Daphne by Dawn Raffel

February 1, 2025Book ReviewDawn Raffel, Feminism, Greek Mythology, Retellings, XO Orpheusskyebjenner

Title: Daphne
Author: Dawn Raffel
In: Xo Orpheus (Kate Bernheimer)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Feminism, Greek mythology, Retellings
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year: 2013

Daphne was an enjoyable and fun short story. Rather than focusing on the original tale of Daphne, it focuses on what happened after. After her initial gratefulness to escaping Apollo’s unwanted affections, she begins to feel resentment. And I mean, why not? Not only is his attempt at assault and not understanding no the reason why she was turned into a tree, she was then completely forgotten.

I love how Raffel uses a number of different techniques to tell this story. You really get a feel for Daphen’s emotions and her resentment. It also consistently and constantly mocks the men within the Greek pantheon. Describing them as arthritic and impotent at a number of points. Which, I for one found hilarious. Especially when compared with the freedom being older affords Daphne and the other women.

This didn’t quite end the way I anticipated – rather than being a happy ever after with a young and beautiful heroine, it was one in which age is embraced. The freedom that comes with no longer having to conform to a certain standard of beauty and age. I, for one, can’t wait to get to this point in my life!

<- The Last Flight of Daedalus

Demeter ->

Image source: Goodreads

Crystal Skull by Jessica Andersen

January 31, 2025Book ReviewJessica Andersen, Mythology, On the Hunt, Paranormal Romanceskyebjenner

Title: Crystal Skull
Author: Jessica Andersen
In: On the Hunt (Gena Showalter, Shannon K. Butcher, Jessica Andersen & Deidre Knight)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2011

The Crystal Skull had a bit of an Indiana Jones kind of vibe to it. But with a paranormal spin. It made it very easy to dive into it, and the novella length meant that I really didn’t have to stress too much about the fact that I didn’t want to put this down. The action, the archaeological dig and the finding of things that go bump in the night were wonderfully enjoyable in and of themselves. Then, add in the romantic angle, the forgiveness and the hints of a greater world out there, and you have yourself a story that is incredibly difficult to put down.

JT and Natalie are obviously going to end up together from the very beginning. And overall, they manage to build a fairly good relationship. Although, it was kind of quick. I mean, they started off as a fling, split up, and then all of the paranormal drama of this story brings them back together. And they quickly realise how much they love each other and start their happily ever after. There’s a whole lot of action in between, but I do like that, ultimately they support each other in their somewhat ill-advised compulsive moments (alright, Natalie’s somewhat ill-advised compulsions).

I remember the whole scare of the world ending (using the Mayan Calendars), and I like that this is obviously part of a series that was created in the build up to this. However, even though the premise was enjoyable, I don’t think that it’s one that I’ll continue on with. It was a well-written and good story. But, the idea feels a little bit dated now that we are almost ten years past this point. Maybe I’ll just have to dive into something else written by Jessica Andersen (that I can find in eBook form).

<- The Collector

Red Angel ->

Image source: Penguin Random House

A Brief Lesson in Native American Astronomy by Rebecca Roanhorse

January 30, 2025Book ReviewMythology, Rebecca Roanhorse, Retellings, Space, The Mythic Dreamskyebjenner

Title: A Brief Lesson in Native American Astronomy
Author: Rebecca Roanhorse
In: The Mythic Dream (Dominik Parisien & Navah Wolfe)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Retellings, Space
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2019

I’m beginning to realise that if I pick up a story by Roanhorse, it’s probably going to be dark and twisty stuff. And I’m entirely on board with that. So far, I’ve loved everything that I’ve read by her. And A Brief Lesson in Native American Astronomy was no different. A retelling of a myth that I’ve never known (but plan to look up), space and well, I guess a sort of zombie that left me feeling quite uncomfortable. What more could you want?

I really want to read the Deer Hunter and the White Corn Maiden now, as it isn’t one that I actually know. Plus, I want to see what dark elements Roanhorse has added, and what are actually a part of the original. I know that the space elements are definitely unique to this version, I want to know what else is…

At the core of this tale is that we need to sometimes just let people go. It’s all about obsessive love and not being able to say goodbye. And sometimes, if we can’t let them go, we damage ourselves and those around us. I definitely felt like cringing and curling up into the foetal position at the end of this tale, that’s for sure.

<- Fisher-Bird

Bridge of Crows ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster

Bah, Handsome! by Jill Shalvis

January 29, 2025Book ReviewChristmas, Contemporary romance, Jill Shalvis, Kissing Santa Clausskyebjenner

Title: Bah, Handsome!
Author: Jill Shalvis
In: Kissing Santa Claus (Donna Kauffman, Jill Shalvis & HelenKay Dimon)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2009

Hope and Danny start out this Christmas novella on two different sides of the fence to begin with. But, I love that Danny quickly decides to work with Hope, rather than against her. Indeed, her fight with her brother to keep her B&B inspires him to move forward with his life in a different direction to what he had maybe previously planned. They end up working incredibly well together, and I really enjoyed how Danny’s quiet support and presence is what ultimately wins Hope over. Even if she fights it right up until the very end.

Although I really enjoyed this story, I didn’t love that Hope’s financial pressures and situation weren’t actually resolved at the end of this story. I mean, there was the great happily ever after, but I wanted to know more about her wonderful future. It’s all well and good that Danny’s future is kind of sorted, and that he’s told the horrible loan shark to go take a hike. But, I wanted to know that that had some kind of positive impact on Hope’ls looming deadline.

I really enjoyed the idea of a couple falling in love at a cute little B&B. At Christmas time. As the snow falls all around them. This was just cute, simple and sweet. Nothing really intense as far as plot line, but I didn’t need an intensity to the plot line when I chose to read this Christmas romance. I wanted something cute, enjoyable and with all of the happiness and sweetness that a good Christmas romance entails.

<- Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells

It’s Hotter at Christmas ->

Image source: Amazon

Arabian Phoenix by India Edghill

January 28, 2025Book ReviewFairy tales, India Edghill, Retellings, Silver Birch Blood Moonskyebjenner

Title: Arabian Phoenix
Author: India Edghill
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Retellings
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

Arabian Phoenix is a freaking awesome short story and retelling of Arabian nights! I absolutely loved every moment of it and was so disappointed when it was over. This was a bit of a modern take on an old classic, one in which there really aren’t any bad guys. Just tradition and those who want to change tradition and move into the future. If they’re brave enough to try and grasp the world with both hands.

I love that, rather than evidence of the death of each of the Kings’ wives, they just disappear. At first it seems creepy and as though there is some kind of large secret that no one is going to like. When it’s revealed / figured out, everything works beautifully and makes me smile. Rather the idea of death and mayhem is perpetuated by gossip and bad vibes.

At the conclusion of this story, it really felt like the King was trying to build up his own army of strong, educated women. I love that I could entirely see this working – well educated, loyal women, leading the charge towards change. The fact that this one might be special just made me want more about this tiny kingdom!

<- You Wandered Off Like a Foolish Child to Break Your Heart and Mine

Toad-Rich ->

Image source: Wikipedia

The Amber Isle by Ashley Capes

January 27, 2025Book ReviewAshley Capesskyebjenner

Title: The Amber Isle
Author: Ashley Capes
Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

I managed to read about 80% of this story, and even though it wasn’t bad, I just couldn’t keep pushing through it. I found that the prose didn’t quite have the flow that I like, the lyricality if you will. And honestly, even sitting down to try and write this review, I’m struggling to remember what actually happened. There was a man named Never and he sailed to an island. And then… not much. I think that if you love environment-driven action, this would be a great story for you. However, I’m someone who adores character-driven stories, so this just wasn’t for me.

Image source: Barnes & Noble

Able by Dylan Alcott

January 26, 2025Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Biographies, Disability, Dylan Alcott, Sportskyebjenner

Title: Able: Gold Medals, Grand Slams & Smashing Glass Ceilings
Author: Dylan Alcott
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Biographies, Disability, Sport
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

I added this to my shelves on a bit of a whim and because it was an Australian author on Kobo Plus. But man, did I not want to put this down! The first chapter was admittedly really difficult to read and had me in tears a few times. I’m a mother and I can’t imagine watching my newborn go through the medical difficulties that Alcott faced from the very beginning of life. But, once I overcame that emotionally fraught hurdle, I did not want to put this down. Alcott’s passion and drive made me feel a little like a lump to be honest, but I loved the way they leapt of the page and made me feel inspired.

Even though I found reading about the start of Dylan’s life to be really difficult. I found it difficult as a mother of two and wondering how I would’ve handled this situation. Even though Dylan is disabled, there was no point in this entire biography that I felt pity for him. He writes with such love and a sparkling joy of life that pity or any kind of negative feeling is the furthest thing from my mind. That’s not to say that he doesn’t highlight the different restrictions and difficulties he’s had to face due to society, a lack of access and just all round ignorance, but there was no negative emotions leaping off the page at me, so how could I feel them whilst reading about his journey?

Admittedly, I know pretty much nothing about basketball or tennis. I have a rough idea of how they are each played, but honestly, no idea whatsoever of how tennis is even scored. It did make parts of this a little more difficult to read, because I wasn’t really sure the importance of some of Alcott’s tennis scores. But I did understand that it was impressive. I also very quickly understood the depth of dedication and joy that Dylan is able to feel from playing these sports. The fact that he is one of the few dedicated and skilled enough to be a multi-sport Paraolympic gold medalist. That is an accomplishment that I both admire and can’t even fathom.

Through all of Dylan’s accomplishments and adventures (like wheelchair crowd surfing), Dylan is constantly and actively promoting the normalisation of disabilities and celebrating our differences. Rather than always highlighting the limitations that being Differently Abled can place upon a person, he promotes the ways in which people can live their best lives. Even though Alcott is constantly highlighting his love for his life and his self, he also constantly talks about the journey that he had to go on to love himself. Everybody has a hard road at times in loving and accepting themselves, and it was nice to read about how someone else negotiated this in their own lives.

<- I Am Malala

Mao’s Last Dancer ->

Image source: Booktopia

Kissing Santa Claus by Donna Kauffman, Jill Shalvis & HelenKay Dimon

January 25, 2025Book ReviewChristmas, Contemporary romance, Donna Kauffman, HelenKay Dimon, Jill Shalvis, Kissing Santa Claus, Short Story Collectionsskyebjenner

Title: Kissing Santa Claus
Author: Donna Kauffman, Jill Shalvis & HelenKay Dimon
In: Kissing Santa Claus (Donna Kauffman, Jill Shalvis & HelenKay Dimon)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance, Short story collections
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology, eBook
Year: 2009

Kissing Santa Claus was a fun anthology to read at Christmas time. It was three fun novellas placed in wildly different settings. But, all with the undertones of Christmas and love in the festive season. Each and every story had a feeling of moving on and new beginnings, all emphasising the turn of the season and the start of a new year. It was fun, light and a wonderfully easy read. Just the thing for someone who was really struggling to get into the whole idea of Christmas this year.

Even though I enjoyed this anthology, it definitely wasn’t my favourite set of Christmas novellas. It started really strong and I seriously loved Kauffman’s story, Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells. But then it just got weaker and weaker until ultimately I wasn’t even that fussed about finishing the final novella in this anthology. Yet, it was still a fun set of stories, and not one I would necessarily delete off of my shelves.

As much as I didn’t love this anthology, it was still a great way to get into the Christmas mood. It was also really nice, and somewhat rare, to read a Christmas story that was not based in the snow. It was nice to have a Christmas tale that was a whole lot more familiar than the idea of a White Christmas. Or just any kind of snow and cold really…

<- It’s Hotter at Christmas

Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells ->

Image source: Amazon

Reading Update as of late January 2025

January 24, 2025Book Reviewskyebjenner

It’s been an insanely intense time in my life, and not in a good way. But, it’s meant that I’ve lent into reading to help myself deal with the chaos. Plus, I started my normal Christmas time reading, so there’s a whole lot of random and fun in the list this time.

Series

Standalones – Novels

Standalones – Short stories

Love for the Holidays by Arizona Tape

January 23, 2025Book ReviewArizona Tape, Christmas, Contemporary romance, LGBTQI, Rainbow Centralskyebjenner

Title: Love for the Holidays
Author: Arizona Tape
Series: Rainbow Central #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance, LGBTQI
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

This was such a great, beautiful and seriously cute sapphic romance. It was that gorgeous roommates to friends to lovers storyline. And I love how Ivy and Frances spend the entirety of this story getting to truly know one another and support each other. Honestly, for me, the romance took a step back from the relationship building. I absolutely adored this couple and how they manage to chase away the hurts of the past around Christmas time. As with everything I’ve read by Arizona Tape, this story was fun, light and made me fall more and more deeply in love with every passage.

Although Ivy starts this story consistently stating that she’s straight, this story isn’t really about her “coming out”. Honestly, it’s such a non-issue that you almost miss the moment. Rather, this story is very much about two women falling in love with each other through support and mutual desires. Honestly, the entirety of this romance is so refreshingly drama free. The only angst for both Ivy and Frances is that they aren’t sure how to show their roommate that they want more. And they don’t quite know how to make a move.

Where Ivy is all bright light and intensity, Frances is a little more subdued. I actually really enjoyed reading about her falling for Ivy. It’s such a gentle falling based on mutual support and kindness. These two girls are honestly total relationship goals. They are supportive and kind. And their entire friendship turned relationship ends up being based on mutual respect and non-judgement for each other. Plus, I thought that Ivy’s best friend, Jenna, would kick up a bit of a fuss at their relationship. But, like everyone in this story, she is all support and love. Honestly, I wish all social circles were capable of this kind of support and kindness.

Both Ivy and Frances have difficulties with family that is seriously triggered by the holidays and Christmas. They might be on different ends of the spectrum of family closeness in this, but I love how Love for the Holidays drives home that this time of year, whilst enjoyable, can also be difficult. Even in the moments that we are enjoying time with our family, it can still be tough to figure out how to negotiate the whole myriad of feelings. Ivy and Frances both did this beautifully, and it came as a welcome breath of fresh air and joy for a holiday season that I’m going to find difficult myself.

<- More Arizona Tape

Please Be My Love ->

Image source: I Heart Sapphfic

Earth and Skye

The ramblings of a bibliophile.