Book Tour - Knee Deep & Review

Knee Deep Summary

Shawn is the guy Ronnie Bird promised her life to at the age of fourteen. He's her soul mate. He's more uptight every day, but it's not his fault. His family life is stressful, and she's adding to it. She just needs to be more understanding, and he'll start to be the boy she fell in love with. She won’t give up on someone she’s loved for so long.
Luke is her best friend, and the guy she hangs with to watch girlie movies in her large blanketopias. He's the guy she can confide in before she even goes to her girlfriends, and the guy who she's playing opposite in Romeo and Juliet. Now her chest flutters every time he gets too close. This is new. Is Ronnie falling for him? Or is Juliet? The lines are getting blurry, but leaving one guy for another is not something that a girl like Ronnie does.
Shawn’s outbursts are starting to give her bruises, and Luke’s heart breaks as Ronnie remains torn. While her thoughts and feelings swirl around the lines between friendship and forever, she’s about to lose them both. 

Knee Deep web site:
http://knee-deep-book.blogspot.com/
 
Knee Deep Twitter hashtag:
#KneeDeep

Knee Deep GoodReads page:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12987551-knee-deep

Jolene Perry's Bio:
Jolene grew up in Wasilla, Alaska. She graduated from Southern Utah University with a degree in political science and French, which she used to teach math to middle schoolers.
After living in Washington, Utah and Las Vegas, she now resides in Alaska with her husband, and two children. Aside from writing, Jolene sews, plays the guitar, sings when forced, and spends as much time outside as possible.
She is also the author of Night Sky and The Next Door Boys.

Jolene Perry's Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002038196677

Jolene Perry's Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/JoleneBPerry

Jolene Perry's Website:
http://www.jolenebperry.com/

Jolene Perry's Blog:
http://www.jolenesbeenwriting.blogspot.com/

Jolene Perry's GoodReads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4944599.Jolene_B_Perry

The Publisher:

Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com

Tribute Books Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Archbald-PA/Tribute-Books/171628704176

Tribute Books Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/TributeBooks

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

eBook
ISBN: 9780983741886
ISBN: 9781476060316
Pages: 240
Release: May 1, 2012

Kindle buy link - $2.99

Nook buy link - $4.95

iBookstore buy link - $4.99
Coming soon

Google buy link - $3.79

Smashwords buy link - $4.99

PDF buy link - $4.95

My Review
This is so not my usual read, I think I almost said no to reading it, but something about it pulled me in and I decided to give it a go. This story is basically about abuse and relationships. No light and fluffy chick lit here, this book deals with some pretty heavy stuff.
Ronnie has known Shawn since she was 12 and she knows it's the forever kind of love. Even when Shawn moved away for a year they stayed in touch and made it work, but now he's back and has changed, but Ronnie is determined to make it work. Luke is her other best friend, the one she is comfortable around, but nothing could ever happen with that, could it?
Thist story has the love triangle thing and you know who she will end up with, but you spend most of the book screaming at her to make her choice and dump the other one.
Domestic violence is a very heavy subject and one that can be hard to handle, by Jolene Perry does a very good job of it, she doesn't dumb it down or preach at her  readers, she makes it feel real and hard-hitting, I really felt for Ronnie, I wanted to help her but knew I couldn't do it, and it was great being able to go on the journey with her.
I liked Ronnie as a character, she was shy yet funny and loyal. Slightly mad and hyper when with her friend Mindy who is great fun. Luke is one of those guys that seem too good to be true, he is smart, funny, sensitive, talented and driven and a bit of a knight in shining armor. The one we all want to end up with, the one we hope will have a happy ending.
I read this in about 2 hours, all in one go and it felt really easy to read and the time flew by. Really does hook you in and sweep you up. 
I don't tend to read these sort of books because I usually read to escape reality and so don't want to deal with issues when I read, but this was very well written and it was real and scary, it was handled brilliantly. 
You look at it and think, if that was me I'd just leave him, not put up with that abuse, but Perry really shows the point of how hard it is to walk away, how people make excuses to stay, how they just can't leave the one they love. Hopefully if there is anyone out there dealing with this sort of thing, then this book will help them realise they are not alone and there is hope. 
A good read and well written. Definitely worth a try. 

My Rating

 
 

 

  

Book Review - Infinity

Title: Infinity
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Puffin
Release Date: 6 May 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0141330778

Synopsis
Lately, I don't dream about Anthony. I dream about the roundabout...'

Sometimes it's hard to make choices and decisions, and to know which way to go. Sarah Dessen's touching short story is all about moving on, choosing where you want to be and finding a way to get there...



My Review
I requested this from the library not knowing anything about it. I'm trying to read all of Dessen's books and this was one more to tick off. When it arrived I was very surprised by how small it was, but was quite happy about the quick read. I guessed it would be about 100 pages, however when I opened it I found that it is a 33 page original short story and then 2 extracts from other books. 
This meant that I had finished teh story in just over 10 minutes, extra quick!
You never find out the name of the protagonist, it's just 'I' and 'Me' throughout, and others just say 'you' or 'her' or 'she', this is quite clever in a way, it makes it more universal, this person could be anyone, could be the reader.
Faced with a very busy multi-lane roundabout, the protagonists mother panics and pulls out, resulting in a minor incident, but also swearing she will never go on that roundabout again, meaning long detours and ridiculous 'short cuts'. Now she is old enough to drive, the main character must decide whether to tackle the roundabout or follow her mum's detours. But it's not just the roundabout she must face. In fact the roundabout is like a metaphor for all the other choices she is now facing in life. It all depends on how you look at it really.
For such a short story it was enjoyable and had a clear message to it. A journey of self-discovery. 
I wouldn't buy it, too short for that, and I didn't bother with the extracts, one for them I had already read and the other I have on my pile to read so I didn't see the point reading the extract when I have the whole book, so for me it's not worth the money, but definitely worth a read at the library. Perfect for all Dessen fans or just someone looking for a nice easy read.

My Rating

    

Book Review - The Vampires Daughter

Title: The Vampire's Daughter
Author: Shane Leighton
Series: Of Light & Darkness (book 1)
Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company
Release Date: 26 Jun 2011
ASIN: B0058DBUBM

Synopsis
Abandoned as an infant in Prague, naive and strong-willed Charlotte Ruzikova was raised by one of the last Vampires left alive. As a human, she knows no other home than the one nestled deep in the woods of Eastern Europe, where Witches drew spells of enchantment, Phasers threw tea parties, and Elves are the closest in kin. Charlotte has lived her life in the dark with her Guardian, content to having him to herself and reveling in his attention, until she's realizes she wants more...

Resident medical doctor and Vampire, Valek Ruzik fears the day his ward would come of age and blossom into a fine woman, and he is forced to confront his own motives as time is of the essence once his past catches up to him, and their lives become endangered...

As genocide and war threatens their secret society, the dictator in power is ready to wipe out Valek's race, but Charlotte will not allow that to happen. Fighting for the only one she's ever loved and truly believed in, she will do whatever it takes to save their love...before the sun comes up and light takes over.

My Review
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 
I will admit, I was sent this back in February, but I got really behind with me e-book reading so I must firstly apologize for my lateness! 
Now I have my ipad, I'm finding it easier to get through books and I actually started and finished this book today. Man I love lazy Bank Holiday Mondays!
Charlotte is found abandoned as a baby, but she is found by a Vampire, Valek decides to take her home and brings her up. It's a strange arrangement but it works for them, they live in a designated Occult area, safe and sound with other magical beings like witches and fairies. Until things start to go wrong and the two of them must decide what they really want.  
I must say this book did hook me in immediately and I found myself unable to put it down. The whole world/setting in Prague is really good and well written, the imagery is clear and the characters full of personality. I liked Valek - kind of like the gentle monster, wanting to do good but held back by his circumstances. Charlotte is feisty and quite independant, but also has moments of insecurity. The two of them work really well together. 
However I must point out that in places I found their relationship creepy. It starts out as a father/daughter thing, he is her guardian, she his little girl. Then as she grows up she develops feelings for him. Of course they are not actually related so that isn't necessarily an issue, however if he has been a father figure for that long it is a little weird. However I went with it and they do make a good pair. But I just wish they would pick one circumstance and stick with it. Either become 'lovers' or stay as father/daughter, not both. Valek seemed to flick between, one minute he would be saying things like 'she's my little girl.', 'i'm her father'. then the next be kissing her. If he is going to move on and they were going to have a relationship, he needs to drop the fatherly act otherwise it's just creepy and it did make my skin crawl a little bit.
Other than that I really did enjoy the story, the magic, mystery, action and characters really pulled me in. 
The last 100 pages are particularly action packed and have a lot of twists and turns, and I devoured those pages even quicker. 
I really got into the world and I would read the second one. Once you put aside the weird relationship the rest of the book is fab!!!


 My Rating

 

Book Review - Cycles

Title: Cycles
Author: Lois D Brown
Publisher: Levanter Publishing
Release Date: 15 Dec 2011
ASIN: B006MWFKKK

 Synopsis
She remembers things that never happened.
She's a stranger in her own home.
She always knew she was different.
She just didn't know why.
Until now.
Renee Beaumont is about to die . . . again.






My Review
I recieved an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I must admit I have had this for a couple of months, I am so far behind with my review books it's unreal, I just don't seem to have time to sit down with my laptop and read (excuses, excuses I know) and actually once I sat down and read this I got through it very quickly, took me just over 2 hours to read.

Renee gets on very well with her neighbor Dr Dawson, but other people say he is weird, odd and shouldn't be trusted. When Renee has an accident she finds out that Dawson has bags of blood stored in his cellar, her best friend Sam and her decide to find out whose blood it is and why he has got it. But the secrets she find changes her life forever, and things are about to get much worse.

To be honest when I was asked to review this I did have hesitation, I am a bit of a wimp and don't do well with blood, this sounded a bit like a thriller, but I kept going back to the email and couldn't make myself delete it, so in the end I replied with a yes. For some reason I was drawn to this book, and I'm glad I accepted it.
It isn't scary at all, there is plenty of mystery and some fantastic bad guys and some nail biting moments, but that's all part of what makes it such a gripping story.
It's also refreshing to see something that has a bit of mystery and edging on sci-fi/paranormal without having to mention wolves/vampires/dragons etc. You don't get many like that any more and I liked having a change, this is more about scientific discoveries and ancient legends. 
Renee comes to life on the page, I got a real feel of life from her, I could see where she was coming from and I started to like her. Sam, her best friend, is a bit of a nerd, would rather read than kick a football, to be honest - my type of guy. He has moments where he is really insensitive and a bit dim, but he has a good heart and I liked him as a sort of unlikely hero.
There are a lot of possibilities as to who is the bad guy in this book and I had plenty of theories and guesses but I was surprised by who it was, I mean that character was on my villain list but not near the top, they kept wavering on and off my radar.
The book is well written and flows really well. I literally sat down last night thinking I would read 50/60 pages before switching off my computer and going to be, but I ended up reading 160 pages and I only put it off then as it was 12.30 at night and my eyes were hurting from staring at the screen so late. I then finished it first thing this morning.

Overall a great story of suspense and intrigue, well worth a read.

My Rating

 

Book Review - Gregor & The Rats of Underland

Title: Gregor & The Rats of Underland (Also released as Gregor the Overlander)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Series: Underland Chronicles
Publisher: Chicken House Ltd
Release Date: 2 Jan 2006 (this version)
ISBN-13: 978-1904442424

Synopsis
When eleven year-old Gregor follows his little sister down a laundry chute, he hurtles into a dark, dirty Underland, deep beneath the New York City. There, humans live uneasily alongside giant spiders, vast cockroaches, huge bats and some appalling rats, but their fragile peace is about to fall apart. Gregor wants no part in the conflict between these shadowy creatures. He just wants to find his way home. But when he discovers that a strange prophecy reveals a role for him in the Underland's uncertain future, he realises it might be the only way to solve the biggest mystery of his life. 

My Review
As you all probably know I am a HUGE Hunger Games fan, so obviously I looked up Suzanne Collins and I found out she had done a series before HG. The Underland Chronicles, I looked them up on the library system and found copies available and so requested them. Curious as to what these may be like.
On first look, they look quite intriguing, synopsis sounds slightly silly but could be fun. The pages are well spaced and the font fairly big, at only 258 pages, I knew it wouldn't take me long to read.
I started it, expecting to dip in and out, but I was actually hooked in. Gregor is 11 years old, he lives with his mum, gran, 7 year old sister Lizzie and baby sister Boots (2years old). His dad went missing 2 years and so many months ago, just vanished one day and Gregor has had to take on a lot of responsibility.
whilst doing the laundry in the dingy laundry room of his apartment block his baby sister crawls away and falls crawls into an open vent, when Gregor goes to get her out, they are both sucked down the vent and end up in a strange world 'Underland' which is filled with giant bugs - cockroaches, bats, spiders, and rats. The roaches are very friendly,  the spiders depend on their mood, but the rats - they are bad! There are also people down there - the Underlanders themselves - pale skinned, purple eyed, and companions with the bats. They 'bond' with each other. The bats become friends and defenders to them. The Underlanders can fly on their backs and sense each others needs almost.
Boots and Gregor are thrown in the deep end. With terms of a prophecy seeming to describe Gregor himself, he must go on a quest to stop a war with the rats. But not everyone will return safely.
Boots is so cute in this, at only two she is your typical cheeky baby, with funny ways of saying things and adorable habits, mixed with the odd tantrum. 
Gregor's love for his little sister is evident and I loved how he looked after her. He is also your unlikely hero- considering himself just a normal kid, but when put on the line he steps up and is willing to help, giving all he has to help.
Luxa the soon to be Queen is feisty, fun and sarcastic. The sort of character I like. Willing to sacrifice everything to do the right thing.  
This book is soo different from the Hunger Games, but I can still feel Collin's writing style peeking through - as in you can tell they are written by the same person. Obviously these books are aimed at a much younger audience.
Action packed adventure that literally had me up until 1 in the morning so I could finish it!
Full of twists, turns, mysteries, adventure and fun.

My Rating

  

Book Review - Oracle: Sunken Earth

Title: Oracle: Sunken Earth
Author: C.W Trisef
Series: Oracle (Book 1)
Publisher: Createspace
Release Date: 22 Jun 2011
ISBN-13: 978-1463559212

Synopsis
Fall, current day, Atlantic Ocean. Another hurricane tears through the Bahamas, headed for FLorida. Among the wreckage: a U.S. Coast Guard rescue boat, one survivor (Ret Cooper) and a spherical object of curious design (the Oracle).
Ret Cooper is a simole young man with mysterious origins, unique physical features and no memory of his past. HIs new family and friends discover he is truly extraordinary, with supernatural powers and strange scars on his hands. But what is his destiny?
The Oracle is the key to Earth's unity and full potential, too perfect to be man-made. Legend claims it can unleash limitless power when filled with Mother Nature's six, pure, original elements. But where are these elements? And which of our planets ancient secrest wil be explained in the process of locating them?

My Review

I was sent a copy of this by the author in exchange for an honest review.

To be honest when approached about this book I wasn't sure what I thought about it, I knew I would either really really love it, or not like it. But I was willing to give it a go, you never know unless you try, right?

The front cover of the book is quite mysterious but really sums up the book, I like the mix of colours and different elements hidden within it, really catches your eye.

The book starts with 'Chapter 0' which made me laugh, but does a great job of introducing the storyline. I was at once put at ease, here was a book that I was sure to enjoy.At 350 pages long I thought I would be finished quite quickly, and when I did sit down to read I would steam through, but this past week has been absolutely hectic and I've hardly been able to read at all, so that partly spoilt my enjoyment as I had to read it in a lot of bits.

 Ret himself is a cool character, quite mysterious and fairly noble. He annoyed me in a  couple of points because he was good at everything and not affraid to show it off and I hate arrogance, but as the story progressed he showed his more compassionate side and became more likeable.

Ana (his 'sister') is a fiesty girl who knows what she wants and will go after it and has no problem with bossing Ret about, I liked her attitude and she often made me chuckle. 

Paige (their friend) was a bit of a pushover, drooling over Ret a lot and sulking that her dad didn't pay her any attention. I hoped she would do something incredible/risky but I was a little disappointed there. Maybe she will factor more in the rest of the series.

I liked Principle Stone, so dorky and a bit thick, but all the more dangerous because of it, you were never quite sure what he would come up with to do next.

The one character that was like Marmite for me was Mr Coy, at times I would love his character and be laughing at his eccentricities, but his constant pun of his name and asking people if they have 'Ben Coy' really annoyed me. I'm not sure I completely get what the author was going for here, but it was used too much in my opinion and I wanted to tell him to get over himself. 

Overall the storyline was good, Hurricane victimm washed up with no memory but some strange scars and awakening powers.  I thought the author did it well and I was intrigued about the connection with Ret's scars. The book did hook me in and I wanted to finish it and find out what happened. I loved the setting of the 'Sunken World' lots of great imagery there.

Overall I did enjoy the book but there were moments that irked me. However I would recommend this as a good read to try. And I am interested enough to want to read the next one in the series when it comes out.

My Rating

 

   

Book Review - The Whispering Road

Title: The Whispering Road
Author: Livi Michael 
Publisher: Puffin 
Release Date: 6 Jan 2005
ISBN-13: 978-0141317038

Synopsis
A moving and powerful story about brother and sister, Joe and Annie, who flee from a pitiful existence as servants. They embark on a tough and perilous journey to Manchester in search of their mother who was forced to leave them at the workhouse when they were very young. Their future is tainted by the horrors of their past and as Annie is increasingly troubled by spirits, Joe is forced to make a tough decision. Driven by the lust for freedom, he sells Annie to a fair owner who plans to use her as a medium, and sets about creating a new identity for himself on the streets of Manchester. But the voices of the past won't leave Joe alone and ultimately he finds himself gravitating back to Annie and their original quest to discover the whereabouts of their mother.  


My Review
I don't know what made me pick up this book, it has quite a nice cover, one that makes you look closer and the storyline sounded quite good. I actually picked this from the booksale at work about 18 months ago. I had seen it on the shelves before that but never taken it home so I decided to grab it now it was being gotten rid of. I looked at this a couple of times since, wondering if I should just put it back for the next sale but something made me hold onto it.
Earlier this week I wanted a quick easy read and spotted this in my locker. I decided enough was enough and I should just read it.
Set in 19th Century England, Joe and Annie have been sent to work on a farm. When they left the workhouse they thought they were lucky, but this is much worse - worked to the bone and violently beaten they know they need to escape. The pair make a run for it and decide to head towards Manchester, to see if they can find their mum, she always promised to come back and now is the time to reunite.
Along the way they meet a host of characters, some nice and others only want to use them, the pair must learn who to trust and how to survive.
Joe is a cheeky chap, not completely sure of his age but somewhere around 12-14. He likes to tell stories and has a way with words, he is close to his sister but finds her very hard work. Annie has always been strange and is some sort of Medium, able to see Ghosts. Very strange, and doesn't speak much but very dependant on Joe.
I liked the two main children, they had a good bond and I really felt for them. Annie was very odd, but I just wanted to hug her, her upbringing had been so tough. And the sad thing is, these things really did happen, children were sold as cheap workers, slave like and beaten or worked to death.
There is lots of mystery and a hint of magic in the story but it is namely a historical fiction, the scene is set well and I could clearly picture evverything, I really did walk down that road with Annie and Joe.
Joe ends up leaving Annie and gets involved with a street gang, the characters there are great, so diverse, a real jumble but all very real. I loved little Queenie, so tough and brave holding it together, the whole group was so diverse. 
There were moments in this book where I laughed out loud and others where I had tears in my eyes. For the most part I was hooked into the story and really enjoyed it. 
However, there is the chunk of the book where Joe is taken in by a wealthy man, this part of teh book takes on a rather more political angle, discussing the affects of poverty on people and what the best ways to stop the poor from 'spreading' would be. This was OK for a little while as it offered an insight of how the other half lived in that time, but for me it went on a bit too long and really slowed the book down. I found myself losing focus and scanning the paragraphs a little bit, when Joe finally left there I breathed a sigh of relief.
But that was only a small issue and I actually really did like this book. 
The language and setting of the time was right down and the characters captured my heart. I'm glad I decided to keep hold of this book to read.

My Rating

 

Book Review - The Jinson Twins, Science Detectives & The Mystery of Echo Lake

Title: The  Jinson Twins, Science Detectives & The Mystery of Echo Lake
Author: Steven L. Zeichner
Publisher: Createspace
Released Date: 2 Sep 2011 
ISBN-13: 978-1463700805

Synopsis
The Jinson twins, Joe and Debbie, decide to start a business during their summer vacation, hiring themselves out to do odd jobs. They find themselves in an odder job than they counted on when Mrs. Gray, who lives with her talkative parrot, the Captain, in an old house down off River Road, engages them to help clean out her basement. Aided by their friend, Mr. Benjamin, the proprietor of the Resource Recovery and Recycling Center (a.k.a. the junkyard), the twins use the clues that Mrs. Gray’s late husband, a former sea captain, left behind to figure out, using scientific principles, where the captain hid his enormous collection of antique Spanish gold coins. But some other people know about the treasure too and have no intention of letting an old lady who spends most of her time with a parrot, an old man who runs a junkyard, and a couple of kids get the treasure. 

My Review
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This arrived in my post yesterday and as I finished a book last night I thought I might as well start on this one straight away as it was only 175 pages I knew it wouldn't take me long and I was done in about 2 hours.
The Jinson twins, Debbie and Joe want something to do over summer and so advertise for jobs, when they get hired by Mrs Gray they start to rethink things, but then they get on the trail of some treasure and really get into solving the mystery.
This book isn't like anything I normally read, and I was slightly hesitant about it as I was never really into science at school, but this book is very cleverly done, it isn't too complicated or detailed, it makes the mystery fun and intriguing. 
The clue to find the treasure is a sort of riddle that involves echoes, sound distances, cricket chirps and temperature control, I know this sounds like an odd mix and a bit complicated but the way it's put together is genius.
Debbie and Joe are likeable characters and have a great connection with each other, I wanted them to succeed. Mr Benjamin is odd but likeable, he is the brain power behind the mystery and pulls the story on. Mrs Gray is very odd, slightly rude and very proper, but I quite like her quirky behaviour.
The plot was very well thought out and the pacing is really good, the story sweeps you along and I read this in one sitting.
Very cleverly done, a great book for young readers (8-12 years) mainly, but older ones may still enjoy it too. Think it would also be good for slightly younger kids if parents read it to them, they can work out the mystery together.

My Rating

Book Review - Passion

Title: Passion
Author: Lauren Kate
Series: Fallen (book 3)
Publisher: Doubleday Childrens
Release Date: 23 Jun 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0385618083

Synopsis
"Every single lifetime, I'll choose you. Just as you have always chosen me. Forever."

Before Luce and Daniel met at Sword & Cross, before they fought the Immortals, they had already lived many lives. And so Luce, desperate to unlock the curse that condemns their love, must revisit her past incarnations in order to understand her fate. Each century, each life, holds a different clue.

But Daniel is chasing her throughout the centuries before she has a chance to rewrite history.

How many deaths can one true love endure?

And can Luce and Daniel unlock their past in order to change their future?

My Review
I wasn't sure about reading this book, number 1 was a struggle, but book 2 was much better. I had to wait so long for book 3 to come out that when it did I just kept putting it off, I worried it would be more like book 1 and undo all the improvements from book 2.
I bought it when it came out, purely because I like the cover pictures on the books and if I'm going to have part of a series on my shelf I want all of it (how ridiculously shallow is that?) Anyway it's been sitting on my shelf for a while, I've been seeing more about htis book lately and the new novella 'Fallen In Love' has just come out and we got it at the library, I decided to pick that up, but knew I had to read Passion first so yesterday I picked it up and started to read.
My doubts were completely unfounded, this book was gripping and engaging and a lot of fun and drama. I would start reading then pause thinking I'd only read for like 20 minutes and got through about 40 pages when in reality I'd been there for an hour and had read 100 or more pages. I just seemed to fly through this book, it was so easy to read and I was so into it the time would simply disappear. 
Luce is jumping through her history, trying to find out what caused the curse between her and Daniel and what it is that makes them so drawn to each other. You hop with Lucy through a number of her past lives and I was intrigued with how they all had similarities but were also all very different people.
Daniel is trying to chase her through time but can never seem to catch up, he is desperate to find Luce and convince her of their love.
The whole idea seemed quite complicated, things to do with time and changing the past often are and I worried how Lauren Kate would make it work, but somehow she made it all come together and it was totally gripping.
Luce meets a strange little gargoyle like creature who says he is trying to help her discover more about her past, although wary at first she agrees to have his help. I liked him as a character, he had a sarcastic humour to him but also an air of mystery. There is a twist with him at the end which I'm a bit skeptical about but am curious to see where she goes with it.
I didn't like the last 50 or so pages as much as the rest of the book, it seemed to get a little more silly and unbelievable, but I am intrigued to see where it leads, Lauren Kate obviously has something planned. Saying that, it does mean yet again another open/cliff-hanger style ending which left me feeling a little frustrated and dis-satisfied, oh well, at least it isn't too long until 'Rapture' is released and I have 'Fallen In Love' to keep me amused for another day or so.
Overall quite a  good book.

 

Book Review - Lily Alone

Title: Lily Alone
Author: Jacqueline Wilson
Publisher: Yearling
Release Date: 8 Dec 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0440869252

Synopsis
Lily isn't home ALONE - but she sort of wishes she was; looking after her three younger siblings is a lot of responsibility.

When Mum goes off on holiday with her new boyfriend and her stepdad fails to show up, Lily is determined to keep the family together and show they can cope without any grown-ups. But taking care of 6-year-old twins, her 3-year-old sister and the family's flat feels overwhelming and Lily is worried that school or social services might discover their situation and break up the family. What could be better than to take all the little ones for a camping adventure in the park? Plenty of space to run about, no carpet to vacuum, and surely no chance anyone will guess they're there . . .

My Review
I was a huge Jacqueline Wilson fan when I was younger, I had most of her books and read tehm many times. As I got older I steered away from them, I stopped reading her work, but I did keep watching Tracy Beaker on TV (still do, I'm loving the new series 'Tracy Beaker Returns')
Anyway, when I first heard about this book I thought it was the story of one of the girls from Tracy Beaker Returns (there is a girl called Lily who has got used to raising her two little sisters) I soon found out this book had nothing to do with that character, it was completely different, so I moved away from it, but then I found a book trailer on Youtube for it and it looked really good. I kept thinking about it and wondering. I was then talking to some of the kids in the library and I got strong recommendations for it, so I decided to put a request in.
It arrived today. I got home from work just after 6 and had my dinner, I started the book just before 7 and had finished it by 9.15, so it took me just over two hours.
Jacqueline's writing has an easy flowing style to it that makes it easy to get into and quick to read. The characters became real and I could picture them all. I instantly wanted to slap the mother and tell her to grow up and stop being so selfish, but at the same time I wanted to give Lily a great big hug and tell her it would be ok.
her younger brother Baxter is a real live wire, mischievious and cheeky but a softy deep down, Bliss (his twin) is very timid and very shy, she is scared of a lot of things but has a great imagination and I could really feel the bond between her and Lily. Cute little Pixie is a little monster really, always hungry or wanting something, she depends on her big sister.
You have to admire Lily for everything she does for them, yes she makes some mistakes and some silly choices but you can tell she is trying.
I spent the whole book hoping for a happy ending, I really wanted it to work out for them. I know there are a lot of kids out there that really do have this sort of life and it makes you stop and think.
This book did remind me why Wilson is so popular and why I loved her books. I don't think I will necessarily read all the books by her that I haven't read but I will be more likely to pick another one up.

My Review

 

Book Review - Zac & The Dream Pirates

Title: Zac & The Dream Pirates
Author: Ross Mackenzie
Publisher: Chicken House
Release Date: 6 Sep 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1906427160

Synopsis
Everybody dreams. That's the problem. Good dreams are sweet. Bad dreams are scary, but what happens if the worst sort of nightmares take over? Zac Wonder is about to find out. On the stroke of midnight, he is plunged into an extraordinary world on the other side of sleep. Is he still dreaming? Has he gone nuts? Or, is he really meant to save us all from vampires, werewolves and the dream pirates who threaten to keep us awake forever.

My Review
This is another one on the 'Book Day' list at the library that I had to read. 
the world is being taken over by Nightmares, people are afraid to go to sleep, worried they will be haunted by their worst fears. Zac lives with his gran and realizes that she's starting to act strangely, one night he follows her and ends up in the Dream world, where he discovers 'Dream Pirates' - the ones responsible for the nightmares, he also discovers that his Gran is a 'Knight of Nod' a band trying to stop the Pirates.
I liked Zac's gran, she's feisty and funny and a proper ninja granny. I loved the spark she brought to the page. Zac is a good character, but I didn't really feel like I connected with him too much, I don't really know much about him, I have a feeling that there is more to come.
The whole land was very well thought up, I liked the names like 'Knights of Nod' and the pub is called the 'Forty Winks', lots of little humour slipped in that just made the world come to life.
I love the cover of the book, the skull is made up of lots of little pictures - things they experience in the dream world and the eyes glow in the dark. So cool.
The plot is good and the chapters are split between Zac and the Knights, the Pirates/Vampires and then 'Tinn and Noelle'. Tinn is the leader of the Knights but has been captured by the pirates and is trying to escape, whilst in prison he meets Noelle. I enjoyed these chapters and I was intrigued by Noelle.
There is a 'traitor' plot in the book, someone is leaking information to the pirates, as soon as this was introduced I knew who it was, despite the other accusations, I was sure of who it was and I was right so the big 'revelation' moment was ruined for me as I already knew and I think it's quite obvious really, but maybe the kids reading it will be shocked. 
Overall I enjoyed the book more than I thought I would, but there were some bits that didn't quite work for me, and poor Tinn really gets put through the wars. 

My Rating

      

Book Review - The Brilliant World of Tom Gates

Title: The Brilliant World Of Tom Gates
Author: Liz Pichon
Series: Tom Gates (book 1)
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: 4 April 2011 
ISBN-13: 978-1407120690

Synopsis
Tom Gates is the master of excuses for late homework: dog attacks/ spilt water / lightning.. Tom's exercise book is full of his doodles, cartoons and thoughts, as well as comments from his long-suffering teacher, Mr Fullerton. After gaining five merits for his CAMPING SUCKS holiday story, Tom's work starts to go downhill - which is a pity, as he's desperate to impress Amy Porter, who sits next to him...  

My Review
This was another book on the list for 'Book Day' at work, and another one that I wasn't looking forward to. Last year I had to read 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' and I really didn't like it. I can see the appeal for children - it's quick and easy to read, but to me there was no substance, I was afraid this book would follow the trend.
Wow, was I wrong. Tom Gates is instantly likeable, he has a great sense of humour, his drawings make me smile and the book just grabs your attention.
There is a storyline throughout, it follows Tom through a term at school, he is desperate to impress a girl, he wants to see his favourite band 'Dudes 3' live and he wants to make his band "Dog Zombies" really good. Follow his notes as he humiliates his teachers, winds up his sister, gets in and out of trouble and generally has a bot of mischief. 
Although always seeming to be in trouble, Tom does it the nicest way, he always seems so innocent and I really liked him as a character.
His sister Delia is the main focus of his pranks, but I could see so much of me and my brother in their relationship that it just made me laugh. 
Altogether a fantastic book. If your children like Wimpy Kid then they will love this. And if they don't love Wimpy Kid, well still give them this I'm sure they'll laugh just like I did. The new generation of Diary/notebook writing has arrived.

My Rating

  

Book Review - Something Witchy This Way Comes

Title: Something Witchy This Way Comes
Author: Veronica Blade
Publisher: Crush Publishing
Release Date: 3 Sep 2011
ASIN: B005L9B0MM

Synopsis
Brainiac Tessa McClean’s newly discovered magical powers give her an escape from her self-absorbed parents. But the thrill of being a witch fades when she learns of a rival coven and begins to suspect her own coven’s motives. Evidence tells Tessa to trust one side, but instinct drives her toward the other. When the school’s scrumptious delinquent, Hayden Anders, offers Tessa self-defense lessons in exchange for tutoring, his timing couldn’t be better. Although hanging out with him is a necessary evil in Tessa’s fight to stay alive, resisting a bad-boy she secretly yearns for might be more than she can manage. Together, Tessa and Hayden work to unravel the mysteries behind the two covens to discover why they’ll stop at nothing to lure Tessa to their side. She must form an alliance with one of the covens before it’s too late. But the wrong decision could cost Tessa the lives of all who she holds dear — including Hayden.

My Review
I received a copy of this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Tessa discovers she is a witch, but this means she is in danger, two rival covens are vying for her attention and she isn't sure who to trust. Bad boy Hayden is assigned to guard her whilst at school, Tessa can't believe she has to be stuck with him, but soon they form a team and try to work out just which side they should choose. With lots of unexpected twists and mysterious appearances the choice isn't easy.
I liked the sound of this book, it sounded like a great twist on what I call High School Paranormal. Was definitely a nice break from vampires and werewolves, this is all about the magic.
Tessa is not instantly likeable, she comes across as a bit full of herself and thinking that she is above Hayden. She gets really good grades and has practically raised herself and her little sister, so she knows she is a fighter. But she soon opens up to Hayden and when she lets her guard down she becomes a whole new person and I started to connect to her more. I felt sorry for her, she has basically been ignored by her mother all her life and has been badly hurt by an ex boyfriend, but what I really like about her is the fact that she doesn't give up. She is a survivor, a fighter and she isn't afraid to go for things.
Hayden is like the guys I avoided at school, a player and a bit of an ass to be honest. So full of himself and convinced that girls are just there to please him. He has had a rough few years with an abusive step dad, and has given up on life. There were many times I wanted to slap him, but again as he started to open up and become more of a human I connected more. It was almost like, once he found a reason to live, I found a reason to like him. 
He has great sarcastic come backs and a witty sense of humour. He does get quite possessive of Tessa and that's a bit weird but I can see why he does it, sort of. it's not complete stalker weird so he can get away with it.
When Hayden and Tessa are together it makes for good reading, they either get along or blow up at each other, they make me laugh. 
Rena is also great, really couldn't tell what side she was on but I didn't like her. In fact there were so many great characters. 
The plot moves at just the right pace, with enough description to let you know where you are but not too much. Once I started this book I read it quite quickly and I wanted to know what would happen.  

My Rating

Book Review - Memory Cage

Title: The Memory Cage
Author: Ruth Eastham
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: 3 Jan 2011
ISBN-13: 978-1407120522

Synopsis

Alex's grandfather keeps forgetting things, and Alex has overheard his adoptive parents say that they're going to put granddad in a home. His grandfather begs Alex to save him from that, and it's a promise Alex is desperate to keep. But Alex once promised his little brother that he would save him, and in the terror of the Bosnian war, he failed. As Alex struggles to protect his grandfather, he uncovers secrets that his family and the village have kept for two generations. Unravelling them will cause grief, but will they save grandfather, and perhaps help Alex come to terms with his own private war.

My Review

This is another book that I had to read for 'Book Day' at work that's happening in March. Two of my colleagues had read it before me and they both seemed to really love it.

This is definitely not my type of book. Alex is adopted, he was rescued from the war in Bosnia. His adopted Grandad is losing his memory and keeps having accidents or incidents. Alex takes it upon himself to try and help his grandad his 'brother/sister' don't seem interested and his 'parents' just want to put him in a home. Alex finds out there are a lot of secrets in the past keeping everyone at a distance.

I started reading this and thought, 'oh no. this is quite slow, and i'm really not that interested.' but I couldn't just give up as I had to read it for the work event, plus at only 230 pages it really wasn't that long. However after about 40 pages I was really getting into it. I started to really care and feel for Alex and I wanted him and his family to be happy. 

Soon I was flipping through the pages, determined to find out what the big secrets were. 

The whole plot unfolds nicely. there is just the right mixture of action, discovery and talking. I surprised myself by just how much I enjoyed. 

It's a great book for getting kids to talk about things like Alzheimer's and wars/fighting without having it shoved down their throats. This book will move them and hopefully make them interested and open to talk. 

Overall I was very impressed with this book

My Rating