Feed by Mira Grant
I’ve just finished reading Feed by Mira Grant.
To quote the back of the jacket “The year was 2014. We had cured cancer. We had beaten the common cold. But in doing so we created something new, something terrible that no one could stop. The infection spread, virus blocks taking over bodies and minds with one, unstoppable command: FEED. Now, twenty years after the Rising, bloggers Georgia and Shaun Mason are on the trail of the biggest story of their lives – the dark conspiracy behind the infected. The truth will get out, even if it kills them.”
Georgia and Shaun are brother and sister, adopted by ambitious parents but not biologically related. They’re both bloggers – Georgia is a Newsie – she reports the news and sticks to the facts, Shaun is an Irwin – which means he walks on the wild side a bit – in other words he takes risks and literally dices with death by putting himself in the way of danger, or more importantly zombies and Buffy, who is their friend and co-worker is a fictional (not to mention a rather dab hand with the electronics). Being a fictional is pretty much as it sounds so she writes stories and poems, purely fictional, although grounded in fact.
The three of them have their own blogs and are rising in popularity but they also work together. Blogs have become the new way of reporting the news, people no longer trust the traditional methods and the blogosphere is faster and usually more accurate. I must admit that I thought this was interesting and I liked the way that the story was scattered with pieces from the blogs.
But, to be honest, I don’t think this book was totally for me – not because it isn’t a good book because it really is – but because it wasn’t what I expected and so I probably wasn’t in the right frame of mind. I guess I was expecting a story about zombies but this isn’t really that. This is more a story about how the world carries on afterwards, how people, adapt and change in order to cope. So the zombies are there, they’re in the background but they’re not the main focus of the story – they’re more like the background that has supplied the catalyst for the story. The major catastrophe has happened, people have died (not everyone though) and the survivors have taken back certain territory and learnt how to protect themselves and continue to function and have ‘almost’ normal lives. The country is split into zones, depending on the level of danger and people are restricted as to which zones they can enter.
Rather than a zombie/horror story this is more a political thriller. I thought the writing was very good with lots of attention to detail and the story and characters were well developed. This story takes off when the three find themselves as reporters on a political campaign. This is basically a make or break for their careers and is a first for any presidential candidate. The outcome will be far from what they expected however and will devastate their little trio.
So, whilst I think this is a really good book I think I should have been a bit clearer about what I was getting into. I do enjoy this type of novel but in this instance I was expecting more of a horror story and so I felt somewhat disappointed – I only have myself to blame for that! Also, whilst I enjoy a certain level of detail I did think that there was quite a bit of repetition in this book and some of the detail didn’t really bring anything to the story. For example we seem to look at every sort of means possible for checking people to see if there blood is clean and frankly I could have just heard about a couple of the checks and then in future be told the check had taken place, or we were constantly reminded about Georgia’s retinal disorder and her need to constantly wear sunglasses – to be honest, and I’m ashamed to admit it, but I skimmed a lot of parts like this because I became a bit tired of them and in that respect I think the book could have been edited more which might have made it a bit more dramatic.
That being said I have to admit this is a good book. I think that if you like political intrigue, a well thought out story with all bases covered and a level of detail that answers all your little niggles you will enjoy this read as it’s very well thought out and leaves no stone unturned. If however you’re looking more for a zombie/horror story this might not be for you.
Rating C+/-B
Fury by Elizabeth Miles
30 August 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Elizabeth Miles, Fury
Just finished reading Fury by ElizabethMiles. I must say this was a very engaging read, well written, quite unique and compellingly different. I didn’t really know what to expect with this book but the whole Fury concept based on ancient Greek mythology was great.
The story is based around Em, Chase and Zach – or at least they are the primary characters – and is a tale of revenge (actually I think it’s more a tale of retribution). Em is part of the ‘in crowd’ and her best friend Gabby is the pack leader and girlfriend to the school heartthrob Zach. But Em is lusting over Zach and he appears to return the feeling so when Gabby goes away for a winter break she leaves the door wide open. Chase is also one of the popular guys, even though he’s from the wrong side of the tracks, but he’s always very aware of how precarious his position is and how easily he could be brought down, plus, he has a bit of a grim secret. So, the scene is set and in walk the Fury’s. Three beautiful girls but they’re not really all they seem and they’re intent on payback.
I suppose the school scene at Ascension is nothing we haven’t seen (Mean Girls) or read (Before I Fall) before. You basically have your in crowd run by bitchy girls who have the ability to make some of the other students’ lives hell. I mean, the girls in this book don’t come across as bad as some but to be honest scheming to take your best friend’s boyfriend is pretty low and frankly just wrong and yet Em doesn’t seem to feel hardly any guilt at all. Zach is just basically a low life, wealthy, privileged and spoilt and who sees every girl as another notch on the bedpost – even the best friend of his girlfriend.
Em’s next door neighbour and not so secret admirer is JD. JD is an excellent character who I really liked. He is a genuine friend and tries his best to help Em and keep her from falling foul of Zach’s design.
On top of this we have an alternative storyline revolving around Chase who seems to be slowly unwinding – especially when he learns that one of the students from school has tried to commit suicide. When Chase meets a beautiful red haired, green eyed girl he thinks his luck is picking up but in actual fact his luck has just run out.
I definitely had conflicting feelings reading this book – Sometimes I really didn’t like the characters and then at others I found myself feeling sorry for them (not Zach – I never liked or felt any compassion for him at any point during the story). There’s Em who has basically proved herself to be the worst type of friend but who does eventually see the error of her ways and does try to redeem herself. Chase – sometimes I was appalled at his duplicitous behaviour – he was ashamed of his mother and felt degraded by his living conditions. I can understand him having aspirations but I never felt that he had any family love at all. That being said I was literally cringing over his eventual downfall and to be honest I think price he finally paid just seemed harsh – I just couldn’t help feeling sorry for him.
What I particularly liked about this book was the writing. Such a lovely writing style that flowed so well. It really is difficult to believe that this is a debut novel when the story telling is this good. On top of this we have a really dramatic ending and there are some genuinely creepy, hair standing up on the back of your neck moments. I also liked the Fury’s they’re sort of deliciously bad.
In terms of criticisms – I think that one area that people will struggle with when reading this book is their dislike of the characters – it is difficult to like them because of their own mean spirited behaviour. That being said, personally I think that’s the point. You’re not supposed to like them otherwise it would be difficult to accept their eventual come-uppance. But, it is a struggle sometimes to read a book where you’re just naffed off with the characters or staggered by their naivety or downright stupidity. Also, it’s difficult to accept the level of retribution that is eventually dished out and you can’t help wondering if the Fury’s couldn’t find a better focus for their attention rather than boyfriend stealers!
Criticisisms aside though I really enjoyed this. I was gripped with all the build up and it put me in mind of a sort of mild horror where you’re watching what’s happening between your fingers, you’re thinking ‘no don’t do that’ but you know it’s inevitable. So, thinking more than you should about your best friend’s boyfriend or acting mean or cruel and making somebody’s life miserable – well, maybe you should think twice about your actions – you have been warned! Apparently what goes around comes around.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Fury and I will look forward to No.2 with eager anticipation!
Fury
A Long Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan
28 August 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: A Long Long Sleep, Anna Sheehan
Just finished reading A Long Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan. This is a difficult book to review and categorise, at the start I struggled with it a little. Difficult to explain why but it felt a little flat and I couldn’t work up any kind of emotion for Rose who seemed a bit dull and unfathomable but there is a reason for this which does become evident as the story unfolds.
Rose is found in a basement in a stasis tube where she has slept for the last 62 years. When she is awoken her world has completely changed, everyone she knows is dead, her body is suffering badly from the last 62 years of a chemically induced sleep, her muscles are wasted and she suffers from deep fatigue and on top of all that she is the long lost heir to a billion pound empire. As you can imagine she doesn’t inspire a lot of love with the top notch corporates who now fear her interference in their business and neither is she popular at school where her language, abilities and education are drastically lacking. On top of all of that she seems to have some sort of deadly assassin intent on finding and terminating her. For what reason we don’t know.
At first I just found Rose really lacking – probably for the wrong reasons though. She has major self esteem problems and is constantly putting herself down. She’s lost everyone she knew and yet I didn’t really feel the impact of that on her and in fact she fairly quickly develops a schoolgirl crush on Bren (in spite of her loving memories of a boyfriend from the past). I suppose I also wanted her to stand up for herself a bit more and have a bit more of a presence but having read on and found out more about her life her character becomes suddently clear.
The story itself revolves around only a few characters and I liked that aspect and felt they were all quite well written. My favourite character was Otto. Otto was one of Unicorp’s genetic experiments using alien DNA. He’s just really likable and his own experiences give him an empathy with Rose which eventually leads to friendship. (I couldn’t help thinking of the dark haired, blue skinned Avatar whenever I was reading about Otto – minus the tail of course!)
I don’t want to go further into detail because it will give too much away. I will say that I absolutely detested Rose’s parents! OMG!! That’s all I’m going to say about that and if you read the book you’ll know why. There are a number of ‘what??’ moments as the story reaches it’s dramatic ending and I didn’t actually second guess any of them.
So, despite a shaky start I really came round to this story. I will say that if you’re a dedicated sci-fi fan this probably won’t be what you’re expecting. Apart from a few new gadgets. a person with a different skin colour, stass tubes and hover cars there isn’t much sci fi going on. Also, this is very loosley based on Sleeping Beauty so again, don’t be too expectant about a fairy tale retelling.
In terms of criticisms – I found the ‘teenage speak’ a little bit annoying. It just seemed very random and I felt it stopped the flow of the dialogue having these odd words thrown into the middle of sentences.
Apart from that I enjoyed this story and think it is an excellent debut. It became more than I was expecting and was also quite heartwrenching. I don’t know if a sequel is intended – I think it could easily be a stand alone but there is also scope for more.
Rating B
A Long Long Sleep
Witch Light by Susan Fletcher
25 August 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Susan Fletcher, Witch Light
Just finished reading Witch Light. Witch Light is the story of Corrag who has been named ‘witch’ and condemned to die by fire. As she spends her last few days in prison she agrees to tell her story to a visitor who is particularly interested in events that took place at Glencoe. I must say that at the start of the book I thought I wasn’t going to enjoy this read but after the first few chapters I was totally taken with Corrag – in fact I was bewitched (sorry couldn’t help it!).
To begin with I found the narrative voice a bit jumpy and almost repetitive but after a very short time the style became captivating and all the little pieces of information started to form into the bigger picture. The story is told mainly through Corrag but also with letters sent to Mr Leslie’s wife and these alternative writing styles help to break the novel up a little and also help to demonstrate the differences in beliefs between the two people. At the start Corrag’s visitor abhors her and can barely look upon her but over the course of the days spent listening to her story he gradually begins to see the lonely and persecuted life she has led. Frankly, it’s a surprise that Corrag had not become bitter given the life she suffered but she manages to retain such innocence and delight and still to believe that people are good. Eventually you can see the change in tide in the letters to Mr L’s wife, he is fascinated by Corrag, at first he thinks that she has cast a spell on him but soon enough he himself can’t wait to hear her story.
Corrag came from a line of persecuted women and was doomed from the outset really. She runs away and after suffering great hardship comes to the Highlands (‘ride North and West’ her mother Cora told her) a place where she finally thinks she may live in peace. I can’t really pin down why I liked this book so much, it’s just little bits of everything. I loved the simple pleasures that Corrag enjoyed and also her little pieces of wisdom. The descriptions of the highlands and the wildlife was amazing, the writing almost poetic and the people that she finally befriends just so well written and frankly easy to like. They had hard lives but they had big hearts and strong loyalties. There is also a tale of love and then one of horror as the events at Glencoe come to pass.
Obviously Susan Fletcher has researched her subject well. Her attention to detail is amazing – however, I will say this is more a story of Corrag and how she manages to change one person’s perception of her rather than a detailed historical novel. So, if you’re looking for the tale of Glencoe this might not be the book for you. The massacre that took place is certainly a part of Corrag’s story just not the main focus. I think this is more a focus on a time when people’s insecurities, petty jealousies and fear caused them to act in such a terrible way and commit crimes against, in this case, women who were simply different (and probably ahead of their time), so that having an opinion, being outspoken or simply having the curiosity to discover the whys or wherefores of a thing was enough to get you a ducking or death by fire. And yet, here we have a woman, persecuted and hated who will still put her trust in people and help those who need it most.
Also, if you read this, you might want to have a tissue handy – especially about half way through – very touching (but I won’t elaborate).
Anyway, I certainly enjoyed this, a lot more than I actually expected after the first few pages and now I’ve finished reading it I actually miss it and find myself wanting to reread some of the chapters again.
Rating: -A
Witch Light
Graveminder by Melissa Marr
21 August 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Graveminder, Melissa Marr
Just finished reading Melissa Marr’s Graveminder which brings to us the quiet little town of Claysville – where everything is not quite what it at first appears.
I loved Melissa Marr’s Wicked Lovely series and so was really keen to read this story which is her first foray into adult fiction. I think she manages to write a unique, gothic and compelling story based around an unusual town which is bound by strange rules.
I don’t want to say too much about the plot as this would give away much of that which is best revealed during the reading. I personally didn’t know too much about the story and had avoided reviews for that purpose so I won’t spoil it with this review.
To quote the description in Amazon:
When Rebekkah returns to her small-town home for her beloved Grandmother’s funeral, little does she suspect that she is about to inherit a darkly dangerous family duty on behalf of Claysville’s most demanding residents – the dead.
Everyone in Claysville knows that the Barrows are no ordinary family, but no one can really explain why. When respected matriarch Maylene Barrow dies suddenly her granddaughter Rebekkah returns to the small town she grew up in, where she must face the demons of her past – the suicide of her half-sister Ella, the person she was closest to in the world, and the subsequent break-up of her parents’ marriage. And she also re-encounters Byron, Ella’s old boyfriend, someone to whom she has always felt a deep and mysterious connection.
But the demons of the past are nothing compared with what the future has in store for Rebekkah. Her grandmother has left her an inheritance both wonderful and terrible. An onerous responsibility now rests on her shoulders – one for which she is ill-prepared to say the least.
For behind Claysville’s community-spirited, small-town facade lies a dark secret. One that ties Rebekkah and Byron together in an inextricable bond, and that will require them both to sacrifice everything to keep their friends and neighbours from harm.
So, hopefully that will have wetted your apetite.
MM as got such a wonderful imagination. This was a really good idea. The writing flowed and the world building was easy.
I loved the ‘other’ world that MM has created and the tunnel that has to be traversed to find it. I thought Mr D and Amily made for really good reading and could probably carry a whole other adventure of their very own. It’s bizarre to say so but I could definitely spend some more time in their world. I also thought Maylene was interesting and it was a shame we didn’t get to spend too much time with her – although you never know with this new fantasy world – it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that she might appear again! And my other favourite character was Amity.
The main problem that I had with this book was, to a large extent, with Rebekkah who to be frank I couldn’t cotton on to and to a lesser extent Byron, who I just wanted to develop a bit more backbone. I couldn’t understand him being so accepting of everything Rebekkah dished out and I wanted him to just stand up to her. The whole relationship between the two fell a little bit flat for me which was a shame and the conversations became a bit repetitive. Also, and I can’t really explain why but I found that after a really strong start there was something a bit lacking about half way through – but, that being said, the action and drama picks up at the end.
I’m not sure if there are any more novels intended, this novel could certainly be read as a stand alone but there is also a lot of scope for other stories.
Overall I thought this was very entertaining – I loved the world created (strangely reminiscent of the Morganville Town?) but don’t read too much into that specific reference! It also has a lot of chills and dark creepiness.
Rating B+
Graveminder
Books and travelling with Lynn 