This review contains spoilers

Review Written: 19th January 2013


Three Plays in a Post

A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams – having previously read it for my English Literature GCSE, it was nice to read it again and actually understand the whole of the text.

1. Blanche tries it on with a seventeen year old & when a young boy; as he is so named, comes in, she kisses him.
2. She is raped by her sister’s husband Stanley. It never actually says what happens but it is so heavily implied by ‘we’ve had this date with each other from the beginning’ (Act X) that I’m not sure how fifteen year old me failed to register it. Twenty year old me however can, and it makes it tragic.
3. Blanche also prostitutes herself to try and pay for her childhood home of Belle Reve – this is also heavily implied.

I just wanted Blanche to have a happy ending, but instead, she’s taken to a mental hospital.

Death of A Salesman by Arthur Miller. I previously read this for my English Literature A Level. I didn’t like it then, and I don’t like it now. The play focuses on Willy Loman, an elderly salesman, his wife Linda, failing son Biff and ‘not as successful as he likes to think he is’ son Happy. It’s just so confusing switching back and forth from past to present. Is it because it’s supposed to represent Willy Loman’s madness? Who knows? I just spend the entire play feeling sorry for everyone and I’m not sure that’s even the point.

All My Sons by Arthur Miller. The only play I hadn’t read before. I didn’t think it was exactly an American classic...I felt like I was waiting for the action to start the entire play and it wasn’t until the last 10 pages that something happened. The plotline is ‘the Keller’s son went missing in World War 2, and in those last 10 pages you find out what actually happened to him.’

If I have to choose a favourite playwright out of the two, it would have to be Tennessee Williams. His play was just more...juicy, and I’ve never used that word to describe a book before. It also had a villain of the piece in Stanley [debatable but he is the villain in my book – I say debatable because my flatmate will read this and say she likes Stanley.] All three are short plays and can be read within the hour. Regardless of my feelings for Miller’s plays, I recommend they be read for the value of the literature.

Although not all my reviews are spoilery, which I do not consider this one to be, here is a little warning just in case.

Review Written: 10th January 2013

Unsaid Things, Our Story by McFly

I can't exactly review this in a normal way because it's an autobiography. I can't exactly say, you've lived a great life, well done you or visa versa. So instead, these opening lines will simply say it was a very easy book to read, two chapters before bed turned into the whole book in two hours AND it elicited a range of emotions, from laughter to feeling so sad I sobbed.

Instead, this review will be me pointing out a few of my favourite moments. McFly have been my favourite band since 2006. Why 2006 I hear you cry? Well, it is when I first heard single Sorry's Not Good Enough, fell in love with Tom Fletcher's glasses/tie look, asked mum to bring me home the Motion in The Ocean album on her way home from work, and the rest is history. (I had liked them during their first album but when Busted split up, I was too devastated to even think about liking a then similar band.) 

One part that interested me was the band's views on the Above the Noise album. While I liked a few songs on the album, I felt the record as a whole was a step away from McFly that I was uncomfortable with. To know that the band were not entirely happy with the album either made me feel less like a terrible fan than originally. Finding out that 'All About You' was only ever meant for Tom's now wife Giovanna as a Valentine's Day present was an interesting bit of trivia and I am glad that it eventually got released even if I wasn't a fan at the time.

On to the parts that made me cry. The end of chapter 'The Great Depression' where the true extent of Tom's unhappiness is revealed, started my tears and by the time I finished 'Dougie's Secret' I couldn't see past the waterfall that was now my face. The laughs were mostly provided by Danny's incidents from thinking eggs are vegetables to numerous meetings with fans. The 'what happened with Lindsay Lohan' argument is revealed as well as plenty of other tour secrets.

Most importantly, throughout the book you can tell what a great friendship the guys have. From the jokes they share in their writing, to the insults or 'banter' [I hate that word so much], Unsaid Things proves that we've only just seen the start of what McFly have to offer. Long may they continue.

Although not all my reviews are spoilery, which I do not consider this one to be, here is a little warning just in case.

Review Written: 8th January 2013

The Map of Time by Félix J. Palma

The book is split into three parts and shall be explained that way.

The first, focuses on Andrew Harrington, and the book starts with him attempting to kill himself. No, that is not a spoiler. For Andrew had fallen in love with the wrong person; Jack the Ripper's fifth victim, Mary Kelly. In despair from losing the woman of his dreams, Andrew reaches his lowest point. Before cousin Charles enters and tells Andrew that he's just returned from the year 2000 where an army of humans led by brave Captain Derek Shackleton are at war with robots and perhaps they could travel to the past and save Mary Kelly!

The second focuses on wealthy Claire Haggerty. She is clearly a feminist and I take a liking to her immediately. Not that I don't like non-feminists, I just see a lot of my thoughts suddenly appear in front of me in another character's voice. She's a girl out of love, believing that the man of her dreams isn't in 1896 with her but in another moment in time. Now, her cousin really wants to visit the year 2000 and wants Claire to join her. Here, she meets charming Captain Derek Shackleton and falls in love. Returning to her own time, she wonders whether she will see the man she's given her heart to.

An author by the name of H.G. Wells is just becoming famous after publishing The Time Machine and the final part of the book focuses on him [he makes appearances in book one and two]. Arguably the most complicated part of the book, time travel finally becomes a reality in this section. We have appearances from authors Bram Stoker and Henry James, as well as mentions of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and I liked how these authors, whose books I have read, are given a voice.

This is the most imaginative book I've read in a while and although the start was slow, the rest of the book was an enjoyable ride. I thoroughly recommend.

NEXT REVIEW: MCFLY'S UNSAID THINGS

Although not all my reviews are spoilery, which I do not consider this one to be, here is a little warning just in case.

Review Written: 6th January 2013

The Dark Heroine by Abigail Gibbs 

Violet Lee is wandering around London’s Trafalgar Square at night, by herself because she is waiting for a friend. Her dad is a leading politician, and I’m not quite sure why he didn’t take the time to tell her that seventeen year olds should not be by themselves at night in the middle of London, but I believe he was too busy saving the country. Usually you wouldn’t run into a group of vampires massacring a group of slayers but unfortunately for Violet, she does. A capture follows by a vampire prince and Violet spends the rest of the book battling with the notion that she will not be leaving the mansion she’s staying in as a human. An underlying prophecy runs throughout the book, and two Dark Heroines are revealed. With them follows as lot of bad things and is not a fate anyone would want.

A book that claims to be ‘the sexiest romance you’ll read this year’ should be sexy. No. It is less sexy than a majority of the teen books I have read. It’s not even the sexiest book I’ve read this year and it is the only book I’ve read this year.

Certain lines wound me up.

What on Earth would my (feminist) citizenship teacher think about that? P.322I’m uncomfortable about the fact the word feminist is in brackets. There is nothing wrong with saying ‘feminist citizenship teacher’ like she is just a normal human being who happens to believe women should have full equality. The problem I have with the main character is how she constantly describes herself as ‘prey’. She is aware of this situation and should be seeking to change it.

I do not like the main male character Kaspar. Now, that rarely happens because authors usually make him such a great match for the main female. The two hate each other to begin with, and although they claim to love one another at the end, I feel like it happened just for the sake of it. I prefer other love interest Fabian. When Violet says no to his advances, he isn’t a dick to begin with; however, as her feelings for Kaspar develops Fabian swaps personality with a douche to try and get the reader to hate him and ultimately want Violet to end up with Kaspar. It fails to work with me. I’ve read too many supernatural books. Whereas Fifty Shades had the annoying ‘laters baby’ phrase, this book sees Kaspar call Violet ‘girly.’ I hate it with a passion. How can you fall for someone who calls you girly? It is demeaning.

                    

I’m being unusually critical but that’s not to say the book is bad. The plotline itself is a good one and contains the right amount of gore for a vampire book (no weedy sparkly vampires here); it’s just that the smallest things in this book happen to annoy me. Although I feel the book doesn’t need to be as long as it is, it is an easy read so it's perfect for when you have other things going on.

NEXT REVIEW: FELIX J. PALMA'S THE MAP OF TIME

Although not all my reviews are spoilery, which I do not consider this one to be, here is a little warning just in case.

Review Written: 10th December 2012
  
Cape Storm by Rachel Caine

It's the penultimate book of the series but that does not mean things have got any easier for protagonist Joanne Baldwin. In fact, they've got worse. She's supposed to be enjoying her honeymoon with Djinn husband David but there is one unstoppable hurricane heading towards them and a demon mark under her skin, getting stronger by the minute. Bad Bob is wrecking havoc and Jo needs to fight both him, and the evil inside her that is winning. 

There was one part that involved sharks. I hate sharks. I read that part in my room while sitting on my bed, far away from the sea, a sea that doesn't even contain sharks because it's England and not even people go in the sea as it is that cold, BUT I felt like a shark would suddenly appear. I hate sharks. I hate them. And that part freaked me out.

The chemistry between Jo and David is perfect as always, especially now the two of them are married.  However, the two spent hardly any time together in this book, even though they were on their honeymoon, because they were too busy trying to save the world. Also, the love Lewis has for Jo is revealed; I was aware of his feelings for a while now but it was nice to know the extent of them.

We are left with a very unexpected ending that opens up a number of possibilities for the final book. I hope Joanne finally gets the peace and quiet she so desperately needs!

NEXT BOOK: MAGGIE STIEFVATER'S THE RAVEN BOYS

Although not all my reviews are spoilery, which I do not consider this one to be, here is a little warning just in case.

All page numbers are correct for the above edition.

Review Written: 26th November 2012

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

There are twelve stories in the series tie-in edition (or in any edition of Adventures but I read the above copy), so I will be talking about a few of my favourite stories.

1) My favourite would have to be The Adventure of the Copper Beeches. Before reading the books, I got the impression that the only strong female that appeared in the books is Irene Adler, and therefore everyone assumes Sherlock/Irene had a thing. However, Violet Hunter is...how should I put it...a babe.

"I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner and speech of his new client." (298) "I should not ask it of you if I did not think you a quite exceptional woman." (318) "very brave and sensible girl." (318)

And clearly Sherlock thinks she is too. Violet comes to Sherlock and John after being offered the job of governess for Jephro Rucastle's young son as long as she cuts her hair. After having first rejected the job because she was fond of her hair, and a discussion with the pair, she realises it is a minor thing, cuts her hair and takes the job. Two weeks later, she needs Sherlock and John's help as strange goings on have been happening in the Copper Beeches.

2) I also enjoyed The Red-headed League: Jabez Wilson, a red-headed pawnbroker from London responds to a newspaper ad about a job asking for red-headed men only. One day, he turns up to his £4 a week job and finds a sign on the door saying "The Red-headed league is dissolved." Sherlock and John find it hilarious as do I, the reader, and the story is solved within a weekend.

3)  A Case of Identity was a rather sad story. The rather wealthy Miss Mary Sutherland's fiancé has gone missing and enlists Sherlock and John's help to find him. Her young step-father disapproves of her getting married and the story ends with a disturbing twist that makes me feel bad for Mary.

4) The Boscombe Valley Mystery: Lestrade (who isn't as loveable as he does in the TV series!!) summons Sherlock and John to Herefordshire, where Charles McCarthy, a local landowner has recently been killed. His son, James has been arrested as they were seen arguing before the murder. Things aren't as obvious as they seem, of course, so Sherlock has to find who the real murderer is.

Unfortunately, I have been 'ruined' by the TV show. I had my shipper goggles on while reading this, which did cause me to giggle a few times. Especially as Watson is married and his wife is totally fine with him solving crimes with Sherlock by travelling or staying at Baker Street!! I also loved book Sherlock - he is more concerned than the 'legend' led me to believe; one example: "'You must not fear,' said he soothingly, bending forward and patting her forearm." (186)

As these are short stories, it takes hardly any time to get through a story which means you can come back to the book whenever you have a spare moment (especially useful for me as a university student!!) However, they are such page turners that it only took me a weekend to complete the lot!!

NEXT REVIEW: RACHEL CAINE'S CAPE STORM

Although not all my reviews are spoilery, which I do not consider this one to be, here is a little warning just in case.
However, this review assumes the reader has read MV12.
All page numbers are taken from the UK Edition, this cover. 

Review Written: 19 November 2012

Bitter Blood by Rachel Caine

I have that feeling of dread. Every MV book I finish, the nearer I am to the end of the series. I'm not emotionally ready even though I have a year to prepare.

Enough of my emotions and on to the review. Morganville has changed - the vampires are becoming more 'vamp' like, and town leader Amelie is making more than a few changes as far as the human/vampire dynamic is concerned.

This book has plenty of drama - Eve and Michael's marriage has put a few noses out of joint; the vampires and the humans are angry and will do everything in their power to try and break it off. A group of ghost busters are in town which of course, spells bad news. After having saved Claire previously, young, troubled Miranda is now the token house ghost and seeing her deal with this new life is upsetting.

And angst, lots of teenage angst. The delicious chemistry between Claire and Myrnin continues. Don't get me wrong, I love Claire and Shane and want them to be together forever and ever and ever (which I rarely wish in teenage books), but Myrnin's admiration for Claire is a beautiful thing. Their friendship in general is a beautiful thing. Back to Shane and Claire, I just squeal everytime they have a 'moment' together - there is also none of this weaker girlfriend business either. Shane knows his girlfriend can kick butt, the reader does too, and I really like strong female characters. I've said it before, and I shall say it again - Caine really can write a strong females well, making the emotional side of them simply part of their character and not a sign of weakness.

Can we now confirm that Oliver is Oliver Cromwell? He was called a 'Roundhead' and was a man who turned his country against their King. I know no other Olivers in history who managed to achieve this! Also, we FINALLY got a TINY peak at a vampire back story - Myrnin's actually and it really doesn't sound like a happy one. However, even though it was a minor glimpse, I really enjoyed it. I liked Myrnin before but this book made me love him. [Perhaps picturing him as Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock also doesn't help!!]

We have shocks a plenty - this is a spoiler free review but pages 173 and 460 are certainly two examples which made my eyes widen and mouth drop.

I can't say much about the ending, again spoilers, but it closes the book nicely rather than leaving us on a cliffhanger. There is an underlying problem however (started in the previous book) - Claire and MIT. Will she or won't she go? What will this mean for the famous foursome? All I can say now, is bring on book fourteen!!

NEXT REVIEW: SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE'S THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES