As was the case with the first book, this book was well-written and the story flowed continuously. This time it is written from the perspectives of Sam & Grace, as well as Isabel and Cole (one of the new wolves).
Grace falls ill unexpectedly and ends up in hospital. The doctors, however, have no idea what's wrong with her so they just write it off as the flu. Unfortunately when Grace falls ill, her parents discover that Sam has been sharing Grace's bedroom. However innocent this may have been, Grace's once absentee parents ban Grace & Sam from seeing each other.
In the meantime, Cole desperately tries to find a way to stay a wolf. While Sam detests the idea of forgetting everything each time he becomes a wolf, Cole relishes the idea of losing himself as a wolf and forgetting his past.
Sam & Grace continue to deny that anything serious is wrong with Grace, but Isabel forces them to face the problem and find a solution before its too late. Finally, there is only one cure for Grace, and Cole has the answer ...
I rate this book 4/5. The unromantic might find it hard to believe that two such young people can be so in love, but I admire their conviction and their commitment to each other despite the harrowing circumstances.
More information on Linger
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
The Girl that Kicked the Hornet's Nest: Book 3 of the Millennium trilogy (Stieg Larsson)
I realise it's a bit strange to be reviewing book 3 of the Millennium trilogy without having reviewed the first two, but I do hope you'll forgive me since I only started this blog a while after reading the first two installments. I can tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed all the books in the series.
For me this book kept me waiting with bated breath to find out what the fate of Lisbeth Salander was to be. If you have not been following the series, I suggest you start from the beginning.
Lisbeth first worked with Mikael Blomkvist when she assisted him in investigating the disappearance of a young girl by the name of Harriet Vanger which occurred a long time back. In exchange for solving this mystery, Mikael would be given information regarding Wennerstrom by the girl's uncle Henrik Vanger which would enable him to clear his name with respect to a libel case which he had lost. Needless to say, they solved the case and went on to bury Wennerstrom with the information they gathered.
Lisbeth and Mikael part ways when Lisbeth abruptly ends all contact with Mikael. However their paths cross when Mikael starts working on a new story for the magazine, Millennium, on sex trafficking. When Mikael discovers the bodies of the key reporter and his girlfriend in their apartment, he hardly imagined that Lisbeth would end up being the prime suspect for their murders. Mikael refuses to believe that she's guilty despite all the evidence pointing to her. In his attempt to prove her innocence and discover the truth behind the elusive Zala, the central figure of the story, he uncovers some unexpected information on Lisbeth herself. Lisbeth tracks down Zala and his associate, Ronald Niedermann, and barely escapes alive.
Now both Lisbeth and Zala are in hospital, with Zala claiming that Lisbeth in fact tried to kill him. So Lisbeth is to be arrested and must stand trial for attempted murder, together with a few other charges. But before they can handcuff Lisbeth and drag her off to a prison cell, she must be cleared by her doctor. Given that Lisbeth had a bullet and its fragments removed from her brain, it would be awhile before she would see that prison cell. In the meantime, Mikael together with the "Knights of the Idiotic Table" get to work trying to uncover a secret organisation within the Security Police which will not only clear Lisbeth's name, but will also give her back her life. But in order to succeed they must the dangerous path that they're on.
I rate this book 4.5/5 stars. Although parts of the book drag on for a bit, it's still very hard to put down. Lisbeth Salander is a character who creates conflicting feelings for the reader. On the one hand she isn't exactly a stellar citizen, yet you still wish to see her free. I would highly recommend this book to avid (adult) readers.
More information on The Girl that kicked the Hornet's Nest
For me this book kept me waiting with bated breath to find out what the fate of Lisbeth Salander was to be. If you have not been following the series, I suggest you start from the beginning.
Lisbeth first worked with Mikael Blomkvist when she assisted him in investigating the disappearance of a young girl by the name of Harriet Vanger which occurred a long time back. In exchange for solving this mystery, Mikael would be given information regarding Wennerstrom by the girl's uncle Henrik Vanger which would enable him to clear his name with respect to a libel case which he had lost. Needless to say, they solved the case and went on to bury Wennerstrom with the information they gathered.
Lisbeth and Mikael part ways when Lisbeth abruptly ends all contact with Mikael. However their paths cross when Mikael starts working on a new story for the magazine, Millennium, on sex trafficking. When Mikael discovers the bodies of the key reporter and his girlfriend in their apartment, he hardly imagined that Lisbeth would end up being the prime suspect for their murders. Mikael refuses to believe that she's guilty despite all the evidence pointing to her. In his attempt to prove her innocence and discover the truth behind the elusive Zala, the central figure of the story, he uncovers some unexpected information on Lisbeth herself. Lisbeth tracks down Zala and his associate, Ronald Niedermann, and barely escapes alive.
Now both Lisbeth and Zala are in hospital, with Zala claiming that Lisbeth in fact tried to kill him. So Lisbeth is to be arrested and must stand trial for attempted murder, together with a few other charges. But before they can handcuff Lisbeth and drag her off to a prison cell, she must be cleared by her doctor. Given that Lisbeth had a bullet and its fragments removed from her brain, it would be awhile before she would see that prison cell. In the meantime, Mikael together with the "Knights of the Idiotic Table" get to work trying to uncover a secret organisation within the Security Police which will not only clear Lisbeth's name, but will also give her back her life. But in order to succeed they must the dangerous path that they're on.
I rate this book 4.5/5 stars. Although parts of the book drag on for a bit, it's still very hard to put down. Lisbeth Salander is a character who creates conflicting feelings for the reader. On the one hand she isn't exactly a stellar citizen, yet you still wish to see her free. I would highly recommend this book to avid (adult) readers.
More information on The Girl that kicked the Hornet's Nest
Sunday, January 13, 2013
The Burning Bridge: Book 2 of The Ranger's Apprentice (John Flanagan)
This story picks up from where we left Will, Halt, Horace, and the others in the first book. In this book, Halt and Will are separated and Will must learn to trust his own judgement and abilities. While Halt is left at Redmont to prepare for the upcoming battle against Morgarath, Will, Gilan & Horace are sent to call for reinforcements from Celtica.
Upon arrival at Celtica, however, they find the villages completely abandoned. They gain a bit of information when they run into a couple of bandits. They also come across a girl named Evanlyn, who escaped an attack by Wargals on her and her companions.
Gilan leaves the party to take urgent word of their discoveries to the King, leaving Will in charge of getting the others back. Along the way, they are passed by a group of Wargals leading a group of Celt prisoners, so Will decides to follow them in an attempt to determine what Morgarath's plan is with regards to the Celt miners being taken as prisoners.
Will, Horace and Evanlyn discover vital information regarding Morgarath's plans but don't have sufficient time to get the information back to the King and the army. Will devises a plan in an attempt to thwart Morgarath's plans.
Does Will's plan succeed? Can the Kingdom's army defeat Morgarath and his army? Find out in this, the second book of The Ranger's Apprentice.
I rate this book 4/5. You won't want to put this book down, and you will be eager to read the next installment of this series once you're done reading this book.
More information on The Burning Bridge
Upon arrival at Celtica, however, they find the villages completely abandoned. They gain a bit of information when they run into a couple of bandits. They also come across a girl named Evanlyn, who escaped an attack by Wargals on her and her companions.
Gilan leaves the party to take urgent word of their discoveries to the King, leaving Will in charge of getting the others back. Along the way, they are passed by a group of Wargals leading a group of Celt prisoners, so Will decides to follow them in an attempt to determine what Morgarath's plan is with regards to the Celt miners being taken as prisoners.
Will, Horace and Evanlyn discover vital information regarding Morgarath's plans but don't have sufficient time to get the information back to the King and the army. Will devises a plan in an attempt to thwart Morgarath's plans.
Does Will's plan succeed? Can the Kingdom's army defeat Morgarath and his army? Find out in this, the second book of The Ranger's Apprentice.
I rate this book 4/5. You won't want to put this book down, and you will be eager to read the next installment of this series once you're done reading this book.
More information on The Burning Bridge
The Invisible Detective: Web of Anubis (Justin Richards)
Did you enjoy reading those Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys mysteries? Then this one's for you. It's a typical "meddling kids spoil bad guy's evil plans" kind of story.
Every week the invisible detective has a gathering where people can bring their questions and concerns, while he attempts to answer them (for a small price, of course). It is during one of these sessions that Art and his companions, calling themselves the Cannoniers, stumble upon a mystery when they are set the task of determining where Messy Mike got his newfound fortune. A seemingly simple query sets the children on a dangerous path ...
Delve into this mystery surrounding Egyptian history, relics and curses.
I rate this book a 3/5. It's a great read for all ages.
More information on The Web of Anubis
Every week the invisible detective has a gathering where people can bring their questions and concerns, while he attempts to answer them (for a small price, of course). It is during one of these sessions that Art and his companions, calling themselves the Cannoniers, stumble upon a mystery when they are set the task of determining where Messy Mike got his newfound fortune. A seemingly simple query sets the children on a dangerous path ...
Delve into this mystery surrounding Egyptian history, relics and curses.
I rate this book a 3/5. It's a great read for all ages.
More information on The Web of Anubis
The Ruins of Gorlan: Book 1 of The Ranger's Apprentice (John Flanagan)
Will, orphaned as a baby, grows up in the Ward at Redmont. He doesn't know anything about his parents, except that his father died a hero in the last war against Morgarath. So Will conjures up a story through his years at the Ward, portraying his father as a mighty knight who gave his life in service to the kingdom. It is for this reason that Will's deepest desire is to be accepted at Battleschool, in order to follow (as he believes) in his father's footsteps.
But Will is not built for Battleschool. He is short and of slight build, hence he cannot be accepted into the Battleschool. But in a twist of fate, Will is accepted as the ranger Halt's apprentice, having the skills required for this role. Will is apprehensive about this at first, but soon learns that he feels a sense of achievement at each task that he fulfills.
The story also follows Horace, one of the four Ward-mates that Will grew up with. Horace was accepted into Battleschool having the correct build for a knight. However, Horace faces challenges of a different kind when he is made the object of bullying by a few older apprentices of the Battleschool.
Will and Horace are initially at odds with each other, but circumstances change with two becoming friends.
We follow these young apprentices as they face challenges well beyond their years, especially with the threat of Morgarath planning another attack on the kingdom.
I rate this book a 4/5. The book is simply written, but is filled with adventure and fun.
More information on The Ruins of Gorlan
But Will is not built for Battleschool. He is short and of slight build, hence he cannot be accepted into the Battleschool. But in a twist of fate, Will is accepted as the ranger Halt's apprentice, having the skills required for this role. Will is apprehensive about this at first, but soon learns that he feels a sense of achievement at each task that he fulfills.
The story also follows Horace, one of the four Ward-mates that Will grew up with. Horace was accepted into Battleschool having the correct build for a knight. However, Horace faces challenges of a different kind when he is made the object of bullying by a few older apprentices of the Battleschool.
Will and Horace are initially at odds with each other, but circumstances change with two becoming friends.
We follow these young apprentices as they face challenges well beyond their years, especially with the threat of Morgarath planning another attack on the kingdom.
I rate this book a 4/5. The book is simply written, but is filled with adventure and fun.
More information on The Ruins of Gorlan
Shiver: Book 1 of The Wolves of Mercy Falls (Maggie Stiefvater)
I have to admit that I'm a sucker for the romantic, love-at-first-sight kind of story, so this story appealed to me greatly. The book is written from Grace's and Sam's perspectives, the main characters of the story.
No one understands Grace's obsession with the wolves, especially with a particular yellow-eyed wolf. She strives to keep the wolves safe from those who would hunt them down.
Sam has silently watched over Grace since the first time he laid eyes on her, but he can only do so in the winter. Sam hasn't been able to reveal himself to Grace, until circumstances forces Sam to seek Grace's help.
Once they meet, Grace and Sam must fight the elements, and the locals, to stay together.
I rate this book a 4/5. Looking forward to the next installment in the series!
More information on Shiver
No one understands Grace's obsession with the wolves, especially with a particular yellow-eyed wolf. She strives to keep the wolves safe from those who would hunt them down.
Sam has silently watched over Grace since the first time he laid eyes on her, but he can only do so in the winter. Sam hasn't been able to reveal himself to Grace, until circumstances forces Sam to seek Grace's help.
Once they meet, Grace and Sam must fight the elements, and the locals, to stay together.
I rate this book a 4/5. Looking forward to the next installment in the series!
More information on Shiver
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