Review: The Secret Hour (Midnighters) by Scott Westerfeld

Synopsis: From Amazon
Strange things happen at midnight in the town of Bixby, Oklahoma. Time freezes. Nobody moves. For one secret hour each night, the town belongs to the dark creatures that haunt the shadows. Only a small group of people know about the secret hour - only they are free to move about the midnight time. These people call themselves Midnighters. Each one has a different power that is strongest at midnight: Seer, Mindcaster, Acrobat, Polymath. For years the Midnighters and the dark creatures have shared the secret hour, uneasily avoiding one another. All that changes when the new girl with an unmistakable midnight aura appears at Bixby High School. Jessica Day is not an outsider like the other Midnighters. She acts perfectly normal in every way. But it soon becomes clear that the dark creatures sense a hidden power in Jessica ...and they're determined to stop her before she can use it.

Review:
Written in 3rd person narrative but mainly focalized from Jessica's point of view. She is 15/16 and just moved to a new town due to her mums job. This isn't just any town. Jessica starts having strange dreams as soon as she gets there.

The other Midnighters recognize that she has the aura of a Midnighter before she does. The story actually reminded me a lot of The Power of Five by Anthony Horowitz which also features teenagers with special abilities fighting an ancient evil.

The only way you can become a Midnighter is if you are born at exactly Midnight (The Midnighters), the evil can only exist in a single hour starting at midnight but compressed down to a single moment in real time. Only The Midnighters are able to access this Secret Hour.

The story follows Jess as she comes to terms with being a Midnighter and discovering her special power. All the while being hunted by the Darklings (the ancient evil that used to rule the world). Throw in a budding romance with fellow Midnighter Jonathan, and you have a very compelling story.

For someone like myself that has a phobia of snakes, there are a lot of very detailed descriptions of snakes/slithers *shudders*. So that did actually dampen the story for me as I was trying very hard not to picture them within my imagination. It is certainly the stuff my nightmares are made of.

As to the other Midnighters the only 2 I actually liked were Dess and Jonathan. Dess seemed almost savant with here mathematical abilities. Melissa and Rex were not developed in depth but I have the feeling that they are pivotal to the ongoing plot. Something about their personalities and strange relationship really put me on edge. I have the feeling that there is a lot more to them than has been shown so far. Not all of it good. Hinted at within the narrative is the suspicion that they have their own agenda (especially Melissa) and are manipulating the other Midnighters.

Overall, a compelling story with some awesome superpowers but the amount of snakes really lowered my enjoyment of it. SORRY - as I always say reading is subjective and having a phobia about something certainly affects your enjoyment of a book when it contains lots of the thing you are scared of :( However, I am intrigued to discover the hidden agenda Melissa and Rex have, therefore will suppress my imagination to follow the story ;)

Review: Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey

Synopsis: From Amazon

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...



Review:
Continuing The Drake Chronicles from where we left them at the end of My Love Lies Bleeding.  To be able to fully understand the intricacies of the plot and the character interactions it is necessary to have read MLLB.

Written in 1st person narrative but with alternating perspectives of Isabeau and Logan.

Isabeau, 18 part of the Hound tribe, left in a coffin for 2 centuries before being dug out by the hounds. The description of her nightmare about the time she was trapped inside the coffin actually made my skin crawl.

Logan, also 18, Solange's older brother by 2 years. He dresses from a by-gone age in frock coats and frilled shirts. Something that initially draws Isabeau to him as she can relate to that time period. He has an instant and powerful connection to Isabeau.

Lots of background details are provided but building on what has already transpired rather than retelling it. Flashback chapters telling Isabeaus history are interwoven in  the narrative, providing depth to her character. The depiction of the French Revolution and especially the Guillotine added dramatic realism to the story.

The previous protagonists in  MLLB take on a peripheral role within Blood Feud but their interactions are critical to the plot. The use of magic by The Hounds was a fabulous sensory addition to the story.

The intensity of the relationship between Isabeau and Logan brought to mind the question of soul mates and love at first sight or would it just be a vampire thing that they have intense emotions. I am a romantic at heart : D

The action is fast paced and dramatic with a bit of ironic humour thrown in. I did feel that the narrative had an underlying context in the form of racism. Showing how other vampires were prejudiced against The Hounds. While The Drakes were attempting to overcome this by getting everyone to work together towards a common goal.

I loved MLLB but I have to say the story and character development within Blood Feud has taken The Drake Chronicles to another level.

A terrific sequel leaving me wanting another fix of The Drake Chronicles quickly : D

Monster Monday: Meet the Monsters (aka The Girlies)

My girls love reading and we have been toying with the idea of doing joint reviews between me (asamum) and the girlies on the type of books they like to read adding what I think of them from a parents point of view : D We have been asked by Carlton Books to road-test a few and we are all excitedly waiting for the parcel to arrive *Christmas in a box* We are also hoping to take part in a little thing for Nosy Crow : D

So we thought we had better introduce you to the monster before we start anything else : D

Introducing asacheekymonkey : D aka The Tweenager & The Big One

Age: 9 & 3/4

Asamum says: She reads almost as fast & as much as I do. She has a penchant for vampires *I wonder where she got that from - asamum looks innocent*. She also keeps trying to pinch asamum's books *asamum growls*

Likes: Riding my bike; Horse Riding; Playing my DS; Singing *asamum blocks ears*; Puppies (but Mummy wont let me have one) *asamum glares*. Ohh and I really, really like reading : D

Dislikes: Vegetables; Sports Day; Bedtime *asamum lol'd*

Favourite Books: Clean Break by Jacqueline Wilson - it is sad but with a happy ending (her words), Darren Shan *asamum says see vampires*, Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

(asacheekymonkey carries on with extremely long list - asamum sighs might have to do a top ten post for her)

Introducing asastar : D aka The Middle One, Dippy Dora (asamum says she is so laid back she is virtually horizontal)

Age: Nearly 8

Likes: Dancing; Fairies; Magic; Reading; Playing; Riding my Bike; All things that are sweet - you know like chocolate, cakes, sweets *asastar starts drooling*

Dislikes: Vegetables (asamum says I can see a pattern here); Piano but Mummy makes me go *asamum sighs*; Daddy shouting at the TV when sport is on *asamum lol*

asamum says asastar is a slow, methodical reader (like her father) Interviewing asastar has been like getting blood out of a stone : D

Favourite Books: How To Train Your Dragon Series by Cressida Cowell - asastar says because they are really funny & good : D, Horrible Histories because they are funny & good for your brain (asamum lol) 

Introducing asacutie : D aka The Little One or The Monster

asamum says don't let the angelic looks fool you. This is the one that cant be trusted with pens (no not at all) We have found scribbles literally everywhere - toys, walls, legs, head - need I say more ;)

Age: 5

Likes: Playing with dollies. Chocolate even more than sweeties (her words), Dora, Peppa Pig, Princesses (because I am one - her words) Kittens (but Mummy wont let me have one - see asamum's response to puppies)

Dislikes: Vegetables (the theme continues), Bees and Couscous (yuck, yuck, yuck - her words)

Favourite Books: Anything Dora or Peppa Pig. asamum says she has a strange obsession with touchy-feely books

Our favourite read aloud books: Mostly Julia Donaldson - we love The Gruffalo. Silly Sally & Is Your Mama a Llama? OK so we like stuff that rhymes. It is fun to read aloud and even smaller children can join in with the repetition of sounds : D

So there you go. You have finally met the monster : D Please let me know what you think of our new feature.

In My Mailbox #8

Hosted by the most awesome The Story Siren : D

Diary of a Wimpy Vampire by Tim Collins

(thank you very much to Lesley who bought this for the Big Girl instead of ice-cream : D I have wanted this for ages and she won't let me read it first!!!)

The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Another book I have been madly tracking on the swap site - so much so that I emailed the lovely swapper begging her for this book, lol

Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Sunshine by Robin McKinley

Asbo Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Asbosen

(I got this in a swap as it looked so funny, modern twists on classic fairy-tales such as Snow White & The Seven Dads???)

My So-Called Afterlife by Tamsyn Murray (Thank you Clover, you are awesome)

A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

So I have had a pretty good week, do you agree???

What did you get?

Saturday Spotlight: Award

I have been toying with the idea of doing some features on the blog for awhile. Alongside my Monster Mondays featuring my children, I would like to do a Saturday Spotlight featuring all things bookish. I would love to interview people involved in all aspects of the book industry *bloggers, librarians, book sellers, publishers, anyone ;)* If you would like to be involved please email me at asamum@tiscali.co.uk and I will put together some questions for you. If you could specify which area of the book world you are in that would help me tailor the questions : D This may not be a weekly post it obviously depends on how many people email me, lol : D

For the first Saturday Spotlight I would like to post about an award I have been given *yay me* Blimey, I just noticed I have been given 2 different awards *squee*

Thank you so much to Lauren from I was a Teenage Book Geek for this award. Lauren is fantastic, she was one of my first followers when I was just dipping my toe into the ocean that is blogging : D Plus she leaves me lovely comments. Like I said she is fab : D

Rules:

1. Thank and link to the person who gave you the award - check : D

2. Pass the award onto 15 bloggers you've recently discovered and think are fantastic - see below
3. Contact said blogs and let them know they've won - check
4. State 7 things about yourself - see below

As I am relatively new to blogging myself it means that everyone is new to me, but here are a few of my favourites : D

1. Once Upon a Bookcase

2. The Overflowing Library

3. A Fanatics Book Blog

4. The Mountains of Instead

5. Daisy Chain Book Reviews

6. Everything to do with Books

7. Heaven, Hell & Purgatory

8. I Want To Read That

9. Love Reading X

10. Mostly Reading YA

11. Nayu's Reading Corner

12. Our Book Reviews Online

13. Portrait of a Woman

14. Sarah's Book Reviews

15. The Readings of a Busy Mom

 I could have probably added a few more : D
 
State 7 things about yourself : S
 
1.I really want to dye my hair purple :D
2. I have a thing for literary vampires : D
3. I'm 40 next year but in my head I am still 22 : D
4. I dream about books
5. I think I have a bit of an addiction problem to books *see the tale of book addiction*
6. I worry that I am secretly an emo :(
7. I usual have my nose stuck in a book with my ipod in my ears - my hubs thinks I am anti-social lol
 
The 2nd award:
 

Received from The Beaucoup Review. Thank you very much Ria.

The rules are pretty much the same as The Beautiful Blogger award so I won't bother listing 7 more things about myself : D With regard to the list of bloggers instead of putting new ones I would like to list a few people that whose blogs motivate me and inspire me : D

Fluttering Butterflies - without Clover I would never have started this blog. She is an awesome friend to have and a very versatile blogger. Thanks for all your support & encouragement Clover.

I was a Teenage Book Geek - see above. Thanks for all your support.

Wondrous Reads - Jenny has an awesome blog and a really lovely person. Her blog is something I aspire too : D Plus I covet her books ;)

 
The Crooked Shelf - Carla I love the way you write. You constantly make me giggle thanks : D
 
Girls Without a Bookshelf - Dwayne thanks for supporting me from the beginning and letting me be part of your Book Tour : D
 
Don't forget if you would like to be part of Saturday Spotlight please email me : D *crosses fingers*

Review: Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Synopsis: From Amazon
The story of Scarlett and Rosie March, two highly-skilled sisters who have been hunting Fenris (werewolves) – who prey on teen girls – since Scarlett lost her eye years ago while defending Rosie in an attack. Scarlett lives to destroy the Fenris, and she and Rosie lure them in with red cloaks (a colour the wolves can't resist), though Rosie hunts more out of debt to her sister than drive.
But things seem to be changing. The wolves are getting stronger and harder to fight, and there has been a rash of news reports about countless teenage girls being brutally murdered in the city. Scarlett and Rosie soon discover the truth: wolves are banding together in search of a Potential Fenris – a man tainted by the pack but not yet fully changed. Desperate to find the Potential to use him as bait for a massive werewolf extermination, the sisters move to the city with Silas, a young woodsman and long time family friend who is deadly with an axe. Meanwhile, Rosie finds herself drawn to Silas and the bond they share not only drives the sisters apart, but could destroy all they've worked for.
 
Review:
This book really brought home to me how subjective reading is. I have read a few other reviews and was eagerly awaiting this book. Imagine my surprise when there within the narrative is a tender and poignant depiction of Alzheimer's. This is some thing very personal to me as my mother passed away from this terrible disease 3 years ago. I think I would have loved this book anyway but this element took it to a completely different level for me. As no-one else had mentioned the Alzheimer's within the narrative I wasn't expecting it and certainly didnt expect to cry in a story about werewolves, lol. Proving that your own life experiences really do effect how you interpret stories. It made me wonder if Jackson Pearce had first hand knowledge of this affliction, her portrayal of it was so realistic.
 
OK now that I have had my little download back to the book.
 
The action was adrenaline pumping from the very first page. No more fluffy, do gooder, I would like to cuddle you type Wolves. The fenris are bad to the core, hideous beasts and they smell bad : D The description are so sensory within the narrative that you totally immerse yourself in their world.  
 
All of the characters are extremely well developed with multi-layers to their personalities. Revealed piece by piece through the action they were all very easy to relate to and their interactions realistic. The story showed how one specific incident can shape your personality and interactions. Also the bonds that tie people together were laid bare. Showing that no matter how close you are to another person, you have to be the person that you are and not what they want you to be. I hope that makes sense?????
 
The parallels between the original fairytale and Sisters Red were truly ingenious. I especially liked the part when Rosie takes a basket of cookies to Silas's house. The description and parallels conjured wonderful images of both stories at the same time. The description of Silas's house really reflected the elements of a fairytale : D
 
A truly phenomenal read. It has romance, action, adventure, family relationships/bonds and the paranormal. What more could you ask for. I really hope that there will be more books following Rosie and Scarlett's adventures. Count me in : D
 

Body Image & Self Perception Month at Once Upon a Bookcase

The wonderful Jo at Once Upon A Bookcase has the best ideas.

Here is a copy of her post describing the thoughts behind this educational month long event. Also a great idea to use in schools as part of  their PSE lessons ;)

In my opinion, at the ages they are, teens are very impressionable. They see these stick thin models air brushed to within an inch of their lives in most forms of media that dictates that "this is what you need to look like to be beautiful" or "perfect" or, in some cases, "normal". There are too many teens out there that have such low self-esteem and self-confidence, and the media - as well as bullies and peer pressure - don't help. The extremes teens go to be "normal", and the depths of depression they can go to is just terrible, and I think this is such an important issue to be discussed. Being a YA fan, I thought looking at novels that tackle these issues is a great way to discuss the topic and shed some light on it.

And so Body Image and Self-Perception Month was born; a month long feature hosted by Once Upon a Bookcase where bloggers will be reading novels to look at how young adult authors deal with such an important subject. We'll be looking at novels that cover self-esteem and self-confidence, eating disorders, obesity, physical disabilities and disfigurement, to name a few. The month will involve reviews of YA novels covering the topics, discussions on the topics, author interviews and guest posts.

And here is a list of the books they will be reviewing:

Eating Disorders:
Second Star to the Right by Deborah Hautzig
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Purge by Sarah Darer Littman
Skinny by Ibi Kaslik
Skin by A.M Vrettos
Jane in Bloom by Deborah Lytton
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Nothing by Robin Friedman (with a male protag)
Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have by Allen Zadoff (with a male protag)
Shrink to Fit by Dona Sarkar

Obesity/Over Weight:
Artichoke's Heart by Suzanne Supplee
Huge by Sasha Paley
Jumping to Confusions by Liz Rettig
Last Chance by Sarah Dessen
The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
Fat Kid Rules the World by K L Going (with a male protag)
Secrets of Truth and Beauty by Megan Frazer
Fat Cat by Robin Brande

Disability:
Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham
Accidents of Nature by Harriet McBryde Johnson
Deenie by Judy Blume
Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles
Izzy Willy Nilly by Cynthia Voigt
Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell
Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Disfigurement:
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
Out of the Fire by Deborah Froese
Beastly by Alex Flinn (with a male protag)

Body/Feature Issues:
Fairest of Them All by Jan Blazanin
My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters by Sydney Salter
Uglies/Pretties/Specials/Extras by Scott Westerfeld
Pretty Face by Mary Hogan
Blood Ties by Sophie McKenzie
King of the Screwups by K L Going (with a male protag)

I think this idea is awesome : D I have added the books to my wishlist and will be talking to schools about incorporating them into their PSE lessons. Thanks Jo