Release Date: 13/03/14
Publisher: Headline
SYNOPSIS:
Featuring stories by Neil Gaiman, Garth Nix and the authors of Beautiful Creatures, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, this is a unique and imaginative collection for readers of all ages. There are some stories that will always be told, tales as timeless as they are gripping. There are some authors who can tell any story. In RAGS & BONES, award-winning and bestselling authors retell classic fairytales and twisted tales in the way that only they can. With magic and love, they bring these stories - whether much loved or overlooked - back to life. Read 'Sleeping Beauty' as only Neil Gaiman can tell it. See 'Rumpelstiltskin' through the eyes of Kami Garcia. And learn of Rudyard Kipling's 'The Man Who Would Be King' from the inimitable Garth Nix.
REVIEW:
Whilst we all loved hearing the fairy tales and traditional stories as children, sometimes things are lost in either the language or the modern interpretation of the original meanings, so its always a great joy when modern authors tackle some of these tales to bring them bang up to modern times. Here, in this volume, a lot of the big names in the YA market tackle some of the classics and bring them to life.
Its well written, they’re short enough to dip into for travel time and to be honest it’s the chance for readers to travel roads with authors that they may not have considered before. It’s a wonderful presentation and all round will be a book that will be treasured for quite some time. I can’t wait to share them with my nephew’s and niece. Great stuff.
Release Date: 07/05/13
Publisher: Atom
SYNOPSIS:
In Viking times, Norse myths predicted the end of the world, an event called Ragnarok that only the gods can stop. When this apocalypse happens, the gods must battle the monsters - wolves the size of the sun, serpents that span the seabeds - all bent on destroying the world. But the gods died a long time ago. Matt Thorsen knows every Norse myth, saga, and god as if it was family history - because it is family history. Most people in the modern-day town of Blackwell, in fact, are direct descendants of either Thor or Loki, including Matt's classmates Fen and Laurie Brekke. But knowing the legends and completely believing them are two different things. When the rune readers reveal that Ragnarok is coming and kids - led by Matt - must stand in for the gods in the final battle, Matt can hardly believe it. Matt's, Laurie's, and Fen's lives will never be the same as they race to put together an unstoppable team to stop the end of the world.
REVIEW:
I’m a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong’s work and have loved her Young Adult as well as her adult titles with each successive release, yet this title is different from both as its aimed at a younger market still, that of the reader being in the 8+ age group. Whilst there will be quite a few people who will love this, I personally had a lot of problems as it felt rather rushed, the characters pretty flat and all round really didn’t give me that magical feeling that I’ve had from her work previously as she’s given the readers characters that they can get to know and love to spend time around.
Whilst this is a joint project, with two well-known authors writing together I had expected a lot more than what I received. All round it is OK and future titles may well pick up and take this to something pretty epic but if your young reader wants a book with a Norse feel to it, I’d heartily recommend John Flannigan’s Outcast series.
Release Date: 28/02/13
Publisher:
SYNOPSIS:
The world is gone, destroyed by human, ecological, or supernatural causes. Survivors dodge chemical warfare and cruel gods; they travel the reaches of space and inhabit underground caverns. Their enemies are disease, corrupt corporations, and one another; their resources are few, and their courage is tested. Powerful, original dystopian tales from nine bestselling authors offer bleak insight, prophetic visions, and precious glimmers of light among the shards and ashes of a ruined world. Stories from: Kelley Armstrong Rachel Caine Kami Garcia Nancy Holder Melissa Marr Beth Revis Veronica Roth Carrie Ryan Margaret Stohl
REVIEW:
As a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong I’m pretty much guaranteed to pick up any book by her but when you add to the mix the chance to get some short stories from a whole bunch of top talent. (There’s currently no official collective name for a group of writers, so please can someone come up with one. LOL)
Each authors tale is unique but ties in to an overall theme of a dark future, there’s glimpses of hope and tales of survival but with the huge range on option this book is a cracking way to try authors you may not have had the pleasure of spending time with already. Add to this the fact that they’re a great way to spend a journey or a lunch break and all round I was a happy reader.
Release Date: 02/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
When Rebekkah returns to her small-town home for her beloved Grandmother's funeral, she little suspects that she is about to inherit a darkly dangerous family duty on behalf of Claysville's most demanding residents -- the dead. Everyone in Claysville knows that the Barrows are no ordinary family, but no one can really explain why. When respected matriarch Maylene Barrow dies suddenly her granddaughter Rebekkah returns to the small town she grew up in, where she must face the demons of her past -- the suicide of her half-sister Ella, the person she was closest to in the world, and the subsequent break-up of her parents marriage. And she also re-encounters Byron, Ella's old boyfriend, someone to whom she has always felt a deep and mysterious connection. But the demons of the past are nothing compared with what the future has in store for Rebekkah. Her grandmother has left her an inheritance both wonderful and terrible. An onerous responsibility now rests on her shoulders -- one for which she is ill-prepared to say the least. For behind Claysville's community-spirited, small-town facade lies a dark secret. One that ties Rebekkah and Byron together in an inextricable bond, and that will require them both to sacrifice everything to keep their friends and neighbours from harm.
REVIEW:
I haven’t read any of Melissa’s YA work so I really ddiin’t know what I was letting myself in for with this title. The book blurb read well and being in the mood for something a little different (the inventiveness of the backstory really struck a chord) I really couldn’t wait to pick this title up.
What unfurled within was a story that hooked me from the beginning. I loved the character of Rebekkah, the quirks and of course the roundedness that allowed you to associate with her and when added to the inventive background as well as a kick ass love story that was melded together with a mystery, then you really are in for a real treat. Back that up with a decent understanding of prose as well as pace and it was a satisfying read all in. Great stuff.
