Daily Archives: September 17, 2010

Kiss Me Deadly: 13 Tales of Paranormal Love

Posted on September 17, 2010
by

Order from:
Reason(s) for Reading:
  • I enjoy paranormal stories.
  • I’m a big Carrie Ryan fan.
  • I wanted a book that I could pick up and put down easily – and short stories does the trick.
I also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads:

If you can possibly thirst for more mysterious metaphysical accounts of love, Trisha Telep has organized some of the greatest and most thrilling tales of paranormal paramours since The Eternal Kiss. She presents the acclaimed literary talent of thirteen unique authors, creating a collection of stories that will undoubtedly capture the imagination of every soul who dares to read them. Werewolves, ghosts, zombies, vampires, and fallen angels drive the plot of these riveting romances.Kiss Me Deadly includes the exceptional writings of several authors, including: – Sarah Rees Brennan (faeries) – Becca Fitzpatrick (angels) – Caitlin Kittredge (witches) – Karen Mahoney (vampires: sequel to story from The Eternal Kiss) – Daniel Marks (ghost kids) – Justine Musk (sorcerers) – Diana Peterfreund (unicorns) – Michelle Rowen (demons) – Carrie Ryan (zombies) – Maggie Stiefvater (werewolves) – Rachel Vincent (banshees) – Daniel Waters (zombies) – Michelle Zink (gothic ghosts)

My Review:

You know, I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. There really aren’t any “bad” stories in it, more like.. “okay” stories and “better” stories. I intended to write a short review of each one, but then I realized that was a lot of writing and getting up and down and… yeah, so instead I’ll give you a few reviews of the stories I liked best.

Errant – Diane Peterfreund

I’m not a big unicorn fan, I admit it. I think I got burned out when unicorns were all over the cartoons when I was a little girl. Then of course there was more recent youtube videos with unicorns that made them feel.. cheesy and hokey. That said, this short story was interesting and finally made them out to be a little more bloodthirsty and not quite all rainbows and ponies. Enjoyable story and I’ll be looking into more of Peterfruend’s writing.

Lost – Justine Musk

I really enjoyed this story about a girl who can find things that are “lost”. I love mythology, though, so it isn’t really a surprise that I enjoyed this as much as I did. Unlike some of the other stories in this book, this one had a definite beginning, middle and the perfect ending so, while I wish it had been longer, I was satisfied with what I read.

The Spy Who Never Grew Up – Sarah Rees Brennan

Hands down, my favorite story of the book. Okay, so I admit to rolling my eyes a little at the introduction of 69 the Spy, but the story got better from there, I promise! Such a fun and interesting take on an old story. I’m laughing remembering the introduction to the Queen even as I type this. This story alone is worth picking up this collection.

Hare Moon – Carrie Ryan

Oh Carrie Ryan, how I love you. Carrie has this way of turning zombies into something even more terrifying than zombies! Just the mere mention of the “unconsecrated” and I shiver and get cold chills. In this short story about Tabitha she gives you a small, perfect taste of her longer books and has me remembering I still need to read that second one – soon!

A few surprises – I’m not a big Hush, Hush fan but the Becca Fitzpatrick story kind of blew me away with how good it was. Also, I think I’m done with vampires. Way too many vampire stories out there and when you start mixing them with other fantastical creatures (such as Djinn), it’s too much.

Overall enjoyable set of short stories and not nearly as mushy as I thought it would be!

Check out these reviews:

The Book Whisperer

Good Choice Reading

I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read

What is your favorite “paranormal” creature to read about and why?

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Book Blog Appreciation Week Winners!

Posted on September 17, 2010
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WINNERS!!!

The Winner of A Long, Long Time Ago and Essentially True is –

A Little Bookish @ http://littlebookish.blogspot.com/

The Winner of the signed copy of Boneshaker is  -

Maya @ http://apprentice-writer.blogspot.com

The Winner of Dreadnought is  -

@toobusyreading

—

And there’s a surprise!  I’ll be sending a copy of what Maya recommended to the person she recommended it to!

The Sweetness of at the Bottom of the Pie is awarded to: Loni @ http://loniseye.blogspot.com

I will be emailing all of you winners today.  If you do not respond within 48 hours there is a chance the reward will to go to someone else.

Anyone who did not follow the exact rules of the contest was/is disqualified.  There was a reason I asked for recommendations and blog addresses and I appreciate each of you that took time out to visit the blogs, recommend a specific book and leave your information for me!

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The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Posted on September 17, 2010
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The Handmaid's TaleThe Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Buy from The Book Depository

Short Summary:

It is the world of the near future, and Offred is a Handmaid in the home of the Commander and his wife. She is allowed out once a day to the food market, she is not permitted to read, and she is hoping the Commander makes her pregnant, because she is only valued if her ovaries are viable. Offred can remember the years before, when she was an independent woman, had a job of her own, a husband and child. But all of that is gone now…everything has changed.

My Review:

The place is Gilead. Religious fundamentalists are now in charge, but no fundamentalists like I’ve grown up knowing. Gone are the freedoms that women take for granted; their way of dress, owning a checking account and property, having a say over how their body is treated. Instead they are now placed into roles, the wives, the Marthas, the Handmaids.

This story revolves around Rachel, Jacob and Bilhah from Genesis. The use of Bilhah by Rachel and Jacob to give them children. But instead of being in ancient times it is now the future.

So many reviewers have pointed out that this is very similar to the treatment of women in other countries. It’s a true observation and this book does a chilling job of putting the reader in one of those womens shoes.

As I read I could hear the voice of Offred in my mind. I could hear resignation, sorrow and a lack of hope. I could hear disbelief as she spoke of memories that were so distant from what she is living now that they seem unreal. I could hear frustration as she struggled to understand why rules and traditions were being changed.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up this book. I thought it might be too graphic, that I wouldn’t be able to handle it. Atwood deals with the subject, as I’m learning she always does, with a respectful hand, laying the facts out without making them personal. It’s that sense of detachment that struck home for me the most. I felt angry and scared while reading, my emotions making up for the seeming lack of emotion shown by Offred.

This is my second Margaret Atwood book. I’m hooked. Both this and The Robber’s Bride have shown incredible character development and eye-opening scenarios to me.

What a disturbing, fascinating book this is.

View all my reviews

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