M.L. Sparrow's Blog, page 16
July 10, 2017
Rising Storm
Rising Storm, (Tempest Knox Series, Book 1), by Kat Gracey 
Blurb: Tempest Knox lives in Luna Bay, a small Island with a history of supernatural occurrences. Most of them caused by her family. She comes from a long line of witches. When her grandmother disappears, it's up to Tempest to clear out her house. She discovers her grandmother's spell book hidden in a trunk. Tempest has never believed the witch rumors and while drunk, she reads a love spell. The next morning she finds a naked man on the doorstep. Add to that a coven working out of the local tea shop and her grandmother's strange cat, and Tempest finds herself in over her head.Wow! Once I got into this book I was totally hooked and read it in one sitting! Tempest is an amazing character who you can't help loving - seriously, who doesn't like a kick-ass heroine with awesome powers... even if she can't quite control them yet! - and there is no end of action and intrigue! Mason and Will were also great characters and I'm now more than a little obsessed with Will and what's going to happen next. I'm never too keen on love-triangles and usually steer clear of them, but this was written well and quite subtle since nothing really happened with Will, though I'm hoping maybe it will in the future! Once more, Kat Gracey has started an amazing series and I cannot wait for the next instalment! Seriously, I NEED to know what's going to happen next otherwise it'll drive me crazy! 
Blurb: Tempest Knox lives in Luna Bay, a small Island with a history of supernatural occurrences. Most of them caused by her family. She comes from a long line of witches. When her grandmother disappears, it's up to Tempest to clear out her house. She discovers her grandmother's spell book hidden in a trunk. Tempest has never believed the witch rumors and while drunk, she reads a love spell. The next morning she finds a naked man on the doorstep. Add to that a coven working out of the local tea shop and her grandmother's strange cat, and Tempest finds herself in over her head.Wow! Once I got into this book I was totally hooked and read it in one sitting! Tempest is an amazing character who you can't help loving - seriously, who doesn't like a kick-ass heroine with awesome powers... even if she can't quite control them yet! - and there is no end of action and intrigue! Mason and Will were also great characters and I'm now more than a little obsessed with Will and what's going to happen next. I'm never too keen on love-triangles and usually steer clear of them, but this was written well and quite subtle since nothing really happened with Will, though I'm hoping maybe it will in the future! Once more, Kat Gracey has started an amazing series and I cannot wait for the next instalment! Seriously, I NEED to know what's going to happen next otherwise it'll drive me crazy!
July 8, 2017
Voices in the Ocean
Voices in the Ocean, by Susan Casey 
Blurb:Since the dawn of recorded history, humans have felt a kinship with the sleek and beautiful dolphin, an animal whose playfulness, sociability, and intelligence seem like an aquatic mirror of mankind. In recent decades, we have learned that dolphins recognize themselves in reflections, count, grieve, adorn themselves, feel despondent, rescue one another (and humans), deduce, infer, seduce, form cliques, throw tantrums, and call themselves by name. Scientists still don’t completely understand their incredibly sophisticated navigation and communication abilities, or their immensely complicated brains. While swimming off the coast of Maui, Susan Casey was surrounded by a pod of spinner dolphins. It was a profoundly transporting experience, and it inspired her to embark on a two-year global adventure to explore the nature of these remarkable beings and their complex relationship to humanity. Casey examines the career of the controversial John Lilly, the pioneer of modern dolphin studies whose work eventually led him down some very strange paths. She visits a community in Hawaii whose adherents believe dolphins are the key to spiritual enlightenment, travels to Ireland, where a dolphin named as “the world’s most loyal animal” has delighted tourists and locals for decades with his friendly antics, and consults with the world’s leading marine researchers, whose sense of wonder inspired by the dolphins they study increases the more they discover. Yet there is a dark side to our relationship with dolphins. They are the stars of a global multibillion-dollar captivity industry, whose money has fueled a sinister and lucrative trade in which dolphins are captured violently, then shipped and kept in brutal conditions. Casey’s investigation into this cruel underground takes her to the harrowing epicenter of the trade in the Solomon Islands, and to the Japanese town of Taiji, made famous by the Oscar-winning documentary The Cove, where she chronicles the annual slaughter and sale of dolphins in its narrow bay. Casey ends her narrative on the island of Crete, where millennia-old frescoes and artwork document the great Minoan civilization, a culture which lived in harmony with dolphins, and whose example shows the way to a more enlightened coexistence with the natural world.Okay, so I pre-ordered this books because it sounded really interesting and because I've been ferreting out books about dolphins whilst researching my own book, Red Days, however, it took me a while to actually get around to reading it. I'm so glad I finally read it though! It was so interesting and well written. Although it didn't tell me anything new about the Taiji dolphin slaughter, which my book is about, there were so many other things to learn about - I should mention I've done a fair bit of research about the Taiji slaughter, so for someone who didn't already know about it there is a wealth of information. I was also interested, though horrified, to learn more about the Soloman Islands, since it seems like people, myself included, are mainly focused on the situation in Taiji since the making of The Cove and I haven't seen much written about the Soloman Islands. However, although heartbreaking and depressing at times, it was also balanced with uplifting stories about dolphins who've befriended humans and people battling to save these hugely empathetic, intelligent animals. I also discovered several scientific papers which I'm not interested in looking into and hopefully getting my hands on copies. This is a really valuable read. If more people read books like this perhaps we have a chance of saving our oceans and the creatures that live in them before it's too late... My favourite quotes from 'Voices in the Ocean': 'Water has secrets. It is the element we fathom the least, and we love it and fear it and take it for granted all in equal measure.' "The only way that humans in the mass will respect any other species, apparently, is the ability to beat them in warfare.' 'He is the wildest of creatures, who will never get the chance to be wild.' 'In the dolphins' nomadic undersea world, solitude equals vulnerability, so a lone human in the water must seem to them in dire need of assistance.' 'Of course we'll find them among us: they have nowhere else to go.''Taiji is not just an animal rights issue; it's an issue of human rights.' '... all this was stupid, everything that went on at the cove, the entire arrogant, selfish relationship we had with these animals and with all of nature, as though every bit of life existed only for our purpose.' 'The fact that they have co-habited the ocean and not destroyed themselves really speaks to the fact that they have figured out a way to do this in a way we haven't.' 'Researchers around the globe are coming to the same conclusion - we are not the only beings who matter - and new ideas are stirring about how the startling depth and breadth of other creatures morally obliges us to act humanely towards them.' 'Our oceans are the bloodline of our world.' 'When something precious is at stake, why not slow down and consider the options, not just for yourself but for, .... a future you will never see?' 'We forgot our responsibility. And we forgot that we are as equal as any living thing within the chain. There's no hierarchy in this. ... We are part of the same family: living things. All the rest is just totally fucking bullshit.' '... if you can't be transparent about what you're doing, then perhaps you shouldn't be doing it.' '... if one individual can cause that much damage, then one individual can cause that much good.' 'We believe in domination: nature is ours to do with as we please. There is nothing we aren't willing to tamper with, even our own genetic code.' ' "We think we have understood everything," philosopher Thomas Berry wrote. "But we have not. We have used everything." '
Blurb:Since the dawn of recorded history, humans have felt a kinship with the sleek and beautiful dolphin, an animal whose playfulness, sociability, and intelligence seem like an aquatic mirror of mankind. In recent decades, we have learned that dolphins recognize themselves in reflections, count, grieve, adorn themselves, feel despondent, rescue one another (and humans), deduce, infer, seduce, form cliques, throw tantrums, and call themselves by name. Scientists still don’t completely understand their incredibly sophisticated navigation and communication abilities, or their immensely complicated brains. While swimming off the coast of Maui, Susan Casey was surrounded by a pod of spinner dolphins. It was a profoundly transporting experience, and it inspired her to embark on a two-year global adventure to explore the nature of these remarkable beings and their complex relationship to humanity. Casey examines the career of the controversial John Lilly, the pioneer of modern dolphin studies whose work eventually led him down some very strange paths. She visits a community in Hawaii whose adherents believe dolphins are the key to spiritual enlightenment, travels to Ireland, where a dolphin named as “the world’s most loyal animal” has delighted tourists and locals for decades with his friendly antics, and consults with the world’s leading marine researchers, whose sense of wonder inspired by the dolphins they study increases the more they discover. Yet there is a dark side to our relationship with dolphins. They are the stars of a global multibillion-dollar captivity industry, whose money has fueled a sinister and lucrative trade in which dolphins are captured violently, then shipped and kept in brutal conditions. Casey’s investigation into this cruel underground takes her to the harrowing epicenter of the trade in the Solomon Islands, and to the Japanese town of Taiji, made famous by the Oscar-winning documentary The Cove, where she chronicles the annual slaughter and sale of dolphins in its narrow bay. Casey ends her narrative on the island of Crete, where millennia-old frescoes and artwork document the great Minoan civilization, a culture which lived in harmony with dolphins, and whose example shows the way to a more enlightened coexistence with the natural world.Okay, so I pre-ordered this books because it sounded really interesting and because I've been ferreting out books about dolphins whilst researching my own book, Red Days, however, it took me a while to actually get around to reading it. I'm so glad I finally read it though! It was so interesting and well written. Although it didn't tell me anything new about the Taiji dolphin slaughter, which my book is about, there were so many other things to learn about - I should mention I've done a fair bit of research about the Taiji slaughter, so for someone who didn't already know about it there is a wealth of information. I was also interested, though horrified, to learn more about the Soloman Islands, since it seems like people, myself included, are mainly focused on the situation in Taiji since the making of The Cove and I haven't seen much written about the Soloman Islands. However, although heartbreaking and depressing at times, it was also balanced with uplifting stories about dolphins who've befriended humans and people battling to save these hugely empathetic, intelligent animals. I also discovered several scientific papers which I'm not interested in looking into and hopefully getting my hands on copies. This is a really valuable read. If more people read books like this perhaps we have a chance of saving our oceans and the creatures that live in them before it's too late... My favourite quotes from 'Voices in the Ocean': 'Water has secrets. It is the element we fathom the least, and we love it and fear it and take it for granted all in equal measure.' "The only way that humans in the mass will respect any other species, apparently, is the ability to beat them in warfare.' 'He is the wildest of creatures, who will never get the chance to be wild.' 'In the dolphins' nomadic undersea world, solitude equals vulnerability, so a lone human in the water must seem to them in dire need of assistance.' 'Of course we'll find them among us: they have nowhere else to go.''Taiji is not just an animal rights issue; it's an issue of human rights.' '... all this was stupid, everything that went on at the cove, the entire arrogant, selfish relationship we had with these animals and with all of nature, as though every bit of life existed only for our purpose.' 'The fact that they have co-habited the ocean and not destroyed themselves really speaks to the fact that they have figured out a way to do this in a way we haven't.' 'Researchers around the globe are coming to the same conclusion - we are not the only beings who matter - and new ideas are stirring about how the startling depth and breadth of other creatures morally obliges us to act humanely towards them.' 'Our oceans are the bloodline of our world.' 'When something precious is at stake, why not slow down and consider the options, not just for yourself but for, .... a future you will never see?' 'We forgot our responsibility. And we forgot that we are as equal as any living thing within the chain. There's no hierarchy in this. ... We are part of the same family: living things. All the rest is just totally fucking bullshit.' '... if you can't be transparent about what you're doing, then perhaps you shouldn't be doing it.' '... if one individual can cause that much damage, then one individual can cause that much good.' 'We believe in domination: nature is ours to do with as we please. There is nothing we aren't willing to tamper with, even our own genetic code.' ' "We think we have understood everything," philosopher Thomas Berry wrote. "But we have not. We have used everything." '
July 3, 2017
Final Reverie
Final Reverie, by Essel Pratt 
Blurb: Evil lurks from beyond its tomb, summoning the souls of the damned to his clutches, feeding from their auras to replenish its strength so he may reclaim his throne. In his absence, a new beast rises to claim the seat of power, threatening pain and destruction upon the world. Fueled by hatred and the lust for power, the fiend known as Atrin lurks in the shadows and slaughters the creatures known as rifters, suckling on their souls to build his own power. Two unlikely heroes, a teenage boy named Franklyn and his wolf brother named Chij, find themselves stuck in the middle of the fight between the two evils. Along the way to save the world, Franklyn and Chij overcome obstacles that would find a lesser pair dismembered and cast deep into the pits of hell. Together, they risk their lives so that the rest of the world may once again live in peace without worry of damnation on Earth. Inexperienced and unprepared, the unlikely duo discovers that the only option is to face the evil entities head on, whether the outcome results in life or death. Join them in their destiny as they embark on their Final Reverie.Final Reverie, by Essel Pratt, is a quick, fun read with lots of action and characters that are easy to fall in love with. I would actually say it's geared more toward the younger end of the YA spectrum, which didn't really bother me, though when I read YA books I tend to read ones meant for older YA! The idea of this story is intriguing, though I have to admit I didn't really get how the world ended and magic was introduced. However, I enjoyed the story line and the magic. Also, who wouldn't love a wolf "brother"! Finally... That ending! I don't want to give anything away, but I was not expecting that at all.All in all, a solid read, though I feel it would be better appreciated by a younger audience. 
Blurb: Evil lurks from beyond its tomb, summoning the souls of the damned to his clutches, feeding from their auras to replenish its strength so he may reclaim his throne. In his absence, a new beast rises to claim the seat of power, threatening pain and destruction upon the world. Fueled by hatred and the lust for power, the fiend known as Atrin lurks in the shadows and slaughters the creatures known as rifters, suckling on their souls to build his own power. Two unlikely heroes, a teenage boy named Franklyn and his wolf brother named Chij, find themselves stuck in the middle of the fight between the two evils. Along the way to save the world, Franklyn and Chij overcome obstacles that would find a lesser pair dismembered and cast deep into the pits of hell. Together, they risk their lives so that the rest of the world may once again live in peace without worry of damnation on Earth. Inexperienced and unprepared, the unlikely duo discovers that the only option is to face the evil entities head on, whether the outcome results in life or death. Join them in their destiny as they embark on their Final Reverie.Final Reverie, by Essel Pratt, is a quick, fun read with lots of action and characters that are easy to fall in love with. I would actually say it's geared more toward the younger end of the YA spectrum, which didn't really bother me, though when I read YA books I tend to read ones meant for older YA! The idea of this story is intriguing, though I have to admit I didn't really get how the world ended and magic was introduced. However, I enjoyed the story line and the magic. Also, who wouldn't love a wolf "brother"! Finally... That ending! I don't want to give anything away, but I was not expecting that at all.All in all, a solid read, though I feel it would be better appreciated by a younger audience.
June 25, 2017
Trigger Warning
Trigger Warnings, by Neil Gaiman
Blurb:Make sure you secure your own mask before reading. Before being transported to worlds filled with witches, watchers and big black bees, with deathless Kin and pirate girls, with things that prowl in the darkness beyond the circle fire, to find the Shadder lurking at your journey's end. But then what happens? There's always something waiting for you. There's always more. Just keep turning the pages. TRIGGER WARNING is a cornucopia of storytelling: horror and ghost stories, science fiction and fairy tales, fabulism and poetry. It will open your eyes to the inexhaustible supply of darkness around you, the magic and the monsters, the myths and the miracles, and to finding truths in the most extraordinary of places. I'll admit, I picked this book up because I fell in love with the cover. I've only read one other book by Neil Gaiman, Stardust, though I have a few others on my TBR list and I'm not a huge fan of short-stories if I'm honest, however, for the most part I enjoyed this book.It's a nice collection of short stories, most of which I enjoyed, though some more than others. I have to say they go better nearer the end, not to say the first half was bad, they just didn't hold my attention all that much. That said, there was only one story in this collection that I didn't like and which I didn't finish reading, 'Nothing O'Clock' - I'm not a fan of Doctor Who at all and just couldn't bring myself to continued reading further than the first few pages. On the other hand, my favourites were 'Down to a Sunless Sea', 'The Return of the Thin White Duke', 'Feminine Endings', which actually creeped me out in a subtle way, 'The Sleeper and the Spindle', 'Witch Work', and 'Black Dog'. The latter was a short story about Shadow from the 'American Gods' book, which I haven't yet read, but after reading 'Black Dog' it's been bumped to the top of my TBR list! All in all, I enjoyed Neil Gaiman's style of writing and the subtle twists in his stories and will definitely be reading more of his books.My favourite quotes from 'Trigger Warning':" 'If you had fought like a man, you would not have died like a dog.' ""I was not doing the right thing. I was doing the only thing.""Always worth it to have tried, even if you fail, even if you fall like a meteor for ever. Better to have flamed in the darkness, to have inspired others, than to have lived, ...""You matter, Shadow, and you must not meet your death here."
Blurb:Make sure you secure your own mask before reading. Before being transported to worlds filled with witches, watchers and big black bees, with deathless Kin and pirate girls, with things that prowl in the darkness beyond the circle fire, to find the Shadder lurking at your journey's end. But then what happens? There's always something waiting for you. There's always more. Just keep turning the pages. TRIGGER WARNING is a cornucopia of storytelling: horror and ghost stories, science fiction and fairy tales, fabulism and poetry. It will open your eyes to the inexhaustible supply of darkness around you, the magic and the monsters, the myths and the miracles, and to finding truths in the most extraordinary of places. I'll admit, I picked this book up because I fell in love with the cover. I've only read one other book by Neil Gaiman, Stardust, though I have a few others on my TBR list and I'm not a huge fan of short-stories if I'm honest, however, for the most part I enjoyed this book.It's a nice collection of short stories, most of which I enjoyed, though some more than others. I have to say they go better nearer the end, not to say the first half was bad, they just didn't hold my attention all that much. That said, there was only one story in this collection that I didn't like and which I didn't finish reading, 'Nothing O'Clock' - I'm not a fan of Doctor Who at all and just couldn't bring myself to continued reading further than the first few pages. On the other hand, my favourites were 'Down to a Sunless Sea', 'The Return of the Thin White Duke', 'Feminine Endings', which actually creeped me out in a subtle way, 'The Sleeper and the Spindle', 'Witch Work', and 'Black Dog'. The latter was a short story about Shadow from the 'American Gods' book, which I haven't yet read, but after reading 'Black Dog' it's been bumped to the top of my TBR list! All in all, I enjoyed Neil Gaiman's style of writing and the subtle twists in his stories and will definitely be reading more of his books.My favourite quotes from 'Trigger Warning':" 'If you had fought like a man, you would not have died like a dog.' ""I was not doing the right thing. I was doing the only thing.""Always worth it to have tried, even if you fail, even if you fall like a meteor for ever. Better to have flamed in the darkness, to have inspired others, than to have lived, ...""You matter, Shadow, and you must not meet your death here."
June 21, 2017
Silver Silence
Silver Silence, (Psy-Changeling Trinity Series Book 1, Psy-Changeling Series Book 16), by Nalini Singh
Blurb:Control. Precision. Family. These are the principles that drive Silver Mercant. At a time when the fledgling Trinity Accord seeks to unite a divided world, with Silver playing a crucial role as director of a worldwide emergency response network, wildness and chaos are the last things she needs in her life. But that’s exactly what Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater Bears, brings with him. Valentin has never met a more fascinating woman. Though Silver is ruled by Silence—her mind clear of all emotion—Valentin senses a whisper of fire around her. That’s what keeps him climbing apartment buildings to be near her. But when a shadow assassin almost succeeds in poisoning Silver, the stakes become deadly serious…and Silver finds herself in the heart of a powerful bear clan. Her would-be assassin has no idea what their poison has unleashed...I absolutely love this series and Silver Silence was a great addition to the Psy-Changeling Series, as well as the start in the Psy-Changeling Trinity Series. As always it was well written in Nalini Singh's no-nonsense style, with a huge cast of amazing characters.I love meeting new characters and the bears were great - so chilled, but also very rough and tumble, similar in some ways to the other predatory changeling packs we've met in previous books, but also drastically different. It's impossible not to fall in love with them, especially their alpha with his huge heart! Valentin was quite honestly perfect and I think I've found my new favourite book boyfriend, though he's currently battling for the position with Hawke and Riaz! Getting over my huge crush, Silver was also a brilliant character and the two fit perfectly together, their personalities seeming to balance.It was great to have a whole cast of new characters and who we'll meet next, but I hope we still see the old characters from time to time. The mention of Tiger shifters has got me excited, because they're one of my favourite animals, however, I'm desperate for the next book to be Arwen and Pavel's. Those two had so much chemistry just from the snippets we got in this book and I'm so, so, so intrigued. I NEED to know more!Personally, I would have liked to have know more about what Valentin's father actually did instead of just the brief details, but I feel that part of the story was left almost open ended, so perhaps it might be expanded on later in the series... Also, it would have been nice to have seen Valentin interact with his mother at the end. However, the only bad thing about this book was the fact that it cost £9.99. The Kindle version is more expensive than the paperback, but unfortunately I'm too in love with this series to wait until December to read it in paperback instead, (though I think the publishers select the price, not the author..?)As always, no complaints after reading a Nalini Singh book, except that I'm now desperate for the next one. I often think I should just wait to read it until the series is finished, but this is a long running series and I don't have that much patience or self-control!My favourite quotes from 'Silver Silence': 'Home was safety, was where they raised their cubs and nurtured the bonds of family. Home was warmth and love and play. It was never an acceptable target, no matter what the war.' 'Silver didn't know how to love, but she knew how to hold on to her people.' 'We all see clearly when we haven't live the pain -'' "His heart is huge, but that doesn't mean you get to kick it." ' 'Love, this maddening, joyous creature of light - it refused to die. So how could I give up?' ' "I believe I talked her out of torturing him to death, but I'm not certain." '
Blurb:Control. Precision. Family. These are the principles that drive Silver Mercant. At a time when the fledgling Trinity Accord seeks to unite a divided world, with Silver playing a crucial role as director of a worldwide emergency response network, wildness and chaos are the last things she needs in her life. But that’s exactly what Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater Bears, brings with him. Valentin has never met a more fascinating woman. Though Silver is ruled by Silence—her mind clear of all emotion—Valentin senses a whisper of fire around her. That’s what keeps him climbing apartment buildings to be near her. But when a shadow assassin almost succeeds in poisoning Silver, the stakes become deadly serious…and Silver finds herself in the heart of a powerful bear clan. Her would-be assassin has no idea what their poison has unleashed...I absolutely love this series and Silver Silence was a great addition to the Psy-Changeling Series, as well as the start in the Psy-Changeling Trinity Series. As always it was well written in Nalini Singh's no-nonsense style, with a huge cast of amazing characters.I love meeting new characters and the bears were great - so chilled, but also very rough and tumble, similar in some ways to the other predatory changeling packs we've met in previous books, but also drastically different. It's impossible not to fall in love with them, especially their alpha with his huge heart! Valentin was quite honestly perfect and I think I've found my new favourite book boyfriend, though he's currently battling for the position with Hawke and Riaz! Getting over my huge crush, Silver was also a brilliant character and the two fit perfectly together, their personalities seeming to balance.It was great to have a whole cast of new characters and who we'll meet next, but I hope we still see the old characters from time to time. The mention of Tiger shifters has got me excited, because they're one of my favourite animals, however, I'm desperate for the next book to be Arwen and Pavel's. Those two had so much chemistry just from the snippets we got in this book and I'm so, so, so intrigued. I NEED to know more!Personally, I would have liked to have know more about what Valentin's father actually did instead of just the brief details, but I feel that part of the story was left almost open ended, so perhaps it might be expanded on later in the series... Also, it would have been nice to have seen Valentin interact with his mother at the end. However, the only bad thing about this book was the fact that it cost £9.99. The Kindle version is more expensive than the paperback, but unfortunately I'm too in love with this series to wait until December to read it in paperback instead, (though I think the publishers select the price, not the author..?)As always, no complaints after reading a Nalini Singh book, except that I'm now desperate for the next one. I often think I should just wait to read it until the series is finished, but this is a long running series and I don't have that much patience or self-control!My favourite quotes from 'Silver Silence': 'Home was safety, was where they raised their cubs and nurtured the bonds of family. Home was warmth and love and play. It was never an acceptable target, no matter what the war.' 'Silver didn't know how to love, but she knew how to hold on to her people.' 'We all see clearly when we haven't live the pain -'' "His heart is huge, but that doesn't mean you get to kick it." ' 'Love, this maddening, joyous creature of light - it refused to die. So how could I give up?' ' "I believe I talked her out of torturing him to death, but I'm not certain." '
June 19, 2017
Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte
Blurb:Bronte's infamous Gothic novel tells the story of orphan Jane, a child of unfortunate circumstances. Raised and treated badly by her aunt and cousins and eventually sent away to a cruel boarding school, it is not until Jane becomes a governess at Thornfield that she finds happiness. Meek, measured, but determined, Jane soon falls in love with her brooding and stormy master, Mr Rochester, but it is not long before strange and unnerving events occur in the house and Jane is forced to leave Thornfield to pursue her future.Okay, so I've always really enjoyed the film of Jane Eyre so I don't know why it's taken me until the ripe old age of twenty-two (gasp-horror!) to read the actually book. As it turns out, the film (at least the most recent one which I've seen) is very faithful to the book, except for some details at the end and it's a very enjoyable story to read.Like with most classic books from this time period, it is quite wordy at times, though not as much so as some of Jane Austen's novels, however, far from being off-putting I found myself enjoying the style, though at time I found myself rolling my eyes at Mr. Rochesters endless speeches - apart from those, in which I found him almost unbearably pompous, he was a surprisingly likeable character and I can understand Jane's fascination! I dare your heart not to melt at his love and devotion. Jane was also a very likeable character and I found it easy to identify with her straight from the beginning. Charlotte Bronte has an amazing knack of understanding human emotions and motivations, good and bad.The only bit I found slightly slow going was near the end when she was staying with the Rivers and I also through the last chapter, namely the last few lines were odd. The book finishes by talking about Mr. Rivers. Yes, I liked know what happened to all the characters, but it seemed strange that it ended on him rather than circling back to Jane and Mr. Rochester and having some powerful last lines... There not much else I can say about this book, being such a classic I feel everyone know everything I could possibly mention! If you haven't read this book though, you should, the only thing I will say is don't read it before bed; after a long day at work it is impossible to concentrate enough to get the most out of this novel! My favourite quotes from 'Jane Eyre': " '... I should never mistake informality for insolence: one I rather like, the other nothing free-born would submit to, even for a salary.' " " '... I see at intervals the glance of a curious sort of bird through the close-set bars of a cage: a vivid, restless, resolute captive is there; were it but free, it would soar cloud-high.' " " '... I do not wish to harm it: but if I did, it would not take harm from me. ...' " " 'Chance has meted out a measure of happiness: that I know ... She has laid it carefully on one side for you. ... It depends on you ti stretch out your hand, and take it up: but whether you will do so, is the problem I study.' ""'I am a free human being with an independent will; which I now exert to leave you.'"" 'God pardon me!' he subjoined ere long, 'and man meddle not with me: I have her, and will hold her.' " " '... Your mind is a treasure, and if it were broken it would be my treasure still ...' " " 'All my heart, sir: it belongs to you; and with you it would remain, were fate to exile the rest of me from your presence forever.' "
Blurb:Bronte's infamous Gothic novel tells the story of orphan Jane, a child of unfortunate circumstances. Raised and treated badly by her aunt and cousins and eventually sent away to a cruel boarding school, it is not until Jane becomes a governess at Thornfield that she finds happiness. Meek, measured, but determined, Jane soon falls in love with her brooding and stormy master, Mr Rochester, but it is not long before strange and unnerving events occur in the house and Jane is forced to leave Thornfield to pursue her future.Okay, so I've always really enjoyed the film of Jane Eyre so I don't know why it's taken me until the ripe old age of twenty-two (gasp-horror!) to read the actually book. As it turns out, the film (at least the most recent one which I've seen) is very faithful to the book, except for some details at the end and it's a very enjoyable story to read.Like with most classic books from this time period, it is quite wordy at times, though not as much so as some of Jane Austen's novels, however, far from being off-putting I found myself enjoying the style, though at time I found myself rolling my eyes at Mr. Rochesters endless speeches - apart from those, in which I found him almost unbearably pompous, he was a surprisingly likeable character and I can understand Jane's fascination! I dare your heart not to melt at his love and devotion. Jane was also a very likeable character and I found it easy to identify with her straight from the beginning. Charlotte Bronte has an amazing knack of understanding human emotions and motivations, good and bad.The only bit I found slightly slow going was near the end when she was staying with the Rivers and I also through the last chapter, namely the last few lines were odd. The book finishes by talking about Mr. Rivers. Yes, I liked know what happened to all the characters, but it seemed strange that it ended on him rather than circling back to Jane and Mr. Rochester and having some powerful last lines... There not much else I can say about this book, being such a classic I feel everyone know everything I could possibly mention! If you haven't read this book though, you should, the only thing I will say is don't read it before bed; after a long day at work it is impossible to concentrate enough to get the most out of this novel! My favourite quotes from 'Jane Eyre': " '... I should never mistake informality for insolence: one I rather like, the other nothing free-born would submit to, even for a salary.' " " '... I see at intervals the glance of a curious sort of bird through the close-set bars of a cage: a vivid, restless, resolute captive is there; were it but free, it would soar cloud-high.' " " '... I do not wish to harm it: but if I did, it would not take harm from me. ...' " " 'Chance has meted out a measure of happiness: that I know ... She has laid it carefully on one side for you. ... It depends on you ti stretch out your hand, and take it up: but whether you will do so, is the problem I study.' ""'I am a free human being with an independent will; which I now exert to leave you.'"" 'God pardon me!' he subjoined ere long, 'and man meddle not with me: I have her, and will hold her.' " " '... Your mind is a treasure, and if it were broken it would be my treasure still ...' " " 'All my heart, sir: it belongs to you; and with you it would remain, were fate to exile the rest of me from your presence forever.' "
June 1, 2017
Eleanor and Park
Eleanor and Park, by Rainbow Rowell 
Blurb:Two misfits. One extraordinary love. Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor. Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park. Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.When I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure I was going to like it, however, after the first few chapters I was hooked by the characters, especially Eleanor, who was just so intriguing and complex, yet still relatable even if you've never (hopefully) been in her position. Also, I dare anyone who reads this not to think Park is a total cutie-pie; he was a character that, no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't think of in a romantic way, I kinda just wanted to give him a hug! This is a very character driven novel, focusing on the budding relationship between Eleanor and Park, as well as exploring their sense of self and self-worth. The two characters were easy to fall in love with and this was simple, easy-going story, written simply but well.Also, although this novel is based in 1986, America, this is a story that anyone of any age or nationality can relate to. It is a timeless tale of teenage love!Personally, I was disappointed that the story wasn't fleshed out further; there were so many opportunities with Eleanor's situation, but that part of the story fell flat for me. Also, the ending... That last line? Loved it, even if my curiosity and imagination are killing me - personally, I hope they were 'I love you' - I thought it was a great idea of the authors to end it like that so that the readers can fill in the gap themselves. However, the rest of the ending felt hurried and I would have liked more follow up; it was as if it reached the climax, what we had all been waiting for, and then just trailed off.All in all, I did enjoy this book; it was a sweet read, but I'm not to sure what all the hype was about...My favourite quotes from 'Eleanor and Park': 'They agreed on everything important and argued about everything else.''Eleanor was right. She never looked nice. She looked like art, and art wasn’t supposed to look nice; it was supposed to make you feel something.' 'He tried to remember how this happened - how she went from someone he’d never met to the only one who mattered.' 'If you can’t save your own life, is it even worth saving?''Park was never going to love her more than he did on the day they said goodbye. And she couldn’t bear to think of him loving her less.'
Blurb:Two misfits. One extraordinary love. Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor. Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park. Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.When I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure I was going to like it, however, after the first few chapters I was hooked by the characters, especially Eleanor, who was just so intriguing and complex, yet still relatable even if you've never (hopefully) been in her position. Also, I dare anyone who reads this not to think Park is a total cutie-pie; he was a character that, no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't think of in a romantic way, I kinda just wanted to give him a hug! This is a very character driven novel, focusing on the budding relationship between Eleanor and Park, as well as exploring their sense of self and self-worth. The two characters were easy to fall in love with and this was simple, easy-going story, written simply but well.Also, although this novel is based in 1986, America, this is a story that anyone of any age or nationality can relate to. It is a timeless tale of teenage love!Personally, I was disappointed that the story wasn't fleshed out further; there were so many opportunities with Eleanor's situation, but that part of the story fell flat for me. Also, the ending... That last line? Loved it, even if my curiosity and imagination are killing me - personally, I hope they were 'I love you' - I thought it was a great idea of the authors to end it like that so that the readers can fill in the gap themselves. However, the rest of the ending felt hurried and I would have liked more follow up; it was as if it reached the climax, what we had all been waiting for, and then just trailed off.All in all, I did enjoy this book; it was a sweet read, but I'm not to sure what all the hype was about...My favourite quotes from 'Eleanor and Park': 'They agreed on everything important and argued about everything else.''Eleanor was right. She never looked nice. She looked like art, and art wasn’t supposed to look nice; it was supposed to make you feel something.' 'He tried to remember how this happened - how she went from someone he’d never met to the only one who mattered.' 'If you can’t save your own life, is it even worth saving?''Park was never going to love her more than he did on the day they said goodbye. And she couldn’t bear to think of him loving her less.'
May 29, 2017
A Dog's Purpose
A Dog's Purpose, (A Dog's Purpose, Book 1), by W. Bruce Cameron 
Blurb:Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey's search for his new life's meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8 year old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog. But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey's journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders, will he ever find his purpose? Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh out loud funny, this book is not only the emotional and hilarious story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man's best friend. This story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.I sped through this book. It was simple, but heart-warming and addicting. I'll admit, the only reason I picked this book up was because I saw the film trailer and like to read the books before seeing the films, but I'm so, so glad I did. In fact, I'm now cautious about seeing the film in case it doesn't live up...Bailey (though the course of this book he's called other things and is even a girl at one point, but since he spends the majority of the book as Bailey I'll call him that) has such a unique voice. It was simple, like I've already said, but beautiful in that simplicity. Often laugh-out loud funny, this author managed to capture the mind of dogs perfectly, at least I imagine so! However, it wasn't all fun and games; there were also some emotional passages, which anyone who has lost a beloved pet will feel deeply. I'll be snapping up the second book following Bailey's many lives ASAP! This is the perfect book for animal loves and it definitely made me look at my dogs differently!
Blurb:Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey's search for his new life's meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8 year old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog. But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey's journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders, will he ever find his purpose? Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh out loud funny, this book is not only the emotional and hilarious story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man's best friend. This story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.I sped through this book. It was simple, but heart-warming and addicting. I'll admit, the only reason I picked this book up was because I saw the film trailer and like to read the books before seeing the films, but I'm so, so glad I did. In fact, I'm now cautious about seeing the film in case it doesn't live up...Bailey (though the course of this book he's called other things and is even a girl at one point, but since he spends the majority of the book as Bailey I'll call him that) has such a unique voice. It was simple, like I've already said, but beautiful in that simplicity. Often laugh-out loud funny, this author managed to capture the mind of dogs perfectly, at least I imagine so! However, it wasn't all fun and games; there were also some emotional passages, which anyone who has lost a beloved pet will feel deeply. I'll be snapping up the second book following Bailey's many lives ASAP! This is the perfect book for animal loves and it definitely made me look at my dogs differently!
May 25, 2017
Dumplin'
Dumplin', by Julie Murphy
Blurb:Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked…until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.Hmm... This is a hard book to review. In some ways I adored it, in others it was a bit of a let down...This book got off to a great start. Having always been rather... let's say chunky, I found it really easy to identify with Will and her self-confidence issues, even when she tried to hide them beneath bravado. I could also understand her friendship with the beautiful Ellen and how she sometimes resented her which led to issues. Her budding friendship with Millie, Amanda and Hannah was also really sweet and I just loved Millie; she was such a kind hearted character. The writing was simple, but that doesn't bother me in the slightest and Will had such a great 'voice'; she isn't afraid to say the harsh truth that most people shy away from and for the most part she'd blunt but honest about herself, sometimes cruelly so.Also, I feel it's important to point out that the author doesn't define 'fat' as a specific size or weight, which I liked because different people have different opinions on what size you have to be to be considered overweight.The love triangle kind of irritated me, since I usually avoid books with love triangles - before someone points it out, I know my book A Tangled Web has a love triangle! - but that still didn't really mar my opinion of the book. All in all the plot line is rather simple and nothing big actually happens, but I quite liked that because I thought it was building up to a big, soul-affirming finale, which unfortunately never happened. It was the ending, literally the last two or three chapters, that just spoilt this book for me. After getting off to a good start with characters who promised to be awesome and a plot that I could see from the start should have had a good message about body positivity, the ending just fell flat for me. I kinda felt like the author got bored and the ending was a bit of a cop-out. The messages this book was supposed to hold about loving who you are, being body positive and ignoring the opinions of bullies, are mentioned but not really reinforced and I didn't feel like the issues between the characters were properly resolved, just left hanging. I know this book is part of a series, therefore, usually I'd just think that the story is going to carry on in the next book and think little of it, however, as far as I know the next book follows a different set of characters, therefore Dumplin' is, for all intents and purposes, more of a standalone book.My favourite quotes from "Dumplin'":'When you've known someone for so long, you don't see the same things in them that everyone else does. But then when you're friends because of who you were and not who you are, it's hard not to find the common thread that stitches you together.' ' "But maybe Lucy wasn't supposed to be your compass forever. Maybe she was there for you just long enough so you could learn how to be your own compass and find your own way." ' 'Sometimes half of doing something is pretending that you can.''This feels like settling. A missed opportunity. But I don't think that makes it wrong.' 'There's some kind of peace that comes with knowing that for every person who is waiting to be found there's someone out there searching.'
Blurb:Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked…until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.Hmm... This is a hard book to review. In some ways I adored it, in others it was a bit of a let down...This book got off to a great start. Having always been rather... let's say chunky, I found it really easy to identify with Will and her self-confidence issues, even when she tried to hide them beneath bravado. I could also understand her friendship with the beautiful Ellen and how she sometimes resented her which led to issues. Her budding friendship with Millie, Amanda and Hannah was also really sweet and I just loved Millie; she was such a kind hearted character. The writing was simple, but that doesn't bother me in the slightest and Will had such a great 'voice'; she isn't afraid to say the harsh truth that most people shy away from and for the most part she'd blunt but honest about herself, sometimes cruelly so.Also, I feel it's important to point out that the author doesn't define 'fat' as a specific size or weight, which I liked because different people have different opinions on what size you have to be to be considered overweight.The love triangle kind of irritated me, since I usually avoid books with love triangles - before someone points it out, I know my book A Tangled Web has a love triangle! - but that still didn't really mar my opinion of the book. All in all the plot line is rather simple and nothing big actually happens, but I quite liked that because I thought it was building up to a big, soul-affirming finale, which unfortunately never happened. It was the ending, literally the last two or three chapters, that just spoilt this book for me. After getting off to a good start with characters who promised to be awesome and a plot that I could see from the start should have had a good message about body positivity, the ending just fell flat for me. I kinda felt like the author got bored and the ending was a bit of a cop-out. The messages this book was supposed to hold about loving who you are, being body positive and ignoring the opinions of bullies, are mentioned but not really reinforced and I didn't feel like the issues between the characters were properly resolved, just left hanging. I know this book is part of a series, therefore, usually I'd just think that the story is going to carry on in the next book and think little of it, however, as far as I know the next book follows a different set of characters, therefore Dumplin' is, for all intents and purposes, more of a standalone book.My favourite quotes from "Dumplin'":'When you've known someone for so long, you don't see the same things in them that everyone else does. But then when you're friends because of who you were and not who you are, it's hard not to find the common thread that stitches you together.' ' "But maybe Lucy wasn't supposed to be your compass forever. Maybe she was there for you just long enough so you could learn how to be your own compass and find your own way." ' 'Sometimes half of doing something is pretending that you can.''This feels like settling. A missed opportunity. But I don't think that makes it wrong.' 'There's some kind of peace that comes with knowing that for every person who is waiting to be found there's someone out there searching.'
May 23, 2017
Fear of the Dark
Fear of the Dark, by Mark Woods
Blurb:Sometimes it’s not the dark you should be afraid of…it’s what’s hiding in it.Whilst helping an old man sort through all the junk up in his attic, a young lad discovers a photo of his elderly neighbour taken many years before. Sitting him down, the old man begins the tale of the night that photograph was taken – the night, one Halloween, that he and five of his friends all sat down to tell each other scary stories with terrifying and tragic results.Fear of the Dark is a short, horror story which pack a punch and manages to pack so many different themes and places into relatively few pages. This is definitely one for fans of horror who fancy a quick read!I enjoyed the fact that this book is very British and uses loads of British lingo which you don't often see in books! My favourite story was definitely the first one, about the Grim Reaper; it wasn't particularly scary, but it was still really cool and it stuck with me after reading it. Another that stuck with me was 'Beneath the Skin', but for a totally different reason. It made me cringe whilst reading it and I actually felt sick. It was icky, but I guess if you're into that stuff it was great!Personally I felt like the bits about the Likely Lads had just been added in to weave the stories together and I didn't really feel like they were necessary. The short horror stories are the main attraction for this book and I felt it would have worked just as well as an anthology.Finally, that ending... I had to read it several times and flick back and forth to make sure I wasn't missing a page, but I loved it! Ending that make you wonder are the best!
Blurb:Sometimes it’s not the dark you should be afraid of…it’s what’s hiding in it.Whilst helping an old man sort through all the junk up in his attic, a young lad discovers a photo of his elderly neighbour taken many years before. Sitting him down, the old man begins the tale of the night that photograph was taken – the night, one Halloween, that he and five of his friends all sat down to tell each other scary stories with terrifying and tragic results.Fear of the Dark is a short, horror story which pack a punch and manages to pack so many different themes and places into relatively few pages. This is definitely one for fans of horror who fancy a quick read!I enjoyed the fact that this book is very British and uses loads of British lingo which you don't often see in books! My favourite story was definitely the first one, about the Grim Reaper; it wasn't particularly scary, but it was still really cool and it stuck with me after reading it. Another that stuck with me was 'Beneath the Skin', but for a totally different reason. It made me cringe whilst reading it and I actually felt sick. It was icky, but I guess if you're into that stuff it was great!Personally I felt like the bits about the Likely Lads had just been added in to weave the stories together and I didn't really feel like they were necessary. The short horror stories are the main attraction for this book and I felt it would have worked just as well as an anthology.Finally, that ending... I had to read it several times and flick back and forth to make sure I wasn't missing a page, but I loved it! Ending that make you wonder are the best!
