Release Date: 07/06/12
BOOK BLURB:
Glory is from a family of witches and lives beyond the law. She is desperate to develop her powers and become a witch herself. Lucas is the son of the Chief Prosecutor for the Inquisition - the witches' mortal enemy - and his privileged life is very different to the forbidden world that he lives alongside. And then on the same day, it hits them both. Glory and Lucas develop the Fae - the mark of the witch. In one fell stroke, their lives are inextricably bound together, whether they like it or not.
REVIEW:
An unusual story and one that I was pleased to read as an Alternate Urban Fantasy world comes to the fore where Witchcraft is still alive and kicking in the modern age. Its dark, the characters within gel well to bring the world to life and when you throw into the mix various abilities of the characters to fight against the injustice heaped upon the few it really stands out.
Add to this characters that not only have a realistic feel but also manage to rub each other up the wrong way as they all seek to find their place in the world and it really is a story that I enjoyed. Finally add to this an author who loves to play sleight of hand with the reader and then throws a curve ball into your imagination and all in it’s a satisfying read. I’ll look forward to seeing what Laura comes up with next.
Release Date: 07/06/12
BOOK BLURB:
Posing as one of Robin Hood's thieves to avoid the evil Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only her fellow outlaws, John Little, Much and Robin Hood know the truth - this agile thief is no boy but in fact a fearless young woman with a secret past. But Scarlet is torn between her desire to get as far from Lord Gisbourne as possible and a strong sense of responsibility to those who took her in when she was first on the run. As Gisbourne draws closer to Scarlet and puts innocent lives at risk, she must decide how much the people of Nottinghamshire mean to her, especially John Little and Robin, whose quick smiles and temper have the rare power to unsettle Scarlet. Full of exciting action, secrets and romance, this imaginative retelling of the classic tale will have readers following every move of Robin Hood and his band of thieves.
REVIEW:
A modern retelling of the Robin Hood myth with a twist within that really makes this truly remarkable storytelling. The lead character Scarlet is a woman of daring, great skills and of course whilst she can fight, the sheer brutality of the time make this a book to be savoured by readers of all ages.
Add to this a solid storytelling themes, great prose, danger and of course combat all go on to add additional layers and flavours to the story. Back that up with a wonderful sense of pace, solid dialogue and all in this book will appeal to both genders seeking adventure, historical escapism and a great tale all wound up within.
Finally back this up with a suitably dark villain, some cracking sequences and a solid twist of fate or two all go to make this something special. Great stuff.
Release Date: 05/01/12
BOOK BLURB:
By the time seventeen-year-old Delaney Maxwell is pulled out of the icy waters of a frozen lake, her heart has stopped beating. She is in a coma and officially dead. But Delaney pulls through. How? Doctors are mystified. Outwardly she has completely recovered. But Delaney knows something is very wrong. Pulled by sensations she can't control, she finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her brain predicting death or causing it? Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who lost his whole family in a car accident and emerged from a coma with the same powers as Delaney. At last she's found a kindred spirit who'll understand what she's going through. But Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature - or something much more frightening?
REVIEW:
Debut authors are a treat for me and when one breaks through on the young adult market there are times when you know that they’re going to have a solid career from the book blurb. Such was the case from this title by Megan Miranda who from the first paragraph had me hooked.
Delaney is a pure joy to read about, she’s rounded, is surprised at how things evolve and of course is a miracle of the modern world in a news story that people just love to hear about. Add to this some solid fleshing out of her so that readers can associate mentally as well as emotionally and it really was a title that didn’t let up from the start.
Add to this solid prose, some wonderfully delicious twists and a romantic element within to bind you within its spell and all in, this young adult story I suspect will be one that many authors can learn from as much as readers. Great stuff.
Release Date: 03/10/11
BOOK BLURB:
Enroll in Monster High with this fab journal featuring a foil cover and ribbon book mark! All your favorite Monster High characters prompt you to share your dreams, fashion sketches and more, while offering royal beauty secrets, scary-cool inspirations, drop-dead gorgeous fashion tips and even some freaky-fabulous DIY projects!
REVIEW:
I’m a fan of the compendium so when I had the chance to read a new take on the fairy tale I jumped at the chance. This title from E.D. Baker is a series that not only entertains but grows as the characters grow and make life changing choices. Add to this some magic, a great cast and of course a whole set of magical problems which overall made this a fun as well as satisfying read.
Finally add to the mix the sheer value for money on the purchase of this and it’s a book that will make a cracking Christmas present as well as giving the household a little bit of peace and quiet whilst its devoured which all in, leads to cracking fun and a great way to encourage and entertain the young reader during the season of repeats.
Release Date: 03/10/11
BOOK BLURB:
Lucy's cousin Christabel has come to live in Violet Hill, and adjusting to the difference between life in a small mountain town and her home in the city is difficult. The strict curfew that Lucy's parents enforce is hard to respect. Surely something really dangerous couldn't possibly happen in this tiny town. But Christabel starts to notice some mysterious happenings, and it seems like Lucy, her boyfriend Nicholas and his brother Connor are all in on a secret that Christabel doesn't understand - one that seems deadly serious. Although she won't admit it, Christabel would love to be in on any secret with Connor Drake. When Christabel is kidnapped by the ruthless Hel-Blar vampires, Lucy and Connor finally fill her in on all the undead drama. Together, they must find a way to stamp out the Hel-Blar for good.
REVIEW:
The Drake Chronicles has long been a series that I’ve enjoyed since I read the original title, My Love Lies Bleeding. As usual with this series the characters are the driving force and when you add the vampiric touch to the mix, it’s one that is not only hard to put down but nigh impossible.
It’s clever, it has some cracking twists and the prose really helps this title move at quite a pace. The only downside to this book in the series is the cliff-hanger ending that it leaves you with that will have you screaming to the skies for the next part to land sooner rather than later. Great stuff.
Release Date: 01/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
People in London are being taken away in unmarked police vans, never to be seen again...
While trying to keep up with his school studies and ensuring his football team stays top of the league, it's Johnny's job to safeguard planet Earth.
Suspicious of the strange occurrences, Johnny investigates to find that alien enemies are feeding humans to their Queen on a nearby planet. He then discovers a more terrifying secret: the aliens are planning a devastating invasion of Earth.
The battle for Earth will take all of Johnny's and his friends' strength and resolve. Can they win? If they do, what price will they pay to save the world?
REVIEW:
The third book in the Johnny Mackintosh series and to be honest I was a little apprehensive when I first picked it up. Not because I was didn’t think it wasn’t going to be a good story but because when you drop into a series part way through you really can get lost and miss out on a lot of the series in jokes as well as having a history with the characters within.
Sadly this was the case with this book and whilst I could appreciate a great story, with top notch prose and characters that seemed to be fun to hang around I felt that I was missing quite a lot. Don’t get me wrong it was fun and engaging but I really felt a little on the outside with the characters as I hadn’t seen them through the other titles. If you decide that you want to read this series please start with the first book and I think you’ll get a blast, don’t do what I did and try to start here. I will eventually reread this title after picking up the others but until then, it’s on my reserve list.
Release Date: 05/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Aimee and Alan have unusual pasts and secrets they prefer to keep hidden. Aimee's deceased mother struggled with mental illness and hallucinations, and Aimee thinks it could be hereditary. After all, she sees a shadowy river man where there isn't one. And then there was that time she and her best friend Courtney tried to conjure a spirit with a Ouija board ...Alan is Courtney's cousin. His family moved to Maine when Courtney's father went missing. It's not just Alan's dark good looks that make him attractive. He is also totally in touch with a kind of spiritual mysticism from his Native American heritage. And it's not long before Aimee has broken up with her boyfriend ...But it's not Aimee or Alan who is truly haunted - it's Courtney. In a desperate plea to find her father, Courtney invites a demonic presence into her life. Together, Aimee and Alan must exorcise the ghost, before it devours Courtney - and everything around her.
REVIEW:
If you love a story with a history and set in a world that’s recognisable then this thriller by Paul Dowswell is one that is a must read. It has a decent lead character, solid prose and a situation that whilst unknown by the youths of today, was a very real one back in the 70’s which is when this title is set.
It’s cleverly written, its gripping and with a little knowledge of the history involved (which is carefully applied in places by the author) makes this a caring, harrowing and heart in the mouth book from start to finish. Finally add to the mix sensitive handling of the subject matter by the author alongside great prose, suitable peaks and lulls in pace and overall it is a story that will lead the reader onto more thrillers in the future.
Release Date: 05/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Aimee and Alan have unusual pasts and secrets they prefer to keep hidden. Aimee's deceased mother struggled with mental illness and hallucinations, and Aimee thinks it could be hereditary. After all, she sees a shadowy river man where there isn't one. And then there was that time she and her best friend Courtney tried to conjure a spirit with a Ouija board ...Alan is Courtney's cousin. His family moved to Maine when Courtney's father went missing. It's not just Alan's dark good looks that make him attractive. He is also totally in touch with a kind of spiritual mysticism from his Native American heritage. And it's not long before Aimee has broken up with her boyfriend ...But it's not Aimee or Alan who is truly haunted - it's Courtney. In a desperate plea to find her father, Courtney invites a demonic presence into her life. Together, Aimee and Alan must exorcise the ghost, before it devours Courtney - and everything around her.
REVIEW:
Having enjoyed Mary Hooper’s Falling Grace, I was wondering where she would take the reader on her next excursion. Whilst we stay in the same time frame, we get the opportunity to explore the world of the Victorian/Edwardian Medium.
As with her other books, Velvet relies on the principle female character to draw the reader in. She’s brave, she knows her own mind and she is more than confortable to struggle to achieve her goals.
Add to this a sense of doing what’s right with Mary’s identifiable writing styel, solid prose that draws you in and a plot that bring the ruthlessness as well as manipulations of the Confidence Trickster to the fore in a world of silks, satins and the genteel upper classes of the period. Great stuff.
Release Date: 05/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Aimee and Alan have unusual pasts and secrets they prefer to keep hidden. Aimee's deceased mother struggled with mental illness and hallucinations, and Aimee thinks it could be hereditary. After all, she sees a shadowy river man where there isn't one. And then there was that time she and her best friend Courtney tried to conjure a spirit with a Ouija board ...Alan is Courtney's cousin. His family moved to Maine when Courtney's father went missing. It's not just Alan's dark good looks that make him attractive. He is also totally in touch with a kind of spiritual mysticism from his Native American heritage. And it's not long before Aimee has broken up with her boyfriend ...But it's not Aimee or Alan who is truly haunted - it's Courtney. In a desperate plea to find her father, Courtney invites a demonic presence into her life. Together, Aimee and Alan must exorcise the ghost, before it devours Courtney - and everything around her.
REVIEW:
Carrie Jones is an author that burst on the scene a little while ago and presented a series of books that were not only imaginative but ones that as a reader I couldn’t put down, so it was with great joy when I opened up the envelope to find this sitting on my doorstep. Whilst I’m not familiar with Steven, I trust Carrie to give me something a little different and moved it to the top of my To Be Read pile.
As such it was started pretty quickly and as usual with Carrie, it went onto become an “ignorant” day. (You know, the days when you’re that engrossed that everyone else calls you ignorant.) What unfurls is a story of magic, of ability and with two characters leading the way, a story that is told from two perspectives and done well. Add to this great prose, decent dialogue and two lead characters that will appeal to a lot of readers. Finally, throw in some Native American myths (a trait that is becoming pretty common these days in the YA arena) and it was a story that was a lot of fun all in. I can’t wait to see what these two come up with next.
Release Date: 05/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Packed with fantastic facts, figures and stories about the world we live in and the galaxies beyond, this single volume contains 288 colour pages of pure Comic Strip genius. Learn about everything - from the smallest amoeba to the secrets of the furthest corners of the known Universe, and the myths that shaped the way we see the world. This Big Fat Book is an irresistibly humorous and accessible source of knowledge (with pictures) for the whole family to enjoy.
REVIEW:
I love a book that brings knowledge across to the younger reader in a fun, interesting and memorable way, which is what this title by Tracey and Sally does. It covers a lot of different area’s and every reader will find something to interest them throughout the book. It’s clever, it’s witty and the humour within helps make the dates and facts memorable for all who read it. All in this is a fun book and one that could be a sneaky way to help get certain things through to the younger reader to help them in school.
Release Date: 05/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
When Emma Vaile’s parents leave on a mysterious business trip, it gives her the perfect excuse to be a rebellious teen. But then her best friend stops talking to her, the police crash her party and Emma finds herself in the hands of a new guardian, Bennett Stern, and on a plane to his museum-like mansion in New England.
After enrolling at Thatcher Academy, Emma settles in by making friends with the popular crowd. She has memories of Thatcher she can’t explain and strange visions are haunting her. Emma doesn’t trust anyone any more - except maybe Bennett. But he’s about to reveal a ghostly secret to her. One that will explain the visions . . . and make Emma fear for her life.
REVIEW:
It’s always interesting to see a new series bursting out of the YA genre in much the same way that the Alien did to John Hurt in Aliens. However when a new series seems to follow certain themes from other authors they have to get the mixture just right as otherwise the proverbial word soufflé just won’t rise.
Whilst this title was entertaining, for me, the author just didn’t quite get the right mix of the whole thing, yes there was emotional conflict within reminiscent of Alyson Noel’s Immortal series, yes there were some themes reminiscent of Charlaine Harris’ Harper Connelly series and there was angst as the lead character is thrust into a world that she doesn’t understand. Yet overall whilst each of these elements work well on their own, it felt to me that not enough time was spent on developing the lead character to make her the key ingredient to which all the others were based.
That said it was a fun title to read but when it doesn’t stand out from the crowd then sadly the author has a lot more work to do in future titles in order to give the readers that connection, which in subsequent titles can be a little too late. I will follow this series as I do wonder where it’s going to lead overall but it is not one that will have to be grabbed the minute it lands.
Release Date: 15/08/11
BOOK BLURB:
A wonderful introduction to numbers as each page reveals babies involved in various crazy antics ...until ten little babies lie fast asleep in their beds. With an easy-to-read rhyming text by Rose Impey and charming, humorous art by Nicola Smee, this is the perfect book for all young readers, whether they're learning to count or not.
REVIEW:
Nicola’s Smee’s illustrative talents come to the fore in this title by Rose Impey. As usual its bright and colourful, the images full of fun and interesting to look at and whilst the story is simplistic with repetitions its something that the young reader will love as they get the chance to join in on the refrains.
All in a fun book and one that will definitely appeal to many children at bed time especially when they can have the fun of finding the ten babies on the final page. Great stuff.
Release Date: 04/07/11
BOOK BLURB:
Tempest Maguire wants nothing more than to surf the killer waves near her California home, continue her steady relationship with her boyfriend, Mark, and take care of her brothers and surfer dad. But Tempest is half mermaid, and as her seventeenth birthday approaches, she will have to decide whether to remain on land or give herself to the ocean like her mother. The pull of the water becomes as insistent as her attraction to Kona, a gorgeous surfer whose uncanny abilities hint at an other-worldly identity as well. And when Tempest does finally give in to the water's temptation and enters a fantastical underwater world, she finds that a larger destiny awaits her - and that the entire ocean's future hangs in the balance.
REVIEW:
To be honest with you I put off reading this title for a while purely for the fact that I thought it probably wasn’t for me, hoping that one of my female reviewers would pick it up and give it a go. (Alas Lady Eleanor decided that there were plenty of other “fish” that took her fancy more so left it to me.)
What surprised me was that whilst I expected this to be a Teen Chick Flick type of title I was surprised at how rounded it was, at how the character had to try to adapt her duel nature (often unsuccessfully) as she negotiated not only our own world but the hidden mysteries of the sea that call to her with their own siren song. Its beautifully written, the character nicely rounded and all in whilst in places it did come over as a little simplistic it’s the interactions as well as revelations which, when backed with a decent plot line really keep the title afloat.
All in, whilst I was surprised at my enjoyment, its definitely made sure that I’ll look into others by this author, even if the book back doesn’t sell itself which only goes to show that below the surface some titles really do run deep and strike a chord with a reader on so many levels.
Release Date: 04/07/11
BOOK BLURB:
Michelangelo's statue of David is renowned all over the world. Thousands flock to Florence to admire the artistry behind this Renaissance masterpiece, and to admire the beauty of the human form captured in the marble. But the identity of the model for this statue that has been so revered for over five hundred years has been lost ...In this epic story Mary Hoffman uses her persuasive narrative skills to imagine the story of Gabriele, an eighteen-year-old who, by becoming Michelangelo's model, finds himself drawn into a world of spies, politicking, sabotage and murder. Set against the backdrop of Florence, this is a rich, colourful and thrilling tale.
REVIEW:
For those who aren’t sure if a Mary Hoffman book is for them there are some simple questions to answer. First of all, do you like historically placed titles? Do you enjoy a character driven title that has some great twists? And finally, do you want a story that brings the complicated historical times to you in such a way that it’s understandable?
If the answer to these is yes, then Mary Hoffman is an author you should definitely try. The prose is snappy, the characters complex and perhaps best of all, the story takes you to the heart of the period which many thought perhaps the age of enlightenment for modern man. Add to this great dialogue, real issues to which the reader can associate and a fast moving plot that really will keep you on the edge of your seat.
All in all, this title was one that I highly enjoyed and when you add documented events into the account it’s a title that really will impress as well as enthuse the reader. Great stuff.
Release Date: 05/07/11
BOOK BLURB:
Baby is busy doing all the things that babies love to do, like exploring the kitchen, chewing up newspapers and climbing up too high. But members of his family aren't quite as positive about his antics as he is and there are lots of cries of 'No, Baby, No!' However, one day Baby does something really special and everyone celebrates with quite a different refrain.
REVIEW:
Picture books need to fulfil a number of things for the young reader, first of all they need to be able to engage with the story, secondly they need to be able to understand what’s happening, and finally they need something to keep them interested from start to finish.
What Grace and Eleanor create in this release is a story that is full, light hearted and full of wonder which the target audience will ask for time and again. It’s easy to remember, the pictures are colourful and when backed with large scale words could be a great story to help start to teach the joy of reading.
Release Date: 04/07/11
BOOK BLURB:
Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts, especially since her mother has worked as a fraudulent medium for a decade. Violet has taken part in enough of her mother's tricks to feel more than a little jaded about anyhting supernatural. The ghosts, however, believe in Violet and she's been seeing them everywhere. One ghost in particular needs Violet to use her emerging gift to solve her murder ...and prevent the ghost's twin sister from suffering the same fate.
REVIEW:
Whilst most know Alyxandra for her Drake Chronicles, this current standalone title is one that I was wondering what I was letting myself in for. After all to suddenly divert from a bestselling series to create something new when you’re still technically a new author, is a brave move. What you get in this title from Alyxandra, is a heroine who stands on her own from the myriad of cast members, who has to gain emotional as well as physical independence and when blended with the time period to which its set makes this an absolutely wonderful read.
Add to this some magical twists, a surprise or two that you don’t see coming alongside quite a full plot outline and it’s a title that whilst fast paced doesn’t leave the reader feeling that they’ve been cheated as each of the various threads are tied up wonderfully at the titles end. All in this was a cracking read and I eagerly look forward to more tales in Violets world from Alyxandra.
Release Date: 13/06/11
BOOK BLURB:
When you're the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life should be pretty good. But 16-year-old Alice Amorous has been living a lie ever since her mother was secretly hospitalised for mental illness. After putting on a brave face for months, time is running out. The next book is overdue and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs a story for her mother - and she needs one fast. That's when she meets Errol, a strange boy who claims to be Cupid, who insists that Alice write about the greatest love story in history: his tragic relationship with Psyche. As Alice begins to hear Errol's voice in her head and see things she can't explain, she must face the truth - that she's either inherited her mother's madness, or Errol is for real.
REVIEW:
If you want a story of discovery that delves into issues that scare many a person then this title is for you. Whilst the mental illness is confined to the heroine’s mother, it is an issue that many are forced to face every day. It is wonderfully descriptive, its clearly well thought out and the overall arc is something that gives the reader a story that not only contains hope but allows the reader to learn through the telling.
Add to this a whole host of supporting cast that bring the book to life, a larger than life experience blended with mythology and it’s one that really was a joy to read. I’ll definitely be looking forward to Suzanne’s next title.
Release Date: 25/05/11
BOOK BLURB:
This anthology highlights some of the feelings and emotions experienced by teenagers - whether they have special and additional educational needs and disabilities, belong to minority groups, or just feel like the odd one out. It homes in on topics close to teenage hearts - unrequited love, isolation, unfairness, prejudice. This thought-provoking collection of poems on the theme of not fitting in has poems that range from funny to inspirational to deeply moving, and features some of the best poets around, including Jan Dean, James Carter, Andrew Fusek Peters and Rachel Rooney. The collection is published in association with nasen, and a donation will be made to nasen for each copy sold.
REVIEW:
If writing is the way to convey a story, poetry is the form to convey images as well as emotions. This title compiled by Roger is one that whilst I’m not 100% sure to the target age group (I suspect early Teens), is one that contains a lot of thoughts from bullying through to first love.
There’s something for everyone and at an age when getting those thoughts out is difficult, its one that can convey so much with associations and understanding that the reader will be able to sympathise. All in its wonderfully put together, the sheer range is admirable and there’s something for everyone within. Finally add to this that it’s thought provoking and it’s a title that can be dipped into to find the right mood and temperament for the reader which makes this a title that will understand at the same time as befriend. The only improvement that I’d have added to this title would have been to contain a few poems from Teen’s depicting how they feel in this day and age for a more complete picture.
Release Date: 06/06/11
BOOK BLURB:
Readers embark on a glorious day accompanying Lulu. She introduces us to her family, house, garden, toys, friends and favourite activities as we turn the pages and lift the flaps in this bright and bold picture book for the very young. Packed full of familiar activities and objects, this exciting identification book, with a story in the vein of bestseller Richard Scarry, will be welcomed by all whether they're already Lulu fans or are new readers.
REVIEW:
When I originally read Lulu’s Lunch it was a title that I thought was fun and quirky for the young reader. What this one has to offer is a book that keeps the fun within and allows the reader to learn by exploring the hidden area’s within the pages as well as giving them a great storyline. It’s fun, it’s inventive and when accompanied by the wonderful art of Allie Busby it’s a title that will become a firm favourite especially with the bright colours within. Add to that lots of things to discover and its an interactive adventure. Great stuff.
Release Date: 03/05/11
BOOK BLURB:
Sarah Burke is just about perfect. She's got killer blue eyes, gorgeous blond hair, and impeccable grades. There's just one tiny-all right, enormous-flaw: her nose. But even that's not so bad. Sarah's got the best best friend and big goals for print journalism fame.
On the first day of senior year, Rock Conway walks into her journalism class and, well, rocks her world. Problem is, her best friend, Kristen, falls for him too. And when Rock and Kristen stand together, it's like Barbie and Ken come to life. So when Kristen begs Sarah to help her nab Rock, Sarah does the only thing a best friend can do-she agrees. For someone so smart, what was she thinking?
REVIEW:
To be blunt, I wasn’t looking forward to this title as personally the book jacket didn’t appeal. That said, when at a loose end I will give most things a try so after resisting reading this and feeling pretty board I picked it up to give it a go. What unfurled was a tale that whilst reminiscent of Cyrano De Bergerac with touches of the Steve Martin’s Roxanne was a tale that was not only upbeat but also one that demonstrated that true beauty is of the soul not of the face. Yes many are distracted by a pretty face these days but when you find your soul mate you know.
Personally, whilst I felt that this was an interesting concept to explore for a modern audience I would have been happier had the lead character not so much as had a big nose but been overweight as for me that is the current issue that needs addressing to put positive physical over the modern skinny supermodels that the magazines like to push down the young female readers throat. It’s a negative issue and above all else they’re aiming for a physical attribute that very few will ever manage (likewise I’m fed up with magazines either calling a size 12 “fat” or “curvy.”)
All in the characters were interesting with the lead heroine being quite bubbly and fun to hang around. Add to this a decent supporting cast, a plot that moved at a reasonable pace as well as a good overall arc and the reader really will have a title to enjoy.
Release Date: 07/06/12
