Karen Memory - Elizabeth Bear

Set in the late 19th century—when the city we now call Seattle Underground was the whole town (and still on the surface), when airships plied the trade routes, would-be gold miners were heading to the gold fields of Alaska, and steam-powered mechanicals stalked the waterfront, Karen is a young woman on her own, is making the best of her orphaned state by working in Madame Damnable's high-quality bordello. Through Karen's eyes we get to know the other girls in the house—a resourceful group—and the poor and the powerful of the town. Trouble erupts one night when a badly injured girl arrives at their door, begging sanctuary, followed by the man who holds her indenture, and who has a machine that can take over anyone's mind and control their actions. And as if that wasn't bad enough, the next night brings a body dumped in their rubbish heap—a streetwalker who has been brutally murdered.

Bear brings alive this Jack-the-Ripper yarn of the old west with a light touch in Karen's own memorable voice, and a mesmerizing evocation of classic steam-powered science.

Paperback, 352 pages
Published jan 12th 2016 by Tor Books
Karen Memory #1
Steampunk
Own

My thoughts:
Sometimes I just dig my heels in. Dunno why, but I do. Maybe cos it was a book that I really wanted to enjoy. So I read half of it and was bored. I kept thinking that I must suffer through. But then I started to skim cos I was all hell with this!

Karen works at a brothel.

Someone is killing ladies of the night.

In comes the lone ranger

It was a steampunk book

Not a lot of steampunk in it.

I did not care for anyone or anything.

I was bored.

I do believe it would work better on audio though...hmmm

Audio Review: A companion to wolves - Monette and Bear

A Companion to Wolves is the story of a young nobleman, Isolfr, who is chosen to become a wolfcarl -- a warrior who is bonded to a fighting wolf. Isolfr is deeply drawn to the wolves, and though as his father's heir he can refuse the call, he chooses to go. 

The people of this wintry land depend on the wolfcarls to protect them from the threat of trolls and wyverns, though the supernatural creatures have not come in force for many years. Men are growing too confident. The wolfhealls are small, and the lords give them less respect than in former years. But the winter of Isolfr's bonding, the trolls come down from the north in far greater numbers than before, and the holding's complaisance gives way to terror in the dark. 

Isolfr, now bonded to a queen wolf, Viradechtis, must learn where his honor lies, and discover the lengths to which he will to go when it, and love for his wolf, drive him. 

Audio CD, 12 pages
Expected publication: November 14th 2017 by Tantor Audio (first published October 16th 2007)
Iskryne World #1
Fantasy
For review

My thoughts:

This was a really good book, and the narrator put so much emotion into it. But it was also a book that dealt with a strange world where consent...yeah, I will get into that.

Think Vikings with mega wolves. Wolves they communicate telepathically with. They all live together and protect the rest of the land from trolls. And I get where the authors are coming from with their we do as wolves do. Still it makes for hard reading.

The story is about Isolfr, a Jarl's son who becomes a wolfcarl. About his companionship with his wolf Viradechtis and how they explore this to him new world of wolves and men. And lots of troll hunting.

And this is where the spoilers about consent starts. Highlight to see

So, the main character goes through the entire book being afraid of the rapes that will come. He thinks about it and is all She is worth it. I will make this sacrifice for her. But srsly man, you are gonna get raped! And he does have 2 encounters before that to make him more comfortable, but I never get the impression that he ever likes men. Or will...

To the rape then. See, when his wolf is in heat everyone gets on edge, as they always do. All the male wolves wants to sire pups on her  and he feels this. And those bonded with male wolves feels the need to. The need to take him. And so they do. As they always do with those bonded with female wolves.

I was all, damn, I would not bond a female wolf. BUT, I sure would not bond a male then if they go all barbaric. Still, not all do. One is nice, then it gets brutal and he is in bed for days after it. Wtf is wrong with this world. Can't they just go easy?

I also did not like the whole this is my sacrifice thing. Yes I would have liked it so much more if he had been attracted to men. And if they men they had been nice and not all we are wolves. Hey Viradechtis did not suffer as he did! SO men are worse.

It is their way. Still the dread he felt...

Conclusion:

But it is a good book. I liked the world. I would read more from this world, and I would wish someone would change the ways things are done.

Narrator Chris Chambers

I really felt Isolfr through his voice. He did a great job with getting in all the emotions Isolfr felt. He sure made it easy listening to it.