Review of The Wizard’s Butler by Nathan Lowell

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Synopsis:
“He thinks he’s a wizard,” they said. For five grand a month and a million dollar chaser, Roger Mulligan didn’t care how crazy the old geezer was. All he had to do was keep Joseph Perry Shackleford alive and keep him from squandering the estate for a year. They didn’t tell him about the pixies.

Review:
“Ebooks. This is my only connection to the outer world.” (Page 84)

This book has everything except romance, and always left me wanting to keep reading on. I had to sleep halfway through a chapter many a night because I didn’t want to put this book down! While this book has some sort of wizard, maybe, one of the main focuses is easy to relate to Roger Mulligan, who is former army/former EMT. He’s got a steady mind and can be quick on his feet, which makes his entry into a world he had never imagined; that of being a butler, a job that many think doesn’t even exist, all the more exciting. Especially when you add in that Shackleford thinks he’s a wizard. Despite being about the mundane things we do not want to think about in our own day to day life, Lowell writes Mulligan’s activities in a way that make you want to see more of just what a butler may do and how his job influences and interacts with all of the other ongoing plots. All of the characters had great depth and motives. While at times it seemed a very low-risk cozy modern/urban paranormal fantasy, the fatality at stake leads one to need to keep reading. I loved seeing how the house encouraged change for the inhabitants, and how it helped them to find what they most needed in their lives. Mulligan needed this job, but in many ways, Shackleford needed him to lead him into a new era. I’ve already started the second book, and so far (19% in) it is just as good as the first.

I loved this book immensely and cannot wait to share it with my husband and friends in the near future.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of The Ether Witch 2: Confronting the Crafty Concubine by Delemhach

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Synopsis:
A devil, a familiar, and magic gone wild—Tam’s life is more than a little complicated! Can he turn the chaos into triumph, or will it drag him someplace far darker?

Having narrowly escaped capture by the Zinferan army, Tam, Eli, and Luca find themselves on the run.

Their goal?

Find a way home to Daxaria.

Preferably alive!

But as Tam carries on his family legacy, he continues to land himself in a whole cauldron of hot water!

Despite discovering his familiar and beginning to embrace his magic, greater powers like corrupt covens and a villainous concubine loom over him.

Will he be able to guide his loved ones out of danger, or will he be forced to take drastic actions to end the brewing calamity?

Find out in the second volume of The Ether Witch!

Review:
“Sometimes in life, the disaster we find ourselves in aren’t our faults. But it’s still up to us to figure it out. And sometimes, the best person to save us is ourselves.” (Page 134)

Ah, to be back in with Tam! In this book, Tam really came into his own. He learned how to be assertive and speak up about his thoughts and feelings, in part because he knows he has to be an example for Luca. This book featured quite the epic journey and more hidden surprises along the way. It was also awesome seeing Eli step more into herself and find a true voice. I absolute did not expect Tamlin to go as far as he did, given his social standing, but it was definitely the right thing to do. I adore Penelope and cannot wait to see what happens with her and everyone else in the future!

There were so many unexpected characters throughout this novel that really made it more enjoyable. It has been wonderful getting to learn more about characters we’ve gotten to know and journeyed with for three trilogies. I can only hope that we will have more epic journeys with future characters after the third book in this series comes out; an ending I look forward to reading.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of A Skirl of Sorcery by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
Death has a new address—and it’s Kit McCafferty’s.

When Kit offers a room to a powerless ban sith who has lost her magic, she sets off a chain reaction across Coldstream’s supernatural streets. Her neighbours are panicking. Dangerous werewolves are on the prowl. And Kit finds herself trying to solve several desperate problems all at once.

Kit knows the world’s a messy place, especially when magic’s involved. But this reeks of something dark and nasty. She’s paws deep – and there’s every chance that Thane, the copper-haired werewolf who stirs Kit’s heart, will become collateral damage.

Her house is full of cats, and her city is full of monsters … fortunately, Kit McCafferty is one of them.

A Skirl of Sorcery is the third book in the captivating urban fantasy crime series The Cat Lady Chronicles. Expect mystery, adventure and a posse of cats.

Review:
“We all had our demons; some were simply more obvious than others.” (Page 17)

This book was amazing! I wasn’t sure how much Thane was going to play into this novel given how close it was to the full moon, but I actually loved the way his past was tied in to the plot. It was nice seeing Kit remind herself that she is a very capable woman and she can handle things. This book also served as a great reminder that if you’re good to your neighbors/village, they will be willing to do things for you… or maybe Dave just really has grown on Kit/really owed the ban sith. Trilby made some excellent points as well, and I hope that maybe in the very far future we’ll have a series based on her since she is so unique. The ending was both perfect and so frustrating because I cannot wait to hear Tiddles name!!


Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Tea & Alchemy by Sharon Lynn Fisher

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Synopsis:
A tea leaf reader in nineteenth-century England falls in love—and in danger—with a reclusive alchemist in an enthralling historical fantasy by the author of Salt & Broom and Grimm Curiosities.

Cornwall, 1854. The people of Roche have always whispered about the recluse in the black granite tower that looms above the moorland. But one young woman is driven to discover the truth behind the old tales.

Her life overshadowed by family tragedy, Mina Penrose escapes her lonely days by working at The Magpie, a cozy tearoom on the village’s edge. Lately she’s been seeing shapes in the sodden leaves that hint at the future. After one such omen, Mina stumbles upon a murdered man on the heath. Villagers immediately suspect Harker Tregarrick, a living, breathing mystery who never ventures beyond the bounds of his centuries-old estate.

Until the day after the murder, when the handsome and compelling recluse visits The Magpie…leading to a meeting that will change both their fates. Captivated by a man around whom danger and rumors of death swirl, Mina has never felt more alive. Can she uncover Harker’s heartbreaking history—and the truth about the murder—before tragedy strikes again?

Review:
“I may not have spent much time around other people, but I’ve read more books than I can count, and I think if there’s anything that defines us as human, it’s wanting things that we shouldn’t.” (Page 179)

Ah, this book was so intriguing! Mina and Harker have such interesting pasts and separate lives, and I loved how they managed to entwine. I really enjoyed the added touches of mysticism with Mina’s predictions and Harker’s potions. What really struck me as unique was the creature and way in which so much of this began; something so unique like the way the beast appears in Disney’s version. The familial connections gave this a very deep and different feel than the book it takes some inspiration from–Jack can be so frustrating and yet you know he’s really trying. I also quite loved Mrs. Moyle, especially her ideas such as, “Being a woman is not excuse for being uninformed.” (Page 5)

All in all, I think this is an excellent book of Romantasy, for those that like the dark and mysterious, and retellings that turn an original story upside down.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of What Stalks the Deep by T. Kingfisher

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Synopsis:
The next installment in the New York Times bestselling Sworn Soldier series, featuring Alex Easton investigating the dark, mysterious depths of a coal mine in America

Alex Easton does not want to visit America.

They particularly do not want to visit an abandoned coal mine in West Virginia with a reputation for being haunted.

But when their old friend Dr. Denton summons them to help find his lost cousin—who went missing in that very mine—well, sometimes a sworn soldier has to do what a sworn soldier has to do…

Review:
“And now we were talking about feelings. I would almost rather he had poured the burning oil on me.” (Page 154)

I could not put this book down! I loved all Alex’s quips on life and keeping to themselves, and poor Dr. Denton and his cousin. I really enjoyed seeing Angus get on with Dr. Denton’s equivalent–very capable people all around. I adored how Alex internally reasoned and tried so hard to not let fear get the best of them, because, you know, they certainly aren’t afraid. I absolutely adore the writing style and voice of this novel; it’s a big part of what ensnares you, because it is almost like a journal written in first person as you go along on the adventure with everyone.

“Christ’s blood, now what?” I asked. Kent appeared and pressed coffee into my hands. I blessed him and all his kin and swore undying fealty to his house. I took several sips of coffee before I realized I’d been speaking Gallacian, which was probably just as well. (Page 76)

This was certainly a different type of paranormal than the last two books, and I quite enjoyed the novelty of it as I haven’t read of anything of the sort before!

Highly recommend for those who enjoyed Mexican Gothic, and enjoy Gothic Horror/Fantasy in general. It’s one that will leave you waiting for another adventure to come along, though I am certain Alex wishes they were done with that life, thank you very much.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Noragami 9 by Adachitoka

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Synopsis:
QUEEN OF THE UNDERWORLD

Ebisu and Yato finally meet the woman who has what they’re looking for, Izanami. She agrees to give them the Word of Yomi if one of them will stay with her forever. Meanwhile, the Heavenly Guard have learned Ebisu’s whereabouts, and they’re on their way to mete out divine retribution.

Review:
Izanami is one scary lady. I loved her duality of appearance, and the food of the underworld trapping people being reminiscent of mythology I’ve more experience with. Most of this book was spent just trying to understand Ebisu and why he’s gone through all of this for the ability to change things with the Word of Yomi.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Noragami 8 by Adachitoka

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Synopsis:
FORGET ME NOT

Yato’s free time has ended and now he’s grounded in Takama-ga-hara, forced to do his father’s bidding. Usually, he would play along until he’s set free again, but this time, he must get back as soon as possible, or Hiyori, his one and only follower, could forget all about him.

Review:
Where is Yato?! So many people were left on the hook, and I was so worried that Yukine would return to being a delinquent. I was so pleased to see how he chose to spend his time instead! Hiyori started to have such a different life, and it almost made you wish that perhaps she could have a normal life…

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Noragami 7 by Adachitoka

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Synopsis:
THE TIES THAT BIND

The fight with Bishamon is over and it’s time for Yato to tie up some loose ends—or cut ties with Hiyori, as he promised Tenjin. But a nameless god like Yato can’t survive unless he remains in someone’s memory. How will he manage once he is removed from Hiyori’s life?

Review:
Yato is stuck with an impossible quest; in saving Hiyori, he’d be dooming himself. There was so much angst in this book, but the ending had me! Couldn’t wait to pick up the next book!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Noragami 6 by Adachitoka

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Synopsis:
THE BATTLE CONTINUES

As Bishamon overpowers Yato, Kugaha’s plan to destroy her seems doomed to failure…until her medicine wears off, and Bishamon—as well as any shinki she touches—is covered in blight. Meanwhile, Kazuma tries desperately to free himself and Hiyori before she loses her chance to return to the land of the living.

Review:
There was so much tension and worry and fear in this book! Was Yato going to be able to face Bishamon? Why didn’t he tell her the truth about the last time he fought her shinki? And Kazuma was both excommunicated and locked away, so how could he possibly save Bishamon, or Hiyori? I couldn’t put this book down!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Noragami 5 by Adachitoka

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Synopsis:
TROUBLE IN PARADISE

While Kugaha continues to plot Bishamon’s downfall, Yukiné wonders what happened to his new friend Suzuha. He sees Kazuma leaving flowers at Suzuha’s cherry tree and follows him back to the heavens—right into the enemy stronghold. But when Bishamon attacks, Kazuma is forced to choose whose side he is really on.

Review:
Suzuha!!! While it was really nice to see Yukine have a friend, it was devastating for him to understand what happened. Kazuma is always trying to look out for his mistress, and sometimes, that might mean going against what they think is right.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯