Tag Archives: Fantasy

Rowan and the Keeper of the Crystal by Emily Rodda

September 27, 2018Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Easy Reading, Emily Rodda, Fantasy, Rowan of Rinskyebjenner

Title: Rowan and the Keeper of the Crystal
Author: Emily Rodda
Series: Rowan of Rin #3
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Omnibus Books
Year: 1996
5th sentence, 74th page: Because they knew they were in danger.

Rowan and his mother have been called to Maris to choose the new Keeper of the seaside village’s precious Crystal, a dangerous task Rowan’s family has been bound to for generations.

But this time, something goes terribly wrong. Rowan’s mother is poisoned and near death, and Rowan must find the antidote, outwit a deadly sea serpent, and pick a new Keeper — before it’s too late.

I haven’t picked up this book in ages. And, after a long Saturday at work, I kind of needed something quick, easy and interesting to read. This was the perfect fit. I spent about an hour just disappearing into the world of Rowan of Rin. The fact that he is so different from everyone he knows and loves always drew me to his stories as a child (I wonder why) and Rodda has an amazing way of telling fantastic stories that draw you in from the beginning.

The idea of deceit throughout the tale, and that Rowan is working with the very people who probably poisoned his mother adds an extra sense of time and difficulty to the tale. Every action and moment that is placed throughout the tale has this extra sense of confusion and mystery to it. Not only does it raise the stakes, but it also makes it far more confusing to understand who will be chosen, and how the story will unravel.

One of the things that I love most about the Rowan of Rin series is that each tale begins with a rhyme that must be unravelled in time. And it is never as expected. And it is always somewhat of a surprise when all of the pieces finally click into place. And The Keeper of the Crystal was no different.

<- Rowan and the Travellers Review

Rowan and the Zebak Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Nia and the Beast of Killarney Wood by Cindy Miles

September 11, 2018Book ReviewCeltic, Cindy Miles, Easy Reading, Fantasy, Romance, The Mammoth Book of Irish Romanceskyebjenner

Title: Nia and the Beast of Killarney Wood

Author: Cindy Miles

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Easy reading, Fantasy, Romance

Pace: Slow

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: What was this strange man about?

Nia is trying to escape her father’s plan for her future, and in doing so, she might just find her future in the arms of a beast.

I knew from the very beginning that Nia was going to run into the beast and they would fall madly in love. After all, this is a short story in a collection of Irish romance tales. And the title is Nia and the Beast…

Nia is trying to escape her father’s ideas for her future, and the ways in which he is trying to dictate her life. The fact that this is a literal escape made quite an exciting moment of fleeing through the woods. Falling into a trap with the beast that everyone dreads is completely predictable. But it was still so much fun and worked so well.

One of the parts of this story that I absolutely loved is the fact that both Nia and the Beast were not typical ideals of beauty. They are both kind of ugly and scarred – each in their own way. Yet, at the end of the tale, they both found the love that they were looking for.

<- The Trials of Bryan Murphy Review

Beyond the Veil Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll

September 10, 2018Book ReviewAlice in Wonderland, Classics, Easy Reading, Fantasy, Lewis Carroll, Word Cloud Classicsskyebjenner

Title: Through the Looking-Glass
Author: Lewis Carroll
Series: Alice in Wonderland #2, Word Cloud Classics
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: Word Cloud Classics
Year: 1871
5th sentence, 74th page: And only one for birthday presents, you know.

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

In 1865, English author CHARLES LUTWIDGE DODGSON (1832-1898), aka Lewis Carroll, wrote a fantastical adventure story for the young daughters of a friend. The adventures of Alice-named for one of the little girls to whom the book was dedicated-who journeys down a rabbit hole and into a whimsical underworld realm instantly struck a chord with the British public, and then with readers around the world. In 1872, in reaction to the universal acclaim *Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland* received, Dodgson published this sequel. Nothing is quite what it seems once Alice journeys through the looking-glass, and Dodgson’s wit is infectious as he explores concepts of mirror imagery, time running backward, and strategies of chess-all wrapped up in the exploits of a spirited young girl who parries with the Red Queen, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, and other unlikely characters. In many ways, this sequel has had an even greater impact on today’s pop culture than the first book.

This was just as weird, convoluted and slightly insane as the first Alice book. Which, of course, I loved. There is something about the amazing waxing and waning, lyricism that Carroll lends to his work that makes it impossible to put down. Again, there is no really clear beginning, middle and end, but it somehow still works brilliantly. Maybe after I read this a thousand more times I’ll truly find the beginning, middle and end… but until then, I enjoy the jumpy, random storyline.

Although there isn’t a strict storyline within Through the Looking-Glass, there are quite a few fun little commentaries on the world that we live in and the way we speak. Again and again throughout this story, I questioned a lot of the things which we automatically say. I questioned their origins, and why they mean what they mean. It was a very different way to look at the history of English and the culture in which I live.

I was expecting Through the Looking-Glass to be very different to this. I have seen Tim Burton’s version of Alice in Wonderland, and I thought that the storyline would follow that a lot more closely. And whilst it is possible to see where the different stories crossover and intersect, there are many moments that have also been created so that neither story is like the other. It all just keeps getting curiouser and curiouser!

<- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

My Antonia ->

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Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

September 9, 2018Book ReviewAlice in Wonderland, Classics, Easy Reading, Fantasy, Lewis Carroll, Word Cloud Classicsskyebjenner

Title: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Author: Lewis Carroll
Series: Alice in Wonderland #1, Word Cloud Classics
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: Word Cloud Classics
Year: 1865
5th sentence, 74th page: The Queen turned crimson with fury, and, after glaring at her for a moment like a wild beast, screamed, “Off with her head!

After a tumble down the rabbit hole, Alice finds herself far away from home in the absurd world of Wonderland. As mind-bending as it is delightful, Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel is pure magic for young and old alike.

I mostly read this to see if the book is as tripped out as the movies… and yes, yes it is. There are tongue twisters and confusing tales, and I’m not entirely sure that there is even a clear storyline. But it works perfectly. I was incredibly entertained and found it difficult to put this story down, even though I’m still not entirely sure I understood everything that was happening.

One of the bits that I loved the most about this story was that there were great, lyrical phrases throughout. Some I enjoyed so much that I actually read them three times, just because I loved how they worked and sounded. And the very clever ways in which Carroll was able to twist around words and reality to create this incredibly vibrant world of Wonderland.

Alice is kind of a know-it-all, but, since she’s in a world where she is always sure to be wrong, that is tempered. She annoys me occasionally, but mostly I was too busy trying to figure out what the heck was going on with the rest of the storyline. Now I can’t wait to find out what happens in Through the Looking-Glass, and whether it is just as weird and convoluted as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

<- The Return of Tarzan

Through the Looking-Glass ->

Image source: Harvard Book Store

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

July 29, 2018Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Celtic, Fae, Fantasy, Juliet Marillier, Sevenwatersskyebjenner

Title: Daughter of the Forest

Author: Juliet Marillier

Series: Sevenwaters #1

Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)

My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Celtic, Fae, Fantasy

Pace: Slow

Format: Novel

Publisher: TOR Fantasy

Year: 1999

5th sentence, 74th page: “You bruise too easily,” he said indistinctly.

Lovely Sorcha is the seventh child and only duaghter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. Bereft of a mother, she is comforted by her six brothers who love and protect her. Sorcha is the light in their lives: they are determined that she know only contentment.

But Sorcha’s joy is shattered when her father is bewitched by his new wife, an evil enchantress who binds her brothers with a terrible spell, a spell that only Sorcha can lift – by staying silent. If she speaks before she completes the quest set to her by the Fair Folk and their queen, the Lady of the Forest, she will lose her brothers forever.

When Sorcha is kidnapped by the enemies of Sevenwaters and taken to a foreign land, she is torn between the desire to save her beloved brothers and a love that comes only once. Sorcha despairs at ever being able to complete her task, but the magic of the Fair Folk knows no boundaries, and love is the strongest magic of them all…

I have stopped and started this book a number of times. The first time, I liked it, it was a little slow to begin with, but I just had too much going on to really settle into it. The second time, I got 100 pages in and then a similar thing happened. After two weeks, and a lot of other things going on in my life, I picked it up again. It turns out like 101 pages in the pace of this story changes dramatically. And then I couldn’t put it down…

I recently read a collection of Hans Christian Andersen fairytales. One of them was about a sister whose brothers were turned to swans and she had to stay silent until she could break the curse. Daughter of the Forest follows this storyline. And although I liked the original fairytale, this version with the Celtic folklore, Irish history and amazingly painful and beautiful storyline was ten thousand times better. There was something about the fleshing out of a tale that I already knew in a way that was so realistic, and heart felt. Something about the way that I actually had tears on my cheeks in some of the more horrifying moments, and also at the end when the happily ever after is finally reached. Marillier took a story that I thought I knew and built upon it in a way that took me on an insane roller coaster ride of emotion.

Although there is a love story spun in here somewhere, it is the secondary relationship right throughout. This story is about sibling love and integrity. Honesty and those strings that bind family together. It was nice to have such a change in pace to most stories I read where the romantic one is the primary tale, and it is the familial ties that tend to take a backseat.

<- Flame of Sevenwaters Review

Son of Shadows Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Even a Rabbit Will Bite by Rachel Caine

July 25, 2018Book ReviewDark and Stormy Knights, Dragons, Easy Reading, Fantasy, Rachel Caineskyebjenner

Title: Even a Rabbit Will Bite
Author: Rachel Caine
In: Dark and Stormy Knights (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dragons, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: I checked every day, but it was pro forma, the work of thirty seconds, and then I went on with my life, such as it was.

Two aging enemies are forced to face off one last time… but will they be able to triumph over the past?

I didn’t know what to expect from this story – especially when the heading is Even a Rabbit Will Bite. Actually, I was expecting a killer rabbit, like the one in Monty Python. But I didn’t get that… I got something SO much better. Which left me with the happy feelings at the end of the tale.

This is a story about a decrepit old dragon slayer, and the only dragon left in the world – also decrepit, old and cranky. They both understand that eventually there will be a fight to the death, but they also want to live out their lives in peace. This juxtaposition builds slowly until the final conclusion, which is actually kind of beautifully poetic and sweet… in a killing, battle to the death kind of way…

<- The Beacon Review

Dark Lady Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

July 22, 2018Book ReviewEasy Reading, Fantasy, Gregory Maguire, The Wicked Years, Witchesskyebjenner

Title: Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
Author: Gregory Maguire
Series: The Wicked Years #1
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Witches
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Harper
Year: 1995
5th sentence, 74th page: We should leave the luxury of Munchkinland and try ourselves in the fire of a truly needy situation.

When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum’s classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her archnemesis, the mysterious Witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked?

Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability, and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to become the infamous Wicked Witch of the West – a smart, prickly, and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil.

I didn’t know that the musical Wicked was based on a book. I didn’t know that the book would be so completely green. And when I found out these two facts, I bought it straight away. After all, I loved the play. And I love the colour green. And really, anything that is a little bit different and comments on the world from a point of view that isn’t what we generally think about is something that I’m going to want. I like tales that tell the story in shades of grey.

I love the message in this story. I love the way in which it comments on our own world. And I love the idea of telling a classic from another point of view, the villains. What I didn’t love was the pace of the story. The prologue completely drew me in. It was funny, pithy and threw you into the storyline. And then we went back in time. And we dealt with Elphaba’s family. And her upbringing. And then her time studying… and it just slowed right down. Not enough that I didn’t read the book, but enough that I struggled to read the book.

The fact that I struggled to read this, and it took me so long has left me with incredibly mixed feelings. On the one hand, I really liked the storyline and the message. On the other, I found it’s delivery a little bit slower and less captivating than I would like. But, I also understand why this is. Childhood histories and the growth of a character isn’t often something that can happen quickly, but it is certainly necessary to the characterisation… this is certainly a book that has left me on the fence, although it is one that will linger in my mind’s eye…

<- Tales Told in Oz Review

Son of a Witch Review ->

Image source: Amazon

The Alchemist’s Key by Traci Harding

July 10, 2018Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Fantasy, Spirituality, Traci Hardingskyebjenner

Title: The Alchemist’s Key
Author: Traci Harding
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Fantasy, Spirituality
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Voyager
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: Why would he tell you that?

Wade Ashby has just inherited his grandfather’s estate in England. The Baronage has a business, manor and large fortune. It’s the biggest break of his life – but Wade is inheriting a lot more than he bargained for…

Constructed over four centuries, Ashby Manor is rich in exquisite art, furnishings, architecture and symbolic mosaics. These beautiful antiquities hold the key to a puzzle that has haunted the Barons of Ashby for centuries and now a strange time phenomenon is taking place within the walls of the Manor. Wade must unravel the enigma of his legacy before all of history’s ghosts are unleashed.

Harding always sweeps me away on an epic journey that is both unexpected and thrilling. Somehow, she not only manages to weave an amazing world of mystery and mayhem, her trips into spirituality and the other leave you thinking about it in a way that no other author is able to inspire. The Alchemist’s Key was definitely such a journey for me, and one that was a little less in depth and intense than some of the other Traci Harding books which grace my shelves.

Although this is primarily set in England, I love that the main character is an Aussie. It’s nice to have Australian main characters, and focusing on someone whose family immigrated from England is something that I can completely relate to – my family (on both sides) immigrated from England. It also helped to make Wade a little more of a fish out of water – the Australian culture and way of life doesn’t exactly suit the aristocracy. And it’s always fun to see how someone who is very much an easygoing Aussie being thrust into a world of class and caste.

Although this is the second time that I have read this novel, the thing that jumps out most at me is the assumptions that are made about Wade and Hugh from the very beginning. Although this story is about a family history, mystery and time travel, there is a lot about the assumptions that we make about people on their appearances. First impressions and prejudice run amuck in the character’s relationships, and it’s fun to see how long it takes for this to be sorted and these prejudices to be removed.

<- The Storyteller’s Muse Review

Book of Dreams Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Beknighted by Deidre Knight

July 8, 2018Book ReviewDark and Stormy Knights, Deidre Knight, Easy Reading, Fantasyskyebjenner

Title: Beknighted
Author: Deidre Knight
In: Dark and Stormy Knights (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Surely Sebastian wanted her to mop up the proverbial mess.

A young artist has dreamt about freeing her knight in shining armour, and she is about to succeed. But will shadowy, sinister forces stand in her way?

I really liked this short story. The only thing I didn’t like was the way that it ended – the lovers forgot about each other and didn’t get their steamy reunion. It’s cliché, but I do love a romantic, run into each other’s’ arms ending. And this was so close, but yet so far…

It was a very cool, and trippy idea that there was a knight trapped. And to free him an artist had to create a puzzle box. I’ve never actually seen a puzzle box, so this did throw me a little. But it didn’t take away from the amazing storyline of this story – one that I thoroughly enjoyed and am a little disappointed was so short. Actually, I’m going to specifically search for more works by Deidre Knight now, so that I can enjoy such a fun and interesting take on the world again.

<- Dark Lady Review

Shifting Star Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Krisis by Lindsay Smith

July 6, 2018Book ReviewEasy Reading, Fantasy, History, Kisses and Curses, Lindsay Smith, Sekretskyebjenner

Title: Krisis
Author: Lindsay Smith
Series: Sekret #0.6
In: Kisses & Curses (Lauren Burniac)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, History, Psychics
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Square Fish
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: “Comrade, that is not a feasible option-”

A seer who can see into the future is placed in the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis and maybe only she can stop the world from ending.

I really enjoy stories that are based around actual moments in history. However, I’m not one who tends to read up much on history – probably because in high school we did a lot of American history and ANZAC history, but nothing about our Indigenous Australians, and many, many things that they basically try to pretend didn’t happen. But I digress… this short story (and apparently greater series) is set in Communist Russia. A period of history that I know next to nothing about. And now want to know even more of.

Stories about people with extra abilities, like telekinesis, telepathy, future telling… they are stories that I tend to be drawn to. The fact that this partners an aspect of history that I know little of just makes it all the more appealing. I also loved reading the author’s introduction to this story – the idea for the series came from a fascination with this period of history, and what would happen if even the privacy of your own mind was taken away. Even though this short story isn’t quite about that, it is a great introduction to the world and the idea overall.

Nuclear warfare scares me. If someone presses that button, the world will effectively end. Regardless of the way in which it happens. Revisiting a period in history where this very nearly happened and giving it a paranormal twist really works for me. It’s something that is a terrifying Krisis, and the potential for the mayham is, I think, seared into all of our souls. I can’t wait to see where this series will take me…

<- Skandal Review

Sekret Review ->

Earth and Skye

The ramblings of a bibliophile.

Tag Archives: Fantasy

Rowan and the Keeper of the Crystal by Emily Rodda

Image source: Goodreads

Nia and the Beast of Killarney Wood by Cindy Miles

Image source: Goodreads

Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

Image source: Goodreads

Even a Rabbit Will Bite by Rachel Caine

Image source: Goodreads

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Image source: Amazon

The Alchemist’s Key by Traci Harding

Image source: Goodreads

Beknighted by Deidre Knight

Image source: Goodreads

Krisis by Lindsay Smith

Image source: Goodreads