This was a Riptide Advance Read.
I loved it. It was hot and steamy and funny. The motivations all worked for me and the characters were very, very likable. I'd read more of their adventures any time. :)
Saturday, February 20, 2016
The Unicorn by Delphine Dryden
This was a Riptide Advance Read.
I loved it. It was hot and steamy and funny. The motivations all worked for me and the characters were very, very likable. I'd read more of their adventures any time. :)
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Trailer Park Fae by Lilith Saintcrow
Gallow and Ragged - Book 1
The first book in the Gallow and Ragged series was pretty much a scene setter for the whole series, I think. At least it felt that way to me.
I really liked the character of Jeremy Gallow, half-sidhe construction worker who has withdrawn from the world of the sidhe. He's cranky, even mean at times. He has a dry, depricating wit that I much appreciated. And you know, he's a good representation of the halfbreed anti-hero type, one of my kinks. :)
Robin, the heroine? I'm not sure yet. Just when I think I like her, she leaves me scratching my head and wanting to shake her.
Anyway, this was an okay read. There was a lot of scene-setting and fancy prose surrounding all things fae-ish that I felt was a bit over-done for my liking, but YMMV. I have come to the conclusion that urban fantasy - while I do enjoy some of it - is really not my go-to genre. I will most likely read others in the series when they come out, but it won't be a rush to buy.
Oh, and the cover of this one might not be stunningly beautiful but it sure is eye-catching in a positive way.
The first book in the Gallow and Ragged series was pretty much a scene setter for the whole series, I think. At least it felt that way to me.
I really liked the character of Jeremy Gallow, half-sidhe construction worker who has withdrawn from the world of the sidhe. He's cranky, even mean at times. He has a dry, depricating wit that I much appreciated. And you know, he's a good representation of the halfbreed anti-hero type, one of my kinks. :)
Robin, the heroine? I'm not sure yet. Just when I think I like her, she leaves me scratching my head and wanting to shake her.
Anyway, this was an okay read. There was a lot of scene-setting and fancy prose surrounding all things fae-ish that I felt was a bit over-done for my liking, but YMMV. I have come to the conclusion that urban fantasy - while I do enjoy some of it - is really not my go-to genre. I will most likely read others in the series when they come out, but it won't be a rush to buy.
Oh, and the cover of this one might not be stunningly beautiful but it sure is eye-catching in a positive way.
Saturday, February 13, 2016
A Three-Day Event by Barbara Kay
I picked this book up because I saw the author interviewed on our noontime local news here in Montreal and the interviewer, Mutsumi Takahashi, said she quite enjoyed it and didn't know who the killer was until the end. And the book takes place in what we call the Eastern Townships, just south of where I life outside of Montreal. I've become a fan of mysteries set in my environs and, I must add, and the price was right. :)
The first chapter of the book was almost enough to put me off. It's set over in England and uses every last clichéd stereotype of the 'horsey set' going. Not only that, the author is very, very, VERY wordy. God, I wanted a red pen.
But I perservered, not convinced that it would get better, but willing to donate another half hour to the cause.
With the second chapter, we moved to Quebec and began to meet more characters who, while being stereotypical also rang more or less true because I knew people a lot like them. I was drawn into their stories and their secrets. See, it wasn't much because of the actual crimes committed, but the secrets that everyone involved seemed to be hiding. THAT'S what caught me. Yes, Kay continued to use a dozen words and 3 paragraphs when one simple sentence would have done, but I have to say, I got used to it fairly quickly.
The book is set in the early 1990's and the depiction of the language tensions and realities of Township Quebec in that era is fairly bang on.. There were a few things I took issue with and rolled my eyes ... for instance, I'm not convinced that the Quebecois used the slurish "pepsi" to describe themselves. I have to admit, the book felt like it was written by an anglo from Ontario - and that's maybe something only one brought up in Quebec would understand/feel. Anti-semitism is a big part of the plot and I can honestly say that this part is, sadly, for the most part authentic, even if I think the author had a bit of an ax to grind. If you don't research the author, then you likely wouldn't feel that way.
But, all in all, it was an entertaining read once I got into it. I had my suspicions about the guilty part a little past halfway through, but I was never certain. But, like I said, for me it became about all the other secrets. I just find myself wishing she'd used less words!
The book is set in the early 1990's and the depiction of the language tensions and realities of Township Quebec in that era is fairly bang on.. There were a few things I took issue with and rolled my eyes ... for instance, I'm not convinced that the Quebecois used the slurish "pepsi" to describe themselves. I have to admit, the book felt like it was written by an anglo from Ontario - and that's maybe something only one brought up in Quebec would understand/feel. Anti-semitism is a big part of the plot and I can honestly say that this part is, sadly, for the most part authentic, even if I think the author had a bit of an ax to grind. If you don't research the author, then you likely wouldn't feel that way.
But, all in all, it was an entertaining read once I got into it. I had my suspicions about the guilty part a little past halfway through, but I was never certain. But, like I said, for me it became about all the other secrets. I just find myself wishing she'd used less words!
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Malachite by Kirby Crow
The Paladin Cycle - Book 1
This is Book One of the Paladin Cycle and I cannot WAIT to read the others - Kirby had better get to writing!
I loved it. From it's gorgeous cover to a most satisfying ending, I just loved it. I loved the characters. All of them. The main characters, the supporting characters, the characters we just get a glimpse of. Loved 'em all. Well, maybe not Franny.... no, not Franny. *LOL*
The author has created a rich, full world with enough questions left unanswered to make me eager with anticipation for the next book. A land/country of just men. Exiles and misfits from other lands. It's quite interesting!
As I said, I loved all the characters. I think my favourite has to be Jean Rivard. He's so... not easy to get along with. :) What you get on the outside is not what lies on the inside and oh, he has secrets. We learn about some of them, but I have a feeling there are more under that layer of I Don't Give a Fuck. In fact, I'm pretty sure that there are a lot more secrets to be ferreted out of all the main characters. *rubs hands together gleefully* I can't WAIT!
The plot fairly clips along and there's a lot of action as well as many twists and turns that left me fairly clapping my hands together with glee (figuratively speaking). And yes, there's what might be termed romance, but I'm leery of using that word. There's love and there's sex and there's desire and want and just plain debauchery - but those aren't the main thrust (so to speak) of the story at all. But I have to admit - there are a couple of scenes - one near the end and one right at the end that were highly satisfying.
Read this book! I loved it!
This is Book One of the Paladin Cycle and I cannot WAIT to read the others - Kirby had better get to writing!
I loved it. From it's gorgeous cover to a most satisfying ending, I just loved it. I loved the characters. All of them. The main characters, the supporting characters, the characters we just get a glimpse of. Loved 'em all. Well, maybe not Franny.... no, not Franny. *LOL*
The author has created a rich, full world with enough questions left unanswered to make me eager with anticipation for the next book. A land/country of just men. Exiles and misfits from other lands. It's quite interesting!
As I said, I loved all the characters. I think my favourite has to be Jean Rivard. He's so... not easy to get along with. :) What you get on the outside is not what lies on the inside and oh, he has secrets. We learn about some of them, but I have a feeling there are more under that layer of I Don't Give a Fuck. In fact, I'm pretty sure that there are a lot more secrets to be ferreted out of all the main characters. *rubs hands together gleefully* I can't WAIT!
The plot fairly clips along and there's a lot of action as well as many twists and turns that left me fairly clapping my hands together with glee (figuratively speaking). And yes, there's what might be termed romance, but I'm leery of using that word. There's love and there's sex and there's desire and want and just plain debauchery - but those aren't the main thrust (so to speak) of the story at all. But I have to admit - there are a couple of scenes - one near the end and one right at the end that were highly satisfying.
Read this book! I loved it!
Friday, February 5, 2016
Clockwork Heart by Heidi Cullinan
Clockwork Love - Book 1
Another winner from one of my most favourite authors!
It was over far too soon. I wanted more adventures with Conny and Johann and the crew of the Farthing. Clockwork Heart is full of love, fun, adventure, danger, hot sex and a cast of wonderful characters. I couldn't put it down. Luckily, it seems to be the first of a series - The Clockwork Love series. And I can see where it could be going and that makes me happy.
So, if you like a rollicking, wonderful, sexy, love story - dive into Heidi's first foray into steampunk. I highly and happily recommend it. :)
Another winner from one of my most favourite authors!
It was over far too soon. I wanted more adventures with Conny and Johann and the crew of the Farthing. Clockwork Heart is full of love, fun, adventure, danger, hot sex and a cast of wonderful characters. I couldn't put it down. Luckily, it seems to be the first of a series - The Clockwork Love series. And I can see where it could be going and that makes me happy.
So, if you like a rollicking, wonderful, sexy, love story - dive into Heidi's first foray into steampunk. I highly and happily recommend it. :)
Thursday, February 4, 2016
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N. K. Jemisin
The Inheritance Trilogy - Book 1
I have to admit that I've resisted this book for a good two years. It was highly recommended by many people in many places, but the problem I had - being a stubborn sort - was that I was always being told that I MUST read this if I wanted to support diverse reading and diverse authors. *SIGH* I wasn't told that I had to read it because it was a fantastic story with fascinating characters - that was said as sort of an incidental bonus. Sadly, the rabid "read this or be considered a societal failure/bad person" serves only to turn me off and make me dig in my heels. And if you think that makes me a bad person, well, that's your opinion.
But one day, it came up in a Kobo Daily Deal for $1.99 and I figured that for that price, I could pick it up and keep it until the day I wasn't so annoyed. And if that day never came, well, I wasn't losing anything more than a couple of bucks.
Anyhoooo.... *stepping down from my cranky soapbox*
This was a terrific book! I really, really enjoyed it and I don't normally enjoy books that deal with gods walking the 'earth'. (Neil Gaiman aside). The writing style was different - Jemisin has an interesting voice and it worked wonderfully in this tale of the barbarian young woman, Yeine, who is summoned to the capital of the worlds by her ruling grandfather and designated as an heir to the throne. Basically.
In fact, I was so entranced by the first few chapters that I hopped online and bought the omnibus of the trilogy (it cost less than buying the other two volumes separately).
I liked the way the story unfolded and how and when Jemisin revealed the twists and turns of the plot. This is something that could end up as being deus ex machina but the writing is skillful enough to avoid all that.
Another thing I liked was that while this is the first book in a trilogy, it could be read alone. The story actually ends (or seems to end) on the final page. And end in a very satisfactory fashion. No damned cliffhangers here!
So yes, I finally read it and loved it. N.K. Jemisin has that special way, I think, that Guy Gavriel Kay has of writing a different sort of fantasy and I highly recommend it.
I have to admit that I've resisted this book for a good two years. It was highly recommended by many people in many places, but the problem I had - being a stubborn sort - was that I was always being told that I MUST read this if I wanted to support diverse reading and diverse authors. *SIGH* I wasn't told that I had to read it because it was a fantastic story with fascinating characters - that was said as sort of an incidental bonus. Sadly, the rabid "read this or be considered a societal failure/bad person" serves only to turn me off and make me dig in my heels. And if you think that makes me a bad person, well, that's your opinion.
But one day, it came up in a Kobo Daily Deal for $1.99 and I figured that for that price, I could pick it up and keep it until the day I wasn't so annoyed. And if that day never came, well, I wasn't losing anything more than a couple of bucks.
Anyhoooo.... *stepping down from my cranky soapbox*
This was a terrific book! I really, really enjoyed it and I don't normally enjoy books that deal with gods walking the 'earth'. (Neil Gaiman aside). The writing style was different - Jemisin has an interesting voice and it worked wonderfully in this tale of the barbarian young woman, Yeine, who is summoned to the capital of the worlds by her ruling grandfather and designated as an heir to the throne. Basically.
In fact, I was so entranced by the first few chapters that I hopped online and bought the omnibus of the trilogy (it cost less than buying the other two volumes separately).
I liked the way the story unfolded and how and when Jemisin revealed the twists and turns of the plot. This is something that could end up as being deus ex machina but the writing is skillful enough to avoid all that.
Another thing I liked was that while this is the first book in a trilogy, it could be read alone. The story actually ends (or seems to end) on the final page. And end in a very satisfactory fashion. No damned cliffhangers here!
So yes, I finally read it and loved it. N.K. Jemisin has that special way, I think, that Guy Gavriel Kay has of writing a different sort of fantasy and I highly recommend it.
Monday, February 1, 2016
Nyphron Rising by Michael J. Sullivan
Riyria Revelations - Book 3
I'm loving this series. :)
I started this volume, #3 in the Riyria Revelations, back in December but had to put it aside so I could read my Christmas books. After finishing Traitor's Blade, my want for adventure fantasy was rekindled so I picked Nyphron Rising back up and zipped through the last 2/3rds of it.
Hadrian and Royce are so very Hadrian and Royce and I adore them. Many revelations came in this volume of their story and I've had my suspicions about The Big Mystery furthered. I'll have to read the next book, I think, to confirm them.
Arista has come into her own and I have fallen in love with the spirited princess. She's grown and matured due to her travails and gained a depth of empathy that to me, she was missing before.
A couple of secondary characters that were introduced bit the dust and I was very sad because I had grown to really like them and want to see more of them. Still, I read Game of Thrones and George RR Martin has cured me of any firm expectations of characters staying alive.
So, I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series (I have the omnibus of volumes #3 and #4) which will probably be sooner rather than later. More adventures! YAY!!
I'm loving this series. :)
I started this volume, #3 in the Riyria Revelations, back in December but had to put it aside so I could read my Christmas books. After finishing Traitor's Blade, my want for adventure fantasy was rekindled so I picked Nyphron Rising back up and zipped through the last 2/3rds of it.
Hadrian and Royce are so very Hadrian and Royce and I adore them. Many revelations came in this volume of their story and I've had my suspicions about The Big Mystery furthered. I'll have to read the next book, I think, to confirm them.
Arista has come into her own and I have fallen in love with the spirited princess. She's grown and matured due to her travails and gained a depth of empathy that to me, she was missing before.
A couple of secondary characters that were introduced bit the dust and I was very sad because I had grown to really like them and want to see more of them. Still, I read Game of Thrones and George RR Martin has cured me of any firm expectations of characters staying alive.
So, I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series (I have the omnibus of volumes #3 and #4) which will probably be sooner rather than later. More adventures! YAY!!
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Hounded by Kevin Hearne
The Iron Druid Chronicles - Book 1
Not complicated. The book was a fun read, a rollicking adventure with clever and witty characters and The Best Dog Ever!
I totally enjoyed it and will be reading on in this series. :)
Not complicated. The book was a fun read, a rollicking adventure with clever and witty characters and The Best Dog Ever!
I totally enjoyed it and will be reading on in this series. :)
Friday, November 20, 2015
Changeless by Gail Carriger
The Parasol Protectorate - Book 2
2nd book in the Parasol Protectorate series and it was even more fun than the first one! We meet a bunch of new friends and learn more about Conall's background and indeed more about the workings of a werewolf pack.
Rollicking. :) That's how I would describe this tale. I find myself laughing aloud, especially at Alexia's inner dialogue. I love her dry humour and her business-like manner. One thing that the author does is imbue her characters with a sense of humour - all of the characters. That just brings them alive to me. I didn't see enough of my favourite secondary characters though... Akeldama and Lyall. Maybe in the next volume. :)
The book ends with quite the cliffhanger so now I have to decide if I break my rule of not binge-reading series. Decisions, decisions, decisions.... ;)
2nd book in the Parasol Protectorate series and it was even more fun than the first one! We meet a bunch of new friends and learn more about Conall's background and indeed more about the workings of a werewolf pack.
Rollicking. :) That's how I would describe this tale. I find myself laughing aloud, especially at Alexia's inner dialogue. I love her dry humour and her business-like manner. One thing that the author does is imbue her characters with a sense of humour - all of the characters. That just brings them alive to me. I didn't see enough of my favourite secondary characters though... Akeldama and Lyall. Maybe in the next volume. :)
The book ends with quite the cliffhanger so now I have to decide if I break my rule of not binge-reading series. Decisions, decisions, decisions.... ;)
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