Can’t Wait Wednesday: Ring the Bells (Stranger Times #5) by CK McDonnell
9 July 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Can't wait Wednesday, CK McDonnell, Fantasy, Ring the Bells, Stranger Times #5, 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: Ring the Bells (Stranger Times #5) by CK McDonnell. I absolutely love this series and have devoured the previous four books. Here’s the cover (although this might not be the final cover at this point) and description:
Christmas. It’s the most magical time of the year, but nobody ever said that was a good thing . . .
When a well-meaning book group turned witches coven attempt to perform a ritual of peace, they get a whole load of anything but. Meet Zalas, a chaos-loving old god who is the reason a university librarian apparently slaughtered the rest of her book group. The Stranger Times is hot on his trail, but it’s hard to track down a being that can pass from person to person just by touch. And contact with this demonic visitor leaves his unwitting hosts bewildered and, more often than not, covered in blood. The team are trying to track him down and also trace the mysterious book that was used inadvertently to summon him. It seems the book group were unwitting patsies, but who would benefit by unleashing a force of sheer chaos?
Mind you it’s not exactly plain sailing for Zalas. The modern world’s proving tricky to navigate. Back in the good old days, all he needed to do was demonstrate his capacity for spectacular violence and followers would flock to him. Now everybody runs away screaming.
Like all gods, to thrive and survive he needs believers, but people don’t seem to believe in anything anymore. And as he passes from host to host he can’t find any faith to latch onto unti, that is, he meets Barry Fearns, a down-on-his-luck Santa Claus at Wonderama, the disastrous ‘Christmas experience’ that’s coming soon to a consumer affairs TV programme near you. Thanks to Zalas, it’s transformed into a magical place where dreams really do come true. Because children are the last true believers and Zalas has found a way into their little hearts. Returning home, they find all their Christmas wishes granted – from unicorns and dinosaurs to grandad visiting, even though he died last year . . .
As Zalas’ power grows and grows, the Founders struggle to contain the alarming amount of magic spewing forth into the world and Banecroft and the Stranger Times gang are in a race against time. Because on Christmas eve, when the bells toll, Zalas will gather his followers unto him and when he does, he’ll be unstoppable.
Someone is coming to town and he certainly isn’t jolly. Can The Stranger Times crew save not just Christmas but possibly the entire world as well?
Expected publication: October 2025
Review: A Far Better Thing by HG Parry
3 July 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: A Far Better Thing, Book Review, Books, Fae, Fantasy, HG Parry, Review
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Brilliant. No Further Words Needed
I thought I was going to love this, I loved The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door and I was excited to pick this up – and, I did love it, literally, it didn’t disappoint.
Firstly, I haven’t read a Tale of Two Cities – although I confess this book actually makes me wish to do so. So, I have no idea how this story ties in to the Dickens tale. However, I had such a good time reading this. Parry writes with confidence and panache. I love her style, this read like a period novel, not necessarily with the wordiness and antiquity but with a flavour of the times and an ease of reading. I mean, you have to love an author that gives you a feel for Dickens but with a more modern take. I really enjoyed this.
Secondly, I’ve read and loved two books now by this author, so, literally, HG Parry is on my list of authors to watch.
So, I’m not going to talk of the plot. At all.
What I loved.
The writing is exquisite. I loved the writing. I mean, I really enjoyed reading this. I’m really excited to see what this author comes up with next.
The characters, you care about them. They’ve, for the most part been pretty much mistreated by the fae and, in fact, continue to be so. Some of them are the fae, changelings in fact, and yet they’re not aware. How complicated is it really?
The setting is a perfect period setting. It feels Dickensian in so many ways. The dialogue, the description of places, the slums, the ways of life, the discrepancies between those with and without, and then of course the move to France and the Revolution.
The fae are perfectly hideous. They’re all about the long game. Plotting and planning and downright nasty. I loved them.
Overall, I loved this, I can’t recommend it enough. If you want a period feeling novel dripping with fae machinations you simply have to read this.
I received a copy through Netalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber
2 July 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Alchemy of Secrets, Book Reviews, Books, Can't Wait Wedesday, Fantasy, Stephanie Garber, 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: Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber. Here’s the cover and description:
The HOTLY ANTICIPATED adult debut novel by the beloved, #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING author of the Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart series: a contemporary fantasy kicking off a brand new series!
It starts with a class in an old movie theater.
Folklore 517: Local Legends and Urban Myths, taught by a woman called the Professor. Most students believe the Professor’s stories are just fiction, but Holland St. James has always been convinced that magic is real. When she tracks down a local legend named the Watch Man, who can supposedly tell you when you’ll die, the world finally makes sense. Except that the Watch Man tells her she will die at midnight tomorrow unless she finds an ancient object called the Alchemical Heart.
With the clock ticking, Holland is pulled deeper into this magical world in the heart of Los Angeles—and into the path of a magnetic stranger. Everything about him feels like a bad idea, but he promises Holland that her sister sent him to protect her. As they chase clues and stories that take them closer to the Alchemical Heart, Holland realizes everyone in this intoxicating new world is lying to her, even this stranger. And if she can’t figure out whom to trust, not even the Alchemical Heart will save her.
Expected publication: October 2025
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
22 June 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Booking Ahead, Books, Books Bones and Buffy, Caffeinated Book Reviewer, Fantasy, Sunday Post, Weekly wrap up, What's on my Plate
Books read this week:
This week my reading and blogging has been slow – but this is because we have a visitor and will also have another visitor next week so time seems to simply fly. I’m still listening to Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry – I’m going to go against popular opinion with this one and say I’ve not fully bought into this one yet. There’s still time though so who knows. I finished Swordheart by T Kingfisher and absolutely loved it, so I now have two series that I’m desperate to continue with – both by Kingfisher. I am now reading A Far Better Thing by HG Parry – and I’m loving it. I’ve literally read over 30% in one sitting so I think I’ll make good progress with this one.
Next Week’s Reads:
Hoping to complete A Far Better Thing by HG Parry, I’m also confident that I can fit Paved With Good Intentions by Peter McLean in, and time allowing I’ll be listening to some more of Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry.
Reviews Posted:
- The Bodies by Sam Lloyd
Outstanding Reviews
- Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito
- Swordheart by T Kingfisher
That’s it for me this week, what have you been up to, any good books to shout out about. Let me know.
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Snake Eater by T Kingfisher
11 June 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Books, Breaking the Spine, Can't wait Wednesday, Fantasy, fiction, Horror, reading, Snake Eater, T Kingfisher, 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: Snake Eater by T Kingfisher. Because – Kingfisher!!
Here’s the cover and description:
In an isolated desert town, a young woman seeking a fresh start is confronted by ancient gods, malevolent supernatural forces, and eccentric neighbours. A witty horror-tinged fantasy, perfect for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Chuck Tingle, and Rachel Harrison.
When Selena travels to the remote desert town of Quartz Creek in search of her estranged Aunt Amelia, she is desperate and short of options. Fleeing an unhappy marriage, she has exactly twenty-seven dollars to her name, and her only friend in the world is her dog, Copper.
On arrival, Selena learns Amelia is dead. But the inhabitants of Quartz Creek are only too happy to have a new resident. Out of money and ideas, Selena sees no harm staying in her aunt’s lovely house for a few weeks, tending to her garden and enjoying the strange, desolate beauty of the desert. The people are odd, but friendly, and eager to help Selena settle into her new home.
But Quartz Creek’s inhabitants share their town with others, old gods and spirits whose claim to the land long predates their human neighbours. Selena finds herself pursued by disturbing apparitions, visitations that come in the night and seem to want something from her.
Aunt Amelia owed a debt. Now her god has come to collect.
Expected publication: November 2025
Books and travelling with Lynn 