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• Rated 5 stars

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Katy reviewed a book.

“Book Info: Genre: Short-story anthology/Magical Realism
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: those who enjoy magical, lyrical short stories
Trigger Warnings: murder

My Thoughts: First of all, my apologies to the author. I've had this book for almost two years and just...”

“Book Info: Genre: Short-story anthology/Magical Realism
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: those who enjoy magical, lyrical short stories
Trigger Warnings: murder

My Thoughts: First of all, my apologies to the author. I've had this book for almost two years and just hadn't read it yet. I had originally planned to take these books as I received them, but found that just wasn't realistic, as I would find myself just not in the mood for something, which can adversely affect my opinion, so I gave myself permission to just read what appealed to me at the moment. So, sorry it's taken so long!

At any rate, like the previous book I read, this was an anthology of short stories. Each takes place in Bangkok. The language is lovely, lyrical and beautiful to read, although any plot is mostly hidden underneath symbolism and subterfuge. The underlying theme is a set of strange and mystical boxes; they spread through all the stories in the set.

There's not much I can say about the book because with short stories you can't really discuss the plot or story arc or character development. But if you enjoy stories that blend beautiful language with mysterious symbolism, you should like this book. I certainly enjoyed reading it.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this e-book from the author in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: Supernatural forces and secret societies descend on modern Bangkok as a series of mysterious black boxes surface into the lives of five remarkable individuals in this magic realism collection of five short stories. As this cross-genre piece modulates through elements of the psychological mystery, horror, the thriller, the detective mystery, adventure and romance, it explores classic Western themes—the Fall, the Temptation, Pandora’s box—in an Eastern setting. The book is ultimately a study of the human obsession with the unknown.”

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Katy reviewed a book.

“Book Info: Genre: Bizarro/Short-story anthology
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of bizarro fiction, surreality

My Thoughts: I can't remember exactly how this book came to my notice, but once I saw it, I knew I had to have it. I was very happy to find it on a free...”

“Book Info: Genre: Bizarro/Short-story anthology
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of bizarro fiction, surreality

My Thoughts: I can't remember exactly how this book came to my notice, but once I saw it, I knew I had to have it. I was very happy to find it on a free promotion on Amazon and put it into my review queue so I could read it sooner. It has still taken me well over a year to read it.

It's very difficult to review short-story anthologies, because there is no plot or character development arc to discuss. Often I'll make a listing of the stories and provide a snippet, but not this time. There is just no way to explain any of these stories other than with a single word: surreal.

There may have been deep meanings to some of these stories if examined with an eye to symbolism, but to me they were mostly weird and surreal. This is not a bad thing. In fact, this is exactly the sort of stuff I used to write during writing sprints and as random idea generation. Some of these seem like maybe they are just dreams the author wrote down. I don't know. But I enjoyed the heck out of reading this book. If you like bizarro fiction and surrealism, definitely check out this book of short stories.

Disclosure: I picked this book up during a free promotion on Amazon. I have never, to my knowledge, had any interaction with this author. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: D. Harlan Wilson returns with another ferociously mindbending collection of short fiction. Masked in absurdity, these stories reveal the horrifying and hilarious faces of everyday life. Wilson tells of egg raids, hog rippers, monk spitters, fathers who take their children to pet stores to buy them whales, sociopaths who threaten to clothesline eternity, and the simple act of the story itself becoming a means of repetitive, endless torture. Put on your goat head, hop in your hovercraft, and take a ride with a juggernaut of modern imaginative fiction.”

Katy reviewed a book.

“Book Info: Genre: Paranormal Reading Level: Young Adult

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Thomas Hurd has always felt more comfortable watching people from a distance than interacting with them up close....”

“Book Info: Genre: Paranormal Reading Level: Young Adult

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Thomas Hurd has always felt more comfortable watching people from a distance than interacting with them up close. But his tendencies to watch others reveals to him a creature he was never meant to see, and unleashes a horror onto his small town that threatens to consume the world. Contains mild language and violence.

My Thoughts: This is Book One of the Unseen Things trilogy. I originally received this over a year ago, but I should point out that I was notified by the author that a new version was posted and downloaded the most recent version just over a week ago.

Thomas Hurd is an interesting character; I suspect he is meant to be either mildly autistic or has Asperger’s, based upon his discomfort dealing with people and his inability to figure out how to talk to Madison (or when he does, he comes up with some ridiculously bad things to say, poor guy). I really like him, though, and I liked how deeply we got into his head; yet he remains an enigma. It’s fascinating.

This book is really quite dark, and it is a self-contained story, with just hints of where else Madden might take the rest of the trilogy. The editing is much better than Bravado/Dramatique, although there are still a few errors left. The story flows smoothly, and the characters are well-created and written. I really enjoyed this book and I think most fans of darker urban fantasy will as well.

The other two books in the trilogy, The Shadow Within and World of Shadows, are planned for a near simultaneous release later this year, or early in 2013. I, for one, will be anxiously waiting on them, as I can’t wait to see where things will go from here. Highly recommended.”

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Mark rated a book.

• Rated 3 stars

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Jennifer rated a book.

• Rated 4 stars

Katy reviewed a book.

““The Four-Year-Old Guardian” is book 1 of The Only Human on the Block series. In it, we’re introduced to Averton, OR – Monster Capital of the World – when Nick and his mother Michelle move there from Yakima. Nick is accustomed to being the new kid on the block, because they moved around a lot;...”

““The Four-Year-Old Guardian” is book 1 of The Only Human on the Block series. In it, we’re introduced to Averton, OR – Monster Capital of the World – when Nick and his mother Michelle move there from Yakima. Nick is accustomed to being the new kid on the block, because they moved around a lot; however, Michelle has purchased a house in Averton and plans on them staying there for Nick to finish school. Nick quickly learns that the cool kids aren’t going to give him the time of day, but he also quickly becomes friends with his neighbor, Myles, a nerdy home-schooled kid, and Melody and Wendy. He discovers that the people who used to live in the house where he now lives had a daughter named Heather who died around five years prior. And then, one night, he meets Heather – well, Heather’s ghost – and finds out that he is the new Seeker, the one who has to find the new Guardian of the Orb, who is the one to protect the power of the Orb to keep the human world – Earthspace – and the demon world – Valos – separated. Heather tells him that the new Guardian will be activated on his fourth birthday. While fighting demons as best they can, Nick and his friends seek the new Guardian. Will they be able to find the Guardian in time?

This was another excellent book by S L Madden, a young-adult novel that is fast-paced, well-written and filled with unique and well-defined characters. I enjoyed getting to know each of them and look forward to learning more about them in the next book in the series, “Bravado/Dramatique.” Also watch for Madden’s new series, Unseen Things, book 1 “The Shadow Walker.” Judging by the quality of Madden’s books so far, it should be wonderful!”

Katy reviewed a book.

“Book Info: Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera with Western flavor and police procedural suspense/mystery; M/M romance
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of M/M romantic suspense
Trigger Warnings: violence, unwanted sexual advances (not quite bad enough to warrant the...”

“Book Info: Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera with Western flavor and police procedural suspense/mystery; M/M romance
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of M/M romantic suspense
Trigger Warnings: violence, unwanted sexual advances (not quite bad enough to warrant the description “assault” as it was just grabbing and a forced kiss and the one being advanced on could have stopped things if it went too far), murder, attempted murder, torture

My Thoughts: This book is like a crazy quilt in a lot of ways. The writer has put the characters on a different world, making it science fiction. It's Space Opera in that it's highly dramatic with some romance elements. The setting is created to be sort of like Mexico, I think, with almost a Westernish feel to it at times. And the main characters—two men that are drawn together romantically—are trying to solve a murder. I think the only element missing from this book to include even more genres would be some paranormal elements or monsters or something. It's incredibly ambitious. And as a result, it could have been a hot mess.

It wasn't.

I actually quite enjoyed the story. The characters are realistic and the development of the relationship between Alex and Bengt was realistic, as were Alex's reactions when he learned Bengt was gay. Bengt essentially told him, what, did you think you would have to walk around all the time with your back to a wall? I laughed so hard at that, because that's how so many men act, as though gay men are ravaging sex beasts that chase after any piece of tail they see.

The conditions on Santuario were heartbreaking, and the push for freedom by the underground was handled well too. All in all, a very satisfying read. If you enjoy M/M romantic suspense (which is what this is officially labeled), then you will probably enjoy the story. Check it out.

Disclosure: I received an e-galley from Riptide Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: Police teniente Alex Rukow has spent his life trapped on Santuario, his people’s isolated home-slash-prison-island. They’ve been living in poverty under the tyrannical regime of their own elite familias for the last two-hundred years, ever since their generation ship landed on the planet and found it already populated by earlier Earth settlers, the Skanians, who banished them to the inhospitable south.

Increasingly shamed by the decisions of their ancestors, the Skanians seek to open their borders. But dissent exists on both sides, and in the midst of this explosive political situation, a dead body appears on the island.

Bengt, a Skanian investigator, is shipped to Santuario to lead the murder investigation—which, he quickly realizes, the local teniente wants nothing to do with. As far as Bengt is concerned, things can’t get worse than the brutal climate, his own memories, and a growing attraction to a partner who will barely say two words to him. But then he and Alex run afoul of the local familias, and the problems with their investigation and their budding relationship seem like nothing compared to just getting out of this whole mess alive.”

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Holly J rated a book.

• Rated 3 stars

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Jennifer rated a book.

• Rated 3 stars