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serendipity_viv's reviews
762 reviews
The Butterfly Heart by Paula Leyden
5.0
The writing in this book is utterly beautiful. I found the story just flowed off the pages like a winding, lazy, river. It is one of the quiet books, where everything happens in a quiet way but produces immense results, leaving you feeling satisfied that everything has been dealt with.
Bul-Boo and Madillo were an extremely entertaining set of twins. Madillo is just hilarious with her fabricated stories which she dramatically presents to everyone who will listen. Bul-Boo is the quieter of the pair and the most thoughtful, struggling to cope with the worries that seem to sit upon her young shoulders.
The story goes back and forth between two different points of view. We see how frustrated Bulboo becomes as well as witnessing how Ifwafwa's mind works - slowly but surely. Ifwafwa is like a gentle giant, a snake whisperer of sorts; he reminded me of the character John Coffey in the film 'The Green Mile', a beautiful soul with magic in his essence.
I won't tell you what Winifred is facing in her future, as I don't want to spoil the story for you. However, on reading the story, I could understand how Amnesty International endorsed this book as it deals with basic human rights. The crimes committed against Winifred and her mother led to their human rights being taken away and still occur today in many civilisations all over the world. It is distressing to think that young girls suffer as much as they do and I do think this is one of those books that needs to be read to show the world how wrong it is and hopefully help in bringing about change as one voice grows louder and merges with others into a choir.
Bul-Boo and Madillo were an extremely entertaining set of twins. Madillo is just hilarious with her fabricated stories which she dramatically presents to everyone who will listen. Bul-Boo is the quieter of the pair and the most thoughtful, struggling to cope with the worries that seem to sit upon her young shoulders.
The story goes back and forth between two different points of view. We see how frustrated Bulboo becomes as well as witnessing how Ifwafwa's mind works - slowly but surely. Ifwafwa is like a gentle giant, a snake whisperer of sorts; he reminded me of the character John Coffey in the film 'The Green Mile', a beautiful soul with magic in his essence.
I won't tell you what Winifred is facing in her future, as I don't want to spoil the story for you. However, on reading the story, I could understand how Amnesty International endorsed this book as it deals with basic human rights. The crimes committed against Winifred and her mother led to their human rights being taken away and still occur today in many civilisations all over the world. It is distressing to think that young girls suffer as much as they do and I do think this is one of those books that needs to be read to show the world how wrong it is and hopefully help in bringing about change as one voice grows louder and merges with others into a choir.
Forgotten by Cat Patrick
4.0
Every night when London Lane falls her to sleep, her memory resets itself at 4.33am and she wakes up in the morning with no knowledge as to anything that has happened in her past. Her mind is a complete blank and she has to read through lots and lots of notes to discover more about her past life.
However London does have some memory. She can remember events from the future. Her mind is full of the things that will happen, rather than the events that have happened.
Her life seems to be falling apart as she watches her friend Jamie going off the rails; she discovers her mum has been lying to her all her life and she can't work out why her new boyfriend doesn't appear in her future at all.
I have to say the premise of this book had me hooked from the beginning. I was intrigued how someone could remember nothing of their past but all of their future. It was brilliantly written, especially the way that you discovered things about London's past at the same time as she did. You find yourself gasping a little as she found out truths that had been hidden from her.
I loved London. I thought she dealt with her unusual situation extremely well, although personally I felt exhausted for her. Imagine each day having to read up on your life to figure out what was going on in your past. As well as being aware of future events that had no way of controlling. I couldn't imagine how anyone would cope with this kind of stress, let alone a teenage girl.
I found the plot kept me on the edge of the seat, but the ending left me wanting another solution. I thought I had the ending all plotted out in my head and Cat Patrick pulled the rug from under me and took me down another route. There were elements to the story which were left me wanting more, which made me believe a second book had been planned to answer all the stray plot lines. However, I have just investigated the possibility of a second book and discovered that one isn't planned. Oh no, I need answers!
This book is an engaging plot, full of originality and emotion. I think Cat Patrick has produced a brilliant debut novel and I look forward to see what other unusual plot lines she has hiding up her sleeve.
However London does have some memory. She can remember events from the future. Her mind is full of the things that will happen, rather than the events that have happened.
Her life seems to be falling apart as she watches her friend Jamie going off the rails; she discovers her mum has been lying to her all her life and she can't work out why her new boyfriend doesn't appear in her future at all.
I have to say the premise of this book had me hooked from the beginning. I was intrigued how someone could remember nothing of their past but all of their future. It was brilliantly written, especially the way that you discovered things about London's past at the same time as she did. You find yourself gasping a little as she found out truths that had been hidden from her.
I loved London. I thought she dealt with her unusual situation extremely well, although personally I felt exhausted for her. Imagine each day having to read up on your life to figure out what was going on in your past. As well as being aware of future events that had no way of controlling. I couldn't imagine how anyone would cope with this kind of stress, let alone a teenage girl.
I found the plot kept me on the edge of the seat, but the ending left me wanting another solution. I thought I had the ending all plotted out in my head and Cat Patrick pulled the rug from under me and took me down another route. There were elements to the story which were left me wanting more, which made me believe a second book had been planned to answer all the stray plot lines. However, I have just investigated the possibility of a second book and discovered that one isn't planned. Oh no, I need answers!
This book is an engaging plot, full of originality and emotion. I think Cat Patrick has produced a brilliant debut novel and I look forward to see what other unusual plot lines she has hiding up her sleeve.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time by Yasutaka Tsutsui
3.0
This is really a novella rather than an novel and one that I found interesting. It tells the story of a fifteen year old Japanese girl called Kazuko who accidentally discovers that she can travel back and forth in time. She is desperate to work out who gave her this ability and believes it is the due to the mysterious person who was hovering in the science laboratory at school. Something had gone wrong and she had fainted at the same time. She knew she would have to travel back in time to work out who the person was.
It was an enchanting story and I was really enjoying it up until the last few pages,where unfortunately I found the story became difficult to believe. I know you are probably shaking your head at me and saying 'Its fiction, it isn't true anyway.' Well I know that, but majority of books you can lose yourself into the fantasy and believe every word of it and for most of this story, I fully believed that time travel was possible. However, the ending swayed a little into the too far fetched area for me and I found myself recalling an episode of Friends where Joey is desperately trying to be taken seriously as an actor in a play. The play looks like an intense and entertaining one until a ladder comes down from the sky to take him into space. You know the one I mean?
I can only hope that the ending got a little lost in translation as it seemed so disjointed to the rest of the story. I would have loved to have seen this story expanded allowing more character development and a more believable ending.
The book actually consists of two stories and out of the two I actually preferred 'The Stuff That Nightmares Are Made Of'' more. The main character of the story 'Masuko' is trying to discover the route to her fears and embarks on a journey to do so. I found it very enchanting and it had a lovely twist at the end of it.
Both of these stories were written in 1967 and I was pleased to discover that they still felt current and not at all dated. If you plan to read this book, I would possibly start with the second one before reading the first.
I would be interested in reading other works by this author as his stories must have seemed very fresh and original when they were written in the sixties, especially as they still stand out now.
It was an enchanting story and I was really enjoying it up until the last few pages,where unfortunately I found the story became difficult to believe. I know you are probably shaking your head at me and saying 'Its fiction, it isn't true anyway.' Well I know that, but majority of books you can lose yourself into the fantasy and believe every word of it and for most of this story, I fully believed that time travel was possible. However, the ending swayed a little into the too far fetched area for me and I found myself recalling an episode of Friends where Joey is desperately trying to be taken seriously as an actor in a play. The play looks like an intense and entertaining one until a ladder comes down from the sky to take him into space. You know the one I mean?
I can only hope that the ending got a little lost in translation as it seemed so disjointed to the rest of the story. I would have loved to have seen this story expanded allowing more character development and a more believable ending.
The book actually consists of two stories and out of the two I actually preferred 'The Stuff That Nightmares Are Made Of'' more. The main character of the story 'Masuko' is trying to discover the route to her fears and embarks on a journey to do so. I found it very enchanting and it had a lovely twist at the end of it.
Both of these stories were written in 1967 and I was pleased to discover that they still felt current and not at all dated. If you plan to read this book, I would possibly start with the second one before reading the first.
I would be interested in reading other works by this author as his stories must have seemed very fresh and original when they were written in the sixties, especially as they still stand out now.
Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton
5.0
Rosamund Lupton amazes me! She can create crime investigators out of normal everyday people and make it look extremely natural. You would think that would be enough of a talent for an author, but then Rosamund twists every thing leaving you in complete shock by the end of the book as you would never have guessed that the person responsible was even involved in the crime.
I loved Sister so much that I was worried that Afterwards wouldn't be able to live up to its predecessor, but it does it with ease. The whole book was a completely fresh and original approach to a thriller with a touch of the supernatural thrown in.
I am so reluctant to say too much about this book, because I was shocked and gasping from the first page and bursting with excitement about the way that Grace would solve the crime. I have honestly never read a book where the case has been solved in such way. Grace is a brilliantly created character, who will stop at nothing to keep her children safe. I was amazed by her Goliath style strength of character when the situation became so difficult. If she were a real person, she would be receiving a Pride of Britain award for being so courageous.
The plot moves along at quite a fast pace where you need take cover from all the red herrings that are thrown at you, aiming to lead you astray. I would put money on no one being able to guess who the arsonist is until you are told at the end. I can't help but compare Afterwards to a blank canvas, with each new layer of watercolour added, you notice something you hadn't realised was there before.
There are a couple of tearful scenes within the book which really moved me and found me reaching for my box of tissues. So be warned now and be prepared.
If you love a thriller with a difference then read this book. I think what I love about Rosamund's writing is that you never know if it it will end happily or not. She doesn't necessarily wrap up the story in a way that you would like, instead she makes it real, gritty and very emotional. Rosamund is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors within the thriller genre and I can't wait to see what else she writes in the future.
I loved Sister so much that I was worried that Afterwards wouldn't be able to live up to its predecessor, but it does it with ease. The whole book was a completely fresh and original approach to a thriller with a touch of the supernatural thrown in.
I am so reluctant to say too much about this book, because I was shocked and gasping from the first page and bursting with excitement about the way that Grace would solve the crime. I have honestly never read a book where the case has been solved in such way. Grace is a brilliantly created character, who will stop at nothing to keep her children safe. I was amazed by her Goliath style strength of character when the situation became so difficult. If she were a real person, she would be receiving a Pride of Britain award for being so courageous.
The plot moves along at quite a fast pace where you need take cover from all the red herrings that are thrown at you, aiming to lead you astray. I would put money on no one being able to guess who the arsonist is until you are told at the end. I can't help but compare Afterwards to a blank canvas, with each new layer of watercolour added, you notice something you hadn't realised was there before.
There are a couple of tearful scenes within the book which really moved me and found me reaching for my box of tissues. So be warned now and be prepared.
If you love a thriller with a difference then read this book. I think what I love about Rosamund's writing is that you never know if it it will end happily or not. She doesn't necessarily wrap up the story in a way that you would like, instead she makes it real, gritty and very emotional. Rosamund is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors within the thriller genre and I can't wait to see what else she writes in the future.
The Devil Walks by Anne Fine
5.0
Oh my, this was a deliciously dark tale. From the beginning, you are quite disturbed by Daniel's mother, who appears to be quite insane. You are desperate for him to be taken out of her care and find yourself wondering a little if she suffers from Munchhausen Syndrome by Proxy. Clearly, she has some issues, if she is raising her son, never to leave his bedroom and keeping him in bed night and day, convincing him that he is ill.
Luckily he is discovered by a neighbour and sent to live with the local doctor providing him with a loving home, which allows him to become stronger and healthy. Wouldn't it be nice, if we could believe that now he would be happy for ever after? Unfortunately, his step uncle Severin offers to take him in and Daniels' life really takes a turn for the worse.
Daniel is a really strong character, who just goes from strength to strength as the book progresses, allowing him to face his fears head on by the climatic scenes at the end of the book.
I am unsure of when this book is set or in which country. I am presuming it was set in Victorian times, due to the mode of transport and other aspects discussed within the book, but I couldn't definitely be sure.
I loved the richness of the prose, leading me in a gloriously Gothic tale. The book feels immensely dark from cover to cover. You get a real sense of Daniel's fear at staying in his uncle's house. His Uncle Severin keeps you on your toes as he carousels between his Jekyll and Hyde persona's. I found myself never quite sure of his intentions until the very end.
I was pleased to be able to forgive Daniel's mother as the book progressed, because I realised her reasons for her actions and knew that in the same circumstances I would do the same. Very clever writing on behalf of the author to show such different perceptions for one character.
This book touches on some very dark practices that I was surprised to find in the book, but loved reading about. Thankfully Daniel reaches out into the darkness to bring light back into the book by the end.
If you are a long term Anne Fine fan, you will know that she is an eclectic writer, so do not expect anything that you have read before. This book takes you strolling down dark and mysterious lanes, before abandoning you in the dark. A must read for all Victorian Gothic fans.
Luckily he is discovered by a neighbour and sent to live with the local doctor providing him with a loving home, which allows him to become stronger and healthy. Wouldn't it be nice, if we could believe that now he would be happy for ever after? Unfortunately, his step uncle Severin offers to take him in and Daniels' life really takes a turn for the worse.
Daniel is a really strong character, who just goes from strength to strength as the book progresses, allowing him to face his fears head on by the climatic scenes at the end of the book.
I am unsure of when this book is set or in which country. I am presuming it was set in Victorian times, due to the mode of transport and other aspects discussed within the book, but I couldn't definitely be sure.
I loved the richness of the prose, leading me in a gloriously Gothic tale. The book feels immensely dark from cover to cover. You get a real sense of Daniel's fear at staying in his uncle's house. His Uncle Severin keeps you on your toes as he carousels between his Jekyll and Hyde persona's. I found myself never quite sure of his intentions until the very end.
I was pleased to be able to forgive Daniel's mother as the book progressed, because I realised her reasons for her actions and knew that in the same circumstances I would do the same. Very clever writing on behalf of the author to show such different perceptions for one character.
This book touches on some very dark practices that I was surprised to find in the book, but loved reading about. Thankfully Daniel reaches out into the darkness to bring light back into the book by the end.
If you are a long term Anne Fine fan, you will know that she is an eclectic writer, so do not expect anything that you have read before. This book takes you strolling down dark and mysterious lanes, before abandoning you in the dark. A must read for all Victorian Gothic fans.