Inferno by Dante Alighieri

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover inferno word cloud classics

Title: Inferno
Author: Dante Alighieri
Series: Word Cloud Classics
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Horror, Poetry
Dates read: 9th – 10th March 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Collection
Publisher: Word Cloud Classics
Year: 1320
5th sentence, 74th page: So many voices issued through those trunks

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Synopsis

“Abandon all hope, ye who enter here!”

On a divine journey through the depths of Hell, Dante–with his guide, the poet Virgil–witnesses the fate of Earth’s sinners. Inferno, a 14th century poem and the first part of Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy, paints an allegorical underworld in which sinners are punished in accordance with their sins. Journey through the darkness and meet famous historical and mythical figures and the fate that has become them, from Homer and Julius Caesar who dwell in Limbo with the unbaptized and the virtuous pagans, to Judas Iscariot and Satan himself, who dwell in the deepest circle of hell for the sin of treachery. Influential, even after seven centuries in print, readers of Inferno will appreciate the plethora of allusions both within and concerning this work, as well as the moral implications the story develops. Now available as part of the Word Cloud Classics series, Inferno is a must-have addition to the libraries of all classic literature lovers.

Thoughts

Until recently I hadn’t actually heard of Dante Alighieri. And then I found out that he is a classics author from the 1300s… and I was completely intrigued. Reading this collection of some of his works… yeah, I can completely understand the draw to his work and writings. It’s incredibly powerful and just… wow.

I read this around the same time that I started reading The Complete Works of Shakespeare. It’s interesting to compare the language styles and wording in the two different poets. I know that they come from different countries, different times (I think), but they’re both historical, classical powerhouses in the genre. And I love being able to compare the two.

I actually found Alighieri more delightful than Shakespeare. There was so much raw emotion in Inferno. The fear, the horror and the confusion just leaps off of the pages. The short, emotive language is of the sort that I plan to read again and again… there is just something amazingly potent and powerful about it all.

I’m not really a great reader of poetry. I do love it. I’m intrigued by it. But I can’t spend all afternoon sitting there just reading it… I need to be able to read a poem or two and then walk away. I still felt a little like this with this collection… but so much less so than many of the other poetry collections I’ve had the pleasure of reading. There was just something… enthralling about it all.

<- Little WomenHans Christian Andersen Tales ->

Image source: Amazon

When He Was Wicked – The Second Epilogue by Julia Quinn

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover the bridgertons

Title: When He Was Wicked: The Second Epilogue
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgertons #6.5
In: The Bridgertons (Julia Quinn)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Dates read: 9th March 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Not a very masculine subject.

Synopsis

Do the best things really come to those who wait? Three years have passed since Francesca’s and Michael’s marriage, and they are still childless. And Francesca wonders, can a woman be truly and completely happy when a little piece of her heart remains empty? But just when she makes peace with her fate, something unexpected occurs.

Thoughts

I’ve never really thought that infertility and the difficulties of getting pregnant are talked about often enough. Not in real life, not in the media, not in books. Since When He Was Wicked not only started with Francesca having a miscarriage, but also her need to start her own family was a major driver, I was a bit put out when there wasn’t much discussion as to this aspect of hers and Michael’s future at the end of the novel. The Second Epilogue fixed this oversight in an incredibly powerful and meaningful manner.

Although it wasn’t quite the way I expected it, both Francesca and Michael do get a happily ever after in this story. Of all the Bridgerton tales, they have the hardest, most tragic journey to travel. So it kind of makes sense that even having children is far more difficult for them than anyone else in the family. Yet, when they finally start to create their own, it’s also the happier, more joyful experience…. Or at least, that’s how I found it.

This is a great way to round out the story of Francesca and Michael. It’s sweet, a little tragic and touches upon issues that many couples are forced to face. They might not be my favourite couple in the series, but they do have my favourite story.

<- When He Was WickedIt’s In His Kiss ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover when he was wicked

Title: When He Was Wicked
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgertons #6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Dates read: 9th March 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: He shrugged.

Synopsis

Everything was so much simpler…
WHEN HE WAS WICKED

In every life there is a turning point. A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one’s life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London’s most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.

After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love, it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca’s surname was to reamin Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer – the occasion of the meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin.

But that was then… Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant. Michael dares not speak to her of his love… until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms, and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets…

Thoughts

Francesca story is kind of alluded to a little in the two books beforehand (To Sir Phillip, With Love and Romancing Mister Bridgerton). Which kind of makes sense because the occurrences in all three books happen in the same year… but, unlike the other Bridgertons, Francesca is much further removed and less intrinsically tied into the rest of her family. She’s a little quieter, a little more apart, and I actually really loved the differences that she showed in this story.

Again, this story took a nice little departure from a typical romance… for starters, it starts with Francesca being married to another man. Who then dies. And then you get to fast forward four years to the couple as they try and get over their guilt and renegotiate their relationship. I love that the biggest hurdle in this story wasn’t so much about them realizing their feelings and getting together… it was about getting over their guilt and finding a way to their own happily ever after.

I found this story the most tragic of the series thus far. Not only does it start off with a woman who is put through the absolute ringer, you also don’t even feel completely confident that they’ll get their happily ever after. I mean, you assume that they do, because it’s a romance novel. But, it’s not really as much of a given as any of the other stories. And, even if they do, you worry a little that they’ll be too tied up in their guilt to actually get their happily ever after…

Reading this story will make you feel kind of gooey inside. But, not in that everyone gets one partner way. It’s a great story of hope for those who have already lost the person that they planned to spend their lies with. It deals with death, infertility, miscarriage and the overwhelming feelings of guilt and jealousy. All of which are so completely human, and difficult to deal with more often than not. This whole story just made my heart skip a beat, in a way that none of the other Bridgerton stories have thus far…

<- To Sir Phillip, With Love: The Second EpilogueWhen He Was Wicked: The Second Epilogue ->

Image source: Julia Quinn

The Outcasts of Poker Flat by Bret Harte

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of westerns book cover

Title: The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Author: Bret Harte
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 9th March 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: He returned to his pocket the handkerchief with which he had been whipping away the red dust of Poker Flat from his neat boots, and quietly discharged his mind of any further conjecture.

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Synopsis

They don’t quite fit in anywhere, even with each other at their gambling houses and saloons in Poker Flat.

Thoughts

This is my first western short story. And it was an incredibly interesting experience. One that I was kind of not expecting. Although, I have next to no experience with actual Westerns… I’ve read some fantasy stories with a western spin… but nothing which actually falls completely under this genre heading… and it was a good introduction.

I like that in a collection of westerns, the first one features gambling and outcasts. Actually, the entire time I was reading this, the song The Gambler by Kenny Rogers was running through my head on repeat. There is just something about that song and this story which seemed to perfectly suit one another. Something that had that same, great atmosphere that made this a really enjoyable experience.

This was a fun, easy read. But it wasn’t overly memorable. It was fun, easy and enjoyable. But it also wasn’t an amazing, earth shaking storyline. Not one that I’ll necessarily pick up in years to come. But a great way to spend a few moments escaping the world and reality.

<- The Mammoth Book of WesternsWay Out West ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

In the Realm of Dragons by Esther M. Friesner

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of dark magic book cover

Title: In the Realm of Dragons
Author: Esther M. Friesner
In: The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic (Mike Ashley)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Dragons, LGBTQI, Magic
Dates read: 9th March 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 1997
5th sentence, 74th page: Ryan sat at his father’s feet and looked up to see a taut jawline, a gaze fixed and fastened on Uncle Graham and Bill.

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Synopsis

Ryan is trying to honour the memory of his estranged Uncle. Clutching a dragon figurine, he travels into the city to find the men who tore his life apart.

Thoughts

I actually really, really enjoyed this short story. Not only was it about the ostracization which can occur to an individual because of their LGBTQI+ status, the hatred towards minorities and the need for one person to make amends, it is also about dragons. Which I love. So the combination took me straight to my little happy place.

For starters, I loved that there was a blurring of lines between reality and imagination. Even at the end of this story, you’re not entirely sure if the dragons was there in reality, or whether it was all just hopeful imagination and revenge. There was great, powerful imagery with the use of dragons and figurines. The flicking back and forth between memory and present. Reality and dreams. I loved this mystic quality and the way it created an amazingly powerful storyline.

I also loved that this story featured a homosexual man. It was the cause of all of his tragedies, but it was nice to have a story that realistically and deeply investigated how ostracization due to your sexual orientation can destroy a life. Can rip and tear it apart in a way that is unexpected, powerful and potent. And, obviously, very tragically.

<- DisillusionedForever ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Near-Beauty by M.E. Beckett

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for black thorn white rose book cover

Title: Near-Beauty
Author: M.E. Beckett
In: Black Thorn, White Rose (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Retellings, Science fiction
Dates read: 9th March 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Prime Books
Year: 1994
5th sentence, 74th page: She became uneasy, at last, not because it was watching, but because it looked intent; if that stare had come from a human, she’d have called him horny.

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Synopsis

She’s not quite beautiful. She’s not quite ugly. But, when she meets the toad of her dreams, she finds out that near-beauty might just be enough.

Thoughts

One of the things that I love the most about this story is that it’s not about a stunningly beautiful woman. Or a frog that miraculously turns into a gorgeous prince. It’s about those that are almost beautiful. That almost make the cut. It’s a great way to retell a well-known fairy tale, but with a more relatable spin to it.

This is a great sci-fi spin on The Princess and the Frog. She doesn’t magically get whisked away and find her happily ever after. Rather, she makes a choice to join an alien species and make something more. Something different of her life.

Mostly, I love that this is all about two individuals who don’t quite make the beauty boat cut. They’re almost beautiful. They’re almost everything that they want to be. But they don’t quite make it… which is far more relatable and nice to read about than a stunning beauty. It’s also a great reminder that good things don’t just happen to the stunningly beautiful, but to us more ordinary folk too.

<- The Frog King, or Iron HenryOgre ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Becoming by Jeanne C. Stein

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover the becoming jeanne c stein

Title: The Becoming
Author: Jeanne C. Stein
Series: Anna Strong Chronicles #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Strong women, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 1st – 8th March 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: I replace the receiver, frowning at both the implication and infelction of his tone.

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Synopsis

My name is Anna Strong. I am a vampire. How I became one is the reason for this story. I tell it the way it happened. It may not be what you expect.

She’s a bounty hunter – tought beautiful, and trained for the unexpected. Until the night she’s attacked and left closer to death than she can imagine. She awakens to an indoctrination into a dark new world where vampires walk among us. But this time, a tight grip on a .38 won’t stop what she’s hunting for.

Existing between the worlds of the living and the dead, Anna is torn by her love for two very different men. Max, a DEA agent, all too human, and vulnerable. And Avery, a Night Watcher who’s joined Anna in pursuit of the rogue vampire who changed her life that terrifying night. Now, as her two worlds collide, fate plunges Anna into the ultimate battle between good and evil where survival is not just for the living…

Thoughts

I quite enjoyed this novel. It wasn’t one that made me stop in my tracks and need to just stick my nose as far into it as I could. But it was one that I enjoyed. After I got past the very first opening scenes – rape is just not something that I enjoy reading about. Even if it was brushed over pretty quickly. It just made for an uncomfortable beginning to the story. One that did make me pause in my reading for quite a while.

One of the things I really enjoyed about Stein’s writing and world building was her subtly different take on vampires. It’s nothing outrageous such as other vampire stories I’ve read. But their gradual change, their ability to walk in the sunlight. I kind of liked the differentiation. I also liked that most of the rules of her vampire world are still not quite explained in this story… it’s all written as Anna discovers who and what she is… and then you find out that she’s being lied to a fair bit.

I was expecting a bit of a twist toward the end of the story – there were a few too many hints at the secrets being hidden throughout. Yet, even when I found out what it was, I was kind of thrown. In the best way possible. I only had an inkling of the villain and the true story just before Anna herself realises. It made it so much more intriguing, sweeter and fun.

This is a great first story. It’s about becoming a vampire and being thrust into a new world. But it barely even scratches the surface of the life Anna is about to embark on. One that I’m looking forward to reading more about. One that I can’t wait to read more about… if I can just find where I put Blood Drive in my piles of books that I want to read.

<- Anna and the Vampire PrinceBlood Drive ->

Image source: Goodreads

In the Season of Rains by Ellen Steiber

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for sirens and other daemon lovers book cover

Title: In the Season of Rains
Author: Ellen Steiber
In: Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Lust
Dates read: 8th March 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: EOS
Year: 1998
5th sentence, 74th page: She reached a hand toward him and the scent of the datura became stronger.

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Synopsis

Enrique has always pushed women away. Always kept himself in control of the relationship. Until one dark night when the rain is thundering down on his garden… then everything changes.

Thoughts

This short story had a great… quality about it. There was the sense of another (non-Anglo Saxon) culture about it. Although, it was a little vague on exactly which culture was inspiring the mythical woman in this story. I also loved the imagery of the garden and the rain. There is nothing like having a beautiful garden. And the sound and scent of rain surrounding it? Also stunningly beautiful. It worked well with a random, half-dressed woman strolling through the plants.

I felt like I should have had a little more sympathy for Enrique. But, honestly, I felt like he kind of got his comeuppance. He constantly wanted to show that he was less caring than the women he bought home. So he kind of got his poetic justice for using people. Fine, he did tell them that he wasn’t into commitment… but honestly, that’s just a kind of insane way to approach any kind of intimacy.

Although this story had a slightly dark feel to it, it also had me smiling all throughout. Probably because I really appreciated the poetic justice in it. There was just something refreshing and enjoyable about the whole story. Kind of like standing in the garden after a fresh rain.

<- AttachmentsBird Count ->

Image source: Goodreads

9 from the Nine Worlds by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover 9 from the nine worlds

Title: 9 from the Nine Worlds
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Companion
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Norse mythology, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 8th March 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Collection
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: I faced the inside of the V so I could keep an eye on the harp and the giant.

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Synopsis

How well do you know the nine Norse Realms?

Do you get all those heims mixed up? Well, this collection of rollicking short stories – each set in a different world and told by a different character from the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series – will help straighten you out. And even if it doesn’t, you’ll enjoy reading about how Alex saves Amir’s pants, Samirah plucks a giant’s harp, Mallory teaches a dragon how to throw down insults, and much more. Just watch out for Thor, who is running through the whole thing and raising quite a stink.

Thoughts

This was such a nice way to round out the end of the Magnus Chase series. It’s not the ending perse, just a way to revisit all of the characters after Magnus and Loki’s final, epic battle. You get to go on a journey through each of the nine worlds with nine different, well loved characters. As I said, a nice, easy way to round out the series.

This story kind of reads like a bit of an epilogue. It tells you of the adventures that the secondary characters all have after they’ve postponed Ragnarök. I like that although the end of the world has been postponed, these characters are still constantly fighting little battles. Finding a way to carve out a better reality for themselves as they live out their (mostly) immortal lives.

I think that one of the reasons I’ve loved the Magnus Chase series so thoroughly is the fact that it has a hugely diverse set of characters. They’re part of the LGBTQI community, or the Muslim community… or… well, there are a number of minorities represented in this story. And they’re actually the ones that feature within this book. Not the lead, but all of those fantastic secondary characters that are a great way to bring acceptance and understanding into peoples’ lives.

<- Hotel ValhallaThe Sword of Summer ->

Image source: Amazon

To Sir Phillip, With Love – The Second Epilogue by Julia Quinn

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover the bridgertons

Title: To Sir Phillip, With Love: The Second Epilogue
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgertons #5.5
In: The Bridgertons (Julia Quinn)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Dates read: 8th March 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: “I always have wishes,” he remarked.

Synopsis

Those cute kids from romance novels aren’t actually supposed to grow up, are they?

When last we saw Amanda Crane, she was eight years old and (in her own words) a blight on the face of humanity. Now she’s grown up, remarkably well-adjusted, and ready to fall in love. All she needs is the right gentleman…

Thoughts

Although they were completely impossible and terrifying… I actually fell completely in love with the Crane twins in Sir Phillip, With Love. There was just something about their need, their spirit and their intelligence that made me fall head over heels in love. So, when I turned to the first page of the second epilogue and found out that it was about Amanda… well, a huge grin broke out across my face.

Unlike the rest of the series, where your point of view is on the shoulder of one of the characters, this entire short story is written in first person. Almost like a diary. And it worked so well. I don’t know if I would enjoy the whole series like this… it’s important to have distinct tones of voice, and you wouldn’t get this in every book. But for one short story? It’s kind of brilliant.

I loved seeing Amanda grow into the woman she could become. You have this great image and hope for it at the end of a story. Yet, it isn’t until the conclusion that you wonder if you are right with your predictions? Did Amanda and Oliver straighten out? Truly fall in love with Eloise? Did Phillip become a better father? These questions are all answered in this short story. That, and you get to watch the next generation fall in love and find their own happily ever after…

<- To Sir Phillip, With LoveWhen He Was Wicked ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia