Three Eight One

Aliya Whiteley’s latest novel is unique, a ‘hero’s journey’ more colourful than life, a sense that there is a lacquer over the top of what we read about Fairly – a young ‘quester’ setting off from her home village to explore a strange land. A feeling that we’re reading a description of a videogame r......more

Imagine trying to describe this book to someone and all you can do is make vague noises and talk about magical pigs. At least, I think the pigs were magical. Perhaps they were just very talented? This is a strange, mysterious story with two POVs, where we follow a girl on a quest and a person in the......more

Overall, this is the kind of story where I admire the structure and ambitions more than I enjoyed the general reading experience. 3 stars for me, but I can see this being a real favorite for others. The frame narrative is told by Rowena Savalas, a curator in 2314 who has discovered a manuscript call......more

Aside from the Classics, your Austens, Brontës, and Tolkiens, there aren't a whole lot of authors whose name immediately has me pulling out my wallet, or Kindle. Aliya Whiteley became one for me over the last decade or so, however, as each new novel, novella, or short story from her would open up ne......more

3.5* Do I fully understand this book? Honestly, I do not. Yet somehow, I still kind of liked it? Unusual, that, since I usually just get angry at the thing, but here I was still sort of compelled to proceed on this journey, despite a lot of "wait, what is going on?" comments. I enjoyed Fairly's story......more