Reviews Batch 10

So hey, I've actually managed to stick with this blogging thing for over a year this time. Enjoy these short reviews from a pair of my favorite long-running series as celebration. 😁

Pale Demon by Kim Harrison
Originally Posted to GoodReads: August 1, 2020

Pretty fun, all told. Getting to spend more time with Trent and more or less proving he's not a complete a-hole was cool. Getting more of demon society, also cool, especially on the differences between male and female demons. I'm not sure exactly how effective Ku'sox was as a villain... I think Oliver might have been better, but he's closer to an Umbridge (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) than anything else. Like, I literally think of him as a male version of her. Oh, and I enjoyed Vivian.

On another note, I can honestly say the only thing I remembered from this book was the scene at Dalliance, and it wasn't even the whole scene. So... not entirely sure what that says about the book. It was an enjoyable read. The Hollows is always one of my favorite worlds to visit.

 

Sucker Punch by Laurell K. Hamilton
Originally Posted to GoodReads: August 13, 2020

Basically, a whole lot of talking and not much else. Like, pretty much just jumping from conversation to conversation and a couple different locations. Olaf surprises the heck out of everyone by being reasonable and spends a lot of Sucker Punch asking questions to wrap his head around what Anita’s asking of him/her decision making.

I liked that I didn’t have to skip past the sex scenes (a personal preference as I literally do not care about them), because there were none. However, I did feel like I really wanted to skip past the “oh, Anita’s not taking care of herself again” scene... and luckily there weren’t the usual “but you’re a GIRL and sleeping with all these guys” conversations, so that was nice.

I probably would have enjoyed Sucker Punch more if the actual mystery had been the focus of the book. It really wasn’t. It also wasn’t obvious who the perp(s) were, mainly because, again, the amount of conversations having nothing to do with the plot. I have no real memory of who did what and why and why certain conclusions were reached. Like, at all. It’s like the plot was there to hang Olaf’s stuff on, more than to drive the story. The story is Olaf questioning everything and Olaf surprising Anita and Olaf being 0% as scary as he should be because of all of it.

Short Reviews Batch 4

A Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison

A very short, spoiler free, reread review

Originally posted to GoodReads: 3-31-2019

Okay so, the pace of this one is actually kinda slow, compared to the other books. I like the insight we get into Were society, after several books focusing on Vampires. Also appreciated the small look into Pixies we got. Looking forward to more of that.

I did find the "Oh, Rachel's got a wandering eye for every good looking dude" thing really annoying and uncomfortable, especially when directed at Jenks. Just... why?

Deep Wizardry by Diane Duane

A very very short, spoiler free, reread review

Originally Posted to GoodReads: 4-6-2018

Wow... I forgot how much this book dealt with death and sacrifice... and I really shouldn't have read it in small chunks like I did this time. It's really better in larger sections.

Short Reviews Batch 2

The Good, the Bad, and the Undead by Kim Harrison

A Reread Review

Originally Posted to GoodReads: 1-15-2019

So... the problem with rereading any book is you know what's going to happen. I think I spent a good portion of this book trying to remember who did what when. Not entirely the best way to read a book, mind you.

I did enjoy The Good, the Bad, and the Undead. The character development was on-point. There were plenty of twists, turns, and surprises, very few of which I saw coming on first read. I really wish I had a copy of the next book in the series to continue my reread...

Update: I now have a copy of the next book to continue my reread. Yay! 

 

Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire

Originally Posted to GoodReads: 1-24-2017

Pretty awesome. I really enjoyed the change-up from vampire/werewolf/witch stuff in my usual urban fantasy. I loved the different cryptids, their descriptions, and how they manage to effectively hide in plain sight.

I look forward to reading more about Verity and her family.

On a side note, the cover does not at all reflect the content of the book.

 

The Future Falls by Tanya Huff

Originally Posted to GoodReads: 1-25-2021

So... I really have had it up to my ears with relationship drama and this book has more relationship drama than you can throw a stick at. That said, the underlying story is good. The last chapter or so happily encapsulates what it feels like to have your brain melt because... spoiler reasons. So, ya know, that’s nice, I guess. Definitely not my favorite of this trilogy.