All Reviews and Books Rated 04/10
kell1976
1:49 pm
Title: Things We Knew Were True
Author: Nicci Gerrard
ISBN: 0141012471
Rating: 4/10
Synopsis:
At 16, Edie’s world was turned upside-down when her father failed to come home from work one evening. After 20 years, she eventually makes a passionate and dangerous attempt to return to the past – in search of the truth about her father and lost teenage love.
Review:
The first half of this book focuses on Edie’s teenage years and seems to creep by at a geriatric pace. It’s rare to come across something so lethargic, yet the pace picks up in the second half (focusing on events 20 years later) and it seems a little too rushed. If there was a message embedded in the story, I’ll freely admit that it eluded me and I failed to pick up anything remotely positive. Edie’s character was a little too-good-to-be-true in the first half and continued to be rather bland, seeming to wander across the pages in a somnambulant haze which suited the slow pace of the novel, but did little to stimulate any enthusiasm in me.
There’s little I can say to recommend this book as I felt that not only was nothing fully resolved, but there seemed little point in anything happening at all. It was singularly lack-lustre and uninteresting, despite the number of life-changing events that occurred throughout. From what little I’ve read in reviews, it’s supposed to be a study in female sexuality, but to tell the truth, I really didn’t see that at all, as the protagonist seemed to focus on just one relationship from the past and then agonise over it years after the event.
I’m afraid it’s not one I’d recommend, but if you were stuck with nothing else to read on a long train journey, you could do worse than to try and entertain yourself with this, but not much.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 08/10
Arthur Golden, Memoirs of a Geisha kell1976
1:46 pm
Title: Memoirs of a Geisha
Author: Arthur Golden
ISBN: 0099771519
Rating: 8/10
Synopsis:
“A true Geisha can stop a man with a single look.”
Summoning up more than twenty years of Japan’s most dramatic history, it uncovers a hidden world of eroticism and enchantment, exploitation and degradation. From a small fishing village in 1929, the tale moves to the glamorous and decadent heart of Kyoto in the 1930s, where a young peasant girl is sold as servant and apprentice to a renowned geisha house. She tells her story many years later from the Waldorf Astoria in New York; it exquisitely evokes another culture, a different time and the details of an extraordinary way of life. It conjures up the perfection and the ugliness of life behind rice-paper screens, where young girls learn the arts of geisha – dancing and singing, how to wind the kimono, how to walk and pour tea, and how to beguile the most powerful men.
Review:
Due to the publicity surrounding the film, I was drawn to the book and am so pleased it lived up to my expectations. Although it moves at a sedate pace, every chapter manages to feel momentous, even if only in a small way at times, and the richly drawn world of a Gion Geisha is vividly brought to life. Descriptions of the many kimono and tea ceremonies manage to instill a feeling of grandeur to the tale, despite the humble beginnings of the heroine.
The plot isn’t action-packed and is, at times, predictable, but this doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of reading the story and I found myself completely immersed in the evocative and provocative life of these women who live purely to entertain men in accordance to ancient tradition, without thought of their own happiness or ever feeling free to experience love for themselves.
At times it is quite harrowing – the depiction of a culture that will sell it’s daughters into a life of servitude, whether as a potential Geisha or to a life of domestic servitude, seems worlds away from the Western ideal, and yet there is something appealing in the former (though definitely not the latter), with all the mystery surrounding them – yet at other times, there is pure hope shining out from between the pages and it is ultimately an uplifting story with a positive slant.
For me, it has spawned a previously unrealized interest in the Japanese culture and I will most certainly be reading more books of a similar ilk, however, I think this one will shine like a pearl and stand out as something precious and special no matter how many I read.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 07/10
Sophie Kinsella, The Undomestic Goddess kell1976
1:43 pm
Title: The Undomestic Goddess
Author: Sophie Kinsella
ISBN: 0552772747
Rating: 7/10
Synopsis:
Workaholic attorney Samantha Sweeting has just done the unthinkable: She’s made a mistake so huge it’ll wreck any chance of a partnership. Going into utter meltdown, she walks out of her London office, gets on a train, and ends up in the middle of nowhere. Asking for directions at a big, beautiful house, she’s mistaken for an interviewee and finds herself being offered a job as housekeeper. Her employers have no idea they’ve hired a lawyer—and Samantha has no idea how to work the oven. She can’t sew on a button, bake a potato, or get the #@%*ing ironing board to open. How she takes a deep breath and begins to cope—and finds love—is a story as delicious as the bread she learns to bake. But will her old life ever catch up with her? And if it does…will she want it back?
Review:
This is a sweet, escapist bundle of joy to read; smooth-flowing and comfortable like an old friend with plenty of fun to boot. It’s the ideal pick-me-up when you’re feeling down and out-of-sorts with life and fancy a change.
Perfect for those moments when you want to relax for a while with a nice cup of tea, Kinsella has a light touch and an amusing style. A fantastic gift for the Undomestic Goddess in your life – even if it’s a gift to yourself! It will strike a chord with anyone who’s ever done battle with their washing machine and fretted over where half the socks have gone after the tumble drier.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 08/10
Q&A, Slumdog Millionaire, Vikas Swarup kell1976
1:40 pm
Title: Q&A (republished as Slumdog Millionaire)
Author: Vikas Swarup
ISBN: 055277250X
Rating: 8/10
Synopsis:
Eighteen-year-old Ram Mohammad Thomas is in prison after answering twelve questions correctly on a TV quiz show to win one billion rupees. The producers have arrested him, convinced that he has cheated his way to victory. Twelve extraordinary events in street-kid Ram’s life – how he was found in a dustbin by a priest; came to have three names; fooled a professional hit-man; even fell in love – give him the crucial answers…
Review:
I wasn’t convinced that this would be “my kind of book”, but I have never been happier to admit I was wrong. Q&A is both heart-warming and gripping story that takes the reader on a tag-along tour of Ram’s life whilst commenting on religious bigotry, child abuse, poverty, exploitation, espionage and Bollywood culture.
This is one of the most interesting and unusual novels I’ve read in a long time – well worth picking up if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary that explores deeper issues from a different angle.
Q&A has been adapted for the big screen as Slumdog Millionaire.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 08/10
kell1976
1:33 pm
Title: Life of Pi
Author: Yann Martel
ISBN: 184195392X
Rating: 8/10
Synopsis:
“Japanese-owned cargo ship Tsimtsum, flying Panamanian flag. Sank July 2nd 1977 in Pacific Ocean, four days out of Manila. Am in life boat. Pi Patel my name. Have some food, some water, but Bengal tiger a serious problem. Please advise family in Winnipeg, Canada. Any help very much appreciated. Thank you.”
Review:
This extraordinary tale of the 16-year-old son of an Indian zookeeper, drifting in a 21-foot lifeboat with an adult male Royal Bengal tiger aboard, is nothing short of amazing. It’s fantastically whimsical, yet harshly real, showing the hardship of survival at sea under the most unusual circumstances ever witnessed: A seven-month epic journey into the unknown with an uncertain outcome.
It’s a wonderful story, cleverly written to draw the reader into what should be completely unbelievable, yet manages to convince one that this could actually happen. No wonder Life of Pi won The Man Booker Prize in 2002.
Don’t let the “critical literary acclaim” put you off – this is pure escapism at its finest and a highly recommended page-turner.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 09/10
Theresa Tomlinson, Wolf Girl kell1976
1:31 pm
Title: Wolf Girl
Author: Theresa Tomlinson
ISBN: 0552552712
Rating: 9/10
Synopsis:
Cwen, a poor weaver struggling to make a living at Whitby Abbey, is accused of possessing a valuable necklace that cannot possibly be hers. If she is found guilty she could be hanged, burned or stoned. Cwen’s daughter, Wulfrun, desperate to prove her mother’s innocence, encounters lies and treachery wherever she turns for help. Set in a turbulent period of Anglo-Saxon England, this is a story of a resourceful, dauntless heroine, determined and clever as a wolf. Through defying rank and convention, braving wind, weather and marauding armies, Wulfrun shows that courage has its own just reward.
Review:
This is one of the best books I read in 2006. Exciting, adventurous and a richly woven story that brings Anglo-Saxon Northumbria vividly to life. The characters are warm and engaging, the plot is intriguing and the journey of self-discovery will appeal to all young readers as they join Wulfrun in trying to unravel the mystery of the necklace. The underlying message is to trust in yourself and not to judge a book by its cover, as help can come from the most unlikely places!
Theresa Tomlinson is a highly talented storyteller and this story will appeal to older readers and young adults.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 06/10
Sian Busby, Who Was Boudicca - Warrior Queen kell1976
1:28 pm
Title: Who Was Boudicca – Warrior Queen
Author: Sian Busby
ISBN: 190497760X
Rating: 6/10
Synopsis:
Boudicca lives a contented life as Queen of Icenia – though the Romans are never far away. When the new Emperor Nero decides to seize Icenia and finally bring it under Roman rule, Boudicca is forced to stand up and defend her people. Fearless and resolute, Boudicca gathers forces and prepares to fight. For her, slavery to Rome is not an option, even if this means bloodshed and almost inevitable death…
Review:
This lyrical book describes the life of Boudicca in true bardic style, spinning her story so well that you can almost hear the battle cries of the Iceni as they fight against Roman rule. Despite being one of the strongest ruling women in British history, she is still a mysterious figure, but Sian Busby manages to bring her sharply to life.
Aimed at more confident young readers, this book is sure to inspire further forays into history with its vivid and exciting tale with a twist.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 07/10
Philippa Gregory, The Virgin's Lover kell1976
1:23 pm
Title: The Virgin’s Lover
Author: Philippa Gregory
ISBN: 0007147317
Rating: 7/10
Synopsis:
Elizabeth I has acceded to the throne of England, a position she has waited and schemed for all her life. She is surrounded by advisers, all convinced that a young woman cannot form political judgements. Elizabeth feels that she can rely on just one man: her oldest friend, Robert Dudley. It is soon plain that he is more than merely a friend. In a house in the countryside waits a very different woman, Amy Robsart – Robert’s wife. She has no taste for life at court and longs for the day when her husband will return home. She has loved him since she was a girl, but now they are adults she hardly sees him. Meanwhile, the pressure grows for Elizabeth to marry, for it is unthinkable that a queen should rule on her own. Elizabeth’s preference is clear, but he is unavailable. But what if the unthinkable were to happen!
Review:
Unlike the previous historical novels by Gregory that I’ve read, The Virgin’s Lover isn’t written in the first person, making this story feel slightly less personal than either The Other Boleyn Girl or The Queen’s Fool, however, it enables the reader to look into the minds of more than one character at any given time and know exactly what plots are being hatched.
It paints a more vulnerable picture of Elizabeth I and she is shown as a woman with loves, hopes and fears like any other, but a woman in a position that will not allow her to be like any other – she can’t just be a Queen, she must rule like a King, with a decisive manner and firm hand. However, the portrayal is not always sympathetic; her selfish, demanding side is given free reign and she often manipulative and impulsive, as well as malleable; in shirt, she’s a flawed human being.
The ambition often associated with Elizabeth, one of the most powerful women in history, is matched by that of her lover, Robert Dudley, and his ruthlessness in working to raise his position so that he can make a play for the throne.
The Virgin’s Lover shows the cutthroat world of Tudor politics alongside one of the most famous royal romances England has ever known and throws the reader into a dizzying whirlwind of love and treachery in Gregory’s own imitable style.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 07/10
Christopher Russell, Plague Sorcerer kell1976
1:22 pm
Title: Plague Sorcerer
Author: Christopher Russell
ISBN: 0141318554
Rating: 7/10
Synopsis:
The year is 1348 and the Black Death is sweeping across England. At Dowe Manor, Lady Beatrice is a victim and a witch-hunter priest, Brother Rohan, persuades a distraught Sir Edmund that Brind, the dog boy, and Aurelie, the French girl, are to blame. The children escape, together with the dogs Glaive and Gabion, and go on the run through a plague-stricken countryside, at one point facing death by drowning from a crazed mob whipped up by Brother Rohan. Even when they think they have found sanctuary in a monastery, it has been taken over by a lawless band of armed robbers, led by the beautiful but evil Chanterell. She has plans to use the dog boy to terrorise the local manors. By now Brind is convinced that he is a plague bringer. Aurelie knows this isn’t true, but then she succumbs to the plague herself…
Review:
The fear and superstition of 14th century England makes for a scary and exciting adventure as Brind and Aurelie make their way across a country filled with terrified people who believe that witches are responsible for the deadly plague. It’s a dangerous journey with many twists and turns along the way as the friends face fear head on, learning to depend on each other along the way.
A very well-written story with unusual plot twists that will delight and challenge a confident reader interested in historical fiction.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 06/10
A Ghost Among Us, Debora Hill kell1976
1:22 pm
Title: A Ghost Among Us
Author: Debora Hill
ISBN: 1929374143
Rating: 6/10
Synopsis:
When three young women rent a house in Hampstead, they discover they already have an uninvited border: Television talk-show host, Dierdre Hall, Photographer, Charlotte Lewis and Fantasy Painter, Natalie Ladd are thrilled to discover the large townhouse with the reasonable rent. What they don’t know is that Sir Jerome Kennington, former Earl of Arden is a long-time inhabitant of the house, even though he has been dead for nearly two-hundred years. The three young women embark on a quest to help Jerome solve his own murder …and release his soul. In the process they find adventure and romance in modern-day London, while researching the story of Jerome and his beloved Alicia, during the Regency period.
Review:
A Ghost Among Us is a light mystery/romance with a great deal of charm. There’s an eclectic feel here, with a coming together of different nationalities – everyone seems to be from somewhere other than London, which is fairly telling in itself, as Britain is shown as a melting-pot of cultures pulling together to reach their goals. During the course of the story, the women learn much about themselves and each other as they work to uncover the mystery surrounding Jerome’s death, meanwhile, he might just be able to teach these modern women and the men in their lives something about good old-fashioned romance!
The Regency chapters are particularly vivid and all the gaiety of high society is colourfully brought to life.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 09/10
Chocolat, Joanne Harris kell1976
11:09 am
Title: Chocolat
Author: Joanne Harris
ISBN: 0552998486
Rating: 9/10
Synopsis:
When an exotic stranger, Vianne Rocher, arrives in the French village of Lansquenet and opens a chocolate boutique directly opposite the church, Father Reynaud identifies her as a serious danger to his flock – especially as it is the beginning of Lent, the traditional season of self-denial. War is declared as the priest denounces the newcomer’s wares as the ultimate sin.
Suddenly Vianne’s shop-cum-café means that there is somewhere for secrets to be whispered, grievances to be aired, dreams to be tested. But Vianne’s plans for an Easter Chocolate Festival divide the whole community in a conflict that escalates into a ‘Church not Chocolate’ battle. As mouths water in anticipation, can the solemnity of the Church compare with the Pagan passion of a chocolate éclair?
Review:
Chocolat is every bit as sumptuous as its title suggests – a deliciously wicked concoction of indulgence, fun, flirtation and temptation between the covers! The characters are completely believable, even in the extremes of their beliefs and actions, and the conflict between those on the side of the Church and those in favour of a more flavoursome life is electric; drawing the reader into the close-knit community to become a part of the action.
The arrival of the Travellers adds an extra element of tension as those who are more tolerant of more unusual lifestyles welcome them with open arms, whereas the more staid inhabitants try everything within their power to not only make them feel unwelcome, but to run them out of town. It’s through characters such as Vianne and Armande that the easy-going friendliness of strangers is portrayed and also through them, a joy of revelling in life’s little pleasures while they have the chance. The over-riding message throughout is that a little bit of what you fancy does you good and denying yourself love and pleasure completely can only lead to obsession.
A tantalising story that tempts you: Try me… Test me… Taste me… You’ll want to come back for more!
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All Reviews and Books Rated 07/10
Linda Chapman, Not Quite a Mermaid: Mermaid Friends kell1976
11:06 am
Title: Not Quite a Mermaid: Mermaid Friends
Author: Linda Chapman
ISBN: 1041320532
Rating: 7/10
Synopsis:
Electra is a mermaid with a difference – she has legs instead of a tail! Of course, this means she stands out from her friends a little so when they all go on a trip to Craggy Island it’s the cause of teasing from some of the older mermaids. But when two of them are stranded high on a rock in the sun with no way to get back into the water, it’s up to Electra to save the day!
Review:
This tale (or should that be ‘tail’?) of a human girl brought up as a mermaid is perfect as a bedtime story for little ones or to read along with slightly older children. It is fun and full of adventure with an important message; accept others for who and what they are as well as being happy with the person you are yourself – it’s alright to be different! The pictures are colourful and appealing, and compliment the story well.
An excellent treat for little girls who dream of combing their hair with seashells and swimming with dolphins.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 06/10
kell1976
11:04 am
Title: Blindsighted
Author: Karin Slaughter
ISBN: 0099421771
Rating: 6/10
Synopsis:
The sleepy town of Heartsdale, Georgia, is jolted into panic when Sara Linton, paediatrician and medical examiner, finds Sibyl Adams dead in the local diner. As well as being viciously raped, Sibyl has been cut: two deep knife wounds form a lethal cross over her stomach. But it’s only once Sara starts to perform the post-mortem that the full extent of the killer’s brutality becomes clear. Police chief Jeffrey Tolliver – Sara’s ex-husband – is in charge of the investigation, and when a second victim is found, crucified, only a few days later, both Jeffrey and Sara have to face the fact that Sibyl’s murder wasn’t a one-off attack. What they’re dealing with is a seasoned sexual predator. A violent serial killer…
Review:
To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t overly impressed – my expectations were high and Blindsighted failed to hit the mark. Surprisingly enough, on paper, this should have thrilled me on every level as it has all the basics covered; solid storyline; engaging characters; good pace, but it was completely lacking in red herrings, meaning that when the murderer was introduced, it was fairly obvious just whodunit. After that, it was pretty easy to predict other plot points, such as future victims, and even to hazard a guess at the motives behind it all.
It’s an easy and enjoyable read, but if you like something that will tax your brain a little and keep you guessing, this isn’t it. On the other hand, if you like being able to work it all out ahead of the other characters, this’ll be right up your street.
Seeing as this is a debut novel, and not having read any further into the series as yet, there’s a fair chance that Slaughter (excellent name for a crime thriller novelist!) improves as it becomes more familiar. I hope that’s the case, because there was actually enough here to pique my interest and I may well pick up the next one, Kisscut, at some point in the future, even if it’s not my top reading priority.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 07/10
Philippa Gergory, The Queen's Fool kell1976
11:02 am
Title: The Queen’s Fool
Author: Philippa Gregory
ISBN: 0007147295
Rating: 7/10
Synopsis:
The bitter enmity between Elizabeth the First and Mary Tudor, the daughters of Henry VIII (not to mention the conflict between their mothers Anne Boleyn and Katherine of Aragon) makes the squabbles between modern-day royals seem small beer indeed.
Mary and Elizabeth, the two young princesses, have a common goal: to be Queen of England. To achieve this, they need both to win the love of the people and learn how to negotiate dangerous political pitfalls. Gregory recreates this era with tremendous colour, and she makes the court an enticing but danger-fraught place. Into this setting comes the eponymous fool, the youthful Hannah, who (despite her air of guileless religiousness) is not naive. She soon finds herself having to deal with the beguiling but treacherous Robert Dudley. Dispatched to report on Princess Mary, Hannah discovers in her a passionate religious conviction (to return England to the rule of Rome and its pope) that will have fatal consequences.
Review:
As with The Other Boleyn Girl, Philippa Gregory takes the bones of the story from historical fact, using actual historical figures and events throughout the tale as well as creating a few from her own imagination, and manages to breathe life into them; bringing the Tudor period to the reader in an immensely enjoyable and accessible way. The fear and paranoia felt by all in England at that time is brought to the fore and narrated by Hannah, who would be taken as a heretic for her religion, which she must hide from those around her, and through her gift as a seer she is elevated to a position where she may feel safer, but is, in fact, in danger of being arrested for treason.
The complexity of relationships is a focal point here (Hannah loving Queen Mary but admiring Princess Elizabeth; being enchanted by Robert Dudley but fighting her growing feelings for Daniel Carpenter) and the subtleties are intricately woven into the plot to make this a richly rewarding story with more to offer than just historical detail. It is a tale about following your heart and being true to yourself, even when faced with danger from all sides, learning to live with your decisions and grow as a person because of them. Although there is much detail, Gregory doesn’t allow it to bog down the narrative and she manages to draw the reader into it in such a way that you could believe you were actually there.
It is very well-written and, although not quite as intriguing as The Other Boleyn Girl (in my opinion), The Queen’s Fool has convinced me to get hold of as many of Philippa Gregory’s other works as I can as soon as possible.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 09/10
24 Hours, Greg Iles kell1976
10:59 am
Title: 24 Hours
Author: Greg Iles
ISBN: 0340770066
Rating: 9/10
Synopsis:
The perfect family. The perfect night. The perfect crime.
Will and Karen Jennings are a successful young couple with every reason to celebrate. From modest beginnings they have built the life of their dreams. Will has a thriving medical practice, and stands at the threshold of a great fortune. Karen has designed a magnificent house to shelter them and the five-year-old daughter they love beyond measure. But now they have been targeted by an evil madman and they are about to be tested in a way they could never imagine.
Review:
The tight writing style of Iles is perfect for this tense thriller. The plot is sophisticated and riveting, and the pace never lets up for a second, keeping you gripped; sharing the same terror and determination as the Jennings as they get through the longest 24 hours in their lives. There is a sense of urgency throughout made all the more poignant by the fragility of the characters as the story unfolds.
It’s a rip-roaring, non-stop roller-coaster ride that constantly batters you from all directions, leaving you uncomfortably disorientated, which only helps intensify the emotional turmoil, and you find yourself feeling hatred and pity in turn for the “bad guys”, humanising them in a way not often attained in a thriller. You also find yourself plunged into the dilemma of “what would I do?” and this also keeps you turning those pages.
If you’ve never read Iles, pick this one up and I guarantee, you’ll be promising yourself another of his books very soon.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 07/10
Debora Hill, Sandra Brandenburg, The Land of the Wand kell1976
7:28 am
Title: The Land of the Wand
Authors: Debora Hill and Sandra Brandenburg
ISBN: 1929374437
Rating: 7/10
Synopsis:
One weekend in June, four people in Chicago all go, separately, to the same gift shop in the Galleria and examine an ornamental crystal wand. Rock star Marshall Storme, fantasy author Evan Stone, architect Valaura Bennet and fast-food worker Lillian Curtis all look at the wand, though only Marshall and Valaura are seriously interested in purchasing it. They are all transported to a parallel dimension, a place where the myths of earth originated, and live as real, if unusual, beings.
Befriended by the Daemona, the four dimension travellers find themselves embroiled in a holy war with the savage Anjeles. Led by the mad King Yahoo, the Anjeles are trying to wipe out the Daemona and their four brother-kings, Nicholas, Mephistopheles, Beelzebub and Lucifer. It is Lucifer, King of The Land of the Chalice and the Lightbearers, who is the nemesis of King Yahoo. But they have gone to war against the eldest brother, Nicholas, and the four travellers are caught right in the middle.
Review:
The Land of the Wand is a bold, bright, colourful start to The Lost Myths Saga (comprising of four books), which strives to do for Paganism what C. S. Lewis did for Christianity with The Chronicles of Narnia.
There is a reversal of Judeo-Christian religious teachings – here the Daemona are portrayed as simple, peace-loving, warm and welcoming, whereas the Anjeles are depicted as barbaric and threatening zealots.
The characters are all wonderfully flawed and painfully human (even the other-dimensional beings) and it is their journey of self-discovery, given a light and humorous touch that makes this such an easy read. The writing style flows almost effortlessly and having four separate prologue chapters does nothing to hinder the narrative, which has a comfortably friendly and familiar tone throughout.
Ultimately, though, the prevailing message is that acceptance and understanding of others will eventually, it is hoped, lead to harmony and peace, which is as simple a rendering of Pagan thought as you’re ever likely to see, but relevant in any era.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 07/10
Dying Voices, Laura Wilson kell1976
12:37 pm
Title: Dying Voices
Author: Laura Wilson
ISBN: 0752843281
Rating: 7/10
Synopsis:
When Dodie Blackstock, only child of multi-millionaire Wolf Blackstock, is told that her mother’s body has been found in a housing estate in Hackney, she is shocked. When she is told that her mother, Susan, has been dead for less than 48 hours, she is devastated, for Susan was kidnapped, apparently by a politically motivated group, when Dodie was eight. Susan was never found, and she was presumed dead.
Traumatised by her lonely childhood, Dodie has been estranged from her dysfunctional and complicated family for years. She returns to Camoys Hall, the Blackstocks’ stately home, to talk to her stepmother Joan, who lives there by herself. But Dodie finds more than she bargained for – and then she starts to receive anonymous and threatening letters. Who is waiting in the darkness outside Camoys Hall, watching her every move . . . ?
Review:
Dying Voices is less of a Whodunit, more of a Whydunit. From the start, we know that Susan Blackstock was kidnapped; one of her kidnappers was killed and his two accomplices did time for their part in the crime; her body isn’t found till 20 years later and she’s only been dead for 48 hours. What we are left with is a mystery to slowly unravel as Dodie pieces together information from various sources to find out exactly what happened all those years ago, the circumstances that led to the kidnap and what impact it will have on her life now.
It’s a clever piece of work and I was kept guessing right up to the very last moment. If I hadn’t been reading two other books at the same time, this one would have had the pages flying as I swept through it – I hated to put it down. That said, there were aspects of Dodie’s character I never got to grips with – her self-denigrating / self-destructive streak that seemed very prominent was never fully explained other than a brief nod towards the notion that she had blamed herself, as a child, for her mother’s disappearance, but that didn’t quite sit right with me. Her complete lack of self-confidence seemed a little out of place, but made for good tension between her and other characters, as she is continually sure that people only want to know her for what she can give them.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 06/10
Lousie Welsh, Tamburlaine Must Die kell1976
6:45 pm
Title: Tamburlaine Must Die
Author: Lousie Welsh
ISBN: 1841955329
Rating: 6/10
Synopsis:
It’s 1593 and London is a city on edge. Under threat from plague and war it’s a desperate place where strangers are unwelcome and severed heads grin from spikes on Tower Bridge.
Poet, playwright and spy, Christopher Marlowe has three days to live. Three days in which he confronts dangerous government factions, double agents, necromancy, betrayal and revenge in his search for the murderous Tamburlaine, a killer who has escaped from between the pages of Marlowe’s most violent play . . .
Review:
Tamburlaine Must Die is a swashbuckling adventure story of a man who dares to defy both God and state and discovers that there are worse fates than damnation.
Welsh’s style is elegantly lyrical and instantly embroils the reader in the hedonistic and frantic final days of Christopher Marlow, whose death in a Deptford house is shrouded in some mystery to this very day. There’s just enough intrigue to hold the plot for this short novella, so Welsh was wise not to try and expand it to full novel length – it would have felt stretched and forced.
A nice way to pass an idle afternoon.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 08/10
Philippa Gregory, The Other Boleyn Girl kell1976
6:39 pm
Title: The Other Boleyn Girl
Author: Philippa Gregory
ISBN: 0006514006
Rating: 8/10
Synopsis:
Mary Boleyn catches the eye of Henry VIII when she comes to court as a girl of fourteen. Dazzled by the golden prince, Mary’s joy is cut short when she discovers that she is a pawn in the dynastic plots of her family. When the capricious king’s interest wanes, Mary is ordered to pass on her knowledge of how to please him to her friend and rival: her sister Anne.
Anne soon becomes irresistible to Henry, and Mary can do nothing but watch her sister’s rise. Anne stops at nothing to achieve her own ambition. From now on, Mary will be no more than the other Boleyn girl. But beyond the court is a man who dares to challenge the power of her family to offer Mary a life of freedom and passion. If only she has the courage to break away – before the Boleyn enemies turn on the Boleyn girls…
Review:
With The Other Boleyn Girl, Philippa Gregory offers a tantalising glimpse at the life of one of history’s forgotten women – Mary Boleyn, younger sister of Anne who would go on to become Queen of England. The history of this story is interesting enough, but the richness of description and depth of character development mean that this is more than merely interesting to read – its compulsive!
I found myself able to sympathise with all three of the Boleyn siblings, in particular George, who has to deny his own sexuality and performs above and beyond the call of duty to further advance his beloved sister (although just how far he is willing to go would seem too far by any normal standard).
Mary’s predicament – of being both very young and very married – when presented to the King by her own family as a potential lover, is horrifying to say the least. That a family could be so coldly calculating in their ambition as to force their own daughters into such a precarious position is difficult to believe, and yet history itself tells us it is so – the Boleyns and the Howards were determined to see their fortunes rise by whatever means possible.
It makes for a tale that is both chilling and heart-warming in turn, set against the lavish background of the Tudor court that is so colourful and bright that the reader is lost in the madness of corruption and power plays. If Gregory’s other works are anything like this one, then I will heartily recommend picking them all up as soon as possible.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 06/10
How I Live Now, Meg Rosoff kell1976
6:29 pm
Title: How I Live Now
Author: Meg Rosoff
ISBN: 0141318015
Rating: 6/10
Synopsis:
Daisy is sent from New York to England to spend a summer with cousins she has never met. They are Isaac, Edmond, Osbert and Piper. And two dogs and a goat. She’s never met anyone quite like them before – and, as a dreamy English summer progresses, Daisy finds herself caught in a timeless bubble. It seems like the perfect summer. But their lives are about to explode.
Falling in love is just the start of it. War breaks out – a war none of them understands, or really cares about, until it lands on their doorstep. The family is separated. The perfect summer is blown apart. Daisy’s life is changed forever – and the world is too.
Review:
How I Live Now was short listed for the Orange Award for New Writers, but I’m not altogether sure why. It’s an unusual book with an unusual style, but I have to admit that it was this very style that jarred most with me. It’s written as a constant stream of thought from a 15-year-old girl’s mind with no quotation marks to distinguish dialogue from the rest of the text, which had me itching to take a red pen to the pages. The only indication that anyone’s speaking is when a Capital Letter suddenly appears mid-sentence, immediately preceded by “*insert character name here* said,” which can get annoying when you’re as anal about grammar as I am at times.
The story itself didn’t quite convince me either: A mother allowing her 14-year-old son to openly smoke and drive the family car from somewhere in the middle of the countryside to London and back to pick up her 15-year-old niece from the airport just didn’t feel right. Nor did this woman disappearing on a business trip abroad, leaving her four children and niece alone in the house seem like normal behaviour. But the aspect that disappointed me most wasn’t any of this; it was the inclusion of a stereotypical Wicked Stepmother, which I thought was rather a lazy plot device.
Then there was the outbreak of war, perpetrated by terrorists simultaneously on all continents – it just seemed a little too far-fetched that all airports would simply be shut down immediately with no effort to get people back to their own countries.
So, yes, I had a bit of a problem getting to grips with a lot of what happens in this book.
Its main redeeming feature is Rosoff’s refusal to romanticise or soften, in any way, the burgeoning relationship between Daisy and Edmond. The illicit, underage sex between cousins and then the formation of the bond between Daisy and Piper could have turned into so much sentimental sop, but it didn’t. It’s a bold, brave attempt at some realism within an unrealistic setting and that’s something rather admirable.
All in all, I did rather enjoy How I Live Now, although I’m not sure I quite got the point of it. Still, it’s worth a read just to see how much the portrayal of teen relationships has changed since the likes of Enid Blyton.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 09/10
Jodi Piccoult, My Sister's Keeper kell1976
6:25 pm
Title: My Sister’s Keeper
Author: Jodi Piccoult
ISBN: 034083546X
Rating: 9/10
Synopsis:
Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and injection to help her sister, Kate, fight leukaemia. Anna was born for this purpose, her parents tell her, which is why they lover her even more. But now she can’t help but wonder what her life would be like if it weren’t tied to her sister’s… and so she makes a decision that for most, at any age, would be too difficult to bear, and sues her parents for the rights to her own body.
Review:
My Sister’s Keeper is very cleverly written – in the first person from multiple points of view. In this way, the reader is never allowed to get bogged down in any one character’s thoughts or emotions, but is forced to open themselves to the vulnerabilities of each of them.
It’s a story that really makes you think, long and hard, about all sorts of moral and ethical dilemmas and consider what your own actions might be under similar circumstances, which, of course, is impossible to do unless you are smack-bang in the middle of it yourself.
Piccoult doesn’t allow the seriousness of the subject to darken the tone at all and her style remains light enough to keep this from being an incredibly depressing tome and instead it comes across as something light and emotionally inspiring, and it features some of the most evocative passages I have read in a very long time – Anna’s own creation myth is something completely surprising and is both beautiful and sad; giving a very telling glimpse into her state of mind.
I won’t lie and say I didn’t see the twist in the tale coming, but I’m not ashamed to admit that I cried real tears anyway, because although I didn’t want it to be so, it was the most fitting way for things to happen.
My Sister’s Keeper is something rather special and will linger in the memory long after the final page has been turned. The characters are all flawed, all sympathetic, and all human – their portrayal is incredibly real and you can’t help imagining their lives continuing outside of the story we get to see. I can only hope they’re happy.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 10/10
Roman Legion, Simon Scarrow, The Eagle's Prey kell1976
1:42 pm
Title: The Eagle’s Prey (Roman Legion 5)
Author: Simon Scarrow
ISBN: 0755301161
Rating: 10/10
Synopsis:
It is over a year since the Roman army landed on the shores of Britain. The savage warriors of the barbarian leader Caratacus continue to torment the legions. Emperor Claudius needs a victory to make his position safe. As the Romans gather on the eve of the battle they are confident that a final, decisive, blow will surely annihilate the British leader. But the battle does not follow the expected course and the most ruthless army in the known world prepares to inflict dreadful punishment on the very men who could bring the long campaign in Britain to a triumphant conclusion.
Review:
I don’t know what to say. I honestly don’t! The entire series so far has been wonderful but this, the fifth in the series, surpasses all expectations. Scarrow’s style is, at one and the same time, raw and visceral, yet ordered and clean – perfect for the subject matter, reflecting both the barbarism and the precision of war.
This episode had me in fear for the lives of our leads, more-so than ever before. I finally realised that Scarrow could conceivably kill off the heroes; leaving the other characters he has developed alongside them to carry the story, and the burden of their roles within it, alone. I empathised both with the defending Britons, fighting for their freedom in their own land, and the Romans, following their orders to make Britain a province of Rome and win a victory for their Emperor, as well as honour for themselves.
I was shocked by the portrayal of the Romans as barbaric in contrast to the empathy of the Britons. The decimation* of an entire cohort because of one man’s incompetence was such a terrifying ordeal that I could barely believe this was an actual practice. The description had me almost in tears to think of it.
The Eagle’s Prey has everything you could want and more from an historical fiction – action, adventure, glory and defeat; it ticks every box with aplomb and deserves the very highest of accolades.
* One man in ten would be chosen, by lottery, to be beaten to death by his comrades as punishment for a major incompetence and to set an example that would not be forgotten. The entire cohort (or even the entire legion) would then bear the shame of decimation until they could be redeemed by an act of sheer courage beyond that usually expected. Basically, nothing short of a miracle would wipe this blight from their records.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 09/10
Cross Stitich, Diana Gabaldon, Outlander kell1976
1:15 pm
Title: Cross Stitich
Author: Diana Gabaldon
ISBN: 0099911701
Rating: 9/10
Synopsis:
In 1945, Claire Randall is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon in Scotland. Innocently she walks through a stone circle in the Highlands, and finds herself in a violent skirmish taking place in 1743. Suddenly she is a Sassenach, an outlander, in a country torn by war and by clan feuds. A wartime nurse, Claire can deal with the bloody wounds that face her. But it is harder to deal with the knowledge that she is in Jacobite Scotland and the carnage of Culloden is looming. Marooned amid the passion and violence, the superstition, the shifting allegiances and the fervent loyalties, Claire is in danger from Jacobites and Redcoats – and from the shock of her own desire for James Fraser, a gallant and courageous young Scots warrior. Jamie shows her a passion so fierce and a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire, and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.
Review:
Cross Stitch (published in the US as Outlander, which is, in my opinion, the far better title) is the first in the Outlander series and what a beginning it is! This is quite the freshest and most exhilarating read I’ve had in a very long time, and that’s really saying something! Living in Scotland and having visited some of the places mentioned brought it all that much closer to home and I was able to fully immerse myself in this unusual tale that transcends time. The fact that the “modern” portion of the plot takes place in the past (post-war) only made it seem all the more plausible and I was quite happy to accept that someone might be able to step through a stone circle and find themselves out of their own time by 200 years or so (I always knew there was a definite purpose to stone circles!).
Throughout the story, I could feel Claire’s struggle to reconcile the aspects of her unique position. Should she use her knowledge of the future to shape events and prevent the deaths of many innocent people, or should she let time take its own course and leave history intact? Is her very presence in the past affecting the outcome of future events and is she endangering the existence of people in her own time? It’s a dilemma that devils her constantly.
There is such passion in Gabaldon’s writing that it was easy to lose myself in her vision of the Highlands and I found myself falling in love with Jamie just a little bit, as he is described in such a way that, even with all his faults and foibles, he’s pretty much irresistible. I wanted to put off finishing this book forever, just so I would have more of it to look forward to the next day, at the same time, I found it nigh-on impossible to actually out it down, torn as I was, and happily let myself be carried along by Gabaldon as she wove her rich tapestry of words.
An absolute must-read.
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All Reviews and Books Rated 06/10 and Books Rated 09/10
I Cthulu, Neil Gaiman, The Case of the Four and Twenty Blackbirds kell1976
9:24 am
Title: The Case of the Four and Twenty Blackbirds / I Cthulu
Author: Neil Gaiman
ISBN: -none- (online short stories)
Rating: 9/10 and 6/10
Synopsis:
The Case of the Four and Twenty Blackbirds – a nurseryland detective story
I Cthulu – a satirical take on Lovecraft’s famous tale
Review:
The Case of Four and Twenty Blackbirds is a work of pure, unadulterated genius! It takes a background of Nurseryland and sets in it a gripping gumshoe story – Humpty Dumpty is dead and it may not have been an accident. It’s up to Jack Horner (small of stature) to investigate in true film-noir style. It’s quite the most inventive thing I’ve read in ages and hilarious to boot – really you must go and read it for yourself!
I Cthulu wasn’t really to my taste, but that could be because I’ve never actually read any Lovecraft. I’m certain that anyone who’s read The Call of Cthulu will be able to tell you exactly how funny this piece it. As it is, it gave me a giggle, but little more.
Both are available at Neil Gaiman’s official website.
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