Sparked started out very strong, and I really enjoyed the first half of the story. But unfortunately, around the halfway mark, things started to go downhill for me, and it ended up being a typical YA paranormal that reminded me of so many other stories I’ve read. Which is sad, because I’ve had great luck […]
The nitty-gritty: A stylish and atmospheric tale, part ghost story, part psychological thriller, that sneaks up on you slowly. The creepy mirror was full-size and seemed unnaturally enormous hanging on the wall that way and reflecting only darkness. Framed in antique scrollwork, the glass within was pitch-black, and there was no image beyond the impression […]
The nitty-gritty: An action-packed and thrilling story that’s got something for everyone: terrifying monsters, stolen children, evil scientists, and of course, a circus sideshow full of dangerous creatures. Welcome to the show! “Run?” asked Annie. “Run where? The trees close in on all sides. If it’s the woods I need to fear, my fate is […]
The nitty-gritty: Strange and horrific, I loved this novella, even though it’s still giving me nightmares. Once, while they are sweating together, a molly appears in the doorway and joins them. It does not go bad while the three of them make love, and Molly kills it with regret and an ice pick the next […]
The nitty-gritty: Luminous and magical, The Rules of Magic is Alice Hoffman at her best. Today everything smelled earthy, the rich scent of mulch and decaying leaves and roots. It was an ending and a beginning, for the month itself was like a gate. October began as a golden hour and ended with Samhain, the […]
The nitty-gritty: A beautifully written and conceived tale of rival magicians, but with too many characters and ideas, it just seemed too big for a single volume. I have to admit it was my husband who “got” the title of this book. He took one look at the cover and said, “An Unkindness of Magicians. […]
The nitty-gritty: Hugely entertaining, this terrifying vision of what our future could be like will keep you turning pages long after bedtime. I loved David Walton’s Supersymmetry, a fast-paced scientific thriller about time travel and alternate realities, so I knew that The Genius Plague was going to be a must-read. And wow, did I have […]
The nitty-gritty: A multi-generational saga of a family of witches, with plenty of drama, familiars, and just a touch of magic. I’ve always loved multi-generational stories, although I usually associate them with historical and literary fiction, not fantasy. But Louisa Morgan has combined all three genres into a fascinating and far-reaching tale of a family […]
The nitty-gritty: A compulsively readable tale about the hidden lives of one married couple. Best Day Ever was just what I needed. I’ve been surviving on a steady diet of science fiction and fantasy for the last six years, so it was a nice change of pace to read a contemporary thriller for a change. […]
The nitty-gritty: Fast and furious, violent and action-packed, this story will make you wish you had magical powers! Brad Abraham’s debut is being billed as “Harry Potter meets James Bond” and after reading Magicians Impossible I have to say that’s a pretty good description. I had several Harry Potter flashback moments while reading this, and […]