Stealing Phoenix - Joss Stirling Review.
Book details:
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: OUP Oxford (1 Sep 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0192756583
ISBN-13: 978-0192756589
Summary:
This is about getting you out…I’m stealing you. Phoenix belongs to the Community - a gang of thieves with paranormal powers. Yves Benedict - an American student visiting London - is her mark. But Yves turns out to be more than just a target. He is her destiny. Her soul mate. But the Community owns Phoenix’s past and it wants her future too.
Links to buy:
Rating:
My review:
Thanks first and foremost to Oxford Uni Press for sending me not one, but two copies of this gorgeous book, one for review and one for a giveaway for you guys! After reading this review be sure to look out for the giveaway for this! :D It may have to be UK only since I’m paying for postage but we’ll see how I feel (:
Analysis of plot:
Anyway, prior to this was the first book, “Finding Sky” which revolved around a special family and their powers, and focussed on the relationship of Zed and Sky. I loved loved loved the first book by Stirling, it was beautifully written with well rounded characters, and I was anticipating eagerly to read the follow up to it which is this book, Stealing Phoenix.
In this novel, it doesn’t follow Zed and Sky, but instead another member of Zed’s large family, his brother – Yves. I originally thought that nothing could match the Sky & Zed relationship from the previous book yet I was wrong – I loved them more if that was possible.
Set in my beautiful home city of London where Yves comes to study, where his two brothers also are residing. Here, he meets the mysterious Phoenix, who also posses magical powers and is a Savant like he is – and they’re soul mates. Sounds cheesy right? I assure you, it’s far from it. Yet the character of Phoenix isn’t a free soul, she’s being controlled by a gang and seers who use her powers to steal as she can freeze time (how awesome is that?!) which allows her to take her steals quickly and efficiently. Her next target was the unsuspecting Yves yet little did she know that he was “the one for her” and when they both encounter each other in a mugging that doesn’t go quite as Phoenix plans, Yves ends up losing something much more important than the iPhone she was after, instead he loses his heart ;)
Twisted and pitted against each other despite being soul mates, Stirling takes both characters on a journey where they fight against the odds to be together and Stirling’s writing matches the beautiful fluid writing he displays so easily in his work. It’s so easy to get caught up in his writing as he creates such realistic imagery, especially when set in London, details are hard to describe as London is such a lively city. Yet Stirling’s writing captured the essence of not only the place, but brought the characters to life in the city itself. It was magical ;)
Analysis of characters:
Not just in finding Sky, but in this book too, the character were all so.. real, despite the fact that they have paranormal powers, they’re emotions, actions, manners, they’re all real. They’re flawed and I like that too, it makes it more believable. A particular favourite feature of Stirling’s writing for me is the fact that his heroines are strong willed too, they don’t settle for what’s handed to them, instead they know how to stand for themselves and this I saw most in Phoenix’s character who wasn’t defined by the guy she was with, but more by her own personality. A huge thumbs up for that. *points thumbs up*
Overall:
I definitely loved this book and I’m glad Oxford Uni Press sent this to me, ‘cause I devoured it so quickly but it took me a while to write up the review so I can get it just right! Nonteless, anyone who enjoyed Finding Sky, or just want a story that will leave you with a smile on your face, then pick this up. It’ll steal your heart ;)
The Betrayal - Jerry Jenkins; Review.
Book details:
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (August 17, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1414335830
ISBN-13: 978-1414335834
Summary:
Detective Boone Drake has just masterminded the most massive sting in Chicago history, bringing down the heads of not only the biggest street gangs in the city but also the old crime syndicate. The story is the biggest in decades, and the Chicago Police Department must protect the key witness at all costs. Despite top-secret plans to transfer the witness ahead of his testimony before the grand jury, an attempt is made on his life. And the person suspected of leaking this information may be one of the CPD’s own.
Links to buy:
Rating:
My review:
Firstly thanks to Tyndale publishing for being awesome and sending me an ARC of this book; the crime and thriller aspect of this book piqued my interest and I couldn’t wait to read it. Trust, betrayal, framing, it all came with this book and add in a sense of humour to rival the worst situations, you’ll find yourself wanting to unravel this mystery long after it’s finished ;)
Analysis of plot:
Despite my main interest being YA fiction, I have a special cosy spot for thriller and action packed novels (which stems from my love of CSI, The Mentalist, John Grisham Books) and I was happy to get a book based on detective skills when this came through.
We are drawn into the story, at first, with a plot where our main hero Boone Drake has been shot at, almost killed, doesn’t know who he can trust yet with the quirky writing from Jenkins, we find that Drake is still having a great month.
Embroiled in the life of the detective from Chicago’s gang enforcement section of the Chicago Police department, we are taken on a rollercoaster of a ride where Drake is trying to figure out the essentials as to what is going on in his life and why he’s being shot at amongst other mysteries. The twists and turns of the book “The Betrayal” will have you wondering what is coming next and who is doing what to whom.
Analysis of characters:
Jenkins lets his outlet of characters come in various forms yet the main one we as readers come to love and admire is obviously detective Drake. As we see him diving in front of bullets to save others, we feel like reaching out to save him, such was the clarity in which Jenkins wrote to engage the readers. You want to be Drake’s friend, at time you want to slap him, yet ultimately as he tries to untangle his girlfriend and vindicate her for the being wrongly framed, you want more than anything for him to succeed and fall into her arms with a happily ever after.
I loved Drake’s character; for you get further into the book you come to realize that he as a person isn’t just a tool in the department to help a bigger cause, but also that he alone represents truth, justice and reliability.
Overall:
The story is full of love, intrigue, twisting plots, and of course betrayal. Jerry Jenkins does not disappoint. While Jenkins is a Christian writer and man himself, and there were undertones of that which could be seen in the novel, yet it did nothing to flaunt it in your face, for which I appreciate ;)
Numbers 3 : Infinity - Review
Book details:
Paperback
Publisher: Chicken House; 1 edition (2 Jun 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1906427666
ISBN-13: 978-1906427665
Summary:
Post-Chaos 2029. Adam, Sarah and Mia are living together, struggling with the fame of seeing numbers - the dates when people will die But something is about to tear them apart. During The Chaos, Sarah’s young daughter Mia swapped her number for another. Suddenly her powerful new ability makes her a terrifying target. Everyone wants to live for ever…
Links to buy:
Rating:
My review:
The insanely awesome people at ChickenHouse Publishing sent me this book alongside another one and while this was the 3rd in a series that I hadn’t yet read, I rushed to a friend who had copies of the first two books. The blurb was awesome that I knew I had to read this series. So armed with the other 2 books which I devoured (reviews for them coming soon) I move onto the 3rd book and here’s what I thought ;)
Analysis of plot:
Often people complain that the following books to a series are never as good as the first but there have been many books that have proves this myth false and this book was one of them. As much as I loved the first two, especially the first which started off this awesome series, I find myself favouring the third one in the instalment.
Set in the future with the remaining characters of Adam, Mia and Sarah who are living together and trying to ward off the fame that came with knowing the dates in which people die (I know, how awesome is that?!) they’re living life as best as they can, knowing that they can be harmed for simply knowing too much.
I really don’t want to put any spoilers in this so I’ll try and be as vague as possible while urging others to go grab this and the other two books as well! Yet I can surely say that the author Ward, has an amazing knack for handling sensitive topics with child gloves so as not to evoke criticism for heavy handed issues, yet at the same time manages to convey the message that there are things wrong in this world and gets this message across to her readers and such a talent is one that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
The events, the characters, the depth and the fragility of the novel at times, completely drew me in and I was absorbed in this book, I didn’t want to put it down and that doesn’t happen often ;)
I loved Ward’s writing style, the touch of romance involved, the inclusions of new characters, the intricacy of it all and the way this wrapped itself up with a bomb-shell of an ending. What more could you want?!
Analysis of characters:
Often flawed characters are always my favourite as opposed to picture perfect ones. I admire when authors know that characters who are flawed, and therefore real, are ones that we as readers can relate to more and that was something I saw more closely in the third book. I loved the flaws and imperfections of Adam and Sarah and Mia, and the strong attributes they all displayed, especially newcomer Saul. They’re all real, and I felt it was all real, following them on their journey despite it being set in the future, I didn’t feel like I was missing something.
Overall:
This story is full of love, courage, numbers ;) something you can’t escape. You will, for sure, be dragged in by this whole series so thanks again to ChickenHouse for giving me this book and urging me to read the prior two books – this series will keep me counting for days after ;)
The Chosen One Chronicles - Book 1 - Review
Book details:
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 416 KB
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Red Willow Publishing (25 July 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
Language English
Summary:
Kaia’s entire life has erupted in flames after an assassin appears and burns her village down. She’s rescued by a god from another planet who requests her help because she’s the descendant of their last saviour. Together with Reeze — the only other survivor from her village and her appointed guardian — they set off on a quest to find the treasures of the gods in hopes of preventing a dire prophesy.
Kaia and Reeze quickly meet the Tueors, a group of people many thought extinct, who are searching specifically for Kaia. Their intention: to protect the truth. As Kaia discovers more about the truth and her family’s past, she also learns of the Tueors’ bloody secret. Will Kaia be the saviour the gods have been waiting for? Or will she let the prophesy come true?
Links to buy:
Rating:
My review:
Having been contacted by the author to review this for her, I pleasantly accepted ‘cause I love reading new stories from new authors and I was glad I did so ‘cause I thoroughly enjoyed the tale that the author composed in this beautiful story. It’s not often I read about Gods in stories and prophesies, the only other one being Starcrossed I’ve read by Jospehine Angelini but I’m glad there was more to it in this (:
Analysis of plot:
In this story about Kaia, we are quickly yet expertly indulged into the story where we learn how Kaia’s village was destroyed in a ravaging fire and many of her family and friends were killed. Yet we don’t lose the main character as another survivor by the name of Reeze rescues her, and we see them start on a journey that will change both of their lives.
Following the fire, both survivors find shelter with some unlikely characters which however, adds to the magic of the story as then they are transported into a new world where they meet more delightful characters who add to the context of the story. The journey continues and while it may have started off at a slow pace at first as the author builds the story and its characters, onto the second half we are rushed off our feet as we see the story unfold and without giving much away, I can definitely say the slow pace at the beginning was more than made up for by the later events!
Analysis of characters:
Beyond the storyline though, I loved the character of Kaia! She’s different from the usual girls we see as heroines in novels today, for the author built her up so that she can take pain, she doesn’t complain, she takes what she gets and learns to deal with it, which makes her an admirable character to read about and following her on her journey proves to be that much more amazing. Kaia believes, she absorbs, she questions, she hurts and she moves on, and I love that about her.
Also, while there were two sorts of love interests following Kaia in the story, I found myself drawn to Reeze who we see as the mysterious and serious one. We see him as one of those characters who doesn’t speak much and when he does it’s not the usual lengthy replies I’ve come to view from heroes in other novels, but his affection comes across in the way he acts with Kaia. Actions, here at least, speak louder than words ;) Silent but strong. *thumbs up*
Overall:
Overall, I definitely enjoyed reading this book. The author spins an amazing tale full of love, courage, a good basis on mythology about Gods and such, and she manages to bring it all together with writing that flows. I seriously can’t wait to read the next in the series! So thank you again, so Sheenah for giving me the chance to read and review her story and I urge you all to go pick it up in whatever format you can get your hands on!
New e-book giveaway, international - for Amaranth!
Be sure to check out all the details to my new giveaway here!
Amaranth - Rachael Wade
Book details:
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 1542 KB
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Rabbit Hole Press (27 July 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
Language English
Summary:
Knowledge changes everything… Hoodoo-influenced Southern Louisiana seems like the perfect place for Camille to relocate and escape her abusive past. She didn’t expect to fall in love and plummet herself into the world of Amaranth, a place of exile for reformed vampires. Thanks to her deadly vampire ex-boyfriend, she’s confronted with decisions that not only threaten her life but the lives of her inhuman friends that she has come to love. Entangled in her friends’ quest for freedom, she dives into their realm and faces the threats of the ruler of Amaranth—the mother of all vampires—and her own inner demons. Will she derail her life and make the ultimate sacrifice for the very monsters that interrupted her bumpy path back to sanity—the one she wanted so desperately in the first place? Or will she find a way to escape with her vampire love before it’s too late?
Links to buy:
Rating:
My review:
Drawn in hopelessly by the already beautiful cover of this soon-to-be-released book, I knew the story would be something that would catch my attention and it did indeed ;) After seeing a lot of people on blogs around me reading and reviewing this kindle version novel with great reviews, I was over the moon when I got in touch with Rachael and she generously provided me with the PDF to this as well as offering her time for an interview and a giveaway! I couldn’t believe it, and with that under my belt, I was already taken in by the book and even more by the time I finished reading it.
Analysis of plot & characters:Rachael Wade, armed with a new and refreshing idea that is set aside from the cliché vampire tales of today, came at the readers with a burning story with definitely lit up my interest. With a main character who was involved in abusive relations, the story already adds a realistic feel to it as many can sympathise or relate with the downside to dating. Yet as we watch the likeable main character of Camille travel the depths of beautiful Paris and the surprise encounter with a stranger like Gavin, we get the subtle hints that there’s something in the air for her and we are proved right as later on, Rachael adds a touch of romance to the story which is always a plus ;) After meeting Gavin a second time after her surprise encounter, she starts to unearth secrets that change the world around her yet we as readers are taken on this journey with her, as Wade allows us to see the change Camille encounters.
Not only that, but through Rachael’s writing we get sprinkles of romance, suspece, humour (in the form of Joel who I loved) as well as some sadness which doesn’t overshadow the novel but brings more realism to the book. I definitely found myself smiling and feeling a wrench in my heart as I read this and I loved that it brought emotions like that out in me (:
The authors writing technique was an additional bonus to the delightful story as I found myself becoming lost in the world Wade had created and her writing had an exquisite flow to it which allowed me to read uninterrupted. The characters too were built up with enough substance and mystery which allowed readers to get closer and familiarise themselves with a number of characters in the book.
Overall:What can I say, I loved reading this refreshing tale and I can’t wait for what Rachael has next in this series! Add in the fact that Rachael herself is an awesome and immensely kind person, well I can’t wait to read ANY story she brings out and is definitely someone I’ll be pining to read books on, so thanks again Rachael for being an awesome author and person ;)
As a treat for those who wish to read this awesome book, I haaaveeee for youuu agiveaway of the e-book mentioned above, so 5 lucky winners can win a copy of “Amaranth” as well as wait for it.. an author interview from Rachael herself who was really kindly offered her time to answer questions about her book and herself! :D *make some noise*
So keep your eyes opened as I’m about to post the giveaway very very very soon and will be adding the interview as soon as I send off some questions for Rachael! In the meantime, be sure to hit her up and don’t be afraid to chat with her on the following links:
Undead - Kirsty McKay Review
Book details:
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Chicken House; 1 edition (1 Sep 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1906427879
ISBN-13: 978-1906427870
Summary:
It was just another school trip… When their ski-coach pulls up at a cafe, and everyone else gets off, new girl Bobby and rebel Smitty stay behind. They hardly know each other but that changes when through the falling snow, the see the others coming back. Something has happened to them. Something bad…Soon only a pair of double doors stand between those on the bus and their ex-friends the Undead outside. Time to get a life.
Links to buy:
Rating:
My review:
Thanks to the kick ass people at Chicken House publishing for this amazing book they sent my way. First off, I instantly fell in love with the cover, it’s a mixture of gorgeous, bright, vivid red and white and there were indentations on the cover. The pages, when you turn the book, are also red (: That had me smiling, but more about the book! This YA dark humorous zombie novel had me chomping (pun intended) my through and loving it. Amongst witty one-liners and gory scenes, I fell in love with the book.
Analysis of plot:
The book starts off with a situation. A school bus packed with kids, get off at a cafe, teachers included, while our main characters – sarcastic and new comer at school Bobby stays behind on the bus as does the prankster and cool kid Smitty. While hiding away in the sanctuary of the school bus, the two shy away from each other (as kids do when thrown together in awkward situations) until super-it-girl and Candy Couture Loving girl Alice comes storming back from the cafe claiming everyone was dead. And worse than that, she had left her beloved handbag inside (cue broken hearts).
From there on, I knew things were only going to get funnier, and they did indeed to my pleasure! We find the odd mixture of sarcasm, girly hype, and wit blending together to bring forth many smiles from my lips, at the antics from these odd but great array of characters. McKay’s book isn’t geared for pee-your-pants at night time (I hope) but more a light-hearted Zombie comedy which has been missing in the YA market and her fluid writing, coupled with great attention to detail and construction of totally likeable characters with flaws and redeeming features, makes this a great read that will be sure to make you laugh out loud. It’s such a refreshing book in the face of countless others about werewolves, forbidden love, vampires, and such and such and as much as I love those types of books, I was glad to chomp my way through something a little different (:
Analysis of characters:
I loved the mixture of characters McKay created here, how could you not? While they weren’t geared to evoke sympathy, it was more on empathy as you could recognise and familiarise yourselves with Bobby, Smitty, Alive and Peter. Sarcastic, witty and brave Bobby – we all have that friend who’s a wise mouth but with the brains. Blonde, accident prone and superficial (although not in a bad way) Alice, - again, hands up, who knows a ditzy friend? Throw in the hero, one who’s always willing to step up or do stupid things; here we have Smitty and finally, there’s always, ALWAYS going to be a Peter in our lives; nerdy, has-to-be-right, Peter, who you’ll want to take turns strangling between him and Alice. Throw these four totally different personalities together in the shark tank, (like at high school) and you have bait for mayhem ensuing amongst hilarity – which McKay generously delivers with her one-liners and sticky situations. Also, can’t forget, and won’t forget, the giant wearing a carrot costume ;) you have to read it to know!
Overall:
Without giving away too much of what happens within the book, I can say for sure that this Zombie-related novel is definitely something you should pick up to ensure a great laugh at the expense of these loveable kids that McKay has brought together. So go on, get your teeth into it ;)
Giveaway!
Check out the amazing Missy’s giveaway at her blog here, and be sure to enter to be in with a chance of winning some of the following awesome prize packs!
Prize Packs
There are going to be FIVE themed prize packs that you can choose from. It’s up to you how many you’d like to enter to win, so enter just one… or a few… or all of them! Each one has a specific theme and all the books in the prizes will come brand-spanking-new from Book Depository, which makes each and every one eligible to be INTERNATIONAL.
Prize Pack #1: The Beach Bum Prize Pack All books in this category are beach-related in some way, shape or form. If you win this prize pack, you will get your choice of three books. 
Prize Pack #2: Bitten & Smitten Prize Pack These books are all about vampires. Again, I’ll list some of my favorites and you will get your choice of three books. 
Prize Pack #3: Boys, Boys, Boys Prize Pack Some of my favorite books, all written by male authors. Pick three. 
Prize Pack #4: Everything In-Between Prize Pack The books listed here are some of my absolute favorites of the year. If selected, you will choose three. 
Prize Pack #5: Surprise Prize Pack This prize is pretty much all about the winner, but with a twist. On the entry form, there will be a place where you will write down your top six books on your wishlist. If you’re selected as the winner of this prize pack, I will choose three of those six books to order and send to you. 
Bonus Prize Pack: Ultimate Follower Prize Pack Okay, I lied… there’s one more prize pack. This one is made specifically for you to show my gratitude. In this prize pack, you will get the following: · Your choice of three books. · Two random ARCs that I have lying around. · A whole bunch of swag - bookmarks, bookplates, charms, stickers, notepads, etc. These will be shipped in two packages. Your choices will be mailed from Book Depository, and the ARCs and swag will be mailed from my place. The ARCs are a total surprise but I will say that they will be recent releases. I will be shipping these in a medium package, and will use the swag to fill the box the rest of the way. The last time I did this, someone got over 50 pieces of swag. So there you have it, SIX PRIZE PACKS! All for you guys because I appreciate all that you do.
So don’t forget to check out Missy’s giveaway at her blog here, and be sure to enter to be in with a chance of winning some of the following awesome prize packs!
Bedbugs - Ben Winters
Book details:
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Quirk Books (September 6, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1594745234
ISBN-13: 978-1594745232
Summary:
FOR RENT: Top two floors of beautifully renovated brownstone, 1300 sq. ft., 2BR 2BA, eat-in kitchen, one block to parks and playgrounds. No broker’s fee.
Susan and Alex Wendt have found their dream apartment.
Sure, the landlady is a little eccentric. And the elderly handyman drops some cryptic remarks about the basement. But the rent is so low, it’s too good to pass up.
Big mistake. Susan soon discovers that her new home is crawling with bedbugs … or is it? She awakens every morning with fresh bites, but neither Alex nor their daughter Emma has a single welt. An exterminator searches the property and turns up nothing. The landlady insists her building is clean. Susan fears she’s going mad—until a more sinister explanation presents itself: she may literally be confronting the bedbug problem from Hell.
Links to buy:
Rating:
My review:
Thanks to Quirk books firstly for sending me the ARC of this book (: another awesome read, this time, I couldn’t help shivering at the creepiness this book emanated. So a word of warning should you read this book – Do. Not. Read. It. At. Night. No seriously, the saying “sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite?” – too true in this case.
Analysis of plot:
We start the story off with our main character Susan and Alex who move for various reasons and come upon a cheap apartment for rent, and they snap it up as Susan finds a bonus room to be perfect for her to start painting again. She feels like this is the room, and the house she wants. So after moving in, things start off at a dreary pace for the couple and child as they settle in, happy, meeting their eccentric landlord, and enjoying the new life they’ve built. As far as horror stories, this is pretty cliché right? Happy days, until terror strikes and while this book is no different in that style, it’s different in a refreshing way.
We find the pace picks up as the author Ben Winters introduces the idea that a series of bedbugs have been infesting in many houses in the area. That’s where, it seems the problems all start. One morning, our main character wakes up to find a small dot of blood on her pillowcase, and slowly comes to the conclusion that perhaps their apartment has come under attack from bedbugs.
After a series of events, Ben Winters turns the heat up as creepy events plague the house, one including Susan’s new painting of a couple, and one morning, being found with a series of bug bites all over the paintings face and Susan has no recollection of doing it herself. I can honestly say, Ben Winters has a talent for creepy-ing out events as the description of what happened to the painting has my skin crawling and thinking about it now, it’s doing the same. Such was Winter’s fluid writing throughout, as he set the pace and slowly, so slowly that you didn’t even realise it, he started to creep you out and plant seeds of doubt within your mind – which had me feeling like I had an itch somewhere on my arms. I loved his writing style as it was simple yet it got to you, and made you feel irked out. If you thought that a horror novel including the main villain being bedbugs couldn’t creep you out – you will be proved wrong after reading this.
The book ended .. well I won’t let you in on that secret, let’s just say along with a knack for scaring his readers, Ben Winters also had more than a few secrets up his sleeve which were revealed in the ending to this creeptastic book.
Analysis of characters:
While there weren’t many characters in the story, I found myself taking a liking to the laughable old Louis, the repairman for the apartment that our main characters lived in. An ageing man who smiled, who looked in on the landlady as she was old and fraying, yet with a talent to fix anything with determination. You can’t help but like his eagerness to fix whatever was bothering the tenants and this made me smile as in the end who tried to fix the biggest problem. Shan’t so no more without giving it all away, yet the other characters, such as Susan, her husband Alex and her daughter Emma were well rounded characters who you could easily connect to.
Overall:
I still stand by the fact that this was a creeptacular book. Do not sit in bed at night reading it or else you will find yourself at the mercy of paranoia. I don’t usually, if ever, get scared by a book, the sole exception being The Exorcists which had me reaching for my blankey. Yet this book will make your mind churn with the horrors within and definitely a book not to be taken lightly. Sleep tight people, and don’t let the beg bugs bite.
Dreadfully Ever After - Steve Hockensmith
Book details:
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Quirk Books (1 April 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1594745021
ISBN-13: 978-1594745027
Summary:
The story opens with newly married protagonists, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, defending their village from an army of flesh-eating unmentionables. But the honeymoon has barely begun when poor Mr. Darcy is nipped by a raging dreadful. Elizabeth knows the only acceptable course of action is to promptly behead her husband (and then burn the corpse, just to be safe). But when she hears rumours of a miracle antidote being developed in London, she realizes there may be one last chance to save her true love - and for everyone to live happily ever after.
Links to buy:
Rating:
My review:
Thanks to Quirk books again for sending me this amongst other books! *smiles* .As I came to realise, Quirk books have a knack for taking traditional classics and adding a humorous twist to the tale to spice things up – and this book is no different. Taking the classic story of Elizabeth and Darcy and their married life, Steve Hockensmith creates a tale that involves zombies, love, bravery and hope. Be sure to take a healthy bite out of this book ;)
Analysis of plot & characters:
The book is the third in the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies instalment and despite not having read the other 2 previous books, the background of what happens in them is filled in sensibly in this without rattling readers who’ve read the old ones, yet still providing enough to inform new readers. For which I give a thumbs up. Given the context of the book, you’d think that it was only for lovers of Pride and Prejudice, yet despite the fact that I’m not a total fanatic of the classics, it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book. I smiled while reading the at time humorous rendition of the two lovers as they fight with the peril of the undead.
The character of Elizabeth is still traditionally the same and despite the twist on the novel, that doesn’t prevent her from being constrained by society’s requirements – which shows that Hockensmith has kept the essentials regarding her character which adds to the novel.
Yet her character isn’t weighed down by chores or boredom as after a light stroll in the park, during which her husband Darcy is bitten on by a random and undead child (which should always be feared!). Readers may come to expect the worse as after this they see Elizabeth constrained to widowhood, a stigma of being a lonely women, yet her character strength inspired me as she rises to the occasion in order to save her husband and not letting death take him.
Despite that, my only criticism that I have to voice is how quickly the end was tied up. I’m not a fan of quick ends, and much rather have a cliff hanger that keeps me thinking “what happens next” and dying of curiosity even if there’s no next book, and not a fan of things being rushed. Sadly to say, it felt like Hockensmith, having finished writing the essentials to the book decided to quickly finish it off.
Overall:
While it was still a tidy and neat ending, I’m never satisfied when I feel it’s just rushed to finish the book. However, even then, the logic hung together to the end and, bizarre as this episode of the life story was, I was glad to have read it (:
NIGHTNIGHT by DEDDY
