Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir is my second read of 2026! I listened to the unabridged audio version of this novel through Hoopla for a book club pick later on this month. 

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir is a long listen at 16 hours, 15 minutes, which is very nicely narrated by Moira Quick.

Normally, I don't gravitate towards reading science fiction or fantasy reads. They're usually not my thing. However, this year, I decided to join a book club, which meets monthly and Gideon the Ninth was this month's pick to read and discuss.

There are pros and cons for for me in terms of Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. 

I loved the world building and the mystery involved in this novel. The writing is good overall. The narration for the audio edition is excellent. I also enjoyed the snarkiness of the leading character, Gideon. 

I disliked the fact that it was initially difficult for me to get onto this novel for two reasons. Reason one is that there were so many characters with odd names to keep track of and they had nicknames or were called by different names throughout the novel, that trying to keep track of who was who was a chore. At the start of the audiobook edition, there is a list of characters and who they are, but this is not easy to refer like it would be in a physical book or ebook. Additionally, I found it difficult initially to figure out the storyline for this science fiction/fantasy read, which was kind of a turn off for me. It wasn't until several chapters in when the storyline FINALLY became interesting to me.

Below is the publisher's summary for Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir from Chirp's website:

The Emperor needs necromancers. The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman. Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense. Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as arcane revenants. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy. Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service. Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will be become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die. Of course, some things are better left dead.

I am giving Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir is the first novel in the 'Locked Tomb' series. I will be skipping the rest of the novels in the series. It's a great read if you like great world building, mystery, fantasy or science fiction books. There just is not strong desire for me to finish this series.

Until my next post, happy reading!

She Had Glass Eyes by C.S. Schiavone

I received a FREE copy of the ebook edition of She Had Glass Eyes  by C.S. Schiavone from Booksirens in exchange for an honest review.

She Had Glass Eyes by C.S. Schiavone was a recently released novella as of October 20, 2025 and is 73 pages in length. This novella fits into the gothic, historical, fantasy, and horror genres. 

I liked the premise of this novella and the story's summary, which is why I chose to read and review it. I also enjoyed the unreliable leading female character, Deliverance (Dilly) Edvance, in She Had Glass Eyes as well. 

She Had Glass Eyes is set in England in the mid-1800s. It has a bit of a Frankenstein feel to it. Essentially, you have an inventor named Dr. Joseph Faber, who has created a mechanical marvel named, Euphonia, that simulates human speech. While on public display, most of the general public recoils from Euphonia, but not Dilly. Dilly's fascinated by Euphonia... Actually, Dilly's obsessed with Euphonia and dreams about her nightly. Dilly likes the idea of creating an army of mechanical beings. Dilly looks forward to working with Dr. Faber in the future with regards to Euphonia and that is wrought with strife. I won't go into a deep dive into Dilly and Dr. Faber's working relationship towards the end of She Had Glass Eyes, other than to say it does not bode well for all.

As far as the writing goes and the overall plot development in She Had Glass Eyes, I was less than impressed. I felt like She Had Glass Eyes could have been so much better!! I'm kind of surprised with all the glowing online reviews for She Had Glass Eyes.

Below is the publisher's summary for She Had Glass Eyes by C.S. Schiavone from Amazon's website:

When Dr. Joseph Faber unveils his eerie invention in 1846 London—a mechanical marvel that simulates human speech—the public recoils. But one witness listens too closely.

Deliverance Edvane, a solitary undertaker with a mind sharpened by disdain, sees in the invention not horror, but possibility. What begins as fascination soon spirals into obsession, as she plots to take the machine for herself. Darkness stirs in the spaces between invention and insanity in this chilling tale of machines, madness, and the dangerous echo of a voice not quite human.

I am giving She Had Glass Eyes  by C.S. Schiavone a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins, which is nicely narrated by Amy Rubinate. Lady Renegades is the third novel in the 'Rebel Belle' trilogy.

Hooray, Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins was so much better than the first two novels in the 'Rebel Belle' trilogy!! Lady Renegades definitely wraps up the trilogy wonderfully and even with a happy ending!! Lady Renegades wasn't as slow as the first two novels in the 'Rebel Belle' trilogy were. I enjoyed the plot twists, the character development, and the storyline so much more with Lady Renegades.

Honestly though, I think the author and the publisher could have combined the plot for all three novels into one novel with a shorter print length instead of one long drawn out trilogy. I think this would have made this trilogy a much better read.

Below is the publisher's summary for Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins from Chirp's website:

Just as Harper Price starts coming to terms with her role as David Stark’s battle-ready Paladin, protector, and girlfriend, her world goes crazy all over again. Overwhelmed by his Oracle powers, David flees Pine Grove and starts turning teenage girls into Paladins; and these young ladies seem to think that Harper is the enemy David needs protecting from. Ordinarily, Harper would be able to fight off any Paladin who comes her way, but her powers have been dwindling since David left town, which means her life is on the line yet again. Now, it’s a desperate race for Harper to find and rescue David before she backslides from superhero to your garden-variety type-A belle.

I am giving Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins

I finished listening to the unabridged audio version of Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins, which is nicely narrated by Amy Rubinate. Miss Mayhem is the second novel in the 'Rebel Belle' trilogy.

For me, Amy Rubinate's narration of Miss Mayhem may be the best part of this young adult novel. The first chapter is essentially a recap of the happenings from the first novel, which is fine. However, Miss Mayhem is on the slow side for me personally. Plus, the plot details and storyline are not interesting enough to make Miss Mayhem an engaging read. I wasn't excited enough to care about what happens with the characters or the storyline. Some of the plot details and teenage angst seemed way to dramatic and superficial for me. The last few chapters were the best part of Miss Mayhem because the storyline finally picked up a bit. Overall, I found Miss Mayhem boring and disappointing.

I've finished listening to the first chapter of Lady Renegades (third book in the 'Rebel Belle' trilogy) by Rachel Hawkins. I do not have high hopes for this novel, but I am hoping to see some resolution by the end of it.

Below is the publisher's summary for Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins I discovered on Chirp's website:

Life is almost back to normal for Harper Price. The Ephors have been silent after their deadly attack at Cotillion months ago, and best friend Bee has returned after a mysterious disappearance. Now Harper can return her focus to the important things in life: school, canoodling with David, her nemesis-turned-ward-slash-boyfie, and even competing in the Miss Pine Grove pageant. Unfortunately, supernatural chores are never done. The Ephors have decided they’d rather train David than kill him. The catch: Harper has to come along for the ride, but she can’t stay David’s Paladin unless she undergoes an ancient trial that will either kill her…or make her more powerful than ever.

I'm giving Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

 

I've had Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins on my reading wishlist since like 2014 when it was first published. Rebel Belle is the first novel in a young adult fantasy trilogy. Eventually, I ended up adding the unabridged audio version of Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins and the subsequent novels in the trilogy to my 'to be read' pile about two years ago. Rebel Belle is nicely narrated by Amy Rubinate.

I've decided that 2025 has become the year I start and finish the entire Rebel Belle trilogy. I finished listening to Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins on Easter morning and started listening to Miss Mayhem (book two of the Rebel Belle trilogy) by Rachel Hawkins later that same day.

Let's begin by stating that I had high hopes for Rebel Belle based on the publisher's summary and the hype/reviews for this novel by other readers. I will also state here and now that I wasn't as enamored with this novel as I'd hope I would be when all was said and done. If I had not purchased the follow up novels to Rebel Belle, I'd have skipped reading them altogether.

I generally like young adult books. I also find the fantasy genre can be fun and entertaining. The plot is interesting for Rebel Belle and the fantasy aspect was fine overall. The main character for Rebel Belle, Harper Price, is a high school student who has everything going for her... Harper is head cheerleader, class president, homecoming queen, popular with almost the entire student body, involved in many social activities including cotillion, an excellent student, and dating the popular jock. Harper is an overachiever and almost too perfect, in my opinion. Essentially, Harper's life is a cliche.

At the start of Rebel Belle, Harper is attending prom night with her boyfriend, and is about to be crowned homecoming queen. Harper goes to the ladies room to reapply lip gloss just before the crowing happens, when she comes across a scene so unlikely to happen. Harper is turned into a paladin, a sort of knight with special abilities and strength, and she will have to protect an oracle, someone with psychic abilities. This event drastically changes Harper's life in more ways than she can even imagine. Throughout Rebel Belle, Harper learns about her special powers as a paladin, what they mean, how to use them, who the oracle is, and a host of other things.

I was less then impressed with the overall execution of Rebel Belle. I felt it was slow in parts. Certain scenes could have played out differently for more entertaining reading. 

Additionally, I was annoyed by the fact that Harper, and the rest of her high school friends with boyfriends, all assume that they will marry their high school sweethearts and live happily ever after. Really??? This book was published in 2014. I'd have thought the idea of marrying one's first love in high school would not have been a topic or at least one that was not emphasized so much in this novel. Maybe it's just me? I don't know.

Below is the publisher's summary for Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins from Chirp's website:

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper’s destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts. Just when life can’t get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she’s charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper’s least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him - and discovers that David’s own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

I am giving Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins a rating of 2.5 stars out of 5 stars. 

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Earthbound by Richard Matheson

 

I have read and reviewed four previous works written by Richard Matheson here on my book blog. I've enjoyed the four previous books I've read by Richard Matheson. I eagerly looked forward to reading more books written by Richard Matheson.

I decided on listening to the unabridged audio version of Earthbound by Richard Matheson and narrated by Bronson Pinchot as it had been on sale through Chirp Audiobooks website. Earthbound's plot/storyline sounded intriguing enough to warrant my interest, BUT I found Earthbound to be the BIGGEST FLOP ever!! 

In hindsight, I wished I had DNF'd Earthbound after the first couple of chapters. However, I kept reading Earthbound because I'd enjoyed reading Richard Matheson's other books and figured that Earthbound had to get better. Earthbound did pick up and grow somewhat better the second half of the novel, but not enough to warrant a higher rating.

Earthbound is billed as an erotic, ghost story. The plot centers around a married couple taking a second honeymoon in an attempt to rejuvenate their failing marriage. Things fail fast from the very beginning in every way possible. The writing is so painfully, slow and boring. The storyline is repetitious in parts. I found the couple's interactions unrealistic... neither one of them speaks their mind or communicates very well with each other and the husband, David, is quick to anger over stupid stuff. The last half of Earthbound does pick up and grows a tad more interesting when the ghost begins to inhabit Ellen's (David's wife) body, but overall Earthbound is a major dud. Spare yourself!! Skip reading Earthbound.

Below is the publisher's summary for Earthbound, which I discovered on Amazon's website:

A ghost story from the celebrated author of Hell House and I Am Legend, featuring a succubus homewrecker preying upon a troubled marriage.

In 1982, before Matheson had fully achieved the cult-and-grandmaster status that he has today, Playboy Press published a version of his erotic ghost story that was so severely edited that Matheson took his name off the book and instead published it under the name Logan Swanson.

In this restored version of the original manuscript, David and Ellen Cooper’s twenty-one-year-old marriage is nearing the rocks, so they decide to leave Los Angeles for a honeymoon and go to Long Island. Soon after they arrive at their beach cottage, a strange woman, Marianna, appears to David, and he is immediately entranced.

Matheson adeptly explores David’s growing fear and guilt, which becomes intensified after he and Marianna make love in a secret room in the house. Although Marianna is portrayed as an “earthbound spirit” (a ghost who rejects the afterlife, appears real to all senses, believes she is alive, and through psychic attack, sucks life from the living) she’s really more or less a succubus, gussied up in Casper the friendly ghost clothing. With each graphically detailed sexual rendezvous, Marianna pushes David to deeper levels of obsession, loss of will and irrationality. The story reaches an even higher pitch as the evil ghost begins to threaten Ellen, injecting some excellent suspense into unabashed pathos and outright titillation.

I am giving Earthbound by Richard Matheson a rating of 1 star out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The Sacrifice by Rin Chupeco

 

I finished listening to unabridged audio version The Sacrifice by Rin Chupeco, which is well narrated by Pun Bandhu over the President's Day Weekend. This is my fifth read for 2025.

The Sacrifice falls into the young adult genre with horror/fantasy elements mixed into the novel. The novel itself is set in the Philippines on an island named, Kisapmata, that most of the locals won't go near due to the island being haunted by a Diwata. Diwata, according to what I discovered from performing a Google search, is defined as follows:

Diwata "refers to a fairy, nature spirit, celestial being, or mythological god/goddess. It's rooted in Filipino mythology and folklore, often associated with natural elements like mountains, forests, and bodies of water."

Diwata in The Sacrifice essentially means a 'God'... And, yes, there is quite a bit of natural elements associated throughout the novel itself as well. I enjoyed the Filipino folklore/mythology being referenced in a novel. I would actually have enjoyed learning more about Filipino folklore/mythology in this novel... Bring it on!

The basic premise of The Sacrifice is that a Hollywood film crew arrives on the island to film the unusual happenings that have been observed/noted over the years on Kisapmata. The Hollywood film crew wants to capture any unusual phenomenon and turn it into a reality television show/series. Things go south fast from the very start of the novel! The main character is Alon, a nonbinary teen, that is a local and tour guide for the Hollywood film crew. Alon knows the history of the Kisapmata and is the only person willing to discuss the island's history with the film crew. As we come to realize over time, there's a lot more to Alon than what there appears to be on the surface! 

Alon also has a dog that seems to understand more than what a dog would normally understand. Alon and another teen named, Chase, have an attraction to each other. Chase is the son of one of the television executives for the television show. Chase happens to be a successful social media influencer and is going through a rough break up with a girlfriend. The attraction Chase feels for Alon is palpable, but doesn't go very far beyond an attraction as it isn't the primary focus of the novel. 

The main focus of The Sacrifice is all that is going on on the island since the arrival of the film crew. The crew members are essentially held hostage on Kisapmata by the Diwata. Communications to the mainland have gone down and a storm is preventing rescue teams from moving in to take the film crew off the island. Most of the crew members start having hallucinations. Alon has to play interference and protect most of the crew members from the Diwata. Film crew members start turning on each other as the novel moves forward. All things come to a head at the end of the novel.

Also worth noting, Rin Chupeco is a new to me author. Since reading The Sacrifice, I've learned that she is of Chinese-Filipino decent, is pansexual, lives with her partner, and two children. 

I am always on the lookout for novels written by Pacific Islanders or Filipino-American writers as my husband was born in the Philippines and moved to the United States as a young child with his family.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Sacrifice by Rin Chupeco from Amazon's website:

An island oasis turns deadly when a terrifying legend threatens to kill off visitors one by one in this haunting novel from the highly acclaimed author of The Girl from the Well and the Bone Witch trilogy.

Pristine beaches, lush greenery, and perfect weather, the island of Kisapmata would be the vacation destination…if not for the curse. The Filipino locals speak of it in hushed voices and refuse to step foot on the island. They know the lives it has claimed. They won't be next.

A Hollywood film crew won't be dissuaded. Legend claims a Dreamer god sleeps, waiting to grant unimaginable powers in exchange for eight sacrifices. The producers are determined to document the evidence. And they convince Alon, a local teen, to be their guide.

Within minutes of their arrival, a giant sinkhole appears, revealing a giant balete tree with a mummified corpse entwined in its gnarled branches. And the crew start seeing strange visions. Alon knows they are falling victim to the island's curse. If Alon can't convince them to leave, there is no telling who will survive. Or how much the Dreamer god will destroy…

I am giving The Sacrifice by Rin Chupeco 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Circus of the Dead: Book 1 by Kimberly Loth

 

I recently listened to the unabridged audio version of Circus of the Dead: Book 1 by Kimberly Loth, which was well narrated by Sarah Puckett. 

Circus of the Dead is a young adult novel, which deals with the supernatural, horror, and fantasy genres all mixed together in one novel. I liked the concept for this novel, but it didn't play out very well... Or at least, as good as I hoped it would play out.

Callie, the main character, is a teenager sent by her mother to live with her Uncle Luke for the summer. Luke is Callie's mother's brother. Callie and Luke have never met before. In fact, Luke has no idea that Callie is coming all the way from California to the Louisiana Bayou to work at the circus. Things go wrong from the  very start of this novel and continue to go from bad to worse rather quickly. Callie is almost killed by a tiger when she is locked inside the tiger's cage. Then, Callie visits the fortune teller at the circus for a tarot reading. Callie draws two tarot cards that seal her fate. Callie's fate is that she will be stuck on the island where the circus is held, unable to escape forever, and that she'll fall in love. 

Throughout the remainder of the novel, Callie tries to escape the island numerous times without success. Callie is almost killed a few times... And Samuel, the mysterious ringmaster, has strange powers/control over the permanent residents of the island. Samuel isn't who he seems to be, yet Callie is attracted to him. Stranger still is the fact that Callie's parent's won't rescue her despite several pleas on Callie's part to come home. Nor do Callie's parents and her younger sister believe she is in any sort of danger.

Circus of the Dead: Book 1 by Kimberly Loth starts out pretty well and the ending is decent enough. However, the middle of the novel has a lot of action that doesn't move the storyline along substantially... Sure, we learn a little more about some of the other islanders and the circus itself. But, I felt like the plot didn't explain enough about the mysteries concerning the circus itself, or enough about Callies's Uncle Luke and her parents, or even much regarding the mysterious, Samuel, and his backstory. I will skip the rest of the 'Circus of the Dead' series.

Below is the plot summary for Circus of the Dead: Book 1 by Kimberly Loth found on the Goodreads website:

There are many ways to die at the Circus of the Dead. You’re invited to witness them all.

Mom sent me all the way across the country to the Louisiana bayou to join the circus and help my uncle for the summer. Except, there is something not quite right on this swampy cursed island, and after having my fortune told, I can’t leave. I try to escape, but Benny, an all too charming ghost gangster, tries to kill me by feeding me to a tiger.

Thankfully, I’m rescued by Samuel, the incredibly hot ringmaster who can’t be a day over 20. Can he?

In addition to avoiding the human scorpion, staying away from the big cats, and having trouble figuring out who’s dead and who’s alive, I have to find a way to escape this horror show.

Will I get out of the circus alive, or will I join their army of ghosts and become a murderer myself?

I am giving Circus of the Dead: Book 1 by Kimberly Loth a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Houses Without Doors by Peter Straub

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Houses Without Doors by Peter Straub, which well narrated by Patrick Lawlor last month as a spooky/horror themed read for Halloween. This is the first book I've ever read by Peter Straub, although I've heard about him before as an author for a number of years. I am so happy that I have finally read a book by Peter Straub. His writing is exquisite.

Houses Without Doors by Peter Straub is a collection of short stories. I usually find short stories hit or miss. The stories in this collection were interesting, engaging, and different to say the least. Each story was so different. If you like the horror genre and also short stories, then give this collection a try.

I think what I enjoyed most about Houses Without Doors by Peter Straub was the writing itself. I look forward to read a full length novel by Peter Straub in the future.

Below is the publisher's summary for Houses Without Doors by Peter Straub from Amazon's website:

These psychic and horror fictions - seven of them short-shorts - reveals Straub at his spellbinding best. Two tales (first installments of his Blue Rose trilogy), are linked to Koko and Mystery and exactingly probe the consequences of boyhood clashes with evil.

In "Blue Rose," sadistic Harry Beevers, 10, hypnotizes and destroys his younger brother; the tale leaps ahead to the ironic verdict in Harry's court-martial for wreaking atrocities in Vietnam.

In the outstanding "The Juniper Tree," a novelist relives a harrowing, seductive summer when, at age seven, he was sexually molested in a movie house by drifter Stan, a seedy Alan Ladd lookalike.

"The Buffalo Hunter" fastidiously chronicles the fixations of a 35-year-old who numbs his fear of women by sucking his coffee and cognac from baby bottles.

In the ambitious gothic thriller/academic spoof "Mrs. God," a fatuous professor is lured to a creepy English mansion crammed with grisly secrets to research the papers of his poet ancestress; dead babies provide a subtheme.

Wry and riveting, "A Short Guide to the City" fuses and parodies two genres: the self-congratulatory tourist blurb with a news alert on the "viaduct killer."

I am giving Houses Without Doors by Peter Straub a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner

 

It wasn't until last year that I first learned about Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner. I went on to do further research online and learned that this classic novel was first published in 1926. According to Wikipedia, Lolly Willowes was well received by book critics and subsequently became the very first Book Of The Month for the Book Club. This novel is both a satire and feminist classic with fantasy elements.

So for Women's History Month this year, I decided to listen to the unabridged audio version of Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner, which is well narrated by Sarah Nichols.

I enjoyed listening to Lolly Willowes. This novel gave an interesting glimpse as to the author's view on women during the day and the cultural views of women at the time as well. The storyline, characters, and writing were also good. Lolly Willowes is a short read and I recommend it to other interested readers. I love the fantasy aspect of this novel too.

Below is the plot summary for Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner from Chirp's website:

Tabbed as one of the 100 best novels of all time by the Guardian, this “witty, eerie, tender” tale (John Updike) was originally published in 1926. Spinster Lolly Willowes yearns for freedom from her family. When she finally escapes to the hamlet of Great Mop, she realizes she’s wound up in a village of witches!

I am giving Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The Moon Marked Trilogy by Aimee Easterling

 

I've found paranormal romance/fantasy to be very hit or miss to be honest. I purchase a lot of my audiobooks these days through Chirp.com as they do not require a subscription like Audible does and Chirp offers several daily deals each day. So, when I noticed the The Moon Marked Trilogy by Aimee Easterling deeply discounted through Chirp's website, I thought why not try this trilogy? After all, I do like paranormal romance/fantasy occasionally, discovering new to me authors, and also the storyline sounded interesting enough... Plus, the average rating for this trilogy is currently 4.3 stars out of 5 stars with 450+ reviewers. So, The Moon Marked Trilogy by Aimee Easterling sounded like a series not to be passed up.

Well, quite frankly, I was disappointed with The Moon Marked Trilogy by Aimee Easterling. The best part of the The Moon Marked Trilogy by Aimee Easterling is that it was well narrated by Piper Goodeve... Let me state that again, the best part of the The Moon Marked Trilogy by Aimee Easterling is that it was well narrated by Piper Goodeve. This trilogy had so much potential!! But I felt it flopped BIG TIME. I can't understand all of the good reviews for this trilogy.

I liked the narration as stated for The Moon Marked Trilogy, along with the premise of this trilogy, and lastly, that it is a paranormal romance. 

However, there was too much senseless drama/action throughout the The Moon Marked Trilogy for the sake of drama/action... It felt like the senseless drama/action was the author's weak attempt to propel the story/plot along. I think there were better ways to develop the storyline than through the endless treadmill of action sequences and drama. I was so bored by the storyline and characters by the end of this trilogy, that I was simply glad it over with.

Additionally, Mai Fairchild's younger sister is a whiny, brat who pitches a fit in most of the scenes we see her in, which grew very old after a while.

As far as paranormal romances go, there was little of it in The Moon Marked Trilogy... There was always the promise that Mai was going to hook up with the alpha werewolf, but there was always something that interfered with their romance until the end of the last novel. Even then, there was little romance to satisfy the reader.

Below is the plot summary for The Moon Marked Trilogy by Aimee Easterling from Chirp's website:

I’m Mai Fairchild — fox shifter, sister’s keeper, and bane of the local werewolf pack. In a world where different is dangerous, my sister and I must pretend to be human at all costs. Too bad I just lost the job that lets me live under the radar while putting food on my sister’s plate.

Enter an enticing werewolf who offers enough cash to upgrade our diets from ramen noodles to salami if I join him on a magical hunt. But can I afford to accept the opportunity when the risk of working closely with every fox shifter’s sworn enemy is so great?

I am generously giving The Moon Marked Trilogy by Aimee Easterling a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my post, happy reading!!!

Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry

In March 2019, I listened to and reviewed the unabridged audio version of Wishes & Wellingtons by Julie Berry and narrated by Jayne Entwistle. It had been my first experience with anything written by Julie Berry and I'd thoroughly enjoyed Wishes & Wellingtons. I looked forward to reading another novel written by Julie Berry in the future.

Purely by happenstance, I discovered that a sequel to Wishes & Wellingtons titled, Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry, had been published earlier this year. Since I enjoyed Wishes & Wellingtons so much, I looked forward to the continuation of this series.
I wasn't disappointed with my decision! Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry is wonderfully rendered and well narrated by Jayne Entwistle.

Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry is a book for children set in Victorian England and contains adventure and fantasy elements in its plot. I love the characters for Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2), especially the main character, Maeve Merrit, as she is a feisty, adventurous girl and an overall fun character.

The writing, plot, and storyline are once again well done by Julie Berry for Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2). I liked the continuation of the storyline from the first novel in the series and how Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) takes readers to new places. 

I certainly enjoyed listening to Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry and I think young readers will too.

Below is a summary for Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry from Audible:

Now that Maeve Merrit has surrendered Mermeros, the djinni she found in a sardine can, she expects her life in London will be dull as dirt. Mermeros, however, has other plans. Maeve’s friend Tommy, a former orphan, has been adopted by Mermeros’s newest owner. When Tommy’s new father tries to use one of his wishes, he and Mermeros go missing - and without a guardian, Tommy will be forced back to the orphanage.

Maeve, Tommy, and their friend Alice embark on an adventure full of magic, danger, and flying carpetbags to rescue Tommy’s father and the djinni they’ve grown to love. But will they come to their rescue before Mermeros’ fabled wishes fall into the wrong hands?

I am giving Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan

I read the advance reader's copy of Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan, which is the first novel in the 'Something Dark and Holy' trilogy. This is a young adult novel that falls into the dark fantasy genre.

I received my copy of Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan for FREE through the Goodreads Giveaway program. 

Below is my honest, unbiased review of Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan.

I had HIGH HOPES for Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan based on the fact that the likes of well known authors such as, Robin LaFevers, Stephanie Garber, and Rosamund Hodge, gave glowing remarks for this novel. Additionally, the storyline sounded excellent and engaging. So with that in mind, how could I resist reading Wicked Saints?

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan started out engaging enough and looked like a promising read. I enjoyed the premise of this novel, but the execution wasn't great. The characters and plot fell flat, especially towards the end of Wicked Saints. Not much dimension either for the characters or the plot. 

Occasionally, the storyline wasn't very clear... And at times, I felt like the storyline was repetitious. Like how many times can the main character, Nadya, express distrust for Malachiasz, among other things? After a while, I didn't care about the plot, the story, or the characters and simply wanted to finish reading Wicked Saints. Ugh!! 

Needless to say, I will not read any of the other novels in the 'Something Dark and Holy' trilogy by Emily A. Duncan.

Below is the publisher's summary for Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan from Amazon:

A girl who can speak to gods must save her people without destroying herself.

A prince in danger must decide who to trust.

A boy with a monstrous secret waits in the wings.

Together, they must assassinate the king and stop the war.

In a centuries-long war where beauty and brutality meet, their three paths entwine in a shadowy world of spilled blood and mysterious saints, where a forbidden romance threatens to tip the scales between dark and light. Wicked Saints is the thrilling start to Emily A. Duncan’s devastatingly Gothic Something Dark and Holy trilogy.

I am giving Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan a rating of 1 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare (Cirque du Freak #1) by Darren Shan

 

Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare (Cirque du Freak #1) by Darren Shan is a surprise read for me this year. It's not a book that had been on my radar, but the storyline and reviews of this novel and series reeled me in. I listened to the unabridged audio version of this young adult/fantasy novel, which is the 1st novel in the Cirque du Freak series.

I absolutely enjoyed Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare (Cirque du Freak #1) by Darren Shan!! The writing and storytelling is fabulous. Ralph Lister is a magical narrator and made listening to Cirque du Freak come alive.

The story revolves around Darren Shan and his best friend, Steve, attending a performance of Cirque du Freak. They must attend in secret as freak shows are illegal and their parents wouldn't allow them to attend the event most likely even if the shows weren't illegal.

Darren and Steve love the freak show and the various performances within the show... There is even a poisonous spider that performs in the freak show, which Darren loves as he loves spiders. 

However, things go south fast when Steve recognizes a performer, Mr. Crepsley, and that Mr. Crepsley is a vampire. Steve decides to confront Mr. Crepsley after the show and asks him to turn him into a vampire, which Mr. Crepsley flatly declines to do. Steve isn't happy with Mr. Crepsley's answer, period and says things to Mr. Crepsley that don't sit right with Darren. Darren begins social distancing himself from Steve.

Things become more interesting when Darren decides to steal Mr. Crepsley's poisonous spider. Darren must hide/keep the spider secret from his family as they would never let him keep the spider. Darren works with spider in gaining its trust and training it to do tricks. But, of course, Steve stops by for a visit with Darren who now has to explain why he's been avoiding Steve... Darren shows Steve the poisonous spider... And wouldn't you know it, Steve is bitten by the spider and is rushed to the hospital unconscious.

Things turn even more interesting at this point for Darren in order to save Steve and I'll leave it at that to avoid spoiling the ending.

Below is the summary for Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare (Cirque du Freak #1) by Darren Shan from Audible:

In the tradition of Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes and Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot, New York Times best-seller Cirque du Freak is the first title in the popular Saga of Darren Shan series.

Darren Shan and his best friend, Steve, get tickets to the Cirque du Freak, a wonderfully gothic freak show featuring weird, frightening half human/half animals who interact terrifyingly with the audience. In the midst of the excitement, true terror raises its head when Steve recognizes that one of the performers - Mr. Crepsley - is a vampire!

Steve confronts the vampire after the show finishes - but his motives are surprising! In the shadows of a crumbling theater, a horrified Darren eavesdrops on his friend and the vampire, and is witness to a monstrous, disturbing plea. As if by destiny, Darren is pulled to Mr. Crepsley and what follows is his horrifying descent into the dark and bloody world of vampires.

This is Darren’s story.

I am giving Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare (Cirque du Freak #1) by Darren Shan a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Of Neptune (The Syrena Legacy #3) by Anna Banks

 

I have finished the 'The Syrena Legacy' trilogy by Anna Banks!! This marks the fourth trilogy I have started and finished in 2021. Now I simply need to finish reading one more trilogy to meet my reading goal of five trilogies for 2021!!

Last month, I listened to the first novel in the 'The Syrena Legacy' trilogy. After finishing Of Poseidon by Anna Banks, I wasn't sure I wanted to continue listening to the two remaining novels in this trilogy as I wasn't particularly impressed with the first novel in 'The Syrena Legacy' trilogy. However, I am currently very happy that I decided to finish this trilogy after all, as it ended up being very good.

I think what I enjoyed most about 'The Syrena Legacy' trilogy was how it evolved over time with each novel sharing a new facet of the storyline with readers to keep them engaged. The first novel in 'The Syrena Legacy', Of Poseidon, introduced readers to Emma and Galen, the back story for each of them, and the story of their romance. Book two, Of Triton, focuses more on Emma's relationship with her mom and more about the Syrena people, plus lots of adventure thrown in... And, of course, more about Emma and Galen's budding romance.

Then, I listened to the unabridged audio version of Of Neptune (The Syrena Legacy #3) by Anna Banks and narrated by Rebecca Gibel earlier this month.

Of Neptune (The Syrena Legacy #3) by Anna Banks takes us in a new and interesting direction. Both Emma and Galen set off on a much needed vacation alone together. Emma's grandpa suggests that she and Galen visit the small town of Neptune. But Emma's grandpa is really vague on his reasons why he is pointing her and Galen there for exploration. 

We soon learn that the town of Neptune is home to both full blooded Syrena (like Galen) and half human/half Syrena beings (like Emma), which is a surprise revelation to both Emma and Galen. Emma is excited about finding a town filled with half breeds like herself as Emma has been made to feel like an outcast by most of the full blooded Syrena whom aren't keen on half breeds. Galen isn't excited at all about discovering a large number of half breeds... And the fact that one of them named, Reed, is flirting full force with his girlfriend.

Twists and turns abound throughout Of Neptune (The Syrena Legacy #3) by Anna Banks that keep the reader engaged. All in all, I really enjoyed reading Of Neptune.

Listening time for Of Neptune (The Syrena Legacy #3) by Anna Banks is 9 hours, 36 minutes.

Below is the summary for Of Neptune (The Syrena Legacy #3) by Anna Banks from Audible:

Emma and Galen's kingdom - and their love - is threatened by long-lost Syrena in the brilliant conclusion to Anna Banks' best-selling trilogy.

Emma, half human and half Syrena, and her Syrena love, Galen, need time together - alone. Away from the kingdoms of Poseidon and Triton. Emma's grandfather, the Poseidon king, suggests the two visit a small town called Neptune.

Neptune is home to both Syrena and Half-Breeds alike. But Emma and Galen didn't sign up to be peacemakers between the ocean and the land-dwelling, freshwater Syrena. They didn't bargain for meeting a charming Half-Breed named Reed, who can barely disguise his feelings for Emma. And they especially didn't expect to find themselves in the middle of a power struggle that threatens not only their love but their ocean kingdoms.

In this stunning conclusion to her best-selling Syrena Legacy, Anna Banks thrills fans with more action and romance than ever.

I am giving Of Neptune (The Syrena Legacy #3) by Anna Banks a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Of Triton (The Syrena Legacy #2) by Anna Banks

 

Right after I finished listening to Of Poseidon (The Syrena Legacy #1) by Anna Banks, I began listening to Of Triton (The Syrena Legacy #2) by Anna Banks and narrated by Rebecca Gibel.

Listening time for Of Triton (The Syrena Legacy #2) by Anna Banks is 7 hours, 52 minutes.

I enjoyed Of Triton (The Syrena Legacy #2) by Anna Banks so much more than I did the first novel in the 'The Syrena Legacy' trilogy. I'm glad that I didn't stop after the first novel as Of Triton was so much more captivating. The storyline for Of Triton explored more of the relationship between Emma and her mom, Nalia, and also contained more about the history/world of the Syrena (mermaids) than was discussed in the first novel, Of Poseidon. 

Additionally, Of Triton, focused more on other plot details other than teenage drama/angst like the first novel did, which was a HUGE relief.

I've begun listening to the third and final installment of the 'The Syrena Legacy' trilogy, Of Neptune, today. I look forward to finishing it and reviewing it here on my blog soon.

Below is a summary for Of Triton (The Syrena Legacy #2) by Anna Banks from Audible:

Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess and now struggles with an identity crisis. As a half-breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm. Syrena law states that all half-breeds should be put to death.

As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance in the Syrena world turns the two kingdoms - Poseidon and Triton - against one another. That leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself - and her gift - to save a people she’s never known?

I am giving Of Triton (The Syrena Legacy #2) by Anna Banks a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Of Poseidon (The Syrena Legacy #1) by Anna Banks

 

One of my reading goals for 2021 is to read five different trilogies. So with that in mind, I listened to the unabridged audio version of Of Poseidon (The Syrena Legacy #1) by Anna Banks and narrated by Rebecca Gibel.

Listening time for Of Poseidon (The Syrena Legacy #1) by Anna Banks is 9 hours, 32 minutes.

 Of Poseidon (The Syrena Legacy #1) by Anna Banks falls into the fantasy/paranormal romance genre for young adults. I was initially attracted to this trilogy due to mermaids and the paranormal romance aspect of it... And of course, the plot sounded interesting too.

I felt like Of Poseidon (The Syrena Legacy #1) by Anna Banks could have been so much better overall. The narration by Rebecca Gibel was excellent for this novel. But there seemed to be too much teenage angst/drama going on for me between the teenage characters for my liking. Plus, Galen's sister, Rayna, was so annoying as a character... I intensely disliked Rayna as a character. I also disliked Emma's mom, Nalia, as she was annoying personality wise as well. Also, Nalia hid things from her daughter, Emma, that I thought was important for Emma to know.

For much of Of Poseidon (The Syrena Legacy #1) by Anna Banks, I thought I was going to rate it 2 out of 5 stars and I was also seriously questioning whether I wanted to continue with the rest of the trilogy. However, the last 5 or so chapters did pick up and made for more interesting reading. So, I was able to give Of Poseidon (The Syrena Legacy #1) by Anna Banks a better rating in the end. Additionally, I did decide to continue with the trilogy and will be reviewing the second novel in the 'Syrena Legacy' trilogy soon.

Below is the summary for Of Poseidon (The Syrena Legacy #1) by Anna Banks from Audible:

Emma and her friend Chloe are spending vacation in Florida. When Emma (literally) runs into a hot guy named Galen on the beach, little does she know he's a prince of the Syrena. Galen and Emma both feel something strange - is it attraction? - and Galen suspects that Emma might well be the girl he's heard of - a human who can communicate with fish. What follows is a deadly scene with a shark in which Galen witnesses Emma's gifts. He must know more about her, and follows her back to New Jersey, and high school, to find out for sure if she's the key to saving his kingdom.

Soon, Emma can't deny her feelings for him, but can't explain them, either - and both she and Galen must learn more about where she comes from and what her powers are before they can trust one another and their feelings. Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

I am giving Of Poseidon (The Syrena Legacy #1) by Anna Banks a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg

I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg and narrated by Amy McFadden. The Paper Magician is the first novel in the The Paper Magician series and falls into the young adult/steampunk/fantasy genres.

Although I loved the premise of The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg, I didn't end up enjoying the storyline all that much. Ceony Twill, the main character, comes off as kind of bratty/ungrateful at the start of this novel. Then Ceony slowly warms up to her apprenticeship in paper magic once she becomes acquainted with her paper magic instructor, Emery Thane, and begins her training. 

Shortly after her training begins, Ceony's world is turned upside down when her instructor, Emery Thane, has his heart ripped out of his chest by an Excisioner, a practitioner of dark, flesh magic, and Ceony is left to rescue him. The storyline and plot go downhill quickly from there. I could have cared less what happened after that as the story and plot became uninteresting to me. Needless to say, I'll skip the rest of the series.

Listening time for The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg is 7 hours, 25 minutes. Amy McFaddon is an okay narrator.

Below is the plot summary for The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg from Audible:

Ceony Twill arrives at the cottage of Magician Emery Thane with a broken heart. Having graduated at the top of her class from the Tagis Praff School for the Magically Inclined, Ceony is assigned an apprenticeship in paper magic despite her dreams of bespelling metal. And once she’s bonded to paper, that will be her only magic...forever.

Yet the spells Ceony learns under the strange yet kind Thane turn out to be more marvelous than she could have ever imagined - animating paper creatures, bringing stories to life via ghostly images, even reading fortunes. But as she discovers these wonders, Ceony also learns of the extraordinary dangers of forbidden magic.

An Excisioner - a practitioner of dark, flesh magic - invades the cottage and rips Thane’s heart from his chest. To save her teacher’s life, Ceony must face the evil magician and embark on an unbelievable adventure that will take her into the chambers of Thane’s still-beating heart - and reveal the very soul of the man.

From the imaginative mind of debut author Charlie N. Holmberg, The Paper Magician is an extraordinary adventure both dark and whimsical that will delight fans of all ages.

I'm giving The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I've had the paperback version of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern in my 'to be read' pile for years. I've been wanting to read this novel ever since I obtained it from the FOL Used Bookstore in Carpinteria, California for a $1. 

So in an effort to read older books in my 'to be read' pile, I chose to listen to the unabridged audio version of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and narrated by Jim Dale from Audible instead of reading the physical book as I am having better success listening to books verses reading them these days. I chose to leave the paperback edition of The Night Circus at a Little Free Library not to long ago.. 

Listening time for The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is 13 hours, 40 minutes.

I have heard nothing but rave reviews about The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern from other readers and reviewers, which could be both a blessing and a curse. A blessing in a sense that it meant this fantasy novel is an excellent one not to be missed... Or a curse as it may not live up to the hype. 

Fortunately for me, I truly enjoyed listening to The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern more than I thought I would. Jim Dale is also an excellent narrator and he really made this novel truly stand out. I thought that storyline, characters, and writing were good. I also enjoyed the tarot/fortune telling aspect featured throughout this novel as I have been somewhat intrigued by tarot and divination in general. I now want to read a few tarot books and learn more about it. And, of course, the entire theme of magic and the circus within The Night Circus are quite captivating as well.

Although, I really liked The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, I didn't love it. There were a few minor plot details that I had questions about once I finished listening to this novel. Additionally, I felt a few areas of the novel were a tad slow. Lastly, I wished the novel's timeline was completely linear instead of going back and forth in time.

The following is a plot summary for The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern from Audible:

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.

I enjoy hearing authors talk about the books they write. Below is an author interview of Erin Morgenstern talking about her novel, The Night Circus in an interview.

I am giving The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax

Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax is the fourth novella/short story I've read in the Cyborg Sizzle Series by Cynthia Sax. Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax is approximately 68 pages and is the 13th read Cyborg Sizzle Series.

I was able to download Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax to my Kindle for FREE from Amazon. Below is my honest, unbiased review of Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax.

I must say that I really liked reading Jumping Barrel, Being Green, and Knowing Zip by Cynthia Sax despite each one being predictable, formulaic, and easy breezy reads. But hey, sometimes lowbrow reads are needed!

Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax is another predictable, formulaic, and easy breezy read. It pretty much follows the same formula as the three previous Cyborg Sizzle Series books I read and was as expected in that way. 

However, as much as I've liked the Cyborg Sizzle Series thus far, Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax was lacking/annoying to me... I felt somethings were said repeatedly between the two main characters. Like how many time can you say the same thing but in a slightly different without it becoming annoying??

Yes, there's also a lot of Insta-Love/Insta-Lust too in Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax, which I didn't mind as there was also action and a storyline as well. The dialogue between the main characters is a bit cheesy, but also part of the charm perhaps?

Below is the plot summary for Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax from Amazon:

A cyborg warrior and a Rebel female’s first mission together might be their last.

Arsenal considers himself to be a disposable cyborg. He drifts from assignment to assignment, forming no connections to anything or anyone. When the cyborg council requires a warrior for a high-risk mission, Arsenal volunteers. He believes no one will miss him if he dies.

He doesn’t realize he’s one female’s fantasy.

The moment Vicuska glimpses Arsenal’s image, she knows he’s the male she wants to spend her last moments in the universe caressing. The Rebel female craves the cyborg’s grim-lipped kisses, desires the touch of his hands, hears his deep voice in her dreams.

Their mission will end in explosions and death. That is certain if they fail or if they succeed. Whether or not they’ll find love during their dangerous assignment is the unknown.

All in all, I thought Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax was just okay and am giving it a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!