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Starbase Indy 2019 Schedule!
This Thursday, while my family stays home and eats delicious food, I’ll be boarding a flight to Indianapolis for my first Starbase Indy! I’m looking forward to checking out a new con, meeting new people, and catching up with old friends. For the majority of the convention, you can probably find me in the Writer’s…
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Review: European Travel for the Monstrous Gentlewoman (Extraordinary Adventures of the Athena Club #2) by Theodora Goss
My biggest minor quibble from the previous book in this trilogy followed me to this one. I love the conceit of the book characters inserting their commentary into the writing, but it still reduces some of the tension since I know everyone survives to the end. That being said, this was still a tale filled…
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2019 Resolution Project: Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels #8) by Ilona Andrews
My 2019 Resolution Project over at my other blog, Speculative Chic, is to read the entire Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews, finishing up with a first read of the final book in the series. I’ve read the eighth book, Magic Shifts,before, and originally reviewed it in April 2016. You can find NEW my full review here. An excerpt:…
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Review: Alexander X (Battle For Forever #1) by Edward Savio
This book is a whirlwind story that features a very different take on immortality. I devoured it on a single plane ride and never felt a moment of boredom. The main character’s narrative voice makes me absolutely believe that he’s a teenager who’s been around for 1500 years. I was immediately invested in the characters…
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Review: Spectred Isle (Green Men #1) by K.J. Charles
Though it’s not stated explicitly, I think this book is best read after the author’s The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal. Some secondary characters cross over, and it provides a good grounding on how the supernatural exists in this world. However, this book takes a deeper look at the nature of magic in this version…
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Review: Seder in Space and Other Tales by J.D. Blackrose
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; however, I purchased this ebook for full price before I ever met her in person! Favorite Story: “Seder in SPACE” is a short science-fiction story that embodies one of things I find in the best science-fiction stories — that the more things change, the more things stay the…
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Review: Sapphire Flames (Hidden Legacy #4) by Ilona Andrews
It’s no secret to anyone following my book reviews that Ilona Andrews is one of my “drop everything and read the new book ASAP” authors. I anxiously awaited the arrival of the newest installment of the Hidden Legacy series and devoured the book within 24 hours. Reading the previous installments of this series makes for…
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Review: Balefire (Whyborne & Griffin #10) by Jordan L. Hawk
Ten is a solid, round number, so I thought this would be the final book in the series. I was disappointed that the grand finale didn’t look like it would take place in the city of Widdershins, but I figured out early in the story that this was not the end of the series. That’s…
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Review: Empire of the Goddess by Matthew Warner
Disclaimer: I received an electronic version of this novel from the author for review. Things I really enjoyed about this novel: The world-building. The terrifying dystopian society fueled by human sacrifice. The representation of science versus magic, and how the two can be indistinguishable. The religious allegories. The twist and other revelations at the very…
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Con Report: Capclave 2019
Note: If you are here to find a copy of my alternate history presentation, see below! I spent a lovely weekend in Rockville, Maryland, as part of Capclave 2019! Highlights included being on panels with both guests of honor (Robert Sawyer and Martha Wells) and giving my alternate history presentation to a small but participatory…
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2019 Resolution Project: Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels #7) by Ilona Andrews
My 2019 Resolution Project over at my other blog, Speculative Chic, is to read the entire Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews, finishing up with a first read of the final book in the series. I’ve read the seventh book, Magic Breaks, before, and originally reviewed it in March 2016. You can find my NEW full review here.…
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Review: The Clockwork Witch by Michelle D. Sonnier
Disclaimer: I consider the author a friend; however, I purchased the hardcopy version of this book for full price. As a reader who loves period dramas where the characters are often committed to the correct manners and more, importantly, the correct clothes, I couldn’t go wrong with a version of England with TWO forms of…
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Review: The Invisible Library (Invisible Library #1) by Genevieve Cogman
This book was filled to the brim with elements that I enjoy in my fantasy writing. Secret societies, parallel universes, dragons, steampunk, and great detectives. Unfortunately, it also relied on a lot of tropes that I’ve become less fond of in my fantasy writing, such as a point-of-view female character surrounded by supporting male roles,…
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Review: Draakenwood (Whyborne & Griffin #9) by Jordan L. Hawk
We’re back in Widdershins for Whyborne & Griffin’s latest adventure, but this time it’s the old families who are the targets. When Whyborne is accused of murder, he and his allies must not only clear his name, but also prevent the rise of a great evil. Plenty of familiar faces appear in this story, including…
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September Wrap-Up & October Goals
What’s going on at Casa Siamese this month? My hair is partially purple, I still have no tattoos, and there’s a half-built LEGO set on my dining room table. I’m in the midst of multiple projects, I’m planning multiple trips, and I just ordered a ton of Girl Scout cookies. So, no complaints here. Let’s…
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Review: Winter Tide (Innsmouth Legacy #1) by Ruthanna Emrys
I enjoyed and was intrigued by the original novella that set up this world, but the world created within intrigued me much more than the characters. However, I enjoyed it enough to pick up this novel to get it signed by the author at a convention, and I don’t regret any of the time spent…
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2019 Resolution Project: Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels #5.5) by Ilona Andrews
My 2019 Resolution Project over at my other blog, Speculative Chic, is to read the entire Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews, finishing up with a first read of the final book in the series. I’ve read this companion book, Gunmetal Magic, before, but never officially reviewed it. You can find my full review here. An excerpt:…
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Author Interview with Genevieve Iseult Eldredge
Today, we’re celebrating a blog tour for the lovely Genevieve Iseult Eldredge to celebrate the latest novel in her YA fantasy series, Circuit Fae. Nemesis is now available in all formats, and I hope you take the time to read about the book and check out a short interview with the author below. ABOUT THE…
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Review: “An Ill-Advised Rescue” (Kate Daniels #5.?) by Ilona Andrews
This short story is included in the back of Kate Daniels Book #6: Magic Rises, and the author note in the front advises the reader to start there before launching into the novel. Since I can’t find a place to review this story on Amazon or Goodreads (indeed, it’s not even listed as part of…
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Review: The Hills Have Spies (Family Spies #1) by Mercedes Lackey
I haven’t been a huge fan of the first two Valdemar collections starring Mags, but I’ll admit that he’s a lot less annoying as an adult. Luckily, his son Perry is completely different and much easier to handle despite his young age. I enjoyed this adventure featuring both characters, especially the parent-child dynamic aspect. Despite…
