Title: Barrio Girls Author: Charles De Lint In: Under My Hat (Jonathan Strahan) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Fantasy, Witches Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Hot Key Books Year: 2012 5th sentence, 74th page: They keep it up for hours.
Ruby & Vida consider themselves “vampire-girls” due to the popularity of a book/movie series featuring vampires. Until they meet a “vampire witch” one night and decide they don’t like her — now they’ll be witch-girls and deal with this nasty thing.
I’ve never quite understood the teenage obsession with Twilight. Sure, I read it when I was a teenager, I didn’t mind it (back then), but I was never obsessed with the idea of a vampire boyfriend. Or being a witch, or really any of the books that I read – I just liked the stories. So, reading about Vida and Ruby’s disenchantment with this world was really quite enjoyable. The obsession annoys me, so their departure from it was fun.
Gangsters, vampires and witches make a really interesting combination in this story and the idea of growing up in a trailer park just helped to make it a little more enthralling and dark. An interesting late night read that gave me some very twisted and creepy dreams… after all, the girls ended up killing with kindness.
‘The Spark’ sits midway along the timeline of the ten linked fantasy novels in the Change series – the Books of the Change, the Books of the Cataclysm, and most recently the Broken Land. Inspired by the landscapes of Williams’ childhood rather than European or indigenous Australian mythologies, Sean had no conception when he set out on this journey that the places he revisited would become such an enduring obsession. The people who occupied them, also.
His young protagonists Ros and Adi were left somewhat hanging at the end of the Broken Land trilogy, as had Sal and Shilly years before them, because the conclusion to their story lay beyond the purview of a series for young readers. Williams always intended to return, to see their knot tied, but the deeper he dove into their story the less, perversely, it became about them, or even about the landscape that originally inspired their world.
Yet in a very real way, ‘The Spark’ is the capping stone on the entire series. All the characters Williams loved are present, in one form or another, and all the motifs too. Loss, the passage to adulthood, the nursing and healing of old wounds – for me, that’s always what these stories have been about.
And love, too, with which all can be endured.
I can’t get this story out of my head. And not in that irritating, it won’t leave and details are niggling away at me way. But that holy crap. That was amazing. I need to get more of these books! I want to know more about Adi and Ross. This story is epic. So now I just have to wait until I have some spare money to buy more of Sean Williams’ books…
I don’t often feel crazy about four act storylines, and the romance aspect of stories often feels tedious when I’m reading the tale. After all, boy meets girl, they fall in love, there is a problem, everything is resolved is the most standard storyline. And even the best stories do tend to read like this. But, it’s all about the journey. And for Adi and Ross, it is about the hunt for one another and true love. Reigniting the spark that has burnt between them for years.
Words that could describe the happy, warm fuzzy feeling that this novella left me with are pretty much impossible to come by. There is that feeling of happy contentment that you get when you finish a really good story. And The Spark not only left me with that, but also made the other stories I tried to read afterwards feel completely inadequate. I’m sure the feeling will eventually fade away though.
Title: Rowan and the Travellers Author: Emily Rodda Series: Rowan of Rin #2 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Australian authors, Easy reading, Fantasy Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Scholastic Press Year: 1994 5th sentence, 74th page: “Ogden does not know everything, it seems,” said Zeel.
A mysterious danger threatens Rowan’s village, Rin. But who is the enemy? And what is the strange spell that is putting all the townspeople to sleep?
The Travelers, a roaming people who are friends of Rin, might be able to help, but Rowan isn’t sure he can trust them. Especially since they tell him that to find the answers to Rin’s problems, Rowan must go to the legendary, noxious Pit of Unrin, from which no living thing has ever returned.
The pride of the past could prove to be Rin’s undoing. That, and their unwillingness to accept anyone else of a different calibre and tradition than themselves. But, luckily for all of Rin, Rowan is there to save the day again. Again, he proves that strength and blustery courage isn’t everything, and that sometimes it is the very fear that can be someone’s best companion, and a people’s saviour.
The pride of the villagers of Rin is kind of grating in Rowan and the Travellers, but it is a good vessel through which to move the story. After all, it is their unwillingness to share and impart their gifts on their Traveller friends which leads to such distrust. In turn, the horrors that lurk in their home almost overcome the village as Rowan and Allun pursue the Travellers in an attempt to save their friends. Yet, it isn’t until Rowan willingly joins with a Zebak-Traveller that the key to the past is unearthed.
But, since this is a beautifully constructed story, discovering the horrors of the past isn’t the final step. Even when you know what lurks in the dark, how can you stop it from killing? You’ll just have to read the story to find out…
Title: Rowan of Rin Author: Emily Rodda Series: Rowan of Rin #1 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Australian authors, Easy reading, Fantasy Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Omnibus Books Year: 1993 5th sentence, 74th page: “Marlie,” he said again.
Bravest heart will carry on when sleep is death, and hope is gone.
Rowan doesn’t believe he has a brave heart. But when the river that supports his village of Rin runs dry, he must join a dangerous journey to its source in the forbidden Mountain. To save Rin, Rowan and his companions must conquer not only the Mountain’s many tricks, but also the fierce dragon that lives at its peak.
Fear is a good thing. I’ve always been told it tells us we’re alive. But, really, it also is a way to keep us alive. Yet, for the people of Rin, fear is shameful and courage is the leader of the day. Which is why I love the irony of the most fearful boy of the village being the hero of this story. After all, the very thing that they all take pride in is the thing that unravels them all.
Rowan of Rin is your typical misfit story. A young boy in a village that he truly doesn’t fit in. Struggling to figure out what his place is in the world. And just generally feeling insufficient and confused. Which really, we have all felt at one stage in our lives. The added complication of a heroic dead father, a possible new romance for his mother and the fact that no one quite wants him around just helps to compound the struggles that Rowan is forced to face. And makes his eventual triumph all the sweeter.
I love poetry – it is a great way to give a double sided meaning to the words that we use. And the riddles that Rodda employs throughout Rowan’s journey up the mountain are both wonderfully similar, and intricately difficult to decipher. After all, everything in them comes true, just not in the way that you’d expect. There’s something ridiculously enjoyable about sitting there, trying to guess what’s going to happen next from a few lyrical lines. And, as often as not, kind of guessing what is about to happen, but not being able to entirely predict the next move. After all, if you could guess everything that is going to happen, what would be the fun in that?
Title: City of Rats Author: Emily Rodda Series: Deltora Quest #3, World of Deltora #3 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Scholastic Press Year: 2000 5th sentence, 74th page: And almost at the same moment, without warning, Reece’s body began to writhe and twist.
Lief, Barda, and Jasmine must venture into the terrifying City of the Rats in the third action-packed Deltora adventure.
Lief, Barda, and Jasmine–three companions with nothing in common but their hatred of the enemy–are on a perilous quest to recapture the seven lost gems of the magic Belt of Deltora. Only when the Belt is complete can the evil Shadow Lord be overthrown.
They have succeeded in finding the golden topaz and the great ruby. The two gems’ mysterious powers have strengthened them and given them courage to move on in their search for the third stone. But none of them can know the horrors that await them in the forbidden City of the Rats.
I’ll admit – I’m a total neat freak. Just to sit down and read this book, write this review, I had to vacuum the lounge (where I’m nesting for the day), and put away the dry washing. To be fair though, my living room floor was also covered in chewed up dog toys. But I digress… the point is that I am a neat freak, but this is also tempered by the knowledge that there is such a thing as too neat. Which, is exactly what happens in City of Rats.
Lief, Barda and Jasmine begin their journey to the next destination on the map, get turned around and then, finally, eventually arrive at a very creepy, abandoned city. Yet, it is the secrets of Noradz that really give us a hint as to what happens when we go a little overboard with our cleanliness. And how the routines that we unwillingly get into can ultimately lead to foolishness and just genuine evil.
Rodda’s stories, especially the journey of Deltora Quest are riddled with puzzles. City of Rats has one of the greatest puzzles yet – what happened to the people of the city? How did Reeha overtake them? Lief, as usual is able to find the source of these problems, but only in those last final moments. And only with the help of the belt and his companions. This mystery not only helps the trio to move forward in their quest, but shows Jasmine that not everyone is as brilliantly headstrong and independent as her.
It is at this point in the journey that Lief, Barda and Jasmine are not only coming into their own pace and understanding of one another. But they are also beginning to recognise the ways in which they can all be as difficult as one another.
Lief, Barda, and Jasmine must outwit the monster-sorceress Thaegan in the second action-packed Deltora Quest adventure.
Lief, Barda, and their unpredictable new companion Jasmine are on an urgent mission to find the seven stones from the magic Belt of Deltora. The golden topaz has already been found. But only when all the stones have been restored to the Belt can their land be freed from the dark power of the evil Shadow Lord.
To find the second stone, Lief, Barda, and Jasmine must travel through territory ruled by the monster-sorceress Thaegan and overcome their biggest challenge yet–the hideous guardian of the enchanted Lake of Tears
The next step in Lief, Barda and Jasmine’s journey is just as good as the first. It’s a perfect sequel to follow up the beginning of their adventure, and begins to show the hand of fate on everything that they’re doing on their epic journey.
The Lake of Tears hints at the emotional aspect of the site of true evil that the trio is forced to face. As Lief and his companions eventually end up on the shores of the lake, they are confronted with the dangers and perils that true evil can create. It is now that the penalties of the Shadow Lords’ rule start to be felt, and the difficulties of the next journey (to the City of Rats) will only increase the feeling of overarching horror at the presence of evil throughout Deltora.
Although the trios final destination is incredibly miserable, and a shadow of what it once was, The Lake of Tears also leads to Lief, Barda and Jasmine finding their first allies. The Ralads are such a sweet folk, and one of the ancient races of Deltora, something that becomes immensely important throughout the remaining series (if I remember correctly).
I can’t wait to travel to the next destination with Lief, Barda and Jasmine.
Title: The Forests of Silence Author: Emily Rodda Series: Deltora Quest #1, World of Deltora #1 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Scholastic Press Year: 2000 5th sentence, 74th page: His voice was casual, but Lief was sure that the question was a test.
The evil Shadow Lord is plotting to invade Deltora and enslave its people. All that stands against him is the magic Belt of Deltora with its seven gems of great and mysterious power. When the gems are stolen and hidden in dark terrible places throughout the kingdom, the Shadow Lord triumphs, and Deltora is lost.
In secrecy, with only a hand-drawn map to guide them, two unlikely companions set out on a perilous quest. Determined to find the lost gems and rid their land of the tyrant, they struggle towards their first goal – the sinister Forests of Silence.
I haven’t read the Deltora Quest books since I was a kid and they were a series that I loved dearly. But, it’s something I’ve been reluctant to return to. After all, sometimes revisiting something that is held dearly in your minds’ eye just isn’t as good when you have had a few more years of experience. Luckily for me, this wasn’t quite the case.
Although this is very much my just before bed, I’m exhausted but can’t quite get my mind to turn off read. It was still really enjoyable and, well, fun. There’s a reason that I loved it so much as a kid. The mistakes of the parents are to be fixed by those of the child. Not only is this the beginning of a coming of age story, but it is also a great tale about the ways in which pride and ignorance can have some incredibly powerful impacts. Not only on ourselves, but also those of the people who rely on us.
The first section of this book powerfully investigates the evils of blind obedience, but it is only when Lief is forced to undertake the quest that his father can no longer face that the true evils become known. The Shadow Lord’s hand is upon the whole of Deltora, and Barda and Lief are forced to overcome obstacle after obstacle to make the first, dangerous step in an epic journey.
Yes, there’s a reason why I loved this so much as a kid.
Title: The Demigods of Olympus: An Interactive Guide 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: Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Publisher: Puffin Books Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: ‘The little paper cups flew everywhere.
You are the demigod, and your quest begins! Use your skills in this interactive and customizable e-book. Combining four short stories, “The Two-Headed Guidance Counselor,” “The Library of Deadly Weapons,” “My Demon Satyr Tea Party,” and “My Personal Zombie Apocalypse,” your choices will have consequences in this demigod adventure.
I love choose-your-own-adventure stories. I can remember reading a lot of them when I was younger, there is something nice about being able to read a story that you have control of. And the fact that this choose-your-own-adventure was placed within a fantasy world that I love just made it all the more enjoyable!
Although I can’t wait to go on another journey with Zane, every choice that I was able to make led me to a slightly different outcome. This choose-your-own-adventure fits beautifully into the world of Percy Jackson, but it was also different enough that it was difficult to predict where the storyline would go.
Title: Bloodhound Author: Tamora Pierce Series: Beka Cooper #2, Tortall #2 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: Omnibus Books Year: 2009 5th sentence, 74th page: I will write my proper Sunday journal tonight.
Beka Cooper is finally a Dog – a fully fledged member of the Provost’s Guard, dedicated to keeping peace in Corus. But there’s unrest in Tortall’s capital. Counterfeit coins are turning up all over the city, and merchants are raising prices to cover their losses. To avert a looming crisis, Beka delves deep into the gambling world, and she won’t let anything – or anyone – jeopardize her mission. To succeed she’ll have to learn to sniff out the criminals – to be a bloodhound…
No matter how many times I read the Beka Cooper series, I am entranced by the stunningly simple and provocative words. This time, Beka is after forgers and her chase brings her to the bright and vibrant port city. Here Beka is not only forced to face up to a Rogue gone very wrong, but also her own feelings towards a man, and the first movements of a binary view on women that are beginning to surface. This story is not only a great addition to the world of Tortall, but it begins to tell the tale of just why Alanna is forced to hide her gender when she becomes a knight many generations later.
One of the reasons I have long loved Pierce’s books is that she normally focuses on a female as the story’s hero. The sexism that is inherent throughout the world is normally quietly written into the story. But, in Bloodhound Cooper and Goodwin are told in no uncertain terms that women can’t do the same job as men. That they are meeker, should be veiled and certainly aren’t up to the rigours of crime work. Beka’s ability to capture the criminal that no one else is willing to tackle definitely begs to differ. I love that although there are many who think that Cooper isn’t able to stop a potential kingdom destroyer down because of her gender and her background, she ignores them and acts in a morally inspiring way. It is also a wonderful reminder that we can all find our own autonomy, regardless of what others think and say.
There is something terrifying about someone idiotic being in power… (anyone thinking of America right now?). Pearl is the perfect example of this – power, drive and an inability to think beyond immediate pleasure are a horrible mixture in such a vindictive package. It is a pleasure to see the karmic justice which is meted out to her.
This is one of the darker stories of the world of Tortall, although, the entire Beka Cooper series flows in this vein. It really makes you look further into crimes and the reasons why people commit them. It makes you question what is morally right and wrong, and what would happen in a lawless existence. Or at least, a world like Beka’s where corruption and bribery has an overt place in society…
Title: Terrier Author: Tamora Pierce Series: Beka Cooper #1, Tortall #1 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: Omnibus Books Year: 2006 5th sentence, 74th page: I do love it there during the day.
Beka Cooper is a trainee Dog in the Lower City. It’s a tough beat, but it’s where she was born. Shy Beka’s talent is listening to the ghosts that pigeons carry, the cries of the unhappy dead. When she hears of a brutal underlord committing crimes against the children of her city, it is up to her and her Dogs to see justice done.
It doesn’t matter how many times I read this book – I love it every damn time. Although Terrier is another tale set in the world of Tortall, it is so incredibly unique and different from the other tales set in this world. Partly this is because it is set hundreds of years before the Song of the Lioness Quartet, but it’s also because Beka is just so completely different from the other heroines throughout the series. she is from a lower social class than any of the other characters, and occupies a world that is nothing like the rest of the realm of Tortallthat we’ve been introduced to.
Although Beka is different to the other heroines that I have thus far had the privilege to meet throughout the series, she is also similar in one key way – she’ll do anything to see justice served, and constantly goes out of her way to protect those in her care. It is this that earns Beka the nickname ‘Terrier’ and leads her on a merry chase through the slums of Corus in pursuit of a murderer and kidnapper. Her bravery and innate sense of what is right and wrong is inspiring, and it drives the storyline beautifully – it is impossible to put down when you know that Beka is trying to save children and the poor from almost certain death.
Diaries are a great way to hide our inner thoughts, secrets, dreams and hopes – so reading a story that is written as a diary gave Beka’s words and journey so much more emotions and potency throughout the story. Reading her diary takes you through Beka’s experiences as she undergoes her first months of puppy training – every moment, every trial and tribulation is lived alongside Beka as she struggles to find her place in the world and search for justice amongst her childhood companions.
Title: Barrio Girls
Title: Rowan and the Travellers
Title: Rowan of Rin
Title: City of Rats
Title: Bloodhound
Title: Terrier
Earth and Skye 