book review | Prince of Air and Darkness by M.A. Grant | LGBT+ Fantasy YA lit.

Author: M.A. Grant
Title: Prince of Air and Darkness
Series: The Darkest Court 1
Genre: LGBT+; YA Fantasy
Pages: 310
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

Sometimes by sheer accident I find these lovely books as “Prince of Air and Darkness” by M.A. Grant and get to wonder so how does book marketing work then? Is it all based on money? Because this book could be promoted hard as Maas’s ACOTAR series with Captive Prince characters to it. It’s not yet that level of good, but it was pretty darn nice, and is worth picking up if you like the fairy tale like stories as acotar were (I harbor no love for the author, mind you), but would like it to also be m/m romance.

About the Book: Phineas Smith is one of those rare humans with such grand magical powers that he gets to study in a School of Magick. And while that sounds great and all, it really isn’t. He’s bearing through it, hoping it’ll help his parents in the long run. But magical people, fae and alike, don’t like him all that much. Not to mention that his powers are seriously impossible to tame, so he’ll likely fail his exams. And then there’s the odd creatures who crave raw power like that and end up hunting him… But not all is bad, of course. He does have a friend of two. And his roommate, arrogant prince of Air and Darkness, Roark Lyne, happens to be there for him at the right time in the right place, whenever he really needs some ass saving. Phineas can hate him all he wants, but he has to admit… Roark doesn’t seem as bad as he plays to be.

My Opinion: While not per say anything special, the book was absolutely good enough for me to not wish to put it down. I wanted to read it cover to cover, and didn’t only because time didn’t allow for it. There’s some weak spots, like Phineas’s want to help his parents, but then, at the start of the book he doesn’t want to talk to them, and at the end of the book he doesn’t even think about letting them know he solved his own problem too. But there were some real strong points too that made all the difference. Like finding true silver lining in what seemed to be the worst possible outcome.

I give this book a strong 4 out of 5, and am looking forwards to reading the next one.

book review | Fat Vampire by Johnny B. Truant | Vampire lit.

Author: Johnny B. Truant
Title: Fat Vampire
Series: Fat Vampire 1
Genre: Vampires; Humor
Pages: 196
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

Ah, there it is, the “Fat Vampire” that I did want to read, first in the Fat Vampire series by Johnny B. Truant. Though it ends so well it could very well be a stand alone too. I appreciate the non-cliffhanger endings.

About the Book: Reginald never really thought of whether he’d like to be a vampire or not. His days were spent busy trying to survive adult bullies at his job. And they say it gets better after high-school! But even with all that in mind, once given a choice to die or become a vampire, Reginald didn’t hesitate, and made a choice he found himself enjoying greatly: as a vampire he was faster, stronger, and didn’t start dripping sweat by merely moving about. Yet his maker still watched him with a degree of pity for some reason…

Humans who wish to become vampires train martial arts, work out, eat right, just to be their best self, have that muscle memory, all that. And by having to go through a test formed by a vampire council Reginald will soon discover what it’s like being fat in this world of darkness.

My Opinion: Characters felt a little too dull, more like better versions of groupies ready to propel Reginald through the plot. And the jokes were a tad on the dull side. But the plot was clever, well condensed, and had a good pace to it. All in all making it a nice, different afternoon read.

I’m definitely giving this book a very solid 4 out of 5, and I do believe I’ll take me the next book in the series too.

comic review | Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe by Cullen Bunn; Dalibor Talajic | Deadpool Killogy 1

Author: Cullen Bunn; Dalibor Talajic
Title: Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe
Series: Deadpool Killogy 1
Genre: Comics; Superheroes
Pages: 96
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

I don’t really like superhero genre, like at all. With deadpool being the one exception. So when I got the opportunity to borrow “Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe” by Cullen Bunn, illustrated by Dalibor Talajic, I took it. The volume consists out of four chapters full of roller-coaster events.

About the Book: Deadpool was always aware of us here, reading his and others’s stories. He never hesitated to break the fourth wall and rely us his feelings on the events. But after yet another very traumatic event, his understanding of our existence, and his existence in consequence – deepened. And he’s absolutely not happy about it. In fact, he’s out to kill every superhero and villain we ever loved because of it.

My Opinion: Let me just tell you, it’s so weird and yet strangely satisfying to read a paper comic book. Especially when you can just give it back after, and don’t have to add to your own clutter. As for the story, well, as the title suggests, Deadpool goes on a killing spree, and no one is safe. Not your favorite hero, not your favorite villain. At times it got so dark I was genuinely sad due to the events. And that ending, oh… That ending.

This was great. Deadpool’s great. 5 out of 5.

book review | The Last Necromancer by C.J. Archer | Steampunk lit.

Author: C.J. Archer
Title: The Last Necromancer
Series: The Ministry of Curiosities 1
Genre: Historical Fiction; Steampunk
Pages: 268
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

I’ve been on a quest to find me some books on warlocks and necromancers, and I’ve succeeded to gather a little trove of them. Starting with “The Last Necromancer” by C.J. Archer, the first in The Ministry of Curiosities series. And while it had its issues, it was pretty decent.

About the Book: Charlie lived on the street, joining gangs and moving on when need arose, ever since her father put her out of his house for raising her dead mother. He then decided she’s a devil’s daughter, and she learned to hide her gift. Up until she got in trouble and had to revive a dead man to defend her. Now two men in league with supernatural are fighting over Charlie, for it seems she’s the last of her kind. But Charlie isn’t sure whom she can trust in this, if anyone at all.

My Opinion: There were these not very important, but real annoying plot nuances that bothered me to the core. Charlie sometimes made decisions without having anything real to base them on. Like the time she decided she’ll be hunted relentlessly by a man she saw once, from afar. Then there’s a lot of repeating, it’s like you’re getting re-briefed on the topic you just had been briefed on in the previous paragraph. But other than that, flaws and all, I liked how down to earth Charlie was, her simplicity. She’s scared, she wants to hurl, and her powers are relatively useless seeing how dead people don’t just lay about to defend her. It made for a plot that was just interesting enough to oversee the flaws.

I give this book a solid 3 out of 5 and will definitely read the next one. Simple, but hey, it’s the first book.

book review | Queen Takes Checkmate by Joely Sue Burkhart | Their Vampire Queen 5

Author: Joely Sue Burkhart
Title: Queen Takes Checkmate
Series: Their Vampire Queen 5
Genre: Polyamorous Romance; Vampires
Pages: 350
Rate: 3-5 | Goodreads

Hmm. It seems to me that often first three books in the series are the best ones. “Queen Takes Checkmate” by Joely Sue Burkhart not being an exception, what with the great culmination towards the battle with the god of light, Ra, and the flop that it felt to be.

About the Book: Shara absolutely cannot live in fear of Ra, the God of Light. Not fear for herself, not fear for others. And so he must die, for a Queen of Darkness cannot pray and receive peace from a God of Light. But how does one kill an immortal god whose very presence causes you physical pain?

My Opinion: The plot relied too much on sex, thus greatly weakening the actual action, sequence of events, battles, fights. Ra was not a misunderstood hero, a villain in someone’s story, no he was a mere old fashioned pig who underestimated women, because they’re that: women. And personalities of characters are falling short too, very rapidly to that. Maybe there’s finally too many of all those Bloods (“knights“).

I still hope it picks up with the next book. This one sadly only gets a 3 out of 5 from me.

book review | Fat Vampire: A Never Coming of Age Story by Adam Rex | humor lit.

Author: Adam Rex
Title: Fat Vampire: A Never Coming of Age Story
Series: –
Genre: Vampire Literature; Humor
Pages: 324
Rate: 2/5 | Goodreads

There are two books called “Fat Vampire” out there. Adam Rex wasn’t the one I wanted to read. Well, I paid for my mistake, so you don’t have to.

About the Book: Someone has turned a whole bunch of teenagers into vampires. Their new vampire tutors, here to teach them to be predators who don’t put the family to shame, are trying to find out who, but no one can really remember much. Except that boys mostly agree it was a hot foreigner woman. And while these elder vampires chase the wild goose, newly made vampire teens are to deal with being, well, vampire teenagers, drama in school and all that wonderful stuff. Some soon start having doubts about this whole coolness deal of being a vampire tho. Like Dug, who didn’t even grow more than peach fuzz on his face, and was overweight when he turned. And you’re now saying he has to remain this for an eternity?? Is there really no way out?

My Opinion: Plot was greatly lacking. Like a bunch of random teenage sit-com episodes barely strung together by mysterious turn of the teens that the not-turned side saw as mysterious change in those previously uncool people. Author seems it’s funny that teenagers are all dumb and don’t understand anything, but gracefully adds that adults are also dumb and don’t understand anything. Neither sets of jokes were funny, and the mocking of stereotypes made me roll my eyes, so I just hope both of them are still facing forwards. And as for characters? They’re all so painfully two-dimensional, that side-characters might not even existed.

It’s a no from me. A 2 out of 5.

Samhain | 08 – 10 | The Best, The Worst, The Overrated

The Best, The Worst, The Overrated from Lughnasadh to Samhain!

The Best:

• The Looting Machine by Tom Burgis: A great book on responsible and irresponsible consumerism, where it leads, and what can we do about it. Because we absolutely can, and it doesn’t mean you may not buy the thing you want but don’t need per say.
  Nonfiction | Review
• The Henchmen of Zenda by K.J. Charles: A book that reminded me how great the adventure genre is. My next year’s goal is to find more adventure books.
  Adventure | Review
• Redemption’s Blade by Adrian Tchaikovsky: A book on what happens after the great evil is vanquished, the same one for which many nations united and tossed their lot into same kettle. What happens when you need to divide things back up, and go home?
  High Fantasy | Review
• The Borgias by G.J. Meyer: A great book on a very prominent family. How did they came to be what they are, what made their name so notorious and known, and how it all went down. Reminded me of teenage years where I’d seek out information on this family on my own. Or the good old Assassin’s Creed games with Ezio.
  History | Review
• The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson: An unbelievable net cast over a whole world, a very complex, but superbly interesting high fantasy. It’s colossal and amazing.
  High Fantasy | Review
• American Kingpin by Nick Bilton: A very fine book on Dark Web and the most notorious market place in it, the Silkroad. And the man who created it.
  Nonfiction | Review
• Dead Jack by James Aquilone: James Aquilone was a discovery for me, and I will sure read more of their books. Dead Jack was a great dark humor book, just the way I like my dead rotting skeleton private eyes.
  Dark Humor | Review

The Worst:

• The Last Hellfighter by Thomas S. Flowers: A poor retelling of Dracula. Dull and uneventful.
  Horror | Review
• The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa: A world where vampires rule, where vampirism gift has mutated to create more mindless monsters than actual vampires, and where humans are like cattle. But cattle with hope and dreams of utopia, one ruled by co… by humans.
  Vampires | Review
• Midnight in a Perfect World by Ambrose Ibsen: A tale of a Lovecraftian thing handing humans a recipe for a drug that makes them fall into its world, where it can build a ladder out of its prison. Humans are great mortar in the hands of the gods. Poorly executed idea.
  Horror | Review
• The Mark by Lee Mountford: Another great poorly written tale of a… Well, that’s the best part, so I won’t spoil. But in general, the book is full of unnatural dialogues, strange shortage of logic, and very one-way plot.
  Horror | Review

The Overrated:

• The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer by Jennifer Lynch: It’s hard for me to accept this is an actual demon attack, where a child clearly is fighting to supress memories of actual assaults, molestation, and now, as a teenager, snorts cocaine all the time. She’s messed up, by human beings. What was the demon for even?
  Horror; Mystery | Review

book review | Dracula: The Modern Prometheus by Rafael Chandler | Dracula lit.

Author: Rafael Chandler
Title: Dracula: The Modern Prometheus
Series: –
Genre: Dracula; Retelling
Pages: 266
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

“Dracula: The Modern Prometheus” by Rafael Chandler is definitely the strangest retelling of Marry Shelley’s “Frankenstein” and Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” that I have ever read. It’s both good and bad at the same time.

About the Book: Mina Harker had no clue what nightmare her life will become when she ventured out into Transylvanian mountains, to visit her firm’s client, Countess Dracula in her secluded castle. An older, eccentric, scientist greeted her into her home that soon became Mina’s prison. But true dread for her life miss Harker only felt upon finding Dracula’s laboratory where she seemingly tried to raise the dead. Driven by fear Mina not so much escaped as was released, but nightmare didn’t end there. For countess was growing short on scientific material in her homeland, and discovered she could find more in that of Mina’s…

My Opinion: After two gender swaps, one role swap, and a whole load of very dull retelling of too well known tales, we got some good shiny pearls. Dracula’s Monster Eve beautifully evolved before our very eyes, bickering with Dracula like one would: from stages of a child versus motherly figure who wasn’t very motherly, then from a stage of a rebellious teenager. Key difference were the actual fights, for Dracula, as often noted, was indeed a fierce warrior, and stood her ground where mortals fell, killing those virtuous vampire hunters left and right. The whole fight against Dracula, betrayals, crossings and double-crossings were written very well too.

So the biggest flaw in this whole book was the need to base such thick portion of it on a tale we all already heard. If author found a way to do so without stepping into old footprints, the book would’ve been a masterpiece. Which leads me to a conclusion that author has much more to show us, and it might be worth keeping an eye out. This book gets a 3 out of 5, yet I still would consider it one of the better ones out there.

book review | Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo | Grisha Trilogy 3

Author: Leigh Bardugo
Title: Ruin and Rising
Series: Grisha Trilogy 3
Genre: Fantasy; Young Adult
Pages: 422
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

It’s nice when books are so enthralling. Finished the Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo with the book “Ruin and Rising” and it was great. Definitely among the best fantasy tales out there.

About the Book: To win against the Darkling Alina requires the third amplifier. It would change everything! Her power would be immense, she’d be the first Grisha to wield three, and… But to find it she needs to uncover long buried past, and untangle secrets that proved too much even for Darkling, hundreds of years old grisha, so unique in his power the title hardly fits. Besides, some secrets are buried for a reason. Alina has no idea how painful they can be.

My Opinion: Darkling is one of the best villains ever written. This book digs a lot into the past, so we get to know his too, of what he was, his childhood, and what could have nudged him onto the path he is on now. Yet my favorite remains Nikolay. I’ve read that the “King of Scars” is about him, so I assume I’ll need to read all of the books in Grisha world. As for the story itself, it was good, sometimes a bit slow, but otherwise – twisting, turning, and throwing surprises out and about.

A good book that finished the trilogy well, with my favorite kind of ending, one that covers a little bit of life after the war. I give it a 5 out of 5, and can greatly recommend it to those seeking not too complex a web in a fantasy, but one that’ll keep you captivated.

book review | Queen Takes Rook by Joely Sue Burkhart | Their Vampire Queen 4

Author: Joely Sue Burkhart
Title: Queen Takes Rook
Series: Their Vampire Queen 4
Genre: Paranormal Romance; Vampire
Pages: 244
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

Finally I got to put my paws on fourth book in Their Vampire Queen series by Joely Sue Burkhart, called “Queen Takes Rook“. Sadly this one’s much slower than the other ones, but the lore is getting better and better.

About the Book: House Skye is infamous with the power and cruelty. And their Queen expects to take Shara Isador, the last of her House, to swear to House Skye and be her sib (sibling, sister). Shara, not caring one bit for the cruelty towards herself or anyone else, especially not her Bloods (knights) sees no other option but to fight, and if push comes to shove – destroy House Skye. But to do so she needs a strategy wrought from iron, for some of her Bloods have Skye blood in them, and thus can be used against Shara and themselves too. And yet, that’s by far not all House Skye has in store for her…

My Opinion: The lore here is truly great. I’d happily read a whole book on how god of light, Ra, is the bad guy here. Be it because he is a bad guy, or because he’s the bad guy for vampires. As the saying goes, we’re all villains in someone’s story. Then there’s whole shifting vampires thing. Some turn to beasts, animals. But others turn to mythological creatures, from unicorns to leviathan dragons. The only true but big complaint I have is the slowness of the plot. There were too many unrelated steps before we finally got to see some vampiric scheming and ass kicking in leviathan proportion.

A good, short, steamy vampire read. 4 out of 5 from me.