Assistant to the Villain / Hannah Nicole Maehrer

 

4 out of 5 stars

Cute, cute, cute. But if you are planning to read it, there are things you should know.

1. This is primarily a romance.
2. It is truly and completely a YA novel.
3. It ends with a cliffhanger.

On the plus side, there is no love triangle. Just two young people trying to sort out their pasts and figure out if they are just coworkers or love interests. This is no spoiler, as Evie is ogling her future boss from their first meeting in the first few pages of the book.

So this is a young adult fantasy romance, with a boss/employee dynamic. It is very sweet and pretty chaste, with both parties convinced that the other doesn't like them in “that way.” Maehrer also manages to play with the evil vs good dynamic, demonstrating considerable flexibility and numerous grey areas. The setting is Medieval-like, but the emotional lives of the characters feel modern. Despite that clash, it worked for me (perhaps because I appreciated the romance as much as I did). There were a few word choices that raised my eyebrows, not the exact meaning that I think the author was aiming for, but easily forgiven.

Don't go in looking for great complexity. You won't find any. But there is a fun story and a sweet relationship. I will definitely be looking for book 2 when it comes out.

System Collapse / Martha Wells

 

5 out of 5 stars

Well, that was most pleasing and I will be reading it again very soon. A very useful purchase and it will join my “comfort re-reading" queue immediately.

I was fortunate to be warned that System Collapse follows directly after Network Effect. From the very first page, I was dumped right back into the politics of a newly rediscovered planet with alien remnant contamination. Perihelion (aka ART) and its personnel vs Barrish Estranza corporation, with the addition of the Preservation citizens and our beloved Murderbot.

Murderbot is learning in this module that having human neural tissue is both a plus and a minus. Yes, it can let you learn (from experience or from media) but it can also fuck with you via the imagination. Although imagination can be a wonderful source of ideas and creative solutions, it can also incapacitate its wielder by envisioning horrific possibilities.

As Murderbot fights with its current worries, it never forgets its responsibilities to the humans. It may not “have" to obey them, but it definitely wants to keep them alive and undamaged. It seems to have come to terms with the fact that they want to take care of it, too. And it is also accepting the sheer number of humans that it now feels protectively about.

You'd never guess it from the length of time I fooled around with this novella, but these books read really fast. Now I begin the wait for the next installment. My performance assessment rating may drop several percent until the publishing schedule is announced.

House Rules / Chloe Neill

 

3.7 out of 5 stars

I needed something quick and fun to read, as I'm dancing on the edge of a reading slump (and have been all year, really). I had forgotten how much fun the Merit & Ethan series was, but I'm glad I chose this book from my e-book TBR this time out. And it did the trick, I'm re-energized and feel like I can tackle my paper library books again.

As usual, Merit and Ethan are facing major crises. Also as usual, our brand new vampire, Merit, has the skills, connections, and street smarts to stay ahead of disaster. I should be rolling my eyes, but instead I'm having fun. Some of my acceptance of Merit's exceptionalism is due to my general love of the vampire genre in general, but Neill writes interesting problems for the Cadogan vampires to solve. 

So, back to business after a pleasant interlude. Just in time, as it is supposed to snow today and I'll want to cozy up at home for a day or two. 

One Fell Sweep / Ilona Andrews

 

4.5 out of 5 stars

When my library delivered this audiobook to my account, I admit I dropped everything to listen to it this weekend. I've read my paper copy so many times that I even noticed the adaptations that made it work better in audio. I think this may be my favourite volume of the Innkeeper series. I think I enjoy Dina and Sean sorting themselves out while Maud and Arland reach détente. Plus there is virtually nonstop action, what with rescuing Maude and Helen, the appearance of the Hiru, the corrupted innkeeper, collecting the parts of the Archivarius, and the siege by the Draziri. Plus the irony of Sean stating that he will kill every single Draziri and then they will celebrate Christmas. 🤣

Since reading (a number of times) Sweep of the Heart, I appreciate the planning that the Andrews put into planning these series. Details of this book stand out when you realize where they are heading. The somewhat familiar feeling of the corrupted innkeeper's magic, for example, or the wanderings of Olasard through Gertrude Hunt.

I love these graphic audio recordings and find them very effective. I don't remember quite so much background music in previous installments, but perhaps my memory is selective. At times I felt the music and sound effects overwhelmed the dialogue, an unfortunate situation. But it was still far too much fun and I know that I will once again neglect other books in favour of Maude and Arland's story when it comes available at the library. Not a bad distraction from the wait for what threatens to be the final volume of the Innkeeper Chronicles. Yes, I want to read the next book. No, I don't want the series to end.

Taken at the Flood / Agatha Christie

 

2 out of 5 stars

I have never before said this of a Christie mystery: I am exceedingly glad it was short! I listened to the BBC production on an evening where I was disinclined to concentrate on the printed page, or I might not have finished the story at all. I found it most unbelievable and even rather offensive. That M. Poirot would interrupt a crime in progress without really attempting to stop it was bad enough, but then Christie had the audacity to have the wronged woman proceed with her marriage plans to the offender! It leaves a nasty taste in my mouth.

Add to that the poor French accent of the actor playing Poirot. I found that quite distracting. He often reverted to an English accent, quite unlike David Suchet, who portrayed Poirot with such skill and consistency.

I knew intellectually that Dame Agatha had written some stinkers, but this is my first encounter with one. As I said, thank goodness for brevity.

The Secret Hours / Mick Herron

 

4 out of 5 stars

This isn't part of the Slough House series, but is entwined with it nonetheless. The beginning was gripping, with unknown thugs pursuing a older, retired intelligence asset. I liked Max immediately and wanted to know WTF? just as much as he did.

Multiple strands of this complex story were carried throughout the novel, present and past timelines. The espionage practice of taking job names allowed Herron to muddy the waters enough to keep me in the dark about who was who until the last pages. Only one stood out clearly, with his prestidigitation of cigarettes and matches plus one well placed fart, just in case you weren't catching on quickly enough.

I now have a whole new perspective on River's grandfather, David Cartwright, the Old Bastard. Not a term of endearment, although that's how River interprets it. But the moral of the story (at least from my vantage point) is this: do not fuck with an archivist.

An Excellent Mystery / Ellis Peters

 

4 out of 5 stars

More Brother Cadfael because I cannot resist this canny Welshman. For a Brother residing in a monastery, Cadfael has a remarkably flexible relationship with the truth. In fact, he seems to live by the Wiccan adage, An it harm none, do what ye will. Saint Winifred, whose acquisition Cadfael assisted with in the first book of the series, seems to smile benevolently on her Welsh compatriot.

I really noticed during this volume how Peters used contemporary (i.e. 12th century) vocabulary. She used it sparingly, but it lends a more realistic feel to the novel. She has, as a writer of my acquaintance has said, chosen her version of “bygonese” and maintains it throughout. Add to that lovely descriptions of the settings, such as the monastery gardens and the land along one boat journey. Nasty things may still occur, but they will happen in well described surroundings.

Characters have carried over from the last book, specifically Rhun, the formerly lame man healed by the Saint in the previous installment. His sunny presence lights up the sick room or the sanctuary, wherever he is. Hugh's wife, Aline, gets a moment in the thick of things too. I was pleasantly surprised at the halfway point when I figured out what was going on and could see a potential for a graceful solution. I'm not usually trying to solve the mystery, just along for an entertaining ride. I get a little thrill when I see the solution before the end.

Only Good Enemies / Jennifer Estep

 

4 out of 5 stars

Jennifer Estep writes nice speculative fiction, mixed with romance. And I need a mystery or action element to make romance palatable. She has done a good job of creating two main characters who don't expect to find a partner in life or love and then set them on the path toward both.

Vesper knows that she and Kyrion share a true bond, but he has hostile associations with the whole concept. His parents had a true bond and were used as a power source and eventually killed by Callus Holloway, Imperial leader. Holloway is a siphon, sucking magical energy from the environment and people around him. True bonds stimulate his greed for power, offering a rich source. Vesper has kept her distance, tried to run her life and her company on her own terms without troubling either man, but politics get in her way.

Estep sets things up neatly, with Vesper conditioned by her mother and her ex-boyfriend, among others, who have abandoned her in the past. Now she expects to go it alone. Kyrion also has parental issues, having been shut out of his own family by the strength of his parents' true bond. Naturally, these two are suspicious of the nature of the bond and of each other.

As in her Elemental Assassin series, Estep seems to enjoy writing about food. The main characters enjoy preparing and eating good food. Indeed, she writes food scenes much more deftly than sex scenes. Nevertheless, she has set up an interesting twist to lead us to the third installment of <i>Galactic Bonds</i>. Plotting is one of her strong suits, with a hook at the end of each book to encourage you to seek out the next one. I only hope that my library ponies up and purchases Zane Zimmer's book.

The Pilgrim of Hate / Ellis Peters

 

4 out of 5 stars

Brother Cadfael never lets me down. There is always an interesting mystery to be solved, usually using gentle Christian methods. This time, Cadfael gets to remember a bit of his youth as a Crusader when he tackles a bad guy. He resolves to do penance later for the pleasure of pummeling a criminal during the moment.

Cadfael is feeling his age physically but he is still mentally strong. He puts the pieces together and forms a plan immediately. It helps that his abbot, Radulphus, trusts his Brother. It also is good to have supportive friends like Hugh Beringar who also recognize Cadfael's sharp mind.

As usual, there is a gentle romance entwined with the action and our Benedictine monk has a definite soft spot for young lovers. Many fictional love stories have miscommunication bumps to overcome and Cadfael is often at pains to explain what's going on, often to distressed young women, and to steering confused young men back to these damsels. It doesn't overpower the mystery, but happens naturally and sweetly.

There is also a skillful circling back to the original book of the series, A Morbid Taste for Bones. Cadfael is feeling guilty about the circumstances of the securing of Saint Winifred's remains. He followed expediency at the time and now he is concerned that the Saint will not smile on his monastery. He needn't have worried. She brings the Abbey at Shrewsbury many good things. Obviously a very practical Saint (or one with an impish sense of humour).

Sleep No More / Seanan McGuire

 

3.75 out of 5 stars

October is wrapped up in the illusion created by Summer Queen Titania, who has re-crafted Faerie to suit her own prejudices. In this fantasy, Toby believes that she has grown up with happily married Amandine and Simon as parents, destined to be her beloved sister August's handmaiden. She knows her place as a changeling, bowing and scraping, expecting no favours. Not at all the October Daye that we know and love. In fact, it has to be a very, very powerful spell to keep the independent and compassionate October under control.

The illusion receives its first challenge when she is handed a leather jacket and notes that it smells of pennyroyal. Then she ends up bleeding and puts the sore finger in her mouth. Apparently the spell can't change the strength of her blood magic and she gets a glimpse of reality and Tybalt. October is stubborn and determined to stand by Simon and August, but she keeps being pulled toward helping other people. You can't change a person's basic nature, even if you change their environment completely. Also a reflection on that eternal “What if…?” question. What if this or that aspect of my past had been different? Would I be an entirely different person? Probably not. We are who we are and only become more ourselves as we age.

Maybe not the most riveting of the 17 volumes of the series, but enjoyable nonetheless. With the Luidaeg on her side, Toby can accomplish many things, and as she says at one point, “I do some of my best work while dramatically underprepared.” Expanding her found family yet again, Toby does what needs to be done. Just like the hero she is.

You Can Hide / Rebecca Zanetti

 

3 out of 5 stars

I don't get exactly why this author's books appeal to me so strongly. I like this series the best of the ones that I've sampled, which is odd since I'm not usually a fan of thrillers like this. But I'm hooked and will definitely read the third novel.

At least the author has provided interesting characters and plot lines in this series. She has a very definite pattern of highly intelligent and striking women being matched with blue collar men. These male characters are very bossy, protective, physically powerful, and mean well towards the women. But they are overbearing and getting them to listen to the women's opinions is a challenge. Her female characters are portrayed as generally okay with this, although there are some struggles to establish boundaries.

I think the inclusion of a maybe psychopathic half-sister to Laurel Snow gives this series more interest. Abigail is a potential threat to Laurel and her actions are difficult to predict. She is an interesting opponent and her focus on Laurel and Huck is rather threatening. Their father is still missing and Laurel suspects that Abigail may have had something to do with that. I hope this plotline will be resolved in the next installment.

The Bull From the Sea / Mary Renault

 

4 out of 5 stars

When I first went to university, I developed quite a crush on the Ancient Greeks. Soon, I was studying classical history, mythology, even learning the Ancient Greek language and translating it. So I really appreciate Mary Renault’s version of the Theseus myth. She really had a feel for their mindset. My edition had an introduction by classicist David Mendelsohn. Of her writing, he says the following: “She went as far as to reproduce, in her prose, the syntax of Classical Greek, which is heavy with participles…Such minute attention to stylistic detail gives the novel the impression of having been translated from some lost Greek original.”

He captured my feelings exactly. Having done some translation back in my salad days, I'm familiar with the patterns of their literature and Renault captures it. She also seems to represent their religious beliefs with verisimilitude. Theseus communes with Poseidon without self consciousness and acts on what he perceives. The mysteries of various deities are displayed without critique. Plus Renault finds ways to make mythological elements fit more comfortably into her tale. For example, the centaurs are hirsute men on furry ponies seemingly melding together.

I thought her inspiration to make Theseus a small man was right on the money. He had things to prove as a ruler, making taller men listen to him and considering his people’s well being. The Theseus of myth did a remarkable number of things, had remarkable friendships, and significant relationships with prominent women. Renault manages to fit it all in without it feeling unbelievable.

But the Greeks believed that a man's life couldn't be fully evaluated until his death. An ignominious death could jeopardize an otherwise illustrious life. I was struck by the parallels between the deaths of Theseus and Oedipus, who we see early in the novel. Oedipus goes to his death by the will of Poseidon and demonstrates the proper attitude. Theseus takes a page out of his book and is dignified to the end.