Review: The Witching Hour by Anne Rice

The Witching Hour by Anne Rice
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is the longest torture. It took me weeks to finish reading (listening) to this book.

On the one hand, Kate Reading, the narrator, could make a phone book or dictionary sound good. There were times when it felt that was exactly what she was reading. There is a lot of background knowledge that Anne Rice included in the book that didn’t seem necessary. But Ms. Kate kept my attention even through that.

On the other hand, there were exciting parts that kept me awake for hours as the narrator could do all the voices and give each character their own personality. So many voices she needed to create for this book!

There are books a person should probably save for daytime. This is one of those. Yet I did it before sleep every night. Ugh! I would try to end the experience on a boring part or positive note.

I don’t think I will read the rest of the Mayfair Witches series. I’ll stick with the television program. There are so many begats, like the Bible. The show does that in a different and concise way. I am hoping the birth of Lasher isn’t at all like the book. And I can’t stand that idea. The incest issues were also off-putting. That birth procedure creeped me out like the ending of Demon Seed. I wanted to throw the book! Ugh!

And Rowan is so much more interesting in the show. She’s barely there in the book and then disappears.

I hope I haven’t turned off others to try the book. But I must warn those who have the issues that I mentioned above. I’m not a fan of horror, and I would put this book in that category.

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Review: The Novice by Taran Matharu

The Novice by Taran Matharu
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This book was not my cup of tea. One of my best friends loved it, so don’t take this review to heart.

If you loved Wheel of Time, Lord of the Rings, etc. This book is for you. Those and this are too male-heavy and too similar that I just got bored. I never got into the main character. I never felt anything about him was worth my time.

But, please don’t take my word for it. It was a quick read that I borrowed from the Libby library app. The text-to-speech was enabled for those who like to listen to books as they do other things like artwork with their hands. So it was painless. Still, when it got to the preview of the next book, I didn’t care if the MC was alive or dead. I was ready to move on to a series more to my liking.

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Review: Fire by L.B. Gilbert

Fire by L.B. Gilbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Is it the pandemic or what? I think I would have loved this book before but…

Tanya Eby, narrator, was quite good at the many voices it took to tell the story. I tried just using the text-to-speech and found that dull. Maybe if my eyes were good enough to follow along I would like it more. I would have been able to get deeper into the story. Ms. Eby’s voice brought me into the world of the fire elemental.

I must have enjoyed it because I listened to the end. I did like the main character. But often I tired. I honestly don’t think it was the writing or character development. I really think this could have been the most exciting book ever. It was just my inability to concentrate. So don’t take my word for it. Check it out. Maybe when life settles I’ll try it again and see if I don’t actually love it.

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Review: Ever Strange by Alisa Woods

Ever Strange by Alisa Woods
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It seemed I was on a witch-reading spree lately. Here’s another and, I think, better than the others. It was free, so that’s even better. The main character was well developed. The storyline kept me engaged. And if you need spice, this book has it without getting into the realms of erotica. Nice that fantasy leaves a bit to your imagination. You might enjoy this book. I did.

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Review: Bad to the Crone by Amanda M. Lee

Bad to the Crone by Amanda M. Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was fun! I love the main character, Scout, and her sense of humor. Even in the worst of times, when she is trying to save a poor girl who needed to see love for once, that sense of humor plays it out.

There is a near budding romance that seems like it might never happen. But the two are fun characters separately or together.

Scout doesn’t know her own strength and is constantly surprised by what she can do. She just thinks she’s a witch. At other times she surprises everyone else and does what she knows. Most of the time she just tries to exist while trying to make the world a better place.

Okay, this review doesn’t say what I want to say. That is, I enjoyed this book. So much that I have started the second in the series where I am learning more about Scout’s background. Thank you, Kindle Unlimited for letting me read both books.

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Review: The Spellslinger by S.M. Reine

The Spellslinger by S.M. Reine

Sara Reine has done it again. I love that we get to visit our favorite characters over and over in an ever-renewing timeline. Once again we visit the Reno-Tahoe area which for me, makes for one more character to enjoy.

Through the characters, Ms. Reine asks questions that remind me of why I loved Sci-fi for all my life. With deities, angels, and demons, subjects like philosophy, religion, and why things happen the way they do, and how it applies to our norms, all this comes up in the course of the story and makes the reader think. That is my favorite kind of writing. It isn’t preachy, it doesn’t even set up any rule to follow. These are questions the characters present as they chase down the next plot twist.

Ms. Reine writes so well and keeps the reader involved. I almost always finish her books quickly as I don’t want to stop reading until the end.

As always, I suggest a person go back to the beginning, Six Moon Summer and read the gazillion other books, they are all terrific. I can’t wait to read the next book! What will she come up with next?

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Review: We Witches Three Books 7-10 Bundle by Starla Silver

We Witches Three Books 7-10 Bundle by Starla Silver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’m so sad about this series. The first no-no in my world is a cliff-hanger in the book before this one. Each of these books has about four novels. So they take forever to read. The other irritation for me is the angsty romance stuff. People can love many people. Look at families and friends and all. We love. Why set it up that a witch should be guilty for loving a Vampire and another witch? All the wasted romance is so boring to me. So I put my text-to-speech on speed two so as to get done faster.

The saving grace for this set of books is the gargoyle. Especially the pet who takes care of the female Howard. But that isn’t enough for me to find the next big book. It just is too much human angst for something that is a fantasy. Hopefully, others will like this and the books will do okay.

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Review: Knave of Blades by S.M. Reine

Knave of Blades by S.M. Reine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not since the sixties have I seen such sexy flower power! Sorry, that’s all you get, no spoilers! Just this is mostly Ms. Reine’s usual story with twists and turns in the fantasy world within our own. Familiar places with unfamiliar buildings or beings.

This one is a bit more erotic than most. If that’s a turn off for you, maybe skip and read some of her other books. If not ENJOY!

I like reading about the Tarot Witches, even if this one finds herself in new places with bizarre but fun abilities.

I want to say more but don’t want to ruin the adventure of reading it yourself.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. It comes live to Amazon tomorrow. Hope you get the chance to read it. It is a new series within many series(s) and I think it could be a place to start on Sara’s writing. I still advice starting at the beginning with Six Moon Summer.

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Review: Cashing Out: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by SM Reine

Cashing Out: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by SM Reine

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yippee! Another Dana installment! I still don’t like vampires. That may be why I like Dana. She doesn’t either, even when she becomes one.

I’m not lowering my star rating from five to four even though most of the beginning is about Nessa, not Dana. After finishing the read, I saw why that was so. Picture me rubbing my hands together in anticipation. More is to come!!!!

Though not left on a cliffhanger, this book did leave me anxious to read what comes next. More Dana! Please, please, please!

Oh, and though this part of the series(s) is rather stand alone I suggest you all read of the Saraverse from Six Moon Summer on. SM Reine is one of the most prolific writers I know. Her places are alternates of places many have been, just add a were-beings, demons, vampires, fae, etc. thrown in amongst we muggles. And GODS/GODDESS and many layers of heavens and hells Yet if you see her on Instagram, Sara is a fascinating mom person.

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Review: Kill Game: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by SM Reine

Kill Game: An Urban Fantasy Thriller by SM Reine

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Dana! My first born son and this female powerhouse character that we all met long ago in Sara Reine’s series. In this case, it is the first character I could personally relate to in size and shape. I’m much older but a part of me thinks I looked like her when I was in my forties. I think I had similar beliefs to hers. I don’t know that I hate vampires. But I never saw the craze. Now Ms. Reine has brought me along to expand my imaginary creatures profile.

And Dana isn’t a perfect person in any way. She makes mistakes. She has a mindset that needs taming. But she is lovable and loves deeply. And it is wonderful that she is getting her own series. This was the second book. I think it may read as a stand alone but I love that I have read all the history of these altered Nevada stories from the beginning. Other states are in her other books but most of Sara Reine’s books are in places I have lived or visited enough to know ‘our’ versions. It gives a depth to the books that a made up place never has.

Dana is going through divorce in this series and it is messing with her mind. As it does for most of us. The reasons seem weird to me, but most folks from the outside of the couple going through this might think that, also. But will the ending of this book change that? Gosh, Sara, if you’re going to bring us to this ending can’t you write faster and let us see what happens next?

Okay, I need to clear this up. This is not a cliffhanger. You all know how much I hate those! And I don’t know a more prolific author than S.M. Reine. I just love her books so much I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. Hey–since I moved from there two years ago, how about another Reno setting? Las Vegas is too busy, too much of a tourist trap–even in the alternate universe. Is there a place for Dana, the vampire-slayer in demon possessed Reno? Or, since I can’t seem to find a way, could you take her to the beaches of California? Orange County, LA County? Mojave Desert?

Okay, I’ll read it no matter where you take us! Can’t wait!!!!

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