The Fire in the Forging ReRead by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Fire in the Forging: No. 3

Title: The Fire in the Forging ReRead
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Emelan #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Medieval fantasy, Young adult
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1998

Thoughts

It really doesn’t matter how many times I read this book, this series – I still love it and just… inhale the whole damn thing. Often in one sitting. Because it is just that good! Plus, there is just something about Daja and her story that really hits home. Growing up I wanted to have the confidence of Sandry, but had the temper of Tris. But, as an adult, it’s Daja’s steadfast calmness that really gets to me. And, even though this is a young adult book, I really want to channel some of this calm intensity into my own life.

I love that the first two books in the Circle of Magic series are all about the four youngsters finding each other and combining their powers. But, in this third book, The Fire in the Forging, it’s the beginning of the quad straightening out their powers and really starting to figure out who they are. This is my read through for the I don’t know what time, but it never fails to amaze me how wonderful the construction of the character growth is. I particularly love that the four are starting to realise how powerful they are, but also the price of being so powerful.

One of the aspects of this story that always gets to me is the very real dangers of a bushfire. As someone who has grown up in country Australia, and used to do “bushfire drills”, the intensity of this threat is particularly potent in my eyes. It’s also fascinating and a whole lot of fun to read about. I love how well Pierce dealt with the realities of fighting a bushfire and the dangers of it. It was also brilliant how she incorporated fire storms into the storyline.

Daja and her friends strengthening their bonds and beginning to try and be truly comfortable in their own skins and powers is one of my favourite things about The Fire in the Forging. They might not be there yet, but they are growing into themselves. Which just makes me all that much more excited to read The Healing in the Vine… again.

<- The Power in the Storm ReReadThe Healing in the Vine ReRead ->

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The Power in the Storm ReRead by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Power in the Storm : Pierce, Tamora: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: The Power in the Storm ReRead
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Emelan #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Medieval fantasy, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1998

Thoughts

I loved The Power in the Storm, in every read through I’ve managed to completely inhale. Tris’ journey into starting to really understand her powers. Like her journey into becoming a young mage, it’s not exactly gentle or kind. But, in being such a brutal and steep learning curve, it is one of the more powerful of the coming of age stories I’ve read. Plus, the counterpoint to a lot of the horrors which are faced by Tris throughout the book are beautifully counterpointed by her friends and fellow mages. Absolutely adored and seriously enjoyed.

One of my favourite things in this book is that Tris is able to finally recognise the consequences of her temper, and realises that she needs to begin to control it. I remember reading this when I was younger – I had a huge temper, and struggled to control it. Reading about the destruction which Tris’ power wrought, reminded me of the destruction I can also wreak. And, as an adult rereading this, I found the exact same message. Tempered by even more understanding, but a reminder that being powerful and having a strong voice can have intense consequences.

The four mages of the circle are a wondrously intriguing powerhouse. It’s both intense (and kind of terrifying) that the four preteens are able to totally destroy people where others couldn’t, but, again, as an adult, a great reminder that power can come from everywhere. As can anger. And that maybe, just maybe, it’s the innocence of youth that can destroy the world. But, more importantly, they can help to save and rebuild it. At least, that’s what I took away from the four having such a phenomenal amount of talent and power.

Honestly, it doesn’t matter how many times I read and reread this – I absolutely love it. The coming of age theme, somehow, hasn’t gotten dated. This is still a powerful story that I couldn’t put down. One with many layers, layers which I discover each and every time I dive into these pages. Brilliant, wonderful and a serious joy to read again.

<- The Magic in the Weaving ReReadThe Fire in the Forging ReRead ->

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A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
A Deadly Education: A Novel: 1

Title: A Deadly Education
Author: Naomi Novik
Series: The Scholomance #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark academia, Dark fantasy, Magic
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

A Deadly Education is an absolutely fantastic book, one that was completely impossible to put down. The story building and ideas hooked me from the start, and the further you get into the story, the darker it gets. Which I expected a little bit, but the depth of darkness in this was astounding. I couldn’t wait to see what horrors the school conjured next, and how Galadriel was going to deal with it. Plus, there’s so many lovely little nerdy points in this that made me smile, whilst everyone was running for their lives.

Whilst I’ve seen A Deadly Education multiple times over the past few years, and heard good things about it, I’ve been somewhat reluctant to read it. I was kind of expecting it to not live up to the hype and be another take on Hogwarts if I’m being honest. But, it is nothing like that. This definitely lives up to the hype. And I loved the uniqueness of the school and how it (and the lessons) are structured. I loved how intricately and well thought out not only the school, but the world and laws of magic were built. The entire structure gives a great basis for all of the character growth that El goes through, and the potential for what’s going to happen next.

One of my favourite things about El’s character was that she is so damn prickly and resistant to friendship. Which, the more you find out about her history, the more you can understand the why’s and the how’s of this. But, as the story unfolds, she finally starts to find others to let in. She is able to find her people, even though she’s not exactly the gentlest and kindest of the students. I love reading about strong women who don’t fit the mould, and who aren’t afraid to tell others to get lost when it’s needed. I particularly love her strength of character and morals that she displays throughout – turning down opportunities because she hates the hypocrisy and double handedness.

Whilst I really liked the Orion and El relationship, I did find Orion kind of foolish in moments. He just… didn’t think through the consequences of his actions throughout and was then really shocked when they were pointed out to him. And then, he was incredibly ignorant of his privilege. Which, I know is 100% what a privileged person is generally like, but damn was it frustrating at times. I really enjoyed how Novik consistently called out privilege and how blinding it is for some people throughout this story. A great commentary on something that is a silent battle every day.

<- More Naomi NovikThe Last Graduate ->

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Cream and Punishment by Susannah Nix

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Cream and Punishment: A Small Town Second Chance Romance (King Family Book 2)

Title: Cream and Punishment
Author: Susannah Nix
Series: King Family #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Small town romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I loved the teasers of Tanner and Lucy towards the end of My Cone and Only, so I’m not really sure why it took me so long to dive into their story. But, I’m glad that I eventually did, I really enjoyed reading about their romance and all of the different challenges that they have to overcome. I also enjoyed their little cameo in Kilt to Order, so it was fun to go back to the beginning when they first get together. But, as with everything that I have high hopes for, I was a little reluctant to truly get into this. It turns out that I really didn’t need to be. This was fun and brilliant and I couldn’t put it down.

Something I really enjoyed about reading Cream and Punishment was reading about two different people who have incredibly toxic families. I love how quickly Tanner is able to recognise and acknowledge the toxicity of his work / family life, and chooses to strike out on his own. His strength of self and ability to actually stand on his own two feet is adorable, and kind of enviable. I also love how it gives a bit of insight into the complexities of toxic family relationships, and the King family in particular – although, when I looked at it and realised that only three books have been published… I was kind of gutted. I mean, there is so much potential for chaos and complex familial relationships in the future!

Unlike Tanner, Lucy takes a little bit longer to realise just how toxic her familial bonds are. But, I also found them to be far more passive and insidious. Particularly her mother, that level of coercive control felt icky from the beginning, and it was really hard to read about Lucy just… dealing with it. Yet, this very level of discomfort was what made it all that much more powerful when Lucy finally starts to recognise the unhealthy patterns she is a part of. Plus, for me, it made her a stronger and more loveable character – one who is able to overcome some seriously challenging odds to embrace her happily ever after.

Cream and Punishment is a great second chance romance which really felt like it was focusing on attachment styles and the internal struggles we all face when trying to commit to one another. Nix doesn’t make it easy for Tanner and Lucy to find their way to one another, but the battle and growth that they both have to go through to get there make it all that much more beautiful and enjoyable. Now I can’t wait to read Pint of Contention and find out about the next King sibling to fall in love.

<- My Cone and OnlyPint of Contention ->

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Silver Spells by Kate Moseman

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Silver Dreams: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel (Midlife Elementals Book 3) eBook : Moseman, Kate: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store

Title: Silver Spells
Author: Kate Moseman
Series: Midlife Elementals #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Midlife romance, Paranormal romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I absolutely adored Luella and her Ride or Die friends. I mean, I have some great friends, but I can’t imagine having this level of Ride or Die insanity in my life… forever. I also love that they just… band together in the insanity as they realise that their lives are about to change forever. I mean, it is just moment after moment of intensity and a whole lot of heck no, but these three women choose to ride it out together and not let it destroy their friendship. There is something about these midlife paranormal romances that just hit the spot and make me incredibly happy. There may be a love interest in there, but it is the true friendships that Luella has that really made this story so enjoyable for me.

One of my favourite parts of Luella’s friendship with Pepper and Rose is how onboard they are with all of the mystical changes that are going on in her life. That is, until it starts to happen to them. They are 100% behind the Mayhem, until they realise that the mayhem is beginning to touch on their lives, and then they are a little less enthusiastic about it all. Which I can completely understand, I mean, I love to support my friends through their own chaos and mayhem, but I am so much less okay with it happening to me. I also love how their different personalities and talents round out throughout the story and begin to lead into the rest of the series.

Silver Spells is a simple, fun and easy read. But, unlike some of the other joyous reads on my shelves, there is a fair amount of drama going on throughout. It made this story impossible to put down and a whole lot of fun. I can’t wait to dive into Silver Charms – to find out not only how the battles between generations of witches go, but also to find out about the next love match. I mean, the love match in this was cute and sweet, so I can’t wait to see how Rose fairs. Plus, there is the whole idea of elemental powers that I just can’t move past – something that is a recurrent theme in many books, but a well utilised one.

There is something about midlife paranormal romances that I really love. I’m not quite at the “midlife” point in my life, but I’m definitely closer to that then a young adult / my college days. I love that this story, like many of its genre, is a reminder that life goes on for women after their children are grown (or growing). That a failed marriage (for whatever reason) doesn’t make them unloveable, and that life doesn’t stop just because we’re not young and perky anymore. It’s a great reminder, and a wonderfully growing area of literature that emphasises that women have power, and we should stand on the rooftops, yelling it. Loud and proud.

<- More Kate MosemanSilver Charms ->

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Death and Relaxation ReRead by Devon Monk

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Death and Relaxation: 1 : Monk, Devon: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: Death and Relaxation ReRead
Author: Devon Monk
Series: Ordinary Magic #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Gods, Magic, Mythology, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

I remember reading Death and Relaxation for the first time a few years ago. And I remember thinking that it was a whole lot of fun and a wonderfully unique take on mythology. Then, as happens, I got distracted by the many, many, many other books on my TBR. So now I’m keen to dive into this series all over again – just I decided to reread where it all started, and I am incredibly glad that I did. Death and Relaxation was a whole lot of fun and really difficult to put down. It made me ridiculously happy to have the pleasure of reading this again, and now I’m excited to dive into Devils and Details.

Delaney and her ability to hold a gods powers is a really unique idea. I love how she has had to take up the mantel of her power, all the while grieving the surprise demise of her father. This one detail sets not only this story up perfectly, but I feel like there are hints of foul-play in his death from the beginning. I can’t wait to see how this all unfolds and drives the rest of the series. I then love, that on top of that, both of Delaney’s sisters also have their own gifts that ensure the safe running of their small town. It all combines to draw you in from the very first sentence, right through until the last.

Alongside all of the challenges that Delaney faces, is the fact that she reconnects with Ryder. I really enjoyed this relationship unfolding, even if it has a bit of a fizzle at the end. Again, there are hints of a greater story line in amongst this, one that I really, really want to unfold. Even more so than the mystery of Delaney’s Dad’s death – after all, Ryder is alive and there is so much sizzle and potential. But, I love a good slow burn in my urban fantasies, so I’m far  more excited for more death, murder and mayhem in the future.

I absolutely loved Death and Relaxation the first time, but I loved it even more the second time around. And now, I get to dive into this series with a more mature viewpoint and outlook on life. There’s a reason why urban fantasy is one of my favourite genres, and this is a gorgeous example of everything that I love in the genre.

<- More Devon MonkDevils and Details ReRead ->

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Pocket Apocalypse by Seanan McGuire

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Pocket Apocalypse by Seanan McGuire: 9780756420024 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

Title: Pocket Apocalypse
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: InCryptid #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2015

Thoughts

I’ve been hunting for a copy of Pocket Apocalypse in Australia for a ridiculously long time. Because we’re Australian and it’s all sorts of difficult to get some books here. But then, I finally found a physical copy to read. Which I did… very quickly… with a whole lot of reluctance to pause and actually join in on adult life. And yes, I completely see the irony of a story that is actually set in Australia, not being readily available in Australia! It was somewhat ridiculous, but I am incredibly glad that I finally found a copy to dive into.

I really enjoyed the fact that I got to read this story primarily on a flight to Brisbane, somehow, reading about an urban fantasy set in Queensland, whilst having a holiday there gave me a whole lot more joy and entertainment. A lot of the time, when there is a story set in Australia, it can be pretty obvious that the author isn’t Australian. However, McGuire did quite a good job of actually describing the weirdness of Australia. Yes, everything kind of low key wants to kill you, yes it’s really weird. And yes, the humans are probably the weirdest of them all. McGuire even managed to get out weird hypocrisy, don’t give a damn attitudes beautifully within the cast. A nuance of the Australian culture that is quite often missed.

As with everything in the InCryptid series, McGuire adds her own spin to well known mythical beasts. I really enjoyed that Pocket Apocalypse was about werewolves. But, with McGuire’s very unique, very scientific spin on it. I loved that, rather than just being their own species of cryptid, werewolfism was actually an illness. The way that it is explained honestly felt entirely plausible and like it could 100% happen in the real world. I love the brilliance of this and the way in which McGuire is able to take some very obvious research and spin it into an entirely plausible approach.

I absolutely adored everything about Pocket Apocalypse, from the science to the mayhem to the impossible to put down story line. But, I also loved the romance in there – it gave context to what it takes to find your forever person and someone who is going to stand beside you. Through thick and thin. Plus, then there’s the Aeslin mice… they never fail to make me smile with joy and whimsy.

<- My Last NameChaos Choreography ->

Image source: Penguin Random House

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
A Wizard of Earthsea: The First Book of Earthsea

Title: A Wizard of Earthsea
Author: Ursula K. Le Guin
Series: Earthsea Cycle #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Fantasy, Magic
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1968

Thoughts

I’ve had A Wizard of Earthsea on my shelves for a little while, both in physical form and on my ebook wishlist. But it’s something that has always been shuffled to the side. Now I’m kind of regretting that decision – there is something about this story that is brilliant and impossible to forget. I absolutely devoured this book and I didn’t want to put it down. A Wizard of Earthsea had a traditional fantasy flavour to its journey, but with an extra spin. Whilst the style and the form of the writing felt like a traditional fantasy that I’ve read before, it had so many surprising moments throughout. Particularly when taken in the context of when this story was first written and published.

I love that throughout this novel, Ged is chasing his mistakes and the errors of youth. Rather than this being a journey about him vanquishing a greater foe, it is really about the adventure that he actually goes on. And the many different ways in which he is able to learn from his mistakes. I also love that, instead of being self-righteous and just blaming everyone, Ged spends the entirety of this story acknowledging his misdeeds and trying to fix the mistakes of the past. He gets to learn through adventure, but he doesn’t do it in a way that makes it hard to empathise with him.

A Wizard of Earthsea was a very passive, but seriously enjoyable adventure. I love that it wasn’t the typical high octane, intense fantasy that I tend to read, but it was still seriously enjoyable. I could put it aside when I had to “adult”, but I was still hanging to dive back into it. Unlike a lot of the fantasies that I read, I found that this story was more about the internal development, and the journey and adventure across Earthsea helped to build up Ged’s character. The setting and adventure almost supported his character’s development, rather than being the external force which alters it.

I really liked the sailing aspect of this adventure. I love that to begin with, it’s all about sailing and running. Then, as the story unfolds, it’s all about sailing and chasing. The roles of pursued and pursuer change as the story unfolds, again, something that I found ridiculously endearing and fun to read about. Then, as the action gets more and more heightened, Le Guin was able to round out the conflict in a way that I absolutely didn’t anticipate. A bit of a surprise for me, since I had absolutely no inkling of how this would end. Now I can’t wait to dive into Le Guin’s world of Earthsea all over again.

<- More Ursula K. Le GuinThe Tombs of Atuan ->

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Born to Be Badger ReRead by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Breaking Badger (The Honey Badger Chronicles, Bk. 4) by Shelly Laurenston - Book Outlet

Title: Born to Be Badger ReRead
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Honey Badger Chronicles #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

Born to Be Badger is violent, insane and everything I love about a good Laurenston book. I love that Tock is the second of the basketball team to fall in love with a Malone Brother. The Malone brothers are just as unhinged as the rest of the Shifter World, but they just have this extra level of… crazy that I adore. And that fits in perfectly with this team of honey badgers and best friends. Then there’s the prologues that show up in these books. I love the insight into the insanity that is this specific group of honey badgers – they started out being fearsome and terrifying young, and it’s so much fun to read about the different ways in which they low key tortured their families.

So far out of the three Malones, Shay is definitely my favourite. He’s a little bit quieter and slightly more odd than his brothers. Plus, unlike Finn and Keane, Shay is just happy to go along with whatever and just… chill out. His laid back attitude is a perfect match for Tock’s more rigid stance on time management. They are such a great little opposites attract trope, one that is compounded by the fact that Tock is so similar to Shay’s daughter. And able to understand her in a way that the rest of her family (i.e. the Malone brothers) are unable to. Shay is a great father and a great character, and I love how he just… chooses Tock, and then follows along with her special brand of insanity in quite a cheerful manner.

Tock’s obsession with time is absolutely hilarious. I’m not going to lie, I kind of wish I had her app – assigning tasks in thirty minute blocks and working to not deviate from this actually sounds like a great way to keep my mind calm. If not a little bit over the top. It also makes it incredibly cute that Tock ends up finding a man whose daughter is just as obsessed with time and STEAM – a great bonding series of sessions for the two. And the imagery of how Shay’s daughter will grow up with Tock in her life has me out right laughing. I hope Laurenston does a bit of a second generation story with how a tiger shifter grows up with a honey badger step-mum.

Honestly, even though this was a reread, I was still absolutely obsessed with everything about this. There’s a reason I keep going back to the Laurenston books and the chaotic violence they are filled with. Plus, I love that Born to Be Badger has the openings valleys into the war with the de Medicis. This alone has made me really excited to read To Kill a Badger and find out how this series story arc continues to unfold. There’s going to be so much more violence, blood and vengeance!

<- Breaking Badger ReReadTo Kill a Badger ->

Image source: Book Outlet

Breaking Badger ReRead by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Breaking Badger by Shelly Laurenston - Penguin Books Australia

Title: Breaking Badger ReRead
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Honey Badger Chronicles #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Mads and Finn are such a great couple, they don’t necessarily need to be with each other at all times, but they want to be around each other, at least occasionally. I love that this is a couple that wasn’t love at first sight. And it isn’t one that is immediately enamoured with one another. They just slowly fall into companionship because Finn is a curious cat, and then realise that this is something with the potential for long-term joy. And still, it’s mostly just Mads just doing her thing, while Finn happily follows along. Kind of cute, a lot of fun and more than a little perplexing at times.

I love that Mads is the first of Max’s team to fall in love. The five basketball-playing honey badgers are all completely insane, and as fun as Max’s love story was, I loved that Mads got her own happily ever after. Plus, it’s also the first of the Keane brothers to fall in love. The fact that all three brothers (who are all control freaks) are going to fall for one of Max’s insane honey badger friends just makes it all that much better. I absolutely love how this started off two lots of character arcs and romances. But, I love even more that this is the beginning of the Black Malone Brothers finding out what happened to their father, and another violent and chaotic story arc to dive into.

Breaking Badger is hilarious, chaotic and completely filled with violence, the very justified reason why I absolutely love Laurenston’s romances. The other reason I keep returning to her books? The women are absolute powerhouses. They are the most intensely strong characters, and I really loved that, in the case of Mads, she’s the literal descendant of a Viking. She comes across as one of the meeker of the honey badger team, but she is just as insane and destructive. Plus, there’s a sword involved, and vengeance for years of horrifying nonsense. I would’ve been sold at the sword, but there was so much more that made me absolutely adore Mads (and her romance with Finn).

There was something about the image of the four honey badgers just… climbing out of an incinerator that I can’t get out of my head. And, for some ridiculous reason, can’t stop laughing at. It’s a pretty good summation of just how intense and violent this series is. And yet, the, admittedly horrific image of four half burnt women crawling out of an incinerator leaves me laughing and smiling. Honestly, I loved absolutely everything about this book and it doesn’t matter how many times I read it, I still can’t get enough of it! Now I’m ready to dive into To Kill a Badger for the first time!

<- Badger to the Bone ReReadBorn to Be Badger ReRead ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia