Kitty’s Greatest Hits (2011) Carrie Vaughn Il Est Ne – Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (2008) A Princess of Spain – The Secret History of Vampires (2007) Conquistador de la Noche – Subterranean Online (2009) The Book of Daniel – Talebones #39 (2009) The Temptation of Robin Green – The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (2009) Looking […]
Rat Queens Vol. 2: Far Reaching Tentacles of N’rygoth (2015) Kurtis J Wiebe, Roc Upchurch, Stjepan Sejic I am really really enjoying this comic. Even if it’s chock full of boinking and drugs. Or perhaps that’s because. Hard to tell. This story gives us glimpses of various character’s back stories and secrets, when the town […]
Kitty and The Midnight Hour (2005) Carrie Vaughn I’ve got the last Kitty book still waiting to be read, so I’m going to (hopefully) selectively re-read to get caught back up with the story. It’s funny, I’ve re-read this before, but every time I forget precisely how complex the story and characters are. After all, […]
Princess Ugg Volume 2 (2015) Ted Naifeh, Warren Wucinich The second (and final) volume of Princess Ugg finds Ulga still at the academy learning to be a princess. She’s slowly learning to write, and learn the other bits of decorum that are expected in the lowlands, but her roommate still hates her and belittles her, […]
Mockingbird Vol. 1: I Can Explain (2016) Chelsea Cain, Joelle Jones, Ibrahim Moustafa, Kate Niemczyk To be honest, I think I need to read this again later. There was much I liked–a lot I liked–but the story was described as a puzzle box, and some of it seemed to depend upon previous knowledge of characters, […]
Princeless Vol 3: The Pirate Princess (2014) Jeremy Whitley, Rosy Higgins, Ted Brandt Volume three finds Adrienne rescuing another princess locked in a tower–Raven aka The Black Arrow aka the Pirate Princess. Raven is a bit of a trickster figure, with her own agenda. But she isn’t a bad character–just one who knows what she […]
Princeless, Vol 2: Get Over Yourself (2014) Jeremy Whitley and Emily Martin Fun! Although not quite as good as the first. Adrienne has rescued herself and has now decided to rescue the rest of her sisters–even if said sisters are not quite sure they need rescued. Boy is Adrienne’s older sister Angelica irritating. Part of […]
Wonder Woman, Vol. 1: Blood (2012) Brian Azzarello, Cliff Chiang, and Tony Akins This is part of the DC New 52. I picked it up first as an ecomic, but could not get into it reading in that format–I can see the page as a whole OR I can read the text. Not both. So […]
Mighty Thor Vol. 1: Thunder in her Veins (2017) Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman So what do I like about Mighty Thor? I really really liked the parts about Jane Foster, about her history with Thor and Odin and Loki. But mostly about her fight with cancer, and how being Thor is working against her […]
Thor Vol. 2: Who Holds the Hammer? (2016) Jason Aaron, Russell Dauterman, Matthew Wilson, Jason Aaron, Noell Stevenson, CM Punk This is the second volume of Thor, Goddess of Thunder, and I’m finding that my lack of grounding in the Marvel mythos and history is starting to become a problem. It felt like there was […]
Rat Queens Vol. 1: Sass & Sorcery (2013) Kurtis Wiebe and Roc Upchurch Let’s just get this out of the way: NOT FOR KIDS! TOTALLY NOT FOR KIDS! However, if you’re an adult? I LOVED it! The Rat Queens are a band of mercenaries in the town of Palisade, and many in the town are […]
Lumberjanes Vol. 1 Beware the Kitten Holy (2015) Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Watters, Brooke A Allen Apparently, if I’m going to pull out my reading glasses, I’m going to go ahead and read a bunch of comics. Friendship to the max! Jo, April, Mal, Molly and Ripley are five best pals determined to have an awesome […]
Princess Ugg Vol. 1 (2014) Ted Naifeh and Warren Wucinich Princess Ülga is traveling to the low-lands at her mother’s request, hoping to learn how to help her people. What she learns isn’t quite what she was expecting. I didn’t remember the premise, so when I started reading I wasn’t quite sure where things were […]
Princeless: Vol 1: Save Yourself (2012) Jeremy Whitley and Mia Goodwin OMG. This. Is. Awesome. I’ve had it for awhile, but hadn’t gotten around to reading it, because reading comics now requires me to find a pair of reading glasses. O.o I should not have waited. Princeless is a delight and a marvel and I […]
A Perilous Undertaking (2017) Deanna Raybourn Set in London in 1887. The second Veronica Speedwell mystery finds Veronica and Stoker preparing for an expedition–until their benefactor breaks his leg tripping over his giant tortoise. This leaves both cranky with each other until a new mystery is dropped in their laps. Veronica is summoned to the […]
A Curious Beginning (2015) Deanna Raybourn Set in London in 1887 This had been on my wishlist for awhile, because although I found her other series vaguely annoying (both not so annoying that I didn’t read multiple books) this seemed right up my alley. As the city prepares to celebrate Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee, Veronica […]
The Ghoul Vendetta (2017) Lisa Shearin I adore this series. It’s so fun and enjoyable–despite all the ghouls and monsters. The nephew of a vampire lord is kidnapped at an elite yacht party Mac is attending with Rake (the wealthy goblin businessman and dark mage she’s sort-of dating, but still isn’t sure about.). This is […]
A Fantastic Holiday Season: The Gift of Stories (2014) edited by Kevin J. Anderson & Kieth J. Olexa I picked this collection up solely for the Patricia Briggs story, but once I saw some of the other authors, read through the stories that interested me (but skipped the ones that didn’t grab me after a […]
Burnt Sugar (2014) Lish McBride Ava, Lock, and Ezra have been sent by the Coterie (magical mafia) to collect a tithe from a witch who has missed payment. But when the find a gingerbread house, they know things are more serious than they expected. Lock stopped and crossed his arms, giving us a look that […]
Ghost Girl in the Corner (2016) Daniel José Older This is set after Shadowshaper. Tee has received a grant to take over the publishing of the Bed-Stuy Searchlight–the local paper that had been run by Manny. She has three other teens to help her: Mina, Rafael, and Coruscant, although the woman from the group that […]
Dead Heat (2016) Patricia Briggs The fourth book in the Alpha & Omega series, and I think the end of my Patricia Briggs re-read binge. One of the things I particularly like about this story is the interaction between the kids. “Shut your piehole, punk kid,” Max said, thumping her on the head with the […]
Fair Game (2012) Patricia Briggs The third Alpha & Omega book finds Charles overcome by increase in killings he needs to do now that the werewolves have come out in public. I takes awhile for Bran to be convinced that this is harming his son. Asil left Bran alone with his thoughts then, because if […]
Hunting Ground (2009) Patricia Briggs The second book in the Alpha & Omega series takes place not long after the events of the first book. Bran has decided that the werewolves are going to come out to the public, and he is meeting with the European wolves–not to ask them opinion, but to see if […]
Cry Wolf (2008) Patricia Briggs One of the things I particularly like about this book (and spin-off series) is that we get to spend time with both Bran and Asil. Bran didn’t reply, just spun himself slowly, around and around on the little stool in the corner of the room. In his hothouse, Asil trimmed […]
Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson (2016) Patricia Briggs I really do like this short story collection. Pleasingly, Patricia Briggs is good with short stories, which makes this collection all the more enjoyable. Silver Fairy Gifts (previously published in Naked City) Gray (previously published in Home Improvement: Undead Edition) Seeing Eye (previously […]
Silver Borne (2010) Patricia Briggs The fifth Mercy Thompson book finds things slightly settled down after the events of the previous two books, but there are two problems: first is that Adam brought Mercy into the pack, and many of the wolves are deeply unhappy with that, and the second is that Samuel is tired […]
Bone Crossed (2009) Patricia Briggs The fourth Mercy Thompson book takes place immediately following the events of the third book, continuing the final scene in that book, and–more importantly–fixing one of the biggest problems of that book: Mercy acting as if everything was okay. Although it makes for difficult reading, I really do love that […]
Iron Kissed (2008) Patricia Briggs I still have great difficulty reading this book, and flat-out skip most of a chapter because it is so hard for me to read. Just so you know. Mercy is called by Zee to look into a death at the Fae Reservation; this will allow her to repay her debt […]
Blood Bound (2007) Patricia Briggs The second Mercy Thompson books finds Mercy helping the vampires–specifically Stefan, who is a friend of sorts. The Mistress of the City knows what Mercy is, but believes Stefan that Mercy is no threat to the local seethe, and so accepts Mercy’s place in the city (although Mercy still has […]
Moon Called (2006) Patricia Briggs I learned my lesson years ago, although sometimes I’d forget, this time I remembered: after reading Guy Gavriel Kay, I must read something absolutely different. If I read any kind of historical fantasy after Guy Gavriel Kay, I am always sorely disappointed. Since I was still in the mood for […]
Dark Heir, Audible Version (2015) Faith Hunter, narrated by Khristine Hvam The story opens with the SOD (I shan’t elucidate for those who haven’t read the previous books) escaping from Leo’s sub-basement with the help of Adrianna, who Leo has kept bringing back every time Jane has killed her. Meanwhile, Jane and Beast are still […]
The Dragon Conspiracy, Audible Version (2015) Lisa Shearin, narrated by Johanna Parker This is another audio book I finished earlier in the fall and forgot to review. The second SPI files book finds Makenna and Ian at a Gala opening at the Met, displaying a collection of rare gems that will soon be up for […]
Broken Soul, Audible Version (2014) Faith Hunter, read by Khristine Hvam I actually finished this a couple months ago, but forgot to review it. Oops! Leo has agreed to Jane’s exorbitant sum for security for the visit of the European Vampire council. Derek Lee has become Leo’s new Enforcer, and is having issues with some […]
Salsa Nocturna, Audible Version (2012/2014) Daniel José Older, read by the author As with his Bone Street Rumba novels, Daniel Jose Older reads his own work, and it’s totally great! This short story collection was published before Half-Resurrection Blues and features not just Carlos and Riley, but one of my favorite characters, Gordo. I keep […]
Curse on the Land (2016) Faith Hunter This is the second Soulwood book, set in the same reality as the Jane Yellowrock series, but not featuring Jane (although she does make appearances). Nell Ingram is tied to the land. She’s not a witch (she doesn’t test as one anyway) but she can do things that […]
Valour and Vanity (2014) Mary Robinette Kowal Set in Alternate Regency Venice in 1817. After traveling with Melody, her new husband, and Jane’s parent’s for part of their wedding Tour… “You must not go!” Mrs. Ellsworth came to a stop in front of them with a hand pressed to her bosom. “Charles, tell them they […]
Without a Summer (2013) Mary Robinette Kowal Set in Alternate Regency England in 1816, during the Year without a Summer. The third Glamourist History finds Jane and Vincent back in London, with a new commission and with Melody as a visitor, in the hopes she’ll find a husband. There were some interesting bits about Glamour […]
Glamour in Glass (2012) Mary Robinette Kowal Set in alternate Regency England in 1815. Following their marriage, Jane and Vincent have come to the attention of the Prince Regent, and commissioned to create a Glamour for his ballroom, which makes them even more popular, so it is a surprise when they leave for the Continent […]
Shades of Milk and Honey (2010) Mary Robinette Kowal Set in Alternate Regency England ~1814. The first time I read this, it was immediately following a Guy Gavriel Kay book, and so this story suffered in comparison. Nothing against Mary Robinette Kowal, it’s just that Guy Gavriel Kay is that good. So searching for something […]
The Escapement of Blackledge (2016) Mary Robinette Kowal Set in alternate Regency London The Duke of Blackledge does NOT want to attend his coming-of-age birthday party, however, his mother is insistent. But there is only so much he can take, so he escapes to his laboratory where he works on his automatons, only to find […]
Shroud for the Archbishop (1995) Peter Tremayne Set in Rome in 664. The second Fidelma mystery finds Fidelma and Eadulf in Rome, where Eadulf is secretary to Wighard, Archbishop designate of Canterbury and Fidelma is to present various items to the Bishop of Rome. Again, Fidelma suffers culture shock as she sees the restricted rights […]
Absolution By Murder (1994) Peter Tremayne Set in England in 664 I’d read these years and years ago, and had been looking for the eBook versions to go on sale, but no joy, so I broke down and bought the first two ebooks. Sister Fidelma follows the Celtic Christian tradition, but more importantly to the […]
The Lost Child of Lychford (2016) Paul Cornell It’s December in Lychford, Lizzie’s first Christmas as Reverend of St. Martin’s–the busiest and most stressful time of the year in the church. “The song ‘I Believe in Father Christmas,’” she continued to Sue and Oliver, her elderly churchwardens, twelve hours later, at their weekly meeting round […]
Blood of the Earth (2016) Faith Hunter We met Nell Ingram in the Jane Yellowrock short story “Off the Grid.” (In the anthology Blood in Her Veins). She is a very interesting character, and I can see why the author wanted to spend more time with her. Nell has escaped from the cult in which […]
Thor Vol 1: Goddess of Thunder (2015) Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman I picked this up after reading the first bit in A-Force Presents which was a lovely introduction to some of Marvel’s female heroes. I initially wasn’t sure about Thor, because there was a good amount of background that I was missing, but I […]
She-Hulk Volume 2: Disorderly Conduct (2015) Charles Soule and Javier Pulido She-Hulk is fun, and I enjoyed reading these two volumes, but I don’t think that this is a series I’ll continue reading. There are a couple threads in this volume. She-Hulk has to work with a variety of different super heroes, getting miniaturized, and […]
Salsa Nocturna: Stories (2012) Daniel José Older This is a collection of stories set in the same world as the Bone Street Rumba series, and although some of the stories were about Carlos, there are other stories as well. “Tenderfoot” “Salsa Nocturna” “Skin Like Porcelain Death” “The Collector” “Graveyard Waltz” “Protected Entity” “Magdalena” “Red Feather […]
Jack the Giant-Killer (1987) Charles de Lint Jackie Rowan is stunned when her boyfriend walks out on her, and stumbling home after a binge, she sees the unbelievable and is pulled into a world just under the surface of her own world, that she never knew existed. The map was of Ottawa, but all the […]
A Matter of Magic (2010): Mairelon the Magician (1991) and The Magician’s Ward (1997) Patricia C. Wrede Kim has been living on the streets, hiding the fact she’s a girl, and living by her wits as best she can. When she is offered a small fortune to check out the wagon of a traveling magician, […]
As Death Draws Near (2016) Anna Lee Huber Set in England and Ireland in 1831 Lady Kiera Darby and Sebastian Gage are honeymooning in Keswick when he receives orders from his father to go to Ireland to investigate the death of a nun, who happened to have been the niece of Wellington. They decided to […]