Tag Archives: Paranormal Fantasy

B is for Bigfoot by Jim Butcher

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Under My Hat

Title: B is for Bigfoot
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files #2.5, Bigfoot Trilogy #1
In: Under My Hat (Jonathan Strahan)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Wizards
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: I’m not a moron, usually.

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Synopsis

B is for Bigfoot is a short story in The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher. It is set between Fool Moon and Grave Peril. It can be found in Under My Hat: Tales From the Cauldron, and was later included in Working for Bigfoot.

Thoughts

Everyone has had some kind of interaction with a bully. Whether it is being one, witnessing one or being the target, everyone has had some experience. I think it’s this universal fact with the dash of paranormal fantasy that made this short Dresden Files story so fun.

Starting with a very weird first introduction, Harry is put on the trail of protecting Bigfoot’s son. Yup, you heard that right, bigfoot has a great appearance in this story! And I’m a little in love with him to be honest… but, it is his son who really steals the spotlight (and isn’t that how it should be?)

Although Harry takes part in Irwin’s (Bigfoot Junior) escape from his bullies, nothing is ever simple and he comes up against a few more paranormal bumps in the road. And, ultimately, it is the reminder that sometimes we should fight for what is right that really wins out the day. Or at least, it does for me. I can’t wait for the next time we meet Bigfoot and Bigfoot Junior!

<- Fool Moon ReviewGrave Peril Review ->
Image source: Frances Hardinge

Fool Moon by Jim Butcher

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Fool MoonTitle: Fool Moon
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Wizards
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2001
5th sentence, 74th page: Both of us looking for the killer?

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Synopsis

Harry Dresden–Wizard
Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or Other Entertainment.

Business has been slow. Okay, business has been dead. And not even of the undead variety. You would think Chicago would have a little more action for the only professional wizard in the phone book. But lately, Harry Dresden hasn’t been able to dredge up any kind of work–magical or mundane.

But just when it looks like he can’t afford his next meal, a murder comes along that requires his particular brand of supernatural expertise.

A brutally mutilated corpse. Strange-looking paw prints. A full moon. Take three guesses–and the first two don’t count…

Thoughts

You know it’s a good book when you stay up until 2am just to finish it. Alright, I might do that a little more than is healthy. But, basically, I was so desperate to see where Harry was going to find himself this time that I just couldn’t put it down. And believe me, I tried.

Following the events of Storm Front, Dresden and Murphy aren’t quite friends, Harry has no money and he is still contemplating the true depths of the darkness of his soul. And honestly, for a while, it doesn’t get any better from there. Chasing werewolves, trying to protect Murphy and dealing with a major conspiracy theory leaves poor Harry running around injured, exhausted and, to add insult to injury, making deals with demons. Although, his deal with the demon does kind of hint at some very interesting future storylines about his ancestry… certainly something that I can’t wait to delve further into.

Really, I should have clicked from the title that this novel would be about werewolves. But I didn’t, and it was a fun little surprise in the opening scenes. So was Butcher’s take on how they operate. It wasn’t the straightforward, repetitive werewolf that you see in most stories, but as with the practice of potion making and just magic in general. I love that the Dresden Files world is so well thought out with laws and natures that govern magic, as with everything else. And the unique way in which Butcher does this… yummo.

Fool Moon took me from enjoying the Dresden Files to feeling insanely compelled to keep reading the and kind of desperate to find more time and money to immerse myself in the rest of the stories.

<- Storm Front Review B is for Bigfoot Review ->
Image source: Mobile Read

Welcome to the Jungle by Jim Butcher

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Welcome to the JungleTitle: Welcome to the Jungle
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Graphic novel, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Wizards
Pace: Fast
Format: Graphic novel
Publisher: Ballantine books
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Like the man said… “Smile, you son of a bitch.”

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Synopsis

When the supernatural world spins out of control, when the police can’t handle what goes bump in the night, when monsters come screaming out of nightmares and into the mean streets, there’s just one man to call: Harry Dresden, the only professional wizard in the Chicago phone book. A police consultant and private investigator, Dresden has to walk the dangerous line between the world of night and the light of day.

Now Harry Dresden is investigating a brutal mauling at the Lincoln Park Zoo that has left a security guard dead and many questions unanswered. As an investigator of the supernatural, he senses that there’s more to this case than a simple animal attack, and as Dresden searches for clues to figure out who is really behind the crime, he finds himself next on the victim list, and being hunted by creatures that won’t leave much more than a stain if they catch him.

Written exclusively for comics by Jim Butcher, The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle is a brand-new story that’s sure to enchant readers with a blend of gripping mystery and fantastic adventure.

Thoughts

I love a good graphic novel. Especially when it’s one that features a much loved character from a series that I’ve quickly become obsessed with.

Graphic novels as an addition to a series of novels can be kind of risky – they are very different ways of telling a story, and sometimes it just doesn’t translate well across the two mediums. And, quite frankly, that’s what I was half expecting from Welcome to the Jungle. After all, the thing that I love most about The Dresden Files is Harry’s wit and sass. And, of course, the immensely awkward positions he gets into. And most of these are told through his voice. So, I was a little curious (not to mention tentative) about how this really distinctive voice and character would be translated into images. Pictures might tell a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean that they’re going to be a good thousand words… but I worried for no reason. This medium worked amazingly.

“Welcome to the jungle, bitch.” – possibly one of the best and sassiest lines that Dresden has delivered in our short acquaintance.

<- A Restoration of Faith Review Storm Front Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Education of a Witch by Ellen Klages

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Under My HatTitle: The Education of a Witch
Author: Ellen Klages
In: Under My Hat (Jonathan Strahan)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Witches
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Lizzy scoots, and her father puts the little chair from her bedroom right on the seat of the car.

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Synopsis

Lizzy Breyer’s parents take her to see the movie, Sleeping Beauty. Unlike most little girls her age who are enthralled by Sleeping Beauty and her prince, Lizzy is entranced by the wicked witch Maleficent. Her mother takes her to the toy store, where she chooses a Maleficent puppet to buy, and she imagines that it talks to her. When Lizzy’s baby sister is born, everything changes for Lizzy. She is no longer the center of attention, which makes her feel angry. As her obsession with Maleficent grows, Lizzy begins acting out at school and soon discovers an ability within herself to cause mischief and mayhem just like the witch she idolizes.

Thoughts

At the beginning of this story, I thought that it was really sweet that a young girl found solace in Maleficent when her family welcomed a new baby. After all, I totally get feeling an attachment to Maleficent – she is one of my favourite Disney villains. But, as with many short stories, it took a completely unexpected turn. And quite a sinister one.

I’m a bigger sister, so I’m sure that there were bumps in the road when, at two and a half, my baby sister came on the scene. I certainly remember there being many, many, many arguments as we grew older (they still occur frequently for that matter). But, I would never resort to witch craft to lash out at others. And (I hope), the teething issues weren’t as bad as they were for Lizzy. Since she turns from cute girl with no understanding of why she’s not the centre of attention to a slightly crazy little child. I’m actually glad the story ended on such a cliff hanger, since I don’t really want to know how it ended!

 <- Witch Work Review The Threefold World Review ->
Image source: Frances Hardinge

Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Storm FrontTitle: Storm Front
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Wizards
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2000
5th sentence, 74th page: I planted my feet and faced him, without meeting his eyes.

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Synopsis

Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or Other Entertainment.

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he’s the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things—and most don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a—well, whatever. There’s just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks.

So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name. And that’s when things start to get interesting.

Magic – it can get a guy killed.

Thoughts

There’s nothing like a sassy, slightly left of centre main character. And when the story is told from their point of view? It’s fantastic! It’s little wonder that I loved this novel so much.

I’m a fan of both crime and paranormal fantasy books. After all, I love the wonders of the paranormal world. But I also love trying to figure who-done-it in the crime novels. Butcher hits on the combination of these two genres perfectly. Dresden runs around the streets of Chicago trying to find a missing man, solve a murder, and dodge killer demons. Honestly, what more could you want in a story?

Harry Dresden is a gangly, slightly awkward, attitudinal lead. Which, as with all good books, gets him in more trouble than anything else. Add to this a council member who wants him dead, and a talking head (literally) that is more than a little twisted, and it is ensured that Harry is going to have a dreadful time trying to solve his two crimes. Yet, everything is relevant – there isn’t a moment in this fantastically crafted novel that doesn’t serve a purpose, and I kind of love this fact. It doesn’t make it any easier to piece together who the baddies are. And it doesn’t lead to a predictable end to the story. But it does mean that I’m not let wondering why some random act happened, with no real answer.

The only problem that I have with this novel is the fact that now I have to wait until Fool Moon arrives in my bookshelves… it was just too good and the wait is a little too long!

<- Welcome to the Jungle Review Fool Moon Review ->
Image source: Muneer Huda

A Restoration of Faith by Jim Butcher

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

A Restoration of FaithTitle: A Restoration of Faith
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files #0.2
In: Side Jobs (Jim Butcher)
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: Orbit
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: The troll will let you cross the bridge if I’m not with you.

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Synopsis

Restoration of Faith. Restoration of Faith is a short story in The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher. It is set before Storm Front. The story was originally published on Jim–Butcher.com, and later included in the book Side Jobs.

Thoughts

Butcher starts off this short story by pointing out that this was one of the first short stories he’d ever written, and as such, it wasn’t his best work. But here, I must disagree. Or at least, not quite agree. I loved this fantastic short story, and I thoroughly enjoyed the introduction to Harry Dresden’s apprenticeship days.

There are so many unwanted children in the world. And they’re not all homeless or from lower socio-economic homes. Some, like Faith are from families who are immensely well off. They’re just not quite wanted. Which brings up an interesting ethical question, what should be done for them? That is what Dresden is forced to face (alongside a bridge troll) in A Restoration of Faith. And honestly, it works perfectly.

The other thing that I love about A Restoration of Faith is it shows us Dresden’s first meeting with Murphy. It is a single, simple moment in time that has a great impact on their lives and I love how seamlessly it works into the rest of the series.

<- Side Jobs Review Welcome to the Jungle Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Arcane Art of Misdirection by Carrie Vaughn

Book Review, , ,

Overview

hex-appealTitle: The Arcane Art of Misdirection
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Series: Kitty Norville #4.6
In: Hex Appeal (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Which opened into a hallway, just like the one she’d left.

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Synopsis

Welcome to the world of Kitty Norville. Where nothing is as it seems, including the world of casinos and gambling.

Thoughts

Casinos are a great location for mystery and subterfuge – they’re all about tricking the senses and convincing people to stay and act against their will. The idea of a sorcerer using this against the system to meet their own ends worked really beautifully, as did the description of such a location as a maze to trap people into spending their money. After all, they’re designed to contain everything and anything that we could want so that we don’t want to leave. Contrasting this view of those who want to win with a woman who works for the system and finds it rather tedious and boring was a great approach in this short story.

There are few people who are able to see through their preconceived conceptions to the inner truth, and it was enjoyable reading about somebody who is so inclined. Very few people would be able to see past this, and more difficult yet, accept this altered reality. There is a reason that everything is coloured by our preconceptions and this short story was a great way in which to question what happens when such preconceived ideas are altered. The conclusion of this story really highlights this complete change in Julie’s outlook on life and the potential new futures which she faces.

 <- Cherry Kisses Review Hex Appeal Review ->
Image source: Succubus

Lucky Charms by Lisa Shearin

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
night-shift

Title: Lucky Charms
Author: Lisa Shearin
Series: SPI Files #0.5
In: Night Shift (Nalini Singh)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: “So there’s no way around my being involved.”

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Synopsis

It’s seer “Makenna Frazier’s” first day on the job at Supernatural Protection and Investigations, and her first assignment is more than she bargained for when bodyguard duty for a leprechaun prince’s bachelor party goes every which way but right in national bestselling author Lisa Shearin’s “Lucky Charms“.

Thoughts

This is an awesome start to a new series, with a great chief protagonist and an awesome premise for a magical police agency – the SPI. I liked the way that Shearin overlays the idea of SPI on top of our everyday lives and makes the idea of Leprechauns running wild through the streets plausible and believable. The hints provided throughout this short story are a great preclude into the actual SPI Files books and I can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon for Mac.

Shearin achieves something that is incredibly difficult in stories – humour that is actually funny. It is incredibly difficult to be funny on paper and weave this into the storyline. But, Lucky Charms does this perfectly – a cross dressing leprechaun dancing in a goblin sex club is an image that will forever make me smile and stay in my head.

<- Magic StealsThe Grendel Affair ->

Image source: Audiobooks

High Stakes by Chloe Neill

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Kicking It

Title: High Stakes
Author: Chloe Neill
Series: Chicagoland Vampires #8.25
In: Kicking It (Faith Hunter & Kalayna Price)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Roc
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: “I love you,” I said, pulling back and putting my hands on his cheeks, making him look at me and see the emotion reflected in my face.

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Synopsis

Boot-loving Cadogan vampire Lindsey must team up with off-again, on-again vampire partner Luc when a woman from her past is targeted by supernaturals in “New York Times “bestselling author Chloe Neill’s all-new adventure. 

Thoughts

The name of this story is brilliant – high stakes, stakes as in vampires. I had way too much of a giggle over this. The story title, combined with the great and engaging plot line has inspired me to buy the first book in the Chicagoland Vampires series, and I can’t wait to meet the rest of the cast and crew of this interesting vampire series (and I don’t normally like vampire books, Twilight kind of ruined that for me…).

Reading about a girl with issues always tickles my happy literary place – if someone with issues is able to find love, then anyone can. The lack of perfection in a chief protagonist makes them a much, much better and more engaging character. I like that although Lindsey’s past is coming back to haunt her in a big way and she has huge trust and commitment issues, she is able to find someone who has her back, even when she is not being nice about it.

<- Biting BadHowling for You ->

Image source: Penguin

Ginger by Caitlin Kittredge

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

strange-brewTitle: Ginger
Author: Caitlin Kittredge
Series: Nocturne City #3.5
In: Strange Brew (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Werewolves, Witches
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: I pulled the magick down to me, feeling it spiral from my forehead to my fingers.

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Synopsis

The sweet, quiet sidekick finds her own strength and power.

Thoughts

Sunny was a very sweet heroine in Ginger, and a great counterpart to her far more volatile cousin. The balance between these two characters was enjoyable, and Sunny’s ability to hold her own (even when she doubts that she can) reminds us that strength comes in all shapes and sizes. Even in those who are naturally meek and uninterested in conflict of any shape or form.

The political intrigue and use of the American Justice System in the telling of this story added a layer of interest to a tale that is otherwise a little forgettable. The characters are relatable and enjoyable, but the overarching storyline was not as spine tingling and attention grabbing as the rest of the short stories in the Strange Brew collection.

 <- Signatures of the Dead Review Dark Sins Review ->
Image source: Goodreads