Tag Archives: Easy Reading

Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce

March 21, 2018Book ReviewEasy Reading, Mages, Medieval fantasy, Tamora Pierce, The Numair Chronicles, Tortallskyebjenner

Title: 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.

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.

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

March 21, 2018Book ReviewComedy, Discworld, Easy Reading, Fantasy, Rincewind, Terry Pratchettskyebjenner

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

‘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…

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 Magic

Equal Rites ->

Image source: Waterstones

Mint in Box by Mike Baron

March 20, 2018Book ReviewBlood Lite III, Comedy, Easy Reading, Fantasy, Horror, Mike Baronskyebjenner

Title: 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.”

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

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

The Great Zombie Invasion of 1979 by JG Faherty

March 13, 2018Book ReviewBlood Lite III, Comedy, Easy Reading, Fantasy, JG Fahertyskyebjenner

Title: The Great Zombie Invasion of 1979
Author: JG Faherty
In: Blood Lite III (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: What’s that you said?

A pair of rednecks come across what they believe is a zombie invasion… what could possibly go wrong?

This story was kind of weird, uncomfortable, and funny all at the same time.

In case you can’t tell, I had very mixed feelings about it. It was entertaining, but kind of rude towards others. It was a little predictable that the two main characters acted in the way that they did. But, still quite funny. The innuendos and sly little comments throughout also made this amusing. And gross. And weird.

And did I mention mixed feelings?

<- Mint in Box Review

Dating After the Apocalypse Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Let That Be A Lesson To You by Mark Onspaugh

March 5, 2018Book ReviewBlood Lite III, Comedy, Easy Reading, Fantasy, Mark Onspaughskyebjenner

Title: Let That Be a Lesson To You
Author: Mark Onspaugh
In: Blood Lite III (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: SO, YOU WANT TO BE A DEMONOLOGIST?

Sometimes you mess up and summon a demon. Sometimes it takes a book to get out of it… or not.

After the first few pages of this, I thought that I knew where it was going. An unexpecting apprentice accidentally summons a demon… the demon gains the upper hand… the apprentice is trying to find a way out of it. Hence, the book of lessons. However, like all good short stories, there is a twist at the end that made me laugh. It also left me feeling a little perplexed and confused. I think I understand it, but I’m really not 100% sure.

Something about this storyline has lingered and made me wonder / think about what really happened. Was he the demon? Was she? Who needed rescuing from whom?

<- Scrumptious Bone Bread Review

Mint in Box Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Demigod Diaries by Rick Riordan

March 2, 2018Book ReviewEasy Reading, Mythology, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Rick Riordan, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Title: The Demigod Diaries
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Companion
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Urban Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: What happened exactly one month ago?

IN THIS ACTION-PACKED SHORT-STORY COLLECTION, RUNAWAY DEMIGODS LUKE AND THALIA FACE UNTOLD DANGERS ON THEIR WAY TO CAMP HALF-BLOOD.

Percy Jackson and Annabeth must rescue stolen goods from a fire-breathing giant who doesn’t take kindly to intruders.

And Leo, Piper and Jason have to dodge a band of party-loving maenads and stave off an explosion – in one hour or less…

Discover these three never-before-seen short stories starring the Heroes of Olympus and Percy Jackson – PLUS interviews, puzzles and much more.

This was a fun little collection of short stories in the Percy Jackson universe. The three stories help to build on the adventures throughout both series, and the smatterings of interviews and games in between are kind of fun. Honestly, I kind of wish that I had discovered this when I was a bit younger… it would have been incredibly enjoyable!

The typical modern day spin on Greek and Roman myths that I have come to expect from Riordan is littered throughout these stories. But, that doesn’t mean that there is any form of predictableness in the storylines. After all, it’s a modern take, and there is constantly something unforeseeable and unexpected happening. Personally, I loved the short story about Percy and Annabeth best. Not just because it was typically surprising (if that is even a thing), but also because it features my favourite couple throughout the series.

I think the thing that I loved the most about this book was that it was just fun and easy. The Percy Jackson series and Heroes of Olympus series are both high stakes. Filled with destiny, journeys and epic danger. These stories are just easier, but with the same fun and humour that is threaded through all of Riordan’s work.

<- The Demigod Files Review

The Demigods of Olympus Review ->

Image source: Amazon UK

Percy Jackson and the Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan

March 1, 2018Book ReviewEasy Reading, Mythology, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Rick Riordan, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Title: Percy Jackson and the Greek Heroes
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Companion
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Urban Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin Books
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Yes,’ the eldest sister agreed, thinking, A much older, smellier husband.

IF YOU LIKE MUTILATIONS, MURDERS AND FLESH-EATING FARMYARD ANIMALS, KEEP READING…

My name is Percy Jackson. I’m a modern-day demigod – the son of Poseidon. I’ve had some bad experiences in my time, but the heroes I’m going to tell you about were the original old-school hard-luck cases.

So get your flaming spear. Put on your lion-skin cape. Polish your shield and make sure you’ve got arrows in your quiver. We’re going back about four thousand years to decapitate monsters, shoot a few gods in the butt, raid the Underworld and steal loot from evil people.

Then, for dessert, we’ll die painful, tragic deaths.

Ready? Sweet. Let’s do this.

I’m fascinated by ancient mythology. And, as one of the most prevalent and well-known mythologies of the modern world, Greek mythology is normally at the top of my list. Which sometimes makes it a little difficult for me to read modern adaptations of the stories of Greek heroes. Especially in children’s books, as they have to be kind of PG, and I really like the originally, incredibly sleazy versions of the tales…

Having said that, I thought that Riordan did a great job of retelling twelve of the Greek myths. It’s a fine line between making it suitable for children and just twisting it out of all recognisable shape and form. Luckily for my enjoyment, and continued love of Riordan’s work, he toed this line perfectly. The stories were still PG, but tales like Hercules actually started with him going mad and killing his family. Unlike the Disney version which has him as an innocent child, forced to take on the mantle of hero. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Disney movie, but when you’re aware that this is probably a child’s first foray into the world of Greek Mythology… maybe sugar coating everything isn’t the way.

I loved the humour with which these tales are told. They’re Greek tragedies, not really any happy endings and generally pretty epic ways to die. So, being told by Percy’s persona throughout with such a healthy dose of humour made it a lot more enjoyable. And, somehow, a little less tragic.

<- The Greek Gods Review

The Demigod Files Review ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Scrumptious Bone Bread by Jeff Strand

February 27, 2018Book ReviewBlood Lite III, Comedy, Easy Reading, Fantasy, Jeff Strandskyebjenner

Title: Scrumptious Bone Bread
Author: Jeff Strand
In: Blood Lite III (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: I was as strong as that damn giant on the beanstalk.

Some people take baking a little bit too far. And taxidermy. And helping out friends. Really, the title shows you how disturbed this short story will be.

This story is incredibly disturbing. And funny. And humorous. But mostly, just disturbing. After all, it’s about a man who decides that he really wants to try bone bread. And a creepy taxidermist. And really, when the opening paragraph is about how much the character loves dead things… you know that this is going to be kind of sick and twisted.

I loved the backdrop of Jack and the Beanstalk to this story and how it’s giant informs the gruesome tale that follows. Alright, it’s still incredibly sick and twisted, but it makes the story more fun. And far more twisted with the contortion of a well known fairy tale.

<- Nine-Tenths of the Law Review

Let That Be a Lesson To You Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Mastiff by Tamora Pierce

February 26, 2018Book ReviewBeka Cooper, Easy Reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong Women, Tamora Pierce, Tortallskyebjenner

Title: Mastiff
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Beka Cooper #3, Tortall #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Random House
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: “She needs to sniff the riverbank,” Tunstall said.

THE HUNT IS ON!

Three years have passed since Beka Cooper almost died in the sewers of Port Caynn, and she is now a respected member of the Provost’s Guard. But her life takes an unexpected turn when her fiance is killed on a slave raid. Beka is faced with a mixture of emotions as, unbeknownst to many, she was about to call the engagement off.

It is as Beka is facing these feelings that Lord Gershom appears at her door. Within hours, Beka; her partner, Tunstall; her scent hound, Achoo; and an unusual but powerful mage are working on an extremely secretive case that threatens the future of the Tortallan royal family, and therefore the entire Tortallan government. As Beka delves deeper into the motivations of the criminals she now Hunts, she learns of deep-seated political dissatisfaction, betrayal, and corruption. These are people with power, money, and influence. They are able to hire the most skilled of mages, well versed in the darkest forms of magic. And they are nearly impossible to identify.

This case – a Hunt that will take her to places she’s never been – will challenge Beka’s tracking skills beyond the city walls, as well as her ability to judge exactly whom she can trust with her life and her country’s future.

I love this conclusion to Beka’s tale. From the very first page, you know that she is the famous ancestress of George Cooper and there is an allusion to the fact that she was incredibly famous. Terrier and Bloodhound both make you think that this could be the tale. But Mastiff is so amazingly obviously the reason why Beka is so famous. It’s a great tale of betrayal and trust, fate and destiny. But also, just a great crime story and hunt. After all, Beka is a dog on a mission.

I really loved Master Farmer in this story. He’s an incredibly unorthodox magician, and someone that I steadily fell in love with more and more throughout every scene. Although Beka is quite rigid and an adamant pursuer of justice, Farmer is quite possibly completely cracked. He pokes fun at everyone and manages to find a way to seemingly enjoy himself every step of the way. The balance between the characters is really well written. Not only did it help to round out the cast, but it was also a fantastic way in which to balance out Beka’s quite intense characterisation. Although I do enjoy her intensity and independence, it was nice to have a more obviously humorous character throughout this hunt.

One of the things that I really love about this series is that it starts with Eleni Cooper’s introduction to Beka’s past. Throughout the storyline, she meets with many other ancestors of the characters which I have begun to know and love throughout the tales of Tortall. Ending the tale with George’s impression of his ancestor and her famous cat really helped to bring this full circle. The fact that it is so seamlessly woven throughout her tale just makes the mastery of Pierce’s work even more enthralling. It provides an extra layer to the tale of Tortall and gives it a function and form that spreads over generations, rather than characters in the same years.

<- Bloodhound Review

Student of the Ostriches Review ->

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Tortall: A Spy’s Guide by Tamora Pierce

February 24, 2018Book ReviewEasy Reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong Women, Tamora Pierce, Tortallskyebjenner

Title: Tortall: A Spys’s Guide
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Tortall Companion
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Random House
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Two days later, before a crowd of citizens, she ascended the higest tower of the palace, spoke of the king’s inhumanity to his people, and leaped to her death.

Dear Thom,
Do you remember the room next to my office? You told me it was a danger of fire with all the crates of old papers I stored in there. I’ve been cleaning it out – and reading wome of what’s in those crates. Strange to find so many reminders of how it was in those first days, when King Jonathon and Queen Thayet were deciding how they should rule and your grandfather Myles, Evin Larse, and I were thrashing out the beginnings of the Shadow Service. I’ve even found papers from Daine, Numair and Neal in the lot. Should I save the lessons you boys and your sister wrote, to show your children one day?
Your mother and I look forward to seeing you for the Midwinter Festival and hearing about your mage studies.
Your loving father,
George

I love the world of Tortall. I have done since my mum first gave me First Test when I was ten years old. So, finding out that the latest book on Tortall is just as good, if not better than expected…? Well, it was a fantastic way to spend the afternoon. And it was definitely over much too quickly. Starting with George’s letter to Thom to place the stories to follow into context. It also gives a tantalising hint as to what the future holds for these amazing characters.

Unlike the rest of the books that I’ve laid hands on by Tamora Pierce, this one isn’t really a story. Rather, it’s all of the little bits and pieces that have been used to create the world that many of us know and love. It features profiles, letters and snippets that give shape and form to what happens between the stories. Even the ways in which the royal family’s spouses were originally received at the outset of their reigns.

I loved the visually engaging way in which this book was set out. After all, it wasn’t just a story, but rather a collection of snippets that make a world truly come to life. Different handwritings, backdrops to the words and images create a sense that this is a collection rather than a chronological storyline.

Something about this haphazard collection of tales and letters makes me think that every time I read it, I will find something else that adds an extra layer to the stories of Tortall. Something that I look forward to reading and experiencing again and again over many years.

<- The Dragon’s Tale Review

Terrier Review ->

Earth and Skye

The ramblings of a bibliophile.

Tag Archives: Easy Reading

Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce

Image source: Goodreads

The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett

Mint in Box by Mike Baron

Image source: Goodreads

The Great Zombie Invasion of 1979 by JG Faherty

Image source: Goodreads

Let That Be A Lesson To You by Mark Onspaugh

Image source: Goodreads

The Demigod Diaries by Rick Riordan

Image source: Amazon UK

Percy Jackson and the Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Scrumptious Bone Bread by Jeff Strand

Image source: Goodreads

Mastiff by Tamora Pierce

Image source: Pinterest

Tortall: A Spy’s Guide by Tamora Pierce

Image source: Amazon