Tag Archives: Fantasy

A Mote of Black Memory by Josh Reynolds

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of jack the ripper stories book cover

Title: A Mote of Black Memory
Author: Josh Reynolds
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Fantasy, Horror
Dates read: 1st April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: They had not revealed the truth, or perhaps they had, and, like a wound growing gangrenous, fiction had become fact.

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Synopsis

Asking someone to find the presence and aura of a mystery figure from history seems like a good idea. But, when that figure is Jack the Ripper, the terror of Whitechapel… maybe things should just be left as they are…

Thoughts

I’m a big believer in the idea that things that we do in an area leave residual energy. It’s why if I’m ever sick or have bad mental health moments, I don’t rewear those clothes until they have been thoroughly washed. I don’t want the residues to continue hanging around my body. So it makes total sense to me that there is a story which focuses on the residual energies of Jack the Ripper in Whitechapel. And just how dangerous this can be to those who seek it out.

Luckily I didn’t finish this story just before bed time. I read it nice and early in the morning when the sun was still out and shining. The depth of depravity and darkness in this story was almost astounding, and it was certainly terrifying. Even writing this review, I can imagine a black cloud in the distorted shape of the Ripper reaching out his ghoulish hands, rending my soul, piece by little piece…

 <- Jack’s Back ReviewCatch Me When You Can… Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for inkheart book cover

Title: Inkheart
Author: Cornelia Funke
Series: Inkworld #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Fantasy
Dates read: 18th – 25th March 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: The Chicken House
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: Gravel crunched under her feet as she raced towards the house.

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Synopsis

Dare to read it aloud…

Meggie loves books. So does her father, Mo, a bookbinder, although he has never read aloud to her since her mother mysteriously disappeared. They live quietly until the night a stranger knocks at their door. He has come with a warning that forces Mo to reveal an extraordinarily secret – a storytelling secret that will change their lives for ever.

Inkheart is the thrilling new adventure from Cornelia Funke, the international bestselling children’s author of The Thief Lord. It’s a story within a story, where the imaginary becomes real.

Thoughts

I kind of forgot why I loved this book so much. I’ve been looking at it on my shelf for months, but couldn’t really figure out why I had such a need to stick my nose between it’s pages and lose myself. But this week I did. And it was so worth it. I’m incredibly glad that I finally succumbed to the voice in my head saying “It was awesome!”

One of the things I love about this book is the way that each chapter starts. Each chapter starts with a quote from another book (most of which are now on my wishlist). These quotes not only set the theme for the following chapter, but they also highlight the different worlds that were entered again and again throughout this story. Not just the parallel story of Inkheart throughout, but the different tales that Meggie and Mo find themselves swept away in.

I’m only realising as an adult that one of the things that I related most strongly to throughout this novel would was Meggie and Mo’s love of books. They are so hooked into the literary world that they are often unable and unwilling to relate to the real world around them. Something that I myself can relate quite strongly to. Actually, I kind of wanted Elinor’s house from the very first moment, and a number of years between readings really hasn’t changed my desires and impressions.

Inkheart is a fantastic beginning to a new series. It has everything that you want in a story – action, adventure and a lot of heart. The villains are the type that are likely to make you cringe repeatedly, the protagonists people that you can immediately relate to. This is one of those stories that I look forward to passing on to my future (theoretical) children.

 <- Inkdeath ReviewInkspell Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Flame After the Candle by Catherynne M. Valente

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for mad hatters and march hares ellen datlow book cover

Title: The Flame After the Candle
Author: Catherynne M. Valente
In: Mad Hatters and March Hares (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Wordplay
Dates read: 22nd March 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Everyone liked the pig screaming about its mother.

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Synopsis

Olive has visited Wonderland and finds that things aren’t all as they ought to be. Meanwhile, Mrs Hargreaves and Peter are sitting down for a dinner and reminiscing on the pasts that were stolen, but never should have been.

Thoughts

This is a bit of a jumpy short story. Which is pretty typical for a tale from Mad Hatters and March Hares if I’m being truly honest with myself. But, it felt kind of jumpier and more confusing than some of the other stories that I had read. Not to say that it was bad… but it did take me a little more to understand what I was reading than usual. I actually read through this twice… just because there was not one, but two different storylines to try and get my damn head around.

Although I liked the storyline about Olive, it was the secondary tale that really caught my attention. The parallels drawn between Peter Pan and Alice were ones that I had never even considered. But they were really powerful and potent in their own way. And now, when I finally get the time to read Peter Pan, I’m going to be drawing those connecting lines the entire time.

 <- A Comfort, One Way ReviewMoon, and Memory, and Muchness Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the silver chair grafton book cover

Title: The Silver Chair
Author: C.S. Lewis
Series: Chronicles of Narnia #6
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Easy reading, Fantasy
Dates read: 23rd – 27th March 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Grafton
Year: 1953
5th sentence, 74th page: The children thanked her again, with shining eyes, and the Lady waved to them.

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Synopsis

Quick!” said Eustace. “Hold hands! We mustn’t get separated!”
And before Jill quite knew what was happening, he had pulled her out of our whole world into That Place.

Eustace and Jill are whisked to the land of Narnia where Aslan, the great Lion, needs their help to find the missing Prince Rilian. Teaming up with Puddleglum, the Marsh Wiggle, the search takes them through some of the most dangerous underland of Narnia. Even if they attain their goal, it can only be the start of further trouble…

Thoughts

This is probably my least favourite of the Chronicles of Narnia. It’s still really good, but it just doesn’t have the same adventure spirit and oomph as the other tales. Maybe it’s because the Pensieve children don’t feature in this story at all. They are completely out of the picture, and I really missed them. After all, they are the children that made me fall in love with this series in the first place.

This was a great message of not letting your pride stand in the way of doing what is right. Every mistake that led to extra complications throughout this story happened because one of the characters, mostly Jill, was too prideful and didn’t share what was in her head. Or what she was told. Basically this story could have been much easier and the adventure much simpler if it wasn’t for the fact that Jill was kind of a pain in the ass child…

I did like that this story helps to span the rest of Prince Caspian’s lifetime. It follows the stories of Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and gives him a happily ever after that just wasn’t quite expected. And was definitely appreciated. He’s the only Narnian in the whole series that you get to span his entire life, and I kind of really liked that fact. It made this story feel a little more rounded, and a little more reassured that he too got a happily ever after in the end…

 <- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader ReviewThe Last Battle Review ->
Image source: Sherlockian Booklover

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Author: C.S. Lewis
Series: Chronicles of Narnia #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Easy reading, Fantasy
Dates read: 19th – 22nd March 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Grafton
Year: 1951
5th sentence, 74th page: He realized that he was a monster cut off from the whole human race.

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Synopsis

“Stop it!” cried Eustace. “It’s some silly trick you are playing! Ow!”
A great cold, salt splash had broken right out of the frame and they were breathless from the smack of it, as well as being wet through.

Lucy and Edmund, stuck with their awful cousin Eustace, suddenly find themselves on board the Dawn Treader – and realise they have fallen into the magical land of Narnia. Reunited with old friends, the young King Caspian and Reepicheep the mouse, they gladly join the voyage to the World’s End. Eustace, however, is not so happy…

Thoughts

It doesn’t matter how many times I read this story, I still love it. And my heart melts. And I get all gooey and happy on the inside. It really doesn’t matter how many times I read this, it is just as wonderful and amazing as the first time I read it when I was six years old.

I honestly don’t know why I love this story so much more than anything else from my childhood. It has the same level of writing, engagement and storytelling as some of the other tales I read as a kid. But it is just SO MUCH BETTER. It is change your life, melt your heart better. And honestly, I think part of the reason, is that as a child, Lucy was so easy for me to relate to. Even now, as an adult, I can understand and sympathise with Lucy better than most characters in the adult books I read today.

The other part of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader that I love is that it is a series of mini adventures. The overall story flows beautifully, but you could almost read each chapter separately. They are each their own tales and adventures. Something that I don’t often come across in novels. Or at least, this was the first time (as a child) that I read a story that was a little less dependent on what happened before to tell the story.

 <- Prince Caspian ReviewThe Silver Chair Review ->
Image source: Narnia Translations Home

Through the Tiger’s Eye by Kerrie O’Connor

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for through the tiger's eye book cover

Title: Through the Tiger’s Eye
Author: Kerrie O’Connor
Series: Telares Trilogy #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Adventure, Australian authors, Fantasy
Dates read: 11th – 17th March 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘We’ll cook dinner, Grandma,’ said Lucy.

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Synopsis

Just then T-tongue decided to take matters into his own paws. He sniffed the air, barked, shot across the floor of the pit – and disappeared.

Lucy and her little brother Ricardo follow their puppy and the mysterious, golden-eyed Tiger-cat into a secret tunnel leading to a foreign country – a country where children are held prisoner in the jungle.

Lucy still didn’t understand anything and it still felt crazy, but suddenly it was also simple; if Rahel was going to risk rescuing the little girl and the other kids, then Lucy had to help, even if she didn’t have a clue how.

Thoughts

This was the second time that I read this book. But, the first time was when I was in early high school, and it has honestly been boxed up ever since. Which is sad, because this reread reminded me how much I truly love this story. It is fun, interesting and powerful. It is based around Australia (which is always a bonus in my book) and centres on siblings that aren’t all love and roses towards one another. Because let’s be honest, there are no siblings who always get along and never fight…

I love the idea that Lucy and Ricardo are able to travel to another reality / country on a regular basis and meet other children their age. But, they are experiencing entirely different things. The children in Telares are victims of war who don’t act like victims. It drives home how truly lucky we are to live in Australia and to have grown up here. Not only does this make the story fantastic with a great message, but it also highlights the differences between peoples’ experiences across the world. We should be grateful for our good fortune a little more often, and this story is a poignant reminder of that.

This story is a great mix of young adventure, the ties of family and reminders of how we should never take for granted what we have. It is a great way to reconsider what people in war-torn countries are truly experiencing. Without the brutality that some adult-orientated books highlight. This still has that beautiful innocence that can carry a message, but not use shock and horror tactics.

 <- Angel’s Elephant ReviewBy the Monkey’s Tail Review ->
Image source: Allen & Unwin

The Queen of Hats by Ysabeau S. Wilce

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for mad hatters and march hares ellen datlow book cover

Title: The Queen of Hats
Author: Ysabeau S. Wilce
In: Mad Hatters and March Hares (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy
Dates read: 7th March 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Where am I going to find actors out here?

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Synopsis

The little tamale girl seems to be going on the adventure of a lifetime. And performing in a play to boot.

Thoughts

I loved the jumpiness of this story. Each mini chapter (about a page each) a completely new and different adventure. Each almost its own story. Something that is really reminiscent of the original Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

This short story takes you on a kind of whirlwind adventure that culminates in that famous moment of “off with your head”. I’m not entirely sure if the off with your head bit gets followed through with… but I kind of like to imagine that it does. Because that’s where my head is at at the moment… that, and it just feels a fitting end to a jumpy story. It seems entirely like fantasy, until the moment that somebody’s head gets taken off… it seems like a great ending.

 <- Eating the Alice Cake ReviewA Comfort, One Way Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
The Tea Dragon Society : Katie O'Neill : 9781620107379

Title: The Tea Dragon Society
Author: Kay O’Neill
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dragons, Fantasy, Graphic novels, LGBTQI
Dates read: 4th March 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Graphic novel
Publisher: Oni Publishing
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: The horn is similar in texture and density to a root, and a tiny shaving will give the tea its ginger taste.

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Synopsis

From the author of the award-winning Princess Princess Ever After comes The Tea Dragon Society, a charming fairy tale about Greta, an adventurous blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of Tea Dragons.

After discovering a lost Tea Dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of Tea Dragon caretaking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives – and eventually her own.

Thoughts

I got this cute little graphic novel in a book subscription box. I had no idea what it was about and no idea what to expect. But, I fell COMPLETELY in love with this story from the very beginning. Actually, I now just really, really want my own little Tea Dragon. And a Tea Society with all of my friends and loved ones. Actually, I just want this world to be a reality…

I would have loved this graphic novel regardless. It is beautifully illustrated, stunningly written and has a great message that helps to keep you light and loving. But, there is also a very subtle LGBTQI theme running through the story, and I just found that these couples were all the sweeter for it.

After closing the final page of this book, I ranted and raved about how beautiful this graphic novel was. How glorious and how much I just wanted to sink into the pages. But, when it comes to writing the review for something that touched me so much… it’s hard to find coherent words to describe it.

<- More Katie O’NeillThe Tea Dragon Festival ->

Image source: Observer

The Siren by Kiera Cass

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for book cover the siren

Title: The Siren
Author: Kiera Cass
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Romance
Dates read: 26th February 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Harper Collins
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: The moment of truth.

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Synopsis

Love is a risk worth taking.

I’d waited an eternity for this.

I’d have waited all over again if I had to. I was meant to kiss this boy, designed to be held by him. All the careful postures I held melted away, and I pulled him closer.

We were STARS.

We were MUSIC.

We were TIME.

A heart-pounding romance from the bestselling author of The Selection series.

Thoughts

I was surprised by how much I loved this story. I was expecting a good, fun bit of fluff. Something that would be easy, cute and only slightly entertaining. Instead I found it impossible to put down and so thoroughly enjoyable that I had a huge grin on my face when I finally turned the very last page. There was just something so simple, cute and just quintessentially sweet about it.

Kahlen was a really great lead character. She is feminine, sweet and withdrawn. Throughout the entire story, she highlights the fact that it’s okay to not want to be the kind of person who clubs or socialises. It’s even okay to have the desire to just grow up and get married (it’s not my desire, but I like that it’s hers). I also kind of love how she wears vintage clothing and loves to bake. She’s the soft, beautiful best friend that I kind of want for myself. Actually… my best friend is like this in a lot of ways to be honest…

I believe in love at first sight. I even got that for myself with my partner. And yet, when I read about it, I tend to find that I just don’t really believe in it. there is often something so false and overdone in stories about young love. Yet, there is something about Kahlen and Akinli that actually makes this completely plausible. Their love has a kind of sweet and angsty feel, but it also has a genuineness to it. They see beyond the superficial to something far more deep and meaningful. Something that is integral to a true relationship. The very reason that I loved their relationship completely. And can’t stop thinking about it to be honest.

<- More fantasy reviewsMore romance reviews ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

Eating the Alice Cake by Kaaron Warren

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for mad hatters and march hares ellen datlow book cover

Title: Eating the Alice Cake
Author: Kaaron Warren
In: Mad Hatters and March Hares (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy
Dates read: 7th March 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: For my uncle’s wine.

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Synopsis

The Mock Turtle keeps reminding Alice of her horrible past. But, what if it’s something that she doesn’t want to think about?

Thoughts

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is twisted. No matter which way you look at it, there is a lot of twisty-ness to the original story. This Alice in Wonderland story is twisted too. Just in a more… disturbing way.

The Mock Turtle always seemed like something that was a little dour and depressing. Something that highlights everything that you don’t like about yourself. So a short story that focuses on this aspect of the original made me really quite happy. The fact that the depressing moments in Alice’s life aren’t so nice… well, that made me less happy.

I thought that the end of this story was kind of incredibly… cruel. Which worked well with the theme. After all, it’s a twisted version of Alice’s Wonderland and the Mock Turtle. And it ends kind of twisted too.

 <- Worrity, Worrity ReviewThe Queen of Hats Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository