Wednesday 29 July 2009

Today's book review

...is in an older post to this one. I simply am not understanding blogger. Why will put the post on the day I drafted it, instead of right now, when I'm publishing it?

Internet gremlins. They are everywhere.

Monday 27 July 2009

News

Before I put up today's post, I'd like to introduce a new reviewer to Nayu's Reading Corner!

Emina, currently preparing to start college life will hopefully, schedule depending, be bringing a classical literature review every Monday.

We are both working on another blog, book related, which we'll post about once it's under way. It will be an extension of book reviews - a place where we'll discuss the finer details of a book, spoilers and all, as well as a few other subjects.

Note: for some strange reason only known to blogger, this post comes after Emina's first review. Sorry about that. I have no control over internet gremlins.


Sunday 26 July 2009

Pride & Prejudice


Pride & Prejudice
By Jane Austen
Published by Bantom Dell (division of Random House, Inc) in 1981
334 Pages
Classic Literature

Cushions: 3/5
Paperclips: 1/5
Smiles: 3/5
Tissues: 2/5
Emina’s recommendation rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ (5 hearts!)

He is the most disagreeable man! So thought Elizabeth Bennet, the second oldest of five daughters in the Bennet family. Of course, she didn’t quite know Mr. Darcy. All she knew was that he was too proud to dance or converse with anyone at balls. But, Mr. Darcy stoops to an all time low when he dissuades Mr. Bingley from pursuing Jane, Elizabeth’s sister, and urges his friend to move away from his estate, Netherfield Park, and the Bennet family.

Mr. Darcy creates a horrible reputation for himself and readers are directed to believe his pride can only be the result of an unworthy character. However, one can tell that he does indeed take a second look at Elizabeth, who’s strong personality rocks his stability.

When the misunderstandings and prejudices are set right, do Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have a chance at a happily ever after?

Jane Austen demonstrates her brilliant ability to create characters with wit, charm, and human deficiencies. (I have to say, the most comical character, IMO, is Mrs. Bennet and her poor nerves!) She weaves together relationships impacted by social standards and opinions. This enthralling classic is sure to reach and entice hearts of all ages.

I am definitely proud to say that Pride & Prejudice is never moving from it’s home of under my pillow.

Astrosaurs Academy: Deadly Drama! by Steve Cole


2nd July 2009, Red Fox (Random House imprint)
110 pages
Review copy
Childrens 7+ fantasy

Cushions: 1/5
Smiles: 5/5
Overall rating: 5/5

The brightly coloured front cover gives a clue about the perils which the young dinosaurs face in Deadly Drama. The added extra of four collectors cards, all in laminated type card (so in theory safe from a few drops of water, and should spring back into shape after being squashed in a pocket or bag) are bright equally brightly coloured and fun to read.

Astrosaur Academy is where young dinosaurs can learn to be heroes to protect the Vegetarian Sector (I can see you smiling from here! The names and references in this book are cool) from troublemaking carnivores. How the dinosaurs came to be in space rather than earth - well, that's explained in the first chapter.

Three groups of friends find themselves chosen to star in a film promoting the Academy. Unfortunately for Teggs, Blinks and Dutch, the somewhat pretentious Damona and her gang are set to star in the show, as are the rather cute bagaceratops triplets. Whisked away to a different island, the nine cadets soon discover that all is not well. Someone wants to sabotage the film - but why? Each new trap sets the dinosaurs in greater depths of peril. And, as the title suggests, at several points they are in danger of dying. I was completely wrong as to who the sabateur was, so that was a nice twist.

There's a lot of humour to be had for both adults and children here - especially if you know about Stephen Spielberg! This is a fun series, and I'd definitely like to read more of them. I think it promotes friendship, and proves that all skills can be useful at some point in life. It shows that we may not like people, but they can help out in tight situations. I think everyone can relate to at least one of the characters in this book. I'd love to be an astrosaur - the different species of dinosaurs mean each cadet can have a special skill to use (long tail, thicker skull etc).

For more information about Astrosaurs check out the interactive website.

Personally, I'm eager for reading Cows in Action, also by Steve Cole. Watch this space as new books get released - I'll be on the look out for them!

Saturday 25 July 2009

A Great and Terrible Beauty, by Libba Bray



2006, Simon and Schuster
403 pages
Library copy
Paranormal historical fantasy (YA, maybe)

Cushions: 3/5
Paperclips: 2/5 (suggestive language)
Tissues: 2/5
Overall rating: 4/5

Apologies to whoever recommended this to me, I've forgotten your name. A big thank you, because I enjoyed this a lot.

This is a cover, which, if I hadn't had a recommendation, would have had me putting this back on the shelf. To me it suggests a romantic theme, which although present to some extent, isn't the focus of the book. The book follows Gemma as she picks up her life after her mother's death in India. Escorted to England, she begins life in what on the outside looks like a very proper English school in the late 1800's. Let's just say the innocent ladies aren't so innocent. They know all about the world outside their school, and wish to find a way to influence the decisions made by their parents. Little do they know that Gemma, the newcomer, will provide that path.

It's a path that shouldn't be trodden. Kartik, whose identity remains a mystery for a while, follows Gemma around, leaving notes and verbal threats to leave alone the supernatural power that Gemma can tap into. As with most people, this is like waving a red flag to a bull. Gemma doesn't care that her own mother, from beyond the grave gives a similar warning. She goes ahead with it anyway, forever changing her own life, and the girls who spend the most time with her. I wouldn't call them true friends, not yet anyway.

I shook my head at the cruelties inflicted by the girls to their classmates. I feel this reflects how cruel girls can sometimes be as they grow up, not realising how much they hurt others. I liked the twists regarding Gemma's mother, and how we never truly know what our parents are like, even if they are still alive. Their hopes, their lives before us, will always have a shroud of mystery around them.

Pick this book if you don't mind your spine tingling in fear at the paranormal goings on at Spence boarding school, if you wish to learn what happens when Gemma plays with fire and gets burned. Will the burns leave scars? What happens when four girls can literally manipulate the world they live in?

Libba Bray has her own website here

Saturday blog post #4

You may think the reaction of The Preserver to when a book gets wet was bad. Wait until you learn of this week's book misfortune.

The scenario: both The Preserver and The Handler return home from a hard day at the office, only to discover that their cute new kitten enjoys using books as a scratching post. The kitten is purring away among the shredded remains.

The Preserver's eyes twitch. Her hands fly up to her mouth which forms an 'o' of surprise. How could such a small, sweet ball of fur do this to a precious book? The Preserver looks at the kitten, who notices his owner is home and mews. The Preserver's eyes go back to the book. Hands trembling, she lifts it up, gasping as more shreds of paper collect on the floor. Thanks to the kitten's arrival, The Preserver's funds are a little low. Buying a new book is out of the question. Devastated over the damage, The Preserver places the book carefully on a high shelf, away from the kitten's claws. She heads to the kitchen, rattles the biscuit bowl and lures the kitten away from the scene of destruction. Distracted, she hurries back to the study, and shuts the door. This will be one room the kitten is forever banned from.

Wiping her tears, so she doesn't wet the paper shreds, The Preserver mournfully picks up all the scraps of paper, and deposits them on her desk. She picks up the book, grabs the sellotape, and begins pieceing the book back together. The Preserver may know the book off by heart, but having a few letters missing off words brings back the tears. The thought of returning the kitten crosses her mind once, but, remembering how nice it was when the little fluffball curls up by her side at night.

Scarred forever, she sets the book back in it's rightful place, where it looks normal from the outside, aside from an almost artful scratch down the spine. The Preserver will never read it again, but she can't bear to throw it away.

The Handler, in her usual casual style, upon seeing the half destroyed book, laughs. She knew life with a kitten would provide unexpected situations. She hadn't quite imagined that would run into her first love, books. Still, it shows the kitten had good taste. Why scratch a plain, wooden post when pages crammed with descriptions of other worlds will do? The kitten might, somehow, have been looking for something to read. (Yes, The Handler can be quite delusional). The Handler scoops up the kitten, not the book, and hugs him tight. "Teaches me to leave books out for you, doesn't it?" The Handler receives wet nose on her wrist as a way of reply. "Well, it'll make me head to the library more often. I guess I can do without coffee for a week, to help pay for this."

The kitten purrs in agreement, oblivious to the fact that without coffee in the afternoon, The Handler won't be eager to dangle the mouse on the string over the edge of the sofa. The Handler brushes up the ruined book, paper fragments and all, pops them in the recyling bin and sets about preparing the kitten's food. Just another blip in another normal day.

How would you react if a pet ruined a book? Would your eyes twitch? Or would you think 'never mind' and just get on with the day? Me? I'd be annoyed for a moment, but would then head to the library more often.

Thursday 23 July 2009

Author Interview with Chloe Palov


This interview is taken directly from the Penguin website. All credit goes to the (as far as I can see) anonymous interviewer at Penguin.

THE ARK OF THE COVENANT: A DEADLY OBSESSION

‘. . . with the vessels of the sanctuary . . . they warred against Midian . . . and killed every male.’

‘ . . . and the wall of the city will fall down flat.’

‘ . . . there came a fire . . . and consumed upon the altar the burnt offerings.’

An intelligence threat assessment of a rogue nation’s secret arsenal? Breaking news of a horrific terrorist attack? No on both accounts. These are descriptions of the Ark of the Covenant lifted from the pages of the Old Testament. Responsible for the deaths of thousands, the Ark of the Covenant was the biblical version of ‘shock and awe.’

In my debut novel Stones of Fire, I explore the worst-case scenario – the Ark of the Covenant is found by a group of religious fanatics intent on fulfilling an apocalyptic prophecy. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

What exactly is the Ark of the Covenant?

Most people are well aware that the Ark of the Covenant was a golden chest into which Moses placed the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments. They may even know that for forty years the Israelites carried the Ark as they wandered through the wilderness in search of the Promised Land. What they probably don’t know is that the Ark was built of acacia wood, a sturdy species native to the Sinai Desert, overlaid with gold, and measured a cubit and a half in width by two and a half cubits in length. A configuration that employs the Golden Ratio. On the Ark’s lid were the two winged, golden cherubim, Gabriel and Michael. Mind you these weren’t the chubby, rosy-cheeked angels that adorn everything from posters to coffee mugs. These were the fierce archangels who battled Lucifer and his minions. Tradition has it that the Ark was transported on a specially designed cart. Only the High Priest could touch the Ark. If anyone else dared, the penalty was death. Oftentimes instantaneous, Yahweh possessed of a very bad temper. And, yes, the Ark did level mountains, raze cities, and decimate enemy armies. Or so the Bible tells us. And, most fascinating of all, it was claimed that Yahweh, himself, resided within the confines of this golden box.

How did the Ark work?

No one knows for certain, the Bible rather vague with the details. Some scholars have theorized that the Ark was a primitive storehouse for electric energy. Others contend that it contained a piece of radioactive material, perhaps from a fallen meteorite. And there are those who believe that the Ark’s destructive power was simply the wrath of God in action. What we do know is that in the 10th century B.C., King Solomon built his famous temple to house the beautiful, but deadly relic. Soon thereafter the Ark of the Covenant vanished.

Without a trace.

Never to be seen again.

Was it captured or destroyed?

The question has confounded biblical scholars, religious leaders, and armchair archaeologists alike. As with any mystery, rumors abound. It was stolen by Solomon’s illegitimate son Menelik and taken to Ethiopia. The invading Babylonians destroyed the Ark when they leveled Solomon’s Temple. And, then, of course, there’s the theory popularized in the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark: that the marauding Pharaoh Shiskak took the Ark to his capital city Tanis whereupon he promptly buried it in the sands of Egypt.

So, God-in-the-box or the ultimate weapon of mass destruction?

Maybe a little of both. Which is why, down through the ages, the mystery of the lost Ark has fascinated and enthralled. We can only hope that one day soon a team of archaeologists will uncover that most sacred of relics and the ancient secret will finally be revealed.

Let the hunt begin . . . .

I reviewed Stones of Fire here

Sunday 19 July 2009

Daughter of Fire and Ice, by Marie-Louise Jensen



February 2010, Oxford University Press
325 pages
Proof copy
Childrens, 12+

Cushions: 3/5
Paperclips: 1/5 (nothing happens, relations are intimated).
Smiles: 1/5
Tissues: 3/5
Overall rating: 5+/5 (I'm cruel to post a review this early. Don't worry, this will reappear next year!)

I have to smile: It's only now as I look back at the title that I believe I figure where it came from. Daughter of Fire and Ice tells the heart-warming tale of Thora. Stolen from her family by a Viking chieftain who wasn't taking her away for a life of luxury, fate intervenes in the form of a slave. Taking on the slain chieftain's identity, the slave takes Thora away with the rest of the chieftain's men, setting sail for Iceland.

The journey isn't smooth sailing. Although the friendship between Thora and the ex-slave deepens, a cruel incident sets them apart in their lives. Forced to live with each other, while unable to be even friends, Thora sets her resolve on surviving as the group settle to a harsh life, filled with poison, murder and treachery. I promise the end isn't a complete unhappy ending; I enjoyed it because its bittersweet nature is a true reflection of how life was then, and how life is now.

Everything Thora endures, I, as a reader endured. There were a couple of areas of the story where I wanted to give her a slap and tell her to pull herself together, but I feel this was more her character, still a teenager (although in those days teens quickly became adults). She shows great courage by clinging to what needs to be done, at times when all she wants to do is weep at her circumstances. The pacing is even, with a mixture of fast and smoother sections. Such was the strength of compassion woven by Marie-Louise's writing that I actually cursed, out loud, when something very precious was taken from Thora.

Just as her other two books, Between Two Seas and The Lady in the Tower, the level of research shines through the ease of reading. Particularly good is how Thora and the people she lives with react to natural phenomena. The customs of two different people are integrated well - I had my suspicions about the ex-slave's origins, and was pleased to be proven half-right.

This isn't just a historical tale - there is an element of fantasy here too. For Thora, as well as being a skilled herbalist, has visions and can read auras. It's a talent she keeps quiet about, but serves her and the people she lives with well.

Another outstanding book from Marie-Louise Jensen. Go write it in down in the calendar, so you don't miss out on it.

Marie-Louise Jensen's website is found here.

Silver Phoenix, by Cindy Pon


2009, Green Willow Books
338 pages
Personal copy, won from here
YA

Cushions: 3/5
Paperclips: 0.5/5 (minimal romance)
Smiles: 2/5
Tissues: 3/5
Overall rating: 5+/5

This book combines three of my loves: fantasy, female protagonist, Chinese/Japanese fiction. Excited only mildly described how I felt at winning this. The gorgeous cover (look at the way those sleeves fall) pulled me in, as did snippets of the story that I discovered online.

Silver Phoenix is the story of Ai ling. Unmarried, and unwanted by suitors, she looks set to marry an unpleasant man (again, putting it mildly) who insists her father has a debt with him. Unable to prove otherwise with her father away, Ai Ling runs away from her mother, and the creep, to find her father. However, that reason is only half the story. For Ai Ling has a magical power, one which she initially has little control over. It warned her of the creep's true intention, and helps her as she journeys with Chen Yong who also is searching for a family truth. It is Chen Yong who saves her from drowning after a run-in with a powerful, evil entity in a lake.

And yet, there is more to the tale. Somehow, I won't reveal how, Ai Ling's journey relates to the Emperor's court many years ago. This journey takes Ai Ling to the Emperor, and sees her fighting for her life against what I personally feel is a deluded spirit. Danger lurks in most of the chapters here - I reluctantly had to put the book down for the necessary act of sleep. The interweaving of fantasy elements with political intrigue produces a gripping story that should be on everyone's bookshelf.

My only wish is that there were more pictures of the clothes worn in this book.

I'm eager to see what other books Cindy Pon will write, drawing on the vast world of China. I hope there's another story about Ai Ling. Check out her website.

Airhead, by Meg Cabot (Young Adult, 9/10E)


2008, Point (Scholastic)
337 pages
Personal copy (Recieved from kind donation by Sarwat Chadda)
YA

The title gives one view of models - airheads. That's pretty much what Emerson Watts thinks too. Unlike her younger sister, she doesn't care for seeing Nikki Howard at Stark Megastore's grand opening. Thanks to tragic events, Em comes to care for Nikki much closer that she'd ever want. After all, she under goes a body swap, and becomes fashion's favourite face.

I'm not spilling the beans on how Em becomes Nikki. The difficulty of Em adjusting to her new life is handily explained with amnesia - useful for all the slip ups she makes. Through Em-now-Nikki's eyes, new light is shed onto the life of a model. Yes, it is about shoots, parties and superficial friendships, but real friendships are formed here too. There's a fair amount of humour and fear as Nikki's friends 'kidnap' Em-now-Nikki - fear from Em because she actually wants to see her family again, humour for the reader at Nikki's friends' wild ideas as to why she's been in a special hospital.

Stark company aren't the innocent party in Em-now-Nikki's life - she uncovers an unfair plot which affects her life forever (as if becoming a model wasn't enough of a life-changing experience). Her education is being put to good use, even if she's not using it officially in her new job.

Thankfully this is the first of a trilogy starring Em-now-Nikki, with the second title released in the UK in September. I for one will be checking it out.

Meg's funky website can be found here.

Storm Glass, by Maria V Snyder


July 2009, Mira Books
504 pages
Personal copy
Fantasy

Cushions: 4/5
Daggers: 1/5
Paperclips: 1/5
Smiles: 3/5
Tears: 3/5
Overall rating: 5+/5 (not happy the next book isn't out until 2010!)

I pre-ordered this book, fully expecting to enjoy it as much as Maria's Study Trilogy (see her website at the end of the review, the books aren't yet reviewed here). Afterall, it takes a secondary character, Opal, and tells of her interesting life after betraying Yelena (protagonist in Study series) to the enemy. No longer of the enemy, Opal is in Sitia's magic academy where Yelena too trained for a while. Only, unlike Yelena, Opal doesn't think her skill with glass is a useful magical skill.

This self-doubt lasts throughout some of the novel - it can't last too long when her skills are needed to stop people from the Stormdancer clan from dying. The first installment of Opal's story is every bit edge-of-the-seat reading as the previous trilogy. In a way more so, because I already know the world and some of the characters from Yelena's story. Opal is quite a different character to Yelena; I'd say she has more internal conflict, just because of what's happened so far in her life. In a lot of ways this is more family based than Yelena's story, because Opal never left her family and has close ties with them. I liked that, compared to a lot of fantasy where the protagonist is often removed from their kin, Opal's family have their own role to play in her life.

I read this in a few sittings (stupid life interrupted my free time). Yes I wailed when I saw the next book isn't out until next year. Aside from her old skill, Opal has an amazingly scary new one, one which rivals Yelena's soul finding skills. Will she be hunted down and confined for this skill in the second book, Sea Glass?

Content: nothing detailed, possibly a bit of inneundo (I've read several books since this once), a developing relationship.

Oh! Before I finish up, I have to mention the cover. I prefer it to the USA cover - it shows the mystery of Opal's power. Plus hooded cloaks are high on my list of fashionable clothes.

If you haven't read the Study trilogy - go read them for background information on characters that appear hear, and to be taken away into Yelena's world. Information about these are found on Maria's recently updated website. I prefer this new look to the previous one.

Stones of Fire, by C.M. Palov


July 2009, Penguin
559 pages
Review copy
Thriller

Cushions: 5/5
Daggers: 2/5
Paperclips: 4.5/5
Smiles: 3/5
Overall rating: including content 3/5. Excluding content 5/5 (see note on content at the end of the review).

The Arc of the Covenant (the religious artefact) was found, and lost during the Crusades. For those who wished to wield its cosmic power, they needed the Stones of Fire, a breastplate said to have been owned by Moses, with beautiful gems set in it. It is this breastplate which Edie, a bubbly photographer is called to take pictures for a rather concerned professor. It's not just another assignment for cash - it's one that'll set a bunch of crazed Christians fanatics on her heels, eager for her death. At no cost can she die - if she does, the world could be destroyed.

What I loved most about this debut thriller from C. M. Palov, based around a hunt for a religious artefact (a popular theme these days), was the fact that instead of starting with the male protagonist, Caedmon, it started with Edie. It is Edie's story as well as Caedmon's, and most of the action centers around her. She may not have military or espionage training like Caedmon, but she uses common sense to get herself out of situations I honestly didn't think she could escape. Caedmon, with a shady past uses his unique skills to keep them alive past the first hour of their meeting. Without his expertise, Edie would never have jetted around the globe in persuit of the stones of fire.

There are twists and runs in virtually every chapter, with distinctive voices for each of the point of views shown in the book. The names of the characters could be taken away and I'd still know whose chapter it was. It contains everything needed in a thriller: fast paced action, with an occasional respite. A few explosions, a fair amount of fighting and an unexpected ending. On this alone I give it 5/5.

Content: this is what brings the overall rating down to 3/5. Initially, one of the antagonist's points of view uses coarse language. It suits the nature of the character, but the language used involves a lot of cursing. Themes of rape are dealt with in this book. It's not the content I minded, but the language used. Also, all of a sudden, instead of closing the door on a consenting adult relationship, the event was discussed in detail. It's repeated mention warrants the high paperclip rating. It's more detailed than some thrillers I've read, and puts me off a second re-read (unless I just mark the relevant chapters). It felt a little odd to have this change of direction in the book, for me it just didn't fit in with the rest of the story for there to be such detail.

Apart from that, I would give this book 5/5, with a warning about the adult content.

Like this? Try Sword of God by Chris Kuzneski or Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda

Spindle's End by Robin McKinley


2002 David Fickling Books
259 pages
Library copy

Clouds: 2/5
Cushions: 2/5
Smiles: 2/5
Tissues: 2/5
Overall rating: 4/5

The story of sleeping beauty: a tale of a beautiful princess, who receives a curse from a wicked fairy that will have her pricking her finger on a spinning wheel that will send her to sleep, only to be woken up by love's first true kiss, right? Well, not exactly, not in Robin's retelling of this famous fairy tale.

For those who have seen a famous cartoon version, remember how all the animals loved Sleeping Beauty? In this version, Rosie (aka Sleeping Beauty) ends up living in a fairy house. For someone who has no fairy lineage, saving the somewhat pointless attributes given by 20 of her fairy godmothers at the ill-fated naming ceremony, Rosie can talk to animals. Unlike the normal run of the mill baby magic which most children grow out of, it's a talent which she never grows out of. It's one that proves useful during her life among the people she comes to call family.

Magic is on every page of this well written tale. Curled up on the sofa, I could clearly see people in Rosie's village muttering words to keep objects in their original shape. How Rosie comes to leave her royal parents is a completely different take on the story. There is no detail too small, every image of Rosie's world is painted clearly for the reader. Rosie does find her prince - in a manner of speaking. She isn't alone in this tale - she has friends among the villagers (no little woodcutter's cottage for her). This friendship isn't without trouble. And she has a job! It isn't the ending I expected, although it is an HEA.

The only small quibble I have with Spindle's End is from the time when Rosie finds out she's a princess, to when everyone falls asleep under Pernicia's (the evil fairy) spell. It might have been my eagerness to get to the grand battle, but this part of the book dragged a little and didn't feel right as I read it. Other than that, there is nothing to fault in this exquisite retelling of an ordinary fairy tale.

Robin McKinley's website is here. I hope, in time, to read her other books.

If you liked this, try Talon, by Janet Lee Carey

Saturday 18 July 2009

Saturday Blog Post *3

The previous installment about The Preserver and The Handler involved internet shopping. This week involves one of three problems which I'm hurling at the two types of readers: What happens when a book gets dropped in water.

The scenario: As avid readers, both The Preserver and The Handler read whenever they have a spare moment. Inevitably this will usually include while preparing a bath (for themselves, or one of their children if they have one). While reading the book, for whatever reason - be it slipping on the floor, or getting startled by the doorbell or the phone, the book ends up in the water. What will they do?

Life for the book doesn't look good in The Preserver's household. Trembling at the waterlogged pages, The Preserver will pick the book out the water carefully. The Preserver will use both hands, scooping it up underneath the cover to reduce tearing the wet paper. Sobbing at the wreck of the book, carefully so the tears don't land on the pages, The Preserver will place the damp remains on a towel. The Preserver will set about pat drying the book, getting rid of the excess moisture. Then, with a solemn dignity The Preserver will parade the book to the airing cupboard (unsure of US term for the cupboard where the boiler lives), and leave it there to dry out. The Preserver will frequently check the book, monitoring it's drying progress on an hourly schedule. The Preserver, if they have the funds to do so, will set about buying a replacement. This copy will be for guests and family, who won't care that the pages are crumpled and smell of lavender bubble bath.

The Handler, as usual, will take the incident in their stride. They'll shrug their shoulders at the book floating amidst the mostly white bubbles, pick it up regardless of how it landed. The suds will be blown off (or flicked off). The book will be placed on a radiator (which The Preserver wouldn't do for fear of scorch marks), or just on a windowsill where the sun can shine on it. If there wasn't such a fear of fire, The Handler would put it in the oven. There would be no rush to get another copy - what are a few crumples in the pages when the book gets to that state within a few rounds of reading anyway? The Handler will read the book even when it's damp - why wait to finish the story? The incident doesn't even register as an incident - it's just another normal day in The Handler's household.

How would you react to a book falling in water? Are you like A Preserver, in complete shock at the horror of a wet book? Or do you take it in your stride like The Handler?

Next week, The discovery of a child's scribbles on a book.

Friday 17 July 2009

That Summer, by Sarah Dessen


2009 Puffin (spine breakers)
230 pages
Review copy

Paperclips: 2/5 teenage relationships
Smiles: 2/5
Tissues: 1/5
Overall rating: 4/5

Funky cover here! That's what initially attracted me to the book. The space in the top right corner (when tilted in the light) shows small (black) illustrations of small hearts, a dog, weather clouds (the type you see on tv) clouds with 'love' written in them, a golf caddy (with clubs) and other sweet pictures. Illustrations get 5/5 from me.

So what's this book about? Family. Predominantly mother-daughter, and sister-sister relationships. Teenage years are never easy, particularly not when Haven's father is remarrying (the new bride is a weather girl, hence all the clouds on the front cover), and her sister is getting married too.

Her mother's reaction to her ex-husband remarrying made me laugh - definitely a realistic character here. She does her best taking care of Haven and her sister Ashley, whose stress over her own big day grows and grows.

At times of change, its perfectly normal for people to reminisce about the past. Haven mulls over all of Ashley's past boyfriends, never expecting one of them called Summer will turn up and play a part in her life. I like the way Sarah Dessen explores human relationships, the mixups that can happen from miscommunication, or even just only having part of the story about something. I think anyone reading this can learn not to jump to conclusions, and to realise that sometimes the reason behind something won't be the one they expected.

Even more positive, considering the images which are still being portrayed by today's media, is the message given about the lives of models. Sarah incorporates this issue into the book so it isn't about unknown people Haven and her school friends will be unable to relate to.

Definitely a book for the times we live in.

Sarah Dessen's website is here


Look what I've won! Eye of the Sun, Eye of the Moon Dianne Hofmeyr






Back in May I wrote a review for these two books. Being library copies, they couldn't stay on my shelf.






This month I entered a huge book giveaway competition over on An Awfully Big Blog Adventure. Imagine the amount of whoohoo's from me as I received the email saying I'd won both these books! Signed copies will be winging their way over to me in the next few weeks. Yay!

Thursday 16 July 2009

Author Interview with Marie-Louise Jensen

Marie-Louise JensenI’m proud to present the author of Between Two Seas (referred to as Seas), and The Lady in the Tower (referred to as Tower), Marie-Louise Jensen! 

From checking out your website, I’m glad you rediscovered your creativity. Maths is overrated! First of all, when was the moment that you thought of both Marianne and Eleanor’s story?

I had the idea for Marianne’s story in an open air museum in Denmark. I saw a book about how Danish fishermen sailed across to Grimsby to sell their catch, and immediately I thought, what if one of them had a daughter there who later came looking for him in Denmark? I could visualise Marianne at once; shy, reserved and very English. And I could imagine how she would experience Denmark. I knew I had the seed of a story.

Eleanor’s story came to me on a visit to Farleigh Hungerford Castle. I’d been there before and heard the story of how Lady Elizabeth Hungerford was locked in the tower, but that time it just came to me as a story idea. No one knows how Lady Elizabeth escaped, and I started to imagine her daughter freeing her.

The books are quite different in their style of protagonist. Seas is more character driven, while Tower has a lot of action and intrigue. What fuelled your decision to create such diverse worlds? Or, as is the case for some of us writers, did your characters march up to you, point down at the screen/paper and order ‘Write my story!’?

Between Two Seas arose from my own experiences of living in Denmark as a teenager, and everything I know about Skagen in the time I chose to set the story. I wrote it quite quickly, initially, and the whole story came tumbling out of me, some of it planned, but some of it a surprise. I was thinking more about the character and how she would experience Skagen than about the story, although there is a story there too.

Eleanor’s story came to me before I started writing Between Two Seas. In fact I had some ten chapters of it written before I put it aside to write the other. The reason this story is so much more plot driven than my first book is because when I started to research the Hungerford’s and the history of the castle and the people, there was so much that really happened or that I wanted to include. It was a very exciting period of history.

I thought The Lady in the Tower would be more like Between Two Seas when I started out, but the social setting in the castle called for quite a different style and far more interaction between characters, so it changed and changed as I wrote. 

Some generic questions for you: where is your favourite place to write? Favourite time to write? Favourite colour ink/type of font for writing? Favourite snack while writing?

I work absolutely anywhere. I can work with pen and paper or use my little notebook computer. I work in cafes, in the car, on trains. I do prefer working at home at my desk when I have the chance. But wherever I start out working, I soon disappear into the world of the book.

I’m not a morning person and I tend to work from lunchtime through to the small hours. If I do get up early I go and exercise, I don’t normally write.

Favourite snack, well endless cups of tea, obviously, and when the going gets tough, the only remedy is chocolate.

How did you react when you receive ‘The Call?’

When my agent rang me to tell me I had an offer of a two-book deal from OUP, I was lying in bed with the worst flu I’d ever had in my life. I’d spent three days feeling it might be easier to die than fight the virus. I had no voice at all and could barely summon up the strength to respond. But within about an hour, the news had filtered through to my brain I managed to start feeling excited.

It’s a very strange process though. After all the initial excitement and the rewriting, there was then a two-year wait for publication where nothing at all seemed to be happening. It was, of course, but not from my point of view.

Are you a plotter, writing down the plot in detail before you commence writing, or an edge of the seat writer, having a vague idea of the plot but not committing it to paper, and just writing whatever your muse dictates.

Somewhere in between. I plot my stories out before I start and spend a lot of time thinking about them. There may be gaps, but I always know what the end point will be and some of the events that will shape the narrative. But I also have new ideas as I’m writing and sometimes I go with them. The biggest unplanned change I’ve ever made was the introduction of a character called Ragna in my next book, Daughter of Fire and Ice. She was only supposed to appear in one scene, but she wanted to stay. So I did some rethinking and rewriting to make her part of the story.

Muses take different forms. Mine is under 5 inches high, very vocal and knows how to use her feet/elbows to spur me on. What does your muse look like, and how does she/he act?

I don’t really have a muse. I have a few people that inspired characters. I’d better not give them away so publically though! 

A writer isn’t an isolated person in this world (normally). A writer has family, and friends. What were their reactions to your publication?

I have two sons and they are finding the whole thing very exciting. They sometimes resent it a bit when I shut myself away to write, but they love coming with me to events, launches and prize awards (they’d probably enjoy it more if I won something!) I have a mother who’s very excited and involved too – and very supportive.

In the free time you have, apart from spending time with family and home-educating your children (a large and rewarding job), what do you like to do?  

Swimming, walking, watching children’s films and reading teen books. And I love spending the summers in Scandinavia. We almost always spend a spell in Denmark, and in 2007 we spent two months in Iceland travelling, sightseeing and researching my Viking books. We camped too, the whole time, and some nights there was ice on the tents. It was an amazing summer. It didn’t get dark the whole time we were there. I love the north.

Are you able to tell us about future novels?

Daughter of Fire and Ice is publishing February 2010. This is a Viking novel and there is already a synopsis up on amazon and waterstones.com. Cover to follow soon!

I’m working on a second Viking novel now. It’s linked, but stand-alone. I’m going to research a second Tudor novel once I’m finished. Not a sequel toThe Lady – a new story.

I’ve also been working on a project with fellow OUP author David Calcutt. We’ve written a dual-narrative, futuristic book together which we hope will find a publisher soon.

Thank you very much for your time. I urge everyone to go check out Marie-Louise Jensen’s books. Be sure to schedule in a few free hours to read them.  I can also add that I have a copy of Daughter of Fire and Ice, awaiting a read and a review from me. Review will be posted here!

Tuesday 14 July 2009

The Penguin Book of Classical Myths, by Jenny March


July 2009, Penguin
590 pages
Review Copy

Ease of Reading: 5/5
Level of Information: 5/5
Paperclips: 2/5
Overall rating: 5+/5

This is one of those books I wish I'd had when I was a student. My degree was in Ancient History, which is why I snapped this book up the moment I saw it. Admittedly, I only studied a few classes on myth, but, being the foundation which the ancient world based its life and customs around, myth is (and should be) an integral part of any scholar, be they someone dabbling into Greek and Roman world for a school project, as a general interest topic, or because it is a part of their studies.

Unlike some of the books I've read on myths, Jenny doesn't fill the pages up with endless passages of original, or translated text. The translations are her own, and they are put in when appropriate. This book isn't an in-depth analysis of the texts: it is more a chronological compendium of the detailed, and sometimes confusing world of Greek (and Roman) gods and heroes.

First up: illustrations! Quite different from the illustrations I usually review, but well placed. Aside from the necessary maps of the ancient world, there are two star-charts! The northern and southern hemisphere's constellations are depicted in clear illustrations, not in a simple join the dots image, but a full picture of the constellation followed with dots of where the stars are on them. So Leo, the lion, is a lion! I confess to spending several minutes over these two pages. I liked the pictures! Other illustrations are in black and white, with a colour section in the book's centre. I've seen a fair number of these in my course, but they represent a broad spectrum of mythic art in the ancient world.

On to the content: I sat down, and I read this. From cover to cover. That can be rare in a text book, to read it in more or less one sitting without scratching my head thinking 'huh?' Jenny's style of writing is far from dull, she explores one portion of text, includes any variations of the story (which are usually a few) then moves on to the next section which has a logical progression of topic.

Topics covered in this book, by chapter, along with a comment from me.

  • Creation: self-explanatory. Learn who, not what, dreams are. You wouldn't want to mess with the Furies!
  • Gods: most captivating story goes to Persephone. Poor girl, doomed to spend a few months of the year in the underworld.
  • The First Humans: so that's how the gold/silver/iron age came about! (the Greek version) Also included: Pandora's box-which-was-never-a-real-box.
  • The Quest for the Golden Fleece: the events leading up to Jason's untimely death by a fallen beam of wood - yes, I laughed.
  • Io and Argus: a maiden who sadly had a run in with the god Zeus.
  • Heroes and monsters: death to snakes! Or at least to Medusa, who had a whole head of them.
  • Herakles: also known as Hercules. Completely disillusioned my image of him founded on the cartoon versions. The truth of his deeds, warts and all.
  • Theseus, Athens and Crete: two highly significant places in the Greek world. Move over Herakles, Theseus is the new hero in town.
  • The Theban Saga: yet another significant place, including a mortal and immortal relationship whose love survives (although Kadmos and Harmonia endured many tragedies).
  • The Trojan War: that wooden horse, and the woman everyone went to war over.
  • Odyssius and His Odyssey: I read the story involving the cyclops' sheep in a simplified version for Greek language.
  • The House of Pelops: return of the Furies (they are involved in this tale).
  • Dangerous Women: Amazons (nothing to do with South America) are fantastic archers.
  • Aeneas and the Destiny of Rome: Yup, a Roman chapter. This isn't just about Greece :)
  • The Foundation of Rome: including the famous twins, Romulus and Remus
  • Metamorphoses: I'm not talking catapiller to butterfly here - humans changing shapes due to gods.
  • Myths of Love and Death: Cupid's love involves a real box (unlike Pandora's).
I also had a suspicion confirmed with this book: video games, anime and manga base some creatures on those found in ancient myths. Who says history isn't relevant to our modern lives!

If I had any say on a course syllabus, I'd put this as preliminary reading. It's reminded me exactly how much I love the ancient world. Go buy a copy and absorb the rich, Grecian (and Roman) culture!

Content: two paperclips: due to the nature of life and views on relationships in the ancient world, some of the pictures and certainly a fair few of the stories deal in areas which may bring about blushes for some of my readers.

Excellent edition to the non-fiction pile on my floor (floor in no way denotes my opinion of a book).

Monday 13 July 2009

Does My Head Look Big In This, by Randa Abdel-Fattah (Children's, 11 years +, 9/10E)



2006, Marion Lloyd Books (Scholastic imprint)
351 pages
Personal Copy

Content: there is mention of drugs, I think maybe the odd curse word (can't quite remember), smoking, and boyfriends.

Summary from Scholastic
Hijabs are political. Can Muslim high-schooler Amal find the guts to wear her scarf full time? A funny, touching and heartfelt read about growing up Muslim in a world that doesn’t always understand you. In Melbourne, Australia, hijabs aren’t exactly normal. It would be easier to walk into class naked than wearing a veil. Boy, will the kids freak out. Amal’s always been a typical Aussie schoolgirl, with all the usual obsessions: boys, chocolate and Cosmo magazine. That’s all going to change once she shawls up. Plus, how much eyeliner should she wear with her hijab? And how will she catch the eye of her crush? It’s tough enough being sixteen without having to say: ‘Don’t panic – I’m Islamic!’

In the great spending spree a few months ago (ignores the TBR pile), I picked this gem off the shelf. I chose it to find out about Amal's journey into wearing the hijab (headscarf).

I find what people may not realise, is that sometimes it is harder to wear the headscarf if you're a born Muslim of a semi-practicing family, than a convert who embraces Islam. Why? As a convert, you don't have family pressure of wearing it. There isn't that expectation to wear it. I think born Muslims have it a little harder in choosing to practice their faith more fully.

Does My Head Look Big In This follows Amal, a high school student in Australia as she makes the decision to wear the hijab. Initially, I thought 'we're so different'. She's a born Muslim. Yes she's into boys a little too (but would never have a boyfriend and firmly believes in relations after marriage). I was wrong. The worries she had over wearing the hijab - despite the support of her parents and friends - were the same as mine. This book struck a chord in my heart. The fears (some are irrational) of what people think play a huge part in this life changing decision. Amal's journey isn't without its pitfalls. She loses one good friend. But what she gains is something she'll carry on with her forever: conviction of her beliefs, confidence, and amazingly instead of losing good friendships (the lost one is one which by my view was okay to lose) she gains very secure ones. And learns a lot about the people she loves in the process.

One to read if you'd like your eyes opened about what life can be like for a Muslim in Australia (or any other westernised place). Note: every single Muslim is different, but Amal's struggle with the hijab rings true for all hijab wearers.

One thing I really want to learn: exactly what her parents told her headmistress. That's why I give it a 4.5. Sounds petty, but its an issue I would have liked to have revealed, even if it was in a postscript!

I guess I'm a little biased about this book - I'm not approaching it from neutral ground. But I strongly promote it )

Internet stopped working!

Today you'll receive two book reviews - last night I was still catsitting. The internet refused to work. Yes I did panic a little. I then calmed down and carried on writing my wip. Book reviews will appear later on today. Silly internet gremlins!

ETA: Time gremlins have speeded up time. One book review only. Sorry.

Saturday 11 July 2009

Saturday vacation post

Not the expected post about Handlers and Protectors, but then this hasn't been a normal weekend. I've been used as a spring board, a scratch post, a being to streak past and nearly bash into a door. Yes, I am cat sitting. Previous clients have been sedate, older cats. Kittens are another matter. I was beside myself last night when they went missing. I hunted everywhere. They are shut out of most rooms because they're still at that really small stage where they are less likely to figure out how to climb out of a drawer than their older counterparts. I couldn't find them. I thought they'd got out the house sometime. How could I explain to their owners (including two children) that I'd lost their new family members?

Then, out from nowhere, two white furballs hurled towards the food bowl. I cried. Picked them up, hugged them, told them off, then let them down.

What has this to do with books? Well, there are little claw puncture holes in the bag holding my books. The books are unscathed. Last night my nerves weren't. Brain has managed to engage for a book review, but is hitting the sluggish point of the day. Next week I'll spring the three scenarios on the two types of book keepers. In light of this weekend, one of those may change.

Angel Cake, by Cathy Cassidy



July 2009, Puffin Books
208 pages
Childrens, girls
Review copy

Clouds: 3/5
Cushions: 1/5
Smiles: 4/5
Tissues: 2/5
Overall rating, 4.5/5

I think its pretty much given away by the title, and the cute cupcakes with wings on the front cover (I had one like the pink one the other day, only without silver sparkles) but this book is about cake.

No, the main character isn't a cake - that would be a strange book. But cake plays a huge role in the life of Anya and her family who emigrate from Poland to England. Life isn't paved with cake for their first few weeks in a country where people speak a different language and customs are different. At least Anya and her family can still go to church, even if it isn't as stunning architecturely as the one back home. Learning the little I did about her family in the first chapter, I mistakenly thought Anya was a good girl. She basically is, only somehow she ends up receiving the wrong kind of attention from teachers at school. Perhaps not the best start to her stay, but it improved when she sees a boy from school wearing angel wings.

Warned to steer clear of Dan, Anya's heart leads her to understanding that all families have problems. Although life is tough, she's lucky to have her parents and younger sister. She has a whole family, even if money's tight the love is there. Slowly, bit by bit she overcomes her shyness and picks friends with children of rather different backgrounds than her own. I believe this book highlights how some of our customs can seem strange to newcomers to the country, and that should keep an extra eye out to help others so they don't become victims.

Cathy captures the spirit of Anya, how she feels overwhelmed by it all. As a strong promoter, of friendship, Cathy reinforces the message that just by saying hello to someone who is new can spark a friendship which is sure to create fond memories for the future, and a comfort in the present. Just because someone is quiet doesn't mean they don't have anything to say. Equally true is that just because someone might appear rough, doesn't mean that actually are. There's a reason for everything. I would add the usual 'Don't judge a book by its cover' but clearly in this case I did. Who can refuse a cover full of flying cakes?

I haven't attempted the cake recipe at the back of the book - yet! I'll post a picture when I do. I dare anyone to read this and not want to eat cake by the end of it. The ending had me in tears at peoples' sincerity and generosity.

Cathy's fun packed website can be found here.

If you like this, try Cathy's other book aimed at slightly younger readers Shine on, Daisy Star

Friday 10 July 2009

Thursday blog post

Somehow didn't put up the usual Thursday blog post.

Until I put the review up, check out my short view on titles over at Book Faire.

Wednesday 8 July 2009

The Way of the Sword, by Chris Bradford



2nd July 2009, Puffin books
400 pages
Childrens' Fantasy Japanese
Review copy

Cushions: 4/5
Daggers: 3/5
Smiles: 2/5
Tissues: 1/5 
Overall rating: 5+/5

Finishing the last page of book one, I moved straight over to this second installment in the action packed Japanese fantasy (well, not entirely sure how else to categorise it). 

All the characters from the previous book are here, and a few new ones. I loved the different classes held in this book, especially the origami sessions and the archery classes. The teachers have distinctive characters which I can easily attribute to the ideals of the Japanese warrior and priest. They're ones which stick in my mind, after many books later on. 

(A side note: I love the way that silhouettes are used on the covers. If you look carefully, Jack does look as if he has blond hair (or else that's just me hallucinating))

The stakes are higher in this installment. Jack still has to deal with Dragon eye, the evil ninja pirate who killed his father and is after his rutter. Thanks to one of his new friends, Jack does think of a hiding place for the rutter. Unfortunately his decision, made alone, to keep the rutter in that location will place several people in great danger. 

Jack faces competition from his adopted father's son, who dislikes Jack intensely. This not so friendly rivalry is the least of Jack's worries. An inter-school samurai competition is set up, thanks to an incident involving Jack: the prize involves the Emperor himself. Jack enters as one of the competitors, but the rigors of training nearly beat him. As for the competition itself - well, you'll just have to read it, won't you? I will say that you won't want to put the book down for anything, and there may be several exclamations of surprise. 

There are several touching moments which had me in tears, so make sure tissues are at the ready. The developing relationship between Akiko and Jack is sweet to watch, all the more unsure because Jack discovers Akiko has a secret, one which nearly ruins their friendship as he tries to work out what it is. 

The third and final installment can't come out soon enough. I gulp up the intricate details of tea ceremonies, how to use a bow and other details, expanding my knowledge of Japan. For those who have read Lian Hearn's books, there is mention of a nightingale floor here, which had me going 'yay' just because I already understood what it was (its purpose is explained within the story). This is a series that'll sit proudly on my bookshelf. 

Once again, Chris Bradford's website can be found here

I nearly wept when I saw I had to wait until March 2010 for The Way of the Dragon. That's so long! 

Young Samurai (the title of the series) has it's own website here.

Tuesday 7 July 2009

The Way of the Warrior


2008, Puffin books
332 pages
Childrens' Fantasy Japanese
Library copy

Cushions: 4/5
Daggers: 2/5
Smile: 3/5
Tissues: 2/5
Overall rating 5+/5

The moment I saw the second book in this trilogy up for grabs as a review copy I had to have it. As a Japanese fanatic, I immediately located a copy in the library. I wasn't disappointed.

There was an 'oooh, PIRATES!' moment as I read the back cover. These pirates are the evil kind. Poor Jack Fletcher, having managed to reach Japan on his father's trading ship, loses his family - both by ties of blood and ties of the sea to the ninja pirates (There was a lot of smiling here too! Even if they are evil, ninja pirates is a pretty neat concept). With zero fighting ability, Jack hides in his father's cabin with the rutter, the map which can steer anyone safely across the seas. It's priceless.

He manages to survive and ends up in the home of a famous samurai. This samuri adopts him as his second son (his first son died, and he misses him). This installment follows Jack's story as he slowly learns Japanese, the intricacies of the culture. The mysterious Akiko, who helped nurse him back to health is patient with his mistakes. Not everyone is so patient, and Jack's life isn't quiet. The ninja pirates are out for his blood, the Samurai's second son isn't happy that he's been adopted, and many at the Samurai's samurai school are displeased at a foreigner being in their midst.

I confess that while I am hooked by Jack's story, I'm following Akiko's journey. I mean, a girl who can defeat ninjas with her obe (very wide 'belt' part of a kimono) ranks high on my favourite list of characters. She isn't perfect, none of the characters are, but throughout it all she looks out for Jack.

It really shows that Chris Bradford has a background in martial arts - everything reads smoothly, its the little details about tricks, including just how much training hurts and the sheer joy that follows a successful demonstration after countless sessions of inability. This is action packed, and cleverly written. I liked it when a chapter or section of a chapter ended on a climax; the next chapter/section would start in the middle of a fight or a dramatic scene, but wouldn't necessarily be a direct continuation of the previous one. It might sound a little disjointed, but its a style of writing which keeps the reader on their toes.

Thanks to an ankle injury, I was able to read this story, and the next, one after the other. There would have been much groaning if I'd had to stop for work, or this necessary thing in life called sleep.

It's not just me getting excited about this book, it could be made into a film

Chris Bradford's site is here.

The 2nd installment, The Way of the Sword, will be reviewed tomorrow.

Monday 6 July 2009

The Spook's Sacrifice, by Joseph Delaney


June 2009, Bodley Head Childrens' Books
377 pages
Childrens, fantasy
Review copy

Cushions: 4/5
Daggers: 3/5
Tissues: 2/5
Overall rating: 5/5

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the cover. It's still scary, but no black dogs. This cover can safely remain displayed in my room. 

The Spook's Sacrifice is the 6th installment of the Wardstone Chronicles series. You can see a review of the 5th book here

Tom is back with his original master, passing the time with his studies when he gets attacked by an assassin. Forewarned by Alice in a method which the master Spook disapproves of, Tom manages to keep himself alive. However, assassins are the least of his worries when he's asked by his mother to return with. Back in Greece, where she normally lives, evil is brewing - more than just the Fiend. The Ordeen is making preparations to return, which would of course kill most people in the area and make the earth a terrible place to be. The condundrum facing Tom, is that if he joins his mother, he'll forsake all further training as a Spook. 

I have deliberately with-held information about this, it's one of my favourite parts in the book. Tom faces a lot of internal conflict: naturally he has ties to his mother, even though he doesn't see her much, and wants to discover who she really is. He has strong ties with his current master, for he's taught him so much. And he naturally wants to help make the world a safer place to be. Being pulled in two directions provides much to think about. 

There are a couple of moments in the story which took me completely by surprise - real, strong plot twists which match the twists in the previous book. This installment was perhaps more enjoyable than The Spook's Mistake because it delved into Tom's family life. I like learning how characters interact with their family, especially if contact is limited. Additionally, the whole Alice/Tom story line really blossoms. Not romantically - everything is kept blush free. It is Tom's desire to develop their friendship which clashes against his master's wish for the two youngsters to keep apart. Dark magic has no place in the life of light magic - at least that's how his master views the world. Unfortunately, just like life in our world, black and white is divided with varying shades of grey. 

Even if this is the first Wardstone Chronicle's book you read, I whole-heartedly recommend it. 

Joseph Delaney's website is here


Sunday 5 July 2009

The Spook's Mistake, by Joseph Delaney


2009, Red Fox 
462 pages
Childrens' fantasy
Review Copy

Cushions: 3/5
Daggers: 3/5
Overall rating: 5/5

On the back it says 'Warning: not to be read after dark'. This is fairly true, more so with the addition: Warning: not to be read during or shortly after a meal. Unless you have a strong stomach. 

After the first glance, I had to ignore the front cover. Black dogs are one of several things I'm quite afraid of. Black dogs with red eyes and sharp teeth have me keeping this book face down at all times. The silhouette's beneath each chapter title capture the chapter's theme: I look forward to trying to remember what happens in each one by the picture alone when I get round to rereading  this book. 

I haven't read any of the other books in this Wardstone Chronicles series. I used to hate reading books out of sequence, and where possible try to avoid it. However, I didn't feel as though I couldn't follow the story. There were little recaps of what had happened previously to Tom throughout the story, which was enough for me to understand the events as they occurred. 

Initially I automatically thought of a spy, rather than a person who literally fights evil and has an apprentice, Tom, to train as a successor. There exists numerous types of evil. For me the most surprising evil being in this book (there are many) were the witches. Yes, we all think of pointy hats, cats and cauldrons. But Joseph Delaney's witch creations had me captivated. Who'd've thought they could be imprisoned in a cage sunk in the earth so they can neither get out, nor can their friends come to their aid. 

In this installment Tom gets sent away from his master to another Spook, who I personally thought was a little crazed in the head. Tom's master wasn't far wrong when he said that Bill was tougher than he was. Rest and relaxation isn't in his vocabulary. Tom does try to escape, but the two guard dogs soon end that plan. That and the narrowly avoiding death by a famous witch encourages him to stay in Bill's house. The mill itself isn't the sanctuary a home should be - at least not for Tom. Beings of the dark live there, and for part of the novel this mystery is kept hidden in Bill's heart. Alongside this Tom tries to keep in contact with Alice, who lives with his other master Spook. Alice was raised as a witch, yet somehow the Spook keeps her on. He doesn't like it when she uses black magic, something that she dabbles in, for the sake of keeping Tom safe. For they have strong feelings towards each other, and don't like being separated.

Another central story plot is that of the Fiend, the most evil of beings which naturally wants to eliminate all Spooks, and their apprentice. There's quite a revelation about some of the Fiend's followers at the end of this book, one which had me gasping out loud in surprise. 

The story heats up even further when tragedy strikes for Bill. Even with the help from his original (and technically still current) master and Alice, Tom struggles to defeat the witch who tried to kill him. Little does he know that this witch is hiding a secret. 

Tom's adventure had me frantically turning each page over. Yes, the descriptions are rather grisly and my stomach turned but I was drawn into Tom's journey. It isn't happy one - no clouds or fluffy bunnies in this book. I'd say its definitely aimed at boys, however, me, the reviewer who generally prefers a female protagonist, really felt sorry for Tom and cheered him on as he gradually developed a stronger body, and a stronger heart. The story takes more twists than a rollercoaster ride (not that I've ever been on one, or intend to). One pleasant aspect was that Tom isn't an orphan - his mother is alive, battling evil abroad. The book is set in our world, using the same countries and place names, which will appeal to all readers, but especially those who recognise the areas in England.

Book 6 will be reviewed tomorrow. 


Joseph's Delaney's interactive website is here

Saturday 4 July 2009

Saturday Blog Post *2

(Yes, got the title wrong on the last one!)

Last week's post on how to care for a book part one: purchasing from a store is continued this week with

Buying a book online

The Preserver will probably set aside an allocated time for the book purchase. They may already have a list of favourite booksellers they wish to help out. If not, The Preserver will faithfully perform a search online, comparing P&P costs, estimated delivery times, and price of individual books. Once the online bookshop has been chosen, The Preserver will follow one of two paths.

1) The Preserver (1) will lay down the carefully written list of books beside the keyboard. If they follow up on Health and Safety, they'll have a special note holder attached to the computer. Or, more than likely The Preserver (1) won't have a hardcopy of the list, but will have a database solely invented for listing desirable books. These will be listed in order of priority. This could be alphabetised, listed by publication date (again, in sequence but either most recently published or oldest published at the top), or by genre. Within the genre, there will be a logical method of selection. This type of The Preserver (1) enjoys spreading logic to all aspects of their life.

2) The Preserver (2) won't have any list whatsoever, and will pick which ever books take their fancy. It is at this point that the book cover plays a great role. Some Preservers (2) will gravitate towards purple and pink covers with sparkly bits. Other types of Preservers (2) will run like the plague from anything in this colour scheme. The Preservers, just like The Handlers, all differ on the types of books they like, but not the method of choosing them. In this category, The Preserver (2) won't actually be all that random in their selection, although they'll like to think they are being impulsive. Subconsciously they remember which book takes their fancy. They may deliberate over other books, but will pick the book that hit the top of their unwritten to be purchased list.

At this point I'll point out The Handler can actually be The Handler (1) or The Handler (2). They are possibly more likely to have the trait of choose any site, choose any book (and really be swayed by pretty covers, positive book reviews and newly released books). There is just something about having a book just as it hits the shelves. That will be another week's post.

The key point about internet shopping for books, is that The Preserver (1 or 2) will veer towards reliable booksellers, always picking new, pristine copies. The Handler, if they have the means and the conscience to do so, will pick the cheapest shop online. If they have less funds, and less of a conscience for the not so rich authors who need people buying their books brand new, they'll pick a book off that famous internet auction site, or from another large, multi-product site which shares the name of a famous river in Brazil. Because on those sites, books can be bought at a fraction of the cost of full price. Sometimes just a penny - although postage charges soon mount up.

Once both The Preserver (1 & 2) and The Handler (1 & 2) have made their selection, the waiting game begins.

The Preserver is more likely to calculate the days the book will arrive. The Handler is more likely to give a rough estimate, but not mark it on the calendar. The Preserver might have paid that extra few pounds/dollars for a courier delivery - no thumping down on the doormat for their book! That can cause dents/creases. The Handler may choose the cheapest shipping option, for what's a few dents? Books are for reading, not for preserving in a museum!

The Handler's antics would horrify The Preserver. They may accidentally trample on the book, not realising they have a package. The Preserver, would take the book from the courier, place it gently on the floor as they sign, then proceed to the unpacking stage. If The Handler did receive the book by courier, they'd sling it on the floor, then sign for it.

The unpacking stage is rather different. The Preserver would check the package for 'tear here' signs. They'd approach it with a methodical approach, for fear of hurting the book. Scissors would be used with utmost care. The whole procedure could last more than 10 minutes. This is in direct contrast to The Handler, who would attempt to rip open the package without following instructions, not needing an emergency bar of chocolate if the scissors scored a little line on the front cover. Naturally The Preserver would eat the chocolate several metres away from the book, so as not to mar the pages with the odd brown smear. The Handler probably wouldn't be as careful.

Hopefully I've given further insight into the life of The Preservers and The Handlers. Next week I'll discuss what happens when The Preserver and The Handler is faced with 3 scenarios: A book dropped in water (bath/sink...or worse). A book with pages doodled on by a child. A book with ripped pages.


Friday 3 July 2009

Posting recommences tomorrow

Circumstances are (sort of) manageable now, and I've found a way to write using a laptop while still keeping my ankle off the floor. Tomorrow I'll be buried behind a stack of books. Blogger, somewhat annoyingly, isn't managing the autopost feature very well, so I'll do my utmost to post them at the beginning of each day (English time). I've got a variety of books for view:

Chinese Fantasy
Japanese Fantasy (seeing a theme here, anyone?)
Childrens' (with cake!!!)
YA fantasy (witches in a form I haven't seen them before)

So yeah, fantasy rich reviews coming up!

Thursday 2 July 2009