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The Associates of Sherlock Holmes
The Associates of Sherlock Holmes
George Mann | 2016 | Mystery
7
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
A mixed bag of Sherlockian pastiches, each focusing on a different member of the supporting cast: these range from the very well-known to the rather obscure (e.g. Holmes' rival Barker, here recast as a Dorrington-esque chancer). Holmes himself is central to some of the stories, but almost entirely absent from others - so we get a range of different kinds of story. Holmes and Lestrade hunt for a Ripper-like serial killer; Irene Adler seeks revenge on the man she believes destroyed her life; Sebastian Moran sets out to hunt down a quarry with surprisingly large feet. Most of these are relatively 'straight', but some of the contributions enter the realms of horror and the paranormal.

Mostly fun and readable stuff, though, with nothing too shockingly revisionist (it's amusing to note that the authors here can't decide amongst themselves where exactly Dr Watson was shot). None of the stories is really outstanding, but there are no absolute stinkers either (although the one which attempts to 'fix' some of the absurder features of The Speckled Band by recourse to the introduction of Tibetan thought-projection techniques probably comes closest). Proof of the endless fun to be gained from playing around with this set of characters.
  
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Merissa (11787 KP) rated Dragon Mist in Books

Jan 2, 2020  
Dragon Mist
Dragon Mist
David Burnett | 2019 | Paranormal, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dragon Mist is a tale set in the time of the Summer of Love in San Francisco. It doesn't stay there though, as the Lady Dragon goes back home.

This is a very different take on dragons, or drache, as they are known in here. There is a big group of characters, both main and supporting, who help the story to move along. Some of the characters you will like, some you won't. The characters stay the same throughout, so no worries about a friend becoming an enemy. The closest you get is someone who she was friendly with.

The story is mainly comprised of Chrissie's 'courting' of James as a potential mate, but you also get her recent past catching up with her, rejected suitors, possible blackmail, and the like.

Although this is described as a paranormal romance, I found the romance to be slightly lacking. There was no connection between Chrissie and James to be seen, just what we are told.

All in all, this was an enjoyable read set in a different time.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
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Kara Skinner (332 KP) Jan 2, 2020

Sounds like an interesting book. I've been getting into stories involving dragons lately and this sounds like a good one.

The Dark Divine (The Dark Divine, #1)
The Dark Divine (The Dark Divine, #1)
Bree Despain | 2009 | Young Adult (YA)
4
6.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
This has taken me a long time to read because it didn't grab my interest in the slightest. I can't be doing with any sort of religious people in books. They just drive me a little crazy. So with her having a pastor for a father and being all good with church related stuff, I just had to roll my eyes a little.

Nothing about this pulled me in, not the characters, not the plot...I was bored for all of it but considering the last few YA books I've read have been DNF's I decided to stick with it. I read books for the romance mainly and I had no idea where that bit came into it but by the end they loved each other.

There was a bit of a high point at the end where everything started to make sense which pushed my rating up an entire star, simply because the pace picked up finally ands something actually happened beside school and dates and dances.

Shapeshifters are not my favourite paranormal creatures to read about and although I have the next book in the series I dont think I'll be reading it.

Not for me at all.
  
3.5 stars.

This has been on my kindle since 2012 so I thought it was about time I got around to reading it, especially since I read [b:Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble|8542839|Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble (Jolie Wilkins, #1)|H.P. Mallory|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1329352960s/8542839.jpg|13410545] almost a year ago and I got them at the same time.

It took me a little getting into since I'm having a bit of an issue with paranormal books at the minute but once I got a third of the way in or so, I was pulled into the story bit by bit.

Me being me though, I was all for the romance aspects. Like Fire Burn... there were three love interest for Dulcie and each was different. A Loki, a Vampire and a...pixie? Elf? I feel bad that I can't remember what he was but it wasn't continually repeated like the other two so I could remember. I can't say I had a favourite for her either, though the Loki seemed to be mentioned the most often.

'm interested in continuing the series and reading more of the authors work, I'm just not sure when I'll get round to it with my ever increasing to-read list.
  
Dire Straits (Bo Blackman, #1)
Dire Straits (Bo Blackman, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
So this is my first full-length foray into paranormal/urban fantasy for a long time since I lost interest in the genre a year or so ago and I have to admit I got pulled into it.

I'm usually wary of urban fantasy books because I read books for the romance in them, be it a little flirting or a full on sex-fest, and this was more of a subtle he-wants-her-does-she-want-him sort of thing, though I think that Bo is a little oblivious right now--or purposely ignoring it. Maybe a bit of both.

The story pulled me in from the start though I will admit I skipped a few paragraphs here and there where she was doing too much description. It was intriguing, as to who behind it from the start. Who was it aimed at? Were they from a family?

Admittedly I was a little torn over who I thought it was of the three recruits but it did become a bit more obvious the more that was read.

I'm definitely interested in reading more of the series in the future, if only so I can see what happens with Bo and Michael :P