thoughts on ‘mélusine’

Posted on 26/03/2009 by Kris
It’s that time of the month again. *snort* No, not that time. Instead it’s time for…

Kris’ New Year’s Readolution 3!

To try a different author and/or genre once a month.

When you take into account the books I’ve reviewed for Wave, I’ve actually met my readolution for March by discussing Rick R Reed’s A Face Without A Heart and Sean Kennedy’s Tigers and Devils. However, since I’m so awesome – and modest 😉 – I decided I’d make the challenge specific to my blog… for this month anyway. *g*

Okay, I might be cheating a little because I have already read a book this author co-wrote and talked about it here, but it’s my first from her proper and, well, I’ve been busy dammit.

Mélusine by Sarah Monette





The Blurb:

Mélusine—a city of secrets and lies, pleasure and pain, magic and corruption—and destinies lost and found…

A dashing and highly respected wizard, Felix Harrowgate thought he had eluded his dark past. Within the walls of the Mirador—Mélusine’s citadel of power and magic—Felix believed he was free of his abusive former master, a wizard who had enslaved him, body and soul, and trained him to pass as a nobleman. He was wrong.

Raised as a kept-thief and trained as an assassin, Mildmay the Fox is used to being hunted. Having slipped his Keeper long ago, he survives as a cat burglar—until he’s caught by a mysterious magician using a powerful calling charm. And yet the magician was looking not for Mildmay—but for Felix Harrowgate…

Bound by fate, the broken wizard Felix and the wanted killer Mildmay will journey far from Mélusine through lands thick with strange magics and terrible demons of darkness—but it is the secret from their pasts that will either save them or destroy them…

My thoughts:

I admit it. I am completely intimidated by the idea of reviewing fantasy novels like this. (Again) I’m going to refer to a couple of other sites – Ana and Thea’s review at Fantasy Cafe and Orannia’s at her blog, Walkabout – so those interested can see what better ladies than I thought of the book.

Having said that, two things which struck me the most about Mélusine were the world-building and the characterisation.

Like A Companion to Wolves, the world the author has created is both unique and thorough. I didn’t find it overwhelming, which can often happen in a first-time novel. Instead the construction was just enough to provide the context for the past and current lives of the main characters, to progress the plot and to also lay the ground work for future books in the series.

The characterisation was without doubt very good. This was assisted by the format of the book; being in the first person POV with alternate sections done from the perspectives of Mildmay and Felix. This is not style of which I am a fan and it has a tendency to make me feel schizofictiony. However, I found my rhythm and was caught up by the author’s skill and the development of the protags. About them…

I seem to have anti-heroes on the brain and Mildmay and Felix fit the roles nicely. With one being an impostor and former prostitute and the other a thief and assassin, the two men are not nice at all. Mildmay was, I thought, the more likeable and engaging of the two whereas Felix… what to say?? Definitely not a sympathetic character, yet he was strangely tragic. Broken by his master, he is thrown into insanity. The scenes in the book that deal with this are very evocative; colourful, dramatic, terrifying and full of imagery.

It came as a total surprise to discover yet another fantasy character (Felix) who is gay. The approach to homosexuality reminded me in many ways of that taken in The Steel Remains (discussed here), which is not romantic or necessarily relationship driven, but used to give the reader further insight into the protag. It was convincing.

Last, but by no means least, Mélusine is the dark fantasy genre at its finest. Complex themes, ambiguous characters, and a richly crafted – albeit shadowy and dangerous – world. I love this genre. Think The Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop and you will be on the right track.

My recommendation:

If you like dark fantasy and anti-heroes, I think you will definitely enjoy Mélusine. The next book in this series, The Virtu, is already on my tbb list.

Posted in fantasy, m/f, m/m, My 2009 Readolution 3, sarah monette | 19 Comments

pondering: the anti-hero/ine

Posted on 25/03/2009 by Kris

The little grey cells (points to those who get this reference) have been mulling on something for a few weeks now so I thought I’d attempt a post about it.

First of all, I’m a reader who loves an anti-hero and an anti-heroine. The anti is one of my favourite protags.

The reason why I enjoy them so much is because the moral struggle and ambiguity makes for a dark and complex character. I guess it’s pretty obvious that the interesting and well developed character is right at the top of my reader’s checklist.

Another item high up on the list are themes/characters/etc that challenge me, that make me think. The anti-hero/ine definitely does this because they always make me wonder what I would do in similar circumstances. An interesting question, yes.

Anyway, what got me mulling on this topic was a post Kristie J wrote about Linda Howard’s Death Angel (which I loved – thought it was one of her best books in a long while) and one where Carolyn Jean questioned whether the morality bar was set higher for fictional and real heroines.

I was fascinated by the discussion and it made me come up with a few questions of my own…

Why is it some readers are more accepting of an anti-hero than they are of an anti-heroine in books?

Does it all boil down to gender, which anti has what parts?

In other words, are some female readers unable to relate to an anti-heroine character because they can’t imagine themselves in the same position? Maybe it hits too close to home?

Or are female readers just more convinced that a male character is capable of such questionable ethics?

What do you think?

Posted in anti-h/h, carolyn jean, kristie j, linda howard | 10 Comments

tasting the moon pack series

Posted on 25/03/2009 by Kris


The Moon Pack series by Amber Kell


The Blurbs:

Attracting Anthony
Anthony is getting over the death of his lover. What is he to do when the pack alpha singles him out to be his mate?

Baiting Ben
Ben joined Silver’s club to meet a mate. But just when he thinks he found his mate in the elegant Thomas, Dillon a man from his old pack, comes into town to claim Ben for himself. What is a wolf to do?

Courting Calvin
Calvin was attracted to the vampire Alesandro. But could he get involved with the gorgeous creature of the night when he knew he would be sacrificing Anthony to get his sister back?

Denying Dare
Weretiger Dare longs for the attention of Steven. But the werewolf is searching for a mate among his own kind. Until Anthony douses his friend in a batch of catnip and the big kitty pounces.

Why I bought it:

I picked up Attracting Anthony a couple of weeks ago because I enjoy reading sharp shorts between longer length stories and reading books for review purposes. My version of a ‘breather’.

Dislike/like (ending on a high note):

Dislike~ I admit that after reading Attracting Anthony I wasn’t sure if I would read any more of the series. It wasn’t that I didn’t like the story, but at approx. 11,500 words there wasn’t a heck of a lot of meat to the plot other than the ‘we are mates’ theme and my lingering curiosity about Anthony. What the heck is he??

Like~ So I picked up the other three in the series on the weekend, which has nothing to do with me putting off reading a book for Wave’s blog. *snort* In all seriousness though, I was interested to see where the author was going with this series and I wasn’t disappointed. Although each story explores the romance between a particular couple (or threesome as the case maybe), there is an underlying mystery plot that connects them. This is particularly evident in Books C and D. It is almost like each book is a sub-plot to the overarching mystery. I like it.

Dislike~ I would like to see more world-building, but realise it would be difficult to do in such a short format. Perhaps more information about the world will filter through as the series progresses.

Like~ I’m really enjoying the writing of this new-to-me author. I think she (? I assume) has a tight style and paces the plot very well for this short format, which some of you may know is one of my pet peeves with these kind of stories.

So, what I think:

I’m hooked now. Unless something disastrous happens, I’ll be reading the lot of ‘em.

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‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to. Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.

Posted in amber kell, m/m, paranormal, tasting | 26 Comments

for lb ~ tasting my keepers: ‘good omens’

Posted on 23/03/2009 by Kris
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett

This is actually my poor, bashed up copy. Looks like it’s been re-read a couple of times, doesn’t it? LOL.

The Blurb:

According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (the world’s only completely accurate book of prophecies, written in 1655, before she exploded), the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just before dinner.

So the armies of Good and Evil are amassing, Atlantis is rising, frogs are falling, tempers are flaring. Everything appears to be going according to Divine Plan. Except a somewhat fussy angel and a fast-living demon—both of whom have lived amongst Earth’s mortals since The Beginning and have grown rather fond of the lifestyle—are not actually looking forward to the coming Rapture.

And someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist.

Why I bought it:

I was in my late teens. Way, way, way too long ago to remember.

Dislike/like (ending on a high note):

Dislike~ If you are conservative you will not like this as it is a parodic approach to Armageddon. Stay far, far away.

Like~ Take an Angel and a Demon, who are (kind of) friends and are not too sure they really want the world to end, and a Boy, who is the Antichrist and has grown up without angelic and demonic influences to become Human, and you will have Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett at their satirical finest. You will die from laughter.

Dislike~ There are lot of sub-plots going on in this book. They all come together to a satisfying conclusion, but it may be confusing at times.

Like~ The ending consists of various scenes involving the main protags of the story. My absolute favourite is the discussion between Aziraphale (Angel) and Crowley (Demon) and the meaning of whole event. It is very, very clever.

So, what I think:

This is one of my DIKs. Now you know. 🙂

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‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to. Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.

Posted in fantasy, neil gaiman, tasting my keepers, Terry Pratchett | 2 Comments

tasting ‘a note in the margin’

Posted on 22/03/2009 by Kris

I had no intention to write a post this soon, but felt the need to after reading this book.

A Note in the Margin by Isabelle Rowan

The Blurb:

John McCann, a man who judges life by the tally of an accounts ledger, has a supreme goal in life: To achieve, live, and enjoy the rarified executive lifestyle. But he’s encountered one problem:

The migraines are going to continue to get worse unless you make some major changes in your lifestyle. What you need is a ‘sea change’… Perhaps buy a nice little business in the country, settle down, something easier to occupy your time…

While John knows the doctor is right, he just can’t resign from the job he’s fought so hard for. He decides the sacrifice of taking a year’s leave of absence won’t interfere too much with his plans, and so he finds himself running Margins, a cozy little bookstore, with the help of the former owner’s son, Jamie. John expects to put in his year, get his stress under control, and then get back to business.

What John doesn’t expect is how Margins and its denizens draw him in, particularly the quiet, disheveled man who takes refuge in the old leather chair in the second-hand book section. John’s plans for an unattached year of simple business crumble when he meets David and is forced to reevaluate life, love and what he really wants from both. John and David are forced to come to terms with their pasts as they struggle to determine what possible future they might build together.

Why I bought it:

It’s about a gay bookstore owner. Of course, I picked it up. *grin*

Dislike/like (ending on a high note):

Dislike~ John was not particularly likeable at first and I wasn’t certain I was going to enjoy the book because I thought he was such a stupid git. However, his character grows as the story progresses and the reader comes to know and understand him.

Like~ Further to the above, Margins has excellent character development all round, in particular the complex protag that is David and the way he copes with his past and present in order to have a future with John.

Dislike~ I was a bit concerned about how soon John and David came together, especially with regard to David’s situation, but a large part of the book was about their day-to-day lives and how they worked to build a relationship together. I thought this was a terrific approach.

Like~ When I finished Margins, I felt privileged to have shared the journey with John and David. I think this was due primarily to the sensitive and thought provoking way the author dealt with the themes of homelessness, mental illness and personal growth.

So, what I think:

I really, really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes a meatier romance. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

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‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to. Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.

Posted in contemporary, isabelle rowan, m/m, tasting | 15 Comments

cheap labour

Posted on 21/03/2009 by Kris


It’s official. There are no bookcases in Australia to match the two I already have from Ikea. Fuck it.

Besides being supremely pissed off because they have them in the bloody catalogue, I decided I would have to rethink my approach; plus I’m too friggin impatient to wait the however long it would take to get the bookcases in because the staff are unbelievably clueless.

Anyways. I settled on the same colour (very important), similar depth and height (a must cos I’m a symmetry kinda gal and will be getting two of them in the long run), and ability to fit in the available space (I’m running out of wall space fast!).

With some, umm, assistance, I put the shelf together yesterday:

Boris: Well, we got here at 9am like we were told. You gotta work all that crap out with the boss.

Boris: That’s the problem with flat packs. Too much f’n cardboard.

Feliks: Found the parts, man. Who’s got the tools?

Boris: The hammer’s over here.

Boris: The taste quality of this stuff is shit.

Feliks & Boris: *smoko*


Feliks: Yeah. The level’s good this end.

Boris: A little to the left!

Feliks: Nice one, mate. Looking good.
Boris: Stick a fork in me. I’m done.

My new YA bookcase.
I’m happy… for now. 🙂

Posted in my boys, randomness | 14 Comments

tasting authors: terry pratchett

Posted on 20/03/2009 by Kris

I feel like I’ve been so focused on the m/m genre that I need to even the stakes a bit, hence this post about one of my favourite authors of all time, Terry Pratchett, who will go down in history as the only author Kris religiously buys in hard cover. 🙂

The Whys I Like (1, 2, 3):

Like No. 1~ He is a master at parody. This is not only with regard to the tropes of the fantasy genre, but to topical issues such as racism, anthropology, culture, bank crises, war, etc, etc. He is a very, very clever man.

Like No. 2~ Further to the above, his stories are a total riot. Very amusing and entertaining. I always find myself gigglesnorting my way through them.

Like No. 3~ He has a gift for coming up with the most interesting and unique characters, who are also extremely engaging. I admit to having a crush on the grumpy copper Sam Vimes. I adore him. He’s such a snarky bastard.

The Dishes I Love (1, 2, 3):

So hard! These are a few of the ones I’ve re-read more than others.

Love No. 1~ Guards! Guards!

Here there be dragons…and the denizens of Ankh-Morpork wish one huge firebreather would return from whence it came. Long believed extinct, a superb specimen of draco nobilis (“noble dragon” for those who don’t understand italics) has appeared in Discworld’s greatest city. Not only does this unwelcome visitor have a nasty habit of charbroiling everything in its path, in rather short order it is crowned King (it is a noble dragon, after all…).

This is the book which introduces the characters (and I mean that literally and figuratively) of the City of Ankh-Morpork’s Night Watch, including Captain Vimes, Sergeant Colon, Corporal Nobbs and the adorable Corporal Carrot. Picture opposites attracting, a drunk of a captain, idiot coppers, a himbo rookie, philanthropic Ladies, a group trying to return a long lost king and dragons. Starting to get a sense of this comedy of errors? I predict that you’ll be hooked!
Love No. 2~ A Hat Full of Sky

Something is coming after Tiffany …

Tiffany Aching is ready to begin her apprenticeship in magic. She expects spells and magic — not chores and ill-tempered nanny goats! Surely there must be more to witchcraft than this!

What Tiffany doesn’t know is that an insidious, disembodied creature is pursuing her. This time, neither Mistress Weatherwax (the greatest witch in the world) nor the fierce, six-inch-high Wee Free Men can protect her. In the end, it will take all of Tiffany’s inner strength to save herself … if it can be done at all.

This is a YA which will appeal to adults. I love the scenes between Granny Weatherwax (She has given me permission to address her as such) and Tiffany, in particular their discussions about a witch’s hat and finding the hat that suits you best. It’s terrific stuff.

Love No. 3~ Going Postal

Suddenly, condemned arch-swindler Moist von Lipwig found himself with a noose around his neck and dropping through a trapdoor into … a government job?

By all rights, Moist should be meeting his maker rather than being offered a position as Postmaster by Lord Vetinari, supreme ruler of Ankh-Morpork. Getting the moribund Postal Service up and running again, however, may prove an impossible task, what with literally mountains of decades-old undelivered mail clogging every nook and cranny of the broken-down post office. Worse still, Moist could swear the mail is talking to him. Worst of all, it means taking on the gargantuan, greedy Grand Trunk clacks communication monopoly and its bloodthirsty piratical headman. But if the bold and undoable are what’s called for, Moist’s the man for the job — to move the mail, continue breathing, get the girl, and specially deliver that invaluable commodity that every being, human or otherwise, requires: hope.

What happens when you force a con man to make something out of the postal service?? Serious fun and intrigue, that’s what. This is also Lord Vetinari, dictator of the City of Ankh-Morpork, at his finest. I’ve come to appreciate and enjoy him in the ‘Guards’ stories and he doesn’t disappoint in this either.

So, have you tried Terry Pratchett before? Do you think he’s as awesome as I do? Don’t worry; if you disagree with me, I’ll try to think twice before banning you from the blog. 🙂
Posted in fantasy, tasting authors, Terry Pratchett | 12 Comments

tasting my keepers: ‘the long way home’

Posted on 19/03/2009 by Kris

The Long Way Home by Z A Maxfield

The Blurb:

When young boys go missing, psychic Kevin Quinn is called in to help the police department. Quinn’s partner is Connor Dougal, a newer detective on the force, and a skeptic when it comes to psychic abilities. That is until strange things happen to Kevin when he touches objects belonging to the missing kids. Even more disturbing is the way Kevin can participate in Connor’s dreams. Connor’s past is more tied to the current case than anyone realizes and it’s only by lancing the pain of the past there is a hope for the future.

Why I bought it:

I’d read and really enjoyed ZAM’s Crossing Borders so picked this one up as soon as it was released.

Dislike/like (ending on a high note):

Dislike~ After 10 years of closing himself off and living in denial, Connor does fall for Kevin pretty quickly. This may be hard to believe for some people, but wasn’t that big of a deal for me in the long run.

Like~ I admit I’m a huge fan of books featuring the crime solving psychic. JCP’s PysCop series is a perfect example… and so is this. Yeah, we may have all read ‘the trauma victim turned psychic who falls in love with a cop on the case’ before, however The Long Way Home offers up some twists and provides a fresh look at this storyline.

Dislike~ Besides the fast fall, Connor also seems quick to deal with any doubts about being out to everyone and to some extent revels in it. Again, this may make some, me included, raise an eyebrow. Still, he’s very adorable with it and I liked the way he was unashamed about his love and affection for Kevin.

Like~ Kevin does yoga. O_O I know! His very… flexible. *GRIN* Oh, and he’s a bit of a smart arse, which – surprise, surprise – is a character I relate to.

So, what I think:

Love it. The Long Way Home is a favourite. ZAM is an author who keeps on getting better and better.

I will be reviewing her latest, Drawn Together, for Wave’s blog shortly.

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‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to. Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.
Posted in contemporary, m/m, tasting my keepers, Z A Maxfield | 10 Comments

maybe it’s me, but…

Posted on 18/03/2009 by Kris

Since I’ve been successfully avoiding all forms of paid work lately due to the dramas of real life, cruising bookstores and publishing houses, lurking on other people’s blogs, checking out reviews, writing my own… oh, and reading books *g*, I’ve begun to notice certain characters popping up again.

I’ve already mentioned the gay bookstore owner here. I think he’s definitely still hanging about, but what do you think about these guys:

=> the gay veterinarian (awww, such a sweetie)

=> the gay cop (either closeted or keeps his sexuality to himself)

=> the gay stalker (or should that be the stalker of someone gay? stalkeree??)

=> the arty gay guy (photographer, artist, actor, chef, etc)

=> the gay health worker (sometimes a doctor, a nurse, or a paramedic depending on the level of beta-ness)

=> the gay uni professor, lecturer, whatever (if a student is involved this can get squicky)

=> the gay bartender or bar/nightclub owner (HOT!)

Again, I’m not dissing, because – and let’s face it – as long as the story is good and the characters convincing… who cares!

Just me wanting to know if anyone else has noticed the above or whether it’s me again.

And let’s not start on the female characters in het romance. I have declared this a rant free week and such topics are to be avoided.

Posted in maybe it's me but, tropes | 10 Comments

tasting my keepers: ‘rough canvas’

Posted on 16/03/2009 by Kris
I’m in the mood to revisit some of the books on my keeper shelves so here goes…

Rough Canvas by Joey W Hill

The Blurb:

When his father dies, Thomas is forced to abandon a burgeoning art career in New York. As difficult as it was to give up his lifelong dream, it’s nothing next to walking away from the man he loves. Marcus taught him to embrace who he is, a sexual submissive who responds to the touch of only one Master. But why would the sophisticated Marcus need some farm kid from the South?

Then Marcus shows up and offers him a way to continue his art career and help his family. There’s only one hitch — he asks Thomas to spend a week with him in the Berkshires. Thomas knows he should refuse. But he’s never been able to say no to his Master.

Why I bought it:

I can’t honestly remember. All I know is that this is one of the first m/m romances I ever purchased.

Dislike/like (ending on a high note):

Dislike~ I have seen a couple of reviews and comments by people who have either dismissed or did not finish this book because they were angry at the things Thomas denies or abandons (ie Marcus, his life, his artwork, his sexuality, etc). Yes, he does, but his character develops and grows as the story progresses. To me, Rough Canvas is more about acceptance than it is about denial.

Like~ Thomas and Marcus are complex and flawed characters. Deeply in love with each other, they struggle with their personal issues and circumstances as well as other obstacles to find a way to be together. They sweep the reader along with them on their journey and what more could you want in a book?

Dislike~ This is more of a warning to others than it is one of my own dislikes. This is not a light, fluffy clouds and rainbows read. There are some scenes people will hate because they are confronting and challenging. If this isn’t what you like to read, Rough Canvas isn’t the book for you.

Like~ Joey W Hill is probably one of the best writers of BDSM romance I have ever come across. She understands the lifestyle and all it entails and is able to convey this in an extremely thought provoking way. Her work will make you question any preconceptions you may have about this world.

So, what I think:

I love this story. I have re-read it so many times it’s not funny and never fail to be moved by it.

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‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to. Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.

Posted in bdsm, contemporary, joey w hill, m/m, tasting my keepers | 6 Comments