The nitty-gritty: I loved the 90s/New Orleans/vampire mythology vibe, but the pacing was inconsistent and the final reveals were too over-the-top for me. Mina and the Undead has a lot going for it: the New Orleans setting (with plenty of references to Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire), a creepy horror mansion with lots of […]
The nitty-gritty: Another strong entry in Dan Stout’s retro noir urban fantasy series, Titan Song is a rollicking good time. This is the third book in The Carter Archives series, and it’s still going strong, I’m happy to report. Stout has combined a unique set of elements—noir urban fantasy, a 1970s vibe that seems familiar […]
The nitty-gritty: Another beautifully written, carefully crafted tale from Oliver K. Langmead, Birds of Paradise is an imaginative glimpse into what became of the Garden of Eden. Oliver Langmead is such an underrated author and he needs a wider audience. Every time I read one of his books I’m reminded of how talented he is, […]
The nitty-gritty: A thrilling, sci-fi horror mystery with plenty of twists, Dead Space is a superb novel and is destined to be one of my favorite books of 2021. It’s hard to believe, but Dead Space is my first five-star read of 2021, and folks, it’s a good one. Hold onto your hats because Kali […]
The nitty-gritty: Lizbeth is back in this imaginative alternate history fantasy, but this installment was just too slow paced for my taste. I’m still plugging away at this series, although I have yet to enjoy a book as much as An Easy Death. Still, there are some nice moments in the Russian Cage, and I’m […]
The nitty-gritty: A beautifully written space opera/fairy tale mash-up with a touch of romance and an emotionally satisfying ending. What a strange and lovely story this was! Sun-Daughters, Sea-Daughters is a LIttle Mermaid retelling set on a distant planet called Maraven, where sea dwellers and land dwellers are currently involved in a clan war. Atuale […]
The nitty-gritty: A unique blend of YA and adult, sci-fi and spy thriller, I can honestly say I’ve never read anything quite like Dragonfly Girl. I had a lot of fun with Dragonfly Girl, Marti Leimbach’s well-written YA debut (she has written a bunch of adult titles as well). For readers who are dying to […]
The nitty-gritty: The Minders had lots of potential, but too many silly plot points and unlikeable characters made this a miss for me. I think your enjoyment of The Minders is going to hinge on whether or not you can get past some of the ridiculous plot elements, at least that was my experience. The […]
The nitty-gritty: A computer with the ability to see one year into the future causes all sorts of problems in this thought provoking and twisty sci-fi story. I thought this book was a lot of fun! If you enjoy twisty, mind-bending sci-fi stories with an emphasis on technology and how it shapes our lives, you’ll […]
The nitty-gritty: A unique seafaring story set in a brilliantly inventive world and populated with interesting characters, The Forever Sea was a feast for the senses. Never has a book surprised me as much as The Forever Sea. What started as a slog through heavily detailed worldbuilding and a slow moving plot suddenly made a […]