C. J. Daley
From the Ashes
Added to listOwnedwith 7 books.
Second I saw this was announced I had to grab one. The scurry furries, which first appeared in a short from Christmas in the Empty Cabin, are just such good creatures for a horror story. I’m glad Reyes brought them back.
Amber needs the money, so sadly she’s off to work on Christmas Eve, even with her entire family on the way over. The author yet again gives us diverse characters, bringing Hispanic culture with Amber and her family’s celebration. It adds authenticity to her as a character right away.
Sadly, when Amber gets to works, her boss Eddie immediately asks her to help a coworker with a last minute shipment. This shipment happens to be a big ol’ pallet of scurry furries. The descriptors of retail work, the way the store is set up, as well as the temperament of holiday shoppers, are spot on. I have worked some form of retail for the last sixteen years, and Reyes doesn’t miss a beat. Especially because the scurry furry is a holiday hit. The Black Friday-esque need to push, shove, and name call for last minute items are all things I’ve seen in person.
Reyes hits us with some of his best descriptors during the chaos that ensues. Bringing this creature feature novelette to life for the reader. Not just the gruesomeness of scurry furries chomping on unsuspecting shoppers, but also the way he described the smells in the store. “Unkempt ass” most definitely being my favorite.
I’ll be honest, I feel like these recent novelettes are just missing the slightest bit. If Amber had gotten into work, and perhaps we were given more of her day, and then as it neared closing the scurry furry pallet came out? It could have given more atmosphere to the story, as well as lengthening it a bit, so that the surprise is leveled up. Or perhaps I just really think the horror novella is where things hit their stride the best?
Regardless, Reyes does a great job here. I loved that there ended up being a deluxe edition of the scurry furry, so we did not get the exact same story as the previously released short. I love that it remained in the same universe of the short, with the OG store getting name dropped, and I really liked that Reyes also shouted out his forthcoming slasher novel. Personally a 4/5*, a quick read for Gremlins fans.
Second I saw this was announced I had to grab one. The scurry furries, which first appeared in a short from Christmas in the Empty Cabin, are just such good creatures for a horror story. I’m glad Reyes brought them back.
Amber needs the money, so sadly she’s off to work on Christmas Eve, even with her entire family on the way over. The author yet again gives us diverse characters, bringing Hispanic culture with Amber and her family’s celebration. It adds authenticity to her as a character right away.
Sadly, when Amber gets to works, her boss Eddie immediately asks her to help a coworker with a last minute shipment. This shipment happens to be a big ol’ pallet of scurry furries. The descriptors of retail work, the way the store is set up, as well as the temperament of holiday shoppers, are spot on. I have worked some form of retail for the last sixteen years, and Reyes doesn’t miss a beat. Especially because the scurry furry is a holiday hit. The Black Friday-esque need to push, shove, and name call for last minute items are all things I’ve seen in person.
Reyes hits us with some of his best descriptors during the chaos that ensues. Bringing this creature feature novelette to life for the reader. Not just the gruesomeness of scurry furries chomping on unsuspecting shoppers, but also the way he described the smells in the store. “Unkempt ass” most definitely being my favorite.
I’ll be honest, I feel like these recent novelettes are just missing the slightest bit. If Amber had gotten into work, and perhaps we were given more of her day, and then as it neared closing the scurry furry pallet came out? It could have given more atmosphere to the story, as well as lengthening it a bit, so that the surprise is leveled up. Or perhaps I just really think the horror novella is where things hit their stride the best?
Regardless, Reyes does a great job here. I loved that there ended up being a deluxe edition of the scurry furry, so we did not get the exact same story as the previously released short. I love that it remained in the same universe of the short, with the OG store getting name dropped, and I really liked that Reyes also shouted out his forthcoming slasher novel. Personally a 4/5*, a quick read for Gremlins fans.
I received this novella to judge for the SFINCS semi-finals. Opinion is my own, and does not represent that made by the team. I did also happen to purchase this in paperback, as I prefer to read physical, and I liked the cover.
This novella mixes quite a lot into it. It’s post apocalyptic event, with seemingly more of a fantasy based event than a scifi one, but the notes of both are still there. In that sense it’s urban fantasy, but as it’s after the events, it reads as a fantasy world unlike our own in ways, and yet it has notes of a Victorian-era London to it as well. Not to mention I’ve seen reviewers call the author a grimdark writer too. Oh, and this features a detective, so it’s mystery as well. Far be it from me to tell you what genre to call it, but I personally loveeee blended genres.
Kade Blackcap is an out-of-luck and yet above-average sleuth. When his abilities lead to a guilty man being hung, he finds that he can’t exactly cope with the death of a human, guilty or not. This spirals out of control until he’s about to end up on the street. Rashly, he decides to run something in the paper for a more superstitious clientele. It’s vastly unsuccessful, but he’s not a quitter.
I love that our detective’s journey involved researching mythology and folklore from the world’s past in the library. He is not naturally knowledgeable or gifted and winning without trials. He struggles with a penchant for sipping from his flask, so more often than not he’s stumbling to his destination or has a headache. Not necessarily uncommon for the mystery genre, but it’s pretty cool to see this implanted into a world that’s much less common for it. And it makes Kade read as incredibly grounded, real.
I did find the mystery itself to be a little on the nose, but obviously the twist is that he switches to supernatural detecting, and in that sense, it worked very well for me. It is also a bit shy on its explanation of what happened to the world, again, I think possibly (like others that follow this format) because it came out after book one, and perhaps the author did not want to explain it twice. But because this is a mystery, and such a singularly focused event, I found it helped the mystery rather than hindering the book.
Personally a 5/5*, a real killer for me.
I received this novella to judge for the SFINCS semi-finals. Opinion is my own, and does not represent that made by the team. I did also happen to purchase this in paperback, as I prefer to read physical, and I liked the cover.
This novella mixes quite a lot into it. It’s post apocalyptic event, with seemingly more of a fantasy based event than a scifi one, but the notes of both are still there. In that sense it’s urban fantasy, but as it’s after the events, it reads as a fantasy world unlike our own in ways, and yet it has notes of a Victorian-era London to it as well. Not to mention I’ve seen reviewers call the author a grimdark writer too. Oh, and this features a detective, so it’s mystery as well. Far be it from me to tell you what genre to call it, but I personally loveeee blended genres.
Kade Blackcap is an out-of-luck and yet above-average sleuth. When his abilities lead to a guilty man being hung, he finds that he can’t exactly cope with the death of a human, guilty or not. This spirals out of control until he’s about to end up on the street. Rashly, he decides to run something in the paper for a more superstitious clientele. It’s vastly unsuccessful, but he’s not a quitter.
I love that our detective’s journey involved researching mythology and folklore from the world’s past in the library. He is not naturally knowledgeable or gifted and winning without trials. He struggles with a penchant for sipping from his flask, so more often than not he’s stumbling to his destination or has a headache. Not necessarily uncommon for the mystery genre, but it’s pretty cool to see this implanted into a world that’s much less common for it. And it makes Kade read as incredibly grounded, real.
I did find the mystery itself to be a little on the nose, but obviously the twist is that he switches to supernatural detecting, and in that sense, it worked very well for me. It is also a bit shy on its explanation of what happened to the world, again, I think possibly (like others that follow this format) because it came out after book one, and perhaps the author did not want to explain it twice. But because this is a mystery, and such a singularly focused event, I found it helped the mystery rather than hindering the book.
Personally a 5/5*, a real killer for me.
I absolutely love the title. It might be a top three book title ever. And the red of the cover is great too, so I knew I needed to read it right away this holiday season.
I read this across day 4 and 5 of Covid, in a kind of semi-fugue state, and I think it kind of struck me that the author must have been in something similar to have thought this sucker up…
…joking aside, this is an incredibly clever idea that’s whimsical, fantastical, and original.
It has so many references that I was constantly highlighting and rereading snippets. Perhaps you’ll understand the one below, which was my favorite: “…loose newell post, or cleaning up after the fried cat under the armchair in the lobby, or fixing the furnace, or...” it was like reading one giant Christmas reference and I absolutely loved it. It made the North Pole seem like fantasy, but with references to known culture, pulling it back down towards magical realism at the same time.
With that said, this is a murder mystery! Sam Shovel is a snowman that comes to life every year for the twelve days of Christmas at the North Pole. Not only does he have a knack for detecting, but his corncob pipe biting, fedora wearing antics felt very noir crime novel without his personality being the usual grit.
The author’s knowledge of Christmas, and the actual past history of it, is clearly on display through various characters and traditions. And it was so interesting to see the murder mystery (the murder of O. Tannenbaum) intertwine with them.
The character’s names, all references of their own, should honestly earn the author some kind of award. The book is silly but serious the entire time, and I laughed more than once.
I’m really not sure how, but this is somehow like a warm blanket, a cup of warm coco, and a hug. All while investigating murder. It’s cozy, and feels kind of safe even though it’s mysterious at the same time. It also didn’t read as ‘cozy’ in the kind of corny sense that has begun to be associated with the term. I cannot stress enough how enjoyable this was. Personally a 5/5*. This is a first for me from the author, but with a Hercule Poirot reference, it certainly won’t be the last.
I absolutely love the title. It might be a top three book title ever. And the red of the cover is great too, so I knew I needed to read it right away this holiday season.
I read this across day 4 and 5 of Covid, in a kind of semi-fugue state, and I think it kind of struck me that the author must have been in something similar to have thought this sucker up…
…joking aside, this is an incredibly clever idea that’s whimsical, fantastical, and original.
It has so many references that I was constantly highlighting and rereading snippets. Perhaps you’ll understand the one below, which was my favorite: “…loose newell post, or cleaning up after the fried cat under the armchair in the lobby, or fixing the furnace, or...” it was like reading one giant Christmas reference and I absolutely loved it. It made the North Pole seem like fantasy, but with references to known culture, pulling it back down towards magical realism at the same time.
With that said, this is a murder mystery! Sam Shovel is a snowman that comes to life every year for the twelve days of Christmas at the North Pole. Not only does he have a knack for detecting, but his corncob pipe biting, fedora wearing antics felt very noir crime novel without his personality being the usual grit.
The author’s knowledge of Christmas, and the actual past history of it, is clearly on display through various characters and traditions. And it was so interesting to see the murder mystery (the murder of O. Tannenbaum) intertwine with them.
The character’s names, all references of their own, should honestly earn the author some kind of award. The book is silly but serious the entire time, and I laughed more than once.
I’m really not sure how, but this is somehow like a warm blanket, a cup of warm coco, and a hug. All while investigating murder. It’s cozy, and feels kind of safe even though it’s mysterious at the same time. It also didn’t read as ‘cozy’ in the kind of corny sense that has begun to be associated with the term. I cannot stress enough how enjoyable this was. Personally a 5/5*. This is a first for me from the author, but with a Hercule Poirot reference, it certainly won’t be the last.
I received an ebook copy to review for FanFiAddict/Fear For All and I’m glad to have read it.
This is a drug induced horror ride. Blood pumping, ear splitting, nose sniffing ride.
What works:
Paulo, the father, and the first person POV in the novel, is desperate to find his daughter Adriana. The loss of his wife and his promise to her really solidified his desperation. It sells the fact that he would drive off and then walk miles through the wilderness in winter to find here. Not that a father wouldn’t move mountains for their daughter in general, but this is death-defying stuff here.
Adriana, always forced to focus education above all else, has taken the loss of her mother hard. It has driven a split between her and her father, and she has taken this one step further by running away. Turning to a life that neither parent would want for her. Their relationship, centered around grief, again really sold their decision making.
This examination of grief, the loss of a loved one, and the lack thereof that follows, were really the pieces that glued this together for me. The author’s grasp on human nature is showed off really well.
The monsters, whether it was just Harold and the drugs, or something more, were very interesting, gruesome, and most definitely intense. The scene in the tunnel was almost scifi monster level.
What didn’t work for me:
The drug influenced scenes, which could arguable be all of them, none of them, or at least a decent chunk, read very out there. In that sense, they are clearly successful, don’t get me wrong. But in a sense they read like fantasy dream sequences, which I find extremely hard to get through. I don’t do drugs, therefore maybe I don’t get it? It read as real, just a bit to get through for me.
I received an ebook copy to review for FanFiAddict/Fear For All and I’m glad to have read it.
This is a drug induced horror ride. Blood pumping, ear splitting, nose sniffing ride.
What works:
Paulo, the father, and the first person POV in the novel, is desperate to find his daughter Adriana. The loss of his wife and his promise to her really solidified his desperation. It sells the fact that he would drive off and then walk miles through the wilderness in winter to find here. Not that a father wouldn’t move mountains for their daughter in general, but this is death-defying stuff here.
Adriana, always forced to focus education above all else, has taken the loss of her mother hard. It has driven a split between her and her father, and she has taken this one step further by running away. Turning to a life that neither parent would want for her. Their relationship, centered around grief, again really sold their decision making.
This examination of grief, the loss of a loved one, and the lack thereof that follows, were really the pieces that glued this together for me. The author’s grasp on human nature is showed off really well.
The monsters, whether it was just Harold and the drugs, or something more, were very interesting, gruesome, and most definitely intense. The scene in the tunnel was almost scifi monster level.
What didn’t work for me:
The drug influenced scenes, which could arguable be all of them, none of them, or at least a decent chunk, read very out there. In that sense, they are clearly successful, don’t get me wrong. But in a sense they read like fantasy dream sequences, which I find extremely hard to get through. I don’t do drugs, therefore maybe I don’t get it? It read as real, just a bit to get through for me.
This was included with audible, so I decided to give it a go for the holiday season.
Honestly, I’m not really even sure how to rate or review this as it’s doing several things at once. It’s both informational/educational, while being historical of course, then it’s the mix of folklore/mythology/and a bit of fantasy, and then it’s also part recipe/baking book?
With that being said, with this book’s hand in several baskets, this was still a really great bit of info on the history of Christmas. From paganism and the Christian events that began to overshadow the old holidays, to the different iterations of Santa and his helpers. (And the different iterations of those that weren’t his helpers…IE Krampus). Just a really great job of laying out the different winter holidays and their traditions around the world.
In that sense, I suppose to succeeds in what it sets out to do, so 4/5* as somethings lost their flow a bit.
This was included with audible, so I decided to give it a go for the holiday season.
Honestly, I’m not really even sure how to rate or review this as it’s doing several things at once. It’s both informational/educational, while being historical of course, then it’s the mix of folklore/mythology/and a bit of fantasy, and then it’s also part recipe/baking book?
With that being said, with this book’s hand in several baskets, this was still a really great bit of info on the history of Christmas. From paganism and the Christian events that began to overshadow the old holidays, to the different iterations of Santa and his helpers. (And the different iterations of those that weren’t his helpers…IE Krampus). Just a really great job of laying out the different winter holidays and their traditions around the world.
In that sense, I suppose to succeeds in what it sets out to do, so 4/5* as somethings lost their flow a bit.
I read approximately one romance a year, and only if they are Christmas based. Romance isn’t really my thing, but it’s the season of love, so I let it slide. I enjoy the cover art, so I grabbed a copy.
Libby, a down on her luck photographer and our story’s main, has just lost another job. Coincidentally, she’s also just lost her living space due to her boyfriend falling into another woman. As is necessary with these plots, we now have the impetus for a swift change. In comes her new employer, Seth, an eccentric money-man looking for a live in assistant. Naturally, she accepts.
The plot is pretty straight forward, and while she got into her job and all it entails, I was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t find anything boring. It’s pretty unique when an author can write something so slice-of-life and still keep you turning pages. Then something incredible happens, her boss gets a puppy and then you get to take the puppy out to pee and go on walks!
The romance kicks in pretty early, but it’s not really always on the nose. It’s often rather slight and you definitely have to read between the lines a bit. Partly because of the way the character Seth is written, and in part due to the author giving the reader the option to NOT read into it. In a kind of too-good-to-be-true sense.
When it becomes apparent, is towards the end when they have themselves a Christmas truce. It’s festive and fun, and the romance is believable. The Christmas dinner, the decorations, the movies they watched, were all exactly what I was looking for. I did just find this part to be a bit short for my liking. Personally a 4/5*.
I read approximately one romance a year, and only if they are Christmas based. Romance isn’t really my thing, but it’s the season of love, so I let it slide. I enjoy the cover art, so I grabbed a copy.
Libby, a down on her luck photographer and our story’s main, has just lost another job. Coincidentally, she’s also just lost her living space due to her boyfriend falling into another woman. As is necessary with these plots, we now have the impetus for a swift change. In comes her new employer, Seth, an eccentric money-man looking for a live in assistant. Naturally, she accepts.
The plot is pretty straight forward, and while she got into her job and all it entails, I was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t find anything boring. It’s pretty unique when an author can write something so slice-of-life and still keep you turning pages. Then something incredible happens, her boss gets a puppy and then you get to take the puppy out to pee and go on walks!
The romance kicks in pretty early, but it’s not really always on the nose. It’s often rather slight and you definitely have to read between the lines a bit. Partly because of the way the character Seth is written, and in part due to the author giving the reader the option to NOT read into it. In a kind of too-good-to-be-true sense.
When it becomes apparent, is towards the end when they have themselves a Christmas truce. It’s festive and fun, and the romance is believable. The Christmas dinner, the decorations, the movies they watched, were all exactly what I was looking for. I did just find this part to be a bit short for my liking. Personally a 4/5*.
I received a copy to review for BBNYA, and my review has been withheld until after the competition ended. I also grabbed a paperback copy, as I prefer to read physical. And what a beautiful cover.
This is a fun mix of elemental-esque magics, as the seasons are at war with winter. The big bad is so bad that he is locked away and still posing problems. One of the most enjoyable things, is that while the stakes are high, world-endingly so, the entrance of our de facto hero is in the king’s kitchens as a lowly kitchen boy. He does desire to be a knight, but he’s just a boy. One with nearly no experiences in life.
Through the novel, the author shows Garlan as he leanrs, experiences, and grows. He has to experience danger, loss, near-death activities (several times), and even new friendships. He is not infallible, nor is he invincible, he feels both real and knightly.
Although the ending does really deliver on the whole battling seasons plot line, I did find some of the other stops/action sequences to feel a bit uninvolved. They served the purpose of teaching Garlan, but at the same time didn’t always tie back to winter.
Personally a 4/5* for me. As this is more so whimsical than many other fantasies, as well as featuring such a young protagonist, the fairytale-esque style of storytelling did make this read a little overlong for me.
I received a copy to review for BBNYA, and my review has been withheld until after the competition ended. I also grabbed a paperback copy, as I prefer to read physical. And what a beautiful cover.
This is a fun mix of elemental-esque magics, as the seasons are at war with winter. The big bad is so bad that he is locked away and still posing problems. One of the most enjoyable things, is that while the stakes are high, world-endingly so, the entrance of our de facto hero is in the king’s kitchens as a lowly kitchen boy. He does desire to be a knight, but he’s just a boy. One with nearly no experiences in life.
Through the novel, the author shows Garlan as he leanrs, experiences, and grows. He has to experience danger, loss, near-death activities (several times), and even new friendships. He is not infallible, nor is he invincible, he feels both real and knightly.
Although the ending does really deliver on the whole battling seasons plot line, I did find some of the other stops/action sequences to feel a bit uninvolved. They served the purpose of teaching Garlan, but at the same time didn’t always tie back to winter.
Personally a 4/5* for me. As this is more so whimsical than many other fantasies, as well as featuring such a young protagonist, the fairytale-esque style of storytelling did make this read a little overlong for me.
I received a copy to review for BBNYA, and my review has been withheld until after the competition ended. I also grabbed a paperback copy, as I prefer to read physical.
One of the things I worried about as this is my first year with BBNYA is the idea of 2,000 words being enough to fully grasp the worth of a story. For me, this story was not a huge win for me for round one. I was intrigued, but not desperate to continue. Luckily, I received it again, because this was one hell of an action adventure story!
This reads like a young adult historical fiction where the Templar order is searching for lost artifacts. The back likens it to Indian Jones and Uncharted. At first, I thought it odd that it didn’t mention Assassin’s Creed, as it seemed unlikely the author had not heard of it, but then I figured that might have put them as villains in readers’ minds.
Noah is desperate to follow in his family’s footsteps, to prove himself to his father, and to join the Templar order. This is the last thing his father wants, but unfortunately, it’s not entirely up to him.
The action is slick and believable, never going to the action-hero limit, while still being edge-of-your-seat enjoyable. The diving scenes really helped amp up the claustrophobic feeling and that added to the overall climactic built.
Personally a 4.5/5*. Really enjoyed it, but some of the teenage boy thoughts got a bit repetitive.
I received a copy to review for BBNYA, and my review has been withheld until after the competition ended. I also grabbed a paperback copy, as I prefer to read physical.
One of the things I worried about as this is my first year with BBNYA is the idea of 2,000 words being enough to fully grasp the worth of a story. For me, this story was not a huge win for me for round one. I was intrigued, but not desperate to continue. Luckily, I received it again, because this was one hell of an action adventure story!
This reads like a young adult historical fiction where the Templar order is searching for lost artifacts. The back likens it to Indian Jones and Uncharted. At first, I thought it odd that it didn’t mention Assassin’s Creed, as it seemed unlikely the author had not heard of it, but then I figured that might have put them as villains in readers’ minds.
Noah is desperate to follow in his family’s footsteps, to prove himself to his father, and to join the Templar order. This is the last thing his father wants, but unfortunately, it’s not entirely up to him.
The action is slick and believable, never going to the action-hero limit, while still being edge-of-your-seat enjoyable. The diving scenes really helped amp up the claustrophobic feeling and that added to the overall climactic built.
Personally a 4.5/5*. Really enjoyed it, but some of the teenage boy thoughts got a bit repetitive.
I received a copy to review for BBNYA, and my review has been withheld until after the competition ended.
I was very lucky to receive this through more than one of the stages of BBNYA, not because reading 2k and 10k excerpts are really my thing, but because this was so enjoyable.
A middle grade scifi/fantasy adventure featuring ghosts? Those are some of my favorite things! This novel has so much growth to it, and I love that the author showed the main character going back and forth in her growing just like children do. There’s so much heart and struggle in this one and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The characters, from Eva, the first human born on Mars, to her friends, the cast is diverse and interesting and they react and respond like actual friends do. The science is there, but not overwhelming as it’s targeting kids. The same can be said for the action. It’s thrilling without being too much, but it does have realness to it.
Personally a 5/5*
I received a copy to review for BBNYA, and my review has been withheld until after the competition ended.
I was very lucky to receive this through more than one of the stages of BBNYA, not because reading 2k and 10k excerpts are really my thing, but because this was so enjoyable.
A middle grade scifi/fantasy adventure featuring ghosts? Those are some of my favorite things! This novel has so much growth to it, and I love that the author showed the main character going back and forth in her growing just like children do. There’s so much heart and struggle in this one and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The characters, from Eva, the first human born on Mars, to her friends, the cast is diverse and interesting and they react and respond like actual friends do. The science is there, but not overwhelming as it’s targeting kids. The same can be said for the action. It’s thrilling without being too much, but it does have realness to it.
Personally a 5/5*