Tag Archives: Urban Fantasy

Dead Man’s Chest by Rachel Caine

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for my big fat supernatural wedding book cover

Title: Dead Man’s Chest
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: There Be Pirates #1
In: My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Pirates, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 23rd October 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: “Then why parade me around like this?”

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Synopsis

Cecilia thinks that she’s finally found a man worth her time. But, after just a few months he wants to get married on a pirate ship. Things quickly turn from romantic to downright wrong as her adventures progress.

Thoughts

I really wasn’t expecting this kind of wedding. I knew that something was bound to go wrong because it’s in a collection of stories about supernatural weddings, and they’re never simple. But I really wasn’t expecting cursed pirates, a con man and being thrown overboard.

One of my favourite moments about this story is when the bad guy realises that he’s got the wrong Cecilia. It’s more than a little awkward, and just downright hilarious. Especially when he’s gone to so much effort to gain some money… and then finds out that he needs to make amends, and quickly if he wants to survive. It made it quite hilarious to realise that after much careful planning, the “bad guy” had totally buggered everything up.

This story has a very Pirates of the Caribbean feel to it. From the plain fact that there are pirates, to the single woman aboard, right down to the curse placed upon the crew. It was like a funnier, cuter version of the famous movie franchise. But, I think that I like this one much, much better.

 <- Something Borrowed Review“All Shook Up” Review ->
Image source: Amazon

The Screams of Dragons by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for portents book cover

Title: The Screams of Dragons
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Cainsville #0.1
In: Portents (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 21st October 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Kelley Armstrong
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: He let her out!

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Synopsis

Bobby has never quite fit in with his family. But when his grandmother decides that he’s a changeling, things take a turn for the worse. Only the screams of dragons seem to make him feel complete… but they might not be the safest thing to obey.

Thoughts

I kind of forgot how disturbing Kelley Armstrong’s stories are. They’re so much darker than most of the fantasy that fills my shelves. And there’s not necessarily always a happy ending… although it does mostly work out that way. This short story goes to the top of the kind of disturbing list… especially when the story features a boy who is so obviously not okay… and, eventually completely evil.

I’m a big believer in the idea that there is a little bit of darkness in all of us. That it’s our choices and the influences around us which help us to either go down the dark path, or find a way to follow the light. Bobby so definitely chose the dark path in this story. At the beginning of the tale, you believe that he is a victim, someone you should feel sympathy for and you want to find a happily ever after. But, as he starts to find his own power… the sympathy starts to seriously wane and a new emotion takes over… revulsion.

I haven’t yet read Omens and truly started the Cainsville series, I’ve only had the joy of reading a few short stories. But they’re enough to know that I’m going to love the bigger series and find Armstrong’s twisted, dark version of fantasy as enjoyable as I did with the Women of the Otherworld series. There is something way more twisted to the end of this short story than most of the other villain tales I’ve read. And the poetic justice worked absolutely brilliantly.

<- PortentsNos Galan Gaeaf ->

Image source: Amazon

Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover working for the devil

Title: Working for the Devil
Author: Lilith Saintcrow
Series: Dante Valentine #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 14th – 20th October 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: The Hall had been hell – a true hell, a human hell, withou the excuse of demons to make it terrifying.

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Synopsis

Dante Valentine’s working relationship with the Devil wasn’t her choice – but you can’t turn down a contract with Lucifer and live. 88 Hired to kill fugitive Vardimal Santino, Dante can count as allies only a demon familiar she doesn’t trust and a small band of psychics. The thing is, Dante doesn’t need friends, she needs a miracle. Because the first time Dante Valentine met Santino, she almost died.

Thoughts

I’ve been meaning to get to the first Dante Valentine book for quite a while now… mostly because I’ve loved the short stories that I’ve read in this series and by Lilith Saintcrow in general. But it’s never seemed a good time to start a whole new series. But, I finally succumbed. And boy, am I glad that I did. Although now I have to wait until I have the money to buy the next books in the series… which is problematic because I want to know what happens next!!! The occurrences in this story are completely ground breaking, and normally happen about 3 books into an urban fantasy series like this… not at the very beginning!!!

Working for the Devil has kind of a tragic end. I’m hoping that things will turn out better in the next book. It was also nice to have a story that didn’t end with a happily ever after. For starters it makes me want to read the next book more than any other urban fantasy I’ve read recently. And it also is a reminder that life doesn’t exactly end up the way you want it too. I might get really mad if I find out that she’s pregnant in the next book though… that’s just not a good trope.

The amount of backstory and hints that Saintcrow manages to sneak into her storyline. She has a past lover, past injuries and a past enemy. All of which manage to jump out at her as she races to stop a demon at the bequest of the devil. It’s a pretty fast-paced storyline. Which is what I love – something that gets the heart racing, and makes it impossible to put down. I also loved that all of these past hurts aren’t fully described in the novel, but expanded on enough that you know parts of the story, and just want to know more. It also made one hell of a tough chick as the lead – someone who is totally damaged, and for me, incredibly easy to relate to.

Working for the Devil moves up my list for favourite urban fantasy stories. It has a kick arse chick with a penchant for death, a horrid history and a band of ragtag mates that are loyal to the core. Alright, it fits a lot of fairly typical themes and tropes for the books on my shelves, but there’s a reason why they fill my shelves. They’re fun, engaging and far more relatable than any of the male-driven storylines that also tend to sit on my shelves.

 <- Coming Home ReviewDead Man Rising Review ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Weston Walks by Kit Reed

Book Review, , ,
Overview
naked-city

Title: Weston Walks
Author: Kit Reed
In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 18th October 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: She’ll have to pack up her stuff and move into his handsome house and settle down in his daytime life, because he is probably in love with her.

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Synopsis

Weston is rich and alone. But, that’s just the way he likes it. Until he goes underground and meets Wings. Now his life is filled with a lover. When he realises that she has begun to steal from him… he must make a choice, a woman who fills his life, or the objects that have always been there.

Thoughts

I loved the reflective style of this writing. It kind of foreshadowed the fact that something untoward was going to happen. But it didn’t give anything away. Just left you with an intensely curious and vaguely uncomfortable feeling as the story unfolded.

The description of Weston was brilliant – within the first few paragraphs you feel as if you intimately know the character. You feel tied to him in a way that doesn’t often happen (at least for me) and want him to gain happiness. All the while knowing that that’s not going to occur, again, something about the style of writing just hints at it.

I’m still not sure what kind of mythical creature Wings was based on. I’m thinking some kind of fae creature. But it was kind of nice to spend the entire story trying to guess… and still not be 100% sure at the end of the tale. it makes Weston’s experiences a little more vague and a lot more intriguing. It’s also going to leave me up late at night thinking…

 <- The Bricks of Gelecek ReviewThe Projected Girl Review ->
Image source: Patricia Briggs

Something Borrowed by Jim Butcher

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Overview
Image result for my big fat supernatural wedding book cover

Title: Something Borrowed
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files #7.5
In: My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (P.N. Elrod) & Side Jobs (Jim Butcher)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Wizards
Dates read: 16th October 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: On the weekend?

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Synopsis

Harry’s friends, Bill and Georgia are about to get married. There’s just one little problem…. Georgia is nowhere to be seen and there’s a revenge-hungry faery on the loose.

Thoughts

Every time I pick up a Dresden Files short story, I feel an insane urge to run up to my shelf and grab whichever novel I’m up to. There is just something amazing about this series that makes me want to sink my nose into it every time. But, I did exercise some self-control after reading Something Borrowed… because I have a pile of books I’m currently reading that is fairly high (I’ve been told I have to get them off the couch and use some restraint).

You know that any wedding set in the Dresden Files world is going to be entertaining. And things are probably going to be blown up because Harry Dresden is involved. This short story doesn’t disappoint on any front. It also involves insulting the future step-mother-in-law and a great little switcher-oo of the bride. Like I said, it’s impossible to be boring when reading one of the Dresden Files tales. Although, it was also quite sweet because there was the kiss of true love (I’m pretty sure there were two, but there’s enough ambiguity in the second one that you can’t be entirely positive).

Something Borrowed is an incredibly sweet, fun and entertaining read. I was so sad when it was over, although also quite happy considering there was a happily-ever-after ending to it all. This is the perfectly dramatic wedding – the best man is in plaster, the groom almost marries the wrong woman and there’s an insane fae running around trying to get vengeance. If you want a story of calamities that will make your own nuptials look kind of tame… definitely read this. Actually, just read this short story anyway. It’s absolutely brilliant.

 <- Spellbound ReviewDead Man’s Chest Review ->
Image source: Amazon

The Bricks of Gelecek by Matthew Kressel

Book Review, , ,
Overview
naked-city

Title: The Bricks of Gelecek
Author: Matthew Kressel
In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Music, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 15th October 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: But you have.

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Synopsis

He is an annihilator. One who destroys cities, and then doesn’t remember them. Until he meets a young girl with a gift for songs… and he realises that maybe he shouldn’t forget what he’s destroyed.

Thoughts

Many mythologies have a creature of destruction woven into their stories somewhere… but I’ve never read a short story in which one such creature felt regret. Of any kind. Which made this incredibly enjoyable. I love when a story takes a slightly different spin. Instead of being the antagonist, the brother of destruction was simply doing what he’d been born to do. Until he found a conscience…

The power of music is something that has always fascinated me. And filled my life with happiness. Which meant that the use of music to bring a conscience to an annihilator hit a great chord with me. After all, music is often about memories. And love. All of which are eventually realised, and the course of one beings life changed for ever.

Cities come and go. That’s a part of history, and it’s not entirely ridiculous. Yet, this story really helps to drive home that when your city disappears, eventually no one will remember it… ever. It’s a little bit sad, a little bit nostalgic. But mostly, it’s a great reality check and reminder of reality.

 <- Priced to Sell ReviewWeston Walks Review ->
Image source: Patricia Briggs

The Resurrectionist by Caitlin Kittredge

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for urban enemies book cover

Title: The Resurrectionist
Author: Caitlin Kittredge
Series: Hellhound Chronicles #2.5
In: Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 15th October 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Some dame with legs and a problem.

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Synopsis

A routine job turns into something a little more sinister. Especially when the end of the journey results in everyone dead and grudges being held.

Thoughts

It took me a little bit longer than I would like to admit to realise that the lead in this wasn’t alive. That he was dead. And that was why he got hit with a shovel (and other implements) multiple times and didn’t die. It finally started to make a little more sense… but in the best, most beautiful way possible. Because I really like stories about people who are weirdly undead rolling around the world.

This is one of those short stories that really didn’t end the way that I expected it to. Everyone is dead. There is no happily ever after, although there is a sense of finding oneself at the very ending. Or maybe refinding oneself is the better way to put it… since the narrator eventually realises what his original calling in life was and decides to return to it.

This short story has added yet another series to my wishlist. If this is the tale of one of the “enemies” in the story, then the heroes are going to be fantastically beautiful. There is something alluring about this story and the idea of hellhounds… they’re certainly a paranormal beast that I haven’t read much about…

 <- The Naughtiest Cherub ReviewDown Where the Darkness Dwells Review ->
Image source: Simon & Schuster

With Friends Like These by Dawn Cook

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of vampire romance 2 book cover

Title: With Friends Like These
Author: Dawn Cook
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 15th October 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: “You can’t kill me,” he said, boots scuffing.

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Synopsis

His roommate has a way with women. And people in general. But, even if he’s a little bit jealous… he loves their nightly run. That is, until he finds out the truth about Jim…

Thoughts

Alright, so the friend in this kind of sucks. He uses his room mate to find his way back into the vampire hierarchy. He kind of drugs him. And then he almost gets him killed. Oh, and he’s a douche nugget to women. Like I said, a really bad friend… but what can you expect, he’s a vampire.

My biggest issue with this story though is the fact that they like to run late at night. I don’t like running. I would never run in a city… and doing so late at night? That just seems ridiculously unrealistic. Like stupidly, unbelievably unrealistic. Who the heck runs late at night in a city in a dangerous part of town? Oh, right, a vampire and his pet friend…

This was a really well written story, one that I thoroughly enjoyed. But it did kind of leave a sour taste in my mouth… after all, he stuck with the insane vampire even after her realised how much manipulation had occurred. And the nasty vampire man also treated women like trash… I know that I definitely don’t need (or want) friends like these…

 <- Point of No Return ReviewBlood Gothic Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

The Naughtiest Cherub by Kevin Hearne

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for urban enemies book cover

Title: The Naughtiest Cherub
Author: Kevin Hearne
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles #8.8
In: Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Mythology, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 30th September 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: By all reports, more hellish than other places on the human plane.

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Synopsis

Loki has entered the terrifying bowls of hell to try and make a deal with Lucifer. But will the Prince of Darkness be open to the discussion? Or will he just be another adversary in Loki’s quest?

Thoughts

I love the partnership of Loki and Lucifer in this story. It’s not a mix of mythologies I’ve seen much of before. And the interplay between the two was hilarious, sassy and incredibly witty. It also set up a reality in which the different mythos of the world interplay a lot more succinctly and neatly than any other series I’ve come across before.

Loki is probably one of my favourite villains in any mythology retelling. Although he is traditionally a trickster, he is also the one who tends to equalise others. The fact that Lucifer refuses to play ball with him and acts as an equaliser of his own was a really nice bit of karmic poetry. And it sets up the battles which I’m sure are about to come in this series.

The Naughtiest Cherub is a great short story which sets you up in a world that I personally can’t wait to sink my teeth into. If this is how the villains battle one another, I can’t wait to see how they interact with the “good guys”.

<- KissThe Resurrectionist ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster

Spellbound by L.A. Banks

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for my big fat supernatural wedding book cover

Title: Spellbound
Author: L.A. Banks
In: My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Family, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 30th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: Ethel floated toward the tree near the two lovers.

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Synopsis

Odelia and Jeffereson just want to escape their horrifying families. They want to get married and live happily ever after. But they’re insane, dueling families have a lot to say about it… put in a call to the Grandmothers, and things might just start to work out the way they want them to.

Thoughts

This story is such a gorgeous little Romeo and Juliet themed tale. Two young people from warring families have fallen deeply in love. And all they want to do is get married. Unlike the Shakespearean classic though, they have grandmothers. Who help. Actually they more than help… they step in and take charge. Big time. I love the strong grandmother trope…

Odelia and Jefferson are a rare and cute couple. And an interesting wedding to start a collection about supernatural weddings off with. The hoodoo casting, Deep South dwelling families were completely unexpected. Totally loved. And impossible to stop thinking about. The fact that the lead are virgins at their wedding just makes it all the more sweet… especially since BOTH the man and woman have abstained.

This short story made me think about those moments when you’re falling madly in love. Those heady moments of excitement and anticipation as you begin to truly start a new life with each other. It’s sweet and romantic. And, just downright hilarious to counter all the mushy feelings… definitely a short story that I would recommend again and again.

 <- My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding ReviewSomething Borrowed Review ->
Image source: Amazon