http://www.goodreads.com/review/list_rss/128298 en-US Tue, 06 May 2008 23:22:29 -0700 60 http://www.goodreads.com/ 200 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo.gif 14778025 Tue, 06 May 2008 23:22:29 -0700
author: Margaret Mahy
name: Cee
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2004
rating: 2
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/06/08
shelves: fantasy, youngadult
review:

]]> 20700542 Mon, 05 May 2008 16:37:12 -0700 Nefret. Deary me.

I enjoyed this book very much - much more so than the last few I've read in the series. The emotional drama was really stepped up a notch, and the tormented will they/won't they thing with Ramses and Nefret is killing me (and also creeping me out every time another character refers to them as siblings - ewww.)

Anyway, there's the introduction of a brand new character causing turmoil (awwww - er, not to the turmoil, but the new character), a terribly ruthless enemy (or perhaps two), murders, forgeries, theft, a softer side of Ramses personality... it's got lots of good stuff. But bring on the next book - I need some closure.]]>
author: Elizabeth Peters
name: Cee
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2000
rating: 4
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/05/08
shelves: audio-book, historical-fiction
review:
Oh, Nefret. Deary me.

I enjoyed this book very much - much more so than the last few I've read in the series. The emotional drama was really stepped up a notch, and the tormented will they/won't they thing with Ramses and Nefret is killing me (and also creeping me out every time another character refers to them as siblings - ewww.)

Anyway, there's the introduction of a brand new character causing turmoil (awwww - er, not to the turmoil, but the new character), a terribly ruthless enemy (or perhaps two), murders, forgeries, theft, a softer side of Ramses personality... it's got lots of good stuff. But bring on the next book - I need some closure.
]]> 18545897 Mon, 05 May 2008 16:32:02 -0700 Lady Smaggle, and it was an excellent fashion tome. It's written by an Australian, and has great recommendations for Australian brands which is fun. It's geared towards formal wear, but there's still plenty of principles you can apply to everyday clothing. I found some of the principles a bit difficult to apply - for example, trying to emphasise my one killer feature (to use the language of the book) and cover up my unfortunate features sometimes turned into contradictory advice. Still, I don't think it's possible to write a book of fashion advice that applies to all body shapes everywhere, and I very much liked the style and tone of this one. ]]>
author: Annabelle van Tongeren
name: Cee
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/05/08
shelves: fashion
review:
I picked up this book from the library after reading an enthusiastic review by Lady Smaggle, and it was an excellent fashion tome. It's written by an Australian, and has great recommendations for Australian brands which is fun. It's geared towards formal wear, but there's still plenty of principles you can apply to everyday clothing. I found some of the principles a bit difficult to apply - for example, trying to emphasise my one killer feature (to use the language of the book) and cover up my unfortunate features sometimes turned into contradictory advice. Still, I don't think it's possible to write a book of fashion advice that applies to all body shapes everywhere, and I very much liked the style and tone of this one.
]]> 21198634 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:18:27 -0700 Stardust for this month's bookclub meeting - the first fantasy novel we've managed to have for bookclub! A very exciting moment.

Stardust is a very sweet little fairy tale for adults - more complex than your usual fairy tale, but with the same style. I'm sure you know the plot - Tristran, a romantic young man, heads off into the land of Faerie to collect a fallen star for the young woman he's fallen in love with. Except Faerie is rather a dangerous place, the fallen star isn't what he was expecting, and Tristran himself begins to change. It's a lovely coming of age tale, and the descriptions of the Faerie marketplace are one of my favourite things ever.]]>
author: Neil Gaiman
name: Cee
average rating: 3.89
book published: 1999
rating: 4
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/30/08
shelves: fantasy, re-read
review:
I re-read Stardust for this month's bookclub meeting - the first fantasy novel we've managed to have for bookclub! A very exciting moment.

Stardust is a very sweet little fairy tale for adults - more complex than your usual fairy tale, but with the same style. I'm sure you know the plot - Tristran, a romantic young man, heads off into the land of Faerie to collect a fallen star for the young woman he's fallen in love with. Except Faerie is rather a dangerous place, the fallen star isn't what he was expecting, and Tristran himself begins to change. It's a lovely coming of age tale, and the descriptions of the Faerie marketplace are one of my favourite things ever.
]]> 20261226 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:07:58 -0700 Zygote Chronicles was on the shelves, so that's what I picked up).

I expected something a bit chick-littish, which this is definitely not - it's a small book, a diary of a pregnancy, and beautifully written. I felt completely caught up in that strange world of something coming to life inside you, and the oddness of it all. Oh, and it's terribly funny as well. Good stuff, and I'm looking forward to reading her other books.]]>
author: Suzanne Finnamore
name: Cee
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/30/08
shelves: general-fiction
review:
Jonniker recommended Suzanne Finnamore on her blog, and I trotted off to the library to explore. (I wanted to read her engagement/marriage novel prior to the pregnancy one, but Zygote Chronicles was on the shelves, so that's what I picked up).

I expected something a bit chick-littish, which this is definitely not - it's a small book, a diary of a pregnancy, and beautifully written. I felt completely caught up in that strange world of something coming to life inside you, and the oddness of it all. Oh, and it's terribly funny as well. Good stuff, and I'm looking forward to reading her other books.
]]> 10231052 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:08:56 -0700
We are introduced in the beginning to Kvothe, an innkeeper in a small town. Kvothe is a legend in his world - he hides his identity from his customers, who sometimes tell stories about his life while drinking in the evenings. For various reasons, Kvothe begins to tell his own story to a writer, the Chronicler, and that's where the book immediately draws you in. Kvothe's voice is excellent - he starts in his childhood, in a travelling troupe of actors, his early education with an arcanist, and moves through to his early adulthood at the University.

This is brilliant high fantasy - fantastic stuff, and I can't wait for the next book in the trilogy (god, I hate reading trilogies while the author's still writing them). See other reviews for a better summary of the plot - I can't do it justice without giving too much away.]]>
author: Patrick Rothfuss
name: Cee
average rating: 4.45
book published: 2007
rating: 5
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/28/08
shelves: fantasy
review:
I read the first two paragraphs of this book - an overly verbose description of silence - winced, and decided I was going to hate it. Then it rapidly improved, and I ended up reading really slowly to put off coming to the end of the story too quickly.

We are introduced in the beginning to Kvothe, an innkeeper in a small town. Kvothe is a legend in his world - he hides his identity from his customers, who sometimes tell stories about his life while drinking in the evenings. For various reasons, Kvothe begins to tell his own story to a writer, the Chronicler, and that's where the book immediately draws you in. Kvothe's voice is excellent - he starts in his childhood, in a travelling troupe of actors, his early education with an arcanist, and moves through to his early adulthood at the University.

This is brilliant high fantasy - fantastic stuff, and I can't wait for the next book in the trilogy (god, I hate reading trilogies while the author's still writing them). See other reviews for a better summary of the plot - I can't do it justice without giving too much away.
]]> 16053618 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:30:10 -0700 good!"). I really enjoyed it - the Melbourne setting is very cool. Harris does good vampires - I really liked that drinking blood keeps their brains more active. I'd never really thought about it before, but duh, unless you're bringing magic into the equation, if your brain is dead how well is that really going to work?

Lissa, the main character, is excellent - I loved the aspect of a character with terrible pain in their life being so attracted to the idea of an eternal, rather numb life. Plus, nerdy librarian heroine - I like.

There were some aspects of the ending which I didn't really like, mostly the part with her mother. Oh, and I had thought it was a stand-alone novel - it certainly reads fine as a stand-alone, but there's sequels! Exciting.]]>
author: Narrelle M. Harris
name: Cee
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/21/08
shelves: australian-author, fantasy
review:
I was convinced to buy this by a persuasive bookseller at a sci-fi bookstore in Melbourne ("it's by a local author and it's actually good!"). I really enjoyed it - the Melbourne setting is very cool. Harris does good vampires - I really liked that drinking blood keeps their brains more active. I'd never really thought about it before, but duh, unless you're bringing magic into the equation, if your brain is dead how well is that really going to work?

Lissa, the main character, is excellent - I loved the aspect of a character with terrible pain in their life being so attracted to the idea of an eternal, rather numb life. Plus, nerdy librarian heroine - I like.

There were some aspects of the ending which I didn't really like, mostly the part with her mother. Oh, and I had thought it was a stand-alone novel - it certainly reads fine as a stand-alone, but there's sequels! Exciting.
]]> 20271683 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:20:12 -0700
Anyway, Carola "storms" the Chalet School by running away from her Evil Aunt and joining the girls on the train and pretending she was already enrolled (she'd bought herself a brown blouse and skirt to fit in). She's discovered pretty promptly, but because her aunt is Evil she is allowed to stay and plunges delightedly into school life, and is informally adopted by Jo (of course. Do you think Jo's numerous children get pissed off at the number of strays Jo insists on bring into their family life?).

]]>
author: Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
name: Cee
average rating: 3.50
book published: 1970
rating: 3
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/21/08
shelves: chalet-school, re-read
review:
I don't really remember reading this before - I don't remember the character of Carola, particularly - but I do remember the Sale they have in this book, with the magnificent doll's house, and the competition at the Sale to win the doll's house. I wanted that doll's house, man.

Anyway, Carola "storms" the Chalet School by running away from her Evil Aunt and joining the girls on the train and pretending she was already enrolled (she'd bought herself a brown blouse and skirt to fit in). She's discovered pretty promptly, but because her aunt is Evil she is allowed to stay and plunges delightedly into school life, and is informally adopted by Jo (of course. Do you think Jo's numerous children get pissed off at the number of strays Jo insists on bring into their family life?).


]]> 18719553 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 17:09:41 -0700
author: Richard Restak
name: Cee
average rating: 3.40
book published: 2006
rating: 2
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/20/08
shelves: non-fiction
review:
Eh - this was OK. Some interesting stuff about the brain, but qualified with so much "well, of course, this is very vague, we're not even really sure what this means" that I wondered why I was bothering to read it. Engaging writing style though.
]]> 20195310 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 17:04:50 -0700
author: Karen Traviss
name: Cee
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/20/08
shelves: sci-fi
review:
I really enjoyed this fifth book in the series - the storyline on Bezer'ej with Lindsey is fascinating and horrifying. Shan and her husbands are fabulous as usual, and I love their relationship - can't wait for the final book, when presumably the Eqbas will finally arrive on Earth.
]]> 19914687 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:34:55 -0700
We're also introduced to Polly and Lala Winterton, new girls, in a way that made me suppose they were going to spend the book trying to learn how to be proper Chalet girls, but they really fade into the background once they're at school.

Madge and family are overseas in Canada (except for Sybil and... is it David? I forget, one of the boys who's away at a separate school), and while over Madge pops out a pair of twin boys. As usual, no-one was aware that she was pregnant. I can't figure out why it was fine for Brent-Dyer to have her characters having so many children (and therefore heaps of sex) and yet any mention of pregnancy seems to be beyond the pale.

There's some descriptions of doll house making as they all prepare for the end of year show and Christmas play (which is mentioned very briefly compared to the whole chapter it would get in earlier books). I used to love the sound of those doll houses, all the girls specialising in making one miniature thing or another.]]>
author: Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
name: Cee
average rating: 3.60
book published: 1986
rating: 3
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/14/08
shelves: chalet-school
review:
Peggy Bettany (Dick Bettany's - Madge's brother - daughter; it does get confusing keeping track of Madge's, Dick's and Jo's clans of children) gets made head girl of the Chalet School, who are still situated on the island of the Welsh coast. Shocks all round! One senior is terribly jealous and this is the cause of one of the term's dramas.

We're also introduced to Polly and Lala Winterton, new girls, in a way that made me suppose they were going to spend the book trying to learn how to be proper Chalet girls, but they really fade into the background once they're at school.

Madge and family are overseas in Canada (except for Sybil and... is it David? I forget, one of the boys who's away at a separate school), and while over Madge pops out a pair of twin boys. As usual, no-one was aware that she was pregnant. I can't figure out why it was fine for Brent-Dyer to have her characters having so many children (and therefore heaps of sex) and yet any mention of pregnancy seems to be beyond the pale.

There's some descriptions of doll house making as they all prepare for the end of year show and Christmas play (which is mentioned very briefly compared to the whole chapter it would get in earlier books). I used to love the sound of those doll houses, all the girls specialising in making one miniature thing or another.
]]> 16048237 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:27:28 -0700
Mercedes accompanies Stefan the vampire on a mission to confront another vampire. The results of that meeting lead Mercedes into conflict with the local vampire group (the seethe) and the local pack of werewolves, whose Alpha she's dating (albeit with many reservations). It's less of a muddle than it sounds - I enjoyed Mercy's agonising over the right path towards the end of the novel, and the in-depth look into the societal structure of the vampires was interesting. There is, as in the first book, a good deal of detail about the politics of the werewolf & vampire clans, but I think that's realistic - if you're going to create a world where creatures like this are "coming out" to the human population, of course you're going to have power struggles and problems in relating your society to human society. I think it's those elements that I really enjoy about this series - and I'll definitely be picking up the third if only to see if Mercy makes a decision about her love life.

]]>
author: Patricia Briggs
name: Cee
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/14/08
shelves: urban-fantasy
review:
I really enjoyed the first in this series, joyfully putting it into my mental file labeled "Urban Fantasy that's not Cliched Crap". The second in the series was pretty good, although the author managed to irritate me by introducing one too many love interests for the main character. It's annoying when every eligible male suddenly falls passionately in love with the heroine.

Mercedes accompanies Stefan the vampire on a mission to confront another vampire. The results of that meeting lead Mercedes into conflict with the local vampire group (the seethe) and the local pack of werewolves, whose Alpha she's dating (albeit with many reservations). It's less of a muddle than it sounds - I enjoyed Mercy's agonising over the right path towards the end of the novel, and the in-depth look into the societal structure of the vampires was interesting. There is, as in the first book, a good deal of detail about the politics of the werewolf & vampire clans, but I think that's realistic - if you're going to create a world where creatures like this are "coming out" to the human population, of course you're going to have power struggles and problems in relating your society to human society. I think it's those elements that I really enjoy about this series - and I'll definitely be picking up the third if only to see if Mercy makes a decision about her love life.


]]> 18424494 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:21:11 -0700
Unfortunately, the mystery left a bit to be desired - it seemed to re-hash elements of previous books, and I must confess that when my audio book stopped a few tracks before the end, I wasn't terribly distressed. I didn't have a great deal invested in the mystery side of story, but I think the character development sets us up for some very fun novels in the future. I'm certainly going to keep reading the series.]]>
author: Elizabeth Peters
name: Cee
average rating: 4.04
book published: 1999
rating: 2
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/14/08
shelves: audio-book, historical-fiction, mystery
review:
The character development in this 10th book of the Amelia Peabody series was great fun - I've skipped a couple, and it was lovely to see Ramses & Nefret as adults (and David, whom I'd never met as a child). There's a nice love story, a realistically tense family reaction, arguments between Amelia and her growingly independent children... I enjoyed these aspects of the story. I also liked the excerpts from "Manuscript H", being Ramses' diary, so that we get to see events not solely from Amelia's perspective.

Unfortunately, the mystery left a bit to be desired - it seemed to re-hash elements of previous books, and I must confess that when my audio book stopped a few tracks before the end, I wasn't terribly distressed. I didn't have a great deal invested in the mystery side of story, but I think the character development sets us up for some very fun novels in the future. I'm certainly going to keep reading the series.
]]> 12812346 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:50:57 -0700 utterly evil for my taste, but I enjoyed it enough by the end to think about getting the second book in the trilogy.]]>
author: Glenda Larke
name: Cee
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/10/08
shelves: fantasy
review:
It took me ages to get into this book - the setting, the evil dunmagic, the swashbuckling lead character (who is at least a woman, which makes the genre a little fresher), but I kept going with it, and it grew on me. It's a little cliched in places, and the evil is a little too utterly evil for my taste, but I enjoyed it enough by the end to think about getting the second book in the trilogy.
]]> 16046857 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:42:44 -0700
It's not your average secret-agent-terrorist-plot book, of course - there's the ex-soldier with mysterious and debilitating abilities, the charismatic politician, the aristocratic family with ties to the unions - it's wonderfully set up, with fantastic characters (as you expect from King), and a conclusion that manages to devastate while still giving you some semblance of a happy ending. ]]>
author: Laurie R. King
name: Cee
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/10/08
shelves: historical-fiction, mystery
review:
It took me a little while to get into this political thriller - a stand alone book from King, whom I love for her excellent series. Set in the 1920s, in an England torn between unions and a conservative government, an American agent arrives seeking a terrorist suspect. Secret agents and terrorists aren't really my favourite sort of books, so it took me a little while to get past that, after which I really enjoyed this.

It's not your average secret-agent-terrorist-plot book, of course - there's the ex-soldier with mysterious and debilitating abilities, the charismatic politician, the aristocratic family with ties to the unions - it's wonderfully set up, with fantastic characters (as you expect from King), and a conclusion that manages to devastate while still giving you some semblance of a happy ending.
]]> 18801181 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:36:05 -0700 Isenj politics and their civil war which results from the intervention of the Eqbas, but otherwise this fourth book in the Wess'har Series was very enjoyable. I loved Shan's developing role as matriarch in her household of two males (Aras and Ade, and their corresponding close relationship as housebrothers). And the Lindsay and Rayat strand of the story is fascinating. It is, however, so complex as to only appeal to those who have read and loved the earlier parts of the series. I probably enjoyed the earlier books in the series more, as the focus has shifted from Shan, but they're still fantastic sci-fi.]]>
author: Karen Traviss
name: Cee
average rating: 3.83
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/10/08
shelves: sci-fi
review:
I sometimes got a little lost on the Isenj politics and their civil war which results from the intervention of the Eqbas, but otherwise this fourth book in the Wess'har Series was very enjoyable. I loved Shan's developing role as matriarch in her household of two males (Aras and Ade, and their corresponding close relationship as housebrothers). And the Lindsay and Rayat strand of the story is fascinating. It is, however, so complex as to only appeal to those who have read and loved the earlier parts of the series. I probably enjoyed the earlier books in the series more, as the focus has shifted from Shan, but they're still fantastic sci-fi.
]]> 19144105 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:28:37 -0700
Most of the book is the school settling in at the island and discovering the joys of boating. Annis disappoints everyone with her rude behaviour (although she's somewhat distinctive in the history of the series that everyone accepts that her behaviour is entirely her guardian's fault). And we meet Kester Bellever, apparently the rock star of bird watching judging by the awe with which he is treated by all the characters, who teaches the School all about birds. Not the most fascinating of the books, but the island setting is quite fun.]]>
author: Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
name: Cee
average rating: 3.50
book published: 2000
rating: 3
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/10/08
shelves: chalet-school
review:
The drains at the Welsh house the Chalet School currently resides in are acting up causing illnesses all round (ew), so the school moves to a small island off the Welsh coast - possible the most impractical place for a boarding school, one would think. It does, however, make it rather difficult to run away from boarding school, as Annis (the wicked schoolgirl of this particular volume) demonstrates towards the end of the book.

Most of the book is the school settling in at the island and discovering the joys of boating. Annis disappoints everyone with her rude behaviour (although she's somewhat distinctive in the history of the series that everyone accepts that her behaviour is entirely her guardian's fault). And we meet Kester Bellever, apparently the rock star of bird watching judging by the awe with which he is treated by all the characters, who teaches the School all about birds. Not the most fascinating of the books, but the island setting is quite fun.
]]> 12812565 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:25:32 -0700
author: Barbara Ewing
name: Cee
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/27/08
shelves: historical-fiction
review:
This was enjoyable historical fiction - Miss Preston, a middle-aged out of work actress, starts work as a mesmerist using her recollection of her aunt's practice of mesmerism. Her friend plays the flute for her behind a decorated curtain, and the man who taught her aunt offer to improve her skills. However, people from her past reappear in her life, with rather disastrous consequences - in fact, I found those disastrous consequences a little bit over the top, but with sufficient suspension of disbelief you can keep rolling with the story.
]]> 18795750 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:06:48 -0700
Verity-Anne, our other new pupil, doesn't fit in nearly as well as the other two. She's been brought up by elderly people, as her father has been on an expedition in South America for many years (coincidentally, it's the same expedition Mary-Lou's father is on - goodness, there's a lot of coincidences in this book). Verity-Anne is terribly old-fashioned, doesn't want to join in games, and thinks that speaking German is unpatriotic (this is the book where the rule of alternate days of English, French and German is re-introduced - yay! That was always the aspect of the Chalet School that I found most romantic as a child.) While she clashes with the mistresses a lot on these points, they don't particularly discipline her, other then sending her to bed - they seem rather confused by her. All is fixed when her father comes home and reforms her (after which she soon expresses a desire to be more like the other Chalet girls - to conform is always the greatest desire of a true Chalet School girl.)

Mary-Lou and Clem, in contrast, have fairly uneventful terms - Mary-Lou is working terribly hard at her schoolwork in an effort to move up a form to be closer to Clem, and makes herself ill at one point through overwork (although she soon recovers). Mary-Lou also becomes terribly close to the Maynards - she calls Jo "Aunty" and has lots of deep and meaningfuls with her, showing us that she's going to be an important character. Anyone who's that close to Jo becomes important! ]]>
author: Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
name: Cee
average rating: 3.60
book published: 2000
rating: 4
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/27/08
shelves: chalet-school
review:
21 in the series - I'm about a third of the way through! Astonishing. I really liked this book, as it sets up three characters who are going to part of the ongoing story for some time. Mary-Lou is reluctant to go to school, but fits in very well, particularly when her great friend, Clem, also coincidentally appears as a new pupil.

Verity-Anne, our other new pupil, doesn't fit in nearly as well as the other two. She's been brought up by elderly people, as her father has been on an expedition in South America for many years (coincidentally, it's the same expedition Mary-Lou's father is on - goodness, there's a lot of coincidences in this book). Verity-Anne is terribly old-fashioned, doesn't want to join in games, and thinks that speaking German is unpatriotic (this is the book where the rule of alternate days of English, French and German is re-introduced - yay! That was always the aspect of the Chalet School that I found most romantic as a child.) While she clashes with the mistresses a lot on these points, they don't particularly discipline her, other then sending her to bed - they seem rather confused by her. All is fixed when her father comes home and reforms her (after which she soon expresses a desire to be more like the other Chalet girls - to conform is always the greatest desire of a true Chalet School girl.)

Mary-Lou and Clem, in contrast, have fairly uneventful terms - Mary-Lou is working terribly hard at her schoolwork in an effort to move up a form to be closer to Clem, and makes herself ill at one point through overwork (although she soon recovers). Mary-Lou also becomes terribly close to the Maynards - she calls Jo "Aunty" and has lots of deep and meaningfuls with her, showing us that she's going to be an important character. Anyone who's that close to Jo becomes important!
]]> 18795727 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:40:37 -0700 Tom Tackles the Chalet School, a book I couldn't get hold of). I found it rather funny that Rosalie "strongly admires" (as the book puts it) the most butch member of the school. Anyway, Tom doesn't hold with that sort of sentimental girlish rubbish, although it's obvious that she quite likes Rosalie, and does her best to tone down her brusqueness when dealing with her. After running away and having a big old cry after a fight with Tom, Rosalie is rescued by Tom and has to cut her long hair short as it gets stuck. Another symbolic gesture to indicate that she's becoming a proper Chalet School girl - no sentimentality or silly long curls allowed here! (Although that all changes once you hit 17, and have to start growing your hair in order to put it up.)]]>
author: Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
name: Cee
average rating: 3.00
book published: 1987
rating: 2
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/27/08
shelves: chalet-school
review:
This is a very short book - Rosalie Way, a new girl, gets a crush on Tom Gay (star of Tom Tackles the Chalet School, a book I couldn't get hold of). I found it rather funny that Rosalie "strongly admires" (as the book puts it) the most butch member of the school. Anyway, Tom doesn't hold with that sort of sentimental girlish rubbish, although it's obvious that she quite likes Rosalie, and does her best to tone down her brusqueness when dealing with her. After running away and having a big old cry after a fight with Tom, Rosalie is rescued by Tom and has to cut her long hair short as it gets stuck. Another symbolic gesture to indicate that she's becoming a proper Chalet School girl - no sentimentality or silly long curls allowed here! (Although that all changes once you hit 17, and have to start growing your hair in order to put it up.)
]]> 18551966 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:33:07 -0700
Naturally, Miss Bubb does not understand the Chalet School ways (giving the girls freedom in their spare time, encouraging lots of games and outdoor activities), and goes around imposing her will on everyone and making enemies all over the place. Madame's daughter Josette has been badly scalded (by her other 10 year old daughter Sybil, who is blamed and punished for the accident, although she was the one left alone by her parents with a younger child in a kitchen with a kettle of boiling water - that really annoyed me), so Madame is taking care of her and then ill from the stress of it all and cannot take Miss Bubb in hand.

Miss Bubb eventually leaves, of course, and I think this is actually handled very well - Madame and Miss Bubb agree that her methods don't suit the School, and that Miss Bubb cannot understand the School's philosophies. I much preferred it to the usual disgust shown to those who in any way disagree with the School.

Jacynth and Gay have become excellent friends through the book, and Gay is teaching Jacynth to play cello. I rather liked their friendship - it was sweet, and it was nice to have some more fully developed new characters, rather than the usual "comes to school, hates it, reforms" storylines.]]>
author: Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
name: Cee
average rating: 2.67
book published: 1989
rating: 3
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/27/08
shelves: chalet-school
review:
Jacynth is the new pupil for this term, and she meets Gay Lambert on the train to school. They arrive to discover things have changed - due to an accident, several mistresses (including headmistress Annersley) are in hospital, and there is a replacement headmistress, Miss Bubb.

Naturally, Miss Bubb does not understand the Chalet School ways (giving the girls freedom in their spare time, encouraging lots of games and outdoor activities), and goes around imposing her will on everyone and making enemies all over the place. Madame's daughter Josette has been badly scalded (by her other 10 year old daughter Sybil, who is blamed and punished for the accident, although she was the one left alone by her parents with a younger child in a kitchen with a kettle of boiling water - that really annoyed me), so Madame is taking care of her and then ill from the stress of it all and cannot take Miss Bubb in hand.

Miss Bubb eventually leaves, of course, and I think this is actually handled very well - Madame and Miss Bubb agree that her methods don't suit the School, and that Miss Bubb cannot understand the School's philosophies. I much preferred it to the usual disgust shown to those who in any way disagree with the School.

Jacynth and Gay have become excellent friends through the book, and Gay is teaching Jacynth to play cello. I rather liked their friendship - it was sweet, and it was nice to have some more fully developed new characters, rather than the usual "comes to school, hates it, reforms" storylines.
]]> 15030026 Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:34:41 -0700 Beauty and the Beast - I expected something more original from McKinley, not simply making Beauty a rather plain bookworm. Her descriptions of the magical castle in which the Beast lives were lovely, but the oh-so-happy ending disappointed me.]]>
author: Robin McKinley
name: Cee
average rating: 4.23
book published: 1993
rating: 2
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/24/08
shelves: fantasy, youngadult
review:
I was a little disappointed with this very straight re-telling of Beauty and the Beast - I expected something more original from McKinley, not simply making Beauty a rather plain bookworm. Her descriptions of the magical castle in which the Beast lives were lovely, but the oh-so-happy ending disappointed me.
]]> 18424427 Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:32:21 -0700 Highland Twins at the Chalet School, in which Jack is missing at war for some time, and Jo thinks he is dead. As a result in this book, she is rather delicate, having had a "difficult time" of it, and she doesn't see too many people. Of course, near the end of the book it is announced that she has had her fourth child, Stephen, although as usual no pregnancy is mentioned, so this may be another reason for her "delicacy".

Jo has really moved into her adult role now, as adviser and moral guide to the girls of the school - it is her words of wisdom to Lavender that help her transform into a proper Chalet girl, and at one point the headmistress refers to Jo as the embodiment of everything the school stands for. (Everyone nods seriously when she says this instead of making gagging motions as I would have at that age).

The Lavender storyline bored me a little - it's becoming very familiar (and I know many of the future books have a similar theme, unfortunately). Lavender as a character didn't appeal to me, and I wanted to know more about the ongoing characters.]]>
author: Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
name: Cee
average rating: 3.00
book published: 1988
rating: 2
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/24/08
shelves: chalet-school
review:
The 17th book of the series rehashes a familiar plot - snobby priggish girl who hasn't been to school before finds it difficult to adjust to school life, in this case the titular Lavender Leigh. I wasn't able to get hold of book 16, Highland Twins at the Chalet School, in which Jack is missing at war for some time, and Jo thinks he is dead. As a result in this book, she is rather delicate, having had a "difficult time" of it, and she doesn't see too many people. Of course, near the end of the book it is announced that she has had her fourth child, Stephen, although as usual no pregnancy is mentioned, so this may be another reason for her "delicacy".

Jo has really moved into her adult role now, as adviser and moral guide to the girls of the school - it is her words of wisdom to Lavender that help her transform into a proper Chalet girl, and at one point the headmistress refers to Jo as the embodiment of everything the school stands for. (Everyone nods seriously when she says this instead of making gagging motions as I would have at that age).

The Lavender storyline bored me a little - it's becoming very familiar (and I know many of the future books have a similar theme, unfortunately). Lavender as a character didn't appeal to me, and I wanted to know more about the ongoing characters.
]]> 16198449 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:03:54 -0700
author: Elizabeth Peters
name: Cee
average rating: 4.10
book published: 1994
rating: 3
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/22/08
shelves: audio-book, historical-fiction, mystery
review:
Early on in this book, Emerson loses all memory of his marriage, and Amelia has to work on solving the mystery of who is trying to capture them both, and wooing Emerson at the same time. Ramses is in England occasionally treating them with lengthy (and terribly funny) missives as to what is happening over there, and the Master Criminal makes an appearance. Jolly good show.
]]> 9382714 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:01:12 -0700
author: Minette Walters
name: Cee
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2003
rating: 3
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/22/08
shelves: mystery
review:
This was Minette Walters' first book - a mystery about an abusive man, long missing, his wife, who was suspected of his murder, and her two friends who live in her house, ostracised by the local village. It was an enjoyable mystery, but I think her books improve as she goes along.
]]> 18154338 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:00:28 -0700 Chalet School in Exile, the book between this and The New Chalet School. Rather a lot obviously happens in Exile - Jo, rather than being single and living with Madge, is now married and has triplets. Yes. Triplets. And she had a run-in with the Gestapo (as you do). The school has also moved from Austria to the Channel Islands.

In At War, the Islands are threatened by the war, and the school moves to Wales. It's interesting, the changes brought about by the way - there are lessons in gardening now, with the girls learning to grow vegetables efficiently. There is trouble when the local Colonel complains about torchlight being seen on the school grounds after blackout, and the school experiences an air raid (in which a message is dropped from two old girls stuck in Germany, rather a ridiculous coincidence).

One of the old girls gets married at the end, and there is rather a sweet fuss about making her dress, given the short notice she had, and the whole school gets to go to the wedding, as usual.

I liked Jo more in this book - she is more involved in her own life than that of the school, particularly because she has more in common with the mistresses now than the students. And I liked her little family - the Robin and Daisy live with her - and her dear friendships with her foursome of old school friends.
]]>
author: Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
name: Cee
average rating: 3.80
book published: 1988
rating: 3
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/19/08
shelves: chalet-school
review:
Unfortunately, I couldn't get my hands on a copy of Chalet School in Exile, the book between this and The New Chalet School. Rather a lot obviously happens in Exile - Jo, rather than being single and living with Madge, is now married and has triplets. Yes. Triplets. And she had a run-in with the Gestapo (as you do). The school has also moved from Austria to the Channel Islands.

In At War, the Islands are threatened by the war, and the school moves to Wales. It's interesting, the changes brought about by the way - there are lessons in gardening now, with the girls learning to grow vegetables efficiently. There is trouble when the local Colonel complains about torchlight being seen on the school grounds after blackout, and the school experiences an air raid (in which a message is dropped from two old girls stuck in Germany, rather a ridiculous coincidence).

One of the old girls gets married at the end, and there is rather a sweet fuss about making her dress, given the short notice she had, and the whole school gets to go to the wedding, as usual.

I liked Jo more in this book - she is more involved in her own life than that of the school, particularly because she has more in common with the mistresses now than the students. And I liked her little family - the Robin and Daisy live with her - and her dear friendships with her foursome of old school friends.

]]> 17627525 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:43:05 -0700
author: Melissa Marr
name: Cee
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2007
rating: 2
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/19/08
shelves: fantasy, youngadult
review:
Eh - this was OK. No, it was pretty bland actually, which is surprisingly when you consider that it's a book about a Summer King and Winter Queen and mortals becomes fairies and so on. But everything seems very removed. We can always reach fairly happy compromises for every character involved, so it never feels like anything matters very much. I didn't particularly care how it all worked out, which didn't make for a good read.
]]> 6666223 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:37:16 -0700 Empire of Ivory, Temeraire and Laurence head to Africa in search of a cure. There's heaps of stuff I loved in this book - no big battles, but thoughtful stuff on slavery, another fascinating way in which dragons are treated in a different culture, and an awful, cliffhanger ending. Which I loved all the same, because it was so utterly perfect for the characters. I do believe the next book is to be released later this year, so the wait won't be too agonising.]]>
author: Naomi Novik
name: Cee
average rating: 3.53
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/19/08
shelves: fantasy
review:
We heard of the terrible illness that had spread among England's dragons in the last book - in Empire of Ivory, Temeraire and Laurence head to Africa in search of a cure. There's heaps of stuff I loved in this book - no big battles, but thoughtful stuff on slavery, another fascinating way in which dragons are treated in a different culture, and an awful, cliffhanger ending. Which I loved all the same, because it was so utterly perfect for the characters. I do believe the next book is to be released later this year, so the wait won't be too agonising.
]]> 18156060 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:19:33 -0700
Madge and Jem conveniently decide to buy St Scholastika's as a summer house (this is a school that's had over 40 students living in it - how much room do they need?), and Jo and Madge have fun decorating and live there during the summer. This enables Jo to be far too involved in the prefect's business for my liking - honestly, if you were trying to discipline a middle, would you want the old head girl sticking her oar in?

A pair of Italian twins play various pranks on the school, concluding with them kidnapping Madge's baby. Which I just thought was insane - I mean, everyone's very pissed off about it, and Madge becomes ill with worry (as women always seem to do in these books), but then they don't really get in trouble because their mother (who's in the Sanatorium) dies and they don't get to say goodbye to her. Perhaps I'm awfully cruel, but if I think they needed more punishment than that - if they're kidnapping babies prior to their mother dying, what are they going to be doing afterwards?

There's also the usual dramatic episode (this time, a flood while the girls are out on a trip in a coach), and Jo's published book arrives (and someone injures themselves running into a burning building trying to save the book - I'm finding the Jo Worship a bit much.)]]>
author: Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
name: Cee
average rating: 3.40
book published: 1975
rating: 3
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/19/08
shelves: chalet-school
review:
Of course, we all knew that you can't have two schools near the Austrian lake for long, despite their amicable relationship - in this book, the headmistress of St Scholastika's retires, and the Saints merge with the Chalet School. Everything is quite overcrowded, so a new chalet is to be constructed, and a nearby chalet to be purchased. There is to be a new house system, with juniors, middles and seniors in every house.

Madge and Jem conveniently decide to buy St Scholastika's as a summer house (this is a school that's had over 40 students living in it - how much room do they need?), and Jo and Madge have fun decorating and live there during the summer. This enables Jo to be far too involved in the prefect's business for my liking - honestly, if you were trying to discipline a middle, would you want the old head girl sticking her oar in?

A pair of Italian twins play various pranks on the school, concluding with them kidnapping Madge's baby. Which I just thought was insane - I mean, everyone's very pissed off about it, and Madge becomes ill with worry (as women always seem to do in these books), but then they don't really get in trouble because their mother (who's in the Sanatorium) dies and they don't get to say goodbye to her. Perhaps I'm awfully cruel, but if I think they needed more punishment than that - if they're kidnapping babies prior to their mother dying, what are they going to be doing afterwards?

There's also the usual dramatic episode (this time, a flood while the girls are out on a trip in a coach), and Jo's published book arrives (and someone injures themselves running into a burning building trying to save the book - I'm finding the Jo Worship a bit much.)
]]> 17817321 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:58:27 -0700
So, she putters around the school, feeling useless, trying to write her first book (she writes one crappy book in a week or so, then seems to dash off a publishable one in a similar amount of time), and doing some fill in teaching, because all the mistresses seem to be getting sick as well.

Not the most fascinating of Chalet School books - we spent most of our time with Jo as she is either teaching, tutoring or writing her book. Oh, and there's a Christmas play, in which Jo still plays a starring role - do you think the other girls are getting annoyed that they never get a chance to shine? ]]>
author: Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
name: Cee
average rating: 3.67
book published: 1989
rating: 3
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/19/08
shelves: chalet-school
review:
Jo is just a wee bit insufferable now that she's left school. She gets stuck at the school due to the babies up at Die Rosen (encompassing Madge's children, Dick's children, and Jem's sister's children - argh!) getting measles and then whooping couch and then syphilis... well, not syphilis, but everything else under the sun. And because of Jo's delicate nature, she's not allowed up there until everyone's fully recovered.

So, she putters around the school, feeling useless, trying to write her first book (she writes one crappy book in a week or so, then seems to dash off a publishable one in a similar amount of time), and doing some fill in teaching, because all the mistresses seem to be getting sick as well.

Not the most fascinating of Chalet School books - we spent most of our time with Jo as she is either teaching, tutoring or writing her book. Oh, and there's a Christmas play, in which Jo still plays a starring role - do you think the other girls are getting annoyed that they never get a chance to shine?
]]> 17815563 Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:59:52 -0700
They have a new Matron in the new chalet, who tries to institute new rules, and plenty of pranks are played on her. The Matron ends up holding a grudge against Jo, a cardinal sin in the Chalet world.

On a trip to Innsbruck, Jo & Frieda discover a relative of Dr Jem's (and Jem acts like a dick when he gets the news), the Middles start an orchestra (one of the funniest moments in the book) and then Marie has some news which she confides in her friends - awwww. Jo, for once, refrains from her "growing up sucks" tirade.]]>
author: Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
name: Cee
average rating: 3.33
book published: 1980
rating: 3
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/15/08
shelves: chalet-school, re-read
review:
The 11th book is Jo's last term at school, and she finds that she and the rest of the quartet are to move into the new chalet that has been built, along with the middle school. To make up for the change (which Jo is cranky about, of course) she and the other prefects have their own private rooms.

They have a new Matron in the new chalet, who tries to institute new rules, and plenty of pranks are played on her. The Matron ends up holding a grudge against Jo, a cardinal sin in the Chalet world.

On a trip to Innsbruck, Jo & Frieda discover a relative of Dr Jem's (and Jem acts like a dick when he gets the news), the Middles start an orchestra (one of the funniest moments in the book) and then Marie has some news which she confides in her friends - awwww. Jo, for once, refrains from her "growing up sucks" tirade.
]]> 17639046 Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:37:39 -0700
author: Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
name: Cee
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1985
rating: 3
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/15/08
shelves: chalet-school
review:
In the 9th book, we are introduced to Thekla, a Prussian girl who considers herself to be superior to many of the other girls at the school (given that they are the "daughters of shopkeepers"). Most of the story revolves around Thekla's dreadfulness, although we have the usual mishaps (Evadne blows up the science lab, Cornelia falls down a pit). After an accident at the staff party, Thekla has a talking to and becomes more resigned to her position at the school - she's even given a minor part in the Christmas play - but we're left to wonder how long this will last.
]]> 17813842 Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:19:42 -0700 A Rebel of the Chalet School.

Joyce is pretty and lazy, and encourages the girls into terribly evil things (like midnight feasts) with Thekla, the villian introduced in the last book.

Cooking lessons are intoduced in this book, as the staff decide they want the girls to be "homemakers" as well as cultured. So we have a few mix-ups in the kitchen, creating garlic apple pies.

When Joyce is threatened with expulsion, Joey has a heart-to-heart with her and encourages her to reform. Thekla makes this difficult, and the Linton's mother has a set back, requiring Joey to save the day.

This isn't one of my favourite books - Joey continues to go on and on about it being her last year at school and she doesn't want to grow up, and so on. And Joyce and Gillian don't particularly interest me as characters.]]>
author: Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
name: Cee
average rating: 3.25
book published: 1973
rating: 3
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/15/08
shelves: chalet-school, re-read
review:
Joyce and Gillian Linton move from England to attend the Chalet School in the 10th book of the series, as their ill mother must go to the sanatorium. (I read this in paperback, in which it is split into two books, this and A Rebel of the Chalet School.

Joyce is pretty and lazy, and encourages the girls into terribly evil things (like midnight feasts) with Thekla, the villian introduced in the last book.

Cooking lessons are intoduced in this book, as the staff decide they want the girls to be "homemakers" as well as cultured. So we have a few mix-ups in the kitchen, creating garlic apple pies.

When Joyce is threatened with expulsion, Joey has a heart-to-heart with her and encourages her to reform. Thekla makes this difficult, and the Linton's mother has a set back, requiring Joey to save the day.

This isn't one of my favourite books - Joey continues to go on and on about it being her last year at school and she doesn't want to grow up, and so on. And Joyce and Gillian don't particularly interest me as characters.
]]> 17571753 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:23:12 -0700 Chalet School book that I read, or perhaps it was one I re-read many times - it's certainly the one that I have the clearest memories of.

Joey is now a fairly reluctant head girl, although they have an exciting term planned - there's a camp planned (which occurs in the next book, I think - The Chalet School in Camp), and the school is going to the Passion Play in Oberammergau (a full day of re-enactment of the life of Christ) for Madge's birthday celebration.

I think I found the description of the Passion Play quite affecting when I was younger - Joey's face "grey with strain", and her fainting at the end of the day. Now I found it all a bit silly, with all the mentions of the "simple" people of the area and their consequently more moving religious faith. And Grizel not being as deeply involved as the others because of her "hardness".

Joey also intervenes in order to encourage the engagement of Juliet and Donal (a young Irish man who has jilted her at the beginning of the story - although it appears that it is his sister Kay whom Juliet had a true affection for). I find this a bit irritating - Donal has dumped Juliet because his sister doesn't think Juliet's family is good enough for him, then after a talking to by Joey, he takes her back. Juliet is quite delighted over all this, of course, despite his previous behaviour - I think I found this more touching when I was younger too!

Oh, and then there's the ridiculous adoption of little Irish Biddy by the Guides company, and the musings that perhaps they could train her as a maid for the Robin, or maybe she could be trained as a hairdresser, "which would suit her well". Hello snobbery! I saw it pointed out that this is particularly ridiculous after Jo's outrage at Donal & co's snobbery towards Juliet, but this obviously doesn't occur to Brent-Dyer at all.

Despite all this, this is one of my favourite books in the series simply because of familiarity, I think. The next few books in the series are ones I haven't read, so I'm looking forward to those.]]>
author: Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
name: Cee
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2000
rating: 4
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/12/08
shelves: chalet-school, re-read
review:
I think this book (7 in the series) was possible the first Chalet School book that I read, or perhaps it was one I re-read many times - it's certainly the one that I have the clearest memories of.

Joey is now a fairly reluctant head girl, although they have an exciting term planned - there's a camp planned (which occurs in the next book, I think - The Chalet School in Camp), and the school is going to the Passion Play in Oberammergau (a full day of re-enactment of the life of Christ) for Madge's birthday celebration.

I think I found the description of the Passion Play quite affecting when I was younger - Joey's face "grey with strain", and her fainting at the end of the day. Now I found it all a bit silly, with all the mentions of the "simple" people of the area and their consequently more moving religious faith. And Grizel not being as deeply involved as the others because of her "hardness".

Joey also intervenes in order to encourage the engagement of Juliet and Donal (a young Irish man who has jilted her at the beginning of the story - although it appears that it is his sister Kay whom Juliet had a true affection for). I find this a bit irritating - Donal has dumped Juliet because his sister doesn't think Juliet's family is good enough for him, then after a talking to by Joey, he takes her back. Juliet is quite delighted over all this, of course, despite his previous behaviour - I think I found this more touching when I was younger too!

Oh, and then there's the ridiculous adoption of little Irish Biddy by the Guides company, and the musings that perhaps they could train her as a maid for the Robin, or maybe she could be trained as a hairdresser, "which would suit her well". Hello snobbery! I saw it pointed out that this is particularly ridiculous after Jo's outrage at Donal & co's snobbery towards Juliet, but this obviously doesn't occur to Brent-Dyer at all.

Despite all this, this is one of my favourite books in the series simply because of familiarity, I think. The next few books in the series are ones I haven't read, so I'm looking forward to those.
]]> 17467359 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 22:39:57 -0700
Breathe My Name wasn't bad - when her mother's released from prison and leaves her a mysterious message, Frances and the new guy at her school, Nix, head off to find her. The ending is fairly unbelievable, but I quite liked Frances, her anxious adopted family, and her memories of her mother's insanity. [It's never quite clear what's wrong with her mother - the birth of her children and her isolation is mentioned, implying post-natal depression, but she also says voices speak to her. So, I'm going with insanity as a nice general term.]]]>
author: R.A. Nelson
name: Cee
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/11/08
shelves: youngadult
review:
I picked this up off the YA shelves at the library because of the cover (I love the title written in condensation), and then because of the "my mother killed all my sibli