Ape House by Sara Gruen
11 October 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Ape House, Sara Gruen
Just finished reading Ape House by Sara Gruen. This is a story about Bonobo apes but also it’s a story of how these apes affect the lives of a number of people around them.
In the most part the story is about John and Isabel (although they aren’t a couple). John is a journalist who frankly is not having an easy time with his work or relationship and Isabel is a scientist at the ape language lab who has very little people skills but relates in a brilliant way to the animals. John and Isabel meet when John comes to check out the work of the lab and take a closer look at the bonobo apes. Unfortunately, shortly afterwards an explosion at the lab changes all their lives in ways they couldn’t have envisioned. Although I did enjoy reading this book it didn’t have the same affect as Water for Elephants.
In this story we examine the issues of animal rights, although I’m not totally sure that the idea of reality tv is totally believable. Despite that I thought it was a very readable story although it did lull in parts but, that being said, I didn’t second guess all the outcomes and it became quite convoluted towards the end which gave it a bit of a tense finale. Plus, I think it manages to give a quite poignant message about the way in which animals are used that sticks in the mind.
On top of this we have a number of relationship issues and work politics, but the most engaging part of this story was the bonobos. I loved reading about them and wished that we could have had more although I see that it was probably impracticable in terms of moving the story on. Again, though, they did play a part towards the end but I won’t elaborate further.
Overall I did enjoy this read. It was interesting and even though I struggled at first to see how we would be engaged it moved on quite quickly. But, I did find it dragged a little in the middle and I thought to an extent it was a bit twee.
So, for me, not a bad read, and I would recommend. But, not one that I love.
Rating -B
Ape House
Vanish by Sophie Jordan
6 October 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Draki, Sophie Jordan, Vanish
Just finished reading Vanish by Sophie Jordan which takes up right where Firelight left off. I enjoyed Firelight, I thought the Drakis were really good to read about but, surprisingly (because 2nd novels sometimes suffer) I thought this book was better. There was plenty of action and it kicks in virtually immediately with a tense scene that ends with a revelation (in more ways than one as this revelation actually clears up the book cover as well – one of those ‘ah, I see’ moments). (And that’s just the first few pages).
This review may contain spoilers for Firelight so don’t read it – unless of course you want to read spoilers!
In Vanish Jacinda, Tamra and her mother return to their pride and village with Cassian. Jacinda’s return of course is surrounded by deep distrust and her fellow villagers treat her with either cool indifference or downright dislike. She is very unhappy, not only has she left Will behind, but returning to her home – which is something she wanted so very much at the beginning of the first book – no longer brings the comfort she once felt. She has lost her status in the pride, her best friend isn’t speaking to her and also she has gained a creepy stalker in Cassian’s cousin Corbin. I did feel sorry for her to an extent and sometimes wanted her to speak up for herself a bit more and defend her actions.
By a strange twist Will manages to find Jacinda’s village – which is a potentially very dangerous moment for them both and Jacinda manages to engineer a chance to talk with him alone – and this is really the start of her problems – but I’m not going to elaborate too much on the rest of the plot. Basically as the story unfolds – another draki is captured by the hunters (Will’s relations) – to be honest this isn’t totally Jacinda’s fault but she does feel guilty. After this the plot twists and turns a bit before finally setting the scene for No.3 – this is going to feel like a long wait!
Now, I did really like this book but that doesn’t mean I was always happy. Jacinda got on my last nerve at times – in the first book I read a number of reviews from people who thought she was selfish but I never really saw her as such, but, in this book, frankly, yes, she comes across as selfish, very selfish in fact sometimes, self-centred, indecisive and on the odd occasion annoyingly dense! The thing is, after all that, I don’t dislike her and I do understand that she’s a teenager and has the whole ‘angst’ thing going on – not to mention an outdated, chauvinistic and dictating pack to deal with – but sometimes I thought she could have displayed a bit more sensitivity!
Then we have the Will/Cassian thing going on – I’m not really a big fan of love triangles and in this case it’s made even worse by the fact that not only do Will and Cassian both want Jacinda but her sister Tamra has got a big time ‘thing’ for Cassian. Oh, the trauma of it all. I had mixed feelings, I never really felt the whole ‘Will’ thing (but I realise I’m in a minority there!) , I mean I like him, but I think I could take it or leave it, plus, I thought Cassian came across a lot better in this book. But at the end of the day I think there is no choice and the decision is already made. At least I think it’s obvious!!
What I really liked about this book is the way it makes you think about different things – like Jacinda wants to be liked for herself and not her star draki qualities – so even though this is a book based on myths the messages are relevant, after all, everybody wants to be liked for themselves – if you’re famous you don’t want somebody to ‘want’ you because you’re famous, or ditto rich people, etc, etc. And Jacinda is never sure with her pack if they just like her because she is so unique.
Also, I liked the whole pack dynamic and village and the way that this was explored a lot more in this book. It reminds me of a tiny little village trapped in time, hidden away from the world and oblivious to modern life (a Brigadoon if you will). And, it’s a bit sad reading about it all, because the pack is getting smaller and is in danger of becoming extinct – a bit like a remote village where all the younger people move away. But, the thing is the elders are so very old fashioned and harsh – they definitely need to chill out a bit if they don’t want to push all their younger people away!
And, I liked the writing style which flows really well, lovely descriptions and so thought provoking with the ability to play with your emotions.
On the whole a very enjoyable read and I would have no hesitation in recommending – in fact if you love Firelight you simply have to read it!
Rating A
Vanish
Ashes by Ilsa J Bick
Just finished reading Ashes by Ilsa J Bick and must say this was a totally gripping, fast paced, edge of the seat type of story. I loved it and couldn’t put it down.
This is a post apocalyptic style of book with a bit of flesh eating canibalism thrown in. The world is devastated by a series of events that change the nature of everything we know, killing most people – and leaving only the young or old alive. There are a few other survivors who, for differing reasons don’t die and become known as the ‘spared’. The young people become known as the ‘changed’. They’ve turned into flesh hunting creatures – I don’t know whether you would call them zombies or not but they are like wild animals, craving human flesh but they are not without intelligence and the ability to adapt and that together with their savagery and speed makes them absolutely terrifying.
At the start of the story, and pre the events that change the world, Alex is on a lone hiking expedition, she is carrying her parents ashes and is looking for closure and answers. Alex has an inoperable brain tumor and has reached the decision to stop with her medication. She doesn’t expect to come back from her trip into the wild but things are set to change dramatically. Whilst in the forest Alex meets an old man and his grand daughter, Ellie, but before they’ve even had a chance to get through their introductions chaos descends. A massive EMP sweeps over the country killing the old man and leaving Alex and Ellie alone.
The pace of the book is brilliant. The story races along and we watch Alex and Ellie stumbling through the forest and quickly coming to the realisation that things have gone drastically wrong. There is so much tension in this first part of the book (don’t know how many times I was reading with my mouth shaped in a perfect ‘O’). The two girls seem to stumble from one horrifying situation to the next until Tom enters the scene at a very opportune moment. Tom was camping with friends when disaster struck and is now the only survivor of that little party. The three then continue through the forest until they come across an abandoned ranger station (I so wanted them to stay there – head in the sand style – although I don’t suppose the book would have been very interesting if they had).
I don’t really want to say too much more about the story because it will spoil the suspense.
This is a dark and gritty tale, quite harrowing in parts and certainly not one for the squeamish. Ilsa Bick is not afraid to call a spade a spade and she doesn’t flinch from telling the gory scenes as they are. We go from one nerve racking event to the next as the three try to survive and come up with a plan.
I really liked the characters. I thought Alex had a great voice, she’s mature for her age but that’s to be expected with the events of her young life. Ellie is quite possibly the most annoying character in the world – but then she’s only eight and you have to cut her some slack as she has just witnessed the death of her only family member. She is totally grating and goes bumbling into things, flouncing through the forest making enough noise to awaken hibernating bears (the least of their worries) and telling everyone she hates them. But in spite of that I couldn’t help but become attached to her and want to look after her. Even after everything she has suffered she still manages to retain some childlike qualities and simple pleasures. Tom is a very likable bloke, firstly he saves their lives, he is mysterious and has his own problems but he is dependable and he knows how to survive. He just feels safe and strong.
Of course there are more twists and turns and a bit of heart wrenching which all ends in suspense but I won’t elaborate further.
The last third of the book has a decidedly different feel and introduces a new bunch of characters – this part doesn’t feel as ‘on the edge of the seat’ as the first two thirds but it’s nonetheless intriguing and, yet again, jaw dropping as the creepy and sinister happenings in the town of Rule start to become clear.
This book just reminds me of so many things and yet it also manages to be original and exciting.
In terms of criticisms the only thing I can really say is that this does end on a cliffhanger – a BIG cliffhanger – and let’s face it there is now a year’s wait before we get book No.2! If you really don’t have the patience you were born with then maybe you should wait a few months before reading and then that way the wait won’t be quite as devastating!
I would definitely recommend this book and can’t wait for the next installment.
Rating A+
Ashes
Bite Club by Rachel Caine (No.10 Morganville Vampires)
2 October 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Bite Club, Morganville Vampires, Rachel Caine
Just finished reading Bite Club, the 10th book in the Morganville Vampire Series. This review may contain spoilers.
Bite Club is quite a dark addition to the series and also gives a few hints that maybe the series is going to come to an end (not sure if it’s true but I understand No.12 will be the final story?) and I am absolutely fascinated as to how RC will manage to end it all! The thing is I’ve become attached to these characters (some more than others) and I can’t see a way out where everybody is spared, at the end of the day the human and vampires in Amelie’s little experiment are not learning to get along as she wished and she is becoming weary with it.
At the start of the story one of Claire’s classmates gets into the worst kind of trouble and in a seemingly unrelated incident Shane joins a new martial arts club – being run by a vampire – where something more sinsiter lurks in the shadows. On top of that we have Glorianna sashaying around and glamming people and vampires and Amelie and Myrnin quite literally at each other’s throats over a difference in opinion over something very sinister.
I don’t really want to give too much away although as it says on the jacket ‘there’s a new extreme sport being broadcast over the Internet, bare-knuckle fights pitting captured vampires against one another – or, worse, against humans’. This is a little similar to one of the previous stories where one of Eve’s friends went around town placing cameras everywhere and making secret films of all the vampire activity to broadcast outside of Morganville. Bite/Fight Club is a similar idea with people paying to log into the broadcast and then paying to bet on the winner/loser. Very lucrative and of course nobody watching really believes the vampires exist! Or do they.
As we know from previous novels Amelie will go to any length to protect the secrecy of Morganville and so with Oliver at her side she is determined to stamp this out and she doesn’t intend to take prisoners.
I enjoyed this installment and am totally amazed at how RC keeps coming up with more stories for the town. In this story we are given short excerpts from Shane’s point of view and I found this really refreshing – also, I think without this it would be very easy to dislike Shane after some of his actions – at least this way we are given a bit of an explanation about what is happening. And we had plenty of Myrnin in this book which will never fail to please! He is undoubtedly my favourite character, sarcastic, eccentric, scary, brilliant, mad, zany – what is not to like – okay he occasionally bites!
I really enjoy reading the exploits of our little four and I shouldn’t have long to wait for the next addition which I think is due out in November – will there really only be another one after that. Slighly difficult to believe and I have mixed feelings – in one respect I could just carry on reading these stories – they’re light, fun, always have a new plot and are quite original and yet I’m now also really intrigued to see how things will conclude.
Rating -A
Bite Club
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
30 September 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Andrea Cremer, Guardians and Keepers, Nightshade, Werewolves
Just finished reading Nightshade by Andrea Cremer. I have mixed feelings over this book, primarily because I have some areas that are still a mystery some that felt a little too familiar and some a bit unbelievable.
The story revolves around Calla. Calla is the alpha wolf to the Nightshade pack. She is about to come of age and be mated to the alpha wolf of the Bane pack, thereby merging both packs into a new and stronger group. An arrangement that has been in place since the two were born. However, things start to go wrong when Calla rescues a stranger from a bear attack, in doing so she reveals her supernatural self – something which is forbidden and carries a harsh penalty. Of course the situation intensifies when this new stranger becomes the latest new student to join Calla’s highschool and thereby causing anxiety for Calla – and anxiety for her intended wolf, Ren because the new stranger Shay, quite obviously has an obsession with his ‘rescuer’.
Okay, what I really liked first. I thought the story was really original. I liked the idea of Guardians, Keepers, Searchers and the whole twisted history that unfolds through the story. I like the take of the wolves being guardians with a purpose and a rich background.
I liked the characters in the pack and thought the dialogue was entertaining, especially when the two packs melded and there was a level of snarkyness and banter going on. I particularly liked Ansel and Bryne and the way that their story developed and highlighted the outdated restrictions placed upon the pack.
I liked the themes explored for example the status of the different people in the school system so the Keepers are top of the monkey tree, they’re not particularly ‘nice’ people and certainly aren’t above abusing their own power. The Guardians are like the ‘popular’ kids I suppose, the ones who everybody stays away from because they will be rebuked – however, this is a new take, the ‘regular’ humans stay away because they can sense the danger. We also take a look at how people in power manipulate people sometimes to serve them, we look at the theme of subjugation and also explore inequalities.
On a superficial note I like the cover, the font, the fact that the chapters are only short and the way the book is split by pages showing the waxing and waning of the moon.
And, as a debut novel this book really is quite an achievement.
What I found a little unbelievable: I found it hard to believe that this secret world just is out there and nobody has become aware of it. It’s not like the teenage Guardians are great at keeping secrets after all! I found the whole explanation of how the guardians change from human to wolf, fully clothed, was a bit strange and I frankly just couldn’t get my head around it. But the biggest problem I had was believing that the Guardians remained loyal and serving to the Keepers, particuarly, given the abuse that takes place in the book. Also, if the keepers are so powerful and all knowing and can summon up such terrifying wraiths to keep the wolves in check – then why do they even need the Guardians in the first place? The whole Guardians serving the Keepers just seemed as though it would have been more suited in a novel set in an earlier era because it didn’t to an extent fit in the modern age.
What I found a little too familiar: the story has very close parallels to Twilight. I’m not talking about the school setting or the constant canteen setting – I’m thinking more in terms of – we have a supernatural creature who saves a human – risking the exposure of all her kind (Edward rescues Bella from a potentially fatal accident thereby threatening to expose his whole family), we then have the human attending the same school. I can think of another parallel but it would be a BIG spoiler.
What I found a mystery: I wanted to know more – like is this the only situation in the world where these people exist are or there more. Why were Calla and Ren alphas. There didn’t seem to be any apparent reason – other than it being convenient for the plot because there is a girl and a boy and they’re going to be mated. Also, it was a mystery why Calla, who is an alpha was so subservient and undecided all the time. She started off more spirited but then seemed to quickly fade to a shadow of her former self. I understand that she was starting to have doubts but she just didn’t seem to have much of a backbone and was completely ruled by lust. (Probably understandable since she had spent her entire life as a ‘boy free zone’ so that she could be pure for her philandering and ‘wild oats sowing, if it’s got a pulse I’m going after it’ mate!) So sexist it just made me want to throw the book down!
The other thing that puts the book down for me a little is I wasn’t particularly bothered by either Ren, Calla or Shay. I thought the whole relationship between Calla and Shay was rushed and to be honest I preferred Ren to Shay (even in spite of the above)! And it’s yet another triangle! with a cliff hanger ending!!
All that being said, I did think it was a good idea, well written and even though I didn’t particularly like the main protagonists I did like the other characters. I will also say that I will certainly read the next book because I’m intrigued as to how it will all end.
Rating C+
Nightshade
