Category Archives: Book Reviews

Review: Brian Caswell – Cruisin’

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Cruisin’
Brian Caswell
Jules and Suzi are stuck on a cruise ship for the old and almost-deceased. While Jules is chasing after the pretty girl, and Suzi is putting up with him, they develop a friendship that is going to change their lives in unexpected ways.
This is a very light read, in the lines of many Judy Blume novels.
Jules says at the very beginning of the novel that it’s likely to end up a love story. And in a perverse kind of way it is.
I liked Suzi, she was spunky, but had her own issues that meant that she wasn’t just the boring side kick. I could have heard more from her perceptive to be honest.
I had trouble getting into this story. The drama felt manufactured, and the bullying seemed extreme. Jules felt like a push over! Adrian didn’t seem so bad, but all of the characters were rather one dimensional much to my dismay.
It’s a nice idea, going on a cruise. I’ve never been on one. I wish there had been more details of the places they visited so that I could have lived vicariously through them.
I picked it up for a literal song at the local library as they were going out of stock. I’d heard good things about Brian Caswell. It’s not a reread for me, but it’s worth it for younger teens who want to get into reading (particularly guys).

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Review: Ben Burgess – Wounded

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Wounded
Ben Burgess Jr.
This is a review intended for readers of 18+ years
Samantha had an abusive childhood, and now she’s working in a strip club where she abuses and torments men in return. Not content with that, she is set on her mission to turn as many straight, or almost straight, women gay.
I didn’t love the sex scenes in this book. I always struggle with either unrealistic portrayals or an excess of cussing words. At least in this case, it was almost all lesbian sex scenes, which although they weren’t respectful, they were thought out.
I found the prose a bit disconcerting at times. I just couldn’t get into it! Sometimes there are too many descriptions of people’s emotions in a ‘telling’ rather than ‘showing’ way. Somewhere this was very apparent was in the fight scenes, as well as some of the conversations.
The storyline in this novel was a strong one. Samantha is so wounded and broken it seems like she’ll never fix it. She makes so many stupid mistakes, culminating in a life changing one, and she doesn’t seem to learn unless other people point out the facts for her. She is willfully ignorant, and although I can’t like her, I appreciate a protagonist who is different for once.
I find it interesting that although Samantha says that she has no family except her ‘girls’,  she has the entire gay community and also a sense of solidarity in being a coloured woman. In the scene in which she gets into a fight, she is backed up by both these.
That all being said, I did enjoy this novel! It was another break from my usual novels and it provided a welcome distraction. The storyline alone should pull you in, and perhaps could make it a reread for some people who resonate more soundly with the novel.

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Review: Juliet Marillier – The Caller

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The Caller
Juliet Marillier
Neryn still has another guardian to meet before she can undertake her task as a Caller. Little does she know that magic has been weakening under the Tyrant’s rule, and it may be more difficult than she imagines. When it comes to the final battle, will she be able to succeed against the other forces moving against her?
The Caller is everything I wanted from Marillier. Action packed, strong friendship ties, and a bit of drama that doesn’t allow you to hope that the main characters will turn out ok.
I liked that we heard more from Flint’s perspective in this novel. Something from the other rebels would have been good too (such as Tali), but this lack meant that you felt like you were truly in Neryn’s shoes.
Hint, don’t read the back of this novel’s cover, or any summaries online. I accidentally read one, and then spent the whole book wondering when the thing was going to happen. It didn’t, and I didn’t feel cheated, I just wished I could have appreciated the bits more.
The conclusion isn’t surprising. Or rather it is, but then you realise you should have guessed from all the pointers in the beginning. You feel satisfied, but not too satisfied. And there’s still some tension lurking right to the very end.
I’m sort of sad that I didn’t feel enough connection to any of the secondary characters to be sad when they died. There was one exception, but I can’t tell you about that, obviously.
I’d love to know what happens next. Who will be king? Who will be the regents?

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Review: Juliet Marillier – Raven Flight

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Raven Flight
Juliet Marillier
Having safely reached Shadowfell, now Neryn needs to master the elements of earth and water, each testing her in their own way. She must leave the safety and her tenuous forming friendships, and get on with Tali, a warrior set on hating her.
I’m not entirely sure why this novel is called Raven Flight. I would perhaps call it Crow Flight, but that name would be even better suited to the third novel if you were going for straight-forward names.
Ravenflight improves on the first novel, and in terms of magic and learning it proved to be the best of the three. I really enjoyed the practical elements of magic. The breathing, understanding water and its volatility, learning the rituals and offerings. Remember to be respectful of the elders and the native environs.
A lot of this novel is Neryn working out the ethics of using her skills. She doesn’t want to let anyone die, yet she knows that some must die in the process. It’s an interesting conundrum, something most people would not face. Trial and error seems the way to go.
Not much I can say about this novel really. Just as good as the first one, but still not as enthralling as some of Marillier’s other works.

The cover on this one matches the first, which naturally makes me happy. Thanks to Pan Macmillan for sending me a copy to review.

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Review: Juliet Marillier – Shadowfell

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Shadowfell
Juliet Marillier
Neryn has been fleeing Enforcers for most of her young life. After she is snapped up in a game of chance, she is given the opportunity to make her way to a safe place. Trusting no-one, she heads off on her own, but doesn’t know the way in the winter.
Neryn and Flint’s relationship is a tenuous one. Neryn doesn’t trust anyone, sensibly enough in her world. She tries to trust the un-canny folk, but in the beginning they aren’t that fond of her either.
This novel is mainly about the journey to Shadowfell (which often seems hopeless and too far away), and Neryn displaying the signs of the Caller before she can begin training. Although not particularly entrancing at the beginning, it did warm up.
This novel reminded me strongly of another set of books I enjoyed by Alison Croggon. The Books of Pellinor is also a journey and powers quartet.
In every novel of Marillier the background and landscape (as well as traditions), are strongly rooted in Celtic beginnings. If you’re fond of her other works, you’ll like this one too. If you (or your younger reader) aren’t ready for the Daughter of the Forest, this is a perfect starter into this world-type.
The magic system in this world is not particularly new. People are ‘canny’, and the fairy folk they see are ‘un-canny’. Although the tyrant king holds that these people are ‘smirtched’, and wants to kill them all off. I don’t quite understand this, as it was a prophesy that he would die at the hand of someone canny, yet he brings them closer to him if they suit his purposes. Then again, he is a tyrant.
I received this novel straight from Pan Macmillan for review. I would have bought it on my own however, as I love these sets of novels from this author.

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Review: Anna Frost – The Fox’s Mask (review and giveaway)

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The Fox’s Mask
Anna Frost
Akakiba is part of the Fox Clan of samurai. He can change into a fox – but he hasn’t told his apprentice yet. With dragons at stake and strange demon possessions going on, it’s important to be honest, and reduce the inevitable shocks. But Akakiba isn’t as contented with himself as he seems.
Nothing was dramatic with the love and affection through the novel. It was ok to love other people, and it was ok that foxes could change their gender. There wasn’t any huge fanfare about Akakiba and Yuki’s relationship, which appeared deeply, but confusingly, loving. I loved how being queer was treated normally – or so I thought. The novel highlighted an issue that’s rampant within the Queer community and is yet to receive widespread acceptance from the general public.
This is historical YA LGBT fiction, and I want to get my hands into more of it as soon as possible. In fact, the next time I have a book buying spree, I think I may need to purchase the second and third books in the trilogy. Or I might get lucky and the author will send me a review copy. Either way, I want them!
I had a couple of reservations at the beginning of the novel, as some of the text and dialogue didn’t sit right with me. I went into this novel dreading the end, because I didn’t know it was a trilogy and I couldn’t see how the action could possibly resolve. The action really was quite slow. There was quite a lot of traveling, which was fine with me, as I wanted to hear more about the countryside.
The thought of magic dying out was scary. It’s a new dread to have in a novel to me,  as most fantasy novels take magic for granted. More could have been done with it, but this novel was mainly about exposing Akakiba.
The Japanese words scattered throughout the text didn’t bother me, as I studied Japanese at school and remembered their meanings. They added a bit of interest to the text for the average reader I felt – more than just saying it’s set in Japan, the culture and language hold true as well.
I was requested by the author to read this novel, and participate in the tour. I haven’t toured a novel for a while, since my reading scedule doesn’t always allow me to finish novels in time. This one however was entracing enough that I devoured it in one gulp.
I’m lucky enough to have a giveaway associated with this novel (but don’t think that’s why I gave it a glowig review, I loved it!)

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Review: Andrew Hessel – Paw Prints in My Heart

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Paw Prints in My Heart
Andrew Hessel

Andrew has always lived with dogs. There is a special place in his heart, and other novels, for his dog Mac. When Mac died, Andrew felt the need to pen this novel, and it’s a feel-good one that animal lovers will understand.

The simple cover speaks volumes for simple, unadorned truth inside. A story of man, and his best friend. Mac is at home in Andrew’s heart, as well as the rest of the family.

I enjoyed the medical detail about what went wrong with Mac as a puppy, and the treatments to be offered. To me, Australian veterinary medicine is not nearly so advanced. If these options were offered, I’m not certain I could take them up. But Mac has a wonderful outcome, and a wonderful life.

Mac’s passing is difficult for the reader. Or at least, it had me feeling quite emotional. I’d connected to him, and his owner, and although you knew the end had to be near, you didn’t want to admit it.

I’m not certain I would purchase this as a paperback. The author did send me a copy, with some printing difficulties! Didn’t bother me though, I was more excited about the story inside. I’d recommend an ebook for this one.

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Review: Erik Therme – Mortom

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Mortom
Erik Therme
Andy Crowl has been left an inheritance. Rather than putting him ahead however, he’s stuck with his crazy cousin’s ideas of fun – a treasure hunt for an unknown treasure with higher stakes than he knows.
Andy and his puzzle solving skills were a delight to behold. The background story from him, in dribs and drabs was good. I could have seen more of that, but the story was plot driven. His sister Kate on the other hand, I just couldn’t love, and hated her against the strong male protagonist.
I’ve never lived in such a tiny town, and I wonder whether I’m missing something in the dynamics between the characters. Ah well. The secondary characters were sketched in to a point where I couldn’t understand their motivations, but I could understand Andy’s interactions with them.
The suspense of this novel worked well. At first you don’t know what you’re really playing for, then it suddenly hits you. All the little things you thought were unimportant suddenly come to the fore. The trail of clues was incredibly detailed and frustrating! I only wished I could have had more information about the outside clues so that I could feel superior if I worked out the clues first.

I really wasn’t satisfied with the ending. Andy hadn’t really done anything wrong, yet it seemed like he’d be stuck forever in Mortom for his stupid sister…

A decent read, and had me unable to put it down from around the middle. Recommended for those who like mysteries, but want something a bit outside the norm.

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Review: Sienna Wilder – The Arab Marilyn Monroe

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The Arab Marilyn Monroe
Sienna Wilder

18+ Review: Erotic Novel Review

Olivia doesn’t know that she’s a lesbian. She figured that she was just abnormal, and not interested in sex. Little does she know that the new lady friend she’s about to meet has a lot to offer her over her last partner.
Much as I wanted to love this novel, I simply couldn’t. The sex scenes were hot enough, but I wanted something more from the characters. Peter was a pushover, Fairuz was one-dimensional and Olivia had no idea what was happening to her. Or actually, she did, but she wasn’t willing to admit it.
It felt too short. The author said to me (when she requested this review), that this was being published separately from the main novel about these characters because she didn’t want to mix genres. One sexy hot sex scene, and it was over! I wanted more, if there could be more. For a week of being shacked up together, there could have been a little more on offer.
I’m not sure I can recommend this novel for audiences that are comfortable reading erotica on the internet. As a printed book of homosexual encounters, I think it is relatively unique, and a valuable addition to your bookshelf if you tend to reread this kind of thing. However, for me at least, I like variety in my diet! There are plenty of online resources that cover this kind of thing. I admire the author her audacity in bringing this out, and hope that she can expand it into a saga like Christian Grey’s (except a lot more realistic and accessible).
My current quest in this area is to find sexual fiction that doesn’t sound completely improbable or completely over-worded. Also, some crude language doesn’t do it for me at all. ‘Creamed her jeans’? Cringe. Not interested. Again, there was potential there.
I wished more had been made of the religious and political ideas behind this. It’s appropriate that this is set in Paris! And the language of the body is much more powerful than the spoken word. Both women use this to their advantage.
I think the last pure erotica novel I read and reviewed were the ‘Romantic Tales‘ episodes, of which I read three excerpts before giving up. That was 2 years ago now (amazing of itself) and I thought I was ready to give the genre another try. Shades of Grey is in the genre, although the author does have a go at giving a bit more storyline. Most erotica novels fail in that they don’t provide me with enough story – this one isn’t an exception.

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Review: M Anjelais – Breaking Butterflies

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Breaking Butterflies
M Anjelais
Sphinx has looked up to Cadence all her life, even as he alternatively praised and condemned her. Unexpectedly, he is dying. How could something so beautiful die? How could it work out like that?
Although this novel was told from the perspective of Sphinx, it wasn’t really about her. It was only what she could say about Cadence and for Cadence. This raw talent, formed because he can’t feel anything.
The insight shown by Sphinx into the disturbing life lead by this family away from home is at times surprising. Her flashes of brilliance when she looks at the paintings in the end, nothing short of astounding. Also the thing about having an art Gallery use Cadence’s work – and how it can only occur after everything has happened.

The imagery, symbolism and continuity of the eggs that Sphinx feels seems to be something that the author has taped on, in order to read forwards and backwards in time, linking across the generations. For me though, all that was needed was the strength of feeling between the two teenagers. The emotion felt by Sphinx is almost palpable, as is Cadence’s hostility.

This book was painful and raw to read. It reminded me a little of Looking for JJ, in that the topic tacked wasn’t comfortable or typical for a teen read. It made me uncomfortable for the rest of the day while I tried to process what I felt. I empathised with Cadence even as I hated him – just as Sphinx does.
I wasn’t that convinced by Sphinx’s conversations with her parents. Why were they ok with this? How could they still see him as a threat? He’s weak, dying. Surely Sphinx should have been better organized.
I’d love to see a sequel. How will Sphinx grow up? What is her purpose? How will she move past this? What will happen to Leigh? Will she move back to the US to be with her best friend? Are all the plans spoiled?
Although you felt sure that things would turn out ok, or as ok as they could be with someone dying, there was an edge that the author captured. You know something terrible could happen, might happen, will happen, but you can’t look away. Instead you keep desperately reading, hoping that something might save the day.
The statistic that 1 in 25 people is a psychopath is a disturbing one. Hell, that means that out of the people I work with, I must be the psychopath! Isn’t it the saying that if you’re looking for the drunkest person at the party, it’s you?
I received a copy from Scholastic. Slowly, they and I seem to be finding novels that I really enjoy reading and reviewing. This one was right up my alley.

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