Mustang Mountain: Wild Horse by Sharon Siamon

August 2009, Egmont books

199 pages

Review copy

Children's, 9+

Cushions: 1/5

Tissues: 1/5

Smiles: 2/5

Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥

I'm not keen on horses, but I love horse stories. Yes, I have ridden on a horse. They are far too high off the ground for my liking. In books, they're at a safe distance.

Before I delve into the story, I'd like to share something on the inside illustrations which lie at the bottom of every page. At first I thought the book was dirty, which is odd because it's fresh from the publishing house (♥'s my donators). Then I realised it was black at the bottom, which is a nice touch. How I managed to be completely unobservant until half way through the novel is a little beyond me, I blame the usual post lunch sleepiness. However, on each page, is a small figure on a horse. At the beginning of the book the figure is all the way to the left. As the book progresses, so does the horse and rider, galloping across the bottom of the page to the far corner of the right page. It's the little things which amuse this reviewer.

On to the story! Now, I read the blurb on the back, and I thought Alison's character would be slightly different. I thought that her parents were cruel in selling her horse. They are (sort of), in that they were cruelly teaching her a lesson. I didn't realise she was rather spoilt in general. Views of her from her horse mad friends Meg and Becky didn't really change that view. It was Alison's personal views which did.

Yes, she is spoilt, can be stubborn and proud. She looks down on cousin Terri's basic, practical accommodation and sulks when her plan at manipulating her parents into buying a new horse fails. However, during one of her sulks she comes across a horse who might not make it to auction because she is sick. Alison's softer side comes out, as she remembers what it was like to feel sick at the beginning of the holiday. Daringly she comes up with a lie to save the horse, which works but it then leaves her to find the means to keep her promise.

This is what I call a sweet friendship story. Becky and Meg have what I call sensible characters, as opposed to Alison's spoilt rich child syndrome. However, thanks to the sick horse, Alison thinks more of others, and puts her heart in the right place at the end.

I had one small grumble: the cousin's agreement to carry out the plan which Alison lied about at the end seemed to happen a little too easily. I didn't fully follow the reasoning behind her change of tune. I would have liked that to have been explained a little more thoroughly, it all seemed a little convenient. The following sentence contains a SPOILER so please skip to the next paragraph if you want to miss it. SPOILER start: I half expected Alison's grandmother to buy the two mares. SPOILER end.

Sharon Siamon's website is here.

Liked this? Try Secrets at St Jude's: Jealous Girl by Carmen Reid

The Glittering Eye by L J Adlington

July 2009, Hodder Children's Books

312 pages

Review copy

YA, historical

Cushions: 4/5

Daggers: 2/5

Tissues: 2/5

Yunaleska's overall rating ♥♥♥♥♥

What makes you think I like reading books based on Egypt? The Glittering Eye is a mysterious story, set in the modern day with Amy's tale. Amy, recovering from an accident which is intimated yet not fully explained until near the end, flies off to Egypt to join her father, an archaeologist with a TV shows on one of his digs. Little does she realise that it'll make her face her fears, have a mystical encounter with people from the past, and move on from her grief. I like how Amy's life is complicated before the story starts - characters with baggage add lots of conflict to a story.

I'm a little reluctant to say much about Shabti's story. The more I read, the more the puzzle pieces clicked into place as to who he was, and where he was. Having no memory of his past, he spends his life as a slave in a strange land where he isn't given any food or water. What else is he supposed to do to ease his thirst and hunger than to steal? It isn't him who is stealing the lady of house Anhai's perfume bottle and other objects. Who - or more accurately what is causing the disappearances? Why is there a dark space in the garden which leads to a random room? Why are the cats so friendly to him?

Mystical forces cause an intimate connection between Egypt's ancient realms and the modern world. I love the switching of stories which slowly revealed information making me think 'aha! about where the story was heading. I was partially correct in what happened at the ending, and happily surprised at the final outcome. Knowing the truth, I want to read the book all over again. I will eventually - just not for a while with all the other books to read!

If a reader starts this book with little knowledge about the colour world of ancient Egypt, they'll end it with quite a wide understanding of the Egyptian view on the afterlife. All the processes which I've read about before are clearly depicted here, making it an informative novel, which will hopefully spark some people's interest into this interesting period in time.

L J Adlington's website is here.

Like this? Try Dianne Hofmeyr's Egyptian duology or Gill Harvey's Egyptian mystery.

Seekers: Great Bear Lake by Erin Hunter

August 2009, Egmont Books

421 pages

Review copy

Children's, 9+

Clouds: 2/5

Cushions: 2/5

Smiles: 3/5

Tissues: 2/5

Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥

Yet another book where I haven't read the previous installment, but that didn't matter a bit. I got plunged into the lives of Lusa, Toklo and Kallik who have all, for one reason or another been abandoned and journey for different reasons to the same lake.

Kallik's story struck my heart because all she wants is a family. She steers clear of a bear family when she sees them, she's frightened at how they might react to her. Once she reaches Great Bear Lake she discovers that her brother is not dead. This should be a cause for celebration, but he isn't the same cub she remembers from before her mother was eaten by a killer whale (orca). Will she do as he says and leave him alone forever?

Toklo and Lusa for the most part journey to the lake together, with the rather strange Ujurak who can change into any animal. Toklo is rather gruff, but has a kind heart which he only really shows at the end of the book. He treats Lusa's imitation of Ujurak's strange ways with contempt; no, she can't turn into different animals at will, but she can sense that all is not right in the world. That some water is unsuitable for drinking.

The amount of emotional conflict is high in this novel. Yes, there is some actual conflict where the bears fight, but it isn't much. What should be noted is that the bears are different: white bears, brown bears, black bears. This is a novel which brings to light the planet-wide environmental problems. I can't recall which page it is, but one bear says something like 'It's not our problem, why should we worry about it?' Many things in life are not our problem, but the bears prove that if you can do something to change an circumstance, its a good idea to do it. Sure, there are risks involved (Killik risks losing her brother, Toklo risks losing face and Lusa risks losing bears of her own kind just so she can be with her friend) but the cause is worth all the risks.

I admire authors who write animal stories because it isn't an easy genre to write about. It isn't a matter of sticking humans into an animal form. All thoughts and feelings have to be centered on issues which drive animals. Hunger is fully explored in this story. I like the different words used to describe idiocy (bee-brained), humans (flat-faces). The maps at the front were a nice touch, one map of Canada from the bear view and one from the human view, with recognisable names like Vancouver.

I feel this book shows that anyone, no matter their colour or religion can get work side by side for the greater good, putting aside small squabbles for the sake of the larger community. Grab a cup of tea (or coffee) and delve into the lives of the bears.

The reason I couldn't find a website for Erin Hunter might partially because Erin Hunter is the pseudonym for Kate Cary, Cherith Baldry, Victoria Holmes and Tui Sutherland. Their other series, Warriors has a website here.

This is a series to keep an eye on.

Liked this? Try Urchin and the Heartstone by M L McAllister

Changeling: Dark Moon by Steve Feasey

August 2009, MacMillan Children's Books

327 pages

Review copy

YA, urban fantasy, horror (mild)

Cushions: 5/5

Daggers: 3/5

Tissues: 4/5

Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+

Warning: contains a few spoilers because it assumes the reader has read the first book, Changeling.

Continuing from Changeling, Trey's life is far from peaceful. Lucian's brother, Caliban, is still after him. Trey is still a werewolf. The biggest difference which launches him into his next adventure is Lucien, who isn't waking from his coma. Alexa, his daughter, will do anything to save him. Even if that includes going up against the most powerful sorceress on earth, who has teamed up with Caliban in an attempt to wreck havoc upon the human population.

Those issues on their own make Trey's life a little difficult. Add an annoying sorcerer named Charles who antagonises him and thinks little of him, oh and who Trey has to learn magic spells from, plus a traitor in the midst of Lucien's demon organisation - there isn't exactly a quiet moment in the second installment of the Changeling trilogy.

I enjoyed the verbal sparring between Trey and Charles, and how the identity of the sorceress provided emotional difficulties for the characters. I love Alexa as a character - although she's not the protagonist, she features a lot and manages some pretty cool moves in fights. Favourite scene with her: a car, Tom, and a swarm of SPOILER.

As for Tom - well, the Irishman has the best supply of weapons in the book. And manages to get Trey to like them. I liked how Trey was scared of using a gun, and did all he could to avoid learning to use it. This strikes me as realistic - not all heros love guns (at first).

What I liked most of all was the side story of a secondary character who was doomed to die once they discovered a particular fact. I prayed so hard they would survive, but it wasn't meant to be. Their demise did surprise me though, which was a nice twist. It's a good example of how secondary characters are vital to a plot, and play almost an equally important role as the protagonist.

The tissue rating shot sky high because a well loved (well, I loved the character) dies. The sacrifice they give, considering all that went on before that particular scene, had me crying away. I wish they hadn't died, but it will make what happens in book three (out February 2010) very touching. Losing someone will add to Trey and his friends' fighting spirit.

Fans of 'things that go boom' will be happy with this book, as will zombie lovers, those who are fond of weapons (myself included), magic and vampires. Just make sure you have a box of tissues nearby.

Steve Feasey's website is here.

Liked this? Try Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.

Changeling by Steve Feasey

January 2009, MacMillan Children's Books

277 pages

Review Copy

YA, urban fantasy, horror (mild)

Cushions: 4/5

Daggers: 3/5

Tears: 3/5

Yunaleska's recommended rating ♥♥♥♥♥+

Note: I have no idea why the hearts have become so large. It isn't an attempt to say 'I love this book more than all the others'. It's in the top band of books, but isn't my favourite. A bibliophile can't pick just one favourite book. It's impossible.

This is probably the third book involving vampires, werewolves and other dark creatures which I've reviewed here. It's definitely the second book which has me thinking 'so this is why vampires are so popular'.

One morning Trey wakes up to find his room a complete wreck and that he hasn't got any clothes on. This is slightly more problematic when the care home owner tries to escort him to the unit where difficult children reside. A strange man saves Trey from that fate by pretending to be his uncle. Trey knows he isn't, but wisely keeps his mouth shut for the man who can slow down time. Whisked away by the man, Changeling charts Trey's journey as he slowly accepts the truth of Lucien the stinking rich vampire that he is indeed a werewolf. Also that his parents didn't die in a car accident, that an uber evil vampire is seeking Trey's death, that Lucien's half vampire daughter has an incredible shopping spree vice, and Tom the irishman is the closest person to normal that he will see (apart from the housekeeper).

Werewolves, seen it all before you may say. Not this seven foot beast who can only see demons' true forms when he transforms. Some of the demons have me glad I read this during the day. Changeling very much focuses of Trey's fear of what he is. He is petrified, as any normal boy would be. After all, he's with - and is - from a group of 'creatures' who he's only heard about in myths. Not all myths are true, as the demoncyclopedia at the back explains. Additionally, it gives a summary of each creature and best methods of annihilation. For readers who like things that go boom, fire and explosions are very good killing options.

Most of the book is taken up with Trey's acceptance of himself, but there's lots of twists, action scenes, unexpected events which kept me happy for just under two hours. I had to look up what to class this under (didn't think I could put 'the underworld' as a genre). Apparently urban fantasy (vaguely understand that) and horror. I'm looking at it thinking 'what horror?' but I guess it is a little scary. Not so scary I'd put it down though, so definitely mild in the horror side of things. Either that or I'm used to strange creatures thanks to all the sci-fi shows I watch.

The best part was that I had the sequel beside me on the sofa. The not so fun part - book through isn't out until February 2010.

Steve Feasey's website is found here.

Liked this? Try Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

The Heart of Glass by Vivian French (Children's, 9 years +, 10/10E)

August 2009, Walker
208 pages
Review copy

Some tense moments, some humour

Out of preference, I'd rather not read the third in a trilogy without reading the previous two books. However, in theory I should still be able to understand a story and enjoy whatever installment it is. That point is no longer hypothetical; apart from the characters knowing each other really well without really meeting each other for the first time, I wouldn't have known this was book 3 of 3.

Princesses are sweet, gentle, kind [insert positive adverbs]. Not if you're Princess Marigold who steals her sister's wedding dress, rushes off because she's convinced Prince Marcus likes her (he doesn't) and attempts to have a safe adventure. No adventure is safe.

Prince Marcus has more pressing concerns like making sure that Gracie Gillypot, a Trueheart (ok, this was the major point which had me at a disadvantage because I hadn't read the previous two books. I think a Trueheart is someone special, whose heart remains pure. Being a Trueheart certainly affects evil beings), gets found. For she's disappeared, and no-one quite knows why.

Of course, strange things normally happen in the Unreliable Forest. Combine that with dwarves desperate to get enough gold for the upcoming marriage of Princess Marigold's sister Fedora that they make a pact with the trolls and trouble is found.

*deep breath* If that wasn't enough, there is this rather cool (in a creepy, weird way) character called Oolie who sets traps for Gracie. There are the talking bats, who had me in laughter with their go-get-them attitude; Professor Scallio, who isn't an ordinary tutor - he can fly...but not in the way you're probably thinking.

What will be the end scenario which makes Princess Marigold, whose heart is dead set on Prince Marcus, happy? Will Gracie see the light of day again? Where does the glass heart feature in all of this? Read the book for answers.

If you can, I recommend reading the previous two books The Robe of Skulls and the Bag of Bones prior to this one.

Vivian French can be found here with details of all her books.

Liked this? Try Spell Fall by Katherine Roberts

Girls FC: Do Goalkeepers Wear Tiaras? by Helena Pilichaty

2009, Walker Books
112 pages
Review Copy

Children's, girls, 7+

Cushions: 1/5
Smiles: 4/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating ♥♥♥♥

Why would I, a person who has almost zero interest in sport and believes kicking a ball around a field is a waste of time (ignoring the value of team spirit and exercise for this point) choose to review a football story? Because if it can engage me on a subject I have no interest in, and know little about other than the aim is to get the ball into the goal net, then it's a good book.

And it is.

Do Goalkeepers Wear Tiaras? documents the start of the Parsnips girls' football team, how it came about through a random meeting (and the persistent Megan). It's more than though. Megan develops as a character as the story progresses, she learns to overcome her nerves (which are severe), she's spunky and refuses to give up her goal (no pun intended, honest) of playing for England. Why is the team called Parsnips? When does Megan wear a tiara? How does a thief get to be on the team?

What struck me was the attitude of the Parsnips' girls. Even when life throws a foul ball (bad pun intended) they look at the incident in question (what, you think I'd tell you the entire story here? I'm a reviewer! Not the author) with more maturity than a lot of adults would.

I think this is a great book for football crazy girls, providing role models that they can aspire to and it shows the lesson that every cloud has a silver lining.

I liked the notes regarding The Team at the front of the book. Sadly I don't have a clue about the positions in football, so didn't quite understand that. The interview with Megan was also a nice touch - it portrays her as a very normal girl, which again is a positive feature for female footballers. I'm sure there are some who may still be bullied because they want to play what used to be a male-dominated sport. Never give up on your dreams because someone says they are ridiculous - go chase them!

Helena Pielichaty's website is here.

The Spitting Cobra by Gill Harvey

August 2009 Bloomsbury
176 pages
Review copy

Children's, historical

Cushions: 2/5
Smiles: 3/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating ♥♥♥♥♥+

The ancient world + mystery + characters I can relate to = wonderful book!

This first installment in the Egyptian Chronicles takes the reader back to ancient Egypt, to the lives of Isis and her brother Hopi. Their parents were killed by crocodiles, leaving them to live with a family who don't care for them as much as they appear to. Isis is a dancer, sharing a routine with the unpleasant Mut who wants to make trouble for her.

Hopi is worried for Isis, after he eavesdrops in on a conversation between Mut's parents. It is Isis' dancing skills which provide food for the orphans - Hopi may have escaped death at the crocodile's jaws, but he is forever scarred, and weakened from the encounter. This weakness doesn't affect his brain - upon discovering a mystery in the village which they are employed to dance, along with Isis Hopi sets to work on discovering the true thief (and grave robber) of a Pharaoh's tomb.

Hopi's weakness is something a lot of people can relate to. I like how this book, just like a few others, shows that everyone has strengths to balance out any weakness - be it physical or mental - and these strengths can save the day. Hopi and Isis have a strong brother-sister relationship, one I always like to see in books. Together, they can survive. Alone - well they don't do badly. I can't say I love Hopi's affinity to animals, especially sn*kes, but in comes in handy. Their hearts are full of love for other people, which is shown in their actions.

I managed to guess a few areas of the plot, but I wasn't disappointed by this because there were other surprises in the story. The ending is a happy one, I promise.

The only negative I could come up with is the picture. As a person who is afraid of sn*kes and anything that wiggles, I have to keep this book face down. I may stick something across the front cover so I don't get shivers looking at it. I'm really looking forward to the next book, due out October - although that too has a sn*ke cover. Roll on books 3 and 4 which are sn*ke free.

I couldn't find a website solely for Gill Harvey, but information on the Bloomsbury website is here.

Liked this? Try Eye of the Moon and Eye of the Sun by Dianne Hofmeyr

Pongwiffy and the Holiday of Doom by Kaye Umansky

August 2009 (re-issue) Bloomsbury
208 pages
Review Copy

Children's, fantasy

Smiles: 5/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating ♥♥♥♥♥

I remember reading about Pongwiffy's adventures when I was a child. I found the books funny then, and even funnier now.

Pongwiffy is a witch who hates baths. She lives among the other witches, and tries to do good but somehow her well meant plans don't go according to plan. Her idea of taking her fellow witches on holiday with the coven's funds didn't go down particularly well (never spend money which isn't yours without asking), but seeing as everyone is so miserable with the weather and all the germs floating about, reluctantly the coven agrees to go on vacation. I don't think anyone would dare tell Pongwiffy she might have a chance of fighting germs if she took a wash.

Accompanied by her familiar, Hugo, the funny hamster who speaks with an accent, Pongwiffy wasn't to know they'd be holidaying in the same area as the wizards. Everyone knows wizards and witches don't mingle together. Or that the goblins, who have random update reports throughout the story, are trying to get to the new goblin theme park, Gobboworld. Will there be a show down between the wizards and the witches? What is the connection between Gobboworld and Pongwiffy? A clue: soap + water + Pongwiffy = what type of witch?

There are some books whose humour is timeless, and this is one of them. No matter the reader's age, there's so much to laugh about here. The detailed illustrations add to the humour - just look at how cute Hugo is on the front cover (at the front of the boat). The witches have the classical witch style - pointed hat, warts, boils, long noses, and their familiars look rather long suffering. These witches definitely need a vacation after Pongwiffy's booked holiday for them. It's not quite the relaxing stay on the beach they imagined.

This is a book for anyone feeling a bit gloomy, needing some cheering up. Perfect for the overcast day in which I'm writing this review.

Kaye Umansky's website is here.

Like this? Try Wilma Tenderfoot and the Case of the Frozen Hearts by Emma Kennedy

Gone, by Michael Grant

2009, Egmont UK Ltd
270 pages
Review Copy

YA, sci-fi, paranormal

Cushions: 5/5
Daggers: 3/5
Paperclips: having a mind blank, so probably 1 maximum
Smiles: 1/5 (not funny per se, but there are sweet moments)
Yunaleska's recommended rating ♥♥♥♥♥+

Those of you who see me on Twitter (nayuleska) have heard my despair of waiting five whole months for the sequel. Although, a small part of me doesn't want to read it (see 5 paragraphs down).

Parents, who needs them, right? You would think the children in Perdido Beach would celebrate when their teacher disappears. No more lessons! Only, its not just the adults. Everyone over the age of 15 disappears. They literally go 'poof' into thin air. If you think that's scary, wait until you learn about the entity behind the disappearances. I was afraid of the dark before, now I'm doubly so. Oh, and by the way - upon the rough moment a child was born, they'll disappear on their fifteenth birthday. Unless someone finds a way around it.

Gone follows the lives of the children left behind. Sam, who on the surface appears ordinary but is hiding a secret linked up to the strange goings on, gains leadership among most of the children left behind. Those who don't follow him are under the dark shadow of the gang from the elite school children who venture out of their posh school grounds to instill fear into the children's hearts. For these school children have frightening special powers, which they use to keep control of the town. You don't want to mess with their leader, Caine, trust me on that. Not when objects - and people - can be be sent flying. That boy is definitely a psychopath.

Mary, one of my favourite characters, ends up looking after the babies and preschoolers. She shows a lot of courage, especially when her own secret comes to light. I admire her for carrying on caring for the youngsters while she wrestles with her own demons (metaphorial). There are other characters; the girl who gets abducted by wolves, the boy whose love of violence is obscene, who you'll have to discover for yourself.

Gone is pretty hard to sum up without giving the whole story away. It has everything, explosions, boat chases, suspense, cool super-human powers, scary super-human powers...

..and there are the scary parts which nearly made me put the book down without finishing it. I am petrified of anything that wiggles (w*rm, sn*ke, tent*acles). There's one mutation which almost made me physically sick. Such is the power of the imagination when it concerns a phobia. I think I may skip re-reading the first chapter of Hunger, which has one too many w*rms for my liking.

As for that entity which is responsible for half the mayhem - let's just say this is a book I won't be reading at night. Or in the winter. It borders on a horror level which is one step too far for this reviewer.

The concept behind Gone is briliant. I couldn't predict anything in here. Having the inability to escape from the town heightens the suspense. A lot of issues are explored what, hypothetical situations of what would happen in a world with no adults, how some children lose control, or suffer from addictions and disorders due to the adult disappearance. I love stories that involve people having to make do with what they've got, improvise for medication, equipment, search for food...no wait, that issue is the drive behind the second book Hunger. Out January 2010. Have I already mentioned that? Five whole months of waiting, of recovering from the image of the entity...

There is a warning on the back cover, that this contains scenes of cruelty and some violence. I can vouch for that. Ideas in this book are disturbing. Not for my fainter hearted readers. I know some who'll love this.

If they ever make a film of Gone, I will not be watching it. Never. The book - sits firmly on my bookshelf. Chained.

Check out the website for Gone and Hunger here. I'm aware it's Harperteen - over here in the UK this series is with Egmont Books.

Like this? Be sure to check out book 2, Hunger.

Thirsty Thursday #3

Hello! So far, as per usual, I haven't had the most normal week in the world.

Thanks to strange internet connection gremlins, my connection with the wonderful information portal has been somewhat intermittent. I've been catsitting/housesitting the past week, and my laptop decided not to open up reliably up, even when the connection was available. Technology. When it works it is wonderful. When it doesn't...yes I was looking a little panicked.

However, at the weekend I had a spurt of reviewing (1 a day is what I can mostly manage. Book reviews take time!), which has hopefully tided this blog over.

Sadly, as far as I can remember, there have been no books in the post for me. I will be good and not include the 3rd volume of a manga trilogy, or the news that I can pick up the second in the trilogy by Libba Bray from the library. Not to fear, I still have a small pile of books to read (which is less than the pile of books I have yet to review). Plus, well, we are nearly at the end of August. September means more books! Donators are safe from requests until around the 2nd week - I do need to finish my current stash. It's Bank Holiday on Monday - public holiday for the entire country for most 9am-5pm jobs. I think I may be planning a readathon plus more book reviews.

That's the round up for this week's Thirsty Thursday! Join me again next week.

Wilma Tenderfoot and the Case of the Frozen Hearts by Emma Kennedy

July 2009, MacMillan Children's Books
263 pages
Review copy

Children's 9+

Clouds: 2/5
Cushions: 3/5
Pencils: 5/5
Smiles: 5/5
Tissues: 2/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating ♥♥♥♥♥

The cover provided the first clue as to what Wilma's first story entails. She looks a sweet girl, with her beloved dog Pickle always by her side. Sweet she is - mishaps follow her around, for she's very inquisitive. As an orphan, with only one clue as to her parents identity, life at Cooper Island Lowside Institute for Woeful Children isn't a barrel of laughs. Wilma is obsessed with the life of the island's most famous detective. Imagine how excited she gets when, thanks to an adoption by a strange mannered lady, Wilma crosses over to the other side of Cooper Island (a great adventure in itself) and bumps into her legendary Theodore P Goodman. Busy trying to solve a jewellery theft, Mr Goodman attempts to dissuade Wilma from getting under his feet. However, Wilma is determined to become his assistant, and sets about hunting down clues to prove how much of a help she can be.

Clues for the reader are revealed on the front cover in squares which are heat sensitive: popping a finger over the dark patches (or simply leaving the book in the sun on a warm, summer's day) makes small illustrations appear. Not that they made much sense me to before reading the book, which is full of fun pictures that bring the characters to life.

Although there are a lot of edge-of-the seat moments, Wilma's first adventure is full of laughs. Here's an extract showing the style of writing, taken from page 77

'Sadly for Cooper [Island], their place namer was a scruffy and disinterested lad called Brian whose lack of imagination was breathtaking, and as a result there are villages on Cooper called terrible things like Bleeuurgh, Little Meaning and Isitnearlylunchyet.'

This humour skirts around less pleasant issues of crime cases, such as murder, torture of innocent characters by the villains (who all come under the umbrella label of Criminal Elements) and deftly avoids cursing.

Wilma's bubbly personality affects the lives of everyone she meets. Her confidence is strong and mostly unwavering, even when events don't quite as planned she tries her hardest to get herself out of trouble. Her spirit is infectious, as a reader after reading her exploits I felt more able to tackle whatever life throws at me.

The revelation at the end after the crime is solved about Wilma's background shows that there will hopefully be many more mysteries for Wilma Tenderfoot to help solve on her quest for the truth. The next one, Wilma Tenderfoot and the Case of the Putrid Poison is due out January 2010.

Until I checked out her website, I never realised who Emma Kennedy was. Writing isn't her only career, she's starred in many TV shows and films. (Note: the site does have a warning that viewers need to be 16 years or older, but that doesn't show up on this direct link). Check out her site here.

Liked this? Try Chosen Sister by Ardyth DeBruyn

Tender Morsels by Margot Lanagan

July 2009, David Fickling Books, (imprint of Random House)
496 pages
Review copy
YA

Cushions: 4/5
Paperclips: 4/5
Smiles: 1/5
Tissues: 2/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating ♥♥♥♥.5

At last I've located the misplaced book! Staring at the cover, I'm unsure who the girl is supposed to be. Is it Liga, who suffers abuse from her father leading to the birth of one of her daughters, Branza? Is it Branza, who for most of the book, once Urdda disappears, is a solitary sole taking comfort in the presence of her wolf companion? Is it Urdda, like Branza born from an unforgivable act, who is determined to seek out the world where the bear came from, a world which will bring out the truth of her family's idyllic existence? Or is it a mixture of all three, depicting the emotional traumas they faced?

The book's warning about not being for younger readers shouldn't be taken lightly. The issues cleverly explored in this book are written about in some detail. Rape, incest, abuse don't make for light reading. However, don't be put off by the subject area or some of the language. Margot Lanagan's imagination creates an intriguing story, involving magic, and with some scenes which for me could be classed as horror. (I jump at anything).

At first I couldn't quite work out why all the different points of view were used. They seemed jarring, I just wanted to learn about Liga's life. It was only when a major plot line was revealed that I understood the need for all the voices, and the story clicked into place. I wanted to learn more about the strange bear rituals, why there were two different realms to the world. I wanted there to be a happy ending for Liga, and for her daughters who suffered so much.

I feel that Liga's tale is one of survival. She endures horrific events, and manages to come out of it with her soul intact. She believes what she is doing for her daughters is best, although events change this outlook when wiser people explain the consequences of those actions taken when she was barely out of childhood.

Also, as I mentioned earlier, Margot deals sensitively with the darker, animalistic nature of humans. Unfortunately there are such people in the world who take what they want, not caring about who they hurt, so long as their desires are satisfied. Their victims don't have a magical world to retreat to which Liga has, they have to face the world far sooner than Liga did. This is definitely a story which will make you think about these issues, and realise it is the smaller acts of kindness which can me the world to someone.

If you liked this, try A Great And Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray or for younger readers Faerie Heart by Livi Michael

The Eyeball Collector by F E Higgins

June 2009, MacMillan Children's Books
288 pages
Review copy

Children's 9+

Cushions: 3/5
Smiles: 2/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating ♥♥♥♥

First of all, I must talk about the illustrations in this book. The eye on the front cover is cleverly placed at the bottom of every right page. What might be hard to discern from the picture is that each letter is decorated with an object related to the book (a candle, a key, a butterfly etc). A nice touch, which gets the reader thinking before they even open up the book. I simply love the vibrant turquoise colour of the inside front and back pages.

On to the book itself. The title directly relates to the story, for young Hector falls on hard times when his father is blackmailed by a man with one eye. He has to leave his rich past behind, and learn the ways of the street to survive. He doesn't fend for himself because he is soon taken in by a rather religious woman, who looks after waifs and strays. From there he actually finds employment for an aristocrat who hides a lot of secrets. Hector is happy in his new job for he is close to the one eyed man. All that keeps Hector going is his desire for revenge, despite warnings against treading that particular path. When the time comes for action, will Hector avenge his father's downfall?

There is a fair balance of beauty and gruesome objects/acts in this book. I'd say its definitely aimed more at boys who will love some of the details which could turn a delicate stomach. There is no doubting the eye collector's (the character, not the book) level of evil: he'll stop at nothing to achieve what he wants. What was particularly interesting were the riddles which Hector comes up with, and also gets given. I couldn't work them out at all - thankfully F E Higgins provides explanations at the back of the book. It was fun how every now and then a chapter would be Hector's letters to his friend, giving a closer insight into what actually happened during the story and his feelings at that time.

The twists of Hector's final employer's character took me by surprise, as did the ending. It was the method of certain characters' downfall rather than the fact that they got what they deserved which had me thinking 'this is a good book'. I learnt a fair amount about butterflies, and the means of collecting them, which I'd never known before now.

F E Higgins' website has the same appearance as his book covers, and is found here.

If you liked this, try The Spook's Mistake by Joseph Delaney

Sovay, by Celia Rees

July 2009, Bloomsbury (first published 2008)
420 pages
Review Copy

Historical, children's (12+)

Cushions: 4/5
Daggers: 1/5
Smiles: 1/5
Tissues: 2/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating ♥♥♥♥♥

Who wouldn't like the idea of a female highwayman, who is really a member of the noble class? Why does Sovay risk her life for a bit of fun? Well, she wants to test her fiance, to see if his love is true. It isn't. To say Sovay was annoyed is an understatement. However, she has more pressing matters on her mind: like the warrent for the arrest of her father, for his ideas which match those in France. Where is her brother? Is he with her father? Not one to sit around waiting for the answers to reach her, Sovay sets out, once again disguised as a highwayman. Little does she know it'll take her to less desirable parts of the city where no respectable young lady will go, or deep into the lair of a man who truly could be said to be a greater threat than the revolutionists. Torture, on any level is wrong. The methods of this man go beyond the usual evil mastermind's cruelty.

What begins as a search of answers turns into a great turning point in Sovay's life. She discovers who she wants to be, what kind of person society will let her be within the constraints of the eighteenth century. Along the way she meets aid in a variety of forms, of all whom potentially could become her husband. I enjoyed Sovay so much because her life is exciting. She purposefully puts herself in danger, but also because she hasn't been brought up on the street she is lacking street smarts. It's a good thing that she has several guardians watching over her - she doesn't quite have as many lives as a cat, but she acts like she does.

Equally pleasing was how romance was dealt with in Sovay - tastefully, as more of a sideissue than the main focus of the story. There are the odd blushable moments, and intimation of relations which aren't the usual male-female partnership, but nothing worthy of more than one paperclip.

Even now, several books on from when I read it I can recall the thrill as she races out to stop passing carriages, the courage of her friends as they stand beside her to fight for her, and the way she matures over the book and understands that sometimes admitting temporary defeat can ultimately bring about an overall win.

I have to admit, there were several incidents, but most especially the end, when I didn't see how she could survive. The terrors that Sovay misses, and those she encounters, made me reflect on how life was for the revolutionaries, and sadly still is in some parts of the world. Sometimes I don't think mankind has progressed that much in regard to treatment of others. I feel Sovay is a great introduction into the French revolution, providing lots to think about throughout the novel.

Nothing in particular springs to mind about anything I wasn't keen on. It's a book I'm keeping safely on my shelf.

Celia Rees' website, which includes where she got the inspiration for Sovay, is here.

If you liked this, try The Lady In The Tower by Marie-Louise Jensen

Vermonia: Quest for the Silver Tiger by Yoyo

August 2009, Walker Books
208 pages
Review copy

Graphic Novel: fantasy (children's 9+)

Clouds: 2/5
Cushions: 6/5 (yes, its a six. Why? See below)
Daggers: 0.5/5
Pencils: 5+ (new rating for manga/illustrated books, how much I like the illustrations)
Smiles: 3/5
Tissues: 1/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating ♥♥♥♥♥

Manga! Manga! Manga! Understand this is manga? I was positively dancing at receiving this one. As a manga lover (and anime...and all things Japanese) I had to review this.

The first manga review just happens to be the first in a new series, which is the first publication for Yoyo! Lots of firsts here.

The colour pages at the end and the beginning have me praying this will end up as an anime. The story lends itself well: the summary of the problem, summarised at the beginning has me thinking 'how will x happen?' It reminds me of several rpgs (role play games - yes, manga, anime and games go hand in hand) where the mythical tale is explained at the beginning, in stunning graphics and good choice of music, before the quest itself begins. Vermonia 1 is just missing the music.

What I liked was that the heros and heroines of the tale, although they were once friends, they've had a falling out at the start of the story. 12 year old skateboarders Doug, Naomi, Jim and Mel haven't got a clue that their destinies are tied up with a time of darkness in a far away world. Or that such a realm would appear in their skateboarding spot. Their lives are intertwined with the four guardians of Vermonia, each who have unique skills which the children will unravel over time.

This first volume is full of surprises, lots of 'oh's coming from me. Mel's kidnapping sets the other three friends on the quest to find her. Only, its not as simple as that. In the new land, they bump into Princess Rainbow. She looks as pretty as her name suggests. Princess Rainbow, due to circumstances which you'll have to read about, joins up with the skateboarders in their quest. One of them encounters a Vermonian guardian, and mystical powers are awakened. I can so see this becoming an anime series. When you look at the pictures, you can almost see the light reflecting off objects, or hear 'zings' emanating from them.

The characters have flaws which make them all the more lovable. They have problems which I feel every reader can relate to. I think I understand why Mel reacts as she does, something which the others, because they haven't experienced it or had something similar happen, they don't get where she's coming from. Mel's problem is nothing compared to what happens to her in Vermonia. I think, when her friends eventually catch up with her, their old squabble will be forgiven. Greater dilemmas await those four skateboarders known as warriors from Blue Star!

There's such a cute (kawaii!) creature who guides Mel, Doug and Jim in their quest. There's a unique style with the character's faces: they are what I call more western style drawings, so will appeal to the wider market including those not so used to manga. I for one can say if I see more work from Yoyo, without being told they were the creators, I could easily pick the work out.

Two things I wasn't so keen on. The first, was that there were no chapter breaks. Usually, in the mangas I've read so far, the story is divided into chapters. This makes it much easier to read: I pick one up, can judge how many chapters I can read before dinner is cooked. I miss not having the breaks, because I couldn't figure out where to stop!

The second thing - well, it is a huge plus, if its looked at in a certain way. The ending. Writers in most stories should be hung, drawn and quartered by readers if they leave the story literally at a cliffhanger edge. There should be some satisfaction in the ending, a goal achieve or progress made by the protagonist. TV shows can get away with cliffhangers (in fact, they depend on it to keep the audience watching). I reluctantly agree the same is true for manga. But there are cliffhangers, and there are cliffhangers. The moment I finished the book, I was there, searching for when the next installment is due. October 1st. The rest of the series of 10 books will be released over 4 years. I predict each book will end on a cliffhanger more dramatic than the last. Just great. I want to know what happens right now! There may 'only' be a few months between each release, but trust me, those few months are feeling like a lifetime.

I think you can tell when I really like a book: I try not to say too much because I believe any information is a spoiler. I guess that's not quite the point of a book review, but this is good. If you like manga or anime at all, go buy it!

Check out the world of Vermonia here

Thirsty Thursday #2

Yes, true to form, life has been *interesting* the past week and a bit. Hence sporadic posts. There are some things I have little control over. Okay, so Saturday I meant to post....but um shiny books spirited me away to fantastic worlds. Sunday and Monday were spent in a frenzied 'lets get this version of Termion finished'. When possessed by my muse, there is little else I can do. She is not a force to be reckoned with. It's back to normal now, I hope.

So its a double whammy of what I got in the post (because I didn't post last week).

Shout out to Egmont Books and Hachette who are now kind donators! Bringing the total to 7! All these books, I'm one happy reviewer.

• Vermonia, Quest for the Silver Tiger by Yoyo (my first manga review!!!!! not the first manga read, but I'm rather obsessed in this area)
• Girls FC: Do Goalkeepers Wear Tiaras? by Helena Pielichaty
• The Heart of Glass by Vivian French
• Great Bear Lake: Seekers by Erin Hunter
• Gone, by Michael Grant
• Wild Horse, by Sharon Siamon
• Silvertongue, by Charlie Fletcher
• The Glittering Eye, by L J Adlington
• The Dead House, by Anne Cassidy

I think that's it...apologies if I've missed any of. I'll try to make a list as soon as I receive them. Clearly my currently system of putting them on certain places on my bookshelf isn't the most efficient record of keeping tabs of what I've got.

Considering I started this blog in April, I don't think I'm doing badly! :D

NB: Change in today's review: I'm actually away house/cat sitting this week, and think I left Tender Morsels at home. I'll pick it up tomorrow when I run errands. So tonight's review is Manga!

Escape From Shadow Island, by Paul Adam

July 2009, Corgi Children's Books (R.H. imprint)
288 pages
Review Copy

Children's 9+, action

Cushions: 5/5
Daggers: 2/5
Smiles: 2/5
Tissues: 2/5 (I tear up over anything)
Yunaleska's recommended rating ♥♥♥♥♥+

I'm developing a list of authors I'd love to hunt down and bribe to write faster. Paul Adam is one of these. Reading Escape From Shadow Island has officially drawn me out of the 'I prefer female protagonists' books. It surprised me, but that's how this book changed me.

The story of why, and how, Max Cassidy gets to Shadow Island is cram packed with suspense. Ok, initially during the first chapter I wasn't entirely hooked - why would a teenage escapologist (male at that) interest me? It's what happens after Max's show where I got hooked.

Why would someone other than himself believe that his mother didn't murder his father? Why has he shone up on the scene, leaving Max with a mystery? Why is this man then killed? Max is soon entangled in murder, a strange numerical code, and run-ins with the shadier side of life on several continents.

Max's character is believable. He finds it extremely hard to believe that he can fail at something. He refuses to back down on action once he's decided on a particular path. He doesn't want to back down even when it would be braver to do so. His father's assistant, Consuela, does a pretty good job of raising him while his mother's in prison. There are definitely secrets in her past. As for the other characters - well there's a girl with a boat, and a man from an occupation whose skills Max needs for survival.

It's not just the characters which make up a book. Location is just as important. I enjoyed where Max travelled to around the world. Shadow Island gives me the shivers just thinking about what goes on there, and the risks Max took. One point which I don't think is mentioned, is that I kept wondering what would happen if a shark came along and decided Max was food. I think I play Tomb Raider too much. Now that would have added even more tension. Additionally, a place which seems like paradise can have hidden areas of darkness.

The warning for readers about not trying any of Max's tricks is really important. Plus, it should have a gruesome factor attached. Because various points in the book had me feeling a little queasy. The 11 year old I know will probably think 'wicked' at reading Max's key trick - this will definitely appeal to the intended age group. I had trouble, at one point, keeping my dinner down. Then I had heaps of trouble stopping the butterflies in my stomach leaping up during the edge of seat moments. Especially at the end.

Paul Adam, please write faster. I understand that in a series its good to have questions unanswered at the end. But to leave the ending like that, where Max (blank) and we don't know about (blank) and person (blank) - this reviewer is eager for the next installment of Max Cassidy Adventures.

Favourite part of the book? The scene in the hotel, involving Consuela.

Paul Adam's website is here. Hopefully at some time I'll get to check out his other work.

Liked this? Try Daniel X: Watch the Skies by James Patterson and Ned Rust

Don't Look Behind You - by Lois Duncan

1989 Dell YA Suspense

179 pages

Personal copy
Young adult, suspense

Cushions - 4/5

Tissues - 2/5

Daggers - 2/5

Smiles - 1/5

When April's dad is put into the Witness Security Program by the government, her entire life falls apart. She is suddenly whisked from school and into hiding, unable to contact neither her friends nor her boyfriend. Her family is moved from hotel to hotel, then when someone by the name of Mike Vamp tries to come after them, they're given new identities and put to live in Florida.

Her family has a hard time adjusting and even more of a hard time giving up their old niches. They try to make the best of this new life, but April gets tired of trying. She sneaks away and goes to her grandmother's home to try and contact her boyfriend. When she gets back home, a surprise awaits her... Mike Vamp has found them again.

Every page of this book is filled with on-the-edge suspense. Once I started reading, I was unable to put it down.

Lesson learned - Don't look behind you. What may be there, could scare the pants off you.

Author Interview with Lisa Shearin (Raine Benares series)

I'm pleased to present Lisa Shearin! (Note: I nabbed the photo off her site...and her hair is now short)

Lisa's latest book, The Trouble With Demons (my first review!), is the third in the snarky elf Raine Benares series, which started with Magic Lost, Trouble Found and continued with Armed and Magical. (Yes, I know I haven't reviewed these books yet. Bad me. Lack of reviews is not an indication of the books themselves. I adore them. However, my stack of books for reviewing is growing (I'm not complaining, you can never have too many books), so re-reads are lower down on the list. I'll try and review them before the fourth in the series, Bewitched and Betrayed is released April 2010).

Lisa has answered numerous questions regarding her books - check out her site for more info, plus links to some of these reviews. And her wonderful blog which I read every day. So, for my 5 questions, I aimed for those which hopefully haven't been asked before. Enjoy! Raine will be around, publisher depending, for a good while yet!

What's been the biggest, pleasant surprise about being a published author which you hadn't known about prior to publication? My fans. There is absolutely nothing better than getting fan emails when I’m having a tough day at the keyboard. I love hearing how much they love my characters, whether they’re “Team Mychael” or “Team Tam”, that they “devoured” the books, that the books helped them get through a rough time in their lives, that they read the books multiple times, that can’t wait for the next one, and urge me to write faster. One of the main reasons why I stuck it out for over 20 years and was so determined to get published was that I had these stories to share and I just knew if I could get them out there that readers would love them and my characters just as much as I do.

In relation to the last question, is there anything, not necessarily negative, but something you didn't expect to do/happen when you got published? Before being published, it’s all about the writing, the joy of creating, the dream of being published and sharing your work with the world. After being published, it’s still about those things, but now it’s also about the books (which are now products), increasing your sales, promotion, having your work out there to be embraced & adored, or kicked to the curb. I’ve found out that my skin isn’t as thick as I thought it was, but I’m working on growing a couple of armored layers. ; ) You have to. Otherwise all of these things can distract you from what’s really important—your writing and creating something that you and your fans will love.

Obviously I wish Raine's adventures to continue for a good while yet. However, have you thought about life after Raine? Do you expect to remain in the same world/genre or are you looking to branch into something new? Can we expect the same first person pov? Will there be explosions? Pirates? I’ve thought about life with some of Raine’s friends and family—from their POV. So, yes, still first person. I have characters jostling to have their stories told. I can’t say anything definite yet, but I’d like to play in Raine’s world for a long time.

Whenever you pop into a bookshop, do you check to see if they have Raine's adventures in stock? LOL. Absolutely. In fact, it’s the first place I go. And if there are any on the shelves, I gather them up, take them to the customer service desk, introduce myself, and offer to sign them. It’s always great to meet and talk to the booksellers. They know me now in my local Barnes & Noble. ; ) After the books are back on the shelves, then I do my shopping.

You work hard on maintaining a good author-fan relationship. Is this something you'd intended to do, or did it evolve naturally? I completely intended to do it. I write not only for myself, but in hopes that people will enjoy my books and characters as much as I do. Writing Raine’s adventures (while holding down a full-time day job) is hard work, so there’s nothing like fan email to brighten my day. And my blog has grown beyond what I ever imagined it could be. I told my husband that he’d have to help me blog because I didn’t have that much to say. (He laughed, knowing that once I get started talking about books and writing that you can’t shut me up.) So over 600 blog posts later, my blog has turned into kind of a writing/book industry quasi-education site: things I know, stuff I discovered, and crap I found out the hard way. I just love hearing that my advice is helping some of you who are “pre-published.” And as a really cool side note, the folks at The Writer magazine read my blog and asked if I would like to write a column for them. It’s been a dream of mine to write for this magazine, and the exposure I get from appearing in The Writer is boosting my sales. A win-win.

Lisa's website
Lisa's blog

Daniel X: Watch The Skies by James Patterson and Ned Rust

July 2009, Doubleday (Random House Childrens' Imprint)
288 pages
Review copy
Childrens: 11+ Sci-fi

Cushions: 3/5
Daggers: 1/5
Smiles: 2/5
Tissues: 2/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥.5

Alien invasion, not a new theme, right? You may well be correct in thinking that, but I doubt you've heard of aliens invading for the sake of producing entertainment for the greater alien population. Or the List of aliens, including the monstrous number 1 against whom Daniel X doesn't, yet, have a chance against.

I'd say this is aimed at boys. I was hooked after half way. In truth, I would have been hooked from the beginning, but I read the first half at a different sitting, clearly on a reviewer's off day because I just didn't get the story. I didn't get how Daniel could recreate members of his family by imagining them, or weapons in the same way. Upon the second sitting, I was thinking 'this is so cool, why didn't I think like this earlier?' As an alien hunter, the skill for creating people and objects out of thin air comes in handy. It certainly can't be done as easily under pressure.

All in all this is a good read. It's an even mix of laughs and tension, wtih the short chapters leaving on the edge of my seat , and the chapters are rather short, but they often leave the reader on tenderhooks. I loved the concept of the List of aliens, with there being different types. Huge shouts when a few of the higher numbers were eliminated, in rather ingenious ways. Daniel's main for in this installment: number 5.

The way the aliens choose breed in this novel is rather gross - I'm pretty sure I know an 11 year old who will love what I view as disgusting details. Not for the really squeamish. Or those who like caviar...

As for the characters themselves, I think there's something for all readers to relate to, be it Daniel's desire to save the world (well, who else will?) his new friend Judy's interest in Daniel and annoyance at the alien invasion (how dare they!), his sort of resurrected family and friends who try and give advice to him, and the evil aliens themselves. What? I have to give them credit, the way they turn people into slime so they can....oops, that would be a big spoiler :)

James Patterson's website is here. (I couldn't find one for Ned Rust).

If you liked this, why not try Astrosaurs Academy: Deadly Drama! by Steve Cole or Escape by Shadow Island, by Paul Adam (to be reviewed on Friday).

Cookie, by Jacqueline Wilson

July 2009, Corgi Books (Random House Children's Imprint)

320 pages

Review copy

Childrens', girls

Clouds: 1/5

Cushions: 2/5

Smiles: 4/5

Tissues: 3/5

Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Mmmm cookies!! (and rabbits). Always a good combination. Pink cover - appealing for girls, who this story is aimed at. And very sweet illustrations at the beginning of each chapter, giving a picture summary of what is to come.

Beauty puts up with bullying at school because, according to the other girls, she isn't beautiful. They know so little about her. They wouldn't see her innocence in enjoying a children's programme aimed at a younger age. They don't see how much she cares for animals, and how that caring keeps her going when life at home gets more than a little tough.

For Beauty hides a secret. Her father gets ill-tempered, every now and then. Only with a horrifying frequency. After an incident evolving around her birthday, Beauty's mother has enough, and decides to leave her husband, taking Beauty with her. It's a brand new start for the two of them, with little money, and no relatives who will happily take them in. Best of all - Beauty makes another best friend.

This is a well written, touching story of family breakdowns. I believe Beauty has such attachment to the children's programme a) because she loves animals and b) because when life gets rough, its comforting to turn to something cute, fun and entertaining.

Yes, at first I thought it a little odd that Beauty pretends the people on the tv show come to life and give her advice, but its just a coping mechanism that she uses to see herself through the hard time with her father.

Her mother's determination to see the threat through, to never go back to the wealth she's left behind speaks of great courage, which I've seen happen in real life. Beauty's father, well he's a nasty piece of work. The showdown is spectacular, and I love Beauty and her mother's support. It has a very happy ending, which had me in tears. This is a tough, real life issue dealt with a strong injection of humour and hope.

Jacqueline Wilson's (very pink) website can be found here.

Liked this? Try Angel Cake by Anne Cassidy

Secrets at St Judes: Jealous Girl by Carmen Reid

July 2009, Corgi Childrens
272 pages
Review copy

Teen/YA

Cushions: 1/5
Paperclips: 1/5 (teen relationships)
Smiles: 5/5
Tissues: 2/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥

Shiny pinky/purple covers will always catch my eye, as will any book evolving around boarding school. It's a topic which continually appeals to readers: as an ordinary day school attender, I often dreamed of attending boarding school. Reading stories about them satisfy that need without having to deal with separation of family.

Gina, finds separation from her family, and to a small extent her friends a little difficult. It isn't her first year at St Judes, an all girls boarding school in Scotland, but the weather is just a little cloudier than sunny California. Her life is far from boring.

Left to return to school on her own, Gina manages to get into trouble before term starts. It's not so bad, it gives her room mates something to talk about. They're already missing Niffy, who dropped out to be close to her mother who's suffering from cancer. School isn't quite right without their fourth companion. They do get a chance to visit Niffy, at her ancestra home, but that visit paints her differently to how Gina imagined it.

Amy is doe-eyed over Jason, who pays her attention in fits and starts. Their relationship takes up all of Amy's time throughout Jealous Girl. She isn't the only one with boys on her mind, Gina learns something about her own almost boyfriend Dermot which makes her question his feelings about her. Even bookworm Min hides a secret crush, not that her friends know about it for a while. They believe she's just getting extra study time in.

Admist the complicated issues with boys, lie the usual school persuits of classes, outings, getting into a spot of bother with teachers - everything expected from a boarding school is present here. Central to everything is friendship: whose school life was ever free from misunderstandings, personal hardships and laugh out loud moments?

I liked how complicated life was for the girls, they each had their own problems to deal with, yet somehow found time to smile and laugh about life. Serious issues are dealt with realistically here, although I felt perhaps the issue revolving around Min didn't have the consequences driven home hard enough. Maybe that's just the responsible, adult side of me speaking.

This is good enough that I'm tracking down a copy of the first book, so can read the backstory to Jealous Girl.

Carmen Reid's website is here

Sadly, I have to wait until Febrary 2010 for the next installment of Gina's life in Drama Girl. It will be reviewed here.

Saturday blog post #5

After the incident with the kittens last time, you'd think I'd give The Preserver and The Handler a break. Well no. Here, a little later than planned, is what happens when The Preserver and The Handler discover a book has been ruined by a child.

For the record, the child is at the scene of the crime.

The Handler, after a hard day at the office, returns home to find her youngest child scribbling over her books beside the sofa. Books which she hasn't read. We're not talking pencil scribbles, or brightly coloured crayons. We're talking dark, permanent felt tips.

The Handler looks at her kidlet, who is happily tearing pages from a road atlas. That doesn't matter, because she has sat-nav. The Handler flips through the pages, smiling at the stick figures which permeate not one page, but five, each getting fainter as the ink run-through stops. Children will be - children. The Handler won't ban kidlet from the room - what's the point? It will only make kidlet more determined to get back in and discover what their mother is hiding.

The Handler calmly picks up kidlet, and opens out the book. 'This is your book now. I'll keep it here, for you to play with. Ok?' All The Handler gets as a response is a giggle.

'There goes my daily coffee at work' thinks the Handler, planning to skip coffee to pay for a new book. Children = expensive, and nothing in the house is safe from the younger kidlet. Words will be had with the eldest kidlet, for not keeping a closer eye on kidlet's playing.

Perhaps Eldest will even pay a contribution to the book fund. Perhaps. The Handler forgives Eldest later upon finding dinner already prepared. Distraction in the name of food is permissible.

The Preserver is not quite as forgiving. The Preserver knows better than to yell, screw up her face or express anger of any kind before her kidlet. It isn't her kidlet's fault. She shouldn't have left the books within reach.

But she kicks herself at the desecration of the book. All those precious words obscured by black ink! She holds the book up to the light, to see if its possible to read the words from the other side of the page. It isn't.

Eldest kidlet will not be saving for dvds any time soon. The book was a first edition. Signed. The Preserver usually keeps the living room out of bounds, but clearly Eldest wasn't doing her job properly in looking after youngest kidlet. The elaborate dinner isn't a good reason to avoid babysitting duties. The Preserver knows the book will be replaced, but with a horror of horrors second edition. Unsigned.

Unable to bear looking at the offending book, The Preserver places it in the bin part of the shredder, and leaves a note for her husband to dispose of it. She can't bear to see its marked pages taunting her forever. This is one book which she won't keep.

Are there any scenarios you'd like to see The Preserver and The Handler encounter? If so, let me know and they might feature here.

Thirsty Thursday

No author interview today. Author interviews will be as and when I receive them.

Thursdays will now always have a news item for the week, including books received in the post. Hopefully this will give you more of an advance list as to what will be reviewed over the next week and a bit.

Ideas for the Thursday's post title are welcome - Thirsty Thursday was the first idea in my head. I was thinking along the lines of 'thirsty for books'. I realise hungry would be more accurate, but there's no day of the week that begins with H in English.

I'm pleased to add MacMillan to my list of kind donators for books.

Owing to a slight space shortage - well, for this reviewer there is no such thing but for my family, having my entire bedroom floor covered in towers of books isn't an option - I shall shortly be setting up Nayu's Reading Corner's first competition! Winners can take their pick from a selection of books. I ship worldwilde.

I believe in spreading the love of reading. If I can pave my way in books around the world, I will.

Books Received in the Past Week

Note: the order doesn't denote the order of future reviews. I do try and review books in the order I received them. Within any given selection, I'll pick one at random (I don't read series out of sequence).

• Changeling: Dark Moon and Changeling: Discover the Beast Within by Steve Feasey
• Missing, Believed Crazy by Terence Blacker
• Cosmic, by Frank Cottrell Bryce
• Ernest, Catherine Rayner
• Dogs, Emily Gravett
• The Rabbit Problem, by Emily Gravett (and a lot of rabbits)
• The Trouble with Dragons, by Debi Gliori
• Children's Atlas of World History, Simon Adams
• Lucy Goes to Market: A Magical Alphabet, by Imogen Clare and Sanchia Oppenheimer
• Ask Dr K Fisher about Animals, by Claire Llwellyn and Kate Sheppard
• The Eyeball Collector, by F.E. Higgins
• The Spitting Cobra, by Gill Harvey
• Sovay, by Celia Rees
• Wilma Tenderfoot and the Case of the Frozen Hearts by Emma Kennedy
• Roxy's Baby by Cathy MacPhail
• Pongwiffy and the Holiday of Doom, by Kaye Umansky
• Glitterwings Academy: Flying High by Titania Woods

That's all to come in future reviews!

Selina Penaluna, by Jan Page

2009, Corgi

371 pages

Review copy

Children's, 12+

Cushions: 1/5

Paperclips: 3/5

Tissues: 2/5

Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥

Evacuation stories conjure up images of war, children separated from families, possibly mistreated. They don't usually include mermaids. Or, as they are in Selina Penaluna, merrymaids.

Selina Penaluna believes when her mother dropped her into the sea as a child, it wasn't her, but a different child. She is a child of the sea, not of the land. All her life she longs for the sea which she lives beside, she yearns to escape life with her father, whose inappropriate behaviour attributed to the content rating.

All is not doom and gloom: there is light in the world when London evacuees Ellen and Jack arrive in Cornwall. Selina, whose beauty and mysterious presence captivates all her see her, provides Jack with the only happiness to be found in his new home. Unlike Ellen, Jack doesn't take to being an evacuee very well. Ellen thrives under their new guardians' care, mucking in with all the housework and fulfilling Jack's chores when he hurries off to be with Selina. Ellen doesn't trust Selina. There's something about the strange girl which gets her back up. Will Selina drive an inseparable wedge between the twins?

This is a brilliant telling of what life could have been like for evacuees. Not every child had a happy time in the country. I feel its a good portrayal also of how physical abuse can muck a person up. I feel perhaps, due to the content (a few detailed scenes of intimate relations) the age range could have been increased for this book. The incidents play a large role in the plot, which takes such sharp twists that my neck was wrenched as I reached them. The fantasy touch of merrymaids adds a fresh approach to evacuation stories.

I liked how the past told from different points of view is intermingled with Ellen's perspective from the present. The past of anyone's lives always shapes the future. People shouldn't get stuck in the past, but I believe this book shows that some issues in the past need to be resolved before they can move on with life in the present.

If you liked this, try The Lost Book of Salem, by Katherine Howe for stories which intertwine the past and present or The TV Time Travellers, by Pete Johnson, a reality show based book for younger readers.

Look back on July

I'd like to take a moment to look back on July.

• I've gained two sources of books: Penguin and Random House Kids.
• I've gained a new reviewer, Emina (and a new genre of books).
• I wrote a total of 31 posts

Books reviewed in July

Note: This isn't in alphabetical order, and I can't get the bullet points to indent.

• Classical literature: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

• Children's: Astrosaur's Academy: Deadly Drama! By Steve Cole
• Spindle's End by Robin McKinley
• Does My Head Look Big In This? by Randa Abdel-Fattha
• Angel Cake by Cathy Cassidy
• Young Samurai: The Way of the Sword by Chris Bradford
• Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior by Chris Bradford
• The Spook's Sacrifice by Joseph Delaney
• The Spook's Mistake by Joseph Delaney
• Chosen Sister, by Ardyth DeBruyn

• Non-fiction: The Penguin book of Classical Myth by Jenny March

• Thriller: Stones of Fire by C M Palov

• Fantasy: Storm Glass by Maria V Snyder

• Young Adult: That Summer by Sarah Dessen
• Airhead by Meg Cabot
• Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon
• Daughter of Fire and Ice by Marie-Louise Jensen
• A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Quite a mixture last month! This month is looking equally exciting. I already know some of the books which will feature here.

Thank you for reading this blog. Your comments inspire us here to keep reading and writing reviews. I may have a special announcement to make about another Nayu blog. Watch this space.