Book Review - Lord Sunday

Title: Lord Sunday
Author: Garth Nix
Series: Keys to the Kingdom (book 7)
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books
Release Date: 4 Mar 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0007175130

Synopsis
The House is falling apart, and when it is destroyed, all existence will be destroyed with it. Arthur Penhaligon and his friends Leaf and Suzy must use every power at their disposal - magical or practical - to defeat the enemies attacking them from all sides.
For Arthur, the most formidable challenge comes from Lord Sunday, the most elusive of the Trustees of the Will. Lord Sunday's magic is unlike anything Arthur has encountered before - and his secrets have the potential to destroy not only Arthur, but also all the people he holds dear.

My Review
I got bored with this series in book 5 and 6, but decided that I had come this far and I was so close to the end that I had to finish. I just hoped this book would be better, it had a lot to wrap up and questions to answer and a lot of expectations to meet.
I actually did find myself enjoying this one more to start with, I went into it with an open mind, and I liked the set up, Leaf trapped at the hospital after the catastrophe, Suzy taking more control and stepping up and then Arthur - finally accepting what he is and willing to use his powers. Then we meet Lord Sunday, Saturday was a disappointment to me so I wanted him to be a formidable enemy and he seemed like he would be, he doesn't just fold or give up, he fights back making Arthur work for his success. 
But then it slowed down, Arthur gets trapped, tries to escape and find the Will etc, but it's drawn out. Parts of it were good, I liked the twist with 'elephant' but the rest was trying to build up the tension a little bit too much.
I love that Leaf is more involved, but it seemed quite forced, like he couldn't really come up with a logical reason for her being there so he adds in a few disasters and twists and there she is. But in the big scheme she still doesn't really do much.
I did feel like this book got a bit slow again, at one point I was literally just reading because I wanted to finish, I almost just read the last chapter but held myself back.
BUt at the same time I would come across bits of the story I really enjoyed again and would speed up again. This book really kept me on the fence.
By the time I reached the last chapter I actually would have said overall that I actually did enjoy the book, I felt a bit happier, then that last chapter happened - WHAT WAS THAT?!?!
Seriously, what was that ending, what was the point of it. Where was he going with that? it was just seriously weird and totally unbelievable in my opinion. I just didn't get it. I mean Why?
So overall, I don't really know what to say, yes it had good moments but it also had slow ones too, I wasn't left with a satisfied feeling of finishing a good series, I felt a bit deflated actually. Quite disappointing. But if you've come this far in the series it has to be read.

My Rating

     

Book Review - Superior Saturday

Title: Superior Saturday
Author: Garth Nix
Series: Keys to the Kingdom (book 6)
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books
Release Date: 1 July 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0007175116

 Synopsis
"Twenty-eight hundred executive-level sorcerers wait ready, should they need to counter any workings of the Keys held by the Pretender Arthur or a sorcerous attack from the Piper."
Arthur Penhaligon has wrested five of the Keys from their immortal guardians, the Trustees of the Will. But gaining the sixth poses a greater challenge than any he has ever faced before. Superior Saturday is not just one of the Trustees, she is also the oldest Denizen and the most powerful and knowledgeable sorcerer within the house.  

My Review
I lost my wind with this series a bit, I finished Friday and wanted to know what happens in the end but just couldn't make myself pick this one up. I did have a busy week which had something to do with it, but instead of snatching any moment possible to read I just wasn't picking it up. Then I decided to just sit down with it and get on with it. Ironically I actually started and finished this on Saturday, I started it in my lunch break then finished it when I got home. 
To me this book felt like a filler book. It seemed to be just setting everything up for the last book. All through the series Saturday has made herself known as 'the real threat', the one that's causing all of Arthur's problems and trying to take over the house, but I didn't really feel that she was all that bad. In fact she seemed to appear and then be defeated rather easily. No real contest. The real struggle was locating the 6th part of the Will. That was the part I liked the best, it was a whole different set up to the others and quite creative. 
Meanwhile back 'home' Leaf is trying to rescue all of the victims left behind from Lady Friday, Arthur was told there would be a nuclear attack on his home town, he has managed to slow time to give Leaf a chance at helping people, but no one knows if it's enough. If I'm honest the whole idea of him stopping the time was just a way of putting the 'real world' out of the way so he didn't have to focus on it. 
There was a lot of set up for the last location in the house - the 'Incomparable Gardens', and Arthur changing and adapting as he becomes more powerful. I actually liked Arthur a bit more in this book compared to the last few, he starts to accept things more and stops complaining so much. 
Despite the storyline being a bit flat, this is a quick read and I did race through the pages. I suppose I may have skim read it a little bit. I'm hoping the last book will be an exciting conclusion and much more substance. 
Worth sticking with if you're invested in the series.    

My Rating

 

Book Review - Lady Friday

Title: Lady Friday
Author: Garth Nix
Series: Keys to the Kingdom (book 5)
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books
Release Date: 5 Mar 2007
ISBN-13: 978-1741145892

Synopsis
Four of the seven Trustees have been defeated and their Keys taken, but for Arthur, the week is still getting worse. Suzy Blue and Fred Gold Numbers have been captured by the Piper, and his New Nithling army still controls most of the Great Maze. Superior Saturday is causing trouble wherever she can, including turning off all the elevators in the House and blocking the Front Door.
Arthur can't even find out what is happening back home. All he knows is that Leaf isn't on earth any more. She's missing and so are hundreds of other people who were transferred from regular hospitals to a private institution run by a 'Doctor Friday'. From there they have been taken somewhere else in the Secondary Realms, for Lady Friday's own horrible purposes.Amidst all this trouble, Arthur must weigh an offer from Lady Friday that is either a cunning trap for the Rightful Heir or a golden opportunity he must seize--before he's beaten to it!

My Review
I remember when this book first came out, I was so excited, I started to read it before I realised I had no idea what was going on. It had been so long since I had read the others, and it's been sitting on my shelves ever since just waiting for me to jump in. After finishing Sir Thursday with higher hopes and renewed interest I was looking forward to reading more and finally getting stuck into this one after all those years.
This book is a little bit slower on the pace side of things, most of the characters are now well established but there are always some new faces to come to terms with, the plot of Arthur trying to get home and remain human is once again brought forward, but of course before he can leave he must vanquish x,y & z. He has to find the next part of the will so he can get the next part of the key. Some parts started to feel a little bit samey, but at the same time Garth Nix keeps you involved in so many mysteries you can't help but want to read more. You still don't know who this Architect is, or who the mysterious Sunday is and why he seems to be relinquishing his control to Saturday? Is there a deeper reason to why Arthur was chosen? What does the Piper really want? It's enough to make you turn pages regardless.
This book reads a lot like the set up for the next 2 books - the big Finale. Saturday is mentioned a lot more and gives you a real sense of foreboding before his appearance. Big things are going to happen, we just don't know what.
Lady Friday herself I found to be a bit weak and pathetic, the tagline says that the fifth day brings fear, and yes the idea of eating people's memories in a way that sounds a bit like sucking thier souls out is a bit gross but I wasn't particularly scared, she seemed a bit weird. All of her staff seemed terrified of her too but I couldn't quit feel it. 
Overall this book was exciting enough to have me reading through the pages, and I like Fred coming back again, he makes me laugh, but overall it was quite slow. 
I'm hoping the last two will bring us to an exciting conclusion.

My Rating

    
 

Book Review - Breathe

Title: Breathe
Author: Sarah Crossan
Series: Breathe (book 1)
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Release Date: 11 Oct 2012
ISBN-13: 978-1408827192

Synopsis
When oxygen levels plunge in a treeless world, a state lottery decides which lucky few will live inside the Pod. Everyone else will slowly suffocate. Years after the Switch, life inside the Pod has moved on. A poor Auxiliary class cannot afford the oxygen tax which supplies extra air for running, dancing and sports. The rich Premiums, by contrast, are healthy and strong. Anyone who opposes the regime is labelled a terrorist and ejected from the Pod to die. Sixteen-year-old Alina is part of the secret resistance, but when a mission goes wrong she is forced to escape from the Pod. With only two days of oxygen in her tank, she too faces the terrifying prospect of death by suffocation. Her only hope is to find the mythical Grove, a small enclave of trees protected by a hardcore band of rebels. Does it even exist, and if so, what or who are they protecting the trees from?

My Review
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 
I actually received this a while ago but never got round to reading it. Then I was looking for something to give my Teen Reading Group and decided this would be a good choice so it gave me the excuse to pick it up.
 We are introduced into a world of the future, there is no more trees and oxygen is running out. A select few are given the chance to live inside the 'Pod', where Oxygen levels are managed and people are provided with air tanks. It still comes down to status, the rich 'premiums' can afford more oxygen, therefore can lead better lives, whilst the poorer 'subs' are taxed for any excess oxygen they use.
First we meet Alina, a young girl trying to make a difference. As part of the resistance she is feisty and determined. Her mission is essential and she wants the resistance to win. She can come across as a bit cold at first and I wasn't quite sure what to make of her but I actually found myself liking her as the book went on. Sure she isn't exactly endearing but something about her made me like her and I wanted to get to know her better.
We then meet Bea and Quinn. Quinn is a Premium, one of high standing, his father works for 'Breathe' the government in charge, he has an abundance of oxygen, money and opportunity but he isn't a spoilt brat, he does all he can for Bea and they are the best of friends. Bea is a sub, her parents work as hard as they can just to afford enough oxygen for them all to live on. Bea hates taking money and things from Quinn but he never makes her feel bad. There is definitely tension between them in the book - Bea loves him but he's totally clueless. I loved to see how they worked together and became closer but also more independent too. Bea really grows up through the book, her eyes are opened and she doesn't back down. 
I saw some complaints about the characters but for me they were well written and worked well, i could visualize them all and they seemed to be realistic enough to me, I felt like I knew them and saw them grow and develop.
The whole idea is very well constructed and it all makes sense, it's a very scientific idea, how to run on limited oxygen etc, what would survive, but it's done really well and makes it totally believable. 
There are some questions left unanswered by the end of the book, especially who is Abel? but it is set for a trilogy so maybe we will find out in the next book. The ending of this book certainly sets you up for an exciting sequel and I can't wait to get my hands on it. October suddenly seems very far away.

My Rating

        

Book Review - Devil's Bargain

Title: Devil's Bargain
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: Red Letter Days (book 1)
Publisher: Mira Books
Release Date: 5 Oct 2012
ISBN-13: 978-1848451568

Synopsis
Jazz Callender is an ex-cop struggling to prove her partner's innocence after he is sent to prison for murder, and she's willing to take whatever help comes along ... but she's about to make a bargain with the devil. Approached by a mysterious, attractive stranger with a check and a business offer, she finds herself plunged deep into a world where nothing is as it seems ... not James Borden, Attorney At Law, who fascinates her even as she doubts his honesty ... not Lucia Garza, her beautiful, brilliant new partner with hidden depths and secrets ... not The Cross Society, who seems to be able to know more about the cases she's being sent to investigate than Jazz does herself. With each new revelation, Jazz and Lucia uncover a world of psychic predictions and unseen forces, and find themselves playing not just for keeps, but for souls ... With lives at stake, Jazz finds that every choice she makes is dangerous ... even the one to fall in love.

My Review
I normally avoid anything to do with devils, I usually find it uncomfortable to read, and very often quite cliched. But I adore Rachel Caine and I got sent this book a while ago to read, then last week I got book 2 from Netgalley so I thought it was time I dived in.
And I am pleased to say I LOVED it, and the whole making a deal with the devil was more of a metaphor, she doesn't actually meet the devil or anything like him, instead she deals with someone who likes to play with power and is very dark and dangerous. 
Rachel Caine is the queen of kick-ass characters. I fell in love with Eve and Claire in her Morganville series and now I can add Jazz and Lucia to that list!
Jazz is an ex-cop determined to clear her partner of a murder he didn't commit, but instead she gets pulled into a dangerous world of mysterious ops and dodgy assignments. Within the first chapter she has kicked some serious butt and walked away with no more than a split lip. This girl certainly knows how to handle herself and you can tell you wouldn't want to mess with her, but at the same time Caine manages to write a very likeable person who does have a softer side - you don't see it often but when you do it really works and makes you like Jazz all the more.
Lucia is the other unsuspecting partner in the story, thrown together with Jazz she is the sophisticated business side of the duo, but that doesn't mean she can't take care of herself. The two of them together have a good sense of humour and make a great team. A quote from one my favourite films, Miss Congeniality, fits perfectly here: they both have "sarcasm and a gun" in copious amounts.
The other main player you need to be introduced to is James Borden, he's the go between for Jazz and Lucia and the big company hiring them for whatever reason. He is funny and serious, and sweet and moody and complete softy deep down. There were moments when I questioned his reliability but ultimately I liked him too much to really care if he did turn out to be a bad guy. (I won't tell you either way, I don't want to ruin the story for you)
I'm still not entirely sure how the big bosses/bad guys knew all the information they had, whether they were 'psychic' or not I just don't know, but that confusion keeps you desperate to know more and I hope more is revealed in the second book, but although I did wonder all the way through I also kind of accepted it and jsut went with the story, I was hooked. 
The ending as well left me on a 'oh my' and I have to know what comes next so I am so pleased to have book 2 within easy reach. 

This is a great new series from Rachel Caine. If you haven't ever read anything by her then you really must, she is an absolute legend!!!

My Rating

          

Book Review - Beautiful Chaos

Title: Beautiful Chaos
Author: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Series: Caster Chronicles (book 3)
Publisher: Penguin / Razorbill
Release Date: 18 Oct 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0141335261

Synopsis
Cursed lovers Ethan and Lena have returned to their home town, which is now ravaged by swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms. What - or who - will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself - forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

My Review
I am really getting into this series now, I adored book 1 and rather enjoyed the second one and wasn't sure what to expect from this but I loved it. I found it full of suspense, action, excitement, love, hate everything. The characters have really grown and are having to deal with all sorts of different situations. Things start to get really crazy and I was turning the pages desperate for more. 
Life has been turned upside down in Gatlin, an unexplained heat wave in late November, swarms of insects eating everything, earthquakes, arguments, it all happens here, is it the end of the world or something just as bad. Once again Ethan and Lena are thrown in over their heads along with Amma, Link, Macon & the other usual suspects. Ridley throws up a storm and Sarafine causes chaos.
I loved the suspense in this book the most, you would just think that Ethan and Lena had found a way to make things right when something else would crop up and throw them back to the beginning. I think this book is a bit darker than the first one, there are more deaths, problems and revelations than the others and things are really starting to get exciting. 
I am now even more excited for the fourth book and I'm so happy it came in for me at the library today so I have it ready to dive straight into. 
This series is definitely very exciting and I can't wait for more. But I do recommend you start at the beginning with Beautiful Creatures. 

My Rating

Book Review - Beautiful Darkness

Title: Beautiful Darkness
Author: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Series: Caster Chronicles (book 2)
Publisher: Penguin
Release Date: 28 Oct 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0141326092

Synopsis
Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.
Sometimes life-ending.
Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

My Review
After finishing book 1 I was desperate to get started on this one and picked it up almost immediately. Then I had one of those weeks where everything seems to happen and I don't get much time to read. I tried taking the book with me to bed so I could read before going to sleep but I was so tired I just fell asleep, (not because of the book, I was just too tired to keep my eyes open).
I did read a little bit each day and tried to squeeze in as much reading as possible.
Beautiful Darkness follows on from where book 1 left off and things aren't going smoothly. Lena thinks she is going Dark, Ethan feels like he is losing her and his once quiet boring neighbourhood seems to be unraveling with more secrets. 
I will say that I didn't like this book as much as book 1 but I did still enjoy it. Lena is more withdrawn and it almost feels like she is giving up, in book 1 it was mostly her spark and fierce determination that drew me to her and I missed that a bit, but as the story progresses you realise why they did that and it made sense and ultimately made the plot more interesting so just stick with it.
Ethan is still awesome and willing to do anything for Lena, he is willing to put himself in danger again and again for her. This may seem foolish but it's sweet. 
We are also introduced to Liv, Marion's summer assistant at the library. She makes a very interesting character and invites a hint at a love triangle which I couldn't help but root for, at least some of the time.
Link and Ridley feature more in this one too and Serrafine is back of course.
This book still held a lot of charm and magic and I did end up really enjoying it. I will definitely continue with the series, the ending particularly left me wanting more.

My Rating