Tag Archives: Easy Reading

Beastly: Lindy’s Diary by Alex Flinn

Book Review, , ,

Overview

Beastly - Lindy's DiaryTitle: Beastly: Lindy’s Diary
Author: Alex Flinn
Series: Kendra Chronicles #1.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fairy tales
Pace: Slow
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Teen
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Now I did.

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Synopsis

See the #1 New York Times bestselling story Beastly through Lindy’s eyes! This is her diary, kept while living in captivity with the beast. Lindy’s Diary captures all the romance and edgy mystery of the original!

Diary,

I am locked away . . . with no one to confide in but you . . . and him. His fur, those claws—they caught me off guard at first, but now I’m noticing something else about him—something deeper. It’s the look in his eye. It tells me he’s got a secret to keep. That’s okay—I’ve got one, too. I think I’m falling in love with him. . . .

Lindy

Thoughts

It’s always fun to reread a story from a different person’s point of view. It just gives a nice, different point of view and lens through which to watch the same actions that you have already watched, and often thought you understood. When it’s a novella that tells the other side of a romance, then it just makes me all the more happier. Lindy’s Diary does this.

I love Beauty and the Beast, whichever version it happens to be. I love the idea of two outcasts finding one another and finding solace in each others’ company. It’s not about Stockholme Syndrome (just had to throw that one out there). And I love the idea that true love is about two souls, not the way that each other looks. But, attraction is a physical thing too. I think that my partner is a gorgeous man. Now that I know him, I know that I would love him regardless. I don’t know if I would have fallen for him regardless of his looks. I don’t know how the process would have happened in the case of Beauty and the Beast. Lindy’s Diary helped to make me understand this. It was also a nice way to see why she held off with saying the magical words.

Sometimes diary formats kind of annoy me – they can be read quite clunkily and just don’t have the flow that I love in well-written prose. I wouldn’t have liked the tale of Beastly written as a diary. It would have made the story a little too time-conscious and the time passages would have felt almost lazy in missing out chunks of time to move the story forward. After all, the tale takes place over a two year time period. But as a brief glimpse into Lindy’s thoughts and feelings, it works really well. It places the actions of Adrian within the context of their year together and helps to show how Lindy falling in love was a slow and gradual progress.

 <- Beastly Review Bewitching Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Book Review, , ,

Overview

BeastlyTitle: Beastly
Author: Alex Flinn
Series: Kendra Chronicles #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fairy tales
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Harper Teen
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: But I’d known it wouldn’t last.

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Synopsis

I AM A BEAST.

A beast. Not quite wolf or gorilla or dog, but a horrible new creature with fangs, claws, and hair springing from every pore. I am a walking monster.

You think I’m talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. And I’ll stay this way forever – unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, the perfect girl, and the perfect life. And then, I’ll tell you how I became perfectly… beastly.

Thoughts

I have loved the movie Beastly for a long time. After all, Beauty and the Beast is one of my favourite fairy tales, (or at the very least, my favourite Disney movies), and I loved this modern-day adaptation of it. Only recently did I read the opening credits and realise that the movie is actually based on a book. So I bought the book. And I really wasn’t disappointed.

This is a simple, easy book. Plain and simple. There isn’t a lot of complexity in it, and it isn’t one that you have to think a lot about hidden meanings. Which is why I loved it. I enjoy high fantasy and complex tales as much as the next girl, but I also love something that is happy, simple and you are guaranteed of a sweet, happy ending. This falls firmly within that category. And which is why I loved it.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was the fact that not only was it a modern-day story, but it highlighted this with the use of an internet forum. Before each “part” there was a live chat between different fairy tale characters, the frog, one of the grizzly bears, and the little mermaid all managed to make an appearance. It was quite cleverly and subtly done. And it is this fact that I really enjoyed. After all, retelling a fairy tale has been done many times before. But retelling it with hints of other fairytales, and using the internet and modern technologies as a mechanism through which to do it – well, that was just a seriously fun idea.

 <- Beheld Review Beastly: Lindy’s Diary Review ->
Image source: Book Depository

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

WickedTitle: Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
Author: Gregory Maguire
Series: The Wicked Years #1
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Witches
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Harper
Year: 1995
5th sentence, 74th page: We should leave the luxury of Munchkinland and try ourselves in the fire of a truly needy situation.

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Synopsis

When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum’s classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her archnemesis, the mysterious Witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked?

Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability, and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to become the infamous Wicked Witch of the West – a smart, prickly, and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil.

Thoughts

I didn’t know that the musical Wicked was based on a book. I didn’t know that the book would be so completely green. And when I found out these two facts, I bought it straight away. After all, I loved the play. And I love the colour green. And really, anything that is a little bit different and comments on the world from a point of view that isn’t what we generally think about is something that I’m going to want. I like tales that tell the story in shades of grey.

I love the message in this story. I love the way in which it comments on our own world. And I love the idea of telling a classic from another point of view, the villains. What I didn’t love was the pace of the story. The prologue completely drew me in. It was funny, pithy and threw you into the storyline. And then we went back in time. And we dealt with Elphaba’s family. And her upbringing. And then her time studying… and it just slowed right down. Not enough that I didn’t read the book, but enough that I struggled to read the book.

The fact that I struggled to read this, and it took me so long has left me with incredibly mixed feelings. On the one hand, I really liked the storyline and the message. On the other, I found it’s delivery a little bit slower and less captivating than I would like. But, I also understand why this is. Childhood histories and the growth of a character isn’t often something that can happen quickly, but it is certainly necessary to the characterisation… this is certainly a book that has left me on the fence, although it is one that will linger in my mind’s eye…

 <- Tales Told in Oz Review Son of a Witch Review ->
Image source: Amazon

After Midnight by Fiona Brand

Book Review, , ,

Overview

lover-bewareTitle: After Midnight
Author: Fiona Brand
In: Lover Beware (Christine Feehan)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Books
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: The rusted hinges of his white picket gate creaked as Tucker pushed it wide.

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Synopsis

Between two strangers… Sometimes one glance is all it takes. And sometimes all it takes is one man to tear apart what fate – and desire – have brought together…

Thoughts

Sometimes it’s nice to curl up with a good, cliché romance. If it reads a little like a Mills and Boon novel, then it’s also nice. If you don’t have a tiny beagle trying to lick your face in all the good bits like I did… talk about awkward.

They say that opposites attract. And also that sometimes lone glance is all that it takes. For Jane and Michael, both of these clichés ring true. For seven years, they have fought their attraction, and when they might finally be able to act on their feelings… well, crime and mayhem rears it’s ugly head and threatens to destroy everything.

So much of this story was the lust and the windup to the big moment. The crime that weaves its way throughout this sleepy New Zealand town just helps to up the stakes. The storm scene that brings the climax of the tale (in more ways than one) crashes through and highlights not only the stakes, but the passion and excitement that this story brings. My only complaint about this is that it was a little too short, and I would dearly love to visit Jane and Michael again.

 <- Hot August Moon Review Only Human Review ->
Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Beknighted by Deidre Knight

Book Review, , ,

Overview

Dark and Stormy KnightsTitle: Beknighted
Author: Deidre Knight
In: Dark and Stormy Knights (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Surely Sebastian wanted her to mop up the proverbial mess.

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Synopsis

A young artist has dreamt about freeing her knight in shining armour, and she is about to succeed. But will shadowy, sinister forces stand in her way?

Thoughts

I really liked this short story. The only thing I didn’t like was the way that it ended – the lovers forgot about each other and didn’t get their steamy reunion. It’s cliché, but I do love a romantic, run into each other’s’ arms ending. And this was so close, but yet so far…

It was a very cool, and trippy idea that there was a knight trapped. And to free him an artist had to create a puzzle box. I’ve never actually seen a puzzle box, so this did throw me a little. But it didn’t take away from the amazing storyline of this story – one that I thoroughly enjoyed and am a little disappointed was so short. Actually, I’m going to specifically search for more works by Deidre Knight now, so that I can enjoy such a fun and interesting take on the world again.

 <- Dark Lady Review Shifting Star Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Dark and Stormy Knights edited by P.N. Elrod

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , ,
Overview
Dark and Stormy Knights

Title: Dark and Stormy Knights
Author: Ilona Andrews, Jim Butcher, Shannon K. Butcher, Rachel Caine, P.N. Elrod, Deidre Knight, Vicki Pettersson, Lilith Saintcrow & Carrie Vaughn
In: Dark and Stormy Knights (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Easy reading, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Even today’s cleverest smiths are no match for the magic of the fomor.

Synopsis

It was a dark and stormy knight, and nine dark defenders are about to embark upon a perilous quest…

They’re the shadowy defenders of humanity – modern-day knights committing the darkest of deeds for all the right reasons. In this all-star collection, nine of today’s hottest urban fantasy authors bring us thrilling, all-new stories of the supernatural brimming with magic, mystery, and mayhem.

An unlikely hero goes head-to-head with a ruthless cantrev lord in Jim Butcher’s “Even Hand”. Kate Daniels is called upon for bodyguard duty to protect Saimen, a shifter she trusts less than her worst enemy, in Ilona Andrews’s “A Questionable Client”. At all costs, Cormac must stop a vicious werewolf before it attacks again on the next full moon in Carrie Vaughn’s “God’s Creatures”. And in Vicki Pettersson’s “Shifting Star”, Skamar reluctantly enlists the aid of her frustratingly sexy neighbor when she takes on a vengeful creature kidnapping young girls.

When everything’s on the line, can these sinister guardians complete their missions and live to fight another day? Find out in Dark and Stormy Knights!

Thoughts

I loved this collection. I loved it so much that I really didn’t want to put it down. And bought almost every series featured in this collection. Which has cost me a fair bit of money in the last few days… yes, I am well aware that I have a problem. And I’m a little bit concerned by how quickly and easily I fall into these amazing literary worlds.

I loved the variety of stories, genres and tales throughout this. I loved the fact that the dark fantasy common thread ran through seamlessly. And I loved that each time I turned the page something exciting and thrilling was leaping out at me. There’s actually not much negative that I can say about this collection. After all, it took me through the scale of emotions, a number of whirlwind adventures and made me feel like I never wanted to put this book down again. For any fans of fantasy, this is definitely one to add to your shelf.

 <- A Questionable ClientGod’s Creatures ->

Image source: Goodreads

Krisis by Lindsay Smith

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Kisses and CursesTitle: Krisis
Author: Lindsay Smith
Series: Sekret #0.6
In: Kisses & Curses (Lauren Burniac)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, History, Psychics
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Square Fish
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: “Comrade, that is not a feasible option-”

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Synopsis

A seer who can see into the future is placed in the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis and maybe only she can stop the world from ending.

Thoughts

I really enjoy stories that are based around actual moments in history. However, I’m not one who tends to read up much on history – probably because in high school we did a lot of American history and ANZAC history, but nothing about our Indigenous Australians, and many, many things that they basically try to pretend didn’t happen. But I digress… this short story (and apparently greater series) is set in Communist Russia. A period of history that I know next to nothing about. And now want to know even more of.

Stories about people with extra abilities, like telekinesis, telepathy, future telling… they are stories that I tend to be drawn to. The fact that this partners an aspect of history that I know little of just makes it all the more appealing. I also loved reading the author’s introduction to this story – the idea for the series came from a fascination with this period of history, and what would happen if even the privacy of your own mind was taken away. Even though this short story isn’t quite about that, it is a great introduction to the world and the idea overall.

Nuclear warfare scares me. If someone presses that button, the world will effectively end. Regardless of the way in which it happens. Revisiting a period in history where this very nearly happened and giving it a paranormal twist really works for me. It’s something that is a terrifying Krisis, and the potential for the mayham is, I think, seared into all of our souls. I can’t wait to see where this series will take me…

 <- Skandal Review Sekret Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Sister of the South by Emily Rodda

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Sister of the SouthTitle: The Sister of the South
Author: Emily Rodda
Series: Dragons of Deltora #4, World of Deltora #15
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘No, Kree!’ she exclaimed.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World WideSynopsis

DELOTRA IS A LAND OF MONSTERS AND MAGIC…

With the aid of Deltora’s last dragons, Lief, Barda and Jasmine have destroyed three of the Four Sisters, evil Shadow Lord creations which are poisoning their land. Their quest will end in the city of Del, where the Sister of the South lies hidden.

Del is the companions’ home, but it has changed. Fear now stalks the streets, treachery lurks behind smiling faces and evil prowls the palace. Burdened by a terrible sense of foreboding, Lief knows that every step he takes leads closer to disaster. Yet he cannot stop, he cannot turn back.

And in the Shadowlands the Enemy gloats, waiting for the terrifying end.

Thoughts

I was kind of sad to finish this story – after all, it is the very last of the Deltora Quest tales and it completely ties up the tale of Lief, Barda and Jasmine. But it’s also nice when an author finishes off such a long series in such a way. It doesn’t make you constantly wonder “what happened” and gives everyone their nice, happy, ride off into the sunset future. Yes, they might be kind of cheesy, but I still like the happily ever after endings…

I love how the use of fairy tales throughout the Deltora Quest stories inform the quests that the trio take in their modern days. It was a story that sends them on this final quest, and it ties in beautifully at the end of this tale to create one, last hurdle. Unless you’ve read Tales of Deltora, the ending isn’t exactly obvious – the entirety of the folktale isn’t revealed. But if you have, there is a great hint in there.

Although this is a happy ending, there is a sense of sadness to the finishing of this. Not just because the series is finished, but also because not everyone gets that happily ever after. Although it sounds horrible, I liked the fact that it wasn’t so cut and dry – there is a level of complexity in Rodda’s storytelling that I completely missed as a child, but thoroughly enjoy as an adult.

 <- Isle of the Dead Review Tales of Deltora Review ->
Image source: Scholastic

Isle of the Dead by Emily Rodda

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Isle of the DeadTitle: Isle of the Dead
Author: Emily Rodda
Series: Dragons of Deltora #3, World of Deltora #14
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: Seven long days, and still the witch lives, watered and fed by her creatures.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World WideSynopsis

DELTORA IS A LAND OF MONSTERS AND MAGIC…

Aided by the mysterious magic of Deltora’s last dragons, Lief, Barda and Jasmine have found and destroyed two of the Four Sisters, evil Shadow Lord creations which have been poisoning Deltora. Now, aware that time is running out for the kingdom’s starving people, the companions are racing to their next goal, on the wild west coast.

But the Shadow Lord has become aware of their quest. And, somehow, he knows every move they make. Terrible dangers from the present and the past lie in wait for them. And the greatest shock of all lurks in the lair of the ferocious Kobb, on the desolate Isle of the Dead.

Thoughts

The trap is almost sprung. Or at least that’s how it’s feeling when you read the third story in this quartet. The horrors of the past clash against the trials of the present as the four hurry towards the Sister of the West. And this is probably my favourite evil guardian so far. He is so incredibly obviously evil, and also sinister. Yet, as with everything in this series, a great commentary on a social manifestation – in this case greed.

There are a few mysteries in the greater Deltora series that are unveiled in this. The tale of the slightly weird Tom. The hidden horrors of Bone Point Lighthouse… there are so many ways in which the past and present intermingle in this story. I love how it all combines to create this great story. It also ties the hooks of the trap that is about to be sprung tighter around the trio. Now I can’t wait to see what will happen when the Shadow Lord is defeated (or not) in the final story of this entire series…

 <- Shadowgate Review The Sister of the South Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Shadowgate by Emily Rodda

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

ShadowgateTitle: Shadowgate
Author: Emily Rodda
Series: Dragons of Deltora #2, World of Deltora #13
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Bess is being very pleasant to Uncle Berry,’ Jasmine said in a low voice, breaking off part of her cake and cautiously slipping it beneath her jacket for Filli.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World WideSynopsis

DELTORA IS A LAND OF MONSTERS AND MAGIC…

The Four Sisters, evil creations of the Shadow Lord, are poisoning Deltora and starving its people. Lief, Barda and Jasmine have found and destroyed the first of the Sisters. Now they must find the second, hidden within the mountains that border the Shadowlands itself. And they know that only the Dragon of the Emerald can help them.

The Shadow Lord is now aware of their quest. Deep in the Shadowlands, he plots their destruction. Hidden enemies and trickery await as the companions travel towards the Sister of the North and its terrible guardian, in the dread place called Shadowgate.

Thoughts

The second tale of the Four Sisters raises the stakes yet again. It also introduces a completely new cultural group into the stories. The Masked Ones. Who are kind of cool (in that they seem based around the idea of gypsies). But also incredibly creepy. And almost evil in what they do – but you’ll just have to read this novel to find out why they give me such a mixed reaction.

The evils of love and lust are explored in the second Guardian – in a way that is kind of completely unpredictable. Although, as with everything that Rodda writes, there are great little hints throughout which highlight who the real evil is – and the trap that is being laid by the Shadow Lord. There is a feeling that the trap is far more complex and sinister than just the four sisters.

I love how each of the dragons in this series emphasises the characteristics that the gem of their territory highlights. In this tale, there is the singing Lapis Lazuli dragon, and the honourable (albeit grumpy) Emerald dragon. The distinctness of their characters makes me wonder what the next three dragons will be like…

 <- Dragon’s Nest Review Isle of the Dead Review ->
Image source: Goodreads