As Sweet as Honey – Review
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / February 21, 2013

This is not the usual kind of book I read, but Random House was kind enough to give me a free review copy. I found it to be a very well written, gentle read and did enjoy it. I personally wasn’t very familiar with the culture of South Asia, but I felt the author did an excellent job of making it comprehensible to an outsider without over explaining. It was easy to become drawn into Meterling’s world on Pi and understand the expectations that were on her as well as to understand the consequences her decisions might have. As I am not from that culture, the importance placed on, for example, compatible horoscopes in marriage partners is foreign to me, but due to the excellent writing, I could easily understand its impact within Meterling’s family. This is also a book of well-drawn contrasts and conflicts. I found it interesting to compare and contrast the viewpoint of the children to Meterling’s situation to Meterling’s own thoughts. A nice contrast is also set up between the colour, warmth and friendliness of Pi and the cold, greyness of London. This ties in well to Meterling’s emotional state at the time as she attempts…

As Sweet as Honey – Review
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / February 21, 2013

This is not the usual kind of book I read, but Random House was kind enough to give me a free review copy. I found it to be a very well written, gentle read and did enjoy it. I personally wasn’t very familiar with the culture of South Asia, but I felt the author did an excellent job of making it comprehensible to an outsider without over explaining. It was easy to become drawn into Meterling’s world on Pi and understand the expectations that were on her as well as to understand the consequences her decisions might have. As I am not from that culture, the importance placed on, for example, compatible horoscopes in marriage partners is foreign to me, but due to the excellent writing, I could easily understand its impact within Meterling’s family. This is also a book of well-drawn contrasts and conflicts. I found it interesting to compare and contrast the viewpoint of the children to Meterling’s situation to Meterling’s own thoughts. A nice contrast is also set up between the colour, warmth and friendliness of Pi and the cold, greyness of London. This ties in well to Meterling’s emotional state at the time as she attempts…

Review of Cephrael’s Hand by Melissa McPhail
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / January 3, 2013

I am reviewing the free copy of Cephrael’s Hand I was provided as part of the Novel Publicity Blog Tour in which I am taking part. The copy I was given starts with a multiple page glossary explaining the world of Cephrael’s Hand and its inhabitants. The fantasy geek within me started clapping her hands with glee at this; such a glossary usually means extensive and detailed world building, such as that of the Wheel of Time of A Song of Ice and Fire, and Cephrael’s Hand didn’t disappoint. What I liked I found the point of view characters to be engaging and enjoyable. Although the major protagonists started out separately, and indeed in separate parts of the world, the way in which their paths all began to weave together was very well done. It was also enjoyable that the reader and other characters have a strong idea of Trell’s identity before he himself does. I look forward to seeing how the characters develop and evolve in coming books. Personally, I always appreciate when non PoV characters are ambiguous, as is the case here. It was fun to speculate what Phaedor the zanthyr’s motivations might be, and there are many…

Review of Cephrael’s Hand by Melissa McPhail
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / January 3, 2013

I am reviewing the free copy of Cephrael’s Hand I was provided as part of the Novel Publicity Blog Tour in which I am taking part. The copy I was given starts with a multiple page glossary explaining the world of Cephrael’s Hand and its inhabitants. The fantasy geek within me started clapping her hands with glee at this; such a glossary usually means extensive and detailed world building, such as that of the Wheel of Time of A Song of Ice and Fire, and Cephrael’s Hand didn’t disappoint. What I liked I found the point of view characters to be engaging and enjoyable. Although the major protagonists started out separately, and indeed in separate parts of the world, the way in which their paths all began to weave together was very well done. It was also enjoyable that the reader and other characters have a strong idea of Trell’s identity before he himself does. I look forward to seeing how the characters develop and evolve in coming books. Personally, I always appreciate when non PoV characters are ambiguous, as is the case here. It was fun to speculate what Phaedor the zanthyr’s motivations might be, and there are many…

Deep Connections by Rebecca Graf – review
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / August 28, 2012

One thing I particularly enjoyed about Deep Connections was the way in which the author slowly teased out the twin secrets of why the heroine, Brenna, is being stalked and Slater’s family history. That seemed to me very well done. I liked the characters, although I don’t generally subscribe to the “one true love/soulmate” way of thinking. This was a light, easy read and I will certainly look out for the sequel. I gave Deep Connections 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Deep Connections by Rebecca Graf – review
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / August 28, 2012

One thing I particularly enjoyed about Deep Connections was the way in which the author slowly teased out the twin secrets of why the heroine, Brenna, is being stalked and Slater’s family history. That seemed to me very well done. I liked the characters, although I don’t generally subscribe to the “one true love/soulmate” way of thinking. This was a light, easy read and I will certainly look out for the sequel. I gave Deep Connections 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Thieftaker by D.B. Jackson – Review
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / August 22, 2012

Thieftaker by D.B. Jackson tells the story of Ethan Kaille, a man with a checkered past, who uses his conjuring skills to track down thieves and return stolen goods to their owners. When the daughter of a prominent citizen is found killed by non-conventional means, Ethan is hired to track down her missing brooch and to shed light on her murder. Tor McMillan was kind enough to send me a copy of this book to review. Here are my thoughts. D.B. Jackson’s writing style is light, easily accessible and engaging. It was very easy to become drawn into the story and to empathise with Ethan, the protagonist. Set in mid 18th century Boston, the book is a fun blend of historical drama, fantasy and murder mystery. Now, I am neither American nor a student of American history, so I am unfamiliar with the historical events referenced in this novel – The Stamp Act of 1765, The Sons of Liberty, the riots in Boston – but I was inspired to read more about this period of American history. I was intrigued to read in the author’s note that the novel was originally set in a fictional world and that it was…

Thieftaker by D.B. Jackson – Review
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / August 22, 2012

Thieftaker by D.B. Jackson tells the story of Ethan Kaille, a man with a checkered past, who uses his conjuring skills to track down thieves and return stolen goods to their owners. When the daughter of a prominent citizen is found killed by non-conventional means, Ethan is hired to track down her missing brooch and to shed light on her murder. Tor McMillan was kind enough to send me a copy of this book to review. Here are my thoughts. D.B. Jackson's writing style is light, easily accessible and engaging. It was very easy to become drawn into the story and to empathise with Ethan, the protagonist. Set in mid 18th century Boston, the book is a fun blend of historical drama, fantasy and murder mystery. Now, I am neither American nor a student of American history, so I am unfamiliar with the historical events referenced in this novel – The Stamp Act of 1765, The Sons of Liberty, the riots in Boston – but I was inspired to read more about this period of American history. I was intrigued to read in the author's note that the novel was originally set in a fictional world and that it was…

The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / July 31, 2012

I have read Colfer’s first Artemis Fowl and found it quite a fun read. The Supernaturalist was reasonably priced on Kindle so I decided to pick it up. Both the story (some nice twists and turns) and the characters appealed to me. I found Colfer’s world building to be excellent, too. His light, witty style reminds me a lot of Rick Riordan, whose series I also enjoy. This book isn’t going to provide you with much food for thought, but it will pass a few pleasant hours. I gave The Supernaturalist 5 stars out of 5

The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / July 31, 2012

I have read Colfer’s first Artemis Fowl and found it quite a fun read. The Supernaturalist was reasonably priced on Kindle so I decided to pick it up. Both the story (some nice twists and turns) and the characters appealed to me. I found Colfer’s world building to be excellent, too. His light, witty style reminds me a lot of Rick Riordan, whose series I also enjoy. This book isn’t going to provide you with much food for thought, but it will pass a few pleasant hours. I gave The Supernaturalist 5 stars out of 5