Tag Archives: Science Fiction

The Dark Road by Isobelle Carmody

July 5, 2017Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Dystopia, High Fantasy, Isobelle Carmody, Legends of Australian Fantasy, Science Fiction, The Obernewtyn Chroniclesskyebjenner

Title: The Dark Road
Author: Isobelle Carmody
Series: The Obernewtyn Chronicles #0.5
In: Legends of Australian Fantasy (Jack Dann & Jonathan Strahan)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian author, Dystopia, Hig h fantasy, Science f iction
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Collins Australia
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: So she got out her blue mug.

A one-eyed cat weaves its way through Hannah’s dreams, beckoning her up high mountains where she must walk the dark road. Her pilgrimage will take her through desert dunes, and deep into the strange recesses of long-hidden memories. Guided only by an old letter and her psychic intuition, Hannah’s journey will test her ageing limbs, as she carries the weight of her mother’s prophecy to her salvation, or peril …

Strictly speaking, it’s not necessary to read this short story before you read the Obernewtyn Chronicles. Actually, it’s not even necessary at any point throughout the reading of the series. but, if you are like me and can’t quite get enough of the series, then this is definitely worth a read. It tells the tale of the days when Cassandra was first foretelling the coming of the Seeker and how Hannah worked into this story. It’s a great background read.

The thing that I loved most of this short story was the voice that told it. Hannah’s daughter fills in so many missing gaps of the past age, yet it is her elderly acceptance of such a moment that is truly beautiful. The vivid descriptions of her journey and the sense of mystery throughout are so indicative of Carmody’s style of writing that it is impossible to stop reading this tale once you have started.

<- The Red Queen Review

Obernewtyn Review ->

Image source: Booktopia

Haven Season One – Review

September 23, 2016Book ReviewCrime, Drama, Fantasy, Haven, Science Fictionskyebjenner

5 out of 5 stars

Series: Haven
Season: 1
Creator: Jim Dunn & Sam Ernst
Cast: Emily Rose, Lucas Bryant & Eric Balfour
Genres: Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Year: 2010
Favourite Episode: 06 – Fur

Weird doesn’t even begin to describe Haven. Which is why I loved it so much. Everytime I think that I have a handle on what’s happening and can predict what’s going to happen next, the storyline throws another spanner in the works. There’s few shows that are unpredictable and out there, so watching one that fits this bill is refreshing and entertaining.

One of the biggest reasons for this unpredictability in the script is the incredibly intricate plot line. I love SciFis because they tend to have storyline plans in place seasons before they actually come to fruit. It also means that no matter how many times I watch an episode, every time there is a new minor detail that comes to light and explains a new aspect of the characters.

Nothing is as it seems in Haven – probably why I was so quickly hooked. This removal of stereotypes and expectations, combined with a fascinating and strong heroine creates a great and consuming TV show that I can’t wait to watch more of.


Back to Film Reviews	Haven Season Two Review ->

Image source: Open Book Society

The Stone Key by Isobelle Carmody

August 19, 2016Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Dystopia, High Fantasy, Isobelle Carmody, Obernewtyn, Science Fiction, The Obernewtyn Chroniclesskyebjenner

Title: The Stone Key
Author: Isobelle Carmody
Series: The Obernewtyn Chronicles #5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian author, Dystopia, High fantasy, Science fiction
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: He knew as well as I did that the delicious, sweet, brown powder was both scarce and violently expensive now that Sadorian ships no longer put in at Sutrium.

There was a great crash and wood splintered… I had a brief glimpse of a group of Herder priests, bald and robed, peering at me, and then the sundered remnants of the locker door were torn aside and a rough hand reached in to haul me out by the hair. A Hedra captain stared into my face with eyes that burned with a fanatical fire above a thin nose and a lipless slash of a mouth…

‘You will die in great pain and very slowly, mutant,’ said the Hedra master.

When Farseeker Guildmistress Elspeth Gordie sets out from Obernewtyn to travel to Sutrium at the end of Wintertime, she quickly learns that not everyone welcomes the changes brought about by the rebellion. Captured by an old and vicious enemy, she is drawn deep into the heart of the Herder Faction, where she learns of a terrible plot to destroy the west coast.

To stop it, Elspeth must risk everything, knowing that if she dies, she will never complete her quest to find the weaponmachines that destroyed the Beforetime.

But is she succeeds, her journey will lead her to the last of the signs left for her by the seer Kasanda…

This is my least favourite of the Obernewtyn Chronicles – it is the slowest of the stories and very, very detail oriented. Not that this is a bad thing, but I like to be swept along with the story so that I forget that I’ve spent three hours reading instead of doing some responsible adult act. Having said that, this detail-oriented approach is so important to make sure that the rest of the story is understandable. When playing with fate and prophecies, it is incredibly important to set up the storyline – every single detail has a great significance that can only rear its head books after it has been set up.

There are two aspects of this story that I love though, the idea of tearing down a religious dogma and that of our potential for future medical treatment. The technology that Carmody describes when treating one of the sick characters is so plausible, that I’m kind of surprised we don’t have it already. It is so easy to imagine having that kind of technology within the next 10 years and using it in much the same way to cure infectious diseases. And then there’s destroying a harmful religious dogma. I’ve often believed that people take religions to twist the mass population to their own needs. And, bringing down such a group is possibly my favourite part of the whole story – tearing down this source of evil is fantastic.

Ariel returns to the forefront of the story in The Stone Key. The combination of his manipulative powers and inability to empathise with others creates a truly spine tingling antagonist. For me, he is the very embodiment of what it means to be malicious and evil. A lot of villains are the ‘bad guys’ because of some misguided urge, or inability to control their urges. But it is often possible to see how their past has shaped who they are, but Ariel? There is nothing in his past that highlights his need to intentionally harm others. Although, Carmody implies throughout her writing that he is actually defective and this is the cause of his wrongness.

<- The Keeping Place Review

The Sending Review ->

Image source: Penguin

The Keeping Place by Isobelle Carmody

June 26, 2016Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Dystopia, Elspeth, High Fantasy, Isobelle Carmody, Obernewtyn, Science Fiction, The Obernewtyn Chroniclesskyebjenner

Title: The Keeping Place
Author: Isobelle Carmody
Series: The Obernewtyn Chronicles #4
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian author, Dystopia, High fantasy, Science fiction
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year: 1999
5th sentence, 74th page: Ceirwan went to take her by the hands.

‘Look out,’ I screamed. The flying creature lashed out and I stared in horror at Rushton’s bloodied arm. Maruman leapt between us in his tyger form. ‘Let me go to him!’ I screamed.

‘He is in a dream but the beast is not. It comes! Wake!’

After a kidnapping, Elspeth Gordie and the Misfits are forced to join the rebellion against the oppressive Council, using their extraordinary mind powers. But Elspeth must also seek out clues left by the long-dead seer, Kasanda, vital to her quest to destroy the Beforetime weaponmachines. One clue is lost in the past, forcing Elspeth to travel the Dreamtrails, stalked by a terrifying winged beast, with the cat, Maruman, as her guide and guardian. Only there can she learn more of the Beforetimer Misfits and their enemy, Govamen.

Gradually, Elspeth realises her quest is intimately linked to the Misfits’ refuge, Obernewtyn – its past and its future…

The Keeping Place is so far one of my favourite books in the Obernewtyn Chronicles. It takes the fast pace and the storyline from the first three books, but combines it with a rebellion and the blooming of love. Elspeth’s journey takes further steps towards their final end as she uncovers another clue in her ultimate quest. This, combined with war, betrayal and kidnapping just made this book a huge page turner for me.

I love that in The Keeping Place, Misfits finally start to find their place in the world. With the rise of the rebellion and their decision to pursue peace, inspired by their trip in Ashling, they not only find a way to fit into the world. But a way to fruitfully exist within it. When I first read this as an awkward teen, it made me feel like I too could find a place to belong. And not only that, I could find a way to belong in a world that can be especially cruel without being cruel in return. It’s a lesson that I have taken to heart, and tried my best to maintain. I get to belong in the world, and I spend every day trying to do so in a way that has peace and love at the heart of all of my actions.

The other reason that I love this book is that you are finally able to begin to uncover some of Dragon’s past. Her inability to remember a traumatic history really resonated with me. Being unable to remember the bad parts to the point that it begins to leak into reality is something that resonates throughout many people’s lives. But, I think that’s it’s something we all must do – deal with our past and learn to move on from it. Without doing so, it is incredibly difficult to fully embrace life, at least for me.

<- Ashling Review

The Stone Key Review ->

mage source: Wikipedia

Ashling by Isobelle Carmody

June 24, 2016Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Dystopia, Elspeth, High Fantasy, Isobelle Carmody, Science Fiction, The Obernewtyn Chroniclesskyebjenner

Title: Ashling
Author: Isobelle Carmody
Series: The Obernewtyn Chronicles #3
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian author, Dystopia, High fantasy, Science fiction
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year: 1995
5th sentence, 74th page: Dragon froze, blue eyes livid with fear.

Sometimes dreams were gateways through which messages might come. Beasts called them ashlings: dreams that called…

The powerful farseeker Elspeth Gordie is sent to Sutrium, seat of the totalitarian Council that rules the Land, to seal an alliance between the secret Misfit community at Obernewtyn and rebel forces.

She travels from the mountains reluctantly, for at any moment the long-awaited summons may come from the oldOnes to find and destroy the dormant weaponmachines left by the Beforetimers. The journey takes her far beyond the borders of the Land, across the sea and into the heart of the mysterious desert region of Sador. Here she discovers that she will need help to destroy the weaponmachines.

But before her dark quest can begin, Elspeth must learn the truth of her dreams: she must understand why the Beforetimers destroyed their world…

I thought that Ashling was the book where The Obernewtyn Chronicles really found their pace. Elspeth’s quest begins to gain traction, alongside the Misfits journey to acceptance. The parallel tales of the two missions begin to really make sense and it is easy to understand how Elspeth’s fate is intertwined with the fate of all of Obernewtyn (and indeed, the world).

Not only did the storyline become a lot more complex and intricate, and very quickly, the cast was expanded in the first few chapters. But that’s great, because it gave me so many more people to love and hope for. It did take a lot more concentration to read though than the first two books in the series. I wouldn’t recommend reading Ashling if you are studying for an exam or trying to write an essay – it’s just WAY too difficult to keep track of everything and be productive in your own life. At least for me, anyway.

I loved the change of scenery in this book – it honestly took my breath away. Or at least, the way I imagined it made me wistful for a country and world that I have never had the pleasure of seeing. Carmody’s words and descriptions were just so stunning and masterfully written that the Sadorian desert became a very realistic destination. Which, after all, is really what you want in a good book. Or at least, it’s one of the things that I really enjoy.

There’s so much to love about this book, but for me, the best part was how Carmody used the Misfits and the Rebels to highlight two very different realities. The peaceful Misfits are about life, love and peace, but the Rebels on the otherhand were far more violent and, for me, much harder to connect with. The juxtaposition between the two groups really reminded me of the fact that “The pen is mightier than the sword.”

<- The Farseekers Review

The Keeping Place Review ->

Image source: Penguins Books

The Farseekers by Isobelle Carmody

June 21, 2016Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Dystopia, Elspeth, High Fantasy, Isobelle Carmody, Science Fiction, The Obernewtyn Chroniclesskyebjenner

Title: The Farseekers
Author: Isobelle Carmody
Series: The Obernewtyn Chronicles #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian author, Dystopia, High fantasy, Science fiction
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year: 1990
5th sentence, 74th page: Then he gaped, seeing the robed man.

I sensed a ripple in the fabric of the cat’s unconscious mind. i knew I was inside his dreams. I went deeper still. I whispered his name…

Since their takeover of Obernewtyn, the secret community of Misfits has flourished, protected by their remoteness. Believing they have time to marshal new forces before the inevitable confrontation with the totalitarian Council, they work hard to develop their forbidden mental abilities. But in the midst of plans to rescue a powerful Misfit in a distant part of the Land, it is foreseen by a futureteller that the fate of Obernewtyn is inextricably bound up in their quest.

Led by Elspeth Gordie, whose extraordinary powers set her apart even among her Misfit friends, the expedition sets out. Only she knows the enormity of their task. but for her there is yet another challenge as she must fulfil her vow to find and dismantle the dormant deathweapons left by the Beforetimers.

I didn’t know that there was a second Obernewtyn book until I stumbled on it a few years after reading the first. I had always felt like Obernewtyn was well finished. So, The Farseekers did feel a little like an after-thought sequel. But, that didn’t detract from its brilliance and value in any way, shape or form. This book built on a world that I had really and thoroughly enjoyed in Obernewtyn, and further immersed and sucked me in to a new, dystopian reality.

Not only did Carmody build on a pre-loved world, she also played with ideas of destiny and fate. I love the idea that there is something in this world that we are meant to do, meant to accomplish. Although, I don’t like the idea that we are not able to affect our own future – who wants to live a life where you are no more able to change your course than a leaf blowing on the wind? But placing a protagonist like Elspeth as the receiver of such an important and key fate was brilliant. Yes, she has this incredible fate, but she chooses to fight for things in the moment. The future is the future and Elspeth pursues that which is happening right now. The crossover between being master of her own reality, and a pawn in the great scheme of things was really nicely done and very much appreciated.

Carmody’s creation of the different guilds within the misfit community was very well done. Her use of a combination of entirely made up, and modern words made sure that I knew what each guild did from their first mention. It was just yet another reminder of Carmody’s ability to mix our modern reality with a future one. But, the part that I enjoy the most is that it has elements of the past – or at least the past how I imagine it. The burning of seditioners, the over-arching power of one religious faction and a group of elite in power are all entirely plausible aspects of a not-so-pleasant future, but they are also aspects of our own pasts.

The Farseekers was a great story all on its own, but it was an even better bridge and introduction to the challenges that would be faced throughout the rest of the Obernewtyn Chronicles.

<- Obernewtyn Review

Ashling Review ->

Image source: Wikipedia

Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody

June 19, 2016Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Dystopia, Elspeth, High Fantasy, Isobelle Carmody, Obernewtyn, Science Fiction, The Obernewtyn Chroniclesskyebjenner

Title: Obernewtyn
Author: Isobelle Carmody
Series: The Obernewtyn Chronicles #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian author, Dystopia, High fantasy, Science fiction
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year: 1987
5th sentence, 74th page: I supposed these must serve the favoured Misfits, outside helpers and guardians, not to mention the Doctor and Madam Vega.

In my dream I was somewhere cold and darkly quiet. I could hear water dripping and I was afraid, though I did not know why. In the distance there was a bright flash of light. A high-pitched whining noise filled the air like a scream, but no one could scream for so long without stopping to breathe.

In a world struggling back from the brink of apocalypse, life is harsh. But for Elspeth Gordie, born with enhanced mental abilities that would see her sterilised or burned if discovered, it is also dangerous. There is only survival by secrecy, and so she determines never to use her forbidden powers. But it is as if they have their own imperative, and their use inevitably brings her to the attention of the totalitarian Council that rules the land.

Sent to the remote mountain institution of Obernewtyn where escape is impossible, she must throw off her safe cloak of concealment and pit herself against those who would resurrect the terrible forces of the apocalypse.

Only then will she learn most truly who and what she is…

I first read this book when I was twelve years old – and I’m rereading the series (since the final book was released late last year!) and I’ve honestly loved it ever since. Not only are the characters beautiful and relatable, the prose masterfully written and the settings so vivid that I can see them every time I close my eyes, the journey of young adolescent in fear for her life to young woman in control and strong is such a fantastic coming of age story.

One of the things that first struck me about this series was the realism of the post-apocalyptic setting. Carmody artfully created a world that was so similar to our own that we couldn’t help but feel connected, but was so different, that you could understand how our actions of today could have disastrous affects for generations to come. This book (and the subsequent books) are probably the most literarily powerful reminder to me that our actions will have lasting impacts. And that we have to take care of our planet if we want our children’s children’s children to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives.

This book was such a nice, and gentle introduction into what I thought was an overarching theme throughout the story – people’s greed and general suckiness can seriously degrade and destroy all of our futures. It was also just generally sweet and open. Elspeth is, again, one of my favourite characters in literature. Her strength and innocence shine through the pages and even though this innocence is eventually destroyed, her ability to hope for a brighter future is just inspiring. As is the fact that a literal Misfit can find a place to call home – something that I think we all want to find.

<- The Dark Road Review

The Farseekers Review ->

Image source: Penguin Books

Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey

March 18, 2016Book ReviewAnne McCaffrey, Dragonflight, Dragons, Dragons of Pern, High Fantasy, Pern, Science Fictionskyebjenner

Title: Dragonflight
Author: Anne McCaffrey
Series: Dragons of Pern #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dragons, High fantasy, Science fiction
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Corgi Books
Year: 1968
5th sentence, 74th page: F’lar somehow got to his feet, attempting to straighten up to meet Fax’s stumbling charge.

The men who rode the dragons were a breed apart. Chosen when the dragons were first hatched, they became soul-mates for life with the huge, magnificent beasts they controlled – the green, blue, brown and bronzes – beautiful – terrible – the only creatures who could defend the planet Pern from the blood-red star. But without the Queen, the dragons would become extinct. Only the gigantic, golden Queen could breed the new flights. And the Queen was fading… dying… leaving behind one last, huge, golden egg.

I was introduced to this series years ago. But I couldn’t remember much (I was only 11 at the time). So I decided to re-read this series. I’m so glad that I did. It was a completely amazing book. Halfway through it I went online and ordered the next 4 books in the Dragons of Pern series.

I’ve often heard of Anne McCaffrey as the mother of Science Fiction and once I read Dragonflight, I completely understood this. Not only are the characters relatable and believable, the world of Pern is so intricately woven that you can’t help but believe that it is a real place. I love the creation of a world beyond ours, inhabited by our descendants in a time when we are completely forgotten – in my mind this is actually plausible.

Dragonflight is a little hard to get through in some stages, the very intricacies which make Pern so real to the reader also establish a succession of plot lines and realities of the characters that create a complex storyline. It certainly isn’t a book to lightly read while the family is bustling about. But, it is definitely a book that should be read by every fan of SciFi, fantasy and dragons.

<- More Anne McCaffrey reviews

Dragonquest Review ->

Earth and Skye

The ramblings of a bibliophile.