What Chloe is Reading...

I once stumbled across a video about reading habits for those with short attention spans. In order to combat his lack of focus, the creator devised a plan. He would read several books at once on rotation. With five books on the hop, he’d read one chapter from the first book, then move on to the next. He’d read a chapter from that one, then move on to the next, ad infinitum.

As a fun project, I thought I would test the process.

Without further ado, here are the five books I am currently reading — and my thoughts so far. It has to be noted that every book below has me hooked.

DRAGONFALL

by L.R. Lam

In a nutshell: dragons hate humans. Humans worship dragons as Gods. A dragon princeling - the last male of the species - inadvertently bonds with a human magician. They both secretly need to kill the other, but need to use each other, first — and one cannot hurt the other without hurting themselves. Angst ensues.

The world building is solid and is not confusing, and although there is intended romance, the plot and the politics are the forefront. There is LGBTQ+ representation.

This book is for fans of a fast-paced, low-stakes fantasy with all of the tropes (enemies-to-lovers, anyone?).

THE FERRYMAN

by Justin Cronin

The Ferryman is an incredibly clever novel that could comfortably drift between the literary fiction section and the science fiction section.

In a nutshell: Proctor works as a Ferryman on an island touted as utopia. Those who live on the island are recycled humans; at the end of their life, they are ferried to a smaller, nearby island to have their memory wiped so that they can be made young again, and re-introduced to society as wards. Everything is not as it seems, however, and Proctor finds himself caught up in the conspiracy.

This book is for the philosophers — for those who like a ‘thinky’ novel. There are themes of class injustice, of family dynamics, and possibly the meaning of life. How would you feel if you knew reincarnation was a certainty?

THE BOOK THAT WOULDN’T BURN

by Mark Lawrence

How does that saying go? A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. That’s what it feels like going into Mark Lawrence’s The Book that Wouldn’t Burn. This does not do the book a disservice, though.

We follow two main characters - Evar and Livira - whose experiences read like entirely different stories. Evar has been imprisoned in an ancient, massive, magic library his whole life and Livira has lived a meager existence in the dust, outside in the open. Their stories start completely separate but slowly intertwine.

The world is unlike any I’ve read before, and the characters are so well-sketched you just want to keep reading. For those who love books about books and high fantasy.

IN THE LIVES OF PUPPETS

by TJ Klune

I am a TJ Klune fangirl and devour anything that he writes. In the Lives of Puppets is a loose Pinocchio retelling set in a future where humans have almost completely been replaced by AI. The main character, human Victor, is raised by one such machine, and in turn rescues and repairs other machines. Until he rescues Hap — a robot that shares a history with Victor’s caregiver, and who inadvertently throws their quiet lives into chaos.

This is classic TJ Klune. It is cosy fantasy at its finest with found family at its core. He puts a new spin on the discussion around artificial intelligence and humanness — something I think we all need to consider in the very near future.

CITY OF LAST CHANCES

by Adrian Tchaikovsky

If you’re like me, you know Adrian Tchaikovsky for his heavy science fiction novels. City of Last Chances is a new fantasy novel, and it is… epic, is all I can really say.

The book reads a lot like its cover suggests; it’s a little chaotic, but if you have patience and forge on, you will easily find rhythm in the chaos. Give it a few chapters and you’ll find your groove.

The city itself is a main character, and though threaded with many, many points of view — it works. It gives the impression of a city about to implode. There’s revolution. The city is at war with itself — as well as the magical land on the other side of the Anchorwood.

This book is for those who love political high fantasy.

Review by Chloe - The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

by Chloe Townson

If you’re a reader who’s still chasing the high of The Hunger Games — the rush of needing to read the next chapter, regardless of whether it’s already three hours past your bed time — then I highly recommend The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.

Violet Sorrengail is the daughter of revered General Sorrengail — all her life she’s wanted to join the Scribe Quadrant but, when the time comes to choose, her illustrious mother forces Violet to join the cutthroat ranks of the Riders Quadrant. Because that is where a Sorrengail belongs.

The Riders Quadrant is ruthless, many of its students failing to survive to graduation. Within its ranks are the marked — the children of rebels and dissidents, whose parents were all executed by General Sorrengail. Violet not only suffers a chronic illness that makes her bones easy to break, but also has a target on her back. Her main threat? Her wingleader Xaden Riorson, son of Fen Riorson, leader of the former rebellion.

Fourth Wing is the first title from new imprint, Red Tower Books. They advertise their books as ‘fantasy and romance’ which is exactly what you’re getting into with this book. The fantasy element is satisfied with dragons and magic and plenty of action that is not overshadowed by the romance — even if the romance is spicy. The first in a series, the pacing of Fourth Wing was exactly what it needed to be. It covers about a year in the life of our electric heroine where she bonds with dragons and discovers she is more than her illness and is capable of far more than she (and others) give her credit for. There are hints of political upheaval, of impending war, enough to know that the next book will not disappoint.

Fourth Wing is suitable for readers who enjoy fantasy that isn’t weighed down by lore and politics. There’s enough depth to keep frivolity at bay — it’s high-stakes action that keeps you turning the page (possibly until 2am).

Fourth Wing is released May 9th

Pre-order your copy below

Review by Chloe - Weyward by Emilia Hart

by Chloe Townson

Weyward is one of those books that come in designated for the fantasy section but which could plausibly float into the fiction section.

We’ve all heard of the Weird Sisters from Macbeth. Apparently, they weren’t always called the Weird Sisters. Once upon a time, they were called the Weyward Sisters, which is the premise that underlies this story.

Weyward is perfect for those who love a family saga. We start with Altha in 1619, accused of witchcraft and put on trial. She is guilty only of using alternative medicine to the leeches the local doctor likes to prescribe, and her fate relies upon the unreliable evidence of men.

We then hear from Violet — a sixteen-year-old girl in 1942 who lives in a grand estate with her father and brother. She wants only to study insects and botany, but is instead foisted upon cousin Frederick, who has designs upon claiming the estate should he marry her.

Lastly, we have Kate — it is 2019, and she is running from an emotionally and physically abusive husband. She has inherited a cottage from her great Aunt Violet, whom she only met once. Kate, suddenly interested in her family history, uncovers the lives of the inspiring and independent women who came before her.

The magic in Weyward is a shadow in the corner. It is a whisper, a quiet voice in the background of the story being told in the foreground. Women throughout history have been accused of witchcraft for no other reason but that they are women who try to claim their own independence. This book is for the fierce feminists, the angry women, for those enraged, for those who would gladly claim witchcraft as their heritage.

Review by Chloe - Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

by Chloe Townson

We all know the old adage don’t judge a book by its cover. It’s an adage I often repeat when recommending Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries to others. Which, when I describe the book, seems counterproductive. When one looks upon this cover they think ‘cosey’. They think fluffy, low stakes, light-hearted fantasy. Which… okay, this book isn’t not that. But nor is it entirely that, either.

Emily Wilde is an efficient, prodigious professor cursed to live in a time where women are not given the same respect as men — especially in an academic field. She is forced to work alongside Wendell Bambleby — the same age, but already tenured. To Emily, who is not good with people, the overtly charming Bambleby is an annoyance she’d prefer to be without. She’s glad to be out of the office and in the field without him — only to have him show up on her doorstep anyway.

Set in a world where Faerie are proven real and their existence is accepted among humanity, Emily has made it her priority to write the first ever comprehensive Encylopaedia of Faeries and, unfortunately, she cannot do it without Bambleby’s introduction. She grudgingly accepts his help (though he gets in her way more than he helps), and soon discovers that Bambleby is not all that he appears to be.

Yes, this is a story set in a cold climate. There’s a cottage and warm fires and homely food, and at times you will laugh out loud at the interactions between Emily and Bambleby. The story is cosey, in so many ways. But there’s darkness, too. The Faerie are not cute and sparkly. They are dark, and they don’t care at all about humanity or their suffering. Humans, to these Faerie, are pets or mere amusements. If this story is a field of flowers, be prepared to stumble across a few thorns.

I was surprised by how much I loved this book. I fell in love with the characters — so well-rounded and fleshed out and who now live in my head rent-free. I loved the landscape and the setting, I loved the plot, which will only thicken in books two and three. For those who don’t like to start incomplete series, you’re safe with Emily Wilde - there’s no cliffhanger, and the bows are mostly tied up neatly. You can be satisfied by the end. If you want more, though, you need only be patient.

Chloe's Christmas Challenge

Sometime in August, I challenged myself to read a book a week up to Christmas. Why? So that I can be confident in my recommendations — and because the sheer number of new books I’m excited for this year far exceeds previous years.

So far, I have not been disappointed.

What I have Read So Far:

A Taste of Iron and Gold

by Alexandra Rowland

For anyone who loves A Taste of Iron and Gold I would also recommend A Strange and Stubborn Endurance and vice versa. If you’re looking for some fun, something light with some high emotional stakes but ultimate good-feels, then this is for you. The characters are complex and lovable and the world is easy to slip into — think medieval fantasy with modern sentiments.

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance

by Foz Meadows

Foz Meadows is an Australian author to watch. A Strange and Stubborn Endurance was a delight to read, and again is for those wanting something fun and frivolous to escape reality. The political intrigue and action will have you turning the pages faster than you want to, and keeping you awake until the godforsaken hours of the morning to finish it.

Wolfsong

by TJ Klune

Alright so apparently I was in the mood for romance? Wolfsong is a re-release from TJ Klune who shot to fame with his House on the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door. Think … the werewolves from Twilight but better.

Of course, Wolfsong isn’t JUST romance. It wouldn’t be a TJ Klune without some wholesome found-family and character growth — a plot driven by character as well as by plot. Don’t be put off by the size. This won’t take you long to devour.

Star Eater

by Kerstin Hall

Star Eater is perfect for anyone 16+. I took a break from romance for a second with this one; this is a world unlike any I’ve read in fantasy before. There’s a little of the ‘chosen one’ trope with a heavy dose of reluctant heroism. Think witches and sisterhoods, strong women and feisty men. There’s magic and politics and adventure, with a few twists and turns along the way.

moon sugar

by Angela Meyer

Angela Meyer is a genius. I read A Superior Spectre when it was first released and could not wait to get my hands on Moon Sugar.

Moon Sugar is for those who prefer a little magical realism with their literary fiction; there’s a mystery that our main characters are trying to solve, two people who are an unlikely pairing but who compliment each other in ways they hadn’t expected.

Read our interview with Angela Meyer here.

A Dowry of Blood

by S.T. Gibson

A Dowry of Blood is Dracula, written from the point of view of one of his wives. It does not touch upon Dracula’s story as we know it, but instead what came before and what came after. Short, quick, very easy to read. A little bit sexy — but this is no romance, not really. It’s about loss of agency and the slow journey to reclamation. It’s a love story to female independence, to breaking free from emotionally abusive relationships.

THE ATLAS PARADOX

by Olivie Blake

This is the anticipated follow on from The Atlas Six — dark academia with some time travel and plenty of intrigue. I think what I like most about these books are the rapport between the characters, of which there are many. The Atlas Paradox explores these relationships in greater depth while also developing character arcs so that the reader cares more for the characters than they did before.

THE BRANDED

by Jo Riccioni

The Branded has a Mad Max feel to it, but with less graphic violence, more greenery, and a bit of Celtic-sque magic thrown in for good measure. A perfect morsel for fantasy fans who love adventure and plot over romance; there’s a hint of romance, sure, but it doesn’t commandeer or control the plot. This was one of my favourites this year. Plus, the cover is so pretty!

What I’m Currently Reading:

To Finish Before Christmas:

Staff Review - Babel by RF Kuang

Babel - Or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution

RF KUANG

review by Chloe Townson

Robin Swift – an unassuming name for an unassuming character, lifted out of poverty and plague and transplanted in a new world where he is given all that he needs and afforded every opportunity. Robin Swift, who soon does not remember the name he was born with, only the anglicised name that he chose to fit in – a requirement, he is told, to make it easier for Englishmen to pronounce.

Taught to read, write, and breathe in Latin, Greek, English, and Chinese, Robin’s ultimate destination is Oxford and the Babel Institute of Translation. Set in an alternate London where silver is used as a conductor for magic via language and translation, Robin’s education and purpose is to be able to create and wield these magical silver bars, usable only by those who can not only speak two or more languages but who understand those languages right down to their etymological roots.

Babel is a book for language nerds; it’s a book for those who are in love with words and language and the ebbs and flows of borrowed meaning and meaning lost. It does not fit squarely into any specific genre – some will call it fantasy, some will call it dark academia, others will call it historical fiction. Like language, it borrows from all the above, pieces that fit together to create an alluring whole.

At Oxford, Robin finds his people; others who have been uprooted from their Motherlands and used by the British Empire to further imperial gain. This is not a book about friendship and scholarly adventures, not really. It’s a book about colonialism, about otherness and the internal struggle between taking the path that is easy or taking the path that is right, because the two don’t always converge. As the main protagonist, Robin’s struggles are wholly believable. He is not the ‘reluctant’ hero who suddenly finds courage and valour. It takes time – as it should.

At first, Babel meanders. It’s a quiet novel that slowly gathers momentum until it lays an invisible wire in the reader’s path, tripping them into a chaotic bramble of murder, tragic betrayal, and emotional upheaval. Babel is not just a new fantasy that sits prettily amongst the others. No, Babel is an important novel – one that I will push into the hands of others not only because it’s one of the best books I’ve read this year, but because I think it’s a book that needs to be read.

Babel is due for release on September 7th. Click the link below to pre-order your copy.

Chloe's Speculative Fiction Round-Up

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Staff Review - Ordinary Monsters by JM Miro

by Chloe Townson

Ages 18+ | $32.99

At over six-hundred pages long, you might try to convince yourself that Ordinary Monsters is far too long and you’d rather not. I’m here to convince that little voice in your head that it’s wrong — it’s just a number, and it’s only intimidating if you allow it to be. You can do this!

But really, you can. Ordinary Monsters is set in London and Scotland in the late 1800s. Think muck and grime and orphans in a dog-eat-dog world, except that world is inspired by great gothic classics like Dracula and Frankenstein.

There’s a school run by an old eccentric — Dr Berghast — who sends his trusty detectives out into the world to bring back ‘talents’ — children with extraordinary abilities who always, for reasons unknown, end up orphaned. The means by which Berghast finds said orphans is also the the gate through which unimaginable evil can be unleashed. One of our young main characters, Marlowe, is the key.

The cast of characters include many strong, independent women who need no man to save them when times are tough and a crew of self-sufficient young charges who do not hesitate to take matters into their own hands — hands that can wield dust as a weapon, that can create giant flesh monsters, that can turn invisible, and that can heal instantly. And then there are the villains, of course, and they’re the best kind. The kind that aren’t black and white. The kind that are complex, and you almost want to root for them. That Jacob Marber — it’s said many times — has very nice hands.

What I’m trying to say, in the end, is that despite it’s length, Ordinary Monsters is so readable you’ll feel as if you’ve immersed yourself into a season of Netflix’s Stranger Things only it’s set two-hundred years earlier. Six-hundred pages feels like two-hundred. If I can do it, you can do it, and I promise you’ll have no regrets.

Staff Review - The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley

by Chloe Townson

Ages 15-150 | LGBTQ+ rep | $32.99

The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley by Sean Lusk sets the scene in mid 1700s England and Constantinople. The first half of the novel follows Abel Cloudesley — a slightly eccentric clock maker who, through unfortunate circumstances, becomes a single father to a son, Zachary. Young Zachary is surrounded by a quirky cast of part-time caretakers including his wet nurse Grace Morley, his aunt Frances (who is arguably far more eccentric than his own father), his butler Mr Samuels, and his father’s apprentice-with-a-secret, Tom.

When he’s six years old, Young Zachary is victim to an accident in his father’s workshop which costs him half his sight. Convinced that he is not fit to be a father, Abel sends Zachary to live with his Aunt Frances. Before he is able to change his mind, Abel is sent to Constantinople to act as spy — he never comes home.

The second half of the novel follows a sixteen-year-old, diabolically clever Zachary who has a peculiar second sight. Zachary is able to see into the hearts of others, to prophesise things past or things yet to come. Upon finding out that his father is still alive, Zachary sets off on an adventure to find him and bring him home.

The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley is akin to a warm hot chocolate on a Winter night, but with a touch of spice. The cast of characters are rightly described as Dickensian in nature — they are quirky and larger-than-life, caricaturistic but not to the point of ridicule (though they are ridiculously lovable). Historically accurate, the events described in the book are thoroughly researched and richly detailed so you’ll feel as if you’re stepping into the past.

Zachary’s second sight is unobtrusively threaded through the novel; it’s that twist of magical realism that, even in the story itself, is constantly questioned and disbelieved. The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley is ultimately about what it means to be a parent, and the love shared between family. It’s about found family and finding family, and is an inclusive coming-of-age adventure written in a way that hearkens back to the classics.

Five out of five.