#ReviewMonday with @lockwoodwriter - The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

During the first three weeks of seventh grade, I’d learned one thing above all else: A person can become invisible simply by staying quiet.

I’d always thought that being seen was about what people perceived with their eyes. But by the time the Eugene Field Memorial Middle School made the fall trip to the aquarium, I, Suzy Swanson, had disappeared entirely. Being seen is more about the ears than the eyes, it turns out.

Published by Macmillan Children's Books 2015

352 pages in paperback including illustrations by Terry Fan & Eric Fan

Summary from author’s own website*

Suzy Swanson is pretty sure she knows the real reason Franny Jackson died. Everyone says that there’s no way to be certain…that sometimes things just happen. But Suzy knows there must be a better explanation—a scientific one. Haunted by the loss of her former best friend — and by a final, terrible moment that passed between them — she retreats into a silent world of her own imagination. Convinced that Franny’s death was the result of a freak jellyfish sting, she crafts a plan to prove the truth, even if it means traveling around the globe… alone. As she prepares, she learns astonishing things about the universe around her… and discovers the potential for love and hope in her own backyard.

*Please note she is an American author so the spelling is a little different.

***

The strange creatures of the ocean are fascinating - and few are more weird and wonderful than jellyfish. I’ve been a scuba diver and I still love rock-pooling and snorkelling, so it’s not surprising this quirky title caught my eye. Such an attractive cover by Terry and Eric Fan - which cleverly gets across the mix of sorrow and lightness in this moving book.

Some of the best parts of Ali Benjamin’s novel are the facts - they’re fascinating and they do help the story along. You so get to know Suzy’s character and empathise with her way of coping with her loss. You don’t just feel pity, but grow in understanding.

As an aside, the inclusion of biology through Suzy’s investigations and the 7th Grade Life Science teacher, Mrs Turton, is a great feature. Young readers know the difference between fact and fiction - but their minds are open enough to run them alongside each other. More of this, please publishers.

I was actually surprised to learn it’s 352 pages in paperback. I raced through it on my Kindle - it certainly didn’t feel long. Perhaps the unusual structure (with the extracts from Mrs Turton’s advice) and illustrations take up the space. At any rate, it’s suitable for any reasonably competent reader from ten or so onwards. Elective mutism and a drowned friend might not sound like a bundle of laughs, but there’s quite a bit of humour and a good deal of heart and hope in this book.

Highly recommended for any family dealing with grief, regardless of their beliefs - and good read for anyone, unless you truly hate jellyfish.

---

K. M. Lockwood lives by the sea in Sussex - see the pics on Instagram. She fills jars with sea-glass, writes on a very old desk and reads way past her bedtime. Her tiny bed-and-breakfast is stuffed full of books - and even the breakfasts are named after writers. You're always welcome to chat stories with @lockwoodwriter on Twitter.

The Boy Who Drew The Future by Rhian Ivory

The barber doesn't try to engage me in awkward conversation as he cuts off my hair. I'm relieved he's a whistler not a talker as I try to make a different face look back at me in the mirror. 

Pages 320

Published by Firefly Press

Summary

Noah and Blaze live in the same village over 100 years apart. But the two teenage boys are linked by a river and a strange gift: they both compulsively draw images they don’t understand, that later come true. They can draw the future.

1860s - Blaze is alone after his mother’s death, dependent on the kindness of the villagers, who all distrust his gift as witchcraft but still want him to predict the future for them. When they don’t like what he draws, life gets very dangerous for him.

Now - Noah comes to the village for a new start. His parents are desperate for him to be ‘normal’ after all the trouble they've had in the past. He makes a friend, Beth, but as with Blaze the strangeness of his drawings start to turn people against him and things get very threatening. Will he be driven away from this new home - and from Beth?

Will both boys be destroyed by their strange gift, or can a new future be drawn?

******

Reviewed by Vivienne Dacosta

I hadn't expected to read The Boy Who Drew The Future as quickly as I did. My TBR pile was practically toppling over,  but I couldn't resist a sneak peak at the first chapter, when I received it. That was it. I was completely drawn into the story and couldn't put it down. 

The author has a exquisite descriptive voice, that allows you to immerse yourself straight into the story. The book is told from two view points. Firstly we have the present day, where we meet Noah. You realise from the first chapter that Noah is carrying a lot of guilt, but you can't quite put your finger on what that guilt might be. All you know is that he feels his unusual talent is the root of this guilt. As the story unfolds you realise he blames himself for something which he couldn't possibly have controlled. He seems hell bent on making sure the situation doesn't happen again. His journey through the story is about learning to overcome his unnecessary guilt.

Noah's parents don't understand how special he is. Their reaction to his talent really surprised me, but I suppose no one wants their child to be singled out for being different and Noah's talent does attract a lot of negative attention when it becomes apparent.  Personally, I think it would be awesome to be able to draw the future.

The second point of view in the book is Blaze's, an orphan from the 1800's with only his beloved dog as his companion.  Blaze has the same talent as Noah, but during the 1800's, his ability was considered to be witchcraft. Blaze suffers for his talent. I adored Blaze, I really felt he had a beautiful soul. 

There is another character who really touched my heart. Dog. Blaze's faithful companion. The author's descriptions of him, were so lifelike, I felt as much love for him as I did for Manchee in The Knife of Never Letting Go. 

The river features heavily in the book and is a forceful link between both characters, connecting them over the time divide. The descriptions of the river, really bring it to life, making it feel like a character in its own right, creating a menacing and threatening presence at times.

I really enjoyed this beautifully haunting and unusual tale and look forward to even more from Rhian Ivory in the future. 

My Writing Process - Welcome to Chaos! by Anna Mainwaring

As part of the blog tour for The Lives and Loves of Jesobel Jones, I am pleased to welcome debut author, Anna Mainwaring onto the blog to tell us all about her writing journey.

I’ve been asked to write about my writing process. The word ‘process’ suggests some kind of logical progression or development. Nothing could be further from the truth - how I write is pretty chaotic. And to be honest, that’s what seems to work for me.

In order to describe how ‘The Lives and Loves of Jesobel Jones’ came into being, I suppose I should touch upon the ‘non-writing’ years. Or at least, the years of ‘writing but finishing nothing’. I’ve always wanted to be a writer and I’ve written off and on for years but whilst I would start in idea and begin with huge enthusiasm, after a while I would lose confidence in both the story and myself and give up. And watch X Factor and drink wine. And feel more than a bit dissatisfied with life.

A few years ago I decided a change was needed and enrolled on a Creative Writing MA specialising in Children’s Writing with the MMU in Manchester. Best. Decision. Ever. A few weeks in my wonderful tutor, Sherry Ashworth, set us a writing exercise which gave birth to a rather opinionated, food obsessed teenager, then called Alyssa. I’d heard of writers saying that their characters took over their lives and never quite believed it. Once Alyssa started talking she just would not stop. She’d talk to me as I walked down the street. She’d wake me up in the middle of the night to tell me things. I needed to do something just to stop her talking and as was in the middle of October, I decided to have another go at NaNoWriMo, something I’d failed at in the past.

NaNoWriMo is like Marmite. But I love it nearly as much as I love Marmite. It definitely works for me. Some writers are careful crafters of first drafts. I’ve learned the hard way that for me a first draft needs to just be hammered out, fast and dirty. This is the only way to stop the critical voices in my head that say everything I write is rubbish and I might as well just give up. When writing my first draft of Alyssa’s story, I never re-read. I just wrote what happened next. I planned the next scene as I drove to and from work, playing it out like a TV show in my head. So when I finally got down to write late in the evening, the dialogue and scene just tumbled out. For the first time in my life, I actually finished a full draft - a real ‘woo hoo’ dance round the room moment.

But of course, what to do next? I had 55,000 words. Some great characters and scenes but not a fully realised plot.

It took me over a year to sort it out. I needed a bit of time away so left it to one side for a while and began to work on something else. But Alyssa would not leave me alone and I re-read it, deleting massive chunks but feeling that I had something worth working on. I knew the plot didn’t work but I couldn’t see for the life of me how to change it.

I don’t write everyday though I try to. But I do think about my stories every day and spend the hours of my travelling processing what to do next. One day I had a ‘eureka’ moment - one sunny evening in Manchester walking down the road, I suddenly thought I saw a way forward.

So back I went to Alyssa, the other work went on the backburner. And within about a month I had a draft that I thought worked. My university tutor thought that I should submit it so one May half term, I spent all week re-drafting and started to send out subs. I knew it wasn’t perfect but couldn’t see what else I could do on my own and, feeling that I had nothing to lose, I sent Alyssa out into the world.

Very, very excitingly, I was asked for three fulls. Anne Clark of the Anne Clark Literary Agency loved it but thought the last third of the novel didn’t fit my opening. Once she said that I saw that she was of course right. It took me until September to work out what to do. I had to go back to the heart of the novel, really focus on what Alyssa wanted. Once I’d pinned down her motivation and discussed it with students at my school, it all fell into place.

I cut 16,000 words. It didn’t hurt a bit. Honest. It took me another six weeks to write the new part, ending in a half term holiday which was different from my children so they went to school and I stayed at home on my own for the first time ever. It was a very, very happy week and at the end of it I had draft number 3. I knew this was my best so far. Nervously I sent it off to Anne but she loved it, quite a few edits for my original two thirds of the novel, hardly any for the new writing! Two and half years after starting Alyssa, I finished what had become ‘The Lives and Loves of Jesobel Jones’. Another ‘woo hoo’ dance round the room moment!

So as you can see, there’s not much of a process to it. But in brief what works for me is lots and lots of thinking, writing plenty of back story and working on characters’ motivation, playing out scenes in my head, a fast first draft, followed by lots and lots more thinking and careful editing.

And finally, just in case anyone ever asks me about my writing day, well my writing day actually starts about 9.00 in the evening. After a full day’s teaching. I look after my children, do my homework (I’m a teacher!), put the kids to bed and then I lose myself in my writing for a few hours before falling asleep in front of the computer. It means I don’t read as much as I’d like and I miss out on the latest hit TV shows. But writing has become one of the keenest pleasures in my life. I’m not about to give it up any time soon.

So if you always wanted to write but never quite made it, it’s never too late to start!

Summary

Jesobel Jones can bake. In a truly triumphant, appearing-on-TV kind of way. But this means nothing to the rest of the world, because apparently all that cake mix is starting to show - in all the wrong places. So when she lands an invite to the Party of Year by the Boy of Her Dreams, she wonders whether it’s time for a new, improved Jess. But will life still taste as good?

Published by Portal Press on 25th March 2015

Anna Mainwaring's debut is a light-hearted and sometimes poignant take on the pressures that face teenage girls. It's hard to smile in all those selfies when you don't like the girl who looks back at you. But which is more important - looking perfect or being happy?

Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25092580-the-lives-and-loves-of-jesobel-jones?from_search=true

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lives-Loves-Jesobel-Jones/dp/0993070604/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427808215&sr=8-1&keywords=the+lives+and+loves+of+jesobel+jones

Author Information

Anna Mainwaring first read ‘The Lord of the Rings’ when she was seven and she hasn’t stopped reading since.

Her debut novel, “The Lives and Loves of Jesobel Jones”, follows Jess through the joy and pain of being a teenager in the modern world; first love, friendship, embarrassing families, and asks the big questions in life: how much cake is it really acceptable to eat?

After studying English at university, Anna made the foolish decision to work in corporate finance, not the best career choice for someone who a) is number dyslexic b) hates anything corporate. After travelling, Anna re-trained as an English teacher and works in a girls’ school in Cheshire. When not writing, teaching, or looking after her children, Anna can generally be found walking up a big hill, looking for inspiration.

To find out more about Anna Mainwaring:

Website: www.annamainwaring.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/annamainwaring1

The Moment Collector by Jodi Lynn Anderson

A key is buried under the front stairs of 208 Water Street. Scorched on one side, was it in a fire? Who lost it, and when?

From me, it’s a clue, a piece of the past. Because the yard of this house is a graveyards of moments, and everything left behind is a reminder: sand paper, a bracelet, a love note, some letter, a match, a movie stub, a postcard.

Published by Orchard Books in August 2014

Pages - 256

Summary

There's a ghost haunting 208 Water Street. She doesn't know who she was, or why she's still here. She does know that she is drawn to Maggie, the new girl in town, and her friends - beautiful, carefree Pauline and Liam, the boy who loves her.
But the ghost isn't all that's lurking in Gill Creek... Someone is killing young girls all across the county. Can the ghost keep these three friends safe? Or does she have another purpose?

*****

Although I enjoyed this story, I found myself confused about it for nearly three quarters of the book. It wasn’t until I reached the end, that I truly understood what was going on.  From the first few pages, we know a killer is on the loose in the little town, but we never ever find out who it is. It felt as though a certain aspect of the story was set up in the beginning but unfortunately not carried through to the end.  I couldn’t see the point of making such a big deal about the murders if they weren’t integral to the plot.

Out of all the characters in the book, Maggie was definitely my favourite. She was a bright young thing, who worked hard at her studies and did all she could to make her parent’s lives easier.  On arriving in town, she was soon befriended by Pauline, who annoyed the hell out of me. Pauline came across as flighty and immature. I felt that she used Maggie when ever she felt she needed a friend. It was pretty obvious from the start that Pauline would always win every outcome.

This story is told mainly in third person, apart from the sections where the spirit speaks in first person. Now I’m a big fan of using  a mixture of narrative points of view in one novel but I will be honest, I struggled with it in this book until the very end. By the time I reached the conclusion,  it finally dawned on me why it had been written in this way and completely made sense; however I felt that was a bit too late to appease my annoyance throughout the rest of the book. 

The ending was the saviour of this story. However I was quite shocked to discover the true identity of the ghost in the last chapter. This was an OK read with a really strong ending. If you enjoyed  A Certain Slant of Light, you would probably enjoy this one too.

Black Ice Trailer

So everybody is talking about the book. And now the trailer has just gone live.  What am I talking about? Black Ice of course.

Following on from her world wide success with the Hush Hush series, here comes the new book from Becca Fitzpatrick. Black Ice will be published in October by Simon and Schuster.

Click here to be one of the first people to see it.

Isn’t is AMAZING? I can’t wait to read it. Also check out the fantastic new site for Black Ice here.

Book Summary

Sometimes danger is hard to see... until it’s too late.
Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.
In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there... and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target.
But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?

To find out more about Becca Fitzpatrick:

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Blog

The Originals by Cat Patrick

My part is first half.

I go to Student Government, Chemistry, Trigonometry, Psychology, and History at school, then do the rest of the day at home. I maintain that Mom was in a mood when she made assignments this year - math and science are definitely not my best subjects. When I reminded her of this, she said,’That’s exactly why you’re doing first half.’

Pages - 304

Published by Egmont in May 2013

Goodreads Summary

17-year-olds Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey Best grew up as identical triplets... until they discovered a shocking family secret. They're actually closer than sisters, they're clones. Hiding from a government agency that would expose them, the Best family appears to consist of a single mother with one daughter named Elizabeth. Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey take turns going to school, attending social engagements, and a group mind-set has always been a de facto part of life...
Then Lizzie meets Sean Kelly, a guy who seems to see into her very soul. As their relationship develops, Lizzie realizes that she's not a carbon copy of her sisters; she's an individual with unique dreams and desires, and digging deeper into her background, Lizzie begins to dismantle the delicate balance of an unusual family that only science could have created.

*******

Cat Patrick always has the most amazing story ideas when it comes to writing fiction. Possibly inspired by her own twins, she has created an original story  centring around a trio of clones, all living the same life. It sounds freakishly weird I know, but you have to read it to believe it.  I was completely intrigued by the whole idea behind the book.

The story is told in present tense from the point of view of Lizzie. Even though the girls are supposed to be the same person, their differences are evident early on in the book. I think the author did a fantastic job at portraying each girl individually so that they stood apart from each other. Ella is the happiest out of the three; she is content to carry on living as they are. As well as being the happiest,she is also the brainiest and at times appears to be the naïve one. Betsey is the calm, thoughtful and logical one; if they were just sisters, I would place her as the oldest. This leaves Lizzie, who comes across as more defiant; she wants her own life more than either of the others and you feel her desperation for change. They are living the life of one person - each attending school for a certain part of the day. The thought of trying to be one person when you are all so different must be draining and as the girls head towards being an adult, they are beginning to realise they don’t want to live this life anymore.

I didn’t like Lizzie’s mum at all. I felt suffocated by the way she treated the girls. Anyone would have broken free from such tight control. To the point where she even monitors their heartbeat alongside following them with a GPS system is just wrong. It isn’t until Lizzie falls for the charms of the gorgeous Sean, that Lizzie and her sisters begin to realise just how wrong their lives are. They start to doubt their mother’s decisions for their lives.

The book leaves doubts in your mind. As the mother of identical twins I know how important it is to nurture their differences, but when they were younger, I have to put my hand up at being guilty of occasionally dressing them the same. If I had that time again, I would definitely do it differently.  I felt this book emphasized the extremes that twins and triplets can be treated like in reality.

The book heads off on a fast pace and you find yourself totally engrossed in the story.  The beginning and the middle of the book really drew me in and I was desperate to find out how it would end. My  only little niggle with the book is that events at the end were not shown in detail, which left the climax a little flat. I really wanted to see what happened between Maggie and the girl’s mum, but unfortunately the information was relayed second hand.  I can see how this would have been difficult to show due to the story being told from the perspective of Lizzie.

Apart from that I really enjoyed the book and I’m intrigued to read more YA dealing with cloning. If you like your sci-fi a little bit different, then I would highly recommend reading this book.

Ferryman by Claire McFall

He sat on the hillside and waited.

Another day, another job. Before him, rusting tracks disappeared into the depths of the tunnel mouth. In the grey gloom of the cloudy day, the light barely penetrated beyond the stone arch of the opening. His eyes never left the entrance. He was expectant, but jaded.

Published in March 2013 by Templar Publishing.

Goodreads Summary

When Dylan emerges from the wreckage of a train crash onto a bleak Scottish hillside, she meets a strange boy who seems to be waiting for her.
But Tristan is no ordinary teenage boy, and the journey across the desolate, wraith infested wasteland is no ordinary journey.
Life, death, love-which will Dylan choose?

*******

When I first heard the premise of this book it sent a tingle down my spine. I knew it would be a book that I would love and I wasn’t wrong. The premise is original and breath taking. The legendary tale of the ferryman taking you to your final destination is one that you can only dream is true. I am a big believer in the after life so I honestly couldn’t wait to read the book.

The author writes beautifully. Her prose is almost poetic in nature as the words flow off the page. It’s rich, deep and absorbing. Her descriptive passages full of original metaphors and similes. Her characters vibrant. You can’t rush through this book, as the writing is too filling to allow you. You want to savour every sentence.

The story is told in third person  and alternates between Dylan and Tristan, who dominate the book all the way through. This story isn’t just about life after death, it’s also about everlasting love; finding your soul mate in the last place you would ever think of looking.  Dylan is a really strong female character who accepts her situation maturely but will fight for the boy she loves. Tristan will warm your heart as quickly as his own melts. This has to be the most unusual love story I have ever read. I believed it could happen, against all the odds that were telling me it was doomed.

The ending took my breath away. I wouldn’t ever have considered the ending chosen, yet on reflection no other ending would have worked and it was the right one for this book.

I can see this book winning awards over the next year, because it is one that will touch your heart and make you believe that there is more to life than what we can see.  A stunning original debut from an author we will need to watch out for in the future.

How To Fall by Jane Casey

Reviewed by Georgina Tranter

Published by Corgi in 31st January 2013

Freya ran.

It wasn’t a night for running, and the woods weren’t the best place for it.  The full moon cast enough light to make it easy to see in the open, but under the trees it was one shade above pitch dark, and Freya was running blind.  Rogue branches caught at her clothes, whipped her skin, barred her path.  The ground under her feet was uneven, pitted with hollows and ridged with roots, and more than once she stumbled.

But Freya still ran.

She had long since lost the path, but she knew where she was going.  The sound of the sea was louder that the leaves that rustled around her, louder than the voices in her head. Slut.  Bitch.  Freak.  Voices she couldn’t outrun.

About the Author

Jane Casey is one of a band of established adult authors who have now turned their pens, and laptops, to writing for young adults.  With four crime novels under her belt, featuring Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan, Casey has left her behind to write a beach story with a twist.

Summary

Jess Tennant lives with her mother in London.  Estranged from her father and her mother’s family, they only have each other - until the day her mum announces that they are off to visit her twin sister for an extended summer holiday in the sleepy seaside town of Port Sentinel.

When they arrive, Jess sets out to explore the local area only to be met with stares of confusion and shock from the residents.  She immediately feels uncomfortable and cannot understand why she should generate such reactions.  Only after meeting up with her cousins does Jess learn that she bears an uncanny resemblance to her cousin Freya who died a year ago after a cliff fall.

The more time Jess spends in Port Sentinel meeting up with those who were closest to Freya, the more she thinks that the verdict of suicide is the wrong one and she sets out to find the truth about Freya’s death.

Making new friends and enemies along the way Jess is embarking on a dangerous path to investigate what happened that summer.  Can she safely find out what happened to her cousin, or will Jess end up the same way?

**********

I love Jane Casey’s work so was eager to see how she would write for a different audience and I think she pulls it off with this book.  My only question was would a

teenage girl try to play detective in a strange town over the death of someone she had never even met, but having finished the book I think you can see how it would all work out that way.  Jess is an inquisitive individual and it is her nature to question those around her, therefore attempting to solve a suspicious death wouldn’t seem that strange, particularly of someone she was related to.  The characters and setting were believable, particularly the ‘cool’ girls who I instinctively took a dislike too, and I loved Fine Feathers - the owl charity shop that Jess gets coerced into working in, with all its designer cast-offs selling for pennies.

This is billed as the first Jess Tennant thriller so I am keen to read the follow-up to How to Fall, which I am sure will be as gripping.  I’d certainly recommend this book as it does keep you hanging on to the end to find out whether Jess will discover the truth about Freya.

Setting the Scene with Sophie Mckenzie

As part of the Burning Bright blog tour, I am really pleased to have Sophie McKenzie on the blog discussing where certain scenes of the book were set.

The Flynn (Falling Fast) series is set, like all my teen books, in the contemporary world. I don’t use actual place names for every story. Sometimes I make up names that sound like the sort of town you’d find in a particular area (such as Evanport in Connecticut for Girl, Missing or Norbourne on the South Coast for Sister, Missing) but that’s just so that I’m not tied to the geography of a particular location. However, when it comes to the Flynn series - set entirely in my home area of North London - I do often reference real places. For example, Flynn and his family live in a flat on Holloway Road and he and River meet in Priory Park. 

I find using places and brands that we are all familiar with means I have to do less work to orient readers in the world they inhabit. It also means I’m describing places from memory rather than making them up. (Less work for me!) Most books feature a mix of places I know and places which have developed out of my imagination. 

Burning Bright is no exception to this. The swimming baths featured at the start of the story is made up, as is Café Yazmina and all the house interiors. However, the Post Office where Flynn meets River in chapter 4 is based on my local branch, Siobhan’s hair salon looks just like the one I go to  (with sinks at the back of the room!) and the Catholic church where Caitlin makes her first Holy Communion is inspired by a local church, where I’ve been to a couple of First Holy Communion services.

Priory Park features in Burning Bright, just as it did in Falling Fast. In chapter 25 River strolls ‘across the concrete play area at the start of the park and onto the grassy square’, all of which exists in real life. 

Priory Park café and bench

Parks provide a brilliantly versatile backdrop to stories: on sunny, happy days they are friendly and sociable places. But when its cold and you feel lonely or miserable, an empty park can seem really desolate. River goes to the park to meet Flynn when she’s happy but it’s also the scene of some of their arguments, such as in chapter 8 of Burning Bright. And the same park is going to appear again in the next book in the series, Casting Shadows (out July 2013). 

Priory Park entrance



All of which means that Priory Park, where I’ve dreamed up so much of the Flynn stories, is also the place where River and Flynn keep coming back to work out the story of their relationship too.

Burning Bright is published by Simon and Schuster and available to buy now.

To find out more about Sophie McKenzie:

Website: http://www.sophiemckenziebooks.com/books

Twitter: @sophiemckenzie_

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Sophiemckenzieauthor

 

NIght School Legacy by C.J. Daugherty

Pages - 385

Published in January 2013

'Isabelle, I need help!'

Crouching in the dark, Allie whispered urgently into her phone.

Goodreads Summary

In the last year, Allie's survived three arrests, two breakups and one family breakdown. The only bright point has been her new life at Cimmeria Academy. It's the one place she's felt she belongs. And the fact that it's brought the dreamy Carter West into her life hasn't hurt...But far from being a safe haven, the cloistered walls of Cimmeria are proving more dangerous than Allie could've imagined. The students, and faculty, are under threat and Allie's family - from her mysterious grandma to her runaway brother - are at the centre of the storm. Allie is going to have to choose between protecting her family and trusting her friends. But secrets have a way of ripping even the strongest relationships apart.

********
This is the second book in the Night School series, so be warned there may be spoilers. I have to admit I was really surprised how this book turned out.
This book pulled the carpet from under me! Seriously, I saw Allie as being on the right side of all the events going on at Cimmeria, but as this story progresses Allie reacts to situations which makes it look like she might be heading for the wrong side. She unwittingly goes against the establishment. I felt like all tables were turned and bets were off about the final outcome.
This book goes at a slower pace than the first book and there appears to be a long build up to the final scenes, but I felt that the character development was a lot more in depth. We learn so much more about the main character's background especially during their interview process which I thought was a stroke of genius. Lots of secrets coming out of the closets.
The rather dramatic ending left me surprised too. I really didn't see that coming. I still felt the uneasiness that I felt with the first book. Allie just doesn't know who she can trust and I think the author writes that tension extremely well.
Some of the male characters really shocked me with the way they behaved - some good, some bad. Like I mentioned before - everything turned around. For a second book in a series, I felt it really held it's own. A lot of character development, less action but on the whole well worth reading. I really look forward to reading the next instalment.

The Movie Maker with C.J. Daugherty

As part of the Night School: Legacy blog tour, C.J. Daugherty is here to talk about which actors and actresses she would like to star in a film version of Night School.

When I talk to Night School fans anywhere in the world, the question I get asked the most is ‘Will there be a Night School film?’

 The answer is always ‘I hope so!’ Night School is represented by a film and TV agency as well as a literary agency and, as they say in Hollywood, people are talking to people. But these things take time. 

 Still, why wait? Let’s cast this thing! Or at least, let’s pretend-cast it. 

If we were going to shoot it tomorrow with, say, you holding the camera, who would be in it?  There’s no need to be DISCRETE - let’s just choose now.

 For example, wouldn’t it be fun to have Ian Somerholder as Jerry Cole? Well wouldn’t it??

 A lot of readers have suggested Ed Westwick for Carter and I have to say he looks the part. I also really like Charlie Rowe - he’s very talented and would make a fantastically brooding Carter. I like them both so much I can’t decide. You choose.

 It’s so hard to cast Allie, even in Pretendland. I see her in my head a certain way. Some readers have recommended Ella Purnell and Maisie Williams. Both are extremely talented up-and-coming British actresses and I think either would be perfect. We may have to flip a coin.

 I adore the actress Michelle Dockery from Downton Abbey and think she’d be a fabulous Isabelle. Does anyone know her agent? 

 How about Ashley Benson as Jo? Her eyes are amazingly blue. She’s American, though… can she do accents?

 Some readers have suggested Logan Lerman (he was in The Perks of Being a Wallflower) for Lucas. I also quite like the British actor Josh Bolt. Actually, either would be perfect so… let’s cast both of them!
 

 Have you seen the actress Juno Temple? She’s in the Dark Knight Rises. I think she’d make a fantastic Eloise - the young librarian with a quirky soul. 

 I’m a huge fan of the young actress Sophie Turner, who plays Sansa in Game of Thrones. I’d love her as Katie. Let’s make this happen!

 I cannot wait to see this movie. 

Who’s in your imaginary Night School cast?

 

To find out more about C.J. Daugherty

Website: http://www.cjdaugherty.com/

Twitter: @CJ_Daugherty

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CJAuthor

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. 

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

Pages - 405

Published by Doubleday, an imprint of Random House Children's Books in July 2011

Book kindly sent by publisher for an honest review.

I am Josephine Darly, and I intend to live forever.


Silla is suffering since finding both her parents dead in her home. She has lost weight and friends as they alienate her, convinced that her father went mad and killed her mother. So Sdilla loses herself in the unexpected mysterious spell book that arrives at her home. The book draws her in and binds her to Nick, the new boy in town who has a chilling past of his own.

What begins as a simple exploration of magic, turns into a deadly race to save lives.

*********

The book is told from the viewpoints of the two main characters, Nick and Silla, as well as stepping back in time for us to read notes from the diary of Josephine Darly. 

I loved the concept of this book and found it be fresh and original. It took the theme of magic to a different level and drew me in from page one. The story is extremely dark, so don't expect everything to leave you satisfied and happy by the end.  The writing is very atmospheric and draws you in straight away.

Silla was a fantastic main character. She was so strong,despite everything that she suffered. Most people would be heading for a straight jacket by the time they had endured all she had, but she comes out of the situation stronger. Reece was an adorable character too, who looked after his sister right until the end. The relationship between Nick and Silla was very strong and you could feel the intensity flowing over the pages. With each new trial, they are brought closer and closer together.

I am so pleased that this book did not have a cliff hanger ending. Thankfully everything is wrapped up beautifully by the end of the book.

My only quibble is that I would have liked the identity of the murder to be kept a secret just a little bit longer. What can I say, I am a red herring girl who likes to be kept guessing!

This book is not for faint hearted. I don't think I have ever come across so much blood and gore in one book, but it is so essential to the plot. However if you are Haemophobic you might want to bypass this book.

On the whole a fantastic debut that leaves you wanting more. I can't wait to see what else Tessa Gratton will produce in the future. 

Rockoholic by C.J Skuse

Pages - 368
Published by Chicken House in 2011
Book kindly lent to me by Asamum of Booktopia
Read as part of the Death and Bereavement month over at Once Upon A Bookcase

To our local newspaper, my grandad's death was 'a shocking accident that brought Bristol city centre to a shocking standstill'. To my mum, it was humiliation beyond words and a week's worth of whispers from her colleagues at the bank. To me, it was sadness that could fill a dry sea.

Jody is a typical teenage who is obsessed by a rock star. Don't raise your eyebrows! We have all been there. Jody has her concert ticket to see Jackson Gatlin performing live with his band The Regulators. She waits all day outside, so that she can be right at the front. But when she gets caught up and dragged over the railings she is distraught that she is going to miss the concert.

Whilst nursing concussion backstage, she nearly faints when Jackson comes back stage to see how the fans are.  Not really sure of what she is doing, she offers him a Curly Wurly. He is so high on uppers that he mistakes it for a gun, and Jodie finds herself taking home a rock legend to live in her garage.

This is one of those books that made me laugh and cry.  Jodie is one of those teenagers that takes a while to figure out what she needs to do in order to be grownup and get on with her life.  She gets herself into many situations and lies flow easily from her mouth like the words of a song.  Yet when two incidents occur simultaneously, Jodie gets a short sharp shock about what to do with the rest of her life.

The death of her grandfather affects her immensely. She feels that no one else loved him as much as she did and she is desperate to keep his memory alive. Yet as the book progresses,she realises that she isn't the only one in the family who loved him.  She also begins to understand that she can keep his memory alive in more ways than by hoarding his belongings. This book takes you through the stages of grief that occur to everyone who has loved and I think it helps teenagers to explore the emotions that might be new to them. 

The second incident to affect her is the accidental kidnap of her idol. I found this to be a hilarious situation, especially when Jody's rose tinted glasses are smashed to pieces by Jackson's foul behaviour and extremely outrageous antics.  Jody realises very quickly that Jackson isn't the person she thought he would be. He is just like everyone else.

The relationship between Mac and Jody is just gorgeous,especially when they realise the truth about how they both feel. Mac, is the kind of lad that every girl needs. He is reliable, consistent and carries  on caring and loving Jody, even when she is causing havoc.

It is lovely to see Jody grow up within the book.  She begins to realise that life is for living and not constantly messing around.  By the end of the book, you are happy to be introduce to the new improved Jody who is ready to enter the adult world.

I really did love this book. My only little niggle with it was the fact that Jodie's mother never realised there was a drugged up diva living in her garage at the bottom of the garden. However, this is fiction, and reality can be suspended just this one.

A fantastic debut dealing with difficult topics in a  humorous way.

Della Says OMG! by Keris Stainton

Pages - 269

Published by Orchard Books in 2010

Book kindly lent to me by Raimy over at Readaraptor

' Is that what you're wearing?' Maddy asks me.
I look down - jeans, boots, a white vest, a red shirt unbuttoned.'Yeah. Why?'
'It's not very...'She screws her face up. 'Sexy?'
'Sexy?' I look down again. I can see down the vest to my non-existent boobs. 'I wasn't trying to be sexy.''
'And it shows.' Maddy opens my wardrobe and starts flicking through the clothes; it doesn't take long, i've never been that interested in fashion.


Della has been in love with Dan since her first day at school. As she begins to move closer to him, can she cope with the revelations. Someone has stolen her diary and is intent on letting the people closest too her know her intimate secrets.  As she moves closer to Dan, she worries that he might move further away with every secret revealed. Can Della discover the true identity of the diary thief before her embarrasment reaches a new level.

Oh Keris! Sometimes I feel like you stepped into a time travelling machine and sent it hurtling into my teenage years, only to bring back segments of it to put in your books! Keris Stainton is excellent at portraying the teenagers that I remember. Not the abusive ones I seem to come into contact with today, but the lustful, hormone crazed ones of my youth.

This book does have some sexual references in it which personally had me sniggering like a teenager and transported me back to my secondary school classroom to listen to similar conversations. Keris has used phrases I haven't heard in many years!

I loved the humour within this book and the conversational style of writing. Keris is excellent at writing about real life and creating believable situations.

The characters are interesting and real.  Della struggles with her blossoming relationship and finds herself looking at a different person in the mirror to the one she believed she was. Any teenager can sympathise with the struggle over how they look during their teenage years; the change from ugly duckling to a swan as the gorkiness of growing up catches up with your body, levelling out the changes. I love Dan and applaud Keris for creating yet another gorgeous male hottie.

Della's parents are very liberal and laid back; the type I hope to be as my children reach their teenage years. They are not phased by the teenager tantrums and romances and treat Della and her sister with maturity.

The book had a surprise ending for me, as I would never have suspected the real diary thief to be that person.

This was a really enjoyable quick read, which allowed me to relive a little of my past for a few wonderful hours.

Die For Me by Amy Plum

Pages - 341

Published by Atom Books on May 5th 2011

Book kindly sent to me by the publisher after some severe book hustling.

Most sixteen-year-olds I know would dream of living in a foreign city. But moving from Brooklyn to Paris after my parents' death was anything but a dream come true. It was more like a nightmare.


If you hadn't realised already, this is the book I would have donated my kidneys for! I am serious! As soon as I saw the cover and read the blurb I knew I had to have this book!  Did the book meet my expectations, I hear you ask? Oh yes! Most definitely!

Kate and her sister Georgia had the perfect life, until an accident leaves them as orphans.  The girls pack up their lives and move from America to Paris to live with their grandparents and try to come to terms with their loss as well as trying to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. Kate struggles to adapt to her new life until she meets Vincent, the dark, mysterious stranger, who sweeps her off her feet.

Kate is besotted by Vincent, until she discovers his secret. He isn't like any other normal human being. He is here for a purpose; a destiny he must fulfil which will put his life at risk every single day. Is Kate ready to invest all her love in someone, whom she could lose just as quickly as her parents.

From page one, I was lost and enthralled in this book, right up until the last scene. I could not put this book down!

Amy Plum is one of those authors who envelops all your senses,allowing you to easily slip into the book. Her use of descriptive language  instantly brings the book alive.  I became oblivious the world around me as I read, immersing myself in Parisian culture, I felt I could almost smell the aromas mentioned right off the pages.  The setting of the book is just astounding and had me flicking through weekend break brochures desperate for a long romantic weekend in Paris.

From the moment, Kate and Vincent entered the story, I loved their characters completely.  I loved watching their romance blossom as the book progressed. Kate takes on the role of a rather feisty lead female character and doesn't let too much scare her. Vincent is a gentleman at heart, but his desire for Kate is obvious from the beginning. I will admit to not liking Georgia at first, Kate's older sister in the book. I found her actions and behaviour to be childish to begin with, considering she was the older of the two; I wanted to give her a good shake and tell her to grow up and pay more attention to her sister. I also have to mention Jules, because I really took a shine to him.  He might even be my secret crush.

Even though this is YA, I felt it dealt with death in an adult way. The grieving stages that Kate goes through and the loneliness she deals with after the death of her parents, is extremely well written, allowing us to feel Kate's pain of loss as intensely as she did.

This really is a unique and original storyline, breathing new life into the paranormal YA genre.  Amy Plum's gorgeous group of revenants had me desperate for more. I now want a Tshirt with I Heart Revenants on it, as I think they have just become the coolest paranormal characters ever.  I can't wait for the second book. I know this book is aimed at the teen market, but I do feel that a lot of older females are going to crave this series in the same way they did Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series.

This is an utterly beautiful book that will definitely become a book that I will want to reread in the future.

Jessie Hearts NYC by Keris Stainton.

Pages -  256

To be published in July 2011 by Orchard Books

 The book kindly sent to me by the  author for a honest review.

As the flight attendant walked down the aisle, checking everyone had their seat belts fastened, Jessie felt butterflies rise in her stomach. She'd been taking the piss out of Emma all day, but she couldn't believe they were getting to spend the summer in New York either. She'd been dreaming about it for so long and now it was going to happen. And it was going to be better than she'd imagined because Emma was going with her. She smiled at Emma who was hopping up and down in her seat with excitement. They were going to have an amazing time. And whatever happened, at least there was no risk of bumping into Taylor.


Jessie is about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. She is spending the whole of the summer in New York with her best friend Emma, at her mum's cool apartment. She is hoping the trip will help her to get over her previous disastrous relationship. Finn, a New York hottie, is having a difficult time dealing with the fact that he is in love with his best friend's girlfriend. This book tells the story of what happens when two people from two different lifestyles let fate bring them together.

From the first couple of pages, I was tingling with excitement. Jessie is living my ultimate dream.  I can remember being  the same age and desperate to go to New York. Alas it was not to be and I have still to find my way there, however through Keris Stainton's book I found that I could vicariously through Jessie's life. Jessie is the first character in a book that I have actually wanted to be; everything about Jessie just reminded me of myself at that age.

The book is peppered with references of American films and TV shows which fed my American addiction as a teenager and I found myself reading the whole book in one sitting, completely lost in a world where my biggest worry used to be whether I would pass my O levels or not.

One of the main themes within the book is fate. How chance meetings can change the future. I am a strong believer in fate and coincidences, so each time Finn and Jessie's pathways crossed, I felt instantly happy. Their new found friendship is completely serendipitous!

The book also looks closely at relationships, especially between Jessie and her mum.  To begin with Jessie's relationship with her mother Natalie, is very distant and I found myself disliking Natalie's manner. However, when they began to open up their feelings to each other, I realised that Natalie was never intentionally trying to upset Jessie; they just seemed to have a lot of crossed wires that needed to be undone.

I loved the way the chapters alternated between the viewpoints of Jessie and Finn. The author's writing gave both characters a distinct and unique voice.  Finn is rather tasty and you become desperate for Jessie to finally   kiss the gorgeous boy.  A timeless dream of most English girls regardless of age: to actually get the good looking American guy!

This book will appeal to all ages, and I would highly recommend it to 40 something women like myself who grew up on American sitcoms and movies and have still to fulfill their American dream.

I would love to see Richard Curtis make this book into a film, as I feel it has the flavour of some of his wonderfully British movies such as Notting Hill and Love Actually. Anyone have his email address????
On speaking to the author, Keris has stated that she would prefer Nora Ephron to produce the film as a book and I had to ask her who she was. Shocking I know! As I grew up on her films such as Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail too. Sigh!

I know there was a discussion on Twitter about certain mild swear words being used within the book, but to be honest, I didn't notice them at all. In fact, I must have been wearing blinkers to them as I read, because I couldn't tell you where they were within the story.

This book is utterly fabulous and I am so glad I had the opportunity to read it. I think this is a lovely, refreshing romantic summer read that needs to be read on a sun lounger by pool, with a cocktail in one hand.

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Published in April 2011 by Walker Books

Pages - 426

This book was kindly sent to me by the publisher for an honest review.

'Just coffee, please.' 

The waitress raised her penciled eyebrows. 'You don't want to eat?' she asked. Her accent was thick, her attitude disappointed.

Simon Lewis couldn't blame her; she'd probably been hoping for a better tip than the one she was going to get on a single cup of coffee. But it wasn't his fault vampires didn't eat. Sometimes, in restaurants, he ordered food anyway, just to preserve the appearance of normalcy, but late Tuesday night when Veselka was almost empty of other customers, it didn't seem worth the bother. 'Just the coffee.'

This is the fourth book in the Mortal Instruments series, where we find Clary back in New York and life seems to have returned to some kind of normality. Jace is now officially her boyfriend and she is training hard to be a Shadowhunter. Unfortunately, true love never seems to run smoothly and Clary finds Jace beginning to pull away from her. Clary begins to realise that her past actions may have led to the change in Jace and her original choices could lead to the destruction of the one person she loves more than anything else. Jace.

Meanwhile Simon is still coming to terms with his new life as a vampire. Although he tries so hard to hold on to the life he led before his transformation, he realises that everything will begin to change and he must decide how he wants to proceed with his future. Within this book, Simon takes a bigger role, he is struggling with how to live as a vampire and isn't really sure if his previous friends accept his new lifestyle.  He is under threat from the beginning, and you cannot help but feel his pain and loneliness.

I adore the banter that occurs between Jace and Simon.  Their dislike for each other is comical, as they play one off against each other. I must share the following passage with you as an example.

'You can't have two fathers.'

'Sure you can,' Simon said. 'Who says you can't? We can buy you one of those books that they have for little kids. Timmy Has Two Dads. Except I don't think they have one called  Timmy Has Two Dads and One Of Them Is Evil. That part you're just going to have to work through on your own.'

Jace rolled his eyes. 'It's fascinating,' he said .'You know all these words, and they're all English, but when you string them together into sentences, they just don't make any sense.'

They just constantly bicker like children.

I love the way Isabelle  has become so much more human in this book. Before she has always seemed so heartless and cold, yet she begins to show her emotions as her maturity deepens.  I am definitely an Isabelle fan, and I hope that she sorts out her relationship phobias in order to build on the blossoming romance developing within the story. 

The intensity of the relationship between Jace and Clary hit a new level and you are left wanting to know more. I was quite lost in their relationship, as it heated up rather quickly, leaving you blushing slightly. 

Cassandra Clare is just an amazing author. When you pick up one of her books, you find yourself agreeing to ride the ultimate rollercoaster. The ride sets off on such a swift pace and each person's journey will be designed purely for them, allowing no preparation for the journey ahead. When you finish the last page, you step off the ride, looking windswept and bedraggled but smiling gleefully after experiencing the ride of your life.  If you hadn't realised yet, I LOVED THIS BOOK!

This is a must read series. Cassandra Clare's books are unpredictable. You really don't have a clue which way the story will go. The book is fast paced and does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, which secretly leaves you pleased to discover that another book will be written in the series. Yay!

I actually found this book playing out like a film in my head. The way Cassandra Clare writes, actually stops you seeing the words, and leaves you watching the film version. You completely forget you are reading a book.

If you haven't read any of this series, then I suggest you start reading them soon. 

One Hundred Candles by Mara Purnhagen

Pages - 235

Published by Harlequin Teen in February 2011

Book: Review copy via Net Galley kindly requested from Harlequin Teen

This book is the second in the Past Midnight Series.

I would never get used to spending Christmas in a an insane asylum. My parents laughed and said that, after seventeen years, I should have looked forward to it, but I would much rather sit in front of a roaring fire with a mug of hot chocolate listening to Christmas carols instead of this year's version of holiday cheer: roaming the barren hallways of an empty sanitarium in a quest for restless energy.

Charlotte comes from a rather infamous family who are well known as being paranormal investigators.She is just getting to a place in her life where she feels she can actually be a normal teenager. She has started a new school and made new friends who don't seem to be obsessed with her family's chosen career.   She has even got a hot date with Harris, the school football star.

Yet things don't seem to want to run smoothly for Charlotte and after Harris takes her to a party where a spooky game called One Hundred Candles is played, things start to wrong. Rather creepy and sinister events begin to occur at school, frightening everyone. Can Charlotte get to the bottom of it, without putting herself in danger.

Although this book is the second in the series, I never felt for one minute that I needed to read the first book beforehand, a huge plus in any book for me.

I love a book that can send shivers up my spine and have me constantly checking that no one is lurking behind the sofa and this one did not disappoint.  All the way through, you were just waiting for the bad things to happen and scaring yourself silly.

Charlotte is a rather feisty go getting girl who for some reason reminded me of  a cross between Nancy Drew and Velma from Scooby Doo. I think it might be her super sleuthing ways to discover the truth.  She is feisty and fearless and goes through hell with a lot of dignity.  She has no special powers to deal with the ghosts, she is just an ordinary girl with a family with an unordinary career.

The other characters didn't really stand out to me. I felt they were a little two dimensional and I would have liked to have got to know them a lot better. Avery and Noah really captured my interest but they just didn't stand out as much as Charlotte did. This may be more defined in the first book but as I haven't read it, I can't really say.

I found the action moved swiftly through the book and the build up of tension kept me reading. It is definitely one of those books you quickly get lost in and feel an urgency to find out what is going on. I thought the pacing was excellent and I found myself finishing this book in two sittings.

If you like ghost stories with a hint of mystery then this book will really appeal to your inner Nancy Drew!

There is a free ebook available here, which is a bridging novella between the first two books. If you would like to read the series from the start the first book is called Past Midnight.