Sammy Specter: Private Investigator, Public Terror

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

My review on Goodreads

This was a cute, quick read. Sammy Spector is a newly departed detective who has a mission to scare someone to regain his lost reputation when his colleague gets the credit for cases he solved. He settles on a young girl named Shayla who is fixated on *cough* glued to her iPad. It's not as easy as he thought it would be. In the process of trying to scare Shayla, he develops a bond with this young girl whose fixation on electronics is highly detrimental to her.

I liked the story and how Sammy would plot and plan to scare Shayla, but she'd continually outwit him.

The illustrations were lovely, mainly black and white with occasional pops of color. They definitely helped me enjoy this book even more.

This is super short, and it was nice to have something I could finish in a couple of short reads.

Advanced Review Copy provided for review by Netgalley courtesy of Jolly Fish Press.

This is How It Begins

 Witch King by Martha Wells

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

My Review on Goodreads

Kai wakes up in a watery tomb when an upstart poseur magician tries to take his magic. He has no idea how he got there, but he plans to find out. And he's pretty mad when he wakes up. That’s just the beginning as his quest to find answers leads him to forming unlikely alliances to fight a tyrannous kingdom who has taken control over everything that Kai once knew.

Witch King feels epic, yet very personal as it’s through the eyes of an unique viewpoint, a demon who has the power to inhabit the bodies of humans. Demons are not like the Christian concept in this novel. Instead, they are beings who live in the Underearth but are able to inhabit the bodies of mortal, although their eyes are fully black, and they possess unique abilities based on their nature.
So I think they are a very distinct sort of demon. Keep in mind, I am sure that more well read people in this genre may have read more stories with this kind of demon than me. Kai has magic abilities, and gains more when he takes over the body of an enemy.

I really did enjoy this book. But I won’t be dishonest. It was a bit confusing for me. The types of names and the places were hard to keep straight. It didn’t help that I would pick this up and put it down multiple times, as life has not allowed me to have much reading time (and I have so much going on, that it’s harder to focus on a book). It would take me a few minutes to get reoriented when I picked it up again, but I finally decided I didn’t need to pass an exam on what I was reading. Instead I just decided to embrace the experience. Once I did that, it became a lot lower stakes to read it as I could. I was just along for the ride.

I loved that the cultures are modeled after non-European civilizations and there is plenty of diversity (lots of shades of brown and evidence of different ethnicities), along with non-binary and LGBTQ representation.

I really liked Kai. He’s got a very wry sense of humor that I enjoyed. He’s also a complete badass. But he’s not the type whose a bragger about it. He’s just going to do the thing, and hopefully you are not in his way or the person who’s his opponent. I liked the secondary characters. I did get a little bit confused at first on who was whom, but eventually, I got into a rhythm where I was able to read their names and connect the characters to what part they played in the story. I liked how there are different kinds of magical abilities that seem to complement each other. Kai’s ability is very cool and kind of scary, and it gets magnified through different experiences through the book.

I feel like the story starts one way and ends up in an entirely different place, but there is some closure about the initial plot point. The open ending makes me wonder if this would be a series. If it is, I’ll be reading it.

This is not an easy read, in my opinion. It’s going to take some thinking through and focus to read, but it think it’s worth it. I really appreciate Martha Wells’ writing, and I definitely want to continue reading her backlist. I love her sense of humor but also the complexity of her characters.

Advanced Review Copy provided by Netgalley courtesy of Tordotcom for review.

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Love Me Tender

 

Barbarian's Prize by Ruby Dixon (Book 5 in Ice Planet Barbarian's series)

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5.0 stars

My Review on Goodreads

In book five of the "Ice Planet Barbarians" series, almost all of the Earth women who crash-landed on the planet have found their mates with the local species of blue humanoids. Tiffany is far from eager for her turn.  In fact, she just wants to be left alone. The unmated males are buzzing around her like bees around a flower, and she's feeling overwhelmed. Salukh knows that Tiffany is his mate, even if his symbiont hasn’t resonated for her.  He is playing the long game and more than willing to give her time. He is happy to woo her and to be there for her.  Tiffany hates all the male attention, but she feels strangely drawn to Salukh, even knowing it’s not to meant to be. 

Barbarian’s Prize is a short but spicy-sweet romance story.  Spicy in that the love scenes are very frequent and very detailed. Sweet in that Tiffany and Salukh seem to have a very meaningful connection that goes beyond sex, even if the symbiont isn't saying so.  Despite the short length, the characters are well-developed. Salukh’s a gentle giant who would do anything for the woman who has his heart.  Tiffany is a trying to find her feet after a terrible event, and seeking a sense of purpose in her new life on the planet she dubs Not-Hoth (a call out to Star Wars's ice planet Hoth). Despite her issues, she does trust and loves spending time with Salukh, and he grows in her affections with each moment they spend together, getting past her feels and mental barriers against romance. Readers who love a sweet, kind hero who always puts the needs of his heroine first will fall head over heels for Salukh.  Tiffany’s reticence and fears are very understandable, given her past.  Their courtship is well paced as this couple take careful steps into deeper intimacy, rendered in spicy and steamy detail on the page.  The love that develops between them is believable, and Tiffany’s trauma is dealt with in a respectful, caring way. Readers who dive into this series with this book won’t feel confused as the storyline gives context to previous happenings.  

I wasn't in the mood for a book that's primarily focused on sexy times, so I was ready to move on from the love scenes at a certain point, and I wanted a little more plot.   My mind wanted to know more about the planet and if there are other humanoid cultures in other geographic regions.  I want to know how they established their communities on the planet.  I have to remind myself that's not the point of the book.  It's probably also the fact that I haven't been reading as much romance lately and I've gotten used to other parts of the story being equally explored. There's no real external conflict, so if you want a story that's more low stakes, this is for you. That said, I enjoy Dixon's writing.  I love stories about true love winning the day and this definitely fits the bill. Readers looking for a quick, very steamy and heartfelt paranormal romance that spends its time mainly on the couple interactions with a few meaningful interactions with side characters will enjoy this book.   I do plan to read other books in the series, and I'm ready for Josie's story now!

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.

The Ultimate Prey

Out of the Dark by Gregg Hurwitz (Orphan X Book #4)

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

My Review on Goodreads

 I am so in love with this series. Sometimes you are afraid that new books in the series cannot live up to the hype, but with this series, that definitely has not happened for me. I love these books so much, I have reread all the first four at the time of this review. I have the other books, and I am waiting for a good time to dive back into this series. I strongly recommend the audiobook. Scott Brick is brilliant at narrating the books. For me, he's how Evan Smoak sounds.

It's not like Evan doesn't have challenging situations to deal with. It's just that he's just that damn good at what he does. And like the Hulk, you really don't want to get on his bad side.

There are parallel missions running. One in which Evan is tracking his ultimate prey, the President (you heard me right), and helping a young man who has been subjected to the most horrific situation imaginable. I just absolutely love Evan. He's scary as hell, but only if you deserve it. He's the guy you want to have your back, because he will watch your back but good. Maybe it's sadistic of me, but I love watching him rain down the fires of God on the bad guys. What I also love is that while Evan learned to be the perfect killer, his mentor Jack also taught him what love and loyalty is, and that caring man comes out in the choices he makes throughout the book.

Each scene is meticulously plotted and beautifully written. I so want to see this on the big or small screen. One of my favorite scenes is a huge spoiler, but reading it for the second time was just as fantastic as the first.

This is the best action/adventure/thriller series I've read. I love me some Matt Reilly and Scarecrow, but the Evan Smoak series has surplanted it in my mind (sorry Matt, I still love you!) If you haven't read this series, what are you doing? Do yourself a favor and pick up Orphan X right now.

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Untouchable

 The Darkest Touch by Gena Showalter (Lords of the Underworld #11)

My Review:  5 out of 5 stars.

My Review on Goodreads

I'd been waiting for Torin's book from practically the beginning. I love his character. I was a little unsure about things would go with Keeley Cael. But wow, I really loved them together. I wish I had written my review sooner, since I forgot some things. But I do remember being so engaged with the story. It was great to see Torin finally get his happy ending. It must have been very hard to see all his comrades find their mates and be all alone, destined never to have a special someone because of his Demon of Disease. I loved that Keeley was the type of heroine who would have her man's back and vice versa. I love when the couple is equally matched in a lot of ways. If I'm honest, Torin reminds me of Zsadist and a bit of John Matthew from The Black Dagger Brotherhood, and Keely reminds me of a combination of Nix and Regin from Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series. It's probably a big part of why I like them so much. The fact that Keeley is so ancient was a great part of this story. She had some knowledge about things that made her a great asset, but also it's a nice change from a lot of stories where the hero is much older and has more experience of the world than the heroine. I loved their own romance, but also how it fits into the ongoing story and progresses the narrative.

This series turned out to be one of my all time favorites. It's giving me happy feels to think about my glom, even though 2020 was just an awful year. If I ever decide I just want to reread some of my favorite books from the series, I'll definitely be rereading this one.

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Fruiting Bodies

 

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

My Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars.

My Review on Goodreads

I have been on a T. Kingfisher glom since last year, and I don't see it ending anytime soon. I will be real here. I have loved Edgar Allan Poe since I was high school kid and we read some of his stories in class. I was that kid who loved scary, Gothic stories, and I haven't changed much. So this was so innovative retelling of his short novel, The Fall of the House of Usher, was definitely something I wanted to read. I believe I did read the original, or at least a part of it, but I don't remember it. I plan to listen to the audiobook this year to refresh myself. Having said that, I don't think you need to read the original to enjoy this story.

The Gothic atmosphere is flawless. A rotting ancestral manse, and an aristocratic family whose remaining members are dying on the vine. Enter a character who knows nothing about that life, but who is entangled with the remaining two Usher family members through friendship. As the reader, you are immersed in the story by that character's point of view. Along with the trappings of the Gothic, there is also horror of the body and contagious variety. Let me tell you, that is a really sore spot for me. I feel this type of horror on a visceral level. I have a background in biological science, so I know a lot about pathology, infectious disease and microorganisms, so I was cringing so hard when I read this. Having said that, I was entrenched and I was so invested. Kingfisher is very good at description without bogging down the story with details that are unnecessary. There's enough of the setting to draw a mental image and to bring things to life. But she also nailed describing what was happening to poor Madeline in an very visceral way, and how it impacted Easton, our main character. I was rooting for Easton to find a way to help their friends and keep themselves safe at the same time.

A note on the cultural aspects. Kingfisher goes into some detail describing through their own narrative, the background of the lead character, who is non-binary. I absolutely appreciated this. It felt very natural, and was in no way a preachy way of asserting the importance of self-definition as a person and conveying the struggles of those who don't fit neatly into the boxes that humans create for others and themselves. I often had to remind myself that Easton was nonbinary (female at birth but working and living in a masculine space), as their energy did feel a bit more masculine their personality exerts themselves as their own definition of gender. It made some sense as Easton spent more of their life in the military. The aspects of how the Galician (sorry I listened to the audiobook, so the spellings might not be correct) works and how soldiers are by nature non-binary.
was super interesting and enriching to me as a reader.

So let's talk about Fungi. How do you feel about them? Do you have a love or hate relationship to them? I love eating mushooms, but I am somewhat repulsed by fungi in most other ways. I understand their place in the ecosystem but I tend to think of them also as pathogens that invade and destroy. If you are like me or maybe you don't even like to eat mushrooms, be aware! I had to compartmentalize my feelings about my beloved edible mushrooms as I read this book. Having studied the biology of fungi, I am well aware of how they grow and their anatomy, and I had some very disturbed moments as that plays out in this story. I will say no more about that other than to say, wow, this story has such a unique twist.

I would be inclined to give this a 4.25/5.0 stars. I think it's not a five star because it's a little too short. I would have loved to spend more time with these characters. In my heart of hearts, I hope Easton returns for more adventures.

A note on the narrator: I quite enjoyed the narrator's vocal stylings. She made sure every joke by the very funny Kingfisher landed. I enjoy the heck out of dry wit, and there is a lot of that in spades. The observations that Easton made about people through their understanding really endeared this book to me. I laughed so hard while reading this. I am so glad that there is a lot of humor, and also deep emotional caring/investment in this story along with the disturbing body horror aspects.

I recommend reading this if you're not too squeamish. It's far from gruesome or over-the-top, but there are some squicky aspects if you are a germaphobe.

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The River Knows

 Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mehia

My Rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.

My Review on Goodreads

This book was a reminder that sometimes, you have to hang in there. To me, this was a slow starter. And then it gets pretty weird, and I was brought to ask myself what was going on. Maybe it was so different from what I expected and that threw me off. Ultimately, I enjoyed the book, but I had a few issues with it that brought my rating down.

Paola, or Pao as she's called, has a huge chip on her shoulder. However, I do like that she is self-aware of her anger issues and how it makes her relationships with others complicated. Pao has a rocky relationship with her mother, as they are polar opposites. Pao is an empiricist, and is very focused on the scientific method (she is fascinated with space), whereas her mother is spiritually-minded, believes in healing crystals and candles. Pao blames her mother for their poor situation in life, not having a lot of money. Pao comes off as quite bitter at times. This is pretty important to the story as things go along, but it was a bit of a drawback.

The plot had a sense of vagueness that I didn't care for. In general, I learned what was going on behind the phenomena, but I don't feel like the mechanisms were explained enough for me. It was left to a superficial explanation that didn't work for me. I was left with this feeling that the author just wanted us to accept that things could happen because of magic. But there is a natural component brought up that made me wonder if some of the phenomena is not related to the location where it occurs and not just because of magic. I feel like this was a missed opportunity, as Pao, a scientist, conceivably would have wondered about that.

Yeah, I know, I'm over-thinking this book. Having said all that, I appreciate what this book does well. I loved how it shows people of Latinx cultures and how they are not a monolith, although it also shows how there are shared values that are foundational to their community. It's a story of loving your parents and giving them the benefit of the doubt that they are doing the best they can for you even if it doesn't seem like it. I loved the way that the narrative allows Pao to look at how her behavior and attitudes are a form of self-sabotage. That was so important to her growth as a character as she starts out borderline unlikable in parts. It also looks at the importance of friendships in which you are accepted as your authentic self, warts and all. The book also touches on the bigotry experienced by Latinx people, including unjust treatment by law enforcement and a lack of economic opportunities.

I can't say I 100% liked the direction the author took with the La Llorona legend, but it was an interesting twist. Overall, this was an enjoyable book, and I'm glad I was able to get the audiobook from my library, as it has one of my new favorite narrators, Frankie Corso. She's read a few of Silvia Moreno-Garcia books, and I love her voice. There's a lot to recommend about this book, despite any shortcomings. I will always support narratives by people who write about their own culture, and I can't get enough of it. I'll keep reading this series.

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