All posts by skyebjenner

Yami by Yami Lester

October 30, 2017Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Biographies, Indigenous Australians, Yami Lesterskyebjenner

Title: Yami: The Autobiography of Yami Lester
Author: Yami Lester
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Biographies, Indigenous Australians
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Jukurrpa Books
Year: 1993
5th sentence, 74th page: Tjitji kungkatja.

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

This is Yami Lester’s story: from stockman to stirrer. Beginning in the heart of the Western Desert, Yami tells of his early years learning the country and the Law from the Ones Who Know. Of his years as a stockman, learning his trade on the vast, unfenced cattle stations of the Centre. Of this years living in the world of white people. And of the childhood memories stirred by a voice on the radio – memories of the day when the ground shook and a black mist came up from the south and covered the camp. Of the sickness that followed, and the blindness that changed his life for ever. Yami’s is a unique life of challenge and change, courage and humour. From the remote Centralian outback to the handback of Uluru, from bomb tests at Maralinga to the Royal Commission in London, Yami’s memories are aout the making of modern Australian history.

It was suggested that I read this because of my course in Indigenous Australians in environmental management and my interest in what our First Nation people have experienced. And let me tell you, I am so incredibly glad that I did. This story is just awe inspiring and fascinating. It not only entails part of our history, but also shows the strength, compassion and drive of people who have, quite frankly, not been treated as they should have been.

If you’re interested in Australian history, and more specifically, Indigenous history, this is certainly a book that is worth reading. I was kind of expecting a story that highlighted all of the many negative things that happened when white man decided to declare terra nullius, but this story was nothing like that. Yami’s love for the country and his people is clear. His experiences are told across the board and there is this really beautiful hope and care for the country and its people. All of its people.

The main reason that I decided to buy this story was because of Yami’s presence during the Maralinga bombings. What I didn’t realise was that he was instrumental in the fight to find out what truly happened there. Actually, he was very involved in a few moments in our past that I hadn’t expected – land rights movements, Indigenous education and health… he fought for a lot of things and, in many cases, he succeeded (or at least, he did mostly).

Yami takes you on an adventure through his life. Starting with the early years in central Australia and his work as a stockman, he took me on a journey through his life. One that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

<- Scar Tissue Review

The Blind Side Review ->

Image source: Black Mist Burnt Country

Failed Readings

October 29, 2017BlogFail, Failure, Fun Anyway, Reading Challengeskyebjenner

As those of you who read this know (if, there are in fact, any of you), I have been trying to partake in reading challenges. October has been my second month. And honestly, it was a failure. Probably because the sheer volume of reading challenges I decided to attempt, and probably because of the amount of study and work that I’ve had on. Really, October has just been a lost month all round.

Firstly, I have about 4 books that will be finished in November and not October. I’m going to add them into my October challenge because I started them then. And really, no one is actually checking up on me. BUT. I still kind of feel like a cheat and a failure. That’s completely balanced out by the fact that I don’t like to fail at a challenge…. this may just be enhancing the confused feeling / trend of the month though.

Why so confused? I think it’s partly the fact that I’ve been super busy. And most likely bitten off WAY more than I can chew. It’s not really a new phenomena for me, but actually having to write about and reflect on my choices over the past few months is a little overwhelming. It is also a good indicator of how damn stubborn I am. I knew a few months ago that I was probably doing too much and my grades were going to suffer (I got quite sick for a while there), but I wanted to win.

Instead of winning, I’m now doing a sub-par, confused job of most things… not really impressed with myself here…

Image source: Clipart Library

Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews

October 28, 2017Book ReviewDystopia, Ilona Andrews, Kate Daniels, Paranormal Fantasy, Shapeshiftersskyebjenner

Title: Magic Binds
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #9
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Paranormal fantasy, Shapeshifters
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace fantasy
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: “Yes.”

Mercenary Kate Daniels knows all too well that magic in post-Shift Atlanta is a dangerous business. But nothing she’s faced could have prepared her for this…

Kate and the former Beast Lord Curran Lennart are finally making their relationship official. But there are some steep obstacles standing in the way of their walk to the altar…

Kate’s father, Roland, has kidnapped the demigod Saiman and is slowly bleeding him dry in his never-ending bid for power. A Witch Oracle has predicted that if Kate marries the man she loves, Atlanta will burn and she will lose him forever. And the only person Kate can ask for help is long dead.

The odds are impossible. The future is grim. But Kate Daniels has never been one to play by the rules…

As always, Ilona Andrews has created an amazing story in the world of Kate Daniels. I was so disappointed that it was over. And now I have to wait I don’t know how long for the next story in this series. I waited for this one though, so I think I can wait for the next one… plus, there’s a few other Ilona Andrews series that I have in my shelf to start…

Kate continues to experience personal progress throughout this book. In this case, she not only has to battle the new desire to conquer the world, but also the restrictions placed on her by others. Although the battle with the need to conquer is more terrifying, I found her feeling of rubbing up against her restrictions all the more powerful. After all, she has continuously put herself in harms way to protect others, and now that she is expanding in her role as city’s protector, she is being warned to not do what she has always done. There is a beautiful point that she makes in the story that it is okay to almost kill herself when others need it, but the rest of the time, she is expected to not use her considerable powers. Rather than being treated like a person by certain members of her circle, she’s merely used as a tool that can be bought out when needed and hidden the remainder of the time. This double standard echoes in all of her relationships and is a reminder that it’s important to accept people – all of them, or none of them, not just the bits that work for you.

As with the other Kate Daniels books, this is kind of a dark story. But the books seem to constantly get darker as the series continues. This time Kate isn’t only forced to face her own demons in a battle to save herself and her city. But she is also in a race against time to save Curran and their unborn (unconceived) son. The stakes continue to get higher and higher as the battles rage around and through her.

<- Magic Stars

Iron and Magic ->

Image source: Penguin Random House

Wolf Alice by Angela Carter

October 27, 2017Book ReviewAngela Carter, Classics, Dark Fantasy, The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories, Werewolvesskyebjenner

Title: Wolf Alice
Author: Angela Carter
In: The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories (Angela Carter)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Dark fantasy, Werewolves
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Vintage
Year: 1979
5th sentence, 74th page: She grew up with wild beasts.

A feral child, whom some nuns have attempted to “civilize” by trying to teach her standard social graces, is left in the house of a monstrous, vampiric Duke when she cannot conform. She gradually comes to realise her own identity as a young woman and human being, and even develops compassion for the Duke, going far beyond the nuns’ stunted views of life.

Sometimes we just can’t conform to others’ beliefs of “normal”. But, that’s not always a bad thing, it’s just something that happens. And, in the case of this short story – that non-conformity led to a young, feral girl child being abandoned to an older, vampiric gentleman. What a way to punish someone for not doing as you expect them to! And, you know, there’s a lot of symbolism in the fact that the young, untrained girl is literally given away to an older man. One that is a blood-sucker to be more precise.

This was a great way to finish The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories – it is vivid, descriptive and just as wickedly twisted as the rest of the stories in this collection.

<- The Company of Wolves Review

The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews

October 26, 2017Book ReviewIlona Andrews, Paranormal Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Strong Women, The Edgeskyebjenner

Title: Bayou Moon
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: The Edge #2
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: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: A tiny light flared in her eyes.

The Edge lies between worlds, on the border between the Broken, where people shop at Walmart and magic is a fairytale–and the Weird, where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny…

Cerise Mar and her unruly clan are cash poor but land rich, claiming a large swathe of the Mire, the Edge swamplands between the state of Louisiana and the Weird. When her parents vanish, her clan’s long-time rivals are suspect number one.

But all is not as it seems. Two nations of the Weird are waging a cold war fought by feint and espionage, and their conflict is about to spill over into the Edge—and Cerise’s life . William, a changeling soldier who left behind the politics of the Weird, has been forced back into service to track down a rival nation’s spymaster.

When William’s and Cerise’s missions lead them to cross paths, sparks fly—but they’ll have to work together if they want to succeed…and survive.

I loved the love story of Rose and Declan in On the Edge. It was sweet, and like all of Andrews’ lead females, filled with someone who wasn’t willing to just give herself away to a man and love. And Bayou Moon wasn’t any different. Cerise is competent, capable and incredibly independent. She is the matriarch of her family and completely driven to find a way to rescue and restore them. Plus, Cerise’s family is kind of insane and mental. Everything that you both want and don’t want in a family – large, loud and filled with love. The perfect place for William to finally find his own family.

Although On the Edge was about Rose and Declan, William really plucked at my heartstrings throughout their story. He was so obviously alone and an outcast. It was nice that he gets his happy ending in Bayou Moon. Plus, it was a great way to not only discover more about his past, but also to understand his loneliness and drive. His quest for revenge may start out a little dark, but, Andrews manages to weave in the humour and wit that makes her work so enjoyable.

The Edge is an interesting dichotomy between worlds. There are the laws that we all recognise, but they are overlayed by a lawlessness and savagery that goes beyond my understanding. It was overwhelming enough in On the Edge, but Cerise’s home in the Mire is much worse and more cut throat. It’s a fantastic method through which to deliver the idea of what could happen in a lawless world. The Broken is about the rules and guidelines that govern us in this life, the Weird is a throw back to ancient understandings of honour, mages and knighthood (with a modern twist). But the Edge? It’s an intimidating and cutthroat world that raises the stakes of any story.

<- On the Edge

Fate’s Edge ->

Image source: Ilona Andrews

Witch Work by Neil Gaiman

October 25, 2017Book ReviewEasy Reading, Fantasy, Neil Gaiman, Trigger Warning, Under My Hat, Witchesskyebjenner

Title: Witch Work
Author: Neil Gaiman
In: Under My Hat (Jonathan Strahan) & Trigger Warning (Neil Gaiman)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Witches
Pace: Slow
Format: Poem
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: She sold calm seas to the mariners’ wives; Tied winds with silk cords so the storms could be tied there.

This short poem is about an elderly witch who lives in a room filled with clocks. She would sell storms, sorrows, and calmed the sea. The narrator explains that he bought three sorrows. The first he gave to his enemy’s child, the second was made into a broth by his wife, and the third remains unused. Regardless of this, the witch’s life is in a box which makes her quite sorrowful. We are not told what makes the witch sad, but she always returns to her house full of clocks.

This was an unexpectedly layered poem in the middle of the Under My Hat anthology. And one that I enjoyed immensely. I actually read this three times, each time with a new meaning and nuance. And, like all good poetry, I think that the more chances I get to read this, the more hidden meanings I will find about what a witch’s work entails.

<- Felidis

The Education of a Witch ->

Image source: Frances Hardinge

Sweep in Peace by Ilona Andrews

October 24, 2017Book ReviewEasy Reading, Ilona Andrews, Paranormal Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, The Innkeeper Chroniclesskyebjenner

Title: Sweep in Peace
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: The Innkeeper Chronicles #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ilona Andrews
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Gaston leaped into the air.

Dina DeMille doesn’t run your typical Bed and Breakfast. Her inn defies laws of physics, her fluffy dog is secretly a monster, and the only paying guest is a former Galactic tyrant with a price on her head. But the inn needs guests to thrive, and guests have been scarce, so when an Arbitrator shows up at Dina’s door and asks her to host a peace summit between three warring species, she jumps on the chance.

Unfortunately, for Dina, keeping the peace between Space Vampires, the Hope-Crushing Horde, and the devious Merchants of Baha-char is much easier said than done. On top of keeping her guests from murdering each other, she must find a chef, remodel the inn…and risk everything, even her life, to save the man she might fall in love with. But then it’s all in the day’s work for an Innkeeper…

Dina again seems to find herself in hot water in Sweep in Peace. From protecting her neighbours (in Clean Sweep) to brokering peace between three warring factions, she seems to have a habit of biting off a little more than she can chew. Which is probably why this was such a good story. After all, if Dina didn’t continuously find herself in hot water, then there wouldn’t be a story worth reading…

In Clean Sweep, there was the tantalising beginning of a new love story – Sean the werewolf and Arland the vampire both showed a lot of interest in Dina. But, they still both let and the beginning of Sweep in Peace finds Dina alone and waiting for that hint of romance that she caught sight of. Which makes it a little convenient when George (the arbiter) appears and offers her a deal. Help him host a peace talk, and the inn would get guests and Dina would receive money. Making this deal brings Arland to her door, but it almost costs Dina her life and the inn’s reputation. Unable to dwell on her romantic interests and confusions, Dina is nonetheless able to find romance and a little fire throughout her battle to stop her guests from killing each other.

I love the idea that Earth is a neutral zone in the universe – the place where aliens stop of along their journeys, are able to negotiate treaties and, in the case of Dina’s permanent guest, avoid death and persecution. Although Dina isn’t quite neutral (she is still a pursuer of justice, regardless of her supposed neutrality), she still attempts to keep everyone safe and cared for. Although she can see the toll that has been taken on each of the three warring factions, Dina doesn’t take sides and her past relationships don’t unduly influence her either. She might not be neutral, but she certainly isn’t biased, and this complete fairness is something I don’t often find in my favourite characters. A very refreshing change to the usual female leads in my shelves.

<- Clean Sweep

One Fell Sweep ->

Image source: All Things Urban Fantasy

Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews

October 23, 2017Book ReviewEasy Reading, Ilona Andrews, Paranormal Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, The Innkeeper Chroniclesskyebjenner

Title: Clean Sweep
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: The Innkeeper Chronicles #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ilona Andrews
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Some of the Sun Horde got out, but not many.

On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast. But Dina is…different: Her broom is a deadly weapon; her Inn is magic and thinks for itself. Meant to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a retired Galactic aristocrat who can’t leave the grounds because she’s responsible for the deaths of millions and someone might shoot her on sight. Under the circumstances, “normal” is a bit of a stretch for Dina.

And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night….Feeling responsible for her neighbors, Dina decides to get involved. Before long, she has to juggle dealing with the annoyingly attractive, ex-military, new neighbor, Sean Evans—an alpha-strain werewolf—and the equally arresting cosmic vampire soldier, Arland, while trying to keep her inn and its guests safe. But the enemy she’s facing is unlike anything she’s ever encountered before. It’s smart, vicious, and lethal, and putting herself between this creature and her neighbors might just cost her everything.

This was an incredibly unique book to read. Primarily because it’s a novel that was originally an online series. Instead of the draft being written and edited, parts of the story were released on a regular basis and there was no editing. Andrews talks about what a different challenge this was at the beginning of the novel, but it also made for a very different experience. Instead of having logical pauses at the end of each chapter, every page or two had a point at which you could stop reading. Which would be good if it wasn’t so amazing that I couldn’t put it down anyway. Having said that, it didn’t feel as stilted and stop-start as I was expecting, the narrative still flowed beautifully and Andrews was able to create another fascinating world that you couldn’t help but fall in love with.

Not only is the writing style of Clean Sweep different to the other Andrews books that I’ve read, but the heroine is too. Where the other lead females tend to be a little kick ass and able to completely own the men around them (physically or magically), Dina’s emphasis is on the inn and homeliness. She is powerful in her own right, but she is more concerned with running her inn and caring for her he guests (or guest as is mostly the case). I also loved the idea of an inn that is sentient and able to move around according to the needs of the innkeeper and her visitors. Something that comes in handy a few times throughout the story.

I also loved Andrews’ play on the vampire-werewolf love triangle. It’s such a typical thing in paranormal fantasy these days, but the fact that Andrews turned them into alien species and created a sci-fi aspect to the story made the love triangle all the more interesting. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds further in Sweep in Peace.

<- One Fell Sweep

Sweep in Peace ->

Image source: Innkeeper Chronicles

The Shifting Sands by Emily Rodda

October 23, 2017Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Deltora Quest, Easy Reading, Emily Rodda, Medieval fantasy, World of Deltoraskyebjenner

Title: The Shifting Sands
Author: Emily Rodda
Series: Deltora Quest #4, World of Deltora #4
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2000
5th sentence, 74th page: The passage from the cellar was long, low and dark and smelled sickeningly of cider.

When the seven gems of the magic Belt of Deltora were stolen, the evil Shadow Lord invaded the kingdom and enslaved its people. Determined to rid their land of the tyrant, Lief, Barda, and Jasmine are on a dangerous quest to find the lost gems, which are hidden in fearsome places throughout the kingdom.The time has come to seek the fourth gem, kept jealously by an unknown guardian in a barren wasteland. Separation, confusion, and strange, terrible enemies await the three heroes in the harsh landscape of the Shifting Sands.

Step four in the Deltora Quest series is a little less thrilling than the first three (for me), but it is still a great journey. Lief, Barda and Jasmine again run into the mysterious rebellion leader, Doom, they are forced to battle in a gladiator-style contest, and, as always, they finally triumph over a completely unknown foe. Yet, it just doesn’t quite have the fast pace of the first three books, and not as many riddles throughout the story. And, after all, the reason I’ve always loved this series is the little riddles that are peppered throughout.

Having said all that, I did really like the foe that Lief comes up against in The Shifting Sands, it was completely unexpected. It doesn’t matter what Rodda writes, there is always an unforeseen surprise at the end of the story, and a message of inner strength in the character’s makeup. Or at least, that’s how I feel about the ending of The Shifting Sands.

Yet, my favourite thing about The Shifting Sands isn’t Lief’s triumph, or Doom’s mysterious appearance, it is how Jasmine goes in the competition. Her temper and her morals are seriously tested, and it’s not entirely clear as to whether she passed the tests or not.

<- City of Rats Review

Dread Mountain Review ->

Image Source: Goodreads

Beagle Photo Montage

October 22, 2017BlogBeagle, Birthdays, Cute, Lexi, Naughty, Puppyskyebjenner

Today my dog turns two. Which is why this post is a little delayed. And instead of writing a nostalgic reflection on how quickly time has gone, I thought that I would do a bit of a photo diary. So here is my little miss Beagle, or devil dog over the past few years.