When Jude was seven years old, her life and those of her sisters, were irrevocably changed. Lord Madoc, the Faerie King’s general, showed up on their doorstep, intent on claiming back his long-lost heir and Jude and Taryn’s parents were murdered as a result. Madoc took them and his daughter Vivienne to Elfhame, where they were all raised as part of his household. Most humans in Elfhame are servants (or even slaves) be-glamoured not to realise that they’re trapped in a magical realm. That Madoc […]
Learning to live with the unimaginable – THUG LIFE
When I try to start this review, I am cowed at the prospect of it. What do I, a mid-30s white woman have to say about Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give, the story of Starr Carter, a sixteen year old young black woman growing up in the ghetto, who is a witness to the murder of not one, but two of her friends? What do I have to say about her experience, or about the experience of everyone in this book, so far removed […]
In the Bleak Midwinter
My book reading year ends, and starts with, this classic children’s novel by Susan Cooper. The second book in the series of the same name is a seasonally appropriate touchstone being set between the winter solstice and twelfth night and since I first read it as a child is a book I return to most years at this time. The book is the tale of the youngest son in a large family turning eleven and finding out that he is the last of the “Old […]
Too short but very sweet
Almost Midnight collects two short stories by Rainbow Rowell that have appeared elsewhere, and features beautiful illustrations throughout by Simini Blocker. In Midnights, Mags and Noel meet one New Year’s Eve and become fast friends. The story follows them on subsequent Eves for a few years and we see that Mags has more than friendly feelings towards Noel. Unfortunately he keeps kissing other girls at midnight. In this latest year Mags decides she’s had enough and hides out so she doesn’t have to witness him […]