Review of About Last Night by Adele Parks

I received this book as a competition win from the lovely Amanda at onemorepage - Thank you Amanda!


** What it's about **


"Steph, eternally solid, considerate and dependable, is begging her best friend to lie to the police as she's desperately trying to conceal two shocking secrets to protect her family. Pip, self-consigned to the role of scatty, frivolous hot-head is overwhelmed; she's normally the one asking for help in a crisis although never anything as catastrophic as this. Both women have always believed that friendship is built on mutual selflessness, compromise and trust.


Are those beliefs now to be tested beyond endurance?"*


* Taken from Amazon's Product Description

** What I thought **


Uniquely, this book is set over a five-day time period.  In these five days, lives changes, friendships and relationships are tested and crimes are considered and committed.  These five days centre on two main characters; Steph and Pip.


It isn’t predictable, and throughout the book I often wondered which direction Parks would take it.  I always appreciate that uncertainty, as there is nothing worse than it being blindingly obvious what is going to happen.


There isn’t much dialogue, but instead the story is told through third person narrative.  I know a lot of readers have struggled with these, finding that it doesn’t move quick enough and there is too much reminiscing.  However, I enjoyed the leisurely pace which managed to hold my attention due to the twists and turns that Parks provides at just the right moments.


There is something unique about this story, and it was one which I enjoyed immensely! I'll certainly be checking out more of Adele Parks' books in the future!

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Available in Hardcover and Kindle Edition from Amazon.co.uk:

       

Review of An Autumn Crush by Milly Johnson

Thanks to Milly Johnson and Simon & Schuster for the copy of An Autumn Crush.  You can follow Milly on twitter or facebook.


** What it’s about **

Synopsis from back cover:

"In the heart of the windy season, four friends are about to get swept off their feet...

Newly single after a bruising divorce, Juliet Miller moves into a place of her own and advertises for a flatmate, little believing that in her mid-thirties, she'll find anyone suitable.  Then, just as she's about to give up hope, along comes self-employed copywriter Floz, and the two women hit it off straight away.

When Juliet's gentle giant of a twin brother, Guy, meets Floz, he falls head over heels.  But, as hard as he trites to charm her, his foot seems to be permanently in his mouth.  Meanwhile, Guy's best friend Steve has always had a secret crush on Juliet - one which could not be more unrequited if it tried...

As Floz and Juliet's friendship deepens, and Floz becomes part of the Miller family, can Guy turn her affection for them into something more - into love for him? ANd what will happen to Steve's heart when Juliet eventually catches the eye of Piers - the man of her dreams?

As Autumn falls, will love eventually bloom for them all? Or will the secrets of the past turn the season's gold to the chill of winter?"

** What I thought **

This is my first book reviewed within my October theme, and what a book it is.  Despite being October, I read this on a recording-breaking October day, with temperatures soaring, sat in the garden surrounded by leaves fluttering to the ground as Autumn descends.

I read Johnson’s A Summer Fling over the summer and loved every page of it.  Johnson’s next book An Autumn Crush is no disappointment.  I read it in one sitting, which is unusual these days with a book of this thickness.  I was lucky to have a day to sit in the glorious sunshine in the garden and soak up every word.  Johnson writes some of the best chick lit there is; she lures you in and then immerses you fully.  You’ll smile constantly (in fact, I think my cheeks ache from smiling too much) and I did shed a fear tears at the end. 

This book is packed full of warm and energetic characters.  Guy melted my heart – the perfect gentlemen.  I often found myself holding my breath, waiting for something to happen and Johnson does make you wait.  She builds up the anticipation perfectly, so that when things start to come together, they do so perfectly.  And boy, is it worth waiting for.  There are plenty of unexpected twists and turns along the way, but these will lead you to a seriously satisfying ending.

Perfect – get yourself a copy, and immerse yourself immediately!

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Available in Paperback and Kindle Edition at Amazon.co.uk:

           

Versatile Blogger Award

I received this award from Sharon at Jera’s Jamboree
Thank you so much Sharon! I love reading your blog, and you would certainly have been on my 15 if you hadn't have beat me to it.

The rules of this award are:

• Thank and link back to the person who gave the award to you
• Share 7 things about yourself
• Send it along to 15 other bloggers and let them know you have awarded them!

 Seven things about me:

1. Next month, I’m going to be hitting the big-quarter-of-a-century!
2. I have a bit of a thing for men in uniform. Am I the only one??
3. I love the sunshine, but I’m not the greatest fan of flying.  The sunshine usually wins!
4. I used to be a trampolinist (beginner, not Olympic!) because it sounded like fun but I hate exercise!
5. I love to drive, which is a good thing as I live in the middle of no-where!
6. I have had mumps despite having all the required vacs.
7. I have traces of OCD, and believe everyone does to some degree!

The fifteen blogs that I’m passing on The Versatile Blogger Award to are:

• Goriami Family Blog
• Adventures of a First Time Mum
• Brink of Bedlam
• Me and my shadow
• High heels and book deals
• Novel Escapes
• One More Page
• Random things through my letterbox
• The Overflowing Library
• The Slowest Bookworm
• Wondrous Reads
• Our Book Reviews Online
• Sarah’s Book Reviews
• DizzyC’s Little Book Blog
• Readaraptor – A new find for me, but she had me at the name!

Thanks to all those who read my blog! Readers and comments are always appreciated!

Review of Are We Nearly There Yet? by Ben Hatch

When I was approached by Ben Hatch to review his latest book, Are we nearly there yet?: A family’s 8000 miles around Britain in a Vauxhall Astra, I instantly wanted to say yes as I have very vivid memories of sitting in my parents’ car as a small child uttering these exact words. So, that is what I did.

This is what it’s about….

“They were bored, broke, burned out and turning 40.  So when Ben and his wife Dinah were approached to write a guidebook about family travel, they embraced the open road, ignoring friends’ warnings: ‘One of you will come back chopped up in a bin bag in the roof box’.  Featuring deadly puff adders, Billie Piper’s pyjamas and a friend of Hitler’s, it’s a story about love, death, falling out, moving on and growing up, and 8,000 misguided miles in a Vauxhall Astra.”

Thanks to Ben (who you can follow on twitter here) and Elly at Summersdale Publishers for the copy!

** What I thought **

Ben Hatch makes John Cleese laugh….! It says so on the front of his book.  Well, Ben Hatch makes me laugh too. This book is not one to be read on a train, or anywhere in public where you would like to be perceived as vaguely normal, as you will laugh out loud.  There are plenty of these laugh out loud moments in this book, and not just ones that are funny at the time, but as I sit and recall them hours later, I still giggle to myself! Something will remind me, and I’ll involuntarily laugh, no matter where I am or who I’m with.  One moment in particular involves Ben’s wife Dinah merging (or at least attempting to) onto a motorway and what Ben has taught his daughter, Phoebe, to do.  Look out for it, it’s utter genius – made me laugh all week long, and I think will continue to do so forever!! Also look out for a fear of tortoises, an incident with a toothbrush and a bat combined with some deadly puff adders!

Tim Brooke-Taylor says ‘has hints of the Brit sitcom Outnumbered’ and as I read this I literally said “Ahhh yes, of course!!” The writers of Outnumbered could certainly learn a few things from Phoebe and Charlie! (Ben, perhaps you should take advantage of this?!)

You don’t have to be a parent to appreciate this book; it’s not just about travelling with small children.  It’s about real life and relationships.  It also focuses quite heavily on the grief of losing your parents as an adult, as Ben’s father, Sir David Hatch, is taken ill and sadly passes away during Ben and Dinah’s journey.

Like a cross between a memoir and a novel; this is an absolutely fabulous read. It will make you smile, it will make you laugh and it will move you deeply.  Get yourself a copy and enjoy!

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** This book currently has been reviewed 18 times (soon to be 19, when I add my review!) and every single one of those reviews has awarded it 5 stars.  I shan’t be changing that pattern!  


I'll also certainly be checking out Ben's other two successful comic novels The Lawnmower Celebrity and The International Gooseberry.

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Here are some photos from their journey:

Ben, Phoebe and Charlie

Charlie at Warwick Castle 

Phoebe on Severn Valley Railway

Phoebe and Charlie, worn out!!

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Available in paperback and Kindle Edition at Amazon.co.uk:

      

Review of Bumped by Megan McCafferty

** Thank you to UK Book Tours & Carly for hosting the tour of Bumped!


** What it’s about **

A virus has swept the world, making everyone over the age of eighteen infertile. Teenagers are now the most prized members of society, and would-be parents desperately bid for ‘conception contracts’ with the prettiest, healthiest and cleverest girls - cash, college tuition and liposuction in exchange for a baby.

Sixteen-year-old Melody is gorgeous, athletic and has perfect grades, and has scored an amazing contract with a rich couple. And she’s been matched with one of the most desirable ‘bumping’ partners in the world - the incredibly hot, genetically flawless Jondoe.

But Melody's luck is about to run out. She discovers she has a sister - an identical twin, Harmony, who has grown up in a religious community opposed to the idea of ‘pregging’. Harmony believes her calling is to save Melody from her sinful plans. Melody doesn’t have time for this – she can’t wait to meet Jondoe and seal the deal. But when he arrives and mistakes Harmony for Melody, everyone’s carefully-laid plans are swept out of control – and Melody and Harmony are about to realise they have so much more than just DNA in common.

** What I thought **

I’m sad to say this book just wasn’t for me.  For the first few chapters, I felt really disconnected from it all (characters and storyline).  I think this was mainly to do with me being vaguely confused about what on earth was going on! There was too much futuristic slang, which I can see why some people would find funny, but for me it was just too much! Perhaps I’m getting old, but it was confusing and lacked explanation.  I can’t cope with words like MiNet, MiChatting, pregg(ing), fertilicious and bumped being thrown round without too much context.  I mean, I get it now, but it was hard work. 

After that initial confusion, I have to admit I was hooked and read the rest of the book in one sitting, mainly because I had to know where on earth this was going to end up.  Dystopian YA are very on trend at the moment, and admittedly this is one with an edge to it and a very unique concept.  However, I think a bit like marmite, you’ll either love it or hate it!

This book is obviously set in the future, but it isn’t until page 126 that you’re told which year (2036!!).  This annoyed me, I wanted more background; when it’s set and perhaps how this virus came to be?

I didn’t relate to or particularly feel anything for the characters (Melody or Harmony; twins) but I did love Melody’s best friend Zen.  He was genuine and I liked him – I hope he features heavily in the sequel Thumped.

The premise is good (a virus which has causes everyone over the age of 18 to become infertile) but for me the book itself is just too unbelievable.  When you really sit and think about it, it’s actually quite uncomforting that humanity would be buying and selling babies; giving young girls the incentive to have a child on somebody else’s behalf.  It essentially plays on the premise of surrogacy but takes it a million times further than what we know as surrogacy today.  I’m not sure exactly what message McCafferty was trying to portray, and that bothered me. Yes, it's taking teen pregnancy to an extreme but for me in way which wasn't particularly comfortable to read!

The ending is cliff-hanger-esque indicating a sequel and indeed Thumped  is due to be released on April 24^th 2012.  Although I took quite a major dislike to this book at the start, I have to admit, I'm more than intrigued to see where McCafferty takes the sequel!

Perhaps for those of you who are loving your dystopian YA novels at the moment, and can cope with the futuristic, slightly unnerving premise of this, it will fare a little better!

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Available in Paperback and Kindle Edition on Amazon.co.uk

          

Review of Until the End of Forever by Shannon Hart! >>> Book Tour

Meet Shannon Hart........

and take a look at her debut novel Until the End of Forever.....

Welcome to my first book tour…..!

Thank you to Samantha from Chick Lit Plus for getting me involved xx

** What it’s about **

Sarah Matthews has everything in the world a woman could wish for: a loving husband; two beautiful children; a small business which she runs together with her sister in law; and even her own top of the range car.  Why then does she keep having recurring nightmares?

Over a friendly lunch with her ex-lady boss, seeds of doubt and discontent begin to gnaw at her, and the realisation dawns that she is no longer free to live a life of her own as she would wish.  When offered the opportunity, therefore, to go to work in Paris for a month she finds herself unable to resist.

As Sarah takes us along with her on her journey, we are given a privileged insight into the workings of the female mind as her thoughts and feelings tumble around in an attempt to find answers.

** What I thought **

Rob is the perfect gentleman, and the man every woman dreams of.  Sarah should have the perfect life with him, but something doesn’t feel right and she isn’t content.  She needs to get away, to find herself again away from being a mum and a wife….but will their relationship survive some time apart? I’m sure many women will relate to this book –those feelings when you first find love, perhaps followed by the routine of a relationship and the feeling that something is missing.  What many women may not relate to is leaving their husband and kids for a month to go to the other side of the world to work in Paris.  It’s a little frustrating, and many people would say there were much easier ways to sort out her issues, but it isn’t entirely unbelievable and perhaps if women were presented with such an opportunity they would take it.

I loved the cover; both the colour and the design.  It tells you everything you need to know about this book; it is a love story. I liked the New York skyline on the front cover with the Eiffel tower on the back; very effective.

The book is mainly told by Sarah, with the odd chapter by Rob giving his perspective.  It has a very personal feel to it, which is my favourite thing about this book.  It really does feel as though you are in Sarah and Rob’s heads; something I haven’t fully felt with any other book of this genre recently.  This draws you into their lives and into the book much easier and deeper than with most chick lit reads.

There are plenty of times when each character relives memories of their past (e.g. when they met, when they married etc) which fills you in on the background which led them to their current lives.  It allows you to feel how their relationship has grown, and how they have ended up as they are today.  I preferred these parts of the book; when Sarah firsts meet Rob and they have the most romantic whirlwind romance.

This is Shannon Hart’s first novel.  She previously wrote short stories and for me this was a relatively short novel.  A thin book; 209 pages of relatively large writing – it didn’t take me too long to get through.  It’s thoroughly enjoyable; it made me smile, laugh, reminisce and it made my eyes fill with tears on more than one occasion.  The ending left me satisfied, but all-in-all it was fairly predictable chick lit.

Saying that it is a wonderfully easy and light read – perfect for a summer holiday by the pool or on the beach, or a winter read cuddled up by an open log fire with a glass of wine and a box of chocs!

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You can find out more about Shannon and her debut novel ‘Until the End of Forever’ at Shannon’s Website, Shannon’s Blog and you can follow Shannon on Twitter.  You can see other reviews, and follow Shannon's Book Tour here.

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COMPETITION: Everyone who leaves a comment on Shannon’s tourpage will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card. This is open worldwide so pop over and leave a comment! 

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Available in Paperback and Kindle Edition on Amazon.co.uk:

            

Review of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

** What is it about ** - Usually at this point I would quote the synopsis from the book BUT in this case, I don’t think that should be read in full before opening the book! Therefore all I’m going to say about this book is:

“The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.”


“But this is no conventional spectacle…Behind the scenes a dangerous game is being played by two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who, at the behest of their masters, are forced to test the very limits of the imagination – and of love…”

** What I thought **

This book is set to be the publishing sensation of 2011 which usually means that a huge number of long-filled-with-anticipation-readers will be hugely disappointed. On one hand, I can see why this might be (I’ll come back to that in a moment), however I wasn’t disappointed.  This might be because I didn’t know enough about all the rave reviews or perhaps because I can appreciate certain things within the book where others focus on the things that are lacking.

The best way I can describe this book is that it is enchanting.  It’s intriguing from the start and is almost as though when you open the first page a spell is cast over you which isn’t released until you’ve turned the very last page.

I enjoyed the book thoroughly, however having read 387 pages of exceptionally detailed narrative, I felt there was something lacking.  It took me a while to work out what this was, and most of the thanks go to The Book Smugglers and their excellent review of this book for helping me work out what that thing is.  As I don’t want to go into any specific details of the plot, it’s a little hard to explain but Thea from The Book Smugglers explains it exceptionally well: “the game itself – i.e. the entire impetus for the plot – never really feels like a pressing, urgent thing. For the entire book, the “game” (often referred to but never truly understood or addressed) remains sort of undefined and dreamlike. That’s not a bad thing, but I can’t help but feel like there should have been something more to it. As it is, The Night Circus is less of a book with a clear storyline and more a series of vignettes and impressions – which is fantastic and masterfully created, but I can’t help but want just that little extra oomf.”  I have to agree – the plot did lack a certain element of oomf.  This could be because it was overshadowed by the gorgeously enchanting and vivid descriptions of the circus or it could be because of a theory Ana from The Book Smugglers has come up with! Her theory is this: “Every single character in this novel EXCEPT the main characters should matter MORE. To me, Celia and Marco are mysterious and depth-less on purpose. Because it is the other characters’ vibrancy and depth that tip the scales of the game and eventually determine its outcome! Never before in the history of this feud there were so many people being part of this game – it is their destiny and that of the Circus itself that are so important and therefore why they are better developed.”  I like to agree with Ana, and add a little of my own.  Yes, the challenge or game appears to be the central point to this book and it is vague throughout and I see many several reviewers state that it needed more detail as they couldn’t quite grasp the how’s and why’s of it.  Yet, to me that was the point.  The challenge wasn’t even clearly understood by the players themselves so why should the reader by privy to such information.  All is revealed eventually, and we find out as the characters do.  The book is set over a number of decades, beginning in 1873 and ending in 1903 which I think is why the game isn't pressing or urgent.  It becomes part of who Celia and Marco are, it's all-consuming which is why it is part of every page of the book without specifically being about it! 

The narrative is third person omniscient and this works exceptionally well.  It allows Morgenstern to shift between people and time frames without losing any momentum at all.  There is a fair amount of jumping around within this book, yet it works.  The book has different threads running through it.  Firstly, there is the narrative that guides you through the circus itself.  It’s almost like being there but not quite; it’s like watching the circus through a snow globe with your hands gripped to the sides and your face pressed against the glass at the top!  Secondly, there are quotes (most likely clippings from the newspaper articles referred to within the book).  Finally, there is the story itself, yet even this isn’t told in a simple chronological order.  It skips about between dates and characters.  Once you’ve finished the book, you can truly appreciate the skill that has gone into this book in bringing it together in the way it has been.  The stories of many different characters are interwoven together exceptionally well without leaving the reader confused.  Yes, it isn’t particularly fast-paced, but it’s gripping in a different way.  The detail is beautiful and all-consuming.  The leisurely pace means it isn’t predictable on any level.  It’s like an exceptionally well-crafted clock; each piece slowly comes together until the cogs begin to turn and you can begin to comprehend each minute as it passes.

If you don’t like escapist magical fantasy, this book isn’t for you.  However, if you do, this is a must read! This book is unlike most books I’ve ever read in that it isn’t easily forgettable and it will stay with me for a very long time.  I think it would be even better on a second read.

The proof copy I received had black and white graphical pages inter-linking parts of the book.  I truly hope this made it to the final copy!  I love the final UK cover – it’s perfect for what is contained inside.

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Summit Entertainment have already bought the film rights for this.  The book, as I have said, is incredibly descriptive and visual so I hope they tread carefully with how they portray this book, and in particular, the circus; so many people will have clearly-defined images in their head making the transition from paper to screen a very fragile one!

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If you’re happy to read a bit more of the plot than I was willing to give you on this occasion, I highly recommend you head over to The Book Smugglers and read their review of The Night Circus here

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Available in Kindle Edition at Amazon.co.uk:

  

Review of The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

** What it's about **

The Victorian language of flowers was used to express emotions: honeysuckle for devotion, azaleas for passion, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it has been more useful in communicating feelings like grief, mistrust and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings.

Now eighteen, Victoria has nowhere to go, and sleeps in a public park, where she plants a small garden of her own. When her talent is discovered by a local florist, she discovers her gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But it takes meeting a mysterious vendor at the flower market for her to realise what's been missing in her own life, and as she starts to fall for him, she's forced to confront a painful secret from her past, and decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness.

The Language of Flowers is a heartbreaking and redemptive novel about the meaning of flowers, the meaning of family, and the meaning of love.

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** What I thought **

It is difficult to conjure up the right words to describe how I feel about this book.  It’s enchanting, yet tragic, and beautiful, all at the same time.  It’ll make you smile, and it’s sure to make you cry too.  It filled me with warmth and, despite the sadness it contains, left me totally and utterly satisfied.  Quite simply my new favourite book of 2011.

You don’t have to be overly-interested in flowers to appreciate the depth and beauty that Diffenbaugh portrays in this book.  It’s much more about seeing the hidden and deeper meaning, the romance aspect and an alternative way of communicating.  This is a story about a girl finding her way home; a story of friendship, romance, maternal love and the struggles of a young girl to portray her feelings and let her past go.

If you take the romance of the Victorian language of flowers, and combine it with the anger and resentment of a nine-year old child brought up in foster care and shifted from pillar to post, you are left with Victoria Jones.  What a wonderfully powerful combination.  Diffenbaugh fares just as well with her secondary characters, who pull everything together and don’t leave you feeling like anything is lacking.

This powerful tale is elegantly written.  I didn’t find the story predictable, in fact I was extremely impressed at how easily it flowed and dragged you in deeper and deeper with every page despite the lack of obvious hints as to the direction it is going to take.  The author doesn’t try to draw you in with forced cliff-hangers; it just seems to happen.  The detail is exceptional, and I often felt that it was more like reading an autobiography than a fictional story. The chapters alternate between Victoria at 18 (emancipation) and Victoria at 9 when she is deep within the foster-care system.  Despite the toing and froing, the book doesn’t feel fragmented, the pace is kept exceptionally well and you won’t want to put it down.

Diffenbaugh and her husband have been full-time foster parents for several years, and the experience has partly inspired her first novel, The Language of Flowers.  It doesn’t surprise me that this book comes from something much deeper than imagination.  If this is what Diffenbaugh can produce as her debut novel, I live in anticipation to see what will follow.  Absolutely stunning, I can’t recommend it highly enough!

Throughout the book, I always knew this would be made into a film, so it was no surprise for me to read that Fox 2000 have already acquired the film rights to The Language of Flowers.  All I can hope for is that they do it the justice it deserves.

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Vanessa Diffenbaugh is launching the Camellia Network in order to create a movement to support youth making the transition from foster care to independence.  In the language of flowers, camellia means my destiny is in your hands.  You can find out more about the Camellia Network and get involved at http://camellianetwork.org/ 

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Available in Paperback, Hardcover and Kindle Edition at Amazon.co.uk

Review of The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker

Thanks to Usborne Publishers for the advanced review copy of The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker.

** What it’s about **

Sherry and her family have lived sealed in a bunker in the garden since things went wrong up above. Her grandfather has been in the freezer for the last three months, her parents are at each other’s throats and two minutes ago they ran out of food.

Sherry and her father leave the safety of the bunker and find a devastated and empty LA, smashed to pieces by bombs and haunted by ‘Weepers’ - rabid humans infected with a weaponized rabies virus.

While searching for food in a supermarket, Sherry’s father disappears and Sherry is saved by Joshua, a boy-hunter. He takes her to Safe-haven, a tumble-down vineyard in the hills outside LA, where a handful of other survivors are picking up the pieces of their ‘other lives’. As she falls in love for the first time, Sherry must save her father, stay alive and keep Joshua safe when his desire for vengeance threatens them all.

** What I thought **

The Other Life is the first book of perhaps a series, but there certainly is a follow up book called The Life Beyond which is due to be released in February 2013.  (The Other Life is launched on 1^st February 2012).  Firstly, I have to say that I love the cover - absolutely gorgeous and entrancing.  The barbed wire on the cover and the start of each chapter has a very clever and subtle link to the story (I won't say anymore....!)

This is my second YA dystopian debut in as many days.  This one, I devoured in a matter of hours.  Susanne Winnacker writes beautifully creating a world of eerie destruction intermingled with the  seeds of first love. 

Winnacker has packed a powerful punch with her debut novel about survival, adventure and first love.  The character development is perfect, and I absolutely adore the hero of the book, Joshua.  I can’t wait to see the relationship between Sherry and Joshua blossom in the next book as they take on bigger and bolder tasks.  There are some other heart-warmingly strong bonds built as everyone pulls together to survive.  I particularly loved Sherry’s little sister, Mia, and the bond between them.

In between each chapter, we read a short extract from Sherry’s other life (her life prior to the disease, death and destruction).  These are short, sweet and refreshing.  The book is well-paced and will keep you turning the pages until the last page is turned and you'll be looking for the next book!

A wonderful YA dystopian novel that hopefully will stand out from the rapidly growing market in this genre.  

Review of Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

Thanks to Macmillan Publishers for the review copy.

** What it's about **

Moments after several huge earthquakes shake every continent on Earth, something strange starts happening to some people. Michael can only watch in horror as an incidence of road rage so extreme it ends in two deaths unfolds before his eyes; Clementine finds herself being hunted through the small town she has lived in all her life, by people she has known all her life; and Mason is attacked with a baseball bat by a random stranger. An inner rage has been released and some people cannot fight it. For those who can, life becomes an ongoing battle to survive - at any cost!

Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen - now it's our turn!

** What I thought **

I’m sad to say I was disappointed with this book.  The synopsis drew me in and I thought I would really enjoy it, but alas…..no!

The book focuses on four main characters; Clementine, Aires, Michael and Mason.  Each chapter is told from a different point of view, as the book follows their struggle for survival and their journey to find loved ones or safety.  I found there was a lack of character development, as I could never remember which character belonged to which story and had to keep flicking back to remind myself.  Unfortunately this continued throughout the book, and so it became even more confusing once they all met up and there was no way to distinguish by their surroundings/people travelling with them.

The book also contains chapters from the point of view of “Nothing” – this for me didn’t add anything.  If I’m honest, it confused me and I still don’t really understand what the point of it was. 

The ending was a disappointment.  Having looked at a couple of reviews, it would appear that it’s possible that this is part of a series.  If that’s the case, I think it needed to be made clearer, and the ending should have been more of a cliff hanger to draw people into the next book.  As it stands, I don’t feel any strong pull to read any follow up book.

Having got all my complaints out of the way, I should say that Roberts style of writing is good.  It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the actual narrative – it did hold my interest and the pace was good with twists and turns along the way.  However, the flaws (in particular the unsatisfying ending) outweighed that enjoyment for me. 

This is a book aimed at YA (and a debut novel for Jeyn Roberts) so perhaps as an older reader, I am being overly harsh but certainly if this is intended to be a sequel I think it needed to make more of an impact from the start.  I liked the characters, but they weren’t that memorable and I didn’t feel any strong connection to any of them.  The ending left a lot of unanswered questions, but unfortunately didn’t leave me desperate to know the answers to them!