The Book of Lost Threads - Tess Evans

This is not a book that I would usually pick up but I have read it as part of the State Library of Victoria Summer Read competition. Summer Read encourages people to turn off the TV and pick up a book. They have a selection of books that are either set in Victoria or by a Victorian author.
This is Tess Evans' first novel and she has written a poignant wonderful book. The characters are believable and have lost some of the threads that hold their life together. Moss is looking for her father and suffers the loss of one of her mothers, Lily an eccentric knitter of tea-cosies for the UN who struggles with sanity since the loss of her child; Finn is a brilliant mathematician has lost his way after he fatally hit a young girl in his car which leads him to become a recluse; Sandy the rich town buffoon has lost his self-respect. They all find themselves in a town called Opportunity which is a rural town that is slowly dying. The lives of these character intertwine as each learns to trust and to rely on each other in their sorrow and brokenness.
The book addresses some huge issues with sensitivity and humour. Issues such as being a child of gay marriage; sperm donation; death of family members; living with guilt and regret; domestic violence; and forgiveness. Evans invites you into the lives of these characters as they deal with these issues so you feel that it you sitting with them as they knit their lives back together.
It has been a while since I have read a book where I can relate to the characters on such an emotional level. Where I am drawn to continue reading so I can discover how the characters come to terms with their pasts to create a stronger future. I was entranced by Tess Evans' storytelling. 8/10

Blood Trinity - Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love

I have been out of the closet for a while now about being a “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” fan. It took a while to admit to people while I surreptitiously watched episodes. I hadn't read much in the vampire genre at all until “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer. I hadn't heard about these books until just before the book “Breaking Dawn” was released. I picked up a copy and couldn't put it down until I had finished all 4 books of the series. This was my introduction to vampire fiction and since then I have read quite a few different paranormal novels. The latest one I have read was Blood Trinity. I found it hard to put this book down. At the time I was visiting my husband's family and was sneaking downstairs to read my book, berating myself for being anti-social (obviously not enough to make me put the book down and socialize).
Evalle is a Belador, a supernatural warrior who is an outcast from her people as she has an Alternant; she has an abnormality that allows her to shift her shape to a terrible monster. As often these shape shifting monsters are hard to control it is illegal and anyone caught shifting is imprisoned for life. She is barely tolerated by her people but is fiercely loyal to them. She serves them by being a demon hunter. While tracking a particularly nasty demon causing much carnage she finds herself under suspicion of causing the incidents she is investigating. Unlikely friends come to her aid but need to earn Evalle's trust and crack her tough exterior.
This book introduces new species to the plethora of paranormal creatures found with in the genre. The plot moves rapidly and the characters are intriguing hinting at interesting pasts (which I am sure will be explored in further sequels). This book is not a romance, something that Kenyon is usually known, but does have some sexual tension undertones. Initially the book is a little awkward as readers are at a loss to understand words such as Belador and Alternant which are explained later in the book. However it is an entertaining book that invites the reader into a new world and it is great escapist fiction. Evalle is the type of heroine I like, one who is tough but hides a tender heart. She even has a pet gargoyle! Kenyon is a prolific writer, so I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. 7/10

White as Snow - Tanith Lee

This is a very dark retelling of snow white, nothing like the Disney and children's versions. Combining fantasy and horror Lee follows the history of a noble maiden Arpazia who captured, raped and finally married by a conquering barbaric king. All she has left her past life is a glass mirror that possesses witching powers. The murder of her sister and a loveless marriage and the birth of a child that she sees as evil leads Arpazia down her dark magic path. The story elicits sympathy from the reader as they follow Arpazia's life from loving sister to tortured soul, especially when her lover rejects her for her daughter. The daughter Candacis (called Coira) is seeking love from her cold and remote mother but must find it elsewhere.
The two main characters, mother and daughter are very passive in the story and are victims of their circumstances with love, hate and jealousy abounding. Although a well crafted story, for a romantic like me there is no handsome prince at the end :( 6/10

Deerskin - Robin McKinley

I am a romantic so I love a good fairy-tale with princes and princesses and true love which conquers all. This is what lead me to pick up the book Deerskin by Robin McKinley who has done some great retelling of traditional fairy-tales (often found in the teenage collection). So when I saw this in the adult fiction, I prepared myself for a good read and I wasn't disappointed.
The book begins where most books leave off. The Prince has found his Princess, they marry and take over ruling the kingdom. Yet there is no happily-ever-after. The new King and Queen are caught up in their all-consuming love and have little room for their daughter, Lissla Lissar. She is left to grow up alone in a kingdom that adores her parents until tragedy strikes. The Queen, "the most beautiful woman in seven kingdoms," dies and her father is thrust into madness.
During this time Lissar receives her first friend as a gift - a fleet-hound puppy called Ash from a Prince from a nearby country. Lissar is unaffected by palace life and her blossoming beauty, and spends all her time training the puppy. As she grows more into the beauty of her mother, Lissar must flee from her father's madness and lust.
Wounded in body, mind and spirit by her father Lissar flees her palace live, with her faithful dog Ash, to the mountains where she must recover. She makes a new life for herself living among a people where she finds love and acceptance but no peace.
There is a dream like quality to McKinley as she writes yet she leaves vivid pictures in the readers mind of Lissar struggling to survive, running barefoot through the countryside with her dogs. Central to the story is the love that Lissar and Ash share as it is in this relationship that she finds the strength to finally recover, confront her father, and regain the memories of her life as a princess.
For those who love fairy-tales, this is an adult version as it addresses issues of incest and rape. It is at times painful to read because it is full of brokenness, but there is joy and healing, and of course a love that triumphs!
Highly recommended 9/10