Blog Tour: The Tribe Series by Ambelin Kwaymullina

Hi Readers!

Today I've got the pleasure of being the first stop on Ambelin Kwaymullina's blog tour.

While readers might be dying to know all about the series, I'd rather start with some fun questions in getting to know you! And, as this is by blog, it's my rules. So when I say let's have fun, you do as you're told!

Well, perhaps if I lose the totalitarian tone, we can begin...

What was the last book you read?

Unravel Me which is the sequel to Shatter Me, by Tahereh Mafi.

Skellig by David Almond

Having worked with Children's books for nearly 8 years now, I had heard of Skellig around about, and always thought I might read it one day. I mean, it won the Carnegie and the Whitbread book of the year and was turned into a movie. In recent years, I've read a few of David Almond's other books and each time I'm surprised by something else. He is a brilliant writer.

Earlier this year, my lecturer at uni and I were talking about good books etc. and she asked if I had read Skellig. I hadn't, at the time, and she said I must. She told me that when she first started as an assistant to a lecturer when she had just left uni, her boss asked her the same question and when she said no, her boss handed her the book and said 'go home, and do nothing today other than read this book'.

Last year I watched the movie that had been made from the book, which was good, but now that I have read it, I can see why there has been so much fuss over this book.

Michael's new born sister is having health issues. She's in the hospital and his parents are worried sick, but are trying to keep a brave face and not neglect Michael in their concern. they have just moved into a new home. A Fix-er-up-er is putting it mildly. Michael is also worried about his sister, he feels that if he stops thinking about her then she might die.

Then he discovers a strange man who is sitting in the old, junk-filled shed. He looks like he has been there for years, unmoving, he eats spiders and bugs and has some strange humps on his back under his coat.

Michael then meets Mina, a precocious home-schooled girl who becomes his friend. And together they do what they can to help this strange man they can scarcely believe exists.

This book is amazing. It is such a well synthesised family-drama/fantasy/identity-themed/discussion of evolution and the afterlife it is really something!

Not a word is wasted. It's not a very long novel (170 well-spaced pages) but for all that, it holds so much.

What should I say now? I feel like echoing the question that was passed to me: 'Have you read Skellig? If not, you must!'

 

5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Blood Brothers (Dragonkeeper 4) by Carole Wilkinson

The Dragonkeeper series has a way of being engaging for such a wide readership. I talked about the first three books in a post here. Book four has a slightly different feel to it, while still being firmly a part of the world Carole Wilkinson has created.

We have moved forward in time from where book three finished, and Kai, our playful dragon character has grown up. He’s effectively a teenager, at the tender age of 465 years old and wants to find his place in the world, as many teenagers do.

It’s true, it is sad to have said goodbye to Ping, but as Carole says in the afterward, she deserved a quiet life after all she had been through. I think this works well in the structure of the series. The first three books work well as a trilogy, then book four begins a new adventure without disturbing the integrity of the first three. Well over 400 years have passed, so we have a whole new cast of human characters to meet.

Tao is a novice monk who loves the quiet monotony of life in the monastery. Do you think that will continue when Kai shows up? No. Thank goodness for us! For what kind of book would that make? Action, adventure, warring barbarian tribes, deceitful monks, enraged dragon opponents… the list goes on! Could Tao be Kai’s new dragonkeeper? But all the signs haven’t shown themselves. And what of his twin brother who has been bedridden since birth, unable to control the movements of his body?

If you’ve read the first three a while ago (book 3 come out in 2009) don’t worry if you feel like you can’t remember everything, it’s all history to this story anyway. If you haven’t read them, technically you could start with number four if you wanted, but you’d be missing such a rich back story! This series is just great! It's suitable for readers over 8 years old, but well written enough that anyone over 8 will enjoy it! I'm 20 years past the target age and it still hit a bulls-eye!

 

4 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

 

JudgeABook Revisited: Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan

Guess what, I've read it! After nearly two years of its beauty staring at me from the bookshelf, I've read it! and Oh, how I loved it!.

As this is a revisited post, you can all refresh your memories on this book, and my relationship with it's cover in the original JudgeABook post: HERE.

So this has been a long time coming, and while I would say it's worth the wait, it's only worth the wait if it is forced upon you. As in, if it hadn't been published and you knew it was coming... Sadly, I must hang my head in shame; I owned it for so long and have nothing but a dusty pile of excuses to cling to.

I can strongly recommend this beautiful book! it is heart wrenching, and honest. Uncomfortable in places and so homely in others. I just melted in its magic.

I would have to say that the opening is difficult. Difficult and harrowing. But it makes sense eventually. And you must get past that point where you feel like saying 'I'm only 20 pages in and it's already like this, I'm just going to stop there.' because in another 20 pages you'll have broken through to the beauty that was born of such ugliness.

I always wondered why I thought so much about this book, sitting on my shelf, when I knew little of the author and nothing other than the cover. I don't think I even read the blurb on the back in all those years. But now its as if my subconscious is saying, see, I knew it would be important.

And it is important. To me as a reader, to me as a writer. It has shown me something that is too easily left out of young adult books, and handled in entirely different ways by 'grown-up' fiction. It is the cross over that belongs in both sections and definitely has found a home on my shelf.

If you read my review of Sea Hearts, you'll know that I was somewhat critical of the spineless, powerless, crewel males of that book. I have since come to terms with them as a whole in the context of the story after a fantastic Book Club meeting where Margo was present and all perspectives were discussed. However, 20 pages into Tender Morsels, at that point of 'Do I go on?' I found myself wondering will there be any redeemable male in this book. I am please to tell you yes. YES! Davit Ramstrong is the best of men. I was so strongly moved by him (of course among others - there were many equally moving females) I think I fell in love a little.

Now I have so many short stories to look forward to (I've only read a handful of one of her 4 or 5 collections) and I'm looking forward to being inspired and challenged; as a reader, and as a writer.

5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Other JudgeABook posts

Dragonkeeper series by Carole Wilkinson

 (New covers released May 2012)

Years ago, when I worked in the children's section of a large inner-city bookshop, one of the books that I could easily rely on to sell, and make a good recommendation, was Dragonkeeper and then its sequels as they came out. I had never read it, but I had heard they were good and parents were keen to give their children something that mixed a bit of history in with the fantasy that they craved.

I even saw an (adult) colleague consume them in rapid succession, which simply fueled my hand selling. Please don't mistake me for some casual staffer who knew nothing of the books they put in your hands, I was simply reading other series at the time and had heard enough good reports to confidently recommend this series. But I always planned on reading them.

Late last year I listened to the Dragonkeeper (book 1) audio book on one of my away trips for work. It was thoroughly entertaining. one of those delightful blends between facts taken from history and fantasy generously layered on top, you find yourself asking, why haven't there been more reports of dragon bones/fossils coming out of China?

So, recently when I knew I would be meeting Carole Wilkinson, I made the time to read the 2nd and 3rd books in the series. They were just as good. They are perfectly paced; excitement, action and adventure unfold equally with character development. They playful nature of the dragons makes you lament their disappearance from the world (for surely they once existed!). But the dragons, their keeper, Ping, and others we meet along the journey become your friends.

It's not hard to see why this series has won so many awards. But what makes them even better for me, is that an eight year old could pick these up (and they do) and love them, just as much as a teenager could, or a 28 year old (yes, I mean me). Good writing transcends target age groups.

Now I'm very excited to read the fourth book in the series, Blood Brothers, which will be out in May, but I can't wait for it!

4 Gold Star

Find them on Goodreads:

Book 1, Book 2, Book 3

The Flaxfield Quartet Volume 3: Doubleborn by Toby Forward

In my running series of reviews of the Flaxfield Quartet, as they’ve been released, returning readers will know how much I adored both Dragonborn and Fireborn.

What, you might ask, could I possibly say about the next book in the series that I haven’t stressed in the first two reviews?

Well, there is one word, that I have already used twice, that will be the focus of this review.

Series.

With Volume 3 came the confirmation that Toby Forward knew what he was doing from the start. The entire story, the entire world, in other words, the entire quartet is so fully realised and interconnected that it is clear that this was not one of those series where book one is written and then they tack on a few more just to ride out the success. As I said before, at the end of Dragonborn, we do not have all the answers, but we want them. Desperately.

There is no fluff. That’s how I see it now. So many things that I took as simple scene setting, or folklore, or lessons from wizen wizards are not background to story: they are story. The subtle brilliance of the writing hides everything you need to know in plain sight.

I kind of wonder why I’m still writing this review… No. It’s more that I wonder why you are still reading it? Why haven’t you left your seat to go and find a copy of whichever book in this series you are up to? If you haven’t yet started this series, amend that travesty immediately!

      

4.5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

The Magic Circle by Donna Jo Napoli

This book was originally lent to me with a slip of paper taped over the blurb on the back cover. I was instructed to read it without reading the blurb on the back, or any other descriptions about the story. I wish I could do the same for everyone, because I LOVED reading it that way, not knowing was so good.

Not knowing? you might ask. Not knowing what? Well, you won't find out on this blog. I'm going to have to try and craft this review without giving the game away. What you do with your own time, and if you want to take that extra element of surprise away from yourself, that's up to you.

This is the book that led me to a love of all things Donna Jo Napoli. Return readers might know my love of fairy tales and their adaptations, and technically, this post should be part of my 'Fairytale Friday' series, but unfortunately the questions I pose myself in those posts would reveal too much.

Instead, what I'll say is this: this is an adaption of a fairy tale that puts an entirely different spin on the events and characters. The first half of the story takes place before the story that we know, and there are hints as to where it's going, but it's not until one point where you sit back and go AAAHHHHH!

So very good! Donna Jo Napoli is a genius of re-working a well known story and adding so many layers to what we think we know, adding depth to characters that turn out to be misunderstood. She gives me shivers. It's one of my goals to read everything she has written, which is A LOT!

I recommend hunting this one down with your eyes closed. Trust me.

4.5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Lips Touch - Three Times by Laini Taylor

This book was recommended to me by a friend who shares many of my tastes. She showed it to me in a shop, taking care to point out the stunning production value of the hardback edition and the beautiful illustrations by Jim Di Bartolo. I don't even think she had read it yet, but for some reason I bought it only to have it become shamefully neglected among the hundreds (simply too many) books that I own and haven't read yet.

Well, now I've read it, and why did I leave it so long?!?! It was fantastic!

It is a collection of three stories that each explore a different style of mythology. Not strictly, mind you, but that's the beauty of a fiction writer, they can take any inspiration they like and create their own world. And that is exactly what Laini Taylor has done, created three separate but vivid worlds. In the author's note she says "Like a magpie, I am a scavenger of shiny things: fairy tales, dead languages, weird folk beliefs, fascinating religions, and more." But she points out she is no scholar, nor should she be; this is not non-fiction.

What it is, however, is brilliantly written! Even though paranormal romance can bore me silly at times, right from the beginning the quality of her writing had me lapping it up. I should clarify: these stories aren't strictly paranormal romance. In fact, they would be better described as mythology based fantasy. But in each story, a kiss, or lips touching, plays something of a key part.

The three stories each begin with a series of illustrations that provide a visual prologue for the story to come.

Goblin Fruit

Spicy Little Curses

Such As These

Hatchling

REALLY good! Very worth reading!

All the time I was reading it, Laini Taylor's name was playing somewhere in the back of my mind as being familiar somehow. When I sat down to write this blog, I realised where from: she's the author of Daughter of Smoke and Bone which people have been raving about for months AND I was given a copy of for Christmas. So now I'm even more excited to read it because I know how good an author she is! I wonder where I'll find the time to squeeze it in.

4.5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

6/40

Kenny And The Dragon Tony DiTerlizzi

As part of the challenge for 2012 to read books that I've had for ages and never read (see below), I've been working through the shelf where I keep most of my hardbacks (good a place as any to start).

So, this cute little book was nestled in amongst them and was selected.

It was really nice. From time to time it's great to read a book in which nothing terrible happens. I guess I read a bit much dystopian fiction... but that's why books like this one are a welcome break from all the angst.

At the beginning we're introduced to Kenny, who loves books more than anything and always has his nose in a book despite his parents' attempts to get him to notice the real world from time to time. (I wonder who that sounds like?)

Then his father rushed in one evening, panicking, saying that they had to move immediately as there was a dragon living on the hill behind their house. Kenny's mother (very sensibly) says that they can't possibly move at that minute because dinner was nearly ready. Kenny gets very excited and asks if he can go and inspect the dragon. His parents allow it, knowing that thanks to all his reading, Kenny would know more about dragons than anyone else in these parts, but not until after he does the dishes and finishes his homework.

Now I don't know about you, but for me, this little family exchange was more than enough for me to love the book. The rest of it was gravy (as they say).

Tony DiTerlizzi has written this book in a delightfully old-fashioned tone, making reference to books like Wind In The Willows and The Reluctant Dragon, which I thought was well done. By evoking Wind In The Willows early on, the reader (well in my case anyway) is put into that mind-set. After all, these are all anthropomorphised animals who talk and live in a world that is just outside our reach, but within our imagination. Like it is only just on the other side of living memory. This only added to the charm of the whole situation.

I'd give you more of the story line, but I try very hard not to give spoilers on my blog, even spoilers of how the story establishes itself 4 chapters in. So you should just go and find it and read it for yourself. I should also mention that his illustrations are a perfect match for the story he's created. Fantastic detail and expression of character.

3.5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

5/40

Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver

When 2 or 3 specialist children's book sellers that I know had effectively said to me that Liesl & Po was their pick of the year for 2011, I knew I was onto something special. One of them asked me if I had read it yet every time I saw her.

Well I have read it now, and what do I think? I thought it was fantastic!

Lauren Oliver is carefully deliberate with her words and the way she stitches them together that you know she has the skill that some authors lack. What I mean by that is this: quite often, a book will be written because someone had a good idea for a story. That's fine, but they don't necessarily have the skill to inspire awe with their writing technique. And i'm not saying that these books aren't worth reading either. But what I love, what Oliver has achieved here, is the brilliant combination of having a great story AND knowing how to string a sentence together that isn't the same mix of words that has been used so many times before. I don't mean laboured either! The note from the author in the back said she wrote it in a concentrated two month period.

The result is an easy to read, beautifully written, engaging adventure story that reveals just enough of the human condition to be genuinely moving and insightful.

I don't want to go on too much on what it's about. You're more than capable of reading the back of the cover in whatever shop you'll by it from (or the blurb on the website, if you swing that way). I'll just sum it up like this: It's about a girl, a ghost, a pet, a boy, a box filled with the most powerful magic in the world and a string of other characters that are out to help, hinder, or just look after the common good.

4 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

4/40

JudgeABook: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

This is my 2nd JudgeABook post! I'm enjoying them. Feel free to join in the game any time you like! Read about it HERE

Shiver by Maggie Stefvater

My first reaction to this jacket was that it caught my eye and made me think 'ooo look at that!' I'm partial to tree designs and the simple, layered graphic nature of this one is very striking. I quite like that the leaves are reminiscent of hearts too, and the drop of blood is a nice touch. This is another one that I acquired because I liked the look of it, but it has been sitting on my shelf for a long time, unread.

My interpretation of the cover:

It was hard to tell if the trees held the frost with their branches, or if the frost had the forest firmly in its grasp. No matter how tight the grip of either, the wolf slipped between their fingers, stalking his prey. The last remnants of summer dropped one at a time from the branches, falling with her memories of the love she had left behind. This was her future, she must submit to it. With the realisation that she would never leave the forest again, she shivered, and set her jaw against the years ahead. 

Cover rating:

3.5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Other JudgeABook posts.

The Tale Of Desperaux by Kate DiCamillo & Timothy Basil Ering

I've long loved Kate DiCamillo but haven't read as much of her as I would like. I've only read The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and the Magician's Elephant, both of which were absolutely beautiful. It occurred to me, during my fleeting time off over New Year, that I had time, and the desire to finally read her most popular book: The Tale of Desperaux.

Now I've been told by countless booksellers that their personal favourite is The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane but I've also heard that Children's favourite is The Tale of Desperaux. Personally, I think that The Magician's Elephant was my favourite, But really, it's like six of one, half a dozen of the other. They're all brilliant! (well, I can only speak of the 3 that I've read).

But on to the book at hand! The Tale of Desperaux won the Newberry Medal (most of what Kate has written has won something...) and then was turned into a film that certainly helped it along in popularity with children everywhere. I've heard lots of stories of teachers reading it to their classes a chapter at a time and having entire classes enthralled. Now that I've read it, I understand why. It was just fantastic.

Every time I read something that Kate DiCamillo has written it just drives home how much of an inspired wordsmith she is. She has a way with words that moves me greatly and makes me think I'm kidding myself that I want to be a writer. (I mean this is a positive way, if you understand me. She raises the bar for writers everywhere). And she's funny! She has me laughing and gasping in wonder at the way her sentences just work. On so many levels, they work.

The Tale Of Desperaux is about a mouse that is born very small compared to the average mouse, and born with his eyes open (which "just isn't done!"), and with very large ears. He develops in a way that is in no way typical of a mouse and is banished to the dungeons where the rats live after he shows himself to Princess Pea.

All I can say is that Desperaux's tale is one that is perfect for readers of any age, and so perfectly crafted that it lends itself to being read aloud. Bed-time-Story-time-Any-time, Chapter-by-chapter or all in one sitting, it is perfect to be devoured or savoured as you wish, but consume it you must! You might get a new appreciation for soup too... but I'll let you discover why.

5 Gold Stars

1 / 40

The Cat And The Fiddle by Jackie Morris

Now, I like nursery rhymes. Something about the tradition and the timelessness and the possibilities they suggest; it’s a very similar to my feelings towards fairy tales. But never before have a come across a collection of nursery rhymes that has so completely captured my imagination as Jackie Morris’ has. Her illustrations are nothing short of stunning. But more than that, she has avoided the typical, literal interpretations that are so common in other collections. Each page explores all of the fantasy, the whimsy, the possibility that is overflowing from these very short rhymes.

Rhymes of two or four lines are given life and story and place with her amazing watercolours. Tiny background details allude to other poems in the book, or simply suggest endless alternative stories. Talking about the title poem and the cover jacket you will see what I mean. 

Hey diddle diddle… we’ve heard it before, we’ve see cute, cartoon illustrations of a cat playing a fiddle and the cow in the evening sky jumping a smiling crescent moon. Would you have thought to put a beautiful woman with long flowing hair playing a fiddle on a cat larger than a horse? No, probably not. But it’s beautiful in its concept and its execution. Then, to have that cat pulling a carriage which is decorated with an oversized clock which looks like it keeps some sort of celestial time and on which the ‘cow hand’ is about to overtake the ‘moon hand’ and the ‘dish’ and ‘spoon hands’ are ticking away ahead. Ooo, it gives me goosebumps. And that’s the cover image alone! Think of where the 62 pages of imagination and flights of fancy could lead you?

As for the collection of nursery rhymes goes, there is the perfect balance between well known ones, and those that are less familiar (or not at all), which, if you ask me, is perfect. It’s great to be introduced to something new while at the same time allowing for the pleasure of revisiting recognised favourites.

The Cat and The Fiddle, illustrated by Jackie Morris, is one of this year’s must haves for any shelf. Rhymes to share with the very young, pictures and possibilities to pore over with the not so young (I’m including myself here).

Immortals

A bit of background before you think I’m crazy for being desperate for rushing out to see Immortals.

Years ago I saw the movie ‘The Cell’ and thought it was really interesting. True, the acting wasn’t the best, and J-Lo and Vince Vaughn of all people? But that aside, the ideas behind it and the imagery in its finishing were fascinating.

Several years passed and my brother sent me a message saying ‘If you liked Pan’s Labyrinth, then you’ll probably like The Fall.’ As it happened, Pan’s Labyrinth was my favourite at the time, so I thought I’d check out ‘The Fall’. I’m not sure how he heard about it, because very few people I speak to, if any, have heard of it (It was never released in Australia either to the cinema or on DVD). When I saw it, I knew I had found gold. The Fall became (and remains) my all-time-favourite-movie (if you force me to pick just one).

A short time later I saw on IMDB that Tarsem Singh was working on something new. Sorry, to clarify: he directed both The Cell and The Fall but up until then hadn’t directed any other films. So news of a new one, and one based on Greek Mythology no less, was extremely exciting.

So, I have been waiting almost 3 years to actually see this from when I first heard of it. Unfortunately my excitement started waning when I saw the preview. It appeared he’d gone blockbuster/action. Still, I wanted to see it.

So, this week was the time! It had arrived here was an opportunity…

It was as I feared. “The producers of 300” (apparently a drawcard) had decided they wanted to make the same movie over again, but borrow some of Tarsem’s visionary genius to paint on top of it. Over the top action sequences that not only tried to glorify the blood that was literally free flowing like exploded water balloons, but attempted to make it somehow artistically beautiful as well. Semi-naked buff bodies filling up rooms like a ball pit, and a script that was predictable and unfulfilling.

It was ridiculous. Did I enjoy it? Yes, but I was still disappointed.  It was magnificently ridiculous and beautiful. I hope that sometime in the future Tarsem can find it in himself to make genuinely brilliant film like The Fall again, but if his next venture is anything to go by, it looks like a exponential decline.

I feel I need to mention how uncomfortably loud the cinema was, and how pointless and annoying the 3D aspect was. For an industry that wants to encourage movie patronage, they seem to be going out of their way to turn people off the cinema experience. I for one was just reminded how much I prefer to watch movies at home where I can control the volume and am not forced to pay extra to wear a 2^nd pair of glasses while watching a movie. (yes, I mean forced. I searched for a non-3D session in VMax and found I would have to drive for an hour and a half to see the one session a day in which that option was available.)

In summary, it’s possibly worth watching for the Tarsem shell they’ve encased it in, but do not be fooled that you will be seeing anything new, and know exactly what you’re signing up to.

I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

This was a selection for bookclub that I found myself thinking, ok, I’d never have picked it up myself, but I’ll give it a go. Generally speaking, vampire books don’t excite me and I’d seen the most recent movie so I wasn’t over enthusiastic about reading the book.

However, I’ve now learned that whoever made the movie must have read the blurb on the back of the book, thought ‘Great premise, I’m going to make a movie now’ and gone and written something completely different and called it the same title as the book. Unfair to the book if you ask me. As far as adaptations go, the film is appalling. Sure, it’s watchable if you’re in the mood for putting up with Will Smith basking in his ‘Will Smith-ness’ for much of it, but the book is an entirely different experience.

Robert Neville lives alone, trying to survive the nightly attacks from a seemingly endless supply of vampires. Could he be the last living human on the planet? Routine stifles despair, but loneliness is unceasing.

For a book that in effect has one character, I Am Legend is mightily engaging. It knows when to use an action sequence to draw you in, or develop the emotional story to make you feel more. It knows when to skip forward or back in time so weeks, months, years, don’t feel at all tedious. And the ending (which I will not spoil for you) is fascinating and makes you think about all you’ve read and what you would feel in the same situation. Don’t believe the movie version; it’s ridiculous Hollywood slop compared to what (I think) Matheson was trying to say with his book.

If you like anything vaguely apocalyptical then you'll like this one. It’s an enjoyable read that might make you think too. Nice choice for bookclub, particularly if like us, you watch the film adaptations afterwards to discuss further. 

Tensy Farlow And The Home For Mislaid Children by Jen Storer

It all started with judging a book by its cover. The jacket of Tensy Farlow really jumped out at me and got me intrigued. I somehow acquired a reading copy (I think I was working in a bookshop at the time) and I brought it home with every intention to read it. The only trouble was, I was bringing so many books home and then reading other things, or not having the time because of uni work that it soon got left behind.

So for two years this sad and sorry state continued. Every time I saw the eye-catching Tensy in a shop I would think to myself, I should read that, oh wait, I’ve got it at home…

Then a few weeks ago, I updated my book database (yes I’m that kind of nerd) so that the “Read it” option was actually representative of what I had read. It was at this point I discovered 45% of the 1100-odd books I currently own are sitting on my shelves, unread. I knew this needed to be rectified, so I implemented a new policy in my book acquisition: Focus on Picture Books until I have read more of the fiction I own. I have a habit of getting copies of books I like the look of (fiction, I mean) and then not reading them. This has got to stop. Admittedly, it’s predominately because I have so much reading for work and uni that personal selections tend to take a back seat.

However, the point of that whole story was to say that the first book I picked up on my quest to read what I own was Tensy Farlow and I’m really glad it was! If I enjoy half of what I’ve got left to read a fraction of how much I enjoyed Tensy, then I’m in for some good reading.

Tensy was not very much like I was expecting, (it’s hard to build legitimate expectations from cover alone) but it was so much better! Set in a more magical first half of the 20^th century, we are introduced to Guardian Angels and other less seemly creatures that occupy our world with us. The tale then follows Tensy who seems to have been born without a Guardian Angel and all of the problems that causes her, such as being abandoned at birth.

This book is filled with fantastic characters. From Albie Gribble, who finds the baby and becomes besotted and just wants to look after her, to Madam Pluckrose, the delightfully wicked matron of the Home for Mislaid Children who you just love to hate. Even the Angels each have such vivid and varied characters, Jen Storer certainly isn’t short of imagination, nor the skill to back it up.

When I reached the end, I had very mixed emotions, but not for the reasons you might guess. I discovered that it was a stand-alone title. Now, I think there should be more stand-alone titles and I kind of feel like every other book is in a series, as if the art of the genuinely good stand-alone is being lost. But at the same time, I really connected with the characters and the world in this book and wanted more of them. Hence, my mixed emotions. I love a good series, and I LOVE a stand-alone.

I loved Tensy Farlow.