The Returners - Gemma Malley

"You know that feeling. That unnerving sense of being followed? The watching. The waiting. Will Hodge has that feeling. He has that feeling every single day.

Will may be many thing - friendless, unhappy, a loner - but he isn't paranoid. People are following him and they claim to know him. He can't remember them, at least not at first. And when he does, he doesn't like what he remembers.

Will discovers that he has a past far deeper than most, and the struggle to break free of the powerful hold history has on him may well become a struggle for life over death."    

This book has such an interesting premise. Its about the Returners. People who come back reincarnated over and over again. They serve a purpose, to remember the lives they have lived. I read it in a day, that's normal for me, but I still gobbled it up faster then most. I loved the whole mystery of the book. Strange people are following our hero around and they all have ‘weird’ eyes. The book drew you in and I really liked how it unfolded.

I really grew to have a soft spot for our hero, Will. I love how Malley wrote him. He was gritty and real. He was frightened, unsure, manipulated and confused and really frustrating for me at times. I felt every emotion through her writing.

The whole premise is frighteningly plausible. The idea that the world is about to bear witness to another holocaust is a tough topic to think about. The fact that Malley sets this in 2016 around issues that are already discussed in politics now makes this book a whole lot more realistic than many of the dystopian fantasies I’ve read lately.

The ending. Wow. The battle between Will's two personalities go right up to the very last page. Although I would like to read more about Will and what the overall outcome of the situation will be, I think the power of this book is the message it conveys. It would be nowhere near as powerful if some things weren’t left to the imagination.

Now, to explain the message without spoiling it too much, I’m going to share some of my favourite quotes:

“The dividing lines were not between people. They rarely are. They are between political stances, ideologies, beliefs.”

“Humans may progress…They may think that they are moving forward because they have invented clever machines and because they can control the land and sea. But man’s capacity to inflict and endure pain is constant. Man’s desire for power, to beat down competition – it hasn’t changes in the slightest.”

“Human nature is what it is. Driven by desire for material things, for love, for conquest, for knowledge. The best and worst come out of this desire.”

I would suggest 13+ age rating. Large political ideas are discussed. The horrors of the past described in gritty detail. Depression, murder, suicide, alcoholism and physical abuse are all included in the story.  


 

Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater

"For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf, her wolf, is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without.

Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human… until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever."

This book was okay. Unfortunately that as much praise as I can give it. The book is slow and has definitely been done before. The characters weren't fleshed out enough for me.  

It was nice to read about a "stoic" female character and an emotional, gentle male character. But Sam felt and read far too much like a middle aged woman and not like a teenage boy. Grace and Sam's voices were also near identical so I couldn't tell who's point of view I was reading. They are two different people and genders, they should sound different. The only way I knew I was reading Sam's point of view is when he threw in a few really insipid song lyrics he had just made up, which make him sound like a whiney emo.(Nothing wrong with emos, just the whiney bit I don't like.)  

The romance was also way too rushed. I understand liking wolves and feeling close to a specific one. But that doesn't mean that as soon as it becomes human you throw your self at them. Maybe I am cold hearted but I just wanted Grace to slow down and GET TO KNOW HIM FIRST. Any normal person would still feel very uncomfortable around someone they have only known as a wolf in the past.   

Her parents were stupid. I could complain that they were unrealistic - but I've met some weird parents over my life, so I'll buy that they really could be that moronic.

So, other than the fact that Grace's obsession with "her wolf" disturbed me, the book's plot dragged on like a visit to the old folk's home and it was also poorly edited. Some of the poems were down right rubbish, and some of the others were alright. It was average on the writing scale. It's secondary characterization was pretty good but the main characters didn't do it for me. The plot was so SLOW.

And what's with the dramatic ending? Really? He gets cured and goes home, gets dressed, reads a few books, checks his mail, buys the perfect set of shoes and THEN tracks down the love of his life who he thought he'd never see again? I DON'T THINK SO! How about stumbling through the forest, naked and desperately arriving in Grace's backyard because he can't believe the complete miracle of his cure and can't wait to have the love of his life back in his arms? Yeah, that ending makes so much more sense. Also The "cure" made no sense to me. Why would it work on Sam and not Jack!

Anyways rant over. I would suggest ages as a 12+. Sex is alluded to but not described. This, for me, was werewolf version of Twilight. It wasn't even as good as Twilight. I can't believe I have just typed that sentence but there you go.  

Cell 7 - Kerry Drewery

"Should she live or die? You decide An adored celebrity has been killed. Sixteen-year-old Martha Honeydew was found holding a gun, standing over the body.

Now Justice must prevail.

The general public will decide whether Martha is innocent or guilty by viewing daily episodes of the hugely popular TV show Death is Justice, the only TV show that gives the power of life and death decisions - all for the price of a phone call.

Martha has admitted to the crime. But is she guilty? Or is reality sometimes more complicated than the images we are shown on TV?"

Cell 7 is an intriguing take on the mob mentality and the ways in which mass media and entertainment can be so very manipulative. In a near-future, courts have been abolished and the fate of prisoners is decided over a seven-day public voting period. The motto "an eye for an eye" is the driver behind the TV program Death is Justice where the viewers feel that they have a personal stake in dealing out deadly justice to perceived wrong-doers. It is very much a Big Brother/Hunger Games vibe.  

At the start of the book, we are introduced at the crime scene, and it’s good that the book delves in right from the start. This book is a bit unusual in that it flicks between a number of points of view. Martha, from the inside of her death row cell; and Eve, her counsellor, in particular, as well as employing flashback scenes and running scripts from the Death is Justice television show. I like the different points of view put not the different writing styles. It's in 3rd to start with, then in 1st, and lets throw some second person in there too. It was really disjointed and disorientating. Please pick one.

But because it uses the different points of view it allows the situation in which Martha finds herself to be explored from a number of angles, and exposes the motivations of various characters. The book takes its time in giving the reader the full picture, providing for an interesting mystery.

It is a very issues-focused book, with justice, fairness and power being the issues under examination. It was obvious from the beginning that there was more to Martha's case than initially meets the eye, and it seemed to take quite a while to get to the crux of the issue. I did enjoy the final few chapters of the book, when the flaws of the public voting system become apparent for all to see. This part of the book was faster-paced than the earlier sections, and the impending and inevitable sense of danger added a bit of excitement to proceedings. 

However there where a few things that niggled at me. One of the hosts on the TV show Death is Justice, called Kristina seemed very keen to sentence Martha to death. Why is this host so keen to sentence everyone to the electric chair? Who spilt her cornflakes? And why was this never discussed? The book also didn't have a very satisfying ending.  

Ages 14+. Strong language using the "f" word frequently. Drugs and adultery are all talked about and sex is alluded to but not described.  

A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J Maas

"When nineteen year old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin, one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin and his world—forever."

This book was one of those really annoying books that you know you shouldn't enjoy reading because of massive plot holes and what not, but still secretly do.

Now first of all I will say there is almost nothing of substance to the book; it is fluffy, cheesy, and has been done multiple times before, yet somehow I STILL was completely sucked in and couldn't put it down.

I found myself utterly despising the scenes with Feyre's father and sisters. I know they were necessary, but they were very infuriating people. Also I know Tamlin is supposed to be the main love interest in the story but he just annoyed me. He is the typical over-protective, annoying alpha, but that's just me.

Through out the story there were some problematic themes, a few over-used tropes, and some issues with the writing which I am sure could be solved with a bit of editing. There where a few parts in the book that had my inner feminist screaming silently.
This book is a reheated "Beauty and the Beast" with side dishes of Cinderella and Twilight. My inner teenage fangirl is loving it, much to my more logical brains annoyance but over-all I enjoyed it.

I would recommend age 15+ as there where some scenes that were not PG and to tell you frankly I skipped them. It was also insinuated that one of the side characters was being sexually abused. If you enjoy a good mostly light fantasy, fairy-tale type story which will leave you squealing at parts, this is the book for you.
  
  

13 Days of Midnight - Leo Hunt

"When Luke Manchett's estranged father dies suddenly, he leaves his son a dark inheritance. Luke has been left in charge of his father's ghost collection: eight restless spirits. They want revenge for their long enslavement, and in the absence of the father, they're more than happy to take his son. It isn't fair, but you try and reason with the vengeful dead.
Halloween, the night when the ghosts reach the height of their power, is fast approaching. With the help of school witchlet Elza Moss, and his cowardly dog Ham, Luke has just thirteen days to uncover the closely guarded secrets of black magic, and send the unquiet spirits to their eternal rest. The alternative doesn't bear thinking about."

This book is definitely not my usual genre as it is a supernatural, horror type book. Don't get me wrong I love the supernatural and macabre just not horror that much. However this was a good mild horror book and I think I will be carrying on with the series.

Luke's, the main characters gradual realisation that his father has handed over control of eight ghosts determined to get revenge was humorously dealt with. The ghosts are fantastic. Each of their personalities and differences constantly create conflicts and humour and help to guide the plot along hundreds of different pathways. I’m interesting in learning more about each ghost’s history, especially the full story behind The Shepherd.

As Luke struggles to work out how to master this group of spirits, he has to rely on the friendship of Ezra, someone he's barely spoken to. Ezra is a great supporting character adding her own layer of quirk with her protection spells and wards, I’m hoping that we see a lot more of this side of magic in the sequel because I think there’s a lot of potential there!

Ham, Luke’s dog is adorable. To say I loved the scenes where Luke and Ham became intertwined is an understatement. Its both hilarious and extremely well done.

My only slight qualm was at the end of the book. I had hoped Luke would make the more selfish decision. (You will get it once you have read the books.)But I can understand that wouldn't be the best role-model - don't know what this says about me.

I would suggest age 14+ as some of the ghosts are described vividly and to say they are pretty ugly is watering it down hugely. Again please use common sense as to how sensitive you are to this kind of thing.

Vivian verses the Apocolapse - Katie Coyle

"Seventeen-year-old Vivian Apple never believed in the evangelical Church of America, unlike her recently devout parents. But when Vivian returns home the night after the supposed "Rapture," all that’s left of her parents are two holes in the roof. Suddenly, she doesn't know who or what to believe. With her best friend Harp and a mysterious ally, Peter, Vivian embarks on a desperate cross-country road trip through a paranoid and panic-stricken America to find answers. Because at the end of the world, Vivian Apple isn't looking for a saviour. She's looking for the truth."

 

I have always found books based on religion and cults very interesting. But the thing I really enjoyed about this book was the main character Vivian Apple and the way she dealt with things as she herself is an ordinary girl. She simply faces an untenable situation and says "I'm going to do something. I'm not sure what, but it's better than sitting here." Vivian isn't perfect and I like that. She's relatable, she makes mistakes, is not always the nicest person in the room and sometimes writes people off who aren't helping her with what she's doing. 

There is a little bit of romance but it is done well. It is sweet and age appropriate and isn't even a focal point of the book. I enjoyed the character of Vivian's friend Harp. Harp was annoying at times and wasn't always the best of friends but it was more realistic because Harp wasn't the perfect side-kick just a girl doing her best and trying to deal with the situation.

The book goes into greed, fanatical religion, and environmental issues in a YA Dystopian way making it lighter. The story takes a good many detours, as all the best road trips do, but leads us eventually to a fantastic conclusion.

I would suggest age 10+. It was an great read, minimal violence and kissing.

Black Cairn Point - Claire McFall

"Heather agrees to a group camping holiday with Dougie and his friends because she's desperate to get closer to him. But when the two of them disturb a pagan burial site above the beach, she becomes certain that they have woken a malevolent spirit. Something is alive out there in the pitch-black dark, and it is planning to wreak deadly revenge. One year later Heather knows that she was very lucky to escape Black Cairn Point but she is still waiting for Dougie to wake from his coma. If he doesn't, how will she prove her sanity, and her innocence?"

Wow does this story have a plot twist! I am obviously not going to tell you but this one completely shocked and stunned me. I looked like a guppy-fish after reading the end of this book. I have read so many books I can usually predict plots to a certain degree. Well this one caught me off guard.

Just when you think the book is about pagan spirits and legends it turns out to be about something completely different. I enjoyed Heathers unreliable narrating and the flicking between the 2 timelines "then" and "now" which kept me interested and engaged.  

To tell you the truth, thriller is not my usual genre but I have to say I really enjoyed this book. It was a face-paced, exiting and quick read. I think it was a good introduction into this genre.

I would say age 11+. Depending how susceptible to scary stories! 

  

We were liars - E. Lockhart

"A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth."

Hi, sorry I haven't uploaded anything in a while but I have been very busy with school.

This is a short book but packs an emotional punch. The reader follows the teenage main character,Cadence Sinclair who at first seems to be a normal girl who is quirky, sentimental, charming, blessed with an unusual name and a neat turn of phrases. At first it seems that she is going to lead us on a tale of unrequited love with a few witty one-liners and metaphors thrown in.

Which she does, however strange things soon start happening. The reader searches with her. Combing for clues in the family's behaviour, the lies and secrets of an old prideful family. It shows the pain that can be brought by being self-absorbed and selfish. Of course I won't reveal the twists and turns of the plot, but I can say that when the secret of the book is finally revealed, it turns out to be far more shocking and darker than I imagined. 

I must comment on the writing style because I found it very interesting. It is unique, using half-sentences and lists which provide a poetic tone. The author also uses extended metaphors frequently, especially to explore the idea of pain.

This book is one of the few books that has made me cry and I have only cried over 2 books before this, so it was quite a big deal. The novel is cunning, clever and twisted. Leaving you guessing right up to the last moment. 

I would suggest this book to children 13+ as it deals with deep issues such as trauma, amnesia, chronic painkiller use, strict patriarchal family and deep rifts between family. However I think you should use your own intuition as to how much those thing would effect you.