Jul 24 2024

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Book Review: Foul Days by Genoveva Dimova

Title: Foul Days

Author: Genoveva Dimova

Series: Witch’s Compendium of Monsters #1

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

The Overview: The Witcher meets Naomi Novik in this fast-paced fantasy rooted in Slavic folklore, from an assured new voice in genre. As a witch in the walled city of Chernograd, Kosara has plenty of practice taming rusalkas, fighting kikimoras, and brewing lycanthrope repellent. There’s only one monster Kosara can’t defeat: her ex the Zmey, known as the Tsar of Monsters. She’s defied him one too many times, and now he’s hunting her. Betrayed to him by someone close to her, Kosara’s only hope is to trade her shadow―the source of her powers―for illegal passage across the Wall to Belograd, where monsters can’t follow. Life in Belograd should be sweet, but Kosara soon develops a fast-acting version of the deadly wasting sickness that stalks shadowless witches―and only reclaiming her magic can cure her. To trace her shadow, she’ll have to team up with the suspiciously honorable detective investigating the death of the smuggler who brought her across the Wall. Even worse than working with the cops is that all the clues point in a single direction: one of the Zmey’s monsters has found a crack in the Wall, and Kosara’s magic is now in the Zmey’s hands. The clock is ticking, the hunt is on, and Kosara’s priorities should be clear―but is she the hunter or the hunted? And in a city where everyone is out for themselves, who can Kosara trust to assist her in outwitting the man―the Monster―she’s never been able to escape alone? -Goodreads

The Review:

One of my favorite things I’ve picked up this year – Foul Days is worth a second look!

One of those genre-bending novels, I loved this as both a fantasy and urban fantasy reader. Rich in Slavic folklore, it had an abundance of monsters and great cultural infusion. The marketing was pretty accurate when it advertised “Witcher meets Naomi Novik,” with a similar moodiness and feel of Novik’s works (especially Spinning Silver) and an loads of dangerous magical creature encounters. I found it wildly entertaining.

The book had great pacing, with plenty of exciting moments but also enough slow stretches to form connections with the characters. The characters! All fun profiles, and the relationships between them were especially well done and realistic – I actually felt the connections, which doesn’t happen often.

I also thought the staggering of certain reveals was particularly well-paced. There were several times throughout the book where I went, “oooh, okay, one more chapter.” It made the pages fly by, and had enough substance to the plot to make me feel like I was getting something satisfying. The writing was superb.

Foul Days was oozing with fun-factor. This is one of those books that makes it easy to talk about and recommend. I loved it – with so many great elements and a good sense of humor, after only one book I’m already convinced Dimova is going to be an auto-buy author for me.

I had the chance to pick up an early copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio about halfway through the book, and narrator Zura Johnson was an excellent match for the tone and mood of the story. With her accented delivery, she elevated the text even more, making for an immersive experience. I particularly liked how she performed the dry humor between characters – great back and forth exchanges! I definitely recommend the audiobook route. :)

There honestly wasn’t anything I didn’t like about Foul Days. The second half of this duology, Monstrous Nights, comes out October 22, 2024, and you’d better believe I’m already hounding for a copy!

Recommendations: for a fun-filled, culturally-infused, monster-tastic story, look no further! Foul Days was one of the best debus I’ve read in ages. I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for us next!

Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Betsy, Eliss, Mike, Elizabeth, and Bee! <3

I’d like to thank the publicists at TOR for providing me with review and finished copies of Foul Days and Macmillan Audio on Netgalley for the chance to read/listen/review this very exciting new title!

Other books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Apr 2 2024

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Book Review: Demons of Good and Evil by Kim Harrison

Title: Demons of Good and Evil

Author: Kim Harrison

Series: The Hollows #17

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Overview: Rachel Morgan will learn that the price of loyalty is blood… Rachel Morgan, witch-born demon, suspected that protecting the paranormal citizens of Cincinnati as the demon subrosa would be trouble. But it’s rapidly becoming way more trouble than even she could have imagined. While Rachel and her friends may have vanquished the trickster demon Hodin, his mysterious associate known only as “The Mage” is eager to finish what Hodin started, beginning with taking down Rachel’s power structure piece by piece. When he frames Rachel for the death of a powerful coven member and the vampire leaders in DC threaten to send a new master vampire to take the city in hand, Rachel’s friends Ivy and Pike are forced into hiding, and even her lover, Trent, finds himself under fire. With her world falling apart, Rachel desperately needs help. But with all of her supporters under attack, her only hope is to make a deal with the unlikeliest of allies… –Goodreads

The Review:

I could’ve used more demon action, but I still really enjoyed this book!

At book 17 in the Hollows series, Harrison hasn’t lost any steam, and in fact only seems to be getting stronger. There’s such a depth to her characters and world at this point that I feel more connected to them than any others in the genre. The series has a slow-burn plot - she takes her time, she lays the groundwork, and she builds momentum in a way that felt unparalleled until the most recent Dresden releases.

This series is all about celebrating amazing side characters and fun creatures. It’s so creative! I especially love the demons. Enigmatic, moody, self-serving, and delightfully unpredictable – as all good demons should be. I appreciate that they haven’t lost any of their poignancy as the series progressed.

And the spellwork!! For a series about a witch, there’s actually a ton of practicing magic. The spell crafting is detailed, complex, and highlighted often. I love learning about magical things in any context, and this series hits that craving beautifully. This particular installment didn’t highlight it as much as usual, but it was still good.

That said Demons of Good and Evil felt like a bridge novel. It tied up a bunch of loose ends and set the stage to come for one of my personal favorite story threads to finally get a moment… it’s going to be so good. I don’t actually know how many books are planned (or even if there’s yet a set number), but it definitely feels like we’re building towards one hell of a series-culmination banger of a ending. Book 18, “Demon’s Bluff” already has a cover and is slated for October 22, 2024. And she even has a new series-starter, “Three Kinds of Lucky” of the Shadow Age series that came out March 5th. All I’m saying is, I love Harrison – she’s such a trusted author that I’ll be devouring ANYTHING she chooses to write. Auto-buy status: MVP.

Overall, if you’re into a slow-burning, character-driven series that gradually builds to neck-breaking excitement that will knock your socks off… this might be a great pick. It shares a lot of the same attributes as some of my favorite high-fantasy works, which is doubtless why I like it so much.

Recommendations: You can either start the series with Dead Witch Walking -> a great story with just the barest glimmers of the amazingness to come (be patient), or even start with The Turn, a prequel novel that highlights the author’s skills beautifully while also plumping up the world-building and laying the foundation for the entire series. Love.

I’d like to thank Berkley Publishing Group, Kim Harrison, and Netgalley for the chance to read and review an early copy of Demons of Good and Evil (I’m late).

Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Betsy, Eliss, Mike, and Elizabeth! <3

Other books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Dec 21 2023

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Book Review: Bride of Death by T.A. Pratt

Title: Bride of Death

Author: T.A. Pratt

Series: Marla Mason #7

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 3/5 stars

The Overview: Marla Mason has been a mercenary, chief sorcerer and protector of an entire city, and an occult detective, and now she’s a goddess of Death… but only part-time. She gets to spend six months a year living as a mortal woman on Earth, and she’s decided to devote those months to hunting monsters for fun and personal redemption. Armed with axe and dagger, with the living severed head of her worst enemy in a birdcage for a traveling companion, she sets off by motorcycle into the American Southwest on a journey of self-discovery and other-destruction. -Goodreads

The Review:

I always enjoy a good Marla Mason novel – it’s nice to get that snarky fix every so often. I love Marla. She’s a very unconventional character, especially as an urban fantasy heroine, and is most pointedly NOT a nice person (it’s part of her charm). Her “unlikable” profile and generally low BS tolerance gives her great anti-hero vibe I’ve not yet seen done better in this genre.

I found myself slightly unsatisfied with the direction Bride of Death took when compared to the first few books in the series. Some of the reasons this series is among my favorites are those early expansive culture-building within Felport and the well-developed and complex cast of characters. I really didn’t get much of either from this book. I also thought the character went through some weird changes and shifts in mindset that didn’t feel totally consistent with character. But I guess who am I to judge if even a fictional character wants to “do better.”

Overall, I think the first books that went through a trad house were a lot more streamlined. These self-published ones are taking already weird story elements to the ridiculous and sometimes downright stupid realms that I feel are a disservice to the series. Even so, I loved those first books so much that I’m committed to reading to the end eventually. And there are a couple of unresolved plot points that I’m eager to see resolved.

Recommendations: If you like Urban Fantasy and are in the mood for something wildly unconventional and creative, the Marla Mason series is a great pick. Especially the first five or so books. The jury is still out on these remainders…

Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Jen, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Betsy, Eliss, and Mike! <3

Other books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Nov 9 2023

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Novella Review: The Law by Jim Butcher

Title: The Law

Author: Jim Butcher

Series: Dresden Files #17.4

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 3/5 stars

The Overview: Not every danger comes in the form of a mega-threat like a Titan. Some predators are a lot cozier… more personal. When one such creature threatens an independent tutor, Harry Dresden must shake off the blood and dirt of his most recent battles and rise to the occasion, even when it turns out that the new predator is far more dangerous and connected than first appearances would suggest. -Goodreads

The Review:

An enjoyable short, even if not particularly memorable.

What it did well was give us a check-in on Dresden’s well-being after the events in Battle Ground. It was nice to be back in this world as we wait patiently for the next book. And there’s even a new character (a lawyer) whom I hope we see again.

Butcher himself narrated this short, something I cringed at when I heard about it initially, yet he actually did a decent job with it. Better than at least 80% of the author-narrated audiobooks I’ve tried (and probably better than a portion of the “professionally” read ones too… nice). Truth be told, had I not been informed it wasn’t Marsders I’m not totally sure I would’ve noticed the change (as I’ve read the last few physically).

Recommendations: if you’re a Dresden fan up to date with all his writings, enjoy this snack novella. If you haven’t done any of the short stories yet, this is not one of the stronger ones. And for the love of books, don’t read this one unless you’ve read Battle Ground – MAJOR spoilers.

Other books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Nov 7 2023

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Book Review: Magic in the Blood by Devon Monk

Title: Magic in the Blood

Author: Devon Monk

Series: Ally Beckstrom #2

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 1/5 stars

The Overview: In the second book in Devon Monk’s Allie Beckstrom series, when the police’s magical enforcement division asks Allie to consult on a missing persons case, she finds herself drawn into an underworld of criminals, ghosts, and blood magic. Working as a Hound—tracing illegal spells back to their casters—has taken its toll on Allison Beckstrom. But even though magic has given her migraines and stolen her recent memory, Allie isn’t about to quit. Then the police’s magic enforcement division asks her to consult on a missing persons case. But what seems to be a straightforward job turns out to be anything but, as Allie finds herself drawn into the underworld of criminals, ghosts, and blood magic. -Goodreads

The Review:

This was almost a DNF… and it probably should’ve been, given I didn’t get any value out of forcing myself through it.

I have masochistic tendencies (and unrelenting optimism) when it comes to Urban Fantasies. I’ve been rewarded by persistence often enough not to discount any series in the genre that doesn’t immediately make a good impression. To boot I’ve read Monk’s Ordinary Magic series and the first of her Age of Steam and liked them… so I know she has the ability to really work for me.

But even given all it’s concessions, thus far Magic in the Blood has been one of the weakest UFs I’ve ever read.

This second book was a TAD better than the first one, if only because it had more of a plot and the heroine was a smidge less brain-damaged (harsh), but even so, there wasn’t enough going on to keep my attention.

For starters, the “hounding” magic still hasn’t been well-established yet, nor really contributed in any meaningful way. It’s an interesting premise, but feels very underdeveloped. The mystery plot is similar, having good basics, but didn’t offer anything beyond that. I finished the book a month ago and really can’t tell you much on recall. Whether that’s because it was uninteresting or I was just too disengaged to care, it’s hard to say, but either way that’s not ideal.

And then there’s the love story.

One of the worst I’ve read. And that includes a handful of trashy paranormal romances. The biggest problem is that engaging with the love interest given the context of the story was the stupidest thing the main character could’ve done. The total lack of common sense made her instantly unlikable and immediately stole credibility from her perspective. That foolishness follows into this second book to a lesser degree, but it’s still a negative factor. I also don’t like the poor execution of craft behind it. This is the only book I think a love triangle may have actually helped, as it would’ve deflected attention from the only male candidate how little the MC trusted him. I suppose some people might enjoy reading about a reckless love life, but it just doesn’t work for me. The facade of “the main character thinks he’s untrustworthy and working with the enemy, but also thinks he’s hot and wants to date him anyway” is a thin one and easy to see through.

Oh yeah, and the dialogue back and forth between them was immature and unrealistic and felt totally out of place given all the “sinister” things happening around them.

I didn’t not like it, Sam I am.

Yet I may, MAY still read the next one in a few years when I’ve nothing else pending in the genre, just to be contrary. After all, I do really like some of her later works… maybe this one gets better. XD

Recommendations: Unless you’ve read everything else in the urban fantasy genre, skip this series for now. Try Ordinary Magic instead.

Other books you might like (better):

by Niki Hawkes

Feb 8 2023

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Tackling the TBR [88]: February 2023

It’s once again time for my favorite feature: Tackling the TBR! There’s nothing I love more than picking out which books to read next, and this slightly organized method of reading has really amped my enjoyment to the next level. Bring on the mantras!

Read the best books first.
&
Life is too short to read books you’re not enjoying.

However you put together your TBR for the next month, the goal is to reduce the amount of obligation in reading and increase the fun.

Here’s a look at how the system works:

1. Identify the titles that take top priority in your TBR.
2. Combine them all in your own Tackling the TBR post.
3. Throughout the month pick from that pile as the mood strikes you.

Here’s what mine looks like:

February 2023 TBR Tackler Shelf:

Last month I committed to focusing on primarily five series, which went swimmingly and I plan on continuing that this month with Ruin, Warrior, and then a few new in series that will get me up to date in the genre.

THERE’S A NEW KATE DANIELS BOOK! Magic Tides. And somehow I didn’t even know it was coming out!! I dropped everything and picked it up immediately and am already 35% of the way through. I love these authors so much, and this one is just as good as all of their other works. Not to mention I didn’t know they were planning on continuing the KD series considering it kind of ended at book 10. Love it.

I have a fairly conservative (aka realistic) lineup this month of eight books, but the funny thing is that I’m currently reading six of them… O_o! Chalk it up to bad planning on my part, but they all needed to be read near the beginning of the month. Even though I feel a bit scattered, I’m loving everything I’ve picked up so far. Wish me luck to get caught up before March!

Have a great month in reading!

by Niki Hawkes