Title: Mr. Bear Author: Joe R. Lansdale In: Blood Lite (Kevin J. Anderson) Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one) My Bookshelves:Comedy, Easy reading, Fantasy Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Pocket Books Year: 2008 5th sentence, 74th page: “My wife will kill me.”
When Jim boards a plane, he hopes to get a few empty seats to give him some privacy. What he ends up getting is a new “friend” that is truly the stuff of nightmares.
This story is weird. It was weird from beginning to end and I still really don’t know where to put my feelings for it. It wasn’t good. It wasn’t bad. It was just really, really freaking weird.
Beyond being weird, this story also gave me the major heeby jeebies. It’s a bear that acts as the villain, but this is a story that does actually happen in real life. An unsuspecting fool falls into a trap and there follows calamity upon calamity until they realise that they are probably about to die. And then, because it is a story and needs a happy ending of sorts, they find their way out…
So yup. Mostly this story was incredibly weird. And heeby. And just in general kind of creepy…
When a man pulls a woman from the surf, his life is irreparably changed. The fae woman may be his saviour or his downfall, only time will tell.
I didn’t mind this story, but it was a little slow… and didn’t quite have the same oomph to it as the other short stories in this collection. Man meets woman. Saves woman. Woman could kick his ass. But they end up together. I was expecting an incredibly epic battle. But it really wasn’t all that amazing. He fights, he wins, the end. They ride off into the sunset…
Even the name of this story is a bit misleading, there is nothing quick about it. But that’s not to say that this was a bad tale. It just wasn’t exactly captivating… so a perfect one to read just before bedtime. It’s not going to be impossible to put down, but a nice little story to wile away the time.
5th sentence, 74th page: The Queen stood nearby, draped in a long dark cloak, her face pale.
Muirin and Conlan are meant for each other, but her evil stepmother stands in the way. Will Muirin be able to overcome all the obstacles in front of them and finally claim her one true love?
This is such a fun, typical Irish romance story. Alright, it’s a lot shorter than many of the tales that I generally read based in this world. And I enjoyed it just as much as I enjoy every single one of these tales. My background is all based in the UK, and there is something that has always drawn me to Irish and Celtic tales.
Muirin and Conlan are such a sweet couple. And from the very beginning of this tale, it is obvious that there is going to be a very large obstacle put in the way of their love and eventual marriage. And because this is in a collection of romance tales, it is equally obvious that they are going to overcome. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t thoroughly enjoyable. And even after her three tasks are laid out in front of her, it isn’t quite obvious just how these obstacles will be overcome. And it is in this that the journey is fun.
I read this just before curling up for bed, and it was a great way to end the night. I got this beautiful little tale of love and Irish folklore while my partner slumbered next to me. And the combination was pleasant and fun. It also lead to some of the more peaceful and pleasant dreams that I’ve had in a while.
Title: Sekret Author: Lindsay Smith Series: Sekret #1 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Fantasy, History, Psychics Pace: Slow Format: Novel Publisher: Square Fish Year: 2014 5th sentence, 74th page: I shove the framed picture and the notes back in the desk drawer and slam it shut.
AN EMPTY MIND IS A SAFE MIND.
Yulia knows she must hid her thoughts and control her emotions to survive in Communist Russia – especially because she is able to read the minds of the people she touches. But Yulia better watch out.
Russia’s powerful spy agency, the KGB, is recruiting young people with mind-reading capabilities for their psychic espionage team. Their mission: protect the Soviet space program from American spies. When Yulia is captured by the KGB and forced to work as a spy, she’s thrust into a world of suspicion, deceit, and horrifying power. It’s up to Yulia to survive on her own wits and abilities, because this is a world where no sekret can stay hidden for long.
I don’t know much about the history of Soviet Russia, the Cuban Missile Crisis. Or generally much European history at all. So it was really fun and interesting reading a tale based on this period in our global past. The fact that it had a strong, female protagonist and a psychic mystery to boot.
It took me a little while to sort out the names in this story. Luckily, Smith has a small introduction that explains Russian names – the formal and the informal which are used interchangeably throughout Sekret. Which meant that it took me a little longer than usual to sort the characters out in my mind. But it gave the entire story more of a genuine feeling. It made everything feel both more foreign and familiar. And makes me want to do a little more reading and research into Russian history and the Soviet Union.
I was expecting this story to be a much simpler read than it was – the short story, Krisis, that got me into this author and series certainly was. But there was a lot going on and it was quite intense. I even had to flick back a page or two a few times to check that I hadn’t missed anything. And mostly, I hadn’t. The storyline is fast paced and jumpy. And although things aren’t actually missed out, there is this feeling of time moving so fast that there could be aspects which are missing. Rather than bothering me, this technique made the entire story work all the better. It highlighted the fear and mayhem of the time in which this story is based. And it showed that although Yulia is slowly discovering herself, her powers and her past, there is still a lot missing and it brilliantly opens the doors to Skandal.
Title: Rowan of the Bukshah Author: Emily Rodda Series: Rowan of Rin #5 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Australian authors, Easy reading, Fantasy Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Omnibus Books Year: 2003 5th sentence, 74th page: His own knife fell from his hand and spun away.
“Four must make their sacrifice. In the realm twixt fire and ice . . . The quest unites both life and death.”
The wise woman Sheba’s ominous words haunt Rowan. The bitter winter has lasted far too long and won’t loosen its deadly hold on the land. As food stores dwindle, the people of Rin flee to the warmer coast.
Rowan and two friends — and a shadow — journey up the mountain that towers over Rin to seek the source of the unending cold. Rowan knows from past experience that the mountain is unpredictable and harbors many dangers. But now waves of freezing air stream down its sides. And ferocious ice creepers — giant eyeless creatures with gaping jaws and teeth like shards of ice — slither from its shadow eager to devour any warm being.
Will Rowan and his friends somehow be able to bring spring — and life — back to the land? Can they survive the perils of the mountain and the attacks of the ice creepers?
The final tale in the saga of Rowan of Rin brings everything full circle. And I love it. it not only ends by giving you hope for the future, but it also completes the journey – not just Rowan’s, but also that of the Bukshah. And the Maris. And the Travelers. And the Zebak. And the people of the Valley of Gold. Which all worked in beautifully. And after closing the last page of this book, I was left with a great, big grin on my face.
This is Rowan’s last epic quest, and it is certainly a lot more intense than the others. Not only because there seems to be more at stake, and the past is coming to life. But because it not only affects one or two of the peoples’ of the land. It affects all of them. And the evil could potentially spread even further than just the Travelers, the Maris and the people of Rin.
As an ecologist, I love the idea that everything serves its place in the system. I thrive on the idea that every moment, every interaction, every creature has a purpose and that just by removing one thing from this, the equilibrium is completely destroyed. Rowan of the Bukshah really reminded me of that. It drives home the fact that everything and anything has a sense of importance and a place in the world. It also reassures me that I too, have a place in this world.
Title: Rowan and the Zebak Author: Emily Rodda Series: Rowan of Rin #4 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Australian authors, Easy reading, Fantasy Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Omnibus Books Year: 1999 5th sentence, 74th page: “No,” Zeel broke in.
When a flying monster kidnaps Rowan’s little sister, Annad, Rowan fears the warlike Zebak people have attacked his village of Rin. And Annad’s capture is only the beginning.
Now Rowan and his companions must make the treacherous journey into Zebak territory, fighting the monsters that guard its city and the enemy people within it. If they fail, Annad will be lost — and so will all hope for the survival of Rin.
The first three Rowan of Rin stories are really quite disjointed. The first features the people of Rin, the second the Travellers, and the third the Maris. But all have the common thread of the Zebak’s invasion in the past. They are all connected across their land. And it really isn’t until the fourth story that the connection between the different groups can really be enjoyed and appreciated.
Rowan and his misfit friends from the previous books are all on the longest and most epic journey yet – they have to travel to the homeland of the people of Rin. And here they get to discover more about their past. More about why Rowan is so different from everyone. By taking the five misfits of the tale and throwing them into the enemies territory, you are not only thrown into a reminder that everyone can find their place, but there are other people just like you… somewhere. Sort of. Or maybe you’re like the Wise Woman, and are just so damn kooky, and completely happy being that way…
I think that this was the favourite so far of the Rowan of Rin stories for me. Maybe because I just don’t remember it as well (or at all). Or just the idea of confronting the past, and coming out with a better idea of the future… either way, I thoroughly enjoyed this and can’t wait to finish off Rowan of the Bukshah tonight, and the end of the series.
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.
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.
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.
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-Glassto 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!
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.
Title: Mr. Bear
Title: Quicksilver
Title: Sekret
Title: Rowan of the Bukshah
Title: Rowan and the Zebak
Title: Rowan and the Keeper of the Crystal
