Books

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

How much fantasy fits into your standard formula. Good guys – look good and feel better. Baddies – look foul and feel worse. Book 1 introduce the characters, book two move them around and set up the battle lines, book 3 – the final battle and the resolution. Well you can forget all that as soon as you open this little treasure.

First the protagonist is a 17 year art student, trying to live a normal life in Prague. But every now and then she is sent on an errand by her ‘foster parent’ Brimstone. She is sent all over the world to collect, of all things – teeth. All kinds of teeth and tusks, from thieves, murderers, and hunters. Once they are delivered to Brimstone she is free to return to her ‘normal’ world. Elsewhere – Brimstone’s world – is populated by all kinds of creatures that most humans would consider monsters, partially human bodies with animal elements. Imagine a minotaur or a sphinx in real life and able to talk!

Enter Akiva – apparently an angel. Able to walk among humans by hiding his wings with a magical glamour. Naturally Karou falls in love, but something just doesn’t seem quite right. A sixth sense warns her to keep him secret and separate from Elsewhere. Then there is this vague memory that seems to be from a previous life, still in love with Akiva, but tragedy was the result. Just who was Madrigal?

This is a very readable book, and a very satisfying read all on it’s own. Very unusual for a fantasy. The fantasy world and access to it is limited, mostly this is a book about an art student and her friends, but strange things keep interrupting her ‘normal’ life. But I will warn you, once you hit the final chapters you definitely want book 2 on hand. The climax is amazing.

February 18, 2015 0 comment

Books Featured

Morris Gleitzman: Soon

written by Peter Sutton

It has been out nearly a month! And I had to wait to get my hands on the latest in the Felix adventures! But ‘once’ I got my hands on the copy, ‘after’ the other librarians had finished. ‘Then’ I sat down to read with a class, and had to finish it off that night. ‘Now’ I have to work out what I can say to explain to you how wonderful this book is, without spoiling.

If you have read any of the books in the Felix series, you will remember that Felix is a young Jewish boy caught up in the Holocaust of World War II. We have followed Felix through his various captures and escapes, and remember his train ride towards disaster. He has lived with partisans and eventually built a new life in Australia. All the time he somehow maintains a positive outlook and faith in humanity.

Soon covers the period of time immediately after the war. When one government had gone, and nothing was in place. Life was tough, for everyone. And with Poland for the Poles roaming the streets killing indiscriminately, life for Felix is more than a little dangerous. Then he is handed a bundle by a girl running for her life. That bundle happens to be a young baby, and suddenly staying quiet and secure becomes just a little more difficult.

Gleitzman has always been able to view complex world issues through the eyes of children, and he can write for kids with a real sensitivity and understanding. Over the past 20+ years I have read books where he looks at issues of disability, refugees, environmental damage, as well as the Holocaust. Many times I have had discussions with adults that firmly believe that kids should be protected from all such unpleasantness. Personally I have always taken the side that argues that kids need to know and understand so that it never happens again.

Thank you once again Morris for the chance for a wonderful read.

August 25, 2015 0 comment

Books Featured

Sugar-Free Cooking by Sue Quinn

written by Cecilia Sutton

Every bookshop now has a huge cookery section. With all the latest ‘healthy eating’ ideas, every kitchen needs a range of specialty cookbooks. At least one Paleo, another gluten free, and now the latest sugar-free. Hachette is joining this market with their ‘Healthy Eating’ series.

I have been through many sugar-free books over recent months. Most simply substitute raw sugar or honey for refined sugar. But Sue Quinn’s offering is radically different. This is a cookbook full of sweet recipes – desserts, baked goods, breakfast yummies – and no honey, sugar or even syrup in sight. She uses fruit to obtain a tempting sweetness, mashed bananas. figs, dates and applesauce. If fruit isn’t appropriate, then Greek yoghurt is often found as the ‘sweetening’. Most recipes are practical and require only basic cooking skills.

Be warned, this is not intended as a weight loss guide. Her ice-creams use full cream. Many of the recipes call for full fat ingredients. Instead this is a book intended for those who are looking to satisfy a sweet tooth with a whole food alternative. My immediate thought was for parents wanting to teach youngsters about healthy food choices. Make it sweet and tasty without refined sugar, and just maybe they will eat it.

At the price – certainly worth adding to the kitchen collection.

February 24, 2016 0 comment

Books Featured

Stephen King: End of Watch

written by Peter Sutton

“End Of Watch” is the final book in the “Mr. Mercedes” trilogy. You can take it as part of that series or it stands the test as a stand-alone novel about madness, the Supernatural, detective novel or comment on modern society. It ticks all the boxes.

Retired Detective Bill Hodges now runs a two-person firm called “Finders Keepers” with his partner Holly Gibney. They met after murderous killer Brady Hartsfield has run down and killed a queue of people waiting in a line for jobs.

Time moves on as does Book 23 in the series where Brady is clobbered to an “unresponsive mental state,” by Holly trying to avoid another Brady style massacre.

But Brady isn’t dead, or unresponsive. Unable to move, we discover Brady’s supernatural power to control others and a particular skill to manipulate through a game device known as a “Zappitt.”

Through his ability to move into the minds of others, he plans another range of murders and it is up to Bill, Holly and Jerome to win the day.

“End of Watch,” is a good read. Not so far fetched as to be unbelievable and with an uncanny ability to predict the future, I found King’s latest novel to be especially relevant in what is happening in the world today. Mowing down innocent people with a heavy vehicle, youth’s dependancy on eletronic media that overrides their common sense, all seem very reral even if you don’t accept the supernatural side. But heck it wouldn’t be Stephen King withouty the Supernatural would it? And the best aprt of the “Supernatural” event is that it is not beyond belief, it merely stretches it.

“End of Watch” is up with the first of the seriers, beats the second book, and paints characters you can relate and ejoy.

-4 Stars

July 22, 2016 0 comment

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The Blood of Kings by MK Hume

written by Cecilia Sutton

Dark Ages was the term I grew up with. Late Roman Britain is probably the current politically correct term, but you know what I am talking about. That time in history when the Roman empire was falling apart – two, three and even four emperors all claiming the throne, and the provinces were held by any warlord powerful enough to keep the peace. In Britain, this involved various tribal leaders either working with, or fighting against the small Roman force that is meant to hold the island.

Enter Flavius Magnus Maximus, a Roman from Spain and one of the highest ranked officers in Britannia. He encounters Caradoc, tribal king living in Tintagel. Yes, that’s right, Tintagel of Arthurian legend. These two form a firm friendship that eventually leads to Maximus being crowned High King of the Britons. The idea is that Maximus will stay in Britannia with his beautiful new wife and use his military skills to keep the Saxons out. That’s the idea, but any Roman who gains an army suddenly turns his eyes to Rome, and soon Maximus declares himself emperor and heads south. And you can guess how successful that idea was. Ever heard of Emperor Flavius Maximus?

The beauty of this book is the historical picture of life at this time. Although many of the characters in the story were real people, records are sketchy enough so that Hume has scope enough to be creative. And as a retired academic, she knows about research, so the attention to detail helps the whole story feel real.

Published last year, this is now an old title, but book two in the series was recently published, so some readers may be looking at starting at the beginning. I know that I much prefer to read the whole series whenever possible in order to place the latest book in some sort of context. The publisher’s website says this title is out of stock, but ebook versions should be easily available and many libraries will stock copies.

April 20, 2016 0 comment

Books Uncategorized

The Midas Legacy by Andy McDermott

written by Peter Sutton

I must admit I haven’t read the proceeding requisite series of books, and you do so realising there has been a lot of character development and change of circumstance. How to keep up the pace, devise new plots, keep it a page turner, McDermott manages to succeed but it feels like it is getting more challenging the longer the series continues.

The story is that Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase have matured, settled into domestic middle class life (much like the latter incarnations of Indiana Jones), they now have a three year old daughter (Macy), but they get drawn into the hunt for the Midas Cave, the usual place where gold and unimaginable riches lay waiting to be rediscovered.

Warning, this is a thick book, good for reading a few pages before you go to sleep at night, so you new your literary fried is waiting for you when you ‘hit the hay.’ It’s a roller coaster of a read, there are plenty of exciting bits, some drawn out reads, more exciting bits. If you love Atlantis and Treasure hunts, you won’t be disappointed. In fact you might just go back and read some of the past novels in the series. Great for relatives looking for Christmas gifts!

Not sure I liked the introduction of the child into the story. It didn’t really add much to the story line other to reinforce the fact that Nina and Eddie were parents. It wasn’t the humanizing element I think the author intended and if the two never get back to another Atlantis story because they are looking after Macy, that’s an acceptable ending!
Overall it’s another good book, great for summer reading by the pool, by the beach or in bed after a long day struggling with your own “Macys.”

December 13, 2016 0 comment

Books Featured

Apprentice in Death by JD Robb

written by Cecilia Sutton

Lt Eve Dallas is used to murder in New York, but when she gets a call to the scene of a triple homicide in Central Park, she discovers a crime unlike anything she’s seen before. A clinical hit, it could only be committed by a professional-military and/or police trained. So she calls in some favors. Sorting through all the evidence, Eve is shocked to discover there isn’t one killer, but two. A mentor and a trainee. And Central Park is only the beginning.

Eve Dallas is back and facing one of her greatest challenges to date in the forty-third installment in J.D. Robb’s long-running futuristic mystery/thriller In Death series. Apprentice in Death opens the door to more action, mystery, and excitement as Eve and the NYSPD find themselves racing against time to stop a pair of deadly snipers whose still unknown agenda spells death for New York and its citizens.

Even forty three books in, Robb continues to combine solid writing, intriguing subplots, and dynamic characterization to keep her world evolving but familiar and comforting. Strong police procedurals keeps readers firmly engaged while subtle bits humor and lighter moments helps to offset some of the darker moments of the storyline.

It’s pretty clever! Robb flashes between the police and the killers, allowing us to view Mackie and Willow as they set up for their next hit while Eve uses all her wits and talents to piece together the clues and evidence to form a picture that shocks even this hardened cop.

Robb begins to cross the two storylines and merge them together towards a climactic finale. Eve and her team must work fast in order to try and predict where they will strike next. As per Robb’s style, a majority of the book focuses on the investigation of the case with well laid immersions of Eve’s personal life into the storyline.

Apprentice in Death is another intriguing addition to this series, giving readers an emotionally complex mystery to solve while enjoying the timeless couple whose love affair continues to capture our attention even forty three books later. Per usual, I love revisiting Robb’s version of the future and look forward to the next installment-Echoes In Death-set to release February 7, 2017.

May 26, 2017 0 comment

Books

Being Elvis: A Lonely Life

written by Peter Sutton

Ray Connolly

As the world’s first “rock star” there was no one to tell Elvis what to expect, no one who could help him, guide him, or advise him. On the outside he was full of charm, sex appeal, confident on stage and gifted in the recording studio. He had it all. With his voice and style influencing generations of musicians, he should have been able to sing any song that he liked, to star in any film he was offered and to tour in any country he choose. But he wasn’t.

The circumstances of his poor beginnings in the American south, lack of education left Elvis with a life long vulnerability. His teaming up with ‘Colonel’ Tom Parker, was a disaster and he lost control over his own life. The book covers all, in an easy to read and informative stye.

‘Being Elvis was published on the 40th Anniversary of his death. It is an easy read and fills in the details, especially around his relationship with his mother,drug addiction, the Memphis Mafia, time in the army, movies, and his wife (ex) Priscilla.

Muhammad Ali put it best: “I felt sorry for him…he didn’t enjoy life. He stayed indoors all the time. I told him he should go out there and see people. He said he couldn’t because everywhere he went, they mobbed him.”

-Hachette Australia

December 8, 2016 0 comment

Books

The Underground Railway by Colson Whitehead

written by Cecilia Sutton

isbn9780708898376 I don’t often read literary fiction. Most of my reviews are of mystery novels, fantasy, adventure, or anything else that is strong on story and light on thinking. But in the last few weeks I have read two novels that have really made me think ‘big’ ideas. The first of these is Whitehead’s latest novel, superficially about the experience of slavery in 19th century America, but really about how humanity treats those who are different.

Cora, our protagonist, is a young slave on a plantation in the South. Her mother ran away when she was a young child and she was raised by her grandmother whose philosophy was ‘don’t make a fuss and you will be alright’. After her grandmother dies, Cora tries to live by this ideal, but circumstances conspire against her. Circumstances and her own sense of justice. So about the time that she gets noticed by the Manager, she is approached by Caesar, who asks her to join him on the Underground Railroad, an escape route to the north.

In Whitehead’s world, the Underground Railroad is much more than the series of safe houses and guides that history tells us. Here each safe house leads to a platform, station, rails and locomotives. Cora and Caesar escape and begin an incredible journey, stopping in several locations, each with a radically different relationship with slaves/freemen/people of colour. At each place Cora interacts with some individuals for a time, and gradually comes to recognise the truth about each relationship.

Unsurprisingly this was recommended by Oprah’s Book Club. In the States, where society is still struggling with the after effects of slavery, this book could become an important cultural landmark. But why bother to read such an ‘American” novel if you live anywhere else in the world? Simply because this book is more about how humanity treats those who look or think differently. Whitehead’s world could be uncomfortably similar to where we live now. And that bears thinking about.

4 1/2 stars

October 22, 2016 0 comment

Books Featured

The Murderer’s Daughter by Jonathan Kellerman

written by Cecilia Sutton

It is always wonderful fun to open a package containing a book by a favourite author. And for many years I have tried to read everything written by Kellerman, almost as soon as it was written. This one has been out for a while, but I plead extended overseas travel as an excuse for only just getting to it.

Grace Blades is a psychologist with a very exclusive practice. She has a small list of loyal clients who come to her from great distances when necessary. Although she endured a very difficult childhood, clearly her life has turned around. Just before a short vacation, Grace receives an enquiry about a new patient, coming from Texas to talk to her. The first interview does not go well, and there is no chance of a second simply because the new patient is murdered. How, why, and who is this ‘stranger’ reappearing from Grace’s past. And then there is the attempt on her life…

Kellerman is back to his best with this new and fresh idea. This is a real page turner guaranteed to keep you reading until far too late at night. And if you have trouble sleeping, read this one only during daylight hours. You will be looking over your shoulder and listening for things that go bump.

Love a thriller? Don’t pass this one by.

February 19, 2016 0 comment

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