The Angel of the Crows by Katherine Addison
My TL:DR Five Word Review : Sherlock Holmes Winged Fantasy fanfic
Okay, so, this wasn’t quite what I was expecting. The original description is very mysterious indeed and certainly intrigued me enough to request a copy even if the author’s name hadn’t already stoked my attention to unusual heights. Here’s a copy of the original description:
‘This is not the story you think it is. These are not the characters you think they are. This is not the book you are expecting.
In an alternate 1880s London, angels inhabit every public building, and vampires and werewolves walk the streets with human beings under a well-regulated truce. A fantastic utopia, except for a few things: Angels can Fall, and that Fall is like a nuclear bomb in both the physical and metaphysical worlds. And human beings remain human, with all their kindness and greed and passions and murderous intent.
Jack the Ripper stalks the streets of this London too. But this London has an Angel. The Angel of the Crows.’
Overall, I enjoyed this and it was entertaining. I do have slightly mixed feelings however – but then, at the same time that feeling is dependent on whether or not this is intended to be a series. If more books are planned then I would put my mixed feelings down to that certain feeling you experience having read the first in a series of books where you’re left wanting more and with gaps in your knowledge that you expect to be filled in as future instalments are forthcoming. If this is a standalone then I’m left with that feeling of not being quite sated but still having enjoyed a revisit with some old storylines and characters. What I am puzzled about is why the whole ‘Sherlock and Watson revamped’ scenario is left off from the blurb. I’m always interested in any reimaginings that include this pair and also usually onboard for anything including Jack the Ripper so putting the two together is a double whammy for me.
What did I really enjoy about Angel of Crows:
This is an alternate London where fantastic creatures live alongside the everyday mundane. Vampires, Werewolves and Angels to name but a few. Holmes and Watson are themselves quite far removed from the original characters in more ways than a simple change of name – here called Crow and Doyle. Crow, for example, is an angel and in truly infuriating style I’m not going to tell you anything about Doyle, other than he’s a military doctor now retired from service following injury. Both of them have secrets. That is all I’m prepared to say. I think writing Holmes as an Angel was a brilliant idea. His character always had a sort of ‘ethereal’ or aloof feel to it in the original stories and he came across as a little detached which is perfectly portrayed here. I loved the friendship that develops between the two and their interactions and the way they support each other. On top of that I loved the idea that Angels are linked to a particular residence which makes me want to go and look up places like the Angel Inn.
Angel of Crows includes a retelling of a number of the original stories and uses the Ripper cases as a backdrop with Crow becoming heavily involved with the hunt for the killer. This allows a common thread to run throughout the story which is also aided by each individual storyline introducing new threads.
In terms of criticisms. I think this might have benefitted by focusing more on one particular story rather than incorporating so many of the originals, it gave the stories a slightly rushed feel. There was also a rather skimpy feel to the usual powers of deduction and reasoning behind Crows assumptions, in fact he had a rather downplayed role in that respect. I would also like to know more about the supernatural aspects of this world – although if this is a series rather than a standalone – that might be further developed in future instalments.
Overall I had a good time with this. I enjoyed the writing and revisiting these characters albeit in a different guise. I think the author’s love for this is also very clear and I would happily read more stories if that is the plan.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 3.5 out of 5 stars
Can’t Wait Wednesday : The Trouble With Peace (The Age of Madness #2) by Joe Abercrombie
10 June 2020
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Can't wait Wednesday, Joe Abercrombie, The Age of Madness #2, The Trouble With Peace, Wishful Endings
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is : The Trouble With Peace (The Age of Madness #2) by Joe Abercrombie (because I loved A Little Hatred). Definitely a woohoo moment.
Conspiracy. Betrayal. Rebellion.
Peace is just another kind of battlefield . . .
Savine dan Glokta, once Adua’s most powerful investor, finds her judgement, fortune and reputation in tatters. But she still has all her ambitions, and no scruple will be permitted to stand in her way.
For heroes like Leo dan Brock and Stour Nightfall, only happy with swords drawn, peace is an ordeal to end as soon as possible. But grievances must be nursed, power seized and allies gathered first, while Rikke must master the power of the Long Eye . . . before it kills her.
Unrest worms into every layer of society. The Breakers still lurk in the shadows, plotting to free the common man from his shackles, while noblemen bicker for their own advantage. Orso struggles to find a safe path through the maze of knives that is politics, only for his enemies, and his debts, to multiply.
The old ways are swept aside, and the old leaders with them, but those who would seize the reins of power will find no alliance, no friendship, and no peace, lasts forever.
Expected publication : September 2020
Top Ten Tuesday – Books I’ve Added to my TBR and Forgotten Who Recommended Them
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme where every Tuesday we look at a particular topic for discussion and use various (or more to the point ten) bookish examples to demonstrate that particular topic. Top Ten Tuesday (created and hosted by The Broke and Bookish) is now being hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and future week’s topics can be found here. This week’s topic is :
Books I’ve Added to my TBR and Forgotten Why Who Recommended Them:
So, if one of these looks familiar and you think you recommended it then let me know, and also, should I still keep it on my tbr?
Summon the Keeper (Keeper’s Chronicles Book 1)by Tanya Huff
Thief’s Covenant: A Widdershin’s Adventure (Widdershins Adventures)by Ari Marmell
Your Brother’s Blood: The Walkin’ Book 1 by David Towsey
Thorn Jack: A Night and Nothing Novel (Night and Nothing Novels Book 1) by Katherine Harbour
Dark Run (Keiko) by Mike Brooks
The Forgotten War by Howard Sargent
Weight of Feathers, The by Anna-Marie McLemore
The Fairest of Them All: A Novel by Carolyn Turgeon
The Light Of The Oracle by Victoria Hanley
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
8 June 2020
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Grady Hendrix, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires
My TL:DR Five Word Review : Southern bookclub meets supernatural horror.
I loved the idea of TSBCGtSV as soon as I read the description and decided to pick up a copy in audio – which turned out to be a great choice. The narration was excellent and I had a really good time with this one.
Patricia Campbell is a mom and housewife in this 90s South Carolina tale. Her life is chaotic as she rushes from one thing to the next in her busy day but at the same time she longs for a little something more, which is how she finds herself joining a book club and making friends. Life seems to be good right up to the point where a neighbour attacks her and tries to bite off her ear, after that, well, things are never quite the same again.
A new neighbour has moved into town, James Harris. James came to look after his elderly aunt and ends up sticking around and Patricia seems strangely drawn to him and to helping him find his feet, even inviting him to take part in the monthly book club meetings, going even further and inviting him into her home. Things are peachy until children start to go missing and Patricia and her friends begin to join the dots and wonder whether the new arrival to town and the disappearing children are coincidental or not.
Dubbed ‘Fried Green Tomatoes and Steel Magnolias meet Dracula’ – this was an entertaining ride, although to be clear, the only resemblance to Dracula is the inclusion of a vampire and a few other supernatural tidbits – which isn’t to say this wasn’t a good read because frankly I had a ridiculously good time with it. Very entertaning. Downright bloody in parts, without doubt creepy as hell on occasion, very creepy in fact, and with an ick factor ending that I never envisaged, and I am talking Ick.
Now, to be sure there are a few little things that I would point out. Annoying things – not deal breakers for me but definite irritants. I all but wanted to punch Patricia’s husband in his face – seriously this guy, and a few of the others annoyed the bejesus out of me. Like I said though, it didn’t stop me being hooked. There was also a bit of a surprising time jump at one point in the story. I really didn’t see that coming and it was a little perplexing at first. But, as mentioned, this book definitely kept me hooked.
In terms of characters, Patricia is the main person we get a feel for and probably the most well rounded although I had no difficulty forming a picture of the others. James is a creepy character, not just because of the fundamental monster that he is but because he’s so self assured. He knows how to play people, how to recognise them, their needs, desires and dreams and he is a player, a con man who basically manipulates people and makes them think he’s the good guy.
What really worked for me with this particular book was that it’s so very different from what I expected. On top of that there is this whole element of crazy, entertaining fun. It might not be perfect. I had a few issues here and there but eagerness to continue with the book was never one of them.
I bought an audio copy from Audible. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4 of 5 stars
#SPFBO : My First Batch of Books
6 June 2020
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Beyond the Sire of Navarene, Chains Carried on Wings, Curse of the Jenri, Heartscale, Incursion, My first batch of books, SPFBO, The Five furies of Heaven
300 books 10 Judges 1 winner
The 1st of June marked the start of the sixth Self Published Fantasy Blog Off (details here.) My Introductory post is here.
As with previous years I’m hoping to read a batch of books each month. I will read at least 30% and hopefully will choose one or two books from each batch to roll forward and read fully and review before choosing semi finalists and a finalist. My book list is chosen randomly and the six books I will be reading this month are outlined below:
The Curse of the Jenri by Stephanie Barr
The world of the Jenri is a dangerous, primitive world, where women are prized as chattel, but the Jenri women, every one from the eldest archivist to the smallest babe, strike fear into battle-hardened mercenary hearts. It is a world where battle steeds are mythical beasts and magic is as deadly a weapon as a sword. Those who wield both are doubly dangerous and those who cross them are thrice damned. The Jenri are mistresses of all these things. If you love one of these marvelous women, you must best her in a contest of her choosing to win her love in return.
These were women who needed no one to take care of them. Until now.
It wasn’t enough that Jenri women had been stolen, including his wife, Layla It wasn’t enough that those who had stolen them had nefarious plans. And phenomenal magic powers. And could escape in seconds. And an underground fortress in the midst of frozen mountains so cold Tander was afraid he’d shatter if he stumbled one more time. It wasn’t enough that he was surrounded by angry husbands worried about their wives and willing to take their tempers out on him if he was leading them in the wrong direction. It wasn’t enough that he was also surrounded by the remaining women from his tribe who were equally angry and more than capable of kicking his butt.
No, on top of all those little issues, he discovered he’s no longer “just” an extraordinary swordsman, but also a great and powerful sorcerer with absolutely no idea how to use his powers. He was not just any sorcerer, either, but one chosen by six tiny kitten familiars who did know how to use his powers and who had no problem telling him. All the time. While they demanded to be carried all over his person, purring and taking inopportune naps. He didn’t want these powers or a flock of noisy but helpful kittens, but he was going to need them. He’d need all the skills and talents he and his companions possess in order to save their women—and Layla.
But we love you, Tander! Solace insisted, purring and licking his neck.
Things have got to get better soon.
Chains Carried on Wings by Marina Ermakova
Saig had always lived on the edge of acceptance. Unlike a proper daughter of the head family, she longed for the freedom of the open woods over the confinement of her home. It was enough to drive away the two people who should, by rights, have been her closest companions.
But her perfect, responsible cousin Auris–destined to be the city’s headwoman and resentful of Saig’s inability to conform–would never be her friend again.
And her surly cousin Trei–aware of how his foreign ancestry undermined his own standing in society–would always look at her as a reminder of their shared differences.
Until a series of mysterious disappearances forces all three of the cousins onto the same side. Driven to protect their city and prove themselves, they join the effort to hunt down the perpetrators. What they find is a trap designed to bring their society crashing down, and the power to reshape their city’s future. There’s just one problem–the three of them have always bitterly disagreed on what that future should look like.
Incursion by Mitchell Hogan
A corrupted power stirs from beyond the grave.
A sacred order of knights sworn to protect the world from evil.
The Necromancer Queen will rise again.
Seventeen years have passed since the Necromancer Queen Talia was overthrown and slain, and her capital city destroyed by the Knights of the Order of Eternal Vigilance.
Anskar DeVantte, raised in the sacred disciplines of the Order, is now ready to face the brutal initiation trials to become a consecrated knight-sorcerer.
But the further Anskar rises in the ranks the more his faith wavers, and he is beset by harrowing dreams and uncertainty. As troubling powers awaken within him, a schism grows between Anskar and his hallowed Order, and he draws the hungry gaze of the vanquished queen’s fanatical followers.
As Anskar pieces together the mysteries of his early life, and begins to understand the malevolent forces gathering in his path, he finds himself with a crucial choice to make:
Remain loyal to the Order’s righteous mission, or control the dark powers growing within him.
Either way, his destiny is steeped in war. The only question is, which side will he be on?
The Five Furies of Heaven by Ashley Capes
Fighting the insect hordes of a malevolent God isn’t easy when you’re a young man with no special talents.
And it’s even harder when a Goddess makes your friends older and stronger – but gives you nothing.
While searching an old temple Kilek and his friends stumble across the Goddess Avendria who transforms them into heroes – all grown up, with weapons, magic, and skills.
But when she gives Kilek nothing at all – nothing except the impossible task of saving the lands – he must fight bitter doubts. Worse, a dark prince is massing his armies and more, agents of other Gods have been set loose in the world.
Only the long-lost dragons can turn the tide but Kilek must find them before it’s too late.
And somehow, he has to do it all without divine intervention.
Beyond the Spire of Navarene by M Warren Askins
Curses, Wards, and Endless Hordes prevent the casual adventurer from getting very far. At least, not without employing a Ranger… and their services do not come cheap.
A Young Knight undertakes an impossible quest deep into the fabled and perilous Fenrirfang in order to protect his sister from a conspiracy that involves the Church that he has sworn to serve.
A seasoned Ranger who believes she has seen everything the wilds have to offer soon discovers that she faces something altogether different with this journey.
BEYOND THE SPIRE OF NAVARENE is the first entry in the DEAD MEN ARE DYING saga. Set in a world where humans born with a celestial mark are instilled with powerful, game-changing abilities. And those without… survive as best they can.
Heartscale by Lola Ford
On one side of the world Graith discovers a dying dragon in his barn. While the country is hunting after the monster, he doesn’t hesitate in doing his best to aid her. Before she is fully healed, Azelia urgently needs to get back to her cave to protect her eggs. Unable to even fly, Graith decides to accompany her, worried of what might happen.
On the other side of the world, where the future ruler is decided by dragons, Nerie is chosen by the Kiriga, the golden hatchling. Raised as a merchant in the middle district of Roria, she’s shocked to learn that she is the king’s bastard. Thrown into a chaotic palace life, she’s forced to balance learning to be princess and being bonded to a dragon.
*******
Finally, good luck to all my authors. Also, a quick mention that if any of you would like to post excerpts over here by way of teasers for other readers then just let me know (if you’ve already left me a comment to that effect I’ll be in touch shortly :D)
Books and travelling with Lynn 