Ring of Fire - Rick Broadbent

"It is the unusual that makes
sport such and addictive drug"

Date Finished: 20th June 2012

Ring of Fire is an insider’s account of the acclaim, heroism and pressures of being a MotoGP racer. It is a high-octane revelation of the feuds, danger, politics and adrenaline inside MotoGP World Motorcycling Championship.

My Thoughts: I adored this book. It is really well written - Broadbent is a master of weaving the spectrum of events together with all of the drama and focus that the sport deserves. He captures every moment as if there were a camera set up right there. He gives me access to the side of the riders that I don't see on track and it makes me love them more.

Ring of Fire entertained me to no end and I'm so pleased that he has a new book out about the TT. It appeared instantly on my 'to-read' list and I'm really looking forward to it.

A magic little book that I would recommend to any casual or avid motorsport fan.

I RATED IT 10/10

The Hunt - Andrew Fukuda

"There used to be
more of us."

Date Finished: 9th May 2012

Against all odds, 17-year-old Gene has survived in a world where humans have been eaten to near extinction by the general population. The only remaining humans, or hepers as they are known, are housed in domes on the savannah and studied at the nearby Heper Institute. Every decade there is a government sponsored hunt. When Gene is selected to be one of the combatants he must learn the art of the hunt but also elude his fellow competitors whose suspicions about his true nature are growing.

My Thoughts: A lightly entertaining read, a vampire novel with a twist. The set up to this story was intriguing - humans living in danger every day amongst vampires; and now the vampires want to play a game!!!

I found the book to be mostly predictable, and it had so many convenient coincidences laced into it that I was distracted and couldn't completely enjoy it. The book is definitely plot driven as the characters seemed quite flat, and I didn't really feel for any of them.

Having said all of this, as a quick teen read it's not at all bad. With this being plot driven, I found the book to have pretty much non-stop action and so the pages turned quickly. I did have to read this through to the end, and although the conclusion wasn't great I understand that there will be more.

I RATED IT 5/10

The New York Trilogy - Paul Auster

Date Read: March + April 2012

Paul Auster's signature work, The New York Trilogy, consists of three interlocking novels: City of Glass, Ghosts, and The Locked Room—, haunting and mysterious tales that move at the breathless pace of a thriller.

My Thoughts: I couldn't finish this book as it wasn't entertaining me in the slightest. I loved the concept of it and parts of the book were interesting, but I just couldn't concentrate on it long enough to be fully immersed into it. I reluctantly put it down.

RATED 3/10

The Virgin Cure - Ami McKay

Date Finished: 23rd April 2012

The summer Moth turns twelve, her mother puts a halt to her explorations by selling her boots to a local vendor, convinced that Moth was planning to run away. Wanting to make the most of her every asset, she also sells Moth to a wealthy woman as a servant, with no intention of ever seeing her again.

My Thoughts: Read as uncorrected proof. This was a fairly quick easy to read historic novel with a dark and dangerous plotline and some pretty good characters. I enjoyed reading it, it satisfied the (well-hidden) typical girl in me and I loved the little descriptions of stunning dresses, jewellery and luxurious houses. I found it very visually appealing.

The book builds up to a really quite shocking scene towards the end, and because I felt for the characters, it disturbed me a bit. A sign that this book had me hooked!

I RATED IT 8/10

The Killables - Gemma Malley

Date Finished: 2nd April 2012

Everyone accepted that people were different physically. But inside? Inside, they were different too. You just had to know how to tell, what to look for. Evil has been eradicated. The City has been established. And citizens may only enter after having the 'evil' part of their brain removed. They are labelled on the System according to how 'good' they are. If they show signs of the evil emerging, they are labelled a K ...But no one knows quite what that means. Only that they disappear, never to be seen again ...

My Thoughts: One of our fantastic reps from Hodder Publishing gave me this as a reading copy and it looked instantly like something I would love. I got into it straight away and found it really quick and easy to read. The characters (although I couldn't really connect to any of them, especially Evie) were all very different and the brothers Raffy and Lucas were particularly interesting.

The one thing that really stuck out to me as being a little irritating was the fact that everyone's eyes flash with emotions that can't quite be read by anybody else. Also, a few times the with-holding of information gets me in a tizz just as much as it did to Evie (perhaps that's the sign of great suspense).

All in all it's a really good read for young adults that I know will go down well.

I RATED IT 6/10

Wither - Lauren DeStefano

Date Finished: 25th March 2012

By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males born with a lifespan of 25 years, and females a lifespan of 20 years--leaving the world in a state of panic. Geneticists seek a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have sky-rocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children. When Rhine is sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape.

My Thoughts: I was actually pretty surprised by this book. Admittedly, it's a very fluffy teen read for adolescent girls - but underneath all the tragedy was a bit of charm. The characters were pretty well rounded in the sense that they were all very different to one another, and although it had quite a predictable ending, it was all vaguely charming. Beautiful girls, pretty dresses and fantasy mansions... Everything a 14 year old young lady will find captivating!

Having said that, I found the POV quite distracting sometimes, and a little awkward. The book itself was not challenging to read in the slightest, and lacked a bit of depth that I think it really needed to make it great.

A shallow, easy read that's pretty and fluffy and tragic and charming...

I RATED IT 6/10

Trafficked - Sophie Hayes

Date Finished: 9th March 2012

When Sophie Hayes met Bledi she knew he'd change her life – but she had no idea how much. At first, it was a typical whirlwind romance. But one day Bledi told her that love always comes at a price ...

My Thoughts: I very rarely pick up a 'Painful Lives' book, but there wasn't much choice in the train station and so I ended up running this one through the self-serve check out before jumping on the train.

I couldn't put it down.

The events that she speaks of are horrific, but Sophie glosses over the really gritty detail and as a result, it's a book that more readers can pick up and learn from. A really addictive read that is easy to blitz your way through. Sophie Hayes' story is a tragic one, but it hammers home an immensely important message, and it's one that we can all learn from.

I RATED IT 6/10

Lion of the Sun - Harry Sidebottom

Date Finished: 3rd March 2012

In Mesopotamia, AD 260, Ballista faces yet another enemy, the man the Syrians call The Lion of the Sun, in this third novel in the 'Warrior of Rome' series. Betrayed by his most trusted adviser, Roman Emperor Valerian has been captured by the Sassanid barbarians. The shame of the vanquished beats down mercilessly like the desert sun as the frail old emperor prostrates himself before Sharpur, king of kings. Ballista looks on helplessly but vows under his breath to avenge those who have brought the empire to the brink of destruction with their treachery.

My Thoughts: This is the third book in the Warrior of Rome series - a set of books that I adore. Ballista and his entourage are fantastic characters and I had very high expectations of this upon finishing the first two reads.

I was a little disappointed that Ballista's entourage don't feature in this as much as the last two. It wasn't quite full of the comradary and warmth that is conjured up through the relationships between Ballista and his bodyguard Maximus, his secretary Demetrius and his minder Calgacus.

On top of this, I found the plot line a lot more difficult to follow. It was more focussed on politics and less on action.

Having said this - the ending of Lion of the Sun is fantastic and well worth the struggle to get to it. I didn't really get pulled into the build up but it really was good. I've had customers pick this book up before the first two and then coming back and asking me for Fire in the East. Those who know a lot about Ancient Rome will absolutely adore it and will probably find that it flows a little more easily for them.

One other point to note is that Ballista's wife Julia is a brilliant character and she really does flourish in Lion of the Sun. She is strong, calm and level headed, and can really hold her own. I would love to read a Kate Quinn-esque novel revolving around Julia and the children. It would be ace.

All in all, a good read, but overshadowed by its predecessors.
I RATED THIS 6/10

Pepe - Pepe Reina

Date Finished: 13th February 2012

My Thoughts: Pepe gives us an insight into his career in Spain and Liverpool. He speaks very glowingly of the fans and the club, and gives you a real sense of the pride he takes in keeping for LFC.

I love Pepe, absolutely adore him, and I treasure my signed copy of this book very much.

That's why I'm sorry that I'm going to have to pick a few negatives about this one. Pepe repeats himself quite often, he also rambles on a bit in places when really he could get to the point a lot quicker and more precise.

But, of course, this is an autobiography, and perfect literary techniques are not expected.

Although he does pick out the odd moment that's quite entertaining with regards to his antics off the pitch - I can't help but feel that there must be a lot more to Pepe's life than he reveals here. Fair dos to the guy, he wants to keep his home life under wraps; but it's so under wraps that it's less an autobiography and more an account of Liverpool's successes and failings as a club.

Pepe is brilliant: He will always be an entertainer and he will always make me smile. But this one has been written more with fans of the club in mind and less with fans of himself in mind. Not a bad read, but nothing spectacular.

I RATED IT 6/10

Barry - Steve Parrish & Nick Harris

Date Finished: 1st February 2012

My Thoughts: Barry Sheene - an absolute legend. This book actually made him come across as a bit of a nightmare, but I loved some of the antics he got up to. I still get the feeling that a lot more was left uncovered, but it was well written, fun to read and left me with a real picture of Sheene and his family.

A fitting tribute to a man with a massive character. Brilliantly written.

I RATED THIS 8/10

Marley & Me - John Grogan

Date Finished: 17th January 2012

The heartwarming and unforgettable story of a family in the making and the wondrously neurotic dog who taught them what really matters in life.

My Thoughts: Someone recommended this book to me and gave me their copy to read so I felt obliged, specially as I'd already seen the film and figured the book would probably be better. Oh how wrong I was.

John Grogan comes across as arrogant and abrupt in this book and I didn't find him particularly likeable. It seems that he was a pretty bad dog owner too. He found an amount of amusement in strangling Marley on a choker-chain as one example, never had time for the dog as both he and his wife worked all day, left him in a metal cage completely terrified when thunderstorms passed over, bundled him onto an airplane in a crate that was too small for him, went on holiday whilst the dog was in medical care on his last legs... and none of this is anything to rave about. I don't quite understand how anyone could find this kind of behaviour endearing.

By the same token, Marley actually didn't come across very well either and I didn't get a warm feeling for this dog as much as I expected to. I love dogs, but I thought that there would be something amazing about him that would make a brilliant read. Marley just seemed hungry, destructive, scared and boisterous with no particularly admirable or special qualities at all.

In short; a normal dog in a normal house being looked after by normal people. Not the kind of stuff great biographies are made of. Quite disappointing.

I'd recommend leaving the book to gather dust.

I RATED THIS 2/10

If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things - Jon McGregor

Date Finished: 30th December 2011

Risky in conception, hip and yet soulful, this is a prose poem of a novel -- intense, lyrical, and highly evocative -- with a mystery at its center, which keeps the reader in suspense until the final page. In a tour de force that could be described as Altmanesque, we are invited into the private lives of the residents of a quiet urban street in England over the course of a single day.

My Thoughts: A really deep and involving read that perhaps goes too far with the wistful description and longing atmosphere. I can't really describe it but I shall give it a go: This book laid heavily on me until I had finished the last page. I needed to finish it, which can only be a good thing.

Some of the small characteristics that McGregor paints into the novel are raw and remarkable. 

I RATED IT 7/10

Killer in the Rain - Raymond Chandler

Date Read: December 2011

From the master of American detective novels comes this riveting short story collection. In his early works, Chandler laid the groundwork for his signature character, the legendary Philip Marlowe. The hero of such novels as the Big Sleep, and Farewell, My Lovely takes center stage in the gripping stories in this series.

My Thoughts: I guess this one didn't quite hit the spot for me because it's not quite as suspenseful and thrilling as the crime reads that I am used to. I also have never really picked up a short story before but I expected it to be snappy and twisted. It wasn't.

The book passed some time on the Ormskirk train however, and was interesting enough to keep me going. The language is brilliant, the content, not so much.
I RATED IT 4/10

Flu - Wayne Simmons

Date Finished: 3rd December 2011

There's a nasty flu going round. An epidemic, they call it. The posters say to cover your mouth when you sneeze, and throw away the tissue.

But such simple measures won't help.

Because when you catch this flu, armed police come and lock you in your house to die alone.

When you catch this flu, it kills you in days.

And two hours after it's killed you, your eyelids snap open again...

My Thoughts: I really did like this. It kept me on edge in the way that a good horror film would, and was well written - enough blood and suspense to keep me happy. The pages turned quickly and I was gutted when I misplaced the book for a few days right in the middle of reading!

The story is less about the flu virus (you don't get to find out any of the scientific details surrounding how it started) and more about survival - which was a major plus for me as I love survival tales.

There seemed to be a few things brushed over, and the odd bit that felt misplaced; but nothing that put me off reading at all.

I did have one major hang up with it. The female characters in this novel seemed so cliche. Neither of them initially knew how to work a gun (on the other hand, every male character instinctfully picks up a weapon and is a brilliant shot). They fall flat (and often fall over at the most inappropriate of times) and rely on the men to look out for them or to teach them how to look out for themselves.

I'm not usually one to go off on a rant about people portraying the stereotypical woman, as normally I wouldn't even notice. But this one had me a bit irritated because it was so blindingly obvious, otherwise it would have definitely been very high on my list of favourite apocalyptic thrillers.

All in all a great read! Just ignore the fact that the ladies are a bit of a nightmare situation.

I RATED IT 6/10

A Moveable Feast - Ernest Hemingway

Date Finished: 30th November 2011

Hemingway's memories of his life as an unknown writer living in Paris in the 1920s are deeply personal, warmly affectionate and full of wit. Looking back not only at his own much younger self, but also at the other writers who shared Paris with him - literary 'stars' like James Joyce, Wyndham Lewis, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Ezra Pound and Gertrude Stein - he recalls the time when, poor, happy and writing in cafes, he discovered his vocation.

My Thoughts: I loved this. Picked it up on a lunch break because I had temporarily lost the book that I was in the middle of reading, and I found that I couldn't put it down.

I love Hemingway's style; the way that he describes people is breathtaking and it is quite obvious that he has the art of observation nailed. It's a short read, the perfect length for the laid back feel of the book and I was drawn in to the atmosphere right from the first page.

Definitely a classic to put on everybody's 'to-read' list.

I RATED IT 10/10

The Visitor - Lee Child

Date Finished: 7th November 2011

It's tough being a high-flying woman in the Army. Very tough. When Sergeant Amy Callan and Lieutenant Caroline Cook are found dead in their own homes—in baths filled with Army-issue camouflage paint, their bodies completely unmarked—Jack Reacher is under suspicion. He knew them both—and he knows that they both left the Army under dubious circumstances, both victims of sexual harassment. A former U.S. military policeman, a loner and a drifter, he matches the psychological profile prepared by the FBI, and is arrested by ambitious Special Agent, Julia Lamarr.

My Thoughts: Jack Reacher is at it again. This time he gets roped in to something pretty huge against his will. The fourth in Reacher's series is just as quick and easy to read as the last three, and again, I found it very tricky to put down.

Having said this, The Visitor didn't quite hit the same mark as the last books for me - this one is more of a "whodunnit" and has less of Reacher muscling his way about banging heads together for results (which is what I love most about his over-the-top mountain of a character). It keeps you guessing right until the very last pages however, and although the conclusion also didn't cut it for me, the suspense was brilliant. A must read for Reacher fans, but perhaps shouldn't be the first choice for those not familiar with the series.

I RATED THIS 8/10

Blindsighted - Karin Slaughter

Date Finished: 18th October 2011

The sleepy town of Heartsdale, Georgia, is jolted into panic when Sara Linton, the town’s pediatrician and coroner, finds Sibyl Adams, a young college professor, 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 postmortem that the full extent of the killer’s brutality starts to become clear.

My Thoughts: This truly was a brutally addictive read - the story had me hooked. I love the way that Karin Slaughter draws you right in to the lives of her characters and makes you want the best for them. I should never have read Genesis first, there's a MASSIVE spoiler in that one! Read this series from book 1 'Blindsighted'.

Slaughter has quickly become one of my favourite authors and I will be getting book 2 in as soon as I can. Not one for the faint hearted, you need to have a strong stomach for Slaughter - her crimes are absolutely shocking.

I RATED IT 10/10

Transition - Iain Banks

Date Read: October 2011

There is a world that hangs suspended between triumph & catastrophe, between the dismantling of the Wall & the fall of the Twin Towers, frozen in the shadow of suicide terrorism & global financial collapse. Such a world requires a firm hand, a guiding light. But does it need the Concern: an all-powerful organization with a malevolent presiding genius, pervasive influence & numberless invisible operatives in possession of extraordinary powers?

My Thoughts: A very tricky read to follow - specially if your head is all over the place anyway (as mine was). You really need to focus on this one, but it pays off big time. I became glued to it. told from different character's perspectives, at different times, in different worlds. Sex, drugs and humour lace the pages.

Find time for this sci-fi classic; and space on your bookshelf.

I RATED IT 7/10

What you see is what you get - Alan Sugar

Date Read: September 2011

From a Hackney council estate to the House of Lords, this is the extraordinary story of one of our greatest entrepreneurs. Alan Sugar was born in 1947 and brought up on a council estate in Clapton, in Hackney. As a kid he watched his dad struggle to support the family, never knowning from one week to the next if he'd have a job. It had a huge impact on him, fuelling a drive to succeed that was to earn him a sizeable personal fortune. Now he describes his amazing journey, from schoolboy enterprises like making and selling his own ginger beer to setting up his own company at nineteen.

My Thoughts: A massive disappointment. I think Alan Sugar is ace, but this book let him down. I couldn't finish it! He just did not come across well in this and it was so very dull. Not funny at all (as the blurb would lead you to believe).

I RATED IT 1/10

Genesis - Karin Slaughter

Date Read: September 2011

Karin Slaughter weaves together moving, powerful human stories of characters as real as they are complex and unforgettable. At the same time she has crafted a work of dazzling storytelling and spine-tingling mystery; as three people, with their own wounds and their own secrets, are all that stand between a madman and his next crime...

My Thoughts: It really does make me wonder as to how Karin Slaughter comes up with the shocking and sickening acts of violence that laced her book. It made my skin crawl!

'Genesis' was tightly written, with some well-rounded characters (I loved Will) that are completely human with all of their flaws and qualities. I am a bit of a sucker for character-driven novels and that really helped me to devour the pages on my lunch breaks, often finding myself strolling back to work a little late.

Her horrific descriptions of torture were shocking, but only really used where necessary (she didn't just chuck it all in for the hell of it). It made me cringe - but didn't keep hounding on about it. However, definitely not a read for someone of a nervous disposition.

I honestly couldn't put the book down and I will definitely be reading more from her, probably starting from the very beginning.

I RATED THIS 10/10

Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton

Date Finished: 6th September 2011

On a remote jungle island, genetic engineers have created a dinosaur game park.

An astonishing technique for recovering and cloning dinosaur DNA has been discovered. Now one of mankind's most thrilling fantasies has come true and the first dinosaurs that the Earth has seen in the time of man emerge.

But, as always, there is a dark side to the fantasy and after a catastrophe destroys the park's defense systems, the scientists and tourists are left fighting for survival...

My Thoughts: Where do I start?!? This is the book that one of my all time favourite movies was adapted from, and so I had high expectations from the very beginning.

The very first thing that struck me was how unlikeable most of the characters are - Hammond is the most naive and frustrating character I have stumbled across in a long time. I know that he is supposed to be the shady character in the book, but to me he just seemed to be full of forced idiocy - which doesn't seem plausible for the man behind such a massive development.

The next character that I found nauseating was Lex - and I'm not surprised that she was completely transformed in light of the movie. I don't think we are told how old she is (correct me if I'm wrong) and I can not even begin to guess at her age. She appears to be a bit of a tomboy, loving baseball and such, but all the way through the book she whines, can't walk for herself, touches things she shouldn't, gets in the way, can't keep quiet. She really grated on me.

Don't get me started on Malcolm, at least 80 percent of his dialogue could have been chopped out and I would have been happy.

I didn't find myself attached to any of the characters at all, and I will let Crichton off a little on this one, because the book is very much plot-driven. Having said this, some of the detail in the novel was just completely unbelievable (and hey, I know the whole thing is supposed to be far-fetched, but I like to have some kind of explanation as to why certain things might happen).

It seems that 'anything goes' is the key to this read and that doesn't quite sit well with me, I'm so glad that it was reigned in a little for the film.

The fact that this novel was also supposed to be set on a beautiful island - masses of stunning landscape sliced through with man-made concrete buildings and wire fences escaped me a little. Crichton could definitely have elaborated on this a touch more; could have placed me right in the middle of the scenery. His descriptions of the island (in my own opinion) fell flat.

The reason I'm not marking this off as a complete failure is because the basic ideas behind the book are stunning, and it produced such an iconic movie that I watched over and over as a kid. That in itself is one hell of an acheivement.

So, well done Crichton for conjuring this one up. I won't be reading anything else by him, but I will always have a bit of a soft spot for Jurassic Park. :)

Theme: 10/10
Plot: 5/10
Characters: 1/10
Setting: 4/10
Style: 4/10

OVERALL AVERAGE:  5/10

The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller

Date Read: August 2011

Profoundly moving and breathtakingly original, this rendering of the epic Trojan War is a dazzling feat of the imagination, a devastating love story, and an almighty battle between gods and kings, peace and glory, immortal fame and the human heart.

My Thoughts: Read as uncorrected proof. This book is very addictive, once I picked it up I found it pretty tricky to put down. An easy-read twist on a classic Greek legend that is astonishing, touching and will leave you with a bit of a lump in your throat. I love the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus that Miller builds, it has such strength and honesty - it was easy to fall in love with their characters and watch them grow together. This is less a tale of war and Gods, and more a tale of love and honour.

The only reason that I refrained from giving this book 10 stars is because it brushes very briefly over some events that really should have had more of an impact on the characters. However, a good strong read that I believe will be enjoyed by many.

I RATED THIS 9/10

Feed - Mira Grant

Date Read: August 2011

In 2014, two experimental viruses—a genetically engineered flu strain designed by Dr. Alexander Kellis, intended to act as a cure for the common cold, and a cancer-killing strain of Marburg, known as "Marburg Amberlee"—escaped the lab and combined to form a single airborne pathogen that swept around the world in a matter of days. It cured cancer. It stopped a thousand cold and flu viruses in their tracks. It raised the dead...

My Thoughts: This book was not worth ploughing through and unfortunately I gave up after 190 pages. Too much political tedium and information on teenagers blogging for me. There wasn't much action at all and I didn't care for any of the characters. It's a real shame because the front cover is pretty awesome and the blurb read pretty well.

I RATED THIS 1/10

Yes Man - Danny Wallace

Date Read: July 2011

Recently single, Danny Wallace was falling into loneliness and isolation. When a stranger on a bus advises, "Say yes more," Wallace vows to say yes to every offer, invitation, challenge, and chance.

My Thoughts: Brilliant! Danny Wallace is an absolute legend! This was a big, bold and hilarious read that had me thinking about it long after finishing the last page. It's nothing like the film starring a certain Jim Carey - it is so much more than that!

An honest and entertaining account of one man's struggle to come to terms with his own philosophies. A definite winner that should be on everyone's reading list.

I RATED IT 10/10

Tripwire - Lee Child

Date Read: June 2011

Jack Reacher washes up in the Florida Keys with his savings running out; he spends his days digging pools and his nights as the bouncer in the local strip club. But a private investigator intrudes upon his tropical refuge, seeking Reacher out. When he discovers the PI's lifeless beaten body lying in the street, Reacher heads north to determine who is trying to find him and why.

My Thoughts: A chance to breathe... The 3rd book in the Reacher series lets us take a bit of a step back to really get into Jack Reacher's character. There's a bit more detective work in this one, and it's a little calmer (until the end of course).

I really don't care how over-the-top Reacher is, I love this series.

I RATED IT 9/10

Last Light - Alex Scarrow

Date Read: June 2011

It’s just a temporary halt in oil production – but within days, the implications are devastating. Andy Sutherland, a civilian engineer, is stranded in Iraq, determined to find a way home to his family. His wife, Jenny, never took Andy’s warnings about a potential oil crisis seriously but now, as she tries to reach her children, his words come back to her with terrifying clarity.

My Thoughts: Wow! Oil is cut off around the Earth, leaving billions of people fighting amongst each other to survive in a world of absolute chaos. This one is a really dark apocalyptic tale of survival, which is made all the more shocking because it is not entirely a distant issue. This is something that could quite possibly happen to us, and Scarrow explores this possibility with brutal depth and frightening conclusion.

I'm off to read book 2!

I RATED THIS 9/10

The Eagle's Conquest - Simon Scarrow

Date Read: May 2011

When Centurion Macro and his young subordinate, Optio Cato arrive on the shores of Britain to take part in the Emperor Claudius' invasion in AD 43, Macro knows the desperately outnumbered Roman army will be facing one of the toughest campaigns ever. Meanwhile, a sinister organization is secretly betraying the brave men of the legions. When assassination rumors coincide with the Emperor's arrival, the soldiers realize they are up against a force more ruthless than the Britons, and that time is running out if they are to prevent Claudius's glorious victory from turning to disaster.

My Thoughts: The second book that follows Macro and Cato is almost as good as the first, but not quite. Here we see Cato really finding out what it's like to be a man - standing on his own two feet, suffering betrayal, triumph and yet more betrayal...

Scarrow never fails to keep me hooked, with Macro's skill and brutality, and Cato's underlying bravery - and I can really see his characters growing and look forward to reading more.

I RATED IT 8/10

Heartshaped Box - Joe Hill

Date Read: May 2011

Judas Coyne is a collector of the macabre: a cookbook for cannibals...a used hangman's noose...a snuff film. An aging death-metal rock god, his taste for the unnatural is as widely known to his legions of fans as the notorious excesses of his youth. But nothing he possesses is as unlikely or as dreadful as his latest discovery, an item for sale on the Internet, a thing so terribly strange, Jude cant help but reach for his wallet...

My Thoughts: A brilliant modern ghost story that had me hooked. It was ever so slightly awkward around the edges, but drew me in - and although it didn't really scare me at all (nothing to do with the book, I'm just not easily frightened), it was chilling and pretty tightly written.

I didn't find myself liking the characters at all, but the pages were turning and it's definitely worth a read. Not my usual choice when it comes to books as I'm not particularly bothered with ghosts so much, but I was pleasantly surprised.

I RATED IT 8/10

Hard Time - Shaun Attwood

Date Read: March 2011

My Thoughts: Shaun Attwood is a legend. When he comes into our store, customers ignore me when I'm serving them at the till because they can hear Attwood talking. He has the most amazing stories to tell and it's well worth a listen.

The book itself is really good. I managed to read it in a couple of days; the characters are so bizarre and the situations that Shaun finds himself in are often very disturbing. Despite the troubled times, the message that comes across from the book is one of pure positivity, mental strength and highlighting the importance of love and support. It's a real winner!

As Shaun says to everyone that walks through the shop door: "It's like Shawshank Redemption except it's all true..."

I RATED THIS 10/10

The King's Bastard - Rowena Cory Daniells

Date Read: March 2011

The Kingdom of Rolencia sleeps as rumours of new Affinity Seeps, places where the untamed power wells up. By royal decree all those afflicted with Affinity must serve the Abbey or face death. Sent to the Ab-bey, the King's youngest son, Fyn, trains to become a warrior monk. Elsewhere others are tainted with Affinity and must fight to survive. Political intrigue and magic combine in this explosive first book in an exciting new fantasy trilogy.

My Thoughts: Another gritty fantasy that I found myself absorbed in. This one is shaping out to be a real epic and I only hope that the second book is as good as the first. Dark and bloody, full of betrayal, with some strong characters and grand settings; it had me turning the pages right to the end.

I RATED THIS 8/10

The Holy Machine - Chris Beckett

Date Read: March 2011

Illyria is a scientific utopia, an enclave of logic and reason founded off the Greek coast in the mid-21st century as a refuge from the Reaction, a wave of religious fundamentalism sweeping the planet. Yet to George Simling, first generation son of a former geneticist who was left emotionally and psychically crippled by the persecution she encountered in her native Chicago, science-dominated Illyria is becoming as closed-minded and stifling as the religion-dominated world outside...

My Thoughts: I thought this was a great book. It had quite a lot of scope, covered some fairly deep issues and had enough imagination to keep me turning pages. It was easy-to-read, very quick, and as one or two people have pointed out, would make a good beach read for those not interested in fluffy chick-lit.

Fans of dystopian novels should give it a try - it won't take too much time from busy schedules. I wouldn't put it on the same standing as Orwell, but it's an entertaining read that shouldn't be dismissed lightly.

I RATED IT 7/10

Battle Royale - Koushun Takami

Date Read: February 2011

Koushun Takami's notorious high-octane thriller is based on an irresistible premise: a class of junior high school students is taken to a deserted island where, as part of a ruthless authoritarian program, they are provided arms and forced to kill one another until only one survivor is left standing. Criticized as violent exploitation when first published in Japan - where it then proceeded to become a runaway bestseller - Battle Royale is a Lord of the Flies for the 21st century, a potent allegory of what it means to be young and (barely) alive in a dog-eat-dog world.

My Thoughts: Ack! I loved the concept of this. Absolutely adored it in fact - and it is a real inspirational classic that should be read by all if the chance arises.

The plot is brilliantly intense, bloody, brutal. There is no hesitation in bringing characters to their ultimate end; pretty damn awesome and I really wanted to rave about it...

And yet for me all of this 'she crushes on him' and 'he fancies her' let it down. I found it irritating and tiresome. It was very difficult for me to keep tabs on who each of the copious amounts of characters were, and nearly impossible to remember which of them was where.

One or two of the characters definitely stood out however, and I was routing for them to get through it.

All in all a good read that leaves much to talk about, but personally, I found some aspects of it annoying.

I RATED THIS 6/10

Outpost - Adam Baker

Date Read: February 2011

Kasker Rampart: a derelict refinery platform moored in the Arctic Ocean. A skeleton crew of fifteen fight boredom and despair as they wait for a relief ship to take them home. But the world beyond their frozen wasteland has gone to hell. Cities lie ravaged by a global pandemic. One by one TV channels die, replaced by silent wavebands. The Rampart crew are marooned. They must survive the long Arctic winter, then make their way home alone. They battle starvation and hypothermia, unaware that the deadly contagion that has devastated the world is heading their way...

My Thoughts: I read this as a proof read and I loved it! The main character is honestly told, she has her flaws but is a very strong character in a way that I haven't really happened across before. It's atmospheric and chilling, you really get a feel for the icy, metallic conditions that the book is set right in the middle of.

Sometimes this thriller had me thinking about what it would look like on the big screen or in a video game. Really gritty and edgy stuff - a fantastic debut. I can't wait to read more from Baker.

I RATED THIS 10/10

I am Legend - Richard Matheson

Date Read: February 2011

A terrible plague has decimated the world, and those who were unfortunate enough to survive have been transformed into blood-thirsty creatures of the night. Except, that is, for Robert Neville. He alone appears to be immune to this disease, but the grim irony is that now he is the outsider. He is the legendary monster who must be destroyed because he is different from everyone else.

My Thoughts: I can't believe I've never picked this up before! Richard Matheson manages to create a page-turning vampiresque classic using the inner thoughts of just one character for most of the book. It's a fantastic piece of work - dark, claustrophobic but constantly pushing forward until the shocking conclusion. You forget that this was written over 50 years ago.

I loved the film starring Will Smith, of course, but this book is entirely different - definitely worth reading.

I RATED THIS 10/10

A Loyal Spy - Simon Conway

Date Read: January 2011

Jonah Said recruited his oldest friend Nor to spy for one of Britain's most secret agencies in Afghanistan.

But embittered when government cuts mean he loses his job, Nor has turned to Al Q'aida with a terrifying plan to flood London. Now Jonah must find his friend - and kill him.

My Thoughts: A complex tale of espionage, betrayal and terrorism that is brought to us from the viewpoints of different characters on different timescales and in different countries. It wasn't too difficult to follow due to the tight writing style, however, some of the characters weren't entirely relatable and seemed a little distant to me. It grew slightly tedious at times while waiting for the action to happen.

Other than this it was a very well-written novel, and it was clear that a lot of knowledge and intelligence had gone into the making of it. A decent read in all, just very plot driven.

I RATED THIS 7/10

Snuff - Chuck Palahniuk

Date Read: January 2011

Cassie Wright, porn priestess, intends to cap her legendary career by breaking the world record for serial fornication. On camera. With six hundred men. Snuff unfolds from the perspectives of Mr. 72, Mr. 137, and Mr. 600, who await their turn on camera in a very crowded green room. This wild, lethally funny, and thoroughly researched novel brings the huge yet underacknowledged presence of pornography in contemporary life into the realm of literary fiction at last. Who else but Chuck Palahniuk would dare do such a thing? Who else could do it so well, so unflinchingly, and with such an incendiary (you might say) climax?

My Thoughts: From the author of 'Fight Club' comes 'Snuff' - occasionally amusing, very seedy, dark and gritty novel that will take a day to read. It's easy and quick paced - and is actually tricky to put down once you pick it up.

The events are pretty raw and the three guys in it are laid bare (literally and metaphorically) with some crazy back stories. Events get more and more bizarre as the book goes along and a few secrets are revealed - the ending is completely strange and ruined the book for me a little bit.

Palahniuk's characters are brilliant and the plotline is definitely very brave. But it is the absurdity of the last, say, quarter of the book that sends it into a downwards spiral for me. Still - definitely worth a read (but not by kids!!!)...

Recommendations: If you liked 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' and 'Fight Club - you'll like this.

I RATED IT 7/10

Lee Child - Die Trying

Date Read: January 2011

A Chicago street in bright sunshine. Jack Reacher, strolling nowhere, meets an attractive young woman, limping, struggling with her crutches, alone. Naturally he stops to offer her a steadying arm and then they turn together—to face twin handguns held level and motionless and aimed straight at their stomachs.

My Thoughts: Almost as brilliant as the first but in an entirely different way. We see Reacher at full throttle in this one. The action doesn't stop and the scenes are pretty vivid and full of thrills, still with the legendary cheese and over-the-top, well, everything.

Just ignore the fact that the word "shrugged" is used a million times...

I RATED THIS 8/10

Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut

Date Read: November 2010

Kurt Vonnegut's absurdist classic Slaughterhouse-Five introduces us to Billy Pilgrim, a man who becomes unstuck in time after he is abducted by aliens from the planet Tralfamadore. In a plot-scrambling display of virtuosity, we follow Pilgrim simultaneously through all phases of his life, concentrating on his (and Vonnegut's) shattering experience as an American prisoner of war who witnesses the firebombing of Dresden.

My Thoughts: I picked this up on recommendation from a work colleague of mine and I wasn't overly impressed really. It was funny in parts - a humour that was quite bizarre and made me smile a little. However, quite a lot of it seemed to just ramble on without actually amounting to anything in particular.

It was a fairly good read - worth a go and quite witty, but the characters weren't likeable and the plotline wasn't brilliant.

I RATED THIS 6/10

Stormlord Rising - Glenda Larke

Date Read: November 2010

The last Stormlord is dead. War has come to the cities of the Quartern. The violent, nomadic Redunners have put every rainlord they could find to the sword and the cities are left without hope.

Shale has been betrayed, drugged, and left at the feet of his greatest enemy. Now, he must decide to work with those who have plotted against him or let thousands of the waterless die. He has great power but is no Stormlord. At least, not yet...

My Thoughts: Not quite as brilliant as the first book in the Stormlord series, because Shale's character seems to indulge in activities and make decisions that I don't personally believe his character would do.

Having said that, the book is almost as stunning as the first; just as brutal, pacy and the plot really does start to unfold around you. Love, friendship, betrayal, epic battles, slavery, arduous journeys... I just can't stress enough how amazing this series is turning out to be!

I RATED THIS 8/10

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Hunter S. Thompson

Date Read: November 2010

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is the best chronicle of drug-soaked, addle-brained, rollicking good times ever committed to the printed page. It is also the tale of a long weekend road trip that has gone down in the annals of American pop culture as one of the strangest journeys ever undertaken.

My Thoughts: I went against my usual aversion to borrowing books for this one because I spied it on his shelf and just had to read it. A brilliantly bizarre cult classic that had me hooked right to the very end. A definite must-read.

I RATED IT 9/10

All the Pretty Girls - J. T. Ellison

Date Read: November 2010

When a local girl falls prey to a sadistic serial killer, Nashville homicide lieutenant Taylor Jackson and her lover, FBI profiler Dr. John Baldwin, find themselves in a joint investigation pursuing a vicious murderer. The Southern Strangler is slaughtering his way through the Southeast, leaving a gruesome memento at each crime scene--the prior victim's severed hand.

My Thoughts:  A nice, tightly written crime thriller with a bit of grit about it. The characters are brilliant - the plot is pretty good. Nothing stands out far enough for me to rave about but it was a very enjoyable read and I liked the ending too.

I wouldn't mind picking up book 2 if I stumbled across it, but I wouldn't go out of my way to order it in. A solid debut from Ellison - not bad at all.

I RATED THIS 7/10

Maps of Hell - Paul Johnston

Date Read: October 2010

The bestselling author of "The Soul Collector" brings readers a new installment featuring mystery writer hero Matt Wells as he's never seen seen before. Original.

My Thoughts: Where to start! This book was terrible! I read this on the train to a work conference in Manchester and picked so many faults and cliches from it that it was untrue.

There are so many typing errors in the book that it is almost impossible to see past them. The editors must have been asleep on the job when they read through it. Johnston's characters are mostly 2D and unlikeable and the main character seems to have a derogatory view of women (something that was so glaringly obvious that it was difficult to miss). The protagonist outlines everything he does before he does it, and his flashbacks and such are very unbelievable.

No suspense, not much action, characters that grated on me and a whole bunch of typos - it's a shame because the cover and blurb looked so good. I actually gave my copy away (which I never do to my books).

Recommendation: If you want to see how NOT to write a book - read it.

I RATED IT 0/10

Generation Kill - Evan Wright

Date Read: September 2010

Within hours of 9/11, America’s war on terrorism fell to those like the twenty-three Marines of the First Recon Battalion, the first generation dispatched into open-ended combat since Vietnam. Cocky, brave, headstrong, wary and mostly unprepared for the physical, emotional and moral horrors ahead, the “First Suicide Battalion” would spearhead the blitzkrieg on Iraq, and fight against the hardest resistance Saddam had to offer.
 
My Thoughts: Generation Kill follows First Recon Marines through nail-biting treks, stand offs and gun fights. It's a true story of bravery, comradery and talent from normal guys in a situation that most of us wouldn't even dream of. The people in the book are written in the most vividly honest manner, and I think that this will remain my favourite book for quite some time.

I RATED THIS 10/10

Pretty Little Things - Jilliane Hoffman

Date Read: September 2010

Thirteen-year-old Lainey Emerson is the middle child in a home police are already familiar with: her mother works too much and her stepfather favors his own blood over another man’s problems—namely Lainey and her wild older sister, Liza. So when Lainey does not come home from a Friday night out with her friends, it is dismissed by the Coral Springs P.D. as just another disillusioned South Florida teen running away from suburban drama and an unhappy home life.

My Thoughts: Jilliane Hoffman does a good job of writing from the perspectives of many different characters with plenty of style - her talent for this really adds depth to the book and draws you into the stories of the different characters. Other than this, there is nothing really too memorable about the plot - although I did find it tricky to put down at the time of reading. It is a good and easy read that doesn't go too much into intricate details or gore and has enough suspense to keep you happy.

Recommendations: Crime fans looking for something that has pace and grit but doesn't go too far into gory details will love Hoffman's debut.

I RATED THIS 5/10

The Magician's Guild - Trudi Canavan

Date Read: July 2010

This year, like every other, the magicians of Imardin gather to purge the city of undesirables. Cloaked in the protection of their sorcery, they move with no fear of the vagrants and miscreants who despise them and their work—until one enraged girl, barely more than a child, hurls a stone at the hated invaders . . . and effortlessly penetrates their magical shield.

My Thoughts: I really do not understand all of the hype that surrounds these books at all (but then again, the popularity of the Twilight series also has me baffled).

The writing isn't great. The characters are dull. The whole world that Canavan creates here falls a little flat to me and most of the book is spent chasing Sonea about as she is in hiding. There is nothing challenging about it at all - it's a bit like painting your living room magnolia. Unoffensive, no content and no real issues are addressed.

The book completely lacks depth; however, I have been discussing this with a colleague of mine and she insists that the trilogy gets so much better as it goes along. She tells me that you really get into the 2nd book and it's worth reading. I can see how this series has potential and I won't be picking up book 2 myself, but I think that others will enjoy the Black Magician Trilogy.

I RATED IT 3/10

Uglies - Scott Westerfeld

Date Read: July 2010

Playing on every teen's passionate desire to look as good as everybody else, Scott Westerfeld (Midnighters) projects a future world in which a compulsory operation at sixteen wipes out physical differences and makes everyone pretty by conforming to an ideal standard of beauty. The "New Pretties" are then free to play and party, while the younger "Uglies" look on enviously and spend the time before their own transformations in plotting mischievous tricks against their elders. Tally Youngblood is one of the most daring of the Uglies, and her imaginative tricks have gotten her in trouble with the menacing department of Special Circumstances.

My Thoughts: I loved the concept of this but it all felt a bit bland to me in the way that it was put onto paper. There was a bit of action in it but the characters weren't particularly likeable and the plot could have had so much more depth to it.

This is the perfect read for troubled teenage girls, but I'm going to leave the rest of the series on my "will not read" list.

I RATED IT 4/10

Farenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury

Date Read: July 2010

The system was simple. Everyone understood it. Books were for burning, along with the houses in which they were hidden.

Guy Montag was a fireman whose job it was to start fires. And he enjoyed his job. He had been a fireman for ten years, and he had never questioned the pleasure of the midnight runs or the joy of watching pages consumed by flames, never questioned anything until he met a seventeen-year-old girl who told him of a past when people were not afraid. Then Guy met a professor who told him of a future in which people could think. And Guy Montag suddenly realized what he had to do...

My Thoughts: Being a fan of fiction with a dystopian element to it, I had to give this classic a go. It has some amazing little quotes in it throughout and is quick and pretty easy to get through.

Despite it's simplicity, it definitely raises some intriuging questions: Burn books? Why ever would you want to do that!!! I was not disappointed with the ending of this either. An interesting read that leaves you plenty to contemplate.

Recommendation: If you liked 1984 by George Orwell or Brave New World by Aldous Huxley then it might be worth giving this a go.

I RATED THIS 8/10

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon

Date Read: June 2010

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is a murder mystery novel like no other. The detective, and narrator, is Christopher Boone. Christopher is fifteen and has Asperger's Syndrome. He knows a very great deal about maths and very little about human beings. He loves lists, patterns and the truth. He hates the colours yellow and brown and being touched. He has never gone further than the end of the road on his own, but when he finds a neighbour's dog murdered he sets out on a terrifying journey which will turn his whole world upside down.

My Thoughts:  I thought this was great! I worked with children who have Special Needs for 8 years before working in the book store and I can honestly say that one of the kids I worked with could have written a book in almost the exact same style. I love the way that Haddon has Christopher describing the holes in a man's shoes rather than his face... it was so very well written.

There were one or two little bits of Christopher's personality that seemed to clash however, and I caught him thinking hypothetically and metaphorically once or twice even though he had explained that he doesn't do that just the chapter before. Near the end - I wasn't keen on the relationship between Christopher and his dad and was willing them to make up quickly.

I loved the descriptions that Christopher gives and the bits of humour that break the tension perfectly. I especially liked the items that he finds under his dad's bed - funny stuff...

Recommendation: This one is for anyone (young or old) who appreciates a good story and will love the intrigue that Mark Haddon conjures up through Christopher.
I RATED THIS 8/10

Dark Matter - Michelle Paver

Date Read: June 2010

January, 1937. Twenty-eight-year-old Jack is poor, lonely and desperate to change his life. So when he's offered the chance to be the wireless operator on an Arctic expedition, he jumps at it. Five men and eight huskies, cross the Barents Sea from Norway by the light of the midnight sun. At last they reach the remote, uninhabited bay where they will camp. Gruhuken. But the Arctic summer is brief. As night returns to claim the land, Jack feels a creeping unease. One by one, his companions are forced to leave. He has to decide, stay or go. Soon he will see the last of the sun, the point of no return - when the sea will freeze. And Gruhuken is not uninhabited. Something walks there in the dark.

My Thoughts: I read this as a pre-publication proof. Upon first putting this book down, I wasn't quite sure how I felt about it. Not much had happened. It wasn't really scary. It wasn't really suspenseful.

But when I continued to contemplate upon the matter, I realised that I actually really enjoyed it. It has a picturesque setting; it has a moody atmosphere; the characters are realistic (and there's a nice little twist to one of them that is revealed more fully towards the end).

I think I may have been unsure in the first instance because I was looking to get the wrong experiences out of it. This isn't a horror story and it doesn't have any action at all - it's one to sit back, relax and enjoy without any preconceptions.

I RATED THIS 7/10

Under the Eagle - Simon Scarrow

Date Read: June 2010

It is 42 AD, and Quintus Licinius Cato has just arrived in Germany as a new recruit to the Second Legion, the toughest in the Roman army. If adjusting to the rigours of military life isn't difficult enough for the bookish young man, he also has to contend with the disgust of his colleagues when, because of his imperial connections, he is appointed a rank above them.
My Thoughts: After reading historic Roman fiction by Harry Sidebottom and being completely entranced by it, I figured that the next step would be one of our bestselling authors - Scarrow's books have always had brilliant reviews by our customers and I wanted to try for myself.

I loved it!

Macro and Cato are awesome characters - I especially love the brutality of Macro's wit and the way that we can watch Cato grow before our very eyes. I found myself submerged right into the midsts of the Roman army, could feel the grit and terror.

The twists are pretty good, and the ending is not a disappointing one either.

I RATED THIS 9/10