Sometimes you can tell from the beginning that a book is going to be awesome. Kaleidoscope by Kevin Berry was one of them, and it was primarily due to the strength of the author's voice. Chloe leapt off the very first page like the vibrant and delightfully individual character that she is, and her unwavering honesty and cheerful acceptance of her various 'conditions' made her highly endearing. This book follows on from STIM, but you don't need to have read it first. The central character in STIM is Robert, Chloe's boyfriend, and near the end of that book, they experience the earthquake that shocked Christchurch, New Zealand, in September 2010. Kaleidoscope is narrated by Chloe, a bipolar Aspie (person with Asperger's syndrome), and near the beginning of this book, she and Robert experience the more disastrous February 2011 Earthquake that demolished Christchurch's central business district and killed over 100 people. The earthquake and the difficulties it imposes on the people of … [Read more...]
Review: Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan
Title: Fractured Light Author: Rachel McClellan Publisher: Cedar Fort Imprint: Sweetwater Pub Date: 02/07/2012 Category: Young adult/adult urban fantasy I'm reviewing this book as part of a blog tour. Check the tour calendar here for the rest of the tour. I got really exited about this book because it had everything I love, an original story, characters I could relate to, a gorgeous love interest, plenty of action and excellent writing. These characters were ones I wanted to hang out with and the story so engaging that I didn’t want to put it down. At the same time, I didn’t want to finish it too soon because I enjoyed reading it so much. The blurb Llona Reese is used to living on the run. After the Vykens killed her parents, she knew they would eventually come for her too. She can't take any chances. But when she starts to make friends for the first time in her life, she gets careless and lets her guard down. Big mistake. As an Aura, Llona has the ability to manipulate … [Read more...]
Review – Wayfinder by C.E. Murphy
Title: Wayfinder Author: C.E. Murphy Publisher: Random House Publishing Group http://www.randomhouse.com/book/118852/wayfinder-by-ce-murphy Imprint: Del Rey Pub Date: 09/06/2011 Category: Adult fantasy but suitable for older young adults. Wayfinder is a unique and engaging story set in a vibrant world and brought to life through evocative writing. I particularly loved the imagery. Blurb Lara Jansen is a truthseeker, gifted-or cursed-with the magical ability to tell honesty from lies. Once she was a tailor in Boston, but now she has crossed from Earth to the Barrow-lands, a Faerie world embroiled in a bloody civil war between Seelie and Unseelie. Armed with an enchanted and malevolent staff which seeks to bend her to its dark will, and thrust into a deadly realm where it's hard to distinguish friend from foe, Lara is sure of one thing: her love for Dafydd apCaerwyn, the Faerie prince who sought her help in solving a royal murder and dousing the flames of war before they consumed … [Read more...]
