Vanishing Virgin by Harvey Jacobs

Title: Vanishing Virgin
Author: Harvey Jacobs
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Fairy tales, Magic, Retellings
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

This short story had a very English, kind of carnie vibe to it. I love that it was a unique view of fae and Houdini and the joys of magic. Plus, it was a time that I find kind of intriguing, one that reminded me of The Greatest Showman.

I love how at the beginning of this story, it focused on Dr Ohm, who you thought was the main character. And then, it jumped to Molly. And, ultimately, it was about her happily ever after, not his. The flicking between who the protagonist was was kind of subtle, and although it’s obvious that it happened, it’s not obvious when it happened.

Houdini, magic and the fae, this is a really good mix of themes and plot lines. I absolutely adored this tale and enjoyable adventure. I love that Molly got a loving and happy ending, and even Dr Ohm had an ending that was enjoyable.

<- Glass Coffin

Clad in Gossamer ->

Image source: Wikipedia

The Villain Institute by Megan Linski & Alicia Rades

Title: The Villain Institute
Author: Megan Linski & Alicia Rades
Rating Out of 5: 1 (Couldn’t get past the first page)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

I really, really wanted to like this novel!  I mean, the premise was great, and the cover was really pretty! But I just… didn’t. And I’m honestly not 100% sure why. I think partly its because at the moment I’m being extra fussy – I have SO many books on my shelves that I’m culling things out if they don’t drag me in within the first three chapters. And this just didn’t do it for me, plus, it felt a little uncomfortable with some of the ways in which indigenous people were talked about…

Image source: Booktopia

Vampire Librarian by Kristin Kova

Title: Vampire Librarian
Author: Kristin Kova
Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

I really wanted to like this story because it was a great premise and a really good start. But, I got six chapters into the story and just still didn’t care one bit about the lead and the outcome of the story. Which, if I get that far through the story, I tend to just DNF it, I mean, there are so many that hook  me in immediately. Why not read one of them?

Image source: Amazon

The Slender One by Caroline Tung Richmond

Title: The Slender One
Author: Caroline Tung Richmond
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Family, Food
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

I love that throughout this short story, Charlie is trying to figure out how his school and personal life fit together. He also has the added challenges of racism to contend with and people’s assumptions. And there’s a bit of a paranormal aspect that he also has to figure out how to balance.

In his journey to figure out how to move in the world, I love that Charlie’s attention switches from racist Helen to lovely Andie. I also love that Andie is not only interested in engaging with his family and culture, but also that she just jumps onboard the supernatural train and tries to help him.

The Slender One is not just about growing up and figuring out your own identity, there is also the spirits of the departed an dhow they try to move on to the next life. I love that in this it’s food which is a vessel for comfort and happiness. And using this, those who have left this world with unfinished business are able to move on.

<- Moments to Return

Gimme Some Sugar ->

Image source: Goodreads

Shadowed Flame by R.J. Blain

Title: Shadowed Flame
Author: R.J. Blain
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

I really like when lead characters in a story are differently abled in some way, shape or form. In the case of Shadowed Flame, Matia is colourblind. I never really thought about how much influence colour actually has on our day to day lives. And what kinds of challenges this can lead to. I honestly hadn’t thought all that much about it, and now I want to read more stories featuring a colourblind lead!

This story was a little bit instalove, but at least they spend the majority of this story actually trying to get to know one another. And, it takes the majority of this story to actually consummate their relationship. It’s fun to learn more about both characters as the story unfolds. It’s obvious from the beginning that Matia is incredibly independent and strong willed, but as the story unfolds, you get a really good taste of this.

I liked the twist of Matia’s dad and family being Fenerick – it was a surprising twist. And one that was really fun. Plus, it also simplified a lot of things when Matia was actually turned. That, and then her grandparents got to be far more aggressive and involved than I had expected. I haven’t read many books set in the Witch & Wolf world, but I think that I need to read more. Particularly as I’m reading them out of order and feeling like I’ve missed a little bit of the world building.

I loved that the dominant female ended up partnered with a submissive wolf. And how, even if he is submissive, he’s still willing to go toe to toe for anyone for his mate. The dynamic is one that I don’t necessarily get to see often in the paranormal romances that I read, which made me thoroughly enjoy this different spin on a romance.

<- Beneath a Blood Moon

More R.J. Blain ->

Image source: Amazon

Riding Bitch by K.W. Jeter

Title: Riding Bitch
Author: K.W. Jeter
In: Inferno (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Horror
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2007

Riding Bitch jumped around a little in its timeline, but overall had a pretty uncomfortable, dark vibe to it throughout. I kind of loved it too. The fact that it took me a little while to figure out what was going on from the bar to the past just added to that spooky and uncomfortable feeling. Which, of course, is what made me thoroughly enjoy reading this.

It was really hard to tell what was reality and what wasn’t throughout this tale. I mean, it involved drugs, speeding and gross bodily transportation. You don’t want to believe that everything within this is reality, but then, it felt like the majority of it was. I loved this blurring of fiction and reality throughout.

This short story left me feeling eerily uncomfortable. I can’t really explain why, but I definitely had goosebumps. Which is kind of why I enjoy reading horror short stories.

<- Inferno

Misadventure ->

Image source: Goodreads

Real Men Knit by Kwanda Jackson

Title: Real Men Knit
Author: Kwanda Jackson
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

I really, really wanted to love this novel. I mean, the whole idea was great and I got most of the way through it. But, couldn’t quite get into it. I think that this was because, for me, the story as a little bit too predictable, and just kind of slow moving from the very beginning. I also hate how accepting the lead character is of being ignored, I mean, she has a backbone, and then, suddenly, she doesn’t. It was just a little bit difficult to get through.

Image source: Amazon

The Queen’s Gambit by Jessie Mihalik

Title: The Queen’s Gambit
Author: Jessie Mihalik
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Science fiction, Space
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

I did enjoy this novella. But, I did find it a little bit predictable, and it didn’t necessarily grab a whole lot of my attention. Probably more than anything because it’s just not quite the genre I enjoy. I don’t mind a good SciFi, but it has to be really brilliant, and this one was just… good. If SciFi is your kind of thing though, I would certainly suggest this!

Image source: Jessie Mihalik

Opposites Attract by EM Farmer

Title: Opposites Attract
Author: EM Farmer
Rating Out of 5: 1 (Couldn’t get past the first page)
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

I wanted to like this, but the writing felt slightly clunky and a little too predictable from the very beginning. So, honestly, I just kind of gave up. Which was disappointing, because I wanted to love this. Oh well, onto the next fun read.

Image source: Goodreads

Nuts About You by Sylvie Stewart

Title: Nuts About You
Author: Sylvie Stewart
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2023

I must say, that I’m really, really disappointed that I didn’t get to read the whole collection that this originally appeared in. I mean, it’s a whole collection of testicular stories. And, if Stewart is anything to go by, there would’ve been a HEAP of ball jokes. Which, I’m an adolescent at heart at times, so I would’ve found that absolutely hilarious. Having said that, even by itself, I really, really enjoyed this novella. And most definitely spent an obscenely long time laughing at all of the many little puns throughout.

Not to focus in too much, but I definitely enjoyed the ball jokes throughout a lot more than I maybe should’ve as a grown ass woman. A bit like the lead female in this – totally inappropriate sense of humour. One that is, luckily, slightly appreciated by her friends and loved ones. Even if it sometimes leads to awkward silences. I completely understand being the awkward girl that just verbal vomits on everyone and is a somewhat quirky individual. I just hope that my quirkiness is a little bit cute, just like it is in this novella.

I love that this is a romance that is set up by friends. It’s a fake heist that turns into a real one. One filled with a whole lot of fun. I loved each and every chaotic moment of this short story, and I can’t wait to read more of Stewart’s writing!

<- Full On Clinger

Poppy & the Beast ->

Image source: Amazon