Review: Drummer Girl - Bridget Tyler

Drummer Girl by Bridget Tyler, published by Templar on 1st May 2013

Goodreads synopsis:
It was supposed to be the summer of her life. Instead, 17-year-old Lucy finds her best friend Harper shot dead in an LA swimming pool. How did it come to this? Lucy Gosling is the drummer in Crush, a rock band formed by five London schoolgirls that has just won the UK semi-final of an international talent contest. But when the band lands in Hollywood for the big final, things are not quite as they seem. The band's lead singer, Harper, has just one thing on her mind - using sex, drugs and rock and roll, not to mention Crush itself, to win back her bad-news ex-boyfriend. Lucy must decide whether she's playing to Harper's tune, or setting the rhythm for the rest of the band.

Review:
'Drummer Girl' author, Bridget Tyler, has written a fast-paced and enjoyable read about a group of girls who form a band and try to make it big in the spotlight of Los Angeles.  I enjoyed it a lot more than I originally thought and the ending leaves me hope that there might be a sequel somewhere down the line.

The story opens with the shocking death of Harper McKenzie, one of the members of the band.  This grabbed my attention immediately and left me guessing all the way through the book about who could have killed her.  It also meant that I was suspicious of everyone - even if they did seem really nice.  The action then jumps to 8 months earlier when we get to see the events leading up to her death.

The narrative is shared out between each of the girls in the band which I enjoyed because although they are on a journey to fame and fortune together, each girl has a different challenge to face and overcome.  My favourite characters were Lucy and Iza.  Lucy is the most central character in the book and the 'drummer girl' of the title.  She  tries to keep everything and everyone together while temptation is continually put in front of them.  She has however disobeyed her parents by going to LA against their wishes and faces a lot of pressure from different directions.  She is probably the most likable of all the girls and the most grounded but has boy problems to deal with too. 

The book is about the reality of fame and fortune and shows all the behind the scenes goings-on that happen to the band.  It's not all fantastic parties and free clothes and there is a price to pay for everything.  It focuses on the dark underbelly of a life led in the spotlight and how this affects each of the girls.  'Drummer Girl' is perfect for fans of reality shows and the music world and I think will appeal enormously to today's generation of teens. 

Review: Sweet Venom - Tera Lynn Childs

Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs, published by Templar on 4th September 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
Three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful Gorgon maligned in myth, must reunite and embrace their fates.

Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it's also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.

Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though.

Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they're triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters. . .

Review:
I loved this book which was a fun and enjoyable read.  I adore stories which weave in elements of classic mythology and Tera Lynn Childs has done such a good job of it here.  I was intrigued by the idea of three girls who are the teenage descendants of Medusa and I couldn't wait to find out what their fates were going to be.  I ended up taking this with me to read in bed as it was so gripping and engrossing that just reading a few chapters wasn't enough.  I stayed up half the night so I could finish it!

The opening chapter from the point of view of Gretchen was fantastic.  It hooked me into the story and really whet my appetite for the rest of the book.  It kept getting better and better from that moment on with so much fantastic action and adventure.

I thought the three main characters, Gretchen, Greer, were all brilliant.  They have distinct and very different personalities but I enjoyed seeing how they were drawn together by a common goal.  My absolute favourite was Grace who seems to be the glue that brings the sisters together but I also liked Gretchen who is very sharp and witty and comes out with some of the best lines in the book.  She comes across as tough and independent but I enjoyed seeing her mellow slightly as the story progressed.  The narrative alternates between them and this worked really well in allowing each girl to establish herself to the reader, as well as tell her part of the story.

There are some intriguing boys in the book too who I'm dying to know more about.  There's the enigmatic Thane, the too hot to handle Nick and sweet Milo.  I'm betting that there's a lot more to all the boys than originally meets the eye and I'm sure Tera Lynn Childs has plenty of surprises up her sleeve which she'll unveil later in the series.

The ending was explosive and left me on the edge of my seat.  I can't wait now for the sequel 'Sweet Shadows' coming in 2013. 

Review: Lance of Truth - Katherine Roberts

Lance of Truth by Katherine Roberts, published by Templar on 1st October 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
The quest for Camelot's survival continues - King Arthur's secret daughter, Rhianna Pendragon, has faced mortal danger, ice-breathing dragons and dark magic to win Excalibur, the Sword of Light. But the sword is just one of four magical Lights that she must find to restore Arthur's soul to his body and bring him back to life. Now Rhianna must head into the wilds of the North, to find the second Light, the Lance of Truth, before her evil cousin Mordred claims it. But Mordred is holding her mother Guinevere captive - can Rhianna stay true to her quest for the Lights and save the mother she's never known, before Mordred wreaks his terrible revenge?

Review:
*There may be spoilers from previous books in the series.

I love stories about Camelot, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. I’m also a massive fan of the TV series Merlin so the Pendragon Legacy series by author Katherine Roberts is perfectly suited to my tastes. ‘Lance of Truth’ is the second in a planned four book series which combines elements of well known legends with a cleverly imagined tale of the long lost child of Arthur and Guinevere. This opens it up to a whole new audience who I’m sure will enjoy these stories as much as I did.

After Rhianna’s previous quest to find the Sword Excalibur, she now needs to prevent the Lance of Truth from falling into the hands of her evil cousin Mordred, as well as rescue her mother Guinevere who is being held captive. Helping her along the way are the Knights of the Round Table as well as her faithful friend Elphin. I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t see as much of Elphin as I would have liked. He’s one of my favourite characters and it seemed that their friendship although still vitally important to Rhianna, was slightly pushed to one side. I still have my fingers crossed that we might see a romance between them in the future but I guess I'll just have to wait and see!

There are some other great characters in this instalment. At long last we get to see the legendary Lancelot who didn’t turn out to be quite as I’d imagined, as well as Guinevere, who I enjoyed seeing more of. I thought the reconciliation between Guinevere and Rhianna was well written as the two struggle to adjust to their mother-daughter relationship.

Thrilling and exciting, this is a fantastic book which is a fast-paced read with plenty of twists and turns.  The plot fairly gallops along and there's danger around every corner.  The evil Mordred made me shiver every time he appeared and I was rooting for Rhianna the whole way through.   

Book three is set to feature a new adventure to find the Crown of Dreams.  I’m looking forward to seeing what lies in wait for Rhianna next as she seeks to bring back her father King Arthur.

Review: Sword of Light - Katherine Roberts

Sword of Light by Katherine Roberts, published by Templar on 1st February 2012 

Goodreads synopsis:
It is the darkest hour of the darkest Age. King Arthur is dead, killed by his wicked nephew, Mordred. Saxon invaders rampage across the land and forces of evil are gathering. The path to the throne lies open to Arthur's only remaining flesh and blood - Mordred. But there is one with a better claim than Mordred - Arthur's secret child. Brought by Merlin to enchanted Avalon as a baby and raised there for protection, the king's heir must take up a vital quest: to search for the four magical Lights with the power to restore Arthur's soul to his body. Introducing Rhianna Pendragon: unlikely princess and Camelot's last hope.

Review:
This is the first book in a new series called The Pendragon Legacy.  I'm a massive fan of stories which are set in Arthurian England and I absolutely adore all the legends and tales about King Arthur and his court.  I'm always on the lookout for new books on this subject so I was thrilled when I discovered this title. 

Katherine Roberts expertly weaves Arthur's story and that of the Knights of the Round Table, Merlin, Mordred and co with a new character, Rhianna Pendragon.  Rhianna is the secret child of Arthur and Guinevere who was taken to Avalon by Merlin when she was a baby to protect her from those who don't wish to see an heir to the throne.  She also happens to be the only hope against the evil Mordred who is being helped by the wicked Morgan Le Fay.  Rhianna isn't alone though, she has her best friend Elphin by her side who is the Prince of Avalon and has a fair share of magic of his own to help guard her.  I loved the friendship between Rhianna and Elphin and the fact that they would do anything for each other.  I wonder whether the friendship they share will blossom into love later in the series.

The story is tremendously exciting and follows Rhianna's quest to find the Sword Excalibur, the Lance of Truth, the Crown of Dreams and the Holy Grail.  Rhianna meets innumerable obstacles along the way but she never gives into defeat and makes a worthy heroine.  I would have liked to have seen Rhianna meet Guinevere, but I assume this is being saved for the next book, as is our first encounter with Lancelot who is mentioned but never actually seen in person. 

Set in a lost age of chivalry and magic, 'Sword of Light' combines wonderful storytelling with an engrossing tale of Knights, Kings, Queens and Princesses.  I found the legend of King Arthur coming alive before my very eyes and I loved every second of reading it.  Katherine Roberts has breathed new life into a story which many people are familiar with and for those who aren't, then she's introduced a whole new readership to King Arthur and all the characters of legend.  I look forward to getting my hands on the sequel as soon as it's out!  

Review: VIII - H.M. Castor

VIII by H.M. Castor, published by Templar on 1st October 2011

Goodreads synopsis:
VIII is the story of Hal: a young, handsome, gifted warrior, who believes he has been chosen to lead his people. But he is plagued by the ghosts of his family's violent past and, once he rises to power, he turns to murder and rapacious cruelty. He is Henry VIII. The Tudors have always captured the popular imagination, but in VIII, Henry is presented fresh for a new generation.

Review:
I’m a sucker for all things historical – books, films, TV series, and the Tudors is my absolute favourite period.  I love reading about the Royal Family and the various Kings and the Queens that ruled over England and I find the political intrigue, revolutions and plotting that went on throughout the Tudor period absolutely fascinating. ‘VIII’ by H.M. Castor was therefore exactly the sort of book that appealed to my reading tastes.  Described as Wolf Hall for the teen and crossover market, this title has broad appeal and has been pitched perfectly for those who enjoy this particular genre. 

The book takes an interesting approach to the retelling of Henry VIII’s reign, devoting more attention to the character of the young Hal before he becomes King. I thought this was a really clever way of exploring his motivations for wanting to become King, as well as his relationship with his mother, grandmother and brother Arthur. These early years and the people who figure in his life are seen to have a huge influence on his later reign.  The first person narrative also works well as a device to provide insight into Hal's character, helping the reader to understand how he could transition from being a sweet boy into a ruthless King. 

All too often historical novels can get bogged down in a little too much historical detail. Although this obviously serves to set the scene for the period and paints an interesting picture of the past, it can sometimes make for heavy reading.  In my opinion 'VIII' struck exactly the right balance.  All the facts are there and a huge amount of research has obviously been carried out to make sure that the facts are retold accurately but the story is very much character driven which ensures that the book is an entertaining and informative read.   

The book shows another side to Henry VIII, beyond the King who was known to have six wives but the story does also follow Hal's descent into the well known figure he's usually depicted as.  I enjoyed seeing Hal's relationship with his first wife Catherine and the way that this marriage eventually deteriorates because of his desperation to have an heir to the throne.  Male offspring were obviously hugely important as they ensured the security of the throne from those that would seek to take it.  This was an integral part of the book and is shown as central to many of the decisions that Hal ends up taking.   

The only thing that I didn't enjoy quite so much in the book was the apparent ghost story.  I found this to be slightly superfluous to the main plot and I didn't always feel that the paranormal side of things worked well with this genre.  However, historical fiction lovers should definitely get their hands on this offering from an exciting talent and I'm looking forward to seeing what period H.M. Castor will turn her hand to next.    

Blog Tour Announcement: VIII - H.M. Caster

I'm going to be taking part in the blog tour for H.M. Castor's new book 'VIII' which is about the life of Henry VIII.  The tour runs from 26th September until 3rd October and I'll have Harriet herself stopping by the blog on 2nd October to talk about why villains make such good heroes!

For more information about all the stops along the way, click on the picture above or go to:

http://templarpublishing.blogspot.com/2011/09/viii-blog-tour-26th-september-3rd.html

  There's an exciting giveaway, some great Q&As and lots of awesome guest posts from Harriet too!