#SaveOzStories

August 28, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / Leave a comment

The Australian government is about to make significant changes to copyright, threatening the future of our Australian stories.

31435501 #SaveOzStories by Geraldine Brooks, Isobelle Carmody, Peter FitzSimons, Richard Flanagan, Jackie French, Anna Funder, Nikki Gemmell, Morris Gleitzman , Kate Grenville, Andy Griffiths, Jane Harper, Chloe Hooper, Toni Jordan, Thomas Keneally,David Malouf, Monica McInerney, Alex Miller, Frank Moorhouse, Matthew Reilly, Michael Robotham,Magda Szubanski, Christos Tsiolkas, Tim Winton

#SaveOzStories is a gift to book lovers from Australia’s finest writers and the industry that supports them. Jackie French, David Malouf, Tim Winton and many more of our best writers have come together to issue a clarion call to all Australian citizens to defend writers and writing. If politicians have their way we will be the only nation to give away our right to tell our own stories. If you think a world without the next Richard Flanagan, Andy Griffiths or Monica McInerney will be a poorer one, then read this collection of impassioned arguments from our most esteemed wordsmiths.

‘Australians deserve that their lives, experiences, country and culture be reflected in the literature that they read.’ Thomas Keneally

More Info on Books Create Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

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My Thoughts: I managed to grab a copy of #SaveOzStories when I went shopping last weekend. It was an interesting and infuriating read. Interesting reading input from all the different awesome aussie authors and infuriating because, f*** me what a horrid mess this government is making -but I won’t go into that or I’ll be ranting for days. All I will say is; If you at all care about Aussie stories go to http://www.bookscreateaustralia.com.au and get on board with #SaveOzStories

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Review: Raelia (The Medoran Chronicles #2) by Lynette Noni

August 17, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / Leave a comment

“Life is full of crossroads, Alex. Full of choices.”

Returning for a second year at Akarnae Academy with her gifted friends, Alexandra Jennings steps back through a doorway into Medora, the fantasy world that is full of impossibilities.

Despite the magical wonder of Medora, Alex’s life remains threatened by Aven Dalmarta, the banished prince from the Lost City of Meya who is out for her blood.

To protect the Medorans from Aven’s quest to reclaim his birthright, Alex and her friends seek out the Meyarin city and what remains of its ancient race.

Not sure who—or perhaps what—she is anymore, all Alex knows is that if she fails to keep Aven from reaching Meya, the lives of countless Medorans will be in danger. Can she protect them, or will all be lost?

THE MEDORAN CHRONICLES is a five-part series that offers a new slant on magical parallel worlds – with authority figures who aren’t quite what they seem, jostling friends and rivals and unconvential magic influenced by futuristic technology. Goodreads View.

MY THOUGHTS: The Medoran Chronicles summed up in three words; captivating, endearing and fun. I went from reading the first book straight into the second and now I’ve got an extreme book hangover happening. Bring on Draekora NOW (Book #3) I can’t wait until 2017!

The whole book was fantastic, but the last 20% was a frenzied whirlwind of action and emotion. I was bouncing on the edge of my seat as I flipped through the pages. I was enjoying it so much, that I didn’t want the story to end.

Alex is a fantastic female character. We see her grow throughout the first two books into a force to be reckoned with. She is spunky and full of life. She is loving and loyal. She is both mentally and physically strong. She is brave and determined to do the right thing. We need more YA heroines like Alex.

Her Friends: Bear comes off as a total sweetheart. Dix (D.C.) is another fantastic female character and was a nice to see her become Alex’s close friend, rather than just the background character she was in the first book. Jordan is a cheeky and adorable doofus. Kaiden has total heart throb appeal. Why hello there you slow burning love interest you, how you doin’ cutie pie. When we first met Kaiden in book one I was like “I’m keeping my eye on you, I have a feeling about you” and now I’m really looking forward to seeing (hopefully) Alex and Kaiden’s bond growing further in the next book.

The Medoran Chronicles has been Labeled as mixture of Harry Potter, X-Men and Narnia and I’ve actually seen it compared to Harry Potter on multiple occasions. There are definitely similarities and this is a good thing in my mind, as they are good similarities (if that makes sense). And hell yes I hope The Medoran Chronicles ends up with the same sort of fan base / fame as Harry, cause its an awesome Aussie YA. I think the Medoran Chronicles is the sort off story that people will want to return to and re-read again and again as the years go by. Lynette Noni I applauded your imagination and please keep letting us into the fantasy worlds in your head.

FIVE “gimme gimme more” STARS.

WARNING: the ending if full of Heartbreaking betrayal. Ahhhhhh Lynette Noni why you hurt me so.

LYNETTE NONI LINKS: Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Website

Amazon AU | Amazon US | Booktopia

Bookish Babble: Y16.W14

August 4, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / Leave a comment

Aussie Author Quote Edition:

I haven’t read Stormdancer yet so I am not sure of the context, so the fact that I used an image of people kissing as the background maybe a lil bit off, BUT when I read this quote I thought in a romantic context “Yep, been there and done that!”

This is true, but It doesn’t always feel that way.

Yes, yes you do! Run with me people.

Well yes, as long as you haven’t read the synopsis or any reviews :-P.

This next one is a snippet from The First Third by Will Kostakis. Now i’m not sure how it will translate if your never read the book but I loved this bit. So imagine for me a 17 year old Australian born grandson with his Greek born grandmother >>

“Sti zoei mas, ehome tria… komatia.” Greek for, “In our lives, we have three… pieces.” She must have been in an imparting-wisdom kind of mood. It was obviously important, because she switched to English, not trusting my Greek.

“In first part,” She said, “your family embarrass you. Then-pff-they die.” I couldn’t tell whether she was trying to teach me something or make me feel bad for laughing at her.

She focused hard, like she was having difficulty summoning the correct phrasing. “In number two, you feel agape, you find love, you make baby, you want to have family like before.” I thought of Papou. I thought of Mum.

Yiayia snatched up a polka-dotted piece of fabric and slowly started to stretch it. The elasticity disappointed her. She dropped it back into the heap and rested her hand on the edge of the bin. “Then, one day, you old. You try to give, and your family,” Yiayia shrugged, “they embarrassed. And then-pff-you die.”

It was the circle of Greek life. “You see, one day,” she added.

Life is made up of three parts: in the first third, you’re embarrassed by your family; in the second, you make a family of your own; and in the end, you just embarrass the family you’ve made.

It’s funny because it true and it’s heartbreaking because it is true. I’m in my second third now! I’ve always been blessed with a big, loving and yes sometimes embarrassing family. The older I get the more I long for how connected my family was when I was younger. All my cousins and myself included are off making our own families now. I hope I can give my boys the connections I had and the love I felt in my first third.

Until next time, enjoy your shelves (and your families).

Review: Hero by Belinda Crawford

July 18, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / 2 Comments

Centuries ago, humans colonised Jørn, a lonely planet on the far side of the galaxy. Arriving in five great colony ships, they quickly settled the surface only to discover, after a few short years, that the planet was killing them. The culprit, a native spore, carried on every wind to every corner of the globe.

Genetic engineering, blending DNA from Earth and Jørn species, saved their crops and livestock, but for humans there was no cure. Instead they took to the skies, turning their colony ships into cities that floated above the spore’s reach.

Hero Regan is special, and not in a way she likes. She hears voices, voices in her head that other people can’t. Surrounded by butlers, bodyguards and tutors, insulated from the outside world, her only solace is Fink, a six-hundred-kilogram, genetically engineered ruc-pard. They share lives, thoughts, triple-chocolate marshmallow ice-cream and the burning desire for freedom.

Their chance comes when Hero is allowed to attend school in Cumulus City. Here, along with making unexpected friends, Hero discovers she is an unwitting part of a master plan set into motion by the first colonists, a plan she must either help or foil if she’s ever to attain the freedom she craves.

* * * * * * * My Thoughts * * * * * * *

How would you feel if you had been told lies your whole life and forced to take medication when you knew you weren’t sick?

How would you feel if you found out you were a human hybrid and that your whole life had been some sort of long running science experiment?

Would you strive to live up to some higher purpose or turn on those around you?

Hero is the first book in The Hero Rebellion and it introduces us to Hero Regan. We see Hero battle normal teenager issues; school bullies and finding out who her true friends are, as well as dealing with the consequences of who and what she truly is. Hero is an extremely intelligent young woman and it feels as if she has an epic life in-front of her, one I’m looking forward to continuing to follow.

It took me little while to get used to all the new names of things, the animals and construction materials etc, but I can see that the purpose of this was to set the scene of a new futuristic world and it was all good once I got the rhythm of it.

Hero was published on the 21st of September 2015. I came across it on NetGalley just days before it was archived on the 31st of May 2016 *throws hands up to the sky* Thank you Odyssey Books for still authorising me a review copy at such late notice! #LoveOzYA

Did I get your attention with those opening lines? And while yes, I’ve just given away a few of the major reveals in the book, I haven’t given away them all! Hero was a Five Star YA Sci-Fi for me and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.

* * * * * * * Author Links * * * * * * *

Sneak peek available on Wattpad

Review: The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina

April 27, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / 2 Comments

“There will come a day when a thousand Illegals descend on your detention centres. Boomers will breach the walls. Skychangers will send lightning to strike you all down from above, and Rumblers will open the earth to swallow you up from below. . . . And when that day comes, Justin Connor, think of me.”

Ashala Wolf has been captured by Chief Administrator Neville Rose. A man who is intent on destroying Ashala’s Tribe — the runaway Illegals hiding in the Firstwood. Injured and vulnerable and with her Sleepwalker ability blocked, Ashala is forced to succumb to the machine that will pull secrets from her mind.And right beside her is Justin Connor, her betrayer, watching her every move.

Will the Tribe survive the interrogation of Ashala Wolf?

* * * * * MY THOUGHTS * * * * *

The last few Dystopian novels I’ve read have been let downs, so I was holding off starting this series as it is labelled a Dystopian. I saw it at my local library when I was there last and my interest in the Author’s Bio caused me to borrow it and boy am I glad I did.

The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf is the first book in The Tribe series by Australian author Ambelin Kwaymullina. Within the first few pages on a coffee fueled Sunday morning this story had reeled me. I didn’t put it down until I finished it later that night! Devouring a book in one sitting doesn’t happen to me very often.

This story felt fresh and exciting. The story is action packed, high danger with just the right about of young romance. Ashala is amazing, in fact so are all the Tribe members and Ashala’s connection to natural world is truly beautiful.

I think the dystopian world, set 300+ years into our future, that Ambelin Kwaymullina has created is brilliant and enthralling. I love the terrifyingly possible way the earth was destroyed by our toxic behaviors and the way humans have evolved because of it. In this future earth there isn’t enough humans left to be concerned with the colour of someone skin, but as we humans are horrible creatures who fear anything different from ourselves, the future government hunts down anyone showing any signs of extraordinary abilities; Ashala and her tribe all have these extraordinary abilities.

Thought-out this story we see the world as Ashala sees it. We meet allies and enemies and experience some vivid dreaming scenes and painful memories as she does.

While I was really enjoying the first half of the book, there was a twist half way though that I didn’t see coming that for me turned the second half of the book into a frenzy. I was running a mad race with myself to find out how the book ended.

Ambelin Kwaymullina writing flows beautifully and is filled with powerful energy. This book was a real pleasure to read. I’m off to get my hands on book number two!

Ambelin Kwaymullina loves reading sci-fi/fantasy books, and has wanted to write a novel since she was six years old. She comes from the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. When not writing or reading she teaches law, illustrates picture books, and hangs out with her dogs. Links: Website | Goodreads | Amazon AU | Amazon US | Book Depository

Summer Skin by Kirsty Eagar

February 24, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / Leave a comment

26211610 Summer Skin by Kirsty Eagar

Paperback, 352 pages

Published February 1st 2016 by Allen & Unwin

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Jess Gordon is out for revenge. Last year the jocks from Knights College tried to shame her best friend. This year she and a hand-picked college girl gang are going to get even.

The lesson: don’t mess with Unity girls.

The target: Blondie, a typical Knights stud, arrogant, cold . . . and smart enough to keep up with Jess.

A neo-riot grrl with a penchant for fanning the flames meets a rugby-playing sexist pig – sworn enemies or two people who happen to find each other when they’re at their most vulnerable?

It’s all Girl meets Boy, Girl steals from Boy, seduces Boy, ties Boy to a chair and burns Boy’s stuff. Just your typical love story.

A searingly honest and achingly funny story about love and sex amid the hotbed of university colleges by the award-winning author of Raw Blue.

“Taking a keen look at modern day intimacy in a hook-up culture, Summer Skin expertly shatters notions of slut shaming and the pull of sexual desire. Realistic, modern and moving, the story of Jess and Mitch is as smart as it is hot. Kirsty Eagar has written the feminist love story that girls have been waiting for.” Clementine Ford

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * My Thoughts * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

When Jess and Mitch first meet it is a truly awkward cringe worthy moment – a real moment.

Summer Skin’s story was believable and the characters felt real. While Jess and Mitch’s burning then blooming romance pushes the story along, a lot of issues that face young adults these days are touched on in a realistic and un-preachy manner. Well Done Kirsty Eagar.

It was hideously beautiful! It made me thank the stars above that I’m not 19 anymore, while at the same time making me wish I still was.

I’d say it’s more suited to a 15-25 age range. I’m not saying that if your older you won’t enjoy it, you still will, I still did. I’m just saying that age bracket because If I had read this when I was the main character’s age, it would have blown me away.

Find out more on Kirsty’s:

Website – Twitter – Facebook – Goodreads – Instagram – YouTube

Summer Skin on: Goodreads – Amazon Au – Amazon US

I found these two “adds” on Kristy’s twitter and just had to share them.

Paradise City by CJ Duggan

April 14, 2015July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / Leave a comment

Paradise City (Paradise #1) by CJ Duggan

Pub Date 28^th April 2015 (Hachette Australia)

I received an eBook ARC from Net Galley in return for an honest review – So Thank You CJ Duggan and Hachette Australia.

From the author of the bestselling Summer series, comes the first book in a seriously sexy New Adult series you won’t want to miss. For fans of Abbi Glines, Sarah Dessen and Colleen Hoover.

There’s bound to be trouble in Paradise . . .

When her parents decide a change will be good for her, seventeen-year-old Lexie Atkinson never expected they’d send her all the way to Paradise City. Coming from a predictable life of home-schooling on a rural Australian property, she just knows that Paradise will be amazing. But when she’s thrust into a public school without a friendly face in sight, and forced to share a room with her insipid, hateful cousin Amanda, Lexie’s not so sure.

Hanging out with the self-proclaimed beach bums of the city, sneaking out, late-night parties and parking with boys are all things Lexie’s never experienced, but all that’s about to change. It’s new, terrifying . . . and exciting.

And when Lexie meets Luke Ballantine, the swoon-worthy, bad-boy leader of the group, the chemistry between them is electric. Trouble with a capital T, Luke is impulsive, charming and answers to no one, and he’s sexier than any guy Lexie has ever known. Lexie begins to wonder if Luke is going to be good for her . . . or very, very bad?

Raise your left hand if you ever made an ass of yourself in high school. Now raise your right hand if you ever tortured yourself over a boy (or girl). Now give yourself a high five because you survived, maybe not unscathed, but you survived.

Oh how this book took me back. Duggan perfectly captures the – he likes me, he likes me not – torture teenage girls put themselves thought. Perfectly captures the hormone induced hysteria that growing up causes.

I loved how real Lexie felt. I wanted to be her friend, I wanted her to flourish and succeed. At some points it was if I was reading my own but better written teenage diary. I wanted to jump into the pages; slap Amanda, kick Ballantine up the bum and hug Lexie while offering her a big bowl of cookies and cream ice cream.

I love bad boys with soft and cuddly centers, love seeing their masks slip, love seeing them let their guards down. Every teenage girls dream is a bad boy that’ll be good just for her. A naughty, cheeky, hot mess. A bad boy who’s really not a bad guy – Boom! it’s Ballantine.

A likable, relatable sheltered country girl. A grade A student who’s been cooped up and restricted – and now, damn the consequences, she’s going to find out what it’s like to live – Boom! it’s Lexie.

There are twist and turns and lessons to be learned. Family tensions, school detentions and late night rendezvous. A boy named Luke Ballantine and girl named Lexie Atkinson – Boom! an exciting, endearing and entertaining story.

Duggan’s writing is beautiful; fresh, humorous, full of heartache and yet full of hope – A damn nice surprise in what can be a rather unbelievable, excessive and skanky genre.

I am internally chucking a full blown teenage tantrum that I have to wait until September to find out what happens next in the world of Lexie. Five Stars.