Book Reviews

The Sisters of the Winter Wood by Rena Rossner // I’m…Sad

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Ashleigh

A story inspired by Jewish Mythology, Slavic Folklore and – to mix it up a bit – Christina Rosetti’s Goblin Market, this book follows two sisters who live a relatively comfortable life in their small village. At least, that is until their parents leave, a band of unknown men enter the village, and one of the sisters is cast under a spell. They soon find out their heritage holds magical secrets unknown, and all the fairy tales are true – and may just save them.

Sounds great, right?

Yeah, I thought so too.

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Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman // It’s “The Combo” Again…

Posted on June 25, 2019June 23, 2019 by Ashleigh

Goodreads

Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine. Really, she is. The fact that she lives alone, is seen as strange by everyone around her and probably relies a bit too much on alcohol doesn’t matter. She’s fine. Really…

This book is one that’s gotten an overwhelming mount of hype. It’s won awards, it was on everyone’s favourites lists of last year, and it slowly became one of those books that while it might not seem my cup of tea, I figured I’d try it nonetheless. Ignoring all the thoughts that said “this book is probably not for me”, I went ahead and gave it a go.

I should listen to myself more.

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Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier // It Needs A Revival

Posted on June 9, 2019May 28, 2019 by Ashleigh

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier - review image. Read for the book club Myth-Take Reads, The Six Swans retelling and Irish folklore

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A retelling of the fairy tale The Six Swans (alternatively known as The Twelve Brothers or other titles), Daughter of the Forest follows Sorcha and her six brothers. As close-knit as siblings can be, their lives are infused with a deep undercurrent of magic, and the small oddities of their childhood seem natural as anything. But things soon change when an enchantress enters their lives, and Sorcha’s brothers are transformed into swans. To break the curse, Sorcha must undertake a seemingly impossible task…and stay silent the entire time. make one noise, and all her work will be for nothing; the curse shall remain…

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The Wickerlight by Mary Watson // Please Give Me More

Posted on May 15, 2019May 14, 2019 by Ashleigh

Manuscript of The Wickerlight by Mary Watson, sequel to The Wren Hunt

Goodreads | Book Depository

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This in no way affects my opinion.

Following on from The Wren Hunt, The Wickerlight takes on a slightly different cast of characters, this time following David – one of the antagonists of The Wren Hunt – and Zara, a new character. Zara and her family move to Kilshamble in hopes of a new start, but merely 10 months into the move, Zara’s sister – Laila – is found dead. Weird thing is, there’s no apparent cause of death. By all tests and records, Laila was in perfect health…but she’s not. With no cause of death to be found, Zara starts digging, and the mystery soon turns a lot darker when she discovers Laila’s involvement with the local folklore…

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The Wren Hunt by Mary Watson // Deliciously Dark

Posted on May 11, 2019May 10, 2019 by Ashleigh

Goodreads | Book Depository

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This in no way affects my opinion.

Based on Irish mythology, The Wren Hunt follows Wren Silke as she’s chased through the woods every year as part of a warped game. If the people chasing her found out that she is an augur – someone who can read things in patterns – then the chase would become a lot more deadly. But Wren isn’t just being chased – she ends up on a hunt of her own as she sets out to find the answer to an ancient secret in or to save her family.

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The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins // The Complexity of Guilt

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Ashleigh

Goodreads | Book Depository

*I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for a review. This in no way affects my opinion.

It’s the 1800’s. A murder trial is taking place. Inside, a maid is accused of murdering her mistress. The mistress she loved…

Found sleeping next to the victim and covered in blood, it’s fairly easy to presume how Frannie came to be accused. But did things happen how they say they happen? Frannie takes the lead in this book, telling her life story and gradually leading us to the events she stands trial for.

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Feminists Don’t Wear Pink (And Other Lies) // Oh The Many Thoughts

Posted on March 4, 2019March 1, 2019 by Ashleigh

Goodreads | Book Depository

Picking up this book, I had high expectations. It became an event, with me buddy reading this with my friend Jess and setting time aside in my hectic uni reading schedule to make sure I read it.

And then…eh. I don’t know what happened. I have many, many thoughts.

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The Lost Man by Jane Harper // Blog Tour

Posted on February 11, 2019February 8, 2019 by Ashleigh

Goodreads | Book Depository

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. This in no way affects my opinion.

Could you survive the desert-land of Australia? For one family, their livelihood depends on it. But when one brother is found dead with no apparent evidence as to how he came to be here, questions are raised as to whether the entire family can really be trusted…

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Something Like Breathing by Angela Readman // Took My Breath Away

Posted on January 28, 2019January 24, 2019 by Ashleigh

Something Like Breathing by Angela Readman. Published by And Other Stories

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a free copy of this book. This in no way affects my opinion of the book.

Goodreads | Amazon

A story of friendship, teenage years and a town that’s probably too small for its own good, this book follows Lorrie, unimpressed as her family move to a remote Scottish island. Thround choice or through happenstance, she becomes friends with the girl next door, Sylvie. But it doesn’t take long for her to wonder who Sylvie really is, what gift she’s hiding. and if she wants to be friends with her after all…

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The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon // Everything I Didn’t Know I Wanted

Posted on January 16, 2019January 12, 2019 by Ashleigh

ARC of The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon, Bloomsbury

Goodreads | Book Depository

Everyone stay calm! I’m only reviewing my most anticipated read of the year. Cool cool cool. Yep. That’s happening.

Set in a crumbling Queendom and world plagued with draconic threats, The Priory of the Orange Tree follows numerous perspectives in this epic fantasy world. Seriously folks – this book could be in league with the likes of Game of Thrones and The Name of the Wind. Get on it.