Review: Tales of a Monstrous Heart by Jennifer Delaney
19 August 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Jennifer Delaney, Review, Tales of a Monstrous Heart
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Mixed Feelings With This One
Tales of a Monstrous Heart has so many things that I was looking forward to and usually love in a novel. A gothic tale with hints of Jane Eyre and a brooding love interest. A world divided where the fae are treated as second class citizens and a return of darkness that brings with it a mystery to be solved before more fae are kidnapped and killed.
Katherine Woodrow is a fey student at the Institute of Magic. Unfortunately she’s usually in trouble with the mortal council who will pounce upon any excuse to try and expel her before she can complete her studies. As the story begins Katherine is once again in trouble and is only saved expulsion by a Mage Partnership offer by the elusive Lord Blackthorn (Emrys). Accepting this offer Katherine and her companion (and shape shifter) Alma take up residence at Blackthorn Manor. Soon enough these two central characters become embroiled in a mystery that both need to solve quickly before the encroaching darkness threatens their way of life.
What I really enjoyed about this. The writing is really good, it kept me hooked. This isn’t a short and snappy style but given the type of story I really liked the attention to detail and I loved all the details about the house.
I really liked the side characters. The house is practically a character itself. And I also have to give a shout out to Thean who is a deliciously wicked character. I liked Alma, Katherine’s constant companion since childhood although I felt she was a little under used and often seemed to appear simply at opportune moments to stage a rescue.
I think the author does a really good job of creating chemistry and tension between Katherine and Emrys, sly glances, hands brushing against each other all clearly leading to forbidden desires.
I found myself a little bit puzzled with the plot and the direction it took and this is an element to the book that I struggled with a little. In one respect I feel like I missed something and perhaps I did and need to go back and have a reread. In the earlier stages there’s quite a bit of history between mortals and fey to take on board and some of this felt a little clunky at times. On top of that I wasn’t always clear about the motivations of all the characters, other than the thirst for power – at any cost. The plot sometimes had a feeling of being simply too much. I would also say that Katherine is quite often placed in very difficult and upsetting circumstances and I didn’t really get a feel that Emrys helped very much – part of me thinks good for Katherine, she’s very capable and doesn’t need rescuing but at the same time I think it would be nice to feel that Emrys would at least speak up for her, which you would expect given he’s her mentor. Perhaps that’s a little wrong of me, clearly the two were playing roles in order to covertly investigate – but even so, it irritated me slightly.
Also, I would just mention that this ends on a cliffhanger which is not something I’m very fond of to be honest.
Overall, I enjoyed this because it’s well written and the characters were quite easy to like but I didn’t feel totally enamoured with it which is what I’d expected and I think the plot in some ways feels a bit convoluted. So, I have mixed feelings. I really like certain elements but others didn’t quite wow me. I can see why this would be popular though so don’t take my little niggles too seriously.
I received a copy though Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 3 of 5 stars
Review: The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
16 August 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Review, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, The Seventh Veil of Salome
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Definitely a Thought Provoking Book
I absolutely love Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s books and so was in no doubt about wanting to pick up The Seventh Veil. This is another story where the author jumps genres this time tackling not just the golden age of Hollywood when it’s obsession with Swords and Sandals movies was at its height but also taking a look at an infamous character from biblical times.
On one hand I wouldn’t say that I loved this one, or at least it’s not my favourite by this author, it took me a little while to get into the story and in fact I set it aside at one point, Salome’s chapters felt very dry and the ending felt a bit anti-climatic after such a build up, then on the other hand the writing is absolutely lush, the storytelling voices are so well done, the author captures the Hollywood period as well as any Director could and the interwoven tales of these three women is so thought provoking. A story within a story with three females all playing the lead in their own productions.
Our three characters. Vera, the young woman who has landed the much coveted role of Salome. Vera has no experience in the film industry and in a way it’s like throwing a tiny minnow to the sharks, a tasty snack at most. Nancy has been trying to make it big for about four years now. She is beautiful for sure but in a place where beauty is around every corner and the opportunity to become famous relies almost on the whim of chance she has become desperate, conniving and bitter. Finally Salome. Another female manipulated by those around her. On top of this we have snippets of interviews and press articles that pretty soon make it apparent that something bad is going to happen
All three women have things in common. Their beauty, which brings with it wanted and unwanted attention, the way they are manipulated by those around them and have little choice. Her whole life Vera has played second fiddle to her sister – the one who was supposed to make it to Hollywood, prettier and more talented (according to their mother). Vera never expected fame in fact she was more comfortable off camera composing music. Thrown into a role she didn’t expect she is treated as little more than an object by those around her. She’s just so lucky – or at least she’s constantly told she is. Nancy, on the other hand, wants fame and fortune so badly that she’s become obsessed with it, she is the one doing the manipulating here but at the same time as massively disliking her and her self entitled expectations I did feel a little sorry for her. In its way, Hollywood has also chewed up Nancy and spat her out. She didn’t make the cut. Salome.desired by men seems to hold some sort of irresistible pull – in fact I did do a little read up about Salome having finished this and her infamous dance of the seven veils, and there is speculation that Salome was only a child at the time, influenced by her mother and not in fact this siren who held sway over any man – perhaps her own story has been manipulated over time to become the one we know today. Another male production with the woman at the centre holding sway and portrayed as a conniving she devil.
In terms of the writing. Well, as I’ve come to expect this is nothing short of beautiful. The depiction of Hollywood is simply brilliant. The way the studios ran the lives of their stars to the nth degree, telling them who to be seen with, what to wear and even where to go in order to be snapped favourably. The place comes alive.
Criticisms. I can’t really criticise the book to be honest. What I would say is that I didn’t enjoy this particular story as much as some of the author’s other work but that’s a personal taste thing more than there being anything to criticise here. I do think the start felt a little laboured and some of Salome’s chapters were a bit dry but it is a very thought provoking and well told tale. If you love this Hollywood period I think you’ll get a real kick out of all the little details with this story.
In conclusion, not my favourite but still a very well told story that gave me plenty of food for thought and I confess I don’t think I’ve probably managed to articulate my real thoughts on these three stories as well as I’d like.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 3.5 of 5 stars rounded to 4
Review : The Wilds by Sarah Pearse (Detective Elin Warner #3
15 August 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Detective Elin Warner #3, Review, Sarah Pearse, The Wilds
My Five Word TL:DR Review : My Favourite of the Series
The Wilds is the third and final instalment of the Elin Warner series that started with The Sanatorium, and then continued with The Retreat and this is definitely my favourite of the three although I still had a few issues here and there.
Elin and her brother Issac are taking a holiday together in Portugal’s national park, the aim to try and mend bridges and reconnect. It soon becomes apparent that Issac has a secondary mission, he’s promised a friend to follow up on the disappearance of his sister (Kier), last seen camping in the spot that Elin and Issac are now staying near. Although Elin doesn’t initially want to get involved her naturally instincts eventually win out and the two find themselves following in Kier’s footsteps and trying to find clues as to where she was last seen.
The story is told in dual timelines. We flit back and forth between Elin and her brother Issac walking the trails over in Portugal and chatting to the residents from a local camp in search of clues and then we jump back to events from 2018 and witness Kier and her boyfriend Zeph, they’re staying in Devon in their camper van whilst awaiting the wedding of Kier’s brother. I found myself really intrigued by Kier’s story, her relationship with Zeph is soon revealed to be abusive and I became worried for her safety.
What I liked about this was the way Pearse creates tension as the relationship between Kier and Zeph starts to fray. Kier begins to question Zeph’s past relationship and starts to look more closely into his comings and goings. I definitely started to feel very worried for Kier.
I was more invested in Elin’s story than I was with the previous two books. She and her brother are looking for clues to a mystery that may (or may not) have taken place a few years ago and with this in mind they’ve become very interested in the local camp who seem to be hiding something. I felt like the focus was much stronger on the mystery with less muddying of the waters with too many personal dramas.
For those who have been following the series the mystery element that has followed Elin is finally revealed. I’m not totally convinced with this element to the story, it just felt messy and a bit convoluted but it does tie up all the loose ends.
Overall, a series that I’ve had ups and downs with but I felt ended on a high.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publishers, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 3.5 of 5 stars (rounded to 4)
Review : A Marriage of Undead Inconvenience by Stephanie Burgis
14 August 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: A Marriage of Undead Inconvenience, Comedy of Manners, Gothic, Review, Stephanie Burgis, Vampires
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Good Things in Small Packages
Stephanie Burgis is an author who never lets me down and I have to give a little shout out for her Regency Dragons Series which I absolutely love, Scales and Sensibility and Claws and Contrivances. She’s a wonder at quirky comedy of manners type series and combining period charm with fantasy elements. I couldn’t wait to tuck into A Marriage of Undead Inconvenience and discover her latest concoction involving a vampire and his new wife.
Set in the Victorian period (I think, my knowledge of such is sketchy so feel free to correct me) which feels fitting given that the hullabaloo surrounding vampires seemed to really boom around that time, the story brings to us two very easy to like characters. Lord Riven of Shadowcroft Manor, the said vampire of our story, finds himself married, in a very hasty fashion to Margaret Dunhaven, who has equally been pushed into this most unlikely arrangement – she’s furious and the fact that a decent cup of tea is impossible to locate, well, tempers are frayed to say the least.
Margaret and Lord Riven, soon discover that although, on the face of it, their marriage seemed imperative, it now appears that they both may have been duped and once the outrage simmers a little they set out on a little adventure in search of freedom.
I don’t want to say too much about the plot. What worked for me with this particular story was the two central characters. Margaret is a forthright, speak your mind, woman and an academic constantly in search of knowledge whose hustle and bustle creates some crazy situations. Lord Riven is a long lived vampire who has a very interesting backstory surrounding a gem known as the Rose of Normandy, not to mention he has an almost inexhaustible supply of patience which does come in very handy.
This is a little gem of a story. Beautifully written, captivating and with a budding romance slowly steeping between our two main characters. My only real complaint – like Oliver, I would like more please. I’m rather hopeful that this is a precursor to something else coming our way. This world and these characters could easily blossom into their own full length novel or maybe a series of adventures combining Margaret’s smarts and Lord Riven’s knowledge of history. Please lets make it happen.
I’ll end this here – this is a short story and a little dinky review – the length is certainly not a reflection of my feelings for the story – this is a gem.
I received a copy courtesy of the author for which my thanks The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4 of 5 stars
Review : The Drowning House by Cherie Priest
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Slow Building, Atmospheric, Character Led
I’ve had a little time to reflect on The Drowning House and I think that has helped me to really get my thoughts into order, although I’m sure this review will still morph into a rambling mess. So, to explain my short review above, this story does have a slow build up, which gives the author time to really set the scene. There is certainly plenty of atmosphere and chills and some, lets face it, outright horror and yes, this is a character led story with a couple of childhood friends, flung back together, not in the happiest circumstances that brings all their petty rivalries and jealousies to the fore before they can knuckle down and band together.
The story gets off to an incredible start. A terrible storm washes a derelict house up onto the beach, the owner of the beachfront, Mrs Culpepper appears to have died in shock, and her grandson Simon has disappeared mysteriously without a trace, but not before calling his childhood friend Melissa for help. Melissa and Leo – the other prong of this threesome friendship – appear at the house and try to take a look in the immediately obvious places to see if they can locate Simon. The local law enforcement are not really interested as Simon hasn’t been missing long enough to be classed as a missing person and they think he’s probably just staying with a friend, but Melissa and Leo know that he wouldn’t have simply abandoned his gran’s body on the beach. They do eventually take a look round the abandoned house, although it’s dangerous and ominous in equal measure. Baffled they return to Mrs Culpeppers house, determined to form a plan.
The story flits back and forth between the childhood versions of the three, spending seemingly idyllic holidays at the beach on this remote island. It immediately becomes clear that Simon was the glue that held the three together and also caused an almost competition of who he would like the most between Melissa and Leo, eventually leading to them drifting somewhat apart, although both remained in contact with Simon. Some of this resentment works itself into the story, the two almost competing again, determined to be the one to stay and find Simon, that is until they realise they’re going to really need each other.
The writing is superb. Priest has such a way with words, the descriptions, the dialogue, her ability to create atmosphere and tension and lets not forget the eventual horror. I did mention this is slow build and I did experience a little lull in momentum around the middle of the book, but then I gave my head a wobble and decided that patience is a virtue. I feel like I’m always trying to rush to the end of the book with indecent haste rather than savouring the words and sentences and the feelings they provoke. I can’t help but wonder when this happened really. I feel like the pacing of a book has become the key focus and this isn’t necessarily the case, it’s also about the momentum and, well, yes, the build up. Priest also has a way of not spoon feeding the reader, I don’t know if I’ve figured everything out about this story, even now, after giving it a deal of thought, but I like that this has made me think about it for so long after completion. And this was the same with another recent read by this author, Cinderwich, which was incredibly thought provoking. Anyway, I digress.
I loved the dual timelines, watching the three grow and eventually drift a little apart but determined to still hang on in there. Observing the three in childhood it soon becomes apparent there is more to Simon’s gran than originally meets the eye, not to mention something very unusual about the house in which she lives. All will eventually be revealed and I loved the twist in this respect.
This is a story that combines horror and the supernatural. It’s not a slasher fest so don’t be expecting that but it is definitely horror soaked nonetheless. I loved the inclusion of nordic type folklore and this strange almost unexplained evil. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure I have a complete grasp of the ‘evil’ here but I don’t think that was the real point of the story (or at least that’s my take home from this). At the end of the day this feels like a revisiting and settling of old scores, both on the part of Mrs Culpepper and the secrets she and her house were keeping, and also of these two old friends who came together in a most tetchy fashion until they realise their friendship is stronger that they thought and might be the only thing that keeps them alive.
So, to recap. Two spooky houses, both haunted not only by the past but actual ghosts that have been tormented along the line. A desperate search for answers. An evil and goosebump inspiring character that is definitely trying to break through some boundaries, for which he needs to get into Mrs Culpepper’s house. Two characters coming together and putting old rivalries to one side. A frantic madcap rush, during a storm no less, to try and thwart something catastrophic. Definitely not a ‘wham bam’ style story so if you want breakneck pacing then this might not be for you but I found myself desperate to know what was happening and I loved the writing and the chaotic ending. It’s slightly bittersweet in certain respects but I’m not going to say why.
Anyway, I can’t wait to see what Priest comes up with next.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4 of 5 stars
Books and travelling with Lynn 