Nerine Dorman's Blog, page 67
February 13, 2014
Dark Harvest: Six of the Best with Anna Reith
Whenever I pull together an anthology, I'm always keen to include Anna Reith's writing. She totally hits the mark for me. Her tales might not move quickly but they are lush and evocative, and filled with mood, texture and colour. So, she was perfect for Dark Harvest, which is available in print, Amazon, Kobo and Nook. But... Over to Anna.
Tell us about your story. Where did you pick up the story seeds?
The Weeping Blade is a tricky one. It’s probably one of the weirdest stories I’ve written to date, in several ways. It’s to do, loosely, with how places are altered by habitation, and how we’ve altered ourselves, and our perceptions…and maybe a little to do with how thin that veneer of civilisation is. That said, most of it is really quite light-hearted, and I think that was my inspiration. We often cope with the more terrifying aspects of our humanity—and our mortality—either through humour, or the prosaic mentality that Six has in the story.
What creeps you out?
It’s terrible, I know, because they’re very beautiful and interesting critters, but I have a mild almost-phobia of slugs. This is due to a house I once lived in—it was like The Amityville Horror, but with hygroscopic mucus instead of blood.
That aside, I think the scariest things are those we don’t face head-on: not just our worries, fears, or skewed perceptions, but the actual nature of our reality. We understand so little about the universe, and while the limitless potential in it is fascinating, it also makes human beings seem extremely small. The way in which we’re basically hard-wired not to explore that, mentally, is pretty creepy.
Why do you love dark/unsettling fiction?
Well, following on from the universe and infinity, I think weird fiction is the perfect medium to delve into that. It’s the place to put aside conventions and examine the unknown and unseen; the shadows at the corner of our eyes, which are never there when we turn around. Of course, the question is whether there’s genuinely “something out there” that we have yet to understand, or whether all those shadows are simply reflections of us.
What are you working on now?
I…have too many things to do. *grin* My output’s been slowed due to ill health and upcoming surgery, but I’m polishing up the first instalment of a sci-fi series and working on two dark fantasy novels, alongside the forthcoming sequel to my murder-mystery-glam-rock-fantasy-thing Dead in Time. I also hope to be adding some new short stories to my website soon—it’s been a while since I released any new free reads!
What’s the most unexpected thing people discover about you?
That I’m not Polish, I think. A lot of people I meet seem to assume I’m Polish, Czech, or American, for strange and unspecified reasons. Either that, or the fact I knit and quilt a little bit (I studied textile arts for a while). Not sure why this is unexpected, but apparently it is.
Tell us a little more about what you’re reading at present?
Right now, I’m hip-deep in some research reading for a couple of different projects, so I haven’t been reading much fiction. The Christmas Book Fairy did kindly bring me the autobiographies of Frederick Douglass, however, which are a gut wrenching but extremely powerful read. I’ve also really enjoyed Olive Moore’s Spleen, which I hunted down after seeing the sculpture of her by her husband, Sava Botzaris, and deciding I needed to read everything she’d ever written. Lovely, lucid prose dripping with 1930s aesthetics…I think she’s justly described as a blend between Virginia Woolf and Djuna Barnes. Beyond that, I have a To Be Read list longer than my arm, so one thing I’m hoping 2014 brings is the opportunity to catch up on some of it!
For the things I’m getting up to this year, free reads, and associated stuff, you can find me at www.annareith.co.uk or www.specks-of-infinity.tumblr.com
Tell us about your story. Where did you pick up the story seeds?
The Weeping Blade is a tricky one. It’s probably one of the weirdest stories I’ve written to date, in several ways. It’s to do, loosely, with how places are altered by habitation, and how we’ve altered ourselves, and our perceptions…and maybe a little to do with how thin that veneer of civilisation is. That said, most of it is really quite light-hearted, and I think that was my inspiration. We often cope with the more terrifying aspects of our humanity—and our mortality—either through humour, or the prosaic mentality that Six has in the story.What creeps you out?
It’s terrible, I know, because they’re very beautiful and interesting critters, but I have a mild almost-phobia of slugs. This is due to a house I once lived in—it was like The Amityville Horror, but with hygroscopic mucus instead of blood.
That aside, I think the scariest things are those we don’t face head-on: not just our worries, fears, or skewed perceptions, but the actual nature of our reality. We understand so little about the universe, and while the limitless potential in it is fascinating, it also makes human beings seem extremely small. The way in which we’re basically hard-wired not to explore that, mentally, is pretty creepy.
Why do you love dark/unsettling fiction?
Well, following on from the universe and infinity, I think weird fiction is the perfect medium to delve into that. It’s the place to put aside conventions and examine the unknown and unseen; the shadows at the corner of our eyes, which are never there when we turn around. Of course, the question is whether there’s genuinely “something out there” that we have yet to understand, or whether all those shadows are simply reflections of us.
What are you working on now?
I…have too many things to do. *grin* My output’s been slowed due to ill health and upcoming surgery, but I’m polishing up the first instalment of a sci-fi series and working on two dark fantasy novels, alongside the forthcoming sequel to my murder-mystery-glam-rock-fantasy-thing Dead in Time. I also hope to be adding some new short stories to my website soon—it’s been a while since I released any new free reads!
What’s the most unexpected thing people discover about you?
That I’m not Polish, I think. A lot of people I meet seem to assume I’m Polish, Czech, or American, for strange and unspecified reasons. Either that, or the fact I knit and quilt a little bit (I studied textile arts for a while). Not sure why this is unexpected, but apparently it is.
Tell us a little more about what you’re reading at present?
Right now, I’m hip-deep in some research reading for a couple of different projects, so I haven’t been reading much fiction. The Christmas Book Fairy did kindly bring me the autobiographies of Frederick Douglass, however, which are a gut wrenching but extremely powerful read. I’ve also really enjoyed Olive Moore’s Spleen, which I hunted down after seeing the sculpture of her by her husband, Sava Botzaris, and deciding I needed to read everything she’d ever written. Lovely, lucid prose dripping with 1930s aesthetics…I think she’s justly described as a blend between Virginia Woolf and Djuna Barnes. Beyond that, I have a To Be Read list longer than my arm, so one thing I’m hoping 2014 brings is the opportunity to catch up on some of it!
For the things I’m getting up to this year, free reads, and associated stuff, you can find me at www.annareith.co.uk or www.specks-of-infinity.tumblr.com
February 12, 2014
The Hereafter Gang by Neal Barrett Jr. #review
Title:
The Hereafter Gang
Author: Neal Barrett Jnr.
Publisher: Crossroad Press, 2013
If I have to sum up The Hereafter Gang in one word it would be “nostalgia”. That’s the only way to truly encapsulate what this book is about. On a superficial level this is a story about a man’s death and his journey into the afterlife where he spends his time sorting out his head before he goes back for another round.
But it’s more than that.
Mostly, this is a story about remembering and finding meaning. Doug exists almost as a sort of everyman, and here I’m also going to draw parallels between The Hereafter Gang and Jack Kerouac’s On the Road. If you read and enjoyed Kerouac’s masterpiece then ten to one you’ll *get* what Barrett is up to in The Hereafter Gang. And you’ll understand why I compare Doug with Dean Moriarty.
The pace is slow and the narrative unfolds gradually, matching Doug’s characteristic as a drifter who cuts loose the moment it seems that he’s about to put down roots or commit to a lasting relationship. He intentionally sabotages himself and there’s a degree of irony in the fact that he works so hard to avoid any real work.
The Hereafter Gang was initially classified as a work of science fiction, but in my mind it’s most emphatically a work of literary fiction that flirts with a generous helping of magical realism.
Neal Barrett Jnr. remembers a lot here. Every scene, every paragraph is rich, dense and textured with an iconic vision of a bygone America – or perhaps an America that only exists in the memories of those who grew up during the first half of the twentieth century.
Though The Hereafter Gang begins conventionally enough, Dough’s recollections of his rejuvenating “soil immersion” quickly clue readers in that things are about to get very strange – and they do.
Doug finds his opposite and guide in Sue Jean – the epitome of innocent yet seductive “cookie” who features prominently as an object of fascination. She is the sum of all the women he has ever loved though there is more to her than meets the eye. Don’t let appearances fool you, in other words.
If you’re looking for a novel that gets to the point quickly, then this one might not be for you. But if you’re in search of a tale that’s like a lazy cat stretching in a square of late-summer sunlight, that’s laden with sensory delight, then The Hereafter Gang will be an absolute treat. Barrett’s writing is pure joy for the thrill of creating vivid imagery that speaks on multiple levels that may leave you hankering after key moments in your own childhood.
Author: Neal Barrett Jnr.
Publisher: Crossroad Press, 2013
If I have to sum up The Hereafter Gang in one word it would be “nostalgia”. That’s the only way to truly encapsulate what this book is about. On a superficial level this is a story about a man’s death and his journey into the afterlife where he spends his time sorting out his head before he goes back for another round.But it’s more than that.
Mostly, this is a story about remembering and finding meaning. Doug exists almost as a sort of everyman, and here I’m also going to draw parallels between The Hereafter Gang and Jack Kerouac’s On the Road. If you read and enjoyed Kerouac’s masterpiece then ten to one you’ll *get* what Barrett is up to in The Hereafter Gang. And you’ll understand why I compare Doug with Dean Moriarty.
The pace is slow and the narrative unfolds gradually, matching Doug’s characteristic as a drifter who cuts loose the moment it seems that he’s about to put down roots or commit to a lasting relationship. He intentionally sabotages himself and there’s a degree of irony in the fact that he works so hard to avoid any real work.
The Hereafter Gang was initially classified as a work of science fiction, but in my mind it’s most emphatically a work of literary fiction that flirts with a generous helping of magical realism.
Neal Barrett Jnr. remembers a lot here. Every scene, every paragraph is rich, dense and textured with an iconic vision of a bygone America – or perhaps an America that only exists in the memories of those who grew up during the first half of the twentieth century.
Though The Hereafter Gang begins conventionally enough, Dough’s recollections of his rejuvenating “soil immersion” quickly clue readers in that things are about to get very strange – and they do.
Doug finds his opposite and guide in Sue Jean – the epitome of innocent yet seductive “cookie” who features prominently as an object of fascination. She is the sum of all the women he has ever loved though there is more to her than meets the eye. Don’t let appearances fool you, in other words.
If you’re looking for a novel that gets to the point quickly, then this one might not be for you. But if you’re in search of a tale that’s like a lazy cat stretching in a square of late-summer sunlight, that’s laden with sensory delight, then The Hereafter Gang will be an absolute treat. Barrett’s writing is pure joy for the thrill of creating vivid imagery that speaks on multiple levels that may leave you hankering after key moments in your own childhood.
February 11, 2014
Daggerspell by Katherine Kerr #review
Title:
Daggerspell
Author: Katherine Kerr
Publisher: Spectra, 1993
Katherine Kerr’s Deverry Cycle probably had a lot more influence on my writing than I’ve previously considered. This is an epic saga of swords and sorcery that employs many of the classic hallmarks but also subverts them (for instance the “damsel” is perfectly capable of showing the boys up). The basic premise is based on how entangled the fates of individuals are so that each time they are reborn, they must work through unresolved issues.
The story begins with young lord Galrion who is drawn to magic – or dweomer as Kerr calls it – but as a nobleman he is also expected to marry the right girl to further his family’s interests. But events go horribly wrong and Galrion swears to the gods that he will not rest until he has set the great wrongs right. The gods grant him that wish and that is how he takes on the persona of a travelling “herbman” and dweomer master who goes by the name Nevyn (or “no one” – the meaning of the name). Nevyn is a wandering Jew-type character who is fated to live indefinitely until he succeeds at his task.
The cruellest twist of wyrd is that Nevyn is doomed not to be romantically reunited with the woman he loves, and must watch from the sidelines as Jill hooks up with pretty-boy Rohdry, who appears to have a Chosen One type prophecy hanging over his head. The latter makes him a target for a sinister dark dweomer master who does his best to manipulate others to do his dirty work and remove Rhodry from the playing field.
This is book #1. There are 15 books in the cycle. I am well aware of the fact that once I can track down copies that I’ll have a lot of reading ahead of me.
It’s always fun to return to a book that was read many years before and see how my opinion of it shifts based on my current mindset. I was still very much Christian when I first read Daggerspell in my early teens. Nevyn’s use of pentagrams and his calling up elemental spirits and astral travelling really bothered me. Now, of course, I’ve outgrown my childhood prejudices about esoteric matters, and I don’t have a problem with these aspects of the story. I do, however, pick up on Kerr’s good/evil, white/black dualism. Granted her conception of good vs. evil is not completely heavy handed as, say, Tolkien, but the bias is very much there.
The prose itself is solid, and the world-building vivid, but Kerr does employ multiple points of view – and sometimes those shifts do jump around a bit. Not enough to totally annoy me, but I did feel the very last viewpoint character – and a totally new one at that, who only gets introduced at the end – does feel a bit like a forced foreshadowing for the next book. We already have enough hints – don’t ruin the surprise already. Or at least that’s my feeling on the matter.
Jill and Rhodry, we must remember, are still in their late teens, so they are bursting with hormones and their behaviour is completely in line with their characters. They are impulsive, quick to take offense and intense in their display of emotions. This might annoy some readers who’d prefer more mature behaviour, but I found this endearing (indulge an old bag, will you?). There wouldn’t be much of a story otherwise.
A word on gender inequalities – part of this novel’s underlying theme includes strong female characters who take back their power from a traditionally male-dominated culture. Mention must be made of Lovyan, Rhodry’s mother, whose story arc tells of a strong woman who has found ways to empower herself despite restrictive cultural norms. The star of the show, of course, is Jill, who eschews standard roles. She rides horses and can fight with a sword and brawl as well, if not better than most men thanks to her father, Cullyn, who gave her an unconventional upbringing.
The fact that Jill was capable and empowered in a man’s world made her incredibly appealing to me all those years ago, and for that for that very reason makes me appreciate her now. I feel her betrayal keenly when her father essentially sells her out to Rhodry as his mistress, knowing full well that they will never marry.
Yet, when the time comes, Jill can act where others hold back. Her bravery is refreshing, as well as her whole-hearted passion for living.
Daggerspell has stood the test of time and though I’ve heard mixed reports about the cycle of novels as a whole, I’m keen to dig in and see how the other books I’ve read have fared.
Author: Katherine Kerr
Publisher: Spectra, 1993
Katherine Kerr’s Deverry Cycle probably had a lot more influence on my writing than I’ve previously considered. This is an epic saga of swords and sorcery that employs many of the classic hallmarks but also subverts them (for instance the “damsel” is perfectly capable of showing the boys up). The basic premise is based on how entangled the fates of individuals are so that each time they are reborn, they must work through unresolved issues.The story begins with young lord Galrion who is drawn to magic – or dweomer as Kerr calls it – but as a nobleman he is also expected to marry the right girl to further his family’s interests. But events go horribly wrong and Galrion swears to the gods that he will not rest until he has set the great wrongs right. The gods grant him that wish and that is how he takes on the persona of a travelling “herbman” and dweomer master who goes by the name Nevyn (or “no one” – the meaning of the name). Nevyn is a wandering Jew-type character who is fated to live indefinitely until he succeeds at his task.
The cruellest twist of wyrd is that Nevyn is doomed not to be romantically reunited with the woman he loves, and must watch from the sidelines as Jill hooks up with pretty-boy Rohdry, who appears to have a Chosen One type prophecy hanging over his head. The latter makes him a target for a sinister dark dweomer master who does his best to manipulate others to do his dirty work and remove Rhodry from the playing field.
This is book #1. There are 15 books in the cycle. I am well aware of the fact that once I can track down copies that I’ll have a lot of reading ahead of me.
It’s always fun to return to a book that was read many years before and see how my opinion of it shifts based on my current mindset. I was still very much Christian when I first read Daggerspell in my early teens. Nevyn’s use of pentagrams and his calling up elemental spirits and astral travelling really bothered me. Now, of course, I’ve outgrown my childhood prejudices about esoteric matters, and I don’t have a problem with these aspects of the story. I do, however, pick up on Kerr’s good/evil, white/black dualism. Granted her conception of good vs. evil is not completely heavy handed as, say, Tolkien, but the bias is very much there.
The prose itself is solid, and the world-building vivid, but Kerr does employ multiple points of view – and sometimes those shifts do jump around a bit. Not enough to totally annoy me, but I did feel the very last viewpoint character – and a totally new one at that, who only gets introduced at the end – does feel a bit like a forced foreshadowing for the next book. We already have enough hints – don’t ruin the surprise already. Or at least that’s my feeling on the matter.
Jill and Rhodry, we must remember, are still in their late teens, so they are bursting with hormones and their behaviour is completely in line with their characters. They are impulsive, quick to take offense and intense in their display of emotions. This might annoy some readers who’d prefer more mature behaviour, but I found this endearing (indulge an old bag, will you?). There wouldn’t be much of a story otherwise.
A word on gender inequalities – part of this novel’s underlying theme includes strong female characters who take back their power from a traditionally male-dominated culture. Mention must be made of Lovyan, Rhodry’s mother, whose story arc tells of a strong woman who has found ways to empower herself despite restrictive cultural norms. The star of the show, of course, is Jill, who eschews standard roles. She rides horses and can fight with a sword and brawl as well, if not better than most men thanks to her father, Cullyn, who gave her an unconventional upbringing.
The fact that Jill was capable and empowered in a man’s world made her incredibly appealing to me all those years ago, and for that for that very reason makes me appreciate her now. I feel her betrayal keenly when her father essentially sells her out to Rhodry as his mistress, knowing full well that they will never marry.
Yet, when the time comes, Jill can act where others hold back. Her bravery is refreshing, as well as her whole-hearted passion for living.
Daggerspell has stood the test of time and though I’ve heard mixed reports about the cycle of novels as a whole, I’m keen to dig in and see how the other books I’ve read have fared.
February 10, 2014
Dark Harvest: Six of the Best with Autumn Christian
Autumn Christian writes the kind of fiction that fills your ears with moth wings and sibilant whispers. That's the only way to describe it. And I'm totally stoked to have her on board as one of the Dark Harvest contributors. You can pick up Dark Harvest in print, on Amazon, Kobo and Nook.
Welcome, Autumn, tell us about your tale. Where did you pick up the story seeds?
Crystalmouth is a dark fantasy about two siamese twin sisters who are stalked by an incubus. I've always been fascinated by conjoined twins, and the relationship they must have. What happens when two girls made to feel like a monster encounter a monster?
What creeps you out?
Mostly everything on earth - especially babies, dark rooms, and other people. I cross the street to avoid acquaintances because I've forgotten their names. I run out of parties with panic attacks. When I was twelve I was convinced I was being stalked by some consort of the devil who only appeared whenever I closed my eyes. I close my eyes in horror movies when someone's eyes are about to be gouged out. I'm terrified someone I hate is going to propose marriage. Maybe one day I'll wake up and find myself on a bed in the middle of the ocean - with no recollection of how I got there.
Why do you love dark/unsettling fiction?
That's a good question, why am I attracted to things that I find horrifying? I'm actually quite a sensitive person, with a sensitive stomach, and yet I'm attracted to gore, melancholia, and everything disturbing. It's a genre that sort of has belonged to me since I was a child - I remember being given BabySitter Club books and ditching them for Goosebumps. Who gives a fuck if Sally Whatever gets a boyfriend, I want to read about dancing skeletons and vampire poodles. I have a strong attraction to the unknown and the mysterious. In a world where anything is possible, what will be the outcome? And if I was thrust into a similar situation, how would I react? If I was being chased by a fanged, spit dripping rabid vampire poodle, would I escape, or join the ranks of the living dead? I love dark and unsettling fiction because it's always a question, and the story an exploration of that question.
What are you working on now?
I'm working on a few short stories, attempting to be a better human being, and a short novel about aliens, demons, and cannibalism that I'm hoping to release later this year. Last year I focused on being happy and failed miserably, so instead I think I'll just focus on writing more. I'll also have paperbacks out of my novels, We are Wormwood and The Crooked God Machine soon. And then I'll throw a party.
What’s the most unexpected thing people discover about you?
This is difficult - that I'm a lesbian? That I'm really short? That I'm incredibly shy in person, or that I'm not shy enough? I have a lot of crazy stories - including one where I got someone to drop a gun with a wrist lock. Six years of martial arts training paid off.
Tell us a little more about what you’re reading at present?
I'm a bit of a grazer when it comes to books, so I'll often have several on rotation. I'm currently reading Rab Fulton's Galway Bay Tales, as well as A Greater Monster, Nightwood by Djunes Barnes, my own book that I'm attempting to edit, and The Shining Girls.
Links
See Autumn's website, follow her Twitter @autumnxtian or go like her Facebook page.
Welcome, Autumn, tell us about your tale. Where did you pick up the story seeds?
Crystalmouth is a dark fantasy about two siamese twin sisters who are stalked by an incubus. I've always been fascinated by conjoined twins, and the relationship they must have. What happens when two girls made to feel like a monster encounter a monster?
What creeps you out?
Mostly everything on earth - especially babies, dark rooms, and other people. I cross the street to avoid acquaintances because I've forgotten their names. I run out of parties with panic attacks. When I was twelve I was convinced I was being stalked by some consort of the devil who only appeared whenever I closed my eyes. I close my eyes in horror movies when someone's eyes are about to be gouged out. I'm terrified someone I hate is going to propose marriage. Maybe one day I'll wake up and find myself on a bed in the middle of the ocean - with no recollection of how I got there.
Why do you love dark/unsettling fiction?
That's a good question, why am I attracted to things that I find horrifying? I'm actually quite a sensitive person, with a sensitive stomach, and yet I'm attracted to gore, melancholia, and everything disturbing. It's a genre that sort of has belonged to me since I was a child - I remember being given BabySitter Club books and ditching them for Goosebumps. Who gives a fuck if Sally Whatever gets a boyfriend, I want to read about dancing skeletons and vampire poodles. I have a strong attraction to the unknown and the mysterious. In a world where anything is possible, what will be the outcome? And if I was thrust into a similar situation, how would I react? If I was being chased by a fanged, spit dripping rabid vampire poodle, would I escape, or join the ranks of the living dead? I love dark and unsettling fiction because it's always a question, and the story an exploration of that question.What are you working on now?
I'm working on a few short stories, attempting to be a better human being, and a short novel about aliens, demons, and cannibalism that I'm hoping to release later this year. Last year I focused on being happy and failed miserably, so instead I think I'll just focus on writing more. I'll also have paperbacks out of my novels, We are Wormwood and The Crooked God Machine soon. And then I'll throw a party.
What’s the most unexpected thing people discover about you?
This is difficult - that I'm a lesbian? That I'm really short? That I'm incredibly shy in person, or that I'm not shy enough? I have a lot of crazy stories - including one where I got someone to drop a gun with a wrist lock. Six years of martial arts training paid off.
Tell us a little more about what you’re reading at present?
I'm a bit of a grazer when it comes to books, so I'll often have several on rotation. I'm currently reading Rab Fulton's Galway Bay Tales, as well as A Greater Monster, Nightwood by Djunes Barnes, my own book that I'm attempting to edit, and The Shining Girls.
Links
See Autumn's website, follow her Twitter @autumnxtian or go like her Facebook page.
February 6, 2014
Tainted (Broken #2) by AE Rought #review
Title:
Tainted (#2 Broken series)
Author: AE Rought
Publisher: Strange Chemistry, 2013
Our classics are a great source for inspiration, and AE Rought has paid homage to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in her Broken series. Though I didn’t get to read book #1,
Broken
, I didn’t feel at all lost in the story. The premise is clear: Alex Franks died, but his scientist father brought him back to life, but at a cost – the deaths of other young men. Now another’s heart beats in his chest, and Alex finds himself infatuated with the late Daniel’s girlfriend, Emma Gentry. Fortunately for Alex, Emma returns that love, and the two are so happily in love it’s positively gooey. But in a good way.
Of course if things were to remain that rosy, then there wouldn’t be much of a story, and there are plenty of complications our hero must face. He might have been offered a second chance at life, but he’s still tied to Ascension Laboratories, where dubious medical practices exists cheek by jowl with life-saving research.
Alex needs Ascension in order to maintain his unnatural existence. Unfortunately this entangles him with Hailey Westmore, who is a rather svelte, Evil Ex-Girlfriend of the highest order whose existence is integral to Ascension. She’s so deliciously wicked, and as the story unfolds, she’s so clearly at the heart of his problems but we just can’t pinpoint how – and she can’t just go away either.
Alex can’t find a convenient solution to this problem. He might be his father’s heir – a privileged young man – but he’s still just a teenager, who’s busy finishing his education, and is faced with all the other frustrations of not being a hundred percent in control of his life. Which tells, when the proverbial large, overripe fruit hits the fan – as it does. The plot curdles, and Alex’s frustrations increase. Things are happening in his life, and he’s at that awkward stage where well-meaning adults are still trying to take care of him – which to a degree paralyses him from solving his problems. When he does act, the results have far-reaching, unintended and tragic consequences.
Rought is a mistress of the Gothic novel who has imbued this literary style with her passion for a darn good love story that transcends the boundaries of death. If you’re looking for a contemporary paranormal tale that’s going to press all the right buttons, then add this one to your reading pile. Tragedy, madness, true love – what more could a reader ask for?
Author: AE Rought
Publisher: Strange Chemistry, 2013
Our classics are a great source for inspiration, and AE Rought has paid homage to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in her Broken series. Though I didn’t get to read book #1,
Broken
, I didn’t feel at all lost in the story. The premise is clear: Alex Franks died, but his scientist father brought him back to life, but at a cost – the deaths of other young men. Now another’s heart beats in his chest, and Alex finds himself infatuated with the late Daniel’s girlfriend, Emma Gentry. Fortunately for Alex, Emma returns that love, and the two are so happily in love it’s positively gooey. But in a good way.Of course if things were to remain that rosy, then there wouldn’t be much of a story, and there are plenty of complications our hero must face. He might have been offered a second chance at life, but he’s still tied to Ascension Laboratories, where dubious medical practices exists cheek by jowl with life-saving research.
Alex needs Ascension in order to maintain his unnatural existence. Unfortunately this entangles him with Hailey Westmore, who is a rather svelte, Evil Ex-Girlfriend of the highest order whose existence is integral to Ascension. She’s so deliciously wicked, and as the story unfolds, she’s so clearly at the heart of his problems but we just can’t pinpoint how – and she can’t just go away either.
Alex can’t find a convenient solution to this problem. He might be his father’s heir – a privileged young man – but he’s still just a teenager, who’s busy finishing his education, and is faced with all the other frustrations of not being a hundred percent in control of his life. Which tells, when the proverbial large, overripe fruit hits the fan – as it does. The plot curdles, and Alex’s frustrations increase. Things are happening in his life, and he’s at that awkward stage where well-meaning adults are still trying to take care of him – which to a degree paralyses him from solving his problems. When he does act, the results have far-reaching, unintended and tragic consequences.
Rought is a mistress of the Gothic novel who has imbued this literary style with her passion for a darn good love story that transcends the boundaries of death. If you’re looking for a contemporary paranormal tale that’s going to press all the right buttons, then add this one to your reading pile. Tragedy, madness, true love – what more could a reader ask for?
February 5, 2014
Dark Harvest: Six of the Best with Sonya Clark
Dark Harvest collects some pretty awesome authors. Okay, well, that's my opinion because I'm the editor and I picked the authors because I think they rock. Tonight's special feature is none other than Sonya Clark, who's certainly an established guest here. She's got a lovely novel out with Carina entitled Trancehack, which she terms as witchpunk. Go check it out.
For now, she's here to chat about the story that appears in Dark Harvest. So, Sonya, tell us about your story, Musicmage? Where did you pick up the story seeds?
Musicmage is about a mage given one weekend out of an asylum to help solve a murder, but she’s more interested in chasing the music that feeds her magic. The seeds for this story blew into my head from a variety of places. My own love of both music and magic made combining the two feel natural. I also had the desire to write something with a bit different tone than what I normally write. Short fiction is a great way to experiment. Around the time I was fiddling with ideas, I stumbled across some David Garrett videos. His version of Kashmir made its way into a scene in the story.
What creeps you out?
Clowns. Toys that come to life by themselves. Clowns. Weird smells. OMG, clowns. I have some serious clown-fear thanks to Stephen King’s IT. One of these days I’m going to have to face that fear by writing a story - one that involves flamethrowers. “Clown meets business end of flamethrower” sounds like a good idea for a therapeutic story, LOL.
Why do you love dark/unsettling fiction?
I think it’s a healthy way to deal with our fears and nightmares, and the dark parts of ourselves that aren’t strong enough to dominate our personalities but still exist and need expression. Plus, sometimes it’s just fun to get down with the spooky.
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m getting started on the third book in my Magic Born trilogy. I’m also tinkering with a few short story ideas.
What’s the most unexpected thing people discover about you?
It seems to really catch people by surprise that I don’t just like music, but that I know music history. And it does seem like that surprise is at least a little bit of a gender thing - “why does a girl know so much about Robert Johnson/Led Zeppelin/whoever?” It’s really blown some minds that I’ve been to all three of Robert Johnson’s gravesites. I love music history, I love knowing the stories behind the songs and albums, the life stories of the musicians and what drives them. I love music-related sites and museums, and since I live about halfway between Nashville and Memphis I’ve been fortunate to visit some really fantastic places. I love new music too, both new-to-me and brand new releases.
And I love being able to infuse my fiction with my love of music. ☺
Tell us a little more about what you’re reading at present?
I was given several books on writing for Christmas so I’ll be working my way through those over the next several months, in my own sort of “home school for writers” thing. Having been published doesn’t mean a writer is through learning the craft. There’s always more to learn, and there’s always room for improvement. So I study and work.
I also read for fun, and I think a writer can learn from that, too. But we all start out as readers first, right? Lately I’ve been reading my way through the Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh, along with my usual mix of urban fantasy and romance. I’ve got a book by fellow Dark Harvest contributor Amy Burgess waiting on my Kindle – The Circle: Blood Gift. And of course I’m reading the rest of Dark Harvest, one story at a time. As I make my way through it and take in the diversity of stories and level of talent, it makes me even more proud to be a part of this anthology.
About the author:
Sonya Clark grew up a military brat and now lives in Tennessee with her husband and daughter. She writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance with a heavy helping of magic and lots of music for inspiration. Learn more at her website and follow her on Twitter.
Buy Dark Harvest in print, on Kindle, Kobo or Nook.
For now, she's here to chat about the story that appears in Dark Harvest. So, Sonya, tell us about your story, Musicmage? Where did you pick up the story seeds?
Musicmage is about a mage given one weekend out of an asylum to help solve a murder, but she’s more interested in chasing the music that feeds her magic. The seeds for this story blew into my head from a variety of places. My own love of both music and magic made combining the two feel natural. I also had the desire to write something with a bit different tone than what I normally write. Short fiction is a great way to experiment. Around the time I was fiddling with ideas, I stumbled across some David Garrett videos. His version of Kashmir made its way into a scene in the story.What creeps you out?
Clowns. Toys that come to life by themselves. Clowns. Weird smells. OMG, clowns. I have some serious clown-fear thanks to Stephen King’s IT. One of these days I’m going to have to face that fear by writing a story - one that involves flamethrowers. “Clown meets business end of flamethrower” sounds like a good idea for a therapeutic story, LOL.
Why do you love dark/unsettling fiction?
I think it’s a healthy way to deal with our fears and nightmares, and the dark parts of ourselves that aren’t strong enough to dominate our personalities but still exist and need expression. Plus, sometimes it’s just fun to get down with the spooky.
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m getting started on the third book in my Magic Born trilogy. I’m also tinkering with a few short story ideas.
What’s the most unexpected thing people discover about you?
It seems to really catch people by surprise that I don’t just like music, but that I know music history. And it does seem like that surprise is at least a little bit of a gender thing - “why does a girl know so much about Robert Johnson/Led Zeppelin/whoever?” It’s really blown some minds that I’ve been to all three of Robert Johnson’s gravesites. I love music history, I love knowing the stories behind the songs and albums, the life stories of the musicians and what drives them. I love music-related sites and museums, and since I live about halfway between Nashville and Memphis I’ve been fortunate to visit some really fantastic places. I love new music too, both new-to-me and brand new releases.
And I love being able to infuse my fiction with my love of music. ☺
Tell us a little more about what you’re reading at present?
I was given several books on writing for Christmas so I’ll be working my way through those over the next several months, in my own sort of “home school for writers” thing. Having been published doesn’t mean a writer is through learning the craft. There’s always more to learn, and there’s always room for improvement. So I study and work.
I also read for fun, and I think a writer can learn from that, too. But we all start out as readers first, right? Lately I’ve been reading my way through the Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh, along with my usual mix of urban fantasy and romance. I’ve got a book by fellow Dark Harvest contributor Amy Burgess waiting on my Kindle – The Circle: Blood Gift. And of course I’m reading the rest of Dark Harvest, one story at a time. As I make my way through it and take in the diversity of stories and level of talent, it makes me even more proud to be a part of this anthology.
About the author:
Sonya Clark grew up a military brat and now lives in Tennessee with her husband and daughter. She writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance with a heavy helping of magic and lots of music for inspiration. Learn more at her website and follow her on Twitter.
Buy Dark Harvest in print, on Kindle, Kobo or Nook.
February 4, 2014
Cruel by Eli Wilde #review
Title:
Cruel
Author: Eli Wilde
Publisher: Perpetual Motion Publishing, 2013
Evan Jameson, by his own admission, is not right in the head. Superficially he might seem to be a gentle, soft-spoken person, but beneath that thin veneer lies something vicious and nasty that likes causing pain. Through a series of first-person accounts Evan discusses the key moments in his life, from childhood all the way to adulthood. One thing is certain – Evan exists as a nexus of cruelty: the casual cruelty done to him by others and the cruelty he himself inflicts.
I’ve often felt that children, through their lack of compassion, are capable of surprising degrees of cruelty akin to the worst that adults inflict – and some of the scenes depicted in this story will shock sensitive readers; there is no way to soften the blow. Evan is an innocent and we view the world through his eyes. He is a spectator to and sometimes unwilling participant of the immensely vicious acts of his peers, and he bears scars, within and without.
Whether his upbringing results in him being maladjusted as an adult or whether Evan inherently suffers from a mental condition is besides the point. The adult is damaged goods and I get the impression that he is only going through the motions of what he thinks is socially acceptable behaviour – mostly just to keep people at arm’s length.
The most notable relationship the adult Evan has is with the couple Denise and Morris, but once again he is the focus of others’ cruelty. Morris is a Maurice Conchis-type figure to Evan’s Nicholas Urfe.
This is not an easy story to read. It is not a feel-good novel either. If depictions of cruelty to animals and abuse upset you, do not read this book.
What Wilde achieves, and does so exceptionally well, is examine the hopelessness of the human condition. This work is dark and there is no remorse and no release unless it’s the oblivion offered by death. Yet, all through this work, Evan somehow retains a purity of essence. He encapsulates and distils the soul of a doomed generation. Life is essentially short, brutal and meaningless, but some of us can choose how we play the hand we have been dealt. The outcome might not be happy, but it brings with it some sort of resolution.
Author: Eli Wilde
Publisher: Perpetual Motion Publishing, 2013
Evan Jameson, by his own admission, is not right in the head. Superficially he might seem to be a gentle, soft-spoken person, but beneath that thin veneer lies something vicious and nasty that likes causing pain. Through a series of first-person accounts Evan discusses the key moments in his life, from childhood all the way to adulthood. One thing is certain – Evan exists as a nexus of cruelty: the casual cruelty done to him by others and the cruelty he himself inflicts.I’ve often felt that children, through their lack of compassion, are capable of surprising degrees of cruelty akin to the worst that adults inflict – and some of the scenes depicted in this story will shock sensitive readers; there is no way to soften the blow. Evan is an innocent and we view the world through his eyes. He is a spectator to and sometimes unwilling participant of the immensely vicious acts of his peers, and he bears scars, within and without.
Whether his upbringing results in him being maladjusted as an adult or whether Evan inherently suffers from a mental condition is besides the point. The adult is damaged goods and I get the impression that he is only going through the motions of what he thinks is socially acceptable behaviour – mostly just to keep people at arm’s length.
The most notable relationship the adult Evan has is with the couple Denise and Morris, but once again he is the focus of others’ cruelty. Morris is a Maurice Conchis-type figure to Evan’s Nicholas Urfe.
This is not an easy story to read. It is not a feel-good novel either. If depictions of cruelty to animals and abuse upset you, do not read this book.
What Wilde achieves, and does so exceptionally well, is examine the hopelessness of the human condition. This work is dark and there is no remorse and no release unless it’s the oblivion offered by death. Yet, all through this work, Evan somehow retains a purity of essence. He encapsulates and distils the soul of a doomed generation. Life is essentially short, brutal and meaningless, but some of us can choose how we play the hand we have been dealt. The outcome might not be happy, but it brings with it some sort of resolution.
February 3, 2014
Blood Gift (The Circle #1) by Amy Lee Burgess #review
Title: Blood Gift (The Circle #1)
Author: Amy Lee Burgess
Publisher: Loose-id, 2013
Vampires, blood and sex seem to go together like peanut butter, jelly and freshly baked bread nowadays when one opens a paranormal novel, but Amy Lee Burgess takes what some might feel is a tired trope and she makes it her own in a way that thoroughly engages all the senses.
When Claire became a vampire, she thought she’d get a second chance at happiness with a dream lover. Before this, she never had things easy. As the only child of an alcoholic mother, she suffered years of abuse as the focus of her mother’s ill will. Then she ended up with a junkie boyfriend who thought nothing of pimping her out so he could score drugs. Hardly a bed of roses. Yet Circle Master Oliver saw some quality in Claire that he admired, and had her turned into a vampire to be part of his London Circle.
Vampires are hardly a cute, cuddly family, and worst of all, Claire’s master, Parker has pulled a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde stunt on her – he is most assuredly not the charming, perfect partner who initially swept her off her feet. He claims his treatment of her is for her own good, and though she fears what her master might do should he find out, Claire finds herself drawn to Andre – Parker’s arch-rival in the Circle.
The biggest problem Claire has yet to face surfaces early on in the story. As a vampire she has always been able to read others’ – mortal and vampire – minds. Parker has told her that should their Circle Master ever discover that Claire has this ability, that she’d be staked. Yet a secret with so much importance cannot remain hidden, and unavoidably causes much strife within the Circle when it eventually comes out.
Old conflicts simmer beneath the surface, and time is running out for Claire. If she can’t work through her personal demons, she will die, as her powers slowly grow and bring with them crippling side-effects. Stunted by past cruelties she endured, Claire struggles to master her gift.
Claire is a remarkably complex character, but then I’ve come to love and expect that from all Amy’s creations – individuals who embody contrasting characteristics. Claire is damaged yet she, in her own way, does reach out to help others in similar situations. Which is ironic, because she is unable to heal herself.
The fact that this is a story featuring vampires is secondary to the primary theme – that of personal redemption and coming to terms with past ills, whether they were deserved or not.
So far as vampires go, Amy has nailed them with regard to their behaviour. They are sensual and hedonistic, and they revel in bloodletting. More so, they’re not perfect; their behaviour is often short-sighted. They get angry, display lapses in judgment – which makes them all the more fascinating to observe.
I’ve walked a long road with Amy, and have seen this novel’s earliest incarnation as a blog serial develop through successive revisions that resulted in Blood Gift. All I can say is that I’m in awe of Amy – not just her keen perception when it comes to characterisation, but also her ability to convey emotions and thought processes. Her characters might possess supernatural abilities. Hell, they’re not even human anymore, but they’re still people.
Author: Amy Lee Burgess
Publisher: Loose-id, 2013
Vampires, blood and sex seem to go together like peanut butter, jelly and freshly baked bread nowadays when one opens a paranormal novel, but Amy Lee Burgess takes what some might feel is a tired trope and she makes it her own in a way that thoroughly engages all the senses.When Claire became a vampire, she thought she’d get a second chance at happiness with a dream lover. Before this, she never had things easy. As the only child of an alcoholic mother, she suffered years of abuse as the focus of her mother’s ill will. Then she ended up with a junkie boyfriend who thought nothing of pimping her out so he could score drugs. Hardly a bed of roses. Yet Circle Master Oliver saw some quality in Claire that he admired, and had her turned into a vampire to be part of his London Circle.
Vampires are hardly a cute, cuddly family, and worst of all, Claire’s master, Parker has pulled a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde stunt on her – he is most assuredly not the charming, perfect partner who initially swept her off her feet. He claims his treatment of her is for her own good, and though she fears what her master might do should he find out, Claire finds herself drawn to Andre – Parker’s arch-rival in the Circle.
The biggest problem Claire has yet to face surfaces early on in the story. As a vampire she has always been able to read others’ – mortal and vampire – minds. Parker has told her that should their Circle Master ever discover that Claire has this ability, that she’d be staked. Yet a secret with so much importance cannot remain hidden, and unavoidably causes much strife within the Circle when it eventually comes out.
Old conflicts simmer beneath the surface, and time is running out for Claire. If she can’t work through her personal demons, she will die, as her powers slowly grow and bring with them crippling side-effects. Stunted by past cruelties she endured, Claire struggles to master her gift.
Claire is a remarkably complex character, but then I’ve come to love and expect that from all Amy’s creations – individuals who embody contrasting characteristics. Claire is damaged yet she, in her own way, does reach out to help others in similar situations. Which is ironic, because she is unable to heal herself.
The fact that this is a story featuring vampires is secondary to the primary theme – that of personal redemption and coming to terms with past ills, whether they were deserved or not.
So far as vampires go, Amy has nailed them with regard to their behaviour. They are sensual and hedonistic, and they revel in bloodletting. More so, they’re not perfect; their behaviour is often short-sighted. They get angry, display lapses in judgment – which makes them all the more fascinating to observe.
I’ve walked a long road with Amy, and have seen this novel’s earliest incarnation as a blog serial develop through successive revisions that resulted in Blood Gift. All I can say is that I’m in awe of Amy – not just her keen perception when it comes to characterisation, but also her ability to convey emotions and thought processes. Her characters might possess supernatural abilities. Hell, they’re not even human anymore, but they’re still people.
January 30, 2014
The Woken Gods by Gwenda Bond #review
Title:
The Woken Gods
Author: Gwenda Bond
Publisher: Strange Chemistry, 2013
Seventeen-year-old Kyra Locke’s world is very different from our own because five years ago the ancient gods woke, and since then things have been a bit chaotic for humans.
Washington D.C. where Kyra lives is the epicentre of all the action and is where the gods have their headquarters. Kyra’s truly in the thick of things due to the fact that her father works for the Society of the Sun, which acts as an intermediary between gods and mankind. Mostly, the Society has access to relics that help them keep the gods in line.
Kyra’s not exactly a happy camper because things between her and her parents aren’t all that great. Her father is absent most of the time and her mom – an oracle – has left the family for unknown reasons.
Things truly go south for Kyra when the trickster gods take an unhealthy interest in her, and she finds herself in a race against time to rescue her father from execution for treason.
Okay. Deep breath. I wanted to like this book a lot. From the outside, it has all the elements that I treasure, BUT, try as I might, I just couldn’t follow the storyline or understand the characters’ motivations, which seemed to shift continuously. By the time I was done, I was as confused as when I started, and I pride myself on keeping things straight. Not good when I continuously ask, BUT WHY? while I’m reading.
I get the idea that Kyra, due to her bloodline, is somehow the centre of a prophecy, and her parents are desperate (to the point of sacrificing all semblance of a normal family life) to try protect her, but their efforts don’t strike me as being all that effective. If she really was in so much danger then why not just leave the city entirely? Why allow her to grow up ignorant of the danger she’s in?
The presence of all those gods was a nice touch but I gained the impression that most of them were just waiting in the wings as set dressing for a convenient (and literal) deus ex machine at the grand finale. Anzu, Kyra’s “pet” monster is pretty neat, but I don’t get *why* Kyra is so important to deserve this special attention from a deity.
My biggest gripe with the story is the choppiness of the writing. For the most part we’re in Kyra’s first-person point of view – that is fine, perfect. The genre calls for a sassy heroine who’s doing her thing against great odds and Kyra has a lovely voice and she’s not going to take things lying down. Big thumbs up for a strong female lead.
BUT.
Her storyline is somewhat diluted by the introduction of secondary viewpoint characters (in third person) that get introduced quite far in, so that the shift in point of view is jarring. I’d just gotten used to Kyra when suddenly I must get invested in someone else?
I understand *why* the author has done this because the plot calls for her to show what else is happening behind the scenes but then I feel it only serves to weaken the pacing and steals some of Kyra’s thunder. In the end she gains her outcome largely due to the efforts of others.
The romance elements feel forced – there simply isn’t enough time to develop romantic attachments but it’s there. However, I’m almost tempted to say this would have been a stronger novel if there’d been more focus on the conflict between Legba, Kyra and her grandfather, and dispensed entirely with the secondary characters (and the romance).
Then a word too on some contradictions. A fair amount of emphasis is placed on how technology doesn’t really function properly around the gods due to their innate magic, but then why does a television crew bristling with cameras and technology, go into the heart of things to cover breaking news? They end up riding in a horse-drawn carriage because cars don’t work, but their cameras are fine… I just had to point that out because it jerked me right out of the narrative at the time.
I’d have liked to have seen further development of the gods themselves as characters. There is so much potential there. Why are the tricksters banding together? Surely they themselves wouldn’t all be in agreement? What about plots within plots? I wanted to see more of their personalities, wanted to see them interact and be more active. Then we might also have gained a better idea of why Kyra was the lynch pin to the entire saga, and also sympathise more with her plight.
All this being said, this is not a bad book. If you’re looking for fast, on-the-edge-of-your-seat urban fantasy with a female lead who totally kicks ass, and that offers a nod to Neil Gaiman’s American Gods then yes, you’ll enjoy this. But, if you’re like me and you wanted a story that digs a little deeper, you might feel the same way I do.
Author: Gwenda Bond
Publisher: Strange Chemistry, 2013
Seventeen-year-old Kyra Locke’s world is very different from our own because five years ago the ancient gods woke, and since then things have been a bit chaotic for humans.Washington D.C. where Kyra lives is the epicentre of all the action and is where the gods have their headquarters. Kyra’s truly in the thick of things due to the fact that her father works for the Society of the Sun, which acts as an intermediary between gods and mankind. Mostly, the Society has access to relics that help them keep the gods in line.
Kyra’s not exactly a happy camper because things between her and her parents aren’t all that great. Her father is absent most of the time and her mom – an oracle – has left the family for unknown reasons.
Things truly go south for Kyra when the trickster gods take an unhealthy interest in her, and she finds herself in a race against time to rescue her father from execution for treason.
Okay. Deep breath. I wanted to like this book a lot. From the outside, it has all the elements that I treasure, BUT, try as I might, I just couldn’t follow the storyline or understand the characters’ motivations, which seemed to shift continuously. By the time I was done, I was as confused as when I started, and I pride myself on keeping things straight. Not good when I continuously ask, BUT WHY? while I’m reading.
I get the idea that Kyra, due to her bloodline, is somehow the centre of a prophecy, and her parents are desperate (to the point of sacrificing all semblance of a normal family life) to try protect her, but their efforts don’t strike me as being all that effective. If she really was in so much danger then why not just leave the city entirely? Why allow her to grow up ignorant of the danger she’s in?
The presence of all those gods was a nice touch but I gained the impression that most of them were just waiting in the wings as set dressing for a convenient (and literal) deus ex machine at the grand finale. Anzu, Kyra’s “pet” monster is pretty neat, but I don’t get *why* Kyra is so important to deserve this special attention from a deity.
My biggest gripe with the story is the choppiness of the writing. For the most part we’re in Kyra’s first-person point of view – that is fine, perfect. The genre calls for a sassy heroine who’s doing her thing against great odds and Kyra has a lovely voice and she’s not going to take things lying down. Big thumbs up for a strong female lead.
BUT.
Her storyline is somewhat diluted by the introduction of secondary viewpoint characters (in third person) that get introduced quite far in, so that the shift in point of view is jarring. I’d just gotten used to Kyra when suddenly I must get invested in someone else?
I understand *why* the author has done this because the plot calls for her to show what else is happening behind the scenes but then I feel it only serves to weaken the pacing and steals some of Kyra’s thunder. In the end she gains her outcome largely due to the efforts of others.
The romance elements feel forced – there simply isn’t enough time to develop romantic attachments but it’s there. However, I’m almost tempted to say this would have been a stronger novel if there’d been more focus on the conflict between Legba, Kyra and her grandfather, and dispensed entirely with the secondary characters (and the romance).
Then a word too on some contradictions. A fair amount of emphasis is placed on how technology doesn’t really function properly around the gods due to their innate magic, but then why does a television crew bristling with cameras and technology, go into the heart of things to cover breaking news? They end up riding in a horse-drawn carriage because cars don’t work, but their cameras are fine… I just had to point that out because it jerked me right out of the narrative at the time.
I’d have liked to have seen further development of the gods themselves as characters. There is so much potential there. Why are the tricksters banding together? Surely they themselves wouldn’t all be in agreement? What about plots within plots? I wanted to see more of their personalities, wanted to see them interact and be more active. Then we might also have gained a better idea of why Kyra was the lynch pin to the entire saga, and also sympathise more with her plight.
All this being said, this is not a bad book. If you’re looking for fast, on-the-edge-of-your-seat urban fantasy with a female lead who totally kicks ass, and that offers a nod to Neil Gaiman’s American Gods then yes, you’ll enjoy this. But, if you’re like me and you wanted a story that digs a little deeper, you might feel the same way I do.
January 29, 2014
Charred Heart by Lizzy Ford #review
Title:
Charred Heart
(Book 1# of The Heart of Fire series)
Author: Lizzy Ford
Publisher: Smashwords edition
Chace is a dragon shifter, and has been cursed to be so for a thousand years and unlucky in love to boot. Predictably, he’s a bit world weary and wants nothing more than to be fully human and live out his normal allotment of years, preferably with a woman to love. But you can’t always get what you want; due to his age, as well as his powerful magic, he also finds himself cast in the role of de facto protector of a rapidly dwindling number of shifters.
Skylar is a slayer unique in her ability to track shifters and help capture them so that they can be safely rehabilitated – all this according to the organisation she works for. Skylar fully believes that shifters are a danger to humanity and need to be neutralised. Her beliefs are challenged when she meets her match in Chace, the shifter she understands is the last dragon on earth.
The sizzling connection between Chace and Skylar is undeniable – the major obstacle to their relationship the salient fact that they belong to opposing factions, each believing they have the right of things. But time is running out. Chace has made a deal with a powerful shifter in order to regain his humanity at the worst possible time when he truly needs his magic to protect his fellow shifters from extinction. Not only that, but he still has an important life lesson to learn before he can claim the woman who may possess the other half of his heart.
A quick look at the uglies: Not that much to complain about, to be honest. Lizzy Ford holds her narrative together well. There was on niggle where I had a bit of a head-scratching episode when a supposedly nocturnal shifter was seen out and about during the day (or what I pretty much assumed was the day). At times Ford writes a bit fast and misses environmental details, but not so much that I got my knickers in a twist. I felt also that the magic system was a wee bit too insta-magic at times – too effortless, but the overall pacing was strong enough to not make this too much of an issue.
The good stuff: You really can’t go wrong with Charred Heart. You’ve got two lively protagonists, both of whom are totally kickass and whose interaction entertains both verbally and between the sheets. Chace’s bad decisions come back to bite him in the posterior, and it will be interesting to see how he gets himself out of his predicament in book two. The passion between Skylar and Chace is wonderful to behold and Ford has put a lot of effort into her world-building to deliver a solid, thoroughly readable saga. This series is well worth dipping into; there’s more than enough bang for your buck.
Author: Lizzy Ford
Publisher: Smashwords edition
Chace is a dragon shifter, and has been cursed to be so for a thousand years and unlucky in love to boot. Predictably, he’s a bit world weary and wants nothing more than to be fully human and live out his normal allotment of years, preferably with a woman to love. But you can’t always get what you want; due to his age, as well as his powerful magic, he also finds himself cast in the role of de facto protector of a rapidly dwindling number of shifters.Skylar is a slayer unique in her ability to track shifters and help capture them so that they can be safely rehabilitated – all this according to the organisation she works for. Skylar fully believes that shifters are a danger to humanity and need to be neutralised. Her beliefs are challenged when she meets her match in Chace, the shifter she understands is the last dragon on earth.
The sizzling connection between Chace and Skylar is undeniable – the major obstacle to their relationship the salient fact that they belong to opposing factions, each believing they have the right of things. But time is running out. Chace has made a deal with a powerful shifter in order to regain his humanity at the worst possible time when he truly needs his magic to protect his fellow shifters from extinction. Not only that, but he still has an important life lesson to learn before he can claim the woman who may possess the other half of his heart.
A quick look at the uglies: Not that much to complain about, to be honest. Lizzy Ford holds her narrative together well. There was on niggle where I had a bit of a head-scratching episode when a supposedly nocturnal shifter was seen out and about during the day (or what I pretty much assumed was the day). At times Ford writes a bit fast and misses environmental details, but not so much that I got my knickers in a twist. I felt also that the magic system was a wee bit too insta-magic at times – too effortless, but the overall pacing was strong enough to not make this too much of an issue.
The good stuff: You really can’t go wrong with Charred Heart. You’ve got two lively protagonists, both of whom are totally kickass and whose interaction entertains both verbally and between the sheets. Chace’s bad decisions come back to bite him in the posterior, and it will be interesting to see how he gets himself out of his predicament in book two. The passion between Skylar and Chace is wonderful to behold and Ford has put a lot of effort into her world-building to deliver a solid, thoroughly readable saga. This series is well worth dipping into; there’s more than enough bang for your buck.
