M.L. Sparrow's Blog, page 14
September 11, 2017
Northanger Abbey
Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen 
Blurb:During an eventful season at Bath, young, naive Catherine Morland experiences fashionable society for the first time. She is delighted with her new acquaintances: flirtatious Isabella, who introduces Catherine to the joys of Gothic romances, and sophisticated Henry and Eleanor Tilney, who invite her to their father's house, Northanger Abbey. There, influenced by novels of horror and intrigue, Catherine comes to imagine terrible crimes committed by General Tilney, risking the loss of Henry's affection, and has to learn the difference between fiction and reality, false friends and true.All of Jane Austen's books have been on my TBR list for a while, however, going to the Jane Austen festival in Bath spurred me onto read Northanger Abbey, since it is primarily set in Bath and it was the focus of the festival this year.To begin with I couldn't get into it, to be honest I found it a little boring, but after a couple of chapters I'll admit I was hooked! I love Pride and Prejudice, but I'll admit Northanger Abbey was much easier to read, it was simpler and more youthful in a way. Catherine is a naive young girl, and although her naivety was frustrating at times, her characters really is very endearing and understandable. I saw a lot of my teenage self in her; she contently feels like she isn't well enough informed to make up her own mind and is far too trusting in others, however, she grows throughout the book and I was pleased by the ending, although I found it a little abrupt and would have liked more on that part of the story. Henry was the perfect hero and some of his conversations showed amazing insight into human nature on Miss Austen's part. Although there is romance in this novel, the main focus is really on friendship and telling the difference between real and fake friendship, which I though was important, especially for someone Catherine's age.Northanger Abbey has definitely inspired me to continue reading Jane Austen's books!
My favourite quotes from 'Northanger Abbey': 'Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.' 'There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.' 'Perhaps we are talking about you, therefore I would advise you not to listen, or you may happen to hear something not very agreeable.' 'It would be mortifying to the feelings of many ladies, could they be made to understand how little the heart of man is affected by what is costly or new in their attire...' '...man has the advantage of choice, women only the power of refusal...' 'If I am wrong, I am doing what I believe to be right.' 'The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has no pleasure in good novel, must be intolerably stupid.' 'A woman especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing any thing, should conceal it as well as she can.''... I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible.' '... there is nothing people are so often decided in, as the state of their own affections ...''No man is offended by another man's admiration of the woman he loves; it is the woman only who can make it a torment. .... .... Is he safe only in solitude? -or, is her heart constant to him only when unsolicited by any one else?'
Blurb:During an eventful season at Bath, young, naive Catherine Morland experiences fashionable society for the first time. She is delighted with her new acquaintances: flirtatious Isabella, who introduces Catherine to the joys of Gothic romances, and sophisticated Henry and Eleanor Tilney, who invite her to their father's house, Northanger Abbey. There, influenced by novels of horror and intrigue, Catherine comes to imagine terrible crimes committed by General Tilney, risking the loss of Henry's affection, and has to learn the difference between fiction and reality, false friends and true.All of Jane Austen's books have been on my TBR list for a while, however, going to the Jane Austen festival in Bath spurred me onto read Northanger Abbey, since it is primarily set in Bath and it was the focus of the festival this year.To begin with I couldn't get into it, to be honest I found it a little boring, but after a couple of chapters I'll admit I was hooked! I love Pride and Prejudice, but I'll admit Northanger Abbey was much easier to read, it was simpler and more youthful in a way. Catherine is a naive young girl, and although her naivety was frustrating at times, her characters really is very endearing and understandable. I saw a lot of my teenage self in her; she contently feels like she isn't well enough informed to make up her own mind and is far too trusting in others, however, she grows throughout the book and I was pleased by the ending, although I found it a little abrupt and would have liked more on that part of the story. Henry was the perfect hero and some of his conversations showed amazing insight into human nature on Miss Austen's part. Although there is romance in this novel, the main focus is really on friendship and telling the difference between real and fake friendship, which I though was important, especially for someone Catherine's age.Northanger Abbey has definitely inspired me to continue reading Jane Austen's books!My favourite quotes from 'Northanger Abbey': 'Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.' 'There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.' 'Perhaps we are talking about you, therefore I would advise you not to listen, or you may happen to hear something not very agreeable.' 'It would be mortifying to the feelings of many ladies, could they be made to understand how little the heart of man is affected by what is costly or new in their attire...' '...man has the advantage of choice, women only the power of refusal...' 'If I am wrong, I am doing what I believe to be right.' 'The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has no pleasure in good novel, must be intolerably stupid.' 'A woman especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing any thing, should conceal it as well as she can.''... I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible.' '... there is nothing people are so often decided in, as the state of their own affections ...''No man is offended by another man's admiration of the woman he loves; it is the woman only who can make it a torment. .... .... Is he safe only in solitude? -or, is her heart constant to him only when unsolicited by any one else?'
September 7, 2017
Alexander: The Sands of Ammon
Alexander: The Sands of Ammon, (Alexandros Trilogy, Book 2), by Valerio Massimo Manfredi 
Blurb:Continuing the international bestselling saga of Alexander the Great, The Sands of Ammon brilliantly describes his quest to conquer Asia, the limitless domain ruled by the Great King of the Persians. In a seemingly impossible venture, the mighty Alexander and his men storm Persian fortresses and harbours, crippling King Darius's domain. Even the legendary Halicarnassus is defeated by the Macedonian armies. But there is danger ahead. The island city of Tyre and the towers of Gaza prove to be formidable obstacles. Embattled but undeterred, Alexander's army surges forth over land and sea to the mysterious deserts of Egypt. There, in the sands, lies the Oracle of Ammon, waiting to reveal an amazing truth to Alexander. One that will change his already astonishing life...This book is seriously packed with action! It was a really enjoyable and interesting book to read and it seamlessly follows the first book interest little confusion. However... the one thing I found was that, though I loved reading it, I often found that I had trouble recalling what had actually happened in previous chapters, just because so much is going on in this book. There are so many characters, places and things going on that I constantly found myself flicking back to figure out what was going on.The authors writing style makes you feel like you're actually reading an ancient epic and I loved that there are other POV's involved, not just Alexander's. For example, I loved the character of Memnon and I like that, although he is Alexander's enemy, he isn't portrayed as a villain... he's just a man, he has a wife and kids and he is defending his country. *SPOILER ALERT* His death, and his mens devotion, was the most emotion scene in this book for me. Alexander is also a very interesting and complex character; he's headstrong, often reckless, but an amazing leader, both in war tactics and the love he has for his men. However, I personally, can't fully think of him as the hero, for the simple reason that he's conquering lands and making war. It was different time and the history lover in me can see the excitement and the glory in his actions and is desperate to know more but then another part of me thinks that parts of this story really happened and sympathises with people who were conquered, though admittedly Alexander is painted as a better King than the Persian King whose lands he is taking… That little rhyme that Alexander and his friends would chant at their old teacher when they were children, about the 'silly' solider that goes to war and dies, pretty much sums up my feelings about Alexander's campaign and his fathers before him - they seem to be making war for no real reason other than glory, risking the lives of their men and razing cities while supposedly trying to until the countries and make peace... Still, I'm looking forward to the final instalment of this trilogy and I'm sure I'll grab a few non-fiction books about Alexander the Great afterwards too! If anyone has any suggestions that would be great. :-) 
My favourite quotes from 'Alexander: The Sands of Ammon':" 'And you? Have you let yourself be won over by love?'Memnon returned her gaze. 'Love is the only opponent I accept defeat from.' " " 'My men must see me and must know that I risk my own life before risking theirs.' "" 'If you do not know the past, you cannot understand the present.' " " '... my sister is like one of those little birds that is taken from the nest too early - sometimes she remembers that she is still a young girl and she misses the home and the parents she no longer has.' " " 'And does this prospect not frighten you?' 'I am never frightened by things that have not yet come to pass.' " " 'There is either a solution to the problem and therefore it is pointless to worry about it, or there is no solution and it is pointless to worry about it.' " " '... He is like the wind that passes and disappears. And no one can imprison the wind. If you know that you cannot bear separation, then do not succumb to love.' "
Blurb:Continuing the international bestselling saga of Alexander the Great, The Sands of Ammon brilliantly describes his quest to conquer Asia, the limitless domain ruled by the Great King of the Persians. In a seemingly impossible venture, the mighty Alexander and his men storm Persian fortresses and harbours, crippling King Darius's domain. Even the legendary Halicarnassus is defeated by the Macedonian armies. But there is danger ahead. The island city of Tyre and the towers of Gaza prove to be formidable obstacles. Embattled but undeterred, Alexander's army surges forth over land and sea to the mysterious deserts of Egypt. There, in the sands, lies the Oracle of Ammon, waiting to reveal an amazing truth to Alexander. One that will change his already astonishing life...This book is seriously packed with action! It was a really enjoyable and interesting book to read and it seamlessly follows the first book interest little confusion. However... the one thing I found was that, though I loved reading it, I often found that I had trouble recalling what had actually happened in previous chapters, just because so much is going on in this book. There are so many characters, places and things going on that I constantly found myself flicking back to figure out what was going on.The authors writing style makes you feel like you're actually reading an ancient epic and I loved that there are other POV's involved, not just Alexander's. For example, I loved the character of Memnon and I like that, although he is Alexander's enemy, he isn't portrayed as a villain... he's just a man, he has a wife and kids and he is defending his country. *SPOILER ALERT* His death, and his mens devotion, was the most emotion scene in this book for me. Alexander is also a very interesting and complex character; he's headstrong, often reckless, but an amazing leader, both in war tactics and the love he has for his men. However, I personally, can't fully think of him as the hero, for the simple reason that he's conquering lands and making war. It was different time and the history lover in me can see the excitement and the glory in his actions and is desperate to know more but then another part of me thinks that parts of this story really happened and sympathises with people who were conquered, though admittedly Alexander is painted as a better King than the Persian King whose lands he is taking… That little rhyme that Alexander and his friends would chant at their old teacher when they were children, about the 'silly' solider that goes to war and dies, pretty much sums up my feelings about Alexander's campaign and his fathers before him - they seem to be making war for no real reason other than glory, risking the lives of their men and razing cities while supposedly trying to until the countries and make peace... Still, I'm looking forward to the final instalment of this trilogy and I'm sure I'll grab a few non-fiction books about Alexander the Great afterwards too! If anyone has any suggestions that would be great. :-) My favourite quotes from 'Alexander: The Sands of Ammon':" 'And you? Have you let yourself be won over by love?'Memnon returned her gaze. 'Love is the only opponent I accept defeat from.' " " 'My men must see me and must know that I risk my own life before risking theirs.' "" 'If you do not know the past, you cannot understand the present.' " " '... my sister is like one of those little birds that is taken from the nest too early - sometimes she remembers that she is still a young girl and she misses the home and the parents she no longer has.' " " 'And does this prospect not frighten you?' 'I am never frightened by things that have not yet come to pass.' " " 'There is either a solution to the problem and therefore it is pointless to worry about it, or there is no solution and it is pointless to worry about it.' " " '... He is like the wind that passes and disappears. And no one can imprison the wind. If you know that you cannot bear separation, then do not succumb to love.' "
September 1, 2017
Half Wild
Half Wild, (Half Bad Trilogy, Book 2), by Sally Green 
Blurb: After finally meeting his elusive father, Marcus, and receiving the three gifts that confirm him as a full adult witch, Nathan is still on the run. He needs to find his friend Gabriel and rescue Annalise, now a prisoner of the powerful Black witch Mercury. Most of all he needs to learn how to control his Gift – a strange, wild new power that threatens to overwhelm him. Meanwhile, Soul O'Brien has seized control of the Council of White Witches and is expanding his war against Black witches into Europe. In response, an unprecedented alliance has formed between Black and White witches determined to resist him. Drawn into the rebellion by the enigmatic Black witch Van Dal, Nathan finds himself fighting alongside both old friends and old enemies. But can all the rebels be trusted, or is Nathan walking into a trap?I'm really getting into this series now! I liked the first book, but the writing style just rubbed me up the wrong way. Honestly, it still does, but there's so much more going on in this book that it was easy to overlook. I liked all the new characters that were brought in and I look forward to seeing more of them in the next book, though I'm unsure how Sally Green is going to conclude the story in only one more book, especially since it's the smallest of the trilogy... However, back to talking about Half Wild. Firstly, I just want to mention the formatting at the beginning... what was that about? I HATED it. I mean, this may be a YA book, but to me it felt childish and a little stupid and totally unnecessary. Anyway, gripe over, onto what I did like. Nathan was a big part of why I loved this story; I feel like we got to know him so much more in this book than in Half Bad and I maintain that Gabriel is so much better for him than Annalise and, after reading the end of the book, it may even happen in the third book! It was a little annoying that so much of this book focused on finding Annalise, since I've never liked her and she proved me right even before the 'incident' at the end. Getting to know Marcus was also quite interesting, though I would have liked to have known more...All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to finding out what happens next! My favourite quotes from 'Half Wild': " 'He doesn't know it but he's my friend already.' ""... I want ot scream at Nesbitt that it hurt, that every scar I have hurt, and my body is covered in scars that have healed quickly but they all hurt, and I can't say about any of them, 'No harm done.' "" 'Mercury. you were one in a million. The word is duller but a lot safer without you.' " "... winning the peace, as they say, will be much more problematic than winning the war."
Blurb: After finally meeting his elusive father, Marcus, and receiving the three gifts that confirm him as a full adult witch, Nathan is still on the run. He needs to find his friend Gabriel and rescue Annalise, now a prisoner of the powerful Black witch Mercury. Most of all he needs to learn how to control his Gift – a strange, wild new power that threatens to overwhelm him. Meanwhile, Soul O'Brien has seized control of the Council of White Witches and is expanding his war against Black witches into Europe. In response, an unprecedented alliance has formed between Black and White witches determined to resist him. Drawn into the rebellion by the enigmatic Black witch Van Dal, Nathan finds himself fighting alongside both old friends and old enemies. But can all the rebels be trusted, or is Nathan walking into a trap?I'm really getting into this series now! I liked the first book, but the writing style just rubbed me up the wrong way. Honestly, it still does, but there's so much more going on in this book that it was easy to overlook. I liked all the new characters that were brought in and I look forward to seeing more of them in the next book, though I'm unsure how Sally Green is going to conclude the story in only one more book, especially since it's the smallest of the trilogy... However, back to talking about Half Wild. Firstly, I just want to mention the formatting at the beginning... what was that about? I HATED it. I mean, this may be a YA book, but to me it felt childish and a little stupid and totally unnecessary. Anyway, gripe over, onto what I did like. Nathan was a big part of why I loved this story; I feel like we got to know him so much more in this book than in Half Bad and I maintain that Gabriel is so much better for him than Annalise and, after reading the end of the book, it may even happen in the third book! It was a little annoying that so much of this book focused on finding Annalise, since I've never liked her and she proved me right even before the 'incident' at the end. Getting to know Marcus was also quite interesting, though I would have liked to have known more...All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to finding out what happens next! My favourite quotes from 'Half Wild': " 'He doesn't know it but he's my friend already.' ""... I want ot scream at Nesbitt that it hurt, that every scar I have hurt, and my body is covered in scars that have healed quickly but they all hurt, and I can't say about any of them, 'No harm done.' "" 'Mercury. you were one in a million. The word is duller but a lot safer without you.' " "... winning the peace, as they say, will be much more problematic than winning the war."
August 29, 2017
Fallen from Grace
Fallen from Grace (A Fight for Light Crossover), by Nikki Landis 
Blurb:A tale of dark fantasy, betrayal, love, sacrifice, and forbidden romance... He’s a dark Angel sworn to protect and defend, forbidden to touch the only temptation he’s had in centuries. She’s a human girl whose light and pure soul has become a target for the forces of darkness. They must fight a battle not only for her soul but of the heart, but can she be saved in time? One dark angel, a human girl, and an eternal battle over the soul... Will Bash and Emily cheat death and find a way to stay together in a world torn apart in an epic fight between good and evil, where the battleground of the soul takes precedence over everything, even true love?This is a really enjoyable book for fans of paranormal romance. Action packed, with likeable characters. Emily was easy to identify with and I love a strong heroine. As for Bash... I dare you not to fall in love with him! Also it was cool to have a badass angel as a hero, since you get so many vampire, werewolves and other paranormal creatures. The writing style is a little addicting and it's easy to get into the characters heads with the first person POV and I liked that it wasn't just Emily's POV that we saw. The only problem I had was that I'm not a huge fan of love triangles and I felt really sorry for Jeremy on occasions. Also, I dislike insta-love, so at the beginning I wasn't sure I'd like this book for those two reasons, but as they got to know each other it didn't matter so much. However, I ended up really enjoying it. :-)
Blurb:A tale of dark fantasy, betrayal, love, sacrifice, and forbidden romance... He’s a dark Angel sworn to protect and defend, forbidden to touch the only temptation he’s had in centuries. She’s a human girl whose light and pure soul has become a target for the forces of darkness. They must fight a battle not only for her soul but of the heart, but can she be saved in time? One dark angel, a human girl, and an eternal battle over the soul... Will Bash and Emily cheat death and find a way to stay together in a world torn apart in an epic fight between good and evil, where the battleground of the soul takes precedence over everything, even true love?This is a really enjoyable book for fans of paranormal romance. Action packed, with likeable characters. Emily was easy to identify with and I love a strong heroine. As for Bash... I dare you not to fall in love with him! Also it was cool to have a badass angel as a hero, since you get so many vampire, werewolves and other paranormal creatures. The writing style is a little addicting and it's easy to get into the characters heads with the first person POV and I liked that it wasn't just Emily's POV that we saw. The only problem I had was that I'm not a huge fan of love triangles and I felt really sorry for Jeremy on occasions. Also, I dislike insta-love, so at the beginning I wasn't sure I'd like this book for those two reasons, but as they got to know each other it didn't matter so much. However, I ended up really enjoying it. :-)
August 21, 2017
Half Bad
Half Bad (Half Bad Trilogy, Book 1), by Sally Green 
Blurb: Wanted by no one. Hunted by everyone. Sixteen-year-old Nathan lives in a cage: beaten, shackled, trained to kill. In a modern-day England where two warring factions of witches live amongst humans, Nathan is an abomination, the illegitimate son of the world's most terrifying and violent witch, Marcus. Nathan's only hope for survival is to escape his captors, track down Marcus, and receive the three gifts that will bring him into his own magical powers—before it's too late. But how can Nathan find his father when there is no one safe to trust, not even family, not even the girl he loves?I really, really wanted to love this book... I think the premise is great, the blurring between good and bad, and I think a story of persecution is going to ring with a lot of people at the moment. I also thought Nathan was an interesting characters; you can sympathise with him and I was on his side the entire time. His anger and alienation was seemed so real and heartfelt and I think that's what made me keep reading this book. Also, I just have to mention my other favourite character, besides Nathan... I feel like Gabriel is an underrated character and I loved him so much! I can't help but feel for him, since his love for Nathan is unrequited (at the moment anyway) and I really want to know what happened to him at the end. However, despite all that there were aspects that held me back. Firstly, the writing was very simple, which doesn't usually bother me, especially in a YA book, but it was so simple I was bored and felt like I was reading a children's book rather than something intended for Young Adults. Then there was Nathan's feelings toward his father - I can understand not wanting to kill him, I can understand when he was young thinking there might have been a misunderstanding and his dad wasn't that bad, but the undying faith even though he knew Marcus had killed women and children just didn't strike me as real. Finally, there was his 'relationship' with Annalise... again, it just didn't seem real or believable and I couldn't really mesh with her character. Despite being a little disappointed in this first book, I will go onto read the next one, mainly because I've already brought it (what can I say, they have beautiful covers and look great on my shelf!), but I'm also looking forward to seeing Nathan's magic in the second book, since, for a book about witches, there seemed to be very little magic.
My favourite quotes from 'Half Bad': " 'Someone once said that the best way to find out if you can trust someone is to trust them.' "" 'He has taken a life from me. The life of someone precious. And I intend to take a life from him. And as the only life he holds precious is his own, that is the one I will take.' " "Mercury may not die for the person she loved but she'll kill for her."
Blurb: Wanted by no one. Hunted by everyone. Sixteen-year-old Nathan lives in a cage: beaten, shackled, trained to kill. In a modern-day England where two warring factions of witches live amongst humans, Nathan is an abomination, the illegitimate son of the world's most terrifying and violent witch, Marcus. Nathan's only hope for survival is to escape his captors, track down Marcus, and receive the three gifts that will bring him into his own magical powers—before it's too late. But how can Nathan find his father when there is no one safe to trust, not even family, not even the girl he loves?I really, really wanted to love this book... I think the premise is great, the blurring between good and bad, and I think a story of persecution is going to ring with a lot of people at the moment. I also thought Nathan was an interesting characters; you can sympathise with him and I was on his side the entire time. His anger and alienation was seemed so real and heartfelt and I think that's what made me keep reading this book. Also, I just have to mention my other favourite character, besides Nathan... I feel like Gabriel is an underrated character and I loved him so much! I can't help but feel for him, since his love for Nathan is unrequited (at the moment anyway) and I really want to know what happened to him at the end. However, despite all that there were aspects that held me back. Firstly, the writing was very simple, which doesn't usually bother me, especially in a YA book, but it was so simple I was bored and felt like I was reading a children's book rather than something intended for Young Adults. Then there was Nathan's feelings toward his father - I can understand not wanting to kill him, I can understand when he was young thinking there might have been a misunderstanding and his dad wasn't that bad, but the undying faith even though he knew Marcus had killed women and children just didn't strike me as real. Finally, there was his 'relationship' with Annalise... again, it just didn't seem real or believable and I couldn't really mesh with her character. Despite being a little disappointed in this first book, I will go onto read the next one, mainly because I've already brought it (what can I say, they have beautiful covers and look great on my shelf!), but I'm also looking forward to seeing Nathan's magic in the second book, since, for a book about witches, there seemed to be very little magic.My favourite quotes from 'Half Bad': " 'Someone once said that the best way to find out if you can trust someone is to trust them.' "" 'He has taken a life from me. The life of someone precious. And I intend to take a life from him. And as the only life he holds precious is his own, that is the one I will take.' " "Mercury may not die for the person she loved but she'll kill for her."
August 16, 2017
The Burning World
The Burning World, (Warm Bodies Series, Book 2), by Isaac Marion
Blurb:A romance between a zombie boy and a human girl is bound to have its problems, but after battling against the odds and the undead, it seemed that Julie and R had earned their happy ending. But they soon must face a new enemy more terrifying than the walking corpses that still roam the wasted cities: a faceless and merciless corporation who are seeking control of the ruins of America. The key to survival and victory may lie in R’s past life, but can he finally face his own demons?I had one question at the end of this book... well, a few more than one, but the main question was this; when is the next book out? I loved Warm Bodies, the first book in the series and I thought this was a great sequel. They are drastically different in the sense that Warm Bodies was almost a comedy at times, whereas there are humorous moments in The Burning World, but for the most part it's a much darker tale.At the end of the book I was left wondering about a few things, such as who the 'WE' are, what's under Sprout's eyepatch and also a little sad that I'll have to wait to see Addis and Nora reunited - Isaac Marion, if by some long shot you end up reading this, please don't disappoint me and kill either of them!R is a more fleshed out character in this book, (pun intended!), his past having been revealed bit by bit, although it's hard to reconcile the lovable, kinda shy R we know with his past self. His relationship with Julie isn't all roses and to me that made it more believable, what with everything they've been through. However, although I love R and Julie, my favourite (unofficial) pair is Marcus and Nora. The clues in The New Hunger (book 1.5) and in this book, have me fidgeting with anticipation and like I've already said I can't wait to see Nora and Addis back together again.All in all, this is another book to add to my favourites list and I'm eagerly awaiting the next instalment! Also, I'm so, so curious to know what R's name is!
My favourite quotes from 'The Burning World':'Julie is a floodlight and I am a candle. She blazes. I flicker.''Everything on earth has meant something to someone, and there has never been a person whom no one ever loved.' 'But the hope I see in her eyes, despite her efforts to hide it, looks too desperate. Too hungry. And it feels dangerous to feed it.''He wanted to make the world better.He just stopped believing he could.''... grief has weakened him and strengthened me.He is drowning; I am burning.' '... you've got to let the gone ones go so you can save the ones that are still here.' 'The earth likes change. It grows bored with balance; rest makes it restless. The moment its inhabitants think they know the rules, it shakes the board clear and moves not the next game.''You're child kings in sand castles, and you forgot about the tide.' 'But though a library brims with a thousand eloquent voices, it can't speak a word until the world learns to read.'
Blurb:A romance between a zombie boy and a human girl is bound to have its problems, but after battling against the odds and the undead, it seemed that Julie and R had earned their happy ending. But they soon must face a new enemy more terrifying than the walking corpses that still roam the wasted cities: a faceless and merciless corporation who are seeking control of the ruins of America. The key to survival and victory may lie in R’s past life, but can he finally face his own demons?I had one question at the end of this book... well, a few more than one, but the main question was this; when is the next book out? I loved Warm Bodies, the first book in the series and I thought this was a great sequel. They are drastically different in the sense that Warm Bodies was almost a comedy at times, whereas there are humorous moments in The Burning World, but for the most part it's a much darker tale.At the end of the book I was left wondering about a few things, such as who the 'WE' are, what's under Sprout's eyepatch and also a little sad that I'll have to wait to see Addis and Nora reunited - Isaac Marion, if by some long shot you end up reading this, please don't disappoint me and kill either of them!R is a more fleshed out character in this book, (pun intended!), his past having been revealed bit by bit, although it's hard to reconcile the lovable, kinda shy R we know with his past self. His relationship with Julie isn't all roses and to me that made it more believable, what with everything they've been through. However, although I love R and Julie, my favourite (unofficial) pair is Marcus and Nora. The clues in The New Hunger (book 1.5) and in this book, have me fidgeting with anticipation and like I've already said I can't wait to see Nora and Addis back together again.All in all, this is another book to add to my favourites list and I'm eagerly awaiting the next instalment! Also, I'm so, so curious to know what R's name is!My favourite quotes from 'The Burning World':'Julie is a floodlight and I am a candle. She blazes. I flicker.''Everything on earth has meant something to someone, and there has never been a person whom no one ever loved.' 'But the hope I see in her eyes, despite her efforts to hide it, looks too desperate. Too hungry. And it feels dangerous to feed it.''He wanted to make the world better.He just stopped believing he could.''... grief has weakened him and strengthened me.He is drowning; I am burning.' '... you've got to let the gone ones go so you can save the ones that are still here.' 'The earth likes change. It grows bored with balance; rest makes it restless. The moment its inhabitants think they know the rules, it shakes the board clear and moves not the next game.''You're child kings in sand castles, and you forgot about the tide.' 'But though a library brims with a thousand eloquent voices, it can't speak a word until the world learns to read.'
August 13, 2017
Child of a Dream
Child of a Dream, (Alexandros Trilogy, Book 1), by Valerio Massimo Manfredi 
Blurb:Who could have been born to conquer the world other than a god? A boy, born to a great king - Philip of Macedon - and his sensuous queen, Olympias. Shaped by the disciplines and passions of his parents' court, Alexander became a young man of immense, unfathomable potential. Under the tutelage of the famed Aristotle, and with the friendship of Ptolemy and revered tactician Hephaiston, he became the mightiest and most charismatic warrior, capable of subjugating the known world to his power.I actually became interested in Alexander the Great after watching 'Alexander' the movie. I hated the film, but was still interested, since he's a figure I've obviously heard about but don't know that much in depth. I was actually scouting around for non-fiction books about him, but then I saw this book by this author, who wrote Spartan, which is one of my all time favourite books and I had to snap it up!It did not disappoint! The story itself had similarities to the film, though was also quite different in its portrayal of certain characters, for example in the book I actually sort of liked King Philip, Alexander's father sometimes, whereas in the film he seemed to have no redeeming qualities! I enjoy the authors style of writing and how he can covey feelings and actions in such few words, without overdoing it and yet transport you to that time period beautifully. Reading about his early life certainly piqued my interest and I look forward to reading the second book in the trilogy to see where it takes Alexander and his friends (including his dog, Peritas, who I loved!), now that they are approaching Asia.My favourite quotes from 'Child of a Dream': '... he was given the choice of a brief but glorious life or a long and dull one. He chose the former, he sacrificed his life for a moment of blinding light.' '... I think that my son is interested in knowing the world for what it is rather than establishing a series of principles that the world should conform to.' 'Only man, among all living things, is capable both of rising up to touch the dwelling of the gods, and of sinking lower than a beast.''I want you be be part of the only civilisation in the world which creates men rather than servants.' 'Do you really believe there is a place for a woman like me in the heart of a man like that?' '... a good teacher is one who gives honest answers.''... there is only one free man - the King. All the others are slaves.' '... you see the glory, but war is above all else horror. It is blood, sweat, excrement; it is dust and mud; it is thirst and hunger, unbearable frost and unbearable heat. Let me face all this for you, for as long as I am able.'' "Your tongue is more cutting than a sword." "That's because I have no sword." ' ' "The questions you still have in you, Alexander, are those to which there is no answer... or if there are answers you can only hope to find them in your own soul." ' 'I have taught you all I can and now you must go your own way and no one can tell you where it will take you.' 'It is here, in the palace, that you will learn to be a king, not on the battlefield; politics is the king's profession, not the use of the spear and the sword.' 'Poets create heroes'
Blurb:Who could have been born to conquer the world other than a god? A boy, born to a great king - Philip of Macedon - and his sensuous queen, Olympias. Shaped by the disciplines and passions of his parents' court, Alexander became a young man of immense, unfathomable potential. Under the tutelage of the famed Aristotle, and with the friendship of Ptolemy and revered tactician Hephaiston, he became the mightiest and most charismatic warrior, capable of subjugating the known world to his power.I actually became interested in Alexander the Great after watching 'Alexander' the movie. I hated the film, but was still interested, since he's a figure I've obviously heard about but don't know that much in depth. I was actually scouting around for non-fiction books about him, but then I saw this book by this author, who wrote Spartan, which is one of my all time favourite books and I had to snap it up!It did not disappoint! The story itself had similarities to the film, though was also quite different in its portrayal of certain characters, for example in the book I actually sort of liked King Philip, Alexander's father sometimes, whereas in the film he seemed to have no redeeming qualities! I enjoy the authors style of writing and how he can covey feelings and actions in such few words, without overdoing it and yet transport you to that time period beautifully. Reading about his early life certainly piqued my interest and I look forward to reading the second book in the trilogy to see where it takes Alexander and his friends (including his dog, Peritas, who I loved!), now that they are approaching Asia.My favourite quotes from 'Child of a Dream': '... he was given the choice of a brief but glorious life or a long and dull one. He chose the former, he sacrificed his life for a moment of blinding light.' '... I think that my son is interested in knowing the world for what it is rather than establishing a series of principles that the world should conform to.' 'Only man, among all living things, is capable both of rising up to touch the dwelling of the gods, and of sinking lower than a beast.''I want you be be part of the only civilisation in the world which creates men rather than servants.' 'Do you really believe there is a place for a woman like me in the heart of a man like that?' '... a good teacher is one who gives honest answers.''... there is only one free man - the King. All the others are slaves.' '... you see the glory, but war is above all else horror. It is blood, sweat, excrement; it is dust and mud; it is thirst and hunger, unbearable frost and unbearable heat. Let me face all this for you, for as long as I am able.'' "Your tongue is more cutting than a sword." "That's because I have no sword." ' ' "The questions you still have in you, Alexander, are those to which there is no answer... or if there are answers you can only hope to find them in your own soul." ' 'I have taught you all I can and now you must go your own way and no one can tell you where it will take you.' 'It is here, in the palace, that you will learn to be a king, not on the battlefield; politics is the king's profession, not the use of the spear and the sword.' 'Poets create heroes'
August 12, 2017
Exciting News!
Exciting news, made even more exciting by the fact that even I didn't know about it! Quarantine and Slaughter on the Seas, both anthologies published by J. Ellington Ashton Press, have been released today! Quarantine contains my short story 'Catching', which is a prologue of sorts for an up-and-coming project.Slaughter on the Seas has 'White Death' in it, another of my short stories amongst a vast selection of great work by other authors! Check them out! BUY Slaughter on the SeasBUY Quarantine
August 7, 2017
To Touch A Wild Dolphin
To Touch A Wild Dolpin, by Rachel Smolker 
Blurb:In 1982, Rachel Smolker traveled to Monkey Mia, a remote spot in western Australia where she’d heard wild dolphins regularly interact with people. She had no intention of staying long; she simply wanted to see if the rumors were true. That initial trip changed Smolker’s life; it commenced a fifteen-year scientific obsession that has culminated in this fascinating scientific adventure story–the first-ever intimate account of dolphin life in the wild.This is the second time I've tried to read this book. The first time I didn't get more than a few chapters in. This time I finished it but I have to say there were times when I was forcing myself to read it. It seems to plod along. There are bits that are really interesting and I liked that this is a scientist who worked with wild dolphins rather than captive ones.I enjoyed learning about the dolphins at Monkey Mia and their different personalities and, as I said, I also liked learning about wild dolphins rather than captive ones, since you can't say that the behaviour of captive dolphins in normal. Also, the pictures in the book are gorgeous!I did have to keep reminding myself though that this book is relatively old. It was published in 2001 but most of the research is from the late 1900's, mostly before I was born. I love the idea of Monkey Mia, but was saddened to hear it was turned into a tourist resort and god knows what it's like now.However, the thing for me was the pacing. Beginning and end it was so slow, though it was faster paced in the middle. Also, the layout confused me a little since in one chapter it would mention that a certain dolphin died, then in the next it would be talking as if it were alive. I understand that it's laid out that way for a reason and it does make sense, but at times it confused me. Although relatively old, all in all this is a good book to learn about wild dolphins if you can persevere through the first few chapters. 
My favourite quotes from 'To Touch A Wild Dolphin':'I wanted to be a part of the dolphin world, not force them to become part of mine.' 'The more we have looked and conducted experiments and compared different species, the more we have been forced to rephrase the question "How smart are they?" to ask "How are they smart?"''What disturbs me most about these drop-in tourists is that they don't seem to realise just what an incredible privilege they are being granted. Thought their eyes dolphins are reduced to quaint little critters, put here to provide a trifling amusement and a photo op.' 'The notion that humans are their own worst enemy may be disheartening, but it nonetheless wings true.' 'I guess we tend to care for individuals whose personalities we can know and with whom we can identify.'
Blurb:In 1982, Rachel Smolker traveled to Monkey Mia, a remote spot in western Australia where she’d heard wild dolphins regularly interact with people. She had no intention of staying long; she simply wanted to see if the rumors were true. That initial trip changed Smolker’s life; it commenced a fifteen-year scientific obsession that has culminated in this fascinating scientific adventure story–the first-ever intimate account of dolphin life in the wild.This is the second time I've tried to read this book. The first time I didn't get more than a few chapters in. This time I finished it but I have to say there were times when I was forcing myself to read it. It seems to plod along. There are bits that are really interesting and I liked that this is a scientist who worked with wild dolphins rather than captive ones.I enjoyed learning about the dolphins at Monkey Mia and their different personalities and, as I said, I also liked learning about wild dolphins rather than captive ones, since you can't say that the behaviour of captive dolphins in normal. Also, the pictures in the book are gorgeous!I did have to keep reminding myself though that this book is relatively old. It was published in 2001 but most of the research is from the late 1900's, mostly before I was born. I love the idea of Monkey Mia, but was saddened to hear it was turned into a tourist resort and god knows what it's like now.However, the thing for me was the pacing. Beginning and end it was so slow, though it was faster paced in the middle. Also, the layout confused me a little since in one chapter it would mention that a certain dolphin died, then in the next it would be talking as if it were alive. I understand that it's laid out that way for a reason and it does make sense, but at times it confused me. Although relatively old, all in all this is a good book to learn about wild dolphins if you can persevere through the first few chapters. My favourite quotes from 'To Touch A Wild Dolphin':'I wanted to be a part of the dolphin world, not force them to become part of mine.' 'The more we have looked and conducted experiments and compared different species, the more we have been forced to rephrase the question "How smart are they?" to ask "How are they smart?"''What disturbs me most about these drop-in tourists is that they don't seem to realise just what an incredible privilege they are being granted. Thought their eyes dolphins are reduced to quaint little critters, put here to provide a trifling amusement and a photo op.' 'The notion that humans are their own worst enemy may be disheartening, but it nonetheless wings true.' 'I guess we tend to care for individuals whose personalities we can know and with whom we can identify.'
August 6, 2017
The Summer Palace
The Summer Palace, (Captive Prince Trilogy, Short Story), by C.S. Pacat 
Blurb: "When all this is over, we could take horses and stay a week in the palace..." Set after the events of the Captive Prince trilogy, The Summer Palace is a story about Damen and Laurent. It's an epilogue of sorts to the Captive Prince series.Okay, I'll keep this review short because this story was amazingly short. Yes, it is advertised as a short story, but I was still expecting more. I felt the story was necessary to the end of the trilogy, since I felt King's Rising ended rather abruptly, without a proper sense of closure, but personally I feel it should have just been at the back of King's Rising as a proper epilogue rather than a short story which almost feels like it was an after thought.My favourite quotes from 'The Summer Palace': 'Having made the decision to let Damen in, Laurent had not gone back on it. When the walls went up, it was with Damen inside them.' ' "... I have lost everything and gained you, and I would almost make the trade ..." '
Blurb: "When all this is over, we could take horses and stay a week in the palace..." Set after the events of the Captive Prince trilogy, The Summer Palace is a story about Damen and Laurent. It's an epilogue of sorts to the Captive Prince series.Okay, I'll keep this review short because this story was amazingly short. Yes, it is advertised as a short story, but I was still expecting more. I felt the story was necessary to the end of the trilogy, since I felt King's Rising ended rather abruptly, without a proper sense of closure, but personally I feel it should have just been at the back of King's Rising as a proper epilogue rather than a short story which almost feels like it was an after thought.My favourite quotes from 'The Summer Palace': 'Having made the decision to let Damen in, Laurent had not gone back on it. When the walls went up, it was with Damen inside them.' ' "... I have lost everything and gained you, and I would almost make the trade ..." '
