The Unflinching Ash by Angela Armstrong

Released: 12 July 2021

Published by: Norsou Books

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 353

Amazon | Author Website | Goodreads

In a world like ours, Mystics once ruled the night. Well, so long as they were men. On Ash’s day of naming, she chose the Mystic path nonetheless. The same illusions that garner gasps of awe from the lamp-lit crowds earn her scorn from the basilica. There is only one way forward: a perilous quest – earn the Queen’s Seal, a badge of honour, and immunity. She’ll simply have to avoid being hanged, burned or drowned first.                                                                                                   

When one of my favourite authors of all time, Rachael Craw, put this book on my radar I knew it must be something special! It's clear that Angela Armstrong knows how to pull together a YA-crossover-fantastical story with a strong female lead, healthy dose of humour and key message echoed below that "there isn't one right way to forge a brave path". Read on for more!

Author Interview with Angela Armstrong

Firstly, a big congratulations on publishing The Unflinching Ash! How did the experience of writing this book compare with the novelettes you have released in the past?

The writing experiences for the Gen2K novel and novelettes and The Unflinching Ash had a surprising amount in common. Both were written in answer to disappointment, and then asking, “What if..?”. The Gen2K stories were born of my own infertility crisis, and the discovery of little-known consequences for undertaking IVF treatment.  I then asked, “What if after millions undertook this treatment, the worst happened?” For The Unflinching Ash, I left an international magic show with my three daughters, frustrated by their uncertainty about whether they could aspire to be a magician or only a magician’s assistant. I then asked, “What if there were more renowned female Illusionists?”

While the impetus for writing in both worlds was similar, my approach for each was very different. The Unflinching Ash was written for a long time with an excellent editor from one of the big houses giving me feedback – it was always intended as my chief commercial debut. The Gen2K pieces were what I wrote while I waited. As most people know, busy editors don’t always reply right away. So I could giddily send 15K words of new Ash materia and watch my Inbox, but it would be some time before the editor would come back with notes on what had become a new version of a 100K manuscript. So I filled my back catalogue, did next to nothing to promote it, and waited for the next set of directives for Ash. This allowed me to always be writing, and hopefully offers any keen readers who devour Ash the pleasant surprise of finding more by this author, if they go looking.

What drove you to write in the genre of YA fantasy and what's it like as an author coming up with worldbuilding elements as well as portraying characters which readers can relate to?

A double-barrel! Like a fair share of other writers, I was once a High School English teacher.  I also reviewed screeds of YA ARCs and interviewed YA authors for publishers such as Walker and Hachette for a decade. So I know a little about this age group, the YA market, and the coming-of-age characters populating it. I love YA. While it’s never too late to discover the magic of reading, so many life-long readers’ devotion is earned during those crucial years, and that’s something I want to be a part of. There is a lot of discussion right now about YA no longer being for YA. I lament if this is true!  I hope that instead of striving to push any adults who are reading YA out, we do our best to reclaim any young adults no longer in. For me, one of the most beautiful things about strong YA, is that those stories appeal beyond the young adult years. How incredible if a book keeps being good, as you grow older? Thus, I hope bookstores will file The Unflinching Ash as Cross-over Fiction – great for ages 15+, or confident younger readers. I’m hoping adults will read Ash alongside the young people in their lives. 

You also might find it in the Alternative History, Historical Fiction or YA sections.  Ash is often dubbed as Fantasy, but strictly speaking, I’m not sure it’s fantastical. This is a story about the magic and mystique drawn from within, rather than the magic a mage might conjure with a wand. It’s about illusions, mentalism and showmanship rather than spells.  I hope in it you’ll find a world like ours, but different, with a sassy heroine worth rooting for.  I thrilled in re-imagining our dark ages a little brighter for having Ash in it.

What are some of your favourite and also most challenging aspects of writing that people may not always recognise or talk about?

One of my favourite things about writing is re-reading my own stuff after I’ve set it aside for a while to work on something else. It’s a treat to return to something with fresh eyes and have you sneak up on you. 

I have always backed myself – I know I can write.  But self-promotion is hard. I want readers to know I can write, but I’m no peacock. Finding a way to say, “Do you see my feathers?” without fanning them out is proving difficult.  

Without giving too much away, is there a particular quote or moment in the book which is particularly meaningful to you?

This quote comes from when we meet Ash’s sister, Grete:

Grete wore caution like a crown.  Although Ash and Grete were both born from the same Mapa and Papal, the sisters were antipodean enchantresses.  To Ash the Mysteries had dealt passion, grit and tireless intent, which she carried like a loaded quiver on her strong, lithe frame.  Grete’s appeal was no less, but instead came by way of caution, calm and censure – an attractive safe harbour expressed in her soft edges and soft speech.  Both young women had thick dark hair and the blessing of symmetry on their side.  Both could sneak.

This quote is particularly meaningful to me because it introduces an essential paradigm for the story – these two are both strong, impressive women, but they have responded to trauma and plotted their course in very different ways, and that’s okay – there isn’t one right way to forge a brave path.

If there were three key messages you'd hope readers would be able to take away from The Unflinching Ash and bring into our world, what would they be?

1) There isn’t one right way to forge a brave path. Find yours and take it, allows others to choose their own. 

2) Don’t let the haters get you down.

3) Confidence does not make a woman a b*tch. 

Can I say that?

After this impressive release, could you give us a hint at what you're working on next?

Kind. I'm already elbows deep in a contemporary middle grade magical realism novel set in New Zealand.

About the author

Before writing books, Angela studied English and Film at the University of Otago, taught full-time in schools, owned an art gallery, and reviewed books for trade publishers. She lives with her husband Haki in Northland, New Zealand, where she devotes her non-writing hours to home-schooling three chatty daughters who have inherited a fierce love of words from their mother.

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{Author Guest Post} Bonnie Wynne on lawyer skills and creative writing

High-flying lawyer turns courtroom drama into blockbuster novel success. Sadly, I’m talking about John Grisham, not myself. As far as lawyer-novelists go, he takes the crown for most famous. But even Charles Dickens dabbled as a law clerk, and Harper Lee dropped out of an Alabama law school at age 23. So what turns so many respectable legal minds into starving, bohemian artists?

Maybe the real question is what turns creative writers into lawyers. A home truth: law school is where you go when you love writing but also love money. So off I went to learn the law, bright-eyed and eager, with a briefcase full of dreams and unfinished manuscripts about dragons.   

The Venn diagram between lawyer skills and writer skills is basically just a circle, and the most obvious shared skill is ‘sitting down’. We do a lot of that. But the second most obvious is language. Lawyers spend all day wrestling with the written word. Every sentence must pull its weight. These days, I can draft cleanly and hack through superfluous adverbs like a machete through the underbrush. A writer must kill their darlings, and I have no qualms about executing mine on sight. And I like to think it works both ways; that my creative side gives my law writing a little extra pizzazz. My boss may disagree (as he strikes out the word ‘pizzazz’ from my draft).

Law school also teaches you to see an argument from both sides. That’s not so different from the job of a writer: to put yourself in the shoes of somebody else. Imagining the point of view of an orc is a little different from imagining the view of opposing counsel (or is it?), but the principle is the same.

The Ninth Sorceress tells the story of Gwyn, who was raised in a travelling wagon by a stern and emotionally distant father figure. My own childhood was crushingly normal, so I had to imagine the world from her perspective. Who would you become if you were forbidden from having friends? How would you react to the abrupt and cataclysmic upheaval of your life? Those were the questions that intrigued me as I was developing Gwyn’s character.

Lawyers are detail-oriented by nature, and that’s a great skill to develop if you want to write well. My favourite podcaster Tim Clare always talks about crunchy specificity, which basically means steering away from the broad and obvious word choices and picking something with texture, something that suggests a world or a time period or a cultural milieu. It’s putting your protagonist in a clumsily hand-stitched sarafan instead of a shirt and trousers. I often fantasise about tattooing crunchy specificity onto my forehead.

Law school teaches you to be specific, with statutes and precedents and case law. Sure, you can show up in court and ramble about how ‘it’s the Constitution, it’s Mabo, it’s the vibe’. (But please don’t). And sure, you can write about how your wizard’s library smells of dust. But that’s an obvious choice, and it’s not going to wake up the dozing peanut-crunchers in the back row. What else? Floor wax? Woodworm? Buckram? Specific, specific, specific.

That brings me to the next great lawyer skill: research. At work, my browser history would put you to sleep. But at home it would put me in jail. Torture with hot irons. How to dispose of a body. How to make gunpowder. In law and in fiction, it pays to know what you’re talking about. Or if you don’t know, at least you can sound like you do. Research: the backbone of any convincing lie.

One thing every writer needs is discipline. Writing is work, even when you’re enjoying it. It’s tempting to go play video games or watch another episode or pair your entire sock collection. Those things are easier and more fun (well, maybe not the socks). And it’s no surprise that discipline is a mandatory skill in law school. If you’re a natural procrastinator (hello), the terrifying onslaught of essay deadlines and take-home exams will beat it out of you.

You can’t force inspiration – sometimes you turn the creative tap and only a trickle comes out. But you can force your butt into the seat. I wrote The Ninth Sorceress piecemeal over the course of a decade. But I wrote the first draft of Book 2 in just a few months, my fingers clacking at the keys so fast they started getting friction burns. Luckily, the warring wizards of The Ninth Sorceress are a lot more fun to write about than tortious misfeasance.

If my writing career takes off, it would be nice to eventually leave the law books behind. But in the meantime, I owe a lot to my legal training. And if I ever get sick of gods and alchemists, maybe I can try one of those twisty courtroom thrillers. John Grisham, I’m coming for your crown.

THE NINTH SORCERESS, Bonnie Wynne's debut fantasy novel, is slated for release February 13.

About the book

The Ninth Sorceress (The Price of Magic #1) by Bonnie Wynne

Released: 13th February 2020

Published by: Talem Press

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 360

Goodreads | Talem Press | Amazon

In the blackest dungeon of the Clockwork City, a prisoner lies bound in silver shackles. Who is she? And why are the wizards so afraid of her?

Seventeen-year-old Gwyn has no family and no past. Apprenticed to a half-mad herbalist, she travels the snow-blasted High Country, hawking potions in a peddler’s wagon. Her guardian hides her from the world like a dark secret, and she knows better than to push for answers. But when she discovers she is hunted by the goddess Beheret, Gwyn is drawn into a deep and ancient tale: of chained gods and lost magic, of truths long buried and the rising of a war she never could have imagined. Wizards and their magic-sniffing hounds pursue her – as does a stranger in a smiling mask, who calls her by an unfamiliar name...

But what really terrify her are the dangerous gifts she’s spent her life suppressing. Now, Gwyn must step out of the shadows and take charge of her destiny – even if the price is her own soul. The Ninth Sorceress is the breathtaking first instalment of The Price of Magic, a sweeping fantasy saga full of rich storytelling and tangible magic.

About the author

Bonnie Wynne studied Writing and Cultural Studies at UTS, and completed her law degree at the University of Sydney. After a brief stint in legal publishing, she now works for the Australian government, deciphering ancient law tomes.

She lives in Sydney with her cocker spaniel, Percival Hector (Canine Inspector). When she's not reading or writing, she can be found playing video games, booking her next holiday, or elbow-deep in flour.

THE NINTH SORCERESS is her debut novel and the first book in her series, THE PRICE OF MAGIC.

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{Guest Post} Strong female characters in YA fantasy By Bronwyn Eley

What do you think of when I say ‘strong female’? Do you think of an overzealous, over-confident, opinionated and harsh-looking female? I guess some would. Because, for some, women will forever be seen as the ones who love, the carers, the ones you go to for comfort. This is not a bad thing. But women being anything more than that – women who are bold with their emotions, confident with their sexuality, ambitious in the workplace – can be seen as going ‘against our true nature’.

But what is so important to me, when writing, is representing reality. I’ve met women who are as above: caring, homely, sweet, there for you when you need them. I have also met women who are cold, cruel, lost, confused, angry, selfish and vapid. I have met women who are intelligent, brave, ambitious and passionate.

What I believe is that ‘strong women’ encompass many – if not all – of these qualities. That a ‘strong woman’ might still be vapid and cruel at times, but she will have the capacity to overcome those petty emotions and be a better person. Representing strong women in YA – in all books – does not mean we present perfect women. Women who are only brave, intelligent, beautiful and ambitious. Because that’s not realistic. Show me one woman who has never made a mistake – who has never been cruel or selfish – and I will fall over from shock.

Having negative qualities does not mean she is not a strong woman. In fact, having the strength and self-awareness to know when she has made a mistake and overcome it...that is strong.

Elizabeth Bennet (or, rather, Jane Austen) said it well in Pride and Prejudice when Darcy is listing the qualities he believes mark an accomplished woman. That she must have thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing and the modern languages. That she must conduct herself in a manner worthy of respect. Basically, he was talking about upper-class women who must be ‘perfect’ at all times.

When Elizabeth says she is not surprised that Darcy has only met six accomplished women in his life, Darcy asks why she is so ‘severe upon her own sex’.

Elizabeth’s response has, to this day, stuck with me. She says ‘I never saw such a woman, I never saw such capacity.’

The fact that Darcy seems to believe it is a slight against women that Elizabeth doubts finding a woman with such qualities is extremely naive. This is perhaps what Austen intended. Women are complex creatures, just as men are. Humans are complex and just because we have flaws and negative qualities does not mean we aren’t good people, that we aren’t strong.

Relic was my first attempt at writing young adult fantasy and I hope that I’ve done it justice. From the beginning, it was extremely important to me that all my characters – women and men – were represented in a true light. I chose to set my novel in a city that – for the most part – did not discriminate based on sex. I wanted to give my female characters every chance to be who and what they wanted to be. This is one reason I made Kaylan a blacksmith. Being traditionally a man’s occupation, it is not uncommon in the city of Edriast for there to be female blacksmiths. Kaylan is not the first and she won’t be the last. In Edriast, there is no gender segregation when it comes to occupation. Women can be blacksmiths. Men can be nannies. There are jobs. These are humans. They do the work; it’s as simple as that.

This is certainly a personal ideal of mine; something I wish was a reality. It might be someday!

YA is an incredibly important genre because of who it is aimed at. That’s not to say people outside the ‘young adult’ age bracket don’t read YA. I am outside that bracket and I write YA, as well as read it. YA is not just for young people. It is for the young at heart, for people who crave adventure, for people who want to remember.

But, of course, YA is read by young adults... by people whose minds are open and still forming, gobbling up anything and everything in their journey to find out who they are. So the characters that they read can have a huge influence on who they become, on what they see as normal, on what they see as right and wrong. Stories have incredible power to shape us.

YA fantasy is an interesting genre too because it is often set in a world that is like our past – in medieval times. During those times, women were treated like property. Women were seen as the weaker sex. Women were seen as mothers, were seen as a means for pleasure for men and were limited in too many ways. So it’s interesting that in YA fantasy, in a setting so similar, that we often lean towards representing these kick-ass, savvy and powerful women. Strong women in this world is not uncommon, right? But take those all qualities that we desire or expect out of a strong woman and chuck them in the past, in a world without technology, without the comfort many of us are used to and what happens? We get women who can fight, women who are not limited, women who are heard. This is not true of all YA fantasy but authors take this unique opportunity and let their female characters embrace it. As a reader myself, I have come to expect this in YA fantasy. I want women saving the world, going on adventures, being bold, being challenged, making mistakes and rectifying them.

There’s still work to be done with how both women and men are represented in literature. For me, with Relic, creating realistic women was one of my top priorities. Showing how women really are, while also showing that it is not just bravery and skills with a sword that make a ‘strong woman’. Strong women still make mistakes, still cause others pain, still suffer themselves and perhaps they are stronger for it.

About the book

Relic by Bronwyn Eley

Released: 12th September 2019

Published by: Talem Press

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 497

Goodreads | Booktopia | Amazon

In the city of Edriast, there is no deadlier duty than to serve as the Shadow. As the personal servant of the powerful Lord Rennard, the Shadow's life is all but forfeit. Rennard possesses one of five rare and dangerous Relics – a jewel that protects his bloodline, but slowly poisons everyone else in its proximity.

When the current Shadow succumbs to its magic, nineteen-year-old blacksmith Kaylan is summoned to take his place. It's an appointment that will kill her. As the time Kaylan has left ebbs away, hope begins to fade...

That is, until she discovers a plot to destroy all five bloodlines in possession of the Relics. A rebel force plans to put an end to Rennard's rule and Kaylan suddenly finds herself embroiled in a cause that might just be worth fighting for. But no cause is without its costs.

As her life hangs in the balance and rebellion bears down on Edriast, Kaylan must decide where her loyalties lie – and how she'll leave her mark on the world. Relic is the absorbing first novel in The Relic Trilogy, a thrillingly dark YA fantasy series.

About the author

Bronwyn joined the military right out of high school, where she learnt (among other things) to disassemble and reassemble a rifle blindfolded. After that she spent a lot of her time travelling around the world. Her favourite places (so far) are Scotland, Mongolia, Iceland and Ireland. Bronwyn finally found her natural habitat when she landed her first job in the publishing industry. While she has always been a writer, it was only when surrounding herself with books that she realised her life’s dream was to become an author. Relic is her first novel. Bronwyn lives in Sydney and spends her time eating chocolate, reading and practicing her martial arts.

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{Guest Post} The 'coming of age' narrative in YA fantasy by Helen Scheuerer

Readers are probably familiar with the 'coming of age' themes that tend to come up in YA contemporary novels. But the ideas around growing up and all the changes and challenges with come with it are also explored in other genres. To discuss more about how it comes up in the realm of fantasy I've brought in an expert! Author Helen Scheuerer has stopped by on the blog today to talk about how this idea features in her series The Oremere Chronicles...

On the ‘Coming of Age’ Narrative In YA Fantasy 

When Eugenia and I first discussed the concept of this guest post, I was eager to write about ‘coming of age’ as a theme in fantasy novels. I felt that my trilogy The Oremere Chronicles explored this idea in depth. However, as I sat down to draft this post, I realised just how difficult it is to sum up the importance of such a theme.

Exploring this type of narrative got me thinking of numerous ‘coming of age’ classics in fantasy, as well as my own books. Why do these novels matter to us? How can we relate to the journeys of characters in non-existent, magical lands? Below is my attempt at delving into those questions...

Despite the fact that YA fantasy narratives take place in fantastical, magic-oriented worlds, now more than ever, they reflect the experiences of our young people today. The genre lends itself well to ‘coming of age’ theme, because just like in contemporary times, characters in these books challenge political systems, power hierarchies and social constructs, as well as the more ordinary aspects of life: navigating relationships, families and changing friendship dynamics.

The most powerful of these novels always depict the inner journey of a character, rife with turmoil, as he or she grows up, which is why ‘coming of age’ is such a prominent theme throughout the fantasy genre.

In fact, the fantasy genre as a whole suits the ‘coming of age’ narrative; with characters often embarking on a large-scale physical adventures that trigger their inner journey (think: Frodo from Lord of the Rings, Celaena from Throne of Glass and Lira from To Kill A Kingdom). As a young adult author myself, it’s a theme that has certainly woven its way into my books. I find it’s something that’s come quite naturally rather than as a result of a conscious decision on my part as creator.

For example, the 19-year-old protagonist in my series, The Oremere Chronicles, Bleak, is a great example of this… In her hometown, Angove, she’s in a bit of a rut. Self-medicating with alcohol to overcome grief, she rarely thinks of anyone but herself. However, a journey is forced upon her and it’s over the course of this quest that she’s made to look inward at who she is, and define her place in the world. It’s a classic ‘coming of age’ scenario.

Most YA fantasy books focus on a character similar age to their target reader (17-19 usually) and there’s a good reason for this. It’s the age where we tend to question ourselves and our surroundings the most, which leads to numerous types of inner conflict.

But being a young adult is also a test of how you interact with the broader world around you. Often it’s these external things that can trigger a ‘coming of age’ journey. Tragedy, loss, meeting new people, experiencing a new place and perhaps generally learning about the cruelty of the world, can all lead to the inner growth of a person/character.

The fantasy genre offers up these instances by the truckload. In my books in particular (Heart of Mist, Reign of Mist and the upcoming War of Mist), we journey with Bleak as she learns how to deal with figures of authority and systems of power, questions her heritage, as well as the difference between right and wrong. All notions that further the development of any character. It just so happens, she’s growing up at the same time.

I also made sure not to limit my characters to a certain age bracket, because as we know, the world isn’t made up of just young adults. But it’s how our young adult characters interact with those older and younger around them that provide our protagonists with room to grow, as well as offer our readers a reflection of their own real life experiences.

Regardless of the target readers or the theme itself, coming of age stories aren’t just for young adults. This is shown in the wide-reach of YA books - they transcend our years, with adult readers ranging from mid-twenties right up into their eighties. In fact, I’ve had an email from a 76 year old saying how much she related to my books.

Perhaps we ‘come of age’ numerous times in our lives, which is another reason why the theme is so popular across all genres of literature.

I’d love to know what your favourite fantasy ‘coming of age’ stories are. Feel free to share them in the comments below!

WAR OF MIST, the epic conclusion to Helen Scheuerer’s The Oremere Chronicles is slated for release July 25. You can add it on Goodreads here 

The Oremere Chronicles

Buy Heart of Mist | Reign of Mist

Goodreads Heart of Mist | Reign of Mist

About the author

You can learn more about Helen on her website

Helen Scheuerer is a YA fantasy author from Sydney, Australia. Her debut novel, Heart of Mist, was the bestselling first instalment in her trilogy, The Oremere Chronicles.

After writing literary fiction for a number of years, she was inspired to return to her childhood love of fantasy by reading the work of Sabaa Tahir, V.E. Schwab and Sarah J. Maas.

Helen holds a Bachelor of Creative Arts, majoring in Creative Writing, and a Master of Publishing. She is also the Founding Editor of Writer’s Edit (www.writersedit.com), one of the world’s largest online learning platforms for emerging writers.

She is now a full-time author living amidst the mountains in New Zealand.

Reading Widely: Fantasy/Paranormal novels on my 2018 reading list

There has come a point where I feel like I’ve been neglecting certain genres, or at least I haven't given them a proper chance. I’ll be the first to admit that I'm not usually the biggest fantasy/paranormal reader, with the last time I really got stuck into a series was with Hush Hush, Fallen, and maybe a Jennifer L. Armentrout at some point…

Yes, that was something of a ‘phase’, and truth be told, I did enjoy those books back then (around seven years ago). Would I re-read them? Well, you never know – but I think it’s safe to say I might judge them a little differently today.

Those thoughts aside, I’m genuinely looking to once again branch out with an open mind and try something new. I’ve been reading some fantasy novels sporadically over the past few years, though 2018 is as good a time as ever to finally dedicate more space on my shelves and in my reading schedule to shaking things up a bit.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (The Grishaverse #1): How have I not read a Leigh Bardugo book yet? The hype speaks for itself so my expectations are high, but since Six of Crows is also on my list, I'd better get to this series first. 

Year One by Nora Roberts (Chronicles of the One #1): Even with Nora Roberts being such a prolific writer, this would be the first of hers I've explored. It might not fit quite so neatly into the fantasy genre, but the magical elements, dystopian edge and dark, gritty premise definitely has me intrigued. 

Thief's Cunning by Sarah Ahiers: I actually read Assassin's Heart not too long ago and enjoyed it overall, thanks to the thrill of those huge betrayals and twists towards the end. I'm hoping to see more worldbuilding in this sequel.

Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb: Another book on assassins, but I couldn't go past Robin Hobb. Her works take up a sizeable chunk of our sci-fi/fantasy section at the bookstore I work at, and I could swear I have a copy of this floating around on my shelves somewhere - it's time to bring it back out and finally read it.

Wintersong by S Jae Jones: I ordered a copy of this for myself recently after seeing other bloggers rave about it, and the musical element really piqued my interest.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (The Infernal Devices #1): A re-read! I really loved this book when I first visited it years ago, and I want to continue with the series. My one concern? The love triangle. On the other hand, the historical setting in Victorian London is what I'm really here for. 

Uprooted by Naomi Novik: A book that's been sitting on my shelf at home that I still haven't gotten to, and that's going to change.

Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman: I've only read Neil Gaiman's graphic novels of The Graveyard Book, The Sleeper and The Spindle and Hansel & Gretel which were all brilliant. I think reading short story collections is a useful way to gain a broad overview of how an author writes, and Fragile Things looks like a promising place to start. 

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward: I haven't read any stories about vampires since Twilight, so this should be interesting. 

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss: It's without a doubt that Patrick Rothfuss writes absolutely beautifully, and I think I really need to read this book a second time before Wise Man's Fear to truly appreciate it. 

What fantasy writers do you swear by?

The Last Guard by K.J. Taylor - Guest Post

The Last Guard by K.J. Taylor
Series: The Southern Star #1

Released: 8th December 2018

Published by: Black Phoenix Publishing Collective

Genre: YA Fantasy

Southerner Sergeant Kearney "Red" Redguard is the last of a disgraced family, and a loyal guardsman.

And with a murderer stalking the streets, the city guard is his city's best defense.

But in the North, King Caedmon Taranisäii is gathering his army, and the cruel Night God prepares for the downfall of the South.

A new dark griffin roams the land, warning of the war to come. Betrayed and sent on the run, Red must fight to save his homeland. But it may already be too late...

I read K.J. Taylor's first release The Price of Magic last year which was an uplifting fantasy read. Any YA fantasy fan should definitely keep an eye out for this next book in a new series!

K.J. Taylor on Writing the Last Guard

Though its predecessor came out in 2014, I actually wrote The Last Guard in or about the year 2009 (I’ve often joked that if I could publish as fast as I write, I’d have overtaken Stephen King by now! Alas, publishing is a slow business). Still I remember writing it quite clearly. I did most of my work while sitting in a certain café with my laptop, which was an arrangement I liked because it was comfortable, there was no distracting WiFi, and I didn’t have to bring a packed lunch.

I enjoyed writing the book, which – well, I admit that’s not unusual; I’ve enjoyed writing every book I’ve ever done. Some authors grumble about how hard and stressful writing is, but I’ve always found it easy and fun. But I enjoyed TLG’s story and protagonist in particular among the other books I’ve written over the years. I enjoyed the story because it’s more or less nonstop action, with relatively few slow spots, which made it easier to write than, say, The Shadowed Throne, which had a lot of talky scenes and political stuff. Don’t get me wrong; I actually prefer writing dialogue scenes over action scenes, but it was still a refreshing change of pace.

Red as the protagonist was also a nice change of pace. Having written one trilogy starring a murderous bastard (I still love you, Arenadd) and a second one starring a woman who starts out bad-tempered and rude and eventually becomes a heartless tyrant, it was a change to be writing about someone who was a genuinely decent person for once.

Red isn’t perfect, of course. He’s uneducated and rather slow on the uptake at times, he’s unimaginative, he can be very scary when he loses his temper, he’s violent, and in some ways he’s a bit of a thug – at bottom he doesn’t really know how to solve his problems without using aggression and brute force. He’s what you’d call a “man’s man”, embarrassed by the idea of showing too much emotion, and equally embarrassed by the fact that he knows how to read (as a boy he was actually rather proud of his literacy, but a good dose of merciless teasing from his peers quickly put paid to that). Even so he’s an honest man (he claims that never in his life has he ever told a lie), and fiercely loyal to his friends, his Eyrie, and the law he serves. Unlike Arenadd he is disgusted by the idea of hurting those weaker than himself, and under normal circumstances would never raise a hand to a woman, a child, or someone trying to surrender.

Unlike Arenadd or Laela, Red isn’t out to find his place in the world: he already knows who he is and what he wants out of life. Unlike Arenadd he has no great ambitions; he just wants to be the best guardsman he can be, and restore the honour of the Redguard family name since his uncle Bran “the Betrayer” besmirched it. Other than that he hopes to find a wife and become a father, so the family line won’t die out. If circumstances hadn’t intervened he would most likely have lived a pretty quiet, uneventful life – and he’d have been perfectly happy that way. But when disaster strikes, he’s ready to step up and do whatever he can to protect his home.

The other aspect I enjoyed about writing the book was the divide between the two sides in the war. On the one hand you can sympathise with Red, since the Northerner invasion destroys his home and robs him of everything he holds dear when he’s done nothing wrong. But on the other, you can understand why King Caedmon led the assault on the South in the first place, and especially so if you’ve read the previous books and are aware that Caedmon too lost everything thanks to the treachery of Southerners, and has chosen to make war on their country purely to protect his people and his homeland from an enemy who conquered and enslaved them once before and might well choose to do so again. This is not a story of an evil overlord who wants to take over the world and the plucky hero who must nobly resist him. It is rather the story of two peoples who are blinded by ignorance and hate, which dooms them to repeat the mistakes of the past rather than learning from them. In the end, neither side is in the right. Rather, they both do what they think is right. Just as we all do. The question this trilogy asks is “can the cycle be broken?” and if so, what will it take to break it?

Giveaway

Black Phoenix Publishing are running a giveaway to win a free copy of this book! To enter, just visit their facebook page and like or comment on any of their posts before 15th December.

Review: Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend - Marvelously magical.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Series: Nevermoor #1

Released: 10th October 2017

Published by: Hachette

Genre: MG Fantasy

Source: Publisher

Pages: 449

My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Goodreads | QBD | Booktopia

A breathtaking, enchanting new series by debut author Jessica Townsend, about a cursed girl who escapes death and finds herself in a magical world--but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination.

Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she's blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks--and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday. But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor.

It's then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city's most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each boasting an extraordinary talent that sets them apart--an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have.

To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests--or she'll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.

Nevermoor is a delightfully enchanting read which captures a sense of adventure on every page. Australian author Jessica Townsend's debut certainly has met the hype which came with her release, with comparisons made to Harry Potter that set the bar high. This new series does have the potential to become the stuff of legend for today's young readers, standing on its own as a uniquely imagined world of wonder and excitement with a protagonist who pushes past her vulnerabilities and is willing to 'step boldly'. 

She thought of the night before - of the wonderful moment when Jupiter had shown up at Crow Manor, the joy she'd felt at the break of dawn when she'd landed safely in the forecourt of the Hotel Deucalion. She'd believed a whole new world had opened up to her. 

This is a story which you can't help but be drawn to from the very first page. Even the most reluctant readers are sure to be hooked as they learn of Morrigan Crow's doomed fate and the dramatic circumstances which could change her life forever. What gives Nevermoor its charm is the world which Townsend has so intricately created. The idea of the Wundrous Society and telling of each trial which stands between Morrigan and her curse are all crafted in vivid detail which brings the plot to life. Although I would say this novel isn't as dark as Harry Potter, it still maintains a balance between the real danger following our protagonist and the fun of new experiences such as staying at the Hotel Decaulion and meeting a 'Magnificat'. At its heart, even when you take away the fantastical elements of this book, there is a message which readers both young and old will appreciate, about finally seeing what makes you special, and having the confidence to embrace it. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Nevermoor has enough charm to appeal to people of any age, capturing the enchantment of a world where what hides behind the shadows is no match for the magic which lies within. I can't wait to see what happens next in this series!

Review: Assassin's Heart by Sarah Ahiers - Revenge is sought and lives 'clipped' short

Assassin's Heart by Sarah Ahiers

Released: 22nd August 2016

Published by: Harlequin Teen Australia

Genre: YA Fantasy

Source: Publisher

Pages: 424

My Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Goodreads | QBD | Booktopia

In the kingdom of Lovero, nine rival Families of assassins lawfully kill people for a price. As a highly skilled member of one of these powerful clans, seventeen-year-old Lea Saldana has always trusted in the strength of her Family. Until she awakens to find them murdered and her home in flames.

The Da Vias, the Saldanas’ biggest enemy, must be responsible—and Lea should have seen it coming. But her secret relationship with the Da Vias’ son, Val, has clouded her otherwise killer instinct—and given the Da Vias more reason than ever to take her Family down. Racked with guilt and shattered over Val’s probable betrayal, Lea sets out to even the score, with her heart set on retaliation and only one thought clear in her mind: make the Da Vias pay.

With shades of The Godfather and Romeo and Juliet, this richly imagined fantasy from debut author Sarah Ahiers is a story of love, lies, and the ultimate vengeance.

Thank you to Harlequin Teen Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Even though YA fantasy isn't usually a genre I'll reach for, Assassin's Heart still provided enough intrigue to keep me interested. Though it did take a few chapters to really convince me of its merits, towards the end there were a number of twists and a solid message to take away. 

Maybe Family wasn't stronger than family. And maybe family was what we made of it. 

The bounds of familial loyalty and a quest for vengeance lie at the heart of clipper (assassin) Lea's plight. Her family, the Saldana's are the 'First Family' in the kingdom of Lovero. However, a  secret romance with a member of the rival 'Second Family' the Da Vias, is ultimately the cause of their demise. It's interesting how this book features masks as identifiers - both literally and figuratively. While each of the Families have their own unique colour scheme or pattern which identifies them, it's clear that some are able to hide their emotions without them, and betray one another when you'd least expect.

They were so different, Val and Les. Val was arrogant and believed everyone was below him. Les was kind to people, even those who tried to push him away. Val tried so hard to be the person he was, with his appearance and his manner. Les didn't try at all, and his nature came through in a way that made my heart stutter, my breath catch in my throat.

Lea as a character was one I definitely wanted to see succeed. She definitely delivered as a badass assassin who, although not perfect - was flawed enough to make her realistic. Her strength and enduring loyalty to avenge what happened to her family were elements which gave her character complexity. While at first there may have been a slight 'love triangle' between Val and Les, ultimately these relationship dynamics gave Lea a chance to discover who she wanted to be, and what she would stand for. Another element to note was the touch of the paranormal with some ghosts making an appearance, and the spiritual emphasis on their god Safraella who dealt with souls in the afterlife. Though detail was lacking in terms of the physical worldbuilding, it was nice to have some insight into where the character's values and motives came from. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

In all, Assassin's Heart proved to be a satisfying read featuring an edgy protagonist and a hint at the paranormal. As a debut novelist, I can definitely see that Sarah Ahiers has a lot of potential. 

Waiting on Wednesday: A Court of Mist and Fury

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where the participants tell their readers about an upcoming release they are waiting to read. This week I've picked A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas.

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court--but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people. Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court.

As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms--and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future--and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

Considering I'm not a massive fantasy reader, A Court of Thorns and Roses really blew me away. Ending on a cliffhanger and with so much more scope of what could possibly happen to the characters, I'll be on the edge of my seat waiting for this one!

Releasing 5th May 2016

Title Tangents Week 2: Frazzled Fantasy

How It Works

1. Every few weeks there will be a list of 5-10 books whose titles you have to somehow integrate into a paragraph of ~ 200 words. This is just a rough guide, if you are a little under/over it's up to you :) (I don't think anyone is going to be sitting there counting the words on the screen, and definitely not me!)
2. Highlight/use a different coloured font for the titles
3. The fun thing is, it can be as whimsical or realistic, serious or downright hilarious - the situations those titles find themselves have endless possibilities. The characters, settings, and whether there's dialogue or not are entirely your choices
4. Take a screenshot/type up your paragraph 
5. Link back to Genie In A Book with the blog banner on your post, and tweet me the link so I can check it out!
6. There will be an optional theme each week, such as book titles from a particular genre, author, series etc. which I'll put to a vote and the most popular one wins!

This Week's Selection

My Title Tangents

Vote for the next theme



Now it's your turn!

Post the link to your title tangents in the linky below, I'd love to see what others come up with. 

An InLinkz Link-up

Mini Reviews: A Thousand Knights Point to Sunkissed Mistletoe and Mistaken Discoveries

As you can probably tell from the title, this post is going to include my condensed thoughts on a range of books (with titles that can make some pretty interesting sentences). 

A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston
Released: 22nd October 2015
Published by: Pan Macmillan
Genre: YA Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Pages: 256
My Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Goodreads | QBD | Book Depository

LO-MELKHIIN KILLED THREE HUNDRED GIRLS before he came to her village, looking for a wife. When she sees the dust cloud on the horizon, she knows he has arrived. She knows he will want the loveliest girl: her sister. She vows she will not let her be next. And so she is taken in her sister’s place, and she believes death will soon follow.

Lo-Melkhiin’s court is a dangerous palace filled with pretty things: intricate statues with wretched eyes, exquisite threads to weave the most beautiful garments. She sees everything as if for the last time. But the first sun rises and sets, and she is not dead. Night after night, Lo-Melkhiin comes to her and listens to the stories she tells, and day after day she is awoken by the sunrise. Exploring the palace, she begins to unlock years of fear that have tormented and silenced a kingdom. Lo-Melkhiin was not always a cruel ruler. Something went wrong. Far away, in their village, her sister is mourning. Through her pain, she calls upon the desert winds, conjuring a subtle unseen magic, and something besides death stirs the air. Back at the palace, the words she speaks to Lo-Melkhiin every night are given a strange life of their own. Little things, at first: a dress from home, a vision of her sister.

With each tale she spins, her power grows. Soon she dreams of bigger, more terrible magic: power enough to save a king, if she can put an end to the rule of a monster.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 

Though I'm not entirely familiar with the original story which this novel is based on, I can see where it holds its  own as a novel. A Thousand Nights is a story which takes fantasy and weaves it into a time long ago, where ancient ties and rituals still prevails, and there is some sort of powers beyond our realm which affect whole communities. This one was a difficult book to rate in some ways, as while things like the writing where so beautiful at times, there were elements that took away from my overall enjoyment. 

But first, onto the positives! The sense of family and community in this book was an underlying theme throughout, and the sacrifices which the protagonist made in order to protect her sister was an act of bravery for sure, considering Lo-Melkhiin's track record with his last wives. The flashbacks throughout to the protagonists time learning the traditions of her people and sharing positive memories also added to the depth of a person we perhaps don't get to know as well - since we never get to know her name. Here this 'mystery' surrounding the main character to such a degree can detract from the plot (which in itself is very slow moving in parts), though I suppose in a novel where the fantasy is an enigma of its own for our heroine, it is at least consistent. 

While I appreciated the unique style A Thousand Nights is written in for the most part, I think that it did make for a read that is hard to connect with at times. The obscurity of the characters combined with a plot in which there isn't much action until right at the last minute meant that I had a hard time sticking to reading this book just by itself. For me it was something to read in small doses, though eventually it all came together. 

In all, I do have some conflicting views on this book, and I think to truly understand its nuances and unique qualities, it is something that you need to experience for yourself and make up your own mind. 

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R.R. Martin

Released: 6th October 2015

Published by: HarperVoyager

Genre: Fantasy

Source: Publisher

Pages: 256

My Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Goodreads | QBD | Book Depository

A century before A GAME OF THRONES, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS compiles the first three official prequel novellas to George R.R. Martin’s ongoing masterwork, A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE.

Before Tyrion Lannister and Podrick Payne there was Dunk and Egg. A young, naïve but courageous hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall towers above his rivals – in stature if not experience. Tagging along with him is his diminutive squire, a boy called Egg – whose true identity must be hidden from all he and Dunk encounter: for in reality he is Aegon Targaryen, and one day he will be king. Improbable heroes though they be, great destinies lie ahead for Dunk and Egg; as do powerful foes, royal intrigue, and outrageous exploits.

A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS brings together for the first time the first three official prequel novellas to George R.R. Martin’s ongoing masterwork, A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE, set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne, and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory. Featuring more than 160 illustrations by Gary Gianni, one of the finest fantasy artists of our time, this beautiful volume will transport readers to the world of the Seven Kingdoms in an age of bygone chivalry.

Thank you to HarperCollins Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 

I had postponed reading the Song of Ice and Fire series for a while (though I do love the TV show) and so when A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms came up, I thought it would be a great place to start. Set in a time before the better known characters come into play, this is a story that brings to light a budding friendship, some chivalry, and the idea of 'the knight in shining armour' with a twist. 

Fantasy isn't normally a genre I read a whole lot of, but this book was altogether enjoyable. Dunk and Egg made an endearing pair, and the obstacles they encountered along the way made for quite a few interesting developments. Political intrigue, brushes with the law and a few hints at possible romance also characterise the plot, while the illustrations serve to highlight key moments.

The illustrations themselves were artfully done, and made this story seem almost like a fairytale (though not quite as glamourous). At times when the prose may have been a bit too dense, or the plot going slow, these served to keep me interested and reading on until the closing pages.

In all, while this novel wasn't perfect for me, the intricacies of Westeros which it portrays from the beginning will definitely enlighten and interest existing fans of Martin's series. 

Sunkissed by Jenny McLachlan
Series: Ladybirds #3

Released: 13th August 2015

Published by: Bloomsbury

Genre: YA Contemporary

Source: Publisher

Pages: 302

My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Goodreads | QBD | Book Depository

Following on from Flirty Dancing and Love Bomb, Jenny McLachlan's next book is perfect summer holiday reading for fans of Geek Girl and Louise Rennison.

Kat can't believe her family are sending her to Sweden for the summer. But without her friends, or even a phone signal, can Kat make it on her own? In a land of saunas, nudity and summer sun, Kat soon realises she has nowhere to hide. It's time to embrace who she really is, underneath what she's been thinking people want her to be. Especially if she's going to win the heart of mega fit Swede Leo!

Can Kat find her inner strength and prove she's got what it takes? Kat soon finds that when you're surrounded by phosphorescence and wonder it's easy to sparkle. Or maybe that's what happens when you fall in love . Or maybe you only shine when you're true to yourself.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 

The Ladybirds series is back again with Sunkissed - another fun, cute and heartwarming read from Jenny McLachlan. What I love about this series is the fact that it doesn't just provide a 'light' read which still has real substance, but has a strong focus on friendship and the positive message of being true and comfortable in yourself. 

What makes this book a stand-out from the rest of the series is definitely its setting - a small Swedish island where the locals live with the basics...and perhaps not the ideal for fashion conscious protagonist Kat! The inclusion of Swedish language added a small glimpse into the culture and made it seem more realistic, which is always a plus. Seeing Kat's transformation from someone who couldn't live without all her usual gadgets to appreciating her time away and undergoing some deeper self discovery made for an engrossing read.

The romance itself wasn't something which really struck a chord with me, but as a novel on the younger side of YA this didn't really bother me. Leo was a character likable enough, but really this is a story about the girls - their friendship and personal growth. I continue to wholly recommend this book to anyone who wants a fictional island getaway with a positive message at heart. 

Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Lyla Payne
Released: 6th October 2015

Published by: Bloomsbury

Genre: NA Contemporary

Source: Publisher

Pages: 302

My Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads | QBD | Book Depository

In "Mistletoe and Mr. Right," Jessica (not Jessie) takes a flying leap and follows her boyfriend home for the holidays for Christmas break, sure that Ireland will provide the perfect backdrop to the beginning of their happily ever after. But it turns out his family--and his gorgeous ex-girlfriend--don't feel the same way, and the only person making the trip worthwhile is the local farmhand, who has a way of showing up when Jessica needs him most . . . and least.

The holiday hijinks continue in "Sleigh Bells and Second Chances," when Jessica's best friend makes her own way across the pond! Christina Lake does not want to be away at Christmas, but it's her duty to babysit one of London's hottest bands at their last-minute concert on Christmas Eve . . . even though she had a fling with Cary, the band's lead singer, that never officially ended. Now forced to reconnect, Christina is starting to think that maybe London is exactly where she's supposed to be to get the perfect New Year's kiss--at least until she finds out that he's been lying the whole time. Can Cary find a way to prove himself before the clock strikes twelve? Or will the New Year ring in a new romance?

 Lyla Payne wraps up two perfect holiday novellas, ties them with a ribbon of romance, and tops them with a light dusting of snow. Perfect to curl up with under the tree. Just add hot cocoa!

Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 

These two romantic novellas are sweet, easy reads which are perfect for the holiday season. Though they both don't stray too far from what is the 'expected' NA drama, they are nonetheless sure to appeal to romance readers. From an Irish farm to to a celebrity affair, this book offers two very different settings, although both protagonists experience similar developments before finding their 'mister right'.

I have to admit, in both instances the plot was quite predictable. While there were some surprise twists, especially in the case of Mistletoe and Mr. Right, in all I think from close to the start it was easy to see who Jessica would end up with. Her relationship with Brennan seemed really stiff, although as a character I think she had her redeeming qualities. I think the point is to show that despite how orderly and intelligent a person may be, they still could end up with the wrong guy. I did sympathise with Jessica's awkwardness at times and tendency to get herself in difficult situations, though the romance which eventuated wasn't really one I was excited about. Perhaps it's because of the relatively short span of pages that the plot develops, but either way I was hoping for more. In Sleigh Bells and Second Chances there was definitely more of a flirtatious vibe, and the band aspect came into play as well, though I didn't really buy into that romance as much as I had hoped to.

In all, despite the mediocrity of these books for me personally, I think that in the hands of a different reader looking for a couple of short romantic stories in the holiday season they would be more enjoyable. 

Year of Mistaken Discoveries by Eileen Cook
Released: 25th February 2014

Published by: Simon and Schuster

Genre: YA Contemporary

Source: Publisher

Pages: 272

My Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads | QBD | Book Depository

As first graders, Avery and Nora bonded over a special trait they shared: they were both adopted. Years later, Avery is smart, popular, and on the cheerleading squad, while Nora spends her time on the fringes of school society, wearing black, reading esoteric poetry, and listening to obscure music. They never interact...until the night Nora approaches Avery at a party, saying it's urgent. She tells Avery that she thought she found her birth mom, but it turned out to be a cruel lie. Avery feels for Nora, but returns to her friends at the party. Then Avery learns that Nora overdosed on pills.

Left to cope with Nora's loss and questioning her own actions, Avery decides to honor her friend by launching a search for her own birth mother. Aided by Brody, a friend of Nora's who is also looking for a way to respect Nora's legacy, Avery embarks on an emotional quest. But what she's really seeking might go far deeper than just genetics.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 

A bond between best friends is a special one - which makes it all the more devastating when it ends. In Year of Mistaken Discoveries, Eileen Cook does not only explore the repercussions of losing someone who you can relate to in one of the deepest possible ways, but finding the essence of who you are, and who you are meant to be. 

The inherent conflict between what you do versus what is expected of you is explored through Avery really well. This is something which a lot of teenagers experience, so I thought that they portrayal of her at the start as a 'people pleaser' wasn't too uncommon, and therefore made her relatable. After Nora's suicide, she isn't quite the same, and though in many ways she retracts into herself, it was nice to see her come back with a renewed vigor to find her birth mother (even if there were other motives at play). The flashbacks to the girls time together when they were younger added a note of wistful nostalgia, and went to show that in many ways Nora was still remembered and one of the key reasons behind Avery's mission.

The romance was a one which was no case of insta-love, but more of a bond which developed because both people were focused on a common goal. This is a story which explores the connections between family, the continuing impact of the past on the present, and hopefulness of the future. I'll definitely be looking forward to more from Eileen Cook after reading this!

Signs Point to Yes by Sandy Hall
Released: 20th October 2015

Published by: Swoon Reads

Genre: YA Contemporary

Source: Publisher

Pages: 288

My Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads | QBD | Book Depository

If only Jane’s Magic 8 Ball could tell her how to get through the summer. With her “perfect” sister, Margo, home for her “perfect” internship, Jane is not going to be able to spend the summer writing fan fiction, as she had planned. And her emergency babysitting job requires Jane to spend the whole summer in awkward proximity to her new crush, Teo, a nerdy-hot lifeguard with problems of his own. With his best friend out of town, Teo finds himself without anyone to confide in…except Jane.

Will Jane and Teo be able to salvage each other’s summer? Even the Magic 8 Ball doesn’t have an answer…but signs point to yes.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 

This is the type of book which is, in a word: fluffy. In three words? Fluffy and cute. In more words than that? Well here's the full review:

Signs Point to Yes is an adorkable novel which epitomises the 'awkward-romance-where-we-both-like-each-other-but-will-have-lots-of-gawky-encounters-before-anything-happens' kind of setup. Both Jane and Teo are quite benign characters on their own, but they do have some unique qualities which lets them stand out as tangible characters. Jane has her fandoms and Teo has a really great relationship with his younger sisters which was nice to see. Through the mix of perspectives I found I did get to know what each person was thinking on a level to allow some decent character development, though I can't really see how Margo, Jane's older sister really made much of a difference to the plot. As a sub-plot, perhaps, but I didn't take much from her sections. Though Ravi, Teo's best friend, is hard to connect with at the start (and not all that likable), Teo's friendship with him was able to continue (even after a few talking-to's).

In the end, when it comes to romance, with a pinch of chance, a spoon of cuteness, and the right environment to make it happen - that calls for a pretty good recipe. We certainly might not all rely on an 8-ball to dictate our fates, but in this case I'd say the signs point to yes for you to give this book a try!