YOUNG URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: The Raven Boys 2: The Dream Thieves - Maggie Stiefvater

Release Date: 18/09/13
Publisher:  Scholastic

SYNOPSIS:

This is the second book in a brand new series from bestselling author, Maggie Stiefvater. Fans of SHIVER (9781407115009), LINGER (9781407121086) and FOREVER (9781407121116) will love this new quartet! Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Blue and Gansey will be the same. Ronan is falling more and more deeply into his dreams ...and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Gansey is needed at home, and is struggling to stay in Aglionby. And Adam? He's made some new friends. Friends that are looking for some of the same pieces of the puzzle that Gansey, Blue, and Ronan are after. Great power is at stake, and someone must be willing to wield it.


REVIEW:

A Dark title that carries on the magical original tale by Maggie from a new perspective. It has some great twists, the reader is in for a story that keeps them guessing from start to finish and that’s without mentioning a pace so fast and furious that you daren’t put the title down, even for some sleep.

Add to the mix some great double dealing, some wonderful sleight of hand and of course characters that the reader will love to spend time around all round makes this a cracking new release from a much loved author. All round a great story for young and old alike and one that will definitely plant its threads within your brain so much so that you’ll find the wait for the next one really hard.

YOUNG ADULT REVIEWS: Groovy Greeks, Robot Bottoms and We

BOOK BLURB:

It's history with the nasty bits left in! Want to know: · Why some groovy Greek girls ran about naked pretending to be bears? · Who had the world's first flushing toilet? · Why dedicated doctors tasted their parents' ear wax? Discover all the foul facts about the Groovy Greeks - all the gore and more!


REVIEW:

History has long been thought of as a boring thing for the geeks of the world. Here Deary and Brown go to prove that its not only fascinating but full of weird and wonderful facts that will amuse for many hours. Add to the mix that this title was put together with Riodan’s short story featuring Percy Jackson as part of the Literature year initiative as well as sold for only £1 and you’ve got an absolute stonking book.



BOOK BLURB:

YUCK'S ROBOTIC BOTTOM Can Yuck win first prize for the best invention in school? He's got gross gadgets galore and a revolting robot to help him. All he needs now is a stinky plan to blow away his rivals. YUCK'S WILD WEEKEND Yuck and his sister, Polly, are both going camping in the garden, but neither wants the other one there. With creepy crawlies, smelly snakes and a grizzly bear on the loose who will survive the longest in the wild?


REVIEW:

When this book landed it was a bit of a surprise. Not that I don’t like surprises but it was something that I hadn’t asked for. Partly due to the fact that it didn’t jump out at me from the book blurb and partly as it was quite a way into a series that I hadn’t read to date. What unfurled was a book that was light-hearted, a good bit of fun and above all two short stories that young lads will just love to enjoy as the main character triumphs over his sister with her taking the consequences. If you have a young reader who’s not terrible enamoured with books then this might help change his mind.



BOOK BLURB:

We are the only Humans left...In the furthest, coldest, darkest reaches of our solar system, Paul Munro is on a mission from which he can never return. A desolate ice-covered moon will be his home for the rest of his life. And only from here can he see what humanity has become. A thriller to freeze your blood. To absolute zero.

REVIEW:

An unusual take on what makes us human alongside a space mystery. Well written, deeply routed in the psyche and above all a tale that really does explore the mysteries on a society that has changed communication to a new level as one man has to relearn the basics. Whilst not perhaps for the younger readers it’s a fascinating read as the author takes a very small cast and has the reader not only care about them but become deeply involved in their limited world and works not only as an exercise but also as a way to demonstrate that only the talented can work within such tight constraints. A great read and one that will entice a whole new set of readers as others discover it.