Unremembered by Jessica Brody

She was the only survivor of a plane crash, the mystery girl that has no memories of who she is or where she came from.  It is a confusing time, one where everyone seems helpful and concerned for her safety, but there is something wrong, something she can just sense on the edge of her awareness.  There are memories that seem tantalisingly close, but they won't come to surface - and then there is the boy that keeps appearing, the boy who calls her Sera and seems to know who she is and expects her to know him too.  As she eases into the world, Sera discovers that people are after her, people who will stop at nothing to get her back, and unless she can regain her memories, they have her at a distinct disadvantage.

This is one of those tricky books to review, not because it is mediocre, but because all the little twists and turns that make the book so enjoyable are the little gems that you would normally put into a book review to entice the reader to try the book - but in this case it would be spoilers, spoilers, spoilers!  In the past few months I have come across an increasing number of science fiction stories that include a wide range of subjects from androids, to aliens, to time travel and it seems as though the publishing trend is starting to shift from dystopian and bleak futures to science fiction stories nestled up against our own time and place in space - and it is something of a refreshing change.

The characters in Unremembered are interesting and well written, and the world they move through is believable with little hints of what is happening and what is to come - little tricks to keep you hooked from the start and absorbed right to the end.  Sera's world is confusing and tricky, and you are drawn to her confusion and innocence as she learns about the world around her through trial and error, and the bad guys when they appear are not two dimensional and clichéd - they are intriguing and realistically motivated to get what they want. 

There is drama, adventure, science fiction themes, and just a touch of romance - something for the guys and the gals.  This is the beginning of a new series an if Brody can keep up the tension and the pace then it is bound to be a breath taking series, with plenty of mystery and drama, with a dash of true love and romance to keep everyone on the edge of their seats as they wait to see what Sera's fate will be.  This is not a heavy novel driven by dense prose, it is a little bit of fun and something to read for the pleasure.

If you like this book then try:

• Adaptation by Melinda Lo
• Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza
• Nobody by Jennifer Lynne Barnes
• What's left of me by Kat Zhang
• Origin by Jessica Khoury
• The hunt by Andrew Fukuda
• Revived by Cat Patrick
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Reviewed by Brilla

Comet's tale: How the dog I rescued saved my life by Steven D. Wolf with Lynette Padwa

I am something of a sucker for a good animal story, especially one where the human animal bond helps both the person involved and the animal - and Comet's tale ticked all the boxes for me.  Comet is a Greyhound, for many a commodity born and bred to race around a track for the betting pleasure of people who were in it purely and simply for the money, an animal that was discarded as soon as her value as livestock was over.  It could have ended there, with a Greyhound abandoned to die, muzzled in a box - but she was rescued by a Greyhound rescue organisation, one of an increasing number around the world rescuing these beautiful and misunderstood dogs from certain death all around the world.  But Comet wasn't just a victim of thoughtless cruelty, she was also about to become an important part in one mans life.

Steven Wolf, Wolf to his friends, was a lawyer who was squeezed out of his practice because his chronic pain condition made it difficult for him to work the long and demanding hours of his job, even though he had never let this partners down they protected their practice and themselves rather than take the risk of what might happen.  As his physical condition worsened Wolf moved to Arizona in the winter as winter in his hometown in Nebraska was becoming too difficult, worsening the impact of his back and chronic pain.  It was during his first winter that he met Comet and brought into his life a dog that needed him - but he would also soon discover that he needed Comet just as badly.

Over the following years Wolf experiences some of the rockiest years of his life, including worsening relationships with his wife and daughters - not only because of the physical distance separating them, but also the emotional distance separating them.  This is an intensely emotional book, an insight into the life of a man who is not afraid to bare his soul and show his flaws to the world, even if it took a few years for him to discover those flaws and work to overcome them.  It is also an intimate insight into the relationship between a man and the dog that decided he needed her, a dog that would beat all the odds and scepticism to become a service dog for Wolf when his chronic pain and back condition worsened and made daily living increasingly difficult.

It is not a sad book, or a book about beating yourself up about your mistakes - it is brutally honest and personal, but there are many times when I would laugh out loud and then have to read passages out loud for the rest of the family so they could enjoy parts of the story with me.  Comet is absolutely charming, and a complete flirt for any man in a uniform, and some of the adventures she has when trying to get closer to said man is absolutely hilarious.  Comet also breaks many of the stereotypes of the breed, and is a unique ambassador for the charms of the breed, which make excellent therapy dogs, and thanks to her work with Wolf we now also know that they can make exceptional service dogs as well.

This is a story about unconditional love, hope, and never giving up.  Both Comet and Wolf could easily have given up on life, but what they offer instead is a story of hope, that a mistreated dog can find love and trust again, and that a man who is broken can be mended in time.  I loved this book and hope that more people will discover the story of Comet and Wolf, one of the truest examples of the benefit of the human animal bond.  Charming and unforgettable.

If you like this book then try:

• Homer's odyssey a fearless feline tale or how I learned about love and life with a blind wonder cat by Gwen Cooper
• Finding Harmony by Sally Hyder
• A street cat named Bob by James Bowen
• Cowboy & Wills by Monica Holloway
• Until Tuesday: A wounded warrior and the dog who saved him by Luis Carlos Montalvan
• A friend like Henry by Nuala Gardner
• Thunder dog: The true story of a blind man, his guide dog, and the triumph of trust at ground zero by Michael Hingson with Susy Flory

Reviewed by Brilla

Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza

The past month for Mila has been coming to terms with the lose of her father and the new life her mother has made for them in the sleepy little town of Clearwater.  It is a quiet existence in a quiet town, where a trip to the local Dairy Queen is a big night out for Mila and her new friends.  Nothing ever really happens, until Hunter appears on the scene and changes everything just because he shows more interest in Mila than her friends.  It is all normal teenage dramas and teenage cattiness, until the accident - the accident that makes Mila realise that everything she knows is a lie, everything about her mother, her life, and herself.

Now Mila and her mother are on the run, desperately trying to stay one step ahead of the people hunting them.  It is a tense time as Mila tries to come to terms with the truth about who and what she is, something complicated by the rapidly increasing changes in her body and her memories.  Mila is more than she has ever known, more than she could ever have dreamed of being and that may just save her life - but it could also be her undoing.

Mila 2.0 is the first book in an explosive trilogy that blends together action, thriller, science fiction, and a little dash of conspiracy with a splash of romance.  Mila is a well created character, well crafted with surprising depth and relatability, a clear voice that tells her story without pulling punches or pausing for breath.  Her story unfolds at breath taking speed as you learn about who and what she is, and then speed towards the inevitable confrontation with the people who are after her - her humanity is loud and clear, as is her reluctance to turn into what she was developed to be.  The surrounding cast is sketched pretty lightly, but that is partly because of the fast paced action and the need to keep the pace up - you can easily see the action unfolding as a high octane thriller, and I can see why the blurb touts it as a Bourne Identity style thriller.

This is one for readers of all ages who enjoy an action packed read with a convincing voice for the main character, and a plot that leaves you glued to the pages as you race towards the end.  This is an ambitious read for an afternoon, being 470 pages long, but once I picked it up I didn't want to put it down and managed to devour it between lunch and dinner in a single sitting.  Looking forward to the sequel so I can see if Driza can keep up the tension, drama, and action through the next two books in the series.  One of the star reads of my year so far.

If you like this book then try:

• Adaptation by Melinda Lo
• Variant by Robison Wells
• Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• Agent 21 by Chris Ryan
• Revived by Cat Patrick
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer
• Virals by Kathy Reichs
• Unremembered by Jessica Brody
• When we wake by Karen Healey

Reviewed by Brilla

Rape girl by Alina Klein

Valerie wasn't supposed to have a party while her mother was out of town, but her bestfriend Mimi thought it was a good idea so she went along with it.  The party was great, until she got drunk and threw up on the shoes of the guy she was crushing on - and the next morning when he held her down and raped her while her little sister played in the snow outside.  Suddenly Valerie is a social pariah, her bestfriend doesn't believe she was raped, the popular kids are treating her like a liar and a tease, and she has to live through what happened again and again to the police, the prosecutor, the doctor.  As time passes it should get easier, but things just become more and more complicated as she becomes the social outcast, the liar, the bitch.

This is one of those amazing books that some people might skip over because of the topic, but I found it a compelling read, one that was emotional and exhausting to read - but as the author survived rape as a teenager I felt that there was more realism to the story, something that is often lacking in rape stories for teenagers.  There is no graphic violence in this story, no protracted dramas, it is short and intensely written a view on the life of a teenage girl after she is raped by one of the popular boys, and the blame she receives for trying to wreck his life after they sleep together.  It is emotional, and there are times when you feel sick on her behalf, but it was also a book filled with moments of family strength, of personal guilt, and a young girl rebuilding her life after a traumatic event.

Because of the subject matter this is not a book for younger readers, and younger teens would benefit from having someone to talk to about the topic if they read this.  Some people may also be uncomfortable with the setting of a Mormon community with references to Mormon youth drinking alcohol and committing rape - the story does not lampoon the Mormon faith or any religion, but it may make some readers doubly uncomfortable when combined with the theme of rape.

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

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

Reviewed by Brilla

The different girl by Gordon Dahlquist

Veronika, Caroline, Isobel and Eleanor are four girls living on an isolated island with their caregivers and teachers Robbert and Irene.  They are four similar girls who can be told apart by the colour of their hair and the little things that make them different.  It is a quiet existence, with learning broken up with walks and naps.  Robbert and Irene guide them, asking them questions, helping them learn the right answers to their questions, something that sometimes appears to leave them frustrated.  The girls don't know how different they are - until May washes up on the island and they discover just how different she is.

This is one of those somewhat rare reviews where I am reviewing a book that I am not entirely sure I liked.  The idea behind the story is good, and keeps you wondering where things are heading for a while, but the story wasn't as absorbing as I would have liked, lacking the depth that such stories usually have.  It felt a little bit like the author was trying to say something, but lacked the skill or the depth of understanding to carry it off - don't get me wrong he did okay, but stories like this really need oomph, something with a little grunt behind it, an author who can really make the story come alive and grip you.

This will likely appeal to readers who like a little bit of mystery with their stories, a little developing dystopia in their science fiction, and stories that you can float along with without having to commit too much of yourself to the story.  Not a huge thumbs up, but not a huge thumbs down - a somewhat better than mediocre book that stands out a little in the field of similar books because it is told from a somewhat unexpected perspective.

If you like this book then you might like:

• Beta by Rachel Cohn
• Origin by Jessica Khoury
• The selection by Kiera Cass
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer
• Wither by Lauren DeStefano
• Partials by Dan Wells

Reviewed by Brilla

The prey by Andrew Fukuda

The prey is the second book in the Hunt trilogy so this review contains ***SPOILERS*** if you haven't read The hunt yet.

Gene and the humans from the dome have escaped from the hunt, but they are still fighting for their lives, fighting to stay one step ahead of the monsters that stalk them from the river banks as they float down the river.  It is a dangerous journey, not only because of the hunters stalking them from the bank, but also because they have no idea where the river is taking them or what dangers lie ahead for them, and their supplies have dwindled away to nothing.  Caught between the life he has always known, the creature he has had to be, and the human that the others take him for, Gene tries to stay one step ahead, to predict what might be coming next.  Sissy accepts him easily, but the others are not so sure of him, and Epap struggles against him and his suggestions, convinced Sissy is making decisions because of her feelings for Gene.

When the river leads them to a community that seems oddly untouched by the hunters, which they call duskers, it seems as though the travellers may finally have found a place of safety, a place where they can relax and heal.  But things are not always what they appear, and both Gene and Sissy sense that something is not right, that there is something off about this happy and smiling place where the young woman sing as they complete their assigned tasks.  It is a community that seems like a paradise to Epap and the boys, but when Sissy and Gene speak out about what they see in the community, they quickly realise that there is a dark secret - one that could destroy them all.  Gene and Sissy are challenging forces they don't understand, forces that are not against fighting dirty to get what they want.

The prey carries on immediately from the end of The hunt, dragging you back into the story at break neck speed, carrying you along with Gene, Sissy, and the others as they struggle for survival against the horde that is chasing them.  The adventure keeps up the frantic pace of the first book, barely giving pause for breath as they fight for survival on the river, only to be dragged into a community full of intrigue and mystery, where there is something not quite right but they can't put their fingers on it straight away.  The relationship between the members of the group changes in the community, altering the dynamics and forcing them all to make choices that could affect them all - it is a very real reaction and change in their relationships. 

While I guessed parts of the story before they happened, the fast pace and energetic writing style ensured another absorbing and addictive read.  Finally we also learn some of the back story for the series, a tantalizing glimpse of what created the world Gene knows, a truth that may or may not be the whole truth.  This is a series that comes highly recommended, and hopefully Fukuda can keep up the pace, the tension, and the drama through the final instalment in the trilogy - bring on September 2013.

If you like this book then try:

• The hunt by Andrew Fukuda
• 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
• Sister assassin by Kiersten White
• Every other day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• Angel arias by Marianne de Pierres
• Rot and ruin by Jonathan Maberry
• Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Reviewed by Brilla

Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Nix is a Nobody, a freak of nature who passes through the world without leaving any impression behind, passing unnoticed amongst the people around him.  When he really needs to go completely unseen, avoiding the chance of anyone sensing his presence, he can move into the Fade and be completely invisible and ignore the laws of nature.  The Society has raised him, trained him, and used his unique abilities to help protect the world from Nulls - dangerous people who are the opposite of Nix, people who can control people around them and make them do what they want, people with no empathy no emotions, and a desire for control.  It is a lonely existence, one with only one purpose - he has been trained to kill, to protect the Normals from the Nulls, to protect the work of the Society.

Claire has always been invisible, even her parents seem to forget she is there, forget that she is part of their lives.  Spending time alone has helped Claire hone her imagination, and gives her plenty of time to loose herself in a world of books and reading.  At fifteen it seems as though the pattern of her life is set and predictable, and she is ready for another summer of being ignored, until she has an odd encounter at the local pool.  Suddenly Claire is not invisible, Nix has been sent to kill her, his orders are to kill her with no contact, to take out a dangerous Null before she can use her powers against him.  What Nix discovers instead is another Nobody, another person who can do the things that he can, a person that shouldn't exist.

Thrown together by fate, Nix and Claire need to uncover the truth about the Society, and the truth about the people Nix was sent to kill.  As they try to work things out, they know the clock is ticking, because the Society knows they have found each other, and they will do anything to stop Nix and Claire figuring out what they are capable of - because once they know their true powers, no one will be able to stop them from doing what needs to be done.

Nobody is a fast paced, action packed novel with a touch of romance that races from an explosive introduction through to a jaw-dropping conclusion.  The concept of the story, once you wrap your head around it, is incredibly simple and yet incredibly complex at the same time.  Nix has a unique ability which makes him valuable to the Society, and they have used harsh training techniques (torture might be the better word) to make him into the perfect tool, someone who can follow orders without question and get the task done.  On the other hand Claire has the same power but doesn't know it, all she knows is that people don't seem to see her, that she passes unnoticed through the world.  Needless to say, when Nix and Claire cross paths and come to understand who and what they are the Society is in trouble - which would be why they tried so hard to stop Nix ever meeting another Nobody.

I really enjoyed Nobody, and while I have been hanging out for a sequel to Every other day, this definitely filled that gap (but hopefully there will be a sequel one day).  The writing is dynamic and drags you along with the action, but also provides enough description to let you easily picture the world built around Nix and Claire, and I love the background mythology which really brings the story to life and makes it make sense.  A thoroughly addictive story, and I hope it is a world we can visit again soon because it feels like there is more to their story, that we have only just scratched the surface of something that could be bigger - but, that said, it was also a satisfying read in itself.

If you like this book then try:

• Every other day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• Sister assassin (Mind games) by Kierstin White
• The Lab by Jack Heath
• Throne of glass by Sarah J. Maas
• Paranormalcy by Kierstin White
• The interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina
• Graceling by Kirsten Cashore
• Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
• Adaptation by Melinda Lo
• Origin by Jessica Khoury
• Numbers by Rachel Ward
• The industry by Rose Foster

Reviewed by Brilla

Bone quill by John Barrowman and Carole E. Barrowman

Bone quill is the sequel to Hollow Earth and so this review has some ***SPOILERS***.  If you prefer to read books in a series without ***SPOILERS*** then stop reading now and check out Hollow Earth first.

Em and Matt have been left reeling from the revelations of the past few weeks - not only do they now know that they are the children of a Guardian and an Animare, they now also know that their mother bound their father into a painting because he wanted to use them and their amazing creative abilities to open Hollow Earth and release the monsters on the world.  That was enough to take in, but now their mother is also missing and they have no idea where to find her. 

When they accidentally animate themselves into a painting at the time it was painted, Em and Matt realise that they have the ability to travel through time if they use a painting from the time they want to travel to.  It is a stunning revelation, one that comes just in time for them to embark on another dangerous and thrilling adventure when they discover an old painting in the house that seems to hold a clue to help them solve the mysteries that surround them.  It is a stressful time, a time when they not only face the challenges of being Animare and Guardian combined, but also a time of normal change for any 'tween, a time of growth, loss, and changing relationships between siblings.

Bone quill is the second book in the Hollow Earth series and continues on from the first book without pause, a chance for a single deep breath before plunging back into the action.  It has been a while since I read the first book in the series, but this book feels like it carries on with the same amount of energy, a story that is driven forward by imagination and a deft touch with the writing.  The story is not dumbed down, and it doesn't use too much high level language, which makes it a great read for confident younger readers and for teens who are struggling a little with reading. 

The characters are well thought out, and there is obviously a well thought out mythology here, a set of rules that may be bent by the unique abilities of Em and Matt, but you can still see how they make sense.  This is an enjoyable and engrossing series and I hope that there are a few more books in the series to keep readers hooked for many years to come.  This series has the potential of developing a cult series, and you can easily see it transformed into a movie or TV series - maybe even with an appearance from one of the authors?  A great read for boys and fantasy lovers who enjoy a story that blends into our own time and place.

If you like this book then try:

• Hollow Earth by John Barrowman and Carole E. Barrowman
• Stone heart by Charlie Fletcher
• Finding the fox by Ali Sparkes
• Under the mountain by Maurice Gee
• The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
• Lionboy by Zizou Corder
• Northwood by Brian Falkner
• The Halfmen of O by Maurice Gee
• Museum of thieves by Lian Tanner
• Lee Raven, boy thief by Zizou Corder
• The roar by Emma Clayton

Reviewed by Brilla

Beautiful creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Welcome to Gatlin, South Carolina - a quiet little town where everyone knows everyone, and everyone knows everything.  It is a place that Ethan Wate can't wait to leave, a place where nothing really happens, and where everyone is the same people you went to kindergarten with, you went to elementary school with, and now you go to high school with.  That all changes when Lena Duchannes comes to town - she has the double sin of being new to town, and of being the niece of Old Man Ravenwood, the man no one has seen in town since before Ethan was born.

 

Suddenly, things are not quiet and peaceful in the sleepy little town, suddenly the popular girls have their claws out and the mothers are talking up a storm to try and drive Lena out of the high school and out of the lives of their children.  Lena is different, and even though she has made it clear she isn't interested, Ethan seems drawn to her - but that could have something to do with the dreams, dreams about Lena that he was having before he ever saw her. 

 

As they grow closer, Ethan learns the truth about Lena and why she is in Gatlin - Lena is a Caster, and in her family they are either Chosen for the Light or the Dark when they turn 16, a birthday that is looming closer with every day.  As Lena struggles with the idea that she might turn Dark, Ethan and Lena discover another mystery, one that has them at odds with the people who want to protect them.  There are dark undercurrents in Gatlin, undercurrents and secrets that could save Lena - or destroy her.

 

Beautiful creatures is the latest teen novel to be turned into a movie, so I decided to try it and see if it was as bad as Twilight - and the answer was a surprising no.  I know lots of people adore Twilight and the movie franchise that grew from it, but I found them shallow and uninteresting, lacking the depth of plot, mythology, and character development that keeps you hooked from start to finish.  At first it felt like Beautiful creatures might have been the same, but after a few pages I was hooked on the story and the characters.  There are times when the characters seem to become a little flat and angsty. but the story keeps driving forward and provides an explanation of why they are that way.

 

This was a pleasant surprise, especially as the novel is over 550 pages which is a huge time commitment to read.  I polished it off in an afternoon, which is just as well as some of the plot twists and turns would have driven me nuts if I had had to put the book down and pick it up the next day.  To talk about the plot too mush ruins some of the surprises, which is why this review is a little uninspired - but this was a absorbing read, and makes me want to see the movie to see how they translated the action, drama, and mystery to the big screen.  This is a book filled with rich and descriptive language which provides the story with amazing depth without dragging it down with too much "weight".

 

If you like this book then try:

• Beautiful darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
• Daughter of smoke and bone by Laini Taylor
• City of bones by Cassandra Clare
• Every other day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• Graceling by Kristin Cashore
• The demon trappers daughter by Jana Oliver
• Born at midnight by C.C. Hunter
• The unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
• Sister assassin by Kiersten White
• Anna dressed in blood by Kendare Blake

Reviewed by Brilla

The dogs of winter by Bobbie Pyron

Life was peaceful in the little village of Ruza for Mishka.  He lived with his mother and his Babushka Ina, and they loved, laughed, and told stories.  That all changed when Mishka was five and his Babushka died and his mother forgot to read stories, forgot to make enough for them to eat, and she forgot how important to her Mishka was.  It was a tough time for everyone, and then he arrived - the man who yelled at Mishka and made his mother cry.  Then one day his mother was gone and Mishka was taken to the city, far away from everything he had ever known.

Life on the streets was hard, even harder for a small boy who wouldn't cheat and steal like the other street kids, and even the kids who would help him quickly grew frustrated with him.  Feeling alone and lost, Mishka strikes up a friendship with the dogs that he sees wandering the streets, dogs that seem to accept him for who he is rather than wanting him to be someone else.  Over the months that follow, Mishka becomes part of the pack, helping them to find enough food in a harsh winter.  But the pack accepts him and protects him, giving him the affection and protection he should have received from his own family.  Life on the streets is not easy, but with his pack Mishka might just make it.

To go into too much detail in this review risks the chance of revealing too much about what makes this an absorbing and emotional read.  Mishka should have had a safe childhood, one where he was kept safe and loved by his family, but he grew up in a Russia that was struggling to keep its people safe and feed, a time when thousands of children became homeless - either because they were orphans or because they had no other choice.  Although this is based on a true story, there are liberties that have been taken, no doubt because the story of the real Ivan Mishukov is a little bit cloudy.  All I know for sure is that this is a beautifully written novel, one that takes a difficult story and drags you along through the highs and the lows of love, betrayal, loss, and grief. 

I read this book in an afternoon and found myself smiling, laughing, and crying in turn.  A powerful read that deserves more exposure than it has had, a wonderful coming of age story that is so powerful and unique that for the first time I can think of no other stories to recommend to read if you liked it to - the closest books of this "type" are the books about people working with assistance dogs, or who have had incredibly close relationships with other companion animals.

An incredible read that has left me wanting more from this author, it was deftly written with an incredible amount of sympathy and compassion, telling a story with no punches pulled and with the good and bad walking side by side until the story is done.

Reviewed by Brilla

Sister assassin by Kiersten White

Fia and Annie are special, so special that they came to the attention of Keane and his school.  When their parents died their Aunt Ellen was happy to send the girls to the school, it seemed like the best chance for Annie to succeed, a place where she could get an excellent education despite the fact she is blind.  The offer was only supposed to be for Annie, but then Fia showed that she was special too.  Years later and Annie and Fia are held hostage by Keane and his organisation.  Annie is held hostage by her disability and the knowledge that she will struggle in the sighted world without the tools and equipment from the school, and Fia is tied to the school because if she walks away they will kill Annie. 

It is a dangerous world for them to live in, one where their moves can be seen by Seers, where their emotions betray them - escape is virtually impossible, but virtually impossible is not completely impossible.  Fia doesn't fit neatly into any category, she is not a Seer and she's not a Reader, her gift is undefined but over the years she has been groomed to become the perfect assassin.  When she is sent on her first major real world mission she meets Adam and her world begins to crumble as she faces one of the most important and dangerous decisions of her life - if she is to be free Annie needs to be freed or killed, but does she has the strength to do either?

Sister assassin is a new book from the author of the Paranormalcy trilogy and it starts with a bang, and if the "feel" is right it feels like this may be the first book in a new series, but then again it could be a very good stand alone.  The characters of Fia and Annie are interesting and engaging, they have their strengths and their flaws, and as the story unfolds you understand more about why they are the way they are, and why their is a strain on their relationship.  Fia may have been trained to be an assassin, but she has a strong streak of humanity that struggles against that training, even though it may mean that she has made her life and Annie's forfeit. 

The cast of characters built around Fia and Annie is small, partly aided by the fact that they have lived in the small and sheltered community of the school for years.  In some ways this echoes the world of Paranormalcy, a small confined world that interacts with our world and in which the main character has a kind of crisis of faith.  In many ways I preferred Sister assassin to the Paranormalcy series, but that may come down to personal taste and a preference for action and tense drama rather than drawn out action and teen angst.  A very good read and I hope their are more books in the series as it doesn't feel as though Fia's story is finished.  This book is also published as Mind games.

If you like this book then try:

• Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
• Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
• Every other day by Jennifer Lynne Barnes
• Unremembered by Jessica Brody
• Slated by Teri Terry
• Agent 21 by Chris Ryan
• Origin by Jessica Khoury
• Raven's gate by Anthony Horowitz
• Eve by Anne Carey
• Adaptation by Melinda Lo

Reviewed by Brilla

Texts from dog by October Jones

Every now and then someone creates a brilliant concept online and manages to translate that concept to a successful book - and Texts from dog is one of those successes.  I came across my first text courtesy of a friend who posed one on Facebook, and from there found more online, much to the laugh-out-loud amusement of the grown ups in my house.  The texts have continued to come and have continued to be a source of lots of laughing and near hysterical moments as the dog seems to be the perfect example of what we think one of our dogs would sound like (the attitude is perfect - especially as the dog in question is a teenager pushing all his limits).

The idea is simple, an owner has taught his dog to text and they exchange texts on smart phones (so you can see the messages going back and forth).  It is a simple idea but some of the texts are hysterical, combining the voice of an exasperated and slightly out of his depth owner with the voice of a cocky dog that thinks he is the top dog in his household.  Some of the texts are familiar as they have already been online, but some of the others are new and were a wonderful new discovery.  The author has a talent for real humour and has obviously spent time with real dogs with attitude, and possibly a teenager or two, and has developed a wonderful "voice" for the dog and owner.

The language is pretty okay, but there are some text cuss terms that may not be suitable for translation for younger readers, but chances are they already know the terms anyway.  The pre-teen in our house loved the texts I read out for him, so the humour does translate to younger readers but you may just want to censor the odd page or two because of the slightly more mature content.  Loads of fun and hopefully there will be other books in the series.

If you like this book then try these other internet to books:

• Simon's cat by Simon Tofield
• Simon's cat: Beyond the fence by Simon Tofield
• How to tell if your cat is plotting to kill you by Matthew Inman
• Unshelved by Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum
• What would Dewey do?: An Unshelved collection by Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum

Reviewed by Brilla

A street cat named Bob by James Bowen

Life was not going too great for James, it wasn't all bad, but life is challenging when you are a recovering drug addict and making a hand to mouth existence busking on the streets.  It seems like a bleak place to start a story, but into this story comes a ginger street cat that desperately needs some help.  Barely able to take care of his own needs, James takes on the responsibility of nursing the cat back to health with plans to return him to the streets once he is happy and whole again - but the cat has other ideas.  Christened Bob, the cat makes himself at home and has a huge impact on James and the people he meets.

I picked up A street cat named Bob on the recommendation of one of the people who posted a comment on an earlier post on this blog, thinking it would be like a lot of other books of this type, a little bit of entertainment with some serious bits and some fluffy bits, but it is much more than that.  Books about the human companion animal bond offer a view into someone's life, a personal touch about how animals make an life changing impact on people.  This book is more than just that, it is a very personal story about a life that has gone off the rails, a life that is slowly coming back together and into focus, a life that just needed a little push to come all the way back over to being a bit more "normal".

I loved this book, Bob is such a character, he reminds me a lot of my own ginger ninja Loki and the antics he gets up to, the attitude of being a cat who can go where ever he wants.  I was also grateful to see a story about a cat that formed such a deep relationship of trust and love with his person, as cats often get the bad reputation of being loners that will abandon their home if there is something better on the horizon.  I also admired the fact that James was so willing to share the dark corners of his life, his imperfections, and his failures.  This book wont be to everyone's taste, but if you love a good read about the close relationship between people and their companion animals then you should enjoy A street cat named Bob.

If you like this book then try:

• A cat called Norton: the true story of an extraordinary cat and his imperfect human by Peter Gethers
• A friend like Henry by Nuala Gardner
• Dewey: The small-town library cat who touched the world by Vicki Myron & Bret Witter
• Homer's odyssey: A fearless feline tale, or how I learned about love and life with a blind wonder cat by Gwen Cooper
• Making the rounds with Oscar by David Dosa
• Norton, the loveable cat who travelled the world by Peter Gethers
• Cowboy & Wills by Monica Holloway
• Cleo: The cat who mended a family by Helen Brown
• The dog who rescues cats by Philip Gonzalez

Reviewed by Brilla

Sever by Lauren DeStefano

Sever is the third and final book in the Chemical garden trilogy, and as such this review contains ***SPOILERS*** about what happened in the previous books Wither and Fever.  If you like to read books in series order then read the first books in the series before reading any more of this review.

Rhine has been captured, forced into marriage, and then escaped into the world.  She has loved, she has lost, and she has been subjected to humiliation and forced experimentation at the hands of the cold and calculating Housemaster Vaughn.  She has tried to find her brother Rowan and has failed, and now he believes that she is dead and he is killing innocent people with the bombs he uses to destroy the labs that are researching a cure for the virus that ends their lives all too soon.  It is a world of treachery, tight social control, and threats hidden behind the veneer of love and concern. 

For the first time she is not alone in her disquiet, Cecily knows some of the things that have happened, and it seems as though even Linden is learning that things are not what they appear - but just as it seems they are making progress Housemaster Vaughn appears and strips away their sense of safety.  It seems as though their only option is to search for Rowan, to find him and learn the secrets hidden in the research from their parents lab - the research that Rhine now knows is missing from the backyard of the home they lived in.  It is a stressful time for everyone, and with divided loyalties Rhine may fail before she has even begun.

Sever is the final book in a trilogy that has been slowly ramping up the tension, building towards a secret, and ending that will leave you breathless with its finality ... unfortunately it doesn't quite deliver on that promise.  I have been reading the books as they have been released, and have not had time to reread the books in between, so it took me a few chapters to settle back into the story, but once I did it seemed as though the story was building towards a shocking conclusion, one that would be final or a true cliffhanger.  What we got was something of a let down, a weak ending for what had been an intriguing read.  I don't know if teen readers (the target audience) will feel the same way I do, but I do feel a little cheated, like the book was close to finished and DeStefano then rushed through the ending to just get it done.  There was a lot of promise here, and I can see a screen play in a few years or a TV series, but the ending would be re-written for more punch if that were to happen.

This was an interesting series with lots of different genre rolled in with the dystopian angle - romance, drama, action, adventure, intrigue - but as often happens the momentum ran out before the last pages of the book.  If you enjoyed the other books in the series you will (hopefully) enjoy Sever as well, just don't expect too much from the ending (and don't believe the bit about a "breathtaking conclusion" on the blurb).

If you like this book then try:

• Wither by Lauren DeStefano
• Fever by Lauren DeStefano
• The hunger games by Suzanne Collins
• What's left of me by Kat Zhang
• Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
• Eve by Anna Carey
• Adaptation by Melinda Lo
• The forest of hands and teeth by Carrie Ryan
• Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
• XVI by Julia Karr

Reviewed by Brilla

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