Adaptation by Melinda Lo

The trip to Arizona was carefully planned for David and Reese - they were there to win the debate championship and then return home in victory.  In reality, what they got was a lose in the semifinals and one of the worst days in aviation history when planes started falling from the skies all over America, Canada and Mexico.  At first it seems like a bad dream, but as the planes keep falling and the country begins to panic it turns into a deadly nightmare, one that ends with Reese and David in a mysterious hospital complex after their car crashes off the road.

When they finally return home the world is very different, in just one month their world has changed to include evening curfews, dead birds being carted away by the bag full, and men in black everywhere they turn.  These are just the obvious differences, there are even more less obvious differences that have Reese wondering what really happened to her and David.  She has noticed mysterious scars, and she seems to be healing with superhuman quickness, and then there are the weird episodes she has that sometimes end with wicked headaches.  Something is going on, and unless she can figure out what is happening, her life may never be the same again.

Adaptation is a wonderful blend of action, adventure, science fiction, drama, and just a smidge of romance - a novel just crying out to be adapted into a a blockbuster movie or TV series.  There are some interesting twists and turns in the story, and they might have been less expected if the author raves on the back of the book hadn't mentioned conspiracy theories and looking skyward.  The story is fast paced and tightly written, moving you along quickly as Reese and David discover things about themselves and what is happening to them - in places conveniently jumping time so you don't have to wade through boring bits.

This is a read for more mature teens because there is some girl-on-girl action and open discussion about sexuality that may make some younger readers uncomfortable (because there are relationships, not because they are same sex relationships) - there are also some adult-ish themes of violence and control that may make it difficult for younger teens to get into.  This was a great read, and because the relationship angle was not too in your face, this is one for the guys as well as the girls.  To reveal too much about the story and why I enjoyed it has the potential to ruin the plot twists and the little snippets it is so satisfying to discover, however, if you like a really good read, and you like conspiracy theories then this may just be the perfect novel for you to read.

If you like this book then try:

• Ash by Melinda Lo
• Beta by Rachel Cohn
• Origin by Jessica Khoury
• When we wake by Karen Healey
• What's left of me by Kat Zhang
• Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
• The hunt by Andrew Fukuda
• Throne of glass by Sarah J. Maas
• The Industry by Rose Foster
• I hunt killers by Barry Lyga
• Revived by Cat Patrick

Reviewed by Brilla

The crown of embers by Rae Carson

The crown of embers is the sequel to The girl of fire and thorns so this review will have ***SPOILERS*** if you have not read the first book in the series.  If you like to read series in order then stop now and read The girl of fire and thorns first. 

It seems as though Elisa will finally have some peace and quiet, but it is only an illusion, something that becomes all too apparent when an animagus threatens her in her own city.  The attack sends a shiver through her city, and when she is attacked in her own palace Elisa learns that she is not as safe as she thought, that her position is not as stable, that she is at risk from enemies without and within.  By chance she discovers that forces inside her own palace are moving against her, forces that work in secret and hide from her and those people loyal to her. 

To gain the strength she needs to defeat her enemies, and to save her country, it appears as though her only option is to search for the lost entrance to the zafira, a source of power unlike any she has ever known - a power lost to her people for centuries.  The journey will not be simple, and there are dangers at every turn, and if she is to succeed she will need to make sacrifices.  It seems an impossible journey, and yet she must find the strength and the courage to make it happen.

To complicate matters even further, Elisa finds herself drawn towards Hector, even as the people around her try and manipulate her into choosing a suitor that will benefit their own needs.  Loyal to her new country, Elisa may have to sacrifice everything to save a country that is restless and divided, a country that may never know how much she has lost to give them the future they need.

The crown of embers is the second book in what must be at least a three book series, and it builds on the action and drama of the first book in the series - a skillfully written story that sucks you in and keeps you riding along with the action and drama from start to finish.  Elisa is an all too human monarch, a young woman who is finding herself as a ruler and as a woman, finding out what she wants from her life.  For the first time, you really get a sense of the strength of character Elisa has, the desire she is developing to have her own life, to not die young and used like other Godstone bearers.  This is an intriguing story, and I can't wait for the next book in the series to see what happens with Elisa and the people around her.

If you like this book then try:

• The girl of fire and thorns by Rae Carson
• Alanna the first adventure by Tamora Pierce
• Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst
• Sabriel by Garth Nix
• The blue sword by Robin McKinley
• Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
• Daughter of smoke and bone by Laini Taylor

Reviewed by Brilla

Simply scandalous by Kate Pearce

How cruel of me to review the FINAL book in a series... But, considering the subject matter of the series, it is indeed apt.

At least, I assumed it was the final, as all the main characters are about to live happily ever after by the end. And, a quick 'net surf proved me right...

It has been the characters which drawn me to the series - and to continue reading it, anxiously awaiting the latest installment of The House of Pleasure series.

*WARNING: signs of spoilage ahead*

*WARNING: Lots of sex that may well stretch your comfort zone*

Yes, the sex is hot and very rarely 'vanilla', particularly in the earlier books. However, the over-the-top / multi-partner / various position sex acts is all driven by the characters' backgrounds, experiences, and inclinations (some of which is shaped by their pasts). How do you negotiate a 'normal' relationship when your earliest sexual experiences involve rape and, sometimes, sodomy? Or if you have never had a 'normal' relationship? If your parents were absent / abusive?

And it has been that negotiation that has kept me reading the series, as all the characters, to a greater or lesser degree, bear the scars (some physical) of their pasts.

The final volume tells the dual stories of Philip's legitimate children - Richard and Emily - as they fight to live their lives. Lives and partners of their own choosing.

Richard must fight against his past betrayal by Violet - and against her past as a spy - as her former handler plots to kill her and her brother.
Emily must struggle against prejudice as she tries to make Ambrose believe in her and their shared future.
If all ends as dreamed, Helen and Philip can be happy in the knowledge that all of their children and happy and with the one/s they love.

The other books in the series are:

1. Simply sexual - the story of Valentin and Sara.
2. Simply sinful - the story of Abigail and Peter and James and James' mystery man...
3. Simply shameless - the story of Helene and Philip.
4. Simply wicked - the story of Anthony and Marguerite.
5. Simply insatiable - the story of Jane and Blaize. How to turn such a baddie into a romance novel hero? Seriously, Blaize (Minshom) is a complete alphole (alpha-male who is an a**hole... thanks Smart Bitches) in the previous book... how can you make him deserving of a happy ever after?!
6. Simply forbidden - the story of Lisette and Gabriel.
7. Simply carnal - the story of Christian and Elizabeth.
8. Simply voracious - the story of Lucinda and Paul and Constantine.
9. Simply scandalous - as above...

~ Reviewed by Thalia.

Private Berlin by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan

Chris Schneider is part of the team at Private Berlin, and as of tonight is the latest victim of a killer from his past, a killer who has a few names to check off his list.  At first it appears to Mattie, and Chris's other colleagues at Private Berlin, that he is merely missing, but then they make a grisly find in an abandoned slaughterhouse that leaves no doubt that Chris is gone.   Their discovery is short lived however, because a bomb blows the slaughterhouse and all their evidence sky high, but Mattie is not so easy to dissuade, and even though they are getting a frosty reception from the Police, Private Berlin is determined to get to the bottom of what happened to Chris.

 

But it is not a simple and straight forward case, and there are strong ties between the mysterious death of Chris and people from his childhood, and the reason that Mattie called off their engagement.  There is something sick and twisted hidden in Chris's past, a secret tied to the man who calls himself the Invisible Man - a killer who has a knack for hiding in plain sight, a man who appears to have infinite patience.  Mattie and the team have to think and act fast, because the game is always changing, and if they are not careful the Invisible Man may decide that Private should join his little game as well.

 

The Private series is an interesting series, not only because it is set in different offices around the world, but also because of the distinct local flavour the books have - which is no doubt due to the different people that Patterson has penned the series with.  I have to say my favourite so far is Private Oz, and Private Berlin is not exactly my least favourite, but it wasn't up near the top.  One of the things that put me off a little bit was the explaining of things, often of the history of something - it was done in bite sized chunks but it was distracting and at times annoying because I didn't need a history lesson along with my novel.  Once I had read through the first 25% or so of the book the pace picked up and it was as good as any other James Patterson and co, but it took that first 25% for the story to really get going and for the explanations to stop.

 

This is a good series and hopefully there will be more books set in Private Berlin, only next time hopefully there will be a little less in the way of in your face explanations of why things are happening and the history of where things are happening.  One of the strengths of Private is the blending of the characters between offices, and it would be nice to see some kind of crossover happening between some of the offices within the same novel - maybe starting in one country and jumping across to another.  The writing is good, the tension keeps up, you just have to get past all the explaining (something I am doing a little too much of here at the moment maybe).

 

If you like this book then try:

• Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
• Level 26: Dark origins by Anthony E. Zuiker and Duane Swierczynski
• Private London by James Patterson and Mark Pearson
• Private Oz by James Patterson and Michael White
• Vodka doesn't freeze by Leah Giarrantano
• Zoo by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• NYPD Red by James Patterson and Marshall Karp
• The basement: a novel by Stephen Leather
• Step on a crack by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Darkly dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

Reviewed by Brilla

Janie face to face by Caroline B. Cooney

Janie face to face is the fifth and final book in The face on the milk carton series and as such this review contains ***SPOILERS***.  If you like to read series in order then don't read this review any further until you have read the other books in the series.  That said, Janie face to face can be read on its own as some of the back story is covered by the story.

For years Janie has been the girl with her face on the milk carton, the child who was stolen away from one family as a toddler and raised by another.  She has been forced to live with her real family, and returned to the family that raised her, she has been betrayed by those she has loved and moved on - and now she faces one of the biggest challenges of all, she is moving out of home to attend college.  It is not an easy transition, but it is the first chance she has really had to leave the story of Janie/Jennie behind, a chance to be just one face amongst thousands. 

When a well known true crime author starts approaching Janie, her friends, and her family it looks as though that delicate peace will be destroyed.  But her family and friends know about Janie, and for the most part they respect her privacy - but there are simmering resentments boiling under the surface, resentments that may finally surface as Janie plans one of the biggest days of her life.

I loved The face on the milk carton when I read it for the first time, probably not too long after it was first released.  It was a gripping story with drama and tension to burn, and the sequels that followed fleshed out Janie's world and answered some of the "what next" questions you couldn't help wondering about.  I was not expecting another book in the series, and while Janie face to face is a very satisfying conclusion for the series, there are also parts of the book that really bugged me - one of the biggest was time.  The first book was written and set in 1990, and this latest book was written and set in 2013 - yet the story is only supposed to have covered a few years in the life of Janie.  To be a really seamless story it really needed to have been set in a consistent time period - but maybe that is just something that bugged me because I had read the whole series.

If you are the kind of reader who really likes a conclusion to a series, then you will hopefully enjoy the way that Janie face to face finishes the story and provides closure.  One of the most interesting aspects of the book is that it bounces backwards and forwards between Janie and her family and friends, and the view point of Hannah, at times this was a little bouncy for my taste but it did drive the story forward and provided a well rounded view of their world.  If you enjoy the story then try and track down the made for TV movie which starred Kellie Martin, which from memory was a pretty good dramatisation of the story.

Janie face to face is not an in depth and dramatic story, there are times when it is very tense and packed with action, but there are also times when it is packed with "fluff".  I enjoyed it because it was a good read without too much effort on my part required to follow the story, and at times it was nice to laugh out loud about some of the things that happened, and to roll my eyes at others.

If you like this book then try:

• The face on the milk carton by Caroline B. Cooney
• Whatever happened to Janie? by Caroline B. Cooney
• The voice on the radio by Caroline B. Cooney
• What Jane found by Caroline B. Cooney
• Girl, missing by Sophie McKenzie
• Locked inside by Nancy Werlin
• Dead to you by Lisa McMann
• You are my only by Beth Kephart

Reviewed by Brilla

Ten things I love about you by Daniel Kirk

My favourite picture books are with the theme of family or friendship - two things that mean a lot to children, especially when they learn that people around them love them and care about them.  Some of my favourite friendship books are the Gerald and Piggie books by Mo Willems, and one of the things I love about those books is the honesty they have with each other, and how they don't need to talk about how much they love each other because they both know and show it in other ways.  Ten things I love about you has that same feeling, you know that Pig and Rabbit are friends because they understand each other so well, and because they are very in tune with each other. 

This charming and engaging story is matched with some cute illustrations that help the story come to life.  These are two best friends who know each other, and even though it seems as though Rabbit is annoying his friend Pig and driving him more than a little nuts, you soon learn the truth.  Charming and the perfect length for little listeners (not too long and not too short), this is a book to read over and over again.

If you like this book then try:

• A flower in the snow by Tracey Corderoy and Sophie Allsopp
• Croc and bird by Alexis Deacon
• There is a bird on your head! by Mo Willems
• Ben and duck by Sara Acton
• Elephants cannot dance! by Mo Willems
• We love you, Hugless Douglas! by David Melling
• I broke my trunk! by Mo Willems

Reviewed by Brilla

Maddy West and the tongue taker by Brian Falkner

Maddy is just like any other child, except for the fact that she can speak any language that she hears.  When her mother first heard Maddy speaking Japanese she took her to the doctor so she could be "fixed" - but the doctor knew what a gift it really was.  Once her mother realised that there was fame and fortune to be made it was on to the television and nationwide exposure, but it also brings Maddy to the attention of some not so nice people, people who realise that Maddy's gift can help them with their own goals.  Taken far from her home in England to the country of Bulgaria, Maddy thinks she is about to help a professor translate some ancient scrolls - but she is in fact about to star in a grand adventure that will test her courage, her strength of character, and doing the right thing no matter what the cost.

Brian Falkner is one of my favourite authors for children, and the best part is that even though he now lives in Australia he is still one of the best home grown Kiwi authors for children - especially with his Kiwi flavoured earlier books.  Like Northwood, Maddy West is a charming and original story, a fresh voice in a crowded and competitive fantasy market.  Although the story is set in two real countries, there is a sense of a magical time and place for most of the story, and it could really be set in any time and place - you feel like there really could be a Maddy out there waiting to save the world with her unique gifts.

I loved Maddy West and hope (sincerely hope) that Brian Falkner has a long writing career as he has a knack of writing books that appeal to both boys and girls, and his stories have a wide appeal in terms of ages.  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Maddy West to a younger reader with an advanced reading age, your average child read, the 'tween reader, teen readers who want a good read that is not too taxing when they are stuffing school info into their brains, and to other adults who just want to read something fun and interesting. 

If you like this book then try:

• Northwood by Brian Falkner
• Stone heart by Charlie Fletcher
• The real thing by Brian Falkner
• The world around the corner by Maurice Gee
• Shape shifter: The naming of Pangur Ban by Fay Sampson
• The half men of O by Maurice Gee
• Hollow earth by John Barrowman and Carole Barrowman

Reviewed by Brilla

Pieces of me by Darlene Ryan

Maddie has only been living on the streets for a short time, but she has already learned some of the do's and don'ts - she has definitely learnt enough to know not to trust every person she meets.  When she meets Q it seems as though they are destined to go their own ways, but something about him makes her trust him enough to let him lead her to a place where she can get a free meal without a sermon, and a safe place to sleep.  What starts as an uneasy relationship soon develops into a quick friendship, which quickly becomes complicated when their partnership grows to a threesome with the arrival of Dylan into their lives. 

Abandoned by his father, Dylan struggles to cope with the sudden lose of his family, a difficult time for anyone - never mind a small child.  As Maddie and Q struggle to keep a roof over the head of their growing family, Maddie comes to realise that things are not as straight forward as she thought, that she may not be able to handle the life she has chosen.  As things begin to unravel, Maddie has to make some difficult decisions, decisions that could change all their lives forever.

Maddie is a voice for the hundreds (if not thousands) of teenagers who have made the choice to live on the streets rather than face the life that waits for them at home - and other characters in the novel give voice to the other reasons that some children, teenagers, and adults end up on the streets.  At times it feels as though Maddie has it a little bit easy, she has developed a favourable relationship with one of the people at the shelter, she finds Q when she needs to, she finds someone who can help her find food, it sometimes feels a little too easy - but she is driven, caring, and smart which may make a difference. 

I felt a real connection to Maddie, maybe because she is so practical yet still really cares for the people who become her family, but also maybe just because she takes a difficult situation and doesn't fall into a spiral of self pity and drug use.  This is not a hard hitting novel, there are moments that shock you, but not enough to make this novel unsuitable for younger teen readers.  If you like to read real life reads, with a real teenage voice then Pieces of me may be the book for you. 

If you like this book then try:

• Scars by Cheryl Rainfield
• Cuts like a knife by Darlene Ryan
• I swear by Lane Davis
• Trafficked by Kim Purcell
• Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
• Dead to you by Lisa McMann
• Such a pretty girl by Laura Wiess

Reviewed by Brilla

The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress

Three young ladies are about to cross paths as their unique places in society bring them into contact with a secret villain and each other.  Cora is the street urchin who has risen above her station in life to become the assistant and trusted right hand of Lord White - she helps him with his inventing and experiments, and acts as a social secretary to keep him on the straight and narrow and in the right place at the right time.  Nellie is the magicians assistant, who has learned a few things over the year about how to escape from tight corners, and she has also learned how to distract men with her good looks and bubbly personality.  Michiko is the samurai in training who has left her native Japan for an adventure in England, only to find that her new home is not the place she though it would be, and that her master is a brutal stupid man who makes bad choices and takes them out on her. 

They have nothing in common, nothing to bring them together - until they stumble across a murder and a murderer after a ball.  There is a mystery for them to solve, one that will use all their skills and the tricks of the trade they have learnt over the years.  For Cora it is a chance to prove herself, a chance to test her mind with a puzzle that has deadly consequences if she fails to unravel all the clues.  For Nellie it is the chance to be more than a pretty face, a chance for her to show that she has brains as well as beauty, and to prove to herself that she can have courage.  For Michiko it is a chance to discover what kind of samurai she is going to be, a chance for her to live the life of a samurai rather than just train to be one among men and boys who treat her as something of a joke.  Together they are stronger than they know - especially if they can drop their doubts and just run with it.

The Friday Society is a steampunk adventure that has more focus on the adventure and the mystery rather than world building, which for me was rather nice as the last steampunk novel I read was dripping in minute detail that quite frankly bugged me no end.  The characters here are well developed and are strong enough to stand on their own, however they have an equally impressive supporting cast that rounds out the story and makes it more believable.  I really enjoyed the story, although at times it was a little distracting to have the story bouncing from one character to the other through short chapters - it works to give you a view of the characters world, but it was a little distracting when lots of action was happening in a short space of time and the view kept bouncing through short chapters.  It feels like this could be the beginning of a series, and hopefully there are more because Cora, Nellie, and Michiko are great characters to spend time with, and their world is well rounded enough without drowning in detail.

If you like this book then try:

• The golden compass by Philip Pullman
• Etiquette and espionage by Gail Carriger
• The girl in the steel corset by Kady Cross
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer
• Anna dressed in blood by Kendare Blake
• Every other day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• Legend by Marie Lu

Reviewed by Brilla

The girl of fire and thorns by Rae Carson

Elisa is not a typical teenager, she is a princess of Orovalle and the chosen one, the bearer of the Godstone.  Once every one hundred years a child is blessed with a Godstone, the mark of a great destiny in their future.  She knows she is different and special, but she doesn't feel her worth and can't understand why god chose her, the useless second daughter who knows people laugh behind her back because her clothes get bigger each year and because she can not compete with the grace and intelligence of her older, perfect sister.  For years she has felt that god made a mistake, that she is not really the chosen one, even though the Godstone throbs with a gentle warmth every time she prays.  She seems destined for a rather boring life, until she is discovers that her father has agreed to marry her to King Alejandro - a man she has never met.

Taken away to his kingdom she barely escapes with her life when their caravan is attacked, and once she enters her new home she discovers that she is his wife in secret only, that he does not wish to acknowledge their marriage to his people.  Confused, Elisa tries to make herself at home in her new kingdom, but there are secrets surrounding her Godstone, secrets that she must uncover if she is to understand her stone and her destiny.  When circumstances find her far from any home she has ever known, Elisa discovers that she is not as useless as she has always believed, that her Godstone may in fact lead her to a great destiny - but at what cost?

The girl of fire and thorns feels a little bit like the old fantasy for teenagers (not a bad thing at all considering the current trend for vampires and werewolves).  Set in an ancient land that has a flavour of Spain with a dash of desert nomads, the story is sweeping with a rich history and a touch of magic that comes from an unexpected source.  The mythology is interesting, and while there are references to god it isn't about our god or Christianity, it is about a god that saved the people of the world and sends a "champion" of sorts every 100 years to help his people.  There are references to religious texts, complete with quoted passages, but it doesn't distract from the story.  An epic story that felt a little stilted in the writing, but which was very satisfying as a whole.

One of the best things about this story is that you can see the growth of the characters, particularly Elisa.  Too often in fantasy novels the hero or heroine is amazing from the start, a strong character that drives the story forward, facing any challenge in their way with grace and a strong will.  Elisa is different, she is full of self doubt and as the story unfolds you get to know the real Elisa, the one that just needed a chance to shine through.  The cast built around her are the same, they shift and grow as the story progresses - and there are some stereotyped characters that get knocked into reality through the course of the story.  I have requested The crown of embers so I can see what happens next for Elisa and her world.

If you like this book then try:

• The crown of embers by Rae Carson
• Alanna the first adventure by Tamora Pierce
• Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst
• Sabriel by Garth Nix
• The blue sword by Robin McKinley
• Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
• Daughter of smoke and bone by Laini Taylor

Reviewed by Brilla

Legend of the ghost dog by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

Tee and her brother Jack are in Alaska for two weeks while their dad researches sled dogs and their owners in the harsh and unforgiving wilderness.  It may be a harsh place to live, but it is also beautiful and has plenty of room for Tee and her beagle Henry to run around - but on one of their first outings they come across something that freaks Henry out and leaves Tee wondering exactly what is wandering around in the woods near their rental cabin.  When Tee makes friends with local girl Quin, she discovers that a mysterious ghost dog lurks in the woods near her temporary home, a dog with a history lost in time.

This book was a pleasant surprise as I was expecting your typical ghost story, one that is not particularly original, one that lacks depth - so I was really surprised to find that Legend of the ghost dog has a lot of thought behind it, and a sense of both history and respect for peoples beliefs.  There is a ghost story here, but it is one with meaning rather than just a chance to thrill the reader or leave them wanting to sleep with the light on.  Tee is your average nearly teenage girl, who happens to have the added challenges of a father who is lovely but very absent minded and distracted, and a somewhat spoilt younger brother who seems pretty used to getting his own way.

While this book is aimed at the 'tween market (8 - 12 year olds), younger teens may also enjoy reading it if they are struggling a little with their reading and want an interesting book that wont challenge their reading too much.  This book is also suitable for slightly younger readers looking for something to read that might challenge them a little bit.

If you like this book then try:

• The quest begins by Erin Hunter
• Balto and the great race by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
• In the stone circle by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
• Coraline by Neil Gaiman
• The ghost of Cutter Creek by Cynthia DeFelice
• The ghost of Sadie Kimber by Pat Moon

Reviewed by Brilla

What's left of me by Kat Zhang

In a world where every body is born with two souls, it is the norm for one of those souls to fade into oblivion while the body is still a child, leaving one soul and one body - the way they say it should be.  But sometimes something doesn't happen (or does happen) and both souls survive, creating one of the dreaded hybrids that everyone fears so much.  Any child that doesn't settle at the right time, or when it is known for certain that the child is a hybrid, they are sent to one of the institutions to be "mended" so they can become part of society again.  It is a dangerous time to be a hybrid, and everyone knows to be on the lookout for the danger signs of a potential hybrid.

 

Eva and Addie live their lives with the constant knowledge that they can be discovered at any time - that one day someone will realise that Eva never fully faded away, that although she no longer has control over their body, she is still very much alive.  Addie has worked hard for both of them, keeping Eva a secret from everyone (including their family), trying to blend in with the other children so the doctors who watched her and waited for her to settle can relax and really believe the lie that she and Eva told.  It hasn't been easy, but they have managed until now - now they are both in danger, but it is a risk they both must be willing to take.

 

To tell you too much of the plot of What's left of me has the potential to ruin the story, because some of the greatest pleasure with this book is the unraveling secrets and the unfolding plot within plot that drives the story forward.  The idea behind the hybrid chronicles is fresh and original, the idea of each body being born with two souls is intriguing and makes you wonder what it would be like to have another personality (in fact another person) share your body with you, someone to talk to who has experienced everything you have, who can help with your homework when you are having a brain dead day - but then also realising that the other person ceases to exist (or you do) before you are fully out of childhood is just mind blowing.

 

On top of all that you add the fact that some people don't settle like they are "supposed" to, that some people become wanted criminals just because they are different - because they are hybrids.  The history of this world explains some of the paranoia, but the story also gives you intriguing glimpses of a conspiracy, or hidden ideas and dangerous secrets.  What's left of me was fascinating, gripping, and once you got used to the idea of how Eva and Addie "worked" it was a fast paced and smoothly written story that has left me desperate for book two to see what happens next.  While not as fully "dystopian" as some of the other books in this genre, this book will appeal to readers who like that genre.

 

If you like this book then try:

• The hunger games by Suzanne Collins
• Eve by Anna Carey
• When we wake by Karen Healey
• Slated by Teri Terry
• Revived by Cat Patrick
• Variant by Robison Wells
• Subject seven by James A. Moore
• Numbers by Rachel Ward
• XVI by Julia Karr
• Sleeper code by Tom Sniegoski

 

Reviewed by Brilla

When we wake by Karen Healey

Tegan Oglietti was sixteen years old on the day she died, and just over one hundred years later she is revived from cryogenic stasis to find she is living in a very different world.  The Australia she knew is a distant memory  - the food, the people, the technology, and the music are all different - the only thing that is the same is Tegan.  She has woken to a world where the military that paid for her care and revival essentially own her, she can ask for what she wants, but ultimately Colonel Dawson and his team have the right to tell her what to do and when.  In some ways this is an advantage, Tegan has no clue about her new world, the technology is strange and scary - she can't even recognise some of the things she sees for what they are (I mean who knew a computer could become so small and un-computer like). 

Australia has also become closed and unfriendly, no one can become an Australian citizen or resident, the only way to be Australian is to be born there to Australian parents.  Tegan quickly becomes a source of media interest, and she has the dubious pleasure of being the target of groups that consider her to be without a soul (because she died and therefore no longer has a soul because her soul is with God), and another group that says Tegan is not an Australian because she had already died.  It is a tense and confusing time, made more confusing because things are not what they seem.  People are keeping secrets from Tegan, but who and what are they hiding?

Dystopian novels still seem to be really popular at the moment, and while when we wake is not your typical post apocalyptic dystopian novel, it is somewhat more poignant because you get to experience the world that was and the world that is through the same pair of eyes.  Tegan's story is not a smooth transition from start to finish, there is a little bit of jumping around in the story that took a little getting used to, but by the end I didn't notice the transitions from one view to the other.  This was an enjoyable read, one that was absorbing and had plenty of ideas bouncing around in my head - like how do you control population growth if you are seen as a land of plenty, are people really dreaming if they think that in the world of the future everyone will be able to live clean and green, and how far should a government go to protect just their people and their land when everything on the planet is connected? 

This story had a lot of different levels and I enjoyed the story as much as the message - the writing was strong, the characters were interesting and well developed, and I liked some of the things that were so normal that we still consider different or wrong.  A great read, and while it feels like there might be potential for a sequel (or at least another book set in the same time and place, but from a different persons perspective).

If you like this book then try:

• Arrival by Chris Morphew
• The interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina
• Beta by Rachel Cohn
• Origin by Jessica Khoury
• The line by Teri Hall
• The Selection by Kiera Cass
• Revived by Cat Patrick
• Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
• Eve by Anna Carey

Reviewed by Brilla

Master and God by Lindsey Davis

Having learnt so much about Vespasian, (in Davis' previous standalone novel, The course of honour) I’ve always wondered how and why his younger son, Domitian, turned out so badly. Vespasian and his oldest son, Titus, appear to be so capable and sane. Domitian, not so much.

The story begins with the meeting of young Flavia Lucilla, reporting a burglary, and vigile Gaius Vinius. Their first meeting is cut short when Rome is threatened by fire while the Emperor Titus is on his second visit to Pompeii, following the infamous 79AD eruption. Days into fire-fighting and Gaius meets the emperor’s heir, Domitian. This fateful encounter sets the scene for the following story, with Gaius appointed to the Praetorian Guard, and Lucilla’s growing fame as a hairdresser to the court.

Underlying the changing relationship between the two, is the growing madness and paranoia of Rome’s Master and God, the Emperor Domitian. A situation that leaves Rome edgy and afraid.

Davis is adept at weaving modern-day sensibilities and dialogue into a richly detailed historical setting. You feel as though you can taste and smell the food, and feel the cobbles under your feet. Not only is this a well-paced, brilliantly researched, yet accessible, historical novel, it is also a story of relationships, and moral struggles.

If you like this, try:

• Davis' Falco novels, beginning with The silver pigs.
• Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn.
• Pompeii by TL Higley.
• Rome: the emperor's spy by MC Scott.
• Hero of Rome by Douglas Jackson.
• Masters of Rome series by Colleen McCullough.

Reviewed by Thalia.

The gobbledygook is eating a book by Justine Clarke and Arthur Baysting; illustrated by Tom Jellett

There are some books that just grab you as soon as you start to read, while others grab you as soon as you see the cover - and The Gobbledygook is eating a book is definitely one of those books that grabbed me from the moment I saw the front cover.  This strange little monster sitting all alone on the cover, clasping pages lovingly to its chest while gazing up at the title had me intrigued, and the punchy and amusing story that follows kept me hooked right to the end. 

The rhythm and rhyme keeps up through the whole book and carries the reader from page to page as the Gobbledygook meets a little girl who is determined to show it how books should be used (and how they shouldn't be eaten).  As a librarian working in a public library I really enjoy any book that encourages children to read books for the fun of it - because reading for pleasure encourages literacy skills and helps set children up for their future of work, study, and play. 

This has been one of my favourite picture books recently for encouraging reading for fun - the story is fresh and new, and the illustrations match the text perfectly.  Boys and girls will both enjoy this book, and I am sure that there will be loads of parents out there soon who can recite the Gobbledygook from memory!

If you like this book then try:

• The children who loved books by Peter Carnavas
• No T.Rex in the library by Toni Buzzeo; ilustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa
• Bark, George by Jules Feiffer
• Don't let the pigeon drive the bus by Mo Willems
• Click, clack, moo: Cows that type by Doreen Cronin
• Tadpole's promise by Jeanne Willis; illustrated by Tony Ross
• No, David! by David Shannon
• Croc and bird by Alexis Deacon
• Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
• Stephanie's ponytail by Robert Munsch; illustrated by Michael Martchenko

Reviewed by Brilla

My dad is beautiful by Jessica Spanyol

Finding books about mums and dads can be a challenge, especially if you want to find a book about just one of the parents for children that have either lost a parent or don't know one of their parents.  My dad is beautiful is an incredibly simple, yet also incredibly sweet book about one little child and all the reasons that they think their dad is beautiful (although maybe it should really be "my dad is great because...").

I loved the simplicity of this book, it has great repetition for young children coming to grips with language, and it is also a great book for fathers to read to their children.  The illustrations are simple and have a unique charm because they have bears rather than people (you don't have to worry about what you look like as a dad). 

This would make a great fathers day present for dads with young children - especially when they come to grips with the story and can read it to their own dads.

If you like this book then try:

• My mum is beautiful by Jessica Spanyol
• Just like my mum by David Melling
• Just like my dad by David Melling
• Kisses for daddy by Frances Watts
• My dad is brilliant by Nick Butterworth
• My mum is fantastic by Nick Butterworth
• I love you just the way you are by Virginia Miller

Reviewed by Brilla

Let's go for a drive! by Mo Willems

Elephant and Piggie are the bestest of friends and they have all sorts of adventures and great times together - and Let's go for a drive! is no exception.  Elephant has the great idea of going for a drive, but needs a helping hand to plan the adventure - and Piggie is just the pig for the job.  What follows is the typical madcap madness that has become Mo Willems trademark for this terrific twosome.

Elephant and Piggie books are perfect for reading aloud - either big person and little person, or (as our personal favourite) read aloud to an audience by two friends who can bring all the energy and enthusiasm of the books to live.  The illustrations perfectly match the story and bring an infectious enthusiasm that encourages readers to throw themselves into character and do justice to the stories. 

I am not sure how Mo Willems manages to come up with all the storylines that he does for our favourite elephant and pig, but everytime a new story appears at work their are squeals of delight and a rush to find the right partner to read the story with so you can entertain everyone with the story at the same time.

If you like this book then try:

• My friend is sad by Mo Willems
• Elephants cannot dance! by Mo Willems
• I broke my trunk! by Mo Willems
• Happy pig day! by Mo Willems
• Watch me throw the ball! by Mo Willems
• Don't let the pigeon drive the bus! by Mo Willems
• Don't let the pigeon stay up late! by Mo Willems
• New socks by Bob Shea

Reviewed by Brilla

The children who loved books by Peter Carnavas

Angus and Lucy are two children who may not have a lot of material things, but the one thing they have a lot of is a love of books.  Their house is a small caravan crammed to the brim with books, they don't have a television, and they don't have a car - but they have worlds at their fingertips through their extensive collection of books.  Their hundreds of books are piled here and there around the caravan, but one day their home can take no more and the books have to go.  What Angus, Lucy and their parents discover is that their home is very empty indeed without their books, they have lost their books but so much more.  One day somethings tumbles out of Lucy's school bag that will change things - for all of them.

This is a charming picture book that is simple but very effective, and makes a wonderful addition to any family bookshelf for read aloud sharing.  The characters are simply but warmly drawn, and the world they inhabit could be anywhere in the world, or just around the corner.  The story is simple, but also has a hidden depth, and while there is the strong message that reading and books are important, it is delivered in such a way that it doesn't hit you over the head with the message.  A wonderful, warm, shareable read for the whole family - from little ones listening to stories, through to preschoolers learning to sound out their words, through to school age children who enjoy a lovely family read.

If you like this book then try:

• No T.Rex in the library by Toni Buzzeo; illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa
• The Gobbledygook is eating a book by Justine Clarke and Arthur Baysting; illustrated by Tom Jellett
• It's a book by Lane Smith
• Library lion by Michelle Knudsen; illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
• The library dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy; illustrated by Michael P. White
• Wild about books by Judy Sierra; pictures by Marc Brown
• The librarian of Basra: A true story from Iraq by Jeanette Winter
• Miss Brooks loves books (and I don't) by Barbara Bottner; illustrated by Michael Emberley
• The library by Sarah Stewart; illustrated by David Small

Reviewed by Brilla

Throne of glass by Sarah J. Maas

Celaena Sardothien is beautiful and deadly, sent to the salt mines of Endovier for the crime of being Adarlan's Assassin.  She has survived in the death camp for a year, something no one else has ever done, and she has survived with her mind and spirit intact - although her physical shape leaves a lot to be desired.  She is waiting to die, waiting for the mines or the King to finish her off - she does not expect the Crown Prince to offer her a chance at her freedom.  There is only one catch, to gain her freedom she must win a tournament and become the King's Champion.  As King's Champion she will have to obey his orders, including assassinations, but after just four years of servitude she will be free to live her own life.

The training for the tournament will not be easy, she must rebuild her body after a year of hard labour, and return her strength after a year of near starvation - and she she must survive the trials themselves, and the tests that form the tournament.  There is also something dark stalking the halls of the castle, something that is picking off the other potential champions one-by-one, killing them in a brutal and gruesome fashion.  Life at Court is also not easy, there are undercurrents of deceit and maneuvering for power that are as dangerous as the battles and training.  Hidden behind a false name, and forced to hide what she is really capable of, Celaena slowly realises that there is more to the tournament and life in the castle than she thought.

Throne of glass is the first book in what promises to be an epic series, one with real depth and an addictive storyline.  Celaena is intense, surprisingly vulnerable, driven, and very human - characteristics that make her both more believable and more relatable.  The language of the story is quite modern, there are moments where it almost seems like the story could be happening right now, but that adds to the relatability of the story (nobody likes reading a book when you have to keep a dictionary handy to figure out what the characters are talking about).  The other characters are well developed and equally engaging, even if at times you want to slap some of them (yes Kaltain I am talking about you!).

This is not a lightly written novel, it has depth and character, which is just as well as the story is over 400 pages and it takes a good writer to keep an audience thoroughly engaged through all of those pages - and Maas does it with style and skill.  There is great promise for this series if Throne of glass is any indication, and Maas has the potential to become one of the great fantasy voices of her generation, a new master (or mistress if you prefer) of the genre.  I enjoyed this book immensely and look forward to seeing what is next for Celaena and her world, as the ending hints and promises there is more to come.

If you like this book then try:

• Arrows of the queen by Mercedes Lackey
• Graceling by Kristin Cashore
• Grave mercy by Robin LaFevers
• The hunt by Andrew Fukuda
• Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey
• The pledge by Kimberly Derting
• Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst
• Daughter of smoke and bone by Laini Taylor
• The demon trapper's daughter by Jana Oliver

Reviewed by Brilla

Megacatastrophes!: nine weird ways the world could end by David Darling & Dirk Schulze-Makuch

I’m quite partial to the odd science book. Odd in both senses: an-indeterminate-number and quirky. It sounded like it fitted both definitions.

When I have a few things going on and my brain’s feeling a bit full, I relax by reading non-fiction. Popular science books are a favourite at this time – enough information to keep my mind occupied, but not so difficult that I struggle to figure it out.

This is entertaining in content and in writing style. Chapter 2 ‘When physics goes wrong’ is particularly relevant, with the discussion of the search for the Higgs boson (‘The God Particle’) using the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

The subject itself is fascinating and, having watched a few docos on it, thought it would be right up my alley. And it was.

Entertaining, educational, and intriguing. Good for science-fans, but not necessarily serious science-types.

Other info-tainment sciency-books are:

• The geek-manifesto by Mark Henderson.
• The science of Doctor Who by Paul Parsons.
• Bad science by Ben Goldacre.
• Star Trek, I'm working on that by William Shatner.
• Science is golden by Karl Kruszelnicki.

Reviewed by Thalia.