("We women are a sad lot, aren't we?" "What do you mean?" "Strong enough to take on the world with our bare hands, yet we permit ridiculous boys to make("We women are a sad lot, aren't we?" "What do you mean?" "Strong enough to take on the world with our bare hands, yet we permit ridiculous boys to make fools of us." "I am not a fool." "No, you're not. Not yet.") 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 A marvellous finish to a wonderful series ❤️❤️❤️❤️.I loved this duology so much that I am planning to buy the hardcovers for my library😻.In addition,I liked Renee's writing so much that I am planning to read her other fantasy duology, "Flame in the Mist ",too. She has done justice to all her secondary characters ,especially vivacious and saucy Despina😆.Her writing is beautiful and the world building exquisite . A wicked book that has to be destroyed ,magicians ,flying serpents and carpets😁😁,twists ,turns ,a solid love story and unforgettable characters .A series that has to be savored .Don't miss this if you are a fantasy lover and if you love "The Arabian Nights "...more
I have always been fascinated with the One thousand and One nights (Arabian Tales) and I just must have read it so many times during my teenage and chI have always been fascinated with the One thousand and One nights (Arabian Tales) and I just must have read it so many times during my teenage and childhood years .It is no surprise that I wanted to read Renee Ahdieh's duology and it has been on my list for a loooong time 🙄 .I am going to complete the first book "The Wrath and the Dawn" and I like it.The writing is lovely ,the word building is slow but well imagined and exquisite .I will not say much until I finish the second book in the series .The ending is a cliff hanger and she has me hooked enough to immediately read the second book😁😁😁...more
This book was my second disappointment this year.I picked it up because the synopsis had all the Latin American mythical elements which I generally loThis book was my second disappointment this year.I picked it up because the synopsis had all the Latin American mythical elements which I generally love and it suggested a supernatural mystery too. However,after a few chapters ,I just felt that the narration was long winded and repetitive. So ,I moved on😁😁😁 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 I also realised that I have a lot of good books on Kindle which I have ignored ,because I am more of a hard copy person. I love holding books in my hand than E- books.Still,this being the month ,Kindle was released ten years ago ,I have decided to read only E- books this whole month as a tribute .After all,Kindle does have it's plus points. E -books are way cheaper ,easier to carry and you can store as many books as you want👍😄....more
"The Beast Player", by Nahoko Uehashi is a fantasy tale ,translated from the Japanese version with a very different kind of world building and storyli"The Beast Player", by Nahoko Uehashi is a fantasy tale ,translated from the Japanese version with a very different kind of world building and storyline also.The original was titled "Kimona No Soja " and published as four volumes from 2006 to 2009.The series was so popular that it has been adapted into a Manga version and also an anime series on Japanese Television Nahoko Uehashi ,is in fact a famous teen fiction writer in Japan and is also famous for the "Moriboto " series of books. This is a world where huge serpents called the Toda are trained for battle by the Aluhan who use them to defend the borders of the country ruled by the Yojeh (divine Goddess).The Yojeh are in turn protected by the huge magnificent ,golden royal beasts who can fly in the sky and whose natural prey are the Toda.It is a world where humans fight their wars using these fierce animals without realizing the harm caused to the animals.Erin,the heroine is orphaned at a very young age and she has a heart filled with compassion for these animals .She is the only one who can communicate with the beasts and this gift makes her get caught in the murky waters of state politics. This is a very beautiful book with writing that just flows like a smooth stream,peaceful and calm.The natural descriptions were really wonderful including two or three chapters on bees.I loved the heroine Erin who is exceptionally quiet and looks at the world with different eyes.She is innately curious and wants to know everything about the animals she comes across.There is a lot of discussion about using creatures who are meant to be in the wild for their own selfish reasons. The only thing I did not like was the abrupt ending.It was as though the story was left hanging Midway . Recommended for all fantasy lovers who are looking for something different🤩...more
Writing and story telling are two different talents and although many authors write,very few are master storytellers.A master story teller will fill tWriting and story telling are two different talents and although many authors write,very few are master storytellers.A master story teller will fill the stage with his presence and will keep his audience hooked from beginning to the end ,so much so that, they will not have the slightest inclination to leave their seats until they reach the end of the tale and get to know what happens to the various characters in the story.Gabo proves he is the "Master " ,with this small but brilliantly written novella of 122 pages, filled with out -of -this-world characters,that indeed outlines in a journalistic fashion , the various events that take place on the unfortunate day when Santiago Nassar dies at the hands of the Vicario brothers.The storyteller returns to the town after twenty seven years and tries to piece together what really happened on that fateful day. Angela Vicario gets married to an outsider Bayardo San Ramon ,who finds out that she is not a virgin on the wedding night and sends her back to her mother's house.On questioning ,she names Santiago Nassar as the culprit and her twin brothers seek revenge.The irony of the tale is that by morning everyone in the town ,except Santiago know that the brothers are waiting to kill him and still no one warns him for different reasons known only to each one of them .By the end of the story we are aware of the fact that Santiago is not the real culprit and is actually a scapegoat and the greatest mystery of the novel is "who did Angela really lose her virginity to?"Typical Gabo and brilliant story telling 😊...more
This was my first fantasy novel written by a person of colour. Nnedi Okarafor is a the 2016 Hugo award winner.It is also interesting that Nnedi is theThis was my first fantasy novel written by a person of colour. Nnedi Okarafor is a the 2016 Hugo award winner.It is also interesting that Nnedi is the voice behind Ngozi,or the black panther,a female Nigerian super hero for Marvel comics. Onyensowu ia "Ewu" a child of rape , who is brought up by her Okeke mother in post apocalyptic Sudan. She has magic powers and realizes that someone is waiting to murder her . She sets out to conquer this evil with her lover Mwitah and their friends . However,this story is not so simple as the description I have given above . This is a very complex story with many layers set in post apocalyptic Sudan. The novel talks about weaponized rape and is strongly based on the genocide that took place in Darfur , Sudan.The Darfur genocide refers to the systematic killing of Darfuri men, women, and children which has occurred during the ongoing conflict in Western Sudan.The genocide, which is being carried out against the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa ethnic groups has led the International Criminal Court (ICC) to indict several people for crimes against humanity, rape, forced transfer and torture. According to news reports, more than one million children have been "killed, raped, wounded, displaced, traumatized, or endured the loss of parents and families". Throughout the ongoing Darfur genocide in the Darfur war there has been a systematic campaign of rape, which has been used as a weapon of war, in the ethnic cleansing of black Africans from the region.The majority of rapes have been carried out by the Sudanese government forces and the Janjaweed ("evil men on horseback")paramilitary groups.The actions of the Janjaweed have been described as genocidal rape, with not just women, but children also being raped, as well as babies being bludgeoned to death and the sexual mutilation of victims being common place. Nnedi has woven a brilliant tale that talks not only about the genocide but also racism , oppression against women, the African rite of circumcising women, isolation and rejection from society with such imagination , events and some unforgettable characters. My only lament was that at parts, I felt she got repetitive and the book did not have a post apocalyptic touch to it , although she tries to describe ancient computers and water capture tanks in parts of the novel.This is a book that makes you want to think that people really are cruel to each other because in the end it not God who punishes.It is always human against human....more
Frances Hardinge and Catherynne M.Valente have been in my list for a looong time.I thought I will begin reading Hardinge this year with her "A Face LiFrances Hardinge and Catherynne M.Valente have been in my list for a looong time.I thought I will begin reading Hardinge this year with her "A Face Like Glass " . ***** We have a twelve year old heroine Neverfell ,who is found lost by Cheesemaster Grandible in his tunnels in the underground kingdom of Caverna.Caverna is ruled with an irongrip by the 500 year old grandsteward who is like a spider weaving a web around the courtiers.The fact is that people in Caverna are unable to show natural emotions on their faces and can display only the faces they are trained to display.Every class has access to a certain group of faces .For example ,the drudges or workers are trained to have three faces -1.a face that shows obedience 2.a face happy to take orders and 3.a face that is sorry for mistakes .In addition,no one is allowed to escape to the over ground .The trouble is Neverfell's emotions are clearly expressed on her face at all times and this leads to her falling into a web of deceit.The story is how Neverfell chases her freedom and realises that disillusionment is a part of growing up. ************* I loved the fact that Hardinge's prose is crafty ,witty and wonderfully unique.The world building is exquisite and her characters are all weird and twisted in some way or the other (Anyway ,who isn't 😁😁).It is such a long time that I have read an author writing fairy tales, with an imagination vivid enough to name cheeses as Croakspeckle or Stackfalter Stunton or to include dishes that include jellies shaped like castles with musical birds inside.It brought back memories of Alice in Wonderland.Her description of faces is also amusing with a deep insight like Face 29 -Fawn trembling before Hound .Most of all,her greatest achievement is in showcasing the cruelty of society and how artificial and hypocritical people (that's why the faces )today really are through a fairytale....more
Loved this duology!! It has been quite a long time since I read YA fantasy, my last book being " Uprooted ", by Noami Novak. "I will have you without aLoved this duology!! It has been quite a long time since I read YA fantasy, my last book being " Uprooted ", by Noami Novak. "I will have you without armour ,Kaz Brekker .Or I will not have you at all"- Inez Ghaja in the "Six of Crows".So many layers of meaning lie beneath such a simple sentence and that is how I feel about both the books in this series. Six teenagers ,each hurt ,lost or damaged in some way get together to pull of an impossible heist in a fantasy world created by Bardugo ,the Grishaverse, which by now is very famous among fantasy readers since it forms the setting for most of her novels .Each character is complex and the world they live with and deal with is also very complex and the story is a rollercoaster ride of adventure and emotions.Leigh Bardugo's prose is not exceptional ,lyrical or poetic ,but she is exceptional in creating unforgettable characters and a master in weaving strong emotions ,feelings and thoughts into a plot and one has to admit a really good storyteller .And her women are all lovely❤️.Bardugo's women are strong,sensible ,brave and all heart ❤️.You should read this series at least for them. And the ending? why did she have to end it like this?Why did you have to kill him ,Leigh , when you made everyone else live to find some kind of happiness ? Kudos to the writer for creating these unforgettable characters Kaz,Inej,Nina,Matthias ,Jesper,Wayne and even the bad guys -Van Eck and Pekka Rollins.I did not want this to end and a special appreciation to Leigh Bardugo for showing the world that there is more to love than sex and intimacy is how we look at it. I was having my doubts about her “Wonder Woman ” ,but now I have the confidence to definitely pick it up....more
This book was an awesome read ,so much of snow .It reminded me of another book I read "the snow child " which was also snow filled .The prose was beauThis book was an awesome read ,so much of snow .It reminded me of another book I read "the snow child " which was also snow filled .The prose was beautiful and so much of magic and magical creatures like rusalkas,banniks,bolotniks,leshies and my favorite the domovai.The story is supposed to be based on an ancient Russian folktale and after reading the novel,you feel you have lived in ancient Russia for some time. The story is about Vasya ,who is wild and a child of the woods and who believes the old ways have to be followed and her conflict with her stepmother who is confused ,scared because she does not want to accept what she actually sees. It is about what Vasya has to do to protect her land and family .Every character is interesting and you began to like all the family especially the old nurse dunya.There is also an underlying thread criticising the church for forcing religous doctrines on the local peasants and using fear to make them belief in God .All in all, it was a beautiful read and I admit I actually had dreams of umpyrs and rusalkas at night.Fairy tale lovers don't miss this ☺...more
Well ,it is time to make way for Lettie peppercorn ,an impulsive ,independent teenager who is capable of taking care of herself and her father.I love Well ,it is time to make way for Lettie peppercorn ,an impulsive ,independent teenager who is capable of taking care of herself and her father.I love fairytales and magical realism and fantasy and I still collect young adult and kids fiction which takes my fancy.This was a wonderful read ,humorous ,adventurous and never a boring moment throughout the ride.It is about Lettie 's search for her mama and the characters she meets along the way ,all of them crazy and messed up😂.,except of course Noah because you see ,Noah is Lettie's first friend and the only person in the whole world who understands and believes in her and that is a very important fact and indeed it is.So does Lettie find her mother and who is this snow merchant after all? Well if you love magic and believe in the power of love and friendship ,do read the book and find out....more
We can safely say that just as how any number of generations cannot change the fact that Dame Agatha Christie is the uncrowned queen of the quintessenWe can safely say that just as how any number of generations cannot change the fact that Dame Agatha Christie is the uncrowned queen of the quintessential British murder mystery untouched by time ,R.K.Narayan has and will always been the uncrowned king of Indian fiction.Such simple plot narratives about incidents that can happen in our own homes or towns ,with crystal clear prose that bring out the idiosyncrasies and follies of human nature.All characters in a R .K Narayan novel will resemble someone we have met in our pedantic daily routines of normal life.This is a wonderful book by him and I enjoyed every bit of it.It speaks of the spiritual transformation of Raja the tiger from a wild young animal to an enlightened soul under the guidance of a master whom he discovers in the latter part of a life filled with tribulations and disappointments. My heart was with Raja throughout the journey and I was disappointed a little bit when it ended with him still in the circus.This is a must read not only for Narayan fans and animal lovers but also for the spiritually inclined....more
Being strongly feminist with a penchant for novels with strong female characters ,how could I miss a novel with a heroine named Agnieszka😁.I immediateBeing strongly feminist with a penchant for novels with strong female characters ,how could I miss a novel with a heroine named Agnieszka😁.I immediately purchased it on kindle and read it in one go ,that too with a toddler in tow🤗.Well,the main characters are of course the heroine and her friend Kasia and the wizard Sarkan.We have a formidable villain in the form of The Wood which is evil in it's purest form.It is a tale of magic and fantasy with a spunky leading lady who takes a lot of unexpected and independent decisions and who loves to stand on her own feet.The author shows us that even the strongest of female friendships do have a slight tinge of jealousy and regret underneath amid all that warmth and comfort and soothing words that friendship offers.This tale with all it's unexpected twists and turns is a delightful read and you find yourself thinking of the characters especially The Wood ,long after you have finished it.All fantasy and YA genre lovers should give it try....more
his book was one of the novels purchased online and I loved it.It is a story of two totally different magical creatures a Golem and a Djinni .It painthis book was one of the novels purchased online and I loved it.It is a story of two totally different magical creatures a Golem and a Djinni .It paints a vivid picture of the little syria community in New York in the 1900sand you meet a whole bunch of interesting characters.It talks about loneliness,nostalgia and the need to belong somwhere and underneath all this is a love story that arises from a foundation of friendship and acceptance. This is a wonderful read for fantasy lovers and if you love the unusual please give it a go....more
.I am always a little uncomfortable with too much of melancholy ,nostalgia and reflection and maybe that is the reason I stopped reading Gaiman after .I am always a little uncomfortable with too much of melancholy ,nostalgia and reflection and maybe that is the reason I stopped reading Gaiman after I read the "The Ocean at the end of the lane ".To be fair ,that was my second Gaiman because my first was "The Graveyard Book" and I liked his writing enough to go for my second which was The Ocean .. However ,I felt "The Ocean at the end of the lane "was over my head and made me feel sad enough not to touch another Gaiman novel for a long long time .(this was three years ago) .. And then I got a chance to watch Coraline and my interest in Gaiman was rekindled and I thought why not "Good Omens ".I am glad i did so because I loved this book so much that it will forever be in my list of all time favorite ..Such wonderful humour and satire throughout the novel mingled with fantasy elements and a plot that can immediately be adapted to a screenplay..I mean how can a novel which has an angel named Aziraphale ,a devil named Crawley ,an Antichrist named Adam ,and humans named Anathema Device and Newton pulsifier ,not to forget DOG ,and a plot which has the end of the world thrown in together with a rock and roll writing style go wrong ? INEFFABLE😁...more
This book was really a reminder to me that sometimes the plot narrative does no justice to the beautiful cover outside. I wanted to read this because This book was really a reminder to me that sometimes the plot narrative does no justice to the beautiful cover outside. I wanted to read this because Natasha Pulley's "The Watchmaker of Filigree Street " received rave reviews and the book synopsis mentioned that the story was set in Peru. This excited me because Peru sounded exotic and I had never read a story set in Peru before. The story is pretty straightforward and is set in the year 1859. Merrick Tremayne , worked as an opium smuggler for the British East India Company when an accident disables him and makes him retire to his decrepit estate in remote Cornwall,England , leaving him at the mercy of his elder brother Charles , a polio patient and a rather disgruntled and unhappy man. Meanwhile , there is a malaria epidemic in India leading to the huge loss of life and business to the company.The only cure for malaria is quinine which is obtained from the bark of the cinchona tree which is available only on the Andes slopes of Peru which makes it difficult to obtain.Merrick is therefore dispatched on an expedition to Peru to retrieve some tree cuttings so that they ca be grown in Srilanka in huge quantities.He is sent along with his friend Sir Charles Markham and the reason he is chosen is because he is good at gardening and the his grandfather and father stayed in the village Bedlam, which is nearest to the cinchona forest.The story is all about whether Merrick retrieves the cuttings or not and the experiences he has during the expedition. Into this plot natasha pulley introduces markayuqs,pollen lamps, a priest named Raphael who sleeps for seventy years at a stretch ,floating kingdoms, a language of knotted strings, a hospital colony , a border of salt and bones, glass obelisks , exploding trees and phoenix eggs making it a magical adventure. The best thing I took from the book was the deep and wonderful way in which the author builds the profound and tender friendship between Raphael and Merrick. The plus points are that the writing is lush , imaginative and creative .The way the author blends history with fiction is beautiful and this book has really made more interested in the Inca civilization. Inspite of all this, the single fact that makes spoils it is that the plot could be more intense .It is a very thin plot line ad seems to surround the markayuqs. Would love to hear your comments on this book
am a big fan of Grabiel Garcia Marquez .The love affair started with "One Hundred Years of Solitude " and it is still steadily progressing at a stead am a big fan of Grabiel Garcia Marquez .The love affair started with "One Hundred Years of Solitude " and it is still steadily progressing at a steady rate 💕.There are a lot of things one can love about his novels ,but for me what I appreciate the most of Marquez's writing is the inherent sensuality,dark humor and magical realism that permeates every page and also the fact that all his characters brim with vitality and are totally unapologetic. So ,why am I talking about Marquez here?It is because my search for similar stories in Latin American fiction after reading "love in the time of cholera ', led me to this wonderful book by Laura Esquivel,that is set in Mexico and which has all the elements described above. The story is all about Tita and her forbidden love for Pedro. The novel is a tall tale brimming with sensuality and has a heady mix of food ,love ,relationships ,romance ,lust ,with even a brief glimpse of the Mexican civil war thrown in with Tita's kitchen as the central setting. My conclusion :Anyone who loves reading about food and loves Marquez,will fall in love with this book....more
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