I didn’t love all of the stories…I want to ask some questions: Why do you write so much rape? Why so much tragedy? Why is it always sad? Why do I still lI didn’t love all of the stories…I want to ask some questions: Why do you write so much rape? Why so much tragedy? Why is it always sad? Why do I still love your worlds and your characters??? ...more
Rarely has an anthology had me wanting to read ALL OF THE BOOKS in each series, but this was fantastic! It gave me way more things that I want to readRarely has an anthology had me wanting to read ALL OF THE BOOKS in each series, but this was fantastic! It gave me way more things that I want to read and was a great stepping stone. I read this one for Heart Stings-but I’m glad that I read the whole thing! ...more
March 2023: I wish we had more of “Grace of Small Magics”…love that world and those characters!
Dec 2022: Short stories from Kate’s world. The problem wMarch 2023: I wish we had more of “Grace of Small Magics”…love that world and those characters!
Dec 2022: Short stories from Kate’s world. The problem with this book, and any book that they write, is that I want more! I always want more! I want the HEA for the characters. I want to see their future. I want to see more! They make me fall in love with people and give me pieces of them. Infuriating....more
2023: The story that stood out to me this time and just broke my heart was the one with "The Train to Last Hope". I mean, that many years and all of th2023: The story that stood out to me this time and just broke my heart was the one with "The Train to Last Hope". I mean, that many years and all of those sacrifices. Heartbreaking.
2022: Look, real talk, this book could have just had the Others story and the Asil dating story and I would have been thrilled! The others were cherry on the cake....more
2023: Dude, Asil dating is just pure fantasy. Love it! Love that he does indeed have a body and does teach people not to mess with his people.
2020: Thi2023: Dude, Asil dating is just pure fantasy. Love it! Love that he does indeed have a body and does teach people not to mess with his people.
2020: This was a rare anthology for me...I genuinely liked all of the stories. Most of them are fairly hit and miss. However, this one had me looking for more stories by the authors. It was very well done. My individual reviews are in my comments for the book. I read it for Unappreciated Gifts, but my fave story was the Advanced Christmas and my second fave was Drowning Horse....more
I didn’t like one story, but I liked all of the rest. Asil and the Not Date was my favorite and my second fave was Mr. Positive, the Eternal Optimist I didn’t like one story, but I liked all of the rest. Asil and the Not Date was my favorite and my second fave was Mr. Positive, the Eternal Optimist and my third fave was Skjöldmóõir. It was a cool set of stories....more
A really good short story collection for the Chronicles. It shows all kinds of different facets of personality and lots and lots of Irish cursing. I hA really good short story collection for the Chronicles. It shows all kinds of different facets of personality and lots and lots of Irish cursing. I have been putting off reading Scourged, because I know it's the end to the series, but now, I have to read it. Without Oberon, it's going to be more sad than I wanted, but I hope that I will love it. I can't wait to see Orlaithe's puppies!!
This took me ages to read, because I was not a huge fan of the story "Gold Dust Druid" and I put the book down for a long while.
It had an awesome book recommendation at the end. I totally want to read "Chasing Embers" by James Bennett. ...more
This cleared up some cool stuff in the world of Jane. Took me ages to read, although it was really only 2 hours and 19 minutes collectively. It took mThis cleared up some cool stuff in the world of Jane. Took me ages to read, although it was really only 2 hours and 19 minutes collectively. It took me about 3 years to get immersed in the world of Jane, but I’m in it now....more
"We Sa and the Lumber King"--reading this series chronologically may be a bit confusing. This one is about a cat who kills a guy cutting down all her "We Sa and the Lumber King"--reading this series chronologically may be a bit confusing. This one is about a cat who kills a guy cutting down all her trees. I heartily approve!! ...more
This story focuses on Julie. Finally, Julie gets someone to drool over who isn't Derrick. I mean, I love Derrick, but he sees Julie as a kid sister anThis story focuses on Julie. Finally, Julie gets someone to drool over who isn't Derrick. I mean, I love Derrick, but he sees Julie as a kid sister and she needs someone who looks at her as a girl. The dragon is hot. The school is cool. I hope that we get more stories from that world.
Merged review:
A good book overall. I can't think of a story that I didn't like. However, it bugged me when they didn't have apples in the story.
"Playing Possum"-Charlaine Harris: Hunter has a party and a Secretary has a bad ex and an apple-throwing witch saves the day. Cute story.
"Spellcaster 2.0"-Jonathan Maberry: So good, "did you know that atheism is a kind of belief?" You have to believe that there is no higher power. It's really just another form of faith. I loved this story...sidenote: perhaps, when dealing with magic, a touch less academia and a touch more respect would prevent bad things from being loosed upon the world.
"Academy Field Trip"-Donald Harstad: I knew that there was something fishy, but the writer did it well enough that the reveal was a surprise. I had an inkling, but did not expect that ending at all. It was really good for a short story.
"Sympathy for the Bones"--Marjorie M Liu:This was a good, but creepy, story about back-country voodoo. I liked it, but they both seemed pretty evil to me. I mean, Paul?? Why? That's just mean.
"Low School"--Rhys Bowen: This was clever. If you like puns and you like to find Easter eggs in schools, you will like this. "Ms. Fer" was my favorite one.
"Callie Meet Happy"--Amber Benson: Ok, I need to get this series. It sounds hilarious. It's how the new owner of Death Inc learned wormholes. I want to keep reading about her--she is pretty funny and snark is always fun.
"Iphigenia in Aulis"--Mike Carey: Loved this story!! Will have to get the book that came out of this, "The Girl with all the Gifts". Melanie is fascinating, and although I usually can't stand zombies, they are done so well here and the Z-word is never actually mentioned, that you are drawn in to the world and the emotions of all of the characters. Even Sergeant becomes a character that you understand almost against your will. I hope that he is in the novel, because that would be interesting.
"Golden Delicious"--Faith Hunter: This is why I started reading the Jane Yellowrock series, because this author knows how to pull you in with a short story. She is genius!! I can't wait to see what happens with Brute, Pea, Rick and Soul. That is an interesting team. I hope that they continue to get a lot of time in the series, because the dynamics of a threesome like that are really fun to read. Also, I really loved the end with the gift. Too funny!!
"Magic Tests"--Ilona Andrews: Oooooh, a new love interest for Julie? And, a hot one at that. Also, bad wolves, silly trees and a new school.
"An Introduction to Jewish Myth"--Steve Hockensmith: I liked the premise, but I felt that the story did not quite fit with the rest. They had the teacher part down part, but no apples. Every other story had apples. I don't even remember apples being mentioned. Anywho, the concept was neat. And Bob deserved it, but the apple thing just bugged me. THERE'S A THEME, DUDE, A THEME. Rant over.
"VSI"--Nance Holder: I need to get more of these. They sound interesting. I felt really bad for the main character. Not only is the main character's husband a real bastard, but he's a bad one at that. Jackson sounds intriguing though. Would like to see more of that relationship. (Seriously though, you could have put an apple on the counter or in the lab...somewhere!!)
"The Bad Hour"--Thomas E Sniegoski: I also need to get ALL of these books. Remy is fascinating as a Seraphim trying to fake being human. Marlowe, his canine companion, is funny, sweet and a very good dog. I kind of feel for Patricia though...if some bitch let my dog get killed, it is ON like DONKEY KONG!! (No apples though...sigh)
"Pirate Dave and the Captain's Ghost"--Toni L.P. Kelner: This was a funny, silly story. Werewolf and Ghost duke it out with words, not fists, as Vampire comes to the rescue. A light read, but it left me liking all of the characters...except for the bad one. Also, I would ride that ride. ;)...more
Secrets at Midnight by Nalini Sing: God, this story was endless. It just dragged on. I know that people love this woman, but I hate her writing. FirstSecrets at Midnight by Nalini Sing: God, this story was endless. It just dragged on. I know that people love this woman, but I hate her writing. First off, where is the fucking plot? There's a tiny plot--just to get you interested--then, sex, sex, sexity sex. It makes the characters less interesting and the story more boring. Also, the dialogue is awful. There's a lot of gushing and a lot of annoyingness. It's sad, because there was a glimpse at the end, when Kirby and Mercy talked that makes me think, WOW, I could enjoy this. Then, it ends.
Magic Steals by Ilona Andrews: A story about Dali and Jim. This was kind of annoying. I get that Andrea has issues. She was badly abused and beaten. Dali, on the other hand, just has HUGE insecurity issues. I really wonder how she is going to lead the Pack with those looming around. Her tiger finally gets to fight though, and it's pretty magnificent. (Hint--she throws her weight around-lol)
Lisa Shearin--Lucky Charms: Hilarious story-made me want to read more of the character and the agency. Thoroughly enjoyable.
The Beast of Blackmoor by the other author: I took so long to finish this book, because I couldn't slough my way through this story. It was awful. The sex was gross (Quote: Fill me with your seed until it runs down my legs) ummm-gross-especially when you people have established that you're not bathing much. It was boring, gross and I didn't like it. However, Shim and the Goddess were pretty damn cool--Vela sounds like a bitch to work for though!...more
Read in 2023: I love Hollow. Poor Mercy has to demolish her garage, but she is still a mechanic-in-demand. That's the important part. I also like seeiRead in 2023: I love Hollow. Poor Mercy has to demolish her garage, but she is still a mechanic-in-demand. That's the important part. I also like seeing how Sam and Ariana get together.
Read in 2017: I went into detail below, but I just reread this and it immediately made me pick up Alpha & Omega to reread that series. I love this world!
Sept 6, 2014: This was a collection of short stories, so I reviewed each separately:
SILVER: The beginning of Ariana and Samuel...which is sad as hell, but pretty epic. Ariana's Daddy Dearest is basically an incarnation of Herne, with all of his petty jealousies and all of his power. The entire story is about sacrifice. However, it's also about love and sweetness and scars. It explains more about Bran also, who is always a bit of a mystery. It also explains how werewolves began...damn witches!
FAIRY GIFTS: A story of Thomas, the vampire. I gotta be honest here, Thomas is not hugely memorable from the series. I kept wondering who he was when I was reading this. However, the story is pretty fascinating without the memory of his part in the books, so I was enthralled. His father was a shit, and you know what they say, the only real monsters are human. His mother was a coward and basically, I kinda wished that Thomas killed them all, but he was a good monster in this story, and he got the gift of Freedom in every sense. I love how he just knows what to do in the end. Damn fairies...you always gotta watch them!
GRAY: Elyna and Jack was a love affair to beat time. Seriously, they did. I've read this before, but I still love it. I love how she keeps her people, too. Damn vamps...seriously nosy little twits!
SEEING EYE: Moira and Tom are the perfect couple. A werewolf and a witch solving a mystery, who needs a Lab when you have a Seeing Eye Werewolf? I love this story. It was a reread, but it was so much damn fun. This time, there were good witches...but those damn Cults...can't ever let them get too big.
ALPHA AND OMEGA: Charles and Anna is fun, but hard to read. Victims are seldom easy. However, I like that she changes from a victim into a fully-fledged badass mate...ready to attack any who would hurt her mate. I liked Boyd too. He needs to be in charge. He's a good guy. It was a sad story all around though...there were no real bad guys, just that damn immortality!
THE STAR OF DAVID: I liked this story. I read it in the anthology already, which was full of weird stuff. However, it's a common enough backstory. Person gets turned into beast, human tells beast to go home, beast wakes up and either sees them as a threat or is hungry, human comes back and beast has ruined his life. This gives a bit of redemption, and a new interesting character. I really hope that they have more about Devonte later. It also makes me wish that I could foster a child. I think that I'd like that. Also, yet again, damn vampires!
ROSES IN WINTER: One of my favorite characters, Asil, an older wolf, meets a young wolf and can't help but get involved. This was a new read and a sweet one. It gives Asil something to live for and Kara some backbone and the whole Pack some serious change. The part with the blanket and Devon was heartbreaking. Roses are sweet...but damn those thorns!
IN RED, WITH PEARLS: Warren...I love Warren! I mean, come on, how cool is the idea of a gay werewolf. Everything macho, werewolf/cowboy/tough guy, but has a boyfriend. Love it! I love how Kyle has come to terms with all of it also. He just deals with it really well. Damn though, those pesky neighbors!
REDEMPTION: This was my favorite of the new stories. It's all about Ben, who began as a real ass in the series and then, became really cool. He had an awful past, which you learn more about here. However, everything in him is trying to change and in this story, he finally accepts that. Also, the side characters were fantastic! I would have lost that bet in 5 minutes though. Damn those pesky bosses!
HOLLOW: This was sad. It was a love story, but also, a haunting. It takes place right after the events in the last book so we find out how they deal with the poor garage, destroyed by the Fire God. We find out what is going on with Gary and how Zack is getting along. Damn pesky mothers! They never know how to just butt out.
OUTTAKE FROM SILVER BORNE: Ariana and Samuel reunited and realizing that love really is forever!
OUTTAKE FROM NIGHT BORNE: While Mercedes is in the hospital, Adam gets advice from her daddy, Coyote, and shit from a walking stick who won't leave Mercy's side.
All in all, this was a great collection, but man...it made me want the next one SOOOOOO BAD!!!...more
The Exterminator's Daughter by Meg Cabot: this was cute, but kind of silly. I mean, she IMMEDIATELY falls under his spell, even though she knows what The Exterminator's Daughter by Meg Cabot: this was cute, but kind of silly. I mean, she IMMEDIATELY falls under his spell, even though she knows what happened to her mother? REALLY, you dumbass?
The Corsage by Lauren Myracle: This was the only story that really took the title to heart. It was sad and creepy and poignant. Teenaged girls in love are the most dangerous kind of people. Teenaged boys in love are the dumbest. This story fits with that whole supposition.
Madison Avery and the Dim Reaper by Kim Harrison: read this one so that I could start the Madison Avery series. The Reapers seem cool, but I seriously hope that Madison gets more interesting. She seems very one-dimensional and selfish in this short. Also, how does she not realize that Chronus is Father Time? DUH!!
Kiss and Tell by Michele Jaffe: Easily my favorite story of the book. It's interesting, should have a sequel (but doesn't, as far as I can tell), and funny. I liked both Miranda and Sibby, although Sibby was a bit annoying to read...Miranda's reactions were too funny.
Hell on Earth by Stephanie Meyer: This was easily the most interesting of the group. Devils, angels, and prom sweethearts. The ending was priceless. I really liked this one. ...more
This was just pure fun! My favorite story was Pet Shop Boys-- I wish that she wrote a book out of that one. My second favorite is Grace--Hoc and her wThis was just pure fun! My favorite story was Pet Shop Boys-- I wish that she wrote a book out of that one. My second favorite is Grace--Hoc and her would be an awesome series!
You'll learn: (1) How Rachel and Pierce met (2) Why Banshees should just be avoided, be you male OR female (3) How Al acquired Ceri (which strangely makes me like him even more) (4) How Kisten and Ivy were as a couple (5) How Ivy and Rachel got together (6) How I could love Kisten even more than I already did (God, I miss him SO MUCH!) (7) That Kisten had family--and a cutie-patootie nephew (8) How a Run looks when Jenks does it with Bis for backup (AWESOMENESS!) (9) How Rachel's small spell pot got dented (which Rachel doesn't know-lol) (10) How Jenks got his own office (11) More about pixie family life and traditions--and why they are such baddases! (12) How Jenks gets over Jax's betrayal (13) That Bis can use a computer (14) That redheads just can't be trusted (15) Why woods should be protected at all costs (16) How crazy runs in the family tree (17) How freaking awesome of writer Kim Harrison is (although I already knew that) (18) And another character who loves her dog more than people!...more
"Animal Magnetism"--cute story with animals on one level and an awful story on the other level with a horrible rapist, a dirty, abusive cop, and a dog"Animal Magnetism"--cute story with animals on one level and an awful story on the other level with a horrible rapist, a dirty, abusive cop, and a dog who gets shot. Weird.
"Paradise"--so, not a fan of this story. Hell, not a fan of the writing at all. It's difficult to know who says what...the feelings are often so vague that you are wondering why characters did what they did. I would skip this series...and I shall.
"Hunter Kiss"--GREAT STORY! This is why I read the book, because I wanted to begin this series and this is the beginning of the Maxine Kiss series. I love, love, love all of the "demons". They have their own personalities and their own quirks. The zombies are interesting. Demons, the very embodiment of evil, becoming capable of change? This series seems like it will get very, very good.
"Wild Hearts in Atlantis"--This was not good. The story was mildly entertaining. However, there were a lot of characters for a short story. The sex seriously sucked--it was kind of gross. The only redeeming feature was I liked the Soul Meld thing. Skipping this series. ...more
It's a simple, happy story. Didn't much care for the sex. Liked the characters a lot. The world building was pretty cool. The ending was rushed-but itIt's a simple, happy story. Didn't much care for the sex. Liked the characters a lot. The world building was pretty cool. The ending was rushed-but it's a short story...so, that's expected....more
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