nyamh's reviews
228 reviews

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

4.0

a really pleasant novella, just heart warming joyful but does also make you think. A perfect gentle read.

A Greyhound of a Girl by Roddy Doyle

5.0

A beautiful book about love and loss, strong women, and facing death. Short but a heavy read with charming moments mixed with tenderness.

Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd

5.0

A tale that mingles reality with fantasy, I'm not actually sure the fantasy elements were needed I thought the slice of life view of a border family in 1980's ireland was compelling enough, I found myself reading the second half of this book in one sitting as I *needed* to kn0w the fate of a character. I would really recommend.

The Great Good Thing by Roderick Townley

4.0

really loved this book, unique, creative and I think overlooked - has concepts reminiscent to inkheart which the book predates. A light easy read with elements of writing that are a pure delight.

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

3.0

One I've read twice now and I'm just not sure on. It seems so chaotic in places, it can flit very quickly and confusingly between two perspectives, and feels like the second or third book in a series - things are already established that over whelms the reader. However theres so much also to like, the world is so creative and I almost feel all that creativity is let down in the way the book has been put together. I think it would make a great film though.

Room by Emma Donoghue

5.0

This book is utterly amazing. I only heard of it becasue I saw an advert for the film on tv and saw it was a book first. Looking foreward to seeing it, I'm amazed this book isn't a staple in everyones book collections or even for school study. It's that amazing and impactful.

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

5.0

A refreshing unqiue concept, and several twists and turns I wasn't expecting! It's nice to be suprised and kept on your toes! Also the writing style is skilled but also accessable I was easily able to pick the book up and get immersed.

Our Tragic Universe by Scarlett Thomas

3.0

I reeeeeeealllly don't know how I feel about this book. One thing I can say that I don't like is the cover, its incredibly misleading as to the books theming and tone. I know you should technically never judge a book by its cover but we all do to some degree. Also the blurb further misleads you making references to the cottingley fairies, which actually are only talked about for around three pages. This was actually one of the things bar the cover which drew me in so I feel a bit cheated in that regard.
I do love the setting as its where I'm from so it was fun recognising some of the places that were described and really being able to picture exactly where the characters were in each scene. I also enjoyed when the character was walking on the beach or knitting, it was actually kind of soothing. However there are massive sections of the book devoted to banal debate and discourse which at many times nearly had me putting the book down for good. I ended up skim reading these parts and sort of picking and chosing bits that were interesting. Over all though I will say the book is technically well written, but I actually feel it would be more suited to a novella of no more than 200 pages or a collection of short stories than a 400+ page book.
Over all I would say don't buy this book new but if you can find it second hand (like I did) for £1 or less, pick it up and give it a go - just pick and chose the bits that are interesting to you.

The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse

4.0

A perfect winter read. I'll admit this book was slow at first, but I feel my timing for reading it perfect, in the centenry of the end of the first world war, reading of a character struggling with the aftermath felt poigniant and fitting. I do feel the book could have been shortened by 30 pages or so, but for a winter read the gentle pace for me, is actually prefferable. I really loved the touching sadness, and the truth of humanity which can be reflected in the cathars plight. It is a great end of year read, when you are taking stock of your own life, and the world before the new year.

The Wool Trilogy by Hugh Howey

3.0

I liked this book, it was well written and enjoyable, however it wasn't anything special to me. Maybe its because in the last 5 years the postapocalyptic/fallout theme has exploded and been done and done again so where a few years back this book would seem more unique and orignal it now has more to compete again and vs. some other dystopia reads I've delved in to recently it just doesn't stand out as much. I am intending to carry on with the series though, but this wouldn't be a title I would re-read or be hype about a new release.