Neen Cohen

I only managed 4 books this month, but I think that’s a pretty fair effort considering the craziness this month has been, even with the CoVid19 limitations. I’m embarking on doing more in-depth reviews … which has turned out to have a few spoilers … but I think I’ve marked the spoilers before I dive in and leave you unprepared.

Mirrorverse by Pamela Jeffs – Pamela Jeffs is a master of words and emotions. She has an incredible skill at pulling you directly into another world with just a few beautifully structured and emotive sentences. Mirrorverse is a brilliant example of the extreme talent and skill Jeffs has to offer with her writing.

Christmas in Mistletoe by Clare Lydon – What can I say, I’m a complete sucker for Clare Lydon’s wit, humour, and fabulous writing. There were some true laugh out loud moments, and a few lines that made me go pwhhaaaa at the emotional punch. It’s definitely a brilliant read to help you get into the shiny, sparkly Christmas feel … even if (or perhaps especially if) you are sweating in Australia and wishing to run through the Christmas tree farm in your shorts and singlet. Get in the festive season mood with another great romance from Clare Lydon.

The Setup by T.B Markinson – The setup is a delicious story from T.B Markinson. T.B Markinson has created characters that are complicated and real, even the ones you never meet. It was a bit of a shock to get into the story so quickly, being used to reading Markinson’s longer reads, but once I got over that it was all good.
I just adore the main character, Rory, to bits. The story is told from Rory’s point of view, an American moved to London for a two year work contract.

Her thoughts are adorable and her energy and buzz is infectious. Banter, as always, is top notch and the sex scenes are steamy and natural. It was again a shock when the book ended, because I wanted so much more. I’d love to read more of this world and get to meet some of the off the page characters. Some favourite laugh out loud lines:
 Couple my blunder with her one-word answer, and I had the urge to stand up and say, “This, ladies and gentlemen, is how not to make a first impression. Can you point out where I went wrong? Let’s learn from this together.”
 They tried to understand, but it was like explaining space travel to Jane Austen. Or so I imagined.
My expression hopefully conveyed my second language was lunatic.

Under a Falling Star by Jae – So pretend there are big huge flashing signs screaming spoilers … because I’ve tried to minimise the spoilers but can’t do it. So here goes. 
The good: oh my, this list is long. But I’ll put down my top points. From the brilliant ice Queen to the cursing cockatoo, the characters of Under a Falling Star were deep and complicated. The smoothness of writing and the story both make the entire book so easy to read. I’m also in love with Jae’s ability to create tension without the often overly frustrating and dramatic let’s break up because we don’t have one simple (although emotionally difficult) conversation that would clear up all miscommunications. The conversations especially at the start show perfectly that twisted inside where your tongue fights every word, but it flows to a natural rhythm of the story, without any questions of why didn’t they just …
A special note to Jae’s use of humour, it wasn’t on every page but I found myself cackle a few times particularly from the cockatoo:
 On her way to the door, she blew Toby a kiss. “Wish me luck.” “Fuck you,” the cockatoo warbled.
And the ice Queen herself as she began to thaw:
 The thought made her roll her eyes at herself. Oh, come on. What’s up with all this sappiness?
The bad: So this is only my personal preference, but damn I wanted to see Austen’s character flaw. She was a little perfect for me, and yet I still somehow adored her, I just feel like showing a weakness would have been nice. 
The magnificent: my favourite part of this book, without a doubt is the realistic changes and fundamental lack of changes in characters. Dee, the Ice Queen is still damn terrifying to those who have to deal with her wrath, even if she has learned to say please. Her hideous family still remain stuck in their ways and rejections, and don’t simply change overnight because their daughter stood up to their shitty abuse. 
Bonus question (if you can explain this adequately you get a cookie): How else do you pronounce Austen if not like the famous author? 

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

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