I read this book in two days, partly because I remain very charmed by the world in which it is set, but also in part because the story itself speeds along from scene to scene, so it’s easy to read quickly. But that speed comes at the expense of emotional depth for the characters. I’m along for the ride happily, but I recognize what I’m missing. I love the world, the magical system of this … Continue reading The Plastic Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg →
I should be in bed right now. I should be getting a good night’s sleep before I start my work week tomorrow, but I’m not. All hope of being productive today or tomorrow went by the wayside when I started Three Dark Crowns this afternoon. Since I started the book I’ve done nothing but read, and now I’m reviewing it late at night because OMG YOU GUYS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS. I am literally sweating right … Continue reading Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake →
A Promise of Fire is a fantasy romance and the first book in the Kingmaker Chronicles. I cannot, in good conscience, promise that this will be the last time you hear me talk about this book because I am obsessed. I will also go on record to say that, so far, this is the best book I’ve read in 2016. I want to read it again. I want the next book immediately, because the world … Continue reading A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet →
Earlier on Smart Bitches I reviewed Houdini and Doyle, a new TV series in which Harry Houdini and Arthur Conan Doyle team up to solve mysteries. The series was pretty meh, but you can get a great Houdini and Doyle fix from the non-fiction book, The Witch of Lime Street: Séance, Seduction, and Houdini in the Spirit World. Pro: It has a glow in the dark cover. Con: It leaves many questions unanswered. Harry Houdini … Continue reading The Witch of Lime Street by David Jaher →
Welcome to Wednesday Links, where we celebrate that the week is half over by sharing some pretty neat things we’ve found on the internet. Thanks to Reader Gry for passing this Rewire article on romance novels along. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of reading things that celebrate the genre: Take it from bestselling writer Jennifer Crusie, the pseudonym of author Jennifer Smith, who nails the anti-woman bias of critics, noting that because most romance … Continue reading Links: Periods, Magicians, & Cool Leather Journals →
Rag and Bone is a mix of Regency, fantasy, and mystery, and while some parts were stronger than others, the two heroes and the rapidly developing plot kept me reading for hours longer than I intended. Crispin is a struggling magician whose prior tutor/master turned out to be evil, and he has a clandestine but passionate relationship with Ned, who is a waste paper dealer. Ned, who is the gentleman of color on the cover, lives … Continue reading Rag and Bone by KJ Charles →
Speakeasy Dead is being marketed as a romantic comedy. It has all the ingredients to be a great screwball 1920’s comedy, including bootleggers, movie stars, fabulous clothes, and zombies. Unfortunately, the characters aren’t very sympathetic or interesting, and the romance is almost non-existent. It’s a fairly entertaining light read, but not terribly engrossing and certainly not romantic. Screwball comedies thrive on complication, and one thing this book does very well is create a classic plot … Continue reading Speakeasy Dead by Vicky Loebel →
