Marianne De Pierres’ Peacemaker (2014) is a fast-paced thriller set in a futuristic urban western society that will have speculative fiction readers burning through the pages.

Set in the near future, where large sections of natural landscapes are preserved as parks, Virgin Jackson works as a ranger at Birrimin Park in northeast Australia. When Virgin witnesses a murder in the park, several attempts are made on her life. Since the American marshal, Six Killer, arrives about the same time, Virgin can’t help thinking he’s involved somehow. With the help of the creepy techie Totes and the resourceful reporter Caro, Virgin learns that outer city gangs are involved and it may even be related to her father’s death. Virgin has her work cut out for her with the police eager to arrest her for the murders, the reappearance of an imaginary animal from her troubled teens, and the mysterious Six Killer sticking to her like glue.

The pace of Peacemaker is blistering, leaving readers few moments of reprieve as the plot twists and turns with nearly every page turn. De Pierres crafts a complex plot and complex world, which she draws readers into with skill. Sadly, the prose itself, while good for the most part, is poorly edited, meaning obvious mistakes jar readers often, pulling them out of story’s otherwise frantic narrative as they try to make sense of them.

Virgin is an interesting character with a sordid past that is never fully revealed, probably to lure readers back to the trilogy’s following instalments. Virgin is a strong, capable woman who bears some similarities to Marvel’s Jessica Jones, sans superpowers. Other characters are interesting too, with Six Killer’s enigmatic nature, Totes’ doll collection, and Caro’s mysterious contacts all adding a sense of intrigue and spice to the narrative.

For readers seeking a fast-paced thriller, an intricate plot, and engaging characters in a unique urban western setting, you can’t go far wrong with Peacemaker. If it wasn’t for the glaring errors, it would rate much higher.

3 ½  stars

David Miche’s The Dalai Lama’s Cat (2012) is a light-hearted romp from the perspective of a cat who learns many nuggets of Buddhist wisdom from her experiences.

When a poor family throw out a malnourished and injured kitten, the Dalai Lama saves her and takes her home. The novel followed the kitten, named Snow Lion (amongst many other names), through her life at Jokhang, from meeting big-name people and sitting in on their sessions with the Dalai Lama, exploring the temple’s surrounds, and meeting the locals, staff, and another cat.

A work of fiction, this quirky tale captures the essence of what it is like to be a kitten while each chapter conveys some Buddhist wisdom and applies it to everyday life situations. Fortunately, it is expressed in an easy to understand manner and in relation to incidences in Snow Lion’s and other people’s lives without becoming didactic.

The prose is short and sharp without losing any important detail of the world Snow Lion describes. In a typical catty way, it is full of rich and lively description of her surrounds, people, and, importantly, her meals. More than that, the story is filled with humour, poking fun at the quirky ways of both cats and humans, which helps to convey the Buddhist messages.

Those seeking serious literature or in-depth Buddhist truths should look elsewhere. Anyone looking for a feel-good story with some insights into your life will enjoy it.

4 stars

The 1992 revision of Raymond E. Feist’s debut novel, Magician, book one of the Riftwar Saga, is an interesting epic fantasy that is perhaps too large in scope for its own good.

Beginning in the traditional fantasy world of Midkemia, the story follows Pug, an adopted boy whose Duke tasks with becoming a magician’s apprentice. When he and his friend Tomas discover the Tsurani, alien beings from Kelewan, Pug, Tomas, Duke Borric and a host march south to alert the rest of the kingdom. During their travels, Pug is sucked into the rift the Tsurani are using to invade Midkemia. In Kelewan, Pug must learn to survive the harsh realities of this oppressive world, while back in Midkemia Tomas and the kingdom struggle against the Tsurani.

When the story is good, it’s very engaging. For instance, the opening section depicting Pug and Tomas’ childhood adventures, the sea adventures of Prince Arutha, Amos, and Martin, and Pug’s journey from slave to magician. Sadly, not all of the novel is like this, with many drawn-out battles, lots of world description, and royalty processions that bog down the story’s pace. A few sections are even poor imitations of Fellowship of the Ring.

Feist uses third person omniscient point of view to narrate the story, jumping from one character’s head to another’s with skill. However, many of these characters’ roles are minimal, creating shallow characterisations. Feist also develops an unseen enemy within Midkemia who most characters fear. Yet, since this character never appears in anything but dialogue, his menace is rarely felt.

Feist also introduces too many elements, such as Tomas’ possession, that are not fully developed or are resolved too quickly. Those characters and scenarios he develops well, however, are a pleasure to read.
The world of Midkemia is well established and so is Kelewan to a lesser degree. Yet because Midkemia draws on many fantasy clichés, Kelewan is the more interesting world. Sadly, only a small portion of the novel is spent in this intriguing place.

Had Magician focused on Kelewan and its alien inhabitants, it would rate much higher. As it is, it comes across as a story that utilises too many fantasy-fiction clichés and is too vast in scope for its own good. This creates an interesting, yet unfocused novel. While it’s not a must read, fantasy-fiction fans will enjoy its more interesting elements.

3 stars

On Becoming An Artist: Reinventing Yourself Through Mindful Creativity (2005) by Ellen J. Langer is an interesting exploration of the links between creativity and mindfulness.

Using her background as a painter and psychologist, Langer introduces readers to the concept of mindfulness and over the course of the book demonstrates how prominent mindless has become in western society. Among other things, Langer examines learning how to become more authentic, how mistakes are mindful tools, how evaluations, absolute rules, and social comparisons stifle creativity, and how talent is a myth.

Langer’s writing is concise and she explains her pertinent concepts in an easy to understand manner. This helps to create a convincing argument.

Sadly, the book’s title is misleading. While Langer discusses mindfulness in relation to creativity and art, most of her theories and examples pertain to the everyday world. Fortunately, this doesn’t ruin what is an engaging read and valid discussion for not only artists but also people of other occupations.

Unfortunately, Langer has a tendency to go overboard with her explanations of the experiments she executed in order to test her theories, which add little to the message she is promoting. That said, Langer’s message about the benefits of living a mindful life and her suggestions on how to implement them in art or life are solid and very relevant.

If you are a struggling artist, or even struggling with life, On Becoming An Artist presents some useful theories for becoming more attuned with your practice or with living a more enjoyable life.

3 stars

Lian Hearn’s Emperor of the Eight Islands: The Tale of Shikanoko is the beginning of a fantasy epic filled with Japanese mysticism and layered with fable-like qualities.

While Kazumaru, young heir to Kumayama, is thought to die in a hunting expedition, a stag breaks his fall and melds its departing spirit with him, transforming him into Shikanoko. Taken in by Matsutani Lord Kiyoyori, he soon finds himself in the midst of an epic struggle as Miboyoshi clan leaders Lord Aritomo and the Prince Abbot seize control of the capital, Ryosonji, creating conflict with the rightful rulers, the Kakizuki clan.

More than just a struggle between clans, Emperor of the Eight Islands is a tapestry of character drama, depicting how such conflict causes tensions below the surface to rise and turn even loyal friends against each other. This is well depicted from the large cast’s varying points of view. Each character is presented as a complex entity with agendas of their own, which often conflicts with those of another character readers have come to love. These varying perspectives show that none of these characters are completely good or evil.

Unfortunately, the overarching plot is only fully evident at the end of the story, which means it seems meandering at times. However, the ongoing character development and conflicts alleviates this.

With such a huge cast of characters, readers who don’t familiarise themselves with the character index are liable to become lost, especially when some characters are not introduced until well into the story. Further, when new characters are introduced, large amounts of backstory are given, slowing what is otherwise a rapid pace. This is necessary given the story’s large scope. Unfortunately, some of the otherworldly concepts, like Gen, Shikanoko’s half-man half-dog companion, are never fully established.

This volume contains two books from the series. The first establishes the world, mythology, and main characters but at times can be erratic as readers move from one character or event to another with little room to breathe. Fortunately, this settles down in the second book, which focuses on key characters and their evolving relationships.

Despite these issues, Emperor of the Eight Islands contains a lot of depth in the world it constructs from Japanese mythology and presents readers with engaging characters. Hopefully future volumes will expand this intriguing saga. If you enjoy Japanese mysticism, I recommend it.

3 stars

Focusing on the growth of the crudely named Fitz Chivalry, Assassin’s Apprentice is a character driven fantasy-fiction story with a richly imagined world and believable characters.

When five-year-old Fitz is dropped at Buckkeep Castle and discovered as Prince Chivalry’s bastard, he’s quickly relegated to the stables under the care of stable master Burrich. Burrich raises him like he does the animals and Fitz forms an unusual and unnatural mental bond with Nosy, one of the stable’s puppies. It’s not until King Shrewd discovers Fitz, that he begins training him as an assassin. Through this, Fitz forms a bond with his mysterious mentor, Chade. When sent on a mission to a neighbouring Duchy, Fitz’s skills are put to the test as he encounters the first of what becomes known as the Forged–people of the Duchies turned into mindless, savage beings. Under duress from Chivalry’s wife, Fitz’s knack with the Skill, a form of mental power, earns him training with Skill master Galen, who inflicts cruel training on Fitz. Through this, Fitz discovers a ploy within the royal family and works to prevent it.

Most of the novel is spent exploring the characters, their relationships, and the world, especially that of the royal court. Thus, while little seems to happen in external world, Hobb builds the characters and world in impressive detail so that readers are still captivated. Some characters are lovable, others detestable, but all are intriguing.

Some of the story’s events set up for events that never fully play out. For example, the Forging is never properly explained, and only serves to push events towards a crisis in an inadvertent way. Perhaps they will played out in the rest of the trilogy. This is a little disappointing, but it doesn’t ruin the fascinating story. Instead, it helps to flesh out a living, breathing world.

Overall, Assassin’s Apprentice is an engaging and gripping fantasy-fiction book, full of mystery, interesting characters, and a slowly unravelling, yet richly detailed plot that will have readers burning through pages.

4 stars

The Reluctant Empath (2014) by Betty Comerford and Steve Wilson is an interesting but shallow insight into the lives of empaths.

Throughout the book, the authors detail different aspects and traits of empathic people, from energy sensitivities and being bombarded by other people’s emotions, to intuitive understanding of people’s truths. During each chapter, they offer advice on how to cope with the sorts of situations empaths attract and offer techniques for managing the energies they feel. They also tell the story of Alex, a young boy described as “different” and overly sensitive by his parents. He grows through life with a sensitivity to the energies of this and other worlds, is susceptible to his need for others’ approval, develops self-destructive behaviours induced from not understanding his empathic abilities, and his eventually comes to cope with and understand his intuitive and energetic abilities.

While the sort of book is needed for people who suspect they may be empathic, the contents are mostly shallow. Alex’s story, for example, while relatable to empaths, will seem alien to other readers and he is presented as flat and lifeless at times. Moreover, some of the advice the authors offer is generic and not specific to empaths. Still, at the core of the book is an important message that offers hope to empaths overwhelmed by the energy of the world. It also helps create a greater awareness of empathic people, what they suffer through, and offers some useful techniques to help them cope.

If you feel you might be empathic, want to understand someone who is, or are into new-age philosophy, this book is worth a read.

2 ½  stars.

Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth: Awakening to your Life’s Purpose (2005) combines modern knowledge and traditional spiritual beliefs from a variety of belief systems to create a convincing argument that the problem of the modern world is a simply unconsciousness.

A New Earth takes readers through the gradual process of understanding human dysfunction, the inhumane way humans, especially those in western society, treat each other, and the unhealthy habits we develop to cope with the anxiety and emptiness this focus on the material world creates. From this understanding of living unconsciously through the ego’s obsession with the past and future, Tolle helps readers broaden their awareness so they can live freely in the present moment.

Tolle presents most of his theories in an easy to understand manner, however, like his popular The Power of Now (1997), his writing style can become  somewhat meandering, meaning at times he waffles and tends to repeat the same thing in different ways. Nonetheless, at the core of the book is a powerful and pertinent message that will help those open to it awaken from the mindless, unconscious lives they have been living and learn to live more freely.

With its potent concepts, down to earth presentation, and rousing message, A New Earth comes highly recommended for those wanting to transform their lives and perspectives.

4 ½ stars

Meg Caddy’s debut novel, Waer (2016), contains a rich tapestry of an authentic fantasy world, strong, endearing, and evolving characters, and is a very easy and engaging read.

When young northern waer tribe member Lowell discovers the injured body of Lycaea in the Gwydan Valley, he takes her to his family, where their friends, Moth and Dodge, aid her healing. The Caerwyn army invades the valley and destroy it in their search for Lycaea. Lowell, Lycaea, Moth, and Dodge escape into the mountains and make their way to Luthan, a neutral city, where Lycaea meets her master, Hemanlock, after years of absence. Wanting to end the menace of the Caerwyn army and their bigot leader, Leldh, Lycaea must reform the old alliances of Luthan’s disparaged forces, but not before she has to reveal her deepest, darkest secret.

Immediately notable about Waer is the ease with which it can be read and the way it sweeps readers into its rich world and interesting characters. While other fantasy books can lag because of excessive detail, Waer is a crisp-paced story with many twists.

The novel’s strengths lie in its world building and characterisations. The world of Oster is richly imagined, with multiple cultures and indeed beings vividly portrayed in a realistic way, whether it’s the peaceful northern waer of the Gwydhan Valley, the class structuring of Luthan, the “savage” southern waer of the desert tribes, or the militaristic society of Caerwyn. The world’s mythology, which is gradually revealed, is original and grounded in the character politics that gives it a greater sense of authenticity. The descriptions of the world itself create intrigue and although much is described, enough is left to the imagination so readers hope the author will one day return to further explore this rich world.

Characters are authentically portrayed, from the strong Lycaea, who needs to learn to let herself become vulnerable, the at-first weak, almost traditionally feminine Lowell, who grows in strength as he learns the harsh realities of the world, to the nurturing Moth, kindly Dodge, and the vicious Cooper, Kaebha, and Leldh. The interaction and emotional conflict between these characters is one of the highlights of the novel, especially since many have secrets that twist the story in interesting directions.

However, one of the weak points of the story is its action sequences. While they work well on a small scale, the grand scale battle towards the end is a little confusing and even distant. Yet, the rip roaring pace makes it an engaging read and the few moments of confusion are offset with plot twists and character developments.

Overall, Waer is a very easy read and an engaging tale that immerses readers in a rich world, interesting and strong characters, and poses a conflict reflective of our times. It comes highly recommended for readers of Young Adult fiction and fantasy fiction.

4 stars

Although it’s a standalone book, Juliet Marillier’s Heir to Sevenwaters (2008) is a continuation of her Sevenwaters saga, picking up soon after the events of Flame of Sevenwaters.

Taking the perspective of Clodagh, Lord Sean and Aisling’s second eldest child, the story deals with the departure of her twin, Deirdre, who she shares a mind link with, the arrival of a band of elite warriors from Inis Eala, and the birth, then disappearance, of Clodagh’s baby brother, Finbar. Soon after Finbar’s disappearance, Clodagh finds a changeling in the shape of tree infant, in place of her brother. When others only see him as a lifeless mannequin, Clodagh, hurt from their lack of belief in what she sees, sets off to the Otherworld to exchange the changeling for her brother. During her journey, she runs into Cathal, one of the Inis Eala warriors, who is a difficult man to understand. With his help, and a lot of conflict, she crosses into the Otherworld to confront Mac Dara and retrieve Finbar, only to learn a deep secret about Cathal’s identity.

Like the other Sevenwaters books, Heir to Sevenwaters is about forming a bond of love with a difficult person. Through Clodagh’s experiences, readers learn what she, and themselves, would do for love. The characters are richly developed and believable, and while Cathal’s reticence is overly long, making him seem an unlikeable character, the relationship Clodagh develops with him humanises him and reveals an important notion: that our first impression of a person is often inaccurate.

As with the previous novels in the series, Marillier draws on Celtic mysticism to create a very believable and mostly inviting world(s). Indeed, in each novel, the reader feels like they are coming home to Sevenwaters despite the conflicts that occur there. At times, the description is overly dense, yet it serves to draw readers into this rich fantasy world, making it more cohesive.

Heir to Sevenwaters, like the series’ previous novels, is a rich character, cultural, and mythological study. If that interests you, I recommend it.

3 ½ stars