Friday 31 October 2014

Book Review: Zom-B Family by Darren Shan

Title: Zom-B Family (Zom-B #9)
Author: Darren Shan
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Release Date: 25th September 2014

Synopsis:
CAN ANYONE HURT YOU AS MUCH AS A LOVED ONE?
WHEN DOES THE FIGHT BECOME TOO MUCH TO BEAR?
HOW MUCH PAIN CAN ONE PERSON ENDURE?
B Smith is discovering the true meaning of family ...


Review: As I'm typing this review I keep looking at the book cover, and every time I do I find myself stopping stopping typing and being transfixed by those eyes, those creepy, staring eyes, and so I'm thinking I might have to continue typing this with my eyes closed and hope my touch typing has improved!

Here we have the next piece of the puzzle, or as i'm starting to think of it the next TV episode in the Zom-B series, because that's what the series feels like to me, short bursts of action that gives so much but at the same time leaves you hanging for more.

With a lot of Shan's book, the gruesome and gory is focused on the fantasy elements of the characters, whether they be vampires, demons, and in this case zombies, but with this book there was a more humane nature to the plot, and true to its title it explored different meanings of family. But this isn't you're regular normal family issues, Oh no no no, this is Darren Shan we're talking about, and family here has a dark twist. But that created some beautiful moments, between B and those around her, from her father, to Vinyl and even to some extent with the babies! Yes I said it...they're sort of like the aliens from Toy Story, and them chanting 'mummy' is weird but also fascinating!

This book was a bit of a heavy read at times due to the nature of the violence implicated, so may not be for the feint hearted. Dan Dan gets to exhibit his full colours here, and he makes your spine crawl even more! Karma is a b...well karma comes back around sometimes and no one is really safe in this world of zombies!

The setting of Battersea Power station was a nice touch, because it was so visual in my mind, and kept the action nicely in one place. And action was the word, because so much happened in this short space of book. I found I was flying though the book as quickly as I was flying across the world ( I read the book on my 11 hour flight) and it built up to a fantastic end that's left me guessing and wondering at the treats Zom-B bride is going to bring! Will our B really be getting hitched! Is Mr Dowling the gallant Groom.

I feel like the notches are starting to turn up very quickly at this point in the series and looking back at how far we've come this was a very enjoyable snapshot of the whole picture, that when you look back at everything has a lot packed into it, and I'm excited for what is to come!

This will be the perfect Halloween read!

Stephen 

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Wednesday 29 October 2014

Halloween Round Robin Part three....


 Hello Hayley here! 
Today Dark Readers has an exclusive story from Christina Courtenay via Choc Lit books. You can follow the rest of the round robin via the various links within this post...ENJOY!

Part 3 by Christina Courtenay

 An amateur witch attempts to summon a new (and hopefully less gittish) lover using her grandmother’s spell book … what could possibly go wrong?

Each section of A New Love for Halloween will be told by a different Choc Lit author to create one magical story. You can follow the tale on five separate blogs from the 27th Oct to Halloween. You can read part one by Berni Stevens here and part two by Jane Lovering here

'Gran, is this your idea of a joke?' Jo glared in the direction of heaven, then quickly changed her mind and glanced downwards instead. Witches probably went to the darker place, especially if they were going to play tricks on their relatives after death. She could have sworn she heard a cackle in reply and gritted her teeth. 'This is so not funny, Gran.'
  Most of the houses along the street were in darkness, but there was one place guaranteed to have someone at home – number 29. As she didn't seem to have much choice in the matter, Jo set off across the road. Sure enough, sounds of revelry could be heard as she drew closer, and music and lights blared out of a partially open front door.
  Jo was shivering now – bare legs and feet didn't mix well with sharp autumn winds – and tiptoed inside without knocking. No point, they wouldn't have heard her anyway. The hallway was only lit by a single candle in an old-fashioned lantern and Jo stubbed her toe on someone's big boot. 'Ouch!'
  As she turned, she also walked straight into something hard, but warm, which turned out to be a male chest. She looked up into a face she recognised. 'Oops, sorry! Oh, it's you.'
  'Paddington,' said Musketeer number two with a teasing smile. 'Decided to join us, have you?'
  'It's Jo actually, and no, not exactly. I've locked myself out.' Which wasn't strictly true but she couldn't tell him her gran was an annoying witch who liked to torment her grandkids.
  He glanced at her attire once more, his smile turning into a grin. 'Well, you're welcome to stay here with me. No one seems to be in any hurry to leave and they’re being boring anyway, dancing to 70s disco music. Seriously? In this?' He indicated his gorgeous silk outfit and funnel top boots. His eyes, which were a strange, deep blue colour in the light from the lantern, twinkled at her and she felt a pull of attraction. Why hadn't she noticed earlier how hot he was? Even wearing a long curly wig. She took a deep breath.
  'Thanks, but if I could just call a locksmith, please?'
  'Are you sure you don't want to stay for a while first?'
  Jo shook her head, although the inviting gleam in those eyes of his were making her doubt herself, sending a shiver down her back. But no, she had to stay firm and wait for that spell to work. Just one month and she'd have her perfect lover. How hard could it be?
  'I'm Zach by the way.'
  He took her hand, twining his fingers with hers and giving her another jolt that shot straight into her heart. Well, maybe it wouldn't be quite that easy to resist.
  He sighed. 'Okay, come on then, I'll fix your lock for you.'
  'You? But ...'
  He didn't reply, just towed her out the door and back across the street. 'Now close your eyes please.'
  Jo did, but peeked slightly through her lashes. His muscular frame shielded the door from her view, but she could have sworn she saw a small blue flash, then she heard a grating sound.
  'And voilà.'
  Jo opened her eyes and Zach indicated her front door, which was open. 'How did ...'
  Once again, he didn't reply but propelled her inside. 'Go on, you don't want to catch your death out here, with no knickers or anything.'
  Jo frowned. 'How do you know I'm not wear—' She stopped as his broad, teasing grin told her she'd just given herself away. He laughed, a lovely sound that sent shockwaves down to her toes and made her smile against her will. 'Damn it, Zach!'
  'I think you owe me a cup of coffee at the very least,' he said, stepping past her into the kitchen.
  Jo followed, then stopped short with a gasp as he picked up the spell book she'd forgotten to put away. Shit. 'I ... that's just ... er, a family joke,' she stammered, hoping he wouldn't realise how seriously she'd been treating it earlier.
  He looked amused and put the book down. 'I should think so too. Spell books are so last century. It's all in the fingers these days.'
  'What?'
  He pointed at the kettle and another of those blue flashes shot out of his index finger, making the kettle boil immediately. 'See? Now where's your instant coffee?'



Christina Courtenay lives in Hereford and is married with two children. Although born in England she has a Swedish mother and was brought up in Sweden. In her teens, the family moved to Japan where she had the opportunity to travel extensively in the Far East.
Try her spooky time-slip novels, The Secret Kiss of Darkness and The Silent Touch of Shadows, winner of the 2012 Best Historical Read award from the Festival of Romance.
Twitter: @PiaCCourtenay

Competition
To win three Choc Lit paperbacks of your choice, collect each of our 5 questions (you’ll find one at the end of each story section) and email ALL 5 answers to info@choc-lit.com.
 Question 3: In The Secret Kiss of Darkness Jago Kerswell is a) a highwayman b) an innkeeper and smuggler  c) a vampire
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Wednesday 22 October 2014

Love Rosie Film Review

Film: Love Rosie
Certificate: 15
Director: Christian Ditter
Release Date: 22nd October 2014

Review:
 Staring Lilly Cole (of mortal instruments fame) and Sam Claflin (who you may know better as Finnick Odair from the Hunger Games) LOVE, ROSIE centers on Rosie and her best friend Alex who take a leap of faith, both on life and on each other, when they decide to go to the US together to attend university. But fate has other plans for Rosie. Over the next 12 years their lives change dramatically but the connection remains.

This was one of those films which I went into with a lot of preconceptions, thinking that I probably wouldn't like it, and had all of them broken down second by second. I enjoyed this film, and I’m not afraid to say so! It’s a little like someone took One Day, and then smashed it into Juno, the result of which was a heartfelt film with some very funny moments.

And where one day flittered about with its pace (I promise I’ll stop mentioning One Day now) the flitting in this film worked really well. It gave it a good pace, yet things weren't rushed or focused on too much, and that matched the quick rapid flow of the book. The book itself, if you haven't yet read it, is written in the form of letters and emails between the two and although initially I found it hard to click with this style, you suddenly forget that your're reading a book as you become a fly on the wall to their lives. The film was just like this and the way it drew out these  epistolary elements and made them a part of the action made the moments feel more real.

As for the cast themselves, Lilly and Sam worked well together, their friendship made sense and it worked (though she never seemed to age, so I’d like to order a million bottles of whatever water she’s drinking!). Jaime Winstone was a fantastic support breaking up the narrative with comic flair. At times however some of the other supporting relationships felt unnecessarily exaggerated, and whilst this had some comedic moments, there were times when it all just felt too much, and the film was shouting 'this relationship clearly isn't working at you'.  


This was a film of snapshotted moments (i know that's not a word, but for all intended purposed it is now) . It was relatable, and that I think everyone has had a time where they can see something of their lives in it ( or maybe i'm just sharing way too much about my life!). It had me both laughing, and at points I may have had a tear in my eye....but that’s what makes a film! It was my guilty pleasure it will probably be yours too. 

Let us know what you thought of the film!!




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Tuesday 21 October 2014

Book Review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Title: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Author: Benjamin Alire Saenz
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Summary: A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Saenz.

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.
Review: Let me start out  by saying this: I was absolutely in love with this book. The characters were just so phenomenal, Ari's voice was completely real and authentic. The pacing was perfect and the writing was beautiful... from chapter one I was hooked. I wasn't so concerned with where the story was headed or where it would end because of how beautifully crafted the story was. I enjoyed each and every moment of Aristotle & Dante.
Aristotle is a fifteen-year-old Mexican teenager raised in El Paso, Texas in 1987. It is when he is fifteen that he meets a boy that will inevitably change his life, Dante. There are not many books that I can say that I've read lately that have such incredible characters. Maybe a shining character or two, but I just felt like as a whole the "cast" of this book was so well-rounded and likable. Ari's voice was real and you could understand the struggles that he is working through and he's been struggling through for quite some time. He has an older brother who has been in prison, the thing is- he has been for years and Ari is not allowed to talk about his brother. His parents don't mention him and there is a lot of anger and question with his brother having been sent away and the stigma that it's left in their household for Ari to deal with.
Contemporary books with a focal point on friendship that are authentic and real are hard to come by. I can't remember the last time that I read a book about the friendship of two boys. And honestly if I had I doubt that it could compete with Ari's story. There are several subplots within the book, but I think that what I enjoyed the most was Ari discovering who he was, how his brother's choices affected him as a person. And how to deal with the changes that inevitably happen in your teenage years. If you are looking for a poignant contemporary read, I highly recommend you check this one out!


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Monday 20 October 2014

Miranda Mondays - Team Bea

Hello all, Hayley here.
If you remember last year I joined Miranda Dickinson in helping to promote Take A Look At Me Now. With a number of bloggers, this year I am pleased to say that she personally asked me to join Team Bea for I'll Take New York, the long awaited follow up to Fairytale Of New York. A novel that I personally fell in love with. Out of the group of bloggers I was probably the last to read Fairytale Of New York and I see that as a blessing so close to the follow up. I know that when I receive my long awaited early copy I will stop reading whatever I have in my hand ooops!!!

Want to know more....


Have you ever given up on love?

When her boyfriend lets her down for the last time, Brooklyn bookshop owner Bea James makes a decision – no more. No more men, no more heartbreak, and no more pain.

Psychiatrist Jake Steinmann is making a new start too, leaving his broken marriage behind in San Francisco. From now on there'll just be one love in his life: New York.

At a party where they seem to be the only two singletons, Bea and Jake meet, and decide there’s just one thing for it. They will make a pact: no more relationships.

But the city has other plans . . .


Anyway enough rambling from me..there is going to be lots of fun stuff from Team Bea and Miranda here is a taster of what's to come...oh and I will let you know once I receive my book it should be this week YAY!!!


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Monday 13 October 2014

An interview with Anne Rice and SIGNED giveaway.

Hey guys Casey here. Today I have something really special on the blog.  I don't know if you're already an Anne rice fan, but the phenomenon that became 'The Vampire Chronicles' started with Interview with the Vampire in 1976, later made into a film starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, and culminated with Blood Canticle in 2003. 

After more than a decade Anne rice has revived her most absorbing and charismatic anti-hero to date- Prince Lestat and here is a small summary: 



The vampire world is in crisis – their kind have been proliferating out of control and, thanks to technologies undreamed of in previous centuries, they can communicate as never before. Roused from their earth-bound slumber, ancient ones are in thrall to the Voice: which commands that they burn fledgling vampires in cities from Paris to Mumbai, Hong Kong to Kyoto and San Francisco. Immolations, huge massacres, have commenced all over the world.
Who – or what – is the Voice? What does it desire, and why?
There is only one vampire, only one blood drinker, truly known to the entire world of the Undead. Will the dazzling hero-wanderer, the dangerous rebel-outlaw Lestat heed the call to unite the Children of Darkness as they face this new twilight?


TODAY! Anne Rice is answering a few of our questions and we have a SIGNED GIVEAWAY for you!

  • What was the experience of writing/publishing Interview with the Vampire
Writing the novel was intense. I sensed I'd made some sort of personal breakthrough in talking about my deepest concerns, but it was quite unexpected. I'd been trying to write pedestrian realism like so many other struggling writers, and then when I tried fantasy – a vampire telling his story – my entire emotional world and spiritual world were suddenly available to me. The publication was marvelously exciting, of course. This was a ‘first novel’ yet it made headlines. The hardcover – as it turned out – was not a great success, but the paperback launched the novel on a never-ending journey. I was grateful for all of it. The novel was controversial, as no one had seen anything quite like ‘an interview with a vampire’ before, and that added to the excitement. 

  • What inspired you to return to Lestat after more than a decade? 
New ideas. New visions. New possibilities. At the time I retired from the Chronicles (2003) I really had no more to say with Lestat. I associated the Chronicles with some of the most painful parts of my life. But as the years passed, I kept thinking of Lestat, wondering what he would think about this or that cultural development, what he might have to say about this or that new film or book. He was alive for me, out there, in exile. Finally I went back and reread all of the books, and he was talking to me again, coming out of exile, out of his ‘depression’, wanting to live again. It was glorious. 

  • Much has changed in our world in the last fifteen years. But what has changed for your vampires, who have of course already lived through centuries of change? 
Media, communications and the internet have had a big impact on my vampires. They are confronting a world of digital phones, internet radio, satellite photography and such that they never dreamed of. For the first time in their history, they are aware of what is happening to vampires everywhere. In sum, they are feeling the impact of 24/7 news, instant photography, and internet streaming just like everybody else today. 

  • While you were writing, did your characters have anything unusual in store for you, anything delightful or troubling? 
Yes. I abandoned myself to the writing as I always do, welcoming detours, twists and turns, and surprises. And they did indeed come. I found that some old characters were moving towards destruction and I could not really change their fate. I fell in love with some new characters. And at least one minor character – resurrected and given a name – enchanted me. 

  • The film of Interview with the Vampire starred Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. Who would you cast now to play your leads? 
Well, first let me say I loved the film. And I think Tom Cruise did a magnificent job as Lestat, and Brad Pitt did a great job as Louis. Kirsten Dunst was superb as Claudia. Antonio Banderas was an unforgettable Armand. If I were casting a new Lestat movie today, I'd look to the great British actors... Richard Armitage for instance, who would make a beautiful Lestat. He's such a fine actor. Great demeanor, face, voice. When I see him, I see Lestat. He's buried under make up in the Hobbit films. One can't even see him there. But in fact he would be superb as my hero. Matthew Macfadyen would be glorious as Marius. But then there are others – Anson Mount, Stephen Amell, Chris Hemsworth – all fine actors who would be incredible vampires. The American actor, Matt Bomer, would be a great Louis. Franҫois Arnaud would be a great vampire. Gary Oldman and Jeremy Irons, sigh! They are such greats. Surely any vampire film would be incomparably elevated by including them. The character of Armand is always a problem because he is in fact very young physically. I have not lately seen a perfect actor for Armand. As for the female vampires, Holliday Grainger would be great as Pandora. Alexandra Dowling has an otherworldly quality that makes her very beguiling. There are so many others. 

Oh guys! I think we can all say that we are very excited for this novel. Prince Lestat is out OCTOBER 30th so make sure you get your hands on a copy! So now for the GIVEAWAY. UK only. Competition ends 30th of October GOODLUCK! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Thursday 2 October 2014

Book Review: Trial By Fire By Josephine Angelini

Book Name: Trial By Fire
Author: Josephine Angelini
UK publisher: Macmillan
Summary: This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying many of the experiences that other teenagers take for granted...which is why she is determined to enjoy her first (and perhaps only) high-school party. But Lily's life never goes according to plan, and after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly Lily is in a different Salem - one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruellest of all the Crucibles is Lillian . . . Lily's identical other self in this alternate universe. This new version of her world is terrifyingly sensual, and Lily is soon overwhelmed by new experiences.

Lily realizes that what makes her weak at home is exactly what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. It also puts her life in danger. Thrown into a world she doesn't understand, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone, and a love she never expected.

But how can Lily be the saviour of this world when she is literally her own worst enemy?

Review: I had no idea what to expect when starting this novel. I approached this novel having no information about it. I made a decision not to read the synopsis and go into this story blind. When I knew Josephine Angelini wrote it I knew it would be an amazing story.

 Josephine has created word images so vivid that it is almost like watching a movie. She takes you for a romp through a world full of energy, witchcraft, lust, war, science and wrath. This book exudes originality. I found myself feeling every single emotion in the dictionary. Josephine's clever way of building your emotions up and breaking them down is something beyond mind blowing. As I read each page it excused research, love, passion and exciting prospects.

 The relationships in this novel were so addictive. They were not at all forced. It flowed beautifully, especially the relationship between Lily and Rowen. I haven't found a YA leading "couple” this good in a long time. That little pain in your chest you get when something is so emotionally good? Yeah that was me! I found Lily so brave and stubborn. But also really funny! She's the sort of girl you would want around if life wasn't so good. She sees the good in bad situations and I found that refreshing. Rowen on the other hand was a man of star crossed, melt at your feet, want him to feed you grapes shirtless sort of guy. Josephine really knows how to write a leading male. He is an excellent read.

 With its witty dialogue, stunning settings and addictive characters Trail by Fire is an addictive read and an instant favorite, which is a breath of fresh air in YA and left me screaming that it had to end.




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