Australian Authors – Earth and Skye

The Red Queen by Isobelle Carmody

I finally finished the series! Not only was this one of those series that was a long time in the making (and completion), but it was also one of those series that I bought the last book, and then left it on my shelf for 2 years. Partly because I wanted to reread the entire thing before I put my hands on the final book, but it’s a fairly complex and convoluted series all up. And, quite honestly the last two books kind of drag for me. To the point that I actually skim read The Red Queen. It was okay, but it wasn’t enough to fully draw me into the story and make me just completely digest and absorb every single word.

The Sending by Isobelle Carmody

Finishing this book has been a long time coming. I started rereading the series when The Red Queen came out, and I hadn’t ever quite gotten to The Sending. Over two years later, I finally managed to find the time to actually sit down and read this story. It is intense and quite a long haul, but it is most certainly worth the time and brain power that I put into it. It is going to take me quite a while to finish The Red Queen as well, over a month (much like The Sending), but it is an epic journey, and sometimes spending the time to take an epic journey is definitely worthwhile.

Walk in My Shoes by Alwyn Evans

I remember reading this book when I was a younger kid. I remember loving it and being a little more aware of the world around me as I read this. However, having reread this story as a more educated adult, I was a little uncomfortable. Which is a good thing, I’m far more socially and politically aware now, and this is a story about refugees and refugee camps in Australia. I think if it doesn’t make you at least a little uncomfortable as a person, or even an Australian, you’re maybe not getting the point of the story…

The Stone Witch by Isobelle Carmody

Planes, children and death, three things that kind of freak me out, all combined into one very enjoyable short story. But honestly, I didn’t expect anything less from one of my favourite authors!

Crow and Caper, Caper and Crow by Margo Lanagan

Every story about witchcraft that I read, whether it’s entirely fantasy-based or based in Wicca, birth and death are integral to the practice and beliefs. Which is why it is fun to read a short story that is all about birth and the turning of the circle.

Drowned Wednesday by Garth Nix

It’s taken me this long in the series to realise that each of the Trustees has one of the seven sins as their driver… Monday was Sloth, Tuesday – Greed and Wednesday is Gluttony. It makes me want to dive into the series even more since it is so subtly and beautifully done. The idea of Drowned Wednesday being a gluttonous whale and everything that follows worked beautifully in this nautical adventure, and I think that the twists and turns of this story were some of the most surprising yet!

Grim Tuesday by Garth Nix

It took me a long time to get to Mister Monday’s sequel – partly because I got distracted by other series, and partly because I got halfway through it and then got distracted the first time around. But, that doesn’t mean that this wasn’t a thoroughly enjoyable book, just back when I read this for the first time, it wasn’t quite fast paced and racy enough for me.

Yami by Yami Lester

It was suggested that I read this because of my course in Indigenous Australians in environmental management and my interest in what our First Nation people have experienced. And let me tell you, I am so incredibly glad that I did. This story is just awe inspiring and fascinating. It not only entails part of our history, but also shows the strength, compassion and drive of people who have, quite frankly, not been treated as they should have been.

The Gypsy Crown by Kate Forsyth

There’s something fun and special about a well-written story that is based in history. I’ve never been one to actually study history (mainly because I found it boring in high school), so reading a book that is so beautifully crafted around a historical moment is thoroughly enjoyable. Plus, it’s a great way to learn about English history, alongside the tolerance of others. Forsyth drives home the importance of accepting those who are different to us, even if we don’t quite understand them.

The Magic Word by Jennifer Fallon

Have you ever wondered what happens to the characters when you close the pages of a beloved book? I always imagine them living their happily ever afters, going on more adventures and just generally enjoying the life that they’ve been granted. But, what if it isn’t like that? The Magic Word is Fallon’s way of looking at what happens to the characters after you turn the last page of the book, after the author stops writing their story.