Kitty in the Underworld (2013) Carrie Vaughn There are intruders in their territory, and with Ben out of town, Kitty goes out to investigate. She’s kidnapped and pulled into a strange plan, seemingly centered on Roman and his plans for world domination, but it’s not clear who is friend and who is foe. This was […]
Magic Rises (2013) Ilona Andrews European shape-shifters have given The Beast Lord and his pack an offer they can’t resist: come guard a pregnant were and you’ll receive barrels of panacea–the potion that reduces the chance of loupism in young weres. It’s a trap of some sort, but they can’t figure out what kind, until […]
Legacy of the Dead (2000) Charles Todd The fourth Inspector Ian Rutledge mystery finds Rutledge sent to Scotland–the last place he wants to go, for he still hears the voice of Hamish MacLeod over his shoulder, haranguing him, and reminding him of the dead lost in France during the Great War. But Lady Maude Gray […]
Death at La Fenice (1992) Donna Leon (A Commissario Brunetti Mystery) When I saw this on sale as an eBook deal of the day on Amazon, I snatched it up. I am slowly coming to prefer eBooks to paper books, and am always glad to get favorites in electronic format. I first stumbled across Commissario […]
Walking Your Octopus: A Guidebook to the Domesticated Cephalopod (2013) Brian Kesinger I’ve been following Otto and Victoria for awhile now, so how could I not have ordered when I saw they were going to get their own book? I’ve seen some–but not all–of these pictures before, but wanted a paper copy both because the […]
The Mammoth Book of Historical Crime Fiction (2011) edited by Mike Ashley Introduction: Return to the Crime Scene by Mike Ashley Archimedes and the Scientific Method by Tom Holt Something to do with Diana by Steven Saylor Eyes of the Icon by Mary Reed and Eric Mayer Night of the Snow Wolf by Peter Tremayne […]
The Privilege of the Sword (2006) Ellen Kushner I’ve been listening to the audio book version of this, when I reached a point where I gave up and started re-reading (from the beginning) on the Kindle. Mind you, I’m still listening to the audio version, but it had been too long since I’d read the […]
Anansi Boys (2005) Neil Gaiman Couldn’t decide upon a new-to-me book to read, so I went to my fall back position: a reread of a favorite. This is a follow-up of sorts to American Gods. It’s a follow-up only because it’s set in the same world, and contains Aunt Nancy/Anansi. But the story isn’t about […]
Kitty Rocks the House (2013) Carrie Vaughn Weirdly, this book was published in April, but it’s been sitting in The Pile, waiting for me to read it, and I just never got around to it. Weird, because I usually thoroughly enjoy the Kitty books. But after reading the last Jane True book, I decided I […]
Tempest Reborn (2013) Nicole Peeler Alas, all good things come to an end: this is the final book of the Jane True series. I’m honestly delighted with the whole thing. I hate series that go on too long, or series where every book is a cliffhanger that is little more than a teaser for the […]
Thieves’ World Book 12, Stealers’ Sky (1989) edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey Alas, the end of the series. Introduction by Robert Lynn Asprin Night Work by Andrew Offutt The Incompetent Audience by John DeCles Our Vintage Years by Duane McGowen Quicksilver Dreams by Diana L. Paxson Winds of Fortune by C.J. Cherryh The […]
Thieves’ World, Book 11: Uneasy Alliances (1988) edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey One more book and things are starting to wind up. Dramatis Personae by Lynn Abbey Introduction by Lynn Abbey Slave Trade by Robert Lynn Asprin The Best of Friends by C.J. Cherryh The Power of Kings by Jon DeCles Red Light, […]
Sabriel (1995) Garth Nix I was feeling depressed and sad, so I took advantage of the fact I’d picked up Sabriel as a deal at one point, and decided it was just what I needed to re-read. Sabriel has spent most of her youth in Ancelstierre, and is now preparing to return to the Old […]
Thieves’ World, Book 10: Aftermath (1987) edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey And now the series is back to where I enjoyed it–more petty arguments and thievery rather than war ranging on the physical and etheral plains. Dramatis Personae – Lynn Abbey Introduction – Robert Lynn Asprin Cade – Mark C. Perry Wake of […]
Thieves’ World, Book 9: Blood Ties (1986) edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey Thank goodness. Back to normal–or as normal as it gets. Introduction by Robert Lynn Asprin Lady of Fire by Diana L. Paxson Sanctuary is for Lovers by Janet & Chris Morris Lovers Who Slay Together by Robin Wayne Bailey In the […]
Thieves’ World, Book 8: Soul of the City (1986) edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey This is, hands down, my least favorite Thieves’ Word book. Dramatis Personae by Lynn Abbey Power Play by Janet Morris Dagger in the Mind by C.J. Cherryh Children of All Ages by Lynn Abbey Death in the Meadow by […]
Thieves’ World, Book 7: The Dead of Winter (1985) Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey More than halfway through now. Luckily, there were lighter stories to counteract the darkness of Janet Morris’ story. Dramatis Personae by Lynn Abbey Introduction by Robert Lynn Asprin Hell to Pay by Janet Morris The Veiled Lady, or A Look at […]
Thieves World, Book 6: Wings of Omen (1984) edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey Introduction by Robert Lynn Asprin What Women Do Best by Chris & Janet Morris Daughter of the Sun by Robin W. Bailey A Breath of Power by Diana L. Paxson The Hand That Feeds You by Diane Duane Witching Hour […]
Thieves World, Book 5: The Face of Chaos (1983) edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey Introduction by Robert Lynn Asprin High Moon by Janet Morris Necromant by C.J. Cherryh The Art of Alliance by Robert Lynn Asprin The Corners of Memory by Lynn Abbey Votary by David Drake Mirror Image by Diana L. Paxson […]
Thieves World, Book 4: Storm Season (1982) Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey Introduction by Robert Lynn Asprin Exercise in Pain by Robert Lynn Asprin Downwind by C.J. Cherryh A Fugitive Art by Diana L. Paxson Steel by Lynn Abbey Wizard Weather by Janet Morris Godson by Andrew J. Offutt Epilog by Robert Lynn Asprin This […]
Thieves’ World, Book 3: Shadows Of Sanctuary (1981) Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey Introduction by Robert Lynn Asprin Looking for Satan by Vonda N. McIntyre Ischade by C.J. Cherryh A Gift in Parting by Robert Lynn Asprin The Vivisectionist by Andrew Offutt The Rhinoceros and the Unicorn by Diana L. Paxson Then Azyuna Danced by […]
Blood Trade (2013) Faith Hunter I really like Jane Yellowrock. I know I say that every time I read one of these books, but that’s because it remains true. Natchez, Mississippi is overrun with rogues, and the Master hires Jane to come help him solve this problem. But when she arrives, things are even worse […]
Lady of Quality (1972) Georgette Heyer Annis Wychwood is twenty-nine and an old maid. Her beauty led to previous offers for her hand, but she turned them down, none from a man for whom she was willing to give up her independence. Of course, she is still young enough she must keep someone with her, […]
Thieves’ World, Book 2: Tales From the Vulgar Unicorn (1980) edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey Introduction by Robert Lynn Asprin Spiders of the Purple Mage by Philip José Farmer Goddess by David Drake The Fruits of Enlibar by Lynn Abbey The Dream of the Sorceress by A.E. van Vogt Vashanka’s Minion by Janet […]
Thieves’ World (1979) Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey Introduction by Robert Lynn Asprin Sentences of Death by John Brunner The Face of Chaos by Lynn Abbey The Gate of Flying Knives by Poul Anderson Shadowspawn by Andrew Offutt The Price of Doing Business by Robert Lynn Asprin Blood Brothers by Joe Haldeman Myrtis by Christine […]
Cotillion (1953) Georgette Heyer Another re-read, because there’s nothing quite like foolish young people to distract from the real, modern world. Kitty Charing was adopted by the very rich and very unpleasant Matthew Penicuik. When he makes his will, he states that she will inherit his entire fortune–if she marries one of his great-nephews. The […]
Erstwhile: Untold Tales From the Brothers Grimm (2012) Gina Biggs, Louisa Roy, Elle Skinner As a huge fan of folk and fairy tales, I’ve had Erstwhile on my RSS feed for awhile now, and I was vaguely aware that they’d published a printed collection of their tales, but when it popped up on Amazon, I […]
These Old Shades (1926) Georgette Heyer This was a reread. I got so depressed by the news I needed something comforting, and this is what I ended up reading. Some of the bits are somewhat horrifying–and probably not the bits that were originally so. More the whole fact that Alistar will not–cannot even!–marry anyone so […]
A History of the World in 6 Glasses (2005) Tom Standage I got this as a kindle deal, and was absolutely delighted by it. It’s a look at how six beverages–beer, wine, liquor, coffee, tea, and Coca Cola–changed the world. There were so very many fascinating historical tidbits, I’m afraid that on multiple occasions I […]
Seven Kinds of Hell (2013) Dana Cameron Zoe Miller’s mother has died. And before she dies, she makes Zoe promise to keep running from her father’s people. Since Zoe is running from herself as much as from her father’s people, it’s not a promise she has trouble keeping. Unfortunately for her, her father’s people seem […]
Death’s Excellent Vacation (2010) Charlaine Harris and Toni L. P. Kelner Yeah, I’m a sucker for anthologies. Especially ones where I know the majority of the stories will be good. Mind you, I wasn’t impressed enough with the list of authors to pay full price (this still isn’t out in paperback yet?!) but there were […]
A Caribbean Mystery (1964) Agatha Christie This has always been my favorite Miss Marple mystery, probably because I got to watch part of it on TV, with Jameson Parker as Tim Kendal, which is important, because I was a HUGE Simon & Simon fan. (And I just now realized that Brock Peters played Dr. Graham!) […]
The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side (1962) Agatha Christie This is probably the Miss Marple mystery that has embedded itself most firmly in my mind. There are so very many thing from here that randomly pop up. Out flew the web and floated wide; The mirror crack’d from side to side; ‘The curse is […]
They Do It With Mirrors (1952) Agatha Christie Another Miss Marple mystery–comfort reading for when I’m sick. Miss Marple is asked by her friend Ruth to look into the circumstances of Ruth’s sister, Carrie Louise. Jane Marple and Ruth and Carrie Louise were school mates, and remained in touch through the years. Ruth feels there […]
A Pocket Full of Rye (1953) Agatha Christie Rex Fortescue dies in his office, immediately after drinking his morning tea. Besides the strange poison used to kill me, police are confused by the fact he coat is full of cereal–rye. Miss Marple doesn’t make her appearance until almost halfway through the story, but Inspector Neele […]
The Mad Scientist’s Guide to World Domination: Original Short Fiction for the Modern Evil Genius (2013) John Joseph Adams “Professor Incognito Apologizes: an Itemized List” by Austin Grossman “Father of the Groom” by Harry Turtledove “Laughter at the Academy: by Seanan McGuire “Letter to the Editor” by David D. Levine “Instead of a Loving Heart” […]
Frost Burned (2013) Patricia Briggs This series switched to hard back first printings several volumes ago, which I hated, because I hate hard back books. Luckily for me, I have a kindle, so I can buy new releases without having to wait a year (or more!) for the book to come out in paperback. HUZZAH! […]
The Way of the Wizard (2010) John Joseph Adams I love anthologies. They give me an escape in bite size pieces that won’t keep me up past my bed time on a work night, and they also often a wonderful introduction to authors I have not read previously. This anthology focuses upon wizards of all […]
What Darkness Brings (2013) C.S. Harris The 8th book in the Sebastian St. Cyr series finds Sebastian Lord Devlin and Hero (now Lady Devlin) setting into married life. They are still keeping secrets from each other–Sebastian his past, and Hero, her father’s secrets, but they are also clearly in love with each other, and working […]
Slashback (2013) Rob Thurman Needless to say, I was eagerly waiting Slashback So let’s get the bad out of the way first: it felt like this book hadn’t been copyedited. On multiple occasions I had to stop and reread in order to figure out what was actually being said, which threw me completely out of […]
Thomas the Rhymer (1990) Ellen Kushner Of course I’d read this before. But after rereading Swordspoint, I wanted to read it again. This is actually a novel based upon the folklore and myth surrounding Thomas the Rhymer, told in four parts. The first is told by Gavin, a crofter, living in the hills with his […]
Across the Nightingale Floor (2002) Lian Hearn I first read these several years ago, and, as I said at the time, couldn’t wait for enough time to pass so I could reread them. Far more time than I expected has passed, but when I came across other books in the series, I had to read […]
Teeth: Vampire Tales (2011) edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling This is an Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling anthology, so as always, there are fascinating bits of folklore. Rice, not garlic, was the most effective means of keeping Chinese vampires at bay, for they had a strange compulsion to count. Throwing rice at the […]
Heaven’s Net is Wide (2007) Lian Hearn This is the tale of Lord Otori Shigeru, heir to the Otori clan. But it is so very much more. We learn not just of the Otori–Shigeru’s family, but of The Tribe, and of the Hidden, and of the Maruyama and of the amazing and fabulous world that […]
Madame Mirage (2008) Paul Dini and Kenneth Rocafort Oh! That was lovely! Well, not lovely lovely. I mean, it was violent and lots of bad things happened. But it was a fabulous story of revenge and consequences. It also took a quick poke with a sharp stick and hero and gender stereotypes–yeah, I know. I […]
Swordspoint: A Melodrama of Manners (1987) Ellen Kushner I love this book. As I’ve said before, this isn’t a fantasy in the usual sense of the genre. There are no magicians or mystical creatures. There is no magic, except the magic found in the expert storytelling. Here is our introduction to Richard St Vier: The […]
The Sleeping Partner (2012) Madeleine E. Robins Huzzah! The return of Sarah Tolerance! I came across the first two books around the time they were published (2003 and 2004) and was disappointed when no further volumes were forthcoming. Luckily, the series (or at least this book) was picked up by another published, which gives us […]
The Dance of the Seagull (2013) Andrea Camilleri I really love the Inspector Montalbano series. In fact, I received this ARC yesterday when I got home from work, started reading it, and continued reading until I was finished, despite it being past my bedtime on a work night. :) Salvo Montalbano is getting old. He […]
Fair Game (2012) Patricia Briggs My. I was not expecting where that went. Now that the werewolves have been outed, the Marrock has been far more strict about enforcing the rules. And Charles, as his enforcer, has been very busy. He has also become haunted by those he is forced to kill, and those ghosts […]
My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon (2007) P.N. Elrod The follow up to My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding, at least in theme. This was a very mixed bag. Some of the stories were good, some I could barely stand to finish, and in fact, put this anthology down several times, for something (anything?) I liked a […]