A Killing Frost by Seanan McGuire

Title: A Killing Frost

Author: Seanan McGuire
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: October Daye #14

Hardcover, 368 pages
Publication: September 21, 2020 by DAW
Source: Personal Library
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When October is informed that Simon Torquill—legally her father, due to Faerie's archaic marriage traditions—must be invited to her wedding or risk the ceremony throwing the Kingdom in the Mists into political turmoil, she finds herself setting out on a quest she was not yet prepared to undertake for the sake of her future.... and the man who represents her family's past.

My Thoughts

 A Killing Frost was the 14th novel in October Daye Series, and honestly it showed. This is one of my top three favorite series but now that we’re so far in, it seems like the author is just dragging it along. A Killing Frost felt like a filler novel. October and Tybalt are about to get married but of course there’s an obstacle in the way. Due to Faerie law, all family must be invited to the wedding. Thus begins October on her excruciating journey to find her father Simon. 

I have a lot of issues with A Killing Frost. First, why on earth aren’t October and Tybalt wed already?! I felt like readers have been waiting long enough only to be duped out of it with this latest installment. Secondly, the rules states that October’s parents must be invited or another family member may claim offense on the behalf of said party but hello…October didn’t invite her own mother! Nowhere in the books was it stated that she invited Amadine…two books ago left the two on the usual unhappy terms. Thirdly, the revelation at the end where Simon was always Patrick’s lover…what the heck was that? McGuire never, ever, ever alluded to this. Ever. And the solution to Simon’s dilemma to being homeless and alone was to go live with Patrick and Diana as a married threesome. WHAT?! Everything was so bizarre. I felt like McGuire threw that at us out of the blue and added it for the sake of checking it off her list. As if she thought: I have a gay couple, lesbian couple…oh here’s a bi thruple. Nothing against gay, lesbian or bi couples but I don’t like how McGuire used it sparingly to just push the story along. However It didn’t bring anything to the story line except confusion. Also, a cheap plot device.

It was hard getting through this book due to all the problematics mentioned above. The book started off alright but as the story progressed I felt myself skimming 2/3 into the book. McGuire as usual did a bunch of rehashing and info-dumping again which I would say accounted for more than 50% of the words in the book. I understand authors need to summarize the books as best as they can but com’on, it’s the 14th book in the series, its almost guarantee that readers who are reading it have read previous books in the series! I’m tired of the repetitiveness and info-dumping. We readers expect a new book with a new plot that challenges our favorite characters…we’re not paying to read half of the previous books.

With that said, If you’re also an October Daye fan, I’d skip this book entirely because it adds no value to the series as a whole. If you still want to read it, I’d suggest reading the first 10% of the novel then skip to the last 10% to see how everything wraps up. Everything in between that is redundant and lackluster. I wished I knew before hand that this was a plot-less book. My only regret is having such high expectations going in only to waste my time and money on A Killing Frost. I’ve been a loyal fan of the series since 09’ and am planning on continuing the series regardless. This book by far my biggest disappointment read so far this year.

 

 

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Title: The Kiss Quotient

Author: Helen Hoang
Genre: Contemporary
Series: The Kiss Quotient #1
Audiobook, Unabridged
Publication: June 5, 2018 by Dreamscape
Source: Personal Library
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Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases — a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.

It doesn't help that Stella has Asperger's and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice — with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can't afford to turn down Stella's offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan — from foreplay to more-than-missionary position...

Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all the other things he's making her feel. Soon, their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic...

I’ve had The Kiss Quotient on my TBR list since it’s made its way around the blogsphere years ago. I’m not a big romance reader but it’s certainly a genre I want to read more of, and I thought there’s no time like the present to start now. Bonus its by a Vietnamese author. Which is cool, of course, but at the end of the day I’m just looking for a good story and good writing. I honestly feel the whole “need” for more diverse writer and representation is getting tiring and old. Can’t we just read a book because it SOUNDS GOOD? People check it off their list to meet a requirement or something. It’s silly. And when it becomes required reading, then you know it anit fun anymore.

The Kiss Quotient was inspired by the author, Hoang’s own journey with autism.  Which from what I know is far and few in the romance/general book category…I was intrigued. Stella, our main heroine is 30-years-old and has never been in a real relationship. But like most things in her life, it can be learned. So, she thinks. Which is where Michael comes in. Michael is a for hire escort, and Stella has hired him to train her to be better at sex and relationship.

I really like Stella and Michael. I thought they were adorable together and loved how they brought out the best in one another (minus the jealousy part lol). I also liked the supporting characters such as Quan and Michael’s big family (5 sisters y'all!), a good support system while shining a light on the importance of family. Hoang must be somewhat of a foodie too because there were no short supply of Vietnamese cuisine popping up left and right. It made me hungry! The writing was superb, which was no surprise and kept me engaged throughout the entire book.

However, the story wasn’t unique as I'd hope. Its been done before in Pretty Woman and The Wedding Date, I definitely kept getting the feeling as though I already read this story. And my only other critique is that the plot, while plausible was not realistic. Michael was overly understanding when it came to Stella, maybe too much since his younger cousin Khai is also autistic but in today’s world, most people would condemn you for being ‘different’. They’re more likely to comment, sneer and judge before lending a sympathetic ear.  Horrible and as harsh as it may sound, it’s true. Kind folks are out there and all but there are unfortunately more unkind than kind.

Overall I enjoyed The Kiss Quotient and am looking forward to reading the companion novels! I should warn you, this book was way steamier than I thought. Not for the faint of hearts!

 

Far Away by Lisa Graff

Title: Far Away
Author: Lisa Graff
Genre: Contemporary, Middle-Grade
Series: N/A

Hardcover, 272 pages
Publication: March 19, 2019 by Philomel Books

Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

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CJ lives and travels with her Aunt Nic, a famous psychic medium who tours the country communicating with her audience’s deceased loved ones at sold-out theaters. Together, they give people closure and forgiveness, and pass important messages on from the Spirit world. While CJ doesn’t have her aunt’s same ability to talk to the dead, she enjoys playing a crucial role in connecting others with their dearly departed. After all, she knows firsthand what it’s like to lose someone she loves—the only way she can talk to her mom, who died hours after CJ was born, is through Aunt Nic.

But when a magician bent on proving that Aunt Nic is a fraud shows up at their shows, CJ learns an impossible truth—that her mother is actually still very much alive. Now CJ no longer knows who to trust. As she learns more unsettling family secrets, CJ must grapple with the lies she’s been told and the lies she’s helped perpetuate. And in the end, she must decide how to reconcile what it means to find her true family and home—and what it means to forgive.

Far Away by Graff is a heart-warming story about a young girl in search of answers about her mother and the power of belief and determination.

Caraway June ‘CJ’ has never met her mother, but she talks to her all the time. How you may wonder? Well, her aunt is a psychic medium that communicates with spirits.  As long as CJ can remember she has always been surrounded by spirits; on the road with her aunt going from place to place doing readings. But then one day her aunt tells her that her mother is leaving this plane and going ‘far away’ and that unless they had a tether, she won’t be able to speak with her mother anymore. With the guidance of spirits, CJ embarked on a mission to find her mother’s tether and along the way she discovered something so shocking that it will change her life forever.

At first glance, Far Away seems like a light paranormal read with ghosts but oddly, there wasn’t anything paranormal about it at all. Far Away was purely a mystery. CJ received clues after clues pointing her in the direction of her mother and as the story progressed CJ not only received the answers she’s been searching for, but she found her mother, literally. The book took an unexpected turn and I didn’t see the twist coming a mile away. I was honestly a little perplexed as the truth was revealed but it turned out a lot better than I expected. I loved that the book ended on a high and happy note.

CJ was a tough as nail tween. I liked that she always had faith and determination in getting what she wanted. But sometimes she made selfish and poor choices that affected others and she didn’t care about the consequences. Speaking of choices, half the things CJ said and did weren’t realistic. I have a nephew who is also twelve-years-old, and I can’t see him doing half the things CJ did. For example, CJ tricked a much older kid into driving her to Bakersfield and convinced him not to call the adults and another time CJ colluded with an adult to ruin her aunt’s career. It was unrealistic, or CJ was just a real good master manipulator. Remember, she’s only twelve.

With that said, overall, I thought Far Away was an enjoyable read. It teaches us to always believe, have faith and determination to do what we want despite what others say. And that no matter what happens, it always does get better in the end and that we’re meant to be exactly where we are at that moment.