Marcus de Courtenay

Marcus de Courtenay is a keen reader on diverse topics. He loves being critical safe in the knowledge that he has no published material to be criticised on. He is also a vegan and urges you to hug not eat the next animal you see.

A. C. Grayling, continuing to develop the persona of the public intellectual, has produced a mature set of essays for any person with an interest in the world around them as perceived through the prism of applied philosophy and a discerning mind.

Grayling is known as a highly accomplished British philosopher, boasting a PHD from Oxford University and a publishing history consisting of over 30 books. His latest book, titled “The Challenge of Things: Thinking Through Troubled Times” is Grayling’s continuing mission to contribute to, and stimulate, intellectual debate on a myriad of issues.

The book is sectioned into “Destructions and Deconstructions” and “Constructions and Creations”, which can be roughly translated into an evil-good divide (in the optimistic form of leaving the best to last). These sections are then further broken down into essays covering a broad and fascinating scope. The essays are derived from Grayling’s recently published works as well as new material composed specifically for the book.

Although none of the essays are sufficiently long to thoroughly account for a given topic, Grayling masterfully sows the seeds of his own opinions while directing inquiring minds in the right direction. Grayling is at his best when argumentative and his writing shines in the spirited defence of ideas such as secularism of the state, gun laws, freedom of speech and the inestimable value of friendship. His comprehensive grasp of historical, sociological, scientific and, of course, philosophical concepts provides a tremendous depth to his insights and conclusions. However, perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of the book is the iridescent humanism which infuses each essay: a sense of hope and, ultimately, trust in the nature of humanity, provided we have recourse to our rational faculties.

The less compelling essays in the book tend to see Grayling meandering on historical topics, which appear to be of personal interest with fairly weak and ancillary links to contemporary life. Grayling is also guilty of the occasional descent into intellectual condescension when dealing with authors or schools of thought of which he is not particularly enamoured. Despite this, most of the essays are not longer than three or four pages so it is very easy to read ‘just one more’ and chances are it will be worth it.

This book is highly recommended for any person seeking to sharpen their thinking on modern ethical and philosophical questions while being propelled along by an accomplished and discerning writer.

Bron Mitchell

Bron Rauk-Mitchell, a contributing author to Teapot Tales And SuperHERo Tales, is an Aussie mum of 4 and 1 furbaby. Bron has a BA, majoring in English and History, and has plans to further her studies in the near future. Bron tries to pack as much into life as possible, which is reflected by her many projects and interests, including but not limited to cos-playing, acting, craft and reading. More about Bron’s adventures can be found at:http://essentialbronmitchell.blogspot.com.au

Edge of Dreams is the 2nd book in the Diamond City Magic series.When I read the blurb, it sounded exactly like my kind of book, but I was hesitant to start it as I had not read the first book in the series, and I was concerned that that would be difficult to pick up the story threads. However, Edge of Dreams did stand up pretty well on its own. So while I am eager to go back and read more about Riley and Co, I didn’t feel as if I was at too much of a disadvantage by having not read Trace of Magic.

Edge of Dreams takes place not long after Trace of Magic ends. Riley is a tracer with a unique ability, which is made very public. As a result, she is in demand–not only by those that genuinely are in need of her abilities–but, of course, by those that wish to exploit them. This is where things become complicated, as it is not always clear to Riley (and the readers), which of these camps she is dealing with.

The main antagonist is ruthless and psychotic, and is clearly “The Villian”, but other characters in the story are not as recognisable as being “Good” or “Bad”, and that is one of the elements of this book that I enjoyed the most. This is what gives depth to a character. It is rare in life to find people that are all “good” or all “bad”; and, as a result, the reader will be in for an occasional twist or turn.

Magic, drugs, betrayal, love, family and friendship: this book has it all. The pace of the writing was fast, the setting believable, the characters interesting and flawed, and the magic unusual. I found it hard to put the book down, and at no point throughout the book was I bored.

Almost from the first second, I knew that Riley was going to be so much fun, and a handful, and she was. Talented, tough, independent (too much so at times), full of snark and with many issues, she is a character that I can relate to a lot. Riley tries to protect herself, to the extent that not even those she loves can get close to her; but she is such a loving, giving person that she acts without thought at times (well often), and lands herself into trouble. While she is constantly in hot water, she doesn’t strike me as someone who needs saving by others. There is a lot going on with Riley, and while she is aware of some of the issues that have shaped her, she isn’t aware of the blocks that have been placed inside, and so she tries to work around these internal traps to the best of her ability, and appears to be much more flighty and incapable than she really is. Through the course of the book she does save herself with a little help from others and some luck .

Riley has unwanted bodyguards following her around. Who has hired them is a big mystery. Shey also has a loyal team of friends and family, as well as an “ex” love, Clay, and his brother, a mafia-type. They add colour, contrast, and tension to the book. The system of Magic that Diana Pharaoh Francis has created is very intriguing. Francis takes elements of other systems and works to give them her own unique spin. Tracer, Reader (reading emotions NOT thoughts), Metal Tinker (now that is a cool talent to posses), Healer are just some of the talents that characters possess. Not everybody in Diamond City has magic talent, though, and the very popular drug, Sparkle Dust, enables users to experience magical abilities, or to try out other abilities, but with very little control.

Riley is hired by a member of the Diamond City police force to help trace her nephew and his friends. Very early on into the rescue mission, she finds herself in hot water, and from there on in she is constantly hopping in and out of messy situations and at times fighting for her life. Along the way she uncovers family secrets, learns more about her abilities, tries to overcome her own fears of intimacy and trust, and find love.

I would highly recommend this book to lovers of urban fantasy. It is suitable for older readers and is an easy, fast read, but there are also topics that would make it more suitable for an older reader. I will definitely be tracking down Trace of Magic, and waiting impatiently for the third book in the series.

Edge of Dreams by Diana Pharoah Francis

Bell Bridge Books (April 15, 2015)

ISBN-10: 1611945852

ISBN-13: 978-1611945850

A. V. Mather

A. V. Mather is a Brisbane-based speculative fiction writer. You can follow her on Twitter @AVMather

Cranky Ladies of History

This anthology shines a spotlight on some of the famous, infamous and, more often, overlooked women of history and legend. According to editors, Tansy Raynor Roberts and Tehani Wessely, inclusion has been reserved for ‘women who bucked the trends of their time and took on cultural norms to challenge society’s rules and ideas about how women should behave.’

With that in mind, prepare yourself for a dazzling array of pirate queens, virgin-sacrificers and rabble-rousers, God-fearers and Fear-of-God-ers. This book fair takes you by the throat with 23 stories starring women of the Sword, of God and of Mysticism but – first and foremost – of themselves. The players are rich and varied, with many a dark horse featuring alongside well-knowns such as Ann Boleyn and Elizabeth I. Each of these stories is highly emotive: many laced through with dark symbolism, traces of magic, witchcraft and ‘women’s business.’

Some of the leading ladies are captured at a moment of self-discovery, which will turn them into the characters we have come to know. Others knew who they were from the very first breath. ‘Knowledge was power. And I wanted to be knowledgeable’, says Neferure, young daughter of the assassinated Pharoah in Amanda Pillar’s ‘Neter Nefer’. It could well be the credo of the whole anthology.

We don’t often credit the people of Ancient Egypt, Victorian England or colonial America with the political and social sensibilities that we employ and engage in today. I admire the ability of the authors to reach into the dry and dusty recordings of history and tease out the personal quirks and motivations that make identifiable human beings. Whether petty or grand, it’s these qualities that bring legendary figures to life. ‘Hallowed Ground’ by Juliet Marillier, ‘The Lioness’ by Laura Lam, and ‘Due Care and Attention’ by Sylvia Kelso stand as wonderful examples. The result is a collection of stories that are engaging, fascinating and, often, all too brief.

In the foreword, the editors also make mention of how these women are often buried in historical accounts, which certainly rings true. After reading the book, I realised that I felt instantly oriented in a story when an iconic male character was mentioned. A prime example is Henry the VIII himself. His wives and daughters are still often presented as possessions, picked up and discarded, despite each one’s role in influencing the shaping of a nation. They are celebrated here, in ‘Queenside’ by Liz Barr and ‘Glorious’ by Faith Mudge, with some beautiful insights into their perspectives of events.

It could be said that this is a book of outlaws, in the true sense of the word. These are complicated women, as vicious in battle as men, often more so, and with memories that run long. They are also caring and compassionate, stubborn, headstrong, brilliant, violent and spiteful. These stories raise questions that have been applied through history whenever women have acted outside social perception of ‘what is proper’.

Some give a definite sense of time and place, while others focus instead on the events at hand. They are not arranged in any particular order other than the book title itself. What you have here is a treasure chest in which you will find a very eclectic collection of sharp and glittering delights.

While some stories could be considered gentle and reflective, others deal with tales of betrayal, vengeance, insanity and greed. For these reasons, I suggest that this is not a book to be read in one sitting. They should be taken out, one by one, and admired under the light. Readers who prefer to engage with characters in short, sharp bursts should enjoy this aspect.

The contributing authors are as talented and diverse a group as you could expect to find in Speculative Fiction today. They are award winners and nominees, contributors to and editors of anthologies, and writers of poetry, blogs, podcasts, social and political commentary. The diversity and quality of thought is reflected in this timely education on a few of the remarkable women of history and legend. It makes you wonder why they have been ‘buried beneath the weight of years’, when countless male figures are borne up by it.