Fantasy and SciFi

Fantasy and Science Fiction Book Reviews

Review of The Hunting Moon by Susan Dennard

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Synopsis:
Winnie Wednesday has gotten everything she thought she wanted. She passed the deadly hunter trials, her family has been welcomed back into the Luminaries, and overnight, she has become a local celebrity.

The Girl Who Jumped. The Girl Who Got Bitten.

Unfortunately, it all feels wrong. For one, nobody will believe her about the new nightmare called the Whisperer that’s killing hunters each night. Everyone blames the werewolf, even though Winnie is certain the wolf is innocent.

On top of that, following her dad’s convoluted clues about the Dianas, their magic, and what happened in Hemlock Falls four years ago is leaving her with more questions than answers.

Then to complicate it all, there is still only one person who can help her: Jay Friday, the boy with plenty of problems all his own.

As bodies and secrets pile up around town, Winnie finds herself questioning what it means to be a true Wednesday and a true Luminary—and also where her fierce-hearted loyalties might ultimately have to lie.

Review:
This book was bittersweet, picking up exactly where we left off. There were questions left unanswered at the end but almost everything I predicted in the first book was true in this one; the foreshadowing had been quite obvious, but that didn’t stop my enjoyment of the book/series. We really got to see Winnie grow and change and experience both PTSD as well as figuring out what she really cares about and what’s worth fighting for/being loyal to. The ending was absolutely heartbreaking to me. Quite a sweet series and I am quite glad to have read it.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Bring Your Beach Owl by Leanne Leeds

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Synopsis:
When Astra takes herself and her witchy sisters to the coast for a much-needed break, she expects nothing more than a relaxing holiday. But when their cousin Amelia washes up on the beach dead, she knows there’s more to the story than the police are letting on.

With shape-shifting fish lurking around every corner and a sassy mermaid’s secrets churning beneath the pier, Astra has to jump in and protect her sisters while investigating Amelia’s mysterious death—a wild ride that leads the police to point the finger straight at the Arden sisters.

Will they be able to prove their innocence in time? Or will they succumb to the depths below?

No gore, intimate scenes, or swearing – only a captivating story suitable for adults.

Review:
This book was interesting in that the girls are finally away from their mother and yet disaster seems to follow them. I absolutely love that Emma and Jason are so supportive. It seemed that there was quite a lot of info dump on things that just happened to be relevant from the case by the sisters; and Law and Order couldn’t explain this random amount of knowledge. That being said, quite enjoyed all the new supernaturals we got to experience and learn about in this book. What I really didn’t like was Ayla’s returned crappy attitude. I get that she’s supposed to be 14; perhaps she’ll start getting excluded from things because of it. It seemed that a lot of things could be fixed or stop having such hardships if Astra would wear something else; many seem quite threatened by her Decanus outfit and with good reason. We will have to see if that changes in future books…

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Owl Melt With You by Leanne Leeds

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Synopsis:
When witch Astra Arden agrees to a Valentine’s Day date with Jason Bishop, she expects a romantic evening filled with chocolates and champagne—not bread and water in a jail cell.

Astra is excited to spend Valentine’s Day with handsome local middle school teacher Jason Bishop—but things take a turn for the unexpected when a retired local teacher Unity Priestpoint turns up dead, shot and stuffed in a trunk covered in magical symbols.

As if the murder of a retired local teacher wasn’t enough, Astra’s date Jason becomes the prime suspect.

In order to clear his name and have any hope of going on their first date, Astra must dive headfirst into the investigation even as her best friend, Detective Emma Sullivan, moves to arrest Jason for murder. Will Astra be able to uncover the truth in time and save their budding relationship before it’s too late?

Or will she be left dateless for the next twenty-five to life?

No gore, intimate scenes, or swearing – only a captivating story suitable for adults.

Review:
This book had a whole slew of twists and turns, though I did think that the ending of this particular mystery had been a bit easy to figure out. There was a slight shift in language at a few points in this book that took me out of reading because they seemed so out of place. I agree with Althea that I would want to be in a coven of chocolate witches. I quite loved the mention of how easy Archie is to bribe now that he knows about Costco’s Extra Thick Steak Strips. (Chapter 6, page 92) I was intrigued and pleased to learn more about what’s going on with Ayla, though it was sad that all happened at Jason’s expense. Astra remains infuriating about the whole “dating and being close” to people thing and I hope that’s addressed in the next book. I will continue on and look forward to seeing what other mysteries wait Emma and Astra.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Owl About Yule by Leanne Leeds

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Synopsis:
Do you remember the Christmas story about the chain-rattling ghosts who taught life lessons? Well, how about a Yule tale involving a beachfront mansion, multiple Greek gods, an Orphic priest, and a kidnapped divine panther?

Witch Astra Arden expects a quiet holiday with her family and persnickety owl, Archie. She does not expect a Dionysian priest on the Ardens’ doorstep bringing news that the Greek god’s beloved panther has gone missing. Even worse? Dionysus is accusing his sister—the goddess Athena—of the prank, causing a divine argument that threatens to ruin Astra’s holiday.

Astra struggles to navigate the drama between the bickering gods while being drawn deeper into a dangerous mystery that threatens the holiday festivities and the life of the Orphic priest—all because her partner Emma can’t contain her excitement over a real paranormal case.

But as they try to restore peace between the gods, Astra realizes that this may be a mystery far more complicated than she ever could have imagined.

Filled with eccentric gods, a kidnapped divine panther, and a touch of holiday magic, this fantasy cozy mystery will keep you laughing and guessing until the very end.

No gore, intimate scenes, or swearing – only a captivating story suitable for adults.

Review:
This was an interesting take on A Christmas Carol. There are times when Astra’s defiance and disregard for all that has happened around her becomes incredibly frustrating for the reader, so it was nice to see that some higher powers might think it frustrating as well. I did like that we got to meet/learn more about the deities, however, this book was very much disjointed and different from the others. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it almost read like a dream sequence, which, granted the nature of its inspirational source. The gods relationships with Archie is amazing, and I quite enjoyed seeing Archie change and learning more about his place in the world.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Magic’s a Hoot by Leanne Leeds

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Synopsis:
When Astra Arden returns to Forkbridge, Florida, she’s not sure what to expect. But her mother, the high priestess of the goddess Athena, is beginning to relax, her three sisters are becoming more at ease with her, and even her divine talking owl, Archie, is settling in.

Things seem to be going well until Gloria Fisher comes in for a reading. Gloria suspects her alcoholic husband, Will, is cheating on her, but Astra soon discovers that the “divine logic” behind the situation is much more complicated.

When a painting Will insured goes missing, Detective Emma Sullivan of the Forkbridge Police Department suspects he might be involved in the scheme. Now, with the help of her divine owl Archie, Astra must find the painting, clear Will’s name, and keep his whole life policy in force.

Can Astra save the day? Or will William Fisher’s accidental death insurance pay out? Find out in the Owl Star Witch Mysteries’ third book, Magic’s a Hoot, a humorous paranormal cozy mystery that will keep you guessing until the final page.

No gore, intimate scenes, or swearing – only a captivating story suitable for adults.

Review:
A great continuation of the Owl Star Witch Mysteries. There is enough interpersonal drama interspersed with work issues that really draws one in. I love how we continuously learn about how things work in the real world accurately, and oftentimes by a character who learned it by another form of media. This particular read was interesting because the cards had a lot to say. I loved the intricacies of multiple plotlines linked together and how Astra slowly unwinds the knot. I quite enjoyed the Astra/Rex issues and banter and was quite pleased to see the end result. In this book you could definitely feel the pressure of the clock ticking and the need to figure things out ASAP. Looking forward to continuing on in the series in the future!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Owl’s Fair by Leeanne Leeds

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Synopsis:
Astra Arden had never expected to come back to Florida—let alone embark on a new career with a talking owl sidekick and a goddess who knew when someone was about to die. But when Alice Windrow, a philanthropic young woman from the small town of Forkbridge, comes to her sister Ami for a card reading, Astra’s life takes a turn for the unexpected.

Alice claims she just wants assurance that her marathon will go off without a hitch—but the glowing star card reveals that someone wants her dead. Can Astra and her sister unravel the plot in time to save Alice? Or will the generous girl find her marathon is officially over—for good?

The Owl Star Witch Mysteries are a wild ride full of twists, turns, and clues—and enough magical mayhem to make even the most hardened witch laugh out loud. Follow Astra and her talking owl, Archie, on a journey of magical misadventures, and see if they can save Alice from her doom.

No gore, intimate scenes, or swearing – only a captivating story suitable for adults.

Review:
“You know what’s most active between dusk and dawn in the miasma of stinky, sticky heat in the swamps of Florida?” (Page 249, Chapter 15)

A quick read where we once again get to be in the life of Astra Arden. I quite liked all of the descriptions of different creatures as well as parts of witchcraft, such as Ami being able to interpret card readings into a way the customer needs to hear. I absolutely love the intricate ways in which Leeds built up a religion piece by piece and explains later why it was created. The names of the pixies were just perfection, as were some of the descriptions. “He looked like a gym rat troll doll.” (Page 87, Chapter 6) Astra’s snark was still quite evident as she explains different races and their abilities and the prejudices between them, but she does begin to ask for help in ways sometimes unexpected that leave the reader proud and curious. The events of each book in this series are meant to take place over a couple of days so that makes sense that they are such quick and snappy reads.

While I quite enjoyed this book, the note at the end that Leeds has used Artificial Intelligence to make/edit parts of it, does make me apprehensive. It’s a hard and fine line, because as a fellow writer if I write something than I have written all of it; that being said, editing and proofreading are usually outsourced. That being said, I do enjoy this series and have already started book 3.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of The Luminaries by Susan Dennard

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Synopsis:
Hemlock Falls isn’t like other towns. You won’t find it on a map, your phone won’t work here, and the forest outside town might just kill you.

Winnie Wednesday wants nothing more than to join the Luminaries, the ancient order that protects Winnie’s town—and the rest of humanity—from the monsters and nightmares that rise in the forest of Hemlock Falls every night.

Ever since her father was exposed as a witch and a traitor, Winnie and her family have been shunned. But on her sixteenth birthday, she can take the deadly Luminary hunter trials and prove herself true and loyal—and restore her family’s good name. Or die trying.

But in order to survive, Winnie enlists the help of the one person who can help her train: Jay Friday, resident bad boy and Winnie’s ex-best friend. While Jay might be the most promising new hunter in Hemlock Falls, he also seems to know more about the nightmares of the forest than he should. Together, he and Winnie will discover a danger lurking in the forest no one in Hemlock Falls is prepared for.

Not all monsters can be slain, and not all nightmares are confined to the dark.

Review:
This book hooked me from the first page, just like Dennard’s previous books I’ve read. There is mystery, intrigue, and always the whisper at the back of your head of if you’re good enough and deserve what’s happening. There’s a large part of the novel where Winnie has to battle with her own case of self worth and whether or not people who treated her poorly in the past are worth trying to trust now. I quite enjoy Winnie’s inner monologue, her quirks, and the anxiety she has from the traumas she has been through (and how every adult seems to think putting children through said things are FINE). There were several parts of this novel where Winnie was uncertain of herself and whether or not she’d succeed and I love that we were left to consider how much of Winnie’s wins are sheer dumb luck. Towards the end I believe I have figured out a culprit in Diana-ism but only the continual reading of book two will tell! My only gripe is that I have to wait til next month to continue reading!!

P. S. I think I figured out Jay’s secret but perhaps it will be revealed in book 2!!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner

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Synopsis:
1873. At an abandoned château on the outskirts of Paris, a dark séance is about to take place, led by acclaimed spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire. Known worldwide for her talent in conjuring the spirits of murder victims to ascertain the identities of the people who killed them, she is highly sought after by widows and investigators alike.

Lenna Wickes has come to Paris to find answers about her sister’s death, but to do so, she must embrace the unknown and overcome her own logic-driven bias against the occult. When Vaudeline is beckoned to England to solve a high-profile murder, Lenna accompanies her as an understudy. With shared determination, the women find companionship that perhaps borders on something more. And as they team up with the powerful men of London’s exclusive Séance Society to solve the mystery, they begin to suspect that they are not merely out to solve a crime, but perhaps entangled in one themselves…

Written with intoxicating suspense and sultry prose, The London Séance Society is an entrancing tale that blurs the lines between truth and illusion, and reveals the grave risks women will take to avenge the ones they love.

Review:
This book had so many delicious layers that whenever you thought you truly understood what was going on, there was another layer unwrapped that you had to ruminate on. I quite liked how the relationships developed along the way, as well as the levels of trust versus skepticism between Lenna, Vaudeline, and the members of the Séance Society. There were some definite romance-esque parts that seemed unnecessary, uncomfortable, and a bit forced–I think the story would have been fine without them as I didn’t feel they really added anything to it.

I think that the little extras at the end were absolute perfection; information both on what religion was like back then as well as secret societies, and some recipes for related content.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Star of Sage & Scream by Leanne Leeds

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Synopsis:
Astra Arden had been through it all. After fifteen years of serving in the witch military, she thought she’d spend the rest of her life with their pink berets, dramatic drumming, and secret ops. But when the military was abruptly disbanded, Astra was left without a purpose.

Now thirty-three and living in her childhood home of Forkbridge, Florida, with a disapproving mother and three distant sisters, Astra has no idea what’s in store for her. That is, until a talking owl, sent by the goddess Athena, appears with a special mission: Astra must unravel a potential murder lurking in the shadows of Forkbridge, and stop it before it can take place.

In The Owl Star Witch Mysteries, join Astra as she combines her military expertise with a bit of magical sleuthing to uncover the truth. This novel-length paranormal cozy mystery is full of unexpected twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end.

No gore, intimate scenes, or swearing – only a captivating story suitable for adults.

Review:
I quite liked this book and found it both easy to fall into and easy to read. The style of writing was pretty cool and unique; first person and with enough snark that we truly get to know the MC and not feel like we’d just reading a diary. It’s obviously written in a way that the MC knows that people are reading about her life because she does stop to explain things about what witches like or the world she lives in- a clever way to get around show, not tell without taking away from the overall story. I quite enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the open ended questions of what exactly Astra is going to do with her life. At this time I’ve already started book 2, though I have gotten swept away by another paper book as well…

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Ancient Sorceries (and other Short Stories) by Algernon Blackwood

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Synopsis:

A beautifully produced new edition of Blackwood’s weirdest supernatural stories, including “The Willows,” highlighted by H.P. Lovecraft as “the single finest weird tale in literature”

Lauded as one of our greatest storytellers, and inspiring generations of writers from H.P. Lovecraft to Tolkien to Stephen King, Algernon Blackwood left a legacy as one of Britain’s greatest conjurors of weird and supernatural stories. Blackwood’s inimitable style puts readers right in the middle of the story, with visceral and nature-inspired fear that lies just beyond the real, often in the form of a nameless dread.

This beautifully produced edition, with a stunning cover and thoughtful design and layout to ensure the most enjoyable reading experience, features four of his most unnervingly curious tales:

  • Ancient Sorceries—a traveller stops in a remote French hill town and soon finds himself unable to leave; there is something strangely feline about the inhabitants, he notices, and they all seem to be watching him very closely…
  • The Listener—a lodging house guest feels himself observed by a malevolent presence. Soon it transpires his room’s previous occupant is watching him from beyond the grave, and is envious of the very flesh on his bones.
  • The Sea Fit—an old retired ship’s captain’s ravings build to a terrifying climax, as he offers himself up as a sacrifice to the cruel gods of the sea.
  • The Willows—two friends on a canoeing trip spend a terrifying night on a lonely willow-covered island, haunted by the strange trees and sinister shapes in the water.

Review:
Ancient Sorceries
I definitely liked this story and the constant reminder that peculiar things don’t often happen to regular people that do what is expected from life. I also like the aspect of timing and how sometimes time slips away from us, and how feelings can cause all sorts of interesting stories in our minds.

The Listener
This was by far my absolute favourite of the four stories in this anthology. I thought it was properly spooky with an amazing set up and you’re left wondering so many times between issues of insomnia, bad sleep, some sort of mental illness that requires medicine, and just so many things that it could be, and no idea what exactly is going on. At the end I was merely stunned. Absolutely adored it.

The Sea Fit
This was quite an interesting story as well, my second favourite in the anthology. It was clear that there was something a bit off about the retired ship captain, but why, exactly, were the others invited?

The Willows
This one was a longer one, and I very much felt that it somewhat dragged. I wasn’t drawn into the world the way I was with The Listener and The Sea Fit. I wanted so badly to love this as it was allegedly one of Lovecraft’s favourites of Blackwood, but while there were parts of pure uncertainty, there was a lot of paranoia and occult/supernatural versus natural phenomenon. The very end left me a bit befuddled, and I’m still uncertain how I feel about it.

All in all I quite liked this book of Algernon Blackwood and intend to add more books of his works to my collection in the future. I did buy the hardcover of this when traveling, however, it’s quite cheap if you’re looking for an e-book spooky story to read.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯