A place to find out author interviews along with book reviews of thier works in the following genres:
science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, crime, horror, history, arts and crafts, hobby, true life, real life, autobiography, zombie, paranormal, demons, vampires, religion and spirituality, thriller, mystery, psychological thriller, spy tory, techno thriller, humour.
Release Date: 02/07/15 Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books SYNOPSIS:
Reunited, Audun and Ulfar have a new sense of purpose: to ensure that the North remains in the hands of those who hold with the old gods. To do this, they must defeat the people who seek to destroy all they have ever known with the new White Christ. But these are powerful enemies and if they have any chance of victory, they must find equally powerful allies.
In Trondheim, King Olav, self-appointed champion of the White Christ, finds that keeping the peace is a much harder test of his faith than winning the war. With his garrison halved and local chieftains at his table who wish him nothing but ill, the king must decide how and where to spread the word of his god.
And in the North, touched by the trickster god, something old, malevolent and very, very angry stirs . . .
REVIEW:
I’ve had a ton of fun with Snorri’s writing over the previous two titles in the series so knowing that it was all set to climax in this volume, I couldn’t wait to see what the author would do and how he’d manage the gods as well as men within. Its well written, the prose is sharp and if you love good action sequences, the author delivers. The principle characters feel rounded, the way that the action interplays into lulls works wonderfully well allowing recovery time and finally when you add dialogue that just fits them down to a T makes this a series that has been immense fun to enjoy.
Truly a saga for Historical Fantasy fans to enjoy and may the shades continue “flyting” in the hall of heroes. Cracking.
Release Date: 02/07/15 Publisher: Bloomsbury SYNOPSIS:
Under the heartless vault of the Greenland's arctic sky the body of a girl is discovered. Half-naked and tied up, buried hundreds of miles from any signs of life, she has lain alone, hidden in the ice cap, for twenty-five years. Now an ice melt has revealed her.
When Detective Chief Superintendent Konrad Simonsen is flown in to investigate this horrific murder and he sees how she was attacked, it triggers a dark memory and he realises this was not the killer's only victim. As Simonsen's team work to discover evidence that has long since been buried, they unearth truths that certain people would rather stayed forgotten. But the pressure is on as it becomes clear that the killer chooses victims who all look unsettlingly similar, a similarity that may be used to the investigators' advantage, just so long as they can keep the suspect in their sights…
REVIEW:
I love my Scandinavian Crime and to be honest I had high hopes for this book. Sadly it failed to deliver right from the get go. The characters were sadly 2d, the plot was easy to see and whilst it might have had something going for it early on, it soon fell into farcical proportions with sheer lack of sense as well as complete ineptitude of the investigating officers.
Sadly whilst I would like to blame it all on the writers, I do wonder if a lot of the problems was due to translation going more for the literal rather than helping it flow into the English language. All round a book that I’d suggest you skip completely and await the next Scandinavian Thriller to emerge.
Release Date: 21/05/15 Publisher: Pan Macmillan SYNOPSIS:
Our Dragon doesn't eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley. We hear them sometimes, from travellers passing through. They talk as though we were doing human sacrifice, and he were a real dragon. Of course that's not true: he may be a wizard and immortal, but he's still a man, and our fathers would band together and kill him if he wanted to eat one of us every ten years. He protects us against the Wood, and we're grateful, but not that grateful.
Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.
Her people rely on the cold, ambitious wizard, known only as the Dragon, to keep the wood's powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman must be handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as being lost to the wood.
The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows - everyone knows - that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia - all the things Agnieszka isn't - and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her.
But no one can predict how or why the Dragon chooses a girl. And when he comes, it is not Kasia he will take with him.
REVIEW:
Naomi is well known for her Temeraire series and whilst this one keeps with Dragons to a certain degree, it’s a completely different type of tale going more into the world of faerie tales but still keeping the authors magical storytelling style with top notch characters.
Each cast member brings something to the fore within this title and when you add solid action sequences, great prose and dialogue that helps embody the characters within the readers mind, all round makes this a new title that will be a pure joy to read. Magic.
Release Date: 08/09/15 Publisher: Pan Macmillan/Tor SYNOPSIS:
Dees has won a Golden Heart Award, two RITAs for Category Suspense and Adventure and has also twice snared RT's Series Romantic Suspense of the Year. She is a great storyteller and the adventures in her more than fifty novels are often inspired by her own life. Dees is an Air Force vet, the youngest female pilot in Air Force history and fought in the first Gulf War. She's had amazing adventures and she's used her experiences to tell some kickass stories. But as much as she love romances, Cindy's other passion has been fantasy gaming. For almost twenty years she's been involved with Dragon Crest, one of the original live action role-playing games. She's the story content creator on the game and wanted to do an epic fantasy based on it, with the blessing and input of Dragon Crest founder Bill Flippin. The Sleeping King is the first in an epic fantasy series, featuring the best of the genre - near immortal imperial overlords, a prophecy of a sleeping elven king who's said to be the saviour of the races and two young people who are set on a path to save the day.
REVIEW:
This was a bit of a strange read to be honest as my original thoughts were about how terrible the writing was with the initial set up, but the more I read, the more the principle characters grew upon me. The world was very well developed, the dialogue between the key characters really helped develop them and overall allowed me to form a bond.
My key problem is that the original beginning was very clunky, it felt like it was trying to put way to much in and rather than giving the reader a whole host of detail, they over stuffed it when really, in my opinion it should have been quickly glossed over or skipped until a book concentrated mainly upon the Imperial Court. It could have kept it smoother, had it flowing easier on the reader and all round would have worked better for me on the whole.
That said, it is a book I enjoyed and I think that Cindy and Bill will have learned a lot from the writing of this. I can’t wait to see what else the world has in store for the reader as their epic quest continues.
Hail Mighty Readers, Well with it being a Satur Caturday, I was trawling through certain websites and found one that had beautiful photography. The group "Wildenigma Photography" are a group of amateur photographers who like to go out and about and take pictures on their travels. Each has something different that they specialise in and when you start looking through their images, there's something for everyone. To see their work for yourself, visit their site here: Wildenigma Photography
Release Date: 04/06/15 Publisher: Bodley Head SYNOPSIS:
The first book in the exhilarating new fantasy sequence from Joseph Delaney, the multi-million-selling author of The Spook's Apprentice - the inspiration for the movie SEVENTH SON.
Welcome to Arena 13. Here warriors fight. Death is never far away . . .
Leif has one ambition: to become the best fighter in the notorious Arena 13. Here, punters place wagers on which fighter will draw first blood. And in grudge matches, they bet on which fighter will die.
But the country is terrorized by the creature Hob, an evil being who delights in torturing its people, displaying his devasting power by challenging an Arena 13 combatant in a fight to the death whenever he chooses. And this is exactly what Leif wants . . .
For he knows Hob's crimes well. and at the heart of his ambition burns the desire for vengeance. Leif is going to take on the monster who destroyed his family. Even if it kills him.
REVIEW:
I’m a huge fan of Joseph’s Spooks series so when I found out he had a new one out I couldn’t wait to see what he would bring to the fore. Here within this book is a title that works on Joseph’s strengths as his new principle character has strength, smarts and of course a goal within the pages.
The action is wonderful, the dialogue works well and when you throw into the mix prose that keeps you glued from the first page to the last and all round, this new series will delight fantasy fans as much as Joseph’s own. Cracking.
Release Date: 03/09/15 Publisher: Gollancz SYNOPSIS:
In the cramped west end of Sharakhai, the Amber Jewel of the Desert, Çeda fights in the pits to scrape a living. She, like so many in the city, pray for the downfall of the cruel, immortal Kings of Sharakhai, but she's never been able to do anything about it. This all changes when she goes out on the night of Beht Zha'ir, the holy night when all are forbidden from walking the streets. It's the night that the asirim, the powerful yet wretched creatures that protect the Kings from all who would stand against them, wander the city and take tribute. It is then that one of the asirim, a pitiful creature who wears a golden crown, stops Çeda and whispers long forgotten words into her ear. Çeda has heard those words before, in a book left to her by her mother, and it is through that one peculiar link that she begins to find hidden riddles left by her mother.
As Çeda begins to unlock the mysteries of that fateful night, she realizes that the very origin of the asirim and the dark bargain the Kings made with the gods of the desert to secure them may be the very key she needs to throw off the iron grip the Kings have had over Sharakhai. And yet the Kings are no fools-they've ruled the Shangazi for four hundred years for good reason, and they have not been idle. As Çeda digs into their past, and the Kings come closer and closer to unmasking her, Çeda must decide if she's ready to face them once and for all.
REVIEW:
If you want fantasy with a more eastern flavour then you may well want to give this book by Bradley Beaulieu a go, as it not only brings a cracking fantasy female principle character to the fore but also starts out a series with one hell of a bang we see events from the past as they shape the person and future of what is to come.
It’s well written, I love the supporting cast and when you throw into this an overall arc that demonstrates quite clearly why the countries cultures are at war with each other, leaves the reader in no doubt about the bloodbath they’re about to embark upon. Magic.
Release Date: 03/09/15 Publisher: Del Rey SYNOPSIS:
The truth is, nobody knew why it happened this way, but in the town where I grew up, when the boys and girls reached a certain age, the parents locked themselves up in their houses, and the teenagers ran wild...
As a well-behaved and over-achieving teenager, Lumen Fowler knows she is different. While the rest of her peers are falling beneath the sway of her community's darkest rite of passage, she resists, choosing to hole herself up in her room with only books for company.
For Lumen has a secret. Her mother never 'breached' and she knows she won’t either. But as she investigates the town’s strange traditions and unearths stories from her family’s past, she soon realises she may not know herself – or her wild side – at all...
A gothic coming-of-age tale for modern times, When We Were Animals is a dark, provocative journey of self discovery
REVIEW:
To be honest this was one of those types of books that you have to sit down and digest it over a few days upon completion just to you can make sure that when you write the review its not off the top of your head and you forget something that really struck you within the pages.
This book, is definitely a title that many readers need to take the time out to read as its not only very well written but the descriptive prose worked wonders in imparting the principle characters point of view of her past and how it shaped her future. It also has some cracking dialogue and with an overall arc that takes you on a coming of age story, really will be a book that will stay with you a long time after that final page is turned. Cracking.
Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs, We've just got news from our friends at Microsoft with the opening cinematic of Halo 5: Guardians, its high octane, full of action and of course goes to show how badass a squad can be.
But don't take our word for it take a look yourself:
Halo 5: Guardians is released on the 27th October 2015. We really can't wait to embark on our own mission with these troopers and with luck, we'll see you on the Infinity.
Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs, Our friends at Xbox have let us know about the forthcoming ultimate Xbox Machine. Here are the detail's we have:"Games and gamers are at the center of
everything we do and we’re always looking for ways to offer the best
ways to play on Xbox. Today we’re thrilled to unveil the Xbox One Elite Bundle,
the ultimate gaming experience that comes fully loaded and jam packed
with premium features to take your gaming to the next level. In addition
to a matte finish, the Xbox One Elite Bundle includes a 1TB Solid State
Hybrid Drive, which stores frequently-accessed files on a solid state
partition and optimizes system performance so you can get to the action
up to 20 percent faster from energy-saving mode. This means you can
spend more time this holiday playing the greatest games in Xbox history,
including Halo 5: Guardians, Rise of the Tomb Raider and Forza Motorsport 6.
Even better, every Xbox One Elite Bundle comes with the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller,
a new, performance-class controller to meet the needs of today’s
competitive gamers on Xbox One and Windows 10. The Xbox Elite Wireless
Controller offers fully customizable features, interchangeable paddles,
further customization with the Xbox Accessories app, Hair Trigger Locks
and high-performance construction to provide an unparalleled experience
every time you game. "
They've also announced Xbox One Special Edition Lunar White Wireless Controller which includes
all the updated features of the standard Xbox One Wireless Controller
with the addition of a white and gold colour scheme and improved
grip for more control and comfort.
Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs, Its Fantasy sports with less of the sports and more of the gore, pustules, mutilation and of course deaths, so what are you going to do?
That's right sports fans, find your team, cheer them on and let the mayhem commence as the Warhammer World once again takes to the astro-turf for a bit of vengeance, scoring and of course glory as old rivalries are settled under the banner of sportmanship.
Here, its time to see what the Stunties have to go against the Ratmen with:
We hope you'll celebrate with us (on the 22nd September 2015 when its released) as we bathe in our foes tears (be they due to defeat or the pain we inflict.) Gareth and Lady Eleanor
Release Date: 01/09/15 Publisher: Wizards of the Coast SYNOPSIS:
The pall that had descended over the North is gone, and a new day has dawned on a victorious Mithral Hall, but no matter how bright things seem on the surface, Drizzt and his companions know that what lurks just under their feet remains steeped in evil and charged with unimaginable power.
The dark elves of Menzoberranzan, including the powerful Archmage Gromph, aren’t done with Drizzt yet. And consumed by their own power struggles, feeling backed into a corner, the drow may just be desperate enough to call on demonic forces from the deepest reaches of the Abyss, and unleash a disaster even the Underdark could never have prepared for.
Archmage has everything Drizzt’s fans crave: action, adventure, characters that resonate with equal measures of warrior spirit and deep compassion, and no shortage of wicked dark elves!
REVIEW:
The latest Drizzt title and as usual with RA, a book that blows the others out of the water as the events of the series bring to the fore the reality of the changing world under a war of the gods. Its definitely a book that is a solid fantasy read, brings everything that fans of Forgotten Realms love and when blended with top notch combat, cracking dialogue alongside an overall plot that not only keeps you glued but twisting the machinations of deities all round leaves you turning those pages long into the early morning. Cracking.
Release Date: 27/08/15 Publisher: Mulholland Books SYNOPSIS:
Michael Hendricks is not a good man.
He doesn't deserve a good life.
But he is very good at his job.
He's the killing kind.
He doesn't accept contract kills. He doesn't work for any criminal organisation. And he never kills civilians. He only hits hitters.
He's not the kind of guy you call if you want to pop somebody who's pissed you off or done you wrong.
He's not a guy you call at all - he calls you.
And when he does, you'd be advised to take his call. Because it means that someone wants you dead, and time is running out to save your life.
It's not a bad way to make a living, but it's a great way to make enemies.
And now both the FBI and the mafia have Hendricks in their sights, he's about to learn just how good he really is...
REVIEW:
OK, this book isn’t going to set the world alight but there are times you want a high octane thriller that has plenty of action and a plot that you don’t really have to think about relying more on the friction generated by the principle hero and villain in much the same way you go for the odd early Arnie film.
Chris knows what he does well and brings in in spades with this thriller. Add to this reasonable prose and some fairly basic dialogue and all round it’ll entertain as well as help you relax.
Release Date: 26/06/15 Publisher: Titan SYNOPSIS:
The Terran military, the Astral Force, launches a mission to crush a colonial rebellion on the colony of Cerberus. The results of that mission ripple across the planets of the Centauria, and place the entire system on the brink of war. Lieutenant Katja Emmes is a platoon commander, leader of the 10-trooper strike team aboard the fast-attack craft Rapier. Although fully trained, she has never led troops in real operations before, and lives in the shadow of her war-hero father. Sublieutenant Jack Mallory is fresh out of pilot school, daydreaming about a fighter pilot position in the space fleet and in for a rude awakening. Lieutenant Commander Thomas Kane uses a six-month deployment in command of Rapier to secure his rise to stardom within the military. As violence erupts, each will be tested as never before. How they respond may decide the fate of Terra, and Earth.
REVIEW:
To be honest I tend to spend a lot of time in futuristic worlds with most at war with one place or another, so a lot of the stories tend to follow similar patterns and whilst many tend to focus on the war being waged, this one deals with the results of a war won facing insurgents.
Its definitely a novel that has tried to break its own ground and whilst I can see some great writing in certain places, overall I felt that the book could have done with a little more tine spent upon it so that it could have flowed a lot smoother. All round it is an OK novel and whilst some of the characters within were a little flat I did enjoy a fair few of the action sequences which means for me I will give this author another go for the next outing.
Release Date: 02/07/15 Publisher: Egmont SYNOPSIS:
When June met Delia, she was a lifeline. Their intense friendship gave her a sense of belonging, of security, that she’d never had before. She felt braver, smarter, funnier, more attractive when Delia was around. But then something went wrong, and Delia and June haven’t spoken for a year when an announcement is made at their school that Delia is dead.
June barely has time to mourn before Delia’s ex-boyfriend convinces her that Delia didn’t kill herself but was in fact murdered, and June is fast swept into a tangle of lies and deceit – and a conspiracy she can barely conceive of, never mind believe.
Stylish, sexy and atmospheric, with so many twists it will leave you breathless.
REVIEW:
To be honest this is a book of two halves and whilst it’s aimed at the younger audience, I have to say that I wouldn’t recommend this for anyone under 16. It deals with a lot of dark material and whilst the principle character of June is one that many can associate with, when you come to dealing with Delia, there really isn’t anything likable about the girl to really make you care about the events around her.
It’s definitely a book that won’t let you put it down but it does take a pretty poor turn towards the end which left me feeling depleted as well as cheated. All round it is an OK book but as it is a title that will stay with the reader be prepared for some questions that you’ll not only be asking yourself but others who have read the book.
Release Date: 02/07/15 Publisher: Quercus SYNOPSIS:
We all wonder how much our pet understands, what is going on in their head and just how intelligent they really are. This entertaining and comprehensive guide will not only explain your cat's sometimes baffling behaviour - it will give you the means to test your pet's IQ yourself.
Using your cat's natural skills, How Smart Is Your Cat? will enable you to improve their responses and reactions - and ultimately their IQ - as you work through a wealth of intelligence tests, giving them a star rating as they progress. The bond between you will deepen as you learn more about how your cat thinks.
Featuring panels on feline psychology, different cat breeds and information on how cats communicate, How Smart Is Your Cat? is the ideal companion for everyone who wants to understand what their cat is thinking and how to communicate with them effectively.
The perfect gift for cat lovers everywhere, this book will open your eyes to just how canny your kitten can be!
REVIEW:
OK, so many know that I am Cat Man, toadie to five beautiful felines and whilst at times they seem to be quite smart, at others they can be completely bat shit crazy, racing from room to room as if it’s a race track at 4 AM or just to use me as a bouncy castle during the night. However at the end of the day, I like to set them little challenges as well as try to teach them some tricks just to help keep their brain’s active. After all an occupied cat is a kitty that isn’t getting into trouble. LOL
What this book from David Alderton does is give you a few idea’s as well as some training idea’s to help from everything from introduction to giving you cat some advanced training. All round it’s a bit of fun and whilst I may not agree with a number of the statements from the author, I did find some of the information within useful.
Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs, Our friends at Film4's Frightfest have asked us to run a competition where we can give away 2 X Pair of Tickets for "Another Me which is airing on Saturday 31st August. The film whch will be available on HD release on the same day, will have plenty of scares and chills and lets face it, getting to see it on a big screen with other horror films will be magnificent. Here's a link to the trailer:
If you want to be in with a chance, mail us at our usual address: drosdelnoch (at) hotmaildotcom (with the appropriate fixes and let us know who is the main sponsor of this years frightfest.
Due to the close date, competition closes tonight at midnight UK Time Winners will be expected to make their own way to the venue and cover own expenses. Al the best, Gareth and Lady Eleanor
Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs, Our friends at Square Enix have asked us to let you know about the collectors edition of the forthcoming Rise of the Tomb Raider (released 13th November 2015.) Its looking pretty sweet and to be honest with the chanc to own your own new modern Lara (12 Inch Figure) alongside quite a few other tasty features that we really can't live without it. Here's what Square Enix had to say:
Square Enix Inc. today announced a collector’s edition for Rise of the Tomb Raider® that is available exclusively from the Square Enix e-store and the Official Tomb Raider store.
The collector’s edition is packed with valuable memorabilia, including a 12 inch tall statue of Lara Croft that depicts her search for answers on her first tomb raiding expedition, a model of the jade necklace that was Lara’s first archeological discovery, and a collectible steel book case.
The exclusive Rise of the Tomb Raider Collector’s Edition (£109.99) is available for pre-order here. It includes:
Full Xbox One retail copy of Rise of the Tomb Raider 12 inch tall statue of Lara Croft Collectible steel case Replica of Lara’s leather in-game journal Model of Lara’s jade necklace All the best and see you in the forthcoming guerilla warfare battles, Gareth and Lady Eleanor
Release Date: 27/08/15 Publisher: Headline SYNOPSIS:
Sexy, dark and exciting, NYMPHS is the novel of the smash-hit international TV series. Perfect for fans of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES and THE ORIGINALS.
Meet the nymphs: living among us, they're forever young, dangerously seductive - and ever so deadly...
A young man is found dead after a college party in a small town. His body bears the marks of a brutal attack, but police are mystified as to the actual cause of death.
Afterwards, student Didi Tiensuu is approached by two mysterious women. Beautiful and other-worldly, they have come to warn her she is in danger. And to live, she must for ever leave her old life behind.
There are evil forces at work that mere mortals can never comprehend. And Didi is about to discover her past is a lie. The night of reckoning is coming and the choice is hers. Reject her fate. Or accept her destiny and embrace her power...
REVIEW:
To be honest this was a different type of book for me as whilst I do tend to read a wide range of Urban Fantasy, I tend to keep clear of titles that have strong sexual themes within as I don’t tend to enjoy them. This title, whilst aimed at a younger reader market deals with all of this as a gateway from normal life into one of the supernatural.
It’s well written and with a solid plot arc works very well, however what I felt that the authors did exceptionally well was bring the principle character through to the audience so that they could find aspects of the principle character that they could not only identify with but one that would make them care about what happened to her.
Add to this decent dialogue and all round I was a more than happy reader. I’ll definitely be reading future novels from these authors.
Release Date: 18/06/15 Publisher: Sphere SYNOPSIS:
AD 1215: The year of Magna Carta - and Robin Hood's greatest battle
The yoke of tyranny
King John is scheming to reclaim his ancestral lands in Europe, raising the money for new armies by bleeding dry peasants and nobles alike, not least the Earl of Locksley - the former outlaw Robin Hood - and his loyal man Sir Alan Dale.
The call to arms
As rebellion brews across the country and Robin Hood and his men are dragged into the war against the French in Flanders, a plan is hatched that will bring the former outlaws and their families to the brink of catastrophe - a plan to kill the King.
The roar of revolution
England explodes into bloody civil war and Alan and Robin must decide who to trust - and who to slaughter. And while Magna Carta might be the answer their prayers for peace, first they will have to force the King to submit to the will of his people . . .
REVIEW:
Robin Hood has always been a rich ground for writers and whilst many have taken to keeping it in a simple vein, Angus brings a modern telling to the fore with a cracking principle character reliving his life in note book form. Its definitely something quirky and for me a series that I eagerly await each successive part to as I love to see what he has in store for the next outing.
All round, when you add top notch prose, good action sequences and a supporting cast that you care about all round makes this a series you can’t put down. Magic.
Hail Mighty Readers, We're a sucker for a giant monster fight and we think we're in for a treat shortly with Lake Placid Vs Anaconda starring Robert Englund, Yancy Butler as well as blog friend Corin Nemic. Here's the DVD blurb: Anacondas large enough to crush an SUV. Crocodiles strong enough to leap
onto speedboats. When they’re not hunting for human prey, they’re more
than willing to take on each other. Get ready for a non-stop bloodbath
unlike anything you’ve seen before in this heart-pounding battle between
mutated crocodiles and genetically engineered anacondas. Packed with
hot sorority girls, big guns, and jaws massive enough to swallow a human
in one bite, this is one screaming good time! As well as the trailer:
We can't wait until the 7th of September to see which of the behemoth's will triumph. Gareth and Lady Eleanor
Release Date: 25/08/15 Publisher: 47 North SYNOPSIS:
Over a hundred years have passed since a group of violent killers went on the rampage, murdering innocent victims for fun. But even back then, sorcerer Nate Garrett, aka Hellequin, knew there was more to it than simple savage pleasure—souls were being stolen.
Nate’s discovery of the souls’ use, and of those supporting the group’s plan, made him question everything he believed.
Now the group Nate thought long dead is back. Violent, angry, and hell-bent on revenge, they have Hellequin firmly in their sights. And if he won’t come willingly, they’ll take those closest to him first.
The battle begins again.
REVIEW:
Nate returns in this latest adventure that throws him against the shadows that seek the downfall of Avalon. Its definitely something that really sets the nerves on edge and when the reader gets to see our principle hero who not only struggles to survive against what the villains can throw against him but from his own past all round gives you something that is unique in the way it deals with the arc.
As a reader, Steve is an author that manages to merge top notch action sequences with emotional context alongside spinning a tale that keeps hold of you from start to finish. Back this up with a real kickass tale and a hero who can dish as good as he gets all round allows you some special reading time.
Release Date: 18/06/15 Publisher: Headline SYNOPSIS:
When darkness falls the nightmare begins . . .
It is 1935 and a rubber plantation deep in the Amazon jungle is losing its labourers one by one. Company agent Miller arrives to investigate the mounting number of those disappearing as well as the brutal killing of a fellow agent.
Sightings of a corpselike girl and a man who bears a striking resemblance to the dead agent soon have Miller on edge. And when night falls, and the humid air fills with the stench of rotting flesh, he becomes convinced he's found the nearest thing to hell.
They roam through the darkness, hide in the shadows and shun the daylight. But what are these deathly-looking figures?
As the sun sets over the plantation, only a brave man dares to sleep...
REVIEW:
I love a good horror story late in the night, where every creak of the house chills you and that’s exactly what I got from Stephen Bywater’s new novel, Night of the Damned. I loved the way that he wove the tale with solid characterisation, top notch prose and of course with enough chills within to leave you wondering if you’ve pulled your duvet tight enough.
All round a great read and one that I really couldn’t put down mainly because I wanted the dawn light to be creeping through the windows when I went to sleep. Great fun.
Release Date: 18/06/15 Publisher: Headline SYNOPSIS:
The fate of Roman Britain is sealed when Caradoc, King of the Dumnonii tribe in Tintagel, meets Flavius Magnus Maximus, one of the most influential Roman officers in Britannia. Their unlikely friendship leads to an ambitious plan to unite the tribal leaders and, once crowned the first High King of the Britons, Maximus casts his eyes on the throne of the Western Roman Empire.
Leading a force of brave warriors to Gaul, Maximus is victorious in battle. But it is not long after his return to Britain that hubris gnaws at him once again. Despite Caradoc's pleas to exercise caution, Maximus is determined to march on Rome itself. But who will pay the price for his bloodthirsty quest for power?
REVIEW:
When I read Marylin’s first book “Dragon Child” I was hooked, I loved the way she brought a new flavour to the Arthurain period as well as the myths and legends wrapping then in a time period that very little is known about. I love the way she breathes life into the characters, giving each individual traits that in the whole make them stronger whilst their own personal foibles allow a vulnerability.
Here in her latest book readers are treated to a title that includes bloodshed, truces and of course merging of cultures. It is well written ,has cracking prose and of course a storyline that is hard to put down at the end of your reading time, so much so that “One more chapter” may well become a popular turn of phrase in your home.
Release Date: 16/06/15 Publisher: Headline SYNOPSIS:
Tin Men by Christopher Golden - author of Snowblind - is a must-read for fans of Dean Koontz, Peter Straub and Joe Hill thanks to its high concept and jaw-dropping thrills.
Economies are collapsing, environmental disasters are widespread and war the backdrop to life.
And so the military has developed a force of elite soldiers to keep the peace. A force like nothing seen before ... codenamed Tin Man, soldiers are virtually transported to inhabit robot frames in war-torn countries.
When PFC Danny Kelso starts his day shift in Syria, an eerie silence welcomes him and a patrol confirms the area is totally deserted. But when a rogue electromagnetic pulse throws everything into darkness, Danny's conscious mind is trapped within his robot body.
The attack turns out to have been global - the world is facing a return to the dark ages with no electricity, no technology ... no safe zones. And the Tin Men face a race against time to save not only themselves but society as we know it.
REVIEW:
Christopher can be a bit of a hit or miss author for me and whilst the premise is always entertaining as well as something that draws you in, at times it feels that the characters within are not fully realised and feel just there to be cannon fodder rather than anything to show the terror or horror of what they’re facing.
For me, as a reader when this happens it a let-down and really doesn’t allow me to fully engage with the book, to generate a personal connection to those involved and as such really doesn’t keep me glued to see what happens as each situation evolves as well as resolves itself.
Sadly this is the case with this book and whilst I do love the concept, for me as a reader, the execution was sadly missing as the title took a well-trodden path leaving no real surprises as it told the story. Don’t get me wrong, it is an OK read but when you’re spending hard earned money alongside devoting your personal time to help relax then it’s something that I feel cheated by.
Release Date: 04/06/15 Publisher: Corgi Children SYNOPSIS:
Aoife is an ordinary teenager, hanging out with her childhood friend Carla, putting up with school. The worst she has to contend with is that the boy of Carla’s dreams is trying to get off with her instead.
But then, after chasing a lost little girl no one seems to be able to see, Aoife starts to develop mysterious powers. Eventually her parents confess that she isn’t their real daughter. Their human child was stolen by the fairies, and Aoife is the changeling left behind in her place.
Shocked and disorientated, Aoife turns to Shay, the taciturn farmer’s son who is the only person who might believe her story. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey, which takes them deep into the underworld and changes everything they thought they knew about fairies.
REVIEW:
Any book that is for a younger audience has to find a way to strike a chord with the target audience fairly quickly and through the use of modern technology, schools and a principle character that the reader can’t help but like all round makes this a book that whilst starting off on a solid footing takes you into the modern urban fantastical as events spiral out of our heroines control.
It’s definitely a book that I had a lot of fun with, especially when the magical aspects pretty much exploded within taking me on one hell of an adventure. The prose is sharp, the dialogue delightful and when you throw in a mythological background all round gives this book a solid stand from which to entertain. Cracking.
Release Date: 07/05/15 Publisher: Adlard Coles, SYNOPSIS:
From getting back to nature with a tent, some matches and a few litres of bottled water, to enjoying a pub dinner and camping out in the garden afterwards, this book shows how to get stuck into wild camping in all its forms. Beautiful wildernesses; tiny budgets; environmentally-friendly Whats not to like?
REVIEW:
A few years ago I used to love going out and about with my tent, camping out, enjoying the scenery but the major bane of my existence was having to preplan all the places I could stay and how easy they were to get to alongside how much of a journey it was between each step.
And boy, could I have used this book by Stephen then, as to be honest it’s full of the legal jargon and knowhow that means you can prove that you’re not camping illegally and that you are entitled to. It’s easy to remember and were I to plan a trip again now, I would definitely have this title packed as well as having my copy filled with post its so I could find the right section for the circumstance I was in.
In addition to this, it is full of great information, tales of his own adventures as well as places where you can stay to help make planning your own trip on a budget better. A great book for any camping enthusiast or home bound adventurer. Cracking.
Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs, Our friends at Lego and Warner Brothers Interactive, have sent us a real mystery, that is, the Scooby Doo trailer for the forthcoming Lego Dimensions, here's what they had to say:
"In a new video featuring Scooby-Doo and Shaggy, Warner Bros. Interactive
Entertainment revealed today gameplay featuring everyone’s favourite
Mystery, Inc. characters in LEGO® Dimensions™, the upcoming
entertainment experience that merges physical LEGO® brick building with
interactive console gameplay. For the first time in a LEGO videogame,
the Scooby-Doo gameplay combines the distinctive, blocky LEGO®
art style with the cel-shaded look of the original, animated cartoons.
The LEGO Dimensions Starter Pack includes a complete, mission-based Scooby-Doo level that Batman ™, Wyldstyle and Gandalf must traverse in their quest to stop Lord Vortech and save the LEGO® Multiverse.
For Scooby-Doo fans that want to customise their LEGO Dimensions experience, it was also announced that a Scooby-Doo
Team Pack which includes LEGO Scooby-Doo and LEGO Shaggy minifigures,
plus a LEGO Mystery Machine and LEGO Scooby Snack, will be available at
the launch of the Starter Pack. Scooby-Doo and Shaggy each have their
own abilities and the Mystery Machine and Scooby Snack can be physically
built and then rebuilt twice for a total of three different objects
that do entirely different things in the digital game for massive
variety. Either character can also unlock the Scooby-Doo
Adventure World, an open-world environment which provides additional
open world gameplay content separate from the game’s main story which
allows players to explore iconic Scooby-Doo locations, race, solve
puzzles, and more.
All expansion packs provide gamers the opportunity to use every
character, vehicle and gadget interchangeably, anywhere throughout the
game. Players can bring up to seven toys into the LEGO Dimensions
game all at once by placing them on the LEGO Toy Pad to create extreme
gameplay cross-overs, such as Scooby-Doo piloting the Batmobile through
Springfield!
Launching September 29th 2015, LEGO Dimensions will be
available for Xbox One, the all-in one games and entertainment system
from Microsoft and the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from
Microsoft, PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment
systems and Nintendo´s Wii U™ system."
Release Date: 07/05/15 Publisher: Bantam Press SYNOPSIS:
In the seventh year of its war against France, England faces threats from abroad and at home, from above - and below. Buoyed by a series of military victories on land and at sea, French forces are gathering for their final push across the Channel. In Scotland, Jacobites loyal to Bonnie Prince Charlie plot to restore the Stuart dynasty to the throne. Beneath the bustling streets of London, a subterranean race prepares to rise. And in the realm known as the Otherwhere - home to dragons, demons and gods - civil war has erupted, causing a great and powerful weapon to be cast into the world. That weapon is a clock - a watch, to be precise, of a size to fit comfortably in a man's hand...a watch with a taste for blood - a mechanism that contains the doom of all that lives.
Daniel Quare, of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, was sent by his masters to find that deadly time- piece. But he was not alone in his pursuit: both the mysterious thief Grimalkin and the ruthless French spy and assassin Thomas Aylesford were on its trail. But with the help of Lord Wichcote - an aristocrat of many talents and more disguises - Quare succeeded in seizing the watch. But not for long: Aylesford took it from him - and with it, Quare's hand. And now the French spy is on his way back to his masters, Lord Wichcote lies gravely wounded and Daniel Quare has vanished . . . which would seem to mean that all hope for the world is lost...
REVIEW:
This is a book that’s taken me a while to sit down and review purely because it’s a title that can’t be rushed. There’s subtle nuances throughout and when you throw into the mix a whole heap of trouble alongside a solid pace, its quite easy to miss some of the details within.
As with Paul’s original novel in the series (The Emperor of All Things), the prose is cracking and when you throw into this Pauls action sequences alongside a story that can concentrate on what’s happening rather than giving the reader a lot of the background details (as happened in the original making it a slow starter) makes this a series that I’m pleased I stuck with. Thank you Paul.
Release Date: 05/02/15 Publisher: Quercus SYNOPSIS:
Conventional chronologies of world history concentrate on the reigns of kings and queens, the dates of battles and treaties, the publication dates of great books, the completion of famous buildings, the deaths of iconic figures, and the years of major discoveries. But there are other more interesting stories to tell - stories which can bring the past vividly and excitingly to life. Imagine a book that tells you the date of the ancient Roman law that made it legal to break wind at banquets; the name of the defunct medieval pope whose putrefying corpse was subjected to the humiliation of a trial before a court of law; the identity of the priapic monarch who sired more bastards than any other king of England; and last but not least the date of the demise in London of the first goat to have circumnavigated the globe - twice. Imagine a book crammed with such deliciously disposable information, and you have History without the Boring Bits.
By turns bizarre, surprising, trivial, and enlightening, History without the Boring Bits offers rich pickings for the browser, and entertainment and inspiration aplenty for those who have grown weary of more conventional works of history.
REVIEW:
OK, I admit this, I have a set of books that I keep in the bathroom that are full of curious information, weird facts and to be honest things that will either make you laugh or just itch that scratch that for something completely useless to anyone but everyone finds fascinating.
So when this book by Ian landed, it was one of those that I added to my bathroom stock, after all, it’s the place where you can do a little light reading and then throw into the mix some weird fact when you want to either entertain you children or friends. Hidden within this title are a wealth of information that goes to show that stupidity is not just a modern thing and that it can be surprising as to how we’ve managed to live so long.
Add to this historical information that will fill in some gaps within your mind as well as giving you funny ways to remember the facts, all round could turn you into your quiz team history hero. Good fun.
Release Date: 16/06/15 Publisher: Orbit SYNOPSIS:
There's nowhere left to run.
Back from Hell, Jessica arrives to find her world thrown into chaos. Her father is fighting a losing battle against the Made wolves, and when Jessica and her crew rush to his aid, they discover the war is not as straightforward as it seems. Something larger is on the hunt, something ancient and powerful that won't rest until Jessica is dead. Now Jessica's plan of attack must change - but how can she defeat someone who can predict her every move?
REVIEW:
OK, so I’ve been a huge fan of this series for quite some time so when I get the chance to embark on another outing with Jessica and her “pack” I can’t wait to see what trouble they not only get into but wonder how the author can escalate things with each tale packing a bigger punch than the previous.
What occurs within this book is a tale that is rich, full of solid storytelling and when added to consequences for previous actions as well as future one, leaves the reader wondering what is going to happen if she makes the wrong move. However that said, I did feel personally that this book was a tale of two halves. The first would have made a great novella with the second feeling like just the beginning of a second full story cutting off part way through. Don’t get me wrong I do enjoy my time with Amanda’s characters but for me this book felt a little bit flat and I’d have preferred it if they’d released it the first part separately as perhaps a taster to get readers into the characters with the second part awaiting a fuller beginning, middle as well as end.
All round it was an OK read and I do want to see what else the crew gets up to but at the moment I’m feeling a little short changed.
Release Date: 07/07/15 Publisher: Daw SYNOPSIS:
A Murder of Mages marks the debut of Marshall Ryan Maresca’s novels of The Maradaine Constabulary, his second series set amid the bustling streets and crime-ridden districts of the exotic city called Maradaine. A Murder of Mages introduces us to this spellbinding port city as seen through the eyes of the people who strive to maintain law and order, the hardworking men and women of the Maradaine Constabulary.
Satrine Rainey—former street rat, ex-spy, mother of two, and wife to a Constabulary Inspector who lies on the edge of death, injured in the line of duty—has been forced to fake her way into the post of Constabulary Inspector to support her family.
Minox Welling is a brilliant, unorthodox Inspector and an Uncircled mage—almost a crime in itself. Nicknamed “the jinx” because of the misfortunes that seem to befall anyone around him, Minox has been partnered with Satrine because no one else will work with either of them.
Their first case together—the ritual murder of a Circled mage— sends Satrine back to the streets she grew up on and brings Minox face-to-face with mage politics he’s desperate to avoid. As the body count rises, Satrine and Minox must race to catch the killer before their own secrets are exposed and they, too, become targets.
REVIEW:
There is something delightfully delicious when the world of Victoriana meets magic’s and investigative techniques, and for me this new series, really kicks off with a huge bang as Marshall thrusts the reader into a world where death is easy to come by and answers a rarity.
Its definitely a quirky book and one that really grabs you from the opening as you get to know the principle character as she struggles to come to terms with her current circumstances. Its harrowing, its harsh but a woman with a brain can face hard times even if she is skilled for the job. All round, this title is one that’s not only a solid opener but one that really grabs you from the get go as each event helps the overall arc spark alongside throwing some more confusion into the mix only to come together as the clues are solved.
Definitely a top notch read and a series that I can’t wait to see what else is to come for those involved. Cracking.
Release Date: 04/08/15 Publisher: New American Library SYNOPSIS:
Seven years ago, the Veil that separates us from what lies beyond was torn apart, and New Orleans was engulfed in a supernatural war. Now, those with paranormal powers have been confined in a walled community that humans call the District. Those who live there call it Devil's Isle.
Claire Connolly is a good girl with a dangerous secret: she's a Sensitive, a human endowed with magic that seeped through the Veil. Claire knows that revealing her skills would mean being confined to Devil's Isle. Unfortunately, hiding her power has left her untrained and unfocused.
Liam Quinn knows from experience that magic makes monsters of the weak, and he has no time for a Sensitive with no control of her own strength. But when he sees Claire using her powers to save a human under attack - in full view of the French Quarter - Liam decides to bring her to Devil's Isle and the teacher she needs - even though getting her out of his way isn't the same as keeping her out of his head.
As more and more Sensitives fall prey to their magic, and unleash their hunger on the city, Claire and Liam must work together to save New Orleans, or else the city will burn...
REVIEW:
A new UF outing for Chloe and whilst I wasn’t a huge fan of her Chicagoland Vampire series, I did recognise solid writing, good prose and of course an ability to weave a tale for the reader. So when I heard of this new release from Chloe, I signed up straight away to embark on an adventure that I hoped would hit the spot where the other series missed for me.
What occurs within is a tale with a cracking lead heroine, a world gone askew with a supernatural tint and a setting that not only grabbed you in but wouldn’t let go as the initial darkness took hold. It was a joy to sit down and embark upon and when you add cracking dialogue, solid storytelling alongside a whole host of supporting cast that helped keep the world real in the imagination, gave me more than I hoped for. I can’t wait to embark on the next release. Thank you Chloe.
