Date Read: May 2010
The year is 1954. U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels and his new -partner, Chuck Aule, have come to Shutter Island, home of Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane, to investigate the disappearance of a patient. Multiple-murderess Rachel Solando is loose somewhere on this barren island, despite having been kept in a locked cell under constant surveillance. As a killer hurricane bears relentlessly down on them, a strange case takes on even darker, more sinister shades--with hints of radical experimentation, horrifying surgeries, and lethal countermoves made in the cause of a covert shadow war. No one is going to escape Shutter Island unscathed, because nothing at Ashecliffe Hospital is remotely what it seems.
My Thoughts: Shutter Island is a dark and pretty pacy read with plenty of mysteries to keep your thoughts ticking over. I was ever so slightly annoyed with Lehane's tendency to constantly use "and" whenever there was some major action going off - but I did get used to it after a while and I could come up with a couple of reasons as to why he might do it.
The characters were well-written, but not ones you could really connect to (even Chuck was a little bit awkward round the edges) and the ending was predictable, but didn't leave me feeling cheated in any way. I haven't seen the film yet, but I am pretty sure that it is going to be better than the book - the visual element may add a little bit extra to the action.
I RATED THIS 5/10
Date Read: May 2010
Winston Smith works for the Ministry of truth in London, chief city of Airstrip One. Big Brother stares out from every poster, the Thought Police uncover every act of betrayal. When Winston finds love with Julia, he discovers that life does not have to be dull and deadening, and awakens to new possibilities. Despite the police helicopters that hover and circle overhead, Winston and Julia begin to question the Party; they are drawn towards conspiracy. Yet Big Brother will not tolerate dissent.
My Thoughts: This book is definitely one that will make your mind tick-over with theories and opinions on the subject matter. A lot of the book is based around the description of a "future" in which 'Freedom is Slavery'. The book takes you on a pretty unemotional journey through 1984, in which you do not particularly become attached to the protagonists but will still find yourself sympathising with them deeply.
The clever way in which this novel is written may just leave you questioning the opinions that you had after reading the first few pages of the book. This surprised me greatly and I found myself engrossed in places as I read on towards the end.
There is no getting away from the fact that this is a hard going classic, and one that should be present in every book lover's library. Orwell was a master of his work and his books have stood the test of time. I enjoyed this all in all, and would pass it on to other bookworms simply for the discussion it would provoke.
Recommendation: With dark content that does not go into too much gory detail - this is a book for those who like their reads to make them think. Less for thrills and more for contemplation.
I RATED THIS 8/10
Date Read: May 2010
Shale is the lowest of the low; an outcast from a poor village in the heart of the desert. In the desert water is life, and currency, and Shale has none. But he has a secret. It's the one thing that keeps him alive and may save all the cities of the Quartern in the days to come. If it doesn't get him killed first...
My Thoughts: Dark and gritty fantasy at it's finest! The world is brutal and the characters are vivid. It is definitely well worth the 200 page build up to set the scene, so make sure you stick at it.
Shale is awesome and I love the fact that the reader can watch him grow and develop in all of his glory. Larke has such a talent for submerging us head first into her world - it's so deep, a real luxury to explore.
Trudi Canavan take note!!! This is how you really swallow up your readers and leave them desperate for more... there is no competition.
Recommendations: Anybody that likes to be completely submerged between the pages of another land.
I RATED THIS 10/10
Date Read: April 2010
The course of Frank Mackey's life was set by one defining moment when he was nineteen. The moment his girlfriend, Rosie Daly, failed to turn up for their rendezvous in Faithful Place, failed to run away with him to London as they had planned. Frank never heard from her again. Twenty years on, Frank is still in Dublin, working as an undercover cop. He's cut all ties with his dysfunctional family. Until his sister calls to say that Rosie's suitcase has been found. Frank embarks on a journey into his past that demands he reevaluate everything he believes to be true.
My Thoughts: I managed to get a copy of this before it was published. Tana French writes with a bucketload of charm, creating a cast of colourful characters that will be easily remembered once the book is finished. She captures emotion well and writes the part of the male protagonist with complete realism - reeling off every thought that runs through his head. Having said this - if you are expecting loads of bloody murder and gore - don't get your hopes up. This is classic, realistic crime woven into a believable plot. Even when not much is happening you will still find yourself eagerly turning pages.
Recommendation: Fans of the Saw films and horror crimes involving serial killers should steer clear. This is a story for those who like things a little more tame and still want to get their thinking hats on.
I RATED IT 6/10
Date Read: April 2010
When you have to kill the same terrorist twice in one week there's either something wrong with your world or something wrong with your skills...
My Thoughts: Once the introduction to Joe Ledger was over and done with, this book just captivated me. I love tough hard guy action heroes and zombies - and this didn't go easy on either of them!
The characters are ace and the action doesn't let you rest at any point, with a unique spin on viral terrorism - this was great. A real race of a read and the perfect book for me to get my kicks from. I'm worried about reading the sequel in case it doesn't meet up to the standards of the first.
I RATED THIS 10/10
Date Read: April 2010
Thea is a slave girl from Judaea, passionate, musical, and guarded. Purchased as a toy for the spiteful heiress Lepida Pollia, Thea will become her mistress's rival for the love of Arius the Barbarian, Rome's newest and most savage gladiator. His love brings Thea the first happiness of her life-that is quickly ended when a jealous Lepida tears them apart.
My Thoughts: I read this as a pre-publication proof and was astounded by Quinn's talent for bringing her characters and stories to life! I'm a sucker for a strong hero with a shady past and gladiator Arius fits this description precisely. He quickly became one of my favourites.
Quinn tells her tale through the perspectives of different protagonists and antagonists, and this really puts an interesting spin on everything. All of the sub-plots weave together into a brilliant crescendo and had me desperate to keep on reading even after I had to leave the last page. An awesome debut.
I RATED THIS 10/10
Date Read: March 2010
In the blink of an eye. Everyone disappears. GONE.
Except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not one single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what's happened.
My Thoughts: Forget vampires, this is a non-stop dystopian thriller full of mutant animals, nuclear powers and invisible walls. The adults disappear; the kids are rough... Let the fun begin.
It's a little bit like a cross between the X-Men and Stephen King's 'Under the Dome'. Really addictive reading that will go down really well, specially amongst young adults and teens.
I love that the book covers issues such as autism and bullemia amongst others. It really is a great read and I shall continue to highly recommend it.
I RATED IT 9/10
