It took me so long to do some of these reviews. I’m impressed with how many books I still managed to get through with NaNoWriMo being ever so present. But I am understanding more and more the trend toward short reads. There are a few in this list, and all very worth the reads.

Requiem for Immortals by Lee Winter – This was one of the most incredible books I’ve read all year. An assassin in a love story. A little mouse with power. evocative writing. Characters you love and Love to hate. And overall a fantastic story line that grips you by the throat until it’s hard to breath. Lee Winter’s writing is fantastic and Requiem is one of the most incredible characters I’ve ever met. I cannot wait to read more of Lee Winter’s books.

The Romance Bet by Jae – One of those short reads I mentioned – It was a cute short story. I enjoyed the premise and the writing was good. The story was focused around National Novel Writing Month, which made me giggle. I do prefer reading Jae’s longer reads.

A future, Forged by Aiki Flinthart – I was nervous going into reading this because I’m so in love with the Kalima Chronicles series but I should have known better. Once again Aiki Flinthart uses words to evoke emotion and engage the senses with lines that make me smile and shiver, like She shook herself free of the swamp of dark memories. A future, Forged had me intrigued with characters and a story that hooked me right from the very beginning. It is a story that shows the world of Kalima as it was set 200 years before Iron, the first book in the Kalima Chronicles. It’s such a wonderful addition to this series, I’m so glad to read more that is set in this incredible world of Flinthart’s imagination.

Burning Reflection by Tim Mendees – Another short read and my first of Tim Mendees books. From the start to the end you are pulled into the world of the old ones. Tim Mendees creates the perfect atmosphere with every word building to the tension in a natural rhythm that won’t let you stop thinking about it, even if you have the strength to close the book. A brilliant read, highly recommended for the gothic horror enthusiast.

Dead Man Walking by David Green – Yes, another short read, I told you I was enjoying them. Dead Man Walking: A Nick Holleran book is a wicked little love child between Sin City and Constantine. The atmosphere reminiscent of the 1950’s PI’s of the past hits from the very start. The world building and side characters that David Green has created makes me already cross my fingers, hoping there is more of the same to come. Humour is mixed with horror and it is tantalisingly weaved throughout the story. When I finished Dead man Walking I felt as though I had been given a small window, or perhaps a fireplace view, of a moment in this world, a moment in Holleran’s life. And oh boy, what a moment it is.

Shattered by Lee Winter – I couldn’t resist reading another Lee Winter book. She’s fast becoming a favourite. This book is so aptly named. It broke me. In mostly all the right ways, even the sad stuff was so brilliantly written and amazing. I love Winter’s way of creating such wonderfully flawed and yet cocky characters. Her use of language is evocative and immersive. The world building is delicious and the emotional and ethical quandaries are balanced beautifully with the action and story. I both loved and hated the ending, mostly because damn it I did not see it coming and it was a brilliant surprise. One of my favourite things about this book is that the emotional and ‘romantic’ elements are fundamental to the stories progress but there is so much more going on. In a world of superheroes, I felt like I found the most realistic and well developed characters. I cannot recommend this book enough. Especially if you love being broken, put back together, shattered, and then made whole in a completely better way for having read it. 

Chrysalis by Kimberley Rei – Yes, I ended the month on another short read. A good read. I enjoyed the premise and the development. Some beautiful language and the setting was clear. I would have liked a little more clarification about a few things, but still a good read

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind