MG Monday: Guest Review: Dark Ride by Caroline Green

Title: Dark Ride

Author: Caroline Green

Publisher: Piccadilly

Publication Date: 1 May 2011

Synopsis from Amazon

A mysterious boy. A haunting secret ...

A shiver crawled up my spine. It felt like the loneliest place in the world. For a second I thought I caught a snatch of music in the air, but it was just the wind whistling through cracks in the fairground hoardings.

My instincts screamed, `Run away, Bel! Run away and never return!'

But instead my fingers closed around the ticket in my pocket. ADMIT ONE.

Bel has never met anyone like Luka. And the day she follows him into the abandoned fairground, she is totally unprepared for the turn her life is about to take.

GUEST REVIEW BY BETH OF THE PIECES OF ME

I found the idea of this novel really intriguing and was really glad to give it a go. Bel and her mother seem less than happy in the uninspiringly named seaside town of Slumpton that has become their new home. Bel misses her dad, misses her friends and doesn’t understand why they have to be in Slumpton anyway. In time, she begins to explore the area including the disused fairground and eventually meets Luka.

Bel and Luka’s ‘adventures’ if they can be called that lead them to sinister discoveries and it’s an area I’m not sure has been covered in much depth in literature before which is really interesting to read about. Aside from the supernatural elements of the novel, the real hard-hitting discoveries are what made it for me. The novel covers all manner of issues from family break up to human trafficking and more.

Bel’s character is really well constructed and believable. Her confusion and anger draw her to Luka and she finds comfort in being able to support Luka in his quest for his lost mother. Luka’s character is equally compelling, dark and brooding, which makes him more than attractive to Bel. Even more powerful than the creation of the characters is the town of Slumpton itself. The setting is more striking and interesting than any other feature of this novel and Caroline Green should be commended for it more than anything else. Every single place in the novel felt real, genuine and in many places extremely foreboding.

Loved this and loved how all the contentious and serious issues were dealt with. 

Guest Review: Lenobia's Vow by PC Cast and Kristin Cast

Title: Lenobia's Vow

Series: House of Night Novella #2

Author: PC Cast and Kristin Cast

Publisher: Atom

Publication Date: 31 Jan 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

The second in the enthralling new mini-series of novellas from the #1 bestselling authors of the House of Night, Lenobia's Vow tells the gripping story behind the House of Night's enigmatic riding instructor – and one of Zoey’s closest allies against evil

The House of Night is an international publishing sensation; with almost 12 million books in print, and an incredible 120 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, the series has taken the world by storm. Now, the excitement continues as the Cast mother-daughter duo shares the back stories of a few of the House of Night's most important – and mysterious – characters. The second of the House of Night Novellas brings us Lenobia, the strong, beautiful horseback riding instructor, who guides Zoey through some of her darkest hours, and has a dark secret buried in her own past...

In a small southern town at the turn of the century, young Lenobia is developing into a beautiful young woman with ideas of her own. But when she is Marked as a fledgling vampyre, her world turns upside down, and she is drawn to the musical streets of New Orleans. There, she learns of the city’s dark underbelly, ruled by powerful black magic. As Lenobia experiences her first love – and loss – and discovers a passion for horses to sustain her, she must come face-to-face with Darkness itself. And she may not escape without scars.

GUEST REVIEW BY LOUISE

I am a BIG fan of the House of Night series so was pleased to get this book to review. 

This book is Lenobia’s story of before and when she was marked. It was lovely to be able to read a background on Lenobia and her past as she was in the ninth HON book “Destined” quite a bit. Lenobia has to board a ship for New Orleans under someone else’s name, on this ship she has to hide from an evil bishop who actually knows she isn’t who she is pretending to be. While on she meets a charming young man and falls deeply in love with him.

Lenobia is Zoey Redbird’s favourite teacher and she has a special affinity with horses, during the HON books it does hint at a past history and this book clears up the question of why Lenobia doesn’t have a consort/partner as such. I think it could be read before or after “Destined” as it wouldn’t spoil the story in that one either way.

It’s rather a short story and I finished it in the one sitting! That’s the only bad thing I can say, It was finished rather too quickly but it’s definitely one to keep you going until the next HON book is released! I did also read Dragon’s Oath and they are both very good at covering the professor’s pasts and answering any questions there may be during the actual HON books.

I don’t want to spoil the book but if you are a House of Night fan then you will enjoy this novella. A definite one for the collection on the bookshelf.

Spotlight: Crash Course with John and Hank Green

I came across this via YA Library UK and just had to share it. I don't know how it will translate into the British Education system but it can only help to engage the pupils (always a good thing).

I love it totally. 

On My Library Wish-List

Title: The Demon's Watch

Author: Conrad Mason

Publisher: David Fickling Books

Publication Date: 1 Mar 2012

Synopsis from Amazon

Captain Newton and his men keep watch over Port Fayt, where humans live in peace alongside trolls, elves and fairies. They've always kept the town safe from pirates and smugglers. But now Fayt is under threat from a much more powerful enemy - the League of the Light, who have sworn to destroy all non-humans. And to make matters worse, a dangerous witch has just arrived in town . . .

Half-goblin boy Joseph Grubb works in his uncle's tavern, the Legless Mermaid, and has only ever heard stories of the Demon's Watch. But when he runs away from his uncle and finds himself deep in a criminal underworld, Grubb might be the one person who could help the watchmen save Port Fayt.

Huge thanks to Liz at My Favorite Books for bringing this one to my attention. I think it will be a terrific addition to the school library.

I have been lucky enough to get a review copy. My fabulous Year 9 reviewer is currently reading it. Cant wait to see what she thinks.

Title: The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists

Series: The Pirates!

Author: William Defoe

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Publication Date: 5 Jan 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

1837: the Victorian Era approaches and the golden age of piracy draws to a close. Worried that his pirates are getting bored with a life of winking at pretty native ladies, sitting about on tropical beaches, and trying to stick enough jellyfish together to make a bouncy castle, the Pirate Captain decides it's time they had an adventure. A chance encounter with the young Charles Darwin - embarked upon the voyage of discovery that will one day make him famous - leads the Captain and his rag-tag crew from the exotic Galapagos Islands to the fog filled streets of Victorian London, where they encounter grisly murder, vanishing ladies, a diabolical Bishop, the Elephant Man, and have an exciting trip to the zoo.

THE PIRATES! is a rollicking read: uproariously funny, unexplainably daft, gently knowing and insightful - one of the very few books to deal with the weighty issues of science versus religion, whilst at the same time featuring a lot of roaring and running people through. 

I came across this one thanks to Andy at The Pewter Wolf  it sounds like a brilliant addition to the school library. There is actually an entire series featuring different adventures with the pirates. Pupils would gain knowledge through humor that way they wont realize they are actually learning.  A cunning plan me thinks [ ; D ] 

Tantalizing Trailers: Shattered Dreams by Ellie James

I came across this lovely trailer one day when I was drooling over books on Goodreads. ENJOY

Title: Shattered Dreams

Series: Midnight Dragonfly #1

Author: Ellie James

Publisher: Quercus Publishing Plc

Publication Date: 5 July 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

Sixteen-year-old Trinity Monsour wants nothing more than to live a normal life. But that isn’t as easy as it seems. Trinity is different. She isspecial. She sees visions, and for those she’s seen, it’s already too late.

Trinity arrives on her aunt’s doorstep in New Orleans with virtually no knowledge of her mysterious heritage. She begins settling into life at a new school and even starts making friends. But all too quickly her dreams accelerate; twisted, terrifying visions of a girl locked in a dark room. And when the head cheerleader, Jessica, goes missing, Trinity knows she has no choice but to step forward with what she’s seen.

But people believe that Trinity has information about Jessica’s disappearance not because of a dream, but because she is involved. She iskind-of dating Jessica’s ex-boyfriend, Chase, and Jessica did pull a nasty prank on Trinity. Revenge seems like the likeliest scenario.

Nothing prepares Trinity for the dark odyssey that ensues while searching for Jessica, including the surprising romance she finds with Chase, or the shocking truths she learns, not just about the girl who has gone missing, but the past that has been hidden from her.

Tantalising Trailers: Melody Burning by Whitley Strieber

 

Title: Melody Burning

Author: Whitley Strieber

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

Publication Date: 6 Dec 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads

Beresford doesn’t remember much about his past or how he came to live in the chutes and crawl spaces of the posh high-rise that shares his name. But when rock star and teen sensation Melody McGrath moves to an apartment on the fiftieth floor, he knows he has to be near her. Although she doesn’t realize it, Melody is threatened by more dangerous forces than her manipulative stage mom and the pressures of life in the spotlight. The owner of the glamorous building has been hiding a fatal secret within its walls, and Beresford puts all his plans at risk. Will Beresford and Melody be able to escape with their lives (and love) intact?

I have had this one on my wish-list for AGES. HELLO it has a ROCK STAR as the main character. 

I always have reservations about Adult authors crossing over to YA. Lets hope this book changes my mind [ : D ]

Review: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Title: Incarnate

Series: Newsoul #1

Author: Jodi Meadows

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: 31 Jan 2012
Source: Netgalley
Challenge: DAB
Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

NEWSOUL 

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

NOSOUL 

Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

HEART 

Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

REVIEW

This is such a unique concept that completely defies classification. Elements of fantasy, romance, theology and philosophy blend together with some very thought provoking themes to create a unique yet compelling story.

Ana is the first new soul in thousands of years, every other member of society has been re-incarnated over and over again. The time frame between incarnations varying without explanation as to the reason. The idea of reincarnation is a wonderful concept; the way in which it is explored within the narrative provides a considerable amount of thought provoking. I found myself wondering how I would feel knowing I had lived hundreds of lives before, holding all past memories, regrets and skills. The way in which the memory of each death stayed with that person was especially powerful as well as traumatic. Possibly explaining some phobias as a result.

Told in first person narrative, from Ana's perspective. Initially I found Ana's pessimistic attitude irritating but as the story unfolded I developed a certain empathy for her. Ostracized  by society for being born, a new soul something both awed and feared. Her mother, Li, although accepts her responsibility as a parent targets Ana for this seclusion. Constantly neglected physically and emotionally, berated over everything, it is easy to understand where Ana's pessimism comes from.

As the story progresses Ana discovers friendship, the whole nature versus nurture debate is remarkably portrayed. The character development profound. Although some elements hint at religious undertones no specific religion is advocated more the ideal of faith. Creationism versus evolution is debated within the narrative generating numerous theories on existence. Add in science with its ability to alter fundamental principles of just about anything, aiding the debate of where to draw the line; scientist playing God comes to mind.

The friendship that develops between Ana and Sam was heart-warming to follow. At times I felt like slapping their heads together but understood their hesitation. The idea of soul-mates being able to recognize each other throughout various incarnations was beautiful to picture. Clever depiction within the plot re-enforced the ideal.

The setting has a feel of being timeless. A mix of old and new blended together in a realistic world held within the confines of Range surrounded by the fantasy elements of Dragons, Sylph and Trolls.

I especially adored the use of music throughout the entire book, the way in which music is immortal was profoundly portrayed. The way in which both Ana and Sam relate to music was something I could easily identify with. Music lives forever even if we do not. Beautiful.

A very compelling story-line, with a well developed plot featuring strong themes and strong characters to set it off.

I hope this gets picked up for the UK