Review: Under a Dancing Star by Laura Wood

Publisher: Scholastic
Published: 4th July 2019

Synopsis:
In grey, 1930s England, Bea has grown up kicking against the conventions of the time, all the while knowing that she will one day have to marry someone her parents choose - someone rich enough to keep the family estate alive. But she longs for so much more - for adventure, excitement, travel, and maybe even romance.

When she gets the chance to spend the summer in Italy with her bohemian uncle and his fiancée, a whole world is opened up to Bea - a world that includes Ben, a cocky young artist who just happens to be infuriatingly handsome too. Sparks fly between the quick-witted pair until one night, under the stars, a challenge is set: can Bea and Ben put aside their teasing and have the perfect summer romance?

With their new friends gleefully setting the rules for their fling, Bea and Ben can agree on one thing at least: they absolutely, positively will not, cannot fall in love...

Review:
One of my biggest passions is Shakespeare. I studied many of his plays as part of my Literature degree, I have rows and rows of books about him and his works and I'm a long-time member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. It's a lifelong dream to see all of his plays performed on the stage. I've also seen every film adaptation I've ever been able to get my hands on and read every retelling that I've ever heard about.

My three favourite plays are 'Romeo and Juliet', 'Hamlet' and 'Much Ado About Nothing', so you can imagine my excitement when I discovered that Laura Woods was writing a prequel to 'Much Ado'. The story explores the period of time when Beatrice and Benedick first meet in sunny Italy. It's 1933, Bea is abroad without her parents for the first time and sent to stay with her Uncle Leo and Cousin Hero. It's set to be the perfect summer with the opportunity for Bea to explore who she is outside of the confines of Langton Hall and to escape the expectations of her parents who want her to settle down and marry. Bea is a dream character. I loved her from the moment she was first introduced. She is extremely quick and witty, she is warm and open and engages easily with everyone around her and she has a passion for science and natural history which is quite infectious. Laura Wood took all the traits which make Shakespeare's Beatrice such a popular character and developed them in such a way that I felt I was getting to know her afresh and adored her even more than I did already.

As anyone who has read the play or seen the iconic film version with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson will know, sparks fly between Beatrice and Benedick. It was so interesting to see their early relationship explored and to literally feel the crackle of electricity between the two of them. Ben is some what of a ladies man. Gifted with good looks and charm, he is used to the opposite sex falling for him. His first meeting with Bea is one of my favourite parts of the book, as she, quite literally, is the one to knock him off his feet for a change. The romance that develops between them is perfectly written. It's slow burning, tender and very, very real. It's not all smooth sailing and they share a good deal of lively banter but there is also great depth to their feelings and they open up to each other in a way that neither has ever done before.

I loved everything about the pairing of Bea and Ben which isn't always perfect but they fit together in a such a way that just feels right.

There are some other interesting characters in the book, including writer Ursula and her brother Klaus, Uncle Leo's fiancée Filomena and Lili and Gert, who are part of Ben's family. Each in their own way, teaches Bea something that helps to shape her as a person and opens the way for her to explore a new future of her own choosing.

'Under a Dancing Star' was a glorious book which I will definitely be re-reading many times over. The magical setting of 1930's Italy at the Villa Di Stelle, the heady heat and freedom of the summer, and the swoony romance between Bea and Ben which left me wanting to see so much more of the two of them. This is a dream of a story which is my absolute favourite ever take on a Shakespeare play. Congratulations Laura Wood. You nailed it. 

If you have enjoyed reading this review and would like to buy the book, please consider purchasing via my affiliate link from Amazon.

Review: Show Stealer - Hayley Barker

Show Stealer by Hayley Barker, published by Scholastic on 2nd August 2018

Goodreads synopsis:
Hoshiko and Ben have been on the run since they burned Silvio Sabatini's circus down to the ground. But Ben's mother will stop at nothing to track him down and get her revenge: backing him into a corner where he is forced to sacrifice himself to save Hoshiko. The deadliest show on earth has been resurrected and if Ben thought he'd seen into its dark corners as an outsider, the true extent of the horrors that lurk beneath the Big Top are about to be revealed as he becomes the circus' new star attraction...

 

Review:This is a stunning follow-up to last year's debut hit Showstopper. It is an incredibly enjoyable read and had me engrossed from start to finish.

Each chapter alternates between the viewpoints of Ben and Hoshiko, with the story picking up from nearly a year on, after their escape from the Cirque and evil ringmaster Silvio Sabatini. Still on the run and being hunted by Ben's mother and the police, there is a huge reward for their capture.  This means that they are not even safe from the other dregs who, given half a chance, will turn them in.

I really loved this book and I didn't want it to finish. Hayley Barker has let her imagination run riot which means that there are a lot of unexpected surprises in store for the reader. I don't want to say too much about the plot for fear of spoiling anything but needless to say, you are in for a real treat. This is YA fiction at its best.

The characters are very special and for me, they help to make the book come alive. Ben and Hoshiko are captivating, likeable and engaging and there are some truly wonderful secondary characters, such as Greta, Jack, Ezekial and Sean. Plus, a terrible villain who you will love to hate.

The overall message of the book is about society itself and how it should be working together to unite people from all walks of life. Although the Pures and the Dregs have been made to hate one another, there's definitely a glimpse of what could be a brighter future if they could only accept each other and learn to change their attitudes to those who may be different from themselves.

I can't recommend this book enough and if you haven't read Showstopper yet then I would encourage you to go out and buy both books, clear your weekend schedule and find somewhere comfy to cozy up in while you dive into these amazing stories. You won't regret it.

Review: Night of the Party - Tracey Mathias

Night of the Party by Tracey Mathias, published by Scholastic on 3rd May 2018

Goodreads synopsis:
After withdrawing from the EU, Britain is governed by The Party, and everyone born outside the country is subject to immediate arrest and deportation. Failing to report illegals is a crime.

Zara is the only one who knows her friend Sophie died. But Zara's an illegal.

She can't tell anyone her secrets. Not even Ash, the boy she loves. The boy who needs to know the truth.

As the country prepares for an election, Zara must make an impossible choice.

Review:
'Night of the Party' is written by UK debut author Tracey Matthias.  It imagines a post-Brexit Britain where the governing party have introduced a new policy dictating that only those British Born or BB as they are known, have the right to live in Britain.  Everyone else is treated as an illegal and subject to immediate deportation.  It's a frightening look at a post-Brexit world where peoples' human rights are threatened and where suspicion is rife.  People are expected to automatically report anyone they know or suspect to be an illegal, leading to an atmosphere of fear and suspicion among communities.

The story focuses on two characters who meet at the beginning.  They are 'illegal' Zara and British born Ash.  They find themselves on opposite sides of the citizenship debate, although they are also linked in a way that Ash doesn't realise about until part way through the story.  Nevertheless they form a powerful bond which goes beyond nationality and bridges issues of love and family.

What I thought was particularly interesting about this book was that the scenario created by Tracey Matthias isn't completely impossible or as far removed from reality as you would think.  The author herself states that it started out as a 'what if' political dystopia but shifted worryingly close to real life.  The novel actually presents a political situation that could very well end up becoming true at some point in the future and that's an incredibly scary thought.

I have to admit that this isn't normally the type of book that I would choose to pick up and at times I found the story quite slow.  However, it was a thought-provoking read which definitely made me think about aspects of politics that I hadn't considered before. 
     

Review: Show Stopper - Hayley Barker

Show Stopper by Hayley Barker, published by Scholastic on 1st June 2017


Goodreads synopsis:
Set in a near-future England where the poorest people in the land must watch their children be taken by a travelling circus – to perform at the mercy of hungry lions, sabotaged high wires and a demonic ringmaster. The ruling class visit the circus as an escape from their structured, high-achieving lives – pure entertainment with a bloodthirsty edge. Ben, the teenage son of a draconian government minister, visits the circus for the first time and falls instantly in love with Hoshiko, a young performer. They come from harshly different worlds – but must join together to escape the circus and put an end to its brutal sport.

Review:
‘Show Stopper’ by Hayley Barker was a really unique and original read. I whizzed through it pretty quickly because it was gripping and fast-flowing and hard to put down. 

There were two things that I particularly enjoyed about the book. The first was that the author has chosen to base the concept for the story on the divide which is apparent in today’s society between natural born citizens and immigrants. The twist on this, is that she has depicted a near-future society where immigrants have become so reviled that they are called ‘dregs’. Their lives are not valued, they have been ostracised and pushed aside and in some cases, their children have been taken from them. In comparison, the ‘pures’ consider themselves to be the best of society and as the ruling class, they treat the ‘dregs’ as nothing more than servants or a tool for their own entertainment. I thought this was such a brilliant story idea as it’s so topical and explored at its most extreme.

The second thing that I loved about ‘Show Stopper’ is the fact that most of the action is set in the circus. There just aren’t enough stories which use the big tent as a back-drop and yet it’s something that always really attracts me towards a book. Barker’s circus is a place where dreg children are taken and made to perform for the entertainment of the pures. They are given little food, kept in squalid conditions and seen as expendable commodities. If their deaths provide an evening’s entertainment then so be it.

The way that the story wove between the two perspectives of Ben, a pure and Hoshiko, a tight-rope walker was fantastic. I particularly enjoyed the scenes with Hoshiko who is at the mercy of the circus ring-leader and although physically beaten down, never lets her will to live and her desire for freedom, die. Ben is fascinated by Hoshiko and through her, his ideas about right and wrong, freedom and liberation, begin to change. It’s Hoshiko’s relationship with some of the other circus performers though that I especially enjoyed reading about. They have become a family in response to being taken away from their own flesh and blood.

If the thought of a YA novel set in the circus isn’t enough to whet your appetite, then I can tell you that this is also an imaginative and unique read which is wonderfully written and a treat to dive into. Get your hands on this book as soon as you can!
         

Review: See How They Lie - Sue Wallman

See How They Lie by Sue Wallman, published by Scholastic on 2nd March 2017

Goodreads synopsis:
If you got to live in a luxury hotel with world-class cuisine, a state-of-the-art sports centre and the latest spa treatments, would you say ‘yes please’?
Well, that’s kind of what Hummingbird Creek is like. No wonder Mae feels lucky to be there. It’s meant as a rich-kid’s sanatorium, but she isn’t sick. Her dad is the top psychiatrist there. But one day Mae breaks a rule. NOT a good idea. This place is all about rules – and breaking them can hurt you…

Review:
'See How They Lie' is the second book by Sue Wallman and in my opinion, much better than her debut YA novel.  This is a psychological thriller set at a wellness centre for psychiatric and troubled teens.  Although Hummingbird Creek sounds amazing and appears to have everything you could ever possibly want, the residents of the centre have no access to the outside world and restrictions are placed on what they eat, when they sleep, how much exercise they get and a hundred other things, including heavily filtered access to the internet.  Instead of sounding like a perfect paradise, it ended up resembling something more like a prison.

The main character Mae, lives with her mother and Doctor father at Hummingbird Creek.  It's the only home she has ever really known and she has very few memories of life out in the real world.  Mae has a close friendship with one of the other residents, Drew and together the two of them revel in tiny acts of rebellion which make them feel like they are living, rather than being kept prisoner. 

As the story unfolds, Mae begins to suspect that everything may not be quite as it seems.  Her teacher, Mrs Ray, is worried about he gaps in Mae's education.  Mae herself, begins to suspect that the vitamins she is given on a regular basis, may not be quite so innocent after all and her mother exhibits worrying behaviour that leads her to investigate what is really going on.

I loved following Mae's journey to discovery and found myself gripped by multiple revelations.  My only real disappointment with this book was the last few chapters, when everything was wrapped up really quickly.  I would have liked more of a big finale and I was waiting for something a little more spectacular to happen.  After drawing out the threads of the big reveal, it seemed like everything was concluded much too quickly.  That aside, I enjoyed 'See How They Lie' a lot and found it a quick and intriguing read.

Review: The Scarecrow Queen - Melinda Salisbury

The Scarecrow Queen by Melinda Salisbury, published by Scholastic on 2nd March 2017

Goodreads synopsis:
As the Sleeping Prince tightens his hold on Lormere and Tregellan, the net closes in on the ragged band of rebels trying desperately to defeat him. Twylla and Errin are separated, isolated, and running out of time. The final battle is coming, and Aurek will stop at nothing to keep the throne forever . . .

Review:
The eagerly awaited finale to the series is finally here!  There was no stopping me after I got my hands on this book and I couldn't wait to dive straight in.  This was a fitting end to a superb series which did not disappoint.

Although I thought that the previous book, 'The Sleeping Prince' had suffered a little bit from middle book syndrome, Melinda Salisbury held nothing back in 'The Scarecrow Queen' which was an exciting and explosive read. 

Twylla and Errin may have been separated and their forces divided, but they are by no means defeated yet, as we see them preparing to do battle against the Sleeping Prince.  The book alternates between their two perspectives as each has their own challenges to face in the final show down.  I actually ended up enjoying the parts of the story told by Errin the most, as she quite literally has to extricate herself from under Aurek's control.  He was very creepy and such a great villain in the story.  Errin has an ally in Merek and desperately wants to save Silas too but her situation is precarious.  Twylla meanwhile is attempting to bring together a band of rebels as the time for battle draws near.  I enjoyed seeing all of the characters and the threads of everyone's' stories gradually coming together

The story was fast-paced and gripping and there were some incredible twists and turns lying in wait.  I couldn't have guessed how the story was going to be concluded but it was genuine brilliance.   

A perfect example of a YA fantasy series that knocks your socks off!  I loved it and can't wait to read more by Melinda Salisbury in the future. 

Review: Ink - Alice Broadway

Ink by Alice Broadway, published by Scholastic on 2nd February 2017

Goodreads synopsis:
Every action, every deed, every significant moment is tattooed on your skin for ever. When Leora's father dies, she is determined to see her father remembered forever. She knows he deserves to have all his tattoos removed and made into a Skin Book to stand as a record of his good life. But when she discovers that his ink has been edited and his book is incomplete, she wonders whether she ever knew him at all.

Review:
'Ink' is a captivating read and a marvellous debut from author Alice Broadway.  The first in a trilogy, I was engrossed in Leora's story from the very first chapter.  Broadway writes with an easy style which immediately drew me into the book and I thought that both her plot and characterisation were spot on. I really only meant to read a few chapters but I ended up devouring the story in one sitting.

The premise of the story is a society in which each individual tattoos their life story onto their bodies.  The tattoos are a permanent record of their names, family trees and significant others.  They show that they are a good person with nothing to hide.  Certain people within their society are able to read tattoos, of which Leora is one.  When someone dies, their tattoos stand as a testament to the person and if they are deemed worthy, are made into a Skin Book which the family are able to keep as a record of their life.  At the beginning of the book, Leora's father dies and much of the story revolves around whether or not he is entitled to have his own book.  In the process, Leora discovers secrets about her father that lead her to conclude that she may not have truly known what kind of person he was.

The way of life of the society is threatened by Blanks.  People who do not carry tattoos on their skin.  They are considered to be subversive and dangerous.  Leora has always been warned against them until she begins to discover a threatening connection of her own to them.

'Ink' was a brilliant read which felt very fresh and original.  I haven't come across a YA book that I've enjoyed quite as much as this in such a long time.  I'm excited to see where Leora's story will take her and I'm full of anticipation about the next steps of her journey.  A cracking read which I would recommend without hesitation.   

Review: The Sleeping Prince - Melinda Salisbury

The Sleeping Prince by Melinda Salisbury, published by Scholastic on 4th February 2016

Goodreads synopsis:Ever since her brother Lief disappeared, Errin's life has gone from bad to worse. Not only must she care for her sick mother, she has to scrape together rent money by selling illegal herbal cures. But none of that compares to the threat of the vengeful Sleeping Prince whom the Queen just awoke from his enchanted sleep.

When her village is evacuated as part of the war against the Sleeping Prince, Errin is left desperate and homeless. The only person she can turn to is the mysterious Silas, a young man who buys deadly poisons from Errin, but won't reveal why he needs them. Silas promises to help her, but when he vanishes, Errin must journey across a kingdom on the brink of war to seek another way to save her mother and herself. But what she finds shatters everything she believed about her world, and with the Sleeping Prince drawing nearer, Errin must make a heartbreaking choice that could affect the whole kingdom.

Review:
First things first…the cover art for this book is mesmerising!

I initially thought that this was going to be a straight sequel to the superb ‘The Sin Eater’s Daughter’. I was expecting the action to pick up with the main character Twylla, so I was puzzled at the beginning why the characters didn’t seem familiar. I soon realised that this was more of a companion novel. It takes place in the same world originally created by Salisbury but features a new protagonist and approaches the story from a different direction. It’s not until near the end of the book that everything starts to make more sense and the threads of the plot weave together.

I enjoyed ‘The Sleeping Prince’ but I did find it quite slow. Most of the action in the first-half takes place in the home of Errin, a young apothecary-in-training who has been left alone to look after her mother. Her brother turns out to be Lief, who readers will be familiar with from the previous book. The only help Errin receives is from the mysterious Silas who she knows little about, except for the fact that she is unwittingly drawn to him.

When the neighbouring kingdom of Lormere is invaded by the Sleeping Prince, a fairy book nightmare come to life, Errin has to make the difficult decision to undertake a dangerous journey to save her mother.

At the start, I kept wishing for things to speed up a bit more. I liked Errin and I was intrigued by Silas but it was slow. Be warned. Don't give up too quickly. The second half of the book was much faster paced and featured a whole host of new and old faces. I was drawn more into the story and into Errin’s struggle and I started to really enjoy it.

The ending was such a cliffhanger and left me frantically checking that there weren’t just a few more pages to enjoy!  It's going to be utter agony waiting for the next instalment.

Overall, not as gripping as ‘The Sin Eater’s Daughter’ and suffers a little from middle book syndrome but sets things up deliciously at the end for the big finale.

Review: George - Alex Gino

George by Alex Gino, published by Scholastic on 25th August 2015

Goodreads synopsis:
When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl.

George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part . . . because she's a boy.

With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte -- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.

Review:

Alex Gino’s debut novel is a moving and hopeful story about a boy called George who believes that he is really a girl inside (I’ll refer to George in the female tense from now on).  Even though George is only ten years old, she knows who she truly is but how can she get anyone else to see her for who she is meant to be.   When she gets the chance to be part of the school play of Charlotte’s Web, she becomes convinced that if she can only play the part of Charlotte, then she will finally be able to show her true self. 

 

George is a loveable character and one who you warm to immediately.  I liked the friendship she has with her best friend Kelly, who is incredibly supportive and provides the hand to hold that George so desperately needs.  It was also interesting to see how George’s relationship with her mum evolves, as this is obviously a tough situation for any parent to react to and know how to handle.    

 

This is an important book for young people to read, as it shows how we need to be accepting of others and not judge people for who they are.  I haven’t read a lot of LGBT books, but this is one that should really find a place on school library bookshelves.  

Review: Promtastic - Liz Elwes

Promtastic by Liz Elwes, published by Scholastic on 4th June 2015

Goodreads synopsis:
Five girls. One night. Everyone wants Prom to be perfect, but things don't always go as planned. Grace was meant to be Prom Queen, so why is someone else wearing her crown? Kristyn is desperate for her crush to notice her so how far will she go to get his attention? Leigh and the rest of the Prom committee have been planning this night for months, but will Leigh even make it in time for the final dance? Charlotte never wanted to go to Prom at all, but can she resist an invitation from a mystery boy? Alex has had a crush on Chris all year. Will this be the night that her dreams come true, or will her prom end in tears?

Review:
'Promtastic' is the first book I've read by Liz Elwes, an author who I'll admit I actually hadn't heard of before.  I was attracted by the pretty, sparkly cover and I was in the mood for something light and frothy.  This sounded like it would fit the bill perfectly.

The story centres around a group of five girls all going to Prom.  The opening few chapters give a glimpse of them at their Prom, putting each of them in a difficult situation, before leaving you to guess what will happen next, as the timeline jumps back to the day before the big event.

I initially found the narrative a bit jerky at the start, as it flitted between Alex, Leigh, Charlotte, Grace and Kristyn.  I'm not a huge fan of multiple narrators but I tried not to let this put me off.  The girls' names are listed at the top of each chapter which definitely helped and as their individual personalities and characters began to come across, I got more absorbed into their stories.

I liked Charlotte's story the most and I also thought that Grace's was really good.  Her 'boyfriend' Evan is hiding a big secret from the world and has drawn Grace into helping him keep it from his friends and family.  I wasn't quite so keen on some of the other girls storylines.  Nothing seemed to go to plan for them as they try to unravel things for themselves. 

This was a quick, fun contemporary read which I think slightly younger readers will enjoy.  I think Prom is a very American concept and we certainly didn't have anything like this when I was young but I guess a lot of teenagers now will identify with pinning all your hopes on one big night to celebrate the end of your school days. 

There are some fun quizzes and prom tips at the end of the book which are a nice additional touch.     

Review: The Sin Eater's Daughter - Melinda Salisbury

The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury, published by Scholastic on 5th February 2015

Goodreads synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Twylla lives in the castle. But although she’s engaged to the prince, Twylla isn’t exactly a member of the court.  She’s the executioner.

As the Goddess embodied, Twylla instantly kills anyone she touches. Each month she’s taken to the prison and forced to lay her hands on those accused of treason. No one will ever love a girl with murder in her veins. Even the prince, whose royal blood supposedly makes him immune to Twylla’s fatal touch, avoids her company.

But then a new guard arrives, a boy whose easy smile belies his deadly swordsmanship. And unlike the others, he’s able to look past Twylla’s executioner robes and see the girl, not the Goddess. Yet Twylla’s been promised to the prince, and knows what happens to people who cross the queen.

Review:
'The Sin Eater's Daughter' is a glorious fantasy drama that will enchant you and leave you wanting more.  This fabulous debut from UK author Melinda Salisbury, starts strongly and goes from strength to strength as the story builds up the tension between the characters and the political intrigue played out behind the scenes of the Royal Court.

Twylla, the main character, is blessed in the eyes of the Gods.  However, she feels more cursed than blessed, with a deadly touch that can kill a man or woman.  Used by the Queen as a Royal assassin, she has almost become resigned to her life, until she meets Lief, who is tasked with guarding her safety.  He opens her eyes to the truths that she cannot or does not want to see.

There are so many things to love about this book.  I enjoyed the first person narrative immensely.  Twylla is an extremely likeable character who is put in an unenviable position.  Her narrative felt like she was talking directly to me and I empathised with many of the difficult choices she has to make.  She undergoes quite a personal transformation and by the end of the story she is a changed person. 

Yes, there is a love triangle of sorts but it's brilliantly written and left me constantly changing my mind about who I wanted Twylla to choose.  I wasn't expecting to like both male leads as much as I did, even though they both have secrets to hide. 

The ending was totally unexpected and made me rethink my thoughts about some of the characters.  I didn't see it coming at all which is a tribute to Melinda Salisbury's captivating and amazing storytelling skills.   

There's only one thing I want to know now.  Is there going to be a sequel and if so, when can I get my hands on it!

Review: The Raven Boys - Maggie Steifvater

The Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater, published by Scholastic on 19th September 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
Blue has spent the majority of her sixteen years being told that if she kisses her true love, he will die. When Blue meets Gansey’s spirit on the corpse road she knows there is only one reason why – either he is her true love or she has killed him.

Determined to find out the truth, Blue becomes involved with the Raven Boys, four boys from the local private school (lead by Gansey) who are on a quest to discover Glendower – a lost ancient Welsh King who is buried somewhere along the Virginia ley line. Whoever finds him will be granted a supernatural favour.

Never before has Blue felt such magic around her. But is Gansey her true love? She can’t imagine a time she would feel like that, and she is adamant not to be the reason for his death. Where will fate lead them?

Review:
Previous to 'The Raven Boys', I've read four of Maggie Steifvater's books and have a kind of love/hate relationship with them.  On the one hand I love the wonderful stories she conjures and the brilliant imagery she conveys in her books but I haven't always found her style of writing easy to get on with.  It's quite different to anything else which does mean she stands out from many others writers of the YA genre but I sometimes find I have to concentrate really hard when I'm reading, rather than just sitting back and enjoying the book.

Unfortunately, although I wanted to love 'The Raven Boys', I found myself facing some of the same problems.  The central idea for the story was intriguing.  Blue finds out that if she kisses her true love he will die.  What a terrible thing to face.  To know that there is someone out there who you can love heart and soul but that you can never kiss or be with properly because you could kill him - even if not by your hand.  How do you even begin to come to terms with that?

So I loved the concept but not the actual telling.  I wanted to see more of Blue and her future romance, rather than the multiple story strands which littered the first half of the book.  I'll admit that I got confused with where Maggie Steifvater was taking the story, although I could eventually see everything converging and coming together and making far more sense by the latter part of the book.

There are some great characters in the story, including the Raven Boys of the title.  I particularly loved Adam who is self-effacing and rather shy but utterly adorable.  There's also the confident and determined Gansey and their friend Roman. 

My interest picked up in the second half but overall I did struggle with this title.  I've read some five star reviews of it from my fellow bloggers and other reviewers online however, so if you're a fan of Steifvater, then I would still tell you to give it a try because even though I didn't, you might just end up loving it. 

Review: Clarity - Kim Harrington

Clarity by Kim Harrington, published by Scholastic on 7th June 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
Clarity “Clare” Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It’s a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare’s ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case—but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare’s brother—who has supernatural gifts of his own—becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

Review:
‘Clarity’ by Kim Harrington is like a modern-day Nancy Drew mystery but with a twist. Clarity “Clare” Fern is actually a psychic who only has to touch an object to see imprints and visions. The story focuses on her search for a young girl’s killer, whilst also trying to prove the innocence of her own brother Perry.

The opening scene is quite shocking and grabbed my interest immediately. Chapter two takes place nine days earlier and shows how events unfold up to the moment that Clare’s life is on the line. This definitely hooks the reader in and got me trying to guess who couldn’t be trusted throughout the story.

I really liked the paranormal element of the story and the fact that it’s not something which has to be concealed or kept secret. Clare is very open and honest about her gift, even though she is ostracised by many of the other teenagers at her school. As psychic talents run in her family however, she always has the support of her mother and brother.

There’s a love triangle between Clare, her ex-boyfriend Justin and hot new guy in town, Gabriel. They have equal good points but I think Justin was my favourite because although he’s made mistakes where Clare is concerned, he still cares about her and wants to do the right thing. Although I did really like both boys, I have to admit that I’m getting a little bit tired of the love triangle dynamic in so many young-adult books. Sometimes it can work brilliantly but at other times it can feel a bit formulaic.

Kim Harrington’s debut novel is an enjoyable read with plenty of mystery and romance along the way. This book is a fantastic start to the series and the sequel, ‘Perception’ is due to be published in 2013.

Review: Immortal City - Scott Speer

Immortal City by Scott Speer, published by Scholastic on 5th April 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
He's days away from becoming a full Guardian, and people around the world are already competing for the chance to be watched over by him. Everyone's obsessed with the Angels and the lucky people they protect - everyone except for Madison Montgomery.

Maddy's the one girl in Angel City who doesn't breathlessly follow the Angels on TV and gossip blogs. When she meets Jackson, she doesn't recognize him. But Jackson is instantly captivated by her, and against all odds the two fall in love.

Maddy is swiftly caught up in Jackson's scene, a world of glamour, paparazzi - and murder. A serial killer is on the loose, leaving dead Angels' wings for the police to find on the Walk of Fame. Even the Guardians are powerless to protect themselves in the face of this threat & and this time it's up to Maddy to save Jackson.

Review:
I'd heard about this book prior to publication and really loved the idea of angels living among humans and being given celebrity status.  What a cool idea!  The angels act as guardians to those who can pay for protection or those who are lucky enough to be gifted with a guardian.  I really liked the way that Scott Speer discussed the culture of celebrity status through the role of the angels with them being placed on pedestals and worshipped because they happen to be in the public eye and are rich and privileged.  It was also refreshing to read an angel book where the angels are actually out in the open and not a big secret.  All in all, I thought it was a unique and interesting spin on the traditional angel story.

This is actually Scott Speer's debut novel and has already been optioned for television development by the producers of Gossip Girl and The Vampire Diaries.  So we may soon be seeing angels on the small screen!

The two main characters, Maddy and Jackson Godspeed, offer alternating third person narratives and I enjoyed getting to see events through their eyes.  I really liked the character of Maddy who is down to earth and sensible, until she begins to lose her head over Jackson.  She doesn't have as privileged a lifestyle as some of the other teens at her school but she never complains and always seems to take things in her stride.  It took me longer to warm up to Jacks but he had grown on me by the end of the book.  On the other hand, I felt that Maddy's other friend Ethan was a bit underdeveloped and at times seemed too much on the periphery.  He does have an important part to play in the story but I would have liked to have seen his motivations explored a little more. 

The story started slowly but the action picked up from the middle of the book and the ending was brilliant.  The plot was entertaining and engaging and sucked me in as it progressed with it's equal measures of romance, action and adventure. 

I'm looking forward to seeing how Maddy will cope with the hand that fate's dealt her in the next in the Immortal City trilogy.

Here's the awesome trailer for the book which if I hadn't read it already would definitely make me want to pick up this title.

Review: The Vampire Stalker - Allison Van Diepen

The Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Diepen, published by Scholastic on 3rd November 2011

Goodreads synopsis:
What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world--and came into yours?

Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he IS Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo. Together, Amy and Alexander set out to track Vigo and learn how and why Alexander crossed over. But when she and Alexander begin to fall for each other, Amy wonders if she even wants him to ever return to the realm of fiction.

Review:
The tag line for 'The Vampire Stalker' says it all really- "Ever been in love with a boy in a book?".  I'm sure that the majority of people would answer that question with a resounding yes, myself included!  This is definitely the book to read if you've ever found yourself with a huge crush on that cute boy in the pages of your favourite story. 

Amy is an avid reader and a huge fan of the Otherworld books by author Elizabeth Howard which feature a vampire hunter called Alexander Banks and follows his quest to rid the city of the evil vampire Vigo.  After Amy is nearly attacked one evening, she's saved by a handsome stranger who resembles Alexander in every way - which turns out to be because he is Alexander and no longer just a character in a book.  Amy has to help him hunt down Vigo but finds herself falling in love with her favourite character who is now very much flesh and blood.

This is such a great idea for a story that I couldn't help wondering why no one had written something along these lines before.  I hadn't heard much about the book prior to reading it either but it caught my eye on the shelves in my local bookshop.  The plot was well executed and the book was fairly short which meant that the tempo was high from the moment that Amy first sets eyes on Alexander.  I thought that the romance between them was really sweet and I loved seeing her introduce him to all the modern day inventions that we take for granted such as mobile phones, the Internet and television.  He actually gets to grips with all these pretty quickly!  The eventual scientific explanation about how he came to be in Amy's world was clearly explained using the premise of literary physics which was both clever and interesting. 

I also loved the fact that one of the main characters was a fabulous librarian who helps Amy to make sense of everything happening.  Ms P was great and a brilliant advocate for librarians who are geniuses at being able to help track down any information needed.  It's nice to see a positive image of a librarian for a change instead of the usual stereotype. 

'The Vampire Stalker' was a fun and entertaining read that I devoured in one evening and left me wanting more.  My only complaint is that the book was quite short and I would have liked to have had more time to spend with all the characters and see what happens to them next.  Fingers crossed that there might be a sequel in the offing. 

Review and Giveaway: The Scorpio Races - Maggie Stiefvater

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, published by Scholastic on 18th October 2011

Goodreads synopsis:
It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

Review:
When I first heard about 'The Scorpio Races' I really loved the idea behind the story.  It's based on the myth of the capaill uisce or water horses who once captured from the sea, are believed to be the fastest creatures to run on the land.  The book is set on the small island of Thisby, where the Scorpio Races take place annually between the terrifying flesh-eating water horses, who may be fast but are also dangerous creatures who have been known to kill their human riders.  Although the premise was amazing, I found that when I started reading I didn't immediately connect with the story which was slow to get going and didn't grip me as I thought it would have.  I kept waiting for it to completely engage me and sweep me away but it never really happened.  

What I did like about the book was the beautifully lyrical descriptions of the water horses themselves.  I could sense the love which Maggie Stiefvater feels for these magical beasts in every passage written about them.  I thought she had captured perfectly the image of the thrashing horses, determined to return to their beloved ocean, the salty tang and spray of the sea, the bitter cold of the island itself and the wildness which surrounds it.  It almost felt like another world, separated from the reality of life on the mainland.   

The story itself may have fallen a little flat for me, but the characters really grew on me and I particularly liked the blossoming friendship between local girl Puck who lives on the island with her two brothers and the stoical Sean Kendrick.  Both want to win the race for their own personal reasons but there can only be one winner and as they grow closer together, it becomes harder for each of them to imagine what will happen to the one who loses.  Sean has previously won the race four times and is an expert on horses, but is determined to win this time so that he can win his freedom and that of his beloved horse Corr.  I loved the connection between Sean and Corr.  The two have an amazing and genuine bond between them and Sean is the only one who is able to calm Corr and ride him safely.  He puts the welfare of the horses he looks after before anything else and his selfless nature means that he's willing to help Puck to train for the same race he must win.

Puck is headstrong and stubborn and although she feels fear about competing in the races, she won't back down from the challenge.  I loved Puck and her brothers Finn and Gabe, especially Finn who doesn't know how to take a compliment.  Although their parents are both dead and Gabe is set on moving to the mainland, they still felt like a genuine family unit and I enjoyed reading the scenes between the siblings. 

It was refreshing to read a standalone YA story for a change, as so many books now seem to be part of a trilogy or a series.  If you love horses then you're sure to enjoy 'The Scorpio Races' or if you're a Maggie Steifvater fan then you'll definitely want to check this one out.  Although the story didn't completely win me over, I did find myself falling in love with the ruggedness of the island of Thisby itself and the ending of the book was absolutely perfectly written.

To celebrate the release of 'The Scorpio Races' I'm giving away a proof paperback copy of the book.  The giveaway is international but you must be a follower of my blog to enter.  Just fill out your details on the form below.  Good luck!    

Giveaway rules.

• There will be one winner.
• Open to International entrants.
• Please fill out the form completely - especially the required details.
• You must be a follower to enter.
• Deadline for entries will be on 31 October.
• Winner will be drawn by random.org
• Winner will be contacted via e-mail, and will be given 48 hours to response. Otherwise, a new winner will be drawn.
• Any details will be deleted after use and will not be passed on to any third party.

Review: Strings Attached - Judy Blundell

Strings Attached by Judy Blundell, published by Scholastic on 5th May 2011

Goodreads synopsis:
Kit Corrigan has always dreamed of being a star. But in order to get there, she needs to break up with Billy and leave her family in Providence, Rhode Island, to move to New York City. There, she finds small roles and a city that's tough to live in. After she meets with Billy's father, Nate, things get a little easier. But Nate is a lawyer who defends mobsters, and soon Kit realizes that she has to do what he asks of her. Kit's life starts to feel beyond her control, especially once she uncovers a mystery that she needs to solve in order to protect the people she loves.

Review:
'Strings Attached' came to my attention after reading and enjoying Judy Blundell's previous novel 'What I Saw and How I Lied'.  Similar in style, 'Strings Attached' is set in the forties and fifties, alternating between New York and Providence, Rhode Island.  It follows main protagonist Kit Corrigan as she arrives in NYC to become a dancer and make something of her life.  Along the way things become more and more complicated for Kit as she becomes mixed-up in the affairs of her boyfriend's father, a lawyer notorious for defending dangerous mobsters.

I liked the way in which the story started out fairly simply and then slowly became more and more complex and entangled as the plot went on.  It starts out with Kit trying to find her way on her own in the city and to break away from the ties of her family but the story gradually turns into something else altogether which is far more sinister and murky.  The people in the book are no longer who you first thought they were and characters have shady motives which are eventually brought to the surface as the deceit and lies begin to unravel.

I thought that the book was a little slow in places and sometimes I found myself waiting for something to happen which never really transpired.  Perhaps if the story had been condensed slightly, then the suspense and intrigue would have been even more tightly wrought and absorbing. Some bits were also a bit difficult to follow as events in the book unfold backwards and the time frame changes quite frequently.  I found myself having to go back and reread some chapters just to make sure I had events straight in my head. 

Judy Blundell touches throughout on a number of serious issues, such as the way in which homosexuality was received in the forties and fifties but although this is interesting, these issues are never really explored fully enough and are instead simply mentioned and then skirted around.   

Overall, 'Strings Attached' had a clever plot and a surprise ending and the writing throughout is beautifully nuanced, interweaving accurate historical detail throughout which gives an air of authenticity to the story.  This title will certainly appeal to admirers of Blundell's previous book and is sure to win her a whole new set of fans too. 

Review: Diary of a Parent Trainer - Jenny Smith

Diary of a Parent Trainer by Jenny Smith, published by Scholastic on 3rd March 2011

Goodreads synopsis:
A must read novel for anyone requiring tips on how to control this bizarre species by (undiscovered) genius Katie Sutton - a fabulous, funny new teenage character who rivals Georgia Nicholson with her wit.

Katie is an expert on operating grown-ups. She knows exactly how to get the best out of them, so she decides to write a guide to help the world's long-suffering teenagers do the same.

But then Katie's mum starts dating the awful Yellow-Tie Man. Suddenly Mum is acting completely out of character and totally out of control! For everyone's sake, Katie needs to use all her expertise to get rid of him - and quick!

Review:
This was a lovely little book which I think will definitely appeal to a slightly younger teen audience.  I found it a quick and enjoyable read which I'm hoping might be the first in a series as I'd really like to read more by Jenny Smith.

Ever wondered how to cope with your parents on a daily basis?  Wonder no more, because thirteen year old Katie Sutton has all the answers in her operating guide for grown-ups.  The book consists of a series of diary entries containing advice and hints on how to handle your grown-up when they're in a range of different moods.  Katie thinks she knows it all but when her Mum starts acting out of character she suddenly has to throw the rule book out the window! 

Katie is a wonderfully fresh and original teenage voice.  Her character is extremely realistic, experiencing all the same emotions that teenagers the world over face and I certainly found myself identifying with some of what she has to go through.  She's an appealing narrator because she's funny and witty and a great central character.  I also loved her younger brother Jack who tells it like it is, her older sister Mandy who has boy troubles of her own and her cute west highland terrior Rascal.  They make a great family unit and really pull together when it matters most. 

The book touches on serious issues as well, such as the death of Katie's father and the siblings having to adjust to there being a new man in their mother's life.  These were handled sensitively and realistically and were a nice balance to the lighter aspects of the story which covered dealing with the opposite sex and the pangs of first love.

This is a brilliant debut novel which made me laugh and smile and is sure to appeal to a wide female teen audience.  

Review: Goldseekers - Jane Johnson

Goldseekers by Jane Johnson, published by Scholastic on March 7th 2011

Goodreads synopsis:
In 17th century Cornwall, Jude's mother was called a witch. Her son is a 'finder' with a rare and strange power. He can sense the presence of gold wherever it is hidden. But Jude's talent is dangerous - especially when he leaves his childhood home after his parents' sudden deaths. Captured by a sinister, one-eyed sea-captain, he is plunged into terrifying magical adventures on the magnificent and mysterious Cornish coast. Battling Barbary pirates, slave-stealers and an evil telepathic cat, he is befriended by a family of gold-hungry djinns, doomed to dwell for eternity among the legions of the damned unless he agrees to save them.

Review:
This book is described as 'Moonfleet meets Treasure Island meets The Arabian Nights'.  When I read that it certainly piqued by interest and got me bumping this up my TBR list as soon as it arrived.  The description is apt because it contains some elements of all three but is also an original and fresh take on the historical fantasy genre.

'Goldseekers' is a really exciting adventure story, combining magic and fantasy with elements of reality.  When Jude Lanyon is orphaned at the age of twelve, he has no idea what his future has in-store for him and no way to predict the intrigue, mayhem and adventure that awaits him.  He becomes embroiled in one calamity after another but he's brave and courageous and quick-witted.  He also has a special gift - to sense and find gold, which sets him apart from the rest and it's this special talent which may just save him in his time of need. 

I loved the character of Jude and I adored his little kitten Byasen, who he's able to communicate with through thoughts alone.  Imagine being able to communicate with your pet!  I expect a lot of people would like to have that particular talent!  Jude is an appealing and likeable hero that leads the reader on a rollickingly good ride with surprises around every corner.  There are pirates, sea captains, djinns and talking cats - what more could you want!

Although this would probably appeal to slightly younger readers, it's still an immensely enjoyable and fun story for adults and children alike.  It's not published until 3rd March but I'd recommend grabbing a copy when you see it.

Thanks to the publisher for sending this one for review.

Review: The Memory Cage - Ruth Eastham

The Memory Cage by Ruth Eastham, published by Scholastic on 3rd January 2011

Goodreads synopsis:
Alex's Grandfather keeps forgetting things. Desperate to help him remember, Alex starts collecting old photographs. Bust as Alex digs into his grandfather's past, he stumbles across secrets that have been buried since World War II. Uncovering the truth could save Grandad ... but it might also tear Alex apart.

Review:
'The Memory Cage' is a debut novel by British author Ruth Eastham, who has been compared to Michael Morpurgo.  That's high-praise indeed but it's also well-deserved.  It's a powerful and emotional story, dealing with universal themes such as family and war. 

Alex was adopted from Bosnia during the Yugoslav Wars.  He's formed a close bond with his new Grandad, who rescued him and brought him to England.  Alex loves his Grandad immensely but his grandfather's memory is failing and he's in danger of being taken away.  Alex determines to stop this from happening by helping him remember the events of his life.  This however, leads to a number of long-buried secrets being revealed and painful memories resurfacing of his time during the Second World War.  As Alex's Grandad begins to deal with the events of his past, Alex too has to face his own history before he can begin to move forward.

This book deals with a number of difficult and serious subjects such as adoption and alzheimer's disease, in a thoughtful and sensitive manner.  For the age group at which this book was aimed, I felt that this could have been done in a heavy-handed way but instead the right balance was achieved between a serious exploration of the issues and pure reader enjoyment in the story.  I found myself being caught up in the lives of the characters and becoming completely engrossed in the book.  I'll also admit to crying a fair bit near the end! 

This is a beautiful debut novel and I look forward to future books by a talented first-time author. 

Thanks to the publisher for sending this one for review.

This is the first book I've read for the Debut Author Challenge 2011 and the third book I've read for the British Books Challenge 2011.