Chrysalises are giant robots piloted by a boy and a girl, but the girls rarely survive battles with the invading aliens. Zetian sets out, full of rageChrysalises are giant robots piloted by a boy and a girl, but the girls rarely survive battles with the invading aliens. Zetian sets out, full of rage, to avenge her sister's death, and ends up changing all of that. Full on, all-out mayhem/adventure ensues....more
Enjoyable thriller set in Tasmania, where the forest and landscape loom large in the story. School girls in a small town go missing on a hiking trip -Enjoyable thriller set in Tasmania, where the forest and landscape loom large in the story. School girls in a small town go missing on a hiking trip - were they taken by the legendary "Hungry Man", or has something else befallen them? I felt that in the end, a few characters didn't get the consequences they richly deserved, but it was a satisfying read. (In terms of a content warning, fair bit of this story touches on self-harm and suicide)....more
The very lovely sequel to Mrs Bird, just as gloriously wholesome and... well, cheerful, as the first, despite the wartime setting and sometimes grim eThe very lovely sequel to Mrs Bird, just as gloriously wholesome and... well, cheerful, as the first, despite the wartime setting and sometimes grim events....more
An excellent sequel to A Memory Called Empire - Mahit returns to her station, but is soon embroiled in Teixcalaanli interests once again as she helps An excellent sequel to A Memory Called Empire - Mahit returns to her station, but is soon embroiled in Teixcalaanli interests once again as she helps to open communication with an alien species. Mahit struggling with the influence of Teixcalaanli culture in her life and her true place in the world are so well done. ...more
I kept thinking this novel wouldn't reveal the actual titular plot - because when you've set it up as "a plot so original and mind-blowing that any auI kept thinking this novel wouldn't reveal the actual titular plot - because when you've set it up as "a plot so original and mind-blowing that any author could make it a best-seller, and agents and publishers have never read anything like it before", that's pretty hard to follow through with. Anyway it does, and it is predictably a bit of a let-down. However, The Plot as a whole was OK, it kept me guessing reasonably well, and it ended with a bang....more
Another delightful Tassie-based mystery from Livia Day. This one is about some stolen wedding dresses and the odd murder - I loved the cooking descripAnother delightful Tassie-based mystery from Livia Day. This one is about some stolen wedding dresses and the odd murder - I loved the cooking descriptions in Day's last series, and the lush clothing descriptions in this one were just as enjoyable....more
This was a bit unsatisfyingly twee - every plot point that might have been a potential difficulty was in fact resolved happily and sweetly. Too sweetlThis was a bit unsatisfyingly twee - every plot point that might have been a potential difficulty was in fact resolved happily and sweetly. Too sweetly, man - gimme some grit!...more
The whole premise of a secret undercover study of psychopathic students was a little hard to swallow, but I appreciate that it's a good set-up for a tThe whole premise of a secret undercover study of psychopathic students was a little hard to swallow, but I appreciate that it's a good set-up for a thriller. There's a bunch of psychopaths, someone's killing them - a couple of them team up (insofar as they're capable of such a thing) to figure it out. It's heart-warming in a sort of cold-blooded way, and an enjoyably twisting plot....more
A thriller that moves back and forth in time, while maintaining excellent tension, and managing to make you nod along with a fairly out-there resolutiA thriller that moves back and forth in time, while maintaining excellent tension, and managing to make you nod along with a fairly out-there resolution (which is impressive!) Lots of fun....more
Totally engaging thriller set in a ballet company preparing for a performance of Swan Lake. It's just as brilliant as that sentence sounds.Totally engaging thriller set in a ballet company preparing for a performance of Swan Lake. It's just as brilliant as that sentence sounds....more
An intensely dark, disturbingly believable story about the gradual breakdown of a neighbourhood, with their rather hellishly changed climate as a backAn intensely dark, disturbingly believable story about the gradual breakdown of a neighbourhood, with their rather hellishly changed climate as a backdrop....more
Utterly charming novel about Emmy, who dreams of being a journalist, and gets a job for a women's journal during 1940, screening letters for the advicUtterly charming novel about Emmy, who dreams of being a journalist, and gets a job for a women's journal during 1940, screening letters for the advice column. Emmy's earnest naivety is just the right side of sweet rather than frustrating. ...more
Jan is sitting on a beach in Goa, telling his life story to an annoying young man trying to sell tickets to a silent disco. It's about a long-lost lovJan is sitting on a beach in Goa, telling his life story to an annoying young man trying to sell tickets to a silent disco. It's about a long-lost love, and the small town he escaped, and the adventures he's been on - a gentle, amusing story that weaves around the place. ...more
What an epic, particularly as an audiobook. Mahit, a diplomat with a malfunctioning voice in her head, struggling to grasp and eventually manipulate tWhat an epic, particularly as an audiobook. Mahit, a diplomat with a malfunctioning voice in her head, struggling to grasp and eventually manipulate the political machinations at the heart of the neighbouring empire which threatens her small station. Marvellous SF, I can see why it's so popular....more
This was just a bit too YA for me, unfortunately - I think I would have loved it as a teenager. A "Schoolies" story about a trio of characters who finThis was just a bit too YA for me, unfortunately - I think I would have loved it as a teenager. A "Schoolies" story about a trio of characters who find out more about themselves over the course of a week that doesn't go to plan. There's some lovely, deep stuff here about coping with grief, and family dynamics, and friendships. ...more
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