Tag Archives: Spirituality

The Alchemist’s Key by Traci Harding

Book Review, , ,

Overview

The Alchemist's KeyTitle: 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?

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Synopsis

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.

Thoughts

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

Ambrose and the Ancient Spirits of East and West by Garth Nix

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

To Hold the BridgeTitle: Ambrose and the Ancient Spirits of East and West
Author: Garth Nix
In: To Hold the Bridge (Garth Nix)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Fantasy, Spirituality
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Ambrose undid the ribbon and opened the box.

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Synopsis

Ambrose was once a soldier of the highest calibre. But, now, he’s retired. Or so he thinks. When an old friend contacts him for help, he has no choice but to join the fold again.

Thoughts

There was something quintessentially sweet about this story. Although, I had to get to the end of the tale to see that. The beginning, not so sweet, more damaged, a little sad and very lonely.

Epic wars that are fought in secret seem to be a recurrent theme throughout the short stories in To Hold the Bridge, and Ambrose and the Ancient Spirits of East and West is no different. The undercurrents of our society are dark anyway, so adding a supernatural spin to it is not only a logical next step, but a brilliantly engaging one.

The loneliness and darkness that surrounds Ambrose is eventually healed, but in a way that I certainly didn’t see coming. I love the fact that although Ambrose is reluctant to return to the war (and the fold), he still tries to do what is right. Believing in the power of the greater good. And, ultimately it leads to a greater good for him.

<- The Heart of the City Review Holly and Iron Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Book of Dreams by Traci Harding

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Book of DreamsTitle: Book of Dreams
Author: Traci Harding
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Fantasy, Indigenous Australians, Spirituality
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Voyager
Year: 1999
5th sentence, 74th page: Party!

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

Synopsis

Welcome to the Book of Dreams

It has been brought to our attention that you seem to be completely lost. If you wish to come to know what it is that constantly eludes you in life… I am your transport to seek within.

Kyle is a young man with no future, and no past. Orphaned from a young age, he uses tough upbringing as an excuse for his lack of direction in life. But a mysterious parcel is about to change his view of himself, his parents, and the world in which he lives.

An old leather bound book, intricately embossed with creatures and strange beings, is left on Kyle’s doorstep with no card or note attached. The book issues Kyle a personal challenge – to finish reading the book and face the innermost truth about himself, or forfeit any chance of finding his true destiny.

If the book was left on your doorstep and you had nothing to lose, could you resist reading on?

Thoughts

I often find it difficult to find a good, solid story that has an Indigenous Australian lead. In fact, Book of Dreams has so far been the only such story. I’m constantly searching for new ones, and the fact that Harding was able to write a tale that paints a minority group in a good light and highlights some of their daily difficulties was amazing. Yet, although the Indigenous aspect of this writing is phenomenal, it is also the spiritual knowledge that is imparted throughout that has made me fall in love with this novel again and again and again.

Harding writes some very subtle, yet insightful tales of our own power to govern change in our lives. The overarching tale within Book of Dreams is about taking your past, present and future and gaining control over it. Although Kyle is dealt an incredibly crappy hand in life, he is able to (eventually) understand that these experiences cannot be a basis on which to build a horrible existence. Bitterness and anger at the past is not a way to continue to live, and it isn’t until he accepts the past for what it is and begins the process of healing that he is able to find a new life, love and reason for being.

I’ve studied Native Title in Australia through a few of my University courses, and it is always a fascinating area and discussion. Harding’s grasp of this legislation is great, and her bibliography at the end of the story attests to the fact that she has done her research in regards to this sensitive topic. Yet, it is the fact that she is able to find a way in her happy ending to re-grant rights to traditional lands when native title has been extinguished that is most enjoyable. After all, who doesn’t love a happy ending?

<- The Alchemist’s Key Review Ghostwriting Review ->
Image source: Booktopia