The quietness is no romantic romp. In fact, if you are looking for something light and fluffy this book is definitely not for you. However if you are interested in the darker side of Victorian history this should tick all of the boxes. The story is that of Queenie, eldest in a family living in the Victorian slums, who dreams of a day when she can enjoy the finer things in life. On the other side of society is Ellen who is well born and well educated but longs for freedom from her overbearing Father. Both girls want a life far away from what they know but, as they say, you should be careful what you wish for. In a tale with more twists and turns it seems that these girls are destined to meet and change each others lives forever. This story is gritty and well researched with characters that you instantly warm to. It is dark and believeable (and is a fictionalisation of real life events). It will make you cry, it will leave you in shock and in some places, it will leave you numb. I'm so pleased that I have read it and I devoured this tale of the macabre in only two sittings! Not for the fainthearted or for younger readers (due to some quite graphic scenes and scenes of a disturbing nature) 14+ only!. If you would like to know more about Alison Rattle click here If you would like to buy a copy of The Quietness, why not support a local bookshop and order your copy here
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Reviewing a book half way through reading it is admittedly an unusual way of going about it, however the nature of Jay Kristoff’s Nevernight series makes reviewing the second in the series a pleasure that could not wait. Godsgrave, Harper Voyager, won the Aurealis award in 2017 following his success with the first in the trilogy, Nevernight in 2016. These awards for best Australian fantasy will hopefully propel Mr Kristoff to further international recognition, while the prolific nature of his writing means you will never be short of a read. The Nevernight books follow a young assassin on her quest for vengeance – so far so normal in the fantasy world. A long trodden road from Tabir’s current Ember in the ashes series to Hobb’s The Farseer Trilogy. However, where Kristoff really excels is the use of humour embedded in, predominantly, the foot notes. Told as a story – an often exasperating trope as you know the main protagonist must survive the story before you start, Kristoff uses an unknown auditor as the teller. This allows more outrageous interjections than would usually be allowed. The use of this narrator also allows secondary world building without slowing down the main thrust of the story and as they are not associated with the main character’s, although I do have a guess as to who they are, the side note need not be in character with a brooding protagonist who if narrating would have had to shift personalities significantly to fit. Be warned however the books are not just humorous, there is a very dark side to the descriptions of death and sex, suitable for older teenagers and adults but not appropriate for younger readers. There are very interesting themes on the morality of certain actions, linking damage to ones self with the use of certain skills. The most obvious example of this is the skin weaver, trading her beauty for the ability in creating it in others. However as the books have progressed Kristoff has also managed to show this in the actions and reactions of other characters, altered by their choices. In fact the only character that is currently unaffected by the actions of the story seems to be an entity of unknown origin called Mr Kindly and Krissoff manages to use his unchanging nature as a counterpoint to the shifting of others, highlighting how they are effected by events. As long as the saga continues in this vein I look forward to the rest of the book and the concluding part. I can only hope Jay Kristoff returns to Itreya again. |
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