Well a quarter of the year is over and March was a great month for reviews in this category with 22 books being reviewed, which I think may be one of the biggest months since I started writing the roundups last January, so keep it up!

Terra Nullius by Claire G Coleman has resufaced, this is a book I highly recommend. Denise Newton Writes says “It’s a hard book to describe, being one of those books that bend or fuse genres.  It’s hard going, difficult and uncomfortable reading, but important reading for all Australians. Halfway through the book, we realise that what we are reading is, in fact, speculative fiction. It switches our viewpoint in a way that feels quite disconcerting, at least to begin with. It is cleverly done.” Cass Moriarty had very similar things to say as well as “This book shows us how much we don’t know about what we don’t know, and changes the lens through which we view the invasion (‘colonisation’, ‘settlement’) of this country.”

Jennifer reviewed Seeing George by Cassandra Austin and she says “‘Seeing George’ is one of Seeing George by Cassandra Austinthe most unusual novels I’ve read recently. It’s a love triangle, spanning fifty years, with a significant difference. But what makes it different? t took me a while to accept the magic and the different realities in this story. Relationships are complex. A different kind of romance with some delightful touches. An enjoyable and quick read.”

 

Cassandra Page posted a mini review of book 3 in the Antipodean Queen series, Iron Lights by Felicity Banks, she reviewed books 1 & 2 last year and I thought it sounded like a great series. She says “If you enjoy alternative worlds and steampunk, and would like to see both of those things in a colonial Australian setting, then check this series out.” You’ll find the links to her reviews on book 1 & 2 within her post.

Cass Moriarty writes “The structure of the world-building and the attention to the detailsThe Shining Wall of the minutiae of everyday life keep this book interesting, but it is the relationships between the characters that evoke care and uncertainty as to their fates. This book is a mixture of The Road to Winter by Mark Smith versus Watershed by Jane Abbott versus The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood: a frightening vision of a possible future; a frantic game of survival; an emotional tale of connection.” About coming new release The Shining Wall by Melissa Ferguson.

Earl Grey Editing Serivices reviewed Grounded by Narelle M. Harris and Groundedshe says “Grounded is one of the best paranormal romances I’ve read. It is smart and sweet, with some fantastic worldbuilding and genuine warmth between the characters.” I’ve added this to my TBR list, as it sounds like my kind of read. “This book really packs a lot into such a small space, examining disability and microaggressions… and sometimes straight-up discrimination and lack of consideration. However, the pacing never feels too slow and there’s a nice synergy between the development of Clementine and Benedick’s relationship and the bigger issues.”

Shona Husk a Perth author has 2 books reviewed this month, Eleni reviewed Kiss of the Goblin Prince (Shadowlands #2) she says “This is a story where two people help make each other be a better version of themselves. Where the past pain exists and is accepted. Severed (Precinct One #1)It’s also a story of the relationships of families.” I’ll be checking out this series.

I reviewed Shona’s new book Severed (Precinct one #1) which I really enjoyed and can’t wait until book 2. It is a mix of Sci-fi, fantasy and lgbt romance/erotica.

 

Helen Sibbrit reviewed Table for Two (Doctor Grok’s Peculiar Shop Book 2) and Wishing Well: A Short paranormal suspense (Doctor Grok’s Perculiar Shop Book 3) by Phillipa Nefri Clark and highly recommends these short reads.

Jennifer says “If you read a copy of this delightful collection of short stories, you will meet Mountains of the Mindall manner of people, travel to different worlds and encounter new challenges. You may also discover new perspectives in one (or more) of the twenty-six short stories contained between Sherwood Smith’s introduction and Gillian Polack’s thoughts at the end.” about Mountains of the Mind by Gillian Polack and that “If you like reading complex short stories, if you want to explore fantasy and reality then you may also enjoy this collection. I loved it!”

Ashleigh at The Book Muse reviewed Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte she saysFour Dead QueensFour Dead Queens is Astrid Scholte’s debut novel, and it is a fine debut. It is complex and intriguing, and filled with mystery woven throughout the story, and on every page. It is a very female driven novel, which I really enjoyed. It was a powerful read because it showed female characters along a spectrum – in so many different ways that to list them all might be a bit spoilerish, and I want to avoid that but I absolutely loved the diversity of the characters and their personalities and who they were. On top of this, there were so many twists and turns that kept coming right up until the end, and constantly had me guessing at what was to come and questioning what I knew.”

Ashleigh  at The Book Muse reviewed Zelda Stitch Term Two: Too Much Witch (Zelda zelda stitch 2Stitch #2) by Nicki Greenberg and says “…captures the challenges of peer pressure and school – which even if you’re not a witch, can be very tough things to deal with. Showing how children cope with these issues in fiction, and through the lens of a young witchling shows children that it’s oaky to be scared, in an entertaining and accessible way using humour and sensitivity. This is a great series for anyone who loves a good read or for younger readers who are just starting to branch out and read books on their own, or with a family member. I hope readers out there enjoy it.”

 

Well that’s it for this month! To check out any other books go to the AWW website and to link your reviews go here. Thank you to all who linked their reviews this month, I look forward to seeing what next month brings.

Til then, happy reading,

Claire Louisa x