The discussion of what happens to us after we die has long been one rife with anger, fear, hope, and supposition. In Afterworld, we get to see one woman’s brilliant idea of what the place between could be like.

Blurb (thanks to Goodreads):

“Dom is the youngest person ever to arrive in the Necropolis, the ‘waiting place’ between death and what comes after. And it isn’t long before he catches the attention of Satarial, a cruel Nephilim from the beginning of time, who has grim plans to use Dom as entertainment in his vicious gladiatorial games. When Dom’s still-living sister, Kaide, appears in the Necropolis too, Satarial has the leverage he needs, and the stage is set for the biggest shake-up the afterlife has seen in centuries.

Dom’s only option is to compete in the Trials and attempt to win the chance to enter the Maze. In his favour he has an enigmatic young Guide, Eva, and a Guardian, Eduardo, who may not be what he seems. But will they be enough?”

This marvellous novel begins in India, and I’ve always heard that the first thing that hits you when you walk off the plane is the smells, then the heat. So either this is true, or Lynette has heard the same thing I have.

She portrays the feeling of impending hopelessness in a way that had me gasping for breath.  The differing levels of desperation with each character, each valid in their own rights, and the disconnect between Dom and his parents added to my discomfort.

All this made for a stark contrast when Dom transitioned into the Afterworld. It worked beautifully.

I felt as though Lynette worked hard to validate each belief system, or at least as many as could comfortably fit into the setting. Ringing true the saying, life is what you make it… apparently so is death.

I found the concept of time being the only currency, and having it resonate as the only thing in death that has any value, a little ironic.

Afterworld is unlike anything I’ve read in years and I loved every minute of it. The pages flew by quickly and though the themes make you think, it isn’t anything that will cause you a great deal of heartache or an attack of the worries.

https://www.facebook.com/authorLynnetteLounsbury

https://twitter.com/linet3177

http://www.allenandunwin.com/default.aspx?page=94&book=9781743315101

 Paperback, 409 pages

Published February 26th 2014 by Allen & Unwin

ISBN13 9781743315101

*Thank you Weiser Books for sending me a copy for review*

The title of this book explains everything this book IS, in JUST five words! Goddess Spells for Busy Girls, is just that! The entire book is filled with short and sweet spells for everything.

Broken heart? Not enough money? Sick or stressed? Need a boost? Goddess Spells and at least of one (if not more) of the twenty five goddesses featured in this book will have something for you. Every spell is super quick and easy to do! All you need are a few small items, which you’ll most likely have laying around at home, and each spell comes with easy to read and follow instructions.

I haven’t read a non-fiction book in a long while, and haven’t reviewed one at all. So Goddess Spells is the first one. When I was asked to review Goddess Spells for Busy Girls, and I had no other choice but to accept, by purely seeing and LOVING the title of this book!

Goddess Spells for Busy Girls has no main character, has no twists and turns, and no cliff-hanger ending; it’s completely straight forward. Goddess Spells is a book filled entirely with  spells, descriptions of twenty five different goddesses, and even small glimpses into the author’s life at the beginning of each chapter.

It doesn’t matter what you might need a spell for, there are so many different types of spells for so many different types of situations. Each needed only a small list of household items  and can be done anywhere and any time!

Not having the items needed to fulfil a spell was my biggest worry, but I soon realized that all the required ingredients can easily be found in a grocery store, or local speciality store.

Some of the spells include:

Spell to Spark Creativity (page 27)

Spell to Promote Power (page 35)

Spell for Tough Choices (page 49)

Spell for Peace (page 81)

Spell for Protection (page 124)

I enjoyed not only learning about goddesses and the author but also performing some of the spells myself! They don’t take long, don’t make a mess and results can be seen very quickly!

Goddess Spells just hit the stores’ bookshelves at the beginning of February, so make sure to pick up your own copy soon! And start casting some spells!

Only he can bring what they need to survive.

In the year 2250, water is scarce, and those who control it control everything. Sixteen-year-old Luca has struggled with this truth, and what it means, his entire life. As the son of the Deliverer, he will one day have to descend to the underground Aquifer each year and negotiate with the reportedly ratlike miners who harvest the world’s fresh water. But he has learned the true control rests with the Council aboveground, a group that has people following without hesitation, and which has forbidden all emotion in the name of keeping the peace. This Council has broken his father’s spirit, while also forcing Luca to hide every feeling that rules his heart.

But when Luca’s father goes missing, everything shifts. Luca is forced underground, and discovers secrets and mysteries that cause him to questions who he is and the world he serves. Together with his friends and a very alluring girl, Luca seeks to free his people and the Rats from the Council’s control. But Luca’s mission is not without struggle and loss, as his desire to uncover the truth could have greater consequences than he ever imagined.

The Aquifer is deep below the ground and controlled by the Rats: people who, years ago, decided to leave and maintain the drinkable water for those above. Without water, everybody will die. A yearly contract is maintained between the Rats and those above by the Deliverer. He is the only one who knows how to find those below and only the apprentice, usually a descendant of the deliverer, has the information handed down to them.

We are introduced to the story just as the Deliverer, Luca’s father, is about to make his yearly trek. But times are hard and the rulers are becoming greedy and ruthless in their pursuit of power. When Luca’s father goes missing, it is Luca who must make the dangerous trip by himself if he wants to save everyone.

Aquifer is set in a futuristic Australia: a world in which emotions have been abolished and the fewer ‘wrinkles’ you cause the council, the better off you’ll be. As Luca’s life suddenly changes, his emotions are running high and becoming harder to maintain. He has to grow up fast, and that means learning new things—secret things. Suddenly no one is who they seem to be.

The story is a non-stop adventure that takes us through the school system, the history museum, and the aquifer itself. For me, the saddest part of the story was the people who become ‘undone’. Those who cause too many wrinkles are cast away—undone. It’s gruesome and sad, but something that Luca and his father have to deal with on a daily basis.

Aquifer was a fast-paced and thought-provoking read and I recommend it to those who enjoy dystopian stories. It was a nice change to read about a young boy finding love for the first time, and the friendships he gains throughout the book with both the old and the young. Despite his age, Luca stands out as the strongest character in the book.

Once again Neryn is facing a challenge that she is not sure that she can meet. This time, though, she is not alone. Having fallen in with the rebellion against the sadistic King Keldec at the end of the previous novel in this trilogy, Shadowfell, Neryn is now learning to defend herself.

However, as a Caller her path is a perilous one, and will take her on a long journey in search of the Guardians. There she will study with each of them. Only once her powers have reached their potential, can she hope to overthrow King Keldec’s forces.

With the warrior woman, Tali, as her guard and leaving Flint behind in his precarious role as King’s man, Neryn has everything to fight for, and more to lose.

The world first visited in Shadowfell, returns in all of its vibrant glory in Raven Flight. Neryn, while still careful, is not the lost girl that she was in the last book. She is more sure of herself and of her gift. Following her instincts and her grandmother’s lead, she is respectful of her gift, and of how she utilises it. The responsibility of a Caller to use her abilities humbly adds depth to the world.

There is nothing humble about Tali, however. As can be surmised from the little we see of her in Shadowfell, she’s a fighter. She’s confident without being conceited, but acts on impulse rather than being reflective like Neryn.

Usually, two women on an epic quest would make me all sorts of happy, and there are a few scenes in Raven Flight that reach my expectations, but there could have been more. Neryn and Tali are such different personalities but both strong in their own ways. I was looking forward to the way that they would work together – or clash together. Neither really happened for the most part. The most emotion Neryn experienced over having Tali as a guard was disappointment that it couldn’t be Flint. The friendship between the two women never quite became a reality for me.

What was explored in far more depth was King Keldec’s court. He doesn’t take up much of the novel, but the scenes that he is in seem almost tainted by his malicious presence. His depravity skirts the edge of implausible until you read up on prior tyrants and realise that it’s all too possible. These scenes bring into sharp focus the reason that Neryn and all of the rebels have for fighting.

While Raven Flight didn’t reach all of my expectations, it is a good follow up to Shadowfell and has set itself up well for the final book in the trilogy. Tali is an interesting character who will hopefully be fleshed out more fully in The Caller, and it will be good to find out how Flint and Neryn’s relationship will grow.

 Raven Flight – Juliet Marillier

 Pan Macmillan (July 9, 2013)

 ISBN: 9781742612249

A fast-paced, nerve-fraying contemporary thriller that questions loyalties and twists truths.

Appearances can be deceiving.

In the Community, life seems perfect. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Pioneer invited Lyla’s family to join his group and escape the evil in the world. They were happy to be chosen, happy to move away from New York and start over in such an idyllic gated community. Now seventeen, Lyla knows that Pioneer is more than just their charismatic leader, he is their prophet . . . but his visions have grown dark.

Lyla is a loyal member of the Community, but a chance encounter with an outsider boy has her questioning Pioneer, the Community—everything. And if there’s one thing not allowed in the Community, it’s doubt. Her family and friends are certain in their belief. Lyla wishes she could feel the same. As Pioneer begins to manipulate his flock toward disaster, the question remains: Will Lyla follow them over the edge?

From the outside looking in, it’s hard to understand why anyone would join a cult. But Gated tells the story of the Community from the inside looking out, and from behind the gates things are not quite so simple. Amy Christine Parker’s beautiful writing creates a chilling, utterly unique YA story. Perfect for fans of creepy thrillers and contemporary fiction alike.

Hardcover, 352 pages

Published August 6th 2013 by Random House Books for Young Readers

Living behind the gates is not so bad for most of the community. They know what’s expected of them and the adults in particular like the safety that the walls provide. Then the prophet—or Pioneer—tells them that the world is ending and soon it will be their turn to fight for survival. The adults know how bad it is on the outside and only want to provide safety for themselves and their families. Lyla knows that her mother feels safe there; she loves her parents and believes they would do the right thing. But when Lyla is asked to do things she is uncomfortable with, she begins to question the community.

Lyla’s first sign of defiance is in shooting class. They are taught to prepare for the end of the world by learning how to guard their community. Lyla doesn’t disagree with the shooting lessons in principle and she always hits her mark, yet her idea of aiming to maim instead of kill pushes Pioneer’s buttons. She seems to always be pushing Pioneer to his limits and forcing him to take extreme measures to make sure his Flock stays in line.

While Lyla is on guard duty, they receive visitors from town and she’s asked to give a young teen boy a tour. His questions spark ideas in her head and she begins to question things around her and analyse the decisions Pioneer makes.

This story has a relentless build-up of tension and paranoia. Although the whole story is told from Lyla’s perspective, we get to see all sides of the situation. We see the town’s perspective of the community through the teenage boy, and Pioneer’s and most of the adult’s perspectives through his rules and interactions with Lyla.

What I loved about this story, and why I recommend it to others, is the connection I felt to Lyla and her situation. Most people do not have firsthand experiences with cults, and this puts us right in the middle of what appears to be a happy, tight-knit community. But when Pioneer is pushed too far, there are consequences. The writing pulls you into the story, and the great setting and perfect placing of events builds the tension and fear for how this story might end. It transports you into another world and way of seeing different communities. The tension grows and intensifies right up to the last page.