Category: Reading Adventures

What a month

September 4th, 2023
WOW!

What a month it’s been indeed.

I could list them all out with the ticking off of fingers, and to be fair that’s not a bad way to sum things up (see ticking list below)
- Birthday
- Book Release of The Void
- Solo Writing Retreat
- Booked a booth for Brisbane Pride Day 2023 (September 23rd come on down)
- Launched my Patreon page
- Got my online shop up and running.
Phew! *wipes brow*. I’m exhausted just reading this list.

But what I also wanted to share was some of the moments that made the exhaustion and pain fade just a little bit. The feedback I’ve had from The Void so far has made me feel like I’m living in the best dream I’ve ever had in my life *pinches self again*. Nope, definitely awake. It’s encouraged me and helped boost me into working on my next projects, including the admin side of things as above.

I’ve also felt incredibly loved and that goes a long way for just about everything.

I’ve also read a phenomenal 10 books this month (thank you retreat) and only one of those was a relisten/reread which of course was Lee Winter’s Shattered because it had been months since I read it last.

I’m super excited about the next few months with potential success in better pain management which infinitely helps every single aspect of my life.

The current projects I’m working on are super exciting, both solo projects and the co-write series I’m doing with Adrian J Smith, the first book due for release in January.

So all up, it’s been one hell of a month and now I might curl up in the sun and refuse to talk for at least a few days.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be kind

Neen
IFASRC Review: Death’s Abyss by S D Simper

August 31st, 2023

Death’s Abyss is the third book in the sea and stars series by S D Simper.

I’ve taken a few days to write up this review because how the hell do you review this book without reviewing the entire series? I’ve come to the conclusion, you don’t.

The series as a whole has fast become one of my favourite sapphic dark fantasy series out there.

Book three is the most delicious conclusion that wraps up the romance arc, the big battle between different gods and their people and the personal journey of those caught in the middle of plots, twists, and turns that made me smile and drop open my jaw.

The characters are wonderful and imperfect. The emotions are raw and brought out in the magnificent writing that is as beautiful as the descriptions throughout. Both of the luxurious landscapes and the dark destructions and devastations of cities and people alike.

Did I want more tragedy for the ending … ok well yes maybe, but I did also appreciate that the story arc is strongly steeped in romance, so I guess I can live with that, lol.

Definitely a 5 star read for me, which sums up my experience of the entire series.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind
IFASRC Review: The Lightning Conjurer: The Awakening

August 24th, 2023

I love this book. It starts with us knowing just as little as Aspen does but oh so quickly we learn more about the world Aspen has forgotten about.
The writing is fun, and the characters are wonderfully complicated. The majority of the book is first person from Aspen’s POV and I did find myself screaming a few times at the screen for her NOT TO TRUST THEM. But did she listen? No, she’s stubborn and wonderful and human and determined. Well she did listen, but that didn’t stop her doing what needed to be done anyway.
I adore Rachel Rener’s writing voice and her humour is fabulous.
Can’t wait to read the next book. This first one ended perfectly, enough things tied up to make this reader happy and satisfied while opening up a whole other can of WTF so that I NEED the next book.

Be Safe
Be Kind
Be Brave

Neen
IFASRC Review: Heart of Silver Flame

August 23rd, 2023

Six months on from the end of book 1 the fate of stars, we find Tallorah miserable.
Things move quickly as a seemingly natural disaster turns out to be anything but.
S d simpers writing is as beautiful as ever. We are pulled back into the world of characters that I adored and get introduced to a few extra for good measure.
The balance of heartbreak, humour (I saw those tongue in cheek little mermaid references), and steam are balanced perfectly. The juggling of events making an intriguing story as we try to piece together motives and mysteries.
Love the themes of trust, loyalty, and responsibility.
But the end.
Oh hell, I have no choice but to run off and get book number 3 …

Be Safe
Be Kind
Be Brave

Neen
IFASRC Review: The Bridge: Traitor

August 22nd, 2023

Second book in the bridge series. I just adore the world of these books.
The writing is enjoyable enough but at times it felt a little repetitive about information we have already learned. This might be more helpful if people read them out of order etc. but reading them in the series as a whole it got a bit annoying at times.

I keep falling more in love with the characters and absolutely adored getting a second POV for this book 😁

There were lots of chuckling moments throughout this read and once again, a brilliant urban fantasy bringing in new takes on many myths. I may have rubbed my hands together many times and muttered ‘hmmm the plot thickens’ more than once. I love the breadcrumbs and hints of more for the overarching story.

Be Safe
Be Kind
Be Brave

Neen
IFASRC Review: Fractured Tales of Flame and Fury

August 21st, 2023

What a collection. Charlotte langtree explores the strength of the female through fantastical worlds and many with myths based on older gods. It’s delicious. The writing is wonderful with an emphasis on happy endings but not without some sacrifices and struggles. My thoughts about each of the stories in the collection.

Drummer girl – brutal and beautiful rhythm of words. Two time periods that jump back and forth

The Falar Path – dripped in to the middle, scrambling to learn more. Gods and promises, trees and torture. A Devine story. One of my favourites. Who is the boy? Are we supposed to assume?

Once a Queen – the ferryman and gods and battles … what a rush and an amazingly well written story

The changeling’s sword – Intense and bloody and full of revenge and anger. Fae and human. Ended a bit quickly. I would love more story in this world.

Cwenhild – tribal warriors, blood, tricksters and dragons. Brilliantly balanced with action, story, and personal risk and reward.

Wind-Dancer – this was an intense and well developed adventure. Of all the stories this one hints at something else to come. And oh how I hope so.

The Sleeping God – an interesting read. Well written and lighter in some ways despite the apocalypse. Hinting at a life remembered of the sleeping god.

Him, Her, and Lavender Lylah – intriguing and intense. The writing gave me Stephen King’s Rose Madder vibes … divine and building, knowing shits only going to get worse.

And then boom just like that Langtree pulls the thread she has sewn through this collection and my mind is blown next level.

Overall brilliant.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen
IFASRC Review: The Bridge: Trolls

August 18th, 2023

I love the world building in this book. It’s fun and complete. Schubach’s play on fairytales and myths are always fun. The characters are awesome. Kick arse sapphic warrior types and of course a side character who takes much offence with being called small.
It’s a Fae and human world with a curse Kane never wanted and a history that she holds a lot of anger and resentment over.
The start is a bit shaky, but then we time jump and oh the story flies by with Kane’s learning she is not crazy, and never has been.
Erik Schubach’s worlds are my go to lightish fantasy that helps get me smiling and is almost a palate cleanser between the heavier epic fantasies.
I am loving this series of his and will dive into the rest of the bridge books soon.

Be Safe
Be Kind
Be Brave

Neen
IFASRC Review: The Fate of Stars

August 17th, 2023

Sapphic Speculative Fiction at it’s finest. The Fate of Stars is book one in a series that I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of.
A slow burn, enemies to lovers adventure in a world where Gods and demons and celestials simply are. And boy are they all levels of complicated and petty, beautiful and vicious. And then, lets throw in mermaids as well for extra gigs.
This book is truly beautiful. From the writing to the heartbreak. The fighting and torture (yep, there is some of that) to the gentleness and twisted caring. Everything about this is wonderful and addictive.
The characters, though mythical creatures, were such realistic people that their trials and struggles hit all the right oomphs in the feels. No one, not even Celestials are perfect or infallible. The characters don’t always win the battles or the struggles. And I love the uncertainty of the characters’ fates.
At every turn I honestly wasn’t sure just what would happen next, and I loved every minute of it.
The ending, oh my the ending, was phenomenal. It sets up book two in all those perfect ways and I will be diving in to book two as soon as I can.
IFASRC Review: Sky Breaker: Tales of the Wanderer

August 16th, 2023

An intriguing collection. I did enjoy the copper eyes that threaded the stories together alongside the broken skies. I enjoyed many of the stories but my top two were definitely Bring down the Sky by David Green and Topher the World by Derek Power. Two ultimate ends of the fantasy spectru0m. Here are a few notes (all my own personal opinion) about each of the stories.

Swampers:
Interesting world building. A familiar past comes back to haunt you theme. Was a little jarring in places and think it might work better as a longer story, with characters developed more.

Darkwhale:
Enjoyable and visual. I am such a fan of riders in stories. There is so much more to be discovered in this. I love to think Tom grew as a person to care more about his own acceptance rather than his fathers.

Topher the World:
A chuckle of a read. Gave me complete terry Pritchett vibes. Loved it. Was a great break on the intense seriousness of the collection.

The righteous old guard:
Pretty gory read. Well written but for me it dragged a little with the detailed battle. Vicious and brutal and felt as though it were perhaps a starting chapter to something bigger but on its own not complete.

Ocean Cloud:
A good read with some enjoyable use of language. I liked the history of the world and the king, and it was an unexpected ending.

Bring down the sky: Oh my. This story is such a beautiful example of David Green’s writing. It’s brilliant and consuming, pulling you along while engaging the senses.
I love Green’s characters in this story. The unwilling MC, not by any means a hero and complex baddies are definitely my cup of tea. Bravo! Easily my favourite story in the collection so far.

Stormchild:
I enjoyed the writing and story, lots of description, though it felt a little out of place in the anthology. An epic adventure a little too long for the rest of the pieces of the anthologies puzzle.

Something wondrous:
This is a fun, and quick read. Set in a prison in the past, we get into the story with brilliant skill from the author.
And then, just when I was wondering how this fits in to the anthology. Boom! We get these answers and freakin twisted ties and turns.
Some Never Ending Story vibes.

The ending was unexpected but it left me unsatisfied.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen
IFASRC Review: The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea

August 15th, 2023

This book is so much darker than I expected it to be. Not sure if the cover gave me false ideas of the ‘cuteness’, or that it is considered a YA novel, but man did it hit hard in places.
It was a really interesting experience. I enjoyed it, but not sure how to recommend it with such dark triggering things and yet, I want others to read it and talk to me about it. I want to discuss it until I see it on the back of my eyelids.
The writing was truly magnificent and delicious, the story weaved perfectly together, and the world building was so real and tangible.
Cruelty of the seas is a huge theme, while the characters fight against the binaries and seeming fates of their births.
Betrayal and heartbreak, loss and revenge are also huge themes. As well as ideas of what makes family or loyalty, and what breaks them.
I loved this read and will add it to my ever growing list of must have a physical copy of.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen