Thursday 18 March 2010

Book Thirteen.

Title: Witch Child
Author: Celia Rees
Summary: Pages from a journal are loosely sewn into a quilt. A quilt that lies undisturbed for more than three hundred years until it is carefully taken apart for cleaning and out of its folds falls a powerful and moving story. The story of Mary - granddaughter of a witch.
Genre: Suspence?
Time Started: 5th March, 7:50am.
Time Ended: 18th March, 7:20pm.
Page Count: 235.
Age Rating: 11+
Warning: Mild violence.
Appeal Rating: 9/10.

This book is so powerful and so suspenceful, it truly keeps you hooked from start to finish. The first two sentences, "I am Mary. I am a witch." just makes me want to read more, especially since I had already worked out that it's set around the time of the witch trials.

Witch Child is an amazing, thrilling, capturing book; so imaginative and creative, from a lovely perspective. All the diary/journal books I've read before have never managed to get my attention - probably because most of them were written by modern day girls, who think that falling over in front of your school crush is "the most horrible thing that could ever happen". This, however, tells the story of a strong, independent girl, fighting for who her grandmother is and living in a world filled with prejudice, where one of her main concerns is her survival, rather than her looks.

While I've never been into diary books, I've also never been particularly keen on books set far in the past. In fact, I don't know what made me say to my mum, "Oh, this looks really good! I want this!" - but I'm not saying I regret it. It took a time to get used to their way of talking, and the old-fashioned way they string sentences together, but it truly was an amazing book. Mary is a wonderful character, careful and cautious, but open-hearted.

I loved the way the journal-styled book allowed me to connect with Mary, let me see the story through her eyes. It's such a realistic story, so powerful and moving, so magical and yet not coming across as fantasy - it fascinates me greatly.

Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Definitely recommended.
Now, I'm going to go and make a start on it's sequel, "Sorceress". (:

Monday 8 March 2010

Book Twelve.

Title: Bewtixt
Author: Tara Bray Smith
Summary: For three teenagers, dark mystery has always lurked at the corner of the eyes and the edge of sleep. Beautiful Morgan D'Amici wakes in her trailer park with dirt and blood under her fingernails. Paintings come alive under Ondine Mason's violet-eyed gaze. Haunted runaway Nix Saint-Michael sees haloes of light around people about to die. At a secret summer festival three teenagers learn of their true, changeling nature and their uncertain, intertwined destinies.
Genre: Fantasy/Horror
Time Started: 3rd Feb, 10:40pm
Time Ended: 4th March, 2:50pm
Page Count: 402
Age Rating: 13+
Warning: Swearing, use of drugs, sexual suggestiveness.
Appeal Rating: 8/10.

Why did this take me an entire month? I didn't have my reading head on. I just couldn't bring myself to read when there were amazing people online waiting to talk to me, or homework to be attended to. It's not because I was busy, I just couldn't be bothered.

But, on with the review... This book was amazing, though slightly confusing. There were so many different names for the changelings - changelings, fay, faeries, "f*cking flying fairies" (according to Nix, even though they can't fly). And then there's the cutters and the weaklings and the humans and the ... it's been a while since I've read a full-on fantasy book, it took some time to get my head wrapped round it. Still, once I grasped it, t'was good (:

Nix is great. I really connected with him. I have no idea, because we have barely anything in common, but... yes, I connected with him. And I love his name. 'Nix'. It's such an awesome nickname (real name = Nicholas). Then again, they all seem to have quite obscure names.

Nix, Ondine, Neve... xD

Recommended? Yupp.(:

Sunday 7 March 2010

Book Eleven.

Title: Ways to Live Forever.
Author: Sally Nicholls.
Summary: "My name is Sam. By the time you read this I will probably be dead." Sam wants to know about UFOs and horror movies and ghosts and scientists, and how it feels to kiss a girl. He also needs answers to the questions nobody with answer.
Genre: Tragedy? Comedy? I'm not sure... :/
Time Started: 3rd February, 3:45pm.
Time Ended: 3rd February, 10:30pm.
Page Count: 202.
Age Rating: 11+
Warning: Sad themes, character death.
Appeal Rating: 7/10.

It may have just been the speed at which I read it (a few hours, taking into consideration that from 5:30PM to 9:30PM, I wasn't reading), but it seemed quite rushed. Perhaps, this is also why I didn't feel very sad throughout it, despite the terribly sad themes and happenings - I didn't connect with the characters in time.

However, it's a good story, really sad storyline. Although most of it doesn't really make me think "That's so sad", a lot of it makes me feel sorry for Sam, pity him, think "Awh, bless". Just little things. However, other parts were like, "Oh... that was naff".

However, I do recommend it, for a quick read.

Book Ten.

Title: Thanks For the Memories.
Author: Cecelia Ahern
Summary: Joyce Conway remembers things she shouldn't. She knows about tiny cobbled streets in Paris, which she has never visited. And every night she dreams about an unknown little girl with blonde hair. Justin Hitchcock is divorced, lonely and restless. He arrives in Dublin to give a lecture on art and is persuaded to donate blood. It's the first thing to come straight from his heart in a long time. When Joyce leaves hospital after a terrible accident, with her life and her marriage in pieces, she moves back in with her elderly father. All the while, a strong sense of deja vu is overwhelming her and she can't figure out why...
Genre: Romance/Comedy.
Time Started: 24th January, 7:45pm.
Time Ended: 4th February, 10:30pm.
Page Count: 373.
Age Rating: 13+
Warning: Bad language, mention of sex.
Appeal Rating: 10/10.

As you can see by the Appeal Rating, I thought this book was completely uh-may-zing. I enjoyed it so much, even if school did prevent me from reading it quickly. Cecelia Ahern is such a brilliant author, writing such realistic stories in out-of-this-world plots. This book was fantastic, a complete pleasure to read.

I loved the connection that Justin had with his daughter, Bea, and their conversations truly cracked me up. They're so witty that they could go on for days. I love it. Bea is such a typical teenager, with that cheeky backchat attitude. And Justin is such a relaxed dad, not irresponsible but not ridiculously strict. I want Justin to be my dad.

I also love Joyce's dad. The airport/aeroplane scene will never leave my mind. That was such a side-splitting moment, with the old questioning man and the agitated ... everybody else xD My god, it was so funny; I laugh just thinking about it now.

Amazing, amazing, amazing book. Recommend it? Of course!

Book Nine.

Title: Possessing Rayne
Author: Kate Cann
Summary: Why is Rayne suddenly so frightened by everything? She's come here to get away from the stifling city, away from her mother and her boyfriend - to find space and silence. But she's mystified by her new group of friends ... why are they so interested in the old house? Rayne can't imagine what's coming ...
Genre: Romance/Mystery
Time Started: 21st January, 1:30pm.
Time Ended: 24th January, 4:10pm.
Page Count: 299.
Age Rating: 13+
Warning: Almost-sexuai content, talk of rape, swearing.
Appeal Rating: 8/10.

It was a good story, but had a similar base to Leaving Poppy, which was by the same author. Like, the whole feeling crowded at home, moves out, moves into trouble, sort of thing. Even though the extended version is almost completely different (i.e., why they moved out, the kind of place they moved into, what the "trouble" is).

I want to say this now, get it out of my system - I DIDN'T TRUST ST JOHN, right from the beginning. There was something about him; they way he kissed Flora goodbye, and then kissed Rayne when he's only known her for a while. Seriously, who would DO that? It just seemed so unnatural, and then things just got weirder and weirder. Meh. Didn't like him.

Anyway, yeah, good story, freaky story, great read. Sorry this isn't longer; I can't think of much to say about it. Recommended!

Book Eight.

Title: Chasing Vermeer.
Author: Blue Balliet.
Summary: Petra and Calder live in a neighbourhood where strange things have started to happen. Seemingly unrelated events connect, a sharp old woman seeks their comany - and a priceless Vermeer painting disappears. Before they know it, the two children are drawn into an international art sensation where no one is above suspicion. They must rely on their intelligence, and a newly-acquired knowledge of the artist Vermeer, to crack an art crime that has left everyone baffled.
Genre: Mystery.
Time Started: 4th January, 2:30pm-ish.
Time Ended: 20th January, 4:00pm.
Page Count: 242.
Age Rating: 11+
Warning: N/A.
Appeal Rating: 3/10.

I did not choose to read this book. It's a book we've been reading in English class, and when we finally get to take it home, I finish it within fifteen minutes. Isn't that great? Yeah, it doesn't really matter...

I like this book only because it makes you think twice and use your brain. It gets you involved, whether it's finding the frog and pentomino in the majority of pictures, decoding Tommy's messages to Calder, or merely thinking over what Charles Fort or Ms Hussey says. It teaches many things, like how unrelated things can appear to be linked, and maybe by a chance of fate, they might just be that. I'm not keen on how the kids work out where A Lady Writing (the stolen painting) was hidden, because it was EXTREMELY unrealistic. Now, I'm not always a big believer of coincidences, I do think that a lot of stuff (but not all) happen for a reason, but this is just pushing it to the limit. Twelve, twelve, twelve, twelve, twelve, twelve. Gahhh.

I have to admit, I suspected both Mrs Sharpe and Ms Hussey at certain points. I won't tell you whether they did commit the crime or not (in case, for some unknown reason, you would like to read it), but I'm just saying ... I suspected them along with Petra and Calder, though as different points in time.

All in all, an attempt at a slightly realistic fiction story failed completely, and it's not fantastic. The pictures, although pretty good and imaginative, aren't my cup of tea (I'm not a baby, I don't read picture books -.-), and the way it involves the reader forcefully kind of spoiled it for me (I purposely didn't decode Tommy's messages ... okay, I did the first one out of boredom, but that's it ... because I'm stubbornly refusing to let the book control me xD). I think it would have been a better book if it allowed us to be the reader, instead of being forced to be the third part of a trio without us really being there. Also, the writing and development could have been better. Less coincidences would have been a major improvement, too, though I liked the involvement of the pentominoes.

Remember, art is a lie that tells the truth, and frogs can fall from the sky. Oh, and whatever word pops into your head when you look at a pentomino, will somehow help you along in life (Sarcasm, that one, in case you couldn't tell).

Recommend it? Not really, unless it's your thing.

Book Seven.

Title: Leaving Poppy
Author: Kate Cann
Summary: Poppy needs you. She's always needed you. She'll never let you go. It's time to leave home, escape your sister, get out of her clutches. But what is your new life isn't a safe place? Someone is waiting for you there. Waiting for Poppy.
Genre: Horror/Mystery
Time Started: 18th January, 6:15pm.
Time Ended: 19th January, 10:00pm.
Page Count: 348.
Age Rating: 13+
Warning: Bad language, and hints at sexual situations.
Appeal Rating: 9/10.

This book was amazing, and I'm really sad that I don't have the book on my bookshelves (it's from the school library). The characters were developed amazingly, and except for the ghost haunting the house, it was mostly realistic. I thought Marty was adorable, I just wanted to give him a big hug. Even though he's eighteen and I'm thirteen. xD

Some parts had me really paranoid, like when the cushion ripped (I don't want to reveal too much, so we'll leave it at that ;D), and pretty much every time Amber entered her room. I made the mistake of reading it at night... so not doing that again; at least, not with books in that genre. xD

I loved the story line, it's really amazing, and all the sub-plots slotted in so wonderfully, and I really felt like I could be there, too, in the same situation. I felt like I was one of the housemates, like I've been there for ages and I know them all really well. I feel comfortable in the area, and the book just makes me fit, makes me connect. It's really great.

Definitely recommending this!!

Book Six.

Title: If You Could See Me Now
Author: Cecelia Ahern
Summary: Elizabeth Egan is too busy for friends. As a reluctant mother to her sister Saoirse's young son Luke and with her own business to run, every precious moment is made to count. But with Saoirse crashing in and out of their lives, leaving them both reeling, Luke and Elizabeth are desperately in need of some magic. Enter Ivan. Wild, spontaneous and always looking for adventure, Ivan changes Elizabeth in ways she could never have imagined. With her newly open eyes and heart, Elizabeth sees what she's been missing all along. As for Ivan, he thought he was there to help Luke, not Elizabeth - or himself ...
Genre: Romance/Comedy
Time Started: 8th January, 11:35am.
Time Ended: 17th January, 1:00pm.
Page Count: 328.
Age Rating: 13+
Warning: Bad language.
Appeal Rating: 8/10.

I'm not usually one for romantic comedy, but this was really, really cute. Ivan is adorable, with all his bizarre words and fantastic personality. I love how at times, he's like a six year old, and others he's so mature. It's wonderful. I really enjoyed this. It wasn't as good as 'PS, I Love You', by the same author (see Book Five), but it was still great.

I want to live in Ekam Eveileb, catch Jinny Joes, have the last name of Elbisivni, interrogate people with my partner "Monsier Rotalsnart", and drink ssalg-es of klim while doing the shoe-shuffle on the beach. However, I don't want to make best friends and leave them months later, so I will not take up Ivan's job. xD

Yeah, so anyway, this was really sweet. I love how Ivan made Elizabeth lighten up, and when Elizabeth began seeing him, I was like "Yesss!!" It was really sweet.

(And when Joe got the "fancy coffee machine", I laughed :) Then again, I laughed a lot throughout the book)

I recommend it, most definitely!

Friday 5 March 2010

Book Five.

Title: PS, I Love You
Author: Cecelia Ahern
Summary: Childhood sweethearts, they could finish each other's sentences and even when they fought, they laughed. No one could imagine Holly and Gerry without each other. Until the unthinkable happens. Gerry's death devastates Holly. But as her 30th birthday looms, Gerry comes back to her. He's left her a bundle of notes, gently guiding Holly into her new life, each note signed with 'PS, I Love You'. As the notes are gradually opened, and as the year unfolds, Holly is both cheered up and challenged. The man who knows her better than anyone sets out to teach her that life goes on. With some help from her friends, and her noisy and loving family, Holly finds herself laughing, crying, singing, dancing - and being braver than ever before.
Genre: Romance/Tragedy
Time Started: 6th January, 3:00pm.
Time Ended: 7th January, 1:00pm.
Page Count: 375
Age Rating: 13+
Warning: Swearing, suggestive mentions of "adult activity".
Appeal Rating: 9/10.

It was very enjoyable, very deep, and very imaginative. I really enjoyed reading it. I can't say, no matter how much I want to, that it perfectly portrays the struggles of a grieving widow, as I've never been married, nor have I lost someone close to me. And, I know that each situation is different, depending on the people involved. However, I liked how Holly was portrayed.

Ciara reminded me of Nymphadora Tonks from Harry Potter; and Richard reminded me of Percy in Harry Potter - but only at the beginning, because in the end, he changed dramatically and I instantly wanted to reach out and give him a big hug. Maybe it's just because I'm in love with the HP series, but I definitely noticed a connection, whether accidental or not - I don't care, either way, Ahern gets a thumbs up. I loved the way all of the characters were created; they were all different and hilarious in their own ways. Audrey, for example, was annoyingly amusing with her strict ways. And Ciara made me crack up with her witty, excited personality and wacky style.

It was, overall, an amazing book. I most certainly recommend it.