All posts by skyebjenner

The Eternal Warrior by Jenna Maclaine

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: The Eternal Warrior

Author: Jenna Maclaine

Series: Cin Craven #0.1

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Dark fantasy, Strong women, Vampires

Pace: Slow

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2011

5th sentence, 74th page: But I will never forgive you.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

In the dawn of a new millennium, the goddess Morrigan must forge a new race of warriors to protect both Faerie and the human world from an unimaginable evil. This short story is a prequel to the Cin Craven series, first published in The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance.

Thoughts

I had no idea what to expect from this short story – I just know that I bought The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance because this tale was in it. It is a prequel to the Cin Craven series, and I’ve been hanging out to read the rest of the tales in the series. And I really wasn’t disappointed. This was thoroughly enjoyable, kind of cute and had just the right amount of sass.

Cullen and Morrigan feel like they are setting the scene for a massive battle. But, The Eternal Warrior also just tells their own personal story and highlights the intricacies of all that (I’m assuming) comes before. There is this weird push and pull between the two that I find kind of intriguing – it is obvious how much they care for one another, but there is so much bitterness there, and the extra spice made me kind of sad that the story ended so soon. Now I need to pick up the next Mammoth Book and read The Righteous.

 <- Daughter of the Sea Review Eternal Strife Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Dreams From My Father

Title: Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
Author: Barack Obama
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: History, Politics, Race
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: The Canons
Year: 1995
5th sentence, 74th page: I seen you tear ’em up on the playground, no contest.

Synopsis

Dreams From My Father is a refreshing, revealing portrait of a young man asking big questions about identity and belonging.

The son of a black African father and a white American mother, President Obama recounts an emotional odyssey. He retraces the migration of his mother’s family from Kansas to Hawaii, then to his childhood home in Indonesia. Finally he travels to Kenya, where he confronts the bitter truth of his father’s life and at last reconciles his divided inheritance.

Thoughts

I had no idea what to expect from this book. I simply bought it because I needed a political memoir to complete the Popsugar reading challenge. I don’t like politics. I have no interest in conspiracies. And I’m an Aussie. So most of our politicians… well, lately, I don’t even know who’s in power anymore (but that’s a whole OTHER conversation). And, really, Barack Obama was one of the few politicians who doesn’t make me mad or annoyed. And, man am I glad that I picked this up.

I am fascinated with discourses on race and racism. Especially in countries and places that I haven’t seen. Australia has many issues of racism, and I know that it is something that is prevalent across the world. So reading the words of a man who has experienced displacement and prejudice due to his skin colour. It touched me and hit me in a way that nothing else ever has. Maybe just the fact that it is so far removed from my everyday life that there is both a morbid fascination, and a feeling of horror at my white privilege.

Before reading this book, I knew next to nothing about Obama, other than the fact that he was America’s first black president. Now I can understand just how he was so compelling. In fact, I want to read more of his books. You can hear the politicians’ voice coming through the words, but you can also feel the genuine meaning and the greater picture that he paints as you go on a journey with him.

<- Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible ThingThe Jane Austen Writers’ Club ->

Image source: Bookworm

New Blanket!!!

Blog, ,

On Friday I finally got my weighted blanket! I’ve been hanging out for it for 2 weeks. And it arrived!!! And I slept!! And it might be my favourite thing ever…

I’ve always suffered from anxiety. But over the last 2 months I’ve also had slight insomnia. Which explains the not posting and blogging. The disappearing into a hole and generally being pretty away from everything…

But. First time I got my blanket… I had a solid 3 hour nap. And I woke up feeling refreshed! That in and of itself was absolutely freaking amazing.

The first night I slept with it… I still didn’t sleep solidly. But the moments when I slept were good, deep sleeps. Not light tossing and turning like I’ve been used to. It sounds insane, but just that has made me feel like a new person.

Now all I can hope is that I can get my feet back under me and start thriving again…

Steampunk: Looking to the Future Through the Lens of the Past by Ekaterina Sedia

Book Review, , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of SteampunkTitle: Steampunk: Looking to the Future Through the Lens of the Past
Author: Ekaterina Sedia
In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Non-fiction, Steampunk
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: And if it is, can we have progress without the horror that accompanies it?

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

An insightful look into the development of the steampunk genre.

Thoughts

I wasn’t expecting this as the beginning to an anthology of steampunk short stories. I thought that the collection would start with, well… an actual short story. Instead it started with a great insight into how the genre of steampunk has grown and expanded over the years. Mentions of some of the famous large names in the genre and just a great insight into some of the themes and messages that are carried throughout.

Although I’ve read a few steampunk stories throughout the last year (when I first discovered a steampunk novel), I didn’t really know much about the genre as a whole. I know that I enjoy it. It generally involves clockwork. And Victorian England. But that doesn’t really touch upon the rest of the themes that are present, and now that Sedia has given me a greater insight into this, I can’t wait to read the rest of this collection!

 <- The Mammoth Book of Steampunk Review Fixing Hanover Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Assassin Study by Maria V. Snyder

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Assassin StudyTitle: Assassin Study
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Series: The Chronicles of Ixia #1.5, The Study Series #1.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Assassins, Magic, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: Novel, Novella
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Children had been tormented.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Yelena, the heroine of Maria V. Snyder’s stunning debut novel Poison Study, is on her way to her ancestral homeland of Sitia to be reunited with her family and to learn more about her magical powers. An order of execution hangs over her head should she ever return to Ixia. But her true love, Valek, quickly learns that an assassin has taken it upon himself to make sure Yelena doesn’t reach her destination.

As Ixia’s chief of security, and a highly skilled assassin himself, can Valek track down the killer in time to save Yelena’s life?

Thoughts

I didn’t love the way that Poison Study left Valek and Yelena’s relationship. So this did a lot to heal that frustration. It was a great short story that followed Valek as he tries to make sure that she survives yet another threat to her life.

The part that I enjoyed the most about Assassin Study was that it showed the depth of Valek’s emotions for Yelena. Poison Study is all written from her point of view, and whilst it’s obvious that there is a connection, I wasn’t entirely confident in Valek’s emotions. After all, he’s a scary, scary assassin. So, it was great to read a tale in which he risks everything and throws caution to the winds, just to rescue the woman he loves.

 <- Poison Study Review Magic Study Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Fade to Black by Sherri Erwin

Book Review, , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Vampire RomanceTitle: Fade to Black
Author: Sherri Erwin
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Wait, how was I watching?

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Kelly has a boring, mediocre life and Connor Black wants to help her change her stars. But now that she’s agreed, she finds herself in a complex web of history, jealousy and a confusing future.

Thoughts

I feel like there needs to be more to this story. It is short, sweet and multilayered in its world construction. The fact that vampirism is treated as a virus and there is an ancient rivalry between the two male leads creates an engaging world. Yet, it ends so quickly when she hasn’t actually quite chosen which male she wants to try for. Mostly the lead makes a decision about herself, and kind of rides off into the sunset. With a lot of questions unanswered. This is generally why I didn’t give this tale as large a rating as I normally would have. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and the world construction, but it just felt… open.

I like the fact that although this is a vampire romance story (in a vampire romance collection, who’da’thunk’it?), it’s a slightly different take on the idea. There is still the same slightly raunchy feel. There is still the same idea that the male is the aggressor and turns (rescues in this case?) tale. But it treats vampirism differently and in a way that I found to be incredibly unique. A fantastic start to a new anthology, I can’t wait to see where it’s going to go.

 <- The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance Review Ode to Edvard Munch Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Poison StudyTitle: Poison Study
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Series: The Chronicles of Ixia #1, The Study Series #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect), 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Assassins, Magic, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: My stomach felt as if it contained a live mouse, trying to chew its way out.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

How much is your life worth?

In the territory of Ixia control is maintained through the Code of Behaviour forbidding the practice of magic, but danger lurks in mysterious places…

Imprisoned for murder, Yelena Zaltana’s punishment is death, unless she accepts the position of the Commander of Ixia’s food taster… and risks assassination from poison daily.

In a world where magic equals death and freedom is for the lucky few, the battle for Yelena’s life has just begun.

Thoughts

This was one of those random, second hand, impulse buys. I had no idea what to expect. I had never heard of it. And, man, am I glad that I picked this up. It was a great story, but not so grab you by the throat that I forgot about everything else around me. There was a wonderful, strong heroine. An engaging world and storyline. And even a bit of a love story thrown in. I’ve found a new series and author to obsess over!

This is a weirdly medieval dystopian future setting. It’s this great idea of a world in harmony – everyone has a chance, a place and a position. Murder doesn’t occur because there is a strong sense of an eye for an eye (you murder, and you get executed). And there is a strong, independent leader in front. Yet, it’s so obviously flawed. Yelena is on death row for defending herself. She then gets to become a poison taster (someone in the line of assassination) and is thrown into a world of subterfuge. This weird juxtaposition between the great ideals, and the reality of what happens highlights that everything is not always as it seems. And that Yelena might be finding herself in a lot more trouble than she ever could have predicted.

I both liked and disliked the ending of this. Without giving away any spoilers, it is a great lead into the next tale. But I also didn’t like the way that Yelena’s relationships were placed throughout this tale. But, really, it works well because now I can’t wait to read Magic Study and find out how she goes in the next step on her journey of self-discovery.

 <- Dawn Study Review Assassin Study Review ->
Image source: Pinterest

A Lodging for the Night by Robert Louis Stevenson

Book Review, , ,
Overview
A Lodging for the Night

Title: A Lodging for the Night: A Story of Francis Villon
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
In: Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde & Other Stories (Robert Louis Stevenson)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Crime
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Word Cloud Classics
Year: 1877
5th sentence, 74th page: What right has a man to have red hair when he is dead?

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

It was late in November 1456. The snow fell over Paris with rigorous, relentless persistence; sometimes the wind made a sally and scattered it in flying vortices; sometimes there was a lull, and flake after flake descended out of the black night air, silent, circuitous, interminable. To poor people, looking up under moist eyebrows, it seemed a wonder where it all came from. Master Francis Villon had propounded an alternative that afternoon, at a tavern window: was it only Pagan Jupiter plucking geese upon Olympus, or were the holy angels moulting? He was only a poor Master of Arts, he went on; and as the question somewhat touched upon divinity, he durst not venture to conclude. A silly old priest from Montargis, who was among the company, treated the young rascal to a bottle of wine in honor of the jest and the grimaces with which it was accompanied, and swore on his own white beard that he had been just such another irreverent dog when he was Villon’s age.

Thoughts

I’m still not entirely sure of the gist of this story. I even read a few passages multiple times. But I still enjoyed it. Even when I didn’t quite get what was going on…

What I loved about this story was the dialogue. I am not the best at writing dialogue at the best of times. And even worse at writing long, heavy conversations. Yet, Stevenson pulls this off amazingly. There are aspects of the prose that are completely constructed of the dialogue between two individuals, and although it is a little long-winded, it is certainly beautifully done and well-written.

 <- The Pavilion on the Links ReviewTreasure Island Review ->
Image source: AbeBooks

Daughter of the Sea by Kathleen Givens

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: Daughter of the Sea

Author: Kathleen Givens

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Fae, Fantasy, Romance

Pace: Medium

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: The Queen stood nearby, draped in a long dark cloak, her face pale.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Muirin and Conlan are meant for each other, but her evil stepmother stands in the way. Will Muirin be able to overcome all the obstacles in front of them and finally claim her one true love?

Thoughts

This is such a fun, typical Irish romance story. Alright, it’s a lot shorter than many of the tales that I generally read based in this world. And I enjoyed it just as much as I enjoy every single one of these tales. My background is all based in the UK, and there is something that has always drawn me to Irish and Celtic tales.

Muirin and Conlan are such a sweet couple. And from the very beginning of this tale, it is obvious that there is going to be a very large obstacle put in the way of their love and eventual marriage. And because this is in a collection of romance tales, it is equally obvious that they are going to overcome. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t thoroughly enjoyable. And even after her three tasks are laid out in front of her, it isn’t quite obvious just how these obstacles will be overcome. And it is in this that the journey is fun.

I read this just before curling up for bed, and it was a great way to end the night. I got this beautiful little tale of love and Irish folklore while my partner slumbered next to me. And the combination was pleasant and fun. It also lead to some of the more peaceful and pleasant dreams that I’ve had in a while.

 <- Shifter Made Review The Eternal Warrior Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

4th Quarter Challenge

Challenges

Duration: 1st October – 31st December
Number of books: 8
Hosted by: Bookworm Bitches

Rules:
~Books must be read during the selected time period.
~Post a link to the book, date you finished and rating
~All books read for challenges can be used for more than one challenge.
~Books can be either Fiction or Non Fiction. Your choice.
~If you don’t have a book that matches the option on the list, pick any book on your TBR.

1. Read the 17th oldest book on your TBR List – Judgment Road by Christine Feehan

2. Read a book by an author you love or an author you read within 2018 – P. S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

3. Read a book published in the same year you joined Goodreads – To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han (2014)

4. Read a book by an author you’ve never read before – Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan

5. Read a book set around a holiday or has a holiday themed cover – The Fish Ladder by Katharine Norbury (summer holidays)

6. Read a book with a Orange cover – Princess in Training by Meg Cabot

7. Read the next book in a series or start a new series – Bound Together by Christine Feehan

8. Catch up on a Bookworm Bitches selection or read a book you have been meaning to read for a long time – Fire Bound by Christine Feehan