BOOK BLURB:
When Merlin and Morgana join forces to save a child the king has commanded to death, they soon discover that going against King Uther could prove fatal. Meanwhile, a mysterious black knight arrives to challenge the Knights of Camelot to mortal combat. Old secrets, long hidden, are stirring and the king is afraid for his only son. The black knight seems invincible and Merlin senses that only magic can stop him...With a graphic novel element to really bring the text to life, each book covers two TV episodes.
REVIEW:
With the Merlin TV series going from strength to strength the young reader has the chance to enjoy the world created within in a cracking series presented within. Created by masters of story crafting it keeps not only the themes explored but also manages to keep a believability in the characters without compromising the hard work that’s already gone before. Its fun, it’s ideal for the reader who doesn’t read too much and above all will have them clamouring for the next offering. Perhaps a sneaky way to encourage the love of reading for those who aren’t that inclined.
BOOK BLURB:
Merlin is poisoned by the sorceress Nimueh and Arthur seeks the only antidote that can save him - but the prince is walking into a trap.
REVIEW:
The second Merlin novel to be reviewed by us and as such its just as much fun as the first. It has got everything that the reader demands from honour and friendship through to danger through to sanctuary. A great book for the young reader and one that I really can’t get enough of currently. I’ll read and review other titles in the series purely for the fun that will materialise from within these magical pages.
BOOK BLURB:
The hunt is on for Cheyenne Martin's killer and everyone at Easton Academy agrees that Reed had most to gain from her death. Reed, who took over Cheyenne's role as president of Billings Hall, is now well and truly outcast. She's lost her friends, her boyfriend and her home. All she can do is search for Cheyenne's killer ...but will anyone be around to hear her scream when she becomes the next target?
REVIEW:
Book eight of the private series and things have definitely hit rock bottom for Reed Brennan. Forced to leave the school that she loves as well as investigating the death of Cheyenne it’s a pretty gripping novel as friends turn to enemies and visa versa in this long awaited novel. All in all it’s good fun and will definitely keep the Private fan club happy as perhaps the series biggest mystery is about to be solved. A real page turner and one that may well give the series a whole new set of fans as the author cleverly manages murder and boy trouble in one exciting volume.
BOOK BLURB:
Now that Cheyenne's murderer has been revealed and Reed knows the truth about who's been stalking her, she's ready for a break. What better way to relax than on a five-star Caribbean vacation with the Billings Girls? At first the trip is heaven on Earth: beach parties, forty-foot yachts, shopping trips to exclusive boutiques ...But even in sunny paradise, the Girls are never far from trouble - and they're about to get burned.
REVIEW:
If you want cracking characters that are pretty well constructed and speak to the audience for which they’re intended then you really have to get the Private series by Kate Brian. If you want beautifully constructed plots then once you’ve read one, you’ve pretty much read them all as it’s a pretty repetitive concept by KB that follows the old philosophy of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
That said its an interesting read although perhaps some of the subject matter may have the adult reader wondering if this novel is right for their young reader but for the right market it will hit the spot.
BOOK BLURB:
Reed Brennan thought that a winter break in the islands with some of the Billings Girls, old and new, was just what she needed to recover from her traumatic last term at Easton. At first everything is perfect; relaxing, fun and elegant. But then things take a more sinister turn and suddenly Reed finds herself in danger once more. If Reed wants to survive her fateful vacation she must discover who is after her and why, before it's too late.
REVIEW:
As usual a pretty self contained novel and something that will appeal to a certain audience as the ever popular girl seeks to right wrongs, delve into personal issues and help put the world to rights. Whilst there’s a huge number of fans for this type of book (followers of the Gossip Girl series) it really didn’t do much for me as I’ve pretty much seen it all before in previous outings and the character is starting to become pretty stale. The tale is self sufficient so you can jump into the series here if you wish but there are plenty of other YA out there that may be a better spend of your finances although if you like the pretty standard formula that the series constantly throws out it will keep you a happy fan.
BOOK BLURB:
Before Reed Brennan came to Easton Academy ...Before Thomas Pearson was murdered ...Before Noelle Lange ruled Billings House and Ariana Osgood became Easton's most notorious student, Ariana was just another girl at boarding school. But then one cold snowy night on campus, Ariana fell for someone she shouldn't - and that changed everything. Because someone was watching. And now they're intent on turning Ariana's holiday weekend into a nightmare...
REVIEW:
Pretty well constructed, with a good mystery with some fear interjected for your young adult reader. As you know, I think that the themes are a little repetitive within Kate’s work but she’s broken out a little with this one and turned up something a little different whilst keeping the character development well on track. A great addition to the series and one that’s sure to please the fans.
BOOK BLURB:
Natalie Lindstrom has a gift: the power to speak to the dead, to solve crimes by interviewing murder victims. But now Natalie wants to escape, from the voices that fill her head, and from the organisation that has used her as a crime-solving tool - and who now wants to recruit her daughter. So Natalie takes a job as far from crime and punishment as she can get: with an archaeologist in the mountains of Peru. Her job: to find a trove of priceless artifacts - by channelling those who lived and died at an ancient Incan site. But in the towering Andes, Natalie enters a 500-year-old storm of betrayal, murder, greed, and rage - and she cannot silence the voices of the dead. The slaughtered reach out to her. The slaughterers boast of their crimes. Alone, cut off from her family, Natalie faces a chilling realisation: every truth she uncovers is leading her one step closer to a terror beyond imagining.
REVIEW:
I absolutely loved the first book in this series that I read so when I unfortunately missed the second, I was a tad worried that the third would lose me and ruin what was a great memory. Luckily for me, it didn’t with the return of vulnerable powerful seers who not only endear themselves through their vulnerability but also with their courage. It’s an absolute corker of a read with great pace, lulls as well as high action points and perhaps best of all allows the heroine to grow. Add to the mix beautifully utilised info dumps that don’t over burden the reader but enhance the overall arc and you’ve got a story that will definitely keep those pages turning long into the night.
BOOK BLURB:
DECAY INEVITABLE is a novel charting the grim territories of the shadow line that trembles at the very end of life. These are badlands of horrifying dreams and demons where a black market in unspeakable goods takes place. A race is on to unearth the secrets of the soul... secrets woven into the fabric of death itself.
REVIEW:
To be honest not the best book out there at the moment if you want a zombie title. The characters are forgettable, the likeability for the protagonist is missing and if I’m going to be blunt here, it’s a title with little or no redeeming features. Add to the mix a convoluted and confusing plot alongside a sluggish zombie like pace and it’s a title that you really might be better missing. Of the Solaris titles, if you want an Urban Fantasy novel definitely purchase the titles by Justin Gustainis which are leagues ahead of this or try one of Abaddon’s Tomes of the Dead and you’ll end up better off. A shame as the back promised so much more than this hard to read title delivered.
BOOK BLURB:
The adventure of a lifetime is just beginning . . .
It has lain lost and forgotten for fifteen hundred years in the ancient heartland of England – a scrap of glass and metal melded by fierce fire. It is the lost core of a flawless Sphere made by the greatest of the Anglo-Saxon CraeftLords in memory of the one he loved. Her name was Spring and contained in the very heart of this work is a spark from the Fires of Creation.
But while humans have lost their belief in such things, the Hydden – little people existing on the borders of our world – have not. Breaking the silence of centuries they send one of their own, a young boy, Jack, to live among humans in the hope that he may one day find what has been lost for so long. His journey leads him to Katherine, a girl he rescues from a tragic accident ¬– it’s a meeting that will change everything. It is only through their voyage into the dangerous Hyddenworld that they will realize their destiny, find love and complete the great quest that will save both their worlds from destruction.
Their journey begins with Spring . . .
REVIEW:
A real gem of a novel and whilst I have read his work before, this title came as not only a nice surprise but really shows how his style has changed not only with age but with the skills obtained through previous pieces.
Its colourful, its incredibly creative and this new series is one that will soon become a firm favourite of many fans of the genre. Add to the mix great descriptiveness and cracking character as well as world building and this title really is a real joy to read and will whet the appetite for future outings. I just can’t wait to see what William does and many readers will soon be recommending this to others. Get on the train before the hype hit’s as this currently unknown piece is just the type of book that deserves your hard earned cash. You won’t regret it.
BOOK BLURB:
The Chronicles of Malus Darkblade: Volume Two provides epic fantasy action from two of the Black Library's leading authors, Dan Abnett and Mike Lee. Includes the books Warpsword and Lord of Ruin. In addition it contains two short stories never published before on Malus Darkblade.
REVIEW:
As a fan of compendiums, I love getting these as it gives me the opportunity to enjoy the whole sequence of novels from start to finish (as I reread the first compendium prior to starting this one.) As usual the price per book is ideal and with it being an Abnett novel you know that its got action, action, action all the way. A character that reader’s won’t forget as he fights against the stereotypes of his race in his ultimate goal for self reliance alongside his ultimate personal greed. Theres no one he won’t step on making him a character on the darker side of heroes that fans just love to enjoy. A great book.
BOOK BLURB:
Sick World was a planet dedicated to the ill, the deformed, the dying and the dead...
Humanity as an organism was not the most durable chassis. After mixing it up with aliens, the human shell developed a host of unwanted and incurable ailments . . . esoteric diseases, curious viruses, life-changing bugs, vomit-inducing deformations. So a beautiful planet, Sick World, was terraformed with limitless funding, state-of-the-art research centres, gleaming wards and towering operating theatres providing unparalleled care, a perfection of medicine and a pinnacle of repair for the plethora of grotesque diseases and mutating conditions. However, a thousand years ago something happened, and the planet was evacuated in totality. Today, it lies uninhabited.
Combat K—Keenan, Franco and Pippa—are forced by implanted logic cubes into an unholy alliance of cooperation. Their mission: to infiltrate Sick World and carry out a simple fact-finding reconnaissance prior to SLAM excavations to research the new Junk threat. It should have been safe, simple, secure.
As the first day fades, so a long hibernation ends. For the Medical Staff of Sick World—the doctors, the nurses, the patients, all those abandoned long ago—have been undergoing a thousand year gestation of hardcore medical mutation and accelerated healthcare technology. Now they can smell the fresh meat and are beginning to awake...
HARDCORE. You’ll never look at a nurse the same way again.
REVIEW:
The latest offering in Andy’s Combat K series and one that continues to build upon the success of the previous. Here, Combat K must inevitably seek a way to fight against mankind’s biggest threat and whilst they seek answers must also cease from infighting on a scale never before seen. Great combat sequences, alongside fun characters, leave the reader with a feel for Andy’s style of hard-wired combat with each violent sequence. Add to the mix character traits that many authors would not dream of touching and you have a large keg of explosive just waiting to set itself off.
Whilst this might seem pretty strange its these touches that leaves you wondering if he really is a mad man on the scale of a certain “Haggis” or a genius for the sheer scope and depravity that he manages to inject within his tightly bound pages. Add to the mix a weird dystopia of supporting cast alongside a deviant’s cast of villains and you get something that’s either going to repel or satisfy you. Good solid fun, but definitely not a novel for the younger reader.
NEWS: Andy's Book Trailer for this novel will soon be available however please visit either Andy's site or Grunge Films for Production Stills.
BOOK BLURB:
Dark Apostle Marduk face challenges from within his own Legion as he wages war with the White Consuls Space Marine Chapter. Harnessing the power of the Nexus Arrangement, a powerful necron device, Marduk can turn the tide in the Word Bearers' favour. But just as the White Consuls are on the verge of defeat an old enemy returns to throw the entire dark crusade into ruin. If Marduk is to survive and fulfill his ambition, he must defy an onslaught from the necrons, the White Consuls and his own legion.
REVIEW:
Whilst many novels out there fight for the side of good, Anthony’s current series seeks out the darker aspects and demonstrates why the bad guys have more fun. Not only do you have them fighting the good (or in this case bad) fight, but you get to understand their moralistic point of view which whilst differing from the rest of mankind proves that they have their own creed and code. A cracking offering from this author of the macabre with top notch combat and a sense of personal paranoia alongside the driven goal of personal gain make this a different type of novel for the 40k Fan but one that many will come to love.
BOOK BLURB:
There is a killer loose on the London Underground. He kills without leaving any forensic trace, and seemingly without motive. Genecrime, the UK's elite forensic unit, are stretched to the limits trying to find one usable clue. And there is another problem facing Genecrime. Before he was sacked as head of the unit, Reuben Maitland developed a system to predict latent homicidal behaviour from people's DNA. Now rogue elements in the police, believing that prevention is better than cure, are using Reuben's research to hunt down and incite latent psychopaths beyond their breaking point. Reuben must track down whoever is misusing his technology and stop them before more lives are destroyed. But what he cannot know is that his investigation will lead him directly into the path of the Underground killer.
REVIEW:
Readers of the crime genre love a great deal of different themes within the titles that they read. What makes this one a bit different is that its more on the science end of the genre with some credible and easily accepted information in regard to the human genome. Well written with suspicion laid at every door as the paranoid principle protagonist doesn’t know who to trust and who is out to get him making this a twisted tale that will keep many a reader guessing to the last minute. Different from a great many crime novels out there its worth noting that you always get something different from John and in this, the third book in the series, he takes it to a new extreme.
BOOK BLURB:
First there's Denver Jones, the hotshot attorney working in L.A. and Carolyn Henderson - personal assistant to a powerful and very married Senator in Washington with whom she is having an affair. Then there's Annabelle Maestro - daughter of two movie stars - who has carved out a career for herself in New York as the madame of choice for discerning famous men. The three twenty-something women used to go to high school together in Beverly Hills and Denver and Carolyn have always kept in touch, but Annabelle is out on her own with her cocaine addicted boyfriend Frankie. Bobby is Frankie's best friend - Bobby Santangelo Stanislopolous, that is, Kennedy-esque son of Lucky Santangelo and deceased Greek shipping billionaire Dimitri Stanislopolous. Now he owns Mood, the hottest club in New York, but back in the day he went to high school with Denver, Carolyn and Annabelle, and hung out with all three of them. Which means that Bobby knows everyone's secrets - and he has some of his own, too.
REVIEW:
For years, if you wanted something steamy, something glamorous and bound up with the rich storytelling skills then you knew to reach for the latest Jackie Collins. However, more recently it seems to be more about the name on the cover than the real content as the characters within this offering really would not stand out compared to her earlier ones. They’re weak, they’re unglamorous and above all they seem pretty wretched as their singular unpopular threadbare lives don’t make for great material. A good example of this is the character of Bobby Santangelo who you’d expect to have the guts of his mother Lucky, the wants and needs of a playboy but unfortunately is too much of a goody goody with no real backbone and not enough bad boy to satisfy the readers expectations.
Whilst Jackie does seem to be trying to get a more realistic woman into her pieces what she needs to do is get out there and research the women of today as she really does seem to have lost touch with a number of her audience that originated in the 80’s. Hopefully she’ll get back on form with her next offering.
BOOK BLURB:
St Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school - hidden away, it's a place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St Vladimir's where the girls must survive a world of forbidden romances, a ruthless social scene and terrifying night time rituals. But most of all, staying alive.
REVIEW:
As a fan of Richelle’s Succubus series but not so far of her Dark Swan books, I thought that I’d give this, her Young Adult series a go. Whilst unconventional it was interesting in its own way and did keep me fascinated to the last page as I was wondering what was going to happen. It was well planned, the characters realistic (as far as they could be) with a public face of Vamps as if they were everyday people which worked extremely well in humanising their race. Its good fun but I did feel a bit apprehensive with one scene within the novel that I felt was unnecessary to be honest, but not enough to put me off reading future instalments. I will seek them out and hope that Richelle keeps the series alive with gripping plot as well as wicked twists.
BOOK BLURB:
It's winter break at St Vladimir's, and a massive Strigoi vampire attack has put the school on high alert. This year's trip away from the academy to the wintery peaks of Idaho has suddenly become mandatory. But Rose's troubles seem to follow her wherever she goes - dealing with the pain of knowing that her relationship with her tutor Dimitri can never be, things get even more complicated when one her closest friends admits his feelings for her. The glittering winter landscape may create the illusion of safety but Rose - and her heart - are in more danger than she ever could have imagined...
REVIEW:
Book two kicks off in much the same way as the first with the tension between Rose and her love interest hitting an all time high in this offering. Richelle does a cracking job of keeping it up throughout the whole novel as the reader is left with the “will they, won’t they” scenario. Add to the mix great character growth mixed in with sexual tension a great story arc and beautifully descriptive sequences and you’ve got a real treat ahead. Whilst I still stand with my original unhappy thoughts in regard to a scene in the first novel this one does back it up and gives the reader every reason to hope for the future of Rose.
BOOK BLURB:
A week ago Zoey had a group of special friends, three boyfriends and a (kinda) clear conscience. Now she has none of the above. Luckily ice-queen Aphrodite is showing signs of melting and ex-roomie Stevie Rae isn't as dead as she'd thought. Though Stevie's now hanging out in tunnels with freaks - gross. If she can get them to listen, Zoey will need all her friends as events take a frightening turn at the House of Night school for vampyres. Shocking true intentions are about to come to light, loyalties will be tested and an ancient evil is about to rise again. Some days being special just doesn't seem all that ...- Not suitable for younger readers -
REVIEW:
Untamed by name, untamed in action, this really is action packed as PC and Kristin continue the tale of Zoe Redbird along with her friends as they seek to hold Neferet’s schemes in limbo as a new enemy is revealed. Fast paced, well written and really a roller coaster for the older YA market that adults will love as well. Add to the mix myths, magic and problems in the romance department and you really do wonder how they manage to give it all time. Great stuff.
BOOK BLURB:
The door closed with a sickening thud of finality, shutting my friends out and leaving me alone with my enemy, a fallen angel, and the monstrous bird creature his ancient lust had created. Then I did something I'd only done twice before in my life. I fainted.' It's all happening, though Zoey Redbird wishes it wasn't. She has her friends back, which is great. But a dark angel has taken over the House of Night, supported by High Priestess Neferet. Not so great. This leaves Zoey hiding out with the (supposedly friendly) red fledglings in Tulsa's prohibition-era tunnels. The not greatness continues. Zoey has some boy-thoughts to distract her, with a chance to make-up with super-hot-ex Eric. But thoughts of the archer that died, semi-permanently, in her arms also keep distracting her. Then he shows up as Neferet's newest minion. Well, hell. Zoey and friends need a plan to put things right, soon, if she's to keep both head and heart intact. - Not suitable for younger readers -
REVIEW:
With the sheer amount of action undertaken in the previous novels really has left Zoe and her friends in the middle of some very difficult choices as they run from pillar to post hiding as the foes move to surround them from all sides. The question perhaps is who’s going to get them first be it the new enemy from the previous novel or old foes as they seek to find their way through the mess that they’re now in. Add to the mix character growth, emotional conflicts and some real teen worries and it’s a book for readers of sixteen and up. However as a warning there is high sexual content within.
BOOK BLURB:
Zoey needs a break after some serious excitement. Sadly, the House of Night school for vampyres doesn't feature breaks on its curriculum - even for a High Priestess in training and her gang. Plus juggling three guys is no stress reliever, especially when one is a sexy Warrior so into protecting Zoey that he's sensing her emotions. Wider stresses lurk too, and the dark force in Tulsa's tunnels is spreading. Could Stevie Rae be responsible for more than a group of misfit fledglings? And Aphrodite's visions warn Zoey to stay away from the immortal Kalona and his dark allure - but they also show that only Zoey can stop him. She's not exactly keen to meet up, but if Zoey don't go to Kalona he'll exact a fiery vengeance on those closest to her. She just has to find the courage to do what's necessary, or everything that's important to her will be destroyed. - Not suitable for younger readers -
REVIEW:
As the audience has grown so too has the series as PC and Kristin continue the adventures of Zoe Redbird and friends. Whilst the last couple of books have been pretty action packed, this one eases back on the throttle to allow the characters a brief space for breath and re-establish their own relationships in their own clique. Whilst slower than the previous it does add more to the arc and will definitely fire the readership up for the next offering which promises some interesting outings and some difficult choices.
BOOK BLURB:
The Blakes are rather different to your usual neighbours. They are vampires and some of the members of the family date back to the twelfth century. One of the children, Solange, is the only born female vampire known and, as such, she poses a direct threat to the vampire queen. Her best friend Lucy is human, and when Solange is kidnapped Lucy and Solange's brother, Nicholas, set out to save her. Lucy soon discovers that she would like to be more than just friends with Nicholas. But how does one go about dating a vampire? Meanwhile, Solange finds an unlikely ally in Kieran, a vampire slayer on the hunt for his father's killer.
REVIEW:
Whilst many tread the familiar old stomping grounds of Vampire mythos, Alyxandra does all this and brings some interesting characters to the fore as Solange, a vampire to be is kidnapped and her brother with her best friend set out to save her. Cracking characters strongly lead by feisty fems that make this a book all about girl power over the usual portrayal. A great offering and with this as a basis for the series will hopefully build into something special the following novels.
BOOK BLURB:
When she was 15, Harper Connelly was struck by a bolt of lightning, which left her with a spiderweb of red over her body, headaches, and episodes of weakness. Sometimes her right hand shakes. And she can find dead people. It's taken a while, but at last Harper's pretty happy with her life: she's making a living, using her unique talent to help people, and she's got a lover - her stepbrother Tolliver. That creeps some people out, but though they grew up together, and got each other through the real bad times - their parents' drug-use, the abuse, the disappearance of Harper's elder sister Cameron - they're not blood relatives. Then Tolliver's dad arrives on the scene, seeking forgiveness for the sins of their youth, and the police get a tip-off that after all these years, Cameron's been spotted in a mall. With all this going on Harper realises life is getting a little complicated, but she doesn't expect those complications to include Tolliver getting shot, or watching a cop die taking a bullet for her. Harper can find dead people, but now it's clear someone wants her dead . . .
REVIEW:
Charlaine really has something novel with this series and it has been one that I’ve really enjoyed since its first release. So it’s with a great shame that we bid it farewell (or at least for now) but get the answer to a mystery that’s haunted us from its very beginning. As usual with Charlaine you get great characterisation, top notch story arc and beautifully interwoven with mystery alongside suspense as you’re gripped by her telling to each page. A great story and one that I truly loved. I really do hope that this isn’t the end for it and that Charlaine will continue to enthuse the readers with further adventures.
BOOK BLURB:
Sookie Stackhouse enjoys her job as a cocktail waitress in Merlotte's, a small-town bar in small-town Bon Temps, deep in Louisiana. She's funny and pretty and, thanks to her grandmother, she's very well-mannered - but since not many people truly appreciate her ability to read their minds, the guys haven't exactly been beating down her door . . . And then along came Bill, tall, dark and handsome - and Sookie couldn't 'hear' a word he was thinking. He was exactly the type of guy she'd been waiting all her life for. Of course, Bill had a disability of his own: fussy about his food, not into suntans, bit of a night person: yep, Bill was a vampire. But at least now Sookie nows there *are* guys she can date who won't worry about her catching them thinking about other women . . . And that's going to make Sookie's life really interesting!
REVIEW:
So you’ve watched the TV series, devoured the other books in the series and demanding as well as salivating whilst you await the next novel. What are you going to do? Well if you want something special then this selection of short stories has been compiled in one single volume for the first time. It’s a cracking set and develops the world to which ol Sookie lives as well as giving the reader something a bit different to the usual adventures. A great addition for any reader of the Urban Fantasy genre and something that the Sookie fan in your life may not yet have read. Add to the mix a forward by Charlaine as to how each one ties into the series to date and it will make an ideal Christmas present for that Fangbanger in your life.
BOOK BLURB:
Sookie Stackhouse works as a cocktail waitress in Merlotte's, a little bar in Bon Temps, a small town deep in Louisiana. She's funny and pretty and well-mannered, but she doesn't have that many close friends - mind you, that's not so surprising when you consider how few people can appreciate her abilities as a mind-reader. It's not a quality that has the guys beating down her door - well, unless they're vampires or werewolves or the like . . . but they're not just supernatural freaks, some of them are friends, even family . . . And then along comes Bill: he's tall, he's dark and he's handsome - and Sookie can't 'hear' a word he's thinking. He's exactly the type of guy she's been waiting all her life for. But Bill has a disability of his own: he's fussy about his food, he doesn't like suntans and he's never around during the day . . . Yep, Bill's a vampire. Worse than that, he hangs with a seriously creepy crowd, with a reputation for trouble - of the murderous kind. TRUE BLOOD contains the full text of the first three Sookie Stackhouse novels: DEAD UNTIL DARK, LIVING DEAD IN DALLAS and CLUB DEAD.
REVIEW:
As the song for the series goes, as you came in the air went out. And what an offering was had within this omnibus as I enjoyed it from the first page to the last. Having caught the first episode of True Blood I was a bit put off with the sheer amount of sex within which to be honest when you read the novel, was more of a distraction and time filler for the series than actually appeared within the novel. It was a good bit of fun and to enjoy the first three novels back to back made this a great offering from Gollancz that will not only appeal to established fans but also help bring new ones to Charlaines writing. Great stuff at a price that will be hard to beat.
BOOK BLURB:
Lescar is a country mired in ancient grudges, with shifting ducal alliances persistently undermining any progress towards peace.
Those Lescari living in exile think they're helping by sending goods and money to their suffering kith and kin but that only sustains this on-going strife. Some exiles understand this, like the young scholars Tathrin and Aremil, in the distant city of Vanam.
Can they do anything to prompt change? Perhaps, if they can grasp the role of trade and finance in Lescar’s wars, as explained by Gruit, the venerable wine merchant who fled Lescar in his youth. If they can make common cause with the likes of Reniack the rabble-rouser, who escaped just before his own dukes’ militiamen hanged him.
Only if they can enlist the support of those Lescari nobles who turn to scholarship rather than risk politics, such as Lady Derenna. If they can contact those brave men and women still living in Lescar, who conspire to save the next generation from the worst of their own suffering.
Can magic be of any assistance, when the Archmage's edict forbids the use of wizardry in Lescar's wars, on pain of his extreme displeasure? But the elemental magics of air, earth, fire and water aren't the only enchantments in this world. There's Artifice, the ancient and subtle mental magic that intrigues some scholars. The Archmage has never claimed authority over that.
Scholarly debate is all very well but to turn such plans into action, they'll need soldiers and tactical information. Where will they find those?
REVIEW:
Authors either thrust the reader into the heart of the matter with their worlds or inevitably take their time to carefully build the world around the characters and its with this second option that Juliet has gone with the first offering in a new series by her for Solaris.
Whilst it is skilfully and beautifully created it is incredibly slow, plodding pace that is there to set the sequence of events within along with bickering politics that will unfortunately turn many a reader off from her writing style.
However, if you happen to love a carefully built plot that will lead up to events demonstrating that she plays for keeps then its going to be a series that will snare your imagination as you await the next novel in the series. With luck (and with most of the background established within this offering) the plot will pick up pace and the careful character creation will go on to prove a resounding success. But for me personally, I’m going to hold off either giving this a big thumbs up or a thumb across the throat (as the Roman’s did) until I get to see where the next novel leads.
BOOK BLURB:
Those exiles and rebels determined to bring peace to Lescar discover the true cost of war. Courage and friendships are tested to breaking point.
Who will pay such heartbreaking penalties for their boldness? Who will pay the ultimate price?
The dukes of Lescar aren't about to give up their wealth and power without a fight.They won't pass up any chance to advance their own interests either, if one of their rivals suffers in all this upheaval.
The duchesses have their own part to play, more subtle but no less deadly.
REVIEW:
After the first offering from Juliet I was a little apprehensive as to how this title would develop yet its clear within the first few pages that with much of the world building done, this title is there to bring it all to light as this intense offering brings the best of fantasy to the fore. Beautifully written, ideally descriptive this title really does take off at a pace that few will find hard to believe after the first novel. Not that the world building and careful construction isn’t required it really did set the tone and give the reader a deeper understanding of the world to which they were to enter but its all been carefully done.
I really am looking forward to the next offering and don’t be surprised if what you expect to happen doesn’t as Juliet really does know how to misdirect the reader and if some of the lead’s pan out as expected the whole world will be in upheaval as the politics lead them down a darker path.
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Those exiles and rebels determined to bring peace to Lescar discover the true cost of war. Courage and friendships are tested to breaking point.
Twenty-eight doses of wonder. From the distant past to the present day, from Antarctica and Mars to worlds that never were, the tales in this book bring news from nowhere-and everywhere. Fantasy is a mode of storytelling, a method of entertainment, a mode of argument, and a way of seeing. Here, presented by two of the most distinguished anthologists of the day, are twenty-eight stories that see, tell, argue, and entertain.
REVIEW:
With the genre being what it is, every fan has a firm favourite author that they’ll buy as they know that they’ll get pure quality for their buck. What adds to this offering is the sheer talent within the pages giving the reader as wide a taste of the genre as the colours on a spectrum. It’s a great way for readers to try authors that they’ve heard of but not wanted to spend the money on as they’re unsure in order to get a taster of the talent out there. A great offering and definitely a format that I highly approve of, wishing that a great many more publishers would release into as the sheer scope at times, makes affording so many quality novels difficult.
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A brand new story exclusively available as an audio drama on CD complete with musical score, the sounds of the Warhammer 40,000 universe and professional voice acting.
A zombie plague blights the ice world of Skorbad, a planet that is ravaged by war. A heroic band of Space Wolves are sent in to break the deadlock, but these are not just any sons of Leman Russ - they are thunderwolf riders, an ancient brotherhood, warriors of myth and legend.
During the hunt for the corrupted propagators of the plague, one of the Space Wolves succumbs to the wulfen curse. Suddenly it isn't just zombies that these feral heroes face in the darkness. Amid the ruins of Skorbad, the Space Wolves must save their fallen brother before a much more horrifying truth is revealed.
REVIEW:
With the recent breaking out from the conventional aspect of publishing to audio publishing, you know that when a tale arrives from the Black Library that you’re going to get a great tale. Within this audio offering not only do you get solid narration but also elements that will not only keep you hanging on every word. Add to the mix a mythical subchapter of the Space Wolves alongside a plague of undead and you’ve got all the ingredients for an epic battle. Cracking offering and one that will continue to build upon BL’s rapidly growing reputation for quality audio recordings.
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With Kyrlock and Elyra inflitrating the network of rogue psykers, the rest of the team start investigating the xenos artefact smuggling ring. As the operatives work their way deeper into the two criminal organisations, they unravel clues that suggest they might both be part of one greater evil. With danger at every turn, and paranoia running rife, can the Inquisition figure out what is going on before the Scintilla system is overrun by heretics?
REVIEW:
As a huge fan of Sandy’s Caiphas Cain series, its always great to see him try a more serious tone within his writing and that you most certainly get from his Dark Heresy series. Whilst the universe of the future is pretty dark its one where the beacon of mankind shines perhaps a little less brightly but still as strong as mankind seeks to keep the darkness from extinguishing it. Beautifully descriptive with enough action to keep the most blood thirsty fan happy alongside the darker aspects of mankind’s war against the xenos races and it’s a cracking offering. Whilst you can jump in on this novel without having previously read the first novel in the series you really will miss a treat alongside the chance to get to know the characters and their world of double dealing where a friend one moment can be your bitterest enemy the next. Add to this a good dollop of personal paranoia and you know its going to be an adventure.
Hail Mighty Readers,Well this is a new feature to the site that we'll do each month. If we've previously reviewed a title that has a release date for this month, we'll link to our original review for it so that it keeps it easier for you, the reader, to find what you're looking for. (Covers in review may differ from this incarnation.)This month you'll find:WATSON, Ian: Warhammer 40k: The Inquisition WarCOBLEY, Michael: Seeds of EarthMIEVILLE, China: The City and the CityGUSTAINIS, Justin: Evil WaysGOODMAN, Alison: Eon: Rise of the Dragon Eye (Previously Released as Two Pearls of Wisdom)Hopefully you'll find this feature of use,Gareth
BOOK BLURB: Mortal Mischief
It is Vienna at the beginning of the last century, and Dr Max Liebermann is a young psychoanalyst - and disciple of Freud. Psychoanalysis is only just developing and viewed with a mixture of excitement and suspicion. The world of 1900s Vienna is one where philosophy, science and art are at their most exciting and flourishing, with the coffee shops full of men and women debating the latest cultural and political theories. Liebermann's good friend Oskar Rheinhardt is a Detective Inspector - hard working, but lacking Liebermann's insights and forensic eye and so it is through Rheinhardt that Libermann is called upon to help with police investigations surrounding the death of a beautiful young medium, in what seems at first to be supernatural circumstances. While Liebermann attempts to get to the bottom of the mystery, he also must decide whether he is to follow his father's advice and marry the beautiful but reserved Clara.
REVIEW:
I came to Franks writing probably quite late compared to a number of other readers, however what this brought to the fore was an expertise that has not only confounded courts in the US but also brought a new area of professional clinical psychology to the readers of Crime Fiction. Well written, beautifully descriptive and above all a tale where you can understand the characters motives as well as boons alongside their negative characteristics as each effects the tale as it unfurls. Its twisted in places, the mystery well worth investigating and with the descriptiveness of the time period the reader will hate to finish the first offering and luckily have the second one to delve into.
BOOK BLURB: Vienna Blood
In the grip of a Siberian winter in 1902, a serial killer in Vienna embarks upon a bizarre campaign of murder. Vicious mutilation, a penchant for arcane symbols, and a seemingly random choice of victim are his most distinctive peculiarities. Detective Inspector, Oskar Rheinhardt summons a young disciple of Freud - his friend Dr. Max Liebermann - to assist him with the case. The investigation draws them into the sphere of Vienna's secret societies - a murky underworld of German literary scholars, race theorists, and scientists inspired by the new evolutionary theories coming out of England. At first, the killer's mind seems impenetrable - his behaviour and cryptic clues impervious to psychoanalytic interpretation; however, gradually, it becomes apparent that an extraordinary and shocking rationale underlies his actions...Against this backdrop of mystery and terror, Liebermann struggles with his own demons. The treatment of a patient suffering from paranoia erotica and his own fascination with the enigmatic Englishwoman Amelia Lydgate raise doubts concerning the propriety of his imminent marriage. To resolve the dilemma, he must entertain the unthinkable - risking disgrace and accusations of cowardice.
REVIEW:
Tales of murder and mystery generally tend to follow a set pattern and for the vast majority of readers who are used to the concept pretty easy to spot the whodunit from an early stage. What Frank does extremely well is hide the villain from the reader until the last few pages and pulls the whole thing out of the bag that the reader will be surprised that they didn’t see some of the small hints given throughout. Its well written crime fare and if you like the mysteries on the level of Christie then this is perhaps the modern author who will keep the tales alive in the readers imagination as probably one of the few who could be described as her successor.
BOOK BLURB: Fatal Lies
Vienna, 1903. In St. Florian's military school, a rambling edifice set high in the hills of the City's famous woods, a young cadet is found dead - his body lacerated with razor wounds. Once again, Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt calls on his friend - and disciple of Freud - Doctor Max Liebermann, to help him with the investigation. In the closed society of the school, power is everything - and suspicion falls on an elite group of cadets, with a penchant for sadism and dangerous games. When it is discovered that the dead boy was a frequent guest of the deputy headmaster's attractive young wife - other motives for murder suggest themselves.A tangled web of relationships is uncovered, at the heart of which are St. Florian's dark secrets, which Liebermann, using new psychoanalytic tools such as dream interpretation and the ink-blot test, begins to probe. At the same time, a shocking revelation makes it impossible for Liebermann to pursue the object of his affections, the Englishwoman Miss Lydgate, and he finds himself romantically involved with the passionate and elemental Trezska Novak - a mysterious Hungarian concert violinist, gifted with uncannily accurate intuitions. Again, all is not what it seems, and Liebermann is drawn into the perilous world of espionage - and must make choices, the outcome of which will threaten the entire stability of the Habsburg Empire. "Fatal Lies" - volume three of the "Liebermann Papers" - is about sex, the will to power, and deception.
REVIEW:
If you want a tale that has realistic characters, a flavour of another time and above all a cracking tale of crime solving then there’s really few who delve into this than Frank Tallis, with this, the third offering in the series keeping the reader happy in the murder mystery of a cadet. Beautifully descriptive, it really does cry out to be enjoyed and whilst you could read this as a standalone you’ll have missed a lot of the hidden gems that Vienna has to offer by missing the others which would be a great shame. If you have a crime fan in your house and want something to tie them over the seasonal period without having to delve into the obligatory fare just to get past the day, then this is well worth the spends.
BOOK BLURB: Darkness Rising
Vienna 1903. Outside one of the city's most splendid baroque churches the decapitated body of a monk is found. Then, the remains of a municipal councillor are discovered in the grounds of another church - his head also ripped from his body. Both men were rabid anti-Semites and suspicions fall on Vienna's close-knit community of Hassidic Jews. In a city riven by racial tensions and extremism, the situation is potentially explosive. Detective Inspector Rheinhardt turns to his trusted friend, the young psychoanalyst Doctor Max Liebermann, for assistance. As the investigation progresses, Liebermann is drawn into the world of Jewish mysticism. Amid the atmosphere of threat and fear, Liebermann's life is in crisis. Political forces conspire against him, and the object of his romantic desires, the unreachable Miss Lydgate, is becoming an unhealthy obsession.
REVIEW:
As a fan of historically placed crime novels I really can’t get enough of the little touches that authors throw in to authenticate the novel as well as giving the readers a real taste of the time and place in which its set. What Frank does extremely well is bring these little details to the fore as well as keeping it brief enough so its not overburdening and detracting from the books overall arc. Well written, beautifully adaptive all that you need to do is read a few pages to get the initial mystery as well as a chance to get to meet fully rounded characters who really could have stepped from the pages of time into the modern readers memory. Great stuff.
BOOK BLURB: Deadly Communication
A sexual predator is at large on the streets of Imperial Vienna and Detective Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt appeals to his friend, psychoanalyst Dr. Max Liebermann, for assistance. Early signs indicate that the killer is no ordinary 'lust murderer' but an entirely new phenomenon, his particular deviance revealing the darker preoccupations of the age. To understand his behaviour, Liebermann must employ the latest developments in psychoanalysis and make a journey into uncharted regions of the human mind. Alongside the unfolding of this disturbing case, Liebermann must treat his own patients, including a man who claims to have seen his double - the doppelganger of Germanic folklore - an experience believed to be an omen of death. As Liebermann discovers more about this seemingly harmless man, he becomes convinced that his hallucinations are caused by a traumatic memory, buried deep in his unconscious. Could a mysterious dream hold the key? As the investigations proceed, Liebermann and Rheinhardt find themselves drawn into the worlds of art and couture, worlds in which glamorous appearances mask the most sinister secrets.
REVIEW:
OK I’m one of the few who is ahead of a number of readers out there at the moment and had the real pleasure of enjoying the latest book ahead of its release date. This really is what can only be described as classic Tallis, a tale of proportions that will keep you guessing, has wonderful throw away trivia and of course murder most foul with a hidden villain who must be unmasked. A great author and a real mystery is something that’s hard to top in the reading stakes of today and if anyone will keep the crime market alive and well its going to be Frank Tallis. A true genius in the art of deception.
BOOK BLURB: Midnight Charter
In the city of Agora, anything can be bought and sold. Even children are possessions until their twelfth birthday. Mark has been sold by his father, and Lily, an orphan from birth, has bartered for her life. Thrown together by chance, in the ancient tower of Count Stelli, they face an existence of poverty and servitude, unless they can find a way to break free. But, unbeknown to Mark and Lily, they are being watched by the ruler of the city. Can they survive the traps and treachery that await them and discover the dark secret that binds them together? Their lives depend on this question: what is the Midnight Charter?
REVIEW:
Whilst released as a YA novel this tale really will appeal to all fans of fantasy. The plotline is gripping and makes this offering pretty hard to put down and then when you add to the mix characters that grow, some carefully sculpted twists along with some sneaky manipulation of the emotional aspects, then you know that this is a must own novel. With scope for successive novels this is going to be one to make a note of now so you can say that you’ve already got it when the popularity (and it will come) hits the reading domains in general.
BOOK BLURB: Prophecy of Sisters
'Without the Keys, something terrible will happen. Something that cannot be undone. And with them, I might bring an end to the riddle of the Prophecy and my strange part in it. If Alice and I are on conflicting sides of the Prophecy, the Keys would be dangerous in her hands. Which means I have to find them. And I have to do it before my sister.' This is the story of sixteen-year-old Lia Milthorpe's quest to discover her role and her twin sister's in a powerful prophecy that has affected twin sisters for generations. But nothing can prepare her for what she discovers - about herself, about her family, and about the danger that goes from haunting her dreams to becoming her reality.
REVIEW:
A novel setting for a modern reader as a curse comes to twin sisters who will battle to gain the upper-hand against each other as they each ensure their own individual survival. What makes this first instalment of the trilogy so gripping is that its unpredictable, what you’d normally come to expect really does throw the curve ball as you’re never sure which way its going to go until the final page. With both characters growing with each passing page, I hope that they’ll continue to emotionally in future novels. Add to the blend a completely different writing style to the norm, the dark gothic nature of Shelley finished with a hint of historical fiction and a dash of the Supernatural.
BOOK BLURB: Lost Worlds
John Howe's debut as author and illustrator for children an amazing publishing first. Lost Worlds draws together John Howe's incredible artwork with a wealth of historical facts and mythological texts to create a visually stunning, classic title. This unique children's book is a first for John Howe. It is a project which fascinates him entirely, so much so that this is the first subject he has committed himself to write about.
REVIEW:
I’ve been a fan of John’s art for years now and as such he always manages to bring something new to whatever it is that’s being created. Time can be easily whiled away whilst you explore his pieces so its with a wonderful touch that he’s been unleashed on bringing the lost cities of the world to the fore to the next generation. The subject is fascinating, the wording simplistic to allow young readers to grasp the tale for each different section but binding it together is that wonderful artwork that really is a joy to behold. If you want something different for the younger reader interested in not only history but perhaps the chance to explore then this is definitely going to be a sure fire hit.
BOOK BLURB: Betrayals
The second novel in the Strange Angels series picks up with Dru neatly tucked away in a Schola that's more like a prison than a secret training facility. Except for one tiny detail ...she's the only girl in the place and is totally surrounded by tons of cute boys. But a traitor in the Order wants Dru dead and she can't trust anyone except for Graves. Too bad he's being kept busy with a new crew of wulfen teens and doesn't have time for her. As she learns the truth about who she can and can't trust, Dru's only hope may be to save herself - although the one gift that makes her special is draining away, and she doesn't know how to get it back. Will Dru survive long enough to find out who is really after her? Or is she destined for the same fate as her murdered parents? Lili's characters come alive on the page in a way that's visually stunning and she creates the same terrific pace, danger and teen romance as in Strange Angels.
REVIEW:
With the success of her adult series, Lili went on to start a young adult series that with its original offering more than blew the competition away with cracking characterisation, beautiful scene setting and above all a heroine who’s got nerve and steel whilst remaining vulnerable. Not an easy combo to manage. What really does enhance this is the way that Lili brings life to all members of the cast, be they the principle members or just little one liners who are there to be the proverbial redshirts. Its great writing, its fascinating and she brings a heroine to the fore that whilst young may yet reset the balance in the world to which she inhabits.
BOOK BLURB: Monster Republic
An explosion in a nuclear power plant. Kids patched up with scavenged body parts and bionic implants. A growing army of superhuman soldiers programmed for destruction. 'No', whispered Cameron to the monster in the glass. And he watched it shaking its hideous head. 'That's not me. You're not me'.
REVIEW:
A novel setting for a modern reader as a curse comes to twin sisters who will battle to gain the upper-hand against each other as they each ensure their own individual survival. What makes this first instalment of the trilogy so gripping is that its unpredictable, what you’d normally come to expect really does throw the curve ball as you’re never sure which way its going to go until the final page. With both characters growing with each passing page, I hope that they’ll continue to emotionally in future novels. Add to the blend a completely different writing style to the norm, the dark gothic nature of Shelley finished with a hint of historical fiction and a dash of the Supernatural.
BOOK BLURB: The Hollow
Growing up in the town of Sleepy Hollow, the mystery and intrigue over Washington Irving's classic legend are all part of daily life for sixteen-year-old Abbey. But when her best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Abbey's world is suddenly turned upside down. While everyone is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead, Abbey refuses to believe that she is really gone. And when Abbey meets the gorgeous, but mysterious, Caspian at Kristen's memorial she starts to feel like she has something to hold on to for the first time since Kristen's disappearance. But when Abbey finds a diary hidden in Kristen's bedroom, she begins to question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her disappearance or even her death? Hurt and angry at Kristen's betrayal, Abbey turns to Caspian for support...and uncovers a frightening truth about him that threatens both their emerging love and her sanity...
REVIEW:
A Young Urban Fantasy novel that bring the original tale by Irving to the modern reader and gives a new spin on the ancient and in my opinion, the best Halloween story ever. What is perhaps different is how the author deals with the loss of the principle protagonista and whilst I did feel a little cheated at not having a final solution in regard to her friends passing I did enjoy this book and will eagerly seek out future novels by Jessica. Its definitely a book that will enthuse as well as enchant many readers and will give something special to the adult reader as well. Personally I’d advise giving this book around Halloween however with a strong Christmas theme within its also something that will make an excellent stocking filler.
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