Book Review: Starter Villain by John Scalzi
Posted on September 25, 2023 21 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Starter Villain by John Scalzi
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Tor Books (September 19, 2023)
Length: 272 pages
Author Information: Website
John Scalzi returns to what he knows best with Starter Villain, delivering a popcorny, feel-good novel characterized by his quirky sense of humor and engaging style of storytelling. If you enjoyed his books like Red Shirts or more recently The Kaiju Preservation Society, there’s a good chance you’ll like this one too.
In Starter Villain, we follow Charlie Fitzer who is a former business journalist now barely scraping by on his substitute teacher salary, yet he has some big dreams. In his Chicago neighborhood is a local pub he wants to buy, just to have a worthy goal to shoot for, though the way things are going, it all might as well be a pipe dream. But then out of the blue, he receives news of his uncle Jake’s passing, and shockingly, Charlie stands to inherit his multi-billion-dollar empire built on parking garage management.
The catch? Uncle Jake apparently led the life of an evil supervillain. His garage ownership was simply a front for his real business, which mainly involved disrupting global economies by screwing over other corporations to get a leg up on them. He even had a secret lair on an island inside a volcano, lavishly outfitted with its own death ray, as well as superintelligent cats and potty-mouthed dolphins in his employ—all of which might now belong to Charlie.
However, any heir of Jake’s also inherits his enemies, of which he had many. Immediately after the funeral, Charlie’s house is bombed, leaving him at the mercy of Matilda Morrison, his uncle’s right-hand woman—now his right-hand woman—who quickly gets him up to speed on the dangers in which he now finds himself. For years, Jake had been fending off attacks from the shadowy Lombardy Convocation, a consortium of ruthless billionaires who’ve vowed to kill him if he won’t join them. Now that he’s dead, the group has turned its sights on Charlie, who has no idea how to run an evil empire let alone defend himself against rival supervillains trying to blow him up.
If you’re thinking to yourself, “This all sounds completely ridiculous, but also kind of fun,” you’ve effectively described Starter Villain in a nutshell. John Scalzi has a unique approach to blending science fiction with his clever wit to tell stories that are highly readable and accessible even if you are not a fan of speculative fiction. These are also typically over-the-top, featuring everyman characters who are victims of absurd circumstances, often giving rise to silly plotlines. In fact, it might even be fair to call some of his books vacuous and shallow, but at least no one can accuse them of being boring. Personally speaking, I associate Scalzi’s work with being wildly funny and imaginative, which Starter Villain certainly was, despite it being even fluffier than usual.
Needless to say, while Scalzi sometimes injects a bit of societal commentary on topical issues like politics or the human equation, this is not that kind of book—or if it is, then it’s completely lost in the aforementioned fluff. For this reason, I don’t think it’s anywhere close to being his best or most artful work, but Scalzi’s easy breezy narrative style comes through in the laid-back prose and snappy dialogue. If the goal was to entertain, then mission accomplished.
In short, Starter Villain is a John Scalzi book that only an author like John Scalzi could write. If you’re looking for a diversion, a wholly uncomplicated read that doesn’t take itself seriously and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, I recommend checking it out.
Bookshelf Roundup 09/24/23: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
Posted on September 24, 2023 19 Comments
Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every weekend which fills the role of several blog memes, like Stacking the Shelves where I talk about the new books I’ve added to my library or received for review, as well as It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? where I summarize what I’ve finished reading in the last week and what I’m planning to read soon. Mostly it also serves as a recap post, so sometimes I’ll throw in stuff like reading challenge progress reports, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts or announcements.
Received for Review
With thanks to Ace Books for:
- The Olympian Affair by Jim Butcher, the long awaited sequel to The Aeronaut’s Windlass. It’s been a while for sure, and I will probably need to reread the first book or at least find a good summary. But I am really excited to read this!
With thanks to Del Rey for:
- The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden, whose Winternight trilogy I adored. I was just wondering the other day what she was up to, and I was overjoyed to learn it was this book, another magical historical fantasy that sounds amazing.
- Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare, a story about a prince, his bodyguard/stand-in, and a kingdom on the verge of unraveling.
With thanks to Titan Books for:
- The Pale House Devil by Richard Kadrey, a horror mystery noir for the Halloween season!
With thanks to Berkley for:
- Murder Road by Simone St. James, who wrote The Sun Down Motel and The Book of Cold Cases, both of which I loved. I can’t wait to read another creepy paranormal mystery from the author.
With thanks to Hachette Audio for:
- The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch by Melinda Taub, described as a witchy reimagining of Pride and Prejudice but told from the perspective of the youngest Bennet sister. Sounds like all kinds of amazing!
Reviews
- 5 of 5 stars to Dreambound by Dan Frey
- 4 of 5 stars to Where Peace Is Lost by Valerie Valdes
- 4 of 5 stars to Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
- 3 of 5 stars to Red Rabbit by Alex Grecian
Recent Reads
I picked up Cassandra Clare’s Sword Catcher this week, figuring that reading a longer book would give me a break to catch up with my review writing. Well, it was definitely a saga. It was interesting enough, I suppose, but did it really have to be 600 pages? I don’t know. Like I said, I enjoyed it, but there were also plenty of moments where I felt like nothing much was happening, if that makes sense. The other book I finished was Starter Villain which was typical Scalzi, the kind of story that makes you think, wow, this is so stupid…but I guess kind of fun as well? Only he can pull off something like this. A review for it is on my to-do list for next week.
Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read!
Book Review: Where Peace Is Lost by Valerie Valdes
Posted on September 23, 2023 11 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Where Peace Is Lost by Valerie Valdes
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Harper Voyager (August 29, 2023)
Length: 400 pages
Author Information: Website
Valerie Valdes has really come a long way since her debut Chilling Effect, surprising me with her newest space fantasy adventure Where Peace Is Lost. While her first novel was more of a fun-filled space opera that didn’t take itself too seriously, this one clearly sought to make stronger connections and tell a deeper story, and I believe it succeeded.
In Where Peace Is Lost, we follow Kelana Gardavros, a lone sojourner on the swampy planet of Loth where she’s keeping a low profile as just another refugee of the war against the Pale empire. That was five years ago, when she gave up everything in the name of peace, but apparently the war isn’t done with her yet. Deep in the wilderness of Loth lies an abandoned machine known as a demolisher, and now it has come back to life with no way to stop it. Destruction on a massive scale would soon follow, but unfortunately, the rogue machine’s former owners, the Pale, prove to be no help at all. Loth itself has no defenses against such a devastating force and is desperate to find a way to save its people, and as luck would have it, along comes two off-worlders who claim they can deactivate the machine.
Kel, however, is skeptical of their timing and can’t help but wonder at their motives. Her suspicion only grows when a friend of hers offers to be a guide for the newcomers, and seeing an opportunity, Kel tags along to keep an eye on things. All these years, she has kept her past life as a knight of the First Sword to herself, especially now that her order has been disbanded, but it is soon discovered that the Pale have not been following the conditions of the peace treaty. This development forces Kel to make a hard decision. As ever, her instincts are to fight back, but what if revealing her identity also means putting those she cares about in danger?
Once again, Valdes has written an incredibly entertaining novel that’s fast paced and action-packed. From start to finish, the plot never really loses its momentum, featuring all manner of thrilling escapades which include everything from up close encounters with monstrous swamp creatures to bandit attacks. And yet, the author also manages to weave a number of thought-provoking themes into the narrative without allowing everything else to overshadow its underlying emotions. After all, we must remember that Where Peace Is Lost is also a post-war story, and Kel’s characterization is that of a survivor.
What really stood out for me were the protagonist’s internal struggles and subsequent growth. Between the breathtaking action sequences, we get breaks to really appreciate the character development as Kel wrestles with her inner demons and personal dilemmas. As I recall, I described Chilling Effect as a fun romp that was nevertheless a shallow and fluffy read, but with this one, I sense a genuine effort to provide more depth, which definitely paid off. I have a feeling that, whether it is sacrifice or the consequences of living with one’s choices, the themes explored in this book will stick around for far longer than readers expect.
Speaking of which, I was also pleasantly surprised by the side characters and their interactions which provided the life behind this book. The relationships felt genuine, and the dialogue was well-written. I just couldn’t help but root for the group as I watched them navigate the challenges of Loth. That said, although it was relatively minor, the romance arc that unfolded was perhaps the biggest treat of all, made even more delicious due to its unexpectedness, which added a layer of warmth and depth.
All told, I had a blast with Where Peace Is Lost, with its snappy pace and endearing characters, plus a romance that sneaks up on you. The story is a lively mix of adventure and action, one that is also grounded in emotions. Valerie Valdes proves herself to be a fantastic storyteller whose future projects are worth keeping an eye on.
Book Review: Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
Posted on September 21, 2023 13 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of Godkiller
Publisher: HarperVoyager (September 12, 2023)
Length: 304 pages
Author Information: Website
Ever since it hit shelves earlier this year across the pond, I have been growing more intrigued by the premise and positive response towards Godkiller by Hannah Kaner. This fall, I finally got the chance to check out the novel for myself, and upon finishing it, I have to say I’m in complete accordance with the praise. Transporting readers to a world of gods and monsters, this bewitching debut is the first book of a brand-new fantasy trilogy worth exploring.
The story opens upon a distressing scene: a young girl named Kissen is a witness to the fiery death of her entire family, after her village offered them up as a sacrifice to a fire god to show their new allegiance. Despite losing her leg in the horrible destruction, she managed to survive but only because her father, with his dying breath, made a bargain with the sea god that he serves. Many years later, both the physical and mental scars of this event weigh heavily on Kissen, even as they fuel her anger towards all manner of deities, major or minor. It also helps that she has made career out of killing gods, serving as a veiga authorized by King Arren, who has made all forms of god-worship illegal ever since his recent ascension to the throne.
But Arren is also hiding a secret. Despite his edict, he owes his very survival to a god, whose power is now failing. He reaches out to his old friend and retired knight Elogast, who is now a baker, to ask him to travel to the land of Blenraden where gods are still widely worshipped in the hopes that he can find one who can save him.
Meanwhile, in a town fulfilling a contract, Kissen meets up with a young girl named Inara who has need of some advice from a veiga. The elusive daughter of a noblewoman, Inara has a mysterious connection with a squirrel-sized “god of white lies” called Skediceth who apparently has no shrine—which is a strange phenomenon indeed. Initially reluctant to help, Kissen’s path is nonetheless made for her when a sudden attack on Inara’s home leaves the girl with nowhere else to go but in the care of the godkiller. Together, Kissen, Inara and Skedi must also journey to Blenraden where there may find some way to sever the link that’s trapping girl and god together.
On the road, our traveling party meets up with others making the pilgrimage, including Elo, and as they say, the rest is history. The plot that follows is fast-paced and exciting, driven by a number of harrowing events including numerous attacks on our questing party. For yes, Godkiller has a structure that greatly resembles the quest narrative, and like most quest narratives, there’s also much entertainment derived from watching the story’s disparate characters gradually develop their interpersonal relationships. What makes it even better is that everyone has a secret, and almost all of them conflict.
First, we have Kissen and Elo, both serving King Arren and committed to killing gods but for different reasons, completely unaware of the other’s history or motivations for the pilgrimage. Cold-hearted Kissen also has little reason to help Inara and the tiny god attached to her, but somehow the girl can bring out a softer, protective side in her. Then we have Skedi, who doesn’t trust Kissen, but doesn’t know Elo enough to know the danger involved either. Yet it’s the god’s relationship with Inara that fascinated me the most. Skedi is terrified of dying, taking comfort in the most familiar thing, which is Inara, who is also alone and scared. Fear, however, makes both people and gods do dumb things, and with the trust between them being so new and tenuous, any conflict can set off a crisis.
I also loved the world of Godkiller. Rich and imaginative, it was clearly an idea Kaner spent a lot of time developing, and it’s certainly a world I would like to revisit. The ending was dramatic and eruptive, while leaving things open enough for a sequel filled with endless possibilities. I’m looking forward to the next book to dive right in.
Waiting on Wednesday 09/20/23
Posted on September 20, 2023 10 Comments
Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that first originated at Breaking the Spine but has since linked up with “Can’t Wait Wednesday” at Wishful Endings now that the original creator is unable to host it anymore. Either way, this fun feature is a chance to showcase the upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Mogsy’s Pick
The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong (February 20, 2024 by Minotaur Books)
“In The Boy Who Cried Bear , New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong keeps readers on the edge of their seats while detective Casey Duncan tries to locate the threat before it’s too late. . .
Haven’s Rock is a well-hidden town surrounded by forest. And it’s supposed to be, being that it’s a refuge for those who need to disappear. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton already feel at home in their new town, which reminds them of where they first met in Rockton. And while they know how to navigate the woods and its various dangers, other residents don’t. Which is why people aren’t allowed to wander off alone.
When Max, the town’s youngest resident—taught to track animals by Eric—fears a bear is stalking a hiking party, alarms are raised. Even stranger, the ten-year-old swears the bear had human eyes. Casey and Eric know the dangers a bear can present, so they’re taking it seriously. But odd occurrences are happening all around them, and when a dead body turns up, they’re not sure what they’re up against.”
Book Review: Red Rabbit by Alex Grecian
Posted on September 19, 2023 13 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Nightfire (September 19, 2023)
Length: 464 pages
Author Information: Website
I recall being very excited when I first learned about Red Rabbit. There are not enough horror westerns these days, and I was really craving a good one. Problem is though, the genre can also come in many flavors, and I think I just had the wrong expectations with this one.
Set in post-Civil War Kansas, the story begins when the small town of Riddle puts out a $1,000 bounty on a local witch named Sadie Grace—dead or alive. This gets the attention of every hired gun in the west, including Texas cowboys and war veterans Ned Hemingway and Moses Burke, a black surgeon who served with the Union. As the two of them head north on the trail of their bounty, they come across self-professed witch master Old Tom traveling with a silent girl named Rabbit, whom he mysteriously keeps referring to as a boy.
Their group grows once more after a stop at the homestead of newly widowed Rose, who decides to come along on the journey. Seven being a good, almost magical, number, we also join up with Benito Cortez, a Mexican outlaw on the run, as well as Joe Mullins, whose presence not only rounds out the crew but also adds a whole different kind of adventure to their quest.
One thing to know about Red Rabbit is that it has a strong paranormal bent and definitely falls more on the weird western side of things. While that alone isn’t a dealbreaker, the eccentric nature and style of the book does demand a few sacrifices from other areas of the story, namely plot cohesion and character development. There’s somewhat of a continuous narrative here, but just barely. The focus jumps around a lot, giving the book an almost episodic string-of-side-quests feel. Along with the paranormal aspects that get injected here and there, I found myself growing increasingly frustrated with the story’s stuttering pace.
There are also quite a few characters to keep track of. Unfortunately, on account of the scattered focus, I failed to connect with any of them on any meaningful level. There was no time to really get to know any of them, and if there was any backstory given it felt obligatory and prescribed. All the emotional moments came across distant and dulled. The book description for Red Rabbit says, “A folk horror epic about a ragtag posse,” which immediately sets the weight of expectation for the novel against all the “epic ragtag posse” stories that have ever been written. There have been many of those which juggle multiple perspectives with more memorable characters, and this one did not quite manage it.
The lack of character depth was probably my biggest gripe, especially for a story that relied so heavily on the cast. But other than that, Red Rabbit was actually a decent read, unique in its execution and surprisingly entertaining. While I may have wished for more developed character motivations and backstories, the supernatural elements and a busy plot kept me reading.
Book Review: Dreambound by Dan Frey
Posted on September 18, 2023 16 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Del Rey (September 12, 2023)
Length: 400 pages
Author Information: Website
Dan Frey seems to have a preference for the epistolary format, and to that I say: More power to him! If henceforth all his novels are going to be written in this style, I would certainly continue to eat them up. Clearly, he knows what he’s doing. Much like his previous book, The Future Is Yours (which I adored!) his newest work Dreambound felt surprisingly well-suited for this distinctive approach to storytelling. And in this one, he’s even upped the ante, pushing the boundaries creativity and suspense.
First, the scene is set. Byron Kidd is the protagonist of this tale, an award-winning investigative journalist whose personal mantra has always been “Stick to the facts.” And before she went missing six months ago, his 12-year-old daughter Liza had been the opposite. Possessed of a vivid imagination, the young girl loved things like make-believe and reading fantasy books. Like millions of fans around the world, she had been obsessed with the massively popular Fairy Tale series written by the elusive author Annabelle Tobin. In fact, Byron suspects the books may have something to do with why Liza disappeared.
Unfortunately, it’s a theory no one will take seriously. Never mind that Liza’s disappearance isn’t the only one that has been connected to the Fairy Tale books. All around the world, reports have surfaced of young readers of Annabelle Tobin’s beloved series going missing—dozens of them—but most have dismissed these as coincidences or called those trying to link them conspiracy theorists. Undeterred, Byron decides to do his own digging and write his own piece, going against the advice of his publisher. Ever since Liza vanished, his marriage has also deteriorated. His wife Val, believing their daughter is dead, has all but moved on and won’t support what she feels is his unhealthy denial.
But Byron feels deep down in his gut that Liza is still alive. He has but one clue to go on, a brief ping from his daughter’s cellphone from Los Angeles, not long after she disappeared. The police explained that the phone was likely stolen, but to Byron, the location cannot be an accident. If there’s any truth to the wild speculations he’s read online, all the missing children were trying to find the Hidden World, the magical land of the Fairy Tale books. It would make sense that they would start in L.A., as that is where Annabelle Tobin lives. Ever the pragmatic man though, he still believes there is a perfectly rational explanation to the disappearances. Discovering the truth, however, will turn his world upside down.
I’ve aways been a big fan of epistolary novels because when done well, they can be incredibly immersive and addictive. This is why I loved Dreambound. Like I said, Dan Frey knows exactly how to utilize the format to great effect, creating something interesting and amazing on every page. Through Byron’s personal notes, written in an almost stream-of-consciousness style, we were able to glean so much—of not only what was going on in the story, but also what was happening inside the frenzied mind of our protagonist. All his observations, delivered in rapid succession, painted a picture of a man who was very good at his job, yet the jumble of agitated, fevered thoughts also suggested a desperate father who was barely holding onto his sanity.
Other pieces of documentation, like email exchanges, excerpts from news articles, forum discussions, and even fanfiction, came together to build the world around our characters—brilliantly playing upon readers’ own knowledge and experiences of pop culture and fandom. From Star Wars to Lord of the Rings to Twilight to Harry Potter and beyond, crazes may come and go, but the energy from the communities that form around them have a certain kind of power. In a way, this is what Dreambound seeks to explore: What if there was a magical connection between the Fairy Tale books and the real world? Could the collective enthusiasm and shared beliefs of its readers somehow bring the Hidden World to life, opening the way to a select few—the ones who believe in it the most, as it were?
Granted, this is not a particularly new idea, especially if you read a lot of portal fantasy, but this was certainly one of the most remarkable and fun ways I’ve seen an author go about it. And sometimes, that’s what’s most important. I needed Dreambound to come along when it did, and because it was such an entertaining read, I could give it no less than full marks. Highly recommended for lovers of “books about books” who are looking for a fast-paced part fantasy and part mystery adventure delivered in a unique way.
Bookshelf Roundup 09/17/23: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
Posted on September 17, 2023 22 Comments
Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every weekend which fills the role of several blog memes, like Stacking the Shelves where I talk about the new books I’ve added to my library or received for review, as well as It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? where I summarize what I’ve finished reading in the last week and what I’m planning to read soon. Mostly it also serves as a recap post, so sometimes I’ll throw in stuff like reading challenge progress reports, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts or announcements.
Received for Review
With thanks to HarperVoyager for:
- The Queen of Days by Greta Kelly, whose Warrior Witch duology was AMAZING. Not surprisingly, this one’s at the top of my list of most anticipated reads this fall.
With thanks to Ace Books for:
- An Inheritance of Magic by Benedict Jacka, whose Alex Verus novels seem to e everywhere I look but I’ve always been a bit intimidated about getting into such a well established series. This being the kick-off to a brand new world, I think it’ll be the perfect place to jump on board.
With thanks to Hachette Audio for:
- The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith, the seventh book in the Cormorant Strike series which I have been enjoying, but I only read off and on as time allows mostly because the books have been getting longer with each installment. J.K.’s all about that page count.
- Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco, her adult debut set in the world of her YA Kingdom of the Wicked series. I do find the switch interesting, but in the end it’s good for me since I’m moving more away from the YA genre these days but still find myself curious about the author’s work.
With thanks to Macmillan Audio for:
- Hemlock Island by Kelley Armstrong, a horror thriller about vacation home landlord who arrives at her property following a panicked complaint from a renter, only to witness the place become the site of a grisly nightmare.
- The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab, a new novel set in the same universe as A Darker Shade of Magic. It’s getting harder to keep track of all the author’s series, but I’ve read all the ADSOM books so far so I see no reason to stop now!
Reviews
Four reviews down this week, with eleven more to write but the list is still growing! I’m sure I’ll catch up eventually.
- 5 of 5 stars to The September House by Carissa Orlando
- 5 of 5 stars to Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
- 4 of 5 stars to Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
- 3 of 5 stars to They Lurk by Ronald Malfi
Recent Reads
So I dove into Hemlock Island almost as soon as I received it, that’s how much I was looking forward to it. But ugh, maybe I’m just doomed to only like Armstrong’s Rockton novels, because I didn’t think this was her best. But you know what didn’t disappoint? Dan Frey’s newest. It’s an epistolary novel like his last one, but he has definitely taken the imagination to the next level. Godkiller was also a good read, the start of a new series worth exploring. And I thought I was going to love Red Rabbit, but the results were more of a mixed bag. More on that in my full review, coming soon along with all the others.
Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read!
Novella Review: Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
Posted on September 15, 2023 12 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Tor Books (August 15, 2023)
Length: 116 pages
Author Information: Website
Thornhedge is a fairytale retelling by T. Kingfisher, the pen name of author Ursula Vernon, like you’ve never seen before. Prepare to be whisked away by this enchanting novella based on the classic Sleeping Beauty story with a wonderful twist.
Once upon a time, there lived a fairy called Toadling. As her name implies, she is a plain girl but also kind and guileless, unlike most of the stories they tell about the fae. She can also shapeshift into a toad at will, making her perfectly suited for the inconspicuous role of guard duty outside an ancient castle overgrown with thorns.
All this time, Toadling has done her job, keeping trespassers away from the old castle as well as its precious secret safe inside. That is, until one day, a shining knight on horseback approaches, starling Toadling out of her lonely contentment. Halim is the first person she has spoken to in centuries, yet the two of them hit it off right away. She even reveals to him her ability to transform, and of how she was from the human world but was stolen away by fairies as a newborn.
For his part, Halim is polite and fascinated by Toadling. He in turn tells her how he came to be here. For you see, he’s read stories about a castle holding a princess captive, and like others before him, has traveled far to see for himself if they are true.
Of course, like any good T. Kingfisher story, there are hints of horror as well. Gradually, readers will discover Toadling’s connection to castle and the princess through the revelations that come to light via her past and present narratives. Fans of the author will also know that Kingfisher hardly ever leaves her retellings without a major twist. In that sense, there was some predictability in the plot, but I found that it hardly mattered with this modestly sized novella, not when its overall vibe was nothing short of magical, with elements of fairy myths woven throughout.
Amazingly though, flying in the face of cliches and stereotypes, T. Kingfisher has also breathed new life into what for many is a familiar story. With vivid imagination and sharp wit, she has created in Toadling and Halim a pair of memorable characters whose charming and delightful qualities will endure. Neither are protagonists you would expect in a fairytale, but let’s face it, that’s precisely why I loved them—and I know others will as well.
Despite it clocking in at just over 100 pages, this novella also packs an emotional punch. Don’t let its short length fool you, as each page is filled with all kinds of extraordinary surprises. With so many fairytale retellings flooding the market these days, it’s understandable to want to read one that stands apart, and indeed, if that’s what you are looking for, then Thornhedge is perfect.
Book Review: They Lurk by Ronald Malfi
Posted on September 14, 2023 11 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Titan Books | Tantor Audio (July 18, 2023)
Length: 384 pages | 9 hrs and 59 mins
Author Information: Website
As you might know, while I’m not really one to pick up short story collections, I do try to make the odd exception for my favorite authors like Ronald Malfi. This is also not the first collection that I’ve read by him. Last year, I read Ghostwritten, a collection containing four separate and self-contained stories which were set in the same world and united by a common theme—the written word—and it was so enjoyable that I felt pretty good about picking up a second volume of his collected novellas.
But this one, called They Lurk, features five stories with tenuous links that don’t feel as though they share that same kind of cohesiveness, likely because most of them were curated from Malfi’s older work with only one new for this collection. I also didn’t enjoy the selection as much. A couple of the offerings were on the more forgettable side, failing to make a lasting impression. For me, only the first and last one really stood out.
Skullbelly
A private detective has been hired to investigate the case of three teenagers who disappeared into the woods, while a fourth emerged in shock and covered in blood. Naturally, suspicion has fallen upon the survivor, but our detective knows there has to be more to the story. Like I said, this tale was one of the better ones, and it was good that the book started on a strong note. “Skullbelly” positively gave me the creeps, and I do love myself a bloody mystery. The only downside was that it ended rather abruptly, an underwhelming conclusion to a story that had so much promise in its mood and atmosphere.
The Separation
A therapist named Marcus is called to Germany to help his newly divorced friend Charlie who has fallen into a deep depression. But can his condition really be blamed on the failed marriage, or is something more bizarre and sinister going on? This one was more on the strange and abstract side, admittedly not my style at all. Not going to lie, I was pretty happy to see the back of this one, but your mileage may vary as this was probably more of a case of “it’s me, not the story.”
The Stranger
David and Rhonda had only been together for a short time when they decided to go on a road trip and ended up in the parking lot of a rural Florida motel. Upon his return to his car, David finds a stranger inside—with the doors locked, a gun on the dashboard—refusing to come out even after the police have been called. Another really weird story, this one could have been better if there had been a more powerful build-up considering we’re really just working with one scene. For me, the most memorable aspects of “The Stranger” were the graphic details and the insufferable nature of the characters. Nothing to write home about.
After the Fade
A woman walks into a bar and promptly drops dead, revealing an icky bug-like creature attached to the base of her skull. The rest of the patrons are left horrified and trapped inside the pub, forced to watch as the apocalypse unfolds outside. Kind of like Alien meets The Mist, this was a very “throwaway” type of horror story, but it was also all kinds of awesome and fun.
Fierce
The newest story of the bunch and presumably written for this collection, “Fierce” is about a teenage girl named Connie and her mother desperately fighting for survival after their car crashes in snowy weather. But the elements turn out to be the least of their worries. A dangerous killer is hunting them, and Connie is reminded of another time when she and her mom had to escape a monster. Ronald Malfi has gotten better as time goes on, and it really shows. Of all the stories here, this last one was the most complex, featuring flashbacks and character growth. It was also the most well put together and cohesive, with a proper ending that was actually quite touching, while leaving just the right amount of ambiguity.
I wish all the stories had been of the same high caliber. I also think that the publication of They Lurk may have been a hasty decision following the success of Ghostwritten. While I know it is somewhat unfair to compare the two, the common theme behind all the novellas in Ghostwritten was a highlight and main selling point, in stark contrast with They Lurk where the stories have the feel of being thrown haphazardly together.
As such, I can only recommend this for Ronald Malfi fans who need something to tide them over until his next book. For newcomers to his work, his more recent novels are more indicative of his amazing talent for telling horror and mystery stories, and even novella and short fiction format readers would find Ghostwritten to be a better collection.
The BiblioSanctum 