Friday 30 October 2009

Astrosaurs: Megabookasaurus! by Steve Cole


September 2009, Red Fox
224 pages, Paperback
Review Copy

Children's, 7+

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

(In my version the two circles on the cover are yellow, not blue)

In this omnibus there are three stories involving Captain Teggs Stegosaur, First Officer Arx Orano, Communications Officer Gipsy Saurine and Chief Engineer Iggy Tooth. These astrosaurs are the crew of the DSS Sauropod, a ship in the shape of the egg which undergoes missions throughout the Jurassic Quadrant. This region of space is divided into the Vegetarian Sector and the Carnivore Sector, which are separated by a neutral area of space known as Vegmeat Zone. (Needless to say I love the concept of all of this - there's heaps of scope for many books in the future).

These astrosaurs have graduated from the Astrosaur Academy. I doubt the academy's lessons could have prepared them for saving eggs from greedy, egg hungry oviraptors (The Hatching Horror), scrawny, evil-scientist type carnivores who swap bodies with Teggs and Arx (The Mind-Swap Menace) or figure out how to literally get them out of hot water when T-Rexes believe they are thieves (Teeth of the T.Rex).

I believe this is a brilliant introduction to science fiction for children. It engages the reader in mild peril (always with a happy ending - for the good guys), distant planets, strange objects in space (a planet which is actually a giant egg), different species (not that they are truly alien - they did originate from Earth at some point in history), spaceships (which are always cool) and a lot of humour. Having read one book involving students from the Astrosaurs Academy, it is fun to learn the career path they could follow after their education.

This book is crammed with lots of illustrations. The bonus part is that there are four cards at the back, with information about astrosaurs on them, as well as an in depth history fact-file on the crew at the back. I had no idea one of them is several hundred years old.

I have one small comment: the third story, Teeth of the T.Rex is significantly shorter than the other two. I had expected all three to be roughly the same length. The length doesn't detract from the story. I loved the idea of the alarm dinosaur, whose soul purpose is to alert the crew if something goes wrong. Although I do wonder what would happen if it suffered a cold...

I for one look forward to reading more adventures about the DSS Sauropod crew.

Like this? Try reading about Teggs's student years at the Academy in Astrosaur Academy: Deadly Drama! also by Steve Cole

Barack Obama: The Making of a President by Dawne Allette


September 2009, Tamarind
162 pages (excluding appendices) Paperback
Review Copy

Children's, Non-fiction

Ease of reading: 5
Level of information: 5
Smiles: 4
Yunaleska's recommended rating:♥♥♥♥

I jumped at the chance to review this clearly explained story of President Barack Obama's life from childhood to presidency. The main reason being that I had tried to read a similar book meant for adults, but I got lost in all the politics.

Dawne Allette presents the information chronologically, inserting snippets of humour where appropriate. Did you know that President Obama is probably the first president to take a collection of Spiderman comic to the White House? (info taken from page 34). That, in my eyes, makes the President a normal person.

I like how each chapter is headed with a quote, which relates to the chapter's content. Additionally there are small fact file sections throughout the book, providing information about a broad range of subjects. The variety of issues discussed is what makes this small book an outstanding starting point for researching America's current President. There are 16 pages full of colour photos. printed on glossy paper, which make it easier to see how President Obama changed over the years, and gives a visual insight into his family life.

President Obama's background relates a lot to the issues of slavery and segregation of African-American's. Throughout his life, racism and inequality have been the forefront of his campaigns. As someone who finds politics a minefield, I've come away from the book feeling that I know more about America's history, the situation in South Africa with the apatheid movement (something I have never understood), and how equality for all people has progressed in leaps and bounds. I have a lot of respect for the hard work President Obama has put in his life, and I'm interested to see how he spends the rest of his time in office.

Liked this? Soon a book on Michelle Obama by Dawne Allette will be published. I'll try to grab a copy for you.

Wednesday 28 October 2009

Valiant by Various


September 2009, Bantam books
200 pages, Hardback
Review copy,

Children's, TV tie-in

Cushions: 3
Daggers: 1
Smiles: 3
Tissues: 1
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥

Once more we are taken back into the magical realm Camelot. Merlin is now Arthur's servant, much to the prince's disgust. Merlin is such a clutz that it is easy for Arthur's arrogant side to come out. However, Arthur has a softer side to him, one which is portrayed in some ways more in this book than in the TV series. The book spells out for those of us who, when watching the series, pay more attention to the costumes and scenary than the actors, what is really going on in the characters' heads.

I have greater respect for Arthur - he has an awful lot of responsibility on his shoulders. It can't be easy with Uther as a father, a man who shows little compassion or encouragement. In Valiant Arthur has a lot of pressure to uphold the title of champion in the duelling competition. I can't imagine how Uther would react if his son lost the final match. That reaction is nothing to how he'll react if Arthur doesn't survive the match...

...for evil is afoot in Camelot. Sometimes I think Arthur should carry a sign on his head saying 'Hello danger, I'm here'. Once again someone wants to kill Arthur. And that someone uses magic in the tournament, a magic which involves my most feared creature - the sn*ke (missing letter is the first one of the alphabet). At least while watching the TV show I could look away whenever I heard hissing. I have no such warning in the book, and I'm just glad I don't live in a stone castle otherwise I'd be terrified to sleep. For the mystery sn*kes in the knight Valiant's shield are not inanimate.

Another character who I got a greater understanding of in this book in Gaius. I always saw him as a teacher for Merlin, and a parent of sorts (not that Merlin always listens). I didn't ever really think about him as being a protector for Merlin. He has an idea of Arthur's destiny, and that Merlin is tied up in it. He apologises when he believes he is being too harsh, although I do think sometimes Merlin doesn't realise how hard it can be for Gaius when his young apprentice dabbles in magic. It is Gaius who has to deal with the problem until Merlin finishes his business and can come and rectify the mess he created. Including raving dobermans.

This book is full of danger, sn*kes, and courage from most of the characters. It demonstrates the nature of a true knight, and lays several plot lines for stories.

This book is up for grabs in Competition #4.

Liked this? Make sure you've read the first book, The Dragon's Call by Various.

Tuesday 27 October 2009

Gargoylz Put on a Show by Burchett and Vogler


September 2009, Red Fox
116 pages, Paperback
Review Copy

Children's, 6+

Clouds: 3
Cushions: 1
Smiles: 5
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥

Gargoyles: stone creatures, usually placed as decoration on buildings.

Gargoylz: living, breathing creatures which have powers, living in the church beside Max and Ben's school. Like to cause havoc (don't always mean it).

When I saw the cute little gargoylz perching on top of the front cover, I knew I had to find out what they were like. They are a cuter version of gremlins. Each one has a unique personality and can do different things. My favourite is Theo, a young gargoyl of just over 400 years old. Theo can turn into a tiger: well more like a cute fluffy kitten which had me going 'awww' at the page. There is a detailed fact file of all the gargoylz at the back of the book. I'd love one in real life!

The entertaining gargoylz are excited when Max and Ben announce they are auditioning for parts in the school play, Little Red Riding Hood. First they have to survive the auditions - Max isn't so good at remember lines which might have been problematic if the gargoylz hadn't helped out. Plus there were all the other young hopefuls, who the gargoylz tried to put out of commission with their pranks. Once Max and Ben's role is cast, the fun doesn't end there. The wolf's costume looks too cute/nice, so the gargoylz get to work on making it scary. They take it one step further by popping up during the play's performance, each wanting to star in it with their two human friends.

This is a hilarious read: I liked how Max and Ben are agents and have code names for everyone at school. They can get a bit carried away in life, and face worrying moments when it looks as if the gargoylz could be discovered by other people. Their antics are made funnier by the illustrations, which have a lot going on in them - in a playground scene, a bully looks to be strangling his victim. Readers are asked to look at the illustrations carefully, because there is a web gargoyl on one of the pages holding up a secret codeword for the gargoylz website. The other fun freebie is a sticky gargoyl - once taken out of the packet it can be thrown onto a window and looked at as it makes its way down. I haven't tried this out because I know a young boy I'd like to give this book to.

Gorgylz have been let loose on the net here.

Liked this? Try Astrosaurs Academy: Deadly Drama! by Steve Cole

Merlin: The Dragon's Call by Various


September 2009, Bantam Books
200 pages, Hardback
Review Copy

Children's, TV tie-in

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

The tale of Arthur and Merlin is currently running on BBC 1 in the series Merlin. Yes, I have been watching it. If I remember correctly, this installment follows Merlin in the first episode when he arrives at Camelot.

Merlin, a boy full of powerful magic and a fair amount of mischief is bewildered by Camelot. Compared to his mother's home, it is busy and full of life. He soon feels at home when he stands up for a servant being bullied by an arrogant youth. Poor Merlin, he wasn't to know that youth was Prince Arthur. Earning a stint in the stocks Merlin meets Gwen, the maid to Morgana who is King Uther's ward. This chance meeting saves Merlin from trouble when he ends up in Morgana's chambers: Morgana doesn't see him and thinks he is Gwen.

Merlin is taken in by the court physician, Gaius, who uses him for many tasks, including carrying medicines to patients. It is on such an errand that he enters the chamber of a visiting singer, Lady Helen. Unusually Lady Helen has her mirror covered up. Merlin didn't see the reflection in it as he left - a good thing too or Lady Helen would have killed him. She isn't the Lady Helen, but a wielder of magic who has a grudge against Uther - not that you can blame her, since he killed her son for using magic. Ah yes, magic. Merlin may be a wizard, but he can't show it to anyone in public or he too will die. During his adventures sometimes using magic is the only answer to save the day. He can't always hide what he does, which leads to various punishments, before and after Arthur makes Merlin his manservant.

This book follows the TV show closely. It was fun to relive the episode, seeing Merlin have the nerves to call Arthur names, recalling Arthur's arrogance and Gwen's sweet side. The story adds a new level to the TV show because it lets the reader enter the heads of all the characters. I have a deeper understanding of how trapped Morgana feels as Uther's ward, unable to make changes because her guardian sees life differently. Most importantly I got to delve into the fake Lady Helen's thoughts, showing how deep her desire for revenge was. I want to watch the episode again, to view it in a new light.

This book is currently up for grabs in competition #4

Liked this? The series continues in Valiant (soon to be reviewed).

I've been interviewed!

Fellow book review blogger RoseWorksJewelry at A Jedi's Musings asked me a few questions and has posted it on her blog! Go check it out here.

Monday 26 October 2009

Competition #4



THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.

To make things fair, I've decided to have two winners (rather than one winner winning both books). That way more of you get a taste of the Merlin magic.

The Prize: Two winners will win either The Dragon's Call:
or Valiant.

How to enter:
Just explain why you like Merlin (the series). It could be for a certain character, or just the whole Arthurian legend.

The deadline: 23rd November 2009

The rules:
One entry per person.

It is open to all bloggers, regardless of where you live.

RH Merlin winner is...

The competition for winning two Merlin books plus either the official manual or the activity book is now CLOSED.

Thank you to our sole entrant: Sal!

For those of you who couldn't enter, never fear.

Yuna's (okay, Nayu's) Merlin competition is here! Go enter. International entries welcomed (especially those in USA).

Sunday 25 October 2009

The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent


September 2009, Pan Books
332 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Historical

Cushions: 2
Paperclips: 3
Smiles: 1
Tissues: 4
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥

How would you feel if the you promised your mother you would do anything to survive, including betraying her? Is it really a betrayal when she gives you reason to suspect that the accusations could be true? Such is the dilemma facing Sarah in this heart-touching fictional account concerning the Salem trials.

This is a story crammed full of character: after the dismay at leaving her family with her sister when her relatives are isolated thanks to small pox, Sarah Carrier discovers the joys of life in the loving arms of her aunt and uncle. Little did she know that the happiness didn't run to the heart of that family. The resentment she carries when made to return to her true family after the pox has gone, burns inside her, dissipating at the end when she finally realises that although her family life was different to the ideal in her head, she was truly loved. I enjoyed learning how people lived at the time of trials, how they got their food and constantly toiled to survive.

The Salem witch trials was a terrible time to live in. I knew that, but I didn't believe it until I read this book. Even those who weren't condemned immediately suffered horribly. The suffering began long before incarceration: it began with the glances, the looks and the whispered rumours about what a person, usually a woman, might do. Sarah has to put up with this: her family are looked upon with distrust because they good befalls them despite the fact they aren't the most pious ones in the neighbourhood. The day they took the orphan girl Mercy was the day their lives got worse. Mercy isn't a sweet innocent child, and although she leaves Sarah's family, she leaves a lasting impact on their lives.

Watching the levels of distrust in the community grow before the trials occurred, and the goings on within the trials and the aftermath had my heart in my throat. I needed tissues in this one, for the hurt, the betrayal and what happens when mass hysteria overtakes a community. This is a story about humanity, one which made me think about what still happens in areas of this world. Sarah's strength and bravery wavers at times, but it is her family who keep her going as they deal with their mother under suspicion of being a witch. Her family aren't perfect, all their faults are revealed in Sarah's narration. Yet in spite of this they stick together at the end, giving support where they can.

One technique I did enjoy, one that didn't even jar me out of the story was when Sarah's story jumped to her married life. It made sense at that point in the book, and sort of prepares the reader for the horrors to come. I think initially the enormity of the situation probably evaded her, until the sights, smells and feelings were too pungent to resist.

This is a book which is hard to put down - thank goodness I only had to put it down once I'd finished reading.

Kathleen is a descendant of the Carrier family, whose lives are told in The Heretic's Daughter. Her informative website is found here.

Liked this? Try The Lost Book of Salem by Katherine Howe.

Nova War by Gary Gibson


September 2009, Tor
407 pages, Hardback
Review Copy

Science Fiction

Cushions: 4
Daggers: 2
Paperclips: 3 (language, nudity)
Tissues: 1
Smiles: 5
Yunaleska's recommended rating:♥♥♥♥

If a title has war in it, you can pretty much assume the book will entail a war. This book, second in the Shoal series, not only has war...but it has explosions on an epic scale. As in stars (in the sky) go BOOM! And smaller objects. But star exploding = pretty!

Dakota's life isn't all about explosions. It's mostly about trying to escape from the prison that an bat-like species the Bandati have captured her in. And trying to figure out where her really cool special skin isn't kicking in. Or why an acquaintance gets thrown into her cell with her. Also why she's not allowed any clothes...

Dakota's secret weapon is that she can speak to machines. Not just any machines, but her own flying ship. This is what got her into trouble in the first place - well, its keeping her alive. She and Corso were both captured by the Badati, but they get a slightly different experience from their hosts. Corso is, in my opinion, a traitor. I only started warming to him near the end, where he repents for what he did to Dakota. His words, although they keep Dakota alive, does endanger her. I think its justice when assassins after Dakota near the end nearly get Corso.

Her own ship isn't the only machine she can communicate with (although that skill saves Corso's life at some point in the story - unfortunately!). She can communicate with a vessel that two other species, the Shoal and the Emissaries really want to get their hands on. If you're thinking shoal = fish you aren't far wrong. They are fishlike in their ways. And the Emissaries - they are something from a horror movie. You donn't want to meet one. Ever.

The depth of detail behind the non-humanoid species is part of what makes Nova War stand out for me. I could have perhaps done with all the worm variants, but they make brilliant antagonists. Nova War definitely has a squeamish factor with hem.

As a second book, I have missed a lot of background information, but there are little recaps throughout the story which helpd clarify things. I really liked the way the end was written, nearly two chapters of winding down the story, showing where all the main characters were, and also setting the scene for book three. The writing is full of action (lots of things going boom); the humour made me laugh out loud at several points. For sci-fi lovers, there is lots of technology and space travelling with explanations included (some passed by me: I appreciate the complexity of it all but there are some things, no matter how well explained, which my brain just slides right past.)

Dakota's isn't the only point of view in the story, but it is the one which I enjoyed following the most. The way her character develops, from wanting to die for her past to needing to keep living at the end, is affected by actions of the other characters. Some are better beings for having met Dakota. Others get what they deserve. She is one protagonist I wouldn't want to get the wrong side of, although she does have weaknesses which make her strengths shine even brighter.

Gary has his own website here.

Liked this? Try The Cassini Division by Ken Macleod

Thursday 22 October 2009

Merlin actors sign tie-in books 31st October plus chance to win books!



For clarification, this isn't competition #4. This is an external competition, being held by Random House. (These pictures are provided courtesy of Random House)

The occasion?

For those of us in the UK, BBC One is currently airing the second series of the hit show Merlin, a huge hit about the King Arthur legend. Two of the lead stars, Bradley James who plays Arthur and Angel Coulby who plays Guinevere are going to be signing copies of the TV tie-in books.

When? Saturday 31st October
Where? Forbidden Planet,179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR
Time? 3pm-4pm

So, as a recap. If you attend the event, you can have your Merlin books signed by these two actors.

If you can't attend the event there is no reason to miss out. I'm holding a competition, courtesy of Random House.

Competition is now CLOSED. Winner announced here.

What do you have to do? Just post a comment on this post saying you want to win :)

Prize: One winner, selected at random, will receive 2 copies of Merlin books, plus either The Official Annual OR a Merlin Activity book. I will then pass the winner's details on to Random House, who will send the books directly to you.

Terra by Richard Hamblyn


September 2009, Picador
268 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Non-fiction

Ease of Reading: 4
Level of Information: 5
Yunaleska's recommended rating:♥♥♥♥

Terra looks in depth at four incidents in history which involve the four elements. (Anyone notice how I am attracted to books about the earth and the dangers within it?) I requested it because my ability to recollect facts is low, and this seemed like a good way to educate myself about major disasters.

Richard Hamblyn has created a highly detailed, easy to follow work. I enjoyed the way he explored each disaster. First there was a bit of background about the area the disaster occurred as well as the situation of life at that time. Then, through recorded eyewitness accounts he writes a timeline of events. However, he doesn't stop there. He explores the impact of the disaster after the event, how it affected those in the centre of the tragedy (for people lost their lives in all four explored incidents) and how it changed the life of future generations.

I feel that most people will be moved in one way or another by the personal descriptions in this volume. It is all too easy, given the natural disasters I've seen on the news in my short life, to feel the terror behind the witness accounts. There are some occasions where people are mad for trying to save their personal possessions. Thankfully the positive attributes of humanity: our compassion, our ability to help those in need shines through the events which some, at the time, believed to herald the end of the world.

I enjoyed being able to understand the mechanics behind earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and strange weather patterns. There are lots of diagrams, photographs and other illustrations which helped form a more detailed image of the event, and helped explain the written explanations. There were still a few paragraphs which I didn't quite understand, but my brain tends to fog up when scientific explanations are given, so that has nothing to do with Richard's clarity of writing.

Out of all four disasters, the only one I knew about was the volcano of Krakatau in 1883. This book looks at the earthquake in Lisbon, Portugal in 1755, extreme weather in Europe during 1783, and the 1946 tsunami at Hilo, Hawaii. I think it is straight forward which category of earth, air, fire and water these disaster are classed under. An interesting fact is that all four disasters can be interlinked: although it wasn't the main disaster, fire played a large part in Lisbon. One last fact I'll leave you with, is that a tsunami can be as small as one centimetre high.

Liked this? If you want to know how you can increase your survival rate in a disaster, check out Deadly Peril and how to avoid it by Tracey Turner.

The Horned Viper by Gill Harvey


October 2009, Bloomsbury
168 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Children's, historical
Cushions: 3
Daggers: 1
Smiles: 1
Tissues: 1
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+

The Horned Viper presents the second installment in the Egyptian Chronicles series. Once again Hopi and Isis, taken in by a family involved in dancing upon the death of their parents by crocodiles, stumble onto an adventure in Egypt.

Once again Isis' dancing skills have attracted the eye of an Egyptian overseer, Hat-Neb. He agrees to take Hopi with him on the trip down the Nile, as he is entertained by Isis and Mut's acrobatics. All is not plain sailing. From the outset, a rift is created between what had been a strong brother and sister team. Hopi, still loving sn*kes, sticks close with the ship's doctor Tutmose.Always eager to soak up knowledge that could help others, Hopi listens carefully to Tutmose. Unfortunately Tutmose doesn't think kindly of the Nubian fan bearer Nebo, and warns Hopi about him. Nebo takes a dislike to Hopi and does all he can to make his life difficult.

Life would have been much easier if Isis wasn't so taken by the trinkets and praises Hat-Neb bestows on her. Hopi has allied with the nasty doctor, and thinks little of their current benefactor. Isis is torn by the discontent between herself and Hopi - why has he changed so much? What is Nebo's past that he almost tells her about, before clamming up? And why is Hat-Neb so ic?

What I liked most about Isis and Hopi in this adventure is the discord between them. It is a good demonstration that we don't get on with everyone. Neither trusts the other judgement of character with their new acquaintances. Their previously strong sibling relationship cracks up a little, but not permanently.

Additionally the new characters aren't all that they appear: Isis sums it up perfectly (pg 139) 'But it's funny. Some bad people have good bits, too.' The world is never black and white: in Isis and Hopi's case there are many shades of grey. Just because someone performs evil acts doesn't mean they aren't capable of charitable ones.

There is an enjoyable blend of action, suspense, mystery and description of ancient Egypt. Just as with the previous book Gill has an Egyptian fact file at the back, expanding on the glossary of terms used in the books and explaining the significance about the horned v*per, which features heavily in the book (I am resigned to the fact that Hopi is sn*ke obsessed). I'm eagerly awaiting book three,The Sacred Scarab whose cover I won't have to hide.

Liked this? Make sure you've read the first book in Hopi and Isis' adventures, The Spitting Cobra

Wednesday 21 October 2009

Protection Policy

Jo of Ink and Paper brought up the issue of private protection.

For this reason, at the top of the competition links is a note explaining you must be over 18 to enter the competitions. This is to protect myself. Thankfully I know so far all of my winners are over 18.

Being over 18 you understand the small risk that I will send you zombie hoards through the post. That a few of my books might have content you wouldn't want a child to read (although this is stated in my reviews of all books reviewed).

The minimum information I ask for is screen name and email address. Having your real name and postal address just speeds up sending prizes out. All information will be delete once the competition has closed and the winner has been selected. If you have any questions about competitions, please email me

nayu at hotmail dot co dot uk

Competition #3

I'm feeling generous and setting up two competitions to run at the same time.

In this competition, you have the chance to win the two books by B R Collins:
Both are great YA reads which I would like to share with the world.

What you have to do to enter: Post a comment giving a guess as to who the mystery boy in A Trick of the Dark is. Try to guess rather than surfing the net for the answer, okay?

One winner, picked at random, will win both books.

Why am I making you work for the prizes? Because I'm an evil book reviewer! I like to make you work for prizes.

If you want a free prize, head to my writing blog which has a competition to win a bar of chocolate. Got to do something that requires no work!

The Rules: As ever these are nice and simple
  1. One entry per person
  2. Deadline is Wednesday 18th November.
Owing to the nature of the competition, there are no runners up prizes. However, don't forget to check out competition 2 for another chance to win more books.

This is a global competition! I'll post even if you live on the south pole. I can promise the polar bears won't take bites of the books because they live near the other pole.

Books are in very good condition. Not quite like new, because as a reviewer I've bent a few pages over at the corner, and there are lines down the spine. Free books!

Competition #2

With the books soon to be sailing their way to winners of competition #1, I can proudly announce competition #2!

I am giving one of you the chance to win the first three books in Kate Elliott's Crossroad series, all reviewed here

  1. Spirit Gate
  2. Shadow Gate
  3. Traitors' Gate
What you have to do to enter: Just write a comment including which of the characters I've mentioned you might be interested in learning more about. (You have to work for the prize!)

One winner, picked at random will receive all three books.

The Rules: As ever these are nice and simple
  1. One entry per person
  2. Deadline is Wednesday 18th November.
Owing to the nature of the competition, there are no runners up prizes. However, check out competition 3 for another chance to win more books. Or the competition on my writing blog to win a chocolate bar.

This is a global competition! I'll post even if you live on the south pole. I can promise the polar bears won't take bites of the books because they live near the other pole.

Books are in very good condition. Not quite like new, because as a reviewer I've bent a few pages over at the corner, and there are lines down the spine. Free books!

Deadly Peril and how to avoid it by T Turner


5th October 2009, Bloomsbury
160 pages, Paperback
Review Copy

Children's, 8+, non-fiction

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

As a child, I was very much a girl-girl. I hated getting muddy, dirty, camping - I wasn't adventurous. Not a lot has changed. I loved books with princesses, fairies and fluffy happy endings. Now my genres have widened a little (bear with me, I'm about to make my point). Oddly, my favourite book at secondary school (from age 11 to 16) was a humungous survival book, which taught you everything you needed to survive should rare tragedies strike. That is why I picked up Deadly Peril: and how to it avoid. As it says on the back cover: 'Knowledge is power'.

There is an awful lot of power in this little book. It is small enough you can keep it with you if you go backpacking. Why would you want to take this with you? Well, I doubt you can remember the exact details of how to treat octopus stings or sea snake bites. That's nothing compared to the scorpians which could sneak into the trainers you left lying on the ground, carelessly strewn as you made your way to bed.

The book is divided into 8 colour coded sections. Perhaps that is why there are no page numbers. The range of topics include:

  • Menace from the deep - 6 out of 10 of the animals discussed have the letter S as the first letter of one word in their title. Maybe you could just steer clear of all animas beginning with S!
  • Deadly Planet - well this sums up the dangerous world with live in, but in this case it refers to what is commonly phrased as 'natural disasters' - run of the mill earthquakes, tsunami, forest fires and the like.
  • Unexpected Peril - from the common solar flare, to my favourite worry: The Bermuda Triangle. (I'm very glad when any holiday plans stay away from this area).
  • Animal attack - these animals don't take kindly to being provoked. Oh, and vampire bats are real. They could kill you, but you won't become a vampire. Plus there is a good reason why I don't like snakes -they are in several categories!!
  • Small but lethal - mostly consists of insects. Army ants had me smiling a lot. All I could think about was ants in combats, waving guns.
  • Perilous weather - here I learnt that I was correct in thinking being outside in a car during a thunderstorm isn't a good idea (to the point I cancelled visiting a friend when I saw lightning).
  • Everyday peril - the one which I didn't think of, but wasn't really a surprise was getting dressed.
  • Adventurous peril - for those maniacs who seek thrills, danger lurks in both forms of diving.
Within section, everything follows the same format:

  • Peril - name of peril
  • Peril rating - how perilous it is. Well, since they are all in this book, they are something to be aware of.
  • Location - there is nowhere in the world free from perils. Sorry.
  • Best known for - reason for danger
  • Your predicament - the scenario builder of how you end up near the peril. Often it is due to idiocy.
  • What's the worst that can happen? - a series of steps from the moment you encounter the peril until you die.
  • The good news - usually tales of those surviving the peril, or reasons why it isn't always as bad as it sounds.
  • The bad news - sometimes there is no antidote.
  • How to avoid deadly [peril written here] - tips on avoiding the peril. Some I knew, some I didn't. Not all are guaranteed to work.
  • Fact file - further information about the peril.
This little book covers all the major disasters, deadly creatures, and some I'd never heard of. The style is hilarious, but the information contained is very true. I did sober up over a few of the natural disasters which have happened recently in my lifetime, but the advice given here is invaluable. It's the type of book you can dip in and out of, with each peril having a two page spread. Some of the illustrations are there just to look pretty, others are informative (including how giant hail is formed).

This will appeal to all ages, addressing the dangers of our world in a funny manner that everyone can understand. The information is presented in an easy to read manner which could help save a life or two. It has taught me that the world is dangerous, but strangely I'm not isolating myself in my home. Not least because my home can be dangerous, but because most people go through life never experiencing a single peril. I'm a firm believer of focusing on the present, and letting the future take care of itself.

I'm hanging onto this book, not just because I'd like a better chance of surviving the dangers outside my house, but because it is fuelling my muse's imagination.

Liked this? For a comic read, try Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce

New donator #2

I already had a post called new donator, so that's why I put number 2 in. I have more than two!

I would like to introduce you to Prospera Publishing!

Prospera's Editorial Assistant sent me an email, asking if I'd like to review one, possibly two of their books because they come under the genres I review. I had a peek at the blurbs and the cover, and said yes straight away. These are exactly the kind of books I love! Prospera is a new, independent publishing house and I'm looking forward to watching them grow and flourish. Any new source of books for the world is news!

Prospera can be found here.

(Disclaimer: I'm not paid to advertise/promote any publisher. If I write about someone, it is because I'm genuinely interested in their company/work/authors/etc).

Tuesday 20 October 2009

Refurbishment

Don't worry, it's still the same blog. I was having issues with my template, so I decided a change was needed.

I hope it still feels a similar blog. I decided to keep the green theme, so its not too much of a difference. I find it funny I'm using green - its one of my least favourite colours!

As ever I am doing my best to read lots of wonderful books and get the reviews out for you. Reviews are more than just getting my opinions out into the world, although that was my original intention for this blog.

Reviews are for readers: there is nothing worse, as a reader, in liking a particular genre and getting stuck on what to read. I hope my reviews are a bit more than a book blurb, with enough details that you can decide whether a book is for you or not. I try not to have too many spoilers - what's the point in reading a book if I give all the plot twists away?

Reviews are for the authors. It may sound strange, but authors are human. They need reassurance that their work is good. I only request books which I feel I'll enjoy. I'm usually correct in my selection - that's why my ratings are usually high. I'm not paid to market books. I will say what I wasn't keen on. Yes, I get review copies from my kind donators. I give around half of the books away (to people who will read them and treasure them, or pass them on to others). I hope that my reviews persuade the authors to keep writing, that their books (whether intended or not) have an impact on their readers.

So here's to the new look of Nayu's Reading Corner!

Pastworld by Ian Beck


5th October 2009, Bloomsbury
355 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Young Adult, thriller

Cushions: 5
Daggers: 1
Tissues: 2
Yunasleka's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥

I'm sure there are quite a few of us who would like to experience certain time periods, with the benefits of modern technology. Set in the 21st century, Pastworld does exactly that. Pastworld is built in London, and the time era is during the Victorians. People from the modern world go there for a more interesting holiday. All items of technology are banned. Should a visitor, known as a Gawker, be convicted of a crime, they suffer a Victorian punishment.

All is not well in Pastworld. Crime, epecially murder, is on the increase. There is a man, called the Fantom, who kills for pleasure. The book follows the Fantom as he searches for particular people. I had my suspicions confirmed at the end about the Fantom, the type of person he was meant to be.

The Fantam is hunting down Eve. Eve, although 17 years old, only has memory of the last two years of her life. What happened before then is a mystery, which gets unravelled as she enjoys freedom. She escapes from her guardian, the blind, old man Jack, wanting to explore the world. The problem is, men are after her. Men in rags are following her, seeking her for a reason she doesn't know.

Thankfully she isn't on her own. The first encounter with the ragmen happens while she is observing a circus performance. The harlequins, spotting her dilemma, hide her through one of their tricks. She stays with them, wanting to earn her way. She discovers a talent walking the rope - well, not just walking. Skipping, dancing, jumping, running - whatever happened in her past has made her a confident tightrope walker who draws in crowds. It is this newfound ability which proves crucial at the end.

Eve isn't the only character: there's Bible J, a young ruffian who becomes attached to Eve when he meets her. This is after meeting Caleb, son of one of Pastworlds founders. Caleb is on a visit with his father, but witnesses a murder and gets blamed for it. His life is shattered, but Bible J helps him survive. Their fate is linked with Eve's, whose identity is being monitored by Pastworld security for she is one very special girl.

Again this is another book which I could happily read at night, even with all the page turners. I loved the mystery around Eve, and the way the story is unravelled by Eve in her diary (first person) and the third person following of the other characters. My idea as to who Eve was got proved mostly correct at the end, although part of it I didn't even think about. The characterisation is good: I hated the Fantom (and yes, I did keep thinking 'Phantom of the Opera'. It was his obsession for finding Eve, and how he wore a mask at halloween, and how he never got caught by the authorities).

I see the potential for more books about Pastworld (be it still in Victorian London or other eras). The only small disappointment I had was the relationship between Eve and Bible J. Initially it didn't sit right with me. By the end I was happy with the development. Bible J understand's Eve's predicament, and hasn't had a drastic change to his life so is better suited than Caleb.

Check out Ian Beck's Pastworld website.

Monday 19 October 2009

A Trick of the Dark by B R Collins


September 2009, Bloomsbury
311 pages, Paperback
Review copy

YA, Thriller

Cushions: 4
Paperclips: 1 (strong language, but it is mentioned on the black cover. Mention issue of affair)
Tissues: 4
Yunaleska's recommending rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

I was apprehensive at reading this book after dark. Normally I can't read paranormal unless it is during daylight hours. But, not only did I survive, I loved it! (Yes, I usually love most books I review. But paranormal can give me the heebie jeebies).

A Trick of the Dark follows the story of Zach, a good boy turned delinquent (well the family had moved to France to sort him out) and his sister Annis (known a Anz). Thanks to his father having an affair, they are stuck in France with their still rowing parents, doing up an old house.

Zach has what I call an attitude problem, and swears a lot. I don't blame him entirely for his foul mouth - his father is the same. Annis is the good, sweet sister who is fed up with the arguing, the silence. Her story is told in third person. I really felt for Anz, smiling in a sad way when she explained her parents are acting like children.

Anz and Zach are forbidden to go to the old ruins of the house, because it is falling apart. Naturally Zach hangs out there. Anz follows him down, and is worried the wall will fall on him. It does. It should have killed him - his body gets all broken. And yet he gets up, and looks as if nothing has happened. Other than the fact that he seems very bright in colour (a pale sort of bright). The strange thing - Annis didn't feel good when she was near the wall, or when she saw it all happen.

Zach starts acting strange after that. For someone who was so sure of himself, he is now terrified that the being by the ruins is after him. Anz believes her brother, because she sees him too. Who is the boy? Why is he after Zach?

Neither of their parents believe them because they won't give definitive proof about who is following Zach. As Anz tries to help Zach unravel the mystery, the mystery boy takes interest in her, leading her to have funny spells of weakness and black outs. One such spell has her good-girl reputation tarnished, for Zach tells their parents that she was drinking.

It is a story where a semi-broken family's relations are put to the test. Zach and Anz become close because of Zach's fear of the boy. At least Anz sees the boy. She can't work out why Zach is giving her, or anyone else he touches an electric shock. Putting their heads together they figure out what the problem is. Unfortunately Anz must risk her life to save Zach, whose future is uncertain.

This is a reasonably fast paced thriller, with a twist at every chapter. Initially I didn't understand Zach's point of view, why he was speaking about Anz who wouldn't wake up. After a certain point in the story, it made sense and I actually went back and reread some of his entries to fully understand them.

I could relate to Zach, and later on Anz's feelings of being high on life. Sometimes it is possible to let daily worries slide by, and just enjoy living in the moment. Although their enjoyment was enduced in part by the boy. The identity of the boy is genius - such a clever concept. The way the boy's presence gets stronger, and what Anz has to go through, what she has to almost lose just to fight the boy made me cry. I liked seeing her character change quite dramatically, from the good girl to the carefree one.

The build up to the end is fully justified. I was in floods of tears at the outcome, before it happened and when it did happen. Part of me didn't want to turn over the pages because I guessed what would happen. Yet it made such beautiful reading; the mixture of genuine sadness and pure relief from the nightmare was a compelling read.

I'd say this isn't too scary a supernatural, and would urge some of my more cautious readers to give it go. I get scared quite easily in books: I didn't have nightmares from this one, nor was I worried on being on my own in a house with only a cat for company. To be fair, I haven't been to France near any ruined buildings!

Make sure you check out B R Collins' other book The Traitor's Game.

Sunday 18 October 2009

The Traitor Game by B R Collins


September 2009, Bloomsbury
295 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Young Adult

Cushions: 3
Daggers: 3
Paperclips 2
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥

Books with the word traitor in the title are certainly popular at the moment. I wonder if it says something about what we like to read about? Or what is happening the world we live in?

The Traitor Game follows the lives of two youths. Michael, bullied at his old school is amazed at how Francis became his friend. Together they spend time creating a new world, Evgard. They create maps, diagrams, stories. They invent a new type of floor that, if a person treads on the wrong tile, they can fall through it. That's not as clever as the glass which captures the world from the other side, so you can see a sunset two hours after dark. To them, Evgard feels real.

It is a place Michael can retreat to, something he does more often as he mucks up his friendship with Francis. Once a person has something unpleasant happen to them, they always assume it will happen again. Michael thinks Francis is to blame for the taunting notes, so he opens his mouth and lets slip a few things. From there, Francis isn't happy. But that isn't the end of it, because what Michael said is actually true. When Michael finds this out, he has to deal with having betrayed his friend to their enemy, as well as the implications of the type of person Francis is.

I liked the characterisation of Michael because, like a fair number of male teenagers he keeps his feelings inside him. He doesn't ask the question which would have resolved the issue straight away. Instead he lets fear of being bulllied again ruin his friendship. Before reading Michael's feelings, I didn't understand how people who are bullied can sometimes turn into bullies. His solid belief in what he sees as the truth sets him on a downward path to having no friends.

The second character in the story, whose life is told through first, not third person, is Argent. Argent lives in Evgard, which is very real. Captured by the Duke's men, it is he who has to cross the floor to save his friends from death. The Duke betrays him: his friends aren't executed the next day but the do still have to face death. Argent becomes the Duke's son's friend. Together, he and Columen pass the time playing games, taking drugs until the rebels attack the castle. It is at that point that betrayal happens again, several times over. It is a betrayal I didn't see coming, and one which had me pause and think about where the signs were leading to it.

It has just struck me that Argent was probably Michael retreating into the imaginary world, and playing out events that happened in real life. Yes, I can sometimes be a little slow at picking up plots in books. It now makes a lot more sense than it did on initial reading. I don't think Michael is crazy, because we all daydream. Writers daydream more than most.

Initially, I thought that Michael and Francis would somehow find a portal and physically go to Evgard, or that it would take over the real world and they would escape the cruelties of school, only to have worse trouble in Evgard. I was a little disappointed when this happened, but the issues of betrayal by friends is written with great emotional impact. I think this book teaches readers that even when we mess up, life can be put right again, but it will take time and more hardship. Also it teaches a favourite mantra of mine: if in doubt, ask.

The maps helped with figuring out where everything was. It's the kind of fantasy town I would love to live in (although without the duke, and the rebels). I thought it odd that the map for Evgard was at the back, rather than at the front with the Arcaster map. But then, perhaps it was the last page Michael examined at the end of the story.

Content: strong, coarse language is used throughout the book. I'm pleased to note there is a warning about this on the back. The book deals with homosexuality, which not all readers may be comfortable with.

Liked this? Try another title by B R Collins: A Trick of the Dark.

Traitors' Gate by Kate Elliott


September 2009, Orbit
574 pages, Paperback
Review Copy

Fantasy

Cushions: 4
Daggers: 4
Paperclips: 4 (details of adult relationships - not all with consent, strong language)
Tissues: 3
Yunaleska's recommended rating:♥♥♥♥

The saga started in Spirit Gate which had an epic turning point in Shadow Gate carries on in this installment of the Crossroads fantasy series by the skilled author Kate Elliott. I am in awe of Kate and other writers who create such vast, highly detailed work. Keeping track of all the plots, which are many, can't be easy. Yet here is a well written, tension filled book.

Warning: I'm sorry but there are minor spoilers here: I have strong feelings about this book and want to present them here. I'm keeping spoilers to a minimum.

Admittedly this was the book which I nearly gave up reading. For one reason or another I couldn't get into this book until halfway through. I think most of it was due to those health gremlins attacking me. Some was in part to the minor yet increasingly annoying details when capital letters weren't always used for names. The rest might have been because my main interest in the story is Anji, Mai and Marit. The other characters are interesting, but they didn't keep my interest as much as those three. Joss and Shai grew on me.

Traitors' Gate follows our characters as they keep fighting for life, and for a way to bring down the corrupt Guardians. Marit, for the meanwhile, is safe. Anji doesn't view her as corrupt, but she worries that she is because she doesn't want death. Finally she crosses paths with Joss. On the first occasion Joss tries to start up the life they'd had together just before she became a guardian, but it isn't to be. The second time he's more successful, especially since he's undergone a major change in life.

Anji's character, including his faults, is shown well in this third tale. He has to make tough decisions for the benefit of his people. He has to put up with seeing his mother, who is full of character but not in the positive way. His mother refuses to accept Mai as his wife, and schemes against him. Anji protects Mai as best he can - there are so many battles to fight and he tries to fight them individually. I didn't agree with how Anji dealt with Joss in the story. I didn't see a need for that type of action.

I don't know how alone I am in my next view, but I thought what Anji did to Mai's uncle was justified. I didn't see it as a betrayal. As Mai's loving husband, he would do everything in his power to protect her. That aim made it necessary to do something Mai hated. If Anji had discussed it with her, she would have disagreed. Anji had to do it for the greater good. I think I can see why Mai was so upset, but looking at it objectively, I believe Anji isn't to blame. It is tough to do the right thing when people close to Anji will be hurt. Their son, little Atani is cute and counteracts, for the soldiers and his parents, all the bloodshed and warfare that goes on.

There is a lot of fighting, in great details which may prove disturbing to some readers. Content wise, there is a fair amount of relations that are covered in great detail, similar to the other books.

Returning to Mai, aside from disagreeing with her reaction to Anji's decision about Hari, her character develops tremendously. It isn't just because she's a mother either. Although her actions in the past have shown that she thinks about other people and their problems (espcially in trying to find wives for Anji's men), she can be rather blinkered regarding the people in her own household. The moment of realisation about her servants' status touched my heart. I thought 'She's growing up'. What she does for her servants' has a great impact on her life, but she knows it has to be done. Retrospectively I wish someone could have pointed out to her that this is similar to what Anji had to do with Hari. Maybe she wouldn't have been so mad at him in the end.

It is impossible for me to go through every character in the story and keep this brief. I've highlighted the ones which I care for greatly. I was a little surprised not to have more of Marit's view in the later half of the book, but that disappointment was made up by the focus on Anji and Mai. I liked watching all the plot threads slot into place in the later half of the book - I understood how all the backstories connected up. At a key point involving Mai, I knew why there is going to be a fourth book. That was a clever turn of events, and as a reader I thoroughly enjoyed it. The ending, with the numerous surprises that had me staying up past my bed time (it was a Saturday night) is brilliant. I love it and I'm champing on the bit for book four.

To find out how the Guardians get killed and to know what I'm talking about with Mai and Anji, go buy a copy of this book right now.

Kate Elliott's website is here.

Liked this? Make sure you've read book one Spirit Gate and book two Shadow Gate!

Saturday 17 October 2009

Jack Frost by Kazuno Kohara


September 2009, MacMillan Children's books
32 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Childen's

Clouds: 3
Pencils: 5
Smiles: 3
Tissues: 1
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

This beautiful blue and white book, far from making me feel cold, has me feeling warm and toasty. I can imagine being curled up on the sofa, with hot chocolate reading this as snow (or, as is common in England) rain falling down outside. The silver *shiny* title on the front page fits with the nature of the story, as do some of the snowflakes which are in silver too.

The story follows an unnamed boy who meets Jack Frost. At first Jack Frost is over confident and doesn't believe the boy can catch up to him. But the boy uses his intellect, and once he gets close to Jack they play together. Anything goes, the only rule is the boy mustn't mention any warm words. Will the boy be able to play by the rules?

This is a sweet story of how we get ice, snow and frost, how the world is turned into a magical wonderland with new sports (skating, snowball fights, snowmen building). The illustrations took my breath away. They are simple, always on a blue background. Whether the illustrations are white or black, they are simple in design yet striking on the page. It reminds me of pictures which are created on sheets of paper with two layers of colour. I can't quite remember the exact technique, but when one layer is etched away, it leaves the second colour as the picture. This method gains my appeal as much as highly colourful or detailed illustrations.

A great book for Winter, more so for those who live in snowy regions.

Liked this? Try When The World Is Ready For Bed by Gillian Shields

Ask Dr K Fisher about Planet Earth by Claire Llewellyn and Kate Sheppard


September 2009, Kingfisher
32 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Children's, non-fiction

Ease of reading: 5
Level of information: 5
Pencils: 5
Smiles: 3
Yunaleska's recommended rating:♥♥♥♥♥

The format where animals ask questions to Dr K fisher remains the same as previous books. Animals all over the globe put forward the questions foremost on their mind, usually related to themselves. I like how these questions then lead to a page or two about a wider subject, showing readers how topics are linked together.

The topics approached in this book are:

  • An aardvark wanting to dig through the earth - best he spare his hot paws from getting burnt and abort the expedition.
  • An emu investigating his family tree - ostriches, unless in zoos don't live on the same continent.
  • Continents and oceans explained - with easy to follow illustrations.
  • A snake who think he's imagining things - why is he feeling the earth move?
  • A chinchilla kept awake by an explosive firework party - think lots of lava...
  • The landscape of a mountain - goats might get cold feet if they venture near the top.
  • A salmon unsure of which direction to travel -there is only one way for him.
  • A river guide - what starts off small often ends up very large.
  • A puzzled mussel - the answer lies in the moon.
  • Guilt-ridden emperor penguin, looking for the good in the South Pole.
  • The lowdown on climates - do you know what a taiga is? (answer at the end of this review)
  • A cat afraid of the dark - I'm not kidding! Light is shed on the matter of how we get day and night.
  • A bald eagle wishes to be an astronaut - and why he can't be.
  • A glossary of terms used within the book.
I really like the background of photos, with animals drawn over the top. It provides an example of what the landscape is like, hopefully encouraging a love for the beautiful planet we live on. The concerned animals make learning facts fun: the readers are more likely to remember the information in this format than in a dull, words only, encylopedia. This is a good learning tool, both for the classroom and for self-study.

Taiga is a coniferous forest *-*

Liked this? Make sure you check out another book in the series: Ask Dr K Fisher about Animals also by Claire Llewellyn and Kate Sheppard.

Friday 16 October 2009

When the World is Ready for Bed by Gillian Shields


September 2009, Bloomsbury
32 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Children's

Clouds: 5
Pencils: 5
Smiles: 4
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Smile My initial reaction when I saw the cover - cute! Bunnies (rabbits, if we're using correct terms. I generally don't because this is a Yuna review!) are my favourite animal. Who can resist these three sweet young bunnies? The front cover, although hard back, is slightly padded, making it stand out from other hardback books. I like this strange padding. It creates fluffy feelings (sentimental, cute - that's my definition of fluffy) which increase as I open the book, see the cottage pencilled in the first pages, and a curled up animal on the page with the credits.

All that cuteness before the story begins. When the World Is Ready For Bed tells the story of what happens as daylight fades. Over pages using what looks like watercolour and ink (I'm no artist), we follow the family of bunnies through their night time routine, which mirrors that of ours. From the warm, steaming stew (which had me thinking 'mmm, dinner'), the children help tidy up the room which encourages those reading it to do the same. Then they talk about what they did during the day before bath time (the younger bunny doesn't look as if he/she is enjoying all those bubbles). Toys are found, a book is read. Prayers are last, then bend (after a shooting star sighting). The best pages for me were when the three bunnies are curled up on the bed, two snuggled down under the duvet and one top top, holding it's blanket.

The rhyming story will be memorable for both parents and children, and would make a great book to read before bed. It teaches the importance of routine, and is just sweet to look at.

Liked this? Try The Trouble with Dragons by Debi Gliogi

HIVE: Dreadnought by Mark Walden


September 2009, Bloomsbury
304 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Children's,

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

There are countless stories about schools which turn out heroes, but the HIVE series looks at the other end of the spectrum: villains. Students at H.I.V.E (Higher Institute of Villainous Education) are generally stuck on HIVE's island base. Some got off it in previous adventures, but generally they remain there. Apart from the students going on a training trip into the Arctic where not everyone makes it back.

Or at least that's where the students think they are heading. Along with their instructor, the mysterious Raven whose backstory in the first chapter has me eagerly waiting for the next book (and tracking down the previous ones), they get captured by one of the top villains. It wasn't a simple taking over their ship. The students weren't exactly on the ship - they were on a state of the art, never been put into practice Dreadnought. Which gets in the hands of the bad guys - well, in this case the man most wanted by heroes and villains alike. How do the students get out of the mess? How do they subdue a man who is situated on one of the most impenetrable vessels in the sky?

They use their super powers, I cheered as I learnt about these. There's Otto, with his ability to hack into any electronic system just by opening up to it with his mind. He's a bit worried about the voice he hears when he's inside the electrics. Laura is a natural hacker - no mind control involved other than her incredible knack for cracking codes. Shelby is an expert at lock picking, while Wing fights with muscle. Then there's the new student Lucy, whose power and mysterious past are only brought up when the stakes are at their highest. They aren't alone either: they have their teachers, back up (when they can trust it and when it can arrive in time), weapons - lots of things go boom in this book.

There's action in every single chapter of Dreadnought. I know I missed continuation of plots from previous stories, but I enjoyed watching the darker plots of the super villains unfold as the HIVE students tried to outdo them. Having both viewpoints in the story heightens the suspense, which had me groaning when I had to return to the real world. The students feel like my friends, I like the banter between them and find myself wishing to be a villain at HIVE.

There's nothing I would want to change in this book. All I ask is that Mark keeps writing more!

Mark Walden's website can be found here.

Liked this? Try Changeling by Steve Feasey

Thursday 15 October 2009

Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko


September 2009, Bloomsbury
288 pages, Paperback
Review Copy

Children's,

Cushions: 4
Paperclips: 0.5
Smiles: 3
Tissues: 4
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

I hold my hands up and say I know virtually nothing about Al Capone. Or that he was on Alcatraz. For 12 year old Moose (real name Matthew but few people call him that), living with convicts on the prison island is perfectly normal.

No need to hire expensive plumbers from off the island (which will cause security issues) with seven fingered convict called Seven Fingers on hand to deal with the dodgy plumbing. Who needs to do their own laundry when there are several men who will do it for free, saving both time and money? Moose has the pleasure of Al Capone being his personal laundry man. It is thanks to Al Capone (via a hidden note of 'Done') that Moose's sister Natalie is able to get into the school on the mainland.

Natalie suffers from autism. Gennifer mentions at the end of the story that the word autism wasn't around then, which is why it doesn't get used in the story. I thought this story would solely be humerous (I was smiling after the first sentence). But behind the surreal world of Moose's life is the touching story of how he and his family look after Natalie. Her character touched my heart. Her little habits didn't seem all that strange, Moose treats them as normal, which they are for her. In this world, I believe there is no such thing as normality. Other people on the island may see Natalie as a problem, but to her family she's wonderful. The moments when Moose reflects on life and enjoys seeing his family content pulled my heartstrings.

Moose is worried what he may have to do for Al Capone - why would a gangster help a 12 year old? (I believe the story of how Moose persuaded Al Capone to help his sister might be told in Al Capone Does My Shirts. I haven't read it - yet!) And worry he should: the inmates are not as content with life as they seem.

Unfortunately, the convicts know the residents' lives intimately, including Natalie's. It's this knowledge of her habits which aid them in smuggling items from the mainland to Alcatraz. It's up to Moose to get rid of the item, even when it reappears. I can honestly say I've never heard of a bar spreader being used in the way it is in the story. It is also down to Moose to please Piper, the warden's daughter, otherwise she'll continue to tell lies which puts his father's career on the line. I misjudged Piper: for all the luxury she has, I actually feel sorry for her. The one thing she needs, her father doesn't give her. Perhaps that's why she abuses her father's power.

If that wasn't bad enough, throughout the story Moose manages to fall out with his friends on the island (don't worry, there is a happy ending). And there's the life-threatening incident with a coin. This book isn't boring in the slightest.

Al Capone Shines My Shoes is a warm, heartfelt story with lots of humour amidst the serious events which unfold. Moose looks at the brighter side of life on Alcatraz, experience a childhood most will never have. All he wants is his sister to be happy, and to be free from Al Capone's debt. I liked the small notes at the back, explaining about Alcatraz and which parts of the story were fabricated.

Check out Gennifer Choldenko on her website.

Liked this? Try Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce

The Betrayal, by Mary Hooper


September 2009, Bloomsbury
288 pages, Paperback
Review copy
3rd book in a trilogy

Young Adult, Historical

Cushions: 2
Paperclips: 0.5
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥

I love historical fiction. I enjoy the lack of technology (only don't ever ask me to live that way), the costumes (if you ignore how uncomfortable the corsets could have been). I like learning about a snippet in time - just like other historicals The Betrayal is based on true events, with some creative licence involved. I urge everyone who is looking for historicals with less romance to read this book.

Diving into the trilogy at the concluding volume, although there were references to previous goings on, I wasn't bewildered by the events. It was easy to follow Lucy's journey as she serves in Dr Dee's house. Dr Dee is the magician for Queen Elizabeth the first, so Lucy's work is cut out for her as he moves back to London. She's the one who has to journey back with lost books, look after the children when the women paid to help out neglect them. She's enamoured with Tomas, the court jester, who also involved in the royal spy network.

The whole idea of Lucy being a spy for the queen were the primary reason why I requested this book for review. I was a little disappointed that although spying did happen, it didn't occur for quite a while in the book, and only near the end when the plot involving Mary Queen of Scots was at its peak was Lucy seriously endangered by being a spy. I guess I had expected a faster paced story. When the intrigue happened, it was with a twist I hadn't expected, and it did had me gripping the pages tightly, eager to read more. I'll happily re-read it, for the enjoyment of reading the earlier chapters with hindsight and because Lucy is a likeable character: she has her faults (jealousy) but she cares for others and is prepared to stand up to her employers for what she believes in.

I thoroughly enjoyed the humour in the book as Lucy, while still preparing the house in London for her master's arrival, gets to perform in a local play. Now, plays weren't for nice girls to attend, let alone play in. But, dressed up as a boy, she's chosen to play the female parts. She has a little bit of freedom to her life, and this brief acting career proves useful in keeping her safe when the palace guard believe she's a criminal, and for the orphan boy Sonny. It is also the setting for some encounters with Tomas, the court jester who holds her heart. Jealous of a new maid at court, Lucy spends much of the book unsure how Tomas feels about her, despite (in previous books) especially with a new girl on the scene who Tomas waits on most attentively.

Mary Hooper is added to my list of author's to watch, and her website is here.

Liked this? Try The Nostradamus Prophecy, by Theresa Breslin

Thirsty Thursday #6

The good news - I'm still wading through books! Yup, had a nice package from Random House last week.

I am reading and reviewing as much as I can to catch up from not being here much. I very nearly had to review a book without finishing it. I felt bad. I've struggled with this book from the very beginning. It's not that it's bad, but it wasn't holding my interest. I've given it another go, tried to read it, and succeeded. It will lose a heart because I've struggled (even 25 pages some days was an achievement) with it. However, it could be I just wasn't in the right frame of mind. Sometimes there is no point reading a certain genre, if you're in the mood for something else.

*pats pile of books* Lovely books. Keep them coming please!

Oh, I've just had a brainwave. Because I am still catching up with books from September (can't stop life curveballs happening, apologies), and there are only two weeks left in October, I will be skipping reviews of October books. It means that I can catch up, and get ready for November. Otherwise if I ask for October books I'll get behind in reviewing them, feel bad, and the cycle will continue. Don't panic, I'll still read books. I may even get through one or two on my personal book shelf. Not long until November! Yay! (I can go and plan which books I'll request then).

Tuesday 13 October 2009

Pongwiffy and the Pantomime by Kaye Umansky



September 2009, Bloomsbury
176 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Children's

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

My favourite witch with poor hygeine is back. Pongwiffy's coven funds are looking sorry for themselves. Somehow they end up agreeing to putting on a pantomime, and letting Pongwiffy create it!

I have to point out now, that although Pongwiffy has some input, it is her faithful familiar Hugo the hamster who is the true creative genius behind this. Only he can appease the desires of all the witches and put together a panto including, in the words of Pongwiffy

page 15: 'How do you come up with a storyline that has to include three princesses, an Egyptian dancing queen, a posh fairy, Lady Macbeth, a couple of lost babies, a rat exterminator, Dick Whittington, a fictional detective and a pantomime horse's bum?'

Creating the pantomime is only half the problem. Thankfully the venue isn't a problem. The costumes prove rather interesting to acquire. It would have gone smoothly if the delivery hadn't encountered the goblins, Ronald the wizard who was practicing an invisibility spell in secret and Pongwiffy who somehow ended up in the mayhem which follows.

The audience wasn't restricted to just witches (since they were putting on the play) - everyone, including skeletons and the wizards, much to poor Ronald's embarrassment got invited. They don't mind when the play doesn't go to plan, they take it all in good stride. Just like the actresses themselves.

This is the type of book to read if you need a laugh - I struggled to keep quiet while my family watched television as I read this installment in the Pongwiffy series.

Kaye Umansky's website is here.

Liked this? Have you tried Pongwiffy and the Holiday of Doom?

A Princess of Landover by Terry Brooks


September 2009, Orbit
336 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Lots of tension, humour, some tissues needed. 

Somehow I've got through life without reading Terry Brooks. After reading A Princess of Landover, I don't know how I bypassed this brilliant fantasy author.

Terry's story is filled with a balance of humour and suspense. Princess Mistaya gets kicked out of school on Earth, just because she conjured up an image of a fearsome dragon to scare a bully. Naturally the headmistress didn't see Mistaya's point of view, so Mistaya heads back to Landover. Her parents aren't exactly thrilled to have her back. They want her to do something with her life. Mistaya would happily return to the way things were before going to school, but that isn't to happen.

Mistaya turns down her father's concept of her heading to the royal library suffering from long term neglect. Why on earth would a princess want to go to a musty library? (Yes, I was having kittens at this point. Think of all those books!) Anyway, a few events happen, involving a moron (my words and opinion entirely) who wants to marry Mistaya. Mistaya believes there is one solution - running away.

Unfortunately her uncle refuses to let her hide out among his people. The world seems to be set against her plans, including the two G'home Gnomes Poggwyd and Shoopdiesel who won't leave her alone. but then a mysterious cat appears, willing to help her. Never trust a talking cat. They always have ulterior motives. It's an ulterior motive which lands Mistaya in deep trouble of the evil person variety.

The good news: she isn't alone. Befriending Thom, a boy there, gives her someone to talk to as she pretends to be Thom's sister and works at the library. The bad news: she really is on her own, her father can't go and bail her out.

I fully enjoyed the twists of the tale, and I enjoyed watching Mistaya grow up and lose some of her teenage angst. Sometimes you have to make mistakes to understand why family wants you to head in a certain direction. There are many paths to the same destination. The concepts that houses can be alive was a new one to me, and one I hope is explored in further books. There's definitely room for another installment in this series, if the last chapter is anything to go buy.

Terry Brooks has his own comprehensive website here.

Liked this? Try The Heart of Glass by Vivian French.