Bookish | Serial Googler

I told you I’ll read this one forever. Too much to mark down, and too much I need to google from it too!

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“Band Sinister” by K.J. Charles

Author: K.J. Charles
Title: Band Sinister
Series: –
Genre: LGBT, Historical Fiction
Pages: 224
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

KJC has treated us to a soft, light-hearted romance, so how could I possibly not read it? “Band Sinister” was my night-time read, something to take my mind off things so I’d not dream work, translations. Instead I finished it at 4am. I REGRET NOTHING!

About: Guy and Amanda Frisbys live in disgrace, at their respectable aunt’s mercy, her charity. She’d like the kids of whom not even their parents seemed to care enough, to disappear or if that is not an option – pretend to not exist by staying in that remote country side, away from London and her respectable daughters in need of good husbands. And so, while Guy toiled away, having nothing better to do, Amanda wrote a gothic novel of a Hellfire club, club of devil worshipers and evil men. And she based the club on a notorious existing club Murder. A member from that club just happens to have some infamous history with their family. And an estate nearby, where he and the club currently reside, doing hell knows what, with hell knows who… One day Amanda doesn’t return from her horse riding, and Guy’s hopes that she merely found something interesting get crushed by the return of the horse, but not his sister. For Amanda broke her leg, nearly bled to death, and is now guarded away from death’s doorstep in no other place than the Murder club house, yes.

Mine: Murder, as most Hellfire clubs that actually did exist in England, consisted out of people who thought differently, and therefore were considered strange, odd, unpleasant, or otherwise – disreputable. From men who were not born such physically, to people whose hearts love many and all, to democrats, free thinkers, political artists who are hunted mercilessly even in this day and age. So imagine such a club, all these diverse characters, suddenly realize they have to behave, because there’s a lady in the house whom they mean no harm, but might very well tarnish her reputation by such an appalling act as staying in the same house as her. It was hilarious to say the least. The plot was predictable, but in a good way, for you want nothing but the best for all those wonderful people written in here.

Loved it. I think this is definitely my favorite book by KJC after Magpies. And since I marked down at least two pages worth of jokes and good thoughts, I can give it no less than 5 out of 5.

Dracul by Dacre Stoker

Author: Dacre Stoker
Title: Dracul
Series: –
Genre: Gothic, Historical
Pages: 512
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

I’m a little overwhelmed. “Dracul” by Dacre Stoker definitely made me re-think all the books about vampire Dracula that I’ve ever read. And it got me real interested in Bram Stoker himself, so I hope to find books on the man, not just articles online that I’ve read extensively for hours after finishing this.

About: The book, at least at the start of it, is a loosely biographical on Bram Stoker. He was a very sickly child, bedridden. At age seven he almost died of fever, saved in a wicked dream by their mysterious nanna Ellen Crone. After he woke up, strong, and even able to get up, all healed and cured, everyone denied any help from Ellen, and claimed he was cured by his uncle and his leeches. Only his sister Matilda believed him. To add to the mystery, nanny herself packed up and disappeared without a word or anyone noticing, leaving kids on a wild investigation full of nightmares and more questions than answers, up until they had to abandon the cold trail. Nanna Ellen was gone for good. But only a few decades later Matilda spotted her in the streets of France, not aged a day, and the nightmares began again.

Mine: The whole search for Ellen Crone reminded me of Kostova’s “Historian“, and annoyed me to no end. There’s a lot of clue following, and a lot of nonsense too, like memories where you can look upon something from a different angle. What’s next, you open a locked door and know what’s behind it, all in a hypnotic memory? Dracul was a very childish and childishly stubborn idiot too, clever in his ways, but making no sense in his actions. There’s a lot of the “you’ll learn to love me” action that bothered me to no end too. And then the whole book was redeemed by author’s final word, which again makes me wonder: is the joke that had to be explained to be funny – really funny?

I will give this book a 4 out of 5, merely because it made me think and research things on my own. Anything that can evoke action or emotion in you in a book – is a well made thing. But honestly, make sure you love gothic classics, and that you don’t mind Kostova’s “Historian“, before picking this one up.

How the White Trash Zombie got her Groove Back by Diana Rowland | White Trash Zombie 4

Author: Diana Rowland
Title: How the White Trash Zombie got her Groove Back
Series: White Trash Zombie
Genre: Horror, Paranormal
Pages: 328
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

I’m having a love-hate relationship with White Trash Zombie series. On one hand, Angel is pretty damn nice character, and the plot at times gets real good. On the other hand, there’s just no click, no hook, I could quit any time and not think twice. And this is fourth book!

About: Saberton corp, the one that tried to make zoldiers, by turning zombies using synthetic brains, just doesn’t know when to quit. But seeing how they figured they lack the brain power (I regret nothing), they kidnapped a scientist from Angel’s zombie tribe. The same one who was trying to help Philip, her zombie baby, the one she had to turn, the one Saberton fed fake brains upon creation. And since his treatment wasn’t concluded upon kidnapping, they’re in a lot of trouble. Gathering up the zombie gang they all make their way to New York, with Philip having ever more intense episodes, and both of their rot not going away. On top of that, their friends got secrets and troubles to solve in New York too, not to mention some scores that need settling with Saberton…  so off to New YooooOOooorrrk! (if you’ve not heard the tune, I’m very disappointed)

Mine: I like Angel, yes. She’s smart in her own way, and is trying her best to improve against all odds. To a point where one too many decisions Marcus makes for both of them, without consulting her, leaves him single. She adjust on the spot, and I like that kind of thinking. And if that’s not enough praise, this petite zombie babe smacked a… a mean lady in the teeth and didn’t even spill her beer! Mind you, mean lady had it coming, and was ready to inflict far more pain and damage than Angel did. I like the new Philip too, he seems interesting, and his episodes are hilarious. I know they probably shouldn’t be, but they are, and it was very funny, and I laughed a lot.

I like it just enough to continue. Plot is fairly fresh, and I do like Angel, but I do hope that ending wasn’t a mad omen. For now, 4 out of 5. Like like like.

Bookish | Two for Joy

Received these two with a note that said “two for joy”, in relation to the theme of the books. These are my very favorite among KJC works (although there’s very many very good books, and Band Sinister is second favorite for sure)

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Rag and Bone by K.J. Charles | Rag and Bone 1

Author: K.J. Charles
Title: Rag and Bone
Series: Rag and Bone 1
Genre: LGBT, Historical Fiction
Pages: 202
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

K.J. Charles just never fails me. Perfect books to get some quality rest, boost, and inspiration. A while ago I’ve read the half-book, prequel to “Rag and Bone“, and now I finished this one. And all I can say is that I’m happy I’m not done with KJC bibliography just yet.

About: Ned was already growing resentful of magic and practitioners. But that peaceful night he was spending with Crispin was faithful. He woke in the middle of the night with strange sound of singing coming from the other side of the building, where a different store was. So Ned got up, ready to roll up his sleeves and instill some manners into whatever hooligans were disturbing his, and his neighbors property and sleep, but upon opening the doors he found hell. There, on the floor, in what seemed to be silent hellfire, his neighboring store-keeper was burning to a crisp, with a disembodied voice booming in a song that no one else have heard. Crispin went to seek help among his colleagues, other practitioners, as reluctantly as ever, for they branded him an unsuitable practitioner himself, and a warlock to that. While Ned conducted his own investigation, left alone to ponder upon all the hardships magic has brought upon the people.

Mine: Oh damn, I want to know more about necromancy! And, if at all possible, I’d like it told by Stephen Day, for he and Esther Gold appear in this book too, with their hilarious banter, and terrifying powers. The detective plot was definitely KJC quality, meaning it was good, and twisted, and turned, and tossed you right off the track enough times to make you believe things that didn’t happen. A damn fine read with scary monsters, and scary magic!

This was a good read. Loved the characters, loved the magic, loved the system from within that we didn’t get to see in Magpie Lord books. 5 out of 5, no less.

Mavericks by Craig Alanson | Expeditionary Force 6

Author: Craig Alanson
Title: Mavericks
Series: Expeditionary Force 6
Genre: Sci-Fi, Military Sci-Fi
Pages: 275
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

I’ve waited, and I’ve waited, and then I got it, and so I’ve read it all in one sitting. Sixth book in the Expeditionary Force by Craig Alanson, the “Mavericks” was maybe not exactly to my liking, since it followed the other humans in space, but it was still a very fine read.

About: Most of the book follows the other surviving humans who now call themselves Mavericks. The ones that didn’t get to escape with Joe Bishop and become part of Merry Band of Pirates. In fact, they don’t even know such one exists. All they know is that them and Hamsters too have figured that the enemy of my enemy might just be my friend. So humans joined their military forces, for that might just be the only thing most of these folk know how to do, and are driven to do too. Not all of them, of course. It’s not like any of them expected anymore to get a lift home, especially since the wormhole by Earth, that has caused Earth so much troubles, has turned dormant. And those who did have hopes soon had them crushed anyway, once the team learned that the enemy has decided to break rules and create a bio-weapon with humans, the ones who call themselves Keepers of Faith, still serving the evil motherf-ckers, being the main carriers and possibly the main targets back on Earth.

Mine: While I really do prefer Joe and Skippy having a banter or two, this book made perfect sense. This side of the story had to be told, and so it is better to see it unfold now, in action, rather than hear about it later, in a monologue. Plus, the writing is really high-quality, and the jokes, the jokes are damn fine, even if they did get more spaced apart.

Yep, this was fun. Not as fun as the previous book, but really, really fun. So I give this one a 4 out of 5, and wait for the next one just as eagerly.

A Queer Trade by K.J. Charles | Rag and Bone 0.5

Author: K.J. Charles
Title: A Queer Trade
Series: Rag and Bone 0.5
Genre: Romance, Historical
Pages: 59
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

Yes, I have full intentions of getting through whole of K.J. Charles bibliography. I was also told that Rag and Bone series are set in the same world as Magpie Lord. So I started at the beginning, with “A Queer Trade“.

About: Crispin is a magician. An apprentice to an old and powerful warlock, who died a couple days ago. Yet the fact has only reached him today, which means he’s already in a lot of trouble. For the family who owns the house is getting ready to flip all they can. They crammed what books seemed important into a tiny little office, and were in a great progress of selling everything else away. They had no intentions on waiting for Crispin, after all, he should’ve known, somehow, that his master is going to die. So, for instance, papers with weird scribbles on the floor got sold to waste vendors. And waste vendors would then sell those to the market sellers, who will then proceed to wrap you produce in those papers. I invite you to imagine the dread that washed over Crispin at this realization: say, you bought a gutted, dead fish, and brought it home wrapped in a blood written spell paper that reanimates dead things… Yes. Chaos erupts, and magical police gets informed, and Crispin is indeed in one hell-ton of trouble.

Mine: As I was reading, I was dreading this is going to be one of those movie stories, where someone tries to get some kind of an object out of market, but copies just keep appearing. But KJC once again proved she’s very good as steering the plot through all the nooks and crannies, and not take the obvious road. It was a great fun. Made even better by appearance of Esther Gold, Stephen Day’s best friend. Really, love that woman. People should listen to her more, and argue with her less.

I really did enjoy this short little tense adventure with unexpected turn of events. So it gets 5 out of 5 from me, and I’m moving onto the full length book next.

Vivian Shaw “Strange Practice” | Dr. Greta Helsing 1

Author: Vivian Shaw
Title: Strange Practice
Series: Dr. Greta Helsing 1
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Pages: 320
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

Been a long time since I had such a pleasure to sit down with a book the way I had with “Strange Practice” by Vivian Shaw. It kept stealing my sleep hours away, because, well, just one page to make sure everyone’s alive still, just one more, oh, here’s to a chapter.

About: Dr. Greta Helsing is in one strange practice. Her hospital is a haven for help and treatments for all kinds of monsters. She makes mummy bones here, she helps ghouls, she prescribes meds for demons, and so on. Her co-workers aren’t humans either. And neither are her friends. Like Lord Ruthven, who is a vampire, and who, one night, calls her in great distress. While Greta was following the news of religious zealots murdering people, one of their victims, still alive due to also being a vampire, came to Ruthven for help. And without Greta’s help, Lord Varney would’ve likely died. But this is only the start of their gathering group and troubles. For deep under London, in dark shelter tunnels there pulses a blue light, whispering…

Mine: While the purpose of the book wasn’t to tell us stories of monsters, it still had a beautiful share of monstrology here, that would lift up the mood on right times. On top of already very well written, suspenseful story, crime detective with supernaturals, epic demons, fallen angels, vampires that’d make Regis, Dettlaff, and even Dracula himself – proud. There were also very scary moments. For, just imagine for a moment, you know this gang of almost supernatural murderers are after you, but you not only have to leave the relative safety of the house and friends who’d kill to protect you, but you have to go down into the dark tunnels to find their lair too, and, well, kill their god. It’s an amazing story, full of amazing, smart, loyal, beautiful characters.

This was so good. I will definitely read another one. Love Greta, love Fass, love Ruthven, and Varney, and that human guy whose name I forgot, sorry, he was great too, really. I really do love a well written friendship, and great written characters. But that’s not all, the story was amazing too, so here’s for the epic win. 5 out of 5, and lemme have the next one!

Night Shift by Charlaine Harris | Midnight, Texas 3

Author: Charlaine Harris
Title: Night Shift
Series: Midnight, Texas 3
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 308
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

Ah, now this is a fine end to my October. With the third and last book in Charlaine Harris trilogy Midnight, Texas, the “Night Shift“, that finally explains the oddness of this little town, full of all kinds of strange people.

About: Something began to stir under Midnight, to move, to wake, right under the crossroad, the intersection. It breaks the weak minds, calls them in, and tells them to die. Then feeds on their blood, stretching, preparing to get up from this forced slumber, and get back to the damned witch who imprisoned him here by destroying her descendants. The descendant just happens to be the local, well loved Midnight witch Fiji. And that’s the thing. This powerful witch is indeed well loved for her kind heart, and delicious sweets. Her friends will stand for her, nails and teeth. And Midnight folk sure do have both of those, what with being all sorts of beings: fallen angels, vampires, weretigers, psychics, assassins… You just don’t mess with the Midnighters.

Mine: If not for the creepy public ritual sex on wet asphalt where so many things have died very recently, and the overload of drama melodrama for closure on all characters, this would have been a perfect book. Oh, well, that and the fact that Charlaine Harris ends with whom she started, meaning her endings are pretty damn lame, and lacking the “this would be less expected” kind of logic most authors have developed already. She seems to be rooting for the guy who never let you know he loves you, as odd as that sounds. Quinn, my beloved weretiger sure does find wrong places to put his heart in. But at least he have made a great father.

This was a pretty damn good trilogy. Maybe not as riveting as Sookies series were, but there was more of Quinn, and more of awesome characters in general. I really enjoyed Manfred, and Barry had a good run too. 5 out of 5 from me, happy to own the won copies.