Having met Karl and realised more about his character, it is hard to align this image with the man who causes so much havoc in Bitten. However, his initial meeting with Daniel Santos in Territorial and his feelings of abandonment and injustice finally help to highlight his motives. It also explains some of his fascination with Elena – although it is not romantic, there is certainly a feeling of appeal in his relations with the only female werewolf. Although, most of this is simply due to selfish requirements.
I really enjoyed this glimpse into Karl’s selfish nature before he met (and fell for) Hope. His outlook on life and his drivers for every single interaction he has have one goal – to further his own ends. Whether this is to gain his own territory, or find more income, he doesn’t speak with, or interact with anyone unless it is somehow beneficial.
Nawat is a short story of the Tortallan Universe and follows Nawat Crow as he has to make one of the most difficult decisions of his life.
Nawat and Aly have been my favourite Tortall couple since I first cracked the spine of Tricker’s Choice. There is just something so fascinating and unique about them that has led me to read the Trickster series again and again and again. In fact, it’s one of my most read series, and I’m going to have to replace my copy soon…
Alright, I got a little off topic there, but all that this means is that a follow up short story to the Trickster duology was quite possibly the most perfect tale that I could think of. Writing it from the quirky point of view of Nawat only helped to add to the flavour. It was also wonderful finally seeing his love for Aly through his eyes – after all, he did become a man for her.
There are a lot of stories (novellas, and short stories) that display motherhood, childbirth and everything in between as beautiful and glorious. Which I’m sure it is, but I can’t imagine that the actual act of childbirth will ever be a beautiful, life-affirming moment. Painful is the word that truly comes to mind, and Pierce shows this amazingly. Aly’s hormonal fluctuations, frustration and overwhelming throughout, and immediately following, the birth of her children is so realistic that you just want to reach through the page and give her a huge hug. The creation of their family is still a life-affirming and beautiful moment, but at no point is it portrayed as easy. A realism which I definitely appreciate and think needs to be bought forth more often when discussing such a huge change in a woman’s life (both physically and mentally).
Title: Trickster’s Queen Author: Tamora Pierce Series: Trickster #2, Tortall #25 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women, Tricksters Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Scholastic Year: 2004 5th sentence, 74th page: Aly spared a glance for a small, pudgy man who whispered in Rubinyan’s ear until Tkaa reached the prince.
Aly’s adventure continues…. No longer a slave, Alanna’s daughter is now spying as part of an underground rebellion against the colonial rulers of the Copper Isles. The people in the rebellion believe that a prophecy in which a new queen will rise up to take the throne is about to be realized. Aly is busy keeping the potential teenage queen and her younger siblings safe, while also keeping her in the dark about her future. But Aly, who is usually adept at anticipating danger and changes, is in for a few nasty surprises.
The rebellion that began in Trickster’s Choice reaches its climax (and conclusion) in Trickster’s Queen. Whilst the speed of the story really picks up, it is still filled with Aly’s humour and wit. There are still moments of beauty and enjoyment amongst the dramatic events of rebellion. The connections that the characters make to one another, and the loyalty that they feel jumps from the pages, and will suck you into their world further and further with every word.
Although I loved the excerpts that began each chapter in Trickster’s Choice, it was nice to miss this throughout this novel. The faster pace, and the more intense storyline required a better flow, and the format of this tale worked beautifully for this. As did the shorter chapters, heightening the feeling of suspense. Following Aly throughout this, while giving a bird’s eye view of her life, also helped to further connect with her plight.
Although the main storyline of this story focuses upon the rebellion of the Copper Isles, for me it was more so about the incredible loyalty that each of the key members show to one another. Sarai’s flightiness and love forces her to follow her dreams, while it is Dove’s passive outlook on the world and ability to care for other’s beyond her own needs that shine throughout the story. Ulasim, Chenaol, and Fesago’s ability to accept the changes in their plans, and take Aly’s advice because they are doing what is right, not what will keep them alive. I don’t ever want to experience any of this turmoil in my own life – but the idea of having a group of people that loyal to one another in my life… that is what swells one’s heart and makes a person feel comfortable with themselves, and their pseudo-family.
Alianne is the teenage daughter of the famed Alanna, the first lady knight in Tortall. Young Aly follows in the quieter footsteps of her father, however, delighting in the art of spying. When she is captured and sold as a slave to an exiled royal family in the faraway Copper Islands, it is this skill that makes a difference in a world filled with political intrigue, murderous conspiracy, and warring gods.
Of all the women in Tamora Pierce’sworld of Tortall, Aly is the one that I always most identified with as a teenager. As someone who, as a teenager, never quite fit in, was more than a little difficult, and found that a lot of my peers often looked at me a little funny, Aly seemed like a literary version of myself. Albeit without a sword welding mother, and a talent for daggers and subterfuge.
Most of the Tortall series, in fact, all up to this point focused on a country and people based (I assume) on medieval Europe. Swords and kings; lords and ladies; it all paints a picture of a snow-swept country that is (luckily) guarded by the righteous. This is not so with the Trickster series. Aly travels to a land that was taken over by white people 300 years before. The story of oppression and conquest is retold through the raka (native people’s) plight. I loved that there was a different twist, and aspect to the realm of Tortall. Although the Copper Isles were mentioned in the Song of the Lioness Quartet, immersing this story in their culture and land was a great new introduction to a new land.
Aly is not only a suitable heir to the Song of the Lioness Quartet, but she is a great, and refreshing new take on the women of Tortall. She chooses to fight with her wits, rather than weapons in a gruelling battle to protect an innocent family from the rigours of violent, political court. The loyalty of not only the raka, but those who answer to the Balitang family quickly create a discourse in which you constantly hope for Aly to succeed.
The story follows Adria Fairingrove as she deals with a mean and snobby mathematics teacher who belittles her. She finds Lost, a darking, who helps her overcome her obstacles and gain self esteem.
I am madly in love with the idea of Darkings. They combine a childlike innocence with a wondrously devious ability to spy. Combining one of these small creatures with an abused young girl who is trying to find her way in life was a stroke of brilliance in Pierce’s World of Tortall. The fact that Adria is a brilliant mathematician just makes this story all the more interesting and progressive.
There’s not many stories with a young woman who is obsessed with maths or science. And, as a girl who decided to study science (and loves maths a little too much), it is incredibly refreshing. Adria’s pursuit of a career in engineering and building, and her understanding of how maths can inform the world around us was a new take on a strong young female.
From the very first sentence, it is obvious that Adria’s father is an abusive, self-centred, nasty character. Although it takes a long time for Adria to understand this, it is incredibly difficult to stomach his actions towards her. Adria’s final ability to overcome his treatment of her and pursue the career that she has always desired is such a beautiful ending to a sweet, short story.
Here I first created the character of Elena. If you’ve read Bitten, you may recognize some aspects of the story, which were briefly recounted there. The events were the impetus (or excuse) for Elena deciding to leave the Pack–a resolve which she must break at the start of Bitten.
On a theoretical level, the idea of removing all threats to Elena’s family and wolf pack makes complete sense. However, how this actually occurs and the impact that it has upon Elena’s psyche are completely at odds with the rationale which the Pack makes to justify these actions. In Savage, Jeremy is forced to cross this line, and now it is Elena’s turn and the consequences for this had a ginormous snowball effect.
Truth and Consequences is one of the most well-named short stories in the Women of the Otherworld series. There are always consequences for telling the truth – sometimes it’s a good thing, you tell someone how you feel and they return the feelings. Sometimes the truth will set you free. However, other times, it is not such a positive thing – the truth can do serious harm, and both Elena and Carter are forced to face up to this unforgiving reality.
Title: Expectations Author: Kelley Armstrong Series: Women of the Otherworld #0.11 In: Tales of the Otherworld (Kelley Armstrong) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Orbit Year: 2010 5th sentence, 74th page: I hid my jacket, helmet, and boots, and changed into flat shoes, then walked to the nearby strip mall, from which I purchased an oversized floral arrangement and affixed a large card with Congrats! scrawled across the front.
A very short story around Lucas Cortez and Eve Levine.
It is impossible to imagine Lucas Cortez going up against Eve Levine when it is first mentioned in Dime Store Magic. He is such a sweet, geeky boy with a sense of justice. Eve on the other hand is tough, independent and not scared to make some tough choices when it comes to her own protection. The fact that Savannah is now an aspect of her life… she is an incredibly terrifying adversary for an untried young sorcerer.
Although this short story is primarily about Lucas and Eve’s first (and only) meeting, it was more so an insight into the drivers of Lucas’ removal from the Cortez Cabal. His motivations and drive to find justice lead to a constant war in his head – one which his father’s voice tends to intrude upon often. Even his act of breaking and entering was instigated by a wish to protect Eve from the rest of the Cabal – although even he has a moment of temptation throughout this episode.
Eve’s willingness to harm Lucas, yet, not kill him is yet another reminder that although she has an incredibly dark and terrifying reputation, she does have a moral system. Yes, it is amoral in some ways, but it still is a reminder that no character within the Women of the Otherworld universe is either good or bad.
This graphic novella tells the story of Elena’s “becoming” a werewolf—that dark period from the time Clay bites her through her escape to Toronto.
I can understand why Armstrong didn’t want to turn the tales of Elena’s turning into a short story. Whilst I was always curious about those months, even year after she was bitten, reading the story would have been depressing in the extreme. However, displaying this story as a graphic novel not only helps to impart the violence, anguish and confusion of the time, it also allowed a window into the experiences of Elena and helped to explain some of her actions throughout Bitten.
Displaying Becoming as a graphic novel not only assisted in highlighting the violence and emotional turmoil that Elena went through in her change, but it also helped to wade through a lot of the heady repetition that such a tale would have required. I spent an amazing hour reading this again and again as I looked through the amazing artwork. Every time I glanced over an image, I was able to find another aspect of the artwork that I had missed.
Title: Beginnings Author: Kelley Armstrong Series: Women of the Otherworld #0.8 In: Tales of the Otherworld (Kelley Armstrong) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women Pace: Medium Format: Novella Publisher: Orbit Year: 2010 5th sentence, 74th page: Any holiday that revolved around family saw me sitting in my dorm room alone, keenly aware of the empty halls, afraid to even turn on the television, knowing I’d be confronted with images of the holiday, even the commercials leaping out to remind me that normal people were home with their families.
It’s the story of how Clay and Elena met and the start of their relationship.
Elena and Clay’s romance is definitely not what I would call a typical literary romance. Clayton has some of the hallmarks which we are all warned against in a budding relationship (possessiveness, jealousy, inability to accept your significant others’ friends…). Yet, maybe because Armstrong is able to show his genuine care for Elena, it doesn’t seem like an unhealthy relationship. Just a very, very odd one. But it still begs the question – how do two such people find each other, meet, and eventually, fall in love? Beginnings finally answers those questions. It also helps to explain Clay’s rash selfishness in turning Elena into a werewolf and all of the subsequent drama and pain which followed. For both of them.
Reading about Clay and Elena’s slowly blossoming relationship, the loss of both of their virginities and the confusion that they both feel at the depth of their emotions was a sweet journey. Yet, it was also kind of frustrating, Clay is so incredibly stubborn and naïve to the intricacies of relationships. Constantly he puts his foot in it and finds a way to leave not only Elena, but the rest of the Pack isolated. Elena on the other hand, is so insecure about herself and her worth that it is only the inklings of her stubborn, sassy self that we first meet in Bitten which can be seen throughout the tale. Her willingness to go along with Clay’s many moods and attempts to make him happy are sweet, if not misguided. At least for me, who absolutely loved her constant pushing back when he becomes overbearing.
Logan’s demise in Bitten didn’t truly impact me when I read the story. After all, he was barely a presence within the story. Yet, after reading Beginnings(and even Birthright), his presence and downfall are so much more depressing. His friendship with Elena is the most genuine and caring relationship that she seems to have had in a long time. Yes, Clay loves her more than anything else in the world, but Logan tries to protect her from the very first moment. He stops and thinks about what she wants and needs, something that Clay may try to do, but is never quite fully capable of.
Logan’s induction into the werewolf Pack was difficult, his acceptance of who he is was a big part of why he and Elena were so quickly bonded. Yet, I didn’t truly understand the difficulties of his birth into this world until I read Birthright. Reading this not only helped me to understand his relationship to the others, but also the idea of suddenly discovering a more sinister aspect to one’s heritage. Logan’s outlook and surprise at his father’s genetic lineage is a great parallel to taboo diseases such as AIDS – it is impossible to talk about, affects the rest of your life and is shrouded in a specific set of stereotypes which prevent education and acceptance in many circumstances.
This short story also helped to highlight the antagonism between Clay and Logan. From the very first moment, Clay is aggressive towards his soon-to-be Packmate, and Logan is confused by this. Likewise, Logan’s rage at Clay’s turning of Elena reflects his own frustration at never being told of his own genetic heritage. He never had a choice, and, ultimately, Clay removed that choice for Elean too.
Title: Nawat
Title: Trickster’s Queen
Title: Trickster’s Choice
Earth and Skye 