A song of Steel is a debut novel that heralds epic fantasy in its rawest form. The story can envelop you like a long lost relative after spending montA song of Steel is a debut novel that heralds epic fantasy in its rawest form. The story can envelop you like a long lost relative after spending months apart. Every interconnecting aspect of it just feels right. From its brutally accurate characterization and its dramatic historic landscape, it’s the kind of story that leaves you grappling for cognitive cohesion. The immersion and the compulsiveness has you addicted within a few pages. Duncan’s spellbinding narrative took me hostage and posted my ransom…although, truth be told, I didn’t want anyone to pay it!
A Song of Steel is just another book that shows that Indie Fantasy is where its at right now. My kindle only just made it out of the exchange with its life. The twists and turns and sense of adventure had me turning the page with a frenzied vigor. Have you ever picked up a story that just spoke to you? A story that sets your synapses firing. A story that feels like a bit of history in your hand. The story felt like a living and breathing entity, it was real, it was alive and the experience of consuming it is exactly why I began reading in the first place.
As stated, before this is a story that I greedily gobbled up. If you are expecting to read a few chapters at a time, forget about it. This is a story that will demand to be consumed within a few sittings. Trying to do anything other than that will be a futile struggle. Norse fiction. Survival. Brutality. Unbreakable bonds. The prose was outstanding.
We are transported back to the 1100’s, to a world in chaos and dismay, but first we are introduced to modern day characters who come upon some archaeological finds in a river, chainmail and a sword. We are then taken back in time to meet Ordulf, a German swordsmith who is honing his skills. We see an alternate history – we get a glimpse into the raiding and pillaging, oh and battle sequences and violence galore. This is where the story truly came to life, I couldn’t help but imagine it on the big screen, the imagery was exquisite. Every expectation that I had for this glorious tale was exceeded, my brain wanted to explode.
A Song of Steel moves forward seamlessly. The characterization is one of strength and unity. Things lead to a point of crescendo and then it all hits the fan. The narrative is laser precise and constantly hits the target. A Song of Steel feels like an intricate magical spell, it makes you fall deeper and deeper and it more than hit the mark in my favourite sub-genre of historical fiction.
A Song of Steel and its deep immersion into their world was filled with great characters, superb pacing and raw battle scenes had me hungering for more.
Merged review:
A song of Steel is a debut novel that heralds epic fantasy in its rawest form. The story can envelop you like a long lost relative after spending months apart. Every interconnecting aspect of it just feels right. From its brutally accurate characterization and its dramatic historic landscape, it’s the kind of story that leaves you grappling for cognitive cohesion. The immersion and the compulsiveness has you addicted within a few pages. Duncan’s spellbinding narrative took me hostage and posted my ransom…although, truth be told, I didn’t want anyone to pay it!
A Song of Steel is just another book that shows that Indie Fantasy is where its at right now. My kindle only just made it out of the exchange with its life. The twists and turns and sense of adventure had me turning the page with a frenzied vigor. Have you ever picked up a story that just spoke to you? A story that sets your synapses firing. A story that feels like a bit of history in your hand. The story felt like a living and breathing entity, it was real, it was alive and the experience of consuming it is exactly why I began reading in the first place.
As stated, before this is a story that I greedily gobbled up. If you are expecting to read a few chapters at a time, forget about it. This is a story that will demand to be consumed within a few sittings. Trying to do anything other than that will be a futile struggle. Norse fiction. Survival. Brutality. Unbreakable bonds. The prose was outstanding.
We are transported back to the 1100’s, to a world in chaos and dismay, but first we are introduced to modern day characters who come upon some archaeological finds in a river, chainmail and a sword. We are then taken back in time to meet Ordulf, a German swordsmith who is honing his skills. We see an alternate history – we get a glimpse into the raiding and pillaging, oh and battle sequences and violence galore. This is where the story truly came to life, I couldn’t help but imagine it on the big screen, the imagery was exquisite. Every expectation that I had for this glorious tale was exceeded, my brain wanted to explode.
A Song of Steel moves forward seamlessly. The characterization is one of strength and unity. Things lead to a point of crescendo and then it all hits the fan. The narrative is laser precise and constantly hits the target. A Song of Steel feels like an intricate magical spell, it makes you fall deeper and deeper and it more than hit the mark in my favourite sub-genre of historical fiction.
A Song of Steel and its deep immersion into their world was filled with great characters, superb pacing and raw battle scenes had me hungering for more....more
Plot The heroine Laurel has come back to her home town to juggle personal lives and professional lives. She comes back after her beloved father has diePlot The heroine Laurel has come back to her home town to juggle personal lives and professional lives. She comes back after her beloved father has died due to alcoholism. She spent her entire life trying to save him, he made promises he couldn’t keep, he tried to get himself onto the straight and narrow but relapse was always going to be just around the corner. He owned a bar and his wife was an absolute enabler, not to mention some unsavoury characters that could just pull him all the way back in. The hero, Jonah was my favourite. I’m a sucker for broken, but strong characters. Jonah, as a teen was a troublemaker, everyone knew it, moreso Laurel. He was headed down the same path as her father and all she wanted to do was save him too. Laurel was truly surrounded by broken men, men that couldn’t put her happiness and concern first. She was trying to fix them all but really she was going to end up breaking herself. Jonah’s root cause of his misery was his terrible childhood. He managed to get his shit together after Laurel leaves him to pursue her career, this had given him a necessary wake up call. But, now Laurel is home and not only is she grieving but she has to manage her attraction to Jonah but also deal with her brother who is now rapidly going down the same road as their father. Jonah still has obstacles in his way, obstacles that could quite easily send him back on the his course of becoming an alcoholic. Can Laurel keep him from descending down a dark path once again?
Thoughts I’m a big fan of second chance romances and this ticked the boxes. It wasn’t an insta-love story and nothing was quick and simple. The road to happiness wasn’t the direct one. Laurel couldn’t save her father but she played a part in saving Jonah although he is fully aware that the temptation never fully leaves him. The alcoholism issue was dealt with sensitively and was written well and you could feel Laurel’s inner conflict at trying to help everyone but not feeling like she was making much headway. Laurel and Jonah had sweet Chemistry together and there coming back together was heartwarming and their intimate scenes were both comical and hot and the chemistry was obvious. The writing was very good and it was fast paced and the actual romance made you feel all warm and giddy inside. This was my first outing with a Kimberley Ash novel but it certainly won’t be my last.
4 Stars
*I recieved an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Merged review:
Plot The heroine Laurel has come back to her home town to juggle personal lives and professional lives. She comes back after her beloved father has died due to alcoholism. She spent her entire life trying to save him, he made promises he couldn’t keep, he tried to get himself onto the straight and narrow but relapse was always going to be just around the corner. He owned a bar and his wife was an absolute enabler, not to mention some unsavoury characters that could just pull him all the way back in. The hero, Jonah was my favourite. I’m a sucker for broken, but strong characters. Jonah, as a teen was a troublemaker, everyone knew it, moreso Laurel. He was headed down the same path as her father and all she wanted to do was save him too. Laurel was truly surrounded by broken men, men that couldn’t put her happiness and concern first. She was trying to fix them all but really she was going to end up breaking herself. Jonah’s root cause of his misery was his terrible childhood. He managed to get his shit together after Laurel leaves him to pursue her career, this had given him a necessary wake up call. But, now Laurel is home and not only is she grieving but she has to manage her attraction to Jonah but also deal with her brother who is now rapidly going down the same road as their father. Jonah still has obstacles in his way, obstacles that could quite easily send him back on the his course of becoming an alcoholic. Can Laurel keep him from descending down a dark path once again?
Thoughts I’m a big fan of second chance romances and this ticked the boxes. It wasn’t an insta-love story and nothing was quick and simple. The road to happiness wasn’t the direct one. Laurel couldn’t save her father but she played a part in saving Jonah although he is fully aware that the temptation never fully leaves him. The alcoholism issue was dealt with sensitively and was written well and you could feel Laurel’s inner conflict at trying to help everyone but not feeling like she was making much headway. Laurel and Jonah had sweet Chemistry together and there coming back together was heartwarming and their intimate scenes were both comical and hot and the chemistry was obvious. The writing was very good and it was fast paced and the actual romance made you feel all warm and giddy inside. This was my first outing with a Kimberley Ash novel but it certainly won’t be my last.
4 Stars
*I recieved an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*...more
I haven’t read any of Adam Cesare’s work previously, I know, I know, I’ve been told multiple times that I’m missing out! I really enjoyed this one andI haven’t read any of Adam Cesare’s work previously, I know, I know, I’ve been told multiple times that I’m missing out! I really enjoyed this one and will definitely be picking up his previous works and not just his most prolific ones. The Influencer is a YA coming of age story, very culty in its roots and action packed.
I love a good cult read, and The Influencer reminded me a lot of Manson and his followers. Initially Aaron gets his followers to do all his dirty work but eventually he has to get his hands dirty when things don’t go according to plan. It made me really question why the internet has turned into this dirty thing. How can some people just blindly follow influencers and believe everything they say? Why do they trust someone so implicitly without knowing them? The phrase “not knowing what goes on behind closed doors” springs to mind.
The writing is fluid and so easy to follow. The story seeped through my eyes and into my brain as easy as drinking a cold can of coke. The differing points of view helped get a broader sense of what was happening. The author really encaptured what its like to be a teenager in this modern world.
Paul and Harmony annoyed the hell out of me. Like how can you go from being a regular teenager, with regular problems to doing the work of a complete nut job. I felt sorry for Paul, he really did get swept away with the excitement. Harmony was just an all out bitch who deserved everything she got....more
. Stephenson does it again! This book made my dark heart sing! I'm a girl that loved IT (in the way that it presented a younger voice.) I actually thi. Stephenson does it again! This book made my dark heart sing! I'm a girl that loved IT (in the way that it presented a younger voice.) I actually think Matthew's Punishment was better. The coming of age type story was delivered with authenticity and the utter nightmare that young adulthood is. That was one thing that really spoke to me, it took me back to those years and that wasn't yesterday, let me tell you!
This is going to be a book you'll want to go blind in to. The author's writing is rich and smooth, like a nice Colombian. How does this book make you feel? Unseated. I couldn't relax for a minute. This book feels akin to treading a field notoriously dotted with land mines. This story has heart, emotion and a pulse so strong I could feel the book vibrate in my shaking hands.
Add to this Stephenson's strong characterization and undeniable authorial voice. I honestly believe that Stephenson is one of the very best in horror fiction. The full package - Plotting, characterisation and tension....more
Dark romance, it’s a genre that undoubtedly polarises readers. Is romance really supposed to be rainbows and glitter with a little bit of medicore sexDark romance, it’s a genre that undoubtedly polarises readers. Is romance really supposed to be rainbows and glitter with a little bit of medicore sex thrown in? Maybe i want the nuances of real life. People aren’t just black and white, there are shades of grey, I like to see people being, well, people and Hello, Listener does just that.
Lorien Ray has done a phenomenal job of making me care too damn much. The men in this story are just mind numbinly hawt! I couldn’t choose which one I wanted to fantasize about more. The scenes made me cringe, fan the fires and read with one eye closed all at once. A writing style that was simple yet highly addictive.
I love a podcast format and this was done so well. Man i think I need a minute! ...more
A quick, fast paced novella that tackles some hard topics, mental health and male predators. I need some mental health rep horror books that 3.5 stars
A quick, fast paced novella that tackles some hard topics, mental health and male predators. I need some mental health rep horror books that tackle it with a sense of reality. If you also have had bouts of MH then you’ll know that your head is your worst enemy. It can make you feel and see things that aren’t really there. It plays on your insecurities and worries and makes them a whole lot worse. As my husband says, “don’t let that poisonous squid eat at you.” That’s in referring to a squids tentacles seeping into you and poisoning all the good thoughts.
A nameless narrator, only referred to as Barb is hiking the Appalachian trail after something traumatic has happened in her life. She wants to go away to lose herself in the rugged scenery, to forget all the wrongs that has been done to her. But, as she soon finds out, you can never really forget your past – it often laces up those Nikes and chases you down the path.
I enjoyed this one, and the shocks and turns kept me glued the whole time. ...more
Signing up for an ARC of Sewer Rat might just be one of the best decisions I've ever made. Initially going into this I thought "Oh, is this like a midSigning up for an ARC of Sewer Rat might just be one of the best decisions I've ever made. Initially going into this I thought "Oh, is this like a middle grade horror?" I shit you not, I was very wrong. Not that I'm shitting on middle grade horror but I was enjoying it none the less. The guts of the story is very much a fuck around and find out type scenario. I was very glad I fucked about.
MC Benny is having an awful time at school. After discovering his mom and his ex-best friend's dad playing a bit of "find the sausage" Benny tells his dad what he saw and his family falls apart, Jimmy has never forgiven Benny for destroying his family too. What Ben likes to call the Goon squad, led by Jimmy, they like to beat him up on the daily, but when he discovers a broken storm drain to escape to, he'll find an unlikely ally and oh boy does the proverbial shit hit the ever spinning fan.
Even though Sewer Rat was a short read- a little over 50 pages, Iona Penn has managed to create enough layers to the characters that I had no choice but to see them in their entirety. I also couldn't get enough of the author's dissection of a topic that is relevant to school age children-bullying. The differences between how we should deal with it and the intrusive thoughts of how we'd love to take care of it. All of it was dreadfully, realistically drawn.
I cannot wait to read more from Iona Penn. ...more
Well, well, well. This was a delicious little surprise. I got this book in the terrify your tablet event last year and have only just got around to reWell, well, well. This was a delicious little surprise. I got this book in the terrify your tablet event last year and have only just got around to reading it. The spice, the blood, the evil. The storyline left me an eager beaver...a serial killer hiding out in an asylum and luring his kills. A mysterious guy watching him, aching for him.
Honestly, I can't wait to check out more from this author. HOT DAMN!...more
Isn’t it amazing when you find your top read of the year? This book knocked my socks off. I couldn’t stop reading from the first sentence, no word is Isn’t it amazing when you find your top read of the year? This book knocked my socks off. I couldn’t stop reading from the first sentence, no word is wasted-it's used to create brand new innuendo’s that leave you feeling weird and violated!
I struggle with sci-fi; I really do. It’s something on paper that I should love, I am an uber geek when it comes to space and all the possibilities that the setting can lend itself to. But I'm too stupid to get to grips with it, all the lingo and mechanics leave me feeling like I'm back in the 90’s- chastised for not understanding basic maths.
It turns out that I only needed a few fucks, a few questionable names and a lot of dick references.
This is the collaboration that you’d always hoped for but weren’t sure if you’d get. It’s a splattery readers dream come true. The authorial voice was consistent throughout and there was an equal amount of filth in each chapter. The characters were well fleshed, and each had an interesting special talent.
I can’t wait for adventures with Titty Tater and Baby Gravy! ...more
I love an isolated tale, a tale that seeped in atmosphere and a sense of place. Where you can almost feel it’s weather system – hot sticky heat to freI love an isolated tale, a tale that seeped in atmosphere and a sense of place. Where you can almost feel it’s weather system – hot sticky heat to freezing temperatures. Pay the Piper was that story for me. Set in the Louisiana Bayou, I could imagine the sticky temperatures and wet marshlands.
As a horror setting that had everything to offer – dark, mysterious, wondering if something could harbor ill feelings below the surface. Colour me intruiged.
This is a bit of a genre beinding read, from cosmic horror to supernatural, there’s bound to be something in it for everyone. Characterisation was strong and accented english a calling card to the past. Difficult topics such parental death and cancer should remain in the forefront of your mind if these are subjects that are triggering. Each character is fleshed out-Pontaic being everything I would have loved reading about as a teenager. She’s spunky, independent and so far removed from everything girly that I found myself rooting for her.
The story reminded me a lot of IT with the unknown monster and a coming of age group of children. That’s where the comparision ends for me. It wasn’t as strong and I did feel that many parts of the story dragged on too DAMN long. There was one part where I considered DNF’ing but I’m glad I stuck with it as the ending left me with a better taste in my mouth. ...more
I haven’t had the greatest time with ARC’s recently, if they’ve been three stars then I’ve been doing well. So when I picked up Dearest, I wasn’t entiI haven’t had the greatest time with ARC’s recently, if they’ve been three stars then I’ve been doing well. So when I picked up Dearest, I wasn’t entirely sure where it would sit for me. But, it was amazing – five stars all day. I love a story about bad mothers, about difficult parenting journeys about the pain of being estranged from those that should vow to protect you no matter what. Dearest is a story done incredibly well in that vein.
Flora is a new mom who is struggling-her husband, Connor is deployed and she is doing it all on her own. Her dad and his wife pops in from time to time, but her village is just Flora. We’ve all been there right? These days it seems like young parents are doing it all on their own, a lot of the older generation seem to see their time parenting done as soon as the children leave the coop. Sad really.
So when mastitis and sleep deprivation get to her, she ponders about reaching out to her own mother. They’ve been estranged for years, it all coming to a head at Flora’s wedding. But, she needs someone. The dirty dishes are piling up, laundry lies discarded, unwashed and she can’t find the time to just shower. She needs the help, and so she sends an email to her mother asking why it is all so HARD.
Her mother turns up and boy does the shit hit the fan. They seem to have an infestation of beetles, she hears voices stalking the baby monitor and Flora feels out of her own body.
If you aren’t prepared to cry with this one, then I’d advise not picking it up. The tears flowed freely by the end.
You're homeless on the street after your life basically going down the drain. You have an affair and your wife leaves you, your job sacks you etc and You're homeless on the street after your life basically going down the drain. You have an affair and your wife leaves you, your job sacks you etc and you find yourself down on your luck and living on the streets. This is Rick's life. He gets by by scrounging bagels out of the bins behind his favourite cafe but when an older gentleman presents him with an offer he can't refuse, he nearly takes his hand off in acceptance.
Abraham has Rick work for him- at first just little things, taking him into town until the boundaries of right and morality become blurred. Just what would you do for money? Does money indeed, make the world go around?
Some fun gory scenes but I would've loved for it to have been a bit longer. ...more
This story made me dark heart fucking gallop. Abusive men getting their comeuppance, yes fucking please. Brad is your Grade A misogynist. He uses and This story made me dark heart fucking gallop. Abusive men getting their comeuppance, yes fucking please. Brad is your Grade A misogynist. He uses and abuses women. He doesn't care about them, he doesn't have a painful backstory to his abhorrent behaviour-he is just a dick, period.
Dixon's writing is sharp, witty and without any remorse. It's so easy to read, flows well and the best part - you can't take your eyes away from the page, the imagery is simply hypnotic.
What's the first thing you think about when you imagine a Gremlin? That 80's movie by the same name? The kind you can't get wet, the kind you can't feed after midnight? Spin that idea on the head, because you'd be wrong. These gremlins possess your body and feed off your electrical signals. It was unique and deeply satisfying. ...more
I mean it was okay, I guess. I knew early on what the ending was going to be so was wholly predictable. Nevertheless, it was a fun read even if it wasn'I mean it was okay, I guess. I knew early on what the ending was going to be so was wholly predictable. Nevertheless, it was a fun read even if it wasn't entirely groundbreaking for the genre. Decent writing but would've loved a bit more character development over than the boys are twins and are trying to forge their own sense of independence as they graduate college. ...more
Drowning in the Drink is one of the most harrowing examples of alcholism portrayed in horror. It lends itself to horror incredibly well, don’t you thiDrowning in the Drink is one of the most harrowing examples of alcholism portrayed in horror. It lends itself to horror incredibly well, don’t you think? Being addicted to a substance that you can’t get enough of, and in doing so slowly killing yourself. It’s awful. I have first hand experience in alcholism-my ex’s mother had been an alcoholic for many, many years. She already had scirosis by the time I came on the scene, so to read a book that portrayed a lot of the things she experienced was difficult to say the least.
Micheal watched his mother become consumed by drinking. She missed school activities, birthday parties, she was just generally absent through drinking. For a child and the mother, that’s the saddest part. Children are only little for a short space of time. They grow and remember how much drink meant to them, it’s hard not to compare their love of spirits over their love for you. So when he comes home and finds her dead, he’s upset but not surprised. He’d been preparing for this for some time.
Until he touched the black gunk that peeked out of her nose. Now, he’s addicted to the drink-something he was determined never to do. He didn’t want to become her, but now he has. A parasite embedded in his brain, voices yelling at him, of course, the only thing that keeps them quiet is alcohol-he now knows how his mum felt. Is there anything he can do to stop it or will he forever be Drowning in the drink?
A well written story with a beating heart and visceral storyline, one that took guts to pen. I can’t wait to read more from this author. ...more
Yvonne (thehorrorhive)
>
Books:
Read
(1092)
Loading...
