Tag Archives: Vampires

Ode to Edvard Munch by Caitlin R. Kiernan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

Title: Ode to Edvard Munch
Author: Caitlin R. Kiernan
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep) & By Blood We Live (John Joseph Adams)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: But if she is Indian, the girl on Cherry Hill, she has no trace of an accent when she talks to me about the fountain or her favourite paintings in the Met or the exhibits she likes best at the Museum of Natural History.

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Synopsis

A lyrical waxing and waning of a man’s relationship with his vampire and the dreams that she brings with her.

Thoughts

I loved the lyricism in this short story. It gave the tale a sense of the old classics, written in the times when you didn’t just use one word to describe “tired” but an entire paragraph. And there was the same sense of multi-layered meanings. The idea that if I read this a hundred more times, I would find something else hidden amongst the intense symbolism.

Whilst the storyline is convoluted and dark, I love the symbolism and the descriptive language used throughout this story. It made every moment of convoluted story telling so much more vivid and intense. Something that makes me want to find more of Kiernan’s tales.

 <- Fade to Black ReviewFangs for Hire Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Eternal Warrior by Jenna Maclaine

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: The Eternal Warrior

Author: Jenna Maclaine

Series: Cin Craven #0.1

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Dark fantasy, Strong women, Vampires

Pace: Slow

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2011

5th sentence, 74th page: But I will never forgive you.

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Synopsis

In the dawn of a new millennium, the goddess Morrigan must forge a new race of warriors to protect both Faerie and the human world from an unimaginable evil. This short story is a prequel to the Cin Craven series, first published in The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance.

Thoughts

I had no idea what to expect from this short story – I just know that I bought The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance because this tale was in it. It is a prequel to the Cin Craven series, and I’ve been hanging out to read the rest of the tales in the series. And I really wasn’t disappointed. This was thoroughly enjoyable, kind of cute and had just the right amount of sass.

Cullen and Morrigan feel like they are setting the scene for a massive battle. But, The Eternal Warrior also just tells their own personal story and highlights the intricacies of all that (I’m assuming) comes before. There is this weird push and pull between the two that I find kind of intriguing – it is obvious how much they care for one another, but there is so much bitterness there, and the extra spice made me kind of sad that the story ended so soon. Now I need to pick up the next Mammoth Book and read The Righteous.

 <- Daughter of the Sea Review Eternal Strife Review ->
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Fade to Black by Sherri Erwin

Book Review, , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Vampire RomanceTitle: Fade to Black
Author: Sherri Erwin
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Wait, how was I watching?

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Synopsis

Kelly has a boring, mediocre life and Connor Black wants to help her change her stars. But now that she’s agreed, she finds herself in a complex web of history, jealousy and a confusing future.

Thoughts

I feel like there needs to be more to this story. It is short, sweet and multilayered in its world construction. The fact that vampirism is treated as a virus and there is an ancient rivalry between the two male leads creates an engaging world. Yet, it ends so quickly when she hasn’t actually quite chosen which male she wants to try for. Mostly the lead makes a decision about herself, and kind of rides off into the sunset. With a lot of questions unanswered. This is generally why I didn’t give this tale as large a rating as I normally would have. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and the world construction, but it just felt… open.

I like the fact that although this is a vampire romance story (in a vampire romance collection, who’da’thunk’it?), it’s a slightly different take on the idea. There is still the same slightly raunchy feel. There is still the same idea that the male is the aggressor and turns (rescues in this case?) tale. But it treats vampirism differently and in a way that I found to be incredibly unique. A fantastic start to a new anthology, I can’t wait to see where it’s going to go.

 <- The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance Review Ode to Edvard Munch Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Dead Until Dark
Author: Charlaine Harris
Series: Sookie Stackhouse #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Year: 2001
5th sentence, 74th page: I began squirming to the bed table, not happy but resigned.

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Synopsis

Sookie Stackhouse is a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. She’s quiet, keeps to herself, and doesn’t get out much. Not because she’s not pretty. She is. It’s just that, well, Sookie has this sort of “disability”. She can read minds. And that doesn’t make her too dateable. And then along comes Bill. He’s tall, dark, handsome – and Sookie can’t hear a word he’s thinking. He’s exactly the type of guy she’s been waiting for all her life…

But Bill has a disability of his own: He’s a vampire with a bad reputation. He hangs with a seriously creepy crowd, all suspected of – big surprise – murder. And when one of Sookie’s coworkers is killed, she fears she’s next….

Thoughts

I’ve had this suggested again and again and again. So I finally decided that it was necessary to read this. And I’m really glad it did. It turned into one of those good-bad guilty pleasure stories. Something that I want to keep reading, but not the jaw dropping, earth shattering story that I was half expecting. This might be because I could see a lot of parallels with Twilight. Which I hate.

Sookie is kind of a fun and entertaining voice through which to tell the story. She is witty, and a little sarcastic. And not in the slightest bit tough. Which is a complete departure from the kinds of stories that I normally read. She’s a waitress with a keen sense of intelligence and loyalty – but she does tend to lean on the men around her for support. For somebody who normally reads stories about fiercely independent women, this was actually a really lovely departure that I continuously thought about and dreamed of.

Bill honestly bores me. Which is probably the biggest problem that I have with this book. He’s just a vampire that runs around. And courts Sookie. And just someone that wasn’t really engaging. Actually, the main reason why I want to continue reading this series is Sookie and her friend Sam. Bill is handsome, dark and runs around in the dark. That is basically it. Maybe in Living Dead in Dallas he will become a little more multi-layered.

<- More Charlaine HarrisLiving Dead in Dallas ->

Image source: Amazon

Rookwood and Mrs. King by Lilith Saintcrow

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Dark and Stormy KnightsTitle: Rookwood and Mrs. King
Author: Lilith Saintcrow
In: Dark and Stormy Knights (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Easy reading, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Rookwood coughed twice, rackingly.

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Synopsis

Rookwood is almost one of the undead. And he finally has the bait to set his trap, but is he the one really being lured to his end?

Thoughts

This was a really fun detective / vampire / I’m-not-sure-what story. Actually, although this was a vampire tale, I’m not really sure where else this fits into the scheme of genres. Or really into my shelf in general. I suppose the fact that it is in Dark and Stormy Knights – a collection of dark fantasy stories kind of helps me put it into context.

I liked the idea that the bait is acting as bait. The convoluted way in which this works, and the grotesque things that follow were actually a lot of fun. I’m almost disappointed that this isn’t actually part of a greater series. Yet, the idea that Rookwood and Mrs. King get to walk off into the sunset and their not-so-happily-ever-after is thoroughly enjoyable and made me have a bit of a smile at the end.

 <- Shifting Star Review God’s Creatures Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Dark Lady by P.N. Elrod

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Dark and Stormy Knights

Title: Dark Lady
Author: P.N. Elrod
Series: Vampire Files #12.6
In: Dark and Stormy Knights (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Even the undead need an edge.

Synopsis

A local undead club owner has a ghost. And a brand new conspiracy to deal with.

Thoughts

I love the noir gangster setting of this short story. It made me think of the 20’s, and some of the old movies that I’ve admittedly never gotten around to, but always plan to watch… it was kind of dark, lots of fun and incredibly captivating. The only complaint I have about this story is that it was over way too soon.

This short story starts off with a dame in trouble, there is also a ghost and a conspiracy that twists and turns with every passage. Which, of course, is why I enjoyed it so thoroughly. Nothing was quite like I expected, and although Elrod followed noir themes and styles, it is also a little different and unexpected. At least for me, since I don’t really read much of the noir genre.

Myrna is a fun change from the rest of the story – a ghost that likes dance music and plays her part in the chaos that unfolds. She’s small, sweet and one that I would really like to get to know better…

<- Even a Rabbit Will BiteBeknighted ->

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The Britlingens Go to Hell by Charlaine Harris

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Must Love Hellhounds

Title: The Britlingens Go to Hell
Author: Charlaine Harris
Series: Sookie Stackhouse #9.5
In: Must Love Hellhounds (Charlaine Harris)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Books
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: She had little use for Trovis, and she’d never hidden her opinion.

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Synopsis

Follow paranormal bodyguards Clovache and Batanya into Lucifer’s realm, where they encounter his fearsome four-legged pets in The Britlingens Go to Hell.

Thoughts

Inter-dimensional, cross planetary travel with a side of assassin type bodyguards. You can’t really get much better than that with a novella. Especially when the two bodyguards and their client (who happens to have two penises) have to go to hell. Lucifer’s domain. And fight their way in and out while finding stolen property and avoiding a sexual deviant… or ten.

It’s pretty obvious that there is going to be a hook-up at the end of this story. Most of the paranormal fantasy stories that I read have some kind of romantic and / or sexual entanglement. That was until I read the two penis comment… which just lead to a lot of questions and confusing thoughts… ones that I think are better left unsaid.

I’m not sure how this fits in with Bacon and the other Sookie Stackhouse short stories. But it was certainly an enjoyable story. And now I need to find some more of these tales…

<- Must Love HellhoundsAngels’ Judgment ->

Image source: Goodreads

Blue Moon by Nikki Kelly

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Kisses and CursesTitle: Blue Moon
Author: Nikki Kelly
Series: The Styclar Saga #0.5
In: Kisses & Curses (Lauren Burniac)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Easy reading, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Square Fish
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: As I rounded the corner, I stopped briefly to rub away the chill that nipped at my ears.

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Synopsis

A young bartender with a hidden past wants out, but is the young, posh man potentially her way out?

Thoughts

This short story had one of my favourite settings in the entire Kisses and Curses collection. It’s a small pub in Wales, with a couple that are kind of the worst owners / bosses. Although completely expected for this setting.

The dark history of the main character, and the somewhat pensive scene helped to create an amazing mood. One that I hope is going to be even more captivating in Lailah.

The final moments of the full moon as the future was contemplated were really potent and, as someone who loves a darkness in stories, it’s a great way to end a short tale and begin a new series.

 <- Tortured Review The Cypress Project Review ->
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Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Angels' Blood

Title: Angels’ Blood
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: And beyond that lay the view of Archangel Tower.

Synopsis

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh introduces a world of beauty and bloodlust where angels hold sway over vampires…

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she is the best – but she does not know if even she is good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, Elena knows failure is not an option – even if the task is impossible.

Because this time, it’s not a wayward vamp she has to track. It’s an archangel gone bad.

The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other – and pull her to the razor’s edge of passion. Even if the hunt does not estroy her, succumbing to Raphael’s seductive touch just might. For when archangels play, mortals break…

Thoughts

I loved Singh’s Psy-Changeling series. So when I realised that she had a series about vampires and vampire hunters. And angels? I was fascinated. Although I read the three novellas that fit in before the occurrences of Angels’ Blood, I was still incredibly confused about how this world works. And although this story answers so many questions, so many, many more were raised. Which is kind of how a good book should be.

It was expected that Elena and Raphael would end up together. After all, this is a paranormal romance at its core. But the journey to their union… wow! I loved Elena’s complete refusal to succumb from the very beginning. Raphael’s arrogance and treatment of her at their first meeting was actually something that concerned me. I thought that this was going to be a bit of a Shades of Grey type thing… so seriously unhealthy that it isn’t worth delving into. But, it wasn’t like this in any way, shape or form. The many, many, many hidden layers to both the characters worked in conjunction with each other to build a great relationship that was amazingly believable.

Alongside the feisty romance, there was a great hunting tale. Although you know the who-done-it straight away, the how, the why and whether or not they would be caught was impossible to predict. Actually it was so difficult to predict that I couldn’t put the book down and didn’t sleep properly for two nights straight since I was so keen to finish Elena’s first journey. And the ending… NOT WHAT I WAS EXPECTING!!!

<- Angels’ PawnArchangel’s Kiss ->

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Two for Transylvania by Brad C. Hodson

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Blood Lite IIITitle: Two for Transylvania
Author: Brad C. Hodson
In: Blood Lite III (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Easy reading, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: I’ve got my part to play.

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Synopsis

Dracula and Van Helsing are just con artists. And now they’ve gone into real estate.

Thoughts

The tales of Van Helsing and Dracula are told and retold so often that just the mention of their name can be exciting or send me off into snores. Luckily for me, this short story was a completely new take on traditional stories. And one that just wasn’t even slightly what I expected. Which was cute, funny and left me with a big smile on my face.

How did the stories about Dracula gain traction? Through the acts of the two conmen constantly gaining money from their unwitting victims. But, what are you supposed to do in today’s day and age? After all, I’m sure that constantly getting staked would get a little boring…I’m actually kind of disappointed that this story ended before I could find out how the great final con went for the two…

 <- Old MacDonald Had an Animal Farm Review The Four Horsemen Reunion Tour: An Apocumentary Review ->
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