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roadtripreader's Reviews (357)
Aaw! That was downright cozy. This book was suggested by a fellow WWDITS redditor and I have to say I was expecting something along those lines. I immediately thought: Vampire accountant...is this another Colin Robinson? and will he monologue and wax lyrical about inane information littered with "studies indicate" and that energy vampire humor. I was ready for that. I just didn't expect this warm and cozy downright fuzzy feeling.
Yes, Fred is utterly boring - but in his own head. Without fail, he often finds himself not just on the fringes of adventure but dead center in the middle of life and death situations. It's like being undead released a beacon out to tempt the fates and anything that could happen to Fred, happens ten fold. Excitement, friendship and a thriving business gravitate to him in his new undead life.
I'll be the first to say that pre-pandemic, I was already way more of a homebody maybe bordering on selective-socializing .... maybe a smidge of agoraphobia. A couple of lockdowns later and I really love being in my own space, now I just need the reinforced steel door ala Count Frederick Fletcher the vampire-accountant over there. I gravitate to his nature and I like the idea of vampirism not actually altering your personality or mannerisms- just magnifying who you were in life.
Vampire lore takes on an extra layer in the forms of Quinn and Beauregard and that is fangtastic (I'm sorry, I'll see myself out). Bubba is hilarious, Albert The Zombie is a sweetheart. I want more of Gideon The Dragon. That was a great introduction to the power structures in this version of the "Nightworld".
I was weary of Krystal and knew something didn't quite fit with a human agent so cavalier and overconfident working in the field with higher order parahumans and literally locking shit down for "The Agency " dealing with the supernatural. I mean sure, having watched Sam and Dean take on everything from ghosts to vampires to Lucifer himself, I have no doubt humans can be prolific hunters but COME ON, even they had some dabbling in demonblood, dying and reviving, angel blood etc etc. Same for Jim The Trollhunter, he eventually had to become half-troll via crazy Merlin's potion. And what about that Detective from Grimm, can't remember but he had an edge through some superhuman skill where he could see behind the veil or something. So...Krystal was a curiosity. I fully enjoyed "The Big Reveal" and for some reason I keep getting Ghostrider echoes. LOVED IT.
This is a good urban fantasy book with a great sense of paraworld layered on top of the human world and functioning at an advanced level.
Yes, Fred is utterly boring - but in his own head. Without fail, he often finds himself not just on the fringes of adventure but dead center in the middle of life and death situations. It's like being undead released a beacon out to tempt the fates and anything that could happen to Fred, happens ten fold. Excitement, friendship and a thriving business gravitate to him in his new undead life.
I'll be the first to say that pre-pandemic, I was already way more of a homebody maybe bordering on selective-socializing .... maybe a smidge of agoraphobia. A couple of lockdowns later and I really love being in my own space, now I just need the reinforced steel door ala Count Frederick Fletcher the vampire-accountant over there. I gravitate to his nature and I like the idea of vampirism not actually altering your personality or mannerisms- just magnifying who you were in life.
Vampire lore takes on an extra layer in the forms of Quinn and Beauregard and that is fangtastic (I'm sorry, I'll see myself out). Bubba is hilarious, Albert The Zombie is a sweetheart. I want more of Gideon The Dragon. That was a great introduction to the power structures in this version of the "Nightworld".
I was weary of Krystal and knew something didn't quite fit with a human agent so cavalier and overconfident working in the field with higher order parahumans and literally locking shit down for "The Agency " dealing with the supernatural. I mean sure, having watched Sam and Dean take on everything from ghosts to vampires to Lucifer himself, I have no doubt humans can be prolific hunters but COME ON, even they had some dabbling in demonblood, dying and reviving, angel blood etc etc. Same for Jim The Trollhunter, he eventually had to become half-troll via crazy Merlin's potion. And what about that Detective from Grimm, can't remember but he had an edge through some superhuman skill where he could see behind the veil or something. So...Krystal was a curiosity. I fully enjoyed "The Big Reveal" and for some reason I keep getting Ghostrider echoes. LOVED IT.
This is a good urban fantasy book with a great sense of paraworld layered on top of the human world and functioning at an advanced level.
This concept could have soared - instead it fizzled and crashed an burned.
The Story of Troy - Hector, Paris and even the introduction of Hera, Aphrodite and Athena could not save this muddled mess. It came off less like a gorgeous Scifi version of a beloved and mystifying Greek tale and more like the ramblings of a crazed mathematician writing a scifi story in a language not yet invented.
The Story of Troy - Hector, Paris and even the introduction of Hera, Aphrodite and Athena could not save this muddled mess. It came off less like a gorgeous Scifi version of a beloved and mystifying Greek tale and more like the ramblings of a crazed mathematician writing a scifi story in a language not yet invented.
This was a welcome deep dive into Death personified and all the other elements as told through the centuries by different cultures. The idea that reapers are slow aging immortals and Shinigami are gifted soul-suckers really played into this fear-fascination relationship we have with death and even the imminent threat of fatal wounding.
The only negative was the over use of similes in this text - everything was like something else or as blah blah as something else. But...That would be me nitpicking. The simile infestation really did help paint a picture very vividly - I just kept thinking the writer could stand to do better.
The ending (which is the perfect segway to the final book in this duology) was really well done.
The only negative was the over use of similes in this text - everything was like something else or as blah blah as something else. But...That would be me nitpicking. The simile infestation really did help paint a picture very vividly - I just kept thinking the writer could stand to do better.
The ending (which is the perfect segway to the final book in this duology) was really well done.
A deal with the devil - but with a twist.
Soul bartering and soul selling do make for thrilling stories but the concept of soul-rescuing is even better. I had a ton of questions:
1. Can it be done?
2. Is it permanent?
3. What is the price?
What followed in these few short pages was darn impressive. The devil at the crossroads is such a vivid image that often goes with this story so, For He Can Creep offered up a look behind the curtain where the crossroads can be anywhere and we get a peak into "The Adversary's" process of soul purchasing from pre-sale, during the sale and post soul-sale. And boy was it well executed. The poet was this close to losing his soul in the midst of what an outsider would consider to be a psychotic break.
The Cats - man, I am a dog person first and an animal person second. Cats are the bees knees and they just ooze otherworldliness. They were so catlike in that way that cats are - equal parts avenging angel and cute furball. So, yeah - Jeoffrey, Poppy, Black Tom and Nighthunter Moppet are EPIC heroes.
Soul bartering and soul selling do make for thrilling stories but the concept of soul-rescuing is even better. I had a ton of questions:
1. Can it be done?
2. Is it permanent?
3. What is the price?
What followed in these few short pages was darn impressive. The devil at the crossroads is such a vivid image that often goes with this story so, For He Can Creep offered up a look behind the curtain where the crossroads can be anywhere and we get a peak into "The Adversary's" process of soul purchasing from pre-sale, during the sale and post soul-sale. And boy was it well executed. The poet was this close to losing his soul in the midst of what an outsider would consider to be a psychotic break.
The Cats - man, I am a dog person first and an animal person second. Cats are the bees knees and they just ooze otherworldliness. They were so catlike in that way that cats are - equal parts avenging angel and cute furball. So, yeah - Jeoffrey, Poppy, Black Tom and Nighthunter Moppet are EPIC heroes.
"And The Game Begins Anew"
This book is dark magic and I love every word.
1. It's a story about cycles, hope turned to hopelessness turned to hope and round and round it goes.
2. It's also about complete Id, the insanity of pride and arrogance and the corrupting nature of power.
3. It's a story riddled with offences, wrongs, humiliations and subsequent ploys for vengence.
4. It's a story about two wolves, Vali the false-righteous murderer and Fenir the herald of the apocalypse.
5. Finally, it's a story about two sets of outcast children and their outcast father a trickster for tricking sake and quite possibly a psychopath. Still he is not an imbecile as most of the Gods appear to be especially Thor.
I imagine this is how the humans of old felt about their Gods. How to please the Gods but with sacrifice of flesh and bone? Boy are these bloodhounds trying to trick their way through everything and they are bunch of gorgeous, otherworldly narcissists always finding loopholes, always trying to one up each other and prove they are the strongest or can sing the best or can fish the best. They rejoice in bloodshed and raid and search out things to destroy with a "take no prisoners"kind of gusto.
⦁What, if any, is the real difference between the Giants and the Gods?
Fenir's rage was entirely their fault and so many other things leading up to the bloodred death of everything.
Reading through each god-tome, the deceit, trickery, wily, sneaky and downright strange nature of the gods makes sense when you look at it from the eye of the All-father - if Ragnarok is the only thing to fear and really it is just the end of the world, then everything inbetween is to be experienced at full capacity no room for if, ands buts or maybes.
⦁But all of this is necessary for rebirth, a second chance and from the blood and fire comes something new and fresh (if Ragnarok goes according to plan). If this isn't Gaimanesque through and through - yeah, I don't know what is.
This book is dark magic and I love every word.
1. It's a story about cycles, hope turned to hopelessness turned to hope and round and round it goes.
2. It's also about complete Id, the insanity of pride and arrogance and the corrupting nature of power.
3. It's a story riddled with offences, wrongs, humiliations and subsequent ploys for vengence.
4. It's a story about two wolves, Vali the false-righteous murderer and Fenir the herald of the apocalypse.
5. Finally, it's a story about two sets of outcast children and their outcast father a trickster for tricking sake and quite possibly a psychopath. Still he is not an imbecile as most of the Gods appear to be especially Thor.
I imagine this is how the humans of old felt about their Gods. How to please the Gods but with sacrifice of flesh and bone? Boy are these bloodhounds trying to trick their way through everything and they are bunch of gorgeous, otherworldly narcissists always finding loopholes, always trying to one up each other and prove they are the strongest or can sing the best or can fish the best. They rejoice in bloodshed and raid and search out things to destroy with a "take no prisoners"kind of gusto.
⦁What, if any, is the real difference between the Giants and the Gods?
Fenir's rage was entirely their fault and so many other things leading up to the bloodred death of everything.
Reading through each god-tome, the deceit, trickery, wily, sneaky and downright strange nature of the gods makes sense when you look at it from the eye of the All-father - if Ragnarok is the only thing to fear and really it is just the end of the world, then everything inbetween is to be experienced at full capacity no room for if, ands buts or maybes.
⦁But all of this is necessary for rebirth, a second chance and from the blood and fire comes something new and fresh (if Ragnarok goes according to plan). If this isn't Gaimanesque through and through - yeah, I don't know what is.
My introduction to Adrian Tchaikovsky has left me understanding his immense popularity and seeking to devour all his books. And that is what I shall do.
What a great short story, as one starts to realize what Tam and Liat and all the Homunculi are the tale reaches it's do-or-die moment and the reader is left wanting more.
What a great short story, as one starts to realize what Tam and Liat and all the Homunculi are the tale reaches it's do-or-die moment and the reader is left wanting more.
This felt like reading the fine lines of a gorgeous tapestry or a fancy rug from an exotic place. Every time you look away and then back again, something beautiful and delicate reveals itself in the patter.
This book is magical in a melancholy way filled with color, tons of magical color. I am so taken in by the story of Rabbit and by proxy all the dreamscapes of the land of Ahn. Dreams are a major theme and tell more or expand on the mystical beauty of this realm. In short, completely captivating.
Chich is a loyal and steadfast historian-monk and Almost Brilliant reminds me of a phoenix. The is some kind of subtle, gentle bravery in these two characters who go off into the world to bare witness to the lives and existence in the land and make sure to remember for the creation of historical texts for the future.
A gentle, kaleidescope colored tale of folkish mysticism with an otherworldly tropical tone.
This book is magical in a melancholy way filled with color, tons of magical color. I am so taken in by the story of Rabbit and by proxy all the dreamscapes of the land of Ahn. Dreams are a major theme and tell more or expand on the mystical beauty of this realm. In short, completely captivating.
Chich is a loyal and steadfast historian-monk and Almost Brilliant reminds me of a phoenix. The is some kind of subtle, gentle bravery in these two characters who go off into the world to bare witness to the lives and existence in the land and make sure to remember for the creation of historical texts for the future.
A gentle, kaleidescope colored tale of folkish mysticism with an otherworldly tropical tone.
Short Story Saturday
Recently, I've been reading books that have centered around the "spirits or souls" left behind after death. This book weaves the feeling of hopelessness, of being stuck and immobile through no fault of your own and the growing desperation to move and be heard.
It reminded me of sleep paralysis, and the feelings of pushing through thick air above me in those movements of confusion and terror at the idea of not waking up.
Beautiful prose, melancholy atmosphere.
Recently, I've been reading books that have centered around the "spirits or souls" left behind after death. This book weaves the feeling of hopelessness, of being stuck and immobile through no fault of your own and the growing desperation to move and be heard.
It reminded me of sleep paralysis, and the feelings of pushing through thick air above me in those movements of confusion and terror at the idea of not waking up.
Beautiful prose, melancholy atmosphere.
I went into this story as I do with most, no clue what it's about because I try not to read blurbs and the cover summary and I do my best to literally go off the cover, the title and the name of the author.
This is my first Silvia Moreno-Garcia tale and I can see why she has a huge following. I love that she was able to take something from her family's oral heritage and turn it into a David/Goliath story of survival in the most tumultuous of times and the danger came not in the form of the soldiers and the revolution but something else entirely.
My own heritage lies on the island of Hispaniola but is lost to me save for my connection to my father's land through Spanish and my love for platanos. I rarely read books set in Latin America and I hardly read books in Spanish, if anything, this book has reignited some ancestral need to connect.
This is my first Silvia Moreno-Garcia tale and I can see why she has a huge following. I love that she was able to take something from her family's oral heritage and turn it into a David/Goliath story of survival in the most tumultuous of times and the danger came not in the form of the soldiers and the revolution but something else entirely.
My own heritage lies on the island of Hispaniola but is lost to me save for my connection to my father's land through Spanish and my love for platanos. I rarely read books set in Latin America and I hardly read books in Spanish, if anything, this book has reignited some ancestral need to connect.
Ready, Steady .... Baaaake! (just picture Noel Fielding saying that)
As an avid Great British Bakeoff and Great Australian Bake Off Fan, I went into this with high hopes. I'm currently binge-watching GBBO and I'm on season 10 and let me tell you something for nothing ... reading this, whilst listening to the full theme music (shoutout to Tom Howe) sipping a cup of cinnamon-ginger-honey infused tea with generous slices of red velvet cake really set my mood for a murderous bakeoff extravaganza.
It did not disappoint. And I am on a sugar high (I blame the cake and book).
This is the witchy version Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood or maybe even Maggie Beer (adorableness) and Matt Moran. They are all so magical anyway so I couldn't help drawing them into my imagination. It's a light-hearted tale despite the ensuing chaos, cozy indeed and had me getting out my apron to try and bake a scone because my baking skills are literally on par with that twin whatshisname - Jamie in season 10 of GBBO...almost rubbery outcomes but hey - I try.
A Recipe of Easy Breezy Goodness:
⦁ It is short book with multiple perspectives (judges, contestants) no sappy emotions, not draining in the least and I suppose that's why it was such an easy, delightful read.
⦁ Mystery wrapped in a cinnamon roll: Poppy Wilkinson is very likeable. She is living my dream in 10 years, cottage check, baking check, sleuthing about double check.
⦁ Suspension of Disbelief: Let me tell you I'm seriously thinking of casting spells to bake some Genoise sponge cake thank you very much.
I might just bake-along with the next installment or safer to just order a sinfully sweet pastry and avoid burning sugary goodness altogether.
As an avid Great British Bakeoff and Great Australian Bake Off Fan, I went into this with high hopes. I'm currently binge-watching GBBO and I'm on season 10 and let me tell you something for nothing ... reading this, whilst listening to the full theme music (shoutout to Tom Howe) sipping a cup of cinnamon-ginger-honey infused tea with generous slices of red velvet cake really set my mood for a murderous bakeoff extravaganza.
It did not disappoint. And I am on a sugar high (I blame the cake and book).
This is the witchy version Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood or maybe even Maggie Beer (adorableness) and Matt Moran. They are all so magical anyway so I couldn't help drawing them into my imagination. It's a light-hearted tale despite the ensuing chaos, cozy indeed and had me getting out my apron to try and bake a scone because my baking skills are literally on par with that twin whatshisname - Jamie in season 10 of GBBO...almost rubbery outcomes but hey - I try.
A Recipe of Easy Breezy Goodness:
⦁ It is short book with multiple perspectives (judges, contestants) no sappy emotions, not draining in the least and I suppose that's why it was such an easy, delightful read.
⦁ Mystery wrapped in a cinnamon roll: Poppy Wilkinson is very likeable. She is living my dream in 10 years, cottage check, baking check, sleuthing about double check.
⦁ Suspension of Disbelief: Let me tell you I'm seriously thinking of casting spells to bake some Genoise sponge cake thank you very much.
I might just bake-along with the next installment or safer to just order a sinfully sweet pastry and avoid burning sugary goodness altogether.