Apologies...

...for the lack of review yesterday or today. It's half done.

If you really want to know why, check out my other blog. It's those little health gremlins again.

Reviews should be back on target tomorrow.

Devouring books

For the good of the world, I am devouring books. Well, it's the end of my week long holiday so what better way to commence my return to book reviewing by reading books!

Over the next week you can expect a review of a fantasy debut novel involving lots of explosions and ghosts, a sweet winter's tale and a review of Terry Brooks' latest novel in the Landover series.

I have never read Terry Brooks. Shocking, I know. 2 chapters in, and I understand why he's so popular.

I have an egg boiling on the stove (literally) and a book calling my name (figuratively). Enjoy your Sunday.

Competition reminder

Please come and enter my first competition which ends on 1st October.

Blog holiday!

Sorry for the short notice, but I'm having a vague holiday from blogging.

It's been Eid today, and since most people take a week off at Christmas, I'm taking a week off now. I'll still be reading, and might review, but there's no planned post until next Sunday. Having said that I will now probably read like the wind!

Blogging is the only thing I"m taking a week off from - still have to go to work (no holiday left until 1st October). See you in a week!

Shadow Gate by Kate Elliott

2008, Orbit

688 pages, Paperback

Personal copy

Fantasy

Cushions: 4/5

Daggers: 4/5

Paperclips: 4/5 (detailed accounts of relationships, not all consenting adults)

Smiles: 1/5

Tissues: 3/5

Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥

This is what I've been up to the last few days, after work. Reading the second installment in the crossroads series. I warn anyone who doesn't want a spoiler for the first book, Spirit Gate, to stop reading now.

Upon finishing the first book, I read the blurb on the back cover for Shadow Gate. I couldn't believe it. Marit is alive!

Well, alive in one sense of the word. Shadow Gate commences with her story, how she woke up, remembering the feel of the dagger against her when she was murdered. Yet she is now whole, no scar from that fatal encounter. To be honest, it might have been easier if she'd stayed dead. Because she's a Guardian, who doesn't know what a Guardian does. She's one lone Guardian, hiding away from the others with only a winged horse she names Thunder by her side. Thunder can fly, a useful trick when Marit gets ambushed. Yet there is no where in the world Thunder can fly Marit to for sanctuary. It is down to Marit to fight against the corrupt Guardians who no longer have the helpful spirit of those from the past. Her journey takes her a long way, her path crosses that of Cornflower, who is Cornflower no more, but a Guardian set on taking revenge on those who shamed her.

I happily report that Mai and Anji's lives are followed closely, Mai now pregnant has to deal with Anji being away from her for periods of time which seem far to long. Yet he has his purpose, to strengthen the area around them so they can live in relative safety from his half-brother the Emperor's grasp. Mai isn't idle, her task is to see that the rest of Anji's men, now exiles from their homeland, can find wives who won't mind living in a barren land. Countless interviews ensure: there are some families who are just after money. That isn't the kind of community she wishes to build. She needs those with productive skills that can provide for the people in the new settlement, and in time trade with others. This isn't a safe task, there are those who wish to seek her and Anji harm.

It is the reeve Joss who crosses paths with Mai. There's a lot of work to be done, sorting out the reeves after the take-over from the corrupt predecessors. The reeves close to him must aid a new reeve who happily sells herself into slavery to escape the eagle who chose her. One who didn't choose slavery is Shai; but such an act does him good. He sees the error of selling Cornflower for favours, which he did stop when Mai asked him to. He does all he can to protect the child slaves, many of whom are cruelly abused by their masters. Will he be in slavery forever? What can he do to escape Cornflower (who is no longer called Cornflower)'s wrath?

There are so many stories within this epic tale, all have ties woven in and out of each other. I liked watching the story unfold, half-guessing who might cross paths. My favourite character is Mai, and also a new girl who enters Mai's household, Avisha. Every character, both male and female stand out as living, breathing people from the pages. No one is perfect, not even Mai. All have been touched with tragedy, and acts they are ashamed of. Yet this makes them human, and easy to relate to.

Content: there is a fair amount of detailed, bloody fighting in this books. And also more than a sprinkling of adult relationships, not all consenting, and not all with just adults. That is what dropped Shadow Gate to a four star rating for me. I understand the necessity of telling Cornflower's tale, and the crudity which the slave children suffer, but for me it was a little too detailed.

Other than that, I have no other grumbles, and I'm glad there will be a fourth book in this saga, in the land where Guardians are corrupt and feared rather than revered, where eagles bear soldiers and messengers across the sky, where cultures clash and people's lives are changed forever. The story doesn't end here, I'm about to commence Traitor's Gate. Who knows where the characters I've mentioned will end up in that installment.

Kate Elliott's website can be found here.

ISBN: 9781841492971

Buy from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Borders.co.uk, Borders.com

Thirsty Thursday #6

The week sure has come around fast. Reading has been a little slow because I have germ gremlins at the moment. I should be picking up speed soon, because look at what came through the post!

• Orion Books
• Legend, by John Brindley

And.....

• Puffin Books
• Magic Ponies: Pony Camp by Sue Bentley

And.....

• Bloomsbury
• The Horned Viper, by Gill Harvey (sequel to The Spitting Cobra), children's historical
• The Traitor Game AND The Trick of the Dark, both by B.R. Collins (thriller)
• Pongwiffy and the Pantomime by Kaye Umansky (5th Pongwiffy book, reissued. Check out Pongwiffy and the Holiday of Doom).
• Al Capone Shines by Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko
• Madame Pamplemousse and Her Incredible Edibles AND Madame Pamplemousse and the Time-Travelling Cafe by Rupert Kingfisher, new children's series
• When the World is Ready for Bed by Gillian Shields (picture book)
• The Betrayal by Mary Hooper - historical
• Dreadnought by Mark Walden - children's sci-fi (I think...)
• Pastworld by Ian Beck, YA

I'm one happy reviewer.

Competition #1: I love books because...

Right! It's competition time. I'm having a look through the books I have, and I need to donate some of them to you.

The rules are simple!

1. One entry only.

2. Deadline is Thursday 1st of October.

I'll be doing this every two weeks, depending on how many books need to find loving homes.

All you have to do is a leave a comment explaining why you love reading books. That's all.

2 winners will receive a pack of three books each: one of these will be a surprise book, the other two, well they can pick from the selection on offer (which will be sent after the closing date. It'll be the books I've reviewed here).

One winner will be chosen at random. The other will be the person whose answer I like the best. I'm being both objective and subjective here.

Depending on the number of entries, there could be runners up winning 1 book each.

This is a global competition! I'll post even if you live on the south pole. I can't promise the polar bears won't eye up the book.

Books are in very good condition. Not quite like new, because as a reviewer I've bent a few pages over at the corner, and there are lines down the spine. Free books!

Spirit Gate by Kate Elliott

2007, Orbit

630 pages, Paperback

Personal Copy

Content:
(coarse language, some suggestive situations, adult relationships)
10/10

This would have stayed on my shelf with the other TBR pile. Only, when I received one of my books from Orbit, I thought it looked familiar. So I headed to the shelf, and pulled out Spirit Gate and Shadow Gate. I have to read these before the 3rd installment - otherwise I'll miss out on the story!

While reading the first few chapters, the story sounded really familiar. I couldn't put my finger on it. I followed Marit, who flies a very large eagle as the other Reeves do. She follows a fellow Reeve, Joss, to where he crosses an invisible line and investigates where the legendary Guardians are. This is a heinous crime, and Marit, not Joss is punished for it with death. Thus endeth part one of Spirit Gate. This isn't a major spoiler (not really...) because the book isn't about Marit. I know believe that I put down the book in disgust from the library, completely upset that Marit, a main character, died.

Let's just say I'm glad I bought the book and finished it. No, Marit doesn't come back, but the strength of the other characters is incredible. To paraphrase, or maybe quote what is on the cover, this is an epic fantasy. There's a lot of political intrigue, and in the midst of it all Joss is trying to life his life as a Reeve, in a world where Reeves are no longer wanted. Slowly, bit by bit, areas within the north known as the land of the Hundred are turning against the sky warriors (although they are peacekeepers too).

Mai, a young woman from the south goes to market as usual to sell her wares. This time, she's noticed by a man of significant importance from the over-rulers of her land; the Qin. She has no say in the marriage to Anji, the Qin man. As his wife, she travels with him, learning about his customs, which are quite different to what she's used to, and the trouble in the world.

On this journey where she learns to love, she is accompanied by her Uncle, Shai, who can see ghosts. Shai's POV provides great insight into Mai's character, and what it's like to be a member of the family whom no one cares for. In his homeland, seeing ghosts wasn't something Shai could advertise. Yet amongst the Qin, he gains respect for this skill.

Mai isn't truly alone, for Cornflower, a maid of unusual coloured skin stays with her. Cornflower doesn't have the protection which Mai does, and gets used by the men of the camp. Not long after, she disappears, perhaps taken by demons of the desert. Or is she? Cornflower reappears later on in the novel. I wasn't surprised by this, but I didn't quite see it coming. She is going to play quite an important role in the story to come.

One more thing about Anji, before I talk about another major character in this story: he has a background which will affect the route he takes with Mai.

Epic dramas employ a large cast, and its not possible to list them all. But the final one who I was particular interested in was Zubaidit. Her brother does all he can to free her from slavery of a certain kind, yet when he does she isn't the younger sister he remembered. She's cool because she has two creatures who follow her everywhere, who have an intelligence greater than animals. Zubaidit ends up protecting him, which takes a little getting used to.

Murder, disappearances, false accusations. Winged horses, sightings of legendary guardians and betrayal. Spirit's Gate has all this and more. Fantasy fans won't be disappointed.

The journey of Mai, Anji, Shai, Cornflower and Zubaidit continues in Shadow Gate, to be reviewed shortly.

All news regarding Kate Elliott can be found here. Good news - she's working on a 4th installment to the Crossroads series (which starts with Spirit Gate). And, and (not that I'm excited or anything) but she's signed another 3 book deal with Orbit!!! Check it out here. It sounds quite different from the Crossroads series, but just as interesting.

Liked this? Try The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill

ISBN 9781841492742

Buy from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Borders.co.uk and Borders.com

Rebel Angels by Libba Bray

2007, Simon and Schuster (original 2005, Delacorte)

250 pages, Paperback

Library copy

YA, paranormal, fantasy, historical

Cushions: 4/5

Daggers: 1/5

Paperclips: 2/5 - reference to adult relations, also child abuse

Tissues: 3/5

Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

I'm reading this and the third novel in the trilogy to a deadline, unless I can renew my library books. I'd had it on reserve for a while, and oh boy it's as good as the last one! A Great and Terrible Beauty - click on the link to read the review.

It's the end of term at Spence Academy, which means Gemma is heading off to London. Unfortunately, the magic and mayhem follows her. She doesn't want it to, but she's unable to stop the visions of three young girls who haunt her. Who are they? What are they trying to tell her? Pippa also appears to her, only not the sweet Pippa she remembers.

If that wasn't enough trouble on her plate, a new teacher, replacing Miss More has arrived at Spence Academy before the end of term. She creeps Gemma out, and Gemma wants to know why she has crossed off the names of previous schools on a list, kept in a bag in her room. Is she evil? Gemma's investigation drags Felicity and Ann back to the realms, where they meet Pippa who appears less vicious than in Gemma's visions. Gemma can't bring herself to trust Pippa, which causes friction between the girls.

The Rakshana are still on Gemma's case, with Kartik gaining a job in her household to keep an eye on her. Does he have other motives for being there? It's useful to have someone to rely on when her father gains a new addiction. As if all that wasn't enough, Gemma has to deal with the lies spun around Ann, making out she's someone far grander than she is, and Felicity's terrible home secret involving her father.

As you can see, tension definitely mounts in this second installment. As both a reader and a writer, I appreciated how Gemma and her friends disagreed about certain issues, kept the peace for a while then fell out. It provided a high level of conflict for Gemma, showing that life really can get worse when you least expect it. Seeing more of the darker side of the realms was fun too - the number of monsters under my bed are growing.

The huge plot twist near the finale has me wanting to re-read this trilogy already, and that's without reading the third one. Aside from the good vs evil, major themes are addressed here. Child abuse, never an easy subject, is dealt with delicately. Details on the acts are implied, having me reaching for the tissues. Not a book for younger readers. Also addressed are how lies can grow out of control, and how people aren't always who they seem - I forget to mention that Gemma gets courted in this book, by a young man who seems ideal for her.

Her next book, out September 22nd, Going Bovine can be found on Libba's website, here.

Liked this? Try Gone, by Mychael Grant

ISBN 9781416901112

Buy from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Borders.co.uk, Borders.com

Wolf Cry by Julia Golding

August 2009, Oxford University Press

352 pages, Paperback

Review copy

Children's, 11+ Historical

Cushions: 3/5

Daggers: 2/5

Tissues: 5/5

Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Every single historical novel I've read from OUP is outstanding, and Wolf Cry proudly belongs to that same category.

Vikings seem to be a popular theme at the moment (I promise a post on themes soon). Life back then was harsh, but that's not a reason for Freydis' father to treat her so poorly. Perhaps having a son has a lot to do with it. But when her brother Enno is captured on a raid, a raid which leaves Freydis in permanent suffering, I thought it really unfair that her father doesn't rejoice that she's alive, and instead wishes she'd have been killed.

Compassion and caring is left to the Blue Man, a slave from Africa who Freydis' father acquired and gave to his daughter. Blue Man, who is really called Enno, doesn't take to slavery well. He never has. Yet for some strange reason he likes helping Freydis out. He is outraged at how poorly her father treats her. So he, and after a while the other men on her father's ship treat Freydis with the attention her father should be giving. It's a feeling of kinship that can't last long for Freydis is dumped in the care of another tribe while her father goes in search of his son. Yet it is here, in a strange place with no-one she knows that she receives more outward displays of affection from the ladies of the tribe.

It is not just the friendship she receives, it is acceptance from the whole tribe after undertaking a test, a test which reveals her second name given, in a way, by the spirits. The mystical side of Viking life is a pleasure to read about, adding more to cultural knowledge of this time in history. Will Freydis realise that there is a great deal more than a simple mistress-slave relationship between herself and Toki? Can both of them survive when the raider who took Toki wants to track down Freydis?

The other story line involves Toki, and his enslavement by the raiders. He isn't a spoilt brat - he's the type of older brother I'd want Freydis to have. He sees how unfairly their father treats her, and tries to gain leniency. All he wants to do is go back to her. And escape the raiders. His tale is fraught with danger, and it is during this time that he meets his future wife, Aino. She has such spirit, more than Freydis, who is the quieter of the two. I'm glad she is there when fate deals a cruel blow to Toki; she'll help distract him in the future should he get too morose.

Wolf Cry has truly memorable characters, I would love for there to be a sequel, to watch the different relationships flourish. The ending is extremely touching, I needed a lot of tissues for it. Knowing the characters presented in the book, I was surprised by the end but I understood why it happened, and agree it was the best conclusion to the story.

Julia Golding's website can be found here.

Liked this? Look out for another Viking story: Daughter of Fire and Ice by Marie-Louise Jensen in February 2010. Until then, try The Lady in the Tower by Marie-Louise Jensen.

ISBN 9780192727619

Buy from Amazon.co.uk and Borders.co.uk

(unavailable at Amazon.com and Borders.com for now)

Roxy's Baby by Cathy MacPhail

August 2009, Bloomsbury Children's Books (original publication 2005)
272 pages, Paperback
Review Copy

Young Adult

Cushions: 5/5
Paperclips: 1/5
Tissues: 3/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

There are some world issues which I feel very strongly about. Organ trade, especially those of babies, is one of them. I'm not alone in this - Roxy's Baby is a harrowing insight into this illegal and immoral trade.

I urge readers not to be put off by the subject matter. Much of the story focuses on Roxy, who runs away from home where she doesn't feel wanted, after seeing an ad in a magazine for a place which can help young girls in trouble.

The only problem - she's underage, so the establishment can't do much for her. However, a girl there introduces her to Mr and Mrs Dyce, who run a home deep in the country for girls who are pregnant. They can keep the babies, or have them adopted.

Roxy doesn't trust them, but there isn't anywhere else to turn to. The girls already there try and persaude her that everything is okay. Roxy never fully believes that. There's something not right about the whole operation. Why aren't they allowed out of the grounds? Yes, they have everything they want - clean clothes, a nice bed, each other. Their unborn children. But what happens to the girls once they give birth? Why aren't they allowed back with the others? Why are most of them unable to speak English?

At the beginning of the story Roxy is very self-centred. She doesn't even take much notice of the child growing inside her. Yet while her suspicions grow, and when she learns what she thinks is the truth, a fighting spirit, for her unborn child and the friends she's made kick in. Can she succeed in destroying the Dyce's organisation?

I zipped through this book, hanging on to every sentence. Full of drama and intrigue, Roxy's Baby is actually based on a true story. I think its a good way to highlight this particular issue. Roxy may stay safe, but a few of her friends don't escape unscathed, like many girls in the world trapped by this crime.

The only reason there's one paperclip, is that girls don't get pregnant on their own. There aren't any relations in the story, but by the very nature of the topics discussed, I put up one paperclip.

Liked this? Try Sovay by Celia Rees

ISBN 9781408802069
Buy from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com
Buy from Borders.co.uk

Missing, Believed Crazy by Terence Blacker

August 2009, MacMillan Children's Books

304 pages, Paperback

Review copy

Children's, 9+

Cushions: 3/5

Smiles: 5/5

Tissues: 2/5

Yunaleska's recommended rating ♥♥♥♥♥

Missing, Believed Crazy is the headline Trix and her friends believe the newspaper should be displaying. After all, that's the truth. Trix hasn't been kidnapped, not really. Self-kidnapped more like.

Trix isn't an ordinary student at Carthcart College, a co-ed boarding school. She had dreams. Not the dreams of becoming a model which one of her soon to be friends Jade dreamt of. Trix's dreams were to change the world. To help those who need it. So when what could have been a successful, fashion fundraiser at school flopped, Trix took fund raising to the next level. She committed a crime.

Her plan for kidnapping herself was vague, I didn't see how it could be pulled off. Neither did the friends she'd roped into helping her. Yet somehow they all ended up in Wales, where Trix was hiding out at Mark's eccentric godfather Giddeon's place. Giddeon is paranoid, lives alone with as little human contact as possible. Why? Well here's a snippet of Giddeon's character

page 62: I have a telephone, but I avoid answering it. I prefer to store messages upon an answering machine. [That sounds almost normal. I rarely answer the main phone, never know who's calling.] Now and then, as in the case of my godson, there are people to whom I would like to speak. On those occasions, I return their call. Something else I learned at nineteen. I don't like human beings much.

Thankfully children are/were an exception, so he accepts Mark and co without question. He wasn't to know that a recently released killer would steal his tractor and creep around his house, hoping to catch Trix. That Mark doesn't really like living with him. That Wiki, the brains of the group will enjoy learning to hunt and skin animals. Or how much Jade a drama queen, despising everything in the country. At least Holly is more sensible.

The problem about kidnapping herself, was making sure stage two of the plan gets put into place. Trix wants any money raised to find her to go to needy children in Africa. When they see the first news bulletin about her kidnapping, the scale of what they've done hits them. It doesn't make them hand themselves in. No, they keep going.

At what point will they end the kidnap scan? Will they end it when the released killer gets hold of Jade's wayward brothers? Will the money raised - since Trix is the daughter of an actress a lot of money gets donated - reach the rightful cause?

Missing, Believed Crazy is one of those laugh out loud books. Almost every character mentioned has their own point of view, which gets referred to frequently. The far-fetched crime does more than raise money, it changes the members of the V-day gang (vanishing day) forever. Wiki will forever hide the catapult under his bed. Jade isn't the rich little princess she makes out to be. Well, she is rich, but her life isn't a bed of roses. With Wiki's help it gets a little easier. Holly gains a new sister. Mark still likes attention, but has made friend with Wiki. And Trix? Well she doesn't stay in school, but not for the reasons you'd think.

Amidst the humour the children grow emotionally, taking notice of the world which they'd never really noticed before. I don't think we all need to engage in crime to make a difference to those who need it. Where we can, we can all give a little to make someone's life easier.

Information about Terence Blacker, including books he has written, can be found on MacMillan's website.

Liked this? Try Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce.

ISBN 9780330458481

Buy from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

Buy from Borders.co.uk (not at Borders.com)

Thirsty Thursday #5

Books glorious books!

This week has been filled with books.

Bloomsbury are lovely in sending me picture books I haven't even requested. This week from them I got

• The Everyday Witch by Liz Martinez and Mark Beech
• Stormy Weather by Debi Gliori
• Lulu's Christmas by Camilla Reid

I finally found out how to locate Orbit's books (not as simple as it sounds, trust me. Not everything is clearly signposted for a tired reviewer). I received these three.

• A Princess of Landover by Terry Brooks
• Traitor's Gate by Kate Elliott
• The Drowning City by Amanda Dawn

This afternoon I spent time requesting more books from those currently on my donator list, and one or two others. I'm waiting patiently for lovely parcels :)

This weekend I shall be launching my first competition. Well, given the variety of genres I cover, there may be more than one. Stay tuned! All books have been read and reviewed by me. They may have a few page corners bent over (I don't always have bookmarks), and the spines will not be perfect. But they are in good condition. I'm a review, not a Preserver.

Oh, and sometime in the next week I am working on requesting 1 author interview, 1 publicist interview (yes, I have several questions to ask them) and 1 fellow book reviewer interview. Those may take time, but I am on the case.

Cosmic, by Frank Cottrell Boyce

July 2009, MacMillan Children's Books (first edition 2008)
328 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Children's, 9+

Cushions: 3/5
Tears: 1/5 (two if you count happy tears)
Smiles: 5/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+

I can't quite remember what the blurb for this book said, but I thought it sounded good. The front cover is cool, I love how Earth is incorporated into Frank's name. The silver isn't confined to just the front cover - the edge of every page has a silver tint, creating a very shiny book. What made me know this would be a book to make me smile, was the inside of the front cover. A Star Wars style blurb, complete with yellow writing which narrows at the top. Clever. This Star Wars loving fan liked it.

The first few pages state the truth, which has the reader asking many questions. How on earth does a 12, no nearly 13 year old boy, tall for his age, end up in a rocket? Just how??? And how does that rocket veer away from Earth, with possibly no way back? He's allegedly in the Lake District. In truth he could possibly see England from space, but his feet definitely aren't on solid ground.

Liam documents the extraordinary tale of how he ended up in space. The incident was escalated by the incident of a very expensive car, and a school trip to a theme park. During these events, Liam forms a bond (of sorts) with a publicity seeking girl called Florida. Yes, as in Florida, the state with Mickey Mouse in the USA.

What must be noted about Liam is that he's smart. Extremely smart. Not so smart that he's a geek, (well, maybe a bit geeky) but he uses his brains. He has street smarts. So, when the phone his dad gives him messages him with the opportunity to win a prize, he goes to great lengths to enter. It's a competition which will change his life forever.

Throughout the journey to the prize, and at the prize, Liam pretends to be someone he isn't. A father. He does it for the fun of it. Yet by the end of the book, Liam understand's what it is like to be a father - as much as a smart 13 year old can. It probably wasn't being with four other fathers who push their children really hard in the competition. Or maintaining the pretence. He actually cares for the children who get to have a water fight on the moon. Who voted against him because he didn't take their photograph. In particular, Florida who forces him to call her Princess.

Florida isn't all she seems - right near the end I was touched by her decision to tell the truth about herself. The way Liam grows in maturity is a path full of entertainment, and pride as he realises how hard it is to be a parent. Even the other, goal driven fathers realise the benefits of being more relaxed. I still think Liam will get up to great antics after his touchdown to Earth (Yes, he does make it back safely. In one peice. But not without interesting events).

I smiled so much throughout this novel I recommend it for the metaphorical rainy day, when you need a laugh, and want something to read which is fun, yet does have touching moments.
Go join Liam in a character building tale, involving icecream, China, and sand dune surfing.

Liked this? Try Eating Things on Sticks by Anne Fine

ISBN 9780330440868
Buy from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com
Buy from Borders.co.uk and Borders.com

New donator!

Orbit! *dances* Took a little while to track the books down, but I've succeeded and received 3 books in the post today. Yay!

I'm thankful to all my donators, I really am. The more the merrier!

*wades through book piles*

I don't quite have enough to make a book angel (like a snow angel, but made from books). Sadly I won't be allowed to have that many...not yet any way. One day I will :)

More reviews coming soon!

Silver Tongue, by Charlie Fletcher

July 2009, Hodder Children's Books (Division of Hachette Children's Books)
400 pages. Paperback
Review copy

Children's, 9+, fantasy

Cushions: 5/5
Daggers: 2/5
Tissues: 4/5
Smiles: 3/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

I do my best not to mention the rivals of books, films. However, Night at the Museum (2007) and Read or Die the TV series (anime possibly 2005 (version I've got) were the reason I was able to slot into the final installment of the Stoneheart trilogy. Without it, I may have been thinking 'statues coming to life? Interesting concept..' Thanks to those and a few other books, I didn't blink at the idea that statues (called spits) are alive, the concept was fun from the first sentence. That there are no humans in unLondon (like our world, but not). That the streets in unLondon are crawling with spits.

The map at the beginning was great for seeing where all the main statues were located in the story. Only I was too engrossed in the story to ever refer back to it :)

Charlie Fletcher, thankfully, provided a preliminary chapter titled 'The Story So Far'. It summarises books 1 and 2 up, meaning that I could jump in and understand what was going on straight away. I gathered from a lot of incidents I have missed out a lot of character growth in Charlie and Edie, the main protragonists, but I could sense their achievements and failures as they happened.

In Silvertongue, George needs to fight a third battle to get out of the contract he took up The Dark Knight. If he doesn't fight that battle, the stone which started off as a small lump on his arm will grow until it reaches his heart and kills him. Much of the book, when following George, involves the uphill struggle of locating the mysterious opponent. He has clues - but Sphinxes aren't known for giving straight forward answers.

It's also a little tricky to concentrate in the final moments when battle wages around him, when he loses Edie and has to almost sacrifice her life to save the world. For, unless he does something, time will never be returned to normal and (if I've got this right, I'm writing this at the end of the day) the normal world won't resume. George is a maker, a useful talent of creating something from metal or stone. It has served him well in the previous books, and he uses the skill in the many fights of this third book.

Edie is fully aware of the greater battle which she and George are journeying towards. However, as a glint (a female who can see past images from stones), she wishes to find her mother. Because her heartstone - without spoiling details a very precious item - shows her mother is alive. Otherwise the light wouldn't be bright. She experiences dreams, and somehow gains the companionship of a very special raven. She doesn't particularly believe Boadicea (the warrior queen and a spit) when she explains who the raven is. Edie is definitely stubborn minded! I loved her near stand-down with Boadicea.

So off Edie goes to find her mother. She travels through mirrors with the raven back to the past. It's a past where the Walker, the root of all evil in this story, was present in her mother's life. Edie believed her mother abandoned her. Thanks to the raven, she discovers that wasn't true.

My heart twisted over at the revelations Edie goes through about her family and background. Watching the past unravel, being unable to do anything to influence it sounds horrid. But she has a strong heart and makes it through to the end in tact. And discovers a new talent, something that hadn't been possible before. The emotional turmoil Edie and George go through is an accurate reflection of what most us face in life.

I was surprised that both Edie and George made it to the end of the book without dying. So many times I thought it was the end for them, my fingers nearly trembled as I turned over the page. I enjoyed the end because it wasn't perfect. Edie and George have a connection which could prove problematic in the future, should their tiny relationship grow any more. Although they both resolved major issues through the story, they still have personal issues they'll need to address. George will never be whole again. Edie can't have what her heart desired. But they are content with what they have.

There is a lot to take in in this book, lots of terms and concepts. Hopefully most readers will read the previous two books, Stone Heart and Iron Hand, which will solve the issue of trying to figure out who is who, what all the skills are etc. The summary helped a lot, but understandably I spent a good while trying to grasp everything. This book is packed with storylines - not just Edie's and George's.

Occasionally in the text I got a little confused because the point of view would switch from focusing on George/Edie and pan out to include another's thoughts. This is a personal preference though - I like having the information, I just prefer to follow one character at a time.

Aside from this, I adored this book. A world full of living statues is scary - especially when they are large dragons that breathe fire which can kill. The world Charlie Fletcher has created comes from a brilliant imagination (as do all good books).

I'll end with my favourite quote from the end (page 388)

• Just because the world likes balance doesn't mean the weights and counterweights are always good ones.

9780340911679
Buy from Amazon.uk and Amazon.com
Buy from Borders.uk and Borders.com

Manic Monday

No review tonight - sorry, day was rather hectic :)

However, awaiting on my doormat was a package! Bloomsbury are being very lovely and sending me books (mostly picture books) without me even requesting them. I could get very used to this!

Knowing a few young children, unless I can't bear to part with a book, the picture books are heading out to be well loved (probably ripped, chewed and sucked on but the books are rather sturdy - especially with sticky tape!). Every time I get a book I know instantly who to give it to. It's so much fun being a reviewer. I enjoy spreading the love of books. And acquiring them.

Other books are still going to good homes. A few are going to a fellow reviewer, others are going to close friends. One has travelled all the way to America. (I'm in England). And there will be competitions here shortly, I promise. Just working out the finer details (translation: I need to figure out which books I have left to pass on).

Children's Atlas of World History by Simon Adams

August 2008, Kingfisher Books
192 pages, Hardcover (paperback released Aug 2009)
Review copy

Non-fiction

Ease of reading: 5/5
Level of Information: 5/5
Pencils: 5/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+

As a child, I'd either spend hours leafing through the children's encylopedia on my bedroom floor, or I'd take out a volume, pick a page to read, then put the book back. This Children's Atlas of World History, charting life on Earth from 10,000 BCE until the world we now life in, is one of those books.

The amount of information in such a small volume, compared to the giant tomes I read when I was younger is incredible. There's enough on each continent and civilisation for fuelling a reader's appetite on further reading material.

The book is divided up primarily into four parts;

• The Ancient World (nothing beats the ingenuity of the ancients)
• The Medieval World (a lot of spiritual growth here)
  
• Exploration and Empire (Columbus! downfall of the Aztecs)
• The Modern World (self-explanatory)

Within each section there's always a general overview of the time period complete with world map; there are funky illustrations indicating major people/events, which include the page numbers of where to find the information (good if you're picking a topic to study) and a timeline of events on the right hand page. This is then followed with a double-page spread looking at a few aspects of the ancient world. These include photos of places and artefacts from the time period.

Additionally, each section covers every continent on Earth for that time period, using the same method as I explained in the previous paragraph. The maps are perfect because mountains and main rivers are shown, you can see how boundaries between areas changed over time. I like the animals which are dotted about the map. This visual stimulation should aid memory for tests. Additionally photos of places/artefacts are included here too; showing the reader exactly what a certain object looked like.

One area I was a little confused on were the time lines, which have several different coloured lines at the side, marking out the years. I couldn't see a particular pattern to the colour. I possibly would have liked to see a specific colour match a certain region or time period, so that flicking through the book every blue and white time line symbolised Europe. This wasn't the case: blue could be for Europe, America, Africa - and on other pages America would have a different colour.

The other extra piece of information I would have liked put separately, instead of putting it in the start of each chapter, would be to have a 'how to use this book page'. I feel the explanations on the chapter's first page used up precious space which could have been used for more facts about the time period. One page at the front of the book would, in my view, have been preferable. However, perhaps for the target readership this feature reminds them how to use the book, if they don't think to look back to the first page.

If space and finances are constrained, the internet and the library are the best sources for further information on all topics covered here, making the Children's Atlas of World History a perfect history taster for every household.

Simon Adam's website can be found here.

Illustrator Katherine Baxter's website is here.
Illustrator Mark Bergin details can be found here.
Illustrator Kevin Maddison's details can be seen here.

ISBN 978-0753415702
Buy from Amazon.uk and Amazon.com
Buy from Borders.uk (unavailable at Borders.com)

Saturday blog post #6

Today's blog post is a look back on August. It was a wonderful month, full of many books (ok I'fm still catching up with a few of them but I'm nearly done).

• I've got 7 kind donators
• I have a new laptop...the old one stopped review writing for a bit.
  
• I love books more than ever.
  

Books reviewed in August

By genre

• Classical literature
• Northanger Abby by Jane Austin

• Children's
• The Stone Menagerie by Anne Fine
• Eating Things on Sticks by Anne Fine
• Cookie by Jacqueline Wilson
• Daniel X: Watch the Skies by James Patterson and Ned Rust
• Escape From Shadow Island by Paul Adam
• The Eyeball Collector by F E Higgins
• Wilma Tenderfoot and the Case of the Frozen Hearts by Emma Kennedy
• Glitterwings Academy 1: Flying High by Titania Woods
• Pongwiffy and the Holiday of Doom by Kaye Umansky
• The Spitting Cobra by Gill Harvey
• Girls FC: Do Goalkeepers Wear Tiaras? by Helena Pilichaty
• The Heart of Glass by Vivian French
• Seekers: Great Bear Lake by Erin Hunter
• Mustang Mountain: Wild Horse by Sharon Siamon
  

• Young Adult
  
• Selina Penaluna by Jan Page
• Secrets at St Judes: Jealous Girl by Carmen Reid
• Don't Look Behind You by Lois Duncan
• Sovay, by Celia Rees
• Tender Morsels by Margot Lanagan
• Gone by Michael Grant
• Changeling by Steve Feasey
• Changeling: Dark Moon by Steve Feasey
• The Glittering Eye by L J Adlington
  

• Manga
• Vermonia: Quest for the Silver Tiger by YoYo
  

Just one or two books :) I've already critted a few this month. Certainly lots for everyone here.

Don't forget the wonderful author interview by Lisa Shearin!

The Rabbit Problem by Emily Gravett (and a lot of rabbits)

August 2009, MacMillan Children's Books
32 pages, Hardcover
Review copy

Clouds: 4/5
Pencils: 5/5
Smiles: 5/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+

As a lover of rabbits (known only as bunnies in my house), I had to pick this up. I had heard of the Fibonacci problem, but I never knew it was to do with rabbits. The book doesn't contain any maths (yay) although I'm sure if you wanted to follow the book in terms of the Fibonacci problem you could. This reviewer stays away from maths and isn't providing a link to the problem.

The overall story of The Rabbit Problem tells the year in the life of Lonely Rabbit. Lonely, in January, is alone. So he puts up an invitation for any rabbit to join him. He may meet Chalk Rabbit in February, but they are really cold. The rest of the year plots out the birth of their babies (and their babies' babies...), and all the problems that face rabbits who are stuck in one field. Hunger. Birds. Boredom. Life as a rabbit isn't easy.

This book is (for me) unusual. It isn't read left to right. Or even right to left. You have to turn the book around on its side to view it, as you would a calendar. This is where there are holes in the book on each page - a hole for a nail to hange the calendar on (I wouldn't recommend hanging it up unless the bottom of the book is balanced on something. I wouldn't want to be responsible for plaster coming off the wall).

The left page (top page) always features a picture of the field, and whatever the rabbits are doing. The second page is a calendar page of that particular month. Handwritten there is always an added word between The and Rabbit (full phrase: The Rabbit Problem). There are doodles and notes on the calendar itself, which are very entertaining (rabbit thermometer is hilarious). I laughed so much at this book. The cleverest parts are the little added booklets to each calendar:

• January: A party invitation
  
• February: Knitting guide and pattern (no, I haven't tried it out yet)
  
• March: A baby book
  
• April: no booklet - too wet.
  
• May: Ration book - one of the items isn't what I'd call edible.
  
• June: no booklet - rabbits are too busy chasing crows.
  
• July: Rabbit Newspaper (called the Fibber - a lot of items have a Fibonacci theme)
• August; too hot for a booklet
• September: Carrot Cookbook
• October: no booklet - but there is an exercise sheet
• November: You can't see the calendar
• December Nothing because the rabbits aren't there.
  

You turn over the page from December and have a large, 3D popout of the rabbits escaping the field (which had a sign up saying no rabbits may leave the field). At this stage of the year the rabbits see sense and defy authority.

A highly inventive, entertaining read. I'm pretty sure adults will appreciate more than younger readers. This book is staying with me forever.

Emily Gravett's website is here.

Liked this? Try Dogs, also by Emily Gravett.

Buy from Amazon.uk and Amazon.com
Buy from Borders.uk (unavailable at Borders.com)

Ernest by Catherine Rayner

September 2009, MacMillan Children's Books
24 pages, Hardcover
Review copy

Clouds: 4/5
Pencils: 5/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Ernest is a moose. He wants to appear in the book. He does, only he wants all of himself in the book. Being a large animal isn't easy. His friend, a nameless female chipmunk (I think...) feels sad for her friend. She wants to help him out.

For most of the story it involves the chipmunk trying to squeeze and squish Ernest into the book. Several parts of him fit quite nicely, but not all of them together. Until she has a brainwave. How will Ernest fit in the book?

I liked how the background is graph paper, providing a hint for the ending. The large illustrations use what I think are crayon and pencil. The lack of fancy background didn't bother me, because of the end result it works better that the only illustrations are Ernest and his female chipmunk friend.

I hope there are more adventures of Ernest and his crafty chipmunk friend in the future. They make a good team.

Catherine's website which includes a list of her other books is here.

Liked this? Try Dogs by Emily Gravett

Buy from Amazon.uk and Amazon.com (unavailable)
Buy from Borders.uk (can't find it at Borders.com)

Ask Dr K Fisher about Animals, by Claire Llewellyn and Kate Sheppard

August 2007, Kingfisher Publications
32 pages, Hardcover
Review copy

Ease of reading: 5/5
Level of information: 5/5
Pencils: 5/5
Smiles: 4/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

I remember when I was little how much I loved books where information about animals could be found. Although this is a few years old, I requested it because it looked fun. Looks didn't disappoint me!

Everything about Ask Dr K About Animals is jam packed with brightly coloured pages full of information, some of which I didn't know about - I had no idea there were so many types of ladybirds.

The topics approached in the book are:

• How crocodiles rear their young (in their mouths)
  
• Life of a frog, from tadpole to adulthood (has me thinking of collecting frogspawn at school)
  
• Life cycles: A dragonfly and a butterfly (both start off rather differently to the end result)
  
• Weaverbirds and nest building (expertise comes with practice)
  
• The reason behind a giraffe's long neck (it didn't get pulled that way by a monkey)
  
• Feeding: what different animals eat (not just each other)
  
• Why mackeral remain in shoals (solitude will lead to death)
  
• Ladybirds and their spots (including water ladybirds)
  
• Different warning signs on animals (no, they don't hold signs up)
• The perils of life as a male orb-web spider (don't mess with the females if you want to live)
• The peace loving rabbit (who wants the world to turn vegetarian)
• Food chains (it's an animal eat animal eat plant world)
• Meals for dung beetles (sadly someone has to eat their food)

The information is presented in short, digestible chunks making it easy for children to learn. I also think that a fair number of the issues covered can be a second message for children: that everyone is different, we all have different customs, changes as we grow up are normal and shouldn't be anything to be frightened about.

Buy from Amazon.uk and Amazon.com
Buy from Borders.uk (different cover) and Borders.com

Dogs, by Emily Gravett

February 2009, MacMillan Children's books
32 pages, Hardcover
Review copy

Pencils: 5/5
Smiles: 5/5 (especially at the end)
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

For any child who loves dogs, and wants to discover more about different breeds and personalities, I recommend getting Dogs.

Set on a cream background, the narrator takes us through different types of dogs. Good, bad, quiet, noisy - you get the picture. The dogs themselves are almost the only illustration on the page, keeping the focus very much on them. I like the added details - the noisy dog has heaps of multicoloured lines around him. The hairs around the hairy dog looked so real I had to stop myself brushing them off the page.

The names of all the dogs featured are printed on the inside of the covers, which is a nice touch, especially since I only knew a few of the breeds.

The funniest part of the book though has to be the ending, when the identity of the narrator is believed. It had me in peals of laughter. Hint: another well loved pet.

Emily Gravett's website is here.

This reviewer is laughing at her lousy memory: I've got another of Emily's books, The Rabbit Problem, which will be reviewed shortly.

Liked this? Try The Rabbit Problem

Buy from Amazon.uk, Amazon.com
Buy from Borders.uk, Borders.com

Lucy Goes to Market, by Imogen Clare and Sanchia Oppenheimer (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E)

August 2009, MacMillan Children's Books
32 pages, Hardcover
Review copy

Nayuleska's thoughts
I can't quite remember if I requested this book, or if it was one of the one's thrown in free by the lovely publicist. Either way it's not moving from my bookshelf.

Lucy, the sweet young girl pictured on the front cover goes to market and finds strange and wonderful items. I think the picture of her on the first page, standing on a pile of cushions on a chair holding a rod type item with jars dangling off it gives a suggestion about her inquisitive nature. And the snail on top of the rod - well, he appears on every single page of the book. I liked having to find him (not that it says to, it is just something I did automatically).

This isn't a standard abc book. I was pleasantly surprised to find kimonos, quilts, and a tea house as being several of the items used for the alphabet. There is an extraodinary amount of detail in the book. Some of the pages have borders around them, like the one on the front cover. These are filled with similar items related to the theme of the particular page.

The ending took me by surprise. I can't honestly say how I expected it to end, but it wasn't like that! The conclusion makes total sense, and it was a delight to the eye to see the predominant pictures from earlier on in the book in the end pages. Including the snail.

Although this book may appeal more to girls, equally it is a well illustrated book for girls. Personally I think adults will appreciate the book more than children, with the skill which went into creating each page, and each story concept. Travel the world with Lucy!

Liked this? Try The Trouble With Dragons by Debi Gliori (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E)

The Dead House, by Anne Cassidy

July 2009, Hodder Children's Books
264 pages
Review copy

Young Adult

Cushions: 3/5
Paperclips: 3/5
Tissues: 3/5
Smiles: 1/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

I'm definitely getting braver in the types of books I pick out. This isn't a cover to look at after dark if you're prone to wild imagination. It isn't as scary as I thought it would (thankfully).

The Dead House follows the story of Lauren. When she was little, her father murdered her family, and she witnessed it. So she moved from London to Cornwall with her mother's sister and boyfriend. For job reasons, the three of them move back to London when she's 17. Lauren's school is close by to her old home, and she decides to take a look at it. She encounters Nathan, who now lives in her old home. Initially she doesn't want anything to do with him, but over time curiosity takes over and she lets herself return to the house from her past.

The secrets which come out on account of her actions are astonishing. Nothing was as it seemed, both in the past and the present. For poor Lauren has to help her aunt come to terms with her boyfriend having an affair. And there is the matter of Lauren's father, currently in prison. There is another person in the picture, who could be responsible for her mother and baby sister's murder.

This is a gripping tale which focuses heavily on suspense and emotion. The portrayal of Lauren's aunt, and the way she deals with her boyfriend's 'news' pulled on my heart strings. The way the solicitors chase Lauren seems a little unethical, but helps build tension. The numerous nightmares Lauren suffers because of the murder show that anyone's past, even if it didn't include murder, shapes who we are in the present. Additionally, it was a total shock as to who really killed her mother and baby sister - I like not being able to guess who did it.

The paperclip rating is higher because of the relationship between Lauren and Nathan which nearly gets taken to the next level, but doesn't quite in this book. There's also a small reference to men who like children (mercifully very brief and no details).

Check out all of Anne Cassidy's books over on her website.

Buy from Amazon.uk or Amazon.com
Buy from Borders.uk (couldn't find it on Borders.com)

Liked this? Try That Summer by Sarah Dessen

The Trouble With Dragons by Debi Gliori (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E)

July 2009, Bloomsbury
32 pages
Review copy



There is no doubt that the cover drew me to request this book. The dragon is cute, and the other animals (especially the bunny and the seal) share that 'awww' factor.

The Trouble with Dragons is a story about climate change, exchanging humans for dragons, providing a straightforward message for children about how to care for our planet. Debi's illustrations are vibrant and colourful. Most pages have what looks like a watercolour type background. I seem to notice that where the dragons are living in not quite the best manner the colour scheme is muted and emphasizes the bad deeds. Then there are the dragons themselves, who being the stars of the book are rather large and prominent in their bright coloured skins. My favourite dragons were the one listening to an mp3 player, and the baby dragon perching on top of it's parent as they sow some seeds.

Initially the animals are rather small and in the background as the dragons carry on with their destructive habits. At one point when the future looks grim there's a double page animal spread, and they are extremelly large when they give advice to the dragons. I liked spotting the animals in the dragon dominated pictures, because they look unhappy and are escaping misfortune: not only this, but until they give advice the animals are silouhettes. This is an accurate depiction of how animals can be viewed by some - a background creature not worth worrying about.

The end few pages which show the improvements made by the dragons are bright and cheery in both nature and colour scheme. I think it'll reassure children that they can easily do things to protect the planet, and will hopefully encourage their friends and families to do the same.

The next book by Debi Gliori, Stormy Weather is out in October. I've just received a copy and will review it shortly.

Find out more about Debi Gliori here.

And something I had forgotten: Debi Gliori is the author of Pure Dead Magic! No wonder the name sounded familiar!

New feature:
From now on I'll put the ISBN and where the book can be found on Amazon and Borders. For customers on both sides of the Atlantic I've included the uk and .com sites.

ISBN 978-0-7475-9541-0
Buy from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com
Buy from Borders.uk, Borders.com

Thirsty Thursday #4

It's that time of the week again!

Once again 0 books landed through my letter box.

However...

...book lovers shouldn't enter book stores. It only leads to book purchases.

I ordered 3 manga books (they didn't have book one of any of the series) which include Strawberry Marshmallow #1 and two others.

I bought 4 other books, including Howl's Moving Castle by Dianne Wynne Jones (sp?) and Scott Westerfeld's Uglies. I bought those two because I adore them and don't want to get large library fines just so I can read them. The other two sounded interesting.

I promise to try and get the list of books up tomorrow. It's just that....they are in my car. I know this is wrong, that new books ought to be on my shelves, but there was no way of sneaking them past my parents on Tuesday.

The lengths I go to for books....

Saturday I'll have a look back on what I received and reviewed in August.

I should fit in a book review tomorrow, life is being life right now.