Lost in a Good Book

Mine to Avenge by Kerry Letheby

01 May 2013 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, General, Mystery Tags: five stars, kerry letheby, mystery, suspense

Published: November 1st 2012
Publisher: Love Of Books
Pages: 488
Format: Book
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

When Alcandor is blamed for the tragic death of his friend’s sister in Greece in 1940, little does he know of the repercussions this will have for him and his family for the next seventy years. Unable to forgive himself, and wanting to give his young family a new start, Alcandor leaves Greece and brings his family to settle in the Riverland of South Australia in 1948. Although Greece and his past are far behind him, Alcandor harbours a terrible secret and he remains a fearful man. Alcandor subdues his fear, and he and his family adapt to an idyllic life of freedom and opportunity.

However, eighteen years after leaving Greece, Alcandor learns that his past has caught up with him. His family needs to know the truth, but circumstances tragically intervene before he can warn them. Years later, Alcandor’s sons show signs of odd behavior hinting at possible mental instability, before disappearing without a trace. And in the next generation, Alcandor’s grandson exhibits the same strange behaviour not long before he is killed in the tragedy of September 11, 2001. It is not until 2010 that Alcandor’s great- granddaughter, Alethea, discovers that there is far more behind her family’s tragic history than mental illness, and little does she know that the threat against her family is much closer than she realises, and very far from over.

Mine to Avenge is an excellent book. The amount of work and time and thought Kerry has put into this book is amazing. There are interconnected things everywhere, not to mention the research she has done about the history of Greece and America and Adelaide, and all the other places mentioned in the story. If you followed her blog tour she mentions a few details about where she got her ideas and how she wrote this story, and I always have a great admiration for people who put so much time and effort into their work for others to enjoy. There surely must be a time where they want to just wing it because it is easier, but a lot don’t, they want it to be as accurate as possible, especially if dealing with real times and real places and events.

When Alcandor Galanos is blamed for the death of his friend’s sister in 1940 Greece, it sets in motion a vendetta that will follow his family for the next seventy years. Kerry takes us on this journey of mystery and a vengeance that haunts the Galanos family, and by the end of the book you close it with so much inside your head about the connections and the lives of all the characters it is extraordinary. We are given multiple points of view and there is a fractured chronology as we get to see everyone’s side of the story as is required. This was evident right from the beginning because Chapter one opens with September 11, 2001, and leaving us on a cliff Kerry then jumps back to 1940 Greece where she shows us how it all began with another side of the story. It is writing like that that makes you eager to keep reading, if not to see where the exciting chapter leads, but also because you know there is still a cliff hanger from the very first chapter that is always on your mind as you are given this new information. But through this novel you get so many moments unanswered with new questions and as you continue you are abuzz with theories and you half read and half try and leap ahead in your mind and connect the dots.

The way Kerry captured moments of the past was wonderful. With real events like September 11 and World War 2 and conflicts in Greece, she manages to portray the feeling and environment wonderfully, as well as the characters who are embroiled in these events. For September 11, because it was the only real one I had any real connection too; the way the confusion and the environment were captured was done extremely well, without it having to be the main focus of the scene. I especially liked how other characters reacted, even those who were not directly involved, specifically Nina and her children Alethea and Mila. Nina cared for her children and protected them from the scenes outside their window and the way Kerry tells their side of the events, you instantly can establish the fear hidden deep under a need to keep children unafraid, but you also can sense the almost young adult 12 year old Alethea who senses the fear, but wants to help her mother by being calm for her.

Kerry has thought about everything, she has small details that make all the difference, the fact a mother protects the September 11 news from her kids, and how they treat the situation is very real, and very touching without showing the horrors, but still managing to capture the scene perfectly. The emotions, fear, uncertainty and missing description creates the images for you. This is evident in the other cases of terror with the family, creating the family bond, the family love amidst the destruction of the world around them was insightful and heart warming without a sense of over the top emotion.

There are so many gripping moments in this novel, even away from September 11, which isn’t really a huge part of the novel in the scheme of things, though it has its consequences and influences though which play their role in this interwoven narrative as does everything else. But with these scenes, and gripping moments of curiosity and intrigue, you become very involved in the lives of these characters, you have become so invested in their personal lives over their lifetime and knowing the dangers that surround them your brain works overtime to try and anticipate or deduct what it happening, about to happen, or has already happened.

Through the multiple points of view, as well as the jump between years you get to see the evolution of this family, and see children become fathers, mothers, and great grandmothers. When you read about characters when they are older with their families you also have the knowledge behind you of their childhood and their previous moments up until that point. And by having the same experiences retold from different eyes Kerry has compiled these lives, and this mysteriousness into an exquisite packages that leaves nothing unturned, even if it is still being uncovered in the final pages.

There are wonderful transitions between characters and emotions, nothing is rushed, yet nothing is drawn out unnecessarily with unneeded details. Each character is captured and portrayed so well, with such affection you do see them as real people, or as whole characters with a history and past.

As I reached the halfway mark point the cogs inside my head that had been working overtime to think and deduce started to click into place. When suspicions were confirmed it was as if a curtain had been lifted and the pieces started to fall into place. Of course there is always the missing pieces in the puzzle that magically end up under lounge cushions and under pets, these were yet to come, but that doesn’t stop a small sense of delight at the developing result.

I will not give away any more of this plot as it is too glorious not to experience yourself, but by the end of the book, when we are truly still having things revealed, it is done so wonderfully that you close the book feeling like you have been involved in something amazingly complex that works so well on oh so many levels.

The Ruby in the Smoke (#1) by Philip Pullman

29 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Mystery, Sally Lockhart, Young Adult Tags: four stars, historical fiction, mystery, philip pullman, sally lockart, young adult

Published: November 12th 1988
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 373
Format: Book
Genre: Young Adult/Historical Fiction/Mystery
★ ★ ★ ★ – 4 Stars

Sally is sixteen and uncommonly pretty. Her knowledge of English literature, French, history, art and music is non-existent, but she has a thorough grounding in military tactics, can run a business, ride like a Cossack and shoot straight with a pistol.

When her dear father is drowned in suspicious circumstances in the South China Sea, Sally is left to fend for herself, an orphan and alone in the smoky fog of Victorian London. Though she doesn’t know it, Sally is already in terrible danger. Soon the mystery and the danger will deepen – and at the rotten heart of it all lies the deadly secret of the ruby in the smoke.

This book certainly starts off unexpectedly, I will give you that. In what is a crime/detective type story, we are immediately introduced to a Miss Sally Lockhart and the mysteries around herself and her father. The novel opens with 16 year old Sally visiting her father’s place of business after his death to inquire about a letter she received and Pullman instantly sucks you in by the second paragraph by saying “in fifteen minutes she was going to kill a man”. If that doesn’t make you keep reading then what will?

As a character, Sally is has had little conventional education, but she does know her fair share about running a business, military tactics, and how to shoot a pistol. The world she knew is changed when her father is drowned in suspicious circumstances and now must live as an orphan in 1872 Victorian London, living with her aunt who does not approve of her and how she lives her ‘unladylike’ life.
The letter mentions something called the Seven Blessings, and when her initial inquiries go awry Sally tries to find an alternative way. However while she continues to investigate Sally learns her life is in danger, and with the help of friends of her father and helpful strangers turned friends, Sally tries to solve the growing mystery and keep herself from harm. As readers we are not given much to go on ourselves about what these are and we must learn with Sally as she investigates these Seven Blessings that no one wants to talk about despite the chaos they create, though we are given an advantage as we are shown where this possible danger lies, as well as hopes for Sally finding some answers.

With the help of people like 13 year old office boy Jim, as well as brother and sister Frederick and Rosa Garland, Sally continues her journey for answers. After leaving her aunts house she lives with Frederick and Rosa, helping them to improve their business as payment for their help. As a photographerand actress, Frederick and Rosa are very enjoyable characters, they have quirks, as does their employee Theophilus ‘Trembler’ Molloy, ex-pick pocket with a nervous disposition. There are dangers and fear through this story, which makes it seem real and demonstrates the danger that really is present. People are selfish and ruthless when they want something, and there are suffers because of this, but Pullman offers enough hope and goodness to counteract this.

This is only the first book in the series so not a lot is given away, yet a lot is revealed, and that is not to say there is no curiosity sparked about characters and their circumstances. Pullman ends on a wonderful cliffhanger, as cliffhangers go, with new mysteries on top of the half solved old ones to bring readers into the second book. I had been wanting to read this series for about ten years and I am really glad I have finally gotten around to it. The way Pullman writes is for the Young Adult reader, but there is just as must grit, violence, death and intrigue as any other book. Perhaps not as well described, but there is drug use and violence throughout which I found rather charming in a book for this age group. The way Pullman uses it is certainly for the pot movement and isn’t exactly shown in the best light, though it does suit the era, and by doing so, amidst this crime and mystery, there is a nice little moral address about the dangers of drugs for the younger readers; but with full credit to Mr Pullman he weaves it in almost seamlessly with the narrative and it is certainly well placed.

The fact this is set in the Victorian era just adds to this charm. Reading about old England and the inventions emerging and the technologies is great. Seeing how people react to new things could pretty much be suited to anything at any time, but the fact this is the past makes you realise just how some things just don’t change, and how people don’t like it when it does. Another joy of being in this era is how proper and adult these 16 and 21 year olds can be. Not to mention the society, which I think Pullman captures well, especially around Sally. Somehow I think through capturing the society and the era, it adds a little more to the characters and who they are. It makes them more believable, rather than some one who could be living anywhere or any time. You certainly get the feeling of walking through London and its surrounding areas in the later 19th century, it’s rather enjoyable.

There are twists in this book, and enough intrigue and unanswered questions to get you into the second book. And while we may not call it an actual cliffhanger per se, but the characters introduced, what happens to them and their lives and personalities are so engaging that you do want to keep reading and see what happens. It certainly ends very differently from where it begins, and all for the better I feel.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

28 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Birthdays, General Tags: birthday, classic, fiction, four stars, harper lee, literature

Happy Birthday Harper Lee! Today in celebration of her birthday I am reviewing her only novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. I will admit I enjoyed it but not loved this in high school, but I still managed to see why it was wonderful and a classic. Perhaps it was just being the 15 year old, or maybe it is now I am older (it always changes most things), but I can see it differently now, similarly, but different. One of those complex emotions.

Harper Lee’s full name is Nelle Harper Lee, she was the youngest of five and was raised in Alabama. Her only book was To Kill a Mockingbird, she did have a second but it was never published. Famously Lee has never extensively discussed her book or any insights about its meaning and the popularity, and has stayed out of the public eye. Growing up Lee was friends with author Truman Capote and together they wrote an article in the New Yorker which Capote then turned into In Cold Blood, his nonfiction masterpiece. It is said that Atticus in her novel is based on her father who was also a lawyer and who once defended two black men accused of murdering a white shopkeeper. She has though played down any real correlations despite there being similarities, however Capote once said he thinks that certain things she wrote were true and being neighbours and friends he initially used similar aspects of their childhood in his own work.

Published: May 23rd 2006
Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Pages: 324
Format: Book
Genre: Adult Fiction
★ ★ ★ ★ – 4 Stars

Tomboy Scout Finch comes of age in a small Alabama town during a crisis in 1935. She admires her father Atticus, how he deals with issues of racism, injustice, intolerance and bigotry, his courage and his love.

To Kill a Mockingbird was finished in 1959 and it won a Pulitzer Prize award and became a best seller. It soon become a classic novel and has become influential, if not a powerful message about race, inequality, and human decency. It is not only its story, but the characters that people admire and idolise, the key figure being Atticus Finch, father of the narrator, Scout. Naturally is also became campaigned against to be removed from classrooms and libraries. We can’t even look down on the past as the list of banned books still rings high and true today for the same idiotic reasons.

Atticus Finch, who is an attorney, and all round upstanding man, is always listed on the top characters of all time, or most influential characters, or most idolised characters, and really, it is probably true. To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic for a reason, and Lee deals with intense issues in this unjust world with one man trying to do the right thing. As a character he presents unwavering morality, strength, and honour, having an impact not only in the books pages, but with the readers as well. He was a hero not for super powers or for saving the world, he was a hero for doing the right thing.

To Kill a Mockingbird opens with a look into history with a Finch ancestor fleeing religious intolerance in England, settling in Alabama. The main story takes place a few years after the Great Depression. The narrator is Scout Finch who is retelling her story of when she was young and the events that unfolded around her in her town of Maycomb. Initially we see nothing about the racial drama that unfolds later on; instead Lee introduces us to Scout, her brother Jemm, and their friend Dill. The trio enjoy their summer but are fascinated, yet terrified, of “Boo” Radley, a reclusive neighbour. This introduction about Boo and the children go on but it isn’t long before the tentative relationship between the children and Boo is replaced by the appointment of Atticus to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman.

The descriptions in the book and excellent, the way Lee describes the heat, the people, the town, the naivety of children and the insights they provide, and also the way she portrays characters relationships to one another is well done. She doesn’t shy away from the facts and the details of the town life, the trial, or the social messages and reaction; that is where some power comes from. And her language in doing so makes it what it is as much as the events. Her language is deep and the lessons you take from this book are timeless.

One of my absolute favourite aspects of this novel is the fact that Atticus lets his children call him Atticus instead of father. This is the purest and simplest way to demonstrate him as man, Atticus does it as a sign of respect as he sees every one as equal, despite their age, class, race or authority. Not sure I would do the same, but it is very telling nonetheless. The title of the book comes from Atticus, who tells Jemm it is a sin to kill a Mockingbird. Scout questions this and is told that “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing except make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corn cribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

What I found interesting in this book is Lee’s wonderful way of telling this story. By using Scout, a young girl with very little knowledge of the world, who is always looking for answers and explanations, to tell this story, you get great conversations and relationships between characters. Certainly the best are those with Atticus and Scout, though her own opinions of her father are from the view of a child she has some very insightful words, and not only about him. She uses people she knows to discuss the issues around her, more so since the trial began as the people in the town are less than sympathetic, and they also cannot understand Atticus’ desire to defend Tom.

Scout is feisty and is willing to fight for her father which is admirable and a wonderful representation of her relationship to Atticus, but also of her own personality. While Atticus can defend himself, though in more moral and less violent manners, a wonderful scene is when the three children manage to essentially shame a lynch mob by making them see things from Atticus’ perspective. The wonderful quotes that can be taken from this novel are vast, but “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” is a key theme among the many.

What this trial demonstrates is how divided the world was, there is a coloured balcony above the courtroom, away from the main area, and the tone, interactions, and outcomes are certainly surprising. Perhaps this is because reading this in 21st century Australia has a separate impact, but that doesn’t stop my knowledge of what it was like to some degree. Even though Lee has denied any strong autobiographical connection, the story of Tom is not a single fictional case. But even though she writes about this injustice and this ill treatment for a man accused, Lee has added so much more into this narrative than it is also about so much more than the colour of his skin essentially, it is about growing up, learning about the world, class and society, and basically loss of innocence.

The trial is detailed and well planned out; Lee keeps it poignant and fiery, while still upholding all the virtues Atticus has in a town that has already condemned Tom. We go through testimonials and cross examinations, Atticus does his job well. Tom’s point of view is not forgotten, we see his sides of things, and you do know right away of his innocence, but that is nothing in the eyes of the law it seems. That is where your investment goes, into the anticipation and hope that this super hero Atticus Finch, with all his deep wisdom and goodness, can help save Tom for a crime of simple being black.

The outcome of the case has consequences for everyone and the victims are far spread. I won’t reveal the ending, there is a lot in it that speaks more volumes than I could convey, but Lee does a wonderful job. She takes us through this journey and this emotional turmoil about these characters but she almost adds some justice at the end, but in a way she doesn’t. Scout pulls this together wonderfully in her voice and as I said, I think that makes so much difference compared to if it were a simple third person, or another characters point of view, you need her innocence, her loss of innocence, and her perspective telling this story. She uses all the wisdom her father has given her and by the end of the book you know it has sunk in.

There is a movie version on this book, with Gregory Pack as Atticus. It is pretty amazing. It would have to be for this book I think. Made in 1962 it is in black and white but do not let that deter you, it manages to bring all the emotion and the drama from the book and make it just as moving and important as the book. It is reported that Lee visited the set during filming and she did do a lot of interviews to support the film. The film was as popular as the book, with eight Oscar nominations and four awards including Best Actor for Gregory Peck.

The quotes from this book are fantastic, I need to list some, for the pure fact they are insightful and so very true, but there are so many more.

“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”

“Atticus, he was real nice.”
“Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.”

“Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father’s passin’.”

“Before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself.”

So it is today that we wish Harper Lee a very happy birthday, I thank her for this book, and while To Kill a Mockingbird will give you no useful advice on killing Mockingbirds, it will teach you not to judge a man by the colour of his skin.

Liebster Blog Award Nomination #2

26 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

by Amy in Rambles Tags: liebster blog award

This is my second nomination that came from Jess over at The Never Ending Bookshelf. Sorry it took a while to get around to it, but we’re here now!

Here is how the Liebster Blog Award works for those who do not know-

The nominated blogger must post 10 facts about themselves.
They must then answer 10 questions from the blogger who nominated them.
Then nominate 10 bloggers and give them 10 questions to answer.
Link to your 10 bloggers in your blog post.
Let the bloggers know you have nominated them.
Don’t nominate the blogger who nominated you.

10 Facts About myself

1. I have Central Heterochromia which is where there are two colours in the iris of your eye, to steal the technical definition “the central zone of the iris is a different colour than the mid-peripheral zone”

2. My first concert was Crowded House

3. I am currently studying to become a librarian

4. I have wanted to be a writer since I was 11 years old

5. My favourite superhero is Batman

6. I am a Star Wars fan, not so much Star Trek, but I am not against it

7. I love trivia and random facts about things

8. My favourite Disney film is The Lion King, followed by Fantasia

9. I always try and make shapes and objects from cloud formations

10. I enjoy taking photos of everything and every one

Questions from Jess

1. What made you want to start blogging?
I wrote a lot of reviews on Goodreads and I wanted to be able to share my love (or dislike) of a book with a wider audience who might not be on Goodreads. I had always liked the idea but thought it was too hard but when I realised it was rather simple I dove right in.

2. If you could ask an author anything what would it be (and to whom)?
I would possibly ask why they started to write, not necessarily why they wrote what they did, but what started their journey. Based on that I could probably ask any author I love really but we’ll say John Marsden.

3. Do you get attached to fictional characters? And if so, what draws you to them?
Absolutely, I even get disappointed in them when they start doing things I don’t think they should be doing. Sometimes they appeal to me simply because of a quirk they have, but sometimes it is also a philosophy they carry around that makes you admire them to begin with, then you become attached to everything about them.

4. Apart from good writing, what qualities make up a great read/book to you?
Not being afraid to show what needs to be shown or told; also giving the reader credit to understand for themselves meaning or intention, or even simple to connect the dots plot wise.

5. What book do you wish you had written yourself?
I wish I had written a lot, but what Jasper Fforde has done with The Eyre Affair (and the Thursday Next series) I think is spectacular and would claim credit for in a heartbeat.

6. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? (It can be as outlandish as you dare)
Zookeeper, specifically for the lions, that was I could just stand there and stare at them all day in bliss, occasionally doing work when I am being watched.

7. If you could live any fictional character’s life for a day who would it be and where would you go?
Lyra Silvertongue’s from Northern Lights. I wanted a daemon so badly when I was growing up, it sounded amazing.

8. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you choose?
I would go to Scotland.

9. Do you prefer short stories or novels?
I don’t really have a preference, a good short story can do a lot to you, but I suppose you get longer satisfaction from a novel if you want deep story or full characters.

10. Do you read more ebooks or paperbacks? Do you have a preference?
I read more paperbacks, but I have read a couple, actually I think only two, as ebooks. I would say I have a paperback preference if given the choice but if necessary I am perfectly fine with an ebook.

To carry on the tradition! (I know it isn’t 10 I’m sorry!)

The Broke and the Bookish

Book Savvy

Bookish

Mr Ripley’s Enchanted Books

Bookworms’ Avenue

The Blue Bookcase

Book to the Future

Here are their questions

1. Why did you start blogging?

2. What is your favourite book to movie adaptation?

3. What do you think is the worst book to movie adaptation?

4. Have you met you author hero? (if you have one, and ifthey are still alive, that helps)

5. What is your favourite fairy tale?

6. What book can you read again and again?

7. If you had one book to recommend to someone, what would it be?

8. What era would you like to have lived in other than this and why?

9. What animal would you be if you could be anything and why?

10. What is your hobby other than blogging?

Good luck and have fun if you choose to take up this challenge. I hope you all enjoy your weekend and as always, read something spectacular.

News!

24 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

by Amy in News, Rambles Tags: kerry letheby, news

Oh this has been a super crazy week, we’ve had author birthdays and reviews and uni work and no sleep and house sitting and chaos, it’s all a bit too much really. I am hoping it starts calming down soon. I remembered the other night as I realised I was on a review day (where does the time go? They blur all into one these days) that I used to do this once a day, back when there was time – ah time, we had so much fun. But we are powering through. I know if I start slacking off this may get abandoned for that education thing and I don’t want that to happen, this is a lot of fun, despite the fact it is somewhat neglected in the time and love aspects. But enough complaining we have some newsish things.

The super secret only Amy can know is coming in May, I am going to put up on May 4th, Star Wars day. It seems fitting in my mind, though it is probably not a strong connection exactly but I don’t care. So that is going to be amazing! So excited. I am also working on getting up my second Liebster Nomination up so you’ll have another list of facts about me and a bunch more blogs you should check out. Also I have been trying to get a Top 10 or Theme Thursday up and going, I have had my little Theme picture made for months it just is not finding a spot in the schedule but I am trying so keep watching!

More importantly I have just realised something! Gee whiz, we are not good at these important milestones! I blame Shakespeare, I really do. So somehow it has already been another month, how does that even happen! But on the 23rd, which I am realising is the most under appreciated and remembered day (except for Shakespeare, see all his fault), but on the 23rd we hit out three month anniversary! Yay! It is speeding up the more months we accumulate, it is rather terrifying. In that three month period I have gotten a lot of visitors so thank you guys a lot. I do enjoy popping over to my stats and seeing the numbers go up and see the spread of colour on my visitor location map as my world domination comes to fruition. Did I say world domination? I meant a simple collection of visitors from every country and continent *innocent smile*. But thank you guys a lot. Read, share and repeat and all that jazz.

So as I say it is hectic right now, I cannot wait for June when all the crazy stops for a while and I can focus on reading full time instead of just minutes here and there. It is taking a lot longer to get through books this way, it is rather frustrating, especially when they are so enthralling! I am hoping to have a review up soon of Kerry Letheby’s book Mine to Avenge, if you haven’t checked out her guest post or tour you should do that. There is also a giveaway (ends May 3rd) of her book over with Jess at The Never Ending Bookshelf.

But enough on me, ok one more, usual reminder for the Twitter/Facebook extra content and fun times option and all the buttons to click to get those and I hope to see you all for month four. Stay tuned for super exciting (to me and maybe to you) things in May, more birthday posts, more reviews, and I hope you all have a wonderful day and read something spectacular.