Cruxim
By Karin Cox
Kindle Edition
Published
December 2012
by Indelible Ink Press
Thought you knew all there was to know about vampires and the creatures
that hunt them? Well think again, because if you haven't 'met' a Cruxim
or a Sphinx, well you have not fully 'lived' in the supernatural world.
'Cruxim' is one of the most original supernatural tales I have read
in a long, long while - and I have read a load of 'vampire, angel,
demon, fairy-filled' books. Add to this an outstanding cast of
characters, intense love-affairs, dramatic scenes, historic places, and a
story based on extremely well-researched mythological facts - and you
most certainly have the next big thing in this well-loved genre.
Karin has a beautiful and effortless way with words - her
descriptions are breathtaking, her characterisations are dimensional,
her plot is flawless. Believe me, when you delve into the magical world
she has created, you will not be disappointed - only so much in that you
will need to wait for her to finish the next book in the series!
"Amedeo is Cruxim — an
immortal dark angel who knows neither his purpose, nor his past, save
but to feed on the supernatural beings that plague the earth. When his
one weakness, the girl and novice nun Josette, is taken and turned by
his enemies, Amedeo vows never to rest until evil is expunged from his
world — even if that means killing Josette along with her vampire
brethren.
On his quest, he meets Sabine: a guardian. Half-woman,
half-lioness, she is a Sphinx who has been protecting humans from
vampires since the dawn of time. But when she fails in her task of
protecting a young boy, she is relentlessly pursued by her evil
employer, Dr. Claus Gandler, a scientist collecting a sideshow of
freaks.
A gothic paranormal that explores the beast within amid a
setting of mythology and forbidden love, Cruxim's dark world and
conflicted characters are the antithesis of the sparkly vampire genre."
Let 'Cruxim' take you an all-consuming adventure you will not want to tear yourself away from...
Available now on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AX00912/ref=tag_dpp_yt_edpp_rt#tags
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Monday, December 19, 2011
Prepare to be Slapped...
The Slap
By Christos Tsiolkas
ISBN: 9781848877993
Allen and Unwin
4 1/2 out of 5 Stars
Audience recommendation: Not for the faint-hearted. This is an intense, emotive read dealing with subject matter that forces you to acknowledge that humans are not so perfect or nice all the time!
I chose The Slap as my bookclub’s book and it certainly was a fantastic book to discuss. As it so happened, my colleague and I read it around the same time, so each lunch hour I was eagerly reading it and then we would discuss the story as it unfolded. And this was a story that certainly got us talking. One of my concerns in writing this review was that I had so much to talk about - I have tried to streamline my thinking and discuss the points that impressed or disappointed me the most.
Now...let’s see...disappointed me, um, well, thinking, thinking...nope can’t actually come up with anything too disappointing (except for a few too many masturbation scenes)!
I had to agree with my colleague – it seems that readers either love it or hate it. I definitely sit on the ‘love it’ side of the fence and can understand why it has won numerous awards and caused so many people to form some pretty strong opinions about it.
Most people who don’t like the story say that they don’t like the characters, thinking they are just a bunch of rude, beer-swigging, swearing, sex-crazed ‘Australians’. And sure, the characters aren't likeable, and yes the story depicts Australians in an unflattering light. But I actually think that these types of characters could be anyone from anywhere.
I actually appreciated the fact that the characters weren’t likeable because each character is complex, realistic and dimensional. They are not sugar coated, sickly sweet and totally unbelievable. I didn’t feel it necessary to ‘like’ the characters, I wanted to be challenged by them and drawn to read about them – and this I most certainly was.
The story is simple – friends are gathered at a BBQ and a little boy is slapped, but not by his parents. How the parents, friends and man who slapped the child react and deal with this is the obvious focus of the plot but because each chapter is told from a particular character’s point of view (so 8 characters), the reader gets to really delve into the thoughts and issues that plague these characters.
I was at times a bit overwhelmed by the extreme level of some character’s thoughts and actions and as I mentioned earlier, I didn’t ‘like’ any of them. To me they were characters that needed a bit of a slap themselves. However, they all had problems as a result of some deeper issue, they were all just trying to muddle through life.
I felt sorry for some, I really hated one, I was annoyed by them but it was these emotions that confirm the fact that Christo Tsiolkas is a very clever writer. Tsiolkas demonstrates that people have reasons for doing things - not necessarily excuses for their wrongs - but there are always two sides to any story. He also forces the reader to accept that humans are crazy, silly, stupid, pathetic, selfish and spiteful at times – we are far from perfect. Tsiolkas also successfully creates some very interesting relationships between the characters, which to me seemed so realistic and intricate.
The Slap is a book that pushes the reader past some emotional boundaries while studying many aspects of humans, their relationships and society. It is not a ‘nice’ read or one that I would recommend taking on your Christmas holiday – but if you are eager to be challenged and are prepared for the intensity of it – this is a brilliant read, one of the best stories I have read in a while.
ISBN: 9781848877993
Allen and Unwin
4 1/2 out of 5 Stars
Audience recommendation: Not for the faint-hearted. This is an intense, emotive read dealing with subject matter that forces you to acknowledge that humans are not so perfect or nice all the time!
I chose The Slap as my bookclub’s book and it certainly was a fantastic book to discuss. As it so happened, my colleague and I read it around the same time, so each lunch hour I was eagerly reading it and then we would discuss the story as it unfolded. And this was a story that certainly got us talking. One of my concerns in writing this review was that I had so much to talk about - I have tried to streamline my thinking and discuss the points that impressed or disappointed me the most.
Now...let’s see...disappointed me, um, well, thinking, thinking...nope can’t actually come up with anything too disappointing (except for a few too many masturbation scenes)!
I had to agree with my colleague – it seems that readers either love it or hate it. I definitely sit on the ‘love it’ side of the fence and can understand why it has won numerous awards and caused so many people to form some pretty strong opinions about it.
Most people who don’t like the story say that they don’t like the characters, thinking they are just a bunch of rude, beer-swigging, swearing, sex-crazed ‘Australians’. And sure, the characters aren't likeable, and yes the story depicts Australians in an unflattering light. But I actually think that these types of characters could be anyone from anywhere.
I actually appreciated the fact that the characters weren’t likeable because each character is complex, realistic and dimensional. They are not sugar coated, sickly sweet and totally unbelievable. I didn’t feel it necessary to ‘like’ the characters, I wanted to be challenged by them and drawn to read about them – and this I most certainly was.
The story is simple – friends are gathered at a BBQ and a little boy is slapped, but not by his parents. How the parents, friends and man who slapped the child react and deal with this is the obvious focus of the plot but because each chapter is told from a particular character’s point of view (so 8 characters), the reader gets to really delve into the thoughts and issues that plague these characters.
I was at times a bit overwhelmed by the extreme level of some character’s thoughts and actions and as I mentioned earlier, I didn’t ‘like’ any of them. To me they were characters that needed a bit of a slap themselves. However, they all had problems as a result of some deeper issue, they were all just trying to muddle through life.
I felt sorry for some, I really hated one, I was annoyed by them but it was these emotions that confirm the fact that Christo Tsiolkas is a very clever writer. Tsiolkas demonstrates that people have reasons for doing things - not necessarily excuses for their wrongs - but there are always two sides to any story. He also forces the reader to accept that humans are crazy, silly, stupid, pathetic, selfish and spiteful at times – we are far from perfect. Tsiolkas also successfully creates some very interesting relationships between the characters, which to me seemed so realistic and intricate.
The Slap is a book that pushes the reader past some emotional boundaries while studying many aspects of humans, their relationships and society. It is not a ‘nice’ read or one that I would recommend taking on your Christmas holiday – but if you are eager to be challenged and are prepared for the intensity of it – this is a brilliant read, one of the best stories I have read in a while.
Monday, December 5, 2011
New reviewer for the WLC team!!!
I am very excited and proud to be chosen as a reviewer for the WoMen's Literary Cafe! I will be given the privileged of reviewing various books written by some outstanding authors and hopefully help bring readers and authors togethers. Check out this fantastic opportunity at WoMen's Literary Cafe
Friday, December 2, 2011
Looking for something rare...
For my fellow booklovers who are looking for a special rare or second hand book...head to this fantastic online bookstore!
Reading Habit Second Hand Books Online Bookstore
Here you will find over 40,000 fiction and non-fiction titles that include collectible, antiquarian and rare books, for really great prices!
I have also joined their community so that I always know what little gems they have on offer.
It is a great shop and a wonderful community - perfect for all us lovers of all things 'books' (no matter how old or rare they may be, we love them all!)
Reading Habit Second Hand Books Online Bookstore
Here you will find over 40,000 fiction and non-fiction titles that include collectible, antiquarian and rare books, for really great prices!
I have also joined their community so that I always know what little gems they have on offer.
It is a great shop and a wonderful community - perfect for all us lovers of all things 'books' (no matter how old or rare they may be, we love them all!)
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Fellow booklovers!
Check out the:
2011 Goodreads Choice Awards Widget: Favorite Book of 2011
Have fun casting your vote for all your favourite titles this year.
It will be very interesting to see the winners, so stay tunned.
Goodreads is really the place to be to talk about all things books.
www.goodreads.com
Enjoy :)
2011 Goodreads Choice Awards Widget: Favorite Book of 2011
Have fun casting your vote for all your favourite titles this year.
It will be very interesting to see the winners, so stay tunned.
Goodreads is really the place to be to talk about all things books.
www.goodreads.com
Enjoy :)
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
The Siren's Sting
By Miranda Darling
ISBN: 9781741759204
Allen and Unwin (uncorrected proof copy – Thanks A&U, really appreciate the review copy!!)
3 out of 5 Stars
Audience recommendation: Lovers of thrilling tales with a strong female lead character and set in exotic places. Nice easy ‘holiday’ read!
If you are looking for a great book to take with you on a holiday, and enjoy a good thriller with a strong female lead character – this is the one for you!
I should have held off on reading this book and taken it with me on my journey through Europe (heading off soon – YIP YAH). It is a good read while sitting in a boring airport or on a long flight because your imagination certainly gets to go on a fantastic trip around the world!
Blurb:
“Stevie Duveen exploded onto the pages of Miranda Darling’s thrilling debut novel The Troika Dolls, taking on the Russian mafia and putting herself in terrible jeopardy in the process. Now Stevie is back at her discreet and dangerous best as the minder of the world’s greatest – and most temperamental - opera star and the terrified wife of a shipping tycoon whose son has been kidnapped.
The action swings from Sardinia in summer to diva season in Venice and to the billionaires’ playgrounds of Morocco and the Mediterranean as Somali pirates target and stalk cruising mega-yachts and their impossibly rich and glamourous passengers. With her mentor and boss David Rice seriously ill and his business in peril, Stevie must find who is behind the pirate attacks and why they will stop at nothing to bring down all she holds dear. As she poses as just another party girl on the lookout for a loaded husband, Stevie plays a deadly double game to detect – and destroy – the very heart of evil.”
Review:
This book has several positives - firstly, the exotic destinations that the main character, Stevie Duveen, gets to go to are beautifully brought to life thanks to the author’s skill at travel writing.
Secondly, I am always a fan of a tale where the female character is strong, independent, intelligent and can kick butt if need be!
And thirdly, there is nothing like a good old spy thriller novel to take your imagination away from the norm of reality!
Mind you, I must admit that I was a little more interested in Darling’s descriptions of the exotic locations the story is set – rather than care too much about who was behind the pirate attacks. I think that is simply due to my love of travel and my eagerness to learn about other countries, rather than her writing. I have not read Darling’s first novel The Troika Dolls, so I did not fully understand some of the mentions of Stevie’s tales in Russia, however it didn’t hinder the overall enjoyment of this novel and it can be read as a stand alone book.
Overall I did enjoy the story of Stevie Duveen and her jaunts around Morocco, the Mediterranean and Venice while she tries to uncover who is behind pirate attacks on the high seas. I like how Darling has created a female character that is petite, loveable and independent - she is not a ‘spy’ but a risk assessor who just manages to go above and beyond her role because she is a decent and caring person.
Reading The Siren’s Sting was a great way to spend my lunch breaks at work! Throw into the tale some relationship highs and lows, a behind-the-scenes look at how the exceedingly wealthy live, and some characters that would make your blood boil - and you have an entertaining, adventurous read that stars a well-developed and dimensional character that, as I agree with others, 'is the female James Bond'!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The Passage
The Passage
By Justin Cronin
ISBN: 9780752883304
Orion Books Ltd
3 out of 5 STARS
Audience recommendation: Lovers of apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic thrillers
I finally finished the massive book that is The Passage by Justin Cronin – and what a mammoth and mostly at times rewarding read.
For those who have not heard about this tale – check out this link from Goodreads The Passage reviews .
I must admit that when I first saw this novel I was a little unsure as to whether I would tackle it. The blurb on the back was enticing and I am a fan of the good-old vampire tale (especially one that is a little different from the vampire norm) but the 963 pages did seem a little overwhelming.
So as per usual, I jumped onto the Goodreads website and read through some of the reviews - finally deciding to jump right in and give it a go. And...I am glad I did.
Sure, I won’t rave about this book to others but there are aspects about it that I really did enjoy. It is the perfect read for those who want to see the world under the strain of a ‘virus’ and imagine how humans would cope with this and life in a post-apocalyptic world. It is a basic plot that has been well used, but I think the way Cronin has created this particular thrilling ‘virus tale’ is at times original and should be commended.
On reading the reviews I found that many people thought the 1st third or so of the book was great and the last two thirds really slowed down and became more difficult to read. However, what I found was that the beginning was a little bit too confusing and disjointed. I didn’t actually really begin to grasp the tale, care for the characters, or “want” to read about them until the third story - ‘The Last City’’.
I found the set up of the story a bit frustrating. Readers are introduced to a character, grow to understand that character a little bit more and want to know more but then the story quickly changed to another character. The character's tales seemed to switch back and forth between them all a little bit too abruptly. So many characters to learn about, so many names to remember – on reflection, I think I got a bit confused as to who was what and who did what and what was the aim of all the characters! And at times I couldn’t clearly understand what was going on. This abruptness did help set up the pace of the story however, and it did accentuate the emotions of the character's tensions and anxieties. It successfully made me yearn to know what the hell was going on. I think I was just so eager to find out what was going to happen that when the change in the tale occurred, I was so relieved to finally know the result of it all. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the changes to the world and how everything eventuated. For some reason I cared much more about these characters and their plights.
This story is imaginative, adventurous, thrilling, mystical, horrific, terrifying...it certainly has a LOT going on and all of these elements do work in its favour most of the time. If you are in two minds about giving it a go, I say just jump on in...if you like apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic tales you are in for a real treat – The Passage is all this with an interesting, original twist.
I also felt the ending was extremely clever, it subtly tells readers there is more to come and makes them eagerly await it, nicely done Cronin!
By Justin CroninISBN: 9780752883304
Orion Books Ltd
3 out of 5 STARS
Audience recommendation: Lovers of apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic thrillers
I finally finished the massive book that is The Passage by Justin Cronin – and what a mammoth and mostly at times rewarding read.
For those who have not heard about this tale – check out this link from Goodreads The Passage reviews .
I must admit that when I first saw this novel I was a little unsure as to whether I would tackle it. The blurb on the back was enticing and I am a fan of the good-old vampire tale (especially one that is a little different from the vampire norm) but the 963 pages did seem a little overwhelming.
So as per usual, I jumped onto the Goodreads website and read through some of the reviews - finally deciding to jump right in and give it a go. And...I am glad I did.
Sure, I won’t rave about this book to others but there are aspects about it that I really did enjoy. It is the perfect read for those who want to see the world under the strain of a ‘virus’ and imagine how humans would cope with this and life in a post-apocalyptic world. It is a basic plot that has been well used, but I think the way Cronin has created this particular thrilling ‘virus tale’ is at times original and should be commended.
On reading the reviews I found that many people thought the 1st third or so of the book was great and the last two thirds really slowed down and became more difficult to read. However, what I found was that the beginning was a little bit too confusing and disjointed. I didn’t actually really begin to grasp the tale, care for the characters, or “want” to read about them until the third story - ‘The Last City’’.
I found the set up of the story a bit frustrating. Readers are introduced to a character, grow to understand that character a little bit more and want to know more but then the story quickly changed to another character. The character's tales seemed to switch back and forth between them all a little bit too abruptly. So many characters to learn about, so many names to remember – on reflection, I think I got a bit confused as to who was what and who did what and what was the aim of all the characters! And at times I couldn’t clearly understand what was going on. This abruptness did help set up the pace of the story however, and it did accentuate the emotions of the character's tensions and anxieties. It successfully made me yearn to know what the hell was going on. I think I was just so eager to find out what was going to happen that when the change in the tale occurred, I was so relieved to finally know the result of it all. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the changes to the world and how everything eventuated. For some reason I cared much more about these characters and their plights.
This story is imaginative, adventurous, thrilling, mystical, horrific, terrifying...it certainly has a LOT going on and all of these elements do work in its favour most of the time. If you are in two minds about giving it a go, I say just jump on in...if you like apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic tales you are in for a real treat – The Passage is all this with an interesting, original twist.
I also felt the ending was extremely clever, it subtly tells readers there is more to come and makes them eagerly await it, nicely done Cronin!
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