Tag Archives: Urban Fantasy

God’s Creatures by Carrie Vaughn

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Dark and Stormy Knights

Title: God’s Creatures
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Series: Kitty Norville #0.8
In: Dark and Stormy Knights (P.N. Elrod) & Kitty’s Greatest Hits (Carrie Vaughn)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: When the body turned up, Harrison wouldn’t turn him in.

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Synopsis

Cormac has to hunt down the thing that’s killing Harrison’s cattle. But what he ends up having to face is nothing like what he expected.

Thoughts

Werewolf stories are always interesting. For such a well known mythological creature, it’s interesting to see how many different ways people can take such a common story and twist it. Even when they follow the generalised pattern, there is always something a little different and fun. Which is where this short story fits in. It was a fairly expected tale of a werewolf hunter finding, hunting and eventually killing a werewolf. It was the werewolf and where it was found that was a bit more of a shock.

The journey of the hunt normally makes a very good story, the trail that you take that leads up to the final moments. I absolutely loved this – the fact that the trail leads to a reform, Catholic school. The fact that there is a confusing and somewhat hidden past to Cormac helps to draw you in incredibly quickly. Actually, aside from the fact that I originally thought that this was a gangster story, you are thrust straight into the drama.

And now I have added yet another series to my To Be Read List and What I Want To Buy…

 <- Wild Ride ReviewWinnowing the Herd Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
The Sword of Summer

Title: Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: He nodded and smiled.

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Synopsis

MY NAME IS MAGNUS CHASE. I’M ORPHANED AND LIVING ROUGH ON THE STREETS OF BOSTON. AND THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET MUCH WORSE.

My day started out normally enough. I was sleeping under a bridge when some guy kicked me awake and said, ‘They’re after you.’ Next thing I know, I’m reunited with my obnoxious uncle, who casually informs me that my long-lost father is a Norse god.

Nothing normal about that. And it turns out the gods of Asgard are preparing ofr war. Apparently, if I can’t find the sword my father lost two thousand years ago, there will be doom. Doomsday, to be precise.

A fire giant atatcking the city?
Immortal warriors hacking each other to pieces?
Unkillable wolves with glowing eyes?
It’s all coming up.

But first I’m going to die.
This is the story of how my life goes downhill from there…

Thoughts

I keep meaning to read this (which is kind of the story of my life), but I just haven’t found the time to pick it up as of yet. Until I needed to complete it for a reading challenge, and this gave me a beautiful excuse to drown myself, yet again in the world and writing of Magnus Chase. You would have thought that the name Chase would have clued me in on the relationship to Annabeth and Percy. But it took Annabeth’s actual appearance to make me understand… and then finally start grinning with joy.

I love how Magnus is a homeless child, with a bad two years and a mother that he has fond memories of. He has a completely different background to anyone else I’ve met so far in Riordan’s worlds and I found that this, once again, outsider was a great insight into the difficulties of a rough past. As the novel unfolds, you find out more and more of Magnus’ life on the streets, and his pre-street life with his mother. The slow unfolding and release of memories throughout help to really build his character and give a great structure to the battles that he not only faces in this book, but those I’m sure he is about to face in future stories.

I am vaguely familiar with the Norse Pantheon, enough so that I know the names of the major gods. So I was completely expecting Magnus to be the son of Odin or Thor, two of the most famous Norse Gods. He isn’t. And his father was completely unexpected, but so much more exciting in the discovery. I can’t wait to see how the son of a Norse God will develop further. Although I might have to dig out some of my books on mythology to find the tales behind this modern adaptation.

<- 9 from the Nine WorldsThe Hammer of Thor ->

Image source: Amazon UK

Shifting Star by Vicki Pettersson

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Dark and Stormy KnightsTitle: Shifting Star
Author: Vicki Pettersson
Series: Signs of the Zodiac #4.6
In: Dark and Stormy Knights (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: She didn’t know if it was the small white lie or her tears dropping to his face that did the trick, but his eyes fluttered open long enough to reveal recognition touching his gaze.

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Synopsis

Star is newly human, but it takes her awhile to figure out what this entails – both the hope, the loss and the joy of being alive crash together as she races to save some young girls.

Thoughts

There is always a problem with reading short story collections, and that is finding a series that you really want to buy. This was one such series, and a series that some of the books don’t seem so easy to get my hands on. The fact that this is a bit darker than the other stories in Dark and Stormy Knights and I really loved the change in pace and genre.

Star is newly human (or physical, I’m still kind of fuzzy on the details of this) and there’s a great flirtation within the first few moments. Yet, I love how she is still so completely obviously closed off from the world around her. The potential doesn’t unfold until much later in the story, and as Star’s relationship blooms, the stakes become higher and higher.

I didn’t love the ending to this. Until I got the message in it. And now I kind of can’t stop thinking about what it was saying – that whole idea of living life to the full and what not worked brilliantly well. And now I can’t wait for the novels to arrive at my door…

 <- Beknighted Review Rookwood and Mrs. King Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Even Hand by Jim Butcher

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview
Dark and Stormy Knights

Title: Even Hand
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files #11.6
In: Dark and Stormy Knights (P.N. Elrod) & Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Wizards
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: I glanced past the young woman to Gard, who gave me a slow, cautious nod.

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Synopsis

Even Hand is a short story in The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher. It is set between Turn Coat and Changes, and is narrated by John Marcone.

Thoughts

It’s always interesting to read a short story from an alternate point of view. And although I am nowhere near up to book 11 in The Dresden Files, I have already met Marcone. And it was really fun to read a story about him. From his point of view. Which was kind of dark.

Something that I enjoy about Butcher’s writing is that he doesn’t have clear cut good and evil characters. Harry Dresden is the protagonist, and the “good guy”, but he isn’t completely innocent, and there is a darker side to him. One that I’m sure develops throughout the tale. Likewise, Marcone is strongly cast as the “baddie”. But, in reading Even Hand, you discover that there are good and nice aspects about him and his moral code. He’s still a scary, ruthless, unkind mob boss. But he does have some laws and rules by which he lives his life. Something that has certainly made me want to dive headfirst back into The Dresden Files….

 <- A Questionable Client ReviewThe Beacon Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Beacon by Shannon K. Butcher

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Dark and Stormy KnightsTitle: The Beacon
Author: Shannon K. Butcher
In: Dark and Stormy Knights (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Demons, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Something in his leg cracked and pain screamed up his spine, setting his brain on fire.

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Synopsis

Ryder is after a Beacon, someone who draws demonic creatures into our world. But this Beacon isn’t anything like he expected, and the battle that follows will change his life forever.

Thoughts

The opening scene in this short story drew me in from the very beginning. Partially because Butcher is a really good writer, but also partly because it starts with a man going for a drive specifically to kill someone. There is something that I always find fun about assassin stories (this may be a deeper comment on my psyche, but we won’t go into that…)

Although Ryder is off to kill someone for the greater good, the person who he has been sent after is completely unexpected, and the battle that follows is epic. Not only is Ryder faced with an incredibly intimidating foe, he also has a crisis of faith, and a plucky (if not completely underqualified) side kick that he really doesn’t want or need.

I love how The Beacon is bought full circle, albeit with an incredibly changed lifestyle and bunch of choices for Ryder. It ties everything up so neatly and leaves you feeling like he is able to continue fighting the good fight.

 <- Even Hand Review Even a Rabbit Will Bite Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

No Love Lost by Rachel Caine

Book Review, , ,

Overview

No Love LostTitle: No Love Lost
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: Weather Warden #1.5, Weather Warden Universe #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Online
Year: 2013

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Synopsis

A Weather Warden short story.

Thoughts

This short is the tale of David’s feelings and interactions with Joanne. It actually explains a lot of why he does what he does and makes the choices he makes throughout Ill Wind.

This is one of those quick, deleted scenes that you can find in a lot of series. It doesn’t really have its own storyline, but rather, adds to the overarching storyline of the main series. The thing that I love about these, and No Love Lost in particular, is that it gives you a glimpse into another character’s point of view. Here, it is David’s process of falling in love and his view of Joanne. Reading this actually helped me to form a much better, overall picture of Joanne as well.

 <- Ill Wind Review Heat Stroke Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Ill Wind by Rachel Caine

Book Review, , ,

Overview

Ill WindTitle: Ill Wind
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: Weather Warden #1, Weather Warden Universe #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Roc Fantasy
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: “Must be a bitch, being enslaved and all.”

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Synopsis

RIDERS ON THE STORM

The Wardens Association has been around pretty much forever. Some Wardens control fire, others control earth, water, or wind – and the most powerful can control more than one element. Without Wardens, Mother Nature would wipe humanity off the face of the earth…

Joanne Baldwin is a Weather Warden. Usually, all it takes is a wave of her hand to tame the most violent weather. But n ow Joanne is trying to outrun another kind of storm: accusations of corruption and murder. So she’s resorting to the very human tactic of running for her life…

Her only hope is Lewis, the most powerful Warden. Unfortunately, he’s also on the run from the World Council. It seems he’s stolen not one but three bottles of Djinn – making him the most wanted man on earth. And without Lewis, Joanne’s chances of surviving are as good as a snowball in – well, a place she may be headed. So she and her classic Mustang are racing hard to find him because there’s some bad weather closing in fast…

Thoughts

I’ve started this book twice. And both times I put it down because it was too good. Apparently, in my mind, that’s a thing – the first chapter was so good that I knew I would need to buy the rest of the series, or at least the next few books. And when I first went to read this, I didn’t have much money, so decided to make a more grown up decision. But as soon as I had a little surplus cash? I dived right into Ill Wind expecting the ride of a lifetime. And I wasn’t disappointed.

My biggest difficulty with this story was the length of the chapters. There are about 5 in this 300ish page story. It meant that I had trouble putting the book down and doing adult things like going to sleep, getting food, doing the work that I sometimes get paid to do… but, all in all, that really isn’t much of a complaint. I just had to be a little more aware and smarter about when I opened up this tale to start the next chapter. And really, I ended up reading it in almost one night (I read the first chapter a few days before). So ultimately, nothing much to complain about.

Joanne was an interesting female lead. Most of the stories I read have a heroine with a damaged past (check), a love interest that they can’t quite seem to trust, and an inability to have lasting relationships. Joanne only had the damaged past. Her sexuality and confidence in herself was entirely new to me. And I quite frankly, loved it. She was bold, confident and sex was something that she enjoyed, but it wasn’t a symptom of damage or mistrust. Actually, although it was a large part of her psyche, it wasn’t something that was dramatized in any way. It was just there.

The other incredibly unique thing about this story was the way that it was told. You are just dropped into the middle of her chaotic world and as the tale unfolds, you are slowly fed bits and pieces of her past. Actually, the tales of her past take up the vast majority of her tale, yet they are informing the future and the reasons for all of her decisions in the present. I’ve read other stories that do this, but not to this extreme. And I found that I really loved this incredibly different style.

 <- Red Hot Rain Review No Love Lost Review ->
Image source: SF Reviews

The Demigod Diaries by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Demigod DiariesTitle: The Demigod Diaries
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Companion
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Urban Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: What happened exactly one month ago?

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Synopsis

IN THIS ACTION-PACKED SHORT-STORY COLLECTION, RUNAWAY DEMIGODS LUKE AND THALIA FACE UNTOLD DANGERS ON THEIR WAY TO CAMP HALF-BLOOD.

Percy Jackson and Annabeth must rescue stolen goods from a fire-breathing giant who doesn’t take kindly to intruders.

And Leo, Piper and Jason have to dodge a band of party-loving maenads and stave off an explosion – in one hour or less…

Discover these three never-before-seen short stories starring the Heroes of Olympus and Percy Jackson – PLUS interviews, puzzles and much more.

Thoughts

This was a fun little collection of short stories in the Percy Jackson universe. The three stories help to build on the adventures throughout both series, and the smatterings of interviews and games in between are kind of fun. Honestly, I kind of wish that I had discovered this when I was a bit younger… it would have been incredibly enjoyable!

The typical modern day spin on Greek and Roman myths that I have come to expect from Riordan is littered throughout these stories. But, that doesn’t mean that there is any form of predictableness in the storylines. After all, it’s a modern take, and there is constantly something unforeseeable and unexpected happening. Personally, I loved the short story about Percy and Annabeth best. Not just because it was typically surprising (if that is even a thing), but also because it features my favourite couple throughout the series.

I think the thing that I loved the most about this book was that it was just fun and easy. The Percy Jackson series and Heroes of Olympus series are both high stakes. Filled with destiny, journeys and epic danger. These stories are just easier, but with the same fun and humour that is threaded through all of Riordan’s work.

<- The Demigod Files Review The Demigods of Olympus Review ->
Image source: Amazon UK

Percy Jackson and the Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Greek HeroesTitle: Percy Jackson and the Greek Heroes
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Companion
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Urban Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin Books
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Yes,’ the eldest sister agreed, thinking, A much older, smellier husband.

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Synopsis

IF YOU LIKE MUTILATIONS, MURDERS AND FLESH-EATING FARMYARD ANIMALS, KEEP READING…

My name is Percy Jackson. I’m a modern-day demigod – the son of Poseidon. I’ve had some bad experiences in my time, but the heroes I’m going to tell you about were the original old-school hard-luck cases.

So get your flaming spear. Put on your lion-skin cape. Polish your shield and make sure you’ve got arrows in your quiver. We’re going back about four thousand years to decapitate monsters, shoot a few gods in the butt, raid the Underworld and steal loot from evil people.

Then, for dessert, we’ll die painful, tragic deaths.

Ready? Sweet. Let’s do this.

Thoughts

I’m fascinated by ancient mythology. And, as one of the most prevalent and well-known mythologies of the modern world, Greek mythology is normally at the top of my list. Which sometimes makes it a little difficult for me to read modern adaptations of the stories of Greek heroes. Especially in children’s books, as they have to be kind of PG, and I really like the originally, incredibly sleazy versions of the tales…

Having said that, I thought that Riordan did a great job of retelling twelve of the Greek myths. It’s a fine line between making it suitable for children and just twisting it out of all recognisable shape and form. Luckily for my enjoyment, and continued love of Riordan’s work, he toed this line perfectly. The stories were still PG, but tales like Hercules actually started with him going mad and killing his family. Unlike the Disney version which has him as an innocent child, forced to take on the mantle of hero. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Disney movie, but when you’re aware that this is probably a child’s first foray into the world of Greek Mythology… maybe sugar coating everything isn’t the way.

I loved the humour with which these tales are told. They’re Greek tragedies, not really any happy endings and generally pretty epic ways to die. So, being told by Percy’s persona throughout with such a healthy dose of humour made it a lot more enjoyable. And, somehow, a little less tragic.

<- The Greek Gods Review The Demigod Files Review ->
Image source: Penguin Books Australia

I Was a Teenage Bigfoot by Jim Butcher

Book Review, , , , , , ,

Overview

Blood Lite IIITitle: I Was a Teenage Bigfoot
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files #6.5, Bigfoot Trilogy #2
In: Blood Lite III (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Wizards
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: “Gentlemen,” Sinor said, impatiently.

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Synopsis

I Was a Teenage Bigfoot is a short story in The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher. It is set around the time of Dead Beat.

Thoughts

Revisiting bigfoot and Harry Dresden is always a fun journey. Mostly, I love Butcher’s translation of who (and what) bigfoot is. The half-blood son of a bigfoot provides even more entertainment, last time Irwin appeared in Harry’s storyline, he was just a small child learning to handle bullies. Now, he’s a teenager, with pretty much the same problems. This time though, the consequences of other’s sapping his energy are a little more extreme and serious.

Harry’s ability to overcome any obstacle that he’s faced with and handle the outcomes of his meddling are admirable. The fact that sometimes he causes the worst of the explosions and troubles just add to the enjoyment of the storyline. His unsuccessful flirtations with the nurse? Well, they just make it far funnier.

<- B is for Bigfoot Review Bigfoot on Campus Review ->
Image source: Goodreads