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Review: “The 13th Hex” (Hexworld #0.5) by Jordan L. Hawk
This delicious short story, packed with adventure and romance, can be read at any point during the Hexworld series. I enjoyed this look into how Rook and Dominic became working (and more) partners, and as an added bonus, Cicero (from Hexbreaker) is a prominent character. Hawk packs a solid bit of worldbuilding into this fantasy…
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Review: Seeker of Truth (SPECTR #3.3) by Jordan L. Hawk
For the first time this series, the dream team is splitting up of their own accord. Caleb stays in New Orleans to assist Zahira on a case for SPECTR while John heads out of town in search of clues to his own identity. Both separate plots of this novella are satisfying, and Hawk gives those…
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May Wrap-Up & June Goals
Time has ceased to have any meaning. Or is it just me? This was supposed to go out yesterday, but I had a bit of a weekend and losing myself in romance novels seemed a healthier option. But I’m here now, to entertain you with all of my exploits! /checks notes Apparently there is still…
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Review: The Spare by Miranda Dubner
As an author who regularly breaks genre rules herself, it came as no surprise to me that this book was self-published. It is absolutely a love story and romance. But it centers on more than the two heroes, includes a healthy dose of family drama, and has the audacity to feature more than two points…
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Con Report: Virtual Balticon 54
Last weekend, I did my hair, put on clothing that had nothing to do with working out, and attended (virtual) Balticon 54! I participated in four excellent and informative panels from the comfort of my own office with appropriate feline supervision. Perks to a virtual convention: Sleeping in my own bed, eating decent meals, not…
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Review: Hexbreaker (Hexworld #1) by Jordan L. Hawk
In other reviews, I’ve raved about the ways Hawk includes diversity in his fiction. For this series, I’ve found something else to adore — the effortless way that the reader is absorbed in the worldbuilding with no awkward breaks for exposition or the dreaded info-dump. Could there be a bit more explanation for some things?…
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Review: Bringer of Night (SPECTR #3.2) by Jordan L. Hawk
After all the shenanigans that have occurred over the course of this series, a run-of-the-mill murder mystery and case of mistaken identity are almost too boring for our heroes. Except nothing about this string of murders is normal, and John, Caleb, and Gray have friends (both old and new) along for the ride. There’s yet…
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Review: Stalker of Shadows (SPECTR #3.1) by Jordan L. Hawk
The first installment of the next SPECTR epic brings us something completely different — and all the best parts of exactly the same. John is now the character who must wait patiently while Caleb and Gray get to do what they do best (eat demons). They’re in a new setting, which is why everyone is…
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Review: SPECTR: The Complete Second Series by Jordan L. Hawk
Includes the titles: Mocker of Ravens Dancer of Death Drinker of Blood Breaker of Chains Shaker of Earth I read this collection even faster than I did the first one. It’s too bad I can’t give it an even higher rating than 5 stars. John, Caleb, and Gray are back to doing what they do…
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Review: SPECTR: The Complete First Series by Jordan L. Hawk
Includes the titles: Hunter of Demons Master of Ghouls Reaper of Souls Eater of Lives Destroyer of Worlds Summoner of Storms Honestly, my review can be boiled down like this: I purchased the series as a full set, but the books were so good that I didn’t want to pause in between to write individual…
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Review: Not Quite Beast (Not Quite #2) by Kaye Draper
This is a solid continuation to Sam’s story, action-packed and filled with answers to some questions while teasing even more questions that need answers. Draper also expands upon her world-building and introduces an intriguing political element to the plot line. I look forward to seeing how Sam and their “guild” play a role in Theo’s…
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Review: Not Quite Human (Not Quite #1) by Kaye Draper
Kaye Draper’s latest urban fantasy/romance series is going to be another hit for me, I think. This author includes a note in her book blurbs about being tired of tropes, and she puts her money where her mouth is — once again, the characters in this story were unique, fascinating, and flawed. As an added…
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Review: The Natural History of Unicorns by Chris Lavers
I like to support museum gift shops, and this was an easy buy at the Met Cloisters in New York City where I saw one of the unicorn tapestries referenced in this book. (I’ve also seen the unicorn tapestries in Paris at the Musée de Cluny, which was equally a treat.) I did not actually…
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Review: Charmed City by Michelle D. Sonnier
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; however, I purchased a hardcopy version of this collection for full price. I picked up this collection at one of the first conventions I ever attended, out near Pittsburgh, because I work in Baltimore proper and live near the city. Baltimore is a shared setting for these stories,…
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April Wrap-Up & May Goals
/looks around Wow, it’s been a month. So, nothing’s really changed around here. I’m still working from home. I’m still reading a lot and playing too much World of Warcraft. Despite my introvert tendencies, I’ve now missed two conferences, and I miss hanging out with people in person. I have not yet grown my own…
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Review: Fates, Fins, and Fangs (Gods & Demons #1) by Kaye Draper
I tore through the Gesa’s Menagerie series while home sick a few months ago, so it seems appropriate that I would start this next series while working full-time from home during a pandemic. This novella was a wonderful afternoon of escape, full of intriguing characters and excitement. The author states that this can be read…
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Review: Zatanna and the House of Secrets by Matthew Cody & Yoshi Yoshitani
My knowledge of Zatanna the DC superhero extends to a vague recollection of her being some sort of magician. So this was a fun middle-grade graphic novel to read as a cute stand-alone, which it totally works as. Zatanna is the quintessential young teenager, discovering herself as she hurtles toward adulthood. Cody takes one of…
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Review: The Dragon Mistress: Book 4 (Eburosi Chronicles #11) by R.A. Steffan
As is typical for me with the books in this series, I devoured this installment in a single evening. This story does an excellent job of tying up multiple story lines and plot points, beyond the obvious of the overall “get Rayth’s throne back from his evil brother.” Frella finally bonds with her dragon and…
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Review: A Furnace Sealed (Adventures of Bram Gold #1) by Keith R.A. DeCandido
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; however, I purchased a hardcopy version of this book for full price. Sometimes a book is really easy to review. I started it about an hour before I went out with friends for the night. I spent the entire evening wishing I was back home reading the book.…
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Review: Princesses Behaving Badly by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie
This is the sort of book that gets put into print and then quickly discounted and delegated to the clearance section of a big name bookstore (which is exactly where I bought it). It’s not a strictly historical text, it’s not a feminist treatise, and it’s not going to tell you anything new about the…
