The book of beasts by John Barrowman and Carole E. Barrowman

The book of beasts is the final book in the Hollow Earth trilogy and is the sequel to Hollow Earth and Bone quill 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 and Bone quill first.

Em and Matt have never been separated before for any real length of time - but now centuries lie between them.  Worse still, they don't know if the other is still alive because the distance between them has severed the connection they share.  In the Middle Ages Matt and Jeannie are stranded on Auchinmurn Isle, and they are not alone - they share this time with friend and foe.  Solon and Carik are no strangers to Animare and Guardians in their own time, but Matt and his wild and impulsive ways push their boundaries and their trust.  Matt's father Malcolm is the greatest foe, determined to release the beats of Hollow Earth - and he has powers he shouldn't have.

In the present Em is dealing with her own problems, and overprotective mother and grandfather and an enemy that will stop at nothing to get what she wants.  Em wants to get back to the Middle Ages to rescue Matt and Jeannie, but she has to work in secret because no one wants to loose her as well, but secrets can be dangerous.  While Em works in secret she has no idea that her plans will put her squarely in the path of her grandmother - a grandmother she never knew existed, but has always that Em and Matt are part of her own plans for the future.  The twins are on a collision course with destiny, and if they fail the whole world will fall.

The Hollow Earth trilogy has been an interesting and engaging read, although this final book in the trilogy has left me feeling a little disappointed.  To be fair, part of that sense of disappointment no doubt comes from the fact that it has been two years since I read the last book in the series and my mind was scrabbling to reconnect witch characters and events.  The structure of the novel also took some getting used to, because it switches back and forth between time periods in a way that feels a little "clunky", like at times the Barrowman's were trying to make the gaps fit the chapters rather than putting gaps where they were a "best fit".  

The imagination and world building that has gone into the Hollow Earth trilogy is truly impressive - especially because it was so original yet felt so real and compelling because of the connection to a place and time that feels authentic.  You get a sense reading the stories that it is very "real", it is very easy to suspend belief and get caught up in the story and the characters.  In some ways it feels like the series was a little shaky on the dismount, at times I was distracted and found it hard to focus on the story because it felt like time was moving wrong and that things weren't as clear as they could have been - but that could have been part of the challenges of having a connected story happening in two different periods of time.

The Barrowman siblings are talented and have a flair for creating believable worlds and characters, and I sincerely hope that there are more books to come.  Writing books for older children can be challenging, because although the readers are ready for more challenging writing they are often not emotionally ready for the challenges of reading teen books - John and Carole E. Barrowman have created a challenging and engaging series that will provide many enjoyable hours of reading for children aged 9 years and up.  I would recommend reading this series as a marathon read if you can get your hands on the whole series because you will enjoy it more if you don't have to wait for the next book in the series (this is the voice of experience speaking!).  

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

The conspiracy of us by Maggie Hall

Avery West is used to a life on the road, never putting down roots or really getting to know people.  The defences she has built make her nomadic life more bearable, but it is a lonely life in many respects - she doesn't leave lifelong friendships in her wake anymore, but she also doesn't really connect to other people either.  Some teens might think it is an exotic and exciting life to follow her mothers work around the States, but for Avery it is more about surviving than enjoying.  At school Avery has some friends, but she still holds herself apart - until she discovers that new boy Jack Bishop has a photograph of her.  At first she doesn't really think anything of it, until she realises that the photograph is not a school photo and that he really shouldn't have it.

When Avery ignores her mothers wishes and goes to the prom, the bottom falls out of her world and she is whisked into a secretive world that would blow the mind of anyone who happened to stumble across it - let alone the mind of someone who has just found out they are part of that world.  Avery is about to discover that the word as we know it is just a facade, that there is a secret society that really controls the world and they don't play the game lightly.  The Circle of Twelve is waiting for a prophecy to be fulfilled, a prophecy about a girl with violet eyes and the One - who will help the families access the power they need to become invincible.  It seems like a dream turned into a nightmare for Avery - who just happens to have violet eyes and a surprising connection to the Circle of Twelve.  Dragged into an ancient war she doesn't understand, Avery is in a race against time to protect herself and the people she loves - a race where she doesn't know all the rules, all the players, or the true cost of the game.

The conspiracy of us was a truly guilty pleasure, a read that shouldn't have worked but really did.  For nearly the entire book one part of my brain was saying "this is rubbish, there is no way this story is believable, I mean did you read what just happened" - while another part of my brain was going "shhh, I'm enjoying this!"  The conspiracy of us is far fetched in the same way that the Alex Rider series is far fetched, you know that it can't be real but the world is so well rendered that after a while you really don't care because you want to see what happens next.  Just like Alex Rider, Avery West is thrust into a world that she is not prepared for and where she is dangerously out of her depths.  In a fast paced read that has a lot in common with a Jason Bourne movie, The conspiracy of us drags the reader on a ride from the United States to Paris, to Istanbul and beyond.  

The world Avery finds herself in is dripping with luxury, famous people, and brand name dropping as the world of opulence and excess is exposed to the reader.  The characters built around Avery are three dimensional with their own secrets, desires, and back stories and it is all too easy to get sucked into the relations and dramas because you feel a real connection to the characters.  One of the few things that really annoys me after reading The conspiracy of us is that this is either the start of a new series (which was not advertised!), or that Maggie Hall has written an ending for a stand alone novel that is designed to drive her readers really nuts!  I sincerely hope there is another book in the series because there are lots of unanswered questions and loose ends here.

A fun and engaging read, but this is one of those books that is not going to appeal to every reader - you are either going to love it or hate it.  Avery is interesting and engaging, and her world is full of secrets an conspiracies, but the name dropping and focus on action will put some readers off.  Here's hoping we don't have to wait too long for a sequel.

If you like this book then try:

• Proxy by Alex London
• Altered by Jennifer Rush
• Blackbird by Anna Carey
• The vault of dreamers by Caragh M. O'Brien
• Adaptation by Melinda Lo
• Slated by Teri Terry
• The rules by Stacvey Kade
• The testing by Joelle Charbonneau
• Reboot by Amy Tintera
• Rot and ruin by Jonathan Maberry
• The hunt by Andrew Fukuda
• Daughter of smoke and bone by Laini Taylor
• The forest of hands and teeth by Carrie Ryan
• Anna dressed in blood by Kendare Blake
• Nowhere by Jon Robinson

Reviewed by Brilla

The bodies we wear by Jeyn Roberts

Six years ago Faye and her best friend Christian were given a fatal dose of the drug Heam - Faye was brought back to life, but Christian was gone for good.  For years Gazer has supported and protected Faye, providing her with a roof over her head and the chance for a future.  Her life is governed by a series of strict rules imposed on her by the only school that would accept her, a harsh glimpse into a future where Heam addicts marked with scars like Faye's have no future and no rights.  

The only spark that has kept Faye going, helped her fight the addiction is the chance at revenge.  For years Gazer has helped her hone her body and mind, training her to defend herself.  In Faye's mind he been training her to seek revenge, giving her the skills and the strength to find the men who hurt her and Christian and kill them.  Gazer hopes she will give up on her plans for revenge and focus on her plans for the future instead, and for the first time they are arguing and Faye is keeping secrets.  

When a stranger enters her life Faye is suspicious, especially when Chael seems to know things about her and when he seems naggingly familiar.  It is a puzzle that she doesn't really have time to solve, not when she is so close to achieving her goal, but it is also a suddenly dangerous time.  For the first time people are starting to notice Faye, and being noticed is not a good thing when you depend on the shadows to hunt and to stalk.  All of her training and planning is finally coming to fruition, but sometimes the world works in mysterious ways and what Faye is about to discover will change her life forever.

I picked up The bodies we wear because of a book review I saw on the Unshelved digest I get once a week and I am really glad I read it - it is original, gripping, and had me hooked from the start.  Faye is a complex and intriguing character, completely well rounded with her faults, her flaws, her passions, and her anguish.  The world built around Faye is full of despair and decay, yet the relationship she has with Gazer is an anchor and source of hope.  
Not wanting to ruin any of the major plot points for people planning to read The bodies we wear, there is a lot here to like.  While the main protagonist is a girl, which can turn male teens readers off, there is a lot of action and thriller elements that will provide that hook - there is also a touch of romance for those that enjoy a little romance in their stories.  The world building is well thought out and the dreary and constantly raining world seems the perfect fit for a time and place where the "perfect" drug has become such a major problem that it affects people forever once they are identified as addicts.  This is a bleak world that seems without hope and I couldn't help rooting for Faye to get her revenge, but the ending was very satisfying (if a teeny bit rushed).  A very satisfying read and a great addition to the edgy futuristic, science fiction genre.

If you like this book then try:

• ACID by Emma Pass
• Reboot by Amy Tintera
• The testing by Joelle Charbonneau
• When we wake by Karen Healey
• What's left of me by Kat Zhang
• Inside out by Maria V. Snyder
• The murder complex by Lindsay Cummings
• Breathe by Sarah Crossan
• Legend by Marie Lu
• Stung by Bethany Wiggins
• XVI by Julia Karr
• Proxy by Alex London
• Slated by Teri Terry
• In the after by Demitria Lunetta
• Free to fall by Lauren Miller
• The 100 by Kass Morgan

Reviewed by Brilla

Reborn by Jennifer Rush

Reborn is the third book in the to Altered saga so there are ***SPOILERS*** in this review if you have not read the rest of the series.  I highly recommend that you read Altered and Erased before you read any more of this review and before you read Reborn as it is one of those series where it is really important to read them in order.

Anna, Sam, Cas and Nick may have caused a lot of trouble for Branch, but they are still not free of its influence or long reach.  Nick has been having flashbacks about his past, but they are not very clear, all he knows for certain is that they are about a girl who calls him Gabriel.  With help from Anna and his files, he starts to piece together some of the clues about his past and this mysterious girl and he can't help but wonder if she was a target or someone he saved - and he is more than a little concerned about what the truth might be.  When he pieces together enough pieces of the puzzle to figure out the place where the events happened he sets of on his own, despite Sam's obvious disapproval.

In small town Trademarr, Illinois Elizabeth is used to being THAT girl - the one who was kidnapped and held for six months.  The girl who escaped her kidnappers, but who left without her mother and now lives with a foster parent.  There is so much she doesn't know about what happened six years earlier, what she does know is that Gabriel came and saved her that night.  She has been in therapy for years, and with the support of her foster mother Aggie and her bestfriend Chloe she gets by most of the time and could even be mistaken for a normal teenage girl.  That all changes when Nick arrives in town, because Nick is not the only person looking for Elizabeth - and they have a darker agenda in mind that filling the blanks in their memory. 

The Altered saga has been a very interesting read, bringing together elements of classic science fiction conspiracies (in the tradition of the X-files) and mixing it with the feel of a dystopian novel (where there are secrets, betrayal, and danger around every corner).  It has been a while since I read the first two novels, but I managed to slip back into the story without too many problems - although it did feel like there was an older teen feel for this book in the series, the language seemed like it was targeted at a slightly older audience (but that may have just been because the book was from Nick's perspective).  

The rapid switching between Nick's point of view and Elizabeth's keeps the action moving forward, and also seems to ratchet up the tension because you can see frustration and confusion on both sides.  There are some lovely little plot twists to enjoy as well, and some puzzles that quietly work away in the background that you either figure out or get a surprise from (I was a little of both).  The Altered saga is a fantastic read that deserves to be discovered, and the best part is that for readers who are just discovering the series now they can jump from book to book to book - unlike early discoverers of the series who had to wait for each book to be published (it was well worth the wait though).  

Hopefully there are many more books in a similar vein from Jennifer Rush as she has a knack for blending together action, conspiracies, and human emotions and connections into the perfect storm of addictive reading material.  There are some hints that there could be more in store for Nick and team in the future, and while this trilogy has a satisfying conclusion I really hope there is more to come in the future.

If you like this book then try:

• Altered by Jennifer Rush
• Erased by Jennifer Rush
• Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza
• Legend by Marie Lu
• Adaptation by Melinda Lo
• XVI by Julia Karr
• Variant by Robison Wells
• Reboot by Amy Tintera
• Slated by Teri Terry
• The forest of hands and teeth by Carrie Ryan
• 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

NYPD Red 3 by James Patterson and Marshall Karp

NYPD Red 3 is the third book in the NYPD Red series and while it can be read as a stand alone book, it is best enjoyed as part of the rest of the series.  If you choose to keep reading this review there are ***SPOILERS*** about what happens in the earlier books.

Detectives Zach Jordan and Kylie MacDonald should be enjoying the start of a new year, but instead they are facing down the barrel of a perplexing case.  The trusted driver of one of New York's elite has been found murdered in a pretty gruesome fashion, beheaded and left like garbage by his car.  The possible witness is the son of said member of New York's elite, and he is suddenly no where to be found.  His father doesn't seem in the slightest bit interested in co-operating with the NYPD, and he seems to be actively throwing roadblocks in their way to stop them unraveling the case.

It soon becomes clear that the reason they can't talk to junior is that he has been kidnapped, but no one seems willing to actually say the words and bring Jordan and MacDonald into the case.  In a world full of privilege it is not uncommon for people to call on favours and use their money to buy what they want, but NYPD Red has never had to deal with a case where the victim is so hellbent on not receiving help.  Determined to solve the case Jordan and MacDonald push boundaries and continue to dig for the truth.  The pressure is on professionally, but also personally as they deal with drug addict husbands bouncing from rehab to rehab and the sudden appearance of ex-husbands.  The deeper they dig the more they uncover about the root of the conspiracy, and the mind blowing secret at the heart of the conspiracy will rock their worlds and challenge their professionalism to the core.

NYPD Red is an interesting series that has gone from strength to strength, presenting a glimpse of the 1% and their lives.  While this is a work of fiction (obviously) there is a ringing element of truth with the events and the way the characters live their lives.  There is a saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely, and it seems very appropriate for the slimy character of Hunter Alden who seems determined to get what he wants no matter what the cost.  Apart from the callous way he treats his family, there is also the underlying plot of what exactly did he do all those years ago as part of Project Gutenberg.  

At times the name dropping gets a little tiresome (its all about the brand names darling) - but it does help to lay the backdrop for this drama around a family of true New York blue bloods.  Unlike some of the other James Patterson co-authored works, the NYPD Red series seems to be a lot more about the action and thriller elements, there is character development but the action is what drives the story forward.  It may seem like a contradiction, but it is also the characters of Jordan and MacDonald that keep the story moving, their view of the world and their passions keep them moving into action even though it could mean the end of their careers.  There is a good writing chemistry between Patterson and Karp in this particular genre (thriller/action) and it fits them well, much as Patterson and Ledwidge has amazing writing chemistry in the more traditional detective/thriller genre.  

Hopefully there will be many more novels in the NYPD Red series as it is a nice change of pace for Patteron and Co.  Sometimes the detective/crime genre can become formulaic because of the nature of the writing (good guy, bad guy, crime, conspiracy, solved the crime, done and dusted), but NYPD Red seems to break out of that mould a little and make its own path and direction.  A great read devoured in a single afternoon.

If you like this book then try:

• NYPD Red by James Patterson and Marshall Karp
• Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
• Kiss the girls by James Patterson
• Pop goes the weasel by M.J. Arlidge 
• The surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
• One step too far by Tina Seskis
• The postcard killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
• The basement by Stephen Leather
• The silence of the lambs by Thomas Harris
• Vodka doesn't freeze by Leah Giarratano
• Level 26: Dark origins by Anthony E. Zuiker and Duane Swierczynski
• Kill switch by Neal Baer & Jonathan Greene
• The edge of normal by Carla Norton
• The survivors club by Lisa Gardner
• Kill me if you can by James Patterson and Marshall Karp

Reviewed by Brilla

Dead heat by Patricia Briggs

Dead heat is the fourth book in the Alpha and Omega series so this review contains ***SPOILERS*** for what has happened not only in this series, but also in the Mercy Thompson series.  Both series get better the more you read them so I highly recommend that you read both series in the order of publishing - you have been warned!


It was supposed to be a simple trip to Arizona to choose a horse for Anna's birthday, no pack business, no funny business, no drama.  At first it seems as though the only thing Charles has to deal with is seeing his old friend after twenty years, twenty years that have pushed Joseph closer to the grave.  For Anna it is a chance to learn more about the life Charles led before he met her, including dealing with Josephs wife Maggie who does not warm to her at all.  Luckily it takes a lot to raise Anna's hackles, because a lesser person would have been inclined to bare her teeth and let her wolf out to play.

It soon becomes pretty clear though that this is not going to be a mere pleasure trip, because something fae and dark has been released back into the world - something that seems to have Joseph's family in its sights.  Charles and Anna have faced darkness before, but this time it is personal for Charles on a number of levels, and Anna is going to have to flex her Omega muscles to the maximum if she wants to keep Charles and the rest of the werewolves safe.  In a race against time Charles and Anna have to face an unknown and dangerous foe with allies that are largely unknown and are woefully ill equipped to deal with a monster that has dreamed of release for the longest time.

Patricia Briggs is a master stroyteller who seamlessly blends together elements of fantasy, urban fantasy, mythology, action, and romance to create a well rounded world with characters that leap off the page and into your heart and imagination.  It is a gamble to have two intertwined series on the go at the same time, but Briggs has pulled it off with style and panache.  The Alpha and Omega novels offer a glimpse into the world of werewolves and the fae that is missing from the Mercy Thompson series - partly because Mercy is a not a werewolf, and partly because she is so fiercely independent and carries the weight of her novels on her shoulders.  With Charles and Anna there is a seamlessness that provides so much "more" - Charles and Brother Wolf also add an interesting dimension.  

This is a series that deserves to be discovered by urban fantasy fans, partly because Briggs obviously does her research and creates worlds that are well thought out and well developed.  Despite the fact that werewolves have not "come out" in our world, it is so easy to imagine them under the surface living their lives and keeping their secrets.  I have to confess that as someone who loves horses I also really enjoyed the foray into the world of Arabian horses and horse shows in the United States.  Hopefully there are many more books to come for Mercy Thompson and Charles and Anna because these are series that you can really sink your teeth into (pun intended!).

If you like this book then try:

• Moon called by Patricia Briggs
• Cry wolf by Patricia Briggs
• Tinker by Wen Spencer
• Night shifted by Cassie Alexander
• Cry wolf by Patricia Briggs
• Kitty and the midnight hour by Carrie Vaughn
• Dark descendant by Jenna Black
• Burning water by Mercedes Lackey
• Kitty goes to Washington by Carrie Vaughn
• Blood price by Tanya Huff
• Urban shaman by C.E. Murphy
• Spiders bite by Jennifer Estep
• Dead witch walking by Kim Harrison
• Precinct 13 by Tate Hallaway

Reviewed by Brilla

The doll's house by M.J. Arlidge

The doll's house is the sequel to Eeny meeny and Pop goes the weasel so this review contains ***SPOILERS*** if you have not read the first books in the series.  While you can read this book independently you will get the most enjoyment out of reading the series in order.

A young family at the beach makes a horrifying discovery when they dig in the sand - the body of a young woman.  She is pale and perfect, with no outward signs of trauma, although it appears she was starved in her last few weeks or months.  For DI Helen Grace the discovery is a jolt, a wake up call that there may be another killer out there - but will people believe her or just think she is after the glory of stopping another serial killer?  With her old team disbanded due to death, pregnancy, and retirement there are not that many allies for her to call on, and she is going to need all the help she can get.  Not one to necessarily play by the rules, DI Grace is about to face one of her greatest professional challenges yet.

When Ruby Sprackling goes missing it could easily have been another case of a young woman who runs away from her difficult past, but her mother is adamant that Ruby was about to come home, that the past had been forgiven (if not forgotten).  The more DI Grace and her team learn about Ruby's case the more red flags the case raises, and it soon becomes clear that they are indeed chasing a serial kidnapper who seems to kidnap his victim and them slowly lose interest.  Any serial case is challenging, but it seems as though Detective Superintendent Ceri Harwood is determined to stop Helen turning the case into another feather in her cap - even if it means ignoring the evidence and the gut instincts of a very experienced detective.

I have really been enjoying the DI Grace novels and I was (probably completely irrationally) thrilled to see that there is another book due for release at the end of the year!  One of the appeals for me is definitely the fast paced action and punchy chapters, and in the case of The doll's house the rapidly switching views between Ruby and Helen - it really ratchets up the tension and keeps you glued to your seat to see what happens next.  More so than the other books it "felt" like we were watching a high octane tv movie - except the action and drama plays out in your imagination rather than on the screen.  The main characters are gaining depth and becoming increasingly familiar, like old friends, while the new characters are adding depth and a reality to the story.

This series will not appeal to all crime and thriller writers because the material is rather dark and preys on your primal fears - how would any of us cope if we were kidnapped and kept completely at the whim of our captor?  Ruby is a particularly engaging character and through her we experience some of the most primal of emotions and survival pressures - do anything to stay alive, fight when you can, give up if you must.  A guilty pleasure that kept me on the edge of my seat - wanting (and getting) more.

If you like this book then try:

• Pop goes the weasel by M.J. Arlidge 
• Eeny meeny by M.J. Arlidge
• The surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
• One step too far by Tina Seskis
• The basement by Stephen Leather
• The silence of the lambs by Thomas Harris
• Level 26: Dark origins by Anthony E. Zuiker and Duane Swierczynski
• Now you see her by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Vodka doesn't freeze by Leah Giarratano
• The postcard killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
• Private Oz by James Patterson and Michael White
• The survivors club by Lisa Gardner
• Darkly dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
• Kill switch by Neal Baer & Jonathan Greene
• The edge of normal by Carla Norton

Reviewed by Brilla

Breaking Creed by Alex Kava

Ryder Creed is very good at his job and so are the dogs that he trains for everything from search and rescue through to drug detection and tracking.  His reputation as one of the best has lead to some interesting cases over the years, but the latest case is more sickening than interesting.  While searching a boat for drugs he and his partner Grace uncover something more sinister, a cargo of children hidden inside the ship who they find only because Grace is so good at her job and manages to sniff them out.  Leaving the job behind is not going to be easy this time, especially when he becomes the target of some unwanted attention from a drug smuggling cartel with a reputation for being very nasty when they deal with people who get in their way.

In Washington a body is found in the Potomac River and FBI agent Maggie O'Dell is called in to deal with the case.  The body shows signs of torture, strange welts cover the back of the body and it seems pretty clear that the body has been moved and dumped where it will be found.  Clues about the murder lead Maggie to a rural property where she runs into Ryder and Grace, a somewhat uncomfortable reunion given what happened the first time they met.  While exploring the property they make a startling discovery that points to one thing and one thing only - their cases are connected.  The Iceman is cleaning house for the cartel, and Creed is on his hit list.

This is the first book I have read by Alex Kava and I was very pleasantly surprised to find it was a thoroughly engaging and addictive read.  I initially picked up the book because of the description of the main character, a dog trainer who gets on the wrong side of a drug cartel because of how good his dog is.  I expected the book to feature the idea of working dogs quite strongly, what I didn't expect was to have multiple dogs feature who are as well developed as the human characters.  Little Grace is an absolute heart breaker and a real little charmer, and his other dogs show the scars of their rough starts in life.  Creed himself is an interesting character, he is somewhat scared from his military career and what happened to his sister when he was growing up - and in many ways his partner Hannah is the healing hand for him in the same way he is the healing hand for his dogs.

The bad guys are interesting too, they are not outright bad and dangerous but are instead full characters with motivations and secrets.  The assassin Iceman is particularly interesting, partly because we only really meet him through his apprentice which gives you a slanted view on what he is all about.  In many ways Kava reminds me of James Patterson, the writing is a little sparse in terms of description and detail, but is instead rich in character development and fast paced plots.  The short chapters help to push the action forward and gave you plenty of opportunities to put the book down for a few minutes to make a drink or make a comfort stop without having to put the book down mid-chapter.  I have a definite preference for short punchy chapters, so this was right up my alley.  

The one distraction was that it did feel a little bit like there was some tension between the characters of Creed and O'Dell at times.  Creed was the focus for a section, and then suddenly it was all about O'Dell, and then it was all about the joint story, and then all about O'Dell - it wasn't too bad but it did feel a little like there was a bit too much of both sides rather than bringing O'Dell into Creed's story.  I am now looking forward to trying some more of the Maggie O'Dell series - I just have to wait for the first book to become available at the library (they are all out).  A great new find and the start of a series that holds lots of promise for fans of crime and canine fiction.

If you like this book then try:

• Eeny meeny by M.J. Arlidge
• Vodka doesn't freeze by Leah Giarratano
• The surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
• One step too far by Tina Seskis
• The postcard killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
• The basement by Stephen Leather
• The silence of the lambs by Thomas Harris
• Level 26: Dark origins by Anthony E. Zuiker and Duane Swierczynski
• Now you see her by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• The postcard killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
• Private Oz by James Patterson and Michael White
• The survivors club by Lisa Gardner
• Darkly dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
• Kill switch by Neal Baer & Jonathan Greene
• The edge of normal by Carla Norton

Reviewed by Brilla

When by Victoria Laurie

For as long as she can remember Maddie has seen the numbers.  Everyone has them and she can see them clearly on every forehead - in person, and in pictures.  When she was little she didn't know what they meant, but that was only until the day that her daddy died, on the date that she saw on his forehead.  Now Maddie and her mother rely on her talent for seeing those dates because there is a special market for those numbers, people facing difficult choices who want to know if the choices they make will make a difference.  People facing cancer treatments, family members facing medical crisis, sometimes people just ask because they are curious.  The numbers never change, and the numbers are never wrong.

It seems like such a harmless gift, useful but harmless.  Being able to see the numbers means Maddie and her mother are outsiders, some of the people in their town going so far as to label them witches.  There is some bullying at school, but her friendship with Stubby helps her cope - but that friendship is not enough to shield her from what is coming.  When Maddie does a reading for Mrs. Tibbolt it seems like the usual kind of reading, until she realises that one of the Tibbolt children is not going to live more than a week.  When the child is found murdered Maddie becomes a suspect, and when a second body is found so does Stubby.  As the circumstantial evidence builds Maddie faces an uphill battle to prove that she can do what she says she can, and it will be a massive uphill battle because the FBI have her in their sights and they are ready to bring her down - even if they have to fight a little dirty to do it.

I didn't have high expectations when I picked up When, so I was pleasantly surprised to find a book that has a surprising amount of depth and world creating.  Maddie and her gift is not totally unique, there has been at least one other book where the main character can see the death date of other people, but When is tied very firmly in the here and now and seems somewhat more believable.  Having a unique gift that makes her somewhat of a social pariah is bad enough for Maddie, but she also has to live with a mother who is more dependent than parent.  As the story unfolds we come to understand more about her mother and why she is the way she is, but in the beginning all we have is Maddie's view on the matter and it is a somewhat bleak outlook.

No story about murder and mayhem would be complete without the appearance of law enforcement, and in this case it is two rather jaded and cynical FBI agents who think that Maddie and Stubby are to blame for the murders.  Maddie and her gift are nothing more than a gimmick to them, and they are determined to bust the myth of her ability to see death dates and close their murder case.  The antagonistic relationships that develop around Maddie are very realistic, as is the bullying and drama at school and at home.  As the mystery draws to a close you think you have it all figured out - but do you really?  An intriguing concept told with a bold new voice.  Maddie is a fantastic character to connect with, and I hope that there are more books of this caliber from Victoria Laurie - even if they don't feature Maddie and her unique gift.

If you like this book then try:

• Numbers by Rachel Ward
• Gifted touch by Melinda Metz
• Nearly gone by Elle Cosimano
• Shadowland by Meg Cabot (Jenny Carroll)
• The naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• When lightning strikes by Meg Cabot (Jenny Carroll)
• I hunt killers by Barry Lyga
• The Christopher killer by Alane Ferguson
• Dead to you by Lisa McMann

Reviewed by Brilla

Percy Jackson and the titan's curse by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the titan's curse is the third book in the  Percy Jackson and the Olympians series so this review contains ***SPOILERS*** if you have not read the first two books in the series.  This is one of those series where it really pays to read them in order so if you have not already read Percy Jackson and the lightning thief and Percy Jackson and the sea of monsters then I suggest you do so before reading anymore of this review!

Just before winter break Percy, Thalia, and Annabeth are on a mission to help Grover get two half-bloods back to camp - when things go very wrong.  The bad guys have already made it to the school where the half-bloods are living in ignorant bliss of their fate, and in the ensuing chase and battle to rescue them Annabeth falls with the enemy and vanishes.  At odds with Thalia and smarting from the loss Percy finds himself both instantly charmed and instantly worried by the arrival of some godly help - especially as the help comes with some rather frosty company.  

It soon becomes clear that there is something dangerous lurking outside of Camp Half-Blood, something dangerous that is not afraid to take on the gods and beat them at their own game.  With two competing factions of half-bloods trying to prove they are strong enough to beat the enemy, and strong enough that they don't need each others help, it is not surprising that things go wrong very quickly.  Forced into sneaking around like a thief, Percy has some tough decisions to make and he has to make them fast - because the fate of his friend Annabeth (not to mention the world) is in his hands.  Can Percy trust himself to make the difficult decisions?

It was a somewhat refreshing change to join Percy mid-year rather than at the end of another dismal school year - although the change of month and season does little to prevent things from spinning wildly out of control.  Percy may have finally gotten used to the idea of Camp Half-Blood and the fact that he is a demigod, but there are still secrets to discover about his new world - new friends, new enemies, and new entities that don't quite fit into either mould.  I have really been enjoying this series, particularly the way that Riordan builds layers of new information over the old - making each book a foundation for the next, and the next, and the next.  

There is a wealth of material for Riordan to draw on for inspiration, the world of the ancient Greeks is full of stories of friendship, love, and betrayal - the original family dramas!  Riordan is building a world here that deserves to be discovered and enjoyed - by readers of all ages and abilities.  Join the worlds least perfect hero as he battles to save us all.

If you like this book then try:

• Percy Jackson and the lightning thief by Rick Riordan
• Percy Jackson and the sea of monsters by Rick Riordan
• The chaos of stars by Kiersten White
• Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst
• Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
• Born at midnight by C.C Hunter
• Mortal danger by Ann Aguirre
• Firelight by Sophie Jordan
• The girl of fire and thorns by Rae Carson
• Drift by M.K. Hutchins
• Legacies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill
• Daughter of smoke and bone by Laini Taylor
• Sweet venom by Tera Lynn Childs

Reviewed by Brilla

Wolf Who Rules by Wen Spencer

Wolf Who Rules is the sequel to Tinker so this review contains ***SPOILERS*** if you have not read the first book in the series.  This is a series that it really pays to read in order so I highly recommend that you read Tinker before you read anymore of this review.

They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions, but in Tinker's case it is more like the road to Elfhome is paved with good intentions.  Her actions may have saved Pittsburgh from an alien invasion, but it also caused the city of Pittsburgh to move permanently to Elfhome.  Suddenly everything Tinker thought she knew has been turned upside down because not only did Pittsburgh not stay on Earth, there is also a strange no mans land that seems to blur all the realities together in a blue haze that feels freezing cold.  Solving the mystery seems the obvious thing for Tinker to do, but Wolf Who Rules and Tinker are no longer the only magic wielders in town.

Reinforcements have been called in from the other clans and it is a supremely uncomfortable time for Wolf Who Rules and Tinker - he because of the pressure he faces from the other clans, and she because she is so ignorant about what it means to be an elf - let alone a high ranking elf.  Facing pressure from all sides, Tinker throws herself into the task of solving the mystery of what happened with the gate, while studiously trying to avoid the unwanted attentions of the human population and visiting elves.  Dark plans are still at play, and there is more than one enemy for Tinker to face.  Even in her dreams she is not left in peace, nightmares seek her out and torment her with their baffling clues and hidden meanings.  Tinker and Wolf Who Rules are about to face some of their greatest challenges yet - and they better be ready.

In a weird way that will sound like a backhanded compliment, Wolf Who Rules is a  more challenging read than I usually enjoy - one that required me to pay attention and think about what I was reading.  This is a huge change from some of the "lighter" and "fluffier" science fiction and fantasy I have been reading lately and it made a nice change of pace to have an author who challenges you to puzzle out the clues and guess what was coming next rather than spoon feeding you the plot and the answers.  For some readers this may prove to be too much effort, but if you give up too soon you miss out on some of the real gem moments when people get what is coming to them, or when you realise that you may have misjudged someone more than a little.

Describing too much of the story will ruin the surprising twists and turns so I won't give you too much detail!  Wolf Who Rules is a great follow up to Tinker, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series to see where this series leads us next.  At more than 400 pages this is another committed read - but I found it well worth the effort.

 If you like this book then try:

• Tinker by Wen Spencer
• Eight million gods by Wen Spencer
• Alien taste by Wen Spencer
• Moon called by Patricia Briggs
• Night shifted by Cassie Alexander
• Cry wolf by Patricia Briggs
• Kitty and the midnight hour by Carrie Vaughn
• Dark descendant by Jenna Black
• Blood price by Tanya Huff
• Urban shaman by C.E. Murphy
• Spiders bite by Jennifer Estep
• Dead witch walking by Kim Harrison
• Precinct 13 by Tate Hallaway
• Prowlers by Christopher Golden
• Children of the night by Mercedes Lackey
• Cast in shadow by Michelle Sagara
• Summon the keeper by Tanya Huff

Reviewed by Brilla

Percy Jackson and the sea of monsters by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the sea of monsters is the second book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series so this review contains ***SPOILERS*** if you have not read the first book in the series.  This is one of those series where it really pays to read them in order so if you have not already read Percy Jackson and the lightning thief then I suggest you do so before reading anymore of this review!


Percy Jackson has nearly made it through a whole school year without being attacked by monsters or getting expelled - something of a new record.  He is really looking forward to getting back to Camp Half-Blood so he can spend time with the other demigods and pretty much not feel like too much of a freak - but his mother is being a little cagey about the summer which is not helpful.  Being the son of the one of the "big three" makes Percy something of an anomaly even among the half bloods, and his little adventure the previous summer has left him a little at odds with the children of Ares.  It could be a very uncomfortable summer at Camp Half-Blood - but he has to make it there first!

When he is attacked at the school it seems as though Percy has been blessed with more of his unique brand of luck, but it is only the start of another adventure.  Camp Half-Blood is in danger, the mystical borders that have protected the camp for years are starting to fail and the children of the gods are in danger.  Percy seems to be the only one who can help, but the forces of evil (or at least the forces in control of the camp) seem determined to keep Percy off the case.  In a race against time Percy, Annabeth, and his new friend Tyson must find the only thing that might be able to save the camp - breaking the rules by leaving camp is just the start of another twisted adventure for Percy and his friends.

I have really been enjoying the adventures of Percy Jackson and his friends for so many reasons that I have been quietly kicking myself for not picking them up earlier.  Percy is the perfect anti-hero - he has a temper, he has dyslexia, and he is too quick to jump to some conclusions.  He is also fiercely loyal to his friends, will do almost anything to protect his mother, and there is something about him that just calls out to the reader.  As with Percy Jackson and the lightning thief, I saw the movie version before reading the book and I have to say that once again the book just blows the movie out of the water in terms of enjoyment and entertainment.  Riordan has a gift for making the characters and action come alive that just seems to loose something in translation between the page and the big screen - or maybe it is just that the movies are a little too "Hollywood" for my taste.

This series just goes from strength to strength and is one of those rare series that screams "read me" rather than "I'm for boys" or "I'm for girls".  This is a fabulous series that needs to be discovered by readers of all ages and is one of those magical series that will have the whole family entertained - not to mention providing lots of material for book related discussions.  Fans of Greek mythology will find a lot to like here, and it was something of a relief to find a use for all my classical studies and ancient history studies at school and university!  Hugely entertaining and nearly impossible to put down - you must read this series!

If you like this book then try:

• Percy Jackson and the lightning thief by Rick Riordan
• The chaos of stars by Kiersten White
• Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst
• Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
• Born at midnight by C.C Hunter
• Mortal danger by Ann Aguirre
• Firelight by Sophie Jordan
• The girl of fire and thorns by Rae Carson
• Drift by M.K. Hutchins
• Legacies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill
• Daughter of smoke and bone by Laini Taylor
• Sweet venom by Tera Lynn Childs

Reviewed by Brilla

Tinker by Wen Spencer

Twenty years ago the Chinese opened a gateway in space, it was supposed to transport ships to another galaxy - but something went very wrong.  A section of Pittsburgh now spends most of its time in another dimension.  Every twenty eight days Pittsburgh returns to Earth during the Shutdown, a much needed time for the humans to bring in supplies from Earth and reconnect with their families.  For some people Pittsburgh on Elfhome is the only home they have ever known, the only Pittsburgh they have ever known - Tinker is one of those people.  

Fiercely independent and armed with a piercing intelligence, Tinker runs her scrapyard as a private playground and laboratory where she can create and tinker as much as she likes.  Brought up by her grandfather Tinker has had a somewhat unorthodox upbringing, and while she can speak Elvish she has an alarming lack of understanding about the human and elven worlds.  When one of the elves is attacked in the junkyard and left mortally injured, Tinker has no hesitation to jump into the fight - even though they are both badly outmatched.  Wolf Who Rules Wind is an elven lord and it is not the first time he has crossed paths with Tinker, and it is also not the first time they have ended up battling creatures together - although at least this time Tinker is an adult and not a child.  

Saving Windwolf's life has unexpected consequences because Tinker suddenly goes from being a relatively invisible human to being a freshly minted elf!  Everything is confusing and it seems as though there are traitors and secrets around every corner - human, elf, and other.  Tinker is about to face some impossible choices, choices dictated by love, loss, and conspiracies.  Being an elf means she is no longer contained by the comparatively short lifespan of a human, but as long as she still thinks like a human she is an unknown quantity to her enemies - which may just work in her favour. 

I have been rereading old favourites a lot recently and when I realised that there is now a fourth book in the Tinker series I decided to start from the beginning and see if the series was still as good as I remembered.  One of the things I picked up on very quickly was that the catchphrase on the cover (Buffy fans should find a lot to like!) was somewhat misleading - mainly because there is a wealth of science fiction elements in Tinker that are absent from the Buffyverse.  Tinker is a quick thinking, quick tempered, somewhat reckless young adult who has more intellect that is healthy in a person with her complete lack of the "common sense" things that everyone in her world knows.  In some ways she faces a comedy of errors by making decisions that lead her to grief because of her lack of understanding about the elven and human worlds she lives in.  She may understand quantum physics, but she can't understand the politics of her world.

I found a lot to like here, and anyone who enjoys a multifaceted story with plenty of depth will also find a lot to like here.  Spencer has drawn heavily on Asian mythology to create a stunning and realistic future world, with all of the characters having depth, substance, and a role to play in the story.  There are characters to adore, characters to loath, and characters that you can't help but feel a little sorry for because of their fated role in the story.  The elves and their world is just as carefully rendered, as is the human society.  I have book two in the series waiting for me to read next, and I hope I enjoy rereading Wolf Who Rules as much as I enjoyed rereading Tinker.  Be warned though, this is not a little read (over 400 pages) but the story unfolds in such a way that it really doesn't feel that long.  
A fantastical blend of science fiction, fantasy, action, and drama.

 If you like this book then try:

• Eight million gods by Wen Spencer
• Alien taste by Wen Spencer
• Moon called by Patricia Briggs
• Night shifted by Cassie Alexander
• Cry wolf by Patricia Briggs
• Kitty and the midnight hour by Carrie Vaughn
• Dark descendant by Jenna Black
• Blood price by Tanya Huff
• Urban shaman by C.E. Murphy
• Spiders bite by Jennifer Estep
• Dead witch walking by Kim Harrison
• Precinct 13 by Tate Hallaway
• Prowlers by Christopher Golden
• Children of the night by Mercedes Lackey
• Cast in shadow by Michelle Sagara
• Summon the keeper by Tanya Huff

Reviewed by Brilla

Finding Jennifer Jones by Anne Cassidy

Finding Jennifer Jones is the sequel to Looking for JJ and while the  books can be read separately I would highly recommend reading them in order.  If you read any more of this review there are ***SPOILERS*** for what happens in Looking for JJ.

It has been a few years since Jennifer Jones was released back into the community after serving her sentence, but she is not truly free.  There are a series of conditions on her release, and if she breaks them she could end up going back to serve more time - this time in a real prison instead of the children's facility where she was before.  As time passes it feels like Jennifer (now Kate Rickman, formerly Alice Tully) is being dragged down by her feelings of frustration and self destruction.  Kate should be having the time of her life as she approaches her final year of university but instead she is drinking more than she should which sometimes leads to her waking up in strange bedrooms with guys she doesn't really know.  It is a spiral of destructive behaviours that could bring her down.

When a child is murdered in her town Kate learns what is really means to be a convicted killer, because she is right at the top of their list.  For some of the local Police Kate deserves no sympathy, and even worse seem to think she is a target for unwanted attentions.  It all leaves a sour taste in Kate's mouth and when she finds an oportuntiy to escape her old life and the controls on it she leaps at the chance and travels to London.  Life in London seems like the chance for a new start but Kate can't let go of the past, and she feels compelled to search for answers about what happened in the aftermath of the death - even though it means breaking the conditions of her release.  Kate is about to come face-to-face with her past, and what she does next will decide her fate and her future.

Looking for JJ was a powerful book that provided a glimpse into the life of a child who killed another child and what her life was like once she was released back into the community.  Full of hope and dreams of the future Alice Tully seemed to have a future, but that was ripped away and Kate Rickman was left in her place.  Kate has adapted and survived, but she is also broken and fragile, not really part of the community in which she leaves.  Through her eyes we see the future of a released killer, no mater how well she has lived her life she is automatically a suspect when a child is found murdered.  Through Kate we can't help but feel her bitterness that her past is held against her, that the Police don't care about the whole story - only that she killed a child.  It is not surprising that she takes the step of ditching her new life and trying to strike out on her own.

I felt a huge amount of sympathy for Kate/Alice/Jennifer in both novels and I felt it more keenly in some ways for Kate.  Anne Cassidy has once again found a way to make Kate a sympathetic character without excusing her actions or making her a victim - everything that happens to Kate is straight forward but doesn't allow her to avoid her past or her actions.  There is a real sense of closure here, and not just because of the decisions that Kate makes to move forward.  Looking for JJ left a few loose ends, mainly because the story was so tightly focused on Alice/Jennifer.  In Finding Jennifer Jones we learn more about the ripples of that day and what happened to the other people in the novel.

A highly anticipated and well received novel - a confronting and touching novel about learning to live with our actions and moving forward.

If you like this book then try:

• Missing Judy by Anne Cassidy
• Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy
• A girl named Digit by Annabel Monahgan
• Furious Jones and the assassin's secret by Tim Kehoe
• Girl, missing by Sophie McKenzie
• Blackbird by Anna Carey
• Nickel plated by Aric Davis
• Forbidden island by Malcolm Rose
• Burning blue by Paul Griffin
• I hunt killers by Barry Lyga
• Dead to you by Lisa McMann

Reviewed by Brilla