Saturday 31 July 2010

Winners of Ruth Newman's The Company of Shadows

It is past midnight. It might be daylight, but I've had a few shivers reading about your shadow experiences.

I can declare the three winners, who will receive a copy of the above book..

Congratulations go to...
jen7waters! 
whose shadow story is this: Well, I get scared with pretty much every shadow after seeing a scary movie...I remember that when I watched Dragonfly with Kevin Costner I got so scared with a scene where the lights go out and he goes around the house to fix it and there's a storm outside, so his house is filled with spooky shadows...I was holding my breath the entire time and my heart was beating like crazy, because my own house was under a crazy storm, and everywhere I looked the shadows just spooked the hell out of me, I don't think I moved from my sit until the movie was over *.*

dor! 
whose shadow story is this: I was by myself making coffee and saw a shadow come up to me...and my heart jumped and raced like crazy cause I knew I was alone........or was I.

sharli!
whose shadow story is this: When I was little I got really scared after watching a scary movie. When I went to bed there was this big shadow on my wall that really looked liked the creatures in the movie. I couldn't sleep for weeks until my mom finally figured out what was making the shadow. I can't remember what it was though :P

I'm sending your details onto the lovely people at Simon and Schuster today, so they'll be in contact with you to arrange shipment of the book.

For those who didn't win, I loved reading your shadow experiences. Make sure you check out the other competitions (see the side bar for details), for more opportunities to win books here on NRC.

Friday 30 July 2010

Cicada Summer by Kate Constable

1st July 2010, Allen & Unwin (imprint of Frances Lincoln)
192 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Children's, 7+

Clouds: 3
Cushions: 1
Smiles: 5
Tissues: 3
Nayuleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+

Summary from Frances Lincoln

Eloise has recently lost her mother, and her get-rich-quick dad has moved them to his home town to turn the derelict family mansion into a convention centre. Eloise has stopped speaking and is something of a lost soul, but she feels an immediate bond with the old house, and begins spending all her time there. When she meets a 'ghost girl' who may or may not be from the house's past, events take a strange - and ultimately dangerous - turn. Beautifully written, poignant and gripping at the same time, this is a charming and atmospheric story of personal growth, overcoming grief and the true nature of friendship and family.


When I first saw the book, I knew from the cover it would become one I'll always treasure. The black and white illustration of the two girls, with the dashes of colour from the flowers reflects the nature of the story itself. It is a story which I believe is timeless. No matter what age the reader lives/will live in, they will be captivated by the magic of Eloise's tale.

I grew attached to Eloise early on in the story. Losing a parent is said to be the toughest event a person can experience in life. It was tough enough that Eloise clammed and entered her own little world. She doesn't feel wanted. She doesn't know what to do with herself. She's dumped with a family member that she's rarely seen, which hardly draws her out of her shell. She retreats further in it, and avoids contact with her new neighbours. That's when she meets the 'ghost'.

She isn't chatty with the ghost at all. They play a bit, and slowly they form tenuous bonds of friendship. Eloise doesn't know who the girl is, but the world the girl lives in is very real. As real as the real world. Together, through art, the two girls bond. Not only that, the ghost girl gives Eloise confidence. Slowly she starts to take more of an interest in the world around her. This has effects on everyone she knows. There is a lot of inner and outer turmoil along the way, and because of the ghost girl an unpleasant event occurs.

Once the nicest elements of the story was the realism. The ending is positive, but it isn't a total happily ever after ending. Eloise's life is improved as she comes out of her shell, but I think she's still got a tough road ahead. One which she doesn't have to face completely alone though. I think anyone reading this book will be touched the emotional journey all the characters - not just Eloise - have to go through.

Cicada Summer has been selected for 2010 Prime Minister's Literary Awards! How exciting is that!

Kate has her own blog here.

If you liked this, try Amelia Dee and the Peacock Lamp by Odo Hirsch

Thursday 29 July 2010

Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey

July 2010, Bloomsbury
272 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Young Adult, Paranormal

Cushions: 4
Daggers: 4
Paperclips: 2
Smiles: 5
Tissues: 1
Nayuleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Summary from Bloomsbury


The second adventure in the Drake Chronicles

Teen vampire action and heart-pounding romance continue as the Drake family faces a new vampire with a 200-year-old grudge
It has been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix survived the French Revolution. Now she’s made her way back to the living and must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who turned her into a vampire and left her buried for two hundred years. That’s if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks . . .

There nearly wasn't a review for this book. I had somehow managed not to read any blurb or summary for it. I adored My Love Lies Bleeding, and I thought it would continue both Solange and Lucy's tale. I had re-read MLLB specifically so I as all ready for Blood Feud. When I received it, I was really happy. I set it aside, ready until I finished re-reading MLLB. When I picked it up and read the first page...then flicked through the book, I set it down. I hadn't realised the story would be centred on different characters! Not totally different - Logan is still family, but he isn't Lucy or Solange.

So, heart a little heavy with the disappoint, I gloomily (truly) thought I'd give it a go. And, um, wow! I was blown away the tale. By the second chapter I didn't care that it wasn't from the point of view from my favourite characters. There was so much depth behind Logan that I couldn't pick up from Lucy (who is obsessed with Nicholas) or Solange (who was royally annoyed with all of her overprotective vampires). He is stylish, and classy. His brothers tease him about this. But it is his personality which makes the chance of an alliance  with Isabeau.

Isabeau is a very different personality to Lucy and Solange. There's such passion behind her need to bring the one her turned her down. She's lead a life totally different to Logan. She keeps Logan from being killed, although he gets near it as he protects her. She has mystical skills, skills which I had no idea existed from MLLB. Not for vampires. But then Isabeau has been brought up a different type of vampire. The various talents she and the ones she lives with prove useful as Logan and his family join forces with Isabeau. It's an alliance that is precarious, but one which I look forward to watching how it develops over future stories.

Isabeau is strong headed, but unlike Lucy (who was strong headed with not so many skills) she sometimes applies intellect to situations. She begins to test her skills to the limit with Logan around. But there are some things which even a fearsome (and feared) vampire fear. More accurately a person, who has one too many friends with strange coloured skins.

The upside of the book is that Lucy and Solange do feature in it! The story may not be from their point of view, but they play important parts in it. And oh my, Solanage's mother rules! She's pretty incredible, with the way she fights, and the attitude she has with her current restraints.

As someone who really did not want to read the book (that mood was fleeting and was never going to last long), I'm very pleased that I'm as happy with Blood Feud, was I was with My Love Lies Bleeding. Alyxandra has created characters which are memorable and stand out from the crowd. I wouldn't want to mess with any of them!

Be sure to check out the trailer for Blood Feud.

More information can be found on Alyxandra's website.

Make sure you check out the first book, My Love Lies Bleeding.

Wednesday 28 July 2010

The Tomorrow Code by Brian Falkner

May 2010, Walker Books
432 pages, Paperback
Review Copy

Children's, sci-fi thriller

Cushions: 5
Daggers: 4
Smiles: 3
Tissues: 1
Nayuleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+

Summary from Walker Books


An apocalyptic sci-fi adventure with an ecological twist


Break the code – or tomorrow is history... Teenagers Tane and Rebecca are receiving messages from the future; messages that predict the end of the world. They have only days to decode them before the mysterious Chimera Project will wipe out the entire human race. Can they change the past and save the future?

If there is one book every person should read it is this one. All adults should read it. The thriller element made my stomach drop (yes, my stomach, as in I was so surprised/scared/unsure what would happen I held my breath as I turned the page). And as for the ecological part of it - wow. Talk about a good way to wipe out the human race.

Tane and Rebecca both have different skills. Individually there is no way they could have figured out what the code meant. Together they do break it. But breaking it is only half the battle. What the code says scared me. Especially when obstacles made it almost impossible for them to achieve their task.

I never thought Tane and Rebecca would go sneaking into secret facilities, get guns shoved in their faces, be threatened with death, buy a submarine (trust me, the whole story behind that is really clever and funny). And that's not all the book! That doesn't include the tension when each have to deal with their families who, like every other person on the planet, will be affected by the disaster. Or how frustrating it is when people in power don't listen to them just because they aren't adults.

This book is just so good! It's one I would insist is read in schools everywhere. It will appeal to all ages, and all readers. Definitely one for those liking action and suspense.

Brain Falkner and his books can be found on his website here

If you like fast-paced, apocalyptic books check out Meteorite Strike by A G Taylor

Tuesday 27 July 2010

Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

March 2009, Puffin
352 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Children's, fantasy

Cushions: 4
Daggers: 3
Smiles: 5
Tissues: 1
Nayuleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Summary from Puffin 


Honestly, blowing up another school was the last thing I wanted to do. As the son of a Greek god, I've had my share of near-death disaster. This summer, I didn't choose to battle the cheerleading squad, but when two hissing she-devils with fangs are heading straight for you, what's a half-blood meant to do?

That was just the beginning. This is the one where my arch-enemy, Luke, is looking for a way to invade our camp via an ancient labyrinth. If he succeeds, thousands of bloodthirsty monsters will attack. So it's goodbye sunshine, hello darkness as four of us descend into the terrifying underground and beyond . . .


Book 4 in the engagingly funny series is just as good as the others (links to previous books at the end of the review). Once again, Percy tries to have a normal life at school. And equally once again, it isn't his fault that those at the school are after him. Blame his genetics. Although, those genetics also help keep him alive.

I have recently finished the fifth book (to be reviewed shortly), and I actually found book four to be an awful lot darker. I'm not saying the stakes aren't high in book 5, and I was anxious about things, but I was more on the edge of my seat throughout this instalment. This is the book where characters have to make hard choices. What happens here affect where they are in the world, and how far they are from Percy in the final book. Everything has an impact.

Percy is growing as a teenager - he has the odd sulk (normal), he is becoming quite adept at wielding his weapon (not normal, but very handy with all the monsters he has to counter). As ever, he makes new enemies (not a new thing) new friends who have the potential to help him a lot on his adventure. I enjoyed meeting more of the gods - all of them have a big influence on whether Percy will win the task or not. Help came from a most expected quarter while Percy was in the labyrinth. It was a great take on a myth which I had to translate while studying ancient Greek (part of the reason I like Percy so much is my love of all things regarding ancient history - apart from skulls. They freak me out).

Percy and the Labyrinth is really setting the stage for the last book. It isn't just about Percy - everyone at camp has to participate in the battles now. It's either fight or die. That's not to say that everyone wants to help. They don't necessarily like hearing about what's happening in the world outside. There are bigger, darker threats than a few monsters who are after their half-blood selves. Threats which could affect the human world.

This book had me going 'oh on' an awful lot. All the characters get put through harsh trials, trials which they don't get through unscathed. Fluffy bunnies aren't in this book, but it makes a nail-biting read. Please don't think if you haven't read the other books you can't read this one. You can. Percy brings the reader up to speed about what's gone in previous books in a succinct, witty fashion. If you start with this book, you'll be scrambling around to get hold of the others.

Make sure you're up to date on Percy's adventure by checking out the website.

Also check out the books:

#1 Percy and the Lightning Thief 
#2 Percy and the Sea of Monsters
#3 Percy and the Titan's Curse

Monday 26 July 2010

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

5th July 2010, Egmont
384 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Cushions: 3
Daggers: 1
Paperclips: 3 (teen romance)
Smiles: 4
Tissues: 2
Nayuleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥

Summary from Egmont 


A prodigal son. A dangerous love. Haunted yearning . . .

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared and her brother Jude came home covered in his own blood.

Now that Daniel’s returned, Grace must choose between her growing attraction to him and her loyalty to her brother.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, she learns the truth about that mysterious night and how to save the ones she loves, but it might cost her the one thing she cherishes most: her soul.


Simple covers work wonders. It's simple yet effective. I like the added touch of Bree's name being written in purple.

Grace's life in the story is far from simple. Her brother is hiding a lot of secrets, but he isn't the only one. Because Grace doesn't want Jude finding out how much she see's Daniel, she's also keeping secrets. They aren't as horrifying as the secrets she discovers about Daniel. Curiosity draws Grace into both areas of town her parents would not approve of her visiting, and into realms of society which will impact her life forever. She's not one to stay on the sidelines and wait for other people to help her.

I think I'm a character driven reader. If I don't like the characters, I don't enjoy the book. I loved Grace's character. I may not have personally made all the choices she did, but I hung on to every page as she sought to help her family. For when her younger brother goes missing, it is Grace who goes after him. Only it wasn't a random kidnapping. No, there was a darker purpose, which involves Daniel, and to some extent Jude.

Although I was able to guess one or two of the plots in the story, it was still fun reading it and watching Grace's reactions. Her voice is strong and often funny. I got chills up my arms at the scarier moments. I liked how her family was involved quite a bit (instead of being an orphan or on holiday/some other absence). That appeals to me a lot, having something different to make a book stand out from the others that I read. Grace might go off on her own, but she always goes home. It is her family who look after her, who protect her. As well as the mysterious Daniel, who has lots of rumours going around about him, and who alternates between being favoured by Grace, and being hated by her.

The story does centre around Grace and Daniel's growing relationship, but it isn't solely about them. It is about the impact on the community they live in. It's the larger impact on Grace's family (which is a huge one once all the secrets are out). I liked seeing how all the different people (including the sheriff) react as events unwind. If enough people think something, others act like it is true, even if it isn't. Life will never be normal for Grace again. But it's a life she's happy to lead.

You can find Bree Despain over at her website.

Similar reads to look forward to: Low Read Moon by Ivy Devlin (not out now) or Fallen by Lauren Kate (with another Daniel as a main character).

What are you reading? #28

What are you reading on Monday? is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at Home Girl's Book Blog where you post books completed last week and plans for upcoming books. Jump over to her blog and see who else is participating.

I have a confession to make. These memes come out on a Monday, but I give the info to my Meme Controller on the Friday. This means I have to guess in advance what I'll get to read. Life has been life this week, and I haven't read all I'd planned to read. I haven't even caught up and finished the books that were listed under the 'books I have finished' list of last week. So, this week's meme's might look like a repetition of last week, for which I am sorry.
Books I've (actually) read this week:


Children's Fiction
Children's Fiction
(I prefer this a little to his "Keys to the Kingdom series...)
 
 
Children's Fiction
(Check out the competition to win a copy of 'The Children of the Lost'!)
 
 
 
Crime/Thriller
(Check out the competition to win a copy of this!)
 
 
 
 
 
Books I hope to read:
 
 
YA/Thriller
YA/Thriller
(My review.  This is a reread in preparation for... The Dark Goddess By Sarwat Chadda)
 

 
 
Young Adult
(Sequel to Devil's Kiss...really looking forward to reading it!)
 
 
 


Sunday 25 July 2010

Got Books? Event WINNER

http://gotbooksevent.blogspot.com

In the Got Books? Event I offered up 7 books for one lucky winner. The reason behind choosing seven - none really. I'm fortunate to get a lot of books for review purposes. There isn't much that can beat coming home from work and discovering a box crammed full of books waiting for me. I wanted to pass that joy on to someone else. 

I would like to say a huge thank you for everyone who entered - all 192 of you! I read every comment that you left. 

Subscription by email is currently being sorted out. It'll take a few days while my tech friend sorts it out, so please bear with me for a little while longer. 

I've gained 51 new followers to the blog! At this rate I'll soon be holding a 200 follower contest. Welcome to everyone who is new, and hopefully you'll enjoy the reviews that are put up here. 

Now, here's a reminder of the prize: 



                                                      (small possibility the cover is different)


                                                       (Note: Cathy's Ring might be different cover)








Using a random generator site, I can say that the winner is number 37 on my spreadsheet. 

*rushes across cyberspace to spreadsheet*

Number 37 is.....

Shishito !

Many congratulations Shishito! I'm just sending you an email to sort out posting details. You're the winner of the first Got Books? Event competition held on Nayu's Reading Corner! 

For everyone else, please be sure to check out my current competitions, there may be a book you like. 

Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper

June 2010, Bloomsbury
320 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Young Adult, Historical

Cushions: 4
Daggers: 1
Paperclips: 1-2 (infrequent)
Smiles: 5
Tissues: 5
Nayuleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Summary from Bloomsbury


Grace Parkes has just had to do a terrible thing. Having given birth to an illegitimate child, she has travelled to the famed Brookwood Cemetery to place her small infant’s body in a rich lady’s coffin. Following the advice of a kindly midwife, this is the only way that Grace can think of to give something at least to the little baby who died at birth, and to avoid the ignominy of a pauper’s grave.

Distraught and weeping, Grace meets two people at the cemetery: Mrs Emmeline Unwin and Mr James Solent. These two characters will have a profound affect upon Grace’s life. But Grace doesn’t know that yet. For now, she has to suppress her grief and get on with the business of living: scraping together enough pennies selling watercress for rent and food; looking after her older sister, who is incapable of caring for herself; thwarting the manipulative and conscience-free Unwin family, who are as capable of running a lucrative funeral business as they are of defrauding a young woman of her fortune.

A stunning evocation of life in Victorian London, with vivid and accurate depictions, ranging from the deprivation that the truly poor suffered to the unthinking luxuries enjoyed by the rich: all bound up with a pacy and thrilling plot, as Grace races to unravel the fraud about to be perpetrated against her and her sister.

Watch the trailer here.

For those like me who cry over a book, you'll need a tissue. And lots of chocolate. I think the cover depicts what the novel is about. Grace is ashamed of what happened, even though it wasn't her fault.  What Grace has to do isn't fair. No mother should have to sneak their child into a grave. Equally Grace should never have had to get pregnant in the first place, but life for girls like Grace back in Victorian England wasn't kind. People didn't listen to girls who sold cress to make ends meet. They didn't like to look at her sister,Lily.

The story follows Grace and Lily as their lives go downhill, they fall into ruin then get 'saved' and enjoy the life of a rich person. Although that life is heavily tainted by deceit and lies. The sisters are incredibly close. Grace has a huge responsibility in looking after herself and Lily, because Lily isn't like other people. Lily always tries to do the right thing, and Grace finds it a bit difficult not to get mad when Lily's actions bring about small disasters. Grace takes up every chance that life gives her, in an attempt to keep them both alive, and in a life that is worth living.

I was gripped by Grace and Lily's journey. It was both horrifying and interesting to watch as other people - criminals - took advantage of the pair of them. Grace was never broken. I think that without Lily, Grace might have stumbled and not bothered to get up again. She's highly intelligent, and thinks options through before opting for one of them.

The people who scheme against Grace and Lily are truly evil. Not only are they evil, they are selfish, arrogant, money orientated and without a kind bone in their body. Those they work with have varying degrees of criminality, which actually helps Grace and Lily at the end. So when things look bleak for them, don't despair, all gets set right in the end.

The story twists for Grace and Lily were a delight to read - and also horrible because even when certain truths were revealed, I had to wait right until the end of the book for Grace and Lily to know the truth. I teared up a lot while reading this, and needed a fair few tissues. There is some humour throughout the book - especially in the last chapter when I was laughing away at one plot twist. I wanted to re-read the book straight away just so I could think about Grace knowing that plot thread.

I think in historical novels it is a good sign when I can almost feel every breath the characters take. Visualisation, describing the world and people around them is very important. Mary Hooper carries this off well - it shows just how thoroughly she has conducted her research. I like the chapter at the end which provides historical facts about the book.

You can read the first chapter of Fallen Grace here.

Check out Mary Hooper's site.

Make sure you try another of Mary Hooper's books, The Betrayal 

EVENT CLOSED Win Hunger Games badges and a t-shirt! INTERNATIONAL, ends 12pm 16th August


With only a week and a bit (I think) until the 3rd in the thrilling series of Hunger Games is out, it's time for a competition!

I have one t-shirt up for grabs, and 16 badges. I couldn't find a picture online. I'm not sure that my camera has batteries. But I managed to discover the camera on my laptop! Hopefully the pictures are okay

(This is the back of the t-shirt) 


(This is the front of the t-shirt)



The prize: One person will win a black, size medium t-shirt (as displayed above) plus a badge. 15 other people will win a badge (I didn't take a picture of them, sorry).

To enter: fill in the form here.

The rules:  If you are under 18 years of age, you may enter if you get a parent or guardian's permission to enter. This helps keep everyone safe. Wherever you are in the world (apart from space) you can enter! This is an international competition. 


The deadline: 12pm GMT 10th August. I will notify the winners by email (they will be chosen by a random number generator). 

Friday 23 July 2010

EVENT CLOSED Got Books? Event 12am July 23rd to 12pm July 24th

http://gotbooksevent.blogspot.com


Welcome to the Got Books? Event! Over the next twenty four hours you will have the opportunity to win a box (literally) of books here on Nayu's Reading Corner!

Feast your eyes on the delights below.The winner gets all the books. All 7 books  So even if there's a book you don't fancy, I'm sure there's someone you know who might.



                                                      (small possibility the cover is different)


                                                       (Note: Cathy's Ring might be different cover)









All of these books will go to the winner, chosen by random number generator.

To enter, simply fill in this form here (no, I didn't create it - I had help! I still can't create one on my own).

You do not have to be a follower to enter. Just fill in all the boxes on the form and you will have entered!

This is an INTERNATIONAL competition. Whether you are here in the sometimes sunny UK, way up in the Arctic/Antarctic, down under in Australia, across the pond in America or somewhere else you can enter! The only place I won't take entries from is outers space. Getting post on space rockets is a little tricky.

So let's get celebrating books and entering this competition!

Thursday 22 July 2010

Guest Blog Post: Rowena Cory Daniels + book giveaway (COMPETITION CLOSED)


Today I'd like to present Rowena Cory Daniels as the guest blogger.



Rowena has written a brilliant (well, the first book is brilliant. I'm presuming the rest will be as good as the first one) fantasy trilogy with over four engaging main characters who all have my interest. She kindly prepared a blog post for me....and is holding a giveaway of The King's Bastard! 

For the chance to win a copy, please answer Rowena's question! (I posted this a bit late in the day...and um yes forgot about the question!) Those who answered my question will also be put in the draw.

Please leave your answer in a comment to this post (I haven't sussed out google doc form yet. I'm working on it). 

You don't need to follow to enter. Please also leave your email. If you are under 18, please get the permission of a parent or guardian. 

The winner will be selected by a random number generator, and will receive a copy of The King's Bastard

Deadline is midnight GMT Thursday 5th August. 

On with the blog post! (the rest of this post is written by Rowena) 

Writers are born, not made.

Okay I admit there are writing craft aspects to learn, and I think everyone is born with an innate sense of story. As children we all crave stories. Many stories for children are cautionary - they contain a message about how the world works and what to watch out for. Don’t follow fairy lights into the forest. On a more serious note, they help us make sense of the world.

As we get older a lot of people put the wonder and magic of discovery aside and restrict their world to the every day. People with a certain type of mind keep looking. Creative people are always seeking stimulation and challenging themselves. There’s a difference between intelligence and creativity. Creativity is much harder to measure. Catherine Ahearn says:

 ‘To be intelligent one has or shows understanding, is
clever and quick of mind, whereas to be creative is to bring
something into existence, to give rise to something or to
originate.’ See her full article on Intelligence Vs Creativity.

Writers, painters, musicians … all creative people bring something into existence that wasn’t there before. Where does it come from?

I think it comes from the kind of mind that is able to cross-link information and make intuitive leaps. Even as children, writers are always looking at the world, observing people, trying to make sense of it. A lot of my writing friends were outsiders as children, looking on. As children they loved books and reading. (Still do).

I used to have a second-hand bookshop in my early twenties. I’d read a book before lunch, a book after lunch and a book after dinner. If I loved a book I’d read it once to enjoy it, the second time I’d read it to find out what worked and the third time to see what didn’t work, to find out where the pacing flagged. At this rate, even with new stock coming in, I soon ran out of books to read. (After all Georgette Heyer and Fritz Leiber only wrote a finite number of books. Sad, but true).

Once I’d read everything in the shop that interested me, I began to write. It was a natural extension of reading. I couldn’t find the books I wanted to read, so I wrote them.

King Rolen’s Kin arose from the same kind of feeling. This is the book that I’d want to read if I’d had a tough week at work and then on Saturday morning I’d done all the cooking and cleaning and washing. Come Saturday afternoon I’d be ready to reward myself. King Rolen’s Kin is that kind of book - it’s a grand rollicking read, designed to sweep you away to another world, rich in adventure and intrigue.

So … open the book, sit back and enjoy the ride!

The give-away question is – Can you name one of Rowena’s favourite authors?

(Rowena lives in sunny Queensland, Australia with her husband and varying combinations of her 6 children. The older ones keep leaving home and coming back).

The King's Bastard by Rowena Cory Daniels

15th July 2010 Solaris
416 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Fantasy

Cushions: 5
Daggers: 4
Paperclips: 2
Smiles: 5
Tissues: 2
Nayuleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Summary from Solaris


Cloaked in silent winter snow the Kingdom of Rolencia sleeps as rumours spread of new Affinity Seeps, places where untamed power wells up. Meanwhile, King Rolen plans his jubilee unaware of the growing threat to those he loves.

By royal decree, all those afflicted with Affinity must serve the Abbey or face death. Sent to the Abbey because of his innate Affinity, the King’s youngest son, Fyn, trains to become a warrior monk. Unfortunately, he’s a gentle dreamer and the other acolytes bully him. The only way he can escape them is to serve the Abbey Mystic, but his Affinity is weak.

Fiercely loyal, thirteen year-old Piro is horrified to discover she is also cursed with unwanted Affinity. It broke their mother’s heart to send Fyn away, so she hides her affliction. But, when Fyn confesses his troubles, Piro risks exposure to help him.

Even though Byren Kingson is only seven minutes younger than his twin, Lence, who is the king's heir, Byren has never hungered for the Rolencian throne. When a Seer predicts that he will kill Lence, he laughs. But Lence Kingsheir sees Byren’s growing popularity and resents it. Enduring loyalty could be Byren’s greatest failing.


There are a few things I'd like to talk about before I get to the main review. Firstly, take a look at the cover. Mostly I pick out a book on the blurb alone. The cover does influence me a little. I admit, I might not pick up this cover because it has me thinking 'male hero, no females, an ok book but not top of my list'. Please don't make that mistake (you'll see why shortly). I would have picked it up because there is a quote from Gail Z Martin on the front (I love her books). It goes to show if the reader knows the author quoted on the front, they may take notice of the book. I was actually more swayed by the wonderful trailer.I love the anime style of it. And I loved the cover for book two :)

On to the book! The book blurb has no mention of Piro. Which is a real pity. Don't get me wrong. Byren is a fully engaging character. He's funny, he has a lot of problems which he deals with as well as he can. He sticks up for his friend, but this is at great cost to himself, and has a lot of implications for his future. He cares a lot about his family, and doing the right thing. I cared about him early on. I was in awe of his fighting skills, and also the level of responsibility he has. He always looks out for others, putting their needs first even if they relationship with him is questionable. (People may seem friendly, but they aren't always). It's not easy working alongside his brother when their relationship is cracking up.

His younger brother Fyn is equally engaging. He's a sweet boy, caring like his brother, more so because he doesn't like killing things. He is forced into a position he doesn't really want, and bears up under the pressure as well as he can. However, not all monks are peaceful. There are a lot of internal politics within the monastery, which directly affect Fyn because of his status. I really enjoyed all the intrigue here (and in other parts of the book, but mostly here). It isn't pleasant, and there were a lot of cushion moments. However, events here are more than just superficial rivalry between the master monks. No, there is much more at stake, which is hinted at a little throughout the book, culminating in lots of drama near the end. Fyn is the younger/older brother I would have loved to have.

The star of the show has to be Piro. The blurb on the back of the back shamefully doesn't mention her. I find her hilarious. She tries so hard to do things right, but really doesn't like the position in life that her status dictates she should have. She also has a secret, a secret she hides from everyone. Sadly secrets can't be hidden forever, and when it comes out she learns that other people have their secrets too. As is often the case (but this is a theme I don't mind in books) Piro has the odd undesirable suitor. How she reacts is really funny (although quite dangerous too). However, she has a very large role to play. She takes risks that are as great as her brothers' risks in battle. She has spirit, and is able to help both her brothers with their problems. I'm so proud of Piro. I was almost cheering with how much guts she has (there is literal guts in the book, but this is the metaphorical kind). She is by far my favourite character, and I'm eyeing up the postbox for the next book.

I think we are fortunate that this trilogy is being released over a couple of months - I would have hated to wait a year or more for the next instalment. I have a theory about one plot thread, and I'm waiting to see if I'm right about it :)

You can enter a competition to win a copy right here!

Make sure you check out book two, coming out in August, The Uncrowned King (I love this cover!)

More news on the trilogy, and Rowena, can be found on her website.

And check out her guest blog in the next post!

If you want something to sink your teeth into before then, check out The Deeds of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon

Wednesday 21 July 2010

Got Books Event 12am (GMT) 23rd July to 12pm 24th July

A brand new book event, organised by my Meme Controller GMR and the1stdaughter, kicks off this weekend. The girls explain it better than I do here, but it will a 48 hour, international entrants welcome competition right here on NRC. 

So tune back in on Friday to see what you can win! 





http://gotbooksevent.blogspot.com

One of those days.

Reviews will be back on track tomorrow. I've had a netless day (was away from home), then this afternoon had a few little hiccups with technology.

This is partially why even if/when e-readers become the norm, I will always need books made from paper. It's harder to lose them. There is no software in them that can go wrong, or play up. They won't refuse to load. They are there. All I have to do is open the pages.

Monday 19 July 2010

What are you reading? #27

What are you reading on Monday? is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at Home Girl's Book Blog where you post books completed last week and plans for upcoming books. Jump over to her blog and see who else is participating.



Books I've finished:
Children's Fiction


YA/Thriller
(My review.  This is a reread in preparation for... The Dark Goddess By Sarwat Chadda)

 
YA
(My copy arrived too late for the blog tour, but I can read it now!)
 

 
Children's Fiction
(Wow, last Percy book! He's changed so much over the series...)



Children's Fiction
(Plot is a bit slow in places, but it was good right near the end.)


Manga
(I read the Japanese version and have watched the anime too!)


Fantasy
(Re-read of a brilliant series, involves lots of magic (duh) and a family reunion which isn't all that happy...)






Books I hope to read



Children's Fiction
(Looks full of action!)



Young Adult
(Sequel to Devil's Kiss...really looking forward to reading it!)



Young Adult
(Nicholas Flamel - I'm eager to learn more!)