Tag Archives: Strong Women

Machine Maid by Margo Lanagan

Book Review, , ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Steampunk

Title: Machine Maid
Author: Margo Lanagan
In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Like one girl confiding in another, like a tiny child in play with its mother or nurse, I reached out and touched Clarissa’s lower lip.

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Synopsis

It’s hard being a new wife on the frontier… even harder when your husband won’t let you be yourself. But with a little engineering and hope, there might be a better future in store.

Thoughts

I was wondering how the woman in this was going to overcome her quite clearly obnoxious husband and slightly awful circumstances. I was also wondering what kind of message would be imparted in this steampunk short story. And I really wasn’t disappointed…. Using wits and a bit more blood thirst than I’m used to, she is able to free herself. But, it is only after she has done so that she truly wonders at the cost of such an action.

This story had just enough in it that I felt incredibly uncomfortable throughout the reading of it. And although the sick part of me kind of loved the ending, it also made me cringe and worry. After all, there was a hint of a completely different happily ever after. And part of me was left wondering what would have happened if the alternate ending had have come true.

 <- The Hands That Feed ReviewTo Follow the Waves Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Six by Marjorie M. Liu

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Holidays Are Hell

Title: Six
Author: Marjorie M. Liu
In: Holidays Are Hell (Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu & Vicki Pettersson)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Strong women, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Fiction
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: His Chinese had an English accent, and he was tall and clean-cut, clad in a navy suit with a lilac tie.

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Synopsis

Six is a well trained agent for China. It isn’t until she meets Joseph, a necromancer that she finally meets her match. And her first vampire. And that’s where things quickly begin to unravel.

Thoughts

I absolutely adored this novella. It’s fast-paced, kind of sassy and full of action. Not to mention the woman in the couple is the one more likely to kick your ass. That, and all of this fast-paced, sassy action takes place in Shanghai, with the backdrop of the Chinese New Year. The setting gives an extra layer of character and beauty to the storyline that I don’t often experience in novellas.

I enjoyed this version of “vampires”. It didn’t take the normal shape of blood-sucking fiends, but it did have the same thematic tones as other vampire stories. Mixing in a necromancer or two just helps to up the stakes and create a world that I’m really disappointed only exists in this one novella. I actually went online hunting to see if this is part of a greater series or word. But, alas, it isn’t.

Although I thoroughly enjoy the urban fantasy aspects of this tale, I think that the bit I enjoyed the most is the Chinese background. You can tell that Liu has spent time in Shanghai at the turn of the year, her familiarity almost screams from the page. The characters and the storyline won’t fail to draw you in, but it is the setting that has made this such a memorable tale for me.

 <- Run, Run, Rudolph ReviewThe Harvest Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

Compeer by Roberta Gellis

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Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: Compeer

Author: Roberta Gellis

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Easy reading, Romance, Strong women

Pace: Medium

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: Medb rode with a smaller escort, less to fight, although she gave a good account of herself when necessary, than to look over all the lands and the people.

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Synopsis

Forced into a political marriage at a young age, Medb shows that she has an amazing inner strength. She is willing to fight against her new husband, and carve out a reality for herself amongst a world that doesn’t always support women.

Thoughts

I knew from the very beginning that this would be a great story about a strong woman. After all, it starts with Medb being asked to marry a man by her father. Set in medieval times. And when she is only fourteen. There is even the comment that no one would push her into anything. So, mostly I was wondering how a romance was going to happen when you start with a character that just isn’t interested in marriage and has that kind of independence straight away. Most of the romance stories in The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance have far more submissive women. And I loved this change.

It’s hard to read a lot of romantic novels (which is why they are often on my guilty pleasures shelf), since they tend to place women in the weaker, or more submissive position. Although that is what Medb’s first marriage is like, there is an emphasis placed on equality and partnership. At acceptance of one another and the roles we choose to play in life.

 <- The Feast of Beauty Review On Inishmore Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

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Overview

Stars AboveTitle: Stars Above
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles Companion
In: Stars Above (Marissa Meyer)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Short story collections, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Collection
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: I mean, not really, but I can adjust my hearing so it seems louder.

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Synopsis

The universe of the Lunar Chronicles holds stories – and secrets – that are wondrous, vicious, and romantic. How did Cinder first arrive in New Beijing? How did the brooding soldier Wolf transform from young man to killer? When did Princess Winter and the palace guard Jacin realize their destinies? With nine stories – five of which have never before been published – and a special bonus excerpt from Marissa Meyer’s upcoming novel, Heartless, about the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Stars Above is essential for fans of the bestselling and beloved Lunar Chronicles.

Thoughts

There’s nothing better than discovering that a loved series has a short story collection that goes along with it. And the fact that I realised this before getting too far into the series meant that I actually got to read most of this series in chronological order. Which, let me tell you, made an already amazing series amazing-er (it’s a word now…)

One of the things that I absolutely adored about this collection is that it gave great back stories and an amazing insight into each of the characters in The Lunar Chronicles. Although the novels by themselves tell you enough about each new character when they appear, this gives a more in depth insight into the past.

If you’re a fan of fairy tales, good writing, or even The Lunar Chronicles, you need to get your hands on this collection. It is an amazing companion to an amazing series (I’m using amazing a lot in this review) and it is thoroughly enjoyable to pick up a new story here and there to fix that Lunar Chronicles itch.

 <- Something Old, Something New Review The Keeper Review ->
Image source: Lunar Chronicles Wiki

Something Old, Something New by Marissa Meyer

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Stars AboveTitle: Something Old, Something New
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #4.5
In: Stars Above (Marissa Meyer)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: “I love you too.”

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Synopsis

In this epilogue to Winter, friends gather for the wedding of the century…

Thoughts

I’m so glad that everyone got a happy ending. And that, although the ending of Winter tied up the main plot points, there was Something Old, Something New to completely finish it off. After all, the series just had to end with a wedding, and this story did that perfectly.

Judging from the title, I knew that somebody out of the four couples was going to get married. And I kind of love the fact that it was Scarlet and Wolf. They probably had the most difficult time of it, and with the way things ended for Wolf in Winter… well, it was nice to know that everything ended perfectly for them. And it also highlighted what happens with the rest of the couples two years after the ending of their war.

Now I just have to get rid of this gooshy feeling and find a new book / series to read…

 <- Winter Review Stars Above Review ->
Image source: Lunar Chronicles Wiki

The Righteous by Jenna Maclaine

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Overview

The Mammoth Book of Vampire RomanceTitle: The Righteous
Author: Jenna Maclaine
Series: Cin Craven #0.5
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Strong women, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: He needed a spy at the English court.

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Synopsis

Devlin: warrior, mercenary… vampire.
Justine: human, courtesan… slayer.

Sent to Paris by the High King of the Vampires, Devlin is not prepared to fall in love with the very woman he was hired to kill.

Thoughts

Following on from The Eternal Warrior, I wasn’t sure where this story would go. I know that the main series focuses on Cin Craven. And, as with the other two short stories that I have read in this series (I have yet to actually read one of the novels), I absolutely loved this!

I loved the lead couple in this – Justine and Devlin are both awkwardly righteous and filled with honour. They are fun, and reading about their unconventional courtship was a different pace from any of the other stories that I have so far read in The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance. The fact that this ties in perfectly with The Eternal Warrior and the Morrigan’s masterplan just made it all that much more enjoyable.

 <- Fangs for Hire Review Knowledge of Evil Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Winter by Marissa Meyer

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

WinterTitle: Winter
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: It was going to be a wedding gift for Emperor Kairo, before… well.

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Synopsis

THIS IS NOT THE FAIRY TALE YOU REMEMBER. BUT IT’S ON YOU WON’T FORGET.

Winter is admired for her grace, kindness and beauty, despite the scars on her face. She’s said to be even more breath taking than her stepmother, Queen Levana…

When Winter develops feelings for the handsome palace guard, Jacin, she fears the evil Queen will crush their romance before it has a chance to begin.

But there are stirrings against the Queen across the land. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even find the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress and Winter claim their happily-ever-afters by defeating Levana once and for all?

Thoughts

You know when you finish a really amazing series, and you just… ?? After finishing Winter, I strolled around, looked at all my books and wondered how anything else could live up to that standard. Yes, I had a short story left to finish in Stars Above, and that helped for a little while, but the main storyline, that big, epic battle that had been building up? It was done, finished, and I honestly wasn’t sure I would ever be able to read anything so amazing again (it’s okay, I got over this, but seriously… how many books punch you in the gut like that?)

Admittedly, I have sort of been putting of reading Winter, although I’ve been absolutely dying to know what happens in the final face off between Cinder and Levana, the book is over 800 pages long. It’s big. It feels a little intimidating when you should be studying, and don’t want to get bogged down in a good book. I also tend to find that not many books of that size and length keep me completely enthralled throughout. They normally have their I-have-to-turn-the-next-page moments followed by the eh-I-can-put-this-down-for-a-few-days moment. Not so with Winter. I read the entire thing in 2 days. I actually took a “me day” off of my PhD because I was so desperate to finish it (and felt like it was about time I took a moment to breath)…

All throughout The Lunar Chronicles, I have loved how closely Meyer has managed to stick with the original fairy tales. Yes, they have a more “Disney spin” than the actual originals, but it is still pretty damn well done, and I have loved the darker aspects that the non-Disney versions have been able to provide. And, of course, mad little Winter was no different. You just have to read this book to understand how phenomenally good this story actually is. Although, maybe don’t make plans for the next 24 hours?

 <- The Princess and the Guard Review Something Old, Something New Review ->
Image source: Lunar Chronicles Wiki

The Eternal Warrior by Jenna Maclaine

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: The Eternal Warrior

Author: Jenna Maclaine

Series: Cin Craven #0.1

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Dark fantasy, Strong women, Vampires

Pace: Slow

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2011

5th sentence, 74th page: But I will never forgive you.

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Synopsis

In the dawn of a new millennium, the goddess Morrigan must forge a new race of warriors to protect both Faerie and the human world from an unimaginable evil. This short story is a prequel to the Cin Craven series, first published in The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance.

Thoughts

I had no idea what to expect from this short story – I just know that I bought The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance because this tale was in it. It is a prequel to the Cin Craven series, and I’ve been hanging out to read the rest of the tales in the series. And I really wasn’t disappointed. This was thoroughly enjoyable, kind of cute and had just the right amount of sass.

Cullen and Morrigan feel like they are setting the scene for a massive battle. But, The Eternal Warrior also just tells their own personal story and highlights the intricacies of all that (I’m assuming) comes before. There is this weird push and pull between the two that I find kind of intriguing – it is obvious how much they care for one another, but there is so much bitterness there, and the extra spice made me kind of sad that the story ended so soon. Now I need to pick up the next Mammoth Book and read The Righteous.

 <- Daughter of the Sea Review Eternal Strife Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Princess and the Guard by Marissa Meyer

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Stars AboveTitle: The Princess and the Guard
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #3.6
In: Stars Above (Marissa Meyer)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: He was wearing his crimson coat, even though it was the middle of the night.

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Synopsis

In this prequel to Winter, we see a game called The Princess.

Thoughts

Winter is a creepy, but cool character that we first meet towards the end of Cress. And more of her horrible history is then introduced in Fairest. Yet, it is when you read The Princess and the Guard that she shines through beautifully. And you start to understand that she is actually crazy – although for a very good reason.

I like how this novella encompasses most of Winter’s life. It starts with her young friendship with Jacin and follows this until they are young adults. It shows how they both fall for each other and are willing to sacrifice everything to keep one another safe. The Princess and the Guard sets up the final couple for the final battle of Cinder, her companions and Levana.

 <- Fairest Review Winter Review ->
Image source: Lunar Chronicles Wiki

Fairest by Marissa Meyer

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

FairestTitle: Fairest
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #3.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: She ran her tongue along her lower lip, every sense heightened, and inched toward him again.

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Synopsis

Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story—a story that has never been told … until now.

Thoughts

This book was supposed to give an alternative point of view to Levana’s choices and life. And it did, it made me feel a little sorry for her and the history that she has been forced to face up to throughout the beginning of her life. Although it is all kind of horrible, and I felt a lot of sympathy for her throughout the tale, she’s still kind of an awful person.

I know that this book is supposed to help you feel a little sympathetic for Levana, but it didn’t work. Mostly I just disliked her even more. And my heart hurt because every bad thing that is happening in the series is due to a child being incredibly self-centred. Yes, there is a lot in there about her need to be loved, and I understand that drive, but Levana is so self-centred in this drive that everything else kind of fades away in comparison.

This was a great story to give some background not just into Levana, but also Cinder and Winter. But, it doesn’t raise the sympathy that I was expecting… it was just missing something that could have made Levana into a truly sympathetic character.

 <- Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky Review The Princess and the Guard Review ->
Image source: Goodreads