Once upon a time, I would have said a doorstop was my favourite kind of read: a big chonk I could lose myself in. These days, I have shorter commutes (ahem) and less patience; consequently, I’ve come to love shorter-form. Last year, a third of my reads – and half my favourite reads – were novellas. Today and tomorrow I’ll be wrapping up my thoughts on a few I haven’t yet reviewed.
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We’re planning to return to Terre d’Ange! The new year will see a new Wyrd & Wonder read-along as we embark on Phèdre nó Delaunay’s second epic adventure as Kushiel’s Chosen.
As bombs fall on London, the Natural History Museum’s collections are evacuated to the country. Hetty accompanies the mammals to Lockwood Manor, but its haunted halls hold their own threats – to the collection, and to Hetty’s peace of mind…
We’re counting down the days to Hallowe’en with some #SpooktasticReads. Today’s prompt – dark fantasy – is the perfect excuse to enthuse at you about one of my favourite series: Aliette de Bodard’s Gothic fantasy Dominion of the Fallen.
Come, enter the shadows of Fallen Paris with me…
As war sweeps across Terre d’Ange, Phèdre and Joscelin face one last challenge: to bring Ysandre enough allies to stop Waldemar Selig in his tracks. But even as bitter enemies make common cause against a greater threat, some friends prove faithless…
Questions are dangerous, for they have answers. Phèdre, Joscelin and Hyacinthe are despatched to find Queen Ysandre’s betrothed – but the Long Road is haunted by secrets. As the value – and the cost – of the dromonde becomes clear, they will all wrestle with the price of duty…
Epic adventure, acute peril, looming disaster, reputational damage and… is that a sniff of romance? It’s week four of Kushiel’s Dart and everybody needs a hug. Everybody. Okay, okay, maybe not Waldemar Selig.
It’s a strange way to keep someone alive, that’s all I’ll say. Just as Phèdre finally learns his secrets, Delaunay’s careful schemes come apart, plunging her into a nightmare of blood and ruin…
That which yields is not always weak. After Phèdre’s debut, offers flood in from the powerful for a night with Delaunay’s anguisette and the Spider is proven right: people let slip secrets in their passions. But it is gentle Alcuin who will take the greatest risk…
All knowledge is worth having and Phèdre nó Delaunay is willing to pay a terrible price in its pursuit. Raised as a courtesan, her rare gift is to experience pleasure in pain, attracting powerful patrons with dark urges. Trained as a spy, she will seek to uncover their secrets. But knowledge can be dangerous…
Life finds a way, or so the saying goes. What if it found a different one? What if dinosaurs still ruled the world, or insects, or giant cats? What if doors between parallel realities began to open? Would you slam them closed or try to cross those thresholds?
It’s nearly time to return to Terre d’Ange! The Wyrd & Wonder read-along of Kushiel’s Dart kicks off at the start of September for six weeks of swooning, gushing, (back)stabbing, screaming and sober analysis (other reactions may also apply).
Gideon Nav will do anything to escape the Ninth – even serve its despised Lady Harrowhark as she vies to ascend to the immortal ranks of the Emperor’s Lyctors. But the competition is lethal – even for necromancers…
Heads-up to all fantasy fans – we’re planning another Wyrd and Wonder read-along! Jacqueline Carey came in for much love during this year’s event, so this autumn we’ll be (re)visiting Terre d’Ange to read her epic debut Kushiel’s Dart.
Bringing your husband home for the holidays can be stressful at the best of times. Thuan is married to an over-protective angel who is keen on hurting people, and the festivities are set to involve palace intrigue and murder. Happy new year?
