The House Between Tides by Sarah Maine

The Outer Hebrides of Scotland are the setting for this atmospheric telling of a family's tragic deception. As the last living relative of a once prominent artist, Hetty Deveraux leaves London to renovate her ancestral home and create a luxury hotel but also to step back from a relationship that is in its last days. But Muirlan is built on the bones and backs of the local people and not everyone is enthused about Hetty's plans. When a body is found underneath the floorboards of one of the rooms questions abound. How long has this murdered body been hidden there and most importantly who is it?

In a story told by the people involved in the years before the Great War we learn of the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled and the promises that could not be kept. On an island where the class distinction between the haves and have nots is ingrained in stone, every decision leads to steps that will bring two souls together and tear every one else apart. When the ability to love is stifled what is the outcome? Is love truly selfless or can it turn a person into the very image of destruction? What would you do for love and more importantly, what wouldn't you stop at?

Hetty's journey into solving this mystery and determining the fate of her estate will place her on the same path as the descendant of one of the main characters but will they face the same sorts of decisions or can they achieve the ultimate insight as they face off across the barricades of wrongs done and gone but never forgiven.

This is a lovingly detailed journey of recovery from loss and the acceptance of love, of the appreciation of the small things in life that bind us as one and the littlest things that can divide. Reading this is a foray into an emotional tangle which will leave the reader with a more in depth feel for the emotional toil love can take. 

A definite recommend for the romantic at heart.

The Invisible Library (The Invisible Library #1) by Genevieve Cogman

The Invisible Library lies outside of the numerous realities and harvests dangerous books that need to be kept safely out of the hands of chaos. Irene is a trained spy for the Library and shes good at what she does but when shes sent to an alternate London with a new recruit she realizes she may have been sent into the midst of a wasp's nest. The book she was sent to retrieve has mysteriously disappeared and the other interested parties all swear they don't have it but they'll do anything to get their hands on it.

In a chaos infested world where supernatural creatures and the Fey seem intent on hindering her progress and the sole person she can depend on is hiding secrets of his own, Irene is going to have to trust her instincts and perhaps veer from the only path she has ever known. For the possibility of treachery from within the library seems to be the only answer to several of her questions and the shadow of the one man feared by all Librarians is looming ever closer.

This is a fun, steam punk influenced tour de force and sets a great tone to a new series that will be appreciated by any book lover. If real Librarians were anything like Irene we'd all be headed to our local library at a run. Pick this up and immerse yourself in a good read.

Burned (Alex Verus #7) by Benedict Jacka

I received this as an ARC but the review is my own.

First off the bat, if you haven't read the books before this one, STOP! This is definitely a series that needs to be read in order. Now having got that out of the way, what the hell are you doing here? Go start this series all ready. Diviner Verus is once again the target of his enemies but this time they're not only interested in him and time is running out. As everything he's built up in the last few years is destroyed and all around him are convinced that his destiny is to serve a Dark Mage once again can he save those who matter to him or will it all come down to fate. For fans of this series this is the culmination of everything we've been leading up to. Don't rush through this book, it will leave you on tenterhooks and nobody likes those.

Great urban fantasy series with a main character who is intelligent and witty with an iron core of determination. If you like Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden, prepare to meet his hero.

The Banished Craft (Shkode #1) by E.D.E. Bell

What happens when a world is split into two separate pieces by an unknown entity? Can it survive or would it be compelled to reintegrate and in doing so destroy itself? And what of the creatures on these halves, unaware of the reality of their situation; could they somehow be warned of the coming danger? Dragons and humans no longer remember a time where they were one world, both groups only know of the other from legends and stories. Each world is now faced by class distinctions and limitations that are fast approaching a boiling point as their worlds are being destroyed by a force that is wiping away their very existence with no trace or explanation. For those who will come to the fore front of the battle to survive they must choose to face the uncertainties of being the only ones who are being led to the truth and are brave enough to seek what they hold closest to their hearts. But in the midst of revolution and chaos there is one who seeks to give aid but will it be in time.

This is an interesting twist on the themes of equality, time and space, and what constitutes sentient existence. Although this takes place in a fantastical place, the questions and emotions raised are very relevant to us today. This is the first book in this series and promises to evolve into a worthy story line but be prepared to be left hanging at the end of this first one. There is the edge of the worlds to discover here and the answers are all to come in later books. The only thing you'll know for sure is that you'll have to keep reading to find out who will survive.

What would you do if your world was dying? What wouldn't you do?

Without the Shadows there would be no light

So when I was little like most little girls I believed in pretty princesses and happily ever afters. As life progressed I endured the bumps and bruises that polish us each into the gem that we will eventually become. Some of us will turn into shining diamonds and others will fall into the chasm of normalcy but for a few demented souls we live in the in between shadows and we're at home there. We LIKE the dark side of ourselves because that is where we went to survive each ordeal we faced that threatened to break our souls. Now I'm not talking about the various little things that we face that at the time seem to be the end of the world  I'm talking about situations where you are literally fighting to survive to be the person they used to promise you could be when you were little and the world was still full of magic. Now you're older and all the scars you've sustained to your soul make you a little harder and each day is a constant battle to remember that these scars make you stronger not weaker. All you want is to be able to survive another day without the demons that live in your mind taking over control. You have been around this track more than once and there is never a day where you don't have to battle this. EVERYDAY IS A STRUGGLE FOR SOME OF US. EVERYDAY.

Now, don't get me wrong. I still love cute little kittens and babies and once in a while I'm even nice to old ladies. And sometimes a miracle will happen and my inner demons stay quiet the whole day and I get a chance to remember all the hopes and dreams I had and convince myself that life is not that bad. But that is usually when the leash slips and all those inner thoughts pop out to play. So some of us embrace that dark side and realize that not all of us were meant to be made of sugar and spice and everything nice. Some of us were meant to help define the borders of night and day. Some of us are shadow watchers and that's fine. I am not the only one, there are plenty of others. Each of us unique in the shadows we keep at bay and the ones we embrace.

So what's the point in this rant you ask? The point being, unless you want to see into the nightmares that wake me up at night and keep me from just enjoying life and smiling like a fool whenever you feel I should, then back the fuck up. Learn to respect that we all struggle to maintain a level of normalcy. Learn to take people as they are or keep walking. I have monsters to battle my friend and I don't have time for your stupidity. Presuming that I should kiss your ass because popular consensus says I should or that the " freaks " of the world are messing up your blessed life is gonna get you a lot of fuck all from me. We all need to face life in our own way and mine is my own path. I am not alone, there are a few brave souls who see me and understand the inner darkness for what it is. But you, you are in danger; when the beast does snarl you're the one it's coming for. And quite frankly, there are times when I don't feel like reining it in.

This has been a helpful announcement from your local sanity department. We aim to keep you breathing.

Grayling's Song by Karen Cushman

Grayling is the daughter of a wise woman, a hedge witch who uses nature to help those who come to her with concerns and afflictions for help. Her mother's powers are strong as is her nature and where her mother leads Grayling follows. But when the day dawns where an evil darkness burns down their cottage and causes her mother to take root in the ground, Grayling is the only one her mother can turn to for help. Grayling must set out to find other folk who like her mother use their magic to help free her before she is turned fully into a tree. Grayling will face her fears of inadequacy and her lack of magic to set out on a journey into the unknown world beyond the comfort of home.

Along the way she will meet other cunning folk who have been transformed into trees by the darkness. Her search will bring her a weather witch, a girl of indeterminate character, and an enchantress who sees no point in meddling in the affairs of mere witches. But with her new found friends Grayling will discover that far from being a weak girl she is on the brink of becoming a leader who will help unravel the mystery of the darkness that is stealing grimoires and leaving such destruction behind. Along the way they will face obstacles that will challenge their determination and reveal secrets that lie just underneath the veil of darkness.

This is a great fantasy story by an author whose writing brings history to life. Grayling's story is a lovely story about a young girl becoming a young woman secure in her abilities and the difference she brings into the lives of others. Cushman has infused the story with traditional folklore and believes and has left us a story that will warm your heart and fit right on the shelf next to your favorites for years.

Americosis Vol. I by Haydn Wilks

The author generously provided me with a copy of fhis book but the review is my own.

This was a genuinely bewildering wild ride but I kinda liked it. Wilks introduces us to a story forged from several fiction genres and the mishmash blends into a horrific, comedic look at the future of America. From presidential candidates who speak directly with God too a naked man from the future here to save us too an unknown creature who shucks one body for another, there is plenty of curves in this road to Bedlam.

This is the first volume of Wilks' Americosis so the ending does leave you waiting for the next installment but that is expected. This book may not be everyone's cup of tea, it is strange but Wilks definitely has a grip on his writing and like any good roller coaster this may terrify and thrill you but in the end you gotta admit it was kinda fun. Your inner anarchist may have just found its perfect release.

Once again, a thank you to Haydn Wilks for his generosity.