Tag Archives: Easy Reading

The Seeing Stone by Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
The Seeing Stone

Title: The Seeing Stone
Author: Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black
Series: The Spiderwick Chronicles #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fae, Fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: Giving them the handkerchief was nice, but it could still be a trick.

Synopsis

we said no still you looked
now instead
someone gets cooked

The Grace kids are just beginning to get used to Aunt Lucinda’s strange old mansion when Simon suddenly disappears. Jared and his sister have to rely on the help of a mischievous house boggart, a nasty bridge troll, and a loud-mouthed hobgoblin to get him back.

Thoughts

At the end of The Field Guide, the Grace siblings are warned that they are putting themselves in danger by keeping the, well, field guide. So, it comes as no surprise that in this next story, one of them gets kidnapped. By creepy, gross goblins.

Something that I love about this series is that it is an easy read, but not one that I can’t put down. I actually stopped reading this halfway through, and then finished it the next night.

The ability of the children to put each other before themselves and constantly try to save one another. Add that to the fact that Simon is also trying to save whatever animal and creature he can find… it’s a pretty feel good story this one. That’s if you don’t count the creepy, gross goblins…

 <- The Field GuideLucinda’s Secret ->

Image source: Simon and Schuster

The Field Guide by Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
The Field Guide

Title: The Field Guide
Author: Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black
Series: The Spiderwick Chronicles #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fae, Fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: They did all kinds of work for a plain old bowl of milk.

Synopsis

It all starts when Jared Grace finds their great uncle’s book, ‘Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastic World Around You’ and the Grace kids realize that they are not alone in their new house. Now the kids want to tell their story but the faeries will do everything they can to stop them.

Thoughts

I’ve had the second book in the Spiderwick Chronicles for ages. But I haven’t actually had the chance to get / read the first one in a long time. Finally, I managed to get my hands on a copy, and I definitely wasn’t disappointed. This is a cute, quick, easy to read story that brings to life the world of the fae and the journey of the Grace children. I can’t actually remember what the movie was like, but this makes me want to rewatch it regardless…

I love the pictures that are scattered throughout this book. They bring to life the words, and I can imagine pouring over this very short tale with my children in the future. Accompanied by the fact that this is written about a young trio that have just lost their father, it’s a great way to show their strength and that anyone can do anything – even if they are young.

It’s difficult to write a long review on a book that I read in half an hour. Which is kind of why I thoroughly enjoyed this book – it was just nice, quick and easy to spend half hour before bed. A great way to switch off after a long day.

 <- The Wrath of MulgarathThe Seeing Stone ->

Image source: Reading for Sanity

Bayou Brawl by L.A. Banks

Book Review, , ,

Overview

Blood Lite IIITitle: Bayou Brawl
Author: L.A. Banks
In: Blood Lite III: Aftertaste (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Science fiction
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: The size of it could only be made out because the edges of it sparked in the water.

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

Synopsis

What happens when the aliens invade supernatural territory? Be thrown in the bayou and a love triangle to find out.

Thoughts

I really liked the idea behind this story – extraterrestrials have visited New Orleans and the Bayou. There is one lady that has the contacts to find out what is happening. It turns out that said contacts are supernatural and totally onto it. Biff at the bayou.

Like I said, I liked the idea. Mostly I liked the execution, but I felt like the main character was kind of just sleeping with everyone. She has two lovers, they are almost two sides of a coin. Awesome. But then towards the end she seems to be adding another few to her repertoire… I just want to know how one has that much libido and energy!

But seriously… aliens vs. supernaturals… this idea needs to be run with a little bit further!

 <- Distressed Travelers Review The Steeple People Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson

Book Review, , ,

Overview

A Company of SwansTitle: A Company of Swans
Author: Eva Ibbotson
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, History, Romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Picador
Year: 1985
5th sentence, 74th page: Of late, too, there had been competition from other and younger dancers – from Pavlova, who had also come to Europe; from the divine Karsavina, Diaghilev’s darling, who with Nijinsky had taken the West by storm.

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

Synopsis

FOR HARRIET MORTON, BALLET IS THE ONLY ESCAPE FROM HER DREARY HOME AND STRICT FAMILY. THEN A RUSSIAN BALLET MASTER COMES SEARCHING FOR DANCERS…

Defying her father, Harriet runs away to join the ballet on a journey to the Amazon. In a grand opera house, deep in the heart of the wild jungle, she performs Swan Lake – and falls in love with a mysterious British exile. But Harriet’s father has tracked her down… and her new life is under threat.

Thoughts

This is the last Eva Ibbotson book on my shelf. The last one that I have read (this year). I’ve read them all at least three times. And it’s kind of a nice note to end her five adult books on. Harriet is probably the most urchin-like and innocent of the five heroines. And her journey to romance is both the sweetest and the most tragic.

Everyone feels a little supressed by the expectations of their parents. But, in Harriet’s case, this takes a downright nasty and dangerous turn. Not being able to live or believe in anything seems like the worst possible life to me. Having people that don’t agree with anything that you wish for… there is this beautiful strength and passion that is to be found in Harriet. There is a line in this story about when she decides to finally give up on loving others. She has accepted that she won’t ever be loved, but it is the loss of giving love that provides a breaking point. This resonates beautifully with me. After all, receiving love might be easy, but giving it is the true pleasure.

Rom is probably the darkest and most British of the Ibbotson suitors. Or at least, the most mysterious. I love how his acknowledgement of Harriet’s innocence and purity ensures her safety, even while he plans a greater future for them both. His counterpart (Harriet’s original suitor) is so at odds with Rom and seems to highlight all of the worst things about a well-educated man. It is something that provides no end of entertainment throughout, and makes it incredibly easy to read this book in one night…

 <- A Song for Summer Review Magic Flutes Review ->
Image source: Books’ Are a Girl’s Best Friend

Acknowledgements by Will Ludwigsen

Book Review, , ,

Overview

Blood Lite IIITitle: Acknowledgements
Author: Will Ludwigsen
In: Blood Lite III (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Easy reading
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: From her knowing glances to her sublime taste in hats, I couldn’t ask for a greater companion.

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

Synopsis

If these are the acknowledgments, I can’t wait to read the tale!

Thoughts

This acknowledgement is a great beginning to a fantasy book. The fact that the acknowledgement alone is its own short story is a little different admittedly, but one that I kind of enjoyed. And I’m more than a little disappointed by this apparent calamity of circumstances which would have made an interesting tale.

Normally I find acknowledgements boring – they don’t tell you a large amount about the people, because they’re almost designed just to thank the people who know how they’ve helped. But, the wording of this and the brilliance of the tale outlined in these nine pages kind of made this something worth reading. Although, probably only the once…

 <- Making the Cut Review Mannequin Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Frog PrincessTitle: The Frog Princess
Author: E.D. Baker
Series: The Tales of the Frog Princess #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fairy tales, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: Have a bedtime snack.

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

Synopsis

Princess Emerelda is not exactly an ideal princess. Her laugh sounds like a donkey’s bray rather than tinkling bells, she trips over her feet more often than she gracefully curtsies, and she hates the young Prince Jorge who her mother sees as a potential son-in-law! But if Emma (as she likes to be known) ever thought to escape from her frustrating life, she never expected it to happen by kissing a frog!

One kiss with the frog who calls himself Prince Eadric, and Emma’s whole life turns upside down as the two of them set off on a deliciously original, hilarious and fast-paced fairy-tale adventure.

Thoughts

I loved this book when I first read it at ten years old. And guess what? I still love it now! It is funny, cute, and a slightly different take on the typical fairy tale (who originally wrote it, I wonder) about the princess kissing the frog. The fact that the princess is kind of uncoordinated and definitely not graceful (a lot like myself, really), just makes it so much more entertaining and cute.

The simplicity of the reversal of Emma and Eadric’s unwitting blunder is gloriously easy. But, the journey to find out just what went wrong, and how to get to a witch to fix it… so complexly beautiful. Across the swamp, with a rogue otter, stalking dog and some even weirder companions, the journey isn’t quite what I expected. Even reading this story for the second time around (give me a break it’s been about ten years).

One of the things that I have always loved most about Emma is that although she is not entirely comfortable in her own skin, she is still confident enough to stick up for herself. Ultimately, she doesn’t let anyone push her around, regardless of what shape she takes! Something that I sometimes feel I have down, but then at others realise I need to work on a little more…

 <- The Frog Princess Returns Review Dragon’s Breath Review ->
Image source: Pinterest

Blood Lite III: Aftertaste edited by Kevin J. Anderson

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Overview

Blood Lite IIITitle: Blood Lite III: Aftertaste
Author: Kevin J. Anderson, Jim Butcher, Joel Sutherland, Kelley Armstrong, Christopher Golden, E.S. Magill, Eric James Stone, Jeff Strand, Mark Onspaugh, Mike Baron, JG Faherty, Stephen Dorato, Jeff Ryan, Mike Resnick, Lezli Robyn, Will Ludwigsen, Heather Graham, Daniel Pyle, Nina Kiriki  Hoffman, L.A. Banks, John Alfred Taylor, David Sakmyster, Norman Prentiss, Don D’Amassa, Adrien Ludens, Chris Abbey, D.L. Snell, Ken Lillie-Paetz, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Lisa Morton, Brad C. Hodson, Lucien Soulban
In: Blood Lite III (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Horror, Short story collections
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: As he sped thankfully along the country highway, Randall was so consumed with the desire to get to Golden Links Golf and Country Club as quickly as possible that he didn’t take note of the birds and the bees, he didn’t smell the intoxicating aroma of roses floating on the summer breeze and he didn’t see the bloodied man at the scene of the accident with a six-foot length of steel pipe protruding from his chest and a vacant look in his eyes, chewing on the neck of a panicked paramedic.

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

Synopsis

The third book in the hilarious and horrifying national bestselling anthology series from the Horror Writers Association–a frightfest of sidesplitting stories from such “New York Times” bestselling authors as Jim Butcher, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Heather Graham, L.A. Banks, Kelley Armstrong, and many more! Horror fiction explores the dark side of human nature, often pushing the limits of violence, graphic gore, and extreme emotions. But with the popularity of shows and movies, such as “The Walking Dead,” “True Blood,” “Twilight,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” audiences have demonstrated their love for the genre–especially accompanied with a dose of humor to tone down the terror.

“Blood Lite III: Aftertaste” continues to put the fun back into dark fiction, featuring a wide range of humorous and highly entertaining horror-filled tales. Edited by Horror Writers Association founding member and award-winning author Kevin J. Anderson, the stories vary in tone from wry to downright laugh-out-loud funny. Featuring such well-known horror writers as Jim Butcher, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christopher Golden, and many others, this collection of tales is perfect for anyone who enjoys being entertained as much as they love a good scare.

Thoughts

I bought this book because it had two short stories from series that I’m reading. And then I figured that since it was an ebook, it was a good one to read before bed, instead of keeping my partner awake with the bedside lamp on. I’m still not sure of how I feel about this collection. It was certainly an easy read, but maybe not one that I will pick up again in a heart beat.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this book is the variety of tones and feelings that you can find throughout. Some stories are downright funny. And some completely terrifying. There are ads, tales and scripts. Every different style and story takes you on a completely different and unexpected journey. And it has certainly given me a lot of new authors to find out more about… if I had enough time to chase down every single one that is.

Although I won’t be rereading Blood Lite III anytime soon, I will certainly be getting the other two Blood Lite collections to expand my knowledge and enjoyment of the authors who like to write about things that go bump in the night.

 <- The Four Horsemen Reunion Tour Review Lucifer’s Daughter Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Tempests and SlaughterTitle: Tempests and Slaughter
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Numair Chronicles #1, Tortall #9
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mages, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Lothian
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: Chioke was still present, reading in Ozorne’s chair, when they entered the room.

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

Synopsis

THREE STUDENT MAGES, BOUND BY FATE… FATED FOR DANGER

Arram Draper is on the path to becoming one of the realm’s most powerful mages. The youngest student in his class at the Imperial University of Carthak, he has a Gift with unlimited potential for greatness – and for attracting trouble. At his side are his two best friends: Varice, a clever girl with an often-overlooked talent, and Ozorne, the ‘leftover’ prince’ with secret ambitions.

Together, these friends forge a bond that will one day shape kingdoms. But as Ozorne gets closer to the throne and Varice gets closer to Arram’s heart, Arram realises that soon he will have to decide where his loyalties truly lie.

Thoughts

This book was either going to be amazing or amazingly crap. Mostly because it is dealing with the backstory of one of my favourite characters in this series. That, and it is a bit of a departure from Pierce’s normal stories – it features a male protagonist going through his coming of age story, instead of a female. But, all in all, I was MADLY IN LOVE with this tale. I read it in 2 days… it would have been one, but my partner told me that I had to sleep…

The first in this trilogy follows Arram Draper as he begins to learn of his powers and make two incredibly powerful friendships. I found one of these friendships a little difficult since I know that the child eventually turns into a horrible man. Yet, the foundations for this are already there. Along with the reasons why the two became friends in the first place. It’s a great reminder that not only is Tamora Pierce GREAT at characterisation, she’s also fantastic in revealing that there is a reason for every character’s decisions. Although Ozorne makes some truly horrible ones, in the beginning they don’t necessarily come from horrible places. Just places of fear, spoiltness and an inability to be understood and loved by others.

Although I love the person that Arram eventually ends up with, his relationship with Varice is quite cute. It is the epitome of young love and shows how two young people growing up next to each other an change and still accept one another. Which, honestly is what I think love is – accepting the change in another person and seeing them for who they truly are, not who you want them to be. It’ll be interesting to see how this relationship develops in the rest of the series. Now it’s just a long wait for the next story…

 <- Lioness Rampant Review The Exile’s Gift Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
The Light Fantastic

Title: The Light Fantastic
Author: Terry Pratchett
Series: Discworld #2, Rincewind #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Corgi
Year: 1986
5th sentence, 74th page: Rincewind hurried forward to help, there was a fair amount of smoke, ash and confusion, and the shared triumph of actually rescuing a few pieces of rather charred bacon did more good than a whole book on diplomacy.

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

Synopsis

‘What shall we do?’ said Twoflower.
‘Panic?’ said Rincewind hopefully. He always held that panic was the best means of survival.

As it moves towards a seemingly inevitable collision with a malevolent red star, the Discworld could do with a hero. What it doesn’t need is a singularly inept and cowardly wizard, still recovering from the trauma of falling off the edge of the world, or a well-meaning tourist and his luggage which has a mind (and legs) of its own. Which is a shame because that’s all there is…

Thoughts

The Colour of Magic ended with Rincewind falling off the edge of the earth. Which, with all of the flat earthers I keep hearing about lately just seems even more fitting and ironic… but anyway, it is one way in which to finish a novel. So, I really wasn’t sure what to expect from the next book in the series. After all, where do you go after someone falls off the edge of the world? It turns out to The Light Fantastic.

This story is every bit as entertaining and funny as the first one, and it finishes this small story arc off perfectly. Personally, my favourite line is “Rincewind said, grinning like a necrophiliac in a morgue”. (I may not have got the grammar in this quote perfect though). It kind of sums up the entire story perfectly. Wrong, funny and with great descriptives that I have never thought of using in my own writing… sometimes because it is just this side of wrong. I also love the long, rambling sentences. As someone who has read many science papers with these kinds of convoluted bits of wording, I normally find them frustrating. But, somehow Pratchett is able to make them fun, engaging and poetic in a way that no other author or writer I have come across is able to do.

I really enjoyed Rincewind as the chief protagonist. He is completely inept, a total coward, and not quite capable of even being a real wizard. Yet, at the end of this tale, he is kind of able to find his own power and space. It reminds us that everyone has their own strength, and ignoring someone because they don’t fit your own idea of this is foolish, wrong, and kind of cruel. But that’s okay, because Rincewind proves them all wrong and ultimately saves the Disc…

<- The Colour of MagicEqual Rites ->

Image source: Waterstones

Mint in Box by Mike Baron

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Blood Lite IIITitle: Mint in Box
Author: Mike Baron
In: Blood Lite III (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Easy reading, Fantasy, Horror
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: “Well, Mr. Lovaas, I don’t know.”

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

Synopsis

Mr. Lovaas wants to find the ultimate collectible, but when he does, he gets more than he bargained for…

Thoughts

This story gave me the goosebumps. It was grotesque, creepy and so open ended that you could imagine the villain coming for you in the dark of night. The fact that it featured a nerd who refused to leave his apartment and hunted for the epitome of horrifying collectibles… it somehow made it all the more creepy.

I don’t know if there is something in this story that highlights our obsession with immortality or our materialistic tendencies, but it feels like it lingers. Yet, mostly, for me, this story is riddled with goosebump-giving passages that make me cringe. And I’m kind of glad that it was just a short story.

 <- Let That Be A Lesson To You Review The Great Zombie Invasion of 1979 Review ->
Image source: Goodreads