Release Date: 01/11/16
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Childrens
SYNOPSIS:
A Diabolic is ruthless. A Diabolic is powerful. A Diabolic has a single task: Kill in order to protect the person you’ve been created for.
Nemesis is a Diabolic, a humanoid teenager created to protect a galactic senator’s daughter, Sidonia. The two have grown up side by side, but are in no way sisters. Nemesis is expected to give her life for Sidonia, and she would do so gladly. She would also take as many lives as necessary to keep Sidonia safe.
When the power-mad Emperor learns Sidonia’s father is participating in a rebellion, he summons Sidonia to the Galactic court. She is to serve as a hostage. Now, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia. She must become her. Nemesis travels to the court disguised as Sidonia – a killing machine masquerading in a world of corrupt politicians and two-faced senators’ children. It’s a nest of vipers with threats on every side, but Nemesis must keep her true abilities a secret or risk everything.
As the Empire begins to fracture and rebellion looms closer, Nemesis learns there is something more to her than just deadly force. She finds a humanity inside her that is true and pure – more so than that of most humans she encounters. Amidst all the danger, action and intrigue, her humanity just might be the thing that saves her life – and the empire.
REVIEW:
A YA title that to be honest is a book that took me a little bit to get into as I took a bit of time to adjust to a world where murder is so common that no one seems to care. Its dark, blighted dystopian future where every word has to be carefully guarded as death comes on swift wings for anyone who falls foul of the political machinations of matriarchal society of those in power.
Add to this principle characters who demonstrate how dependent they are upon one another, at times just making up a singular person in some respects and all round with solid dialogue makes this a book that whilst a stand alone could well become a film that will thrill as well as terrify a lot of cinema goers. Read it before the hype hits as to be honest getting ahead of the game is the order of the day especially when I suspect it will be a talking point for quite some time to come. Magic.
Release Date: 08/10/15
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Childrens
SYNOPSIS:
Sometimes I believe the baby will never stop crying.
Sixteen-year-old Amanda Verner fears she is losing her mind.When her family move from their small mountain cabin to the vast prairie, Amanda hopes she can leave her haunting memories behind: of her sickly Ma giving birth to a terribly afflicted baby; of the cabin fever that claimed Amanda's sanity; of the boy who she has been meeting in secret. . .
But the Verners arrive on the prairie to find their new home soaked in blood.So much blood.And Amanda has heard stories - about men becoming unhinged and killing their families, about the land being tainted by wickedness.
With guilty secrets weighing down on her, Amanda can't be sure if the true evil lies in the land, or within her soul . .
REVIEW:
To be honest with you, I wasn’t sure what I was going to get with this book. It promised thrills, chills, eerie goings on and a few other things as well so I sat down to give it a go. What unfurled within was a book that was slow, dislikeable characters, dire plotline and above all else a title that was a struggle to keep on going with despite the huge promise on the cover.
All round, this is a book I would tell people to ignore for now, I just couldn’t get on with any aspect of it and for me as a reader that’s the death of a story right there. A great shame as it did promise so much more.
BOOK BLURB:
Ty has lived under the ocean for his entire life. Following global warming and the rise of the seas, his family joined an underwater community in hopes of living in the new frontier of the ocean floor. But When Ty meets Gemma, a girl from "topside", who is searching the seas for her brother, she quickly makes his life very complicated. Together Ty and Gemma face dangerous sea creatures and venture into the frontier town's rough underworld as they search for her missing brother. But the deeper they dig, the more attention they attract, and soon Ty and Gemma find themselves being hunted by a gang of outlaws who roam the underwater territories causing havoc, and who seem to have eerie abilities. But Ty has a secret of his own, living underwater for his entire life has meant he has also developed a "special" power. Can he keep it a secret from Gemma and his family or is it time for him to finally tell everyone the truth?
REVIEW:
With so many authors out there releasing titles it is always hard to find something that is not only new but interesting that no one’s ever really tackled before. Yet here in this, her first release Kat Falls not only brings the reader into a new world but does it so much better than a number of other authors out there. Whilst some of the themes are similar to Sophie McKenzie, the characters are more real, they have touches that really make them stand out and have a believability that leaves you wanting to meet and greet them as they appear within the pages. Its captivating, the story arc is amazing and it’s a title that leaves the author free to include follow up’s that really has put Kat on my radar. Get this title before others start the hype. You will not regret it.
BOOK BLURB:
Dr Proctor is an ageing inventor just waiting for his big break. And when he teams up with his next-door neighbour Lise and her peculiar friend Nilli in making the world's most powerful fart powder, it seems his dream may be coming true. But the ruthless twins Truls and Trym Thrane are lurking in the background just waiting to spoil their plans. The drama that follows has repercussions that stretch beyond the imagination, inolving a wild chase through the sewer system of Oslo, anacondas and NASA. Full of humour and witty dialogue, Jo Nesbo creates wonderfully weird characters and lets his imagination run wild in this delightful children's book debut, reminiscent of Roald Dahl.
REVIEW:
I do love new offerings yet whilst this one has come to receive acclaim from around the world it’s a title that I had real trouble getting into, whether that’s due to the translation or just the fact that this offering was too childish for me I can’t say. Whilst I do enjoy the good old fart jokes as much as the next child minded adult (OK most guys) this title really did not either thrill or impress me as the language felt a little too jumpy and not as smooth as it could have been. It did have touches that were slightly reminiscent of a Roald Dahl type tale but it just did not bring it all together in a condusive singular voice to keep this title entertaining enough for me.
BOOK BLURB:
Sidorio, fuelled by grief and revenge, is intent on becoming King of the Vampirates and building a new empire to bring terror to the oceans. He faces growing opposition from both the Pirate Federation, including Vampirate Assassin Cheng Li, and the Nocturnals - the more benign vampirate realm - led by Mosh Zu and Lorcan Furey. Both the pirates and the Nocturnals are forced to raise their game in response to the new and urgent threat from Sidorio and the renegade Vampirates. Twins Grace and Connor Tempest, still ricocheting from the recent discovery of their true parenthood and its explosive implications, are thrust deep into the heart of the conflict. Old foes and allies are thrown together in unexpected ways and, as the stakes rise higher than ever before, Grace and Connor find their alliances shifting in ways no-one could ever have possibly foreseen...
REVIEW:
Fans of the series will have been running in the dead of night to get their hands on this, the fifth release in this Young Adult title. As you have come to expect by now these titles are must own books. The series not only has a depth to it but characters that grow, face choices and have to live with the consequences of their options. Mix into this that the reader has recently had the Darth Vader/Luke Skywalker Empire Strikes Back moment and you know that whatever Justin does is going to keep you glued to the last page. Beautifully written with panoramic mental scenery tied up with a top-notch story arc and it is a book that will keep the fans happy. Whilst you can dive in to the series here, I would advise against that and tell you to start at the beginning as this is becoming a standard to set YA Fiction by.
BOOK BLURB:
It's the 1980's and David has just started secondary school. He's becoming a teenager, but still hanging onto the rituals of childhood, particularly his addiction to Doctor Who, sharing the books with his best friend and neighbour, Robert, and watching the TV show. But time moves relentlessly on, and Robert starts rejecting the Doctor in favour of girls, free weights and new music. Against a backdrop of Bowie, Breville toasters and trips to Blackpool, David acknowledges his own abilities and finds his place in the world.
REVIEW:
This title really is what it says it is and whilst it’s a fictional diary of a fan in the 80’s I can’t help but feel its semi biographical of the author who himself is a Dr. Who fan alongside an author of Who Fiction. It’s different to a lot of books out there and to be honest I do wonder exactly what this title was trying to achieve other than perhaps a way for the author to let out some of his childhood pain as well as showing other youngsters that being different isn't a bad thing.
BOOK BLURB:
Ever since Tin can remember he's wanted to be an elephant trainer. At twelve years old, he's the youngest - and in his eyes the best - elephant handler in his village. Tin can think of nothing he'd rather do that spend all day with his elephant, Lady, looking after her and playing together. But Tin's peaceful, idyllic life is changed dramatically when the Viet Cong attack his village and he finds himself held hostage by the terrifying soldiers who don't care if he lives or dies. Can Tin find the courage to escape from his captors and save not only his own life, but his precious elephants too?
REVIEW:
This title was one that really struck an emotional chord as I love not only the principle character but the whole environment that was brought to life by Cynthia’s wonderful story telling talent. Its descriptive, it has a realistic cast and unfurls at its own pace in such a way that it will remain long after the final page it turned. Partly this reminded me of the film The Dumbo Drop but above all it’s a tale that’s so finely woven it must win some awards. Get it before the hype does. You really won’t be disappointed.
BOOK BLURB:
Nikki Maxwell is not popular, in fact Nikki Maxwell is the opposite of popular; she's a total dork! But Nikki's hoping that by moving to a new school she might just stand a chance of making some friends and leaving her old lame-ways in the past. But life is never that simple! Follow Nikki's life through sketches, doodles and diary entries as she starts her new school, battles with her mum for an iPhone and meets her arch-nemisis, the school's queen bee, Mackenzie. Enter Nikki's world through her sketches, doodles and diary entries.
REVIEW:
OK a book I was sent by the publisher on the off chance that I’d give it a go and was, to be honest wasn’t one that I got any real enjoyment from as I can’t identify with the principle protagonista a young girl in the modern world railing against the unfairness of her life. OK she didn’t have the latest mobile, she didn’t have the latest equipment but to “hear” the character all she did was whine about how unfair it all was as she couldn’t be one of the “in” girls. So what, there’s more to life than being popular with the latest gadgets. Whilst it will appeal to a certain demographic it’s a title that I felt was a tad unfair to the modern reader as I thought it put unfair pressure on the reader to have x y or z in a modern consumer world.
BOOK BLURB:
The Thirteen Treasures have become the Thirteen Curses. When fairies stole her brother, Red vowed to get him back. Now trapped in the fairy realm, she begs an audience with the fairy court where she strikes a bargain. Her brother will be returned - but only if she can find the thirteen charms of Tanya's bracelet that have been scattered in the human world. Returning to Elvesden Manor, Red is assisted by Tanya and Fabian and a desperate hunt begins. Soon they make a shocking discovery. The charms now have twisted qualities of the thirteen treasures they represent...and the longer they are missing the worse the consequences will be. Can Red, Tanya and Fabian find all the charms? And even if they do, will the fairies keep their promise?
REVIEW:
Having read the first novel by Michelle last year this one was a title that I’d eagerly been anticipating so when it landed it was something of a special moment upon its unveiling. Grabbing a swift cup of tea, a couple of biscuits to keep my strength up and a fleece blanket to wrap up in on the sofa I began my epic adventure. Beautifully told this tale really does keep the reader glued as Michelle takes the reader into a different world of the fae that few have the pleasure (or in this case displeasure) to see. Its gripping, its got moments of high danger, great action sequences and above all is a tale that you just can’t put down no matter how hard you try as if a certain group of mischievous beings have glued your hands to it with an enchantment to keep turning the pages. A great series and one that I can’t wait to see how it continues to develop.
BOOK BLURB:
The Caretakers of the Imaginarium Geographica are at war. The last stones from the Keep of Time are falling, and, at the request of an old enemy, a new tower is being built in our world. The old enemy is the Winter King's Shadow, and he wields a terrible weapon - the Spear of Destiny - which can be used to command the shadows of anyone it touches...including the protectors of the Archipelago, the dragons. The Shadow King returns to the Archipelago using the ship, the Iron Dragon, and enlists an unstoppable army of Dragon Shadows...While WWII rages in our world, all the caretakers, both past and present, must come together to save the Archipelago. All hope lies with a small group of companions, along with mythical knight, Don Quixote, who must sail beyond the very ends of the Archipelago in search of a broken sword, and the only being alive who can repair it: a scholar, who, once upon a time, was called Madoc.
REVIEW:
OK, I can’t help it, I’m a big fan of James Owens stories featuring characters and authors well known to the modern reader. The tales are not only imaginative but leap from the page in such a way that you just can’t help but be sucked into the world in which he’s woven. Its classical world building, the characters are fully formed and unlikely friendships come together within these offerings as they each seek to thwart a disaster to not only the world of imagination but to the human world as well. Its good solid fun, it’s a series that I’m saving especially for the my nephews to enjoy at just the right time and one that will help them bridge the gap to enjoying some adult fiction as well as some of the other stories from the characters within.
BOOK BLURB:
Fourteen years ago, four babies were implanted with the Medusa gene - a gene for psychic abilities. Now teenagers, Nico, Ketty, Ed and Dylan have been brought together by government agents to create a secret crime-fighting force - The Medusa Project. But now Ketty's brother Lex has stumbled into a dangerous game involving his boss and a hidden bomb. It's up to Ketty to save him without letting on what she knows to the rest of the team. But can she control her psychic visions, and her feelings for Nico, without getting the team's cover - and herself - blown sky high?
REVIEW:
Having had problems with Sophie’s original novel I really put this one on a back burner until a time that I felt ready to read it. What I got from this tale was better than the original however my major gripe from before was still there, that the principle character didn’t feel realistic or fully formed to get the reader behind them. The concept is very good, the execution acceptable if predictable however without a character that I can connect with, its always going to fail. A sad shame to be honest.
BOOK BLURB:
Legacy of Lies When Megan arrives at her grandmother's house she immediately feels that there is something curiously familiar about the place. She's been there in her dreams, or rather her nightmares, but still cannot place what exactly it is that gives her the creeps. All Megan wants to do is get through the visit without any drama, but as the house starts to reveal its secrets and the past comes to light, Megan finds herself caught up in a twisted love triangle with potentially fatal consequences. Don't Tell Lauren knows that by returning to the town where her mother "accidentally" drowned seven years ago, she'll be reliving one of her most haunting memories. When she arrives, she is propelled into a series of mysterious events that mimic the days leading up to her mother's death. Could it be that her mother's drowning wasn't an accident after all? And as the past unravels around her Lauren begins to wonder whether she might be next...
REVIEW:
To be honest with you I hadn’t heard of Elizabeth Chandler’s Dark Secret series prior to having this title land and whilst, from the cover blurb, its not my normal type of pick up and read title I was at a loose end so thought, what the hell, I’ll give it a go.
What I got for my time was a paranormal tale that brought love, reincarnation, the living dead and mystery to a younger reader. Whilst this title is more for the teen market than anyone younger it is beautifully constructed with cracking characters that I really got to grips with although I found the female protagonists to be a little bit to wishy washy for today’s modern reader. Whilst this was a bit of a problem for me the authors writing style really did keep the story flowing as well as ensuring a cliffhanger of an ending for the second novel to pick up from the original. Both were a wonderful diversion, both entertaining and both also kept me wondering about the underlying arc after the last page was turned. Add to the mix that this is a compendium with others to follow and its got a real value for money aspect tied in. Great stuff.
BOOK BLURB:
In this exciting sequel, Tuthmosis's brother, Amenhotep, struggles with the priests and his power-hungry young wife, Nefertiti. Ta Miu, who helped Tuthmosis and Isikara escape in Eye of the Moon, is now maidservant to Nefertiti's rival, Kiya. But Ta Miu disastrously falls for tomb-robber, Samut, and finds herself imprisoned as a result. Meanwhile Tuthmosis and Isikara return from Egypt in secret, sending rumours flying about the prince's intentions. Nefertiti is terrified that he is after her husband's throne, while the High Priest fears his secret will be revealed. Their hiding place betrayed by Samut, Isikara is captured and thrown into prison alongside Ta Miu, whilst Tuthmosis is murdered. But only Ta Miu and Isikara know the truth and unless they can escape from their prison, the guilty will go free...
REVIEW:
Authors have to be careful when dealing with historical fiction especially when they’re adapting it for the young reader in order to find a way to get the story across without it becoming a pure tale of info-dumping to get the reader to comprehend what happens within.
What Dianne does well within this offering is keep the reader engrossed through clever narrative, careful misdirection alongside bringing her characters to life in such a way that they speak to the modern reader who may well be unfamiliar with a lot of the background surrounding them.
It’s well written and whilst this is the second novel in the series it’s one I managed to pick up and read without having read the previous instalment. Something for people searching for a different tack on their usual reading habits and is a tale that will lead to more questions than it answers that will hopefully be delved into in future expeditions.
BOOK BLURB:
Nick and Allie don't survive the crash, and now they are in limbo, stuck halfway between life and death, in a netherworld known as Everlost. Everlost is home to those who didn't make it to their final destination: A magical yet dangerous place filled with shadows where lost souls run wild. Shocked and frightened, Nick and Allie aren't ready to rest in peace just yet. They want their lives back. Desperate for a way out, their search takes them deep into the uncharted regions of Everlost. But the longer they stay, the more they forget about their past lives. And with all memory of home fading fast and an unknown evil lurking in the shadows, Nick and Allie may never escape this strange, terrible world. In this imaginative, supernatural thriller, Neal Shusterman explores questions of life, death, and what just might lie in between.
REVIEW:
Having read Neal’s previous body of work, I thought I had a fair idea of what to expect from him. Boy, was I wrong. Within this tale was death, a chance for redemption and characters that had to find a new way to exist within a world that was both familiar and strange at the same time. Its beautifully written, it’s got top notch characters that just speak to the reader but the emotional as well as physical journey is what truly makes this something special. I really am looking forward to seeing what other twists this author will add to future novels which is sadly a long wait in between. If you love ghost stories, enjoy adventure and above all want something very different to the norm out there, then you really have to get your hands on this.
BOOK BLURB:
Nick the "chocolate ogre" wants to help the children of Everlost to reach the light at the end of the tunnel, and is slowly handing each child a coin which will release them from Everlost. But Mary Hightower wants to trap the children forever, and joins forces with Pugsy Capone, a death boss, who gains allies in a terrible way...Meanwhile, Allie has gone in search for her parents and joins up with a group of "skinjackers". But, as her search takes her further away from Nick and the children of Everlost, Allie uncovers a shocking secret...it seems that "skinjackers" are not actually dead...In this riveting sequel to the imaginative, supernatural thriller, Everlost, there is new dark force to be reckoned with.
REVIEW:
Having been blown away by the original tale in the series by Neal I really had been looking forward to this offering. With an interesting and new concept within the text I just hoped that the imagination of Neal would live up to my expectations from the first and really hoped that I wouldn’t be disappointed. So upon picking up the second novel what did I get?
Within the pages the characters from the original grew as they became more familiar within their own world, new characters were introduced and there was someone that every reader who picks up this title will come to love with a cast of colourful individuals that helped wend the tale on its merry way. Add to this a masters touch at narrative, a cracking sense of timing and a mind with the ability to seamlessly twist the readers expectations away from them with a little slight of hand. A cracking series and one that will be highly recommended by myself for others.
BOOK BLURB:
For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams at any given moment is getting tired. Especially the falling dreams, and the standing-in-front-of-the-class-naked ones. But then there are the nightmares, the ones that chill her to the bone...like the one where she is in a strange house...in a dirty kitchen...and a sinister monster that edges ever closer. This is the nightmare that she keeps falling into, the one where, for the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant...
REVIEW:
This is a tale that takes the reader off of the deep end of the imagination as the lead character brings the reader into her world, where she can see and interact with other people’s dreams. Whilst being quite freaky its wonderfully inventive and is a tale that takes Janie on a journey of growth and self discovery. Beautifully written, wonderfully emotional and a tale that left me considering implications as well as thoughts long after the final page was turned. A definite gem.
BOOK BLURB:
A murderer driven to the edge by the sound of his victim's still-beating heart...A mental institution run by someone other than its staff...A mysterious box aboard a ship with a ghastly secret...And the hypnotist's stare that could, perhaps, paralyze even death...Strap into your straitjacket, fasten it tight, and brace yourself! For within these pages are stories of lost love, lost ways...and lost minds. Gris Grimly's mysterious, morbid, macabre illustrations capture four Poe classics, including perennial favourite, The Tell Tale Heart, with an unmatchable ghoulish charm. Read them if you dare ~ and celebrate, in true Poe style, the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of the great Master of the Macabre.
REVIEW:
Horror stories for the young reader has always been something of a trick or treat offering, yet here in this beautifully illustrated offering is the chance for the reader to enjoy the stories of a true master of the macabre that allows them to enjoy some of the classics in a beautifully scripted manner. It’s a cracker of a thing to enjoy and whilst more a Halloween novel over a Christmas one, for the young goth in the making it’s a book that will become treasured reread and above all talked about with friends.
BOOK BLURB:
Nothing scares Little Pip more than the thought of swimming in the deep dark ocean - she would much rather learn to fly just like other birds do. But soon it comes time for all the young penguins to learn how to swim, and while Little Pip might not be able to fly the way she wants to, she discovers she can soar in ways she never thought possible.
REVIEW:
Books for the soon to be next generation of readers always have to have some sort of element to not only attract the reader but also to give them the gift that will last a lifetime. What Karma and Jane bring together in this second book in the Little Pip series is a story that encourages bravery, a journey of discovery and above all, that happy ending that makes the book a wonderful thing to give as a gift. Definitely something for the reader to enjoy and a tale so beautifully illustrated it will jump off the page and into the imagination and remain there for future retellings.
BOOK BLURB:
Now that Miles Wednesday has discovered his link to a magical Tiger's Egg, he's suddenly at the wheel of a great voyage. Determined to recover the stolen stone and free the trapped soul within, Miles sets off with Little, a Song Angel, and the wisecracking blind explorer Baltinglass of Araby. Their destination points far across sea and desert to the home of Miles's aunt Nura, who may be their only hope in releasing the Egg's true power. But along the way, their travels are riddled with thrills and near catastrophes - from soaring across the sky in an airborne schooner to run-ins with the twisted circus ringmaster, the Great Cortado, and his bumbling sidekick, Doctor Tau-Tau. Most threatening of all is a dark Sleep Angel who's descended from the Realm to seize the Egg and forfeit Miles's life. Will Miles crack the secrets of the Egg and stand up to the Realm in the face of grave danger? And will he ever be able to bring back his father?
REVIEW:
Having enjoyed the other books in the series, its been something of a bugbear for me to have to wait so long for this offering. As you’ve come to expect by now its well written, cracking pace and above all a story arc that will keep the reader glued to the last page. As an older reader I also got a lot of pleasure from this book and whilst you could technically read it without having read the other instalments you’ll sadly have missed an absolute treat. A great novel and one that was definitely worth the wait.
BOOK BLURB:
Holly Cathers' world shatters when her parents are killed in a terrible accident. Wrenched from her home in San Francisco, she is sent to Seattle to live with her relatives, Aunt Marie-Claire and her twin cousins, Amanda and Nicole.
But as she struggles to settle into her new home, Holly's sorrow and grief soon gives way to bewilderment at the strange incidents going on around her. Such as how any wish she whispers to her cat seems to come true. Or the way a friend is injured after a freak attack from a vicious falcon. And then there's the undeniable, magnetic attraction to a boy Holly barely knows…
Holly and her cousins, Amanda and Nicole, are about to be drawn into family feud spanning generations. And as they uncover a dark legacy of witches, secrets, and alliances, where ancient magic yields dangerous results, the girls learn of a shared destiny that is beyond their wildest imaginations...
REVIEW:
Paranormal Young Adult Urban Fantasy as this beautifully priced two book compendium hits the shelves. Not only is it good value but these two authors combine historical background with a has to be seen to believe detail that doesn’t come across as an info dump but as genuinely interesting factoids. These two tales are not only beautifully conceived but are the start to a major series that from these two offerings will only get better. Whilst the second novel is darker than the first its so engrossing that I quickly lost track of time and didn’t stop until the last page was turned. What more can an author ask for?
BOOK BLURB:
Holly Cathers is not the same person she was almost a year and a half ago. After discovering her connection to an ancient legacy of witches, Holly has accepted her destiny as a descendant of the House of Cahors. Determined to end an intergenerational feud that has plagued her family for centuries,
Holly will have to overcome unworldly obstacles as she battles to protect her loved ones - including Jer, a member of the rival House of Deveraux and her one true love.
A war of magical proportions is being waged, and Holly is at the centre of it all. Lives will be lost, and sacrifices will have to be made...
REVIEW:
Having loved the first two novels I really was quite pleased when this second offering landed. But then a slight fear crept in. Was it going to be as good as the first compendium? As you know I’m a fan of any format that saves the readers a bit of cash so yet again I was pleased that this was released in a twofer type deal. So apart from a good price, did this offering live up to my expectations?
In short, it didn’t, it exceeded them as new characters are introduced, the story arc continues to expand with some real twists and turns that will leave fans reeling at each twist of fate. Add to this the fact that its beautifully written, masterfully constructed and has characters that are fast becoming old friends to the reader and its something that really will have people in a spin. In certain respects I’m pleased that I arrived at these novels late as I don’t have to wait from one cliff hanger ending to find out about the next. A genuinely top notch series that if you’re looking to encourage readers or help them take the next stage with their selection will more than do the job.
BOOK BLURB:
Having been driven out of their home by fire, Sadima, Franklin and Somiss escape and seek refuge in the secret cave hidden in the rocks. Somiss, now exiled and desperate, continues to hoard the magic he is recovering from the ancient documents, while Sadima and Franklin struggle to contain his egomaniacal ambitions. In Haph and Gerrard's world, forced to continually endure the painful ordeals used to 'teach' magic, the boys come to an uneasy and fragile truce as they vow to work together to stop the evils of the academy. But their tenuous pact falters as they plot to destroy Somiss and the dark academy and set the magic free...
REVIEW:
Magical mystery and double-dealing ensue in this offering from Kathleen Duey and a title that will more than bridge the gap of Young Adult Fantasy Fiction to the adult world. A great offering that is not only well written, but has fully rounded characters that will speak to readers of all ages. Add to the mix top notch prose, a cunning mind and a principle protagonist that you just can’t help route for and it’s a tale that will be polished off in a very short time. Some lessons contained within on how to build your plots that many an adult author could learn from. I’ll look forward to other offerings from this author.
BOOK BLURB:
When Cassie was little her grandmother would tell her stories about the Arctic...stories about snow and ice, about a beautiful castle made of ice, and about her mother, who made a deal with the Polar Bear King and was swept away to the ends of the earth to become a prisoner of the trolls. Cassie is older now and has no time for fairytales and talking animals, or lies about her dead mother. Living with her father at the Arctic research centre, she is determined to become a leading scientist and researcher. But when Cassie comes face to face with a mysterious polar bear, one that defies all scientific fact or knowledge, she begins realise that the fairytales could actually be true. Armed with the knowledge that her mother might be alive, Cassie makes a deal with the Polar Bear King, and embarks on a dangerous journey against time to save her. But her agreement with the Polar Bear King comes with consequences she never bargained for, and before her journey's end Cassie will discover the true meaning of love and family, and loss. A compelling romantic fantasy set in the beautiful frozen Arctic.
REVIEW:
With most Grimm Style fairy tales having been fully explored, more recent offerings in the genre have brought the tales from other countries such as this offering that delves into the Scandinavian mythos. Here in this offering we get not only well rounded characters but the chance to enjoy a tale, which whilst being reminiscent of a tale we’re already familiar with, that I have no cultural references to or having heard before. That makes good a good story for me. Whilst I did have some problems with this title, it is one that will appeal to the younger reader and with a pretty good principle protagonista its one that will definitely appeal to the young female market but with enough action, adventure and danger to appeal to the lads out there as well.
BOOK BLURB:
In the final adventure of Nancy Farmer's acclaimed trilogy a malevolent spirit of a vengeful mermaid is wreaking havoc on Jack's village and it's up to him, the old Bard and Thorgril to confront and vanquish the restless draugr. But the task will not be easy and the three find themselves travelling once more with Thorgil's northman brother and his crew into the most dangerous of waters. Their quest to right old wrongs leads them from a village plagued by a hogboon to the fin folk land of Notland and via every danger in-between. Can they escape the perils they face and return in time to help undead spirit to find peace?
REVIEW:
Nordic legend meets fantasy fiction within this, the third offering by Nancy Farmer. As usual her prose is tight, her descriptions pretty crisp but what makes this is her character portrayals backed up with the exuberance of combat that really does keep this series gelled in a mythos that could quite easily have gotten out of hand and lost. Whilst a little more complex plot wise than the previous offerings it’s a title that will appeal to readers however don’t start the adventure here go back to the beginning and get to know the characters along each step of their geas. A cracking ending to the series.
