Soulless (An Alexia Tarabotti Novel, Book 1) by Gail Carriger

Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire -- and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

SOULLESS is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.

I consider the series I have on the go with a vampire or werewolf theme enough, but when I heard about this series I had to add one more. I was supposed to read it earlier this year but didn't get a chance to. This is at least the second time I have had it out from the library and I finally got a chance to see what it was all about. I am really glad I took a chance on the series because if this first book is anything to go by it is going to become one of my favourites. Anyone that reads my blog with any regularity knows that I really enjoy historical fiction and fantasy. When the two genres come together, though, I am usually curious to see how the author manages to pull things off. Gail Carriger has created a fascinating historical world with entertaining characters. The addition of things like werewolves and vampires works well within the story and world. I really think that the author found a nice balance.

This is the story of Alexia Tarabotti. For the era that she is living in, she is considered a spinster. She both likes this and doesn't. There are times where she wishes for a man in her life, but then there are other times where she knows that she is just too unconventional for a man to love. Her mother is remarried and has two other daughters that she is trying to marry off. She has given up on Alexia. Gail Carriger has introduced a new paranormal character to the mix. Alexia is Soulless, which means that she has no soul, but also means that she does not see the world as other people do. You need a soul to get the nuances of society at times. This also gives her powers over the vampires and werewolves that I believe will be addressed further as the series progresses. The series doesn't lack on the action. You get a good idea of just what Alexia is all about from the very first page.

This series has a lot of humour in it, too, which I appreciated. There were plenty of times where I would find myself laughing at a situation that Alexia has found herself in, something she says, or even something that she does. The characters that she interact with also add to this and provide a good blend of people for her to play off of. Her mother reminds me of Mrs. Bennett from Pride & Prejudice. There is lots of freaking out and a bit of fainting when it comes to things that Alexia does. And, well, her mother doesn't know the half of it! Alexia gets her strange abilities from her father, so her mother is largely in the dark about just how bizarre her daughter can be.

This book has a little bit for everyone. There is even some romance thrown in for good measure. The romance is actually one of the better storylines in the book. So, you have all this, some bad guys, mad science, a very flashy vampire, a very attractive werewolf and his sidekick, and even an appearance from the queen. Sounds like a good book, huh? I am looking forward to reading book two!

This book counts for the R.I.P. Challenge!

My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier

I apparently vanished. I am not even sure why! I am back, though, and hoping to catch-up on my R.I.P. Reviews. I even missed the Read-a-thon. Very strange for me!

I threw the piece of paper on the fire. She saw it burn...

Orphaned at an early age, Philip Ashley is raised by his benevolent older cousin, Ambrose. Resolutely single, Ambrose delights in Philip as his heir, a man who will love his grand home as much as he does himself. But the cosy world the two construct is shattered when Ambrose sets off on a trip to Florence. There he falls in love and marries - and there he dies suddenly. In almost no time at all, the new widow - Philip's cousin Rachel - turns up in England. Despite himself, Philip is drawn to this beautiful, sophisticated, mysterious woman like a moth to the flame. And yet ...might she have had a hand in Ambrose's death?

After reading and loving Rebecca, I had to read something else by Daphne Du Maurier. I was told that this book was similar in tone, so I decided to give it a try. I really don't think I have ever read this book before, but I actually found a lot of the story familiar and even remembered the ending. The memories were not fresh, but still, there was something about the book. I will open this review by saying that while I liked My Cousin Rachel, I enjoyed Rebecca way more. It was my first Du Maurier and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I think I will enjoy many of her other books, but none will likely ever compare with Rebecca for me.

This was another great Gothic novel. Once again you are never entirely sure what to make of the characters and the storyline. Just when you think you have everything figured out; there is another huge change in the story. I am not even entirely sure with finishing it if you really figure out everything. There is still a sense of mystery. Having read Rebecca very close to reading this book I went in with expectations. I was worried it wouldn't compare to my previous experience and Daphne would just be a one-hit wonder for me, but that was not the case at all. This book was a page-turner! I was constantly curious about how things were going to play out and whether my impressions were correct.

The problem with this review is that it has been a while since I read the book and I am also worried about giving too much away. The mystery in the story is the whole point of reading it, so if I reveal the mystery than I will destroy the books for others. Philip acts very young. He will get on your nerves at times because you will not understand at all what he could possibly be thinking. Rachel is a mystery. Actually, Philip is a mystery. Then, there is the ending. The ending was fantastic, but then again it wasn't... I think the best thing to do is to just read this book and find out for yourself how great it really is!

This book counts for the R.I.P. challenge.

Mr. Shakespeare's Bastard by Richard B. Wright

In a quiet manor house in Oxfordshire, an ailing housekeeper by the name of Aerlene Ward feels the time has come to confess the great secret that has shaped her life-she is the illegitimate daughter of William Shakespeare, England′s most famous playwright.

With a brilliant eye and ear for this rich period of history, Richard B. Wright brings to life the teeming streets of Elizabethan London and the seasonal rhythms of rural life in Oliver Cromwell′s England as he interweaves the intriguing stories of the lovely Elizabeth, who allows herself to be seduced by a struggling young writer from Stratford, and her plain but clever daughter, who must live with the consequences.

As their lives unfold, secrets are revealed, love is found and lost, and futures are forever changed. Readers will be fascinated by glimpses of the young Will as an actor with the Queen′s Men and, fifteen years later, as a world-weary but increasingly wealthy playwright -- who may have had an unexpected daughter.

An engaging blend of invention and historical detail, and echoing the unmistakable style of the Bard himself, MR. SHAKESPEARE′S BASTARD confirms Wright as one of our finest storytellers. This unforgettable novel will delight the senses and touch the heart.

When the Giller long-list was announced this year I was shocked that Room by Emma Donoghue wasn't on it. I was hoping it would be because she has been writing for a long time and seems to get more recognition elsewhere than she does in Canada! Then, I saw no Richard Wright on the list. As someone who loves Richard Wright's books, I was shocked he didn't make even the long-list this year. Everyone should run out and get a copy of Clara Callan. It was the first book I read by him and I loved it! Now when he has a new book out I get excited and rush out and get a copy. He has never been able to top Clara Callan for me, but he is still an amazing Canadian author who I love everything by.

I was a bit surprised by the topic of his latest book. A book about Shakespeare? Very different from the other books I have read by him! I have to admit I haven't read all of his backlist yet, but I still think if I had I would be surprised by this book. I appreciate Shakespeare, don't get me wrong, but I think he is way overdone... In university there were courses dedicated to him, but to no one else. Is he really the greatest writer of all time, or is it more the mystery and conspiracy theories that surround him? Then, there are all the non-fiction and fiction books centred around him. I will read a couple here and there, but generally I stay away. If this wasn't written by an author I respect, I probably would have glanced at it and decided it was not a priority read. But, it is Wright's book and I read it at the first opportunity.

This was a good book. It is considered fact that Shakespeare was not in a happy marriage, right? He only left his wife a bed. So, it stands to reason that if he wasn't very happy in his marriage he had plenty of mistresses and as a result of that there were probably bastards. This book imagines what it would be life for a child of Shakespeare's that was not acknowledged. Aerlene is nearing the end of her life and has decided that she wants to tell her story. She gets the daughter of the house that she helped raise to copy down her lines and reveals that she is Shakespeare's daughter. She has never spoke of it before because she fears being ridiculed, but knowing that she is likely not long for this earth she wants people to know.

The novel starts by telling about her mother. Her mother was a bit risque for the time period. She married a man that died soon afterwards, had an affair with a man that was unable to speak, and then was sent to London to ride out the scandal. While there she meets Will Shakespeare while he was still an apprentice. Over the course of a few weeks they have an affair, but it all ends when she becomes pregnant with his child and the people she is living with decide they don't want anymore to do with her. She returns to her small town to live with her brother and his wife. There she raises Aerlene, but she dies young and leaves her to her brother to decide her future. After a bit of drama, Aerlene is also sent to London where she has the chance to meet her father. With the exception of the courtship, of sorts, and this brief meeting, Shakespeare is more a ghost to the pages than an actual character. Aerlene's mother did not know that he was a playwright until she finds a copy of one of his plays by chance. That's the night that she tells Aerlene who her father is, though.

I am not even sure if this is a spoiler-filled review. The story of Shakespeare is well-known. Wright just imagines a bit more of his life. This could even be very close to true, we will never really know. One thing that keeps getting brought up is how people are able to read and write and how surprising that is. That's one of Shakespeare's problems; people don't think it was possible that someone with his upbringing would be able to write. I like to think that anything is possible, but maybe I am too optimistic.

This was another good book by Wright. It wasn't the same as other books I have read by him, but he still made England come alive, created believable characters, and wrote a story that made me want to continue reading. If you like Shakespearean fan fiction, this is a good one for you. If you enjoy books set in Elizabethan England, this is also another one for you.

Another Year Older...

Hard to believe it is my birthday again all ready! It seems like a year goes by faster and faster now that I am older. It probably will just get worse... Here's hoping that this year is a wonderful year!

The Witches by Roald Dahl

"My orders are that every single child in this country shall be rrrubbed out, sqvashed, sqvirted, sqvittered and frrrittered before I come here again in vun year's time! Do I make myself clear?"

The Grand High Witch has a fiendish plan for getting rid of all the children in England. First, her fellow hags will take over all the sweet shops. Next, they will sell poisoned sweets and chocolates which turn children into mice! Then, make way for the mouse traps...

This terrible plan is overheard by the young boy narrator of the story. Fortunately, his grandma knows something about witches. Unfortunately, before he has a chance to consult her, he is turned into a mouse himself.

Will the witches triumph? Are the children of England doomed? And what exactly is the secret behind grandma’s missing finger? This award-winning tale has all the answers.

In September I did a post with Bella from A Girl Reads about Roald Dahl. As I was answering her questions, though, I was finding that I really couldn't remember exactly which Dahl books I have read over the years. There were some I still owned, so they came to mind, but I was sure there were probably times where I read him from the library and don't really remember anymore. With this in mind I decided to start reading him through the library. I decided to start with The Witches for the R.I.P. challenge. When I noticed that this book was also heavily challenged according to this list;I decided that by reading it I was killing three birds with one stone.

It turns out that I had read this book when I was a child. It took me a bit to get into it, but when I did I started to remember reading what was happening before. It was not fresh in my memory, but it was fun to reread it. It is a story about a young boy who is told by his grandmother that there are really witches in the world and his adventures as a result. There was a strong paranormal element, so the book worked well for the R.I.P. challenge. Reading a description of the witches was actually rather amusing. These are not the witches you are used to encountering in literature and movies! Dahl is very gifted at writing books that have a dark element to them, but also can make you laugh. It is a good mix.

What I really want to talk about is the fact that this book has been challenged. This is a dark book and bad things do happen in it. It makes me think about the J.K. Rowling interview I saw on Oprah today. She was talking about 9/11 and how people say that children shouldn't learn about evil in school. I assume this is related to the dark nature of her books. I am not a big Rowling fan, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate what she represents. She was entirely right, though. There is evil in the world and many of the books that are challenged each year have a darker nature to them. I understand that parents want to try and protect their children from the bad things that can happen, but are they really doing them any good? I am a strong advocate of truth and balance. It always makes me sad when people attempt to ban books. I read authors like Dahl when I was a child and I'd like to think I turned out fine from it!

So, what do you think about book banning?