**spoiler alert** Emri is the adopted daughter of the rulers of Edar; she is also the biological daughter of Rassa, the prince who tried to usurp her **spoiler alert** Emri is the adopted daughter of the rulers of Edar; she is also the biological daughter of Rassa, the prince who tried to usurp her mothers throne.
So coming into her inheritance at eighteen provokes complicated feelings - more so when her Farezi cousin Melisande, newly arrived at court, lets slip a dark secret from the past with difficult implications for the future.
Not the best time, then, for the cousins to be kidnapped by legendary beings, gods long relegated to the shadows of myth. Lady Winter, Twilight and Night, celebrated at the Midwinter Ball in Edar as pageantry, turn out to very real deities - and they are angry at being ignored for so long.
Emri must find a way out for herself, Melisande & two other young royals from neighbouring realms, or face becoming a puppet-ruler, controlled by the gods. But if she succeeds, she may unleash magic upon an unready world...
This is a brilliant adventure quest, with witty, crackling dialogue, complex protagonists, horrifyingly real godmonsters, and a real moral dilemma at its heart.
The writing in this book is so assured, the action feels so effortless, that I galloped through these pages and couldn't wait to pick it up again when I was forced to put it down.
The sequel to Queen of Coin and Whispers, DOWAT can be read as a stand alone; the main characters of the first book are in the background of this one, and the action takes place fourteen years later.
Daisy and Hazel (and George and Alexander) are on a cruise on the Nile this time, marvelling at the wonders of Ancient Egypt. Also on board is the unpDaisy and Hazel (and George and Alexander) are on a cruise on the Nile this time, marvelling at the wonders of Ancient Egypt. Also on board is the unpleasant Breath of Life group, who are convinced they are reincarnations of powerful Egyptian rulers...
Naturally, murder strikes - the Detective Society in on the case! To complicate matters, Hazel's family is also on board - and her little sister May keeps getting under their feet.
Figuring out whodunnit is as delicious and enjoyable as ever, so while it is sad to say goodbye to Hazel and Daisy, it is such an enjoyable ending to the Murder Most Unladylike series. ...more
A stunning collection of essays from the author of H is for Hawk. These essays are, like H is for Hawk, deeply personal, but also possess a wider viewA stunning collection of essays from the author of H is for Hawk. These essays are, like H is for Hawk, deeply personal, but also possess a wider view on the natural world and our connection, or lack of, to it. From recollections of her childhood as she discovered the richness and abundance of insect and bird life in a nearby meadow to her dawning awareness of its terrible fragility; to life and mortality and our awful destructiveness to the world we live in. Her sensitivity to the the numinous moments we experience in nature is also wonderfully conveyed; this book is glorious and passionate and terrifying...an urgent call to arms....more
Very melodramatic with a 39 Steps feel; but it feels like this is where Campion changes from being a somewhat one dimensional character to a more rounVery melodramatic with a 39 Steps feel; but it feels like this is where Campion changes from being a somewhat one dimensional character to a more rounded one. We see the action through his POV for the first time, and he doesn't know who he is - his growing picture of his own character is built by the reactions of everyone around him, and he doesn't like the person he appears to be.
**spoiler alert** Charming teen novel with three POV narrators; Agnes is missing her sister desperately, Hattie wants to escape the aftermath of a dis**spoiler alert** Charming teen novel with three POV narrators; Agnes is missing her sister desperately, Hattie wants to escape the aftermath of a disastrous party, and Jake is burying his head in the sand about his problems...
The answer - a week away in Weston "revising" for their GCSEs!
Funny and full of heart, this is also a sweet and reassuring read for teens with problems.
As a sidenote, it was nice to see most adults in supportive, caring roles...sometimes the *adults suck* mindset in YA can be draining. ...more
Set in a Dublin hospital in 1918 during the Flu Pandemic, the narrative is voiced through Nurse Julia Power who is looking after a tiny makeshift wardSet in a Dublin hospital in 1918 during the Flu Pandemic, the narrative is voiced through Nurse Julia Power who is looking after a tiny makeshift ward in the hospital. There she labours for the women who not only have the 'grip' as the flu is known, but are also pregnant.
This book is a stunning piece of work - I love historical fiction, but was unprepared for how completely swept up I would become by this book...it possesses an incredible sense of driving urgency as Julia fights 'the bone man' for the lives of her charges, worries about her war-damaged brother Tim who survived the Western Front at a terrible cost, and becomes aware of the everyday darkness that shadows all women's lives in Ireland.
Dr Kathleen Lynn, a heroine of mine, plays an important role - as does Bridie Sweeney, a scrap of a girl volunteered to help out Julia.
Breathtaking, bold and brilliant - a beautiful and bloody story that really hits home....more
Sharp and funny, scatological and sweary, these slices of life from Samantha Irby made me alternately laugh out loud and wince...
This quote, about "seSharp and funny, scatological and sweary, these slices of life from Samantha Irby made me alternately laugh out loud and wince...
This quote, about "self care" absolutely cracked me up - to the extent I've forced other people to read it, so why should you escape...
"I got a manicure a few days ago, which is a thing I rarely do because - we're all friends here - I don't give a fuck. But I was going to a party that night and you know how parties are, just a bunch of people standing around in sequined clothes scouring the room to make sure one another's cuticles are pushed the fuck back."
Witty as hell and also the Queen of TMI, it feels like she hold nothing - and I mean nothing - back.
Whip smart and hilarious and real - a tremendously entertaining and all-too-human book.
As a huge fan of Katherine Addison's earlier book The Goblin Emperor, I was eager to read anything she's written, and The Angel of the Crows did NOT dAs a huge fan of Katherine Addison's earlier book The Goblin Emperor, I was eager to read anything she's written, and The Angel of the Crows did NOT disappoint! Set in an alternate universe version of Sherlock Holmes, neither Holmes nor Watson's names are used. It's obvious though, from the first chapter set in Afghanistan, that this is Watson retelling their account of war and injury. Ending up in London, desperate for affordable lodgings, fate takes a hand when he is introduced to a strange figure at St Barholomew's... This is a world where the supernatural is taken as read; there are angels and demons, ghosts and fetch's and ghouls abroad, yet deductive logic supplies the detective with answers. Fans of Holmes will enjoy tremendously the fresh take on favourites like The Speckled Band, The Sign of Four and of course The Hound of the Baskervilles. The detective and assistant characters have likewise been given an invigorating and unexpected twist. Devoured it, loved it, strongly recommend it!...more
The set up sounds like the sort of thing you warn your friends about; sharing a bed with a stranger, albeit at different times...
Tiffy and Leon don't The set up sounds like the sort of thing you warn your friends about; sharing a bed with a stranger, albeit at different times...
Tiffy and Leon don't meet - their schedules never overlap - but they get to know each other with the post-its that begin to bloom in their shared living space. It's very enjoyable and feels like a meet-cute rom-com, but as the narrative progresses we get to see both their issues and a darker thread emerges about coercive partners, complicated family dynamics and the importance of having a strong support network.
It is a glorious read which manages to tackle serious issues with the lightest of touches - I loved it!
Also, I'm a sucker for anything set in the book/publishing world, so there's that!...more
Leena is 29 and super stressed in her high-pressure job in London; she has a panic attack during a client presentation so is forced to take a two-montLeena is 29 and super stressed in her high-pressure job in London; she has a panic attack during a client presentation so is forced to take a two-month sabbatical.
Her grandmother Eileen is 79 and ever since her husband left, she's feeling stuck in a rut in rural Yorkshire.
Life swap!
Really enjoyable, with well-rounded characters, light enough to be enjoyable but not air-headed. I'll read everything by Beth O'Leary from now on!...more
Set in a small town in the countryside of Northern Ireland, Majella works in the local chipper, A Salt and Battered, most nights. On Sundays, she drinSet in a small town in the countryside of Northern Ireland, Majella works in the local chipper, A Salt and Battered, most nights. On Sundays, she drinks pints of Smithwicks in the pub.
Majella is autistic and has a straightforward approach to life - she likes food, reruns of Dallas, sex, and pints. Life is complicated enough already - uncle Bobbby blew himself up with his own bomb, her dad disappeared without explanation, her mother is an alcoholic and her granny was beaten to death a week ago in her wee caravan.
This is both funny and bleak; really well written, you know Majella inside out. Very real, grimy, greasy and raw....more
Vividly written middle grade book that brings a young Irish girl, Lily, to work in the Big House.
She has always lived with her mother and siblings, buVividly written middle grade book that brings a young Irish girl, Lily, to work in the Big House.
She has always lived with her mother and siblings, but as they need money she is sent to Lissadell as an under chambermaid. The part where she encounters a staircase for the first time really brought home how alien her new world is - this is a charming, warm story which is perfect for readers of 9+
I would love this to be the beginning of a series...
The latest Sam Clair series - I love these books set in the London publishing world.
Sam's neighbours are actors in a Jacobean revenge play - on openinThe latest Sam Clair series - I love these books set in the London publishing world.
Sam's neighbours are actors in a Jacobean revenge play - on opening night, the stage is strewn with bodies...but one of them is real. As in, really, really dead - the director, in fact. Sam's boyfriend Jake is in the audience with her, and as he is a Scotland Yard detective, he is first on the scene to investigate...but the show must go on anyway.
This is such a great series - I really hope there are more to come!...more
Utterly gorgeous - think an Irish lesbian version of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens but with a great deal more confidence. I love the way Saoirse's issues Utterly gorgeous - think an Irish lesbian version of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens but with a great deal more confidence. I love the way Saoirse's issues have nothing to do with her fancying girls; her family, schoolmates, friends and strangers are all accepting of her being a lesbian...the worst she mentions is the odd frown from a stranger when she holds her ex-girlfriend's hand. She does have real problems though - her reasons for not wanting to get close to anyone are heartbreakingly real. Her relationship with her dad, her friendship with Oliver and her burgeoning romance with his cousin Ruby are deftly handled; this is a witty, smart and sexy YA novel.
In short, I absolutely adore this book and you will too. Go, pre-order it now! (Due out June 1st)....more
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