Maja (The Nocturnal Library)

Sweet with just a touch of angst

Revisado: 08-09-16

Pawsitively in Love is a cute new romance novel by M.J. O’Shea, author of Rock Bay, one of my favorite gay romance series. Although the title would lead you to the conclusion that it’s very light and entirely angst free, the book actually has several darker moments and a lot of issues for our two heroes to deal with.

Austin is a fantastic romance hero, open and earnest, with nothing to hide. He has a lovely family and a fantastic group of friends, and if he occasionally suffers from insecurity caused by his lack of education, he deals with it in good time. Despite owning a successful pet salon and being surrounded by amazing people, Austin is often lonely. When Evan first shows up, Austin reacts a bit strangely to the first person he’s been attracted to in a while and they end up in a series of ugly misunderstandings.

Unlike Austin, Evan is closed off and solitary. He has family issues that always come in the way of his relationships, so he simply stopped trying. He gets lonely, but dating someone is too much hassle when he knows it can’t possibly last. Austin is the first person to tempt him to change his mind. But when Evan’s sister suddenly shows up in town, Evan knows he can’t have a normal relationship and take care of Della.

I really expected a super light romance after seeing the cover and the title, but the actual story was a bit darker than expected. Evan’s family struggles with some serious issues and he’s quick to lash out at anyone willing to help. No matter how much he wants it, he isn’t ready for a relationship with Austin, not until he resolves some of his problems, and it leads to a lot of heartbreak for them both.

The narrator, Marc Schindler, did an excellent job reading this light, entertaining story. Sometimes the switches between the two points of view weren’t very clear and I had to struggle to understand whose thoughts I was listening to, but that had less to do with Marc and more to do with production. There should have been a longer pause, a chapter break or something along those lines. For his part, Marc delivered the story well, with a sure and pleasant voice. If you decide to read this, audio is a good way to go.

Overall, this is an enjoyable story with some (but not too many) heart-wrenching moments. I highly recommend it for a relaxing weekend read.

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A satisfying conclusion

Revisado: 03-30-16

Calamity! I can’t believe it’s over! I’ve waited so long to read this… When this trilogy started, I’d been mostly unfamiliar with Mr. Sanderson’s work, but his easy style and humor won me over in a heartbeat. This trilogy has been a favorite of mine since the very beginning, and while the ending didn’t quite provide the entertainment I was hoping for, it was nevertheless a satisfying finale that gave me answers and more or less the type conclusion I was hoping for.


Calamity starts with a bang and continues on a very high note throughout. The Reckoners are irrevocably changed and it’s up to David to decide their next move. Although he’s the newest member, his knowledge on the epics allows him to make solid decisions and mostly follow through on his plans. No matter how much things around him change, David remains the same – awkward and funny, and always optimistic. Even the events in Firefight didn’t crush his never-ending optimism, and while it’s sometimes annoying, it’s also childlike and honest and it sometimes leads to very good things. Where others would give up, David just plows through with very little regard for his own safety, and he darn well does with a smile and an endless supply of truly stupid similes.

Calamity isn’t without its issues, but pacing isn’t among them. I liked how the story progressed and all the action was both exciting and funny. The only thing I struggled with was David’s slowness in figuring out what was going on. He wasn’t doing a whole lot of thinking, especially for someone who was in charge of so many lives. I did feel that Sanderson got tangled in his own plotlines a tiny bit. The alternate universes brought more confusion than answers and in the end, they seemed like an easy fix, a neat solution for every problem out there. I can’t really say more and avoid spoilers, but some things could have been dealt with differently and certainly more elegantly.

It needs to be said though that I generally don’t read series about corrupt superheroes for their great literary value, so I’m quite content with being properly entertained. If I laugh out loud a few times along the way (which I did), all the better. While the series didn’t have much of an emotional impact, I’ll certainly go back to reread it every now and again.

I think I would have liked this book a lot less on paper, but McLeod Andrews is every listener’s dream. He brings such humor into the story and he knows exactly how to make the important details stand out without giving too much away. He is a fabulous narrator, one of those rare stars who can narrate just about anything and make it sound amazing. So Audible Studios, if you’re listening, more books narrated by Andrews, please.

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Sarah Fine at her best

Revisado: 01-22-16

Of Dreams and Rust is the second part of Sarah Fine marvelous fantasy duology. Fine is an author of considerable experience and strength, who’s proven herself more than capable of executing even the most elaborate plots while paying much attention to the psychological development of her characters. With a PhD in psychology and a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Brown University, Fine puts her extensive knowledge to good use. Her characters are works of art in their own right, with layer upon layer of true personalities and consistencies in their behaviors.


Even such strong characters don’t outshine her plots by much. Of Dreams and Rust brings a rush of excitement in each chapter, a breathless anticipation of things to come. Wen is in constant danger, unsure of her enemies and even more unsure of her friends. She goes through such struggles in this book, challenges much larger than before, and yet she remains strong and brave the entire time.

Wen is truly a heroine one can admire. Although not demonstrative at the best of times, she is still marvelously aware of her emotions and heart. She approaches everything with such calmness and strength and her loyalty and capacity for forgiveness are astounding.

Compared to the previous book, Of Dreams and Rust is much less claustrophobic, both in its setting and the characters. We are introduced to so many places and people and new experiences are offered on every turn. Even though we felt like we knew are main characters, Fine manages to present them all in a new light, revealing slowly the complexities of their personalities and their individual strengths and weaknesses.

As a linguist, I was very intrigued by the Noor language and Fine’s efforts in creating it consistently. The geek in me rejoiced with each new word and the very fact that she paid attention to such details was enough to make me deliriously happy. But that’s nothing new when it comes to Sarah Fine. She is almost unparalleled in her attention to detail and her vivid descriptions. Luckily, she’s also very productive and she doesn’t make us wait very long between books. What could be better than that?

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One of the best UF series out there.

Revisado: 06-28-15

The first thing you need to know about THIRDS agent Dexter J. Daley is that he lives to bend the rules. He never does what he’s told. He is loving, unruly, and hilarious.

In Dex’s world, being gay is perfectly normal and accepted, but the two co-existing species, humans and therians, are constantly at war. Humans fear the shapeshifting Therians, and Therians resent being forced to register and get tattoos on their necks. The conflict is always brewing and acts of terrorism from both sides are far too common. Enter Therian-Human Intelligence, Recon, Defense Squadron, also known as the THIRDS, whose only mission is to keep the peace between the two races.

Agents Dexter Daley and Sloane ‘Broody Bear’ Brodie are THIRDS agents. One is human and the other is therian. They are both excellent agents, but personally they’re as different as they can be. They are also partners, on and off work. Dex is a half-glass-full type of person, loveable, extroverted and funny. He is very close to his father and brother and he makes friends with seeming ease. Sloane Brodie is none of the above. Having lost his previous partner and lover, he is very careful with his feelings. It’s always one step forward, two steps back between him and Dex. But he is strong, honest and fair, even when someone doesn’t deserve it.

Rise & Fall is the fourth book in Charlie Cochet’s THIRDS series, and like the three before, it left me completely in awe. This is how everyone should write paranormal fiction, M/M fiction, action, romance… everything. This is how everyone should write. Enough said.

I remember starting this series with a very healthy dose of skepticism. I didn’t need another Cut & Run series, with two amazing, all-powerful agents perfect in everything they do. I wanted strong, but fallible men with a great sense of humor and a romance I could actually enjoy. But Charlie Cochet must have known exactly what her readers crave because she gave us a series that is both amazing and insanely popular.

I can’t say too much about the plot in Rise & Fall for fear of spoiling some important detail from the previous two books, but I can say that this book is the biggest emotional rollercoaster so far. By now, the Destructive Delta agents are all very familiar to us: Ash, Cael, Letty, Hobbs and others have become our close friends. There’s so much going on in this series, plenty of action and danger from all sides, but the characters are what makes it truly stand out, and their weird dynamic is a constant source of amusement.

Mark Westfield narrates the story beautifully. He is the perfect person to bring us Dex’s light-hearted perspective. Every emotion comes through loud and clear in his voice, and although I read this one the second it came out, I couldn’t resist getting the audio when it finally showed up.


I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for excitement, excellent characters and a whole lot of action. Oh, and laughter. Lots and lots of it.

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A world you'll never forget.

Revisado: 06-03-15

Chantress Fury, the final book in Amy Butler Greenfield’s YA historical fantasy trilogy, continues in the same vein as its two predecessors. It’s beautifully written, gorgeously detailed, deeply emotional and romantic. Greenfield’s writing is elegant and perfectly polished. It’s something I always admired about her – her style is graceful and flawless without being flashy or disruptive. She also does a lot of research, so even though her story is filled with magic, it is loosely based in reality. King Henry in Lucy’s story is Henry Seymour, an actual historical figure and a distant relative to King Charles I.

Chantress Fury takes place in the early 1670’s and the world Greenfield paints for us is gorgeous: a dash of court politics, a formidable enemy, considerable magic and a romance to remember. Lucy truly discovers her powers in this book, but with such powers come solitude and isolation. People either fear her or want to use her in some way, and besides, King Henry leaves her very little time to socialize. Lucy’s loneliness was heartbreaking in this book and the amount of emotion that came through made me admire Greenfield even more.

I mentioned the romance, which I loved from the start, but oddly enough it was Fury’s weakest point. I wanted to see a united front from Lucy and Nat, but instead I saw stubbornness and a whole lot of misunderstandings. Truly these two needed to talk things through and face their enemies together, instead of fretting over silly things and being pigheaded and proud.

Mary Jane Wells narrates the story beautifully, just like the previous two. She has a soft British accent and a really pleasant voice, which is just right for our Lucy. She was able to convey and even amplify the feeling of loneliness and isolation. She mostly narrates stories I’m not really interested in (some historical romances, for example), but I hope she’ll get a chance to read more YA. She is truly wonderful.

Minor grievances with romance aside, the Chantress trilogy is everything you could ever hope to read. The writing is smooth and just wonderful, the world is gorgeous, and Lucy is a character you’ll never forget.

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Sweet and light

Revisado: 05-22-15

This is Your Afterlife first came to my attention because of its beautiful cover and the person behind it – our very own Jenny from Seedlings and Supernatural Snark. The cover reflects the book perfectly: it is upbeat, sweet and light. Just what the doctor ordered. If you’re looking for a comfort read, look no further. This book will make you laugh, swoon, and despite its title, it will leave you smiling ear to ear.


Keira’s former crush and her school’s football star shows up one day in her bedroom, but alas, he is no longer alive. Jimmy is Keira’s first ghost, but she isn’t surprised. Her recently deceased Grandma had the same gift. Keira and Jimmy have very little history between them, except in Keira’s imagination, but an easy friendship develops fairly quickly and Keira is determined to find Jimmy’s killer, regardless of the cost.

Unlike with Jimmy, she has far more history with his brother Dan. Jimmy may have been a safe infatuation, but Dan was the real deal – her best friend and confidant, until she hurt him terribly in eighth grade. Finding a way back from all the hurt isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely necessary if they’re to help Jimmy and send him safely to his real afterlife.

I liked Keira a lot, and I simply adored Jimmy and Dan. The mystery part of this book is very predictable, which leaves the three main characters in charge of keeping us happily reading nevertheless, and these three do their job beautifully. Spending time in their company was so heartwarming and pleasant, I truly didn’t want to leave them at all.

Stephanie Bentley narrated the story beautifully. Her voice sounds young, which is a definite advantage when you’re borrowing your voice to a 16-year-old. I’ve been known to abandon YA audiobooks because the narrators sounded too old, but with Bentley, that’s really not an issue. To make things even better, her voice characterization is fantastic. I’ve already checked out other books narrated by her on Audible and there are several I won’t hesitate to buy.

This is Your Afterlife is a perfect book for those days when you find yourself tired of angst and unnecessary drama and you just want to relax with a sweet, undemanding read. It is a book about second chances and forgiveness, and while it may be slightly predictable at times, even that can be oddly relaxing.

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Astonishingly good

Revisado: 05-12-15

After an attempted suicide, Jeff wakes up in a psychiatric ward where he is forced to spend the next 45 days. He doesn’t want to and he’s determined not to cooperate, but his stay isn’t optional and his parents refuse to take him home. Finding their son almost bloodless in a bathtub isn’t something they particularly want to relive, and if the psych ward is what it takes to keep him alive, that’s where he’ll stay for as long as it takes.

Jeff handles his situation with lots of denial wrapped in good humor. He absolutely refuses to acknowledge that he has a problem and he is determined not to talk about his reasons for cutting his wrists open. According to him, his parents and the doctor made a mistake and he shouldn’t be locked up with the crazies.

Jeff’s story is heartwarming and poignant, but it’s also simple and laugh-out-loud funny. This diary-like narrative is one of the most honest things I’ve ever read. There are no heroes, no villains, no Big Drama whatsoever. It’s just a story about a boy that could easily be your next door neighbor or your second cousin. It’s not unusual at all and that’s what makes it so special.

Jeff’s character was truly done brilliantly. He is easily relatable, even (or especially) when he’s being obnoxious to his doctors and his fellow patience. Avoidance is his way to handle everything, but every now and again, a real feeling shines trough, be it anger at his parents for daring to save his life, resentment towards his doctors and nurses and the complete and utter hopelessness he feels about his situation.

I want to make this very clear: Suicide Notes is a book that deals with serious issues, but it’s rarely a sad read and it’s never angsty. Jeff’s sarcastic voice determines the overall tone, which is more funny than anything else. Yet Ford still manages to bring his point across by making every one of Jeff’s jokes louder and more touching than any sorrowful moment could possibly be.

I’ve tried this in both formats and while I generally prefer audio, in this case I’d strongly recommend the printed word. Although he’s a good narrator, Joe Caron didn’t succeed in capturing Jeff’s unique voice and most of Jeff’s sarcastic remarks somehow fell flat in the narrator’s interpretation.

If I had my way (but really, I never do), every thirteen-year-old on the planet would have to read three books: Brooklyn, Burning by Steve Brezenoff, Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz and Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford. These three books promote understanding and tolerance in such a quiet, unobtrusive way, and even though we’re seeing more and more diversity, these are the three that always stay with me.

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Perfect!

Revisado: 04-19-15

There are days when I need a serious book, days when I need to read something relaxing, and days when I need to be shaken to my very core. There are books that are appropriate for each of those days, but only one I can think of that’s appropriate for all of them. From a reader’s point of view, Shattered Glass is a dream come true.

Austin Glass is a vice detective, a trust fund baby and an aspiring FBI agent. He is young, successful, competent, instantly likeable and engaged to a gorgeous, intelligent woman. But there’s one thing Austin Glass isn’t – he most certainly is not gay. So then why can’t he stop obsessing about a gorgeous busboy in bunny slippers? Why can’t he get those darn bunny slippers out of his head? If only he could buy the man some shoes, something safe and unattractive like loafers – all his problems would surely disappear.

“I'm not gay.” That wasn't what I meant to say.
“Congratulations. Would you like a medal?” Bunny Slippers asked.
“I already have a medal. For bravery, not for being gay. I think you made me gay.”
“I made you gay?” He set down the napkin he was holding. “Is that better or worse than the person who made you stupid?”

Peter, or Bunny Slippers if you prefer, is a study in contradictions. He is rude, but has an obvious vulnerable side. He is a (former) prostitute, but he has very high standards. He gave up on his education, but he is astonishingly smart. He used to sell drugs, but he cares for his younger brothers with everything he has. Needless to say, Austin is enchanted. Gay or not, staying away from Peter becomes impossible overnight. Dating a former male prostitute isn’t the smartest thing you can do when you’re a vice detective, but Austin will give it his best nevertheless. Turning his life upside down is a small price to pay to get Bunny Slippers in his bed. And when it turns out that Bunny Slippers comes with a whole lot of baggage – baggage that shoots to kill more often than not – Austin still chooses to go ahead with it. He just laughs it off and marches bravely ahead. Peter is not so easy to convince. While Austin jumps in without regard for his life or career, Peter is far too careful to trust a spoiled rich boy. But Austin’s charm is impossible to resist for too long and pretty soon their lives, and Austin’s investigation, become a huge tangled mess.

"Is he my competition?"
“Everyone is your competition.” Peter lifted his hand to his eyes and began lowering it incrementally. “It goes normal human beings, crazies, republicans, my hand, imaginary characters, corpses and then, in a moment of lustful psychosis, you.”By the time he was done, his hand was below the table.
Ouch. “A little over the top, don’t you think?”
“No.”

If it isn’t clear from the previous two quotes, here is it: Shattered Glass is hilarious. With chapter titles like Dear God, I’ll Take That Lobotomy Now. Thanks, Austin. and How to Win Friends and Alienate Albanian Table-lovers , I promise you you’ll laugh until you drop. What makes the book truly stand out, however, is Austin’s voice. He is one of the most honest, refreshing characters I’ve ever stumbled upon. Upon meeting Peter, his life is turned upside down. Although he does things that aren’t exactly honorable, he is always wonderfully upfront and honest about them. So honest, in fact, that even his (ex) fiancè can’t stay mad for too long.

The mystery part of this story requires some suspension of disbelief, but trust me when I tell you, you won’t care one bit. You’ll fall in love with Austin on page two and fall head over heels for Peter not long after. Once you meet Cai, it’s pretty much a done deal – you’ll want to stay with this gang forever.

Finally, let me say this. I’ve read this book first, and enjoyed it on audio just a few months later. As far as I’m concerned, audio is by far the best way to go. From what I can tell, this is the only book Joseph Northton has narrated so far, which is undoubtedly a tragedy. Austin’s voice is delightful and hilarious all on its own, but Northton added an extra layer of humor with his spectacular narration, turning this into a book I couldn’t listen to while driving because I was laughing too darn hard. You try driving while constantly laughing to tears. If you’re an audioobok fan, definitely go with that, but any format works. Not reading this, however, is simply not an option.

If I had to compare Austin with another character, I’d say he’s the male Charley Davidson, minus the paranormal element. He is just so incredibly funny and honest, he reminded me of Charley right from the start. So if you like Charley, read this. And if you don’t, read it anyway. Really. Preferably now.

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Simply perfect

Revisado: 03-18-15

Sixteen hours of audio – sixteen long, agonizing hours filled with tension and often even fear – and still it wasn’t enough to satisfy my need for this series. Samantha Shannon may be young, but her talent is astonishing.


The Mime Order picks up where The Bone Season left off, with Paige Mahoney once again in London with Jaxon Hall and the Seven Seals. But while everything seems to be exactly as she’d left it, Paige herself is irrevocably changed. Not only is she aware of the Rephaim’s existence, but she is, for the first time, strong enough to stand for what she believes in, even if it means going against the man who gave her life as she knows it.

The majority of this book deals with the damage to Paige and Jaxon’s relationship. Jaxon, being his usual self-absorbed, power-hungry self, is unwilling to back Paige up in front of The Unnatural Assembly. Unlike her, he thinks that clairvoyants should remain blissfully unaware of the danger that successfully hides behind their government.

The pacing is once again extremely slow, but I find that I have the patience needed to fully enjoy it. The allure of Paige’s world is in its intricacy, and as Shannon took the time to slowly reveal the chilling details, I was able to take my time and fully enjoy them. I had my doubts about the return from Sheol I to London, but the transition was done beautifully and seamlessly so that I never felt the loss – if anything, Paige’s world was expanded and built upon skillfully and with infinite care, giving us so much to learn, and even more to look forward to.

Ah, but the slow dance between Paige and Warden is the highlight of this book. Their subtle moves towards each other are both terrifying and thrilling. There is so much mistrust to overcome, so much prejudice and fear, and yet the two are drawn to each other like magnets, until nothing matters but the pull between them. This is an agonizingly slow romance that will surely develop into something unforgettable in the five upcoming books. There is very little hope for them and they both know it, but we readers simply have to put our faith in Samantha Shannon and hope for the best.

At this point, Alana Kerr with her soft Irish lilt seems like the only choice for narrating these books. There aren’t many audiobook narrators who could make 16 hours seem like no time at all. I would never even consider a different format for these books. Why would I, when Kerr has become Paige in my head, and hearing this gorgeous story directly from her seems like the only way to go.

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Gina Damico is simply hilarious

Revisado: 01-26-15

Gina Damico, author of the Croak trilogy, is known first and foremost for her fabulous sense of humor. Her books are always hilarious, which more than makes up for the occasionally weak plots. On the surface, Hellhole is a pretty weak story about a boy who accidentally ends up taking care of the devil (one of 666 of them, apparently) and makes all sorts of ill-advised bargains with him along the way. But there are many other things underneath, and it’s precisely those things that make this book worth your time.

The beginning and the ending were actually Hellhole’s weakest points. The beginning seemed slightly ridiculous as there was no good reason for Max to end up with Berg. The whole digging-up-the-devil business made very little sense and I felt that Max’s whole predicament lost some weight because of how it came about. The ending on the other hand felt rushed and non-sensical and it made my head spin with how quickly everything was wrapped up. I had maybe twenty minutes left of my audiobook and nothing was resolved, which made me panic slightly, and then before I knew it, everything was set to rights.

The middle part, however, was an absolute delight, what with all the humor and the explorations of Max’s character. A boy in his situation could so easily be swayed by the forces of evil, and it was touch-and-go for a while there since he kept making so many poor choices that almost led him to the point of no redemption. That psychological aspect of the story that can be pondered and discussed if one is willing to dig just a little deeper is something I truly didn’t expect from Damico, but it made Hellhole a much better and far more worthy experience.

The romance developed slowly, gradually, from poorly hidden disdain to reluctant friendship and finally to love. I really enjoyed the fact that Max had a best friend who was never anything more, and that he managed to endear himself to Lore despite his inability to talk to girls. Word vomit is a term that certainly applies to Max and his predicament was always equal parts endearing and exasperating.

MacLeod Andrews is quickly turning out to be one of the few narrators that can be relied upon completely. He is the male version of Lorelei King – fabulously funny, extremely capable, with a voice laced with humor and a talent for voice characterization. I still maintain that his female voices need more work, but overall, his performance is always superb.

All in all, Hellhole is a standalone, it’s adorable and it will make you laugh. When you add to that MacLeod Andrews’ fabulous voice, you know you’re in for a treat.

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