Lives Entwined in Kind - Tucked Away by Mel Parrish

                                

                                                                  

 I knew I was going to be introduced to a new fantasy author, but beyond the basic somewhat vague synopsis, I had no idea what I would be listening to. It turned out to be a very enjoyable - although SHORT listen.

‘Tucked Away’ is basically a prologue with a dash of prequel in my opinion. It’s setting us up for the real story which is soon to follow. In fact book 2, ‘Emerge’ is already out, and readily available.

‘Tucked Away’ is a rather delightful whimsical and emotionally rich YA fantasy tale, but with somewhat slower pacing than I am used to. Old secrets lay covered in dust and laden with curses just waiting to be discovered, much as the hidden family members do. There are Mer people, Trolls, magic, and as I’ve mentioned, curses.

A great deal is also left to the imagination, which is fine as I like to give mine the exercise. There is some great character and world building going on, however, so many of the characters have such similar names that it can get a trifle confusing now and again.. There’s also numerous backgrounds and places. I honestly found myself hitting the back button, or just dancing back a chapter or two to clarify things in my mind.

Abraxos, the Master of Asulon Mansion, is the central character around whom all the darkness and the whimsy dance. He began as a surly figure, rather reclusive and definitely not what one would call friendly. That all changes the night an old lady arrives on the doorstep with a wee bundle in her arms. Delivering it to the Master before getting a night’s sleep and returning from whence she came. 

Poor Abraxos’ life suddenly takes a drastic change, for what his servant and seemingly only friend would call for the better. It will most certainly never be the same again.

Mel Parrish’s writing is solid and creative, quite enjoyable for the most part. With Tom Fairfoot narrating, it’s a rather cozy fantasy that I look forward to completing with book 2! Thanks NetGalley for this delightful, although occasionally confusing listen!

#NetGalley

#Mel Parrish

#Tom Fairfoot

#Lives Entwined in Kind

#YA Fantasy

Dot Slash Magic by Liz Shipton

 

AI and magic…. Oh the possibilities….

Seven Jones is a coder who finds herself making a deal with her parents. She’s got no better prospects at the moment, so a flight home from half a world away and college sound a whole lot better.

Finding herself taking an AI class, and then accidentally joining a weird magic circle leads to a completely unexpected and new future. Coding magic into an AI app that she built allows her to use it as a conduit for her magic… or, is it her magic?? It’s hard to know and Seven finds herself in a little trouble with the Board. Is her magic, if it is hers safe, or is it black magic? Does it matter? 

Shit hits the proverbial fan as her friends begin to die.  Naturally Seven Jones is the first to fall under suspicion, her possible ‘bad magic’ to blame. The roller coaster ride begins, and it’s going way too fast for anyone to get off.

Liz Shipton is a tick tokker and previously unknown to me. I am SO grateful that I have found her. I found myself laughing out loud in public at the dry humour and the beautifully snarky protagonist. I would have enjoyed a fuller look at some of the side characters, but honestly, there just wasn’t room to do so. I can appreciate the fast pace of the plot as the story gets deeper

‘Dot Slash Magic’ had me laughing, crying, and even feeling like I’d been punched in the gut at one point… I am praying that there will be a sequel!!!! Seven Jones is far to amazing to just vanish after one tale. A really human character, with flaws and all!

If you like urban fantasy, tech, and magic… this is definitely the book for you!

Thanks NetGalley for the audio ARC, and Mary Pochatko for doing such a great job with the reading. 

#Dot Slash Magic

#Liz Shipton

#NetGalley

#Urban Fantasy

#Tantor Media

Framed in Death by JD Robb

Thankfully there’s an immediate “hook” or I would’ve had an extremely difficult time getting past the first chapter. It’s just my personal opinion, but I find Susan Ericksen’s narration rather off-putting. One character often sounds more Transylvanian than Irish… again, a very personal opinion. 

However, JD Robb is a solid writer and the tale is written and plotted with her masterful hand. Ensuring that the audio can still be enjoyed. For those of you who don’t know, JD Robb is the pseudonym for #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts. She is the author of over 240 novels, including the futuristic suspense ‘In Death’ series that began in 1999, of which ‘Framed in Death’ is #61 of. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.

The year is 2061, the setting is Manhattan… 

The killer, a much needed part of any mystery/thriller is targeting LC’s or Licensed Companions. He seems to have the misguided belief that he is an unrecognized artistic genius. He has begun a very twisted portrait series of death imitating art, beginning with an extremely lurid copy of Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring.” 

 

The demented killer’s series isn’t following just one artist, which makes things a little harder for the police on the case. The unlucky models are posed outside art galleries, creating ‘living’ dead copies of the paintings. Not too mention making a very strong, if mentally misguided, statement. 

Lt. Eve Dallas is doing her best with her partner Dt. Delia Peabody to stop this serial killer before it goes any further. Pulling her Irish Billionaire, Roarke, into helping them with his knowledge of art. Two murders in two days is far too fast!

This story rolls along full bore with a short pit stop at Dt. Delia Peabody’s new home that Roarke helped make a reality. It will keep you reading or listening right along to the end, whichever format you happened to choose. 

Thanks to St Martin’s Publishing Group, MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for letting me review this ARC in return for an honest review.

#JD Robb

#Macmillan Audio

#Susan Ericksen

#Mystery

#St. Martin's Publishing Group