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/

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.

Queen of Alendeortor - Jan Doncom

This post is brought to you from my iPad while in the comfort of my own bed! Sundays are the best. Not sure about the blogger app as yet but we shall see how that goes.

I had a random email asking me to review a book, which was a lovely ego boost by the way, first time that has ever happened.  I was more than happy to do so but had to tell the author I was training to be a teacher (and reading the Dark Tower) and that it may be a while. Then I got this dental abscess thing and all I could do was read and sleep. So, here we are in all its honesty, as requested.

It didn't take me long to read this novel and that's because I enjoyed it. It wasn't a chore to read like some books I have had in the past. The characters were easy to care for and there was no initial getting to know you period. The protagonist is an underdog in his society, a bonkers one at that, and from the moment the book starts your on his side. His cast of 'sidekicks' are equally as rounded and balanced. They all have their flaws and that makes them believable, a lot of effort has gone into this characters and that really pays off.

The plot and pacing of the novel work well too. The reader is drawn in from the first chapter and taken on a whirlwind race through the story. The action is portrayed well and the plot has significant twists and turns to keep most readers attention. It's not the most inventive plot in the world but it has enough to be a decent standing point.

The novel isn't all perfect however, there are some areas that could use improving, as with most novels. Another round of editing and proofreading would solve the grammar and spelling mistakes that I spotting. There were not hundreds of them however there were enough to warrant me making a point of it. It would also rid the novel of some clumsy sentences, which can only be a good thing. I also spotted a loop hole where one of the characters kills a child of sixteen. The next page goes on to say how he has been considered an adult from fourteen. They are of the same race then this seems a bit strange to me.

My next issue was with the world building. The concept was fantastic and the small details that were the helped paint a lovely picture of the places the characters lived, however I believe, that the world could have been developed further. If you pardon the cliche, the devil really is in the detail and I like to know a lot about the places characters live. What is there is good but it needs more information and more development. This tendency to gloss over important details is evident in other parts of the novel too, I just feel that as I have invested time into reading the novel, time should also be invested in really bringing the world to life. It may come at the sacrifice of a bit of pace but most fantasy readers relish those details that transport them to another world. This is, after all, the reason we read them.

All in all, I enjoyed reading the novel and shall be following the author to see if she writes and more. It will be interesting to see where she takes this good start.

Follow the Stone (An Emmett Love Western) - John Locke

I have once again strayed into the realms of the Western for entertainment dear readers, this time from a recommendation by a friend who said this book was an easy read and even better, it was free. Free being the magical word in this time of austerity I decided to take her up on the offer and give it a go.

It wasn't a bad read either. I do enjoy a good Western and this novel isn't shy on that count. The details are all there and the characters all counted for - a cool gunslinger, a fiesty maiden and a bunch of whores, lets not forget the Indians and the cowboys either. Mix this up with an intricate setting and you've got yourself all you need for a Western novel. The characters are easily recognised and fairly simple too. There is no great need for understanding with this novel, the characters do what is expected of them and I feel this simplicity is part of the enjoyment I took. I knew I wasn't going to be reading a gret epic from the first page but this didn't put me off at all. I knew the hero was going to end up sleeping with at least one of the prostitutes during the journey and I knew there was going to be some form of change on his part too - that's what story is after all right?

The plot of the novel is somewhat predictable however and I found I could guess what was going to happen before the words appeared. Most of the time I would find this annoying however in this novel, because I knew what I was getting, I found it was a good thing. John Locke may be the first 'kindle millionnaire' but he hasn't written a great masterpiece nor shocked the world with beautifully crafted writting.

I liked this novel for all its simplicity and I didn't pay a penny for it which was nice - which is a good thing. If you want a simple easy throw-away read, this is the book for you. If you want some hardcore detailed writing with fast paced fights and gunslinging wizards, go and read The Dark Tower series... Until next time!!

Teacher Training, Time and Stephen King

I have been rather busy of late. I am into my third week of teacher training and I am enjoying every minute of it. Even the planning and the work I have to bring home. I love anticipating what the children are going to get from my lessons and what their reactions will be. Consequently, I have had far less time to read but don't get me wrong, I am still reading

I also have to confess I am re-reading some of The Dark Tower as I fell in love with it the first time and sometimes you just need something that you love. I have consummed The Drawing of the Three and have nearly finished The Wastelands. Here are my thoughts on the second reading:

I still love it. I have still ploughed through and read far too late into the night. The language is still fabulous and yet easy to read and the plot as gripping as it was the first time. This time however, I have the benefit of being able to read a bit slower as I know what is going to happen. I can savour the action scenes without reading at a break-neck pace to see who lives and who dies. My goodness they are wonderful! The metaphor and similies are enough to make the English fanatic in me die a bit (in happiness) and yet, it isn't overpowering or obnoxious.

I also noticed how creepy one of the characters in The Wastelands is the one pictured above. Blaine makes the above novel look more like a horror than a fantasy novel. The mental train verges onto the point of being terrifying and the warnings written by Jake at the start of the novel should be heeded. I won't say too much but I will lament my complete imeptitude at riddles. I'm just glad I wasn't on that mono!

That said, I should get back to these lesson plans, they won't complete themselves! I hope I can keep reading when I can.

The Last Arguement of Kings - Joe Abercrombie

So, I have finished the trilogy for the second time and I must say, I am as pleased with it this time as I was last time.





The final book is as good as the other two and although there has been some wide discussion about the ending of the novel, I found that I was still pleased with it. It is in keeping with the rest of the book and suits the themes that Abercrombie has chosen to work with. The ending may not seem fair to many readers however, I would point out that nothing in these books are fair. There is only one person who seems to come off better than they started (I'm not saying who) and when you really think about it, you're not really sure if that's the case. The ending is a good point for discussion and I look forward to discussing it at some lengths with the significant other when he gets round to reading it for himself.

Once more, the characters in the novel are fab and there is no telling who is going to be alive after the many many fights there are. It doesn't seem to matter how good, or bad, they are at fighting, luck plays a healthy part in the novel and it works well. I've not touched really on magic in the series yet as it appears to play a minor role for the most part. The magician character seems to start off nice but soon descends to the levels of the more base characters, especially with what you learn in the final part of the series. However, the magic system is well thought out and the details are woven into the story so when it comes to the forefront it appears to have been there all along.

The only thing that I found to be a bit of a drag in this final part of the trilogy was the many many many fight scenes. There are loads of them and after the fifth I found they were a bit wearisome to read. They are well written and also essential to the plot but I got tired of reading them. That said, it is not something that detracted from the overall enjoyability of the trilogy and I would suggest you go and read them, they are a delight.

Before They are Hanged - Joe Abercrombie

It seems my ability to consume books has returned seeing how I finished this number in just over a day - I did sleep as well so don't go accusing me of staying up all night to read!





I have mentioned before how much I enjoy Joe Abercrombie's work and the main reason for this is his characterisation. I mentioned a couple before and as promised, here are my thoughts on one of the strongest in the series. I could hardly talk about the series and leave out the grumbling bitter Inquisitor could I? I try to ask myself why I like the character so much. He's sarcastic to the point of scathing and more bitter than sucking on a whole bunch of lemons. If I knew him in the real world, he'd drive me crazy - in the bad way. That said, his internal monologue and jaded view of his world had me laughing out loud and agreeing with some of his opinions. If there is someone who needs to catch a break, its this guy.

Moving on from Sand dan Glokta. World-building! Once again, the depth of detail that Abercrombie goes into with the different parts of his world are fabulous. There is just the right amount to keep the reader interested; I was never bored while I was reading about the ruins some of the characters travel through. I never found an author who could make sand seem interesting and yet, there I was, captivated. The depth of the myths in the novel are brilliant too and they lend a depth to the novel that is missing in so many I have read. The world is a cruel place and this is mirrored in the events that have happened in the past. I don't want to ruin it for you by telling you what happens, I just urge you to go and find out for yourself, it is worth it.

The plot in this part of the trilogy isn't brain busting and isn't going to reinvent the wheel. That said, it isn't exactly predictable either and despite this being a re-read for me, I kept turning the pages (clicking the button) because I needed to know what happened next. Most of the details I have forgotten as I read it over two years back. For it to do this a second time goes it show the staying power of this novel.

I can't say much more than go and find a copy and give it a go!

The Blade Itself - Joe Abercrombie

I knew I had to read something amazing coming off the back of the last set of books I read. I know I am going to miss those characters so I decided to go with something I have read before but never reviewed.

I love the characters in The Blade Itself. I remember them being amazing the first time round and the second they are just as well written, if not likable. I had forgotten how arrogant and exactly how much of a whinge-bag the noble character was. It was hard to sympathise with his petty complaints but that didn't mean he was awful to read about. if anything, he highlights the genuine struggle of some of the other characters. The reason I have a lasting appreciation of the swordsman illustrated on the cover there, is his loving the small things that we all take for granted: safety, food, a hot bath. These little things bring a tear to his eye and I found that rather heartwarming - Say one thing of Logan Ninefingers, say he appreciates the small things...

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a book for the faint hearted. The world in which it is set is a cruel broken one; the discarded wrecks of it's folly lie shattered throughout the novel, from the broken inquisitor (my favourite character, more on that next time) to the wreckage of government failings. The world is as flawed as our own and I was shocked to be reminded of how well it has been crafted. The inherent racism within the novel and the ignorance of the nobility that goes with it was well written and there wasn't a time when I was jolted out of the world by a jarring word or someone doing something irregular.

The one thing I will say about the book is that there is not much resolution at the close, there is a little but this really is a set up book for the rest of the trilogy. If you're after a stand alone then this isn't the book for you. That said, I already know how awesome the rest of the novels are and they are worth reading. The language of the book is perfect, its not so simple to be boring yet neither is it complex. Joe Abercombie has found the right balance between character and plot to make this novel a real page turner. I'd recommend it to anyone!

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.

The Heresy Within (The Ties that Bind) - Rob J Hayes

It was a gamble this novel, a 77p buy from Amazon when I couldn't decide what to go for and nothing on my to read list was screaming at me to be read. I do love reading independent novels but they can be hit and miss as they don't necessarily have the same resources as those books issued from a publishing house. This one is one of the best I have ever read.

The best thing about this novel is the characters. From the moment I started to the very end, I was interested in what happened to all of them. I cared whether they lived or died and what's more, they were not the generic characters found in a fantasy novel. The inquisitor, Thanquil, has the compulsion to steal things in order to calm his nerves. The female fighter has her fair share of quirks, including not wanting to fight and the theif guy seems to always find himself in a fight which is never (always) his fault. The three come together and work towards their goal in an interesting way which is a real delight to read.

The world in which the novel is set is a harsh one, this is reflected in the narrative. I would never recommend this book to under eighteens. It deals with some rough themes and it doesn't skimp on the details or the swearing. Normally this would irritate me in a novel but Hayes makes it work well. The language reflects on the lives of the characters. The ones that swear are the ones who have had a tough time and it works well. Even the sex in the novel is rough and I'm going to be honest, it doesn't skimp on that either. There are times when characters are running naked through the street and instead of seeming silly, it comes across as a reflection of the harsh world they live in.

There are a couple of things that could use improving through the novel and this is the editing for the most part. There are spelling errors and a few clumsy sentances which could easily be solved with another set of editing but this is a minor complaint as I enjoyed the novel that much I hardly noticed. The same goes for the cliche terms that have crept in, the novel is that good I could ignore them!

All in all, this was a great recommendation from Amazon and I am more than pleased with the read. I have already purchased the sequel and have read 20% of it already. This hasn't happened since I read The Dark Tower series, which you all know how much I love. I recommened you go and read this book if you can, its well worth it/

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!

To Reign in Hell: The Exile of Khan Noonien Singh - Greg Cox

I have to admit to reading this book before but have never reviewed it as it was before I started posting my opinions on the internet. I decided to re-read it as I am having a bit of a Star Trek moment and I adore Khan - I believe this was mentioned in a previous post. Everyone has their guilty pleasures and I am afraid this is mine. I am not ashamed of this.

On to the book and away from my confessions. This novel fills the gap between the episode Space Seed and The Wrath of Khan. It depicts the plight of the genetically engineered supermen and their survival on Ceti Alpha V. Cox recreates the characters perfectly and it is a real credit to them. There is never a point where Khan acts in a non-Khan way and the same can be said for the rest of the cast too. Cox has fortified Marla's character with some iron so she manages to survive in the world and not fall prey to the environment or the squabbling of the other characters. Yet she retains the same naivety and innocence that she had in Space Seed. She is a strong central character and was a joy to read about.

The technical aspects of this book are brilliant too. The language was easy to read and still engaging. Although I have read this before, more than once, it still had me turning the pages wanting to know what happened next. There are no dull moments in this story and it gives valuable insights into the characters we know from the Star Trek films; from Khan's madness to Kirk's remorse, all are covered in this book. Cox also has the ability to manipulate the point of view of the reader. You end up feeling genuinely sorry for the stranded supermen, some of the events they have to face are too cruel to think about. I'll not go into any details as I want you to go and read this yourself. I won't ruin it for you.

I'll not rattle on and on about the wonderful aspects of this novel; its great and if you're a Star Trek fan, it is a must read. If you ever wondered what happened on Ceti Alpha V, this is the book for you. Cox is a fabulous author and the novel is a joy to read.

Star Trek: Into Darkness - Alan Dean Foster

So, I loved the film and as I am unable to go and see it again, I decided to try the book. Alan Dean Foster wrote the novel for the film Alien so I had rather high expectations. Here's what I thought.


As far as a film novelization goes, the book is fine. It followed the storyline exactly. There were no deviations from the plot line, even the speech was nearly word perfect, which was a nice recap if that is what you are after. I was hoping for a bit more than this. Maybe I was foolish to expect some further insights into character motivations and feelings. I mean, I know it was meant to follow the film and such but was it too much to expect a little more life breathed into them? The actors need to do this with their bodies, authors do so with words and as far as I am concerned, this book fails to do so.

Don't get me wrong, some parts of this novel really get the pages turning. The action scenes are a real pleasure to read; the space battles are fraught, fast paced and well read.The characters are true to the originals as well, there was no point that Spock, for instance, did anything un-Spock-like. Kirk was still the cheeky, rough and ready Star Ship Captain and Khan was still the revenge hungry ego-maniac he always has been. This, at least, is spot on in the novel and is a credit to the author.

Here's another downside; some of the language is a bit confusing. The sentences were too long which clouded the meanings somewhat. I had to read some of them several times to understand what the author was getting at - and this wasn't during the uber science parts either. This made it a bit frustrating at times but didn't detract from the overall read.

All in all, this book was an alright read but it lacked some of the insights into the characters that I have come  to expect in other novels. Still, it's not bad and worth a read.

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!

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austin

 

It's been a while I know! Some major things happened in the real world over the past couple of weeks which has meant I haven't been able to update but at last, things are settling back down and I am ready to commence reviewing once more. My latest read was like stepping back to my uni days. I've not picked up a 'classic' for some time but thought I should read this one.

I found it a delightful read. I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would and far more than I ever did when I was reading this sort of thing back at uni. The novel flows well and I found the language wasn't too challenging. As with most classics, it was written over one hundred years ago, which means the language could potential be an issue. This was not the case in this novel. I did have to read a couple of sentences more than once but that is a small price to pay for such a great book.

The best thing about this novel is the insight it gives into the way of life during the nineteenth century. Austin has captured many of the social issues facing those of her class and gender and yet the novel doesn't lose any elements of humour while dealing with these issues. One observation made is still true today - “For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?”- this shows Austin was capable of making good observations of those around her and us them to amuse others.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to those interested in nineteenth century history, particularly the social elements. I'll read her other works as well in the future.

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!

Room 13 - Robert Swindells

This is the book I am looking at this half term with my guided reading group at school. I was given it to read over half term and I must say I enjoyed every word on the page. I tried to keep in mind that this is a story aimed at children while reading and found there was so much I discuss with my group.

The heroine of the book is a young girl named Fliss. She is about to embark on a school trip to Whitby for a 5 day stay. This is something I am doing during the summer term (albeit for a weekend rather than a week) so found it very easy to relate to. I understood her nerves about being away from home for the first time and will no doubt have to help several children cope with this too. She is the rough age of the group I work with and hope they will be able to identify with her too. Fliss is a balanced, well rounded character who's fears and hopes come through in an easy way. She has been expertly written and is supported by a group of characters who are as full as she is.

The plot itself is interesting and I found I wanted to know what happened next from the first page. It is a mild horror, which plays on popular superstitions about the number 13 and references the well known novel Dracula. Young boys in the story use Dracula to terrify the heroine and her friends in a comically typical boyish fashion. The pace of the plot is good and will be suitable for my group to follow without being too much. The plot is horror enough to keep the boys interested as well and anything that gets boys interested in reading is a winner in my book!

Swindell makes great use of language in the novel, it is easy to follow and yet will be enough of a challenge for my ten year olds. It will force them to look up words in a dictionary because I know they won't understand every word written. It's going to be a good book to work on and I am looking forward to seeing the children's reactions. 

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