Hi.
You were probably expecting a review of Kathryn Stockett's The Help. However, due to reasons of marking, I am going to wait until I have handed in my review and received a result, I shall refrain from posting the review.
However, I have another book for you.

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: 3rd November 2012

Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick 

I think this is the first book series I have completed in a long time. Teen series that is. They are notorious for continuing for about 100 books. I am quite sad that the Hush Hush series finished at four. Alas, things do not last forever and Fitzpatrick ended on a good note. Things never got boring, dragged or had repeated storylines.

This book sees Nora Grey take up her role as the new leader of the Nephilim race. She has to be accepted as their leader, or she will die. With the help of Dante, who trains her, she will become a great leader. Except, Dante gives her devilcraft and she becomes addicted to it. Oh, and Dante is just a suspicious guy. War is coming between the Nephilim and the Fallen Angels, and Nora needs to lead her side to victory so that she, and her people, will be able to live out their lives in peace and not as vessels for fallen angels.

Patch is still as lovely as ever. I like how their relationship is on equal footing. She tells him that she does not deserve him. He agrees, telling her she deserves better. None of this, yeaaah, I'm good looking and you don't really deserve me nonsense. Fellow Nephilim Scott helps too in a bittersweet ending.

Two shocks are in store for you - one concerning Nora's best friend Vee and one concerning Scott. One happy, and one not.

It's a happy ending. I do like a good happy ending. I also believe characters in teenage supernatural books deserve happy endings for the amount of stuff they have to go through. However, it was sad saying goodbye to the world Fitzpatrick has created here. I hope to read more of her stuff soon.

NEXT REVIEW: RACHEL CAINE'S BITTER BLOOD

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

This may also contain subjects of a sensitive manner - it's a book about Nazi Germany.

Review Written: 22nd October 2012

Fatherland by Robert Harris

It’s something that shouldn’t be imagined and yet when it is made into a fiction novel, suddenly it’s an interesting concept. A taboo that shouldn’t be explored yet you can’t quite put the book down. Robert Harris imagines a chilling end to the Second World War; an ending where Nazi Germany are declared victorious.

Xavier March is an investigator working for the Kriminalpolizei (criminal investigation agency) as Nazi Josef Buhler is found dead, his body washed up and discovered by young Hermann Jost. March soon enters a world of political scandal and bites off more than he can chew. More deaths of high ranking Nazi officials are being discovered and questioned entering March into a dangerous game as the Gestapo warn the Kripo to close the investigation. With the help of American journalist Charlotte “Charlie” Maguire, whom March has a relationship with, the two try to discover the meanings behind the murders without being caught.

March is a half hearted member of the Nazi regime – he refuses to join the Party like many men of his age earning the distrust and disrespect of his ten year old son Pili, whom I disliked from the start. Pili was the perfect example of someone who had been brainwashed by the party’s ideas. I liked Charlie; she was a strong woman, in a world where equality for all regardless of sex, colour, race or religion has failed to be achieved.

It was scary seeing the imagined Europe if Germany had won. Harris used actual plans the Nazis had drawn up in the event of their victory making the story seem lifelike. The focus on England was interesting – they were speaking German as a second language, driving German cars, listening to German radios etc. The King of the Country is Edward VIII and Queen Wallis Simpson with George VI, Princess Elizabeth and Churchill hiding in Canada. America, having never entered the war, keep a neutral eye on events – President Joseph P. Kennedy (father of 35^th President of the United States John Kennedy) is keen to build relations with Germany, and is portrayed as being anti-Semitic.

Which brings me to the point of the book. The Jewish population of Europe have been sent East; that is all anyone knows. All records of the Holocaust have been removed and as a quote in the book, from Himmler himself says, ‘This is a page of glory in our history, which has never been written and is never to be written.’ In this book, it hasn’t been. It’s chilling. You get extracts about life in Auschwitz from Nazi visitors and they are horrific.

There is no set ending. It is left to the reader to make up their own ending. I am a sucker for a happy ending and that is how I like to imagine it. However, the tone of the book would make the likelihood of this ending very unrealistic.

NEXT REVIEW: KATHRYN STOCKETT’S THE HELP (I have read this book before and the review will be in a different format as I have to write a book review for one of my university classes, The African American Experience, so it will be more intelligent...I hope!)

This review contains minor spoilers.

Review Written: 7th October 2011

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Another day, another teen book that I really enjoyed. Why? This book was really refreshing!

The book starts with maid Tess having to run a last minute errand before boarding the Titantic to start a new life in America. Unfortunately, this is where trouble starts after being chased by a wolf and saved by the dashing Alec. One minute he's sweet, next minute he is telling her to go before he hurts her too.

The following day, Tess boards the Titanic with the family she works for. The Lisle family made up of Lady Regina, son Layton and daughter Irene, have a diminishing fortune and are going to America to find a wealthy American family for both son and daughter to marry. This is 1920s America, after the time of rapid industrialisation, the land of the free is also the land of the rich. While boarding, Tessa feels someone watching her - Mikhail is a Russian count, and wants something the Lisle family have. He plans to get it through her. Fortunately, Alec is also on board, the son of a steel industrialist. Unfortunately, he's a werewolf who has to change form every night until he is inititated into an evil brotherhood. He has been avoiding it thus far, but now influential Mikhail is on board, it may be a matter of time.

As the book continues, Alec and Tessa's relationship blossoms even though they are from different social classes and Alec has to change every night (Tessa finds this out fairly early on in the book). We also find out a number of shocking revelations about the, shall we say, extra-curricular activities of the Lisle family which involve Tessa's fellow servant Ned and sister Daisy.

If I could take you back to the first sentence, this book was refreshing. It is a supernatural novel which uses a famous historical event to tell the story (I do a part history degree, I'm a sucker for historical novels!) Gray is a great writer who makes you want to read page after page hence why I recommend Fateful.

NEXT REVIEW: ROBERT HARRIS' FATHERLAND

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: 4th October 2012

Stealing Phoenix by Joss Stirling.

Apparently, I was supposed to be completing my university reading yesterday. Instead, I started this book, and then finished it. You see, the problem is, it was too good to put down!

What shall I say about sequels for teenage books? I have a love/hate relationship with them and have read many a sequel that doesn't live up to the excitement of the first book. This sequel however, does not fall into the trap. Now, I say sequel, this can actually be read as a standalone book. Sure, it helps to have read the first, Finding Sky, where we discover the world of the savant and the idea of soulfinders, but the central characters for that book were Sky and Zed Benedict, the youngest Benedict brother. This book focuses on Phoenix, a thief in a group of savants and her target is Yves Benedict, the sixth son.

Except, it doesn't quite go to plan. She freezes the group of tourists Yves is a part of, and successfully steals the iPad he has....but then it bursts into flames. After being punished by her Seer, she tries again the following day, finally meeting Yves and discovering he is her soulfinder. Now, Phoenix and Yves need to find a way to be together and help her get away from the evil Seer and his interestingly named helpers Dragon and Unicorn. I loved Phoenix as a character, she is fiesty and brave and I also loved Yves too!

I love the fact the book was set in London, and more specifically, East London. When people say London, they usually think of Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus, yet thanks to the Olympics, East London has been put onto the map. I read this book after London 2012, so it was nice to revist the rebuilding of the stadium, especially as it was something I saw develop after riding past on the train. Other parts of London are visited, the Tate and Millenium Bridge and much to my delight, my favourite musical Wicked.   

Overall, I loved this book. It is one of the best teenage books I have read in a long time. I now want to go out and buy Seeking Crystal, the next in the series. Silly university; getting in the way of reading fiction books!!!

NEXT REVIEW: CLAUDIA GRAY'S FATEFUL

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: 3rd October 2012

Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey

Alyxandra Harvey pretty much has the supernatural covered.

Vampires? Check.

Ghosts? Check.

Fairies? Check

All we need now is a werewolf book to complete the set. While this may sound like a moan, I reassure you that it is not. Although Harvey does write about a range of supernatural creatures, she does it all rather well. Her vampire books about the Drake family are refreshing, and the one off Haunting Violet made use of the mystery genre too. Once again, with Stolen Away, we have a slightly different use of fairies. Okay, it’s not completely different because the whole point of evil fairies is to at least be taken, which happens to one of the main characters Eloise Hart.

The book doesn’t have one main character like most teen books. While the blurb focuses on Eloise, the other main voice we hear is from best friend Jo. [Harvey does this often in her books – use different character POV.] The two are rather different. Eloise appears to be the quieter of the two, although she get’s grouchy without food, and Jo is the confident one who makes flirting with guys seem like a breeze rather than the nerve wracking thing it is to most people. Two girls means two different guys. Lucas is a Prince, and clearly on the good side whereas Eldric is the son of evil Lord Strahan and the line between good and evil is less clear cut. Of course Eloise is attracted to good Lucas and Jo is attracted to mysterious, brooding Eldric – both men are almost personifications of the conflicting personalities of the best friends.

We also have Devin. I’m not quite sure why he is in the book. You never get his point of view and he isn’t there for romantic attachment, he’s not even the ‘best friend who is in love with the main character’. He just kind of the tag-along boy. However, I did want him to end up with fairy ally Isadora. I didn’t want him to be the only character who failed to end up with a fairy lover.

The main plotline of the book is stopping evil Lord Strahan and Eloise finds out home truths about her mysterious disappearing aunt Antonia. The book is only small and can be read in one sitting so there is no waiting around within the pages of the book – the action is fast paced, to the point, from beginning to end.

My only moan of this book was the use of the ‘I love you’ phrase after roughly three days. I do not believe in the ‘love at first sight’ existence. The only time it is acceptable to use is when you have children and therefore, that unconditional love at first sight is acceptable. However, this isn’t a fault that Harvey has. It happens in every teen book. It is just the done thing.

A thoroughly recommended book  for those who want a novel to read in one sitting.

NEXT REVIEW:  JOSS STIRLING'S STEALING PHOENIX

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: 30th September 2012

How To Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran

It makes us look like losers. It makes us look like cowards. And that’s the last thing we are. That’s the very, very last thing women are (295).

Laugh out loud funny. Those are the words I would use if I could only use four to describe this book. If I had more than four, I would also include ‘moving’ and ‘wonderful’ and ‘feminist goodness.’ You may have noticed that I go on an occasional feminist rant so to have a whole book filled with moans was good.

I usually talk about writers by using their last names, but it feels weird to refer to Caitlin Moran as just Moran – one, because it’s too serious and 2) it sounds like I’m referring to a Sherlock Holmes villain. So, for the purpose of this review, I will either say CM or Caitlin. I’m warning you now before you start thinking I’m too informal and ‘chummy.’

The book tackles important questions. I’m talking questions even more important than the meaning of life. I’m talking, what should one name their boobs? What? It’s an important question! CM takes us through significant parts of her life – growing up, marriage, babies, friends, family plus even the stuff that society have almost tabooed to talk about in public (with this, I am referring to Chapter 1, check it out!)

My favourite chapter would have to be chapter six, entitled ‘I am Fat!’ as it is the chapter I personally related to. She explains the social norms we can never be a part of – wearing shorts, swimming pools, sitting on a high school, flirting, being kissed. The line “A fat teenage girl’s body is of no use to anyone, let alone the teenage girl (106)”rang particular alarm bells. I’m not saying all overweight girls are like this. I have met many a larger woman who is actually comfortable with her size, or so they have told me but unfortunately, I am not one of these women. I spent...well, all my teens considering I am now twenty, hiding my weight unhappiness through sarcasm and being funny. The logic? I cannot be beautiful and desirable; therefore, I shall be funny. I am still not slim, but I have spent the best part of ten years, half my life, trying to accept the fact that I never will be slim. Hence, while reading this chapter, most of it was read in blurred vision while I cried in agreement. 

But don’t think this is the most miserable book you will ever read, even if the chapter on abortion continues this theme. It’s not. Like I said in the beginning, this is one funny book, definitely one of the funniest I have ever read. And don’t think you have to be female to read this book, you don’t. It’s a book about life and anyone can relate to that.

NEXT REVIEW: ALYXANDRA HARVEY’S STOLEN AWAY

 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: 21st September 2012

 The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

If I told you this book wasn’t complicated, I would be lying. And if I told you I didn’t judge the book by the cover, I would still be lying. Lying is bad. So, this is me, telling the truth. For point one, I can explain its complicated nature as the review continues but for point two, I would like you to glance up at the book cover above the text. Yeah. It really draws your eye doesn’t it? So, when I walked into Waterstones many months ago and saw this book with its ambiguous six line blurb, I knew I had to read it.

It’s not that the book is pretentious as such, it’s just that...at times it is clever for the sake of it. You know throughout the book that there is a challenge between the two main characters – Celia &  Marco but I never found out what the challenge was or why it even existed. Knowing me, I’ve missed the whole point of the book.  Meanwhile, you jump back and forth between years, places and characters that by the time you return to Celia & Marco, you’ve forgotten what you had previously read. Think Game of Thrones but with a LOT less pages!

The book isn’t all bad however. The chemistry between Celia and Marco really is electric, and although they are supposed to be enemies, you can’t help but want them to have a happy ending. Twins Poppet and Widget also bring an edge to the story, especially Poppet’s relationship with Bostonian young lad Bailey who leaves his father’s farm and dreams of Harvard behind to join the circus. We have Isobel, a fortune teller who drops clues throughout the story about the fate of characters within the circus; all while harbouring a love for Marco which will never be returned.  

It starts in the second person. I ADORE second person narrative because as a reader, I feel included in this little world and in this example, I believe that is the point. You are having a tour of the circus; clues are being thrown in now and again before you eventually encounter them in the story. 

Perhaps I’m not intelligent enough to truly appreciate this book. With people like Audrey Niffenegger and papers like The Times, Guardian and Independent telling me to read this book on the cover, I should have realised instantly this was going to be a complicated story. For me, it echoes parts of Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife; just as tragic but without the emphasis on romance. Romance appears, but it is not the point making The Night Circus a rather refreshing change. If you are looking for fixed endings, the book fails to deliver. It’s bittersweet but once fitting for the rest of the book.

With this review’s end, I will leave you with a thought provoking line from page 484. ...dreams have ways of turning into nightmares.

NEXT REVIEW: CAITLIN MORAN'S HOW TO BE A WOMAN