Tina Connolly

Summer 2019 (Hugo Award Nominee 2019 - Novelette);

An invitation to a Temporal Confections dinner is equally coveted and feared, but never declined.

(4.5 Stars)

Dark, deep, and decadent, is how you will find this piece. There is the endless sumptuousness of the food itself, delectable enough to tease the tongue of any reading with its gorgeous descriptions, and yet it promises (and delivers on) so much more. The stage is set as the Duke's Banquet of Temporal Confections, and though we don't yet know why the title calls it the last, the story, and our narrator, the Duke's TasteTester and the Baker's Wife, draw us slowly, delicately through this intrigue of both dinner and a land under siege.

The idea of the temporal confections, all of which bring up specific memories, sometimes linked and sometimes now, is wonderful. I love the idea of pastries, and breads, and sweets that would bring you back to the best and the worst of times, that would make you revisit your past to change and to bolster you with goodness, pride, and peace when you need it as well. Bravi.… (more)

Honestly, I was really into this book until the part where everything is supposed to come together in the end, and then it didn't work for me. Too easy? Too predictable? Something. I love the concept: steampunk Jane Eyre, where Jane has rage issues (yes!) and is a veteran from the fae wars. Great concept, and like I said, started well. I love the fairy tale touches throughout as well. I think I just don't buy her sudden superpowers, or really believe in the fae plot. Your mileage may vary, don't let me put you off.… (more)

Contains profanity.

FROM AMAZON: Camellia's adopted mother wants Cam to grow up to be just like her. Problem is, Mom's a seriously wicked witch.

Cam's used to stopping the witch's crazy schemes for world domination. But when the witch summons a demon, he gets loose―and into Devon, the cute new boy at school.

Suddenly Cam's got bigger problems than passing Algebra. Her friends are getting zombiefied. Their dragon is tired of hiding in the RV garage. For being a shy boy-band boy, Devon is sure kissing a bunch of girls. And a phoenix hidden in the school is going to explode on the night of the Halloween Dance.

To stop the demon before he destroys Devon's soul, Cam might have to try a spell of her own. But if she's willing to work spells like the witch...will that mean she's wicked too?… (more)