All posts by skyebjenner

The Werewolf by Angela Carter

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The WerewolfTitle: The Werewolf
Author: Angela Carter
In: The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories (Angela Carter)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Dark fantasy, Werewolves
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Vintage
Year: 1979
5th sentence, 74th page: Here, take your father’s hunting knife; you know how to use it.

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Synopsis

A tale of a girl who goes visit her grandmother, but encounters a mysterious werewolf on the way…

Thoughts

Oh Grandma, what big teeth you have! And now I shall cause you bodily harm and take your place.

This is possibly my favourite Carter retelling so far. Most of the fairytales, I genuinely enjoy, but Little Red Riding Hood is one that I never really related to. Possibly because I never go to see my own grandmother, and I can’t imagine skipping down a forest path to do so. Plus, what sane family would send their small daughter into the forest where wolves are known to roam? But, I digress. The very things that kind of frustrate me about the original are twisted to fit this fantastic retelling.

For only three pages, this was a really fun and kind of twisted story.

 <- The Lady of the House of Love Review The Company of Wolves Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Weddings

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Wedding

This Saturday just gone, I worked at a wedding. It was beautiful, I had fun working with the other girls, but honestly, the entire charade felt really contrived. Especially when the bride and groom had their first dance. Every step had been carefully manufactured and they looked like they were concentrating so hard on the steps, that they couldn’t actually enjoy each other’s company. Which made me wonder, am I alone in thinking that weddings are a ridiculous charade, or am I just a little different (alright, I do know the answer to this according to friends and family, but…)

My “dream wedding” consists of me and Tys standing outside, doing a quick handfasting and then drinking and celebrating with people who are important. I’d even quite happily elope and then just tell everyone later, but I think that it’d probably upset our families a little too much. After all, I’d rather spend thousands of dollars on a holiday, or our house, or something… tangible. Our best memories are those impulsive moments that have developed into a wonderful night / afternoon / weekend together. It’s the moments that aren’t scripted or planned or even thought out that are the most precious. Is it this way for everyone?

My best friend wants to have the white wedding, we’ve talked about where and things, and I am looking forward to it ridiculously. Because it’s a day about my best friend, but I keep coming across this idea that because I don’t want the same thing, I’m somehow unfeminine or covering myself because my partner hasn’t yet proposed. But this is another point that has me going, huh? Because I don’t even need a ring. I need him. It’s not about a big, glamorous proposal or wedding. For me. If someone else wants this, amazing, but for me, we are already husband and wife. I’d just like to make it legal.

Image source: The Ritz-Carlton

The Magic Word by Jennifer Fallon

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Magic WordTitle: The Magic Word
Author: Jennifer Fallon
Series: Hythrun Chronicles #9
In: Legends of Australian Fantasy (Jack Dann & Jonathan Strahan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Collins Australia
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: I mean… he may not even be aware of what’s going on.

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Synopsis

A fabulous story of what happens when certain worlds collide! Princess Adrina, Damin Wolfblade, the High Prince of Hythria, and Tarja, the Lord Defender seem to be experiencing a time loop … reliving the same day constantly. In the dungeons being held prisoner is a young man by the name of Dirk Provin from the world of Ranadon … he has an alarming message about the breakdown of the veil between their worlds. And when they set off to find the truth, they also find a crashed machine and Tide Lords … and a leipreachan. All they have to do to make everything right is find the ‘magic word’ …

Thoughts

Have you ever wondered what happens to the characters when you close the pages of a beloved book? I always imagine them living their happily ever afters, going on more adventures and just generally enjoying the life that they’ve been granted. But, what if it isn’t like that? The Magic Word is Fallon’s way of looking at what happens to the characters after you turn the last page of the book, after the author stops writing their story.

I loved the concept of this story, and even the way it was told, but some of the repetition throughout it got to be a little tedious. Although, I think that that was kind of the point of the storyline. I felt that it was a little boring just reading it, imagine living the same introduction to your day again and again and again!

This novella took me nowhere that I expected to go. And for that I’m grateful. It also made me think about all of the many, many literary characters I have loved over the years and question what could have become of them (in the imaginative sense).

 <- A Captain of the Gate Review The Enchanted Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins NZ

To Catch a Pirate by Jade Parker

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Overview

To Catch a PirateTitle: To Catch a Pirate
Author: Jade Parker
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Pirates, Romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Point
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Perhaps because for one insane moment she wondered what it would be like to stroll through a moonlit garden with him, dart behind a rose-covered trellis, and rise up on her toes…

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Synopsis

When Annalisa Townsend’s ship is set upon by pirates in search of her father’s treasure, one of the crew, James Sterling, discovers her in the hold. When he moves to take her necklace, she begs him not to, as it is all she has left of her mother. He accepts a kiss in exchange for the necklace. “A fair trade, m’lady,” he tells her afterward, before disappearing.

A year later, with a forged letter of marque, Annalisa is intent on hunting down the wretched James Sterling and reclaiming her father’s treasure from him. But now she’s in danger of him stealing something far more vulnerable this time: her heart.

Thoughts

This is one of those books that both my sister and I completely love. To the point that the only reason I haven’t read it in the last three, four years is because she’s had it almost permanently on her bookshelf. Like I said, we both absolutely love it. Which is why it was so much fun finally getting it back from her to have a good read. And, with the joys of being a little more of a developed reader (and hopefully, writer) and just having a few more years of maturity to my years… it was interesting how different my reactions to a story that I have long loved are.

I do need to reiterate though that although I found a few more flaws in this story line than I have in the past, I still absolutely loved this book. There is something so simply and beautifully sweet about it. And although it’s a pretty typical love triangle, the picturesque nature of the life at sea that Parker so beautifully describes and the completely organic (yet totally destined) way that they fall in love is just… nice. Actually, if I had to choose just one word to describe this novel it would be SWEET. It just screams innocence in a way that a lot of the romances I read don’t. But it isn’t painfully naïve and irritatingly contrived. It’s just sweet.

Although I still loved this story, I did find some of the writing a little less fluid and poetic than other authors I’ve been reading lately. But, when you’ve recently read Pride and Prejudice, most romances just aren’t as prosaically smooth. Somehow though, even with writing that in places lacks that poetry the story is beautiful, vivid, and again, sweet. The lack of poetry in some of the moments almost help to enhance the innocence of this first love (both mine and Anna’s).

<- More easy reading reviews More romance reviews ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Enchanted by Cecilia Dart-Thornton

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Overview
The Enchanted

Title: The Enchanted
Author: Cecilia Dart-Thornton
Series: Bitterbynde Companion
In: Legends of Australian Fantasy (Jack Dann & Jonathan Strahan)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Fae, Romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Collins Australia
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘I wish that your coming-of-age would befall tomorrow, Mistress Blythe,’ said Hawkmoor as they strolled.

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Synopsis

In the enchanted and magical world of Erith, danger comes to Kelmscott Hall as the trows seek to claim Mazarine’s baby. But it is Thrimby, the mysterious servant of the master of Kelmscott who will save them all from the most dangerous of bargains …

Thoughts

Stories that feature the fae are always something that I enjoy sinking my teeth into, and this three-part journey was one such beautifully constructed novella. I also really enjoyed that, for me at least, there were three distinct parts of this story, each with its own mini beginning, middle and end. It, would, theoretically make it easier to put the story down after each point of conflict passed. It didn’t. But, maybe for one less geeky it would.

Starting with Miss Blythe’s quiet brownie friend, her trials and romance are impacted by the presence of the fae throughout her battles against her guardian. The fact that she falls for the man’s son just seems to compound the difficulties that she is forced to face in an attempt to find her happily ever after. Yet, as with all stories, it is her position as an heiress that seems to get her (and her loved ones) in the most trouble. Alright, so some of the story line is a little predictable, but it still has this beauty and sweetness to it that made me fall in love within the first few pages.

After our sweet, and somewhat unassuming chief protagonist loses the man she loves, is forced into an unwanted confrontation with her guardian and leaves her temporary home, she has a whole new set of circumstances that become difficult to face. Again, the grey ones are lingering on the edges, but it is her strength and willingness to see justice that helps to carry her through the second trial of the novella. And, of course, when all seems lost, her love comes to the rescue. At the risk of his own demise.

It is in the third bit of this story that Dart-Thornton really plucks at my heart strings. There is an overarching feeling of the happy ending, everything seems right, and everyone is alive and healthy. And then a baby is due to arrive and the guardian again rears his ugly head. Now is the part of the story that really draws upon fae folklore, and it is the humorous, intriguing way in which this is dealt with that has stuck with me, even days after I finished this story.

I can’t recommend this novella enough – it combines folklore, love and tragedy in one neat package. And although some of it is a little predictable, it is still incredibly enjoyable.

 <- The Battle of Evernight ReviewThe Ill-Made Mute Review ->
Image source: Amazon

A Song for Summer by Eva Ibbotson

Book Review, , ,

OverviewA Song for SummerTitle: A Song for Summer
Author: Eva Ibbotson
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, History, Romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Picador
Year: 1997
5th sentence, 74th page: For a moment Marek let his mind dwell on Nausicaa, the golden girl at the heart of the Odyssey, who had left her maidens to bring help and succour to the weary Ulysses as he came from the sea.

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Synopsis

Ellen never expected the Hallendorf school to be quite so unusual. Her life back in England with her suffragette mother and liberated aunts certainly couldn’t be called normal, but buried deep in the beautiful Austrian countryside, Ellen discovers an eccentric world occupied by wild children and even wilder teachers, experimental dancers and a tortoise on wheels. And then there is the particularly intriguing, enigmatic, and very handsome Marek, part-time gardener and fencing teacher. Ellen is instantly attracted to the mysterious gardener, but Hitler’s Reich is already threatening their peaceful world, and only when she discovers Marek’s true identity and his dangerous mission does Ellen realize the depth of her feelings for him – and the danger their newfound love faces in the shadow of war.

Thoughts

A good romance always includes a guy (or girl) that makes one humungous fuck up, and potentially ruins everybody’s lives. After all, boy meets girl, they fall in love, nothing happens isn’t exactly the greatest of stories. And, this is one of the best ways in which a man completely ruins everything, and yet, you are left gunning for the fantastic characters. And that’s just one part of the plot.

One of the aspects of this story that I love is the history of Ellen’s family and their acceptance for one another. Her mother and two aunts are feminists who burnt their bra and organise rally after rally for the rights of women. They fight tooth and nail to not have to be a housewife, so the fact that Ellen chooses this avenue for her own life is completely shocking to them. partnered with the fact that she is incredibly smart and university educated just seems to drive that knife deeper for her matriarchal family. But, when Ellen makes her desires clear, they accept it and continue to love her. It is little wonder that Ellen herself is filled with so much love and kindness throughout this entire story. After all, this is what family and caring about one another is truly about.

Set in Austria as WWII is breaking out, there is a sense of beauty, innocence and the looming tragedy of war. But, really, what I love the most is Ellen’s capacity to love. She loves the silly teachers at the school she moves to; the unruly children; and the unorthodox family from which she comes. But, it is the fact that she continues to love and accept after tragedy takes her future away. She continues to find a way to take care of her people and those who matter to her, even as her heart continues to shatter into a thousand pieces. And, through it all, she finds a way to have a life that, while it may for a while be devoid of exactly what she wanted, she creates something that matters. Although that sounds a little bereft, there is a happy ending that literally bought a tear to my eyes.

 <- The Secret Countess Review A Company of Swans Review ->
Image source: Amazon

On the Edge by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
On the Edge

Title: On the Edge
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: The Edge #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: If I meet him, I’ll have to discourage him from courting you.

Synopsis

Rose Drayton lives on the Edge, between the world of the Broken (where people drive cars, shop at Wal-Mart, and magic is a fairy tale) and the Weird (where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny). Only Edgers like Rose can easily travel from one world to the next, but they never truly belong in either.

Rose thought if she practiced her magic, she could build a better life for herself. But things didn’t turn out how she planned, and now she works a minimum wage, off the books job in the Broken just to survive. Then Declan Camarine, a blueblood noble straight out of the deepest part of the Weird, comes into her life, determined to have her (and her power).

But when a terrible danger invades the Edge from the Weird, a flood of creatures hungry for magic, Declan and Rose must work together to destroy them—or they’ll devour the Edge and everyone in it.

Thoughts

I have no words for how amazing an introduction to this series On the Edge was! This is the exact reason why Ilona Andrews is one of my ALL TIME favourite authors! She creates a great, dynamic world and takes you on a journey with a sassy, spicy woman who knows her on mind. As the second series by Ilona Andrews that I have read, there are certainly a few stark differences between The Edge and Kate Daniels. For starters, there is a lot more steam and romance in The Edge. Which, since I’ve been in the mood for that, is completely desirable. I have no idea what to expect from Bayou Moon, but I can’t wait for it regardless!

This is such a typical Cinderella-type story. Girl who works hard and is from the ‘wrong’ part of town is swept off her feet by a noble. From the very first meeting, you know that they will end up together, and hope deliriously for a happy ending. But, it’s the journey that makes it fun. For starters, Rose isn’t all that willing to go along with the plan. And Declan has a huge hidden agenda. Plus, there’s the children, and the crazy things going bump in the night and killing everyone… so maybe not that “Cinderella” after.

One of my favourite things about Rose is her loyalty to and care for her brothers. No matter what happens throughout their journey, Georgie and Jack come first. Even when Rose finally agrees to upend her life, it is with strict stipulations on how the boys shall live. And for this, and this alone, I really want to continue to follow Rose through the Edge and back again.

 <- More Ilona AndrewsBayou Moon ->

Image source: Urban Fantasy Wiki

Princess in Love by Meg Cabot

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Overview

Princess in LoveTitle: Princess in Love
Author: Meg Cabot
Series: The Princess Diaries #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Easy reading
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Harper Teen
Year: 2001
5th sentence, 74th page: Use transitive verbs to create brief, vigorous sentences.

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

Synopsis

Princess Mia may seem like the luckiest girl ever.

But the truth is, Mia spends all her time doing one of three things: preparing for her nerve-racking entree into Genovian society, slogging through the congestion unique to Manhattan in December, and avoiding further smooches from her hapless boyfriend, Kenny.

For Mia, being a princess in love is not the fairy tale it’s supposed to be… or is it?

Thoughts

Yet again, Cabot manages to make this a fun, smiley, cute story. It’s a great, easy read that had me giggling and smiling throughout. Something that helps to bring a little light into the days when I feel slightly down and just need an easy, happy pick me up.

In Princess in Love, it feels like Mia finally begins to recognise who she is as a person (or at least, she does towards the end). Yes, she’s still heavily influenced by basically everything around her (like every other teenager), but she’s starting to recognise her own strengths and abilities. After all, she’s only supposed to be fourteen, so I completely understand why she’s a little scattered… I know what I was like at fourteen after all. And I didn’t have to deal with any politics!

I completely understand Mia’s confusion about what to do with Kenny. I remember (ironically when I was about fourteen) a friend asking me out in front of everyone. I said yes out of embarrassment, and then couldn’t figure out how to get out of the predicament I had found myself in. It took me twenty-four hours, for Mia, it was a lot longer, but I completely recognised the internal monologue. Which, I think is why this is such a popular series – after all, even ten years after my own confused adolescence, I could completely relate to what was happening.

Mia’s passion for conservation and saving animals is still slightly twisted towards that teenage naivety (again, see fourteen-year-old me, and my sister…). But, there’s so much potential for her to develop this passion. I love that it brings to light some of the animal rights needs and arguments that were around then and now.

 <- Princess in the Spotlight Review Princess in Waiting Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Princess in the Spotlight by Meg Cabot

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Princess in the SpotlightTitle: Princess in the Spotlight
Author: Meg Cabot
Series: The Princess Diaries #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Easy reading
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Harper Teen
Year: 2001
5th sentence, 74th page: I honestly don’t.

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

Synopsis

No one ever said being a Princess was easy.

Just when Mia thought she had the whole princess thing under control, things get out of hand, fast. First there’s an unexpected announcement from her mother. Then Grandmere arranges a national primetime interview for the brand-new crown princess of Genovia. On top of that, intriguing, exasperating letter from a secret admirer begin to arrive.

Before she even has the chance to wonder who those letters are from, Mia is swept up in a whirlwind of royal intrigue the likes of which hasn’t been seen since volume I of The Princess Diaries.

Thoughts

I love Mia. Like me, she is incredibly adept at putting her foot in it. She also overthinks everything and just seems entirely incapable of doing anything in a sane, collected manner. Yet, no matter how much trouble she seems to find herself in (and since this is a teenage girls’ voice, it was amplified), Mia seems to find a way out of it at the end. And there is, again, a beautifully profound moment of self-realisation at the end.

I’ve definitely been a huge fan of the Michael-Mia relationship (that hasn’t actually happened) since the movie. But there is something better about reading about Mia’s completely clueless perusal of her best friend’s brother. It’s completely clear that he likes her, and Mia spends most of Princess in the Spotlight obsessing over him, but she is still oblivious. Even Lilly is aware of the crush. Although she is kind of psychotically and pushily intense, so it’s hard to know how much she understands. Again though, it’s the view lens of a teenager – I wonder what the words about my best friend (if I chose to write them) would say. Especially when I was a more self-absorbed teenager.

Although there are so many very, very good things about this story. Including the wit, humour and sass, I think that one of my favourite things is that it is incredibly easy to read. It is a nice, fun, enjoyable story that makes you believe in family and friends. I can see that it’s a story that I will be able to read again and again, and have it leave a smile on my face.

 <- The Princess Diaries Review Princess in Love Review ->
Image source: Epic Reads

Spring Road Trips!

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RoadtripThis weekend Tys (my partner) and I went on a road trip with our friends to an engagement party. The fact that it was in Port Lincoln, an area I used to see / travel through frequently as a child made an already fun journey into something that was really nostalgic. The fact that two of our best friends were accompanying us and it was beautiful weather… it was a little sad to come home. Until we opened the door and saw our puppies, and everything was happy and joyful again.

Tys and I often get funny about engagements and weddings. I get a bit uncomfortable justifying the fact that we’re not engaged after all of this time, and he just thinks they’re stupid. But, this might have been the first time that we both really enjoyed it. I’m not sure if it was just a lack of the usual social pressure we feel, or the fact that we were on a road trip.

When Tys and I first started dating, he would have one day off a fortnight and that day would be spent in the car. We’d drive anywhere and everywhere to get his errands done, and just enjoy each others’ company. It’s a perfect time to talk and just be around each other. Doing this on the weekend with the beautiful Eyre Peninsula coastline stretching out around us just made it so much more wonderful. I also quit one of my jobs last week, so we both felt incredibly relaxed.

I might be back home, back to studying, working, writing, cleaning, and just basically adulting, but I feel more relaxed than I have in months. Spending time with that one person that I love more than anything and enjoying beautiful weather has left both of us so happy and content.

Now we just have to plan the next one…

Image source: Onedio