REVIEW: The White Cat and the Monk - Jo Ellen Bogart and Sydney Smith

While perusing the picture books, I fell in love The White Cat and the Monk. 
It tells a beautiful and simple story of the harmonious companionship between a medieval monk and his fluffy white cat, Pangur. The monk spends his days reading, researching, and learning from illuminated manuscripts in silent contemplation. His cat Pangur hunts mice and sleeps. It is a gorgeously gentle tale based on a poem written by a 9th century Irish Benedictine monk wrote about himself and his companion cat.

Pangur

I was so taken not only by the resonance the tale has with my inclinations towards reading, cats, and illuminated manuscripts, but also by Smith's charming illustrations, which are the perfect companion to such an enchanting tale.

A simple but gorgeous gift for any book lover, it's a double bonus if you also like cats. Triple word score if you enjoy illuminated manuscripts as much as I do.

5 stars from me, a must buy!

All Illustrations by Sydney Smith, sourced online from (picture 1, picture 2, picture 3, picture 4.)

REVIEW: Legacy by Cayla Kluver

The Debut book of author Cayla Kluver, Legacy is a richly drawn medieval fantasy, which you will like if you enjoyed books such as Poison Study by Maria V Snyder, or Graceling by Kristin Cashore. 

In her seventeenth year, Princess Alera of Hytanica faces one duty: to marry the man who will be king. But her father's choice of suitor fills her with despair. When the palace guard captures an intruder -- a boy her age with steel-blue eyes, hailing from her kingdom's greatest enemy -- Alera is alarmed…and intrigued. But she could not have guessed that their clandestine meetings would unveil the dark legacy shadowing both their lands.

In this mystical world of court conspiracies and blood magic, loyalties will be tested. Courage won't be enough. And as the battle begins for everything Alera holds dear, love may be the downfall of a kingdom.

The first thing that struck me about Legacy was the great cover (pictured above). I absolutely love it, and think that it does justice to the mood of the book. The introduction also intrigued me as to what was going to happen, with a strong opening sequence and mood that is inviting, and compelling. 

This review will take a different course than that of my average review, as I believe it to be necessary. I have read many reviews of Legacy, many positive, but also many which raise a few aspects of the novel that were commonly seen as disagreeable. I generally found that these aspects (protagonist, pace, plot [accidental alliteration!]) were what I loved about it so much, and this has not changed after finishing it, neither has it altered upon reflection.

The plot of Legacy was definitely something that struck me as different to many novels, as the action seems to be more of a backdrop for a social dissection of sorts, rather than the 'main event'. I must stress that this doesn't mean that the story was uneventful, much the opposite in fact. Due to the first person point of view however, there was much analysis of characters' actions and motivations, as well as a general commentary on the action taking place. For me it seemed that Kluver had created a world, let the characters play, and then stepped back and given a commentary of what was happening  from the point of view of someone who holds the beliefs, values, and attitudes (although sometimes different to the dominant) of the society which had been created. 

I MUST address the protagonist, Princess Alera of Hytanica, the narrator of this novel. While I have read many reviews in which people were frustrated by her recurrent lack of inaction, and seeming weakness, I have to disagree for the most part. I loved the character Alera, and found her a very agreeable protagonist who I did come to love. On the other hand, I was sometimes irked by Alera's lack of action. However, it is worthy to note,  that upon the assumption that this is a medieval fantasy [which I did get the impression it was], and considering the social structure of the patriarchal Hytanica, in this situation, women did not really have an active role in decision making - especially in politics. This is hard to comprehend from my point of view, given the modern franchises that I possesses, but nevertheless, I did not find that this tainted the novel in any way for me, as I found it true to itself.

The pace of the novel is reflected in the size of the novel. Being a 496 page paperback novel, Legacy was definitely a large read. The main 'action' itself could have filled a novel half the size, but it was the little, ritual things that the reader has insight into, that makes it a slower pace. It has the same amount of action as any other novel, but it was the space in between that was full of commentary from Alera's part that made it more spaced out. Also, the action did not move as fast when it happened because of the rich descriptive style of the prose. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of the novel, as I felt that it changed the story from a typical romance/ medieval fantasy story of warring kingdoms to something altogether more enjoyable. 

At the beginning of this review, I likened Legacy to Graceling, and Poison Study; the likeness being in the female protagonist and narrator, fantasy world, and a similar mood. While Graceling and Poison Study show many similarities in their headstrong protagonists and fantasy plot, I chose to add Legacy to this list because I feel that it portrays the same essence as the other novels. I had the same feeling while reading all three, and I truly believe that if you are a 14+ female, then you would enjoy this novel, as well as the others mentioned. 

Let me know what you think of the review, the book, and if there are any other books that are similar. 

I'd love to hear from you!

REVIEW: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Enticed by the well produced trailer, and hype about it in the YA world, I knew I had to purchase a copy of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. You might have seen my post "The Unbecoming of Me" a while back. If not, check it out - it includes the trailer and ominous letter from the beginning of the book.

Mara Dyer believes life can’t get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.
It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her strangely unharmed.
There is.

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love.
She’s wrong.

My feelings towards The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer are somewhat divided: certain aspects indulged my flare for young adult drama, whereas other aspects left me feeling a bit muddled. 

The premise of Mara Dyer separates it from the others in the current market, pitching a psychological thriller with an apparently wicked romance. It depicts teenager Mara Dyer's descent into a PTSD induced psychosis / she is losing her marbles. 

The novel continuously raises questions of what is real, and what is not; putting you in the same position as the protagonist. However, I found the self-doubting approach that was used to be confusing at times. Maybe I was just distracted? Tired? Whatever the cause, it was odd for me to be slightly at sea during some points. On a similar tone, I found the time span of the novel to be interesting. While reading, I didn't feel a sense of time, it seemed as if the whole thing was taking place in a suspended reality; maybe because of Mara's delusions, or perhaps the isolation of the characters [Noah & Mara] in their own little bubble. 

While mentioning characters, there are two things which I must address in bullet points; clichés, and a certain Mr. Noah Shaw.

1. Clichés: I read a review at "Rhapsody in Books Weblog" and a part of the review just stuck with me. It makes complete sense, so thus I will quote it:

"You’ve got some “Blair Witch Project,” some “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” some standard scary tropes like “creepy locale,” “foreshadowing event,” “freaky doll” and “shocking secret villain” along with the usual teen triangle tropes like “hot sexy guy,” “insouciant girl,” “mean jealous girl,” “crazy jealous guy, and “repressed adolescent passion.” Taken together and mashed up with a few more oddball trope…"

2. Noah: There has been such talk about Noah, almost every review that I read has at least a mention of him - he seems to be as vital to the plot as Mara. [Maybe it should be called 'The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer & Noah Shaw'?] There has been love him or hate him reactions. Mr Shaw seems to be viewed as either a swoony bad boy, a clichéd tool, annoying, or just extremely desirable. I find myself sitting on the fence: unable to decide what I think of him. I think that is the point though, he has different facets to his personality, and it is up to Mara to discover what truly lurks beneath. [Please forgive the use of 'what lurks beneath'!]

This is Hodkin's debut, and is clearly the first part in a series. If you have not yet read 'The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer', I suggest you wait a while. To quote from the website:

"Mara's story begins with The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer and continues in the sequel, The Evolution of Mara Dyer. The third book in the trilogy, The Retribution of Mara Dyer, will be out in Fall 2013."

 I suggest this because of the major cliffhanger at the end of book 1, and the questions that are raised and are not answered [apparently] until book 2 [and for some, most likely book 3]. 

Overall, I enjoyed 'The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer'. It was a quick read, keeping me hooked - even though it was 452 pages! - and intrigued to see where it would go. 

I can't wait to read book 2, and I would recommend it for females aged 13+. If you have any questions or thoughts, please comment below!

P.S. You can read chapter 1 here

P.P.S. Here are some other reviews:

Confessions of a Book Addict

Reading Lark

Goodreads

A Tapestry of Words 

REVIEW: The Duff by Kody Keplinger

Downing Cherry Cokes and watching her two best friends hoof it out on the dance floor of the local teen club doesn’t make 17-year-old Bianca Piper feel good about herself. Especially when high-school man-slut Wesley Rush tells her she's the Duff, her friends’ "designated ugly fat friend," and tries to cozy up to her in order to get into her friends’ pants. Later on, somehow, someway, Bianca finds herself drawn to Wesley, and before she knows it, they’ve created a complex, enemies-with-benefits relationship that the YA market has never seen before. Their encounters are heatedly frank and full of humor, anger and rage, and soon the two learn they have more in common than they could ever have expected. Kirkus Reviews


Being a fan of Keplinger's Sophomore novel, Shut Out, I picked up The DUFF expecting a fun, fluffy, adolescent "chick lit" read. It was great.

One of my favourite aspects of Keplinger's writing is the frankness of it. She doesn't beat around the bush with mysterious and eluding adjectives and odd metaphors. Now that doesn't mean that she goes into plain, clinical detail about every little aspect of the book in a meticulous manner; she doesn't.

In fact, Keplinger's writing is enjoyable to read and easy to absorb, not having you needing to re-read sentences in confusion. She gives you details; enough to keep you at exactly the right perspective; it's not an under detailed or "oh my gosh, I can't believe that you just went into that much detail" type of novel; Keplinger has skillfully covered the topic of sex well in both her books. To put it simply, it's not weird or awkward.

I loved the concept, great fun, something that is a topic among teenagers and was well addressed by Keplinger. The book has a fluffy top layer, but if you choose to read into it, it does have some themes that appear in the end such as friendship and relationships, honesty, the social "norm" and, of course, sex.

An escapist, summer read, The DUFF should be on your to-read list. If you're female, 12 or older, then  trust me, you won't put it down!

"...Keplinger scores a first for a genre in which vampires and dystopian futures rule. Her snarky teen speak, true-to-life characterizations and rollicking sense of humor never cease in her debut. Teen readers will see both themselves and their friends in Bianca's layered, hostile world."
   — Kirkus Reviews

"Kudos to the 18-year-old Keplinger for writing a heroine whose complicated relationship with sex is honest and heartbreaking. This for-more-mature teens novel deftly illustrates how even consensual sex can be emotionally destructive, and captures thoughts about self-image and the many different types of relationships. Expect to be recommending The Duff to friends for years to come."
   — Romantic Times Top Pick, 4 Stars

"I really appreciate what The Duff stands for as a book.  For me, that is really what makes it such a recommended read.  There isn’t enough YA that combines a fun tone of voice with serious discussions on sex positivity."
   — dearauthor.com

The Authors Website here and her blog here

Other Reviews:
@ Belle's Bookshelf
@ Persnickety Snark
@ YA Reads
@ Dear Author

REVIEW: Sleepless by Cyn Balog

Eron DeMarchelle isn't supposed to feel this connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce his human charges to sleep. Though he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to do so. After all, becoming too involved in one human's life could prevent him from helping others get their needed rest.
 
But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia, a lonely girl with fiery red hair and sad dreams. Just weeks ago, her boyfriend died in a car accident, and Eron can tell that she feels more alone than ever. Eron was human once too, many years ago, and he remembers how it felt to lose the one he loved. In the past, Eron has broken rules to protect Julia, but now, when she seems to need him more than ever, he can't reach her. Eron's time as a Sandman is coming to a close, and his replacement doesn't seem to care about his charges. Worse, Julia is facing dangers she doesn't recognize, and Eron, as he transitions back to being human, may be the only one who can save her. . . .
 
Even once they've become human again, Sandmen are forbidden to communicate with their charges. But Eron knows he won't be able to forget Julia. Will he risk everything for a chance to be with the girl he loves?
 

The First two things on my mind:

1. I love the flower on the cover - it's soo pretty!

2. Sandmen! Seriously! Are you kidding me? That is so cool! 

Anyway, now to the serious stuff...

I loved the premise of Sleepless, how often do you come across a novel about Sandmen? A highly untapped market, Balog executed the concept well and finished with a novel that weaved the everyday into the supernatural.  Cue The Chordettes.

In my opinion, the plot was a bit predictable, but still enjoyable. It might just be me who's psychic, but I found that at sometimes, I let out a sigh of relief when the character did something that I wanted them to do already!

I enjoyed Sleepless and if you're female, 13-16, looking for a good read that is peppy, will keep you interested and occasionally laughing, then Sleepless is your man. (So to speak).

REVIEW: Fly on the Wall by E Lockhart

 I have loved E Lockhart ever since I read The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks, so I was excited when I saw one of her recent books that had a great concept - someone turning into a fly on the wall - I had to read it!


Gretchen Yee attends the Manhattan School for Art and Music, where everybody seems to have some sort of amazing talent or cool defining feature; like smoking out of a pipe or a blue beard. But Gretchen is just a normal girl who loves to draw in cartoon form; which is constantly getting her in trouble with her art teacher. 
Gretchen admires Titus from afar, studying him like a statue. But she know that she will never be able to talk to him as he is one of the most popular guys in the school. When a wish goes a-rye and Gretchen finds herself a fly trapped in the boys locker room, she learns a lot more about the guys at her school than she ever wanted to. 


Three words can describe this book - short and sweet.

It was great, I haven't read or heard of a book with the same concept before, (unless you count Kafka!? - which was, coincidentally what Gretchen was reading!) so it was great to experience something like it for the first time. The lack of supernatural and just funny wish/ coincidence aspect of Gretchen being turned into a fly was refreshing and gave it that touch of reality that made it so much funnier.

The story was great, it wasn't afraid to poke fun at it's semi-indie settings and people. It also had a great development; each part was divided equally enough that you were satisfied with the introduction, the action and the conclusion.

The action during Gretchen's fly times at the Manhattan School of Art and Music were the funniest parts of the novel. Lockhart handled the whole boys locker-room thing really well, the whole thing not just focusing on the guys and their bodies, sure, there was that stuff at the beginning, but it also delved into the social dynamics between them, the social norm, relationships and how men and women view each other so differently.

A really entertaining, original and quick read (182 pages) , Fly on the Wall is great if you're 12-19.


Also reviewed at:

Anna Reads

REVIEW: Shut Out by Kody Keplinger

Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it's a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part,Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy's car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend's attention 

Then Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: She and the other players' girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won't get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don't count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. But what Lissa never sees coming is her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling...


I liked the stance that Keplinger took on the whole teen sex thing. Considering that the novel was about a sex strike, I think that she executed the whole thing really well, not coming across as preachy or as if she was promoting it. She presented a variety of aspects, from both sides of the field (get it?!).

The novel also tackled a lot of views about sexuality and expressions of, something that makes you think, but not in an "ugh! philosophy and decisions are hard!" sort of way. I also think that it is also really brave of Keplinger to write a book about sex, as most authors wouldn't have the heart to attempt it.

I did like the characters, especially Lissa. It was refreshing to see a heroine who wasn't strong all the time. I think that her idiosyncrasies were what helped bring her alive, and it really worked.  Also - I LOVED Cash and Chloe, they were hilarious at times and just seemed perfect for their roles at other times. The dialogue was enjoyable and really made the novel that bit more realistic.

I thought that some aspects of the novel were a bit predictable, but I guess that not everything can be a surprise.

Shut Out is based on the Greek play Lysistrata by Aristophanes, and I think that Keplinger does a great job portraying it; it was converted well for a modern audience.

Shut Out is a novel that you should definitely read, don't be off by the sex talk, it doesn't go into detail.
It's a great, light read and you'll really enjoy it if you're a girl ( just awk-ward if you're a guy) 13-17 or so. Maybe (you know, just maybe) because of the feminine perspective and about girls not having sex with guys.

P.S. Here are some good reviews that explain it more - I really suggest that you read a few of them at least - it's worth it!

A great way to put it, found at jessicalawlor.com 's review:

"The concept of SHUT OUT comes from the Greek myth LYSISTRATA; so clearly while I wasn’t paying attention to classics and Greek myths in high school English class, Kody Keplinger was buzzing with fantastic book ideas. But seriously, the idea of this book fascinated me. I love how Keplinger was able to take a concept from such an old story and completely breathe new life into it. The rivalry had me intrigued from the beginning, and when the girls rallied together against the boys, I was completely hooked."

Other Reviews
Girls In the Stacks Vlog
@ The Story Siren
@ Shana Talks
@ The Reading Fever

REVIEW: The Cardturner by Louis Sachar

How are we supposed to be partners? He can’t see the cards and I don’t know the rules!

The summer after junior year of high school looks bleak for Alton Richards. His girlfriend has dumped him to hook up with his best friend. He has no money and no job. His parents insist that he drive his great-uncle Lester to his bridge club four times a week and be his cardturner—whatever that means. Alton’s uncle is old, blind, very sick, and very rich.
But Alton’s parents aren’t the only ones trying to worm their way into Lester Trapp’s good graces. They’re in competition with his longtime housekeeper, his alluring young nurse, and the crazy Castaneda family, who seem to have a mysterious influence over him.

Alton soon finds himself intrigued by his uncle, by the game of bridge, and especially by the pretty and shy Toni Castaneda. As the summer goes on, he struggles to figure out what it all means, and ultimately to figure out the meaning of his own life.


Louis Sachar returns with an amazing novel that everyone of all ages will love; witty, insightful and  refreshing addition to the YA world, The Cardturner is a definite MUST READ.

I loved the main character of Alton, probably one of the best characters from all the books that I have read. He's sarcastic, genuine and well written, he had the depth of a real person, you felt yourself aligned with his emotions, actions as well as laughing at his attitude to towards his ex-girlfriend and best friend.
The other characters were all unique and each contributed to making the novel the fantastic story that it unquestionably is.

The novel is straightforward, while in non-bridge gibberish (I'll explain in a minute), The Cardturner is extremely easy to read and has a light-hearted mood that makes you feel content, happy. However, the whale that is presented to most people while reading this book is what happens when the little picture of a whale appears (don't get scared now!) Optional to read, the text that comes after the whale is an explanation of what is happening in the game in bridge terms - lessons for bridge if you will. Now, don't stress, at the end of this part, there is a few sentences in a box that explains what has happened in very simple, non-bridge terms.

Another aspect that was great about the book and also widens the audience is that it is narrated by a guy, and about a guy (mostly!). It's really invigorating to read a book centered around a male main character as it is quite rare.

As you may have noticed from my ranting from how much I love every aspect of this book, I suggest that you get a copy of this book ASAP or sooner!

You will find that Sachar has done it again and that's why I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 12, (12+),  male or female. Enjoy!

Other Reviews:

@ Guardian.co.uk Teen Books
@ Daisy Chain Reviews
@ The New York Times
@ Helena Pielichaty's Diary of a Children's book writer
@ Wake County Library

Fun Fact: Louis Sachar also wrote Sideways stories from Wayside School, the children's series.

REVIEW: Bounce by Natasha Friend

Evyn's had enough problems in her life, starting with her mother's death when she was young. But now her father's thrown a whole new batch her way. Not only is he marrying a woman Evyn hardly knows, but he's uprooting Evyn and her brother to go live with this woman... and her children. It's a lot of adjustment to make at once. And, quite frankly, Evyn has no desire to adjust. She wants her old life, her old friends, and her old house. She knows she's supposed to bounce along with the changes...but what happens if she doesn't?
blurb from Goodreads

Funny, insightful, enjoyable and memorable. Bounce by Natasha Friend is one of those books that you remember. 
For the unique story set in the real world, the mood of relaxed storytelling and the warmth that it brings.  

At first, I was attracted to Bounce by it's funky purple spine and simplistic cover, but I found that the synopsis was what got me to read it. 
Bounce is a great story, it is emotional - and, like many of Friend's other books, it confronts issues that may face teenagers of today. 


I may not have been able to pinpoint exactly what it is that I like about Bounce, but there's definitely a spark in there somewhere.
I think that if you're a girl from 11-14 years, you will really enjoy this book.


If you do read it, tell me what you think!

REVIEW: Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Every morning at 4:33am, London Lane's mind resets. Everything from the past is gone forever, and she only has glimpses of her future to cling to. She knows that her best friend Jamie and her will go on a trip to Mexico, but she can't remember that they had a fight yesterday. The only person she remembers is her mother - a guide to her past. 
But questions are stacking up about her past as her future reveals glimpses of a shattered past. 
What really happens at the funeral that she keeps dreaming about?
What happened to her father? Why is her mum keeping secrets from her?
But what happens when she meets the guy of her dreams and she can't remember him from her past, or see him in her future?


Lured to Forgotten by hype about it in the blogosphere, and the field of poppies on the cover, I am glad that I picked up a copy of Forgotten.
Although Forgotten may seem like the 2004 movie 50 First Dates Forgotten is not everything that you would expect from what the description tells you. 
With many layers to the plot-line, Patrick has cleverly crafted this novel to make you feel like the main character London, wondering what you don't know about her past. 
Multiple sub-plots are sprinkled throughout the novel, keeping you guessing about what the truth really is. 
I really enjoyed Forgotten, and I think that it appeals to many age ranges, girls from 13 up. Although this is a YA novel, in my opinion, even adults would enjoy Patrick's witty writing and enticing plots. 

REVIEW: The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder

After hearing so much buzz about The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder around the blogosphere, I got my hands on a copy, here's what I think...

Since April moved to a new school, she has been ignored by most people, except her new best friend, Hayley. But then Hayley moves to Kansas and April is left alone. On the start of the new school year, April is paired with one of the most popular girls in sport class. Now, as April moves up the ranks, she realises that the glamorous life really isn't what it sounds like. And it comes with a set of rules that can change you...


I'll start on a good note; The Lipstick Laws was great. It was a high-school life, teenage-drama that was entertaining and fluffy. Emphasis on fluffy.

In my opinion, The Lipstick Laws lacked depth. Now, you might be thinking, 'what is she saying?? It's a cheesy (but great) high school novel after all?' 
Yes, that is true, and I loved reading this book, it was a great escape that whisked me away into another world for a few hours, but I did find this plot predictable, and a lot like many other books and movies out there. Done to death. Giving off an atmosphere uncannily similar to that of the 2004 movie Mean Girls.

I liked Holder's style of writing and would love to see something a little mor original from her as I am sure that she would execute it very well.

However, if you are 13-16, looking for a quick read that keeps your attention and is a great fun, The Lipstick Laws is it.

REVIEW: The Morganville Vampires Books 2&3

I just read books 2 and 3 of The Morganville Vampires, and what can I say?
Loved It.

Since everybody knows that they are going to be great, I thought that instead of a full - fledged review for each book in the entire series, I might combine them, focusing on what the books are about - without giving too much away, and giving a paragraph or two of what I thought about each.

So, without further a du...

BEWARE! DO NOT READ ON IF YOU ARE AFRAID OF THE DARK. OR SPOILERS.

Book 2: The Dead Girls Dance

Good News: Shane's dad is in town. Not so good news: he's horrible, he brought a bikie gang with them and his dad has a temper. Even worse: The gang has a vendetta against the vampires of Morganville. Suddenly, life isn't always as sunny as Claire thought it would turn out to be. Oh, and that revenge plot,  yeah, it's personal.

Book 3: Midnight Alley

Ever since Claire made the life-altering decision of signing her life off to head honcho vampire Amelie, nothing's happened. Some may say it's the calm before the storm, or that something's brewing. They're right. Out of the blue, Amelie demands that Claire works with an ancient, dangerous and just slightly mad vampire. Now maybe Claire will need Amelie's protection, her life depends on it after all.


Midnight Alley and The Dead Girls Dance have been written with the usual Rachel Caine flair. Full of dark humour, sassy one-liners and intimidating situations. As usual, the characters were crafted well, all following the logic that they have been developed with throughout the book.
Entertaining, absorbing and a great plot line that leaves you knowing there's more, the second and third installments will have you hooked.

REVIEW: Shadow Girl by John Larkin

Based on a true story, The Shadow Girl by John Larking delves deep into the world of those who live on the streets and how they got there.

After the death of her parents, The Shadow Girl goes to live with her aunt and uncle. Quickly, the situation turns abusive, and after years of abuse, at the first chance she gets, The Shadow Girl runs. 
She runs from Uncle Creepo's death threats, his menacing glare, and the prospect of going back to that life again. On the run from what she knows she never wants to go back to again, can The Shadow Girl find a true home?


One word - amazing.

Larkin has woven a novel that is very impressive, it keeps you engaged, on your toes and reading into the wee hours of the morning. Funnily enough, just like the character of his book.

Although this novel is amazing, before reading it, you should know that it is very graphic. There are some scenes that could cause you to be upset as they are very lifelike, with vivid descriptions. This is a very confronting book.
Because of this fact, I would reccomend it for people 14-15 years and up.


On the other hand, if you can look past that aspect of the book, you will find yourself immersed into the world of The Shadow Girl, where life is a day to day concept.

The novel is written two styles, separated into 3 acts. The two styles alternate, between chapters called cafe; where The Shadow Girl talks to an author to tell him her story, and The actual novel's chapters, where the story takes place.
It has been cleverly crafted to include both of these sections so that they intertwine to create one, cohesive story.

I admired the main character, The Shadow Girl. Her strength, resilience and sheer determination are what amaze you throughout this book.

Extremely well written and a definite must read, The Shadow Girl is certainly a novel that everybody should read.

REVIEW: The Ink Trilogy by Cornelia Funke

 

The Ink Trilogy

1. Inkheart

2. Inkspell

3. Inkdeath

Meggie and her father Mo have the ability to read a book and bring it into reality, as real as them. 

Having always been close with her father since her mothers mysterious disappearance, she is used to knowing everything about her father's life, so when an enigmatic figure comes to their house and claims that he knows Mo and Meggie, Meggie is shocked and wonders what her father is keeping from her. Meggie soon learns why her father has never read aloud since her mothers disappearance, and why she has always lived a life moving around. Odious Villain Capricorn is after them, he himself was once read out of a book by Mo, and he wants someone else to be read out too.

The Ink Trilogy by Cornelia Funke is a fast-paced book that allows the reader to imagine what it would be like to bring your most beloved characters from classic books, such as the crocodile from Peter Pan, or Huckleberry Finn, to come alive and become part of our world.

Funke has carefully crafted her characters and plot, resulting in a one of a kind novel that is a must read for anybody who has ever wanted the perfect fantasy book.

This book is great for guys or girls, 9-13. Although, I am sure that even adults would enjoy this wonderfully weaved novel.
Psst... Inkheart is one of my favourite books of all time!


Other Reviews:
@ The Guardian by Dianna Wynne Jones
@ Reading Matters. This also has reader comments!
@ Goodreads - Ann
@ Goodreads - Kathryn

Other Novels by Cornelia Funke

• Reckless.
• Dragon Rider
• The Thief Lord

REVIEW: Paper Towns by John Green

Quentin has always admired Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she comes through his bedroom window in the middle of the night, demanding his presence as her chauffeur as part of her wild revenge plot, what can Q do?
After the night that they make comedies about, Q wakes to a new morning, expecting that things will go back to reasonably normal. Except it's not. Margo's run away, and it doesn't help that she has left Q a string of seemingly dead-ended clues for him to find her... 



Fans of Rachel Cohn, David Levithan and E. Lockhart will love this novel that bursts with the usual John Green flair. Full of knowledge bombs, comical anecdotes, and amusing situations, and many insightful observations about life, Paper Towns.

Although I did love the main characters of Ben, Q and the rest of the gang, I did feel that at some points, I found that Margo was really annoying. Sorry Margo.

I loved the witty banter that went on between characters, it really progressed the novel, as well as being humorous. As well as, at some times, just downright silly.

Overall, it seems that a lot of work had gone into planning the plot and the characters and it paid off as Paper towns is a stirring novel that is an easy and pleasurable read.

I recommend it for guys and girls 13-16. Enjoy!