First a quick explanation!
Due to some severe health issues over the last few years, and a lingering chronic condition, my planned review schedule went right out of the window and I have been scrabbling ever since to get it back on track.
In an attempt to try to regain some lost ground, I have been scrunching some of my (overdue) reviews together into one or two posts each week: shorter reviews, but still covering all of the points I intended to.
That's the plan anyway, so let's see if we can find any summer beach reads packed on my TBR shelves…!
Title: Beyond the Speed Limit
Author: Anton Eine
Publisher: Independently published
Blurb: An old codemage teams up with the artificial spirit to investigate the murder.
Welcome to an alternative world of wonder, where magic and technology are inseparably entwined. A place where sorcerer programmers code spells and weave them into items and artefacts to imbue them with special and specific properties.
Magister Sajar Randhar, a seasoned expert in magic security, investigates crimes together with his greatest and most ingenious creation – Spirit, the world's first and only artificial spirit. Magister keeps her existence a secret to protect her from the dangers posed by the magical world's politicians, secret services, criminals and corporations. Or perhaps, to protect the magical world from her?
Programagic, a detective techno-fantasy series by Anton Eine is an explosive mix of science fiction, fantasy and magical realism, seasoned with a healthy pinch of exotic dark humor.
Review: This book includes a prequel novella of the story Behind the Fire Wall which I reviewed previously, before continuing on to the main story as Magister Sajar Randhar and his artificial Spirit face a new challenge attempting to solve the suspicious death of his old friend and champion speed-racer, Rik.
The story mixes sci-fi, fantasy and some cyber-magic-realism, as the worldbuilding presents an alternative Earth where magic is like electricity and using it involves a process similar to computer programming.
There are numerous humorous asides in the form of character names, countries and so on, and sly, witty references to pop culture and politics that keep the tone light and easy to read, despite all of the techno/coding chat (which could be real life jargon or invented... how would I know?!). Plus plenty of racing and attempted attacks to keep the adrenaline pumping as the investigation unfolds, and the mystery itself is a pretty tricky one.
I feel a little uncomfortable with the romance blossoming between Sajar and Spirit, as their relationship is one of parent and child, teacher and pupil, master and servant or slave - there is a power imbalance there, no matter how he defers to her intellect or offers her greater freedom. He holds the veto power for their exploits and she doesn't get any sort of recompense for doing his work for him, making him sandwiches, saving his life, etc.
The whole set-up here is interesting and entertaining, and I love the juxtaposition of murder mystery with cyber-magic, so I would definitely read more techno-mysteries from this author in future. I just hope Sajar and Spirit can keep their snarky teamwork vibe and find some sort of balance to their relationship in the future.
Title: About the Nature of the Creature
Author: L.E. Turner
Publisher: Independently published
Blurb: crea•ture/ˈkrÄ“CHÉ™r/NounAn animal, as distinct from a human being.
After a century of exile Constance has been drawn back toBristol, England. Since her departure the lair of the Creatureshas been turned in a very dangerous nightclub, and a religioussect bent on the "redemption" of her kind are getting worringlyclose. As Connie attempts to discover the root of her return, andright some of the wrongs in her past, she finds herself questioningeverything she thought she knew about her own existence.
A gritty British urban fantasy mixed with elements of classicgothic horror, L.E. Turner's debut novel turns Bristol into a homeand haven for a variety of supernatural Creatures.
Before I can review this book, I just want to add a little story of my own here!
In the summer of 2022, I ended up on Ward 33B of Southmead Hospital due to a nasty brush with sepsis and there I met a very proud grandmother named Dot Fisher who, when she found out I was a book blogger, suggested I read the "very good fantasy book" written by her grandson Max. She told me I could find it under the name 'L.E. Turner' on Amazon and so, once out of hospital, that is exactly what I did. And now (a mere two years later!), I have finally had chance to read and review it! So, this one is for Dot, Jo, Lindsey and Sarah, who made my stay the most fun I have ever had in a hospital - I hope you are all well and happy, wherever you are now.
Review: This is the story of Connie, a self-labelled 'abomination', who has returned to Bristol after a prolonged, enforced absence. Isolated, without allies or family, Connie cuts a lonely figure and her life seems quite bleak, so despite some reservations she is keen to re-establish contact with other similar 'Creatures' to herself, living in the secret underground network they call Purgatory. Except it seems to have been turned into a nightclub and nothing else seems what it should be either.
The writing style (and content) of the story reminds me of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein crossed with Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire, and with touches of William Peter Blattey's The Exorcist. The pacing is slow, thoughtful and exploratory, with the main focus being on Connie's perceptions of human nature and Creature nature, and her philosophical, spiritual and moralistic musings on what she has experienced in her life, her feelings of being a perpetual outsider and her buried longing for connection to those who might understand her 'nature'.
This Gothic, literary style is a refreshing change from the more usual faster, flashier paranormal urban fantasy that is my usual fare and will appeal to those looking for a more cerebral take on humanity vs. monstrosity.
Title: The Witch of Darkwood
Author: Stacey Upton Bracey
Publisher: Independently published
Blurb: Novella prequel to the Tales of Darkwood series.
The Tales of Darkwood is a completed series of five books, plus a novella. They are low fantasy, set in 1450s Medieval Europe. There is a whiff of both magic and romance in them, a backdrop for the journey the characters take. A connecting story arc involving an evil magic user and a blood curse winds through all the books, coming to a very satisfying stopping point in "Blood to Bind." Each book is a twist or riff on a popular Grimms fairytale as well as being a continuation of the main story.
This is Henna's origin story and includes her first meeting with Bella.
Review: This short prequel novella fills in some of the backstory about Henna, Bella's mysterious healer friend, for those who have already read The Traveller's Tale but stands alone well as an introduction to the series if you're new to the Tales of Darkwood series.
The story here is pretty dark, with Henna facing familial deaths and/or injuries, and constant bullying and threats related to her community suspecting her of witchcraft just for being different. Although, to be fair, she does have some talents in that respect!
There are hints and nods towards classic fairytales, like Little Red Riding Hood, but the source materials are merely alluded to rather than followed... this is a fresh, dark tale of its own.
I felt absolutely heart-broken for Henna and the terrible challenges she faced and was left wanting to know more about what happened to Bella and her family, what happened with the wolves, and whether Henna manages to catch up with other travellers and change her story for the better. And luckily, this is the prequel to a five-book, finished series, so impatient readers anxious to follow the magic can carry straight on.
This first novella can be downloaded for free when you sign up to the author's newsletter on the link below and provides a great example of what you can expect from the wider series. Enjoy!
Title: A Clean Death
Author: Jamie Brindle
Publisher: Independently published
Blurb: What did zombies do for kicks in those heady days after the revolution?
Can a star learn the secrets at the heart of her own life cycle?
Will a student wizard survive the gruelling final examination process?
These questions and more are explored within these pages, where ten strange stories (and a strange poem) unfurl their secrets.
By turns funny, startling, haunting, and terrifying, these tales will take you to the furthest reaches of the Storystream…and maybe beyond.
This collection includes:
-Hot Zombie Chicks and Cocktails at Gore's
-The Power Badger
-Little Concrete Thought
-The Dance of a Hundred Million Mothers
-Certain Places
-A Clean Death
-Winter's Witness
-Theory of Mind
-A Time For Us
-Final Exam at the Academy
-Persistence Of Memory
Please note that several of these stories were previously available in the 'Tales from the Storystream' anthology, which has now been discontinued.
Review: This short collection of ten short stories and a poem contains a bit of everything from humorous post-apocalyptic zombies to planetary parents; sentient thoughts to sacrificial trees... lots of fantasy and fun, with a healthy helping of the meta and surreal.
There are some recurring themes that crop up regularly in Jamie Brindle's fiction and which can be seen again in some of these stories. Recurring cycles is one of them, for example, and another is the way that stories shape us and how we might shape them. And when these two themes come together in the same story, things can get quite surreally cerebral. Then there are other stories here that are just fun explorations of what might happen if... a time traveller steals her own boyfriend... a hero slays the princess to free the dragon... or a seasoned assigner of souls gets put upon in his workplace (yes, we get a cameo from Quince!).
Every single story was well-written and fun to read, and while no particular tale stood out for me from this collection the way that some of this author's stories can really grab me, that was because they are all of similar high quality for light entertainment.
This makes a nice introduction for those new to the author's meta-fictional fiction and wont disappoint any long-standing fans.
Title: Only Ghouls and Horses
Author: Dan Harris
Publisher: Independently published
Blurb: "Well, Amy's currently on maternity leave. And I see that you have a theoretical background in hauntings," Taylor said, a glint in her eye.
Fieldwork at Britain's paranormal detection agency had always seemed prestigious to Tom Bailey, but that was before he bought a house and settled down. Being a boring office drone doesn't seem so bad anymore, not compared to meeting a grisly end and becoming yet another vacancy for recruitment to backfill.
However telling your manager you're incompetent is not a winning advancement strategy, so with the department's usual exorcist on leave Tom is forced out of his cubicle and into the world of ghosts, witches and cultists.
The one university module on ghost stories that he used to pad out his CV isn't going to cut it. If Tom wants to keep his career and his head he's going to have to learn the tricks of the trade, and fast.
Review: I actually really, really loved this novella but it ended so abruptly that it felt like the first few chapters of a full-size novel. Which makes sense when you realise that this is the first instalment of a series and that each book is actually more like an episode of the wider story arc - complete in itself but leaving plenty more to come!
The British sense of humour is evident throughout the book, especially in the satire of office work life and specific situations that most of us have experienced at some point like being dragged around on a night out by a 'mate' that you aren't really that close to but somehow end up awkwardly stuck with while they make increasingly poor decisions (and if you haven't experienced that, you might just be that mate!). But this is no quiet slice-of-life story either, as there is plenty of action following main character Tom as he is thrown into the deep end of paranormal field work with limited resources and impossible managerial expectations (also pretty relatable, other than the ghosts and witches side of things).
Even though this story felt cut off in its prime, I will DEFINITELY be reading more! I need to know how Tom gets on in his accidental new career path, see more of Neema in action, and find out what is going on with suspected witch innocent, sweet old lady Martha and local investigative officer Sam.
I can't wait to read Just a Wild Ghost Chase and bring you my further thoughts on Unit 13!
Spirits, creatures, witches, general weirdness and ghosts - plenty of paranormal to go around here!
And nothing complements the sunny summer weather (or occasional gap in the clouds over here in the UK) better than a little dose of darkness, surely?!
Happy reading and keep shining, whatever the weather! 🙂
