Wondrous Words and Can’t Wait Wednesday : Mastermind: The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig
Every Wednesday I take part in Can’t Wait Wednesday, I’m also hoping to take part in a new meme being hosted by Elza Reads called Wondrous Words Wednesday. I’ll be combining these into the same posts as they’re both short and sweet.
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is :The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig.
A family returns to their hometown—and to the dark past that haunts them still—in this masterpiece of literary horror by the New York Times bestselling author of Wanderers
Long ago, Nathan lived in a house in the country with his abusive father—and has never told his family what happened there.
Long ago, Maddie was a little girl making dolls in her bedroom when she saw something she shouldn’t have—and is trying to remember that lost trauma by making haunting sculptures.
Long ago, something sinister, something hungry, walked in the tunnels and the mountains and the coal mines of their hometown in rural Pennsylvania.
Now, Nate and Maddie Graves are married, and they have moved back to their hometown with their son, Oliver.
And now what happened long ago is happening again . . . and it is happening to Oliver. He meets a strange boy who becomes his best friend, a boy with secrets of his own and a taste for dark magic.
This dark magic puts them at the heart of a battle of good versus evil and a fight for the soul of the family—and perhaps for all of the world. But the Graves family has a secret weapon in this battle: their love for one another
Expected Publication July 2021
This meme was first created by Kathy over at Bermuda Onion Blog and has now been adopted by Elza Reads.
Wondrous Words Wednesday is a weekly meme where you can share new words that you’ve encountered, or spotlight words you love.
No rules just enjoy and for further info check out Elza Reads.
My word this week is :
ANATHEMA
Anathema, in common usage, is something that or someone who is detested or shunned. In its other main usage, it is a formal excommunication.[1][2][3] The latter meaning, its ecclesiastical sense, is based on New Testament usage. In the Old Testament, anathema was a creature or object set apart for sacrificial offering and thus removed from ordinary use and destined instead for destruction.[4]
This is one of those words that I always mistake somehow and always have to look it up. I have a mental block on the meaning for this one so kind of hoping that by highlighting it today the definition might actually ‘stick’ in my tiny little brain.
Anyway, this is the book that inspired the thought process:
All The Murmuring Bones by AG Slatter
My Five Word TL:DR Review : A dark fairytale, beautifully written
Before I really get into this review I would say this one thing : keep your expectations in control before you pick this one up. As mentioned above, this is a dark fairytale, a world where creatures exist and bargains can be struck. It’s beautifully written and maybe even a little purple in places which I realise won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. As it happens, I enjoyed the writing very much, I loved the fairytale elements and I was interested in the O’Malleys and their dire family history. However, fast paced this isn’t, It can be a little predictable in places although then by way of contrast can be equally surprising in others, and if you’re expecting a story that takes you into the realm of the merfolk then you might want to adjust your expectations. Merfolk exist here, and we catch glimpses of them, particularly as they have a keen interest in the main character, but they’re more an aside or driver of plot than a central focus.
I won’t overly dwell on the plot. The story revolves around Miren and her struggles to break free of others expectations. The O’Malley’s have long held wealth and power, it is believed that long ago they struck a deal which helped them to succeed where others could not. Their seafaring exploits remained untouched by stormy waters and their coffers overflowed. The family prospered. But, all was not as blissful as it seemed on the surface as these concessions must ultimately be paid for. Eventually, one of the O’Malley’s was going to rebel at the price to be paid and slowly but surely their success would gradually drain away.
Miren is the last in line of the ‘O’Malleys and her grandmother has big plans for her to restore their fortunes. Whether or not these plans are agreeable to Miren is of no consequence whatsoever – except of course, Miren doesn’t like the plans and doesn’t intend to be the sacrificial lamb.
What I really enjoyed here. The darkness. This is not a Disney fairytale by any stroke of the imagination. The O’Malley’s are a cruel family mostly. The deal they struck has definitely not brought out the best in them. Arrogant, selfish, cold and calculating this is a family where ‘every man and woman for themselves’ could conceivably be their motto. Miren herself can come across as single minded and quite ruthless when the need arises and I admit that it can take a little while to warm to her and yet I did get on board with her plan to escape.
I think the author has written a story that is incredibly evocative. This is a world of vivid storms and unexplained things, kelpies, merfolk and witchcraft to name but a few. There are ghosts and poppets, wise women and intent and, in the way of all fairytales an eventual resolution of sorts.
We find ourselves with not one, but two gothic style mansions. One on the edge of the sea with secret caves, forgotten gardens and a crumbling interior. The other secreted behind a thick hedge that hides a sleepy little village within its borders and a dark secret in it’s cellar. I enjoyed both settings although I was a little thrown at first when we seemed to go from the frying pan into the fire. But I won’t say more about that at this point.
In terms of characters. Miren is really the main focus. Obviously there are peripheral characters but Miren really does take centre stage. Is this a character that you will love? She is undoubtedly painted in various shades of grey and she takes some surprising action on occasion. Be warned, if you’re expecting a tale of women helping each other out you won’t necessarily find it here. Miren has to fend for herself, although she does make a few friendships here and there, and a good portion of the other characters are very much self serving individuals – and that includes both male and female.
In terms of criticisms. I felt that this got off to a really good start and I was immediately intrigued by the O’Malleys and their history. The house is a place of secrets and lies and murmuring skeletons in closets. At this point the tale does move very quickly. I would say that the pace slows a little in the middle whilst Miren seems to enjoy a brief respite from family pressure and then the pace picks up again towards the end. I would also reinforce that a lot of the characters here are not pleasant but for me, this reinforces the fairytale feel of it all.
Overall I enjoyed this. I loved the inclusion of all the short stories that helped to reinforce the sense of ‘fairytale’, the writing was lovely and it was wonderfully dark.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4 of 5 stars
New Endeavour: Around the Discworld (in 41 months)
8 March 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Around the Discworld in 41 months, Lou's Book Stuff, Terry Pratchett, The Colour of Magic
For some time I’ve wanted to read all the Discworld books in order. I’ve read a few already from the Tiffany Aching series but never quite gathered the momentum to start the series from the beginning and work my way through the lot (in spite of lots of blogger friends recommending their personal favourites). Then I got talking to a fellow blogger, Louise over at Lou’s Book Stuff (be sure to check out her lovely blog) and, likewise, she also wants to work her way around the Discworld. So, we came up with a plan to nudge ourselves in the right direction and also to encourage each other to go adventuring and so ‘Around the Discworld in 41 Months’ was born. As titles go, it’s a little bit of a mouthful but at the same time it feels oddly ‘Pratchett-appropriate’.
Unlike Phileas Fogg we’re not attempting to travel the Discworld at breakneck speed, instead, like the turtle above, this is going to be a very chilled, none-challenge like endeavour. I find over ambitious plans usually take the route of failure on my part, and sometimes life has other plans for us, so we’re only intending to read one book a month and yes that does mean it’s going to be a rather long trip. So, we’ve packed our trunks and worked out a travel plan.
Starting on the 1st April we’re going to pick up one book a month until the series is complete. The aim is to review each book towards the end of the month and compare our thoughts. Very simple, no stress. We’re planning on reading the series in chronological order rather than by theme because we want to discover the world in the same way Pratchett wrote it. If, like us, this is a journey you’ve always fancied making but kept putting off, and you want to join in, then all are most welcome.
The first book in the series is The Colour of Magic and here’s the description together with one of the many available covers:
Somewhere on the frontier between thought and reality exists the Discworld, a parallel time and place which might sound and smell like our own, but which looks completely different. Particularly as it’s carried through space on the back of a giant turtle (sex unknown).
If you’re new to the Discworld don’t worry, you’re not alone . . . Twoflower is the Discworld’s first tourist, he’s exceptionally naive and about to get himself into an array of dangerous and fantastical situations on his travels.
And if that didn’t sound fateful enough, it’s the spectacularly inept wizard, Rincewind who is charged with safely chaperoning Twoflower and his Luggage (a walking suitcase that has half a mind of its own and a homicidal attitude to anything threatening) during his visit.
Safe to say chaos ensues…
The Discworld novels can be read in any order but The Colour of Magic is the first Discworld book. It is also the starting point in the Wizards collection, followed by The Light Fantastic.
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
7 March 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Booking Ahead, Caffeinated Reviewer, Weekly wrap up
I’m trying to get back into the habit of doing a round-up of the week just completed and also take a look at my plans for the forthcoming week. I rather got out of the habit of doing this last year but I would like to reinstate this type of post as I feel it keeps me on track. So, I’m linking up to The Sunday Post over at Kimberly’s Caffeinated Reviewer. Without further ado:
Last week
Not a lot to report this week. The Dude is completely well and happy. The decorating finished and the house put back into some sort of order. We also had a couple of nice days which encouraged a flush of gardening. In bookish news. I’ve read three books this week. A Wind from the Wilderness by Suzannah Rowntree which was my fifth SPFBO book, this reads like historical fiction with very subtle fantasy elements, the writing is very good and the author does a great job of bringing the world to life. I also read the second in the Others series – Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop. This was an enjoyable read and I will definitely continue with the series. My third book was All the Murmuring Bones by AG Slatter. My review will follow shortly. I enjoyed this. A family with a long history of secrets, gothic setting and merfolk waiting for their due.
Next Week
This week I’m hoping to read a couple more books from my March ARCs – hopefully The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward and The Unbroken by CL Clark. I’ll also be continuing with the Black Song which I am enjoying even if it’s taking me a little while – probably because I keep putting it down and don’t give myself enough time to form a solid attachment.
Reviews Posted since last Sunday:
- Witherward (Witherward #1) by Hannah Matthewson
- We Lie with Death (The Reborn Empire #2) by Devin Madson
- A Wind from the Wilderness (Watchers of Outremer #1) by Suzannah Rowntree
Forthcoming Reviews:
- Children by Bjorn Larssen
- Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop
- All the Murmuring Bones by AG Slatter
What’ve you been up to the past week
#SPFBO Review (5): A Wind from the Wilderness (Watchers of Outremer #1) by Suzannah Rowntree
6 March 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: A Wind from the Wilderness, SPFBO, Suzannah Rowntree
300 books 10 Judges 1 winner
The 1st of June marked the start of the sixth Self Published Fantasy Blog Off (details here.) My Introductory post is here. Stage 1 is now complete and the finalists can be found here. My previous four book reviews can be found here, here, here and here. Today I am reviewing my fifth finalist.
A Wind from the Wilderness is the finalist put forward by the Fantasy Hive and their review can be found here.
I have very mixed feelings for this book which can be loosely summed up as : incredible respect for the historical depiction of a fascinating period, a love of the author’s prose, an almost wonderfully unsettling feeling of quite literally being swept into a period so thoroughly that it sometimes felt like I was witnessing the scenes in person, standing bewildered as battles took place around me and yet, even with all that incredible imagery and impressive attention to the period, I was unable to really connect with the central character and I had a frustrating feeling, even after finishing, that I was missing something fundamental. So, mixed feelings.
AWftW reads like historical fiction with very light fantasy elements – which although a little on the skimpy side did feel pertinent to the period. There’s almost a biblical feel to the whole thing that makes me think of brooding skies and smiting! However, I cannot deny that the start of the book gave me expectations that there would be more sorcery involved when one of our main characters is thrown forward in time. As it is, the fantasy elements are indeed subtle. There’s a feeling throughout of events being slightly manipulated by a dark presence that haunts the crusades, one of the characters is driven by prophecy and the final chapters give a promise of darker things yet to come.
Lukas Bessarion is the main character and the one who finds himself thrown forward in time almost 400 years. For the most part Lukas is trying to return to his family and mindful of that need finds himself marching towards Jerusalem with the allied forces. He becomes attached to a young woman known as Ayla who is also on her own particular quest. Ayla seeks revenge for the death of her father. The two form an unlikely attraction, both keeping secrets that would make them natural enemies. The third character is Raymond St Gilles, a knight of the crusades whose inclusion gives us a means of following the crusade as the allied forces move slowly forward, battling and strategising.
I will admit that I’m not an expert on this period of history, that being said I really don’t think you need to be because the author has clearly researched this particular period very thoroughly and the story comes across as very well grounded. The infighting, petty jealousies and difficulties in simply moving such a large contingent, from A to B, really come across well. There are frustrating times where battles feel on the brink of disaster simply because forces that should be working together are pulling in opposite directions due to lack of true commitment to each other and then added to this is this dark element that seems to stalk the battlefields causing misery and despair. All told I think Rowntree has done a remarkable job of bringing this particular period to life and giving a fictional account of events that feels like a plausible account
The plot is perhaps something that I felt a little puzzled about. Lukas is the clear focus for the story and we know that he has a strategy to move forward towards Jerusalem. This part of the story felt a little loose for me, I didn’t really have a real grip on how Lukas expected to make changes or find a way back to his family – any more than he did to be honest, which is probably why it felt perplexing. Even as the story ended I’m not sure how Lukas’s story will ever come to a conclusion, I expect that might be part of the bigger plan for the series but even with that in mind I felt like I was missing something somehow.
As I mentioned the writing is really good. The author does a fantastic job of creating a sense of place and time and really bringing events to life – but, I felt like the pacing was slow and I think that links into the slightly floundering feeling that I mentioned above in respect to the plot. In fairness, the start was intriguing and I really enjoyed meeting Ayla. She’s a character that stole the show a little for me in fact I found myself looking forward to the chapters in which she appeared. It’s difficult to put my finger on what slowed this down for me, again I think it boils down to puzzlement about where things were headed which left me at certain points feeling like this was more a historical recounting than anything else.
In terms of criticisms. Well, I mentioned that this feels more like historical fiction with a loose scattering of fantasy. To be honest that wasn’t particular an issue for me as I like this type of read and I thought the fantasy elements fit well with the story told here. I think my main problem is that I didn’t really connect with the characters. I didn’t really buy into the romance and think I would have preferred this to remain a friendship, and the ending was very bitter sweet – which is a little ironic as the author makes quite clear early on about the direction that one of the characters is going in – so really it shouldn’t be unexpected – and yet I did find myself unpleasantly surprised. I also had issues with the pacing at stages which left me conflicted because I was enjoying the way the author told the story but at the same time was finding certain chapters very slow to get through.
Overall, my feelings remain mixed ont this. On the one hand I’m not sure I’m giving the book all the credit it’s due with this review which feels confused or conflicted at best. On the other hand, although I loved the way the author writes and think she’s done an incredible job in many respects I still remain very detached in terms of the main character and this gives me a lot of difficulty in terms of scoring this one.
After much internal debate I would rate this as a 7 out of 10.
My thanks to the author for a copy for review. The above is my own opinion.
Books and travelling with Lynn 