tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462154840894168312024-03-28T16:53:41.315+11:00Diva BooknerdSince 2013Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.comBlogger1008125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-28322260422976552272021-02-04T21:42:00.000+11:002021-02-04T21:42:35.003+11:00The Ever After<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcx92AxQxqfl0qQ0uszF31c7g53rZjLH3k-HoR7WR3LrXr77VeX34qqUac-ngE-Ojy9hF2hmK6BCbBsG3TZujKKGrcFxzhDDJ25cZw7DQWogpn1rPA5ITCN6A45YwCt2E41oncH1QAPTtb/s3197/9781529001341.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3197" data-original-width="2094" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcx92AxQxqfl0qQ0uszF31c7g53rZjLH3k-HoR7WR3LrXr77VeX34qqUac-ngE-Ojy9hF2hmK6BCbBsG3TZujKKGrcFxzhDDJ25cZw7DQWogpn1rPA5ITCN6A45YwCt2E41oncH1QAPTtb/s1600/9781529001341.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>The Ever After<br />The Omte Origins Book Three<br />Check of my Omte Origins reviews <a href="http://www.divabooknerd.com/2020/09/the-omte-origins.html">here</a><br />Written by Amanda Hocking<br />Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal, Romance<br />Published January 12th 2021<br />416 Pages<br />Thank you to <a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781529001341/the-ever-after/">Pan Macmillan Australia</a><br />Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56064300-the-ever-after">Goodreads</a><br />★★★★☆<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">Welcome to a world in the shadow of our own, a fairytale land where the dangers are real. In <i>The Ever After</i>, the final book in the <i>Omte Origins</i> trilogy, Amanda Hocking creates an epic adventure in her much loved Trylle universe.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ulla Tulin has lost a month of memories. Her journey to uncover her past led her to a mysterious sect and a man claiming to be her father. But Ulla's forgotten their reunion and fears something terrible happened. Determined to recall the truth, Ulla risks her life to battle the enchantments that bind her. And she finally opens the bridge to Alfheim, the lost First City.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ulla knows this will unleash a tide of monstrous creatures upon the Earth. But she also knows she has no choice and must gather a Trylle army in time to face them. Or could her own buried heritage be the key to victory?</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ullaakuut Tulin has returned home, held captivate by the Älvolk and although she scarcely remembers her ordeal, is experiencing the trauma of being tortured. Ulla, her friends and colleagues from the Merellä metropolis searched for the First City, a mythical city beyond the bridge that connects the realms between Ulla's world and those of the ancients. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>The Omte Origins</i> series has been a whirlwind adventure, a gentle romance, unlikely and tentative friendships and alliances and I've loved every moment. The reader is first introduced to Ulla as a somewhat naive and unsuspecting young woman. She knows little about the world beyond her village and her kindness and inquisitive nature is completely endearing. Throughout the series, Ulla embarks on a journey to find her family, abandoned as an infant with an elderly couple to raise. Along the way, Ulla begins to rely upon her found family, namely Dagny and Pan and although is determined to search for her parents, it soon becomes apparent that all hell is on the verge of breaking loose and Ulla will find herself faced with impossible decisions, while struggling to remember her capture. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">One of my favourite aspects of the series are the reoccurring characters from series' set within the Trylle kingdoms, the series can be read as a standalone but the familiar faces are wonderful. Wendy and Finn from the original <i>Trylle Trilogy </i>and Bryn and Ridley from the brilliant <i>Kanin Chronicles</i>. Each series featuring strong and fearless female characters in positions of power and authority. Although each typically fall in love, these are heroines who don't need a male character to complete them, they're their own saviours. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the <i>Omte Origins</i> series, we hear more about the origins of the trolls and their Scandinavian heritage, their history tightly woven among the Viking folklore. The mythology and legends of children's fairytales coming to life was beautiful and I hope it might lead the way to future series' set within this magical world.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It's been quite a while since a series has captivated me so entirely and that's one of my favourite aspects of Amanda Hocking's writing. They're entertaining, mesmerising reads. Being back in the Trylle world was lovely and although the <i>Omte Origins</i> series features an entirely new community of troll, characters and storylines, it was comforting to be back in a world I was familiar with. <i>The Ever After</i>, the final <i>Omte Origins</i> instalment is wonderfully adventurous, a beautiful exploration of folklore and culture, of lost cities and found family.</p>Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-71319001376049198962021-01-23T18:13:00.000+11:002021-01-23T18:13:55.671+11:00The Iron King<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZkUen8TBtkuBRYnJR5Gv5Aunn-JXiYNmXDks0WjvbSw8LkYaRzmbMXxCuUZOaVUFFaE2YBtiOKUHSk-AiwILQ4DCzurir7Io2P81OWrDoy8mQqSr6yhRH_wZkPinRkCDOu94lYatjGbr/s1600/the+iron+king.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZkUen8TBtkuBRYnJR5Gv5Aunn-JXiYNmXDks0WjvbSw8LkYaRzmbMXxCuUZOaVUFFaE2YBtiOKUHSk-AiwILQ4DCzurir7Io2P81OWrDoy8mQqSr6yhRH_wZkPinRkCDOu94lYatjGbr/s1600/the+iron+king.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>The Iron King<br />Tenth Anniversary Special Edition<br />The Iron Fey Book One<br />Written by Julie Kagawa<br />Paranormal, Young Adult, Romance, Faeries<br />464 Pages<br />Published June 15th 2020<br />Thank you to <a href="https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9781867202271/the-iron-king-special-edition/" target="_blank">Harlequin Australia</a><br />Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44674898-the-iron-king" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />★★★★<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">My name is Meghan Chase.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In less than twenty four hours, I'll be sixteen. Countless stories, songs and poems have been written about this wonderful age, when a girl finds true love and the stars shine for her and the handsome prince carries her off into the sunset.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I don't think it will be that way for me.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan Chase's life, ever since her father disappeared when she was six. Ten years later, when her little brother also goes missing, Meghan learns the truth, she is the secret daughter of a mythical faery king and a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she loves, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Enter a fantastical world of dangerous faeries, wicked princes and one half human girl who discovers her entire life is a lie. This special edition of The Iron King includes the bonus novella Winter's Passage and an exclusive excerpt from the new Iron Fey book, The Iron Raven.</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Meghan Chase is on the threshold of her sixteenth birthday, celebrating the milestone without her father who disappeared ten years ago. Her mother has since remarried and although Meghan cherishes her brother Ethan, her relationship with her stepfather is another story. Luckily she always has her best friend Robbie to depend on when her brother Ethan is captured and taken into the Faery Realm, replaced by a angry, destructive Changling. Of course Meghan's life isn't that simple when she learns that her best friend is actually Robin Goodfellow, a faery who has taken his position of watching over the almost sixteen year old very seriously. Danger is afoot my friends and Meghan is about to discover why you never bargain in the Faery Realm.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Meghan Chase is a wonderful young woman, intelligent and takes the Faery realm in her stride. Whether it's the trauma of her brother being taken or if she's incredibly adaptable, she's a young woman on a mission to retrieve her brother. <br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Faery Realm is an intricate society of segregated communities. Assisted by Grimalkin, an intelligent and machiavellian feline, Meghan discovers that she is the estranged daughter of the Summer Court King, a renowned and esteemed monarch, Meaghan becomes a commodity within the tentative alliance between the Summer and Winter Courts. Prince Ashallayn of the Summer Court is intrigued by Meghan's arrival and reluctantly agrees to assist her across the Nevernever to retrieve her brother in exchange for her freedom once Ethan has been rescued. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The attraction between Meghan and Prince Ashallayn is smouldering, a <i>Montague</i> and <i>Capulet</i> romance between monarchs destined to reign and carry the burden of their respective kingdoms. Robin Goodfellow and Prince Ashallayn are adversaries, long before the emergence of the estranged Princess. The group dynamic is intensely exhilarating and along with feline companion Grimalkin, journey to find the Iron King who is believed to be holding Ethan.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The communities of the Nevernever are vibrant, intricate and terrifying, living amongst a beautifully imagined landscape of kingdoms, dark forests and antarctic environments. <i>The Iron King</i> is wonderfully atmospheric. The forest of the Nevernever is decaying, displacing many creatures and members of the isolated and ostracised faery communities. The Iron King absorbing the environment is symbolism for our urban cities, deforestation and a reminder of the importance of sustainability and environmentalism. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>The Iron King</i> is a whirlwind adventure, a sizzling romance and an enchanting narrative of family and the ties that bind us.</p>Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-50156101407046564522021-01-08T15:38:00.002+11:002021-01-08T15:38:55.663+11:00Sword in the Stars<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hOhoIiy-F85QMMhxeoWDbo8GJx79OGhakENGVv1_p27qM2THlW1cRWVwPAIbw-Yzvx3VZnwi-ztwnnlw-Y5gbqh9ByXnhhrmb5dyunHvenCny-IfVZlNrzdHjoczZEQ6KWeIXNbQnbiT/s1600/sword+in+the+stars.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2148" data-original-width="1400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hOhoIiy-F85QMMhxeoWDbo8GJx79OGhakENGVv1_p27qM2THlW1cRWVwPAIbw-Yzvx3VZnwi-ztwnnlw-Y5gbqh9ByXnhhrmb5dyunHvenCny-IfVZlNrzdHjoczZEQ6KWeIXNbQnbiT/s1600/sword+in+the+stars.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>Sword in the Stars<br />Once & Future Book Two<br />Once & Future <a href="http://www.divabooknerd.com/2019/05/once-future.html">Review</a><br />Written by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy<br />Space Opera, Fantasy, Historical, Retelling, LGBT<br />368 Pages<br />Publishing June 16th 2020<br />Thank you to <a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/sword-in-the-stars-9781786077011/">Bloomsbury Australia</a><br />Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36233087-sword-in-the-stars">Goodreads</a><br />★★★★<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">Once and future collide when Ari, Merlin and the Knights of the Rainbow attempt to steal a magical chalice from Earth's medieval past in order to save humanity's future, irreparably entangling our spaceage heroes with the original King Arthur.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ari plays a risky game of lies and chivalry and Merlin confronts his nemesis, his older self, while all the time they must preserve the time continuum to eventually return to their own future. When the Lady of the Lake interferes, Merlin and Ari realise how much their future has been manipulated by her exquisite machinations of the past. Nin offers a way to release King Arthur's spirit from Ari's body, to end the cruel cycle that keeps them all prisoner and allow them home. But at what cost?<br /><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This galaxy altering conclusion unravels the dark truth of Merlin's origins and inspires a new hope for the Once & Future universe.</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">Every generation, the legendary King Arthur is reawakened and for Ari Helix, she's the first female Arthur and destined to become the heroine that previous Arthurs have forsaken. After withstanding the onslaught from the Mercer Corporation, the group of unlikely companions are travelling back to the middle ages, when King Arthur was an adolescent boy courting the effervescent Guinevere in Camelot. It's imperative that the new residents of Camelot adhere to the original tale as they find themselves enacting the roles of Guinevere, the royal knights and Lancelot, King Arthur's champion, in order to pilfer the chalice and ensure that Arthur is placed upon the throne. </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Sword in the Stars</i> is a brilliantly diverse and vivacious narrative exploring capitalism and genocide. In the world envisioned by A.R. Capetta and Cory McCarthy, the Arthurian legend blossoms and although <i>Once & Future</i> is a wonderfully entertaining read, <i>Sword of the Stars</i> is a fantastical adventure and superbly written finale. Journeying to the historic Camelot, our characters arrive in the midst of King Arthur courting Guinevere, the young King besotted with Gwen who is fatigued and heavily pregnant. Ari gallantly arrives on horseback, assuming the role of Lancelot, the King's champion and who was rumoured to have romanced Guinevere, befalling the young King and Kingdom. Merlin arrives in Camelot rapidly aging in reverse, he must avoid the senior and forbidding Merlin who exists in this world, Merlin being an advisor to a young Arthur. </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Britannia Camelot is a lively and spirited community, intrigued by knight Lamarack. Lamarack is genderfluid, using they / them pronouns and polyamorous. They see the beauty of the Arthurian legend and Camelot and although the Britannia kingdom appears to be conservative, the community are surprisingly accepting and receptive of gender identities and sexuality through their fondness of the treasured Lamarack. Although Lamarack has adapted wonderfully, Jordan is seething and incredibly uncomfortable in her lavish garments. Masquerading as the gallant knight Lancelot and to conceal her gender, Ari binds her breasts. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The <i>Once & Future</i> duology demolishes gender stereotypes and celebrates sexual and gender diversity throughout the narration of own voices authors. Simply superb! </p>Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-29638859645749208622021-01-01T00:30:00.000+11:002021-01-02T19:45:04.593+11:00The Invisible Life of Addie Larue<div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote>contains sensitivities such as suicide, famine, wartime, neglect and emotional abuse. </blockquote></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNr3_CwG4p1Xp-4J8pWcgCn-ouuHiwo6aerG9laPUEhEOj_V7nQ-ukCdk7E9YGUTC7WwiWKMS3xqThsPoR0r1FjLv8nzVLo2OC4ahVspxhSFCIhlKG8qT1yuGM7efCMfLe6s5WvsP9S1QF/s1600/9781785652509.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="936" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNr3_CwG4p1Xp-4J8pWcgCn-ouuHiwo6aerG9laPUEhEOj_V7nQ-ukCdk7E9YGUTC7WwiWKMS3xqThsPoR0r1FjLv8nzVLo2OC4ahVspxhSFCIhlKG8qT1yuGM7efCMfLe6s5WvsP9S1QF/s1600/9781785652509.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue<br />V. E. Schwab<br />Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Adult<br />560 Pages<br />Published October 2020<br />Thank you to <a href="https://www.newsouthbooks.com.au/books/invisible-life-addie-la-rue/">New South Books</a><br />Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54347871-the-invisible-life-of-addie-larue">Goodreads</a><br />★★★★★<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">When Addie LaRue makes a pact with the devil, she trades her soul for immortality. But there's always a price, the devil takes away her place in the world, cursing her to be forgotten by everyone.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Addie flees her tiny hometown in 18th Century France, beginning a journey that takes her across the world, learning to live a life where no one remembers her and everything she owns is lost and broken. Existing only as a muse for artists throughout history, she learns to fall in love anew every single day.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Her only companion on this journey is her dark devil with hypnotic green eyes, who visits her each year on the anniversary of their deal. Alone in the world, Addie has no choice but to confront him, to understand him, maybe to beat him.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Until one day, in a second hand bookshop in Manhattan, Addie meets someone who remembers her. Suddenly thrust back into a real, normal life, Addie realises she can't escape her fate forever.</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">Adeline Larue leaves her legacy upon the world in glimpses, the twenty three year old woman defined by the constellations bestrewn across her nose. Her life begun at eventide of the seventeenth century in a small riverside community in France. Adeline dreams of the freedoms beyond the confines placed upon young women, choosing adventure, freedom and independence. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Adeline is betrothed to a widower within the small town, losing his wife and now searching for a woman to care for his four children. Adeline's friends have long since married and created families of their own while Adeline discovered the beauty of her world. On the eve of her arranged marriage, Adeline prays to a higher being for escape, to abscond her small community and chase freedom into the wide unknown. Darkness responds to her distress, bargaining an agreement. Her freedom in exchange for her soul. Lucifer, the handsome stranger with piercing green eyes has granted Adeline with immortality, ensuring only he will remember her. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The nonlinear narration fluctuates between Adeline's life as a young woman throughout Europe, enduring conflict, wartime, revolutions, lovers both male and female and famine and present New York City. Traversing three hundred years. Adeline is a remarkable young woman, the devastation and heartbreak she's endured throughout the centuries is entirely distressing. A lonely, isolated existence and although Adeline has influenced artists over various generations, no one will remember her beyond her immortalised constellation of freckles. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The essence of <i>The Invisible Life of Addie Larue</i> is human interaction and the ability to leave our legacy upon the world. Throughout our lives, we imprint on one another and for the immortalised twenty three year old, her imprint remains in the creations of former lovers in galleries all over the world until she happens across Henry Strauss managing a small, independent bookstore in New York City. Henry lives on the fringe of society, preferring his own company although feeling thoroughly alone. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Twenty eight year old Henry Strauss has endured addiction, loneliness, relationships and heartache, feeling directionless and unmotivated. Identifying as pansexual, both of Henry's long term relationships have ended in heartbreak and a series of unsatisfying sexual encounters followed. Henry's feelings of worthlessness is palpable. He experiences the world profoundly and throughout his narration, we discover the source of Henry's loneliness and distress, until he happens across Adeline. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Adeline and Henry's relationship is one of companionship rather than a consuming romance, providing one another with a sense of solace and intimacy. They found one another through circumstance and become an aspect of their respective journeys. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The writing is absolutely immaculate and breathtakingly envisioned. From the desperation of Adeline as a young woman burying her meagre possessions along the riverbank and praying to a higher power to rescue her from the small town monotony, the Seine during the revolution, wartime, Venice and London to present New York City. It's wonderfully atmospheric with a beauty and breadth rarely seen in literature, infatuating and categorically enchanting. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Invisible Life of Addie Larue is phenomenal, a masterpiece of modern literature. </p>Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-79897654503216341162020-12-17T11:46:00.000+11:002020-12-17T11:46:13.102+11:00Aurora Burning<blockquote style="text-align: center;">may contain mild spoilers for <a href="http://www.divabooknerd.com/2019/05/aurora-rising.html">Aurora Rising</a></blockquote><a href="http://www.divabooknerd.com/2019/05/aurora-rising.html"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0qed0pqY6hsbfA9aVPLbohScAayR_qsW-aGLrWJoE8KhK4ZhuBLhzMcK_EN9ryZGitu5Ucv04f8evfPMBVSz0oXU7wADM57FadY4led7THB9urO7YYFCgfYLzBU_i2j5PUB5b1GDH75A/s2764/9781760295745.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2764" data-original-width="1808" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0qed0pqY6hsbfA9aVPLbohScAayR_qsW-aGLrWJoE8KhK4ZhuBLhzMcK_EN9ryZGitu5Ucv04f8evfPMBVSz0oXU7wADM57FadY4led7THB9urO7YYFCgfYLzBU_i2j5PUB5b1GDH75A/s1600/9781760295745.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>Aurora Burning<br />Aurora Rising Book Two<br />Written by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff<br />Science Fiction, Adventure, Australian<br />512 Pages<br />Published April 2020<br />Thank you to <a href="https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/childrens/Aurora-Burning-The-Aurora-Cycle-2-Amie-Kaufman-and-Jay-Kristoff-9781760295745">Allen & Unwin Australia</a><br />Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48924047-aurora-burning">Goodreads</a><div>★★★★<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">Our heroes are back. Kind of.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">First, the bad news. An ancient evil, you know, your standard consume all life in the galaxy deal is about to be unleashed. The good news? Squad 312 is standing by to save the day. They've just got to take care of a few small distractions first.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Like the clan of Gremps who'd like to rearrange their favourite faces. And the cadre of illegit GIA agents with creepy flowers where their eyes used to be, who'll stop at nothing to get their hands on Auri. Then there's Kal's long lost sister, who's not exactly happy to see her baby brother, and has a Syldrathi army at her back. With half the known galaxy on their tails, Squad 312 has never felt so wanted.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When they learn the Hadfield has been found, it's time to come out of hiding. Two centuries ago the colony ship vanished, leaving Auri as its sole survivor. Now, its black box might be what saves them but time is short, and if Auri can't learn to master her powers as a Trigger, the squad and all their admirers are going to be deader than the Great Ultrasaur of Abraaxis IV.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Shocking revelations, bank heists, mysterious gifts, inappropriately tight bodysuits and an epic firefight will determine the fate of the Aurora Legion's most unforgettable heroes and maybe the rest of the galaxy as well.</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Ra’haam blooms are slumbering on their desolate planets, an ancient hivemind race threatening to consume the galaxy. The lost colony of Octavia III has been devoured by the Ra’haam, the adrift Hatfield vessel destined for the Octavia settlement before succumbing to the Fold. Aurora Jie Lin O'Malley has long since awakened and rescued by a gallant Tyler Jones, the unlikely company of a diplomat, scientist, warrior, engineer, navigator and Tyler are now felonious fugitives escaping the Global Intelligence Agency.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Delightfully creepy, wonderfully imaginative and superbly entertaining, <i>Aurora Burning</i> is an unpredictable adventure of sarcasm and wonderfully diverse characters. <i>Aurora Burning</i> introduces readers to the Syldrathi Unbroken, a warrior civilisation involved in an ages old conflict with human civilisation, their planet decimated, those who survived are now displaced. Kaliis found solace within the Aurora Academy, his squad of unlikely friends and the memory of his mother, a woman who instilled humility, compassion and peace within her children, their father a warmonger in contrast. <i>Aurora Burning</i> introduces audiences to the fierce Saedii, Kaliis' sister and Unbroken soldier that is entirely deserving of her own series.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With a substantial bounty offered for their capture and accusations of terrorism, the group of unlikely friends must evade the Global Intelligence Agency, the relentless Unbroken and Syldrathi forces. </div>
<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In <i>Aurora Burning</i>, the secondary characters are sensational and provide a reprieve from the intensity of the consuming romance. Zila possesses a quiet intensity, incredibly intelligent and possibly identifies as neurodiverse. Finian has impaired mobility and wears a specially designed suit to lessen the impact of gravity on his skeletal, nerve and muscle systems. He's quite possibly pansexual, appreciating the beauty of those around him regardless of gender. Finian is open about his sexuality, he's flirtatious and flamboyant and uses sarcasm as a coping mechanism. A stark contrast to Zila, who confides in Scarlett that she identifies as lesbian. It's a moment of inspiration and triumph, that Zila and Scarlett's friendship had blossomed and Zila felt comfortable confiding in her friend. It was an immense moment with little fanfare and endeared me to Zila's character. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The intense romance between Aurora and Kaliis threatened to overwhelm the overall narrative, Aurora's newfound empowerment needed be at the expense of Kaliis' character. A romance where Aurora was content to allow Kaliis to become her protector, she begun losing her own identity in the process. In a narrative where characters are driven foremost by their relationship, it's inevitable that characters will feel isolated within their worlds and become dependant on one another. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That ending.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">THAT. ENDING.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Although the romance is entirely melodramatic, Kaliis being sacrificed to further Aurora's evolution is <i>merciless</i>. Heavens, it's <i>unforgiving</i>. Aurora is confronted with an impossible situation, the reality of her relationship and although the <i>Aurora Burning</i> narrative divided readers, I enjoyed the glimpses of ruthlessness, the often reckless decisions and the regret. It added a level of humanity to the storyline. </div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Aurora Burning</i> is a whirlwind adventure of beautifully illustrated worlds and diverse, vibrant characters. Immensely entertaining!</div></div>Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-67745864465916914152020-12-11T10:15:00.001+11:002020-12-11T10:15:32.169+11:00Rebel Gods<div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote>See my review for <a href="http://www.divabooknerd.com/2019/10/monuments.html">Monuments</a></blockquote><a href="http://www.divabooknerd.com/2019/10/monuments.html"></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfLLz_6cQZp8zvTbodbxxfI-4SMdgectOs1qMF9sIMWJWQ7u0GLdnFQvAEd4Ujq5Ew0VD0vOVLm3cf2O3r1O21FaXqWajhuMCO9qvaZxgs4wmvgYmmfumoRzHiybogDeNofaCZdbc913O/s1600/9780734419262.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="797" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfLLz_6cQZp8zvTbodbxxfI-4SMdgectOs1qMF9sIMWJWQ7u0GLdnFQvAEd4Ujq5Ew0VD0vOVLm3cf2O3r1O21FaXqWajhuMCO9qvaZxgs4wmvgYmmfumoRzHiybogDeNofaCZdbc913O/s1600/9780734419262.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>Rebel Gods<br />Monuments Book Two<br />Written by Will Kostakis<br />Fantasy, Adventure, LGBT, Australian<br />256 Pages<br />Published August 27th 2019<br />Thanks to <a href="https://www.hachette.com.au/will-kostakis/rebel-gods-monuments-book-2">Hachette Australia</a><br />Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51483828-rebel-gods">Goodreads</a><br />★★★★<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">Newbie gods Connor, Sally and Locky want to change the world, no biggie. But they're soon drawn into a centuries old conflict that just might destroy the world they're striving to make better. Book two in the Monuments fantasy duology from young adult superstar Will Kostakis.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">With the Monuments gone, newbie gods Connor, Sally and Locky must stop the rebel gods from reducing the world to ruin. Trouble is, they don't know how.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">While Sally searches for answers and Locky makes plans to change the world, Connor struggles to keep up appearances as an ordinary teenager. But when a rebel god offers them a deal to end the chaos, their lives are turned upside down and they're forced to reckon with the question: who should decide the fate of the world?</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">Coming to terms with their newfound Godly status, friends Sally, Connor and his totally dreamy boyfriend Locky are determined to find the estranged Rebel Gods before they wreak havoc upon the world. What's the point of being a God if you can't change the world for the better? When Locky decides to spread joy on the lawn of the local parish, turning their grass into the rainbow flag in opposition to their queerphobic agenda, he's suddenly thrust into the spotlight and making their task of keeping their Godly duties on the down low even harder. Sydney is awash with speculation, could the Gods really walk among the people? For Connor and Locky, it's no easy task dating a God but now with his newfound rockstar slash miracle status, Locky may have inadvertently placed their lives in even more danger, despite the threat of the two dangerous sisters living in the otherworld that threaten life as we know it.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Adventure is afoot my friends as Connor begins to accept the fate thrust upon him, a God that will never age, never able to stay in one place any longer than a few years or risk exposure and of course, telling his dear mother. The other light of his life. Although the <i>Monuments</i> duology is steeped in modern mythology and moments of hilarity, the heart of the narrative is friendship and finding our way into the world. Although generations of teens aren't supernatural godly beings, it's still entirely relatable. Teens invoking change and being the change they want to see within the world. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Rebel Gods explores the deeply queerphobic aspects of religion, those condoning intolerance and prejudice under the guise of religious ideology. Locky challenges the local parish, exposing himself in the process and although the <i>Monuments</i> series explores the urban fantasy narrative of Sydney, the characters are exposed to societal and community issues. It provides a realism beyond world ending scenarios and one of my favourite aspects of the series, besides the brilliant and entirely likeable characters. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">A brilliant conclusion to the duology from one of Australia's most loved authors. </p>Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-26228379304565319662020-12-02T17:35:00.000+11:002020-12-02T17:35:08.014+11:00A Tale of Magic Series<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfPTrbXVU4idBfflsTa7jxJZIB5f88NXTAC-oUmra8R3-v2Hm0Izj54h7AAqhHcb7Sr4bWB-MyZz7iTkM9AlOhPYVYY0krdFX08aX54O-m4PCKtSnWIlBiBUMYc3HEzUxHbFz1VJUb0u0/s2288/9781510202122.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2288" data-original-width="1575" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfPTrbXVU4idBfflsTa7jxJZIB5f88NXTAC-oUmra8R3-v2Hm0Izj54h7AAqhHcb7Sr4bWB-MyZz7iTkM9AlOhPYVYY0krdFX08aX54O-m4PCKtSnWIlBiBUMYc3HEzUxHbFz1VJUb0u0/s1600/9781510202122.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>A Tale of Magic<br />A Tale of Magic Book One<br />Written by Chris Colfer<br />Middle Grade, Magic, Friendship, Adventure<br />Published August 11th 2020<br />448 Pages<br />Thanks to <a href="https://www.hachette.com.au/chris-colfer/a-tale-of-magic-a-tale-of-magic">Hachette Australia</a><br />Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44023745-a-tale-of-magic">Goodreads</a><br />★★★★☆<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">When Brystal Evergreen stumbles across a secret section of the library, she discovers a book that introduces her to a world beyond her imagination and learns the impossible: she is a fairy capable of magic! But in the oppressive Southern Kingdom, women are forbidden from reading and magic is outlawed, so Brystal is swiftly convicted of her crimes and sent to the miserable Bootstrap Correctional Facility.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">But with the help of the mysterious Madame Weatherberry, Brystal is whisked away and enrolled in an academy of magic! Adventure comes with a price, however, and when Madame Weatherberry is called away to attend to an important problem, she doesn't return.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Do Brystal and her classmates have what it takes to stop a sinister plot that risks the fate of the world, and magic forever?</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the Southern Kingdom, young girls are educated to become housewives, mothers and caregivers, <i>good girls</i> by honouring their fathers, brothers and husbands as silent, neglected members of society. Thirteen year old Brystal Evergreen is determined to journey across the kingdoms, seeking adventure and freedom but for the time being, Brystal is content to read. For women and girls within the oppressive kingdom, reading is illegal so when Brystal stumbles across a banned magic book while covertly cleaning her local library, she's caught not only reading but practicing magic and sentenced to the horrific Bootstrap Correctional Facility. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ohh Brystal, what a darling girl you are with your big dreams and immense feelings. I was so incredibly smitten by this spirited young lady. She's courageous and determined to push against societal boundaries. Brystal's father is a leader among their community and although paid handsomely for his work, the family live with the bare necessities, handmedown clothing while Brystal and her mother work tirelessly to keep house. After all, the Southern Kingdom tells women that's all their good for. Grown men scared of the superiority of women and Brystal's father is without a doubt, a misogynist. As a Justice, along with both Brystal's brothers, they're responsible for keeping women in line, uneducated and sentencing those suspected of magic to death. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Girls from across the kingdom have been accused of practicing magic, outlawed after hordes of magical creatures were purged from the kingdoms into the inbetween, a dangerous and unruly place where ogres, goblins and club thumping trolls dwell and fight for resources. The inbetween is incredibly atmospheric and foreboding, an ancient forest and ungovernable land separating the northern and southern kingdoms and where Madame Weatherberry has stationed her new school. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">A reprieve arrives in the form of Madame Weatherberry, a delightful <i>Mary Poppins</i> type woman who has Presidential approval to open a school for Fairies, Under the guidance of Madame Weatherberry, students Brystal and her new friends Xanthous, Emerelda, Tangerina, Skylene and travelling showbusiness performer extraordinaire Lucy, will learn to control their abilities and become the faces of the magical community to promote acceptance and understanding. Madame Weatherberry has an ulterior motive, the children must learn to defeat the Snow Queen, an enchantress wreaking havoc on the northern kingdom, decimating villages and homes. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Although the injustice and inequality of the kingdom are fictional, young readers will draw parallel's within the world and the prejudice communities endure. Communities of colour, ethnicity, religion, gender and sexualities, persecuted rather than celebrated. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>A Tale of Magic</i> is a whimsical series debut that will delight and enchant readers. Simply magical.<br /><br /></p><hr /><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAh-pfaYl4536Hm7HtEZJ13dtGHQDYXXu-0dt21-zGIJl0HBBl5YWvLZyMPv7unohJl87TE8xaizWMYCFGQaQj8fYNpCZXccqX8TT8Kny7QEr88HE565j2RemlCtifYeF498a_UrfrEwA8/s5000/9781510202191.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5000" data-original-width="3501" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAh-pfaYl4536Hm7HtEZJ13dtGHQDYXXu-0dt21-zGIJl0HBBl5YWvLZyMPv7unohJl87TE8xaizWMYCFGQaQj8fYNpCZXccqX8TT8Kny7QEr88HE565j2RemlCtifYeF498a_UrfrEwA8/s1600/9781510202191.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>A Tale of Witchcraft<br />A Tale of Magic Book Two<br />Written by Chris Colfer<br />Middle Grade, Magic, Friendship, Adventure<br />Published September 29th 2020<br />528 Pages<br />Thanks to <a href="https://www.hachette.com.au/chris-colfer/a-tale-of-magic-a-tale-of-witchcraft">Hachette Australia</a><br />Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53273134-a-tale-of-witchcraft">Goodreads</a><br />★★★★☆<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">Brystal Evergreen changed the world, but the journey is just beginning.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Brystal Evergreen and her friends have saved the world from the evil Snow Queen and secured worldwide acceptance for the magical community.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">However, when a mysterious new witch named Mistress Mara arrives at the Academy, the celebrations are cut short. As Mistress Mara begins recruiting faeries into her rival school of Witchcraft, it becomes clear she has dark intentions. And soon Brystal's friend Lucy becomes embroiled in an ominous plot against mankind.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Elsewhere, the fragile peace is on the brink of shattering. Outrage has spread throughout the kingdoms in opposition to the legalisation of magic. And a dangerous and centuries old clan known as the Righteous Brotherhood has resurfaced, with one goal in mind: to exterminate all magical life for ever. Starting with Brystal.</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">As the kingdom celebrates the once isolated and persecuted magical community, Brystal is now academy administrator and along with Xanthous, Emerelda, Tangerina, Skylene and Lucy, the academy welcomes the wider community seeking solace within the sanctuary grounds. The northern conflict has been resolved, the land thawed and the Snow Queen has been banished under the northern lights but a new threat has emerged. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Righteous Brotherhood is a patriarchal organisation opposing the magical community. While the community was isolated by the kingdom, the Brotherhood remained dormant and with Brystal's new found popularity, they have awoken to destroy the alliance the kingdom and fairy community has aligned. Brystal has found an unlikely but wonderfully charismatic ally in Prince Gallivant, affectionately known as Seven due to his lineage to the royal throne. The Brotherhood will stop at nothing to see their leader on the throne, including the decimation of the royal family and Brystal will risk her life to ensure the safety of the academy and community. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">One of my favourite aspects of the <i>A Tale of Magic</i> series is the societal and political undertones. How society often devalues the lives of minority communities and legislates, discriminates and excludes based on ethnicity, gender and sexualities. Brystal has matured into a wonderful young lady, confident and fiercely vigilant, protecting the community she embraces. <i>A Tale of Witchcraft </i>is very much Brystal's journey of acceptance and growth, learning who she is and her place within the world. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Beautifully written and lovingly told, <i>The Tale of Magic</i> series is a wonderful exploration of adventure and found family, of wanting to belong and finding your place within the everchanging world. An absolute delight. </p>Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-81957575827528823902020-11-23T21:23:00.000+11:002020-11-23T21:23:03.499+11:00Hollowpox<div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote>See my reviews for <a href="http://www.divabooknerd.com/2017/10/the-trials-of-morrigan-crow.html">Nevermoor</a> and <a href="http://www.divabooknerd.com/2018/11/wundersmith-calling-of-morrigan-crow.html">Wundersmith</a></blockquote><a href="http://www.divabooknerd.com/2018/11/wundersmith-calling-of-morrigan-crow.html"></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj1cTP0fyX-KVwsidkn5zTW8KenYrfLfyvtY7-dG8n-4QtBdK0eB-BbzBz_r0dtIoPeMFuEfR5dWmUm_pnH4ND3BmGuAh0gHVBpmJpLd-b4j6ez33whpdQU8xGIsSxJk2aaNM5Zx-tnJj/s2335/9780734418241.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2335" data-original-width="1506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj1cTP0fyX-KVwsidkn5zTW8KenYrfLfyvtY7-dG8n-4QtBdK0eB-BbzBz_r0dtIoPeMFuEfR5dWmUm_pnH4ND3BmGuAh0gHVBpmJpLd-b4j6ez33whpdQU8xGIsSxJk2aaNM5Zx-tnJj/s1600/9780734418241.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>Hollowpox. The Hunt for Morrigan Crow<br />Nevermoor Book Three<br />Written by Jessica Townsend<br />Middle Grade, Adventure, Magic, Australian<br />Published September 29th 2020<br />518 Pages<br />Thank you to <a href="https://www.hachette.com.au/jessica-townsend/hollowpox-the-hunt-for-morrigan-crow-nevermoor-3">Hachette Australia</a><br />Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53152954-hollowpox">Goodreads</a><br />★★★★★<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">Strange things are happening in Nevermoor...</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Morrigan Crow and her friends have survived their first year as proud scholars of the elite Wundrous Society, helped bring down the nefarious Ghastly Market, and proven themselves loyal to Unit 919. Now Morrigan faces a new, exciting challenge. To master the mysterious Wretched Arts of the Accomplished Wundersmith, and control the power that threatens to consume her.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">But a strange and frightening illness has taken hold of Nevermoor, turning infected Wunimals into mindless, vicious unnimals on the hunt. As victims of the Hollowpox multiply, panic spreads. And with the city she loves in a state of fear, Morrigan quickly realises it's up to her to find a cure for the Hollowpox, even if it will put her and everyone in Nevermoor, in more danger than she ever imagined.</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">A pandemic is sweeping the streets of Nevermoor metropolis, infecting Wunimals and carrying the illness amongst the community. Wunimals losing their inhibitions and humanity. The Wunderous Society is determined to manufacture a cure as the community falls into disarray, Nevermoorians protesting the removal of Wunimals. Morrigan Crow has returned to the Wunderous Society, beginning her education as a Wundersmith in an underground facility. Stepping through moments preserved by the historical society, Morrigan can observe lessons from centuries past amongst long deceased Wundersmiths and a young, spirited Ezra Squall. </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Morrigan is beginning to master her abilities, attempting to find a balance between friendship and her education as she is consumed by the Wundersmith archives, yearning for knowledge. Since The infamous Ezra Squall was banished from Nevermoor, Wundersmiths have been feared and revered but the survival of the Wunimals community rests upon the shoulders of thirteen year old Morrigan Crow as Nevermoor learns a Wundersmith now walks amongst them. </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Morrigan Crow is a delightful young lady, rescued from the Wintersea Republic where our young heroine was mistreated and brought illegally to Nevermoor by Juniper North, an eccentric hotel entrepreneur. The Hotel Deucalion is magnificent with an eclectic assortment of employees who manage the hotel and care for Morrigan whilst Juniper is absent on official and often secretive Wunderous Society business, including the capture of infectious Wunimals. Fenestra the Magnificat is irritable, sarcastic and fabulous, soprano Dame Chanda Kali is delightful and friends Hawthorne and Cadence are wonderfully supportive, Hawthorne provides endless entertainment and light hearted moments throughout the series. </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">One of the most striking aspects of <i>Hollowpox, The Hunt for Morrigan Crow</i> is the relevance of the storyline during the pandemic. How society has fractured and through ignorance, communities have become segregated and isolated. Children will recognise the similarities between our current pandemic and Nevermoor, encouraging discussion and understanding. <span style="text-align: left;">The </span><i style="text-align: left;">Nevermoor</i><span style="text-align: left;"> series is absolutely wunderous, a fantastical, breathtaking adventure that transcends middle grade literature. Atmospheric and categorically enchanting.</span></p>Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-78229426617866722242020-11-16T20:37:00.000+11:002020-11-16T20:37:53.487+11:00A Dance With Fate<div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote>See my review for <a href="http://www.divabooknerd.com/2019/09/the-harp-of-kings.html" target="_blank">A Harp of Kings</a></blockquote><a href="http://www.divabooknerd.com/2019/09/the-harp-of-kings.html" target="_blank"></a></div><a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781760784225/" target="_blank"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781760784225/" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT17IFMw08hYnmLWWq2licZDzAwQtlKV8LNV_hclM5BvH8xPQyUAlA2TLzCqiXS_G-LsDSg3wcU26wuVmM0TgYikb2UTDuMnUm2hZWl0Vo-6a-kOzfx1teb6YVTKrSwnfUtezNjEm7dLtw/s2752/9781760784225.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2752" data-original-width="1819" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT17IFMw08hYnmLWWq2licZDzAwQtlKV8LNV_hclM5BvH8xPQyUAlA2TLzCqiXS_G-LsDSg3wcU26wuVmM0TgYikb2UTDuMnUm2hZWl0Vo-6a-kOzfx1teb6YVTKrSwnfUtezNjEm7dLtw/s1600/9781760784225.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>A Dance with Fate<br />Warrior Bards Book Two<br />Written by Juliet Marillier<br />Fantasy, Folklore, Celtic<br />Published July 2020<br />420 Pages<br />Thank you to <a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781760784225/" target="_blank">Pan Macmillan Australia</a><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53332355-a-dance-with-fate" target="_blank">Add to Goodreads</a><br />★★★★☆<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p></p><blockquote><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">An accident. A forfeit of freedom. A descent into danger.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Liobhan, the young warrior and bard, has lost her brother to the Otherworld. Even more determined to gain a place as an elite fighter, she returns to Swan Island to continue her training. But Liobhan is devastated when her comrade Dau is injured and loses his sight in their final display bout. Blamed by Dau's family for the accident, she agrees to go to his home, Oakhill, as a bond servant for one year.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">But Oakhill is a place of dark secrets. The menacing and enigmatic Crow Folk still threaten both worlds and while Brocc battles them in the Otherworld, Dau must battle his own demon, despair.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p>When Liobhan and Dau begin to expose the evil at the core of Oakhill, they place themselves in mortal danger. For their enemy wields great power and will stop at nothing to get his way. It will take all the skills of a Swan Island warrior and a touch of the uncanny to give them any hope of survival...<p></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Returning from her maiden assignment in the Kingdom of Breifne, Liobhan is disheartened at the loss of her brother, choosing to remain with Eirne in the forest realm of the Fair Folk. Continuing their warrior apprenticeship, Liobhan and Swan Island comrade Dau enter the arena for their friendly, noncombative competition, Liobhan discarding her protective clothing as Dau falls heavily, concussed, scarcely unresponsive and visually impaired. Healers of the island cannot guarantee the return of his vision and as a warrior who relies on his senses, Dau is questioning his position within the company of elite soldiers. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Dau is returning home to Oakhill Estate, his father and his advisors demanding compensation for the accident and to evade questioning about the mysterious Swan Island, Dau reluctantly agrees to return home. Liobhan is held accountable for the accident and volunteers to serve as a bond servant at the family estate, protecting Dau from the cruelty and maltreatment he endured as a boy. Seanan has assumed the position of Master of Oakhill while their father is ailing, a mysterious illness causing confusion and an inability to manage the family estate. Seanan is tyrannical and vindictive, a sociopath who derives pleasure from tormenting his younger brother Dau, using his humanity and gentleness as a weapon. Dau requires treatment but is isolated and his injuries festering, he experiences depression, anger and resentment. <br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Dau is a Swan Island warrior and without his vision, the feeling of hopelessness is palpable as he contemplates suicide as an alternative. <i>A Dance with Fate</i> explores the trauma of mental health and a diagnosed disability. Visually impaired, Dau is overwhelmed by his remaining heightened senses and begrudgingly accepts assistance. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">As the mysteries of the Oakhill Estate emerge, Brocc remains in the forest realm with Eirne and her fair folk community as he discovers the torture and slain Crow Folk mutilated within the surrounding forest. Brocc is a humanitarian, he cares deeply for his community of small folk and his wife, who is becoming apathetic and distant. Their relationship is entirely superficial. Brocc sacrificed his family, community and position on Swan Island to join the otherwordly community and although Eirne cares for her community, Brocc is their protector, using his voice to protect the Fair Folk from the ferocious Crow Folk attacks. In one particular instance, a messenger reveals that Liobhan may be endangered and rather than forewarn her husband, Eirne chooses to conceal the information, creating a further divide. One of my favourite characters of the otherworld is True, the unassuming and philosophical protector and along with True, the fair folk are beginning to welcome Brocc into their community as a valued family member.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">As Brocc and Eirne's relationship begins to fracture, the tentative attraction between Liobhan and Dau is beginning to blossom into a beautiful and delicate intensity. We see Liobhan's compassion and vulnerability, encouraging Dau to remain positive despite the circumstances and guiding a young stable hand in caring for Dau's injuries. Corb is a wonderful character, gentle, patient and although Dau resents not being able to tend to his own injuries and his <i>bruised ego</i>, he and Liobhan come to care for the young man.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The striking aspect of the Warrior Bards series is the atmospheric, whimsical narration infused with Celtic folklore. <i>A Dance with Fate</i> is an engaging and delightfully whimsical installment that explores disability, mental wellness and traumatic disorders. Beautifully lyrical and a remarkable read by one of Australia and New Zealand's finest authors. <span style="text-align: left;">Juliet Marillier is a national treasure. </span></p>Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-42134580307007884142020-11-11T22:15:00.001+11:002020-11-11T22:15:37.618+11:00Harrow Lake<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZ07E6EsHpThT53Zfr_ShKNRzgV1TJZFZZ8NToJsHadlrlj9Tecjs2A5PEwWQvrAPkLXry8AWcFkE0I_nJrP2H7JU99ZTwPgpT3wnJ_lBwwNwgWJg9of2iOaAxJvhyoIGecMJewRoy03n/s2339/9780241397046.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1529" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZ07E6EsHpThT53Zfr_ShKNRzgV1TJZFZZ8NToJsHadlrlj9Tecjs2A5PEwWQvrAPkLXry8AWcFkE0I_nJrP2H7JU99ZTwPgpT3wnJ_lBwwNwgWJg9of2iOaAxJvhyoIGecMJewRoy03n/s1600/9780241397046.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>Harrow Lake<br />Written by Kat Ellis<br />Contemporary, Horror, Mystery, Thriller<br />Published August 18th 2020<br />320 Pages<br />Thank you to <a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/harrow-lake-9780241397046">Penguin Teen Australia</a><br />Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51058400-harrow-lake">Goodreads</a><br />★★★★☆<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">Welcome to Harrow Lake. Someone's expecting you.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Lola Nox is the daughter of a celebrated horror filmmaker, she thinks nothing can scare her.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">But when her father is brutally attacked in their New York apartment, she's swiftly packed off to live with a grandmother she's never met in Harrow Lake, the eerie town where her father's most iconic horror movie was shot.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The locals are weirdly obsessed with the film that put their town on the map and there are strange disappearances, which the police seem determined to explain away.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">And there's someone - or something - stalking her every move.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The more Lola discovers about the town, the more terrifying it becomes. Because Lola's got secrets of her own. And if she can't find a way out of Harrow Lake, they might just be the death of her.</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">Soirees, premières and receptions celebrate acclaimed filmmaker Nolan Nox. Behind the abrasive façade is an overbearing father, placing his professional livelihood above the wellbeing of his daughter. Apart from the occasional industry gathering, Lola Nox is a recluse, forbidden to leave their New York City apartment. Nolan reminding Lola of how her mother abandoned their family. Lola is looking for adventure and against Nolan's wishes, leaves the apartment only to return home to a horrifying crime scene. Nolan has been brutally wounded and while his life hangs in the balance, Lola is sent to live with her estranged grandmother in Harrow Lake, where Nolan produced his infamous cult film <i>Nightjar</i>.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Lola is an interesting character. She's likeable but it becomes apparent that she's a product of her environment, living her life according to Nolan's rules. Rules which aren't necessarily to keep her safe but to control her. As Nolan recovers in hospital from his injuries, Lola has been sent by her father's friend and assistant to her estranged grandmother's house in Harrow Lake. It just happens to be the twentieth anniversary of the <i>Nightjar</i> film release, with the community celebrating each year with a festival.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Lola's estranged grandmother's property is surrounded by a gnarly forest and under the thick canopy, residents whisper the urban legend of Mister Jitters roaming the forest searching for a Little Bird, the community offering teeth to an ancient tree in the forest to keep their families safe. Much weird indeed. Although Harrow Lake is eerily atmospheric, there's an overwhelming sense of <i>wrongness</i>. It's no wonder Lola's mother Lorelei was so eager to escape when she met Nolan and played the role of Little Bird in the original film. </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The fairground is home to the carnival created for the <i>Nightjar</i> film, built amongst the landslide caused the mountain to collapse and bury the historical church in a sinkhole. Urban legend tells the story of Mr Jitters, a centuries old man who was said to have been buried alive and survived by cannibalism. The local folklore warns children of venturing into the forest or risk being captured by Mister Jitters. Mister Jitter's is the stuff of nightmares and even though the residents of Harrow Lake laugh it off as being superstitious, most of them believe <i>something</i> is lurking around the town. </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Strange happenings are afoot friends. Lola's suitcase disappears and she's forced to wear her mother's Little Bird costumes. The likeness is uncanny to the point where even her elderly grandmother believes Lola is Lorelei. Lola is staying in her mother's room where jitterbugs line the shelves and tremble sporadically. It's creepy as hell and made my skin crawl. Lola is determined to unravel the mysteries of her mother, why she was adamant in leaving Harrow Lake and why did she return before abandoning her only child? </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The most striking aspect of <i>Harrow Lake</i> is how the story unravels, a nonlinear narrative shared amongst the community as the history of Lorelei and their town is revealed. Unreliable narrators, those with alterative motives and those who are determined to safekeep the secrets of their strange, foreboding town. Kat Ellis has created a superb vintage horror that will enthral readers until the final page.</p>Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-8060081766511417282020-11-05T20:22:00.000+11:002020-11-05T20:22:01.799+11:00Before the Beginning<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDK9J1b6MuMFy5OFwQFKqltQqY0h4AoTUd92zYz358ITfP4WuBMmU5ecvuMYX2eyfme8pZF0nLBvl-qjCcG_C50uOHFVBXYVtLwIjOfNvOztwH9XGJWvwwd07-Dj4qJjJwacTCuE7BB-F/s3508/Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3508" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDK9J1b6MuMFy5OFwQFKqltQqY0h4AoTUd92zYz358ITfP4WuBMmU5ecvuMYX2eyfme8pZF0nLBvl-qjCcG_C50uOHFVBXYVtLwIjOfNvOztwH9XGJWvwwd07-Dj4qJjJwacTCuE7BB-F/s1600/Cover.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>Before the Beginning<br />Written by Anna Morgan<br />Contemporary, LGBT, Mystery, Romance<br />Published September 29th 2020<br />240 Pages<br />Thanks to <a href="https://www.hachette.com.au/anna-morgan/before-the-beginning">Hachette Australia</a><br />Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53418636-before-the-beginning">Goodreads</a><br />★★★★<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">Schoolies week, that strange in between time when teenagers move from school into the adult world. It's a week when anything is possible, and everything can change.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Grace is questioning everything she thought about herself, and has opted not to join her clique of judgemental friends for schoolies, instead tagging along with her brother Casper and his friends. Casper, an artist, is trying to create the perfect artwork for his uni application folio. Overachieving, anxiety ridden Noah is reeling from a catastrophe that might have ruined his ATAR result. And Elsie is just trying to figure out how to hold their friendship group together.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">On the first night of the trip, they meet Sierra, a mysterious girl with silver grey hair and a magnetic personality. All of them are drawn to her for different reasons, and she persuades them to abandon the cliched schoolies experience in favour of camping with her on a remote, uninhabited island. On that island, each of them will find answers to their questions. But what does Sierra want from them?</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Grace is an attentive daughter, admired among her congregation and an intelligent scholarship recipient. While awaiting her results, Grace is contemplating an apprenticeship with her congregation, reluctantly deciding to spend her postschool celebrations with her brother Casper and his friends in the seaside town of their childhood vacations. Casper hopes to complete his artists portfolio for university applications and along with best friends Elsie and Noah, spending a few days to celebrate, commiserate and ponder their futures.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Although narrated by several characters, Casper, Elise and Noah, Grace is the interloper. Grace and Casper shared a wonderful sibling relationship as children, while Casper pursues his artistry, Grace continued her involvement within the church, creating tension and alienating the young siblings. Grace is a likeable young woman, her faith has caused her to feel isolated from her friends and family as she often appears as being judgemental, culminating in being confronted by Elise. Elise barely tolerates Grace, although not by virtue of her religious beliefs but because every conversation with Grace is about her faith, while she pays little attention to anyone not sharing her own principals. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Soon after arriving at the seaside cottage, the group of four unlikely travel companions meet Sierra, a spirited young woman who convinces them to spend the the next few days illegally camping on the abandoned Shearwater Island. On the island, the serene and tranquil atmosphere allows friendships to blossom, tentative romances to begin, declarations of unrequited love and conceding that life isn't always ideal but our mistakes allow us to mature as individuals. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The characters are wonderfully contrasted. Noah was awarded with a scholarship to a prestigious private school, his mother's expectations only secondary to his own. As a result, he's incredibly anxious and overwhelmed. Elise and Casper share a codependent friendship and although Casper is seemingly unaware, Elise harbors immense feelings for her friend. The friendship blossoming between Elise and Grace was beautiful and although they both found aspects of one another's personality irritating, like Grace learning to listen to others without judgement and Elise learning patience, they found middle ground and a mutual respect for one another. Sierra was never a looming presence over their friendship group but she brought out the best in some characters, Grace especially and the worst in others, namely Casper. I wasn't fond of Casper. He's flighty and only concerned about himself, the attention others are giving him and is verging on tantrum throwing when he doesn't get his own way. Namely Sierra.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The romance between Grace and Sierra was unexpected but really lovely for the most part. Rather than Sierra encouraging Grace to explore her identity, it seemed to be the island itself and their surroundings that allowed Grace's spirit to soar and it was beautiful. Although she doesn't talk about her sexuality, I can imagine it wasn't something she was able to discuss with her friends from church, incredibly judgemental girls who felt the need to issue an announcement body shaming girls who want to wear bikinis, very much implying that the female body is a distraction for men and to cover up with a modest bathing suit. It's no wonder Grace took her chances camping with Casper and his friends, her friends, what little we hear about them, are horrible and use their faith as a reason to exclude and shame others. That seemed to be Grace's turning point.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The writing itself is magical, as Anna Morgan has creates a narrative that slowly unravels on each page. Who <i>is</i> Sierra? I loved the Australian summer atmosphere of Shearwater Island, the mystery, intrigue but most of all, the character development. Anna Morgan is a masterful storyteller, creating journey's of discovery, of acceptance and finding your way into the world, placing importance on the journey rather than the destination. </p>Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-47712422837693462952020-10-30T15:00:00.000+11:002020-10-30T15:00:24.978+11:00Kingdom of the Wicked<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFlLy7J0-ZqKpAQ7g1EgsFxylx2ai7jqIIK4vhdkwPb5_3l3QgUV2CweeJblhBn8Ghs4pq2GwZEqJ4zF8FZ6do_dCeumuzQmnqMP9wibNxBoSZ98NjROEIyJuzH1j1pmJ4O76BQhVNWrK/s2775/9781529350456.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="1875" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFlLy7J0-ZqKpAQ7g1EgsFxylx2ai7jqIIK4vhdkwPb5_3l3QgUV2CweeJblhBn8Ghs4pq2GwZEqJ4zF8FZ6do_dCeumuzQmnqMP9wibNxBoSZ98NjROEIyJuzH1j1pmJ4O76BQhVNWrK/s1600/9781529350456.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>Kingdom of the Wicked<br />Kingdom of the Wicked Book One<br />Written by Kerri Maniscalco<br />Historical Fiction, Mystery, Witches, Romance<br />Published October 27th 2020<br />448 Pages<br />Thank you to <a href="https://www.jimmypatterson.org/titles/kerri-maniscalco/kingdom-of-the-wicked/9780316428446/">Jimmy Patterson Books</a><br />Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55127740-kingdom-of-the-wicked">Goodreads</a><br />★★★★☆<br /><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p></p><blockquote><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Two sisters.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">One brutal murder.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself…</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">And an intoxicating romance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe, witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin... Desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister’s killer and to seek vengeance at any cost, even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia’s side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women’s murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems...</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">As children, Emilia and Vittoria listened intently to the stories of their grandmother and the Dicarlo family grimoire, monsters, demons and the stregheria, the matriarchal families of the Sicilian town of Palermo. As the ocean gathers the changing winds, the demon world becomes restless, it's been an age since demons were banished into the netherworld and with a solemn prophecy from their grandmother, the underworld has arisen. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Emilia and Vittoria are contrasting characters, Vittoria is spirited whilst Emilia is passionate about literature and culinary delights, a kitchenhand in their family owned restaurant <i>Sea & Vine</i>. As children, Emilia and Vittoria confided in one another but are now distant, Vittoria secretively indulging in parties and tumultuous love affairs until her body is found within the local monastery, her heart removed in a ritualistic killing. Emilia's sorrow is palpable and although the sisters have grown distant in recent years, she is determined to avenge her sister.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Throughout the narrative, Emilia discovers that Vittoria harboured a dangerous grimoire as she summons a demon from the underworld, the unsuspecting war general, the demonic prince of Wrath. Capturing the devastatingly handsome general for information. Wrath is one of seven demonic princes, each representing the seven houses of immortality. To freed the brothers, a willing bride must be chosen to break the binding spell placed upon the underworld. These princes are deliciously sinful and almost impossible to resist. Yes, they're evil but so incredibly handsome that you almost forget they're in the business of stealing souls. Because handsome. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Wrath is <i>ridiculously</i> attractive. He and Emilia share a vested interest in finding who killed Vittoria, reluctantly agreeing to work together. Over the course of the narrative, Wrath begins to care for Emilia and although she's more than capable of fending for herself, he is a wonderful yet alluring support for Emilia. Remember when you first discovered <i>Twilight</i> and couldn't get enough of the sexual tension? <i>This</i>. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Emilia is a vengeful witch, Wrath is a demonic prince and the mortal enemies to <i>maybe</i> lovers, smouldering attraction <i>and</i> <i>very much wanting to get it on romance</i> is slow and simmering and how I'm here for it. Chef kisses all round friends. If you've read the <i>Stalking Jack the Ripper</i> series with Audrey Rose and Thomas then you'll be well aware of the smouldering, agonising Kerri Maniscalco romances and this was painful in the most delicious meaning of the word. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Kerri Maniscalco writes incredible narratives, mysteries with dangerous undercurrents and passionate romances and <i>Kingdom of the Wicked</i> was intensely brilliant. So much so that I've run out of words. It's sexy. Damn sexy and hot as hell. Literally. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In summary, this is one of those reads you'll sell your mother for. </p>Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-66561564952752890932020-10-22T17:07:00.000+11:002020-10-22T17:07:02.612+11:00Watch Over Me<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRa6E7FuDj02e2e98v8VTN0dfssSUybMSn8Rdnth8LgyKTGAY1m7ZQ0McJ5HbmyIOgdpVJ94YAlZ9BqjWUlrwPu_VN_5ceNOKZkSJomkSXv-xL6BNhtD8WgZqF5qhG3CbUN95KDD_Kykb/s2339/9781922330604.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRa6E7FuDj02e2e98v8VTN0dfssSUybMSn8Rdnth8LgyKTGAY1m7ZQ0McJ5HbmyIOgdpVJ94YAlZ9BqjWUlrwPu_VN_5ceNOKZkSJomkSXv-xL6BNhtD8WgZqF5qhG3CbUN95KDD_Kykb/s1600/9781922330604.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>Watch Over Me<br />Written by Nina Lacour<br />Contemporary, Paranormal, Mental Health<br />Publishing September 29th 2020<br />272 Pages<br />Thank you to <a href="https://www.textpublishing.com.au/books/watch-over-me" target="_blank">Text Publishing</a><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53652544-watch-over-me">Add to </a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53652544-watch-over-me" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />★★★☆<p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">Mila is used to being alone. Maybe that’s why she said yes. Yes to a second chance in this remote place, among the flowers and the fog and the crash of waves far below. But she hadn’t known about the ghosts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Newly graduated from high school, Mila has aged out of the foster-care system. So when she’s offered a job and a place to live on an isolated part of the Californian coast, she immediately accepts. Maybe she will finally find a new home, a real home. The farm is a refuge, but it’s also haunted by the past. And Mila’s own memories are starting to rise to the surface</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Eighteen year old Mila is transitioning from an adolescent in foster care to a homestead estate in Mendocino California, an isolated coastal community and an internship educating children. At the homestead, everyone contributes, the chores, the weekend farmers market and maintaining the property and accommodation. The farming community are welcoming although cautious of Mila and beyond the fields of flowers, the dreamlike mist that settles upon the land and the pebbled beach, the ghosts dance upon the fields under the moonlit sky.<br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Mila is an interesting character, enigmatic and a fragmented version of herself. The community is her opportunity to alleviate her anxiety and find solace, escaping her early adolescent years and the tragedy that had befallen her family. Harbouring secrets, Mila is tormented by her former stepfather, a man who manipulated her single mother and kept Mila captive, figuratively and literally. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Mila is responsible for the education of nine year old Lee, anxious and afraid of ghostly apparitions. Lee is an intelligent boy, my heart ached for what he continued to endure, his anxiety was often overwhelming and the adults within the property settlement seemingly believed that a nine year old child was able to manage his own anxiety. Mila is unqualified and a few of her interactions with Lee seemed inappropriate. Using storytelling as a means to share and provide a feeling of solidarity, Mila tells the story of a wolf, ripping a young woman's heart from her chest, representative of the situation of Mila herself and her stepfather. She goes on to share the story about how she was conceived and how her mother had decided her father wouldn't be given the opportunity to become a parent. I understand that Mila is young but with seemingly no experience with children, I'm not entirely certain she understood the sensitive nature of Lee's anxiety or working with children. A small annoyance that didn't impact my overall enjoyment but I found Mila's actions concerning.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">On the farm, Mila is befriended by Liz and Billy, who are seemingly in a sexual relationship. Mila is experiencing ongoing traumatic stress from her adolescence and begins sleeping between the young couple each night as a comfort mechanism, the two young women also bathing together. Their relationship isn't defined but I suspect Mila may be attracted to the young couple, pleasuring herself after overhearing them being intimate. The property community appeared as a humanism, unstructured environment, a commune of spirited and likeminded people. Perhaps I'm cynical but the community is similar to a congregation but rather than preaching religion, they promote togetherness, your personal journey to wellness and although it appears to be a positive environment, I couldn't shake the sinister undercurrent and expected there may have been something awful happening at the farm.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Nina Lacour is an incredible author, her themes of sadness, mental wellness and loss are told beautifully, artistically and poetically. <i>Watch Over Me</i> is an engaging read but not particularly immersive. The liberation of healing through symbolism was quite exquisite but the narrative, characters and community were <i>too</i> peculiar and underdeveloped unfortunately.</p>Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-80823722392973800112020-10-16T00:30:00.010+11:002020-10-16T00:30:06.542+11:00The Secret Life of Stars<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVF8khOUAsDXcDdeM2FvxFPHfhdQDjqn2b0DXmCezJSC0NTIQ3lf43sBzACFGJqyMktk0tBCzQpwnj3Qy-i9eJLiNbeNWBWOKJFxT320zFmW_JfMPaB92Jmrpl9LOguIBXtOuu_02Encu/s1228/Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVF8khOUAsDXcDdeM2FvxFPHfhdQDjqn2b0DXmCezJSC0NTIQ3lf43sBzACFGJqyMktk0tBCzQpwnj3Qy-i9eJLiNbeNWBWOKJFxT320zFmW_JfMPaB92Jmrpl9LOguIBXtOuu_02Encu/s1600/Cover.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>The Secret Life of Stars: Astrophysics for Everyone<br />Written by Lisa Harvey - Smith<br />Illustrated by Eirian Chapman<br />Non Fiction, Science<br />Published <br />Pages<br />Thank you to <a href="https://thamesandhudson.com.au/product/the-secret-life-of-stars-astrophysics-for-everyone/">Thames & Hudson Australia</a><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54981178-the-secret-life-of-stars">Add to Goodreads</a><br />★★★★☆<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">We all know the Sun, the powerhouse of our solar system, but what about Luyten’s Flare, the Rosino - Zwicky Object or Chanal’s variable star? For those whose curiosity takes them far beyond Earth’s atmosphere, The Secret Life of Stars offers a personal and readily understood introduction to some of the Galaxy’s most remarkable stars.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Each chapter connects us to the various different and unusual stars and their amazing characteristics and attributes, from pulsars, blue stragglers and white dwarfs to cannibal stars and explosive supernovae. With chapter illustrations by Eirian Chapman, this book brings to life the remarkable personalities of these stars, reminding readers what a diverse and unpredictable universe we live in and how fortunate we are to live around a stable star, our Sun.</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Stars are born, they age before slowing succumbing to the inevitable, their ashes returned to the cosmos. Anaximander and Aristotle, Johannes Kepler, Isaac Newton and Neil Degrasse Tyson, composers and artists, our universe captivates humankind, our sense of wonder and curiosity has inspired generations of scientists and amateur astronomers. Written in engaging and accessible language, The Secret Life of Stars, Astrophysics for Everyone is fascinating and entertaining, a wonderful reference infused with humour, wonder and whimsy. </p><p><br /></p><p>Lisa Harvey - Smith is a decorated astrophysicist, an engaging and inspirational ambassador, an Astronomer, Author and Broadcaster. I had the privilege of asking Lisa about our universe, our Australian space agency, advances in astrophysics and her advocacy of women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Please welcome Lisa Harvey - Smith.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Why do you suppose humans are captivated by our universe and in particular, the night sky?<br /></p><p></p><blockquote style="text-align: justify;">Human beings have wondered at the night sky for tens of thousands of years. It's a work of art, a thing of beauty and a rich scientific playground for people like me. </blockquote><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Do you remember the moment you chose to pursue astrophysics as a career and the inspiration behind your decision?</p><p></p><blockquote style="text-align: justify;">I fell in love with the night sky after spotting the planet Mars with my Dad in the garden. I was 12 years' old and I never looked back. I knew that astronomy was my passion and I had to make it a career. Aged 15 I was already determined to become a researcher and find out more about our incredible universe. I'm glad I did!</blockquote><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Australian Government established the Australian Space Agency and are investing in the Moon to Mars mission, how will this impact the astrophysics and research community now and in the future?</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote style="text-align: justify;">The Moon to Mars program, led by NASA and including many international partners, will be a science and technology extravaganza. The aim is to land people, including the first woman - finally, on the Moon in 2024 then to build bases and infrastructure towards a crewed landing on Mars around 2030. It is tremendously exciting for Australia to be part of the technology development towards these missions. Scientifically, it will bring a greater understanding of the history of our solar system but more importantly it will galvanise a new generation of scientific and technological discovery that will hopefully bring benefits to us here on Earth. </blockquote><p></p><p><br /></p><p>I recently watched The Planets documentary series with Professor Brian Cox, whom you worked with on Stargazing Live and you've toured Australia with Buzz Aldrin, is there anyone else within the scientific community you would love the opportunity to collaborate with?</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote style="text-align: justify;">I've been very fortunate to work with many exciting and accomplished people from the space industry, including three Apollo moon walkers with whom I toured the nation with live stage shows. I would love to work with more rockstar astronauts like Mae Jamieson or Samantha Christoforetti, to show young people that women are exploring the frontiers too. I would have loved to have met the late Sally Ride, the first female US astronaut. As a badass astronaut and a queer icon, she was a real role model of mine. </blockquote><p></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Under the Stars</i> and <i>The Secret Life of Stars</i> are both wonderful reads, what inspired you to write accessible and engaging reads about space and astrophysics? </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote style="text-align: justify;">I get bored easily! No, truly I get frustrated at people who manage to make science boring, when it is absolutely the closest thing we have in this world to magic. I believe that astronomy is for everyone, and by writing fun and engaging books about the natural world I hope to open up the magic of science to everyone. </blockquote><p></p><p><br /></p><p>I read that you worked on the Murchison Radio Astronomy Observatory in remote Western Australia, can you share how you were involved and how the observatory will influence the field of astronomy?</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote style="text-align: justify;">I was for several years the CSIRO Project Scientist for the Square Kilometre Array telescope and later for its Australian pathfinder in outback Western Australia. These telescopes are new, cutting edge radio antennas that enable us to study the past 10 billion years of cosmic history. I was involved in designing and commissioning the new telescopes and their vast computing and data centres. I also used the telescopes to conduct scientific research, weighing a supermassive black hole in a distant galaxy to check it was working correctly. Exciting stuff!</blockquote><p></p><p><br /></p><p>You're a wonderful advocate of women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics studies and careers, can you tell me about your role as an ambassador?</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote style="text-align: justify;">As the Australian Government's Women in STEM Ambassador my role is to increase the participation of women and girls in STEM study and careers. I advise government on policy, work with STEM peak bodies and organisations, conduct research and projects, create resources and run national campaigns to break down stereotypes about STEM. The end goal is to reduce barriers to women's participation in STEM careers and to make workplaces fairer and better for everyone. You can follow <i>Australia's Women in STEM Ambassador</i> on socials or visit <a href="http://womeninstem.org.au">womeninstem.org.au</a> to find out more. </blockquote><p></p><p><br /></p><p>And lastly, what is your favourite fact about space that few people would know about?</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote style="text-align: justify;">Eight hundred and twenty-two light years away in the constellation of Cygnus lies a rocky planet called Kepler - 1652b. It sits in the solar system's habitable zone, which means there could potentially be liquid water on its surface. Oh, and did I mention that it has four Suns? Yep - if there is alien life on that planet, they would definitely need the factor 50 sunscreen. But with no night time, how would they sleep?</blockquote>Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-69929552221648273852020-10-07T17:06:00.002+11:002020-10-07T17:06:29.844+11:00None Shall Sleep<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVBJt3IwsitByQVs8f1Ln4dfMjhLJzmLc70-Sem2P3krS83-AI0lHPxD6dHIM0oKdUc5qA4Mb5l5uhk1smpqtMxh-nmLLxQqx1flkfI9lfivb4JWLCPPbuctTKVA1GvVEHqW0GPzqps26/s1600/9781760877309.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1047" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVBJt3IwsitByQVs8f1Ln4dfMjhLJzmLc70-Sem2P3krS83-AI0lHPxD6dHIM0oKdUc5qA4Mb5l5uhk1smpqtMxh-nmLLxQqx1flkfI9lfivb4JWLCPPbuctTKVA1GvVEHqW0GPzqps26/s1600/9781760877309.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
None Shall Sleep<br />
Written by Ellie Marney<br />
Mature Young Adult, Thriller, Mystery<br />
Published September 2020<br />
400 Pages<br />
Thank you to <a href="https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/childrens/None-Shall-Sleep-Ellie-Marney-9781760877309">Allen & Unwin</a><br />
Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54965519-none-shall-sleep">Goodreads</a><br />
★★★★★<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
Interviewing convicted juvenile killers for the FBI leads Emma Lewis and Travis Bell on the hunt for a serial murderer who targets teenagers. A riveting young adult thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seat from start to finish.<br />
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It's 1982, and the innovative FBI Behavioural Science section is breaking new ground. Emma Lewis and Travis Bell, two teenagers with valuable skills, are recruited to interview convicted juvenile killers for information on cold cases.<br />
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When they're drawn into an active case targeting teenagers, everything starts to unravel. Over Travis's objections, Emma becomes the conduit between the FBI and an incarcerated serial killer, nineteen year old Simon Gutmunsson, who is a super intelligent sociopath. And although Simon seems to be giving them the information they need to save lives, he's also an expert manipulator playing a very long game.<br />
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Can Emma and Travis stop a serial killer on the loose or will they fall victim themselves?</blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">Eighteen year old Emma Lewis continues to endure the psychological trauma of being held captive, the sole survivor of man who abducted young women as wives. Now studying forensic psychology at University, Emma is about to embark on a landmark venture with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, adolescents recruited to interview adolescent sociopaths to help understand the psychological motivation of their crimes. Emma is a determined and resolute young woman, intelligent, perceptive and resilient. She's reluctant to join the Federal <span style="text-align: justify;">Behavioural Science Unit, tempted by the prospect of accelerating her education. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Travis Bell is the son of a decorated police offer, killed in the line of duty by a sociopath killer, now pursuing a career in law enforcement. Travis has been recruited by the FBI and alongside Emma, plans to make the most of the opportunity he's given to forge a career and honour his father's memory. Travis and Emma are strangers, brought together by circumstance but form a tentative and platonic friendship over their shared experience, Emma's abduction and Travis' father killed by <span>Simon Gutmunsson. They share moments of attraction but their working relationship and budding friendship was lovely, seeing them trust one another without the complications of a romantic relationship. Both Travis and Emma are healing and given the circumstances of the investigation, I'm thankful their connection remained purely platonic. </span></div></span><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Simon Gutmunsson, he's charismatic and under any other circumstances, even endearing. Ellie Marney created a likeable<i> </i>sociopath and I'm equally parts delighted and horrified. Simon is known as The Artist, he doesn't consider himself in the same lowly league as a sociopathic killer, he artfully killed his victims as a calling card, proud of his extracurricular activities. Simon is highly intelligent and curious about Emma, alluding to the current murderous spree by the unknown assailant. The FBI hope by understanding juvenile killers like Simon, they'll be able to profile and catch the current serial killer, using Emma and Travis at bait to see what Simon knows.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;">The killings are <i>brutal. </i>We're given a glimpse into the mind of the killer as he strings up his victims and performs ritualistic killings. It's terrifying and creates an incredibly urgent storyline, using the cryptic innuendo provided by Simon and applying his insights to the current, open case before the killer strikes again. </span>Holy shit. <i>None Shall Sleep</i> is creepy, downright terrifying but balanced with moments of tenderness and a gentle and tentative friendship. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is next level Marney, a little bit batshit, pee yourself while reading and jumping at shadows for the next three months. Outstanding!</div>
</span></span></div>Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-32360375672179230542020-10-01T17:09:00.008+10:002020-10-03T17:22:33.964+10:00Where We Begin<div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote>contains mild spoilers of sensitive issues such as family violence, abortion, alcoholism, physical and emotional abuse, colonisation, genocide, prejudice and racism</blockquote></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSM5iZWGkl4F6I4uEoKz8WoB94Ezf794Y67dXqpYl5HG6PIjPtEH2pSIl6JJiTttS9IqXsJlbrwqb3VJwyM2DBHdxahg9FwwVkkRXCUFbQ3FWM24SGQsYrJnanoYhgV418q9zAaNNs7Zv/s2340/9781743535660.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="1525" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSM5iZWGkl4F6I4uEoKz8WoB94Ezf794Y67dXqpYl5HG6PIjPtEH2pSIl6JJiTttS9IqXsJlbrwqb3VJwyM2DBHdxahg9FwwVkkRXCUFbQ3FWM24SGQsYrJnanoYhgV418q9zAaNNs7Zv/s1600/9781743535660.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>Where We Begin</div><div>Written by Christie Nieman</div><div>Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Australian</div><div>Published August 28th 2020</div><div>368 Pages</div><div>Thank you to <a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781743535660/where-we-begin/" target="_blank">Pan Macmillan Australia</a></div><div>Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54112487-where-we-begin" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div><div>★★★★★</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">Seventeen year old Anna is running into the night. Fleeing her boyfriend, her mother, and everything she has known.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She is travelling into the country, to the land and the grandparents she has never met, looking for answers to questions that have never been asked.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For every family has secrets.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But some secrets, once laid bare, can never be forgiven.</div></blockquote></div>Anna could see the ramshackle, debilitated home from the roadside as the coach drove into the night, the letter from her grandmother safely in her pocket. Anna departed Sydney for the small country town in Victoria, a life of uncertainty among the dry, desolate pastures, anxious and alone.<br />
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<br /></div>
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Anna's estranged grandparents hadn't expected their seventeen year old granddaughter to visit, considering their daughter abandoned the family home and her family before Anna was born. Anna is in turmoil, her mother is attending a business conference in New Zealand, her father visiting his dying father in Germany and Anna is pregnant, unbeknownst to her boyfriend Nassim.<br />
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Anna's narration is harrowing, she's anxious, alone and navigating a new relationship with her estranged grandparents. In her final year of school, Anna is intelligent and motivated, wanting to study medicine at university. Escaping to the small country town, Anna plans to abort her pregnancy. The nonlinear narration shifts between the present and the events leading to Anna's decision to leave, moments from her mother's adolescence as the past and present converge.<br />
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In the present day, Anna's mother Cathy is an absent parent, businesswoman, entrepreneur and alcoholic, Anna's father excusing her behaviour, encouraging Anna to practice understanding and forgiveness. Anna's relationship with her mother is irrevocably fractured when as she introduces her mother to Nassim, her boyfriend. Cathy overindulges and becomes verbally and physically abusive.<br />
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As the storyline unravels, we learn about Cathy's adolescence, her parents Bette and Hessel, a stoic and racist Danish man. The Krause family colonised the local Indigenous land, white farmers who decimated the landscape. As children, Cathy and Leonie shared a wonderful friendship, Leone an Indigenous girl who Cathy was forbidden to see. Leonie, a local nurse, remained in the small country town and raised a wonderful son in Basil. Cathy and Leonie are no longer in contact with one another.</div><div><br /></div><div>First Nations communities continue to endure racism and prejudice and with the permission from the Dja Dja Wurrung community, Christie Nieman explores the Blood Hole Massacre, a horrific incident of genocide. Basil, Leonie's son, is a storyteller and a beautiful character. The life he's endured, carrying the stories of his community. Basil's enthusiasm and effervescence is infectious, his character is incredibly endearing and proudly Indigenous, although also recognising his colonist ancestry. </div><div>
<br /><i>
Where We Begin</i> raises awareness and encourages discussion of family violence, alcoholism, adolescent pregnancy, abortion and physical and emotional abuse. First nations, colonisation, Indigenous genocide, prejudice and racism. Although the narrative is harrowing and poignant, <i>Where We Begin</i> is written with compassion, delicately and an intricate tenderness. Often we choose novels without realising the impact they leave upon us and as readers, we experience our world through fictional characters. <i>When We Begin</i> is a remarkable read and I thank Christie Nieman for sharing her words.</div>
Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-31171479589905791142020-09-23T18:53:00.001+10:002020-09-23T18:53:39.877+10:00The Omte Origins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaotLKSzRtfpP-QJ6K1riTZ1TQqo_ZzTOqEyAwltysyPFqJWvx-_o7dhPOF2POhSx9GzPOHIUs0YhVSvdw1fMVoESKy2wgwgGqMbiPB0swiZFvcj0yx3qhyphenhyphenrxhys-3dxnvoB-7u7B4vz4/s1600/9781529001303.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaotLKSzRtfpP-QJ6K1riTZ1TQqo_ZzTOqEyAwltysyPFqJWvx-_o7dhPOF2POhSx9GzPOHIUs0YhVSvdw1fMVoESKy2wgwgGqMbiPB0swiZFvcj0yx3qhyphenhyphenrxhys-3dxnvoB-7u7B4vz4/s1600/9781529001303.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
The Lost City<br />
The Omte Origins Book One<br />
Written by Amanda Hocking<br />
Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal, Romance<br />
Published July 14th 2020<br />
384 Pages<br />
Thank you to <a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781529001303/the-lost-city/" target="_blank">Pan Macmillan Australia</a><br />
Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51450131-the-lost-city" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
★★★★☆<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
Can she unlock the secrets of her past?<br />
<br />
Ulla Tulin was abandoned in an isolated Kanin town as a baby. Taken in by strangers and raised hidden away like many of her kind, she has never stopped searching for her parents, or wondering about them.<br />
<br />
When Ulla hears of a project designed to help those like her, in the beautiful city of Merellä, she seizes the chance to discover her true heritage. She enlists the help of Pan Soriano, who is both handsome and resourceful, a half human with telekinesis powers. And she must also contend with Eliana, a mysterious girl who claims she's being pursued. Though Ulla suspects there's rather more to the story.<br />
<br />
Ulla and Pan work to unravel the truth about themselves and Eliana. But in the process, they realize that someone or something, is determined to stop them. And they face a force that will do anything to keep certain secrets.</blockquote>
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She arrived during a snowstorm, carrying a dagger befitting for a warrior and sought shelter at the Iskyla lodging. Before dawn, the Omte warrior had departed, leaving behind a newborn child with the elderly couple. Ullaakuut Tulin is an orphan living with her new adoptive family in Förening, the Trylle capital, assisting with their children and continuing the search for the woman who abandoned her as a child. Learning ancient Scandinavian languages has guided the eighteen year old to an apprenticeship in the illustrious Merellä metropolis, the Inhemsk Project reuniting trolls of mixed blood heritage with their families. The Mimirin is an abundant research facility, library and university and Ulla will spend the next several weeks researching her origins.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ulla is such a beautiful young woman, she's gentle, compassionate and charismatic, assuming she was born of Omte parents according to her statuesque physique. The Omte society are rarely forthcoming with information and trolls of mixed blood heritage are often degraded and endure adversity. Her journey is wonderful, her relationships and eagerness to learn is admirable. Ulla is determined and tenacious but allows herself to be vulnerable, creating an endearing character.<br />
<br />
On the way to Merellä, she reluctantly agrees to escort Hanna, a sullen teenager who will be staying with her grandparents while Ulla is away but Hanna has other plans and the two journey to Merellä until Hanna's parents can collect their stowaway. Hanna bakes up a storm while Ulla and Dagny, her roommate, are at work and a few pages may now be crinkly from drooling. Hanna is such a lovely and vibrant character, her enthusiasm for life is infectious and I hope she'll also play a part in future installments or perhaps her own series.<br />
<br />
The secondary characters are wonderfully vibrant. Panuk was born to a human mother and unknown father from the Kanin, a researcher at the Mimirin and Peurojen by night, an Elk shepherd. Dagny is Ulla's new housemate, a candid and detached assistant troglecologist researching the biology of the troll kingdoms and communities. Dagny is brilliant, I loved her no nonsense approach to life, including Ulla's mission to find her identity. Eliana is an interesting character. She's also a troll but with chameleon like abilities, wildly acrobatic and has absolutely no idea who she is or why she's travelled to Merellä. Dagny was more interested in solving the mystery of Eliana than Ulla's and it added a mysterious element to the storyline that I really enjoyed unravelling.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Oq8_kKZ0PE5nXoNb-G9V0sCTBxlrRzH0ZBUZ7TASttRsKLvWEvjAatgrNOg5DJwerc9FvXgld5PBTC8WMO8lUP9fBAgt7RVoaN04qHngjzPlpH0rpr_OBFr2XlyJC6BtmDF4skkdH2l4/s1600/9781529001327.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Oq8_kKZ0PE5nXoNb-G9V0sCTBxlrRzH0ZBUZ7TASttRsKLvWEvjAatgrNOg5DJwerc9FvXgld5PBTC8WMO8lUP9fBAgt7RVoaN04qHngjzPlpH0rpr_OBFr2XlyJC6BtmDF4skkdH2l4/s1600/9781529001327.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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The Morning Flower</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Omte Origins Book Two</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Written by Amanda Hocking</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal, Romance</div>
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<div style="text-align: start;">
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Published August 11th 2020</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
416 Pages</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Thank you to <a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781529001327/" target="_blank">Pan Macmillan Australia</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51449946-the-morning-flower" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
★★★★★</div>
<blockquote>
Welcome to a world in the shadow of our own, a fairy tale land where the dangers are real. In this second book in the Omte Origins trilogy, Amanda Hocking creates a new adventure in her much loved Trylle universe.<br />
<br />
Will she finally discover her true home?<br />
<br />
In the beautiful city of Merellä, Ulla, Pan and Eliana made an incredible discovery. Determined to learn more, they embark on a quest that takes them across the world, to find an ancient city that may hold the key to Ulla's heritage. But powerful enemies are close behind and they're catching up fast.<br />
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While Ulla and Pan race to unlock the past, they discover an earth-shattering secret. This will challenge everything they thought they knew about the troll world. And Eliana must make a difficult choice, with far reaching consequences. As their enemies draw closer, even the strongest bonds of friendship will be tested. But will they break at last?</blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">In the Omte Origins series, we hear more about the origins of the trolls and their Scandinavian heritage, their history tightly woven among the Viking folklore. The mythology and legends of children's fairytales coming to life was beautiful and I hope it might lead the way to future series' set within this magical world.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
It's been quite a while since a series has captivated me so entirely and that's one of my favourite aspects of Amanda Hocking's writing. They're entertaining reads and I inhaled both books within days. Being back in the Trylle world was lovely and although the Omte Origins series features an entirely new community of troll, characters and storylines, it was comforting to be back in a world I was familiar with. <i>The Morning Flower</i>, the second <i>Omte Origins</i> instalment is wonderfully adventurous, a beautiful exploration of folklore and culture, of lost cities and found family.<br /></div>
Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-46069969306716542822020-09-16T13:20:00.000+10:002020-09-16T13:20:59.813+10:00The Unadoptables<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBer-nkfK9tS5b6ZloPzJ4fxMDFIb1HiSyMT_kQ-bxZ4vo6mDk3czWDyIzp-egh2uB-2TvT3cnlVUeqBnRic59qwRyoksn98ePwSM1ruuozaCo5Gd0Jw58X_Oznf_CuelcEs7DM1QhYAJ5/s1600/9780241417447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1045" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBer-nkfK9tS5b6ZloPzJ4fxMDFIb1HiSyMT_kQ-bxZ4vo6mDk3czWDyIzp-egh2uB-2TvT3cnlVUeqBnRic59qwRyoksn98ePwSM1ruuozaCo5Gd0Jw58X_Oznf_CuelcEs7DM1QhYAJ5/s1600/9780241417447.jpg" width="261" /></a>The Unadoptables<br />
Written by Hana Tooke<br />
Illustrated by Ayesha L. Rudio <br />
Middle Grade, Historical, Friendship, Adventure<br />
Published July 2nd 2020<br />
400 Pages<br />
Thank you to <a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-unadoptables-9780241453612">Penguin Books Australia</a><br />
Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50547506-the-unadoptables">Goodreads</a><br />
★★★★<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
In all the years that Elinora Gassbeek has been matron of the Little Tulip Orphanage, not once have the Rules for Baby Abandonment been broken. Until the autumn of 1880, when five babies are left in outrageous circumstances: one in a tin toolbox, one in a coal bucket, one in a picnic hamper, one in a wheat sack, and finally, one in a coffin-shaped basket.<br />
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Those babies were Lotta, Egg, Fenna, Sem and Milou, and although Gassbeek might think they're <i>unadoptable</i>, they know their individuality is what makes them so special and so determined to stay together. Twelve years on the children still have each other, until a fateful night threatens to tear them apart. The gang decide to make a daring escape, beginning their adventure with only a scrap of a clue to guide them to their mysterious new home...</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Little Tulip Orphanage in Amsterdam is home to orphans Egbert, Lotta, Sem, Fenna, and Milou, children abandoned as infants under mysterious circumstances, the forgotten children shelved as <i>unadoptable</i>. With her journal of fantastical theories as to why she was found on the roof of the ophanage, in a coffin as a bassinet clutching a cat puppet, Milou knows it's only a matter of time before her parents, <i>probably adventurous folk</i>, return for her. They may have possibly dropped her basket on the roof while escaping a werewolf, as is probably customary for esteemed werewolf hunters. Nevertheless, she's certain they'll return before the horrible Matron's ultimatum, if the five children aren't adopted, they'll be left on the streets of Amsterdam to fend for themselves.</div>
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Matron Gassbeek is a horrendous woman, the children are impoverished and working until they're exhausted, a life of servitude and clasping onto what little possessions they have. It's no wonder when the ruthless and completely sinister Meneer Rotman arranges to purchase the children from Matron Gassbeek, the children gather their meagre possessions, the cat puppet and escape into the city.<br />
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What ensues is an adventure of resilience, mystery and a horrendously frightening villain who is determined to collect his purchases, the children. Meneer Rotman didn't count on the children being so inventive and resourceful, as they settle into their new life in an old abandoned windmill, once owned by Bram Poppenmaker, the maker of Milou's cat puppet.<br />
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<i>The Unadoptables</i> follows the narrative of Milou, resident storyteller, promising mystery solver and twelve year old miniature mother hen. Milou fiercely cares for her found brothers and sisters, often accepting responsibility for the wonderful childlike malarkey the children of Little Tulip Orphanage create, the Matron is a vile and malicious woman unfit to run a raffle, nevermind a children's orphanage. Milou has tried her damndest to be <i>unadoptable</i>, hanging onto the hope that her parents will return for her when safe to do so, clearly they're on an extremely dangerous adventure, hunting werewolves or hot air balloon aficionados and a catastrophe has befallen them and they'll return as soon as possible, how else would you explain an infant being left on the roof?<br />
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Milou's found siblings are absolutely delightful. Egbert is an artist, spending his days looking out over the city of Amsterdam, a budding cartographer with an impeccable eye for detail. Lotta is a tinkerer, a wildly imaginative inventor and handywoman. Sem is wonderfully creative, sewing, designing and repairing what little clothing the children own. Fenna loves to bake, she's gentle and compassionate and conveys her feelings by using body language and facial expressions, described as being mute. The children aren't officially related but they've chosen one another as their found family, despite the horrendous circumstances they find themselves in.<br />
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<i>The Unadoptables</i> is an endearing middle grade adventure, of perseverance, determination and resilience. Beautifully written and lovingly illustrated, an enchanting read for the young and young at heart.</div>
Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-89215509809968521202020-09-06T14:25:00.001+10:002020-09-06T14:25:06.901+10:00Fin & Rye & Fireflies<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Contains sensitive issues such as homophobia, transphobia and conversion therapy</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoRYEkFw5cA3It79sGuOq_X2_PSU0yu6dQea5A_bcxXtgz7c_GqdE45QZzwsE1dCSplbwTQAbLzcdrJS09bI8UR1NUNH8a1INNzAaEXUlV_v2ZIOJZ0WrbX6vmTXoBHZZDdVY4INFruGz/s1600/fin+rye+fireflies.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1041" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoRYEkFw5cA3It79sGuOq_X2_PSU0yu6dQea5A_bcxXtgz7c_GqdE45QZzwsE1dCSplbwTQAbLzcdrJS09bI8UR1NUNH8a1INNzAaEXUlV_v2ZIOJZ0WrbX6vmTXoBHZZDdVY4INFruGz/s1600/fin+rye+fireflies.jpeg" width="260" /></a></div>
Fin & Rye & Fireflies<br />
Written by Harry Cook<br />
Contemporary, Mental Health, Queer, Australian<br />
Published August 2020<br />
352 Pages<br />
Thank you to <a href="https://www.newsouthbooks.com.au/books/fin-rye-fireflies/">New South Books</a><br />
Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52764696-fin-rye-fireflies">Goodreads</a><br />
★★★★☆<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
A gloriously upbeat LGBTQI novel of love, hope and friendship, showing that although it's not always rainbows and fireflies, life's too short to be anyone but yourself...<br />
<br />
It started with a kiss... As love stories often do. Jesse Andrews had the arms of a Greek god and he was on the track team. The night of our kiss fell on a Friday.<br />
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Then, only a few days later, Fin's world is turned upside down and not in a good head over heels in love way, when Jesse cruelly outs him. An event which ultimately leads to his family leaving town.<br />
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But a fresh start isn't going to change the truth of who Fin is. And it's not going to stop his sexuality causing everyone all sorts of problems. Everyone, that is, apart from his new best friend Poppy, her girlfriend in waiting June, and his latest crush Rye... So, while Fin and Rye are enjoying some seriously intimate moonlit moments together, Fin's parents decide to pack him off to the local <i>therapy camp</i>.<br />
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It's a nightmare and there's no easy way out. Can Fin's squad hatch a plan outrageous enough to spring him before the <i>conversion</i> acolytes force him onto the straight and narrow?</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As far as the town of Lochport are concerned, Fin Whittle is a heterosexual son, his parents are conservative members of the community and there is absolutely nothing out of the ordinary here. His father certainly didn't evacuate his entire family because his son is gay and this <i>fresh start</i>, terribly disguised as a work promotion, is most certainly not a bigoted overreaction of the sexuality of your child. Most <i>certainly</i> not. They certainly aren't concerned about the welfare of their son after his sexuality became the hottest gossip in the small conservative and religious community, labelled as perverted with unnatural tenancies. Surely their new home in Lochport will set him straight. Insert fist shaking and extreme eye rolling here.</div>
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Fin is lovely and tenderhearted, he identifies as gay and although he's confided in a few close friends, isn't ready to tell the world just yet so when he was cruelly outed by his former crush, his confidence took quite the beating. His parents more concerned with how they're perceived rather than the mental and emotional wellness of their son, as though sexuality is a choice and his father can threaten the gay out of him. Fin's distress is palpable and confronting, especially for queer readers so please tread lightly friends. Fin's father isn't <i>old school</i>, as Fin's brother Elliot would describe him, he's a conservative asshole and a foreboding presence in Fin's life.</div>
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Lochport is a seaside town with a small and inclusive community of queer students representing gender, sexuality and straight allies. Poppy identifies as pansexual, she's <i>totally</i> in love with June, her former girlfriend, transgender and chairperson of the Queer Straight Alliance. June is a gentle soul, I loved her sense of justice and wanting to educate others to create an inclusive environment. Poppy is a firecracker, fiercely loyal to her friends, brutally honest and won't hesitate to knock anyone down a few pegs for being a dickhead. Everyone needs a Poppy in their life.</div>
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Rye, along with his trusty sidekick British Bulldog Thelma, is the perfect example of why we need more kind and compassionate male characters in young adult. He's wonderfully sensitive and wears his heart on his sleeve. Rye has anxiety and when it all becomes too much, escapes to his secret hideaway at Kettle Lake, chilling and watching the fireflies dance upon the water. At the lake under moonlit skies, Rye and Fin begin falling for one another, the coy smiles and gentle touches are beautiful and I treasured seeing them finding solace with one another.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was absolutely horrified by Fin's father, his beliefs and straight up homophobia. His mother is slightly more understanding but allows Fin to be treated like shit to appease her husband. I wanted to slap them both into next week. Here you have a wonderful young man, smart, sensitive and compassionate, who just happens to be gay and he's stuck with these horrible shithead parents who send him to conversion therapy to brainwash the gay away. Thank goodness for Elliot, Fin's older brother who has returned home from travelling abroad. He recognised from an early age that Fin may have been gay and wants nothing more than to love, cherish and support his brother, standing up to their father so Fin isn't in this fight alone. I don't know what kind of Christian malarkey this is but I was fuming. Conversion therapy isn't something I know much about but how fucking dare anyone tell someone that falling in love, regardless of gender, is unnatural, that <i>they're </i>unnatural and these charlatan assholes should be imprisoned.</div>
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The heaviness surrounding queerphobia, conversion therapy and the issues the queer community face is balanced wonderfully with a hopeful and tender story of friendship, falling in love and the strength and resilience of queer teens. It's beautifully written and an incredible young adult debut from Harry Cook, who will no doubt become a force to be reckoned with. Just outstanding!</div>
Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-91560232653296153702020-09-05T12:00:00.000+10:002020-09-14T12:59:03.675+10:00Book Tour & Giveaway!<div style="text-align: justify;">
To celebrate the release of Sing Like No One's Listening by Vanessa Jones on September first 2020, blogs across the web are featuring original content from Vanessa, as well as ten chances to win a finished copy plus a grand prize giveaway!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvOTw9H92Vf0PChKnQKMishdeiOVlQUq3kuJD2N9bj6J0tBI06PyW-6BrVV5hOHNzTeZ_oIZkGrCpLXB5zc5Go96BcLKO6bXqeTe7PSbST51xNm9P-jB8D9n-rwVkpkcJVsbCbaY3iUyo/s1600/9781682631942%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="656" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvOTw9H92Vf0PChKnQKMishdeiOVlQUq3kuJD2N9bj6J0tBI06PyW-6BrVV5hOHNzTeZ_oIZkGrCpLXB5zc5Go96BcLKO6bXqeTe7PSbST51xNm9P-jB8D9n-rwVkpkcJVsbCbaY3iUyo/s1600/9781682631942%255B1%255D.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
Sing Like No One's Listening<br />
Written by Vanessa Jones<br />
Contemporary, Mental Health, Romance, Music<br />
Published September 1st 2020<br />
384 Pages<br />
Add to Goodreads<br />
Purchase from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sing-Like-No-Ones-Listening/dp/168263194X">Amazon</a> or <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781682631942">Indiebound</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A moving story of grief and healing, sure to be a pure joy for any musical theatre aficionado.<br />
<br />
Nettie Delaney has just been accepted into a prestigious performing arts school, the very same school her superstar mother attended. With her mother’s shadow hanging over her, Nettie has her work cut out for her and everyone is watching. To make matters worse, Nettie hasn’t been able to sing a single note since her mother died. Whenever she tries, she just clams up. But if Nettie’s going to survive a demanding first year and keep her place in a highly coveted program, she’ll have to work through her grief and deliver a showstopper or face expulsion.<br />
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All may not be lost, however, when Nettie stumbles upon a mysterious piano player in an empty studio after class. Masked behind a curtain, can Nettie summon the courage to find her voice? Or will the pressure and anxiety of performing come crashing down?</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
My Five Worst Auditions Ever by Vanessa Jones</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the very first scene in Sing Like No One’s Listening, the main character Nettie has a disastrous audition at the performing arts college she is desperate to get into. In honour of this, I thought I’d share my own worst audition experiences with you from my time as a performer in West End shows. Worryingly, there were lots to choose from!</div>
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Close the door on your way out</blockquote>
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If I remember correctly, this was my second callback for Les Misérables at the Palace Theatre. I was up for the part of Fantine and, buoyed by the two successful auditions I had under my belt, I was feeling positive. Good, even. I knew my material, my voice was in great shape and I walked into the studio with the air of a girl who knows what she wants.</div>
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The song went well, I had a short interview with the panel, who seemed to like me, and that was that. No mistakes, no bum notes. Yay me! I thanked the team and went back over to the door, and that was when it all started to go downhill. I couldn’t get out of the room. The door was stuck. I pulled and pulled with all my might, rattled the handle, I even tried putting my fingers in the gaps at the sides to prise it open, but it was no good. I’ve had a fear of being locked in a room since I was little and the door handle came off the inside of my bedroom door, and my mind jumped straight to the worst case scenario, which involved locksmiths and the fire service and having to wait all day in a room full of important showbiz people who didn’t want me there.</div>
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After a minute, the casting director noticed that something was up. He asked me if I was alright.</div>
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<i>No!</i> I gasped. <i>The door’s stuck. We’re trapped in here.</i></div>
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The corner of his mouth twitched. <i>Darling, read the sign</i>.</div>
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I looked up, and to my horror, saw a large sign reading <i>Push</i>. Humiliated, I touched the door and <i>easily</i> made my way out of the studio, the echoes of laughter following me down the corridor and pretty much all the way home.</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
Wishing you would somehow remember your words</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This was my final recall for the part of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera. I was nervous beyond anything I’d ever known before. The first song the musical director asked me to sing was <i>Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again</i>, which is one of Christine’s main ballads. I got through the first verse okay, but when the chorus hit, I blanked.</div>
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<i>Shall we go again from the chorus?</i> said the musical director, a little annoyed.</div>
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<i>Uh, sure, thanks</i>, I said. This was a one off. Put it down to nerves. Next time would be better, now that I had warmed up. He played me in, my brain going into overdrive to find the words. But nothing.</div>
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<i>I’m so sorry</i>, I said. <i>Could you remind me of the lyrics, please</i>?</div>
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The casting director looked at me as if I’d just told her Prince Charles was outside waiting to audition. <i>It’s wishing you were somehow here again?</i> she said drily. <i>The... title of the song</i>?</div>
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I’m still waiting for the call.</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
I’m only doing this for kicks</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dance call, can’t remember the show. Could have been Beauty and the Beast. Something with a lot of kicks, anyway. We’d learnt the routine and it was my turn to be called up to dance. Everything was going well until my shoe suddenly came loose (how?) and flew off into the air. The room looked on in horror as it connected with... the choreographer’s face. Ice was fetched, a chair brought out and a thousand grovelling apologies were made <i>by me</i>. When the names of all the people who had made the cut were read out, the casting director said <i>Vanessa, actually, scrap that</i>. I mean, fair enough.</div>
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Cry Me a River</blockquote>
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This one actually wasn’t funny at all. On my way to the audition, which I was running late for, a girl in my carriage on the train started having a fit. Alarmed, I went over to see if she was okay, which she clearly wasn’t. I was unsure what to do, apart from make sure her head was cushioned and that she wouldn’t hurt herself, which I’d read somewhere. After I’d done that, I called down the carriage for help. The other passengers looked up from their newspapers and phones, and then ignored me. Like, who does that? Panicking, I pulled the cord for the train to stop and waited for the paramedics to arrive. As soon as they did and I could see that she was going to be fine, I ran all the way to my audition, arriving sweaty, late, stressed, and angry that no one had helped me. Someone on the panel asked me if I was okay, and instead of saying, <i>Yes, just a bit of a rush to get here</i> or something equally as bland, I told them the whole story. And what’s worse, I ugly cried the entire way through, and continued to do this during my song, which unfortunately wasn’t the kind of song that lent itself to tears. They were sympathetic. I did not get the job.</div>
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High Enough For You?</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This was a casting for a brand new, off West End show. The kind of job you hope you’ll land because it could be the start of something much bigger. A chance to create a role, the prospect of a West End transfer, an Olivier award... At this stage in development, however, they couldn’t even afford an accompanist on the piano, so it was stated on the breakdown that we would be asked to sing acapella. Which would have been fine if I hadn’t randomly decided to start my song almost an octave too high. When I realised my mistake, I stopped and changed keys, right? No. I decided to push on to the end. How difficult could it be? The result was an ending that was now something only dogs could hear, especially in my Lina Lamont voice, which was the only way I could get up there. No Olivier. This time.</div>
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Something I’ll never forget is when I came out of that audition, I saw a girl who’d been in the year above me at college, waiting to go to class in another studio. I told her I’d ruined my audition by singing too high, and she said, <i>Oh, don’t worry about it, I’ve had so many bad auditions I couldn’t even count them. It’s part of the job</i>.</div>
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It stayed with me, the way she was so unfazed. The more I thought about it later, the more I realised how right she was, failure is part of the job. As soon as I accepted that, not only did I start to do a lot better in auditions, but I didn’t stress as much about them. It’s like, yes, we all want to do well, but sometimes it’s okay to fail. You can just get back up and try again. Possibly learn something. And who knows? Maybe there’s something better around the corner...</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
Follow The Tour</blockquote>
<table style="text-align: center; width: 100%;"><tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="https://www.bookhoundsya.net/">Book Hounds YA</a></td> <td><a href="http://adreamwithindream.blogspot.com/">A Dream Within A Dream</a></td> <td><a href="https://thefandom.net/">The Fandom</a></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://wordspelunking.blogspot.com/">Word Spelunking</a></td> <td><a href="https://christyscozycorners.com/">Christy's Cozy Corners</a></td> <td><a href="https://imallbookedup.home.blog/">I'm All Booked Up</a></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="https://bookbriefs.net/">Book Briefs</a></td> <td><a href="http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com/">Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers</a></td> <td><a href="https://www.wishfulendings.com/">Wishful Endings</a></td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
Giveaways</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One person will receive a finished copy of Sing Like No One's Listening. US and Canadian residents only. Ends September 13th 2020. If you are under sixteen years of age, please ask your parents for permission.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a195e82067/">Diva Booknerd Giveaway</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Win a copy of Sing Like No One's Listening and a wireless bluetooth karaoke microphone. <span style="text-align: justify;">US and Canadian residents only. Ends September 13th 2020. If you are under sixteen years of age, please ask your parents for permission.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a195e82057/">Grand Prize Giveaway</a></span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
About The Author</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Vanessa Jones trained at Laine Theatre Arts and went on to be a musical theater actor in West End Shows, including Sister Act, Grease, Guys and Dolls, Annie Get Your Gun, and Mary Poppins. She began her writing career with a stage play for a fringe theater and also works as a freelance copywriter and editor. She lives in England with her fellow chimney sweep.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
You can find Vanessa on <a href="https://twitter.com/NessJonesWrites">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vanessajoneswrites/">Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Writer/Vanessa-Jones-2205623043021474/">Facebook</a> <a href="http://vanessajones.co.uk/">Website</a></div>
Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-87935184250840329712020-08-31T17:13:00.000+10:002020-08-31T17:13:36.321+10:00House of Dragons<div style="text-align: justify;">
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House of Dragons</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
House of Dragons Book One</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Written by Jessica Cluess</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Fantasy, Dragons, Magic, Romance</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Published June 16th 2020</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
448 Pages</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thank you to <a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/house-of-dragons-9780593305447" target="_blank">Penguin Teen Australia</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50984858-house-of-dragons" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
★★★★</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Five royal houses will hear the call to compete in the Trial for the dragon throne. A liar, a soldier, a servant, a thief, and a murderer will answer it. Who will win?<br />
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When the Emperor dies, the five royal houses of Etrusia attend the Call, where one of their own will be selected to compete for the throne. It is always the oldest child, the one who has been preparing for years to compete in the Trial. But this year is different. This year these five outcasts will answer the call.<br />
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The Liar. Emilia must hide her dark magic or be put to death.<br />
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The Soldier. Lucian is a warrior who has sworn to never lift a sword again.<br />
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The Servant. Vespir is a dragon trainer whose skills alone will keep her in the game.<br />
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The Thief. Ajax knows that nothing is free, he must take what he wants.<br />
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The Murderer. Hyperia was born to rule and will stop at nothing to take her throne.</blockquote>
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The five eldest children of the royal estates of Etrusia will answer The Call, their kingdom seeking a worthy competitor to succeed the Emperor, chosen by the Great Dragon and overseen by Their Graces, high priests of the temple of Delphos. Except the second born, the servant, the bastard child and the pacifist are chosen in their stead, those untrained and ill prepared. In the kingdom, the eldest member of each royal linage is conditioned and trained to take part in a series of tests known as The Calling, where the mythical Great Dragon chooses a child and their dragon mount to compete. The narrative is told from five points of view, each character easily distinguishable and a glimpse into their lives before and after The Calling, as they struggle with the expectations placed upon them.</div>
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Emilia has lived in isolation, her parents believing she is dangerous and concealing her illegal ability. Being chosen for The Call is an opportunity for Emilia to escape her confines, she hadn't expected to find former childhood friend Lucian also competing in the trial. Lucian has conquered lands and its people alongside his father and warmonger sibling, leaving the young man traumatised and vowing to atone for his brutality and using a pacifist approach to conflict. Emilia and Lucian are both wonderful characters, gentle, compassionate and both wanting to avoid the brutality of the trials. It was lovely to see them reconnect as tentative friends and watch their subtle attraction develop.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of my favourite characters is Vespir, the servant and dragon keeper. Vespir is a servant within one of the royal houses, treated with contempt and seen as less than human. Her true companions are the dragons within her keep until she falls in love with the boss' daughter. Vespir shouldn't be underestimated, she's a survivor, she's resourceful and deliciously crafty. Although in a gentle, totally non backstabby kind of way unlike Ajax. Ahh Ajax, the bastard son, among a sea of bastard children, created from a sexual assault and tormented by his noble father and his legitimate children. Ajax has always struggled to fit in, surviving through any means necessary. He's well aware his lack of attractiveness means he can slip under the radar, a little like a cheeky cat burglar, although not as slick as he pretends to be.</div>
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A fair warning about our last competitor, she's ruthless and bloodthirsty beyond compare. Hyperia isn't a young woman to be played the fool, she's cold, calculated and will allow no one, absolutely <i>no one</i> to stand in her way of becoming victor. Oh my goodness, this girl makes Mia Corvere look like a Catholic school girl. She lives for her kingdom, the admiration of her father and the fear she instils in others. </div>
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The world building is breathtaking. Spiralling cities steeped in history and grandeur, rustic villages and desolate woodlands, beautifully atmospheric and wonderfully imagined. And the dragons! When a dragon hatchling is born, they choose their human companion, connecting to their spirit as dragon and rider become one. When their human companion passes, their dragon eats them which wouldn't be an altogether bad way to go. I loved Dog especially, Ajax' companion. He's playful, loyal and befitting of his name. </div>
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<i>House of Dragons</i> was glorious and left me wanting more! The brutality, the loyalty, companionship and moments of friendship among the fierce competitiveness is entwined so beautifully, shades of a young adult <i>Game of Thrones</i> that even reluctant fantasy readers will enjoy. Best be off, need to see a man about a dragon.</div>
Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-52700918352467917512020-08-22T16:13:00.001+10:002020-08-22T16:13:56.636+10:00Camp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Camp<br />
Written by L.C. Rosen<br />
Contemporary, Romance, LGBT<br />
Published July 2nd 2020<br />
384 Pages<br />
Thank you to Penguin Books Australia<br />
Add to Goodreads<br />
★★★★☆<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
Sixteen year old Randy Kapplehoff loves spending the summer at Camp Outland, a camp for queer teens. It's where he met his best friends. It's where he takes to the stage in the big musical. And it's where he fell for Hudson Aaronson Lim, who's only into straight acting guys and barely knows not at all straight acting Randy even exists.<br />
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This year, though, it's going to be different. Randy has reinvented himself as <i>Del</i>, buff, masculine and on the market. Even if it means giving up show tunes, nail polish and his unicorn bedsheets, he's determined to get Hudson to fall for him.<br />
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But as he and Hudson grow closer, Randy has to ask himself how much is he willing to change for love. And is it really love anyway, if Hudson doesn't know who he truly is?</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Randy Kapplehoff is a self proclaimed theatre connoisseur, gentle, compassionate and fabulously queer. Each summer, Randy escapes small town Eastern Ohio for Camp Outland, a camp for adolescents identifying as queer to celebrate their identities and individuality within a supportive environment. Randy has undergone a transformation this year, a masculine and muscular version of himself in the hope of snagging himself a boyfriend. Not just any boyfriend but the manly man of men, Hudson. Gone are the unicorn bedsheets, the showtunes and nail polish in a lovely shade of Unicorn Trampocalypse and hello to sportsball, highfives and friendly arse patting. Strictly in a <i>that was a great thing you did with that sportsball</i> kind of way.</div>
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Randy is a brilliant character, sixteen and crushing entirely too hard on Hudson. After a small and totally normal amount of internet investigation, Randy learns that Hudson only likes masculine, straight presenting men, feminine or androgynous people need not apply. Hudson is an interesting character, his enthusiasm and tenacity is intoxicating but beneath his audacious manly man exterior is a scared young man and casualty of his environment. When Hudson came out to his parents, they were less than accepting so for Hudson, playing the straight presenting, various sportsball loving son was a coping mechanism to feel accepted. Supportive, understanding Randy gently helps Hudson to see that feminine or androgynous people are not stereotypes, having a preference for Unicorn Trampocalypse nail polish and being gay is not mutually exclusive.<br />
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Camp Outland is a wonderfully supportive environment and employs predominately queer counsellors and team members, understanding the issues facing queer teens. I imagine that many queer teens who are facing upheaval and adversity in their lives would benefit from having someone to talk to who understands and has been through similar experiences and it was a lovely touch to see the camp adults interacting with campers so positively and compassionately. The counsellors arrange activities so the campers don't have many opportunities to get it on but are incredibly sex positive and well aware that large groups of teens are going to get frisky and encourage safe sex, even providing protection for those hooking up. It's just another aspect of <span style="text-align: start;">L.C. Rosen's novels that I absolutely love, acknowledging that some teens <i>are</i> sexually active and consent and education on being safe are so incredibly important. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: start;"><br />
</span> <span style="text-align: start;">Although Camp is a hilariously fun read, it also discusses toxic masculinity, prejudice, self esteem and mental health, both Randy and Hudson express feelings of isolation and feelings of erasure as both young men feel they need to conceal their identities to be accepted by straight, often queerphobic society. It highlights the need to create inclusiveness within our communities and as allies, to boost voices within the queer community to educate and spread awareness. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: start;"><br />
</span> <span style="text-align: start;">It was absolutely brilliant! </span><span style="text-align: start;">L.C. Rosen is a remarkable author creating brilliantly entertaining queer young adult novels with heart and a side of jazz hands. Superb! </span></div>
Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-2585921381483576072020-08-14T12:28:00.000+10:002020-08-14T12:28:07.742+10:00It's Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake<br />
Written by Claire Christian<br />
Contemporary, Romance, LGBT, Adult<br />
Expected Publication September 29th 2020<br />
288 Pages<br />
Thank you to <a href="https://www.textpublishing.com.au/books/it-s-been-a-pleasure-noni-blake" target="_blank">Text Publishing</a> and Netgalley<br />
Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53994039-it-s-been-a-pleasure-noni-blake" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
★★★★<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Noni didn’t expect to be starting over again at the age of thirty six. But eighteen months after the end of her long term relationship, she knows it’s time to find out what’s next.</div>
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While an encounter with a sexy blonde firefighter is a welcome entry back into the dating world, Noni soon realises she’s looking for more than just a series of brief, if pleasurable, encounters.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
That’s how she finds herself travelling to Europe to track down the one that got away: the alluring, elusive Molly. But Europe has other surprises in store, not least of which is Beau, a tall, sexy, tattooist from Edinburgh...</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Noni Blake lives her life in shades of beige, she's dependable, steadfast and on the verge of embarking on a pleasure quest throughout Europe. Noni is a formidable woman, we first meet Noni as she's healing from the breakup of her nine year long relationship with Joan, sharing a mortgage and child of the four legged variety. The split was amicable but while Joan has seemingly moved on, Noni uses the opportunity to step out of her beige comfort zone and take life by the balls.</div>
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Leaving her fabulously gay best friend behind in Australia, Noni departs for London, a to do list in hand, quite literally. Molly is the one that <i>almost was</i> but neither she or Noni could get their shit together and hook up. So rather than always wonder, Noni plans on making the next six months count.</div>
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Sexy times, horrendous sexual encounters, new lingerie, posing nude, drinking, indulging and one incredibly sexy viking later and Noni finds herself the embodiment of female empowerment. The new sexy and confident Noni lives her life to the fullest and I absolutely <i>adored</i> her. She's plump, a bit of a bogan and responsible for her own orgasms. She's bright, outgoing and is learning to embrace her imperfections and find comfort in her own body. I loved Noni's authenticity. She's insecure and vulnerable and completely relatable. She owns her sexuality and after years of teaching and putting others happiness before her own, she's finally <i>finally</i> putting her own needs first.</div>
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Noni is bisexual and after her nine year relationship ended, a one night stand prompts her to pack up her life and travel. It's inspirational, not to mention incredibly brave. In much the same way that Marie Kondo asks, <i>does it spark joy</i>, Noni is seeking pleasure through travel, friendships, lovers and finding moments of happiness. Temporary pleasure comes at the hands <i>and mouths</i> of people she meets along her journey, from a female firefighter, high school principal, magician, the one who could have been and the Viking, the gentle and kind tattoo artist Beau. Her sexual misadventures are hilarious, even kinky in some instances but Noni takes each experience in her stride and along with her close circle of friends from home and abroad, is discovering she prefers unbridled, adventurous Noni.<br />
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The Viking was delightfully unexpected. On a whim, Noni decides to get herself inked while in London, walking in off the street into small tattoo studio where she meets artist Beau, bearded, burly and gentle and as he marks her skin, she's fantasising about getting on on the table and girl, merry orgasm to you my friend. Beau isn't just a conquest, he could very well be the love of Noni's life but beyond her pleasure quest, her new life of saying <i>yes</i>, of friends and parties and painting the town not quite red because she's still a responsible adult, Noni has her friends, family and career in Australia and Beau seems content to enjoy their fling while it lasts.<br />
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Oh how I loved <i>It's Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake</i>! It's fun, flirty and outrageously funny but beneath the surface lies a book about falling in love with yourself. There's a little bit of Noni in all of us. </div>
Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-42575051985674556202020-08-04T11:50:00.000+10:002020-08-04T11:50:07.334+10:00The Dark Tide<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Dark Tide<br />
The Dark Tide Book One<br />
Written by Alicia Jasinska <br />
Fantasy, Witches, LGBT, Romance, Australian<br />
Published June 2nd 2020<br />
336 Pages<br />
Thank you to <a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-dark-tide-9781760894726" target="_blank">Penguin Australia</a><br />
Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50640164-the-dark-tide" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
★★★★☆<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Every year on St. Walpurga's Eve, Caldella’s Witch Queen lures a boy back to her palace. An innocent life to be sacrificed on the full moon to keep the island city from sinking.<br />
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Convinced her handsome brother is going to be taken this year, Lina Kirk enlists the help of the mysterious Thomas Lin, her secret crush, and the only boy to ever escape from the palace after winning the love of a queen. Working together they protect her brother but draw the queen's attention.<br />
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Queen Eva cast away her heart when her sister died to save the boy she loved. Now as queen, she won't make the same mistake. With the tide rising higher than ever before and the islander's whispering that Eva's magic is failing, she's willing to sacrifice anyone if it means saving herself and her city.<br />
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When Thomas is chosen as sacrifice, Lina takes his place and the two girls are forced to spend time together as they wait for the full moon. But Lina is not at all what Eva expected, and the queen is nothing like Lina envisioned. Against their will, the two girls find themselves falling for each other. As water floods Caldella’s streets and the dark tide demands its sacrifice, they must choose who to save: themselves, each other, or the island city relying on them both.</blockquote>
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The tides begin to rise over the city of Caldella as the eve of Saint Walpurga approaches, the Queen choosing a sacrifice to appease the dark tide.</div>
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Lina lives within the village of Caldella, a passionate performance artist who after an altercation with brother Finley, is unable to dance in the festivities. On the eve of Saint Walpurga, Finley evades Lina and despite pleading with her brother to remain at home, Finley escapes into the village to entertain the revellers. Lina and Finley have an interesting sibling relationship, Lina tolerates his temper and possessive arrogance and Finley indulges in the attention of the villagers. Lina is a capable young woman and although she exudes confidence while performing, she is subservient within their sibling relationship.</div>
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Throughout the township, Eva and her companions meander the streets in search for a sacrifice, luring an unsuspecting young man back to the palace where he will be sacrificed to the dark, rising tide. Eva is the new Witch Queen, inheriting the title from her late sister, a Queen who sacrificed herself to the tides after finding love with villager Thomas. Thomas returned home to his family and now Eva is seeking retribution. Eva is a formidable young woman, fierce, determined and effortlessly debonair in her pantsuits, until Lina volunteers as the dark tide sacrifice to save Thomas, her beloved.</div>
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The final day of the winter season and the eve of Saint Walpurga, the village of Caldella is illuminated under the enchantment of the festivities, witches converse with villagers. The enchanting Caldella is reminiscent of the idyllic waterways of Venice, romantic and romanesque. Emerging over the village is the palatial home of the reigning Queen, where Thomas is being held as a sacrifice, Caldella is beautifully illustrated throughout The Dark Tide, a community swelling with liveliness and vivacity.</div>
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Lina and Eva are characters of contrast, Lina is compassionate and considerate, Eva is brusque and detached and although Lina is held captive as the dark tide sacrifice, their attraction is smouldering. As the narrative progresses, Lina and Eva blossom and flourish as individuals. Lina's confidence and fortitude is a beautiful aspect of her journey of discovery and self realisation, discarding her naivety and desperation to please others. Eva is conflicted by her ambivalence, undermined by her closest adviser, the village community and herself, believing the dark tide has been enraged by the sacrifice of her sister and former Queen.</div>
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The Dark Tide is formidable and meticulously imagined, a mesmerising read of sacrifice and redemption, atmospheric and beautifully lyrical. Alicia Jasinska has created an exquisite debut novel, unequivocally enchanting. </div>
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Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346215484089416831.post-42696909422170968362020-06-26T19:02:00.000+10:002020-06-26T19:02:46.660+10:00You Were Made For Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mlSWWnj0VjqCzGpcoIz4-jagsg9YBrRfNuXtcaN1S1jTTwgKxmcF-vbizh-pGLVt593rE69CN7uIPkT-4v_yMLlt6hmUMX5CwCrZZ6ufS2bhyPmQ_112uBU1TA-jFr3LRJKvwpmYRm7m/s1600/9781760559137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1041" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mlSWWnj0VjqCzGpcoIz4-jagsg9YBrRfNuXtcaN1S1jTTwgKxmcF-vbizh-pGLVt593rE69CN7uIPkT-4v_yMLlt6hmUMX5CwCrZZ6ufS2bhyPmQ_112uBU1TA-jFr3LRJKvwpmYRm7m/s1600/9781760559137.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
You Were Made For Me<br />
Written by Jenna Guillaume<br />
Contemporary, Friendship, Romance<br />
Publishing August 11th 2020<br />
336 Pages<br />
Thank you to <a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781760559137/" target="_blank">Pan Macmillan</a> and Netgalley<br />
Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53332350-you-were-made-for-me" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
★★★★★<br />
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The day I created a boy started out like any other.<br />
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Katie didn't mean to create a boy. A boy like a long lost Hemsworth brother. Six foot tall with floppy hair and eyes like the sky on a clear summer's day, whose lips taste like cookie dough and whose skin smells like springtime.<br />
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A boy who is completely devoted to Katie.<br />
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He was meant to be perfect.<br />
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But he was never meant to exist.</blockquote>
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Let's summarise. Single Katie wants a dreamboat boyfriend for her very first kiss. So what happens when you wake up in the middle of the night with six feet of solid, yet alluringly strange boy hunk in your bed? Freak the hell out.</div>
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A dash of handsomeness, a pinch of blonde dreamy locks, a sprinkle of smoking hot body and generous amounts of kindness and you too can create your very own Guy. Of course there's more to the recipe and lots of sciencey goodness but now Katie has a very real and very much naked Guy in her room, staring at her adoringly and content to live under her bed until she knows what to do with him.</div>
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Girl, have at it.</div>
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Thankfully Katie can rely on her always dependable friend and next door neighbour Theo to have her back. If it weren't for Guy's weird and wide eyed wonder, no one would believe this tall, handsome hunk of a boy was only hours old. Kate is a natural storyteller and with input from best friend Libby when she starts rambling or using the word <i>tongue</i> far too often than necessary, Katie shares her story about creating the perfect boy.</div>
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Katie, Libby and Theo aren't part of the popular clique, in fact she and best friend Libby have been the target of the downright nasty and pretentious Mikayla. Even her maybe, <i>sometimes</i> boyfriend Declan Bell Jones is perfect, if only Katie could steal him from Mikayla's taloned clutches. Katie's had the hots for him as long as she can remember and all of Libby's eye rolling still isn't enough to douse those burning loins. Declan is no Guy and while he may seem nice, he's just another wanker with the need to feel adored. I believe he's also still looking for his spine.</div>
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<i>You Were Made For Me</i> is a feel great, laugh out loud romantic comedy, like a nineties teen film that'll have you swooning and peeing a little, regular toilet breaks are highly recommend. It's utterly delightful, a little bit batshit and hilariously funny. We could all use a hefty dose of fun and fluff and this is <i>perfection</i>.</div>
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We first meet Katie as she's pining away over the unobtainable boy, you know the type, he's usually popular, his girlfriend is a horrible bitch and he's typically a bit of a dimwit. On a girl's night in, Kate and bestie Libby are pretending to create the ideal guy, Libby ensuring she added a penis because no one deserves plastic genitals. Feeling better about her lack of boyfriend and kissing, Katie tucks her makeshift tiny boyfriend into bed. Sciencey and magical stuffs occur, which I believe is the <i>technical term</i> and that is how you end up with a hunk in your bed. Probably best not to try this at home kids, results may vary.</div>
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What ensues is a journey of learning, hard lessons and realising that there's no such thing as perfection, although Guy comes pretty close. A story of friendship, awesome friends, shitty friends and that guy you thought was hot? He's a massive wanker. <i>You Were Made For Me</i> also touches on grief, Theo having lost his mother to cancer. Infidelity, someone can't seem to keep their own tongue in their mouth and body shaming. Theo is often teased by his family and peers for his weight. </div>
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I loved the diversity of characters. There is a discussion surrounding sexuality when a character identifies as asexual and aromantic and it was brilliant to see that spoken about on the page so positively. Libby is Filipina Australian, she's intelligent, witty and an incredibly loyal friend. She also experiences taunting and racism at the hands of Mikayla and her minions.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">Jenna Guillaume has cemented herself as Australia's young adult romantic comedy author and my love her her </span>knows no bounds. This was absolutely delightful, fun, fluffy and super cute. Also, a handy guide when faced with a large, ridiculously good looking man doll come to life in your bed while you're asleep.</div>
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Diva Booknerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808412083567644984noreply@blogger.com14