Sunday 4 September 2011

Abandon by Meg Cabot

  • Paperback
  • Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books (2 Sep 2011)
  • ISBN-10: 0330453858
  • Pages: 304 pages
  • RRP: £9.99
Plot:   
Last year, Pierce died - just for a moment. And when she was in the space between life and death, she met John: tall dark and terrifying, it’s his job to usher souls from one realm to the next.
There’s a fierce attraction between them, but Pierce knows that if she allows herself to fall for John she will be doomed to a life of shadows and loneliness in the underworld. But now things are getting dangerous for her, and her only hope is to do exactly what John says . . .


Judgement: After reading Princess diaries and the airhead trilogy by Meg Cabot, I really wanted to read this book because I loved her previous books and this one seemed to be for slightly older readers by looking at the cover. Meg Cabot's books which i read previously have a female main character and something that happens to her which makes the whole story (eg a simple teenager becoming a princess, two different girls change bodies and now - a girl comes back from the dead?).

After reading this book I can say it is quite different to the previous books I read from Meg Cabot. The style of writing was very interesting to read and quite fast paced. I would recommend Abandon to many friends and I know they would like it, although the main character is a bit annoying sometimes when I read about her outlook on life :).

I don't want to give out any details of the story, but I can say, I really want to read the next book in the series.

8/10

Sunday 27 February 2011

Exodus by Julie Bertagna

  • Paperback
  • Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books; 4 edition (4 Feb 2011)
  • ISBN-10: 033039908X
  • Pages: 352 pages
  • RRP: £6.99
Plot:   
Mara's island home is drowning as the ice caps melt and Earth loses its land to the ocean. But one night, in the ruined virtual world of the Weave, Mara meets the mysterious Fox - a fiery eyed boy who tells her of the sky cities that rise from the sea. Mara sets sail on a daring journey to find a new life for herself and her friends - instead she discovers a love that threatens to tear her apart...

Judgement: Exodus is a book that is written so imaginatively, that it makes you think, although at times, I felt like there was too much description and not enough action. The solid ground beneath your feet might not be as solid... The book focuses on the future of the world and in particular a girl, who practically knows that her island will drown and that she has to do something to help herself, her family and her friends. She goes on an extraordinary adventure which affects the readers emotions on every page. A great example of Julie Bertagna's true talent with this heart warming story of how a girl can change everything.

8/10

Tuesday 1 February 2011

The Toilet of Doom by Michael Lawrence

  • Paperback
  • Publisher: Orchard; 1st Edition 1st Printing edition (26 July 2001)
  • ISBN-10: 1841217522
  • Pages: 224 pages
  • RRP: £5.99
Plot:   
"Feel that your life has gone down the pan? Well here's your chance to swap it for a better one!" When these tempting words appear on the computer screen, Jiggy McCue just can't resist. He hits 'F for Flush' and...Oh dear. He really shouldn't have done that. Because the life he gets in place of his own is a very embarrassing one - for a boy. Another loo-ny adventure with The Three Musketeers! "Fast paced action and irrverent humour...Michael Lawrence has a very quirky talent, given full rein here.." Publishing News Starred Choice (The Poltergoose and The Killer Underpants)
Judgement: This was an easy and enjoyable read for me. It is basically about three friends and what happens when they find a 'toilet of life' game and a girl swaps bodies with a boy. This book was written humorously and involved a very 'angry' cat. Easy to read and gets you hooked into the book from the first few pages up to the very last word.

8/10

Monday 24 January 2011

Artichoke Hearts by Sita Brahmachari


  • Paperback
  • Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books (7 Jan 2011)
  • ISBN-10: 0330517910
  • Pages: 336 pages
  • RRP: £5.99
Plot:   
Twelve-year-old Mira comes from a chaotic, artistic and outspoken family where it’s not always easy to be heard. As her beloved Nana Josie's health declines, Mira begins to discover the secrets of those around her, and also starts to keep some of her own. She is drawn to mysterious Jide, a boy who is clearly hiding a troubled past and has grown hardened layers - like those of an artichoke - around his heart. As Mira is experiencing grief for the first time, she is also discovering the wondrous and often mystical world around her.
An incredibly insightful, honest novel exploring the delicate balance, and often injustice, of life and death - but at its heart is a celebration of friendship, culture - and life.
Judgement: This book makes you think. Think about your life, your family, your friends. When I was reading this book, it made me compare my life with the life of Mira, the main character in the book. This is a book aimed at young teenage girls and I think it is a quite paced book, where at times, you want to read the next chapter even though you know its late and you have school tomorow... It is one of those books, which include a girl liking a boy and it kind of warms your hear when you read it as the boy liked the girl too. It shows a family in a different perspective as other books. Shows you, deep feelings of a girl, like she talks to you about her deepest thoughts and feelings. A great book to read and enjoy till' the last word.

8.5/10