Who's Your Author? discussion
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Carniepunk by Multiple Authors; Start Date January 11th
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Oooh, I read this. It was a good anthology.
Considering the authors I'm surprised.
Lisarenee,Let me know when you would like to start.
Can we start this weekend? Maybe Saturday?
I have this anthology and was going to read it next month. I might decide to change that and join in. I love the list of authors!
I know it's a great bunch of authors. You should read it with us. :)
Warning, Spoilers Ahead for Rob Thurman to Kevin Hearne...Thoughts on "Painted Love" by Rob Thurman -
The story had a creepy atmosphere. I've read stories with magical tattoos but I think this is the first sentient one I've encountered.
Thoughts on "The Three Lives of Lydia" by Delilah S. Dawson -
Lydia was more calmer waking up naked in a strange world than I would have been.
What's a bludbunny? I'm going with vampire groupies because I don't know if I could take vampiric rabbits seriously.
"And you don't even look gnawed on, so that's a plus." - There's an introduction that would make you feel comfortable in your new surroundings.
They are vampiric rabbits. We've discovered the reason behind Anya's fear! (Anya is a demon from Buffy the Vampire Slayer with a fear of bunnies.)
This story had a sad ending. Charlie and Lydia were a cute couple. I haven't read any of the the Blud books but I enjoyed the story so I'll check out the first book.
"The Demon Barker of Wheat Street" by Kevin Hearne
Iron Druid!
I share Oberon's confusion about the appeal of chucking cow poo.
"Dogs make everything better." - I can't decide it Oberon, Mouse, or Grendel is my favorite canine sidekick in urban fantasy.
Another fun Iron Druid adventure and it had a mostly happy ending!
I'm finishing up a book then I can start. I'm definitely intrigued and slightly horrified by what you've shared.
That pretty much sums up my experience so far - the authors definitely went for the creepy vibe!
Warning, Spoilers Ahead for Mark Henry through Nicole Peeler...Thoughts on "The Sweeter The Juice" by Mark Henry
I have never heard of a maternally fixated transsexual before.
I think Annick needs to find a new job if she only has disdain for the patients.
You're definitely in the middle of a zombie apocalypse is you pay your medical bill with ham or corn.
Another creepy story.
Thoughts on "The Werewife" by Jaye Wells
I like this story. I wish it could have been longer. There was a lot of potential left unexplored.
"The Cold Girl" by Rachel Caine
Jamie might be the sickest bad guy in the series so far. He at leasts ties with Bart.
Yay for Matt!
The ice vampire concept is cool.
"A Duet With Darkness" by Allison Pang
You would think Melanie would have heard "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" and heeded the warning. Someone rescue poor Nabu! I enjoyed the story enough that I went and purchased the first book in the Abby Sinclair series.
"Recession of the Divine" by Hillary Jacques
I called Olivia's true identity when she mentioned that paper was a conduit for memory.
As a Greek mythology nut, I wouldn't mind seeing more stories set in this universe.
"Parlor Tricks" by Jennifer Estep
Gin is always fun. I liked the idea of an anti-Jojo using her abilities for evil. Too bad Owen and Finn didn't accompany the girls.
"Freakhouse" by Kelly Meding
I liked the world-building. I went to look for books set in the series but there aren't any yet. Please publish one soon, Kelly.
"The Inside Man" by Nicole Peeler
I'm a big fan of the Jane True series and the Capitola & company's antics always make me laugh. Poor Moo! I loved the Anyan cameo.
Just started and reading the first one in the anthology.
I'm sick with laryngitis. It started early last week and finally went full blown yesterday. Started with an irritating cough that slowly worsened over the week. Yesterday body aches, full out bark of a cough, and headaches began. Cough syrup allowed me to sleep and stop coughing, but leaves me feeling not like myself and unable to concentrate on reading. I'm close to taking my next does of cough syrup so my head isn't swimming at the moment. So I started.What I can say about this anthology is that it came out at Halloween so I can understand the creepy vibe and theme. Guess they decided to go with the traditional creepy/scary tone which is actually kind of nice because the vegan and misunderstood monster trend is getting a little over done.
I don't believe I've read anything by Rob Thurman and this one isn't endearing him to me. I'm still trying to figure out what Doodle is. I'm thinking perhaps a dog, but he said he pointed to himself for the boy when he said his name was Doodle, so maybe not? Back to reading.
Oh, and I started the Blud series. I've only read the first book, but I loved it. I still need to read the next. It's so very different.
Warning, Spoilers Ahead for Jackie Kessler through Seanan McGuire...Thoughts on "A Chance In Hell" by Jackie Kessler
An okay story. The setting is mildly intriguing.
Thoughts on Hell's Menagerie by Kelly Gay
Loved it. Rex was one of my favorite parts of the first Charlie Madigan book so I enjoyed his prominent role.
Thoughts on "Daughter of the Midway, the Mermaid, and the Open, Lonely Sea"
I love everything Seanan McGuire writes and this was no exception. Interesting take on mermaid mythology. Sad ending though.
Rob Thurman: Painted LoveCreepy atmospheric tale about a demon tattoo called Doodle. Interesting.
~Leslie~ wrote: "Rob Thurman: Painted LoveCreepy atmospheric tale about a demon tattoo called Doodle. Interesting."
I had to laugh. I wondered which animal it'd be and thought maybe, but wasn't sure. I loved the tattoo. I knew something about Doodle was a little off, but couldn't quite picture it. Now we'll all be wondering about those tattoos that show up on people after a night on the town that they can't remember. I liked it.
Sara said, "I've read stories with magical tattoos but I think this is the first sentient one I've encountered."Isn't Simi from the Dark-Hunter one and a demon to boot?
BDB has one too, but its emotional side is never explored. I think I recently read another, but can't recall it right now. I'll have to think about it. Wait the horses from the Lords of Deliverance series, but again, no human characteristics.
Thoughts on "The Three Lives of Lydia" by Delilah S. Dawson As I stated above, I read the first book in the Blud series. I'm pretty sure Lydia ends up in Sang, but I'll have to check my book to be certain.
The story was a little disturbing if you hadn't read Wicked as They Come first. It makes you question the lady's sanity.
Any other I was unfamiliar with I checked out on Amazon to see if the short stories were part of a larger universe. If I hadn't I would have thought Lydia was insane. I hope she ends up back in Sang.Love the picture!
*Smile* I think vampire bunnies are popping up everywhere. I think there are at least three books that deal with them.
It's a campy concept but I like campy.
Bunnicula was my son's favorite book for awhile! So funny to be reminded of it again!And yes, Simi is a demon who also lives on Acheron's body as a tattoo. But I think of Doodle a little differently than that.
Never read the Blud series. I'm reading that one today.
The Demon Barker of Wheat Street (Iron Druid Chronicles) by Kevin HearneInteresting little tidbit of information about Kansas. I wonder if all is now well between the Druid and the state?
Pretty bloody and we didn't find out if Granuaile's family is okay.
I could not finish Mark Henry's The Sweeter The Juice. Too strange all the way around for me. Read the beginning and the end and don't wish to read any more.
Thank goodness you said you liked the next story. I fell asleep during the last one.
Mark Henry, Jackie Kessler, and Rob Thurman' stories were the weakest for me. I expected more from Rob Thurman as I greatly enjoy her work.The best stories were by Seanan McGuire, Kelly Gay, Kelly Meding, Jaye Wells, and Rachel Caine.
Jennifer Estep and Kevin Hearne's were also enjoyable and at the standard I expect from those authors.
I may skip around then. I've always had a problem reading through long anthologies. For me shorter is better.
To be honest, this is the first anthology where I've read every story. When I buy an anthology I tend to read only the stories by authors I've previously read.
Thoughts on "The Werewife" by Jaye WellsI liked this one too, Sara and agree it could be expanded on.
"The Cold Girl" by Rachel Caine
Jamie was awful and I can't believe his girlfriend had no clue. I loved that Matt saved her. At least there was one happy ending.
The ice vampire concept reminded me a little of Twilight. People go off on the sparkly vampire because I think they don't get what Meyers was trying to convey. She referred to the vamps as the cold ones. When Bella touches Edward she says his touch was cold and he loved her touch was warm. Now visualize something that's been in the freezer for a while. It usually gets a thin coat of ice on it. I thought it was an interesting way to think of how the vampires wouldn't decay. They were freeze dried. Now, I could totally be wrong, but when they showed Edward out in the sun during that first movie, that's what I thought of. He's not sparkly so much as frozen--frozen at a certain time in his life being eternally young. With that thought in mind, check out the sparkly look again. Doesn't he look frost covered?
"A Duet With Darkness" by Allison Pang
I totally thought about The Devil Went Down to Georgia too. The violin, the competition. The story was such a teaser. Poor Nabu. A perfect lead in to a series because it leaves you hanging and wanting more.
Yep, I could see it as frost covered. Maybe the author should have gone with a different adjective? Sparkling leads to giggling.
Sara wrote: "Yep, I could see it as frost covered. Maybe the author should have gone with a different adjective? Sparkling leads to giggling."Very true.
Didn't read along but I thought the anthology was pretty solid the whole way through and it made me go and buy books from series I hadn't read yet. Most notably the first Blud book and Jackie Kessler's succubus series.
Who's Your Author?
Books mentioned in this topic
Wicked as They Come (other topics)Carniepunk (other topics)
This topic is open for discussion of Carniepunk by Rob Thurman, Delilah S. Dawson, Kevin Hearne, Mark Henry, Jaye Wells, Rachel Caine, Allison Pang, Hillary Jacques, Jennifer Estep, Kelly Meding, Nicole Peeler, Jackie Kessler, Kelly Gay, Seanan McGuire. Be prepared for SPOILERS.
Synopsis:
A star-studded urban fantasy anthology featuring bestselling authors Rachel Caine, Rob Thurman, Seanan McGuire, Jennifer Estep, and Kevin Hearne, whose stories explore the creepy, mysterious, and, yes, sometimes magical world of traveling carnivals.
The traveling carnival is a leftover of a bygone era, a curiosity lurking on the outskirts of town. It is a place of contradictions—the bright lights mask the peeling paint; a carnie in greasy overalls slinks away from the direction of the Barker’s seductive call. It is a place of illusion—is that woman’s beard real? How can she live locked in that watery box?
And while many are tricked by sleight of hand, there are hints of something truly magical going on. One must remain alert and learn quickly the unwritten rules of this dark show. To beat the carnival, one had better have either a whole lot of luck or a whole lot of guns—or maybe some magic of one’s own.