Friday 28 April 2017

Review: Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception


Yet another great installment in the Artemis Fowl series. I think I like these so much because they are so easy to read, you get a great adventure which gallops along at a million miles an hour that, if I had the time, I could read in one day!

This time you can't keep a good pixie down and Opal Koboi is back with a new plan for world domination. The anti has definitely been upped in the last couple of books with series favourites being placed in some rather hairy situations. I can't wait to see what dastardly plan is going to be foiled next in The Lost Colony.

Tuesday 25 April 2017

Review: Artemis Fowl and the Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer


Yet another enjoyable outing in the life of the teenage criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl. Artemis is starting to grow up now and there were definitely some more emotionally heavy moments. This time Artemis has been outsmarted by a mind almost as dastardly as his own, he has risked the exposure of the fairy world and it could well mean the end of his adventures with The People.

I have now reached the point in this tale I had when I was 14 and will be venturing into The Opal Deception blind, here is hoping the series continues to be outstanding!

Tuesday 18 April 2017

Review: American Gods by Neil Gaiman


I've taken the weekend to think it over and I still don't know how to start with this review. It is not an easy book to pin down into one genre, it is a great hulking beast of a novel coming in at over 600 pages it is not a quick read but once you have started it is very hard to put down.

In the simplest most literal terms this book is about Shadow who is released from prison after the sudden death of his wife and the subsequent journey he goes on with the mysterious Mr Wednesday. This book is also about mythology (Egyptian, Norse, Irish, German, you name it and it's in there), modern American culture, passing trends and what happens when they become outdated, death and the afterlife, treachery, sleight of hand, history ... I could go on so many themes are covered. Above all, for me, this book is about the very soul of America and how it has been knitted together from it's very diverse ethnic groups into one very unique culture. As a history student that is what I identified with most and the small little asides at the end of chapters about another group finding America were definitely what I enjoyed most.

It would be pointless to try and explain what happens further, this is one that really has to be experienced to understand. Very funny, insightful, fantastical, philosophical and at times downright disturbing (I'm looking at you Bilquis). It's made me reevaluate my (perhaps harsh) review of Neverwhere and bump Neil Gaiman up my favourite author list. Give this a go, you won't regret it!

Review: Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean


This one was just too childish for me to get on with (I gave up after 80 pages), probably OK for the very young but not one I would choose to read to my own children.

Friday 7 April 2017

Review: Artemis Fowl and the Arctic Incident


Another fun filled fairy adventure from Eoin Colfer. I do really love this series, they manage to be compelling, funny and have a convincing story all at the same time, something which a lot of YA lacks.

This time Artemis is intent on rescuing his father from the clutches of the Russian Mafiya unfortunately along the way he is delayed by a goblin rebellion let by a mad pixie and a fairy out for revenge. My favourite kleptomaniac dwarf makes a very memorable reappearance as "The Grouch" and there are a whole host of new fairies (good and bad) to get to know.

Not as strong as the first book but still a wonderful and quick read, I will be diving into The Eternity Code soon!

Monday 3 April 2017

Review: Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton


This book really frustrated me, its such an original concept but it just didn't work. The best way to describe this is a young adult Arabian western with added magic and mythical beings which sounds like a recipe for a really original story, sadly by the end I just had no interest anymore. I don't even know why I lost interest; when I started it I was really enjoying it but as I got further it just lost something. It's such a shame as there is so much potential and it wasn't even badly written, I just didn't get into it.