Book Review - Angel (Audio Book)

Title: Angel
Author: L.A Weatherly
Series: Angel (Book 1)
Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd
Release Date: 1 Oct. 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1409521969
ASIN: B004A93MSE (Audio Book)

Synopsis
Angels are all around us: beautiful, awe-inspiring, irresistible.

Ordinary mortals yearn to catch a glimpse of one of these stunning beings and thousands flock to The Church of Angels to feel their healing touch.
But what if their potent magnetism isn't what it seems?
Willow knows she's different from other girls. And not just because she loves tinkering around with cars.
Willow has a gift. She can look into people's futures, know their dreams, their hopes and their regrets, just by touching them. But she has no idea where she gets this power from.

Until she meets Alex…
Alex is one of the few who know the truth about angels. He knows Willow's secret and is on a mission to stop her.
The dark forces within Willow make her dangerous – and irresistible.
In spite of himself, Alex finds he is falling in love with his sworn enemy.

My Review
I got bought this book as a present a few years ago and just never got round to reading it, I've looked at it many times but never made the commitment to pick it up, so when I saw the audio cd version on the catalogue at work in the library I ordered it. I needed something to listen to in my car and thought this would be a good chance.
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, other books I've read with Angels in have always disappointed me in various ways, but I was soon becoming hooked with this one. Right away I was intrigued and wanted to know more. Some parts are a little bit predicatable but actually overall I found this book very enjoyable. 
I loved the twist that Angels are actually the dark beings, they are usually presented as the heroes, the good guys, the heavenly beings but here they are dark life drainers out to take over humanity. 
Willow is a sassy teenager who is way over her head, until recently she didn't even know Angels existed. She was a high school girl who loved to fix cars and was psychic- so maybe not that normal but nothing too out of the ordinary. Then suddenly she is thrown into this whole other life and I have to admit she deals with it admirably. Don't get me wrong, she breaks down and has her moments, after all she is human (mostly) and it makes her seem more realistic. 
Then we have Alex, a trained Angel Killer, it's been his mission for most of his life to hunt down the Angels and get rid of them, and then he comes across Willow and she is nothing like anything he has met before. He knows he shouldn't like her but something draws him in and soon the two of them become a team.
Alex is a great character, he's cool, calm and witty with a cheeky, sarcastic sense of humour that you can't help but love. He really grows as a character throughout too and I loved to see how he developed.
The story is quite fast paced and keeps you anticipating what is happening next, so even when the pacing slows a bit you're still hooked. I couldn't wait to listen to how the story panned out, but at the same time I didn't want it to end. I found myself looking forward to going out just so I could get in my car and listen to a bit more.
I definitely want the next part to see what becomes of them, but unfortunately we don't have it on audio book in the library so I need to get the physical copy and with my coursework and book day at work with a reading list I don't know when I can squeeze it in, but I may have to make an exception and be a rebel and read it!

My Rating

   

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The Night Circus

The Night Circus is a historical fantasy romance by Erin Morgenstern.

When Prospero the Enchanter is presented in 1873 with a surprise, young daughter – possessing natural magical ability that is as of yet untrained – he sees a perfect opportunity for a new game.

Reaching out another enigmatic man, they agree to terms and the competition selects a young orphan boy as his participator in the game.

The two children grow up knowing very little of what the game means – no rules or clear instruction is given – and their preparation of their magical skills are very different. They do not even know who their opposition is.

Then comes the venue: the night circus.

A stunning, black-and-white feat of the imagination, the adult Celia and Marco are placed in their prospective positions – with still no understanding of what is expected of them.

Yet it is a dark game – a game in which only one of the two can be left standing. They do not know this.

But as Celia and Marco begin to fall in love, the devastating results affect not only them – but everyone who cares about or is involved in the circus…

What a pitiful synopsis of such an exquisite book!

I had been waiting to read The Night Circus for what felt like forever!

There is a lot of hype surrounding it – which can be worrisome.

Yet, here, it did not hurt the novel at all – in my opinion.

Instantly, The Night Circus is mesmerizing and hypnotic – the phenomenal writing style bringing about a tone that is disturbing, ethereal, gorgeous and extremely visual. It is imaginative and transporatative – pulling us into this era, this place of magic and secrets, of love and hope.

Erin Morgenstern created a novel that is long-ranging and patient – skipping back and forth in time, piecing together a complex narrative that is consistently lovely, intriguing and suspenseful. Beginning with the two main characters childhood, she got me invested very quickly – and that never changed.

The Night Circus has an epic, breathtaking slow build that sweeps from euphoria to heartbreak to horror. I was very apprehensive to find out how it would all end!

That, of course, will not be revealed here.

But – wow – what a book!!!

Extremely satisfied and looking forward to re-reading!!!

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Book Review - The Unbelievable Top Secret Diary of Pig

Title: The Unbelievable Top Secret Diary of Pig
Author: Emer Stamp
Series: Pig (Book 1)
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: 30 Oct. 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1407136370

Synopsis
Hello. I is Pig. This is my diary. It's super Top Secret, but Duck and me agrees that you needs to read it so you can help us, because we is in a bit of a pickle. I hopes you will be believing what I has written, because Duck says it is UNBELIEVABLE. But it isn't. It's my life. You will see. Love, Pig 



My Review
This is another book on our 'Children's Book Day' list that I have to read for a course at work. I have to admit that when I saw it my heart sunk a little and to be honest it didn't get any better.
Pig has decided to write a diary of his life, not expecting much to happen, but with his best friend Duck, the cows, sheep and evil chickens life on the farm has more to write about than you would think. Then pig discovers what Farmer really wants him for and everything turns around.
I understand that the whole 'Diary' book is popular and whilst I didn't enjoy things like 'Wimpy Kid' I can see why kids would like them and it does get them reading. Which of course I approve of. But this book made me cringe. 
I don't want to be mean or degrade this book or anything like that. Remember everything here is just my opinion, but I honestly did not like this book. Every page is filled with the words 'farts' or 'poo' - of course kids find this funny but there was just too much for me and the grammar is dreadful.
I understand it is supposed to be written by a pig so of course the English won't be perfect but this will just teach kids bad habits. It is aimed at the sort of age range that is very impressionable and therefore this book will just make kids think that this sort of language style is acceptable - they wouldn't realize that this is a marketing/character thing.
It is the sort of book that I can see kids loving, and with the fart jokes in it, boys especially will pick it up, but for me I just couldn't gel with it and I don't think I'll be reading the sequel.   

My Rating

    

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Book Review - Half Bad

Title: Half Bad
Author: Sally Green
Series: Half Bad (book 1)
Publisher: Penguin
Release Date: 3 Mar. 2014
ISBN-13: 978-0141350868

Synopsis
Wanted by no one.
Hunted by everyone.

Sixteen-year-old Nathan lives in a cage: beaten, shackled, trained to kill. In a modern-day England where two warring factions of witches live amongst humans, Nathan is an abomination, the illegitimate son of the world's most terrifying and violent witch, Marcus. Nathan's only hope for survival is to escape his captors, track down Marcus, and receive the three gifts that will bring him into his own magical powers—before it's too late. But how can Nathan find his father when there is no one safe to trust, not even family, not even the girl he loves?

My Review
This book hit the shelves with a storm last year, I remember everyone talking about it, it was nominated for a YA book prize and you couldn't go to a book store without seeing it. And a lot of people were raving about it, I will admit I picked it up back then, but didn't like the narrative style at the start of the book and put it down. I never intended to go back to it, putting it down as another craze.
However this book then appeared on our 'Children's Book Day' list for work, one of a bunch of title we have to read and then discuss. So here I was - faced with it again. I usually like fantasy, magic books but something wasn't jumping out at me with this one. But I knew I had to read it so I sat down determined to give it a good go.
The story starts off in 2nd person (i believe) and I really don't get on with that, I find it annoying and slightly confusing, instead of absorbing me and making me feel like part of the story it actually does the opposite for me. I silently prayed that it wouldn't be that way through the whole book and I am pleased to say that after the first chapter it changes to first person which I am a lot more comfortable with and find it much easier to read.
We follow Nathan, a young boy who is different to those around in. In a society divided into Good witches and Bad witches there is a clear line. The Good Witches are the accepted ones, the regular, the norm. Whereas the Bad are outcast and shamed. Nathan is of course half and half. When he turns 17 his powers will come into effect, and no one knows which side he will go towards, we follow him on the years, months and weeks leading up to his birthday.
There were some really good parts of this book but there was also some really slow parts too. This book is almost 400 pages long and for me it just went on a little bit too long. There was far too much build up, then when it finally starts to get really exciting and the pace picks up - the book ends. I suppose it's a way to make you want to read the sequel but it's also a bit annoying. 
I liked Nathan as a character and could really feel his struggle and you really see him change and develop throughout the story but there were times when he was whiney and a bit pathetic and I wanted him to just get on with something. 
There is a lot of back story and bits of information which may turn out to be relevant in the following books but right now I'm not sure it all is. 
I am not saying it's a bad book though - not at all, just too long for what it is. In fact if you peel back all the moments of walking across countrysides, sitting and waiting and exercising, what is left is very good. I liked the idea behind it and thought it was put over very well. All the characters play important roles and i like the interaction between them all and how it changes. I hope we see more of Nathans brother - I liked him and feel like he may be a pivotal part. 
So whilst I struggled with this book for quite a while I did enjoy it overall and I dare say I will probably give the next one a go just to find out what happens to everyone. 

My Rating

I would actually say this was slightly higher than an Average, but not quite as high as 'Really Enjoyed It' so call it an 'Average +'
    

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The Dresden Files: Grave Peril

The Dresden Files: Grave Peril is the third book in the adult urban fantasy series by Jim Butcher.

To get the maximum reading enjoyment, I suggest reading these books in order – therefore reading Storm Front first and then Fool Moon.

I wouldn’t say that this review will really spoil anything from the first two books, but you can never be too careful!!!

Ghosts are going haywire lately.

Becoming more menacing, more violent and more… more… Harry has his work cut out for him lately.

Unfortunately it’s not the paying kind – it’s the moral wizard responsibility kind.

But when Harry and Michael – a knight, literally – attempt to rid yet another location of an unruly ghost, it becomes clear that someone is causing this.

Someone is stirring up trouble purposely.

And the fact that many of the victims have ties to Harry cannot be ignored…

As I’ve said before, I loved the TV show The Dresden Files – based on this book series.

I’m still not feeling as much love for the book series… yet.

I’m still hopeful that it will just come with more installments, since there are a ton of books in The Dresden Files.

I will say that I felt Grave Peril was much better than Fool Moon – Fool Moon, for me, was just TOO hectic and non-stop to ever just stop and enjoy the story.

Grave Peril is still more frenetic than I’d prefer, and very action-packed, but it started to grow on me. The fact that the story is full of likable characters helps!

I liked the inclusion of Michael, the knight, and more involvement of the vampires – which are WAY worse than the TV show ever had them be.

I don’t always like the male perspective in narration – for example, their seemingly natural inclination to notice the female form of nearly every woman they come in contact with. Harry is, overall, a gentleman and honorable – yet I would like less descriptions of the feminine body peppered throughout the story thankyouverymuch.

From some other reviews I’ve perused, I’ve seen this is a general area of annoyance from most of the female readers. Hopefully it lessens as the series continues.

Grave Peril, however, has some great fantasy detail and where the non-stop plot had me feeling distanced from the novel for quite some time, once I saw all the pieces come together it won me over.

In the end, I liked it more than I was starting to fear I would and I am looking forward to book four.

I would just like more of Bob, Murphy and other character staples!

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Frostfire

Frostfire is a contemporary fantasy by Amanda Hocking, as well as the start of the Kanin Chronicles.

As an outcast in the powerful troll tribe of Kanin, her half-breed heritage betraying Bryn with something as simple as her blonde hair, there has been one thing she has been determined to do: climb up the ladder of success as a tracker to eventually become one of the King’s Guard elite.

When a shocking attempt on her father’s life occurs during her first official tracker duty, that aim is met with another strong aspiration – to catch, and potentially kill, Konstantin, whom before the startling incident was a rising star in the King’s Guard and a secret crush of Bryn’s.

Now, four years later, Bryn and all of Kanin are rattled by the kidnapping of changelings.

And when a connection to Konstantin is made, will Bryn sacrifice one of her goals for the other?

Frostfire appears to be a spinoff of a successful prior Amanda Hocking series called the Trylle Trilogy.

I have to say that after reading Frostfire, I just may have to look into those books…

There’s a learning curve entering into the book at first – but learning about the rich, unique troll mythology is interesting and refreshingly different with a strong modern spin.

Frostfire is funny, intriguing and likable with some serious romantic heat between Bryn and her and, let’s be honest here, hottie friend and boss Ridley. Combine that with some truly titillating political dynamics and suspense and you’ve got a fast-paced page-turner!

Then Frostfire ends so SUDDENLY that I actually turned the page and stared at the blankness – confused. I thought to myself, “Is this a mistake?”

Nope, that’s just Amanda Hocking utilizing her powers for evil.

So, um, yes I want more! It’s fairly addictive – and I want to know what happens next!!

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The Season

The Season is a YA Regency-era romantic mystery by Sarah MacLean.

It is time for seventeen-year-old Lady Alexandra Stafford’s first season – and she is not pleased about it.

Less than thrilled about dress fittings, balls and the generally encouraged feminine pursuits, Alex’s opinionated independence sets her apart.

And she is not in the slightest bit interested in finding a husband.

However, she and her close friends Ella and Vivi are thrust into the London season and manage to keep each other amused enough to prevent from being bored to death by the safe, respectable suitors being pressed upon them.

Yet behind the scenes of the glamorous gowns, dances and dinner parties, there is espionage and murder occurring.

Unintentionally finding themselves caught up in the intrigue, Alex, Ella and Vivi find their season turning far more interesting – and dangerous.

And most unexpectedly yet – perhaps some true romance is around the corner also…

The Season was a fun read!

It’s not Jane Austen – but it’s also not the type of cringe-worthy attempts at being Jane Austen that I’ve seen before.

This is a light, entertaining, diverting novel that mixes in a decent setting of the Regency era, Regency gowns and customs with some, at times, quite good dialogue - and then mixes in some mystery!

Not a combination I can complain about!

The Season was a fast, easy read that had a likable romance, likable characters and a vibe of appreciate for the period.

Was it a book I’m going to jump up and down about? Not really.

Did I think it was spectacular literature or incredibly unique? No.

But The Season did exactly what it meant to do – provided a frothy, pleasant distraction with a few relatively decent twists.

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