tandewrites avatar tandewrites author / book blogger

On a cold Autumn evening back in 2008, seven-year-old Tegan Anderson began to write their first short stories, finding a more creative way to learn their spellings. Many years and many more short stories later, they haven't stopped for anything.

https://tandewrites.com/

Indie Ink Awards 2023 Judge




Stories

Paper Ghosts

Paper Ghosts by Tegan Anderson

A story from the Paper Forest... Once upon a time, the Forest burned to the ground, embers and ashes coating the world in an ocean of black. Rowan walks through the remains of a kingdom that used to belong to her.


Beauty in the Breakdown

Beauty in the Breakdown by Tegan Anderson

"We can't hide like this forever, Josh. How did we even get into this mess?" Family. Money. Run. Three things that Josh Ray and Clara Roberts have their entire life based around. It's an endless loop of get away from family, get money and get running. After a few months of what feels like stability, Josh and Clara have to start the cycle all over again until everything finally comes to an end. There was something beautiful in the way that things broke down. 'Beauty in the Breakdown' represents the importance of trust and self-discovery in an unstable lifestyle through the eyes of Josh Ray, someone who believes that there is always something beautiful in a breakdown.


Paper Forests

Paper Forests by Tegan Anderson

“While your children and grandchildren are away, I like to think that they’re visiting a fantastic place, somewhere where they aren’t restrained by an illness or held back by their own emotions, a place where there is nothing but health and happiness to greet them.” Once upon a time, Oliver wakes up in a Forest full of magic and monsters, not quite dead, but not quite alive either. He wakes with three other people whose lives have been cut short, each more tragically than the last. Together, they embark on a journey that will take them deep into the heart of the Forest, where they will have to face the ghosts of their pasts and their long-hidden secrets. Secrets that will force Oliver to choose between finding a new life in the trees and finding a way home. Welcome to the Paper Forest.


Reviews

The Binding of Bloom Mountain

The Binding of Bloom Mountain by Siggy Chambers

Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear
Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience
Emotional Response: Didn’t feel much
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well

Perception Check

Perception Check by Astrid Knight

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Mostly clear
Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

The Girl Who Steals Christmas

The Girl Who Steals Christmas by C.G. Drews

Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience
Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Focus on the story solely
Cover: Adequately represents the story
Content Warnings: family loss

The Kings of Nowhere

The Kings of Nowhere by C.G. Drews

Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Adequately represents the story
Content Warnings: violence, child abuse, family loss, retrospective acknowledgement of grooming

It was an honour to read a book that dealt with sensitive issues with such care that you can tell this book is part of the author’s heart.


March & Feather

March & Feather by Emma Saska

Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Focus on the story solely
Cover: Adequately represents the story

Emma masterfully depicts the experience of heart-warming online friendships, friends-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers relationships, and how to navigate your way through adolescence when the path is always changing.



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