C.B. Calsing's Blog

A Review of T. Kingfisher's "Hemlock and Silver" (audiobook)

What do I love best about T. Kingfisher? One, she retells fairy tales. Sure, a lot of people do that, but not in same way she does. She doesn't just "fracture" them or tell the story from a different perspective of a character you already know. She takes the kernel of the story and goes off in an entirely new direction with it. 

Take "Hemlock and Silver," for instance. From the title, you'd have no idea it was inspired by Snow White. There is, in fact, a character named Snow and another named Rose, and a mirror is definitely involved, and maybe there is a reference to a heart getting cut out. None of these tropes, however, appear in the way the reader expects. The story is told from a fresh, new perspective as well. Anja is a poisons expert who is called in by the king to diagnosis and hopefully cure what ails his daughter, Snow. I love that the main character is a woman who has spent her life perusing a passion rather than a man. She maybe thinks love is off the table at this point, but, really, who knows? 

The other thing I love about T. Kingfisher—or maybe this is more about the team who she surrounds herself with—is the narrators used for her audiobooks. I have never been disappointed by the voice or the character the voice actor creates. They always fit perfectly with the main character's thoughts, age, background, etc. Jennifer Pickens as Anja was no exception. I felt as if I was listening to Anja really tell her story rather than Pickens reading a text. 

I really can't ever wait for the next T. Kingfisher story to hit Libby, NetGalley, or wherever I can find them. They are entertaining, inventive, and always provide a happy ending worthy of a fairy tale. I recommend "Hemlock and Silver" to any reader who enjoys fantasy, fairy tales, and strong female leads. I received the audiobook from NetGalley. 

A review of Nicky Gonzalez's "Mayra"

Did we all have one of those best friends? The kind that captivated us when we were young, but slowly the veil was lifted and reality set in. Then, years later, you reunite. Is the new dynamic just growing up or…something else? 

In Nicky Gonzalez’s “Mayra,” the narrator, Ingrid, is invited to a mysterious house in the Florida Everglades to reunite with her best friend from school, the titular character. They’ve drifted apart over the years, each blaming the other for changing. Reunited by Mayra’s boyfriend, Benji, the two women alternately bond and fight about the past and how they’ve changed. Slowly, Ingrid realizes there is something else going on in the house, not just their shifting relationship dynamics. Why is this strange window in this room? How come Ingrid seems to get turned around so easily in the surrounding swamp? Why is Benji doing THAT? The mysteries compound until Ingrid learns a terrible truth. 

I would peg this is a great horror beach read. It’s gripping and pleasantly atmospheric in waves. There’s the nostalgia of the two women reminiscing about growing up in a Cuban community near Miami. Good food is described in detail. Then, the creepy elements start to…creep in. We follow Ingrid, the first-person narrator, as she explores and discovers. We are pulled down into the truth with her, and it’s hard to get out. 

I enjoyed this book and recommend it to Gothic horror fans who like a contemporary spin on a classic. I’m looking forward to what else Nicky Gonzalez has to offer. I received this title from NetGalley.   

A Review of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's "The Bewitching"

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is definitely rising to the top of my must-read authors list. Each story I've read of hers has not disappointed. They are historic, atmospheric, and scary. The latest I've read, "The Bewitching," stacks up well against my previous favorites. 

This horror novel is told from three points of view. First, there is Minerva in a close third. She is a college student in the 1990s, studying New England's stories of witches and ghosts for her thesis. Then, there is the narrative of her great-grandmother Alba (who had a hand in raising her), told in third person in the early 1900s. She lives on a farm in Mexico. Finally, there is the story told through diary entries in the first person of Beatrice Tremblay, a writer who attended the same school as Minerva during the Great Depression. Both Alba and Beatrice face a mystery and a malicious, existential threat to themselves or loved ones, and their knowledge helps Minerva face her own peril in her time. 

Like Minerva, I was in college, studying literature, in the 1990s, so I identified with this heroine. She's independent, kind, and inquisitive. She doesn't balk in the face of danger but instead relies on her wits and the wisdom of her ancestors. Alba, though young and rather sheltered, has pluck and fortitude. Beatrice delves into the mysteries around her, refusing to give up even when failure seems the only option. Each woman is well-rounded and engaging. The antagonists are equally interesting, but I won't go into detail on those so as not to give away any spoilers. I enjoyed the unwrapping of the mystery at each level as well as the historic and folk-magic details. The scares here were not intense but thorough. There were some solid tropes—abandoned factory, taxidermy in the setting, lost documents, fictional New England setting—used well. 

I always look forward to Silvia Moreno-Garcia's next work, and "The Bewitching" satisfied. I can't wait to see what's next. I received this ebook from NetGalley. 

A Review of Megan Mary's "The Dream Mirrors" (audiobook)

Where were these books when I was a teenager? “The Dream Mirrors: A Metaphysical Mystery of Magic/ Witches of Maple Hollow/ Book 2” by Megan Mary feels like a metaphysical self-help book in the form of a cozy mystery. I definitely could have benefited from both the female protagonist and the message of self-discovery and strength the story shares. 

Two years have passed since Hannah Skye moved to Maple Hollow to live with her aunt. On September 9, 2009, a portal will open, and Aunt Jewelia has gathered a party of six to take advantage of this auspicious night. During the ceremony, however, something goes terribly wrong. One visitor falls into a mysterious coma, and another disappears. Hannah, with the help of her aunt and friends (both human and cat), must solve the puzzle before it’s too late. 

This was a quick, fun read. Like the previous book in the series, “The Dream Haunters,” this book would make for a great fall vacation read or listen. The setting is cozy and nostalgic. The characters, friendly and wise. The plot begins with high-stakes and the tension that comes with searching the grounds of a manor house in a storm. 

Really, my only minor issue with this book is the lack of urgency regarding the conflict once the plot kicks off. With one person in a mysterious coma and another missing, the other characters seem to go about their day as if nothing is amiss. They do some research and meet to discuss the issue, but they also go to perform their regular gig in the piano bar and have naps. A little more tension in the plot throughout would have been more believable. 

I was happy to see the narrator, Pearl Hewitt, return for this audiobook. Her different approaches to the various characters are entertaining and believable.  

Like the first installment, “The Dream Mirrors” is a quick, fun read that fans of witches and cozies will thoroughly enjoy. I’m looking forward to the next installment, “The Dream Dimensions” By Megan Mary, later this year. 

I reviewed the first installment of this series last year, and you can read that review here: https://cbcalsing.blogspot.com/2024/1... 

I received this audiobook from NetGalley. 

A Review of Robert Jackson Bennett's "A Drop of Corruption"

Robert Jackson Bennett’s “A Drop of Corruption” is the follow-up to “The Tainted Cup.” In this sequel, we return to the world of detective Ana Dolabra and her assistant, Dinios Kol. 

This time, they are investigating a disappearance, theft, and murder in Yarrowdale, an outlying kingdom which may soon join the empire. Ana is put to the test by the mechinations of the criminal, and Dinios has a hard time keeping up but proves himself again and again. “Will we ever solve this mystery?” is the question hanging over the story from beginning to end, and the reader feels the weight of it. 

Like “The Tainted Cup,” I loved “A Drop of Corruption.” It is very true to the original world-building, and mystery keeps one intrigued throughout the book. The supporting cast is interesting, and as always, Ana, through the eyes of Dinios, is an engaging and enticing character. 

Author Bennett has definitely found his genre, and I look forward to following these two on more adventures. I received this book from NetGalley. 

A Review of Genoveva Dimova's "Monstrous Nights"

As soon as I finished Genoveva Dimova’s “Foul Days,” I jumped online to see when I could expect the sequel. I was so happy to get it almost immediately. “Monstrous Nights” picks up right where the action in “Foul Days” ends, and it does not disappoint. 

Kosara teams up again with Asen, working to finish the job of tracking down the infamous smuggler Konstantin Karaivanov while fighting off the city’s monsters. Along the way, Asen is thrown a major curveball, but finds belonging in unlikely company. Kosara has to learn to control her new-found powers while exploring her developing feelings for Asen. 

This was, again, a very satisfying, atmospheric read that ticks all the boxes in an urban fantasy romance mashup. The use of Eastern European lore and folktale gives it a fresh spin. The characters are fun and varied. I would love to see these two books adapted into film or a TV series. I received this book from NetGalley. 

A Review of Megan Mary's "The Dream Haunters" (audiobook)

“The Dream Haunters” by Megan Mary is about as close to a fall beach read as you can get. Imagine sitting on a blustery dune, the wind whipping the gray waves, a thermos of hot cider nearby… You get the picture. This is the book you will want to read or listen to while bundled beneath your woolen cloak.

Hannah Skye has lost most everything she ever valued: her parents, her cat, her grandmother, and her job. Out of nowhere, she receives a letter and a plane ticket from her estranged aunt. The same day, she learns her aunt has disappeared. Immediately enmeshed in the mystery, Hannah sets out to Maple Hollow and her family’s ancestral Skye Manor. Maple Hollow exists in a state of perpetual fall, with pumpkins growing and the leaves on the trees in shades of orange, yellow, and red. There, she must uncover the truth of what happened to her aunt as well as find her own truth.

This was a very quick listen. The narrator, Pearl Hewitt, did a lovely job giving life to the different characters, even a tiny talking cat. The mystery is engrossing, and the cast of supporting characters offers both solace and menace to our main character. It’s fairly light as far as gothic-style stories go, and a novice in the area of astrology and witchcraft will appreciate the explanations, though sometimes a smidge pedantic, that Hannah receives from those wiser around her. These lectures can draw the reader out of the action, but the loss is not too great.

I enjoyed this quick, fun listen and wish I had more of it to launch me into autumn and toward Halloween. I received this audiobook from NetGalley.
 

A Review of "The Monsters in our Shadows" by Edward J. Cembal

If you enjoyed “Logan's Run,” but wished it were a bit darker, then you will probably love “The Monsters in our Shadows” by Edward J. Cembal. 

In a sort of alternate future, humankind has been devastated by Shivers, a ghostlike being that attaches itself to a person and eventually devours them. There is no knowing when the beast will decide to feed. You could live with your shiver for years. Once the Shiver consumes its host, it will eat any person it comes across. Anthem is the Exilist for Atlas, a small settlement of survivors. His job is to remove those who are about to be consumed by their Shiver and leave them on the other side of the city wall so the Shivers won’t run amuck in the town. But then, the town’s leader sends him on a mission beyond the wall to save the small population, and Anthem learns that all is not as he has been taught. 

This was a fun read. Don’t you love it when, as a reader, you come up with a solution to a problem, and you think, “Boy, I hope the author solves it this way,” and the author does? So satisfying! This was a really novel take on near-future sci fi and horror. While some questions are left unanswered, the adventure along the way is full of twists and turns and emotion and tension. I can't wait to see the movie that comes from this material.

Cembal’s “The Monsters in our Shadows” is the first book I’ve read of his, but I’m definitely interested in more. I recommend this read to fans of dystopian horror. I received this book from NetGalley. 

A Review of Lilliam Rivera's "Tiny Threads."

Lilliam Rivera’s “Tiny Threads” is part horror novel, part behind-the-scenes glimpse at the workings of a fashion house. 

Samara is finally ready to move away from the sphere of her parents and their life in New Jersey to take a job as a copywriter at a fashion house in Vernon, California. The designer, Antonio, welcomes her with open arms at first but slowly becomes volatile as the date of his big fashion show approaches. This, however, is not Samara’s only problem as she is plagued by noises in the walls of her historic apartment and the inability to function throughout the day without just a splash of vodka. Then there’s the beautiful woman she keeps seeing but can never really find.  Is Samara being haunted, or are her own psychosis and trauma raising their ugly heads? 

I love the description of this book. I think the premise and the basic plot have a lot going for them. I appreciate the details about the town of Vernon. It is definitely a character unto itself. The cast of characters surrounding Samara all contribute to her slow descent into madness, and several of them are wickedly evil. I would have liked, however, to see a little more strength from Samara. I wanted her to have more guts rather than relying on the drinking to get her through her problems. She also seems to be a horrible judge of character, despite the positive influence of her abuela early in life. Ultimately, I wanted more of the “final girl” spirit from her. 

I received this ARC from NetGalley. 

A Review of Claudia Gray's "The X-Files: Perihelion"

Claudia Gray’s “The X-Files: Perihelion” adds another adventure to the lives of Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. I’m a huge X-Files fan, having watched the entire series two or three times straight through, seen the movies multiple time, and read a couple of other books from different authors as well. I really looked forward to this read. 

Now working for an independent genetics clinic that helps children, Scully finds she is pregnant again. She and Mulder move in together in an effort to finally create a normal family. Both are still mourning the loss of their first son, and Mulder is somewhat adrift when it comes to his career. When a mysterious assassin, who can disappear in a cloud of smoke, attracts the attention of the FBI, Mulder and Scully are called back to the agency. At the same time, however, a serial killer is brutally murdering pregnant women, and Scully has caught his attention. While torn between tracking down the two killers, Mulder and Scully also must address their relationship, their grief, and the strange new ability Scully seems to have acquired. 

This book hits all the notes when it comes to the X-Files mythos. A lot of things readers expect to happen in an episode or novel set in this world do occur. Claudia Gray started out writing fanfic in this setting, and it’s clear she has a strong understanding of the tropes. The ending, however, felt abrupt and seemed to lack a satisfying resolution. Perhaps this is in expectation of a sequel?

I generally enjoyed the story, though I think it could have used a little more finessing. I do look forward to seeing what Claudia Gray will do when she has the chance to spend some more time in this world of the X-Files. I received a copy from NetGalley.