This was good, and it was nice to be back with Lyra again, but it was so short. It was less than a chapter of a book. I almost read the entire thing wThis was good, and it was nice to be back with Lyra again, but it was so short. It was less than a chapter of a book. I almost read the entire thing while waiting for The Sims to load.
There is a price on the back for £12.99 and although this book has some illustrations and a lovely map, it's disappointing. It would have been better if he had written a book of short stories about Lyra's Oxford....more
I know if I had read this book as a teenager, I would have adored it. A Haunted House, cute boys together and drugs. I probably would have read it a bI know if I had read this book as a teenager, I would have adored it. A Haunted House, cute boys together and drugs. I probably would have read it a bunch of times and talked about it to anyone that would listen. As a woman in her late thirties I just found it all a bit meh.
There were so many good ideas in this book that felt undeveloped. The house was so under used, where was the horror? There was like one creepy scene and the others were pretty rubbish. One is literally pages being torn up.
I loved when they ended up in Birdland, but this was such a short section of the book. The characters in there seemed cool and we didn't really get to spend much time with any of them.
I liked Zach and Trevor as main characters, and their relationship. I thought their love story was cute. I also liked the side characters who lived in Missing Mile. Didn't really see the point of Eddy, she didn't need to come and find Zach. Zach's whole plot line regarding the hacking business was a bit dull, tho I understand why it was included.
If your young, and still easily shocked or scared, give this a go. If your old and cynical, avoid....more
I first read 'Domain' when I was a teenager, I had a bit of James Herbert phase, and I never realised it was part of a trilogy. However after reading I first read 'Domain' when I was a teenager, I had a bit of James Herbert phase, and I never realised it was part of a trilogy. However after reading all three, you could skip to 'Domain' and not really be missing anything.
Both 'The Rats' & 'Lair' are very similar to each other, just in a slightly different setting, London & Epping Forest. And although both books do have main characters, generally you are introduced to new characters throughout the books, who are slaughtered by rats fairly quickly. Both books are good fun but don't really have anything of substance about them. I would give them both 3/5 stars.
Now 'Domain' is the one to get your teeth into, with nuclear bombs dropped on London, driving people down into the tube tunnels, for them only to met by the mutant rats who live there, it really is a nightmare for the survivors.
We follow a group of people who are lucky enough to have got to a Government shelter in time. But things don't stay safe for long!
Still as impactful as when I read it as a teen. 4/5 stars for this one.
I googled if any of the books had been made into films and 'The Rats' was in the 80s, but it's called 'Deadly Eyes' and is set in Toronto. It looks terrible. But someone should make 'Domain' into a film. It would be epic!...more
Whist I didn't enjoy this as much as 'The Sanctuary', this was still a gripping read. I'm really enjoying these dystopian books set in the UK. AlthougWhist I didn't enjoy this as much as 'The Sanctuary', this was still a gripping read. I'm really enjoying these dystopian books set in the UK. Although the more I read the news, I feel like we're not too far away from living our own dystopian nightmare.
I liked the world building, how life was like for the people still 'lucky' enough to be alive. I understood why they wanted to stop people coming when there were limited recourses, but the bombing of the docks was too far. It makes you wonder how far you would want your Government to go if something like this happened, and if you could live with the consequences of those actions.
And once we find out what Ellen has uncovered, the actions of the Government, I felt were completely unnecessary.
I just googled to see if this has been picked up for TV/film and it was in 2019 but I can't see anything else abut it. This is one I think would make a great TV adaptation. I would like to read more of Andrew's books....more
This book kept me gripped throughout. I desperately wanted to know what was going on at the Island and even though the ending left a lot to be desiredThis book kept me gripped throughout. I desperately wanted to know what was going on at the Island and even though the ending left a lot to be desired, I did enjoy the journey. I also really wish we'd got a chance to hear Cara's side of things. There were a lot of unanswered questions.
I liked it so much, I've got another book by this author lined up to read next....more
My favourite of the series so far. We find out lots of new information about both Juliette & Warner's past, which puts their relationship on a rocky fMy favourite of the series so far. We find out lots of new information about both Juliette & Warner's past, which puts their relationship on a rocky footing.
We get introduced to some new characters, I am particularly fond of Nazeera, she seems pretty kick ass. I hope we see more of her.
Ending was pretty shocking. Looking forward to the next one. ...more
This book had all the elements to make up an amazing story. Steampunk Victorian England, Zombies, Robots, murder and very likable main characters. ButThis book had all the elements to make up an amazing story. Steampunk Victorian England, Zombies, Robots, murder and very likable main characters. But sadly for me, it never quiet hit the spot.
At times it felt like a lot was going on. And while all these plot elements did tie together at the end, I felt focusing on one would have been enough. I did really like both Newbury & Hobbes. I would be interested in reading more from the series, especially as it was revelled at the end that Veronica was a double agent, working for the Queen, however I wouldn't activity seek out the books.
I also wasn't keen on how they portrayed Queen Victoria, hooked up to the contraption that was keeping her alive, felt a bit distasteful....more
This is the best book I've read all year. Couldn't put it down. Told through the eyes of 11 year old Julia, the world is shocked when the rotation of This is the best book I've read all year. Couldn't put it down. Told through the eyes of 11 year old Julia, the world is shocked when the rotation of the Earth starts to slow down. The days become long, society becomes divided between those who stick to the 24 hour clock and those who embrace the longer days. The birds die, it becomes impossible to grow food naturally. Radiation is increased, electricity is scarce, generally it's a bit of a shit show!
Through all of this Julia has to deal with all the normal things a teenager goes through, family issues, first love, friendships but with this dystopian setting as a background, affecting everything and everyone.
This is one of those books that makes you think about how people would react if this happened in real life. One that will stick with you for a while. Would recommend....more
This has been my favourite book of the series so far. Juliette starts to come into her own and learns to control her power. And she falls for Warner wThis has been my favourite book of the series so far. Juliette starts to come into her own and learns to control her power. And she falls for Warner who I like way more than Adam. They end up doing the nasty and the most cringe sentence I have ever read in a book is produced:
"I feel like I've been split open and stuffed with sunshine"
I did some eyerolling with this one, then I sent the sentence to the guy I'm seeing and shared with the girls at work the next day. People need to hear that sentence! Haha Honestly, I know this book is aimed at teens, but come on!
Back to the plot, after the love making has concluded. The group go to war. Juliette and Kenji are tasked with killing Anderson and their part is pretty exciting.
Clearly the series carries on, as I have the other books but there is a note from the author in this one saying it's the last. I'm glad it's not the last as I imagen there are still lots of challenges to overcome.
Oh and this book made me feel a bit old. One of the guys with superpowers, makes a comment about them looking like the Power Rangers and Kenji doesn't know who they are.......! But anyways this is a good teen fantasy series, not the best but no where near the worst....more
I liked this more than the first book. We get to know the characters better. I am 100% for a Juliette, Warner & Adam love triangle. The setting was alI liked this more than the first book. We get to know the characters better. I am 100% for a Juliette, Warner & Adam love triangle. The setting was also more interesting that the first book. Lots to learn about the base they were hiding out in, introduced to a host of new characters with interesting abilities. I want to see where this goes....more
This wasn't a bad teen dystopian novel. The main characters are likable. The world they live in is interesting and I hope we get some flashbacks in thThis wasn't a bad teen dystopian novel. The main characters are likable. The world they live in is interesting and I hope we get some flashbacks in the next books about how the world started to change. I have a feeling we may get a love triangle with the bad guy at some stage, seems to be something there. The back of the book says 'Mature Content' but you don't get anything more than a bit of kissing. Excited to read the next one in the series and see where it goes....more
I wasn't very far into this book when I had to wake up at 4:30am for work. I was so tired that day as it was way out of my normal routine. This made mI wasn't very far into this book when I had to wake up at 4:30am for work. I was so tired that day as it was way out of my normal routine. This made me truly think about what it must be like not to sleep for days, weeks. It must be horrific, it doesn't surprise me that everyone went mad. It did surprise me that it only took 3 days for the world to lose it's shit. I always like to think we would last a little longer than that in an apocalyptic situation but maybe I'm just being overly optimistic.
I did enjoy this book, it was sad to read about Paul watching Tanya go downhill. Though sometimes he did seem oddly detached from her. I didn't really get why the kids stopped speaking? Maybe there was something I missed? Unless they really were the next link in the evolutionary chain. Good read....more
While I think this book does make some important observations on sexism in society, I found the way it was told very confusing at times which caused mWhile I think this book does make some important observations on sexism in society, I found the way it was told very confusing at times which caused me to lose interest and I found myself avoiding picking it up.
The 3 J's switched around a lot and it took me a while to figure out which one was the focus, I also had to keep checking the back of the book to remember which alternative universe they were from. It also seemed at times they were all physically in one World and at other times, one of them might be hiding in a wall.
I'm sure lots of people would enjoy this but this one wasn't for me....more
I saw the film version of this ages ago and really enjoyed it so I was pretty keen to read the book it was adapted from.
At the start I was thinking thI saw the film version of this ages ago and really enjoyed it so I was pretty keen to read the book it was adapted from.
At the start I was thinking the film was the better version as Mark does talk about the science he is using to stay alive on Mars which was a little dull, however once Mark was in contact with NASA, it got much more interesting. Mark himself was a very likable character and I enjoyed the funny comments he would send to NASA and the HERMES crew. I was rooting for him all the way!
I stayed up late to finish this as I couldn't remember if he makes it or not. I won't spoil it! Overall I'd say the book and the film are on par with each other, both very enjoyable....more
I've been really struggling to read lately and I know the reason is my smart phone. I resisted one for years but got one about 3 years ago so I could I've been really struggling to read lately and I know the reason is my smart phone. I resisted one for years but got one about 3 years ago so I could use Google Maps in my car and now I'm bloody obsessed with the thing and since then my reading has seen a massive decline. It annoys me but I seem unable to bring myself to do anything about it. Hence, why it has taken me almost a month to get through 'Snow Crash'.
Snow Crash was alright, although I did find it confusing at times. I wasn't always sure when the characters were in the Metaverse (Is that not what Facebook is called now?) and in reality. I also think it was set in the USA but that the USA had shrunk and corporate companies were more powerful than Governments? The more I'm typing this, the more this just sounds like real life! Scary!
The story of the virus was tied up in Religion, which again I was struggling to follow, although I think I got the gist. I really liked Hiro and Y.T, though think the author could have aged her slightly after they decided to write the sex scene. Overall not a bad read, more enjoyable if you are already into Sci-Fi....more
Before this, I had read two books by Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale which was amazing and Surfacing which was terrible. So it was with trepidation that IBefore this, I had read two books by Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale which was amazing and Surfacing which was terrible. So it was with trepidation that I picked up Orxy and Crake, luckily my fears were short lived as I really enjoyed this book.
I can't say that any of the characters were very likable. I felt sympathy for Jimmy both before and after the 'event' however, he's not someone I would want in my friendship group in real life. I disliked Crake from the start, he seemed insufferable and arrogant.
The setting seemed dystopian before the terrible event happened. Not a world I'd want to live in but could well be one we are heading towards. A very bleak looking future. But one I liked reading about. ...more
A great introduction to a series. this has certainly made me want to read the rest! Some really interesting characters featured here who all seem likeA great introduction to a series. this has certainly made me want to read the rest! Some really interesting characters featured here who all seem like they have a story to tell. Gutted about what happened to The Stalk as she seemed like a cool villain. Loved the illustrations. ...more
Really enjoyed this novel by Sheri S. Tepper. Took me ages to figure out why them being separated made any sense but the twist towards the end explainReally enjoyed this novel by Sheri S. Tepper. Took me ages to figure out why them being separated made any sense but the twist towards the end explains everything. I think it's pretty smart what they are doing. I liked all the characters, the ones you were supposed to anyways! Would recommend....more
I remember seeing the film version of this when it came out at the cinema, it was a group thing and wasn't my choice but thought it sounded alright. II remember seeing the film version of this when it came out at the cinema, it was a group thing and wasn't my choice but thought it sounded alright. It wasn't alright, it was weird and I didn't really understand what was going on.
You can't judge a book by it's film, so I decided to give this a go. Yeah, it's still weird and I'm still not sure what happened!
I think the difficulty is, when your main character is high as hell on drugs, they don't make much sense, which makes things very hard to follow.
The whole (if I got this right) idea that Bob was undercover but was also being used to get to the bigger boys who were selling Substance D. He was basically being zombified to do this, without his knowledge, was a bit of a headfuck. And just how old was Donna? I thought she was an adult and then 'underage' and 'little girl' are both used to refer to her? And then she's undercover, so she must be an adult? I was confused.
This one was not for me, but it might be for you. A lot of people seem to like Philip K. Dick but this is the third book of his I've read and I've not been into any of them....more
I'll start by saying I've never ridden the original ride. I first went to Disney World in 2008 and it has already been replaced by the new version. WhI'll start by saying I've never ridden the original ride. I first went to Disney World in 2008 and it has already been replaced by the new version. When I finally rode 'Journey into Imagination' I thought it was awful and haven't been on it since.
But I do really like Figment, the cute purple dragon and I understand the first version of this ride is very beloved to Disney fans so I was pleased to find this Graphic Novel.
I really liked this story, the illustrations are lovely and in full colour and the plot is entertaining. Aside from Figment, I also liked Dreamfinders Character. Chimera was also pretty cute. Fun for kids & adult Disney fans alike!...more
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