All posts by skyebjenner

Reading Update as of mid-August 2025

List, ,

A bit delayed in scheduling my next batch of reviews… mostly because I’m now officially a Working Mum. And my daughter is refusing to sleep. And basically, just general life… which is probably why there are also a whole lot of rereads in this batch.

Series

Short story collections

Standalones – Novels

Standalones – Novellas

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

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Overview

Title: Dial A for Aunties
Author: Jesse Q. Sutanto
Series: Aunties #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Humour, Mystery
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Holy crap, this book was freaking amazing. And totally unforgettable. There was just something about it that made me fall head over heels in love from the very first page. I mean, it is pure insanity and hilariously unhinged. But, I love that in a good book. Unhinged in real life isn’t great, but reading about it. Particularly when that unhinged comes from a place of love? That works wonderfully. Which, considering this is really a love story about four aunts and their niece, meant that I thought this was the most delightfully and chaotically unhinged story that I’ve read in a long while.

As I mentioned, there is the romance between Meddy and her past flame, but for me, the biggest love story is Meddy and her aunties. They just don’t hesitate to dive right in and help her out, regardless of just how bad the situation is. Which is particularly hilarious when they are literally trying to hide a dead body. I mean, honestly, the incredibly foolish and ill-conceived decisions just keep coming. And they had me laughing outloud throughout the entire novel. But, the fact that this all came from a place of love and care? It made what was actually quite macabre to be absolutley beautiful and kind of heart melting.

To begin with, there are the multiple timelines in this novel. Starting with the chaotic choices made by Meddy’s mum and leading to the whole body situation. But then, you flash back to Meddy’s past. This doesn’t happen throughout the entire story, but it occurs enough to giv eyou a background not only into Meddy’s past relationship, but also to just where some of her discontent sits. I love though, that when that smaller arc from the past is completed, you are just plunged into the present full time. driven along with the knowledge of some of Meddy’s past, and the reasons why she is not quite happy in life the way it is.

Dial A for Aunties crossed a whole lot of genres in the most enjoyable manner. It felt a little like a mystery, a like sattirical, a little contemporary / contemporary romance and a whole lot of familial love. I basically spent the entire time reading this laughing and giggling – there was just something ridiculously fun and light about this. Which was particularly surprising when there was literally a dead body at the centre of this story…

<- More Jesse Q. SutantoFour Aunties and a Wedding ->

Image source: HarperCollins

Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

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Overview

Title: Trail of Lightning
Author: Rebecca Roanhorse
Series: The Sixth World #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Mythology, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I was not expecting just how amazing this story was going to be. I mean, holy moly, was this one of those stories that I just… absolutely adored and opened up a whole new style of writing that I didn’t want to put down. I mean, a dystopian urban fantasy based on Dine mythology. It’s not a cultural and mythological world that I’ve ever had any experience with, and I am absolutely hooked into this idea. Then, there’s the whole dystopian aspect of the storyline, again, dealing with a dystopian world that was wholly unanticipated, and thoroughly enjoyed. I absolutely can’t wait to dive into Storm of Locusts.

Until I had the pleasure of diving into Trail of Lightning, I hadn’t had the pleasure of reading any of Roanhorse’s full-length stories. I’ve only ever enjoyed the short stories, but, they are typically kind of dark and twisty with a surprising ending. Honestly, it meant that I led into this story with a little bit of trepidation, I was constantly expecting Roanhorse to turn around and just absolutely destroy me with her twists and turns. It didn’t quite work at this way, but I was most definitely expecting things to get dark in a hurry.

Roanhorse was able to surprise me in a lot of ways, but I must admit, that I guessed Kai’s power fairly on. Kai’s Clan Power might have been obvious from the breadcrumbs which are expertly woven throughout, and yet, the actual reveal of it was still a moment of shock. Not that his Clan Power was revealed, or even how it manifested, but the different reactions and the path that it led Maggie and the rest of the characters on. Kai’s Clan Power was a very big story point that I feel needs to be unpacked even more in the next book. And I, for one can’t wait.

I’ve read a lot of urban fantasy books with strong female leads who have a harsh self-view and a tragic backstory. But something about Maggie’s self-view and journey was kind of heartbreaking. I mean, I loved it and absolutely adored it. Yet it also hurt my heart. Maggie’s journey of self-discovery and personal growth were phenomenal and I can’t wait to see how she comes out of the other side of this in Storm of Locusts. Now I just have to dive in…

<- More Rebecca RoanhorseStorm of Locusts ->

Image source: Pile by the Bed

Pyramids by Terry Pratchett

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Overview

Title: Pyramids
Author: Terry Pratchett
Series: Discworld #7, Ancient Civilisations #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1989

Thoughts

As a child I was absolutely obsessed with ancient Egypt, the architecture, the culture, the religion. So I love that Pratchett decided to also harness some of this fascination and bring it into the Discworld novels. It made me smile, it made me laugh and I loved picking up on all of the little details that were interwoven throughout to give the story the wonderful texture that it has. Then, there’s the fact that this is also a story that’s all about bucking tradition, changing your stripes, and finding your own version of happily ever after. All things which I absolutely adore in a good book.

Teppic going from being a Pharaoh-in-waiting, to an assassin-in-training was a very interesting departure from the expected. It also kind of worked out in a really funny way. I loved the different terminology used, particularly the idea of “inhuming” rather than killing. As always, I spent the entirety of this novel smiling and shaking my head at the language utilised. Pratchett was just such a master at turning a phrase, and Pyramids was able to display this wonderfully. I don’t think I will ever get the idea of “inhuming a pyramid” out of my head, and all that that entails.

There were so many twists and turns to this story that I honestly didn’t know where I was going or even what was happening throughout this. I meant that in the best way, and I definitely had the laughter startled out of me at multiple points. But, honestly, this was the most random and twisting story that I’ve read in a while. I also loved that the story was bookended with the same few pages – it just added to both the mystery and the twisting of the storyline.

I really enjoyed Dios as the villain – he was kind of evil, but in a really ignorant way. It was the evil of an unwillingness to change, rather than the evil of maliciousness. It didn’t make his input and chaos any more palatable or easy to read about, but it did make for a great villain that I completely could get behind. I also like that it was a really subtle evil, one that you don’t necessarily pick up on to begin with, but the insidiousness unfolds as the entertainment of the rest of the story does.

<- Wyrd SistersGuards! Guards! ->

Image source: Carturesti

The Magic in the Weaving ReRead by Tamora Pierce

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Overview

Title: The Magic in the Weaving ReRead
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Emelan #1, Circle of Magic #1
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: 1997

Thoughts

I could read this book a thousand times over, and still enjoy it each and every time. There is just something about Pierce’s writing and world building that is just like a big hug. I absolutely adore her stories, and The Circle of Magic, for whatever reason, is a series that I particularly love. Probably because it is about four young individuals who have always felt like they don’t quite belong, for whatever reason. And then they find their Found Family, and discover their inner powers. As a young girl, this was a potent message (I never quite felt like I fit), and even as an adult, it’s a reminder that somewhere, somehow there is a tribe out there for you.

I love that the Circle of Magic series starts off with Sandry. Not only is she the one to weave their magics together, but she is also integral to weaving their relationships together. I loved reading about her story, her growing into her powers and discovering what she can do. Plus, it was so much fun reading about Sandry’s growth and powers, with the lens and understanding of what is to come. It’s always fun rereading a story with an understanding of some of the hints and nuances to come, but it’s even better when the author has crafted a book which gives you something a little different with each reread.

As much as I know and love this story, I always kind of forget how late in the tale their intertwining comes. Most of this story is actually about the four coming into their powers and bonding. It’s not until right at the end that this complication is added. And it’s not until later books in the series that you really start to realise how big of a moment this is. It’s a beautiful way to set up a series – starting with the four becoming a bit more comfortable in their own skins, and discovering who they are. Then, throwing in an extra little dash of chaos at the very end which will fuel the rest of the series.

Although I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read and reread this book, and entire series. And yet, even though I know exactly what is going to happen, I still can’t manage to put this down. There is something about the story and the words that still has me feeling excited, tense and looking forward to what is to come. I don’t know what it is, but I won’t question it, there’s not many times I can go back and revisit a childhood favourite so frequently and with so much love.

<- More Tamora PierceThe Power in the Storm ReRead ->

Image source: Goodreads

Sabriel ReRead by Garth Nix

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Overview

Title: Sabriel ReRead
Author: Garth Nix
Series: Abhorsen #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Medieval fantasy, Necromancers
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1995

Thoughts

I will read and reread Sabriel and the Old Kingdom trilogy forever and ever and enjoy it each and every time. There is something about this that is just like pulling on a nice, warm blanket and cuddling in. Plus, there’s now the greater Abhorsen series that I haven’t actually read yet. So not only was this reread wonderfully fun and comforting, but it will also lead perfectly into reading more of the books that I haven’t yet had the pleasure of reading. I absolutely can’t wait!

Sabriel’s journey to not only growing into her powers as the Abhorsen, but also growing into herself is one that has really withstood time well. Not all of the books that I loved as a teenager have really standed against time all that well, but this one most definitely has. And, for some reason, the fact that this is a book about a young woman, but written by a man? It just makes it that much better. I mean, Nix is able to seamlessly write a great coming of age story that appeals to generations and genders. Something that not everyone is able to do, and when I first read this, I didn’t really feel like there were many female writers writing stories of this calibre and being a coming of age story (I’m sure there were, but I just didn’t have access to them).

As I mentioned, I really love that this is the first strong women / coming of age story that I read in the fantasy genre. I would count Pierce’s work amongst this, but there is something a lot more mature about the story lines of the Old Kingdom trilogy. Sabriel is one of those books that I will definitely share with my children, it is a fantastic story and one that I absolutely adore. It is unforgettable and wonderfully enjoyable. The fact that it deals with death and the idea that everything and everyone must pass on at some point was really powerful and interesting. I enjoyed that aspect in past reads, but now, as an adult who is dealing with loss in their life, I really liked this message. And it is such an important one – everyone, everything and every moment has its time. And we all need reminders of that every now and again.

Nix is phenomenal at his world crafting and character creation. Every single aspect of this story feels lovingly created and the imagery of the world that you are inhabiting on this journey just jumps off the pages. This alone would make me absolutely adore this story and the start of this series. But then, Nix effortlessly combines this talent of description and creation with non-stop action. It is constant, it is engaging and it makes it almost impossible to put this book down. Even when I’ve already read it before and actually know what is going to happen.

<- More Garth NixLirael ->

Image source: Garth Nix

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

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Overview

Title: Down Among the Sticks and Bones
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: Wayward Children #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Fantasy, Mystery, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

Jack and Jill absolutely intrigued me in Every Heart a Doorway, they were not quite evil, but not quite good. And both were able to surprise me again and again throughout their story – they were responsible for so many twists and turns throughout Every Heart a Doorway, so it was really fun to go back in time to their story. Their door. And their origin. And, as always with McGuire, it was everything that I absolutely wanted – dark, twisted and intense.

Everything about Down Among the Sticks and Bones was dark and unsettling. From the very conception of the story (and the girls) to the final moments, all of this wasn’t quite what I expected, but everything that I needed. It was dark, it was horrifying and it led perfectly back to the first book in this series and the darkness that follows.

Jill was always a creepy and sinister character, from the moment she showed up. But, her entitlement and decision making made her go from creepy to seriously sinister. Something about her just triggered all of my hell no flight instincts. Which is pretty impressive as all of her existed in my mind’s eye – McGuire is such a phenomenal writer to introduce that level of darkness in an otherwise entirely literary endeavor. I mean, I still shiver at the horrifying decisions Jill makes again and again…

Although I actually liked Jack, she definitely wasn’t a sane character either. She is just a little less vindictive and entitled. And a whole lot more relatable. Probably mostly because she is a whole lot more relatable than her twin. Being self aware and able to cope with the world helped to ground me a little more in this otherwise seriously uncomfortable (in all the best ways) story.

<- Every Heart a DoorwayBeneath the Sugar Sky ->

Image source: Goodreads

Bite Me ReRead by Shelly Laurenston

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Overview

Title: Bite Me ReRead
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #9
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: 2014

Thoughts

I love that Livvy is the first Honey Badger, and that she rounds out the Pride series, whilst simultaneously bringing in the Honey Badger Chronicles. Something about her is just hilarious. And, since I actually read the Honey Badger Chronicles first, I really love how different she is to her cousin and all of the Honey Badgers to come. She is an artist, she’s violent, and I just had all kinds of fun reading this again. Maybe because she likes to break into the houses of others, and is actively moving away from the violence that the rest of the Honey Badgers in Laurenston’s Shifter World are actively running towards.

One of the things I really liked about Livvy is how different she is from the rest of her family and the honey badgers. She has the talent and ability to be a harbinger of chaos like the rest of them, but she actively fights against this. Yet, when it calls for it, there is a good reason for LIvvy coming back towards the fold. She is completely against being a part of the Yang family business and makes this clear throughout. She doesn’t even want to engage in the dramas of the family, just wants to live her life and take photos. It shows how potent Laurenston’s ability is to craft drastically different characters and create different individuals with each and every story, I never feel like I’m getting a bit same-same with her stories and women.

As a contrast to Livvy’s slightly chaotic approach to life and her family, Vic works really well. I love how he just… supports Liv throughout the story. Without being pushy, he is able to help her get her mojo back with artwork. But, he does it so subtly that it takes her a little while to realise what is happening. Honestly, his quiet and respectful support is completely relationship goals. He just lets Liv be who she is, goes along for the chaos and supports her completely. Yet another reason why I’ve enjoyed rereading the Pride series so much – Laurenston just beautifully crafts her men as a fantastic support and balance to the completely insane women of this world.

Vic’s automatic hatred for Bo is absolutely hilarious. I love that he doesn’t even understand it himself, just goes with the violence and antagonism. But, as the story unfolds, it’s the fact that both Vic and Bo are cat-bear hybrids that seems to be the problem. I love that, although both males have a “cat” side and a “bear” side, it’s Vic’s that is the most pronounced. He absolutely doesn’t have much of a cat side when he’s just strolling around, rather, acts a lot like a bear. But then… in the bedroom. I loved how both sides of him are total opposites, but act in perfect concert to create this hilarious bearcat, and give another layer of texture to the hybrids of Laurenston’s Shifter World.

<- Wolf with Benefits ReReadHot and Badgered ReRead ->

Image source: Publishers Weekly

Wolf with Benefits ReRead by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Wolf with Benefits ReRead
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #8
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: 2013

Thoughts

Going through my Pride series reread, Toni is most definitely still one of my favourite characters. She is so wonderfully and violently maternal. She manages to mange a whole tribe of absolute sociopaths, and she does so with skill and finesse. And then she finds a wolf mate who just bumbles through in the most content of manners. Don’t get me wrong, I also love the way that Ricky Lee just wants to be entertained and watch the world. But its Toni that I can’t get enough of – she is just everything in the controlled chaos realm that I want.

As much as I love Toni, I found the parentification of her life a little bit sad and difficult to read at times. Particularly now that I have my own daughter and I’m so aware of not doing this to her (although I also don’t have a tribe of children going into the double digits). Yet, I love how her parents ultimately acknowledge that this is something that has happened. And then Toni’s dad even apologises for putting her in this position in the first place. It’s a nice moment and makes the annoyance of the parentification a little less potent.

Amongst a bunch of psychotic individuals (which is why I love Laurenston’s writing), I love that it’s the Parker-Jean-Louis’ who tend to really stick out in moments. Not because they are in any way violent or even aggressive, they just have that single-minded tendency of geniuses that is incredibly off-putting. And as someone who has studied amongst some of these people, I completely understand just how off-putting this tunnel vision can be. Kyle in particular is one that I just adore, mostly because I also get to revisit him again and again in the Honey Badger Chronicles.

Wolf with Benefits kind of feels like a departure from the main Pride series story arc, the one about the hybrids being hunted and killed. Honestly, it almost felt a little bit like a fun side quest. Which I absolutely devoured. Plus, it gives you a whole cast of characters in the Parker Jean-Louis clan that I really want more of. Honestly, I don’t actually understand why there are not more stories about these genius / sociopaths (or is it psychopaths) falling in love?

<- Bear Meets Girl ReReadBite Me ReRead ->

Image source: Amazon

Bear Meets Girl ReRead by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Bear Meets Girl ReRead
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #7
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: 2012

Thoughts

Cella is absolutely the quintessential cat, and an absolute shit stirrer (which, to me, is what makes her such a damn cat). She is definitely what my inner voice wishes my outer voice would do. And then there’s Crush, he’s the perfect counterbalance to all of her nonsense and chaos. They are a great opposites attract couple – Cella is all about causing mayhem and challenging people, Crush is all about being calm and just going with whatever flow comes his way. They also work so well at challenging one another in the most positive way at each and every turn.

Where Big Bad Beast really started the chase to find the Big Evil who is hunting and terrorising the hybrids, Bear Meets Girl starts to lead towards a finishing. Although there is a whole team of people causing havoc in this character arc, one of those evils come to their ending. I really like how integral Cella and Dee Ann are in this, with Crush also playing a major part, but mostly just going along with the insanity. In real life, I am totally against murder and mayhem, but the inner voice that loves these books – I love the way that this one part of the series story arc comes to a close.

In Beast Behaving Badly, the idea of polars having foxes is introduced, as always, I love how Laurenston uses real life animal behaviours to inform the behaviours of her shifters. But, more than Bo’s foxes and their chaos, I absolutely adored the reasons why Crush doesn’t have a fox that’s just attached itself to him. He is so outside of the norm for polar bears (and even many of the shifters), that he isn’t able to sustain a relationship with con artists and thieves. I mean, he’s completely straight laced and unwilling to bend the rules for anyone. Until Cella comes along and totally destroys his perceptions of the world.

Cella’s role as a pro hockey player and that being her first love (over the whole super sniper thing), was a really fun difference with the other mercenary characters. I love that this is a major aspect of the storyline – not just in how Cella chooses to live her life, but also in the ways in which the story actually unfolds. For starters, Crush’s brothers are absolutely okay with all kinds of revenge and nonsense being put upon him. But, when the pro hockey player is messed with? Yeah, there’s a whole heap of issues. And then, there’s how Cella is able to move on after her injury… it’s definitely part of the reason I love her so much as a character.

<- Big Bad Beast ReReadWolf with Benefits ReRead ->

Image source: Amazon