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The Storyteller's Muse
A bitter writer, an enthusiastic protege and a story that must be told.
Peter is a young nurse and aspiring author whose professional dreams have come true - a patient in his care, Penelope, needs someone to transcribe her final story.
Revolving around four friends sharing an apartment where they hone their artistic and musical skills, Peter soon realises there is more to the story - another presence is lurking in the building, an intriguing, creative, temperamental force that goes by the name Em Jewel.
When tragedy strikes, Peter and his charming co-worker Gabrielle must finish Penelope's story before it ruins both their lives. With the help of a motley group of authors, Peter and Gabrielle are swept up into a world of art, intrigue and deception. They must choose whether to follow their heads or their hearts - with life-altering consequences.
Peter is a young nurse and aspiring author whose professional dreams have come true - a patient in his care, Penelope, needs someone to transcribe her final story.
Revolving around four friends sharing an apartment where they hone their artistic and musical skills, Peter soon realises there is more to the story - another presence is lurking in the building, an intriguing, creative, temperamental force that goes by the name Em Jewel.
When tragedy strikes, Peter and his charming co-worker Gabrielle must finish Penelope's story before it ruins both their lives. With the help of a motley group of authors, Peter and Gabrielle are swept up into a world of art, intrigue and deception. They must choose whether to follow their heads or their hearts - with life-altering consequences.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2016
5 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Traci Harding
45 books465 followersTraci Harding, is an Australian science-fantasy author who currently has twelve books in publication, on the Voyager label of HaperCollins Publishers Australia.
Her work blends fantasy, fact, esoteric belief, time travel and quantum physics, into adventurous romps through history, ulternative dimensions, universes and states of consciousness.
The Ancient Future Trilogy
Book 1 -The Ancient Future 1996
Book 2 -An Echo in Time 1997
Book 3 - Masters of Reality 1998
Stand Alone Novels
The Alchemists Key 1998
Book of Dreams 2002
Ghostwriting 2003
The Celestial Triad
Book 1 – Chronicle of Ages 1999
Book 2 – Tablet of Destinies 2000
Book 3 – The Cosmic Logos 2001
The Mystique Trilogy
Book 1 – Gene of Isis 2005
Book 2 – The Dragon Queens 2007
Book 3 – The Black Madonna 2008
Triad of Being
Book 1 - Being of the Field 2009
Book 2 - The Universe Parallel 2010
Book 3 - The Light Field 2012
The Time Keepers
Book 1 - Dreaming of Zhou Gong 2013
Book 2 - Forthcoming
Book 3 - Forthcoming
The Ancient Future is currently listed on both the Dymock’s Top 101 Books. Along with The Alchemist's Key, The Ancient Future has been published in Complex Chinese for worldwide release.
The first book of the Mystique Trilogy -Gene of Isis is now to be published in Russian, Czech, Slavic, Greek and Romanian, as is book two The Dragon Queens.
Her work blends fantasy, fact, esoteric belief, time travel and quantum physics, into adventurous romps through history, ulternative dimensions, universes and states of consciousness.
The Ancient Future Trilogy
Book 1 -The Ancient Future 1996
Book 2 -An Echo in Time 1997
Book 3 - Masters of Reality 1998
Stand Alone Novels
The Alchemists Key 1998
Book of Dreams 2002
Ghostwriting 2003
The Celestial Triad
Book 1 – Chronicle of Ages 1999
Book 2 – Tablet of Destinies 2000
Book 3 – The Cosmic Logos 2001
The Mystique Trilogy
Book 1 – Gene of Isis 2005
Book 2 – The Dragon Queens 2007
Book 3 – The Black Madonna 2008
Triad of Being
Book 1 - Being of the Field 2009
Book 2 - The Universe Parallel 2010
Book 3 - The Light Field 2012
The Time Keepers
Book 1 - Dreaming of Zhou Gong 2013
Book 2 - Forthcoming
Book 3 - Forthcoming
The Ancient Future is currently listed on both the Dymock’s Top 101 Books. Along with The Alchemist's Key, The Ancient Future has been published in Complex Chinese for worldwide release.
The first book of the Mystique Trilogy -Gene of Isis is now to be published in Russian, Czech, Slavic, Greek and Romanian, as is book two The Dragon Queens.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 13, 2016
Review posted on Tea in the Treetops in February 2016:
A musician, an artist, an author and a dancer walk into an apartment… It’s a story that elderly author Penelope feels compelled to tell, and she enlists nurse and aspiring writer, Peter, to help her do just that. But when Peter begins to delve into research for the novel, the truth is so much stranger than it first seems.
The Storyteller’s Muse weaves three stories together: The main “meta” story with Penelope dictating her latest story to Peter and Gabrielle, Penelope’s fictional story featuring the four artistic friends and their haunted apartment, then the third story about what really happened in the apartment to make it haunted in the first place. It sounds complicated, but actually the elements flow into each other quite well and are made obvious by the inkwell image at the start and end of each section.
Penelope’s mentorship of Peter gives an interesting opportunity for Traci to impart some of her advice for writing, editing and publishing throughout this story. I get the feeling that some of the personalities here might be based on real-world members of the publishing community, Aussie or otherwise! It was a little strange to have such straight-forward advice included in a murder-mystery book, but it works.
The gradual revelation of different aspects of each story give The Storyteller’s Muse a really good pace, although I did kind of rush through the parts with Peter and Gabrielle to get to the next part of Em’s story. I have to say that the ending had me on the edge of my seat and thinking I might have to go back and revisit some of Traci’s previous books (I loved the Ancient Future series back in the 90s)!
The one reservation I had with this book was rather a large one – Peter’s story. Everything just fell into place for him – the opportunity to work with Penelope, he got the girl, the opportunities through Penelope’s agent and her famous author friends, plus all the other things laid at his feet, and he hadn’t even written anything yet! I’m not an expert in the publishing world, but I’m pretty sure most authors need to work a whole lot harder than that to get their recognition and the life they always dreamed of.
In any case, I did enjoy delving down into the mystery of 4 Kismet Way and gradually discovering more about Em Jewel’s legacy. I’ve also tucked all the writing advice from this one away for future reference!
A musician, an artist, an author and a dancer walk into an apartment… It’s a story that elderly author Penelope feels compelled to tell, and she enlists nurse and aspiring writer, Peter, to help her do just that. But when Peter begins to delve into research for the novel, the truth is so much stranger than it first seems.
The Storyteller’s Muse weaves three stories together: The main “meta” story with Penelope dictating her latest story to Peter and Gabrielle, Penelope’s fictional story featuring the four artistic friends and their haunted apartment, then the third story about what really happened in the apartment to make it haunted in the first place. It sounds complicated, but actually the elements flow into each other quite well and are made obvious by the inkwell image at the start and end of each section.
Penelope’s mentorship of Peter gives an interesting opportunity for Traci to impart some of her advice for writing, editing and publishing throughout this story. I get the feeling that some of the personalities here might be based on real-world members of the publishing community, Aussie or otherwise! It was a little strange to have such straight-forward advice included in a murder-mystery book, but it works.
The gradual revelation of different aspects of each story give The Storyteller’s Muse a really good pace, although I did kind of rush through the parts with Peter and Gabrielle to get to the next part of Em’s story. I have to say that the ending had me on the edge of my seat and thinking I might have to go back and revisit some of Traci’s previous books (I loved the Ancient Future series back in the 90s)!
The one reservation I had with this book was rather a large one – Peter’s story. Everything just fell into place for him – the opportunity to work with Penelope, he got the girl, the opportunities through Penelope’s agent and her famous author friends, plus all the other things laid at his feet, and he hadn’t even written anything yet! I’m not an expert in the publishing world, but I’m pretty sure most authors need to work a whole lot harder than that to get their recognition and the life they always dreamed of.
In any case, I did enjoy delving down into the mystery of 4 Kismet Way and gradually discovering more about Em Jewel’s legacy. I’ve also tucked all the writing advice from this one away for future reference!
April 16, 2016
I've been a fan of Traci Harding for years. Her fantasy has always inspired me, given me new worlds to immerse in, new characters to fall in love with. The Storyteller's Muse is different - it's not epic Fantasy - but it is epic storytelling, for sure.
What I loved about it most was the rich atmosphere. I sensed every environment, costume, hair do, personality ... I was there, with the characters in one of my most beloved forms of storytelling - the parallel narrative. It's not an easy one to pull off, or pull of well, but Traci does it. She gives us enough time in each story arc to stay current but not so long that we resent being pulled out of want and put back in the other. The writing, and the transitions, are seamless and for my Gemini mind, having two seductive and mysterious stories told at once, who could want more?
The other big draw for me is the immersion in the world of the writerly life. What is it like to want to write a novel and not know where to begin? We've all been there once and going into those feelings with The Storyteller's Muse was like having my own writers group, my own best writerly friends, right there with me, supporting, challenging, interacting ... in a craft that can be more than a little isolating, this book became my nightly companion.
The story is about a birth and a death, deception and revelation, love and hate. But don't think it's all back and white! The nuances and subtle shifts and shades make The Storyteller's Muse the best read I've had in a long, long time. I didn't want it to end.
What I loved about it most was the rich atmosphere. I sensed every environment, costume, hair do, personality ... I was there, with the characters in one of my most beloved forms of storytelling - the parallel narrative. It's not an easy one to pull off, or pull of well, but Traci does it. She gives us enough time in each story arc to stay current but not so long that we resent being pulled out of want and put back in the other. The writing, and the transitions, are seamless and for my Gemini mind, having two seductive and mysterious stories told at once, who could want more?
The other big draw for me is the immersion in the world of the writerly life. What is it like to want to write a novel and not know where to begin? We've all been there once and going into those feelings with The Storyteller's Muse was like having my own writers group, my own best writerly friends, right there with me, supporting, challenging, interacting ... in a craft that can be more than a little isolating, this book became my nightly companion.
The story is about a birth and a death, deception and revelation, love and hate. But don't think it's all back and white! The nuances and subtle shifts and shades make The Storyteller's Muse the best read I've had in a long, long time. I didn't want it to end.
August 29, 2016
I didn't know what to expect when I first picked up a copy of Traci Harding's The Storyteller's Muse. Having read all of her other books first, and upon reading that Traci was heading into a different genre, I admit that I was thrown off-guard.
Traci Harding knows how to tell a good yarn, and The Storyteller's Muse is no exception. I found myself thrown into a lucid world with an amazing array of characters: a betrayed writer who has refused to write more, despite having one story fighting to burst free from her; a nurse aspiring to be a writer; the nurse's co-worker; and a Muse with a mysterious past.
I loved the way she wrote the story, being reminded of the Frame Story device as used in One Thousand and One Arabian Nights: a story within a story, and all the modern day magic to make this a classic that deserves strong recognition. Traci has also been cunning in her writing. It is a great piece of paranormal fiction, but that's not all. It also holds great advice for up-and-coming writers. I felt like I was reading the most charming author's manual of advice.
If you love a ripping good ghost yarn with a dash of romance, a swig of mystery, and more, then you need to wrap your hands on a copy of it as soon as possible.
Traci Harding knows how to tell a good yarn, and The Storyteller's Muse is no exception. I found myself thrown into a lucid world with an amazing array of characters: a betrayed writer who has refused to write more, despite having one story fighting to burst free from her; a nurse aspiring to be a writer; the nurse's co-worker; and a Muse with a mysterious past.
I loved the way she wrote the story, being reminded of the Frame Story device as used in One Thousand and One Arabian Nights: a story within a story, and all the modern day magic to make this a classic that deserves strong recognition. Traci has also been cunning in her writing. It is a great piece of paranormal fiction, but that's not all. It also holds great advice for up-and-coming writers. I felt like I was reading the most charming author's manual of advice.
If you love a ripping good ghost yarn with a dash of romance, a swig of mystery, and more, then you need to wrap your hands on a copy of it as soon as possible.
April 6, 2017
The storyteller’s muse is nothing like I have ever read before. It is centred around three characters. A highly successful writer who is now old and almost blind and living in a nursing home and, her two primary nurses: one male, the other female. The old writer knows her time is nearly up. Desperate to write one last book, she asks her male nurse Peter to transcribe her dictations into text. At the same time, she does her best to get her two nurses into a relationship with each other. The first twist comes when the old writer dies before she completes her book leaving her estate to Peter. Constrained by a contractual agreement, Peter cannot finish it for her. He can however investigate whether the story he was transcribing was actually based in truth. From this point on the book takes off and twists and turns across every chapter. I have to admit I did not figure out the last twist until the last pages. I loved this book and cannot wait for Traci’s next one.
January 31, 2018
Agatha Christie for psychics - another ripping yarn from Traci Harding with a dash of gender politics thrown in. Sadly, the female sidekick (who has quite a large role in the story) is a vacuous, bootlicking, pleaser who exists only to serve the needs and ends of the self-absorbed writer protagonist. That irked me!
March 25, 2016
I loved this book!
April 26, 2016
Fun story!
August 25, 2018
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
A bitter writer, an enthusiastic protege and a story that must be told.
Peter is a young nurse and aspiring author whose professional dreams have come true - a patient in his care, Penelope, needs someone to transcribe her final story. Revolving around four friends sharing an apartment where they hone their artistic and musical skills, Peter soon realises there is more to the story - another presence is lurking in the building, an intriguing, creative, temperamental force that goes by the name Em Jewel.
When tragedy strikes, Peter and his charming co-worker Gabrielle must finish Penelope's story before it ruins both their lives. With the help of a motley group of authors, Peter and Gabrielle are swept up into a world of art, intrigue and deception. They must choose whether to follow their heads or their hearts - with life-altering consequences.
I have long been a fan of Traci Harding - her fantasy novels are among my favourite of that genre - EVER! So when I learned that she was branching out into commercial fiction, I was a little concerned. That market is heaving with authors writing dual narrative stories and I wondered how Harding would stack up against them.
I shouldn't have worried...
What Harding does with this novel is really good: she takes what could have been a very mundane storyline (two people help an old woman tell her life story), adds a dual narrative so the reader can be taken back into Penelope's story (rather than just have it done in flashbacks), then adds a touch of the supernatural mystery to give the story an added dimension. What all this does, of course, is add depth for not just the characters, but for the story itself. That was quite a treat...
The only downside I took from this book - and why it is a 4-star and not 5 - is the role of Gabrielle. She was almost like a magician's assistant: stand there, look pretty and make the magician (or, in this case, Peter) look good. I think she could have had a far more important role than she did.
Overall, I would have no trouble whatsoever telling all and sundry about this new book (and direction) from Traci Harding!
Paul
ARH
A bitter writer, an enthusiastic protege and a story that must be told.
Peter is a young nurse and aspiring author whose professional dreams have come true - a patient in his care, Penelope, needs someone to transcribe her final story. Revolving around four friends sharing an apartment where they hone their artistic and musical skills, Peter soon realises there is more to the story - another presence is lurking in the building, an intriguing, creative, temperamental force that goes by the name Em Jewel.
When tragedy strikes, Peter and his charming co-worker Gabrielle must finish Penelope's story before it ruins both their lives. With the help of a motley group of authors, Peter and Gabrielle are swept up into a world of art, intrigue and deception. They must choose whether to follow their heads or their hearts - with life-altering consequences.
I have long been a fan of Traci Harding - her fantasy novels are among my favourite of that genre - EVER! So when I learned that she was branching out into commercial fiction, I was a little concerned. That market is heaving with authors writing dual narrative stories and I wondered how Harding would stack up against them.
I shouldn't have worried...
What Harding does with this novel is really good: she takes what could have been a very mundane storyline (two people help an old woman tell her life story), adds a dual narrative so the reader can be taken back into Penelope's story (rather than just have it done in flashbacks), then adds a touch of the supernatural mystery to give the story an added dimension. What all this does, of course, is add depth for not just the characters, but for the story itself. That was quite a treat...
The only downside I took from this book - and why it is a 4-star and not 5 - is the role of Gabrielle. She was almost like a magician's assistant: stand there, look pretty and make the magician (or, in this case, Peter) look good. I think she could have had a far more important role than she did.
Overall, I would have no trouble whatsoever telling all and sundry about this new book (and direction) from Traci Harding!
Paul
ARH
September 13, 2019
As a huge fan of Traci Harding's "The Ancient Future" series of (sooo many!!) books, I wasn't 100% sure about reading a stand-alone book. Yes, I like them, the stand-alones. I've liked all of them up to now. Have really, really, really enjoyed them, actually. Yet even when one of your favourite writers (oh, who am I kidding, she's number 1 on my list and has been for many years...) writes a stand-alone, it's different from the series. It always is. Even so, I've always liked the stand-alones. Have always enjoyed them. Have always felt a connection to the characters. Still, there's always that hesitation. That question. Will I like this book as much as the others? Will I love it as I love the others? Will it mean as much to me as the others do? Will the characters speak to me in the same way? And every time I read one of Traci's books, I'm reminded of something important... She's my favourite author for a reason. She's my go-to author when I feel sad or down or need a pick-me-up for a reason.
So, yes, as much as I hesitated before starting this book, the simple fact is, I loved it. And really, I knew I would!
So, yes, as much as I hesitated before starting this book, the simple fact is, I loved it. And really, I knew I would!
October 5, 2024
I have to start by saying that I’m reviewing not just the book here, but the audiobook version, and while I know Audible is probably a better place to do that, I didn’t listen through Audible but through Bolinda so I can’t leave a review on Audible.
I’m not going to say much, other than I enjoyed this one, and think if you like Liane Moriarty, but with less wit and softer edges you might enjoy this…I recommend it to my mother. It would have been a 4star review in Goodreads stupid 5 star instead of 10 star system. So let’s say it would have been a solid 3.5 instead. Just so I can be difficult.
The thing that lost the star for me was a purely nitpicky point - and that’s my prerogative as a listener- was that the book is for the most part, following a male protagonist, yet the narrator is female and I felt like it would have been a better listen told in a male voice. It’s not a first person pov, and because the story follows multiple characters, both male and female, it could be argued that the feminine voice makes sense, but I guess I just feel like the story should be told from the point of the MC and in this case, that’s Peter.
But like I said, good book, give it a go.
I’m not going to say much, other than I enjoyed this one, and think if you like Liane Moriarty, but with less wit and softer edges you might enjoy this…I recommend it to my mother. It would have been a 4star review in Goodreads stupid 5 star instead of 10 star system. So let’s say it would have been a solid 3.5 instead. Just so I can be difficult.
The thing that lost the star for me was a purely nitpicky point - and that’s my prerogative as a listener- was that the book is for the most part, following a male protagonist, yet the narrator is female and I felt like it would have been a better listen told in a male voice. It’s not a first person pov, and because the story follows multiple characters, both male and female, it could be argued that the feminine voice makes sense, but I guess I just feel like the story should be told from the point of the MC and in this case, that’s Peter.
But like I said, good book, give it a go.
January 23, 2020
Any aspiring author reading this story is sure to be conflicted as to whether they really want to continue in the grind, or pursue their passion, and to hell with what they ought do to be a contributing member of whatever holds them prisoner.
This tale draws you into the writers world, with all its ups, downs, plot twists and colourful characters. It mixes apparent reality with apparent fiction and leaves you wondering, at times, what is or isn't real.
Their are stories within the stories, within the story.
Traci Harding is my favourite writer of speculative fiction and one of the best story tellers I have had the pleasure to read. With this book she gives you a glimpse into her world and the world of those in her circle of writer friends and associates in the guise of a beautifully written tale you'll find hard to put down. You'll also be pleased to know, the ending will satisfy. There will be many a twist before you get there but I felt sated and content once it arrived.
This tale draws you into the writers world, with all its ups, downs, plot twists and colourful characters. It mixes apparent reality with apparent fiction and leaves you wondering, at times, what is or isn't real.
Their are stories within the stories, within the story.
Traci Harding is my favourite writer of speculative fiction and one of the best story tellers I have had the pleasure to read. With this book she gives you a glimpse into her world and the world of those in her circle of writer friends and associates in the guise of a beautifully written tale you'll find hard to put down. You'll also be pleased to know, the ending will satisfy. There will be many a twist before you get there but I felt sated and content once it arrived.
February 22, 2021
Traci Harding's distinctive voice threads this wonderfully layered tale of four artists, two writers and a story that must be written. In her inimitable style the characters jump from the page and the story takes off in all sorts of directions, but always with a sense of the real and supernatural connections that pepper Harding's work. While the story itself hustled along, what I loved was the barely concealed teaching moments for artists - especially writers - that Harding slipped into the prose, encouragement to follow your dreams, tips for finding your own writing process, the connection to and support from others in the writing community, mentoring, researching, but listening to your muse and delivering an honest story.
A good read.
A good read.
March 8, 2023
The story line of this book is fantastic. It differed greatly from the rest of Traci's work with only a small supernatural element. But it was so enjoyable.
Penelope is a bitter old author, confined to a nursing home, no longer able to do what she loves. Peter is her nurse and an aspiring writer, whose dreams come true when Penelope asks him to help her transcribe a last story she has to tell.
The relationship between the two is equal parts heart-warming and tragic (cause you can guess what happens to Penelope). The adventure she sends him on to discover the ending to her story kept the pages turning or in my case the audiobook rolling as it was well narrated.
There were tears shed.. just warning you.
Penelope is a bitter old author, confined to a nursing home, no longer able to do what she loves. Peter is her nurse and an aspiring writer, whose dreams come true when Penelope asks him to help her transcribe a last story she has to tell.
The relationship between the two is equal parts heart-warming and tragic (cause you can guess what happens to Penelope). The adventure she sends him on to discover the ending to her story kept the pages turning or in my case the audiobook rolling as it was well narrated.
There were tears shed.. just warning you.
September 24, 2018
I really wanted to like this - the idea of a supernatural muse was intriguing. I also liked the idea of a seasoned author helping out a new author with discussions about characters and plots. However, I found the characters had little depth, the dialogue wooden, and it was all a bit twee.
June 7, 2019
This book was really good - bit of paranormal, progressive themes and stories within stories, which I like. I would highly recommend it. (This would be a longer review if a kitten wasn’t gamboling around me - sorry not sorry.)
June 12, 2017
I gave up on this one. Wooden characters and an awkward writing style.
July 15, 2017
This was very different and thourghly enjoyable Just loved it start to finish. Love the twists and quirkery characters
April 10, 2018
Cleverly written - enjoyed every bit of the ride
April 23, 2018
Tracie Harding doesn't disappoint. I loved this book as much as the others she has written. It was again a story I could not put down.
February 21, 2019
Amazing book and ending
May 16, 2020
Perfection as usual from Ms Harding
October 7, 2020
Really enjoyed this read. I have read other Harding novels and enjoyed them all. Thanks Traci :)
September 7, 2022
Amazing read
December 23, 2022
This is one of those books, this story, that I am sorry to have finished Great storytelling Traci.
April 27, 2016
I am having a bit of trouble sorting of what I think about this novel. Traci Harding has been on the top of my fave Aussie author since the late ‘90s when I first discovered The Ancient Future which I've re-read many times. Most of her works are serial (she’s written a handful of trilogies) and rather more New-Age feel to them (as opposed to ghostly / gothic). The haunting premise of this novel (plus the Gorgeous Cover) is really promising a good ghost story.
The novel began quite well with an interaction between the main character, Peter, nurse & aspiring writer, with Penelope, elderly & well-known author. This first encounter wasn't well in itself but it established a rocky beginning of a student-teacher relationship. I love Penelope; her crabby attitude is a protective shell of a creative and nurturing mind. Of course, I also love (as a reader) her meddling in the young 'un's business. I, however, neither liked nor disliked Peter. He was a nice guy but I don’t feel for him, at all.
The ghost story or the mystery behind this ghost story started quite well and I was quite intrigued at the beginning. Unfortunately, I've guessed the secret too early on in the piece which disturb my enjoyment of the whole mysterious air. In a way, this has a slight gothic feel but it was very hard to me in imagining a dark gothic air in the Australian sunshine... This might make me sound strange but maybe I should have saved this reading for late nights only!
I did enjoy the references to books & writing though. This made me feel like I was invited into a writers’ lair and being let in into some secrets (not really!). There were some funny parts, romantic parts (quite a few awkwardness on Peter’s side), and a bit of tension. The Storyteller's Muse was an easy and fairly enjoyable read. And if you don’t like ghost story, it’s not that scary at all...
Thanks to HarperCollins Publishers Australia for copy eARC via NetGalley in exchange of honest review
The novel began quite well with an interaction between the main character, Peter, nurse & aspiring writer, with Penelope, elderly & well-known author. This first encounter wasn't well in itself but it established a rocky beginning of a student-teacher relationship. I love Penelope; her crabby attitude is a protective shell of a creative and nurturing mind. Of course, I also love (as a reader) her meddling in the young 'un's business. I, however, neither liked nor disliked Peter. He was a nice guy but I don’t feel for him, at all.
The ghost story or the mystery behind this ghost story started quite well and I was quite intrigued at the beginning. Unfortunately, I've guessed the secret too early on in the piece which disturb my enjoyment of the whole mysterious air. In a way, this has a slight gothic feel but it was very hard to me in imagining a dark gothic air in the Australian sunshine... This might make me sound strange but maybe I should have saved this reading for late nights only!
I did enjoy the references to books & writing though. This made me feel like I was invited into a writers’ lair and being let in into some secrets (not really!). There were some funny parts, romantic parts (quite a few awkwardness on Peter’s side), and a bit of tension. The Storyteller's Muse was an easy and fairly enjoyable read. And if you don’t like ghost story, it’s not that scary at all...
Thanks to HarperCollins Publishers Australia for copy eARC via NetGalley in exchange of honest review
March 1, 2016
This novel from the ever reliable Traci Harding has become my favourite novel of 2016. I know we're only in March and there is plenty of time for other books to take this coveted position, but I have to say it's going to have be one hell of a book to beat it. This book is a must have for aspiring writers as it examines the relationship an artist, not necessarily a writer but all creative artists, relationship with their muse. The story is absolutely captivating and the pace never lets up that when you turn that last page an inevitable sadness fills your being. There is really three stories to be enjoyed here; the fictional story, the story focusing on our aspiring writers determination to write the story and the shocking truth to it all. There are twists and turns and a brush with the supernatural, but the author captures our attention and never lets go. I hope this novel gets the attention it deserves because it's definitely something special!
March 30, 2016
I love Traci Harding's work. I have every single book she has written and my favourite has always been 'The Alchemists Key.' I think today, I have developed a new favourite.
The Storyteller's Muse is a refreshing book with brand new characters. I absolutely loved the character development and the comradeship between the authors.
The flow of the story just takes you and sweeps your imagination away. You are immersed in a story where you don't even know what country you are in.
Reading about Muses and writing has made my inner Muse raise a hand and say "Hello, I am here."
Penelope is a wonderfully cranky old author whose passion has left her all alone. Peter and Gabrielle both grow into the destinies they were created for and we are drawn into the world of ghosts, voodoo and creative inspiration.
If you haven't read Traci Harding, then I suggest getting off your bottoms and buying a copy of this book.
I loved it!
The Storyteller's Muse is a refreshing book with brand new characters. I absolutely loved the character development and the comradeship between the authors.
The flow of the story just takes you and sweeps your imagination away. You are immersed in a story where you don't even know what country you are in.
Reading about Muses and writing has made my inner Muse raise a hand and say "Hello, I am here."
Penelope is a wonderfully cranky old author whose passion has left her all alone. Peter and Gabrielle both grow into the destinies they were created for and we are drawn into the world of ghosts, voodoo and creative inspiration.
If you haven't read Traci Harding, then I suggest getting off your bottoms and buying a copy of this book.
I loved it!
March 11, 2016
Copy received from NetGalley in exchange for honest review
OMG this book! It was just so different....
A story within a story within a story, at first I thought it would be confusing, but I was just captivated.
The writing held my attention, and even though I guessed quite a few of the 'twists' right from the start, the end one was a shocker and something I wish had been expanded on a bit more.
If you find the start of this book a bit slow and a bit dull, please hold on, because it will enthrall you and you wont regret holding on until the end.
I doubt we will get a sequel because the end was wrapped up in a nice little neat bow, but I would gladly return to the world of Peter and Gabrielle again.
Note: The only reason I didn't give it a 5 star rating is I am extremely picky about my 5 star reads.
OMG this book! It was just so different....
A story within a story within a story, at first I thought it would be confusing, but I was just captivated.
The writing held my attention, and even though I guessed quite a few of the 'twists' right from the start, the end one was a shocker and something I wish had been expanded on a bit more.
If you find the start of this book a bit slow and a bit dull, please hold on, because it will enthrall you and you wont regret holding on until the end.
I doubt we will get a sequel because the end was wrapped up in a nice little neat bow, but I would gladly return to the world of Peter and Gabrielle again.
Note: The only reason I didn't give it a 5 star rating is I am extremely picky about my 5 star reads.
February 2, 2016
Loved this book. Almost thought I knew what was happening but really it surprised me. Lovely insight into shared passion for art by artists.
April 10, 2016
3.5 stars
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