Monday, 31 January 2022

A Snake Falls to Earth - Book Review

 

A Snake Falls to Earth
by Darcie Little Badger

What is it about:
Nina is a Lipan girl in our world. She's always felt there was something more out there. She still believes in the old stories.

Oli is a cottonmouth kid, from the land of spirits and monsters. Like all cottonmouths, he's been cast from home. He's found a new one on the banks of the bottomless lake.

Nina and Oli have no idea the other exists. But a catastrophic event on Earth, and a strange sickness that befalls Oli's best friend, will drive their worlds together in ways they haven't been in centuries.

And there are some who will kill to keep them apart.

Darcie Little Badger introduced herself to the world with Elatsoe. In A Snake Falls to Earth, she draws on traditional Lipan Apache storytelling structure to weave another unforgettable tale of monsters, magic, and family. It is not to be missed. 

What did I think of it:
This is such a wonderful read.

The story switches between Nina and Oli. Nina's chapters feel familiar as those are set in our world, where Oli's chapters start out in the land of spirits and monsters and feel magical and otherworldly. I loved Darcie Little Badger's way of telling this story.

I loved both storylines, which eventually fall together, but was captivated by Oli's adventures. I love how even in his human/false form he's still also a cottonmouth in how he thinks.

I also loved Oli's friends, especially the friend he sets out to save. I was eager to see him succeed, but was also fearing he might fail. I couldn't put the book down until I finished it.

All in all a beautiful read, I will definitely read mor by Darcie Little Badger.

Why should you read it:
It's a wonderful and captivating read.


buy from amazon


Friday, 28 January 2022

Frozen Charlotte - Book Review

 

Frozen Charlotte (Frozen Charlotte #1)
by Alex Bell

What is it about:
We're waiting for you to come and play. 

Dunvegan School for Girls has been closed for many years. Converted into a family home, the teachers and students are long gone. But they left something behind...

Sophie arrives at the old schoolhouse to spend the summer with her cousins. Brooding Cameron with his scarred hand, strange Lilias with a fear of bones and Piper, who seems just a bit too good to be true.

 And then there's her other cousin. The girl with a room full of antique dolls. The girl that shouldn't be there. The girl that died.

What did I think of it:
This book is going to be the February Horror buddy read for the facebook group I mentioned in my review of Near the Bone. I got it early as it was on sale and after my two previous thriller/horror reads I was in the mood for more, so read it right away. 

This was a cool read.

The Frozen Charlotte dolls are an actual thing. I love how Bell used them to write this YA horror. 

When Sophie arrives at the old schoolhouse where her family lives it soon becomes clear something strange is going on, and it seems connected to the dolls in the room of her deceased cousin Rebecca.

Sophie tries to uncover what happened with Rebecca and what might still be going on right now. I was hooked from the start and had a great time discovering more about the dolls, and the history of the schoolhouse. 

Sophie's cousins were all very intriguing as well. There are secrets they're hiding and I tried to guess what was going on and what happened to Rebecca. There were clues along the way, and some I picked up on, others I only recognized in hindsight.

All in all a cool read. I will definitely pick up the second book in this series, that explores the origin of the dolls.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool and very enjoyable YA Horror read.  


buy from amazon

Thursday, 27 January 2022

On McPig's Wishlist - Terminal Peace

 

Terminal Peace (Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse #3)
by Jim C. Hines

The third and final book of the Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse follows a group of unlikely heroes trying to save the galaxy from a zombie plague.

Marion “Mops” Adamopoulos and her team were trained to clean spaceships. They were absolutely not trained to fight an interplanetary war with the xenocidal Prodryans or to make first contact with the Jynx, a race who might not be as primitive as they seem. But if there’s one lesson Mops and her crew have learned, it’s that things like “training” and “being remotely qualified” are overrated.

The war is escalating. (This might be Mops’ fault.) The survival of humanity—those few who weren’t turned to feral, shambling monsters by an alien plague—as well as the fate of all other non-Prodryans, will depend on what Captain Mops and the crew of the EDFS Pufferfish discover on the ringed planet of Tuxatl.

But the Jynx on Tuxatl are fighting a war of their own, and their world’s long-buried secrets could be more dangerous than the Prodryans.

To make matters worse, Mops is starting to feel a little feral herself… 


Expected publication: August 9th 2022


Wednesday, 26 January 2022

Near the Bone - Book Review

 

Near the Bone
by Christina Henry

What is it about:
A woman trapped on a mountain attempts to survive more than one kind of monster, in a dread-inducing horror novel from the national bestselling author Christina Henry.

Mattie can't remember a time before she and William lived alone on a mountain together. She must never make him upset. But when Mattie discovers the mutilated body of a fox in the woods, she realizes that they're not alone after all.

There's something in the woods that wasn't there before, something that makes strange cries in the night, something with sharp teeth and claws.

When three strangers appear on the mountaintop looking for the creature in the woods, Mattie knows their presence will anger William. Terrible things happen when William is angry.

What did I think of it:
One of the facebook book groups I'm a member of has a horror buddy read each month and decided to pick this book for January. It sounded like it might be a cool read, so I decided to join.

And I had a good time with this book. 

I did think at times that Henry was trying to put too much into the story. There's William, who has been making things difficult if not awful for Mattie for quite some time, and there's something scary in the woods. In my opinion the story would have worked just as well if it had been about just one of these things.

But both of them together did give me lots of action and mayhem, so I didn't mind too much.

If you're triggered by abuse and things like that, you better stay clear of this book. Mattie has had a hard life with lots of abuse and it's a big part of the story. I myself think this part of the story was well done, and I cheered Mattie on to find the strength to get away from the abuse.

Although this is classified as horror, it didn't scare me or creep me out. I have discovered that in books it's atmosphere that can creep me out, but gore and stuff like that don't. And although Henry does try to set atmosphere it never got there for me.

Overall I had a good time with this book. The ending wasn't completely satisfying, but good enough to not leave me frustrated. I have another book by Henry somewhere in my TBR pile and might dig it up.

Why should you read it:
It's an action-packed (horror) read.


buy from amazon

Tuesday, 25 January 2022

Teaser Tuesdays - The Conductors

 

if Marianne heard that bit, Betty couldn't tell. Her friend swayed on her feet.


(page 75, The Conductors by Nicole Glover)
buy from amazon

---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


Monday, 24 January 2022

Mexican Gothic - Book Review

 

Mexican Gothic
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

What is it about:
After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find—her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region.

Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: Not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemí’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.

Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemí, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.

And Noemí, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.

What did I think of it:
I very much enjoyed Certain Dark Things, so wanted to try another book by Moreno-Garcia.

And I can tell you this book was another winner.

The mood and atmosphere in this book are deliciously creepy. The Doyle family that Noemi's cousin married into are subtly and less subtly hostile as Noemi tries to find out what's wrong with her cousin. And then there's the old moldy house, the weird rules, and the creepy cemetery. 

As Noemi's investigation and stay at the mansion go on she starts to have nightmares that seem frighteningly real. At times it was hard to figure out if what Noemi is experiencing is really just a dream or if there's more going on.

I was totally engrossed in this suspenseful mystery. Other's have compared it to Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, but I will confess it had definite Lovecraftian vibes to me, especially in the way the mood and atmosphere of the house were described. Moreno-Garcia definitely knows how to creep you out without actually showing you anything creepy.

After all this delicious buildup I was not disappointed by the reveal and the conclusion. It turned out that some of my suspicions were correct, while other reveals took me by surprise. But all fit the story and had me on the edge of my seat to see how things would end for Noemi.

All in all I had a great time with this book, and I will absolutely read more by Moreno-Garcia in the future. 

Why should you read it:
It's a deliciously creepy and atmospheric read.


buy from amazon

Friday, 21 January 2022

A Fake Girlfriend for Chinese New Year - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

A Fake Girlfriend for Chinese New Year (Holidays with the Wongs #3)
by Jackie Lau

What is it about:
After his family’s matchmaking extravaganza at Thanksgiving, high school teacher Zach Wong is terrified of what his parents might do for Chinese New Year. Surely they’ll try to set him up yet again, especially now that his older brothers are in relationships. Zach, however, has no interest in dating, not since his fiancée left him.

The solution? Find a fake girlfriend to avoid his parents’ matchmaking.

Jo MacGregor, the town dentist, is the obvious choice. They both live in Mosquito Bay and have been friends for years, ever since they bonded over broken engagements. A few kisses and dates around town, and everyone will believe they’re in a relationship. No problem.

Except their fake relationship is starting to feel more and more real…

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This is the novella I bought the boxed set for: Fake dating!

And I wasn't disappointed. I liked Jo and Zach from the start and rooted for them to see they'd make an excellent real couple. Their fake relationship was fun to read about, and I loved to see their friendship turn into something more.

As ever the Wong family provided comic relief, a helping hand, and sage advice. 

All in all another delightful read. The one thing that worried me, is that it seems the last book will have another trope I'm not a big fan of: older brother's best friend.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun Contemporary Romance with fake dating!


buy from amazon


Thursday, 20 January 2022

On McPig's Wishlist - Into the Riverlands

 

Into the Riverlands (The Singing Hills Cycle #3)
by Nghi Vo 

Wandering cleric Chih of the Singing Hills travels to the riverlands to record tales of the notorious near-immortal martial artists who haunt the region. On the road to Betony Docks, they fall in with a pair of young women far from home, and an older couple who are more than they seem. As Chih runs headlong into an ancient feud, they find themselves far more entangled in the history of the riverlands than they ever expected to be.

Accompanied by Almost Brilliant, a talking bird with an indelible memory, Chih confronts old legends and new dangers alike as they learn that every story—beautiful, ugly, kind, or cruel—bears more than one face.


Expected publication: October 25th 2022

Wednesday, 19 January 2022

A Second Chance Road Trip for Christmas - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

A Second Chance Road Trip for Christmas (Holidays with the Wongs #2)
by Jackie Lau

What is it about:
Greg Wong hates when things don’t go according to plan, so he definitely doesn’t appreciate it when his mother insists he drive Tasha Edwards back to Mosquito Bay for the Christmas holidays. He likes peace and quiet when he’s in the car, and that’s the opposite of what he’ll get with Tasha, his high school sweetheart. The first woman he ever loved.

Not that he has feelings for her now. Of course not. Though while he’s trying not to smile at her laughter and terrible singing, he can’t help noticing how beautiful she is.

And then his plans veer further off course when a snowstorm forces them to spend the night in an unheated motel room with only one bed…

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This second book in the series was fun, but I didn't connect with Greg and Tasha as much as I did with Nick and Lily. This might be because it's a second chance romance, which I'm not a fan of, and because I didn't get Tasha's fear of getting back with Greg. I will also confess I never got the 'There's only one bed' trope.

There were some cute scenes though, and the Wong family was as fun as in the first book, so I had a good time with this novella as well.

On to the fake dating!

Why should you read it:
It's a fun Contemporary Romance


buy from amazon


Tuesday, 18 January 2022

Teaser Tuesdays - Near the Bone

 

Her feet wouldn't move though. She stayed there at the window until the first pink light of dawn showed above the treetops.


(page 31, Near the Bone by Christina Henry)
buy from amazon

---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


Monday, 17 January 2022

A Match Made for Thanksgiving - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

A Match Made for Thanksgiving (Holidays with the Wongs #1)
by Jackie Lau

What is it about:
Advertising executive Nick Wong enjoys living in Toronto. He loves late nights partying and taking women back to his penthouse. And so it is with great reluctance that he returns to his boring hometown of Mosquito Bay for Thanksgiving.

This year, however, is even worse than usual. His interfering parents and grandparents, frustrated with the lack of weddings in the family, have invited blind dates for him and his three siblings. Nick’s brother Greg has been set up with Lily Tseng, who just so happens to be Nick’s latest one-night stand, the one he can’t get out of his mind.

Although Nick has never been interested in settling down, Lily has him reconsidering. Perhaps he’s good for more than a single night of sex, dumplings, and bubble tea after all. But first, he has to get through this painful weekend with his family and convince her that she should be with him, not Greg…

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I was in the mood for a sweet contemporary romance and saw a review for the third book in this series, that had fake dating. You might know it's a favorite trope of mine, so I got my hands on the boxed set of this series.

And this first novella was a winner.

The story switches viewpoints between Nick and Lily. I liked Lily from the start and cheered her on. Nick was a cool hero as well, but it was his family, especially his grandparents and parents who stole my heart. They're meddlesome, but in a way I could laugh about, their antics are fun.

This being a novella it's instalove and the problems are quickly resolved, but I didn't mind as this is such a fun and fluffy read. If this book sets the tone for the rest of the series, I'm on board for the ride!

Why should you read it:
It's a delightful Contemporary Romance


buy from amazon


Friday, 14 January 2022

Comfort Me with Apples - Book Review

 

Comfort Me with Apples
by Catherynne M. Valente

What is it about:
Sophia was made for him. Her perfect husband. She can feel it in her bones. He is perfect. Their home together in Arcadia Gardens is perfect. Everything is perfect.

It's just that he's away so much. So often. He works so hard. She misses him. And he misses her. He says he does, so it must be true. He is the perfect husband and everything is perfect.

But sometimes Sophia wonders about things. Strange things. Dark things. The look on her husband's face when he comes back from a long business trip. The questions he will not answer. The locked basement she is never allowed to enter. And whenever she asks the neighbors, they can't quite meet her gaze...

But everything is perfect. Isn't it?

What did I think of it:
This novella is totally awesome!

It is atmospheric, slightly disturbing, and beautiful.

I was hooked from the start and eager to find out what is going on in the weird community Sophia lives in, and what's going on with her husband.

There's a Bluebeard vibe to this story that makes you are both rooting for Sophia to discover the truth, and scared for what will happen to her. I couldn't put this book down until I finished it.

You bet this will go on my keeper shelves and will be reread. I'll also investigate what else Valente has written.

Why should you read it:
It's a beautiful and suspenseful read.


buy from amazon

Thursday, 13 January 2022

On McPig's Wishlist - That's Debatable

 

That's Debatable
by Jen Doll

That's Debatable is a witty, smart, and feminist romantic comedy, author Jen Doll explores what it means to set boundaries while breaking down barriers.

Millicent Chalmers isn’t here to make friends.

She’s here to win, and she’s on track to set a record if—no, when—she wins the state debate tournament for the fourth year in a row. Calm, cool, and always in control, Millie doesn’t care what anyone else thinks of her, least of all the sexist bullies bent on destroying her reputation.

Taggart Strong couldn’t care less about winning debate, much to the consternation of his teammates, school and parents. In fact, he might even enjoy losing, as long as the side he believes in wins.

But when a tournament takes a scary turn, Millie and Tag find themselves unexpectedly working together. Maybe Millie can teach Tag a thing or two about using his head, and Tag can teach Millie a little bit about following her heart.

Expected publication: June 14th 2022


Wednesday, 12 January 2022

DNF Time

 


Both me and Voodoo Bride were very grumpy and difficult readers the las few weeks and we both DNFed a book we thought we'd love when we picked it up.

For me it was Kingdom of Exiles.

I wanted to love this book, but it was in dual viewpoints of the heroine and hero, and I loathed the hero! What a massive Dick! On top of that it was a total sausage fest with the heroine going on a trip with all MANLY MEN, look how manly we are! So DNF it was.

Voodoo Bride picked up True Love.

She read many books by Jude Deveraux, and loved them, and got this signed copy from Jeffe for her Romance collection. Sadly she DNFed, because she couldn't stand the heroine and her best friend. First they wanted to completely redecorate and overhaul a house the heroine was allowed to live in for a year (live in! Not own!) and then they decided to break into the guest house to snoop through the things of the guy living there!

So we'll be keeping the book, because it's signed, but she won't be finishing it.

Luckily my next read was a winner.


Tuesday, 11 January 2022

Teaser Tuesdays - Mexican Gothic

 

She felt sorry for every person buried there, just as she felt sorry for everyone living at High Place . Noemi bent down to look at a headstone, then another, and frowned.


(page 41, Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia)
buy from amazon

---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


Friday, 7 January 2022

The Female of the Species - Book Review

 

The Female of the Species
by Mindy McGinnis

What is it about:
Alex Craft knows how to kill someone. And she doesn’t feel bad about it.

Three years ago, when her older sister, Anna, was murdered and the killer walked free, Alex uncaged the language she knows best—the language of violence. While her own crime goes unpunished, Alex knows she can’t be trusted among other people. Not with Jack, the star athlete who wants to really know her but still feels guilty over the role he played the night Anna’s body was discovered. And not with Peekay, the preacher’s kid with a defiant streak who befriends Alex while they volunteer at an animal shelter. Not anyone.

As their senior year unfolds, Alex’s darker nature breaks out, setting these three teens on a collision course that will change their lives forever.

What did I think of it:
This is overall a really good story, but the ending did leave me unsatisfied, maybe even a bit angry.

it is told from three different viewpoints: Alex, Jack, and Peekay. I really liked both Peekay and Alex, as troubled as she might be. Jack was kind of uninteresting at best and a jerk at his worst. 

But I was totally engrossed in the story. Would Alex open up to Peekay, would Peekay get over getting dumped by her boyfriend, and would Alex find closure.

As I said: overall the story is really good and touches on some serious issues in a suspenseful way. I was eager to find out where things would lead to. And that's where I was disappointed. I can't tell why as it would be a big spoiler, but I just wanted things to turn out differently. Still I had a great time with this book and might read more by this author in the future.

Why should you read it:
It's a suspenseful YA read


buy from amazon


Thursday, 6 January 2022

On McPig's Wishlist - Heroic Hearts

 


Heroic Hearts

An all-star urban fantasy collection featuring short stories from #1 New York Times bestselling authors Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, Charlaine Harris, Kelley Armstrong, and more . . .

In this short story collection of courage, adventure, and magic, heroes—ordinary people who do the right thing—bravely step forward.

But running toward danger might cost them everything. . . .

In #1 New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher’s “Little Things,” the pixie Toot-Toot discovers an invader unbeknownst to the wizard Harry Dresden . . . and in order to defeat it, he’ll have to team up with the dread cat Mister.

In #1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs’s “Dating Terrors,” the werewolf Asil finds an online date might just turn into something more—if she can escape the dark magic binding her.

In #1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris’s “The Return of the Mage,” the Britlingen mercenaries will discover more than they’ve bargained for when they answer the call of a distress beacon on a strange and remote world.

And in #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong’s “Comfort Zone,” the necromancer Chloe Saunders and the werewolf Derek Souza are just trying to get through college. But they can’t refuse a ghost pleading for help.

ALSO INCLUDES STORIES BY Annie Bellet * Anne Bishop * Jennifer Brozek * Kevin Hearne * Nancy Holder * Kerrie L. Hughes * Chloe Neill * R.R. Virdi


Expected publication: May 3rd 2022


Wednesday, 5 January 2022

Eat the Rich #5 - Quick Comic Book Review

 

Eat the Rich #5
by Sarah Gailey

What is it about:
'TIL DEATH DO US PART! Astor finally proposes but the cost of marrying into the 1% is too terrible for Joey to even contemplate. Too bad saying no isn't an option if she wants to get out of Crestfall Bluffs in one piece! With the horrible truth fully revealed, can Joey escape a proposal much too rich for her blood, or will she get eaten alive by the secrets of the rich and powerful?

What did I think of it:
After the absurd turn in #4 things get back on track in this issue. 

It's the last, so the story reaches a cool and satisfying climax. I was surprised by the ending, but in a good way. I will most certainly reread the whole series in one go to get everything that's going on in one sitting, and might even get myself the bundled series in print.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool Horror Comic


buy from amazon

Tuesday, 4 January 2022

Teaser Tuesdays - Heat of the Moment

I stared at the charred remains.
This was evil.


(page 25, Heat of the Moment by Lori Handeland)
buy from amazon

---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Monday, 3 January 2022

How did I do in 2021

 


It's time to look back at my reading and my challenges of 2021.

These were my goals for 2021:

Finish the Charley Davidson series, and read at least 12 books that have been on my shelves for more than 3 months.

As for challenges I totally failed, unless I count rereads as Orphans, which I don't.

I read a total of 104 books. 9 of these were on my shelves for more than 3 months and never read before (oldest was there since October 2015).

 I did reread 17 books, so those were on my shelves for more than 3 months as well, but yeah... Not Orphaned books, but treasured Pearls who keep getting my attention. 

I didn't read any book in the Charley Davidson series, but I did read a book and a novella by Darynda Jones, both not connected to the Charley Davidson series though.

Once again I'll set myself the same two goals for the coming year:

Finish the Charley Davidson series, and read at least 12 books that have been on my shelves for more than 3 months.

Wishing you all a wonderful 2022 filled with good books!