Blog Archives - Alyce Caswell - Author

Alyce Caswell - Author

Time Wounds Some Books

30/4/2022

The Good, the Bad and the Undead (The Hollows #2)
by Kim Harrison

Rachel Morgan is struggling to make bank, to avoid a demon who's marked her, to not get eaten by her vampire roommate - and oh yeah, now she has to catch a serial killer who's going after witches who know a thing or two about ley lines. So it'd be dangerous if she, a witch, also started acting like she knew something about ley lines...

This was a MUCH stronger novel than the first one and I'm glad I gave it a chance. I was really drawn in by Rachel's struggles and she irritated me less - clearly Harrison managed to get a better grasp on her the second time around. I would have rated this more had I read it when it was published...but the rampant sexism - and oof that homophobic joke - had me cringing so hard in 2022.

Marvel It Ain't

27/4/2022

House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City #2)
by Sarah J. Maas

Bryce and Hunt are trying to lie low and also trying not to "get together" in any fashion, but of course this won't last for long. A boy rumoured to have great power is missing and on his way to the city. Rebels are rising seemingly everywhere - and they are hardly unified. And more of Danika's secrets will be revealed, along with the truth about Asteri.

Hmm. I actually think this is Maas' best work. Her previous books weren't very good, but they were all training grounds for House of Sky and Breath. I feel like this is the book where she finally hit her groove. I was actually invested in this plot and the laborious info-dumping from the first Crescent City book was missing. I was honestly loving this. I was thinking "damn, do I like Maas' writing now?"... and then the ending happened. Such a lazy, self-indulgent thing to do. Look, I get it. It's something most writers think about doing... when they're teenagers (yep, even I've had those thoughts). But while it might be fun to do for your own amusement, it's best kept as an idea and not as an actual plot device in a published novel.

Living Book Limping

19/4/2022

Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows #1)
by Kim Harrison

Rachel Morgan has just quit Inderland Security to strike out on her own and her former boss has it in for her - as in, he's put a price on her head because she took one of his best employees with her. This makes investigating a guy who is running - possibly evenly creating - biodrugs somewhat difficult. There's also the matter of her vampiric roommate...

Hmm. This is definitely a product of its time. I've reread my fave UF serieses too many times so I thought I'd give it a go...can't say I'm impressed. Dead Witch Walking is a typical 2000s urban fantasy novel and a surprisingly weak first entry for a series of this longevity. Rachel isn't a particularly strong or likeable character, though I'd be interested to see how she develops - hopefully she loses her "gay panic" over Ivy? It's somewhat common for characters from the 2000s to insist "I'M STRAIGHT" in certain situations, but honestly it reads like Rachel/Ivy is meant to be endgame lol. And I know that's not the case.

You've Got Regency Romance

15/4/2022

Love Letters by the Sea (The Siren's Retreat Quartet #4)
by Alyce Caswell

The Siren's Retreat has featured many great love stories, including Deborah Cartwright's own - but now she is a widow. Her inn is her home and her child. When Patrick Gretham shows up on behalf of his employer to take it from her, it's obvious there will never be anything between them. And of course, there is that mysterious man Deborah has been corresponding with...

I think You've Got Mail is one of the greatest movies in existence and I've been sadly disappointed by books inspired by it before. But yay! That didn't happen here. I freaking loved Love Letters by the Sea and I know I'm going to reread this novella to death. The perfect choice for an evening in with tea. Lastly, this quartet has been such a delight to read - I hope both authors consider gifting us with more. ;)

This is How the Trilogy Dies

15/4/2022

Queen's Hope (Padmé Trilogy #3)
by E. K. Johnston

Padmé usually shares everything that she is with the galaxy, especially her handmaidens - but now she has a secret. Something that is hers and hers alone. But the Clone War has begun and stealing moments with her new husband is difficult, especially when she must depart on a clandestine mission and leave loyal Sabé in her place on Coruscant.

I absolutely LOVED the other two books, so this was a little bit of a letdown. I do enjoy how Johnston gives the women of Star Wars a voice, though Queen's Hope contained too many voices and seemed to include some characters just 'cause. Padmé's mission didn't really add much to the plot either. But Johnston did finally make me like Anakin/Padmé together - something I never thought was possible. Ha!

Salinger-esque

12/4/2022

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez

TW: book contains attempted suicide

Julia has never been a prefect Mexican daughter and her sister Olga - who seemingly was - is now dead. But Olga's secrets have not perished with her. Julia is determined to find out the truth, no matter how bad it is, but she has mounting personal obstacles that she needs to clear first. Which feels impossible, given how strict her parents are.

Ooh boy. A few chapters in, I realised the tone of this novel was too similar to The Catcher in the Rye - a book I actively despise. So it wasn't a surprise when said despised book was actually mentioned. I find it hard to enjoy a story where the protagonist isn't particularly likeable and things just happen in lieu of a strong plot. But if you actually like The Catcher in the Rye and want a more diverse version, this is what you should pick up.

PS: Do NOT read this during a depressive episode. I wish I'd had some warning.

Turn UP the Heat

10/4/2022

Out of Her League (Kapow! #1)
by Renée Dahlia

Joey lost his rugby league career after he became a paraplegic, but he has found success on the inspiration speech circuit. Ella was - still is! - one of Joey's biggest fans so when he invites her back to his room, there is no way she's going to refuse. One night of passion is all she's after. So it comes as a bit of a shock when she learns the next day that her company will be working with him.

This book is exceptionally steamy with some great (and I mean GREAT) scenes, so I was not at all disappointed on that front. In a romance of this length, of course I expect everything else to be secondary to the budding relationship - but Ella's job seemed to be completely forgotten about and nor did it have the impact on the plot that the initial setup suggests. Still..it's hard to be annoyed about that when the heat level is this high.

Team Bad Guy

9/4/2022

Untamed (The Fallen Guardians #4)
by Cassie Laelyn

Raine isn't complicated - she likes sharp, pointy things and she has a destiny fulfil (thanks, Fate!). Nothing is going to get in her way, certainly not a Fallen who's been on Team Bad Guy this whole time. Slater craves freedom but he needs a certain item to achieve this - a weapon forged by Raine and a weapon she wants back. But he can't let her get it...and he can't lose his heart to her either.

Whew, sparks were definitely flying in this one. Raine and Slater are quite the pair - and I'm a sucker for random cats in my romances lol. If you've read books from this series before, you'll get exactly what you're expecting. I am getting a bit of fatigue over the main story arc since it does move forward quite glacially, but this is still a fun enemies-to-lovers romp (bonus cat - did I mention the cat?).

Seaside Excellence

1/4/2022

A Spinster by the Sea (Siren's Retreat Quartet #3)
by Grace Burrowes

Anne Baxter has just been jilted at the altar - the third time a match has eluded her - and has chosen to recover by the sea. Augustus did his best to get the groom to the church, but isn't particularly sorry that he failed. Anne's would-be husband was useless. When Augustus happens across Anne on the beach, he sees not a woman to be pitied - but perhaps, an opportunity.

I absolutely adore this novella series and I'm quite sad that it's only a "quartet"! How will I cope after novella #4 is published? Unsurprisingly, I loved A Spinster by the Sea and I would trot out the usual "I wish it had been longer line", but the truth is the two authors in this series are pros at making the stories fit the lengths they've chosen. Anne and Augustus had such a beautiful romance and I'm still smiling when I think about them, a whole day after finishing their novella.