All posts by skyebjenner

A Guide to Native Bees of Australia by Terry Houston

December 28, 2019Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Insects, Non-fiction, science, Terry Houstonskyebjenner

Image result for book cover a guide to native bees of australia

Title: A Guide to Native Bees of Australia
Author: Terry Houston
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Insects, Non-fiction, Science
Dates read: 16th October – 29th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Non-fictional text
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: As the bee immatures reach maturity and pupae give rise to adults, the mite nymphs moult to become hypopi and mount their new bee hosts in preparation for being carried out of the brood cells to begin yet another cycle.

Bees are often thought of as yellow and black striped insects that live in hives and produce honey. However, Australia’s abundant native bees are incredibly diverse in their appearance and habits. Some are yellow and black but others have blue stripes, are iridescent green or wasp-like. Some are social but most are solitary. Some do build nests with wax but others use silk or plant material, burrow in soil or use holes in wood and even gumnuts!

A Guide to Native Bees of Australia provides a detailed introduction to the estimated 2000 species of Australian bees. Illustrated with stunning photographs, it describes the form and function of bees, their life-cycle stages, nest architecture, sociality and relationships with plants. It also contains systematic accounts of the five families and 58 genera of Australian bees. Photomicrographs of morphological characters and identification keys allow identification of bees to genus level. Natural history enthusiasts, professional and amateur entomologists and beekeepers will find this an essential guide.

This book has been insanely helpful to my understanding and knowledge of native Australian bees. A lot of what I’ve witnessed in the field was supported and further expanded by this book. Yet, it was also filled with approachable language that even people who don’t pursue a PhD would be able to understand. Not something I often find in my science books.

The layout of this book is wonderfully logical. It starts with an overview of Australian bees, starts to go into the specifics of their biology and then, finally, ends with a breakdown of the specifics of each family found within Australia.

There’s not much more I can really write about a nonfictional text in an interesting manner. But, suffice it to say that I would be referring to this a lot as I march around the bush in search of pollinators and other interesting invertebrates.

<- More insect reviews

More science reviews ->

Image source: CSIRO Publishing

Summer Knight by Jim Butcher

December 28, 2019Book ReviewCrime, Jim Butcher, Paranormal Fantasy, The Dresden Files, Urban Fantasy, Wizardsskyebjenner

Image result for book cover summer knight

Title: Summer Knight
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Wizards
Dates read: 25th October – 29th November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: I’m a lot of things, but I’m not a willing murderer.

Meet Harry Dresden, Chicago’s first (and only) Wizard P.I. Turns out the ‘everyday’ world is full of strange and magical things – and most of them don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in.

Since his girlfriend left town to deal with her newly acquired taste for blood, Harry’s been down and out. He can’t pay his rent. He’s alienating his friends. He can’t recall his last shower. Then when things are at their worst, the Winter Queen of Faerie saunters in with an offer Harry can’t refuse. All he has to do is find out who murdered the Summer Knight, the Summer Queen’s right-hand man, and clear the Winter Queen’s name.

It seems simple, but Faerie politics seldom work out that way. Then Harry discovers the fate of the entire world rests on this case. So no pressure…

MAGIC – IT CAN GET A GUY KILLED.

I always forget how much I enjoy Harry Dresden when I walk away from one of his books. I always want to immediately pick up the next one in the series, but since I’m easily distracted… this doesn’t necessarily frequently happen. I only picked up Summer Knight because I recently read yet another short story set in this world. Which reminded me how amazing this writing is. Not just the storyline and the fun characters, but the pure sarcasm that tends to trip from the pages.

This might have one of my favourite scenes in it thus far – Harry screaming “I don’t believe in fairies.” As he charges into a battle with the faery courts. Quite possibly the best battle cry I have ever read and one that had me giggling quite insanely. Because I do many things in an insane matter at the moment… it’s just the crazy time of year.

This is the first Dresden Files story that starts to deal with the fae. The first book is a great introduction to the world, then we get werewolves and then vampires. And now, now it is the courts of the Sidhe going into battle with each other. And you know, an evil, completely insane faery behind it all who somehow thinks she’s doing the right thing by ripping the world apart. It’s yet another supernatural group which Harry manages to piss off and alienate.

There are so many hints of Harry’s history in the first few books of this series. It’s obviously dark and twisted. But you never actually find out why he killed his mentor. Finally, we meet Elaine (the woman who was a part of his life at the time) and find out exactly what happened. Why he decided that killing his mentor was a good idea. It also gives an inkling to why there are some ill feelings between himself and the Council. Ill feelings which I’m pretty sure are going to expand as the series continues and I think that Morgan is going to turn out to be a bit of a villain throughout.

As usual, this is a fantastic novel. I can’t wait to add more to my shelves… maybe in the new year I will finally get caught up on this series!

<- Grave Peril Review

Death Masks Review ->

Image source: BookDepository

Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout

December 28, 2019Book ReviewAliens, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Lux, Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adultskyebjenner

Image result for book cover shadows jennifer l armentrout

Title: Shadows
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Lux #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Aliens, Romance, Science fiction, Young adult
Dates read: 28th – 29th November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: How…how in the world?

The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life-form on Earth, human girls are… well, fun. But since the Luxen have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane. Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable.

Bethany can’t deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren’t a complication she wants, she can’t stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she’s drawn in. Captivated. Lured. Loved.

Dawson is keeping a secret that will change her existence…and put her life in jeopardy. But even he can’t stop risking everything for one human girl. Or from a fate that is as unavoidable as love itself.

This was seriously cute. And now I’m disappointed that the Lux series is about Daemon, not his twin Dawson. Dawson is much, much sweeter than his twin and I love that he falls so hopelessly in love from the very beginning of the story. I’m also seriously hoping that the end isn’t what it seems to be and is just a part of some massive, major conspiracy. I’d much rather a conspiracy to the ending of this prequel… that was just really sad and made me cry. Literally.

The tone of this is pretty typical for a sappy, teen romance. However, the writing is phenomenal – I haven’t read many teen romances set in high school that draw me in this completely. And, honestly, I think that it comes down to the writing and the brilliance of the creator. Because although the storyline follows the expected pathways (until the end, then there’s a really big twist)… it’s the characters that I’ve come to love. To the point that I wanted to pick Obsidian up immediately after finishing the final page. I have a MASSIVE TBR that I want to finish before the end of the year though, so I’m doing that whole self-control thing.

Sometimes I read a prequel and then wonder how it’s going to connect into the main series of novels. That wasn’t the case with this. Not only does Shadows introduce you to the main characters, but it also gives a background into exactly who the Lux are. And also the difficulties that they have to face with their alien presence in the world. Actually, just the description of the alien race is not only unique, but fantastically handled in this. After all, they’re beings of light – not terrifying humanoid creatures (I’ve been reading a book called Alien Sex lately, and that collection is filled with terrifying, messed up aliens).

I haven’t read many alien novels… mostly they’ve just never come up in my suggestions before. But I’m discovering this year that I do really enjoy them. And this has got to go to the top of my list. I’ve got the first four books on order now and I can’t wait until they arrive on my doorstep!

<- More Jennifer L. Armentrout

Obsidian ->

Image source: Amazon

Make it Snappy by Faith Hunter

December 27, 2019Book ReviewAnimagus, Dark Fantasy, Faith Hunter, Jane Yellowrock, Strong Women, Urban Enemiesskyebjenner

Image result for urban enemies book cover

Title: Make it Snappy
Author: Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock #0.75
In: Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Dark fantasy, Strong women
Dates read: 28th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Katie pouted, her lips pursing around her canines.

Leo’s heir has pinned and trapped him with some help. What she wants is something a little more difficult to define than simply power… plus, there’s some betrayal in the mix.

It’s been a little while since I picked up a Jane Yellowrock novel. It just seems to have fallen on the wayside of the series that I’m insanely digging through. I also tend to be a bit of a book slut – I’ll read one or two books from a series, and then move on to another one. I’m currently reading about 190 different series. Having said that, I did love revisiting this world and the introduction that this short story provides to Leo and his heir, Katie.

One of my favourite things about this short story is the final sentence. I won’t tell you what it is, because you should read it yourself… but it is a great ending to a fantastic story. It also gives a little more insight into the dynamics of the vampire clan which Jane is most closely involved with.

I love that although Katie is in a position of power over Leo, she doesn’t actually want to take his place. It’s a reminder that for different people, power means different things. And we all take advantage in our own ways. Actually, mostly, it just made me like Katie all the more – it’s the unseen powerful that you never see coming that are intimidating.

<- Signatures of the Dead

Skinwalker ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster

The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells

December 27, 2019Book ReviewClassics, H.G. Wells, Science Fictionskyebjenner

Image result for book cover the first men in the moon

Title: The First Men in the Moon
Author: H.G. Wells
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Science fiction
Dates read: 26th – 17th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Cantebury Classics
Year: 1901
5th sentence, 74th page: “They’re not seeking us, or thinking of us.”

When penniless businessman Mr Bedford retreats to the Kent coast to write a play, he meets by chance the brilliant Dr Cavor, an absent-minded scientist on the brink of developing a material that blocks gravity. Cavor soon succeeds in his experiments, only to tell a stunned Bedford the invention makes possible one of the oldest dreams of humanity: a journey to the moon. With Bedford motivated by money, and Cavor by the desire for knowledge, the two embark on the expedition. But neither are prepared for what they find – a world of freezing nights, boiling days and sinister alien life, on which they may be trapped forever.

The second to last book in my H.G. Wells novel run. I seem to be ripping through them ridiculously quickly. It is yet another fun, engaging and thrilling read. Another tale that I loved and found ridiculously engaging. I think that the very mention of the moon made me feel light and floaty while reading this. Something that was a little more surreal than the other Wells books so far.

This is another story that I’m going to have to read another ten times to truly “get” what’s going on. There is just something ridiculously fun about the multi-layers in this story. The way that they’re built upon one another, so you’re not only taken on an adventure across the moon, in a battle with moon-Martians.

The characters in this novel are fun and witty. Which is why it’s understandable that this is such a well-known classic. They’re relatable and accessible. Easy to listen to and see. And definitely an enjoyable bunch of companions to take on the journey with you. Not the kind of book that I would leave collecting dust on my shelves – it’s going to be one that I’ll read again and again and again.

There’s not many stories in my collection that are based on the moon. Yet, it’s something that I am fascinated by. After all, we look up at it every night. And people have actually set foot on the moon…

<- The War of the Worlds Review

The Food of the Gods Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

When Gargoyles Fly by Lori Devoti

December 27, 2019Book ReviewGargoyles, Lori Devoti, Paranormal Romance, The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romanceskyebjenner

Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance book cover

Title: When Gargoyles Fly
Author: Lori Devoti
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Gargoyles, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 27th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Her hands were wrapped around his neck, her cheek pressed against his chest.

She wants to carve a beautiful gargoyle like the one she comes across everyday. But, when she’s pushed off the building and the gargoyle she bought to life saves her, all bets are off.

This is my first ever gargoyle story. Which is intensely exciting, because I got to create a new bookshelf in my shelves. I spent most of the time thinking about the funny gargoyle sidekicks in The Hunchback of Notre Dame though… which, considering this was a fairly serious gargoyle. And apparently a sexy one… the images in my head really didn’t suit this story.

I’m a big believer in the idea that everything has a “soul” or spirit. Something that vibrates at a frequency and connects all of us. Although I don’t feel a huge connection with stone, I do think that it does have some kind of life in it. This short story reflects that idea. It was kind of brilliant how it worked. And the idea that a woman / artist was able to somehow bring this to life…intriguing. Actually, I found the artistic side of this story so much more romantic than the actual romance side of it.

This is not my favourite romance in this collection so far. Which was surprising… it started out with so much promise! But there was something just a little… meh about the story. Mord just let the woman he loves roam around and get put into a crazy asylum… not my favourite way to deal with a romantic story, and no fun, powerful message behind it. He was just stupid.

<- Pack Review

The Lighthouse Keeper and His Wife Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

December 26, 2019Book ReviewBook to Film, Classics, H.G. Wells, Science Fictionskyebjenner

Image result for book cover the war of the worlds

Title: The War of the Worlds
Author: H.G. Wells
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Book to Film, Classics, Science fiction
Dates read: 24th – 26th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Cantebury Classics
Year: 1898
5th sentence, 74th page: Save for the sound we lay quite still in the scullery; I for my part scarce dared breathe, and sat with my eyes fixed on the faint light of the kitchen door.

With H.G. Wells’ other novels, The War of the Worlds was one of the first and greatest works of science fiction ever to be written. Even long before man had learned to fly, H.G. Wells wrote this story of the Martian attack on England. These unearthly creatures arrive in huge cylinders, from which they escape as soon as the metal is cool. The first falls near Woking and is regarded as a curiosity rather than a danger until the Martians climb out of it and kill many of the gaping crowd with a Heat-Ray. These unearthly creatures have heads four feet in diameter and colossal round bodies, and by manipulating two terrifying machines – the Handling Machine and the Fighting Machine – they are as versatile as humans and at the same time insuperable. They cause boundless destruction. The inhabitants of the Earth are powerless against them, and it looks as if the end of the World has come. But there is one factor which the Martians, in spite of their superior intelligence, have not reckoned on. It is this which brings about a miraculous conclusion to this famous work of the imagination.

This is a surprisingly intense story. The last few H.G. Wells books that I’ve read have felt a little more humorous, and so this one kind of took me by surprise. It is far more dark and dangerous. A little more serious and definitely one I’m going to have to read again multiple times to truly understand what I’ve actually been reading. Although, even on my first read through… I seriously enjoyed it and can completely understand why it is a classic!

I’m always a sucker for a first person POV. And it’s not something I tend to come across so much in classics that were written in the 1800s. Actually, off the top of my head, it’s the first classic of this era that I’ve enjoyed the first person POV. It gave a unique voice and feeling to the story that I really wasn’t expecting. And one I was kind of sad to close the pages on. Although, again, very different from the glimpses I’ve caught of the movie.

Although I absolutely ripped through this story and found it quite easy to get through. It was still quite an intense read. There is a lot going on throughout and there are multiple moments when you really just have to sit back and absorb what you’ve just read.

I can see the roots of a lot of modern stories in this novel. You can understand why Wells is one of the forefathers / founding fathers of the science fiction genre. I’m so glad that I’ve had the pleasure of reading this, and I look forward to pursuing it a few more times in my future.

<- The Invisible Man Review

The First Men in the Moon Review ->

Image source: New York Reviews

Guns for the Dead by Melissa Marr

December 26, 2019Book ReviewDark Fantasy, Graveminder, Melissa Marr, Naked City, Paranormal Fantasy, Strong Womenskyebjenner

Title: Guns for the Dead
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Graveminder #1.6
In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Dates read: 26th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: He sipped his drink and stared at Alicia, who now stood with her hands on her hips.

Frank wants a job with the gun runner of the undead world. The interview is unique in so many ways. But, he might just get the job after all… if he survives.

I always like a good gun runner story. One that takes place in the land of the dead – well, it wasn’t entirely what I expected, but it was definitely enjoyable. The fact that the female in this was seriously tough and starts out the story by shooting a man… well, that is going to draw me in immediately.

I’ve been on some uncomfortable job interviews but starting out by getting shot and then ending by watching someone get killed. Well, it’s a lot more intense than any of the interviews I’ve ever been on. And hopefully ever will go on. But it was certainly an interesting way to tell a story.

This was a fantastic short story. Now I can’t wait to buy the books in the larger series! I’ve had them on my wishlist for a while, but this has certainly given me the inspiration to actually buy it this time.

<- The Way Station Review

And Go Like This Review ->

Image source: Patricia Briggs

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews

December 25, 2019Book ReviewHidden Legacy, Ilona Andrews, Nevada Baylor Trilogy, Paranormal Romance, Romantic Suspense, Strong Womenskyebjenner

Title: Burn For Me
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Hidden Legacy #1, Nevada Baylor Trilogy #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Strong women
Dates read: 24th – 26th November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: Reginald works for me.

Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career – a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile situation. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.

Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan – a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run and wanting to surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.

Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world.

This isn’t an intensely overboard romance, but there is enough fire and spice to make it impossible to put down. That perfect balance for when you want something a little gooey, but not overboard like some of the other romances on my shelves. Actually, the end doesn’t even end as a happily ever after, ride off into the sunset thing. Which was perfect, because now I can’t wait to read the next book and see if they get together in that.

I am completely in love with Nevada. She’s tough and independent and her powers are triggered by her protective instincts. There is just something about the combination that is impossible not to love. However, I’m pretty much guaranteed to love any character that Andrews creates – there is just something all-consuming about the female leads that are created in their works. The men are also awesome, and I enjoyed Rogan… but Nevada is amazing. My favourite female lead of the month.

Most romancey books that I read, it’s fairly obvious that the male is attracted to the female from the beginning. And by the end he’s in love. That doesn’t really happen in this, and I’m still not sure if he’s flipped the switch to actually being in love yet… but I’m sure he eventually will. I also can’t figure out if he’s exactly what Nevada believes he is, or if he’s just very, very good at hiding that side of himself. Like I said, I can’t wait to dig into White Hot.

I’m pretty sure that a future bombshell that is going to be dropped is that Nevada is a Prime. There is a bit of mystery to peoples’ responses to her that hints at some kind of big reveal later in the series. And I’m fairly certain that that is it… which of course, just makes me THAT MUCH MORE keen to read the next damn novel… but I’m trying to get through my massive TBR first.

<- More Ilona Andrews

White Hot ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Werewolf Before Christmas by Kat Richardson

December 25, 2019Book ReviewChristmas, Dark Fantasy, Kat Richardson, Urban Fantasy, Werewolves, Wolfsbane and Mistletoeskyebjenner

Image result for wolfsbane and mistletoe book cover

Title: The Werewolf Before Christmas
Author: Kat Richardson
In: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Dark fantasy, Urban fantasy, Werewolves
Dates read: 25th November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: And hope.

He’s a werewolf stuck halfway between his forms at the North Pole. And, he’s understandably peckish… but maybe it wasn’t such a great idea to eat Rudolph.

Most Christmas stories I tend to read are quite happy. I’ve NEVER read one that starts with a werewolf eating Rudolph. That was a shock. It was hilarious, and I scared my dog by spitting out a bit of my tea as I held in the laughter (yes, I have a twisted sense of humour, so sue me). But it was also incredibly unique. As I said, I’ve never had the pleasure of reading a story which begins with Rudolph being eaten by a werewolf. And not just a werewolf, but a werewolf stuck in a crazy kind of half-form that he can’t seem to get out of. Little wonder that that image made me spit out my tea.

Although this was a story that starts with Rudolph, there were a surprising amount of Christian overtones. In fact, Santa only visits good little Christian boys and girls… which I found a bit annoying – but that’s my own religious hangups. I did like that there were a number of versions of the Saint Nikolas mythos added into the telling of the tale. It wasn’t just about our more modern / common versions of this. And there was also his evil shadow to contend with…

I love that the last spin on this featured Rudolph’s nose. Instead of a light to guide the way, the werewolf was able to use his superior sense of smell. And the way that he uses this to navigate the night… brilliant. Even though I’m pretty sure the werewolf is still kind of evil and needs a swift kick up the bum… all in the name of the Christmas spirit of course!

<- The Night Things Changed Review

Fresh Meat Review ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Earth and Skye

The ramblings of a bibliophile.