Spotlight: Guest Post: The Women in the Woods by James Dawson

If you haven't already heard me fan-girling over James then you need to go and read my review HERE. James is certainly a literary talent to watch. I am thrilled to be part of the Hollow Pike Blog Tour today. Huge thanks to James and Indigo. So without further gushing from me over to James to talk about the history behind the witchcraft featured in Hollow Pike:

The Women in the Woods 

Hollow Pike is the town where witchcraft never sleeps. Of course, Hollow Pike is only fictional, but a lot of research needed to be done to create the mythos of the haunted town.

The inspiration for Hollow Pike, supposedly in Yorkshire, was the trial of the Pendle Witches from Lancashire. In and around the Pendle Hill area, twelve people were accused and tried of murder by the use of witchcraft. In reality, we’ll never know if the people who were executed really were witches. What we do know is that in the early seventeenth century, people who earned a living through healing, begging and extortion were often regarded as witches.

In 1602, new monarch James I had become convinced that witches and demonic forces were out to get him, even believing that witches had conjured storms in an attempt to assassinate him. As King, he set the precedent and local Justices of the Peace saw witch trials as an easy way to impress the monarch. Witch trials spread across the UK, seeing hundreds executed for committing harm through magic.

It is thought James I was only following a larger trend in Europe. Witch trials in France and Germany took place as early as the fourteenth century. It was these early trials that led to one of the key texts I used when writing Hollow Pike – the Malleus Maleficarum. Otherwise known as the ‘Hammer of the Witches’ written by Heinrich Kramer, the guide is a manual for local judges on how to identify, torture, try and execute a person suspected of being a witch.

It makes for fascinating reading. A fierce Catholic, Kramer had previously been laughed out of town for his views on witchcraft. The Maleficarum was his response to this treatment and gradually it took hold, a witch-hunter’s bible.

Today, it’s easy to assess Kramer as a religious fanatic and massive misogynist. It is clear Kramer has a very low opinion of women. He believed women are inferior to men and this is how the devil was able to infiltrate them through temptation and desire. It would probably be quite funny if it hadn’t led to the deaths of thousands of women. The mid fifteenth century was a time of religious turmoil, and along with the advent of the printing press, the Maleficarum spread like wildfire. People believed it.

The situation in Europe spread across the Atlantic to Colonial America, leading to the most famous witch trials of them all – the Salem Witch Trials. Following the illness of a young girl called Betty Parris became ill, apparently through involvement with witchcraft. The hysteria that followed – the trials and accusations were captured in Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, another key text when I was researching Hollow Pike. A fictional account of the actual events, but Miller used the suspicion and paranoia as a metaphor of the communist ‘witch-hunts’ of the 1950s. His point was that the witches, if there were any, weren’t the real danger – that lay with those in power.

It’s this two-layer menace that I was interested in – there’s the danger posed by the witchfinders or those in authority, but that doesn’t necessarily undermine the darker powers potentially possessed by the witches themselves…in Hollow Pike, trust no-one.

Title: Hollow Pike

Series: Not Confirmed

Author: James Dawson

Publisher: Indigo

Publication Date: 2 Feb 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

Something wicked this way comes... She thought she'd be safe in the country, but you can't escape your own nightmares, and Lis London dreams repeatedly that someone is trying to kill her. Lis thinks she's being paranoid - after all who would want to murder her? She doesn't believe in the local legends of witchcraft. She doesn't believe that anything bad will really happen to her. You never do, do you? Not until you're alone in the woods, after dark - and a twig snaps... Hollow Pike - where witchcraft never sleeps.

Spotlight:The Influence of Libraries by Sara Grant

It is with pleasure I welcome Sara Grant to Book Angel Booktopia today to share how libraries have made an impact in her life. Over to Sara:

How libraries influenced me....

I was born and raised in a small town in the United States. We didn’t have a bookstore or Amazon, but we had a beautiful library. It was a quiet, magical space that echoed with stories and the click-clack of hard-soled shoes on the tiled floor. It was my first portal to the world of books.

I would always visit the same shelf first – the one with The Boxcar Children. I’m sure I checked out other books but this is the one I returned to again and again. I can still see its faded cover, worn spine, and the black line drawings that graced the inside pages and also recall the adventures of the orphaned Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny.

I recently visited this library again – twenty-five years after I moved away. I was invited to give a talk on creative writing to coincide with the publication of Dark Parties in the United States. I donated a copy of my book to the library. It was a strange and satisfying feeling to have my book on those shelves that I had visited so long ago.

Title: Dark Parties
Author: Sara Grant
Publisher: Indigo
Publication Date: 22 Dec 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads

Sixteen-year-old Neva has been trapped since birth. She was born and raised under the Protectosphere, in an isolated nation ruled by fear, lies, and xenophobia. A shield "protects" them from the outside world, but also locks the citizens inside. But there's nothing left on the outside, ever since the world collapsed from violent warfare. Or so the government says...
Neva and her best friend Sanna believe the government is lying and stage a "dark party" to recruit members for their underground rebellion. But as Neva begins to uncover the truth, she realizes she must question everything she's ever known, including the people she loves the most.

Review: Dark Parties by Sara Grant

Title: Dark Parties

Author: Sara Grant

Publisher: Indigo

Publication Date: 22 Dec 2011
Challenge: BBC

Synopsis from Goodreads

Sixteen-year-old Neva has been trapped since birth. She was born and raised under the Protectosphere, in an isolated nation ruled by fear, lies, and xenophobia. A shield "protects" them from the outside world, but also locks the citizens inside. But there's nothing left on the outside, ever since the world collapsed from violent warfare. Or so the government says...

Neva and her best friend Sanna believe the government is lying and stage a "dark party" to recruit members for their underground rebellion. But as Neva begins to uncover the truth, she realizes she must question everything she's ever known, including the people she loves the most.

REVIEW

Dark Parties is a very unique dystopian world, an entire society created in what can only be described as a plastic bubble called the protectosphere.  Not much insight is divulged as to why the protectosphere was created. History has been re-written within the sphere, government corruption and  nefarious plots abound. Adding to the tension and world building within the narrative. Nothing appeared to be what it seemed.

Written in first person narrative from Neva's perspective. The daughter of a government official she has more freedom and protection than most. Yet her actions come under scrutiny due to her grandmothers escape from the protectosphere. Even though the general population is lead to believe that the land outside of the protectosphere is dangerous.

The writing style is beautifully tactile and enveloped the senses. Working with teens I see the strive for individuality on a daily basis, even if they do all end up with the same hairstyles (especially the boys) the way in which that individuality has been striped from society was poignantly portrayed. I just cannot imagine a world/society where everyone looks the same, in every way. It is quite chilling to think about and had shades of  what Hitler was trying to achieve came to mind especially with the name Homeland used. Resorting to marking themselves via scars and permanent marker in order to stand out. As Viv from Serendipity Reviews points out in her review (HERE) the symbolism of the snowflake is very striking within the story-line. Each snowflake is completely individual yet the society within the protectosphere all look the same *shudders*

The characters and their interactions worked really well together. Begging the question - how well do you really know someone? People do not always do what you expect them to do. Self preservation generally takes the foreground.

The plot has a number of surprising twists that really kept me on my toes. I still have a lot of questions about certain aspects and would really like to see a second book to deal with these outstanding issues. I really enjoyed the glimpse into Neva's world but would really like answers to certain aspects of the plot, as I keep mentioning. My rating reflects my need for answers. A truly unique dystopian.

Review: Hollow Pike by James Dawson

Title: Hollow Pike

Series: Not Confirmed

Author: James Dawson

Publisher: Indigo

Publication Date: 2 Feb 2012
Challenge: DAB and BBC

Synopsis from Goodreads

Something wicked this way comes... She thought she'd be safe in the country, but you can't escape your own nightmares, and Lis London dreams repeatedly that someone is trying to kill her. Lis thinks she's being paranoid - after all who would want to murder her? She doesn't believe in the local legends of witchcraft. She doesn't believe that anything bad will really happen to her. You never do, do you? Not until you're alone in the woods, after dark - and a twig snaps... Hollow Pike - where witchcraft never sleeps.

REVIEW

I make no bones about this one, this is going to be a gushy 5 glorious angel loves, so you really really NEED to read this book. James's writing literally swept me away. I started reading the first chapter one evening too tired to concentrate I decided to wait until the following day. This also happened to be the last day of the Christmas holidays. I could not put it down, seriously it is that FREAKIN'AWESOME. So what if the first day back in school was rapidly approaching as I read through the small hours of the night. I could not have asked for a better back-drop either as the rain was lashing against the windows and the wind was howling around the chimney.

The third person narrative keeps tight reign over the plot, a necessary device when the plot is a twisty turny twisty thing. I was hooked. The central character, Lis, is WELSH *cheers* now that for a start gave it a big fat bonus from me. Plus James has the welsh tone depicted perfectly in Sarah, Lis's sister, believe me I know being welsh and all [ ; D ] Lis has left her home in Bangor to live with her older sister due to atrocious bullying. The emotions and behavior depicted as a victim of bullying was poignantly portrayed within the narrative and it was only after reading the book that I found out James specialized in Bullying and Behavior during his time as a teacher. His experience really shines through within the story.

I am not going into too much detail about the plot as YOU HAVE TO  READ IT. I will say that right from the very beginning it is apparent that Lis is very intuitive. This is re-enforced by the mention of past events by her sister.

The atmospheric tension envelopes the senses. Fantastic use of metaphor within the narrative adds to the drama oozing from the pages. James's humour shows through with the Twilight reference and Macbeth has certainly never been used with such fun, easing the white knuckle ride for a moment. Throw a sprinkling of Glee over the top and you have pink glitter coated chills.

All the characters are quite quirky yet portrayed so realistically. I have to say that the quirky touches to the characterisation enriched the overall impact of the plot. I especially adored Danny, through him we are able to see how shallow cliques really are and the dilemma that a lot of teens face - is it easier to join the 'in' crowd with people that you may not necessarily like or be true to yourself and risk being an outsider.

The description of Hollow Pike itself was unnervingly similar to the town I live in; with its bargain shops and disproportionate number of pubs even down to the Italian restaurant. This may just be a very sad reflection of the times that many towns now look like this.

The research that has gone into the witchcraft aspects of this book is unbelievable and very, very impressive adding to the tension and the realism especially with the history of the witch trails woven into the plot.

This book blends important teen issues, teen angst, witchcraft and murder mystery creating a delectable cocktail of a book. Best sipped slowly so you don't miss a single drop.


Huge thank you to Andrew from The Pewter Wolf for winning me a copy of this book *hugs*

Musical Moments: Book Theme Songs: Darkness Falls by Mia James

Title: Darkness Falls

Series: The Ravenwood Mysteries #2

Author: Mia James

Publisher: Indigo

Publication Date: 29 Sep 2011

Synopsis from Amazon

Highgate When April's family moved to the sleepy North London village of Highgate, everyone told her it was the start of an amazing new life. They didn't know the half of it. Weeks later, her father was the latest in a series of brutal killings, someone has tried to kill her, and now her boyfriend, Gabriel, is dying too . . . Murder April couldn't save her father, but there's just a chance she can save Gabriel. There's an ancient recipe, hidden in a forbidden book, which holds the cure. All April has to do is find it. Somehow. Vampires But she has to keep a low profile. In a school full of vampires, where one of their own has been killed, they're beginning to suspect they have a Fury in their midst. April's blood might be deadly to vampires, but even that won't save her if they figure out who she is. Time is short, the stakes are high, and surviving school has never been so tough . . .

Review HERE

Musical Moments: Song of the Month: December

This months Song of the Month has been kindly chosen by Sara Grant.

Song of the Month – Aging Well by Joan Baez with Dar Williams 

Aging Well is one of my favourite songs. I can’t remember where or how I first heard it. It’s not a well-known song, and Joan Baez was more popular with the generation before mine. It’s the eleventh song on a live, best-of album where Joan Baez sings duets with a variety of artists. From the first moment I heard it, I was immediately attracted to the song and its message.

The heart of my young adult novel Dark Parties and Aging Well is feminine empowerment. Both story and song are about rebelling and re-claiming who you are. They are also about feminine camaraderie. As a writer, I find the following lyrics particularly poignant:

Well I know a woman with a collection of sticks

She could fight back the hundreds of voices she heard

And she could poke at the greed, she could fend off her need

And with anger she found she could pound every word

But one voice got through, caught her up by surprise

It said, "Don't hold us back we're the story you tell"

And no sooner than spoken, a spell had been broken

And the voices before her were trumpets and tympani

Violins, basses and woodwinds and cellos...

Aging Well is one of those songs I come back to again and again. It lifts me up and reminds me that the best is yet to come...

Title: Dark Parties
Author: Sara Grant
Publisher: Indigo
Publication Date: 22 Dec 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads

Sixteen-year-old Neva has been trapped since birth. She was born and raised under the Protectosphere, in an isolated nation ruled by fear, lies, and xenophobia. A shield "protects" them from the outside world, but also locks the citizens inside. But there's nothing left on the outside, ever since the world collapsed from violent warfare. Or so the government says...
Neva and her best friend Sanna believe the government is lying and stage a "dark party" to recruit members for their underground rebellion. But as Neva begins to uncover the truth, she realizes she must question everything she's ever known, including the people she loves the most.

Spotlight: Guest Post: Double Shadows: Images by Sally Gardner

It is my great pleasure to welcome Sally Gardner to Book Angel Booktopia today as part of The Double Shadow blog tour. I adore classic movies and the way in which the imagery of the movies inspires Sally is just stunning. Enjoy: 

DOUBLE SHADOWS: images that stay with you...

I've been told that reading The Double Shadow is a very visual, filmic experience; perhaps this is the reason why...

Jean Cocteau’s ‘Orpheus’ is a film I saw as teenager, and was blown away by the sense of magic. It’s the classic story about Orpheus who goes to the underworld to bring back his beloved, but when he turns around, she’s gone. The film was so beautifully shot, in such a dark surrealist style. I found the images stayed with me for a very long time, and I wanted these haunting qualities to come across in my new book,The Double Shadow.

Billy Wilder’s 'Sunset Boulevard' is one of my all-time favourite films. The opening scene with William Holden floating in the swimming pool is an extraordinary visual concept. The effect was achieved by putting mirrors in the bottom of the pool and filming his face with cameras hanging from above the water. I love the way the narration works backwards to the point of why he was in that swimming pool. The film has had far reaching influences. Sam Mendes’American Beauty is narrated in a similar fashion.

Gloria Swanson’s performance as Norma Desmond, the aging actress who smokes a cigarette with a contraption on her little finger and lives in a past of deluded glory, has echoes of Miss Haversham. The most memorable scene for me is Holden’s early entrance as the supposed undertaker for Norma’s dead monkey. Her German butler Max (played by Swanson’s former director Erich Von Stroheim) was one of the key inspirations for Silas, and Gloria was part inspiration for Vervaine Fox.

I had in my head Gloria’s opulent salon for Vervaine’s scenes in the picture palace. I love the scene with Cecil B. DeMille when she goes to Paramount studios believing she is to become a star again, and everyone gathers around her - ‘Norma! It’s Norma Desmond’ – when all they want is to film her car. This was a big inspiration for the idea of memory - there she is lost in another world, yet for her this is more real than the world she’s living in – who is to say she isn’t right?

I think Billy Wilder really captures the sort of joker that memory can be in one's life, how it can trick you into a false dimension and how memory can become fictionalised in the reliving of it.

Title: The Double Shadow
Author: Sally Gardner
Publisher: Indigo
Publication Date: 3 Nov 2011

Synopsis from Amazon

Arnold Ruben has created a memory machine, a utopia housed in a picture palace, where the happiest memories replay forever, a haven in which he and his precious daughter can shelter from the war-clouds gathering over 1937 Britain. But on the day of her seventeenth birthday Amaryllis leaves Warlock Hall and the world she has known and wakes to find herself in a desolate and disturbing place. Something has gone terribly wrong with her father's plan. Against the tense backdrop of the second World War Sally Gardner explores families and what binds them, fathers and daughters, past histories, passions and cruelty, love and devastation in a novel rich in character and beautifully crafted.

Review: Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick

Title: Midwinterblood

Author: Marcus Sedgwick

Publisher: Indigo

Publication Date: 6 Oct 2011

Synopsis from Love Reading 4 Kids

In 2073 on the remote and secretive island of Blessed, where rumor has it that no one ages and no children are born, a visiting journalist, Eric Seven, and a young local woman known as Merle are ritually slain. Their deaths echo a moment ten centuries before, when, in the dark of the moon, a king was slain, tragically torn from his queen. Their souls search to be reunited, and as mother and son, artist and child, forbidden lovers, victims of a vampire they come close to finding what they've lost. In a novel comprising seven parts, each influenced by a moon - the flower moon, the harvest moon, the hunter's moon, the blood moon - this is the story of Eric and Merle whose souls have been searching for each other since their untimely parting.

REVIEW

This is my first foray into the YA world of Marcus Sedgwick the only other book I have read of his is Flood and Fang – review here. I must say this will not be my last; I have heard amazing things about Marcus Sedgwick’s writing and was not in the least bit disappointed.

I will admit that I started the book without reading the synopsis; I only saw the word soul mates mentioned and knew I had to read it. So there I was reading away thinking myself so clever for working out that the story featured reincarnated souls of Eric and Merle when I decided to read the synopsis and there it was in black and white that yes indeed they were the souls of Eric and Merle reincarnated *headesk*. I always pray for a happy ending – the words They All Lived Happily Ever After – would be a dream come true for me. So I was rooting for Eric and Merle to have their happy ending right from the start.

The way in which the book is divided into 7 sections alongside Eric’s name being Eric Seven is very clever and implants the idea of the seven lives immediately. The timeline for each story works its way back to the first incarnation of Eric and Merle before returning to the present day. The ingenious use of details from within each story woven into the next showing their origins were an utterly magnificent piece of storytelling.

Amazing use of what can be imagined as Norse Mythology woven into the plot re-enforced by the remote island scenery. The name of the island itself is significant within the plot. The way in which the name of the island is significant at each point in time. The meanings of the name at the different time periods in history added to the plot and helped the imagination of the dialects. Although the pronunciation remained the same the meanings and spelling were so very different. Amazing.

The different forms of love are cleverly portrayed – parent and child, siblings and lovers. The different types of love we are capable of isn’t something that I often think about but this aspect of the book really had me analyzing relationships.

I am probably going to show my lack of intellect now by telling you that I didn’t really understand the ending. Don’t get me wrong I appreciated it and the completeness it provided to the story. But I didn’t really understand why it had to be that way and it was completely bittersweet. Not an ending you will forget in a hurry. A chilling tale.

If you are looking for masterful storytelling then this is the book for you.

Review: Darkness Falls by Mia James

Title: Darkness Falls
Series: The Ravenwood Mysteries #2
Author: Mia James
Publisher: Indigo
Publication Date: 29 Sep 2011

Synopsis From Amazon

Highgate When April's family moved to the sleepy North London village of Highgate, everyone told her it was the start of an amazing new life. They didn't know the half of it. Weeks later, her father was the latest in a series of brutal killings, someone has tried to kill her, and now her boyfriend, Gabriel, is dying too . . . Murder April couldn't save her father, but there's just a chance she can save Gabriel. There's an ancient recipe, hidden in a forbidden book, which holds the cure. All April has to do is find it. Somehow. Vampires But she has to keep a low profile. In a school full of vampires, where one of their own has been killed, they're beginning to suspect they have a Fury in their midst. April's blood might be deadly to vampires, but even that won't save her if they figure out who she is. Time is short, the stakes are high, and surviving school has never been so tough . . .

REVIEW

Please bear in mind that this is Book 2 in the series and may therefore contain spoilers from the previous book, By Midnight review here.

The prologue of this book brings to mind images of Jack the Ripper, the scene is set immediately just by the chapter heading, however I had trouble reconcile the image of Jack the Ripper as a vampire. This notion could just be my over active imagination adding 2 and 2 together to make 5.

The story picks up a few weeks after the stunning ending of By Midnight. The relationship between April and Gabriel is intense yet see-saws between suspicion and mistrust to devotion. A roller-coaster of emotion,   there are hints placed within the narrative as to the direction of the characters, if these do transpire I think I will cry. Nice recapping of the story helped keep the plot fresh in my mind while developing the storyline further. 

The friendships portrayed and the trials and tribulations April has to face made me realise how hard it really is to find good friends, how necessary they are as a support network throughout life and I was really glad that April had such wonderful friends and was able to realise it. April's increase in self confidence via her makeover was easy to relate to: don't we all feel better about ourselves if we look good. The way in which superficial beauty was portrayed hiding a rotten, evil core was profound. Emphasising the point that beauty isn't everything, inner beauty is far more important.

I really like the introduction of the witches into the plot and would really like to see it developed further. the history and inclusion of Queen Victoria's library and the carefully concealed interest in the paranormal was just brilliant to imagine. I want to go to the Victoria and Albert Museum and search for that library now. Can someone give me one of those cards please. Jack the Ripper is mentioned further within the narrative with respect to the links to Queen Victoria, layering the plot.

I will be truthful and say that there were some aspects of the plot that I thought were quite obvious but this might just be me as I am good at this sort of thing. The action is really fast paced and dramatic. April's character development towards the end of this book more than makes up for her indecision at the start. In typical teenage mode she tries to ignore what needs to be done, yet at the end she really comes into her own by accepting herself.

There are still a lot of questions left to be answered from the first book, especially those surrounding April's family, I seriously need the answers to these questions, I eagerly await the last book in the series to tie it all together and hopefully not make me cry *Gabriel* you'll understand if you have read it.  

Is Book 3 ready yet. Now maybe? how about NOW?????

Saturday Spotlight: Guest Post: The Great YA Time Machine by Kate Harrison

I am so so so excited to welcome Kate Harrison to Book Angel Booktopia today to talk about the great age appeal of YA. As you are probably aware I am one of the people this post applies to as I am not a YA myself (although I am pretty sure I am still 22 in my head, lol). Over to Kate:  

I hope my mum won’t mind me telling you that she’s not in the target market for my first YA novel.

Yet she says it’s definitely her favourite. ‘It’s got an extra something the others didn’t have. And now your dad’s reading it too.’

            I tried to resist asking her what the ‘extra something’ was, or what the others lacked. Mum has a habit of speaking her mind.   

            But here are a few guesses about that something: murder, an imaginary other world, an avenging teenage girl, a dead hero, a geek hero, a thoughtful killer, a cheesy reality TV show, and a love that could cost the heroine her life.

            Hmm. Makes my romantic comedies – which I also love writing – seem a bit, well, tame.

            I’m not in the target YA audience either but, like Mum, I’ve developed a real taste for reading this ‘genre’ of fiction. Except it’s not really a genre at all – and that could be the very reason why YA is appealing to a broader range or readers, and writers.

            As a writer, it lets me tell the story I want to, without worrying whether I might be ‘breaking’ some of the genre rules: by putting a beach bar in the afterlife, for example, or having my heroine juggle homework with homicide investigations. In YA, anything goes, whether it’s a vampire love affair or a televised battle to the death.

            There’s nothing wrong with genre – readers often like to know what they’re getting when they invest time and money in a book.

            But the joy of YA is that you’re never quite certain what you’re going to get. After the success of Twilight, there was a fair chance a vampire might pop up, but YA is so much broader than that. What they have in common is that the young protagonists are facing big battles: for identity, for justice, for love.

            So why are older readers clamouring to read about teens? The truth is that even if those days are decades away, that time is probably the most exciting of our lives: it’s all about imagination, possibility and passion. Is it any wonder we use YA books as a time machine back to a more thrilling time?

            As writers, we seek extremes and we want our characters to be braver and fiercer than we are: my heroine, Alice, is open to possibilities from the first moment that she opens an email apparently from her murdered sister. An adult would probably have dismissed it as a hoax and deleted the mail without thinking.

            YA writers trust their readers – like their characters – to be open and challenging, to consider possibilities adults might dismiss, to ask the awkward questions.

            Talking of awkward questions, I did finally ask my mother what it was she liked most.

            ‘The Beach,’ she said. ‘The sunshine, the sand, the sea. I could imagine myself there...’

Title: Soul Beach

Series: Soul Beach #1

Author: Kate Harrison

Publisher: Indigo

Publication Date: 1 Sep 2011

Synopsis: From Amazon

When Alice Forster receives an email from her dead sister she assumes it must be a sick practical joke. Then an invitation arrives to the virtual world of Soul Beach, an idyllic online paradise of sun, sea and sand where Alice can finally talk to her sister again - and discover a new world of friendships, secrets and maybe even love . . . . But why is Soul Beach only inhabited by the young, the beautiful and the dead? Who really murdered Megan Forster? And could Alice be next? The first book in an intriguing and compelling trilogy centered around the mystery of Megan Forster's death.

Review HERE

Musical Moments: Book Inspires Song

Taken from press release:

Bestselling thriller writer Harlan Coben releases his first Young Adult novel SHELTER. The novel, the first of a series with high school student Mickey Bolitar, has inspired a haunting song by the singer and musician David Berkeley also entitled Shelter.

Harlan Coben has been a fan of David Berkeley’s for several years and mentioned one of his songs in an earlier novel CAUGHT. When Berkeley got in touch to thank him for the plug they two became friends and have often talked about collaborating on a project. It was on reading an advance proof of Coben’s novel SHELTER that Berkeley came to write his beautiful and heartbreaking song.

David Berkeley says:

“As a songwriter, I am often trying to create a musical story out of an emotion or an experience. With "Shelter," Harlan provided me with the story and experiences, and I had to just create a sonic mood that matched, using enough details to make it relate while still allowing the song to be broad. I was inspired by how big Mickey’s heart is, by his courage in the face of all the world throws at him. Once I got my head into his, the song basically wrote itself.”

Harlan Coben says:

"I love David's music so much that I had a character in my novel CAUGHT listening to him. The fact that SHELTER inspired David to write one of his most beautiful and haunting hit songs, well, I couldn't be more pleased.   The first time I heard the song, I started to well up."

Title: Shelter

Series: Mickey Bolitar #1

Author: Harlan Coben

Publisher: Indigo

Publication Date: 15 Sep 2011

Synopsis: From Amazon

Mickey Bolitar's year can't get much worse. After witnessing his father's death and sending his mom to rehab, he's forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools. A new school comes with new friends and new enemies, and lucky for Mickey, it also comes with a great new girlfriend, Ashley. For a while, it seems like Mickey's train-wreck of a life is finally improving - until Ashley vanishes without a trace. Unwilling to let another person walk out of his life, Mickey follows Ashley's trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that this seemingly sweet, shy girl isn't who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey's father. Soon, Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it makes high school drama seem like a luxury - and leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew. With this new series, Coben introduces an entirely new generation of fans to the masterful plotting and wry humour that have made him an award-winning, internationally bestselling author.

I am always saying music and books go together, this just proves me right [ ; D ]

Review: Soul Beach by Kate Harrison

Title: Soul Beach

Series: Soul Beach #1

Author: Kate Harrison

Publisher: Indigo

Publication Date: 1 Sep 2011

Synopsis: From Amazon

When Alice Forster receives an email from her dead sister she assumes it must be a sick practical joke. Then an invitation arrives to the virtual world of Soul Beach, an idyllic online paradise of sun, sea and sand where Alice can finally talk to her sister again - and discover a new world of friendships, secrets and maybe even love . . . . But why is Soul Beach only inhabited by the young, the beautiful and the dead? Who really murdered Megan Forster? And could Alice be next? The first book in an intriguing and compelling trilogy centered around the mystery of Megan Forster's death.

Review: 

This is one of those books that gripped me from the very first page. The prologue is tension filled yet beautifully descriptive in a chilling way, so much so that I compulsively turned the pages into the night not daring put it down afraid I would miss something of importance. Yes I know I could go back to the same page but when you have the movie version playing in your head you don't want to leave it for a single second.

Written in 1st person narrative from Alice's perspective; at 16, she is a well rounded character. Easy to imagine and develop in the story. Especially with the online presence and how it feels so 'normal', I would go so far as to say it provides an escape from some of the unpleasantness of 'real life' that I can certainly relate to. Alice has a fantastic narrative voice, the use of italics to emphasis certain words added to the effect of Alice's voice in my imagination. Her loyalty to her sister, Megan, is amazing to behold yet at the back of my mind I was constantly worrying about the effect the Beach was having on Alice in real life. Very British in the references used, including the portrayal of underage drinking (which we all know goes on) added to the realism of the story. 

The portrayal of grief and how everyone copes differently with it was poignantly within the narrative.

I am not going to go into details about the plot in my review as it really would spoil it, I will say that it is a murder, mystery, supernatural thriller. Utterly amazing to say the least.

Alice's 'job' it appears is to find resolution for some of the souls trapped in the beach enabling them to move on. Even paradise can become a prison of sorts if it is repetitive especially for eternity. It would appear that the Beach is a kind of Purgatory for unresolved deaths of young adults.

All the characters have wonderfully hidden depths; I am literally aching to get answers out of them. I want to sit them in a chair and interrogate them individually (lol). Unfortunately, this isn't an option for Alice who has to tip-toe around the Beach's rules that are ambiguous to say the least.

I adored the snarky geek portrayal of Lewis and Danny brought to mind images of the Kennedy's. I can't really say why just that the way in which his 'life' was portrayed - privileged yet restricted due to the restraints that privilege brings. Whoever, at the back of my mind I was always questioning every single character for motive and opportunity with regard to Megan's murder. It was difficult to trust any of the characters at face value, unless they were souls on the beach (lol) but even they had secrets to be uncovered.

There is a major open ending that left me absolutely desperate for the next book in the trilogy. Silver lining at least I know there is going to be a second book. Torture having to wait an entire year for it. Seriously this book is fantastic and unique. I cannot wait for the next one *starts countdown*

Read the first chapter here

Saturday Spotlight: By Midnight Winner

Title: By Midnight
Series: Ravenwood
Author: Mia James
Publisher: Gollancz
Publication Date: 3 Feb 2011
Synopsis: From Amazon
April Dunne is not impressed. She's had to move from Edinburgh to Highgate, London, with her parents. She's left her friends - and her entire life - behind. She has to start at a new school and, worst of all, now she's stuck in a creepy old dump of a house which doesn't even have proper mobile phone reception. Ravenwood, her new school, is a prestigious academy for gifted (financially or academically) students - and the only place her parents could find her a place, in the middle of term, in the middle of London, on incredibly short notice. So she's stuck with the super-rich, and the super-smart . . . and trying to fit in when the rest of the students seem to be more glamorous, smarter, or more talented than she is, is more than tough. It's intimidating and isolating, even when she finds a friend in the conspiracy-theorist Caro Jackson - and perhaps finds something more than friendship in the gorgeous, mysterious Gabriel Swift. But there's more going on at Ravenwood than meets the eye. Practical jokes on new students are normal, but when Gabriel saves her from . . . something . . . in Highgate Cemetery, and then she discovers that a murder took place just yards away from where she had been standing, April has to wonder if something more sinister is going on. . . . and whether or not she's going to live through it . . . To find out more about the Ravenwood series visit www.ravenwoodmysteries.com 

Review here

 

No. 12 SisterSpooky

The winner has been emailed and the book is winging it's way to her [ : D ]

Review: By Midnight by Mia James

Title: By Midnight
Series: The Ravenwood Mysteries #1
Author: Mia James
Publisher: Gollancz
Publication Date: 3 Feb 2011

Synopsis: From Amazon


April Dunne is not impressed. She's had to move from Edinburgh to Highgate, London, with her parents. She's left her friends - and her entire life - behind. She has to start at a new school and, worst of all, now she's stuck in a creepy old dump of a house which doesn't even have proper mobile phone reception. Ravenwood, her new school, is a prestigious academy for gifted (financially or academically) students - and the only place her parents could find her a place, in the middle of term, in the middle of London, on incredibly short notice. So she's stuck with the super-rich, and the super-smart . . . and trying to fit in when the rest of the students seem to be more glamorous, smarter, or more talented than she is, is more than tough. It's intimidating and isolating, even when she finds a friend in the conspiracy-theorist Caro Jackson - and perhaps finds something more than friendship in the gorgeous, mysterious Gabriel Swift. But there's more going on at Ravenwood than meets the eye. Practical jokes on new students are normal, but when Gabriel saves her from . . . something . . . in Highgate Cemetery, and then she discovers that a murder took place just yards away from where she had been standing, April has to wonder if something more sinister is going on. . . . and whether or not she's going to live through it . . . To find out more about the Ravenwood series visit www.ravenwoodmysteries.com

Review:

WARNING: I am going to let you know before you start reading my review that you might get washed away in the gushing river I am about to let forth. This book is absolutely AWESOME just so you know [ ; D ]

Written in 3rd person narrative but focalized from April's point of view. April has been taken away from her friends and security of Edinburgh due to her fathers job relocation. But is there more to why her father moved them to Highgate. The writing is typically British which was refreshing as well as adding to the realism for me.

The multi-layered plot makes the third person narrative a necessity in order to keep tight control of the threads. I am not going to give away plot details as it is an intrinsic part of the reading experience in this book. Seriously you have to read it for yourself - vampires, curses, destiny and eastern European folklore all play a part in the plot. Alongside the usual teenage cliques are portrayed brilliantly but with an added dimension taking the characters to another level. I was constantly questioning motives and personalities.

Speaking of characters I have to mention Caro - yes she is a genius and her levels of sarcasm rival my own but boy is she a complete conspiracy nut. I totally loved her. She proves to be a great friend to April in many ways. April is lucky to have her and her friend from Edinburgh (I hate it when I forget to write their names down)  in her life. Especially in the tougher times.

Plus Gabriel *swoonalicious* oh Gabriel what can I say about you other than I totally blame Buffy and Angel for my love of brooding vampires with a conscious.

Beautiful yet chilling Gothic imagery add to the world building. Sensory encompassing so you can lose yourself completely into the pages of the book. I know it is weird but I wanted to go on a tour of Highgate Cemetery and the other places mentioned within the narrative. Tracing Aprils footsteps to add to the realism of the story.

The action is fast-paced and dramatic interspersed with enlightening, reflective prose which gives insight into both the characters and the plot. Put that alongside the amazing character development and interaction and you have one heck of a story.

One thing I will say is that I am glad I have read the book close to the publication of the second book knowing I will not have to wait long to get some of the answers I so desperately need. The ending of By Midnight will leave you gasping for more immediately.

In my humble opinion I think this book is brilliant. I can hear some of you saying 'Oh No, not another vampire book' but read it and I will bet it will renew your love of vampires.

Trailer Tuesday: Soul Beach by Kate Harrison and ARC Give-Away

Title: Soul Beach
Series: Soul Beach #1
Author: Kate Harrison
Publisher: Indigo
Publication Date: 1 Sep 2011

Synopsis: From Amazon

When Alice Forster receives an email from her dead sister she assumes it must be a sick practical joke. Then an invitation arrives to the virtual world of Soul Beach, an idyllic online paradise of sun, sea and sand where Alice can finally talk to her sister again - and discover a new world of friendships, secrets and maybe even love . . . . But why is Soul Beach only inhabited by the young, the beautiful and the dead? Who really murdered Megan Forster? And could Alice be next? The first book in an intriguing and compelling trilogy centred around the mystery of Megan Forster's death.

This book is amazing - full review to come but as I love it I wanted to share it with one lucky person. Soooo, I am giving away my lovely ARC.

Just fill out the form below to enter and leave a comment.
UK ONLY (sorry but it is heavy)
You do not have to be a follower to enter but it is nice if you are [ : D ]
One entry per person, duplicate enteries will be deleted.
Closes Midday 16th September