Reviews

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

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Synopsis:

Wuthering Heights is a wild, passionate story of the intense and almost demonic love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, a foundling adopted by Catherine’s father. After Mr Earnshaw’s death, Heathcliff is bullied and humiliated by Catherine’s brother Hindley and wrongly believing that his love for Catherine is not reciprocated, leaves Wuthering Heights, only to return years later as a wealthy and polished man. He proceeds to exact a terrible revenge for his former miseries. The action of the story is chaotic and unremittingly violent, but the accomplished handling of a complex structure, the evocative descriptions of the lonely moorland setting and the poetic grandeur of vision combine to make this unique novel a masterpiece of English literature.

 

My Thoughts:

Almost demonic!! Their love is demonic, especially on Heathcliff’s side.

At times the book is filled with pointless ramblings and unlovable characters, but still you find you are compelled to read it till the end.

This is the second time I’ve read Wuthering Heights. The first time was when I was fifteen and now again at twenty seven. I’m glad I’ve read it a second time, I definitely appreciated it more and sometime down the track, perhaps in another twelve years, I’ll read it again.

While I was reading it I hated Heathcliff and Catherine but when all was said and done and I was reflecting to write this review I found myself growing fonder of them. I guess it would be wrong to hate them because their behaviour when it was there surroundings that made them behave so, BUT I really don’t want to excuse their disgusting behaviour.

This is definitely not a knight in shining armour love story or a light and happy one. Maybe because it’s not fairy tale it’s more true to real life? Because love can hurt and families can be horrid to one another. The real world sucks so I like my books to create an escape to a better place.

For me to fall in love with a book, I have to fall in love with the characters or at least like them.

I loved Elizabeth & Jane Bennet (oh and that divine Mr Darcy) so I Loved Pride & Prejudice.

I’ve got a thing for that power house Jack Reacher and hence enjoy Mr Child’s Reacher series.

Hell I even fell in love with Bella Swan, Edward Cullen and Jacob Black.

But what does Ms Bronte give us;

Heathcliff – Manic Evil Psychopath. He really is the main character for the most part. We find out all about his long twisted love affair and his sick fancy to destroy the happiness of everyone around him. I mean come on, the sick bastard gets Catherine’s coffin opened up eighteen years after her death just to look at her What The F#*k! Who does that? A crazy psychopath called Heathcliff driven by a demonic love, that’s who!!

Catherine (the 1st) – Well she isn’t much better than Heathcliff. She’s given everything under the sun and still carries on like a little bitch.

Edgar Linton – A bland stupid but sweet man

Hindley Earnshaw – Weak drunken waste of a man

Mr Lockwood – Nosy busybody, who the story could do without completely. He really is pointless! Just let Nelly tell the story without him at all. The dude moves into a new area and then sets about harassing his maid to give him all the gossip on his landlord and the Wuthering Heights residents. Yeah and that’s the whole premise for the retelling of the story.

Joseph – (I dislike this character the most) Mean spirited long winded god fearing douche bag without a heart.

Isabella Linton – Stupid stupid girl

Linton Heathcliff – Scared sickly traitorous whingeing wretch

The only characters to deserve compassion are: Nelly ‘Ellen’ Dean, Catherine (the 2nd) and Hareton Earnshaw – thank goodness they get a happy ending.

Now I’m being very harsh, I did actually enjoying reading this story and once it was over and I was reflecting on it, I decided I did in fact LIKE the book and yes one day I would read it again LOL.

So yes I did enjoy it, but I really can’t pin point why! I can bitch about the things that irked me. I can understand Cathy and Heathcliff, but I can’t love them. It’s nice to end with Nelly, Hearton and Cathy coming together. The last three or four chapters about them make reading the book worthwhile, at least that is how I felt after I immediately finished reading it. But still I’m drawn back to thinking about Heathcliff and Cathy. I will admit if I wasn’t for all the dark, hatred and mistreatment throughout the story the ending wouldn’t have been so light, happy and wished for.

I think this book will always sit uneasily with me. I can’t decide if its 2 stars (it was ok) 3 stars (I liked it) or 4 stars (I really liked it) – It’s definitely not 1 star hate it or 5 star Love it, so at least I can narrow it down LOL. But I did like it so I’ll just go with 3 stars and leave it at that.

WOW I think I ramble on a bit too much here :-I my apologies people.

The Calling by Louise G. White

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The Calling by

Goodreads Synopsis:

On the run and hiding from the suits, Carolyn’s life is far from straightforward. After her mother and brother go missing in a most extraordinary way, (through a hole to another world which appears in the kitchen wall!), she is determined to track them down and bring them home. But life is never that easy! Rescued and protected by a group of unusual and like minded people , Carolyn hones her magic and fighting skills. Whilst answering a call to retrieve a human from another world she is faced with a quick decision and ends up bringing a demon back with her. Little did she know what effect this demon would have on her. As each day passes her strengths grow and her magic develops to assist her in her quest to track down her family, but there are decisions to make that will affect the rest of her life.

My Thoughts:

Wow this book was a rollercoaster, I don’t even know where to begin.

The first couple of chapters are hard to get into as there is so much thrown at you and so much going on, but you immediately fall for the main character Carolyn and you can’t stop yourself from reading as you NEED need to know what happens to her and you can’t sleep until you know she safe from the suits.

Oh dear sweet Carolyn, her family and the life that she knew is ripped from her when she is fifteen. Carolyn spends the next two years as a possessed incoherent killing machine, ruled only by primal instincts she never knew existed inside her. It isn’t until she meets Note (spoiler- he’s not human) that she truly regains her self. The thrill ride that becomes their life on the run draws you in even more than you thought possible. Eventually Carolyn finds her place with a bunch of ”special” people just like her and comes to peace with what and who she is – Only to have the story finish on the dramatic cliffhanger that rips the whole world and her relationships to shreds.

This was a fast paced, actioned packed romance/ Fantasy/ Sci-fi Novel that was a great start to kick of a new series of awesomeness. I really think there is a little bit for everyone here.

I’m going to give it four stars. I really think the only reason I didn’t fully love the story was that I fell for Ethan (is human), not Note as the leading “man”. Note gets Carolyn (to an extent, but I won’t give away too much) and Ethan is left to struggle with his frustrating and unrequited feelings – Yep Ethan I feel for ya buddy.

I wanted Carolyn with Ethan but she ends up with Note and don’t get me wrong I loved Note as well. I can’t really explain it. I tend to do that; I wanted Jacob not Edward (in new moon & eclipse, but fell for Edward in breaking dawn), Homer not Lee (in tomorrow when the war began, the whole ten books I was like “no not Lee, choose HOMER!! that handsome cheeky greek devil thats been your best friend always!!! my Mum and most of the population where Pro Lee though LOL)

Anyways a Frustrating, Fascinating, Captivating read and Fours Stars. I await the next installment to find out what happens to Carolyn “The Destroyer” next.

Harry Potter Companion Books by J.K. Rowling

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I’ve just finished reading the three Companion books and here is a little poem out of Quidditch Through the Ages that I just had to share by J.K. Rowling, I don’t think there is a Potter fan that wouldn’t love it. The set was a quick, cute and entertaining read – a must for any Potter Fan.

Oh, the thrill of the chase as I soar through the air

With the Snitch up ahead and the wind in my hair

As I draw ever closer, the crowd give a shout

But then comes a bludger and I am knocked out.

Harry Potter Companion Books by J.K. Rowlinghog lib

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

A copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them resides on almost every wizarding household in the country. Now, for a limited period only, Muggles too have the chance to discover where the Quintaped lives, what the Puffskein eats, and why it is best not to leave milk out for a Knarl.

Proceeds from the sale of this book will go to improving and saving the lives of children around the world, which means that the dollars and Galleons you exchange for it will do magic beyond the powers of any wizard. If you feel that this is insufficient reason to part with your money, I can only hope most sincerely that passing wizards feel more charitable if they ever see you being attacked by a Manticore.

Quidditch Through the Ages    

Did you know that: there are 700 ways of committing a foul in Quidditch? The game first began to evolve on Queerditch Marsh – What Bumphing is? That Puddlemere United is oldest team in the Britain and Ireland league (founded 1163). All this information and much more could be yours once you have read this book: this is all you could ever need to know about the history, the rules – and the breaking of the rules – of the noble wizarding sport of Quidditch.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard

The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a Wizarding classic, first came to Muggle readers’ attention in the book known as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Now, thanks to Hermione Granger’s new translation from the ancient runes, we present this stunning edition with an introduction, notes, and illustrations by J. K. Rowling, and extensive commentary by Albus Dumbledore. Never before have Muggles been privy to these richly imaginative tales: “The Wizard and the Hopping Pot,” “The Fountain of Fair Fortune,” “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart,” “Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump,” and of course, “The Tale of the Three Brothers.” But not only are they the equal of fairy tales we now know and love, reading them gives new insight into the world of Harry Potter.

Speak of the Devil by Shawna Romkey

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Goodreads Synopsis:

What happens when falling in love and falling from grace collide?

After dying in a car accident with her two best friends, Lily miraculously awakens to grief and guilt. She escapes to her dad’s to come to terms with the event and meets some people at her new school who seem all too eager to help her heal. Sliding deeper into sorrow and trying to fight her feelings for two of them, she finds out who…what they really are and that they are falling too.

Can she find the strength to move on from the past, reconcile her feelings for Luc, find a way to stop a divine war with fallen angels, and still pass the eleventh grade?

My Thoughts:

Oh wow I was enjoying this so much that I just didn’t want it to end!

Bam! straight up I’m giving this a FIVE out of Five stars. I’m trying to figure out what I liked best about this book, but words fail me. It’s a young adult book but it deals with some major issues (Death, Loss, Love, Guilt, God, Good vs Evil). I think it would suit from anyone from the age 12 to 102 and leave everyone craving more. It made me warm and fuzzy inside. There was Drama and Suspense, Love and Romance and the ongoing battle of good and evil.

You can tell that this book is leading up to an epic series, I’m really looking forward to the next book to see where it goes.

 

For more on Shawna see her website http://www.shawnaromkey.com/

I was found this book through the wonderful Booktastik. Sign up here http://booktastik.com/ for great deals on awesome books.

 

Thunderhead by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

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Thunderhead by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

Goodreads Synopsis:

Nora Kelly, a young archaeologist in Santa Fe, receives a letter written sixteen years ago, yet mysteriously mailed only recently. In it her father, long believed dead, hints at a fantastic discovery that will make him famous and rich—the lost city of an ancient civilization that suddenly vanished a thousand years ago. Now Nora is leading an expedition into a harsh, remote corner of Utah’s canyon country. Searching for her father and his glory, Nora begins to unravel the greatest riddle of American archeology. but what she unearths will be the newest of horrors.

My thoughts:

I this is the first Perston/Child book I have read and I will definitely be reading more. This was a gripping, fast paced read, with suspense, mystery, danger, action and even a little bit of romance in the end. I’m not going to lie it chilled me in parts and I think I might have nightmares tonight, but I enjoyed reading it. Four out of Five Stars.

 

Newcastle Poetry Prize

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__449179I’ve just finished reading the 2013 Newcastle Poetry Prize Anthology ”Now You Shall Know” to prepare myself to enter this years.

2013 was the 32nd consecutive year that the Newcastle Poetry Prize had run. In this Anthology is the 1st, 2nd & 3rd winners plus 24 other highly recommend other entries.

Obviously I preferred some poem suites over others, but it was an interesting and emotional collection by some of the best poets Australia has.

I’m definitely going to have to improve/ rethink/ try not to psych myself out before I enter this year.

>> to find out more on the Newcastle Poetry Prize >>

http://www.hunterwriterscentre.org/newcastle-poetry-prize.html

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21857902-now-you-shall-know

>> to buy a copy >>

http://www.hunterwriterscentre.org/shop.html

Vaempires: Revolution By Thomas Winship

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Vaempires: Revolution By Thomas Winship

 Synopsis:

 It is the morning of Princess Cassandra’s sixteenth birthday. Everyone’s attention is focused on the heir to the vampire throne. World leaders, the rich and famous, and VIPs from every corner of the globe have gathered in the nation’s capital to celebrate the momentous event.

Cassandra’s boyfriend, Daniel, is late for the party. He’s still outside the city when all hell breaks loose. What he believes is an act of terrorism proves to be a full-fledged revolution. Vaempires-former vampires who mutated into warm-blooded creatures with an insatiable hunger for cold blood-have launched coordinated attacks across the globe, with three goals: the eradication of humanity, the enslavement of vampires, and the ascension of vaempires as the dominant species on the planet.

The vampire and human leaders are killed. Cassandra is missing. Daniel is the acting king. Desperate to find the princess, Daniel and his friends fight their way across the besieged city. With the hopes of the free world resting on the shoulders of four vampire teenagers, vaempires unleash their secret weapon: a new breed of vaempire that is far deadlier than any ever seen before.

What can four teens do against an enemy that can shape-shift, fly, and walk through walls?

My Thoughts:

The story is non-stop action from the first page and as it continues we get friendship and romance added to the mix.

The story is set in a future earth where World War Three happened, caused a Nuclear Winter that nearly destroyed the whole planet and in turn created Vampires, LOVE IT.

I really enjoyed that it’s not Humans vs. Vampires. Vampires are the dominant species, the good guys, the ones being attacked and their world destroyed. An even more mutated race Vaempires are the bad guys slaughtering humans and vampire’s as they attempt to take control. The main characters felt real and I immediately cared about them. As I got closer to the end of this book I thought I knew how it was going to end, but the ending shocked me, I didn’t see it coming. Five out of five stars, I’m really looking forward to reading the next instalment.

Time Shifters

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5234978Time Shifters by Shanna Lauffey

Synopsis:

An ancient people who can move through time or space…

A secret that never should have been revealed…

One day in a Los Angeles restaurant, Akalya of the Harekaiian witnesses the capture of several of her people and is the only one to get away. Now it is up to her to rescue the captives and learn how… and why… they are being apprehended.

The key lies in discovering who is behind the hunt for her people, when no one should have known they existed.

My Thoughts:

My only complaint with this book was that it was too short, I wanted it to never end. I’ve just gone and Liked Shanna’s Facebook page because I want to know immediately when the second instalment is out.

I really like Shanna’s take on Time travel. I was immediately drawn into the world of the Harekaiian. The main character is a female by the name of Akalya, she felt real and warm to me, I immediately cared about her. Akalya is a Harekaiian and she possesses the ability to move through space and time. Akalya witnesses some of her own kind being kidnapped and takes it upon herself to rescue the captives.

I really enjoyed this story it was fast paced and I didn’t want to put it down. Shanna gives us mystery, suspense, characters you can feel for, plot twists and romance. Even with all the time shifting and jumping around going on Shanna’s writing is of such high quality that as a reader you don’t get lost and are able to keep up with the fast passed action.

As this is the first Novella in a Ten part series and you can tell that the dark dealings of the ‘bad guys’ are only just coming to light and things are only going to get more intense and more interesting.

I am really looking forward to see how it all concludes.

According to Shanna’s website Time Shifters is only available in eBook on Amazon at the moment, but don’t despair if your still not on the eBook train the paperback is in progress and you’ll be able to grab a copy soon. Keep an eye on Shanna’s website http://shannalauffey.weebly.com/ and FB www.facebook.com/ShannaLauffeyBooks page for updates.

Dementional by Tonya Cannariato

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Dementional by Tonya Cannariato @tmycann

Goodreads Synopsis:

Mark Inman has two loves: particle physics and Sarah. She agrees to become his wife at the same time his experiment to find the Higgs boson goes off the rails.

Journey with Mark while his existence melts and reforms in unpredictable ways as the veils between realities thin. His exploration of the minutiae of quantum physics builds a fascinating tapestry of alternate universes.

His search for survival, and the search for meaning and what is real, drive Mark as he experiences lives he never dreamed possible. His only touchstones: find Sarah and find his way home.

My Thoughts:

“I’m beginning to think every timeline has a moment of crisis – a turning point when that reality’s participants are forced to choose whether their space-time implodes or evolves.”

Thank you Tonya, Five Stars. The last couple of books I’ve reviewed didn’t had any love in them, this did, THANK YOU. So so so much love. This is a beautiful story about True Love and Soul Mates. This adventure through time and parallel dimensions, gives us science to make us think and an everlasting bond between a husband and wife that makes you feel good inside.

I really enjoyed this book, it was fresh and unlike everything else I’ve been reading lately. I loved how the story made me think about parallel and alternate versions of myself. I wanted Mark to shift to the next dimension, but then I didn’t because I was enjoying it, I wanted him to get home. I was so caught up and wanted to see how it would all end, but I was mourning the loss of Petal as well. I loved how even amongst the scientific research and theories that spiritualty and love was all up in there as well. I don’t want to say too much and give the story away (Go & Read it), but I loved going on this trip with Mark and Sarah it was brilliant.

Authors Good reads page: http://www.goodreads.com/tmycann 

I found this book through Booktastik >> Great site check it out >> http://booktastik.com/

 

Delta Force Vampire: Insurgency by Alex Shaw

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Delta Force Vampire: Insurgency by Alex Shaw

Goodreads Synopsis:

The Government made him Deadly, Vampires made him Immortal…

A new hero and a new genre from Kindle bestselling author Alex Shaw.

Brad Black, call-sign ‘Peter Pan’ is a member of America’s elite Delta Force unit. Tasked to recon a tunnel network in use by the Taliban it is just another day in the sandpit for the Delta Boys until something attacks them in the darkness.

Presumed Killed in Action, Black is abducted by a shadowy figure before being forced to cross the inhospitable Afghan wilderness to be reunited with what is left of his team.

Meanwhile a General from Russian Military Intelligence (GRU) arrives at Firebase Python brining news of a Cold War weapons experiment so shocking that its existence has until now remained top secret.

 Horrific secrets buried in the Afghan mountains for a quarter of a century are about to be unleashed.

My Thoughts:

It took me a little while to get into this book, but in the end I did enjoy it.

I was quite impressed with Shaw’s Vampires; they had some very traditional traits and in other ways felt more human and believable than others I’ve read stories about. There was a line in the book that stated that all humans are born with the Vampire gene and that’s it just waiting to be activated – I really like this theory!!

You get Action, War, Friendship, allied enemies and some spunky Delta boys that become spunky Vampire Delta boys. This is the first book in a new series by Shaw and it will be interesting to see where it goes.

I’m giving it three Stars. It is a good book suited more to anyone into armed forces action adventures. For me personally if there had been some sexual tension or a little bit of romance it would have made more four or five stars, but that’s purely my own reading style. Give it a read, you won’t regret it.