27
March
2012
Ward Against Death is a paranormal thriller. It is set in a fantasy, medieval type place inhabited by organised crime groups, assassins and necromancers. In this world, surgery is banned and yet that’s all Ward wants to do with his life. His desire to save people reflects his strong moral code, and so when he ‘wakes’ Celia from death, and she pleads with him to help her find out who murdered her, it is clear he won’t be able to refuse.
From the moment they start running from the people knocking on the door to Celia’s room, the action does not let up. Ward & Celia jump from one precarious encounter to the next, with barely time to breathe. They don’t know anything about each other, and consequently their mistrust and doubt of each other impacts on their communication and chances of survival.
I enjoyed this humourous action-packed ride. Ward is loyal, clever and resourceful. Celia is beautiful, deadly and cynical. Their developing friendship occurs carefully, and with the sub title, Adventures of a Reluctant Necomancer, promising more books about them, their future looks promising.
I recommend this to boys who enjoyed Fated by Sarah Alderson, Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynne Barnes or Eat, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst. Read March 26.
Posted under Adventure, Authors, Fiction, Humour, New books, paranormal, romance, Uncategorized Tags: action, necromancers, paranormal, romance, snarky
8
March
2012
This is the cover to the third book of a fantasy series that I love. And this image fits in so beautifully with the other two. It will be out in October. I can’t wait.
Here are the first two covers:
Finnikin of the Rock (2008)
Froi of the Exiles (2011)
Posted under Uncategorized
21
February
2012
I know you boys will dismiss this one as a ‘girly’ book, (I am looking at you, Zeke) but I implore you to look beyond the cover, and give it a try. And sure, the main character is a girl, and it’s primarily about the almost obsessive love she has for this boy, Garrett Delaney. And maybe as Sadie struggles with her confusion, there are some activities which are best described as girly.
So, I can see where you might be a bit right.
However, this is a funny book. It’s not dark and depressing, as contemporary teen fiction sometimes tends to be. It’s refreshing and happy. Sadie’s realisations of the time she has wasted making herself be the person she thinks Garrett wants, are both horrifying and humorous. It’s great to see a character look at her flaws, then try to make amends, improve herself, and move on.
The journey Sadie goes on is complex and well written. Although there is a new potential love interest, this is downplayed, as the focus is squarely on Sadie learning to find out who she is, and who she wants to be.
It’s a great lesson for all of us. Pick it up. I know you will enjoy this one.
Posted under Uncategorized
17
February
2012
This book does not fit neatly into any of my shelves. It defies and challenges categories. I put it into the romance, not because of Cat & Jason, but because of the beautifully developed friendship between Cat and her best friend, Patrick. Told in flashback, it is extremely sad to see that Cat has shut herself off from him for the past 3 years. All that wasted time!
While Patrick’s beating remains the central mystery of the story, it is evident that the author also wants to highlight the impact of small town poverty and intolerance on individuals. It’s a searing insight – sad and desperate.
Cat’s growing realisation of the need ‘to say yes to the world insted of no’ develops realistically.
Hard to read, but worth it.
Posted under Authors, Contemporary YA, Fiction, mystery, New books, romance Tags: crime, family, friendship, Literary, mystery, prejudice, romance, small town
16
February
2012
Drink, Slay, Love’s premise is clearly laid out in its title. This book does not take itself too seriously. And that’s what makes it a great read.
The main character, Pearl, is set up effectively in the first couple of pages as a thoughtless, amoral vampire, using people for her own hunger. Once the unicorm stabs her through the heart, her subsequent change is enormous. To start having a conscience, to feel empathy with her food source is extremely hard for Pearl, but good fun for us to watch.
However much fun it is, there are still serious scenes here that mean Drink, Slay, Love also works as an action packed suspenseful novel. Pearl is trying to juggle a whole number of issues… the temptation to bite her new friends, keeping her vampire family happy by providing them with potential victims and most of all, not making the King of the Vampires angry because people don’t survive long around him when he is. Even if they are immortal vampires.
I found this to be highly entertaining. Read February 4th.
Posted under Fiction, Humour, mystery, New books, paranormal, Vampire Tags: paranormal, romance, snarky, Vampire
15
February
2012
I don’t know how Daniel Handler learnt to use language: I don’t know if it comes easy to him, or if it’s a struggle: I can’t even begin to imagine how his mind works. Suffice to say, I love how his mind works. I love the way he manipulates language and that it submits so beautifully to his will.
OK, that was a fan gush! Why We Broke Up is an extraordinary voyage into a place YA books rarely go. You know, that place where the feisty independent and free-thinking main character breaks up with the selfish jock and it takes all of two paragraphs, or maybe two pages. And then, the novel begins. That place? That place is this whole book.
And I know we know that Min is too good for Ed, and that the way he treats her is cruel and hurtful, and we should be glad that she finally sees the light. But. But for a goodly part of this book, we see Ed the way Min does: when they are initially attracted to each other; When they try to listen to each other; When they try to fit in with each other’s friends (ok, Ed is spectacularly bad at that)…
Meanwhile, we can see the pain that will eventually crush Min. We know it will happen and Min’s retelling of those events is both heart-breaking, and freeing. But oh man, Ed, you are one nasty piece of work.
Just in case you don’t know: Daniel Handler used to write under the name, Lemony Snicket.
This book got to me. Think you can tell. Read February 4th 2012. Review originally posted at Goodreads.
Posted under Uncategorized
14
February
2012
Jennifer Lynne Barnes writes the Raised by Wolves series, which are extremely action-packed books about werewolves. The main character is a human girl responsible for her own wolf pack, and who is mightily protective and loyal.
The main character, Kali, of Every Other Day, is similarly dependable. Not that she has anybody to look after. A shame really, since Kali has powerful skills and an ability to seek out dark demony creatures and rip them to shreds.
Kali doesn’t really know quite what she is. Every other day, she is a normal human, but every other day, she transforms into a hunter, a predator and cannot die. She tracks, and kills preternatural creatures of the dangerous kind. The interesting thing is this world, is that everyone knows about these denizons and protects them! It’s an upside down world.
At the same time Kali is befriended by the sassy Skylar, she discovers another girl has been marked and will die. Her protective instincts kick in, even though it’s the wrong 24 hours, and Kali is in her weakened human state.
From here on in, the action never lets up, and the book rollercoasts through scene after scene of Kali trying desperately to keep people alive, keep her powers a secret and trying to discover what she really is. Although we are introduced to a potential love interest (or two), romance is not a dominant aspect of this narrative, which might please a lot of you boys.
I totally enjoyed this excellent novel, full of terrific characterisation, as well, a story to lap up. Highly recommended.
Posted under Fiction, New books, paranormal Tags: action, friendship, Kick-ass, paranormal
14
February
2012
The heading says it all. Except not all. I will endeavour to rectify this. I will start blogging (again). As of now.
Posted under Uncategorized
14
February
2012
Oh my. Do not read this book is you want swoony and superficial. Do read it if you are hankering more for complex dense plot lines that are a mixture of ‘da Vinci Code’ & ‘Northern Lights’. Do read it if your idea of a heroine is intelligent, loyal and courageous. But also real and flawed and damaged.
Nora jumps off the page with such a clear voice. Wasserman does not pander to the trends of today’s paranormal genre. This is not an easy read. She makes readers work for their rewards. The narrative builds slowly, developing the four central characters with warmth & love. And more than a little bit of death and danger. There is detail in everything. And so much of it sad: parents too caught up in their own grief to recognise what their children need; lovers too caught up in their own world to worry about friends & depressing school stuff which deadens teenagers’ souls.
But there’s so much good stuff too: Latin translations. A time slip back to the late 1500s where alchemists and philosophers sought more than God’s benevolent love. A connection across the centuries between two girls, both responding to destinies forced upon them. It’s epic, it’s tragic, and ultimately, it’s awesome.
I did struggle I admit, but 150 pages from the end, I did not want to stop. This is a book for patient, deep-thinkers, who want to be immersed in mysteries of life & death, and of God.
Read Feb 13th. Review originally posted at Goodreads.
Posted under Adventure, Contemporary YA, Fiction, mystery, New books Tags: action, faith, murder, mystery
10
December
2011
This is a fast-paced, action-packed dystopian romance with more emphasis on the dystopia and less on the romance. Again, we have dual narrative voices – swinging between the rebel, Day and the loyal prodigy, June. The author does a credible job of creating a Orwellian society where the masses are fed propaganda and live in poverty & squalor, while the elite have everything.
The two heroes are very focused, and have a strong moral sensibility. They recognise this trait in each other, and are drawn to the other’s courage and determination. Even once they know they are on opposing sides, they can’t take back their feelings. But, they do fight them. But the romance is underplayed. It is not a swoony or passionate depiction. The way their feelings develop is in keeping with the tone of the novel: somber, serious and uncertain.
The ending ramps up with an incredibly tense climax, and I was unable to tear my eyes from the page with the suspense. The author does not make anything easy or painless. It is breathtaking, and heartbreaking to read.
I really like this cover. The other version has a girl and that is less likely to appeal to you boys. But a shiny abstract Hunger-Games type cover, might succeed. I am sure it will become a popular favourite in 2012. Read December 10. Review originally posted at Goodreads (but improved here).
Posted under Adventure, Covers, Dystopia, Fiction, New books, romance Tags: action, Dystopia, family, romance, suspence
