UNNATURAL CREATURES By Neil Gaiman

The only thing I can be really sure about this book, is that I have read it for the short story category. But because it's a book of short stories, I can't really say either way whether or not I liked it. Some I felt could have been expanded into and entire book they were so amazing, whereas others I have no shame in admitting that I wanted to skip them.

This book is basically a collection of short stories (no surprise) which all center around an unnatural creature or two. Gaiman has chosen stories which take about everything from unicorns and phoenixes, to odd spots on the table cloth.

The book set itself up with two amazing stories. The first was so amazing that it left me with a three day book hangover, and the second was just an incredibly imaginative, original and well written short story. After the amazing success of these two, the rest in to volume just didn't seem quite able to match up to the same standard and left me feeling a little disappointed. Other that those first two, I think there were two, maybe three others which lifted me out of my disappointment momentarily.

I've never particularly been a fan of short stories and although I have enjoyed reading some of these, I don't feel that this book particularly champions them and shouts 'SHORT STORIES ARE AMAZING!' I think I remain to be convinced by the short story phenomenon.

A good book, but not one I will hurry back to any time soon. I would recommend it, after all this is only my opinion and we all like reading different things. You might like it and I hope that you do. Happy reading :)

ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND By Lewis Carroll

Thought I'd mix things up with the reading challenge categories this time. Number five, and I've decided to read a book for the Banned Books category! Yes Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was a banned book. Banned in China for the polymorphisation of animals. Incidentally, the copy I borrowed from work had Through the Looking Glass in it as well, however I read it as one wonderful book.

I absolutely love this book(s). It is just so absolutely nonsensical and fantastical, you couldn't ask for anything better. I have to admit that out of any world created by any author in the whole of literary history, I would choose to visit Wonderland... I mean who wouldn't.

In the first of the two novels, Alice spots a white rabbit checking his pocket watch and exclaiming he's late, though what he's late for he will not explain. Bored of reading and listening to her sister, Alice follows the rabbit down his rabbit hole into an entire other universe of the strange an bizarre. Along the way she meets animals who can talk, playing cards who paint roses... literally, and a Queen with a penchant for executing people.

In the second book, Alice, once again bored with every day life, delves through the mirror in the drawing room, arriving in a back to front world where she becomes a living pawn in the biggest game of chess you could ever imagine. It's thanks to Through the Looking Glass that we have the well known characters of Tweedledee and Tweedledum, as well as the poem Jabberwocky, and a great other iconic Alice in wonderland, images that Disney stuck into the film.

No word of a lie, I could read this book over and over again,  thousand times. I already know 99% of the poetry off by heart. This tops out at my favourite book of all time and if I could I would make this compulsory reading everywhere! No one is ever too old for the magic of Wonderland, so whether your 5 or 105 year old, pick it up, read it. Then read it again, and finally give it to your friends before reading it a fourth and fifth time.

This right here is quality literature, a masterpiece of English writing. The basis for all grounded childhoods and a gateway into the imagination of children and adults everywhere!!!

THE MAZE RUNNER By James Dashner

Here we go with my second book for the 2015 POPSUGAR reading challenge, this one is heading for the category: A book by an author you've never read before, and it's true! This is the first of Dashner's novels I have ever read, and I must say that after this I wouldn't mind reading a few more.

I've got to admit that I hadn't heard about this book until I say they poster at our local cinema for the new film that recently came out last year. Then browsing through the bookshop I stumbled across a copy, (or rather thousands of copies) and I very nearly didn't buy it. I love the hunger games and when I saw the plug at the bottom about how its 'a must for fans of THE HUNGER GAMES, I was worried that I would be disappointed that it would be a non-story. Compared to the Hunger Games so that it would sell more copies but I thought What the heck and took it to the counter and paid for it.

However I now stand here with my hands held high in surrender and apology to all you Maze Runner fans out there... you were right. This book is amazing and it has indeed left me with a book hangover to such an extent, that I don't know when I'll be able to start the sequel.

Just like it says in the blurb, we begin the story just as confused as Thomas and we stay as confused as he is until starts fighting back and asking questions. From the moment the box open, and Thomas is spewed into the Glade, to the moment he falls asleep at the end, you feel everything that he feels. Basically Thomas has somehow been made to live in a huge concrete square surrounded by walls that seem to be impossibly tall. There are four 'doors', on in each wall but all that seems beyond them is black. We soon learn that the Glade, as it's more commonly known, is the centre of a giant, seemingly unsolvable maze. He is trapped in there with 50 - 60 other teenage boys and there is only one rule: Solve the maze or die. The people before Thomas arrived have been trying to solve the maze for two whole years, so why should his arrival make any difference?

Firstly, I thought that this book was incredibly well written. The idea of creating lab rat style humans is almost unthinkable and I cannot begin to think where I would have started if I were the writer of this book, but Dashner has done an incredible job of making it realistic and believable. There was not a single moment when I stepped back and said 'Whoa! this ain't real'. The author here has managed to find the perfect balance between reality and fantasy, a sometimes very difficult thing to do. As a slight aside, I love the way that each boy is nicknamed after a famous scientist, that tickled me. I loved it.

As usual I talk a little bit about my favourite character so that what I'm going to do now. Newt. Favourite character has to be Newt. He's strong, he's a leader, he's hot and I just think that if I had to be stuck in a giant hostile maze with anyone, it would be Newt. I kinda liked Chuck as well in that annoying little brother sorta way but Newt definitely had to be the one for me.

Certainly one I would recommend to all people great and small who enjoy a good book, and most definitely a book for people who think that reading is ponsey and for girls, because this book could not be further from that assumption. Give it a read, see for yourself and see if you would be strong enough to solve the maze.

THE WARD By S.L Grey

Happy new year guys! Hope you've had a good book filled year with some incredible books to recommend to people. The Ward is the first book I have read for the POPSUGAR 2015 reading challenge (Checkout the heading up top :) ), and will be filling the category of 'Book you can finish in a day'

This incredibly surreal book was recommended to be by my wonderful friend, colleague and author Rebeccah Giltrow. Having been warned about its graphic content prior to reading this, I attempted to prepare myself for the journey I was about to embark on, but nothing, and I mean NOTHING could prepare me for what lies within these pages.

We begin the story with Lisa; a cosmetic surgery addict, and Josh Farrell; a celebrity photographer who is more commonly known as Farrell. Both these people have ended up in the grimmest of all hospitals; New Hope. Neither can wait to get discharged and every time they come close, a doctor demands they stay. After they try and escape, they find themselves in separate luxury hospital suits labelled 'Client' and 'Donor' and things start to get very weird indeed.

Firstly I have to thank Rebeccah for recommending this book for me and secondly I have to warn you all! This book is not for the meek and/or faint hearted. From about page 50, reading the book gives you the same experience I would imagine you get from a really bad acid trip. Its almost hallucinogenic in places.

I really really enjoyed reading this book and am tempted to read some other books by this author. (well actually, its two writers writing together under one name, Sarah Lotz and Louis Greenberg). Other than that I'm not really sure what I should say about this book. I liked the characters, more so Lisa than Farrell. At times I really did hate Farrell and I found that I tended to side with Lisa more often than not as I found Farrell too judgemental and quick to act on things. I didn't like the way he insisted on assuming power and blamed Lisa for the choices he made. Don't get me wrong, I liked him, he was just an idiot.

This is most definitely not a book for younger readers (due to severe bad language, mild sexual references and graphic violent content), however for those experienced readers looking for something unique and different to change up their reading habits... I think you've found you're book.

I was going to say enjoy, but that doesn't seem like the right word.... more like proceed with caution and always read the fine print.

BEHEMOTH By Scott Westerfeld

Well, here we are. The sequel to Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan which I reviewed two books ago. At the time I said I wouldn't mind reading the next one and so, guess what?! I ordered it from the library and gave it a read.

This time round, we join Alek and Deryn on the run in Istanbul. Deryn is given a top secret mission which doesn't exactly go to plan and Alek and his men attempt to escape the Leviathan now they are technically prisoners of war. This too doesn't go to plan and the team gets slip up rather spectacularly.

Alek finds himself alone and fully in charge of his men for the first time in his life, how will he cope, and how many seemingly bad choices will he make along the way?

I liked the way that this book was so completely different to it predecessor. You knew that it had a book before it and you knew it was part of a bigger picture. It followed the story very well and it wasn't just the same characters in an entirely different book. The linking between the two books is incredibly well done and I say 'Well done Mr Westerfeld!'

There were a couple of odd occasions where I felt a little bit disappointed. Not with the author for the way he'd written the book. But because I felt almost like I had entrusted my friends to him and when something bad happened to them, it was the authors fault. Something inside me really rang out if the author hadn't kept one of his characters safe. This is the first book to ever really make me have that reaction. It was bizarre and took me a while to work out how I felt, but I guess it just goes to show how well Westerfeld linked his characters with his audience.

I really enjoyed reading Behemoth and will no doubt carry on to read the third and final book Goliath in the not too distant future. I found the pace a little slow in places and sometimes it was a little hard to keep reading, yet at other parts of the book, I could hardly bring my self to put it down and go to sleep. I've not been left with too much of a Book Hangover, yet I feel satisfied that I've read a good book. Not as good as the first but never-the-less still a good  read :) What will Goliath bring I wonder?

LEVIATHAN By Scott Westerfeld

A good friend of mine recommended this book, but in my awful judgemental ways, I assumed that because my friend is slightly older, that this book would also be a more adult book. So you can imagine my pleasant surprise when I opened the cover to start reading a teen/young adult book.

The world is at war, however this world war is nothing like we would remember it. The Germans and their allies, have developed their Clanker machinery. Tanks, and walkers and mobile military units! Meanwhile, the Brits and their allies have created a vast army of Darwinist fabricated beings. Living warships and ferocious warriors. What would ever happen if these two sides were ever to meet? Well when Austrian Prince Alek has to go on the run after his royal parents are killed, and Deryn disguises herself as a boy to join the British air force, the two meet and things get interesting.

I really enjoyed reading both sides of this story, but the storyline that stood out to me the most was Deryn's. Who doesn't love a young girl disguising herself to achieve her dreams? Yeah the ideas a little corny but sometimes, its the things we know and love that make the best story. I found her character easier to connect to and more relateable. Sometimes it can be a little difficult to empathise with a young prince who has just lost both his parents and is heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, but a young girl whose dreams of flying are squished my society? That's a little more real.

Don't get me wrong, I loved Alek and his story. Sometimes you need something completely separate to your one circumstances to get you through the day. However, this time round, I needed something a little closer to home and for me, that just happened to be Deryn.

I really, really, really enjoyed the whole Science Vs Nature argument throughout this book and over all it made me think, is there such a big difference between the two? The Natural world is made up of chemical reactions and scientific equations, and surly it is only natural that we should want to invent and build things to make us more powerful and efficient at humans? Yes this is a YA (young adult) book, but maybe its more than that... Maybe its a simple commentary on the similarities of nature and science and the two put together. After all is it not the two sides coming together in the end that makes them more powerful than the enemy and enables them to escape?

I think the only thing I have left to say is that I've ordered the next two books in the series from the library and I can't wait till they arrive. This is definitely a book I would recommend to any reader of any age. And adults, please don't dismiss a book just because its in the Young Adult section! Read everything!!

THE END OF MR Y By Scarlett Thomas

Well, that started the 2014/15 Six Book Challenge of with a bang didn't it?

This is the story of a young PhD student / part time teacher at the university who happens to come across one of the rarest and possibly most cursed books in the history of literature. Did I mention that the author of said book, was also Ariel's favourite author and subject of her PhD? Now all things considered, what would you do? Read the cursed book of course! She spends every penny to her name on this book, her supervisor and tutor has been missing for over a year and she figures she has nothing to lose. As it turns out, love, time-travel and having the ability to read other people's minds isn't as great as you would initially think so.

This has been a phenomenal book, and if there was a Fandom for this book, I would consider myself par of it. It was amazing and being an English language student myself, I was amazed and overwhelmed (in a good way) by this world that had been created entirely out of language, science and the science of language.

Initially I was a little confused when it first switched from narrator to the first extract of the book because there was very little to differentiate between the two. No font change or subheading, not even a chapter change in some case, and I was very confused by this, but Thomas has done a very neat job of tying this up quickly as Ariel continues to explain about how reading this particular book doesn't allow her to switch between herself and the character, she feels as if she is or should be the character in the book and therefore the mix of narratives are totally in the right place and let the reader experience as much as they can of Ariel's confusion while maintaining clarity in the bulk of the novel.

I thought that the presentation of the girls school was very interesting, and I'm even sure why if I'm honest. I only remember being particularly interested in the way that part was written and it stood out to me possibly more than any of the rest of the book did. What do you think?

I love Adam's character, he's just so lovable and stoic. Initially, I just overlooked him a little, but towards the end I genuinely felt that I wanted him back as much as Ariel did. Although; without giving anything away too much, I feel that the last few pages spoiled Adam a little for me. I feel that he strayed too far from his roots, but ultimately I think that was what Adam wanted, to stray as far away from his own life as possible, until he found something that made him happy, or at least content with his life.

I am genuinely struggling to find the words to rave about this book to the extent that it deserves!

I just love this book for its complexity, yet despite it being complex, it really isn't that hard to follow. I think the hardest part it trying to remember how to pronounce some of the scientific jargon. (just reading about quarks made me feel intelligent :P). The End of Mr Y. is a fantasticly academic book which I would recommend to most people, however:

I would just like to add a note onto the end of this here review to recommend that this book is not read by children or even 'young' adults. This is definitely one for the more mature readers due to its graphic sexual content.

Find out more about the Six Book Challenge here >>>>>  http://sixbookchallenge.org.uk/

THE WHISPERING SKULL By Jonathan Stroud

GOOD PEOPLE OF EARTH! ITS FINALLY HERE!

I've finally managed to get my hands on a copy of The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud, the waiting list at the library was not far off enormous.

Now, if you've been following my blog, you will remember that a while back a read the predecessor to this wonderful novel, The Screaming Staircase. I remember ranting and raving about how amazing that book was and as I brought this one home just three days ago, I felt that Stroud had indeed, set himself an incredibly high standard.

But never fear because, the genius author of The Lockwood and Co. series has done himself proud and gone over and beyond the standard he set himself last time.

I think the best thing about this novel is that as well as being a separate novel that can be read independently of the first, it takes one element of the previous novel and expands in, explains it and takes it to a whole new level. That tiny little side mystery that you never really get to see much about? well this time Stroud's written an entire novel on it. The other thing I think is brilliant things is that it isn't just a copy of the first book with different side characters and storyline. He has taken the supernatural and dystopian element from his work, and very cleverly woven into it a clear crime/detective style sequence of events making this book open to an even wider audience than it was before!

All the way through, I was on the edge of my seat, I was shocked and horrified as I was the darker side of characters whom I thought were just kids bent double with bad-luck, and all in all I don't have a bad word to say about it.

But one thing I will say is this: Mr Stroud, you better get writing, because that cliff hanger you left and the end almost killed me!

MESSENGER OF FEAR By Michael Grant

Erm... wow! Where to begin?

Before I get started, I would just like to say that this book took me very much by surprise. Having read the GONE series by the same author just over a year or so ago, I thought I knew what to expect from this author. I'm telling you now that I wont make that same mistake again! This book was so totally different from my expectations it was unreal. It also happens to be one of the weirdest book I think I have ever read. Great, but weird. Also did I mention that I read this one in around six hours?

I think the thing that I found most bizarre was the fact that you don't learn anything about the main character until right at the end of the novel. It worked surprisingly well, having a narrator whom you know nothing about.

I would have like to known more about Messenger, and I felt a little put out that all the way through, Mara talked about how she would eventually come to know Messengers real name and why he became the messenger of fear, but then she never actually tells you what they are. I really liked the characters Daniel and Oriax and I would have liked to have known more about them and had a bit more of a back story as to who they were, especially Daniel whom I never really understood. I really liked and connected with the messenger and although I want to know more about him and what was it he did that was so evil, but part of me wonders that if I did know that then my feelings towards Messenger would be different, and not necessarily a good different.

Also, as well as being a tremendously good book, it is also a valuable lesson about the effects of bullying and how  we should stop and assess ourselves occasionally, because sometimes we bully other people without even realising it.

I must admit, there were times when I was reading this book that I wanted to put it down, I didn't want to read any more, yet I just couldn't allow myself to put the book down. But I guess that was done so that I could feel what Mara felt. wanting to stop watching the suffering and pain and yet not having the ability to do so.

This is a very interestingly written book and definitely not for the faint hearted. Not you're traditional horror/fantasy novel but hey, why should we always stick to the tradition.

This is a great, if a little weird, read.

This book does contain graphic violence and some very mild sexual references.

THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO By Patrick Ness

For a good couple of years now, people have been telling me that I have to read some Patrick Ness novels and everyone seemed completely put out that I hadn't come across this brilliant author sooner.

If you haven't already twigged, this is the first Patrick Ness novel I have read, recommended specifically by a colleague at work who is slightly in love with said books. I must say that reading this book certainly has been a bit of a journey, I've laughed like a hyena and cried like a baby and consequently felt everything in between. One thing did shock me though, and that was the horrific violence and graphic-ness of the book. Now don't get me wrong, it's not all blood, guts and gore to the extent of putting you off a meal and making you never want to fall asleep again, far from it. However, you just don't really expect the awful secrets that Todd finally reveals in the end. You just never imagine its going to be something that horrific. Its one of those, where if you do imagine what it might be, you pray that it wont be the case even though you know it's probably true.

My favourite character by far is Manchee the dog, I mean how can you not instantly fall in love with him? In fact, I fell in love with him so much  that I considered stopping reading the books altogether if anything should happen to him, he's just that lovable and charismatic.

Living in a world without silence isn't as unusual as you would think it is and many people do live with it everyday, myself being one of them. As a result I found this book even more interesting than normal. 

Despite this being an excellent teen AND adult book, it is still quite hard in places because of the great relationships you build up with the characters. 

I have really, really enjoyed reading this, though I'm not sure when I'll get round to reading the following books due to my ever growing reading list, but I would certainly recommend this to anyone looking for a action packed yet unusual read.

SKY RUN By Alex Shearer

After reading The Cloud Hunters by the same author, I assumed that this was the sequel. However I was wrong. Sky Run is a completely separate novel which is merely based in the same world as the other. When I found this out, I was a little dubious about reading it and I was afraid that I wasn't going to enjoy it was much as the first book I had read, set in this wonderful world. I was worried that I was going to miss the characters I had come to know and love in The Cloud Hunters and still have to battle through the same world without them.

However I have really enjoyed this book. I cannot say that I enjoyed it more or less than the last one as they were totally different story lines and ideas. However I did really like the homage to the other book, when Alain talks about meeting the other Cloud Hunter boat which was carrying the boy without the scars and he talks briefly about his feelings concerning the event.

Although the two books can be read totally independent of each other, I would recommend reading the two together as they really do enlighten you about the world and the situations that the characters are living in. Each book gives you extra background information about the other book which, although you wouldn't miss it as such, you certainly would benefit from reading.

I must say that for some reason I found this story less repetitive than Shearer's other sky themed novel. I found it easier to read without becoming confused or lost in the same words over and over again.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has read The Cloud Hunters and equally I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't. I have reviewed The Cloud Hunters  previously. Click here to see what I had to say about it.

THE RIDDLES OF EPSILON By Christine Morton-Shaw

I must say that this has been a most intriguing book, I know its another ghost story but hey I think it's a phase I'm going through. Despite it being another ghost story though, it couldn't have been more different to the one I read previously (The screaming staircase by Jonathon Stroud). Where as that focused on Humans vs Ghost and supernatural beings this is more about the supernatural battling itself and helping the humans to survive the fight. I say it's a ghost story but maybe ghost isn't quite the right word, the bright and dark beings aren't ghosts as such, they're more... well.... beings, supernatural beings!

One this I must say about this novel is that it is very complicated, probably the reason it has taken me so long to finish it, but maybe that's a good thing. It's good sometime to get into a book that tales a while, makes you think and the leaves you for hours... days even, afterwards going... 'So that's why!' or in my case 'I get it now!'

A couple of times I found myself a little confused by what was going on but I never lost interest in the book or the story in fact I only got more and more interested because I had complete faith in the author that she would deliver the answers sooner or later and she did.

I though the ending to the book was really interesting. Morton-Shaw could quite happily have ended to the novel a few chapter early had she not included one single statement from a character that leads into a whole new section of the story. It just goes to show how important small things can be. One sentence, which has the potential to change the entire story, or at least a decent chunk of it.

I really like the choice of words that the author uses for the more fantastical elements of the story such as Coscobora and Ouroboros. Although these do have real meanings linking in with the plot of the story, they are quite specialist words that the reader is unlikely to know at first glance. I thought this was brilliant because it left me in just about the same level of bewilderment and confusion as Jess was at the same point. I loved it!

Over all I think that this is a very clever book and very well put together. Although I felt that the black swans were maybe a little unoriginal in their colouring, the idea of swans in themselves representing the evil, I thought was very interesting indeed. Manifesting evil as something pure and beautiful isn't something you see every day and I am pleased that the writer made that choice. As I mentioned before, I am left with some questions that are unanswered however the more I sit and think, the more it fits together and falls into place. Its good to have found a modern book that makes you think and work so much. A brilliant read and one I would definitely recommend.

THE HOLLOW CHOCOLATE BUNNIES OF THE APOCALYPSE By Robert Rankin

With a name like The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies Of The Apocalypse, how can you not be intrigued into reading this fantastic looking book?

Before I started reading this novel, I Googled it to see what other people had said about it and the general consensus was that this book had what I like to call, 'the marmite effect'. People were either giving it five stars or one, they either loved it or hated it, and with no clearer view on whether I should read it or not, I just dived straight in.

Unfortunately, six chapters in and I am no closer to knowing whether or not I like the book and why I was continuing to read a book that did nothing to entertain me what so ever. I'm not saying I hated the book I just found it a little pointless and O.T.T on the violence front. Personally, I get no enjoyment from reading about a thirteen year old boy, threatening to shoot a barman with a homemade pistol, because his cooker had broken down and he couldn't give him any food. That just doesn't do it for me!

I can see why this would appeal to some people but it just isn't for me. I can't make a recommendation for this book because it really is a read-it-and-see kinda novel.

LONG LANKIN by Lindsey Barraclough

Firstly let me say that I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and a good start to the new year. I'm sorry its taken a while for me to post this, but it took a little longer to read than I expected it to.

If you have read my previous post about DANCING JAX by Robin Jarvis, you will recall that I mentioned this book; LONG LANKIN, saying that it was the only book creepier than the novel by Jarvis that I have ever read, intact, reading DANCING JAX inspired me to go back and read LONG LANKIN for a second time.

It has been a good two years since I had last read this novel, but the impeccable writing and storytelling contained within its pages meant that I had hardly forgotten the terrifying tale, and the most loveable of charters, my favourite being Mr Haldane Thorston and his garden.

Barraclough tells the story of two young girls (Cora and Mimi) who are sent to live with they're Great Auntie Ida, who at first appears to hate the girls and wishes to have nothing to do with them. In the end though it turns out that the harshness and the anger that she shows towards them is born out of fear for their safety and her own. She has already been plagued by the horrific Cain Lankin and the ghosts of the children he took, long enough, and is terrified that history will repeat itself because of the two young girls, who innocently and unknowingly bring danger and the possibility of death unto the hole of Bryers Geurdon. I believe that the thing that makes Lankin such a terrifying thought is that he preys in infants and young children. Children are the thing that we most care for adore with everything we have. Most parents would do anything for their children, putting them first and doing everything possible to protect them from danger. So for Barraclough to create this monster that is virtually unstoppable (save for the lych gate), that will tear through anything that gets in his way, and will hunt down the children is horrifying. The thought of a parent/guardian not being able to do anything but what and wait while an evil, twisted creature of a man hunts down their child is a very scary thought which many people would rather not have.

I found the thought of Ida Eastfield rather interesting and insightful, as through out the book, she slowly reveals more and more about the situations, her intentions and her reasons behind her actions. The first time we hear directly from Mrs Eastfield, we begin to agree with Cora, that she is just an angry old woman who hate children, but towards the end, Ida's bitterness and harsh facade, crumbles into sorrow and regret and most importantly, eventually into determination to do what should have been done centuries ago.

The actual description of Lankin himself is enough to send a shiver down your spine, just the thought of his feet slapping the ground as he walks, the idea of his weeping, half decayed body trying to survive the half life he has is completely grotesque. On occasion, towards the end of my book, I did find myself glancing into the darker corners of my bedroom if I was reading it in bed, of looking out of the window and across the garage roof, checking the darkness for anything that wasn't the dog skulking around, miffed that he'd been kicked off the bed. When an author is able to take something completely and utterly fictional and make it seem real to the reader while they're reading it then its a pretty clear indication that they have done they're job properly.

One thing that I admire about this author is the variety of story telling voices that she has incorporated into the story, Gussie, Mr Thorston, Ida, Mrs Jotman, they all recall the same story in a different voice, revealing new parts of the story and hiding others. In many ways, Long Lankin is written more as a documentary of events than as a novel, switching between past and present tense, looking into the future and recalling history. This novel is a brilliant lesson in learning from mistakes, how and why not to do things again, or equally learning what should be done should there be a second time around.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a book that sends a shiver down your spine and likes reading during the daytime. LONG LANKIN is a brilliantly terrifying read and I think that Barraclough is a fantastic author whose work I shall be further watching out for in the future.

This book may be unsuitable for younger readers.

THE HOBBIT by J.R.R. Tolkien

I must admit that the first time I tried to read this book; about five or six years ago, I got no further than chapter five. This time however, I am older and a more mature reader and I have thoroughly enjoyed the entire book, the only regret I have is not reading it again sooner. It really is a masterpiece and a genuine work of art. I have not seen the film which I am pleased about because it has meant that I could read the Hobbit without anyone-else's interpretations influencing my imagination.

I love dwarves, they really are funny little creatures although they would probably not thank me for describing them as so.

The thing that I think surprised me the most about the Hobbit is the unending list of hidden messages that the author has embedded in the text. For example, the idea that two people can carry out the same task but for two completely different reasons and with different motivations. Thorin Oakenshield wanted to reach Lonely Mountain ultimately to retrieve the lost treasure whereas poor Bilbo did it purely out of not wanting to break a promise he had made. There are so many other messages, too numerous to mention, but I think the most fascinating thing in that these messages can change depending on who you are and how you read it.

My favourite part of the novel is when Bilbo talking with Smaug and is trying to bluff his way out of being eaten. I absolutely love the language that Tolkien has used here and I must say that I felt as entranced by the dragon-speak as Bilbo was. I was totally enchanted by the conversation and I feel that if I had not known what I did, then I would probably have been tricked into believing the dragon and falling for his trap.

I find Tolkien's use of words incredible and incurably poetic. All the way through the book, right from the beginning with the songs and the poems of the dwarves and the elves, right through to the riddles in the dark with Gollum, to the discussions and the parlay between the dwarves and the men/elves towards the end. I everything the Tolkien writes, he has a knack for creating the most wondrous speech. He spins his sentences like a spider spins silk, drawing you into the story and trapping you within the pages, unable to draw yourself away from the magic woven by the author. The language that he uses in his description is equally as incredible and the language that he uses in the character's dialogue -

"A black cloud hurried over the sky. Winter thunder on a wild wind rolled roaring up and rumbled in the mountain, and lightning lit its peak. An beneath the thunder another blackness could be seen whirling forward; but it did not come with the wind, it came from the North, like a vast cloud of birds, so dense that no light could be seen between their wings."

There is so much I could write about the Hobbit if I had more time to do so, although in someways I feel that this book should just be enjoyed for what it is and interpreted by individuals rather than analysed and reviewed on a large scale.

I would be more than happy to recommend this fabulous book to anybody, young and old. Although it is quite dense and may take a while to read, I have found it incredibly easy to read and I would definitely describe it as a 'page-turner'. One fantastical oddity leading onto the next, drawing you from page to page, the text not for one moment relinquishing it's grip on the reader.

The Hobbit is a beautiful book full of adventure and sorrow and victory. Perfectly written and awaiting its readers.

DANCING JAX by Robin Jarvis

Oooohhh!!!! I like a creepy book every now and then, and I must say that it doesn't get much creepier and spine chilling that Dancing Jax by Robin Jarvis. (In fact it think I've only read one book creepier: Long Lankin, and I shiver just think about it)

Basically, it about an ancient Occultist who wrote a children's book which should never be read by anyone.... ever! it takes you over and turns you into a different person!

At the outset, just off reading the blurb, it sounds as if the author of Dancing Jacks (The book in the story) has got everything sussed when it comes to getting people to read his work. As a writer myself, one of my main aims is to get people interested in reading my plots and leave them wanting more. I believe that a good book should draw you into it's pages. You should feel like you're actually involved with the story rather than just reading words on a page, but I never hope that my work causes the same reaction as it does in this novel. The creepiest thing about this for me, is the way that Jarvis has taken the writers ideal, and taken it to such an extent that it becomes evil and world destroying.

I have to admit that initially I found it a little slow going and difficult to get into. The first chapter left me feeling a little disappointed, feeling like it hadn't delivered on all of the brilliant reviews I had heard about the book, but being the enthusiastic reader that I am, I plowed on through the first chapter believing that it would get better and I certainly wasn't disappointed! By the beginning of the second chapter I could hardly put the book down.

I know for certain who my favorite character has been throughout the book. Paul Thornbury. I find him adorable I really do, and as a reader, to me I think of him as a little brother, or what i would like my little brother to be like. When Dancing Jacks is finally forced upon him in one of his English classes, I found myself wanting him to break free, not wanting to read on unless he was going to be okay, all the way through the book; even though Jarvis hints at an unhappy ending, I was praying all the way through that he would never fall victim top the evil book and it's followers. I was heart broken when he finally gave in and just as Carol turns and tells Martin that Paul is no longer her son, I felt that Paul was no longer the imaginary little brother that I adopted at the start of the book.

I also like Martin's character although I'm not sure I would have liked him as my maths teach although I've probably had worse. The scary thing is, when it comes to Martin, I know people who have similar obsessions and I understand that Martin's character is totally believable. It sort of one of those where you have to see it to believe it. I really like the relationship that Paul and Martin share, because even though Martin is to become his step-dad, there is this lovely brotherly, best friend relationship between them. Initially this is good because it causes the reader to believe that Paul wont have to face his battle alone, but every time you think that Paul could do nothing  more to convince them, they believe just a messed up little boy which is heart-wrenching when you compare it to the relationship he has with martin at the beginning of the book.

It is definitely a book that I would recommend to everyone else, probably not too young-a-children though, I don't want to be responsible for night mares and sleepless nights. But I think that anyone who is looking for a good creepy read would definitely enjoy this one. If like me you struggle a bit with the first half a chapter or so, I advise just to preserver for just a tiny bit longer and all of a sudden everything will become clear and everything will have been worth it!

MIDWINTERBLOOD by Marcus Swedgwick

I have been wanting to read some of Sedgwick's work for quite a while now and the funny this is, is that I didn't even realize who the author of this book was until I had got it home and had read the first chapter. All I can say at this point is that I will definitely be reading some of his other work in the future.

The crops have failed three years in a row and numerous sacrifices have failed to restart the growing of crops and the people have no alternative than to sacrifice their king, King Erikir in a hope that this will please the gods and cause the crops to grow again, torn from his beloved wife he promises to live seven times and to find her in each life and love her like never before. Midwinterblood follows Erikir on his journey through his seven lives, searching and loving his beloved Merle until his final life as Eric Seven.

I was hooked into the book after the first page and found it incredibly difficult to put down. Seen as the book is split into seven parts and and epilogue, I tried to ration myself to a part a day, so that I wouldn't get so drawn into the book that I would have no time left for my homework, however instead of reading just part three on the third day, I couldn't tear myself away from the book to such an extent that I read parts three through seven and the epilogue as well.

MIDWINTERBLOOD really is a fascinating book; as it starts in the year 2073 and with every section of the book, moves back a number of years until the final part which is set in some unknown time before the tenth century. At first I was very skeptical about how this would affect the book and its narrative, but I found that I had nothing to fear because as well as making for an incredible read, it really developed the story in a way that could not be done by a conventional linear narrative. what Sedgwick has done is very rare and I think quite risky but I am pleased to say that I believe that he has done himself proud and produce a novel that is worthy of the award it has been nominated for (Cilip Carnegie Medal 2013). The other thing I found that these backwards time movements caused was a shift in genre, initially it started out as a modern day love story, then a war tale and the further back in time we went the more fantastical it got until we were reading about vikings and blood sacrifice, superstition and witches.

MIDWINTERBLOOD, is like seven separate stories that are all connected un some way: Eric, Merle, The hare, they all lead to the same point and each one has its own characters which reflect those in the initial part, like when you read a book and all the characters have an uncanny resemblance to someone you know.

It is not often that I become attached to the main characters of the story, normally I look into the side characters who normally get overlooked however in this book I definitely attached myself to Merle, also Eric, but not as strongly as Merle. I think this is because I could see that Merle knew the secret of her past and she knew Eric from before in their other lives, but right from the start I felt a connection between the two of us.

I am really pleased that Sedgwick chose for Eric and Merle to appear in each other's live as different people rather than just lover (mother and child, Brother and sister etc...) not only because I think had they constantly found each other as lover's it would have been predictable and less emotive, but I think that fact that they found each other in so many ways, really symbolizes the depth of their love for each other, a love that goes deeper than romance.

I really liked the motif of the hare that Sedgwick has used throughout the entire book. It is subtle but obvious at the same time, it doesn't stand out and shout at you but you always know it is there through out the book.

Out of the seven lives that Eric and Merle live I think the one that the author titles The Artist is my favourite. I really felt moved by the chapter and I though it was really emotive and sweet. I recognised part of myself in the child; Merle and I remember that when I was young I spent most of my time talking with adults just as she does in this life. I think that is why I found this chapter so relatable.

The final thing that I am going to leave you with is the thought of the dragon orchid and its importance in the book. Although it does not seem to be focal point, and not even the reason that King Erikir was killed in the first place, but that flower is the reason why the island is how it us and without it, there would be nothing magical and nothing special about the Island of blessed, but maybe there's more to the flower than first meets the eye.

This is a book that I would highly recommend to everyone, the individual parts are so unique that there is something for everyone to enjoy in this magnificent book my Marcus Sedgwick. I have nothing for this book other than very high praise. Next time you get the chance, grab a copy and dive in. Its a quick and easy read that will keep you turning the pages.