TRICKSTER DRIFT, by Eden Robinson

TRICKSTER DRIFT, by Eden Robinson 

Penguin Random House Canada - Available October 2, 2018

My Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the second book in the TRICKSTER series. You can check out my review of the first book, SON OF A TRICKSTER in this post.

I enjoyed the first book - SON OF A TRICKSTER, but I enjoyed TRICKSTER DRIFT even more. 

Perhaps it was that having already been acquainted with the author's writing style and/or the characters. Perhaps I just felt more like cheering in Jared's corner as he is fighting so hard to maintain sobriety. Perhaps this book was just more magical to me.  Whatever the case may be, it is a stunning sequel. 

Jared is trying to move on with a "normal" life.  He has sworn off drugs and alcohol in an effort to keep the magical creatures that nearly undid him at bay. He tries to put distance between himself and the people who enabled his toxic lifestyle and has packed a bag and moved to Vancouver to attend school and start building a solid foundation for his future. 

But if he couldn't run and hide from his mother's psychotic ex David, he certainly couldn't run and hide from the magic creatures that tend to gravitate to him. Magic always finds him, and while he makes friends with and cares for some of these beings, some are still a real danger to him.  

Robinson's ability to weave traditional first nations mythology into a modern coming-of-age/fantasy/horror is a real gift.  I am looking forward to the final book in the series - RETURN OF THE TRICKSTER, as of this writing I was unable to find any information regarding the anticipated release date, but I know I will be keeping an eye out for it! 

According to the CBC, as reported in this article, a film deal is in the works for the trilogy!


Happy Reading,
Christine

Review: SPINNING SILVER, by Naomi Novik

SPINNING SILVER, by Naomi Novik

Audio Book

Random House Audio  - 2018

Narrated by Lisa Flanagan

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Absolutely spellbinding, dark, and twisted.  I loved it.

SPINNING SILVER is a wonderfully twisted retelling of the classic RUMPELSTILTSKIN, all grown up and ready for an adult audience. 

Miryem is the daughter of the town money lender. Her father is not particularly successful, as he is not good at the collecting part of the job. One day Miryam - tired of living in poverty while her father's clients feast rather than pay their debts, decides to take over the family business.  Miryam is not only a successful money lender, she is also a shrewd business woman and is soon making sizable profits on her business dealings.  She brags that she can spin silver into gold.

This brings her to the attention of the Staryk king who has an affinity for gold. The Staryk are the cold, magical folk who live in the Forest on the borders of the town.  The Staryk king challenges her to to change his silver into gold three times.  Fail and be turned to ice, succeed and be taken to his winter kingdom to become his unwilling queen. 

There are so many facets to this story. Along with Miryem there are other key characters with their own stories - Wanda, who was working for Miryem to pay off her father's debts, and Irina, the daughter of a nobleman, who was all but locked in a tower until she is adorned with the Staryk silver and gains the attention of the Tsar. There was just so very much going on, but despite that, and the multiple points-of-view, this story was easy to follow as it was all so beautifully and intricately woven together.

The women of Novik's retelling are strong, smart, and powerful, which is another nice update to the classic version.  Despite that, she still creates a definitive "old world" mood in her work. 

The narrator was brilliant. Excellent emotional range, and ability to speak with a very convincing slavic accent added to the whole mood of the story. She definitely rose to the occasion and performed in a manner consistent with the quality of the story.

This story has definitely earned a place for itself as one of my favorite books this year, print OR audio.

Happy Reading,

Christine

                                                                                                                

Review: WITH YOU ALWAYS, by Rena Olsen

WITH YOU ALWAYS, by Rena Olsen

Putnam Books - Being released August 7, 2018

Thank you to Putnam Books and GoodReads for the ARC copy of this book.

My Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐

This was a good book, but wasn't quite as suspenseful as I thought it would be. 

This book starts slow - but I suspect that this is a deliberate move as the author portrays how getting into this type of situation is never a fast thing, but a slow gradual erosion of self. 

The story starts with Julia, who is on the heels of a failed relationship, and is struggling at work, watching those junior to her get promoted ahead of her. Feeling a little adrift both personally and professionally.

Along comes Bryce -successful, good looking and oh-so-charming. Bryce and Julia embark on a whirlwind romance. After a short time, Bryce brings Julia around his church and the Reverend that raised him. Soon Bryce proposes and Julia accepts, she is welcomed into the fold of his church and family, and everyone is happy.  But happiness is fleeting, and soon Julia is desperate and willing to do anything for a way out.

Overall a good book. Not a book with knock-you-over revelations and plot twists, but an enjoyable book nonetheless.


Available for order on amazon

 
Happy Reading, 
Christine

Review: SOMETHING IN THE WATER, by Catherine Steadman

SOMETHING IN THE WATER, by Catherine Steadman 

Audio Book
Random House Audio - 2018
Narrated by Catherine Steadman

My Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wow! This story grabs you in the first few minutes and it holds you hostage on the very edge of your seat until the end.

Erin and Mark are a young couple on the verge of their wedding. She a recent film school grad beginning to film her first documentary, and he an investment banker.  When things go bad for Mark at work, they decide to go forward with their extravagant honeymoon anyways.

On the lush tropical paradise of Bora Bora, they soak in the sun and sea.  While out on a private diving expedition, make a shocking discovery in the water.  Something that can change their lives in the most profound way - good or bad. Every decision they make from the time they find it on, leads them along a track, much like a runaway train - fast and dangerous.

I hung on every word, and found extra errands to do, just to give me a little more listening time!

As well as writing this brilliant thriller, Catherine Steadman performed it flawlessly. Not all authors have the acting abilities to do a very good job narrating books, but Steadman certainly does.

This is one of those books people will be taking on their summer adventures.. Sure to be seen at beaches, planes, parks, and patios.

Happy Reading,
Christine

Review: The Flight Attendant - by Chris Bohjalian

The Flight Attendant - by Chris Bohjalian 

Audio Book
Penguin Random House Audio, 2018
Narrated by: Erin Spencer, Grace Experience, Mark Deakins

My Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐

A gripping thriller, sprinkled with just a pinch of international intrigue, that you will not want to put down until it is finished.

Cassie is a wreck.  Sure, she has a glamorous career, travelling all over the world, but she quite simply tells too many lies, has too many one night stands and constantly drinks far too much - often to the point of passing out or blacking out.

One day, after a night of partying with a passenger from her flight, Cassie wakes up in a Dubai hotel room, hungover and lying next to the blood soaked body of last night's lover.  Scared, and with no clear memory of what happened that night - only that there was someone else there,  Cassie makes the decision to leave without reporting it. But if she didn't kill him, who did?  Can she convince law enforcement that she is not a murderer; and why did the man's killer let her live?

Narration of this audio book was very good, and made listening a pleasure.

Happy Reading,
Christine

Review: The Rooster Bar - By John Grisham

The Rooster Bar - By John Grisham 

Audio Book
Random House Audio 2017
Narrated by Ari Fliakos
My Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Another tightly spun Legal thriller by Grisham. 

Mark, Todd, and Zola are law school students. Each took easily obtained loans to pay for attending a law school, lured by the promise of landing one of the prized jobs the for-profit law school advertises will be waiting for them on completion. Suffocating under the staggering amount of loan money made easily available to them. They realize that they have been led down a path that leads in a dead end.

Trying to regain control of their lives, and some sense of justice, they end up playing a legal game their third rate law school might not have prepared them for.

Perhaps not Grisham's very best work, but a darn good legal thriller nonetheless. 

The narrator was good. Characters were individualized and easy to follow.  This book is not the greatest test of a narrator's abilities, but a good narrator is still a great asset to to a book and its listener.

Happy Reading,
Christine

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Review: Whistle in the Dark - By Emma Healey

Whistle in the Dark - By Emma Healey
Penguin Random House
Expected for release July 2018

This advance reading digital copy provided by the publisher via Netgally in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐

A touching and raw story of a mother trying to connect with her teenage daughter battling depression.

Lana is a teenager struggling with depression and self harming tendencies.  When on a family art retreat vacation, she goes missing for four days.  Lana is unable or unwilling to disclose what happened during that time.  Jen, her mother, who booked the vacation in hopes of bonding with her depressed and distant daughter, is desperate to understand what happened.  But if communication with her daughter was difficult before, it seems near impossible now. The harder she tries to connect with Lana, the further away Lana seems to get.

I loved the raw reality of Jen's attempts to connect with Lana. As parents, we want to connect with our children, and to know them as individuals. Who among us (who are parents) have not felt like they were floundering at times?  How much harder is it when the young person is struggling with mental health issues?

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance reading copy for review. 

Review: Vinyl Café Unplugged – by Stuart McLean

Vinyl Café Unplugged – by Stuart McLean
2000 – Penguin-Viking 
Print edition

Winner of the 2001 the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour 

The Vinyl Café series of books is based on the Canadian radio show of the same name. This is the third book. 

Overall Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐


Vinyl Café is a charming collection of stories based on the radio show by the late Stuart McLean. 

The stories all focus on Dave and Morley, as well as family and neighbors, so there is a definite cohesiveness to the collection. 

I had never really listened to the radio shows, but I knew a lot of people who did. Much of the material from the radio broadcast is available to listen to on Spotify. In fact one of my favorite episodes appears in this book; titled “Odd Jobs". If you have ever loved a man who could turn an odd job into a major project, or if you are a man who has either done that, or helped a friend who has done that – listen to that episode! You won't regret it. 

The book opens with a story titled “Arthur" that literally had me chuckling out loud.  Arthur is the family dog, and like any dog, he is quite the character.  

Despite this book being categorized as Humour,  some of the stories Will tug at your heartstrings. I think for me that was part of the real charm of this book. In life, there is always joy and sorrow. Neither exists alone. 

Seriously though read or listen to “Odd Jobs" and “Arthur” if you haven't already, because everyone can benefit from a good laugh once in a while.

Happy Reading
  Teenie K