Young Adult

Melissa Marr – Faery Tales, Nightmares, & Graveminders Competition

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Graveminder by Melissa Marr, UK edition cover.

In case you didn’t know, on her LiveJournal Melissa Marr is holding a give-away of 6 books – Graveminder US and UK paperbacks are up for grabs, as well as Faery Tales & Nightmaresis US hardback.

Faery Tales and Nightmares by Melissa Marr

If you are interested in taking part in the contest, or just want to find out more, then follow the link: http://melissa-writing.livejournal.com/413823.html

Graveminder was published 2nd February 2012 in the UK.
Faery Tales & Nightmares will be published 1st March 2012 in the UK.

You can find out more about both book my visiting Melissa Marr’s website.

Review: Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

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Inheritnace Cycle Book 4

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

Title: Inheritance (Inheritance Book Four)
Author: Christopher Paolini
Genre:Fantasy,  Sword and Sorcery, Young Adult
Publisher: Doubleday Childrens (8th November 2011)
Blurb:

It began with Eragon . . .

It ends with Inheritance . . .

Not so very long ago, Eragon – Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider – was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now, the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.

Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they most confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chance.

The Riders and his dragon have come father than anyone dared to imagine. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?

This is the spellbinding conclusion to Christopher Paolini’s worldwide bestselling Inheritance cycle.

Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

Inheritance brings to a conclusion Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle, a series that was originally conceived as a trilogy. It is always sad to see the end of the series, to say goodbye to the characters you’ve grown to know and love. This book is no exception.

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Review: Lost in Time by Melissa de la Cruz

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A Blue Bloods Novel 6

Lost in Time by Melissa de la Cruz, UK edition cover.

Title: Lost in Time (A Blue Bloods Novel)
Author:  Melissa de la Cruz
Genre: Paranoraml Romance, Young Adult
Publisher: atom (6th October 2011)
Blurb:

They’re young, fabulous and fanged . . .

Egypt, a land of ancient mysteries, seems to hold the key to protecting the Blue Bloods. But when Schuyler and Jack are forced to separate, can she find the strength to fulfil the Van Alen  Legacy on her own?

Mimi finds herself in Egypt too, in an attempt to rescue Kingsley from Hell’s grasp. Can her love story finally have a happy ending? Or will she have to put her own feelings aside to save her crumbling New York Coven?

On thing’s for certain: the fates are never kind to the Blue Bloods. And there’s more at stake for these vampires than love. . .

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

Lost in Time is the sixth book in Melissa de la Cruz’s epic Blue Bloods series. It continues the story of Schuyler Alen, a girl who is anything but ordinary even in the extraordinary world she is a part of. As those who have read the previous books in the series know, being a Blue Blood makes you very special indeed. . .

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Review: Red Glove by Holly Black

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The Curse Workers Book 2

Red Glove by Holly Black, UK edition cover.

Title: Red Glove (The Curse Workers Book 2)
Author: Holly Black
Genre: Young Adult (YA), Urban Fantasy
Publication Date: 16 June 2011
Blurb:

Curses and Cons
Magic and the Mob

In Cassel Sharpe’s world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth – he’s the most powerful curse worker around. He can transform anything – or anyone – into something else.

That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became the white cat. Now she’s back, but she’s been cursed to love him. If Lila’s love is as false as Cassel’s made-up memories, then he can’t believe anything she says or does.

When Cassel’s oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help find his brother’s killer. But the mob wants Cassel too – they know how valuable he could be to them. He will have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. Where can he turn when he can’t trust anyone – least of all, himself?

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

Red Glove is the second book set in Holly Black’s fantastic The Curse Workers series. The story starts some time after the events of White Cat but before the start of the new school year.

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Review: The Warlock by Michael Scott

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The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Book 5

The Warlock by Michael Scott, UK edition cover.

Title: The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel)
Author: Michael Scott
Genre: Young Adult (YA), Urban Fantasy
Publication Date: 2nd June 2011 (Doubleday)
Blurb:

The twins of prophecy have finally been divided. The end is near.

In Alcatraz, Machiavelli and Billy the Kid are following the Elders’ plans to unleash the monsters of Alcatraz on the city of San Francisco, triggering the end of the Humani race.

In the Shadowrealm, warriors – including Scathach and Palamedes – have been summoned to travel back in time to destroy the lost city of Danu Talis. The island must fall to save the modern world.

In San Francisco, Josh has chosen a side – and he will not stand with his sister, Sophie, or the Alchemyst, Nicholas Flamel. He has chosen to fight alongside John Dee and the mysterious Virginia Dare.


Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

The Warlock is the penultimate book in Michael Scott’s series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. The story starts from where The Necromancer leaves off. Scott crams so much into such a short period of time – it is hard to believe that the first book in the series The Alchemyst takes place on Thursday 31st May whilst this book takes place  on Wednesday 6th June. A lot happens in just six days in this world.

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Review: The Necromancer by Michael Scott

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Book 4 of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel

The Necromancer by Michael Scott, UK edition cover.

Title: The Necromancer (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel)
Author: Michael Scott
Genre: Young Adult (YA), Urban Fantasy
Publication Date: 5th August 2010

Blurb:

Trust no one . . .

Josh and Sophie Newman have finally made it home – but San Francisco is no longer a safe haven for the twins. They have not yet mastered the magics they desperately need for protection against the Dark Elders, and Dr. John Dee is still hunting them down. Worse still, they are no longer sure if they can trust Nicholas Flamel – or anyone.

Perenelle has escaped from Alcatraz and must now fight with Nicholas to protect Josh and Sophie. But she was not the only powerful weapon hidden on the island – an army of monsters is about to be unleashed on San Francisco. With their powers weakening by the hour, the Flamels know that this battle may kill them both.

Having failed to retrieve the missing pages of the Codex for the Elders, Dee is now an outlaw – and the new prey of all the creatures formerly sent to hunt down Nicholas Flamel. But Dee has a plan – to raise the Mother of the Gods from the dead. To achieve this, he must train a necromancer. And the twins of legend will make the perfect pupils . . .

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

Let me preface this review by saying that I am a fan of the series, and have been following it for a while. This is the fourth book in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. It continues the story-arc from The Sorceress and brings the end of the world ever closer. In this book, perhaps more than in any other in the series, there is a definite sense of battle looming in the background – it feels like the Apocalypse will occur within days of the events of the book. There is a very definite sense that the events of this book will set the stage for what is to come.

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