For all of her life Kami has spoken to a voice inside her head. Perhaps Jared isn’t as well-adjusted as imaginary friends should be, and he might tend to make Kami a bit of an outcast in her small town home of Sorry-in-the-Vale; but he is there whenever she needs someone. Better still, in a family where she sometimes feels like a fifth wheel, Jared makes Kami feel as though she belongs.

He is also real. But things are happening in Sorry-in-the-Vale; something is screaming in the woods outside Kami’s house late at night, the mysterious Lynburns are returning to their ancestral home and, as the school’s investigative reporter, Kami wants to get to the bottom of all of the town’s dark secrets. Her imaginary friend coming to life is just another strange event in a long line of them.

At times like these, I feel that I should be able to just say that I love this book and people should feel it strongly enough that they would innately understand that the book had touched me morally, emotionally, empathically, intensely. And yes, it has. But to quantify, Unspoken is a swirling conglomeration of all of those things that Sarah Rees Brennan does so well; humour, empathy, love that may be deep but isn’t necessarily unconditional, family and heartbreak. But better. Her story-telling, pacing, build-up and conclusion have all evolved to a whole new level in Unspoken.

I have said before that I love the way that Brennan writes families; in this book, I loved the way she wrote romance. Like any teenage girl Kami’s not really sure what she wants; but she’s pretty sure that a boy who can get in her head is not it. The bond between Kami and Jared is powerful but, when they both realise that the person in their head is real, it becomes tenuous. Rather than Kami and Jared using their link as proof that they are meant to be together, which would be so easy to do; they head down the more rocky and realistic path of wondering whether they can trust one another. Jared is hot-headed, inclined to lash out when he’s stressed; and in his whole life, Kami has been the only one to continually stand by him. When she’s in his life as flesh and blood, there’s every chance that she’ll find out what he’s really like and turn her back. As for Kami; she’s used to being the one that isn’t anything special. When Jared was in her head it was different; but everything may change now that he’s in her day-to-day life.

The dynamic between Jared and Kami works really well. His temper was something that I didn’t like; but I did like that Kami never gave in to him. As much as he might sulk or rage at her, she would hold her ground. She behaves the same way around all of the people in the novel. Her response to someone telling her to stay away from an investigation because it’s dangerous is to say: “What an interesting thought…Thank you for sharing it with me. Let me share a thought with you: Actually, I can walk myself to class. And I can also handle myself so I’ll be doing what I want.” We’re used to reading books in which males characters don’t have to apologise for the dangerous situations they get into; it’s refreshing to see the same thing happen for a female character even if it’s not always so subtle.

Jared’s violent streak is one of the only things that let Unspoken down. While I’m not squeamish about violence, I do need my protagonists to have a good reason for any damage they inflict on the people around them. As someone who hits people hard enough to draw blood when he hasn’t been provoked, Jared is not a character I can empathise with. Hopefully he will develop as the trilogy progresses.

The characters and plot pull together to give Unspoken an atmosphere of haunting beauty. While it is funny as hell and probably should not be read whilst eating or on public transport; it also has emotional and moral integrity. The next book in this trilogy will be out in August 2013; and until it finishes The Lynburn Legacy will be the series I’m waiting for. Unspoken left me yearning for more.

Unspoken – Sarah Rees Brennan

Simon and Schuster (September 11, 2012)

ISBN: 9780857078070

I’m a late comer to the Pandora English series by Tara Moss, and since I’m a stickler for reading a series in order and getting the back catalogue read before hitting my review copy, it’s taken me a while to get to The Skeleton Key.

As with the other 2 novels, the cover art is striking and evocative. Each element becoming a little more relevant while reading the book. I’m not usually a huge fan of the colour green, however the use of it on The Skeleton Key is quite pleasing to the eye and not just a little bit creepy. Considering the foe Pandora has to thwart this time around it is incredibly apt.

Pandora is an orphaned 19 year old country bumpkin trying to make her way in the big smoke of New York. Now don’t take this young lady as a simple-minded lass, ’cause she keeps company with some very odd folks, and has taken down some pretty horrendous evil beings in previous books.

This time around Pandora is trying to kibosh the efforts of a strong presence in the mansion she calls home, from sending the world into rack and ruin, starting with Lieutenant Luke.

I enjoyed the positive demeanour of the good people in this series. It was a funk breaker and didn’t fail to put a smile on my face. I’m still tossing up who I like more, great-aunt Celia or Morticia.

Tara is a master of suspenseful writing and there was plenty of breath holding going on in the second half of the book. We find out things about Pandora that make perfect sense, but are still surprises and Jay is back on the scene to add to the budding love triangle.

I hope the series continues to grow and challenge the reader. I want Pandora English to hold her own in saving the world from paranormal events.

However it goes in future, I loved the first 3 books. They’re fun and easy to get through. Perfect for the holidays and those weekends when you just want to unwind.

http://taramoss.com/

Paperback, 286 pages

Published December 1st 2012 by Pan Macmillan Australia

ISBN13: 9781742611631

It is dark and cold when Goldie returns to the city of Jewel with her friend, Toadspit, and his sister, Bonnie. Though the children are tired, they know that they need to be careful if they are to reach their parents safely. What they don’t know yet is that Jewel has been captured by the Fugleman and his army of mercenaries.

With the city in the grip of terror, Goldie must find a way to be rid of the Fugleman once and for all without compromising her own morals. Even though she wants to wage this war through stealth rather than violence, she is fighting against the voice of the brutal and long-dead princess, Frisia, that is still in her head.

Path of Beasts the third book in The Keepers series starts out with as much excitement as the previous two and keeps up a swift pace from there. With the children back in Jewel, all of the loose ends that I was expecting to be tied up in the second book were tied up here instead.

As usual Tanner’s character development is realistic. Rather than shaping the characters to suit the plot; the plot is shaped to suit the characters. Some of these developments are to be expected. For instance, Goldie is as bold as she was in the first instalment but has grown mentally. Her morals have strengthened, giving the novel its driving force. Tanner does not take the easy way out with her characters, however. While I would have loved to have seen a complete turn-around from Pounce once he reached Jewel; it wasn’t a natural progression of character. He is too used to looking out for himself and Mouse to put anything else before that goal; and Path of Beasts reflects that.

Additionally to character development, the development of ideas comes into its own in Path of Beasts. In the first book, Museum of Thieves, readers are introduced to Jewel, a city filled with people who are so sheltered that they cannot defend themselves. In Path of Beasts we find a very different Jewel; one that is being smothered by invading forces. While the people of the city could revert to their former selves; submitting to powers stronger than themselves, they grow instead, developing defences that they had never needed before.

Path of Beasts is a satisfying ending to a brilliantly executed trilogy. It ties up all of the loose threads from the first two books, including one plot-line that I was expecting to stay a mystery. Having the glimpse of the future of an enlightened Jewel is a lovely, hopeful vision of the life that Goldie and her friends can share.

Path of Beasts – Lian Tanner

Allen and Unwin (October 9, 2012)

ISBN: 9781742371979

Welcome to Shaheen from Speculating on SpecFic!

How often do you blog?

I try to post 4 – 6 times a week, including the Waiting On … Wednesday meme and my own Stocktake Saturday (weekly book haul) feature. Sometimes I end up with fewer posts, and sometimes more, depending on the blog tours and author interviews that pass through.

How did you come up with the name of your blog?

Once I had decided I wanted to start a book blog, I sat down and thought about a name. It quickly became clear that I’m not nearly as witty as I had imagined. Since I knew I wanted a Speculative Fiction themed blog, it seemed natural to include Speculation somewhere in the title. Various combinations of “Speculation” and “Speculative Fiction” yielded nonsense or were titles of other blogs, but Speculating on SpecFic was available, so that’s what I went with. I’m really happy with the name, and wouldn’t change it now even if all the other names were available.

Favourite Part of Blogging?

Knowing that I have introduced an epic new read to someone. I started the blog because I moved away from my closest friends, who had made a game of asking me what I was reading when I saw them. They frequently buy the books I recommend, so I wanted to still give them recommendations even if I wasn’t going to see them in person. A blog seemed like the best idea. Now days I love getting a blog comment or tweet from someone saying that they had added a book to their To-Read pile, or bought it, on my recommendation.

Which current reading trends have you been drawn to (dystopian, post apocalyptic, contemporary?)

The emergence of the YA genre has been amazing to watch, because when I was younger there was a lot of YA Contemporary around, but not much by way of YA Speculative Fiction. Once I exhausted what little there was, I jumped up to reading adult novelists like Robert Jordan, Terry Brooks and Christopher Pike.

I read a lot of YA now, and seeing more and more works of YA Fantasy being published is wonderful. As well as Marianne de Pierres’ works, titles like Defiance by C. J. Redwine, Cinder by Marissa Meyer and The Gathering Dark by Leigh Bardugo have been amazing to read. These, alongside the works of Trudi Canavan, Tamora Pierce, and Kate Elliott, make me hopeful about the growth of YA Fantasy.

I cannot recall quite how long ago I saw a few of the pencil mock up’s for this LONG awaited book.

I was blown away by the beauty in just those graphite suggestions, and I’m pretty sure I did a happy dag dance right there on the spot next to Kylie, in public, at a signing. ~I apologise to the people of Carindale~ The thought of one of my favourite local authors being immortalised in a graphic novel was truly something that made me smile from ear to ear.

Though I’d never heard of Queenie Chan at the time, I’d fallen instantly in love with her work. Stepping forward (I’m pretty sure it’s been close to 18 months almost 2 years later) and I’ve now seen her work holding it’s own on Yunyu’s Twisted Tales tour in early 2012; making me want this book to become a reality all the more.

There may or may not have been a shimmering light and a choir of angels heralding the moment I finally sat down and opened Small Shen for the first time in the final days of 2012. Can you tell I was excited?

And the verdict is… Oh my goodness if you don’t own this book get yourself one, and buy one for a friend.

The thing I love probably above most things is it is a combination of well thought out and beautiful graphic novel and genuinely lovely storytelling. How can you not love a great story and pretty pictures of characters you’d only previously seen in your head.

If you haven’t read Kylie’s books it now allows you to make the decision of if you want to start the series where the rest of us did with White Tiger, or getting a jump on us all and starting with Small Shen.

That’s right, it’s a prequel. It leads you from 1720AD up into the opening scenes of White Tiger. We hop backwards and forwards through time and learn delightful details about what makes many of the characters tick.

The flow is a little stilted by the time change, but it works because there is no question of what era you’re in. The characterisation is flawless and is enhanced ten fold by Queenie’s eye for detail.

I had this book done in under a day and it took some serious self control to not take it along with me when hitting the after Christmas sales to read in the queues.

Both Kylie and Queenie are masters of their respective crafts and Harper Voyager must have had a genius day when they allowed the idea to become an actuality.

I’m putting my request in now for a colouring book of Kylie’s characters drawn by Queenie. Even big kids love to grab the crayons every now and again.

So the only question that remains… and Kylie literally gets this at least a hundred times or more at every signing…

When’s the next book coming out?!

http://kyliechan.com/

http://www.queeniechan.com/

Paperback,352 pages

Published December 1st 2012 by HarperCollinsPublishers Australia

ISBN 0732289831 (ISBN13: 9780732289836)