Feeling Fictional

Thursday, 29 December 2011

2012 Horror & Urban Fantasy Challenge

Carolyn from Book Chick City is hosting the Horror and Urban Fantasy challenge again next year so I can't resist taking part for the second year. I still don't read many horror stories but urban fantasy is one of my favourite genres and it's always interesting to see how many books I read in a year.

2010 - I read 124 books towards the Speculative Fiction Challenge
2011 - I read 98 books towards the Horror & Urban Fantasy Challenge

There are 2 levels to the challenge so you can chose to read 24 or 48 books, to be honest I'm going to set my target at 100, hopefully I can achieve it :o) If you'd like to join me in the challenge you can sign up here.

I will update this post with a list of the books I've read towards the challenge along with links to my reviews.

January (see links to other participant's reviews here)

February (see links to other participant's reviews here)

March (see links to other participant's reviews here)

April (see links to other participant's reviews here)

May (see links to other participant's reviews here)

June (see links to other participant's reviews here)

July (see links to other participant's reviews here)

August (see links to other participant's reviews here)

September (see links to other participant's reviews here)

October (see links to other participant's reviews here)

November (see links to other participant's reviews here)

December (see links to other participant's reviews here)

2012 Read 100 Books in a Year Challenge

I'm finally getting around to signing up for the 2012 challenges I want to take part in so apologies for flooding your google reader with sign up posts today! I really love the 100 Books in a Year challenge, it's a great way of keeping track of the number of books I read and this will be my 3rd year taking part. 100 books is usually an easy challenge for me so I'm going to aim for 200 books again, as you can see from the last 2 years it shouldn't be too hard to achieve!

2010 - I read 216 books
2011 - I read 207 books

Anyway the challenge is hosted by Carolyn from Book Chick City and you can sign up here if you'd like to join me!

I'll add links to the books I read and review here once the challenge starts.

January (see links to other participants reviews here)

February (see links to other participants reviews here)

March (see links to other participant's reviews here)

April (see links to other participant's reviews here)

May (see links to other participant's reviews here)

June (see links to other participant's reviews here)

July (see links to other participant's reviews here)

August (see links to other participant's reviews here)

September (see links to other participant's reviews here)

October (see links to other participant's reviews here)

November (see links to other participant's reviews here)

December (see links to other participant's reviews here)

Book Trailer: Fracture - Megan Miranda

Fracture by Megan Miranda is one of the 2012 debuts that I'm really looking forward to reading. This is being published in the UK on the 5th of January by Bloomsbury so luckily we don't have too much longer to wait now!

If you had one day left to live, what would you do?

Eleven minutes might as well be eternity underwater. It only takes three minutes without air for loss of consciousness. Permanent brain damage begins at four minutes. And then, when the oxygen runs out, full cardiac arrest occurs. Death is possible at five minutes. Probable at seven. Definite at ten. Delaney Maxwell was underwater for eleven minutes. And she’s alive.

By the time seventeen-year-old Delaney is pulled out of the icy waters of a frozen lake, her heart has stopped beating. She is in a coma and officially dead. But Delaney pulls through. How? Doctors are mystified. Outwardly she has completely recovered. But Delaney knows something is very wrong. Pulled by sensations she can’t control, she finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her brain predicting death or causing it?

Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who lost his whole family in a car accident and emerged from a coma with the same powers as Delaney. At last she’s found someone who’ll understand what she’s going through. But Delaney soon discovers that Troy’s motives aren’t quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature – or something much more frightening?

I love the fact that this one looks so different from my usual paranormal reads and I think it's going to be really interesting. What do you think? Is this one you're looking forward to?

Wednesday, 28 December 2011

Guest Review: We Need To Talk About Kevin - Lionel Shriver

Today I'm handing over to my friend Poppy who has a review for you. I'm very happy to have her making regular appearances here & hope you'll give her a warm welcome. Thanks for a fab guest review Poppy :o)

Shortly before his sixteenth birthday, Kevin Khatchadourian kills seven of his fellow high school students, a cafeteria worker and a teacher. He is visited in prison by his mother, Eva, who narrates in a series of letters to her estranged husband, Franklin, her account of Kevin’s upbringing.

Visit Lionel Shriver's author page on Goodreads for more information

Poppy's Review:
We Need To Talk About Kevin is a thought provoking and challenging read which may not appeal to everyone, parents and non-parents alike. The book is a series of letters written by Kevin’s mother Eva, to his father Franklin, about their family life leading up to the terrible day when Kevin killed some fellow students and a teacher at his school.

Eva’s narrative begins in her current day and reflects back from before Kevin was born, continually interspersing tales from the past with those from more recent times, providing comments of what she thought at the time, or thinks now looking back.

The subject matter and reflections of the past can often make uncomfortable reading, but hearing the story told through Eva’s eyes was intriguing. Before opening this book, I think most people will have their own opinions about the nature versus nurture debate regarding children who commit awful acts against others, and may therefore approach it with the expectation of either having their views vindicated, or substantially challenged. To me however, We Need To Talk About Kevin makes me want to do just that – talk about Kevin… and his childhood and his family – listen to and discuss other people’s opinions of the book.

The most interesting thing about this book for me, and why I feel there is perhaps no right or wrong answers about Kevin the fictitious character, is that the narrative only comes from one person’s perspective and it is told looking back on events that have already occurred. Throughout the book I questioned many stories and Eva’s subsequent comments about them, wondering about how close to the facts of the true events they really were. People do not always recall things from years gone by with a great degree of accuracy, as time and memory can remove, distort and add various details. Also as the mother of a child who committed such a horrific act, Eva may have consciously or subconsciously told a tale which validated her memory, justifying her thoughts and feelings about what happened and why.

To me, We Need To Talk About Kevin is an absorbing piece of fiction which raises many questions for discussion and/or consideration around a very difficult subject.

Source: Purchased by Poppy

Other reviews of this book:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Quick Review: Hana - Lauren Oliver

In the world of Delirium, love is a disease. And like all eighteen-year-olds, Lena and Hana must take the cure.At the start of their last summer of freedom, they were the closest of friends. Until Hana made a decision that tore them apart . . . In Delirium, we heard from Lena. Now, Hana gets to tell her side of the story. And nothing is what we first thought. Hana is a powerful, moving and beautifully told original eBook short story, with a shocking twist that will leave you with your heart in your mouth.

Delirium Series:
Annabel (Short Story)
Delirium
Hana (Short Story)
Pandemonium
Raven (Short Story)
Requiem

Visit Lauren Oliver's website for more information

Review:
As a massive fan of Delirium I couldn't wait to get hold of Hana's story. In this novella we see some of the main events of Delirium through Hana's eyes giving us a different perspective on things. The story is beautifully written as I would expect of anything from Lauren Oliver and there is a surprising twist at the end but I would have liked it to be longer. We don't really learn much in this story that we didn't already know from the first book apart from the ending which I can't say more about without giving spoilers.

I wouldn't recommend reading this story before Delirium as it would definitely give you spoilers but this is a nice short story to keep you going until Pandemonium comes out in March. It also contains the first few chapters of Pandemonium so you can get a sneak peek of what happens to Lena next. If you haven't already read Delirium it's a book I'd highly recommend it was one of my favourite YA dystopians of 2011.

Source: Purchased

Other reviews of this book:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Tuesday, 27 December 2011

Quick Review: Santa's Twin - written by Dean Koontz & Illustrated by Phil Parks

Santa's Twin is the hilarious and heartwarming story of two little girls, Charlotte and Emily, who set out to save Santa from his mischievous twin - Bob Claus - who has not only stolen Santa's sleigh, but has stuffed his toy bag with mud pies, cat poop, and broccoli! Plus, he's threatening to turn Donner, Blitzen, and the rest into reindeer soup! And look at the mess he's leaving under the tree!

How the brave but foolhardy sisters fly to the North Pole and rescue Santa from his "deeply troubled" twin is an utterly charming and unforgettable story that will add sparkle to your holiday season.

Santa's Twin Series:
Santa's Twin
Robot Santa

Visit Dean Koontz's website for more information

Review:
This isn't the kind of book you'd expect from horror and suspense writer Dean Koontz, it's actually a children's picture book. It is the tale of Santa's evil twin who is determined to ruin Christmas, he has locked up Santa and has set off on Santa's sleigh to cause mischief instead of leaving presents. I've had this for years now and I bring it out most Christmases when I want a fun, festive read. The story is told in verses in much the same rhythm as The Night Before Christmas and just begs to be read out loud making it perfect bedtime story material. Here is a quick example:

"And look - reindeer far up in the sky!

Some silly goose has taught them to fly.

The driver giggles quite like a loon -

a madman, a goofball, a thug or a goon.

Something is wrong - any fool could tell.

If this is Santa, then Santa's not well.

His mean little eyes spin just like tops.

So somebody better quick call the cops!"

There are a couple of places where the rhythm doesn't quite fit together properly which can be a bit off putting but this is still a really fun read and one my brother used to love to have read to him when he was younger. I haven't even mentioned Phil Parks' beautiful illustrations yet, every page has a detailed full colour image that you could spend ages looking at. Then when you get to the end of the book you'll have no choice but to start again from the beginning just so you can look for the item that is included in every picture (there are a couple of pages where I still haven't found it!). This is a great story for reading with young children and one I would definitely recommend.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Review: When Beauty Tamed the Beast - Eloisa James

If only Miss Linnet Berry Thrynne hadn't been caught kissing that prince . . . But now the ton believes Linnet to be with royal child - and therefore unmarriageable - so she might as well make her desperate father happy consenting to wed a beast.

A brilliant surgeon with a reputation for losing his temper - and a wound believed to have left him . . . incapable - Piers, Earl of Marchant, should welcome a bride-to-be carrying a ready-made blue-blooded heir. But Piers isn't fooled by the lady's subterfuge, and though Linnet's devilishly smart and lovely, there will be no wedding of beauty to beast.

Still, Lisle finds the gorgeous brute intriguing. And it's obvious to the naked eye that 'incapable' does not mean 'uninterested' . . .

Happily Ever Afters Series:
A Kiss at Midnight
Storming the Castle (Novella)
When Beauty Tamed the Beast
Winning the Wallflower (Novella)
The Duke is Mine
The Ugly Duchess
Seduced by a Pirate (Novella)
Once Upon a Tower (2013)

Visit Eloisa James' website for more information

Review:
I really enjoyed A Kiss At Midnight so this was a series I couldn't wait to continue reading. The first book was a retelling of Cinderella and I don't think I even need to tell you what When Beauty Tamed the Beast is a retelling of. Linnet was the one of the Ton's most beautiful young ladies and was expected to make a good marriage. That was before she got caught kissing the prince and rumours circulated that she was pregnant. With her reputation in tatters Linnet's father is pushing her into marrying as quickly as possible, even if it is to a man she's never met and one who's reputation is that of a beast. Piers is a skilled doctor but has a foul temper and a crippled leg, rumour has it that he was left infertile by the incident that damaged his leg so it is believed that he will be happy to accept Linnet as a bride even if he does think she is pregnant. Piers isn't quite so keen on the idea of a wife though, especially one that his estranged father has sent for him and Linnet isn't sure if she could live with a man who has a temper as bad as Piers anyway.

I have to say I loved this couple from the beginning, Linnet is caught in a difficult situation thanks to the unwanted advances of the prince coupled with her mother's reputation. Everyone in society looks down on her and believes her to be a fallen woman but in truth is is very innocent and at times quite naive. She isn't a push over though and despite Piers' reputation and the way he shouts and complains when she arrives at his house she refuses to let him order her around. I really liked the way she stood up for herself and the banter between the two of them was great. I was left laughing out loud several times throughout the story, particularly after some comments Linnet makes when Piers first takes her swimming. Piers is one of those heroes you can't help but fall for, he may have a temper and can be a complete ass but he's actually quite charming when you look beneath the surface.

I loved how Linnet and Piers gradually get to know each other and become friends before lovers. The actual romance is sweet, sexy and was one I know I'll happily read again. I enjoyed the side story with Piers' parents and my heart broke for him when we discovered how he had injured his leg, it made some aspects of his character much easier to understand. There was a bit towards the end when I was really annoyed with Piers for the way he treated Linnet but he did manage to redeem himself afterwards. I did feel Linnet forgave him a little too quickly though, I think she should have made him suffer a little more than she did but they are so obviously made for each other that I'll let her off.

Although part of a series this book can easily be read as a stand alone. Each of the main novels so far have been about completely different characters. The only cross over seems to be with the ebook only novellas so I wouldn't recommend reading Storming the Castle before you've read A Kiss at Midnight and I believe that Winning the Wallflower will have some cross over with characters from The Duke is Mine. That doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend reading the whole series though, I've loved all three stories so far and I can't wait to read The Duke is Mine. Eloisa James is definitely becoming a firm favourite of mine for fun, sexy, historical romances.

Source: Received from Meghan at Medieval Bookworm as part of the Book Blogger Secret Santa swap, I was also sent a copy from Piatkus in exchange for an honest review

Other reviews of this book:

If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.