Tag Archives: Animagus

The Devil’s Left Boot by Faith Hunter

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Blood in Her VeinsTitle: The Devil’s Left Boot
Author: Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock #6.1
In: Blood in Her Veins (Faith Hunter) & Kicking It (Faith Hunter & Kalayna Price)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Dark fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Roc
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Everything fell into place with a little thump in Liz’s mind.

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Synopsis

Set in the world of Jane Yellowrock. Jane makes a brief appearance.

Twin witches Liz and Cia Everhart agree to search for a missing woman and are drawn into long-hidden secrets of vampires and blood magic.

Thoughts

I enjoy anything set in the Jane Yellowrock world – it is always sassy, strong and constantly reminds you that no matter how odd you may be, there is somewhere in the world that you can fit in. If anything, I found this short story easier to relate to than the others so far – the twin Everhart witches are not only trying to cope with their sad past, but they are forced to confront a school bully. For those of us who have been bullied, we all imagine that day that we are reunited and can show that person how wonderful we are now that we’re not in school. When you’ve found a place in society that you can actually fit into, you want to show others that all of the hurt in the past doesn’t matter anymore (even when it does). The Devil’s Left Boot allows the twin witches to do this. And it works brilliantly.

The idea of twins is a fascinating one, there are a lot of mythical and social beliefs surrounding twins, especially identical ones. Hunter uses this brilliantly in the description of their spells and rituals throughout this story. Yet, they are still starkly contrasted against one another – they have different sources of power, different desires and different obsessions. The play between the two girls, their similarities and differences built them up beautifully in my mind and there they continue to stay, fascinating me and drawing me further into the world of Jane Yellowrock and the Everharts.

<- The Girl With No Name High Stakes ->

Image source: Goodreads

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.

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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.

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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

Inhuman by Eileen Wilks

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

inhuman

Title: Inhuman
Author: Eileen Wilks
Series: World of the Lupi #3.5
In: On the Prowl (Patricia Briggs)
Rating Out of 5:  (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: The need for his voice, his presence, washed over her, leaving her shaky inside as well as out.

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Synopsis

Certain people in Midland, Texas, are dying. All of them were Gifted, and all of them have been drained of their blood. Kai is a reluctant telepath with a skewed Gift—she sees thoughts instead of experiencing them. So, unlike other Midlanders, she can intuit that they have a “Guardian.” She also knows that the Guardian Nathan isn’t human. His true nature hasn’t been divined. Neither has hers. But when another one of the Gifted is found dead, Kai herself becomes a suspect. And only Nathan can save her.

Thoughts

The first few sentences left me incredibly attached to Kai, in a way that rarely happens in such a short period of time. Her supernatural abilities were also something that I had never imagined or heard of before, yet, they seem like an incredible ability to possess. Partner this intriguingly vulnerable character with Nathan, and a serial murderer, and this is one of my favourite short stories.

Kai’s eventual connection to the murderer was very surprising, but it was kind of sweet and indicated the depths of her care for others. This, and hints at her past accident, show the level of care that she show to other living beings, and that they all have the right to live. Although this very fact does eventually put her life in danger, something which helps to add flavour and fear to the blooming relationship between Kai and Nathan.

I’ve read this short story before, but reading it after finishing Blood Lines helped to place a lot more of the storyline within context. It also hinted at more connections in future storylines to the parallel reality / world of Faerie. Where Dis has been mentioned in past World of the Lupi stories, it isn’t until this novella that the connection to Faerie truly begins to have an influence on the overarching tale of the World of the Lupi.

<- Blood LinesNight Season ->

Image source: Goodreads

Blood Lines by Eileen Wilks

Book Review, , ,

Overview

blood-lines

Title: Blood Lines
Author: Eileen Wilks
Series: World of the Lupi #3
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Paranormal romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: “Cynna, I told Ruben you should be in charge, but – “

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Synopsis

USA Today bestselling author Eileen Wils’s novel Mortal Danger was praised as “terrific” by The Best Reviews, which went on to say, “Keep an eye out for the enigmatic Cynna Weaver in future novels.” Here she is, caught up in a web of political intrigue – and a world spinning out of control…

Touch-sensitive FBI agent Lily Yu and her werewolf bond-mate are recruited by the Secret Service to help identify elected officials who have accepted demonic pacts. But Lily must turn to fellow agent Cynna Weaver for help when Cynna’s former teacher, a demon master, emerges as the main suspect behind the pacts.

After a demon commits a gruesome murder, sorcerer Cullen Seabourne joins the team racing the clock to find the apprentice of evil who uses demons to kill. Cynna and Cullen must work together – a challenge indeed when each has good reason to ignore the desire simmering between them. But passion and events both spiral out of control as an ancient prophecy is fulfilled – and the lupi’s greatest enemy sets her sights on total devastation…

Thoughts

I loved that although this story still centred around Rule and Lily, the focus slowly shifted onwards to Cynna and Cullen’s weird and unorthodox attraction to each other. As usual, these romantic entanglements were complicated by the presence of magic and mayhem as She continues to progress her attacks on the lupi. And to further confuse an already conflicted situation, the rules and laws of the lupi societies make what would have once been a simple homicide investigation for Lily to become an intricate dance of politics, power and passion.

Cynna and Cullen are such unconventional characters, and I loved that their relationship and courtship echoed this. A lot of the romance stories that I have read involve boy meets girl, there is a problem, they fall in love. Instead, Cynna and Cullen are attracted to one another, tolerate each other’s madness, but really don’t find it necessary to fall in love or really pursue any extra emotional entanglement. Yet, although it is not expressly stated by either of them, that emotional connection is there, right alongside the physical. Their acceptance of each other and ability to see beyond the stigmas that they have both carried all their lives shows a depth of understanding and connection that sometimes even the happiest couples struggle to find and maintain.

Although many characters’ secrets are revealed throughout Blood Lines, I think that it is the presence of Grandmother Yu throughout the tale that is my favourite. Such an authoritative and outrageous old woman deserves a complex and mystical history, and Wilks didn’t fail to deliver on that. The discovery of past and present lovers, of her abilities and the very way in which she is able to end the story on a surprising note heightens Grandmother Yu’s prowess and potency within this series.

 <- Mortal DangerInhuman ->

Image source: Goodreads

Mortal Danger by Eileen Wilks

Book Review, , ,

Overview

mortal-danger

Title: Mortal Danger
Author: Eileen Wilks
Series: World of the Lupi #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Paranormal romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: “I can’t hunt down Harlowe if I’m locked up somewhere.”

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Synopsis

USA Today bestselling author Eileen Wilks returns to the fascinating world she introduced in Tempting Danger, and takes readers to the very edge of passion and suspense – where deception and betrayal can not only place your life in jeopardy, but your very soul in mortal danger…

Former homicide cop Lily Yu has a lot on her plate. There’s her sister’s wedding, a missing magical staff with unknown powers, and her grandmother’s sudden decision to visit the old country just when Lily could use a little advice. Maybe she should turn to the man she’s involved with, but for all the passion that flares between them, she doesn’t really know Rule Turner. Yet she’s tied to him for life, both of them caught in an unbreakable mate bond.

That Rule is a werewolf, a prince of his people, only complicates matters…

Now an agent in a special unit of the FBI’s Magical Crimes Division, Lily’s job is to hunt down Harlowe, a charismatic cult leader bent on bringing an ancient evil into the world. But what Lily doesn’t realize is that Harlowe has set a trap – for her. And then the unthinkable happens.

In the blink of an eye, Lily’s world divides and collides, and she is thrust into a new and frightening reality. Her only hope will be to trust Rule – and herself – or Lily will be lost forever…

Thoughts

I first read this book over a year ago, and, quite frankly found it a bit tedious. Mostly due to the fact that it seemed to take a very random turn after Tempting Danger. However, after reading the short Originally Human and letting go of my preconceptions of werewolf tales, I fell madly in love with this tale. The battle between the Lupi and Her is a far more intricate and complex arching story than I had originally believed. Although I’m not used to being so thoroughly thrust into such an epic battle early in a series, it works wonderfully when you finally pay attention.

Although the plottings of Her are a constant point of conflict within Mortal Danger, Lily and Rule’s negotiation of their new relationship takes centre stage throughout their interactions. Their struggle to compromise with each other is a great reminder of every negotiation for a new couple. I can relate completely to Lily in this – tying your life to someone else’s is a huge change and when you are used to standing on your own two feet, relying on them day in and day out can be a difficult thing to get used to.

Wilks’ creation of a different reality in which part of this story takes place, Dis, or Hell, is masterfully done. It is vivid and enthralling, but also eerie in its timeless existence. To create a world that is similar to our own, but is governed by its own set of natural laws is incredibly difficult, to do so in a way that it feels both familiar and new is another mark of success in Wilks’ writing.

<- Originally HumanBlood Lines ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Realm of the Gods by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

the-realm-of-the-gods

Title: The Realm of the Gods
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Immortals Quartet #4, Tortall #17
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 1996
5th sentence, 74th page: “Lord Weiryn,” said Numair, “it would help if you were to explain what will happen if we make a mistake in these places.”

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Synopsis

Daine is god-born and destined to walk a difficult path. When the barriers between the realms disappear, Tortall falls under siege from all sides. Uusoae, the Queen of Chaos, is waging a war against the greater gods, a fight to end it all. Desperate to save the kingdom, Daine must join the war and brave the consequences, for children born of gods tread dangerously in mortal realms.

Thoughts

What a stunning conclusion to an already amazing quartet. Daine’s heritage, war and place in life are finally cemented by her trip to the realm of the gods – literally. Even her powers fully come to the fore in this tale as she grasps who she is and what she is able to do. Finally, the Immortals War reaches its conclusion, Daine becomes an adult and Ozorne is bought to justice.

Ozorne’s prejudice and inability to grasp that others are as powerful as he is are the catalysts which bring about his downfall. Likewise, it’s Daine’s loyalty to the people she loves and bravery to carry out justice that give her an edge over the manipulative slime-ball that plagues her life for the years over which The Immortals Quartet takes place. The humility of the heroine is what eventually triumphs over the self-righteousness of the villain, and in doing so reminds us that it is staying true to ourselves and our family (the chosen and the biological) is what will truly help us to triumph in life.

Even though I have read this novel more times than I can count over the past ten years (the first time I discovered Tamora Pierce’s books), I still can’t quite find the words to explain how phenomenal this story is. I love the entire series, but there is something about this conclusion, and Daine’s newly blossomed romance that leaves me happily fulfilled after I finish the last page. Partly it’s my love of the character, partly the powerful message of ecology and love that is purported throughout, but mostly, this is just a wonderful conclusion. It neatly ties up the entire storyline without completely closing of the future. It is a story that leaves you with a feeling of contentment and wonder, a reminder that no matter what, you should do right by yourself, the people and which surround you.

<- The Emperor Mage Review First Test Review ->
Image source: Amazon

The Emperor Mage by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

the-emperor-mage

Title: The Emperor Mage
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Immortals Quartet #3, Tortall #16
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 1994
5th sentence, 74th page: Daine, feeling cross, realised immediately she had arranged things so no one would be able to distract Numair from Varice herself.

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Synopsis

Emperor Ozorne ripped open the gates between realms, releasing a plague of immortals to savage Tortall. Now he talks of making amends and, for her kingdom’s sake, Daine must attend the peace conference – somehow keeping her magic in check. But one of the gods has chosen Daine as the bringer of retribution. With a gift given by the Graveyard Hag, Daine intends to create havoc in Carthak. Her magic is wild and unpredictable, and Daine is very, very angry.

Thoughts

The politics of war perplex me, for example, you’re not technically at war until both sides admit that you are – at least, that’s one of the main things that I learnt from The Emperor Mage. That, and you really shouldn’t piss off someone with power. Or underestimate them for that matter.

Ozorne is an excellent villain throughout this series, although, it isn’t until The Emperor Mage that we get to know him more intimately. His self-centred tendencies lead him to make horrible decision after horrible decision, eventually leading him into the wrath of the gods. But, it is his inability to recognise and realise his flaws that truly make him a force with whom Daine must constantly battle. Although at the beginning of the story, he shows a very nice and misunderstood public face, the gradual degradation of this reminds us that not is all as it seems. And, that even as an adult, if you’re too spoilt, you can become your own demise.

Of all of the animals and characters that Daine experiences throughout her journeys in The Immortals Quartet, it is the hyenas that I love the most. Probably because I am inherently fascinated by them in real life – how can you not be drawn in by such unique creatures? Their pivotal role in the story was stunningly executed, and the removal of some of the stigma that often surrounds the hyena. Although, Pierce also attempts to do this with bats and wolves throughout the story. A reminder that unlike humans, animals do everything for a reason.

<- The Hidden Girl Review The Realm of the Gods Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Wolf-Speaker by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

wolf-speaker

Title: Wolf-Speaker
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Immortals Quartet #2, Tortall #13
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 1993
5th sentence, 74th page: “Do I tell you how to deal with the pack females?” she demanded.

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Synopsis

Daine calls the wolves of Long Lake her family. So when they send out a cry for help, she answers. Humans are destroying their home, poisoning their valley. Daine and Numair soon realise there is a more sinister side to the destruction. For the poison runs deep and tastes like treason…

Thoughts

This is such a beautiful, sweet and inspiring story. Daine’s strength and moxie shine through as she fights to help rescue her friends and extended family. The vividness of the world in which she places herself and her strength of character just shine from the pages as the depth of danger in which Daine and Numair find themselves deepens.

Like Wild Magic, the overarching idea behind Wolf-Speaker is that of conservation and ecology – take care of the world around you, and it will take care of you. Daine’s inherent connection to the animals around her, and their reliance on the earth combine to provide a poignant reminder that whatever we do to Mother Earth will come back to us tenfold. The incorrect assumption that nature is simply here to serve us is dramatized in the underhanded and horrifying way in which Yolane and her cohort choose to treat their lands. Their dismissal of every warning and inability to acknowledge that wolves also have a claim to the lands on which they live slowly build upon each other to create a terrifyingly insidious plan to destroy everything around them… literally.

Although the care of our environment is the main theme throughout the story, it is also a reminder that our prejudices and biases should constantly be questioned. At the beginning, Daine’s hatred for Stormwings and her refusal to admit that there can be an iota of good within them is a great, and gentle reminder of the inherent racism that is present in many people. Even when we think that we are truly good and above such an abhorrent ideal, there is often an inkling of pre-determined judgement in our interactions when we first meet someone. The gradual lessening of Daine’s bias through a number of different characters and creatures helps to drive this lesson home in a way that isn’t forceful or accusatory, but rather a simple reminder to constantly question your own prejudices and biases.

<- Wild Magic Review Elder Brother Review ->
Image source: Amazon