Challenge Review: The Historian

My #dymocks52challenge book 27/38, for week 41.

Title: The Historian
Author: Elizabeth Kostova
Published: 14/6/05
First appearance in 101: 2010 (#63)
Years in 101: 2
2019 101 ranking: -
Rating: 4 stars

Why I chose this book:
The Historian has been sitting unloved on my shelf for several years, so this was a good excuse to finally pick it up. Another one whose size intimidated me. It hasn't made the 101 since 2013 but since I already had it on my shelf it made the cut for my challenge.

Thoughts:
It was a real tough slog to get through it but in the end I did enjoy it! The timeline jumped around a lot and there were stories within stories which did get a little tedious, but the extensive information on Dracula and the hunt for his tomb was absolutely fascinating. I'm pleased I finally got through it.

You can read my full review on Goodreads here.


Verdict: Was it worthy?

This one is too time consuming for fair-weather booklovers but rich in detail with a unique writing style. It's probably a bit too heavy for the 101, but it has a lot of merit. It's definitely the kind of book that will leave a lasting impression.

Review: Godsgrave

Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well that was FKING AMAZING.

It's like ... Spartacus only Spartacus is a lady assassin who fights dirty with a sassy cat made of shadow as a sidekick.

✓ Blood
✓ Murder
✓ Scheming
✓ Sex
✓ Sass
✓ Mayhem
✓ Brutal fight scenes
✓ Dramatic deaths
✓ Monsters
✓ Secrets and Mystery
✓ Familiar faces
✓ New enemies
✓ ...

Okay look my list is getting too long but the point is this book is full of goodness.

Why no 5th star? Took me a bit to get back into Mia's story because we had to make new friends but she was in transit for a slow minute with none. Also because the gladiator lifestyle is not entirely unique. (But I really fkn loved it anyway.)

We've gone in a different direction from Nevernight but Mia is still kicking a whole lotta ass so just sit back and enjoy the ride, folks.

Also, I appreciate all Mia's new friends.

Sid > Ash I'M JUST SAYING.

Bring on Darkdawn

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Review: The Sea of Monsters

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was just as much fun as the first one, with a fresh batch of monsters in an entirely new setting.

The first one focused a lot on the gods, where this one is MONSTERS GALORE at sea which was totally fine by me. Here there's focus on re-telling a very specific hero journey: anyone heard of Odysseus? The beauty of this series is that while it's re-telling things, it's also referencing the original stories. It's the polite thing to do, really! Also, lover of The Odyssey over here.

There's also the fun intervention from gods and the like, plus our trusty sidekicks with a new friend along for the ride this time.

I love the way this series takes the old gods and myths and brings them into a modern setting, with respect to the old legends. If you're familiar with the Greek myths, you'll get a kick out of trying to identify who the newcomers are before Percy figures it out.

Plus there's the same non-stop action and variety that made the first one so entertaining. The story moves at an exciting pace, making this an easy, fun read.

It's actually a pretty addictive series so I'm glad I bought the box set of this one! I'll be on to the third pretty soon, I imagine!

Highly recommend, but make sure you read the first book first, to avoid some pretty massive spoilers cropping up in this one.

My review for The Lightning Thief is HERE.

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Review: The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a fantastic, fresh, modern take on the trials of the gods, featuring a sassy teen on his own quest.

What's not to love?

Percy's a troubled teen, so I was attached pretty early on. His dedication to his mum and his friends is admirable, but he's still not afraid to stand up to bullies.

Then he's thrown into this world of gods and monsters and honestly, he adjusts pretty well. So then we're just left with the action of his quest and the puzzle of what has caused all the drama.

Confession: I saw the movie first. I actually really enjoyed it. As is common, the book was much richer in detail, and while the movie spoiled a few twists for me there was a decent diversion that I normally would have seen coming but didn't because it wasn't in the movie.

I found I was able to picture the characters and monsters really well, but there was still plenty that didn't make the visual cut that I still really envisioned.

The action is non-stop and a lot of fun, and the rag-tag team of heroes works well together. Plus there's the added bonus of Greek myths reworked which makes things really fascinating.

I found it to be more detailed than I was expecting of a middle-grade book and I'm very much looking forward to continuing the series!

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Review: Salvation Lost

Salvation Lost by Peter F. Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An excellent continuation of a richly woven, sci-fi adventure!

WARNING: This review contains spoilers for the first book of the series, Salvation.

Man, this series really is a lot of fun. I never expected to enjoy sci-fi this much, so I'm really glad I had the opportunity to read it!

Plot: The Invasion is here. Our ragtag band of heroes are trying to figure out how to save the world in the face of a threat that's got some pretty mad technology in their corner. The enemy has been stealthy so far but now that their plans are known, it's GAME ON. A thousand years in the future, Dellian and gang are also preparing for their war against the enemy. It's about to get hectic.

SO MUCH FUN.

Firstly, the variety of characters and storylines really makes this series for me. A lot of the science goes over my head (I'm always here for the explosions and stuff though, of course) but getting to know all these characters and the dilemmas they face makes it a really fun ride. There's the main crew trying to save the world: Yuri, Callum, Kandara, Alik, Jessica ... these guys are an entertaining bunch, and the way they interact is fantastic - like a family that fights ALL THE TIME but will still give their lives for one another. There's plenty of sass and swearing to keep things spicy, even in the face of the certain doom of humanity. Plus, hello, they are resisting, despite the overwhelming odds, and that fighting human spirit is something I definitely connect with.

Then you've got Yirella and Dellian and all the others in the future playing their own war games. Oh hey, more science stuff I only semi-understand. To be fair, though, I'm already struggling with today's technology. Again, though, it doesn't hugely matter because the resulting chaos is easy enough to understand and there is plenty of chaos. Plus the sneaky references to the original invasion are a lot of fun. It happened a thousand years ago, but you only read about it a chapter ago. Love that.

This book also follows Ollie, Tronde, and their 'Legion' - a bunch of criminals unexpectedly playing their own part in the invasion of their planet. These guys were fun to know. It's not all heroes and villains here. They add a real human element to the story, and it's interesting to see how their story connects with the others.

I think that's a really big draw of this book - you've got several separate storylines, but they all connect somehow. Everything is relative, even over space and time. That fighting spirit is present, too. Everyone has something they're fighting for.

There's also a neat variety to the action - it's not all shooting things in space. There is depth and cleverness to the action and it's not all about big, messy explosions.

Add to all this the mission of the invading species and there's plenty here to wrap your head around.

I really enjoyed the journey this book took me on - there's so much to it, and it never gets boring. Because of the setting and the overwhelming power of the enemy, it's pretty hard to predict anything so there are plenty of surprises along the way.

Another wild ride, equally as thrilling as the first book and definitely has me impatient for the conclusion! Sci-fi fans will love it, and if you're not big on sci-fi but have considered giving the genre a go, this is a great series to start with.

With thanks to Macmillan for my ARC

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Review: The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you're not appreciating this book after a few pages in, I'd recommend putting it back on the shelf for a while before attempting to read it. It's heavy spiritual stuff, so you'll have to be in the right frame of mind to fully appreciate the content, and if you're not this will appear condescending and far-fetched. I imagine those who are of a strict religion may also struggle, as this book transforms long-standing religious ideas for its own benefit; your ego will want to protect the religious ideas you've held to so vigorously. That's kind of what the book is about.

The title is fairly self-explanatory: it's all about living in the present moment. It's written in question/answer format so a lot of your own questions when reading may be directly addressed. All bases are covered, but without an open mind it's going to be hard to grasp. I found it incredibly profound early on, when it asked, 'what problems do you have this very moment?' It makes you realise how much of your life is lived in your past or future. As Dumas wrote: we are always in a hurry to be happy. The truth is, very few of us stop and feel the very moment we're living. We're too busy planning for happiness or reflecting on the pain in our past. We need to start living in the Now.

Because of the depth of the explanations, it can seem a little tedious and repetitive at times, and you may need to work through it slowly. It's pointless reading it if you're disagreeing or simply not taking anything in. You need to be open enough to allow your mind to travel the path set out in this book. I've been doing a lot of meditation lately, and I found myself reading passages and looking forward to meditating on its ideas. There's so much for the reader to consider, and it needs to be digested slowly for full effect.

I'm always thrown by the God-speak, as I'm not at all religious myself, but even then I could see it was the ego at work. It is challenging to question my own beliefs but necessary, I think. You need to be willing to open your mind to these ideas or you'll be missing the point. If you find yourself frustrated with ideas in this book, you're practising the very behaviour you're being warned about. Quite intriguing how that works!

In short, this book is about ignoring the voice in your head, feeling your soul within your body, and living in the present moment. Appreciate that you are more than your physical body, and that we are all linked by the energy that flows through our beings. It's actually quite beautiful, if you stop to picture it.

I'd certainly recommend it for anyone looking to further their spiritual journey, but keep it on the shelf until your mind is open and you are ready to accept its ideas willingly. If you don't appreciate the content, it's a wasted read.

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Challenge Review: Crazy Rich Asians

My #dymocks52challenge book 26/38, for week 40.

Title: Crazy Rich Asians
Author: Kevin Kwan
Published: 11/6/13
First appearance in 101: 2019 (#38)
Years in 101: 1
2019 101 ranking: #38
Rating: 3 stars

Why I chose this book:
This one came to attention with the recent release of the film, and I'd say the film release is the reason this book made it into this year's 101. The previews suggested a light, funny read, so I picked it as a fun addition to the list.

Thoughts:
Disappointingly bland and stuffed full of way too many details about food, clothes and genealogy. Plus Nick is kind of an idiot. A lot of it went way over my head, and while I enjoyed the drama there was a lot of other superfluous detail to wade through, making the end result a bit of a chore.

You can read my full review on Goodreads here.


Verdict: Was it worthy?
I notice that a film release will always give a book extra credit, and I suspect the film is responsible for this 2013 release making it on the 2019 Top 101. The book itself was far too dense and dull to feature in its own right, but a film takes away the work of picturing people, places and food so you can identify with the story more. Once the film fades from minds, we're unlikely to see this book on the list again.

Review: The Girl in Red

The Girl in Red by Christina Henry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

UM??

Sequel please??!

I have so many questions. I get it, but I still have questions.

Plot: Red is travelling through the forest, trying to get to grandma's house. Unfortunately, there are wolves in the wood that intend her harm. Yes, even in a post-apocalyptic world where people are dying from a mysterious Cough with gruesome consequences, there are still wolfish men looking to prey on weak, defenceless girls.

'Red didn't like to think of herself as a killer, but she wasn't about to let herself get eaten up just because she was a woman alone in the woods.'

Well, well, well. Perhaps not so defenceless.

This was pretty familiar as far as post-apocalyptic stories go - the long, tedious journey through scrub (roads are dangerous) avoiding the military (they have dumb ideas that are just going to get everyone killed) and not trusting strangers (everyone for themselves). The scavenging for food and supplies, living off canned everything and sleeping rough with rare yet timely reprieves, the permeating fear of catching what everyone else has.

But here's what makes all the difference: Red. She's smart and savvy and has seen enough movies and read enough books to know all the things you should never do in a zombie apocalypse. So she has everything planned and will be doing everything she can to stay alive so that she can get to grandma's place, where it's safe.

The story flicks back and forth between 'Before' and 'After', and there's plenty of action in each storyline. There are a lot of questions that need answering but this book seems determined to ignore that in favour of the trials and tribulations of Red's quest.

Like many, I picked this book up after enjoying Alice, and while it wasn't quite as riveting, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Her gory descriptions are a particular joy, and the distinct lack of zombies was a blessing because they are my absolute least favourite kind of monster.

However the ending is a little rushed and leads to more questions than answers, so don't expect any long scientific explanations or satisfying conclusions.

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Review: Wearing Paper Dresses

Wearing Paper Dresses by Anne Brinsden
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Just gonna pat myself on the back for finishing this one because it was a FKN DRAINER.

Please note: I see a lot of merit in this book. I can see people absolutely falling in love with it and raving non-stop. So please consider how different everyone's tastes are while you read the forthcoming rant on how much this book bored me to tears.

So. Here we go.

The blurb: City girl Elise marries country boy Bill and they end up moving back to (The) Mallee to help with Pa on the family farm. Elise struggles in this unfamiliar world and it leads to her neglecting her daughters, Ruby and Marjorie. Then, tragedy. Marjorie runs away, but then 'the boy she loves draws her back to the land she can't forget ...'

Now let me burst your bubble right here and now and let you know that 'tragedy' doesn't strike until bloody 240 pages into this novel, meaning I had to wade through 65% of the book's monotony and repetition before that even happened. NOTHING UPSETS ME MORE THAN WHEN THE BLURB IS ACTUALLY THE ENTIRE STORY OUTLINE. This is not about Marjorie having a rough childhood, then escaping it, then being inexplicably drawn back. This is about crazy old Elise and how her batsh*t insane antics create a problematic childhood for Marjorie and her sister.

Literally over 250 pages of how crazy Elise is, and how Marjorie rebels, and how the fkn Mallee is a thing that is unforgiving and blah, blah, blah. EVERYTHING in this book is humanised and it got real old real fast (See my reading update that includes the quote about the table). These are the judgiest mother fkn objects I've ever encountered in my LIFE. Curtains, doors, stove tops, tables, kettles ... EVERYTHING has a bloody opinion. THANKS BUT NO THANKS. I didn't come here to listen to the opinions of a freaking tea cosy.

Elise is completely off her rocker, and that's the heart of this story. This will be why so many will love it, but also why I found it so frustratingly dull. Because her descent into madness is detailed minutely, and it is so very gradual. This is a really important consideration of mental illness, and how debilitating it can be, and how it can impact the lives of others, which is great and all but I just didn't have time for it. I'm a pretty clever girl, so I don't need the message pounded into me for 250-odd pages. I GET IT. And the writing style, while clever and unique, did absolutely nothing for me, so I found it rubbing me raw where others will likely marvel and appreciate slowly. I AM NOT GOOD AT SLOW.

The character exploration is of course brilliant. The depths this book delves into these lives is thorough and believable and this is a pretty accurate gathering of country bumpkins. Pa is such a stereotype, I LOVE IT. The cursing in this book is so entertaining - everyone familiar with Alf from Home and Away? There's not a single regular swear word in here, but it's a big feature of the story. Let's put it this way: if Elise from this book were to read this review of mine, I'd be in a big bloody pile of steaming cow manure. This is a very real portrayal of people living in a town that has its own mood swings, and of how not fitting in in such a small society can waste away one's spirit. I may have been bored to tears by the way it was told, but it is a pretty brutal, real story.

So here's my summary:
-The writing style did nothing for me but it's clever and unique so likely to please those who enjoy slowly digesting words
-The characters are brilliantly explored, so this is a perfect read for those who would like to experience true blue, fair dinkum Aussie characters in a typical Aussie country town setting
-The story is an important one about the progression of mental illness and how it manifests physically, but is far too long and tedious for those who like a fair pace with their stories
-The blurb is entirely misleading, and will make you believe more will happen in the book than what actually does

Not my cup of coffee in the slightest, but definitely one for lovers of Australian fiction who enjoy the slow appreciation of words and ideas. This book is one that will definitely transport you to The Mallee - I was just keen to get back home.

With thanks to Macmillan for a copy to read and review.

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Review: A Little Bit of Shamanism: An Introduction to Shamanic Journeying

A Little Bit of Shamanism: An Introduction to Shamanic Journeying by Ana Campos
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

LOVE THIS.

My favourite thing about this book is that it takes a spiritual concept and grounds it with science and psychology. It's about the power of the mind, and the power of the earth, but there are real truths ingrained for people not willing to believe wholeheartedly in a concept that might be purely based on ideas.

I've of course heard of Shamanism, and understand it's linked to specific cultures and related to earth and ancestors, but this gave me a much stronger understanding of how it works. Spoiler alert: you don't have to take mind-altering substances to partake in a Shamanic ceremony (though it may help, I suppose). I really enjoyed learning about the basic concepts, and it just makes so much sense to me. It's a kind of meditation that sees you appreciating the earth and those who have walked it before us, and respecting the earth and leaving it better for those who will walk it after us.

It's written sensibly and honestly, and it doesn't rely on you believing blindly. It's logical. It's rooted in honour.

A fascinating read, and just the beginning of my knowledge quest on this particular subject. I loved it so much I'll be looking further into this topic.

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Review: Red Queen

Red Queen by Christina Henry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not quite as gripping as the first book, but an entertaining read all the same.

I really enjoy the way it's written like a child's story but is full of blood and violence and monsters and death. The whole way through Alice is such a breath of fresh air - she's the same, no-nonsense girl we know from her first creation by Lewis Carroll, but this time she's getting frustrated with goblins and giants and evil, spiteful queens. Honestly, the bother of it all.

The quest here is a little more vague, as Alice does indeed observe herself. In the first story, Alice and Hatcher are on a quest to find the Rabbit and stop the Jabberwocky. Now, they've a vague notion of looking for Jenny, but where could she possibly be? And why is everything around them burnt to a crisp? Also, what's up with all the delicious, unattended food? (view spoiler)[Side note: I would 100% be dishonest giant chow. This book made me so hungry. (hide spoiler)]

Took a little bit longer for me to get into the story, and the lack of chapters was a little disturbing. At the start I think it was a bit of a flaw - I couldn't convince myself to just keep reading til the end of the chapter, so I just put it down at random places - but eventually it became a solid, uninterrupted story that flowed really neatly.

The first was a lot of fun with all the recognisable characters, so this one was a bit pale in comparison there but I did really like Pen and the nasty little goblin. (Anyone else get Rumpelstiltskin vibes, btw?) There's also a few nods to other fairy tales which always makes for a bit of fun.

Overall it was another quick read, and while it wasn't quite as chaotic and bloody and dark entertaining as the first book I still thoroughly enjoyed it.

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Review: The Chain

The Chain by Adrian McKinty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What an exciting, unique, fast-paced ride this was!

Parents, prepare to have your hearts tested.

The Lowdown: Kylie has been kidnapped, and the only way Rachel can get her back is if she kidnaps someone else's kid. And then that someone kidnaps someone else's kid. Etc. Yikes.

This is dark stuff. This is a story about a mama bear who got poked and is now rampaging through 350-odd pages doing whatever it takes to get her cub back. I approve. I mean, not so much the kidnapping, or the threats of violence, or the actual violence ... I mean that's kind of the point though, isn't it? To witness someone doing this atrocious stuff and to think, I totally get it. You go, girl.

Strap in for a wild, immoral ride where you'll constantly be asking yourself: How far would I go to protect someone I love?

Super clever writing, here. This is well thought out and brilliantly edited so that it is concise, fast-paced and contains everything you need to keep you hanging on while leaking the vital info that will have you figuring things out at exactly the intended pace. I LOVED IT.

The premise is unlike anything I've read before but the depth of character is what makes it truly successful. You're there sharing the anxiety with Rachel, and with Pete, who's trying to do the right thing but also has his own issues getting in his way. It's gut-wrenching to feel on their behalves and the connection to them is vital to making this story work.

I'm not a parent but my maternal instinct still had me rooting for Rachel and yes, supporting her in her criminal activity. It made me feel both protective of my non-existent children AND like a terrible human being. Nice. So good luck to those of you who are parents and have to experience this novel with your own child/ren in mind and the extent you'll go to for them.

'It's all for family, isn't it? Everything is for family. Even an imbecile knows you don't get between a grizzly-bear mama and her cub.' *

*I won an uncorrected proof copy and, as such, direct quote may differ.

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Review: Snake Island

Snake Island by Ben Hobson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm going to try and keep this brief because I just started a week of annual leave and I have a lot of books waiting patiently for my attention!

I'm still not sure how I feel about this one, to be honest. It was an easy enough read, sure, but towards the end I was over it a little bit, and that led to a little skimming. There is a LOT of guilt in this book and there's only so much of people feeling sorry for themselves that I can put up with.

Plot: Caleb Moore is in prison after beating the snot out of his wife. His parents, Vernon and Penelope, don't want anything to do with him, but then they discover he's copping beatings himself from Brendan Cahill, and it begins a chain reaction of sordid activity from a bunch of cowards and a-holes in a small Aussie town.

It's an intriguing story, but these characters are all pretty easy to despise. Let me break it down:
Caleb: Wife beater
Vernon: Solves problems with threats
Sharon: No backbone
The entire Cahill family: Drug-dealing losers who solve all problems with violence
Rev. Kelly: Preacher of the worst kind of preaching

I despised them all, basically, which does not make for a good time.

I did, however, enjoy that contemplation of family relationship vs my-son-is-a-scumbag. I mean, I kinda hate it a little bit that we're supposed to feel sorry for a guy who pummelled his wife, but I do think it's important to show that parents should support their kids no matter what, even if they don't approve of the behaviour.

Sidebar: I remember asking my mum once when I was a teenager if she would stick by me if I murdered someone (I was a dark kid, I guess). And I'm pretty sure she was a bit conflicted over me asking such a morbid question (sorry mum) but she answered that I would never do that, and if I did I'd have had a pretty good reason. And she hoped that I would never murder anyone but whatever wrong choices I made I was her daughter and she would love me no matter what. (Just to clarify: I have never murdered anyone, nor do I intend to. I'm a very nice person. Please don't be afraid.)

So yeah, I think it was pretty interesting for me to feel the conflict between hating this wife-beater but also supporting his parents in wanting to protect him. Such a fascinating dynamic.

Of course, once that was kind of discussed, we were left with the rest of the sordid activities and violence and basically everyone solving things with their fists and guns and rolling over and letting themselves be manipulated. This was not a fun time.

There are a lot of moral grey areas here and conflicting ideas, wondering what you'd do in a similar situation, but overall I just got so sick of reading about these people who brought their troubles on themselves. It made me sad.

Also, hated the writing style. Short sentences. Poorly formatted. Incomplete. Ideas not properly explained. Can't even demonstrate properly with this sentence. Too terrible. Beyond my skill. Choppy. Lazy. PLEASE JUST USE COMPLETE SENTENCES AND IDEAS. I need that sweet, sweet flow of language.

All in all, some great ideas to contemplate, horrible characters and writing you will either love or hate. I didn't hate it, but it's not one I'll be raving about any time soon.

With thanks to A&U for an uncorrected proof copy to read and review.

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Review: Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Is it wrong for me to so thoroughly enjoy people being eaten by dinosaurs? I mean, this book had a lot going for it, but that's the main highlight, and it's SO SATISFYING. My face was doing all kinds of weird things while I read.

I'm sure most people reading this will have seen the movie. I found that it really helped me to picture the dinosaurs (and surrounds) and that made it that fraction more terrifying because when you can really visualise what's happening it's much more horrible. I think, though, as in most cases, the book is better here, because there's so much more discussion about the lives of these animals, and the implications of bringing them to life. I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed Malcolm's rambling. He makes some valid points, that dude.

As for Lex ... *sigh* Little, bratty Lex. What can I say? I kind of wished she'd been T-Rex chow. Ah well. You win some, you lose some. *shrugs* Timmy, on the other hand, is a true hero-in-the-making. Grant and Ellie were pretty cool, but nothing special in the hero department. The dinosaurs were the real heroes of this story, and I was totally okay with that.

Overall, it was just such a fantastically thrilling read, with some surprising 'think deep' moments. Psyched to get my hands on the sequel!

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Review: Five Dark Fates

Five Dark Fates by Kendare Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well this sure was full of some dark twists and turns!!

The fourth and final book and can I just address the fact that this is called FIVE Dark Fates when
a) we haven't had FOUR anything yet
b) there are three queens - four if you count Jules - so whose fates are we talking about?

Also YES I have read this book and still have no idea which five fates this book is referring to. But YES there are some dark ones. Yikes.

WARNING: This review contains uncensored spoilers for the previous three books in the series.

SO!

Look, I can't remember my feelings towards Jules way back in book one but MY GOD SHE'S ANNOYING. Where did she even come from? Why is she even part of this story as anything more than Arsinoe's sidekick? And don't even get me started on Emilia. I got NO TIME for these whiny, 'I am super important' ladies right now. Go arm wrestle or something.

I think it hurt most because Arsinoe is such a sass queen but these two girls reduce her to an eager-to-please shell. She's so much more interesting when she's just doing whatever the heck she wants and pretending she has zero feelings for Billy who is obviously the love of all of our lives. Bless you, Junior.

Mira has been a fave from the start and while she's still pretty badass, she's gone a bit more, 'I love my sisters no matter what' and it's all a little too high-road for me. Where is the back stabbing and the fire and storms and general mayhem? *sigh* Tell you what, though ... (view spoiler)[I definitely did NOT see that particular fate coming! :O (hide spoiler)]

QUEEN KATHERINE THE UNDEAD IS A SAVAGE. Again, not quite as villainous as I wanted but she's so creepy and dark and I just have the greatest fun picturing her as this pale, nasty, venomous QUEEN. I still don't get her love for P-Diddy though?? Girl, he pushed you down a chasm. Why you still like him? Poisoners, man. *shakes head*

All in all it felt a little slow and underwhelming - not quite the grand finale I was hoping for - but it still had some fantastic dark moments unexpected thrills and chills. Everything felt pretty neatly tied up, and I am content with this ending.

I still want more, though.

Spin off, please? :D


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Challenge Check-In

Not gonna lie, reading challenges are HARD.

The actual reading part, not so much, but reading specific books when I keep acquiring so many amazing new ones? Man there is just not enough time to read them all.

So naturally I've fallen a few weeks behind on my #Dymocks52Challenge refined.

Here are the books on The List that I still have to read:

1. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak (AA)
4. Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
7. The Narrow Road to the Deep North - Richard Flanagan (AA)
10. The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt
11. The Husband's Secret - Liane Moriarty (AA)
12. The Martian - Andy Weir
16. Shantaram - Gregory David Roberts
19. Reckoning - Magda Szubanski (AA)
22. The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova
24. Wool - Hugh Howey
32. The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart - Holly Ringland (AA)
34. A Discovery of Witches - Deborah Harkness

So that's 12 books to go, and only 8 weeks left of the year. Not a worry if I focus exclusively on these titles, but I have some seriously exciting stuff waiting to be read!

Here's the top ten vying for my attention:

1. The Red Sphinx - Alexandre Dumas

I started reading this one back in April and have severely neglected it! It's an 800-page monster meaning its not one I can carry around in my bag, so it's been constantly shunted aside for smaller books. Considering it's an unofficial sequel to my favourite book of all time, I really need to make a solid effort to finish this before the year is up.

2. Five Dark Fates - Kendare Blake

This is the fourth and final book in the Three Dark Crowns series and I'm a little obsessed. It's dark and full of magic and poison and characters that do horrible things. My kind of fantasy. I'm hoping for a pretty epic showdown to end things!

3. Salvation Lost - Peter F Hamilton

I read Salvation a little while ago and it was incredible so very much looking forward to reading this newly released sequel. Not usually a sci-fi gal but this one has me hooked.

4. The Power of Positive Thinking - Norman Vincent Peale

Who would I be without my motivational books? This one comes highly recommended so I've been meaning to read it for a while, and I'm really hoping to get to it before the year is up.

5. The Chain - Adrian McKinty

I actually won this a while back and feel bad for neglecting it for so long! It sounds like it's going to be a fantastic thriller and I imagine it'll be something I read in minimal sittings.

6. Midnight in the Graveyard - Anthology

I started reading this with fellow horror-lovers in a Goodreads group and it is chock-a-block full of spine-tingling goodness. It's actually the first time I've ever purchased an e-book (since I read e-books so rarely I usually just stick to freebies). I've been lucky enough to be part of group discussion with 25 authors and it's absolutely fascinating to hear more insight into these little gems as I read them. 

7. Snake Island - Ben Hobson

An Aussie crime novel I'm expecting big things from. This one has been talked about since it released so I'm keen to join the discussions on this one.

8. Godsgrave - Jay Kristoff

I read Nevernight earlier this year and rushed out to buy this sequel the day after I finished it. Yet it's been neglected in favour of challenge reads and ARCs. I need to find out the truth about what happened to Don Tric! So let's all cross our fingers this one makes it into the last eight weeks of the year, too.

9. Weapon - Lynette Noni

Speaking of sequels I've been dying for, this one is just waiting to happen. High chance it'll be overlooked for a few months, though, since I'll need to re-read the first book so I can remember what happened. The down side to reading fresh series books is that painful wait between installations.

10. Deeplight - Frances Hardinge

This one promises gods and monsters and the media release considers it a cross between Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea and Frankenstein so guess who is already expecting big things? Love me some monsters. 

***

I've been so lucky this year with book wins and publishers spoiling me with ARCs of some of the most incredible books. I intended to read less so that I could be more productive outside of my book lover life but it's absolutely impossible with so many fantastic books being put out into the world! I'd love to get back on track with my challenge, of course, but I'm easing a little of the pressure because reading is supposed to be fun. So I'll get through those 12 books eventually, but it might take me a little longer than I anticipated.

The beauty of it is that I'll have a better understanding of my reading habits when I do it all over again next year. XD

Review: All Eyes on Us

All Eyes on Us by Kit Frick
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A little light on the drama I was hoping for, but an okay read I suppose.

Amanda was perfectly nasty to start with but Rosalie was dealing with real trauma and I'm gonna be honest, I wasn't ready for it. I was totally expecting some petty teenage drama with a side of rich-people problems. NOT THE CASE.

Here's the deal: Amanda is the typical mean queen B and Carter is her arm candy. He's the typical, 'most popular guy in the school' and he and Amanda are destined to get married, be rich and do lots of important rich-people things together. Only Carter is cheating on Amanda with Rosalie, who in turn is only using Carter to pretend that the conversion therapy she was forced to undergo really worked. (Don't tell anyone she has a secret girlfriend.) But someone knows their secrets and is now threatening them with anonymous texts Pretty Little Liars-style.

So let's start with the princess herself, Amanda:
- Shallow
- Cares more about appearances than feelings
- Secretly just wants her mum to love her
- Doesn't care about Carter's cheating, as long as he stays with her
- Spiteful on the surface but crumbling from the pressure of being perfect

Then we have meek lil Rosalie:
- Is a lesbian
- Is part of a family and religious group who believes this to be a 'sinful choice' that must essentially be tortured out of her
- Is deeply traumatised by the 'conversion therapy' she had to undergo
- Is actually a fkn BADASS despite it all
- But kind of a dick for using Carter without him knowing the truth

And our golden boy himself Carter:
- Cheating douchebag
- Nice to everyone on the surface
- Suffering from the pressure of keeping up appearances
- Secretly devoted to fun-girl (?) Rosalie
- Still a cheating douchebag

There are THEMES here, too, that go deeper than the nasty teen drama I wanted to revel in. Let me spoiler tag them just in case:

(view spoiler)[
-Alcoholism
-Religion vs sexuality
-Emotional abuse
-Stalking
(hide spoiler)]

But let me talk about the big one, and that is Rosalie's horrible, horrible situation.

I find it so tragically sad that there are people in this world who truly believe that someone's inherent nature can be so wrong it justifies torture. And Rosalie isn't just dealing with persecution from the general public, or even the close-knit religious community she's part of - her own parents are so afraid of her being attracted to the same gender that they think it's okay to have her tortured. And that's exactly what conversion therapy is. TORTURE. Inflicting harm on another human being until they do what you want them to do. It just makes me so sick to think people actually do this. The bond between a parent and child should be sacred and full of unconditional love and instead I have to read about Rosalie being mistreated by her own family. It hurt my heart so much.

I picked this up for a light, trashy read and then that. So let me just take a moment to say to all the people reading this review who feel like they are unloved because of characteristics of who they are: YOU DESERVE TO BE LOVED NO MATTER WHAT AND DON'T LET ANYONE EVER TELL YOU OTHERWISE.

Okay so now moving on.

The text from 'Private Number' were so sad and pathetic. Like, please watch a few seasons of Pretty Little Liars and learn how to threaten someone properly. Also prank them properly. This was far too light on with the threats.

Then the side cast of characters didn't get a huge amount of screen time so it all fell a little flat. I wanted more people with secrets and behind-the-back whispering and fights and rumours and just MORE. Alas, this was all pretty tame.

Altogether it was like a bland, washed out attempt at copying PLL. It wasn't quite clever enough, or twisted enough, or deep enough. This needed to contain either more savagery or deeper people to really suck me in. Rosalie's situation made for an interesting angle but overall it wasn't really enough to save the premise of the story.

Still, a quick enough read to keep you entertained for a day or two.

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Review: Alice

Alice by Christina Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a crazy fun ride this was!

It's a retelling of Alice in Wonderland, although it's not particularly close in happenings to the original which means it stays rather unpredictable. It's also dark and bloody and is definitely NOT a children's story.

Plot: Alice is in a hospital for those who are a little mad, though she can't remember much more than the man with the long white ears that haunts her nightmares. She's been there a while, now, with only the axe-murderer next door for company. Then one night she escapes, though hot on her heels is a monster of darkness and evil that only Alice can stop.

It was so dark and I loved that. There is a lot of blood and bodies and murder and filth. There is depravity and torture and all kinds of nasty stuff and looming over it all is the threat of this monster that exists seemingly just to destroy.

It wasn't particularly scary - more gruesome than anything - but there's a real gritty story to follow, though it's fun, too, because it involves magic and monsters and a bunch of characters we're already familiar with, though they've been reinterpreted. (I am a big fan of Cheshire.)

The writing was pretty simplistic which was fine with me because I was much more interested in the story anyway. It sort of has deep themes that are brushed over lightly with a few sentences rather than brooding on them. This might have some people underwhelmed but I much preferred it because it meant we could get on with the action. And the body count.

I thought the 're-telling' aspect was quite clever because it still managed a rather unique, unpredictable story that had you wondering where the familiar faces might show up. I rather enjoyed that. I appreciated that last line, too.

Would recommend for people who enjoy darker stories, and not so much for those who like pretty words and fanciful language. Fans of Alice in Wonderland shouldn't expect too much similarity, and those unfamiliar with the story won't be harmed by not knowing it.

I'll definitely be reading the next one.

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Review: From Here On, Monsters

From Here On, Monsters by Elizabeth Bryer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What the frickafrack did I just read??

How did I enjoy it so much when I'm so confused? What even happened? Are any of these people even real? WHAT ABOUT THE MONSTERS???

This book is clearly too clever for me.

I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS.

Like,

Where is Felix? Is he okay?

What was the deal with the mirrorpartment?

Was that the end of the codex?

How the heck does SINBAD come into it??

All these questions and MORE. Can someone please read this and tell me all the answers? Thank you.

Is this what they call 'magical realism'? Or just 'batsh*t insane?

Let me be clear though. I actually really enjoyed it. Who'd'a thought it.


I'ma go ahead and recommend all the people looking for something unusual; something the likes of which they've never read. And it's Australian, yay. :)

But seriously, if anyone can explain to me what the heck just happened I'd really, really appreciate it.

Many thanks to Macmillan for a copy to read and review.

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Review: Lost But Found

Lost But Found by Peter Sharp
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Why yes I am a dog lover, thank you for asking.

No, I don't have my own dog yet. Why would you rub that in?! Apartment life gets in the way, sadly. My life goal is to be able to afford a place where I can have dogs. <3

Anyhoo.

This book is cute, and sad, and uplifting and will make you want a dog. Even if you are a cat person. It will tug on those heart strings and have you browsing the website of your local shelter wondering who could be YOUR 'Found' pound puppy. There are so many just waiting to be loved.

It tells the stories of 40 dogs that ended up in the care of Sydney's Dogs & Cats Home. Some of these dogs were in pitiful condition but with the care, attention and love of staff and volunteers at the home, each found their way into loving arms. Some really heartwarming stories here.

This little book is great incentive to find your new family member at a shelter, and give a dog a second chance. The photos will have you attached in no time so good luck to you if you, like me, are not in a position to adopt a pet. Because the lack of dog in your life will be a gaping hole after flicking through this book.

All royalties from the sale of this book will go towards the home, as well, so that's a fantastic way to contribute, and you end up with this gorgeous reminder of how furry friends can enrich our lives.

You can find out more about the home here and find this book in stores from October 29th.

With thanks to Macmillan for an early e-copy.

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Review: The Institute

The Institute by Stephen King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Who doesn't love when the King talks psychic abilities??

Maybe not the spine-tingling, goosebumps-raising horror I was expecting but thoroughly enjoyable all the same!

Setting the scene: Kid genius Luke goes from dreaming of college to waking up in an unfamiliar 'Institute' for 'gifted' kids. Turns out they don't even care that he's a genius at 12 - the people running the Institute only care that he occasionally flips empty pizza pans with his mind. He's in there with a bunch of other 'special' kids who have also been abducted, and what lies in store for them is not a good time.

I LOVED the setup, and the personalities of the different kids. If a sequel comes out featuring these badass youngsters, I AM THERE. Nicky of course with his attitude is a fave but also just the way they connect - they're all in it together and it makes them a solid unit. I liked that.

King seems more focused on the hands of fate here, and as the story unspools we understand there's a lot here about choices and consequences. On the surface, however, we get this neat little thriller about a bunch of talented kids stuck in a seemingly helpless situation.

I appreciated that these kids weren't Carrie-level gifted. There's nothing hugely special about any of them, except for the new addition, Avery, whose mind-reading ability is slightly stronger than most. No big.

'Great events turn on small hinges.'

There's a bit of a kids-vs-adults mentality, but it's cleverly countered with a helpful housekeeper and Tim, a former cop who finds himself mixed up in things incidentally. I think this was an important element, because when it comes down to it, these kids are still just kids. Plus the relationship between Tim and Luke reminds me a little bit of Roland and Jake and I will never not love the bond between those two. I think it was important to recognise that the kids were just ordinary kids, despite their abilities. This was well done.

Sadly some minor errors, with wrong names being used in a few places, but ultimately easy enough to overlook for another addictive ride from the King. It wasn't scary, so to speak, but there was still a cleverness to the thrills and certainly a few moments when I found myself holding my breath and just hoping things didn't go awry.

Maybe not his best work - a bit of a sprawl and less complex than some - but I enjoyed it all the same. There's room here to revisit some of the characters and expand on events, which gives me hope we will see more from this world.

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Challenge Review: Ready Player One

My #dymocks52challenge book 25/38, for week 39.

Title: Ready Player One
Author: Ernest Cline
Published: 16/8/11
First appearance in 101: 2016 (#100)
Years in 101: 4
2019 101 ranking: #71
Rating: 5 stars

Why I chose this book:
I'd heard plenty about it, and actually thought it had been released earlier than it was. I knew it referenced the 80s, but the dystopian element never really drew me in. However its place in the Top 101 for the past four years straight gave me the opportunity to add it to my list. I'm so glad it did!

Thoughts:
Once again I owe gratitude to this challenge for discovering a fantastic read in a book I likely wouldn't have picked up. This ended up being a fun, addictive read that I couldn't put down! The 80s references are a lot of fun and made me nostalgic for my own childhood, but the story was clever enough to not rely just on gratuitous references to the past. It had some serious themes that I found highly relevant to today's society, meaning there was a solid foundation to all the action. I loved it from start to finish, and it scored a surprising 5 stars from me.

You can read my full review on Goodreads here.


Verdict: Was it worthy?

I'm surprised this took as long to make it into the Top 101 as it did, but I think as more people read it, it will climb higher on the list. It's a must-read for any 80s kid who grew up with video games, and speaks to geeks around the globe. It's also unique in that it's set in the future, focuses on the past but is incredibly relevant to the present. It was clever, fun and packed full of action and adventure. This definitely needs to find its way onto more bookshelves.

Review: The Day The Lies Began

The Day The Lies Began by Kylie Kaden
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

No gonna lie, this was a bit of a drainer.

I feel like the story was maybe there but it just went wrong in so many places.

Things that frustrated me:

-Pacing
-Characters
-Lies and secrets
-Explanations
-Lack of action
-Random vulgarity

The story took a long time to gain momentum and then when the big plot point came to light it was handled really badly. Instead of a nice reasonably structured amble towards the conclusion it was just a mess of characters lying and moaning about their lies and then allusions to more lies that were top secret ... I get that it's all about lying but this was really too much, and not nearly clever enough to make all the lying and secrets actually shocking or even interesting.

Also, THESE CHARACTERS ARE SO MESSED UP.
Abbi: The feisty mum who would do anything to protect her family, including manipulate her adopted brother
Blake: The cop with no spine who has an unhealthy affection towards his adopted sister despite being madly in love with his ex, Hannah, who has always treated him like trash
Hannah: The ex of Blake and ex-best-friend of Abbi who constantly sticks her nose and stuck up opinions into everyone else's business. I FKN HATED HANNAH
Will: Abbi's perfect husband who is morally above everyone else and is so perfect and also did I happen to mention that he's perfect? Like, the perfect husband, and father, and friend and, oh yeah, he's just perfect basically.
Molly: Hannah's younger sister who is actually pretty cool but why would we bother learning any of her story when everyone else is doing that exciting lying thing and Molly's arc is seemingly completely unrelated?

So it's like ... Abbi and Blake have secret conversations about 'the forbidden thing' that they did together which basically has you wondering how well you're gonna cope if that turns out to be incest (coz that's definitely what it's trying to hint at). Then the *plot reveal* and everyone is all, 'ooooh who did this thing?' and of course then Abbi and Blake's conversations have more context and there's a slow release of what we're actually trying to solve here and then ... lies. This person was lying about this to this person while that person lied to this person about that ... it becomes less about the actual plot point and more about how everyone has a secret. And, for the most part, these are terrible secrets. It's basically a soap opera. But without the fun drama element and zero tension or build up. There's no atmosphere, no setting the scene, no emotions built. I just did not give a crap. All in all, these are pretty trash secrets and some seemed really pointless?

Also the resolutions were weak and terrible. (view spoiler)[I mean this is basically a book about a bunch of people who have told a lot of lies to a lot of people and then the lies are all out and the entire town's inhabitants are like, 'ok cool.' ??? (hide spoiler)]

NO WORRIES MATE.

I liked the Aussie-relevant references and slang but also felt like it was trying too hard. Also some parts were really crass and vulgar which just felt awkward instead of believable. (view spoiler)[The term 'rock spider' was used so much it was like the author googled it, liked the nickname and decided to use it as often as possible. My conclusion: way too often. (hide spoiler)] I just feel like there was so much in this story that didn't need to be there.

It rambled on about secrets and lies far too much and overall felt incredibly messy. I felt nothing for the characters (aside from a strong loathing for Hannah) and the story was so all over the place it made keeping track of things a little difficult. It took me a long time to read it because I honestly just didn't care about what was happening at all.

Also FKN EADIE'S KIDDIE ACCENT WAS THE WORST. She's supposed to have a lisp but she talks like the worst stereotype of a kid EVER. Lots of 'pwease' and 'winbisible' and 'outgrowded' and SWEET CHEESES who taught this kid English? Coz she is absolutely TERRIBLE. Also how the EFF do you turn 'invisible' into 'winbisible' with a friggin LISP? GET OUT.

So yeah I guess the writing kind of annoyed me. It was really terrible.

All in all, a pretty disappointing read. Felt very amateur, so even though I think the idea was there it absolutely tanked on delivery. Hopefully others will appreciate it a little more than me.

With thanks to Netgalley for an uncorrected proof e-copy to read and review.

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Review: The Harp of Kings

The Harp of Kings by Juliet Marillier
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a little slower than I'd have liked but I did eventually get through it. It's a pretty light on fantasy about music, nature and Fair Folk with a mild dose of court behaviour. Slightly too bland for my tastes, if I'm honest.

The plot: On Swan Island, brother Brocc and sister Liobhan are training to become warriors. They also play music. They're given a mission - along with a fellow trainee, Dau, and two trainers - to journey to a kingdom nearby that's lost a super special harp that's of vital importance to the upcoming coronation. It's kind of a secret mission so they're all under cover but the cover is them being musicians so PHEW. Also fiery Liobhan has to control her temper to match her more submissive character. Sad face.

Honestly, the whole premise was a bit weak for me, and as much as I love music, its importance in this story wore a little thin. I think maybe the world building just wasn't there and I never really got a decent feel for the kingdom or its inhabitants. It was a bit scarce on details so I had a hard time losing myself in the story.

Added to that, the characters were subdued and didn't really do anything particularly exciting. I did like the 'Otherworld' stuff when it finally came up but even that was more 'cutesy to look at' rather than any kind of connection. Liobhan was a fiery, spirited sort but because her fake character wasn't she was a bit dull. Brocc was a bit off with the fairies (LOL) and then Dau became an entirely different person with little explanation, so even though I liked him I kinda resented that.

The court stuff was all pretty shallow, and it just felt like there was no depth to story, world or characters. It was an okay read, but I never felt sucked in or even invested in what might happen. Things travelled along fairly slowly, and there was never any ominous sort of threat or villain to increase the pressure. I mean, the crow things were pretty underwhelming.

I liked the idea of this story but the delivery was too slow and shallow for me. I need more action, whereas this is definitely a slow burn fantasy and likely setting up for a more extravagant series. I'm told this is fairly typical of this author, though, so if you've enjoyed her previous work this one is likely to still be a hit.

With thanks to Macmillan for a complimentary copy to read and review.

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Challenge Review: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

My #dymocks52challenge book 24/38, for week 38. 

Title: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
Author: Mark Manson
Published: 13/9/16
First appearance in 101: 2017 (#85)
Years in 101: 3
2019 101 ranking: #61
Rating: 4 stars

Why I chose this book:
I do quite enjoy self-help books that take a more philosophical approach, and this one's no-nonsense title did rather appeal to me. It's also appeared in the top 101 every year since its 2016 release, which clearly suggested more than a temporary fad.

Thoughts:
It's quite blunt in delivery and doesn't bother attempting to placate anyone so naturally this is going to rub some people the wrong way, but I quite enjoyed it. It requires an open mind, and the concepts are certainly nothing new, but it's accessible, easy to read and mercifully short. If you can manage not to take offence, you'll find some great nuggets of wisdom within the pages.

You can read my full review on Goodreads here.


Verdict: Was it worthy?

I think so! The concepts are certainly important and I think more people could benefit from reading books with this attitude - that we need to consider more carefully the things we invest our time and care in. Its ideas aren't anything new but the bold title perhaps makes it easier to relate to and thus accessible to more readers.

Review: American Royals

American Royals by Katharine McGee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ahhh, drama.

I mean, I could definitely have used more - I liked all these characters too much - but it still hit the spot.

The setup: In an alternate world, Washington became the first king of America, and here we are in present day to witness the inner happenings of America's reigning royals. Mum and dad are regal and proud and of course thrusting ridiculous responsibilities on their first born, Beatrice, who will be America's first ever queen (hooray for abolishing sexism in the monarchy).

Meanwhile younger siblings, twins Sam and Jeff, have much less responsibility and go out of their way to have a good time. Jeff's ex-gf, Daphne, is also still hanging around, stirring up trouble.

The formula is there but it wasn't quite as dramatic as I wanted. I think everyone was so nice and understanding and it was all a bit flat. I wanted people yelling and screaming and gasping and fighting and throwing things and getting busted in compromising positions etc. but instead everyone kinda just cries a lot? The boys are all so lovely and understanding and yes of course I am in love with them all but would it have hurt to have at least one of them act a little bit like a jerk? There wasn't a lot of variety, because they're all upstanding gentlemen madly in love with their respective lady. *yawn*

Daphne is there to cause a bit of mischief but really, she was a bit light on. Amateur hour over here. I was curious about the story between her and Himari but could kinda predict it as well so it wasn't a big deal when the story came out. I'm very much looking forward to meeting Himari properly in the future, though.

I feel like this was really more setting up things for more drama in the future, so I'm pretty keen for the sequel. Ah, that awkward moment when you read a new release then have to hang out at least another six months for the sequel. *nervous laughter*

I liked it, it had petty teen drama like I wanted - though I wanted more rich kid drama - but it was a little underwhelming. I want some mad scandals in the sequel. I want Sam to show off her wild side and Connor to date a model and Beatrice to have multiple meaningless flings and Nina to get a girlfriend and Jeff to go on a crazy adventure and Daphne to start a company. I want parties and getaways and secret bungalows and haunted houses and rich, rich drama.

I mean my imagination is running wild with the potential of this series. I NEED MORE.

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Review: Salvation

Salvation by Peter F. Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was actually so much fun!

I don't read a lot of sci-fi (my brain can't handle the science) but I was kinda keen for some alien mischief so this one found its way into my hands. WELL.

What I expected:
-Motley crew vaguely described and big enough to allow for characters to get eaten/shredded/sucked into space etc.
-Spaceships and malfunctioning space equipment
-Hostile aliens
-Strange planets
-General carnage and mayhem involving aliens picking off humans one by one

What I got:
-Motley crew introduced slowly and individually so I got to know each
-Spaceships and wormholes and portals and SO MUCH TECHNOLOGY my brain is still reeling
-Benign aliens with possible secret dark agenda
-Planets and comets and asteroids and moons and galaxies and ... humans living on all of it because that's how we roll
-General carnage and mayhem in the form of futuristic crime-solving

I mean this was a mixed bag that I entirely did not expect yet equally enjoyed immensely. There was chaos and crime and, yes, there was a lot of science that flew way over my head and descriptions that were so imaginative I couldn't quite get a grip on the visual, but this was a fantastic romp around the galaxy. It almost qualifies for the 'short stories' shelf, as each of the characters is given their own little story at a different time in their collective past. Interspersed with their current mission to investigate an alien spacecraft. PLUS there's the kids 500+ years in the future again who clearly know more than we do, but have their own future to think about.

IT WAS HECTIC.

Honestly I had so much fun with this, and am very much looking forward to the sequel which is a mercifully short wait away and hopefully contains even more carnage, mayhem and alien mischief.

Many thanks to Macmillan for providing me with a complimentary copy.

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Challenge Review: Mythos

My #dymocks52challenge book 23/38, for week 37.

Title: Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold
Author: Stephen Fry
Published: 2/11/17
First appearance in 101: 2018 (#84)
Years in 101: 2
2019 101 ranking: #98
Rating: 3 stars

Why I chose this book:
You might have guessed from the name of my blog that I have an interest in myths and legends, so when this book popped up on the Top 101 list it was an easy add. I'm absolutely fascinated by myths and was looking forward to reading about them from the very beginning.


Thoughts:
I love the stories themselves, but the delivery missed the mark with me. I've never been a big fan of British humour and with a subject so close to my heart it seemed a little crass. But I enjoyed the myths - particularly the lesser-known ones I'd not yet encountered - so it wasn't a total drag to read.

You can read my full review on Goodreads here.


Verdict: Was it worthy?

The myths themselves, yes, but I'm sure there are better deliveries out there. I've yet to read Ovid's Metamorphoses (it's waiting eagerly on my bookshelf) but I suspect that will tell many of these stories in greater depth and with the traditional prose that one would expect for such old stories. This sassy retelling is a great introduction for the uninitiated, but doesn't quite do justice to the great legends of Greek mythology.