Thursday 23 February 2012

Book Tour - Barking Mad & Giveaway!

About Barking Mad -

The year is 1931. The scene is werewolfishly classic English fare. And tonight the moon hangs as full as a royal pie plate in this inaugural Reginald Spiffington mystery when the none too obsequious playboy, Reggie, sets out for a delectably long weekend at Huffsworthy Hall to assist his dear friend, Moony, in his failing endeavor to take the hand of his lady-love and to partake in the culinary talents of the genius chef running the kitchen. With no one reason more important than the next, he ll be off straight after breakfast. Reggie s itinerary for the weekend turns abruptly less toothsome when he decides to solve the unexpected murder of another of the Hall s guests, a guest whose luggage is secretly packed full of nefarious plans. Soon, all Huffsworthy s inhabitants are potential suspects, including Reggie s saucy, quick-witted love-interest, Mimsy Borogrove. Aided by his invaluable valet, Pelham, and armed only with his knowledge of detective novels and a newly acquired set of keener, canine senses, Reggie sets out to find the killer before another meal falls to ruin.



My thoughts:


I was so pleasantly surprised by Barking Mad - I started the book a little apprehensive since it's so different to anything I've read before. Little did I know it would turn out the way it did!
I thought it was fabulously witty with hilarious characters. The protagonist Reginald Spiffington made me laugh throughout the whole story no matter was happening which at first I actually found to be strange - I felt weird laughing whilst there was a murder going on! Ridenhour managed to make things serious seem less serious than they are without taking anything away from the importance of the event. If that even makes sense!
What I loved most about Reginald was his reliance on his valet. Pelham is such a great character that brings out the best in Reginald. They both have something about them that makes them so likeable - they really do make the whole story. Pelham balances the serious stuff with Reginald's silliness.
There was also this 'who-done-it' element to the book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I went back and forth between characters thinking about who really did commit the murder until the very end which I've never done whilst reading a book.
It's quite rare to come across something so original. A mystery with a werewolf element thrown in - and it being funny to boot!
Overall I really enjoyed this read and I'm looking forward to more from the author. I most definitely recommend it to anyone to try out - I don't think you'll be disappointed!




About Jamieson Ridenhour - 


Jamieson Ridenhour is the author of Barking Mad: A Reginald Spiffington Mystery, available from Typecast Publishing in June of 2011. He is the editor of the Valancourt edition of Sheridan Le Fanus 1872 lesbian vampire novella Carmilla, as well as creator of the award-winning short fairy-tale horror film Cornerboys.The South Carolina native now lives in Bismarck, ND, where he writes poetry about movie monsters and murder-mysteries with werewolves in them. He also plays wicked lead guitar with Bismarck-based rock and roll band Blind Mice, lectures on vampires and Charles Dickens (though not at the same time), and generally frolics on the plains. He lives with his wife Gwyn and their two children Ian and Eva.


Guest Post -


I’ve been asked to give the “funniest quotes” from Barking Mad. Since I wrote the book, I felt a little strange about deciding what were the funniest lines—who am I, anyway? So, I asked for help from readers. Their picks are below. I also added a couple of my own favorite quotes—I like them; you’ll have to decide if they’re funny. Here we go:

If there is a way in which Moony prefers to love, it is from afar. The last time he needed my “help,” it was to ghost-write love sonnets to Esmeralda Watchcase, the daughter of one of my father’s law colleagues. At the crucial moment, he collapsed under the weight of his own agitation and threw the sonnets in the Thames, completely oblivious to the nearly twenty-seven minutes of brow-beetling I had lavished upon them. Regarding the present circumstances, I suspected a woman was at the bottom of this well.
“Moony,” I declaimed, “I suspect there is a woman at the bottom of this well.”
“No, sir. I believe,” and here Pelham paused like an actor in a radio drama, “that you were attacked by a werewolf.”
“I say, Pelham, are you feeling alright?”
“Yes, sir. I am most well. I am being completely serious when I say––”
“Because when you said ‘werewolf’ just then I had a clear thought. ‘Reggie,’ said my thought, ‘Pelham’s going round the pipe.’ I don’t often have thoughts, Pelham, and I find it neighborly to agree with them when they do occur.”
“If you would be so kind, sir, as to let me finish.”
“Certainly, Pelham. Rant away, my good lunatic.”
“Thank you, sir. Before I worked for you, I was employed by a man named Coverdale. Mr. Coverdale was a member of an organization that spent its time dabbling in the dark arts.”
“What, like macramé?”
“No, sir. Though Mr. Coverdale was not unfamiliar with the craft of macramé, I do not mean that.”
“Yes, but you’ve read detective novels, Pelham. You know how the police are.”
“I regret to say I have not read many detective novels, sir. I find myself drawn to more edifying forms of literature.”
“Ah, well, that’s nothing to be ashamed of, Pelham. We’re all men below the surface.”
She was pretty in a vacant sort of way, with colorless hair and watery blue eyes. She looked, to be perfectly frank, like an overcooked noodle.

*
Now, I can’t say for certain whether you’ve ever tried to explain to a police constable why you’re trying to get into a house at 6:30 a.m. while you are naked. I will say nudity is a deterrent to success in most conversations with members of a rural police force, and this was no exception. I felt extremely visible. Neither of us spoke for nearly fifteen seconds.


Giveaway!

Jamie is offering a giveaway for all entries gathered during the Tour. A signed copy of Barking Mad, 4 unique signed character cards and a DVD.
Open US/Canada. See full contest rules here.
Monday, February 6th -
Tuesday, February 7th -
Wednesday, February 8th -
Thursday, February 9th -
Friday, February 10th -
Monday, February 13th -
Tuesday, February 14th -
Wednesday, February 15th -
Thursday, February 16th -
Friday, February 17th -
Monday, February 20th -
Tuesday, February 21st -†
Wednesday, February 22nd -
Thursday, February 23rd -
Friday, February 24th -



Wednesday 22 February 2012

Review: Ultraviolet

Title: Ultraviolet
Author: R J Anderson
Publisher: Orchard Books
Publication date:
June 2nd 2011
Book source: Bought
Paperback: 408 pages
My rating: 8/10

Summary:

Once upon a time there was a girl who was special.
This is not her story.
Unless you count the part where I killed her.

Sixteen-year-old Alison has been sectioned in a mental institute for teens, having murdered the most perfect and popular girl at school. But the case is a mystery: no body has been found, and Alison's condition is proving difficult to diagnose. Alison herself can't explain what happened: one minute she was fighting with Tori - the next she disintegrated. Into nothing. But that's impossible. Right?

My thoughts:

This novel was one big surprise the whole way through. At first I thought it was going to turn out to be some sort of psychological thriller with the way the story was progressing but I was pretty wrong!

There was some psychology involved but Ultraviolet was ultimately more of a sci-fi, futuristic and paranormal all mixed together kind of thing.

I really liked this read for a lot of different reasons. It was the kind of novel where the author takes her time making whatever progress in the plot which didn't turn out to be a bad thing - it kept me guessing a whole lot

What I loved most about this read was definitely Alison. She was such a brilliantly written character who had an amazing amount of depth and such a great personality. She had flaws and admitted to them and she had strengths and acknowledged them - I really love characters like that, they really do make a story.

The supporting characters were great too but it did feel like compared to Alison there wasn't even focus on them to be developed enough for me to really adore them like I did Alison.

As for the plot, I found it to be really engrossing simply because of the fact that nothing seemed to be revealed until just the right moment. It was a really great read.

R J Anderson:

Goodreads|Website|Livejournal|Twitter|Facebook

Challenges this book counts towards:

  1. 100 Books In A Year
  2. New Author Challenge
  3. TBR Pile Reading Challenge

Happy reading everyone!


Monday 20 February 2012

Review: The Dead Of Winter

Title: The Dead of Winter
Author: Chris Priestley
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication date: October 2010
Hardback: 218 pages
Source: Won
Rating: 9/10

Summary:

Michael Vyner recalls a terrible story, one that happened to him. One that would be unbelievable if it weren't true!

Michael's parents are dead and he imagines that he will stay with the kindly lawyer, executor of his parents' will . . . Until he is invited to spend Christmas with his guardian in a large and desolate country house. His arrival on the first night suggests something is not quite right when he sees a woman out in the frozen mists, standing alone in the marshes. But little can prepare him for the solitude of the house itself as he is kept from his guardian and finds himself spending the Christmas holiday wandering the silent corridors of the house seeking distraction. But lonely doesn't mean alone, as Michael soon realises that the house and its grounds harbour many secrets, dead and alive, and Michael is set the task of unravelling some of the darkest secrets of all. A nail-biting story of hauntings and terror by the master of the genre, Chris Priestley.

My thoughts:

What surprised me most with this book was the writing style of Chris Priestley. As soon as I started to read the first page I was engrossed. It has this really nice fluidity to it and reading it made me feel really relaxed like I was actually listening to the story being told.

The story itself was really great. It was a really creepy read beginning, middle and end. It's definitely not a read for everyone since it has no other elements like a little love story or anything of the sort - only a little mystery as to what's haunting the new house Michael (the protagonist) is staying at after the death of his mother.

I loved how creepy this read really was. It had my heart racing the whole way through and I read it entirely in one sitting just because the suspense was killing me!

The characters were really great too. I felt that I didn't really get to know them very well but it didn't take anything away from how much I enjoyed the book since its focus was mostly on Michael and his story.

Overall it's definitely a very quick and easy read for someone who fancies a little scare now and again.

Chris Priestley:

Challenges this book counts towards:
Happy reading everyone!


Thursday 16 February 2012

The Time Will Come #13

Jodie over at Books for Company is hosting a Thursday meme. It's really easy to join in. Here's what you have to do:

  • Pick a book you have been meaning to read
  • Do a post telling us about the book
  • Link the post up in the linky
  • Visit the other blogs!

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

I actually have no clue as to why I haven't read this whole series yet. I'm really excited to read this one since I've heard nothing but good things about it. Hopefully I'll get round to it soon!


Wednesday 15 February 2012

Review: Dead Beautiful

Title: Dead Beautiful
Author: Yvonne Wood
Series: Dead Beautiful #1
Publisher:Usborne
Publication date: September 21st 2010
Paperback: 505 pages
Source: Bought
My rating: 8/10

Synopsis:

Desire. Danger. Destiny.
Little did I know that this is what I would find at Gottfried Academy.

Coming fro sunny California, the mist-shrouded Academy was a shock, with its strange customs, ancient curriculum and study of Latin - the language of the dead. Then I discovered that the school has more than one dark secret..

I also discovered Dante. Intelligent, elusive and devastatingly gorgeous, most people can't decide whether they love, hate or fear him. All I know is that when we're together, I've never felt more alive - or more afraid.

Does finding your soulmate mean losing yourself?

My thoughts:

This was definitely another one of those reads where the characters make the story. I really did love all of the characters in this book even those who didn't make that much of an appearance - they still made a big impression which was great.

I have to say that Dead Beautiful would have got a 10/10 rating in my opinion if it wasn't for the face that any romance in the book was way too similar to Twilight. I hated reading little tidbits and immediately thinking of Twilight since it's not Twilight I'm reading. I like a book to make an impression based on originality and the story itself, not because it reminds me of another book.

With that out of the way though I still really loved this book. It was a real page turner with the mystery that was involved and an entire boarding school full of people involved in it too.

The plot was great. Yvonne Wood was definitely not afraid too keep readers in the dark for as long as possible and it just made it all the more thrilling to find out all the answers in one go at the end of the book. It was actually quite creepy at points too which was surprising since I wasn't expecting it.

Immediately after finishing this book I was kind of frustrated with how it ended since it didn't really tie up much. I did look to see if it was part of a series though so when I discovered it is I was good! :p

It was definitely a read that introduces a reader into another world entirely full of new and exciting ideas and possiblities. I definitely can't wait to find out where Yvonne takes the next book and if it gets even better than this one!

I do recommend this one simply because it's a good read. It has you turning pages quickly and that counts for a lot.

Books in the series so far:

  • Dead Beautiful
  • Life Eternal

Challenges this book counts towards:

  1. 100 Books In A Year
  2. New Author Challenge
  3. TBR Reading Challenge


Monday 13 February 2012

Review: Working Stiff

Title: Working Stiff
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: Revivalist #1
Publisher:Allison & Busby
Publication date: 31st October 2011
Paperback: 473 pages
Source: Bought
My rating: 8/10

Synopsis:

Bryn Davis knows working at Fairview Mortuary isn't the most glamorous career choice, but at least it offers stable employment--until she discovers her bosses using a drug that resurrects the clientele as part of an extortion racket. Now, Bryn faces being terminated--literally, and with extreme prejudice.
Wit the help of corporate double-agent Patrick McCallister, Bryn has a chance to take down the bigger problem--pharmaceutical company Pharmadene, which treats death as the ultimate corporate loyalty program. She'd better do it fast, before she becomes a zombie slave--a real working stiff. She'd be better off dead...

My thoughts:

Even though I haven't read many so far, I absolutely adore Rachel Caine's books and I could read them all day every day.

Working Stiff was definitely no exception. I really loved everything about it.

First off, what I actually was disappointed in was a few parts in the book where it felt a little rushed because details and descriptions were lacking a little bit. It was in no way throughout the whole read though which was good.

As for why I loved the book, it was mainly because of the brilliant characters. They are so different and yet they work together so well that I couldn't help but love them. Bryn - the protagonist - was just thrown in the deep end more or less from the start so her character had to develop really quickly in what seemed like a short amount of time. She was strong without having to be the whole 'going on a killing spree' type. She was the most vulnerable of characters and yet she dealt with it however she could. The other supporting characters (I would list them all but it would take a while) were equally brilliant. All of the characters seemed to have an element of desperation to them which was understandable given what happens in the book but it shone through which made me really feel for each and every one of them for different reasons.

The plot was also fantastic. It was another read where I didn't want to get back to real life just to find out what happens and remain in Bryn's world for a little while more. It had a lot of depth to it especially for the first book in a series - I definitely can't wait for more of this one!

I also loved the writing. It had fast paced action alongside slow, emotional moments that made for fantastic reading. Apart from a few parts I definitely did not want to put this book down.

Overall, I think this is a fantastic read to stay on the shelf and to come back to. I don't think I'll get tired of reading this again. Obviously I sure do recommend this read for anyone, especially fans of Rachel Caine.

Books in the series:
  1. Working Stiff
  2. Two Weeks' Notice

Challenges this book counts towards:

  1. 100 Books In A Year
  2. TBR Pile Reading Challenge
  3. Horror & Urban Fantasy Challenge

Happy reading everyone!


Saturday 11 February 2012

On My Wishlist #47

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here.

Hi guys! I have a few books on my wishlist this week:

Welcome to Trenton, New Jersey, home to wiseguys, average Joes, and Stephanie Plum, who sports a big attitude and even bigger money problems (since losing her job as a lingerie buyer for a department store). Stephanie needs cash--fast--but times are tough, and soon she's forced to turn to the last resort of the truly desperate: family.

Stephanie lands a gig at her sleazy cousin Vinnie's bail bonding company. She's got no experience. But that doesn't matter. Neither does the fact that the bail jumper in question is local vice cop Joe Morelli. From the time he first looked up her dress to the time he first got into her pants to the time Steph hit him with her father's Buick, M-o-r-e-l-l-i has spelled t-r-o-u-b-l-e. And now the hot guy is in hot water--wanted for murder.

Abject poverty is a great motivator for learning new skills, but being trained in the school of hard knocks by people like psycho prizefighter Benito Ramirez isn't. Still, if Stephanie can nab Morelli in a week, she'll make a cool ten grand. All she has to do is become an expert bounty hunter overnight--and keep herself from getting killed before she gets her man.

  • Hollow Earth by John ad Carol E. Barrowman

Lots of twins have a special connection - being able to finish each other's sentences; sensing what the other is thinking; perhaps even knowing when the other is in trouble or in pain - but for 12-year-old twins, Matt and Emily Calder, the connection is beyond special. Together, the twins have extraordinary powers. They are able to bring art to life, or enter paintings at will. Their abilities are sought by villains trying to access the terrors of Hollow Earth - a place where all the demons, devils and creatures ever imagined lie trapped for eternity. The twins flee with their mother to the security of an island, off the west coast of Scotland, where their grandfather has certain protective powers of his own. But too much is at stake, and the twins aren't safe there either. The villains will stop at nothing to find Hollow Earth and harness the powers within...

Happy reading everyone!


Thursday 9 February 2012

The Time Will Come #12

Jodie over at Books for Company is hosting a Thursday meme. It's really easy to join in. Here's what you have to do:

  • Pick a book you have been meaning to read
  • Do a post telling us about the book
  • Link the post up in the linky
  • Visit the other blogs!

Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.

She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.

In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you'd have to fear.


Surprise, surprise this is another that I have just completely forgotten about. I'm not sure why but I'm not really excited by this series but I still want to read it. Hopefully some time soon!

Happy reading!


Monday 6 February 2012

Review: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You

Title: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You
Author: Ally Carter
Series: Gallagher Girls #1
Publisher: Orchard
Publication date: April 25th 2006
Source:
Bought
My Rating: 6/10

Summary:

Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses - but it's really a school for spies. Cammie Morgan is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways (three of which involve a piece of uncooked spaghetti). But the one thing the Gallagher Academy hasn't prepared her for is what to do when she falls for an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl.

Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, and track him through a mall without his ever being the wiser, but can Cammie have a normal relationship with a boy who can never know the truth about her?

My thoughts:

This book was a nice introduction to the world of the Gallagher girls. Far from normal, these girls attend a school for geniuses training to become spies. Of course, they're still high school age so get up to all sorts of mischief just in a slightly different manner!

I liked the plot of this book. It was simple but really fun to read about. I was on edge at times thinking characters were going to get caught and then if they did I was anticipating what was going to happen to them.

It's definitely a fun read but the problem for me was that the writing didn't stick with me. I was a little put off by it for some reason and at times I felt like I was missing key details. I started to think it was me reading to fast so I would keep going back to read parts again to find that I hadn't missed anything.

I really feel that this author has a very particular writing style that some people will really love and some people will just find okay. Make no mistake, it wasn't bad writing, it just wasn't suited to my likings.

What I loved most about this book was how the characters interacted. It was made clear from the start that the Gallagher girls might as well be sisters and they are to be treated as such by each other. They're all growing up in the same environment totally different to normal teenagers their age so technically the only people they can depend on is each other. I loved that. It was such a strong aspect of the book and it shone through each and every character and still managed to accentuate how different each one of them was.

Overall, this read was alright for me but some will enjoy it more. I definitely do want to have another shot at the second book in the series and see if it gets any better!

Books in the series:

  • I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You
  • Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy
  • Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover
  • Only the Good Spy Young
  • Out of Site, Out of Time

Challenges this counts towards:

  1. 100 Books In A Year
  2. New Author Challenge
  3. TBR Pile Challenge
  4. Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge

Happy reading everyone!


Sunday 5 February 2012

2012 January Wrap Up

Can you believe another month has passed by already?

Even though we're a few days into February now I thought I would do a wrap up post for January.

Books I read:
linked to Goodreads

Challenge Progress:

  • 100 Books In A Year: 8/100
  • New Authors Challenge: 6/25
  • Horror And Urban Fantasy: 1/24
  • Speculative Romance: 1/12
  • Ebook Challenge: 2/25
  • Why Buy the Cow: 0/12
  • Zombie Challenge: 0/6
  • Immortal Reading: 1/12
  • TBR Challenge: 3/21-30
  • Book Blogger Recommendation: 2/10
Happy reading everyone!



Saturday 4 February 2012

On My Wishlist #46

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here.

After reading Starcrossed this week I only have one book on my wishlist and that is:

As the only Scion that can enter Hades at will, Helen descends to the Underworld in search of a way to overcome the Furies and end the cycle of revenge that has cursed the Scions. But she’s running out of time. Each descent weakens her both in mind and spirit. A mysterious stranger might be her only salvation, but the price may be her love for Lucas Delos.

As an unforgettable love triangle emerges, Josephine Angelini’s compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding. The eagerly awaited sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed, Dreamless delivers with a huge emotional impact that will leave readers satisfied—and longing for more.

Happy reading everyone!


Friday 3 February 2012

Review: Starcrossed

Title: Starcrossed
Author: Josephine Angelini
Publisher: Macmillan
Publication date: 03/06/2011
Format: Paperback - 528 pages
Book source: Bought
My rating: 10/10

Summary:

Destiny brought them together. The Gods will keep them apart.

When shy, awkward Helen Hamilton sees Lucas Delos for the first time she thinks two things: the first, that he is the most ridiculously beautiful boy she has seen in her life; the second, that she wants to kill him with her bare hands.

With an ancient curse making them loathe one another, Lucas and Helen have to keep their distance. But sometimes love is stronger than hate, and not even the gods themselves can prevent what will happen . . .

My thoughts:

I've really been on a roll since my exams finished. The last few books I've read over the past couple of weeks have been absolutely fantastic and this one was no exception.

I don't really have much to say without spoiling the book for those of you who haven't read it apart from just how good it really is!

Normally I hate books where there is some sort of instant connection between characters whether good or bad but this one was different somehow. When I read on I realised that if the characters didn't have this connection the book just plain wouldn't work. I found myself really enjoying the character's interaction and how it changed drastically between them throughout the story as it progressed.

I also adored the settings. The story was set in this reality where Greek mythology comes to life. It was new to me and so exciting I really didn't want to ever finish this book. To be honest, it's quite a long read packed with all sorts of things happening but it literally felt like it was over way too fast!!!

As for the characters themselves they were really well written. They each had a lot of depth in their own ways and I liked each and every one for very different reasons.

A lot of questions remain unanswered with this one so I really can't wait for the next book in the series to come out for me to get stuck into!!

I seriously recommend this one to anybody who likes a good read full of suspense, mythology and fast paced action.

Books in this series:

  1. Starcrossed
  2. Dreamless
Challenges this book counts towards:

  1. 100 Books In A Year
  2. New Author Challenge
  3. TBR Pile Reading Challenge
  4. Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge
Happy reading everyone!


Thursday 2 February 2012

The Time Will Come #11

Jodie over at Books for Company is hosting a Thursday meme. It's really easy to join in. Here's what you have to do:

  • Pick a book you have been meaning to read
  • Do a post telling us about the book
  • Link the post up in the linky
  • Visit the other blogs!

First, the unthinkable: a security breach at a secret U.S. government facility unleashes the monstrous product of a chilling military experiment. Then, the unspeakable: a night of chaos and carnage gives way to sunrise on a nation, and ultimately a world, forever altered. All that remains for the stunned survivors is the long fight ahead and a future ruled by fear—of darkness, of death, of a fate far worse.

As civilization swiftly crumbles into a primal landscape of predators and prey, two people flee in search of sanctuary. FBI agent Brad Wolgast is a good man haunted by what he’s done in the line of duty. Six-year-old orphan Amy Harper Bellafonte is a refugee from the doomed scientific project that has triggered apocalypse. He is determined to protect her from the horror set loose by her captors. But for Amy, escaping the bloody fallout is only the beginning of a much longer odyssey—spanning miles and decades—towards the time and place where she must finish what should never have begun.

This is another that I just haven't picked up for no reason I can identify whatsoever. Hopefully I can get round to it sooner or later!

Happy reading everyone!


Wednesday 1 February 2012

Review: Every Other Day

Title: Every Other Day
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Publisher: Quercus
Publication date: 2nd February 2012
Book source: Finished copy received from publisher.
Paperback: 329 pages
My rating: 8/10

Synopsis:

Every other day, Kali D'Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to public high school. She argues with her father. She's human. And then every day in between ... she's something else entirely.

Though she still looks like herself, every twenty - four hours predatory instincts take over and Kali becomes a feared demon - hunter with the undeniable urge to hunt, trap, and kill zombies, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but she gives in to instinct anyway ... even though the government considers it environmental terrorism.

When Kali notices a mark on the lower back of a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these creatures. Kali has twenty-four hours to save her, but unfortunately she'll have to do it as a human. With the help of a few friends, Kali takes a risk that her human body might not survive ... and learns the secrets of her mysterious condition in the process.

My thoughts:

When I got this book through the letterbox and saw that it was by Jennifer Lynn Barnes I cannot tell you how excited I got. I love, love, love Raised by Wolves!!!

This book was something else entirely though. I really enjoyed its originality and the intensity of the action that occurred right from the very start.

For me the most amazing part of the book was the plot. At times reading this book gave me an adrenaline rush just from how exciting it was. The plot was chocked full of action packed fights and suspense filled conversations adding to the mystery of Kali's 'condition'.

And Kali's 'condition' for lack of a better word was probably the best part about the read. It was like a constant countdown to something really great happening or something really dreadful. A constant waiting game.

Of course, I can't carry on this review without talking about Zev. An essential character completely shrouded by mystery. Even at the end of the book nothing much is revealed about Zev but it seems better that way somehow. I feel like if everything was revealed about him he wouldn't have made as big as an impact in the story as he was supposed to.

The only real criticism I have is that, for me at least, the ending was way too abrupt. I felt a little frustrated with the way it ended because so much effort was put into Kali getting to the end and then it just stopped with no real ending.

Overall I definitely recommend this read to absolutely everyone who likes this kind of read because it is well, well worth it.

About the author:

Jen is the author of the hugely popular Raised by Wolves series. As well as an author, Jen has been a competitive cheerleader, a teen model, a dancer and is now a primate cognition researcher. She graduated from Yale University with a degree in cognitive science and had her first book published when she was nineteen-years-old.

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Challenges this book counts towards:

  1. 100 Books In A Year