FIRST LOOK: Omens by Kelley Armstrong

For anyone who isn’t familiar with my book reviews, or has never read anything I’ve ever written (because, let’s face it, I mention it quite a lot!) I am a massive Kelley Armstrong fan, so jumped at the chance to review Omens. It’s been a few months now since Armstrong wrapped up her majorly successful Women of the Otherworld series with Thirteen, so it’s a big step to start a whole new series without having the Otherworld series as a backup.

Back to the point at hand, Omens is the first book in Armstrong’s new series, Omens and Shadows. Olivia Jones is going about her privileged life as if its any other day, attending a charity event with her fiancé, voluntarily helping out the less fortunate than herself, little does she know her life as she knows it is about to be blown apart when her Mother reveals some information about her birth.

When Olivia discovers that she was adopted, she thinks things couldn’t get any worse…until she finds out just who her biological parent are. Notorious serial killers. Both still alive, in prison. The wider population seeks revenge for the cruel acts her parents committed, and Olivia finds herself in immediate danger.

Running for her life, she realises that when she needs her friends and family the most, they are no help to her at all when they learn who her birth parent are. After all, who would truly trust the product of two people that committed such vicious and violent acts on another human being?

Armstrong’s characterization is, without a doubt, the best I’ve ever come across. Within a single scene she is able to establish a characters traits and characteristics, and her writing style makes me actually like half the characters (usually it takes me a while to like even a few in a series). Olivia isn’t the spoilt little rich girl everyone assumes her to be; in fact, she is far from it. When she becomes the center of the media’s attention, she going into hiding in the small town of Cainsville where she is determined to live a normal life, free from all the perks money as offered her. She gets a job, finds an apartment and tries to figure out what to do.

Kelley Armstrong

Further into the novel we are introduced to Gabriel Walsh, successful lawyer and possible suitor for Olivia. He is as you would expect, if you are familiar with Armstrong’s previous male characters in other novels; a strongly masculine man, complete with the arrogance that comes with the territory. Overall, Gabriel is an interesting character that adds another dimension to the novel; I admit, I’m intrigued to see what will happened between him and Olivia in the following books.

 

Armstrong’s previous novels have all had a supernatural element to them, and Omens is no exception. Being the first book in a new series, things get off to a slow start on the supernatural front, but there are plenty of clues and indications here and there, and the next book should have a few treats in store for readers.

So, an interesting start to a brilliant new series, Kelley Armstrong is back doing what she does best, writing A-class bestsellers. The second book in the Cainsville’s series is scheduled for release in early 2014; until then, we will just have to be content to with Armstrong’s next release, Wild Justice, third in the Nadia Stafford series, which I cannot wait to read! 

You can purchase Omens here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Omens-Cainsville-Trilogy-Kelley-Armstrong/dp/184744511X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376505141&sr=8-1&keywords=omens 

Talulla Rising by Glen Duncan

Please note, this review includes spoilers if you haven’t read the first book…

Talulla Rising is the second book in Glen Duncan’s excellent Last Werewolf series; the first being, not surprisingly, The Last Werewolf. We pick up where The Last Werewolf left off, without our hero Jake, who sadly died in the first novel, leaving his girlfriend, Talulla Demetriou, pregnant and alone.

Now, as you might imagine, if you haven’t read the first book, this one will make just about no sense, and you won’t fully appreciate how good the series is. There are a few months missing between where the first book ended and the second begins, so you might want to refresh your memory with how The Last Werewolf finished off.

With the absence of Jake, the storyline seems to start a little flat; I found it hard to warm up to Talulla as our new heroine straight away (however I did warm up to her a few chapters in). Having said that, the presence of Jake is not forgotten; Talulla often reads extracts from his journals, and recounts memories that she had with him, and in a way this is enough. He left his mark on the series, in more ways than one. Talulla is pregnant with his child (which we learn early on is actually twins) and being one of few werewolves in existence, this is no small matter. Of course, there are a lot of people that would love to get their hands on the children, if not Talulla herself.

As with the first book, Duncan’s writing never holds back, in both strong language and brutal honesty. Rather than deterring some readers, I think the audience appreciates things being told as they are, and not romanticized or sugarcoated in any way. The fact that this realism occurs in such an obviously unrealistic and fictional story makes it all the more believable and readable.

There are a few new characters introduced, some much more intriguing than others. Judging by the ending of this installment in the trilogy, we’ll have to wait for book three to get our questions answered. An amazing second book in the Last Werewolf trilogy, an easily consumable book, and more of a supernatural horror than some of the half-hearted attempts currently on the market; if you want a good horror to get your teeth stuck into, this is the series for you.

A strong 4/5 overall. 

Book Review: The Never Pages by Graham Thomas

There are two rules that the Dream Investigator must follow:

1. Document everything.

2. Keep moving forward.

The Never Pages is, quite simply, the journal of a Dream Investigator – a mysterious man known only to the audience as Master G_.  The Never Pages is the second novel by up-and-coming author Graham Thomas that I have read (so far!), the first being the excellent Maria and the Devil, released earlier this year. Having just finished The Never Pages, I am thrilled to say Thomas is now a writer I completely adore.

This unusual novel presents the reader with an entirely new world, where nothing is impossible and almost nothing makes complete sense (this is not as much of a negative as it sounds, I promise!). We find Master G_ in the NeverRealm, the world between here and the afterlife. It is something of a dreamland, and the theme of dreams and dreaming is carried on throughout. He starts out with two goals: 1. Find Brekker 2. Rescue Lucy – Master G_’s love. By completing the first goal, the second will also be completed; to rescue Lucy, Master G_ must find Brekker, the key to Lucy’s fate. But it soon transpires that things are not quite as they seem, and Master G_ learns of a betrayal of the worst kind that alters his entire purpose and throws him off kilter. I won’t go any further with explanations or plot details, as it is the kind of book that needs to be read in order to be understood, and spoilers without context wouldn’t make any sense anyway. 

A side effect of residing in this wasteland is that memories fade, and it is for this reason Master G_ comes to have this journal. He keeps track of his future goals and notes down things that have transpired since arriving in the NeverRealm so he can read back over his journey so far and remember the otherwise forgettable. There is the odd occasion when, due to Master G_’s inability to write at certain points another characters takes over and keeps the journal up-to-date. Thomas does an excellent job of writing from different viewpoints and ironing out any dislike you the reader may have harbored for the character; they are all easy to like and write in their own unique voice. Thomas has a good eye for characterisation and it shows. The elements of his writing I liked in Maria and the Devil, I loved in The Never Pages.

The Never Pages is presented in the journal form; diary-like entries make up a large percentage of the book, with a few handy illustrations added in. The illustrations present visual sketches of the minor characters, maps of places and other elements of the novel/journal that are harder to imagine. It is this rawness of the text and as-it–happens writing style that make The Never Pages such an amazing novel.

The particular edition that I reviewed has an additional two hundred pages of essential extra material, with new appendices that include extracts from Brekker’s own diary that take place before the events of The Never Pages,

They all really add to the initial story and put a new perspective on things.

The synopsis itself confesses to being a ‘difficult’ book, and there is no doubt that this is true, however, this will hopefully be an attraction for readers. If you are looking for a quick, straightforward read, this is absolutely not the read for you. But how many people want an easy book these days? Really?

I spent more time than I usually would to read a book, and with good reason; to enjoy and appreciate the complexity of The Never Pages you have to really immerse yourself in the NeverRealm. Also, before writing this review I consulted some already written reviews of The Never Pages to get a feel of how the wider audience found the book, and am pleased to report that everyone liked it a lot! So maybe, even if on the surface this doesn’t seem like the ideal book for you, pick it up and give it a read. You never know, it might just surprise you.

Once again, I would like to heartily thank Graham Thomas for the signed copy of The Never Pages I received, and for writing such a masterpiece, and to the amazing publishing house – theneverpress.com – for being such good sports as always! I’m off now to wait for Graham’s next novel, so until next time… 

Review of This House is Haunted by John Boyne

We all find it difficult loosing a loved-one, but when twenty-one year old Eliza Cane looses her father suddenly, she is left with no home, no other family and nowhere to go. Panicking, she makes the rash decision to take on the position of governess at Gaudlin Hall, Norfolk, after seeing an advertisement in a broadsheet.

On a dark and chilly night, Eliza arrives at the Hall, expecting to be met by her employer. Instead, she is greeted by two young children, Isabella and Eustace, and no one else is in the building; no parents, no adults, no one at all. When she questions the children about the whereabouts of their parents, she gets evasive answers, or half-truths but no explanations. Where are they? Why are the children alone?

Things start becoming more mystifying when it is apparent that something strange is happening at Gaudlin Hall; not only is Eliza almost pushed in front of a train as soon as she arrives at the Norfolk station – only to be saved by a passing doctor – but later that night, in her new room, a second terrifying experience convinces Eliza that something is very wrong.

Things take a turn for the worst when she discovers the fate of the previous governess’ to take up residence at Gaudlin Hall. Whatever malign presence resides in her new home, Eliza soon realises that her life, and that of the children’s, will not be safe until the secrets of Gaudlin Hall are excavated and put to rest for good.

The year is 1867, and the setting is a grand, dilapidated manor house. It all sounds a bit Jane Eyre, the very reason I was attracted to the book in the first place, but this is a ghost story; no more, no less.

Anything John Boyne ever writes is something I am more than excited to read, and as I have already mentioned, the plot is something that I was immediately interested in reading. The gothic elements of this story, mixed with the work of an excellent author, results in a book that will appeal to many readers. One of his most notable works to date, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, secured Boyne a place as one of the best authors of the decade, as well as being a personal favourite of mine. Where The Boy in the Striped Pajamas was written to perfection as the voice of an innocent, educated boy, This House is Haunted is in the viewpoint of educated, grieving but ever-loyal Eliza Cane. Boyne shows-off his skill in writing by having the ability to write convincingly in both male and female characters, and young and old voices, weaving a narrative true to the characters that live within its pages.

I can easily see This House is Haunted being adapted into a TV drama at some point in the future, and if his track record is anything to go by, John Boyne will no doubt have another bestseller out in no time. Something I am already anticipating. 

Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson REVIEW

Jessica McClain’s story continues in Hot Blooded, the second installment in the Jessica McClain series.

I feel that a quick recap of the first book is needed for some context here; Jessica has just discovered that she is the only female werewolf in the world. However, this is no reason for celebration. It means she is now a target. She recently found her mate, Rourke, only for him to be kidnapped by a powerful goddess.

Hot Blooded picks up where Full Blooded left off, with Jessica eager to begin searching for her mate. But things are never as straight forward as they seem when you’re the only female werewolf around, and in Hot Blooded, Jessica comes to realise this more than ever when she is able to unimaginable things, things that no werewolf has ever been able to do, with powers that no other supernatural – or ‘supe’ as they are nicknamed in the series – can do. It’s clear that the sooner she can learn and understand her new powers, the better.

As with Full Blooded, I am surprised at how much I love this series. It could so easily become another – very forgettable – werewolf series ridden with plot holes and pointless characters; however, Amanda Carlson once again has exceeded my expectations and managed to pull off a second installment with just as much sass as the first. Jessica is a feisty; no nonsense woman who knows when enough is enough. She has close ties to her twin bother, Tyler, and her Pack mate, Danny, who help her on an adventure/quest to rescue her mate. They also enlist the help of two vampires, Naomi and Eamon, who bring some unexpected scenarios when Naomi is badly injured and only Jessica can save using a power she never knew she had.

It is in this book Carlson starts to slowly reveal just what an exception to the werewolf race Jessica really is. Her powers are unheard of, but is that a good thing or bad? There is the small matter of a prophecy claiming that ‘her birth will signify the end of their race’. How true is that?

The interaction between the characters is quick-witted and humorous, and despite Hot Blooded being such a fast paced novel, Carlson does an excellent job of making us the forget the wider threats and enjoy the small banter between the main characters. The best scenes are between Jessica and Ray, who seems to be in the series for the long haul judging by how things were left in this book…

There are also hints at relationships developing between some of the characters in this novel, and certain threats to be faced in the future novels, so nothing is wrapped up in this installment – and hopefully there will be many more Jessica McClain books to come.