The characters in this novel have strong voices of their own. In some ways, I envisioned this book like a play or even an opera. So there are choruses of cats in a smelly sanctuary, of villainous Ravageurs in their bloodstained dining room, and of Witches and Righteous Wraiths in the courtroom that hovers above the Rialto Bridge.
The individual characters also have their thought-music, of course. Here are the notes and words I can imagine playing in their heads.Talina Molin is the heroine of this story. Wild dark-gold hair springs from her head like a curtain of tangled corn husks. After many escapades, she has come to be known as the most impudent girl in Venice, though also as one of the cleverest. She longs to be a writer, and has a passion for cookbooks and magic. When her parents disappear, she is forced to go to live with her cold-hearted Guardian in his twittering tower on the edge of the city. After a mishap over a recipe and a spell, she finds her human shape can no longer be taken for granted. Unless fiery Talina keeps her temper, she’s in danger of becoming the very thing she most despises. So her song would be ‘The Girl Can't Help It’ by Bobby Troup. Ambrogio Gasperin is the son of a prosperous bookseller. He’s an indefatigable arguer – all training as he wants to be a barrister. He’s always had something of a crush on Talina, his classmate, and he’s soon drawn into her adventures. Ambrogio will get his longed-for day in court, but not in front of an ordinary human judge and jury. His song would be ‘Hello, Goodbye’ by The Beatles. (‘You say yes, I say no; you say stop, and I say go, go, go / You say goodbye, and I say hello.’)Signorina Tiozzo is the most hospitable cat-lady in Venice. She homes and feeds dozens of strays in a smelly refuge called the Ostello delle Gattemiagole. Her track is obvious: ‘Quarantaquattro Gatti’, an Italian song about forty-four cats without a home. (A cartoon video of the song can be seen on YouTube.)Bestard-Belou is one of the bully-boy cats in Signorina Tiozzo’s refuge. He’s a big grey cat with orange eyes. His catchphrases include ‘Dog-bite-my-ear!’ and ‘Is you stoopid or something?’ So I can imagine Bestard-Belou singing along to Joe Dolce’s ‘Shaddap Your Face’. He’d also like Tom Lehrer’s ‘Poisoning Pigeons in the Park’, especially the bit about taking home a squirrel to experiment on. His fellow bully-boy, the ginger cat Albicocco, would like Cab Calloway’s ‘We the Cats Shall Hep Ya’.The Contessa is an aristocratic pure-white cat who is the queen of the bully-boys. For all her elegance and superiority, she is slightly questionable in the morals department, but she’s also a very loving mother. So her song is ‘That's Why the Lady is a Tramp’ by Rodgers and Hart. Or ‘Killer Queen’ by Queen.
Brolo is a sympathetic black-and-white cat who also lives in the cat refuge. He’s an eternal optimist, and therefore the recipient of frequent bad surprises. His catchphrase is ‘What a down-in-the-dumper!’ I based his character on the eternal optimist played by Eric Idle in the crucifixion scene at the end of Monty Python’s Life of Brian. So obviously his song is ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’. The Ravageurs are mysterious hyena-like creatures – invisible to adults – who haunt Venice by night. They speak with exaggerated and incompetent French accents and devour rich, complicated French food. And they think that they have a right to everything and everyone in Venice. Their history, however, is murkier than they claim. And their ambitions seem to be too monstrous to be countenanced …I suppose the obvious song for them is ‘Hound Dog’. Or perhaps the Mafia anthem ‘Non Su Lupu’ (‘I am Not a Wolf’).
Altopone is an argumentative rat – a gruff individualist and one of the very few of his species who is not totally intimidated by the Ravageurs. His name is a pun on that of the famous American gangster Al Capone, whose family was Italian. I think Altopone would like Frank Sinatra singing ‘I Did It My Way’.Professor Marìn is an old friend of my readers as he also appears in The Undrowned Child and The Mourning Emporium as a wise expert in all things magical. Here, in Talina in the Tower, we meet the professor as a young, fresh-faced man, with some rather romantic tendencies. The white hair of earlier books is here red and curly – but the brain underneath it is just as wise. I think he’d enjoy ‘Love Potion No. 9’ by Leiber and Stoller.Mademoiselle Emilie Chouette is the French mistress who teaches Talina and Ambrogio. To the pupils at her school, she has always seemed a ferocious martinet – ‘a fire-breathing dragon’, as Ambrogio calls her – but Professor Marìn has a magical way of bringing out a softer side of her nature. She’d obviously need a French chanson: 'Choux Pastry Heart' by Corrine Bailey Rae. Or even the classic ‘Chanson d’Amour’ by Manhattan Transfer.Uberto Flangini, Talina’s Guardian, lives in a crumbling bell-tower that twitters with thousands of sparrows who have nested in its crevices. He is a famous author of so-called ‘cautionary tales’ – books in which naughty children meet terrible ends. Talina’s Guardian seems remote and forbidding, even cruel – he’s also a confirmed cat-hater. But in fact he nurses a tragic secret that will be revealed at the end of the book. I think he would like Respighi’s The Birds, as it would make him feel at home. But he would also enjoy the soundtrack for Shock-headed Peter, by the Tiger Lillies, a haunting, horrifying, hilarious take Heinrich Hoffmann's Struwwelpeter. As he lives up so high, he’d probably choose ‘Flying Robert’, about a boy who drifts up into the air and is never seen again.Giuseppe Tassini, the famous Venetian historian, is a real character from history. His book Curiosità Veneziane explains all the streets and palaces in Venice. The real Tassini was very fond of fine dining as well as history, so he’d enjoy a song that combines strong flavours with the past: his song is ‘Pastime With Good Company’, thought to have been written by Henry VIII. It’s soothing and melodic, and would make an excellent accompaniment to a good meal. (I do, however, find it quite impossible to visualize Tassini wearing ipod ear-buds at the Marciana Library or in the Archives.)(With thanks to Jane Stemp. Moira Butterfield and John Doherty for their suggestions.)For more information please visit Michelle's Website or her blogs:History Girls WebsiteAn Awfully Big Blog Adventure
Release Date: 02/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
Savage hyena-like creatures threaten Venice - the Ravageurs are on the prowl and seizing men, women and children. On the night of 30 June 1846 Talina's parents disappear and she and her cat, Drusilla, are forced to go and live with her Guardian and his three savage dogs in his lonely tower in the northernmost edge of the city. Here she discovers that she has the ability to change herself into a cat, but changing herself back into a girl isn't quite so easy. As a cat she learns about the Ravageurs and how over the centuries they have become semi magical creatures, visible only to children in the human world, and that they are intent on destroying Venice. She is determined to save the city - it's time for desperate measures - and her adventures are about to begin.
REVIEW:
I love a great story that takes you on a whirlwind adventure and to be honest Michelle’s writing always does that for me. Here in the latest release is a story that gives you magic, high adventure and of course an overall arc that will enchant you from the first page to the last. Add to this Michelle’s solid use of prose, cracking dialogue and a lead character that the readers will want to embark on their adventure with and it’s a story that was a pure joy to read.
Finally add to this a sense of whimsy, an enchanting story overall and a whole host of supporting cast members that will make this a hard tale to forget. Great stuff.
Hail Mighty Readers and those of the Calloused Thumbs,Our friends at THQ, have let us know about the bonus' for your Darksiders 2 game. Here are the details:"Players who pre-order the game from GAME, GAMESTATION (and GAMESTOP in Ireland only) will receive the ‘Death Rides’ pack. Featuring multiple exclusive side-quests, this pack allows the most fearless adventurers to explore more of the Maker’s Realm and Dead Plains and earn additional experience and loot. Aid an ancient Construct, battle The Bloodless and retrieve Karn’s lost treasure in around two hours of unique game play content.The ‘Angel of Death’ pack will give you an edge with a unique set of enhanced armour with an angel inspired design as well as a pair of upgraded matching scythes and a exclusive visual trail for your companion crow Dust. This pack will be available in UK & Ireland – retailer tbc.People who pre-order the game from AMAZON.CO.UK will get to ride into battle with increased speed thanks to the ‘Deadly Despair’ pack. This unique pre-order offer adds an additional speed boost for Death’s trusty steed Despair, allowing players to travel across the vast world even faster than before. This perk is a permanent increase that will last throughout the game. "
Release Date: 02/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
The third book in the critically acclaimed Seven Realms epic fantasy series from Cinda Williams Chima Han Alister thought he had already lost everyone he loved. But when he finds his friend Rebecca Morley near death in the Spirit Mountains, Han knows that nothing matters more than saving her. The costs of his efforts are steep, but nothing can prepare him for what he soon discovers: the beautiful, mysterious girl he knew as Rebecca is none other than Raisa ana'Marianna, heir to the Queendom of the Fells. Han is hurt and betrayed. He knows he has no future with a blueblood. And, as far as he's concerned, the princess's family killed his own mother and sister. But if Han is to fulfill his end of an old bargain, he must do everything in his power to see Raisa crowned queen. Meanwhile, some people will stop at nothing to prevent Raisa from ascending. With each attempt on her life, she wonders how long it will be before her enemies succeed. Her heart tells her that the thief-turned-wizard Han Alister can be trusted. She wants to believe it--he's saved her life more than once. But with danger coming at her from every direction, Raisa can only rely on her wits and her iron-hard will to survive--and even that might not be enough. The Gray Wolf Throne is an epic tale of fierce loyalty, unbearable sacrifice, and the heartless hand of fate.
REVIEW:
If you love a fantasy tale that takes you to a whole new world that not only gives the reader a whole new perspective but also helps to introduce them to the wonderful world of the more adult fantasy then this is the series to get. It has the politics and double dealing from GRRM, the scope of Erikson and of course all wrapped up by one author then this series by Cinda is definitely the one for you.
The authors unique writing style never leave the reader feeling like they’ve been talked down to, the prose is decent and of course the pace alongside the arc is something that really still isn’t explored to the max in this the third outing. Its clever, the characters have grown emotionally as well as physically and overall it’s a title that really doesn’t let up from the start until the last page. Great stuff.
Release Date: 05/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
Sexy, vibrant new packaging for Kim Harrison's New York Times bestselling urban fantasy The Hollows series: this is the fourth book starring sexy bounty hunter and witch, Rachel Morgan There's no rest for the wicked, even when the taint on your soul isn't your fault. It would be wise for witch and bounty hunter, Rachel Morgan, to keep a low profile right now. Her new reputation for the dark arts has piqued the interest of Cincinnati's night-prowlers, who despise her and long to bring an end to her interference, one way or another. Nevertheless, Rachel must risk exposure. Her ex-boyfriend, Nick, has stolen a priceless Were artefact, and, as tempting as it may be to let the Weres him apart, Rachel feels obliged to attempt a rescue. But other sinister forces also covet the relic Nick has hidden. Some who desire it so badly, they will take the city -- and everyone in it -- apart to wield its frightening power.
REVIEW:
A rerelease from Harper and a title full of fun for those who love a cracking lead character with a top notch supporting cast. This title by Kim Harrison is the fourth in the Rachel Morgan series and as with the others, it has a seriously kickass plot. Add to this an author with a solid understanding of pace, a good dollop of intrigue which when backed with clues and sleight of hand, makes this a story that you really will sit back and enjoy. Whilst I used this opportunity for a reread, it is a story you can enjoy without having read the others although there are some spoilers within. Great fun all in and a real treat for me.
Release Date: 02/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
George Carole ran away from home to join the Vaudeville circuit. Sixteen years old, uncommonly gifted at the piano, he falls in with a strange troupe - even for Vaudeville. Under the watchful eye of the enigmatic figure of Silenus, George comes to realise that the members of the troupe are more than they appear to be. And their travels have a purpose that runs deeper than entertainment. George must uncover the mysteries of Silenus's company before it is too late. He is already entangled in their web of secrets and, if he doesn't learn where they are taking him, he may never find his way out.
REVIEW:
Robert burst onto the scene with Mr Shivers and he seems set to continue his war to claw his way to the top of the Urban Fantasy genre with this release, his third and one that continues to build upon the lessons learned in previous outings. The prose is top notch, the pace is one that really doesn’t want to let you go and with the dialogue the reader is in for a real treat. Add to this a modern reworking on classic mythology blended with the authors own unique style of telling a story and its been a real joy to read.
All in great fun and one that I’ll definitely be recommending to other UF fans who are seeking something a little different from the multitudes of Vamps or Were’s on the market.
Release Date: 02/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
For centuries it has been locked away Lost beneath the sea Warded from earth, air, water, fire, spirits, thought and sight. But now magic is rising to the world once more. And a boy called Gavin, who thinks only that he is a city kid with parents who hate him, and knows only that he sees things no one else will believe, is boarding a train, alone, to Cornwall. No one will be there to meet him.
REVIEW:
Readers are always looking for something new that has all the elements of fantasy that will light not only the world for the Young Reader but the adult as well. What this story from James does, is bring a whole new take onto the magical world and with some solid prose, a decent understanding of pace which when backed with a solid authorly hand, helps guide the reader as it creates a story that you can sit back and enjoy as it wends it magical way through your mind.
Add to this some decent tale development along with a solid magical concept which makes this first book in a trilogy not only a must read but one that the reader can really get behind. All in, this is a cracking story and one that I can’t wait to see which direction it takes with the subsequent releases. Great stuff.
Release Date: 26/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
The New Empire intends to celebrate its victory over the Nationalists with a day that will never be forgotten. On the high holiday of Wintertide, the empress will be married, and Degan Gaunt and the Witch of Melengar will be publically executed. Once the empress suffers a fatal accident, everything will be perfect. There is only one problem-Royce and Hadrian have finally found the Heir of Novron.
REVIEW:
I’ve loved this series by Michael and having had it over subsequent months has made it a pure joy as I haven’t had to wait long to see what else life has in store for the principle characters who are reminiscent of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser which adds a touch of nostalgia for a number of fantasy fans.
Add to this cracking pace, top notch prose and dialogue that works well which also allows the characters to grow as well as to hopefully work things out for their own advantage and overall its been a real pleasure to read. Cracking fun all in and definitely a series I’d recommend to other fantasy fans.
Release Date: 02/02/11
SYNOPSIS:
"New York Times" bestselling author Richelle Mead returns to the Otherworld, a mystic land inextricably linked to our own - and balanced precariously on one woman's desperate courage...Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land's prophecy-haunted queen, there's no refuge for her and her soon-to-be-born children when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld...The spell-driven source of the blight isn't the only challenge to Eugenie's instincts. Fairy king Dorian is sacrificing everything to help, but Eugenie can't trust the synergy drawing them back together. The uneasy truce between her and her shape shifter ex-lover Kiyo is endangered by secrets he can't - or won't - reveal. And as a formidable force rises to also threaten the human world, Eugenie must use her own cursed fate as a weapon - and risk the ultimate sacrifice...
REVIEW:
OK, its not a secret that I had problems with this series for a little while. Not because of the author but because I can’t stand the principle character who not only defies logic but also is so unbelievably self-centred as well as guillable that you really wonder how she survived so long in the world. Especially when she knows how the politics function in the Otherworld.
Yep, so as you may have guessed this wasn’t that high on my priority list to read, so when I noticed that it was the last in the series I thought that I’d best get it over with and to be brutal here, this is a shocker of a book as the conclusion will leave a lot of fans reeling and wondering what the hell happened.
That said, fans will still rush out and buy the book but my advice at the moment, is hold your horses and borrow it from a library. Still here? Right, for me when the lead character is so dislikeable it’s a real struggle not to want to reach into the book, grab her and shake like a cocktail until common sense asserts itself it tells you that perhaps this series isn’t for you. As such looking at the architecture is the only thing I can do to keep going, so that’s what I did, as usual with Richelle the prose is reasonable, the pace fairly decent and the twists come out of the woodwork left, right and centre, but some of those twists will not only kick you in the guts but rip them out and stomp them until they’re mush. It’s not pretty, it’s unpredictable and of course in all honesty this is going to cause controversy not only among the fans but also around the Urban Fantasy genres itself for a while.
All in, personally I wouldn’t recommend this series to readers as I’ve had so many problems with it, so if you want a Mead series to get behind, go for the Georgina Kincaid Succubus titles. They’re way superior in my opinion and as such you’ll be thankful in the long run.
Release Date: 19/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
London is under attack. People are dead. Many more lives hang in the balance as a group of highly trained gunmen storm the historic Lanchester Hotel on Park Lane. The gunmen have given the government just five hours to meet their demands before they blow up the building. Shots ring out. Some guests panic. Others text their loved ones. Still more try to escape. All are united by one thing: fear for their lives. All - except one man who has information so dangerous that it must be kept safe - at any price. Darkness falls. The gunmen become increasingly violent. One question is in everybody's minds. Will they survive the night?
REVIEW:
If you love a gritty London based thriller, then Simon Kernick if an author to buy. The writing is gripping, the prose fast and they hit as hard as the bullets flying around within and of course the pace is such that you really have to hang on from the first page to the last. Add to this Simon’s usual writing style that delivers everything a thriller fan is looking for alongside a story that has believability about it and you really are in for a special treat with this title.
Great stuff all in.
Release Date: 02/02/11
SYNOPSIS:
"Memories hid in every cell of the body. Memories that my grave magic could unlock and give shape as a shade. Of course, that depended on having enough of the body at my disposal for my magic to fill in the gaps". After a month spent recovering from a vicious fight with a sorcerer, Grave Witch Alex Craft is ready to get back to solving murders by raising the dead. With her love life in turmoil thanks to the disappearance of FBI agent Falin Andrews and Death's shocking 'L word' confession, Alex is eager for the distractions of work. But her new case turns out to be more of a challenge than she was expecting. The police hire Alex to consult on a particularly strange investigation in a nature preserve. The strange part? There are no bodies, just leftover pieces. With a probable serial killer on the loose and no way to raise a shade without a body, Alex will have to rely solely on her ability to sense the grave to lead her to the dead. But with the strain of overusing her magic, this might be the last case Alex ever solves...
REVIEW:
Having loved the clever way that the author created the world to which Alex Craft inhabits I couldn’t wait to see what would occur with the love triangle and wonderfully dark scenarios’ that the character ends up in. What occur’s in this, the second outing, is a story that will lead the reader to wonder about the interactions within, some cracking character development and a story that will weave itself into the readers heart as the emotional and the physical collide in a tale that leads the reader to wonder what is the lesser evil.
Add to this an author who has upped her game from the first outing, some wonderful adaptation backed up with a kickass heroine who won’t let go once she gets the bit between her teeth, backed up with some great backstory and the reader is in for a high octane tale. Cracking.
Release Date: 10/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
Falling for this girl might be hazardous to your health...
Vincent likes his girlfriend. Katherine's pretty, smart, and successful. Trouble is, she's starting to talk about long-term commitment, something Vincent's spent his entire life avoiding. Since romantic complications are the last thing he wants to deal with, Vincent meets his friends for their regular night of drinks. Little does he know that he's about to be blindsided by a beautiful, seductive, irresistible freight train named Catherine.
Suddenly, he's hung over in bed next to the most beautiful woman he's ever seen, unsure about the previous night's events. Was it just making out, he wonders, or did something more serious happen between them? Should he tell Katherine? Will he ever see Catherine again? Vincent's about to find that a stumble on the staircase of love can turn into a horrific, fatal plummet...
Vincent's waking fears, doubts, pressures, and growing guilt about commitment and fidelity now follow him into his dreams, manifesting as horribly disfigured monsters and a ticking clock.
The player must navigate Vincent through heavy moral decisions. As in real life, hardly anything is black and white. Someone's going to get hurt!
The Nightmare of Your Dreams-Under the watch of producer Katsura Hashino, acclaimed director of Persona 3 and Persona 4, famed character artist Shigenori Soejima and master composer Shoji Meguro create sights and sounds unlike anything else.
Local versus and co‐op multiplayer modes, in addition to leader boards, ensure that the many thrills and horrors of racing through twisted stages can be enjoyed by more than one player.
REVIEW:
This release from Deep Silver is one of those games that you’re either going to love to death (literally) or absolutely hate with a passion as it takes you from compelling mangaesque animation through to fiendish nightmare block pushing to find out more about the tales principle “hero” Vincent.
It’s cleverly done and the overall arc is one of those ones that is only for the older gamer as to be honest it deals with a lot of adult themes which include and not restricted to, cheating on the characters girlfriend Katherine with blonde bombshell Catherine, lying with texts and of course hanging out in a bar getting drunk with your pals. Add to this multiple choices throughout which will affect the ending and its also a game that has a number of different endings.
Whilst, as I’ve said, it’s one of those games that you’ll either love or hate, the block moving Nightmares, will increase the difficulty the further into the game you get. It can confound and confuse the player at times and there will be points when you wish you’d thrown the controller at the wall but this game is so unlike anything else out there that it’s quite ground breaking in its own right.
All in this title is one that will go down in history as the beginning of a new genre, whether it ends up as a gamer favourite or not remains to be seen but if you don’t like puzzles or hate the concepts portrayed within, then it may not be the game for you. Finally on a lighter note, if you are married or have a girlfriend of your own, this game is not a cheaters manual and if you are looking at getting yourself a copy, at least talk it through with them along with the themes that the game will reveal, after all, you can guarantee that the significant other will walk in at perhaps the worst moment and you’ll have a lot of explaining to do.
Release Date: 07/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
It is 1791 and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is enlightenment Vienna's brightest star. Master of the city's music halls and devoted member of the Austrian Freemason's guild, he stands at the heart of an electric mix of art and music, philosophy and science, politics and intrigue. Six weeks ago, the great composer told his wife he had been poisoned. Yesterday, he died. The city is buzzing with rumours of infidelity, bankruptcy and murder. But Wolfgang's sister Nannerl, returned from the provinces to investigate, will not believe base gossip. Who but a madman would poison such a genius? Yet as she looks closely at what her brother left behind - a handwritten score, a scrap of paper from his journal - Nannerl finds traces of something sinister: the threads of a masonic conspiracy that reach from the gilded ballrooms of Viennese society to the faceless offices of the Prussian secret service. Only when watching Wolfgang's bewitching opera, The Magic Flute, does Nannerl truly understand her beloved brother once again. For, encoded in his final arias, is a subtly crafted blueprint for a radical new tomorrow. Mozart hoped to change his future. Instead he sealed his fate.
REVIEW:
I love a book that’s slightly different to the vast majority out there and that’s certainly what you get with this title by Matt Ree’s as he works a story around a musical movement worthy of the great composer himself. It has a carefully constructed build that works into a main theme and finishes with a movement that leads to one hell of a crescendo, however the major problem that I had with this story was that I had a hard time liking Nannerl who I felt didn’t fit into the time period or the expectations of the reader.
Don’t get me wrong, it is very clever, it does give the reader a lot to mull over especially when you look at all the conspiracy theories around Mozart however all that really doesn’t matter too much if the character that leads the reader by the hand isn’t as likeable as they should be.
All in a decent enough read but I’ve had to give it a lower rating due to the very slow starting pace, the difficult use of language in places and of course a character that I didn’t want to spend time around.
Release Date: 19/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
As the 1982 school year begins, Jack Sheffield returns to Ragley village school for his sixth year as headteacher. Nora Pratt celebrates twenty-five years in her coffee shop, Ronnie Smith finally tries to get a job, and little Krystal Entwhistle causes concern in the school Nativity play. It's the time of ET and Greenham Common, Prince William's birth, Fame leg warmers and the puzzling introduction of the new 20p piece.
Meanwhile, for Jack, the biggest surprise of his life is in store...
REVIEW:
Jack is an author who is loved by many teachers as he brings not only the life of a fictional primary school to life but also brings a lot of his own experience into the tale that make it compelling reading. It’s clever, it’s witty and it also has a charm that makes it so hard to put down.
Add to this a wonderful sense of timing, alongside an author who knows how to tug at heart strings and bring it altogether and it’s a story that really was a lot of fun even though it’s the seventh book in the series. All in, cracking fun and if you can’t wait for the next tale, then perhaps you might like to try some of Gervase Phinn’s own anecdotes.
Release Date: 07/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
For the streetwise cops of Hollywood Station, dealing with the panhandlers, prostitutes and costumed crackheads of the boulevard is all in a day's work. If they're lucky, surf-mad partners Flotsam and Jetsam can spend the morning calming the crazies and the afternoon policing the babes on the beach. But beyond the lights and the crowds on the Walk of Fame, the real Los Angeles simmers dangerously. And when things heat up, even veterans like Viv Daley will see things that they'll wish they could forget. In the hills above town, it's a different world, where sports-car-studded driveways lead to sprawling villas stuffed with clothes and jewels. Up here, pickings are easy for the Bling Ring - a group of photogenic young addicts who knock off celebrity cribs to fund their next fix. Even experienced cop and wannabe filmstar Nate HollywoodA" Weiss has struck gold in the hills. Leona Bruger, wife of an Industry Mover and Shaker, has taken a fancy to him. Although he knows the Hollywood maxim - you don't pet the cougars, especially if they belong to the boss - Nate reckons that a leg-over might be just the leg-up he needs. What Weiss doesn't realise is that his new flame's crooked art-dealer is about to pull a forgery scam right under his nose. And when a pair of desperate junkies hit on a foolproof plan to pay their drug debts with a stolen painting, things get very complicated indeed -
REVIEW:
If you love a crime thriller, then this title by Joseph will hit the spot as Viv Daley is pulled into the glitz and glamour of the jet set in this police procedural novel that will hit all the marks to keep the most ardent crime fan happy. It has some good solid twists, the principle character is believable and when added to a no nonsense attitude, it’s a story that will more than please fans of this type of crime tale.
Add to this an author who knows how the wring the reader through the mangle to get them to the pay off and overall this story was one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Great fun all in and definitely a title I’m lending to my grandfather.
Release Date: 05/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
'There was no warning of any kind...' Friday rush-hour. Martin Gregory, laden with packages, just manages to catch the 4.48 train. Tomorrow is his wife's birthday - he has a surprise in store - and he plans to devote the weekend to her and their beloved dogs. But Saturday morning, Martin rises early and does something so horrific, so inexplicable and so out of character, and his only option is to run ...And from this shocking incident the journey begins. With the help of a therapist he can't trust, and friends who no longer trust him, Martin's quest for meaning takes him down shifting realities and twisted corridors of time into the deepest recesses of the human mind. It is a world of menace and obsession from which neither he - nor the reader - can escape, for Martin Gregory is either lost in a dark maze of madness and horror, or frighteningly sane.
REVIEW:
This is a reissue of the book originally released back in Eighties and whilst for a lot of people it’s a title that will entice them from the glossy cover, it’s one that sadly shows its age which might not live up to readers expectations in the modern world. Whilst the opening if bloody and will firmly grab the reader, it’s one that will either have you craving for more or wondering if you should keep reading. It’s one hell of a start and as the book progresses we get to find out through the use of hypnosis the keys that have caused the principle players actions.
Add to this a book told from two points of view (the principle character Martin and his psychologist Dr Somerville) it quickly throws you into disarray as to whom is playing who as well as which way it’s going to end up. If you look past the errors and a lot of the modern demands on a book it is enticing and it is one that will have you asking questions throughout but for me. It’s not one that stands the test of time so well.
Release Date: 06/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
As war spreads across the sector, Imperial and Chaos forces clash on the mortuary world of Kasharat. Far from the front lines, Space Marines of the Brazen Minotaurs infiltrate an ancient temple-tomb, seeking an artefact sacred to their Chapter... one that could turn the tide of battle in the Imperium’s favour. But they are not the first to enter the tomb – as the Space Marines race to seize their prize, they are watched from the shadows. Are the mysterious Raven Guard there to help the Brazen Minotaurs, or to destroy them?
REVIEW:
In a dark future, mankind struggles in constant war with itself since the great cataclysm as well as battling the xenos in an effort to keep the Imperium united. It’s wonderfully open to interpretation and this story from George Mann takes the reader on a journey of honour, conflict and perhaps best of all a goal to help the fate of worlds as the Raven Guard seek to redeem a debt of honour to the Brazen Minotaur’s. It’s dark, it has great turmoil and conflict and of course the highest ideal’s as this story wends its merry way through the mind of the listeners. All in, for me, these stories are a great way to utilise journey time as well as helping set the scene in your own battles on the tabletop. Great stuff.
Release Date: 05/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
Sophie Grigson's passion for vegetarian food shines through every recipe in this gorgeous collection. From light summery salads to root vegetable soups, Mediterranean pastas and Middle Eastern stews, this book will entice all readers, whether you are a vegetarian or not.
REVIEW:
To be honest as a meat eater there are times when I go off the whole idea and want something not only nutrious but flavourful and enjoyable. That usually tends to restrict what you can have as I’m not a fan of nut cutlets and some of the quorn range isn’t quite right for me. So when this title by Sophie landed it was a bit of a relief as she’s a vegetarian name to trust on the recipes and boy, was I thankful for it.
Within this book there are a lot of recipes that I wanted to try (which is half the battle) and I couldn’t wait to get into the kitchen to begin preparation. There’s something for everyone and as a fan of Italian Cuisine, it was a joy to see some very wholesome recipes that not only played to my strengths (I worked in an Italian Restaurant for 8 years as my first job and picked up lots of tips) and left me hankering for some of the more rustic foods, such as Antonio Carluccio’s Garlic Soup which was not only filling but was a real treat.
All in this book will make it easier to get your five a day as well as helping to give you that special something different for when you’re not in the mood to mess with meat, or have to use up some of those vegetables then this will help you make the most of whats in the house and help avoid waste. Great stuff.
Release Date: 06/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
Imperial commissar Ciaphas Cain returns to Nusquam Fundumentibus to crush the ork attacks which have been plaguing the frozen planet. But when his ship crashes into the wastelands outside the capital it disturbs a far greater enemy, one which has lain dormant under the permafrost since long before the Imperium came to this world, and could now threaten the whole sector. Faced with ongoing greenskin raids and keeping an over-enthusiastic novice commissar under control, Cain must rally his men and confront whatever emerges from beneath the rapidly melting ice...
REVIEW:
Whilst a lot of the universe in the future is deeply dark, there’s something of a carefree attitude with any Caiphas Cain title as its not only full of humour but a hero of man, with no super powers (apart from getting into trouble and a good dash of common sense which if we’re honest these days pretty much is.) The writing is fun, light in places but also gives the reader a story of combat, glory and smarts as he ends up this time in the middle of an Ork/Tyranid sandwich with himself and Jurgen often being that little worm on the big hook.
Add to this Sandy’s writing style that has you gripped, great use of pace and action sequences, it never fails to entertain and a series that stands out for completely different reasons in the Warhammer 40K universe. Tons of fun for the reader and whilst my own Dad isn’t glued to a lot of Science Fiction he can’t wait to get his hands on the latest exploits of the Commisat’s greatest hero.
Release Date: 09/11/11
SYNOPSIS:
Kismet Knight is a young psychologist with a growing clinical practice, and she's always looking for something to give her the edge in her chosen career. When her new client turns out to be a Goth teenager who desperately wants to become a vampire, Kismet is inspired to become the vampire shrink, offering her services to people who believe they are undead. Kismet herself, as a scientist, knows it's hokum, but she's looking at it in a purely psychoanalytic light, already imagining the papers she's going to write on this strange subculture. That's until she meets the leader of a vampire coven, a sexy, mysterious man who claims to be a powerful 800-year-old vampire, and she is pulled into a whirlwind of inexplicable events that start her questioning everything she once believed about the paranormal.
REVIEW:
Whilst this book came out originally a little while ago, it sets the tone for Jo Fletchers imprint as one of not only high quality but one that is prepared to give the readers what they want with a twist. Its quirky, it has a cracking lead character whose point of view is never far from the readers own and of course, a kick ass plot that thrills and frightens in equal measure.
Add to this an author’s writing style that works very well and brings a lot of humour across in the way it portrays the event which made this something very special indeed. Finally throw into the proverbial cauldron a villain who is insanely dark with another powerful denizen with all the hallmarks of a vampiric Jekyll and Hyde and you’ve got a gripping tale from start to finish. Fang for the reading pleasure Linda.
Release Date: 06/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
The Blood Angels stand apart from the other Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes, descending from the skies on wings of flame. While they are renowned for their ten-thousand-year history of glorious battle and honourable deeds, these secretive Space Marines seek to hide the dark flaws at the core of their being – the Red Thirst and the Black Rage – from the rest of the Imperium. Do they fight any longer for the protection of mankind, or merely for their own salvation?
REVIEW:
Whilst I’ve read the two full novels contained with before (Red Fury and Black Rage) I absolutely loved the additional material that was included within however this is the third time that Heart of Rage has been released (once in a book and once as an audio book) which may leave readers feeling a little cheated.
If you’re a fan of the Warhammer 40k world it is a great value for money item and a wonderful way for the reader to contain the titles within their own collection. Add to this a Blood Angel Appendix and a couple of other stories and it was a book that entertained as well as kept the chapter alive. Cracking stuff and could be an ideal gift for the Black Library fan in your life.
Release Date: 20/11/11
SYNOPSIS:
Volume 1 is the genesis of the City of Hell mythos. This anthology of stories show how the Ant-headed God ‘The Great Maurr’ ascended to rule the Earth and enslaved the population. These are the chronicles of the last few survivors. Only three cities remain: Moscow, London and Hong Kong. All crumbling, dying versions of their former glory.
With stories by six international female authors, and one male, this first volume combines the Old evil and weirdness of H.P Lovecraft with the all out gory horror of Clive Barker.
Subjects range from madness to murder, and from desperation to primal fear. City of Hell Chronicles Volume 1 will take you on a truly disturbing ride into the grim, terrifying landscape of a near future Earth ruled by an army of giant-ants the size of men, human-centipede hybrids and bizarre mutants.
REVIEW:
This is a title that I read originally as a favour to a friend of mine who is not only a talented writer but one that has her finger on the pulse for the genre. What unfurls in this book is a series of stories set in an apocalyptic world where an insect god seeks to rule. It’s cleverly written, the idea’s as gory as any horror reader could want and when you add a light touch of medical reports it adds a realm of realism to the overall piece that helped take it a little further.
Whilst not every story within worked for me as a reader, the vast majority helped build a world with flesh and blood characters whose emotional involvement helped draw you deeper into the world. Finally add to this some decent prose, short stories that get to the bare bones and when backed by enthusiastic writers from around the world and you really do get something different.
Release Date: 06/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
Witch hunter Lukas Eichmann investigates a series of bizarre murders, which ultimately lead him into the haunted depths of the Empire at the head of an army of fanatical warriors. In the Drakwald Forest, Luthor Huss, warrior priest of Sigmar, battles to free the denizens of the forest from a plague of the walking dead. As their fates entwine, the two warriors confront a threat that will decide their future, while Huss must face a secret from his past if he is to survive and embrace his destiny as the Hammer of Sigmar.
REVIEW:
In a dark world there has to be beacons of light and that’s exactly what this latest title from Chris Wraight brings to the fore as one of Sigmar’s Priests raises the Warhammer to fight the dark taint alongside a Witch Hunter. It’s dark, it demonstrates that even when hope looks bleak there are those who pick up the gauntlet and of course, brings a tale packed with action, death and blood to the reader.
The prose is sharp, the action heavily packed into the pages and when you add an overall arc that gives the reader what they want, it’s a book that doesn’t hold back. Great fun all round and a great way to kick off the new year. Magical.
Release Date: 02/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
His father unknown, his mother dead, Nicholas Roman was raised by the vampire Breed with one wish: to live as a normal vampire. But once he’s transformed against his will into a gifted immortal, Nicholas now has one goal: to stop the Eternal Order of vampires from controlling his life. Then comes a beautiful stranger with a startling secret . . .
Vampire Kate Everborne claims she’s sheltering Nicholas’s long lost son. If this is true, then who is the mother? And how endangered are they if, indeed, Nicholas does possess the bloodline so coveted by the Order? These are questions that with every seductive whisper and every silken touch draw Nicholas and Kate intimately closer, and nearer still to the truth.
REVIEW:
This is a bit of a strange book for me as I thought it was a debut alas that wasn’t the case and whilst I could read it without having read the first, I felt that I was left out in the cold with some of the back story coming through and hints to what has gone before so much so that I nearly didn’t finish it in disgust (this was the feeling about a quarter of the way through.)
However I persevered and as such was rewarded for my efforts with a lead character who not only grabbed my interest but also had many different levels so that there was something for all readers to latch onto. He was complex, he had many different angles and whilst the language was a little hard to take from time to time, It steps away from the cute fluffy bunny sparkly vampire image that is becoming all the rage these days. Nicolas is dangerous, he can handle himself and when you add his brothers into the mix, it’s a take no prisoners type of story. Add to this some pretty hard choices, a break neck pace and of course a love story and it’ll tick the boxes for most paranormal romance fans.
All of this said however please remember to pick up book one to avoid my error. Its entitled Eternal Hunger.
Release Date: 01/12/11
SYNOPSIS:
In this highly-anticipated new novel, Diana Gabaldon brings back one of her most compelling characters: the unforgettable Lord John Grey - soldier, gentleman, and no mean hand with a blade. Set in the heart of the eighteenth century, Lord John's world is one of mystery and menace. Diana Gabaldon brilliantly weaves together the strands of Lord John's secret and public lives. Capturing the lonely, tormented, and courageous career of a man who fights for his crown, his honor, and his own secrets, Diana Gabaldon delivers breathtaking human drama, proving once again that she can bring history to life in a way few novelists ever have.
REVIEW:
OK, to those who’ve already Diana’s work I’m not saying anything that they didn’t already know, to those who have seen the authors name and not sure whether or not to take a chance, this is perhaps the review to help you make up your mind.
First of all I was new to Diana’s writing when I was lent An Echo in the Bone. Yes I know, it was the seventh book in the series but the beauty and the story weaving was so exceptional that I had to go all the way back to the first book and read the series back to back.
As with Diana’s other books, this latest title is a story of honour, love, battle and of course the development of roles for the characters within. The fact that Jamie Fraser makes a reappearance will more than please fans of the Outlander series as he gets back to doing what he does best. Add to this a seriously delicious storyline, cracking character development alongside prose that many will fall in love with alongside a masters understanding of pace and it’s a book that is serious value for money. All I have to do now is set up a guard to protect my copy from a certain parent who’s already setting her sights on it.
The phenomenally popular Back to the Future films literally changed the future of the adventure movie genre. Now, Telltale has developed a graphic adventure game that tells a fresh new time-travelling story where players will meet all the familiar characters that they’ve grown so fond of.Back to the Future : The Game brings the iconic 'Marty McFly', 'Doc Brown' and the DeLorean Time Machine together in a completely new cinematic adventure. Six months after the events of the third film, the DeLorean Time Machine mysteriously returns to Hill Valley. 'Marty' must go back in time and recruit aid from a resistant teenage 'Emmett Brown', or else the space-time continuum will be forever unraveled.Back to the Future : The Game features the likenesses of the original stars that made the characters of 'Marty McFly' and 'Doc Brown' legendary: Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. Lloyd is voicing 'Doc Brown' in the English version.The Game will be released by Deep Silver for the following formats:PlayStation®3, Wii™ Windows PC. 
THIRD EPISODE OF THE MAKING OF RISEN™ 2: DARK WATERS CONCENTRATES ON ANIMATIONSIn this installment the developers from Piranha Bytes speak about the new animation system that was created for Risen 2:- Why the old animation system was completely replaced and what that meant for development- That two to three thousand new animations had to be created especially for Risen 2- How different combat animations are combined to create a combo attack- and that Risen 2 features full face animations for the first time in a Piranha Bytes game.Risen 2 will be released in April and will be available for the following formats:Xbox 360® video game Windows PC, PlayStation®3.For more information please check out the relevant sites at the following locationsLOfficial WebsiteFacebookCommunity
Release Date: 02/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
For Caillen Dagan, a defiant soldier of fortune, survival isn't a right: it's a brutal daily battle. Moving through the Ichidaian universe like a wraith, his brushes with the law and death are legendary. But when an act of rare heroism reveals his hidden birthright, he's forced into a world much more dangerous and cold-hearted than the bloody streets where he was raised - one of obscene wealth and lethal politics. Ferocious and determined, Desideria serves as an official bodyguard for her queen. Born of questionable genetics, she will do anything to prove herself worthy of the weapons she carries and the position she's won by combat. But when she uncovers a ruthless plot to assassinate the queen and overthrow her country's government, Desideria is caught in the crossfire. With assassination contracts out on both of them, Caillen and Desideria must learn to fight together or die alone. And if they fail, their governments will fall into the hands of an unimaginable evil.
REVIEW:
Sherrilyn returns to the “League” with this new outing following Caillen, a thief with a heart and of course fingers as light as a butterfly. He’s quirky, he has great strengths and I also like the vulnerability displayed within the text for him. Add to this a title that has solid action, good pace and of course plot twist after plot twist and you’d think that you’d be in for a whale of a time.
Sadly in this title, that’s not the case as the author feels the need to throw twist after twist in so much so that you don’t know which way is up and of course it starts to feel a little like a Escher piece of art. Don’t get me wrong a lot of the elements that a reader wants is there but the key points of a huge love story doesn’t quite hit the mark and some of the events within lead you to ask questions about whether the author (as well as a certain character) has had a change of heart about themselves. Hopefully all will become clear and whilst this is a reasonable title, it’s certainly not the authors best.
Release Date: 02/02/11
SYNOPSIS:
From the acclaimed author of The Gone-Away World - a new riveting action spy thriller, blistering gangster noir, and howling absurdist comedy: a propulsively entertaining tale about a mobster's son and a retired secret agent who are forced to team up to save the world.
All Joe Spork wants is a quiet life. He repairs clockwork and lives above his shop in a wet, unknown bit of London. The bills don't always get paid and he's single and has no prospects of improving his lot, but at least he's not trying to compete with the reputation of Mathew "Tommy Gun" Spork, his infamous criminal dad.
Edie Banister lives quietly and wishes she didn't. She's nearly ninety and remembers when she wasn't. She's a former superspy and now she's... well... old. Worse yet, the things she fought to save don't seem to exist anymore, and she's beginning to wonder if they ever did.
When Joe fixes one particularly unusual device, his life is suddenly upended. The client is one Edie Banister. And the device? It's a 1950s doomsday machine. And having triggered it, Joe now faces the wrath of both the government and a diabolical South Asian dictator, Edie's old arch-nemesis. With Joe's once-quiet world now populated with mad monks, psychopathic serial killers, scientific geniuses and threats to the future of conscious life in the universe, he realises that the only way to survive is to muster the courage to fight, help Edie complete a mission she gave up years ago, and pick up his father's old gun...
REVIEW:
To be honest I really wasn’t sure what to make of this title from the book blurb, yes it had all the hallmarks of a Thriller but there was a little something else added , a touch of comedy, which at times, can fall quite short for the reader.
What unfurls is an adventure that has some delightfully eccentric characters, some wicked twists and for me, Nick has done for the Spy Thriller what Tom Holt has done for the Urban Fantasy. Its quirky, it has some wonderful twists and the authorly writing style keeps it not only friendly but a story that you have trouble dragging yourself away from.
Add to this some great dialogue, a few murders and mechanical madness to the max which keeps the tale running at full throttle. Cracking.
Release Date: 02/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
Meet Easie Damasco, rogue, thieving swine and total charmer. Yet even the wicked can't rest when a vicious warlord and the force of enslaved giants he commands invade their homeland. Even then, Damasco might get away in one piece - if he'd only stop at stealing a giant and keep his hands off the warlord's treasure. Damasco's spent his whole life on the run, living by his wits. But can even he outwit an enemy who'll stop at absolutely nothing to regain the priceless artificact he's stolen from the warlord?
REVIEW:
To be honest I wasn’t sure what to expect from this title as when the lead character is the anti-protagonist, all bets are off as to what will unfurl and their reaction to them. That’s what makes this type of character so exciting for Fantasy Readers although to be honest the one thing that you have to watch is the sheer glut of them coming out of the woodwork in more recent times.
What David’s character of Easie does is grab you by the throat from the start and drags you along on his hair brained schemes as he seeks not only to outwit those in hot pursuit of him, but also old friends who are after the bounty. It’s clever, it has a wonderful sense of brain (Easie) and brawn (provided by Saltlick the Giant) as the whole tale wends its merry way through your brain.
It’s satisfying, it has some almost comical moments and when you add to the mix the authors no holds barred attitude, it’s a story that sets up for a series remarkably well. Great stuff.
Release Date: 02/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
Ever wished you knew how to fillet a fish or joint a chicken; or how to make sweet pastry or an authentic tagine? This book brings you the collected wisdom of the Waitrose Cookery School chefs, who share their know-how, pass on their passion for fresh ingredients, and make cooking fun! There are step-by-step guides to nifty techniques, clear descriptions of ingredients and how they perform and, of course, a collection of mouth-watering recipes that run the gamut from simple suppers to fine dining and everything in between. Asian-inspired dishes, roasts, exotic stews, fresh salads, pasta, delicious desserts - whatever your level of expertise, once you master the skills you will soon be preparing sumptuous spreads for family and friends.
REVIEW:
I’m a foodie, that probably comes as no surprise to anyone that knows me but what does come as a bit of a shock is that I like the Australian way of doing things, good ingredients that make the most of any meal’s star that use components that compliment rather than disguise, that enhance rather than detract.
What makes this book a little different to the vast majority out there are the tutorials that help you learn some skills such as how to fillet fish and how to joint a chicken which whilst considered elementary by those in the chef trade, are skills that frighten the hell out of most household cooks., myself included. Add to this a list of key equipment for the kitchen and it’s a wonderful book. However, my main gripe for this section, is that I would have liked a shot of the various knives that they decide are essential, after all I don’t own a fish filleting knife and I’m still really not sure what they look like. Likewise when they’re recommending a knife set at a hefty price (£274) I would have liked to see what many would consider affordable alternatives for the average kitchen user. Whilst this may seem minor, I do feel that it something that should be included in future editions.
That said, after the skill section is a whole host of wonderful recipes from many different styles as well as laid out in easy to follow steps alongside the occasional image to make sure that you have the keys to a successful outcome. Finally add to this tips on how to lay out a plate for the maximum appeal and you have a book that will be used time and again. Great stuff.
Release Date: 05/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
Life is looking up for Sabina Kane. The threat of war between the dark races seems to have passed, and her magic training is also progressing well - just like her relationship with the sexy mage Adam Lazarus. But as much as Sabina feels hopeful about the future, she doesn't quite trust that peace is possible ...Her suspicions are confirmed when a string of sadistic murders threaten to stall peace talks between the vampires and the mages. Sabina pitches in to find the killer, but this dark investigation soon has her questioning everyone she thought she could trust. And the closer she gets to the killer, the more Sabina begins to suspect this is one foe she may not be able to kill.
REVIEW:
I love Jaye’s writing and when the new book in the series lands, its always a split feeling, firstly because I get that warm glowing feeling of an old friend returning, but then the terror that the book simply won’t live up to what I’ve come to expect from Jaye as a writer and that she’ll have done something drastic to one of my character “friends.”
In this the fourth of the series (which is currently set at five books) all bets are off as she throws caution to the wind and is prepared to take no prisoners in a title that is high octane from the start which, or at least it did with me, leave you exhausted from the marathon reading session that you’ll have as you just can’t put it down. Add to this the usual blend of sass, top notch character development and throw in a huge helping of danger and it doesn’t even come close to explaining the sheer white knuckle ride that you’re in for.
All in a real joy and with the set up the way that it has gone, it’s going to make waiting for the last part even harder. Damn you Jaye. LOL
Release Date: 02/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
We know you are here, our brothers and sisters. We will, one day, emerge from the Dome to join you in peace. For now, we watch from afar. Pressia Belze has lived outside of the Dome ever since the detonations. Struggling for survival she dreams of life inside the safety of the Dome with the 'Pure'. Partridge, himself a Pure, knows that life inside the Dome, under the strict control of the leaders' regime, isn't as perfect as others think. Bound by a history that neither can clearly remember, Pressia and Partridge are destined to forge a new world.
REVIEW:
To be honest this is a pretty weird story told from a plethora of characters individual points of view to help colour a world gone wrong for a modern reader. Part YA, part adult, it’s a story that will appeal to a great may as Julianna’s characters really stand out and give the reader something to associate with as they get used to this strange alien world.
It’s got some great prose, it’s also has some decent dialogue but for me, the pace alongside the characters are the outstanding features of this title provided you can get used to what appears to be a mishmash writing style. All in definitely a title I was pleased I read but I’m not sure how many others will be able to get to grips with the complexities within.
The characters in this novel have strong voices of their own. In some ways, I envisioned this book like a play or even an opera. So there are choruses of cats in a smelly sanctuary, of villainous Ravageurs in their bloodstained dining room, and of Witches and Righteous Wraiths in the courtroom that hovers above the Rialto Bridge.
Brolo is a sympathetic black-and-white cat who also lives in the cat refuge. He’s an eternal optimist, and therefore the recipient of frequent bad surprises. His catchphrase is ‘What a down-in-the-dumper!’ I based his character on the eternal optimist played by Eric Idle in the crucifixion scene at the end of Monty Python’s Life of Brian. So obviously his song is ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’. 
Altopone is an argumentative rat – a gruff individualist and one of the very few of his species who is not totally intimidated by the Ravageurs. His name is a pun on that of the famous American gangster Al Capone, whose family was Italian. I think Altopone would like Frank Sinatra singing ‘I Did It My Way’.
