Category Archives: Book Review

Tales of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
tales-of-the-otherworld

Title: Tales of the Otherworld
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld Companion
In: Tales of the Otherworld (Kelley Armstrong)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Collection
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Your nose is fine, though.

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Synopsis

A young vampire learns the heavy price of his new existence; black witch Eve Leving meets Kristof Nast, her soulmate and her nemesis; Lucas Cortez, lawyer, sorcerer and unwilling heir to his father’s Cabal, sets out on a case that will change his destiny; Paige Winterbourne discovers just how fraught a white (witch) wedding can be; and Elena Michaels begins her unwitting journey to a new life – as the only female werewolf in the world…

Thoughts

This was such an amazing collection of short stories. It combined sass and humour with comments on the politics and power of a number of supernaturally gifted human beings. Yet, it was more than that, Tales of the Otherworld imparted important humanitarian reminders upon me as a reader – a reminder that acceptance and attempting to understand others is integral to leading long and happy lives. At least, that’s the message that I got from this collection.

The eight stories in Tales of the Otherworld fit beautifully into the Women of the Otherworld series and they help to build upon tales mentioned throughout the books. Although it isn’t important to read them to understand the greater Women of the Otherworld plot line, if you’re like me, and love to know the background of all of your favourite characters, then this is definitely a collection that you will enjoy reading!

<- Men of the OtherworldOtherworld Nights ->

Image source: Goodreads

Time of Proving by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

tortall-and-other-landsTitle: Time of Proving
Author: Tamora Pierce
In: Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection (Tamora Pierce)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Bluefire
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: His feet were human-like and bleeding from cuts.

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Synopsis

It follows Arimu of the Wind People as she discovers Sunflower, a bull-man, who was captured by the people in Merchant City near the coast. He escaped. Arimu is unsure whether or not to help Sunflower find his home, the Veiled City, during her Year of Proving. She decides to help him find his way at the end.

Thoughts

Coming of age stories have a lot of power to them – after all, everybody comes of age in some way or another, and at some point. There are a multitude of ways and traditions which allow children to become adults. Time of Proving is one such story, it is short and succinct, yet, the idea of coming of age and finding one’s path in life is pursued and memories of childhood and the decisions we made on that cusp of adulthood flash back at you as you read this short story.

Arimu’s choices were governed by her culture, as are everyone’s, but it was also her own moral compass that ultimately pushed her to help the bumbling bull-man Sunflower. I loved that although tradition dictated that she help for payment, she truly did so out of the goodness of her own heart and sole. It’s a great reminder that although our culture might tell us to act in one way, we are able to listen to our own consciousness to govern our actions too.

<- Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection of Tales Review Plain Magic Review ->
Image source: Tamora Pierce Wiki

Testing by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , ,

Overview

tortall-and-other-landsTitle: Testing
Author: Tamora Pierce
In: Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection (Tamora Pierce)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Bluefire
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: She told us to walk and talk quietly.

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Synopsis

A departure from her normal tales, Tamora Pierce tells a story of a new den mother in a girl’s home. The tricks that the girls play, and the ways in which the mother is able to overcome their hostility are an adventure worth taking.

Thoughts

I can’t imagine being in a position that I am forced to spend my teenage years in a group home. But, it is a recurring idea in many stories, and the idea that one of my favourite authors actually acted as a housemother for young girls in this situation adds to the interest that I feel at such a horrible situation. However, although this story focuses upon these girls, it is not a sad, depressing or even pitiful story. Rather, this short story will leave you smiling and giggling at the not-so-nice antics of these young women.

The idea of testing someone to see if they can handle you isn’t exactly new. Neither is the sort of testing that disadvantage teenagers are willing to place people under. Actually, looking back at the way I was as a teenager, it’s not really new that teenagers of any kind will test a new authority figure within their lives. The fact that all of these little tests and actions actually happened just adds to the humour and genuineness of this story.

 <- Huntress Review Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection of Tales Review ->
Image source: Tamora Pierce Wiki

Plain Magic by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

tortall-and-other-landsTitle: Plain Magic
Author: Tamora Pierce
In: Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection (Tamora Pierce)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Bluefire
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Bored and lonely, I wandered into the village and found an unexpected arrival.

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Synopsis

Tonya is supposed to be a sacrificial virgin, but she doesn’t want to follow the village’s traditions. Luckily, a passing traveller helps her out and introduces her to a bright, new world.

Thoughts

This was a fantastic spin on the traditional sacrificing a virgin to the dragon story. Like all of Pierce’s stories, Plain Magic champions the strength of women and integrity over all else. Tonya’s frustration at being trapped in a small village where her mentors refuse to teach her only heighten the inequality and strength of Tonya’s character. As the sacrificial virgin, she contrasts against every ideal that these tales normally purport for such a symbol – she is not malleable, completely pure, or helpless.

Lindri’s acts of plain magic and willingness to teach Tonya beautifully contrast the stubborn and unyielding attitudes of the villagers. Even Tonya’s own father is willing to submit to the folly of sacrificing his daughter to a creature to save the village. Luckily, cooler heads prevailed and the story has a wonderful, if not completely expected, happy ending.

<- Time of Proving Review Mimic Review ->
Image source: Tamora Pierce Wiki

Mimic by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

tortall-and-other-landsTitle: Mimic
Author: Tamora Pierce
In: Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection (Tamora Pierce)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dragons, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Bluefire
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Hail came – hurtful knobs of ice as big as pigeon eggs – just when I found Brighteyes and my missing sheep.

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Synopsis

A young girl rescues an ugly bird like creature. Mimic is a wonderful companion. But, one day, when the village is threatened, Mimic’s miraculous transformation might just save them all.

Thoughts

This is an incredibly sweet little story. It is about a girl who doesn’t quite want to grow up, and the power of our connection to nature. Both aspects of which I can relate to entirely. After all, who really wants to grow up and take on the mantle of responsibility?

The act of saving those less fortunate than you, and protecting the weak is such a recurring theme in Tamora Pierce’s writing. And, Mimic is no different. Ri’s willingness to take care of even the most ugly of creatures may have put her at odds with her grandfather, but it does lead her to finding a fantastic companion and friend. The fact that it also leads to the rescuing and redemption of the entire village, and even Ri’s eventual choice to enter the adult world only helps to add to the unforeseen benefits of such a selfless act.

<- Plain Magic Review Huntress Review ->
Image source: Tamora Pierce Wiki

Huntress by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

tortall-and-other-landsTitle: Huntress
Author: Tamora Pierce
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, Mythology, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Bluefire
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Run – get –

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Synopsis

It follows a girl named Corey as she attends a fictitious prestigious prep school called Christopher Academy. She becomes a major athlete in the track team, and meets Felix and other kids in track. When Felix turns violent and begins hunting Corey through Central Park, the family patron goddess, known vaguely as the Hunt Goddess appears and punishes those responsible in the hunt.

Thoughts

It is hard enough growing up, finding your place in high school and just generally not making too much of a fool of yourself when puberty strikes. Now, imagine doing this with a family that believes in witchcraft. A family that is not quite what everyone else would consider as normal. Pierce uses this extreme to remind us to not only stay true to ourselves, but how truly difficult it can be to come of age in today’s world and society.

The Goddess features so often in spiritual and belief systems – it is something / someone that I myself believe in. And although she is often alluded to, or even used in stories about medieval times, it is rare to picture her in today’s society. I loved that this story, unlike many of Tamora Pierce’s, was set in the present day, but still pulled on themes and ideas that are more often seen in medieval stories.

The idea of struggling to fit in ensures that this short story will be appealing to all but the most discerning of people. We all know, in one way or another, what it is like to feel left out, not quite one of the pride. But, to what extent should we try to amalgamate to those we admire? Where is the line? Corey helps us to understand that there is, truly a line that we all must draw, even when we are trying to fit in with ours peers.

<- Mimic Review Testing Review ->
Image source: Tamora Pierce Wiki

The Lost Word by Traci Harding

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

ghostwriting-tales-of-the-supernaturalTitle: The Lost Word
Author: Traci Harding
In: Ghostwriting: Tales of the Supernatural (Traci Harding)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Fantasy, Ghosts
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Voyager
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Logan?’

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Synopsis

An unwitting artist, a conspiracy that delves into secret societies, and a ghost that falls in love. The three intersect in brilliant ways as they try to discover the meaning and hiding place of the lost word.

Thoughts

There is something incredibly intriguing about secret societies – probably the fact that they are secret is what tends to fascinate us. A ghost story using a shady secret society was a perfect way to tell the last story in Ghostwriting: Tales of the Supernatural. It was suspenseful, intriguing, with just the right dose of love, lust and betrayal.

For me, The Lost Word was the most potent of the stories in the Ghostwriting collection. It combined the elusive nature of secret societies, with a history steeped in murder, mayhem and mystery. And, then to complete it, there is the key to all knowledge – something that we can truly achieve on our own, but which many men (and possibly women) attempt to find a shortcut for. Harding’s reminder that mankind is selfish, and not ready for a universal truth hits a note. Although, this is balanced by the goodness in people – although there are those who are incredibly selfish, there are also those who are immensely selfless.

<- Curses Review The Immortal Bind Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Australia

Curses by Traci Harding

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

ghostwriting-tales-of-the-supernaturalTitle: Curses
Author: Traci Harding
In: Ghostwriting: Tales of the Supernatural (Traci Harding)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Fantasy, Ghosts
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Voyager
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Quite possibly.’

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Synopsis

Rhea and Phillip might think that they’ve found the perfect home, but it soon turns out that it’s cursed.

Thoughts

In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have read this right before I went to sleep, it certainly gave me some very interesting and tripped out dreams. But, isn’t that a mark of a good story? Something that can affect both the conscious and the subconscious? The use of a curse and a building’s history to build this ghost story helped to add to the sense of mystery and suspense.

Rhea and Phillip’s ignorance at the past of their home, and the consequences of their actions lead them on a merry chase through the supernatural penalties of one man’s indiscretions. The increasingly violent confrontations of the spirit with Phillip and Rhea heighten the sense of speed and necessity within the story. You just know that if they don’t solve the problem (and soon), they will end up either dead or homeless.

The use of a priest in a supernatural tale about spirituality and ghosts was not one which I expected. Yet, somehow, Father Chuck’s influence and presence actually worked. As did his ability to accept the priesthood, and the idea of spiritual cleansing that doesn’t necessarily fall under the purvey of the Church. The balance of the two belief systems and acceptance of slightly different views of life is to me, exactly what religion and beliefs should be all about – and it made the Curse have a silver lining in my eyes.

<- In the Limbo of Luxury Review The Lost Word Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Australia

The Week That Was – 26th March 2017

Book Review

This week has been all about BILBIES! It’s honestly been a little hard to concentrate when I’ve been out all night spotlighting for Bilbies, with the occassional Boodie (Burrowing Bettong) and Woylie (Brush-tailed Bettong) thrown in. I’ve also had the privilege of spending time in the presence of a couple of echidnas and a wombat named Wilma. Is it little wonder that I haven’t found the time to write that I had wished for?

All of the time spent out in the field amongst nature has definitely been inspiring though, and I have a few half-formed poems rattling around in my brain. I can’t wait until they come out fully formed! Almost there…

Reviews: 2,644
Total: 2,644

Tortall and Other Lands by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

tortall-and-other-landsTitle: Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection
Author: Tamora Pierce
In: Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection (Tamora Pierce)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Short story collections, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Collection
Publisher: Bluefire
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: I rode my donkey, as befitted my age.

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

Synopsis

Collected here for the first time are all of the tales from the land of Tortall, featuring both previously unknown characters as well as old friends. Filling some gaps of time and interest, these stories, some of which have been published before, will lead Tammy’s fans, and new readers into one of the most intricately constructed worlds of modern fantasy.

Thoughts

There is nothing like visiting a world that you have loved since childhood, and Tortall and Other Lands is a great way in which to do this. Yet, it isn’t just about Tortall, Pierce tells stories about womanhood, coming of age and overcoming odds in spite of everything that can happen. It is this great range of stories that will enthral and captivate any reader again and again and again.

The short stories about Tortall, which cover the first half of this book, help to revisit a reality that has been built in layers over many years. Telling those short stories that fit between the main quartets, and stories helps to not only add to these layers, but tell the untold tales that don’t quite fit into an overarching series. They act as epilogues, tangents and side journeys that not only bring the main characters and their sidekicks to life, but also the rich tapestry upon which this world was built.

The second half of this book is filled with short stories based in lands both far away and near. They are great reminders of our power and purpose in life. And beautifully creative stories that will stay with you forever. They have certainly lingered in my memory!

<- Testing Review Time of Proving Review ->
Image source: Tamora Pierce Wiki