Days of Blood and Starlight – Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy #2)
2012, Hachette H&S Fiction
528 pages
RRP: AU$19.99
ISBN: 9781444722680
Reviewed by Kate Smith
(warning – contains spoilers for the first book in the series, Daughter of Smoke and Bone)
Daughter of Smoke and Bone – Laini Taylor
2012, Hachette Hodder
448 pages
RRP: AU$14.95
ISBN: 9781444722659
Reviewed by Kate Smith
I hate it when this happens. While there was really no way to finish the story in a single book, and I’m really glad that Taylor didn’t try to do so, I hate having to wait for the next part of the story. However, looking on the positive side of matters, my wait for the continuing story allows me to go back and read again to see how people and events fit together having the knowledge gained by the end of the novel.
The Fallen Blade – Jon Courtenay Grimwood (Assassini #1)
2011, Hachette Orbit
432 pages
RRP: AU$29.99
ISBN: 9781841498454
Reviewed by Kate Smith
On picking up the book and reading the blurb on the back, I was immediately interested. The combination of what appeared to be a period political thriller combined with supernatural elements appeared very promising, and I began reading with relatively high expectations. Unfortunately, for me, this hope was not met.
The Workers’ Paradise – Russell B. Farr and Nick Evans (editors)
2007, Ticonderoga Publications
224 pages
RRP: AU$20
ISBN: 978-0-9586856-7-2
Reviewed by Kate Smith
Australia is still a relatively new nation and principles that existed in the beginning, such as workers’ rights and conditions, are still very important. However they have changed and will continue to, particularly considering the current world economic environment. Such an important concept of the worker in Australia’s future is an important one and is not only intriguing but also appropriate to consider.
The Dragon with the Girl Tattoo – Adam Roberts
Hachette Gollancz, 2010
320 pages
RRP: AU$17.99
ISBN: 9780575103726
Review by Kate Smith
Firstly I must admit ignorance of the story of which the title is based. I did consider reading the book in question however this did not occur. This means that I cannot comment on the cleverness or accuracy of any parody that may exist in term of that text. What I can say is that The Dragon with the Girl Tattoo is a smooth and amusing read, perfect for a lazy afternoon in the sunshine.
The Quantum Thief – Hannu Rajaniemi
Hachette Gollancz, 2010
336 pages
RRP: AU$32.99
ISBN: 9780575088887
Reviewed by Kate Smith
This was an interesting choice for me as I don’t usually go for science fiction. Intrigued enough to give it a go, I was not disappointed. The first thirty pages or so needed to be slogged through as the story was given its foundation but hang in there as the tale definitely gets more engaging.
The Traitor’s Gate – Sarah Silverwood (Nowhere Chronicles #2)
Hachette Gollancz, 2011
352 pages
RRP: AU$22.99
ISBN: 9780575095809
Reviewed by Kate Smith
I was very happy to have this book offered to me as I enjoyed the first part to The Nowhere Chronicles in The Double-Edged Sword. However, The Traitor’s Gate is a much darker story, and it gets darker very quickly. In fact it is a very typical second part of a three part story – the introduction with hope, the darkest hour, and (one hopes) the dawn and resolution. This particular darkest hour is very dark indeed, with everything that can go badly for the hero, going totally badly. This does not make it the easy and happy read that the first part of the tale was, but it does allow for character and plot development. Silverwood constructs her story well with pieces of the unknown past coming together smoothly but the twists and turns of the tale are not entirely unexpected. The fact that there are no true surprises or shocks with developing events does not, however, detract from the enjoyment of the tale.
The Name of the Wind – Patrick Rothfuss
Hachette Gollancz, 2008
672 pages
RRP: AU$24.99
ISBN: 9780575081406
Reviewed by Kate Smith
It was the back of the second book in this series, The Wise Man’s Fear, that caught my attention to begin with: a blurb on the basis of which I tracked down the first part of the tale so I could get the full story (as I always prefer to do). As a frequent reader of this genre, I was interested but not desperately as I have often been let down by a blurb before. Not desperately interested, that is, until I started reading.
More Scary Kisses – Liz Grzyb (ed)
Ticonderoga Publications, 2011
260 pages
RRP: AU$25
ISBN: 978-0-9807813-2-8
Reviewed by Kate Smith
Having absolutely loved Scary Kisses, I approached More Scary Kisses with both anticipation and apprehension. Scary Kisses was such a wonderful combination of stories, such a different take on the world, snapshots of lives from a different perspective. Hence my apprehension. However I was assured by a friend that More Scary Kisses would not let me down. That friend was absolutely correct.
The Double-Edged Sword – Sarah Silverwood (Nowhere Chronicles #1)
Hachette Gollancz, 2010
352 pages
RRP: AU$22.99
ISBN: 9780575095793
Reviewed by Kate Smith
I have never been one to avoid books because of their targeted age range. I have come across both shockers and brilliant stories in all ages ranges, and The Double-Edged Sword lies far closer to the positive end of the spectrum, despite not being primarily targeted to an adult audience.
