Book Review -Blackwood by Gwenda Bond

Title: Blackwood

 Author: Gwenda Bond

Series: N/A

Published:  4 September 2012 by Strange Chemistry

Length: 416 pages

Source: Publisher

Other info: This is Gwenda’s debut.

Summary : On Roanoke Island, the legend of the 114 people who mysteriously vanished from the Lost Colony hundreds of years ago is just an outdoor drama for the tourists, a story people tell. But when the island faces the sudden disappearance of 114 people now, an unlikely pair of 17-year-olds may be the only hope of bringing them back.
Miranda, a misfit girl from the island’s most infamous family, and Phillips, an exiled teen criminal who hears the voices of the dead, must dodge everyone from federal agents to long-dead alchemists as they work to uncover the secrets of the new Lost Colony. The one thing they can’t dodge is each other.

Review: Many many years ago, 114 people disappeared for no reason from Roanoke Island. Modern day Roanoake, anotoehr 114 people have gone. Miranda and Phillips are two random teenagers, both outcasts due to her connection to the island and his hearing voices of the dead, who take on the task of finding out what happened to them, both the many years ago and today.

I love books with modern takes on history and legends. Especially legeneds that I haven’t heard of. It’s set up really well. The opening scene tells both the legend and gives a quick view of Miranda. The whole opening was really exciting, and a fantasy/mystery book was starting to come along well.

Miranda, I liked. She’s determined to find out what happened, mainly because her father got killed at the same time as these new people disappeared. Phillips, I found a bit annoying and I’m not sure why. Roswell and Bane, I really didn’t get at all.

I t was all about the two thirds mark when things srarted happening that weer really weird. I liked the introduction of John Dee and the alchemists but we get told things and go in multiple ddirections that didn’t always make sense and were quite hard to  follow. The ending, I was just...what.

The writing was ok. There’s a lot of Fraks, which makes the actual F word look really out of place.  The pacing is good to begin with, but towards the end, it’s hard to understand.

I’ve read a few things with Dee and Elizabethan-era magic crossed over with contemporary things. I like this mix, both in general, and here, and the mystery and the setting works.

Overall:  Strength 2 tea to a book with really nice ideas that I couldn’t get into.

Links: Amazon | Goodreads | Author website |

Book Review-Devil's Bargain by Rachel Caine

Title: Devil’s Bargain

 Author: Rachel Caine

Series:  Red Letter Days

Published:  5 October 2012 by Mira

Length:331 pages

Source: publisher

Other info: Rachel is best known for The Morganville Vampires, and has also written Weather Warden, Outcast Season and Revivalist series.                                                                         

Summary :  Jasmine "Jazz" Callender is on the downhill slide to ruin. Once a decorated homicide detective, she's lost it all: her former partner's been convicted of murder, she's been cashiered out, and she's drinking away what little self-respect she's got left.
But Jazz has a talent for trouble, and somebody knows it. When a mysterious, sexy stranger comes looking for her with a fateful red envelope in his hand, she's about to make the deal of her life...for good or bad.
The deal requires her to enter into a partnership with a stranger and investigate cases that arrive in special red envelopes...which is odd enough, but gets weirder as she and her new partner Lucia realize that they may be working for someone with supernatural abilities.
And maybe they're not on the side of the angels anymore.

Review: Jazz Callender isn’t doing well. Having lost her job as a homicide detective when her partner gets convicted of homicide, she has nowhere to go. So, one day, James turns up. He’s a lawyer and comes with an offer- to save her Ben, she’ll have to work for a strange society which may or may not have psychic powers.

It started kind of well. There’s a lot of mystery when James shows up and you get quite intrigued as to what will be required of Jazz. The mystery builds when Jazz and her assigned partner Lucia do things which they weren’t really expecting, such as observing ordinary going ons. The action doesn’t really kick in until just over halfway, when someone gets killed.

The psychic element, in my opinion, should have been more prevalent if you were going to market it as a psychic paranormal book. It just didn’t seem like much of a threat, even when we met XXX and understood how things were playing out and why. For a romance, there wasn’t that much of it either. It did work really well as a thriller, with intriguing trails, action of realistic physical fights, and the mysterious red envelopes.

The characters are good. Jazz and Lucia are both independent, strong and intelligent, and work really well together. Manny, the tech guy, was a little bit of comic relief, as well as providing useful things.  Borden isn’t that interesting in terms of character, but in terms of what he does plotwise, I liked it. Lucia was my favourite.

The world, the society, didn’t really captivate me that much. The writing, Jazz was a good narrator but there wasn’t anything particularly special about it. The pacing, I would have liked a few more big important things to come along a bit earlier, as you wait a long time for things to happen.

Overall: Strength 3 to a mystery thriller with good characters but not so much plot.  

Links: Amazon | Goodreads | Author website | 

To avoid confusion, a tour of my bookshelves. Plus news.

Hi.

So, awesome M at We Sat Down sent me a copy of Clockwork Princess! Nice nice people. I've met M and Little M twice and they are both awesome. This is further proof.

You can follow this blog via: bloglovin, RSS, email, networkedblogs, linky and GFC.

I'm thinking of holding a LBGTQIA etc in YA event some time in the second half of August. Not sure how long it would run, it depends on how many people would be up for it, but there has been some interest from people around the interwebs. Give a shout if you'd read/participate.
Vague planning around my timetable- Planning, ideas circulating, next week, lighten up for two weeks for internal exams,  hold off planning May and June due to actual real exams, proper planning late June and July and August.

I know racism exists still, alongside multiple other isms that should be gone. But today, I was generally shocked by the fact that there's still segregated proms happening. Faith in humanity lessened a bit more.

Sad news regarding Iain M Banks and terminal cancer. Wishing him the best quality of life possible for what remains of it.

James Dawson needs a survey filled out for his book, Being A Boy. If you are a person between 14 and 24, go and fill out this survey. From the questions, it looks like interesting topics will be raised. Looking forwards to it, despite my not normally reading nonfiction and my nonfiction reading material normally being very very different.

Also,the question "Do you feel your SRE at school addressed violent or abusive relationships and rape?" got me wondering about how rape&violence are covered generally. It'll be interesting to see inthe book, but I was wondering if any school ever sits down their pupils (because anyone nomatter their parts can be a complete failure of humanity) and says "Don't rape. Respect everyone's privacy and consent and lack of". Really not related to books, but  that's a serious thought of the day.  

I have no idea how to design this thing for the exam. A fabric educational product based on the theme "world transport". I believe someone at AQA was high when they thought of this.

Those pretty, colour organised shelves, aren't mine! I am nowhere near organised nor dedicated enough to do something like that and maintain it.

Case in point, here are my books.

Books that I have read and honestly could not get rid of. And CDs. And DVDs. And glasses cases. And lucky cats. 

Books that I books that I have read and will review, will read soon and review, and books that I read ages ago and really need a review writing so will reread soon.

   

And here, my to read box! Normally, that stack is on top of the box... 

A far far cry from the organisation of those bookshelves. Maybe I'll try sorting out my "keep forever" shelf into prettiness. One day.

 I am really behind in CampNaNoWriMo. But I have a way to keep going. I think...maybe. 

And for your weekly "random image that might be interesting to some" Someone on the internet is a godsend and made this.

I'm going to leave now while I die either of laughter or sweetness overload that there is almost a whole foot's difference between Clara and The Eleventh Doctor.

Have a good week, everyone. 

Book Review-Summertime of the Dead by Gregory Hughes

Title: Summertimeof the Dead

 Author:  Gregory Hughes

Series:   N/A

Published:  30 August 2012 by Quercus

Length:304 pages

Warnings: really graphic violence, mentions of prostitution, suicide, lots of things

Source: publisher

Other info: Gregory also wrote Unhooking the Moon, which won the Booktrust prize

Summary : Yukio's two best friends are dead. Tormented and blackmailed by the Yakuza - the Japanese mafia - they have taken their own lives.
Yukio is a kendo champion and he knows all the stories of the samurai. Heartbroken and furious, he is determined to avenge the deaths of his beloved Hiroshi and Miko.
And so begins a deadly struggle between Yukio and the Yakuza, and between Yukio's capacity for love, and his thirst for revenge.

Review: After being blackmailed by the Yazuka, Miko and Hiroshi kill themsleves. Yukio, their best freidn, is determened to avenge them. As a result, he goes out to kill all those he holds responsible for their deaths.

First thoughts on Yukio-whoa, overreaction much? Yes, you do kendo. I understand you’re upset. But actually killing someone? You’re fourteen.These honour things are a bit outdated (not living in 21^st centuryJapan, I don’t know how common it is for a teenager or anyone to hold the views that someone messes with your friends you mess them up even more). And even if you are going to live by the way of honor, you have gone much too far. And yeah, you’re fourteen. How the heck did you guys get into that club that started it to begin with? And then casually get hold of swords and bikes? I had issues wth the age in this. Also, issues  with Yukio. He needs someone around him.

Mikazuki aka The Lump, Yukio’s cousin, is a really sweet but a little annoying. It’s nice seeing her tryand keep Yukio from going completly batcrap insane, but it doesn’t really work.

I suppose you could call it a coming of age story. There’s a few firsts for Yukio, some very big firsts. After a certain amount of kills, it got a bit boring.

You really can see Yukio go off on his own spiral of depravity in the killings, and I liked getting inside his head.  It doesnt’ really bother him, which I find an interesting point. a fourteenyearold, whose first experience with death is traumatic and sudden, going off and killing more people, and not getting too worried could have been really interesting. but t wasn’t.

The writng style was quite simple, but got across the story well. I liked the way the setting of gangland Japan was brought together.

Overall:  Strength 2 tea. A nonsympathetic main character and a bloodbath that went too far.

Links: Amazon | Goodreads | 

Book Review- Ferryman by Claire McFall

Title: Ferryman

 Author: Claire McFall

Series:  N/A

Published:  1 March 2013

Length:334 pages

Source: publisher

Summary : When Dylan emerges from the wreckage of a train crash onto a bleak Scottish hillside, she meets a strange boy who seems to be waiting for her.
But Tristan is no ordinary teenage boy, and the journey across the desolate, wraith infested wasteland is no ordinary journey.
Life, death, love-which will Dylan choose?

Review: Dylan is on her way to meet her father that she’s never really known. Unfortunately, the train she’s on crashes. She thinks she’s the only survivor. She’s the only one who died. Once out of the tunnel, she ifnds Tristan-her ferryman, her guide through the wasteland towards the next part of the afterlife. On  their journey together through the wasteland, a harsh environment filled with wraiths waiting to drag her down, Tristan and Dylan soon fall in love, and Dylan needs to decide what she’ll choose.

I’m always on the look out for new afterlives. The idea of a ferryman is not new, but Claire has made it a very personal affair, with the ferryman being there every step of the journey.

This wasn’t what I expected. I was expecting something a bit more romancy or a bit more actiony. Yes, there’s romance, but it’s less romance more forming a really really deep bond. There’s tension and moments of danger, but you can’t really call it action. Instead, it’s calmer, but at the same time, moving.

Aside from the first thirty pages or so, the first two thirds are very insular. There’s only Tristan and Dylan.  You get really close to both of them, and see their relationship progress from the normal, a bit detached,one that’s expected to one that’s a lot closer than is good for them. I’m glad that the last third brings in a few more people to get to know for a short time anyway.

It’s a very quick read. There’s all sort of things going on in the wasteland, with all the wraiths trying to stop you and  the general danger of not getting across. Either because of the writing or the attachment to the characters of both you get invested in the story, you do get a bit worried for them at certain points, you get emotionally pulled in.

The descriptions are really really vivid. You have the picture of the wasteland, both the one that you normally see plus the one that Dylan sees without her ferryman, really clear, and the setting comes alive.

Also, generally irrelevant,, just want to say that quite a few of us loved the shininess of the cover.

Overall:  Strength 4 tea to an beautiful  take on the Afterlife.

Links: Amazon | Goodreads | Author website | 

Waiting on Wednesday-The Testing

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where we show off books that we want to read but have not been published yet. 

Title:  The Testing
Author:  Joelle Charbonneau
Release Date: 4 June 2013
Link to / Summary from Goodreads: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same? The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career. 
Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one. 
But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.
Why I want it: It looks like a really interesting dystopian world, and the plot looks quite cool.

What are YOU waiting on this week?

Also, sadness over Iain M Banks who is "officially Very Poorly". Thoughts with his family and friends. I've never read anything by him, but I've heard excellent things. And from his personal statement, he seems like a wonderful man. 

Book Review- Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Title: Scarlet

 Author: Marissa Meyer

Series:   Lunar Chronicles#2

Published:  7 February 2013 by Penguin

Length:452 pages

Source: Publisher

Other info: This is book 2 in the Lunar Chronicles series. Book one was Cinder and was reviewed here. Books three and four will be Cress and Winter.

Summary : Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. The police have closed her case. The only person Scarlet can turn to is Wolf, a street fighter she does not trust, but they are drawn to each other. Meanwhile, in New Beijing, Cinder will become the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive – when she breaks out of prison to stay one step ahead of vicious Queen Levana. As Scarlet and Wolf expose one mystery, they encounter Cinder and a new one unravels. Together they must challenge the evil queen, who will stop at nothing to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner . . .

Review: The police have given up on finding Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother, but she hasn’t. She’s at the cagefights where she meets Wolf, a fighter who she wants to trust, but isn’t sure she should. The whole book leads straight on from the end of Cinder, so Cinder is in prison as a fugitive despite her being who she is. With Thorne, another prisoner, she escapes to find Michelle Benoit, who might have information to stay out of Queen Levana’s way. Various things happen and there’s many more mysteries to unravel.

I was so ready for this. I absolutely loved Cinder (review here) and Scarlet didn’t disappoint in mixing scifi and fairytale elements. Once again, you get major plot points of Red Riding Hood, but moved around to fit the plot and cyberpunk world.

 I love the fact that we get more Cinder! I’m looking forwards to the way this series is working-as well as bringing in a cool new girl, we get the cool ones from before back. Looking forwards to the fourth one where we get (hopefully) four kickass heroines.   

Scarlet is just as epic as Cinder. She’s very assertive, really determined and really believes in finding her grandmother. Wolf is someone I halfliked to start with, liked more as we got to know him, then less at various points. End feelings were mixed. The grandmother is so so awesome. Kai, I feel sorry for-he’s obviously being manipulated by Levana and  he goes against what he really wants to do.

There’s lots of plot twists. They’re a bit predictable, but I loved them all the same. So much happened and the action just kept coming.

We get lots of scene changes, which would normally be annoying but doesn’t mess with the flow too badly when done here. You know the trick of cutting off a chapter at a cliffhanger? Normally, this gets resolved in the next chapter. Not so here-you get a chapter of someone else doing important things, dragging out the waiting time. the rest of the writing is really good too.

Overall:  Strength 4 tea to another perfectly blended science fiction fairy tale.  A  whole year to wait??? Damn.

Links: Amazon | Goodreads | Author website | 

Important things!

GUYS GUYS GUYS WE HAVE A LONGER TRAILER FOR THE CITY OF BONES. AND IT HAS MAGNUS IN IT. AND I AM STUPIDLY EXCITED FOR THIS.

Anyway, we also have winners!

The winner to the International giveaway, £11 from The Book Depository is Roxanna Zuziac
The winners to the UK giveaway, one book of choice plus a surprise one, are Sienna (Lost to Books)  and Bella (Cheezyfeet Books)

I'll email you and you'll have a week to respond.

Big thanks to everybody who entered!