Tag Archives: Rob Thurman

Trick of the Light by Rob Thurman

June 14, 2020Book ReviewMythology, Rob Thurman, Trickster, Tricksters, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Trick of the Light (Trickster, #1) by Rob Thurman

Title: Trick of the Light
Author: Rob Thurman
Series: Trickster #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Tricksters, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 16th – 18th May 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Roc Fantasy
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: It was new.

An underground chamber is exposed in a seedy, dilapidated house. In the dark cellar, a ritualistic display is revealed: a human skull rests on a cauldron, surrounded by slain chickens and bizarre figurines.

Called to the scene is forensic anthropologist Dr Temperance Brennan. She determines that the skull is that of a young, black female. But how and when did she die? Just as Tempe is closing in on answers, another body is discovered: a headless corpse carved with Satanic symbols.

As local vigilantes begin a witch-hunt, Tempe struggles to contain her emotions. But the eventual truth proves more shocking than even she could have imagined.

This has been sitting on my shelf for ages, waiting to be read. Now I’m seriously not sure as to why it took me this damn long to read I love trickster stories. I love tales where all is not as it seems… and this novel managed to combine both of those loves in one gorgeous, neat, little package. One that left me feeling very happy and seriously irritated that I have no other Rob Thurman books on my shelves…

I had already read Snakeskin, a short story about Trixa before I picked up this novel. Which, in hindsight, was a little bit annoying. Because although I think I may have guessed at the twist reveal at the end… I didn’t actually get to guess. The reality of Trixa’s world was already stated very clearly in Snakeskin and made those final moments a little less exciting. Although, there was still a great reveal that I hadn’t quite expected…. Which made me quite happy.

I knew that I was going to love Trixa in this story because of the short story I’d read in the past. What I wasn’t sure of was the supporting cast and storyline that drove along the battles that were faced. Zeke and Griffin are just amazing – I did like Zeke a whole lot more, but I seriously love the tragically flawed characters anyway. Leo is also amazing, but since Zeke and Griffin are in this a whole lot more, it’s their journey and confusion that I appreciate so much. Especially as their past comes out more and more as the tale unfolds.

Trick of the Light is amazing, it is one of the few trickster stories that I’ve read which truly encompasses the idea of a trickster. A being that isn’t good or bad. Isn’t malicious or benevolent. But, rather something in between. A character that is entirely about balance. That has no sides but their own. And that you really just can’t help but love, although, maybe, hope that you don’t quite meet one…

<- Snakeskin

Talking Trash ->

Image source: Goodreads

Wolfsbane and Mistletoe edited by Charlaine Harris & Toni L. P. Kelner

February 2, 2020Book ReviewAlan Gordon, Carrie Vaughn, Charlaine Harris, Christmas, Dana Cameron, Dana Stabenow, Donna Andrews, J.A. Konrath, Karen Chance, Kat Richardson, Keri Arthur, Nancy Pickard, Paranormal Fantasy, Patricia Briggs, Rob Thurman, Simon R. Green, Toni L.P. Kelner, Werewolves, Wolfsbane and Mistletoeskyebjenner

Image result for wolfsbane and mistletoe book cover

Title: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe
Author: Charlaine Harris, Donna Andrews, Simon R. Green, Dana Cameron, Kat Richardson, Alan Gordon, Carrie Vaughn, Dana Stabenow, Keri Arthur, J.A. Konrath, Patricia Briggs, Nancy Pickard, Karen Chance, Rob Thurman & Toni L. P. Kelner
In: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections, Werewolves
Dates read: 16th November – 30th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: I’m big and I’m hairy!

The holiday season can bring out the beast in anyone – literally! This collection features 15 werewolf tales by an all-star line up.

This is the second collection I’ve read by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner. And it’s just as good, if not better than the first. Actually, it was probably better. Because I really wasn’t in the mood for the Holiday Season this year. Normally I read all sorts of nice holiday stories. I didn’t want those. But an anthology about werewolves and Christmas? That was perfect for my mood. Especially when some of the stories involve eating Rudolph and Santa.

Christmas seems to be all about the night and the season. Or something about the imagery of it is. And werewolves are almost always pictured with a full moon. The combination of the two actually makes perfect sense. Which was something I’d never thought of before, but now wonder why not. After all, it works so beautifully.

Not only were the themes in this story perfectly paired, but it was also a fantastic mix of series shorts and standalones. I love finding short stories based in established worlds. But it’s also great to sometimes find a standalone that you can really sink your teeth into. If anything, I think I actually preferred a lot of the standalones in this collection, they were the stories which were a little grittier.

Although there was a bit more darkness to this story than a traditional paranormal fantasy tale, it was still quite a light-hearted mix. Even the stories that involved disembowelling well-known Christmas characters were funny and light. Left me with a nice, big smile on my lips at the end of the collection.

<- Keeping Watch Over His Flock Review

Gift Wrap Review ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Milk and Cookies by Rob Thurman

January 30, 2020Book ReviewCal Leandros, Christmas, Paranormal Fantasy, Rob Thurman, Werewolves, Wolfsbane and Mistletoeskyebjenner

Title: Milk and Cookies
Author: Rob Thurman
Series: Cal Leandros #7.5
In: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal fantasy, Werewolves
Dates read: 30th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: I guessed it didn’t take.

Nick has ceased to believe in the joys of Santa. But, his little sister still does. So when a bully starts to give him a hard time, he decides that maybe he’ll bring her a little Christmas joy.

For those of us with a younger sibling, we would do almost anything for them. The fact that this is a story about that, and the spirit of giving over Christmas made this an amazing short story. The fact that as I write this review, I found out that it’s part of a greater series just makes me love this that much more. Having said that, this does take a darker spin on sibling relationships and gift giving… well, I’m not going to complain. I love some darkness in my life.

The whole story is about how the boy doesn’t believe in Santa anymore and how he’s really sad that he doesn’t. and he wants his sister to have that same belief that he now misses… that’s quite cute. When you find out what happened to Santa to stop him from believing in it… it becomes less sweet. A whole lot less sweet.

Bullies are always horrifying. One that is on the right track to becoming a sociopath… so much, much worse. But, Nick deals with him perfectly in this. He even gives him multiple chances to change his ways and become a better human being. He doesn’t take them… but at least there’s a sense of fairness before he becomes part of the Christmas festivities.

<- Rogue Elements Review

Keeping Watch Over His Flock Review ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Snakeskin by Rob Thurman

July 27, 2017Book ReviewEasy Reading, Kicking It, Mythology, Rob Thurman, Trickster, Tricksters, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Title: Snakeskin
Author: Rob Thurman
Series: Trickster #0.5
In: Kicking It (Faith Hunter & Kalayna Price)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Tricksters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Roc
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Billionaires are a special breed, and an old horny billionaire is going to want a young thing with tits done by Dr. Double D and the only lines on her skin the ones shown by her Brazilian wax.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Trixa agrees to help a woman deal with her very rich husband. But, when she is double crossed, things take an interesting turn.

I love stories about Tricksters – they are completely amoral, always entertaining and beautifully symbolic of the balance between good and evil. Plus, where they travel, chaos follows. Which is always entertaining, and provides great conflict in and of itself. The introduction to Thurman’s Trickster series is no different.

Trixa is the very embodiment of chaos – she is neither good nor evil and, while straddling both realities, she is able to help keep the balance. The playful light and twisted humour within which she tells the story drew me in from the first point, and I was never quite sure what game she was playing. Until the very end that is. The tone of the piece perfectly reflects the chaotic and perverse way in which Trixa deals with the world and those around her.

<- More Rob Thurman

Trick of the Light ->

Image source: Penguin

Kicking It Edited by Faith Hunter & Kalayna Price

September 12, 2016Book ReviewChloe Neill, Chris Marie Green, Christina Henry, Faith Hunter, Kalayna Price, Kicking It, Lucienne Diver, Rachel Caine, Rob Thurman, Shannon K. Butcher, Short Story Collections, Strong Women, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Title: Kicking It
Authors: Faith Hunter, Kalayna Price, Rachel Caine, Chloe Neill, Rob Thurman, Shannon K. Butcher, Lucienne Diver, Chris Marie Green & Christina Henry
In: Kicking It (Faith Hunter & Kalayna Price)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Short story collections, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Roc
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: The dirt on the floor was too scuffed and smeared for her to make out any on distinct set of prints.

Featuring stories by FAITH HUNTER * KALAYNA PRICE * RACHEL CAINE * CHLOE NEILL * ROB THURMAN * SHANNON K. BUTCHER * LUCIENNE DIVER * CHRIS MARIE GREEN * CHRISTINA HENRY

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine has modern-day potions witches Holly and Andrew facing off against a firebrand politician who wears literally killer boots in a Texas-sized rodeo of trouble.

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.

And New York Times bestselling author Rob Thurman features Trixa Iktomi from her Trickster series dealing with magical vengeance and magical footwear.

Taking kick-ass urban fantasy literally, USA Today bestselling authors Kalayna Price and Faith Hunter bring together the best of the genre to once again prove when you’re fighting supernatural forces, it helps to keep your feet on the ground.

This is one of the most brilliant collections of short stories that I have ever read. I mean, you can’t really go wrong with fantasy stories about strong women kicking butt in amazing shoes… nine stories from nine amazing authors, all featuring strong, independent women who are able to hold their own throughout the story.

Reading this collection of short stories was not only one of the most enjoyable ways I could think of to spend a Sunday afternoon, but also a fantastic way to discover some great new authors. I must admit that I went on a spending spree after reading this book, finding all new stories from the great authors that I had fallen in love with.

<- Ruby Red Review

Forked Tongues Review ->

Earth and Skye

The ramblings of a bibliophile.