Tag Archives: Paranormal Fantasy

Daiquiris and Daggers by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Daiquiris and Daggers
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Faery Bargains #2.5
In: Hex on the Beach (Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost & Melissa Marr)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This novella was a fantastic introduction to a new Melissa Marr series, for me at least. I mean, it does take place a little bit into the series, but still. It was the first one I read from Faery Bargains, and I freaking loved it. Now I can’t wait to see more of just how Gen found the amazing group of people she surrounds herself with. And how she manages her powers. And just, generally is so damn badass.

Although the “girl’s weekend” in this story didn’t quite go according to plan, it definitely seemed like a whole lot of fun. Definitely the kind of girl’s weekend that my mind wants to go on. I’m not so sure about the body because I’d honestly probably end up dead. But still, it was definitely an amazing, fun and silly kind of weekend. One that seems to have further cemented some of the relationships in this series.

I love how this novella is a complete story in and of itself. You can be like me and not have read any of the other books in this series (yet). But, you can also tell that it builds upon plot lines in the rest of the series. Then, there’s the brilliant fact that even though all of your questions are answered, and it’s tied up quite neatly. But, there are still so many open-ended moments that make you want to dive into the other stories in this series…

This novella was freaking fantastic and I’m absolutely in love with Gen and her girlfriends. Particularly Allie, I know from this that at some point she’s tried to actually kill Gen. But, there is something about her that is full on and intense. And just so damn fun that you can’t help but love her.

<- The Kiss & the KillerChampagne & Commitments ->

Image source: Booktopia

Blood Martinis and Mistletoe by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Blood Martinis & Mistletoe
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Faery Bargains #1.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace:Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This is a fantastic novella that bridges some of the important story points between The Wicked and The Dead and The Kiss and The Killer. It kind of stands as a story all on its own, but mostly gives a bit of closure to a few questions that are presented at the end of The Wicked and The Dead. Which perfectly opens up the next book in this series, which I can’t wait to sink my literary teeth into.

I love that this is a novella in which Gen is mostly just trying to figure out how to negotiate all of the changes in her life. She has a fiancé, friends who always knew her secret, and some serious increases in her powers. Just one of those things would require a whole lot of adjustment…all three? Yeah, a whole lot of figuring things out. I like that although Gen is obviously still trying to figure some things out, she’s starting to come to terms with her life.

Eli is, honestly, total finance goals. He loves Gen for who she is, and just tries to be supportive. And also stop her from killing herself or getting killed. Throughout all of this, he is constantly working on trying to make Gen understand that he just wants her, not the idea of what she could be. And that he does truly support her in her chosen career.

Beatrice also plays a big part in this story. Her presence in the story leaves a lot of unanswered questions, but it also starts to supply some answers to just how powerful, Gen is going to become. I also just genuinely like Beatrice, she is protective and kind of terrifying. But definitely loves and cares for her own.

<- The Wicked and the DeadThe Kiss and the Killer ->

Image source: Amazon

The Wicked and the Dead by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Wicked and the Dead
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Faery Bargains #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

It did take me a little while to get into this novel. More so because there is a lot of background information that needs to be shown before you can really get into all of the battles that Gen is facing. And, sometimes, that can be a bit to wade through. However, once you get all of the bits and pieces of the backstory sorted in your head – it’s a freaking amazing novel. I think about three chapters in, I got to the point (and quickly) that I just didn’t want to put this book down. A seriously amazing story, and I can’t wait to keep going further down the rabbit hole that is this series.

I love that Gen is a half witch, half vampire-ish creature. The mix itself lends to different challenges, but the fact that there are so many things that Gen herself doesn’t know? It’s a fun journey of self-discovery to embark on with her. Plus, she’s literally a half-dead being whose power comes from nature, life and the living (or at least the witch half). And she has blue hair, which for some reason I absolutely love (maybe a bit of a reflection on the days when I had blue hair and the type of care free times that reminds me of). I can’t wait to see how much her powers grow in the future books.

Sometimes I want to read a series that has no love interest, or introduces one quite late to the party. I enjoyed that Eli was obviously the love interest from the very first moment. Plus, he is a really great match, just content to work with Gen and wait for her. He’s a great partner – patient and loyal, and in love with who Gen is, not who she could be. Although, that isn’t to say that he isn’t just as powerful and intimidating as Gen – he’s fae. And he plays all of the fae games and makes the bargains that you would anticipate. Luckily they are often (in a roundabout way) to the benefit of Gen.

Finally, as part of the supporting cast, there are Gen’s friends. They are the actual best tribe I’ve read about in a while. They all know about her fucked up lineage – and just accept her. Gen is a little ignorant of just how truly wonderful and loyal her friends are, but it’s still a fun little journey. And the times that they indicate their discomfort with her chosen career… it’s because they care about her. And, well, basically aren’t keen on Gen dying… which I feel like is going to be a close call multiple times throughout this series.

<- More Melissa MarrBlood Martinis and Mistletoe ->

Praying for Rain by Jay Kristoff

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Praying for Rain
Author: Jay Kristoff
Series: The Lotus Wars #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Paranormal fantasy, Science fiction
Pace: Slow
Format: Free online short story
Year: 2013

Thoughts

This was a very intense and emotional short story. A little slow to get going, but once it picked up speed… it was hard to put it down. Kristoff does a great job of world building and bringing you into the intrigue that is to be The Lotus Wars series.

Kristoff’s world building is absolutely phenomenal in this short story. I was expecting good world building, but this was of a totally different calibre. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of this series. I mean, this is a steampunk, dystopia feeling world. Full of politics, conflict and magic.

I absolutely adored this short story, and now I can’t wait to read the first book in The Lotus Wars series. I mean, I kind of expected that from Kristoff, but it was nice to have the confirmation.

<- More Jay KristoffThe Last Stormdancer ->

Image source: Novel Heartbeat

Down in the Ground Where the Dead Men Go by Caitlin Kittredge

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Down in the Dark Where the Dead Men Go
Author: Caitlin Kittredge
Series: Black London #1.5
In: Huntress (Christine Warren, Marjorie M. Liu, Caitlin Kittredge & Jenna Maclaine)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2009

Thoughts

Although this is a novella length tale, it’s kind of structured like a short story. I mean, there is one chapter and it’s definitely slightly shorter than the other novellas in the Huntress collection. It was, a lot of fun to read. A good, slightly dark and fun story.

I must admit, Jack is an absolute idiot. I mean, he knows that the woman coming onto him is no good. And yet, he still decides to mess around with her. Which just leads to his entrapment. I mean, honestly mate. It was more than a little ridiculous and see-through of her motivations. Serious fool.

There are two potential romantic interests in this story. And I’m really annoyed that the one who was actually kind and good ended up being consumed. I think it was consumed, I’m not even 100% on that to be honest. Then, the manipulative, horrible woman gets to ride off, happily into the sunset. Not quite the ending that I wanted.

I really enjoyed this, as I’ve enjoyed all of the stories by Kittredge. Fun and dark. Just how I sometimes like my tales of magic and mayhem.

<- The Robber BrideSin Slayer ->

Image source: Amazon

A Grave Girls’ Getaway by Jeaniene Frost

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Overview

Title: A Grave Girls’ Getaway
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Huntress #7.6, Night Huntress Universe #16.5
In: Hex on the Beach (Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost & Melissa Marr)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Sadly, I haven’t gotten as far into the Night Huntress series as I want. Mostly because I’m kind of a series slut and tend to jump around a lot. But, it’s definitely one that I continuously enjoy picking up. And every time I read anything set in this world, I’m reminded why I find this series so exciting and interesting. Alright, this novella takes place a bit further down in the series order, but it was still exciting and seriously enjoyable. There were a few spoilers for things that are going to come up. But, with the way I jump around, I’ll probably have forgotten about some of them by then anyway.

I love that this is a story about Cat just trying to have a nice, relaxing girls’ weekend. And that it completely goes off rails and doesn’t go to plan. I mean, it wouldn’t be a story featuring Cat if anything actually went according to plan. Particularly a weekend that is all about relaxing… instead, Cat and her girlfriend get witch cults, horrors and some kind of ocean goddess. Although, surprisingly there are some survivors at the end… left on purpose and I liked the rationale for not just killing everyone.

Drunk Cat is one of the more humorous things I’ve read in a book in a little while. I mean, she is literally trying to fight the floor. And determined to still go out and kill a bunch of people. Typical Cat stubbornness, and seriously funny in that she actually succeeds in her goals. As bloody and violent as they are.

Through all of the drama and violence, Cat is trying so dang hard to figure out how to be a good mum. As a new mum myself, I understand some of this guilt and challenge. The fact that her child is actually a teenager and was trained to kill… a little bit harder than what I’ve had to go through. Her way of being a good parent and the compromise she reaches at the end is brilliant and reminded me why I love this author and series so much.

<- Goddess of Summer LoveDaiquiris and Daggers ->

Image source: Booktopia

The Takeback Tango by Rebecca Roanhorse

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Overview
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology by Dhonielle Clayton

Title: The Takeback Tango
Author: Rebecca Roanhorse
In: A Universe of Wishes (Dhonielle Clayton)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Race, Young adult
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Crown
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I seriously love the idea of a pirate taking back what is historically hers. It’s a reminder of the horrors of colonisation and how there is a lot to atone for. The fact that the lead voice in this has lost family not once, but twice to the empire and is constantly fighting to survive… a wonderful, albeit sad, story line.

There is a great meet cute and potential for romance in this story. Although it is subtle and not overt, there is so much potential at the end of this tale. I almost wish that it was a prequel to a greater series. I love the idea of the two characters getting to know one another and also just… stealing back things from the empire.

Two displaced youths fighting to regain their identities and what was taken for them is a good story in and of itself. The humour and banter just adds to the enjoyment of the whole story. As does the open-ended ending – so much potential for the future.

<- A Royal AffairDream and Dare ->

Image source: Goodreads

Robber Bride by Marjorie M. Liu

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Robber Bride
Author: Marjorie M. Liu
In: Huntress (Christine Warren, Marjorie M. Liu, Caitlin Kittredge & Jenna Maclaine)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology, eBook, Novella
Year: 2009

Thoughts

This novella wasn’t quite what I was expecting, but also seriously good. However, there was definitely more of an ick factor than I was anticipating… the lead was definitely more of a grey hero than anything. She had good motivations, but she also didn’t necessarily have innocence on her side. Plus, at the beginning I thought that Irdu would be the romantic interest – they had the set up for it. But, nothing, and I repeat nothing turned out as I anticipated.

Although I don’t necessarily agree with all of the choices made throughout this story, I do love that the lead will do pretty much anything to chase down someone she cares about. I mean, there are constant moments throughout this where she is questioning her decisions, but she is still driven by her loyalty. Honestly, if I end up in a post-apocalyptic world, I would want someone like The Fixer on my side.

I really loved the Crow shapeshifter in this novella. There was a bit of a driving off into the sunset feeling with him, but nothing overt. He is also obviously loyal, although I’m still vague on the motivations if I’m being honest. He was a great alternative romantic entanglement that worked a lot better for my happiness.

This was a fantastic novella. One that I seriously enjoyed, but also couldn’t quite understand all of. I feel like I could reread this multiple times, and not quite get all of the nuances throughout…

<- Devil’s BargainDown in the Ground Where the Dead Men Go ->

Image source: Amazon

Hex on the Beach by Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost & Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Hex on the Beach
Author: Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost & Melissa Marr
In: Hex on the Beach (Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost & Melissa Marr)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology, eBook
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I loved every single one of these three novellas. One of those anthologies that I’m glad I have on the shelves. And one that I look forward to reading again and again. I mean, I kind of figured that would be the case because I’ve read all of these authors before and loved them all. But, it was still nice to be right in that assumption.

It comes as absolutely no surprise that I loved all of the series that these stories feature in. Two of which I’d already started reading, one of which I had in my TBR anyway. Now I just want to dive into these urban fantasy series all over again.

Even though all three novellas have that same summer vibe throughout this collection, they all have a wonderfully unique flavour. I love that there is the chilling with friends, enjoying a vacation feel, which goes completely belly up in every one of the stories. But, the ways that chaos hits the group is completely different for each tale.

A brilliant collection, one that I was completely in love with from the very first moment.

<- Goddess of Summer LoveDaiquiris and Daggers ->

Image source: Booktopia

Faery Tales and Nightmares by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Faery Tales and Nightmares

Title: Faery Tales and Nightmares
Author: Melissa Marr
In: Faery Tales & Nightmares (Melissa Marr)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2012

Thoughts

This is a fantastic collection, with the vast majority of the short stories set in the Wicked Lovely world. Although this did give me some spoilers for the series, it was still fun and tantalising to constantly visit that world – one that I’ve always enjoyed, just not quite gotten around to finishing yet. But, having all of these wonderful spoilers has just made me all that much more keen to dive back into the series.

I seriously loved jumping in and out of the Wicked Lovely world. Sometimes it’s just nice to briefly visit a world, without having to commit to a full-length novel. I loved that I could do this with this collection, take a brief pause, but not get too distracted from day-to-day responsibilities.

Even though I really enjoyed reading this, admittedly, I think that I would have been better off reading this collection after finishing the Wicked Lovely series. It was intriguing to get all of these tantalising hints, but it also gave away so many twists and spoilers! It’s made it a little less climatic to jump into the other stories and given away a few things that would have made me completely intrigued to read the actual series.

Every single story in this collection (whether a Wicked Lovely story or one that stands alone) was brilliant. And fun. And had those wonderfully dark twists of the fae. I love that these stories weren’t innocent and covered in cheerful faery dust. But filled with the more traditional ideas of fae.

<- Merely MortalWhere Nightmares Walk ->

Image source: HarperCollins Publishers