Tag: Fantasy

Book Thoughts18 Comments

Hide Me Among the Graves by Tim Powers

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I didn’t know going in that this was the sequel to Powers’ 1989 novel The Stress of Her Regard, following a new generation of characters fighting the same evil as in that first story, but I wasn’t at a disadvantage and this book reads fine as a stand-alone. (That said, I obviously have to read the first book now because it would be wrong not to). This was and is a perfect October read. Powers writes a deeply atmospheric tale of artists, poets and vampires, set in a London that you can taste, smell and feel. He takes the unusual … Continue reading Hide Me Among the Graves by Tim Powers

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Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero

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Take a cup of each of the following: Nancy Drew, the Famous Five and the Usborne Puzzle Adventures; throw in a generous handful of The Goonies, Monster Squad, and some Young Sherlock Holmes if you have it; add a pinch of Scooby-Doo, Where are You? and just a few Lovecraftian tentacles, blend together and pour through a strainer to remove any lingering lumps. Chill for thirteen hours, then serve lavishly dressed with tropes and stage directions. What I’m trying to say is that this was a bundle of fun to read and definitely something I will read again … but … Continue reading Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero

Miscellaneous Thoughts26 Comments

Fun for Monday: Halloween Creatures Tag

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I saw this tag done by the Orang-utan Librarian back in 2018 (before I was brave enough to do tags – can you imagine?!) Created by Anthony of Keep Reading Forward, I thought it’d be a fun one to do today to celebrate the start of the Wyrd and Wonder mini event Spooktastic Reads … Hurrah! Hurray! Let’s get spoopy!     Witch: A magical character or book At the risk of being repetitive and thus boring, the only answer I can give here is Zen Cho’s Sorcerer to the Crown and its sequel The True Queen. They’re magical books, with … Continue reading Fun for Monday: Halloween Creatures Tag

Miscellaneous Thoughts28 Comments

Books with a body count

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Don’t get me wrong, I’m a placid library employee who enjoys long walks in nearby woodlands, crunching through autumn leaves and wearing big woolly jumpers. I’ve no particular desire to stumble across a real dead body while on a walk (and it’s always at the back of my mind that that could happen – you know what they say about dog-walkers and joggers being the ones who find the bodies, right?), but in my reading life, if there are going to be bodies, I want lots of ‘em! Authors can just be so darned creative when it comes to killings … Continue reading Books with a body count

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Read-along: Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey (Week 6)

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It’s the final week of our read-along and Lisa of Dear Geek Place is our host, helping us give shape to our (many) thoughts and (all the) feelings as events draw to a close. Most participants have been providing links to their posts here on the Goodreads page (not me, because I’m a lazy toad, but all the good people I’m reading along with have) if you fancy reading some more coherent thoughts than mine. If you’re still with me, then let’s dive in… …I don’t have to warn you about SPOILERS, right? We’re talking about the end of the … Continue reading Read-along: Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey (Week 6)

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Read-along: Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey (Week 5)

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We’re truly out on the Long Road this week as we travel with Phèdre, Joscelin and Hyacinthe to Alba, and the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been. Guiding us through this week’s dramas is our host Peat, of Peat Long’s Blog. As always, information about this read-along, each week’s questions and links to most participants’ responses can be found on this Goodreads page here.   And, Blessed Elua, watch out! There are SPOILERS galore now that we’re this far in!     We’re back on the road again with Phèdre and Joscelin, and this time they’re with Hyacinthe as … Continue reading Read-along: Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey (Week 5)

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Fun for Monday: Book Buying Habits Tag

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Zeezee over at Zeezee With Books did this tag about a month ago. It originated with booktuber Megan Olivier. I do love to answer questions …   Where do you buy your books? Under normal circumstances I buy the majority of my books second-hand. However, this year being what it has, I’ve been using Hive, Blackwells and Waterstones to feed my book habit. I’ve sworn off Amazon because Mr Bezos really doesn’t need any more money. (And I second Zeezee’s sentiment about Borders – that was just the best bookstore!)     Do you ever pre-order books? If so, do … Continue reading Fun for Monday: Book Buying Habits Tag

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Read-along: Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey (Week 4)

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Wow! It’s week four and things just keep getting bigger and going deeper in this book. Phèdre and Joscelin may have escaped Skaldia, but they’re by no means out of danger and court politics are looming large. As always details for this read-along can be found here and imyril’s also the one linking to all other participants’ contributions in her read-along posts, so all eyes on her, please. Questions are being posted each week on the Goodreads page. And this week I’m hosting! Hi Everybody! *waves* Don’t trip over the SPOILERS!   Week 4 Chapters 32 to 47 inclusive Waldemar’s … Continue reading Read-along: Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey (Week 4)

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Fun for Monday: The Opposites Tag

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Another Monday, another tag. This one I found over at Dreamlands Book Blog where Beatrice not only shows off some of her beautiful books (I particularly love her copy of the complete Sherlock Holmes stories, it’s just sooo pretty!), but also reminds me just how expensive books can be for a lot of readers, particularly outside of the UK/US. How cool would it be to set up an international book-swapping website?   For this challenge I have tried not to mention any books that I’ve already talked about at some point on my blog. Just for fun. Watch me drop … Continue reading Fun for Monday: The Opposites Tag

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Read-along: Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey (Week 3)

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It’s week three of this Wyrd and Wonder read-along and there are some new players on the board in Kushiel’s Dart. To guide us through the ever more complex world that Carey has created we have some thought-provoking questions from this week’s host ZeeZee of ZeeZee with Books. Details for this read-along can be found in imyril’s post here (she’s also the one providing links to participants’ posts) and each week’s prompts are posted on the Goodreads group here.   And please note that there are SPOILERS throughout!   Week 3 (chapters 32-47 inclusive) Phèdre slipped during her assignment with … Continue reading Read-along: Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey (Week 3)