57) Beauty by Robin McKinley

The Blurb :

When the family business collapses, Beauty and her two sisters are forced to leave the city and begin a new life in the countryside. However, when their father accepts hospitality from the elusive and magical Beast, he is forced to make a terrible promise - to send one daughter to the Beast's castle, with no guarantee that she will be seen again. Beauty accepts the challenge, and there begins an extraordinary story of magic and love that overcomes all boundaries.

My Thoughts :

Robin McKinley has been on my radar for so many years.  I am pretty sure I have a book or two of hers on my shelves somewhere.  Regardless, she has never made it onto my serious to be read pile and it is only because of my book club that she made it there now.

Beauty is a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast fairytale that everyone knows and many love.  Now I am not even a huge fan of film or TV series remakes so this wasn't exactly a thrilling prospect for me.  I can't understand why writers feel the need to rewrite stories that are already wonderful and famous.  However this was the book club pick and I was very curious about the story.

It turned out that Beauty wasn't a bad read.  It was actually a nice easy one that captured the well known story but also added some nice little additions that didn't ruin the fairytale at all.  I was pleasantly surprised at how the book grabbed me and didn't really let me go until the end.  It was well written and I was very invested in the characters and their lives.

Well worth taking a look at if you like the Beauty and the Beast tale.  It isn't horrid and it doesn't ruin a thing.  Still a love story and full of magic and awe, Beauty is beautiful.

45) Once Upon A Crime by P.J. Brackston

The Blurb :

Gretel (yes, that Gretel) is now 35, very large, still living with her brother Hans, and working as a private investigator. The small, sleepy town of Gesternstadt is shaken to its pretty foundations when the workshop of the local cart maker is burnt to the ground, and a body is discovered in the ashes. It is Gretel who notices that the cadaver is missing a finger.

At first, she does not see this as significant, as her mind is fully focused on a new case. Not that she wouldn’t far rather be investigating an intriguing murder, but her client is willing to pay over the odds, so she must content herself with trying to trace three missing cats. It is not until she is further into her investigations that she realizes the two events are inextricably and dangerously connected, and that the mystery of the missing cats will lead her into perilous situations and frightening company.

Very soon Gretel finds herself accused of kidnapping Princess Charlotte, twice locked up in the cells at the Summer Schloss, repelling the advances of an amorous troll, strapped to a rack in Herr Schmerz’s torture chamber, and fleeing a murder charge. With dubious help from her brother (whose scant wits are habitually addled by drink), she must prove her innocence, solve the puzzle of the unidentified corpse, and find the stolen cats before they meet a grisly end.

My Thoughts :

So let's start this one with how Goodreads confused me completely by listing this book as #2 in the Brothers Grimm Mysteries when it is indeed the prequel of Gretel and the Case of the Missing Frog Prints. If I had known this I certainly would have read the books in the correct order but in the grand scheme of things it didn't make much of a difference. Also this prequel isn't your typical novella prequel but a normal sized novel and it also didn't ruin the story.

Now let's go onto how funny and inspiring this series is. Paula Brackston is well known for her serious and incredible Witch books but this fantasy filled cozy mystery series is completely different! There's a lot of humour weaved into this interesting twist on the good old Hansel and Gretel tale from the Brothers Grimm and for any German speakers some cute language usages as well. Granted this prequel didn't make me laugh as much as Gretel and the Case of the Missing Frog Prints but the mystery kept me intrigued and most of all it kept me reading until the end.

I look forward to reading more in this series. It is something different with historical twists and lots of fantasy. It makes for very light reading and the story flows really well with some very funny characters and amusing situations. Well worth checking out and a must read for fans of the author.

43) Ink & Bone by Rachel Caine

The Blurb :

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When his friend inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn…

My Thoughts :

I don't know what I expected from Ink & Bone but it definitely wasn't what I got.  A follower of Rachel Caine, I couldn't miss the beginning of a new series but the blurb was already slightly off putting.  However I got a copy and I finally got around to reading it this weekend.

Everything was confusing from the beginning.  It was hard to follow how the world that Caine has invented really works.  Books are good? Bad?  I wasn't sure what the point was but after about a fifth of the book I started to understand what this world was like but I still didn't quite understand everything.

There is a lot of new jargon that was lost on me for most of the book and I didn't feel like everything was explained to a high enough level to really enjoy the obviously brilliant concept that the author has come up with.  Despite my problems following every single piece of the puzzle I did find myself quite engrossed in the story and eager to see what happened.

You can tell when an author has put substantial effort and research into a book when you realise that one of her characters names actually translates to 'Writer' which fits to the story extremely well.  However it made me wonder if I should take things personally as a Welsh person living in Vienna when in this world the Welsh are hated (or loved? another thing I wasn't sure of) and Austria doesn't exist anymore.

All in all this was a nice strong start to a series that is more complicated than it is enjoyable.  I won't say I will not continue the series but I do know that this is definitely a series that needs to be read close together.  I think the longer you leave between installments, the harder it will be to keep the facts straight and understand everything that has happened and is happening.

13) Gretel and the Case of the Missing Frog Prints by P.J. Brackston (Paula Brackston)

The Blurb :

Bavaria, 1776. When Albrecht Durer the Much Much Younger's Frog Prints go missing, he knows exactly where to turn for help. Gretel (yes, that Gretel), now 35 and still living with her gluttonous brother Hans, is the country's most famous private investigator, and she leaps at the opportunity to travel to cosmopolitan Nuremberg to take on the case. But amid the hubbub of the city s annual sausage festival, Gretel struggles to find any clues that point toward the elusive thief.

Even with the aid of the chatty mice living under her bed, the absent prints remain stubbornly out of view, and Gretel is forced to get creative in her search for the truth."

My Thoughts :

You may know P. J. Brackston as Paula Brackston the wonderful storyteller that gifted us such books as The Winter Witch and The Witch's Daughter.  Well if you wondered if she can write something other than the serious witch based stories then you will find your answer inside the first installment of the Brothers Grimm  Mysteries.

You can tell that Gretel and the Case of the Missing Frog Prints is going to be fun before you every start the story.  Look at that cover and title and then read the blurb.  There is so much promise and the author manages to deliver what is expected by way of a fun and fantasy filled cozy.  It is unusual and extremely entertaining!  I was hooked within the first couple of pages and couldn't put the book down.

The surprises inside this book are amusing and quite witty.  The author definitely took some time to plot out this well thought up twist on the Hansel and Gretyl story.  The addition of the German names and places are, if you know the language, delightful and the historical angle is not too over powering and fitting.  I managed to get engrossed in this one very easily and the characters and plot wouldn't let me go.

This is a book you need to try when you need cheering up or just want something that will bring on a giggle or two.  If you like Jasper Fforde's work then you will appreciate the style of this one and if you don't mind a little fantasy twist (there be talking animals for one) then you will also enjoy the magical details that are weaved into the story.

I am really looking forward to reading the next installment in the series and hope I will be able to pick it up soon.  This was a refreshing read and just the thing I needed to lighten up my reading and break the hard, cold and more darker books I have been reading lately.

12) Night Study by Maria V. Snyder

The Blurb :

Ever since being kidnapped from the Illiais Jungle as a child, Yelena Zaltana's has been fraught with peril. But the recent loss of her Soulfinding abilities has endangered her more than ever before. As she desperately searches for a way to reclaim her magic, her enemies are closing in, and neither Ixia nor Sitia are safe for her anymore. Especially since the growing discord between the two countries and the possibility of a war threatens everything Yelena holds dear.

Valek is determined to protect Yelena, but he's quickly running out of options. The Commander suspects that his loyalties are divided, and he's been keeping secrets from Valek...secrets that put him, Yelena and all their friends in terrible danger. As they uncover the various layers of the Commander's mysterious plans, they realize it's far more sinister that they could have ever imagined.

My Thoughts :

I am a huge fan of Maria V. Snyder and was extremely happy to have Yelena and Valek return in the Soulfinder books.  Their story was far from being over and it is getting more and more complicated and interesting with each book.  I say complicated because I find it hard to keep up with everything and remember what happen in the previous books.  I could really do with a 'Previously on...' section at the beginning ;)

Despite my ability to remember all the details, I enjoyed this new installment as much as the others.  There are, as always, some challenging developments and interesting twists.  The plot is always captivating and the world the author has built to house her characters is always a pleasure to visit.

I can't wait for more from the series.  There are so many possibilities and outcomes for all involved and I am interested to see what the author has in store for them all.  Especially as the characters develop and grow.  Oh and we are not only talking personal growth here.  The amount of characters keeps growing too with some very surprising additions this time around.

Well worth checking out if you like Fantasy and magical elements.  This is a Game of Thrones on a smaller scale and no dragons.  A very well thought out world with so many wonderful aspects to be in awe of.

109) The Silver Witch by Paula Brackston

The Blurb :

Something Wicked This Way Comes...

A year after her husband's sudden death, ceramic artist Tilda Fordwells finally moves into the secluded Welsh cottage that was to be their new home. She hopes that the tranquil surroundings will help ease her grief, and lessen her disturbing visions of Mat's death. Instead, the lake in the valley below her cottage seems to spark something dormant in her - a sensitivity, and a power of some sort. Animals are drawn to her, electricity shorts out when she's near, and strangest of all, she sees a new vision; a boatful of ancient people approaching her across the water.

On this same lake in Celtic times lived Seren, a witch and shaman. She was respected but feared, kept separate from the community for her strange looks. When a vision came to her of the Prince amid a nest of vipers she warned of betrayal from one of his own. Prince Brynach both loved and revered her, but could not believe someone close to him wished him harm, even as the danger grew.

In her own time, Tilda's grief begins to fade beside her newfound powers and a fresh love. When she explores the lake's ancient magic and her own she discovers Seren, the woman in her vision of the boat. Their two lives strangely mirror each other's, suggesting a strong connection between the women. As Tilda comes under threat from a dark power, one reminiscent of Seren's prophecy, she must rely on Seren and ancient magic if death and disaster are not to shatter her life once more.

My Thoughts :

I have enjoyed many a book written by this author and am kicking myself because it took so long for me to get around to reading The Silver Witch.  It was a fantastic read, sometimes melancholy but then mostly uplifting.  Full of magic and mystery this was just how I remember Brackston's earlier novels to be.  Historical, exciting and Welsh.

The story of The Silver Witch twists and turns and is told from two perspectives.  One in the past and one in the present.  The link is obvious to the reader earlier on but the reason and explanation is reason for reading.  The story is compelling and interesting with a lovely setting.  The background is well researched and impressive.  I loved every moment and couldn't put the book down.  I was hooked from the beginning.

Actually the book made me want to pack up my things and head home to Wales.  The author brings out such a beautiful side of a land I grew up in but obviously haven't even begun to experience.  The details are vivid and obviously first hand.  You can really get a sense of the present Wales as well as that of the past one.  Everything is well thought and it shows.

The plot is sometimes slow and sometimes a little too fast but the story itself is so intriguing that it makes no difference to the wonderful reading experience.  I am not a lover of historicals but this author really makes everything come to life and twists the history to make it all so interesting.   I look forward to her magical aspects and can almost believe it is all true.

Paula Brackston is one of my favourite authors and while I don't always get to her books straight away I always enjoy them immensely.  They are different to the usual paranormal books I read but they are always a joy and a lovely trip home to Wales.

20) Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder

The Blurb :

Once, only her own life hung in the balance.

Oddly enough, when Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. But she'd survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia. Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands and protect her relationship with Valek.

Suddenly, though, they are beset on all sides by those vying for power through politics and intrigue. Valek's job - and his life - are in danger. As Yelena tries to uncover the scope of these plots, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. She must keep that a secret - or her enemies will discover just how vulnerable she really is - while searching for who or what is responsible for neutralizing her powers.

Yes, the days of tasting poisons were much simpler. And certainly not as dangerous.

My Thoughts :

Your eyes do not deceive you!  After all this time Yelena and Valek are back and I couldn't be happier!  I am sure all the fans are rejoicing about this comeback or they missed the memo and will be surprised when they come across this new installment.  The question is - Does Maria V. Snyder manage a good comeback?  The answer is - hell yes!

At first I felt a little lost.  Of course I remembered the main points but if I had had the time I would have re-read the previous books before starting Shadow Study.  It would have made things easier if my memory was completely refreshed but as it was the author managed to help me along with her short memory jogs.  As things progressed I fell back into the wonderful world that Snyder built for this amazing series and once again I found myself being pulled into the magical twists and turns.

I don't want to go into the story too much because I could end up giving something away.  What I can tell you is that Shadow Study is the perfect continuation of the series. There is everything and everyone you could wish for plus a few other bits and pieces you will be happy to read about.  The story is as original and special as all the books before it so I doubt anyone will be disappointed.

My only regret about this book is figuring out the solution to a major twist/cliffhanger ending very early in the story.  So, for me, the cliffhanger didn't pack the punch it should of.  I felt a little annoyed at myself more than anything but maybe for others it isn't as obvious.  Although it does mean that there will have to be another installment!

Any fan who has read Maria's books will be eager to read this new addition and they shouldn't wait too long to get a copy.  The chances of spoilers ruining the book is high and to be honest there isn't any way that anyone who has read the Study and Glass books will be able to stay away from this one for long.  Get a copy and snuggle up with it.  Take the day off work or phone in sick, this book needs to be read as soon as possible.

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147) The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson

The Blurb :

Audible's 2014 Narrator of the Year Julia Whelan performs one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved fairy tales, The Snow Queen. This classic tale is a fantastical fable of two dear friends - one of whom goes astray and is literally lost to the north woods, while the other undertakes an epic journey to rescue him. This charming, strange, and wonderful story is a timeless allegory about growing up and the challenges of staying true to one's self, and it served as the wintry inspiration for the blockbuster hit Frozen.

My Thoughts :

I am not a classics person although I would, someday, like to read or listen to more of them.  The Snow Queen was a free gift from Audible and wasn't a long story so I decided to give it a listen while the season fit with the story.

The Snow Queen was just like any other classic fantasy fairytale I remember hearing or reading.   Strange, weird and magical.  A lot of the story doesn't make complete sense to me now as an adult but I am sure as a child this tale would be wonderful and exciting.  I also suppose that when this story was written it had more meaning and left the reader a little scared.  Nowadays it is just an old fairytale that shows how stories have evolved and become much more intense.

Apparently this is the story that inspired the film Frozen but I didn't see much similarity at all.  If anything it reminded me a little of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.  However I have only read this book once and seen Frozen once.   Maybe I need to revisit both again to see the way they mix with each other.

The narrator did a wonderful job of bringing the story to life and I am glad I took the time to listen to this one.  It was a nice change to my reading habits and it was kind of Audible to give away such a classic and interesting story as a gift.

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141) Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch

The Blurb :

In the fifth of his bestselling series Ben Aaronovitch takes Peter Grant out of whatever comfort zone he might have found and takes him out of London - to a small village in Herefordshire where the local police are reluctant to admit that there might be a supernatural element to the disappearance of some local children. But while you can take the London copper out of London you can't take the London out of the copper.

Travelling west with Beverley Brook Peter soon finds himself caught up in a deep mystery and having to tackle local cops and local gods. And what's more all the shops are closed by 4pm...

My Thoughts :

I don't know what happened to this book but I was so sure it was supposed to be released months ago.  I kept checking for it and finally it appeared on Audible the other week and I snapped it up straight away.  This series is one of my favourites to listen to and I have been looking forward to a new installment for over a year.

Foxglove Summer was just what I needed this last week.  A story I could really loose myself in and enjoy.  The change of scenery was a little surprising at first, I am so used to the London location that it was weird not having the familiar stomping grounds being described.  However it turned out that the different location was a breath of fresh air and it reminded you that the weird stuff isn't just something that happens in London.

Peter needed a break after what happened in the previous book and even if this is more of a busman's holiday he does get to enjoy himself a little.  There was a lack of Nightingale in this one but a nice amount of Beverley.  I didn't like her very much in the previous books but I warmed up to her in this one.  Of course Lesley is mentioned and has a very small part in this fifth book but it looks like we will have to wait for that mess to get cleared up in another story.

This series is turning out to be a brilliant escape of a read.  Lots of fantasy and supernatural all wrapped up in a mystery with some lovely characters, great humour and some very interesting explanations for everything.  I love the concept and also love the fact that it is totally British.  The author obviously has a great imagination but he also manages to put some facts behind his work.  There is no lack of research and this isn't the kind of series, story or plot that is thrown together quickly and without proper thought.

Well worth reading!  Make sure you start at the beginning!  Oh and if you like audiobooks then this is a superb one to listen to!  The narrator really brings the characters and story to life.  Definitely check this one out on Audible.

Here's hoping the wait till book six isn't too long....

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134) The Glass Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg

The Blurb :

Three months after returning Magician Emery Thane’s heart to his body, Ceony Twill is well on her way to becoming a Folder. Unfortunately, not all of Ceony’s thoughts have been focused on paper magic. Though she was promised romance by a fortuity box, Ceony still hasn’t broken the teacher-student barrier with Emery, despite their growing closeness.

When a magician with a penchant for revenge believes that Ceony possesses a secret, he vows to discover it…even if it tears apart the very fabric of their magical world. After a series of attacks target Ceony and catch those she holds most dear in the crossfire, Ceony knows she must find the true limits of her powers…and keep her knowledge from falling into wayward hands.

My Thoughts :

The Glass Magician is hard to categorize.  It feels Young Adult and it is definitely Paranormal and a little fantasy.  However it is also slightly steampunk and historical.  A mix of many great genres rolled up together with a very original and unusual concept.  The first book was ok.  It didn't blow me away but it did have something about it that made me want to continue with the series.  However it also had a few things about it that bugged me.

I have to admit that some of the things that bugged me in the first book also got to me in this sequel.  The Glass Magician starts out with Ceony celebrating her nineteenth birthday but yet again I felt she acted much younger.  I really am not feeling the relationship between her and Emery which is basically saying it is ok to go after older men and it is alright to have a relationship with your teacher.
The plot is thrilling enough but I found I didn't care much for what happened next.  I had a sneaking suspicion that things would all end well and so I didn't worry about what happened in between.  Some of the violence and death involved did surprise me because in the first book I was under the impression that the author was scared to go that route and was playing safe.  This time around she really went for it and I felt sorry for a certain character who ended up being killed off.

As far as the concept goes, this trilogy is unforgettable.  I love the idea of all the magic that is portrayed in this trilogy so far and that's what kept me reading.   How the magic appeared, the history of it and how it fits into this world isn't really examined but maybe the third and final book will shed more light on that.  I think that a big hole in the telling of this original story.

When I read and reviewed the Paper Magician I saw that the Glass Magician was also available and decided to take on both.  I had already put the Paper Magician on my wish list after seeing a blurb about it somewhere and I have to say the cover also got my attention.   The Glass Magician is the second book in what is apparently a trilogy so now I am way over the halfway mark for this series and feel obliged to read the last installment.  In some aspects I am excited to see what happens in book three but on the other hand I wonder why I should bother when I have so many problems with the story so far.

Time will tell if I complete the series or not.  It certainly is different and well worth trying.  Don't let my moans and groans put you off because as a whole this series really does stands out and it would be a shame not to try it if the blurb interests you.

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119) The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg

The Blurb :

Ceony Twill arrives at the cottage of Magician Emery Thane with a broken heart. Having graduated at the top of her class from the Tagis Praff School for the Magically Inclined, Ceony is assigned an apprenticeship in paper magic despite her dreams of bespelling metal. And once she’s bonded to paper, that will be her only magic…forever.

My Thoughts :

I was intrigued by the cover and blurb for The Paper Magician and I took a chance and decided to give it a try.  With the sequel, The Glass Magician, releasing this week (also on my Kindle) I put this one to the top of my to be read pile even though I only got hold of the copy a week or so ago.

My first impressions was very young adult.  Unsure of how old Ceony was I imagined she was roughly sixteen.  As I read on I started to wonder if she was indeed younger.  She sometimes came across as very naive and young.  Later however I was surprised to find out she is supposed to be nineteen.  Not an age I was expecting and leaving this book to be bordering on the Young Adult genre but also very suitable for adult readers.

Age aside this debut was extremely unusual and strange, in a good way.  A very original concept with some very imaginative magic.  Set in the early 1900's it was easy to forget that the story was based in the present time.  Maybe this is supposed to have a mild Steampunk feel to it and the author didn't build up on it this time around.   While on that track of thought there was quite a few things that needed more building up on.   It felt like there was a lot of very important information missing regarding the workings of this world and I hope that it will be addressed in the next two books of the trilogy.

While the story was very cute and exciting the change in the relationship between Ceony and the magician was an unwanted turn in the story (from my perspective).  Although it was made pretty clear how young the Magician was I still wasn't expecting or wanting a romantic element in the story. Although I may be getting ahead of myself in this respect because the romance hasn't really bloomed completely but it was hinted and somehow assumed towards the end.

Despite the little moans and groans this was a great debut that shows a lot of promise.  I have the second book ready to read and although The Paper Magician hasn't left me rushing to read the sequel, I will get to The Glass Magician sometime soon.

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1) Death, the Devil & the Goldfish by Andrew Buckley

The Blurb :

From the Bahamas to Heathrow airport, to the rain soaked streets of London the dead have ceased dying.

This is inconvenient for a number of reasons but what’s the real reason behind the chaos?

In London we find Nigel Reinhardt, a disgraced, confused, and gifted London police constable who owns a prophetic goldfish. In Ireland the Angel of Death questions the value and position of his current employment. At Majestic Technologies Celina McMannis works diligently on a top secret project. At the South Pole there lives a very unhappy penguin.

When the Devil hatches a nefarious plot to take over the world by possessing a cute little kitty and seizing a factory of robotic Christmas elves it’s up to Nigel and his group of unlikely companions to save the world or die trying… or both.

My Thoughts :

I can't remember what made me pick up this book. I am sure the blurb combined with the cover had something to do with it but I have to say I was expecting something different. Was I left disappointed? Far from it! I was surprised and in awe! This book may not of been what I was expecting but it certainly was an amazing read. Maybe not for everyone but it certainly made me happy!

Death, the Devil & the Goldfish is a super title for this book but it fails to also hint at what other delights are inside its pages. There is a penguin who doesn't stay a penguin. Some elves and a Santa. There is also a few non-deaths, god and a very rich man or two. As these characters all come together in some strange and weird ways the reader can only giggle and laugh at what happens to everyone involved and laugh at the absolutely ridiculous but entertaining story.

I could only laugh every time the goldfish discovered his castle again and again. I had a laughing fit when death ended up in the wrong place. The wacky and surreal story was totally far fetched and could never happen but it was funny and amusing. There was no way I could have put this book down and not read it to the end. There was just too much craziness! I had to know how things would end.

Highly entertaining! Think Douglas Adams & Ben Elton then add some supernaturally cool elements. British humour and Monty Python like comedy. This is a writer that I can only hope will continue to write about these mad cap characters. The ending suggests a sequel and I will be looking out for it on a regular basis. I want more of this well written and thought out silliness! So long and thanks for the Goldfish!