Tag Archives: Urban Fantasy

Shaw’s Tail ReRead by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Shaw’s Tail ReRead
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #0.9
In: The Mane Event (Shelly Laurenston)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2007

Thoughts

As the second Pride novella to open the series, Shaw’s Tail works wonderfully. Not only does it connect in with what happened in Christmas Pride, but it also introduces the New York Smith Pride. Who wonderfully kick off the full-length novels. I also love that Ronnie Lee Reed is the first wolf to kick off the insanity of the Smith Pack. I mean, the woman is a nut and had me laughing out loud throughout the entirety of this story.

The image that is 100% stuck in my brain from this story is Brendon Shaw’s play bow whilst in the throes of the fever. This level of humour and playfulness is something that I really enjoy about Laurenston’s writing. Plus, I love that the entirety of this story is pretty much Brendon chasing Ronnie Lee around. The stubbornness of a male who has decided on his female. Laurenston writes it brilliantly – it’s a welcome pursuit, but it was nice that Ronnie Lee was kind of non-plussed by what was happening, and their ultimate relationship honestly wouldn’t have happened without Brendon’s stubbornness.

Not only does Shaw’s Tail follow on wonderfully from Christmas Pride, but it also leads into The Mane Attraction wonderfully. I absolutely adore Ronnie’s friendship with Sissy Mae. They are wonderfully intertwined, as are Mitch and Brendon. The dynamic relationships throughout this series are phenomenal, and I love how Ronnie’s strong friendship helps to drive a lot of the story going forward.

I absolutely adored this novella, and I love that it starts to introduce the bigotry within the Pride world. This drives such a big part of the story arc throughout. And the fact that Ronnie Lee is scared to mate with a different species because she’s scared of having “half-breed, snaggle-toothed mutts”. It was a great and gorgeous way to lead into this not so pleasant aspect of the shifter world.

<- Christmas Pride ReReadThe Mane Event ReRead ->

Image source: World of Books

Christmas Pride ReRead by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Christmas Pride ReRead
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #0.8
In: The Mane Event (Shelly Laurenston)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2007

Thoughts

Diving back into the Pride series after reading through all of the published books is a great journey. I particularly love revisiting Dez when I realise how she sits within the greater world and series. She’s just this bad-ass cop who constantly shows up, and gives absolutely zero fucks. So going back to the beginning of her second chance romance with Mace and where she starts was fantastic and seriously enjoyable.

Christmas Pride is a second chance romance that isn’t really a second chance that’s required because of past mistakes and decisions. Rather, it is a second shot which is all about missed opportunities, circumstances and growing up. And I love how they are both able to completely grow into themselves and be their own selves. Man, do they grow into well-rounded beings, and I kind of like that their distance in youth is what helps them to become the adults they needed to be. Particularly for Dez who is able to completely hold her own space against Mace and all of the chaos within the shifter world.

Both Dez and Mace have the most insane sisters. I don’t like Mace’s at all as they just strike me as these horribly selfish she-bitches who think that their word is law. Dez’s sisters sit a little in the same space, but mostly they just strike me as absolute chaos gremlins. Which I adore. I might not externally be the kind of woman who is absolutely willing to throw down and fight with anyone, but I kind of want to be. And my Inside Voice most definitely is.

I enjoyed the Christmas Pride novella in my first read through. But, rereading it after knowing more about the world and how everyone sits within it made it all that much better. Particularly having more understanding of the species-driven politics made this a more enjoyable experience all round. I loved it the first time, but I adored it the second time.

<- Like a Wolf with a Bone ReReadShaw’s Tail ReRead ->

Image source: World of Books

Badger to the Bone ReRead by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Badger to the Bone ReRead
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Honey Badger Chronicles #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

Of course Max is going to be the first Honey Badger to fall for a damn cat – she’s just as contrary and difficult as any feline that I’ve ever come across. I love that she manages to find a cat who doesn’t know what he is. Then kind of adopt him, then just… decide that she might like him a little. Meanwhile, Zé is just following her around in a bit of a daze. And then, in the most catlike way possible, just decides that he’s going to keep Max, whether she likes it or not. The bemusement and the lack of courtship throughout this story was so very Max, and had me laughing again and again throughout.

I found the concept of Zé not knowing what he is to be a really interesting spin. I love that it’s Max of all people who has to introduce him to the world. And that it’s her sisters who really drive her to actually being kind to the poor guy. That girl has no chill and is completely unhinged, so having her be the one to introduce someone to a whole new world was quite frankly hilarious. I also love that, when Zé realises that his grandfather actually knows about this world and Honey Badgers, Max just takes it in hand and gives them the vessel / avenue throughout which to reconnect.

One of my favourite moments in Badger to the Bone, even in the reread is when Stevie announces that Max is not a psychopath because she can feel love. The fact that Max laughs in Mairi’s face and mocks her for not having love in her life just furthers this assessment. I really loved how Max’s shining light and reason for living is really her sisters. And although she’s not exactly the safest of bets, it’s her love for her sisters that keeps her grounded. It’s also what makes her walk from her mother and remind everyone that she has morals and a code that she lives by. Even when it’s a bit unhinged.

I had honestly forgotten all about the Black Malones (I don’t know how), and their psychotic little sister. I’m so glad that I loved them just as much in the reread. They are hilarious and fit perfectly in with the insanity that is the Honey Badger Chronicles. Then there is Max’s basketball team – again, a bunch of women who are just brimming with chaos, violence and total craziness. Now I can’t wait to dive into the next Honey Badger Chronicles book and get to know Max’s friends that much better…

<- In a Badger Way ReReadBreaking Badger ReRead ->

Image source: Amazon

Taken ReRead by Susan Copperfield

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Taken
Author: Susan Copperfield
Series: Royal States #1.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2020

Thoughts

Taken is a brilliant novella that follows Patrick in his daily life six years after the official beginning of his reign as King. I love this insight into his daily life (to begin with). It emphasises that everything Patrick was trying to set up for when Jessica first showed interest in him in Storm Called has worked out well. His hard work and education of himself has seriously paid off, and it’s made him into a fantastic and (mostly) sane king. Being a reread, I also love how Taken sets out some of what is to come in the rest of the Royal States series, and just why kidnapping a monarch is such a terrifically terrible idea.

The first time I read Taken, I was only a new mother (or about to become one), so it was interesting revisiting it when I was more established in that role. For this read through, I really hyper focused on Patrick’s children. I loved how Copperfield was able to talk about the children, the challenges of parenting and that pure love you get, even when they might be tiny devils in disguise. Having had a girl, then a boy myself who are both absolute chaos demons, I found the majority of the storyline entirely plausible where they were concerned. And absolutely hilarious.

Having read all of the published books (thus far), rereading Taken gave me a great appreciation of the crafting and planning that Copperfield has put into her books. They are very politically motivated stories, but she’s also setting up character arcs and the overall story line from very early on. There are so many little tips and hints throughout that foreshadow the later stories. And, there’s a whole heap of work that is going into structuring the lore of the world, in the most subtle of ways.

Aside from the hints and setting up a lot of the Royal States world in Taken, Copperfield also beautifully sets up Deidre’s story for the future. I still haven’t gotten to that book (because it hasn’t been published yet), but later in the series, a lot of her story is beginning to be touched upon too. It just makes me want to dive headfirst into this series and absolutely devour it all over again, in the hopes that doing so will distract from the fact that I have no idea when the next books are going to hit the virtual shelves!

<- Storm Called ReReadNull and Void ReRead ->

Image source: Amazon

Storm Called ReRead by Susan Copperfield

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Storm Called
Author: Susan Copperfield
Series: Royal States #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I seem to have been on a major reread bender lately, and the Royal States series is just the latest in this track. Also, I think that there are going to be a few more books trickling out soon, so I figured I may as well go back to the beginning and see what I pick up on my second read round. Sometimes a reread isn’t the best idea, there have been plenty of books that I genuinely regret rereading. However, that is most certainly not the case with Storm Called – it was just as good and fun as I remembered.

I honestly have no idea what it is about this series that draws me in so thoroughly. The writing isn’t the most sophisticated in the world, but there is just something about it that I absolutely adore. Partially this is the politically driven agenda which threads through all of the writing. But, there is also just something about the world building and characters that is just as good on a reread. I wasn’t surprised by the potency of all this this time, but I was just as pleasantly pleased.

One of my favourite things about Patrick is his practicality. I love that, ultimately, the future king of a “state” is one who is born from the lowest of the castes – and that he uses this knowledge to actually create practical and sane laws. It’s definitely an uphill battle, but with everything that is going on in the world, particularly in America, I think that this message is even more poignant. I mean, we need sane and practical people at the helm to ensure that you know, the world survives and people get to live their best lives…

In amongst Patrick’s drive to just support and love the woman he sets his sights on, this story also heavily emphasises the power of education. It’s such an obvious way to keep the masses down, make education almost impossible to obtain, and therefore, it is easier to keep the masses from being able to rise to power. It’s gorgeous that Patrick recognises this, and then chooses to remove this inequality by making sure he is able to take advantage of the benefits of education. It’s just a reminder that education should be available to all, for free.

<- More Susan CopperfieldTaken ReRead ->

Image source: Smashwords

Hearth, Home, and Havoc ReRead by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Hearth, Home, and Havoc
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

Hearth, Home and Havoc is a great little novella, one that focuses quite a bit on being controlled and getting revenge. I mean, some of it is justice. But, mostly it just feels like a whole lot of revenge on a bastard who truly deserves it. And then there’s the goddess aspect within the story. And the cute government agent. And the mother who has lost touch with her children. All gorgeous aspects of this story that build and build into a wonderfully fun and somewhat violent novella. My favourite kind.

Running away from your problems and digging a giant hole to literally hide the body is maybe not the best ever coping mechanism. But it is one that I really appreciated and could definitely get behind. It was funny, cathartic and an all round pleasure to read. I particularly like that the lead knows that digging a giant hole to drown a body in isn’t the healthiest or sanest option. But, she continues to do it anyway. Plus, she acknowledges that she is 100% having a break from reality, but just chooses to continue dealing with it / going with it without fanfare. Again, maybe not the best coping mechanism, but maybe one I should try the next time I feel overwhelmed… just digging a giant hole and imagining (ceremoniously) burying my problems deep in the ground.

Although the coping mechanisms in this may not be the best, I love that the importance of therapy is mentioned again and again. In fact, it is visited and revisited at multiple times throughout the novella. With each and every horrible past action revealed, the idea of, and attendance at, therapy is revisited. The normalcy with which this is mentioned was great. I love that it was a fabric of reality to recover from past trauma, without judgement and without stigma attached. I wish this could happen in real life.

Finally, I love that this story centres around the mortal mother of the Goddess of Hearth and Home. And that this little growing deity is all about making sure her Mum is happy and healthy. She not only is the driver of a lot of the interactions and positives within this story, but also the instigator of change. She protects her Mum in the best way she knows how (but with an adolescent mindset), and her Mum in turn tries to protect her. It’s just a gorgeous little novella and signified the unbelievably wonderful strength of a mother-daughter connection.

<- Hoofin’ It ReReadSerial Killer Princess ReRead ->

Image source: Smashwords

Hoofin’ It ReRead by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Hoofin’ It
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

Shane and Marian are a great and fun couple, and I love going on the journey with them in Hoofin’ It to find their happily ever after. The fact that it starts with a spitting alpaca, a dead body and a shaved werewolf. Well, of course I’m going to enjoy the heck out of that nonsense. It was funny, sweet (in moments) and just all round a whole lot of fun. I might have been on this journey before, but I enjoyed everything about going on it again. It was just such glorious, unrestrained fun!

Where Shane and Marian were an incredibly fun couple, introducing Ernesto and his brood; and the Babylonians might be an aspect of this story that I enjoyed even more. The Babylonians in particular were just pure chaos demons. Which I loved. They just produced chaos, carnage and insanity wherever they went. Then there were the mounts (of which there were a variety) who just wanted to eat all the human flesh and devour the hordes of evil. Again, absolutely loving the nonsense that is produced by the Babylonians getting involved in the final battle.

Then there’s Ernesto and his clan – they are just beautiful and I vaguely recall something about them coming up at different points later in the series. Their introduction feels so “everyday”, but they are an integral aspect to the patchwork that is the world of the Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) series. Understanding this on the reread meant that I paid a whole lot more attention to Ernesto and his family, and all of the information that is shared about them. I’m not really into vampires per se these days (Twilight absolutely ruined them for me), but I did like Blain’s take on them and the way that they are interwoven into the series.

Back to Marian and Shane though, I love that Marian starts out as an alpaca. Then gets turned back into being a human. Then you realise that she can actually shift into a badger. I’m kind of disappointed that there wasn’t more about Marian turning into a badger. I mean, we have Shane figuring out what animal he shifts into, and spending a bit of time in his animal form. But Marian didn’t have that pleasure, and I really wanted it. But that’s okay, because there are other awesome shifters to come in the rest of this series. Hence the reread.

<- Playing with Fire ReReadHearth, Home, and Havoc ReRead ->

Image source: Kobo

Playing with Fire ReRead by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Playing with Fire
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

I honestly don’t know why I love Playing with Fire so much. For some books that I love, I can wax on and off about just why I love them so much. But for Playing with Fire and the rest of the Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) series, I’m not entirely sure what it is that keeps pulling me back in. Yet, even though this was a reread, I just couldn’t put this down. I’m pretty sure that I’ve read this from cover to cover both read throughs. I laughed, I smiled and I just enjoyed each and every word of chaos as it unfolded in my mind’s eye.

Bailey has some serious self confidence issues – I kind of picked it up on my first read through, but on this reread… wow. I just couldn’t even handle / stomach some of her comments and just how sad they were. I mean, it’s a testament to how good of a writer Blain is – she manages to take some serious symptoms of abuse and trauma and make them kind of lighthearted. I mean, Bailey’s parents are truly evil and cruel, and of course their child is going to end up with some major trauma. But how is it that not until the second read through, I actually pick up on the total and utter lack of self confidence and self worth. It was really only because of parts of later Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) stories that I think I even picked up on it this time…

Although I love a good, subtle courtship, Quinn’s was too subtle even for me. I mean, he’s been chasing the same woman for how many years and no one is any wiser about it. But, I did love, that when he realises that the object of his affections doesn’t understand that she’s on the receiving end, he decides to up the ante and take control. The taking control part of Quinn’s courtship was kind of adorable. And although I don’t read these books for the steamy factor, it did increase that a little bit. Not in the same way as some of the more X-rated paranormal romances that I read, but in a warm and pleasant way.

The use of Cindercorns (I wonder if they’re based on anything in mythology, or just the author’s imagination?) is still one of my favourite things. Not only is a violent, fire-breathing unicorn just the best thing ever. But, Bailey gets to go on a drunken napalm bender in her Cindercorn form. The fact that she levels a building, saves the world and just generally acts all kinds of violent cute? That makes it all so much better. I freaking love Cindercorns and everything that they bring to the mayhem of Blains’ Magical Romantic Comedy world.

<- More R.J. BlainHoofin’ It ReRead ->

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Blaze of Memory ReRead by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Branded by Fire
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling #7
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2009

Thoughts

It doesn’t matter how many times I read the Psy-Changeling series, Mercy and Riley’s story is always one of my favourites. To the point that when I wanted to get my sister into this series, I actually gave her Branded by Fire instead of Slave to Sensation, because this is a fun way to dive into this amazing world. Something about Mercy and Riley is just adorable and too damn beautiful for words. They are sweet, adorable and with just enough fire to be incredibly interesting.

In Branded by Fire, things are starting to seriously heat up with the triumvirate, with individuals from all three groups playing silly games. I love that Mercy and Riley are so obviously on the side of “good”, but they are also caught deeply in it all. It also gives a great secondary storyline to their romance – one that continues the common thread throughout the rest of the series. I love that one of the themes throughout this series, and one that is very much highlighted by the actions of the Human Alliance in this series is that Absolute Power corrupts Absolutely. It’s a reminder to be humble and kind.

As a strong and independent woman, I completely understand why and how it is so difficult for Mercy to “submit” to Riley. Ultimately, their relationship is about partnership and being equal. But in all relationships, there is a bit of giving to one another, or submitting in some small ways. It’s something that often causes conflict and makes things difficult in my own life, so reading about another strong-willed, independent woman struggling with fitting herself in with another person was kind of cathartic to read about.

Every time that I read Branded by Fire, I love that Riley is a prime example of just why our preconceived notions of who and what will make us happy can often be wrong. Sometimes what we think is going to be our “perfect mate” is just the easy option, and not the one that will make us happy. A certain level of being challenged is important in everyone’s lives, but sometimes that can make us uncomfortable as well. Sometimes it’s the people closest to us that pick up on what we need the most, and how those that make us a little uncomfortable can be the ones that also make us the best version of ourselves.

Branded by Fire is a story that’s all about healing from the past by moving into the future. Having the willingness to compromise and adjust in an attempt to find your happily ever after. Particularly for Riley who is stubborn as dirt, but willing to take the dive when it really matters. Still one of my favourite Psy-Changeling books, and one that I look forward to rereading each and every time.

<- Branded by Fire ReReadBonds of Justice ReRead ->

Image source: Open Book Society

Branded by Fire ReRead by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Blaze of Memory
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling #6
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2009

Thoughts

Whilst I enjoy Katya and Dev as a couple, and their story, they are definitely a couple that I struggle just a little bit more with compared to the others in the Psy-Changeling series. I’m not sure why, maybe because I’m particularly invested in the shifters in this world. And neither Katya nor Dev are shifters. Or this is the only story of the Forgotten, so I don’t have as many characters overlapping to be excited about. Or it could just be that I don’t identify so strongly with either of them. Whatever it is, whilst I enjoy Blaze of Memory, it’s not one of Singh’s books that I can’t put down. Which is maybe not such a bad thing… I actually manage to continue acting like a responsible adult when I read this book.

Although I’m not so excited about the Forgotten, it was still interesting to receive some insight into them and how they function. The different battles they’ve faced over the hundred odd years of silence. I particularly enjoyed the letters to Matthew placed throughout the book – it was nice to read about the thoughts and motivations of a mother as their lives fracture. Plus, it gives two different timelines and points of view. The past and the present of the Forgotten and how important feelings are to people and living their best lives.

One part of the Forgotten’s journey that I love, and that is emphasised in Blaze of Memory is the importance of genetic diversity in evolution. I have a background in biology, so I, admittedly fixated on the fact that the “purity” of the Psy causes some evolutionary dead ends. In contrast, the Forgotten are able to evolve alongside the world that they live in. And ultimately are a healthier population (not just mentally, but also physically and psychically adapting to the world around them). I probably didn’t really notice this on my first few read throughs. But I really liked fixating on that within this read through of the story.

Katya has appeared in past stories and is closely tied to Ashaya, but I like how her identity isn’t obvious from the very beginning. Whilst the books have been leading to a great story arc for the entire Psy-Changeling world, the arrival of Katya and the depths that Ming will go to to destroy his “enemies” is unleashed. It’s the next step of change and things are really starting to heat up in this war. Plus, Katya’s arrival ties another group of people more closely to DarkRiver, giving them all that much more power in the world around them.

The non-stop theme throughout this series is definitely that love can conquer all. And whilst I don’t blindly believe that, I love the hope that it gives. With each reading, I find a new positive and point of joy within. Love is a powerful force, and it’s great to be reminded of that in darker days. Something about Singh’s writing always reminds me of that.

<- Dorian ReReadBlaze of Memory ReRead ->

Image source: The Nile