Weave Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 (edited) Elidor by Alan Garner ~ Started: 23.01.11 ~ Finished: 24.01.11 Synopsis ~ Roland, Helen, Nicholas and David, four Manchester children, are led into Elidor, a twilight world almost destroyed by fear and darkness. On a gloomy day in Manchester, Roland, Helen, Nicholas and David are lured into a ruined church, where the fabric of time and place is weak enough to allow them into the twilight world of Elidor. It is a place almost destroyed by fear and darkness, and the children are charged with guarding its Treasures while a way is sought to save the dying land. Then the evil forces find a path through to this world! 'Elidor' is the story of four siblings, Nicholas, David, Helen and Roland who one day by accident find themselves in the world of Elidor, a world which is connected to ours in many ways. Elidor is dying and the only people who can save it are Nicholas, David, Helen and Roland. Roland, the youngest of the siblings, who is shy and is scared easily shows his worth in Elidor when he meets Malebron, a warrior who leads Roland to his siblings and treasures that must be kept safe, so that Elidor can be saved. Roland bravely saves his siblings and they take the treasures, Nicholas has a stone, David, a sword, Helen, a bowl and Roland, a spear, when the return home, the treasures have changed, they look old and not what they were but they still feel the same, the children hide them and wait to hear from Malebron, while they wait, they are faced with enemies from Elidor and must use all of their wits to find their way back to Malebron and Elidor before its too late. What I thought of 'Elidor' ~ I first read 'Elidor' when I was 10 years old in Primary School (so I am really showing my age) and the story always stuck with me, so it was a trip down memory lane when I read it again. I love 'Elidor' for various reasons, the story is well told, the characters unforgettable, the only downside of the story is how short it is, you want to read more. Definitely a book to share with my nieces and nephews and I know I will go back to 'Elidor' again and again. Rating ~ 10/10 Edited March 20, 2011 by Weave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kidsmum Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Great review Weave, I read Elidor when I was a child & loved it so much that I bought it for my kids but they never read it I think I might dig it out & add it to my TBR pile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 Great review Weave, I read Elidor when I was a child & loved it so much that I bought it for my kids but they never read it I think I might dig it out & add it to my TBR pile Thanks Kidsmum, I hope you can find it and read it, I would love to hear your thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladymacbeth Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Elidor sounds a bit similar to Narnia. Does it have that feel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 Elidor sounds a bit similar to Narnia. Does it have that feel? Hi ladymacbeth, how are you? its similar in some aspects but with Narnia, everything stays in Narnia, in Elidor, they are followed through to this world Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted January 30, 2011 Author Share Posted January 30, 2011 (edited) The Behaviour of Moths by Poppy Adams ~ Started: 24.01.11 ~ Finished: 30.01.11 Synopsis ~ From her lookout on the first floor, Ginny watches and waits for her adored younger sister to return to the crumbling mansion that was once their idyllic childhood home. Vivien has not stepped foot in the house since she left, forty seven years ago; Ginny, the reclusive lepidopterist, has rarely ventured outside it. The remembrance of their youth, of loss, and of old rivalries plays across Ginny's mind. Why is Vivi coming home? Ginny has been selling off the family furniture over the years, gradually shutting off each wing of the house and retreating into the precise routines and isolation that define her days. Only the attic remains untouched. There, collected over several generations, are walls lined with pinned and preserved Bordered Beauties and Rusty Waves, Feathered Footmen and Great Brocades, Purple Cloud, Angle Shades, the Gothic and the Stranger … 'The Behaviour of Moths' tells the story of two sisters, Ginny and Vivien, raised in a mansion in the countryside by their community driven Mother, Maude and their Father, Clive an lepidopterist (a person who specialises in the study of moths), their childhood is idyllic, with Ginny sharing her father's passion for the study of moths. As the girls grow up, Vivien view of her home life changes and she leaves home, leaving Ginny to look after her parents, Vivien's visits are few and far behind over the years until she writes and tells Ginny she is coming home for good, upsetting Ginny's ordered life and wondering why Vivien is coming home. What I thought of 'The Behaviour of Moths' ~ I am in two minds about 'The Behaviour of Moths', I did not hate it but I did not like it, I was in between because there was certain aspects of the story that are well done but other parts that make little sense (well to me they did not make sense), there is a definite theme running through the book that Ginny may have Aspergers or be autistic but it has been undiagnosed, that did not confuse me, it was the actual story, its very open to interpretation but there is not much to help you reach that interpretation. Rating ~ 5/10 Edited January 30, 2011 by Weave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider's Guide by J.R.Ward ~ Started: 30.01.11 ~ Finished: 02.02.11 Synopsis ~ Prepare to enter the dark, passionate world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and get up close and personal with each of the Brothers. You'll find insider information on the Brotherhood and interviews with your favourite characters, including a heartbreaking conversation with Tohrment and Wellsie, conducted three weeks before she was killed by lessers. You'll discover deleted scenes in addition to exciting material from the J. R. Ward message boards and the answers to questions about the series posed by readers. You'll learn what it's like for J. R. Ward to write each instalment of the series and, in a fascinating twist, you'll read an interview with the author ? conducted by the Brothers themselves. For the first time ever, you'll see a brand new, never-before-published novella about Zsadist and Bella, and witness the miracle of their daughter Nalla's birth. Also, you'll receive a sneak peek at the much-anticipated next book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Rehvenge's story. 'The Black Dagger Brotherhood' series now has 10 books (including 'An Insider's Guide), the stories of the brothers of the Black Dagger Brotherhood are great to read, fantastic stories and excellent characters and I am patiently waiting for the next book, 'Lover Unleashed', which is due for release on the 29th March 2011. 'An Insider's Guide' has everything you need to know about the brothers, their lives and their Shellans (Wives), there is also a new short story called 'Father Mine' which tells the story of Zsadist and Bella, and their newborn daughter, Nalla. What I thought of 'The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider's Guide'~ 'An Insider's Guide' is a definite must have for all BDB fans, J.R. Ward has created this amazing world which you can tell she has put her whole heart into. You learn more about the brothers and how the books were written, how the characters were created, where their names derived from, everything you need to know, and what I also love about J.R. Ward is how much respect she shows to her fans and how she encourages people to write, a pleasure to read, it made me want to re~read all the books again! (and you know what? I think I will). Rating ~ 10/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted February 12, 2011 Author Share Posted February 12, 2011 (edited) Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde ~ Started: 02.02.11 ~ Finished: 12.02.11 Synopsis ~ Hundreds of years in the future, after the Something that Happened, the world is an alarmingly different place. Life is lived according to The Rulebook and social hierarchy is determined by your perception of colour. Eddie Russett is an above average Red who dreams of moving up the ladder by marriage to Constance Oxblood. Until he is sent to the Outer Fringes where he meets Jane – a lowly Grey with an uncontrollable temper and a desire to see him killed. For Eddie, it’s love at first sight. But his infatuation will lead him to discover that all is not as it seems in a world where everything that looks black and white is really shades of grey . . . 'Shades of Grey' is the story of Edward Russett who lives in a future society called 'Chromatacia',created after the collapse of our own future society, which is known as 'The Previous', all life is run by 'The Rules' which were laid down by Munsell, the man who founded 'Chromatacia'. The ability to see colour is of the up most of importance in Chromatacia, which can be limited in most people to different degrees of colour, Red or at most two colours. People who do not have the ability to see colour are known as Greys and are the lowest in the social order, which is known as Colourtocracy. Everyone at the age 20 must complete their Ishihara (the test for colour blindness) to find out what percentage of colour they can see, once the Ishihara completed, the individual is now part of the collective of Chromatacia. Edward Russett is a Red, his parents were Reds and he can see Red but it has not been confirmed how much and is about to take his Ishihara to find out when he sent to East Carmine to complete a chair census, a punishment for playing a practical joke on a prefect's son. Edward and his father Holden, go to East Carmine as Holden is also the holiday relief Swatchman (instead of treating his patients with medication, he treats them with swatches of colour). What begins as a chair census turns into something entirely different when Edward meets Jane, a Grey, with a cute nose and a fierce temper, who is more aware of the world than Edward has ever been, and the more time that Edward spends with Jane and in East Carmine, the more he finds out, everything is not as straightforward as Edward originally thought. What I thought of 'Shades of Grey' ~ I love The Thursday Next series also by Jasper Fforde, it was with some trepidation when I began reading 'Shades of Grey', I was very used to Thursday and her world and I did not know what to expect with 'Shades of Grey'. I am glad to say that I loved Edward's world as much as Thursday’s, 'Shades of Grey' has more of a scientific approach and a very different take on the dystopia genre, which I found refreshing and I think other readers will too. As always, Jasper Fforde's sense of humour runs through the book and there is many laugh out moments, all of the characters are written well and have strong personalities, they have their own quirks and ideas of the world, and Edward's reaction to them goes from bemusement to outright hilarity, which I loved reading. A definite must read for Jasper Fforde fans and for any new fans out there. I am looking forward to Book 2 of the series ~ 'Shades of Grey: Painting by Numbers'. Rating ~ 10/10 Edited February 18, 2011 by Weave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Great review, Weave! I really need to bump this up my TBR pile, if only to find out what it means that you consider yourself 'green'. Do you know when the second book is scheduled for release? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 Great review, Weave! I really need to bump this up my TBR pile, if only to find out what it means that you consider yourself 'green'. Do you know when the second book is scheduled for release? Thanks Kylie, I checked on wikipedia and the second book is due for release in (wait for it) 2014! but I am hoping that will change And I think I am 'green' because I seem to focus on the green in pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyshake Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Great review of 'Shades of Grey' Weave I enjoyed it too .. really Jasper can do no wrong. I'm looking forward to the sequel. Interesting too to read your thoughts on'Elidor' by Alan Garner .. I read his 'The Owl Service' a couple of years ago and it was one of the strangest books I've ever read, I enjoyed it though and I know 'Thursbitch' has a great reputation also (and I think it's on the 1001.) I'm interested to read 'Elidor', I like the sound of it. I always think it's extra creepy when the forces of evil from another world .. find their way into this one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted February 14, 2011 Author Share Posted February 14, 2011 Thanks poppyshake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 (edited) The Body Finder (Book One in 'The Body Finder' series) by Kimberly Derting ~ Started: 12.02.11 ~ Finished: 15.02.11 Synopsis ~ Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies – or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world...and the imprints that attach to their killers. Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift, but now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him. Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer – and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling in love, Violet is getting closer to discovering a killer...and becoming his prey herself. 'The Body Finder' is the first book in 'The Body Finder'. 'The Body Finder' begins with 8 year old Violet Ambrose, the main character of the story walking in the woods with her father. As father and daughter walk through the woods, Violet feels an echo, a feeling, which she goes to investigate and unfortunately finds the dead body of a murdered girl buried. Violet has a power which she has inherited from her grandmother, the power to find dead bodies, human or animal and now at the age of 16 she needs her power more than ever a as serial killer is murdering young girls, Violet must find the killer before its too late. What I thought of 'The Body Finder' ~ I enjoyed 'The Body Finder', it was a easy and interesting read, Violet is an easy character to identify with and her developing relationship with best friend Jay is predictable but it flows nicely. 'The Body Finder' did remind me of the Harper Connelly series by Charlaine Harris, which I enjoyed (and miss), so its good to read a series similar to it. There is enough suspense to keep you entertained and I am planning on reading the sequel, 'Desires of the Dead' when its released next month. Rating ~ 7/10 ****** Midnight Cowboy by James Leo Herlihy ~ Started: 15.02.11 ~ Finished: 18.02.11 Synopsis ~ The classic American novel that was the source for the Oscar-winning film starring Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight, now back in print from Scribner. Joe Buck, a good-looking, naively charming Texas 'cowboy' who's convinced that he's the salvation of many love-starved New York women, makes his way to the Big Apple to seek his fortune. Trouble is, his well-to-do clientèle never materialises and the only wealth he finds is in the friendship of Ratso Rizzo, a scrounging, sleazy, small-time con man with big dreams. Living on the tattered fringe of society, these two outcasts develop an unlikely bond - one that transcends their broken dreams and get-rich-quick schemes and makes Midnight Cowboy that rarest of things...every bit as moving now as it was when it was first published. Midnight Cowboy is the powerful and unforgettable novel of the compelling need of human beings for one another. 'Midnight Cowboy' is the story of Joe Buck, handsome, naïve and about to leave his current home of Houston, Texas to go to the bright lights of New York, to become a hustler to all the wealthy women of New York. Joe's naivety quickly becomes the target of con man Rizzo 'Ratso' (his real name is Enrico Salvatore Rizzo) but despite their troublesome beginning, Joe and Ratso find a friend in each other, and work towards Ratso's dream of going to Florida, a subject that Ratso is incredibly knowledgeable about, now all they have to do is survive New York and make the money to start a new life in Florida. What I thought of 'Midnight Cowboy' ~ I have never seen the film of 'Midnight Cowboy' and I was happy that I had not seen the film when I started reading the book, I could see the characters as I would see them as opposed to two actors on a screen. 'Midnight Cowboy' is the story of two very different but ultimately lonely men who become to depend on each other, both Joe and Rizzo grew up in families where they were forgotten, so they are both looking for something, Joe, for someone to love and someone to love him, Rizzo to be accepted, he has always survived on his wits and shows Joe all the tricks of the trade, and Joe shows Rizzo friendship and compassion. The book is also about a ever changing America and what the America dream is for both characters, a sad book in so many ways but also funny at times especially the bickering between Joe and Rizzo. Joe's naiveness and personality shines through the book and you can not help but like him and Rizzo too, they are characters you will care about. Read it if you get the chance. Rating ~ 7/10 Edited February 18, 2011 by Weave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charm Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Great reviews Weave I really like the sound of The Body Finder, you're right, it does sound rather like Harper Connelly which as you know I loved too. I think I'll add it to my wishlist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 Great reviews Weave I really like the sound of The Body Finder, you're right, it does sound rather like Harper Connelly which as you know I loved too. I think I'll add it to my wishlist Good times hen, if you want to borrow my copy, its not a problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charm Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Good times hen, if you want to borrow my copy, its not a problem Aw fanks! I'll keep that in mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 (edited) Room by Emma Donoghue ~ Started: 18.02.11 ~ Finished: 21.02.11 Synopsis ~ It’s Jack’s birthday, and he’s excited about turning five. Jack lives with his Ma in Room, which has a locked door and a skylight, and measures 11 feet by 11 feet. He loves watching TV, and the cartoon characters he calls friends, but he knows that nothing he sees on screen is truly real – only him, Ma and the things in Room. Until the day Ma admits that there's a world outside . . . Told in Jack's voice, Room s the story of a mother and son whose love lets them survive the impossible. Unsentimental and sometimes funny, devastating yet uplifting, Room is a novel like no other. 'Room' is the story of Jack and his Ma, and where they live, a place called Room, Jack was born there and does not know anything else, his Ma is his whole world and Jack is his Ma's whole world. Ma tries to make things as normal as possible for Jack, he plays with his friends, who are cartoon characters on TV, he learns from his cartoon friends and his Ma and every night he sleeps in Wardrobe waiting for the door to Room to go 'beep beep' and open with the arrival of Old Nick, who Jack has never see up close because his Ma forbids it. Jack's world changes when his Ma tells Jack about 'Outside', what he can see when he looks out of 'Skylight' and Ma's plan to leave 'Room' forever. What I thought of 'Room' ~ There has been endless positive reviews about 'Room' and I am going to add to them with another positive review, 'Room' is nothing short of brilliance, Emma Donoghue's has created one of the most insightful, whimsical, intelligent and endearing characters in five year old Jack. 'Room' is told from his point of view, everything in his world has order, he understands it, he has his Ma with him and that is all he needs. The character of Jack's Ma is well written, a woman raising her son in the strangest of circumstances, keeping his safe, teaching him as much as she can, her concerns as Jack gets older and what she should do to make sure they both get the lives they deserve, Jack and his Ma' strength as a family unit shines through, they are fiercely protective of each other. Jack's individual look at the world shines through too, which will make you laugh and cry, you will feel for Jack and Ma, their fight to have normality in their lives is inspirational. 'Room' is well researched and without giving too much away, it explores all aspects of what Ma and Jack go through, you feel for both of them because they do not deserve their past and you feel positive for them for their future. I started 'Room' last Friday but did not get a chance to have a straight run of reading it until yesterday and I finished the book this morning, I could not put the book down. 'Room' is a book that will stay with you, I guarantee Jack and his Ma will be in your thoughts from time to time. Highly recommended. Rating ~ 10/10 Edited February 21, 2011 by Weave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Another great review, Paula, and another recommendation from the good people on the forum to read Room. It seems like this is the book to read at the moment, I'm certainly happy I found a copy of it at the library, can't wait to get to reading it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 Another great review, Paula, and another recommendation from the good people on the forum to read Room. It seems like this is the book to read at the moment, I'm certainly happy I found a copy of it at the library, can't wait to get to reading it Thanks Frankie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopeanha Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 (edited) I have The Body Finder waiting on my shelf, I might bump it up in priority. Oh and weave, is your avatar a scene from Ponyo? Edited February 22, 2011 by lopeanha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted February 22, 2011 Author Share Posted February 22, 2011 I have The Body Finder waiting on my shelf, I might bump it up in priority. Oh and weave, is your avatar a scene from Ponyo? I think you will enjoy it lopeanha and indeed it is a scene from Ponyo, its from the book Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vodkafan Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Ho Weave Room sounds like a must read, I think my wife would like it too, adding that one to my list right away thanks !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted February 25, 2011 Author Share Posted February 25, 2011 Ho Weave Room sounds like a must read, I think my wife would like it too, adding that one to my list right away thanks !! Not a problem vodkafan, you are very welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peacefield Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 I'm adding it to my wishlist too, Paula . As always, an excellent review! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 I'm adding it to my wishlist too, Paula . As always, an excellent review! Thanks hen , I hope you get the chance to read it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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