homereviewschallengescontestspoliciesaboutabout

Saturday 27 August 2016

***Review*** Vengeance by Megan Miranda (Fracture #2)




Released: February 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Series: Yes, Fracture #2
Format: Digital ARC
Source: Netgalley
Find at: Goodreads | Amazon UK | Waterstones

Many thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for my copy, this is in exchange for an honest review

You can see my review of book one Fracture HERE

Synopsis:

Falcon Lake wants vengeance. And so, it seems, does someone else . . . An intense, heart-rending psychological thriller to accompany the chilling and seductive FractureWhen Decker drags his best friend Delaney’s lifeless body out of the frozen lake, he makes a deal: Anyone but her. Everyone but her. The lake releases her. It takes another . . .

All their friends blame Delaney for Carson’s death. But Decker knows the truth: Delaney is drawn to those who are dying, and she would have tried to help Carson.

Or so Decker believes until a body lies in front of him in a pool of water on his kitchen floor. Until he sees in Delaney’s eyes that she knew this would happen too – and she said nothing. Until he realises it isn’t the lake that is looking for revenge – Delaney is part of someone else’s plan.

This powerful and emotionally charged psychological thriller follows Megan Miranda’s stunning debut Fracture.

My Review:


I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Fracture, and was really keen to see where the story was going to go next.  It starts off not long after where Fracture finishes, but this time we get to see things through Decker's eyes.  This gave the series a whole new take on things.  I have to say, I did just prefer the first book; as I really enjoyed the main character Delaney.  Perhaps this is why it did not get a similar or higher rating.

I'm not going to divulge any of the story as this is book two.  What I will add is that you have to read book one.  Things will not make total sense if you do not, and there is a kind of special bond between the two characters that you will miss if you skip a book.

This book certainly adds to the series, it's nice to see things from a different angle and perspective.  I am glad I read it, even if it didn't score so high as the first book.

Overall:  Great addition to the series
My Thoughts on the Cover:  This is certainly a striking cover, I would be drawn to this in the bookshop.


Friday 26 August 2016

***Blog Tour & Review** The House in Quill Court by Charlotte Betts


**Blog Tour Stop**



I'm really thrilled to be part of this blog tour for this brilliant book.  It was a real pleasure to read.  For my stop of the tour I have a review.

Released: 25th August 2016
Publisher: Piatkus
Format: Digital ARC
Source: From Netgalley

 
Many thanks to the Publisher & Netgalley for my copy, this is in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis:
 From the multi-award-winning author of The Apothecary's Daughter, The House in Quill Court is a gorgeously evocative Regency novel bursting with historical flavour and characters you won't forget. If you love Philippa Gregory and Joanne Harris, you will adore Charlotte Betts.


1813. Venetia Lovell lives by the sea in Kent with her pretty, frivolous mother and idle younger brother. Venetia's father, Theo, is an interior decorator to the rich and frequently travels away from home, leaving his sensible and artistic daughter to look after the family. Venetia designs paper hangings and she and her father often daydream about having an imaginary shop where they would display the highest quality furniture, fabrics and art to his clients.

When a handsome but antagonistic stranger, Jack Chamberlaine, arrives at the Lovell's cottage just before Christmas bringing terrible news, Venetia's world is turned upside-down and the family have no option but to move to London, to the House in Quill Court and begin a new life. Here, Venetia's courage and creativity are tested to breaking point, and she discovers a love far greater than she could have ever imagined . . .



My Review:

This book started off so well, it had me gripped from the word go.  The colourful scenery and the contrast in the characters was just breathtaking.

 I know very little about the regency era, but there is certainly a contrast between the classes.  The story follows several characters.  The two main ones were Venetia, who is a strong female lead.  Her life is tough, even in the decadent and rich surrounds.  I had a lot of respect for how this character when faced with enormous challenges, held her own.  It is very difficult for women of this age to stand up and be counted.  Venetia was a true, courageous and strong lady.

Then the other character which was featured heavily in this book was Kitty.  Kitty is a servant who is thrust out of the sleepy Kent village into the hustle and bustle of London.  With Kitty we get to experience the more darker and squalid side to London.  Showing that dangerous and murky side that the privileged Venetia doesn't get to experience.

I'm not hugely into interior design and could have possibly seen this as a hindrance to me enjoying the book, but the way the rich detail and decadence is woven into the story is really interesting.  I could almost see and touch the fabrics.

My only little criticism is that there was one plot twist which I had already guessed.  There was no oh my moment, which I really enjoy in a book.

I enjoyed the story and characters, the ending was a fast and exciting ride.

Yes I can whole heartily recommend this book and will definitely be looking out for more books by this author.  I do enjoy a good romantic, historical book. 

 Overall: Romance and history entwined in a fantastic book.

 My Thoughts on the Cover:  It's so lovely, the detail and that dress!  Just beautiful, I would be drawn to this cover.

Wednesday 24 August 2016

***Review*** Cherub: The Recruit by Robert Muchamore



Released: April 2014
Publisher: Hachette Children's Books
Format: Digital ARC
Series: Yes book #1 in the Cherub series
Source: From Netgalley
Find at:  Goodreads | Amazon UK | Waterstones
Author Website: Robert Muchamore

Many thanks to the Publisher & Netgalley for my copy, this is in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis:

Number 1 bestselling series, CHERUB celebrates its 10th Anniversary with brand new covers!

Now is your chance to start right back at the beginning with The Recruit.

A terrorist doesn't let strangers in her flat because they might be undercover police or intelligence agents, but her children bring their mates home and they run all over the place. The terrorist doesn't know that one of these kids has bugged every room in her house, made copies of all her computer files and stolen her address book. The kid works for CHERUB.

CHERUB agents are aged between ten and seventeen. They live in the real world, slipping under adult radar and getting information that sends criminals and terrorists to jail.

For official purposes, these children do not exist.

The Recruit has also been selected for World Book Night 2014


 My Review:

I was very lucky to meet Robert Muchamore at a blogger event.  So was really keen to read his world renown series Cherub.  This is book one in the series.  It's hugely popular, which sometimes makes me scrutinise and have high expectations.  Sometimes hype can overtake a book.  I was not disappointed and will certainly be reading more in the Cherub series.  This book really appeals to both children and adults.

The book starts off really well, you a propelled into the main characters life before Cherub.  Which isn't very pleasant, this does help with "bonding" with the character and you almost will him on to do well.

It's fast paced and exciting.  Throughout the book you are introduced to more and more of the characters.  Some nicer than others.  You go through the journey with the main character, it's not an easy ride.

My only negative, and this is why this doesn't quite reach the 5 star rating, is that sometimes it can chop really quickly into the next chapter of the main characters life.  I would have liked some of the scenarios to last a bit longer and have had more detail.

I really like the whole child spy theme, it's quite exciting at times.  I've read a few YA spy books and this series so far seems to be holding its own.  I will look forward to the next book in the series.


Overall: Fast paced and edgy.  Really enjoyed this.

My Thoughts on the Cover:  I really like this, almost looks to too dangerous to touch.

Friday 19 August 2016

***Review*** A Place For Us by Harriet Evans


A Place For Us by Harriet Evans

Released: January 2015
Publisher: Headline
Format: Digital ARC 1st part - Then switched to audiobook for the rest
Source: 1st part Netgalley - The rest library lend
Find At: Goodreads | Amazon | Waterstones

Many thanks to the Publisher & Netgalley for my copy, this is in exchange for an honest review


Synopsis:

From international bestselling author Harriet Evans, an engrossing new novel about a woman who, on the eve of her eightieth birthday, decides to reveal a secret that may destroy her perfect family.
The day Martha Winter decided to tear apart her family began like any other day.

When Martha, a wife and mother of three, sits down one late summer’s morning to write out the invitations to her eightieth birthday celebration, she knows that what she is planning to reveal at the party could ruin the idyllic life she and her husband David have spent over fifty years building…

But she has to let her family know what she and David have sacrificed. She can’t live a lie any more.

The invitation goes out far and wide, calling her three children and their families back home to Winterfold, their rambling house in the heart of the English countryside. They are Bill, the doctor; Florence, the eccentric academic; and Daisy, the child who never fit in. As the story unfolds, each character reveals the secrets, joys, and tragedies they are wrestling with through the confines of the family. What will happen when Martha finally tells the truth?





My Review:

This book can be purchased in four sections or as one book.  My original review copy was the first section, I then decided to review the book in it's entirety and this was in audio book format.

The book is filled with some really wonderful and complex characters.  The story jumps from character to character and in each chapter you start to get more of an in depth look into them.  The family history is very complex and you really need to not miss any crucial details.  I loved how as the story unfolds certain parts start to make more sense.  As there are a few characters it does take a few chapters to settle in.  One thing that does shine is the wonderful details of the surrounds, whether it was Winterfold - which sounded wonderful in itself, or Italy or the war torn parts of London.  The rich intensity do detail only enhanced things for me.

There is one character that really stands out in this book, this is Daisy.  She is so crucial to this story and it is amazing how she influences and changes lives of people.  Just her essence is enough to tip things.  I was really interested to learn more about her.

I think if you were looking at this family from afar you would think they had everything, but there is an undercurrent whereby if you scratched the surface off, would reveal a very different matter. 

I whole heartily enjoyed this.  I would definitely recommend this book and I look forward to reading more by this author.



 Overall: Thoroughly enjoyed this, secrets and family drama galore






 
Blog Design By Sweet Dreams Design using the Sweet Summer kit by Kay Miller Designs.