Random acts of reviewing

The pledge by Kimberly Derting

2012-02-29T21:57:00.000+13:00

Charlie lives in Ludania, a country ruled by the iron fist of its queen, and where the classes are kept separated by the languages they speak. While everyone shares the common language of Englaise, the classes speak different languages, and it is against the law to understand another language, or to raise your eyes to someone when they are speaking a higher classes langauge. It is dangerous to understand things that you shouldn't, and for her whole life Charlie has kept the secret that she can understand all languages - the ones spoken aloud, and the language hidden in ancient words.

Her parents have always warned her to hide the truth, that she shouldn't let other people know what she can do, but as she gets older it becomes harder and harder to do. With her country on the brink of war, Charlie crosses paths with Max and Xander, two very different men who both seem to want something from her, who both seem to have secrets that they are keeping from her. When things take a dangerous turn, Charlie needs to make choices that affect not only her, but also her little sister Angelina - who is hiding secrets of her own.

The pledge was a gripping read that seems to have borrowed from several different genre to make a world that is unique and interesting, a dystopian future that has a touch of fantasy and steam punk, with just a dash of romance on the side. Told mainly from the viewpoint of Charlie, you get flashes from the other characters that lead the story forward and give you a different perspective, without jumping backwards and forwards for different points of view. Charlie is a strongly written character with her strengths and weaknesses, and the relationship she has with her little sister Angelina is just lovely. The supporting characters are well developed, and there is enough intrigue to keep you guessing about what is coming next, but also has some moments where you go "aha, I knew it!"

This is definitely a cross over novel that will appeal to readers of all different genres, but is at the same time definitely one for the girls - there just isn't enough genuine action to appeal to the boys, and the love story side of things would make most teenage boys roll their eyes. This is just screaming out to be made into a movie one day, and it is one of those rare books where although the story finishes neatly in one book, it does finish on a nice note that leaves you satisfied.

If you like this book then try:

Legend by Marie Lu
The secret prince by D. Anne Love
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Shatter me by Tahereh Mafi
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Crown duel by Sherwood Smith
Alanna the first adventure by Tamora Pierce
Under the mountain by Maurice Gee
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Reviewed by Brilla

The story of Brutus by Casey Anderson

2012-02-26T18:10:00.002+13:00

The story of Brutus blends together two stories, the story of a bear cub named Brutus, and the man who raised him. Casey Anderson grew up in Montana, learning to read the signs of animals and how nature works in both its beauty and its brutality. He developed a love and respect for nature, learning to take from the land while also protecting it, and over the years began moving into work in the wildlife preservation and wild animals for film and television industries. All of this work leads to a special bear cub that he names Brutus, and the development of the Montana Grizzly Encounter. It is the story of a very special bear, but also the story of a man who has learned to walk in the wild with grizzlies, respecting their power and strength, and most of all their right to exist in a wild state. At times the message is delivered with a heavy hand, but when someone has spent as much time in the wild with real grizzlies as Anderson has, you tend to listen.

The story of the evolution of Anderson the man is peppered with anecdotes of the growth of the relationship between Anderson and Brutus - a very special bear. There are some hilarious stories of things Brutus did while growing up, as well as some heart warming moments that will make you tear up with sympathy and compassion. I have never read about grizzly bears before, I have only seen documentaries or the caricatures in movies, and to read about real bears was a real eye opener. The photographs in the book are stunning, and to see the size of the bears is just amazing - it may be easy for Americans to convert the pounds thing into a mental image, but I think in kilograms so the photos helped to bring home just how huge these bears actually are.

I really enjoyed reading this book, and while I would have preferred more about Brutus than Anderson, the story is woven together in an impressionable way, and you can't help but be drawn into the plight of the animals kept as disposable commodities by people who have no idea of what they are getting into (like with Sheena and Christie), yet there are people like Anderson who will put their blood, sweat, and tears into rescuing them and giving them a real home.

This story appealed to me because of the bond that Anderson develops with Brutus, and because it reminds people that nature deserves respect and protection. My mother enjoyed hearing the anecdotes that would pop up in the story, while I know that my 15 year old nephew would enjoy reading this to hear about all the things Anderson has done in his life. A great read for a wide ranging audience - even if all you do is skim through and look at the amazing images.

If you like this book then try:

The man who lives with wolves by Shaun Ellis
Part of the pride by Kevin Richardson
The elephant whisperer by Lawrence Anthony
The emotional lives of animals by Marc Bekoff

Reviewed by Brilla

Such a pretty girl by Laura Wiess

2012-02-26T16:09:00.000+13:00

Meredith was supposed to have nine years, enough time for her to reach 18 and have a normal life. Instead she gets three years before her father is released, a paedophile who sexually assaulted her and other children. It was a secret she kept for a long time, and when he was finally caught she was brave enough to testify against him with the promise that he would be gone for years. Her mother has been dreaming of the day he would come home, but for Meredith it is a waking nightmare that has the promise of pain and disappointment.

The courts say he can't spend time alone with her, that he can't spend time with any child alone, but with a mother who refuses to see what happened as nothing more than a mistake, Meredith has nowhere to turn - or so it seems. The people who live in the condos around the family can see some of the truth, but is it enough for someone to take action? Will Meredith be safe this time, or will she break when confronted with a father who still wants her body and soul after three years away from his little girl?

This is another one of those vaguely uncomfortable reads that hooks you from the beginning with a character that tells her story directly to you - an unflinching story of betrayal and unwilling incest. Meredith is the voice, and champion, for the many victims of incest and sexual molestation, a sad figure that finds the strength to report her father for what he did, and has the strength to resist his advances when he is released from prison. The supporting cast are a mixed bunch of fellow victims, righteous hunters, and the cop who helped to bring him down. In some respects it lacks some of the grit of other novels, but that is a benefit here as the story washes over and around you rather than crashing into you and leaving you so disgusted that you can't read anymore.

This is not an easy read, and it would be best suited to older teens, but Meredith is a voice for the victims, a possible way to reach victims who have been through a similar situation, or at least a read for those who want to understand more about what it feels like to try and find a new identity after your old one has been shattered by someone you should be able to trust. It also raises the niggling little flag that too many young victims face this same fate, forced to live in close proximity with their brutalisers, while other people are oblivious to what really happened, or who know what happened but refuse to acknowledge it.

If you read this book and would like to read similar books then try:

Living dead girl by Elizabeth Scott
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Leftovers by Laura Wiess
Thirteen reasons why by Jay Asher
Scars by Cheryl Rainfield
How it ends by Laura Wiess
Hate list by Jennifer Brown

Reviewed by Brilla

Legend by Marie Lu

2012-02-25T08:09:00.000+13:00

June is a poster child for the Republic, a prodigy who scored a perfect 1500 score on the Trial. She is destined for great things, a shining career catching the scum who threaten the Republic. Her world is her older brother Matias who has raised her since her parents dies in a car accident. He is her rock and she looks up to him not only as a brother, but also as a leader in the Republics military.

Day is the most wanted criminal in the Republic, a shadowy figure that destroys the resources of the Republic with attacks on their military resources. No one knows what he really looks like, but all of the Republic is bombarded with news of his exploits. Day fights against the Republic for his own reasons, but he maintains a quiet connection with the family he was forced to leave behind.

June and Day live in separate worlds, until the night Junes brother Matias dies with Day's knife in his chest. Driven to hunt Day over the death of her beloved brother, June slips into his world and soon finds him, but he is not what she expects. Day can expect nothing less than a death sentence for his crimes, but as June learns more about Day she realises that there is more to the Republic than she ever knew - but is it too late?

This was an interesting read for a lot of reasons - even though it took me nearly a week to read it because of various distractions in the background of my life. Both June and Day are strong voices, and the novel switches back and forth between them which keeps the action moving forward, but also allows you to really see the story from both sides in their own voices rather than listening to the voice of "god" telling you what they are feeling. The characters are both strong which covers the occasional blip of the story being too convenient, and the pace keeps the story moving at a rapid pace towards an enjoyable and somewhat satisfying ending - somewhat because it feels like it was left open for a sequel of sorts.

Highly recommended for teens who enjoy a good dystopian read, and for adults who would like to read something that feels a little familiar while also being fresh. It would be interesting to see this translated to the big screen as there are subtleties in the book that come from hearing the inner voices of the characters, an understanding of their motivations that could be lost if you just focus on the action of the novel instead.

If you like this book then try:

The always war by Margaret Peterson Haddix
The limit by Kristen Landon
The hunger games by Suzanne Collins
Subject seven by James A. Moore
Game runner by B.R. Collins
The forest of hands and teeth by Carrie Ryan

Reviewed by Brilla

Level 26: Dark revelations by Anthony E. Zuiker & Duane Swierczynski

2012-02-16T13:26:00.000+13:00

This is the third book in the Level 26 trilogy and contains spoilers about what has happened in the previous two books - if you like to read series in order then be warned that there are ***SPOILERS*** in this review and don't read any more of this review.

Steve Dark has chased some seriously dangerous villains over the years, killers with twisted minds and ambitious ways of committing unspeakable acts of torture and murder. First he was with Special Circs with his mentor Tom Riggins, but more recently he has been working with Lisa Graysmith - who represents a mysterious benefactor that provides Dark with all the toys and access he needs to keep chasing the bad guys. Dark is finally settling into a life with his young daughter Sibby, finding a balance between being a dad and catching the killers that need catching. That balance is altered when a homeless man walks into an LAPD building and blows up, leaving behind a parcel from a person identifying themselves as Labyrinth. Labyrinth appears out of nowhere, a killer with unbelievable skills who leaves a series of complicated messages and just enough time to try and solve them. Time that rapidly ticks away for the first few victims.

Tired of being a puppet on a string, Dark turns the tables on Graysmith and demands to be taken to her employer, but meeting his mysterious benefactor may only be the beginning. Labyrinth is intelligent and twisted, and very adept at maniulating the masses through global media and social networking. What should be a series of villainous acts instead turns the people into a seething mass of discontent, a mass of people calling for change and for people to be accountable. Used to hunting alone, Dark struggles to settle into his new team, and complications from his old life don't help.

This is the final book in the Level 26 series and ends the series with a satisfying bang (and something of a whimper as well). This has been an interesting experiment, blending together elements of the traditional novel, with digital media elements for those who want to go online and watch the clips. For the first book in the series I stopped and watched the clips in the appropriate places, for the second I watched some of them but not in the "right" places, and for this last one I read it purely as a book. I enjoyed the concept and would like to see some of the teens authors try something similar with some of the fantasy/horror series or with some of the real life reads - it could add an interesting dimension, but also has to be done very well to match the level of integrity that Zuiker and the team established here.

This is not a series for the faint hearted as it can be graphic at times. I liked trying to figure out the riddles in this book before the characters, and there are some very slick ideas in this book. It would be interesting to see a series of movies based on Special Circs, but based on the novels it would be too gory for my taste to see in full colour on the big screen. Hopefully Zuiker will come up with some more ideas like this in the future.

If you like this book then try:

Level 26: Dark origins by Anthony E. Zuiker and Duane Swierczynski
Fun & games by Duane Swierczynski
I am not a serial killer by Dan Wells
Cold vengeance by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Shock wave by John Sandford
Darkly dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
The bone collector by Jeffery Deaver
The silence of the lambs by Thomas Harris
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
Hostage by Robert Crais

Reviewed by Brilla

How to keep dinosaurs by Robert Mash

2012-02-14T14:13:00.000+13:00

What do you get the child who has everything - how about their very own dinosaur? This is the perfect book for the dinophile who is ready for their first dinosaur - one to keep in the house or maybe one to keep in the yard. It's not limiting to pet dinosaurs though, maybe you are interested in raising dinosaurs for farming instead - some species are a great source of feathers or eggs. Or maybe you are more more adventurous and would rather open a zoo or safari park, this book can offer great advice about which species to choose for your zoo, and which ones to avoid.

This is a fantastically fun book that will appeal to dinosaur lovers (and anyone with a sense of humour) of all ages. This book is basically a breed book for dinosaurs with size comparisons to people, what they like to eat, what their energy levels are like, and where you can get them from. Each description includes a colour photo, many of them including people interacting with their pet dinosaurs in day-to-day life. Broken down into easy to sections, it is an easy to read book with the odd personal comment from the author about their favourites, and some very serious warnings about what not to do with some of the species.

A wonderful read that I discovered years ago (thanks to a co-worker) and I am very glad that I found it again.

If you like this book then try:

Walking with dinosaurs: a natural history by Tim Haines
The complete guide to prehistoric life by Tim Haines and Paul Chambers
If dinosaurs were alive today by Dougal Dixon
How to raise and keep a dragon by John Topsell; illustrated by Dan Malone
Dr. Ernest Drake's dragonology: the complete book of dragons by Dugald Steer
Dr. Ernest Drake's monsterology handbook: a practical course in monsters by Dugald Steer
The monster maintenance manual: a spotter's guide by Peter Macinnis; illustrated by Adele K. Thomas

Reviewed by Brilla

Kill switch by Neal Baer & Jonathan Greene

2012-02-07T16:34:00.000+13:00

Claire Waters is a forensic psychiatrist who has just started working in one of the most sought after fellowships under the brilliant Dr. Curtin. If she can nail this fellowship and keep on track then she has a truly brilliant future ahead of her, the kind of career that most psychiatrists can only dream of. Curtin is a tough task master, but he also knows how to bring out the best in people, and his programme involving prisoners from Rikers Island is incredibly successful. Claire's first case doesn't seem to bad, a small time criminal heading for greater things, but then things take a dangerous turn when he begins a murdering spree on the outside - when he is on Claire's watch.

Dealing with the fallout brings Claire into the path of Detective Nick Lawley, a cop who was on the outside but has managed to claw his way back in with this one case. As the murder spree develops, Claire and Nick discover that there is more to the story, and that their straight forward case may be anything but. There is an added mystery running through the case, an added danger that could see them both dead and buried before the end of the case. Underneath it all is the case that Claire has never forgotten, the case that saw her best friend kidnapped before her eyes - the best friend who was never found. Claire is good at what she does, and part of the reason is that she knows what real lose feels like, a vulnerability that could put everything at risk if she can't control how she reacts to things that the case brings bubbling back to the surface.

This is an interesting read from two of the former Executive Producers from Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. At first it seemed like it fit neatly into one kind of crime sub-genre, but then it takes a leap into another, before taking a final leap into yet another sub-genre (no spoilers here today). Claire is an interesting character, although at times it does feel a little like this is a narrated script rather than a novel, it is just the way some things read, but it is not off putting. The supporting cast is interesting and while they fade into the background sometimes, the other main character Nick is a strong character who holds his own in the story and has his own parallel story which adds to the general "good-ness" of the book.

This may be the start of a new series, or it may be a standalone. The ending of the novel finishes this story nicely, but there is room there to continue with this "world" and these people.

If you like this book then try:

The devil's cure by Kenneth Oppel
Catch me by Lisa Gardner
Taken by Robert Crais
The surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
Heat wave by Richard Castle
Death du Jour by Kathy Reichs

Reviewed by Brilla

Shattered souls by Mary Lindsey

2012-02-05T15:31:00.000+13:00

Lenzi is sure she is going mad, just like her dad did before he committed suicide. The only real comfort in her life is Zak, a soul almost as tortured as she is. The voices she hears seem to be dulled by the pills she sneaks from her mothers medicine cabinet, but they only seem to work for so long and she finds herself the social outcast of her school - the freak. But then one night she meets Alden, a boy who says he has known her for centuries, who seems to know her almost better than she knows herself - although at first he calls her Rose, a name that stirs echoes of memories.

But Alden brings something else to, the promise of a destiny where Lenzi is a ghost hunter who helps souls find their way to eternal rest, or eternal damnation, depending on what they were like when they were alive. It is a scary concept, one that she is almost too scared to deal with. And then there is the added complication of Zak, who sees Alden as a rival for her affections, a rival that stirs a dangerous jealously within him. While Lenzi explores the present and the past with Alden, she feels like he is holding something back, a secret that he doesn't want her to know.

This was an interesting read, and one that will appeal to readers who like to work a little for their books, who want a story that unfolds as you read it rather than jumping up and down from the start to grab your attention. Lenzi is not a particularly strong character and there are bits about her that bug me, but the mythology that was built around her and Alden is both interesting and intriguing. This could easily be the start of a series that includes other people in the same "reality" or it could easily be a stand alone novel. The ending finishes off the story and brings closure for the characters, without bringing the story to an abrupt stand still. This was another novel that I picked up to read and debated with myself about whether I was going to finish it or not, and I am glad I did, but more for the supporting cast and mythology than Lenzi.

If you like this book then try:

Anna dressed in blood by Kendare Blake
The unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
The space between by Brenna Yovanoff
The black tattoo by Sam Enthoven
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Reviewed by Brilla

Living dead girl by Elizabeth Scott

2012-01-31T17:30:00.002+13:00

Alice is a lonely girl, who lives a secret life hidden in plain sight. People who see her know that something is different, something is wrong, but no one stops to see if she is okay or needs help. And she does need help, the man she lives with is not her father, is not her family, he is the monster who stole her away from her family and turned her into his Alice - his creature, his creation, his prisoner.

For years Alice has done what she is told, has tried to be the perfect Alice, has tried to forget what she once was. It's not easy, she has to endure so much, and she has started to live in fear because she is not little Alice anymore, she is starting to change and grow into a young woman. Ray doesn't want Alice to change, he wants her to stay his little girl, and every time she gains to much weight or seems to grow he does all he can to stall her growth and keep her little.

But worst of all, Ray is starting to look at other girls the way he once looked at Alice, he is looking at them like he would like to bring them home and make them into a new Alice. For years Alice has lived a life that has been torture and a living death, but there is something worse to come - what if she is replaced and discarded, or killed and left to be found like trash like the original Alice was? Can she become the monster who finds her own replacement?

This is not an easy read for so many reasons. The story of Alice, while not particularly graphic made my skin crawl, not only because the idea of a child shaped and twisted by a paedophile was so revolting, but also because in the back of my mind was the realisation that this actually happens to people. It was also difficult to read because Alice has such a tortured voice, a mix of being an adult too soon, and being a broken and sad figure who just wants to hang onto life and be free.

There are times throughout the story where you hope that she might be free, and then something happens or someone looks the other way and your heart sinks. The ending when it comes is short and sharp and just takes your breath away. It was a quick read of just a few hours, but it has stayed with me like so few stories has - and in many ways reminds me of When rabbit howls and the story of women who have endured rape and torture and fractured into multiple personalities, whereas little Alice stayed whole in the sense of one personality, but also broken in the sense of being so controlled by Ray.

This is one novel that I would recommend for older teen readers rather than 'tweens or younger teens - due not only to the subject matter, but also because of the blunt writing style. If you are going to give this to a teenager then please read it yourself first so that when they come to you with questions (and I guess that they will) that you have some answers ready for them.

If you read this book and would like to read similar books then try:

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Sold by Patricia McCormick
Because I am furniture by Thalia Chaltas
Boy toy by Barry Lyga
Such a pretty girl by Laura Wiess
Scars by Cheryl Rainfield
Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Thirteen reasons why by Jay Asher

Reviewed by Brilla

Girl, missing by Sophie McKenzie

2012-01-31T15:32:00.000+13:00

Every year Lauren dreads doing the "who am I?" assignment for her new teacher, but this year it is even worse than usual and leads her to trying a random search in a search engine that brings up some very interesting websites - including one that lists missing children. One of the faces on the website looks disturbingly like Lauren, and starts her on a journey down a very scary path. Lauren has always known she was adopted, but could she have been stolen from her family before she was adopted?

I read this book a few years ago and decided, with a long weekend looming due to a public holiday, to read it again because I have been reading books about kidnapping and family dramas lately and wanted to see if it was as good as I remembered - and was both pleased and a little disappointed on the second reading. Mostly I was pleased as it was a fast moving read that kept up the pace from start to finish, with the odd twist and turn to keep you guessing about what was coming next. I was a little disappointed because I had forgotten how "British" the book could be in places with the slang and the way some of the things were phrased.

Overall this was an enjoyable read with plenty of drama and action to keep most readers on the edge of their seats. It is not the most amazing book ever, but it doesn't dumb down the storyline too much. I have read other books by this author and found her to be pretty good overall, with books that move at a fast pace with interesting plots and twists. Thoroughly enjoyable and while this may appeal more to girls than boys because the main character is a girl, it should appeal to boys too who like real life/dramatic reads.

If you like this book then try:

The set-up by Sophie McKenzie
Sold by Patricia McCormick
Beast by Ally Kennen
Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy
Variant by Robison Wells
The recruit by Robert Muchamore

Reviewed by Brilla

Blindsided by Priscilla Cummings

2012-01-31T13:19:00.000+13:00

For years Natalie has lived on the cusp of two worlds - the world where she can see, and the world of the blind. Since she was a child her eye sight has been slowly slipping away, shrinking from a full world to a world where she struggles to make things out. She has managed by counting her steps, making mental maps, and staying where things are familiar, but with the last of her sight slowly shrinking into nothing she makes the big step of attending the Baltimore Center for the Blind so she can learn the skills she will need if she loses the rest of her sight.

The school is not what she expected, not that she really expected anything. Not all of the students are blind, some of them are balanced in both worlds like Natalie, while others have additional disabilities to cope with. For ages she feels like a fraud, doing just enough to get by in her new classes, but stubbornly clinging to her old ways of coping when no one else is around. The white cane is a visual reminder of being blind and one she doesn't want to carry and use. Reading using Braille seems like admitting defeat and why should she have to learn it when there are audio books for her to listen to? With her sight slipping into darkness, Natalie has to find the strength and courage to embrace what could be her future.

This is an amazing book, and it really shows that the author did her research. The doubts and regrets that pass through Natalie's mind are both real and engaging, and you can't help but become part of her world. At times it can be a little hard keeping everyone in the school straight because the names fly thick and fast at times, but it doesn't really distract from the story. It is a coming of age story, it is a story about grief and grieving, and it is a story about true friendships and trusting in your self. Natalie is a strong character who has her ups and downs, but you don't feel sorry for her, she is a young woman who is more than capable of making her own decisions - even when she is facing something that is scary or devastating.

A must read for anyone who enjoys real life reads with real life characters.

If you like this book then try:

Thunder dog: the true story of a blind man, his guide dog, and the triumph of trust at ground zero by Michael Hingson with Susan Flory
Whisper by Chrissie Keighery

Reviewed by Brilla

Private # 1 suspect by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

2012-01-18T11:57:00.000+13:00

Jack Morgan has been on an overseas trip and walks in his door to find a dead body in his bed - but it's not just any dead body, and now he knows that he is being framed for a murder he didn't commit. It seems like a slam dunk case and there are plenty of people around who would like to see him crash and burn and spend the rest of his life in jail, or get the needle. It is a time to find out who is really loyal to him and Private, and who is not. To make matters even more complicated, Carmine Noccia wants to use their association to get back something that was stolen, something that could cause even more problems for Jack and Private. Weaving in and out of these stories are the other cases that are keeping the rest of the Private team busy - a series of murders in hotels, and a movie star who can't stay out of trouble.

This is the latest book in the Private series and it really starts with a bang. While the introduction leads you to believe Jack is innocent, the case just seems so tight that you have to wonder occasionally if he does have something to do with it. Slickly written, the story moves along at break neck pace and keeps you reading from the start to the finish. This is a very interesting series and has a lot of potential because there are Private offices around the world which allows for a large cast of characters and the opportunity for there to be cross over story lines between different offices. The pairing of Patterson and Paetro seems to work particularly well in terms of both the quality of the writing, and the ability for them to produce a seamless novel that keeps the action moving.

If you like this book then try:

Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
The surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
The survivors club by Lisa Gardner
Postcard killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
Swimsuit by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
The rabbit factory by Marshall Karp
The silent girl by Tess Gerritsen
Full black by Brad Thor
Level 26: Dark prophecy by Anthony E. Zuiker & Duane Swierczynski
Kiss the girls by James Patterson
Keeping the dead by Tess Gerritsen

Reviewed by Brilla

The dog who rescues cats by Philip Gonzalez and Leonore Fleischer

2012-01-14T14:30:00.003+13:00

Philip Gonzalez was always an active man who worked in the physically demanding job of construction. He had served his country in Vietnam and returned home to his family and friends, only to be badly injured in an accident on the job. Essentially losing the use of his right arm, Gonzalez began spiralling into a deep depression no longer caring about what he did, what he wore, and becoming virtually housebound. Dragged to the local shelter by a well meaning friend, Gonzalez was only interested in the big dogs, the large breeds and a male - until a small female met him at the bars of the adoption cage and decided he was the person for her.

Naming her Ginny, Gonzalez took her home and found a true companion and friend, another living being to share his world. What he didn't know was that Ginny would soon help their little family of two to grow. It turned out that Ginny had a knack for finding stray cats, and she also had a talent for finding cats with disabilities - from deafness, to blindness, to missing hind feet. Over the years Ginny and Gonzalez found cats all around the neighbourhood who needed help, and with his very limited disability payments Gonzalez fed dozens of cats each day, and spent time and money catching the cats, neutering them, and rehoming them if possible. Together he and Ginny saved dozens of lives and prevented hundreds of unnecessary litters.

The story of Ginny and Gonzalez is heart warming and touching, and at times deeply disturbing when you consider what was done to some of the cats. It is the story of the cats they rescued, but also much more - a story about unconditional love and trust. At times I laughed out loud and shared the funny parts, at other times I cried over some of the stories, and at times I was left gob smacked by what some of them went through. At times this is not an easy read, but it was well worth it in the end to "meet" this amazing duo and learn about the work they have done.

If you like this book then try:

Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper
A cat called Norton by Peter Gethers
Cowboy and Wills by Monica Holloway
Making rounds with Oscar by David Dosa
Finding Harmony by Sally Hyder
Dewey: The small-town library cat who touched the world by Vicki Myron & Bret Witter

Reviewed by Brilla

The real thing by Brian Falkner

2012-01-14T10:23:00.000+13:00

Fraser, Fizzer to his mates, is not your average teenager he has ESP - Extraordinary Sensory Perception. He can hear and smell better than other people, but his real talent is that he can tell you all about the fizzy drink you have given him to taste. He can tell you the brand and the flavour, and he is never wrong - until the day he is (but it wasn't really his fault). One little trip to Coca-Cola headquarters in Auckland soon snowballs into a trip to Atlanta and the start of the biggest adventure of Fizzers life.

This is a fantastically funny and enjoyable read from Brian Falkner. The story bounces and rollicks along with great momentum and just the right blend of idiocy, humour, and adventure. Fizzer and Tupai are great characters and the villains are delightfully troublesome. While the humour in some ways is distinctly Kiwi, it will also have a slightly wider appeal, and while it would be unfair to describe Falkner as a modern day Roald Dahl (because he is his own man and has his own style) there is something Dahl-like to this adventure of Fizzer and it may appeal to young readers who like Roald Dahl and would like to try something a little more modern.

Falkner is a great author and combines a great story with good pacing and just the right amount of background to keep things moving at the right pace. In a lot of ways this reads like a spoken story, like someone is telling it to you verbally and that they are skipping around a little because they want to make sure you are up with the play, and luckily Falkner finds the right balance with this technique rather than making the story too difficult to follow. I read this when it first came out and it was a real pleasure to read it again.

If you like this book then try:

Northwood by Brian Falkner
The super freak by Brian Falkner
The project by Brian Falkner
Charlie and the chocolate factory by Roald Dahl
The world around the corner by Maurice Gee
The Onts by Dan Greenburg
The field guide by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

Reviewed by Brilla

Homer's odyssey a fearless feline tale or how I learned about love and life with a blind wonder cat by Gwen Cooper

2012-01-10T13:44:00.002+13:00

Gwen Cooper was not looking to add another cat to her family of two felines, but when she was introduced to a small black bundle of fur with no eyes it seemed as though it was meant to me. Surrendered at only a few weeks old to the local vet clinic with an eye infection so bad the kindest thing to do was remove his eyes, Homer seemed destined to live a sad existence - but no one counted on the spirit of this small black cat and the devotion of his new owner.

Living through challenging times in her home town of Miami, Gwen survives the indignity of having to move back in with her parents while she struggles to change her career (all so she can support her brood), and all the cats survive having to move in with the dreaded enemy (insert here the word "dog"). As times moves forward steadily, the one constant in Gwen's life is the antics of Homer and the quiet dignity of Vashti and Scarlett - who were not much impressed by the appearance of a black whirlwind with no sense of decorum or common cat decency.

Moving to New York was another challenge for them all, and they seemed to make it with no problems - until 9/11 and the devastating after effects. Throughout it all are the lessons Homer taught not only Gwen but also those around her. A disability doesn't stop you living your life, sometimes it sucks but you can still make it work. If things don't work out how you expect then try again until you (hopefully) get a different result. And above all, that love makes a difference - even if it is a small one.

This was both a touching and memorable book. Homer is larger than life as are the supporting cast around him. Gwen is a fantastic voice for this story, which makes sense seeing as it is her story as much as Homer's. At times you climb to the heights of excitement and joy, and at other times you are right there are she lives through some of the worst moments in her life. Homer is amazing, but in her own way Gwen is equally amazing for the love and devotion she has shown to the cats in her life.

If you like this book then try:

A cat called Norton: the true story of an extraordinary cat and his imperfect human by Peter Gethers
A friend like Henry by Nuala Gardner
Every dog has a gift: true stories of dogs who bring hope & healing into our lives by Racehl McPherson with Deborah Mitchell
Making the rounds with Oscar by David Dosa
Talk to the tail: Adventures in cat ownership and beyond by Tom Cox

Reviewed by Brilla

The splendid spotted snake by Betty Ann Schwartz & Alexander Wilensky

2012-01-09T09:58:00.000+13:00

A little snake is born and begins to grow - it may sound like a rather simple concept, but this book is anything but simple. With each new page there is a new colour to explore and enjoy as the snake grows and grows and grows - becoming a bright and colourful wonder.

There are few books that become instantly memorable, but this is one of them, a picture book that will have the lasting appeal of The very hungry caterpillar. The illustrations are charming and simple, yet they have a huge impact, partly because the snake grows with bright yellow fabric strips coloured with bright spots. And the words that accompany the pictures blend perfectly with the pictures to make a fun read for the whole family to enjoy.

This is a perfect sharing book, either for a group of children in a class or storytime, or one-on-one with your favourite little (or big) person. Thoroughly engaging and lots of fun for all ages.

If you like this book then try:

The very hungry caterpillar by Eric Carle
Not a box by Antoinette Portis
What makes a rainbow? by Betty Ann Scwartz & Dona Turner
Should I share my icecream by Mo Willems

Reviewed by Brilla

You are my only by Beth Kephart

2012-01-08T13:15:00.001+13:00

Sophie lives a protected life with her mother - a protected life of homeschooling and constant moving to stay away from the "No Good". Her life is full of history and philosophy as she works through the essays and pojects her mother assigns, and reads the piles of library books that come home from the public library. It is the only life she has known, and she doesn't know what she is missing - until she breaks the rules and meets the boy next door. Joey and his family are a source of warmth and comfort, and they make Sophie realise that something is missing from her life.

Emmy is a young mother living through a series of nightmare events - one day she leaves her baby in the swing in the back garden for the few steps it takes to fetch a blanket from the house, but in that short time her baby is gone. Her husband thinks she is stupid, and more than a little crazy, but all Emmy wants to do is find Baby and bring her home. Her desperation leads to Emmy being locked away in a mental institution where she still clings to the need to find Baby, no matter what the cost.

Two stories told across time, a girl struggling to make sense of her mother and the way they live their lives, and a young mother who feels the need to find her missing Baby no matter what the cost to herself. A blending of two voices into a story that twists and turns between the past and present, with two unique and distinct voices taking you along on their personal journeys.

When I picked up this book I didn't like it at first, mainly because of Emmy and her "voice" which comes across as disjointed and clipped, like someone who is very simple or suffers from a mental illness where there is no firm connection to reality. But in the end the story sucked me in, mainly because once you get used to her voice Emmy is a fascinating character, as is Sophie who seems to polarise between being the dutiful daughter and being a normal teenager. The story unfolds rapidly and you can't help but connect with the other characters in the book - characters that surround both Emmy and Sophie.

At times it appears obvious where the story is heading, yet at times it catches you by surprise. This book will not appeal to everyone because it is a little odd and Emmy will drive some readers to distraction/boredom but I am glad I persevered and finished this book as it was a very satisfying read where you really feel as though you have lived through both their journeys, and the ending while a little abrupt was satisfying.

If you like this book then try:

The face on the milk carton by Caroline B. Cooney
Whatever happened to Janie? by Caroline B. Conney
Held by Edeet Ravel
Stolen children by Peg Kehret
Girl, missing by Sophie McKenzie

Reviewed by Brilla

Whisper by Chrissie Keighery

2012-01-08T09:13:00.000+13:00

Demi is about to start at her new school which is not that unusual, but Demi's new school is not your typical high school - it is a college for the deaf. Demi was part of the hearing world until she developed meningitis, and one of the lasting side effects was that she became profoundly deaf. Nearly two years later she is making the leap to study in a school especially for the deaf, rather than struggling through a normal high school where she had to depend on an interpreter. It is a huge change and an even bigger culture shock - especially when she meets Star, a teenager who has been deaf since birth and has grown up in a family where everyone is deaf.

Struggling to find a balance in her life, Demi tries to make the people around her understand who she is and what she wants. Her mother hovers protectively in the background, trying to convince her that the only chance she has for a normal future is to keep talking out loud and to attend a "normal" high school. Her perfect sister, Flawless, backs her mother up, trying to convince Demi to listen to reason and do what is best for her future. At her new school Star is dismissive of "hearies" encouraging Demi to stop talking and live in her new world, convinced that everyone from the hearing world wants to control her and stop her from doing things. Demi's father is the only one who really seems to relax and let Demi be herself.

Demi has left behind her old friends and her old school, not necessarily by choice, but also because she feels isolated from her old friends because they forget so easily that she can no longer hear. The hearing world is not always a friendly place, and Demi doesn't want to wear her deafness on her sleeve, letting the whole world know she is disabled. Demi is on the cusp of two worlds, and she can either find a way to being her two worlds together, or she can be torn apart by the conflict she has no real way to avoid.

A co-worker recommended this book, and I was a little sceptical when I started reading it because it seemed as though it was going to be one of those books - a book that tells you to feel sorry for someone with a disability because they deserve our compassion. Whisper was nothing like that, it is a compelling read that has you laughing, and at times crying, along with Demi as she moves forward into her new world, a unique world that has elements of her past hearing world, and elements of her new deaf world. Demi is endearing and very real, a voice for a generation of young people facing challenges in their lives who can make choices for themselves and change their own destinies. Demi was lovable and completely believable - this is one of the best books I have read for a long time and thoroughly recommend it.

If you like this book then try:

Thyla by Kate Gordon
See ya, Simon by David Hill
Read my lips by Teri Brown
Properties of water by Hannah Roberts McKinnon
Blindsided by Priscilla Cummings
Five flavours of dumb by Antony John
Read my lips by Jana Novotny Hunter

Reviewed by Brilla

My Henry by Judith Kerr

2012-01-06T11:36:00.001+13:00

A widow imagines her late husband, the eponymous My Henry, joins her in extraordinary adventures like riding a dinosaur, and swimming with mermaids.

A bittersweet reminiscing book, but not necessarily for children, more for those who have loved and lost.

If you like this then try:

The very best of friends by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Julie Vivas.
Always and forever by Alan Durant, illustrated by Debi Gliori.
Grandpa's angel by Jutta Bauer.
To hell with dying by Alice Walker, illustrated by Catherine Deeter.

Reviewed by Thalia.

A courtesan's guide to getting your man by Celeste Bradley & Susan Donovan

2012-01-06T10:05:00.001+13:00

In modern-day Boston, museum curator Piper is turning 30 and having a really bad day - either the worst of her life, or the second-worst. Both of these days have been witnessed by the gorgeous Mick Malloy. This day, however, has an upside, if she takes the challenge, of finding the long-hidden diaries of Olivia Harrington - local historical luminary and human rights campaigner.

In Regency London, 18-year-old Olivia finds a unique way of avoiding an arranged marriage - but leaving society behind and becoming a courtesan, trained by a masked man known to her only as 'Sir'.

With the encouragement of her best friend, Brenna, Piper undertakes a makeover inspired by the lessons and experience of Olivia, the Blackbird, gleaned from the diaries.
But does Piper have the courage to share Olivia's hidden past with the world in a very in-your-face museum exhibition?An intriguing read which made wish it was longer, with maybe more of Olivia's story. However, I do have some reservations about the realities of Olivia's experience. But what would I know, I'm not a 19th-century courtesan, nor a historian. And why didn't Olivia's hero open up sooner?
Steamy sex scenes.

If you like this book, then try:

Lisa Kleypas' Bow Street Runners series: Someone to watch over me, Lady Sophia's lover and Worth any price.
Lord Scandal by Kalen Hughes.
Samatha Saxon trilogy: The Lady lies, The Lady killer and The Lady's code.

Reviewd by Thalia.

City of lies by Lian Tanner

2012-01-02T07:53:00.000+13:00

City of lies is the second book in the Keepers Trilogy - if you have not read the first book Museum of thieves then be warned that the review below has ***SPOILERS*** and that you may want to read the first book before reading this review.

Welcome back to the city of Jewel, a land where until very recently all the children of the land were chained to either a parent or a Blessed Guardian to keep them safe from the dangers in the world around them. Thanks to the Museum of Dunt a spunky girl named Goldie Roth that has all changed - though not necessarily for the better. Golide is enjoying the new freedom, but she is also struggling with her destiny to be the next Keeper of the Museum of Dunt, despite all the pressure she is facing from her friends and the Museum itself. When her friend, and Toadspits little sister, Bonnie is snatched from the street she and Toadspit rush to the rescue, but they soon find themselves caught up in a dangerous new adventure.

Goldie, Toadspit and Bonnie soon find themselves in the city of Spoke a neighbouring city that is like Jewel, but is also very different. Separated from Toadspit and Bonnie, Goldie needs to figure out what is happening so she can find her friends and help them return home. There is a dangerous enemy in Spoke, and to make matters worse they have arrived near the time of the Festival of Lies when everyone tells a lie, and the bigger the lie the better! The only time anyone can tell the truth is when they are touching an animal, but even then can they really be trusted? Dangerous times lie ahead for Goldie and her friends, and back in Jewel a new danger lurks at the edge of the city.

This is the second book in this trilogy and I have to confess that I liked it more than the first book in the series - maybe because I was used to the writing style, and also because the second book in a series is often easier to read because all the introductions are out of the way and you can jump straight in with the story. I am really looking forward to the last book in the series Path of beasts to be released so I can see how this series ends. Goldie is a fascinating hero because she is so imperfect, and there are some interesting plot twists and some interesting mythology with this series (and from other reviews you may have figured out that I like interesting and well thought out mythologies).

City of lies is a great read and will appeal to a wide age range. Younger readers who would like a bit of a challenge will enjoy it, 'tweens will enjoy it, teens who struggle a little with their reading will enjoy it, and as I have proved adults will enjoy it too. Hopefully book three will round out the series well and leave us feeling as satisfied as City of lies, and hopefully Tanner will continue to write more books in this genre with her unique eye for what is and what could be.

If you like this book then try:

The star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson
Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo
Stone heart by Charlie Fletcher
Bartlett and the ice voyage by Odo Hirsch
Under the moutain by Maurice Gee
Into the wild by Erin Hunter
Finding the fox by Ali Sparkes

Reviewed by Brilla

Set me free by Eva Gray

2012-01-01T22:00:00.000+13:00

Set me free is the fourth and final book in the Tomorrow girls series. In November we reviewed book number two, and while this series was nothing to rave about it was a decent read that would have appealed to 'tween readers or to advanced younger readers or older readers who are struggling a little with their reading but would still like a good read. Set me free continues in the same form as Run for cover and finishes off the series nicely - though a few readers may find the series to be a little unsatisfying at the end. One of the biggest things about this series is that it would have worked well as one novel, with all the story lines blended together to form a cohesive whole - or as a duology with the action built during the first novel and then the last novel leading to the grand finale.

Don't expect too much from this series and you won't be disappointed. The characters are somewhat flat and two dimensional, and it feels like it was written more as a screen play than a novel, and I wouldn't be too surprised to see a made for TV movie made from this series. It is well written for what it is, but readers expect more these days, and they deserve more. A once-over-lightly read that will appeal to girls more than boys, and could lead to reading more books of the future dystopian genre or adventure stories like those mentioned below.

If you like this book then try:

Tomorrow, when the war began by John Marsden
Among the hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
The hunger games by Suzanne Collins
Variant by Robison Wells
Arrival by Chris Morphew
The lab by Jack Heath
Eve by Anna Carey

Reviewed by Brilla

Melody burning by Whitley Strieber

2012-01-01T20:30:00.001+13:00

Melody McGrath is the current It Girl of music, a rapidly growing star who is working on the second album and concert that could lift her to greater heights or make her crash and burn. Her mother is concerned about her music, but also about her image - it is all about the best, the biggest, and the brightest. That means that only place they can possibly live is the behemoth tower that is called the Beresford. Intersecting with her life is the life of a boy who has grown up in the Beresford after his father was thrown from the building. He has long forgotten his real name and has no idea of real life beyond the world of the Beresford - he lives his life through the people in the building, and through the TV that he enjoys when the tenants are away. It is a life he is comfortable with, one that he knows, and one that brings him close to Melody McGrath.

Their lives are about to collide in a most unexpected way. There is a sinister plot building around the Beresford, one that could cost them everything. The owner of the building has plans, and no one says no to him - not if they want to avoid the unpleasant consequences. One of the people curently under his thumb is Frank, the building superintendent. Frank has a record and a past, and he has no qualms about dealing with a squatter in the Beresford, but does he really have the stomach for the job?

Melody burning was an interesting read, but not for the reason you might think. I didn't particularly like the book, I found the writing to be a little off putting, a little too unbelievable, but the story itself was fascinating. Beresford in particular makes this story, he has the strongest voice of the two main characters, but even Frank has a strong voice when he comes to the fore. Melody is quite frankly annoying, but she thankfully develops a little over the course of the story and becomes bearable. I didn't like the book, but I am also glad I finished it, which is an odd position to be in for me who either usually loves a book and reads it, or dislikes the characters/story/setting and discards it almost immediately. It will not appeal to everyone but if you give Melody burning a chance like I did you may also enjoy it.

If you like this book then try:

The other side of dark by Joan Lowery Nixon
A door near here by Heather Quarles
The killers cousin by Nancy Werlin
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Locked inside by Nancy Werlin
Variant by Robison Wells

Reviewed by Brilla

A cat called Norton by Pete Gethers

2012-01-01T12:49:00.002+13:00

Peter Gethers was not a cat person in any way shape or form until a small kitten entered his life in a very unexpected way - that little bundle of fluff, whom he named Norton, became an inseparable companion and a star in his own right. Starting from the time he was a small kitten Norton became a seasoned travelling, taking trips by car, bat, and plane to take full part in his humans life. At times the story seems almost beyond belief, it seems impossible that one small little cat could have done everything that Norton did, but as the story develops you realise that Norton did all that and then some.

I read this story when it was first published in the 1990's and read the sequels that were released around the same time. Gethers has a true gift for writing about his cat Norton, breathing all the warmth and affection he has for Norton and the humour of all their adventures into a very readable auto/biography that has you laughing out loud for a good portion of the time (please note, don't read this book on public transport as the other commuters will look at you a little oddly). I loved being reacquainted with Norton and his adventures and was heartened to see that the other books in the series have either been released, though not necessarily with the same title, and that the original titles are available on Amazon.

This is a heart warming and touching read, and while it was a pleasurable read, it was also a reminder that there are some amazing people out there who really click with their companions. It also serves as a charming reminder that dogs don't have the monopoly on loyalty and unswerving devotion to the humans in their lives.

If you like this book then try:

Norton, the loveable cat who travelled the world by Peter Gethers
Making rounds with Oscar: The extraordinary gift of and extraordinary cat by David Dosa
Dewey: The small-town library cat who touched the world by Vicki Myron & Bret Witter
Homer's odyssey: A fearless feline tale, or how I learned about love and life with a blind wonder cat by Gwen Cooper
Cleo: The cat who mended a family by Helen Brown
The dog who rescues cats by Philip Gonzalez

Reviewed by Brilla

The always war by Margaret Peterson Haddix

2011-12-27T16:36:00.000+13:00

Tessa lives in a world of rationing and sacrifice, where the effort of her entire country is focused on supporting the war effort. It is a hard life and the world around her is dull and grey, the buildings, the people, and the future. The one bright spark is that her neighbourhood has a new hero, a neighbourhood boy who has been to war and returned a hero - or so they all think. Something is not right with Gideon though, and on the day of his ceremony he declares he was a coward and runs away. When Tessa follows him she finds herself on a journey that will change her life forever.

The always war is another absorbing and thought provoking read from Margaret Peterson Haddix. Almost more a novella than a true novel, the story is short and concise but has some amazing moments. It seems as though so many books lately are about dystopian futures, and so many of them seem to be churning through the same storylines - desolate future, small communities controlled by something, maybe a boarding school or two. The always war breaks away from this tradition, offering a different kind of dystopia, one where we could be in a very short space of time, a place we could face within our lifetimes.

Without giving away the story too much, Haddix has created a world that is our not too distant future, and it looks as though the story is set in a future America - but the names have changed and not being American limits some of my understanding of the lakes mentioned in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and hope that Haddix continues to write thought provoking and readable novels for many years to come.

If you like this book then try:

The walls have eyes by Clare B. Dunkle
Star split by Kathryn Lasky
Inside out by Maria V. Snyder
Genesis by Bernard Beckett
Sleeper code by Tom Sniegoski
Boy soldier by Andy McNabb and Robert Rigby

Reviewed by Brilla

Dhampir by Barb & J.C. Hendee

2011-12-27T15:15:00.012+13:00

Magiere and her partner Leesil travel from village to village, killing the Undead that plague the nearby lands. But the well run partnership is a con, with Magiere "killing" Leesil in each village with a stage show that leaves everyone convinced she has really done the deed. It is a life they have lived for years, but one night the con becomes too real when a creature attacks Magiere and just about kills her. Sick of their travelling lifestyle Magiere announces that she is moving to a tavern she has purchased, that her days of killing are over.

It seems as though their days on the road are over, with Leesil and his dog offered a place in the tavern it seems as though they have nothing left to worry about - apart from keeping the tavern running and staying in profit. But killing the strange man in the woods triggers a series of events that will force Magiere to accept some unpleasant possibilities - the least of which is the fact that vampires are very real, and not as easy to kill as her little road show has led people to think.

It is a little difficult to review this book without giving away too much about the story or where it is heading, as Dhampir is the first book in the Noble Dead series and a lot of the novel is about setting the scene for the future novels and future of the main characters. It is well written and some of the mythologies are a refreshing change from the same old, same old that you can get with some vampire novels. Magiere is also a refreshing change from some of the "heroes" of those series as she is a flawed human being (like the rest of us) - at least most of the time. Leesil is an interesting character in his own right, and provides a strong support for both the partnership and for the novel. Chap the dog is also interesting with little hints dropped about what he really might be, because he is definitely not just a dog.

This is the second time I have read Dhampir, the first time being about five years ago. Sometimes re-reading a novel can leave you feeling a little like you have seen it all before, but this was like reading it for the first time and I cruised through it in a day, not wanting to put it down. At least the first few sequels were also good and a worthwhile read.

If you like this book then try:

Blood price by Tanya Huff
Children of the night by Mercedes Lackey
Thief of lives by Barb & J.C.Hendee
Cry wolf by Patricia Briggs
Angels blood by Nalini Singh
Moon called by Patricia Briggs
Dead witch walking by Kim Harrison

Reviewed by Brilla

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

2011-12-26T15:15:00.001+13:00

Alex and his brother Aaron live in the world of Quill, where on their thirtenth birthday every child is sorted according to their future value to Quill. The Wanteds are destined for University and a bright future amongst the leaders of Quill. The Necessaries help to keep things working in Quill, working the farms and doing the hard labour that supports the Wanteds. Last of all are the Unwanted, the creative minds that disturb the balance of quiet, dull, boring Quill. Each year the Unwanteds are sent away to be Eliminated. This year Alex knows his fate before he hears it, he has known he will be Unwanted for some time, but it is a dreadful shock when Aaron is declared a Wanted. Taken away with all the other Unwanteds, Alex thinks he is going to his death but instead he finds himself under the care of Mr. Today, a strange man who keeps his world of Artime a secret.

Artime is not the fate that Alex or any of the other Unwanteds expected, and it is a shock for all of them to realise that the very acts that made them outcasts and reviled in the land of Quill are encouraged in the land of Artime, and that if they hone their skills they can even become weapons. As Alex settles into the routines of Artime and his new life, he can't help but wonder about Aaron and what is happening to those left behind, but in his desire to connect with his brother again Alex may place all of Artime in terrible danger. If Artime is ever discovered for what it really is then all of them are in terrible danger, and if Alex gives in to the need to see his brother then he may expose them all.

The Unwanteds is a fantastic read, a change of pace from a lot of the fantasy written at the moment. There are no cliches - there are some stock standard characters like the hero and the villain, but the world is also populated with fantastical creatures that you will find nowhere else. While at times the wording or turn of phrase is a little awkward, overall this is one of the most readable books I have read this year for the 9-13 year old age group. Alex is a fantastic character, and the cast around him is full of life, laughter, talent, and loss. There is a feeling like this could be the first book in a series, but it also finished in such a way that you are left feeling very satisfied with the ending. At times it does feel a little like this was written as a screen play as it would translate quite easily to the screen, but it also reads so well that you don't really mind.

A fun read for all ages, but not recommended for younger readers as there is a battle scene that may leave them a little uneasy - it is not full of graphic violence as such, but it is a realistic battle with loses and some fights that may make younger readers a little upset. While this may be an easy read for some teenagers, if you know a teenager who loves fantasy but struggles a little with their reading then this may be a good suggestion - it is engaging but not too challenging.

If you like this book then try:

The half men of O by Maurice Gee
Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda
Northwood by Brian Falkner
Harry Potter and the philosophers stone by J.K. Rowling
Spellbinder by Helen Stringer
Ella enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

Reviewed by Brilla

Variant by Robison Wells

2011-12-24T10:02:00.001+13:00

Benson Fisher is a foster kid who seems to have landed on his feet. Filling in the scholarship application seemed like a way out of the life he was living, an end to bouncing from foster home to foster home, and an escape from the latest home where he is supposed to be grateful that he has been put to work in the family business without any pay. But Maxfield Academy is not what he was expecting, and nothing can prepare him for the world he is about to enter.

There are no teachers on the campus, no adults what so ever. The classes are taught by other students, and the pattern of the classes makes no sense. The other students are just as wrong - formed into three different groups calling themselves gangs who seem to have sorted the way the school runs between themselves. It is a very different world, one where attempts to escape are punished with detention - a death sentence reserved for the worst offences at the school. Determined to escape, Benson soon finds himself tangled in the world of the school - it's politics, it's friendships, and it's secrets. But will he discover the darkest secret of all before it is too late?

This is the first book in a new series, and if the rest of the series is as explosive and action packed as this first novel then readers are in for a treat. There are lots of great things to recommend about Variant - it is deftly written without all the overbearing and O.T.T descriptions that weighs down so many young adult novels, the characters are well defined without any characters being too unbelievable, the pace is just right which keeps you going as the tension builds, and the ending is the perfect "what the?" ending, keeping you on the edge of your seat waiting for the next book in the series. While Variant may appeal slightly more to boys because the lead character Benson is a boy, it will keep anyone interested in a really good read on the edge of their seats and wishing they could read it in one session.

Highly recommended, and hopefully we won't have to wait too long for the sequel to be released.

If you like this book then try:

Hunger games by Suzanne Collins
Among the hidden by Margaret Patterson Haddix
Arrival by Chris Morphew
Legend by Marie Lu
Inside out by Maria V.Snyder
Tomorrow, when the war began by John Marsden
Shatter me by Tahereh Mafi
Virals by Kathy Reichs

Reviewed by Brilla

The unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

2011-12-17T07:35:00.001+13:00

Mara Dyer and her family have moved from New York to Miami after the death of her best friend and two other friends in a building collapse that Mara miraculously survives. Since the accident Mara has been unable to remember what happened, but in her nightmares she has vague memories of things that happen, and when she is awake she sees her dead friends in the mirror and other impossible places. The move to Miami is meant to be a new start, a place where she can leave the past behind and focus on a new future, but the past wont let her go and Mara finds herself teetering on the edge of sanity. It doesn't help that one of the girls at her new school seems to have it in for her, or that ones of the teachers seems to have it in for her too.

The one speck of light in her life is Noah, who makes everything feel different. Despite the fact that everyone in school thinks he is only after one thing (and once he gets it he'll be gone) Mara can't help but fall under his spell, despite all the alarm bells that go off in her head. As her life gets more challenging Mara begins to understand more about what happened that night in the ruins of the old asylum, and she learns more about what she is really capable of. While she struggles to understand what is happening, Mara has no idea that danger is stalking her and her family, and if she can't find her balance and figure out what is really happening it may be too late - too late for her, and those around her.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book when I picked it up - the reviews implied that it was some kind of supernatural love story, while the opening page implied it was more of a crime novel. The truth lies somewhere in the middle, with this deftly written book drawing together themes from a variety of genre and blending them together to form a novel that is startling - both in concept and story. Mara is not your typical heroine, but she is also not your typical anti-heroine either. The characters around her could easily have become cliches and ridiculous, but even the characters that are a cliche just seem to click into place and work well. When the big revelation comes it was not quite what I was expecting which was fabulous as it made the rest of the book a really absorbing read rather than just the same old same old.

This is a challenging read, mostly because it is over 400 pages long, but also because Michelle Hodkin has not dumbed down the language for her teen audience - and this book is definitely one that has a cross over into the adult market as well. Absorbing, gripping, and satisfying I can't wait for the promised sequel to come out so I can find out what happens next for Mara and those around her.

If you like this book then try:

Numbers by Rachel Ward
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Subject seven by James A. Moore
Thyla by Kate Gordon
Summon the keeper by Tanya Huff
Rosebush by Michele Jaffe
Raven's gate by Anthony Horowitz
City of bones by Cassandra Clare

Reviewed by Brilla

Thunder dog: The true story of a blind man, his guide dog, and the triumph of trust at ground zero by Michael Hingson with Susy Flory

2011-12-15T11:14:00.001+13:00

Michael Hingson and his guide dog Roselle were on the 78th floor of Tower 1 when the planes flew into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. This book is a blend of their story as they walked the 1,463 steps to escape the tower, and the story of a person who grew up in a family that didn't let his blindness stop him from living a full life. It is a deeply moving story for so many reasons, and is more than just a memoir or a biography, it is a window into the world of an extraordinary partnership that stayed strong through a devastating and confusing event that was felt around the world.

I have read a lot of books this year that provide an account of the life shared by a handler and their assistance dog, and each one has been unique and portrayed the way their various disabilities have affected their lives. Some have been working with dogs for years, like Michael Hingson who has worked with several guide dogs before partnering with Roselle, while for others the dog they are working with is their first dog. As I have said in other reviews of similar books, it seems as though publishing memoirs of people with disabilities and the dogs that help them has become the favourite thing for publishers to do at the moment, ranging from stories about children with autism spectrum disorder through to people with more traditional assistance dogs such as guide dogs.

Some memoirs have drifted from the path of the story, providing lots of background information that can at times be a little distracting, or they bounce from past to presence leaving you a little confused about where you are at in their life story. Thunder dog is expertly written, blending together the story of 9/11 with the story of Michael's life, mostly alternating chapters to bring you up to speed about how Michael ended up where he did, while also providing a much needed breather from the emotional and sometimes draining description of what happened on that day.

This was not an easy read, because while the book describes events as they unfold, as a reader (even one from New Zealand - the other side of the world) I can remember the horror of watching the news and seeing the planes flying into the towers, then watching the towers collapse, and worst of all watching the devastating aftermath as people searched for loved ones amongst the chaos. Each step of the way you know what is coming next, and experiencing what happened along with Michael adds an authenticity to events, something that you could never gain through watching events on the television.

This is a highly recommended book and while the first thing you see when you open the book is an article written by Michael because Roselle died earlier this year, the book is full of hope and life. Michael Hingson is a fantastic ambassador for guide dog users, but also for people with a disability who are living a full life without letting their disability control their lives.

If you like this book then try:

Emma and I by Sheila Hocken
A dog named Slugger: the true story of the friend who changed my world by Leigh Brill
Hearing dog: The story of Jenny and Connie by Angela Locke and Jenny Harmer
A friend like Henry by Nuala Gardner
Cowboy & Wills by Monica Holloway
Finding Harmony: The remarkable dog that helped a family through the darkest of times by Sally Hyder
Endal: How one extraordinary dog brought a family back from the brink by Allen and Sandra Parton with Gill Paul
Love heels: Tales from Canine Companions for Independence by Patricia Dibsie

Reviewed by Brilla

Anna dressed in blood by Kendare Blake

2011-12-14T08:16:00.000+13:00

Cas Lowood travels the United States (and sometimes the world) seeking out spirits that are causing havoc for the living and laying them to rest with an athame that only he can use. But Cas is not your average ghosthunter - he is a teenager who has to fit the ghosthunting around school and the perils that come with walking the halls of your average high school. His current mission is to find a spirit that kills and dismembers anyone who steps into her house, a spirit know as Anna dressed in blood - a girl who was murdered in a brutal fashion and who has haunted her house ever since.

Cas is careful to keep his double life a secret, but while hunting for clues about the location of Anna's house, Cas accidentally tangles some other teenagers up in his very complicated life. Since his father died it has always been just Cas, his mother, and their cantankerous cat Tybalt - but now Cas has found himself making friends and enemies, which is just going to make things really complicated. To make matters worse, Anna is like no ghost Cas has ever met before. She is beautiful / terrifying / deadly / sweet / tortured / vengeful / torn and she seems to be a prisoner to her fate, a ghost that has as many secrets from herself as she does from Cas. As he grapples with Anna, Cas has no idea that something dark is building, something is stalking them and unless he can keep his wits about him then everything may be lost.

Anna dressed in blood is one of the most original novels I have read this year, and not just because the text is the colour of dried blood instead of a boring and traditional black. The story leaps straight into the action and doesn't really let up until you reach the end of the gripping climax. While Cas is the main part of the story, his co-stars are more than cardboard cut outs making up the numbers, they have their own stories to tell and have something to add to the story rather than just being props. I was a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer when it first came out (and own them on DVD now as a guilty pleasure) and this story reminds me of BTVS for a number of reasons - they're teenagers, they have a team of adults backing them up from a distance, the team is not perfect and has its dysfunctions, and most of all the rest of the people around them are totally clueless about what is going on.

It was a great read with some little hints of background story that kept you up to date and moving on without drowning you in details. The ending was fantastic and kept the surprise right until the end, and while the ending is very satisfying it leaves the book with a place to go into a series if the authors wishes to keep the series going. One of the best reads for the year and highly recommended. It wont appeal to everyone because it has strong supernatural themes and the occasional (in context) f word, but it is engaging, a fresh voice, and promises more great things from this new author.

If you like this book then try:

Legacies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill
Tighter by Adele Griffin
Thyla by Kate Gordon
Born at midnight by C.C. Hunter
Burn bright by Marianne de Pierres
Something strange and deadly by Susan Dennard
Masque of the red death by Bethany Griffin
Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Reviewed by Brilla

Bom! Went the Bear by Nicki Greenberg

2011-12-06T13:17:00.000+13:00

Picture books filled with sounds play an important role in language development for children and are an essential part of emergent literacy for children - but so many publishers miss the point that just because they are important for learning doesn't mean they have to be boring!

Bom! Went the Bear is anything but boring. From cover to cover this picture book is packed full of bright and colourful characters that seem to leap off the page, and the sounds the different animals and instruments make are pulled seamlessly into a great story with a little bit of a twist at the end. There are animals and instruments galore and any young reader will thoroughly enjoy their noisy introduction to so many new instruments and friends.

This is a lovely little book, great to share with children of all ages. Can be read to your own little person, or can be read to a group as a storytime read.

If you like this book the try:

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy by Lynley Dodd
Hairy Maclary and Zachary Quack by Lynley Dodd
The loud book! by Deborah Underwood; illustrated by Renata Liwska
One, two, cockatoo! by Sarah Garson
Should I share my ice cream? by Mo Willems
New socks by Bob Shea

Reviewed by Brilla

The golden door by Emily Rodda

2011-12-04T10:57:00.000+13:00

Rye lives in the walled city of Weld with his mother and two older brothers, living in a city that is both protected and imprisoned by the mighty wall that completely surrounds the city. Once a year the dreaded skimmers plague the city, attacking anyone in the open at night, and they have even begun to attack buildings to reach the people inside. It is a world of terror and fear, where the smallest sound at night can attract the skimmers to your door, and it seems as though more and more families are falling victim to the vicious creatures. Rye and his family have been lucky so far, they all have a role to play in their town and their garden allows them to make enough money to live comfortably.

But then comes the big announcement, anyone over the age of 18 may undertake a quest, to leave the city of Weld by a secret way and find the source of the skimmers. Stopping the skimmers should save the city, meaning they no longer have to live in fear of the skimmers or the barbarians that send them. Rye's older brothers leave one after the other to undertake this quest, but neither of them returns. When Rye and his mother are driven from their home, Rye decides to undertake the dangerous quest himself - even though he is not of legal age. The quest will not be easy, there are strange creatures beyond the walls of Weld, and their is evil beyond anything Rye can imagine.

This is the first book in a brand new trilogy by Emma Rodda, and Australian author who has carved out a unique niche for herself in the fantasy genre for children. Her books are rich in detail and have story arcs that drag the reader in and keep them absorbed from the start of the series to the end - but at the same time she writes in a style that engages children who are struggling to read, taking away the stress of reading without dumbing down the writing or making the story too bland. Her stories blend together strong mythologies, true friends, adventure, and heroes who are very "human" and have a destiny that they know nothing about.

Like her other books, The golden door is very easy to read and keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next, with a fast paced story that you can sort of figure out, but also has a few mysteries and heart stopping moments to keep you wondering what will happen next. A truly enjoyable read that will appeal to a wide range of ages and tastes. For years I have encouraged children to read Emily Rodda (although at times she is so popular that you can't recommend them because they are just not there for people the borrow) because she is such an amazing author, but also because her series have some amazing art work courtesy of artist Marc McBride. I look forward to reading book two, The silver door, and will continue recommending this fantastic author to children (and adults) of all ages.

If you like this book then try:

Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda
The forests of silence by Emily Rodda
Northwood by Brian Falkner
The silver crown by Robert C. O'Brien
Silence and stone by Kathleen Duey
Prisoner of Quentaris by Anna Ciddor
Princess of shadows by Paul Collins

Reviewed by Brilla

Mastiff by Tamora Pierce

2011-11-30T16:51:00.000+13:00

Welcome to the world of Tortall, where an attack of unimaginable proportions has left the Royal Summer Palace in ruins, and the young Prince spirited away in the night towards destinations unknown. Summoned in the middle of the night, Beka Cooper is called away from to join the Hunt for the missing boy, leaving behind her friends and the funeral of her betrothed. Her Hunt will not be easy, not only is the person they search for meant to remain a secret, but even their small hunting party is attracting unwanted attention.

By her side during this Hunt are her partner Senior Guardsman Matthias Tunstall, Pounce a constellation disguised as a cat who at times is both a blessing and a curse, Lady Sabine of Macayhill a lady knight and close personal friend to Tunstall, Farmer Cape a mage from the Provosts Guard, and her scent hound Achoo whose powerful nose leads the way. This will be a dangerous Hunt, and Beka may have to risk it all to save the Prince.

This is the third book in the Beka Cooper series, and this series is very different from the other series Tamora Pierce has previously written. One of the biggest differences with this series is that it is written as a journal from Beka's point of view, rather than being a story that unfolds through the eyes of the author. This is also a much more mature series, covering themes and content that is not suitable for children and younger teens, a feature that made previous Pierce books such a great find for readers of all ages.

The world Beka lives in a rough and at times downright brutal, full of murders, assaults, and all the other things you would expect to find in a medieval world. This is not violence for violence sake, but it does strike a marked contrast from the other series. The adventures that Beka enters into are also more about the mystery behind them and the police work, using clues to help unpick the crime and while there is magic is in this series, it is not featured as prominently as it was in the Alanna series which is set several hundred years later.

I have to confess that I felt a bit annoyed with Mastiff at times, finding myself stumbling over certain parts of the story and wondering if I had misread something because sometimes it didn't seem to match up between what was said a page or two ago and what was said now - something that other readers may not feel as strongly. I hate to say it too, but I think that Mastiff could have benefited from losing a few pages (or a few dozen pages).

The story was built up a little too slowly for my taste, and the adventure itself seemed to take a little too long and be a little too detailed for my liking, it just seemed to be going on and on at times. It was a very epic story, but at times it seemed a little too epic - but again that could just be me. It has been a long time since I read Terrier (book one) and Bloodhound (book two) which may also have made it a bit more difficult for me to get into the story.

If you have read Mastiff and completely disagree with my review or if you only agree with part of it then please post your own review by adding comments. All comments are welcome (unless they are profane or offensive).

If you like this book then try:
Terrier by Tamora Pierce
Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce
The diamond throne by David Eddings
By the sword by Mercedes Lackey

Reviewed by Brilla

Blue chicken by Deborah Freedman

2011-11-27T14:23:00.000+13:00

Picture books are often a guilty pleasure for adult readers, something we can only enjoy when there are children around to justify our picking them up. There are just a few picture books that make the raised eyebrows from other adults worthwhile, and this is one of them! Some of my co-workers already know that I have a soft spot for picture books that are a little bit quirky or strange, and Blue chicken is one of those quirky books.

A lovely picture of a barnyard and barnyard animals is on a drawing table minding its own business when one of the chickens decides to climb onto the blue paint pot - which results in blue paint going everywhere! Soon all the animals are covered in blue and the blue paint continues to spread, all because one little chicken wanted to help out. I won't ruin the ending, but it is charming and reminds me of another book called Wait! No paint, but this is a much simpler book and will (hopefully) appeal to adults and children of all ages.

If you like this book then try:

Wait! No paint! by Bruce Whately
Giggle, giggle, quack by Doreen Cronin; illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Click, clack, moo: cows that type by Doreen Cronin; illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Cushie Butterfield (she's a little cow) by Colin McNaughton
If you give a mouse a cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff; illustrated by Felicia Bond

Reviewed by Brilla

Beauty and the Werewolf by Mercedes Lackey

2011-11-27T10:34:00.000+13:00

Beauty and the Werewolf is the latest offering in the Five Hundred Kingdoms series by Mercedes Lackey, and here I have to use the term series somewhat loosely as you can pretty much pick them up in any order and read them without too much trouble, or wondering what has happened in other stories up to this point. This series leans heavily on traditional stories and fairytales, but uses them in a rather unique way - there is a powerful force called the Tradition (note the capital T) which tries to force people into the mould it thinks fits best for their personal circumstances. So while a stepmother may not begin as mean and petty, the force applied by the Tradition may eventually turn her into the typical stepmother found in tales.

This particular tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms introduces us to Bella, a feisty and headstrong young woman who runs the household of her merchant father while indulging her hypochondriac stepmother and being the perfect big sister to her twin stepsisters. Everything seems to be going swimmingly, until she runs into a spot of bother one night while on her way from visiting the Granny in the local forest. Bitten on the ankle by a werewolf, Bella finds herself bundled up and whisked off to the local manor where she finds out the secret that has made the Duke a recluse all these years - he is the werewolf that bit her. Forced to live in the manor with the Duke Bella tries to make the best of the situation and soon finds herself caught up in the mystery of why the Duke is a werewolf (it didn't happen the usual way after all), and the greater mystery of the servants of the manor who are not what they appear to be.

This is not my favourite book in this series, but it was also not the worst one in the series either (I never did manage to get very far with the The Snow Queen). Isabella is more than a little annoying to begin with, and it took a while to warm to her as a character, but at least she does change over the course of the book and becomes a much better person (in my humble opinion anyway). At times the characters seem a little flat and two dimensional, but that may just be because some of the other books in the series have set such a high standard. Lackey's understanding and use of fairytales and traditional stories is phenomenal and you can see that not only in this series, but also in her elemental masters series which is set during different historical periods in our own world - and some of the stories have been the same, the sleeping beauty, Cinderella, and more. The Tradition is a fantastic device for allowing all sorts of different things to happen, or not as the case may be, and there is a wealth of material out there to allow for many more books in the five hundred kingdoms series.

If you like this book then try:

The fairy godmother by Mercedes Lackey
The sleeping beauty by Mercedes Lackey
The fire rose by Mercedes Lackey
The serpent's shadow by Mercedes Lackey
Phoenix and ashes by Mercedes Lackey
Reserved for the cat by Mercedes Lackey

Reviewed by Brilla

Run for cover by Eva Gray

2011-11-24T09:08:00.001+13:00

Run for cover is the second of four books in the Tomorrow girls series and picks up the action where the first book left off. The series is about four girls who are sent to a boarding school in the middle of nowhere in a future America where the Alliance is a threat to everyone living in the USA and parents are sending their children to school in secret locations where they can be safe. Thrown together in one group at the school are Louisa, Maddie, Evelyn, and Rosie - four girls who are all hiding secrets from each other.

In the first book the girls discover that the school is not what they think it is, and not what their parents are expecting either. A closely followed schedule of hard work, exercise, and reading out dated books are the norm at the school, and it may not be a bad thing for them to learn how to take care of themselves as when they leave school they will be expected to join the war effort against the Alliance.

Like so many books at the moment there is a strong dystopian theme running through this series (which could in fact have been one big book instead of four little ones). This time the point of view has switched to Rosie, the one with the survival skills and a secret that she is reluctant to share with the others. At times this story is very light and fluffy, almost like a real novel that has been reduced to the bare bones and then published - this doesn't mean that the series isn't worth reading, it just means that you shouldn't expect too much from the story.

There are several books and series similar to Tomorrow girls, stories that have an intelligent idea or storyline, but that have been stripped of a lot of the body to make a fast paced, easier to read novel. For young adults that struggle with reading but still want to read good books this is important as they don't have to wade through lots of heavy writing to get to story, but for more confident readers it can be a little bit of a let down when you have an expectation of a richer storyline after reading similar stories or series. Overall a great read, just don't expect too much.

If you like this book then try:

Behind the gates by Eva Gray
Among the hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Eve by Anna Carey
Tomorrow, when the war began by John Marsden
The Hunger games by Suzanne Collins

Reviewed by Brilla

Angel Arias by Marianne de Pierres

2011-11-23T07:31:00.000+13:00

Angel Arias is the sequel to Burn bright, if you have not read Burn bright then be warned that there are ***SPOILERS*** in this review. If you want to read the books in order then don't read this until you have read the first book.

Naif and her friends are away from Ixion and living with others that Ruzalia the pirate has rescued. It should be a time of relaxation and coming to terms with what they have learned, but instead it is a time of unease and tension. The other young people around them are growing restless, pushing at the boundaries that Ruzalia has set in place, boundaries put there to keep them safe. When the anger and resentment boils over into an all out attack, Naif and her friends find themselves searching for safety.

That search eventually lands Naif and Markes in the last place they might have expected - they have returned to their homeland of Grave. They are on a dangerous mission to discover what the connection in between Grave and Ixion, two places that seem at first to be polar opposites, but there are secrets that will blow that illusion away forever. While Naif searches for the answer to their questions in Grave, Lenoir is struggling to keep control in Ixion, control that is slowly slipping through his fingers with each passing day. As both Lenoir and Naif learn what is really going on, it may alrady be too late to stop a dangerous slide into disaster - for everyone.

This is the second book in the trilogy, and apart from one mistake where one of the characters is called by the wrong name, it is another deftly written book and moves along at a rapid pace. In some ways this series is very lightly written, lacking some of the depth and detail in other series, but it keeps the pace moving along and there is enough story to keep things interesting and engaging.

At times Angel Arias does seem to suffer a little from “second book” syndrome, reminding readers of important parts from the first book and then dropping hints about what is to come in the concluding book. Naif is still the central character of the story, with the focus on her while the other characters revolve around her and come in and out of focus as she works her way through Grave, but it works for this story.

Don’t expect too much from this series except to enjoy it and you will – expect too much from this series and you will be disappointed. The relationships at the centre of the story are at times breathtaking in their dept, but at other times the friendships echoe everyday friendships that we all have. Bring on book three to see how this trilogy finally ends – especially now that some of the dark secrets of both Grave and Ixion have been revealed and you know some kind of big event is going to happen.

If you like this book then try:

Crave by Melinda Metz and Laura J. Burns
Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Blood and chocolate by Annette Curtis Klaus

Tinker by Wen Spencer

Reviewed by Brilla

There is no dog by Meg Rosoff.

2011-11-16T12:24:00.001+13:00

Because of Rosoff’s publishing history, this wee number has ended up in teen collections. *Sigh*. Yeah, sure, it has been marketed as a teen book but, IMHO, the closest you’d get is that it is a cross-over novel.

It’s not even really that. It’s an adult fiction. It’s a bit navel-gazing. It’s a bit nostalgia. The sensibilities are adult.

God may be Bob, 17-year-old angsty teen with sex on his mind, and complete oblivion to the chaos he causes, thanks to his self-centeredness.

Alongside Bob, as his assistant, is Mr B who, quite frankly, has had enough of the juvenile behaviour of this god, and wants out. It is his impatience, his ennui, that pervades the novel. And, honestly, made me less than sympathetic to pretty much any character. Even Bob’s pet, Eck, whose plight seems thrown in to highlight the gods’ disregard, even contempt, for mortals (of any species).

Lucy, Bob’s love interest, is flowery and annoying. Her mother and godfather are, just slightly, more interesting – but that’s because they’re adults, with pasts, and are treated slightly more sympathetically.

So, for me, a big meh. Didn’t leave me questioning much about GOD, although I’m sure it should have, just questioning why I bothered finishing it and how long it would take to do so, and go away.

If you want books that explore questions of God and what he/she/it may be like - and have a greater likelihood of enjoying them... then try:

Job, a comedy of justice by Robert A. Heinlein.
Good omens the nice and accurate prophecies of Agnes Nutter, witch by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman.
Odds and gods by Tom Holt (well, lots of Tom Holt… including Only human).

~ Reviewed by Thalia.

Changes by Mercedes Lackey

2011-11-15T08:05:00.001+13:00

This is the third book in The Collegium Chronicles from Mercedes Lackey so there will be some spoilers in this review, if you like to read series in order without ***SPOILERS*** then don't read this review any further until you have read Foundation and Intrigue.

Mags is well settled into the Collegium and is steadily working towards becoming a Herald, but fate is determined to through road blocks in his way and they are not always obvious. His close group of friends are also facing their own challenges - mostly from their respective fathers. Bear has created an amazing and valuable resource for people who aren't Healers and who don't always have access to a Healer, but his father sees it as nothing and wants to drag him home so he can make babies that might just have the Healer gift that Bear lacks. Lena is facing her own demons, her father has a new protege, and to make things worse there is a rumour going around that she is not really her fathers daughter, despite the Bardic gifts that she carries. Mags would normally help to smooth things over and help them stay together, but instead he is dragged into an intriguing mystery with the King's Own Nikolas.

There are dangers a foot as well, with plans to fix Amily's leg pushed aside with no warning and no reason, and even though Mags may be in a position to find out what it is it may be too late to stop things spinning out of control and placing the whole kingdom in danger. Even with his Companion Dallen as his constant support and teacher, Mags is still not prepared for some of the secrets he is about to expose. Mags skills at deducing what is going on around him are going to be stretched to the limit because this time he is not only part of the solution, he is also part of the problem. The forces that are moving against Valdemar are also moving against him, and this time the people sent after him are scarily good, so good that even Mags may not be able to stay out of their clutches for very long. There are some unpleasant days ahead for Mags, and some of the biggest questions are still who is he, who were his parents, and why is he a target?

This is the third novel in the series and by now Mags, Lena, and Bear are like old friends. Mags has continued to develop as a strong character, and the relationship between Mags and Dallen just rings out as one of the truest Companion/Herald relationships, right up there with Talia and Rolan, and Vanyel and Yfandes. It is often these relationships that make these novels and the world of Valdemar so magical and engaging. The one thing that bugged me about this novel was trying to figure out what Mags was saying some of the time - yes I know he has a thick and uneducated way of talking, but sometimes it was just too heavy handed with the way it was written and reading late at night didn't help. Here is a silent plea to Mercedes Lackey to try and make it a little easier next time and to not lay it on quite so thickly.

The world of Valdemar is one of the most engaging in fantasy and over the decades there have been some stunning series with epic battles, mysteries, and the odd touch of romance to keep you thoroughly engrossed. I have to admit that as a teenager the world of Valdemar had no small part in forming some of the ideas that have stayed with me as an adult - including subtle comments about religion and sexuality. It is difficult to forget the simple motto of "there is no one way" when it comes to religion, with all the different temples and deities accepted by everyone in Valdemar (okay, pretty much anyone). And it is difficult to forget some of the amazing relationships throughout the novels that show that it is not what the other person looks like that matters, it is who they are inside - and the homosexual relationships are treated with the same attention and equality as the heterosexual relationships without pushing them in your face or being over the top - they are treated as an equal relationship.

It looks as though The Collegium Chronicles may be a long running series, a break from the trilogies that Lackey has written in the past. As long as the story keeps developing as it is, the suspense of Mags' past should keep you coming back, and coming back - because something is building on the horizon and it looks as though Mags is going to be at the centre when whatever is coming finally happens.

If you like this book then try:

Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey
Magics pawn by Mercedes Lackey
Winds of fate by Mercdes Lackey
The Elvenbane by Mercedes Lackey and Andre Norton
Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey

Reviewed by Brilla

Supernaturally by Kiersten White

2011-11-12T07:16:00.000+13:00

*** SPOLIER ALERT*** If you have not read Paranormalcy and don't want to know anything about the second book in the series then don't read this review - read Paranormalcy first!

Evie has left the IPCA behind forever and is finally living her life as a normal teacher - complete with boring classes, worries about getting into the one and only college she wants to get into, and a gym teacher who seems to have it in for her. So life is normal, not perfect, but normal - well as normal as it can get for a supernatural being who has no soul of her own and lives in a town where all the freaky supernatural things seem to be gathering and hanging out together in relative safety, and where every single one of them seems to be taking a little too much interest in Evie. The only thing that is really perfect is her amazing boyfriend Lend, who has moved on to college but still finds time for his girlfriend.

When the IPCA contacts Evie and offers her work as a contractor, the offer is too good to refuse, even though it means entering back into a world she thought she had left behind forever. It also means a new complication enters her life, a highly annoying but also seemingly harmless Jack, who can bounce across the faerie lands like most people navigate their way through city streets. Working for IPCA is a secret, partly because Lend is dead set against it, but also because in some ways Evie herself is not sure what she is doing. Then things start to turn deadly and Evie finds herself dodging danger like she has never known before, and as a contractor for IPCA instead of one of their own, she doesn't get all the toys she used to have to back her up. Depending on other people isn't always a bad thing, but what happens when some of those people are keeping secrets, secrets that could be deadly?

Supernaturally is the second book in what could be a trilogy (judging by the hint about a conclusion to the story in the next book) and is one of the best novels for teens in the supernatural genre at the moment. While it took a little while to really get absorbed in the story again, this was only because it has been some time since I read the first book in the series and the details got a little hazy because of all the books I have read in between. Evie's world continues to get more interesting, and with this addition to the trilogy secrets are revealed and you learn more about Evie, who she is, what she is, and what started the process for some of the supernaturals evolving (and it may not be what you expect). The story line is fast paced for the majority, with the action taking place in a relatively short time. This was an enjoyable read, and there is some interesting mythology in Evie's world which means that the supernaturals are not cookie-cutter copies of other vampires or werewolves in other novels.

If you like this book then try:

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Hush, hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Deception by Lee Nichols
The carrier of the mark by Leigh Fallon
Night terror by John Passarella
Angel burn by L.A. Weatherly

Reviewed by Brilla

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

2011-11-06T14:12:00.000+13:00

London Lane is your typical teenager - she goes to school, likes to hang out with her best friend, and has a mother who drives her ever so slightly round the bend. And like other teenagers London has her secrets, hers is a just a little bigger than most - unlike other people London doesn't remember the past, she remembers the future! Every day when London reads the notes by the side of her bed to prepare herself for the day, little reminders of what she wore the day before and the important things that she might need to know for the coming day. Having memories of the future means London knows what is coming, she can see the heartbreak that is coming for her best friend, the girl at school who will have her heart broken, the vacations that she will take in the future - but she can't remember who she has insulted (by accident or otherwise), her homework assignments, or what happened in her past that led to her memory resetting itself every night.

Then a mystery enters her life, a boy named Luke who doesn't appear to be in her future, yet he is there everyday, a presence in her life that helps to soothe the edges when her friendship with Jamie breaks down because of London's attempts to stop a disastrous future from coming true. But it is not just the mystery of Luke that has her puzzled, there is a dark memory that is trying to come to the surface, a memory that London has trouble placing, one that wakes her at night and leaves her with a feeling of dread. As she works her way through the mysteries that are her life, London learns more about who she is and possibly why she is the way she is.

This was a fascinating read, not only because London is such an engaging character, but also because it is such a different angle to come from in terms of memory. I want to classify it as fantasy or science fiction, but this book is so grounded in the real world that it is difficult to make that jump, to reach that conclusion. This is an amazing book and has such a unique "voice", and unlike so many other books that are out there that try and be unique or different, Patrick actually managed to keep the intrigue going all the way to end and ended the book on a good note, rather than allowing the story to end with a wishy washy or too convenient ending. It would be difficult to have a sequel for this story without rehashing some things, or becoming too similar, but it was a really enjoyable read. There is the occasional moment where you may think "huh" that doesn't sound quite right, but it is not enough to take away the enjoyment of reading this great read.

If you like this book then try:

Before I fall by Lauren Oliver
The unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Tighter by Adele Griffin
Flawless by Lara Chapman
Memento Nora by Angie Smibert
Rosebush by Michelle Jaffe
XVI by Julia Karr
Illuminate by Aimee Agresti (published 2012)
Altered by Jennifer Rush (published 2012)

Reviewed by Brilla

Eve by Anna Carey

2011-11-06T13:20:00.001+13:00

In the not too distant future the New America has risen from the ashes of a devastating plague under the rule of a benevolent King who wants to protect the orphans left behind while building up the future of their country. Eve lives in one of the Schools, a place of safety where she learns about the dangers of the world outside the sheltering walls of the school, a world of wild dog packs and men. Eve has been taught to be wary of men, to suspect them of manipulation and betrayal, and she dreads the day that she might meet one.

Most of her life has been spent studying and learning the ways of her future, preparing for the day that she will leave the school and take her place in the world. The one sour spot in her world is Arden, the only school rebel, a troublemaker that makes Eve so angry she can barely stand it - especially when she catches Arden trying to escape from the school. Making the decision to find out the truth, Eve discovers the secret she was never supposed to know - her future is not to be one of the bright new minds rebuilding the future of New America, her future is to help breed the future population while she is strapped down to a bed. Given the chance to escape Eve flees from the school, but she didn't count on how badly she will be missed, or the search that will place her life at risk, along with the lives of those who join her on her journey to the distance promise of safety.

There is a real trend at the moment to write books about a future dystopian society that all began because of a plague that has wiped out large chunks of the population - along with the side sub-genre that is all about losing part of the population that comes back as zombies. Eve is a deftly written, fast paced read that keeps up the action while keeping the story believable. There is a little sense of skipping over some of the details, but this book would lose a lot of its charm if it became too bogged down in detail. This is the first book in a promised trilogy, and if Carey can keep up the pace and the action then the rest of the series promises to be very interesting.

Eve is just what you would hope for in a heroine - she is not too smart or dumb, she is pretty but not so stunning that she is unbelievable, and she has big flaws that change and reduce as the story moves along. Her supporting cast as also well written providing a more worldly balance to Eve's charming and sheer naivety about the world around her and how things really are (as opposed to what she has been raised to believe the world is like). There is some violence, but it is not gory or gratuitous, and there is some reference to sexual attraction, but not to a level that makes it unsuitable for younger teen readers. This story will appeal more to the girls than the boys, but there is enough action here to keep boys interested if they take a punt on a book that has a very girly name.

If you like this book then try:

The hunger games by Suzanne Collings
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Among the hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Inside out by Maria V. Snyder
Virals by Kathy Reichs
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Behind the gates by Eva Gray
The silver crown by Robert C. O'Brien
Rot and ruin by Jonathan Maberry
The forest of hands and teeth by Carrie Ryan

Reviewed by Brilla

Soul thief by Jana Oliver

2011-10-27T12:04:00.000+13:00

***spolier alert - if you have not read the first book in the series then do not read this review as it has spoilers for the first book***

Riley managed to survive the attack on the Trappers, but now things are getting even more complicated. Simon is giving her the cold shoulder while he tried to come to terms with the attack on the tabernacle and the ensuing slaughter, and he doesn't seem to understand that there are more things to think about than his narrow world view. Her fathers disappearance is still a mystery, with no one claiming responsibility for the theft of his body, and all trails leading to a dead end. Beck is being a controlling jerk and trying to get Riley to leave town, which may not be such a bad idea with the hunters arriving in town. Riley has enenmies at every turn, and her allies may not be who she thinks they are. The danger is building for Riley and everyone she loves - and it looks like a showdown is coming, a war to end all wars.

This is the second book in the Demon trappers series and Jana Oliver has once again delivered an engaging novel with a thoroughly engrossing story and entirely believable world. Riley has continued to grow as a character, but she has also maintained the character flaws that make her entirely believable. It is not clear how long this series will run, or how many books will be in the series, but Oliver has laid very good ground work for a long running series.

One of the best things about this series is that it is so genuine - too many authors dumb down storylines for teenagers or take the easy way out with the plotlines, but Oliver keeps the plot moving forwards and keeps the action tense (and real). This is a series that will appeal to a wide audience, because although Riley is a teenager the world she inhabits is a very adult one, with danger around every corner, adult relationships, and having to make very adult decisions. Hopefully this series doesn't over reach or try too hard and fail, because this could be the next Twilight reaching across a wide range of audiences and providing a new world for readers to enjoy for a long time.

If you like this book then try:

The black tattoo by Sam Enthoven
Dead witch walking by Kim Harrison
Born at midnight by C.C. Hunter
Burn bright by Marianne de Pierres
Legacies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill

Reviewed by Brilla

Game runner by B.R. Collins

2011-10-25T07:31:00.000+13:00

Rick is one of the lucky few in Undone, he lives in the sheltered environment of Crater, the biggest gameing company in Ingland. It is a sheltered life where he is protected from the dangerous streets of Undone where gangs of feral children roam, and where the acid rain will poison and kill you if you spend time outside without the safety of a rain hood. All day long he spends time in the tank running the Maze, the only game that really counts, the one that everyone is Undone would play if they had the chance - maybe even the whole world would play if they had the chance. The world seems perfect and safe, until the night Daed asks him to enter the Maze and stop a player from reaching the end - that one request starts a spiral of terrifying events as Rick comes to realise that his world is not perfect, or safe, or secure. Rick is on a race against time to figure out what is really happening, and to try and find a way to survive.

Dystopian novels for teenagers are a growing sensation, and they all seem to be looking for that little difference that will make their vision of the future stand out. In many ways Game runner is a fresh voice in this genre, a different take on what is becoming a predictable formula. Unlike some of the other dystopian novels this is a relatively quick read, building the vision quickly and then dragging you through the story at breakneck speed without any of the weighty prose or ensnaring plots that make some dystopian novels sooo long and complicated. The detail is there, but it unfolds as part of the story rather than being a narrative on the sidelines that seems like a voice explaining the plot of the movie because you can't figure out what is happening on screen. The one thing that niggles a little is that it seems a little too close to the Hunger games trilogy by Suzanne Collins - but that is possibly because of the shared Collins surname and the fact that they are both set in the future and that they both involve running through dangerous environments (although in this case a virtual environment).

Overall this was a very satisfying read, being nothing more or less than was promised. There is the odd plot twist that makes you think huh, and the ending is not what you might expect. While the target market appears to be teenage boys (computer games, a mystery, a shark in the swimming pool - need I say more) there is also plenty here for anyone who likes a really engrossing read that isn't going to take days to finish. Hopefully Collins writes more of this time because she has a punchy writing style and has a knack for keping the story moving at a decent pace.

If you like this book then try:

Hunger games by Suzanne Collins
Because we were the travellers by Jack Lasenby
Enclave by Ann Aguire
Serpents of Arakesh by V.M. Jones
The walls have eyes by Clare B. Dunkle

Reviewed by Brilla

Firespell by Chloe Neill

2011-10-13T08:32:00.000+13:00

Lily Parker is about to start at the exclusive St Sophia's in Chicago - a private academy for girls that just screams old money and snooty girls. It seems as though Lily is going to be out of her league very quickly, but her fast friendship with Scout (one of her new room mates) means that she is not as lonely as she seems - even though the local queen bee and her followers seem to want to make her life miserable. Scout has a secret she is keeping though - she is part of a group that is trying to protect the streets of Chicago from the bad guys, bad guys who have power and are not afraid to use it to get what they want. Lily has been thrown in the deep end and she has to learn the rules of the new world around her before she makes a fatal mistake.

This is the first book in the Dark elite series and introduces readers to Lily Parker, Scout and the rest of the people who populate a world where magic is a very real thing, as are the dangers that come because of it. When I read this I had the feeling that I had read parts of this before, possibly because there seems to have been a mini explosion of books about teenagers with magic who are living in a boarding school situation. That said, this is an interesting read that moves along at a decent pace, but there are some cliches that raise their heads so the speak - you have the mean queen bee, the braindead follower, the handsome boy who's just out of reach, the bad guys who may not be what they appear, and the superior bad guy who just oozes bad guy stuff.

It will be interesting to see if the rest of the series continues with the same speed and strength. This is not the best book of this type out there, but it is very readable and hasn't been dumbed down for a teenage audience (which sadly some authors do). This book is a nice balance between a fun read, and a read with real mythology and 'world building' behind it - a world that you can really believe exists within ours, just waiting to be discovered.

If you like this book then try:

Hexbound by Chloe Neill
Glass houses by Rachel Caine
Hex hall by Rachel Hawkins
Glimmerglass by Jenna Black
Skin hunger by Kathleen Duey
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Legacies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill

Reviewed by Brilla

Crave by Laura J. Burns & Melinda Metz

2011-10-11T14:57:00.001+13:00

Shay has a rare and debilitating blood disease, one that seems to defy a proper diagnosis from all the specialists she has seen throughout her life. Her life is a series of blood transfusions that help her life a half life - one where she is always watching the other kids at her school go to parties, hang out, and make it through a whole week of school. Then her stepfather, who also happens to be one of the best doctors around for someone with a blood disease, gives her a transfusion that has Shay fizzing with life, bursting with an energy she has never had before. Suddenly she is hanging out and being normal, leaving the "Sick Girl" tag behind. But where does the new blood come from, what makes it so special, and why does she keep having visions of another life where the people around her call her Gabriel - where the people around her are vampires.

Finding a new way to twist the vampire mythology is not easy, especially with all the creative people out there who have tackled not only the vampire mythology, but also the dhampir mythology. Burns and Metz have done a great job of finding something new here, something that while at times was a little transparent so you could see things coming, was also just a little bit clever. Jumping in with the action can be a tricky move for a book, but the gamble paid off here with action straight away and the back story coming through slowly as the book unfolds. This is obviously the first book in a series (judging by the fact that the sequel is already available) and if the series remains as strong as the first book then this will be a good series to read.

If you like this book then try:

Sacrifice by Laura J. Burns & Melinda Metz
Turned by Morgan Rice
Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Glass houses by Rachel Caine
Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
Kissing coffins by Ellen Schrieber

Reviewed by Brilla

First born by James Goss

2011-10-09T09:16:00.000+13:00

With the destruction of Torchwood, and with Captain Jack leaving Earth, Gwen is the only remaining link to Torchwood and someone wants her very badly judging by all the men in black chasing her and Rhys across Wales. Being on the run is never fun or easy, but being heavily pregnant adds its own complications, as does the arrival of baby Anwen. Hiding in an out of the way little village called Rawbone seems like an okay plan, until Gwen and Rhys notice that there is something very different about the children of Rawbone - they're a little too neat, a little too perfect, more than just a little bit difference. Things are also strange with the adults, they seem to have an unhealthy interest in Rhys, Gwen and Anwen, an interest that could turn dangerous if Gwen can't figure out what is really going on in this village - and the fact that Torchwood has the key for a caravan in an abandoned caravan park means that Jack knows something, if only he was there to ask.

Novels that tie in to TV series can either go really well, or really badly, depending on the author and how well they learn the details of their characters through the eyes of the fans. You could probably write a really good novel using the facts from the writers of the show, but it can take someone who has watched the series to make it really work. I can't judge if James Goss watches the show or not, but it appears that he is very steeped in the worlds/cultures of Torchwood and the result is a punchy novel that is thoroughly engrossing and you can almost see the episode running through your head.

This is part of a series of three novels that act as prequels for season four of Torchwood and is the bets of the two I have tried to read - the other being Long time dead which was discarded after the first few pages because it lacked any zing. The only weird thing about this particular books are all the references to motherhood and what it feels like - kind of weird from a male author even if he did acknowledge his support team. Thoroughly enjoyable read and I can't wait to get my copy of The men who sold the world so I can see how that compares to the others in the series.

If you like this book then try:

X-files: Ground zero by Kevin J. Anderson
X-files: Skin by Ben Mezrich
Doctor Who: The kings dragon by Una McCormack
Doctor Who: Nuclear time by Oli Smith
Torchwood: Pack animals by Peter Anghelides

Reviewed by Brilla

Cowboy & Wills by Monica Holloway

2011-10-05T08:17:00.001+13:00

Wills is the much loved son of Michael and Monica, and he also has high functioning autism. This book is the story of how Monica brings a menagerie of small animals into his life (that builds into a small zoo) that make a difference, and the story of a golden retriever named Cowboy who made big changes in all of their lives. This is a families journey of discovery, love, and hope, and a draining and exhausting story of a family that battles through the heartache of a puppy with health problems so severe that most people would have given up immediately.

As emotional roller coasters go, this book will take you on a journey from laughter, to crying, to laughing, to poignant moments that will take your breath away. In places you will definitely need the tissues nearby, but it is an amazing story of a little boy who makes connections to the world around him and finds his place amongst his peers, and about a golden retriever who walked beside (and even dragged him forward) to make friends.

If you have read A friend like Henry by Nuala Gardner you will be struck by the similarities between Dale and Wills. Both are locked in their own world and struggle with the world we all live in, to the point of screaming or running away. For both boys a golden retriever entered their lives and began to make a positive difference, helping them to connect to the world around them. Both mothers provide a detailed (but not analytical) account of the lead up to the big autism diagnosis, and the special schools and therapies that they entered into to help their sons.

But there is something missing from Cowboy and Wills, something that leaves you a little bit wanting, almost like it was written as a script for a movie rather than truly narrating what came from the heart. That could partly be because Cowboy becomes so ill and so much of the book is about Cowboy and the lengths they go to in an attempt to find a diagnosis, to find a treatment, the hope that she will pull through. It could also just be that I have read too many of these types of books recently about service dogs and assistance dogs, and that A friend like Henry has stuck with me more because it was the first book of this type that I read - I really just don't know but this book just didn't "gel" as well with me.

This is an amazing book from the point of view that Monica is a mother determined to move heaven and earth (and the occasional small animal) to help her son get the best out of life - the special school, the therapists, the pets, the puppy, all working towards Wills having as normal a life as possible. Monica and Michael are obviously devoted parents, and Wills thrives under their support, and I really enjoyed reading the book and seeing the changes Cowboy helped to make - don't let me put you off reading it, you just may want to try reading A friend like Henry afterwards and draw your own conclusions. This at times feels very much like someone went there's a story about a child with autism in the United Kingdom and the golden retriever that helped change his life, lets tell the American version now we've seen how popular this type of book is becoming.

Although Cowboy was not technically an assistance dog or service dog because she had no formal training in that area, I have categorised this book with the other assistance/service dog biographies because that is the best fit and the parts of this book that you enjoy are most likely to be the parts of those books that you enjoy.

If you like this book then try:

A friend like Henry by Nuala Garnder
Until Tuesday by Luis Carlos Montalvan
A dog named Slugger by Leigh Brill
A dog in a million by Hazel Carter
Partners for life by Jane Bidder

Reviewed by Brilla

Northwood by Brian Falkner

2011-09-29T13:37:00.000+13:00

This is the amazing (and possibly true) story of Cecilia Undergarment and her unplanned (and very dangerous) trip to the Northwood. Everyone knows that you never enter the Northwood, and those that do are never seen again. It's partly because the woods themselves are so dangerous, and because of the black lions that prowl within the shadows of the forest. Cecilia didn't mean to go there, she was only trying to help an animal in need, but what she finds in the Northwood is more than just danger - she also finds mystery, intrigue, and a few wrongs that might need to be made right.

Brian Falkner is a New Zealand author who has written some brilliantly original books for young readers, along with some excellent reads for teenagers and 'tweens. Northwood is both charming and original, and while the style of writing takes a little getting used to (it is a little like someone telling you a story when they are easily distracted), the story bounces along at a decent speed and keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens next.

It is all too easy for fantasy/adventure books to become walking cliches, but Falkner sidesteps most of them neatly to provide you with a thoroughly enjoyable read. This was fun to read and I hope there are more from Falkner written in this light and bouncy style (with some hidden depth) that makes it a great read for younger readers wanting to stretch themselves a little, and for teenagers and 'tweens who want to take a break from all the vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural reads that everyone is reading. This is a real treasure and I hope more people will try this fun and engaging book (and no Brian Falkner did not pay me to say this!).

If you like this book then try:

The project by Brian Falkner
The real thing by Brian Falkner
The Half-men of O by Maurice Gee
The mysterious howling by Maryrose Wood
The familiars by Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson
The quest begins by Erin Hunter

Reviewed by Brilla

Kill me if you can by James Patterson & Marshall Karp

2011-09-28T11:36:00.000+13:00

Matthew Bannon was in the wrong place at the right time when Walter Zelvas was taken out by the hitman known as the Ghost. Walter Zelvas wasn't only an alround dirtbag, he was also a dirtbag carrying a bag full of diamonds he stole from his boss and the international diamond syndicate he works for. As a financially challeneged art student Matthew knows exactly what he is going to do with all those diamonds - he is going to find a way to cash them in for a couple of million dollars. But things are about to take a desperate twist because the syndicate want their diamonds back, and the hitman who killed Zelvas has been given the job of tracking Bannon down and getting the diamonds back - over Bannons dead body. A rival assassin after Bannon and the Ghost just makes things so much messier (and so much more enjoyable to read).

We often joke at work that each month there is a new James Patterson to enjoy, and with all the co-authored books he has written in the past few years it almost does seem like there is a new James Patterson and co every other month. Some of the books are hits, some are misses - and this is definitely one of the hits. The writing partnership of Patterson and Karp has created a dynamic read that keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next - it was easy to get lost in the story, and get dragged into the world of Bannon and those around him. The attention to detail is there is the little subtle details, but the story isn't bogged down in detail, or weighed down with too much detail. And the wonderful little twists and turns are fantastic when you stumble across them and make the book that much better.

Patterson and Karp definitely have a winner with this book, and there appears to be hints that there could be more in the series (don't worry - no spoilers here). I really hope there are more books to come as this is a dynamic writing duo who keep you on the edge of your seat with anticipation to see what comes next, and to see what action is coming up next.

If you like this book then try:

Postcard killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
Swimsuit by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
The rabbit factory by Marshall Karp
The surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
The silent girl by Tess Gerritsen
Full black by Brad Thor
American assassin: a thriller by Vince Flynn

Reviewed by Brilla

Finding Harmony by Sally Hyder

2011-09-24T07:37:00.002+12:00

Sally Hyder was a young woman who loved life and lived it to the fullest, travelling to far off lands with her boyfriend (and future husband) and faces challenges that most of us would never dare to even dream about. When they weren't off on an adventure in a far off land they were both working towards their careers, with Sally moving into the public health sector as a nurse and public health worker. Life was good, and the were going places - until Sally got the devastating news that she had MS.

Finding Harmony is a deeply personal, and often times a very emotional, account of the life that Sally led up to her diagnosis, and then the sometimes dark spiral that her life took after the diagnosis - especially when her youngest daughter was diagnosed with an equally devastating condition (no spoilers here). Throughout it all Sally is honest about the challenges she faced, both from her condition, and from having to cope with the changes in her life. At times she was very low and the story is a little dark, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel - a yellow Labrador named Harmony from the charity Canine Partners. With the welcome addition of Harmony to their family, Sally begins to reconnect with the life she once had and all new doors open allowing her and her family to move forward knowing that she will always have the support of Harmony to help her physically, and emotionally, through the rough patches ahead.

Harmony is the light and centre of this biography, and while Sally leads you through the challenges of her life, it is Harmony that shines through. Like other people with disabilities who have written about their assistance dogs, the story that leads up to Harmony is deeply emotional and at times leaves you with tears in your eyes (if not rolling down your cheeks). Sally has faced significant loses over the years personally and as part of her family, and yet she never broke and always tried to carry on. Harmony on the other hand is a real character, an example of how although the dogs are highly trained and bond strongly with their human partners, they are still dogs and can have dog moments. I had to laugh every time she was described as a "blonde bimbo" by one of the trainers or Sally.

There are other books about assistance dogs and their handlers out there, in fact it appears that writing books about your disability and your assistance dog is becoming the "thing to do" there is a depth and emotional investment in Finding Harmony that is missing from some of the other books - you really connect with Sally and enjoy the antics of Harmony almost as much as Sally and her family. The story is a little disjointed, at times jumping between points in time rather than progressing stage by stage, which at times made it hard to figure out where everyone was in time, but it was irritating rather than offputting. This is an enjoyable read, but maybe not one to read in the staff room at work or on the bus/train as the other people around you may wonder why you are crying one minute and laughing out loud the next.

If you like this book then try:

A friend like Henry by Nuala Gardner
A dog named Slugger by Leigh Brill
Emma and I by Sheila Hocken
Partners for life: True stories of canine heroes by Jane Bidder
Endal by Sandra and Allen Parton
Let Buster lead by Deborah Dozier Potter
Puppy chow is better than Prozac by Bruce Goldstein
A puppy called Aero by Liam Creed

Reviewed by Brilla

The adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

2011-09-21T15:37:00.000+12:00

Jenna has just woken from a coma - more than a year after the accident that caused her injuries. But something is not right, she can't remember most of her life and everything feels strange. Her mother gives her a series of movie disks that record her old life, but it is like watching another persons life, another person who looks like Jenna but isn't Jenna. Things only get weirder when Jenna starts moving around the house and connecting with her family again, connecting to a world that doesn't seem to fit right - a world where her grandmother is cold and distant, her mother is hovering and distracted at the same time, and her father is thousands of miles away in the house where they all used to live together. As Jenna starts to piece together her memories of her life, the accident, and the time of her coma she comes to a startling realisation - one that will change her life forever.

This is a an amazing book that takes you on a roller coaster journey of discovery, love, loss, and the lengths that people will go to to hold onto the things they love. The story unfolds for you as it does for Jenna, with each new discovery a further piece in the puzzle of her life and what has happened. You will also probably guess quite early what has happened to Jenna, but it doesn't ruin the story, it is more like a vindication of what you already thought. Jenna is a fresh and true voice, and the concept at the centre of the novel is very real - how far can medical science go before it really has gone too far and crosses the line for most people. Other novels have tackled a similar question or idea, but this is one of the best examples of a novel that tackles a controversial issue and turns it into a gripping and engaging novel that will keep you reading from start to finish.

If you like this book then try:

Star split by Kathryn Lasky
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Double helix by Nancy Werlin
The walls have eyes by Clare B. Dunkle
The lab by Jack Heath
Gem X by Nicky Singer

Reviewed by Brilla

Spellbinder by Helen Stringer

2011-09-20T06:28:00.001+12:00

Belladonna Johnson is not like the other kids at her school. The other kids think she is kind of weird because she keeps to herself, and because she talks to people who aren't there - the thing is there are people there, they just happen to be ghosts. Since her parents died Belladonna has been able to see and talk to not only her parents, but also every other ghost as well. It works fine for her at home because she gets to keep her parents and have a (somewhat) normal life with them, but it gets harder when she is out and about and can't really tell if the person talking to her is a ghost or not.

When she meets a ghost who tells her some of the ghosts are missing and that she needs to find the Spellbinder, Belladonna is not sure what to do. When her parents vanish on the same night as pretty much every other ghost Belladonna starts out on a quest that will be dangerous for her and everyone else around her. There are dark forces at work,, and unless Belladonna can learn to see past what people want her to see, she is doomed and so is every ghost that has ever been in our world.

This is the first book in a new series, and although I had to work a little to read through it (it is a rather hefty 372 pages) I am glad that I finished it. Stringer doesn't talk down to her reader, she uses ideas and words that will challenge her reader and encourage them to develop their reading skills, while also telling a story that has pulled together some interesting mythology to make a unique read. At times the story seems to be a little bogged down in detail, but as the story builds and the speed of the action picks up you begin to realise that the detail is there to prepare you for the story that is to come. Interestingly, it took a few pages to figure out which country the story was set in which is unusual for this kind of story, but was also a nice surprise to be able to go "Aha" when you figure it out.

While the intended target may have been just children, this is a book that firmly belongs in the 'tween age range, not only because of the language skills that are required to read it, or the age of the characters, but also just the plain fact that younger children may struggle to read this book. The action is well written but is buried at times under the building of mythology that always happens in the first book of a series like this one, and the mythology draws from a wide variety of sources that may be difficult for younger readers to process to the best effect. Teenagers will also enjoy this book, but they are not the intended target audience (or if they were then the author missed her mark). I look forward to the release of the next book, The Midnight Gate, to see if Stringer can keep the momentum going.

If you like this book then try:

Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo
Stone heart by Charlie Fletcher
The Halfmen of O by Maurice Gee
Under the mountain by Maurice Gee
Museum of thieves by Lian Tanner
The mysterious howling by Maryrose Wood
The roar by Emma Clayton

Reviewed by Brilla

Conspiracies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill

2011-09-15T08:05:00.000+12:00

Conspiracies is the second book in the Shadow Grail novels and appears to be book two out of four (according to the plug for the first book in the series anyway) - and picks up right where the first novel left off. Without giving away too much of the first novel for those of you who like to read things in order, Spirit still appears to be the only student at her boarding school for young magicians who doesn't actually appear to have any magic, and the mysteries that are swirling around the school still seem to be swirling rapidly towards some unknown destiny.

While friendships are discouraged at Oakhurst Academy, Spirit and her friends are managing to hold on to each other and the strength their friendship brings, but outside forces are at work and soon even their strong friendship will be tested in brutal ways. A war is coming to Oakhurst, and event though Spirit remains suspicious and watchful, others around her are not so careful - and when at war the worst thing you can do is relax and let your guard down.

Mercedes Lackey is one of my favourite authors and has been since I was a teenager myself, and with this series she brings her skill as a writer to younger readers with a series that is both fast paced and dynamic, and dripping in mystery that is teased out over the course of a novel. To be honest I had to work a little to get into this book, but that is partly because it has been some time since I read the first book and the details get a little fuzzy when you read the number of novels that I do over any given period of time (the ones that I review here are a) the ones I actually finish, and b) the ones that I think are worth bringing to other peoples attention).

Once I was into the story it was hard to put down, mainly because Lackey has a deft touch with teasing out human emotions and human dynamics - the magic is often just a bonus. While this series won't appeal to everyone because it blends together several broader genre/type books (the supernatural, the boarding school story, a thriller, a destiny, etc...) it is an enjoyable read that doesn't cheat the teen reader by talking down to them, and it will also appeal to adults because of how well written it is.

If you like this book then try:

Legacies by Mercedes Lackey
Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Raven's gate by Anthony Horowitz
The demon trappers daughter by Jane Oliver
Across the nightingale floor by Lian Herne
Arrows of the queen by Mercedes Lackey

Reviewed by Brilla

Gold of the gods by Bear Grylls

2011-09-11T10:42:00.000+12:00

Beck Granger is visiting Colombia with his Uncle Al on a trip that is a mystery right up until the point where their host proclaims that they will be going in search of the lost city of gold, the legendary El Dorado. Searching for the legendary city seems like a dream, that soon turns into a nightmare with the disappearance of Uncle Al and their host Mayor Rafael de Castillo. The nightmare is not over though as the chief of police secures Beck and the mayors children Marco and Christina inside the manor, but Beck has other plans and the three teenagers are soon on a dangerous trip across deadly seas and dangerous jungles in an attempt to find the lost city so they can save their loved ones. But there is something mystical surrounding the lost city and those who try to find it, and the search may be more deadly than they know as they race against time.

This is part of a larger series of books featuring young Beck Granger as the hero. His survival skills and ability to work across a range of potentially lethal environments are explained away through a series of comments about the places he has been when he learnt the various skills either through his adventurous father, or through the indigenous people he has meet on the families travels. There are other books that have this strong sense of reality, that there could really be a Beck out there somewhere who has learnt all these ways to survive, and who could really be living these adventures right now.

Bear Grylls is a well known survivalist and his successful television series shows that he is not making this stuff up, he really knows how to survive these situations and that comes across loud and clear with Beck - although at times he does come across as sounding way too mature for his age. The storyline is punchy and moves along at a good clip and the reading age would suit confident younger readers as young as 8, but would also suit teenagers who like to read something interesting without having to tax themselves too much reading it. There are other series for younger readers and teenagers, but Grylls has blended fact and fiction together very well here into a very fast paced and enjoyable read that will appeal to both girls and boys (though probably more the boys). A great read for reluctant readers who enjoy watching and learning about all the survival skills Bear Grylls has to share.

If you like this book then try:

Way of the wolf by Bear Grylls
Survival by Chris Ryan
Red eye by Susan Gates
Arrival by Chris Morphew
Man eater by Justin D'Ath
Anaconda ambush by Justin D'Ath

Reviewed by Brilla

Until Tuesday: A wounded warrior and the dog who saved him by Luis Carlos Montalvan

2011-09-08T18:25:00.001+12:00

Tuesday is not only a day of the week, Tuesday is also the name of a service dog who saved his partners life by bringing him back from a life that was on the brink of collapsing due to the effects of PTSD, a traumatic brain injury, and other physical injuries that resulted from more than a decade of serving his country in the army. Luis Carlos Montalvan saw action in Iraq that left him with injuries that were physical and psychological, like so many of the men and women who have served in the armed forces over the years.

Like so many of those men and women he was also let down by the system when he returned to the Statesm left to drift by a system that seemed designed to fail, unable to help the men and women who were often badly traumatised by what they had seen and done. Unlike so many of those men and women though, Luis found a saving grace a Golden retriever named Tuesday who had his own issues to deal with. As they learned to trust each other and work together, Luis and Tuesday were laying the foundations for a working partnership that would see them both come into their own, forming a bond that is unique to them, but also represents the best of all service dog partnerships. This is both a heartwarming, and heartbreaking, account of the relationship of deep love, trust, and mutual affection that formed between a wonded warrior and an service dog that overcame his abandonment issues to become an example to everyone.

This is a truly touching, and deeply personal, account of two individuals who overcame obstacles and formed the kind of partnership that most people will never truly understand. In the past five years there has been a trend in the book world to release autobiographies of people and the service and assistance dogs that have made an incredible difference in their lives. It appears to have started with the emotional A friend like Henry and the account of a family that was brought from the brink of dispair with a child with autism, to a family with hope after the intervention of a Golden retriever named Henry. Shortly after came the release of other stories, each one an emotional rollercoaster ride that introduced individuals facing a variety of challenges and the dogs that entered their lives and seemed to work miracles in their shattered lives.

Like other authors Luis has laid his life bare, being brutally honest about the circumstances that led to his PTSD and his need for Tuesday - at times that story is fragmented and seems to dive off course, but that is part of the experience and part of the core of this story about a man who was damaged through no fault of his own, who tried to save himself, but in the end needed saving. It is also the story of Tuesday, a charming character in his own right who was placed in the Puppies Behind Bars programme, and working with a troubled teenager before finding a place with Luis. This is Tuesday's story as well, a story that will touch everyone who reads it.

If you like this book then try:

A friend like Henry by Nuala Gardner
A dog named Slugger by Leigh Brill
Emma and I by Sheila Hocken
Partners for life: True stories of canine heroes by Jane Bidder
Endal by Sandra and Allen Parton
Let Buster lead by Deborah Dozier Potter
Puppy chow is better than Prozac by Bruce Goldstein
A puppy called Aero by Liam Creed

Reviewed by Brilla

The silent girl by Tess Gerritsen

2011-09-07T13:02:00.000+12:00

It begins with a Jane Doe found in Chinatown with her hand cleanly sliced from her body. The body is the beginning of a bigger mystery, one that began nearly 20 years earlier with a murder/suicide in the Red Pheonix restaurant. It is a mystery that will test the skills of Detectives Frost and Rizzoli as they try to make sense of the murder, but also try and navigate their way through the insular world of Chinatown - where they are seperated from the people around them by language and culture.

Detective Tam joins their team temporarily to try and help them navigate this new world, and is able to offer some insight into the world they are entering, but even he may not be able to help them find the answers before it is too late. At the centre of the current mystery is the secret of what happened in the Red Phoenix so long ago, and the secrets kept by Mrs. Iris Fang and the people who surround and protect her. While Rizzoli is battling to solve the mystery, Maura is struggling to work in an environment where she has suddenly become the enemy, the medical examiner who dared to speak out against a cop and testify at his trial.

From reviews of this book I have already seen, and from the blurb it is apparent that this is a personal exploration for Tess Gerritsen, a chance for her to explore some of her Chinese heritage through her writing, which also gives all of her readers the chance to experience some of that culture as well. The traditional aspects of the different Asian cultures always seem to have so much to offer to todays socieities, teaching that we should respect those who came before us, and respect those who live with us. They also teach about the importance of respecting the world around us, as so many other cultures do too.

In this novel Gerritsen seamlessley blends together two worlds, the traditional world of Chinatown with all its mysteries and heavy layer of cultural norms, and blends it into the modern almost corrupted world of Boston where the outside world has very little understanding of what is going on - where the mysticism of the East almost becomes a supernatural affair.

There is great respect for Chinese history and culture, and what could easily have become an over-the-top kung fu inspired story that bends the ablity of the reader to accept the truth instead becomes a book that is almost impossible to put down because you want to know what happens next, to see what other aspects of Chinese culture of mythology will be woven into the story next. While you can jump straight into this story without having read the other books in the series, in many ways the Rizzoli and Isles books are best read in order so that you can experience the building of their relationship and the beginning of this amazing series. I can't wait for the next one in the series.

If you like this book then try:

The surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
The apprentice by Tess Gerritsen
Virals by Kathy Reichs
Now you see her by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

Reviewed by Brilla

People's republic by Robert Muchamore

2011-09-03T08:29:00.000+12:00

Ryan is a newly qualified Cherub agent and is eager for his first mission, no matter how small it is. However his first mission wont be small, it will involve a trip halfway round the world to make friends with a boy who has ties to one of the biggest crime syndicates in the world - a mission that seems relatively easy on the surface, but things aren't always what they seem. Meanwhile, in China Ning is quietly (and not so quietly) rebelling against the expectations of her school and culture, wanting to be anything other than a good, obedient Chinese girl. When her personal life falls apart Ning finds herself over her head and fighting for her life. What neither Ning nor Ryan realise is that they are about to get tangled up with a dangerous organisation, a criminal syndicate that is on the verge of splitting as one family member attempts to take control of the family empire - no matter what the cost.

This is the eagerly anticipated new Cherub novel from Robert Muchamore and it is an expolosive and gripping start for a new trilogy. Starting a new series in such a well known world is always tricky, especially when your former "hero" is not involved in the story, but People's republic is a strong story in it's own right and keeps you wrapped up in the action from start to finish. While some of the early Cherub books were suitable for 'tweens and younger readers, like the later Cherub books this is one for the teenagers with strong language, and includes storylines referring to the sex slave trade, paedophiles, murder, and other unsavoury passtimes for international criminal syndicates. The length would also put off some younger readers, but it was just the right length to really carry the weight of introducing the main characters that will no doubt be with us through the last two books in the trilogy.

People's republic is well written and continues to be the most realistic series in the secret agent/spy genre for teenagers. Alex Rider is amazing but he was always having gadgets and adventures that had a touch of fantasy, and some of the Chris Ryan series are awesome, but they also stretch your ability to suspend belief at times. Cerub is a world that you can easily see exisiting, and it is that realism that makes it so engaging. It would be quite something to see the Cherub series turned into a tv series or movie franchise - although not repeating the books, rather moving into new characters and new adventures. If you have enjoyed the later part of the first Cherub series, then you will enjoy this new book in a brand new series.

If you like this book then try:

Brigands M.C by Robert Muchamore
Shadow wave by Robert Muchamore
Survival by Chris Ryan
Death run by Jack Higgins and Justin Richards
Silverfin by Charlie Higson

Reviewed by Brilla

Tighter by Adele Griffin

2011-08-22T15:57:00.000+12:00

Jamie has been shipped off to the isolated island of Little Bly to work as an au pair for the summer. Her mother says it will be good for her, that things will change for the better once she is away from home and out on her own. On the way out the door Jamie grabs an emergency supply of pills from the house - painkillers, sleeping pills, anything that will help her get through the pain of her old back injury, and give her a buzz or dulling effect to get through the day. Once she is on the island and meets her new charge Isa, things look like they will be okay, but there is something going on inside the house. The au pair from the year before died, and au pair who looked a lot like Jamie, and the ghost of her boyfriend seems to be haunting the house and Jamie. Will Jamie be able to fit in with the other kids on the island, will her summer be ruined, will she find some of the answers she has been looking for?

This was an unusual story that seemed to be heading one way, and then seemed to head another way, before ending up somewhere else entirely. It also seemed a little unbalanced with a middle that is dense with plot and "meaning" before moving onto and ending that was a little blah really, an ending that was satisfying on one level but also left me a little wanting. Although it was not the perfect read, it was still an enjoyable read that would perhaps have been a little better if it had been a few dozen pages shorter. A good read if you are looking for something dark and dramatic, but there are other books out there that perhaps do the job a little better.

If you like this book then try:

Miles from ordinary by Carol Lynch Williams
Token of darkness by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Gifted touch by Melinda Metz
Love you to death by Meg Cabot
Legacy of lies by Elizabeth Chandler
Clarity by Kim Harrington

Reviewed by Brilla

Museum of thieves by Lian Tanner

2011-08-21T10:28:00.002+12:00

The children of Jewel are kept safe by their parents and the Blessed Guardians - kept safe from disease, from drowning, and from living. Each child wears a guardchain that connects them to their parents at home, the Blessed Guardians when they are out, and to their beds at night. On Seperation Day the chains are removed, and the children are free to move around by themselves, something that used to happen at 16 but the present Protector has decided that children as young as 12 can be freed from their guardchain. Goldie Roth has waited forever to be freed from her guardchain, and when the moment finally arrives and is cruelly stolen away she takes matters into her own hands and escapes into the city.

Her escape is just the beginning, she soon finds herself tangled in the fates of the mysterious Museum of Dunt, a old and disturbing building that hides a terrible secret. With the city of Jewel in danger from the inside, and the outside, Goldie must learn the lessons she is being taught quickly because this is no time for mistakes. A dark force is moving against the city of Jewel, and Goldie and the strange boy Toadspit may be the only hope for a city where children are protected to the point of being ignored, and where one of the city's most trusted people may be the downfall of them all.

This was a fascinating read, not only because the characters are so interesting, but also because it is such an unusual concept to work with - a museum that is more than it appears, and that has a life and will of its own. Goldie is a charming young heroine, and her offsider Toadspit is so unlikeable at times that you can't help but like him. The adults are a mix of helpers, hinderers, and downright nasty - the perfect backdrop for Goldie and Toadspit to become true heroes.

In the beginning it took a little while to settle into the rhythm of the story because the concept of children chained together is just so foreign, but after a while the story sucks you in and refuses to let go. One of the best things about this story is that it will appeal equally to boys and girls, children who love fantasy and adventure, and will appeal to children who like to read for themselves and for families who like to read stories aloud together. A brilliant read and I can't wait for the next book in the series and the next twist in the tale.

If you like this book then try:

The star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson
Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo
Stone heart by Charlie Fletcher
Bartlett and the ice voyage by Odo Hirsch
Under the moutain by Maurice Gee
Into the wild by Erin Hunter
Finding the fox by Ali Sparkes

Reviewed by Brilla

Gabby & Gator by James Burks

2011-08-20T10:58:00.000+12:00

Today's Goals:

Get out of bed
Take care of garden
Watch ½ hour of television
Practice the tuba
Go swimming
Collect bottles & cans for recycling
Find someone who will accept me for who I am

Those are Gabby's goals - and #7 is particularly hard when you're bullied, and called 'Freak'. That is, until she meets Gator, who is also misunderstood.
Gator has a (nearly) life-long fear of water / toilets, and an appetite for dogs.
Gabby is into recycling and vegetarianism - and the tuba.
This is a wonderful graphic novel for older kids - say 8ish and up. There are villains and action and a growing friendship between the two misfits.
Completely adorable :)

If you like this you could try:
well, that's where I get stuck. There's nothing quite like it... so, what about:

There's a boy in the girls' bathroom by Louis Sachar.
Freak the mighty by Rodman Philbrick.
The Alvin Ho books by Lenore Look.
The Schwa was here by Neal Shusterman.

Reviewed by Thalia.

A true princess by Diane Zahler

2011-08-13T07:36:00.000+12:00

Lilia was found floating down the river as a small child, and the life she has with Jorgen and his family is the only life she can remember. She loves Jorgen as a father, and Kai and Karina like a real brother and sister, but nothing she does is good enough for Jorgens wife Ylva. When Ylva wants to trade her as a servant to the miller in exchange for money and flour, Lilia decides to run away to the North, to try and find the family she has never known. Joining her on her quest are Kai and Karina, but it is a quest that will lead them into danger. When they stray into the Bitra Forest, Kai catches the attention of the beautiful and cruel Elf Kings Daughter who wants to keep him as a pet. To gain his freedom Lilia strikes a dangerous bargain, she has just two weeks to find something that was lost long ago, something hidden in a local palace. Can Lilia find the hidden treasure and save the only brother she has ever known?

This was a simple yet charming read, having all the elements of a classical fairytale (especially one little lumpy piece) while also having enough twists to keep readers interested in what will happen next. Lilia is a lovable character, and Kai and Karina are the perfect supporting characters for her, adding a warmth and depth to the story that would be missing if it was just Lilia on her own. I saw parts of the story coming from miles away, but as an adult I have a greater knowledge of traditional tales and fairytales. For children in the 8 - 12 year age range that this book is aimed at, there should still be some surprises for them. This is a lovely little read for older children too who struggle a little with their reading.

If you like this book then try:

Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda
The Halfmen of O by Maurice Gee
The secret prince by D. Anne Love
The star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson
Stolen children of Quentaris by Gary Crew
The lost castle by Michael Pryor
The familiars by Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson

Reviewed by Brilla

Now you see her by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

2011-08-09T13:49:00.001+12:00

Nina Bloom lives in New York and has done for nearly two decades, hiding from a past that she is not ready to face, and is definitely not ready for her teenage daughter to discover. There is one secret that Nina keeps from her friends, her coworkers, and her daughter - most of her life is a complete fabrication, a lie built to protect herself from the dangers in her past. Escaping from Miami as a young woman, Nina started over, creating a new life and new identity to keep herself and her unborn child safe. Things have been working out well, until she discovers that an Innocent man has been charged with murders that he definitely didn't commit, and she knows he is innocent because one of the people he allegedly killed was her. Heading back to Miami Nina is about to come face to face with her past in a collision that she may not survive.

I really enjoy reading James Patterson, and in particular the books he has been co-writing with Michael Ledwidge - they have a good chemistry that is lacking in some of the other co-authored works. This was not the best book they have written together however, there are parts that just seem to fall a little flat, that seem almost too neat and good to be true. It was a good story (one that I stayed up late to finish in one sitting) but I felt myself saying "yeah right" more than once. This is a good page turning romp, and fits nicely with some of the other books by Patterson individually and Patterson with co-authors and while I enjoyed it immensely it wont be one I revisit any time soon. Great read but it does leave you feeling like you have been left a little bit wanting, especially in places where you have a big build up and high expectations, only to have things sizzle inside of explode.

If you like this book then try:

Step on a crack by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
Kiss the girls by James Patterson
Darkly dreaming Dexter by Jeffry P. Lindsay
The surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
Swimsuit by James Patterson
The confession by John Grisham

Reviewed by Brilla

Thyla by Kate Gordon

2011-08-06T09:08:00.000+12:00

Tessa has no idea who she is or where she came from - all she knows is that her name is Tessa and that she was found in the bush in Tasmania. Some things come easily to memory, the fact her name is Tessa (definitely Tessa), she can speak, she can understand what others around her are saying (mostly), but she can't remember where she came from, or where the scars across her back came from. With the support of a policewoman named Connolly, Tessa moves to a local private school where she quickly finds herself on the outside, outcast except for a few new friends who seem just as strange as she is. One night she makes a startling discovery about her world, one which quickly unravels the mystery of her existence, but will it happen quickly enough to save her life and the lives of those around her?

This is an interesting book, starting in an unusual way that is almost off-putting, but in the end it is a breathless ride that is almost impossible to put down. Told in the loose form of a journal, Tessa's story flows as if it were written, so when she makes a discovery about her past/present you discover it at the same time, making the story seem particularly real and vivid. The characters around her are fleshed out only slightly in some cases, but again that adds to the realism of the story which is told firmly from Tessa's side, and if she doesn't know anything about some of the characters then how can she share that with Connolly (and the reader)?

Set in Tasmania, Australia, the cast is small and intimate, and Kate Gordon has taken a fresh new approach to the idea of shapeshifters and what is essentially lycanthropy. Telling too much here would potentially ruin some of the story for the reader, but let me just say that there is a promised sequel and I will be reading it as soon as I can get my hands on it. Gordon has written a well crafted story here that is a real treat to read once you get used to the style it is written in. Don't expect ruggedly handsome vampires or werewolves here in the style of Twilight, this is a real treasure in the minefield that is supernatural teen fiction at the moment. Thyla is gripping and keeps you gripped in the story, and I hope that more people discover this novel so they too can enjoy the world of Tessa and the secrets that surrond her.

If you enjoy this book then try:

Night runner by Max Turner
Arrival by Chris Morphew
The demon trappers daughter by Jana Oliver
Burn bright by Marianne de Pierres
Subject seven by James A. Moore
Marked by P.C Cast and Kristin Cast

Reviewed by Brilla

The forest of hands and teeth by Carrie Ryan

2011-08-04T11:34:00.000+12:00

Mary and her village live behind the safety of the fences that keep the Unconsecrated away from the living. It is a dangerous existence, one breach of the fences and the whole village could be overrun, with those who fall rising again to join the rest of the Unconsecrated. Their lives are carefully controlled by tradition, a belief in God, the protection of the Guardians, and the rules and guidance of the Sisterhood. Mary has grown up with the stories her mother told, stories of far off places and a great ocean, places that she dreams of one day visiting.

When her mother is infected and Mary allows her to join the Unconsecrated in the Forest of hands and teeth, Mary finds herself at the mercy of the Sisterhood. Not content with her new life, Mary finds herself at odds with the most senior Sister, her questions causing problems and putting her in danger of meeting a terrible fate. When the village is overrun it almost seems like a sign that they need to move on, move towards the ocean, but is the world beyond the forest really any different to what she already knows, or is Mary walking into more heartache and death?

This was an addictive read that keeps you turning pages to see how things end. Mary is interesting and the world she lives in carries echoes of the past, as well as dropping hints that it is our future where they are living. The other characters around Mary have depth and carry secrets of their own, thought at times some thoughts/actions don't seem to sit quite right, and at times the story does seem to falter or skip before picking up the pace again and moving forwards. The world they live in is scary and you can feel the tension of the danger that lurks beyond the fence, that it feels very real when things go wrong.

Don't be fooled though, this is definitely a zombie book for the girls rather than the boys, although there is a strong story there is a little too much romance and feelings for most boys who love zombie books to really get into the story. At times there are flashes of an epic adventure that will have wider appeal, and then you get a moment of intense emotion or drama that would put most boys off. It will be interesting to see how the series develops through the next two books.

If you like this book then try:

Enclave by Ann Aguire
Rot and ruin by Jonathan Maberry
The hunger games by Suzanne Collins
The crossing by Mandy Hager

Reviewed by Brilla

Yuck! That's not a monster! by Angela McAllister and Alison Edgson

2011-08-02T15:59:00.000+12:00

Mr and Mrs Monster are the proud parents of three eggs that they can't wait to hatch. Their first egg is a fine little monster with spikes and fangs, their second egg is another fine little monster with spines and warts - but their third little monster is not much of a monster at all, he's all pink and fluffy. The first two little monsters are embarrased by their brother and want nothing to do with him, especially when he doesn't do all the things that little monsters are supposed to do. But one day something happens that may just change their minds.

This is a delightful little book that will charm a lot of readers for the simple fact that Little Shock is absolutely adorable - he's the colour of candy floss with big blue eyes. The story is fun and playful, and has just a dash of an "it's okay to be different" message. A fun and entertaining read for all ages.

If you like this book then try:

Creepy monsters, sleepy monsters by Jane Yolen; illustrated by Kelly Murphy
Stomp by Jeanne Willis; illustrated by Paul Howard
The scariest monster in the world by Lee Weatherly and Algy Craig Hall
The monster at the end of this book by Jon Stone; illustrated by Michael Smollin

Reviewed by Brilla

Scars by Cheryl Rainfield

2011-08-01T16:27:00.000+12:00

Kendra is the survivor of childhood sexual abuse, abuse that left her unable to remember the face of her rapist. With the help of her therapist Carolyn, Kendra is beginning to make connections, beginning to feel safer than she has in a while, but there is something that Kendra keeps hidden even from Carolyn - when the pain gets too much to bear, Kendra cuts herself. Her arm is a map of her pain and emotional turmoil, a carefully hidden secret from the world. At home her mother is falsely cheerful, waatching over Kendra like a mother hen, when she isn't busy making critical observations about Kendra's raw and emotional art. Kendra's father is quiet and tormented, dealing with his own demons about failing to protect Kendra from the abuse and the lose of his job. At school Kendra is beginning to make connections with another person, but are things what they seem?

This was a powerful and gritty novel that pulled no punches, and at times leaves you feeling distinctly uncomfortable, like you are intruding on something private. Kendra is a strong voice for this novel, and unlike some of the books about cutting there is no hesitation about talking of the cutting, what it feels like, what it looks like, and the dangers that it can pose if not taken seriously. The author's note explains some of the realism, as the author was herself a cutter. This is not a book to be taken lightly, and if you have a friend that you think might be cutting then this book could go some way to helping you understand why they are cutting and some ideas about how you might be able to help them.

At certain times the characters around Kendra seem a little flat and two-dimensional, but that suits to fact that Kendra is the centre of the novel. And the end of the novel is somewhat ho-hum, but does provide a certain amount of satisfaction for the reader without being too far fetched. If you think you cana handle the realism of this story them give it a go because it was an amazing read - thank you Cheryl Rainfield for not pulling punches or trying to sugar coat what is a very difficult topic.

If you like this book then try:

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Cut by Patricia McCormick
The lovely bones by Alice Sebold

Reviewed by Brilla

Private London by James Patterson and Mark Pearson

2011-07-28T14:00:00.000+12:00

Dan Carter is the head of Private International in London, and his team is the best that money can buy - they have a big budget, the best staff, and some of the best toys in the industry. It's just as well they are though, because they are about to have everything go to custard in a very short space of time. Hannah Shapiro is rich, fragile, and has been flown halfway round the world to study for her degree, and she is the responsibility of Dan and his team.

When she is kidnapped the sole focus of Private London is to find her and bring her safely home. They all hope it is a simple kidnap for ransom because there is another disturbing possibility - that she may have been killed by someone who is killing people and leaving the bodies mutilated and missing bits and pieces. The cases could be linked, and that puts Dan Carter on a collision course with his ex-wife DI Kirsty Webb.

This is the second installment in the Private series by James Patterson and co-authors - although this does not strictly need to be read after Private to be enjoyable. As a Kiwi I kept smiling every time I saw the name Dan Carter as it made me think of one of our best known All Blacks, but apart from that this was quite a serious book from the start and jumps in with rather dramatic style. For some reason though I found this to be not quite so good as the first Private, there was a certain spark that was missing with the writing, a certain zing that I have come to associate with James Patterson novels and the ones that he writes with other writers. Don't get me wrong, this was an enjoyable book, but there was something that made it seem almost more a thriller-by-numbers rather than the deftly written, page-turning reads that I have come to expect.

Patterson has set high standards in the past and this book didn't quite make it to the usual level. I hope there are more books in this series, and I hope that we get to see some more of the Private London team as the taste we have with this novel is somewhat addictive by the end, and I can't wait to see what happens with the characters as they develop.

If you like this book then try:

Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
Swimsuit by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
The surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
The survivors club by Lisa Gardner

Reviewed by Brilla

Wither by Lauren Destefano

2011-07-25T14:15:00.000+12:00

Rhine knew better, but she went anyway and ended up in the hands of the Gatherers - the men who capture young women and sell them off as unwilling brides, or to a worse fate if they fail to attract the attention of their potential future husbands. Rhine had been living with her twin brother Rowan, working together to survive in a world where all the men die by the age of 25, and all the women die by the time they are 20. It is a lonely world where everyone lives their life at an accelerated rate and orphans fill the streets when their parents die too soon.

Rhine was strong when she was with Rowan, and she needs all that strength when she finds herself sold to become the bride of a wealthy man in a city far from home. Her new home with her sister-wives is life in a guilded-cage, she has everything she could possibly want except for her freedom. Her blossoming romance with one of the staff is the only thing that really seems to make life worthwhile - and then that is taken away too. In a world where one man controls all their lives, Rhine will strive to free herself from the shackles of her forced marriage and captivity - but at what cost?

This is the first book in the Chemical Garden Trilogy and it has been receiving very mixed reviews. I have been reading a lot of dystopian novels lately (partly because it seems to be a VERY popular genre at the moment) and this was one of the better ones. There are times when the story is uneven, moving from incredible depth and incredible storytelling, to moving over things quickly and lightly and almost as an after thought. The world also at times seems to be a little too shallow, but that fits with the life that Rhine and her sister-wives and husband are living. They are all captured in a glittering world where escape is impossible, and where the person who controls all their fates is a twisted old man who definitely has his own agenda.

I enjoyed the story and look forward to the sequel Fever which is due for release in early 2012. Don't go into this book expecting huge, earth shattering revelations and a story of love conquering all because you just won't get it. Rhine is a deep character and you can see the changes in her over time, but there are times when it seems as though there is a little holding back, a little bit of the author not invested in the story that may put some readers off. Overall a highly recommended read, but you have to read it at face value - but then that is the opinion of someone who is some way away from being a teenager, and as this book was written for teenagers rather than adults that is something to keep firmly in mind.

If you like this book then try:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Matched by Ally Condie
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
XVI by Julia Karr

Reviewed by Brilla

Flawless by Lara Chapman

2011-07-21T08:25:00.000+12:00

Sarah Burke is smart, talented, hard working, and has a rather large problem - her nose. Her bestfriend Kristen is gorgeous, fun to be with, and seems to always be in the middle of the excitement. On the first day of their senior year of high school a new guy walks into class and causes a ripple effect that will be felt through their friendship for months to come. Rock is smart, good looking, and drawn to Kristen - oblivious to the fact that Sarah is falling in love with him. Feeling insecure and wanting to impress him, Kristen asks Sarah to help her win Rock over, using Sarah's way with words to help her snare the man of her dreams. Pushing aside her own feelings, Sarah helps her friend, but at what cost to all of them?

This was an interesting coming of age story because it doesn't go quite how you might expect. Sarah is an interesting character, and there are some interesting side stories that blend into the main one making it more readable than it might have been just as a love triangle story. Other novels have tackled the idea of a nose job or plastic surgery fixing things, but this one just seems a little more genuine, a little more down to earth than the others. Kristen as a supporting character is very good, she could have come across as completely shallow and self-centred, but she comes across as real and fragile. And Rock is just the right kind of perfect - good looking but not too good looking, and he has his flaws too. Enjoyable read that will leave you feeling satisfied.

If you like this book then try:

Fix by Leslie Margolis
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Slant by Laura E. Williams

Reviewed by Brilla

Press here by Hervé Tullet.

2011-07-14T17:22:00.000+12:00

One word: cute!
Two words: great fun!!
Three words: lots of laughs!!!
This picture book just encourages interaction between reader and listener. Press the yellow dot and things happen. Blow on the page and things happen. Every page requires the reader / listener - participant really - to do something. And you just have to turn the page and find out what your action has done to the dots.

If you like this one, try:

The monster at the end of this book by Jon Stone.
Shout! Shout it out! by Denise Fleming.
Who sank the boat by Pamela Allen.
Don't let the pigeon drive the bus by Mo Willems (and every other pigeon book).

~ Reviewed by Thalia.

Harry and the Dinosaurs first sleepover by Ian Whybrow and Adrian Reynolds

2011-07-14T11:14:00.000+12:00

Harry and his bucketful of dinosaurs are heading off on their first sleepover at Jack's house, and it promises to be a really great night. Nan has packed all of the clothes and bits and pieces he will need, and Harry has packed his toys and some things to do. The dinosaurs are excited and so is Harry, especially when Jack's dad shows them the bats in the attic. After a fun day Jack and Harry try to go to sleep, but it's not that easy - but Jack's dad has a solution.

This is one of the higely popular Harry and the Dinosaurs books which appeals to readers of all ages, but has the little boy part of the market firmly covered. Harry is absolutely adorable, and his Dinosaurs are a bunch of little charmers who are absolutely brimful of charm. Some of the things they get up to over the series is enough to make you cringe and/or laugh out loud, and I hope that Ian Whybrow has many more stories in him because this series will keep its charm for a very long time.

If you like this book then try any of the other Harry and the Dinosaur books!

Reviewed by Brilla

Virals by Kathy Reichs

2011-07-12T13:33:00.000+12:00

Victoria "Tory" Brennan is the great-niece of the world famous Dr. Temperance Brennan, the world famous forensic anthropologist who helps identify bodies and put crimes to rest. They have only met once in the six months Tory has been living with her dad, but they hit it off straight away - after all Tory is as much a scientist as her famous relative. Moving to remote and lonely Morris Island in South Carolina after the death of her mother, Tory is just settling into a routine with the father she never knew, and dealing with the wonders of going to a super preppy high school as a "charity case" when all hell breaks loose in her life.

One night on Loggerhead Island, the island that belongs to the University where Tory's dad works, Tory and her three friends Ben, Hi, and Shelton are exposed to a strain of canine parvovirus that is about to jump the species barrier and make some rather drastic changes in their lives. As if the exposure to the virus and the side effects are not enough, Tory and her friends have uncovered something that was supposed to remain buried, something that puts all their lives at risk. They weren't meant to discover the body, they weren't meant to uncover a murder, and they definitely weren't meant to discover the identity of the killer.

When I picked this up I was not sure what to expect, especially after seeing a review that upheld the value of the book in dripping sarcastic tones. To begin with it felt ind of "heavy" seeming to get bogged down in the scientific detail of naming objects and items, rather than focusing on the story. I don't know if you get used to it over time, or if the details blended more into the story as it moved along, but the story soon overtakes the nagging little details and jumps in full-force for a story that twists together the action/thriller/science fiction/fantasy genres into a neat little package of good reading.

There are only a few series/authors that blend together these genres in this way - James Patterson with his Maximum Ride series is the most obvious, but there is also a certain amount of comparison with series by Anthony Horowitz, Malcolm Rose, and Joe Craig. This was a fantastic read and although the 400+ pages was a bit of a commitment, like Patterson Reich's has chosen to use short, punchy chapters that make the action move at a fast pace. This is obviously the first book in the series, and it will be interesting to see if the series keeps it momentum going, or if it burns itself out quite quickly.

If you like this book then try:

Maximum ride: the angel experiment by James Patterson
Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
Jimmy Coates: killer by Joe Craig
Jordan Stryker: bionic agent by Malcolm Rose
Framed! by Malcolm Rose
The Frankenstein factory by A.J. Butcher

Reviewed by Brilla

Night runner by Max Turner

2011-07-10T14:58:00.000+12:00

For most of his life Zack Thomson has lived in a mental hospital - afflicted by a disease that has left him allergic to sunlight and most foods except for the special strawberry milkshakes that Nurse Ophelia makes him everyday. His world is stable (well as stable as it can get in a mental institution) and he has learnt to enjoy the quiet solitude of living in a world of night, a calm solitude that vanishes when a crazed man on a motorcylce crashes into the hospital and tells him to run. The next few days are a confused jumble of crazy ideas, bad guys that he never knew existed, and secrets that could destroy his life and his sanity. Could he really be a vampire, one of those mythology creatures that preys on humans and hides in the dark? It all seems too goofy and B-grade movie to be true, but Zack is about to discover that there is more in the world than he has ever dreamed of, and if he is to learn more then he must figure out who the good guys are, no matter how hard that might be.

Night runner nearly ended up on the discard pile because it seemed to take too long to get going and because it just felt a little weird to begin with, like the author had started halfway down the first page and expected you to know what had come before. This soon smoothed out and Night runner turned out to be a good little read - a little mystery, a little thriller, a little twist on the vampire mythology, and although this was in the horror section that was only due to the vampires angle rather than any real homage to the vampire blood and gore (of which there was surprisingly nothing). It is not clear if there will be lots of other books in this series or if this is a shortlived series, but if you really enjoy a little light reading and enjoy someone with a little twist on the vampire mythology then you may enjoy this read as well.

If you like this book then try:

End of days by Max Turner
Glass houses by Rachel Caine
City of bones by Cassandra Clare
Burn bright by Marianne de Pierres
Thirteen days to midnight by Patrick Garman

Reviewed by Erika

Tripwire by Steve Cole & Chris Hunter

2011-07-09T16:41:00.001+12:00

Tripwire is a great book if you want lots of explosions and people who try to kill other more famous people who don't live the life they do or to let people see the things they see in their eyes . It also is like the Cherub series with lots of undercover missions and lots of TNT, rifles and PIR's . It is mainly about a teenager who's dad was a bomb disposal person, a person who gets rid of bombs so that they are safe to go past, or just look at them and see who the enemy was or is creating old bombs or new versions. The type of bomb that the terrorists use in this book is a nuc or ' nuclear bomb'. Although his dad was killed in something called 'day zero', which was a big airport which had top security and did not cheek to see if there were any bombs underground at all. So when the bomb went off what happened was that the bomb basically went off killing hundreds thousands of people who were at the airport.

If you like this book then try:

The recruit by Robert Muchamore
Dropzone by Andy McNab
Boy soldier by Andy McNab
Agent 21 by Chris Ryan

Reviewed by Minotaur (14)

Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey

2011-07-09T16:13:00.001+12:00

Menolly has come to the Harper's Hall, the one place on Pern where she dreamed of being, but thought she could never be because she was born a girl instead of a boy. It is a completely new world, and so many of the lessons she has learnt in her life have to be unlearnt if she is to fit into her new world and her new life. Nothing is certain, some of the Masters seem to be determined that she has no place in the hall, no right to be there, a thought that appears to be shared by some of the Journeymen as well. The girls she lives with as not sure what to make of her, and without the skills so many girls learn when they are fostered out with another family, Menolly soon finds herself at odds with some of her new room mates and the woman who runs the cottage.

Through everything though, Menolly clings to her love her music, the idea that she can live in a world where music is accepted and encouraged - rather than met with scorn, ridicule, or a beating. Continuing on from where Dragonsong left off, this is the conclusion to Menolly's amazing story and is a thoroughly engrossing read. To say too much will ruin the surprises and charm of this shorter length novel from Anne McCaffrey - and every reader deserves the opportunity for the story to unravel at its own pace. And once again I have to say that I wish fire lizards were real - although sometimes dogs and cats come as a close second.

If you like this book then try:

Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey
Dragondrums by Anne McCaffrey
Crystal singer by Anne McCaffrey
Hex hall by Rachel Hawkins

Reviewed by Brilla

Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey

2011-07-09T15:48:00.001+12:00

Menolly is the youngest child in a large family and is very much the black sheep of the family. To her father, the Lord Holder of a busy seaside Hold, she is an embarrassment and a risk to the honour of her family. To her mother she is a worrisome child who has ideas above her station, and she is too big and clumsy to be a real girl. The reason for her shame and burden is that Menolly was the favourite of the Holds Harper, and during the last failing years of his life she helped to teach the children their lessons, and played music at night for the people of the Hold to sing to.

When the old Harper dies Menolly's life changes for the worse, especially when a simple slip means she can no longer play her beloved music. It is a dangerous time on her planet, Pern is once again facing the danger of Thread, a malignant and mindless threat that falls on her planet and consumes all organic matter it touches, multiplying and destroying in moments. Their only saving grace are the dragons and dragonriders that protect the skies of Pern everytime that Thread falls. When Menolly finds herself stranded far from home during Threadfall she thinks her life is over - but instead she finds that it is only just beginning.

This is one of my favourite books of all time - although in saying that I always have to read it with the companion volume of Dragonsinger. Menolly is a lovely character who you can't help but cheer for as she faces down challenges as they are stacked up against her, never giving up even when everything says she should. I try and re-read these books at least once a year and being stuck in bed with a nasty virus was the perfect opportunity to read them again.

Written more as a novella, this is a much lighter book than some of Anne McCaffrey's other novels set in the Pern universe, but the sharp focus on Menolly means that the novel and its sequel are as rich and engaging as any of the other Pern novels. There is some crossover with other Pern novels as well, and the two books as followed closely by Dragondrums which changes the focus to Piemur - one of the other characters from Menolly's time. An engaging read from one of the masters of science fiction and fantasy - and like so many others (I am sure) this book made me want a fire lizard of my own so badly, so much easier to manage than a full sized dragon.

If you like this book then try:

Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey
Dragondrums by Anne McCaffrey
Heart's blood by Jane Yolen
Joust by Mercedes Lackey
Black unicorn by Tanith Lee

Reviewed by Brilla

Memento Nora by Angie Smibert

2011-07-09T15:36:00.001+12:00

Nora lives in a world of startling contrasts - the places she lives and the things she buys when she is shopping with her mother are pretty glossy, but one day she witnesses one of the horrendous terror attacks that seem to be happening more and more often. Waking from nightmares of one of the victims pushes Nora's mother to take her to the TFC for the first time - the Therapeutic Forgetting Clinic. Through technological advances (and a magic little pill) Nora will be able to forgot the horrors of what she has seen, but at the clinic she sees a boy who encourages her to remember rather than forget, and Nora makes a decision that will change her life forever.

Rather than swallowing the pill, she chooses to live with the memory, and the devastating memory that her mother shares as part of the process of visiting a TFC for the first time. Now Nora is finding herself drawn towards Micah, the boy who told her not to swallow the pill, and his friend Winter. Together the three of them come up with an idea that will change the lives and views of people around them - and place them at risk from the highest levels of the "terror organisation" that is wrecking havoc on their city.

This is yet another dystopian novel, and yet again this could easily have gone either way - either onto the discard pile after a few pages, or giving it a chance to get good. I chose to keep going, even though I found the beginning and the format a little ho-hum, and I am glad I did because it very quickly turned into an interesting read. It was not particularly in-depth, and it didn't have hugely fleshed out supporting characters, but given the way the story unfolds (as a confession of sorts from three young people) that makes sense and stays true to the story.

It was a fun little read, and a made a nice change from some of the more intense things that I have been reading lately. A sequel is promised and there is a website so readers can fall more deeply into the world of Nora and her family and friends. Don't expect too much from this story and you won't be disappointed. Expect it to be detailed and indepth and meaningful and you will be disappointed.

If you like this book then try:

The walls have eyes by Clare B. Dunkle
The tunnels of Ferdinand by James Moloney
Fearless by Tim Lott
The declaration by Gemma Malley

Reviewed by Brilla

Jungle kill by Jim Eldridge

2011-07-08T18:37:00.001+12:00

If you're the sort of person who likes stuff about undercover operations, then this is the sort of series/books for you. Jungle kill is about a guy who got kicked out of the SAS (or Secret Air Service) - Paul Mitchell (or Mitch), is then approached by a guy called Charles Nelson (who is known as Colonel or by his last name) who wants to know if Mitch would want to go back into the forces. If he says yes then he must go with four other people in the unit. If he says no then back to what he was doing before - but he says yes. So Delta Units mission is to rescue a West African freedom fighter from a group of bandits who will get paid a LARGE amount of money to either A) kill him on the national news or infront of the bidder or B) let the bidder do what he wants with Mwanga. The person who captured him was a warlord called Justis Ngola, who was also feared by the nearest village. Will he succeed or will Delta Unit fail? Read on if you want to find out.

If you like this book then try:

Boy soldier by Andy McNab
Survival by Chris Ryan
Agent 21 by Chris Ryan
Death in the desert by Jim Eldridge

Reviewed by Minotaur (14)

Underground by Chris Morphew

2011-07-08T18:09:00.002+12:00

Jordan, Luke, and Peter are being dragged further and further into the increasingly dangerous mystery that is Phoenix. In the previous three books in this series, Chris Morphew has laid the foundations for a fantastic series that is gripping, fast paced, and populated with some dangerous and intriguing characters. Without giving away too much of the previous three books in the series (for those who like to read things in order) - Luke returns to being the voice of the story, telling the story in his voice from his point of view (the POV changes for each book which is pretty cool). Luke, Jordan, and Peter have finally made some progress with finding out what is happening behind, and beneath, the scenes in Phoenix. New characters are revealed, along with new dangers and some of the secrets that have been tickling around the edges are finally revealed with startling results.

This series just gets better and better, and it is one of the few series where to give away too many details here about the fourth book, may ruin some of the surprises in the previous books. Like fellow young Australian author Jack Heath, Chris Morphew has a real feel for writing for teenagers - he doesn't talk down or dumb things down, he has a respect for his reader which sometimes seems missing from books written by authors who have maybe been a little too far away from their own teenage years. I can't wait for 2012 and the promised last two books in the series. Come on Chris, don't let us down, make the finale as gripping as the rest of the series and you wont leave any disappointed readers in your wake.

If you like this book then try:

Arrival by Chris Morphew
Tomorrow, when the war began by John Marsden
Survival by Chris Ryan
The lab by Jack Heath

Reviewed by Brilla

Unnatural issue by Mercedes Lackey

2011-07-08T13:31:00.002+12:00

I am a happy fangirl! Yay for Lackey’s return to the Elemental Masters world… And yay for taking on Perrault's Donkeyskin. Donkeyskin isn’t the most comfortable tale to use – with its incest-theme. Lackey manages to side-step the incest – mostly – by making this a tale of a ‘fallen’ Earth Master who plans to use necromancy and his daughter’s body, to bring his wife back to life.

Suzanne, said daughter, has a lot of Earth magic herself – and has been tutored by good ole Puck / Robin Goodfellow. She knows enough to realise she really, really needs to escape her father – even though he’s just begun to notice her existence.

Escaping, she finds refuge – in disguise of course – with the Kerridges’, local gentry and mages. There she falls for Charles, their oldest son. Also staying on the estate are Water Master Peter Almsley and his servant, Garrick. They have been sent by Alderscroft, the Wizard of London, to hunt down a necromancer working in the area.

Although not the best in this series, Lackey fans – like me! – will welcome a return to this world. And, thank goodness!, a love interest for Peter Almsley (‘twin’ of Peter Scott’s, from The Serpent’s Shadow).

Fairytale retelling + gothic + historical + romance + fantasy + Lackey = WIN! But, only 4 stars of win, unfortunately. But, 4 star Lackey is still a good option for a great winter curl-up read.

If you like this book then try:

The woman in white by Wilkie Collins – classic Victorian gothic mystery.
Deerskin by Robin McKinley – also based on ‘Donkeyskin’.
Smoke thief by Shana Abe – Victorian/Edwardian fantasy setting.
Phoenix and ashes by Mercedes Lackey – my fav Elemental Masters book.
Stardust by Neil Gaiman – fantasy romance.
Blood brothers by Nora Roberts – modern gothic fantasy romance.
Second sight – Victorian/Edwardian fantasy romance gothic tale.

~Reviewed by Thalia.

Unthinkable by Shirley Duke

2011-07-01T19:32:00.000+12:00

Omar Phillips is Bridgewater High's answer to a young Stephen King, his short stories posted on Facebook are a huge hit with his fellow students. But suddenly what he writes is coming true, and he finds himself the subject of scrutiny from the cops, and to make matters worse all his old fans now shun him. Can he solve the mystery of what is happening before he becomes a victim of his own imagination?

This was an extremely quick read, but it was also a real gem of a read, a treasure that was almost ignored because it just seemed so lame and cliched. Omar and his world may be quickly sketched because of the short format, but you still live and breathe their world.

A new treat for fans of Christopher Pike, R.L.Stine, and early Caroline B. Cooney.

Reviewed by Brilla

Ruby Red By Kerstin Gier

2011-06-29T16:58:00.000+12:00

Ruby Red
By Kerstin Gier
Translated By Anthea Bell

Where to start with this one?
I Loved it!
I had planned on reading only a couple of pages before bed and then all of a sudden it was one in the morning and I had finished it. I discovered once I had devoured the whole thing that it is one in a trilogy YAY! BUT the second one “Sapphire Blue” is not due out to 2012 BOO! Even though the author has finished writing the whole trilogy, it is however currently being translated from German. So, I have about eighteen months to learn how to read German if I am feeling impatient. I have to say that the translator has done a wonderful job at translating this book so far, I would never have guessed it was first published in German. All the jokes and references make sense and everything flows wonderfully.

Now what is this book all about?
Time travel!
“Grooooan not Time Travel again Tenya!”
Sorry my groovy darlings but there will be many reviews of time travel books!

SPOILERS!

So! Gwyneth Shepherd lives with her odd, wealthy family in a large, beautiful home. Gwyneth’s ancestors are secretly known for being time travellers and her cousin Charlotte is the destined inheritor of this skill. One day as they are all waiting for Charlotte to have her first jump through time it is Gwyneth who is the one thrown back in time. Suddenly things start happening too quickly for Gwyneth; she is made a member of the guild of time travellers, sent on missions for the guild with barely any training with a partner who seems to prefer her cousin. However, behind the noble facade of the guild, something quite sinister is lurking and poor Gwyneth on her first mission is dropped in the thick of it.

As I say to all people about this book…GO READ IT NOW!!!

With bated breath for the next Five stars from me.
-Tenya

Keep and eye out for:
Sapphire Blue
Emerald Green

The Locket By Stacey Jay

2011-06-28T14:35:00.001+12:00

The Locket
By Stacey Jay

I loooooove time travel, I will put up with anything for a good bit of time travel BUT “Locket” spent 28 days hopping round my house. By hopping, I mean I would pick it up and put it down in different spots. I just could not bring myself to read it. My long-suffering partner even tried a few times to start reading it to no avail. After 28 days I finally returned it to the library with the first couple of pages having been read a couple dozen times and nothing else.

Here is a bit about the story. SLIGHT SPOILERS!!!

Katie is in High school and reckons she has the perfect boyfriend but despite all this goes about snogging her best friend. Of course said perfect boyfriend finds out and dumps her in a flash (wouldn’t you?). Miraculously Katie for her birthday got a locket that she discovers helps her to travel in time. So no surprise here she travels back two weeks to try to fix her mistakes and of course, the whole butterfly effect thing happens.

This book would have been an awesome idea if it did not revolve around a shallow, harlot of a teenager. When ever I tried to read this book it made my teeth hurt. Perhaps you will have a better go at reading it than I did.

One star from me

-Tenya