Thursday 30 September 2010

Matched by Ally Condie


2nd December 2010, Razorbill
384 pages, Paperback
Received as part of UK Book Tours blog tour (I sent this to another person, sadly didn't get to keep it!) 

Young Adult (Dystopian) 

Intrigue, mystery, secrets (both revealed and hidden), tissues needed, suspense, fear of those in charge, fear of getting caught.

Summary from Penguin 


On her seventeenth birthday, Cassia meets her Match. Society dictates he is her perfect partner for life.
Except he's not.
In Cassia's society, Officials decide who people love.
How many children they have.
Where they work.
When they die.
But, as Cassia finds herself falling in love with another boy, she is determined to make some choices of her own.
And that's when her whole world begins to unravel . . .


Nayuleska's Thoughts
You can find me somewhere between the ceiling and the room. I love this book so much! I know I say it a lot, but it's true. The world Cassia lives in feels perfect. Everyone has their own place. Even the ones they'll marry are decided for them. But, as with every perfect seeming world, not everyone is happy. Cassia's family aren't as law-abiding as they seem (neither are they murderers so don't get too carried away in pondering what they do!) Okay, it might be nice to know you have a job which suits you, but wouldn't you like the freedom to make mistakes and occasionally pick a lousy job? To not know when you're going to die? Sure uncertainty isn't nice, but that's also the fun in life - never know what's going to happen.

It's not only the world that I love (with the definitely creepy Officials), but the characters too. Cassia's voice is filled with humour, and also a maturity. She doesn't just think 'oh well' when things happen. She questions the odd occurrences. She thinks about why her family say and do certain things. These are questions the Officials would not like her to contemplate. She not only thinks outside the box, but she acts outside the box too. She can't do too much otherwise her family will get punished in a way that will affect her and her brother, and possibly their children (if they are allowed to have any). I love the way Cassia tries to keep her brother safe. I love the way she is a normal teen and gets jealous when other people pay attention to her friends. I don't love the way I'll be waiting a few months before reading book 2!  

The cover caught my eye first. I'd love a dress like Cassia's! The story is as good as the cover :) 

Final conclusion: 
This is one supremely awesome series. I could read it over, and over and over! You never know when the Officials are watching you!  

If you like this, I definitely recommend Scott Westerfeld's Uglies series. And Leviathan. I haven't read any more of his work yet.

Wednesday 29 September 2010

Cinders by Michelle Davidson Argyle


July 2010
180 pages, Paperback
Review copy 

Fantasy, 

Infrequent moderate violence, mild to moderate romance throughout the novel, magic, magical beings, heartache, lots of tissues needed

Summary from Michelle's website
Cinderella's happily-ever-after isn't turning out the way she expected. With her fairy godmother imprisoned in the castle and a mysterious stranger haunting her dreams, Cinderella is on her own to discover true love untainted by magic.

Nayuleska's Thoughts
I love fairy tales. (I love the beautiful cover, the photo is taken by Michelle!) I didn't imagine that Cinderella would feel so lonely in the castle. Remember how in the original tale she got told what to do by her wicked stepmother and stepsisters? Well...in a way that happens in a castle. Some of the orders are implied, rather than stated out loud. But that scenario exists for Cinderella after her marriage. 

I liked the fact she has a name in the novel - not just Cinderella. She isn't that serving girl any more. Neither is she the amazing princess that I've believed in during my childhood. I thought she was an idiot. She has her prince charming...so why on earth is she trying to learn more about the man in her dreams? She should move on! She has a husband - a husband who is good to her. Although I'm not quite sure why he has a bedroom he shares with her, and one he has for himself. He doesn't need his own room! I don't care if the architecture and culture of the castle dictates that he needs a room because he is the prince - he should be with Cinderella! Yes, Cinderella does (sometimes) use her intelligence, so she isn't a complete airhead. But I feel she is a little bit of one. 

If she had done what I think is the best plan of action, the story wouldn't have happened. I guess Cinderella had to make her own mistakes. Her curiosity negatively affects the lives of those around her. I think that's what I also like about Cinders, the fact that bad things happen because of Cinderella's curiosity and not fully understanding the consequences of her actions. The story gets pretty dark - I shocked at how badly life went for Cinderella. I liked it though, and will definitely re-read it. I wish it was loner! The ending is sort of happily ever after, in a realistic way, rather than a flowery, fluffy bunny way. 

Final Conclusion 
Be very careful what you want when dealing with magic - it can go horribly wrong! 

Check out Michelle on her website here

If you like the sound of Cinders, you might like Talon by Janet Lee Carey

Tuesday 28 September 2010

The Road to Bedlam (Book 2 of the Courts of the Feyre) by Mike Shevdon



2nd September 2010, Angry Robot 

464 pages, Paperback 
Review copy 

Fantasy (urban) 

Lots of tension, heartbreak, separation from loved ones, a little humour, some violence. 

Summary from Angry Robot 

There’s been an accident. It’s your daughter. These are the words no parent ever wants to hear.

Learning to cope with the loss of a child is only the beginning of the new challenges facing Niall Petersen. An old enemy has returned and Niall already knows it’s not a social call. As the new Warder of the Seven Courts he will be forced to choose between love and honour, duty and responsibility. Those choices will lead him to discover dark secrets at the core of the realm, where the people in power have their own designs.


Nayuleska's Thoughts

All I can say is yay! Well, I will say more than that. But oh you have to read this! I thought Sixty-One Nails was good. This is ten times better. I think I like Niall more in here. The emotions he goes through are very real to me - he is definitely one caring parent. He has a duty to the Courts - he is one of them now, but he hasn't left everyone behind from his old life. He can't. He never gives up on people. His determination carries him through the tough times. The tough times feel as though there is no way out, especially when his enemies cross the line between work and home. To them there is no line. Occasionally an enemy offers what seems like a get out of jail free card when times are bleak.  

The two characters I like the best are Blackbird and Alex. Alex knows when to make a fuss, and has some brilliant lines. I can't spoil the story, but the times she does feature prove that she has inherited some of Niall's character traits.  Blackbird steals the show for me, with her love for Niall, her own funny lines, and just for trying not to hurt people when the enemy is after her. I think she and Niall are similar in a lot of ways, which is probably why they are together. 

There's plenty of action and magic in the book - in some ways the balance is better here than in Sixty-One Nails. I would say that Mike's talent has grown a lot in this book. There are several character arcs throughout the novel, which culminate to an incredible ending. This is normal in books, but in the Road to Bedlam, the minor revelations throughout the book feel as great as the ending.  The way the book ends, I'm frantically looking at the blank pages at the end, hoping that book 3 will squeeze itself in there. 

The only thing I didn't like was the front cover - I don't like snakes! 

Final Conclusion: 
Characters with attitude, magic (or lack of), and people to care for will never stop fighting, even when death stares them in the face. And the ending rocks!!! 

Be sure to check out book 1, Sixty-One Nails, while I keep an eye out for book 3! 

You can catch up with what Mike is up to on his website.

Monday 27 September 2010

Restoring Harmony by Joelle Anthony


May 2010, Putnam Publishing Group 
Paperback 
Review copy courtesy of UK Book Tours

Young Adult (Dystopian)  

Violence: occasionally moderate, threat of violence/harm often present, family values, helping others, making decisions



The year is 2041, and for sixteen year old Molly McClure, her life now is pretty much the same as it’s always been. She was only six when The Collapse of ’31 happened, ending life as the world’s population had known it. For grown-ups everywhere, the changes in their daily routines since The Collapse are a constant source of anxiety and worry. Not to mention bitterness at what they feel they’ve been cheated out of; abundant food and goods, ease of travel and communication, and financial security.
In Molly’s opinion, adults spend way too much time talking about the good old days. Sporadic electricity, bicycles, horses, solar powered tractors, sewing, cooking and farm work are all Molly’s ever really known, so she doesn’t waste a lot of energy worrying about what things used to be like. Life after The Collapse is just normal for her. At least until she finds herself forced to leave the comfort of her home and small island in British Columbia to travel down to Oregon.
What starts out as a quick trip to the United States to convince her grandfather to come back to Canada and be the island’s doctor, turns into a rescue mission, a test of Molly’s strengths, ingenuity, and sheer determination. She faces an unknown world where people are hungry, desperate, and sometimes even ruthless. But she also meets many helpful people, makes new friends, and is tested in ways she couldn’t have imagined.
Will a farm girl like Molly survive in this upturned world? Will she be able to return with her grandpa in time for him to help her ailing mother? And just how much will she have to compromise to succeed in getting back to British Columbia with her grandparents?

Nayuleska's Thoughts

What struck me most about Raising Harmony were the issues that are examined. Family is the key to the book. Molly leaves the world she knows, to venture into an unknown and dangerous one to help her mother. She doesn't give a thought for her safety. Well, perhaps one or two, but I was extremely worried about her on her journey. Little was I to know that the journey to her grandparents was the safest part of the book. 

The reception she receives at her grandparents wasn't a total shock (I didn't expect them to welcome her with open arms and tray loads of cookies). What happened next was a big surprise to me as a reader. It drummed home to me what happens when the availability of food, electricity and other other goods becomes scarce. People aren't just hungry and scared. People get resourceful. Well, Molly gets resourceful. Other people take things to an altogether unpleasant level of life. 

All the characters within this book (well, most of them) improve in one way or another, all thanks to Molly. Molly helps teach cooperation, drives away sorrow for a short time, and she also loses a lot too. Her mistakes could be fatal to those around her. She sacrifices everything to keep her family - and others - safe. I'd like to have Molly by my side in a crisis. As with many books, I cried and smiled at the end. 

Final Conclusion: 
There is little room for error in a dystopian world. But a lot of room for love and compassion. 

Make sure you head over to Joelle Anthony's website.

If you liked the sound of Restoring Harmony, try Pastworld by Ian Beck

What are you reading? #37

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 read this week:



Children's Fiction
(This was a reread in prepartion for City of Thieves...)



Young Adult



Young Adult
(As part of an international book tour...)


  
Fiction



Books I will read this week


Children's Fiction



Children's Fiction
(A person leading two lives...)



YA
(Vampires!)



Fantasy
(Third and final book - what will happen to Piro??  I care about the other characters...sort of...)
 
 
 
Children's Fiction










Sunday 26 September 2010

Candor by Pam Bachorz


Aug 2010 (paperback release), Egmont
287, paperback
Review copy

YA - psychological thriller/dystopian
Sexual references, lots of kissing, disturbing mind-altering content ;)


Summary from Egmont:
In the model community of Candor, Florida, every teen wants to be like Oscar Banks. The son of the town's founder, Oscar earns straight As, is student-body president, and is in demand for every club and cause.

But Oscar has a secret. He knows that parents bring their teens to Candor to make them respectful, compliant–perfect–through subliminal Messages that carefully correct and control their behavior. And Oscar' s built a business sabotaging his father's scheme with Messages of his own, getting his clients out before they're turned. After all, who would ever suspect the perfect Oscar Banks?

Then he meets Nia, the girl he can't stand to see changed. Saving Nia means losing her forever. Keeping her in Candor, Oscar risks exposure . . . and more.

Amy's thoughts:
Pam Bachorz's impressive debut is a nail-biting ride from start to finish. Plot twists keep you guessing, and the ending leaves you mourning and rejoicing at the same time. This story has a truly bittersweet conclusion.

Oscar lives in a world ruled by his father - and the Messages. But that's not a problem; he has a perfect reputation and no one in the world would suspect him of doing what he does: freeing teens from the magic utopia of Candor, a utopia magical enough to erase even the hardest teen's personality, and mould them into a perfect A+ model of decorum. All is well until Nia appears - and she's unlike any other girl he's ever met. She's perfect, too - but his perfect, not Candor-perfect.

Until the messages start getting to her.

He can feed her his own messages, of course - but what if he doesn't really want her to leave? Can he help her stay and fight the messages, just like him? And when she find out he's been brainwashing her too, will she want to stay with him?

*shake head in awe* This is a beautifully, subtlely rendered book that captures so exactly what brainwashing is like, it's scary. It's like a modern reincarnation of 1984, one of my favourite classic novels, only written for teenagers - and the ending, while remniscent of 1984, does have more hope and sweetness than 1984's somewhat bleak conclusion. Though I still despise Oscar's father, even if a tiny part of me does feel sorry for him.

Oscar isn't a wholly likeable person himself, but in a way that's why the story works. We live in his head, seeing through his eyes, and even while we recognise that what he's doing isn't perhaps the nicest thing to do, we at least understand why he's doing it. And he does grow and change, which is a Big Thing for me. You may have picked by now that it's the characters that really does it for me in a novel - well round characters that have genuine minds of their own, and that react and respond to their conflicts by growing. Oscar is all that and more, and as he struggles with his own selfish desires and the needs of other people, he grows and develops and matures into the very person I knew he could be, and hoped he would become.

Yes, I'm being a little vague. I refuse to spoil the ending for you ;) But this is an excellent, if chilling read, and I highly recommend it.

Final conclusion:
1984 set in the current era, for teens; only with a much sweeter ending ;) :D An excellent, gripping read.

To find out more about this fantastic book, head to http://www.candorfl.com/ or watch the book trailer. To find out about the author, visit http://www.pambachorz.com/ (where you can also read chapter one).

Friday 24 September 2010

I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett

September 28th, 2010
Hardcover
Review Copy

Young Adult
Occasional swearing, teen pregnancy, child/spousal abuse, violent death, adult themes


Summary From Random House
A man with no eyes. No eyes at all. Two tunnels in his head . . .

It’s not easy being a witch, and it’s certainly not all whizzing about on broomsticks, but Tiffany Aching – teen witch – is doing her best.Until something evil wakes up, something that stirs up all the old stories about nasty old witches, so that just wearing a pointy hat suddenly seems a very bad idea.Worse still, this evil ghost from the past is hunting down one witch in particular. He’s hunting for Tiffany. Andhe’s found her . . .

Liana's Thoughts:
I need to start with a confession: I love Pratchett's writing. I love the Discworld series. I love the Johnny and the Dead series. I love his cookbook. I love his comics. So I bought the first books in the Tiffany Aching series for myself, and for my children. I want them to love Pratchett's writing as much as I do.

That being said, I won't let my girls (ages 5 and 8) read this book yet. Here, Tiffany is reaching the end of her YA-arc. She is no longer the little girl who beat off the Queen of Fairy with a frying pan. She's a young woman coming into adulthood and dealing with some very adult themes that I don't think my children would understand yet.
I Shall Wear Midnight deals with some of the darkest aspects of humanity: abuse, fear, and prejudice. It starts with a young woman beaten by her father until she miscarries her child, then other attacks begin. Violence and anger, misunderstanding and prejudice, all started because of a little love, a little envy, and a lot of malice.

Terry Pratchett manages to present the whole dark tableau without judgment. He opens up a map of the human psyche and lets the reader decide if this is right or wrong. Is the villain really a bad person? I really can't say. Pratchett showed me the villain's motivations, fears, and motives too well. I'm sympathetic. I'm glad the villain was defeated, but I understand where they came from.

Sir Pratchett doesn't write two-dimensional characters.

For all the darkness, this is a fun book. The word-play between Tiffany and her would-be sidekick Prestonis very entertaining. The Nac MacFeegle are out in force to give everyone a good kicking, and the senior witches make a cameo as their delightful, interfering selves. Someone even does a dance-hall routine. I'll let you guess who.

I would recommend for ages 13 and up, depending on maturity. It's a good read for adults, not quite as smooth as Pratchett's Guards-series (my favorite of his writing), but well done and logical. There are entertaining twists, humorous moments, and just enough romance to leave everyone happy at the end of the book.


Final Conclusion:
Poison goes where poison's welcomed.

Wednesday 22 September 2010

Trash by Andy Mulligan

September 2010 - David Fickling Books
Review Copy
Juvenille Fiction
Mild violence (graphic) occasionally
Reviewed by : Mina Ademovic

Random House Description
 In an unnamed Third World country, in the not-so-distant future, three “dumpsite boys” make a living picking through the mountains of garbage on the outskirts of a large city.
One unlucky-lucky day, Raphael finds something very special and very mysterious. So mysterious that he decides to keep it, even when the city police offer a handsome reward for its return. That decision brings with it terrifying consequences, and soon the dumpsite boys must use all of their cunning and courage to stay ahead of their pursuers. It’s up to Raphael, Gardo, and Rat—boys who have no education, no parents, no homes, and no money—to solve the mystery and right a terrible wrong.
Andy Mulligan has written a powerful story about unthinkable poverty—and the kind of hope and determination that can transcend it. With twists and turns, unrelenting action, and deep, raw emotion, Trash is a heart-pounding, breath-holding novel.

Mina's Thoughts

My first thought upon picking this book up was that the cover certainly was intriguing. I opened it up and the voice of Raphael captured me from the first page. This young boy grew up at a dumpsite "village" and he worked by going through the trash that was dumped there. Everyone in the community worked at this dumpsite and everyday they dug for treasure. The saying, one man's trash is another man's treasure, couldn't have rung more true than in this story.

Andy Mulligan wove together a heart capturing tale of three young boys by letting them tell their own stories. Some other significant characters made their own contributions as well so that the reader is given a more "whole" experience.

Raphael, Gardo and Rat, all very bright children, used investigative techniques to figure out what happened to the man whose wallet they had found in the dumpsite. They not only put themselves at great risk, but also the whole community. Raphael and the reader soon learn that law enforcement personnel have very little regard for "trash" and that the complex government they'd known so little of before included a corrupted vice president.

In a race against the police, the boys hunt for more clues as they slowly reveal the story of the man whose wallet they had found and what really happened to him.

Mulligan's book has the capability to soften your hearts to the point of aching with the story of these boys. His writing reaches an all-powerful point when Raphael is taken in for interrogation. I had to bite my tongue to keep from crying out, and remind myself it's only a work of fiction. There is no doubt that it is hard to read of such cruelty, especially when it is told from the voice of an innocent boy, Raphael, as he perceives it. "I could see he was weighing me, looking me over, wondering what, if anything, I was worth. Valuable or trash? To be kept here and beaten and beaten . . . or thrown away?"

This book brings up many points for discussion such as the treatment of those in lower social classes as well as how civillians take fixing corruption into their own hands. It also does an excellent job of illustrating just how important mission schools are to children in third world countries who are living in poverty. With Mulligan's background (as stated in his Bio on the back flap of the book and on the publisher's website) it is not surprising that he chose to write such a powerful book. His experience teaching in many countries contributes to the strength of the message in the story.

A great work of writing here from Mulligan. However, I get the feeling that he could have better organized the story. The beginning was a bit on the rough side and the pace there was rather quick compared to the rest of the book. Also, there probably were better ways of integrating the viewpoints of other characters than the choppy journal-entry-like format used.

Final Conclusion

Excellent piece and definitely worth reading. I would recommend it for 12+ due to the powerful content. If interested, more information about Trash can be found here via Random House.

Tuesday 21 September 2010

Author Interview: Rosemary Hayes

Rosemary Hayes is the author of more than 30 novels for children. Her most recent novel, The Blue-Eyed Aborigine, has just been released, and I was fortunate enough to learn that Rosemary was scheduled for a book signing in my very own home town this Thursday past - and Rosemary was kind enough to agree to answer a few questions after the signing.

So, everybody, a big internet round of applause for Rosemary Hayes, author of
The Blue-Eyed Aborigine!

Hi, Rosemary. Thanks so much for agreeing to answer a few questions. First of all, some readers might not be aware that the events of The Blue-Eyed Aborigine are actually based on historical fact. I was wondering, did this story deliberately begin with the history, or did something else spark off the story and then you found that the history fitted the story you wanted to tell?

Actually, a few years ago I never knew of the history, although it's something that West Australians are very aware of. I was at the maritime museum in Perth four years ago and that was when I read about the shipwreck of the Batavia for the first time. I was intrigued by the fact that these two men had been marooned instead of hanged. The records of the event are quite complete, and the first half of the novel is based entirely off the Commander of the Batavia's diaries.

The second part, however, is wholly my imagination. I wrote it so that Jan was a boy who'd just gotten caught up in the charm and charisma of the leader of the mutiny, and there are two incidents in the Commander's description of events that made me think that Jan was not altogether black. First of all, he was told to kill people and he couldn't, and wept. Secondly, when he was sentenced to hang, he begged and wept at the feet of the Commander and said that he'd been made to do those things. And Wouter, the other man marooned with Jan, is recorded as having been kind to the women passengers.

What was it particularly that fascinated you about this event in history?

Well, if these two men who were marooned survived - and there is strong evidence that they did - then they would have been the first European settlers, 140 years before Captain Cook landed. But of course, the British are always right, so we're never taught this in school in England.

The evidence that they survived is that the first British explorers to the region came across Aboriginals with Dutch features; fair hair and some blue eyes. More recently, just this year, one of the Aboriginal tribes agreed to undergo DNA testing, and the results confirm that this tribe has Western European genetic components. They're now testing to see if they can confirm that it predates Cook.

That's fascinating! And so reflective of the way that history is told by the winners.

On a somewhat related note, were there any particular difficulties writing a story based so closely on fact?

Well, you have to stick to the facts as much as you can. And there are always conflicting opinions. In the end you just have to decide which way you're going to go for the sake of the story. Also, you have to make sure everything the reader needs is there; in The Blue-Eyed Aborigine, I had to contextualise the story with the first part of the novel in order to get to the second, imagined part.

Just in terms of the two part structure of the novel, you've suggested that that's because it's fact and fiction, but in doing that why particularly did you feel that the third person narrative was more apppropriate for the fact and the first person narrative with the alternating points of view for the fiction?

Funny enough, I did it first person all the way through to begin with, and my publishers didn't like it. They felt that the more violent part needed to be slightly removed, and I put it into the third person.

And then made the second part first person and created a contrast between the two, that was another reason; it helped change the tone.

I'd have to agree with that; when I hit the first person section as I read, all of a sudden the tone changed and lifted.

So relating to what you said, then, about having to distance the violence, there are still a few scenes in the novel that are quite graphic, particularly some of the things that happen to Lucretia. How do you see that fitting in a children's novel?

Well, I think that children know that there is violence is around, and the times were very violent and you can't avoid that. You can't make it saccharine when it's not. Equally, on the ship the conditions were absolutely dreadful; people were dying all the time.

And I did read that if the sailors washed their clothes in sea water, the clothes got all stiff and salty and itchy, so they did wash their clothes in their own pee. You know, that's the kind of thing that children love, the filth and the rotting teeth and nasty things to eat.

They made me take out the wriggling worms in the water, though; I can't think why, maybe that was just too much. But there were, little wriggling worms all through it, because the water was so stale.

Urgh. Not very pleasant at all!

Just a couple of general qestions to end on. In terms of your career and development as an author, if there was one thing you could tell yourself back when you first started writing that you know now, what might you tell yourself?


I think something that my very first editor told me that was incredibly valuable: show, don't tell. An old chestnut but it is so relevant. That, and don't air your knowledge.

The first book I wrote was runner up for a rather big award in England and it was called Race Against Time, again actually set in Australia as that was when we were living in Australia, and I had found out all about artesian wells. When the children in the novel were being chased by something nasty, I made them come across an artesian well and discover it. When my editor read it she flung up her hands in horror and said, "For Heaven's sake, take that out, it's so unrealistic!" And so that sort of thing, being preachy in any way. Get rid of things - I mean, unless it propells the story forward, get rid of it.

I do quite a lot of advisory work for want to be writers in England and I say to them all the time don't put in unnecessary things, even if you think you're terrible clever for knowing something and the reader must learn it too. Unless it's actually relevant to the story, get rid of it. And characters too; unless they're actually going to take part and be proactive in the story, get rid of them. Those are the two most important things.

As a writer myself, I would absolutely would have to agree with that.

My last question is a bit of a fun question. If you yourself had to be marooned, where would you want to be marooned?

Somewhere warm, without pests and with things I didn't have to shoot to eat! Other than that I don't mind very much. But I'd quite like to be marooned with a large amount of books to read.

Sounds good to me! Any books in particular?

Well, I've just finished I think the best novel I've ever read in my entire life, and that is Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall and I could read that again several times over. She won the Booker Prize last year. It's a huge book and it is absolutely brilliant, set in Tudor times about Cromwell. It moves along at a huge pace, a complex rendering of the atmosphere at the time and the dialogue is just so well formed; so I would recommend that to anyone.

Sounds like I'll have to add that to my list. Thank you for the recommendation, and thank you so much for agreeing to answer some questions for me. I hope all the readers on the blog enjoy!

And, dear readers, I most certainly hope you did. Once again, a round of internet applause in the comments for Rosemary Hayes! :)

The Alchemyst by Michael Scott

5th August 2010
Paperback
Review copy

Children's Fantasy

Content: Fantasy violence, Tension

Summary from Random House

Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on 28 September 1330. Nearly seven hundred years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life. The records show that he died in 1418. But his tomb is empty and Nicholas Flamel lives. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects – the Book of Abraham the Mage. It’s the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. And that’s exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won’t know what’s happening until it’s too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it. Sometimes legends are true. And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.

The Mole's thoughts

When I first saw the sub title of this book "The screts of the immortal Nicholas Flamel" I assumed there was a Harry Potter link. Not so. Flamel is a real historic person that has intrigue surrounding him. He was in fact an alchemist - amongst other things. Despite this fact the book is a work of fiction with a few characters modelled on historic persons, although in a totally fictional way.

Sophie and Josh Newman, twins, have taken summer jobs to try to raise sufficient cash to buy a car. One warm summers day, with their parents abroad on an archaelogical dig, some visitors come to Nicholas Flamel's shop when Josh is working and all hell breaks loose. The twins lives will never be the same again.

I quickly became involved in the book and the nearly 400 pages disappeared rapidly, as if by magic.  Were the characters fully rounded and plausible? Do I understand the characters nuances? No idea! The reason is simple really, the plot and the action carries you along at breakneck speed in such a way that you can't take time to assess such details.

As we approached the last few chapters I could see exactly what was going to happen and was TOTALLY disappointed. In the last five or six pages however, Michael Scott pulls a very naughty twist just to prove me wrong and make me look forward to book two in the series.

Final Conclusion.

Not so much a read as an experience - and not one to be missed! Highly enjoyed and highly recommended,
particularly to YA fantasy fans everywhere.


Another to check out: Wintercraft

Monday 20 September 2010

What are you reading? #36

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 read this week:



Children's Fiction
 
 

Children's Fiction
(A person leading two lives...)



YA
(Vampires!)


Fantasy
(I'm eager to see if my theories from book 1 are correct...)

 

 
Children's Fiction
(The first was a re-read...my review... )
 
 
 
 



Books I hope to read this week




Children's
(Vampires + pirates = new breed all of their own!)



YA
(I'm loving the black and white cover...)



Children's Fiction
(I want to know why a photo would die...)



YA
(I think I need lots of tissues for this one...)



  
Children's Fiction
(Oooh I've itching to read these for ages!!!)
 
 
 
 

Sunday 19 September 2010

The Blue-Eyed Aborigine by Rosemary Hayes


August 2010, Francis Lincoln
247 pages, Paperback

Review copy
Young Adult/Childrens (publisher suggests 12 - 15)
Occasional swearing, frequent murder although not graphic, adult themes, confronting abuse of women

Summary from Frances Lincoln:
It is 1629, and there is mutiny in the air aboard the Dutch ship Batavia as she plies her way towards Java with her precious cargo. Jan, a cabin boy, and Wouter, a young soldier, find themselves caught up in the tragic wrecking and bloody revolt that follow. But worse is to come…

Based on the diaries of the ship's Commander, Rosemary Hayes recaptures some of sea history's most dramatic moments, linking the fates of of Jan and Wouter with discoveries that intrigue Australians to this day.


Amy's thoughts:
This is one of those stories that grows on you after you close the covers, that plays in your thoughts and lingers. Based on an historical event in 1629 - the shipwreck of the Dutch vessel the Batavia - The Blue-Eyed Aborigine is a beautiful blend of fact and fiction.

The story is told in two parts, a first section in third person with a 'classical' children's story style, and a second section in first person, alternating between the points of view of the two men involved. Something I found somewhat paradoxical initially was that the first section, written in the more distant third person, was much more confronting and graphic than the second, gentler, first-person section. However, by the end of the story I was convinced by this narrative technique, and when I had the opportunity to discuss the book with the author last Thursday, she confirmed the motivations for using this technique - check out the interview for her response.

The Blue-Eyed Aborigine is, fundamentally, the story of Jan, a Dutch cabin boy on the ship Batavia that is doomed to shipwreck and mutiny. Jan is eighteen at this time, but his simple innocence and trusting nature are exploited by the mutineers, and he becomes a co-conspirator, participating in the rape of the female passengers after the shipwreck - although he cannot bring himself to murder.

When those shipwrecked are at last rescued by their commander, who rowed the long boat to Jakarta (some 2000 kilometres), the mutineers are condemned to hang. And yet, for one reason or another, Jan and another co-conspirator, Wouter, are told they will not hang, and are instead marooned on the 'Great South Land' - Australia. This much of the story is factual, based on diaries kept by the Commander - and this much is recounted in the first half of the story.

It's in the second half of the story that the author has allowed her imagination to reign, and this has resulted in beautifully drawn interactions between Jan and the Aborigines, and a much more distinct sense of who Jan is as a person. To write from historical fact is naturally limiting, but Rosemary acquits herself well in interpreting and extrapolating and creating a real, sympathetic narrator. Her knowledge of the Aboriginal people's customs is obvious, and her interpretation real, and poignant.

Although the confronting scenes early on in the book and the distant third narration were initially unsettling, the warmth of the second section and the development of Jan as a character ensure that this is a book I'll read again.

Final conclusion:
A confronting look at a significant event in history, with deft interpretation and excellent character development - a great read.


Find out more about the author and her books at RosemaryHayes.co.uk.

Saturday 18 September 2010

Saturdays Reviews #4

With a wonderful influx of books, I find that I have to pick which ones I review. I don't like doing that. I want to review more. With the definition and exploration of a review on this post, I present this week's Saturday reviews!


Release Date:  August 2010
Publisher:  Allison and Busby
443 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Historical Fiction
Content: Mystery, lots of danger, murder, mild romance, subterfuge

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Summary from Allison and Busby

‘All in readiness. An unmarked carriage will be waiting for you behind the house at midnight’



History student Eloise Kelly is in London looking for more information on the activities of the infamous 19th century spy, the Pink Carnation, while at the same time trying to keep her mind off the fact that her mobile phone is not ringing and her would-be romantic hero Colin Selwick is not calling.


Eloise is finally distracted from checking for messages every five minutes by the discovery of a brief note, sandwiched amongst the papers she’s poring over in the British Library. Signed by Lord Pinchingdale, it is all Eloise needs to delve back in time and unearth the story of Letty Alsworthy and the Pink Carnation’s espionage activities on the Emerald Isle…

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Nayuleska's Thoughts:
I confess it was the pretty dress that drew me to look at this book. I have to say now, that although pretty costumes are in the book (it would have been fantastic to have had a few photos of these), don't make the mistake of thinking Letty only thinks about clothes. It is her thinking about things which lands her married to the man her sister wanted to marry. The misunderstanding which started the whole book off (well, Letty's story) is quite unbelievable. And really funny, given all the further misunderstandings that have Letty leaving the country to chase after her husband, and stumbling into espionage. Letty is strong willed, stubborn, and once she gets on to something she will not let go, even if her life gets put in danger. I thought she had great courage to persevere in getting to know her husband, and proving the truth. The ending - well, I was in tears, as well as smiling.

I liked how Eloise investigated the story. I would perhaps have liked to hear more of Eloise's thoughts as more of the drama unfolded - some of the accounts of Letty's exploits were long. The length is bad, but with Eloise as a character in the story, I had expected more page time with her. I enjoyed the page time she did get - her thoughts made me laugh and the mistakes that she makes are funny, but not as dangerous as those Letty makes.

This is the first book I've read by Lauren, and I'll definitely be looking out for more from her, which starts with The Secret History of the Pink Carnation.



Final thoughts:
Letty's adventure provides Eloise with a mystery, one which is a pleasure to read about.





Wednesday 15 September 2010

The Uncrowned King by Rowena Cory Daniels


August 2010, Solaris
416 pages, Paperback
Review copy 

Fantasy 

Content: moderate violence, death, moderate gore, lots of suspense, tissues needed. 

Summary from Solaris

Rolencia’s ancestral enemy, Merofynia, has invaded and marches on King Rolen’s castle. Powerless to help, thirteen yeard old Piro watches as her father, King Rolen, listens to poisoned whispers concerning his son Bryen. How could the King doubt his second son? Determined to prove his loyalty, Bryen races across the path of the advancing army to ask the Abbot to send the warrior monks in defense of the castle.

Nayuleska's Thoughts

I'm smiling as I write this review. I enjoyed the first in the trilogy, the King's Bastard. My only mild complaint was that there wasn't enough book space given to Piro. Well, in this book Piro has plenty of chapters/partial chapters. The book is split pretty equally between Piro, Fyn and Byren (although personally I think there might actually be a greater percentage given to Piro). Yay! Either that or I remember more about Piro. I love Piro! Compared with her debut in the first book, in this installment Piro has matured a lot. She has had to. The sights she has witnessed, the stakes that her life - and the lives of others - are so high that I wanted to stay up late reading the entire thing (I didn't, because it wasn't a wise choice. The book would be there the next day.). 

She's grown because she doesn't always rush head first into danger. She uses her head and thinks events through. My favourite part which I think sums up Piro quite well is when she changes from servant clothes to her fine clothes in a store cupboard. I won't say more than that :) Naturally Fyn and Byren's lives are also explained. I like both their character growths: Fyn for having to lead people when he doesn't want to lead them, and Byren for finding the strength (eventually) to put one foot in front of the other. 

As a reader I enjoyed all the moments when the characters believed one thing, but the truth was quite different. The conflict here is just as strong as the first book, if not more so. Because the reader already knows the characters, this book is chock full of action. The history has already been set and I felt like I was catching up with friends' lives. 

Final Conclusion
Piro! Piro! Piro! Definitely read this book - even if you haven't read first one. You'll love it! (Oh, and my theory about part of the story still hasn't been proved or disproved. I'll have to wait for the 3rd book for that).Plus - look at the cover! Piro!!! (At least that's my interpretation) 

Be sure you've checked out book one, The King's Bastard

Tuesday 14 September 2010

A Catch In Time by Dalia Roddy


April 2010, IPG (Medallion Press) 
551 pages, Paperback
Review copy 

Horror 

Content: creepy children, moderate violence, moderate gore, infrequent moderate romance


In one moment a global blackout occurs, and six billion humans become unconscious. During a brief yet seemingly eternal three-minute sequence, a series of catastrophic events occurs, and minds collide with truths hidden beyond the physical realm. With the reawakening comes a drastically and horrifically altered world -- populations decimated and social order gutted. No one seems to remember the truth that has been revealed or that this discovery could destroy the human race -- except Laura. Though even she has no knowledge of why the post-blackout births are mutations or what is so wrong with some of the survivors.

Nayuleska's Thoughts:

Who wouldn't want to read this book based on that info? Before  opening up the book I wanted to know why people became unconscious. I wanted to know what was wrong with the people that Laura encounters. The answer? A lot. To say the people aren't themselves is an understatement. Not everyone is affected by the post blackout trauma, but those that are will haunt you for a while. Especially the creepy children. *shudders*. An evil force in any human is - well - evil, but in children? It seems wrong to have the worst offenders portrayed as children. I guess this is part of the horror element. Knowing as the reader who was evil, and who wasn't made reading the book more enjoyable - the characters didn't have a clue. My stomach did meet my throat several times throughout the book, but this didn't stop my fascination with the story and the religious nuts amongst the survivors. Even the good people all do something they aren't proud of in the book. But I feel this is life - no one is perfect. At least the horrors of this book remain in the book. For now...

Final Conclusion: Those who make it to the end of the book in tact are survivors in all sense of the word. 

Dalia Roddy has her own website here

I totally recommend Michael Grant's horror series that begins with Gone