Fiction

Eclipse of the Eternal: The Odyssey of Valerian Kross by Joseph Farr [Book Review]

 in Adult / Books / Fiction by

This book was requested by the author to be reviewed. I did not receive any financial compensation for this review. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Summary

“In a world where the lines between right and wrong are blurred by war, Valerian’s journey is not just one of physical battles but also an internal struggle with faith, duty, and morality. The novel masterfully combines historical accuracy with a rich, imaginative narrative, bringing to life the brutal realities of medieval warfare and the complexities of human nature.

Joseph Farr’s skillful storytelling immerses readers in a vividly depicted era, making “Eclipse of the Eternal” a must-read for fans of historical fiction and dark fantasy. The book is a testament to the timeless themes of courage, honor, and the enduring human spirit.”

–Amazon.com

Review

It’s been quite a while since I’ve done a review at the request of a newer author but when I saw dark romance, I was pretty excited! The summary had me incredibly intrigued and some of the reviews on Amazon gave me even more curiosity. I’m definitely glad that I found the time to give this a read.

First, I absolutely devoured this book! It was like 520 pages (PDF/Kindle edition) and it felt a little daunting when you think a lot of romance books are 200-300 pages. I was like, “What the heck is going to happen for that many pages?” Well, a lot!

Additionally, this was a FFM book for the most part and while I usually can’t stand those kinds, this one worked because it was vampires and the kind of dynamic going on so if that’s not your thing, don’t let that immediately turn you off!

A slow start into a page turner!

So with how the book started, I’m not going to lie I was worried it was going to a really slow book. It really was setting the scene with Valerian, who he was and what made him into who he was. I want to clarify by what I mean slow here. When you think a romance book, they really do move and get through the story because the purpose is…well…the smut. This book to me felt more like dark fantasy with some dark erotic romance mixed in so the slow start absolutely worked because the story was a lot more than just smut.

Think a little bit Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter books where there is absolutely that good stuff, but there is such a deep story that some massive chunks have nothing but story progression. This is kind of what was going on here! I just had to recalibrate my mind after a few of my reads recently.

A story of fighting your true nature to be something more.

Because of the set up with who Valerian was, the rest of the story once he turned into a made sense. The story really followed him through his beginning years in the vampire world. It wasn’t like other vampire books I’ve read as it seems the rules of existence and changing into a vampire were different, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Because of what Valerian was as a human, with all the honor, he didn’t like what he had become and wanted to find another way. The book  followed him through lust, death, betrayal, anger and a personal journey. I truly enjoyed reading his journey and how intricate it was and it constantly kept you guessing! It was a different kind of take on a vampire story.

The smut was good!

So, I want to also directly call this out because I know when people hear erotic romance and a male author they are like 👀. I mean I absolutely get it based on some of the books I’ve read, but I’ve also read so many male authors who have done an amazing job too. But I do feel some posts on Instagram and such have perpetuated a bit of a negative stereotype. But I will say I was very impressed and Joseph did an incredible job. All that stuff really did feel hypnotic and highly sensual. I felt that Joseph was able to accurately portray those kind of relations for vampires – sensual, violent, intense!

He was eloquent in his words, how he described things and generally the progression of scenes so I’d give them a solid 4 out of 5 star and a good 3 out of 5 on the spice level! Only giving it a 3 and not a 4 because the story was so much more than that. The spices scenes were a good 4 out of 5, but since there was a lot more to the book, overall the book spice was 3/5. But gotdaymnnnn – that nun scene. I was NOT ready! I’d say this was absolutely dark romance – vampire does adult stuff with a person and person ends up dead. But compared to some other books out there, this was fairly tame by far as a lot of those scenes were pretty “tame”.

The writing was eloquent & unexpected.

Joseph’s writing was quite unexpected. He used very eloquent words that was reminiscent of some more classic literature I felt and he creatively described and set the scenes.  He really tried to capture the time period that the book was set, around the 1200’s, through the journal entries of Valerian at the end of chapters, kind of summing up what happened in the characters own POV. Additionally, he also was able to quite decently make you feel like you transported to the wars during this time period and help you connect with Valerian, understand him and then better connect with his journey.

Additionally, the dynamics that he created between the three main characters kept you guessing. You were really unsure until towards the end who was going to do what, and what could happen.

Overall a very enjoyable vampire romance that transports you to the past.

I thoroughly enjoyed Eclipse of the Eternal. Once I got over the initial concern that it was going to be a slow read, and once Valerian changed, the book was a page turner. I was curious what was going to happen, what his journey was going to be, and what the two females in his sphere who were constantly going back and forth through jealously and vying for his attention would do next! Joseph very creatively set the scene and it was a unique story telling the transition of a vampire who had a moral compass like a true arrow.

I give this a solid 4/5 stars and if you’re looking for a slightly different read, this is worth your time!

 

About the Author

Joseph Farr, renowned as a virtuoso in Dark Fantasy and Historical Fiction, has enthralled audiences with his groundbreaking debut, “Eclipse of the Eternal.” This success was further amplified in his “Ebon Blade Saga,” a quartet of fantasy novels set in the richly conceived World of Mythas.

Originating from a quaint town in West Virginia, Joseph’s formative years in the 1970s and 80s were deeply immersed in the legendary tales of King Arthur, the galactic odyssey of Star Wars, and the transformative theories of Joseph Campbell. These eclectic inspirations kindled a fire in his imagination, propelling him toward the fantastical realms of popular role-playing games and the art of weaving stories.

Joseph’s academic endeavors in history, theology, psychology, comparative mythology, and sociology have profoundly shaped his literary craft. His adept fusion of these varied disciplines enables him to forge narratives that are not only richly imaginative and engaging but also resonate with the complexities of the human spirit. His works are a testament to his skill in interlacing the strands of historical lore and fantastical elements, creating enthralling worlds where history and fantasy intermingle seamlessly.

Presently settled in the peaceful countryside of West Virginia, Joseph pursues his literary aspirations alongside his daughter and their devoted dog, Deogee. He delves into the more
obscure facets of fantasy and historical fiction in this idyllic haven. His creations transcend mere storytelling; they are profound explorations of the human psyche, venturing into the intricate layers of psychology and the elusive shadows lurking within the human soul. Joseph Farr is more than a raconteur; he is a masterful architect of imaginary worlds, crafting tales that captivate, challenge, and stimulate introspection, etching an indelible mark on the consciousness of his readers.

The Predator by Runyx [Book Review] 2

 in Adult / Books / Fiction / Kindle Unlimited / Romance by

Summary

“What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object in the field of death?

In the dark underbelly of the mob, Tristan Caine has been an anomaly. As the only non-blooded member in the high circle of the Tenebrae Outfit, he is an enigma to all – his skills unparalleled, his morality questionable, and his motives unknown. He is lethal and he knows it.

As does Morana Vitalio, the genius extraordinaire daughter of the rival family. What Caine does with weapons, Morana does with computers. When a twenty-year-old mystery resurfaces, Morana infiltrates Caine’s house, intent on killing him, unaware of a tie that binds them together. Hate, heat, and history clash together with unexpected sparks.

But something bigger, something worse is happening in their world. And despite their animosity, only they can fight it down.”

–Amazon.com

Review

So I have hopped on board the December Kindle Unlimited smut train and it has left the station and is rolling through at massive speeds! I went into this universe of books with decently low expectations to be honest and while some of those expectations have been met, some books have actually surprised me. This book is one of them.

Now, I will say right off the bat, if you are expecting some high quality, lofty writing from these books you will be mistaken. That is not what these books are. Most people read these books for the spice and a bit of story, but more heavily on the spice. I mean, that is what we are here for in #booktok. But, this book really did well in so many ways.

A Developing Story & Characters?? Who would have thunk!

The story progressed. I mean, like there was an actual story going on around all the bow-chick-wow-wow. As everyone knows, I’m a sucker for some kind of story progression and character development. I can’t stand when they don’t go anywhere. This one actually had a story and some decent character development – and by decent I mean they did progress but we don’t have any high level coming to a spiritual awakening kind of moments. But it was enough that I did feel that this was a good piece of adult literature and not like some of the other fanfiction quality books I’ve read.

Morona was a badass and we love a strong female in these stories. But realistically strong – not over the top and trying to be something that was not attainable. I don’t personally love when they are just a bit too overdone (read a few like that recently). Tristan, well we love him (yes yes I know, bad man but we love him anyway).

Dark romance so do be ready.

This is not those cutesy romance books. This is dark romance. So go into it with that awareness. I didn’t see any trigger warnings at the front of the book as this book was not as dark as some other ones, but it’s a mafia book so you can kind of guess the kind of themes that will be in here.

A series of yum.

This is a series, so you have a few books to see through. I thought the first one was the best and the second was just as enjoyable. I have not gotten through the rest of the series yet as I am seeing what else is out there, but if you want a series that progresses with the different characters and feeds into a larger story, then this is a good one for you!

 

With these kind of books there’s honestly not much to review because you can’t really review the writing and the story progression per se because they aren’t those kind of books. However, I can tell you if I would recommend it or not.

Yes, I would recommend this as a nice quick read.

I would give this a 4/5 on the spice level as well.

The Alienist by Caleb Carr [Book Review]

 in Adult / Books / Fiction / Older Readers by
This post contains affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure here.

Summary

“The year is 1896. The city is New York. Newspaper reporter John Schuyler Moore is summoned by his friend Dr. Laszlo Kreizler—a psychologist, or “alienist”—to view the horribly mutilated body of an adolescent boy abandoned on the unfinished Williamsburg Bridge. From there the two embark on a revolutionary effort in criminology: creating a psychological profile of the perpetrator based on the details of his crimes. Their dangerous quest takes them into the tortured past and twisted mind of a murderer who will kill again before their hunt is over.

Fast-paced and riveting, infused with historical detail, The Alienist conjures up Gilded Age New York, with its tenements and mansions, corrupt cops and flamboyant gangsters, shining opera houses and seamy gin mills. It is an age in which questioning society’s belief that all killers are born, not made, could have unexpected and fatal consequences.”

-From Amazon.com

Review

This was such an absolutely phenomenal read and I honestly fell in love with it within the first few pages. If you have a stronger stomach and don’t mind some graphic gore (and if you do mind it, honestly, you know it’s coming and can skim over it without losing much of the story), this is absolutely, absolutely worth the read!

Like Sherlock Holmes on Steroids

From the moment you start this book, you feel transported into this Sherlock Holmes type world. Based around 1896, you really feel as if you’re in New York City that is developing, still full of immigrants who are arriving by the day, stories of Indians and the Frontier, and just the general feelings and struggles that people faced. This was a traditional style murder mystery book but with just so much more. Carr is a master at weaving bits of history together into a story that really helps you feel as if you are joining the main characters on this journey to solve the gruesome murder of a young boy prostitute.

The world that Carr was able to weave with both the creation of the city, the language used by characters and the general scene setting really makes you feel as if you are there! The group doing the investigating had a main two – Moore and Kreizler – who definitely gave a Sherlock and Watson kind of vibe.

Graphic & Gore

Now this book, I would say, isn’t for the faint of stomach per se. The book is incredibly violent – about the murder of a young boy prostitute and is filled with detailed accounts of the state of various bodies and mutilation’s, as well as talks of gay child prostitution. There’s lots of topics and aspects of the book that are scandalous and taboo on so many levels and can make you feel a little sick to your stomach.

But, depending on your constitution and how you can handle these things and your willingness for an experience, you will have just that – an experience. You get to have similar feelings to the characters when they come across various bodies and situations – feelings of repulsion, disgust and horror. To me, this added a lot to the book and the whole experience. But to be honest, I did have moments where I had to take a breath, re-center and then push on as it was just so realistic. Think if Criminal Minds had a lovechild with Bones, Saw and Sherlock Holmes. You will kind of end up with The Alienist!

Investigation Methods & Madness Galore

You really got to see how investigations took place during the turn of the 20th century with there still being so much corruption, a lack of established methodology. You got to read about the suggestion of using fingerprinting – which was not an established method yet – and how useful it was to seeing the treatment of Alienists, also known as a psychiatrist, and how distrusted they were. It’s was a very interesting contract to modern day how it is all accepted, and seeing the struggle that Dr. Kreizler went through in his profession and throughout the investigation.

A Wild and Wonderfully Murderous Ride

This book was beyond incredible and I loved every single moment of it. I haven’t read a book this fast (within less than a week) in a very long time. I made time to read this book because I wanted to know what was going to happen next and what new turn was going to happen. There were some really amazing quotes, scenes and revelation in the book, one of my favorite being the following:

“Mrs. Piedmont unlocked the room and then we entered. The first thing that struck me was that the cats didn’t follow us in. As soon as the door opened their mewing stopped, and then they sat at the threshold, looking momentarily concerned before they shot off down the stairs. With their departure I turned to survey the chamber, and quickly caught a track of something in the air: the smell of decay.”

I am absolutely going to be checking out the TV show and if I find the time, other books be Carr as both the story and writing were superb!

Have you read The Alienist? What were your thoughts?

Happy Reading!

 

MyLibraryCardWoreOut is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This in no way affects my opinion of the book(s) included in this post. 

A Pocketful of Crows by Joanne M. Harris [Book Review]

 in Adult / Books / Fantasy / Fiction / Hot Off The Press / Young Adult by

Illustrations by Bonnie Helen Hawkins

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure here.

Summary

I am as brown as brown can be,
And my eyes as black as sloe;
I am as brisk as brisk can be,
And wild as forest doe.
(The Child Ballads, 295)

So begins a beautiful tale of love, loss and revenge. Following the seasons, A Pocketful of Crowsbalances youth and age, wisdom and passion and draws on nature and folklore to weave a stunning modern mythology around a nameless wild girl.

Only love could draw her into the world of named, tamed things. And it seems only revenge will be powerful enough to let her escape.

Beautifully illustrated by Bonnie Helen Hawkins, this is a stunning and original modern fairytale.

From Amazon.com

Review

I was immediately drawn in by the cover of this book, because yes, I am one of those! The black with the gold in contrast, especially since the gold is so shiny, really caught my attention. Also, the design on the cover is just so gorgeous.

Simple writing style- even though its for adults.

While this is classified as an adult book, because of maybe one or two of the themes, the writing style is very simple. To me this didn’t bother me because since it was a fairytale, it was like re-reading some of your favorite classics from when you were a child. It was written in first person which was a little different as not many books are written in first person now, or so I see.

A classic fairytale with a new twist.

This was the traditional kind of story of love and revenge when a lover turns against you. But instead of it being a wicked witch who does all the work, it was the hurt lover, who happens to be some kind of witch or woodland creature. So it was interesting to see how the townspeople viewed her and why they disliked her but as a reader you really understood what she was going through. I really did enjoy that being able to see it from a few sides.

Gorgeous illustrations – so rare!

Once you get to a certain age, people stop putting illustrations into books and this one had so many gorgeous illustrations! Each chapter started with an illustration with sometimes images being placed throughout. It was so refreshing and really added to the story in my opinion. Since it’s so rare to get a book with pictures, to me, it just took me back to my childhood more!

One of the gorgeous illustrations from the book!

Overall this book was incredibly simple to read, with it really only taking a day to get through. It’s not challenging but just so beautiful overall. It had an interesting ending, which I didn’t see coming, and was just such a joy to read. I’m very happy that I picked it up and this would be a wonderful book to add to your collection, or give as a gift!

For that, I give this book 4/5 teacups!

4 Teacups

Happy Reading!

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson [Book Review] 19

 in Adult / Books / Fiction / Young Adult by

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure here.

Summary

“First published in 1959, Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror. It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a “haunting”; Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.”

-From Amazon.com

Review

As it’s spooky season, I had to give some of the classics for this season a read. I’ve read all the basics like Dracula , Stephen King books, Clive Barker books, and many others. But this one, I hadn’t read. 

I recently started a small book club with my mum, so we read books together, and as we were going to be quite busy this month, this was the perfect book – it’s not too long and not exactly a difficult read.

Spooky without being scary.
As the book is quite old, their idea of scary is not our idea of scary, which was kind of nice. I wasn’t reading this book and absolutely terrified or questioning if I could read it at night. It was just a classic kind of scary read, like Dracula. So as an autumnal read, this one fits the bill perfect. I’d say 15 and older could give this one ago, if they can get around some of the strange writing styles.

A little slow but picked up suddenly.
Now, since it’s an older book, I have to be careful with this comment. Books now are written at a much faster pace to appease the reader. This one had a very slow beginning that had you questioning exactly when something was going to happen. You were nearly halfway through the book before you even made it to Hill House and 3/4 of the way through before the strange stuff started happening. It made the read a little slow in a sense, but you also wanted to get through it faster to find out what was going to happen and when.

Nothing like the modern movie The Haunting.
In early 2000’s, a movie with Liam Neeson and other famous actors came out called The Haunting which is based off of this book. I went into this book thinking it was going to be like the movie. This movie is a common one many have seen, so I’m going to say now that if you think it’ll be like the movie, then you’re wrong. It definitely had some parallels and the overall idea was similar, but it wasn’t the same for the most part. The ending especially.

Eleanor is a little odd, just naturally.
What adds to the book is the fact that the main character is quite…out there. She’s odd so even from the beginning you just seem to be thrown off from the way she speaks and thinks. It actually puts you off balance as a reader. The speaking patterns are all over the place, which seems to confuse you. While you were reading it can be a little confusing, as her thought processes is like a roller-coaster, but afterwards you realize that it adds to the whole story!

Kind of shocking the ending.
You had this idea of how it was going to end and it didn’t end that way at all. Don’t worry, I’m not going to spoil anything, but just be prepared to not be ready for what happens. You think you can figure it out and then boom.

Overall, I absolutely loved the book. Even though it was a little slower, it’s a classic and such a good read. It’s not needed around Halloween but it’s great for autumn in general. It’s bite sized, so no need to worry about it being a massive reading commitment.

I easily give this book a 5 our of 5 teacups!

5 teacups

Spooky Reading!