Flight of the Eisenstein (Horus Heresy Book 4) - James Swallow

So I am still on the 'Heresy Train' and show no signs of stopping at the moment. The fourth installment of the series was less traumatic emotionally, which was a relief, but no less exciting.

The first thing I want to mention about this book is how damned exciting the narrative is. I ended up reading this at a break neck speed; the pace was phenomenal. I found myself consuming the words as fast as I could because it was so exciting! 

Wanting to know what happened also managed to keep me up at night and that had not happened for a long time. It is a real credit to Swallow, how he is able to keep the pace going and the action exciting enough.

Although the pace is break neck, it does not skimp on the development of characters either. They are no replacement for those lost in the previous novel, I don't think anyone could replace them. Instead. Swallow builds upon those introduced and fleshes them out to create characters that are worth caring about. The dry wit of Garro lightens a lot of the darker scenes within the novel and helps lift the spirits in the most dire of circumstances. The supporting cast, some known, some new, are realistic and for good or ill, add another layer to the novel

The writing in the novel is a lot less clunky than in the previous installments. There are a lot less similes and the metaphors are a lot more subtle. It makes for a clearer read in my humble opinion and is less jolting from the action of the story itself.
 

Up Next: Fulgrim - Book 5 by Graham McNeill

Check out the other blog for more war-gaming stuff http://theblackhandschapter.blogspot.co.uk/

Galaxy in Flames (Horus Heresy Book 3) - Ben Counter

Writing this without spoilers is going to be difficult...

It might come as a bit of a surprise to some of you that I have rather enjoyed reading about Space Marines in The Horus Heresy. I have watched every single character grow and change throughout the three books. Some for the better, some for the (much) worse.

I knew this book was going to be tough to read from an emotional point of view, I just wasn't prepared for HOW tough. I spent the last two books getting to really like two of the core characters. Their companionship grew throughout the novels and added a much needed lighter approach through some of the darker aspects of the novel. The characters are so well written, that they soom so real. I don't want to write spoilers in this but just make sure you either steel yourself because believe me, you will not be prepared for the way this novel ends!

What I am now going to talk about is the irony that struck me involving the Great Crusade. Clearly, this novel upset me but I take comfort in the characters standing up for what they believed in. They believed that their side of the argument was right, that they were doing the right thing and standing by their Emperor. Who told them to go and spread his word and destroy anyone who disagreed with the secular way of man. If that is what it right then what does that tell you about the other side? If I have learned one thing about the Imperium of Mankind, is that it has one warped sense of humour (no pun intended).

Either way, I enjoyedthe read and I have not cried over a book since Oy died in The Dark Tower, it goes to show how well written the book is and I look forward to the next installment. I doubt I will be prepared for that either!

False Gods (Horus Heresy Book 2) - Graham McNeill

I was apprehensive. I will easily and readily admit that I adored the characters in Horus Rising by Dan Abnett and looked forward to reading about their trials in the next instalment of the story. That it was written by another person gave me pause. What if they were different? What if they were shown in a different manner and everything I liked about them was stripped away and they were left flat?

There was nothing to worry about, the characters were developed further from the point where Abnett left them and were still essentially themselves. In fact, it would be safe to say that I am even more emotionally invested in them now than before.

The book is so masterfully written and carefully thought out that there were times that I genuinely feared for some of them. It made picking up the book, and putting it down, incredibly difficult and I found I had to take a break now and then to prepare myself for the outcomes. My heart was genuinely thudding during some of the events of the story, while others made me want to scream, 'If you just listen to that guy....' I'll say no more because I want you to go and read these yourself.

McNeill is another master of the craft and I really don't have a bad word to say about the novel either. There is a balance of action, character and intrigue so as not to make it dull in any way and I was more than eager to read. The action scenes are incredibly well written and I was gripped, heart pounding and for want of a better phrase, on the edge of my seat, needing to know who lived and who died...

The third book is written by yet a different author but this change does not scare me half as much as it did the first time, I look forward to reading it, though am scared for the future of some of these warrior characters, and shall let you know my thoughts afterwards

Horus Rising (Horus Heresy book 1) - Dan Abnett

It had been a while since I read anything. Not even going to add a decent into that sentence because my work life has been manic. My own fault of course but that is not the subject of this post.

My stretch of non-reading has been broken by Horus Rising by Dan Abnett. This is not something I would normally read. I have very little interest in the Warhammer 40K universe and was determined to not really get on with this book and anything it might contain. I didn't like Space Marines so what could this story possibly do for me?

I was hooked from page one.

The characters this book contains are utterly engaging, adding a very human elements to the genetically enhanced super 'people' that are Space Marines. They have enough personality to make me care about what happened to them and I was gripped, forgetting to breathe at some points within the story.  The charisma of the main character is such that the reader really does care about what goes on, what happens to him and why he does what he does. Coupled with a cast that has a good sense of humour, it makes this story utterly engaging.

The world in which this is set is vast and I was a little daunted that I would not have a clue what was going on within the setting. No such thing happened! It was all explained carefully within the book but in such a way to make it interesting, there was no information dump at the beginning of the novel, which would have made it stale. I'm not going to say how it was done as that would be a spoiler but believe me when I say it is cleverly done.

Only thing I will say about Abnett's technical skills are his use of similes; there are rather a lot of them, which I found rather curious. When there was more than one if a paragraph it became a bit jarring but overall it wasn't much of an issue for me. The masterful way in which ABnett writes makes this a wonderful book to read, even for people who are not heavily in to the 40K universe. Give this one a go, it is well worth it.

Magic of Thieves: Legend of Dimmingwood book 1 - C Greenwood.

 

I have been a bit remiss with my blog posts of late, once again due to the lack of time to read during my teacher training year. That said, I did get time to read a fair bit over Christmas but failed to update due to lack of anything regarding motivation. January has rolled around and so has the guilt. Here is my latest read and my thoughts on it.

The best part of this novel by far was the characters. The story follows the journey of the protagonist through her early life up until her late teenage years. The reader is told on numerous occasions that she has inherited the ability of magic, an ability that she would be hunted for and slain by the evil types who currently rule that part of the world. Her entire village was slain and she was orphaned. She end up banding with a bunch of thieves and living in the woods with them until she leaves. She is engaging and certainly has her limitation. The progression from child to moody teenager is well written and she came across as a balanced character to me.

The overall plot for the novel is generally OK, however, to me, it seemed as though it was a set-up novel. The end sees our protagonist leaving her childhood home in search of something (I'm not saying what) and to me, it seems the rest of the novel was all back story. It was well written and held my interest well enough, however I feel a lot of it could have been paraphrased and inserted into another volume to skip over some of the more tedious details.

To say this story was bad would be a lie, it has some very good actions scenes in it and it is wonderfully easy to read - perfect for a Christmas evening or two when all you want to do is relax. However, if you want a perfectly crafted masterpiece with plot twists and turns at every intersection, this is not the novel for you. Good dialogue and interesting characters are present but it just needs something more than background information. I will say, it was a freebie on the Kindle Store and did offer some enjoyment. I am unsure about reading any followup however, unless they too are free and I have nothing better to read at the time.

Mistborn: The Final Empire - Brandon Sanderson

My word! I managed to finish a book in the five minutes a day I now get to read. That's the five minutes between getting into bed and passing out exhausted every night. My training course is intense and is keeping my very busy. I'm loving what I do though so nothing to fear there. Onwards to Sanderson's novel then...

This is the first high fantasy book I have read in a long time. I read it as a paperback (not on kindle *shock*) and I must say, it was a blinder. The plot kept me guessing throughout and there are some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I was left guessing until the very end when the resolution happened and this left me a happy reader. I love to keep guessing, I detest obvious plot and this novel was far from that.

The world-building in the novel is right where it should be. I invested a lot of time reading the six hundred or so pagesof it and every one was worth it. The world was well thought out, highly developed and above all, believeable. The split between the nobility and peasent class, or Skaa, is well thought out and there is enough information to show the vastness of the world. The 'magic' system is like nothing I have ever read before, it was well balanced and had enough limitations to make it real. Top marks from me Sanderson, well done.

I shall also touch on character, which as you know, is a thing close to my heart. All the characters are believeavle, if not likeable (and most of them are). At first, one of the protagonists, Kelsier, appears to be a bit of a 'Mary Sue' type, like Kvothe in Rothfuss's The Name of the Wind but it soon becomes apparent that this is not the case, his flaws are just hidden to begin with. I do like a character with flaws, it makes them that much more real to me. The trials that he and his friends face are real and they each act according to their talents.

I'm going to leave it there for this novel, just leave with the final note of how much I liked it. It was a welcome change from some of the rubbish fantasy I have read. Go and read it, it is well worth the time investing in.

The Price of Faith (The Ties that Bind 3) Rob J Hayes

Well, it took me just over two days to read the last of the trilogy I have been so enjoying this past week and lets just say, Rob Hayes didn't take the pressure off for one moment. I couldn't read the novel fast enough, here's why.

Once again, the characters really bring the story to life. I was delighted to find out my two favourites from the first novel returned and the changes they'd gone through made them that little bit more interesting. The relationship between the two was made even more real for me when the novel starts with them apart after an argument. Hayes drip feeds the details over the first few chapters, the element kept me reading to find out how they would resolve their differences. I really wanted them to sort it out so they could move on together. I'm not going to tell you the outcome as that would spoil the novel but believe me, it comes as a surprise.

I want to talk about the fight scenes in the novel as well, I haven't mentioned them so far and I feel I should. They are brilliantly written. Not once did I find myself skimming over the words to find out what happened. I read every blood-stained chest-stabbing brutal move and believe me, there are more than a few fights throughout the series. The detail is enough to be a bit gross but not too gruesome that it becomes tedious. Each character has an individual style and this is reflected in the narrative. It is clear a lot of effort has been taken while crafting these scenes and that is something a lot of other authors could learn.

The only down-side to this novel is that it has now ended. As well as the odd spelling error but we'll brush that under the carpet again as the rest of it is so wonderful. I do hope that there are more books forthcoming from Hayes as I am a definite fan and shall add him to the 'to watch' list, along with the likes of Scott Lynch and Douglas Hurlick. My suggestion is to find a copy of these novels and give them a read, they are well worth it.

I also dread the hangover this series is going to give me so I am going to go and read something that is good and of a similar taste to this; Joe Abercrombie's First Law Trilogy, here I come!

The Colour of Vengeance (The Ties that Bind Book 2) - Rob J Hayes

I have to say I was really looking forward to getting my teeth into the next book in the trilogy seeing as I loved the first one. It took me about 3 days to read and here are my thoughts:

I couldn't put my kindle down. I couldn't consume this book fast enough it was that good. The second novel follows the story of The Black Thorn, who we should all be familiar with from the first novel. It depicts how he survives by the hand of the very organisation he hates. What follows is a whirlwind of searching across the wilds for the one who 'killed' him in the first place. The novel features some new characters as well as some old ones. The blend of characters is, once again, fantastic. However they are not static carbon cut-outs; there is excellent development and they are all multi-dimensional and intreging. Even the villains, and believe me, they are nasty, all have something they want - they're not bad for being bad's sake which makes you just want to read on and find out where their journey will take them.

The world is as bleak as it is in the first one. Betrayal seemed to come naturally to those inhabiting it and the tough lives the characters lead is reflected in the language spoken. I believe I mentioned this in my first review so won't go on about it again, it works so well for me so I feel I have to give it another salute here. The lives and characters put me in mind of those from Joe Abercrombie's First Law trilogy, another set of books I loved, yet Hayes has made his story his own. I can see the influence yet it is not a rip-off or re-telling.

I do have two criticisms, one is the spelling again, however this does not detract from the read. I was so interested in what was going on that I didn't care that much (which is a big thing coming from me, I usually slate people for this). The other was the lack of mention of the Arbitor and the Blademaster. I was surprised there was no mention of them at all other than the Black Thorn thinks they are dead - which we know is false due to the end of the last novel. I loved those two characters and was sad when they didn't turn up. I have since learned they are in the third novel - awaiting to be read on my kindle - so feel a bit relieved about that, I NEED to know what happened to them!

One again, a fab read from Hayes and I cannot wait for the next one. I am already dreading the book hangover from this set, whatever comes next is going to have to go some to beat it. Thanks Rob Hayes for creating such a wonderful story once again.

Den of Thieves - David Chandler

It's good to be reading fantasy novels again. I mean, I have enjoyed my sojourn into the sci fi genre but like all trips, it's good to be home once more. This novel was recommended to me by my other half, who read it and said I would enjoy it. So I gave it a go.

The novel starts in very typical fantasy setting with a very stereotype hero with a magical sword. I had to take a deep breath to prevent the obligatory 'here we go again' thoughts before plodding on with the novel. I was dreading meeting the helpless damsel and the gutless thief - all ancient stars of countless genre novels since the genre began. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The Stereotypes ended there and Chandler puts a very good spin on worn out tropes. The thief is far from gutless, though he does show fear in the face of his challenges. The knight follows his beliefs but he is made out to be living in a story book rather than the real word of the novel. He is mocked, goaded and insulted throughout and believe me when I say he has a lot to learn!

The world building in the novel is thorough and I had no trouble immersing myself into the city in which it is set. I loved the different aspects of the city viewed through the protagonist’s eyes. There is a decent balance between rich, poor and everything that comes in between. It has been well thought out and really comes to life; the city is teeming with life, much like a real living place.

There are only a couple of issues I have with the novel. One is the lack of foreshadowing around a major part of the plot. I won’t spoil it but I feel the author just dropped it in there for shock factor. It was a bit too out of the blue for comfort in my opinion. The other was the telling explanation at the end. I don’t need to be beaten around the head with the answer; I worked it out for myself. A subtler touch would leave the reader a little more satisfied with the ending.

These are minor issues however and do not detract from the novel as a whole. I recommend reading this one for yourselves as it is a beautifully written book. It does have a sequel so I will be looking at that in the near future!

The Gunslinger (again) - Stephen King

Yes, I know, I have already read and reviewed this book. Don't despair, I will read something different next, I promise. I loved it the first time and when this was the only book near me when my kindle decided to die (it just needs a recharge) I was overjoyed.

I've never re-read a book before and been as impressed the second time around than I have with this one. On the first reading you're all blown away with the tension building and then the release, the whirlwind of story and darkness of character sweep you off on an adventure that is like no other you'll ever have. I knew what I was getting myself in for when I picked it up this time, however, with this reading, it is the small details that stand out. There are concepts and ideas mentioned in the novel that are not explained until several novels down the line. It is a real credit to King's skills as a writer that this happens. These details make a lot more sense on a second reading and as a whole, make the story that much more enjoyable.

On the second reading, I no longer had to worry whether I liked the protagonist. This time, I understand his reasons for doing what he does and cannot hate him for it either. Yes, he is still the dark brooding antihero he was before but my perception of him has altered through gained knowledge and this enhances the whole experience. I also didn't feel the same about Jake, the young boy in the story, there was no sympathy for him on his 'experiences' (I won't say what it is, some of you may not have read his yet) as I knew what was ahead. What I didn't reckon on was there being the first chapter of The Drawing of the Three at the end, which has just made me want to read on. I will be disappointed once more when I open my next book and find Roland Deschain isn't in it!

The setting, language and mood of the novel are all as captivating as they were the first time around and I strongly advice those of you who have not read this novel/series yet to stop what you are doing, find a copy and read it. Why are you still reading this drivel? Go!

Lust, Money and Murder - Mike Wells

 

This book was a total change from what I have just read and was a free recommendation from people via Twitter. I thought I'd give it a go as it's not something I would 'normally' read (although I am no longer sure what that is).

The first part of this book wasn't great for me. The author tries to cram in a lot of back story as his main character grows from little girl to adult. Key events are mentioned and highlighted but most of this is done in narrative form. While this is very well written, it prevents the reader from getting to know the character very well. I thought it erected a barrier between myself and the protagonist and made it difficult for me to get to know her properly. Don't get me wrong though, the narrative is very well written, there isn't a word there that doesn't belong and neither does it drag on and on, or ponder over insignificant details.

Narrative takes a sharp exit at about half way, which was when I truely started to enjoy the book. We see things from the point of view of a well developed, flawed character. She finds herself with the wrong person despite her best efforts to do the right thing. Nor is she perfect at everything, she had things she isn't so good at and it makes it easy to like her. It is the opposuite of the first half of the novel and is well worth the wait.

The pacing picks up during the second half of the novel and after this I found myself unable to stop reading, despite a tent needing to be packed and such other matters. I was a little disappointed with the ending but that's a personal preference. It's not about closure, the ending just snuck up on me and I was expecting things to be a little more rounded. I guess I'll have to read the second one to find out what happens. A cunning marketing ploy from Mike Wells no doubt - it worked. Go and read this book, its worth a go!

The Iron Man - Ted Hughes

 

It hasn't taken me that long to finish my latest read, partly because it is a children's story that I am looking at next term and partly because it is such an enjoyable tale.

It is a well known story and it has been around for a long time, first published in 1968, it has been read by many children at school. Even I can remember doing this story when I was in primary school and I hope to be able to recreate some of the fond memories with the children I will be working with.

This is a wonderful story. The plot is simplistic and easy to follow yet loses no enjoyability in this account. It has been hailed by some as a modern day fairy story and I agree with this description. The tale follows the formula for this genre. I don't want to divulge too many plot details as I want readers to go out and try this book but I will say that the growing friendship between a boy and a giant metal man is touching.

Another thing I really loved about this book was the rich description I found. It was beautiful to read and Hughes had a truly unique voice. The book will appeal to both the boys and girls in my group as it is aimed at children and every word Hughes has written shows this. The scenes are vivid without the language being to weighty. The pacing is spot on too, no point is over or underwritten, no word is dead weight in the novel, which makes a welcome change from some books I have read in the past!

The characters in the novel are also well thought out, simple yet balanced. They young boy who befriends the Iron Man will be easy for children to relate to and even the Iron Man himself comes across as a misunderstand giant who is just after something to eat!

I don't really have any criticisms of this novel as its one I grew up loving and one I was too happy to re-read as an adult. I hope the kids I work with will enjoy it as much as I did and still do and that they will attach good memories to it as well. I can only try my best to help them get the most out of it too. If you have never read this story, I would suggest you do so, it is a wonderful book!

Post Captain - Patrick O'Brian

The next in the Aubrey/Maturin series is Post Captain, the book I have just read. I enjoyed the first one so much I thought I would launch straight into the next without a break to see if it was as good.

It was. The story begins with our two heroes being on land and living in a rather well to do state, country cottage, fox hunting and all the other joys of being rich in the 19th Century brings. The pair soon find themselves in a spot of bother which leaves the fleeing the country to avoid being thrown into prison. While in France, war is declared and their escape into Spain is none other than comical, yet expertly written and a credit to the author. The story is woven together and flows very well. We also learn a great deal more about the two characters and their relationship develops over the course of the novel. It doesn't always do so well, they almost come to blows over a matter, which I shall not divulge here - you'll have to read it yourselves, but are able to move on from it nonetheless. In fact, the ability to argue gives credibility to the characters, making them seem more realistic. We all fall out about the smallest of things don't we!

There are some downsides to the story however, aside from needing a working knowledge of sailing ships, or a nearby smartphone to look up unknown terms. The narrative, although excellently written, can be a little hard to follow at times. It tends to jump at times which can leave the reader from wondering what happened. It's not small jumps either, one moment you could be sailing on a ship, the next in a hall listening to classical music, its a bit confusing but thankfully it doesn't happen too often.
The ending was also an issue for me. It left the novel with an unfinished feel to it and although I know there are many more in the series, I would like some more closure than I was given. Maybe that's just me being picky, I'm not sure. The books have been around for a long while and have had flying reviews so maybe it is. Still, it was a point I felt I should mention. I'll read the next one soon, however I have some more I need to read for school. Next review will be Ted Hughes The Iron Man, a book I remember fondly from childhood, so looking forward to reading that!

Across A Moonlit Sea - Marsha Canham

The title of this one sounds rather sappy and I've only just realised that. It was a free read through Kindle Store and seeing how I am currently writing about pirates, it seemed to fit well.

It was an ace read. I thoroughly enjoyed every word in this novel and despite the sappy title, the story was anything but. Yes, there was a romantic element to it, it is after all a romance novel, however there was plenty of other plot to keep that side of me entertained as well.

The two lead characters didn't always get along through the novel, even after they'd decided they liked each other and this was a pleasant surprise. It made it more true to life, unlike some other romance books I have read in the past - as soon as two characters discover they 'like' each other, they agree on everything. It takes the tension from the novel and frankly, makes it rather a dull read. Not in this case. The characters continue to fight with each other throughout, how positively human of them! The support cast as well were interesting enough to care about as well, there are some very curious people in this novel and that's what they feel like; people, not just a cardboard cut out.

The detail of the world is spot on too. Canham makes good use of naval language throughout and her description of sixteenth century ships is wonderful, she really transports you back on board one of these vessels. The way Canham writes actions scenes as well is superb. These scenes were exciting to read, I couldn't wait to find out what happened, who got killed, which ship survived and so forth.

It was a real page turner and a pleasant surprise, especially as it was free! I'll be keeping an eye open for any more of her work that's for sure

Forever Neverland - Heather Killough-Walden

I was a bit apprehensive about this novel as I found the other book by Heather Killough-Walden a disappointment. It was one of my first reviews and it can be found here http://rushbysrantsandreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/avengers-angel-lost-angels-book-one.html
I slated it! I was unsure whether to bother with this read and I am so glad I did. I read it in a couple of days and couldn't put it down. I was back to reading in the staffroom and at every available point! Here's why.
I have a long standing obsession with pirates. I believe Captain Hook was one of my first fangirly infatuations at the tender age of... well, lets just say I was young OK! The story of Peter Pan is a complicated one I won't get into now and the idea of a sequel has always left me feeling uncertain. This one is a very different take on it, and it worked for me, we find Wendy Darling being bounced between therapists, John has grown into a disbelieving nerd and Michael a troubled child. Peter has become a nightmare of a teenager who has turned to motor cycles and drink, not a bad thing usually but in this case...

Killough-Walden does all the characters justice, keeping them in check with the originals and adding her own spin on it. The hate between Hook and Pan is explored in detail and the reader learns some abhorrent things about the young hero of Neverland. He comes across as a sulky obnoxious spoilt young man who hasn't learnt a thing since leaving Neverland. He has grown up a bit, in body, but certainly not in mind.

The language in the novel is half decent as well and the action scenes are so well written I could not stop reading, I ignored most things going on around me while I was churning through the pages. The only thing that bothered me was the repeated use of the phrase 'off of' (as in get off of my ship) I find this phrase awkward and it could easily be avoided with a bit of a re-write (Get your ass off my ship)

Apart from this, the novel was a splendid read. The romantic aspect of it was cute and the detail which she writes in is fab. If you're a fan of Peter Pan and fancy a bit of a guilty pleasure, this is the book for you!

The Curse of Chalion - Lois McMaster Bujold

This is one of my favourite stories and I have read it more than once. I have recently re-read it and have decided to pop a review up so I can share its greatness with my readers. 

The novel follows the journey of the hero as he returns to his native lands after spending some time as a galley slave. It turns out he was the only soldier not ransomed after a siege by a jealous military rival. The story begins as he arrives home for the first time in nineteen months and follows from there. His old patroness employs him as a tutor for her granddaughter and despite his best efforts to live a quiet life in an out of the way province, he is soon thrust into the fore-front of the royal court. He is easy to relate to and a genuine sympathy is evoke from the very beginning of the novel as he goes through the readjustment to his new surroundings. The support cast in the novel are also very well written and add another level to the novel, they work for good, or ill, some of them you can't help to hate, all of them are balanced and well rounded, complete characters

The world building in the novel is very good but the best aspect is the detail on the religious beliefs of the characters. The Gods play an active part, albeit through the willing participation of the characters, and this is one of the key themes - free will  and fate, or divine intervention. It is an interesting aspect of the novel and well worth reading for this reason. The rest of the world is well written and presented in an aspect that is easy to understand. The language is easy to follow and its for this reason that I have read this novel again and again.

There are plenty of political complications in the plot line that the central story doesn't occupy you until the second half of the novel. This is not a problem, there is enough going on to keep a reader absorbed and interested. The pace picks up and the tension in the novel makes this a very good book. I've hardly touched on the aspects of magic and how it ties with religion and metaphysics in the novel and there is much much more I could say about how great it is but that would be me waffling on. Go and read the book for yourself and you'll see how great it truly is.

Orphan (The Key to Magic) - H Jonas Rhynedahll

A brief return to books that I often find hit and miss: ones that Amazon recommend to me via email. I've had this one on my Kindle for a while and have been meaning to get round to it however the lure of The Hobbit was too much to resist. Still, here we are now with my thoughts on my latest read.

The book was a good read, the heroes of the book were instantly likeable and followed a decent journey through to the end. It wasn't all easy for them and there was a large amount of pain and suffering along the way. The main protagonist, Mar, is easy to relate to and a genuine care for what happens to him builds from the very start of the novel. The action begins right at the start of the novel and leaves the reader asking questions and wanting to know more about whats going on. The other 'hero' type character is introduced when he saves Mar from certain doom in the first chapter. Although not as likeable as the hero, he certainly has an air of mystery about him which keeps a reader interested and wanting to know more.

The world building in this novel is very good and a credit to the author, it seems complete and some of the desert setting made a nice change to read about. I certainly enjoy reading about different settings and the ruins in this novel made for a nice change. It had an Indiana Jones feel to it and was a pleasure to learn about. The general plot of the book was decent as well, interesting enough to keep me interested and yet different enough to have its own unique take on things.

However, this novel is far from perfect. Aside from a couple of spelling errors - which I am coming to accept as a fact of life with all novels - there are a few things that could have made this book a lot better. Overly complicated names began to be a bit of a bugbear with this novel. They seem other worldly and may add a fantasy feel to the book but they are also a pain to actually read. For example 'Ihthyrl Magics' would be much easier to read as Ethereal; names also get this sort of treatment, 'Rynthrahl, Freghth and Karhle' are all examples of those that would be better off simplified. Just makes it easier to read. The other aspect that made this book a bit difficult to follow in places was the narrative, towards the end, it jumps from side to side without much warning and at times it made it hard to understand which side was which. Again, something that could have been simplified to make it easier to read

My final point is on the magic of the world. How it works was explained as scientifically as such a thing could be and that worked well. What I found hard to believe that the street thief Mar could learn in half a day, by trial and error no less, what took magicians years to perfect. It was the only thing I found grating in the novel and although it is a central point to the plot, could have been altered to be more 'realistic'.

Other than these points, this is a very good novel and I shall be on the look out for the sequel in the near future.

The Hobbit - J R R Tolkien

Maybe I jumped on the band wagon a bit with this one but after seeing the film I felt a bit guilty about never reading the book. I have now remedied the situation and here's what I think.

The book was very easy to read, maybe because it is primarily published as a children's book. I was a bit apprehensive at first as it was written in 1937 and Tolkien also has a bit of a reputation of being wordy but I was pleasantly surprised. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read without having to decipher any meanings or read between the lines. The reader is drawn into the world by the brilliant narrations of the author, not cajoled or bullied into believing that the world is reality, like some books I have read. The style is down to earth and friendly, however each character was his own voice which is distinct! Never at any time does Gandalf sound like Bilbo.

The songs in the novel add another element that is rarely found in other stories in this genre. They add a level of humour on some occasions, for example, when the dwarves are captured by the goblins and marched off to the under mountain they inhabit, they sing a song with onomatopoeic words. The scene would otherwise be full of threat. Some would think that this device detracts from the scene but I feel it adds to an otherwise dangerous scene. The song of the elves as the heroes approach Rivendell for the first time. It adds a sense of mischief and wonderment to what would be an otherwise bland scene.

The world that Tolkien writes in is perfect, there is no other word to describe it, just perfect. There is so much detail that the reader learns which makes the novel rich, however there is much that is not touched on and this is what makes the world complete. The added mystery of not knowing anything is far better than having every aspect explained. Gandalf's power is never explained, nor is where Beorn originates from and it is this that makes the world seem real.

There are many other brilliant points about this novel and I could go on and on about it however, it would be better if you went and found out for yourselves, go and read this book, its well worth it!

Mr Stink - David Walliams

 

I had to read this book as its the one we are going to be studying next term, as apposed to The Diamond Girls by Jacqueline Wilson. I was surprised to get the note about it but was happy to pick up an actual book and read it in two hours, much to the disgust of my colleague. (I informed him fast reading was my super power which made this OK)

I enjoyed this novel and think it will appeal to a wider audience than the Jacqueline Wilson one - mainly the boys as it is less 'girly'. The characters are just as good, certainly more likable and easier to bond with. The two main characters are surrounded by a rich support cast and the way they interact is wonderfully close to reality. Add to that the brilliant narrative voice of Walliams and you've got a winning novel.


The reason I feel this book will appeal to both boys and girls is that both the two protagonists, Mr Stink and Chloe, are easy to sympathise with. I am sure the girls will be able to put themselves in Chloe's place and so will the boys. She is far from perfect but has a good heart, she has family issues and its a joy to watch the resolution of these towards the end of the novel. There are also characters you love to hate and I hope literacy next term will be enjoyable.

The  use of humour in the novel works particularly well, I found parts of the narrative laugh out loud funny and it made me glad I was reading this from the comfort of my living room rather than anywhere public. I can't really praise the book enough, my only hope is that the children enjoy it as much as I have. I couldn't put the book down and as such, read it in a couple of hours. I'd advise anyone to give this book a go, its well worth it

Leopard Moon - Jeanette Battista

This book was a break away from my normal reads, usually I shy away from paranormal romance novels, I think they're over done and as such, rather dull. This novel was a pleasant surprise for me and here's why.

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the likability of the characters, the heroine, although rather young for my tastes, had her head screwed on straight. She was the most level headed seventeen year old I have encountered in a book (although not real life). She's running from a psychotic family member and seems to be doing very well at it. She also happens to be a Were-Leopard to add a bit of spice in the mix. The support cast are as likable as she is, despite having tough streaks to them. The characters, heroes and villains alike are well written and from the start of the novel grab you, leaving you wanting to know more about them.

The novel is very well written and is easy to read at the same time, the plot is somewhat simpler than my normal read and I believe this is partly why I enjoyed it. It's nice to keep things simple sometimes, something that a lot of fantasy fiction authors forget. In this novel there is no chance of forgetting who's who or who is doing what or even who is on who's side, it made a refreshing change.

 I liked this novel so much I am struggling to find a bad point to make - aside from the odd spelling error here and there and a couple of words omitted in error, I'm hard pressed to find one. As I mentioned earlier, the age of the heroine and hero are a bit young but that is just a matter of taste and not a flaw in the novel itself.

If you fancy an easy read then this really is a novel you'll enjoy. I'd recommend it for these reasons, it's effective in it's simplicity.