~Weave's World Of Books 2010~

[Weave]

Lover Eternal (The Black Dagger Brotherhood) by J.R. Ward ~ Started: 08.09.10 ~ Finished: 09.09.10

 

 

Synopsis ~

 

Possessed by a deadly beast, Rhage is the most dangerous of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the vampire with the strongest appetites. He's the best fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses, and the most voracious lover-for inside him burns a ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin. Possessed by this dark side, Rhage fears the times when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him. Mary Luce, a survivor of many hardships, is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world and reliant on Rhage's protection. With a life-threatening curse of her own, Mary is not looking for love. Her faith in miracles was lost years ago. But when Rhage's intense animal attraction turns into something more emotional, he knows that he must make Mary his alone. And while their enemies close in, Mary fights desperately to gain life eternal with the one she loves.

 

'Lover Eternal' is the second book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

 

'Lover Eternal' is the story of Rhage, who is also known as 'Hollywood' because of his good looks, there is also a dark side to Rhage, he has been cursed and now has a inner dragon and when he loses control, he changes into a dragon, understandably Rhage is scared of this aspect of his personality and will not allow himself to be close to anyone, then he meets Mary Luce, a woman with her own demons to face and deal with.

 

I enjoyed the second book, Rhage and Mary were excellent characters and despite the corny parts in the book, Mary's story was shown in a sympathetic way and also showed the strength of Mary's character too, which was good to read. As mentioned, parts of the story are very corny and I freely admit to rolling my eyes at certain parts but despite that, both stories I have read so far has been great to read, there is something for everyone.

 

A fun read, pure escapism and definitely just for adults.

 

******

 

Lover Awakened (The Black Dagger Brotherhood) by J.R. Ward ~ Started: 09.09.10 ~ Finished: 11.09.10

 

 

Synopsis ~

 

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Of these, Zsadist is the most terrifying member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. A former blood slave, the vampire Zsadist still bears the scars from a past filled with suffering and humiliation. Renowned for his unquenchable fury and sinister deeds, he is a savage feared by humans and vampires alike. Anger is his only companion, and terror is his only passion - until he rescues a beautiful aristocrat from the evil Lessening Society. Bella is instantly entranced by the seething power Zsadist possesses. But even as their desire for one another begins to overtake them both, Zsadist's thirst for vengeance against Bella's tormentors drives him to the brink of madness. Now, Bella must help her lover overcome the wounds of his tortured past, and find a future with her.

 

'Lover Awakened' is the third book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

 

'Lover Awakened' is the story of Zsadist, the darkest member of the Brotherhood, Zsadist has scars, not physically but mentally too, which I found sad to read. Zsadist will not allow himself to love or be loved by anyone because of his issues, so he is somewhat conflicted when he meets Bella, an unwilling aristocrat of the glymera who needs his protection from the lessening society,now Zsadist has more issues to deal with his, the lessers and his feelings for Bella.

 

After my initial reaction of Zsadist in the first book (that he seemed scary), it was interesting to learn more about him and that you should never judge a book by its cover, Zsadist is definitely one of the strong characters in the books and I do like him.

 

As mentioned before, some parts of the story are corny but they keep you interested and you find more and more about the character, giving you a more full picture of the person they are.

 

A fun read.

 

******

 

 

Lover Revealed (The Black Dagger Brotherhood) by J.R. Ward ~ Started: 11.09.10 ~ Finished: 13.09.10

 

 

Synopsis ~

 

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Now, an ally of the Black Dagger Brotherhood will face the challenge of his life and the evil of the ages. Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard living, ex-homicide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world- to engage in the turf war with the lessers. He's got nothing to lose. His heart belongs to a female vampire, an aristocratic beauty who's way out of his league. If he can't have her, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers... Fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, found by a miracle, the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back, though even her love may not be enough to save him…

 

'Lover Revealed' is the fourth book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

 

'Lover Revealed' is the story of Butch O'Neal, the former homicide cop who is now an unofficial member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Butch has been accepted by the brotherhood, especially Vishous, who Butch now lives with. Butch is an asset to the Brotherhood, with his deductive skills, etc, he also wants to save as many people as he can due to a loss in his past.

 

Butch is also in love with Marissa, who is a member of one of the first families, she has been taught all of her life how to please others, when she meets Butch, they see a different side to each other and now with recent events they are finding it more and more difficult to be together.

 

I read mixed reviews about 'Lover Revealed', so I did read it with some caution, I had enjoyed the first three books and hoped the series continued to get better and with 'Lover Revealed', it does, I like the character of Butch, he is thrown in this amazing situation and accepts it with ease and does what he can, and finding love with Marissa is somewhat a surprise for him, which was great to read.

 

Another fun read.

Edited October 13, 2010 by Weave

[Charm]

Goodness Weave, you're flying through the BDB series! Mind you, I did the same, when I finished one I just wanted the next So glad you're enjoying them, my favourite is Zhadist, all that seething power I think!

[Weave]

Goodness Weave, you're flying through the BDB series! Mind you, I did the same, when I finished one I just wanted the next So glad you're enjoying them, my favourite is Zhadist, all that seething power I think!

 

Oh I hear ya hen I'm reading enjoying, the stories are great and the characters are fab, I am looking forward to reading the rest of them.

Edited September 13, 2010 by Weave

[frankie]

Looks like you've been having some good times with good books lately, Paula! Happy reading

[Weave]

Lover Unbound (The Black Dagger Brotherhood) by J.R. Ward ~ Started: 14.09.10 ~ Finished: 15.09.10

 

 

Synopsis ~

 

Dr Jane Whitcomb, leader of a cardiac trauma team, is about to leave the medical centre for the night when an emergency is brought in - a man with a gunshot wound to the heart. As she examines him, however, she begins to suspect that her dangerously sexy new patient is not entirely human. One night, while he's still in recovery, this tattooed stranger reaches out to her. He seems soothed by her presence. And she is oddly captivated by his. She will soon learn that he is Vishous - V for short - the smartest vampire in the Black Dagger Brotherhood. But his tortured past has left him avoiding intimacy. It is against V's nature to let anyone see his vulnerable side. Except Jane. He has the oddest sense that she understands.

 

'Lover Unbound' is the fifth book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

 

'Lover Unbound' is the story of Vishous (or V for short), the smartest of the brothers, he can speak 16 languages, knows everything about technology and loves to read. As with previous books, you find out about the character's past and Vishous has to be one of the saddest and disturbing, which has made him who he is.

 

On patrol searching for lessers (members of the lessening society) V is shot in the chest and is raced to hospital without the brotherhood's knowledge, there V is worked on by cardiac surgeon, Dr Jane Whitcomb, who finds out there is much more to the man she has saved.

 

'Lover Unbound' is another great part to the series, as with the other books, there are underlying stories from other characters and along with the main story, it keeps you entertained and presents an opening to the next book.

 

V is a great character and very funny, I had a few laugh out loud moments reading the book.

 

A series which goes from strength to strength.

 

******

 

 

Lover Enshrined (The Black Dagger Brotherhood) by J.R. Ward ~ Started: 15.09.10 ~ Finished: 16.09.10

 

 

Synopsis ~

 

Phury, Zsadist's twin brother and a vampire in the Black Dagger Brotherhood, makes the ultimate sacrifice and stands in for a fellow brother to become the chosen - one who will save the brotherhood's bloodlines. Tormented by the love he has for his twin's mate, he devotes his passion to the higher good of his race and forbids himself from being distracted by a romantic relationship. The war with the Lessening society is graver than ever, and the brothers need the few warriors they have to fight. Phury is resigned never to divert himself with love or put his brothers in jeopardy, until he comes face to face with the only woman who can tempt his heart and make him question his chosen destiny…

 

'Lover Enshrined' is the sixth book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

 

'Lover Enshrined' is the story of Phury, Zsadist's twin brother (Phury is the youngest of the brothers). Phury has always lived his life for his brother, Zsadist, who was kidnapped as a baby to eventually become a blood slave with no memories of his family, after many years of searching Phury finally found his brother and because of the guilt he feels, Phury has done everything he can to be forgiven. Phury's need for forgiveness leads him to take the place of his brother, Vishous, as the Primale, the one to continue the brotherhood line with the chosen, female vampires who serve the scribe virgin, the only problem in his plan, is everything else happening in his life, his feelings for Zadist's pregnant wife, his developing feelings for his first mate of the chosen, Cormia and his secret addiction problem. Phury finds himself letting people down and himself.

 

Its difficult to choose a favourite book of the series because they get better as the series continues but 'Lover Enshrined' is now a favourite of mines, Phury is a well written character and you caught glimpses of him in the previous books (and if like me, you will come to the same conclusion, Phury has to give himself a break) which showed what kind of man he was and how much he had given up, so I enjoyed learning more about Phury and his past.

 

As always, there are some corny parts but they even out with the calibre of writing by J.R. Ward, the characters are well developed and there is also the introduction of new characters and surprises along the way.

 

A great series.

 

Looks like you've been having some good times with good books lately, Paula! Happy reading

 

I have been very lucky, thanks Frankie

[Charm]

V is a great character and one of my favourites too! I love his wit and the relationship he has with Butch, they compliment each other so well

 

I'm so pleased you're still enjoying these books Weave

[Weave]

V is a great character and one of my favourites too! I love his wit and the relationship he has with Butch, they compliment each other so well

 

I'm so pleased you're still enjoying these books Weave

 

Oh definitely hen, they do compliment each other, great characters

[Weave]

The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell ~ Started: 16.09.10 ~ Finished: 18.09.10

 

Click here for review

 

[Weave]

Lover Avenged (The Black Dagger Brotherhood) by J.R. Ward ~ Started: 18.09.10 ~ Finished: 22.09.10

 

 

Synopsis ~

 

Rehvenge, as a half-breed symphath, is used to living in the shadows and hiding his true identity. As a club owner and a dealer on the black market, he’s also used to handling the roughest nightwalkers around - including the members of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

He’s kept his distance from the Brotherhood as his dark secret could make things complicated on both sides - but now, as head of the vampire aristocracy, he’s an ally that Wrath, the Blind King, desperately needs. Rehv’s secret is about to get out, though, which will land him in the hands of his deadly enemies- and test the mettle of his female, turning her from a civilian into a vigilante…

 

'Lover Avenged' is the seventh book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

 

'Lover Avenged' is the story of Rehvenge, who is not part of the Brotherhood but is related to them by marriage (his sister Bella is married to Zsadist, the main characters in 'Lover Awakened', book three of the series) and he also had dealings with Wrath, the leader of the Brotherhood. Rehvenge has always been a secondary character, mentioned throughout the books because he owns SumZero, the nightclub where the brothers are regulars. You do not know much about Rehvenge except that he is half symphath which he has to keep secret because sympaths are seen as evil and have been banished to the symphath colony.

 

Rehvenge struggles with both his vampire side (from his Mother) and his symphath side (from his Father), he has many secrets which has led to blackmail and misery for Rehvenge but everything he does, he does for his family and his friends, if his secret is revealed, there will be a ripple effect with more secrets being revealed.

 

Rehvenge's life changes somewhat for the better when he meets Ehlena, a nurse who works in the clinic which Rehvenge attends for medication which helps to hide his symphath side, Ehlena is different because she is not caught up in the politics which consume Rehvenge's life but can Ehlena accept Rehvenge's lifestyle?

 

As you know from my previous reviews I have enjoyed all of the books in the series so far but with 'Lover Avenged', J.R. Ward has taken the series to a new level, the story is exciting,there is more drama with the Lessening Society and issues being addressed (something which has been done in the previous books, which I forgot to mention) which makes for interesting reading, it shows that the characters are not perfect and have flaws. There are also political issues within the vampire society being addressed and you cannot help but breathe a sigh of relief that Wrath is in charge.

 

My review does not really show how great the books are, so read them as soon as possible.

[Charm]

Another great review Weave! I really liked Rehvenge from the very start of the series anyway and this one just brought out his character perfectly. I meant to ask you have you checked out JR Ward on Facebook? It has lots of great fan pictures of the characters, some of which are pretty good

[Weave]

Another great review Weave! I really liked Rehvenge from the very start of the series anyway and this one just brought out his character perfectly. I meant to ask you have you checked out JR Ward on Facebook? It has lots of great fan pictures of the characters, some of which are pretty good

 

Thanks hen, Rehvenge is a interesting character and I love how you are finding out more and more about the brotherhood, I have not seen the page on facebook, I am going to check it out, thanks for the heads up

[Weave]

Lover Mine (The Black Dagger Brotherhood) by J.R. Ward ~ Started: 22.09.10 ~ Finished: 25.09.10

 

 

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there’s a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other - vampire warriors, defenders of their race . . .

 

John Matthew has been through his vampire transition and taken to the life of the Brotherhood with a vengeance, but he still can’t shake the nightmare of his past and is unsure of his future as a warrior hero. He’s made a promise to honour the Brotherhood and their fight with the slayers at all costs, until the love of his life is kidnapped and he is forced to make a choice that could change his life and the Brotherhood’s forever . . .

 

'Lover Mine' is the eight book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

 

'Lover Mine' is the story of John Matthew, one of my favourite characters in the series. John Matthew is mute and because of this he has always been isolated from the world, also having been abandoned in a bus station toilet when he was born and then raised in an orphanage. John Matthew knew he was different, not just because of his muteness but because of something else, dreams he had of a previous life, etc. His life changes when he meets Mary, Rhage's wife (John Matthew and Mary both first appear in the second book of the series, 'Lover Eternal' along with Bella, Zadist's wife, who recognises John as pre~transition vampire). At first sceptical and scared, John Matthew is introduced to the world of the Brotherhood by Tohrment, who accepts John Matthew into his home and along with Tohr's wife, Wellsie become parents to John, something he has always craved and they help him to confront his past. John Matthew's life is changed again following a huge loss which affects all of the Brotherhood, which leaves John Matthew alone again, and now transitioned into a full vampire.

 

In 'Lover Mine', John Matthew has suffered lost and is still dealing with his past, added to all of this is his feelings for Xhex, assassin and private bodyguard to Rehvenge, Xhex and John Matthew's relationship is somewhat strained due to the fact that they do not trust anyone and find it difficult to show their feelings but there is a definite spark between them which becomes more apparent in 'Lover Mine' following events in the previous book, 'Lover Avenged'.

 

'Lover Mine' was an excellent insight in John Matthew and Xhex and their pasts, issues that had bee highlighted in the previous books are developed more and you feel bad for both John Matthew and Xhex because they have had such a hard time but they are both survivors and its shown brilliantly how they come to cope with their issues and their relationship.

 

The next book in the series is not released until next year and I cannot wait to find out what happens next in the Black Dagger Brotherhood universe.

Edited September 25, 2010 by Weave

[Weave]

Imprint by Annie Frame ~ Started: 14.09.10 ~ Finished: 14.09.10

 

 

This is a small book but the message is large. It is the story of the evolution of the Soul. The Soul begins at the library and must relearn the lessons from past lives in order to move on. The imprints are the previous lives. There are four imprints in the evolution of this soul. The first is an eight year old girl and the second is a discontent mother. The third imprint is an abused boy that grows into a troubled man. The fourth imprint is that of a rose. The fifth imprint is of the soul's spiritual self and brings all of the previous imprints together. The last imprint is that of a witch and is reflected through the three phases of a woman's life - maiden, mother, crone. It is an interesting story and a short read.

 

'Imprint' is the story of Hercular Rose, a soul who has arrived at the Library of Souls and looking through the pages of her soul journal. In the journals are her past souls, or imprints and by looking at her past lives she must learn from her mistakes to move on.

 

'Imprint' is a definitely a book that gives you a lot to think about and should be read with an open mind, the book is an interesting read and I could relate it in some ways and it did answer some questions I had as someone who does believe in life after death.

 

An interesting and insightful read.

[Weave]

The Quiet Road by Annie Frame ~ Started: 25.09.10 ~ Finished: 27.09.10

 

Click here

Edited October 5, 2010 by Weave

[frankie]

Hi Paula, you're certainly flying through books I just wanted to come here and tell you that I managed to find a couple of your recommended reads on the book fair I was at this weekend. I got The Possession of Mr Cave, Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror and Falling Leaves, and I cannot wait to get to read them. Thanks again for the lovely reviews!

Edited September 30, 2010 by frankie

[Weave]

Hi Paula, you're certainly flying through books I just wanted to come here and tell you that I managed to find a couple of your recommended reads on the book fair I was at this weekend. I got The Possession of Mr Cave, Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror and Falling Leaves, and I cannot wait to get to read them. Thanks again for the lovely reviews!

 

Oh good times Frankie! I hope you enjoy them all, you are very welcome

[Weave]

Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada ~ Started: 27.09.10 ~ Finished: 05.10.10

 

 

Synopsis ~

 

Berlin, 1940, and the city is filled with fear. At the house on 55 Jablonski Strasse, its various occupants try to live under Nazi rule in their different ways: the bullying Hitler loyalists the Persickes, the retired judge Fromm and the unassuming couple Otto and Anna Quangel. Then the Quangels receive the news that their beloved son has been killed fighting in France. Shocked out of their quiet existence, they begin a silent campaign of defiance, and a deadly game of cat and mouse develops between the Quangels and the ambitious Gestapo inspector Escherich. When petty criminals Kluge and Borkhausen also become involved, deception, betrayal and murder ensue, tightening the noose around the Quangels' necks …

 

'Alone in Berlin' (also known as 'Every Man dies alone') is based on the true story of Otto and Elise Hampel who for almost two years secretly defied the Germany government by leaving postcards in various places in Berlin telling people to open their eyes to what was happening within their country, this led to their subsequent executions in March 1943.

 

'Alone in Berlin' begins with Otto & Anna Quangel receiving news that their only son, Otto has died in France following Germany's invasion. Anna grief stricken blames Otto and 'his Fuhrer' for Otto Jr's death, these words cause a change in Otto which leads to him and Anna to begin a secret campaign of postcards and letters detailing everything which is wrong within Germany, any presence of rebellion in Nazi Germany is tantamount to high treason and if captured, leads to execution. One step ahead of the Gestapo the couple leave as many postcards as possible, in the hope that it can make change.

 

What struck me the most about 'Alone in Berlin' initially was how detached it was at first, I found myself not particularly caring about the characters, I felt sadness and anger at what was occurring in Germany during World War 2 and it was interesting and an definite eye opener to read about life in Germany at that time but as I said I did not feel for the characters, however this did change as the story progressed, my initial reaction to Otto was one of annoyance, I found him unfeeling and cold, and Anna, a woman who has been downtrodden all of her life but I finally saw them for the people they were, strong minded, brave, loving and heroic in their pursuit of showing how wrong everything was in Nazi Germany, there are sad moments, there is moments of happiness which at times are bitter-sweet for all of the characters because in some way all of the characters are connected to the Quangels.

 

'Alone in Berlin' is a story of courage and the many ways that courage can be shown.

 

An interesting and important story to read again and again.

[frankie]

Oh good times Frankie! I hope you enjoy them all, you are very welcome

 

I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy them, you gave them such great reviews and I can't imagine our tastes would differ so much

[Weave]

I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy them, you gave them such great reviews and I can't imagine our tastes would differ so much

 

I don't think we do differ either hen, happy reading

Edited October 13, 2010 by Weave

[Weave]

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters ~ Started: 05.10.10 ~ Finished: 13.10.10

 

 

Synopsis ~

 

In a dusty post-war summer in rural Warwickshire, a doctor is called to see a patient at lonely Hundreds Hall. Home to the Ayres family for over two centuries, the once grand house is now in decline, its masonry crumbling, its garden choked with weeds. All around, the world is changing, and the family is struggling to adjust to a society with new values and rules.

 

Roddie Ayres, who returned from World War II physically and emotionally wounded, is desperate to keep the house and what remains of the estate together for the sake of his mother and his sister, Caroline. Mrs. Ayres is doing her best to hold on to the gracious habits of a gentler era and Caroline seems cheerfully prepared to continue doing the work a team of servants once handled, even if it means having little chance for a life of her own beyond Hundreds.

 

But as Dr. Faraday becomes increasingly entwined in the Ayreses' lives, signs of a more disturbing nature start to emerge, both within the family and in Hundreds Hall itself. And Faraday begins to wonder if they are all threatened by something more sinister than a dying way of life, something that could subsume them completely.

 

'The Little Stranger' is the story of the Ayres family, a family of status and who still reside in their now dilapidated home which has been in the family for two centuries, Hundreds Hall, all that remains of the immediate family is Mrs Ayres, the matriarch of the family and her two children, Roderick and Caroline, along with Betty, their young housemaid.

 

Dr Faraday, a doctor from a poor background who has worked hard to become a doctor lives in the village a few miles from Hundreds Hall, where the family is well known, he remembers from childhood the funeral of The Ayres's eldest daughter, Susan, who died of diphtheria when she was eight years old. Dr Faraday is introduced to the family when he attends to Betty, the housemaid, who is unwell. Dr Faraday soon becomes more involved with the family and strives to keep the family together, a family he has always been in awe of but as events begin to unfold in Hundreds Hall, who is Dr Faraday trying to save? The Ayres Family or the idea of them.

 

This is the first book I have read by Sarah Waters and I was pleasantly surprised by 'The Little Stranger', it was an interesting insight into life in rural Great Britain after the second world war and also the ideas surrounding class and how people see themselves in regards to their status, how much money they make, their job, etc, there is also the presence of 'The Little Stranger', which moves in subtlety and everything which occurs you find yourself questioning what is happening in Hundreds Hall.

 

I did enjoyed 'The Little Stranger' but unfortunately at parts it was very slow and despite its relevancy to the story, I found Dr Faraday's thoughts on how much money people made, became quite annoying.

 

A book to watch out for.

[lopeanha]

Hi Weave

as I'm moving into another town at the end of november, I already srted to take a look at the online catalogue of their library and spotted The Radleys and the Hunger Games trilogy (these ones even in english).

[Weave]

Hi Weave

as I'm moving into another town at the end of november, I already srted to take a look at the online catalogue of their library and spotted The Radleys and the Hunger Games trilogy (these ones even in english).

 

Good stuff, I hope you get the chance to read them x

Edited October 17, 2010 by Weave

[Weave]

Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story by Carolyn Turgeon ~ Started: 13.10.10 ~ Finished: 16.10.10

 

 

Synopsis ~

 

What would you do if you could make dreams come true? If you could ensure that Cinderella met her Prince, that sparks flew, romance blossomed, and most of all, that everyone lived happily ever after?

 

Be careful what you wish for – because fairy godmothers are as flawed as the rest of us, and temptation is a terrible thing. Meet sweet, well-meaning Lillian, who opens the quiet bookshop in Manhattan’s West Village every morning, and whose dark past contains a desperate act, a dramatic banishment, and a guilty secret she has carried with her for centuries. Only one kind deed done for love will break the spell that has kept Lillian from home for so long – but can she succeed in making her own dreams come true at last?

 

'Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story' is the story of Lillian, the original fairy godmother, the godmother who was to make sure that Cinderella went to the ball, meet the Prince, lose her glass slipper at midnight which is found by the Prince and then when the glass slipper fitted, they would live happily ever after.

 

Not in this reality, in this reality, Cinderella never made it to the Ball and Lillian had already fell in love with the Prince and he with her which led to Lillian being banished from the fairy world and sent her crashing to earth as a human.

 

Many years later, so many years in fact that Lillian cannot remember how long she has lived in New York, she is now an elderly lady who works in Daedalus books, an almost magical book store which is owned by George, Lillian's boss and friend. Lillian begins to see subtle changes around her, changes which she soon realises are her fairies sisters returning to take Lillian home to the fairy world but first she must do what she was originally supposed to do, make sure Cinderella meets her Prince.

 

'Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story' is a darker (and more realistic) version of the Cinderella story, you have Lillian, a fallen fairy who still remembers her past life and what she lost and how she lived, she strives to correct the mistake she made, as the story progresses you wonder if it was a mistake, but how the story was supposed to be played.

 

I enjoyed this book but I was left a bit deflated by the ending but the ending is opened to interpretation.

[Weave]

The Girl with the Glass Feet by Ali Shaw ~ Started: 17.10.10 ~ Finished: 26.10.10

 

 

Synopsis ~

 

Strange things are happening on the remote and snowbound archipelago of St Hauda's Land. Unusual winged creatures flit around icy bogland; albino animals hide themselves in the snow-glazed woods; jellyfish glow in the ocean's depths...And Ida MacLaird is slowly turning into glass. A mysterious and frightening alchemical metamorphosis has befallen Ida Maclaird - she is slowly turning into glass, from the feet up. She returns to St Hauda's Land, where she believes the glass first took hold, in search of a cure. Midas Crook is a young loner, who has lived on the islands his entire life. When he meets Ida, something about her sad, defiant spirit pierces his emotional defenses. As Midas helps Ida come to terms with her affliction, she gradually unpicks the knots of his heart, and they begin to fall in love...What they need most is time - and time is slipping away fast. Will they find a way to stave off the spread of the glass? "The Girl with Glass Feet" is a dazzlingly imaginative and gripping first novel, a love story to treasure.

 

'The Girl with the Glass Feet' tells the story of Midas Crook and Ida MacLaird, both very different people who fall in love in the most bizarre of circumstances, Ida's feet have turned to glass and she does not know why, she knows how they began, so she must return to the fictional St Hauda's Land to find the only man who can help her.

 

It’s on St Hauda's Land she meets lifelong resident, Midas, a man so consumed by his past he does not live, he merely exists, Ida and Midas are so different but they bring the best out of each other and open themselves up to possibilities with the time they have.

 

I enjoyed ‘The Girl with Glass Feet’, the relationship between Midas and Ida is shown beautifully and the descriptions of the animals and St Hauda’s Land are lovely and well written, you can imagine this harsh but beautiful place. As I said, I enjoyed it but I am in two minds about it (mainly because I was hoping the story would differently) initially it is a very slow read which might put people off but it is worth it to keep reading to read more of Ida and Midas’s story.

[alison10]

The Girl with the Glass Feet by Ali Shaw ~ Started: 17.10.10 ~ Finished: 26.10.10

 

 

Synopsis ~

 

Strange things are happening on the remote and snowbound archipelago of St Hauda's Land. Unusual winged creatures flit around icy bogland; albino animals hide themselves in the snow-glazed woods; jellyfish glow in the ocean's depths...And Ida MacLaird is slowly turning into glass. A mysterious and frightening alchemical metamorphosis has befallen Ida Maclaird - she is slowly turning into glass, from the feet up. She returns to St Hauda's Land, where she believes the glass first took hold, in search of a cure. Midas Crook is a young loner, who has lived on the islands his entire life. When he meets Ida, something about her sad, defiant spirit pierces his emotional defenses. As Midas helps Ida come to terms with her affliction, she gradually unpicks the knots of his heart, and they begin to fall in love...What they need most is time - and time is slipping away fast. Will they find a way to stave off the spread of the glass? "The Girl with Glass Feet" is a dazzlingly imaginative and gripping first novel, a love story to treasure.

 

'The Girl with the Glass Feet' tells the story of Midas Crook and Ida MacLaird, both very different people who fall in love in the most bizarre of circumstances, Ida's feet have turned to glass and she does not know why, she knows how they began, so she must return to the fictional St Hauda's Land to find the only man who can help her.

 

It’s on St Hauda's Land she meets lifelong resident, Midas, a man so consumed by his past he does not live, he merely exists, Ida and Midas are so different but they bring the best out of each other and open themselves up to possibilities with the time they have.

 

I enjoyed ‘The Girl with Glass Feet’, the relationship between Midas and Ida is shown beautifully and the descriptions of the animals and St Hauda’s Land are lovely and well written, you can imagine this harsh but beautiful place. As I said, I enjoyed it but I am in two minds about it (mainly because I was hoping the story would differently) initially it is a very slow read which might put people off but it is worth it to keep reading to read more of Ida and Midas’s story.

 

 

Good review Weave, it has made me want to read this.