Behind Blue Eyes

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree My rating: 3 of 5 stars I received an audio ARC and ebook ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. This was an entertaining followup to the breakout novel, Legends & Lattes . While not as solid a story as that told in the first book, this prequel adds quite a bit of backstory to the main character of both novels, Viv. Although as a prequel this novel is set some years before the first published book, I would recommend reading Legends & Lattes first. It serves as a better introduction to the characters and settings. Also, this book has an epilogue that is set after the events of both books. On a final note, Travis Baldree does the audio reading of this book himself, and he is excellent at capturing the characters and keeping the story moving.... View all my reviews

Starter Villain by John Scalzi My rating: 5 of 5 stars I received an eARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley. This was probably the best book I've read this year, or one of the top three at the very least. Trust John Scalzi to put down a comfortable, readable, and often hilarious story, because once more he comes through.... That was just what I needed: a light-hearted (though full of supervillainy) fun diversion.... View all my reviews

The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence My rating: 4 of 5 stars I received a copy of this ebook from the publisher though NetGalley.. I've been debating what to put in this review and whatever I have falls short of describing what this is all about. There's a lot going on, but it really needs to be explored on a personal level. Let's just say that the reader should leave this experience with a strong concept of the power of books... View all my reviews

Sing Her Down by Ivy Pochoda My rating: 3 of 5 stars I received a free audio ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. The narration was brilliant. The story, well this is different. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the mysterious quality of it. The southwest American setting added to the ambience of it. The characters, flawed but interesting. The story overall, I don't know. I'm not sure I get it. Still, not a bad listening experience... View all my reviews

Tell Me Everything: A Memoir by Minka Kelly My rating: 5 of 5 stars I received an eARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley. ...and then, I found it that it was available as an audiobook with my Scribt membership, so I quickly downloaded and listened. I do find memoirs much more enjoyable when in audio format, especially when read by the author, as in this case. This was a fascinating and often heartwrenching account of actress Minka Kelly's life from her own perspective. I always prefer a personal memoir to a third person biography because you get the personal experience and insight directly from the subject, which brings it to life. This was certainly the case here as well... View all my reviews

Tsalmoth by Steven Brust My rating: 3 of 5 stars I received an eARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley. Vlad is back, and to my delight he's back in his early days, as this takes place just before the first novel in the series, Jhereg . It's not my favorite in the series, but it's a welcome return nonetheless. The best parts to me are the little introductory segments that begin each chapter and form a part of the story on their own. View all my reviews

The Donut Legion by Joe R. Lansdale My rating: 4 of 5 stars I received a free eARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley... This was a fantastic ride, from the author of the Hap & Leonard series and many more works. I mention H&L because this reminded me of those, in the setting and tone, and in the fast pace of the narrative. A fun, quick read from one of today's master storytellers... View all my reviews

Biography of a Phantom: A Robert Johnson Blues Odyssey by Robert Mack McCormick My rating: 5 of 5 stars I received an ARC of this audiobook from the publisher through NetGalley. I didn't know what to expect here, thinking it would be interesting to read a biography of blues legend Robert Johnson. This was more than that, though. Less too, but mostly more... No, this was more of a memoir of the biographer of Robert Johnson, in his quest to track down and speak with people that knew Robert Johnson. Mack McCormick had an interesting journey himself, and it was the mystery of Johnson's barely documented past that made this so intriguing.. Memoir, biography, mystery, and cultural study. All of that and more... View all my reviews

The Angel Maker by Alex North My rating: 3 of 5 stars I received an ARC audiobook of this title from the publisher through NetGalley. An interesting mystery/thriller with excellent narration, this kept the listener guessing.. View all my reviews

Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft--Orphan of Agony Isle by Casey Gilly My rating: 3 of 5 stars I received a copy of this eARC from the publisher through NetGalley. Here is a decent return to Ravenloft, a realm I hadn't personally ventured to in a couple of decades. It was an interesting "Frankenstein"ish story set in the dark realm with great visual art. We also had some linked stories that tied in to the main drama, all touching on other facets of Ravenloft. In the day, this was one of the great expansions to the AD&D game and it was during this time that I was an active gamer and Dungeon Master. So here is a good trip to that nostalgic time... View all my reviews

An End to Sorrow by Michael R. Fletcher My rating: 4 of 5 stars Review now live at Grimdark Magazine An End to Sorrow is the concluding novel in the Obsidian Path series by Michael R. Fletcher. The first novel, reviewed here for Grimdark Magazine , was a finalist in the 2021 Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off (SPFBO), and with good reason as it’s an excellent book. The follow up novel, She Dreams in Blood, reviewed here , continued Khraen’s quest to piece together his fractured obsidian heart. So finally, we come to the resolution of the tale of Khraen, the Demon Emperor, who has been resurrected as a shell of his former self, missing the shards of his heart and with these pieces, his scattered memories. He’s accompanied by his faithful friend and follower, Bren as they attempt to recover the necromancer queen Henska, who might or might not have Kraen’s best interest at heart. “Once we had a nest egg, we could open a cosy little tavern somewhere, sel...

What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall My rating: 4 of 5 stars I received an audiobook ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley. All in all, this one did as promised: tension, high drama, twists and turns, and an excellent narrator. View all my reviews