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19th December 2015 One of the perks about having a blog is being able to help friends out particularly when they are brave enough to self publish and a fellow Aussie. So this post is quite blatantly to encourage readers out there to try a new book by a new Australian author. hey, it might be one of us one day! The best and easiest way to help an author is to leave a review. A huge thank you to readers out there that automatically provide this at the end of each book. I know I am not published but please believe I am not presumptuous to offer my thanks. I have so many authors that I follow and now consider friends and it is for them I say it as well as myself. I will keep the post simple and just post the review. I hope however that you will give this a try as I think it deserves it. Make sure you read Luke's message at the end of the book. He makes some interesting comments about his self-publishing journey. Amazon Review Something new and Intriguing! If you are looking for something new and a little different to
read then Wild Thing by Australian author L.J. Kendall might be worth a try. The
novel is multi-dimensional with its genres blending elements of urban,
paranormal and fantasy and offering some interesting insight into a world where
magic and technology rule but at the cost of what matters most in life.
World-building has been very cleverly and imaginatively created. It is well-thought out making it easier to
suspend our disbelief. Somehow in this
world technology and magic prevail to override ethics and morals or if not
override then perhaps shape things to suit selfish beliefs and needs. There is
pause to consider that it is what we do that creates the problem and this
concept is presented with a fresh and original take in a market place
overflowing in dysfunctional societies. It
helps when a book is extremely well-written and the use of descriptive language
excellent. Images are cold and cruel and even brutal.
Our heroine is a strange mixture of child and chilling adult. It brings to mind an old argument. Genetics battle environment when assumptions
are made about Sara and we have to wonder what may have happened if she had
been surrounded by different factors, her original environment with a loving
family. Instead Sara is raised or rather manipulated into adulthood to suit an
arrogant idea of what Alex thinks should be. Is he our hero or our villain?
Does he intentionally create a monster?
Is she a real monster in every sense of the word if her choices were not
quite her own because the right guidance was denied? Who decides what the right guidance is? That
is a question that may take many books to find out and though the characters are
not particularly likeable they are intriguing.
The desire to know more is definitely present and bodes well for future
publication.
If I was to make a criticism it would be that I found the book a
little too long given that it is a series.
There were sections we probably could have done without allowing a
stronger and faster connection to the events for the reader. Often the slow and lengthy pace takes away
from the effect of the action and the action in this is important. In fact it is critical because the connection
to the character is not an easy one to make.
I believe it to be a real challenge for the author to do just that but I
have a feeling it can be done. In any
case it is a hook into the next book.
A series to watch and well worth the effort!
Buy this book byclicking on the Barbarina The Land of Oz at the front of the blog or to see review on site click on my book reviews just underneath this.