SPFBO 5 review!
SPFBO: The Werewolf Whisperer by Camilla Ochlan and Bonita Gutierrez
The Ghost Hunter’s Daughter by Caroline Flarity
The Ghost Hunter's Daughter is a solid and entertaining read. Being the debut of Caroline Flarity, I think it has good potential. All in all, it mostly delivered what I expected: a fast paced, sometimes spooky read with a bit of teen drama. If you like ghost hunter stories, evil spirits wreaking havoc in a little town playing mindgames on people, with teen angst and love drama on the side, then I'm sure you will enjoy The Ghost Hunter's Daughter.
Out of Nowhere by Patrick LeClerc
Overall, Out of Nowhere is an enjoyable urban fantasy, which brings nothing new to the genre, but has some interesting ideas and a potential to build on as the series continues.
Detonation Boulevard by Craig Schaefer
Detonation Boulevard is a fast paced, action packed middle book, which shows you just enough to make you want more, but holds off all the best parts to give an even bigger punch in the end. Highly imaginative, excellent world building and a story well worth your time.
Straight Outta Fangton by C. T. Phipps
From start to finish this book was full of action, some gore (it is a vampire book after all) witty dialogue, every bit of vampire lore and pop culture you can think of and some really fun characters.
Sworn to the Night by Craig Schaefer
A wonderfully intriguing and delightfully brutal story after which you won't be able to resist grabbing the sequel. Schaefer brings urban fantasy to a whole new level mixing it with mystery, classical fantasy elements - witches and knights - and wrapping it into a brilliant, although totally crazy read.
The Demons Within by Ashe Armstrong
This has a closed room horror feel at times, like Aliens or the Thing meets the old west. And there’s a nice nod to King’s Dark Tower series. With it’s old west feel and campy horror movie vibe, The Demons Within is a hugely fun entry into this series.
An American Weredeer in Michigan by C.T. Phipps and Michael Suttkus
Phipps obviously has fun writing this series and these characters, and if I put aside my misjudges, it's quite entertaining. But I can't decide if I should take this book seriously (does it takes itself seriously?) or should I just look at it as some popcorn fun. Even so, An American Weredeer in Michigan improved compared to I Was a Teenage Weredeer. I could lean back, read, and just enjoy myself while giggling at some of Jane's or the Merlin Gun's comments.
Hero Forged by Josh Erikson
Hero Forged is a fast paced, unique, entertaining urban fantasy. It has everything from a villain with blood lust, to an information dealer giant locust, some monsters from your nightmares, gods, a succubus, and a snarky main character being thrown in the middle of it all. If you are bored with the usual UF tropes, you might find this book quite refreshing. A warning: there might be quite a few dead bodies scattered along Gabe's path.
Author Spotlight: The Finder of the Lucky Devil by Megan Mackie – Excerpt
Megan is lovely and friendly, so I'm happy to host her on my blog today. Read about her below and take a look at the excerpt from her first novel, The Finder of the Lucky Devil in her urban fantasy series, titled Lucky Devil. Those who follow SPFBO might have seen her around since she is participating in the contest this year 🙂
Paternus: Wrath of Gods by Dyrk Ashton
In Wrath of Gods the stakes are getting higher, and if you thought it's impossible to dig up even more mythological creatures, then think again. Dyrk Ashton has some more of them up in his sleeves and not afraid to use them. And play with your emotions too while he is at it.
I Was A Teenage Weredeer by C. T. Phipps and Michael Suttkus
I Was A Teenage Weredeer is a rather light, fun read with pop cultural references from Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Buffy and many others fan probably will deerly love and enjoy. Those who like YA will find this an enjoyable read with a snarky heroine, several supernatural species and a mystery that holds a few twists.
And Then There Were Crows by Alcy Leyva
Then There Were Crows is a fast paced, enjoyable read - if you have a certain kind of humor and don't mind some violence here and there. This is a rather dark, horroresque urban fantasy with unique characterisation and promising ideas. With some improvements here and there (editing, writing - see my complaints above) this series can grow into something good and worthy of attention all fans of horror, dark fantasy, urban fantasy and everyone in between who like their story with a good measure of snark and violence.
Broken Meats by David Hambling
You'd think occultism, chinese culture and their 'secret' societies and Jack the Ripper makes a unusual mix. They do. And still, it works and that's what makes Broken Meats such an enjoyable read.
Paternus: Rise of Gods by Dyrk Ashton
It's action packed, funny, bloody, intense and highly entertaining.
Knee-Deep in Grit: Two Bloody Years of Grimdark Fiction by Adrian Collins
An anthology which is hard to put down and a must read for grimdark lovers. But be warned: it will leave you with a feeling of uncleannes and questions you don't want to answer.
The Elder Ice by David Hambling
"If you are ready to face a new kind of truth about our world and what lays under the ice of Antarctica, then go ahead, and read this book!"
Hex and the City by Simon R. Green
My review of the 4th book in the Nightside series and the last one for a while. Regarding the Nightside, that is. I grew tired of this series 😦
Nightingale’s Lament by Simon R. Green
My rant/review about Nightingale's Lament by Simon R. Green. I was supposed to write this over the weekend but my mind wanted to focus on writing other things. Oops...
Darkshine by R. D. Vallier
The book that had started everything: it witnessed the start of a friendship, it was my first ARC and it's sequel was my first and only (so far) beta read. Obviously it means a lot to me and I'm glad it's my first review up in this blog 🙂 Hope you will like it as well!
