Tales Untold: Mythos Around the World Anthology - Book Review

Tales Untold: Mythos Around the World Anthology 

Genre: Folklore, Retellings, Short Stories 

3.3 Stars 

One Liner: A mixed bag with some intriguing stories 

Tales Untold is a collection of fifteen short stories that deal with various folklore and mythologies from around the world. Each story is based on a lore/ myth/ part of an epic and is represented with a fresh twist. There’s a brief intro about the lore at the beginning of each story. This helped me understand the plot. 

As with all anthologies, some stories are great, some are decent, and a few didn’t make any impact. I’ve listed the ones I loved and the ones that had potential but didn’t reach the mark (for me). 

Real Good Stories (4 stars)

The Littlest Rose: I love this heartwarming story. It is a little preachy and tries to balance it out at the end. But the story of the Blackfeet tribe, the lives of Native Americans, and the bullying by the settlers (White people) was very well done. 

A Final Cut: This story combines two myths about the dead, and the result is a scary yet satisfying read. Imagine shaving the dead to soothe the spirit! The writing is descriptive but compact, with a steady pace and solid ending. 

The Young Man and The New World: It starts slow with long-winded sentences, but once the action begins, the story flows well and keeps the reader interested. I like the blend of myths too. It’s MG fiction, so even better for me. 

The Fairy Soldier's Last Request: This started okay but got interesting as it progressed. I love the flow and execution. The formatting needs to work to make it more readable (it got a bit confusing to track when the flashback ended and started again). 

Decent Stories (3-3.5 stars)

The Tomb of Squire Cabell: This one deals with the lore of the Hound of Baskervilles. The concept was intriguing, but the setup took up too much space. The end was rather rushed and didn’t cause any emotional impact. 

The Crane In The Mist: This story is based on Kodava lore from India. I enjoyed the plot, but it didn’t hit the mark. I thought it would. The ending is okay but missing something. 

Never Trust a Fae: The plot is dark and really good until I realized that the narrator’s a male. Here I am, thinking it is a sad Sapphic romance, and bingo, the narrator is a ‘him’. A male character’s voice has to sound distinct from a female character's. 

The Gandharva: Set in Kerala (India), it’s a retelling of the story of a Gandharva. I wanted more from it, though. The ending seemed too easy. It needed a little more drama and tension. 

Halcyon Days: It is an innovative retelling of Greek lore about Kingfisher birds. The writing is easy and fluid. The ending is compact and sweet. 

The Emissary: This is the last story in the book. It has a mashup of Gods and lore from different cultures. The first third of the story was a little boring (just not my thing), but the rest was engaging and entertaining. 

The overall writing styles are easy to read; some were better than others. As this is an ARC, I’m hoping the random typos will be weeded out. 

To summarize, Tales Untold is an intriguing collection of short stories with varied themes. Each of them is distinct and will appeal to different audiences. Grab the book and find your favorites. 

Thank you, Ravens & Roses Publishing, for the eARC. 

Keep It In The Family by John Marrs - Book Review

Keep It In The Family by John Marrs

Genre: Thriller

2.5 Stars 

One Liner: Intriguing premise but a convoluted presentation 

*****

Mia and Finn invest all their money in an old house. They are busy repairing it when Mia realizes she is pregnant. The couple is elated. However, Mia sees a message carved into the wall in the nursery, resulting in a series of incidents that change their lives forever. 

The past horrors of the house come to light, bringing more secrets to the surface. The killer is around, too, lurking and waiting for the right time. With the dangers surrounding Mia, her newborn, and the family, can they find a way to deal with it? Can Mia save her family and herself? 

The story comes in the first-person POV of six characters. Sigh! Why!!! 

My Thoughts: 

The book starts with an intriguing chapter and alternates between different POVs and timelines. It can be super confusing if you don’t note the years (something I gave up halfway through the book). 

The information comes in bits and pieces, but we are essentially going around in circles, with each character having its POV [Mia, Finn, Dave (Mai’s father-in-law), and Debbie (Mia’s mother-in-law]. We know many of them are hiding something but what? It gets revealed towards the end. 

Though things aren’t too graphic, we know that a lot of bad things happen to kids. If you are sensitive about this, be prepared for it. What made it easy to read is the writing (and not in a good way). I wasn’t the least bit affected, as the whole thing felt distant. 

Thrillers tend to have unlikeable characters. Here, except for Mia (with exceptions again), the rest are pretty much unlikable. DC Mark is cool, though (he has very limited space in the book and is not explored at all). 

The reveals start around 63%, which means a majority of the second half has a twist, reveal, twist, reveal, and so on. It got tiring when I could already see what the twist would be. I don’t usually mind guessing right, but here, it gets too much. 

The epilogue is like a final and special presentation, but I couldn’t feel awed by it. There are enough hints to show this would happen. In fact, I might have upped the stars if the twist deals with Mia. 

The best part of the book is that I could speed-read it and not miss any detail. That frees a day for me (hence the additional 0.5 stars). But it shows how much rambling could have been edited to make the narration taut. 

The title is all you need to guess the plot. Really. It can’t be more evident than this, and once again, I pat myself on the back for listening to my friends and asking for help titling my stories. 

To summarize, Keep It In The Family could have been a wow thriller but ended up underwhelming. I see the author has written some fab works, so time to check them out. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #KeepItInTheFamily 

*****

P.S: Also, can we please not have men ‘press the right buttons’ to excite a woman? It sounds weird. 

Improbably Yours by Kerry Anne King - Book Review

Improbably Yours by Kerry Anne King

Genre: Contemporary Women, Romance 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Sweet and Cute (if you ignore insta love) 

*****

Blythe Harmon is living a fast-track life the way her mother, sister, and boyfriend want. It’s her 30h birthday, and she can’t help but feel suffocated and unhappy. Things couldn’t have been better with a new high-profile job and a marriage proposal from the boyfriend. 

But Blythe knows she needs to do what makes her happy. Respite comes in the form of Nomi’s ashes and last request (Nomi is her late grandmother). Blythe goes on an adventure to a small island in the San Juans. Her stay at the Improbable House takes her closer to the past. 

However, things get complicated with new revelations. Blythe now has to connect the past to the present to have a happy future. And somewhere amidst the chaos lies the key to her happiness. 

The story comes in the first-person POVs of Blythe and Flynn in the present tense. 

What I Like: 

The story is heartwarming and sweet with a blend of happy and sad moments. There is enough pain (death of loved ones and secrets) in the book, but it doesn’t get overwhelming. 

The narration is fast-paced and engaging. It dips a little in the middle but gains momentum again. It does feel a little rushed because of the HEA ending, but I don’t mind it. 

Even though the characters aren’t very detailed, they are easy to understand. None of them is perfect, but there aren’t any outright villains (with one exception) either. This makes them easy to understand, if not always likable. 

The blurb uses the word magic, and it is important to consider this when reading the book. There are a few unexplainable events that make the setting atmospheric. However, these aren’t explored enough to make the story dark or creepy. This could go either way, depending on your reading preferences. 

Savannah is easily my favorite in the book, and Brodie is adorable. Who can resist a fluffy doggy with loads of enthusiasm and no manners? ;P 

The themes of self-discovery, acceptance, being true to one’s self, taking a risk, etc., are well done without being too heavy-handed.  

What Didn’t Work for Me: 

Well, as much as I enjoy romance, I don’t like insta love between Blythe and Flynn. A couple of more scenes to show their chemistry would have made the story even better (for me). Also, Flynn’s character needed to be fleshed out more. 

The plot is complex and has some twists. But it is solved a little too easily and within the week’s deadline. Maybe a bit of spacing it over the days would increase the impact. 

The crucial issues of the plot are also resolved quickly. Given how the issues are dragged over the storyline, the resolution doesn’t feel solid. The gravity of the events is lost when they are wrapped up with ease. 

To summarize, Improbably Yours is a sweet and heartwarming book with a few hits and misses. But it is a good read if you want a blend of genres without getting too deep into any of them.  

Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #ImprobablyYours 

TW: Parental death, domestic violence, grief 

*****

P.S: The cover suits the story really well, though I don't much like how the title covers the detailing. 

A Familiar Stranger by A.R. Torre - Book Review

A Familiar Stranger by A.R. Torre

Genre: Domestic Thriller 

3 Stars 

One Liner: Fast-paced but okayish 

*****

Lillian Smith leads an ordinary life as a wife and mother of a sulking teen. She is an obituary writer with hardly anything exciting in her life. It appears that her husband Mike feels the same and looking for excitement else. 

When Lillian meets David, a handsome stranger, she creates a new persona of herself. Soon, she is living a lie and having a great time. However, things don’t last long. The affair is revealed on social media, and Lillian’s life slips out of her control. 

It wasn’t until later that she realizes her life was never in her control. As secrets tumble out of the closet, it appears impossible to get back to normal. 

The story comes from the first-person POV of Lillian and a few other characters. 

My Thoughts: 

• I love that the book is fast-paced from start to finish. The chapters race by, even if there’s no character development as such. That made the book a lot easier to read. 
• Lillian’s job as an obituary writer is unique and interesting. The tweets she posts on her Twitter handle are rather fun (she shares murder puzzles for her followers to solve). 
• The characters have great potential (though be assured that you won’t like most of them except Lenny). Sadly, they aren’t explored in detail. Once we know who they are, they continue to stick to their roles and do nothing different. 
• The second half is different, but that didn’t make it fully entertaining. I like some of it and didn’t feel bored, so that’s something. 
• I don’t like how Lillian’s mental illness is handled. Even for a thriller, it could have been better. 
• The climax and ending are a little too convenient. A certain twist, which leads to the ending, is eye-roll-worthy. 

To summarize, A Familiar Stranger is a fast-paced domestic thriller with enough to keep you reading. However, it is a passable book with 2D characters and an easy ending. This is my first book by the author, and I see that it is not her best. I’ll read a couple of more books before I decide. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #AFamiliarStranger 

River of Fallen Angels by Laura Joh Rowland - Book Review

River of Fallen Angels by Laura Joh Rowland

Series: Victorian Mystery #7 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 10th Jan 2023

Genre: Historical Mystery 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Intriguing 

*****

London, April 1891

Sarah Bain Barrett (a crime reporter) and her gang are back in action. Sarah, Hugh, and Mick are at London Bridge when a mutilated torso washes to the shore. It resembles the bodies disposed of by the Thames Torso Murderer and creates a huge stir. Everyone wants to know if the killer is back. 

The gang is up for the challenge to solve the case and boost the sales of the Daily News newspaper. Thomas Barrett, Sarah’s husband and detective sergeant, is also on the case though Inspector Reid wants him on the sidelines. Not to mention that Reid thinks Ripper is the Torso Murderer. 

With little to no information available and random threads dangling around, can Sarah and Thomas find the killer before it’s too late? What happens when they have a difference of opinion? Does Dr. Lewes’ criminal profiling expertise help them? 

The story comes from Sarah’s first-person POV. 

What I Like: 

As the seventh book in the series, it does work well as a standalone. However, knowing the characters will make it easier to follow their actions and thoughts. 

Well, this book is better-paced than the previous one. (It dips in the middle but gains momentum in the last part). A lot happens and leads to a definite climax and ending. 

Sally, Sarah’s younger sister, has an active role in the story, though her presence is still limited. She seems to be entering the main line, and I can’t wait to see her role in the next book. 

The main plot is interesting and progresses well. We see an array of characters, each of them contributing something to the story. 

Beloved Lamb as a polygamous religious cult leader, hit the mark. The setting of his ‘House of Love’ church, his multiple wives and their devotion to him, etc., are vivid and impactful. 

Hugh is back in his previous avatar, which is great to read. Mick wavered, but I’m sure he’ll be his original self in the next one. 

What Didn’t Work for Me: 

Sarah and Thomas have disagreements again. While conflict is necessary to keep the story engaging, it is tiring to see them fight in almost every book after they’ve married (I started reading the series from book 5). 

While Sarah’s voice is authentic to her character, it doesn’t feel as strong as before. Her personality isn’t forceful, even when she takes reckless risks. She feels more like a tired narrator than a determined woman (yeah, she is exhausted, but we can’t have it become a prominent part of her voice). 

I’m not sure I like the shift in Barrett’s character. I hope it is temporary and limited to this book. 

To summarize, River of Fallen Angels is an engaging Victorian mystery with people from the other side of London. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #RiverofFallenAngels 

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg - Book Review

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg

Series: Whimbrel House #1 (Standalone)

Genre: Historical Fantasy 

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining but drags in the middle 

*****

Rhode Island, 1846 

Writer Merritt Fernsby is surprised when he inherits the Whimbrel House from his estranged family. His delight doesn’t last long when the house decides to take control and trap him inside. 

Enter Hulda Larkin from the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms (BIKER). She is a tamer of possessed and enchanted houses and sees it as her duty to preserve the disappearing magic in such ancient houses. 

As the duo tries to find the source of magic, they also battle a sense of attraction between them. However, unseen larger forces are at work, threatening to get revenge and settle scores. Can Hulda and Merritt survive the fight? 

The story comes in the third person POV of three main characters. 

What I Like: 

The MCs are 30+ and not your traditional beautiful, handsome, delicate, or whatever! While they act childish a couple of times, they are also dealing with their pasts and vulnerabilities. 

Magic is an inherent part of the plot and a common phenomenon. Those who don’t have it also know about it (and, in fact, study it at school). 

The book starts with a blueprint of the interiors of the Whimbrel House. It also gives a brief definition of different types of magical powers. This was very useful to refer to. 

The setting is descriptive without being boring. I love the house and its antics. It gets endearing once we realize the source. 

There are enough quirky and humorous moments to keep the story lighthearted. It’s a fairly easy read (ignoring words from the period that pop up). 

What Didn’t Work for Me: 

The characters take time to reveal their depth. It gets a little tiring to read about them in the beginning when they are cardboard cutouts. They seem immature and are not likable until we get to 35-40% of the story. 

While some elements of magic have been handled with care, a few seem to be left without much attention. Also, the villain needs a better arc. There is potential to make him dangerous (not just physically), but that’s what we get. 

The climax started well but didn’t wow me. The ending was rather sweet (and a little lovey-dovey). But you’ll enjoy it if you like happy endings with a touch of romance. 

The pacing is a bit uneven. The story drags in the middle, where things seem to go around in circles. Hulda needs to rely on her instincts and pay attention to her visions (it’s her gift, after all). 

I see there is book two (which I’m grabbing after posting this review), so I hope the character arcs have more attention. 

To summarize, Keeper of Enchanted Rooms is a dark, cozy read without being twisted or scary. Owein is adorable, so that’s a plus. 

Thank you, NetGalley and 47North, for the eARC. 

#KeeperofEnchantedRooms #NetGalley