I was so bereft with the ending of the first book – you know that feeling, where the book has ended and there’s no more story left to read! I very neaI was so bereft with the ending of the first book – you know that feeling, where the book has ended and there’s no more story left to read! I very nearly went back to the beginning again, but this novella staved off this need and provided that extra helping (of dessert of course) to get me through. Gosh I love these books! Also, how can I not love books that make me want to review them using as many dessert references as I possibly can?!
I was so amused at the whole idea of a romance writers retreat crime mystery that I was almost beside myself with amusement! And then there was Tabitha’s high tea discovery, plus her very own tea blend. Favourite characters return in this and I can’t be the only one who wishes it was a full novel and not a short, but maybe I’m just wishful…
I loved how Tabitha tried as hard as possible to not do any kind of mystery solving or detecting, and that trouble found her anyway. I also appreciated that the events of the first book are still having an impact on her life, how she goes about things which plays into how this mystery unfolds. As with the first book, the resolution of things is not clear cut but is tied up nicely leaving you well and truly satisfied with everything, and wishing you had a high tea like Tabitha’s of your own you could go to.
It wasn’t until earlier this year that I discovered that I like crime novels just fine if they’re not too serious, not too horror filled, and about goIt wasn’t until earlier this year that I discovered that I like crime novels just fine if they’re not too serious, not too horror filled, and about good winning out over the baddies. The Café La Femme series delivers exactly what I want out of a crime and mystery novel, with extra delicious dessert geekery on the side. A Trifle Dead is a great title and play on words, Tabitha Darling is a brilliant protagonist and a character that I just want to make friends with so much! And not just because being friends with her would involve tea and cake! (Although do you need more reasons?)
I’m in love with the Hobart setting, with the café and the various people that Tabitha knows and spends time with. I love that she accidentally ends up chasing the mystery of the dead muso in the apartment above her café, and the way her way with people, including the fact that she seems to know everyone, works for her ability to get to the bottom of things. And, it’s not like she means to get in trouble… but she’s also usually quite good at getting herself out of it, but when she’s not, her friends (some of them are police) are there to help.
The writing in this book just lets you melt into the story (like icing in your mouth, really) and I was swept up into it and barely noticed time passing until all the pages were done. This book was sweetly romantic and with great friendships and emotional engagement, but it was also funny – and I laughed out loud a few times. Entertainment, an interesting mystery that I enjoyed watching Tabitha unravel, characters I adore, a setting that makes me long to visit Hobart spun together with writing that is just gorgeous. I can’t recommend this book (and this series) enough – I hope there are so many more books to come!
An eARC of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Some books are such a privilege to read, they are deep and transceAn eARC of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Some books are such a privilege to read, they are deep and transcendent, they move you on a deep and personal level. From Ashes Into Light is one such book, it is truly exquisite.
The writing in this book is poetic, it’s lyrical and it seems to flow as you breathe in and out, one breath to the next. At first I was almost confused by the three different story lines, but they weave together beautifully through the eyes of the phoenix and each story becomes part of a bigger subtle narrative. What I took from this story is that we are all connected, past and present as humanity. We all experience the world in our own way, we all strive to overcome, to learn, to grow, to redeem, to survive. This three-way point of view tale gives such a deep, yet subtle insight into this and I am sure that many others will each take something unique from their reading of the story, it’s that kind of book.
Reading this was transcendent, whatever that elusive quality of books they call ‘literary’ is, this book has it to spare, it is such a satisfying, confronting, compelling book to read. I don’t think it is possible to be a white person from a colonial background to read this book and not be uncomfortable, as it is written from a very different cultural context, from within persecution, from within discrimination, from oppression, from betrayal and more. The harm visited upon people from war, from the holocaust, from colonisation is very clear in this book and I valued the opportunity to read from these points of view, to hear these voices and simply to listen, to learn a different context from the one history is so fond of telling me.
Sometimes the reading of a book changes you, sometimes you can identify that change, and sometimes you can’t and the experience of reading the book stays with you. This book, with it’s interwoven story through the eyes of the phoenix will stay with me for a long time to come and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
I want to tag this a few more ways but that will wait, as will the detailed review but right now simply to say I loved every moment of it - a delightfI want to tag this a few more ways but that will wait, as will the detailed review but right now simply to say I loved every moment of it - a delightfully character driven book, and I was so ready for one of those again from this universe, and with one of my favouritist characters ever ever ever. I loved this with my whole heart eleventy times over. ...more
Short version: I loved this and it was a great continuation from the first book Peacemaker. My full review is available on my blog, AWW15: Mythmaker bShort version: I loved this and it was a great continuation from the first book Peacemaker. My full review is available on my blog, AWW15: Mythmaker by Marianne de Pierres. ...more
This is an exciting collection, and utterly exceptional. This is one of my stand out reads for 2015 and it's a privilege to review it. Take a look at This is an exciting collection, and utterly exceptional. This is one of my stand out reads for 2015 and it's a privilege to review it. Take a look at my full review on my blog The Conversationalist.
In short, this book was one of my best reads of 2015, it's beautifully written and deeply compelling. It provides some tiny sliver of insight into a tIn short, this book was one of my best reads of 2015, it's beautifully written and deeply compelling. It provides some tiny sliver of insight into a time and events that are complex, frightening and difficult to comprehend. I loved the depth of this book and how the story enabled the reader to see something of what it must have been like to live in Berlin during this war with everything going on - I'm so glad to have read it, even though it was at times a very difficult and demanding read. It's honest and does not shy away from the atrocities that happened, but neither is it gratuitous for its own sake. My full review can be found at The Conversationalist.
(I received an eARC for this book in exchange for an honest review). ...more
This anthology is *glorious*! Everything you ever wanted in a fictional account giving insight into women from history who have been overlooked. ThereThis anthology is *glorious*! Everything you ever wanted in a fictional account giving insight into women from history who have been overlooked. There's so much to love about this anthology and it just delivers story after story that pack huge punches! The collection is diverse in many ways and is highly recommended.
Tower of Thorns is an exceptional follow up to the first book in this series! I’ve been a fan of Marillier’s writing for the past couple of years and Tower of Thorns is an exceptional follow up to the first book in this series! I’ve been a fan of Marillier’s writing for the past couple of years and have been devouring all the books as I can, this book is a wonderful addition to her brilliant bibliography. Marillier’s writing and characterisation is deft and subtle, it’s easy to feel like you’re getting to know the characters – even background characters through her writing. Settings and places from history and mythology come to life through her lyrical prose, it’s just breathtaking.
Blackthorn and Grim are wonderful characters and I deeply appreciate them, their companionship, caring and respect for one another. I love how well they work together as a team and solve things. What I love about this series is that although there is an overarching story arc, so far each book also involves a self contained story that is complete within the book. I think that this approach allows the books to standalone reasonably but also allows me to enjoy the flexibility of the characters and their adventures, while also following the greater story across the series.
I have been reading the Mercy Thompson books for a long time now, and I truly love them. Mercy is such an interesting character and she's grown and chI have been reading the Mercy Thompson books for a long time now, and I truly love them. Mercy is such an interesting character and she's grown and changed so much since the series began. These short stories were such a delight to read and I really felt like I got to know Mercy and others in the ensemble of characters much better. It is a beautiful addition to the series that slides lovely tidbits into the timeline in between books. ...more
Oh this is why people love these books! I loved this books so hard! Lots of plot intricacy, cultural intricacy, brilliant characters that I was investOh this is why people love these books! I loved this books so hard! Lots of plot intricacy, cultural intricacy, brilliant characters that I was invested in! I will have to add this book to my list of favourites!...more
I went straight onto the third book from reading the second and I’m so glad I was able to do this because I don’t know how I’d have waited for the stu I went straight onto the third book from reading the second and I’m so glad I was able to do this because I don’t know how I’d have waited for the stunning conclusion to this series! Wow. I loved this book, I loved this series, I hope that it is being read and loved by so many people across Australia and the world because it’s well deserved. I have fallen in love with Ambelin Kwaymullina’s writing style – I don’t think I’ve had a writer crush develop this quickly since I came late to Juliet Marillier’s work! And that’s a reasonable comparison to make in terms of the quality of writing, how beautiful the prose is and how much it draws you deeply into the story, allows you to feel like you really know the characters, almost like you’re in the story yourself. The worldbuilding in this series is also astounding, I can picture this post-apocalyptic world, the cities and the society and the Firstwood, and the way this comes to life in my imagination is absolutely a testament to Kwaymullina’s skill.
And the story! Oh the story! I loved Georgie in the first book, and I’m so glad she’s got her own book and she gets to be a hero in her own way! I love the way this story was put together, both happening in the present, and happening in the past – this really emphasises Georgie’s connection to her ability and how time is a bit fuzzy for her. I love the way that she focuses on what she considers important, but also discovers more about herself. I loved getting to know Georgie, and through her, also Daniel. This book is not as simple as the premise simply to save Ashala Wolf, it’s about an idea, about change, about the future and about making a difference. Everything comes together in such an interesting way, it’s less twisty than book 2, but the story has you absolutely in its grasp from the first page and you just have to see how it all comes together, how the story concludes.
This is a brilliant follow up to the first book The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf, I am so in love with this series, with this world, with Kwaymullina’This is a brilliant follow up to the first book The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf, I am so in love with this series, with this world, with Kwaymullina’s writing. Wow. Australian speculative fiction doesn’t get much better than this honestly. And I say speculative fiction because this series crosses genres, it’s a bit of several things – enough a little of several things to lay some claim to them, it does so beautifully.
This book picks up not long after the events in the first book, Ashala is still trying to come to terms with things, especially that her Sleepwalking ability isn’t exactly working right. However, with Ember missing needs must and she returns to her sense of self and goes looking. I can’t say much about this book and the story without spoiling things, only that this book takes the story in an unexpected direction, delightfully twisty and I didn’t see any of it coming! We do get more of a glimpse of how the present world of the books came to be, the philosophy and the idea of the Balance as universal governing principle. I loved that we got to learn more about who Ember is as a person and understand her connection to the Tribe, to the world at large and just how much a role her story plays in the overarching story across the books.
The first book of this series was magnificent, although it took a little while for me to truly be drawn into the story. That wasn't the case with thisThe first book of this series was magnificent, although it took a little while for me to truly be drawn into the story. That wasn't the case with this book - I fell in head first and didn't emerge until the end. I loved the exploration of colonialism and the way it impacts people, the way it affects power and those in charge. I loved that we get to see more of who Breq is and see how she relates more to those around her. I did especially also like that there was more tea in this book. I can't wait for book 3!...more
I loved this book! It's so nice to meet Prudence, and Primrose is awesome! I love the way that the universe is both the same, but has moved on about 1I loved this book! It's so nice to meet Prudence, and Primrose is awesome! I love the way that the universe is both the same, but has moved on about 17 years as well. So charming. I love the tea and frocks and steampunk, I love a team of relative young people out on adventures together. Less so the colonialism, but it's not out of context (and yet still makes me wince a lot). Looking forward to reading the next book. ...more
Wow. I loved this so much, I waited for it long and hard and wow... it was worth it. I love this story, I love the way it is unfolding, I love that thWow. I loved this so much, I waited for it long and hard and wow... it was worth it. I love this story, I love the way it is unfolding, I love that there are edges but that it is also deeply comforting. I love the darkness but also the fluff. I love that the world belongs to the Others and not the humans, and it's interesting to watch unfolding the same greed and avarice in the real world in a story - but where there's the chance for something to shift and change on a dramatic level. I can't wait for the next book, can't wait at all, I loved this so hard. ...more
Marrianne de Pierres takes urban fantasy and societal downfall in a unique and intriguing direction. I'm such a huge fan of this author and both her vMarrianne de Pierres takes urban fantasy and societal downfall in a unique and intriguing direction. I'm such a huge fan of this author and both her versatility and intricacy in storytelling. 'Peacemaker' is visionary, it's so different and marries elements that remind me of space opera, with urban fantasy unlike anything we've seen before, intermingled with elements of the old Western pulp stories with stunning results. This is one of my favourite reads for the year so far!
Somehow I thought I’d already reviewed this book, but I was mistaken and so you’ll see that I reviewed the second book first, oops! This is a brillianSomehow I thought I’d already reviewed this book, but I was mistaken and so you’ll see that I reviewed the second book first, oops! This is a brilliant new series from Marillier, such an interesting premise that engages with promises to the fae, with rebuilding a life, with building friendship and community ties, learning to trust again while recovering from deep betrayal. This book has it all and this series is full of promise.
Blackthorn is an interesting protagonist, she’s not young, nor beautiful, she has no optimism and indeed seemingly places little value in her life or what is to come. Watching her wrestle with the desire to live and the struggle that keeping bond with the fae lord in exchange for his help in saving her is fascinating. Watching her engage cynically but with candid truth – with herself and with Grim grabs you from the first and makes you want to know more of her story, makes you feel for her in all her pain, and also makes you hope for her, that she can grow and heal from her past. Grim is more of a mystery in this book, though it’s clear he’s suffered and has little thought to his own future except looking after Blackthorn. Watching the beginnings of this friendship grow is truly satisfying and the platonic way in which they become companions is unique and so refreshing. I love romance, but I think that friendship is also an enduring and wonderful thing to explore in fiction and I want to see more of it.
The mystery that Blackthorn and Grim come face to face with is two fold, one mystery is something of an opportunity for the credibility of their teamwork and problem solving to be established, but also for them to come to the notice of the local ruling lord Oran. And here is where there is a lovely romance that sets the tone for the book – and my heart just went out to Oran with the struggle he had with meeting Flidais, not knowing why or how she’d changed so much between the letters they’d exchanged and her arrival overshadowed by tragedy. The letters exchanged between Oran and Flidais were so delightful and one of my favourite aspects of the book! I thought that the way in which the mystery of Flidais’ unfolded wonderfully – I wasn’t absolutely sure what had happened until the last, though I did guess it had to do with the pool in the forest. The story was so satisfying and it was a wonderful introduction to characters I will enjoy reading about for any following books in this series.
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