ARC Review: Secrets and Spies: Treason

Treason by Jo Macauley.

Fourteen-year-old Beth Johnson is a talented and beautiful young actress. She is also a spy. The year is 1664, and Charles II is on the throne, but all is not well in the bustling city of London, and there are those who would gladly kill the king and destroy the Monarchy. One morning, a mysterious ghost ship drifts up the Thames. Sent to investigate by the King’s Master of Secrets, Alan Strange, Beth quickly finds herself embroiled in a dangerous adventure. Will Beth be able to unravel the plot to kill the King before it’s too late? (Synopsis from Goodreads).

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

General Overview

I enjoyed this book, but there were a few parts that were not relevant to the time period. Some language was used by the youngsters that was too modern. It was very fast paced, full of action, a little confusing at times, there was always something going on. The characters were relatable, but Ralph, I felt could have had a little more development, I never really got a feel for his character. Even Alan Strange was a better character, he was cloaked in mystery but it worked, did not work so well for Ralph. The time line is a little off, unless the king is 80, I do not see how he had an assassination attempt on him 60 years before.

3.5 stars out of 5

Step by Step Overview

0% – Ooh a ghost ship, I love stories about them. Looks like it going to be an interesting story aimed at 9-12 year olds. Hoping there’s enough intrigue and mystery for me.

Page 30 – Nice prologue, interesting start. What is happening on the ghost ship? Nice easy way to get the traitor but it was by chance she saw the person doing it. The sword fighting was a good action part, glad to see the girl winning.

Page 50 – I’ve never really thought about when people started celebrating Bonfire night, but it’s a nice thought that 60 years later they were celebrating his failure (not sure if it’s true or not). There’s a few bits of modern language that has slipped in that makes it feel less authentic.

Page 70 – The mystery gets deeper. Even though this is set in 1644 some of the scenes feel like they are set in modern times, which is off putting.

Page 90 – The play scene was good but a little all over the place.

Page 110 – I am guessing the boy with the earring is the third young wannabe detective from the synopsis.

Page 130 – I am intrigued to find out more about the ship and why are they trying to keep it a secret?

Page 150 –Aww no, I hope John survives and Will managed to get out. So the ship was smuggling gun powder. Are they planning on another treason attempt?

Page 170 – Beth is quite strong to be able to save John. I am not sure why the spymaster is leaving a plot of this magnitude to children.

Page 190 – The timing would need to be perfect with them putting the gunpowder in the hog. Interesting idea though.

End – Nice ending, leaves room for the next one in the series. I think it was a fairly good book, since it is aimed at younger readers, the parts I did not like are forgivable. I would read the next one in the series. Overall a good book.

Who would I recommend this too?

Younger readers, it’s a nice way of instilling a passion for history.

Top Ten Tuesdays: 28/01/14

Top Ten Tuesdays is hosted by Broke and Bookish, this weeks topic is  worlds you would not like to live in, or characters you would not like to swap places with. I have seen some really good answers.

1. Panem and the districts (Hunger Games) – Well who would want to live there? Most people in the districts are starving and the people in the Capitol are monsters.

2. Mordor (Lord of the Rings)- Some of the other parts of Middle-earth, like Rivendale and the Shire, I would love.

3. Ixia (Poison Study)- Too many rules, even accidental deaths are not allowed and someone is sent to death for it. Wouldn’t mind living in Sitia though.

4. Lethe Academy (The Last Academy) –If you read the book you will understand why, so not want to spoil it.

5. Scientist’s Pod (Anomaly) –If I was being tested on and thinking I was going to be annihilated I would not like it very much, not allowed any emotions either would not be fun.

6. Perdido Beach (Gone) – With all adults gone and no way in or out, and people developing new powers, that’s got to be scary.

7. England 1321 (The Owl Killers) – An amazing book, but seriously scary stuff, The Owl Masters are seriously messed up men.

8. Inkworld (Inkspell) – Two many messed up characters to deal with, all the baddies you can think of are there, not my idea of happiness.

9. Frost Arch (The Fire Mage Trilogy) –Where people with no magic are slaves or worse, I do not think it would be a good place for me since I have no magical power.

10. Forks (Twilight) – It seems to be a hot spot for vampires and not juts the vegetarian ones,  not a good place to live.

What worlds would you hate to live in?

Showcase Sunday: 26/01/14

Showcase Sunday is a weekly post by Books, biscuits and Tea, the idea is to post which books you bought, received, borrowed or won in the previous week.

This week I did not receive any from Netgalley, probably a good thing since I have a few to get through. I was about to read one of them and I couldn’t find it on my kindle, so I have either not downloaded it or it has expired, and since it has been archived I cannot redownload it. So I bought it. Also there was one netgalley one that all the words were pushed together with no spaces so I also bought it, these were:

Bought

Which books did you buy or receive this week? Have you read any of these books, are they good?

R4R Review: The Recluse Storyteller

The Recluse Storyteller by Mark W. Sasse. Here’s his blog.

Red Hat hijacks a yoghurt truck and barrels into the Chester Walz Bank at full speed, desperate to open a safety deposit box.

The twins, beckoned by an ominous streak of light across the sky, climb Harper’s Hill to encounter an apparition of their missing father.

The reverend stands on a muddy ridge, the barrel of the rifle in his neck, looking down on a Vietnamese village, scarred by war and regret.

The stories come to Margaret at all times, but they are anything but random. A fractured view of Michael Cheevers’ red hat through a discreetly cracked door sends her off on adventure. A glimpse of the Johnson twins from apartment 2D takes her to the lonely hill on a Midwestern prairie in 1887. The regular letters from Reverend Davies, who has tried to look after Margaret since the death of her mother, brings her to the brink of exhaustion, staring intensely into the heart of war deep in the jungle of Vietnam.

Margaret is not insane, at least not in a clinical sense. She’s like a midnight raccoon, painfully aware of her surroundings, gleaming crumbs of information at every turn; eyes peering incessantly in the night, stealing glances of neighbors behind partially opened doors.

But the tales that she weaves were not meant to merely hold empty court to the receptive dead air of her apartment. Her stories were meant to embolden the lives of the inhabitants of that drab apartment block because her story is also their story—and everything would be different if they could only hear her stories.

The Recluse Storyteller weaves five stories into one as the loner Margaret not only searches for meaning from her reclusive life, but also gives meaning in the most unexpected ways to the troubled souls of her apartment complex. Part adventure, part tragedy, and part discovery, The Recluse Storyteller bridges genres, bringing hope, life, and redemption to the broken relationships of modern society. (Synopsis from Goodreads).

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I normally break down the book into 10% parts and say what I was feeling at each segment, I am not going to do that with this book, I did try but all I kept writing was “I do not know where this is going but I love the stories and the writing is lovely”, not really much of a review. So I am going to try my best to explain from memory why I loved this book.

It was a complicated story that was written so well it was fairly easy to understand. I was always wondering where the story was going, not that it was slow, it featured stories within the stories that were quicker paced than the main one,I loved all of the little stories even if I did not understand their relevance until the end.

The writing style was beautiful and it was well executed. I loved the characters and Margaret, although a little strange was wonderful and I really wished I could hear her tell her stories. I adore how all the stories had a different purpose and from different perspectives. Even when things looked bad for Margaret she did not seem upset by it, she just went about her business and slowly came out of her shell.

I cannot put into words how good this book was, cliche I know, but it’s true. It’s a masterpiece, a modern classic.

5 stars out of 5.

Who would I recommend this book to?

Everyone

Top Ten Tuesdays: Wishlist

Top Ten Tuesdays is hosted by Broke and Bookish, this weeks topic is ten things you would like to see more of in books.

1. Magic– I know there is loads but love reading about all different kinds of magic, can never get enough.

2. Boarding schools – Like Harry Potter and Hex Hall, there is a dynamic that is set by staying at the school.

3. Friendships – This may seem obvious but I like it when characters have strong friendships that can survive anything.

4. Family –As a lot of people have been saying, family in YA especially is not a big thing, I think it should be more.

5. Sweet Relationships- I want couples to hold hands, laugh at each others jokes, have some romance, it all seems to be about kissing and sex, I remember getting such a rush as a teenager from my hand being held, being cuddled. I think it should show more in books.

6. Pirates- I love Pirates want to read more about them, enough said.

7. Bad-ass female characters – Like Hermione and Katniss and Tris, okay there a few but there should be more, always more.

8. Girls who are not into clothes and make-up – I want to read about a girl who is not a tomboy but doesn’t really care for make-up, why does it have to be girly girl or tomboy?

9. Youngsters who aspire to be great – I may be wrong, but I have not really read many books where the youngsters are trying to be doctors, lawyers etc.

10. J.K.Rowling – I just want more, she is a fantastic writer and I want more 🙂

What do you want more of in books?

Showcase Sunday: 19/01/2014

Showcase Sunday is where you say which books you bought, received or borrowed over the last week. I have not managed to this for a while, so I made sure I could this week.

Netgalley

Bought

Okay I bought about 20 free books but I don’t want to list them all. There’s too many.

Which books did you buy this week?

 

ARC Review: The Vanishing

Then Vanishing by Wendy Webb.

Recently widowed and rendered penniless by her Ponzi-scheming husband, Julia Bishop is eager to start anew. So when a stranger appears on her doorstep with a job offer, she finds herself accepting the mysterious yet unique position: caretaker to his mother, Amaris Sinclair, the famous and rather eccentric horror novelist whom Julia has always admired…and who the world believes is dead.

When she arrives at the Sinclairs’ enormous estate on Lake Superior, Julia begins to suspect that there may be sinister undercurrents to her “too-good-to-be-true” position. As Julia delves into the reasons of why Amaris chose to abandon her successful writing career and withdraw from the public eye, her search leads to unsettling connections to her own family tree, making her wonder why she really was invited to Havenwood in the first place, and what monstrous secrets are still held prisoner within its walls. (Synopsis from Goodreads).

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

General Overview

I do not know where to start, I LOVED this book. I do love this genre just don’t read it very often. It was everything I wanted it be and more. At first I was comparing it to Kate Morton and Diane Setterfield, then as I kept going I realised, I should not compare because Wendy Webb is an excellent storyteller and is as good as the Queens of this genre. Hail the new Queen.

It was fast paced, exciting, full of twists and turns, with lovable characters (mmm Drew). The story kept me guessing the whole way through, when I thought I had figured something out, a new snippet of intrigue was revealed and I had no clue which was up again. The ending was fantastic, I knew there was going to be a fantastic reveal, I just could not work out exactly what. I never expected what happened though.

I would read this book again. I will be buying her two other novels that are already out.

5 stars out of 5

Step by Step Overview

0%- Looks like a good mystery, featuring mansions, family secrets, someone who is thought to be dead is alive. Apparently family secrets in books is Wendy Webb’s specialty. Really looking forward to reading this book.

10% – I like the prologue, set in the 1800’s, just wondering how it relates to the rest of the story. Ah, is that why it is called The Vanishing?Or is that just what we are meant to believe just now? I am expecting some dark mysteries.

20%- It’s reminding me of Kate Morton and Diane Setterfield. Possibly because they are the only authors I have read in this genre or because they are the Queens of this genre. They are giving Julia permission to snoop around the house, I would. I love books that have stories within stories. Adding ghost story to the mix of family drama and mysteries. I am hooked.

30% – Mrs Sinclair is a great character, full of life and energy. Yet her home and herself are oozing with mystery.

40% – A phone call from her dead husband- beyond creepy.

50% –Who is the little girl? I thought at first it might be Julia as a child but not sure how that would work. It could be a sister of hers. Or could they all be ghosts? Could she have died in the fire? Maybe the traumatic event that put Mrs Sinclair in the mental hospital happened in the room with the scary seance painting.

60% – I think somehow it’ll have been Julia that was in the mental hospital 10 years ago.

70% – I find it funny how practical Julia is, in the middle of the hauntings she is look for a fire detector. It’s endearing. Were Andrew and the physic meant to be together for ever and history is righting itself?

80% – No answers yet but lots more questions. I am hoping for a spectacular ending, lots of fireworks.

90%- We finally find out who the little girl is and why Julia can see so many ghosts. Is she the physic who killed Adrian’s daughter, why did they bring her there? To kill her?

100% – Wow what an ending. I do not know what to say. I could not tear my eyes away. Is there another mystery that we are not going to get the answers to? Did she go into the future? Will there be another book on this? I loved that she and Drew were happy together.

Who would I recommend this book to?

Anyone who likes drama, mystery or horror. Fans of Kate Morton and Diane Setterfield. If you like a ghost story with a twist this is for.

Available on the 21st Jan 2014

 

Review: Spychild

Spychild by Harper Alexander.  Her blog can be found here.

Welcome to the game… For generations, the capital city of Cerf Daine has been terrorized by a group of slinking criminal masterminds known as the Spykin. Operating from a secret headquarters, they strike whenever the danger is greatest, playing genius dark games for the simple thrill of it. But recent times have seen their kind dwindle away, as the folly of their obsession with danger demands its price. One by one, they have all been caught. All except Clevwrith, and he is determined to carry on the Spykin’s legacy. By taking on an apprentice, he intends to mold a creature equal to himself, another that can never be caught. This requires that he teach his apprentice everything he knows, disclosing all of his deepest, darkest secrets. But everyone has secrets of their own. And when you teach a stranger to play dark games without rules, the next move can come in any shape or form. …Rules are forbidden. (Synopsis from Goodreads).

General Overview (No Spoilers)

I really enjoyed this book, it was really well written and the characters and setting were incredible. The two main characters had a lovely spark that was a joy to read about. I was thinking at first that the writing was not suited for the age range, but it grew on me once I got used to it. It was a really good story but lacked a little action for my liking. Really looking forward to the next one though. I wish I had read this one sooner, it has been sitting on my kindle for ages.

4 stars out of 5.

Step by Step Overview (Spoilers)

0% – “Rules are forbidden” Hmm that sounds like a rule. Looks different and full of adventure. Aimed at young teens, should be a nice easy read.

10% – I quite often skim read unimportant parts, I don’t even realise I am doing it half the time. But I am drinking in every melodic word of this wonderful story so far. It is enchanting, the writing style is beautiful. I am not sure yet what the little snippets of italic writing at the start of each chapter are but they are intriguing.

20% – It’s reminding me a little of Way of Shadows but for me this book is better. Clevwrith is called the spymaster, but not sure why that is yet, not sure exactly what he does. They don’t seem to be seeking information but only time will tell.

30% – It’s a charming well written story I still don’t know what the Spylord wants, but I don’t mind I am enjoying the journey.

40% – Will she be saved or will she be taken to prison? I hope she manages to escape.

50% – Will pretending to be the spymaster backfire? It’s a nice easy going thrilling adventure just now.

60% – Wait what? What lesson was he trying to teach her by kissing her? OOh the dance had a picture, a clever one at that.

70% – It’s a trap. So this foreign woman can link to animals, possibly not humans then.

80% – Did she go with the King to gain information, which it seems like, or does she truly want to be there?

90% – Why hasn’t Clevwrith tried to rescue her yet? Since it’s been a while since we have heard from his point of view, I am guessing he is up to something. Oh please don’t have taken to violence Clevwrith, you are better than that.

100% – Please don’t betray him, please let it be a game that means he won’t get hurt. I am not sure where this is going but I am looking forward to it.

Who would I recommend this book to?

Anyone who likes fantasy or strong characters. It’s a book about stealthy characters who are not doing any harm and just trying to survive.

ARC Review: Richard Hammond’s Great Mysteries of the World

Richard Hammond’s Great Mysteries of the World.

Richard Hammond – TV presenter and self-confessed mystery addict – invites you to journey with him to the planet’s most puzzling places . . . Explore the ancient pyramids, Stonehenge and the Bermuda Triangle. Hunt for werewolves, vampires, aliens and the Abominable Snowman. You can gather clues, facts and interesting tales as you go (just try not to get too distracted by Richard’s unbelievable jokes). Then it’s up to you decide what’s really going on.

Don’t miss this incredible, fully illustrated gift book from Britain’s best-loved TV personality. Explore the world’s greatest mysteries – all from the comfort of your armchair! (Synopsis from Goodreads.)

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

General Overview (No Spoilers)

I liked this book, it was fun and informative at the same time, but not at all heavy going. It had nice pictures and fun interesting facts. Anything that may be been difficult for younger readers was explained but not in a patronising way. It was nice how it was left up to the reader to choose what they think happened in each mystery. The descriptions of each story are in depth but quick. Mentions of similar stories pop in every now and then, which I quite like.  It would make a nice book for younger readers.

4 stars out of 5.

Step by Step Overview (Spoilers)

0% – Looks good, aimed at younger readers, as an adult, I am hoping it wills till engage my interest. (It did).  There was too much, to write done about each mystery so I chose my favourite one from each section.

The Mary Celeste

It’s always been one of my favourite mysteries. It would make me happy for life to know what happened to those ten people, did they somehow get hurt or make it so safety but not able or willing to contact anyone? How spooky would have it been going aboard first on a deserted ship not knowing what you would find? I liked the little bit about the flying dutchman and the story of Mutiny on the Bounty, it’s a nice addition to hear about other similar stories. A cursed ship, why those passengers, not any others?

The Mary Celeste was in the Weird Waters section, other mysteries in this section was : The Lost City of Atlantis, Mythical Mermaids, The Bermuda Triangle, The Philadelphia Experiment.

The Loch Ness Monster

I am from Inverness, so I grew up hearing the story. Even have a family joke that my dad is the monster. Did not know Loch Ness held that much water, wow. If it would hide anywhere it would be there. Why did sightings increase in 1933? I did notice that Hammond failed to mention that Loch Ness has a lot of underwater caves where the monster could hide. The problem I have with the tree gas theory is that Loch Ness cannot be the loch/lake in the world this would happen in?

The Loch Ness Monster was in the Creepy Creatures section, also in this section were: The Yeti, Vampires and Werewolves.

The Roswell Incident

I chose this one since I used to love the T.V. show, Roswell. So maybe aliens do exist. The Air balloon story sounds like a cover up to me. I was too engrossed in this story to write much, sorry.

This mystery was in the Alien Encounters section, also in this section are: The UFO Enigma, The Nazca Lines and Crop Circles.

Pirate Treasure

Did not know that a pirate’s life on average was two years, wow that’s short. If there was lots of buried treasure just lying around wouldn’t people have found lots of it by now. I think they would sell it keep it, but not bury it. each to their own I suppose.

Pirate treasure was in the Ancient Treasure section, also in this section was: The Curse of the Pharaoh’s, The Legend of El Dorado and The Crystal Skull Conundrum.

Who would I recommend this book to?

Anyone who likes mysteries. Also I would give it children aged 8-14 as a present. I’s really well done.

Author Interview: Parvathi Ramkumar

Parvathi Ramkumar is an excellent author who I have the privilege of being friends with on Goodreads. I read and reviewed her book The Grove of the Sun review here.

“The Grove of the Sun” is the story of Order, Chaos, and one man’s quest to save his land from destruction. Chimera is Ildanis’s home, the only home he has ever known. Order rules Chimera, and Chimera relies on Order, and its elemental forces of Water and Earth. But Order cannot keep itself away from Chaos forever, nor can it avoid confrontation with Eventide, wielders of Chaos. Chimera cannot understand, does not want to understand, the forces of Fire and Air. But Ildanis sees what is hidden from plain sight – that Order and Chaos were separated through man’s folly, and neither Order, nor Chaos, are as they claim to be. (Synopsis from Goodreads).

Here is the interview she very kindly agreed to do.

1. Which author inspires you the most?

I read quite a bit, and I’ve found inspiration in nearly every book I’ve read. So many authors have new and exciting ideas! If I had to choose among English language authors, though, I’d say J.R.R. Tolkien, Jane Austen, Brandon Sanderson, Daphne du Maurier and Robert Jordan. I’m also inspired by the poetry of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

2. Who is your favourite author and which of theirs is your favourite?

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien are my favourites. I also enjoyed Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier.

3. If you could choose to be on the side of order or chaos, which would it be?

Chaos, I’m sure.

4. Do you have any plans for any more books?

Yes, I’m working on a couple right now.

5. Where is your favourite place to write? And why?

My desk, next to a large window. It’s a cheery place for me. In the mornings, you can hear the birdsong and the rustle of the wind in the trees, and feel the golden sun.

6. Do you listen to music whilst writing or do you write in silence? If you listen to music, what kind?

I listen to music occasionally when I write. Usually, they’re videogame soundtracks. I like music from the Elder Scrolls games, especially Skyrim and Oblivion. But I prefer silence whilst working, lest I get distracted.

7. If you could meet any author dead or alive who would it be and what would you say to them?

Perhaps Virgil. I’d like to know why he wanted the Aenid destroyed.

8. How long did it take you to write your first book?

The Grove of the Sun took over seven years to write.

9. Have you ever read a book and thought, “I wish I had that idea, it was amazing” if so which book?

Most books seem to have that effect on me! I’m impressed by so many writers.

10. Do you plan out your story meticulously before writing or do you do a rough plan then jump straight in?

I think up the skeleton of the plot in advance. The rest of it is filled in as I go along, but later I rework entire scenes if they do not fit into the overall scheme of things.

11. Which of your characters do you think you are most like?
There’s a bit of me in everyone, I guess. A little here, a little there.

12. If you could visit any fictitious world, which would it be and which character would you like to meet most?

Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree is fascinating! As for characters I’d like to meet…maybe Smaug from The Hobbit.

13. What’s the hardest thing about writing a book, for you?

The editing. It’s painful. I’m used to it, but it’s still quite the task.

14. How many drafts did you write before your book was ready to be published?

I’ve worked through several drafts. More than eight, I imagine.

15. What’s the nicest comment you have had about your book and how did it make you feel?

Someone told me they couldn’t stop reading, and that they didn’t want it to end. That made me feel blessed.

16. Who was the first person you told that your book was being published?

I told quite a few people, actually. Friends and a few relatives, as well as my editors in the newspaper I write for.

Like the sound of this fascinating book? Want to buy it on Amazon.

Happy reading, until next time.