Garth Nix has a brilliant spin on the traditional tale of Rapunzel… and how to get rid of spoilt brats.
I love new spins on old stories. After all, there is something about faery tales that brings us back again and again and again. And An Unwelcome Guest is a brilliant way to reimagine Rapunzel. Nix’s spin on such a classic left me outright laughing and grinning. It was cute, funny and not at all what I was expecting.
Like the well-known Wicked, An Unwelcome Guest takes the villain of the tale of Rapunzel (the wicked witch) and makes her good. It then twists Rapunzel into a spoilt brat under some kind of weird compulsion. Her rescue into an attempt to kick her out. And the happy ending a small girl running away in tears with her soccer boots still on. Like I said, it was a great way to twist and turn a well-known faery tale into something more and in my opinion, thoroughly enjoyable. Certainly much more humorous than the original tale anyway.
Title: Holly and Iron Author: Garth Nix In: To Hold the Bridge (Garth Nix) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Hot Key Books Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: The cavemouth was hidden from them, but they could see at least forty Norman men-at-arms standing ready on the path below it, including half a dozen archers who stood in a semicircle, laughing and joking.
Who is the rightful heir to the throne? Can one of these girls rule with both holly and iron? Only time and a final battle of wills can tell.
A very unique, and thoroughly enjoyable spin on The Sword in the Stone. With a little bit of a hint of Robin Hood thrown in. Or at least, that’s the flavour that I got from Holly and Iron. And it’s one that I thoroughly enjoyed. After all, they are two classic tales, and they blend seamlessly together in this fantastic short story.
The idea of holly magic and iron, natural and man-made is a beautiful comparison of the binary way in which we view the world. It shows the way in which so many people think that we are separate from nature, but, as Robin’s plight and eventual success show, it’s not necessarily the truth. Or at least, I have never thought it was.
There’s a time to pick your battles, and sometimes we have to change our path. Find something new to focus on and move on from the old. It may take Robin a long time to learn this, but when she does, there is a moment of unadulterated triumph, and a beautiful sense of walking into a brand new world.
Princess Jess wants justice for her mother’s murder. So she finds someone to deliver the highest justice.
Who decides on justice? Where does it come from? What on earth is the highest justice?
Princess Jess’ journey kind of helps to look into these questions. It is an investigation into how justice can be dispensed, and more importantly, how it is often dispensed in medieval times. Jess’ desire to bring her mother’s murderer to justice and reunite her mother with the love of her life bring about a slightly obscure adventure. After all, there aren’t any other stories I’ve read that combine a Princess, a unicorn and a zombie…
Title: Snakeskin Author: Rob Thurman Series: Trickster #0.5 In: Kicking It (Faith Hunter & Kalayna Price) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Mythology, Tricksters, Urban fantasy Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Roc Year: 2013 5th sentence, 74th page: Billionaires are a special breed, and an old horny billionaire is going to want a young thing with tits done by Dr. Double D and the only lines on her skin the ones shown by her Brazilian wax.
Trixa agrees to help a woman deal with her very rich husband. But, when she is double crossed, things take an interesting turn.
I love stories about Tricksters – they are completely amoral, always entertaining and beautifully symbolic of the balance between good and evil. Plus, where they travel, chaos follows. Which is always entertaining, and provides great conflict in and of itself. The introduction to Thurman’sTrickster series is no different.
Trixa is the very embodiment of chaos – she is neither good nor evil and, while straddling both realities, she is able to help keep the balance. The playful light and twisted humour within which she tells the story drew me in from the first point, and I was never quite sure what game she was playing. Until the very end that is. The tone of the piece perfectly reflects the chaotic and perverse way in which Trixa deals with the world and those around her.
It’s seer “Makenna Frazier’s” first day on the job at Supernatural Protection and Investigations, and her first assignment is more than she bargained for when bodyguard duty for a leprechaun prince’s bachelor party goes every which way but right in national bestselling author Lisa Shearin’s “Lucky Charms“.
This is an awesome start to a new series, with a great chief protagonist and an awesome premise for a magical police agency – the SPI. I liked the way that Shearin overlays the idea of SPI on top of our everyday lives and makes the idea of Leprechauns running wild through the streets plausible and believable. The hints provided throughout this short story are a great preclude into the actual SPI Files books and I can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon for Mac.
Shearin achieves something that is incredibly difficult in stories – humour that is actually funny. It is incredibly difficult to be funny on paper and weave this into the storyline. But, Lucky Charms does this perfectly – a cross dressing leprechaun dancing in a goblin sex club is an image that will forever make me smile and stay in my head.
A pair of shoes are wreaking havoc in the world of Alex Craft, and its up to two detectives to stop them!
It was really enjoyable reading a book based in the world of Alex Craft. The multi-layered structure of a fae-infused world has always fascinated me, although, in the rest of the Alex Craft series, it is only viewed through her eyes. Altering the point of view gave me a refreshing insight into such an intricately created reality.
I haven’t had the chance to re-read the first three Alex Craft books since the fourth book came out (at the beginning of the year), but reading this short story has inspired me to pick them up and start all over again. Not only to revisit such an amazing world and strong characters, but to learn more about the other prominent characters in this series. All strong. All fascinating. All stealing our hearts.
Title: Shatterglass Author: Tamora Pierce Series: The Circle Opens #4, Emelan #8 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Fantasy, Mages Format: Novel Publisher: Omnibus Books Year: 2003 5th sentence, 74th page: His mage fire grew until the front half of the room was mercilessly lit, without a shadow anywhere.
Tris is one of the most powerful mages ever born: her lightning magic flows through her veins and her bones. When a series of brutal crimes break the fragile peace of Tharios, Tris is angry that the city fathers do not seem to care. But she knows she has to keep hold of her magic – she can’t let anger take her over…
Of the four in the Emelan realm, it is Tris that I have always loved best. And have always best been able to relate to. It goes beyond her love of books and frustration at the stupidity of others, to recognising that feeling of not quite feeling wanted and needed. So, as always, I LOVE to revisit her in any way shape or form… and honestly, Shatterglass doesn’t let you down if you’re like me and just longing to see how she turns into a full mage with her first student.
Although I love the construction of Tris’ first student, Keth and the unique difficulties that they both have in getting used to one another, my favourite thing about a mage-Tris is her mage kit. Although everything about this series is wonderfully unique to the characters, how Tris manages an immense power was completely unexpected. And really, really clever. I love, clever, sensical, unexpected surprises in my loved novels.
Stories that comment on the inequalities of social castes are always some of my favourites… and Pierce’s first real look into this is great. Although it is a topic that is touched on in many of her stories, Shatterglass takes the injustices that can be perpetrated and really enforce the consequences that come from this. For me, it acts as a great reminder not to take others for granted and to never judge someone else by what you first see. From Tris to Keth to the prathmum, everyone has their own hidden powers and lives that no one could ever envisage or understand.
Title: Cold Fire Author: Tamora Pierce Series: The Circle Opens #3, Emelan #7 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Fantasy, Mages Format: Novel Publisher: Omnibus Books Year: 2002 5th sentence, 74th page: Every business deal is a crisis for her.
Daja is a metal mage – iron speaks to her senses and fire is her friend. She is more powerful than a student should be, some think. Staying the winter in snow-locked Namorn, Daja is determined to enjoy herself, and her host’s twin daughters are good company. But there’s more to this pretty pair than meets the eye…
There is nothing more terrifying than an arsonist – at least, for someone who is from rural Australia. In Cold Fire, Pierce explores the motivations and the true destruction that such a horrible motivation can wreak upon a small community. Daja’s love of fire is also seriously challenged by the ways in which the destruction of life and property can come about. Actually, her whole outlook on life and the adventures of travel are seriously tested. Add to this the fact that she is forced to take on not one, but two fledgling mages. Add to this great storyline the beautiful Namornese setting, and this is a great story that is impossible to put down.
Cold Fire is one of the darker stories of Pierce’s collection. Yes, the entire Circle Opens Quartet is a little darker and investigates a seedier side of life, but I find that the betrayal, death and arson of this novel far more intoxicatingly terrifying. Mostly though, it’s the unexpected identity of the bad guy that really hits home. After all, many serial murderers tend to blend in beautifully with the surrounding communities…
Nia and Jory’s hidden powers are some of my favourites – after all, the ambient magic of trades are something that I can relate to, and cooking and carpentry are two of my all-time favourite past times. Well, cooking is, but the smell of wood and carpentry is a great way in which to remind me of my childhood…
Title: Street Magic Author: Tamora Pierce Series: The Circle Opens #2, Emelan #6 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Fantasy, Mages Format: Novel Publisher: Omnibus Books Year: 2001 5th sentence, 74th page: Cutbane, spread neatly over the splits in his left eyebrow and cheek, drove off infection and worked to close the wounds.
Briar is a plant mage – he can distil medicines, grow a garden in the blink of an eye and persuade a tree to trap a criminal. Learning how to channel your power is vital. Briar’s empathy with nature can heal – but it could kill just as easily. Evvy is a street urchin who doesn’t even know she has stone magic, let alone know how to control it, and she doesn’t want to learn anything. But when gang warfare breaks out, Briar and his mage may offer the only protection Evvy can count on…
Briar’s past as a gang member and what that truly means is so beautifully illustrated when he is forced to take on his first student. Evvy is a street kid (as Briar was) but she refuses to join a gang. Her constant, stubborn refusal and her clear-sighted insight into the dangers and perils of this life are kind of dark, but in a great way, they force Briar (and myself as a reader) to look further into what this truly entails for a street kid. The added complexities of stone magic, and a city that breathes exhaustion from its very pores make this a great journey to undertake as Rosethorn and Briar travel further East from Emelan.
Gangs are often toted as the bad aspect of bad neighbourhoods, however, for Briar, they have always just seemed like the best choice for a kid in a bad situation. It isn’t until he is forced to face up to the realities of not only his own actions, but those of the Chammurian gangs that he realises that it is not a good system. The objectification of children (which sadly, happens all over the world) is repeated again and again in front of him until he is forced to admit that everything he ever thought was normal or right was in fact, a gross misuse of his time. It is Evvy’s persistent voice that helps him to see what is so wrong about his past.
Evvy is a great balance to Briar’s nature, and their interactions work beautifully throughout the story. Stone and plant magic is both earth based, yet, this is the last point at which they are similar. Stone is tough and unyielding – stubborn, where plants are flexible and full of life. The way that these characteristics are manifest in these two is a brilliant and often humorous interaction.
The class system of Chammuri is a great reminder of the class system within our own societies – the rich can get away with a lot more than the poor. However, the Lady’s actions do eventually gain justice, and her abuse of the poor is taken into account with her sentencing. It is horrible that such a woman is able to act in such a way though, and it is a reminder that we should care for everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status.
Title: Magic Steps Author: Tamora Pierce Series: The Circle Opens #1, Emelan #5 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Fantasy, Mages Format: Novel Publisher: Omnibus Books Year: 2000 5th sentence, 74th page: The dragonsalt they fed him kept him dreamy for most of the time.
Sandry can weave magic like thread. her skill leaves others in awe, although controlling and channelling her power is second nature by now. And this is why she is horrified to find that an untrained boy, Pasco, is dancing complex magic – with no idea that he is doing it…
I always love revisiting a world that has swept me away. It was no different when I first started reading The Circle Opens series. Four years after the conclusion of The Circle of Magic series, Sandry is alone, moving in the adult world. That in and of itself would make a fantastic story, but the addition of Sandry’s first student makes this story irresistible. Add in a dash of crime, mayhem and mystery… and this tale is dark, twisted and brilliant.
It is human nature to pass on our knowledge to others, it’s how we learn and how human culture has been formed. It is wonderful to see Sandry (and through this series, the others of the circle) pass on their wisdom to their students. Yet, Sandry’s first student is nothing like I expected. Pasco is a dancing mage with a talent for getting into mischief. Although they are almost the same age in years, the difference in maturity and learning between the two is immense. Which makes for an entertaining read as they try to find the murderers who are stalking through Emelan. Yet, up until the very last moment, Pasco manages to get himself into trouble. Sandry is forced to not only face a huge moral dilemma, but also save her wayward student.
It is one thing to watch in your mind’s eye as the circle comes of age and gains control over their own powers. But, they are always there to help one another. By separating these amazing characters, Pierce is able to show us what each and every one of these mages are able to do in the face of adversity. And, Sandry, with her dignity and stubbornness is able to pass with flying colours. She has finally taken her place in the adult world, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Title: An Unwelcome Guest
Earth and Skye 