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2021 Fall Flurry of Holidays Challenge -- October Reviews and Discussion
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Deadly Brew - Karen MacInerney - 3 Stars
Deadly Brew is the third book in the Dewberry Farm Mystery series. Lucy Resnick left her job as an investigative reporter, bought her grandmothers farm in Buttercup, Texas. and joined the farming community. She's been having some bad luck lately. Her well has run dry right in the middle of a terrible drought. There's an animal predator on the loose and exotic game ranch has opened up nearby so hunters can pick out a trophy and kill it. Also, she recently moved an old house to her property that everyone claims is haunted. When the owner of the exotic game ranch is murdered and her friend is arrested for putting a spell on him, Lucy has no choice but to investigate. The town sheriff, Rooster, is lazy and incompetent, which means he won't be investigating himself.
There are lots of Halloween themes including a Witches’ Ball at the Honeyed Moon Mead Winery. There is also a mysterious four-legged creature attacking the farm animals in the village, in addition to the haunted old house on Lucy's farm.
I always enjoy stopping by Buttercup and Dewberry Farm. The books are filled with funny, quirky characters. I'm always surprised at the amount of murder going on in this tiny town. I would recommend starting with the first book of the series, Killer Jam, to meet the gang as their storylines expand in each book. If you are in the market for something fun and easy to read, give this cozy series a try.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Olga Dies Dreaming – Xochitl Gonzalez – 2.5** (rounded up)
I really wanted to like this. I’d heard the author in a virtual event and felt her enthusiasm for the story and for her characters. I liked that her focus was on two successful siblings and their rise to those positions, and on the issues of living up to expectations (our own and those of our parents and community). But I never warmed up to the characters, even though I like how Gonzalez portrayed the siblings’ relationship.
My full review HERE
The Witch: A History of Fear, from Ancient Times to the Present by Ronald Hutton - 5 StarsThe Witch: A History of Fear, from Ancient Times to the Present is a dense but fascinating academic book. I mistakenly thought, based on the title, it would only discuss the history of folklore around the witch figure as we would recognize it in the modern European and North American sense, but I was pleasantly surprised. In this ambitious tome, historian Ronald Hutton goes a nearly global overview of the entire concept of magic and how it was viewed, practiced, and vilified, from antiquity to the early modern period.
This is definitely not a quick read, but I learned so much and took copious notes despite folklore not being in any research interest of mine. I mainly came to this book because I was curious about the history behind a lot of common supernatural concepts (and as an avid DND player, I sure learned the roots of various familiar fantasy fiction tropes!), but was surprised how relevant the information was to any serious student of history, particularly the chapters about the European witch trials. Since folklore and the study of witchcraft is far removed from my own academic experience, I really can't speak to the validity of Hutton's categorical arguments, nor his criticisms of other scholars in the field. However, he presented his case in a straightforward manner and it seemed believable to me. I was reading The Witch as an inspiration point for my own fantasy fiction ideas, so I care less about the accuracy of the data than I perhaps normally would, but even so the book feels exhaustively researched and careful to consider perspectives the world over and not take on a Eurocentric lens. (Hutton is, in fact, highly critical of previous scholars who have done such things.)
I do wish a few more regions were represented in the overview. Despite claiming to do a full global survey, Hutton's data contains almost no examples from Russia, nor the Middle East after the rise of Islam. Perhaps this simply reflects a dearth of English-speaking scholarship on the topic, but as these are the two regions I've most focused on in my own academic work, I likely noticed their omission more than the average reader would. I also wondered a lot about how medieval European perception of Islam and Muslims due to the Crusades might have played into perception of witches at the time of the witch trials. Moral panic and fear of the "other" seemed to be a major factor for their occurrence, and many of them happened concurrently to the Crusades. In his theory of Orientalism, Edward Said argues Western fears of the Islamic "other" date back to the Crusades and fuel negative stereotypes about Islam and Muslims to this day. As such, I wondered if there was any evidence of overlap in the medieval data about the witch trials that might point to any fear of Islamic influence as a driving force of this Satanic witchcraft so much of Europe became obsessed with at the time. If there is, Hutton does not address it, and that's another gap in the research that is perhaps worth exploring.
All in all, however, The Witch is a stunning masterpiece of academic literature that is both useful to a scholar of the field and engaging enough to hold a layperson's interest. I'm glad I spent a lot of time with it this Halloween season.
No One Goes Alone / Erik Larson2 stars
In 1905, a group of people come together to head out to an isolated house on an island where a family disappeared (I think). The people seem to be investigating paranormal activity. Part-way through, I was confused when it sounded like the group of people was shipwrecked, but I think the boat was taken or it disappeared or something, but the original intent for heading out to the island was still the paranormal activity (I think).
This was “published” as an audio book only, as Larson felt that ghost stories are meant to be told aloud. Great idea! Also great title, and (usually) great author. I was more interested in the author’s note at the end (at least it held my attention more) than the story itself.
This one, though, for me, did not hold my interest. It felt like a “classic” – slow, not much happened (I don’t think; what did happen, I missed much of). Probably the male British narrator did not help for me (for whatever reason, just that type of narration/voice will tune me out.) Like some others, it reminded me of The Haunting of Hill House, with a bit of And Then There Were None thrown in (but both of those are better – or maybe it’s because I didn’t listen to the audios of those?).
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley 4 stars - I mean it's horror icon Frankenstein! Of course October is the perfect month to read it!
There is no surprise or mystery to the story itself: Dr. Victor Frankenstein, who has a bit of an obsessive and uncontrolled mind, sets out to build a man from spare body parts and bring him to life using alchemy, natural science and maybe a touch of electricity. When he succeeds, he unleashes a 'monster' on the world. Or does he? It's a dramatic story, often slipping into melodrama, but one that also poses many questions that are not necessarily answered:
-who really is the 'monster'
-what makes one a criminal or a monster.
-judgment by appearance vs. soul/heart/mind
-responsibility of the scientist for what creates or causes
I really enjoyed reading this again. Yes, it was a re-read for me but I truly did not remember much from that read 40 years ago - more a general idea of how the book differs from all the adaptions. The original novel written in 1818 should be required reading somewhere during one's education. It reads surprisingly modern in language and concepts.
There are some problems with the book for the modern reader - the structure is clunky, the characters swing between extreme emotional highs and lows, the women are all saintly and beautiful, Victor becomes ill whenever he might have to take action or take responsibility. Oh, and you do have to suspend disbelief a lot. Most of that are hallmarks of the Romantic Era style of writing, but also of the works no doubt the author had read up to that time, such as gothic novels, classics like Dante, Plutarch and the Greek myths (the subtitle of the original text is 'the Modern Prometheus') and even Goethe, especially The Sorrows of Young Werther (all referenced in some way in the novel).
But those do not detract from the timelessness of the themes or that this is just a really good horror SciFi story that just happens to have been written in 1818. Now to read some of the essays that have been written over the years -- is it a feminist novel? is it a gothic novel? What happened to Ernest?
But first, I must read the essay about how a 17 year old came to write a horror story that started a entire genre called Science Fiction -- it's a soap opera melodrama if ever there was one.
Set in Fall ...
The Maple Murders – Micol Ostow – ZERO stars
This is the third book in the Riverdale mystery series starring the four teens from the Archie comic books: Archie, Veronica, Jughead and Betty. This started out as a pretty typical YA mystery, but then Ostow threw everything but the kitchen sink into the “plot” (such as it was). The result is just a hot mess.
My full review HERE
The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman
4 stars
In The Book of Magic the reader finds out more about the Owens family and their curse. The book centers around generations of sisters and the reader is updated on Jet and Fanny, Sally and Gillian, as well as the youngest ones Kylie and Antonia. Even Jet and Fanny's brother, Vincent, makes a return. In this story the Owens are led by Kylie on a journey to break the curse that was placed long ago to protect them from love. Over the years it has caused harm as they try to work around it in their relationships.
Hoffman's writing is lovely and her descriptions are always very detailed, letting the reader imaging a world where these women exist and practice their magic. Layers of secrets are revealed along the way and the question of what would you do for the ones you love is a theme. Books and library's are important in this story and the Owens try to find out more about their ancestors. They must trust each other and several others along the way, and as always they show how much unconditional love they have for one another. Readers of Alice Hoffman's will enjoy this next book in her Practical Magic series.
Bespelling Jane Austen by Mary Balogh et al. 
3.5 stars
I stumbled by accident across this collection by several romance writers while looking in the NYPL system for an ebook copy of Louisa May Alcott gothic stories. The description of the Emma paranormal retelling hooked me right in, even though as a general rule I don't really care for paranormal genre. This was a really enjoyable Halloween weekend read!
There are 4 novella retellings, two of which I loved and two which were just ok. Each has a letter introduction by the author talking about how she came to write this particular story.
Almost Persuaded - is of course a Persuasion retelling. Historical Romance Grand Dame Mary Balogh, who isn't into the paranormal at all, had always wanted to try a reincarnation of lovers over eternity story. Persuasion being her favorite Austen was the perfect setting for lovers who keep repeating the same missed HEA story through eternity --- until now, during the Regency Era -- can they finally find their HEA by overcoming the obstacles in their path? This was OK, though I find Balogh's romances a bit meh generally speaking. The adaptation of Persuasion was excellent I thought.
Northanger Castle - by Colleen Gleason - is a joyous romp! Caroline is enamored of those gothic novels of the day, and is convinced they exist. The story opens with Caroline attending her first Regency Era Pump Room Assembly armed with her largest reticule filled with a wooden stake, a silver cross, and other items to use should she need to leap to the rescue of some poor woman being attacked by a vampire. Loved loved loved this retelling of Northanger Abbey.
Blood and Prejudice by Susan Krinard - Retelling of Pride & Prejudice with vampires -- set in modern day NY, CT, and England, Lizzie is the daughter of the owner of a small pharmaceutical company that's the subject of a takeover by Bingley and Darcy. This was probably my least favorite. I find that when the author works too hard to include all her favorite scenes exactly from P & P, the result is disappointing and stilted. That's true here. Although I did like her treatment of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Rosings.... that was inspired.
Little to Hex Her by Janet Mullany - Emma retold in contemporary Washington DC where Emma is a witch running a paranormal dating service that seems to be under a curse. My favorite of the 4, and just inspired hilarity. This is also the most sexy of the 4.
Hebah wrote: "The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling - 3.5 starsEvery year, I pick up a Halloween or fallish looking romance and end up disappointed by it. Not this year. The Ex Hex is the Halloween-y rom..."
I thought this was cute as well! Definitely better than I was expecting.
Cora wrote: "Witches for HalloweenThe Once and Future Witches - Alix E. Harrow
5 stars
The Once and Future Witches is the story of three sisters in an alternate history of the late 19th century where women ..."
I think this book looks good, but I detested Ten Thousand Doors of January so much that I may never read anything by this author again.
KateNZ wrote: "Chaos in Death, by JD RobbI’ve read all the principal novels in the series but none of the novellas, so Flurries was a great push to pick up my first. Several of them seem to have spooky or paran..."
I think it is probably getting to be that time where I read the next In Death installment. Wish I would have thought of it sooner this month!
Kelly wrote: "The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman4 stars
In The Book of Magic the reader finds out more about the Owens family and their curse. The book centers around g..."
Oof. I am not as kind to this book as you are. I gave it 2 stars but considered giving up at several points.
Not much time to write reviews these days, but I do not get participation points anyway! I read:
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling - 3 stars
The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman - 2 stars
Fittingly finished this one on Halloween - lots of witches and daemons:The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman - 4 stars - My Review
In the second book of His Dark Materials trilogy, we meet Will Parry, who commits a crime and escapes into another world, where he meets Lyra Belacqua. Lyra followed her father, Lord Asrial, to this world at the end of the first book. The plot centers around a search for Will’s father and the titular “subtle knife” that can cut through to other worlds. Lyra continues her search for “Dust,” and its nature is clarified.
This book, like the first, is very creative. We meet a host of ethereal characters, including angels, witches, spectres, and dæmons. As a second book in a trilogy, this one furthers the original plot and sets up the finale. The character development takes a hit with the addition of Will, who steals the spotlight from Lyra, at least initially. He is a bit stereotypical, but Lyra remains feisty and courageous, and is really a wonderfully drawn character.
This second book is darker in tone than the first. It might be too scary for young children. I listened to the audio book, read by the author and a full cast. The audio version is like listening to a play. As with the first book, it enhances the experience and I highly recommend it.
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters – 3 StarsI am trying to read all books by Sarah Waters this year, as they have been on my TBR the longest. I’ve read 5 so far now, and whilst I have enjoyed them all, The Little Stranger is probably the one I have enjoyed least. I liked the story of the struggles of a family trying to hold on to their seemingly haunted home, and keep their lifestyle, including servants, in the changing English society following WW2. I did, however, feel that this story could have been significantly shortened without losing any of the plot, and this might have helped to increase the pace. This was more of a spooky, haunted houses ghost story than a scary horror, but it did leave me feeling a bit unsettled at times
The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman.
This is the kind of book that might have brought out all my critical impulses, but I read it at the right time. This is the fourth book about the Owens family, and it ties in characters and events from the three other books very nicely. It was such a pleasure to read. It felt like coming home. I can't evaluate it objectively, this is purely an emotional reaction. I loved it. I read both Practical Magic (the first book published) and Magic Lessons (set earliest in time) last year, so all those characters were fairly fresh in my mind. I read Rules of Magic many years ago, but this book recounted many of the events I had forgotten.
If you read Practical Magic (or saw the movie), you might remember the Owens family curse, which was intended to protect Maria's descendants from love. (It didn't quite work out that way.) In this book, the youngest Owens daughter becomes determined to find a way to remove the curse to save the life of the young man she loves. She runs off on her own, followed by her family, including the grandfather she never knew. The plot is exciting and different from the other books. It discussed at least 5 generations of Owens women (and one man). It starts and ends on bittersweet notes, and I found the whole book satisfying. It's a great story.
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow, 3. 5 stars
This is a story about three sisters, in New Salem in 1893. They were taught about witchcraft when they were young, but they didn't think they had any real power until something happened when they reunited as adults. The women in the town are suffering. They have few rights, they can't vote, and they have no power. Until they start to share the little bits of magical knowledge they each have. 3.5 stars
The three sisters spent many years apart, and we don't know exactly why until we are far into the story. The changing relationships among the sisters was my favorite part of the book.
Some of the prose was really lovely, especially on audio. The author played with the language of nursery rhymes, changing them in ways to fit the story. Parts of it were just dreary and depressing, and I didn't enjoy this book as much as the author's previous book. I kept asking myself, why do they keep fighting for witchcraft? It wasn't getting them anywhere. Then I remembered Alice Paul and the suffrage volunteers she organized. She endured ridicule, beatings, jailtime. and other hardships, but she was instrumental in the passage of the 19th amendment. There are many parallels between the experiences of the witches and the suffragists.
Selkies are a Girl's Best Friend by Molly Harper, 3 stars
This book is part of Molly Harper's Mystic Bayou series, about a small town in Louisiana with a large number of paranormal creatures. It's a romance with a great deal of humor, but it's also a workplace novel involving the people who run the town and work for the International League for Interspecies Cooperation. Sonia Fong is the hyper efficient human Director of the Research Center, and she works closely with the new doctor in town, who happens to be a selkie. Her boss is a Phoenix married to a dragon, who is pregnant. Her morning sickness makes her emit large amounts of fire, so she's working from home to avoid setting the office on fire. The mystery part of the story is really silly, but this was just what I needed when I had an illness myself (of a non-fire variety). I recommend this for a fun light paranormal read.
Hi Nancy, I am on my phone app so apologies if this is there but my phone is glitchy—To get the participation points, you need to post or link to reviews for these books.
If you do not care about the Participation Points but just want them to be shelved to count toward the total books read then this works!
The Once and Future Witches. 4 starsA good book for October! Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Gods of Jade and Shadow-5 StarsHispanic Heritage month, spooky read
In 1920's Mexico, 18-year old Casiopeia dreams of adventure. She finds it when she accidentally releases a Mayan death God.
Well, this just jumped to my favorite book of the year. I loved the journey the two characters took, both physically and metaphorically. My mother and her family are from Mexico, so it was fun to see places I was familiar with mentioned. I loved the character of Casiopeia and her growth throughout the novel.
This is my second book by Moreno-Garcia this year, and I think I've found a favorite author.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - 4 starsGothic horror novel set in Mexico in the 1950s. After receiving a letter from her sister, protagonist Noemí Taboada heads to a former mining town and stays at High Place, a remote country estate. She meets a cadre of peculiar residents, members of the Doyle family.
Noemí is a strong and well-drawn character, and it is easy to root for her. The mansion is a character unto itself. I could easily picture it in my mind. The story is creepy and eerie. It is not necessarily “scary” (I guess that depends on your “scare level.”), which was an advantage for me since I am not generally a reader of horror. I picked this one up as a seasonal read around the Halloween theme and enjoyed it much more than expected.
Nicole R wrote: "Hi Nancy, I am on my phone app so apologies if this is there but my phone is glitchy—To get the participation points, you need to post or link to reviews for these books.
If you do not care abo..."
I have noticed on the phone app that if someone posts a link to the book cover, any text afterwards doesn't show up. I see Nancy's reviews on my computer but not my phone.
I actually got a few books in for October but only got one reviewed:Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
The other books I read were:
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
which was a super cute rom com type book
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
still processing and not sure how I feel about it
Perfect! Thanks, Cora for confirming. I set a bad example as an admin above by not reviewing my books and just didn’t want to cause confusion.
Shelving done for October Fall Flurries.
Halloween (forgot that you do these theme challenges. Love them! This book is definitely Halloween type and has Halloween in the story too.)My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix (5🖤)
I read this with a few people on Instagram for a buddy read. They helped make the reading enjoyable for me and also helped me because I’m a scaredy-cat. Having their assurance that it wasn’t a scary horror book like The Exorcist movie helped.
My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix was fun and filled with so much nostalgia. I figured if I can survive watching the Fear Street movies on Netflix for the nostalgia than I could give the buddy read a try and I’m glad I did. There is some horror in this enough that I learned not to listen to this while walking the dogs late at night. I read the vhs paperback edition (loved that book cover the most) and also the audiobook whenever I was walking and such.
The story is set in the 1980s so there is so much nostalgia for me. It’s really thick on friendship and I loved that. I’m looking forward to reading Grady Hendrix’s other books.
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Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
The Ex Hex (other topics)The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires (other topics)
Practical Magic (other topics)
Mexican Gothic (other topics)
Gods of Jade and Shadow (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Erin Sterling (other topics)Alice Hoffman (other topics)
Grady Hendrix (other topics)
Silvia Moreno-Garcia (other topics)
Philip Pullman (other topics)
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3 stars
A few people have read this already so I will just say that I thought it was pretty cute. The characters and town were fun enough. I wish there had been a bit more magic and a little less romance but it was an enjoyable read and I would continue with the next book.