Dragon bound by Thea Harrison

Heads up: he's a dragon. Well, technically THE dragon. She's a half-wyr (ie were...) something. He has been around forever (pretty much literally) and, as a dragon, has a hoarde. And enemies. Magic enemies. Evil enemies. The sort that can force an otherwise sane half-wyr to STEAL something from the dragon. That's just heading for a whole heap of badness...

However, she isn't a doormat. And he has a weird sense of humour... So, he doesn't get around to rending her limb from limb on their first meeting.

He held up a finger. "First, you're the only one who's ever successfully stolen from me." He held up aonther finger. "Second, I am not a forgiving creature. In fact, you're the only one I've ever forgiven before." He put up a third finger. "And third, I like vengeance. I'm looking forward to ripping apart the person who gave you that charm and who ended up with my penny."

As always, it's the relationships that sell a novel for me - and not just that between the romantic leads, although that is the most important, obviously.

Dragos and Pia's growing relationship, and their compromises and getting used to being a couple, is fascinating. Dragos has to work so hard to be a 21st-century male, when he is a creature from the beginnings of time - and very, very, used to having everything his own way.

Pia has been trained since birth to trust no one with her secrets, so has to overcome some deep-seated fear to let Dragos fully into her heart and mind.

Although Dragos is one scary dude and, at times, Pia is scared of him, she doesn't back down from confrontation. 

“I am cursed with a terminal case of curiosity," he said. "I am jealous, selfish, acquisitive, territorial and possessive. I have a terrible temper, and I know I can be a cruel son of a bitch." He cocked his head. "I used to eat people, you know.”
....

“I had a conversation with somebody. It was an epiphany.” His voice was rueful. He rocked her. “From that point on I swore I would never eat something that could talk.”

Then, there are Dragos' sentinels and their relationship with Dragos, each other, and Pia.

All very fascinating!

But, what I most want to find out about it is... what happens next! I want to meet Peanut, because so far, he's pretty amazing.

If you like this one, try:

• G. A. Aiken's Dragon kin series, starting with Dragon actually.
• Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series, starting with Slave to sensation.
• Jennifer Estep's Elemental assassin novels, starting with Spider's bite.
• Shannon Butcher's Sentinel wars, starting with Burning alive.
• Kresley Cole's Immortals after dark series, staring with A hunger like no other.
• Gena Showalter's Atlantis series, starting with Heart of the dragon.

~ Reviewed by Thalia.

Wild tea cosies by Loani Prior

This month, I needed to knit a couple of tea cosies, and Wild tea cosies appealed because of it's um, wildness. These are not polite little tea cosies, minding their own business, just keeping tea warm. No. These are in-your-face statements of decoration and art. Yes, art! They are bright and beautiful and oh-so-tempting to knit... So, I did. The Carmen Miranda cosy on the cover. And it was so much fun to knit! And looks so wonderful completed.

You cannot be serious with this book - and it caters for those who adore knitting-in-the-round (like me), those who can only cope with straight knitting, those who crochet... But, some are so tempting you'll be prepared to break out of your comfort zone and try out something different. And, it's a tea cosy for god's sake!, so it doesn't really matter if you stuff it up. And, they're quite small, really, so not too intimidating for the novice / experimenter.

Other fab tea cosy books you might also be sucked in by are:

• Loani Prior's other titles: Really wild tea cosies and How tea cosies changed the world.
• Tea cozies 1, Tea cozies 2, Tea cozies 3 by Guild of Master Craftsman.
• Techno cozies by Sue Culligan.
• Coffee cozies by Guild of Master Craftsman.
• Pretty little cozies published by Lark Books.

~ Reviewed by Thalia.

What a goddess wants by Stephanie Julian

What happens to gods and goddesses when they aren't worshipped anymore? When their believers have died out? Or their roles have been usurped by other gods?

This is the world of the Forgotten Goddesses series, with What a goddess wants being the first in the series.

Tessa is an Etruscan goddess - she once was the Goddess of Dawn, but was elbowed out by the invading Roman goddess, Aurora. Charun, god of the underworld, has plans to capture forgotten deities and gather their powers, so they he and the undead, can leave Aitas (the underworld) and invade our world. Which would be all sorts of bad.

Cal is a Cimmerian warrior who - with his better judgement, but not that sensible - becomes entangled in Tessa's struggles. Oh, and the super-hot sex between the two of them is pretty persuasive.

Not only is the sex hot - best they've had (of course, that's a typical romance novel trope) - but, it results in Tessa regaining some of her power, and Cal can feel Tessa - Cimmerians have no physical feelings, which makes them better warriors.

Now, I prefer my hot-and-steamy-explicit-sex-scenes books to have more plot and character development than sex... (some sexually explicit books sort of have a bit of a plot thrown in and sketched around the sex scenes). And, this mostly delivers. Oh course, being divine and/or really-really-long-lived does mean that you've got less scruples / qualms about sex-ing whenever and wherever the mood strikes. But, still...some of the times and places do seem a little bit far-fetched.

That said, it's an engaging read, good for those times when you need something light - but sexy - to read. Enough so, that I'm on the waiting lists for the next two books.

If you like this one, or the sound of it, try out:

• Divine series by PC Cast.
• The redemption of Althalus by David & Leigh Eddings. Fantasy, not romance.
• Lords of the Underworld series by Gena Showalter.
• Dark breed series by Sable Grace.
• Mageverse series by Angela Knight.
• Dark-hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon.
• Job: a comedy of justice by Robert A Heinlein. Not a romance, but a thought-provoking fantasy.

~ Reviewed by Thalia.

All wound up: the yarn harlot writes for a spin by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

Knitting humour! Perfect for the knitter with a sense of humour, which I like to think I am...

I've enjoyed the Yarn Harlot's previous books - well, the ones I've read (which is most of them), so I was looking forward to this number - to read while having a break from the act of knitting.

In essays and ponderings, Pearl-McPhee shares personal glimpses into her life and knitting habits. By the end of it, I felt normal! And this, for someone who knits a lot, is reassuring. I now realise that my yarn stash isn't as bad as the Yarn Harlot's. But, there are similarities. I completely get her personal filters. You know, what you'd really like to say to someone, but what comes out of you mouth is so much more polite. And, I am completely with her when it comes to gauge. Gauge can be so aggravating that I don't usually bother with a swatch (gasp!)...

Thanks, Yarn Harlot, for letting me into your world - a world of dorky knitting people - so I don't feel alone.

If you like this one, try out:

• The other Yarn Harlot books... trust me, if you've enjoyed one, you'll want to read them all.
• Knitticisms-- and other purls of wisdom edited by Michael Dregni.
• Book by Whoopi Goldberg. Ok, it's not about knitting, but it is also a collection of personal thoughts on various subjects.
• Knits for nerds by Toni Carr.

~ Reviewed by Thalia. 

Redoubt by Mercedes Lackey

This is the fourth 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, Intrigue and Changes.


With a royal wedding at the Palace, the Palace grounds and the Collegia are packed with extra people there for the ceremony and the entertainment.  It is a lavish three day affair that means Mags and the rest of the students from the Collegia are free to spend (most) of their time anyway they like, except for the few times when they have to appear in demonstration games or play musical instruments.  It is a time for relaxation and spending times with friends, and even though Mags is enjoying the break, he does feel a little bit guilty that he is not working hard in support of Nikolas and Valdemar.

When he is given the chance to return to the pawn shop it is a welcome relief, especially when Nikolas sets him up on his own and leaves him in charge of the shop.  All the hard work doesn't leave much time for a social life, but even with work and study he manages to find some time to spend with those he loves.  When he begins to feel as though he is being watched when he leaves the store, he doesn't pay it much heed, except to take evasive routes until the feeling goes away - but then it builds to the point where he can't stand it anymore.  Then one day he wakes up and realises that he is not where he is supposed to be, and that he is travelling farther and farther from home with each day.

Mags has always wondered where he came from, but as he has built up a family at the Collegia it has weighed less and less on his mind.  The strangers who have come to Valdemar seem to be more than a little fixated on him, but it hasn't made sense so he has tried to ignore them and what their interest might mean - but now he is far from home and his friends, and he can't even reach Dallen.  Far from home, and with no ability to make contact with his friends and allies, Mags must find a way to survive and get back to the only "home" he has ever known.

This is the fourth novel in the series and the action is moving forward, providing more background for who Mags is and where he has come from.  His past has been hinted at in the earlier books, and this feels very much like a bridging novel, a book that bridges the past (being the first three books) and it is now moving into the present, or at least heading where Mercedes wants the story to go.  I have been enjoying this series because you don't know how many books are going to be in the series, so I can't sit there going this is the second book in the series so the next one will finish it off - you just have to wait and see what happens!

I have to confess that the icing on the cake with this book was the dedication - to Anne McCaffrey - thank you Mercedes for recognising the lose of one of the great talents of fantasy and science fiction.

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

Away by Teri Hall

Away is the sequel to The Line and as such this review contains ***SPOILERS*** about The Line.  If you like to read series in order then stop reading this review now and read The Line first - however if you are not fussy about reading series in order then keep reading.

After crossing the Line, Rachel now has to face the dangers of Away, a place where there are strange creatures and people with strange abilities that are more than a little intimidating.  To make matters worse she has escaped from her side of the Line, only to find that there are people from Away who want nothing to do with her because she is a Reg, someone who has no special abilities.  It is also difficult for her to adjust to the world around her, a place that has not had any real technology since the Line was raised and the people on the other side were left to fend for themselves.  It seems as though she has traded one set of dangers for another with little reward, but then she finds out that her father is still alive, although he is no longer in the camp and there is a chance he may have been captured. 

Away continues the story of The Line with the same short, punchy prose and bared to the bones storytelling.  The storyline continues the story of Rachel, but it also weaves in other stories and new characters that make the story feel a little more "meaty", that it has a little more depth - the ending also leaves the distinct impression that there could be a third book in the series to come.  An enjoyable read, and a nice addition to the dystopian novel genre, particularly for readers who struggle a little to read massive tomes.

If you like this book then try:

• The Line by Teri Hall
• The selection by Kiera Cass
• Ashfall by Mike Mullin
• Slated by Teri Terry
• Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
• Life as we knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer
• Outside by Shalini Boland
• The always war by Margaret Peterson Haddix
• Eve by Anna Carey

Reviewed by Brilla

The recruit: The graphic novel by Robert Muchamore with John Aggs and Ian Edginton

The recruit: The graphic novel is both an adaptation and an update of the novel of the same name.  James Choke is a troubled boy who gets into more trouble than normal at school, and who seems to be on track for a criminal record - much like his mum, who has things stolen to order for her "clients".  Life isn't easy for James and his younger sister Lauren, but they get by.  That all changes when James and Lauren come home to find their mother dead - and the siblings are split up. 

Just when it seems as though things can't get any worse, James wakes up to find himself in a strange school where no one will talk to him because he is wearing an orange shirt.  Things get even stranger when James learns that CHERUB is not your average school - the students are all training to be agents, because no one suspects the children.  If James completes his basic training he will become a CHERUB agent and have the opportunity to take part in missions where he could literally save a life.

This is one of the better graphic novel adaptations I have read, mainly because it finds a good balance between retelling the story with enough detail, but it also keeps the story moving along at a brisk pace.  I love the CHERUB series, mainly because the series doesn't treat its teen readers like they are idiots, and Muchamore doesn't dumb down his storylines.  This graphic novel adaptation should appeal to readers of the CHERUB series, as well as readers who have yet to enjoy a Muchamore adventure - and hopefully there will be more graphic novel adaptations as the series is really addictive and the graphic novels recognise that some readers struggle to get through the rather weighty tomes that make up the CHERUB series.

If you like this graphic novel adaptation then try:

• Daniel X: the manga by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Maximum ride: the manga by James Patterson
• Witch & Wizard: Battle for Shadowland by James Patterson
• Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz and Kanako Damerum and Yuzuru Takasaki
• Point blanc by Anthony Horowitz and Kanako Damerum and Yuzuru Takasaki
• Uglies: Shay's story by Scott Westerfeld and Devin Grayson and Steven Cummings

Reviewed by Brilla

Zoo by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

Jackson Oz was on the fast track at Columbia University, a PhD student going places - but then he noticed what he called HAC, and when he tried to make people listen to him his fast track derailed.  What is HAC you might ask, it's Human Animal Conflict, and over the years Oz has watched the numbers of animal attacks on people escalate, an ever increasing tide that no one else seems to notice.  On a trip to Africa he makes a mind blowing discovery that will change everything he knows about HAC, and will start a whirlwind of new ideas and new discoveries about HAC - ideas and discoveries that are mostly ignored by the main stream media and the government.  Fast forward and things are changing, the attacks are more frequent, and Oz is suddenly not the social and academic pariah he once was - but has the change come to late?

Zoo is an amazing read, one that totally blew my mind and also totally creeped me out.  For the past few years I have been reading books about the Human Animal Bond (HAB) or Human Companion Animal Bond (HCAB), and I have had the opportunity to hear some amazing speakers at the New Zealand Companion Animal Conference who have talked about the unique bond that people have with animals of all shapes and sizes.  This book blows so much of that out the window, not because of what the animals do, but the reasons that they do - the change in the relationship between animals and the people they have had strong bonds with.  In some places I was actually on the edge of my seat thinking no, no, don't do that, don't do it - or the classic horror movie moments of don't open that door!  I was truly on the edge for most of this novel, rushing through chapter after chapter because I just didn't want to put it down!

Calling Zoo science fiction is accurate for the genre (it is scientific "fact" that could be a fact in the future) but to call it science fiction is also almost insulting.  Without wanting to give too much of the story away, what happens is because of people, and it takes Patterson's book into the realm of authors like Michael Crichton who basically said that "we were so busy wondering if we could, that we didn't stop to think if we should".  People make massive changes in the world around us, changes that affect not only us but the wider environment and all the animals that live in it.  Zoo is a work of fiction (at least I seriously hope it is all fiction) but I can so see it happening in our future if we are not careful - we only have one world and we have to protect it.

While there is a strong message in this novel, it is also a gripping novel that is packed with the trademark Patterson action and suspense, and once again Zoo proves the strong writing chemistry between Patterson and Ledwidge.  You will take from this novel what you want - you can take a really strong novel with a fast paced plot and amazing action sequences, or you can take a book with a serious message that is also a damn good read - the choice is yours.

If you like this book then try:

• Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
• Next by Michael Crichton
• Meg by Steve Alten
• The rats by James Herbert

Reviewed by Brilla

Innocent darkness by Suzanne Lazear

Magnolia "Noli" Braddock has a knack for working with machines, she can bring dead engines back to live and can coax reluctant flying autos to fly again.  The only problem is that Noli is also seen as a troublemaker in need of guidance, and when she takes a flying auto for a joyride she finds herself on the wrong side of the law.  To avoid jail Noli is shipped off to a boarding school where her mother hopes Noli will become the lady she was born to be, but in reality the boarding school is a place where the spirit is beaten out of the girls at every opportunity, their only goal is to turn out vapid and brainless girls who are fit for marriage.  The only bright spark for Noli is her blossoming friendship with Charlotte, a friendship that goes some way to replacing the friendship she had with V, the boy next door who is slowly turning into a man.

Noli is unhappy, but a heartfelt wish at the wrong moment sends her plummeting into the Otherworld - the world of "faeries".  The world is strange and dangerous, and Noli's only wish is to return home.  At first it appears that Kevighn was her chance to escape this strange world, but Kevighn has dark plans for Noli, plans that will save his world and Noli's - but at the expense of Noli's life.  Noli has very little time to make some difficult decisions, decisions of the heart and of the mind. 

Innocent darkness is the first book in the Aether Chronicles, and I have to say that while I did enjoy the story I was very disappointed with the number of editing mistakes I found, mistakes that jarred me out of the story and quite frankly annoyed me after the first few times.  There were spelling mistakes (and not just American-English vs. New Zealand-English), and there were extra words like that and had that appeared in random places.  It also felt at times like the author was trying to be too clever with her choice of names for characters - how Creideamh can be pronounced Kray-jif I have no idea.  I also feel the need to mention that this is not a teen book for 'tweens or younger teens, there is low level sexual content that is best left for the older teens - not being a prude, some things are just better left until teens are over the age of 15 or 16.

If you are a fan of steampunk and enjoy well built stories with a lot of mythology behind them then you will no doubt enjoy Innocent darkness - just don't expect the tale to be perfectly well crafted, and expect the odd thing that just seems wrong.  This is a fantastic effort for a debut novel, and hopefully for the next book in the series the editor will pay a little more attention to what is going on and find the mistakes that have the potential to put readers off.

If you like this book then try:

• The girl in the steel corset by Kady Cross
• The black unicorn by Tanith Lee
• Bewitching by Alex Flinn
• The treachery of beautiful things by Ruth Long
• Crown duel by Sherwood Smith
• The halfmen of O by Maurice Gee
• Banished by Sophie Littlefield
• Burn bright by Marianne de Pierres
• The unnaturalists by Tiffany Trent
• Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
• The demon trappers daughter by Jana Oliver

Reviewed by Brilla

Guinea Pig Party by Holly Surplice

Fun and bouncy counting books can be hard to find as some of the authors and illustrators take themselves way too seriously – but rest assured Guinea Pig Party is not one of those books!  The guinea pigs are individual little characters that help to bring the story to life, and all the little things they do at the party are things that children do so it should help them to connect with the story really well. 

This is one of the better counting books for children – although of course, like most of the counting books for children, it counts down from 10 to 1 rather than counting up from 1 to 10.  A fun little read and a great first introduction to numbers for preschoolers, in a totally fun and engaging story that also manages to squeeze in some great rhymes as well!

If you like this book then try:

• One is a snail, ten is a crab by April Pulley Sayre & Jeff Sayre; illustrated by Randy Cecil
• 1-2-3 peas by Keith Baker
• One two that’s my shoe by Alison Murray
• One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish by Dr. Seuss
• The very hungry caterpillar by Eric Carle
• Wibbly Pig has 10 balloons by Mick Inkpen
• Ten tiny babies by Karen Katz
• One, two, cockatoo! By Sarah Garson
• One funky monkey by Stacey McCleary; illustrated by Sue deGennaro
• My first 1 2 3 by Pamela Allen

Reviewed by Brilla

Dog in charge by K.L. Going; illustrated by Dan Santat

Dog is smart and can do lots of tricks and loves his family – and when his family leaves him in charge of the house while they go to the store he is sure it will be an easy job to keep the five cats in line.  Maybe Dog shouldn’t have been so certain, because as soon as the family is gone the cats get into all sorts of mischief and leave him with lots to clean up.  But will Dog be able to clean up before the family comes home?

This is a delightful little picture book with colourful illustrations and a simple yet charming storyline.  Dog is a lovely little character, and it is hilarious to see him wearing a little tutu while he dances at the beginning of the story, and the cats are a mixed bunch with individual characteristics that are like so many of the cats I know.  This lovely little book will appeal to older preschoolers who can pick up that the cats have made a mistake and that Dog wants to fix it.  A simple message about taking responsibility for your actions.

If you like this book then try:

• Bark, George by Jules Feiffer
• Yip!  Snap!  Yap! by Charles Fuge
• Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus by Mo Willems
• Hairy Maclary and Zachary Quack by Lynley Dodd
• Peggy by Anna Walker
• Officer Buckle & Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
• Surfer chick by Kristy Dempsey; illustrated by Henry Cole

Reviewed by Brilla

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

For Gene every day among the people is another day when he might be discovered, when they might realise that he is not like them, that he doesn't have their speed, that he can't see in the dark they way they can - that he is really prey.  It is a knife edge of danger, one that he has walked alone since his father was attacked seven years earlier and ran away into the light to stop from becoming a monster.  Genes routines keep him safe, the skills he has learnt help him to blend in, to stay undetected, but all his training growing up and his careful actions to date can not protect him from the Hunt. 

For the first time in a decade there is going to be a hunt, where some lucky people will be trained and allowed to hunt the hepers, the humans that the people have hunted almost to extinction.  Spirited away to join the other hunters Gene lives with the knowledge that at any moment the people could realise that there is a heper in their midst and tear him apart.  It is a dangerous time for Gene, especially when some of the others start to become suspicious.  Caught far away from his supplies, and in the heart of enemy territory, Gene must use all his skills and cunning if he wants to survive the hunt.

The Hunt is the first book in a trilogy and holds a lot of promise for the rest of the series.  The writing style takes a little getting used to as there is a lot of explaining as part of the story, to the point where at times it feels like Gene is narrating his own story like a movie, but you can get passed that if you keep reading and the story soon drags you in to the point that you don't really care anymore.  The world Fukuda has created is rich in detail and he has obviously thought about how the rest of the series will run, and what the mythology of his world is.  The time period could be the Earth's future, or it could be a parallel world, it doesn't matter which because the story is well told with anchors to our own world that make it seem more real and easy to visualise.

This is not a friendly take on vampires, they are quick and deadly and are portrayed as brutal and efficient killers.  Fukuda carefully avoids the label vampire, calling them the people instead, but they have a lot of the trademarks of a vampire - so I feel pretty safe calling them such.  The Hunt is action packed and has little twists and turns, and the action builds with the story, starting a little slow and then building to a crashing climax.  This is a book for fans of action with just a touch of horror.

If you like this book then try:

• Enclave by Ann Aguirre
• Peeps by Scott Westerfeld
• Variant by Robison Wells
• Anna dressed in blood by Kendare Blake
• I hunt killers by Barry Lyga
• The forest of hands and teeth by Carrie Ryan
• Every other day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• Angel arias by Marianne de Pierres
• Rot and ruin by Jonathan Maberry
• Mr. Monday by Garth Nix

Reviewed by Brilla

I hunt killers by Barry Lyga

Jazz lives in a small town where he is the local celebrity, not because he is famous, but more because his father is the local son who turned out to be a serial killer - possibly the most infamous serial killer in the history of the good ol' US of A.  Lobo's Nod is a quiet little town with one major serial killer to it's name, and it seems impossible that such a small town could produce more than one such killer, but when first one and then another body is found Jazz becomes convinced that there is a second killer on the loose.  Drawn into the investigation by his curiosity, Jazz soon realises that he may be the only person who can break the mystery of who the killer is and where they will strike next, something that doesn't sit well with the local law enforcement.  Jazz has been on the outside looking in for years, and now he may finally be able to prove he is not his fathers son - but by working so hard to prove he's not, Jazz may just prove that he is.

This was an amazing read, one that I had trouble putting down once I started because the tension and action starts on the first page and doesn't let up until the last.  Jazz is a like able character with a clear voice that leads the story forward by sheer force of his personality, and his relationships with Connie and Howie lead to come moments of tense drama, and some laugh out loud moments of sheer disbelief.  The characters and their relationships are well thought out and drive the story forward - rather than acting as a distraction.  The plot is also well thought out and there are some nice twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end, keeping you wondering who the killer really is and when they will reveal themselves.

Forensic style books for teenagers can either be very good or very bad - depending on how much they depend on the "facts" to keep the story afloat.  I hunt killers is one of the better ones, bringing elements of human psychology to the mix, with Lyga having a deft touch with human emotions and human interactions.  Jazz is an intense character who is battling his inner (and outer) demons, and with the backstory supplied it is not surprising that he turned out the way he did.  A thoroughly enjoyable beginning to a new series, and I look forward to the sequel, Game, coming out in 2013.

If you like this book then try:

• The book of blood and shadow by Robin Wasserman
• Acceleration by Graham McNamee
• Crime seen by Jenny Pausacker
• The Christopher killer by Alane Ferguson
• Guy Langman, crime scene procrastinator by Josh Berk
• Dead to you by Lisa McMann

Reviewed by Brilla

The line by Teri Hall

Rachel and her mother have lived on the Property for as long as she can remember, and they have always lived in the shadow of the Line.  The Line is what keeps them safe from Away, the place that everyone is taught to fear, a place where monsters are said to roam.  Rachel can't help being curious about Away, she studies all the information she can find, and one day she even tries to cross the Line so she can see the Away for herself - but the Line is too strong for her to cross.  Her attempt brings her to the attention of Ms. Moore who owns the Property, and although she benefits from that attention, Rachel still knows that it is a punishment and that she has to be careful.  That knowledge is not enough to keep them all safe though, because Rachel and her mother are making some people suspicious, and when Rachel finds a corder with a message from Away her actions bring even more suspicion on them both.

The Line is deftly written with an interesting punchy style of writing that keeps the action fast paced and moving forward - sometimes leaving you to wonder when you last took a breath.  Unlike some dystopian novels written at the moment (as the big trend seems to be for dystopian novels at the moment), the Line is not bogged down with great amounts of description of the past and the present, the story is very much in the now which made it even more appealing as some of the books go on and on (and on and on and on and on).  Rachel is a strong lead character and has the faults and flaws you would expect of a teenager, and the cast built around her are also very real - with real secrets, real doubts, and other aspects that makes them very real for the reader.

In some respects the Line is a very lightly written story, taking only 219 pages to get the story across, but those 219 pages pack a huge punch and I am alreacy looking forward to reading the sequel Away to see what happens next.  A great read and one that should appeal to readers who like their dystopian novels to be well grounded and believable - especially in a near future rather than a distant future.

If you like this book then try:

• Away by Teri Hall
• The selection by Kiera Cass
• Ashfall by Mike Mullin
• Slated by Teri Terry
• Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
• Life as we knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer
• Nest of lies by Heather McQuillan
• Outside by Shalini Boland
• The always war by Margaret Peterson Haddix
• Variant by Robison Wells
• Eve by Anna Carey

Reviewed by Brilla

Web of lies by Jennifer Estep

Web of lies is the second book in the Elemental assassin novel series and there are ***SPOILERS*** in this review if you have not already read book one, Spider's bite, so don't read any further unless you are prepared to come across some ***SPOILERS***

Since she retired from the game and hung up her knives, Gin Blanco has been playing the role of store owner and eternal student very convincingly - to the point where two young idiots decide that the Pork Pit is the perfect target for a robbery.  Taking out two young punks isn't much of a challenge, even if one of them does have some elemental magic to call upon, but stopping them creates more than a small headache for Gin when daddy dearest decides to play hardball to keep his son out of jail.  A little harassment is nothing Gin can't handle, but when someone tries to assassinate one of her customers in an attack she thought was aimed at her, Gin begins to realise that maybe the Spider shouldn't stay in retirement after all, that her skills as an assassin may just help her be one of the good guys for a change - especially in the eyes of one Detective Donovan Caine.

The months since Fletcher died have been kind of lonely for Gin, despite the company she gets from spending time with Sophia and Finn, but nothing makes her happier than spending time with Detective Caine, and when they are both drawn into the case of protecting Violet Fox and her grandfather it looks as though things might be looking up for Gin.  With the bad guys prepared to use deadly force, including attacking a young girl like Violet, it looks as though Gin's unique talents for providing a swift and painless (or sometimes not so painless) death are in dire need again.  Things also look really promising when Detective Caine doesn't back down from the case even though he knows Gin is looking for a final solution to the problem of Tobias Dawson.

Web of lies builds on the strengths of Spider's bite and I look forward to reading more of the series as I read them around other things that are waiting to be read and reviewed.  Estep has a deft touch for blending together magic, action, adventure, and mystery with just a little bit of sex on the side to keep everyone happy.  It does appear that this series is published under two different titles as this book is also published as Spider's web.

If you like this book then try:

• Spider's bite by Jennifer Estep
• Daughter of smoke and bone by Laini Taylor
• The demon trappers daughter by Jana Oliver
• Blood price by Tanya Huff
• Dead witch walking by Kim Harrison
• Grave witch by Kalayna Price
• Stormwalker by Allyson James
• Dark descendant by Jenna Black

Reviewed by Brilla

Agent 21: Reloaded by Chris Ryan

It has been over a year since Zak Darke became Agent 21, and he has already survived his first operation - but the training has not stopped.  Raf and Gabs are still pushing him, still testing him, and still teaching him the skills he needs to survive as an agent, and he is going to need them because he is about to go on his first truly solo mission.  Agent 21 is off to Africa, to intercept a diamond shipment that is destined to fund terrorist actions, a mission that will bring him into contact with some of the nastiest people on the planet, people who genuinely enjoy torture, power, and murder.  For the first time he will be working solo, and has strict orders to be careful who he trusts - orders that may lead him into more trouble than he can handle.  Someone is keeping secrets from Agent 21, and the worst of which is that his cousin Ellie may be in serious trouble, because she is a target for someone who badly wants revenge against Agent 21.

Reloaded is the second Agent 21 novel and continues on from the first, with Zak throwing himself into his training to become the best agent he can be, although he is a little bit haunted by the fall out from his first mission and the fact that he had to turn on his friend.  He is oblivious to the fact that his cousin Ellie is in danger, and you sort of get the sense that he would try and do something if he knew.  Agent 21 is definitely in the same vein as other junior spy series out there, but it feels more real than some of the other series, probably because so much of the action is based around things Zak does rather than the gadgets he uses or the neat "tricks" he uses.  There is also, unfortunately, a sense of formula and writing to a style, but the books is well written enough, and the pace keeps up strongly enough that it is not too noticeable.

Another great adventure from Chris Ryan, and another great read for boys and anyone else who likes a good adventure stories with bad guys, good guys, explosions, treachery, twisted storylines and guns blazing.  Don't expect too much high brow literature, and you will thoroughly enjoy this action packed romp.

If you like this book then try:

• Agent 21 by Chris Ryan
• The recruit by Robert Muchamore
• People's republic by Robert Muchamore
• Deep end by Sam Hutton
• Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
• Boy soldier by Andy McNab
• Code Red: Battleground by Chris Ryan

Reviewed by Brilla

Slinky Malinky, early bird by Lynley Dodd

It is early morning and nothing in the house is stirring, nothing except a little black cat named Slinky Malinky.  Crawling out of his bed he is off through the house, searching out the human members of his family and getting into all sorts of mischief as he tries to get them out of bed.

Slinky Malinky is one of my favourite characters from the wonderfully creative mind of Lynley Dodd, the creator of one of New Zealands favourite-ist dogs - Hairy Maclary.  I loved this book because Slinky Malinky (and his antics) reminds me very much of my early morning wake up calls from one of my cat, who knows just how to get me out of bed in the morning by walking across my chest of drawers and knocking things off, or climbing on the book shelves and knocking the books onto the floor one at a time, or even running across my head to get to the windowsill! 

The rhyme and rhythm of the story adds to the charm and makes this another great addition to the library of Lynley Dodd.

If you like this book then try:

• Slinky Malinky by Lynley Dodd
• Slinky Malinky, open the door by Lynley Dodd
• My cat likes to hide in boxes by Eve Sutton; illustrated by Lynley Dodd
• Hairy Maclary from Donaldsons dairy by Lynley Dodd
• Bark, George by Jules Feiffer
• That magnetic dog by Bruce Whatley
• Dogs by Emily Gravett
• Slobcat by Paul Geraghty

Reviewed by Brilla

Kitty goes to Washington by Carrie Vaughn

Kitty Norville is the voice of the Midnight Hour, a syndicated radio show that she broadcasts from a different city each Friday night, always on the move to keep one step ahead of her past.  Her show was a neat gimmick at first, a werewolf talking about life as a werewolf on national radio, while also encouraging listeners to call in with their own supernatural experiences.  For some people she will always be the person with the weird gimmick, living a lie to get good ratings, but for others Kitty is very real - and they see her as a very real threat.  Summoned to Washington to appear at a Senate hearing into the Center for the Study of Paranatural Biology, Kitty soon finds herself on the receiving end of some very unwanted attention.  For someone who has always gone to great lengths to keep her real identity and what she looks like a secret, Kitty is about to get more exposure than she counted on. 

This is the second book in the "Kitty" series, and it has been some time since I read Kitty and the Midnight Hour, so it was nice to be able to just slot back into the story and carry on without fumbling and trying to remember what happened in the previous book.  Kitty is a lovable character, full of whit, charm, plenty of one-liners, and the flaws that make a well rounded person.  The cast around her is interesting, especially some of the other weres that she meets in Washington, and there is a really strong subplot that boils away under the surface and keeps you guessing about what will come next - and when it does finally come it is well worth the wait.  Books of the paranormal setting often depend too much on graphic scenes of morphing from one form to the other, or the inner conflict of the main character as they come to terms with their condition, or just depend on hot steamy racy sex scenes - and while there is plenty of action and some "personal encounters", it is the plot that drives this story forward.

This was a fun read and I thoroughly enjoyed it and plan on reading the next book in the series as soon as I can get my hands on it - though there are other books on the shelf waiting to be read and reviewed first.

If you like this book then try:

• Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
• Kitty takes a holiday by Carrie Vaughn
• Dark descendant by Jenna Black
• Moon called by Patricia Briggs
• Spiders bite by Jennifer Estep
• Dead witch walking by Kim Harrison
• Cry wolf by Patricia Briggs
• Grave witch by Kalayna Price

Reviewed by Brilla

Never the face: a story of desire by Ariel Sands

What would you do if a man you once loved came back into your life and said he wanted to go to dinner with you?  Would you be excited, would you have hope, would you have dreams - and what would you do if he said he had spent a lot of time choosing the right stick to beat you with?  "Kitten" doesn't think he is serious, but David is very serious about his "Kitten" and the plans he has for her - plans that include submission, dominance, collars, cuffs, riding crops, and pain.  While she may struggle with a traditional sex life, Kitten is not ready for the world of pain and control that David craves, the world that he forces upon her, and while she may crave more he is unwilling to leave the wife who knows about Kitten and the relationship she has with David.  But is it really a relationship, is it really love?

Never the face is a difficult read, not so much because of the sexually explicit content, but because the way David treats Kitten is outside the norms of the dominant-submissive relationships that have been expressed in other novels.  Kitten is not a willing participant to begin with, she is forced into being a submissive to David, but even when she is more used to the relationship and craves some of the things he has introduced her to, there is still a brutality to the role played by David that leaves a sour taste.  David isn't her dominant to take control and to guide her down a path, he is violent and physical to fulfill his needs only, he only worries about himself and offers her no way to keep herself safe - no safety words for David, no sir.  Overall this was an interesting read from the point of view of showing the breakdown of their relationship, for showing the "wrong" side of BDSM, for showing what a woman (or man for that matter) shouldn't put up with in a relationship.

The ending was reached at a rapid pace through a book which shaved away a lot of the excess and cut straight to the heart of the story, but there was also a sense of being left wanting, that you never really know what happened between Kitten and David.  In many ways I wish that I hadn't pick the story up because of the ending, but the content of the story and the sheer grit of the story made it a worthwhile read. 

This is one of the few books where I struggle to suggest other books like it to read, so instead I am going to break with tradition and say that instead of reading other books like Never the face, try reading a book that was very unlike it, one that shows a "better" BDSM relationship and try Sweet addiction by Maya Banks instead.

Reviewed by Brilla

I, Michael Bennett by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

Michael Bennett is one of New York's top detectives, a man with a knack for solving high profile and difficult crimes with a flair that leaves most of the other cops in his dust.  He has been involved in some truly insane cases over the past few years, but the next one is going to be a real killer - literally.  When Michael joins a task force to bring in Manuel "the Sun King" Perrine, a drug kingpin who will stop at nothing to get his message across - he has murdered cops, federal agents, their wives, their children, and he has an iron grip on his organisation.  Capturing him is a coup, but the price is almost too high for Michael to bear. 

A year later and Perrine is due to go on trial, but he is determined to escape, and his is wiling to fight dirty to make sure he can escape.  Michael is ready to stand in the witness box and state his case, but things soon get personal and his family becomes a target, even though they have left New York city behind to relax in the Bennett lakeside holiday home.  With all his kids around him, it should be a pleasant time, but he finds himself being drawn back into the case again and again.  Perrine is the most dangerous criminal Bennett has ever come up against, and he has resources that Bennett can only imagine - and he is a cold blooded killer who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, and he doesn't care how many people get in his way, he will go through them to get to his target.

I, Michael Bennett is the first book in this series where I feel confident saying that you can just pick it up and read it without having to worry about spoiling the plot for other books in the series - while the others don't have to be read in strict sequence you do get references back to other books in the series that can make you go d'oh if you haven't read them yet.  As always the book is fast paced and action packed, a movie played out in novel form.  The cast built around Bennett includes his family and a host of new characters (that almost seems like a cast of thousands at times), and there are some brilliant inter-relations between them, and there are some laugh out loud moments too.  The people are the centre of this story, and Patterson and Ledwidge have an amazing writing chemistry - especially with this series.

I was reading this at the same time as another family member and when I reached the (amazing / satisfying / gob smacking) end I had to avoid them to stop ruining the ending for them.  This is my favourite book in the series so far and the ending has really left me tap dancing for the next book in the series - with an ending like this they have to do something pretty amazing for the next one!

If you like this book then try:

• Step on a crack by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Run for your life by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• The basement: A novel  by Stephen Leather
• Kill switch by Neal Baer and Jonathan Greene
• The silent girl by Tess Gerritsen
• Now you see her by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Last to die by Tess Gerritsen
• Hide by Lisa Gardner

Reviewed by Brilla