Face Down Upon an Herbal / Kathy Lynn Emerson

Face Down Upon an Herbal by Kathy Lynn Emerson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, not the best nor the worst historical mystery that I've ever read. I usually like to start with book one of a series, but that was impossible with this one. Not in my library , not available via interlibrary loan, and not in my favourite used bookstore. However, I needn't have worried, this could just as well have been the first book.

Lady Appleton is not dreadfully sympathetic, seemingly eternally suspicious of those around her. I can understand that though, as she is an intelligent woman surrounded by men who can completely control her life. How difficult life must have been for women in those times. Mind you it still happens, women find that men around the conference table don't listen to them and their good ideas get appropriated by those same men later.

The other characters seemed somewhat wooden to me, especially Susanna's husband, Sir Robert. He is portrayed as a womanizing social climber. Once again, this is likely an accurate portrayal of a man in Queen Elizabeth's court, but it doesn't make me like the guy. Nor does his treatment of his sister.

For a better version of the Queen's court, try My Enemy, the Queen by Victoria Holt. For an excellently written historical mystery series, read A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters. That is the standard by which I judge all historical mysteries!

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Dark and Stormy Knights / edited by P.N. Elrod

Dark and Stormy Knights by P.N. Elrod
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

2020 Re-Read

It's been a while since I was entertained by this short story collection. This time through, I really enjoyed the P.N. Elrod story featuring her vampire PI, Jack Fleming. I've read three of her novels featuring him and I quite like them. I'm going to look for some of Carrie Vaughan's werewolf fiction, too. Of course I always appreciate Ilona Andrews, Jim Butcher, and Rachel Caine.

I find myself re-reading rather than tackling new material these days. Comfort reading in a time of uncertainty, I guess. I'll see if there's any equivalence, but I finally got busy & did some house cleaning today, so maybe I can try out one of the numerous unread books waiting on my shelves now.

ORIGINAL REVIEW

A very enjoyable collection of 9 urban fantasy shorts. I have only read 3 of the authors before (Ilona Andrews, Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine), but I will certainly search out more work by the other authors in the volume.

Of the 9, there was only one which I found a bit confusing, perhaps because I haven’t read more of her work. With the Ilona Andrews and Jim Butcher offerings, I was familiar enough with their worlds to make these two short works quite enjoyable. The authors playfully filling in the bits between their major stories.

If you are a fan of urban fantasy and looking to explore authors that you aren’t familiar with, these collections can be a great starting point.


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Finitys End / C.J. Cherryh

Finity's End by C.J. Cherryh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


C.J. Cherryh writes great human drama. Yes, I know there are spaceships, there is interplanetary travel, there are alien species, but what draws the reader in is good old human interaction. She gives us a flawed main character, Fletcher, who technically belongs to a Merchanter family, but ended up stranded on a space station because of his mother's needs. Now, he is that mysterious creature, a stationer, and worse, he wants to live on a planet! Horrors!

So, some of this is about orphan children & the legal system, plus the law problems and foster family troubles that go with that state. On the plus side for Fletcher, he found a focus for himself and managed to navigate the educational system. Unfortunately, his focus on the Hisa on the surface of Pell doesn't jive with his spacer background.

Of course, he is reclaimed by his ship though he is highly unwilling. Cherryh takes us along as this young man tries to find where and how he fits into the universe. There's good tension produced by simple physiological differences—spacers age slowly, so Fletcher is ahead of his ship age mates in maturity, but so inexperienced in ship matters that he doesn't fit with the older cohort either. Neither fish nor fowl, with hostility on both sides, he must decide if he can carve a place for himself on Finitys End.

I couldn't read the last couple of chapters quickly enough!

Book number 363 of my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project


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My Brother Michael / Mary Stewart

My Brother Michael by Mary Stewart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have always had a bit of a thing for Greece. I read a lot of Greek mythology as a child (the distance librarians sent me a lot of it) and then I read books like this one as a teen. Once I had determined that organic chemistry was not for me in university, I threw myself into the Classics department's offerings, even taking three half courses in Ancient Greek. I recall only the first sentence that I ever translated (the boat is in Byzantium). Some how, I've never managed to travel to that sun soaked land, and it seems unlikely that I'll be able to do so any time soon. But re-reading this charming novel has certainly reminded me of that desire.

Mary Stewart just writes devastatingly well. Her descriptions of the surroundings, while they don't take up too much page space, are gorgeous and evocative. I feel like I've been to Delphi. Her quotations at the beginning of each chapter are spot on. She maybe doesn't torment her characters quite as much as some other authors, but she certainly gave Camilla a full basket of troubles to carry.

And, praise Apollo, she knows how to work in a bit of the magic and mystery of Ancient Greece into a more modern story. Plus, there is no better way to learn all about a potential romantic partner than to see how he handles a mystery and a villain. Though romance is undoubtedly present, it takes a distinct back seat to the situation at hand. I think it is romantic suspense like this that shaped my reading taste for the romance genre, making me impatient with authors who zero in on the relationship angle without providing a strong story to hang it on.

If you've never read a Mary Stewart book, you could do much worse than to choose this one. It is delightful.


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Sword and Sorceress II / edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Sword and Sorceress II by Marion Zimmer Bradley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

Life right now is very much about what appeals in the moment. Although I'm not usually into short stories, I'm finding them easier to deal with some days during this pandemic.

I really liked several of these stories and not always the ones that I expected to. I loved the Charles de Lint selection, but wasn't fussed about that by C.J. Cherryh. I suppose a lot of the stories remind me of Fritz Lieber's *Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser* because his are some of the seminal Sword & Sorcery texts.

I can appreciate the effort that the authors went to in order to give their female characters agency and prowess. Thankfully, we've improved at this since this anthology was published in 1985. It's stories like these that paved the way for the wonderful urban fantasy heroines that I so enjoy today.


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Mine to Possess / Nalini Singh

Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

I know that I deliberately searched this book out in the used book store and I'm wondering what my motivation was at the time. Because it is a typical Nalini Singh book. The plot (outside of the romance) is a mere wisp of a thing. Basically, Singh writes the same book over and over again. The characters have different names and different problems, but you know that they will work them out after a misfire or two.

I am probably expecting too much of the romance genre, but I really want more from a book than a series of sex scenes, despite the fact that this author writes those very well. I like her work well enough to finish a book once I've started it, but I'm always left thinking that they could be so much more engaging if she fleshed out the mystery portion.

Who is killing gifted children? Who could possibly benefit from that? We could also explore the dynamics between the three segments of society, humans, Changelings, and the Psy. The Psy are the heavies in this installment, seeking to impose Silence on their people, a state of complete emotionlessness. These were all interesting plot points, which got neglected while Talin & Clay debate *important* issues like how much they should lick one another. Insert eye roll here.

If you've read Singhs work before and liked it, rest assured that you will like this just as much. If you, like me, want more from a story, you will be somewhat disappointed. At least I can clear another book off my shelves and take it back to my bookstore for credit.


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Imaginary Numbers / Seanan McGuire

Imaginary Numbers by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

Holy cliffhanger, Batman! I don't think we have to wonder if there will be a next volume in this series. In fact, if there isn't one forthcoming I will be mightily miffed.

I was looking forward to this, the latest installment of a favourite series by a favourite author, someone who almost always charms me with her stories. The interesting thing that McGuire has done with this series is to vary the main narrator from book to book. This time out, two formerly supporting characters get their moment in the sun. Or maybe in the storm, come to think of it. Sarah & Artie have been in the background of all the other novels.

If you have never read an InCryptid novel, this is probably not the one to start with. This one will make much better sense if you begin at the beginning, with Discount Armageddon. Get to know & love the Aeslin mice as I do and luxuriate in a fun fantasy world, full of weirdly wonderful creatures and the quirky Price family with their own mission and world outlook. It's fun, join me!


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The Stainless Steel Rat Goes to Hell / Harry Harrison

The Stainless Steel Rat Goes to Hell by Harry Harrison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

My life really hasn't changed all that much by the pandemic, but even introverts like myself miss being able to leave home freely. As a result, my attention span is not up to snuff and I'm struggling to enjoy what I'm reading these days. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this silly story of Jim DiGriz engaged me when more serious books just didn't.

Maybe it's just these circumstances, but I think this Stainless Steel Rat book is better than the last couple of installments were. I especially enjoyed Angelina's prominent role in the action, especially when she tells her husband and sons to tone down the testosterone and to allow her to be devious!

All the universe hopping is just the thing to cheer you up when you're stuck at home for a while.

Book number 362 of my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project


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The Fair Folk / edited by Marvin Kaye

The Fair Folk by Marvin Kaye
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

I don't know about you, but as time passes & the pandemic continues, I'm having more difficulty concentrating. My attention wanders easily. This book of short stories was a good way around this problem.

As usual with collections of this kind, there were some that I preferred. I was most favourably impressed with the stories by Tanith Lee and Patricia McKillip. However, all of them were worth reading.

I'm a sucker for faerie tales, so this collection suited me right down to the ground.


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The Saint-Germain Chronicles / Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

The Saint-Germain Chronicles by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

I was only a page or two into this short story collection when I realized that this was the book that introduced me to the Count Saint Germain, probably 30ish years ago. I certainly didn't remember every detail or even every story, but I knew a lot of what was coming. It's kind of funny, because I was really taken with this book back then and now I find it less engaging than the novels that preceded it. But I think it was one of my first forays into the vampire fantasy genre and I was entranced.

The stories that stood out in my memory dealt with an American journalist who had just been killed and was coming to terms with his new state, namely vampirism, and the story of a stupid vampire that Saint Germain & his sidekick Roger must deal with to keep official attention away from themselves.

So, perhaps not the best book in this series, but it got me hooked on this genre and some of it remained in my memory banks for all these years. I'm not sorry to have re-read it.


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The Moonspinners / Mary Stewart

The Moonspinners by Mary Stewart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

My first choice from the stacks of unread books on my shelves while the public library is closed. Actually, I think I probably read this book 30 years ago, but I didn't remember a thing about it.

Nicola is a great main character, very independent, especially for the early 1960s when this book was first published. She has an excellent example on this, as her cousin Frances (who raised Nicola) is single and highly competent. Even the Greek men that they encounter, pretty macho guys, admit that these two women are forces of nature. Or maybe mythological figures, considering the location of the novel.

As one of my friends has pointed out, Stewart doesn't state at any point that Nicola is an independent woman, she just shows us Nicola's actions and lets us come to our own conclusions. In many ways, this is a book with stereotypical plot lines, but it is well written and enjoyable. I especially appreciated Stewart's addition of accurate bird and botany details.

This novel reminded me of M.M. Kaye's Death in Cyprus. If you enjoyed this book, you will probably like her novels as well.

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Bloodcircle / P.N. Elrod

Bloodcircle by P.N. Elrod
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

And with that, I am finished all of the books I had signed out of the library before it closed because of covid-19. At least it ended with a bang, not a whimper.

Ms Elrod, I do hope you keep on writing, as I have enjoyed everything of yours that I've read so far. Your sense of timing is terrific—you know when to end a chapter and how to end a book in a way to draw readers on to the next installment. When my library reopens, I'll be continuing with the adventures of Jack Fleming. I hope the poor guy doesn't get clobbered as often in the future. He gets beaten up as much as Philip Marlowe!

Elrod's vampires have interesting weaknesses and I'm intrigued by what she will think up next to torment poor Jack. I wonder if his new acquaintance Barrett will feature in the next volume? I hope so!

Now I'm off to check the stacks of books that have been languishing on my shelves to see what lòoks good.


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A Symphony of Echoes / Jodi Taylor

A Symphony of Echoes by Jodi Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

Did anyone else notice that Max shoots a woman called Isabella Barclay (Isabella Bitchface Barclay to be exact) and that is a pseudonym of the author's? It amused me quite a bit. I really appreciate these books, as I understand the author's sense of humour, something that I sometimes struggle with. I do much better with audio versions of humour, it computes better for me in that form.

I loved the dodo hunt that occurs early in the book, although I have to wonder if those poor birds were as ugly & stupid as they get portrayed. If time travel ever becomes available to me, this is an issue that I would enjoy clearing up. Dodos seem to feature in quite a number of fantasy books, so I assume that others share my views.

I love St Mary's—where it's natural that things go horribly wrong but everything is saved at the last moment. I'll look forward to my next jump into the past with this gang of lovable historians.


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The Reality Dysfunction / Peter F. Hamilton

The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

Well, that was a lot of reading for very little joy. This is the second book by this author that I've read and both of them in my opinion were way too long and had rather ridiculous plot elements. This novel had so many characters to keep track of and so many intertwining plot lines that I couldn't set the book down for very long or I would lose the thread.

It's too bad because I thought there were tons of good ideas in the course of things. For example, the sentient habitats and spaceships, biological rather than AI. Those reminded me of Iain Banks' Culture books, the AI Minds that populate that universe. The alternation between Tranquility habitat and the rough pioneer world of Lalonde made me think of Vinge's A Fire Upon the Deep.

What I have trouble with is thinking that there will still be Earth-based religions in 2520. I certainly think that Satanism will have been left far behind by then. Maybe Buddhism will survive, but surely we will have outgrown the other belief systems.

I know I've set myself a mission to read most of the books on the list that I've devised, but there are 2 more volumes in this series and they are every bit as long as this one. I just can't face them. I had difficulty finishing this one. This is it, folks, I'm not reading any further.

Book number 360 of my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project


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Thank You, Jeeves / P.G. Wodehouse

Thank You, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

This was an excellent choice to contrast with all the grim tidings we're hearing in the news these days. I enjoyed the slapstick adventures of B. Wooster during this brief estrangement from the invaluable Jeeves.

If you need a smile, maybe even a giggle or two, I would recommend this book. Bertie and his cluelessness about relating to women will fill the bill.

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In the Garden of Iden / Kage Baket

In the Garden of Iden by Kage Baker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

No one expects the Spanish Inquisition.

An enjoyable time travel romp with a twist, namely the shaping of the present through a clever plan—immortal servants created in the past by the time travelling folk. Baker combines time travel and immortality in an interesting way, obviously having given the possibilities inherent in time travel some serious thought.

I was intrigued by the immortals and their feeling that they aren't human any more. Rather like vampires in other fantasy fiction. Mendoza certainly learns about remaining neutral in this first book. I'll be happy to read her further adventures in the next Company book.

Book number 359 of my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project


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Cold Comfort Farm / Stella Gibbons

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

Have you ever read a book in which the characters made you want to shake them? To take them aside and lecture them about how life actually works? If so, then this is the book for you! Our heroine, Flora Poste, is economizing by going to stay with her rural cousins for a while and whilst doing so, she sets their lives to rights.

The Brontes get mocked gently, with the ethereal Elfine running wild on the landscape until Flora takes her in hand and forbids poetry writing. No time for Gothic romances, Flora makes sure that Elfines courtship runs smoothly.

Authors like D.H. Lawrence and Thomas Hardy, with their agonized male characters, are also razzed mildly, in the person of Seth Starkadder, the local Lothario. Flora recognizes his masculine appeal will make him a star and arranges for him to meet a Hollywood mogul.

The young woman who helps out around the Starkadder home gets taken aside by Flora and instructed on the usefulness of birth control and the resident religious fanatic is convinced to go preach to the masses, leaving the farming to those who are better at it. Plus, an aspiring writer gets married off and has access to all the sex that he has heretofore only been able to obsess about.

Very entertaining.


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A Book of Spirits and Thieves / Morgan Rhodes

A Book of Spirits and Thieves by Morgan Rhodes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

I had to take a couple of tries at this book before I made it past the first chapter. I persisted because what else am I going to do during these days of flattening the curve? Also because this author is attending our annual conference, should that actually happen this year, weird as it is turning out to be.

Once I made it a few chapters in, I was able to get into the flow of things and I liked it enough that I do want to read the next volume. But for me, it was not the most riveting book. Although I am very much a fantasy fan, I found this one very predictable and rather pedestrian.

Still, this author has some ability and I look forward to trying her Falling Kingdoms series, which other readers seem to agree is better. Some young adult literature really transcends its classification and others belong there. This is one of the latter—I would have enjoyed it as a teen, but that was many decades ago!


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The Dark Enquiry / Deanna Raybourn

The Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

I am a big fan of Deanna Raybourn. Thankfully, I found this installment of the Lady Julia series to be better than the previous one. That one was still good, but I was glad that this adventure was set back in England. Despite an ending which suggests that the author has another book underway, there's no sign of it being published—perhaps the series has run it's course, although I think some fans might argue with that conclusion.

I think the greatest pleasures of this series are the antics of Julia's family and all of their various pets and projects. I confess to being pleased that her ultra-conservative eldest brother gets knocked down a peg or two in the course of this novel.

The spiritualism element in this book made me think of Mary Roach's non-fiction book, Spook. There was a fascinating section in that on Victorian spiritualism. I highly recommend any of Roach's works to other readers.

I would also recommend the Veronica Speedwell series, also authored by Raybourn. I am greatly anticipating the latest installment, A Murderous Relation, when the libraries reopen.


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The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein / Kiersten White

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

4.4 stars

I have to hand it to Kiersten White, she really excels at retelling stories. She gives the women in some of the old tales a strong voice and new perspectives. I loved this version of the Frankenstein story, with its reinterpretation of Victor Frankenstein—not just a whiny man who won't take responsibility, but a brilliant and controlling psychopath.

How many women through history have lived (and are currently living) with men exerting complete control over their lives? White made Elizabeth's situation feel so believable! How many women have made excuses or covered up for their abusers because they feel financially trapped in the relationship? Too many. It has happened to a staggering number of women of my acquaintance, despite their intelligence and talent. Gaslighting can happen to anyone.

If you have also enjoyed this book, I would recommend the author's other works, And I Darken (first volume of her retelling of the Vlad Dracul story), The Guinevere Deception (first volume of her Camelot Rising trilogy), or Slayer (her version of the Buffy story).



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Bloodlist / P.N. Elrod

Bloodlist by P.N. Elrod
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

3.5 stars

An interesting mix of the hard-boiled detective genre and the vampire novel. Think Chelsea Quinn Yarbro and the Saint Germain Chronicles, that kind of vampire. Jack Fleming is basically a good guy and retains this MO even after his transformation.

Elrod has some interesting ideas for using the vampire mythos, plus she has set it in an interesting time period. Vampire vs. gangsters. Its difficult to avoid cliches when using either of these story lines, but Elrod doesn't go overboard.

I have the next 2 books available during this time of physical isolation, so I'll be seeing what other adventures Jack gets up to soon.


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Endymion / Dan Simmons

Endymion by Dan Simmons
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

3.5 stars

An interesting exploration of the nature of heroism. Raul becomes a reluctant hero, often plunging into things (sometimes literally) because he has been told that is his role. Would he have done all these things without that subtle coercion? Maybe.

I'm still kind of surprised at how many books set in the far future still include influential religions from Earth, especially the Catholic Church. I have The Sparrowand The Reality Dysfunction in mind. I'm far more interested by the survival of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in this future.

Book number 358 of my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project

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Green Mars / Kim Stanley Robinson

Green Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

Once I got into this novel, my recall of the first book was sharpened and I got interested in the lives of the new generation born on Mars. First generation Martians. But, boy, was there a lot of terraforming detail to endure to get to those bits.

I'm reduced to pecking away at my tablet to write this review which is reducing my usual verbosity, which is probably a relief to some. 😊

Book number 357 of my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project


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The Violets of March / Sarah Jio

The Violets of March by Sarah Jio
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

This novel was basically an updated version of the Gothic romance/mystery novel. A young woman protagonist who has suffered a set back and goes to stay with a relative to get her life reorganized. She discovers that her family has big secrets, which involve the guy she has run into on the beach. What is going on and how is he involved? An old diary mysteriously appears in her dresser drawer, giving her clues to work from. Of course there are the inevitable stumbles in the couple's communication that could scuttle the whole relationship.

Its getting 3 stars from me because I approve of her use of library resources! 😁

Not a bad book, but not one which will stand out in my memory either. I'll take Victoria Holt or Mary Stewart's work over it any day.


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O Pioneers! / Willa Cather

O Pioneers! by Willa Cather
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

I am at heart a prairie girl, and though Nebraska is quite different from Alberta, Cather's descriptions of the land absolutely captivated me. Not to mention all the Scandinavian settlers—there are a few of those in my background too. Funny isn't it how they're either unpleasantly religious or raging alcoholics? My Danish grandfather was the eldest son who should have run the home farm, but he ran away to Canada because he couldn't get along with his family. Here, he became a control freak and wondered why many of his own children couldn't wait to get away from him!

I was also blown away by the main character, Alexandra Bergson. For years, she puts her family first and when she gets a shot at happiness, they are outraged. How can a woman expect to have the life she wants? How I wish that attitude was completely gone from our society!

My first Cather novel, but certainly not my last.