24 Jan 2025

Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: A GRIM REAPER'S GUIDE TO CATCHING A KILLER by Maxie Dara (Review)

24 January 4 Comments


Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!

A GRIM REAPER'S GUIDE TO CATCHING A KILLER

Author: Maxie Dara
Series: A SCYTHE Mystery #1
Source: eARC via publisher
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: October 8, 2024
Representation: Older main character

Summary:
Sometimes it takes working with the dead to start living.

Kathy Valence is forty-two, mid-divorce, and pregnant with her ex's baby. She's also a modern-day grim reaper employed by S.C.Y.T.H.E. (Secure Collection, Yielding, and Transportation of Human Essences), but frankly that's the easiest part of her life right now. Or at least it was, until her latest client's soul goes missing. 

When she finally tracks down seventeen-year-old Conner Ortiz, he angrily denies he died of natural causes, despite what his file says. He insists that someone at S.C.Y.T.H.E. murdered him, and he demands Kathy find out who and why. 

Kathy has only forty-five days to figure out what happened to Conner and help him move on before the boy's soul is doomed to roam the Earth as a ghost forever. She’s forced to rely on the help of her retired mentor, her almost ex-husband—and some sneaky moves by Conner himself. This is the wildest case of her career. . .and one wrong move could cost Kathy her job, not to mention her life.

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Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

Content Warning: Death, Pregnancy, Child death, Vomit, Violence, Gun violence, Addiction, Cancer, Chronic illness, Police (Procedural)

Maxie Dara offers a refreshing take on the cozy mystery genre with A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer. The story introduces Kathy Valence, a forty-two-year-old grim reaper employed by S.C.Y.T.H.E., a supernatural organization that collects souls. Juggling the turmoil of a mid-divorce pregnancy and a career handling the dead, Kathy is thrown into chaos when one of her client's souls goes missing—and the missing soul insists he was murdered.

I really enjoyed the way Dara blends the supernatural with real-world problems. The magical elements of the story are ever-present but don’t overshadow Kathy’s personal journey, which is centered around her struggles with self-worth, impending motherhood, and the aftermath of her marriage falling apart. It felt like a very grounded story, despite the more fantastical aspects of grim reapers, missing souls, and paranormal mysteries. Kathy’s struggle to find balance between her work and personal life was particularly relatable, making her an easy character to root for.

Surprisingly, I found myself invested in the second chance romance between Kathy and her estranged husband. Usually, I don’t care much for this trope, but Dara manages to write it in a way that feels natural and authentic. Kathy’s conflicting feelings about her relationship added an extra layer to the story, and it was heartening to watch her navigate the complexities of love and forgiveness. Their dynamic felt raw and real, which is something I rarely expect in a mystery about grim reapers!

Another highlight for me was the found family theme. As Kathy relies on her retired mentor, her almost-ex-husband, and even the stubborn spirit of the murdered Conner to solve the mystery, there’s a real sense of community that builds over the course of the story. Each character brings something valuable to the table, and their relationships grow in a way that felt heartfelt and genuine.

That said, the mystery and procedural elements of the story left something to be desired. For a book that seems to want to establish itself as the start of a detective series, I felt the investigation itself could have been more fleshed out. While the concept of a grim reaper solving a murder within her own ranks is fascinating, the actual detective work felt a bit thin. It wasn’t as intricate or compelling as I had hoped, which dampened the impact of the overall mystery. I wanted more twists, more suspense, and a stronger connection between the supernatural elements and the investigation.

The cliffhanger ending was another point where the book fell short for me. While I understand that it’s setting up for future installments, I would have preferred a more contained resolution. It felt a bit too open-ended, leaving a lot of plot threads dangling, which made it difficult for this book to stand on its own. I think a stronger conclusion would have made for a more satisfying read, even if it is part of a series.

Overall, A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer is an enjoyable read with strong character development, a relatable protagonist, and an interesting supernatural world. While the mystery itself could have been stronger, there’s plenty of potential here for future books to build on. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist, or stories that mix life’s real struggles with magical elements, this is a series to keep an eye on.

Have you read this book? What was your favourite part?

17 Jan 2025

Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: BULL MOON RISING by Ruby Dixon (Review)

17 January 5 Comments


Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!

BULL MOON RISING

Author: Ruby Dixon
Series: Royal Artifactual Guild #1
Source: eARC via publisher
Publisher: Ace
Publication Date: October 15, 2024
Representation: N/A

Summary:
In a world of magical artifacts and fantastical beings, a woman determined to save her family joins forces with an unlikely partner in this captivating special hardcover edition of USA Today bestselling Ruby Dixon’s new steamy romantasy. 

As a Holder’s daughter, Aspeth Honori knows the importance of magical artifacts... which is why it’s a disaster that her father has gambled all of theirs away. Now in danger of losing their hold—and their heads—if anyone finds out the truth, Aspeth decides to do something about it. She’ll join the Royal Artifactual Guild and the adventurers who explore ancient underground ruins to retrieve the coveted arcane items. 

It’s a great plan—with one big problem. The guild won’t let her train because she’s a woman. Aspeth needs a chaperone of some kind. The best way to get around this problem? Marry someone who will let her become an apprentice. Who better than a surly guild member who needs a favor of his own? He’s a minotaur (it’s fine) who is her teacher (also fine)... and he’s about to go into rut (which is where it gets tricky). He also has no idea she’s a noble (oops) and will want nothing to do with her if he finds out the truth.

Now Aspeth just needs to pass the guild tests, thwart a fortune hunter, and save her hold. Oh, and survive a rut with her monstrous, horned husband, who she might be falling in love with. 
It’s time to dig deep. Literally.

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Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

Content WarningSexual Content, Sexism, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Addiction, Violence, Death of a parent, Vomit, Pregnancy

In Bull Moon Rising, Ruby Dixon blends romance, adventure, and magic in a steamy romantasy. The story follows Aspeth Honori, the daughter of a Holder who finds herself in a bind after her father gambles away all their magical artifacts. Determined to save her family, she devises a plan to join the Royal Artifactual Guild to retrieve arcane items from ancient ruins. However, the guild won't allow her to train because she’s a woman. To overcome this, Aspeth marries a gruff minotaur guild member who has his own set of problems, creating an arrangement that quickly becomes more complicated than either expected.

While the concept of a high-stakes magical adventure is intriguing, the execution sometimes falls short. As with many romantasy novels, Bull Moon Rising places heavy emphasis on the romance between Aspeth and her monstrous yet alluring partner. While the romance is well-written, steamy, and fun, it sometimes overshadows the broader plot. I would have liked to see more focus on the world-building and the magical artifacts that drive the story.

One of the book's strengths is its exploration of sexism. Aspeth's struggle to navigate a male-dominated guild and her use of her wit to bypass societal restrictions add depth to the story. It was refreshing to see these elements woven into the fantasy world, even if the plot could have done more with them.

On the downside, the "twist" near the end of the book felt out of place and didn’t fit smoothly with the rest of the narrative. It seemed like an attempt to raise the stakes but felt somewhat disconnected from the story's core themes.

Despite these flaws, the monster romance element delivers, and Dixon does a great job of making her minotaur hero both intimidating and endearing. The chemistry between Aspeth and her surly partner shines, and the intimate scenes are crafted with care.

Overall, Bull Moon Rising is an enjoyable read for fans of fantasy romance who don’t mind a story that prioritizes the romantic arc over intricate world-building. I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel, as there are plenty of elements in the world and characters that could be expanded upon in future installments.

Have you read this book? What was your favourite part?

20 Sept 2024

Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: AN ACADEMY FOR LIARS by Alexis Henderson (Review)

20 September 1 Comments


Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!

AN ACADEMY FOR LIARS

Author: Alexis Henderson
Series: N/A
Source: eARC via publisher
Publisher: Ace
Publication Date: September 17, 2024
Representation: Black main character, Black love interest, gay side character, mental health discussions

Summary:
A student will find that the hardest lessons sometimes come outside the classroom in this stunning dark academia novel from the acclaimed author of The Year of the Witching and House of Hunger.

Lennon Carter’s life is falling apart.   

Then she gets a mysterious phone call inviting her to take the entrance exam for Drayton College, a school of magic hidden in a secret pocket of Savannah. Lennon has been chosen because—like everyone else at the school—she has the innate gift of persuasion, the ability to wield her will like a weapon, using it to control others and, in rare cases, matter itself. 

After passing the test, Lennon begins to learn how to master her devastating and unsettling power. But despite persuasion’s heavy toll on her body and mind, she is wholly captivated by her studies, by Drayton’s lush, moss-draped campus, and by her brilliant classmates. But even more captivating is her charismatic adviser, Dante, who both intimidates and enthralls her.

As Lennon continues in her studies her control grows, and she starts to uncover more about the secret world she has entered into, including the disquieting history of Drayton college, and the way her mentor’s tragic and violent past intertwines with it. She is increasingly disturbed by what she learns. For it seems that the ultimate test is to embrace absolute power without succumbing to corruption . . . and it’s a test she’s terrified she is going to fail.

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Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

Content WarningViolence, Murder, Blood, Animal cruelty, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Animal death, Bullying, Cancer

This book kept me HOOKED. I loved the atmosphere and the way it was so tense throughout. I really appreciated the mixture of a semi-unreliable narrator with the mystical elements. I thought the storyline was well-developed and kept me really interested. I finished this in one sitting because I was just so enthralled. I loved that this felt fresh and new in the genre while still exemplifying the idea of dark academia.

It had a lot of tropes incorporated into it and they were really well done. I liked the way things were resolved throughout and getting the information that we needed, when we needed it. A lot of what I want to say would be a spoiler but overall I just really enjoyed it!

I would have liked a bit more explanation of how things concluded. It felt like it was a bit hand-waved to make it all work out, which left the ending feeling a bit quick. I feel like the rest of the story was well-paced, with enough information given to us that it made us think, but there were tendrels of the story that didn't feel as though they were closed before the end.

I still highly recommend this book!

Have you read this book? What was your favourite part?

13 Sept 2024

Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: REWITCHED by Lucy Jane Wood (Review)

13 September 0 Comments


Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!

REWITCHED

Author: Lucy Jane Wood
Series: N/A
Source: eARC via publisher
Publisher: ACE
Publication Date: September 17, 2024
Representation: N/A

Summary:
Belladonna Blackthorn hasn’t lost her magical spark . . . but she hasn’t seen it in a while, either. 

Balancing work at her beloved Lunar Books with protecting it from her toxic boss, who’s running it into the ground, and all the while concealing her witchcraft from the non-wicches around her – Belle is burnt out. Perfecting the potential of her magic is the last thing on her mind. 

But when her 30th birthday brings a summons from her coven, and a trial that tests her worthiness as a witch, Belle risks losing her magic forever. With the month of October to fix things, and signs that dark forces may be working against her, Belle will need all the help she can get – from the women in her life, from an unlikely mentor figure, and even an (infuriatingly handsome) watchman who’s sworn to protect her . . . 

With found family, slow burn romance and an uplifting message about self-love, this is the cosy, autumnal read that you've been waiting for. 

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Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

Content Warning: gaslighting, panic attacks/disorders, grief, death, child death, murder

I really liked this book. A story about figuring out your life and changing direction at 30 made me feel really seen. I think it's so important to have "coming of age" stories when you want to change directions in the future. Your life isn't fully realized when you turn 18 or enter post-secondary (or not). Life is fluid and I loved that this book really portrayed that.

The twists and turns in this were really interesting and I loved all the characters, flaws and all. I thought there was such strong character development for Belle that really warmed my heart.

This was such a good cozyfantasy and I am so glad this genre is becoming more popular. This had such loveable characters, especially Art. I loved that all the characters went through such journies together and came out stronger at the end. The found family element of this really sealed it for me!

I highly recommend this one!

Have you read this book? What was your favourite part?

30 Aug 2024

Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: BRIDE by Ali Hazelwood (Review)

30 August 0 Comments


Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!

BRIDE

Author: Ali Hazelwood
Series: N/A
Source: eARC via publisher
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
Representation: N/A

Summary:
A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Love, Theoretically and The Love Hypothesis.

Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again...

Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….

Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she's ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.

Purchase*:
(note that these are affiliate links! I receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you)
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

Content Warning: sexual content, blood, violence, kidnapping, death of a parent, abandonment, sickness, death, confinement, murder

In BRIDE by Ali Hazelwood, Misery Lark, the daughter of a powerful Vampyre councilman, is forced to leave her life among Humans and enter a marriage of convenience with Lowe Moreland, the ruthless Alpha Werewolf. This alliance is meant to uphold a historic peace between Vampyres and Weres, but Misery has her own secret reasons for agreeing to the arrangement. As she navigates the complexities of life in Were territory and her growing attraction to Lowe, she struggles to reclaim the one thing she truly cares about. Love and political intrigue intertwine in this tale of forbidden passion and unlikely allies.

This was a pretty middle of the road read for me. I liked a lot of it and thought the book itself was pretty funny, but overall it was really just okay. I listened to the audiobook and there was a lot of really good narration, but it felt like such a waste of Will Damron to provide only little snippets at the beginning of the chapters.

The sex scenes were good and seemed pretty realistic for werewolf anatomy. I think the chemistry between Misery and Lowe was good but not off the charts. They seemed like a perfect fit for one another (pun intended) but I just wasn't overly sold on their relationship. The romance felt a bit lacking for me.

I also would have liked a bit more emphasis on the paranormal elements and the mystery element to this novel. It felt like too much was packed into this that didn't give enough time to everything for a fully fleshed novel.

Overall, if you liked Ali Hazelwood's other novels, you'll enjoy this one! But if you've never read one, I'm not sure if this is the one to start at. It didn't make me extremely eager to read other books by her.

Have you read this book? What was your favourite part?

23 Aug 2024

Review & Excerpt: LOVE AND OTHER CONSPIRACIES by Mallory Marlowe | Sci-Fi & Fantasy Friday

23 August 0 Comments


Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!

LOVE AND OTHER CONSPIRACIES

Author: Mallory Marlowe
Series: N/A
Source: eARC via publisher
Publisher: Berkeley
Publication Date: August 20, 2024
Representation: N/A

Summary:
The hardest thing for a paranormal conspiracy theorist and a web series producer to believe in is finding love in this swoony debut romantic comedy.
 
Hallie Barrett's life has imploded after she's dumped by her hotshot ex, who also happens to be her coworker and the star of the online series she was producing. Without a new show to present for the company competition, she’ll be out of a job. But inspiration can come from the strangest places . . . like the most handsome guy she’s ever seen passionately discussing Bigfoot on a late-night docuseries.
 
Hayden Hargrove made a name for himself as a cryptid expert on his hit podcast, and is intrigued by the plucky, blue-haired producer who offers him the opportunity to lead his own web show. When the production team sees that Hayden’s solo on-screen presence is bad enough to make a ghost blanch, Hallie jumps on camera too, hitting him (and his cryptids) with a healthy dose of skepticism—and enough chemistry to electrify their show to the top of the competition.
 
As Hayden and Hallie investigate the unknown, they unearth feelings for each other that shake their beliefs to the core. In their search for Mothman, aliens, and the truth, the most elusive discovery might just be learning to love again.

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I bumble out of Chloe’s office in a haze, my brain operating like a too fast hamster wheel. I hadn’t even thought over accepting Chloe’s offer. I just did it. Now, I have to follow through.

The Brain-Hamster has been flung off the wheel by the time I return to my desk. I sink behind my monitor.

“You good?” Nora asks. She flashes me a thumbs up, then a thumbs down.

I provide her with a so-so. “I’m good, but I need a show idea.” 

That’s when I realize I didn’t grab my pen from the floor in Chloe’s office. Dammit. I liked that pen.

“A show idea?” she yelps. “Really?” 

“Yes. By Friday—”

Nora immediately deflates. “Well… shit.” 

“I’ll figure it out,” I say, but I am not convinced. I don’t know where to start. 

“You know what we should do?”

“What?”

“We should get high and watch Agent Cody Banks. Frankie Muniz really brings out my creativity.”

We do get high and watch Agent Cody Banks. A few hours and a half a bottle of five-dollar wine later, when Nora has gone to bed, I am deep in internet hell.

I listened to podcasts, I watched vlogs, I hunted Instagram for charismatic influencers. I only broke for our brief movie. I feel like I’ve consumed every bit of media under the sun; yet, I still haven’t made a dent in my ever-growing list of TV show recommendations.

I slurp a chopstick full of noodles into my mouth as the alcohol hits me suddenly. The clock on my computer flashes two a.m. I’ll feel this in the morning, though I don’t have time for a hangover. I slip my headphones out of my ears and notice the TV in front of me has descended into late night madness. I’m an hour away from the impending infomercials for discreet adult diapers. 

I zero in on the screen as the show returns from a commercial break. 

Cosmic Conspiracies.

Yep, I’ve hit the middle-of-the-night trash TV. Animated planets whirl across the screen and large-headed aliens bobble forward like unsteady bowling pins. 

“Reports of apelike creatures have been reported on nearly every continent on Earth,” says an overdramatic narrator. “From the Himalayan Yeti to the Florida Skunk Ape, and most famous of all beasts — Bigfoot — cultures across the world tell stories of something they can’t explain lurking in the woods…”

Oh, Jesus. 

“In ancient drawings, you’ll find large, hairy creatures intermingled with humans.” The show cuts to a portly British man. “If you look at the footprints, they aren’t so different from ours. Could we be closer to Bigfoot than we think? Could Bigfoot even be an extraterrestrial from another planet?”

“What the fuck,” I mutter into my ramen. Yet, at the same time, I suddenly understand how people religiously watch shows like this. I feel no urge to change the channel. Bigfoot is not real, and neither are aliens, but I have to know how they’re going to justify this. 

Then a man far too hot to be offering any opinion on Bigfoot appears on screen. He’s young, probably late twenties with shaggy, dark hair falling in front of his face, a sharp, stubble-coated jawline, and a square pair of black glasses. His bright green eyes are ablaze with excitement and an analytical seriousness that can’t be feigned. 

“When we think about Bigfoot,” he begins, in the smoothest, sexiest voice I’ve ever heard. It’s a clear baritone, simultaneously soothing and commanding. The man is full of dramatic hand gestures to help him paint a picture. “We think about a flesh and blood creature not so different from ourselves. When we think of aliens, we think of Greys or little green men. Those are vastly different visuals. But the idea that Bigfoot could have come from somewhere else, or that he’s not native to this world, raises the question. If we share genetic links with Bigfoot as we do apes, what does that make us?”

Noodles drop out of my mouth. I choke on a bean sprout. The most handsome man I’ve ever seen has just publicly proposed that Bigfoot is an alien and that, de facto, we were aliens as well. And I am fucking enthralled. I rewind the clip to the man’s name and title on screen. 

Hayden Hargrove
Host, The Out There

Excerpted from Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe Copyright © 2024 by Mallory Marlowe. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

Content Warning: parental neglect, parental death, death of a loved one, grief, toxic relationships, sexism, sexual content, mentions of racism

In LOVE AND OTHER CONSPIRACIES, a paranormal conspiracy theorist and a web series producer navigate an unexpected romance amid their professional chaos. Hallie Barrett's life is in freefall after her ex—who's also her coworker and co-producer—dumps her, leaving her on the brink of unemployment. As she scrambles to find something to produce fro the annual production and competition, she stumbles upon Hayden Hargrove, a charismatic cryptid expert with his own podcast. Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, and it quickly propels their production to the top of the competition. This swoony romantic comedy effortlessly blends love, self-discovery, and a search for truth in the unexplained.

LOVE AND OTHER CONSPIRACIES captivated me with its blend of romance and discovery. Set in a Buzzfeed-esque company, it features a desperate web series producer and an intriguing paranormal conspiracy theorist who, against all odds, make an incredibly charming pair. While it didn't make me believe in conspiracies, it certainly made me believe in love! I was especially drawn to how Hallie and Hayden came together, balancing their skeptic and believer dynamic in a way that felt both compelling and authentic.

What stood out most to me was the genuine, relatable romance between Hayden and Hallie. One thing that often bothers me in romance novels is how the "break-up" is handled—it needs to feel real but not so dramatic that it seems irreparable. Thankfully, Hayden and Hallie's third-act break-up hit the mark perfectly. It felt natural, free from contrived drama, and their reasons for the split—and eventual reconciliation—were entirely in character. Watching Hallie grow more confident and seeing how she helped Hayden evolve was just the icing on the cake.

LOVE AND OTHER CONSPIRACIES isn't just a romantic comedy; it's a thoughtful exploration of modern conspiracies and their problematic roots, particularly in antisemitism. The book manages to address the impact of misinformation while keeping the tone light and enjoyable. The conspiracies they pursued added an extra layer to Hallie and Hayden's skeptic/believer relationship without veering into territory that felt too far-fetched. It kept the story grounded, even as they delved into the paranormal.

That said, there were moments where the story felt a bit disjointed. The timeline between the filming process and the weekly show content sometimes didn't line up, which left me occasionally needing clarification about when certain segments were filmed. A more seamless understanding of the timeline would have made the story flow better.

Overall, LOVE AND OTHER CONSPIRACIES is a sweet, engaging romantic comedy that dives into the unknown while exploring the intricacies of love. The endearing characters and thoughtful exploration of its themes make it a heartwarming and entertaining read that I'd highly recommend.

What conspiracies do you believe in?