Really loved this SSF post-apocalyptic novel set in the near future. Katya is a healer who is dealing with a painful past by isolating herself from heReally loved this SSF post-apocalyptic novel set in the near future. Katya is a healer who is dealing with a painful past by isolating herself from her community. When she’s ‘bequeathed’ Stefan, a young traumatised boy, she’s forced to find his father and find herself in the bargain. It’s beautiful and gentle but speaks a lot about the dangerous impact of technology and its ability to isolate. Lovely descriptions and well wrought characters make this a compelling story of our potential futures. E-arc provided by Netgalley. ...more
In this second installment of Harland’s Australian post apocalyptic YA Ferren is gathering support from around his world to defeat the tyrants swallowIn this second installment of Harland’s Australian post apocalyptic YA Ferren is gathering support from around his world to defeat the tyrants swallowing up ‘tributes’. Even better than the first volume Ferren and the Doomsday Mission focuses on how an allied response is needed to regain control. Really looking forward to the third and final installment due out sometime next year. ...more
A wonderfully accurate and poignant Historical Fiction tale about Endo Japan. Littered with beautiful verses it’s is a story of love, honour and literA wonderfully accurate and poignant Historical Fiction tale about Endo Japan. Littered with beautiful verses it’s is a story of love, honour and literature. A truly gorgeous story. ...more
Having lived in The Philippines I was really looking forward to this and as a description of place the novel does very well. However, plot, character Having lived in The Philippines I was really looking forward to this and as a description of place the novel does very well. However, plot, character development and dialogue just didn’t work for me. Holes in the narrative and unpleasantness for its own sake made this hard to enjoy. The dialogue was extremely clunky and didn’t sound like it had been spoken out before publishing. It didn’t sound like real people would speak like that and so where it was trying to be serious just didn’t work at all dialogue and narrative level. It’s a shame. I really wanted to like it. ...more
Another brilliant exploration of women from Australia’s past. Based on Grenville’s own grandmother, this fictionalised early 20th century story of harAnother brilliant exploration of women from Australia’s past. Based on Grenville’s own grandmother, this fictionalised early 20th century story of hard work on the land is moving and brilliantly researched. Dolly Maunder is smart and wants to qualify as a teacher. But over his dead body will her father allow a daughter of his to go out to work when there’s so much to do on their own farm. And so this sets up Dolly’s life - one of hardship and ambition. But the hardship sneaks into her family as well - she is not a kind person but a hard worker. She’s ambitious not nurturing. A truly moving tale of a mother mothering as she had been mothered. Knowing better but not being able to be better or do better. Lovely. Thanks to Canongate and NetGalley for the e-arc of this wonderful novella. Out in July in the UK. ...more
Great follow up to last year’s Hollow Fires. Noor’s father has suddenly left his family leaving Noor, her sister and mother in a spin. No notice and nGreat follow up to last year’s Hollow Fires. Noor’s father has suddenly left his family leaving Noor, her sister and mother in a spin. No notice and no signs mean this family is reeling. They wind up making a fresh start in rural Illinois away from their beloved Chicago but also away from the memories of a life that feels steeped in lies. As one of only a handful of black and brown students Noor questions a series of School board policies about ‘challenged’ (read banned) books. On her first day in school 500 books are removed from the library because of ‘grooming’ content. So starts up a series of protests which soon escalate. A thoroughly engaging book that is likely to be ‘challenged’ under policies that are sweeping schools across the globe in a conservative backlash to supposed ‘wokeism’. Compelling page turner. Highly recommended- thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-arc of this new YA out 9 May, 2024. ...more
Another brilliant story from Ann Leckie in the Ancillary world. I loved this story of humanity, family and power. It addresses the question of what itAnother brilliant story from Ann Leckie in the Ancillary world. I loved this story of humanity, family and power. It addresses the question of what it means to be human, literally for Qven and Reet. But also what family means and how found families can be so powerful in building acceptance of self and others. Although it’s a brilliant stand alone novel there are suggestions that it may be volume one of a new series. A nice sense of closure at the end with a strong hint of more adventures for one of the key characters. Out on May 9 Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for access to the e-arc. ...more
Great HF novel set in 17th Century Gloucestershire focusing on the weaving trade. Well researched and superbly crafted. Engaging story of Joan who, asGreat HF novel set in 17th Century Gloucestershire focusing on the weaving trade. Well researched and superbly crafted. Engaging story of Joan who, as a young girl, is compelled by colour and a desire to learn all there is to know about dyeing cloth. As she is stymied by gender and poverty her interest in cloth and colour never falters. Brilliantly builds atmosphere and setting. I really enjoyed this. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this e-arc....more
A charming middle grade novel that explores magic, the environment and the importance of family. Told from the perspective of a small vixen, the worldA charming middle grade novel that explores magic, the environment and the importance of family. Told from the perspective of a small vixen, the world is a nasty place. Through the powers of friendship, Shadow and her young companion Bea must save the world from a darkness that is swallowing all of nature’s magic. A beautiful ode to wild - in people, in animals and in nature....more
Outstanding follow up to Grow from two years ago. Palmer knows how to write boys in all their guises. A tense exploration of teenage friendship and thOutstanding follow up to Grow from two years ago. Palmer knows how to write boys in all their guises. A tense exploration of teenage friendship and the risks boys can take everyday to exist and thrive in the world of school. ...more
An interesting HF set in 1880s Egypt against a backdrop of archeological digs and stolen artefacts. Steeped in magic realism, the novel tells the storAn interesting HF set in 1880s Egypt against a backdrop of archeological digs and stolen artefacts. Steeped in magic realism, the novel tells the story of Inez Olivera trying to uncover the events that have resulted in her parents’ death in Cairo. Feeling isolated in her home in Buenos Aires Inez travels unaccompanied to Cairo to investigate what had happened to her adventure loving parents. Here she faces betrayal, passion and danger. A tense story that keeps you guessing. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this e-arc copy of the book....more
A jolly good read about literary women in the turn of the century New England books world. Enjoyable and timely exploration of women’s voices in literA jolly good read about literary women in the turn of the century New England books world. Enjoyable and timely exploration of women’s voices in literary circles and publishing in 1900s Cambridge Mass. lots of lovely literary allusions and name dropping - fun to read...more
An absolutely delightful middle grade novel where Willow is suffering the loss of her Nanna, her best friend. Willow and Nanna love fifties musicals wAn absolutely delightful middle grade novel where Willow is suffering the loss of her Nanna, her best friend. Willow and Nanna love fifties musicals with a particular thread running through the novel connecting to Singing in the Rain. She’s a lonely little girl feeling more and more isolated after Nanna’s death and her mother’s accompanying grief. Willow joins an after school study group at the local bookshop and here she is surrounded by more confident fellow students. She is intrigued particularly by Tay who seems to be the school’s ‘bad girl’. But Willow likes her because she doesn’t seem to care; she seems authentic. A group of children take advantage of this and encourage Willow to start stealing to belong to their club. Willow does but constantly hears Nanna’s voice questioning her choices. Webster has provided a lovely character and narrative arc. Willow is beautifully drawn - her dialogues with her dead Nanna and heart rending without being maudlin and Willow’s relationship with her mother is authentically fraught and tender. Webster’s depiction of the mother’s grief and depression is quite beautiful. The tenderness of her new partner and the love that Willow has for her Nanna are carefully wrought. A lovely story that is perfect for Y7/8 and would make a lovely class reader in a unit with an ethics focus. Thanks to NetGalley and Nosy Crow for the opportunity to read this e-arc. Highly recommended ...more
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