Tag Archives: Strong Women

The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares

September 21, 2017Book ReviewAnn Brashares, Chic lit, Easy Reading, Sisterhood, Strong Womenskyebjenner

Title: The Second Summer of the Sisterhood
Author: Ann Brashares
Series: Sisterhood #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Easy reading, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ember
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: So what’s your project going to be?

Some friends just fit together.

With a bit of last summer’s sand in the pockets, the Traveling Pants and the sisterhood of four best friends who wear them – Lena, Tibby, Bridget, and Carmen – embark on their second summer together… a summer that does not go the way they expect.

It was just as good as the first! No. Scratch that. It was better! Because I already loved the characters. And I had already spent one summer of tears and trials with them. So I just needed to spend another one with them. And I wasn’t in the slightest bit disappointed. Some sequels are just not all they’re cracked up to be – this one was a lot better than I had expected. And more of a surprise since I haven’t seen the movie.

As with the first Sisterhood story, each of the four girls undergo their own journey of self-discovery and growth. For Lena, it is the admittance that she is actually in love. It is her discovery that she needs to put herself out there, and she finally suffers the consequences of opening herself up. Both the good and the bad. She also finally lets her family in beyond the well-defended exterior. On the other hand, Carmen, yet again, tries to learn to curb her emotions. Lessons, it seems weren’t quite learnt from the year before. And this constant self-sabotage is honestly something that I can relate to more than anything in this series. It took me years and years and years to curb my temper, and even now, my tongue causes chaos when I open my mouth. Much like Carmen.

Finally, both Bee and Tibby struggle and fight to get over the tragedies that befell them the summer before. Both fight to find themselves in a new world where they don’t quite know how to act. One sinks into her family, and both remember their past.

<- The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Review

Girls in Pants Review ->

Image source: Ann Brashares

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

September 20, 2017Book ReviewAnn Brashares, Chic lit, Coming of age, Easy Reading, Sisterhood, Strong Womenskyebjenner

Title: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Author: Ann Brashares
Series: Sisterhood #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Easy reading, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ember
Year: 2001
5th sentence, 74th page: Antiperspirant rolled in all directions.

Some friends just fit together.

Once there was a pair of pants. Just an ordinary pair of jeans. But these pants, the Traveling Pants, went on to do great things. This is the story of the four friends – Lena, Tibby, Bridget, and Carmen – who made it possible.

I never really expect a book that is related to a movie I love to be good. And vice versa (I like the Harry Potter movies, but no one will watch them with me anymore). And although one of my girlfriends said that this was a really good book, I was still really tentative. But, as my rating shows, I LOVED THIS.

The thing that I’ve always loved about the movie is that there are four distinctly different and strong young girls, but they are also seriously flawed and rely heavily on one another. That, and the fact that this is the BFF girl friendship that people dream about (I have it, and it’s as good as the movies!) But the book just highlights all of this and makes it so much more entertainingly and awesomely complex. Tibby is far more confused twisted, and less cool than the movie; Bridget more unstable and more intense and fun; Lena far less okay with her looks, but with better reasoning; and Carman, well, I just related to her ridiculously throughout the entire story. She is temperamental and feisty – I now provide warnings when I know I’m likely to blow a fuse (for absolutely no reason). I think it’s the fact that the four girls are less picturesque and cool (Bridget is even described as manly), and far more selfish as human beings that really drew me in. I could completely relate to their flaws (not their strengths) and just, just, just… no words, I loved them all that much more.

There are so many monumental and meaningful things I would love to say about this book. But even a few days after finishing it, and constantly thinking about it… I can’t find anything that does it justice. I literally read this book cover to cover (and was a little late to work) because it was that good. It has been years since I’ve done this!

<- Sisterhood Everlasting Review

The Second Summer of the Sisterhood Review ->

Image source: Another Toast

Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce

August 30, 2017Book ReviewBeka Cooper, Easy Reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong Women, Tamora Pierce, Tortallskyebjenner

Title: Bloodhound
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Beka Cooper #2, Tortall #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Omnibus Books
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: I will write my proper Sunday journal tonight.

Beka Cooper is finally a Dog – a fully fledged member of the Provost’s Guard, dedicated to keeping peace in Corus. But there’s unrest in Tortall’s capital. Counterfeit coins are turning up all over the city, and merchants are raising prices to cover their losses. To avert a looming crisis, Beka delves deep into the gambling world, and she won’t let anything – or anyone – jeopardize her mission. To succeed she’ll have to learn to sniff out the criminals – to be a bloodhound…

No matter how many times I read the Beka Cooper series, I am entranced by the stunningly simple and provocative words. This time, Beka is after forgers and her chase brings her to the bright and vibrant port city. Here Beka is not only forced to face up to a Rogue gone very wrong, but also her own feelings towards a man, and the first movements of a binary view on women that are beginning to surface. This story is not only a great addition to the world of Tortall, but it begins to tell the tale of just why Alanna is forced to hide her gender when she becomes a knight many generations later.

One of the reasons I have long loved Pierce’s books is that she normally focuses on a female as the story’s hero. The sexism that is inherent throughout the world is normally quietly written into the story. But, in Bloodhound Cooper and Goodwin are told in no uncertain terms that women can’t do the same job as men. That they are meeker, should be veiled and certainly aren’t up to the rigours of crime work. Beka’s ability to capture the criminal that no one else is willing to tackle definitely begs to differ. I love that although there are many who think that Cooper isn’t able to stop a potential kingdom destroyer down because of her gender and her background, she ignores them and acts in a morally inspiring way. It is also a wonderful reminder that we can all find our own autonomy, regardless of what others think and say.

There is something terrifying about someone idiotic being in power… (anyone thinking of America right now?). Pearl is the perfect example of this – power, drive and an inability to think beyond immediate pleasure are a horrible mixture in such a vindictive package. It is a pleasure to see the karmic justice which is meted out to her.

This is one of the darker stories of the world of Tortall, although, the entire Beka Cooper series flows in this vein. It really makes you look further into crimes and the reasons why people commit them. It makes you question what is morally right and wrong, and what would happen in a lawless existence. Or at least, a world like Beka’s where corruption and bribery has an overt place in society…

<- Terrier Review

Mastiff Review ->

Image source: Wikipedia

Terrier by Tamora Pierce

August 29, 2017Book ReviewBeka Cooper, Easy Reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong Women, Tamora Pierce, Tortallskyebjenner

Title: Terrier
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Beka Cooper #1, Tortall #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Omnibus Books
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: I do love it there during the day.

Beka Cooper is a trainee Dog in the Lower City. It’s a tough beat, but it’s where she was born. Shy Beka’s talent is listening to the ghosts that pigeons carry, the cries of the unhappy dead. When she hears of a brutal underlord committing crimes against the children of her city, it is up to her and her Dogs to see justice done.

It doesn’t matter how many times I read this book – I love it every damn time. Although Terrier is another tale set in the world of Tortall, it is so incredibly unique and different from the other tales set in this world. Partly this is because it is set hundreds of years before the Song of the Lioness Quartet, but it’s also because Beka is just so completely different from the other heroines throughout the series. she is from a lower social class than any of the other characters, and occupies a world that is nothing like the rest of the realm of Tortall that we’ve been introduced to.

Although Beka is different to the other heroines that I have thus far had the privilege to meet throughout the series, she is also similar in one key way – she’ll do anything to see justice served, and constantly goes out of her way to protect those in her care. It is this that earns Beka the nickname ‘Terrier’ and leads her on a merry chase through the slums of Corus in pursuit of a murderer and kidnapper. Her bravery and innate sense of what is right and wrong is inspiring, and it drives the storyline beautifully – it is impossible to put down when you know that Beka is trying to save children and the poor from almost certain death.

Diaries are a great way to hide our inner thoughts, secrets, dreams and hopes – so reading a story that is written as a diary gave Beka’s words and journey so much more emotions and potency throughout the story. Reading her diary takes you through Beka’s experiences as she undergoes her first months of puppy training – every moment, every trial and tribulation is lived alongside Beka as she struggles to find her place in the world and search for justice amongst her childhood companions.

<- Tortall: A Spy’s Guide Review

Bloodhound Review ->

Image source: Tamora Pierce Wiki

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

August 15, 2017Book ReviewClassics, Jane Austen, Romance, Strong Women, World Cloud Classicsskyebjenner

Title: Pride and Prejudice
Author: Jane Austen
Series: World Cloud Classics
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Romance, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Vintage Books
Year: 1813
5th sentence, 74th page: If you should have no objection to receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting on you and your family, Monday, November 18th, by four o’clock, and shall probably trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday se’nnight following, which I can do without any inconvenience, as Lady Catherine is far from objecting to my occassional absence on a Sunday, provided that some other clergyman is engaged to do the duty of the day.

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

Elizabeth Bennet is young, clever and attractive, but her mother is a nightmare and she and her four sisters are in dire need of financial security and escape. The arrival of affable Mr Bingley and arrogant Mr Darcy in the neighbourhood, both single and in possession of large fortunes, turns all their lives upside down in this witty drama of friendship, rivalry, enmity and love.

No matter how many times I read this book, I am caught anew by the beauty of Austen’s words and the excellent story that is shaped by them. There’s a reason that this is such a well-known classic. Regardless of the quote, there are so many moments in this story that people immediately know, whether they’ve read it or not.

Although this is set in a time when people courted, danced and never touched until they were wed. And women only had matrimony to ensure their future happiness, much of this storyline is still relevant today. Which is honestly, probably why it’s still such a potent story today. The follies of both pride and prejudice litter the romance between Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy from the very beginning. Both are proud, stubborn creatures, and Mr. Darcy’s prejudice against Elizabeth’s inferior social position, leads to her own prejudice against his own standing and view of the world. Luckily for us all, they eventually find a way past this and one of the most epic love stories of classical literature wins its way into our hearts again and again.

Although Pride and Prejudice is a great story about Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, I also love the storyline and romance of Jane and Mr. Bingley. Such innocent and sweet souls are completely meant for one another, and honestly, that simplicity and sweetness is completely unfathomable to me. It’s a fantastic way in which to balance out the more satirical and proud natures of their counterparts. And a nice way in which to balance out the tedious, frivolous antics of the rest of the Bennett family.

As soon as I’ve put Pride and Prejudice down, I’m always at a loss for what to do. Sometimes I want to pick it straight back up and read it again. At other times, I flip through book after book looking for something new to read. Something that can be comparable, I’m yet to find such a story.

<- Persuasion

Sense and Sensibility ->

Image source: Penguin

Crown of Rowan by Kim Wilkins

July 25, 2017Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Blood and Gold, Kim Wilkins, Legends of Australian Fantasy, Medieval fantasy, Strong Womenskyebjenner

Title: Crown of Rowan
Author: Kim Wilkins
Series: Blood and Gold #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 authors, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Collins Australia
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Quietly, careful not to wake my sister, I return to the window.

There are seven kings in Thrysland. My father is one of them, and my husband is another. In my belly, perhaps, I carry a third.

Rose is the beautiful unhappily married daughter of a king and she has a secret to keep, not just from her husband but from her sisters, fierce warrior Bluebell, and Ash, a seer in possession of great but unknown powers. But larger events are afoot in Thrysland. The country is plunged into war with merciless raiders; religious zealots are at work on Rose’s husband, King Wengest, and more than that, there is a dark and deep magic at work throughout the land that threatens them all…

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this novella since I first read it! I love the idea of four sisters set in pre-Christian Europe, and the very different roles that they all play in their lives and the safety of the kingdom. Rose (the main sister in this story) is so clear and striking in my mind’s eye, and I find myself returning to her story again and again. She is the epitome of what many women must have experienced in that era – married to a man she doesn’t love, whilst yearning for the one that she does.

Although this story is about Rose and her hidden love, and is based on pre-Christian Europe, I love the fantastical elements within it. The sendings and the secrets that are obviously hidden with each of these characters sent goosebumps up my spine. Especially, reading this late at night, by a small light, the world seemed so real and vivid. It’s always a good story (whether it is short or long) when it not only stays in your mind, but also features heavily in your dreams. I can’t wait to read (but, firstly buy) the first novel in this series, Daughters of the Storm!

<- The Dark Road Review

The Spark Review ->

Image source: Harlequin Books

Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs

July 17, 2017Book ReviewAnthropology, Crime, Kathy Reichs, science, Strong Womenskyebjenner

Title: Bare Bones
Author: Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan #6
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves:Anthropology, Science, Crime, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Arrow Books
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: “Hello?”

During one of the hottest summers on record, Dr Temperance Brennan is haunted by a string of horrifying events.

First, the bones of a newborn baby are discovered in a wood stove. The mother is nowhere to be found.

Next, a plane flies into a rock face. The dead pilot and passenger are burned beyond recognition, and covered in an unknown substance.

And then a store of bones is found in a remote corner of the county. What has happened, and who will be the next victim? The answers lie hidden deep within the bones – but Tempe must find them in time to avoid further disaster.

This was one of the more complex stories so far in the Temperance Brennan series – a freak discovery of bones in a bag, a plane crash and a baby in an incinerator all combined into one complex tale of mayhem and woe. The complexities of the storyline made it a little difficult to follow the cast at some points. For each of the crimes, there was a different set of players – each crime had its own set of suspects and professionals involved. Their own victims with their own lives. Even new investigators at each point of this story. It builds to create a multifaceted array of characters that can be a little difficult to follow at some points, but also show a very realistic approach to the life of a forensic anthropologist.

At the conclusion of Grave Secrets, Tempe choses one of the men to go on holidays with and it is in Bare Bones that her choice is finally revealed. The burgeoning relationship is sweet and tentative, although it shows how much Brennan relies upon the friendship to get through her days of death. Again, Reichs shows how dealing with death on such a frequent basis can impact someone’s psyche. The necessity of having understanding relationships in handling such a dreary daily reality, and indeed, our daily lives is integral to surviving in a successful manner.

<- Grave Secrets

Monday Mourning ->

Image source: Amazon

Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce

June 29, 2017Book ReviewEasy Reading, Medieval, Song of the Lioness Quartet, Strong Women, Tamora Pierce, Tortallskyebjenner

Title: Lioness Rampant
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Song of the Lioness Quartet #4, Tortall #8
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Omnibus Books
Year: 1988
5th sentence, 74th page: Since the night before, Liam had been careful and deadly serious, concentrating on keeping their company safe until they arrived in Rachia.

Alanna has fought shaman, bested wraiths and vanquished magi, but nothing could prepare her for this challenge. Accompanied by the legendary Shang Dragon, a man Alanna finds unbearably attractive, she must attempt the impossible. Recover the fabled Dominion jewel. And she must work fast because Tortall is in terrible danger. Thanks to her brother, Thom, Roger of Conte is back, and more powerful than ever.

Lioness Rampant is a great conclusion to the Song of the Lioness quartet. Alanna’s years of travel, training and testing help to bring her powers to the fore. And luckily, because this is an epic battle and journey that helps to cement her fame as a hero in the Tortallan world. Yet, it is also where Alanna is able to come full circle – she finally accepts herself for everything that she is, she finds herself someone that she wants to spend the rest of her life with, and she is able to find her place in the world that makes her happy and fulfilled.

Every literary hero has one true enemy that challenges them, forces them to not only battle their external demons, but also their internal ones. For Alanna, this is Duke Roger, and the lingering effects of their last battle have reflected on her every action since. Finally, in Lioness Rampant, Alanna is able to face up to this aspect of her past, and not only realise what she did was justified, but also save her family, home and kingdom.

There are so many things that I love about the Song of the Lioness quartet – not just the characters, and Alanna’s ability to constantly grow to accept herself. But it also highlights the fact that woman can do anything (and everything) that a man can do. Although some of the more physical aspects required a lot more work, it is a woman, not a man who is able to eventually save the day. She is also able to turn down marriage, and although Alanna does find her perfect partner, it is a tiny subplot to the series. It isn’t the aim of the story to find a man and live happily ever after, rather, it is just an addition to the overall happy ending of the characters within the series.

<- The Woman Who Rides Like a Man Review

Tempests and Slaughter Review ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster

The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce

June 28, 2017Book ReviewEasy Reading, Medieval fantasy, Song of the Lioness Quartet, Strong Women, Tamora Pierce, Tortallskyebjenner

Title: The Woman Who Rides Like a Man
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Song of the Lioness Quartet #3, Tortall #7
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Omnibus Books
Year: 1986
5th sentence, 74th page: “You remember Hakim Fahrar, the man you fought?” Alanna nodded.

Newly knighted, Alanna rides for the desert in search of adventure. Captured by the Bloody Hawk tribe, she must challenge ancient tribal customs if she ever hopes for freedom. But how can she convince the tribe to change, when their powerful shaman cries hourly for her execution? Tradition demands she prove her worth in a magical duel – to the death. And while she is away from the palace Alanna must also choose between marrying Prince Jonathan or living alone as the knight she has strived so hard to become.

The entire Song of the Lioness quartet is about acceptance for me – acceptance of the differences (and similarities of others), acceptance that things are not always as they seem, and most importantly, acceptance of yourself. Although Alanna is forced to accept herself as both a woman and a warrior within the first two books, her ability to come to terms with both her magic and her recent past are seriously challenged, and eventually resolved in The Woman Who Rides Like a Man.

The conclusion of In the Hand of the Goddess sees the death and foiling of Alanna’s primary enemy throughout the series. Yet, as with every good heroine, she isn’t easy about her hand in dealing out death to another. It takes her an entire year (the time which the book covers) to truly realise that sometimes there is nothing else you can do. Realising that she probably made mistakes in her pursuit of Roger’s evil, and acknowledging that there were things she could have done differently were so important to this healing process. It is something that acts as a wonderful reminder on a daily basis – we all have things in our past that we regret, but there is absolutely nothing we can do to change the past, so really, we need to focus on how to overcome the future.

Alanna’s acceptance of her magic also comes to the fore in this novel. Through teaching others and living with a people so completely removed from her own, she is able to learn to accept all of her gifts, not just the ones that she actually enjoys using (such as sword work). She goes from being a young woman afraid of a very big part of herself to a confident, and knowledgeable mage who is able to protect others with all of her being. Obviously we’re not all mages, but it is a good reminder that we are who we are, and there is nothing that can change that.

Although for me The Woman Who Rides Like a Man has a very powerful message of acceptance, it is also just an amazingly good book to read. Alanna’s trials and tribulations, her relationships and her ability to keep going when all of her enemies have stopped make her a great heroine to follow. Her temper, and the sheer honesty of some of those she holds dearest inject the sometimes serious aspects of the story with a little humour, and a sense of joy that would otherwise be missing. Pierce does a great job of writing a story for young girls about a fiery, passionate young woman – something that we all need in our lives.

<- In the Hand of the Goddess Review

Lioness Rampant Review ->

Image source: Amazon

In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce

June 27, 2017Book ReviewEasy Reading, Medieval fantasy, Song of the Lioness Quartet, Strong Women, Tamora Pierce, Tortallskyebjenner

Title: In the Hand of the Goddess
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Song of the Lioness Quartet #2, Tortall #6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Omnibus Books
Year: 1984
5th sentence, 74th page: Faithful leaped on to Alanna’s lap as they rode on, startling Darkness not a bit.

Sent north to fight the marauding Tusaine, Alanna is swept into a world of danger and intrigue. But while she proves herself in battle, she cannot vanquish the fears in her heart. Who is trying to kill her and her beloved Prince Jonathan? Come midwinter, she must face the terror of the Ordeal, the ceremony that will make her a knight, or destroy her. But uncovering Duke Roger’s secret before he uncovers hers will test her more than the Ordeal ever could.

Alanna’s final years as a knight-in-training are everything that her first years as a page were – they are filled with laughter, danger and intrigue. The revealing of her secret at the end of Alanna: The First Adventure just helps to further her tale as she continues to battle enemies, both inside and out. Yet, as she gets older, the stakes are also raised, and Alanna is constantly forced to face even greater challenges. Not to mention that In the Hand of the Goddess brings forth her patron – the Mother Goddess.

At the very beginning of this story, Alanna is told that she must learn to face her three fears; love, the Ordeal and Duke Roger. Pierce beautifully takes us on her journey to overcome and conquer the seemingly impossible. Well, impossible for Alanna.

The battle of wits between Alanna and Roger continues throughout this story, and it is only when Alanna is able to finally admit how she feels about the man, that she is able to release herself from his hold. Roger is everything that people are drawn to – influential, charismatic, rich and powerful. Yet, from his first appearance in Alanna: The First Adventure, something isn’t quite right. It is frustrating to watch as Alanna is unable to face up to her fears and confront the worrying man. There is always something creepy about those who are too liked, and too perfect – and Roger is a great reminder of the ugliness that can hide beneath a beauty.

Personally, it is Alanna’s ability to overcome her fear of love that is the most intriguing and meaningful personal journey that is embarked on in this story. Fearing love due to her father’s fate is completely acceptable, and even understandable, yet, until she is able to embrace her love for others, and theirs for her, she is somehow more lonely and isolated than the rest of her friends. It is a great reminder that whatever path we walk on, sometimes the pain is lessened when we have someone to come home to at night.

<- Alanna: The First Adventure Review

The Woman Who Rides Like a Man Review ->

Earth and Skye

The ramblings of a bibliophile.