review ->
Image source: Skulduggery Pleasant Wiki

Across a Dark Plain by Derek Landy

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Armageddon Outta HereTitle: Across a Dark Plain
Author: Derek Landy
In: Armageddon Outta Here (Derek Landy)
Series: Skulduggery Pleasant #0.25
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Dark fantasy, Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Harper Collins
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: The kind only fire or a bullet to the brainpan could put down.

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Synopsis

150 years before the events of the series, the Dead Men are on a mission to hunt down Nefarian Serpine in the Wild West.

Thoughts

Western meets Skulduggery. Brilliant. And funny. And just… fun. It wasn’t even remotely what I would have expected of a pre-Valkyrie era, but that’s probably because I thought it was even better!

Skulduggery’s history with Serpine and his desire to wreak vengeance on him are drivers that were well publicised in Skulduggery Pleasant. But, this drive, the lengths to which he is willing to travel are shown a little more in Across a Dark Plain. There isn’t the wit and humour that marks his words throughout the first novel, just a single-minded drive and desire to gain his revenge.

His companions are introduced beautifully though, and even though this isn’t a story full of wit and humour as I was kind of expecting, it is one that helps to show the drivers of the main character in a different light. I love the different ways in which Landy is able to explore his character. It adds even more layers to an already well-loved, multi-dimensional character.

 <- Armageddon Outta Here Review The Horror Writers’ Halloween Ball Review ->
Image souce: Skulduggery Pleasant Wiki

Otherworld Nights by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
otherworld-nights

Title: Otherworld Nights
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld Companion
In: Otherworld Nights (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Collection
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: But he wasn’t the one I was worried about.

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Synopsis

A suspenseful, sexy new collection of stories and novellas, both original and curated by the author from her short fiction.

Sunday Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong captivated readers with her Women of the Otherworld series of supernatural thrillers. In this new anthology, favourite characters return in stories of drama, danger and desire. Legendary werewolf partners Elena and Clay stalk the pages of this book, along with vampires, witches, half-demons and sorcerers. Filled with fan favourites and rarities, Otherworld nights concludes with a brand-new novella, ‘Vanishing Act’. This thrilling longer story is set after the events of series finale 13, and features much-loved characters Savannah and Adam as they being a new life – and a mysterious new case – together.

Thoughts

I loved, loved, loved this collection of Women of the Otherworld short stories. In between some of the stories, it was nice to revisit favourite characters. This collection also provided a greater backstory to Adam’s childhood and Aaron and Cassandra’s relationship. Both aspects of the characters which I hadn’t quite had a chance to enjoy or understand.

I love that although there are only thirteen primary works in this series, there are a number of short stories and novellas which help to flesh out the world. Otherworld Nights had a feeling of the things that go bump in the night, and the cold, dark, Russian winter. It was a great collection that left me smiling when I finally finished it.

<- Tales of the OtherworldOtherworld Secrets ->

Image source: Goodreads

Vanishing Act by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
otherworld-nights

Title: Vanishing Act
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #13.2
In: Otherworld Nights (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 201
5th sentence, 74th page: There was a reason I’d told him rather than Paige.

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Synopsis

Savannah and Adam are trying to negotiate the new boundaries of their relationship while hunting down a unique half-demon.

Thoughts

Seven months after the occurrences of 13, and Savannah and Adam are forced to negotiate and really look at what their new relationship means. The backdrop of a unique type of half-demon and their battle against the Cabals is a great way to raise the stakes in their activities. It also helps to highlight Savannah’s immensely complex relationship with the Cabals – primarily the tug of war between herself, the Cortez and Nast Cabals and how everything that happened in 13 just helped these already tenuous relationships completely implode.

I love the idea of Adam and Savannah, the age gap is kind of big, but Savannah’s maturity (Adam’s immaturity) and the way that they’ve grown together is kind of amazing. I literally cheered out loud when they finally got together towards the end of Spellbound and more officially in 13. Their own issues and independence mean that they both have a tendency to freak out about their relationship, and most of the personal storyline in this tale is about them finding a way to be themselves, and in a couple as well. The communication aspect might need a lot of work, but there is nothing like hunting down an unknown talent and facing up to other Cabals to put it through a pressure cooker.

<- From Russia with LoveBrazen ->

Image source: Goodreads