"White Cat" by Holly Black [3 1/2]

CASSEL is CURSED

Cursed by the memory of the fourteen year old girl he murdered.

Life at school is a constant trial. Life at home even worse. No-one

at home is ever going to forget that Cassel is a killer. No-one at

home is ever going to forget that he isn't a magic worker. And now

he is being haunted by a white cat ...

Cassel's family are magic workers. Ever since magic was

prohibited in 1929 magic workers have been driven underground

and into crime. And while people still need their touch, their luck,

their curses, their magical killings, their transformations, times

have been hard. His grand-dad is a black-fingered death-dealer,

his mother is in prison and his brothers detest him as the only one

of their family who can't do magic.

But there is a secret at the center of Cassel's family and he's about to inherit it. It's terrifying and that's the truth.

Finally finished this novel, it has taken me two weeks and I thought I was about to give up on it. Not a good Omen is it.

So the first chapter is totally enthralling and you think wow this book is going to be fantastic, you won't be able to put it down until your done .... sorry but it gets worse before it gets better. I know this is Holly Blacks new series and I get that you need to put in all the background information into the story, but gosh it was just so boring to read, it went on and on and I wanted to throw the book out. Finally close to a 100 pages left and that's where the story and action picked up and then I couldn't put it down.

So the character of Cassel is kind of annoying, to me he seemed like he's whinging all the time and at school he's a little bit of a loser. You do start to understand him a little better as you persist with the story and you actually come to like him. Lila the girl that he killed is an interesting character, she has something to prove and is a gusty girl. The brothers are ... well there is just something about them that just makes you not want to like them at all. The author has done a good job getting all her characters personalities right and this makes the story interesting especially when she rights the next ones.

It is well written, there is some bad language in it and some slight adult concepts so I wouldn't give it to young teenagers or under. Holly Black's style of writing does seem to be a little on the dark side so I wouldn't give this book to younger kids to read. A little slow to start with but it does get better. Look forward to seeing where the story goes.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

"Ballad" by Maggie Stiefvater [3 1/2]

James Morgan has an almost unearthly gift for music. And it has attracted Nuala, a soul-snatching faerie muse who fosters and then feeds on the creative energies of exceptional humans until they die. James has plenty of reasons to fear the faeries, but as he and Nuala collaborate on an achingly beautiful musical composition, James finds his feelings towards Nuala deepening. But the rest of the faeries are not as harmless. As Halloween - the day of the dead - draws near, James will have to battle the Faerie Queen and the horned king of the Dead to save Nuala's life and his soul.

I have so been looking forward to reading this next novel in the Lament series ... well I was just a little disappointed. It took me what seemed forever to get into the story. The first part of the book deals with James and his coming to music school and how Nuala and James meet up. There is a lot of background information that is also setting up the story for you, but it just seemed to take forever to get into the juicy bits. The last 100 pages or so is where all the action picked up and it only took me an hour to finish the book from there. James is an interesting character who has this devil may care sort of attitude and is totally typical of the sarcastic youth of today ... he is quite likable. Nuala is part faerie part human and is a little tortured in her life and for some reason or another has chosen not to make a deal with James but can't seem to leave him alone either. The two of them together make an unusual couple but it does seem to work and you want them to find happiness together. Dee has really only a minor role in this story but it is all about her in the end and how James and Nuala can save themselves and Dee from the Faerie Queen.

I did finally enjoy reading Ballad but for me it wasn't as good as the first book, where you just couldn't put it down until you'd read it all. I do look forward to seeing where the story goes, and there would be some interesting characters to write about. One thing that I do love is the covers of this series, they are unusual but quite pretty too.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

"I was Jane Austen's Best Friend" by Cora Harrison [3 1/2]

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single

girl in possession of a journal must write

all her secrets in it.

Meet Jenny Cooper: shy, pretty cousin of clever,

sparky Jane Austen

[who has lots of handsome brothers and a vivid imagination.]

These are Jenny's secrets:

* She has never gone to a ball.

* She hates her school.

* She longs to wear a new gown and flirt with a handsome

naval officer.

* She wishes real life could be more like a novel.

This is a really cute little novel that is written in the style of a diary, and all 13 -14 year old girls will just love this book. Inside you'll find all sorts of drawings and little notes. The hardback cover is just pretty and this is the UK version but I have also seen the US version that will come out eventually and I must admit that one is just beautiful.

So the basic story is that Jenny and Jane are at boarding school and get extremely sick and are brought home ... from then on it's about life under the Austen household and Jenny's desire to be married like all girls at her tender age of 16.

While it is such a sweet book and the characters are all likable and the humour is ... well funny, I did find the book for me a little boring and I kept losing interest in reading it. It is well written and light hearted and I loved the way truth and fiction were woven into making this story, but I definitely think it is one for the younger teens. Actually if you have any girls in the family think about this book as a stocking filler for Christmas because they will get a thrill out of reading it.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon (31/2)

At fourteen, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is the stuff of legends. . .until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior who has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity.

Nick quickly learns that the human world is only a veil for a much larger and more dangerous one: a world where the captain of the football team is a werewolf and the girl he has a crush on goes out at night to stake the undead.

But before he can even learn the rules of this new world, his fellow students are turning into flesh eating zombies. And he’s next on the menu.

As if starting high school isn't hard enough. . .now Nick has to hide his new friends from his mom, his chainsaw from the principal, and keep the zombies and the demon Simi from eating his brains, all without getting grounded or suspended. How in the world is he supposed to do that?

I purchased this book because: Really liked the cover and heard good things about the author

Opening Lines: Free Will .. Some have called it the greatest gift bestowed on humanity. It is our ability to control what happens to us and exactly how it happens. We are masters of our fate and no one can foist their will on us unless we allow it.

What a great opening line ...... I have to say I did enjoy this book which is the 1st in yet another series .... But it is definitely a boys book ... And although I did find myself laughing out loud on a number of occasions ... The banter was definitely a teenage boy with lots of blood and guts and zombies attacking the local high school football team ....

I loved the main character of Nick .... He was brilliant .... And his sense of humour was awesome ... How he looked at things around him and reacted to them was really funny .... Although I did have to keep reminding myself that he was only 14 years of age and not older ....

The side kicks in this book, especially the character of Bubba was brilliant ... And the scary thing is that I actually know a few people like his character ... lol ..... Another character which I loved was Simi she could totally Kick Butts in a really cute but deadly way ...

Some quotes which I loved ...'He'd much rather have brains than money. Though right now, a rocket launcher might be nice too' Pg 10

'Man, first I'm shot, now I'm going to be a friggin' zombie. At this rate, I'll never live to have my first date or a driver's license. Ah, Gah!' Pg 86

'This little bugger in front of him was destined to alter his future. No wonder he couldn't use his powers against him.' Pg 121

'He honestly didn't know what to say that wouldn't make her twice as mad, which was not his goal right now. The name of the game ... Survival. I value my freedom, but I see severe restrictions ahead.' Pg 202

'If I can't take care of your problems one way ... I'll take care of them anotha' Pg 205

Nick scoffed. 'This ain't the army, boy. It's every man for himself. Fall behind. Get eaten.' Pg 223

'Just when you think nothing get better, it always does. Trust me. My akri says that tragedy and adversity are the stones we sharpen our swords against so that we can fight new battles.' Pg 234

'Girls ain't nothing but trouble. Yeah, but it was the only kind of trouble he wanted to launch himself into headfirst and wallow there until he was pruny from it.' Pg 240

This is not a bad book just I am not an older teenage boy reading it .... It will be interesting to see the other characters develop in the rest of the series ...

This book as abit of everything really romance, zombies, demons, vampires and loads of fight scenes .... Every boys dream .... But I would recommend that the other teen boys would read it as there is violence and grown up themes throughout ...

I rate this novel 3 1/2 ***

Other books in order in the Series:
Chronicles of Nick
#1 Infinity
#2 Invincible ( Released 1st Feb 2011)

"The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane" by Katherine Howe [3 1/2]

While clearing out her grandmother's cottage for sale, Connie Goodwin finds a parchment inscribed with the name Deliverance Dane. So begins the hunt to uncover the woman behind the name, a hunt that takes her back to Salem in 1692 ... and the infamous witchcraft trials.

But nothing is entirely as it seems and when Connie unearths the existence of Deliverance's spell book, The Physick Book, the situation takes on a menacing edge as interested parties reveal their desperation to find this precious artifact at any cost.

What secrets does The Physick Book contain? What magic is scrawled across its parchment pages? Connie must race to answer these questions - and reveal the truth about Salem's condemned women - before an ancient family curse once more fulfils its dark and devastating prophecy ...

This novel sounded so engrossing when I read the write up from the back cover ... sorry to say I was a little disappointed with it. It starts very slowly ... to the point when you think how exciting can uni life be and what more do we need to know about it.

So the story does pick up once Connie gets to her grandmothers old house and she starts to clean up and finds the name of Deliverance Dane in an old Bible. From there she begins to do some research into the name and this is where the novel gets engrossing. I loved the way the author flashes back into 1692 and tells the story of Deliverance and her daughter and through a couple of generations. I just wished there was a little bit more of that as it was very interesting.

The plot with Connie does become predicable and very soon you realize where the story is heading and how it will turn out ... that is what is disappointing about it. I did like the way the author has taken the line of what if witchcraft was real, it puts a slightly different twist to the novel. A must read is the author's postscript at the end of the novel, it gives some very interesting insight into the 1690's and what was going on in Salem and a little of her family history and how she is related to one of the condemned women back then.

An interesting read, did enjoy it eventually.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

The Hollow by Jessica Verday (31/2)

When Abbey’s best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead…and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey has never felt so desperately alone. Then she meets Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen’s funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey’s life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he’s the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again...but also special.


Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her death? As Abbey struggles to understand Kristen’s betrayal, she uncovers a frightening truth that nearly unravels her—one that will challenge her emerging love for Caspian, as well as her own sanity.

I Purchased this book because: Saw it ages ago being reviewed and loved the storyline ...


Opening Lines: They said she killed herself. Everyone was saying it. What started out as a rumor, quietly whispered among small gatherings of polite people, quickly grew into something that was openly discussed in large gatherings of impolite people. I was so sick of hearing them talk about it.

This is the first installment of a series called 'The Hollow' and it is being described as a spine-tingling paranormal romance set in the legendary town of 'Sleepy Hollow' where you have the ghostly figure of the 'Headless Horseman' was made famous ..... Sounds great and I couldn't wait to dive in ....

Unfortunately for me I thought it was abit slow ... It started out great and then it just plodded along ... It is a little over 500 pages and even though it is a big print it did take me a few days to read it .... Not that I didn't enjoy it just that it did drag for me ... I really wanted the story to really grab me and pull me in which it really didn't do until the last 50 pages of the book ... I understand that this is the first installment and you need to set up the characters but I still prefer the story to have some meat in it so I can really sink my teeth into it ... And is difficult for me to rate this book because I like it but just didn't love it .... And there are so many different questions that have still been left unanswered ...

I loved the way the author used quotes from 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' at the beginning of each chapter and how it fitted perfectly with the story line ... If anything it has make me want to go out and purchased the book that Washington Irving imagined ... That and watching the movie .... Who am I kidding ....To be honest I really don't need a reason to watch Johnny Depp lol .....

There is alot of weird things that are happening in the small town of Sleepy Hollow ... And Abbey is smack in the middle of it all .... I do like her character ... She is gusty which I love and not afraid to search for the truth ...

Some of my favourite quotes: 'Thank you for your help today, Abbey, and try to remember the good memories. They will help the sad ones'. Pg 79


'I profess not to know how women's hearts are wooed and won. To me they have always been matters of riddle and admiration' The legend of Sleepy Hollow pg 92


'I never thought about it that way, Abbey. I always pictured it as Dickens's way of portraying how a single moment can affect our lives so profoundly.' Pg 103


'The kiss suddenly turned harder, and more desperate. I tasted the urgency in it and thought that I would die from the pleasure. Would they lock up the library for the night and find us dead in each other's arms? Perished from pleasure? That thought send delicious goose bumps travelling over my entire body. Pg233


'His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry, for as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things, and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves'. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow pg 301

I am going to rate this book around 3 1/2 stars mainly because I did love the storyline but it was abit slow for me to get started .... Then sped up in the last 50 pages or so so now you are left waiting for the next installment .... grrrrr ... So really you either really love this book or you don't and so that is why it is great everyone is different and you should pick up a copy and see what you think .... But I am excited to get my hands on the next novel ...

I rate this book 3 1/2 *** ( sigh .... wish I could have rated it better :( ... )

You can check out the lovely Johnny Depp ...



Books in 'The Hollow' Series in order

1) The Hollow
2) The Haunting ( released in Hardback on the 31st August 2010 and Paperback 2 September 2010)
3)

"Glimmerglass" by Jenna Black [3 1/2]

Dana Hathaway doesn't know it yet, but she's in big trouble. When her mother, an alcoholic, shows up at her voice recital drunk, Dana decides she's had enough of playing the role of her mother's keeper, so she packs her bags and travels to see her mysterious father in Avalon: the only place on Earth where the regular, everyday world and the magical world of Faerie intersect. Dana is a Faeriewalker, a rare individual who can travel between both worlds. She has always known that her father is a big-deal Fae, but what she doesn't realize is that she could be the key to his rise to power. When she arrives in Avalon, Dana finds herself a pawn in the game of magical politics. Avalon is a place where both magic and technology work, and humans and Fae coexist in something resembling peace. How can she change the winds of fate, find a boyfriend, and make new friends when she's not sure who, if anyone, can be trusted?

Of course it was the cover that first drew me to this book, and then reading the review on the back it sounded quite interesting ... The story certainly has a slightly different take on all the other faerie novels that I've read. In this one it seems that the world is aware that faerie's exist and we have a common place where we can interacted with each other to a degree. It does take a little while to get into the story but once you have what's going on sorted out it does become interesting. The writing style is very easy to read and the story does move along fairly quickly.

The characters are appealing and you become absorbed in their plights. This book will appeal to the teens ... it has intrigued, romance, a determined female lead and hot young fae boys ... what more could you wish for. I'm interested to see where this series will go. "SHADOWSPELL" is the next in the series and will be release in 2011.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

"The Counterfeit Guest" by Rose Melikan [3 1/2]

Spring 1797. The War

with France deepens, the

Channel Fleet has mutinied

... and a ruthless traitor lurks

within fashionable London society.

Such matters should not concern young Mary Finch, who has recently inherited an unexpected fortune. But her new status brings her little pleasure, and she longs for freedom and adventure.

Mary's restless spirit leads her to a meeting with an elusive spymaster, who offers her an intriguing proposal. With England's security and a friend's safety at risk, Mary arrives at the exotic Champian Hall, determined to uncover its dark secrets. But the knowledge that she seeks is deadly, especially when the hunter becomes the hunted.

So this is the third book from the four month challenge and it came under the title of historical fiction. This is actually quite an interesting series as usually I like historical romances but this series is more of a mystery ... it does have a little romance thrown in!

OK so why have I only given it a 3 1/2, well I think it get too bogged down in all the descriptive details. The story is terrific, the characters are brilliant, the attention to detail about this time period is spot on, it just takes you forever to read about what is going on. Every thought and feeling is written down and for me it is just a little too much. With just over 400 pages and a slightly bigger than normal paperback ... well it took me a few days to get through it and by the end your kind of glad it's finished.

The drama and suspense are terrific and the mystery that's woven through it all is irresistible. Mary Finch is one of those characters that you wish you could know in real life, she is a wonderfully kind hearted person, but has the heart of a lion and longs for adventure in her life. Captain Holland is the handsome and brooding hero of the story and the love interest for Mary. While these two characters are probably perfect for each other I could sometimes just smack Captain Holland ... for me he just lacks something ... maybe it's because he always seems like he's got the weight of the world on his shoulders and he seems a little high and mighty with Mary occasionally.

Apart from some personal dislikes it really is a good historical mystery and worth reading the series. The next installment is entitled " The Mistaken Wife."

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

"Ironside" by Holly Black [3 1/2]

A rash declaration, an impossible quest.

Kaye is forced to find the one thing she knows doesn't exist: a faerie who can tell a lie. Miserable and convinced that she belongs nowhere, Kaye is propelled back to the dangerous world of faerie. Once again, she finds herself caught up in the rivalries of the Seelie Court. In this twisted game of wits and power, can a pixie outplay a queen?

OK so this is my next read for the four month challenge and it came under the heading of a 'one word title.'

Ironside is the final installment to the Tithe series and thankfully Holly Black has finished it off, sometimes the authors tend to drag out their series a little too long.

While I have maintain that another faerie series has been my favourite, I did enjoy this final book. I think everything has been wrapped up well and the conclusion will satisfy everyone who reads it.

It has been two months since Kaye first found out who she really was and what else existed in the world, now she is about to go to the coronation of her boyfriend Roiben who defeated the old Queen of the night court. But as usual things are not quite that easy and as they are about to discover, War has been declared by the Queen of the Seelie Court. Kaye doubts who she is and if Roiben even loves her and somehow she manages to get tangle in a quest that seems impossible to solve. With her friend Corney by her side they set out to discover what they can do to help Roiben end the war, along the way they meet up with Luis who has a gift with the sight. {we met him from the second book}

All the lose ends will be tied up and things turn out how they are meant too in the end. Well written, plot will keep you interested and it's good to have a finish. As I've said before this is a series for young adults as it has bad language in it and adult concepts.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

'Alphabet Weekends' by Elizabeth Noble [3 1/2]

Natalie and her sisters have known Tom and his family forever. They climbed trees together, scraped knees on the same pavements and shaped bonds that would last a lifetime.

So when Natalie's long-term love walks out on her, Tom is the much needed shoulder she cries on. And he dreams up an ingenious way to dry her tears; a series of Alphabet Weekends - activities which, if not fun, will nonetheless distract her - and what bigger distraction to get them started than A for Abseiling? And even as she plunges down cliffs, Tom hopes Natalie might see what's been staring her in the face all these years.

His undying love for her.

But as they tumble from A to Z, their families and friends face broken hearts and tragedies of their own. Can the Alphabet Weekends unlock love in all its many and wonderful guises? And not only for Natalie and Tom, but for everyone they care about?

OK, so this is the first novel in the four month reading challenge that I've read and it's a chick lit read ....

This turned out to be an interesting book for many reasons. First I loved the concept of the story ... basically you've got a guy who loves this girl and he is trying to find a way for her to realize that she loves him too, and what better way than to come up with weekend activities that start with the letters of the alphabet.

The author has devised a great way of keeping all the characters in context so that it doesn't get confusing ... each has their own name about the paragraph before it starts. While Tom and Natalie are the main characters there are a lot of others as well and because it's well written you do become interested in all the people in the story.

But .... there is just something that seemed to be missing and I just don't know what it is. While I was reading I became engrossed and enjoyed, but as soon as I put down the book I completely forgot all about the novel and so it took me a few days to get through it ...
There is bad language in this book and adult concepts as well, so it's not one for the kids or even teens.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

Austenland by Shannon Hale (31/2)

Jane Hayes is a seemingly normal young New Yorker, but she has a secret. Her obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is ruining her love life: no real man can compare. But when a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become realer than she ever could have imagined. Decked out in empire-waist gowns, Jane struggles to master Regency etiquette and flirts with gardeners and gentlemen;or maybe even, she suspects, with the actors who are playing them. It's all a game, Jane knows. And yet the longer she stays, the more her insecurities seem to fall away, and the more she wonders: Is she about to kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

I Purchased this because: It is Book Club Choice for July '10

Opening Lines: It is a truth universally acknowledged that a thirty-something woman in possession of a satisfying career and fabulous hairdo must be in want of very little, and Jane Hayes, pretty enough and clever enough, was certainly thought to have little to distress her. There was no husband, but those weren't necessary anymore. There were boyfriends, and if they came and went in a regular stream of mutual dissatisfaction - well, that was the way of things, wasn't it?

I was excited about reading this wee book as it was on my TBR list for ages ... And it was light-hearted and a really nice wee escape into the world of Austen ( Jane Austen that is ) .... How many of us girls have such a romantic view of that world .... Where the men are gentlemen .... Strong, brooding and devastating handsome .... and women get to dress in gorgeous gowns, have leisurely walks around the gardens and sit reading or embroidering all day .... SIGH .....

This is definitely a book for someone who loves the world of Austen and also chick lit books as this as a mixture of both ... I have read a few of Shannon Hales books now and I have enjoyed them ... But I felt with this book although geared for the adult audience was too fluffy and nice in parts ....

I did love how the start of each new chapter there was a history of all Jane's past failed romances ... And a couple of them I could actually connect to ... ( Shhhh don't tell anyone ) ..... This book should definitely be your bookcase if you are an Austen fan .... It is really light hearted and would be the perfect summer book or sitting in front of the fire with a cup of Hot Chocolate .... You really don't have to concentrate just sit back and enjoy ....

It did frustrate me that the character of Jane kept saying that she was going to emerge herself into the world she found herself in ... But then she kept holding back .... grrr .... She had spend all her life dreaming of living this life and when she as the opportunity she keeps questioning herself .... It did make me LOL when she did her pianoforte performance of "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater" and the dedication to Colin Firth ( Whom we all love ) .....

Some of my favourite quotes ' To Colin Firth ... You're a really great guy, but I'm married, so I think we should just be friends' Opening cover 'I don't think I could explain it to a man. If you were a woman, all I'd have to say is 'Colin Firth in a wet shirt' and you'd say 'Ah' pg 77

'And if I don't make you feel like the most beautiful woman in the world every day of your life, then I don't deserve to be near you' Swoon Pg 190

'A hunter need not spend hours with a pheasant to know it would make a good dinner. A pheasant is nothing more than what it seems, as are hens, foxes, and swans. People are no different. Some may need endless hours of prattle and prancing to know another's worth. I should not." Pg 44

'Of course. It would be uncivil to say I will not enjoy making love to you tonight." Pg 140

So in short this is an easy read .... And it will make you go out and watch the lovely Colin Firth or Lost in Austen series just so you can get it out of your system ..... Ahhhhhhhh ....

I rate this book 31/2 ***

The Elegance of a Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery (3 1/2)

We are in the center of Paris, in an elegant apartment building inhabited by bourgeois families. Renée, the concierge, is witness to the lavish but vacuous lives of her numerous employers. Outwardly she conforms to every stereotype of the concierge: fat, cantankerous, addicted to television. Yet, unbeknownst to her employers, Renée is a cultured autodidact who adores art, philosophy, music, and Japanese culture. With humor and intelligence she scrutinizes the lives of the building's tenants, who for their part are barely aware of her existence.

Then there's Paloma, a twelve-year-old genius. She is the daughter of a tedious parliamentarian, a talented and startlingly lucid child who has decided to end her life on the sixteenth of June, her thirteenth birthday. Until then she will continue behaving as everyone expects her to behave: a mediocre pre-teen high on adolescent subculture, a good but not an outstanding student, an obedient if obstinate daughter.

Paloma and Renée hide both their true talents and their finest qualities from a world they suspect cannot or will not appreciate them. They discover their kindred souls when a wealthy Japanese man named Ozu arrives in the building. Only he is able to gain Paloma's trust and to see through Renée's timeworn disguise to the secret that haunts her. This is a moving, funny, triumphant novel that exalts the quiet victories of the inconspicuous among us.

Purchased it Because: Book Club Choice

Well this is abit of mixed book for me .... There was some parts of it I hated and some parts of it was really good ... It would cause me to pause to think and then other parts I would laugh out loud ....

I think because I left it to a week before Book Club nite I found some parts of this book really slow and tedious mainly the start ... My advise would be to not have a time constrict on reading this novel as some chapters you will you probably find yourself in deep thought over ... This book would be perfect for a Literary class to do a thesis on but in some area's I have to admit I kinda skipped over ....

OK the book is mainly about the concierge Renee who looks after a Parisian apartment Building ... And a twelve year old girl called Paloma who lives in one of the apartments ... And for some reason I pictured this novel set in the 1940's .... like the whole way through it ... ( The girls in book club kept reminding me that they use dvd's and electrical devises ) but it still do not deter me from imagining Paris and these lovely building in the 1940's ... lol ...

For me the book really didn't really start until a good half way through .... When a new tenant arrives at the building ... The first half of the book tells about Renee well actually what Renee thinks on certain deep subjects .... That is what I felt frustrating at times I really wanted to know Renee but not what 'uncovering the final sense of science by becoming immersed in science qua noematic phenomenon' was duh !!! .... I did have a dictionary out at the beginning of the reading this book but at the rate I was looking up words it would take me forever to read the book ...

I really liked the character of Paloma although I didn't at the start ... I loved the scene with the doctor :) ... It did make me appreciate to look more closely to those around me as sometimes we are so caught up in our own world we fail to notice what is right in front of us ...

Can I just say that all in all I did enjoy this book and it will be one book that I will pick up again and re-read a few of the chapters ... Although I hated the ending .... and felt I went through all this for that ..... grrrrrrr .....

I did mark the book with post-its notes of thoughts or comments which I found interesting and fascinating ... Which puts me into a dilemma .... What to rate this book .... Did i find it boring? ... Yes ... Did I find it insightful? .... Yes .... Did I find I wanted to throw it against the wall? ..... Yes ..... Did I want to keep reading to see the outcome? .... Yes .... And it did make me pause for thought on numerous occasions and write notes down .... And isn't that what a good book does .... This book may not be an easy read but it is well written and not easily forgotten .....

So you will either love this book or hate it .....

Some of my favourite quotes ... 'Then suddenly I remembered that I had decided to build and not destroy. I looked all around me for something positive ...' pg 123

'this is the first time I have met someone who seeks out people and who sees beyond. That may seem trivial but it is profound all the same. We never look beyond or assumptions and, what's worse, we have given up trying to meet others, we just meet ourselves. I implore fate to give me the chance to see beyond myself and truly meet someone' pg 140

'Maybe that's what being alive is all about: so we can track down those moments that are dying' pg 269

I rate this book between a 3 1/2 and 4 ****

"Tithe" by Holly Black [3 1/2]

Sixteen year old Kaye is a modern nomad. Fierce and independent, she travels from city to city with her mother's rock band until an ominous attack forces Kaye back to her childhood home. There, amid the industrial, blue-collar New Jersey backdrop, Kaye soon finds herself an unwilling pawn in an ancient power struggle between two rival faerie kingdoms - a struggle that could very well mean her death.

I've had this series sitting in my book self for about one year now, and kept saying I'll get around to reading it. Well with the four month challenge I thought I'd start and use the last novel in the series as part of that challenge.

I came into reading 'Tithe' with an open mind as I thought I won't compare it too the 'Wicked Lovely' series which I think is fantastic ... but I have been a little disappointed and I cannot help comparing to the other series. First of all it has quite a bit of bad language in it and it definitely is only suitable for young adults. The basic story is interesting, but again I like the 'Wicked Lovely' series better. I couldn't really gel to any of the main characters and I guess the constant swearing put me off.

The story reads well, it flows and you read it quiet quickly, it's dark and edgy and if you don't mind bad language you'll probably quite enjoy it. Wouldn't recommend to those under 16 at least. Next in the series is 'Valiant'.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

"Anxious Hearts" by Tucker Shaw [3 1/2]

Two pairs of lovers,
Two hundred years apart,
One eternal story.

Eva and Gabe explored the golden forest of their seaside town in Maine, tracing the footsteps of two teens, Evangeline and Gabriel, who lived in the same idyllic woods more than two hundred years ago. On the day that Evangeline and Gabriel were to be wed, their village was besieged and the two were separated. And now, in the present, Gabe too has mysteriously disappeared from Eva.


A dreamlike tale of romance and undeterred faith inspired by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic love poem "Evangeline," Anxious Hearts tells the story of a love so strong it sometimes causes one to lose oneself. Yet it also avows that even when lost somewhere on life's journey, true love can be found and there is a way home again.

A really lovely teen story, that was based on a poem, that was based on a real story in 1755. With a truly beautiful cover, this book will make you think in true love again. While possibly a little light on the story it gives you enough to enjoy the idea of finding your true love through whatever life might throw at you. You won't get lost in the telling of the two stories as the author has the novel idea of changing the color of the pages for the story of Evangeline and Gabriel. I enjoyed all four characters and just wished that there was a little more to the story ... it finished a little too quickly for me.

A lovely teen read.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

"In Focus" by Anna Jacobs [3 1/2]

When a new feature on Pete Newbury's popular TV programme shows his adult image digitally transformed to that of a young child, Beth is shocked to realize he's her 'baby' brother, who vanished without trace thirty-eight years ago. Her mother, who has never recovered from the loss, desperately needs closure, but Pete makes it clear he doesn't want to know his birth family.

To further complicate matters, Beth finds herself falling in love with Pete's cousin and manager, Edward. At the same time Beth's runaway daughter reappears, complete with child, and Beth is terrified of losing her again. It's not easy to build bridges and bring family together after so many years and so much heartache, and she may lose the man she loves in the process ...

This is the first time I've read from this author and she has written dozens of books. A really interesting story that has strong characters and a plot that keeps you very interested. The cover is what initially drew me to the book, it is quite pretty with the blossom tree on the front.
It's an interesting concept to write a story about how you would feel if you had a brother or sister that was kidnapped at a young age and how you would react if you found them alive years later. The book is well written and it does keep you wanting to turn the page to find out what happens. It's a great book to take on holiday as it's a fairly light read and with only just over 230 pages you'll finish it quickly. I enjoyed it, wouldn't totally rave on about it and that's why I didn't rate it any higher.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

"Dark Victory" by Brenda Joyce [3 1/2]

A dark, ruthless Highlander, the Black Macleod has refused his destiny.

His life is revenge for the massacre of his family. His enemies' insults -

that he is a man of stone - only amuse him.

But fate is impatient, and when a woman from another time dares to summon him,

he cannot resist her powers - or her...

A schoolteacher by day, Tabitha Rose uses her magic to protect others by night.

When the vision of a dark Highlander, bloody and burned, appears to Tabby,

she knows she has been called to help him, no matter how frightening he might be.

But what Tabby doesn't expect is to be taken against her will to his dark, violent time.

And when evil begins to stalk her, she realizes she must fight for far more than his destiny - she must fight for her love....

This is book Four in the Masters of Time Series.

The reason why this book is half a point less than the rest, is that I found it a bit frustrating in the fact that there was so much talking between the characters and not enough action going on. The character of Tabby was a little annoying for me because she always second guessed herself and then had to have a discussion with Macleod about it.

Macleod was a strong character, he probably isn't my favourite warrior, but these two characters suit each other.

The basic story was OK, not as good as some of the other books.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (31/2)

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

What is it with all the gorgeous covers at the moment ..... It is not doing my already loaded bookcase any good .... or I hasten to add my bank balance .. lol ...

I really really wanted to love this book but I found it abit slow and in parts which is a real shame ... Sometimes I just wanted to hit the character of Nora over the head for being so silly .... This is definitely an older teen read as I found some parts of the book abit dark for a younger reader ... But in saying that I did read the novel in a day and the story line is good ...

It is about a girl called Nora and a mysterious handsome Stranger called Patch who basically turns her world upside down ....... There is a good tension between the two characters that does work ... like I said I would love to give this book 5 stars but I did feel abit pulled at times that the main hero of the story is quite a dark character and one that I really don't want my daughter to meet .... I know the author was trying to do a bad boy/ loveable character but I felt it tipped to much to the bad Boy end ...

It will be interesting to see what the other girls review of the book is like ... As reviews for this book are mixed ... you either love it or hate it ... Will I go out and buy the second book in the series when it comes out .... Probably but not in a huge rush ...

Interesting idea of a story but torn because it was abit dark for me !!!

I rate this book 31/2 stars

'No Place Like Home' by Mary Higgins Clark [31/2]

Celia Nolan has a terrible secret.

Aged 10, she shot her mother dead. Known then

as Liza Barton, she claimed she was protecting them both

from her violent stepfather and was aquitted by the courts.

Everyone else, however, believed it to be murder.

Now, twenty-four years later, with a new name,

new family and new life, Celia thinks the past is forgotten.

But when her husband Alex buys her a house, she is

horrified to find it is the exact same one in which she

ended her mother's life.

Worse still, someone else knows; someone who is

willing to kill to unleash the truth, beginning with the

brutal murder of the estate agent who sold the house.

Celia becomes prime suspect, putting Alex and her

young son Jack in danger.

As the body count rises, she is thrust into a race against

time to clear her name and prevent herself and her family

from becoming the next victims of a vicious killer.

A killer who believes some secrets should never stay buried...

First time that I have read this author and I really enjoyed it.

It's a crime novel mixed with mystery and an ending you wont see coming!

It's not a long novel...just over 350 pages, so you could read it in one sitting if you have the time.

I did, and only because I couldn't put it down, I had to know what happens in the end.

Really well written, you won't guess the plot until your nearly finished and then you hope it's not true...

The characters are all interesting and you want to find out more about them.

Definitely will read some more novels from this author.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

'Princess of the Midnight Ball' [3 1/2 ]

Princess Rose is the eldest of twelve sisters condemned to dance

each night for the wicked King Under Stone in his palace deep within the earth.

It is a curse that has haunted the girls since their birth -

and only death will set them free.

Then Rose meets Galen, a young soldier-turned-gardener

with an eye for adventure and a resolve that matches her own,

and freedom suddenly begins to seem a little less impossible. To defeat the King

and his dark court, they will need one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit

with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all -

true love.

This is our book club read for February...

I actually quite enjoyed reading this novel. It is loosely based on the fairy tale of the 'Twelve Dancing Princess' which I think is an old German fairy Tale.

Well written and easy to read, you'd be able to finish this novel in a sitting or two.

The two main characters of Princess Rose and soldier-turned-gardener Galen are very easy to like, and before you realize it you are hooked into their stories.

As in most fairy tales good fights against evil and hopefully good wins.

Of course there has to be romance involved and this was beautifully done.

It is a book that 14-15 year old girls will love to read.

Enjoyed Greatly.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars...

"The Little Giant of Aberdeen County" by Tiffany Baker [3 1/2 ]

Truly Plaice - part behemoth, part witch, part cinderella - is born larger than life into a small minded town. Her birth rocks the pillars of tiny Aberdeen, New York, and breaks her family into smithereens.

She spends a painful childhood in the shadow of her older sister Serena's beauty, and is teased mercilessly for her enormous physique. But when Serena unexpectedly vanishes and leaves her son in Truly's care, Truly must become mistress of a house she did not choose and the unwilling victim of her brother-in-law, Doctor Robert Morgan. Once her childhood tormentor, he now subjects her to brutal criticism and cruel medical experiments that test her endurance past breaking point - but Truly may have more power than he realizes...

First book in the read your name challenge.

The front cover of this book drew my to it and the write up that it was a 'Gothic tale of murder, revenge and redemption'....

Well it has murder and redemption...but it certainly isn't Gothic!

A debut novel for the author and well I struggled a little with it.

For me it took quite a while to get into the story of Truly taking care of her nephew in her brother-in-laws house, and that is where the story gets interesting. It has a few twists and turns and once you get into it, it's interesting to read.

I don't know why they said it was a Gothic tale because to me that implies it's set in a period time like the 1800's or such...this is set in the 1960's.

Interesting read but wouldn't pick it up again soon too read.