New Review - Old Book

A Night in the Lonesome October

All is not what it seems.

In the murky London gloom, a knife-wielding gentleman named Jack prowls the midnight streets with his faithful watchdog Snuff - gathering together the grisly ingredients they will need for an upcoming ancient and unearthly rite.  For soon after the death of the moon, black magic will summon the Elder Gods back into the world.  And all manner of Players, both human and undead, are preparing to participate.

Some have come to open the gates.  Some have come to slam them shut.  And now the dread night approaches - so let the Game begin.

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This book is wonderful.  It is 31 chapters long - one for each day of October, and it is told in the form of a diary, detailing one team's activities in the contest between Openers and Closers.  Characters include famous literary characters: the Great Detective, the Count, the Mad Monk, and the Good Doctor (with his shambling friend who smells of the grave).  The illustrations by Gahan Wilson capture the delightfully irreverent yet macabre feel of this story.  But the thing that makes this a truly unique story is the narrator - I can't think of a single other book told from the perspective of Jack the Ripper's watchdog.

Wait for a chilly night, wrap yourself up in a blanket, and give this one a read.  This book is essentially out of print, but you can find reprintings of it on Amazon, and used copies all over the Internet.  

Spoilers: 
This is a parody of HP Lovecraft with a twist of Monster Mash.  It is a bit gruesome in places, and has an illustration of one of the characters hanging from a noose.  It's not really adults-only, since there's no smut, but younger (teen+) readers may miss out on the in-jokes about some of the characters.  With a thorough adult pre-reading it may be appropriate for mature teens who love a good, gruesome story, and may bridge them into the classics: Dracula, Frankenstein, Holmes, and, of course, Lovecraft.

 I realize it's been years since I posted here.  Since my last post I realized I was completely burned out at my last job, quit, took a break, and then found another job that I like even better that allows me more flexibility and is less stressful.  I even added an adjunct teaching job for fun, and I love how my students keep me on my toes.  It is wonderful to watch them make connections and see their skills improve. 

There's also been COVID...  That's been quite an adjustment, too.  I've been working from home since March 2020, and I am getting mighty tired of seeing these same four walls every. single. day.  I never thought I'd look forward to grocery shopping quite so much!  I recognize how privileged I am to have a secure home, a job I love that I can do effectively and efficiently from home, and friends and family who are keeping themselves safe and reducing community spread.  Zoom, Discord, and Doxy have helped save my sanity and allow me to stay connected to the people who are important to me.

But so has reading.  So far in 2020, I have read over 500 books, short stories, and novellas.  In my work, I serve people who are struggling with marginalization, discrimination, and stigma.  I realized that my blog doesn't really reflect everything I read - there are few LGBT+ characters or persons of color depicted in the books I have reviewed, and that just isn't right.  To be more honest in my reviews, I have decided to post reviews of what I'm actually reading, not just what I have beta-read or have been given in exchange for a review.  To that end, I'll be reviewing some books that are completely inappropriate for children, but I will note that these are for 18+ readers.  I will also note which ones have LGBTQ+ characters to help readers find what they like (or avoid what they dislike). 

I can't promise any sort of reliable schedule for posting, but I have a list of at least 30 books and series that I want to write about.  About half feature LGBTQ+ characters, some have a healthy amount of smut, and some will be reviewed as an entire series rather than book-by-book.  In total, my "To review" list has 92 actual books, 8 novellas, 14 short stories.  

Oh, and I never made it through the Wheel of Time.  It was my third attempt, but I got bogged down in Crossroads of Twilight.  Again. 

Gentlemen Bastards - Book 1

The Lies of Locke Lamora

An orphan’s life is harsh—and often short—in the mysterious island city of Camorr. But young Locke Lamora dodges death and slavery, becoming a thief under the tutelage of a gifted con artist. As leader of the band of light-fingered brothers known as the Gentleman Bastards, Locke is soon infamous, fooling even the underworld’s most feared ruler. But in the shadows lurks someone still more ambitious and deadly. Faced with a bloody coup that threatens to destroy everyone and everything that holds meaning in his mercenary life, Locke vows to beat the enemy at his own brutal game—or die trying.

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This is an excellent book - definitely one of my top five for the year (and I've just finished my 97th book of 2017).  The Gentlemen Bastards live up to their name and another reviewer referred to them as "flamboyantly larcenous." I can think of no better descriptor.  Scott Lynch combines all the perfect ingredients for a heist story: sharp wit and sharper knives, devious intrigue, delightful humor, heartbreaking tragedy, incredible suspense, and unavoidable violence.  And sharks.  The setting is richly detailed, from the smells of the floating marketplace to the gleam of the elderglass towers, from the flavors of the temple kitchen to the rattle of chains on stone.  There are several story lines in this one book, but they are so beautifully interwoven that it is easy to keep them straight.  Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.

Spoilers:
I laughed before I finished the first page.  I cried before I finished the last chapter.  It's a bloody story in places and the author doesn't pull his punches (or kicks to the groin).  There is lots of profanity but it never feels forced or out of place.  There is reference to sex, but no graphic depictions.  The story also includes references to slavery, alcohol, prostitution, blood sports, treason, and murder.  Recommended for 17+

I bought this book for myself and received no kickbacks for my purchase.

Master of Crows

Master of Crows

What would you do to win your freedom? 

This is the question that sets bondwoman, Martise of Asher, on a dangerous path. In exchange for her freedom, she bargains with her masters, the mage-priests of Conclave, to spy on the renegade sorcerer, Silhara of Neith. The priests want Martise to expose the sorcerer's treachery and turn him over to Conclave justice. A risky endeavor, but one she accepts without hesitation--until she falls in love with her intended target. 

Silhara of Neith, Master of Crows, is a desperate man. The god called Corruption invades his mind, seducing him with promises of limitless power if he will help it gain dominion over the world. Silhara struggles against Corruption's influence and searches for ways to destroy the god. When Conclave sends Martise as an apprentice to help him, he knows she's a spy. Now he fights a war on two fronts--against the god who would possess him and the apprentice who would betray him. 

Mage and spy search together for a ritual that will annihilate Corruption, but in doing so, they discover secrets about each other that may damn them both. Silhara must decide if his fate, and the fate of nations, is worth the soul of the woman he has come to love, and Martise must choose continued enslavement or freedom at the cost of a man's life. And love. 

Author: Grace Draven

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Wow.  Where to begin?  This is one of my favorite books I have read in a long time; it has it all as far as I'm concerned.  Both the story and the world build slowly over time, letting you really get to understand the characters and their drives and motivations.  It builds to a slow burn and then smolders right along with you.  Too often I find romance books are about broken people getting rescued by their one true love.  Not so with Master of Crows.  Martise and Silhara have synergy that is fascinating to watch, especially when they are in conflict.  What really startled me is that the secondary characters are complete: Silhara's servant, the nomad clansmen, even the dog.  Each is unique and has his or her own personality and way of interacting with the others.  The story is complex and gorgeous.  There is vengeance and blood. There is death and the undead, spells and black magic.  But there is also love. There is laughter. There is humor and strength and gentleness. And at Neith, there are always oranges.

Spoilers:
There is sex in this book.  Not just "cut to the next scene just after their lips meet and they sink softly into bed" sex, either.  Wonderfully descriptive and steamy sex, but no so descriptive that it reads like an anatomy book.  There are whores, and descriptions of degradation and humiliation of one houri in particular that may be disturbing to some.   That being said, sex and intimacy are used for flavor and spice, not as the main goal of the story.  It's a hot steamy romance, not erotica.

I bought this book all by myself and get nothing for this review.

Whew!

It sure has been a LONG time.  I've been reading and working and moving and working and teaching and... It's been a busy year with not nearly as much time for reading as I'd like.  The good news is that I've read some really amazing books - some real crap, too, but I won't bother you with those.

So anyway, on with the reviews!

The Moorigad Dragon & Reap Not the Dragon

Saving a life shouldn't come with so many complications.   --    Saving Marcus’s life should have qualified as a good deed. Except, that’s not why Kyra saves him. She’s pulled to the deed by something supernatural. But then Marcus sees Kyra’s hybrid dragon and she finds herself bound to protect him. A bond already causing tension between Kyra and her best friend, Sebastian. Only, Kyra will find it is not easy defying Death. Yet, she is determined―even at the cost of her own life.

Bad things happen in the blink of an eye.  --  Sebastian has built his life around his tarot cards, more so since taking refuge at Mystic’s Magical Carnival. Trying to include Kyra in that part of his life goes all wrong. Now Kyra’s interest in Marcus stands between Sebastian and Kyra, and places Kyra in emanate danger. Sebastian needs to make her see, needs to steer her away from Marcus, needs to save her from the consequences of her decisions before it’s too late. If he needs to, Sebastian will bare his most guarded secrets to protect her...

Author: Debra Kristi
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This was my first journey to the Dark Carnival and I was pleasantly surprised.  The setting is gorgeously detailed yet leaves enough to the imagination that you can make it your own.  The characters of Sebastian and Marcus come off the page and leave vibrant, strong impressions.  Kyra is an interesting contradiction - a powerful dragon shapechanger, but completely compelled by a mysterious and supernatural force.  An interesting read with a well-defined background and cast of characters, and the action never stops!  A quick read and worth the time. 

It's hard to talk about the second book without giving mega-spoilers, but it's worth reading.  It may be even better than the first!


Spoilers:
Kyra is less detailed in the first book and the supernatural compulsion essentially brainwashes her. This causes her to acts in ways she might not if she had her free will, and that was uncomfortable for me in some scenes.  There are (of course) elements of the supernatural and some mild horror elements, but nothing particularly gory or nightmarish.

I received a download of this book for my honest opinion.

A Path In the Darkness - Sequel to Outsystem

The colony ship Intrepid is falling into a star. The ship’s AI has lost control of the engines and core systems. Battling a saboteur who strives to isolate him, his last act is to wake Colonel Tanis Richards from stasis. Tanis finds herself alone on a dying ship, unable to contact the AI. She must discover what has happened and save the Intrepid from burning up in the star’s angry red light. Even if she is successful, the journey to the colony world of New Eden is just beginning. With decades of travel ahead, she will have to find a path in the darkness.

Buy on Amazon

Put Path in the Darkness on your TBR list here

 

About the author:

Michael Cooper has been writing since the day he closed Return of the King and wanted more. He's written a lot of fantasy that he never tried to get published, but one day decided to try his hand at science fiction, of which he has published one book (Outsystem) and is working on the sequel, A Path in the Darkness. Michael is a software engineer at a company which builds sites and services around the open-source CMS named Drupal and enjoys the creativity involved in building web applications. When not writing stories or code Michael is spending time with his wife and daughter, or doing carpentry--a hobby which he has been growing over the years. His other interests include astronomy, cars and racing, blacksmithing, movies, and just about any creative work one can do.

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