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Michelle

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  1. Unremembered By Jessica Brody A sixteen year old wakes up as the only survivor of an air crash, with no memory of who she is, or where she’s come from. The media latch on to her unusual coloured eyes, and she takes on the name Violet. Fostered by a family and their teen son, she starts to realise that there are other unusual things about her. She meets a mysterious boy who claims to know who she is.. but who can she trust? It’s an interesting premise to start a story with, and could have gone in lots of different directions. I thought I had it worked out at one point, only to find out my ideas weren’t quite accurate – and then the story developed well beyond what I imagined. The story itself draws you in from the beginning, and continues to be fast paced. It’s continuously moving and evolving, and should keep even reluctant readers engaged. The characters are also well developed, with ‘Violet’ herself being believable as she tries to work out who she is and what’s happening to her. There’s romance, but never does it take over from the story. Unremembered is an exciting blend of mystery, thriller and science fiction. It’s the first in a new YA Trilogy – for me, the story was wrapped up enough to be satisfying, but has also left me anxious for second book, a hard balance to achieve. An excellent addition to the YA market – highly recommended!
  2. Tomorrow I will be 21 again!

    1. Show previous comments  10 more
    2. Stiggy

      Stiggy

      Well, happy birthday!

    3. Inver

      Inver

      Birthday wishes from me too...wee bit late..any books?

    4. Kidsmum

      Kidsmum

      Happy Belated Birthday Michelle hope you celebrated like a 21 year old :)

  3. This section is for discussions related to buying, selling or swapping. There is a specific section for members to list books they are selling or looking for, but this can not be accessed until you have 10 posts. Please note that this is an informal section for members to buy and sell, it is not to be used for commercial sites or ebay listings. Responsibility for transactions lies with the individuals, and not the forum owners.
  4. We probably removed it because it seemed promotional - maybe you contacted me about it? I do have to say that coming back a year later to tell us about the same book isn't helping - are you connected to this book at all?
  5. Dear Mark Stewart - if you want to promote your own book using deception, it might have been better not to use your Twitter name!
  6. Noah's Child by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt Noah’s Child is a short book, just under 140 pages, and is part of a series about childhood and religion. It tells the story of Joseph, a 7 year old Jewish child separated from his parents when threatened by the Nazis. He ends up being taken to an orphanage, where he is instructed how to become someone else. He is looked after by Father Pons, whom, he discovers, has set out to collect and record all can about being a Jew. He tells Joseph he is trying to save it, in the same way that Noah saved humans and animals during the flood. Joseph and Father Pons develop a wonderful connection as he starts to help him. It is told from the point of view of Joseph himself, and it manages to portray how events may have been viewed by a child – on it’s surface it’s a simple story of survival, but the horrors are lurking underneath. There are also some lovely, simple discussions about religion and faith. It’s a short, simple story, but one which will touch and stay with you.
  7. Lots of people adding it to their wish list, has anyone read it yet? I've just finished the sequel..
  8. Thanks Andrea - strangely I enjoyed visualising the early stories. One review down! The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There by Catherynne M Valente Another great cover, and another long title! ‘The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There‘ follows on from ‘The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making‘, which I reviewed last year. It’s probably not necessary to read the 1st, if you’ve picked up this one, but it would certainly add to the experience, so I would recommend going back if possible. Both books are quite difficult to describe, and I don’t think my reviews do them justice. They are, in essence, wonderful fairy stories, with some very imaginative creatures and characters. Catherynne’s style is very lyrical, and no matter what strange thing she is describing, the words seem to flow from the page. Most of the important characters from her earlier adventure are there, but are not themselves. In the world under Fairlyland, she meets their shadows, almost the same, but with differences – some subtle, some not so subtle. Her own shadow, taken from her during that first adventure, is in charge, and September feels that things are not right, and it’s up to her to put it right. Amongst the strangeness and magic, there are serious themes and truths, and this felt like a more grown up book than the 1st. September is now a young teenager, and throughout her adventure, she somehow manages to go through those usual teen thoughts and situations, including learning to think about others, her plans for her future, and her first kiss. I don’t see these books mentioned enough, and I think they have the potential to be future classics – younger readers will enjoy the magical strangeness, whilst those a little older will start to see a little deeper. There are many layers, and I’m sure I will find more on re-reading. Recommended for readers of all ages who enjoy falling into a book and getting lost there.
  9. The beginning really wasn't what I expected, although I think it will go more that way now. However, I actually loved the first few stories he told, and one in particular was quite chilling!
  10. A few reviews to catch up with tomorrow. Am presently reading Fractured, which is the follow up to Slated, a rather enjoyable YA. Audio, I've started the Martian Chronicles, which was in a sale on audible - it's really not what I was expecting, but is great anyway. Has anyone else read it? I've also come to the conclusion that I'm becoming rather fussy with my reading - if I'm not finding it really good, my mojo fights me all the way. Which is difficult when trying to read review books... I don't want to let the publishers down and not review it, but if it's not really interesting, I struggle to finish.
  11. No! I loved the PJ books, and the film was nothing like I'd imagined it!
  12. We've all been through coughs and colds, and now Amy has a temp and is being sick. :(

    1. Ooshie

      Ooshie

      Hope you are all a bit better now, and Amy is a big bit better! :)

    2. Inver

      Inver

      oh dear...hope she gets over it quick.

  13. I really did enjoy it, and have just made a start on Vortex, the 2nd one. As for good YA, check out http://strangechemistrybooks.com/ - they're a brill YA imprint. Plus, I would always recommend Hunger Games and Divergent, if you haven't read those.
  14. I would imagine it's too detailed for a smaller screen.
  15. From the Transworld blog.. The bad news is that it's a £9.99 app. So, something for dedicated fans only, or do you think many will download? Will you?
  16. I got mine from Audible, and the narration is lovely. I think it was one I enjoyed listening to, and I maybe wouldn't have continued if trying to read it.
  17. Surely I can't be old enough to have a 14 year old daughter!? Happy birthday to my 'baby' :)

    1. chaliepud

      chaliepud

      Happy birthday to Beth x

    2. Michelle
    3. Ooshie

      Ooshie

      Hope you all had a lovely day :) x

  18. Surely I can't be old enough to have a 14 year old daughter!? Happy birthday to my 'baby' :)

    1. Inver

      Inver

      It happens Michelle. Hope she is enjoying her day.

  19. Have just finished Rebecca as an audiobook. Whilst it was good, and I enjoyed the characters, I have to admit being a bit underwhelmed. Am really enjoying the Fairyland book, it has a more grown up feel than the first. Am not being very good at picking up my kindle, but I really must!
  20. I love Jonathan Stroud, so I was very happy to hear he has a new book due later this year. The following is from the press release, and if I'm lucky enough to get an early copy, I shall be reporting here first!
  21. Risingdawn, I moved an existing thread into this section, and merged it with yours.
  22. It's always been like that with books - if I review an early copy, I have to wait to post up my review.
  23. And again here - http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/312-lisa-gardner/page__hl__gardner
  24. Can you please use the search facility before making a new thread - there's a thread here already.... http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/6099-linwood-barclay/page__hl__linwood
  25. Three reviews written this afternoon, which feel like they've taken hours! Mind you, that includes cross posting them, contacting the authors etc. Tempest - http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/11245-tempest-by-julie-cross/ A Gift of Time - http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/11244-a-gift-of-time-a-familys-diary-of-cancer-rory-maclean/ Unexplained Phenomena - http://bcfreviews.wordpress.com/2013/01/27/the-mammoth-book-of-unexplained-phenomena-roy-bainton/ So far I'm at 6 books, which is not bad considering it's still January! Currently: Audio - Rebecca and The Man Who Rained Book - The Girl Who Fell Below Fairyland Kindle - The Holders
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