Tag Archives: Fantasy

La Reine d’Enfer by Kathe Koja

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for queen victoria's book of spells ellen datlow book cover

Title: La Reine d’Enfer
Author: Kathe Koja
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Gaslamp, LGBTQI
Dates read: 12th July 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: I grabbed up whatever I could put my hand to, a silver spoon from the table, a bottle of gin; then threw it all down again, my head a-swim like being drunk.

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Synopsis

He’s been trapped in a life that isn’t one of his own making. Davey is hunting him, but all he wants to do is act on stage. Will he finally get what he wants?

Thoughts

When I sat down to write this review, I couldn’t quite remember what this short story was even about. There was a vague memory of enjoying the story and thinking it was very good, but I just couldn’t remember what happened in it. So I had to have a quick look at the pages again. And then it all came flooding back to me. And I’m really not sure why I didn’t remember this much clearer from the very beginning. There was a bit of an Oliver Twist feel to this story, with a great sense of darkness and brutality.

I like that there was a subtle feeling of magic to this story. It felt more about the magic of theatre than the casting of a spell. More about magics that we make others believe in (some might say manipulate) than that of the Fair Folk. It created a nice, dreary, mystical affect to the storyline that made you not want to put it down. Although, it’s this same shrouded mystery-effect which also made it quite difficult to remember exactly what it was that I had just read..

 <- The Memory Book ReviewFor the Briar Rose Review ->
Image source: Amazon

The Senorita and the Cactus Thorn by Kim Antieau

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for coyote road book cover

Title: The Senorita and the Cactus Thorn
Author: Kim Antieau
In: The Coyote Road (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Fantasy, Tricksters
Dates read: 12th July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Firebird Fantasy
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: He asked her to join him, so she did.

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Synopsis

She knows that she wants to marry him, but before she can have her happily ever after, she must get past the mother-in-law. A little bit of gumption, magic and trickery is what it might take to survive in this new desert world.

Thoughts

The Princess and the Pea has always been one of those stories that is kind of iconic for me. I’m not sure why, since I don’t often enjoy stories about princessy princesses. But, this version of it using tricksters and the desert is far more to my taste. Actually, I was incredibly disappointed when it was over.

Mother-in-laws always seem to be the terrifying part of marriage (not for me, I have an awesome mother-in-law). Which made this an incredibly relatable story for almost everyone who has found their significant other and now just has to run the gauntlet. They seem to have a power and reserve for judgement that makes many people tremble, and it’s only after their acceptance that people feel settled and accepted. Or at least, that’s how it’s always been in my social circles. Which made this story completely relatable and kind of perfect. The senorita wasn’t able to finally have her happily ever after until she finally managed to secure the acceptance of the mother of her husband-to-be.

Coyote is one of my favourite tricksters of folklore. There is something about his stories and persona that makes me dive deep into any and all stories which feature this character. Using Coyote in this story worked perfectly for me and sorely disappointed that the tale was ended. Even if it was only allusions to the trickster, rather than an outright story.

 <- Always the Same Story ReviewBlack Rock Blues Review ->
Image source: Amazon

From the Catalogue of the Pavilion of the Uncanny and Marvellous, Scheduled for Premiere at the Great Exhibition (Before the Fire) by Genevieve Valentine

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for queen victoria's book of spells ellen datlow book cover

Title: From the Catalogue of the Pavilion of the Uncanny and Marvellous, Scheduled for Premiere at the Great Exhibition (Before the Fire)
Author: Genevieve Valentine
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Gaslamp, Wordplay
Dates read: 4th July 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Even with the losses, however, the Exhibition turned enough profit to finance construction of the Victoria and Albert Museum itself.

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Synopsis

A collection of notes, letters and quotes that tell of the Pavilion of the Uncanny and Marvellous.

Thoughts

This was a bit of a weird read. Not in a horrifying or negative manner, but in a, I’m going to read this again and again to see what pops out. It’s fascinating, fun and a perfect mix of reality and fantasy. The unique structure of this story is what I love the most about this story though. It is different, fun and gives an entirely different flow to the storyline than any other short story that I have read recently.

There aren’t many stories that I struggle to see the overarching storyline… a mass of exposure tends to make things more and more predictable. But, because this short story has such a unique and completely alien format to what I’m used to, I’m still not sure I’ve fully grasped what was happening. Which I loved. It not only means that this is a story I’ll enjoy reading again, it was also a challenge. And who doesn’t love a good challenge?

 <- The Fairy Enterprise ReviewThe Memory Book Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Spellhorn by Berlie Doherty

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for spellhorn berlie doherty book cover

Title: Spellhorn
Author: Berlie Doherty
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Magic, Unicorns
Dates read: 3rd – 10th June 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Lions
Year: 1989
5th sentence, 74th page: She wouldn’t.

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Synopsis

Laura looked across the sea and saw with horror that far below her on the shoreline there were beasts: long dark shapes that wriggled and slithered down into the foam.
“What are they” she asked.
Gazing down at the seething waves, the Old Woman said: “This is the Sea of Snakes…”

Laura and Spellhorn the unicorn have to cross the Sea of Snakes and fight against terrible danger before Laura can return home. For Spellhorn, the treasured possession of the Wild Ones, has befriended Laura, and it is only he who can lead them to the safety of their beloved Wilderness.

Thoughts

I’ve had this book sitting on my shelf for years. It was a book that my mum has had for a long time, and it slowly migrated to my shelf across time. So I thought it was probably about time to pick it up and see why I had kept it on my shelf, untouched for all of these years. And, although it wasn’t the ground shattering story I was hoping for, it was still a fun little adventure. Something that was a little bit different to my usual read. And one that I really enjoyed.

You can tell that this story started off as a play. There is something just a little different about the writing from usual prose. It was enough to make it feel a little unorthodox and confusing, but not such a different style that it was impossible to enjoy. It mostly just read like a story that had been translated from another language, which, I suppose in a way it was.

I really enjoyed the fact that this young adult story featured a girl with a disability. That her disability gave her dual worlds, and this tale explored both of those perfectly. It was a great way to explore a new perspective, and one that I really hadn’t considered before. The final scenes really helped to drive this home, and meant that although this isn’t one of my favourite books, it is one that I will keep and probably reread years down the track.

<- More fantasy reviews More magic reviews ->
Image source: Goodreads

Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells by Delia Sherman

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for queen victoria's book of spells ellen datlow book cover

Title: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells
Author: Delia Sherman
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) & The Mammoth Book of Gaslit Romance (Ekatrina Sedia)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Gaslamp, Magic
Dates read: 9th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Surely a mother’s duty is to comfort and protect her child, not stand by while a monster savages her.

Synopsis

She’s locked up in the dusty old archives trying to decipher the spells of a long-lost queen. But, when she finds out the secret behind the words, she’ll have to decide what to do with her knowledge.

Thoughts

As an introduction to Gaslamp fantasy, this was kind of fantastic. And the fact that it was a short story written by an author that I’ve already kind of fallen for… well, that was sort of perfect. After all, this story mixes magic, sexism and a healthy dose of pride and power. Actually, the voice which told the story was one that I immediately connected with and didn’t ever want to leave.

Queen Victoria is a fairly pinnacle character of Victorian tropes – as soon as I saw the title of the book and the story, I started to think about the time and reality in which this story was placed. But, reading a diary from a young girl who supposedly ended up marrying for love and who faced some very difficult hurdles to her crown. All before she fully grew into her own powers and strength, was a great adventure. It was a great theme and person to hang a story on.

One of the things that I struggle with in academia is the idea that one person’s opinions can seriously screw up your future (I’m very lucky with my academic supervisors). And that, in science and discovery, there are some things that might be a little too intense and dangerous to share. Again, not something that I actually tend to have to deal with, but it’s still a cloud that hovers over my thoughts. Sherman deals with these issues perfectly in a way that makes you really want to help the protagonist, and hope for the happy ending that is hinted in the final passages.

<- Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells CollectionThe Fairy Enterprise ->

Image source: Amazon

The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Related image

Title: The Last Battle
Author: C.S. Lewis
Series: Chronicles of Narnia #7
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Easy reading, Fantasy
Dates read: 28th March – 19th April 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Grafton
Year: 1956
5th sentence, 74th page: I’m on your side, Sire: and on Aslan’s.

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Synopsis

“To my side, all true Narnians! Would you wait till your new masters have killed you all, one by one?”

It is Narnia’s darkest hour. A false Aslan is commanding all Narnians to work for the cruel Calormenes and striking terror into every heart. King Tirian’s only hope is to call Eustace and Jill back to Narnia, in an attempt to find the true Aslan and restore peace to the land. But a might battle lies ahead.

The Last Battle is the dramatic conclusion to the seven magical Chronicles of Narnia.

Thoughts

As an ending to a series this book works incredibly well. It helps to tie everything up in a beautiful knot and pretty little bow. As a standalone story, it’s not as compellingly engaging as the other books in the Chronicles of Narnia series. Which is probably why it took me a little longer to read than most of the other stories in this series…

The Last Battle is exactly what it sounds – the last battle to be fought in Narnia. The end of days, if you will. It made it kind of sad to finish, it meant the closing of a world and an era. There are no ways in which to return to Narnia now. Which is more than a little heartbreaking. After all, as a kid I always checked every wardrobe I came across to get to that special world I had dreamt so much about.

Lucy is still my favourite character in all of the Chronicles of Narnia tales. There is something about her sweetness, her faith and her ability to love everyone that makes you kind of want to give her a great, big cuddle. Don’t get me wrong, I would never want to be her friend, she’s a little too nice… but as a character in a novel, she is just brilliant. So it was incredibly nice to find her returning to the series, albeit for a short while. Jill and Eustace just aren’t as relatable and loveable… maybe because I only met them as an adult, but I met Lucy when I was a young girl.

 <- The Silver Chair ReviewThe Magician’s Nephew Review ->
Image source: Abe Books

Aquicorn Cove by Katie O’Neill

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover aquicorn cove katie o'neill

Title: Aquicorn Cove
Author: Kay O’Neill
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Graphic novels, Oceans
Dates read: 7th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Graphic novel
Publisher: Oni Press
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: I’ve heard all about you and your mother.

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Synopsis

From Eisner Award-nominated author of The Tea Dragon Society and Princess Princess Ever After comes Aquicorn Cove, a heartfelt story about learning to be a guardian to yourself and those you love.

When Lana and her father return to their seaside hometown to help clear the debris of a big storm, Lana remembers how much she’s missed the ocean – and the strong, reassuring presence of her aunt. As Lana explores the familiar beach, she discovers something incredible: a colony of Aquicorns, small magical seahore-like creatures that live in the coral reef. Lana rescues an injured aquicorn and cares for it with the help of her aunt, who may know more about these strange creatures than she’s willing to admit. When a second storm threatens to reach the town, choices made many years ago about how to coexist with the sea start to rise to the surface. Lana realizes she will need to find the strength to stand on her own, even when it means standing up to the people who she has always relied on to protect her.

Thoughts

This is the last of the Katie O’Neill graphic novels on my shelf. And I put off reading it a little… just because I have completely fallen in love with this woman and I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into it. And now that I have… I feel both intensely happy and a little disappointed at the same time.

I’m Australia, so anything to do with the beach and the coast seems to be integral to our culture. Even though I don’t really like swimming in the ocean, I have that same fascination and need to protect this beautiful ecosystem. So it’s really nice to know that O’Neill feels the same way. Especially about coral reefs which feature so strongly in this great little tale.

Not only does Aquicorn Cove deal with the importance of conserving and protecting our aquatic environment, it’s also about moving on and dealing with grief. Lana has lost her mother and moved away from the home that she has always known and loved. This combination of storylines had the same impact as Princess Princess Ever After and The Tea Dragon Society. There is such a beautiful hope and love throughout the storyline.

This is a must have for any bookshelf. Regardless of what your preference is, it is such a cute, sweet easy and inspiring story. Accompanied by some of the most beautiful pictures I’ve seen for a while.

 <- The Tea Dragon Society ReviewPrincess Princess Ever After Review ->
Image source: Simon & Schuster

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