Tag Archives: Urban Fantasy

Omens by Kelley Armstrong

July 20, 2020Book ReviewCainsville, Fae, Kelley Armstrong, Paranormal Fantasy, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Omens: Book 1 of the Cainsville Series: Armstrong, Kelley: Amazon ...

Title: Omens
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Cainsville #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 24th May – 26th June 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: sphere
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: The kind I’d only ever seen on TV, usually where the bad guys holed up until the cops came busting through the door.

A LIFE SHATTERED IN ONE MOMENT.

On the eve of her wedding Olivia Jones discovers two shocking facts. One – she was adopted. Two – her biological parents are notorious serial killers.

A YOUNG WOMAN FORCED ON THE RUN.

With her life in immediate danger, Liv is thrown into a terrifying new world. But then she is confronted with a tantalising hope – is it possible her parents are innocent?

AND THE MYSTERIOUS TOWN THAT AVE HER SANCTUARY. AT A PRICE.

Arriving at the remote town of Cainsville, Liv believes she has found the perfect place to hide while she hunts for the truth. But Cainsville is no ordinary town – and Liv’s arrival was no accident…

So, there’s definitely a reason why I love Kelley Armstrong – Author. I’ve been putting off starting a new series by her because I tend to get sucked into her world, and then I’ll want to buy more and more books… but, I decided that I had to read Omens. I’ve read all the prequel short stories and really, really wanted to start on this series. It may have been a mistake… I now want to go out and buy the rest of the books in this series… and I really don’t have the money for that at the moment.

You really don’t need to read any of the prequel short stories to fall madly, stupidly in love with this novel. In some ways, it may even be a little better… you won’t know so much about the gargoyles, Gabriel and that slightly paranormal hint throughout the story. Although, if you’re like me and you want as much information as feasibly possible…. It’s well worth reading the short stories before this. It meant that I had some extra mysteries that I was just constantly guessing at. And some extra historical moments that helped to fill in some of the blanks…

I absolutely loved how Armstrong managed to layer the paranormal, omens on top of a very realistic storyline. It takes a long time to see how the paranormal starts to come into play. After reading her Women of the Otherworld series, it is really fun to see a more subtle and covert approach to the paranormal, and the way it is placed into a very realistic feeling setting. You can almost imagine that a town like Townsville exists and the power to read omens is strong and alive. I can’t wait to see how this “power” develops and the supernatural that is heavily hinted at throughout this novel develops as the series unravels.

There are many, many, amazing things going on in this novel. But one of the aspects that I enjoyed the most was that it definitely bought up the whole nature / nurture debate. That it highlighted the mixed and confused feelings that Olivia felt as she realised that part of her was created by two individuals she has never met. A good portion of this storyline is taken up with Olivia’s own internal battle, trying to figure out how to feel.

<- The Orange Cat

Visions ->

Image source: Amazon

The Old Slow Man and His Gold Gun From Space by Ben H. Winters

July 10, 2020Book ReviewAliens, Ben H. Winters, Dead Man's Hand, Urban Fantasy, Westernsskyebjenner

Image result for dead man's hand book cover

Title: The Old Slow Man and His Gold Gun From Space
Author: Ben H. Winters
In: Dead Man’s Hand (John Joseph Adams)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Aliens, Urban fantasy, Westerns
Dates read: 13th June 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Titan Books
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: The old man snorted.

Two men are hunting for gold. But a surprise visit from an alien changes everything. Him and his Gold Gun from Space.

When I think about westerns, this is the kind of story that I imagine. Alright, there’s an alien and whatnot. But the backstabbing, guns and gold rush… that’s honestly what I picture when I think about a western. Not convoluted sentences and hard-to-understand story lines. But a story in which there are the rough and tumble cowboys in a lawless world.

I have this weird image of a gold rush in my head. A completely lawless world filled with men in cowboy hats. And a lack of rules. And tiny, dirty little towns that are completely out of the way. It might be a somewhat ridiculous and unrealistic image. But it is one that I really enjoy and like. This story fed into that image of a realm in which everyone is out for themselves. Which is probably why I enjoyed it so much.

One of my favourite parts of this story is that from fairly on, they are told not to pull the trigger. So, of course. You want someone to pull the trigger. Desperately want someone to pull the trigger. Which of course, someone does. Ad then that leads to all kinds of happy thoughts and had me laughing a little. It wasn’t a good result, but I’m twisted, so I loved that this was how the story ends… with the trigger being pulled.

<- The Red-Headed Dead

Hellfire on the High Frontier ->

Image source: Amazon

Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire

July 9, 2020Book ReviewInCryptid, Paranormal Fantasy, Seanan McGuire, Strong Women, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Discount Armageddon (InCryptid, #1) by Seanan McGuire

Title: Discount Armageddon
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: InCryptid #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 2nd – 11th June 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Daw Fantasy
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: I yawned, not bothering to cover my mouth.

Cryptid, noun: Any creature whose existence has not yet been proven by science. See also “monster.”

Cryptozoologist, noun: Any person who thinks hunting for cryptids is a good idea. See also “idiot.”

Ghoulies. Ghosties. Long-legged beasties. Things that go bump in the night… and that’s just the beginning. The Price family has spent generations studying the monsters of the world, working to protect them from humanity – and to protect humanity from them. Enter Verity Price. Despite being trained from birth as a cryptozoologist, she’d rather dance a tango than tangle with a demon, and is spending a year in Manhattan while she pursues her career in professional ballroom dance.

Sounds pretty simple, right? It would be, if it weren’t for the talking mice, the telepathic mathematicians, the asbestos supermodels, and the trained monster-hunter sent by the Price family’s old enemies, the Covenant of St. George. To complicate matters further, local cryptids are disappearing, strange lizard-men are appearing in the sewers, and someone’s spreading rumors about a dragon sleeping underneath the city…

A lifetime of training isn’t enough to prepare Verity for what’s ahead – especially not for Dominic De Luca, the Covenant’s newest operative. When a Price girl meets a Covenant boy, high stakes, high heels, and a lot of collateral damage are almost guaranteed.

I absolutely adored this story. It was fun, engaging and an absolute riot. I laughed frequently while reading it. And, although it did take me a bit over a week to read… I basically read the whole story cover to cover in one night… I stayed up until 3am and ALMOST finished it… but the words started getting blurry so I figured that I had to stop…

After finishing this novel, I seriously can’t wait for the rest of the InCryptid stories. The Price family seems like a hoot and a half from their brief moments in this story, and I’m sure they will continue to be entertaining and kind of hilarious as the series develops. Luckily, there are a number of short stories that I’m hoping to be able to read in the meantime…

As much as I enjoy the whole “opposites attract” mentality, it doesn’t always work in a story. Let alone the enemies-to-lovers trope. But Dominic and Verity do manage to pull that whole thing off perfectly throughout this novel. For sure, you do kind of guess that they will end up in these roles from the very beginning, but the journey that isn’t quite complete at the end of this novel is what makes it so much fun. And kind of hilarious if I’m being honest. I’m REALLY hoping that at a later point in the series he has to meet the rest of the Price clan… that’ll be incredibly entertaining.

The whole scientific enquiry tone of the Price family and monster hunting makes this feel much more plausible. Alright, it’s fantasy. But making an urban fantasy series which talks about evolution, physiology, species… I love that the “monsters” are constantly discussed like this. It was such a fun, unique and engaging way to talk about the paranormal creatures and things that go bump in the night…

My last favourite aspect of this story is the fact that the ass-kicking, somewhat terrifying monster hunter is also a ballroom dancer. It’s not a mix of professions that I would have thought of… but it somehow manages to work so seamlessly. Especially when she starts explaining how dancing is a fantastic way to train for monster hunting…

<- Tailed

Midnight Blue-Light Special ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Red-Headed Dead by Joe R. Lansdale

July 7, 2020Book ReviewDead Man's Hand, Joe R. Lansdale, Urban Fantasy, Weird Western, Westernsskyebjenner

Title: The Red-Headed Dead
Author: Joe R. Lansdale
In: Dead Man’s Hand (John Joseph Adams)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Urban fantasy, Weird western, Westerns
Dates read: 8th June 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Titan Books
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: No one answered.

This is a story that starts with a dead horse… and steadily goes downhill.

I love that this weird western story includes the origins story of vampires. As in, the Judas origins story. I’m not really sure why… but I always love when this mythos is included in any kind of story. Partnering that with a western? It worked ridiculously well.

Although I enjoyed this story because of the content, I didn’t necessarily love the writing style. I found it a little disjointed and unapproachable. And a little hard to follow at times. Yet, I did really enjoy the storyline. So I found it hard to be frustrated by the style of writing when I was drawn in by the content.

This is a story that starts with a dead horse. That has had a pole flung through it’s brain. And that is the least violent moment throughout. It just steadily gets bloodier and bloodier. Which is exactly what a western should be… or at least, a weird western that features a vampire risen from the dead…

<- Dead Man’s Hand Collection

The Old Slow Man and His Gold Gun From Space ->

Image source: Amazon

The Orange Cat by Kelley Armstrong

June 28, 2020Book ReviewCainsville, Fae, Kelley Armstrong, Paranormal Fantasy, Portents, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Title: The Orange Cat
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Cainsville #0.7
In: Portents (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 27th May 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Kelley Armstrong
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: Gabriel put the pet carrier on the table.

Gabriel is beginning to make his way in the world of criminal defense. But this latest case, featuring the orange cat is just a little bit unique… Cainsville kind of unique.

I like this short story that revisited Gabriel as an adult. You find out so much about his childhood in previous short stories, but, considering I’m convinced he’ll be an adult in Omens, I liked that there was a little bit more about him as he’s making his first forays into the adult world. The fact that it was done in a quite funny manner, with a bit of a sadistic twist… well, of course I enjoyed that all the more.

In all of the Cainsville short stories that I’ve read so far, one of the common re occurrences is karma, paying your debts, etc. The fact that this story uses an orange cat that just won’t stay away, can’t be killed and is pretty damn single-minded was quite intriguing and somewhat clever. It kept with the theme that I have found so far, but managed to make it a lot funnier – after all, who would have thought that a cat could cause that much damage?

The more short stories I read in this series, the more keen I am to start reading Omens. And, luckily, this is the last short story that stakes place before the activities in Omens, so now I get to read that novel to my heart’s content…

<- Bad Publicity

Omens ->

Image source: Amazon

Bad Publicity by Kelley Armstrong

June 25, 2020Book ReviewCainsville, Fae, Kelley Armstrong, Paranormal Fantasy, Portents, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Title: Bad Publicity
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Cainsville #0.6
In: Portents (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 25th May 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Kelley Armstrong
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: Making contact.

Patrick has never wanted to do much publicity. But, when his new publicists manages to outmanoeuvre him, he decides to go along with her schemes. Until he realises that they may just not be her schemes…

It was nice to revisit Patrick and his shenanigans after reading Devil May Care. Particularly when you know that he is integral to this whole idea of a future that could impact all of the fae camps and the world as they know it. It highlights the reason why he’s obviously stayed away from Gabriel up until this point, and the ways in which the fae are already moving about in this world…

There may be no such thing as bad publicity, but there is such thing as a bad publicity experience. Particularly when the poor individual who organised it all ends up being just a bit of a pleb. One that is pushy. And driven. But still just ends up being a pawn in a greater battle. I like that even though Patrick is annoyed at the fact that she’s the instigator, he still honours her gumption and drive. It was a nice way to end this short story.

Bad Publicity is a little light and humorous. But it is also a great reminder of the more traditional role that the fae seem to be able to play in the Cainsville series… that of tricksters, predators and the slightly envious. Beings which always pay their dues and find a way to get their own. Regardless of the consequences to others.

<- Gabriel’s Gargoyles

The Orange Cat ->

Image source: Amazon

Gabriel’s Gargoyles by Kelley Armstrong

June 21, 2020Book ReviewCainsville, Fae, Kelley Armstrong, Paranormal Fantasy, Portents, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Title: Gabriel’s Gargoyles
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Cainsville #0.5
In: Portents (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 24th May 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Kelley Armstrong
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: The man grinned.

Gabriel loves his visits back to Cainsville every holiday. And this one is going to be extra special – he’s finally going to find that final gargoyle!

There are few books I’ve read that feature gargoyles. And, honestly, whenever I do read any mention of them, I think of the gargoyles from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Because you know, they’re some of my favourite Disney sidekicks. The gargoyles in this story though really aren’t as funny and fun as the ones in Disney.

I read this short story straight off the back of Devil May Care. Which was excellent timing. After all, Gabriel’s beginnings are a little dark and you seriously hope that he gets a bit of a happily ever after. This doesn’t actually provide that in the slightest. But it does show the strength and gumption that the young boy has. It also has a great hint of the secrets of Cainsville throughout.

Finding gargoyles that constantly move in a town enmeshed in secrets sounds like exactly the kind of thing that I would have loved as a child. It made me wish that this town, which feels fairly dark actually exists. The fact that Gabriel is already a young boy on his own hints at the kind of man he is going to become. And I for one, can’t wait to meet him in Omens.

<- Devil May Care

Bad Publicity ->

Image source: Amazon

Devil May Care by Kelley Armstrong

June 20, 2020Book ReviewCainsville, Fae, Kelley Armstrong, Paranormal Fantasy, Portents, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Title: Devil May Care
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Cainsville #0.3
In: Portents (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 22nd May 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Kelley Armstrong
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘All the gargoyles and the old people.

Patrick has always enjoyed being footloose and uncaring about the responsibilities he should have. But a mysterious fae has sent him running back to Cainsville. And no matter how hard he fights, the future is going to have it’s own way.

When I first bought Omens, I didn’t realise that there was a fae aspect to the storyline. Or at least, not one that is very strong. I just loved past works by Kelley Armstrong, so figured that I would get some more of her books. And then I realised that there was a whole slew of short stories that take place before Omens. So I figured I had better read those too. And, honestly, it wasn’t until this short story that I understood how much of an impact the fae were going to have on this story.

I loved the introduction of Patrick in this story. He is everything that I imagine when I think of a puckish, trickster-like fae. He keeps a balance and makes sure that he repays all of his debts. He pursues his own interests and pleasure, regardless of what other people think or want to know about his life. And he DOES NOT want any responsibility – so the fact that he is embroiled in a pretty major prophecy, one that is filled with responsibility… it’s pretty damn good.

There was something that was surprisingly fun about this dark little origins story. And it is the very epitome of origins stories – the story of how a character I’m going to assume will be very important is bought into the world. And the horrible characters which will be a huge part of their lives…

<- Nos Galan Gaeaf

Gabriel’s Gargoyles ->

Image source: Amazon

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

How the Marquis Got His Coat Back by Neil Gaiman

May 16, 2020Book ReviewLondon Below, Neil Gaiman, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

How the Marquis Got His Coat Back (Rogues, #18) by Neil Gaiman

Title: How the Marquis Got His Coat Back
Author: Neil Gaiman
Series: London Below, the World of Neverwhere #1.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Science fiction, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 20th April 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: headline
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: What’s it say?

A Neverwhere short story from one of the brightest, most brilliant writers of our generation – the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of the award-winning The Ocean At the End of the Lane.

The coat. It was elegant. It was beautiful. It was so close that he could have reached out and touched it.

And it was unquestionably his.

After reading Neverwhere, I felt completely, intensely, happily complete. It is just one of those stories that you turn the final page and just go… wow. And then break out into a HUGE smile. What I didn’t really think about though was that the Marquis had lost his coat. And, well, really anything much about the Marquis because he wasn’t my most or least favourite character. And then I found this short story at the back of my novel…

One of the most potent things that this short story did for me was to actually make me like the Marquis so much more. He wasn’t one dimensional or anything in Neverwhere, but I didn’t feel any tight emotional connection to him. Not a positive one. And not a negative one. But, showing a little of how he became the Marquis and why made me feel a lot more bonded to him than I had anticipated. It was certainly a pleasant and surprising outcome of such a short story.

The other aspect of this story that I really loved because of the illumination it provided was the Shepherds of Shepherds Bush (I THINK I got that right). It’s mentioned in Neverwhere that you don’t want to meet the Shepherds. And now I completely understand why. Although, I still found it an incredibly fun adventure actually getting to meet them anyway!!!

<- Neverwhere

The Seven Sisters ->

Image source: Goodreads

Earth and Skye

The ramblings of a bibliophile.

Tag Archives: Urban Fantasy

Omens by Kelley Armstrong

The Old Slow Man and His Gold Gun From Space by Ben H. Winters

Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire

The Red-Headed Dead by Joe R. Lansdale

The Orange Cat by Kelley Armstrong

Bad Publicity by Kelley Armstrong

Gabriel’s Gargoyles by Kelley Armstrong

Devil May Care by Kelley Armstrong

Trick of the Light by Rob Thurman

How the Marquis Got His Coat Back by Neil Gaiman