Carniepunk Anthology

By: Rachel Caine, Delilah S. Dawson, Jennifer Estep, Kelly Gay, Kevin Hearne, Mark Henry, Hillary Jacques, Jackie Kessler, Seanan McGuire, Kelly Meding, Allison Pang, Nicole Peeler, Rob Thurman, Jaye Wells

When I first saw this anthology I leaped to request it – so many of the authors included in it are the authors I already read and already love, a collection of stories by them was definitely something I was sure I’d be able to devour in seconds, loving every word.

I preface the review with this to make it clear that my expectations were very very high – perhaps too high given my oft mentioned dislike of short stories. This left me feeling a little disappointed.

Firstly, on the book overall I was impressed by the unity of theme, short story compilations by different authors can feel very disjointed as you are buffeted from epic story to laughing comedy to heart wrenching tragedy that makes them almost impossible to read in one sitting because they’re so different.  While the writing style of this book was, obviously, very varied the overall theme not just of Carnivals but of something sinister, dark and something pretty creepy was generally well maintained throughout. I don’t know if it was intended or if the authors just find carnivals as creepy as I do – but nearly every story had a strong sense of the creepiness, the alien and the outsider about them that helped keep the whole book together as a coherent whole which I appreciated.

In terms of the stories, the ones by the authors that drew me in were very much their style, but also nothing special and didn’t form much of a useful addition to their own stories:

Kevin Hearne’s The Demon Barker of Wheat Street, was a fun ride with characters I’ve come to know and love. Atticus, Oberon and Granuaile are always immensely fun romp around a Carnival, fighting evil with humour and flair with odd moments of depth and emotion to it that so characterises Kevin Hearne’s work; it’s good but not his best, lacking in style or real relevance to the world he has…  if you’re not a fan of the series already you’re going to be a little lost reading this one – and a little Spoilered as well, which is a bad choice for a short story, I think.

Jennifer Estep’s Parlor Tricks, is much the same. If you know her world and her characters then it’s a great read, a nice continuation and nice to see Gin in some semi-downtime. If you don’t know her world then you’re probably going to be more than a little lost as the full weight of her massive Ashland world is thrown at you. As a fan and a current reader of her series, I enjoyed it while still feeling I wouldn’t have missed anything if I hadn’t read it. That’s a good thing in the sense that I don’t want my series to depend on me tracking down anthologies, but bad in that I left the story feeling I hadn’t gained anything.

Seanan McGuire’s Daughter of the Midway, the Mermaid and the Open, Lonely Sea, surprised me in that it didn’t seem to be related to any of her actual series. While I liked this story, I also felt that it was the only one that didn’t fit the overall theme of the book, though I quite liked the subversion of finally presenting the Carnie’s point of view and taking their otherness that had been so pushed through the rest of the stories and making that a strength rather than the sinister nature that had been pushed so far. It was an excellent close to the book.

Notable others were Painted Love by Rob Thurman, it was the first story in the book and did a very good job of setting up the dark and sinister theme; the fantastic and the other, the evil and the cruel, the hidden threats as much as the hidden wonders. It was an excellent choice for the first story. But, as far as the story itself goes, it didn’t work for me. It had a nice twist ending but to make that work it forced a lot of character interaction that didn’t make a lot of sense and some very stilted descriptions. The story also had an over-wordy, over-introspective style that I’ve never particularly cared for. It did really set up the sense of the other – in ways that go beyond the simple supernatural creatures we’ve already known - and definitely laid the groundwork for the creepy, the evil and the sinister

Tempest's Fury by Nicole Peeler: Book 5 in the Jane True Series

Very rarely do I stay up late to finish reading a book, but that is exactly what I did for Nicole Peeler's Tempest's Fury.  In the interest of full disclosure, I am going to tell you right now, the woman has made a fanpoodle out of me.

At the ending of Eye of the Tempest, Jane and Anyan were finally getting some much needed alone time when Blondie burst in with yet another supernatural emergency.  I found the ending frustrating because I had long been rooting for Anyan and Jane as a couple; however, that feeling of frustration could not possibly compare to how I felt at the end of this book. Oh Ms. Peeler, you are a cruel, cruel woman.

Given a special ax by the creature, it is time for Jane to fulfill her role as champion.  Though so much has changed, in many ways, Jane still sees herself as the small town girl who at the end of the day wants to lead a simple life, surrounded by the people she loves.  Not only does Jane now have to deal with the fact that she is essentially the chosen one, she is responsible for stopping creatures who cannot be killed and dealing with a political structure that is filled with factions. 

As serious as the issues are in Tempest's Fury, Ms. Peeler as we have become accustomed in this series, still takes time to add a little fun. When we first met Jane she had never been outside of her small town. This is her first time in Europe and though the fate of the world hangs in the balance, Jane still wants to take the time to be a bit of a tourist.  Cheese and particularly a good Stilton, is high on her list of experiences and a few dates with Anyan if she she an fit it in while trying not to be killed.

Another source of tension is Jane's budding relationship with Anyan.  It seems that every time they have a moment alone together, something gets in the way of consummating their relationship. This builds a sexual tension throughout the story, which leaves the reader ready to chant, just let them do it already. It also encourages the reader to root for them as a couple, which is part of what makes the ending so damn devastating.  I won't spoil the ending for you, but suffice it to say, I almost threw my e reader.

Cover Snark: Sometimes Cartoon Wins

Often when publishing houses get creative with book covers it usually results in something absolutely ridiculous, so you must imagine my surprise when I am forced to say please stick to the anime and move away from the forced shot.

Okay just look at this cover.

It’s dreary and bland with nothing at all to inspire you to turn the book over to read the synopsis, let alone but the book.  

And then there’s this:

Yeah, I know, half naked woman on the cover but there is something compelling about this image.  It makes you want to find out what’s being those big mysterious eyes. There are interesting creatures in the background and it is clear from the cover that something otherwordly going on, which is key if you are specifically looking for a book about urban fantasy.

Clearly the second cover is the winner yet book two, Tracking the Tempest got the same treatment.

Review of Eye of The Tempest by Nicole Peeler Book 4 of the Jane True Series

Shortly after arriving in Rockabil, Jane and Anyan are attacked by humans of all things. Anyan is almost immediately incapacitated, leaving Jane to defend them both.  Jane is aware that they took out Anyan first because he was assumed to be the real threat, while her size, her gender, and her identity as a halfing made her appear nonthreatening.  Jane grasps all of her power, despite being told not to in the past and draws all of the water out of their bodies.  Jane manages to save the day, but not without putting her life in extreme jeopardy. 

Jane goes into a coma and while she is asleep, the blonde ancient that had helped her out in Tempest's Legacy, ingratiates herself with Jane's family and the super natural community by keeping Jane alive. When Jane awakes, she finds her father at her bedside.  She is happy to see him and shocked to learn that he is fully aware of the supernatural world, and Jane's role in it.  He admits that he always knew that there was something different about her.  He follows up this news by informing her that his heart ailments have been completely cured.  Though he loves Jane completely and wants her to stay near, he let's her know that it is okay for her to live her own life and leave Rockabil if she has to.

Unfortunately for Jane, her father's awareness of the supernatural world is not all she has to learn.  It turns out that some kind of power is drawing the supernatural creatures to Rockabil. This creature is ancient and has the potential to destroy the world.  Anyan informs her that the clues to the location of the creature are hidden within an Alfar nursery rhyme. 

"Four locks for power,
Four locks for force.
Four locks for the old one,
Whose time has run its course."

Blondie tells Jane that if the old one is released, its wakening will cause the destruction of the eastern seaboard.  To makes matters even more urgent, Jane also learns that the ancient will choose a champion and give that champion an enormous amount of power.  With a war coming, Jane, Caleb, Anyan and the crew, know that it is essential that this power not fall into the hands of the Alfar. For the first time, Jane is forced to realize that the split within the supernatural community is much larger than Jarl and Morrigan because there are factions forming across the globe. When Nell and Anyan are sidelined, a reluctant Jane is pushed into a leadership position.

Fangs for the Fantasy podcast, episode 59

This week we discuss Being Human (US) and the Vampire Diaries.

We also discuss the duty actors have when taking part in dubious portrayals – how responsible are they for the roles they’re involved in.

We also talk about the many books we’ve read this week including authors Nicole Peeler, Laurell K Hamilton, Jaye Wells and Jeanne C Stein. We also discuss the Hunger Games

Review of Tempest's Legacy Book 3 of the Jane True Series by Nicole Peeler

 

Back in Rockabill, Jane True continues to work on her training with Nell and hanging out at the local watering hole with her friends.  Things are still awkward with Ryu the baobhan sith, now that she knows that a relationship between them is just not something that she wants.  Jane's feelings for Anyan Barghest. Each day Jane becomes more confidant in her skills, which is good thing because she is going to need all of her power to bring justice the man who killed her mother and kidnapped Iris.

Jane wants to fully participate in the investigation but Anyan and Ryu have other ideas until she uses her magic to slam them repeatedly the ground.  Things have changed and Jane now not only has the ability to defend herself, but the ability to go on the offensive.  

Traveling to the Borderlands, Jane learns about the warehouses set up to experiment on purebloods and halflings.  As she listens to the stories of the survivors she is even more determined that this must come to an end. No matter his position in the court, Jarl cannot continue to experiment on women in this fashion.  

Tempest Legacy, is the third book in the Jane True series and just like many books in the genre, it seems that Peeler has finally seen fit to make her world a touch more diverse.  In this book, for the first time ever we meet people of colour.  Though I am happy to finally see some people of colour, Peeler feel into what we like call the blackety black trap in her description of Capitola.

She was long and lean with a catwalk model's body. Her face was carved from jet-black ebony; an artiste's rendering of the perfect female.  She was a queen, a Nefertiti, and I knew the barghest must be in love with her. [page 60]

In case you didn't get the message, Capitola is Black.  We get to meet Capitola's family who are also African-American.  They are side characters and after having an absence of 2 books without people of colour, it would have been nicer, had they been stronger characters and had much more to do with the story than they did. I will however say that beyond the description which I found to be a touch excessive, that her characters of colour did not fulfill any of the typical tropes that have become common in urban fantasy. I am however very curious why it took the change of location to Chicago, to finally add in some characters of colour to the story? I am further not pleased that they are segregated from the rest of the cast, though the reason given was not their race but their status as halfings.

Review of Tracking the Tempest by Nicole Peeler: Book 2 of the Jane True Series

Tracking the Tempest begins four months after the ending of Tempest Rising. Jane is back in Rockabil and she is beginning to learn how to control how powers.   She learns how to raise her shields but not without burning off one her eyebrows.  Life has settled into a nice little routine. She works at the bookstore, takes care of her father, trains and goes on long weekend with her boyfriend Ryu the vampire.  This is the happiest time in Jane's life and I suppose that should have been a warning that the bottom was about to drop out.

On a visit to Boston to visit Ryu for Valentine's day she comes to the attention of Conleth a rogue vampire hafling.  For the majority of his life Conleth had been experimented on and now he wants revenge and he wants Jane because he feels that she alone can understand what he is feeling.  Not wanting to be in danger, Jane returns to Rockabil only to have Conleth follow her there and attack.  Realizing that staying in Rockabil means endangering her loved ones, Jane decides to go back to Boston and aid in the hunt for Conleth.  Fearing for her safety Anyan the Bagharest follows and though she is not used to him in his human form, they become closer.

As a protagonist Jane continued to grow in this book.  Ryu tried to play the alpha male and he expected Jane to just stay behind like a good little woman, but she did not tolerate this.  At one point she even jumped in front of a knife meant for him.  Though Jane is clearly afraid, she keeps pushing forward.  She discovers very necessary clues that the others would have missed because they discount things like reading due to the belief that writing books is a pathetic attempt of humans to secure immortality. Her decisions are well thought it which is a rare thing to see in a genre that is filled with spunky agency.

Fangs for the Fantasy podcast, episode 49

This week we looked at Secret Circle, Vampire Diaries, and the brand new season of Being Human (US)

We discussed our book of the week: Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler

We also considered Tokenism, magrinalised portrayals in homogenous areas and the eternal question of tokenism