I realised on writing review for TGWATG that I had never actually reviewed The Enemy series by Charlie Higson - too busy devouring them! So I have just been onto Goodreads to add a review to my 5* rating:
"I took a punt at this because I had a Kindle token to spend. I am so glad that I did! I loved this book, in fact, I loved the whole series as I have bought them all to date! I know this is YA and I am 44, I just don't care - it is marvellous. We are introduced to a cornucopia of characters, some of whom we come to know and love, some of whom are just very dead very soon. I personally really admire someone who is not afraid to kill off characters and I think it particularly works in a dystopian novel. In reality, would someone survive just because they were popular or attractive or "nice"? Equally, less pleasant people do seems to have a habit of surviving in real life so that Higson employs this within this book just makes it more believable. If you haven't read this, you need to do so! If you have, then read the rest - you will not regret it I promise!"
Tuesday, 27 May 2014
Catching Up....
I have finally started overcoming BabyBrain and finding myself more able to read nearer the speeds to which I was always accustomed. Not quite at my usual pace but I was still delighted to read a book in a day last week (I say day, this means whilst K had morning and afternoon naps plus an hour at bedtime). So to recap then:
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
The first 3/4 of this book was just utterly sublime. The descriptions of Prague, of Karou and of her "family" were just breathtaking and transported me to another world. I was really excited by this book initially and felt like I had just fallen in love! The characters were well drawn generally and the plot was unfolding seamlessly. I did however find the tale of Madrigal a little predictable, not sure if it was meant to be but there were certainly no gasps of surprise here. I had been totally immersed in this book but somehow came adrift a little in the last part. That might have been due to the length of time before I picked it back up again (about 6 hours) however and therefore I do not wish to labour this point too much. Suffice it to say the book was enjoyable and compelling enough for me to have secured the second in the series.
The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R Carey
I started this with a free sample on my Kindle and wanted more as a result. Now those who know me, know my love of zombies - The Enemy Series by Charlie Higson has to be one of my all-time favourites and I am a HUGE The Walking Dead fan. That said, zombies are a tried and tested genre and often fall into similar patterns. In this, as with The Enemy and The Cell (Stephen King), we see a different zombie to the usual mindless cannibals. These are not only sentient but are also children, a delightful twist. The main protagonist is Melanie and we learn about her world in a facility. The highlight for her are her lessons with Miss Justineau and she comes to have a huge significance for Melanie. I loved this book. The main characters were really well constructed and believable, the plot was beautifully unfolded to its stunning denouement and Melanie, well she wasn't quite the docile compliant girl we first thought (but I'll say no more to avoid Spoilers!). All in all this was a really good read and definitely one I would recommend.
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
The first 3/4 of this book was just utterly sublime. The descriptions of Prague, of Karou and of her "family" were just breathtaking and transported me to another world. I was really excited by this book initially and felt like I had just fallen in love! The characters were well drawn generally and the plot was unfolding seamlessly. I did however find the tale of Madrigal a little predictable, not sure if it was meant to be but there were certainly no gasps of surprise here. I had been totally immersed in this book but somehow came adrift a little in the last part. That might have been due to the length of time before I picked it back up again (about 6 hours) however and therefore I do not wish to labour this point too much. Suffice it to say the book was enjoyable and compelling enough for me to have secured the second in the series.
The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R Carey
I started this with a free sample on my Kindle and wanted more as a result. Now those who know me, know my love of zombies - The Enemy Series by Charlie Higson has to be one of my all-time favourites and I am a HUGE The Walking Dead fan. That said, zombies are a tried and tested genre and often fall into similar patterns. In this, as with The Enemy and The Cell (Stephen King), we see a different zombie to the usual mindless cannibals. These are not only sentient but are also children, a delightful twist. The main protagonist is Melanie and we learn about her world in a facility. The highlight for her are her lessons with Miss Justineau and she comes to have a huge significance for Melanie. I loved this book. The main characters were really well constructed and believable, the plot was beautifully unfolded to its stunning denouement and Melanie, well she wasn't quite the docile compliant girl we first thought (but I'll say no more to avoid Spoilers!). All in all this was a really good read and definitely one I would recommend.
Thursday, 17 April 2014
So many books, so little time..........
The downside of rarely getting on the computer is that my inclination to type at length on a smartphone is virtually zero......... so a lot of books have not yet been reviewed. A few that I have however are copied below:
Trinity: well written; believable characters; good plotline! GREAT READ!,7 Sep 2013 (via Amazon)
I read this because I am a big fan of the author in his other persona,as a Craft presenter and innovator. I read a lot, but do tend to focus more on other genres these days. That said, I have most Jilly Coopers in my library and grew up with Jackie Collins, Lace etc. I know what a good bonkbuster romp should look like in other words - and Nigel May did NOT disappoint! The characters were well crafted so that you felt you knew them, or at least have known someone like them in your own life. The locations were beautifully described, giving plenty of fodder to be able to really picture them in my head, even ones where I have never been or seen. The pace was just right and the writing style flowed effortlessly, with the result that you are drawn into the book and can easily lose yourself in it. I have since recommended this book to others and so far everyone else has enjoyed it too! Nigel May has surpassed himself and is a new author to watch - I know I am definitely keen to read more work by him and can't wait for his next book!
Kathryn - rated it 4 stars
Great premis - took a few pages to embrace the narrative style but
well worth it. Absolutely love Henry and Sloane, two great female
leads.
(
Indexing
by Seanan McGuire)
Defender by Robert J Crane (Sanctuary series Book 1)
I am guessing the author has played MMO's; this book made me want to revisit my WOW subscription! That is however, not a criticism nor was the book derivative of its type. The characters were well-developed and the over-arching plot of the components for a weapon of mass destruction being amassed by an unknown foe was interesting and kept me hooked. The book is also quite a good length, no feeling short-changed here as is the case with some freebies! If you like your Sci-fi fantasy and even more so if you are into your MMOs, then this book is well worth a read - and how can you miss out when it is even free for Kindle?!
Trinity: well written; believable characters; good plotline! GREAT READ!,
I read this because I am a big fan of the author in his other persona,as a Craft presenter and innovator. I read a lot, but do tend to focus more on other genres these days. That said, I have most Jilly Coopers in my library and grew up with Jackie Collins, Lace etc. I know what a good bonkbuster romp should look like in other words - and Nigel May did NOT disappoint! The characters were well crafted so that you felt you knew them, or at least have known someone like them in your own life. The locations were beautifully described, giving plenty of fodder to be able to really picture them in my head, even ones where I have never been or seen. The pace was just right and the writing style flowed effortlessly, with the result that you are drawn into the book and can easily lose yourself in it. I have since recommended this book to others and so far everyone else has enjoyed it too! Nigel May has surpassed himself and is a new author to watch - I know I am definitely keen to read more work by him and can't wait for his next book!
Kathryn - rated it 4 stars
Great premis - took a few pages to embrace the narrative style but
well worth it. Absolutely love Henry and Sloane, two great female
leads.
(
Indexing
by Seanan McGuire)
Defender by Robert J Crane (Sanctuary series Book 1)
I am guessing the author has played MMO's; this book made me want to revisit my WOW subscription! That is however, not a criticism nor was the book derivative of its type. The characters were well-developed and the over-arching plot of the components for a weapon of mass destruction being amassed by an unknown foe was interesting and kept me hooked. The book is also quite a good length, no feeling short-changed here as is the case with some freebies! If you like your Sci-fi fantasy and even more so if you are into your MMOs, then this book is well worth a read - and how can you miss out when it is even free for Kindle?!
Thursday, 31 October 2013
The Glass Throne shone!
Just finished reading the above, by Sarah Maas. It's been lurking around on various sites I visit for Fantasy/Sci Fi type recommendations but the library didnt have it in and I am skint. Luckily my friend has lent me her Kindle with a plethora of books on it to keep me entertained. Much to my delight, this was on it and so I dived in with anticipation. I was not disappointed. This is a highly entertaining and well written tale of a young female assassin, rescued from prison camp in order to compete to be the Kings Champion. Somewhat of a Hobsons choice as it turns out - freedom after 4 years but only by working for the very King who sent her to the prison camps and whom she hates. Or she can return to the Endovier mines immediately. She chooses the competition but all is not what is seems with the other contestants......
The characters are well crafted and you get little insights along the way into each that makes them more and more likeable and credible. There are enough original ideas within the book to keep even the most die-hard fantasy reader happy and the style/pace of the writing is spot-on.
All in all, I'd probably give this an 8 out of 10 and will definitely be on the look out for Book #2
The characters are well crafted and you get little insights along the way into each that makes them more and more likeable and credible. There are enough original ideas within the book to keep even the most die-hard fantasy reader happy and the style/pace of the writing is spot-on.
All in all, I'd probably give this an 8 out of 10 and will definitely be on the look out for Book #2
Monday, 9 September 2013
Gollanz Geeks Freebie
I was lucky enough to be selected recently to receive a free copy of "Poison" by Sarah Pinborough, on the condition that I provided a review. I read a lot of reviews and find some people are just too verbose - they are clearly trying to sound intelligent, erudite and articulate but I just want to know if the book is any good or not! I went for brevity, as an aid for someone who might be dithering about purchasing the book. Here is my review:
As a fan of Grimm and the original Grimms Fairytales, I was hoping for a something a bit different than the usual anodised versions of Snow White. Poison delivered this, with several new twists on the old classic. I liked the fact that the animosity between the Queen and Snow was more than just envy - the idea of their being very close in age at the point of the marriage added a new dimension to understanding the Queen and her resentment. Sarah Pinborough is clearly a fan of the classics and ties her characters into other Grimms tales neatly. Snow was portrayed as a more down-to-earth beauty than the Disney images - this is no shy or retiring princess and as such, you care more about what happens to her. Her relationship with the Dwarves is endearing and we also learn how Dreamy really got his name, as does Prince Charming. The biggest twist comes towards the end of the book and I was not expecting it at all - cue a sharp intake of breath upon reading it! No spoilers though, you need to find out for yourself. The book is well written and thus is an easy read; ideal for bedtime reading but don't expect a happy ending..........
Find this at:
As a fan of Grimm and the original Grimms Fairytales, I was hoping for a something a bit different than the usual anodised versions of Snow White. Poison delivered this, with several new twists on the old classic. I liked the fact that the animosity between the Queen and Snow was more than just envy - the idea of their being very close in age at the point of the marriage added a new dimension to understanding the Queen and her resentment. Sarah Pinborough is clearly a fan of the classics and ties her characters into other Grimms tales neatly. Snow was portrayed as a more down-to-earth beauty than the Disney images - this is no shy or retiring princess and as such, you care more about what happens to her. Her relationship with the Dwarves is endearing and we also learn how Dreamy really got his name, as does Prince Charming. The biggest twist comes towards the end of the book and I was not expecting it at all - cue a sharp intake of breath upon reading it! No spoilers though, you need to find out for yourself. The book is well written and thus is an easy read; ideal for bedtime reading but don't expect a happy ending..........
Find this at:
Light frothy Kindle reads for under £2
I generally trawl the world of Freebies but occasionally put my hand in my pocket for what appears to be a good deal. Such as one was the Boxset of the High Heels Mysteries by Gemma Halliday - 5 books for under a quid! The main character is Maddie Springer, childrens shoe designer and self-turned sleuth. She can be a bit ditzy at times but not to the point of annoyance, as is sometimes the case. With Maddie it is more of the "Doh!" moments that most of us experience so I felt that this made her more endearing. Each book has Maddie embroiled in another mystery to solve, usually to the exasperation of Detective Ramirez, the very hot love-interest! The books are well written with an easy writing style that flows nicely, taking you on the journey without effort - something I find especially important if I am reading before I sleep. If you are going on holiday, this is great value - five books to entertain you for less than a pound!
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