Maria Savva's Blog, page 6

Book Review: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is a wonderful character study of a lonely woman. The reasons behind Eleanor Oliphant's odd behaviour are not obvious at first. The author slowly builds the story, cleverly revealing more and more truths about Eleanor and her past. There are lots of comical scenes that work well to balance the dark side of the tale. I really enjoyed this book; it's so absorbing and intriguing, full of realistic characters. I didn't want it to end.

When we are introduced to Eleanor Oliphant at the beginning of the novel, it's easy to think that she's just another bored office worker and that living alone for so many years and being disappointed by life has turned her into an anti-social person. There is so much more to her story, however. This is a well-crafted book.

There are secrets lurking in Eleanor's past that she has revealed to no one, and some that she has even forgotten but that have had long-lasting and detrimental effects on her mental health.

One thing Eleanor has never really had is a true friend. When she begins an unlikely friendship with Raymond from the IT department at her office her life begins to slowly change. She slowly begins to confront her demons.

"Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine" is an easy read but there is a deeper level that challenges the way we think about people who are different in some way. It digs deeper into the reasons behind Eleanor's odd behaviour.

I think that Eleanor is the sort of character that many people will be able to relate to in some way. Everyone has a past and some things that they never tell anyone else. I found her very strange but funny at first and then more and more intriguing as the novel progressed.

The book is full of interesting observations and very thought-provoking. The ending is well done and brings together all the loose ends, although it is the sort of book that could easily become a series because there are so many brilliant characters and ideas that could be explored.

The book deals with, among other things, the subjects of loneliness, child neglect/abuse, mental health.

Highly recommended.



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Book Review: Under, by David Wailing

Under by David Wailing

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I read the prequel to "Under" a while ago (Signal Failure) and really enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to reading this book. "Under" is a brilliant book. I don't know whether it's because I'm a Londoner but I was completely hooked by the mysterious stories running through this novel about the 'ghost stations' on the Underground. The London Underground is the perfect setting for a horror story and the author has done a fantastic job in creating a suspenseful and intriguing tale using the dark and sinister tunnels of the Tube network as the framework for the story.

The book is well-constructed with two separate stories, years apart, that both link to the tales of disused or abandoned Underground stations. There is the story of Mike Thames, who is desperately writing down his memories of the letters and stories his father had told him about working on the London Underground as a train driver; tales of abandoned stations and ghost stories - and then there's the story of Jake and his group of expert explorers who are trying to get into these abandoned stations.

I found the structure of the book engrossing. The way some of the narrative was set out in letter form made the story that much more interesting to read, like reading someone's diary.

The way the two stories come together at the end is cleverly done.

This book is interesting not only because it has a very imaginative and well-constructed story about one family's history and their connection to the London Underground, but also because it contains so many eye-opening facts interwoven with the fiction, and then there are those parts of the book that make you wonder whether they are fact or fiction. The characters are all believable and seem like real people. There are highs and lows and twists and turns that kept me hooked.

The horror element is nicely woven with social commentary about the state of the world and human nature. I loved the ending; the choice the character has to make is thought-provoking. A masterful twist.

This novel is full of interesting facts, fiction borne from the mysteries of the Tube network, and it will make you think about the fine line between what we believe is true and what is actually true.



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Book Review: When the Buddha in Beaumont Met God's Gardener, by J. Manchester

When the Buddha in Beaumont Met God's Gardener by J. Manchester

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I found out about this author when I read her excellent short story "Freedom", which was featured as a free read on The Write Launch recently. I bought a copy of this book after reading that. "When the Buddha in Beaumont Met God's Gardener" is a fun read but is much more than that.

After being inspired by a book about the Buddha, fourteen-year-old Andrew sets up a website proclaiming himself to be the Buddha in Beaumont. It attracts a Hollywood actor who is down on his luck. Soon, the actor begins to see Andrew as a guru and looks to him for advice. The arrival of the Hollywood actor in Andrew's hometown causes mixed reactions from his friends and family.

The book explores issues such as bullying, family relationships, and discrimination. There are many true-to-life characters and it's an engaging read. Ultimately, this is a book about the importance of forgiveness. The story is well structured and it kept my interest. I'll be looking forward to reading more stories from this author.



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Book Giveaway: The Spider

I'm currently working on a sequel to my novel The Spider. I've just passed 60K words in my manuscript, and am excited that I've almost finished the first draft! To celebrate, I'm giving away one signed copy of the first book in the series. If you'd like to be in with a chance to win the book, leave a comment below or share this post on Twitter tagging me @Maria_Savva.

I'll pick a winner at random on the 30th April.

Good luck!


Book description:

‘No one’s ever come out of that house alive...’

What lurks behind the door of 8 Goldfern Road?

Are you brave enough to step inside?

By entering the sinister house, George and Glen become entangled in a dangerous battle of wills.

“The Spider” is a story of obsession, infidelity, and broken dreams.

This darkly humorous mystery will appeal to fantasy and romance readers as well as those who love to hate spiders!




What People Are Saying:


"...this story is spooky, mysterious, intriguing and thought-provoking. The characters are well-developed, realistic and believable, despite the fantasy /paranormal story line." ~ Julie Elizabeth Powell. [Full review: https://www.amazon.com/review/R1I06BL...]

"The paranormal thriller and suspense elements are also very well handled, propelling the story forward and adding shades of darkness and horror to the everyday trial and tribulations of the women and men caught up, sometimes more or less literally, in a spider’s web of deceit, danger, lust, and greed." ~ Maria Haskins [Full review: https://mariahaskins.wordpress.com/20...]

"I will never look at spiders the same after this fantastic read! ~ Sheri A. Wilkinson [Full review: https://www.amazon.com/review/R5U3ZB1...]

After reading this I will definitely think twice before squishing any more spiders as I don't want what happens in the book to happen to me......EVER! ~ Laura Smith [Full review: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...]

"The Spider", latest novel by Maria Savva, has to be one of my favourites by this talented author. I have enjoyed all of her work - novels and short stories - but this one , with its blend of paranormal horror and normality is a real page turner. ~ A. E. Thomas [Full review: https://aethomas2005.wordpress.com/20...]

This story shifts between the intertwining lives of friends with their own agendas, and a psychopathic man happy to take advantage of those friends. In a sense, this is a cautionary tale of what could happen when greed and self-interest drive your actions. So read this one, and the next time you find yourself getting a little greedy, remember The Spider. ~ Darcia Helle [Full review: http://quietfurybooks.com/blog/bookre...]

Book Review: WaR: Wizards and Robots by will.i.am and Brian David Johnson

WaR: Wizards and Robots by will.i.am and Brian David Johnson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed this book. It's a fun, young-adult, sci-fi/fantasy adventure.

Ada Luring is a teenager living an average life when her world is turned upside down. The plot is set some years into the future and there are a lot of references to futuristic technological advances throughout, which make the story interesting and thought-provoking. It sparks the imagination with ideas of future technology and how people could be living in the next couple of hundred years. The fun thing about fantasy is that no one really knows, so it's interesting to read other people's ideas about such things.

Earth is threatened by an evil attack set to take place in the future and Ada is called upon to help to avoid the catastrophe. This book cleverly skips between the past, present, and future as we follow the Ada, along with her companions, in their quest for answers in an attempt to prevent the impending destruction of Earth.

As indicated by the title, this book features wizards and robots. A team of killer robots are threatening to destroy everything. Ada and her friends soon discover there is more to this than meets the eye.

Ada's companions include a wizard from the past and a robot from the future, as well as her own pet robot.

I think this book can be enjoyed by all ages, although it is in essence a young-adult book.

The story is compelling and I found myself looking forward to finding out what would happen next.

There are a lot of action-packed scenes that keep the story moving forward. The main characters Ada and Geller are enchanting and endearing.

The idea behind the book is intriguing and it's written in a enthralling way. It kept my interest throughout.

The ending really brings everything together nicely. Definitely worth reading.





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Book Review: I Hate (love) Brussels Sprouts (Festive Flaws and Fairy Lights Book 2), by Tara Ford

I Hate (love) Brussels Sprouts by Tara Ford

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved the first book in this series, and was looking forward to reading this one. Tara Ford certainly knows how to keep readers guessing. This book is suspenseful and entertaining.

Susie Satchel's life seems to be setting down after her disastrous Christmas and she's determined to keep it that way, to the extent that she does some crazy things that end up making her situation worse. It's written in a comical way but this book, like the first in the series, has a lot of depth. The deeper meaning here seems to be about control and how when we try to hard to control things in our life it can actually make everything worse.

The ongoing theme is of Susie Satchel's inability to tell the truth for fear of being seen in a bad light, this character trait can be a bit infuriating at times. The way the author deals with this is great and it really casts a light on something we can all relate to. We've all been in the situation when we don't want people to find something out because of the way they will react, but more often than not it would have been better to just tell the truth from the start. This is a recurring theme in this book.

"I Hate (love) Brussels Sprouts" is a well written novel, there's a good dose of comedy along with the wise observations about life and human nature. Susie Satchel is a very realistic character, and there are so many true-to-life characters that pop up in this book. The part about the Brussels sprouts, and the ensuing consequences, is one of the most memorable laugh-out-loud moments in the book.

A fun read, with lots of ups and downs. I was happy to find out at the end that this isn't the end of the story and there is another book coming. Definitely a series I would recommend.



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Book Review: Maisie, by Julie Elizabeth Powell

Maisie by Julie Elizabeth Powell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


"Maisie" is a story that would appeal to older children and young adults. It's a fantasy adventure that begins in the real world and takes the reader to another realm, Mageia. Julie Elizabeth Powell is one of the most imaginative writers I know, and in this book she has excelled herself with a fantastical story that challenges the way we view the world.

There are two characters in "Maisie" who will be familiar to fans of the author. Jorga originally appeared in the novel "Of Sound Mind" as did the world of Mageia. The other character, Adam, first appeared in "Lost Shadows". Adam plays a pivotal role in "Maisie".

Maisie is a seven-year-old blind girl, although while dreaming and while in the mystical land of Mageia she is able to see clearly. It's often hard to remember that Maisie is a child, when reading the story, due to the way she interacts with other characters but the reason behind this is cleverly revealed towards the end of the book. In this fantasy tale, the young girl soon starts to realise that she has many magical powers. For a seven year old all of the new discoveries are quite bewildering and confusing. The author portrays this brilliantly.

We follow Maisie in this adventure where she discovers that her destiny is to enter a strange new world and fight against the evil powers that threaten to destroy everything. She meets many colourful characters along the way, including fairies, elves, and giants. She is caught up in a win or lose situation and is helped along the way by a magical collection of characters that have a deeper connection to her than she knows.

One thing this author does well, and something that is a hallmark of her work, is introducing and developing multiple characters each with their own distinct quirks and foibles. It really is a skill and is not easy to master. There were a couple of times where I lost track of which character was speaking, but it didn't affect my enjoyment of this intricate tale.

The story moves at a fast and furious pace and is full of intrigue, danger, and magic. It's a wondrous adventure. The story flows well and introduces some interesting ideas about life and death, past lives and mortality.

Recommended for fantasy fans.



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Book Review: The Guest Cat, by Takashi Hiraide

The Guest Cat by Takashi Hiraide

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is a book I got from a friend as a Christmas present. She knew I love cats and thought I would enjoy it. I did! It's the perfect gift for a cat lover. I hadn't heard of this author before but I understand he is also a poet. I could really tell that he was a poet because his prose is beautiful. From reading other works by poets who also write fiction, I've come to the conclusion that poets make wonderful fiction writers because they have a certain way of looking at the world and somehow their poetry skills seem to help them describe things in so much intricate detail yet in such a simple way.

This book will probably appeal most to people who love cats and have experience of owning cats, but it will also appeal to anyone who loves to get lost in great literature. There's something about the fluid prose that pulls you in from the start. I was hooked almost as soon as I started reading.

The book is written in the first person and in such a way that it's hard to tell whether it's a memoir or a novel. This is the story about a cat who lives in a neighbouring property but visits a young couple regularly. The descriptive quality of the writing really brings the cat, Chibi, to life so that you can imagine her being a real cat. The couple form a bond with the cat and when circumstances change it is difficult for them to leave her behind. I won't give away too much of the story but will say that it's an enchanting read.

It explores relationships, not just between people and cats but in general. It's about the beauty of nature and of the lessons to be learned from cats and other animals about freedom and love.

I'd highly recommend this book and will probably be buying it as a gift for others.



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Book Review: Whispers In The Tower, by Julie Elizabeth Powell

Whispers In The Tower by Julie Elizabeth Powell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is another brilliant fantasy story from Julie Elizabeth Powell.

It is the story of Amara, a young orphan who is only now learning the truth about her past and coming to terms with it. The secrets that have been kept from her are slowly revealed in this intriguing tale. Adept at short story writing, the author creates a whole new world in a short tale, filled with magic and mystery.

The descriptive quality of the writing is excellent; as I was reading I could imagine all of the events and the characters. As with most of this author's works there is a strong message contained within the story and this one seems to be about how differences can often cause fear and hostility, and how the truth is often overlooked or ignored. Amara's legacy is of forgiveness and redemption. But is it too late to save the people of the town of Rose Lake?

The story is told from an interesting perspective. I thought I knew who was narrating the tale but the ending surprised me. "Whispers In The Tower" is a wonderful example of Julie Elizabeth Powell's boundless imagination. She has a gift for storytelling.



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Book Review: What Does This Button Do? An Autobiography - Bruce Dickinson

What Does This Button Do?: An Autobiography by Bruce Dickinson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed reading Bruce Dickinson's autobiography. As a Maiden fan, I'd found out many things about Bruce over the years, including that he is also a pilot, a fencer, an author, etc. I was intrigued as to how he fits everything in to his life as Iron Maiden do seem to have been constantly touring and recording albums for as long as I can remember.

This book starts with a brief introduction to Bruce's early life and then goes on to document events from his teen years that eventually led him to become the singer in a band. It's a fascinating book and kept me interested all the way through. Bruce writes as if he is relaying the stories to a friend so it's an easy read and very engaging. There are a few photos included as well. It focuses on his professional life rather than his personal life, although there is a chapter about his recent cancer battle.

This is a book that I'd definitely recommend to Iron Maiden fans or fans of music, but anyone who reads it would also find it inspirational, I think. Bruce comes across as someone who knows no fear, travelling through war zones with the band and taking many risks in his life, but it also reveals that he has an endearing sensitive side; he also seems to have that eternal curiosity, essential for any artist—always looking for the next adventure.

Well worth reading.




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