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serendipity_viv's reviews
762 reviews
Choker by Elizabeth Woods
4.0
This book threw me completely. I am not normally one for psychological dramas, but I think I may have found a new genre to increase my nights without sleep. I was thoroughly taken in by the two main characters of this book and the whole storyline.
I get the impression that I am easily sucked in and perhaps a bit gullible, because I am definitely one of a minority group who did not see the ending coming. I was totally shocked by it. This is a toe curling, edge of the seat, nail biting style book that can be read in one sitting if curiosity gets the better of you.
I felt sympathy for Cara quite early on in the story and was quite content to watch her enemies fall down like skittles. Zoe made me really uncomfortable, my weirdo radar went into overdrive as soon as she graced us with her presence. I can spot a nutter within a ten mile radius and this one made my skin crawl.
There was one part of the story which I found a little hard to believe and that was the part where Ethan instantly fell for the charms of Cara, whilst his present girlfriend has gone missing. Not an ounce of grief seemed to surface from his cool exterior. I understand that his missing girlfriend wasn't the nicest of people, but I did feel he might appear to be a tad remorseful.
And I cannot help but wonder why Cara's parents were completely unaware of what was going on in their own house. As parents, do we develop blinkers when our children hit puberty? Young adult novels are teaching me to keep a careful eye on my children as they reach this stage!
On the whole, a brilliant psychological drama from a debut author, one who I will be happy to look out for in the future. If you like to be stunned into silence, then personally I would recommend this book. If you are quick to spot a hidden finale, then you might find this one too much of an easy picking for you.
I get the impression that I am easily sucked in and perhaps a bit gullible, because I am definitely one of a minority group who did not see the ending coming. I was totally shocked by it. This is a toe curling, edge of the seat, nail biting style book that can be read in one sitting if curiosity gets the better of you.
I felt sympathy for Cara quite early on in the story and was quite content to watch her enemies fall down like skittles. Zoe made me really uncomfortable, my weirdo radar went into overdrive as soon as she graced us with her presence. I can spot a nutter within a ten mile radius and this one made my skin crawl.
There was one part of the story which I found a little hard to believe and that was the part where Ethan instantly fell for the charms of Cara, whilst his present girlfriend has gone missing. Not an ounce of grief seemed to surface from his cool exterior. I understand that his missing girlfriend wasn't the nicest of people, but I did feel he might appear to be a tad remorseful.
And I cannot help but wonder why Cara's parents were completely unaware of what was going on in their own house. As parents, do we develop blinkers when our children hit puberty? Young adult novels are teaching me to keep a careful eye on my children as they reach this stage!
On the whole, a brilliant psychological drama from a debut author, one who I will be happy to look out for in the future. If you like to be stunned into silence, then personally I would recommend this book. If you are quick to spot a hidden finale, then you might find this one too much of an easy picking for you.
Sister by Rosamund Lupton
5.0
Whoa, what a book! If this is Rosamund Lupton's debut novel, I can't wait for the next one.
I have been really careful not to reveal anything of the plot in this post, because I honestly don't want to spoil it for you. The book is best served cold, with no prior knowledge, so do not read reviews that may contain spoilers!
I have had this book on my shelf for ages and kept meaning to read it. I only decided to pick it up after realising the author was about to bring out her second novel and now I am so glad I did. This book was AMAZING! This book BLEW MY MIND! Psychological thrillers have never really been my genre, but I have definitely changed my mind since reading this book.
The plot is slowly unravelled, like a long game of Pass the Parcel, where a treat falls out with every layer of wrapping. Every few pages you get a hint of something sinister; each plot twist leaving you gasping for more. I could not this book down. I was desperate to find out what had happened by the end. And what an ending! Not in a million years would I have guessed that the story would come to a close in such a way. The story moves along at a steady pace, finding you desperate to ride the train all the way until the end of the line.
The characters felt very real and quite quickly you find yourself lost in their lives, desperate to find the answers to not only Tess's disappearance, but also to Beatrice's own issues. By writing in first person in a letter format to her sister, Beatrice pours her heart out onto the pages as she intertwines each thread of her sister's life to find out what happened to her. Her love for her sister will leave you emotionally spent. You realise the lengths that love will take you in order to find the truth.
Whilst reading this book, I felt like I had been absorbed into a second skin, as most of thoughts seemed to dwell on which direction Beatrice would take to find out the truth. Even now, a week after reading it, I am finding it hard to let the story go. I want more! I may have to petition Piatkus to beg Rosamund Lupton to write two books a year at least, to keep me satisfied.
This is a an evocative,poignant mind blowing pyschological thriller that deserves a whole weekend reading reservation just to lose yourself in it!
I have been really careful not to reveal anything of the plot in this post, because I honestly don't want to spoil it for you. The book is best served cold, with no prior knowledge, so do not read reviews that may contain spoilers!
I have had this book on my shelf for ages and kept meaning to read it. I only decided to pick it up after realising the author was about to bring out her second novel and now I am so glad I did. This book was AMAZING! This book BLEW MY MIND! Psychological thrillers have never really been my genre, but I have definitely changed my mind since reading this book.
The plot is slowly unravelled, like a long game of Pass the Parcel, where a treat falls out with every layer of wrapping. Every few pages you get a hint of something sinister; each plot twist leaving you gasping for more. I could not this book down. I was desperate to find out what had happened by the end. And what an ending! Not in a million years would I have guessed that the story would come to a close in such a way. The story moves along at a steady pace, finding you desperate to ride the train all the way until the end of the line.
The characters felt very real and quite quickly you find yourself lost in their lives, desperate to find the answers to not only Tess's disappearance, but also to Beatrice's own issues. By writing in first person in a letter format to her sister, Beatrice pours her heart out onto the pages as she intertwines each thread of her sister's life to find out what happened to her. Her love for her sister will leave you emotionally spent. You realise the lengths that love will take you in order to find the truth.
Whilst reading this book, I felt like I had been absorbed into a second skin, as most of thoughts seemed to dwell on which direction Beatrice would take to find out the truth. Even now, a week after reading it, I am finding it hard to let the story go. I want more! I may have to petition Piatkus to beg Rosamund Lupton to write two books a year at least, to keep me satisfied.
This is a an evocative,poignant mind blowing pyschological thriller that deserves a whole weekend reading reservation just to lose yourself in it!
Vaclav and Lena by Haley Tanner
4.0
On receiving this book, I had very little knowledge about it, all I knew was that it had something to do with Russians, which intrigued me from the start as I don't think I have ever read a book that had Russians as main characters. As the young Vaclav stepped onto the page and began his opening speech in broken English for his upcoming magic trick, I was instantly smitten by his character. His warmheartedness burst out of the story and enveloped me into a bear hug. His assistant Lena, exists more quietly within the book, seeing everything that goes on around her and carefully taking it all in. Vaclav has enough love for both of them and guides Lena through everyday life.
The story begins with Vaclav and Lena as children. Vaclav believes without any doubt that he will be a famous magician when he grows up and that he will marry Lena. Both children, are Russian-Americans who are brought together after attending English-as-a-second-language classes. Vaclav's life is secure and stable and he knows he is unconditionally loved. Lena's life is not such a happy one and she finds comfort in being at Vaclav's home. Then one day, Lena just stops visiting Vaclav.
Seven years later we are introduced to a more grown up Vaclav, who has developed a healthy interest in girls, yet stills remains faithful in his love for Lena. He stills also holds the dream of being a magician. The story then unfolds as what actually happened to Lena all those years ago. Can Vaclav now understand the things he was too young to cope with then.
I found the innocence within this story quite breathtaking. Vaclav and Lena are both children you want to hug, yet each have their own set of problems which seem to be defining their future. Vaclav, although living a happy existence, seems slightly mollycoddled by his mother, who cannot see that she may be smothering him a little. Her love for him is all consuming; she instigated the move from Russia with her husband, just so that her son could have a better life. Lena's life is full of sadness and neglect. Vaclav's mother does her best to take her under her wing and protect her, but she is concerned about the effect this girl has on her son.
When the story moves to Vaclav's teenage years, the story of the past begins to fall into place like a jigsaw, each piece of the story finally revealed with the reasons for each person's actions. I had no idea the book would end with the truths that were revealed and found that the author had cleverly hidden any trace of what had happened, yet on reflection I should have been able to read between the words to work it out.
This story is extremely original and captures the innocence of first love, which can overcome the issues of life that are thrown in it's pathway . It shows you that occasionally little white lies can actually make things better for the one you love. The author is very good at evoking your emotions, so that you instantly feel involved in the lives of the characters. By the end of the book, I felt content in the knowledge that all would be well in their lives. I really loved reading this book and look forward to many more by this author.
The story begins with Vaclav and Lena as children. Vaclav believes without any doubt that he will be a famous magician when he grows up and that he will marry Lena. Both children, are Russian-Americans who are brought together after attending English-as-a-second-language classes. Vaclav's life is secure and stable and he knows he is unconditionally loved. Lena's life is not such a happy one and she finds comfort in being at Vaclav's home. Then one day, Lena just stops visiting Vaclav.
Seven years later we are introduced to a more grown up Vaclav, who has developed a healthy interest in girls, yet stills remains faithful in his love for Lena. He stills also holds the dream of being a magician. The story then unfolds as what actually happened to Lena all those years ago. Can Vaclav now understand the things he was too young to cope with then.
I found the innocence within this story quite breathtaking. Vaclav and Lena are both children you want to hug, yet each have their own set of problems which seem to be defining their future. Vaclav, although living a happy existence, seems slightly mollycoddled by his mother, who cannot see that she may be smothering him a little. Her love for him is all consuming; she instigated the move from Russia with her husband, just so that her son could have a better life. Lena's life is full of sadness and neglect. Vaclav's mother does her best to take her under her wing and protect her, but she is concerned about the effect this girl has on her son.
When the story moves to Vaclav's teenage years, the story of the past begins to fall into place like a jigsaw, each piece of the story finally revealed with the reasons for each person's actions. I had no idea the book would end with the truths that were revealed and found that the author had cleverly hidden any trace of what had happened, yet on reflection I should have been able to read between the words to work it out.
This story is extremely original and captures the innocence of first love, which can overcome the issues of life that are thrown in it's pathway . It shows you that occasionally little white lies can actually make things better for the one you love. The author is very good at evoking your emotions, so that you instantly feel involved in the lives of the characters. By the end of the book, I felt content in the knowledge that all would be well in their lives. I really loved reading this book and look forward to many more by this author.
An Act of Love by Alan Gibbons
5.0
This book looks at the lives of two children from two different religions, Chris and Imran, who begin their childhood as sworn blood brothers. The story follows them through the next ten years where worldwide events begin to affect their friendship,driving a wedge between them and sending them on very different pathways. Chris joins the army, whilst Imran becomes involved with radicalists that want to stop the war their own way.
I was surprised how much I loved the book. I did worry when I saw the cover that it might not be for me, but how wrong I was. It actually made me want to read more about the war in Afghanistan and clarified my ignorance on a war that has raged for so long. I really enjoyed the way real life events are intertwined with the story, allowing you to see how events spiralled out of control within multiracial communities. It is a gritty read, that really made me think and open my eyes to a situation that really hasn't directly affected my life.
The story is told from two points of view, both Chris and Imran guide us through the events of the last ten years. Each giving their voice to their opinions and beliefs and why they made the decisions they did; I felt that this helped to remind me of the events of the last ten years. Chris's voice really stood out to me, especially the insightful passages set on patrol in the Helmund Province, a place I felt constantly alerted to by the media. Imran makes rash decisions but thankfully through the love of his family, he is able to turn them around. Some of the scenes were full of sadness and my compassionate side took over.
From the first couple of pages, I felt like I was on a time limit, an event was about to occur that would change people's lives if it happened and I needed to get to the end of the book to press the timer and save the lives of the people involved. The book moves at an extremely fast pace and you do find yourself holding your breath a little as the story reverts back to the present day.
It is not often that I read a book and come away feeling guilty. Feeling guilty about my own ignorance. My ignorance over a war that rarely interfered with my own life. This book brings historical moments from the last ten years back into focus, with a clear indication at how they affected real lives. I can remember exactly where I was for 9/11 and 7/7 but they never really affected my life directly. This book shows us the real effects of these events; the reaction to the Muslims who have lived all their lives in England is terrible, the way they became targets for their beliefs after events occurred thousands of miles away.
This book should be on every reading list in every secondary school. This book gives teenagers a real account of how the war in Afghanistan actually affected the people around the world. It is a powerful read that leaves you with questions and reflections about the past ten years. I would even petition for it to be included as part of school reading lists. The teenagers of today should be reading this to put their own lives into perspective and to realise how lucky they are to be living in the UK.
I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this book and would happily encourage adults and teenagers alike to read it. An excellent, well written, hard hitting book to make you sit up and take notice.
I was surprised how much I loved the book. I did worry when I saw the cover that it might not be for me, but how wrong I was. It actually made me want to read more about the war in Afghanistan and clarified my ignorance on a war that has raged for so long. I really enjoyed the way real life events are intertwined with the story, allowing you to see how events spiralled out of control within multiracial communities. It is a gritty read, that really made me think and open my eyes to a situation that really hasn't directly affected my life.
The story is told from two points of view, both Chris and Imran guide us through the events of the last ten years. Each giving their voice to their opinions and beliefs and why they made the decisions they did; I felt that this helped to remind me of the events of the last ten years. Chris's voice really stood out to me, especially the insightful passages set on patrol in the Helmund Province, a place I felt constantly alerted to by the media. Imran makes rash decisions but thankfully through the love of his family, he is able to turn them around. Some of the scenes were full of sadness and my compassionate side took over.
From the first couple of pages, I felt like I was on a time limit, an event was about to occur that would change people's lives if it happened and I needed to get to the end of the book to press the timer and save the lives of the people involved. The book moves at an extremely fast pace and you do find yourself holding your breath a little as the story reverts back to the present day.
It is not often that I read a book and come away feeling guilty. Feeling guilty about my own ignorance. My ignorance over a war that rarely interfered with my own life. This book brings historical moments from the last ten years back into focus, with a clear indication at how they affected real lives. I can remember exactly where I was for 9/11 and 7/7 but they never really affected my life directly. This book shows us the real effects of these events; the reaction to the Muslims who have lived all their lives in England is terrible, the way they became targets for their beliefs after events occurred thousands of miles away.
This book should be on every reading list in every secondary school. This book gives teenagers a real account of how the war in Afghanistan actually affected the people around the world. It is a powerful read that leaves you with questions and reflections about the past ten years. I would even petition for it to be included as part of school reading lists. The teenagers of today should be reading this to put their own lives into perspective and to realise how lucky they are to be living in the UK.
I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this book and would happily encourage adults and teenagers alike to read it. An excellent, well written, hard hitting book to make you sit up and take notice.
The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens
4.0
The children don't remember much about their parents. All they know is that they were snatched away in the middle of the night. Ten years have since passed and all the children have done is be moved from one children's home to another. When they arrive at Cambridge Falls, they realise that this children's home is extremely different and something strange is definitely going on.
The children discover an old leather book which holds the key to an ancient magical prophecy that takes them on an unpredictable adventure. The lives of the residents of Cambridge Falls are at risk, as well as the town itself. Can the children change the course of history?
This is one of those books that is going to become a rather popular series which I can envisage being made into a series of films. It is an epic fantasy that leads you through a maze of difficulties to reach the end. As you reach the last page, you are left knowing that there is so much more waiting to come. If you enjoy Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Apprentice, then this series will appeal to you. This is a hefty read with quite a dark atmosphere to it, including some rather gory scenes.
The book reminded me of a ride on a water chute, where you leisurely wind through the valleys, slowly making your way upwards without realising it, taking in the new world that is being set up surrounding you, to reach the top about three quarters of the way through the book and come down in an almighty whoosh, leaving you exhilarated and exhausted by the end and ready to take the journey all over again.
The three main children of the book were very entertaining and I loved to see the typical sibling rivalry and banter occurring between Emma and Michael. I felt like I was watching my own children and wanted to reprimand them and give them time out. Dr Pym is an interesting character, who left me unsure of his true feelings. I couldn't quite work out whether he was good or bad. I am not convinced we haven't read the full story on him yet and we might be surprised to find he isn't as lovely as he comes across.
I found the time travel aspect of this book quite breathtaking and original. John Stephen's made his time travelling methods appear believable to the reader. The book contains quite a lot of flashbacks, which help to bring the story up to day and enlighten us on where the children originally came from. With each flashback, a layer of the story is peeled back to reveal another previously unknown element.
I do have a couple of little gripes about the book. I did feel it could have been shortened a little to make the drama more punchy; I found myself wanting to speed the action up a little. I would have also liked to see a little more depth within some of the secondary characters. However, there is a huge cast of players within the book, so I imagine it would be difficult to make them all in depth.
On the whole, this book is a fantastic read with a breathtaking new world built in it and a whole new method of time travel revealed. A brilliant storyline which has left me looking forward to the continuing journey.
The children discover an old leather book which holds the key to an ancient magical prophecy that takes them on an unpredictable adventure. The lives of the residents of Cambridge Falls are at risk, as well as the town itself. Can the children change the course of history?
This is one of those books that is going to become a rather popular series which I can envisage being made into a series of films. It is an epic fantasy that leads you through a maze of difficulties to reach the end. As you reach the last page, you are left knowing that there is so much more waiting to come. If you enjoy Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Apprentice, then this series will appeal to you. This is a hefty read with quite a dark atmosphere to it, including some rather gory scenes.
The book reminded me of a ride on a water chute, where you leisurely wind through the valleys, slowly making your way upwards without realising it, taking in the new world that is being set up surrounding you, to reach the top about three quarters of the way through the book and come down in an almighty whoosh, leaving you exhilarated and exhausted by the end and ready to take the journey all over again.
The three main children of the book were very entertaining and I loved to see the typical sibling rivalry and banter occurring between Emma and Michael. I felt like I was watching my own children and wanted to reprimand them and give them time out. Dr Pym is an interesting character, who left me unsure of his true feelings. I couldn't quite work out whether he was good or bad. I am not convinced we haven't read the full story on him yet and we might be surprised to find he isn't as lovely as he comes across.
I found the time travel aspect of this book quite breathtaking and original. John Stephen's made his time travelling methods appear believable to the reader. The book contains quite a lot of flashbacks, which help to bring the story up to day and enlighten us on where the children originally came from. With each flashback, a layer of the story is peeled back to reveal another previously unknown element.
I do have a couple of little gripes about the book. I did feel it could have been shortened a little to make the drama more punchy; I found myself wanting to speed the action up a little. I would have also liked to see a little more depth within some of the secondary characters. However, there is a huge cast of players within the book, so I imagine it would be difficult to make them all in depth.
On the whole, this book is a fantastic read with a breathtaking new world built in it and a whole new method of time travel revealed. A brilliant storyline which has left me looking forward to the continuing journey.
The Worry Tree by Marianne Musgrove
5.0
Being a former teacher, I always get excited when I find a book that can be used in the classroom and actually be the basis of a topic to work throughout a term. Well The Worry Tree is one of those books. This is a book that could be used as a PSHE ( Personal, Social, Health and Economic) resource with ease allowing children to produce their own worry trees.
The book introduces us to Juliet, a worrier. She worries about a lot of different things - she worries about her annoying little sister who always interferes with her stuff, her parents constantly arguing, her Nana getting old and her two friends constantly fighting over her.
She finds relief when her parents finally give her her own bedroom which upon decorating, she discovers a painting of a worry tree that had been on the wall since her grandmother was little. Juliet wonders if this tree will be able to help her with all her worries.
This book is a delightful read which is rather humorous in places, as well as poignant in others. The characters within the book are adorable and keep you entertained throughout the book. Oaf is definitely an annoying little sister, but a funny one at that. Any parent reading this book alongside a child, will want to comfort Juliet and help her to deal with her worries. I have seen so many children pass through my classroom who would have benefited from a book like this; it is the type of book you want a good supply of in each school to hand out to the parents of the children who worry about everything.
The book holds a moral within the story. It shows that all the worries Juliet has are not really her worries and she needs to let others deal with them so that they don't play on her mind. It deals with a sensitive issue that plagues many (both adults and children alike) and helps the reader to let the worries disburse like bubbles.
At the back of the book, there is a section where a child can write their worries down allowing the animals from the worry tree to take care of them for a while whilst the child gets on with being just a child and enjoying the moment.
I would have loved this book as a child, as it really puts things into perspective. I actually came away thinking about all the things I tend to worry about and realised I also had a lot I could discard. If a book can have that affect on a adult, imagine how it would help a child.
An ideal, quick and easy read to help the worriers you know lighten their worry load.
The book introduces us to Juliet, a worrier. She worries about a lot of different things - she worries about her annoying little sister who always interferes with her stuff, her parents constantly arguing, her Nana getting old and her two friends constantly fighting over her.
She finds relief when her parents finally give her her own bedroom which upon decorating, she discovers a painting of a worry tree that had been on the wall since her grandmother was little. Juliet wonders if this tree will be able to help her with all her worries.
This book is a delightful read which is rather humorous in places, as well as poignant in others. The characters within the book are adorable and keep you entertained throughout the book. Oaf is definitely an annoying little sister, but a funny one at that. Any parent reading this book alongside a child, will want to comfort Juliet and help her to deal with her worries. I have seen so many children pass through my classroom who would have benefited from a book like this; it is the type of book you want a good supply of in each school to hand out to the parents of the children who worry about everything.
The book holds a moral within the story. It shows that all the worries Juliet has are not really her worries and she needs to let others deal with them so that they don't play on her mind. It deals with a sensitive issue that plagues many (both adults and children alike) and helps the reader to let the worries disburse like bubbles.
At the back of the book, there is a section where a child can write their worries down allowing the animals from the worry tree to take care of them for a while whilst the child gets on with being just a child and enjoying the moment.
I would have loved this book as a child, as it really puts things into perspective. I actually came away thinking about all the things I tend to worry about and realised I also had a lot I could discard. If a book can have that affect on a adult, imagine how it would help a child.
An ideal, quick and easy read to help the worriers you know lighten their worry load.
One Seriously Messed-Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane and Uneventful Life of Jack Samsonite by Tom Clempson
4.0
In fact, I found this book surprisingly tamer than the Inbetweeners, which is a good thing, because I really don't think it should be compared as they are both different and originally brilliant in their own ways. I actually thought Jack reminded me more of a cooler, more modern Adrian Mole and a character I probably would have wanted to hang out with a school.
Our hero of the book Sam Taylor, who has renamed himself Jack Samsonite for his school project has three aims for the week. Firstly he needs to study to pass his GSCE's which are coming up soon. Secondly, he really wants to go out with the girl of dreams - Eleanor Wade - a girl he spends many an hour day dreaming about. Lastly he wants to survive the week without getting his head kicked in by the nastiest bully in the area. What do you think his chances are of achieving all three in a week?
I always wondered what went on in a teenage boy's head. Well I don't want to now,as being a 40 year old mother of two, that would be just wrong. However I did when I was a teenager myself and I still find the brains of most males intriguing. Thankfully Tom Clempson has come to my rescue and lifted the lid on this foreign land. It seems to me that my first suspicions are correct and for a major part of their thinking time, sex is on the brain. However, they are more endearing than that and I feel I have rather a soft spot for Jack after reading his story. He is quite appalled that some of the girls he knows aren't as pure as he had believed and he suffers with the same anxieties as many girls do. He worries about his friends, his school work and being bullied too. He is actually a rather sweet character.
I felt like I had been sent back in time to my own teenage years, reliving all the angst of good grades and first relationships and it was quite lovely to take the road trip back. The language in the book is not for those who cringe at swear words. Personally it didn't bother me at all and I giggled like a school girl. Although I was glad to find it did not contain my least favourite swear word that does actually make me want to slap people when they say it. At least I think it didn't, unless I have learnt to glaze over that word. I know you will want to know what that word is, so lets just say it rhymes with hunt!
There were parts of this book that had me in hysterics and led to unusual conversations with my husband which covered such subjects as methodology of urinal usage. Don't ask, you just need to read the book to figure out what I mean.
I have just two tiny little niggles with the book. Sorry Tom! One was the title - its so long and when people would ask me about the book, my old brain would struggle to remember the exact title, so please can the next book have a shorter title? Secondly, I was slightly confused with a couple of the people Jack referred to in the story, that I didn't imagine a teenager of today would know. The 'Margaret Thatcher' reference made me stumble a little as I knew the teenagers of my generations would know who she was,(because, yes I am that old) but I am not sure that the teenagers of today would. However, after discussing this with my husband, he was under the impression that they would and that Mrs T may be viewed as a bit of legend amongst the teenage boy brigade, especially as she has focused quite a lot on Top Gear (essential teenage boy viewing). So it looks like I was wrong and Tom was right, according to my husband (fountain of all knowledge). Just goes to show how differently women view the world to men.
Like I said though, they are both really minor niggles and apart from that I thought the book was absolutely brilliant. The ending surprised me, as a bit of twist is sneakily put in. I do like a surprise ending. I really do think that Tom Clempson has a great writing career ahead of him.
Our hero of the book Sam Taylor, who has renamed himself Jack Samsonite for his school project has three aims for the week. Firstly he needs to study to pass his GSCE's which are coming up soon. Secondly, he really wants to go out with the girl of dreams - Eleanor Wade - a girl he spends many an hour day dreaming about. Lastly he wants to survive the week without getting his head kicked in by the nastiest bully in the area. What do you think his chances are of achieving all three in a week?
I always wondered what went on in a teenage boy's head. Well I don't want to now,as being a 40 year old mother of two, that would be just wrong. However I did when I was a teenager myself and I still find the brains of most males intriguing. Thankfully Tom Clempson has come to my rescue and lifted the lid on this foreign land. It seems to me that my first suspicions are correct and for a major part of their thinking time, sex is on the brain. However, they are more endearing than that and I feel I have rather a soft spot for Jack after reading his story. He is quite appalled that some of the girls he knows aren't as pure as he had believed and he suffers with the same anxieties as many girls do. He worries about his friends, his school work and being bullied too. He is actually a rather sweet character.
I felt like I had been sent back in time to my own teenage years, reliving all the angst of good grades and first relationships and it was quite lovely to take the road trip back. The language in the book is not for those who cringe at swear words. Personally it didn't bother me at all and I giggled like a school girl. Although I was glad to find it did not contain my least favourite swear word that does actually make me want to slap people when they say it. At least I think it didn't, unless I have learnt to glaze over that word. I know you will want to know what that word is, so lets just say it rhymes with hunt!
There were parts of this book that had me in hysterics and led to unusual conversations with my husband which covered such subjects as methodology of urinal usage. Don't ask, you just need to read the book to figure out what I mean.
I have just two tiny little niggles with the book. Sorry Tom! One was the title - its so long and when people would ask me about the book, my old brain would struggle to remember the exact title, so please can the next book have a shorter title? Secondly, I was slightly confused with a couple of the people Jack referred to in the story, that I didn't imagine a teenager of today would know. The 'Margaret Thatcher' reference made me stumble a little as I knew the teenagers of my generations would know who she was,(because, yes I am that old) but I am not sure that the teenagers of today would. However, after discussing this with my husband, he was under the impression that they would and that Mrs T may be viewed as a bit of legend amongst the teenage boy brigade, especially as she has focused quite a lot on Top Gear (essential teenage boy viewing). So it looks like I was wrong and Tom was right, according to my husband (fountain of all knowledge). Just goes to show how differently women view the world to men.
Like I said though, they are both really minor niggles and apart from that I thought the book was absolutely brilliant. The ending surprised me, as a bit of twist is sneakily put in. I do like a surprise ending. I really do think that Tom Clempson has a great writing career ahead of him.
P.K. Pinkerton and the Deadly Desperados by Caroline Lawrence
5.0
Caroline Lawrence is extremely well known for writing The Roman Mysteries which has helped lots of children embrace the Romans and find a love of history at the same time. Caroline has now embarked on a new journey and has presented us with the first book in The Western Mysteries series, which takes us back to the Wild West of America, Virginia City in 1862 to be precise.
Up until reading this book, my only real knowledge of the Wild West was through the last film in the Back to the Future trilogy. So I was extremely pleased to be given so much more information about that time period within this book. Caroline Lawrence has obviously researched the Wild West meticulously as the attention to detail is unbelievable. Caroline Lawrence knows what she is talking about. I felt like I had stepped instantly back into Virginia City, right into the middle of a gun fight. I could almost hear the gun shots from the Double Deringer.
The narrator for the story is P.K. Pinkerton. Don't ask me whether the character was a boy or girl, because quite frankly I am not quite sure. The author twisted the plot backwards and forwards with this mystery leaving me confused (on purpose I believe) as to the sex of the narrator. I think it is a boy, so I will call him that for now, but who knows. All I do know is the narrator was 12 years old, was half Indian and half America and that his mother had died, leaving him with a set of foster parents. He is also a very brave child to come up against such deadly character so fearlessly as he does.
I am certain that P.K. Pinkerton is slightly autistic, by his inability to decipher people's emotions and his quickness with numbers. However, the author never makes that public knowledge, so I could be wrong. Although in that era, they wouldn't have have had a medical term for the condition. The book begins with Pinkerton's 12th birthday, where he arrives home to find his foster parents dying, after being brutally attacked by Whittlin Walt, a rather nasty character who appeared on Wanted posters around the town. He is desperate for an item that he believes P.K. to own and will stop at nothing to get it. P.K. quickly leaves his home in search of a safer haven in Virginia City. However he will not be going alone, as Whittlin Walt is quickly on his trail. He will kill P.K to get what he wants.
You have to feel sorry for P.K. as his dangerous journey, the constant hiding and his attempts at double crossing Whittlin Walt, leave you feeling breathless. There is no time for him to stop and rest. Every time he thinks he has done the right thing, someone comes along and double crosses him, creating a fast paced thrilling ride.
I was extremely excited to see Sam Clemens hiding amongst the pages. Sam Clemens was better known by his pen name of Mark Twain, and appears within the story as a reporter, which he actually was before he became a writer and provided us with such characters as Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. He is brilliant portrayed within the story and it felt like I had found my own golden nugget whilst reading the book.
This book is extremely detailed and keeps you on your toes the whole way through. The chapters are short, sharp and each one is finished off with an excellent cliff hanger. All the characters come alive, each one solid and easy to remember, with their own back story being provided in snippets here and there. There is even a glossary at the back to help you grasp the Western language used within the book. Caroline Lawrence is leading the way in Western fiction while everyone else is left trailing behind. This book has quenched my first for Western fiction and I look forward to the next installment in the series.
Up until reading this book, my only real knowledge of the Wild West was through the last film in the Back to the Future trilogy. So I was extremely pleased to be given so much more information about that time period within this book. Caroline Lawrence has obviously researched the Wild West meticulously as the attention to detail is unbelievable. Caroline Lawrence knows what she is talking about. I felt like I had stepped instantly back into Virginia City, right into the middle of a gun fight. I could almost hear the gun shots from the Double Deringer.
The narrator for the story is P.K. Pinkerton. Don't ask me whether the character was a boy or girl, because quite frankly I am not quite sure. The author twisted the plot backwards and forwards with this mystery leaving me confused (on purpose I believe) as to the sex of the narrator. I think it is a boy, so I will call him that for now, but who knows. All I do know is the narrator was 12 years old, was half Indian and half America and that his mother had died, leaving him with a set of foster parents. He is also a very brave child to come up against such deadly character so fearlessly as he does.
I am certain that P.K. Pinkerton is slightly autistic, by his inability to decipher people's emotions and his quickness with numbers. However, the author never makes that public knowledge, so I could be wrong. Although in that era, they wouldn't have have had a medical term for the condition. The book begins with Pinkerton's 12th birthday, where he arrives home to find his foster parents dying, after being brutally attacked by Whittlin Walt, a rather nasty character who appeared on Wanted posters around the town. He is desperate for an item that he believes P.K. to own and will stop at nothing to get it. P.K. quickly leaves his home in search of a safer haven in Virginia City. However he will not be going alone, as Whittlin Walt is quickly on his trail. He will kill P.K to get what he wants.
You have to feel sorry for P.K. as his dangerous journey, the constant hiding and his attempts at double crossing Whittlin Walt, leave you feeling breathless. There is no time for him to stop and rest. Every time he thinks he has done the right thing, someone comes along and double crosses him, creating a fast paced thrilling ride.
I was extremely excited to see Sam Clemens hiding amongst the pages. Sam Clemens was better known by his pen name of Mark Twain, and appears within the story as a reporter, which he actually was before he became a writer and provided us with such characters as Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. He is brilliant portrayed within the story and it felt like I had found my own golden nugget whilst reading the book.
This book is extremely detailed and keeps you on your toes the whole way through. The chapters are short, sharp and each one is finished off with an excellent cliff hanger. All the characters come alive, each one solid and easy to remember, with their own back story being provided in snippets here and there. There is even a glossary at the back to help you grasp the Western language used within the book. Caroline Lawrence is leading the way in Western fiction while everyone else is left trailing behind. This book has quenched my first for Western fiction and I look forward to the next installment in the series.