Guest Mini-Review: Dearly Departed by Lia Habel

Image from Amazon

Title: Dearly Departed

Series: Gone With Respiration #1

Author: Lia Habel

Publisher: Corgi Children's 

Publication Date: 7 June 2012

Source: Review Copy

Rating: 

Synopsis from Goodreads

Love can never die.

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

GUEST REVIEW BY MADISON

Nora is attacked one night and carried away by an army of the living dead. don't get me wrong, these are the good guys sent to protect Nora from another group of living dead that want her well dead. The evil zombies want to kill Nora and are willing to feast on anyone in order to increase their numbers. Bram, one of the good undead, tries to earn Nora's trust but she wonders if she will ever be safe again.

My favorite part of the book was when Bram trying to earn Mora's trust uses the locks on his door. This is where they first started to bond, getting to know each other better and trust is built between them. I didn't like Bram's boss at all, he was cruel and unfair however his character was necessary to the plot.

I really enjoyed this book, it was thrilling and I am looking forward to reading the next one. 

Spotlight: Damian Dibben on Historical Fiction

I am very excited to share with you a video of Damian Dibben answering a question for me [ ; D ] 

The question was:

Does historical fiction aid the understanding of historical events for teens?

Huge thanks to Damian and Lauren at Random House for this.

Image from Amazon

Title: The Storm Begins

Series: The History Keepers

Author: Damian Dibben

Publisher: Corgi Children's

Publication Date: 24 May 2012

Source: Review Copy

Rating: 2/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

When Jake is kidnapped by strangers on a stormy London night he discovers his loving parents have been leading a double life and are now missing, lost somewhere in history. He is plunged into a world of secret societies, dangerous double agents, and a terrifying countdown to oblivion. Transported by a Spanish galleon back to 19th century France, he finds himself in the headquarters of The History Keepers - a remarkable league of time-travelling special agents. The History Keepers preserve the true course of history against those who would change it for their own gain, such as the diabolical Prince Zeldt. Driven by a sense of adventure and a desire to reunite his family, Jake makes the most thrilling - and dangerous - decision of his life.

Read Madison's review HERE

Guest Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Image from Goodreads

Title: The Night Circus

Author: Erin Morgenstern

Publisher: Vintage

Publication Date: 24 May 2012

Source: Review Copy

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.

REVIEW BY BETH

Strangely this book had not even come onto my radar, which is a huge shock once I found out how much popular interest it’s gained and also when it found itself of Richard & Judy’s Summer Book club list but anyway. I don’t want to use all the stereotypical magical language to describe this book, because however right it is, it seems an understatement. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is simply beautiful, bewitching and the tone and language used is absolutely captivating and perfect for the setting that is created and grows with the novel.

“The Circus arrives without warning” and only opens at night and punters are treated to a late 19th century spectacular that cannot be beaten. Where you expect trickery and illusion, you are actually met with real, unaccountable feats of “magic” which are truly fascinating. I don’t read fantasy or science fiction or anything like that and this novel doesn’t fit into those categories because I have no reason to believe that it couldn’t be enjoyed by absolutely everybody, it’s that good.

The Circus is the backdrop to a more sinister undertaking between two young, specially selected illusionists who spent their entire childhoods being trained and developed into their modern day selves. Celia and Marco are tied into a ‘game’ which is about more than what it seems and as the novel develops there is more than what it seems to all those involved in the circus production. The feats of imagination that Morgernstern is able to create are undeniably beautiful and the way she draws and develops the circus is just breath-taking – my favourite features included The Wishing Tree and Widget’s special room so look out for them, they’re amazing.

When looking back at this novel you can’t fail to comment upon the illustrative nature of its format too. Pages throughout are scattered with stars and this adds another element which adds to the all-round wonder created by this novel, to the extent that I’ll have to buy my own copy after I return this one to Emma!

My only tiny misgiving as that the ending wasn’t strong enough for me, it seemed to peter out a little but this was by no means enough to detract from my overall love and enjoyment of the novel.

Guest Mini-Review: The Storm Begins by Damian Dibben

Image from Amazon

Title: The Storm Begins

Series: The History Keepers

Author: Damian Dibben

Publisher: Corgi Children's

Publication Date: 24 May 2012

Source: Review Copy

Rating: 2/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

When Jake is kidnapped by strangers on a stormy London night he discovers his loving parents have been leading a double life and are now missing, lost somewhere in history. He is plunged into a world of secret societies, dangerous double agents, and a terrifying countdown to oblivion. Transported by a Spanish galleon back to 19th century France, he finds himself in the headquarters of The History Keepers - a remarkable league of time-travelling special agents. The History Keepers preserve the true course of history against those who would change it for their own gain, such as the diabolical Prince Zeldt. Driven by a sense of adventure and a desire to reunite his family, Jake makes the most thrilling - and dangerous - decision of his life.

GUEST REVIEW BY MADISON

Jake's parents have gone missing, they could be anywhere not only in the world but in time itself. Their ability to travel through time and their part in a society called The History Keepers is a secret they have managed to keep from Jake. Jake sets out to find his parents, a task made all the more difficult when he realises that the evil Prince Zeldt is planning to destroy the world.

To be perfectly honest I didn't really enjoy this book, it's appeal is more for younger readers. It has a simple plot making it easy to follow yet I can see how thrilling it would be for a younger reader. The magical element of time-travel was interestingly portrayed, the inclusion of the evil genius in Prince Zeldt made the plot more exciting.

Although I didn't enjoy it myself I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it to younger readers especially boys, as it was a good book just not my personal taste.

Review: Rapture by Lauren Kate

Title: Rapture

Series: Fallen #4

Author: Lauren Kate

Publisher: Doubleday Children's

Publication Date: 21 June 2012

Source: Review Copy

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

The sky is dark with wings . . . .

Like sand in an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Daniel. To stop Lucifer from erasing the past they must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this—live only to lose Luce again and again.

Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies . . . and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen.

For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her—and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters.

In the fight for Luce, who will win?

The astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series. Heaven can’t wait any longer.

REVIEW

Please bear in mind that this is the fourth and final book in the series and may therefore contain spoilers for the previous books.

Rapture continues straight on from the end of Passion (review HERE) without a break, there is very little recapping so you really need to have read the books in order to fully appreciate the plot. Daniel and Luce had 9 days in order to locate the sight of The Fall in order to stop Lucifer from restarting history to his liking. The revelations come thick and fast accompanied by stunning imagery, fast paced action and the most  beautiful depiction of love that there has ever been. Lauren Kate's use of simile, metaphor and personification bring the world of Daniel and Luce to vivid life within the imagination.

The defining feature of this series and especially this book for me was the way faith, hope and love are the cornerstones that strong foundations should be built on. I don't meant his in a religious sense. Faith is shown in many different forms, faith in yourself to overcome difficulties; the belief that you can do anything. Faith in your friends to be there when it counts, to support and guide you. Faith that true love does exist, love that has the power to make you a better person for it and that you can conquer anything that is thrown in your way. The detail and emotion Lauren Kate has managed to convey in her writing is like being wrapped in a cocoon, warm and cosy til you metamorphasize into something better than you were just from having followed Daniel and Luce's journey.

Lauren depicts love in such a way that it was like being surrounded by light, fluffy clouds drawing feelings of being warm, protected, secure and comfortable *sigh* isn't that how love should be *double sigh*

There are some astounding twists that I honestly just did not see coming at all (my lips are sealed) I actually sat on the sofa making very good goldfish impression at one point. Completely unexpected but completely brilliant.

The way God and religion are portrayed was eye-opening but essentially made so much sense. Raising questions like: If angels were made in God's image the same as mankind does that mean that Lucifer is an embodiment of all the bad things in God?? Just wondering and yes my mind works in strange ways [ ; D ]

The journey and ultimately the end of this series is in one word PERFECT. It was so emotional, I just didn't want it to end. I sat with tears streaming down my face; I still can't believe it's all over. One thing I would like is maybe a spin-off series featuring Cam, I would really love to know what he gets up to next.

I still can't believe it's over *sniff*

Guest Review: Before I Die by Jenny Downham

Title: Before I Die

Author: Jenny Downham

Publisher: David Fickling Books

Publication Date: 29 April 2010

Synopsis from Goodreads

Tessa has just months to live. Fighting back against hospital visits, endless tests, drugs with excruciating side-effects, Tessa compiles a list. It’s her To Do Before I Die list. And number one is Sex. Released from the constraints of ‘normal’ life, Tessa tastes new experiences to make her feel alive while her failing body struggles to keep up. Tessa’s feelings, her relationships with her father and brother, her estranged mother, her best friend, and her new boyfriend, all are painfully crystallised in the precious weeks before Tessa’s time finally runs out.

Tessa has cancer, diagnosed with only a few months to live. Instead of giving up she creates a list of things she wants to do before she dies. Before I Die follows Tessa through her impossible list, sharing the anger, hurt, happiness and most importantly love that she encounters on her journey.

Tessa is strong and fearless, with such a terrible disease she still manages to be happy. She powers through the bad times, brave and outrageous I loved how she was able to make the best of the situation she found herself in. Through the story the reader gets to encounter the highs and lows of Tessa's life. Showing the world through her eyes as she strives to complete her list. Crazy things like breaking the law, taking drugs in an attempt to experience everything, living life to the full with her best friend Zoe helping her along.

My favorite part was when Tessa first sees Adam, going over to his garden next door. It was like a new beginning for Tessa, from this moment Tessa decides to start doing things, she shares a rare moment of peace in her chaotic world. There was one part that I didn't like, focusing on the relationship between Tessa and Zoe. I thought Zoe was thoughtless and selfish not to make sure Tessa was OK following the incident in the river.

I would really like to have seen Tessa's name in the wardrobe when she went to the seaside. I think this would have given her strength and hope. As well as the comfort of knowing she wouldn't be forgotten after her death.

This book was so emotional, it made me appreciate the life I have and I will be highly recommending it.

MG Monday: Guest Review: Black Arts by Prentice and Weil

Title: Black Arts

Series: Black Arts #1

Author: Andrew Prentice and Jonathan Weil

Publisher: David Fickling Books

Publication Date: 29 Mar 2012

Synopsis from Amazon

Elizabethan London: a teeming city of traders and thieves, courtiers and preachers, riff-raff and quality, cut-throats - and demons. When scrunty Jack the 'Judicious Nipper' picks the wrong pocket at the Globe Theatre, he finds himself mixed up in an altogether more dangerous London than he could have imagined - a city in which magic is real and deadly.

An outbreak of devil-worship has led to a wave of anti-witch fervor whipped up by the Elect, a mysterious group of Puritans recognizable from their red-stained right hands, led by the charismatic Nicholas Webb, a growing power at Court. Rumour has it that he wants to purge the city entirely and build a New Jerusalem. Jack has his own reason for hating him: he saw him kill his mother.

Helped by Beth Sharkwell the Thief Princess of Lambeth, Kit Morely the Intelligencer and Dr Dee the Queen's Wizard, Jack pits himself against Webb's Puritans. But this is no straightforward struggle. Things are not as they seem. In fact, ever since his encounter with Webb, there has been something wrong with Jack's vision. He keeps seeing things. Demons.

Black Arts is the first in a series of thrilling time-travel adventures, each bringing the past to glorious life, as Jack and his companions hurtle from one epic struggle to the next.

Jack (Nipper as he is known) is a thief, when he cuts the wrong purse he ends up in a completely different London to the one he is used to. As well as travelling through time he gains the ability to see demons/devils, this is where his search for Preacher Webb begins. Preacher Webb is also the man that killed Jack's mother. Jack is hindered in his search by his ties to his Master, Sharkwell, whose rules must be obeyed or else.

My favorite part of this book happens near the end, I'm not giving away any spoilers. I will say that it was thrilling and interesting in equal measure. I just couldn't put it down, absolutely thrilling. Jack is my favorite character, he is sneaky and sly but he needs to be in order to survive. His cleverness shines through the story.

I have to say that I didn't like how the Intelligencer and The Doctor kept Jack trapped as I think Jack would have been able to discover things necessary to help him in later situations if he hadn't been trapped. I would have really liked to have seen Beth and Jack's relationship develop further and to have seen exactly how Kit escaped captivity. 

I am really looking forward to more in this series and would highly recommend it.

MG Monday: Guest Review: The Adventures of The New Cut Gang by Philip Pullman

Title: The Adventures of the New Cut Gang

Author: Philip Pullman

Publisher: David Fickling Books

Publication Date: 1 Sep 2011

Synopsis from Amazon

Thunderbolt, Benny, Bridie and Sharky Bob are a mixed bunch of vagabonds and urchins who come together to form the New Cut Gang in two comic tales of stolen silver, skulduggery and desperadoes.

Fake coins are turning up all over Lambeth and the finger of suspicion is pointing at Thunderbolt's dad - could he really be the forger? The crime-busting New Cut Gang come to the rescue!

And when just two clues - a blob of wax and a Swedish match - are discovered at the scene of a break-in, the children find themselves on the trail of an extremely cunning criminal.

Set in late Victorian London, these two action-packed thrillers have now been put together in a single volume - with new illustrations throughout from Horrible Histories illustrator, Martin Brown.

This book combines 2 stories in one. The first being that of Thunderbolts Waxwork, the other The Gas Fitters Ball.

The main characters in both books are Sharky Bob, Bridie, Benny, Thunderbolt aka Sam alongside the twins, Angela and Zerlina. The book follows them through the 2 mysteries which they have to solve together as The New Cut Gang. In Thunderbolts Waxwork fake coins are being given out while in The Gas Fitters Ball £10,000 of silver is stolen. The New Cut Gang have to solve these mysteries to restore order to the town.

My favorite part was when the gang were trying to make a wax model because I thought it was a really sweet thing for them to try to do as well as it being funny how they went about trying to make it look real. Benny was my favorite out of all the characters because he was always coming up with crazy plans. He had a wonderful imagination and amazing crime solving skills when combined with the other members of the gang.

Unfortunately I did find some parts of the book a little predictable but I put this down to the age level it is geared for. I would have also changed some of the language used as I think old fashioned words may have been a bit difficult for younger children to understand.

Although I enjoyed this book I did find it on the young side; I would recommend it to younger readers who enjoy crime, mystery novels.

MG Monday: Guest Mini-Review: On Stage in America by Dee Shulman

Title: On Stage in America

Series: My Totally Secret Diary

Author: Dee Shulman

Publisher: Red Fox

Publication Date: 2 Feb 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

Polly Price is so embarrassed by her actor mother, who loves to draw attention to herself and hog the limelight. Now Polly's worst nightmare has come true as her mother heads to America to appear in a play and Polly has to go with her! Not only that, but she's forced to hang around with the young stars of the show, who aren't exactly lining up to be her friends. Read Polly's wonderfully funny diary as she records the mishaps and mayhem backstage, before all of a sudden the spotlight is on her!

GUEST REVIEW BY SEREN YEAR 5

This book is really funny, I really liked the diary style of it and all the illustrations they really helped the story. I laughed out loud through most of it much to my little sisters annoyance, lol. There are some real cringe worthy moments, a lot like X Factor.

I really liked Polly, she was so funny and kept going through all her adventures.

I cannot wait to read more of this series and am recommending it to all of my friends.

Guest Review: The Flappers: Vixen

Title: Vixen

Series: The Flappers #1 

Author: Jillian Larkin

Publisher: Corgi Childrens

Publication Date: 1 Mar 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

Jazz . . . Booze . . . Boys . . . It’s a dangerous combination.

Every girl wants what she can’t have. Seventeen-year-old Gloria Carmody wants the flapper lifestyle—and the bobbed hair, cigarettes, and music-filled nights that go with it. Now that she’s engaged to Sebastian Grey, scion of one of Chicago’s most powerful families, Gloria’s party days are over before they’ve even begun . . . or are they?

Clara Knowles, Gloria’s goody-two-shoes cousin, has arrived to make sure the high-society wedding comes off without a hitch—but Clara isn’t as lily-white as she appears. Seems she has some dirty little secrets of her own that she’ll do anything to keep hidden. . . .

Lorraine Dyer, Gloria’s social-climbing best friend, is tired of living in Gloria’s shadow. When Lorraine’s envy spills over into desperate spite, no one is safe. And someone’s going to be very sorry. . . .

GUEST REVIEW BY BETH OF THE PIECES OF ME

This novel can only be described as fabulous and that’s not a word I’d usually use but it’s the only word which is in keeping with the mood and atmosphere created in this work. The 1920s Flapper girls have always intrigued me, as has the whole jazz music/prohibition ‘scene’ in the States but it’s not something I’ve ever known much about. After reading this novel I wouldn’t say I know a lot more about the period but I am spurred on to looking into it from a cultural/socio-historical perspective as the plot and characters in this work made it all seem so exciting and dangerous.

The three main characters in the novel are brilliant crafted. At first, I took an instant dislike to Gloria, despite her role as the ‘golden girl’ of the novel. This lessened towards the end but was never fully dealt with, she’s still not a particularly likeable character from my point of view. Her best friend, Lorraine is deeper and potentially more interesting but turns out to be even more despicable and goody-two-shoes Clara turned out to be my absolute favourite. Clara’s character is complex and interesting and there’s much more than meets the eye with her. The female characters are surrounded by a cast of males whose roles as the good guy and bad guy seem to interchange as much as the females. It’s really interesting that Larkin manages to keep the reader guessing throughout as to who the heroes and villains really are.

The plot itself quickens in pace as things become more complex and dangerous and some of the seemingly wholesome characters begin to show their true colours. The ending is absolutely brilliant and is a perfect beginning to what looks to be a really thrilling series. I don’t know how many novels out there cover this period but if this is anything to go by, more should.

Spotlight: Bringing Book Covers to Life

Taken from the press release:

Random House Children’s Books (RHCB) and Transworld Publishers (TWP) have teamed up with
Aurasma, the world’s leading augmented reality platform, to bring bestselling authors Lauren Kate
and Sophie Kinsella’s book jackets to life.

When fans download a free app on their Smartphone then hold their device over the front cover of
the book, the jacket images will come to life. Special video messages from the author can also be
viewed by ‘scanning’ the author photos on the book jackets. The app, which works on iPhone and
Android Smartphones, as well as iPad 2 and iPod touch, uses Aurasma’s ‘virtual browser’ to
recognise trigger images through the phone’s camera, which then generate video content directly
onto the device’s screen.

Fans of Lauren Kate can download the FALLEN BOOKS app and bring the front cover of Fallen in Love
to life. The SOPHIE KINSELLA app will activate Sophie Kinsella’s new novel I've Got Your Number.

ABOUT AURASMA

Aurasma is the world’s first visual browser – a new augmented reality technology that merges the
physical world with the virtual. Available as a free app for iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S, iPad2 and high-powered
Android devices or as a free kernel for developers, Aurasma uses advanced image and pattern
recognition to recognise and understand real-world images and objects in much the same way as the
human brain does. It then seamlessly blends the real-world with rich interactive content such as videos
and animations called “Auras”. Auras can be created for printed images, product packaging, clothing,
physical places and users can even use the app to create and share their own.
Since its launch in June 2011, Aurasma has had more than three million downloads. Over 2,000 partners
in markets including retail, fashion, sport, automotive, consumer electronics, entertainment, advertising
and publishing are using the free technology in their campaigns, on their products or embedding the
technology in their own applications. Aurasma was developed by and is part of software company
Autonomy – an HP Company.

How cool is that.

Mini-Review: Fallen in Love by Lauren Kate

Title: Fallen in Love

Series: Fallen #3.5

Author: Lauren Kate

Publisher: Doubleday Children's

Publication Date: 2 Feb 2012

Source; Review Copy

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

What makes your heart race a little faster? Just in time for Valentine's Day, it's FALLEN IN LOVE, four wholly original new stories collected in a new novel set in the Middle Ages by Lauren Kate. FALLEN IN LOVE gives fans the much-talked about but never-revealed stories of FALLEN characters as they intertwine with the epic love story of Luce and Daniel. The stories include: Love Where You Least Expect It: The Valentine of Shelby and Miles , Love Lessons: The Valentine of Roland; Burning Love: The Valentine of Arriane; and Endless Love: The Valentine of Daniel and Lucinda.

REVIEW

I am a huge fan of the Fallen series as you may already know. I jumped about with sheer delight when I received this book. It is beautiful feeding my cover love. Plus the cover comes to life (more details of that later) but what an awesome idea.

Fallen in Love is a collection of short stories featuring the peripheral characters from the main books. Providing valuable insight into the characters themselves as well as how their relationships have shaped their decisions, actions  and personalities in the other time periods already portrayed in the main plot. Although these are individual character stories they still revolve around the main story-line featuring Daniel and Luce.

Nice recaps within the narrative keep the story fresh in the imagination while simultaneously progressing each individual story. Providing a clever way in which to relate aspects back to the central story-line within the series. The way in which all the characters converged at the same time and place enriched the story-line as a whole.

In reality not all relationships have a 'happily ever after', the inclusion of heartbreak along with the 'true love' ideal provides a nice balance. Although the notion of 'true love' together with soul-mates is the basis of the story  and therefore is the plot equivalent of 'a moth to a flame' for the characters. Providing a source of hope to all of them (and me).

The way in which Valentine's Day celebrations were depicted in Medieval times gave them far more credence than the commercially exploited day we celebrate now. A day of feasting, dancing and festivities sounds so much better than one filled with overpriced cards and flowers. The glorious descriptive writing brings the Medieval World to life within the imagination.

Hints are subtlety placed within the narrative to gear the main plot towards its conclusion in Rapture. Fallen in Love provides a great addition to the Fallen series and is a MUST for all Fallen fans.

Guest Review: Prisoner of The Inquisition by Theresa Breslin

Title: Prisoner of the Inquisition

Author: Theresa Breslin

Publisher:   Corgi Childrens 

Publication Date: 31 March 2011

Source: Review Copy

Synopsis from Goodreads

Zarita is used to basking in the pampered lifestyle being the only daughter of the town magistrate affords; she is free to roam the town as she likes, consort with the son of a nobleman and spend her days studying the arts. Saulo's family have fallen on hard times, and when his father is hanged for an assault on Zarita he did not commit and Saulo is hauled off to be a slave at sea, Saulo swears revenge. But when Zarita's mother dies in childbirth, and the formidable and frightening Inquisition arrives in the area, a curtain of suspicion and brutality comes down on her old life for good. Saulo may believe that Zarita is his sworn enemy, but in a time when the whole of Spain is in turmoil, are him and Zarita each other's only hope of survival?

GUEST REVIEW BY BETH OF THE PIECES OF ME

This novel took some time for me to get into but once I did, it was worth every minute. The characters felt real and believable. They were so beautifully written that even characters who initially seemed detestable (Zarita) turned out differently.

It’s not the kind of book or period I’d usually choose to read about so it was really interesting to be transported to a land and a time I knew nothing about. Its story switches between the narrative perspectives of Zarita and Saulo which I really enjoyed as it was possible to see how the one event in their past shapes all their actions in the future.

I much preferred Zarita’s side of the story to Saulo’s, mainly because I’m not really interested in swash-buckling sea-faring stuff whereas Zarita’s narrative was much more interesting, probably because it took more time for her character to bloom and develop. The characters were written really well and were easy to engage with, which made it even more enjoyable to read.

From a historical point of view some of the events covered are horrifying, with the burning of those convicted of heresy and the reliance on tittle-tattle and rumour to convict these people. The ending of the novel is extremely climactic and as the pace increases I didn’t even guess what was going to happen until it happened, which is clearly the mark of a good storyteller.

Having never read anything else from the period I found this novel really enlightening and enjoyable and I’d definitely give other works by this author a go, especially if they were similar in style.

Musical Moments: Book Theme Songs: Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Title: Texas Gothic
Author: Rosemary Clement-Moore
Publisher: Corgi Children's
Publication Date: 7 July 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads

Amy Goodnight's family is far from normal. She comes from a line of witches, but tries her best to stay far outside the family business. Her summer gig? Ranch-sitting for her aunt with her wacky but beautiful sister. Only the Goodnight Ranch is even less normal than it normally is. Bodies are being discovered, a ghost is on the prowl, and everywhere she turns, the hot neighbor cowboy is in her face.

Review here

Tantalising Trailers: Unleashed by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

This trailer was originally scheduled for last month but blogger mysteriously ate it [ : ( ] 

So in honour of tonight's full moon - ENJOY

Title: Unleashed

Series: Wolf Springs Chronicles

Author: Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

Publisher: Doubleday Children's 

Publication Date: 8 Dec 2011

Synopsis from Amazon

When Katelyn starts at her new school. the only person she knows is the handsome and intriguing Trick Sokolov, an acquaintance of her grandfather. She's surprised when the popular Cordelia Fenner invites her home and when she meets Cordelia's hot brother, she begins to think her new life might be OK after all.

But as she spends time with the family, she realises that the Fenners are harbouring a deep dark secret. Every bone in Katelyn's body tells her that the Fenners are mad, bad and dangerous to know - but how can she give up her only friend, and how can she ignore the way Justin sets her blood on fire with a single look?

Katelyn finds herself caught between three major werewolf clans who have been at war with each other for centuries - a war, it seems, that Katelyn is destined to end.

Spotlight: Random House Christmas Comes Early Competition

I just had to share this fabulous competition from Random House with you.

There are a number of competitions on their website - can you afford to miss out.

Go HERE to find out more

Spotlight: Publishing Deals Revealed by Random House

I am totally excited for all of these books. How amazing all of them.

Keep a look out on UK BOOK TOURS for the Début Author Book Tours

Title: Starters

Series: Starters

Author: Lissa Price

Publisher: Doubleday Children's

Publication Date: 5 April 2012

Synopsis from Amazon

A gripping dystopian thriller by debut author, Lissa Price.

Screenwriter Lissa Price's STARTERS is the first in a futuristic thriller series featuring a society where youth is coveted at an impossible price, and one girls' ability to bring it all crumbling down.

Title: Struck

Series: I think so but am awaiting confirmation

Author: Jennifer Bosworth

Publisher: Doubleday Children's

Publication Date: 10 May 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

Mia Price is a lightning addict. She’s survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.

Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities, populated by millions of homeless. Downtown is a wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the attendees drawn to the destruction by a magnetic force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power in the wake of the disaster, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing prophecies. They know she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the worse storm that is yet to come.

Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but he’s hiding a more sinister truth. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must unleash the full horror of her strength to save them all.

Title: The Lost Girl

Series: Not confirmed

Author: Sangu Mandanna 

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date: Early 2013

Synopsis from Press Release

The Lost Girl publishes in early 2013 and centres around Eva, a feisty teen girl who technically has no true identity of her own. Eva is forced to abandon everything she's ever known and loved, finding herself torn between two worlds.

Title: ACID

Author: Emma Pass

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date: Early 2013

Synopsis from Goodreads

This action packed novel introduces us to Jenna Strong. A truly kiss ass heronie who is serving time in a all male prison for the murder of her parents. Set one hundred years in the future in a big brother society. Britain is now under control of ACID a terrifing all seeing police force.

I don't know about you but I have already added these to my wish-list, how on earth is my wish-list ever going to get smaller with all these fabulous books. 

For more great 2013 Débuts check out this fantastic blog THE LUCKY THIRTEENS which features Emma Pass, believe me your wish-list will explode.

Spotlight: Lauren Kate News that Makes Me SQUEEEE

You know how much I adore the Fallen series by Lauren Kate - well I do love, love, love it and cannot wait to find out what happens next. I literally squeed out loud when this news came through my inbox.

Title: Fallen in Love

Series: Fallen

Author: Lauren Kate

Publisher: Doubleday Children's

Publication Date: 2 Feb 2012

Synopsis from Amazon

Unexpected. Unrequited. Forbidden. Eternal. Everyone has their own love story.

And in a twist of fate, four extraordinary love stories combine over the course of a romantic Valentine's Day in Medieval England. Miles and Shelby find love where they least expect it. Roland learns a painful lesson about finding-and losing love. Arianne pays the price for a love so fierce it burns. And for the first -and last- time, Daniel and Luce will spend a night together like none other.

Lauren Kate's FALLEN IN LOVE is filled with love stories . . . the ones everyone has been waiting for.

True love never says goodbye . . .

Fallen in Love Chapters Amp WEB

Title: Rapture

Series: Fallen

Author: Lauren Kate

Publisher: Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: 12 Jun 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

The sky is dark with wings. . . .

In RAPTURE, the highly anticipated fourth and final novel in the FALLEN series, Luce and Daniel are together . . . but for how long? Can history be rewritten? Or are some punishments eternal?

Arghhhh with a synopsis like that how on earth can I be expected to wait until JUNE (needs book NOW)