Heather James's Blog, page 33
May 20, 2017
Snow Like Ashes
Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raach
Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.
Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again. {goodreads summary}
Snow Like Ashes has been on my tbr since I first saw the cover; it was too beautiful to ignore. The picture above really doesn't do it justice.
“Even the strongest blizzards start with a single snowflake.”
Meira's kingdom has been defeated and enslaved for the majority of her life, and she'll do anything to help rescue her people. She's desperate for a chance to prove herself, learning to balance what is best for herself with what is best for the people who depend on her.
“Holding on to some part of your past even if it means also holding on to the pain of never again having it. That pain is less horrible than the pain of forgetting.”
I loved the twists and turns in this novel; it didn't always go in the direction I was expecting and I often found myself looking at how many pages I had left, wondering how everything would be resolved in time.
"Someday we will be more than words in the dark."
The world building was a real strength, with the kingdoms and their magic fully worked out. I felt really immersed in Meira's world and am looking forward to hopefully finding out more about the other kingdoms in the rest of the series.
“Sometimes placing our belief in something bigger than ourselves helps us get to a point where we can be enough on our own, magic or no magic.”
Meira was a fantastic character. I loved watching her develop as the novel progressed, weighing up how the decisions she makes affect not only her own life, but those of the people she cares about. There are interesting observations on selfishness and selflessness, courage and resilience, throughout the novel. I'm really interested to see how her character will progress in the next novel.
Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.
Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again. {goodreads summary}
Snow Like Ashes has been on my tbr since I first saw the cover; it was too beautiful to ignore. The picture above really doesn't do it justice.
“Even the strongest blizzards start with a single snowflake.”
Meira's kingdom has been defeated and enslaved for the majority of her life, and she'll do anything to help rescue her people. She's desperate for a chance to prove herself, learning to balance what is best for herself with what is best for the people who depend on her.
“Holding on to some part of your past even if it means also holding on to the pain of never again having it. That pain is less horrible than the pain of forgetting.”
I loved the twists and turns in this novel; it didn't always go in the direction I was expecting and I often found myself looking at how many pages I had left, wondering how everything would be resolved in time.
"Someday we will be more than words in the dark."
The world building was a real strength, with the kingdoms and their magic fully worked out. I felt really immersed in Meira's world and am looking forward to hopefully finding out more about the other kingdoms in the rest of the series.
“Sometimes placing our belief in something bigger than ourselves helps us get to a point where we can be enough on our own, magic or no magic.”
Meira was a fantastic character. I loved watching her develop as the novel progressed, weighing up how the decisions she makes affect not only her own life, but those of the people she cares about. There are interesting observations on selfishness and selflessness, courage and resilience, throughout the novel. I'm really interested to see how her character will progress in the next novel.
May 17, 2017
Why We Love: I Don't Know What to Call my Cat
Choosing what to name your pet can be a difficult decision - there are so many to pick from: from Ethel to Rocky to My Maestro... The wrong name can have unexpected consequences.
I Don't Know What to Call my Cat has adorable art work and a very funny storyline - which I hadn't expected because I thought the book was just going to be a list of names.
However, my daughter is quite young and a lot of the story is hidden in the pictures, rather than obvious from the text, so so do feel like a lot of it is going straight over her head. She really likes the busy artwork and has fun spotting the cats on each page, but I think this is a story she'll get more out of in a year or so.
May 13, 2017
The Sleeping Prince
The Sleeping Prince by Melinda Salisbury
Ever since her brother Lief disappeared, Errin's life has gone from bad to worse. Not only must she care for her sick mother, she has to scrape together rent money by selling illegal herbal cures. But none of that compares to the threat of the vengeful Sleeping Prince whom the Queen just awoke from his enchanted sleep.
When her village is evacuated as part of the war against the Sleeping Prince, Errin is left desperate and homeless. The only person she can turn to is the mysterious Silas, a young man who buys deadly poisons from Errin, but won't reveal why he needs them. Silas promises to help her, but when he vanishes, Errin must journey across a kingdom on the brink of war to seek another way to save her mother and herself. But what she finds shatters everything she believed about her world, and with the Sleeping Prince drawing nearer, Errin must make a heartbreaking choice that could affect the whole kingdom. {goodreads summary}
Reading the Sleeping Prince reminded me why I should try to read novels in the same series more closely together - it's been so long since I read the Sin Eater's Daughter that I had forgotten a lot of the plot lines and back story, which made reading the first third or so of the book a struggle in places.
“The apothecary, the monk and the living Goddess went to war. We sound like the start of a joke.”
I'm not usually a fan of books in series which follow different characters to the original, but TSP is definitely an exception. I really loved Errin and Silas - they were such complex, interesting characters and a real credit to Salisbury's world. They also meant that TSP nicely avoided the mid-book slump that it all too common in YA trilogies, giving the story a fresh twist with the changed perspective.
“Fortune favours the bold." I smile weakly."So does death," she counters immediately. "The craven tend to live much longer than the heroic.”
I adored the world building, and found myself lost in Salisbury's fantasy world for days after I'd finished TSP, even though I'd started on another book. I just couldn't get it out of my head. The backstory and mythology is incredibly detailed.
When I asked him why, he told me it was safer like that. For us both. And to not ask again.
Mysterious boys are not as enjoyable in reality as they are in stories.
I'm going to make an effort to read The Scarecrow Queen quite soon, so I don't encounter the same issues that I did at the start of TSP. I can't wait to see how this series ends.
Ever since her brother Lief disappeared, Errin's life has gone from bad to worse. Not only must she care for her sick mother, she has to scrape together rent money by selling illegal herbal cures. But none of that compares to the threat of the vengeful Sleeping Prince whom the Queen just awoke from his enchanted sleep.
When her village is evacuated as part of the war against the Sleeping Prince, Errin is left desperate and homeless. The only person she can turn to is the mysterious Silas, a young man who buys deadly poisons from Errin, but won't reveal why he needs them. Silas promises to help her, but when he vanishes, Errin must journey across a kingdom on the brink of war to seek another way to save her mother and herself. But what she finds shatters everything she believed about her world, and with the Sleeping Prince drawing nearer, Errin must make a heartbreaking choice that could affect the whole kingdom. {goodreads summary}
Reading the Sleeping Prince reminded me why I should try to read novels in the same series more closely together - it's been so long since I read the Sin Eater's Daughter that I had forgotten a lot of the plot lines and back story, which made reading the first third or so of the book a struggle in places.
“The apothecary, the monk and the living Goddess went to war. We sound like the start of a joke.”
I'm not usually a fan of books in series which follow different characters to the original, but TSP is definitely an exception. I really loved Errin and Silas - they were such complex, interesting characters and a real credit to Salisbury's world. They also meant that TSP nicely avoided the mid-book slump that it all too common in YA trilogies, giving the story a fresh twist with the changed perspective.
“Fortune favours the bold." I smile weakly."So does death," she counters immediately. "The craven tend to live much longer than the heroic.”
I adored the world building, and found myself lost in Salisbury's fantasy world for days after I'd finished TSP, even though I'd started on another book. I just couldn't get it out of my head. The backstory and mythology is incredibly detailed.
When I asked him why, he told me it was safer like that. For us both. And to not ask again.
Mysterious boys are not as enjoyable in reality as they are in stories.
I'm going to make an effort to read The Scarecrow Queen quite soon, so I don't encounter the same issues that I did at the start of TSP. I can't wait to see how this series ends.
May 10, 2017
Why We Love: Oh No, George!
George said he'd be good and he wants to be good, but being good is tricky when there are so many fun temptations to be found when you're alone in the house...
George is like a toddler who's been left alone in a room for five minutes while you try to make a cup of tea/put the washing on/brush your hair/hide and eat a biscuit. He means well, but temptation keeps getting the best of him and before he knows it, the whole house is a mess!
We bought Oh No, George! on the strength of Shh! We Have a Plan and I'm sure it won't be the last Chris Haughton book we read together. The art work is so distinctive and the repetition in the text is great for getting little ones involved in 'reading' the story; Oh No, George! is full of questions which you can discuss with your little ones, getting them to guess/remember what happens next.
May 6, 2017
Half Lost
Half Lost by Sally Green
The Alliance is losing the war, and their most critical weapon, seventeen-year-old witch Nathan Byrn, is losing his mind. Nathan’s tally of kills is rising, and yet he’s no closer to ending the tyrannical rule of the Council of White Witches in England. Nor is Nathan any closer to his personal goal: getting revenge on Annalise, the girl he once loved before she committed an unthinkable crime. An amulet protected by the extremely powerful witch Ledger could be the tool Nathan needs to save himself and the Alliance, but this amulet is not so easily acquired. And lately Nathan has started to suffer from visions: a vision of a golden moment when he dies, and of an endless line of Hunters, impossible to overcome. Gabriel, his closest companion, urges Nathan to run away with him, to start a peaceful life together. But even Gabriel’s love may not be enough to save Nathan from this war, or from the person he has become. {goodreads summary}
I put off reading Half Lost for a very long time, mostly out of concern that it wasn't going to end the way I wanted (I'm so team Gabriel that I don't read a book without my Gabriel bookmark).
“You've been away a long time. Were you lost?
I was wounded, not lost.”
Half Lost follows Nathan learning how to use his new powers and master his all-consuming desire for vengeance against Annalise, culminating in the final battle against Sol and the Hunters.
Gabriel turns to Greatorex, saying, ‘It’s him. But still feel free to shoot him.”
Nathan is a really interesting character - he's dark, with a bloodlust and violence that's unusual in a YA protagonist. He's volatile and angry, often pushing those closest to him away. Green's writing style really helps you to get into his head, her narrative voice matching perfectly with the way you would expect him to speak to you.
“I’m tired of your revenge, your anger, your hate. The war is killing you.”
The ending: oh wow! I don't want to say very much, as I'd hate to give anything away. It's one of the best series endings I've come across in a while though, even if it did break my heart. I can't wait to read whatever Green publishes next.
The Alliance is losing the war, and their most critical weapon, seventeen-year-old witch Nathan Byrn, is losing his mind. Nathan’s tally of kills is rising, and yet he’s no closer to ending the tyrannical rule of the Council of White Witches in England. Nor is Nathan any closer to his personal goal: getting revenge on Annalise, the girl he once loved before she committed an unthinkable crime. An amulet protected by the extremely powerful witch Ledger could be the tool Nathan needs to save himself and the Alliance, but this amulet is not so easily acquired. And lately Nathan has started to suffer from visions: a vision of a golden moment when he dies, and of an endless line of Hunters, impossible to overcome. Gabriel, his closest companion, urges Nathan to run away with him, to start a peaceful life together. But even Gabriel’s love may not be enough to save Nathan from this war, or from the person he has become. {goodreads summary}
I put off reading Half Lost for a very long time, mostly out of concern that it wasn't going to end the way I wanted (I'm so team Gabriel that I don't read a book without my Gabriel bookmark).
“You've been away a long time. Were you lost?
I was wounded, not lost.”
Half Lost follows Nathan learning how to use his new powers and master his all-consuming desire for vengeance against Annalise, culminating in the final battle against Sol and the Hunters.
Gabriel turns to Greatorex, saying, ‘It’s him. But still feel free to shoot him.”
Nathan is a really interesting character - he's dark, with a bloodlust and violence that's unusual in a YA protagonist. He's volatile and angry, often pushing those closest to him away. Green's writing style really helps you to get into his head, her narrative voice matching perfectly with the way you would expect him to speak to you.
“I’m tired of your revenge, your anger, your hate. The war is killing you.”
The ending: oh wow! I don't want to say very much, as I'd hate to give anything away. It's one of the best series endings I've come across in a while though, even if it did break my heart. I can't wait to read whatever Green publishes next.
May 3, 2017
Why We Love: Edie
Edie is helpful. So helpful. She wakes up her parents, keeps the dog looking smart and tells her little brother 'what's what'.
Parents of toddlers will instantly recognise Edie's behaviour. I feel like it could have been written after watching my little girl for an afternoon. Edie's 'helping' is usually more of a hindrance to her family, but her sunny attitude and desire to make everyone's lives easier makes this book a lot of fun.
Throw in some adorable art work and you've got a real winner of a picture book. I'm already planning how I can dress my daughter up as Edie for next world book day!
May 1, 2017
Elements of Power on Wattpad
Last week, after four and a half years of updates, I posted the final chapter of Air and therefore the conclusion to the Elements of Power trilogy, on Wattpad.
I am so grateful for all of the support, votes and comments I have received for the series on Wattpad. I'm going to miss my weekly check in with Roxy and Jasmine a lot - I learnt so much by working on this series, not just about writing but publishing, marketing and promotion, and it will always be very special to me.
At some point, I would really like to work out the formatting so that the trilogy can be available in paperback on Amazon, with new covers more like the ones I use on Wattpad. Until then, you can still get the ebooks from all major ebook retailers, or read the full series on Wattpad:
I am so grateful for all of the support, votes and comments I have received for the series on Wattpad. I'm going to miss my weekly check in with Roxy and Jasmine a lot - I learnt so much by working on this series, not just about writing but publishing, marketing and promotion, and it will always be very special to me.
At some point, I would really like to work out the formatting so that the trilogy can be available in paperback on Amazon, with new covers more like the ones I use on Wattpad. Until then, you can still get the ebooks from all major ebook retailers, or read the full series on Wattpad:
April 29, 2017
Way Down Dark
Way Down Dark by JP Smythe
There's one truth on Australia: You fight or you die. Usually both. Seventeen-year-old Chan's ancestors left a dying Earth hundreds of years ago, in search of a new home. They never found one. The only life that Chan's ever known is one of violence, of fighting. Of trying to survive. But there might be a way to escape. In order to find it, Chan must head way down into the darkness - a place of buried secrets, long-forgotten lies, and the abandoned bodies of the dead. {goodreads summary}
My first sci-fi novel in a while! I watch a lot of sci-fi films and TV shows, but don't seem to end up reading many novels, for some reason.
"After I helped to kill my mother, I had to burn her body."
Way Down Dark follows Chan's life on board the Australia - a space ship divided by fierce gangs, where caring too much, or showing the slightest sign of weakness, can get you killed.
"You aren't special, Chan. None of us are."
I loved the concept of the Australia. It placed really interesting limitations on the characters and plot due to the cramped confinement and lack of resources. It was a dangerous, but exciting setting and was the thing I liked most about WDD. There was so much you couldn't do, and so much that you couldn't escape from. It was a bleak world and the ship was as important to the novel as any of the characters.
"'I'm not special,' I say, 'that's right. I'm really not. Anybody could have done what I'm doing, but they didn't.'"
But that doesn't mean that the characters weren't great too! Chan was a really interesting protagonist, and I loved the exploration of where she was 'special' and whether that actually meant anything - she was determined to try and make a difference because it was the right thing to do, not because she thought she was important or worth following. The novel was packed full of action and there was enough peril that I never felt assured of any of the characters' safety, which made it an exciting read.
"I need her to believe that life isn't just death and revenge."
There is, however, one major reason I'm not racing to read book two, but I don't want to mention it here as it's definitely a spoiler. Way Down Dark was a great book and I really enjoyed reading it, but it hasn't left me rushing to complete the series.
There's one truth on Australia: You fight or you die. Usually both. Seventeen-year-old Chan's ancestors left a dying Earth hundreds of years ago, in search of a new home. They never found one. The only life that Chan's ever known is one of violence, of fighting. Of trying to survive. But there might be a way to escape. In order to find it, Chan must head way down into the darkness - a place of buried secrets, long-forgotten lies, and the abandoned bodies of the dead. {goodreads summary}
My first sci-fi novel in a while! I watch a lot of sci-fi films and TV shows, but don't seem to end up reading many novels, for some reason.
"After I helped to kill my mother, I had to burn her body."
Way Down Dark follows Chan's life on board the Australia - a space ship divided by fierce gangs, where caring too much, or showing the slightest sign of weakness, can get you killed.
"You aren't special, Chan. None of us are."
I loved the concept of the Australia. It placed really interesting limitations on the characters and plot due to the cramped confinement and lack of resources. It was a dangerous, but exciting setting and was the thing I liked most about WDD. There was so much you couldn't do, and so much that you couldn't escape from. It was a bleak world and the ship was as important to the novel as any of the characters.
"'I'm not special,' I say, 'that's right. I'm really not. Anybody could have done what I'm doing, but they didn't.'"
But that doesn't mean that the characters weren't great too! Chan was a really interesting protagonist, and I loved the exploration of where she was 'special' and whether that actually meant anything - she was determined to try and make a difference because it was the right thing to do, not because she thought she was important or worth following. The novel was packed full of action and there was enough peril that I never felt assured of any of the characters' safety, which made it an exciting read.
"I need her to believe that life isn't just death and revenge."
There is, however, one major reason I'm not racing to read book two, but I don't want to mention it here as it's definitely a spoiler. Way Down Dark was a great book and I really enjoyed reading it, but it hasn't left me rushing to complete the series.
April 28, 2017
Skin Deep: An Update
Chicken pox and the Easter holidays have delayed my Skin Deep posting somewhat, but chapter five was posted on Wattpad today! This is how it opens:
The voice behind him grated like nails on a chalkboard. Beau steeled himself before turning to face it; the beast. He had expected a monster of towering height, with horns, fur and blood-drenched fangs.
What he hadn’t expected was a woman.
She was draped in an etherial black veil that Beau at once recognised as a funeral shroud. The eyes that gazed out from beneath it looked dead and empty; her skin was skeletal in its paleness. She was a corpse incarnate; a spectre risen from a funeral parlour to freeze the blood running through his veins. Death and darkness and despair.
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Cochin}
“Don’t tell me what you see,” she said, almost softly. “I learnt long ago not to ask such questions.”
You can check out the full story so far, here:
The voice behind him grated like nails on a chalkboard. Beau steeled himself before turning to face it; the beast. He had expected a monster of towering height, with horns, fur and blood-drenched fangs.
What he hadn’t expected was a woman.
She was draped in an etherial black veil that Beau at once recognised as a funeral shroud. The eyes that gazed out from beneath it looked dead and empty; her skin was skeletal in its paleness. She was a corpse incarnate; a spectre risen from a funeral parlour to freeze the blood running through his veins. Death and darkness and despair.
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Cochin}
“Don’t tell me what you see,” she said, almost softly. “I learnt long ago not to ask such questions.”
You can check out the full story so far, here:
April 26, 2017
Why We Love: Don't Wake the Bear, Hare!
The woodland animals' preparations for their spring party are curtailed by a sleeping bear. They need to be really quiet if they're going to avoid waking him up. Because bears are hairy and scary, right?
A good picture book should be fun to read aloud and Don't Wake the Bear, Hare! definitely ticks this box! The text scans really well and also encourages you to whisper and be really loud. It's really enjoyable to read.
The artwork is lovely too and there's lots to look at on each page - from towering stacks of cups to the tiniest of ants.
We've read Don't Wake the Bear, Hare! at least once a day since we got it and it's still just as enjoyable as the first time. Seriously though, if anyone knows of a job where so can be paid just for reading picture books all day let me know!
