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Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 124, January 2017
Lettie Prell, Neil Clarke, Neil Clarke, Vina Jie-Min Prasad
Loved, loved, loved this story. Everyone should read it. I don't want to discuss details because it is short and should be experienced for yerself. It can be found for free online and in audiobook formats on Clarkeworld Magazine by clicking this link. Arrrr!
Ahoy there mateys! This was sadly a miss for an author whose work I usually love. This novella is about "a world-hopping, bad-ass, spell-slinging mother who sets out to rescue her kidnapped son from a dragon lord." Sadly it was time to abandon ship at 45%.
For such a short book, I experienced dread when trying to finish. I couldn't really connect to the characters and the world building was so light. Even the dragon didn't excite me. I think the problem here might have been the length. The ideas were interesting in concept but the pace felt so slow and the plot convoluted. So far the two novellas I have read by Elliott both were problematic for me. Maybe I need to stick to her novels. Arrrr!
For such a short book, I experienced dread when trying to finish. I couldn't really connect to the characters and the world building was so light. Even the dragon didn't excite me. I think the problem here might have been the length. The ideas were interesting in concept but the pace felt so slow and the plot convoluted. So far the two novellas I have read by Elliott both were problematic for me. Maybe I need to stick to her novels. Arrrr!
Ahoy there me mateys! I received an eArc of this mystery through NetGalley in exchange for me honest musings. Though this log’s focus is on sci-fi, fantasy, and young adult, this Captain does have broader reading tastes. So occasionally I will share some novels that I enjoyed that are off the charts . . .
With that wonderful cover, fabulous title, and fun blurb I knew I had to read this. And it was absolutely delightful in terms of humor, family dynamics, and crazy shenanigans. I sped through this book and really enjoyed the story of the family as told by Ernest Cunningham. I loved how the history between the family members unfolded. I loved the stories behind how the current and past murders occurred. I loved how Ernest would drop hints about plot points to come and provide commentary on his own writing. Unfortunately the big reveal at the end of the book through the end of the book didn't work for me. Check the cut below for why. This book is apparently the first in a series. While the book was 100% successful, I would certainly read the next one because I loved the majority of this book. The flaws were personal preference. Arrr!
Side Note: Check below for some spoilery thoughts about why I disliked the ending:
With that wonderful cover, fabulous title, and fun blurb I knew I had to read this. And it was absolutely delightful in terms of humor, family dynamics, and crazy shenanigans. I sped through this book and really enjoyed the story of the family as told by Ernest Cunningham. I loved how the history between the family members unfolded. I loved the stories behind how the current and past murders occurred. I loved how Ernest would drop hints about plot points to come and provide commentary on his own writing. Unfortunately the big reveal at the end of the book through the end of the book didn't work for me. Check the cut below for why. This book is apparently the first in a series. While the book was 100% successful, I would certainly read the next one because I loved the majority of this book. The flaws were personal preference. Arrr!
Side Note: Check below for some spoilery thoughts about why I disliked the ending:
Okay seriously, why did the murderer have to be the supposedly dead brother? This made no sense to me and basically from the reveal to the end of the book is what made this go from a five star to a four. The "dead" brother's motivations were silly and lame. But it was SO good up until that point. I also guess I thought that someone was going to have consequences but the family in general seemed rather blasé about their dead relatives. This bothered me for some reason even if all the characters were selfish. Oh and I wanted more closure and explanation for the dead child and why her family did what they did. Next book?
Ahoy there me mateys! The crew has been raving about this one and I see why. Emily Wilde studies the fae of the old-school style - malevolent, tricky, and otherworldly. This book showcases her journal entries written while doing field research in Hrafnsvik near the Arctic Circle. Scholarly research on the fae in this region is nonexistent. Emily sets out in the spirit of adventure and learning with only her dog, Shadow, as companion. Unfortunately Emily's personal skills aren't the best due to her solitary nature and she inadvertently upsets the village. Matters are made worse when her academic rival Wendell Bambleby shows up unexpectedly, takes over in his insufferable usual way, and begins charming everyone. Shenanigans ensue.
I very much enjoy Emily with her intelligence, self-regard, and no-nonsense approach. I loved her interactions with the fae and her quick thinking. Wendell was disliked at the beginning but managed to become rather weirdly personable in the end. This story kept me guessing and I do not want to give spoilers. The ending was delightful.
One of the main highlights for me were the stories and myths about the fae woven through the journal and Emily's adventures. I thought this was excellent. This be the first book of a series and I want the next one already. Arrrr!
I very much enjoy Emily with her intelligence, self-regard, and no-nonsense approach. I loved her interactions with the fae and her quick thinking. Wendell was disliked at the beginning but managed to become rather weirdly personable in the end. This story kept me guessing and I do not want to give spoilers. The ending was delightful.
One of the main highlights for me were the stories and myths about the fae woven through the journal and Emily's adventures. I thought this was excellent. This be the first book of a series and I want the next one already. Arrrr!
Uncanny Magazine Issue 8: January/February 2016
Michael Damian Thomas, Lynne M. Thomas, Michi Trota
Ahoy there mateys! This was a pure delight even though it is so short. It is an epistolary tale between two artists. I wish I could see the art that both of them make. The art of the Burri desert sounds particularly lovely. The story ended perfectly but I can't help but want more of both of these people. Heartwarming and sweet. Arrr!
to read the story for free visit - "The Desert Glassmaker and the Jeweler of Berevyar" (Birdverse short story), Beneath Ceaseless Skies, June 2015
Merged review:
Ahoy there mateys! This was a pure delight even though it is so short. It is an epistolary tale between two artists. I wish I could see the art that both of them make. The art of the Burri desert sounds particularly lovely. The story ended perfectly but I can't help but want more of both of these people. Heartwarming and sweet. Arrr!
to read the story for free visit - "The Desert Glassmaker and the Jeweler of Berevyar" (Birdverse short story), Beneath Ceaseless Skies, June 2015
Ahoy there me mateys! The Penric and Desdemona novellas take place in the World of the Five Gods from the trilogy of that name. Book one of the trilogy, curse of the chalion, is one of the best fantasy books I have ever read and I really enjoyed the remaining two. Penric, a sorcerer, and Desdemona, his chaos demon, are a fantastic duo that I ADORE.
I normally read in publishing order but have to admit that I strongly feel this series should be an exception if ye be new to it. I recommend the omnibuses. The first omnibus contains novellas 1 - 3 in the internal chronological order not publishing order. The second set has novellas 5 - 7 and the third has 4, 8-9.
Knot of shadows is number 11 in the series. No surprise that this is another wonderful addition. Penric and Desdemona are called on to visit a drowned man who seemingly comes back to life. Of course things are more complicated then they first appear. The darling duo are tasked with solving a murder, dealing with forbidden magic, and looking for a missing child along the way. Unlike other Penric novellas, this one ends with a rather sad conclusion even though everything is technically solved satisfactorily. It is always lovely to see how various characters' lives are progressing. Recommended to Penric fans. Arrrrr!
I normally read in publishing order but have to admit that I strongly feel this series should be an exception if ye be new to it. I recommend the omnibuses. The first omnibus contains novellas 1 - 3 in the internal chronological order not publishing order. The second set has novellas 5 - 7 and the third has 4, 8-9.
Knot of shadows is number 11 in the series. No surprise that this is another wonderful addition. Penric and Desdemona are called on to visit a drowned man who seemingly comes back to life. Of course things are more complicated then they first appear. The darling duo are tasked with solving a murder, dealing with forbidden magic, and looking for a missing child along the way. Unlike other Penric novellas, this one ends with a rather sad conclusion even though everything is technically solved satisfactorily. It is always lovely to see how various characters' lives are progressing. Recommended to Penric fans. Arrrrr!
Ahoy there me mateys! This was a satisfying second book in the series which was hampered a bit by the slow pacing and the subplot of a missing prince. I didn't find the book boring or anything. It just took a while for the pieces to connect and I kept waiting for the characters to make discoveries that this reader suspected.
This book takes place in the capital city of the Empire, Sova. Helena is back to telling the story of the decline of the empire and where her boss Justice Konrad Vonvalt fits into the political machinations. I continued to enjoy the four main characters of her group. Helena is still the favorite and I still loved the story being told from her perspective. Bressinger and Sir Radomir are excellent characters. I was bit less enamored of Vonvalt this go around but can't get into the whys because of spoilers. There was nothing particularly wrong with the plot but it is the relationships between the characters and how they develop in the book that I enjoyed the most.
The slow pacing eventually turned into a rather dramatic last quarter and finale. Claver has become an excellent villain and the magic consequences were used to great effect once he is back in the action. Helena in battle was so very enjoyable. And I want more of the monster dog.
Where the characters end up by the end of the novel makes me seriously want the next in the series. It is supposedly out in 2024. Arrrr!
This book takes place in the capital city of the Empire, Sova. Helena is back to telling the story of the decline of the empire and where her boss Justice Konrad Vonvalt fits into the political machinations. I continued to enjoy the four main characters of her group. Helena is still the favorite and I still loved the story being told from her perspective. Bressinger and Sir Radomir are excellent characters. I was bit less enamored of Vonvalt this go around but can't get into the whys because of spoilers. There was nothing particularly wrong with the plot but it is the relationships between the characters and how they develop in the book that I enjoyed the most.
The slow pacing eventually turned into a rather dramatic last quarter and finale. Claver has become an excellent villain and the magic consequences were used to great effect once he is back in the action. Helena in battle was so very enjoyable. And I want more of the monster dog.
Where the characters end up by the end of the novel makes me seriously want the next in the series. It is supposedly out in 2024. Arrrr!
Ahoy there mateys! I have always loved reading Jane Yolen's novels but as I have gotten older I have loved her short stories just as much. The publisher is continuing the trend of gifting us with these collections. This is the fourth one and deals with romance in lovely, untypical ways.
This collection has 10 varied tales. Like any collection, I liked some better than others. I also very much enjoyed Yolen's "Story Notes" at the end of the book which gives background on the short stories in the collection.
I don't want to spoil the magic of the stories and can't really do them justice with me own paltry words but I will try to give ye an idea of the bare bones of the stories:
"Sans Soleil" - This was a tragic tale of love gone wrong despite the best intentions. Loved the sun imagery.
"Dusty Loves" - A rather unique take on the Romeo and Juliet story. Involves the fae and a ghost. I loved this.
"Unicorn Tapestry" - The deals with magic and unicorn embroidery and a middling middle princess. I don't know that I understood all of the magic but the ending was excellent.
"A Ghost of an Affair" - A chance encounter has consequences across time. I loved how the assumptions I had continued to be wrong. Another lovely ending if somewhat bittersweet.
"Dark Seed, Dark Stone" - I loved this tale set in the 600s of a forward thinking woman dealing with the death of her warrior-hero father. The time period came to life on the page. The historical notes at the end were also lovely.
"Dragonfield" - Everyone knows that dragons are long gone. Until they aren't. A girl helps a boy become the hero he is thought to be. Excellent.
"The Sword in the Stone" - I don't like King Arthur retellings but this one was fun. It made me want Yolen to tell me what happens next and how things end up going wrong cause this version rocked.
"The Sea Man" - A short sea yarn about compassion and humanity in all its forms.
"Memoirs of a Bottle Djinn" - A Greek slave meets a Djinn and an usual wish is made.
"Peter in Wonderland" - This Wonderland tale was fine but didn't thrill me.
"The Erotic in Faerie: The Footnotes" - Weird. I didn't get this piece at all.
I have to admit that I did enjoy the emerald circus better than this one but I will certainly read another collection of Jane Yolen's work, especially if published by Tachyon. Arrrr!
This collection has 10 varied tales. Like any collection, I liked some better than others. I also very much enjoyed Yolen's "Story Notes" at the end of the book which gives background on the short stories in the collection.
I don't want to spoil the magic of the stories and can't really do them justice with me own paltry words but I will try to give ye an idea of the bare bones of the stories:
"Sans Soleil" - This was a tragic tale of love gone wrong despite the best intentions. Loved the sun imagery.
"Dusty Loves" - A rather unique take on the Romeo and Juliet story. Involves the fae and a ghost. I loved this.
"Unicorn Tapestry" - The deals with magic and unicorn embroidery and a middling middle princess. I don't know that I understood all of the magic but the ending was excellent.
"A Ghost of an Affair" - A chance encounter has consequences across time. I loved how the assumptions I had continued to be wrong. Another lovely ending if somewhat bittersweet.
"Dark Seed, Dark Stone" - I loved this tale set in the 600s of a forward thinking woman dealing with the death of her warrior-hero father. The time period came to life on the page. The historical notes at the end were also lovely.
"Dragonfield" - Everyone knows that dragons are long gone. Until they aren't. A girl helps a boy become the hero he is thought to be. Excellent.
"The Sword in the Stone" - I don't like King Arthur retellings but this one was fun. It made me want Yolen to tell me what happens next and how things end up going wrong cause this version rocked.
"The Sea Man" - A short sea yarn about compassion and humanity in all its forms.
"Memoirs of a Bottle Djinn" - A Greek slave meets a Djinn and an usual wish is made.
"Peter in Wonderland" - This Wonderland tale was fine but didn't thrill me.
"The Erotic in Faerie: The Footnotes" - Weird. I didn't get this piece at all.
I have to admit that I did enjoy the emerald circus better than this one but I will certainly read another collection of Jane Yolen's work, especially if published by Tachyon. Arrrr!
Ahoy there me mateys! I love Kelley Armstrong! This is the 20th book I read by her. This series deals with what happens to Casey Duncan and gang after the events of Rockton's ending. If ye have not read that series, I do not recommend that ye start here. The author tries to give the new reader enough information to jump in but there is so much history and interpersonal relationship drama that enrich and explain the set-up for this new series.
Casey and Eric were excited about moving into Haven's Rock, the new off-the-grid town in the Yukon. The town is supposed function like Rockton did but now with the two of them in charge, life should be much easier. Then the duo is called in early when two construction workers go missing in the forest. Finding them is anything but easy.
I loved this! It is still over-the-top but was so much fun. It was lovely to see many of the characters I loved from Rockton appear and I can't wait to get more of how they adapt to the new town. The mystery aspects were entertaining and I enjoyed watching Casey try to solve the case. I can't get into things because spoilers but I want the next one! Arrr!
***SPOILERY THOUGHTS BELOW****
Much like the Rockton books, I am amazed at how in the lonely and sparse Yukon wilderness there are insane amounts of random animal encounters and random people encounters. Animal-human run-ins in this novel included a moose, a bear den (with sleeping bears), and a wolf-dog hybrid. Random people encounters included a nature photographer and a miner. The miners are the set-up for future drama in books. I am both entertained and slightly annoyed. Seriously how are all these people's camps so near each other? Arrrr!
Casey and Eric were excited about moving into Haven's Rock, the new off-the-grid town in the Yukon. The town is supposed function like Rockton did but now with the two of them in charge, life should be much easier. Then the duo is called in early when two construction workers go missing in the forest. Finding them is anything but easy.
I loved this! It is still over-the-top but was so much fun. It was lovely to see many of the characters I loved from Rockton appear and I can't wait to get more of how they adapt to the new town. The mystery aspects were entertaining and I enjoyed watching Casey try to solve the case. I can't get into things because spoilers but I want the next one! Arrr!
***SPOILERY THOUGHTS BELOW****
Much like the Rockton books, I am amazed at how in the lonely and sparse Yukon wilderness there are insane amounts of random animal encounters and random people encounters. Animal-human run-ins in this novel included a moose, a bear den (with sleeping bears), and a wolf-dog hybrid. Random people encounters included a nature photographer and a miner. The miners are the set-up for future drama in books. I am both entertained and slightly annoyed. Seriously how are all these people's camps so near each other? Arrrr!
Ahoy there me mateys! I really, really enjoyed this sea yarn! It takes place at various locales around and on the Indian Ocean. It was so refreshing to hear about the Age of Sail outside of the European tradition. After reading, I had fun looking up the history and geography of the places in the novel.
It was also awesome to read about a retired kick-ass middle aged female Muslim pirate named Amina who is forced to go back to sea due to a threat to her family. I enjoyed the magical elements, the diversity, the sea creature, and her fun crew (the poisoner in particular). I really loved hearing about Amina's past and how her choices are coming back to haunt her. I liked that the story was written in the format of Amina's story as told to a scribe.
The minor quibble is that the bad guy was a bit bland and had boring intentions. That said, I am looking forward to finding out what happens next. Arrrr!
Side Note: The publishers say it is set a thousand years before the Daevabad Trilogy which I have not read. It is now on the list. Also the novel is the first of a trilogy but can be read as a standalone. Arrr!
It was also awesome to read about a retired kick-ass middle aged female Muslim pirate named Amina who is forced to go back to sea due to a threat to her family. I enjoyed the magical elements, the diversity, the sea creature, and her fun crew (the poisoner in particular). I really loved hearing about Amina's past and how her choices are coming back to haunt her. I liked that the story was written in the format of Amina's story as told to a scribe.
The minor quibble is that the bad guy was a bit bland and had boring intentions. That said, I am looking forward to finding out what happens next. Arrrr!
Side Note: The publishers say it is set a thousand years before the Daevabad Trilogy which I have not read. It is now on the list. Also the novel is the first of a trilogy but can be read as a standalone. Arrr!