Title: The Keepers' Daughter.
Author: Gill Arbuthnott.
Summary: Orphaned as a baby, Nyssa can only dream about who she is and where she comes from, but with the arrival of dark strangers her past is revealed. Nyssa has a hidden tattoo that bears one half of a secret message. Now her future depends on finding the other half, written on a twin she's never known, and the truth of the words that mark them.
Genre: Adventure/Action.
Time Started: 3rd January, 11:00am.
Time Ended: 6th January, 1:10pm.
Page Count: 425.
Age Rating: 11+
Warning: Sensitive themes, violence.
Appeal Rating: 10/10!
This is such an amazing book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it's definitely a favourite. There were so many subplots that were essential to the main plot, it keeps the reader on their toes, and the characters were developed fantastically. I saw the Aria/Marius connection pretty much straight away, even though they were always arguing, and when Thea said "Cousin Kit is chasing me!" I pieced it together ... and promptly bit back my fangirl squeal.
This book left me practically speechless. I'm struggling to search for words on how amazing it is. It's utterly fantastic, and kept me gripped from beginning to end. It doesn't rush into explanations, leaves you asking questions, and there's a surprise at every corner. You never know what's going to happen, or when the Shadowmen are going to show up, or if Kit's going to start talking again. It's always so big, and leaves you thinking "Wow." And that's all you can think, because it's so shocking.
Kit is such a sweetheart. I adore him. He's so sweet and adorable and innocent. Even though he first appears a weak, troubled boy, he can be really fierce and determined when he wants to be, and I love that about him. He's so amazingly created ^.^
So, yes, amazing book! I DEFINITELY recommend this.
Sunday 28 February 2010
Book Three.
Title: Flying for Frankie.
Author: Pauline Fisk.
Summary: Charis Watt's life is painfully ordinary. Watching telly and following her older brother around are all the excitement she can get. Frankie Bradley lives the life of a princess. With her rich parents, posh schools and fancy clothes, she seems to have it all. Despite their differences, the girls become best friends, forming a bond that fills the loneliness they each feel deep inside. But when Frankie becomes ill their bond is put to the test, especially Charis, who strives to put things right. But there are some things you can do in the name of friendship, and some you can't.
Genre: Tragedy/Friendship.
Time Started: 2nd January, 5:40pm
Time Ended: 2nd January, 8:50pm
Page Count: 230
Age Rating: 11+
Warning: Character death, one bad word on page 211.
Appeal Rating: 5/10.
The story wasn't fantastic, but it wasn't horrible, either. The relationship between the girls wasn't developed over time (It sort of went, "Oh, I hate Miss Stuck Up-Herself. Hey isn't that her? Hi, Frankie, yes, I built this den by myself. Oh, yay, we're the best of friends because you like my den!"), the announcement of the illness was anticlimactic, and the characters weren't characterised very well. Except for Diggers, I liked him. Oh, and Damo. I like this name, more than anything. Damo and Charis - what sort of parents do they have?!
Overall, it wasn't great, but it was potentially enjoyable.
In fact, it was more enjoyable than it should have been. Considering the bad characterisations, and all of the other bad things, it should have been a really horrible story. But it wasn't. Maybe it was the fact that if was a depressing story, which seems to be my sort of thing at the moment. Maybe I looked past the writing skills, straight to the storyline, and I know I'd enjoy THAT, so I was biased. I don't know. Maybe.
I think, maybe, it was Charis' loyalty to Frankie that made me enjoy it. Despite her fear of flying, she still attempted it anyway (Diggers in a rage is SO ADORABLE!)... and before "it" happens (Guess what "it" is), she managed to actually conquer her fear of flying - and although she says it wasn't for Frankie, we all know it was.
Anyway, not sure if I would recommend it, but if it seems like your kind of story, go for it!
Author: Pauline Fisk.
Summary: Charis Watt's life is painfully ordinary. Watching telly and following her older brother around are all the excitement she can get. Frankie Bradley lives the life of a princess. With her rich parents, posh schools and fancy clothes, she seems to have it all. Despite their differences, the girls become best friends, forming a bond that fills the loneliness they each feel deep inside. But when Frankie becomes ill their bond is put to the test, especially Charis, who strives to put things right. But there are some things you can do in the name of friendship, and some you can't.
Genre: Tragedy/Friendship.
Time Started: 2nd January, 5:40pm
Time Ended: 2nd January, 8:50pm
Page Count: 230
Age Rating: 11+
Warning: Character death, one bad word on page 211.
Appeal Rating: 5/10.
The story wasn't fantastic, but it wasn't horrible, either. The relationship between the girls wasn't developed over time (It sort of went, "Oh, I hate Miss Stuck Up-Herself. Hey isn't that her? Hi, Frankie, yes, I built this den by myself. Oh, yay, we're the best of friends because you like my den!"), the announcement of the illness was anticlimactic, and the characters weren't characterised very well. Except for Diggers, I liked him. Oh, and Damo. I like this name, more than anything. Damo and Charis - what sort of parents do they have?!
Overall, it wasn't great, but it was potentially enjoyable.
In fact, it was more enjoyable than it should have been. Considering the bad characterisations, and all of the other bad things, it should have been a really horrible story. But it wasn't. Maybe it was the fact that if was a depressing story, which seems to be my sort of thing at the moment. Maybe I looked past the writing skills, straight to the storyline, and I know I'd enjoy THAT, so I was biased. I don't know. Maybe.
I think, maybe, it was Charis' loyalty to Frankie that made me enjoy it. Despite her fear of flying, she still attempted it anyway (Diggers in a rage is SO ADORABLE!)... and before "it" happens (Guess what "it" is), she managed to actually conquer her fear of flying - and although she says it wasn't for Frankie, we all know it was.
Anyway, not sure if I would recommend it, but if it seems like your kind of story, go for it!
Book Two.
Title: Love Aubrey
Author: Suzanna LaFleur
Summary: Something heartbreaking has happened. Eleven-year-old Aubrey is on her own. She's determined to hide away and take care of herself, because facing the truth is too much to bear. But with the love of her grandmother and the letters she writes, can Aubrey begin to see that even though she's lost everything - all is not lost?
Genre: Tragedy/Hurt/Comfort
Time Started: 2nd January, 12:50pm.
Time Ended: 2nd January, 5:00pm.
Page Count: 261.
Age Rating: 11+
Warning: Sensitive Theme.
Appeal Rating: 7/10.
This is a really beautiful story, though it took me a while to get into it. It's really sad, and I truly connected with Aubrey while reading it. It brings tears to my eyes at certain points (when my mum read it, she actually cried) and I felt really sad for Aubrey. She's so young and so innocent; she shouldn't have had to go through what she did. Yes, she's a fictional character, but I do generally want to comfort her and make it better.
And, of course, with the knowledge that there are little kids out there who are experiencing/have experienced what Aubrey did ... it's a horrible thought ):
I really recommend this to everyone.
Author: Suzanna LaFleur
Summary: Something heartbreaking has happened. Eleven-year-old Aubrey is on her own. She's determined to hide away and take care of herself, because facing the truth is too much to bear. But with the love of her grandmother and the letters she writes, can Aubrey begin to see that even though she's lost everything - all is not lost?
Genre: Tragedy/Hurt/Comfort
Time Started: 2nd January, 12:50pm.
Time Ended: 2nd January, 5:00pm.
Page Count: 261.
Age Rating: 11+
Warning: Sensitive Theme.
Appeal Rating: 7/10.
This is a really beautiful story, though it took me a while to get into it. It's really sad, and I truly connected with Aubrey while reading it. It brings tears to my eyes at certain points (when my mum read it, she actually cried) and I felt really sad for Aubrey. She's so young and so innocent; she shouldn't have had to go through what she did. Yes, she's a fictional character, but I do generally want to comfort her and make it better.
And, of course, with the knowledge that there are little kids out there who are experiencing/have experienced what Aubrey did ... it's a horrible thought ):
I really recommend this to everyone.
Book One.
I lost the original review, so I have to rewrite it.
Title: Stolen.
Author: Lucy Christopher.
Summary: It happened like this. I was stolen from an airport. Taken from everything I knew, everything I was used to. Taken to the sand and heat, dirt and danger. And he expected me to love him. This is my story. A letter from nowhere.
Genre: Tragedy/Drama.
Time Started: 1st January, 10:45am.
Time Ended: 1st January, 9:30pm.
Page Count: 301.
Age Rating: 13+
Warning: Nudity, talk of rape, swearing.
Appeal Rating: 9/10
Stolen is a great book with a new voice for teenage readers. It's a letter, written from the kidnapped to the kidnapper. The entire book is one huge letter, talking about their time in the desert, how much she hated him, how much she ... well, I won't ruin it. This is a really inspiring, fantastic read with such amazing vocabulary and witty humour. It really does feel like it was written by a teenage girl. And no, that's not a bad thing.
I love how Ty connects with the animals, and seems so nice and friendly, despite kidnapping Gemma. It's such a realistic story with an amazing storyline and interesting subplots. It captures you from the first page in. The setting is believable, the characters have a sort of twisted, messed up chemistry deep down and it's really enjoyable story.
Favourite Quote: When Gemma is naming the animals after people she knows: "I named the rooster Dick, after you." (It's always the rude/mean/sarcastic things that get you giggling ^.^ )
Recommended to anyone above the age of thirteen (:
Title: Stolen.
Author: Lucy Christopher.
Summary: It happened like this. I was stolen from an airport. Taken from everything I knew, everything I was used to. Taken to the sand and heat, dirt and danger. And he expected me to love him. This is my story. A letter from nowhere.
Genre: Tragedy/Drama.
Time Started: 1st January, 10:45am.
Time Ended: 1st January, 9:30pm.
Page Count: 301.
Age Rating: 13+
Warning: Nudity, talk of rape, swearing.
Appeal Rating: 9/10
Stolen is a great book with a new voice for teenage readers. It's a letter, written from the kidnapped to the kidnapper. The entire book is one huge letter, talking about their time in the desert, how much she hated him, how much she ... well, I won't ruin it. This is a really inspiring, fantastic read with such amazing vocabulary and witty humour. It really does feel like it was written by a teenage girl. And no, that's not a bad thing.
I love how Ty connects with the animals, and seems so nice and friendly, despite kidnapping Gemma. It's such a realistic story with an amazing storyline and interesting subplots. It captures you from the first page in. The setting is believable, the characters have a sort of twisted, messed up chemistry deep down and it's really enjoyable story.
Favourite Quote: When Gemma is naming the animals after people she knows: "I named the rooster Dick, after you." (It's always the rude/mean/sarcastic things that get you giggling ^.^ )
Recommended to anyone above the age of thirteen (:
Explanation
At the end of 2009, I set myself a challenge. This challenge was to read 50 books throughout 2010. Now, I don't think this challenge will be too hard, as I am quite the bookworm. But if I don't have my reading head on for a month, that's going to affect my count. On this blog, I'll keep track of all the books I read, along with a short review-thingy. A new blog post for each book seems fair, right? The reviews won't be long, because I'm rubbish at giving reviews but there we go.
If anyone's interested in this challenge, or is looking for a recommendation for good book to read, you can come here. ^.^
If anyone's interested in this challenge, or is looking for a recommendation for good book to read, you can come here. ^.^
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