Big Brother by Lionel Shriver

I can’t believe they gave him a middle seat.”

     “They should really charge double, and leave the next seat empty.  I lost my armrest, and the guy was half in my lap.  And you saw how hard it was for the attendant to get the cart past him.”

     I was relieved when the woman’s suitcase arrived, since the pariah whom she and her seatmate had so cruelly disparaged must have been the very large gentleman whom two flight attendants were rolling into baggage claim in an extra-wide wheelchair.  A curious glance in the heave passenger’s direction pierced me with a sympathy so searing I might have been shot.  Looking at that man was like falling into a hole, and I had to look away because it was rude to stare, and even ruder to cry.

     “You, don’t recognize your own brother?”

     The smile I’d prepared in welcome crumpled.

Published by Harper Collins

Hardback - 9th May 2013

384 pages

Paperback - 16 January 2014

400 pages

Summary

For Pandora, cooking is a form of love. Alas, her husband, Fletcher, a self-employed high-end cabinetmaker, now spurns the “toxic” dishes that he’d savoured through their courtship, and spends hours each day to manic cycling. Then, when Pandora picks up her older brother Edison at the airport, she doesn’t recognize him. In the years since they’ve seen one another, the once slim, hip New York jazz pianist has gained hundreds of pounds. What happened? After Edison has more than overstayed his welcome, Fletcher delivers his wife an ultimatum: It’s him or me.

******

Reviewed by Georgina Tranter

It has to be said, Lionel Shriver has done it again.  The author of the incredible We need to talk about Kevin has just written an explosive book focussing on that ever topical subject of food.  As this is an American author, then what better way to tackle our relationships about, and with, food than with the topic of obesity, of which American has a major problem.

Pandora Halfdanarson is a now flourishing business woman living in the state of Iowa; daughter of a successful soap-opera father, she has spent her life shunning the media. Her

brother Edison hasn’t.  A known jazz musician he has dreamt of living life in the limelight ever since he can remember.  After a few years absence, he calls Pandora out of the blue, asking if he can visit.  The man who greets her at the airport is not the brother she remembers.  He has piled on the pounds to become a grotesque enlarged version of himself, to the extent that she initially doesn’t recognise him.

What follows is a graphically descriptive account of our relationships with food, and how not only this can affect those living with us, but also the way we are treated and regarded in society.  It’s an engrossing read that, pardon the pun, I devoured in only a few sittings.  

It’s not a light-hearted read, as fans of Shriver will already expect of her, but a brutally honest account with an element of truth in its telling.  I’ll be recommending this to many people to read.

The Book of Doom by Barry Hutchison

Bullets. He hated bullets.

He especially hated bullets that were travelling towards him at high speed., like the one that had just missed his head.

Published by Harper Collins in March 2013

Pages - 397

Goodreads Summary

There’s panic up in Heaven. They have mislaid the BOOK OF DOOM - the most important object in existence. Oopsy.
They think Satan might have stolen it, the sneaky little devil, so to save the world - plus, you know, quite a lot of embarrassment, fifteen year old Zac and his angelic guide Angelo are sent to retrieve it.
Sadly directions aren’t Angelo’s strong point and they soon find themselves just as lost as the book, wandering through Afterworlds such as Valhalla and Hades and encountering some colourful characters along the way…
Can the hapless pair make it to Hell and back?

*****
I can’t get enough of the Afterworlds series. Barry Hutchison writes in such a way, I end up all puffy faced by the end of the book where I have laughter so much, the tears have flowed. I really enjoyed his Invisible Fiends series, but I really think the Afterworlds books are his best yet.

Barry brings to life a hilarious version of Heaven and Hell. At the beginning we witness the banter that rolls between angels Gabriel and Michael, which had me continually snorting. Zac has been summoned by Gabriel to retrieve the Book of Doom  from Hell, in return for not having to spend eternity in Hell. His companion on the journey is Angelo, who has moments of adorability, weaved in with moments of evilness. He is the most entertaining sidekick I have ever come across, with his constant need for hugs and obsession with comics and superheroes. The quick witted conversations that fly between Zac and Angelo really keep the book alive with humour, hiding the developing  friendship that is growing. Every secondary character within this book is quirky, colourful and  absolutely entertaining.

The journey into Hell was fast paced and yet extremely entertaining. I loved all the different places described within the story. The story has a few surprises within it that really added to the brilliance already oozing out of the book.

Some familiar characters from The 13th Horsemen appear in this book and it was lovely to spend time with them again. They add some interesting twists to the story.

I absolutely loved this book and I can’t wait for the next instalment. If you have any reluctant readers in your house, Barry Hutchison’s books would be ideal to draw them into the world of reading.

Sister Assassin by Kiersten White

My dress is black and itchy and I hate it. I  want to peel it off and I want to kick Aunt Ellen for making me wear it. It’s short, too, my legs in white tights stretching out too long under the hem. I haven’t worn this dress in two years, not since I was nine, and I hated it then, too.

 Pages - 302

Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books in February 2013

Goodreads Summary

She never chose her deadly gift but now she’s forced to use it. How far would you go to protect the only family you have left?
Annie is beset by fleeting strange visions and a guilty conscience. Blind and orphaned, she struggles to care for her feisty younger sister Fia, but things look up when both sisters are offered a place at Kessler School for Exceptional Girls.
Born with flawless intuition, Fia immediately knows that something’s wrong, but bites her tongue… until it’s too late. For Fia is the perfect weapon to carry out criminal plans and there are those at Kessler who will do anything to ensure her co-operation.
With Annie trapped in Kessler’s sinister clutches, instincts keep Fia from killing an innocent guy and everything unravels. Is manipulative James the key to the sisters’ freedom or an even darker prison? And how can Fia atone for the blood on her hands?

*****

I love looking back at the first page after I have read a book and realising exactly how the author used it to set up the plot and the characters. Within the first few pages of this book, we get a strong sense of who Fia is. She is wild, angry and violent at times, yet fiercely protective of her sister Annie. Annie is fragile in one way, her blindness limiting her abilities, but strong in another as she also goes out of her way to protect her sister. I don’t think I have ever seen a stronger sibling bond in fiction. They are like two halves of the same egg shell, strong when together, but completely broken when pulled apart. They appear to struggle without each other and worry incessantly about what happens to each other.

The story jumps back and forth between the past and the present giving us glimpses of how the characters became who they are today. We are also told the story in first person from two viewpoints, which allows us to get into each characters head with ease.

Fia is volatile and on the verge of losing it altogether. She has been made to do things, no one should ever be asked and it has pushed her as far as she can physically go. James is an interesting character, and you watch his interactions with Fia with curiosity, because you are never quite sure of his real intentions. Even at the end, Fia’s reactions make you question whether she actually trusts James or not. Each and every character within the story is flawed, they are all a danger to themselves and others.

The ending of this book is extremely clever. To the point, you have to go back and reread it to make sure you are absolutely clear you read it right, as it is very subtle in its presentation. I do hope there is a second book because all though the ending wrapped up the situation I still felt there were questions unanswered.

This book has a real Mafia style feel to it. It’s a Godfather meets Super Girl kind of story. It felt original in content, in fact, I couldn’t think of any book or series that was similar. Annie and her sister have special abilities which put their lives at risk on discovery. There is a lot of kick ass action as Fia steps up to take a more confident and forceful role. She becomes a very strong character as the book progresses.

For most of the story, I really enjoyed it. I did get annoyed a couple of times when the chapters jumped back and forth, because I found I couldn’t always work out where I was in the storyline, but other than that I thought it was brilliant.This book is fast paced and addictive. Full of kick butt action with fantastic characters.

On reflection of the title and the cover, I will hold my hand up and admit to preferring the US one. I think Mind Games suit it as a title much better and the cover isn’t so fierce. Have a look for yourself and see whether you agree.

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson

Published by Harper Collins in February 2013

Pages - 304

Charlie Strong liked his customers-you don't run a pub for twenty-one years if you don't like your customers - but there was something about the quiet in the morning that pleased him to no end. 

Goodreads Summary

When madness stalks the streets of London, no one is safe…

There’s a creepy new terror haunting modern-day London. Fresh from defeating a Jack the Ripper killer, Rory must put her new-found hunting skills to the test before all hell breaks loose…

But enemies are not always who you expect them to be and crazy times call for crazy solutions. A thrilling teen mystery.
*******
I have to be honest and say I was a little disappointed with this book. I absolutely adored the first book in the series, The Name of  the Star, which had a Jack the Ripper storyline that kept me completely intrigued. The ghosts were also in abundance, where as in this second book I hardly got a glimpse or a whiff of a spirit. I felt this book really suffered from 'second book syndrome' which occurs quite often in series where not a lot seems to happen in between the first and third books. 
I found the story really slow to get going. In the first half of the book we spent a lot of time with Rory getting her life back to normal. I felt that there was a lot of recapping about the first book and unfortunately not enough action taking the story forward. Now don't get me wrong, the writing was good and I do think Maureen Johnson is an extremely talented writer; what I found  lacking in this story was the plot. 
Perhaps my expectations were too high; I had imagined the plot would be intricately linked to another piece of fascinating English history; unfortunately it wasn't. The plot actually carries on from the previous book and the 'madness' referred to was due to the crack in the Earth's surface that occurred in the last book. 
The story has a very conversational style of writing. A lot of the action occurred via the character's speech and I didn't feel as though we witnessed a lot actually happening. 
However the second half of the book did make up for for the first half and the story began to unfold and improve greatly. New characters to the story brought their own surprises and shocking events near the end left me gasping to find out what happened next. I enjoyed the relationship developments which I hadn't seen coming and the camaraderie between the ghost fighters. 
The story does end on a huge cliff hanger, so be prepared to have to wait until the next book to find out more. Not my favourite Maureen Johnson book, but I will still be standing in line for the next instalment. 

The Darkest Corners ( Invisible Fiends) by Barry Hutchison

Pages - 270
Published by HarperCollins Children's Books in August 2012
Book kindly sent by publisher for an honest review.

What had I expected to see? I wasn't sure. An empty street. One or two late-night wanderers maybe. But not this. Never this.
There were hundreds of them. Thousands. They scuttled and scurried through the darkness, swarming over the village like an infeciton; relentless and unstoppable.

Goodreads Summary
Kyle is a bit of a problem child. He won’t do what his dad tells him. But that’s because his dad wants Kyle to unleash the scuttling, screaming, killer creatures of the Darkest Corners and bring about the end of the world. Now might be a good time to rebel…

*******

After six fast paced dramatic and scary books, Mr Hutchison has finished the Invisible Fiends series in a thrilling display of fireworks and exploding body parts, going out with a huge bang! What a finale! Finally every remaining thread is tied together to bring you a rather surprising ending, which I then kicked myself for not seeing.  

I really don't want to give any spoilers away, so I need to be really careful what I say but it is hard to keep quiet. This book was very good and was a fabulous ending to a fiendish series. I would seriously recommend Harper Collins Children's Books bringing all the books out in a bound set ready for Christmas, because I am pretty sure anyone with boys aged between 9 to 12 would love this series. Not to be sexist, I seriously think a large majority of the girls would enjoy it too - if they like a little bit of horror, then buy these for them - I promise you they will devour the whole series in a weekend and a quiet Christmas will be had by all.

This book sees the return of all the characters from the previous books and it was like meeting old friends, or should I say old enemies. I can't help it but I really love Mr Mumbles and I know I shouldn't, but that guy does have a softer side, you just have to search a little bit for it.  I was so pleased to see Ameena do the right thing in the end too. 

I thought the epilogue was brilliant - it really made  certain aspects of the  series  finally make sense. It was like a light bulb moment that I should have guessed beforehand, but the author cleverly hid the evidence so that I had no idea.

This really is a brilliant series with an original storyline, smattered with the author's sarcastic humour which I have grown to love. Just imagine if your worst nightmare came true and you had to deal with it. Well Mr Hutchison has done it with style. Fast paced, not stop action all the way through. 

Really Random Tuesday

Really Random Tuesday is a meme created by Suko at Suko's Notebook which is a way to post odds and ends--announcements, musings, quotes, photos--any blogging and book-related things you can think of.

********

Firstly I want to apologise to all my regular readers. As you may realise it is the summer holidays and normally I shut the blog down for a bit in order to spend time with my girls. For some strange reason I didn't shut it down this time and I feel bad, as I am struggling to read anyone else's blogs at the moment. Please bear with me, as soon as the kids go back in September I will have more time to stop by your blogs and comment. I have quite a few post lined up over the next few weeks, but I doubt I will be around personally. I want to thank you all for your ongoing support of the blog. 

Many of you know I have been writing and I did finish my book which I recently sent out to agents. I had a lot of positive feed back on it, but feel it may now need to be altered to suit a different age group. So for now, my writing has been put hold until September when I will have more time to focus on a future projects as well as the present one. 

********

The winner of the five books reviewed as part of the Vintage Children's Week Special is:

Karen Conner - formerly of The Slowest Bookworm blog. 

Congratulations Karen. An email will be on its way to you today. 

*********

There is a fabulous drawing competition over at  author Sarah Mussi's blog open to all 11-18 year olds. All you have to do is draw an angel or seraph and post it over at Sarah's Facebook page.  Sarah Mussi has just 
published Angel Dust through Hot Key Books as one of its launch titles. 
The competition closes at 5pm on the 31st of August. The winner will receive Sarah Mussi's fabulous painting and a signed copy of Angel Dust. Five runners up will also win a signed copy of Angel Dust. 

*********

An astonishing fantasy debut from an 18-year-old classical musician has been acquired by Nick Lake at HarperCollins. Rights for the UK and Commonwealth were secured from HarperCollins US (Greenwillow Books) for two titles by author Stefan Bachmann, an American teenager studying music at the Zürich Conservatory in Switzerland, who began writing The Peculiar at just 16 years old. 

Other authors have been rushing to praise this superb debut and as a result HarperCollins will publish in hardback in September 2012, and follow up with a paperback in the Spring:

“Swift, strong and entertaining. Highly recommended.”

Christopher Paolini, author of The Inheritance Cycle

“Stefan Bachmann's sparkling debut is sure to get a lot of well-deserved notice. He breathes fresh life into ancient magic.”

Rick Riordan, author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians

*********

Editorial director Kate Howard and assistant editor Harriet Bourton

of Hodder & Stoughton have acquired debut author Kass Morgan’s

thrilling two-book YA series The Hundred from by Sara Shandler and

Joelle Hobeika at Alloy Entertainment (World English), with US

rights to Elizabeth Bewley at Little, Brown Books for Young

Readers. The books are scheduled for publication in Spring 2014 and

Fall 2014.

The series follows 100 teenagers, all harbouring dark secrets, who

© Alana Kass leave their homes - enormous, city-like spaceships - to re-colonize

barely recognizable Earth, only to discover that no matter how far from home they are,

they cannot escape their pasts.

*********

That's all the news for now. Check back soon for more book gossip. 

L.A Candy by Lauren Conrad

Pages 326
Published by HarperCollins on June 2009

Janie Roberts leaned against her dresser, studying the way her white silk nightie looked against her sun-kissed skin. Her loose blond curls cascaded softly over her shoulders as she pretended not to be interested in the guy in her bed.


Goodreads Summary
In L.A. CANDY, nineteen-year-old Jane Roberts moves to L.A. and unexpectedly becomes the star of a reality T.V. show. With fame comes wealth, hot clothes and even hotter love interests -- and Jane′s lapping it all up with her eclectic entourage of pals who are always up for a wild night out and the chance to get a piece of her spotlight. But soon Jane realises everyone wants something from her, and nothing is what it seems to be.

**********

I am extremely sceptical about whether Lauren Conrad actually wrote this book. I can smell the distinct whiff of a ghost writer, because the story is really enjoyable and well written. Knowing that Lauren Conrad was a reality TV star herself who moved from Laguna Beach to L.A, I can't help but imagine the story is based on aspects of her real life, although she has always denied it and I  would probably hazard a guess at her heavy involvement in the story process, helping to developing the story idea. But whether or not she actually wrote it, I really don't know. Having said that, I did really like this book. It was an easy read, with a page turning quality where I found myself whizzing through the pages rather  quickly. It reminded of the 80's bonk busting books by Jackie Collins but without all the sex. 

 I wasn't surprised that this book hit the New York Times Bestseller list, as I could envisage young tweenies practically hyperventilating at the thought of the story. Isn't it nearly  every young girl's dream to go to L.A. and become instantly famous? It was most certainly mine at that age, and I found myself tingling with excitement as I read the book.

Don't expect to see just the glamour and sparkle of Tinseltown; within this story, you also get to see the downside of fame in L.A. The way your life becomes public property and everyone wants to be your friend just because you are famous. I would hate to discover stories about my life being misconstrued and interpreted wrongly, so I found myself really connecting very easily with the main character Jane Roberts. She appeared quite innocent through out the book and very naive to the events occurring around her. 

I loved Braden! He is definitely a character I want to know more about. He oozed charisma and hotness! Scarlett was an interesting character as she struggled to live under the spot light - everything about he show seemed to go against her beliefs. Madison was a real bitch, definitely stepped straight out of the evil section of the Californian Who's Who. 

I think what I really loved about this book, was the setting. The author really brought the place alive, with descriptions of such holy destination as The Ivy and Melrose Avenue! I was in my element - these are places I can only dream of visiting. 

There are two other books in this series and after reading the first, I am really interested in reading the next, as the book ends on a bit of a cliff hanger.  I need to find out what happens next.  An excellent summer read, ideal for the beach and definitely one for those star struck teens. 

Letterbox Love (1)

Many of you know I stopped writing IMM posts a while back, but with all the commotion that has occurred surrounding a certain US blogger, my lovely UK book blogging pals have created a UK version called Letterbox Love. I wanted to show my support by joining in for a while. I also want to be able to publicly thank the publishers and bloggers who have sent books to me to read. I am truly grateful for all the books that come into my house. I am a very lucky lady and I really appreciate everything I get. If you want to take part each week and show the lovely books that have entered your house, then please head over to Lynsey's blog Narratively Speaking to add your post to the linky.

For Review

I am going to change the way I do this though, as I want to help promote the books too. So from now on I will also include the Goodreads  summaries in italics as well as publication date.

This is the second book in the Merician series and will be published by Electric Monkey in June. The first book Blood is already available to buy.

The vampire William of Mercia continues to search for answers about his long, undead life, together with Eloise, the girl with whom his fate is entwined. But the darkness doesn’t yield its secrets easily. 

As they edge closer to the truth, it becomes clear that something evil knows their every move, and this time it’s targeting the person Will needs most of all. 

Lost in a frozen landscape, powerful adversaries are locked in a battle that not everyone can survive, as destiny collides with a sorcerer’s dark arts…

Thank you Electric Monkey!

I love the cover of this book! This is Ellie Phillips first YA book and will be published by Electric Monkey on the 4th June. There isn't a Goodreads or Amazon summary of this one yet. From the information provided by the publisher, this is listed as a story 'with wit, warmth and knicker-wetting embarrassment.' I think I am going to enjoy this one!

Thank you Electric Monkey.

I haven't read the first book in this series, but I am hoping to get it soon. I do love this cover. This is published on the 7th May by Egmont.

In the far future, people no longer know what to believe...Did Kyle Straker ever exist? Or were his prophecies of human upgrades nothing more than a hoax? 

Peter Vincent is nearly 16, and has never thought about the things that Strakerites believe. His father — David Vincent, creator of the artificial bees that saved the world's crops — made sure of that. 

When the Strakerites pronounce that another upgrade is imminent, Peter starts to uncover a conspiracy amongst the leaders of the establishment, a conspiracy that puts him into direct conflict with his father. But it's not a good idea to pick a fight with someone who controls all the artificial bees in the world.

Thank you Egmont. 

This cover is even more beautiful in real life, with the writing in gold! This is published on the 24th May by Headline and has me intrigued.

Jonathan and Theo's childhood is one in which money is abundant but nurture is scarce. With a father who died when they were very young and a mother who starts drinking at lunchtime, the brother and sister are largely left to roam around their sprawling estate in rural Wales, looking after only themselves and each other. Until, that is, their grandmother Eve returns to the family home. Eve is a figure who is as enchanting as she is forbidding, and she takes the children under her wing, answering their questions about their family history that have always been ignored. Yet as they grow older, they discover that much of what they've been told is a fiction, and that something very sinister lies in their past.

Thank you Headline

A lovely scorcher for the sunshine! I know we don't have a summer yet, but we can dream!  

This is the follow up to Vicotoria Fox's debut Hollywood Sinners and will be published on the 1st June by MIRA.

Welcome to Paradise. Only the rich are invited...only the strongest survive. But is it heaven on earth or a devil s playground? Fame. Money. Success. Lori wants them Aurora is being destroyed by them, and Stevie s got them at her best friends expense. These three women are all drawn unwittingly to the shores of Temptation Island, all looking for their own truth. But they discover a secret so shocking there s no turning back. It s wicked, it s sensational. Are you ready to be told? The island promises the one thing money can t buy - but the glittering waters drown dark secrets... The price is devastating.

Thank you MIRA.

This is the second novel by Paige Harbison and has been described as a modern and intelligent retelling of Daphne Du Maurier's 1938 novel Rebecca. Now I have read Rebecca, so I am really interested to see how this one will work out. MIRA Ink was published on the 4th May. 

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend…but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

Thank you MIRA Ink

The first UK Netgalley book from HarperCollins Children's Books! Woo hoo! I am loving that the UK publishers are beginning to make that move. The Selection will be published on the 7th June. 

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Thank you Harper Collins!

Bought

As soon as I saw this reviewed on Novelicious, I had to have it. I bought it for my Kindle! This is published by Michael Joseph on May 10th. 

Rebecca's twin sister Hephzibah was beautiful and daring. She was the one who always wanted more. The one who wouldn't listen. Now she's gone, Rebecca is alone. 

While there were two of them, they stayed silent about their home life. But Rebecca, who knows the truth about how her twin died, suddenly finds herself keeping too many secrets. Hephzibah dreamt of escape, but failed. Could Rebecca be the one to find freedom? 

Original and unforgettable, Black Heart Blue is not just Rebecca and Hephzibah's story. It's a story about all of us: a story about the lies we want to believe, the truth we sometimes can't, and having the courage to discover the difference.

I did already have a copy of this but I didn't have it at home when I went to meet Amy Plum, so I bought a new copy for her to sign! * mad book blogger*. Now I have a matching set! I love this series and would recommend you all read it. 

My first Lauren Conrad novel! Very excited by this one. 

In L.A. CANDY, nineteen-year-old Jane Roberts moves to L.A. and unexpectedly becomes the star of a reality T.V. show. With fame comes wealth, hot clothes and even hotter love interests -- and Jane′s lapping it all up with her eclectic entourage of pals who are always up for a wild night out and the chance to get a piece of her spotlight. But soon Jane realizes everyone wants something from her, and nothing is what it seems to be.L.A. CANDY is a fast-paced, honest and entertaining fictional account of what it′s like to come of age in Hollywood while starring in a reality TV show, written by a girl who has experienced it all firsthand: Lauren Conrad.

Book Swaps

I have heard such good things about this series, so I was pleased to get my hands on this book via ReaditSwapit! 

As soon as I received 1.4, I knew I had to get hold of the first book in the series 0.4  which I managed to get on ReaditSwapit through Karen who used to blog as The Slowest Bookworm, so thank you Karen for swapping!


Gifted

I have to snigger when I see these covers, otherwise I will blush like a school girl from a convent! Thank you Casey of Darkreaders for giving these to me! You are determined to make me read about palm tickling! LOL

The 13th Horseman by Barry Hutchison

Pages - 348
Published in March by HarperCollins Children's Books

The vast, lonely wastelands of oblivion  wastelands of oblivion stretch out in all directions, infinite in their scale and in their emptiness. Darkness lies heavy over this most desolate of plains, like a burial shroud on a long-forgotten corpse. 


In a darkly funny, action-packed adventure, fourteen year old Drake is surprised to discover the Horsemen of the Apocalypse hanging out in his garden shed. He’s even more surprised when they ask him to join them. The team is missing a Horseman, having gone through several Deaths, and they think Drake is the boy for the job. 

***********

Doesn't that first paragraph sound rather dark and foreboding? I was worried this book was going to be a little scary but as you continue to read you realise exactly why the author has written the passage so darkly. His imagery in the prologue was beautifully written and really stood out for me.

The rest of the book had me practically wetting myself. Don't be fooled by the prologue, it has a purpose; this book is the funniest book I have read in ages. The story is extremely surreal yet unbelievably realistic. Drake, your typical teenage boy has been recruited as the 13th Horseman of the Apocalypse after the last Death, decided to hang up his cloak and scythe. Alongside War, Pestilence and Famine, he must ride his horse across the sky to signal the beginning of the end of the world. Not really a laughing matter; but the author soon put pay to that. 

Drake's new mythical sidekicks are just hilarious. Each one unique and extremely lovable,despite all their flaws.  Pestilence with his unusual rashes and weird inflammations will have you reaching for a face mask. My favourite character of the book had to be War. I really want to meet him! One minute they are planning Armageddon, the next they are playing Buckaroo. Priceless!

I loved this book so much. I am still chuckling over the funny sketches in it a week after reading it. There is a scene in the book where Drake has to try and whistle for his horse. I nearly had an asthma attack reading it, I was laughing that much. 

This book is pure genius, it really is. I recommend everyone reading it. Definitely one for reluctant readers as you can easily finish it in a day.  I was really sad to finish this book, as I found myself becoming quite attached to the horsemen. As of yet there is no sequel and I am hoping that Harper Collins decide to make a series out of it. 

An  extremely entertaining rib tickler. Bring on the next Apocalypse!

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Pages - 370
Published by HarperCollins in September 2011
Book kindly sent by publisher for a honest review.

The eyes of London were watching Claire Jenkins. She didn't notice them, of course. No one paid attention to the cameras. It was an accepted fact that London ha one of the most extensive CCTV systems in the world. The conservative estimate wast that there were a million cameras around the city, but the actual number was probably much higher and growing all the time. The feed went to the police, security firms, MI5, and thousands of private individuals - forming a loose and all encompassing net. It was impossible to do anything in London without the CCTV catching you at some point. 

Goodreads Summary

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

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As soon as I was introduced to Rory, I knew I was going to love her. Her sense of humour fitted perfectly with mine and her dry wit had me reaching for a hankie to stop the tears of laughter. I loved the way Maureen Johnson made a serious and often rather chilling novel, extremely funny too. Amongst the dark and disturbing scenes, you would find a hint of humour, to get you through the scene.

I loved viewing London through the eyes of an American. It was fascinating to experience things first hand with Rory, and I just loved the way she described things. This following scene had me cracking up, when Rory realised that it was normal for children to take part in daily P.E. lessons.

'I am not a very sporty person. Where I come from, it's too hot to run, and it's generally not encouraged. The joke is, if you see someone running in Benouville, you run in the same direction, because there's probably something really terrible right behind them.'

I know I am dwelling on the funnier aspects of this book, but I can't help it. I love the way Maureen Johnson writes. Although this book does have a huge creepiness to it. A lot of the scenes take place late at night where Rory can often be found out and about alone and doing something she isn't supposed to, putting herself in danger rather a lot. On many occasion I found myself a little nervous to turn the page. 

Jack the Ripper is highlighted through out the story and I found myself fascinated by the events that occurred around him. I learnt so much about his terrifying reign on London and found myself wanting to research more.  

The book discusses old underground tube stations that are now defunct and I adored this. I am desperate to visit one, even though I know they are not open to the public. Perhaps that is what lures me to them the most - the forbidden!

I have only one niggle with this book. I felt that we could have been made aware of Rory's rather special abilities a little earlier in the book. I couldn't help but feel they appeared rather too late in the story and they didn't come as a surprise to me, as I had guessed quite early what she was capable of.

As I came to the last couple of pages of the book, I was not a happy girl. I kept telling myself that surely the author wouldn't end the book that way. I should have known that the author was about to rugby tackle me to the floor and completely twist the story  to make the ending believable and make way for the next book in the series. 

I truly love the way this author writes. I can't wait to get my hands on more of her books.  I want to write like Maureen Johnson; I want to be able to scare the hell out of my readers, and yet tickle them under the ribs too. 

If you are like paranormal YA with a touch of humour, then this book is for you. 

IMM (16)

In MyMailbox (IMM) is a weekly feature organised by The Story Siren. IMM is a post where you can show which books entered your house and it also gives you a chance to say thank you to the people that kindly sent them. To find out more about how you can join in click here.


All books have been linked up to their Goodreads pages.

Gifted

I received a lovely surprise parcel this week from Tina at Abrams and Chronicle thanking me for taking part in the Struts and Frets blog tour. 

Not only did I receive some fabulous books which I will tell you about in a minute, I also received Paper Voodoo! Hilarious! Paper Voodoo dolls, so you had better stay on my good side folks. Hehehehe! 

I also got a nifty little DOMO calendar; DOMO is the official mascot for a Japanese television company and I have to say he is kind of cute.

Anxious Hearts by Tucker Shaw 

Free Thaddeus by John Gosselink

Bliss by Lauren Myracle

Darth Paper Strikes Back by Tom Angleberger

Review

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick published by Simon and Schuster

Dear Bully:Seventy Authors Tell Their Stories edited by Megan Kelley Hall and Carrie Jones published by Harper Teen

Eve by Anna Carey published by Harper 

Variant by Robison Wells published by Harper Teen

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima published by Indigo

The 13th Horseman by Barry Hutchinson published by HarperCollins

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon published by HarperCollins

The Court Painter's Apprentice by Richard Knight published by Catnip Publishing

Bought

A Week In December by Sebastian Faulks

Witch Song by Amber Argyle

Witchlander by Lena Coakley

Write To Be Published by Nicola Morgan

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern 

Thanks to all the fantastic publishers who sent me books. I don't know where to start reading! If you had to choose one of the above books to read next, which would you choose?

Really Random Tuesday on a Thursday

Really Random Tuesday is a meme created by Suko at Suko's Notebook which is a way to post odds and ends--announcements, musings, quotes, photos--any blogging and book-related things you can think of.

I know, I know, it is the wrong day, but I can't help it, I have too much juicy author and publishing gossip to share with you. 

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            Firstly the amazing UK competition that is being hosted by HarperCollins for the publication of The Name Of The Star by Maureen Johnson. I am desperate to win this!

JACK THE RIPPER FAN WALK

To celebrate the publication of Maureen Johnson's new YA thriller The Name of the Star, HarperCollins Children’s Books is offering 10 lucky readers the opportunity to accompany Maureen Johnson on a private Jack the Ripper walk in London on Thursday, 13th October 2011.

The walk begins at 5:00 PM and will carry-on for two hours into the night! Visit the haunting sites of Jack the Ripper and hear first-hand from Maureen how they inspired her new book The Name of the Star.

To enter, simply email [email protected] for a chance to attend the event with a friend.

Disclaimer: Entrants must be 13 or over. Please ensure that you are available to attend the event on Thursday, 13th October from 5.00pm to 7.00pm before entering. Winners will be informed on Friday, 7th October, and will be provided with further instructions then.

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To celebrate the release of Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, I have a competition running exclusively on Facebook. Pop over to the Serendipity Facebook page and press Like, leave a comment on the Daughter of Smoke and Bone thread and your name will be entered into the competition to win a copy. 

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Some fabulous news for Lauren Kate fans too.

Random House Children’s Books will publish an original novel by Lauren Kate that is connected to her internationally bestselling series, Fallen. The novel, FALLEN IN LOVE, acquired in the UK by Annie Eaton and Becky Stradwick, will be released in the UK on 2nd February 2012, before the fourth and final title in the series, Rapture, is published. FALLEN IN LOVE is a riveting collection of four intertwined love stories featuring the Fallen characters that fans have grown to know and love: Miles, Shelby, Roland, Arriane, and Luce & Daniel.

Since the publication of the first book, Fallen, in December 2009, Kate’s series has become a bona fide smash hit with close to half a million copies sold in the UK alone. Her story of star-crossed lovers and fallen angels has captured the hearts and imaginations of readers all over the world, with rights sold in 33 countries and counting. All bestsellers in the United States, the novels of the Fallen series: Fallen, Torment, and Passion, have become international sensations, hitting No.1 slots in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. The final novel in the series, Rapture, will be released in the UK in June 2012 taking readers on a journey that will close the chapter on Luce & Daniel’s love forever.

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Now many of you know I have been slogging through The Passage by Justin Cronin. Well after much discussion between Elle , Kate and myself, we have decided to abandon the read- along. We are all really struggling with the book and have discovered we no longer enjoy it since it changed to a different period in the future. Out of all the characters,the only one we seemed to love was Brad and he was killed off quite early in the novel. 

It was a hard decision to make, but we felt that it was just too difficult to continue reading it, especially as we no longer enjoyed it all. 

So apologies to anyone who was following The Passage Read-along. I hope you enjoy the book more than we did.  


Also I know I have done a lot of double posting lately and I can only apologise for that too. After next week, things should resume to just one post a day. 

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Last but not least! I thought I would just tease you a little.....

Did I tell you that  - The Witches Are Coming......................

Find out more next Wednesday on the blog!

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That is all for me today.