Chicklish

REVIEW: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Review by Mel.

"Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages - not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers - beautiful, haunted Akiva - fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?"

Everything you've heard about Daughter of Smoke and Bone - it's all true. It's one of the best novels I've read this year.
 
It tells the story of Karou, a sad, blue-haired art student living in Prague. On the surface, she lives a bohemian lifestyle, but behind closed doors she collects teeth for a wishmonger called Brimstone, a chimera who can open portals to other worlds. Everything goes to plan until one day, a beautiful angel named Akiva appears and begins to lock the doorways one by one. As the pathways to Elsewhere disappear, Karou must search for her true identity and decide where her heart really lies.
 
So what makes this story so magical? Well first of all, there's the writing - lyrical, yet hugely readable. And then there are the characters - creatures with animal aspects, angels with broken hearts, puppeteers - so vivid that you almost expect them to walk into the room. But most of all, there's Laini Taylor's imagination. She's taken old ingredients, swirled them together and created a novel that will linger in your mind days after you've finished the book. Sometimes I groan when authors spin out trilogies, but on this occasion I was ecstatic to find out there'll be sequels because it means Karou's worlds will continue to exist.  All I can suggest is - read this book! It will make your month.

Review by Mel.

• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (29 Sep 2011)
• ISBN-10: 144472262X
• ISBN-13: 978-1444722628

Follow Daughter of Smoke and Bone on Twitter @SmokeandBone

Join the Daughter of Smoke and Bone group on Facebook

Visit the Daughter of Smoke and Bone website

View the first of five official trailers for the book below:

REVIEW: Shimmer by Alyson Noel

Review by Tamika.

Twelve-year-old Riley Bloom has just come to grips with being dead. After a car crash that killed herself and her parents (whilst leaving her sister Ever), Riley crossed over the bridge, and was assigned a new job. Her job is to console those who haven’t crossed over, and to persuade them over. Although it isn’t an easy job, Riley was coping well with help from her dog Buttercup and her ‘guide’, Bodhi.

Whilst taking a short holiday from their job, Riley comes across Rebecca, a very angry girl whose father was killed. Rebecca captures lost souls in her ‘bubble of anger’. With the help of an old prince, Riley must try to save the souls, and calm down Rebecca.

Although this book was written for younger readers, I still enjoyed it. I found it a lot less complex than the Immortals series and that is why I enjoy these books more. The tone of the book is also a lot lighter, whereas the Immortals are quite dark most of the time. I love Riley’s personality; how she is determined to do what she wanted, and not do what others tell her. She’s very fierce, and that’s admirable, especially in a twelve-year-old.

There are lots of unsolved questions in the book, which I hope some will be answered in the third book. I wish there was a bit more of Bodhi in this book though. But I have to say, Alyson Noel puts so much of a story into one little book!

Review by Tamika, aged 14.

• Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books (5 Aug 2011)
• ISBN-10: 0330530380
• ISBN-13: 978-0330530385

NEWS: The Phoenix comic

I'm really excited about The Phoenix, a comic that's launching in January 2012. It features some of my favourite authors, including Neill Cameron (read my review of Mo-Bot High), and many wonderful stories and serials. There's even going to be a strip about writing comic strips. I can't wait!

Here's more about The Phoenix comic, from their site.

"New, original and sensational story-strips are at the heart of every issue of The Phoenix. There are at least seven to enjoy in every issue. Some are serials with meaty plots, epic settings, mighty casts and gasp-aloud cliffhangers that run for several months. Some are one-offs – full stories to be swallowed whole – including our weekly Phoenix Feature. We’ve also squeezed in plenty of funnies, plus lots of involving content to get stuck in with: clever puzzles, engaging how-tos and competitions."

And here's a special message about the comic from Jacqueline Wilson, borrowed from The Phoenix comic news:

“I absolutely loved getting my weekly Girl comic when I was a child. I was a total bookworm and devoured a handful of library books every week, but my comic was extra special, a treat to savour. It’s great that children now are going to have the opportunity to enjoy a classy fun-packed comic. The Phoenix is for girls and boys, written and illustrated by an exciting and talented team, all dedicated to telling stories by this cool visual method. Children will love The Phoenix – and Mums and Dads will doubtless want to sneak a peek too.”

REVIEW: Diary of a Lottery Winner's Daughter by Penelope Bush

Review by Kate.

When Charlotte Johnson's mum wins £3.7million on the lottery, Charlotte's wiishes are all granted at once. Their big win means they can now live a lot more comfortably than their life on the council estate. However it soon becomes clear that her richer life doesn't come without complication.

While big sister Chelsea plans extravagant purchases and brother Spencer transfers to a private school, Charlotte is content with a room to herself and a bookcase big enough for all her books. Despite her life staying relatively normal, best friend Lauren and new girl Stacey soon stir up trouble which leaves Charlotte to question who her friends really are.

I really enjoyed this story, especially as it brought to life the dark side of a rags to riches fairytale. It's not all bad news for Charlotte though, as she also discovers that some great things in life cannot be bought. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a lighthearted read and fancies the millionaire lifestyle for themselves.

Review by Kate.

• Publisher: Piccadilly (1 July 2011)
• ISBN-10: 1848121393
• ISBN-13: 978-1848121393

NEWS: Live author event online - Kjartan Poskitt

Here's an author event with a difference - Murderous Maths with Kjartan Poskitt.

"Kjartan Poskitt is a mathematician like no other: he will entertain pupils with maths tricks, crack them up with jokes about mathematical formula and engage pupils with complex algebra."

This event will take place on Thursday 1st December 2011 at 11am.

The nationwide Meet our Authors programme is run by Scottish Book Trust, Scotland’s leading agency for the promotion of literature, reading and writing and sponsored by Scottish Friendly Assurance.

Full event details below.

Authors Live: Murderous Maths with Kjartan Poskitt
Date: Thursday 1st December
Time: 11am - 11.40am
Age group: 8 - 14 years
Venue: Your classroom, library or home computer
Watch live: http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/authors-live-with-kjartan-poskitt

If you miss the live event you can watch or download the video from 8th December 2011 using the same link.

REVIEW: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Review by Hazel Holmes.

I’m not usually a fan of historical fiction, but the cover is so beautiful I thought I’d give it a go. I’m so glad I did, it’s truly remarkable.  ‘Verity’ is arrested by the Gestapo in France during the Second World War. She’s a secret agent and about to undergo her worst nightmare, either reveal her mission or be subjected to horrific torture followed by execution. She decides to confess, and by doing so, is given writing materials so she can document her case.

The book opens with the agent’s words ‘I am a coward’, and from here we continue to read how she was captured and what is happening to her at present. We don’t even learn her real name until half way through. ‘Verity’ tells of how she arrived in France, flown by her best friend Maddie, a rare female pilot. She had to abandon the plane in mid flight and doesn’t know if Maddie is still alive. She has reason to believe she’s dead.

‘Verity’ writes of how they met, how they became great friends and later entangled in the war effort.  These women are amazing. Whilst I was reading ‘Verity’s’ confession it was hard to believe it was fiction. I didn’t for one minute think she was a coward.

I don’t want to spoil the plot so I won’t elaborate too much, but suddenly, half way through, this book changes speed. It’s difficult to explain but it was a thrill to read. Full of tension and conflicting emotions, I’ll remember this book forever. I’ll remember these two women and their unwavering love for one and other. Wein has written something very powerful here, something important. For me, I think this book is firstly about friendship, and secondly, but just as prominent, about a woman’s role during the war.

Code Name Verity is inspiring. I loved it.

Review by Hazel Holmes.

• Publisher: Electric Monkey (6 Feb 2012)
• ISBN-10: 1405258217
• ISBN-13: 978-1405258210

NEWS: Great competition at Piccadilly Press

Piccadilly Press are running a fabulous competition on their website right now

If you sign up to receive their newsletter before 4th December 2011, you have a chance to win every book they've published this year. (This includes some of my favourite reads of the year...!)

Sign up at the Piccadilly Press competition site.

You can enter even if you already receive the newsletter. See the instructions for more details.

Good luck!

REVIEW: The Boyfriend Thief by Shana Norris

Review by Luisa.

 From Amazon: "Avery James has her life planned out: this summer she'll work with a humanitarian program in Costa Rica, next year she'll graduate at the top of her class, and after that, college and medical school. Perfect, planned, total order.

The only problem: getting the rest of the money she needs for the trip before the deadline. Hannah Cohen, her biggest competition for the valedictorian title, makes an unexpected offer: If Avery can win over Zac Greeley and make him break up with Hannah before the end of the school year, a check for five hundred dollars is all hers. Faced with the prospect of spending yet another summer working as a giant hot dog, it's an offer Avery can't refuse.

Zac is nothing like Avery expected. Within his chaotic world of midnight slushie runs and spontaneous dance parties, her total order is quickly falling apart while Hannah seems poised to get everything she wants. But just how much is Avery willing to give up for the perfect, planned life?"

I bought this book after I joined Read it and Laugh (a joint blog for authors of funny books) and I realised I'd never read anything by Shana Norris - though I've had Troy High and Something To Blog About on my wishlist for the longest time! This one is available as an e-book download, though, so it was hard to resist the instant delivery... And I'm glad I didn't resist, because this book is fab!

Avery is a great main character and I found it easy to relate to her right away, even though she's dressed as a giant hot dog when we first meet her. She has a brilliant sense of humour and I loved her funny observations about her job and her life.

Avery is a high-achiever who's driven to succeed in everything she does. Soon it becomes obvious that there are reasons behind her perfectionism. Her mother abandoned the family and Avery has been holding everything - including herself - together. Avery might make some bad decisions in the course of the plot, but her motivation is always clear and I really felt for her and her brother. I found the family drama moving and wonderful.

My absolute favourite thing about the book, though, is the boy Avery (reluctantly) falls for. He is a fantastic romantic hero, and yet he still comes across as an utterly normal, laid-back teenage boy. He and Avery are just so perfect for each other that I was dying for them to get together and I couldn't read fast enough!

This is a great book for fans of teen romance by authors such as Elizabeth Scott and Lindsey Leavitt. I loved it!

Review by Luisa.

Shana Norris: website

Read Chapter 1 of The Boyfriend Thief

 

REVIEW: Tempest by Julie Cross

Review by Hazel Holmes.

"The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun. That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future. Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities. But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler.  Recruit… or kill him. Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world."

This was passed to me as Twilight meets The Time Traveller’s Wife. Being a fan of both I delved into this quickly and was not disappointed. I immediately became attached to the main characters, Jackson and his girlfriend Holly, and liked the way Cross developed the quite believable time travel plot. Jackson carries a recessive gene, labelled the Tempest. This not only allows him to time travel, but as the story deepens, it becomes apparent that he is developing other abilities too.

Jackson life was pretty normal in 2009, until two strangers appear in his girlfriend’s dorm. There’s a struggle and Holly is shot, she’s dying. All of sudden he finds himself back in 2007. The plot is quite complex so I won’t even begin try and outline it here, the blurb does a pretty good job of this, and Cross is clever in the way she explains scenarios and introduces integral secondary characters. My favourite is Adam, this guy is a total science nerd and I love how Jackson is able to rely on him, no matter what timeline he finds himself in.

It was quite refreshing hearing this sort of story from a male perspective. It’s full of action and mystery; and despite being quite sciencey, there’s also an incredible love story at the centre. I think this is going to be a very popular series, it would make a fantastic film...

Review by Hazel Holmes

• Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books (5 Jan 2012)
• ISBN-10: 0230756263
• ISBN-13: 978-0230756267

REVIEW: Opal Moonbaby by Maudie Smith

Reviewed by 7-year-old Isabella.

Opal Moonbaby is about a girl who isn't from this planet. She has to complete a challenge for her species, and she lands on Earth and straight into Martha's life. Martha has been having problems with her friends, and she has promised herself she will never have a friend again. Could Martha and Opal help each other, or will it all be one big mess?

I loved this book. I liked Martha, Opal and Robbie. I didn't like Colette, but I knew I was not supposed to like her! I really enjoyed the way Opal speaks and all the things she tells Martha and Robbie about Carnelia, her home planet. She had a type of pet called a 'mingle' and it was cute. My mum thought the hairdresser was funny. The plot was great and had us guessing all the way through, and the ending was fantastic.

I recommend this funny, great book to boys and girls who love having fun and are 7 or older.

Review by Isabella (with Luisa).

Opal Moonbaby will be available from January 2012.

• Publisher: Orion Childrens (5 Jan 2012)
• ISBN-10: 1444004786
• ISBN-13: 978-1444004786