All posts by skyebjenner

The Cannibal Princess by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , , ,

the-cannibal-princessTitle: The Cannibal Princess
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling #1.5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Fast
Format: Free online short story
Publisher: Nalini Singh online
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: “I have a story,” he said, catching the twins’ attention.

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I love short stories that investigate the everyday lives of my favourite characters. It not only helps to make them all the more real, but it is a great way to revisit them in a series that jumps from one lead to another. And although it is something that I do love about the Psy-Changeling series, I also sincerely missed Lucas and Sascha throughout the following tales.

We take a lot of things for granted, such as being told bed time stories by our parents. Sascha’s inability to partake in such a simple act is both humbling and saddening. Yet, Lucas’ love for the woman he chose and the children who make up his pack help to outshine this moment of sadness you feel at such a horrid childhood upbringing.

Although this story is only four pages long, it is so sweet and quaint that this one scene will remain in my head (and my heart) for a long time. It is cute, sweet and simple. A reminder that although the brewing conflict throughout the Psy-Changeling series is dangerous and complex, everyday life and the joys that it brings continues unabated.

<- Slave to Sensation Review Visions of Heat Review ->
Image source: Lady Jayne’s Reading Den

Grave Matters by Lauren M. Roy

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

grave-mattersTitle: Grave Matters
Author: Lauren M. Roy
Series: Night Owls #2
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace fantasy
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: They heard them before they saw them, the thunk, sssss of shoveling, the scrape of metal on wood.

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Synopsis

Night Owls bookstore always keeps a light on and evil creatures out. But even its supernatural staff isn’t prepared for the dead to come back to life…

Elly grew up training to kill things that go bump in the night, so she’s still getting used to working alongside them. While she’s learned to trust the eclectic group of vampires, Renfields, and succubi at Night Owls bookstore, her new job guarding Boston’s most powerful vampire has her on edge – especially when she realizes something strange is going on with her employer, something deadlier than usual…

Cavale isn’t thrilled that his sister works for vampires, but he’s determined to repair their relationship, and that means trusting her choices – until Elly’s job lands all of the Night Owls crew in deep trouble with a vengeful necromancer. And even their collective paranormal skills might not be enough to keep them from becoming part of the necromancer’s undead army…

Thoughts

I honestly found this book incredibly difficult to get into. I even started reading it three times before I decided to bite the bullet, get over those first, not-so-attention-grabbing few chapters, and finish the book. Having said that, once the storyline got going, I did really want to find out how it all ended. After all, there is a psychotic necromancer running around Edgewood. But, it’s probably not a book (or even a series) that I am likely to pick up again anytime soon. Yet, it’s also not one that I am going to remove from my bookshelf.

My favourite aspect of this book is the relationships between the core characters. The care and love they have for one another is palpable as is the understanding that they show for one another’s eccentricities. Elly and Justin’s attraction to each other is the epitome of this – they see exactly what each other are, but still want to be a part of their relative lives.

There isn’t much I can say about this book, it wasn’t badly written, and the characters and setting were wonderful. Yet, there was something missing in the storyline that stopped it from being an alright read to something I will pick up again and again and again.

<- Night Owls Review More Lauren M. Roy reviews ->
Image source: Lauren M. Roy

Night Owls by Lauren M. Roy

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

night-owlsTitle: Night Owls
Author: Lauren M. Roy
Series: Night Owls #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace fantasy
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: And they’d left the Clearwaters to die.

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Synopsis

Night Owls bookstore is the one spot on campus open late enough to help out even the most practiced slacker. The employees’ penchant for fighting the evil creatures of the night is just a perk…

Valerie McTeague’s business model is simple: provide the students of Edgewood College with a late-night study haven and stay as far away as possible from the underworld conflicts of her vampire breathen. She’s experienced that life, and the price she paid was far too high for her to ever want to return.

Elly Garrett hasn’t known any life except that of fighting the supernatural beings known as Creeps or Jackals. But she always had her mentor and foster father by her side – until he gave his life protecting a book that the Creeps desperately wanted to get their claws on.

When the book gets stashed at Night Owls for safekeeping, those Val holds nearest and dearest are put in mortal peril. Now Val and Elly will have to team up, along with a mismatched crew of humans, vampires, and lesbian succubi, to stop the Jackals from obtaining the book and unleashing unnamed horrors…

Thoughts

This is a book about a book in a bookstore, which I just love saying, and writing. The poetry of such a story is kind of beautiful, and the setting of a college book store is gorgeous. Being involved in campus life can have many rewards when studying, but the idea of being able to go into a warm and secluded book store at all hours to buy, study and peruse different books is the stuff that dreams are made of. I’ve lost count of the amount of times that I have finished a book late at night, and just wished that I could run down to the shops to buy the next in the series.

One of my favourite things about this book (other than the bookstore) is that it is a simple, easy read. The pace is just fast enough to keep you engaged, but not so intense that putting the book down to do something more responsible is impossible. Although the story leaves more for future stories, there is a happy ending at the end of the novel.

Family is a great topic in novels, literacy and stories – it is something that everyone can relate to and sympathise with. Roy reminds us that family is sometimes the people we choose, not those that we are born to within Night Owls.

<- More Lauren M. Roy reviews Grave Matters Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Nawat by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , , , ,

Overview

tortall-and-other-landsTitle: Nawat
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Trickster #2.5, Tortall #26
In: Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection (Tamora Pierce)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women, Tricksters
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Bluefire
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Nawat propped her up, silent, holding her tight.

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Synopsis

Nawat is a short story of the Tortallan Universe and follows Nawat Crow as he has to make one of the most difficult decisions of his life.

Thoughts

Nawat and Aly have been my favourite Tortall couple since I first cracked the spine of Tricker’s Choice. There is just something so fascinating and unique about them that has led me to read the Trickster series again and again and again. In fact, it’s one of my most read series, and I’m going to have to replace my copy soon…

Alright, I got a little off topic there, but all that this means is that a follow up short story to the Trickster duology was quite possibly the most perfect tale that I could think of. Writing it from the quirky point of view of Nawat only helped to add to the flavour. It was also wonderful finally seeing his love for Aly through his eyes – after all, he did become a man for her.

There are a lot of stories (novellas, and short stories) that display motherhood, childbirth and everything in between as beautiful and glorious. Which I’m sure it is, but I can’t imagine that the actual act of childbirth will ever be a beautiful, life-affirming moment. Painful is the word that truly comes to mind, and Pierce shows this amazingly. Aly’s hormonal fluctuations, frustration and overwhelming throughout, and immediately following, the birth of her children is so realistic that you just want to reach through the page and give her a huge hug. The creation of their family is still a life-affirming and beautiful moment, but at no point is it portrayed as easy. A realism which I definitely appreciate and think needs to be bought forth more often when discussing such a huge change in a woman’s life (both physically and mentally).

<- Trickster’s Queen Review Lost Review ->
Image source: Tamora Pierce Wiki

Trickster’s Queen by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

tricksters-queenTitle: Trickster’s Queen
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Trickster #2, Tortall #25
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women, Tricksters
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: Aly spared a glance for a small, pudgy man who whispered in Rubinyan’s ear until Tkaa reached the prince.

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Synopsis

Aly’s adventure continues…. No longer a slave, Alanna’s daughter is now spying as part of an underground rebellion against the colonial rulers of the Copper Isles. The people in the rebellion believe that a prophecy in which a new queen will rise up to take the throne is about to be realized. Aly is busy keeping the potential teenage queen and her younger siblings safe, while also keeping her in the dark about her future. But Aly, who is usually adept at anticipating danger and changes, is in for a few nasty surprises.

Thoughts

The rebellion that began in Trickster’s Choice reaches its climax (and conclusion) in Trickster’s Queen. Whilst the speed of the story really picks up, it is still filled with Aly’s humour and wit. There are still moments of beauty and enjoyment amongst the dramatic events of rebellion. The connections that the characters make to one another, and the loyalty that they feel jumps from the pages, and will suck you into their world further and further with every word.

Although I loved the excerpts that began each chapter in Trickster’s Choice, it was nice to miss this throughout this novel. The faster pace, and the more intense storyline required a better flow, and the format of this tale worked beautifully for this. As did the shorter chapters, heightening the feeling of suspense. Following Aly throughout this, while giving a bird’s eye view of her life, also helped to further connect with her plight.

Although the main storyline of this story focuses upon the rebellion of the Copper Isles, for me it was more so about the incredible loyalty that each of the key members show to one another. Sarai’s flightiness and love forces her to follow her dreams, while it is Dove’s passive outlook on the world and ability to care for other’s beyond her own needs that shine throughout the story. Ulasim, Chenaol, and Fesago’s ability to accept the changes in their plans, and take Aly’s advice because they are doing what is right, not what will keep them alive. I don’t ever want to experience any of this turmoil in my own life – but the idea of having a group of people that loyal to one another in my life… that is what swells one’s heart and makes a person feel comfortable with themselves, and their pseudo-family.

<- Trickster’s Choice Review Nawat Review ->
Image source: Tamora Pierce Wiki

Trickster’s Choice by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

tricksters-choiceTitle: Trickster’s Choice
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Trickster #1, Tortall #24
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women, Tricksters
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Those aren’t hay bales!’

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Synopsis

Alianne is the teenage daughter of the famed Alanna, the first lady knight in Tortall. Young Aly follows in the quieter footsteps of her father, however, delighting in the art of spying. When she is captured and sold as a slave to an exiled royal family in the faraway Copper Islands, it is this skill that makes a difference in a world filled with political intrigue, murderous conspiracy, and warring gods.

Thoughts

Of all the women in Tamora Pierce’s world of Tortall, Aly is the one that I always most identified with as a teenager. As someone who, as a teenager, never quite fit in, was more than a little difficult, and found that a lot of my peers often looked at me a little funny, Aly seemed like a literary version of myself. Albeit without a sword welding mother, and a talent for daggers and subterfuge.

Most of the Tortall series, in fact, all up to this point focused on a country and people based (I assume) on medieval Europe. Swords and kings; lords and ladies; it all paints a picture of a snow-swept country that is (luckily) guarded by the righteous. This is not so with the Trickster series. Aly travels to a land that was taken over by white people 300 years before. The story of oppression and conquest is retold through the raka (native people’s) plight. I loved that there was a different twist, and aspect to the realm of Tortall. Although the Copper Isles were mentioned in the Song of the Lioness Quartet, immersing this story in their culture and land was a great new introduction to a new land.

Aly is not only a suitable heir to the Song of the Lioness Quartet, but she is a great, and refreshing new take on the women of Tortall. She chooses to fight with her wits, rather than weapons in a gruelling battle to protect an innocent family from the rigours of violent, political court. The loyalty of not only the raka, but those who answer to the Balitang family quickly create a discourse in which you constantly hope for Aly to succeed.

<- Tortall: A Spy’s Guide Review Trickster’s Queen Review ->
Image source: Tamora Pierce Wiki

The Dragon’s Tale by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

tortall-and-other-landsTitle: The Dragon’s Tale
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Immortals Quartet #4.5, Tortall #28
In: Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection (Tamora Pierce)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Bluefire
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: The scent of power entered my nose and burned, making my eyes water.

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Synopsis

Kitten has accompanied her human parents, Daine and Numair, to a visit to Carthak, where they visit several villages with Emperor Kaddar. While the humans help the local people Kitten and her friend Spots, Numair’s horse, are bored. Kitten finds a young woman hidden by spells. The woman is an outcast of the local society and has an infant to care fore. So Kitten decides to help her. She steals food and other things from the camp and brings them to the woman. At first she is afraid of Kitten, whom she sees as a monster, but after Kitten saves the woman’s child she realizes that Kitten is not only intelligent, but also friendly. The woman introduces herself as Afra and her son as Uday.

A series of small earthquakes take place around Afra’s hiding place, but she still wants to stay in the area where the spells protected her earlier, even though Kitten signals to her that the spells are gone. Afra finally believes Kitten when some of the villagers come too close to her hiding place. When Kitten tries to protect Afra Daine and Numair arrive just in time to see an opal dragon named Kawit rise from her several thousand year long “nap”, who had been responsible for the protecting spells. She gives Kitten a gift and agrees to accompany her and her friends for the rest of the travel. Daine and Numair take care of Afra and her son, who both have unusual magic.

Thoughts

Kitten is such a beautiful character – not only because she is a dragon, but she constantly helps Daine throughout her journeys in The Immortals Quartet. But, since, she isn’t able to communicate with her foster parents, it’s kind of hard to understand how she truly feels about what is happening around her. The Dragon’s Tale shows us Daine and Numair years down the track, and also gives Kitten a beautifully strong voice.

It is nice to see that Daine and Numair’s constant need to help and support others has rubbed off on their charge. Kitten’s self-appointed task of protecting and rescuing Afra may have partly been one out of boredom, but it was also because she saw that there was someone who needed help. The protective side of Kit didn’t just extend to Afra, but also Spots. The companionship of the two has extended years, and the easy way in which they communicate and negotiate is a testament to this fact. Kit’s choice to stand between Spots and a soldier emphasises how important this relationship is to her, and also the strength of character that this young dragon has.

<- Lost Review Tortall: A Spy’s Guide Review ->
Image source: Tamora Pierce Wiki

The Hidden Girl by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

tortall-and-other-landsTitle: The Hidden Girl
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Immortals Quartet #2.6, Tortall #15
In: Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection (Tamora Pierce)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Bluefire
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: “The temple priests are in the right of it after all, and the first error lies in teaching women to read,” he said, his eyes twinkling.

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

Synopsis

The Hidden Girl is a short story written by Tamora Pierce. It is set in the Tortallan Universe albeit far west of Tortall. It is also where the short story, Elder Brother is set. The main character is Teky.

It is set in Jindazhen, a land west of the Copper Isles and the Yamani Islands.

Thoughts

I liked the intersection of The Hidden Girl with Elder Brother. It is subtle and only a fleeting moment, but it looks at a culture and a non-Tortallan country from two vastly different standpoints. Yet, both put forward a woman’s plight and fight for power. The Hidden Girl is a great reminder that we all go about things in our own ways, and there is not one right was in which to find power in your own world.

I have heard a lot of different arguments for and against the use of burkahs and hijabs. I have read a number of different ethnographies, and, as someone who is from an English background, I find it an interesting academic debate which highlights a lot of the issues that women face today. Pierce’s use of Fadal and her deception in Elder Brother and Teki’s embracement of the veils in The Hidden Girl show two sides to this same argument. And honestly, it was beautifully done, so many times, this area has led to screaming between otherwise level-headed university acquaintances. (Ironically, it has often been a man yelling that he knows what is best, but that is a whole other discussion to have.) Rather than putting one point of view forwards, Pierce is able to look at how different women come up with different solutions to a problem.

<- Elder Brother Review Emperor Mage Review ->
Image source: Tamora Pierce Wiki

Elder Brother by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

tortall-and-other-landsTitle: Elder Brother
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Immortals Quartet #2.5, Tortall #14
In: Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection (Tamora Pierce)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Bluefire
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: At last she stood and waded into the cold water, wincing.

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

Synopsis

The story takes up events from Wolf-Speaker, namely Numair Salmalín’s turning Tristan Staghorn into a tree. After doing so he said to Veralidaine Sarrasri that somewhere else in the world a tree was changed into a human. Elder Brother depicts this changed tree’s, his name is Qiom, first steps in the human world. Numair repeatedly talks to Qiom in his sleep, giving him tips on how to handle this new life. Qiom had some difficulty in adjusting to it, because this human body was new to him and he didn’t know how he was supposed to behave as and around a human. In his early days he met Fadal, who decided to accompany Qiom and became his friend.

Thoughts

I love reading stories about how difficult it is to be human, and to understand all of the weird little social cues that we insist on performing. Although, writing a story about this in a way that is interesting and still flows well can be difficult. Sometimes, when trying to re-explain our actions, the words come of contrived and false. But, as with everything Pierce writes, this is not the case.

Finding out what happened to the tree-turned-man after the wonderous conclusion of Wolf-Speaker is definitely an interesting angle for a short story. Numair’s feeling of responsibility over his actions also help to further endear himself to me. Qiom’s struggles feel so real and confusing, and it is only when he meets Fadal that you gain the first glimpses into his possible future.

<- Wolf-Speaker Review The Hidden Girl Review ->
Image source: Tamora Pierce Wiki

Lost by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

tortall-and-other-landsTitle: Lost
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Tortall #27
In: Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection (Tamora Pierce)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Bluefire
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Then the man said, “So a monster has enchanted my obedient child.”

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

Synopsis

The story follows Adria Fairingrove as she deals with a mean and snobby mathematics teacher who belittles her. She finds Lost, a darking, who helps her overcome her obstacles and gain self esteem.

Thoughts

I am madly in love with the idea of Darkings. They combine a childlike innocence with a wondrously devious ability to spy. Combining one of these small creatures with an abused young girl who is trying to find her way in life was a stroke of brilliance in Pierce’s World of Tortall. The fact that Adria is a brilliant mathematician just makes this story all the more interesting and progressive.

There’s not many stories with a young woman who is obsessed with maths or science. And, as a girl who decided to study science (and loves maths a little too much), it is incredibly refreshing. Adria’s pursuit of a career in engineering and building, and her understanding of how maths can inform the world around us was a new take on a strong young female.

From the very first sentence, it is obvious that Adria’s father is an abusive, self-centred, nasty character. Although it takes a long time for Adria to understand this, it is incredibly difficult to stomach his actions towards her. Adria’s final ability to overcome his treatment of her and pursue the career that she has always desired is such a beautiful ending to a sweet, short story.

<- Nawat Review The Dragon’s Tale Review ->
Image source: Tamora Pierce Wiki