Jaw Dropping...: Prince Of Thorns

This absolutely stunning novel is not for the faint hearted. Dark and twisted it still falls into the fantasy catagory. Mark Lawerance can congratulate himself on the first book of his stunning new BROKEN EMPIRE series.

At the age of ten Prince Jorg watched his mother and younger brother die at the hand of count Renar, a neighboring king. As the heir he was hidden in a hook thorn patch, the brambles nastier brother held in place buy the thorn in his flesh he was forced to watch them being slaughtered. Running away with a group of robbers, he divorces himself from love and spends the next four years of his life killing. But Jorg is just biding his time, because Jorg understands the game. By the time Jorg is fifteen he knows he will be a king, by fair  and probaly foul play, he'll gamble everything on the worst odds, but he'll win because he understands that fear is just a way to lose the game.
I have just read this and thought it was brilliant, it was so cold yet you were fascinated, things you would normally think were unacceptable became normal while you read this book. One thing I did find unbelievable was Jorgs age when it came to his character. But his struggle between good and evil is something that everyone at some point understands, except this is from the reverse side of the coin, Jorg drowns any little part of good in him while we do our best to to ignore the evil. Definatly one of the best books i have ever read, however not suitable for younger readers.

"I'd expected more, but he was only dead. I showed him the empty time where my memory won't go. I let him look there.
He ran, and I chased him. But only to the edge of the marsh. Because it's a game. And I'm going to win."

Nell xxx

Black Humor...: I Am Not A Serial Killer

John Wayne Cleaver is not an ordinary boy for three very good reasons
1. He is a 16 year old mortician
2. He's obsessed with serial killers
3. He is a clinically diagnosed sociopath

John lives by a set of self imposed rules he uses to disguise the fact that he is a potential serial killer, potential? because it's only a matter if time. But when a real serial killer comes to town, all the rules are out the window...
Trying to find the serial killer and separate his personality from  'Mr Monster' a persona he uses in an attempt to separate himself from his darkest thoughts is no easy task. John may find the killer, but will he lose himself? This book will deeply unnerve you and make you ask questions about yourself that will uncover your own darker side. Dan Wells has managed to create a personality completely alien and unique, the way John processes his emotions is completely original, this does however make it not a light read, but not a heavy one either, with black humor horrifying you even as you laugh . This is not just a horror, this is fantasy in it's darkest form. The most twisted crime mystery you'll ever read. Physiologically fascinating this book will change your views forever.


 “It doesn't matter how many they kill," I told him. "And it's not awesome-it's wrong."
"Then why do you talk about them all the time?" asked Max.
"Because wrong is interesting.”

 Nell xxx

Not So Good...: House of Night

I've written about several of the best books I've read, but this is definatly not a very well written book. Although the first book on it's own isn't to bad, if a bit simplistic for it's cover, as the series goes on it gets progressively worse. Despite this House of Night has been very well reviewed by many people who are in my opinion to scared to say anthing else in fear of being hated by twilighters.

As a concept, it isn't to bad if a bit of cliche, it vampires have been intergrated into society for centurys and the heroine of the series Zoe Redbird has been reluctently chosen to join them. How ever the writing for the series is more suited to perhaps a childrens novel. It just doesn't read well and seems more in place for something a 10yr old would read. That would be fine, except the cover suggests something for older readers. However I would definately not let a 10yr old read this. House of Night includes scenes that would belong in a novel for much older people, and some of the things suggested and written about surpass the books age for which the writing is suitable. This is not me being a prude. If thw writing matched the adult scenes then they would be for any 15yr old. At least in the first book. But the writing style is not good enough to keep the person intrested and belongs with books like "the magic mermaid" or "Ben  Ten" not a teen novel. The plot it self is samey and the characters under developed. P.C and Kristen Cast have written characters and given them supernatural gifts that should make them all powerful, which is a bad idea for most books as a character with no flaws just isn't exciting. But one of the most frustrating things is that when evr a problem comes along, Zoe Redbird seems to "forget" she has them and repeatedly requires saving. Coupled with the predictible plot that tends to repeat itself, House of Night is one of the most annoying books i have ever read.
Do you want to know what the worst of it is? Atsome points this series has the potential to be excellent as it has with several excellent bad guys (and some pretty rubbish ones) and funny characters who's interaction with each other a humorous and realistic. But one of two things need to happen P.C and Kisten Casts writing needs to grow up, or they should dumb the book down.

“No, Kramisha, he's not black. He's a killer bird with evil for his Daddy.”

Nellxxx

I Can't Think Of Anything To Say...: Storm Front

Storm Front is part of the Dresden Files. Storm Front is an Urban Fantasy. It sets the scene with Harry Dresden the only wizard in Chicago, trying to make money working for the Chicago PDs special investigations. He isn't very successful, manly because know one  believes that the darker side of Chicago actually exists.

Storm Front is perhaps a book more aimed at the masculine side of the population. However I think that whatever your gender this is still an excellent book. This is one of those rare books where you can't honestly say you've ever read anything similar. This isn't a book I ever think will be famous but it certainly is a best seller. Despite magic being heavily included in the story line which can be a bit confusing, this is a real edge of your seat mystery/ thriller. You get the sense of a real person behind the story, with the writer dropping subtle hints about Harry's past you are dying to know more. The magic included although it can be a bit complex, is well... i suppose the only way to describe it is realistic.  It has that rare wonderful quality that you can imagine magic being like that. It isn't wishy washy, it isn't easy as pie and there are quieter things as well as the explosions  featuring in the fight scenes. Jim Butcher creates a whole new, entirely realistic world. You can say what you like about the book but you can't deny that.

'Magic, it can get a guy killed'

Nell xxx

Waking The Dead...: Death Whispers

Death Whispers is set in in the year 2025 when in 2010 science has found a way to unlock the gene which gives people paranormal abilities (I wish it had happened!) that come through at about puberty. The scientist that made the break through is none other then the father of the person narrating this book, Caleb Hart.

Caleb finds out in his school biology dissection that his paranormal ability is one of the rarest, and least coveted... AFTD (affinity for the dead), not only that but he's a five point AFTD which is pretty much as powerful, and as uncommon as you can get but despite the cool ability to bring zombies to life, everyone knows what happened to the first, and last five point AFTD. He sent into govermet 'service' and never heard of agian. With the help of his two best friends (known as the Js) can Caleb avoid the same fate?
I really enjoyed this book and would class it up there with Harry Potter and The Hunger Games. Despite it's slightly macbre theme I thought that this book was actually pretty funny. Blodgett managed to create completly realistic characters, from the relationship between the 14 (nearly 15) year old boys to the nagging of his parents. Like Harry Potter you are completly sucked into Blodgetts new world but despite that, there is a definate current of humour through the whole thing as not only does Caleb struggle whith the whisperings of dead things and zombie problems he keeps creating but also with his girlfriend Jade or the situations his best friends 'plans' get him into. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time and is free on kindle.

'"this mundane thing blows goats. And the girls are taking over the world" Jonesy stated'

Nell xxx

Chill Your Bones...: Virals

Some people may or may not have watched the forensic T.V series Bones. Well from the same author that inspired the Bones a new series has been released. Virals is about four friends and their dog. But Enid Blyton has some catching up to do when it comes to  this series. When 14 year old Tory Brennan (niece of the forensic scientist Temperance Brennan from the T.V series Bones) moved to a remote island community with her dad after her mother died in a car crash. Meeting three new friends Ben, Hi (Heslim) and Stephin the book starts six months after she moves there. When they rescue the adorable wolf-dog puppy Cooper from a lab on a deserted island who has been illegally experimented on, they would have no idea about the consequences of their actions. They get infected by a genetically altered version of the Parvo Virus and the group begin to change in ways they never expected. They will need all their new skills when they discover a body know one wants found...

This is a really wonderful book, although when I first got this I thought that this would be similar to a dozen other stories I read, this one really stood out from the cloud. Although it has teenagers, hormones and friendship and not to mention the changes happening to the characters, you got a real sense that this was a mystery and the author has managed to keep that in focus all through the book. I thought the main character Tory, was a bit like a young Sherlock Holmes as she and her friend dug deeper in cold-case murder that know one believes them about. I really enjoyed this and thought it was an excellent thriller that kept me turning every page.

'I can't help it. It's in my DNA'

Nell xxx

Suprisingly Good...: Dead Witch Walking

The Rachel Morgan Series (AKA the Hollows) is suprisingly good, although the covers are in most cases trashy, the books themselves have a suprising depth to them that is uncommon in some of the best authers. It's set in a alternate reality where after a disease that wiped out a large portion of humanity witches, vampires and weres were forced to reveal themselves to make sure humanity didn't become extinct. this is set many years later when witch Rachel morgan quits her job with the I.S to become a private investigator. One problem, nobody quits the I.S and lives. Struggling to pay the bills; dodge assassins and avoid her moody living vampire roomate Ivy. you really fell connected to her in a way you really don't expect to. When you hear the term 'don't judge a book by it's cover' you haven't found the meaning intil you have read this book. Kim Harrison has managed to turn a completly over done and  under achieving genre into a brilliant, funny, well written and at times poignant book.

 '"Look at this" I gestured to my take. "a tax evading Leprachaun. It's an insult"'

Nell xxx

A Classic Fanatsy...: The Hobbit

Out of all Tolkiens works, The Hobbit is definatly my favourite. The title was originaly 'there and back agian' but is better known as the 'The Hobbit'. As the prequal to the popular 'Lord of the Rings' it is much shorter at about 300 hundred pages. I find The Hobbit much more light hearted then Lord of the Rings. It's about Bilbo Baggins (Frodos uncle) being rather reluctently dragged on an adventure by his good friend Gandalf to reclaim the lost mountin and it's treasure which is jealously guarded by the dragon Smaug. All though 'The hobbit was published quite awhile ago I still think it is a brilliant book and engaging read. It smuch more fast paced then Lord of the Rings which I find drags on a bit and is full of laughs.

'There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something'

Nell xxx

One Of My Favourites...: The Name Of The Wind

The Name Of The Wind is one of my all time favorite books. Its the first book in the 'Kingkiller Chronicles' and comes in various different covers, this is my favorite as the some of them are slightly strange. It's approximately 660 pages long. The story is told from Kvothes veiw point and is set in two different time, Kvothe as he is now and Kvothe when he is younger. Despite this Patrick Rothefuss is such a brilliant author that the plot doesn't get confusing and instead leaves you hanging, desperate to learn more. It's set in a Fantasy period where the Kvothe of now own a back water inn under the guise of a young man named Kote, hiding after faking his death. Kvothe has been raised by his mother and father who work with a group of traveling performers. This is where Kvothe gets his evident love and skill with music. A man traveling with them is the slightly batty Abenthy who, surprised with the intelligence of the seven year old Kvothe teachers him the basics of the science and sympathy which you could say, started the whole story. One of the best books I have ever read, although the genre may not be to some peoples liking, I would definitely pick this book up and try it.

'Abenthy made me the man I am today, do not be harsh with him, he meant well'

Nell xxx

What Started It All...: Twilght

I'm sorry to all twilight haters and those who dislike romance, but no one can deny that twilight has been a major success since it was first published in 2005. 116 million copies were sold as of 2010 and it has inspired so many teens to stop playing the Xbox and pick up a book. I think what this book has accomplished is incredible. I think that the first book is the best. Bella has friends outside 'The Cullens' and other interests. I also like that at first things aren't to intense between them. In so many books the Boy and the Girl meet for about 2 minutes and suddenly there like 'OMG I have found my soul mate'. How ever as the series goes on I find that you lose the story line to the relationship between Edward and Bella. It is true that although Stephenie Meyer wrote a classic love triangle, she did manage to keep it interesting with some unforeseen twist. But Bella seems to forget about her home life and her friends. In the last book however you do see a dilemma besides team Edward versus team Jacob as Stephenie Meyer rounds of the series nicely with a dramatic finish.

As for the Novella 'The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner' I have yet to read that but will let you know when I do!

Nell xxx