She meets an old god who wants her help in destroying the world that she knows. In risking everything, she learns the true meaning of sacrifice.
I was quite surprised by this short story. Not because of the steampunk themes and threads running throughout, but because of the Mayan theme to it. Somehow I never really associated steampunk with Mayan. And, weirdly enough, it worked incredibly well.
Mayan mythology has a heavy influence of sacrifice and gods that aren’t actually “good” and this story is no different. It features a horrible god and sacrifice. The fact that the sacrifice actually got to live was kind of a surprise, and it worked so unbelievably well. It just didn’t really capture my attention like many of the other stories in this collection…
Title: The Mechanical Aviary of Emperor Jala-ud-din Muhammad Akbar Author: Shweta Narayan In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Steampunk Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2009 5th sentence, 74th page: And so it was; she made a little golden child with wings and tail enamelled green, and named her Devadasi.
A classic tale of pride coming before the fall. Mixing folklore, legend and a heavy dose of steampunk settings to weave a story that is as beautiful as it is meaningful.
I really enjoyed this story. The idea of a mechanical aviary built by a mechanical bird in and of itself is a great little story. Add to this the fact that a tale of morals is interwoven throughout, and this was the most fun I’ve had in the past few weeks. It was just so beautifully different and engaging. Without being overbearing in the way the message is outlined.
Although the primary story was fun, I actually enjoyed the creator’s tale much better. The way it interweaves was brilliantly done, and I like the fact that it echoes the primary story. The entire thing just worked seamlessly and I was actually really disappointed when it was finished…
Title: Princess in Training Author: Meg Cabot Series: The Princess Diaries #6 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Chic lit, Easy reading Pace: Slow Format: Novel Publisher: Harper Teen Year: 2006 5th sentence, 74th page: I’m hoping this means he is busy with the whole petroleum-running-out thing, and not, you know, that he’s breaking up with me because he’s realized I’m not exactly the Do it type.
Princess for president!
Student body president, that is – nominated by her power-mad best friend, Lilly. This is not how Mia imagined kicking off her sophomore year, but as usual, she has bigger problems to worry about, like Geometry. And now that Mia’s one true love, Michael, is uptown at college, what’s the point of even getting up for school in the morning? But the last straw is what Lana whispers to her on the lunch line about what college boys expect of their girlfriends… Really, it’s almost more than a princess in training can bear!
Although I like these stories, I can’t help but think that Lilly is a dick. EVERY TIME I READ THEM. Like, literally the worst friend a girl could ask for. And not even in an entertaining, she accidentally causes issues way. In a very irritating, self-centred, annoying way that makes me want to reach through the pages and smack her around. And then smack Mia around for letting herself be treated in this way. There is selfish. And then there is Lilly…
It’s also a little frustrating how Mia talks about Michael… I get the first love teenage thing. But I swear I would have punched myself in the face if I waxed on and off that much about my first love. Mia’s identity almost gets swallowed up by both Michael and Lilly throughout the story. Again. Frustrating.
Although Mia’s voice does get swallowed by those around her – I love how she manages to find it at the end of Princess in Training. And it gives this sense that in the next few Princess Diaries stories, she will actually be able to stand up for herself and become more strong and independent. At least, that’s what I hope for – because she’s an amazing character, she’s just being drowned out by the more pushy and confident…
When Quinn decides that dreams aren’t enough for his relationship with Riley, he decides to travel to see her for a late night booty call. But what they find in her basement becomes an adventure all on its own, one that nightmares might be made of.
I have read the first Riley Jenson Guardian novel, but haven’t gotten any further into the series. It’s a pretty intense erotica and sexual story, so I definitely have to be in the right kind of mood for it. But when I read Dreams in my short story collection the other night, I remembered just why I have kept this collection on my shelves. It’s easy, fun and more than a little raunchy.
I like the idea of creatures that people assume are less than human (the Chameleons) being involved in a battle with Riley and Quinn. The fact that this story ends with the hint (and that is just a hint) that there is more to the characters than meets the idea worked really well in my mind. It reminds me that there are different kinds of intelligence, and many of the animals that we assume are “dumb” probably aren’t so.
Then this story ends in a raunchy sex scene… which is expected in this series. And even though it is completely expected, it’s a bit of a fun, and very adult, ending to this tale.
Title: Mr. Bear Author: Joe R. Lansdale In: Blood Lite (Kevin J. Anderson) Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one) My Bookshelves:Comedy, Easy reading, Fantasy Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Pocket Books Year: 2008 5th sentence, 74th page: “My wife will kill me.”
When Jim boards a plane, he hopes to get a few empty seats to give him some privacy. What he ends up getting is a new “friend” that is truly the stuff of nightmares.
This story is weird. It was weird from beginning to end and I still really don’t know where to put my feelings for it. It wasn’t good. It wasn’t bad. It was just really, really freaking weird.
Beyond being weird, this story also gave me the major heeby jeebies. It’s a bear that acts as the villain, but this is a story that does actually happen in real life. An unsuspecting fool falls into a trap and there follows calamity upon calamity until they realise that they are probably about to die. And then, because it is a story and needs a happy ending of sorts, they find their way out…
So yup. Mostly this story was incredibly weird. And heeby. And just in general kind of creepy…
Title: The Fish Ladder Author: Katharine Norbury Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Biographies, The Coast, Easy reading, Memoirs Pace: Slow Format: Novel Publisher: Bloomsbury Circus Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: But if we were in the wrong place, so too had Ieuan Lleyn been, when he came here in 1799.
Katharine Norbury was abandoned as a baby in a Liverpool convent. Raised by loving adoptive parents, she grew into a wanderer, drawn by the beauty of the British countryside.
One summer, following the miscarriage of a much-longer-for child, Katharine sets out – accompanied by her nine-year-old daughter, Evie – with the idea of following a river from the sea to its source. The luminously observed landscape provides both a constant and a context to their expeditions. But what begins as a diversion from grief soon evolves into a journey to the source of life itself, when a chance circumstance forces Katharine to the door of the woman who gave her up all those years ago.
Combining travelogue, memoir, exquisite nature writing, fragments of poetry and tales from Celtic mythology, The Fish Ladder has a rare emotional resonance. A portrait of motherhood, of a literary marriage and a hymn to the adoptive family, this captivating story of self-discovery is, most of all, an exploration of the extraordinary majesty of the natural world. Imbued with a keen and joyful intelligence, this original and life-affirming book is set to become a classic of its genre.
I needed to read a book with a river on the cover. When I googled such a requirement, this is one of the few books that came up. And man, am I glad that it did. There is just something about the winding, lazy way in which Norbury tells her story that was both completely relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable. Although I have nothing to compare her adventures to, I almost feel like there is a part of me that has now been discovered and it gives me the inspiration to go forth into my own life and keep finding my own way forward.
Unlike a lot of the memoirs that I have recently read, there isn’t really a central story that is outlined here. Not one specific journey or moment of epiphany that really strikes out at me. Instead, there is the central theme of family and motherhood. The idea that even though she is adopted, there are strong familial ties between Katharine and her adoptive family. But there is also a strong tie to the woman who gave her up for adoption and it is this that really drives the feeling of longing forward and into the reader a Katharine’s beautiful words unfold.
This wasn’t one of those earth shatteringly amazing stories. It probably hasn’t changed my life in anyway. But it was incredibly beautiful. And immensely easy to read. It was a great lazy Sunday read to sink my brain into while I was trying to unwind at the end of the long day. And it certainly reminded me of how lucky and grateful I am to have the mother and family that I have.
5th sentence, 74th page: Medb rode with a smaller escort, less to fight, although she gave a good account of herself when necessary, than to look over all the lands and the people.
Forced into a political marriage at a young age, Medb shows that she has an amazing inner strength. She is willing to fight against her new husband, and carve out a reality for herself amongst a world that doesn’t always support women.
I knew from the very beginning that this would be a great story about a strong woman. After all, it starts with Medb being asked to marry a man by her father. Set in medieval times. And when she is only fourteen. There is even the comment that no one would push her into anything. So, mostly I was wondering how a romance was going to happen when you start with a character that just isn’t interested in marriage and has that kind of independence straight away. Most of the romance stories in The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance have far more submissive women. And I loved this change.
It’s hard to read a lot of romantic novels (which is why they are often on my guilty pleasures shelf), since they tend to place women in the weaker, or more submissive position. Although that is what Medb’s first marriage is like, there is an emphasis placed on equality and partnership. At acceptance of one another and the roles we choose to play in life.
Title: Two Moons Author: Emily Rodda Series: Star of Deltora #2 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy Pace: Slow Format: Novel Publisher: Omnibus books Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Of course,’ said Mab courteously, as Xen’s companions bowed in their turn.
Aboard the Star of Deltora with her three rivals for the Trader Rosalyn Apprenticeship, Britta knows that she has to keep her wits about her. She desperately wants to win the contest, but of course Jewel, Sky and Vashti feel the same, and one of them, she knows, is a ruthless enemy who will stop at nothing to succeed. Britta is ready for trouble, but as the voyage fails to go as planned, and rumours of evil magic sweep her beloved ship, she starts to wonder if she has more to fear than simple human wickedness.
And nothing can prepare her for the terror that awaits her in the perilous, forbidden swamplands of Two Moons.
Two Moons really helps to expand on the tales of Shadows of the Master. Where the first book is setting Britta up for her epic adventure and trials, Two Moons actually takes you on them. And it becomes very clear very quickly that this voyage isn’t just going to be about the competition to become the next apprentice, but also a re-tracing of her father’s footsteps and the mystery of the staff.
This is such a fun and easy read, and even though I’m reading this series and discovering it as an adult… it’s still a lot of fun. A nice way to spend a quiet night. Especially one of those nights when I really want to read, but can’t quite seem to make my brain function fully. Which, let’s admit, happen often.
My favourite thing about this book is the surprise reveal at the end. But, since I don’t like giving spoilers, you’re going to have to read it to find out just what kind of surprise is in store for this shy little heroine.
When a man pulls a woman from the surf, his life is irreparably changed. The fae woman may be his saviour or his downfall, only time will tell.
I didn’t mind this story, but it was a little slow… and didn’t quite have the same oomph to it as the other short stories in this collection. Man meets woman. Saves woman. Woman could kick his ass. But they end up together. I was expecting an incredibly epic battle. But it really wasn’t all that amazing. He fights, he wins, the end. They ride off into the sunset…
Even the name of this story is a bit misleading, there is nothing quick about it. But that’s not to say that this was a bad tale. It just wasn’t exactly captivating… so a perfect one to read just before bedtime. It’s not going to be impossible to put down, but a nice little story to wile away the time.
Title: The Steamdancer (1896) Author: Caitlin R. Kiernan In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Romance, Steampunk Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2007 5th sentence, 74th page: It was not an uncommon fate for the likes of Missouri Banks, those caught out in the open during the spring swarms, those without safe houses to hide inside until the voracious flies had come and gone, moving on to bedevil other towns and cities and farms.
A young girl is found by the mechanic. After helping to turn her into a cyborg, they get married and live happily ever after.
This story kind of completely melted my heart. It was so cute and sweet. Almost a little window into the daily life of a gorgeous cyborg woman. I was expecting something much darker in the first mini chapter, but it was quickly a very smooth and easy read. One that set the tone for a loving relationship, a woman who loved to dance, and a body that was constructed of metal as well as flesh.
This short story incorporates everything that I have come to love about the steampunk genre. Namely the great way of writing that feels a lot more classical and Victorian in its construction. The ways in which it is so incredibly descriptive. And, of course, the great settings and themes which combine the romance of the past (although maggots eating away flesh may not be able to be classed as super romantic) and the hope of the future.
Title: Prayers of Forges and Furnaces
Title: Princess in Training
Title: Dreams
Title: Mr. Bear
Title: Compeer
Title: Two Moons
Title: The Steamdancer (1896)
Earth and Skye 