Book review: Tins by Alex Shearer

Title: Tins

Author: Alex Shearer

Source: A library... (I don't really know what to say here...)

Length: 252

Published: 2006

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

Warnings: Severed body parts....? Is that really that bad....?

Summary: Fergal has a unique hobby. He collects the tins without labels from the bargain basket in the supermarket; it's his idea of a gamble as you can never tell what's inside. This seems like a harmless thing to do until he finds a finger inside a tin, and he gets caught up in something more sinister.

Review: To explain most of his actions and his appearance, Fergal is said to be "clever". Really now. Attempting to eat the finger is clever, is it? Never mind, I'll stop raving.

The first part of this book was mildly funny, I love how Fergal plays out scenarios and says things in his head: it's quirky and to be honest we all do that occasionally and makes him a loveable character. His childish perception of the world allows his to become overexcited by some things and work methodically the with others. His friend Charlotte is just like him, although slightly less freaked out by what she found in her tin, which probably encouraged Fergal be more rebellious, and right into a big mess near the end. I think that she came a bit too late into the book, but that's probably just my opinion.

The plot itself was either too predictable, or too unrealistic. I found that although the was a cliffhanger at the end of almost ever chapter, you could easily guess what happened in the next or something completely implausible happened. I also thought the way the pair dealt with the situation their was ridiculous and Charlotte acted really stupidly. And she's supposed to be clever too.

Rating: 2

Book Review- The Bell Jar by Syvia Plath

Title: The Bell Jar

 Author: Sylvia Plath

Series:  N/A

Published:  1963

Length: 224 pages

Warnings: alcohol, implied sex, suicide attemts

Source: school LRC

Other info: Sylvia Plath has also written

Summary : Esther Greenwood is brilliant, beautiful, enormously talented, and successful, but slowly going under-maybe for the last time. In her acclaimed and enduring masterwork, Sylvia Plath brilliantly draws the reader into Esther’s breakdown with such intensity that her insanity becomes palpably real, even rational-as accessible an experience as going to the movies. A deep penetration into the darkest and most harrowing corners of the human psyche, The Bell Jar is an extraordinary accomplishment and a haunting American classic.

Review: This is the story of Esther Greenwood. She starts off in the city, having won a contest giving her a job in New York. At some point she is diagnosed with neurosis, and goes to a treatment centre. There’s not really any other way to describe this...just life in and out of the city with a mental illness...

 Part of my Book Club’s summer challenge was to pair up with someone and challenge them to read a book of your choice (I had Narcissa read Divergent). She challenged me to read this. I didn’t know what to expect, because my edition had no blurb, and the cover doesn’t help, and all I was told was “It’s very good’”. And it was.

I really felt for Esther and all that she went through, and believe me, she went through a lot.  The start was very good-telling you how Esther thinks of things, her surroundings, her situation and so on. it then goes on to describe how she gets out of town, tries to deal with Buddy, her childhood sweetheart who turns out to be not as good as she thought he was, how she copes with life and so on. It was very easy to connect with her, and also to imagine how she felt at every part of the story. The first person narrative made it easy to understand how she felt, and easy to follow her thoughts. You got a clear sense of her personality from her narration, dialogue and actions.

I didn’t like Buddy that much. He seemed to manipulate Esther and I feel sorry for her, with how he led a double life behind her back. I liked Joan a lot, and it seemed like Esther had a real friend in her. The other characters weren’t that important, but had clear personalities and influenced Esther a lot.

I didn’t like the way it ended. Not because ************ dies, even though it was really sad, but because it just seems to end suddenly. I didn’t understand what was happening in the final scene, and that’s just really the only weak point in the book.

Overall:  Strength 4 tea to a book that really pulls you in, even if you don’t think it looks very interesting. Because it is.

Links: Amazon | Goodreads | Author website | 

Book Review- Mostly Harmless

One of Katy’s reviews I found lying about

Title: Mostly Harmless

 Author: Douglas Adams

Series:  Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy/Trilogy of Five #5

Published:  13^th October 1992

Length: 218 pages

Source: LRC

Summary : (included in the review)

Review: Like all the books in the 'Trilogy', Mostly Harmless spreads Douglas Adam's unitversally useful wisdom to us humans.

The book mainly describes the story of Arthur Dent, and his attempt to get himself a life after he had travelled into a parallel universe and lost Fenchurch. Armed with the fact that he doesn't know anything, he sets out on a quest to find Starvomula Beta, or something like that, which he must find before he can die. Meanwhile, Ford Prefect steals his boss's identification details and the space equivalent of a credit card and tries to do something, that I can't quite remember, with a robot named Colin.

Tricia McMillian, not Trillian, leads a successful life as a reporter in America when aliens land in her back garden. Realising that this would make the perfect story, she takes her video recorder and gets inside. She starts to interview then and most of their answers are 'We do not know'.

As you can see, Mostly Harmless is a stroke of pure genius as none of the events appear to have any relationship whatsoever. But somehow, they all come together to make a story that generally does not make any sense.

Concerning character depth, all the characters are quite shallow: most of them just want to get drunk or raise their popularity.

Overall:  4

Links: Amazon | Goodreads | Author website | 

Book Review-Divergent by Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent

 Author: Veronica Roth

Series:  Divergent #1

Published:  3^rd May 2011

Length: 496 pages

Source: Library

Other info: This is Veronica Roth’s debut novel. The sequel, Insurgent, should be out one day.

Summary : Beautrice “Tris” Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the age at which teenagers in Veronica Roth’s dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue-Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity and Erudite. To the suprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of Courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding violent initiation rites of this group, but also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place her in mortal danger.

Review: In Beatrice's society, people live in one of five factions; Candor valuing honesty, Amity for kindness, Erudite for intelligence, Abnegation for selflessness and Dauntless for courage. At 16, after being brought up by the rules of their parent's faction, each person must choose what faction they will live in, what rules they will follow, how they live life. As this may be quite hard, they take a test which should give a clear answer as to what faction they are best suited. Should. In Beautrice's case, she was equally cut out for  three. She is different. She is Divergent. She is dangerous.

She chooses in the end to join Dauntless, where initiation is learning to face and control their fears. And half of them will get cut and live factionless. She renames herself Tris and gets on with life in Dauntless. And discovers a plot against Abnegation. And falls in love with her instructor Four. A fairly typical dystopian book here.

But Roth has put her own spin on it. The world is realistic and easy to understand. At first it was a little difficult to remember which faction was which, but I got there after a bit. it was quite annoying that you had to wait until halfway through the book to understand why the factions actually exist. And on a complete side note, was this really Chicago? I never noticed... good or bad, I don't know.

The plot was good. I liked how it takes us thoroughly through all her training, and adds extra little sidestories throughout, not just concentrating on training and, in the later part of the book, the revolution.

The characterisation was very good. I loved seeing Tris get braver, and break free from Abnegation without leaving it behind completely. I liked the way that Four was a nice guy who had his own bad history but not enough to think “he’s pathetic”.

The romance in it was good. I’m glad it wasn’t a love triangle story, because I don’t think it would have worked with all the action. I also really liked the way that, when Four’s past is revealed, it all fits together cleverly.

I liked it being written from Tris’ point of view, where we see how she feels at each stage. She has her own voice throughout, which I think also really added to her character.

Overall:  Strength 5 tea to one of the best dystopians I’ve read, that kept me interested throughout, and waiting for the next.

Links: Amazon | Goodreads | Author website | 

Book Review- Nekropolis by Tim Waggoner

Title: Nekropolis

 Author:  Tim Waggoner

Series:   Matt Richter

Published:   2004, republished 2009

Length: 416 pages

Warnings:  vampires, zombies, lycanthropes, witchcraft. Just like you'd expect from a book set in the city of the dead. A LOT of profanity. Sex and drug references. 

Source: Library

Other info: There are two more in the series, Dead Streets and Dark War

Summary : My name is Matt Ritcher. Private eye. Zombie. The vampire lords have been running the city are planning to blow up the city. Over my dead body.

Review:  Parajunkee’s Vampire Challenge  Half vampires count. This follows Matt Richter, one of Nekropolis’ (ie City of the Dead) best private eyes. And he’s also a zombie. After walking into a bar and putting a girl’s soul into the body of the lycanthrope that killed her, he is followed out by Devona. Who is half human and half vampire, because her father is the ruler of the vampire’s part of Nekropolis. She wants Matt to help her find the Dawnstone, something fairly important to the ceremony that should be happening soon in order to renew Nekropolis’ equivalent of a sun. It has probably been taken so that whoever took it can rule Nekropolis, which probably wouldn’t be too bad. In addition to this, the restorative spells on Matt that
keep him in one piece are starting to fade. So theoretically, this will be his last case before he falls to pieces.
I love the world building in this. It took a while as each part of the world was introduced one at a time, which helped you remember. As I imagine it, there is the centre bit where the equivalent of the sun is renewed and surrounding it completely are five areas, around it in a circle. One for vampires, one for witches, one for demons, one for lycanthropes and one for the dead, ie zombies and spirits. This is very original, easy to understand and very fun.
Matt, for a zombie who has been dead and reanimated for a couple of years, is an incredibly nice guy. He doesn’t hesitate to help out with anything people ask him, and is always willing to pay cab fares, which is very nice considering said fares include his fingers. Which get eaten.  Devona I didn’t really have an opinion on. She compliments Matt well, but isn’t the most amazing character, although it wouldn’t be the same book without her sass. The rulers of each area of Nekropolis are well thought out with distinctive personalities. 
Waggoner put a lot of work into imagining all the characters. It’s not just your standard zombie and vampire and such and such. This is a zombie with a personality, even if it is one that is incredibly kind and not in any way "I want to eat your brains out". 
It's entirely from the perspective of Matt. It's filled with little sarcastic one liners that you are really funny, well at least for someone with my sense of humour. It's in all in the little things that don't make any sense to the story at  all, but upon reading you'll understand and laugh. 

Overall:  Strength 5 tea to this insanely funny series that the majority of you won't like or appreciate the humour, but I do and therefore this is one of my new favourite series.

Links: Amazon | Goodreads | Author website | 

Waiting on Wednesday #18 The Pearl Wars by Nick James

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 Pearl Wars (Skyship Academy #1)
Author:  Nick James
Release Date: 8^th September 2011
Link to / Summary from Goodreads: A devastated Earth’s last hope is found in Pearls: small, mysterious orbs that fall from space, and are capable of supplying enough energy to power entire cities. Battling to control the Pearls are the Skyship dwellers—political dissidents who live in massive ships in the Earth’s stratosphere—and the corrupt Surface government.

Jesse Fisher, a Skyship brat, and Cassius Stevenson, a young Surface operative, cross paths when they both venture into forbidden territory in pursuit of Pearls. Their chance encounter triggers an unexpected reaction, endowing each boy with remarkable—and dangerous—abilities that their respective governments would stop at nothing to possess. Enemies thrust together with a common goal, Jesse and Cassius make their way to the ruins of Seattle to uncover the truth about their new powers, the past they didn’t know they shared, and a shocking secret about the Pearls.

Why I want it:  Steampunk, dystopia and science fiction? Searching for something to save the earth? Secrets? I think that should have summed it up…

What are YOU waiting on this week?

Cover to Cover #3- US, UK

The third of the feature in which I showcase the covers, whether or not I like  the stuff inside them. This time it's US,UK, which is me comparing the American and English covers for various books. Which do you prefer? And do they match up to where you live? US cover first, then UK. Hetalia fans will understand the title...

Black Swan Rising

UK wins because the setting just looks more intriguing.

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

US wins because it subtley suggests what's happening, making you read on.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

US wins because the red and black on the UK looks a lot like Twilight.


Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

UK wins slightly because it jumps out more. Actually, I like both of these.

Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld

US wins because it gives a better sense of the sea monster element.

The Hunger Games

UK wins because it gives a better impression of the world and what's happening. (Also, I love the cover where you can flip it so you get a picture of Peeta if you want it. I got that one)

Infinty by Sherrilyn Kenyon

US wins because I like the symbol in the background and the way it's mirrored throughout the rest of the series.


So, I seem to like the American covers a bit more. Shame when I live in England, isn't it....Anyway...it's the actual writing that counts...but I still love pretty covers!
What's your favourite?

.............................
Oh, and speaking of Sherrilyn Kenyon, I know that this book isn't for the YA market, but she's one of my favourite author's and I just want to point out that her newest Dark Hunter book, RETRIBUTION is out today.
Here's the trailer.




Actually, there's a lot of new releases out this month that I'm excited about. Comment on what you think of these new releases too!

Book Review-Acadia book 1 by Ali Naqvi

Title: Acadia book 1: The Lost  King and the Goddess of Time

 Author: Ali Naqvi

Series:  Acadia #1

Published:  30 March 2011

Length: 376 pages

Warnings: death, arson, semi-graphic gore, semi-nudity, something like a vampire, something ghosts,

Source: Author

Summary : It was only a nightmare at first, but Damont soon realizes that he can see into the future-a curse he has to live with for being the only son of a king dead for a thousand years, with a mother who is the goddess of time.

A man in black armor with a face as obscure as the shadows mantling him laughs wickedly. Who is he and why does he continue to haunt me, Damont wonders. Appearing only in his dreams, the man in the black armor stands alone and laughs high as if to mock him while the world around him burns to cinder. "They are not dreams, my son," a voice calls out to him in a vision after the many nightmares-claiming to be his mother whom abandoned him when he was but a child. "They are shards of a broken world to come if you so take the path of your father." If such a path does lie ahead beyond a throne that sits vacant for centuries, with an empire in the east growling for war, then Damont Langörn realizes he has but one choice: follow the visions and seek out the truth lost to both him and the world behind his lineage-but will he be strong enough to face such a malevolent foe of his nightmares?

With a vampire and a sorceress at his side, Damont begins his journey, but such a road is not an easy one to take if the gods themselves do not wish for his return as the king who would unite the world against their existence and bring demise to their very doorstep.

Review: Damont is a young man who is told at some point along the line that he is a descendent of the lost King Larius Langorn, the one who united Acadia. He travels to the nearby country for advice, where the local Seer and Queen tells him to go into the Forests to prove he is worthy to be king. He is also sent with a sorceress, Amber, and Virden, a strange man who seems to drink blood. From there, there’s people out to kill him, life in a forest with two not completely normal people, run-ins with gods and the heir to the neighbouring enemy country already planning Damont’s downfall.

The prologue was terrible. I get now that it’s some kind of foreshadowing, but I read it about five times to try and understand what was happening. In the end I just gave up, hoping it wouldn’t be too important to the story. It wasn’t. However, from there, it picks up. The first chapter seems to be world building, character introductions and the like.  In the second one Damont finds out the truth about his bloodline, and in soon he’s off. And encountering the things I mentioned above.

Damont was  an interesting character. He starts off as a fairly nice young man, sleeping through lectures, talking back and such. He’s a good friend to Caleb, and a good horseman too. And he happens to be the son of a king and a goddess.  I think I may have connected to him as a young adult hero if he was slightly younger-most main characters in young adult are in between 15 and 17. At some point Damont turns 25. A bit too old for my liking.

The rest of the characters really only support him. While I got a good idea of them, their appearances and such, I found that half of them were introduced at the start, brought in again through the middle, and never came back at the end, leaving you wondering what on earth had happened to them.

I like the way we get a lot of backstory for most characters and  things. people’s backstories are revealed when they talk, the backstory of the land is revealed during a lesson. This really adds intrest to the world, and helps it to seem a little more real. I also like the way that quite a lot of actual things got tied up well, such as the white wolf that kept coming up.

The writing style kept you interested, but didn’t move the story along quite enough for my liking. The really good bit starts about halfway through, which for some may be too far on in a book to be interesting. You got a real sense of Acadia from the writing-there was a lot of description in the book to bring it fully alive. However at times it got a little too much, a little too long winded that slowed the story down. The third person perspective was good though, as it meant that we could have some things that don’t focus entirely on Damont,  which you couldn’t get from a first person novel.

Overall:  Strength 3 tea to a fantasy adventure novel that picks up a lot after a slow start, and is definitely one for the boys

Links: Amazon | Goodreads | Author website | Trailer | Facebook page and giveaway (apparently. I don’t have facebook and I can’t see what’s on it. Look anyway.)