Review: John Steinbeck – Tortilla Flat

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John Steinbeck
Tortilla Flat
Danny and his friends have tales told about them in a series of short interconnected stories. It’s an interesting insight into their lives of relatively early American (USA) [well, what I call early because I’m a young person!].  
 
I really like the know it all of the group, Pilon. He’s just so engaging and scheming and bright! Well, you know, bright in relative terms compared to everyone else.
 
Eh, Danny I could have taken of left. I just didn’t ‘get’ him very well. He’s such a friendly and easy-going guy, and clueless in his own way. For god’s sake man, take control of your life and those useless drinkers you call friends! Maybe I’m just not tolerant enough, which is my usual problem…
 
Pirate! Oh Pirate, how clueless. But he’s such a good example to the others, who seem to do nothing but drink wine. I find it sad and also sort of funny, the story about his candlestick. The others would have loved to be there too no doubt.  
 
The ending of this novel seems very final in its own way. Not unexpected, and has a certain parallel to other events in the novel. There’s another book after this one, and although I was aiming to read the second book in this ‘series’, I didn’t get around to it in time. It is my intention to borrow the other book from the library at a later point. 
 
I read this after the suggestion (and lending of books to me) by an Aunt while on holidays on the US. I saved my draft review on my other laptop, and then didn’t get around to posting it. Oops.

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Review: Lian Hearn – Tales of the Otori 1: Across the Nightingale Floor

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Across the Nightingale Floor
Lian Hearn
Taeko has lost his family, his life and everything precious to him. Now he is a pawn for getting revenge on the warlord that rules most of the country. The nightingale floor will sing if he stands on it – is he up to the challenge?
77160Despite my little blurb there, it doesn’t feel like the nightingale floor is actually that important. Most of this novel is about the respective journeys of Taeko and Kaede towards the evil Iida. Taeko makes such a willful apprentice, it’s a wonder he ever gets anything done! Shigeru could have had a bit more airtime in my opinion.
I found myself wanting to sit in my car to listen to it, far after I should have been at work. I’m thinking that’s a good sign. Some parts were just so suspenseful I couldn’t bear to leave. This even held true after I looked at the wikipedia page to find out the name of the book in the series, and accidentally looked at the synopsis.
Whoever translated this novel (from I think Japanese??) did a great job. The turns of phrase were natural, although I found it more difficult to keep track of the characters because of their foreign sounding names.
I actually really enjoyed this novel. The readers on my talking book were great, particularly the male one. His voice was soothing, and yet rose to the occasion at points of tension. The female narrator was a little more sketchy, but ok.
While I was looking up how to spell the author’s name, I stumbled over a rather scathing review, that said that the characters were weak and the settings completely unrealistic. While I agree that Kaede was a bit of a sook, I still liked Taeko. And the lack of description was perfect for a talking book that I wanted to listen to while driving – no distractions!

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Review: A.J. Rochester – Confessions of Reformed Dieter

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Confessions of Reformed Dieter
A.J. Rochester
This is the weight-loss diary of A.J. Rochester, and is the first book before Lazy Girl’s Guide to Losing Weight and Getting Fit which I previously reviewed. I didn’t realise that both of them were available as audiobooks, and so I listened to them out of sequence.
I’m sort of glad I did listen to them out of sequence. Not this this book was no good, but that I found the sense of humour in ‘Lazy Girl’ more to my liking. I’m just not that interested in the size of her arse!
There were a couple of bits that irked me, such as when she goes on about Pluto Pups (again?!?) and lists food items off. But I am excited for her as she goes through the plateaus and faces exercise challenges such as breaking her leg.
Rochester’s formidable personality shines through. I found it engaging to listen to, and was very sad when I got to the end. There were so many things left unanswered! I was frustrated that I didn’t know what happened to ‘the boy’, and I wanted her to find some sort of closure with Nutcase. I know it’s unrealistic to expect that in real life, but it should have avoided…
While then end of this novel is really very positive, when googling to check I spelt her name correctly, I found several less-than-flattering pictures of her more recently. She appears to have piled the weight back on, despite saying that she never would. Not very inspiring by someone who claims her new weightloss is for life!
When struggling with my own desire to thin down and get fit, inspiring books like these are just what I need. I don’t have 50 kg to lose, but knowing that someone else (on a personal level like what I felt with Rochester) has done it, and done it well is inspiring.

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Review: Stella Gibbons – Cold Comfort Farm

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Cold Comfort Farm
Stella Gibbons
Flora Poste has been recently bereaved of her parents. Left with 100 pounds per year, she writes to four different relatives to try get sympathy and somewhere to live. She chooses the most unlikely charity – because she doesn’t want to have to share a bedroom!
92780Flora is an annoying character always poking her nose in self-righteously where she can. She does sort things out I suppose, but some people are happy being miserable! And other people, such as poor Adam, just want to get on with life in the same way they always have.
Look, this is supposed to be comic in the style of PG Wodehouse. I’m just not seeing it! I found it rather sad, and Flora just irritating. In fact, she reminded me of Jane Austin’s Emma, right down to the last chapter. Interfering busy-body nuisance. Perhaps I’m just not tolerant enough.
I have to say that the novel is well-written, if a little repetitive owing to Flora’s own repetitive issues. I could imagine each of the characters easily, and saw the squalor of their conditions. If they were written so that I wouldn’t like any of them, it was a success.
The question that everyone wants to know the answer to – what did Ada Doom see in the woodshed – and is indeed, the whole reason I persevered with this novel, is not answered. Sorry if I just spoilt it for you. But arg! No answers! And there were a couple of other things that weren’t satisfactorily answered either, and it just irritated me.
I borrowed this from a friend who thought I might enjoy it, but sadly I can’t say I did. I tolerated Flora, but didn’t feel anything but pity for the other characters. Except perhaps the other young girl, and that was an extra helping of pity because she allowed herself to be shaped so much.

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Review: A.J. Rochester – The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Losing Weight and Getting Fit

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The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Losing Weight and Getting Fit
A.J. Rochester
A.J. has struggled with being big all her life and when she realises she is obese she decides to get professional help – Dr. Nutcase, Crusher and a nutritionist. This book chronicles how other people can follow her process and aim towards being thinner themselves.
As a talking book read by the author herself, the expression and nuances of language were amazing. It was engaging to listen to, and although I couldn’t say the topic matter was that interesting to me personally (knowing most of the things already), I was happy to listen to it on my walks to the bus.
Something that irked me were references to Pluto Pups. What is a Pluto Pup anyway? Additionally, the subscription to eating diet yoghurt. I’m of the belief that yoghurt’s fats are good for you, because that’s the way it’s made by cows. The amount of sugar added to those things to make them palatable is going to kill your diet anyway, and could have major effects on your metabolism. So my suggestion would be to eat pot-set yoghurt, because it naturally has lower sugar, and the fats are good for you.
Another thing that didn’t work in the talking book format were the lists of allowed food (too long, couldn’t remember most of them by the end) and the listed menus (boring to listen to). The passages about what to do about food in general, the psychology element and exercise were good though, and I didn’t get bored.
If you haven’t heard/read the first book (which I’m currently in the process of listening to), then the human element is slightly missing in this novel. However, A.J. does a good job of projecting her personality into it, and there’s a good chance you’ll be hooked anyway.
I think this book is a valuable addition to any ‘dieter’s’ bookshelf, provided you actually get into it. A.J. has some super valuable points that are useful. I disagree with fat being the only enemy (added sugar is also bad), but the underlying bones of the diet – eat less, move more – are solid.
I completely support A.J.’s suggestion that if you have abuse in your life, you need to get professional help before you can do anything about your weight. I often see smokers who should be thin because of the effect cigarettes have on the body that are fat. There has to be some underlying cause there, and getting psychiatric help is a great idea. If you can prove you have a problem, Australia has a ‘Mental Health Care Plan’ that means you will be able to see a psychologist cheaply. No excuses!

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Review: Tamora Pierce – Battle Magic

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Battle Magic
Tamora Pierce
Evvy, Rosethorn and Briar have been travelling the world so that Rosethorn can visit lots of different plants. Little do they know that they will be caught up in political intrigues and find themselves fighting for what is right, and for their lives.
Rosethorn’s mission just lacks urgency. She has to do it, she goes, she comes back. There isn’t any real danger for her. And despite Briar being in danger, you know he has to survive. The same with Evvy. Oh no! Something bad happened! Well, oh well, she’s just telling us this part next, and I’ve read Melting Stones, so I know she’ll be ok.
I wish Briar had had more action. Yes, this book is about him, but so much of it is on the fighting action, not his development. He spends so much time looking at things that are moving (you’ll get it if you read it), and making seed bombs, we forget that he surely has a life of his own.
Something that pleasantly surprised me about this novel were the references to Rosethorn’s lovers. This had been hinted at in some of the other books in this series, but it was particularly explicit in this one. Not that there were explicit sex scenes – not at all – but that hetero- and homo- relationships were treated equally. The only thing missing was a bit of action for Briar which I felt sure he should have after reading the others in ‘The Circle Reforged’.
Well this one is labelled number 3 in ‘The Circle Reforged’ series. But it’s not really. It comes before The Will of the Empress and Melting Stones. It’s important background for both of these books, introducing Evvy and explaining Briar’s nightmares. If and when I reread this whole series, I’ll be reading them in chronological order.
I know I’ve ragged a bit on this novel, but perhaps it’s because I’m moving past the teenage fiction era of my reading (NOOOOO!!). It’s perfectly satisfying and in line with others in this series, and I’m not complain ing about it really. Love Tamora Pierce? You’ll love this novel.
I can’t wait for the next novel which should be about Tris. Tris has always appealed to me (perhaps not quite as much as Daja), but all the same, her university experience has the ability to be electrifying (ha, see what I did there?).
I received this novel directly from Scholastic Australia. It’s a lovely paperback that fits in well with the rest on my shelves. I was unbelievably overjoyed to receive it unexpectedly in my mailbox.

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Review: Michael Hurley – The Prodigal

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The Prodigal
Michael Hurley
I didn’t really connect the blurb on the back with the novel inside. I kept looking for romance, but didn’t get it. I didn’t really want romance, but I was promised it! I guess it’s present a little between Aidan and his next chosen girlfriend, but it’s not clear (or sexy) like I expected it to be. I didn’t get anything about a Gypsy either – it just wasn’t the big part it was suggested to be.
I received this novel for reviewing, and that’s the only thing that kept me reading for the first half of the book. I couldn’t have cared less about his lawyer drama – if he’s going to have an affair, he better let it pass by his Jury decision making process! Later we find out it’s going to be stuffed around anyway, but it seems like a waste of a bunch of pages. Additionally, the language seemed very pretentious in the first couple of chapters, but this did improve.
The second half of the book becomes much more satisfactory, and I actually felt more compelled to read it, with the race and everything. Yay, the race! Best part of the whole novel, if heartbreaking 🙁
I did like the characterisation in this novel. I felt like I was standing there looking at Marcus and Aidan. Their flaws are believable, and I loved Marcus despite of it. If only all priests were like him, I might have more patience for the whole profession.
I didn’t understand the inclusion of some of the characters. Bobbie just seems like an irritating person designed to offset Molly in the most offensive manner possible. I don’t think she was necessary at all! I felt personally offended by her behaviour, and I wouldn’t consider myself a prude.
The ship/boat, whatever she was, didn’t get a clean-cut conclusion about the contents of her hull. I’m glad she was so lovingly maintain and ended up with someone who would care for her.
This novel should come with a warning for a graphic depiction of almost rape, and references to rape culture. If that upsets you, I’d advise not reading those sections – the bar, and part of the section after the boat’s launch.

I think if you like this sort of thing, about lawyers and perhaps mid-life crises, then this could be a bpok for you. I can’t argue with its well-written characterisation being amazing, but I didn’t love the actual storyline.

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Review: Leisel K. Hill – Quantum Entanglement

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Quantum Entanglement
Leisel K. Hill
The action grabs you right from the beginning and refuses to let you go. There’s no time to sightsee, everything is all systems go. Maggie has been taken back to her own time, but she’s destined to travel a lot more – and take her brother with her. With dangers around, will Maggie and Marcus ever be reunited? Will the Collectives win?
The character development that was really apparent in the first novel is lost a little in this one. Most of the characters have already been established, and this novel really builds on them through their actions. The exception to this is for Marcus – some of his memories are brought to the fore, and we experience more with him as a result.
The neurochemical ability to Travel is confusing, as all time-travelling abilities are. My brain got a bit warped just trying to believe it all! I have no idea how Karl keeps it together. Equally, the shots into the future and how Hill deals with them speaks strongly for how she has planned out the other novels in this series.
Most of the action in this novel takes place outside of the Interchron. We have a chance to see the world outside – but not much of it is described. Mainly the focus is on the characters, and the action taking place. However, I particularly enjoyed the jumps through the ages that gave glimpses into the disintegration of human-kind into the Collectives. Things like that give me a grounding that Hill has fully realised the world of her novels.
This novel is satisfying, and yet leaves you wanting more. I don’t know how I am going to survive until the next one is released. It didn’t leave me on a cliffhanger in the way that many second books in series do, and I thank Hill for that. A well rounded novel.
As an example of dytopian sci-fi, it’s thrilling. I can’t say I love the genre as a whole, but this is such a fine example, that even if you think you won’t love it, go get yourself a copy anyway – it’s amazing. If you’re still a bit hesitant, go enter the giveaway on Goodreads (click here). It’s not going to cost you anything, and you might get the chance to read this brilliant book for free.
I can’t believe how much I want to rave about this novel. I read it while I was at work, and thrilled through it the whole time. I just couldn’t click away from the screen.
I read the first one as a review copy in paperback, and it was beautiful. It’s a mark of how much I loved Quantum Entanglement in that I will be purchasing a paperback copy of it as soon as I have the spare money (or perhaps as a birthday gift to myself!).

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or from Smashwords5star

I am the first stop in the tour for this novel. If you want to read more reviews or want to get in touch with the author, here’s a series of links to help with that…

Goodreads Author Page: goodreads.com/lieselkhill

Review: K.J. Taylor – The Shadow’s Heir

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K.J. Taylor
The Shadow’s Heir
Laela’s father has just died. When she is facing being thrown out of her village, she decides to make the move herself and abandon the life she has known so far. Little does she know that the wild city is waiting – and that the person she meets might not be the kind of person she assumed him to be.
Laela is a plucky, if somewhat oblivious sometimes, hero. I loved reading about her, and getting inside her mind (even if it seemed like she was freaking out over nothing sometimes). What did I like about her? Her determination to keep going, and please her rescuer, and then her determination to try and fix things when they went wrong.
It felt to me like the story had several parts. The beginning, and Laela’s inductions into the household was sort of part 1, followed by the trip overseas which was part 2, followed by a very short part 3. The ending seemed a little far fetched to me, that the retainers would be so supportive of some of the ideas. I didn’t really feel much suspense at the end, but it was satisfying.
What more can I say about it? Well, it seemed to me like something that had been revealed to Laela in the beginning was completely forgotten either by her, or the author. I could have sworn she knew what her real father’s name was – in which case all the worrying she does about it is unfounded.
The dialect drove me a little nuts. I don’t think it was necessary to set the tone of the novel (not like in a historical fiction book). Also there were a couple of descriptions of things that didn’t do much for me. I think those were about my only complaints with this novel.
After I had bought this book to read (blindly choosing one in *gasp* a brick-and-mortar bookshop) and had started reading it, I realised that it follows another trilogy that I haven’t read. I’d already gotten into the story by that point though, so I wasn’t going to stop reading it just for that. Also, I think I was stuck on a 14 hour plane flight at the time with limited other reading choices.
My gamble paid off – and I hope to get my hands on the others in this series soon. My birthday is soon, so there’s a chance I’ll get off guilt free in buying them!

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Review: Tanya Huff – The Wild Ways

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The Wild Ways
Tanya Huff
Charlie finds herself hot property when seal skins start going missing – at the behest of an unknown aggressor who wants to poison the seas with oil. Charlie was happy just doing her own little thing, but as a Wild Power she needs to get on the action – or get into trouble with the Gale aunties.
For this novel,the sex is more understated, although sexual attraction is certainly present in spades. It’s not explicit though. Sex magic powers the whole Gale hierarchy – and leads to some deaths, so if you think that might bother you, don’t read it.
There are lots of intercrossed storylines, which makes you want to smack Charlie up the side of the head when she’s being particularly dense. Duh! Why wouldn’t you see that coming??
The timetravel seems completely logical, although it wasn’t exactly clear to me how it was possible. Some of the other things though, such as the Selkies, stuck strictly to traditional guidelines and were simple to follow.
I’m a bit disappointed in the substance of this novel, but I loved the character of Charlie, and felt she was a kindred spirit. I completely agreed with the way she treated some things as well, so that was great and provided me with another point of reference for her. The other characters could have had a bit more depth though.
This novel comes after the events in The Enchantment Emporium and involves many of the same characters. It was nice to see the return of Jack. I’m hoping for another novel in this world, more concerned with him.
Sadly, the explanation for some of the things I seemed to miss in the first book, were still not present in this novel. I found that super frustrating, but enjoyed the novel regardless.

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