Tag Archives: Easy Reading

Grim Tuesday by Garth Nix

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Grim TuesdayTitle: Grim Tuesday
Author: Garth Nix
Series: Keys to the Kingdom #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: But no bright ideas flared.

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Synopsis

Arthur Penhaligon is supposed to be in bed – after all, it’s only twelve hours since he saved the world. But there’s no time to rest. Grim Tuesday has laid claim to the Lower House and the First Key, and now his misshapen servants are repossessing Arthur’s world and plunging it into financial disaster. To stop them, Arthur must venture back into the House – that surreal, unpredictable realm where he almost met his death.

With companions old and new, Arthur embarks on a heart-stopping adventure that will take him from the dismal Pit of the Far Reaches, all the way to the heart of a sun and back. Racing furiously against time, Arthur must find the second piece of the Will, claim the Second Key, and save both his own world and the House from the destructive greed of Grim Tuesday.

Thoughts

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.

Less than twenty-four hours after his adventures in Mister Monday, Arthur is again required to go into the house and fight one of the evil and greedy overseers. This time, it’s the financial health and wellbeing of his family that is at risk, and even though it is a different threat, he is still willing to do anything for them. Grim Tuesday’s greed isn’t just about threatening Arthur and his family, it is also threatening the very foundation of the house.

Although it took a lot longer to find, I actually preferred the Will in this story. It was crabby, difficult and not in the slightest bit helpful. Which not only gave a new spin to the characterisation, but it also helped to create greater problems for Arthur. When he thought that he was about to triumph, the Will’s inability to be flexible (and, well, useful) throws another fun little curveball in the way. Which is always one of my favourite things about reading – the unexpected curveballs that someone else’s left-of-centre minds can throw up.

<- Mister Monday Review Drowned Wednesday Review ->
Image source: Wikipedia

The Bottle Imp by Robert Louis Stevenson

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Bottle ImpTitle: The Bottle Imp
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
In: Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde and Other Strange Tales (Robert Louis Stevenson)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Easy reading, Tricksters
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Kingsford Editions
Year: 1891
5th sentence, 74th page: It was long ere slumber came to them, and, if either dozed off, it would be to wake and find the other silently weeping in the dark, or, perhaps, to wake alone, the other having fled from the house and the neighbourhood of that bottle, to pace under the bananas in the little garden, or to wander on the beach by moonlight.

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

Offering an engrossing spin on a time-honored theme–the risky business of making a pact with the devil–this short story is a radiant jewel. It recounts the mercurial lot of Keawe, a Hawaiian who purchases a bottle inhabited by an imp capable of granting any wish. Yet this enticing object holds a dark curse: anyone who dies with it in his possession will burn forever in hell. And here’s the rub: one can sell the bottle only for less than its purchase price. Keawe rids himself of the bottle after acquiring a palatial home. But when he needs it again to ensure his happiness with a newfound love, its cost is, chillingly, one cent, and the responsibility of ownership becomes a good deal more complex.

Thoughts

Going into this I thought it was going to be a typical imp / magic bottle story. Well, as typical as those tales can be. I was expecting the huge reward, the huge price, the huge regret at the end. Having recently discovered Robert Louis Stevenson I had quite low expectations, so I was so happily surprised when I realised that they were way too low, and this was a much better story than expected.

On the surface, The Bottle Imp is mostly about consequences. Every action has a reaction, and all of the choices we make have a consequence. Or at least, that’s the general gist. Karma, really. Each of the people who have bought the bottle gained the wealth (monetary or otherwise) that they wanted, but it came at an unforeseeable cost. The trail left shows that when people don’t work for the good things in life, it’s not as appreciated or loved.

However, underneath this story is one of a husband and wife and their unconditional love. Each is willing to sacrifice their soul to save the other and although it means an afterlife in purgatory, and a horrifying future ahead, they willingly take on the burden for each other. It’s when this message is imparted that the true “happily ever after” really comes to light.

 <- The Body Snatcher Review Markheim Review ->
Image Source: Goodreads

House Rules by Chloe Neill

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
House Rules

Title: House Rules
Author: Chloe Neill
Series: Chicagoland Vampires #7
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: New American Library
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: And my grandfather Chuck Merit.

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Synopsis

In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps.

At the tender age of twenty-seven, merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle – and her metal – tested like never before.

It starts when two Rogues vanish without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their House in peril, Merit and her Master, centuries-old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.

Thoughts

I still really enjoy this series, but the Ethan and Merit saga is starting to get a little old. They’re in love, they get their shit together, then something happens and it all goes up in flames. Then, at the end of the story, it’s all happily ever after. Until the next time. I’m all for a little bit of romantic drama, but in this novel I was finding it a little tedious. Plus, I like it when I actually like the lead man – and this is just making Ethan into kind of a dick.

Having said all of that, the Cadogan house leaving the vampire mafia and striking out on their own is a really enjoyable experience. It not only highlights the corruptness of some large governing bodies (power over protection, etc), but the sense in Merit and her cohorts that justice and what is right needs to come before what is politically acceptable. The addition of a vampiric serial killer into the mix helps to liven up the double-dealings and trickery that the vampires are forced to seriously consider their priorities.

The political ramifications of a serial killer who is preying on vampires is spine-chilling. They are forced to examine every which way in which somebody can break into their sanctuaries and commit murder. That, and old enemies raise their heads to create an extra patina of fear that is going to carry through the next few books (I predict anyway).

<- Biting ColdBiting Bad ->

Image source: Chloe Neill

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Prince CaspianTitle: Prince Caspian
Author: C.S. Lewis
Series: Chronicles of Narnia #4
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Grafton
Year: 1951
5th sentence, 74th page: Then he thought it was only a dream and turned over again; but as soon as his ear touched the ground he felt or heard (it was hard to tell which) a faint beating or drumming.

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Synopsis

“Look sharp!” shouted Edmund. “All catch hands and keep together. This is magic – I can tell by the feeling. Quick!”

The evil King Miraz and his army can only mean trouble for Narnia and Prince Caspian, rightful heir to the throne, fears for the future of his country. He blows the Great Horn in desperation, summoning Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy to help with his difficult task – that of saving Narnia before its freedom is lost forever.

Thoughts

Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy return to Narnia, and it is exactly as good as I had expected and hoped. Instead of repeating the same battles and triumphing over similar evils, they attempt to help restore the rightful king to the throne. This time, their foray into Narnia is so much shorter and their tale isn’t as long. Most of this story is, in fact, taken up by the tale of Prince Caspian, his blossoming knowledge of the “Old Narnia” and fleeing to the forests.

Prince Caspian shows what happens to legends and tales as time passes. Hundreds, if not thousands of years have passed in Narnia since the adventures of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the four return to find out that nothing is what it was. So much tradition and so many people / species have been lost with the passage of time. Yet, the core values of the people / creatures remain the same. It is only because of this and the legend that surrounds them that the four are able to help Caspian to triumph.

This is also Peter and Susan’s last trip to Narnia. The passage of time changes us all, and as we get older, sometimes we have to say goodbye to the favourite parts of our childhood. For Peter and Susan, this is it. There’s a promise in the air of more adventures of Lucy and Edmund, but in so many ways, this feels like saying goodbye to the past and childhood and welcoming a grown-up life.

 <- The Horse and his Boy Review The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Review ->
Image source: Narnia Translations Home

The Horse and his Boy by C.S. Lewis

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Horse and his BoyTitle: The Horse and His Boy
Author: C.S. Lewis
Series: Chronicles of Narnia #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Grafton
Year: 1954
5th sentence, 74th page: As the moon was behind it, it looked quite black, and Shasta did not know what it was, except that it had a very big, shaggy head and went on four legs.

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Synopsis

“How ever did you learn to talk?” asked Shasta in amazement.

“Where I come from, nearly all the animals talk,” replied the Horse. “The happy land of Narnia.” His whinny sounded very like a sigh.

Bree, the horse, has been kidnapped from Narnia and longs to return there. Shasta, on the verge of being sold into slavery, decides to run away with him in search of the home he’s always dreamed of. But the journey is full of surprises and fraught with dangers, and when the companions uncover a treasonous plot, it also becomes a race against time…

Thoughts

I feel like this is sort of a forgotten part of The Chronicles of Narnia series. It takes place when the four are still in power, but follows a different boy from a country across the desert. Shasta’s upbringing is less than ideal and he struggles to find compassion and love in his daily life. Yet, when he meets the Narnian Bree, they both embark on a journey across the land to save not only the four, but the land of Shasta’s birth.

Although I love revisiting Peter, Susan, Lucy and Edmund throughout many of the other books, this is a nice way to build upon the world of Narnia. The multi layering of a beloved world is brilliant and helps to expand on the structured reality that Lewis has so carefully created.

Where The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is about morals and sacrifice, The Horse and his Boy is about fate, trust and bravery. Not just for Shasta, but for the rest of his companions as well.

 <- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Review Prince Caspian Review ->
Image source: Abe Books

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Lion, the Witch and the WardrobeTitle: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Author: C.S. Lewis
Series: Chronicles of Narnia #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Grafton
Year: 1950
5th sentence, 74th page: “It’s no good, Son of Adam,” said Mr Beaver, “no good your trying, of all people.

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Synopsis

“This is the land of Narnia,” said the Faun, “where we are now. And you – you have come from the wild woods of the west!” “I – I got in through the wardrobe in the spare room,” said Lucy.

Lucy steps into the Professor’s wardrobe – but steps out again into a snowy forest. She’s stumbled upon the magical world of Narnia, a land of unicrons, centaurs, fauns… and the wicked White Witch, who terrorises all. Lucy soon realises that Narnia, and in particular Aslan, the great Lion, need her help if the country’s creatures are ever going to be free again…

Thoughts

There’s a reason that this is a classic. And one of my all-time favourite books since I was a child. I can remember when I first had this read to me in primary school, and (unlike with Charlotte’s Web) I’ve never looked back. Actually, this is the third copy of the book that I’ve had to buy – the rest have fallen apart a little.

There’s been so many discussions about the Christian undertones to this story and the ways in which this tale reflects the journey of Jesus. I do understand this, but as someone who is not Christian and not interested in their religious stories, it’s not just about that. If it’s about that at all. This story is about morals, sacrifice and love. Every action has a consequence, but sometimes there is someone bigger and stronger there that is willing to protect you from all of the things that go bump in the night.

Although the morals and messages in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe are strong and potent, it’s really the joy of the story that makes this so much fun. This is the ultimate children’s adventure. A cold, rainy day and you decide to play hide and seek, only to be swept away on a journey of good versus evil. Plus, even Santa makes an appearance!

 <- The Magician’s Nephew Review The Horse and his Boy Review ->
Image source: Narnia Translations Home

The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Magician's NephewTitle: The Magician’s Nephew
Author: C.S. Lewis
Series: Chronicles of Narnia #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Grafton
Year: 1955
5th sentence, 74th page: But he was, in any case, as vain as a peacock; that was why he had become a Magician.

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Synopsis

Digory let out a scream. “What’s happened to Polly?”

“Congratulate me, my dear boy,” said Uncle Andrew, rubbing his hands. “My experiment has succeeded. The little girl’s gone – vanished – right out of this world.”

When Digory and Polly discover Uncle Andrew’s secret workshop, they are tricked into touching the magic rings which transport them to the Other Place. But even Uncle Andrew doesn’t realise the wonders that await them, for here is the gateway to the Land of Narnia and the beginning of many wonderful adventures there…

Thoughts

I found this Narnia story a little harder to get into at the beginning. Probably because the rest of the books have got residual characters from previous books. Characters that I have already formed an attachment to. However, from the third chapter onwards, I was happily hooked and involved. And, as it turns out, these are characters and happenings that are actually integral to the story of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

The Magician’s Nephew is a story that I’ve read a few times – actually, it’s the first prequel to a series that I’ve really sunk my teeth into. And, it’s everything that a prequel should be. There is a sense of beginning, and although there is still the typical beginning, middle and end, the end is a little more open and there is a sense of new starts throughout the tale. Or at least, that’s how I always feel when I finish The Magician’s Nephew – like this small tale might be over, but the big battle is just beginning.

A big part of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and indeed, all of the Narnian stories is the fact that while the land is not a land of men, it must be ruled by man (or woman). It makes the stories work, but it is something that annoys me – the symbolic mastery of man over nature as though it can’t survive without us. But, regardless of that, I had always wondered how other men had come to the world. In the first book, they came through the wardrobe, in Caspian’s time, his people long ago slipped through another portal and bred up in a different country within the world. So, how did the first king and queen arrive? The Magician’s Nephew answers this, and how the wardrobe came to be, and even how the queen managed to sink her teeth into Narnia in the first place. So many questions that I hadn’t even known I needed answered…

 <- The Last Battle Review The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Review ->
Image source: The Outer Edge of Normal

Rise of the Blood by Lucienne Diver

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Rise of the Blood

Title: Rise of the Blood
Author: Lucienne Diver
Series: The Latter-Day Olympians #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: If they (or an agent for them, since I hadn’t yet been struck by lightning or another freak storm) were behind the note, what was the purpose?

Synopsis

Weddings can be war.

Great. Tori Karacis’s face is on the front of yet another tabloid “news”paper, linked to Hollywood hottie Apollo Demas. It was ONE dinner, and she was pissed with him at the time. But that’s the least of her worries. Just before leaving for her cousin’s destination wedding in Delphi, she learns that her arch nemeses, Zeus and Poseidon, have escaped police custody.

Despite looking forward to seeing Detective Nick Armani in a tux, her bad pre-flight jitters are confirmed when Apollo, with his sexy new co-star on his arm, boards the same plane. A plane that a freak storm nearly tears out of the sky.

What awaits them atop Mount Parnassus is even more deadly. A prophecy, a kidnapping, and a bloodletting that stirs up the mother of all trouble—literally. Rhea is awakened, and she’s none too happy with her offspring for losing their usurped dominion over the Earth.

The Olympians have fallen. It’s time for the Titans to rise again. Which means it’ll be a bad day for anyone standing in their way.

Product Warnings
Bloodbath or blissful union…either way, the stakes are high in this destination Delphi wedding high atop the peaks of Mount Parnassus. Passions will flare, Titans will rise, monsters will awake, blood will boil and some will spill.

Thoughts

Every time I open one of the Latter-Day Olympians stories, I know that Tori has managed to find herself in trouble. Of some kind. Again.

Normally that trouble starts of pretty minor, but very quickly expands into a cacophony of danger that she is trying to escape. While working on her relationship with Nick. And ignoring her attraction to Apollo. And being a good bridesmaid to her cousin. Gaea’s attempt at revenge and rising not only tends to put a bit of a spanner into these plans, but it is also the catalyst for a very large change in Tori’s life. One that is going to be really interesting to follow in Battle for the Blood.

Rise of the Blood also helps to reveal a little more about Tori’s ancestral history. We know that she is a descendant of one of the Gorgons, but it turns out that she’s also a descendant of Pan. Which explains so much about her brother, although, it is obvious Tori inherited her many interesting traits from her other ancestor. I love the total chaos that Tori’s family creates. Not just in her life, but the insanity of their love and roles in life. Tori is still very much the outcast, but you can see where she gets her crisis handling from. After all, the only family that is more chaotic than Tori’s is the Olympians themselves. Something that is a huge driver in the final battle of the story.

Although this novel does sort of end with an epic battle, it also ends with Tori finally making a decision about who she is going to choose. Nick or Apollo. It’s the very last scene of the story, so whether it sticks or not will be seen in the next novel. But, it’s definitely a tale that I’m looking forward to reading.

 <- The ParlorBattle for the Blood ->

Image source: Goodreads

Burning Castles by M. Rickert

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Under My HatTitle: Burning Castles
Author: M. Rickert
In: Under My Hat (Jonathan Strahan)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: It’s important not to be late.

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Synopsis

Young Marissa believes her mother is a witch, but she also thinks her mother is lying to her about certain things. What Marissa believes to be memories of the past keep intruding on the present. As they go to meet the elderly mother of her mother’s boyfriend, some things come to light that may change everything.

Thoughts

This was kind of a dark short story. Especially compared to the majority of the others throughout the Under My Hat anthology. Most of the stories were humorous, cute and left me smiling. This story didn’t so much leave a smile as a look of bewilderment on my face when I turned the last page.

One of the things that I did love about this story was the fact that sometimes the most fake individuals actually end of creating the real thing. In this case, the witch who constantly talks about her past lives has a daughter who is plagued by dreams of her past life. Which just leads to a multitude of problems in their relationship, and the fore mentioned bewildered feeling.

Past lives and reincarnation is a cornerstone of many beliefs, including Wicca (modern day witchcraft). So I loved the way in which it was played with throughout this story. The smell of fire and smoke is representative of murder, and the smell of the mother has a lingering double meaning when you close the last pages on this slightly twisted (but very enjoyable) story.

 <- The Carved Forest Review The Stone Witch Review ->
Image source: Frances Hardinge

Princess in Pink by Meg Cabot

Book Review, , ,

Overview

Princess in PinkTitle: Princess in Pink
Author: Meg Cabot
Series: The Princess Diaries #5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Easy reading
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Harper Teen
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: I didn’t know my generation was the Materialistic Generation.

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Synopsis

Princess Mia is dreaming about the prom – and contending with a hotel workers’ strike – in the fifth, supremely hilarious episode of Meg Cabot’s Princess Diaries. This time, Mia’s in the pink about the upcoming Albert Einstein H.S. prom, and she’s crossing her fingers that Michael will ask her to go. (They’re in love, so why wouldn’t he ask her, right?) But during Seven Minutes in Heaven at her b-day party, Mia learns that Michael is not the prom-going type. Good grief, what’s a princess to do?

To make matters worse, Grandmere has gotten a busboy fired due to a mishap with her pooch, Rommel, at a swanky restaurant, so when all of the city’s busboys go on strike, it causes a chain of events that result in Grandmere crashing at Mia’s mom’s place, her pal Lilly Moscovitz picking up a picket sign, and the prom being brought to a screeching halt.

Thankfully, staunch yet boy-wise Grandmere has a plan to change Michael’s mind and put everything back on track, making Mia the happiest “prom princess” on this side of the Atlantic – and readers more starry-eyed than Molly Ringwald in her prettiest pink frock.

Thoughts

I really wasn’t bothered by my prom. Actually, I thought it was kind of lame and didn’t really want to go. I went to the dress shops once, got annoyed and used a hand me down dress. But, for us, it was a compulsory experience, and my high school boyfriend, for whatever reason, actually wanted to go. Which is probably why I couldn’t quite understand Mia’s obsession with going to prom with Michael was, well, so obsessive. Having said that, I also didn’t quite understand why Michael was so completely against it and convinced that the entire thing is lame and pathetic. Maybe something about not being American?

The experiences of American teenagers is a completely foreign experience / idea to me, especially the idea of being in a school so big that you don’t know everybody (at least in your year). So it’s always fun to read about it in stories. And, tracing Mia’s thoughts as she tackles what is a very real experience for some, and princess lessons, and a psychotic Grandmere (and best friend) is just entertaining and enlightening. Even though I’m sure not every American teen has similar experiences…

Lily managed to almost make me blow my lid in this story too. A teenager who runs her own protests and causes a city-wide strike against inequality. You’d think that I like that, but she is a little too pushy and a little too dismissive of everyone else’s feelings – including Boris’. But, the part that I did love the most was even Mia was annoyed at her for this and actually spoke up. She might not yet be self-actualised, but she’s certainly on her way to being a little stronger and more independent.

 <- Project Princess Review Princess in Training Review ->
Image source: Meg Cabot