Tag Archives: Urban Fantasy

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling & Jim Kay

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for harry potter and the philosopher's stone illustrated limited edition book cover

Title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling & Jim Kay
Series: Harry Potter Illustrated Editions
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Illustrated, Urban fantasy, Witches
Pace: Fast
Format: Illustrated Novel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: Harry kept to his room, with his new owl for company.

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Synopsis

An utterly enchanting feast of a book, this stunning collector’s edition of the full-colour illustrated Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is a volume to treasure for a lifetime. Brimming with rich detail and humour, Jim Kay’s dazzling depiction of the wizarding world and much loved characters will captivate fans and new readers alike. In oil, pastel, pencil, watercolour, pixels and a myriad of other techniques, Jim Kay has created over 115 astonishing illustrations; there really is magic on every page.

This beautiful, deluxe edition of J.K. Rowling’s timeless classic features an opulent page size and an exclusive pull-out double gatefold of Diagon Alley; intricate foiled line art by Jim Kay on the real cloth cover and slipcase; gilt edges on premium grade paper; head and tail bands and two ribbon markers – the ultimate must-have edition for any fan, collector or bibliophile.

Thoughts

I was given this last Christmas from my partner. And although I’d flicked through it, I didn’t quite get the chance to actually read this until the other night. And man are Jim Kay’s illustrations damn amazing!

I didn’t really read this word for word – I skimmed the words and let the illustrations throughout tell their own story. Letting the images wash over me as I read a passage here and there bought back all the wonder of the first reading of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. But something about somebody else’s imaginings took the story to a whole other level. One that I will be thinking about for a long time yet.

 <- The Tales of Beedle the Bard ReviewThe Chamber of Secrets Review ->
Image source: Bloomsbury

The Harvest by Vicki Pettersson

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Holidays Are Hell

Title: The Harvest
Author: Vicki Pettersson
Series: Signs of the Zodiac #1.5
In: Holidays Are Hell (Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu & Vicki Pettersson)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Dark fantasy, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Fiction
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: At the Tulpa’s nod, Zoe tried for a lighter tone.

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Synopsis

Zoe’s granddaughter has been stolen by agents of the dark, and she’ll do anything to rescue her. Including teaming up with the team that she abandoned, and the only man she’s ever truly loved…

Thoughts

I’m not American. I have never been to, understood or had anything to do with Thanksgiving. My closest relationship to this holiday is what I see on movies, and the comments I see across social media. Having said all of that, this is certainly my first ever Thanksgiving-themed story. And it was incredibly enjoyable… I think I’m beginning to understand a bit of the American feelings towards this holiday… maybe… I’m still not even 100% sure what it’s about.

I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t have a chance to read The Scent of Shadows before The Harvest. Although this was an amazing novella in and of on itself, there were hints and ideas of the storyline from the first novel scattered throughout. Especially the trauma of Jo and Zoe’s role in her life. Yet, there is such a hint of an amazing untold story that I am fighting the urge to rip the first novel off my shelf and just devour it… first I need to finish some of the other books I have on my shelf… time for a little self-control and discipline…

 <- Six ReviewHolidays are Hell Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

Six by Marjorie M. Liu

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Holidays Are Hell

Title: Six
Author: Marjorie M. Liu
In: Holidays Are Hell (Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu & Vicki Pettersson)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Strong women, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Fiction
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: His Chinese had an English accent, and he was tall and clean-cut, clad in a navy suit with a lilac tie.

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Synopsis

Six is a well trained agent for China. It isn’t until she meets Joseph, a necromancer that she finally meets her match. And her first vampire. And that’s where things quickly begin to unravel.

Thoughts

I absolutely adored this novella. It’s fast-paced, kind of sassy and full of action. Not to mention the woman in the couple is the one more likely to kick your ass. That, and all of this fast-paced, sassy action takes place in Shanghai, with the backdrop of the Chinese New Year. The setting gives an extra layer of character and beauty to the storyline that I don’t often experience in novellas.

I enjoyed this version of “vampires”. It didn’t take the normal shape of blood-sucking fiends, but it did have the same thematic tones as other vampire stories. Mixing in a necromancer or two just helps to up the stakes and create a world that I’m really disappointed only exists in this one novella. I actually went online hunting to see if this is part of a greater series or word. But, alas, it isn’t.

Although I thoroughly enjoy the urban fantasy aspects of this tale, I think that the bit I enjoyed the most is the Chinese background. You can tell that Liu has spent time in Shanghai at the turn of the year, her familiarity almost screams from the page. The characters and the storyline won’t fail to draw you in, but it is the setting that has made this such a memorable tale for me.

 <- Run, Run, Rudolph ReviewThe Harvest Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

Run, Run, Rudolph by Lynsay Sands

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Holidays Are Hell

Title: Run, Run, Rudolph
Author: Lynsay Sands
In: Holidays Are Hell (Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu & Vicki Pettersson)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Fiction
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Jill waited until the pair was out of sight before turning anxiously to Nick.

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Synopsis

Jill’s brother and sister are shapeshifters and incredibly intelligent scientists. But she’s normal, until a madman decides to mess with her on the day of the Christmas pageant. Between running from an insane person, falling for Nick, and trying to learn all about her new skills, Jill is in for an interesting holiday season…

Thoughts

I laughed through most of this story. It was just one of those slightly humorous, feel good, easy reads that sweep you along. In fact, it swept me along so well that the “I’ll just read a chapter” thing went straight out the window and I read this entire novella in one sitting. Always a good indication of how much I enjoyed the storyline.

Jill gets zapped by some weird molecular destabiliser, finds out that there’s a mad man after her, and runs away. At first I couldn’t really tell where this story was going. She gets zapped, there’s a mad man and a love interest (you’d think I would have picked up on some of the storyline earlier). But it pretty quickly becomes a fun, intense journey that feels like a constant game of cat and mouse.

Although I enjoyed the chase in the story, my favourite part was the romance. Nick and Jill have this amazing simmering passion. But beyond the sexual tension, there is this great emotional connection and relationship. The fact that it starts to take place on a Christmas float, and at some point, a reindeer running rampant, just helps to add a little more flavour and laughter to the random adventures that help to increase the power of the relationship throughout this Christmas story.

 <- Two Ghosts for Sister Rachel ReviewSix Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

Two Ghosts for Sister Rachel by Kim Harrison

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Holidays Are Hell

Title: Two Ghosts for Sister Rachel
Author: Kim Harrison
Series: The Hollows #5.5
In: Holidays Are Hell (Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu & Vicki Pettersson)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Fiction
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: The cold hit me, and I held my crossed arms close now for warmth.

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Synopsis

All Rachel wants to do is join local magical enforcement. But her brother has other ideas for her. When a séance to find out their father’s wishes goes wrong, all hell is about to break loose…

Thoughts

I read this because it was in a Christmas collection and I really wanted to get into the Christmas spirit. Yet, I’m still completely unaware as to what this has to do with Christmas. Other than the fact that all of the action takes place on the solstice.

Regardless of the fact that I specifically wanted a Christmas story, and didn’t get one… I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. And can’t wait to discover more of The Hollows series. Rachel is an independent and strong woman. But in a way that is completely different to every other strong woman I’ve read about. Normally they are physically able, and can kick box and karate or whatever form of self defence… but Rachel is actually incredibly physically weak. Yet, this is what lends her so much strength and power. And makes you root for her as she rushes around the city, after a ghost, trying to find a missing girl and a creepy, demented vampire.

 <- Holidays Are HellRun, Run, Rudolph ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

Wild Thing by Marjorie M. Liu, Maggie Shayne, Alyssa Day & Meljean Brook

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview
Wild Thing

Title: Wild Thing
Author: Marjorie M. Liu, Maggie Shayne, Alyssa Day & Meljean Brook
In: Wild Thing (Marjorie M. Liu, Maggie Shayne, Alyssa Day & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Short story collections, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Plump, ripe, sweet.

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Synopsis

Four extraordinary talents bring the most uncommon desires to life in a bold new anthology of romance on the edge.

Enter the forbidden and recklessly exciting world of the demon horde and their willing victims…

Listen to the secrets of a beautiful animal whisperer who’s drawn intimately closer to danger, and to the most suspect of all male animals – man…

Get swept away by the passions that rise out of the unfathomable depths of the lost city of Atlantis…

Follow the dark shadows that stalk both the living and the undead in a world of restless vampires and guardian angels…

Thoughts

I tend to buy these small collections of novellas to contribute to one of the series on my shelf. And then when I read them, I get to discover new authors and series that just continue to expand on my collection…

I loved this collection of novellas. I was expecting a very mushy gushy collection judging by the fact that it is classified as paranormal romance. However, it wasn’t like that at all. Each of the stories did feature sex and some form of romance, but it wasn’t incredibly intense. The sexual tension helped to add an extra layer to the storyline, without taking over it.

And don’t get me wrong… I love the stories that are all about the romance, but sometimes it’s nice to have a set of stories which have a sexual tension component, without it just being about that.

 <- Animal Magnetism ReviewWild Hearts in Atlantis Review ->
Image source: Amazon

My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

My Soul to LoseTitle: My Soul to Lose
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Banshees, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: And it’s not really a lie.

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Synopsis

It was supposed to be a fun day, shopping at the mall with her best friend. Then the panic attack started and Kaylee Cavanaugh finds herself screaming, unable to stop. Her secret fears are exposed and it’s the worst day of her life.

Until she wakes up in the psychiatric unit.

She tries to convince everyone she’s fine–despite the shadows she sees forming around another patient and the urge to scream which comes burbling up again and again. Everyone thinks she’s crazy. Everyone except Lydia, that is. Another patient with some special abilities….

Thoughts

Oh my god. Now I have to wait until the first novel in this series arrives. Which will probably be in about two weeks from this point… which is a long time when you have found a new series to obsess over. This was just such a great introduction. And I haven’t ever had any book or series on my shelf that features a banshee. And since they are so awesome in folklore, I’m not entirely sure why this is…

I always enjoy reading about creatures and characters from folklore in our modern day settings. But, as previously mentioned, this is my first banshee tale. And it worked amazingly. Imagine screaming whenever someone near you is going to die… now imagine being a teenager. In and of itself each of these things can be incredibly difficult. But combined? Wow. And this was only an incredibly short novella that helped to introduce Kaylee. I can’t imagine what the rest of the series is going to be like!

Half of this story involves Kaylee being incarcerated in a psych ward. And it is as truly horrible as I imagine it to be. Kaylee’s experiences and emotions tore at my heartstrings and pulled me incredibly far into this story. And now I need to wait for my copy of My Soul to Take to see what the aftermath of her incarceration will be…I honestly don’t know if I have the patience.

 <- Last Request Review My Soul to Take Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Death and Relaxation by Devon Monk

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Death and Relaxation

Title: Death and Relaxation
Author: Devon Monk
Series: Ordinary Magic #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Mythology, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Odd House Press
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: I checked my reflection in the rearview mirror.

Synopsis

Police Chief Delaney Reed can handle the valkyries, werewolves, gill-men and other paranormal creatures who call the small beach town of Ordinary, Oregon their home. It’s the vacationing gods who keep her up at night.

With the famous rhubarb festival right around the corner, small-town tensions, tempers, and godly tantrums are at an all-time high. The last thing Delaney needs is her ex-boyfriend reappearing just when she’s finally caught the attention of Ryderr Bailey, the one man she should never love.

No, scratch that. The actual last thing she needs is a dead body washing ashore, especially since the dead body is a god.

Catching a murderer, wrestling a god power, and re-scheduling the apocalypse? Just another day on the job in Ordinary. Falling in love with her childhood friend while trying to keep the secrets of her town secret? That’s gonna take some work.

Thoughts

I loved this book from the very beginning. Partially because one of the secondary character couples is a gay couple. And they’re a vampire and werewolf. Which makes me incredibly happy and delirious. I love gay couple. An inter-racial mythological creature relationship that is traditionally at odds with one another… well, that’s even better. It also gives a hint to the ways in which this story tends to push the boundaries a little more than most of the urban fantasy books on my shelves.

I’ve read a lot of stories that features the gods in one way, shape or form. I’ve never read a novel about what happens when the gods want a vacation. Or how they go about giving up their godly duties to actually take a break and relax. This concept in and of itself would have meant that I loved this story. But add to that a small town competition where jealousies run high, a rhubarb patch being blown sky-high and the murder of one said god… well, it’s definitely the kind of story that you shouldn’t pick up if you have boring, and responsible things to do…

Delaney is exactly what I want in a heroine. Just so completely human and flawed. The entire story she’s running around half-delirious with exhaustion and awkward and crabby at times to boot. Both of which I can completely relate to. Her relationships with her sisters is kind of like mine – lots of love, love of frustration, and an overwhelming sense of safety. It’s her relationship with men that kind of messes with my head. Mostly the guy that she is involved with throughout – there is a lot of mystery attached to him and I really want the next books to arrive so that I can find out what his deal is!

 <- More Devon MonkDevils and Details ->

Image source: Goodreads

Hunter Kiss by Marjorie M. Liu

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Wild Thing

Title: Hunter Kiss
Author: Marjorie M. Liu
Series: Hunter Kiss #0.5
In: Wild Thing (Marjorie M. Liu, Maggie Shayne, Alyssa Day & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Demons, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: We are questioned separately, but spin stories of surprise and confusion and who-could-do-such-a-thing.

Synopsis

Enter the forbidden and recklessly exciting world of the demon horde and their willing victims…

Thoughts

I loved the prose in this. It was jumpy and a little all over the place. Quite sharp and to the point. And not really the kind of prose I would have expected from a novella in a paranormal romance collection. It wasn’t really that heavy on the romance either, that was just kind of slotted in. Which I appreciated immensely. After all, what I like about this series (the novella that I have already read anyway) is the darkness of it and the intensity.

This is the start of Hunter Kiss, a little romantic introduction that (I’m assuming) sets you up for the rest of the series. And it is one that worked really very well for me. I found it thoroughly enjoyable, if anything, a little too enjoyable in that it makes me want to not finish any of the other books on my “currently reading” pile and just jump straight into The Iron Hunt. It is taking a lot of self-control to not do this. And to you know… continue doing the work that I’m actually supposed to be doing (that I get paid to do).

This isn’t the fast-paced novella that I was expecting. Although there are demons and external impacts on Grant and Maxine, most of the story is about them getting to know each other. Specifically, it is about Maxine being introduced to her reader in all of her weird and abnormal glory. And what an introduction it is… now to hide The Iron Hunt somewhere safe so I can be a little more productive in my life…

 <- ParadiseThe Iron Hunt ->

Image source: Amazon

Coming Home by Lilith Saintcrow

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Vampire RomanceTitle: Coming Home
Author: Lilith Saintcrow
Series: Dante Valentine #5.5
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: I wonder if he’ll show up.

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Synopsis

A past love shows up at Liana’s doorstep asking for help. Will she have the strength to say no? Or will it continue to drag up memories from her past?

Thoughts

To be honest, I’m not 100% sure of what was going on in a lot of this story. It takes place at the end of a series and it makes it incredibly hard to truly understand the tensions that are occurring throughout the story. But that doesn’t mean that I didn’t go out and buy the first book in the series as soon as I was finished.

For me, this story opens up a whole new world in my mind’s eye. A world of vampires and demons and some kind of assassin. And I can’t wait to find out more about it. Even in this short story, there is this amazing world building, complex relationships and a past that is haunting the protagonist. All in all, a fantastic introduction into a new world that I now have to await to arrive at my doorstep.

 <- Brother’s Keeper Review Working for the Devil Review ->
Image source: Goodreads