Thursday, October 23, 2014

This Week in Book Covers 13th October - 17th October


Dreamfever (MacKayla Lane Series #4) by Karen Marie Moning


Ah, it’s one of those covers. Spooky, mysterious, suggestive, evocative - designed to pull you in and make you want to read the book.



The Vines by Christopher Rice


Ok I kind of like the midline, I like that most of the cover shows mainly underground which really emphasises the creepiness of the vines. The whole concept of something under our feet, hiding, ready to burst forth is really powerfully suggested here and it’s super creepy because of it

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

The Originals, Season Two, Episode Three: Every Mother's Son


Esther/Cassie is hard at work on a potion of sorts which she uses to make ink.

Hayley stands before a pretty good spread of food when Klaus enters.  Hayley questions if this is Klaus's doing and when he says no, Hayley assumes that it was Elijah's doing, until he enters and denies responsibility. Hayley questions where the food all came from just before they hear a noise under the hood of the platter. Klaus finds an invitation from Cassie/Esther.

Of course, this calls for a flashback, where we see Esther serving food to the children, only to discover that Klaus is missing.  Elijah reports that Klaus is hiding from his father because they have a hunting trip planned for later and he is not a good hunter. Esther tells Klaus a story to comfort him, saying that whenever he hears a starling, Klaus is to remember that she is with him always.

Later that day, Klaus is expresses his anger that not only do they have to deal with their enemies in New Orleans but their family. Hayley volunteers to add to the body count because Esther and her disciples tried to put a knife through their child's heart.  Elijah interjects that Hayley will do no such thing because Esther is a master in the art of possession. Elijah believes they must find out what Esther is up to before she moves into a new body. Klaus points out that Esther's last invitation was an assassination attempt on her children, thus making any of her intentions foul. Elijah excuses himself, adding that they have this afternoon to prepare for the worse.  Klaus follows, snarking that the bloom is off the rose, in reference to Hayley's interactions with Elijah.

Elijah heads to see Marcel where he declares that Gia is not his burden to bear because Marcel turned her. Marcel questions why Elijah showed up and Elijah explains that he is looking for a cooperative witch. Marcel denies knowing where Davina is and adds, given that Davina has Michael on a leash, she most certainly does not fall into the cooperative category. Elijah says that he is looking for another witch and when Marcel questions why Elijah believes he has another witch, Elijah points out that Gia is already wearing a daylight ring.  Marcel concedes and adds that  he knows someone who can help.  Marcel calls Gia over and asks her to take Elijah to meet Lenore. Elijah is not happy about the supernatural date Marcel is setting him up on and Marcel points out that with everything going on, Marcel can use all of the friends he can get.

Oliver is drinking at Rosseau's, when he is approached by Finn/Vincent.  It seems that Oliver is not impressed because he believed he had a meeting set up with Cassie/Esther. Finn/Vincent introduces himself as Vincent and declares that if Oliver speaks to him, he is in fact speaking to Cassie.  Vincent/Finn hands over a daylight ring as proof of his relationship with Cassie.  Oliver questions what happens if he decides that he does not want to answer to number two in the chain of command and Vincent/Finn replies by rubbing his fingers together, causing Oliver to have difficulty breathing.  Vincent/Finn promises to make an example of Oliver to his pack if he does not listen. Vincent/Finn suggests that they start again and a relieved Oliver nods.  Vincent/Finn informs Oliver that the ring comes at a price and adds that Oliver will begin paying for it today.  Oliver gets on the phone, as Vincent/Finn leaves the bar.

Hayley reports on her phone call with Oliver and questions why it is that Esther hates Klaus so much. Hayley adds that Esther had six kids, which means she must have a maternal gene. That's a big assumption in a world without birth control. Klaus corrects Hayley by saying 7 kids and adds that at one point, Esther loved them very much. Klaus brings up his sibling who died before he was born and his brother Henrique, who was killed by the werewolves in another village, causing Esther to turn them into immortals. This lead to the revelation that Klaus's biological father belonged to pack who murdered his brother, causing Michael to murder Klaus's biological father. Hey, haven't we been through this a few times already? Klaus adds that Esther lost her lover as well as her child and Hayley sees this as an explanation for why Esther is, "crazy." Hayley of course empathises because she was forced to give away her child and cannot imagine how she would feel if her baby had really died.

Klaus reveals that his siblings believed that she didn't hate her children but hated herself for what her children had become. Klaus however simply wants her mother dead and Hayley snarks that every good story needs a wicked witch.

Gia tries to make small talk with Elijah but he is having none of it.  Elijah then stares Gia down, informing her that she should do her best not to waste his time.  They make their way to Lenore's shop. Lenore tells Elijah to ask another witch and snarks that Elijah has crossed the river to bother her.  Elijah then suggests that he can remove some red tape to get her tax incentives on her small business in exchange for the ability to find out the identity of a witch who jumps bodies. Lenore asks for an item spelled by Cassie and a python.  Elijah leaves promising to get the spelled item, adding that Gia will use mind compulsion to get the python.  A stunned Gia asks how to do mind compulsion but Elijah is already out the door. After Gia leaves, Finn/Vincent enters the shop.

Klaus has gone to see Marcel, to ask about a necklace he gave Marcel, on a leather strap with a bird on the end. Marcel shows it to Klaus and questions the request, given everything that is going on.

Time for another flashback and this time it's to Esther giving Klaus the very same necklace, promising to come to his side, if he holds the pendant and thinks of her. Klaus asks if the other children have also received one and Esther explains that though she loves all of her children, Klaus is the most special to her. Esther makes Klaus promise to always wear it.  Later that evening, Esther and Klaus are dancing and she promises to teach him to win the heart of the prettiest girl in the village.  Suddenly, Esther notices that Klaus's necklace is missing and goes into a panic, when (young) Finn makes an appearance and pulls it out of his pocket. Esther tells Klaus that he owes a great debt to his brother.

In present day, Marcel questions why Klaus would want a necklace that Esther gave him but Klaus warns Marcel off, saying that Marcel wants no part in the latest Original family squabble. Klaus takes the necklace and leaves.

Finn/Vincent meets with Cassie/Esther to say that Kol is still looking for Davina.  Esther/Cassie snarks about Kol missing dinner but adds that it is better that his identity remains a mystery. Cassie/Esther then brings up Lenore and Vincent/Finn offers to open up Lenore to new possibilities. Cassie/Esther declines the offer and instead gives the task to Oliver, stating that Vincent/Finns powers of persuasion will be needed for dinner. Cassie/Esther questions if they have gotten an R.S.V.P and Finn/Vincent tells Cassie/Esther that both Elijah and Klaus have been on the move all day.

Vincent/Finn makes his way over to where Lenore has been tied up, to find Oliver staring at her.  Vincent/Finn orders Oliver to persuade Lenore to tell them what Elijah wanted. Vincent/Finn shows Oliver his torture instruments and then turns over an hourglass, ordering Oliver not to waste time.

Otherworld Nights by Kelley Armstrong



One of the long going series I’ve always been a fan of was the Otherworld Series by Kelley Armstrong and was pretty sad when the series seemed to come to a close and not just in the same way I am when any series I like ends – because I felt there was a lot of stories left in this world and a lot of characters I’d like to see develop more – so this anthology of short stories seemed to be ideal

In particular I loved Demonology and Twilight because they expanded the stories of two very intriguing characters that have always intrigued me. Demonology takes the story of Talia, the human mother of Adam the half-demon who actively sought out help for her fire-starting son and eventually found Dr. Vasic, another half demon. Throughout the series she hasn’t really been a character but we’ve often heard of her strength and determination in not accepting the simple answers for Adam’s condition. It was great to finally see that story, to meet this woman and see the steel we’ve often heard referred to.

Twilight took on Cassandra, the ancient vampire representative of the Council who we see as harsh, acerbic and generally unpleasant through much of the series. This story is the lead up to her final death, for even vampires are not immortal, and seeing through her eyes we understand a lot more about her. She’s not pleasant, not at all – she’s harsh, judgemental, completely undiplomatic and unable to be even slightly kind or soft or mushy at all – but she applies that internally as well. She has harsh, exacting standards and a brutal outlook on life, on what she wants and on weakness and general sillness. Seeing her being equally unimpressed with her own behaviour (even with that underlying fear and complete inability to admit her affection for Aaron) did a really good job of casting a new lens on her.

I also liked Chivalrous because it helped fill out some of the information about the Pack. In the last few books in the series the Pack expanded by three new members and it felt a little like they just popped out of nowhere – three new werewolves! Behold! This stopped one of them, Reese, just being a random name at the back of the crowd and gave him some excellent backstory and development about his experiences in Australia, how other Packs outside the North American Pack work – and how they can also be terrible. This was especially important because he does feature with some prominence in later stories in the book and they wouldn’t have worked without him getting some growth and background behind him.

I think my favourites were Hidden and From Russia With Love because they tackled the story I missed the most when the series ended – the expanding pack and Elena and Clay’s kids. We saw many new members of the pack in Frostbitten and Logan and Kate promised to raise all kinds of questions – and then the story veered towards Savannah and we didn’t get to see any more. Hidden was great at showing Elena continuing to step into the role of Alpha and the excellent family dynamics with her and Clay and the kids – I loved them parenting; a combination of reasonable parental panic throwing in some werewolf issues but, at the same time, maintaining their general confidence and capacity of parents. They worried, but they didn’t panic. I also really like the evolution of the Alpha role – both from Jeremy to Elena (with Elena expecting a less dictatorial role – or wanting one even while everyone expects her to be a dictator) and also looking back at how the Pack has operated for generations – and how broken that was, how it made working with the Mutts so much harder and, finally, overtly blaming the past Alphas for the conflict in Bitten. It’s a great feel of what Elena will be like as Alpha

Forever, Season 1, Episode 6: The Frustrating Thing About Psychopaths



Today’s murder, a woman having a “good night” and tipping the footman generously heads for a taxi and doesn’t make it, ending with a scream.

Over to Henry at the morgue doing his routine work and Lucas lamenting the lack of city destroying monsters to keep life interesting which is Jo’s cue to call – the police have received a package. And it’s bleeding. I’m sure there are several organisations you would call before and ME in that circumstance but Henry’s called in for everything including interviewing witnesses so I suppose this is at least somewhat close to his job description.

Inside the bleeding, gift wrapped box is a human heart. Time to examine it while Henry does a voice over about murderers including the worst kind being those who feel nothing. This also leads to henry happily expositioning to Detective Hanson about serial killers sending trophies to the police because they craved attention – just in case the audience was unaware of the fact. Henry tells Jo, Hanson and Reece that the dead person is a woman and had her heart removed while still alive.

They go through various missing women and Henry discounts them with ridiculously vague Sherlockian nonsense (I have dark circles under my eyes – it isn’t iron deficiency, it’s lack of appropriate levels of caffeine). They find Laurie Pettefor who has a record as a prostitute (and sparks Henry’s old memories about someone called Mary Kelly).

The go see the footman at the hotel where she often worked (the one she tipped well). Using Henry powers they track where the killed dragged Laurie. Henry looks around and sees Dorset street meat factory and realises the connection – the killer is a copycat

Yes, historians “Mary Kelly”, we’re having a Jack the Ripper flashback. Henry investigated the crimes in Whitechapel where he was super pathologist then as well

And back to the present where they find Laurie’s body sliced open in a similar brutal way to Mary Kelly. Examining the scene, Henry is impressed by how closely the crime resembles Jack the Ripper’s crime, pointing to very long study. And Henry gets a creepy phone call from the other self-proclaimed immortal, Adam, almost taunting him about the body. Hearing the siren on the phone and outside Henry realises he’s close and runs to try and catch him – only finding his phone left open.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Resurrection, Season Two, Episode Four: Old Scars


A man with a leg brace rushes through the woods and he is being followed by a posse armed with a hanging rope, dogs and guns.  As he runs, he trips and falls repeatedly, clearly due to his disability.  When the posse catches up with the disabled man, they waste no time lynching him, as a young girl watches. Flash to present day where Margaret now stands beneath the same tree.  Was the young spectator a young Margaret?

Lucille gets out of bed, while Henry lies in bed looking at old family photos. Lucille sits at her dressing table to brush her hair as Henry watches.  Lucille makes her way silently towards Henry now dressed completely in black for him to do up her zipper.  Now outside, a clearly sad Lucille holds a G.I. doll in tears.  Lucille is joined by Margaret, who tells her to sit down and relax, reminding Lucille that she would not want Jacob to see her like that.  Lucille admits that she and Margaret didn't always see eye to eye and adds that this is the day Jacob died 32 years ago. Lucille says that each year on this date,  she takes flowers to Jacob's grave and walks by the river where Jacob died. While Lucille is happy to have Jacob back, it doesn't erase what it felt like to lose Jacob.  Margaret assures Lucille that nothing would make a mother forget this and suggests that they turn this day of sadness into a day of celebration by hosting a large dinner.

Bellamy is up and dressed and he and Maggie make small talk.  Maggie is curious how the government knew that the bones belonged to the returned and she questions whether or not Bellamy had any interactions with the still unnamed government agency.  Bellamy of course denies knowing anything about what went on.  Maggie then questions if her office is under surveillance. Bellamy suggests that they can still identify the remains because one was Black and the other had a knee problem which would have made him walk funny.  Aww isn't it nice that Bellamy is so helpful after he sabotaged Maggie?

Rachel and Janine run into each other at the market. Rachel tells Janine that Tom is planning to help her get her own place and that she won't have to worry about her anymore.  Janine then helps Rachel pick her prenatal vitamins and quips that she has never gotten as far in any of her pregnancies as Rachel.  Rachel then thanks Janine for allowing her to stay at her home, before collapsing on the ground in pain clutching her stomach. 

Fred is at Twian's Bar and Grill, when Margaret joins him complaining that the grill is as dirty as she remembers it.  Fred brings up the bones he found at the river and Margaret is quick to say that she has no idea where they would have come from.  Fred says that he believes the bones were originally buried beneath the old factory and questions Margaret again about her knowledge on the bones. Margaret suggests that there was an old cemetery under the factory but Fred is quick to nix that idea because the factory was already built when the bones were buried. Margaret then invites Fred to the family meal adding that Maggie has already been invited.  Fred tries to back away but Margaret makes it clear that she could be gone tomorrow and that this is what she wants.  Margaret refuses to take no for an answer.  Fred changes the topic to ask how living with Lucille is working out and Margaret replies that they are getting along famously.

Lucille and Jacob are washing the "good china" when Margaret enters to demand they use the Royal Dalton dinner plates and not the Wedgewood. Margaret then asks Henry to get the rest of the groceries out of the car while she has a shower and Henry asks Margaret not to drive alone because she doesn't even have a license.  I guess when your son is the sheriff that is something one need not be concerned about. Margaret then confirms that Fred and Maggie have both agreed to attend and a worried look crosses Lucille's face.

Bellamy is busy searching microfilm files (who the hell still uses microfilm?), while Janine and Tom stand over Rachel at Maggie's office.  Maggie explains that what happened to Rachel was perfectly normal. Maggie checks the baby's heartbeat and declares it strong.  When Maggie looks at the ultrasound however, a concerned look appears on her face.  Maggie declares the baby healthy but the measurements don't make sense because the baby is growing twice as fast as a normal fetus. 

Lucille and Jacob are setting the table and Jacob questions who came to his funeral.  Lucille confirms that the entire family showed up for Jacob's funeral.  Jacob then question if his aunt Barbara had a funeral as well, as Henry listens in the other room.  Jacob questions why Barbara isn't coming to dinner because he wants to apologise for not saving her.  Lucille tells Jacob that he has nothing to apologise for and when Jacob insists that he wants his aunt Barbara there, Lucille calls him petulant. Jacob then breaks a dish and Lucille orders him outside, when he offers to clean up the mess.

Henry rings Barbara's doorbell but quickly turns to leave; however, before Henry can get off the porch, Barbara opens the door. Barbara and Henry sit on the porch and Henry makes it clear that he is not judging her for her decision to cheat on Fred. Henry goes on to add that the Returned have a remarkable power to heal old wounds.

Janine, Rachel and Tom are back at the house and Rachel goes to lie down.  Janine tells Tom that it is not necessary for Rachel to find a new place to live, given everything that Rachel is going through before walking away.

Business Makes Strange Bedfellows by E. E. Ottoman



Dr. Gertrude Bowers is a scientist – studying the quasi arcane art of resurrection. She’s definitely making progress and she is even facing a conflict not of whether she can raise the dead – or whether she should

And in the middle of all that she pulls a terrifying tentacled monstrosity out of one of the bodies she’s experimenting on. That rather interrupts her work

When she hears of a series of brutal murders, she realises the monster is killing and she feels responsible. Her only choice is to make a deal with Vi, mysterious, capable, dangerous – and a vampire. And she doesn’t want money to pay for her services.



I find myself slightly frustrated by this book

I’m frustrated because there’s a lot about this book that is utterly fascinating. Dr. Gert Bower is a fascinating character. She is the heiress of a dead, wealthy family trying to pursue her career as a doctor in a deeply sexist period. She’s also exploring a quasi-forbidden and certainly highly controversial scientific/occult field of study. She is discovering the occult, discovering far more is real than she had previously expected and having whole new vistas opening up to her. But she’s strong willed, indomitable and determined to face any challenge. In fact, she’s outright intrigued by any challenge – including a vampire who wants to share her bed and blood

This character is awesome. This character is amazing. This character could do so much. This character’s story will be fascinating. Her daily life, battling her peers, her powerful curiosity discovering more about the world, her passion for her work – all of this adds up to a character that is amazing and I want to read a whole series about her. Just what has been hinted here suggests so much more to her series. She also have some interesting complexities of ethics – figuring out not just what she can do – but what she should do.

All of this hints to a much deeper world – different kinds of vampires, Lovecraftian monsters, a Frankenstein’s monster plot developing…

But these hints are what we get and, as far as I can see, this isn’t the first book in an ongoing series – it’s a stand alone. Aaaaargh – so much potential, so much that could have been done! So much I wanted to see, so much that could have been developed – it’s like watching an awesome film through pin-hole lens! There is so much potential here, such excellent characters and such an excellent world…

Once Upon a Time: Season 4, Episode 4: Apprentice



A flashback – Once Upon a Time has way too many flashbacks to way too many times and way too many places. This is to “a long time ago”, so it’s good that the time line is being carefully guarded with such precision.

An older man is clearing up rubble in impressive castle/tunnel/RPG surroundings when the Dark One arrives – the old man is a sorcerer’s apprentice and the Dark One is apparently just one of the Dark One’s he has fought – which he does with a great big sword. The Dark One chooses to use magic and the ability to throw people around the room is generally more dangerous than hand held sharp things. The Dark One – NOT Rumplestiltskin, so his predecessor –tries to claim the box the apprentice is guarding (the same nifty box Gold finds in the conveniently abandoned mansion) and is thrown back by an enchantment cast by this mysterious sorcerer. It can’t be broken by anyone “who has succumbed to darkness”. The apprentice also tells us that every Dark One tries. These guys should keep diaries.

Cut to the present and Storybrooke where Gold appears to have opened the box – or turned the box into a nifty wizard’s hat complete with swirling galaxy.

With such grand revelations, clearly we need to focus on Emma’s love life – and Henry pushing Emma towards the sexy Hook and the leather trousers he never ever changes. Lots of intense flirting, Emma asks Hook out and Hook insists on planning the evening. Without pillaging and plundering. Or possibly with.

Everything seems shiny – but there’s a suspicious puddle of water under Emma’s car while the rest of the town is bone dry.

Hook goes to see Gold (which is never wise) building on his previous blackmail (which is really unwise) to have his old hand reattached so he can have a romantic date with Emma and hug her with both hands. Gold warns Hook that his old hand is an evil pirate hand that will turn him back into an evil pirate who is evil and Hook laughs at the idea (strike three. Hook, you have done something irredeemably foolish, you now deserve whatever terrible thing Gold will do to you).

Time for a different flashback – the Enchanted Forest and Anna meeting Rumplestiltskin. Rumple, in addition to being his creepy best, reveals that Anna and Elsa’s parents visited him. Rumple makes a deal with Anna to tell her about the visit if she puts some unknown substance in an unknown man’s tea – and he has a contract. The old man turns out to be the apprentice from the previous flashback.

She returns to Rumple to claim she dosed his tea – when she didn’t. Which is unfortunate because Rumple poisoned him the day before and the dose was the antidote (Rumple is hilarious in this scene). The apprentice is turned into a mouse. Anna tries to outsmart Rumple and it’s painful to watch- he just pulls out awesome contingency plan after contingency plan until he has Anna facing the darkness inside and turning away; just what he needs to open the box. Damn he’s good.

He reveals that Anna’s parents were looking for some way to remove Elsa’s magic (worst parents ever, remember) and that no-one could do that – without the box and the hat within. The hat steals magic and Gold intends to use it to supercharge himself. All perfect – except the mouse jumps on his hand, bites it and makes him drop the dagger – which he just happens to be carrying – and Anna picks it up.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Fangs for the Fantasy Podcast: 2014, Episode 20

It's finally time for our podcast! After much delay we've finally got back on track (curse those weremoose)

You can join us here and you can listen live on our youtube channel, here, or in our sidebar. All will also carry a recording after the show is finished. As ever all our previous podcasts can be found in the archive

The podcast begins at 7:00pm EST (technology willing)









To give people a chance to read along with us we include a list of our planned books of the week for the next few shows, so people can get the books, read them and join in the conversation.


13th October - 20th October: Allegiant by Veronica Roth
20th October - 27th October: Midnight’s Daughter by Karen Chance
27th October - 3rd November: The Prince Lestat by Anne Rice
3rd November - 10th November: Tempest Revealed by Tracy Deebs
10th November - 17th November: Under Suspicion by Hannah Jane
17th November - 24th November: Loki’s Wolves by K.L. ArmstrongM.A. Marr