Review: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Unknown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Written by an anonymous 14th-century poet, this epic poem is recognized as an equal of Chaucer's masterworks and of the great Old English poems, including "Beowulf." This edition includes a Preface by Raffel and a new Introduction. Revised reissue.

When I first started reading Sir Gawain and the Green Knight I really wasn't sure that I was going to like it. But how wrong was I?!

I LOVED THIS BOOK!

To be honest, I knew nothing about this book before I picked it up (the copy I have is translated by Bernard O'Donoghur) and, being a massive fan of the TV series, Merlin, I was pleasantly surprised to realise that the main character, Sir Gawain, was one of Arthur's knights. And, in the book, you meet King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, several other knights (Lancelot is mentioned) and Morgan Le Fay (Morganna in the TV series). And Merlin is mentioned too!

So yeah, this really was my kind of book!

At first, even after realising who the characters were, I wasn't sure how easy this book was going to be to read, as it's written in verse form. But wow, it read just like a book! A lot easier to read than The Odyssey of Homer or Beowulf, in my opinion.

The plot of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is brilliant. Focussing on themes of greed, pride, trickery and loyalty, this is a great read and I highly recommend it to everyone. (Go and read it NOW!)

This is quite a short book, so it's easily accessible to the modern reader, and I was able to read it in one sitting. And it really was worth it.

There's so much foreshadowing in this book, which I loved! And the imagery is great too, whilst the characterisation is superb. Detail has been used well, but there aren't great chunks of description which could put readers off. No, this is a lean book with a truly great plot, and if you've watched Merlin, I'd definitely recommend that you read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Review: INFLUENCE by David R. Bernstein

Influence by David R. Bernstein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you could manipulate reality, would you?

Seventeen-year-old Kaylin has been on the run, hiding her untapped abilities for six years, but rescuing a mysterious guy risks exposing the depths of her power. The manipulative sector groups hunt her kind. Life has never been easy, but resisting is even harder. This harsh, new world will no longer allow her to remain hidden.

In a future where greed and corruption has torn American society apart; these relentless sector groups prey on powerful youths to mold the populace to expand their reach. Young people with the ability to shift the mindset of others are high-value targets. War is waging to expand and control this new world. Influencers, as they're called, hold the key to humanity's future.

Will fighting back cost Kaylin everything?

Influence is the first novel in the Influence series, a sci-fi, dystopian epic with a touch of romance, loads of fast-paced action, with a unique story concept. If you are a Maze Runner or Divergent fan than this is the book is for you!

As soon as I read the back cover copy for INFLUENCE, I just knew I had to buy it. And this book did not disappoint.

The premise is unique and original, and Bernstein's world building was great. The writing was fluid and tight, and the packing was spot on. I particularly loved that we're given some backstory, but that we're shown it (no telling!) in flashback-like episodes where it's applicable, and Bernstein leads us into these scenes very cleverly, in such a way that I knew it was a flashback. There was none of that confusion (the 'is this happening now or has it already happened?') that you sometimes get when books use flashbacks as a device to tell backstory. And I mean, the flashback near the beginning contained pretty important backstory too, explaining why Kay is now on the run and answering any questions I had at that point. So, yes, there's no heavy info-dumping, and we're given just the right amount of backstory to go by.

As a main character, Kaylin is great. I also really appreciated the relationship between Kay and her best friend, Amanda. It was refreshing to see.

As the plot builds, the tension and stakes increase. And there's a lot of action, which I absolutely love. The ending! Wow. I loved it and it fitted the whole book so well. I don't want to give any spoilers there--but let's just say it's very cleverly written. I read the whole thing in less than 24 hours.

Would definitely recommend to dystopian fans.

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Review: Seven Fables by Robert Henryson

The Testament of Cresseid & Seven Fables by Robert Henryson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A master of high narrative, Henryson was also a comic master of the verse fable, and his burlesques of human weakness in the guise of animal wisdom are delicately pointed with irony. Seven of the Fables are here sparklingly translated by Heaney, their freshness rendered to the last claw and feather.

Please note that this review is only of the seven fables in this book, and not The Testament of Cresseid', as the seven fables were part of my university reading list, whereas The Testament of Cresseid was not.

Firstly, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved these fables. These seven fables are all retellings of Aesop's fables, or are based on these; each uses animal characters to teach its readers moral messages.

My favourite fables were The Lion and the Mouse, and The Two Mice. I thought both of these, especially, had an almost fairy-tale like quality to them, and were 'cute'.

I also liked The Toad and The Mouse due to the reference of physiognomy, yet this is perhaps the saddest and most poignant of all the tales in this book. Yet its moral message is just as applicable in today's society, as are any of the other fables' messages.

Most of the fables are split into sections: the actual tale, and then a 'Morality' section. However, a couple also include a prologue-like beginning as well. This made them easy to read, and the morality section often tells the reader what the different animals could be symbolic of in the human world.

The majority of the fables look at the negative aspects of mankind, making this a powerful read with a hugely moral purpose.

Written in poem form, these fables have a nice rhythm, however, as Henryson's original writing is on the left hand page and Heaney's translation on the right, I can see that in several places Seamus Heaney has added in extra syllables, and, in some cases, changed the meaning of particular lines--whether this is an improvement on Henryson's original text, I am still undecided.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading these fables and I read them in one sitting. Would highly recommend that you read them, particularly of you're studying English Literature.

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Review: Storm Born by Richelle Mead

Storm Born by Richelle Mead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just typical. No love life to speak of for months, then all at once, every horny creature in the Otherworld wants to get in your pants...

Eugenie Markham is a powerful shaman who does a brisk trade banishing spirits and fey who cross into the mortal world. Mercenary, yes, but a girl's got to eat. Her most recent case, however, is enough to ruin her appetite. Hired to find a teenager who has been taken to the Otherworld, Eugenie comes face to face with a startling prophecy—one that uncovers dark secrets about her past and claims that Eugenie's first-born will threaten the future of the world as she knows it.

Now Eugenie is a hot target for every ambitious demon and Otherworldy ne'er-do-well, and the ones who don't want to knock her up want her dead. Eugenie handles a Glock as smoothly as she wields a wand, but she needs some formidable allies for a job like this. She finds them in Dorian, a seductive fairy king with a taste for bondage, and Kiyo, a gorgeous shape-shifter who redefines animal attraction. But with enemies growing bolder and time running out, Eugenie realizes that the greatest danger is yet to come, and it lies in the dark powers that are stirring to life within her...

I loved loved LOVED this book! After reading Mead's Vampire Academy series and Bloodlines books, I wanted to get straight into one of her adult series. And Storm Born (Dark Swan #1) did not disappoint me in anyway.

What made me choose this book over her succubus series was the blurb; it's compelling and it grabbed me straight away.

The characters were brilliant. They all had flaws which made them seem so realistic--something which is hugely important!

I must admit that the Fairy King was one of my favourite characters, even though, initially, I didn't want to like him. Guess I just couldn't help it...

The first page had me hooked. Seriously, read it! That is one hilarious opening, very unusual and it basically made me think: 'Woah. I've GOT to read this.'

And this book had plenty of subtle humour in it too. The writing dropped with personality, and with it being written from Eugenie's perspective, by the end, I just felt like I knew this character SO well.

For me, Richelle Mead proved herself to be brilliant at characterisation with her YA novels, and it appears that's she is just as good with characterisation in adult novels too. I can't stress this enough: her characterisation skills are just amazing.

One thing I will just say (having just mentioned her YA books) is that this novel is aimed at adults. There's adult content in here. And lots of it. But, although it revealed stuff and moved the plot on, the story doesn't really revolve around sex.

Well, actually, it does, seeing as how nearly every male character wants to sleep with the main character and father her first child, due to the prophecy... I suppose, what I mean is is that sex in this novel is only used where it's necessary, and this novel doesn't only revolve around sex. It's still an action-packed fantasy novel, just with sex in it too. I suppose, in relation to the action, there aren't really that many sexually-explicit scenes, but sex is still a big part of this novel, so not for younger readers.

The plot was well thought-out, with sub plots and twists cleverly woven in, just as with all of the Richelle Mead novels that I've read.

This was one of those books that I just HAD to finish. I literally could not put it down, and I NEED to get the next book!

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Review: The Butterfly Code by Sue Wyshynski

The Butterfly Code by Sue Wyshynski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My name is Aeris Thorne. I am a genetically modified human. 

PAINFUL SECRETS.
STARTLING TRUTHS.
UNDENIABLE LOVE.

All it took was a chance meeting--one tingling glance across a darkened street to change my life.

I'd been searching for my two best friends in the crowded Zenith Club, which was a really bad idea because I'm totally claustrophobic. 

I burst outside, and that's when I came face-to-face with the incredibly gorgeous Hunter Cayman. Dark-haired, tall, and leaning against an insane sports car, my pulse went haywire. Maybe things weren't so bad after all. The young doctor had his long muscular arms crossed over his leather jacket clad chest, and all his six-foot something would make any girl's knees turn weak. But then, if what Ella said was true, Hunter was the kind of guy who left behind a trail of broken hearts. And heartache was the last thing I needed right now.

Yet there's something strange, something almost superhuman about Hunter. It's more than that infuriatingly knowing grin. I'm trying to stop thinking about him, and I get the feeling he's avoiding me, too. Yet Deep Cove is a tiny town and every time we run into each other the tension literally crackles, sparking around us. It just figures that when suddenly I'm in danger, he's there to save me.

In truth, I should be dead. By all the logic in this world, I should be shattered to pieces. How fast was I going on that ATV when I smashed into those iron gates? Ninety? A hundred? And the men who were chasing me, where did they go?

Somehow I'm whole.

Maybe better than whole. 

There's no one I can talk to, not even my best friend, Gage. Gage hates Hunter. He wants Hunter's laboratory to be shut down. He thinks Hunter's a monster. And yet, if that's true, if Hunter's a monster...than what am I? I'm not sure what terrifies me more, the metamorphosis taking place inside me, or the intensely powerful connection with a guy whose heart and soul has become linked with mine.

Wow, what a book.

Right from the start, we’re thrown into the action. I loved the narrative style so much, particularly the way the narrator questions everything. And I particularly enjoyed the who is he? what’s he doing here? intro for Dr Hunter Cayman.

This new adult paranormal thriller/suspense is so beautifully written, and it really was a delight to read. I loved Aeris, the main character. She felt real, and the way her character changes and progresses also felt believable. The little details we’re given about Aeris’s life and her past add so much authenticity too. And, as this book’s written in first person, she had a real voice. Her way of thinking constantly oozed through the writing, and at times was enough to make me forget I was actually reading a book.

One thing that struck me about the plot were the futuristic/SF elements. I hadn’t been expecting them as we’d already been given the paranormal/mystery/thriller elements, and they were a nice surprise, particularly as I LOVE LOVE LOVE speculative fiction.

And, I also love symbolism too–particularly in names. And there was a lot of this to keep me happy. A lot of work has obviously gone into this book, and I’m determined to reread it soon so I can spot all the foreshadowing–I noticed a few instances in my first reading, which were carefully incorporated, but I’m sure there’s more!

There’s just the right amount of action, suspense and tension in this book, and it kept me turning the pages. I particularly loved the relationship between Aeris and Gage, possibly more than that between Aeris and Hunter. It felt realistic, and that’s what I particularly loved about it.

But Hunter himself was such an interesting character. Right from the start, I was drawn to him–in much the same way that our main character seems to be. I was intrigued about this man who’s apparently dangerous and dark… and I was so, so curious. And there was just something so enigmatic and mysterious about him. He’s the perfect love interest! I really hope there’s a sequel to THE BUTTERFLY CODE.

I’ll definitely be looking for more books by this author!

(I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review).

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Review: The Lie by C.L. Taylor

The Lie by C.L. Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I know your name's not really Jane Hughes...

Jane Hughes has a loving partner, a job in an animal sanctuary and a tiny cottage in rural Wales. She's happier than she's ever been but her life is a lie. Jane Hughes does not really exist.

Five years earlier Jane and her then best friends went on holiday but what should have been the trip of a lifetime rapidly descended into a nightmare that claimed the lives of two of the women.

Jane has tried to put her past behind her but someone knows the truth about what happened. Someone who won't stop until they've destroyed Jane and everything she loves.

Well, I just finished THE LIE by C.L. Taylor and it was absolutely incredible. I'll admit, I found the opening chapters a bit slow (compared to her other books), but by 50 pages, I was hooked! A really creepy thriller about cults and female friendship. And those twists--wow! I literally could not stop reading after the first one, and read the whole thing in just less than a day.

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Review: CHALK HOUSES by Tracy Clark

Chalk Houses by Tracy Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Everyone has a secret. Now Secret is talking.

Talon Alvarado has one goal - to be nothing like her mother who’s blown it in about every way. But sometimes you focus so hard on what you don’t want that you find yourself careening toward it. Bombarded with history, hurts, and secrets, Talon is struggling to be the person she yearns to be and to live a bigger life than girls like her are supposed to wish for. To climb out, she must dig for strength in the most unlikely place; the rubble of her bruised heart. 

The misty presence of Secret reveals its role in Talon’s life, showing how the secrets we keep tell our stories. 

Chalk Houses is a gritty, achingly hopeful story about love being in the places you forgot to look, and about starting over. Even at the end.

I first came across Tracy Clark when I read Mirage, her YA psychological thriller. I absolutely fell in love with that book, and so I couldn't wait to read Chalk Houses.

And, wow, I loved it! It's compelling and deep, and Talon is a great main character, so relatable, but also flawed.

Clark's writing is beautiful, and the images are so evocative. I especially loved the small sections narrated by Secret throughout, and the almost-philosophical touch this added in places.

It's quite a dark story too, and at times it was hard to read.

But the issues covered are important, and Clark addresses them in a powerful way. I loved how Gabby was almost a mirror version of Talon, and how their sister-like relationship became one of the strongest themes in the book, even over-riding the romantic aspect. That's something I haven't seen many contemporary YA books do, and it felt really refreshing.

A highly recommended read.

Review: Soundless by Richelle Mead

Soundless by Richelle Mead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In a village without sound…

For as long as Fei can remember, no one in her village has been able to hear. Rocky terrain and frequent avalanches make it impossible to leave the village, so Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom. 

When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink. Many go hungry. Fei and all the people she loves are plunged into crisis, with nothing to look forward to but darkness and starvation.

One girl hears a call to action…

Until one night, Fei is awoken by a searing noise. Sound becomes her weapon.

She sets out to uncover what’s happened to her and to fight the dangers threatening her village. A handsome miner with a revolutionary spirit accompanies Fei on her quest, bringing with him new risks and the possibility of romance. They embark on a majestic journey from the peak of their jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiguo, where a startling truth will change their lives forever…

And unlocks a power that will save her people.

REVIEW:

I was so excited when I heard that Richelle Mead had a new book coming out, and as soon as I could, I hopped down to my local bookshop (which, admittedly, isn't that local because I live in the middle of nowhere), and got myself a copy.

Now, as I'm nearing the end of my penultimate semester for the final year of my degree, I'd planned to save SOUNDLESS for the Christmas holidays. But then I made the mistake of opening this book on a Tuesday evening... and accidentally finished SOUNDLESS the following day.

This book was fantastic.

It's different to Mead's other novels--but there was something about it that reminded me of her Dark Swan novels. I'm not entirely sure what, it just had the same feel. Yet, it is SO different. This book felt 'gentler' in its exposition of its themes, but held a really magic quality.

I loved it.

Fei is a great main character. She's relatable--perhaps one of Mead's most relatable protagonists. I felt like I could identify more with her than, say, Rose Hathaway or Georgina Kincaid. I guess Fei's personality is pretty close to mine. And I loved loved loved discovering her.

One thing that I really loved about this book, was how at the start several problems are introduced (lack of food, the restrictive culture, Fei's desire to draw what she wants, etc), and how all of these things that need fixing are all tied up and resolved in the final pages of the book. Here, the closing image really is the reverse of the opening image, and I think that's what makes this novel so successful; I really felt like I'd been on the journey with Fei and Li Wei, and I could see the difference they'd made. (Yes, this book is structured beautifully!)

And the romance: it's gentle, it's sweet, it's believable.

The worldbuilding in SOUNDLESS is amazing. Mead doesn't give us everything upfront, but the details are woven into the plot right from the start. I loved how the fantasy angle gradually skipped its way into the book, and became dominant in the plot's solution.

I also loved the introduction of Chinese folklore and mythology. Compared to other mythology-based fantasies I've read, this was a breath of fresh air.

In many ways, this book felt like a fairytale. It's just so warm, and 'glowing', yet at the heart of the plot, it covered some pretty serious issues.

If you're looking for a new YA read and you want a strong but relatable protagonist, I highly recommend Richelle Mead's SOUNDLESS.

Review: The Silver Locket by Marie Fostino

The Silver Locket by Marie Fostino
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

When Jennifer finds her daughter is not home from school yet, her past flashed before her eyes with the memories of Jacy, love, death and becoming a mother at the age of sixteen.

People would stop Jenny and ask if the child she was with was her sister. "No this is my child." Yet the looks she got hurt her. She was 16 years old when her life changed forever. Despite being raised in a Christian home with strict religious values, some of her choices were careless, and they came with weighty consequences. 

A strange combination of sadness and joy overcome her when she turns back the clock. Names and faces float through her mind like ghosts that still haunted her but as always, a smile forms on her face and she remembers only love.

Marie Fostino was kind enough to send me a free ebook of ‘The Silver Locket’, in exchange for a review, so here it is:

[Warning:‭ ‬This review contains a few spoilers‭]‬.

I must admit,‭ ‬at first,‭ ‬when I started‭ ‘‬The Silver Locket‭’‬,‭ ‬I didn’t really identify with the main character,‭ ‬Jenny,‭ ‬and I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to continue reading.‭ ‬But I’m glad that I did‭!

Although some of the writing is a little‭ ‘‬suspect‭’ ‬in places,‭ ‬and repetitive,‭ ‬Marie Fostino is an expert at using evocative language and emotive imagery to create heart-wrenching moments.‭ ‬Indeed,‭ ‬the ending even brought tears to my eyes; although I didn’t see it coming,‭ ‬really,‭ ‬when looking back at the overall plot,‭ ‬it was inevitable‭ ‬- there really was so much subtle foreshadowing.

A couple of things that I did find confusing,‭ ‬especially at first,‭ ‬were the‭ ‘‬head-hopping‭’ ‬between different characters – with no apparent break/indication of a change of point of view -‭ ‬and how the thoughts of a character were shown.‭ ‬Sometimes the thoughts of the characters were speech-marked,‭ ‬other times they weren’t.‭

Although I didn’t really like the change of perspective at first,‭ ‬I began to get used to it,‭ ‬yet,‭ ‬overall,‭ ‬I feel that the story would’ve been strengthened had it solely been told from Jenny’s point of view.‭

At first,‭ ‬I found the characters and situations a bit stereotypical,‭ ‬i.e.‭ ‬good girl meets bad boy,‭ ‬Bad boy changes good girl,‭ ‬but then I realised that it is a thing that happens.‭ ‬After all,‭ ‬it showed the readers how big a problem drugs are,‭ ‬and how influential some people can be.‭

I must admit that I loved Jenny’s character arc.‭ ‬At the beginning,‭ ‬she annoyed me,‭ ‬but by the end,‭ ‬I felt that I could relate to her,‭ ‬and felt sympathy for her.‭ ‬But,‭ ‬I also admired her too.‭ ‬Similarly,‭ ‬I liked Jacy’s transformation,‭ ‬for the same reasons.‭

There were quite a few formatting issues,‭ ‬as well as grammatical errors (those aren’t really the author’s fault),‭ ‬but I did notice in two places where characters‭’ ‬names were misspelt.‭ ‬Particularly in the second-half of the book,‭ ‬I felt that there was more telling going on,‭ ‬rather than showing,‭ ‬but the ending was really evocative and emotional.

I also found a lot of the more minor and background characters to be one-dimensional – Jenny’s brothers and sisters, and some of Jacey’s friends.

The actual plot is great,‭ ‬and the event which triggers the whole plot off,‭ ‬is one that most people can relate to:‭ ‬moving house.‭ ‬This gave the book a very realistic feel,‭ ‬and I like how Marie Fostino created the illusion of a lot of time passing in certain parts of the narrative.

I also liked how the book started and ended with the grown-up Jenny’s point of view,‭ ‬showing how events in the past can really affect the individual in the future.‭ ‬I felt that this was realistic,‭ ‬and very well done.‭

Although this review sounds a little negative and critical, (like many of my reviews do!), this book is definitely worth reading; in ‘The Silver Locket’, Marie Fostino has delivered a powerful story.‭ ‬Indeed,‭ ‬I found that I couldn’t stop reading this,‭ ‬and I did read it in two evenings‭.‬

After finishing ‘The Silver Locket’,‭ ‬I discovered that this is one of those books,‭ ‬where,‭ ‬once you’ve read it,‭ ‬you can’t stop thinking about the main characters‭ (‬and the emotional ending‭)‬.

So, go and take a read of it for yourself, to find out what I mean.

Madeline’s Rating for ‘The Silver Locket’: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Review: My Name Is Milena Rokva by T.A. Maclagan

My Name is Milena Rokva by T.A. Maclagan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After seven years living as Alexandra Gastone, Milena Rokva is now free to be her true self, if only she knew who that was or had time to find out. Milena is in a race against time to bring down Perun, the very organization that trained her as a spy. Perun is no longer content to use their network of sleeper agents to protect her homeland and is maneuvered to take control of the world’s energy markets, sending the globe into chaos.

Working with her surrogate grandfather, Albert Gastone, his CIA friend Brad and her old handler, Varos, Milena finds herself embroiled in an epic spy game teamed with friends whose endgames do not necessarily align with her own. The only person Milena can truly trust is herself.

Can Milena take down Perun, protect her fellow cadets and make a life for herself with her boyfriend, Grant, as well as the friends and family she’s come to love as Alexandra Gastone? Buckle in for a wild ride as the Alexandra Gastone duology comes to a close.

Having been a huge fan of T.A. Maclagan's first novel (book 1 in the Alexandra Gastone duology) I was delighted to get my hands on a beta-copy of MY NAME IS MILENA ROKVA, the conclusion to Alexandra/Milena's story.

And this book definitely lived up to my expectations.

I loved that this book is all about Milena discovering who she really is, after she's been living a lie for so long. Her questions and the way she approached this felt authentic. Yet, unfortunately, she doesn't have much time to find out who she really is because Maclagan throws her right into some pretty hefty action.

This book has everything that I loved in the first book: spies, romance, flawed characters, moral dilemmas... it's all there. But I think I liked this one better. At first, I wasn't so sure of the ending (mainly because I wanted Milena to end up with the different guy--yeah, there's sort of a love triangle, but it's not angsty or anything), but looking back now I can see that the final resolution and pairing is so fitting and it works.

I'd definitely recommend this book to fans of spy thrillers.

Review: The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel

The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In The land of Painted Caves, Jean M. Auel brings the ice-age epic Earth's Children series to an extraordinary conclusion. Ayla, one of the most remarkable and beloved heroines in contemporary fiction, continues to explore the world and the people around her with curiosity, insight, and above all, courage.

As the story opens, Ayla, Jondalar, and their infant daughter, Jonayla are welcomed by the Zelandonii, but problems arise. They are faced with new challenges, not just the ordinary trials of sheer survival, but the complications posed by many groups of people who need to live and work together. The wisdom that Ayla gained from her struggles as an orphaned child, alone in a hostile environment, strengthens her as she moves closer to leadership of the Zelandonia.

Ayla and Jondalar's first priority is the care for their golden-haired child, Jonayla, and the well-being of their amazing animals, Wolf, Whinney, Racer, and Gray. The two participate in hunts to provide food, in travels to Summer Meetings for decision making, and in social activities. Whatever the obstacles, Ayla's inventive spirit produces new ways to lessen the difficulties of daily life: searching for wild edibles to make delicious meals, experimenting with techniques to ease the long journeys the Zelandoni must take, honing her skills as a healer and a leader. And then, there are the Sacred Caves, the caves that Ayla's mentor--the Donier, the First of the Zelandonia--takes her to see. These caves are filled with remarkable art--paintings of mammoths, lions, aurochs, rhinoceros, reindeer, bison, bear. The powerful, mystical aura within these caves sometimes overwhelms Ayla.

Ayla's final preparations for her initiation as a Zelandoni bring The Land of Painted Caves to a riveting climax. So much time apart from Jondalar has caused him to drift away from her. The rituals themselves bring her close to death. But through those rituals, Ayla gains A Gift of Knowledge so important that it will change the world.

Spellbinding drama, meticulous research, fascinating detail, and superb narrative skill combine to make The Land of Painted Cavesa captivating, utterly believable creation of a civilization that resonates long after the reader has turned the last page, and serves as an astonishing end to this beloved saga.

For years I’ve been waiting for the last book in this wonderful series, and couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. And when I did I read it in four days flat.

One thing I did find was that there was an awful lot of repetition of scenes in the book, and retelling of previous scenes in previous books (and earlier chapters of this book too). And Ayla spent a lot of time going around all the caves, which are described in great detail – several times. Fantastic detail, but a little repetitive in places.

Also, a lot of the minor story lines are reoccurring ‘themes’ of the other books. Indeed parts of it seemed like a continuation to ‘The Mammoth Hunters’, but it was still good. Especially when old characters, who we weren’t sure we’d see again, appeared!

I did enjoy the book and, although it’s not the strongest of Auel’s books plot-wise compared to the others in the series, I love it! Especially the humorous parts! And, despite the plot lacking in places, the overall book worked as a wonderful conclusion to the series.

I chose to give this book such a high rating, mainly because I’m just in love with the series, and SO glad that Auel finished the series–I’ve followed Ayla since she was five years old, so it was great seeing her settle down with her own family. But, for me, she seemed to have lost some of her own ‘character’. An example of this is, in the first books she seemed more adventurious and would stand up for herself. This book… not so much. But, then again, through this character arc (spanning six books) Auel has shown how people really do change.

Don’t get me wrong, this book isn’t all bad, there’re parts which I loved, and, if you’ve been following the serious, then I’d highly recommend that you read the conclusion to Ayla’s story.

Review: The Girl Who Played With Fire

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Expose
Millennium publisher Mikael Blomkvist has made his reputation exposing corrupt establishment figures. So when a young journalist approaches him with an investigation into sex trafficking, Blomkvist cannot resist waging war on the powerful figures who control this lucrative industry.

The Murder
When a young couple are found dead in their Stockholm apartment, it's a straightforward job for Inspector Bublanski and his team. The killer left the weapon at the scene - and the fingerprints on the gun point to only one direction.

The Girl Who Played with Fire
Ex-security analyst Lisbeth Salander is wanted for murder. Her history of unpredictable and vengeful behavior makes her an official danger to society - but no-one can find her. The only way Salander can be reached is by computer. But she can break into almost any network she chooses... 

It took me a little longer to finish this book than normal (because I've been writing like crazy), but WOW. This book was so good! I think I like THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE better than the GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO. We definitely find out more about Lisbeth Salander (and she plays a more central role in this one, while Blomkvist takes a back seat), and the plot was super tense and full of shocks. The ending however did feel a bit abrupt--as in I wondered whether my copy was missing the last chapter. Apparently not.

Definitely 5 stars though.

The thing that jumped out at me as I read was just how prominent Lisbeth Salander is as a narrating character in this book compared to the first. I know that book one was renamed THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by the publisher (prior to publication, I think Larsson had named it 'Men Who Hate Women') and so the new title emphasised Lisbeth even though Blomkvist was definitely the most prominent character in the first book. Now, I wonder whether Larsson wrote Lisbeth as a more central character for the subsequent books of the trilogy, after book one was published with a title indicating Lisbeth's importance. Does anyone know?

I've just ordered the third Millennium book and can't wait for it to arrive!

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Review: The Odyssey by Homer

The Odyssey by Homer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

George Herbert Palmer (March 9, 1842 – May 7, 1933) was an American scholar and author. He was a graduate, and then professor at Harvard University. He is also known for his published works, like the translation of The Odyssey (1884) and others about education and ethics, such as The New Education (1887) and The Glory of the Imperfect (1898).

This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. 

It's amazing to think that 'The Odyssey Of Homer' was written over 3,000 years ago, yet its plot is still engaging to modern readers, with so many of its themes (justice, loyalty, jealous, betrayal etc) being relevant to today's readers. This book has made me realise how humanity hasn't really changed over the many centuries, as the motivations and goals of the majority of the characters are still understandable, despite the significant gap in time.

Initially, I thought this book would be hard to read as it's written in verse, and is a translation (originally written in Ancient Greek) but the plot reads wonderfully, almost as if it was originally written in English. (The copy I have was translated by Richard Lattimore).

However, I did find that parts of it went on a bit, and there was quite a bit of repetition and loads of background information, but this is understandable, due to the time that it was written, as there would have been few things The Odyssey would have had to contend with as an entertainment source. Split into 24 books, it would have likely been performed on 24 separate occasions, with audience members most likely looking forward to attending the readings for ages. As a modern reader, these book divisions helped make reading it more manageable.

I'd highly recommend this book to everyone. It's plot was intriguing and covered a wide range of topics. And, to think, that it is one of the first texts that was written (and has survived), just makes this book even more incredible!

Review: MIRAGE by Tracy Clark

Mirage by Tracy Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Seventeen-year-old Ryan Poitier Sharpe is a gutsy, outgoing girl who spends her summer days hurling herself out of planes at her parents’ skydiving center in the Mojave Desert. Fiercely independent and willing to take risks, she challenges those around her to live life fully. But after a brush with death, Ryan is severely altered—she’s not the same thrill-seeking girl she once was and seems to be teetering on the edge of psychosis. As her relationships crumble and her life unravels, Ryan must fight the girl she’s become—or lose herself forever—in this eerie and atmospheric thriller.

Wow, this book! A great, action-packed thriller with a deep message...

Ryan was such a great character--a strong, likeable girl who was soooo believable. And the writing in this book is beautiful. Sooo beautiful. My head's kind of mush after reading this one as it was so good and I can't stop thinking about the ending. All the characters were well-written, rounded, and had flaws.

This is the first book I've read by Tracy Clark, but I'll definitely be picking up another!

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Review: People of the Wolf by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear

People of the Wolf by W. Michael Gear (review from 2014)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In the dawn of history, a valiant people forged a pathway from an old world into a new one. Led by a dreamer who followed the spirit of the wolf, a handful of courageous men and women dared to cross the frozen wastes to find an untouched, unspoiled continent. Set in what is now Alaska, this is the magnificent saga of the vision-filled man who led his people to an awesome destiny, and the courageous woman whose love and bravery drove them on in pursuit of that dream.

A sweeping epic of prehistory, People of the Wolf is another compelling novel in the majestic North America's Forgotten Past series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear

So, I've been reading this book for a while now, and I finished it a few days ago. It took me about 6 weeks to read (reading a chapter or two each night), because it is just so long.

I loved the premise of this one--well, I love any fantasy novels set in prehistoric times--but I have mixed feelings on this book.

The descriptions and imagery were great. No problem there. Each scene felt real and authentic. The writers--a husband and wife team--are archaeologists and you can tell from reading that they definitely know their stuff.

But the actual writing itself--in terms of *writing*. It wasn't that great. It was engaging, sure. But there were some pacing issues. And at times it just got too bogged down by all the description--actions scenes didn't read quite as 'action-y' as they should've done.

And let's talk about the fantasy world part. So, one of the main characters is a Dreamer. It's pretty obvious that the Gears have created a really complex world, but it was just too complex and not explained enough. Only about 60% of the time, was I able to follow what was actually happening during these scenes. And the final climax--well, it just got confusing. And, although I know the right people won, I wasn't sure how they won.

Also: timing. As I was reading, I never really had a proper sense of how much time was passing. I thought it was only a few weeks--but then suddenly we were told a year had passed. And this particularly happened at the end. One moment, we're told that the Dreamer can see a woman has conceived, then a few pages later the baby's born.

I think the ending felt really rushed, particularly because of these timing issues. I mean, we've had about 400 pages of details and the events leading up to it. And then it was just suddenly over, but the last pages covered at least ten months with no apparent warning--or maybe I missed it.

But the main characters themselves were very real and believable. Each of the main characters stood out and was instantly recognisable, just from the way they talked/acted/behaved. And I think that's what saved the book for me, and made me sure to finish it. Dancing Fox was my favourite character, shortly followed by Runs In Light/Wolf Dreamer and Heron. I also quite liked Ice Fire, though I wasn't immediately clear that he was one of the 'Others'.

There are A LOT of characters in this book, and some of them have very similar names, so I had to concentrate as I read to make sure I didn't misread a name. Some of the background characters especially blurred into one another. But it had a strong community feel, which I loved.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and am pleased I read it. If I see the sequel in a shop, I'll probably buy it--but for me it's not one of those books that I finish and then just have to look up book two and buy it now.

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Review: Dangerous Lies by Becca Fitzpatrick

Dangerous Lies by Becca Fitzpatrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A teen is forced to make a fresh start after witnessing a violent crime—but love and danger find her anyway in this novel from Becca Fitzpatrick, the New York Times bestselling author of the Hush, Hush saga.

Stella Gordon is not her real name. Thunder Basin, Nebraska, is not her real home. This is not her real life.

After witnessing a lethal crime, Stella Gordon is sent to the middle of nowhere for her own safety before she testifies against the man she saw kill her mother’s drug dealer.

But Stella was about to start her senior year with the boyfriend she loves. How can she be pulled away from the only life she knows and expected to start a new one in Nebraska? Stella chafes at her protection and is rude to everyone she meets. She’s not planning on staying long, so why be friendly? Then she meets Chet Falconer and it becomes harder to keep her guard up, even as her guilt about having to lie to him grows.

As Stella starts to feel safer, the real threat to her life increases—because her enemies are actually closer than she thinks…

Ah, this book was soooo good--I'm writing this review straight off having finished it, and I'm filled with *all* the feels.

Fitzpatrick delivers believable characters, a plot full of action, and a romance that just leaps off the page. Chet was so real, and I loved that he had a dark past. It provided a nice parallel to Stella's past too--and wow, Stella's secrets are huge! There are so many plot twists that I just did not see coming.

Yet, there are a couple of things that made me give this book four stars instead of five. Firstly--and this is the biggest one for me--one of the off-page characters who has fibromyalgia is reported to be a drug addict because of her pain. As someone with a chronic illness myself (and I know people with fibromyalgia), this really annoyed me. I couldn't help but feel Fitzpatrick was sending out the wrong message here, suggesting that all fibromyalgia sufferers are drug addicts. Which is so not the case, and quite a damaging message. I suppose, in a way, Fitzpatrick's apparent message of fibro-sufferers being addicts could be discredited however, as the character who reports this is later shown to be unreliable--and this is shown in a great plot twist. Still, even then, I wasn't really sure whether Fitzpatrick was enforcing that view or not.

The other thing that I didn't particularly like was the beginning of the book. I found it to be unusually slow in pace--compared to Fitzpatrick's other books--and I just didn't like the main character, Stella. she was so unlikeable and annoying in those opening chapters, and I was disappointed, wondering how on earth I was going to keep reading...

But I did, and I am *so* glad. Stella became more likeable, and we really delved into the psyches of the other characters. The plot ramped up its tension, and the author proved that she really is a master of the thriller.

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Review: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Note: this review is from 2013.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother-or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up. 

Wow. So I LOVED this book. It's been ages since I read a good science fiction story, and this was so well executed. At first, when I started reading it, I didn't really like it; Yancey has a unique writing style and it took me a while to get used to it. But I am SO glad I pursued and finished it. Because, seriously, this is one of those books that I just can't stop thinking about.

It was a fantastic read.

The characters were realistic and they had flaws--hugely important. The main character, Cassie, was one of my favourites. She was honest and just seemed so real. She made mistakes, got embarrassed and, yeah, seemed real.

I really loved Evan, despite how creepily he was portrayed in places. And the big secret about him... although part of me suspected it was coming, I was still blown over when it was revealed.

The other main characters, Sammy and Ben, were great too. And I loved how the book was told from all of their perspectives.

And there was humour too. Admittedly, most of it was saracastic and dry humour, but the part about the pet log literally had me in tears. This humour provided a very much needed lighter edge to this dark, gritty story.

The detail in this book was brilliant too! Absolutely fantastic. I could easily see that Rick Yancey had done lots of research for this story, to get its details correct. This made it more authentic in several places, adding to the overall reading experience.

One thing I will say, is that I wasn't too happy with the ending, mainly because it was a cliff-hanger, and I want to know what happened next NOW. But I am SO glad that there's going to be another book to follow The 5th Wave!

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First Post!

I've finally set up a blog specifically for my book reviews, recommendations, and bookish posts!

About Me: I'm a 20-something avid reader and writer, and I have a BA (hons) degree in English from the University of Exeter.

Current read: I SEE YOU by Clare Mackintosh
Next up: CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE by Tomi Adeyemi.

Very soon, you'll see my review for I SEE YOU here.

You can follow me on Twitter @MadOnReading and friend me on Goodreads.