book review | Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir | The Locked Tomb 2

Author: Tamsyn Muir
Title: Harrow the Ninth
Series: The Locked Tomb 2
Genre: Fantasy; Sci-fi
Pages: 512
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

Holy… I’ve noticed there’s “Harrow the Ninth” by Tamsyn Muir, second book in The Locked Tomb, already out, so I grabbed it. Remember in the last review I said I love me a good book on necromancy? Well, score two.

About the Book: When Deathless Emperor beckons – you come. Even if he’s drafting you into a war you could only win in your dreams, and even then – unlikely. And it absolutely does not matter that you barely just rose above being the last necromancer of your house, that your body is failing and trying to fall apart, that you’re nauseated and can’t trust any of your tools, even your damn eyes. Nor does it matter that you’re possessed by an angry spirit. Or several. Death is everywhere at all times. So what’s a few more crumbs to the tar of demise? The only true question here is, should you let go or must you fight?…

My Opinion: I don’t even know where to begin. Harrowhark is barely keeping her head above the water. Even in the previous book she put all her efforts into survival – small house, little power, not enough of anything new, not yet chewed up or sucked dry, with other houses trying to swallow you whole at all times, no one to trust. And now it’s a voyage to unwinnable war with the Deathless Emperor, Teacher. Imagine a gothic tale full of decadent nobles in haunted surroundings full of spirits and walking skeletons alike. And now put that into space, spaceship. All while hopping around, killing planets, fighting monsters, entities. Insane.

It’s a colossal tale. The only thing I didn’t like was the way it was told. But when such things are being told – I’m prepared to suffer. A 5 out of 5, firm.

[IG| IG.LT]

book review | Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir | The Locked Tomb 1

Author: Tamsyn Muir
Title: Gideon the Ninth
Series: The Locked Tomb 1
Genre: Fantasy; LGBT Literature
Pages: 448
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

This might be the first time I call a book atmospheric. In the best sense of the word. “Gideon the Ninth” by Tamsyn Muir is something entirely else, and everything I ever wanted from a book about necromancers.

About the Book: There lies a stone on a tomb, placed there by a God Emperor, and nine houses of necromancers pray daily it never rolls away. Nobody knows what or who lies within, but they all know Emperor could only save Universe this once. Yet… The houses are crumbling, power is getting diluted, weaker, if appears in the lineage at all. So when Emperor calls his necromancers and their cavaliers for a trial that could grant them power and immortality, not one hesitates. Among them stands the mysterious living reverent daughter Harrowhark of Ninth house, and her cavalier Gideon the Ninth. They might just need this resurrection of power the most. But the game requires the pair to work together. And these two loathed one another from the cradle…

My Opinion: Epic Fantasy and Sci-Fi. Necromancers who are afraid of travel in deep space for there is just no death there. A murder house with no one to trust. And desperate need to get this power, to wash away the sins, the stains of their name. Schemes, secrets, all kinds of buried nasties, and locked away constructs. It was like a good Agatha Christie book, but with planet-wide clans, and constant requirement of bones and blood to be present, accompanied with deep atmosphere weather. It sounds like a lot, but it really wasn’t. Author successfully contained it all within one house, and well timed confessions.

I can’t wait to lay my hands on the next one. 5 out of 5 for this one, and I highly recommend it to those who want a different tale.

book review | Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell | Simon Snow 2

Author: Rainbow Rowell
Title: Wayward Son
Series: Simon Snow 2
Genre: YA, Fantasy, LGBT+
Pages: 356
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

Gotta love those rare-ish books that make you shift your schedules just so you could get to know what happens next. Such was “Wayward Son” by Rainbow Rowell, second book in Simon Snow series or trilogy. If I tell you the book felt “summerish” will you know what I mean? The book you want to have for summer, with which you can imagine you too can do nothing but lay back and read?

About the Book: Simon’s ex is in trouble. Apparently she got lured into a cult. And while it’s not yet clear for what purposes, it’s truly clear she needs help. So, Penny, Baz and Simon go on an adventure in America, a magical wilderness with no magical laws. And not for all the sights and experiences, no, truly, just to save their friend! Yet, they neither weighted the distances right, nor the dangers that lurk in that magical wild-wild-west. From vampire gangs, to shifters, to dragons, to handsome young Normal guys who know too much of their magical world…

My Opinion: The book is brilliant in its simplicity. A little gathering of fandom easter-eggs. A wind-in-your-hair summer adventure, a road trip with the best of people. And new, unpredictable events behind every corner and turn.

Just the right kind of book for me now. A strong 5 out of 5.

book review | Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab | Cassidy Blake 2

Author: Victoria Schwab
Title: Tunnel of Bones
Series: Cassidy Blake 2
Genre: Paranormal Literature
Pages: 304
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

I don’t know what it is with Victoria Schwab, but so far I have loved all her books. Therefore I am quite happy there’s still some books I’ve not read. Like “Tunnel of Bones“, second book in Cassidy Blake‘s series.

About the Book: Cassidy’s parents have a unique opportunity to film a show of paranormal places. And so the girl is spending her summer vacation in Paris. In catacombs. Filled with restless spirits. With only her ghost best friend to watch her back, and warn her. One of the spirits, that of a little boy who seemingly died down here, grows different upon contact with her. He grows stronger, more powerful, apparently now able to manipulate real world in a much larger scale, and even pull her into the veil. Cassidy must find a way to send him on, and do so very, very fast.

My Opinion: It was a very nice and light read, full of very well written characters. And while the book is meant for a much younger audience, it was plenty entertaining to me too. There’s just that little something about Schwab’s works.

I liked it a great deal. Victoria Schwab has a very unique writing style that, luckily, isn’t as polarizing as Murakami’s, where you hate it or love it, and there’s no in between. I’m sure there’s something in her vast bibliography that would suit everyone. A strong 5 out of 5.

book review | The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings by Lily Morton | Black and Blue 1

Author: Lily Morton
Title: The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings
Series: Black and Blue 1
Genre: Paranormal, LGBT Romance
Pages: 301
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

“The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings” by Lily Morton, not even a full chapter in, became my slow read. It wasn’t bad, no. It was just full of angry, murderous ghosts!

About the Book: Levi Black inherited a beautiful house in York. Abandoned due to scary reputation it stood there waiting to sooth the man after a painful break-up. Levi’s joy to have a home like that stands firm when contractors run scared, and guests flee before dark. Even the clear footsteps, all enveloping darkness, and strange chuckling heard from it are barely getting through at him. But once locked doors start swinging open, things slam into walls, and it becomes evident the house owner, the dead one, yes, wants him out – dead or alive – Levi looks around for some help. Lucky for him, the blue haired man leading Ghost Tours past his house might just have an answer or two.

My Opinion: At times the plot seemed a bit dragged, and the cliche events for character development, such as “let’s argue because we misunderstood one another” and “a wild ex appears, uses charm” didn’t help either. But then, the story is filled with thriller-like detective, scary ghosts, characters running for their lives, barricading themselves in rooms, and otherwise having scary kind of fun.

In general, I think it’s worth it to forgive the current hiccups due to this being the first book. I can give it a 4 out of 5, and will read the next.

book review | “Grave Importance” by Vivian Shaw | Dr. Greta Helsing 3

Author: Vivian Shaw
Title: Grave Importance
Series: Dr Greta Helsing 3
Genre: Urban Fantasy; Vampires
Pages: 397
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

“Grave Importance” by Vivian Shaw concludes the wonderful Dr Greta Helsing trilogy. I’m going to miss them all very dearly.

About the Book: Down in hell, Greta’s good friend demon Fass is trying to detangle the mess his predecessor left. Somewhere in all this data there’s an answer as of why is the veil of reality thinning so rapidly, and where it originates from. Lucky for him, their common friend Lord Ruthven catches a nasty curse during his travel with the newly found beloved boyfriend, and only the hell’s very own dr Faust can help; where in return Ruthven can help Fass. Greta, in the meantime, is having her own troubles upstairs on Earth. Entrusted to take care of the mummy resort, she’s overloaded with work and stress. Mummies seem to be having a strange attack of random faintness. All well and good if the mummy is sitting or laying down. But what about those in motion? One such she had to fix for strenuous hours, and swore to herself she’ll reach the bottom of this…

My Opinion: Characters are just absolutely wonderful and lovable, and thus will be very greatly missed now that the great tale of infernal adventures have ended. The story itself is good too, very fitting lazy reading, taking it on a slower pace than it is told, which again makes me sad, for I don’t have another book like this I could take my time with.

A masterful piece. Strong 5 out of 5 and then some.

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 | Heaven’s Door by John G. Hartness | Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter 6

Author: John G. Hartness
Title: Heaven’s Door
Series: Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter 6
Genre: Paranormal, Dracula
Pages: 120
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

Hell and damnation, I did it again. So, I’ve read Heaven’s Door by John G. Hartness, which is sixth book in Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter series. I’ve done so because I’ve already read and reviewed the fifth book, it turns out. As first. And then connected whichever two from the omnibus. Please read the titles of the books carefully and don’t do my stupid mistakes. Though, must say, didn’t take anything out of the goodness of these damned books.

About the Book: Some Big and Bad just refuses to leave. Instead it scratches at the door, trying to let the whole hell into Earth instead, like a very mean and annoying cat. Quincy has dealt with this demon before, and yet here it is again, additionally angry for having its plans mucked up the last time, and additionally dangerous, for Quincy has way more to lose than ever before.

My Opinion: If Dean Winchester and Skippy the Magnificent had a baby, Quincy Harker would be he. He’s real witty, funny, dark, broody, seems to have a healthy attitude towards his job, and sometimes goes onto tangent of telling people who understand less what they can do, where they can go, and such. There’s great geeky references all over the place too, implying he’s secretly into more things than he lets us know, and Dracula, his uncle Luke that is, is as badass as always. Man, I love these books.

Right, these go right on my to-buy list for someday, since audiobooks and library copies won’t cut it. 5 out of 5, and I’m off to get me the 7th one.

book review | Dracula | Hell Freezes Over by John G. Hartness | Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter 4

Author: John G. Hartness
Title: Hell Freezes Over
Series: Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter 4
Genre: Dracula, Paranormal
Pages: 125
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

Not gonna lie, I’ve read this book a while ago (doesn’t apply to patrons, who get reviews same day I read the book), around the same time I finished the previous one in the series. Must say, I’m very happy that “Hell Freezes Over” by John G. Hartness, fourth book in Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter series, is not yet the last one. What will I do after this? Does anyone have any humorous books about vampires to recommend??

About the Book: Someone’s killing entire families with demonic possession. Each time the focal point is a holy object, which speaks volumes of the power this psychopath possesses. And that’s the confusing part. For, you see, magic like that leaves behind traces, demonic corruption. But Quincy can’t find a damn speck of it anywhere!…

My Opinion: Ah, sneaky book is sneaky. To the very last pages I had no clue what was doing this, and then, once shown, I had my doubts on survival rate of the present on scene. The only thing I truly missed in this book was Dracula, of whom there was little. But I guess I can’t complain, since previous book was mostly about him.

As I said before, this book reads the way Supernatural series feels. Don’t get me wrong, there’s little to no similarities in the plot, but it’s similar kind of shallow humor, with bigger, better jokes intertwined, lots of caring for one another while not putting it out there, and so on. Once again, a 5 out of 5 from me. I’ll hit the breaks on reading the next one though, since I figured I really need to spare the good stuff a little more.

tag | Vampire Protagonists

Summer to me is very much a vampire time. Autumn is too, so I basically spend half a year wanting to read vampire books, even if I don’t read all that many of them. Mostly because it’s a bit hard to find good ones that aren’t just fifteen books of cheesy series with vampires who are almost humans with high metabolism and tendency to drink blood, if you get my drift. So, in hopes to find more, here’s a little tag from me to you. If you’re reading this, you’re automatically tagged, okay? Link me in the comments below or tag me, basically just inform me any way you can, so I can fill out my TBR with bloodsuckers! (Q’s and A’s are separate to make it easier for you to copy/paste)

The Summer Vampire TBR Tag:

1. The Pride – LGBTQIA+ vampire or at least a book containing them.
2. The VoC – Vampire of Color, bonus points if main character!
3. The Classiest – Classic-type trope vampires, the fear of garlic, sun, etc.
4. The Unique – The least classic-type vampires, or otherwise unique bloodsuckers.
5. The Human – The most human vampires, and why or how are they so.
6. The Monster – The least human, monstrous vampires, why or how they’re so.
7. Underloved – Vampires who deserve more love than they got!
8. Overrated – Vampires who don’t deserve the love they got!
9. Dracula – Favorite book about or with Dracula in it!
10. Dead Crush – The vampire I had a crush on is…
11. I, Vampire – If I was a vampire, I would…
12. The Last – The last vampire book I’ve read is, and the vampire(s) in it…
13. The First – The very first vampire book or book with a vampire I’ve read is…

The Summer Vampire TBR | My Answers:

1. The Pride – LGBTQIA+ vampire or at least a book containing them.
   From the top of my head I can name three. First being Blackwood’s Farm by Anne Rice with its protagonist Tarquin Blackwood coming out as bi. Then there’s Parasite Life by Victoria Dalpe with protagonist falling in love with a girl, though sexuality is not specified there. And the third is Joely Sue Burkhart series of which I’ve read first three, Their Vampire Queen. The Queen in question is polyamorous and the dynamics are beautiful.
   
2. The VoC – Vampire of Color, bonus points if main character!
   I am deeply ashamed to say that I don’t recall any protagonists of color. But I know for certain there were VoC in both Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice and in Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris.
3. The Classiest – Classic-type trope vampires, the fear of garlic, sun, etc.
   Hm, this one’s easy too. First would be Dr Greta Helsing series/trilogy by Vivian Shaw. Then, one of my favorite comedies, The Unattractive Vampire by Jim McDoniel. And, of course, Anno Dracula series by Kim Newman.
   
4. The Unique – The least classic-type vampires, or otherwise unique bloodsuckers.
   The Gilded King by Josie Jaffrey, a very unique book in itself. Empire V by Victor Pelevin, a strange breed that feeds not just on blood, but also on a thing they call “bablos“, which seems to be the essence of… Well, money.
5. The Human – The most human vampires, and why or how are they so.
   Chicagoland Vampires by Chloe Neil. Just a bunch of humans who are immortal and occasionally drink blood. Like, in between heavy meals because hey, vampire metabolism. Apparently.
6. The Monster – The least human, monstrous vampires, why or how they’re so.
   The Strain trilogy by Guillermo del Toro. Not gonna lie, I’m not a fan of creatures like that, but the idea was pretty damn great.
7. Underloved – Vampires who deserve more love than they got!
   Yulric Bile from An Unattractive Vampire by Jim McDoniel. That bastard was too evil to stay dead. But the mess he gets into would rival What We Do In the Shadows! It’s hilarious!
8. Overrated – Vampires who don’t deserve the love they got!
   Edward Cullen from Twilight series. And then possibly Lestat. Chronicles are FULL of really great vampires, and this one just happens to set the tune for them all for no real reason. And those guys from The Fevre Dream by George R.R. Martin. I noticed it got hype recently, and I’m not quite sure why. The book is mighty damn dull.
9. Dracula – Favorite book about or with Dracula in it!
   Night Prince series by Jeaniene Frost!
10. Dead Crush – The vampire I had a crush on is…
    Other than Dracula, you mean? Eric Northman and Pam Swynford de Beaufort, I guess, from Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. And Cian Mac Cionaoith from Circle Trilogy by Nora Roberts. No I have no shame.
    
11. I, Vampire – If I was a vampire, I would…
    I’d do what Lestat’s mother did. Go roam the deepest jungles, caves, explore!
12. The Last – The last vampire book I’ve read is, and the vampire(s) in it…
    Sadly The Strain Trilogy by Guillermo del Toro.
13. The First – The very first vampire book or book with a vampire I’ve read is…
    Now that’s a hard question. Yes, I know I wrote it… Since I hated school readings, and so read Dracula sometime on my own later, I think it might really be Blackwood’s Farm by Anne Rice. Other than the mentions of vampire cities in Swords And Deviltry by Fritz Leiber books.