Intense Urban Fantasy Collection: Carniepunk by Rachel Caine, Jennifer Estep, and More!

Carniepunk
by Rachel Caine and more
Copyright 2013
Gallery Books
ISBN: 9781476714158

The Story:
Come one, come all! The Carniepunk Midway promises you every thrill and chill a traveling carnival can provide. But fear not! Urban fantasy’s biggest stars are here to guide you through this strange and dangerous world. . . .

RACHEL CAINE’s vampires aren’t child’s play, as a naïve teen discovers when her heart leads her far, far astray in “The Cold Girl.” With “Parlor Tricks,” JENNIFER ESTEP pits Gin Blanco, the Elemental Assassin, against the Wheel of Death and some dangerously creepy clowns. SEANAN McGUIRE narrates a poignant, ethereal tale of a mysterious carnival that returns to a dangerous town after twenty years in “Daughter of the Midway, the Mermaid, and the Open, Lonely Sea.” KEVIN HEARNE’s Iron Druid and his wisecracking Irish wolfhound discover in “The Demon Barker of Wheat Street” that the impossibly wholesome sounding Kansas Wheat Festival is actually not a healthy place to hang out. With an eerie, unpredictable twist, ROB THURMAN reveals the fate of a psychopath stalking two young carnies in “Painted Love.”


My Thoughts:
This is a collection of 14 short stories from some of the hottest names in urban fantasy and paranormal fiction, all who were new to me, some whose stories I loved and...well some not so much. I don't review a lot of it here, but I've always been a fan of the genre and have to say that this story collection was nothing if not interesting and super creepy to say the least! I used to love going to the local carnival when I was a kid but now I feel like I'll have to leave town the next time one comes through. :-P Thanks to author Jennifer Estep for instilling in me a genuine fear of clowns that I went through the first almost three decades of my life without. Shivers. This is one collection not for the faint of heart. There's definitely something for everyone -- mermaids, werewolves, vampires, druids, and of course, messed up clowns. As with all novellas, the ones with characters whom I enjoyed were too short while some of the stories just fell flat, however I can still recommend it for urban fantasy readers looking for a good scare and some spine-tingling suspense!

Content note: Strong language, violence, and adult situations in some of the stories.

"Available July 23, 2013, from Gallery Books a division of Simon and Schuster or your favorite bookseller."

For a limited time, "Parlor Tricks" by Jennifer Estep, one of the novellas featured in this collection, is available free for your Kindle! As always, double check before ordering the book to make sure it is free.

Author's Websites:
Rachel Caine
Jennifer Estep
Kevin Hearne
Seanan McGuire
Rob Thurman
Allison Pang
Kelly Gay
Delilah S. Dawson
Kelly Meding
Mark Henry
Hillary Jacques
Jackie Kessler
Nicole Peeler
Jaye Wells

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*

Happy Reading!