The Book Club - BOOK REVIEWS

[Samwise Gamgee]

Title: The Sterkarm Handshake
Author: Susan Price
Genre: Fantasy/History (i think!)
(Blurb: ) They're ill to tame, the border men. May Christ preserve your soul!And bewae of shaking hands with a Sterkarm.
The treacherous border lands between England and Scotland have always been dangerous. The border men live by farming, theft and murder, the families woven together in a complex web of loyalties and blood. Now a 21st-century company has developed a Time Tube, which can take them back to this unpolluted, resource-rich 16th century, a new world ripe for plunder. FUP staff regard the natives as amusing savages, to be bought off with aspirins and trinkets, but the Sterkarms' fearsome reputation has not been lightly won. They'll gladly take the toys the Elves give them, but they have their own alliegances - and a handshake offered to a stranger means nothing...
Rating:10/10
Opinion: A excellent book!Action-packed and fascinating. If you like blood, sorrow, and treachery, this book is the perfect book for you. It's very enjoyable!

Title: Portrait Of A Killer; Jack The Ripper Case Closed
Author: Patricia Cornwell
Genre: History
(Part of the Blurb: ) With her knowledge of criminal investigation and her consummate skills as a bestselling writer, Patricia Cornwell has produced a book which is as compelling as it is quthentic - the definitive account of one of the world's most famous murder mysteries.
Rating: 9/10
Opinion: Kinda sick when you see the pictures of the dead woman, but really really informative!Gives amazing explanations..Jack The Ripper uncovered, everything you need to know about him!
 


Title: Maggot Pie
Author: Michael Lawrence
Genre: Comedy
(Blurb: ) Jiggy McCue is the unluckiest kid in town. He wants some good luck for a change. But instead of luck he gets a genie. A teenage genie who turns against him. Then the maggoty dreams start. Dreams which, with his luck and this genie, might just come true
Rating: 10/10
Opinion: Hilarious!The funniest book I have ever read in my life. A must read if you want to laugh your head off!

[Jetquelquefois]

Title: Stravaganza City of Masks
Author: Mary Hoffman
Genre: Fantasy/History
Summary Lucien is ill with cancer and is condemned to his bed. The next minute he is transported to Bellezza, a city inspired by Venice. There he finds out he is a 'stravagante' and can travel between worlds.
Rating: 10/10
Opinion: This book is really amazing. It keeps you hooked from start to finish. I couldn't put it down. I loved it! But you definitley need a box of tissues for the end!

[Ellie_Greenleaf]

Title: The Silence of the Lambs
Author: Thomas Harris
Genre: Could be classed as a thriller I suppose
Short Description: (Blurb) Evil canibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter is brought in to advise Clarice Sterling on the movemnets of a killer on the loose. Can this genius help trap the killer that knows beauty is only skin deep?
Rating: 5/10
Opinion: It was good, but I couldn't really get into it very well, I prefer the film a lot better to the book (Which is weird coz usually I prefer the book!) but I think that's coz I couldn't get into it very well.

[Lissie]

UNMISSABLE READ!

Title: Remember Me

Author: Lesley Pearse

Genre: Historic - I guess you could call it Romance too

Short Desc: Set in late 1700's, Mary Broad is convected of stealing, but instead of being hanged, she has been charged with a 7 year Transportation to the new Convict Coloney in Australia. But life there is nothing like it is expected to be. She has to come to terms with suffering, starvation and death.

Rating: 10/10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Opinion: ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! It's a really good story, and it is amazing to read about the suffering that these people went through. It is really sad, had me in tears about 6 times and I haven't completely finished.  I  DEFINATLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE!

[Blood-Ryu]

Umm, could I join? If so, here's my first review...

Title: Interview with the Vampire
Author: Anne Rice
Genre: Thriller/Fantasy
This book is about a vampire named Louis who explains his story to you directly. From the beginning of his resurrection as a vampire, right up to the present day in the book.
Rating: 10/10
Opinion: I love this book. The first time I read it, I couldn't put it down. However, there are some unnessary parts in it...like the mindless Vampires in Europe. Apart from that, it really does have excellent description and is fairly easy to understand.

[Cuthien, Wolf-maiden]

Some good ones here.


Title:  Eragon:  Inheritance
Author:  Christopher Paolini
Genre:  Fantasy
This story is about a young farm boy who, while on a hunting trip, finds an egg apparently sent there by magic.  What follows is a very cool medieval type story.
Rating:  10/10
Opinion:  Really good.  


Title:  A Midsummer Night's Faerie Tale
Author(s):  Wendy Froud and Terri Windling.
Genre:  Fantasy
This is almost like a children's storybook.  The "illustrations" in it are amazing.  The pictures are dolls that one of the authors made.  The lady who made the dolls is also responsible for creating Jedi Master Yoda.
Rating:  10/10
Opinion:  Such a good story, and the main character, Sneezle, is so darn cute!

Title:  Holes
Author:  Louis Sachar
Genre:  Humor (sort of)
I just finished this one today.  Stanley Yelnats, a guy with really bad luck, is sent to Camp Green Lake, where he is forced to dig holes.  But the Warden has a secrect.
Rating:  10/10
Opinion:  The book just pulls you in.

Title:  Abarat
Author:  Clive Barker
Genre:  Fantasy
A girl named Candy is whisked away to the Abarat, a place where the 25 islands are each an hour of the day, except the 25th, which is where all time that has ever been is (or at least that was what it seemed to be).
Rating:  9/10
Opinion:  Good book.  The paintings in the book were done by the author, so the book is very colorful.  Unfortunately, some of the situations in the story are rather dark, and the illustrations accompanying these parts are slightly nightmarish.  But over all, it's a fun book.

[Ûvatha]

Title: The Age of Misrule trilogy - World's End, Darkest Hour, Always forever
Author: Mark Chadbourn
Genre: Fantasy
Description: Set in the present, the ancient celtic gods - the Tuatha De Danaan have returned from their banishment, along with the darker Formorii. Both races are set to return the earth to the Dark Ages, and humanity's last chance lies with five people united by the mythical Pendragon Spirit.
Rating: 10/10
Opinion: This has got to be one of the best fanatsy sets I have read - the locations in the book are all real and totally researched - it said in one review that you could use the books as a guide around Britain! The stories definately struck a chord with me and I could barely put them down. The detail about the gods and myths is phenomenal and I would recommend these to anyone - just don't forget it's not real!

[Note]

Title: Guards,Guards
Author: Terry Pratchett
Genre: Fantasy, I think...
Description: Set in the city of Ankh Morpok, the book follows the new recruits of he Ankh Morpok city watch.
Rating: 10/10
Opinion: If you havent read any of Pratchetts stuff, read it. This is my favourite book of his, as it is so well written and planned.In all of his books he takes real life principles - such as fire insurane - and twists it round to fit his world in a way that is so unique. The books are laugh oout loud funny, and each and every time you read them there is always something new that you didnt see before.

[Poodles]

Title: The Golden Wreck
Author: Alexander Makree
Genre: Non-Fiction/Erm..History
Story: It;s just mainly the actuall story of how the Royal Charter sank. A few of the survivor's own stories...bit of information about the salvage so on...Mainly trying to find out what went wrong ect. How so little survived
Rating: 8/10
Opinion:  Personally enjoyed the book because it is about the place I was born, It's something I am trying to work on for a welsh report so that helped. It interesting to learn how the survivors survived as it were  

[tig]

Title:  A Tale of Two Cities
Author:  Charles Dickens
Genre:  Historical Fiction, Drama
Short Description.  Taking place Before and During the French Revolution, it shows what Vengence can do to people - and that they who seem the worst are not always so.
(Terrible summary :-[)
Rating: 8/10
Opinion
Well, it's Dickens, and therefore the plot is very twisty and you have to pay attention and look out for things, otherwise later on in the book things will pop up and you'll have no idea where they came from.  In the end, it's worth it though.

[Thráwyn Undómiel]

Title: Elizabeth, The Struggle For The Throne

Author: David Starkey

Genre: Historical Non-Fiction, Biography
Short description: I loved this book a lot, it really give you a great picture of just who Elizabeth was and how clever and smart she was. It tells of her early childhood and early adulthood on her way to becomming the Queen of England. It shows her experiences of adventrue and danger. Truly amazing!
Rating: 10/10
Opinion: Well, I pretty much explained my opinion in the short description didn't I? Ah well, I loved this book and I would recommend it to anyone who loves history.

Title: Castle in the Air.

Author: Dianna Wynne Jones

Genre: Fantasy
Short Description: I believe that it is set in Arabia. Abdullah is a young dreamer who loves to fantasize about his life to pass the hours of his boring existance as a lowly carpet merchant and lives a fairly peaceful life where nothing ever really get better or worse, until one day a misterious traveling man sells him a magical carpet and all of his dreams begin comming true.
Rating: 9.5/10
Opinion I liked this book. Dianna has a great sense of humor and is able to make one laugh and worried at the same time.

Title: The Queen's Gambit

Author: Deborah Chester

Genre: Fantasy, Thriller (I think)
Short Description: Pheresa is the King's niece and a possible heir to the throne. Innocent of court Politics Pheresa has many enemies who would like to get rid of her so that they can have a chance at the crown, including her mother. Pheresa educates herself in court politics and gains the right friends at the right time and eventually becomes Queen, but her kingdome is suddenly atacked and being pregnant she is told to flee by her husband and councilors leaving the unfaithful king-consort in charge. Eventually once she is sae in the country she learns of her husband's treatchery and mourns while her husband claims her crown and her kingdom and declares her and outlaw. Spured on by her personal body guard Pheresa fights for control once more... I shall stop here and let you read the book if you want.
Rating: 9.5/10
Opinion: I enjoyed this book it was very entertaining. I would recomend it to anyone.

[In AmericEar]

Title:Lola Rose
Author:Jaqueline Wilson
Genre:Modern Fiction, Drama
Short description:A grl a boy and a mum are having problems with domestic violence and run away frm their husband who is doing it they get new names new homes and they live their life away being protected by their fat aunt
Rating:9/10
Opinion:It is a good book describing how hard it is fr people living with domestic violence and being poor is hard

[Bobble_Hat]

Title: Sabriel
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy (I think)
Description:  Wow!  I don't know where to start.... this is a book about two completely different places next to each other, separated by The Wall.  One, Ancelstierre, is a modern country of technology.  The other, the Old Kingdom, is a land of magic and mystery held together by the magic of the charter.  But it has fallen into ruin over two hundred years, and now the Dead, brought back as spirit Shadow Hands or Dead Hands by evil necromancers, are slowly breaking the Charter under the command of their master, Kerrigor.  Sabriel is an eighteen-year-old Charter Mage who is drawn into the corrupted world of the Old Kingdom when her Father goes missing, and soon she finds that the fate of both the Kingdom and Ancelstierre rests on her shoulders.....
9/10 - I loved it!

Title:Lirael
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy
Description: The incredible sequel to Sabriel.  Lirael has never felt like a true daughter of the Clayr, the people who See the future, or many possible futures, in the ice of their Glacier home.  With the help of Sameth, Royal prince of the old kingdom, she uncovers her past and her destiny.
9/10 - just as good as Sabriel, but longer.

Title: Abhorsen
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy
Description: Lirael and Sameth, with the help of Lirael's friend, the Disreputable Dog, must uncover the secret of the evil being dug up by Sameth's schoolfriend, Nick.  To discover the secret of its binding, Lirael must look far into the past, to the Beginning of all things.  To do this, she must journey far down the river of Death, through eight gates, and must look upon the beautiful starry sky of the Ninth, which calls with its beauty to all who attempt to resist it beyond their time.
10/10 - WOW!!!  I finally found a book I love more than LOTR.  A real tear-jerker.  At 396 pages, it took me just under 24 hrs to finish (but I wasn't reading solidly)  My only complaint was that I would have liked it to go on longer!

[Thráwyn Undómiel]

Title: Crown Duel
Author: Sherwood Smith
Genre: Fantasy
Short description: Follow Meliara Astiar around the kingdom of Remalna as she fights the evil tyrant of a king, Gladran Merindar, for the injustices that he has inflicted on the people of Tlanth to which she is Countess, but not only for the people of Tlath did she fight but for the entire realm. Watch as she is captured by the enemy and suffers defeat after defeat while managing to escape all the while and survive far from home while the enemy scours the countryside for her.
Rating: 9.5/10
Opinion: I enjoyed this book, though it was a bit slow in the beginning, the characters were really easy to relate to and fun to envision. I found it very easy to participate with the story. I would recommend this to fantasy loving book worms everywhere.

Title: Court Duel
Author: Sherwood Smith
Genre: Fantasy
Short description: The civil war is over in Remalna and Meliara has retutned home to see to her people and castle, having become very rich from said war. She begun rebuilding Tlanth, along with restocking her family’s once renowned library a little at a time. When her brother who had made her his joint heir when their father died returns from court, where he had been since the defeat of the old king, with a lady in tow, not to mention that she loathes with her very life. Soon it becomes clear that she cannot escape the prospect of going to court with her brother and his fiancée, and when she arrives at court she learns an entirely new kind of warfare.
Rating: 10/10
Opinion: I really, really enjoyed this volume with its example of court life and poor Meliara never knowing who to trust trying always to keep herself from looking a fool. Needless to say I was engrossed.

Title: The Chronicles of Chrestomanci
Author: Dianna Wynne Jones
Genre: Fantasy
Short description: Chrestomanci is an Enchanter with nine lives who is government official in charge of controlling the magic in the world, but also has access to many other worlds, and is sometime needed to help in different circumstances. As you  read this book you will meet various people in alternate worlds as they go about their lives, have adventures and make use of the help of the great Chrestomanci.
Rating: 9/10
Opinion: I loved this book, full of magic danger and fun at every turn. Truly a work of art.

Title: So You Want To Be A Wizard
Author: Diane Duane
Short description: Nitta is as ordinary kid who lives in New York and is always getting beaten up by Joanne the resident bully. When one day while running from said bully she ran to her favorite place… the library where the librarian said that she would cover for her and send the baddies away. In the children’s section, her old haunt, where she also know s that 13 is just a bit to old for that section she begins to scan the career book that all start with the phrase: “ So you wanna be…” when one catches her hand that is called “So you wanna be a Wizard”. At first she thinks it is a joke… but she soon finds out otherwise.
Rating: 7.5/10
Opinion: I thought this was an okay book… more for a kid I know… I was curious about what they would say about being a wizard and pretty much found it accurate. But it became rather boring…

[andonewhitetree]

I'll join, I don't have time to do much readin unfortunately but I'll start with a book I've just recently re-read.

Title: Northern Lights
Author: Philip Pullman
Genre: Fantasy
Short Description:  Lyra Belacqua lives as a parentless-child at Jordan college, in Oxford, without much worry.  But when her Uncle Asriel, an explorer, turns up, he brings worrying news from the north.  Lyra, half curious and half drawn by fate soon becomes caught up in an adventure filled with armoured bears, witches, fights and death.  The first book in the His Dark Material trilogy.
Rating: 8/10
Opinion:  At first the book seems quite dull, and it does take a while to get into it.  It seems an age before anything does happen.  But by the end you're left waiting to get your hands on the next book and find out what's going to happen!

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