Fear Street Relaunch #2 Don't Stay Up Late

Presenting Fear Street Relaunch #2 Don't Stay Up Late by R.L. Stine.

Here is the summary of the book:

The second new book in the re-launch of R.L. Stine's Fear Street series, which sold 80 million copies around the world, making it one of the bestselling young adult series of all time.

R.L. Stine's hugely successful young adult horror series Fear Street is back after almost 2 decades. Fear Street is a worldwide phenomenon and helped to kick off the young adult craze which is still going strong today. In the second new book in this series, Don't Stay Up Late, Stine explores the unbridled terror of a damaged young lady sent on a doomed babysitting job.

Ever since a car accident killed her father and put Lisa and her mother into the hospital, Lisa can't think straight. She's plagued by nightmares and hallucinations that force her to relive the accident over and over again in vivid detail. When Lisa finds out that a neighbor is looking for a babysitter for her young son, she takes the job immediately, eager to keep busy and shake these disturbing images from her head.
But what promised to be an easy gig turns terrifying when Lisa begins to question exactly who — or what — she is babysitting.

R.L. Stine makes his triumphant return to Shadyside in the new Fear Street book Don't Stay Up Late. 

Like many of you all R. L. Stine's books formed a major part of my school years. Those were the years before I became the literature junkie today and they made for great spooky read too. I never preferred the horror paraphernalia much so Stine's brand of the scary appealed to me very much. Keeping that in mind and anticipating the same I sat down to read 'Don't Stay Up Late'.

Finishing it, I will only say .... I may have outgrown Goosebumps and Fear Street. I would have liked it more were I much more younger than today. The same clucky writing, and the - I asked, I said, I went , of years past proved that I am not the right demographic for his books anymore. As an adult coming across newer and newer paranormal genre stories my preferences have changed, particularly the horror sub-genre has seen many new writers coming-up with more and more ways of giving their readers nightmares.

Not trying to be rude really, I love R.L. Stine and his books very much but I just ..... this book disappointed me. Don't Stay Up Late has got a great setting, and great ingredients to bring in the scare factor but it fails on a lot of front for me and I was disheartened.

But really i'll say it again if you are a fan then you should check it out and form your opinions from there.

"If you are a fan of those cheesy horror movies then give it a try"

Genre :     Children's Fiction, Horror, Paranormal

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: 7th April, 2015

My Copy: publisher & netgalley

Rate:             2/5 (It was Ok)

Buy:         Amazon | Book Depository 

The Walls Around Us

Presenting The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma.

Here is the summary of the book:

“Ori’s dead because of what happened out behind the theater, in the tunnel made out of trees. She’s dead because she got sent to that place upstate, locked up with those monsters. And she got sent there because of me.”

The Walls Around Us is a ghostly story of suspense told in two voices—one still living and one long dead. On the outside, there’s Violet, an eighteen-year-old dancer days away from the life of her dreams when something threatens to expose the shocking truth of her achievement. On the inside, within the walls of a girls’ juvenile detention center, there’s Amber, locked up for so long she can’t imagine freedom. Tying these two worlds together is Orianna, who holds the key to unlocking all the girls’ darkest mysteries.

We hear Amber’s story and Violet’s, and through them Orianna’s, first from one angle, then from another, until gradually we begin to get the whole picture—which is not necessarily the one that either Amber or Violet wants us to see.

Nova Ren Suma tells a supernatural tale of guilt and innocence, and what happens when one is mistaken for the other.

"Your focus determines your reality" ...... sorry couldn't resist quoting Star Wars here but seriously readers this book requires your focus because if you loose that then you will never be able to make a head or tail of this complex-ly marvelous convoluted piece of part psychological thriller, part magical realism extravaganza. Its a bit long, rather depressing, and somewhat confusing, messes with the head and you just can't help not ask - "What the hell is going on here?"

This is my first time with Nova Ren Suma and I exactly did just that. Don't take me otherwise, I liked it actually ..... very much. My point is, the plot is a rather mysterious complicated fuzzy mess, so you really need the concentration to understand what is going on or you will just keep re-reading stuff. The Walls Around Us tells its story through two girls, Amber & Violet. One convicted of killing her stepfather, the other an aspiring Ballerina with too much ambition for her own good ..... and through their voices we come to know the person of interest Orianna, known to all as the 'Bloody Ballerina'.

In a way this is the most depressing book I ever read, so while I recommend small doses, I found the approach of full steam ahead much better. Tauntingly mysterious, with its fair share of murder, corpses, guilt, derision, juve, acute mental disorders and plain erratic story tellers (Amber & Violet). this turns out to be a bumpy ride ..... Who is lying? Who is real? Does it all really happen or is it all a product of their minds.

The story is of course difficult to follow. But that is where the fun lies. Little by little as the layers peel off you start to appreciate the genius of the author because we jump timelines between the the girls which would not be clear if you don't focus. Really the book is one big puzzle and Nova Ren Suma, the master manipulator pulling the strings pulls us readers into her dark and eerie tale kicking & screaming and little willing ..... because at the end of it what really is in our heads is that - 'I am not putting it down until I find out the ending'.

It takes time to deduce the ending but really, it is a challenging piece, atmospheric, provocative, quite disturbing and immensely satisfying. I have come to associate the eerie and dark where Ballet is considered with the psychological thriller genre .... just look at the movie 'Black Swan'. Anyways you have made a new fan in me Nova Ren Suma.

"A mysteriously provocative and eerily tragic number with a ghostly touch"

Genre :     Young Adult, Paranormal, Magical Realism, Psychological Thriller

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers

Release Date: 24th March, 2015

My Copy: publisher & netgalley

Rate:             4/5 (Really Liked It)

Buy:         Amazon | Book Depository 

Crewel World #2 Altered

Presenting Crewel World #2 Altered by Gennifer Albin.

Here is the summary of the book:

Life. Possibility. Choice.
All taken from Adelice by the Guild—until she took them back.

But amid the splendid ruins of Earth, Adelice discovers how dangerous freedom can be. Hunted by soulless Remnants sent by Cormac Patton and the Guild, Adelice finds a world that’s far from deserted. Although allies are easy to find on Earth, knowing who to trust isn’t. Because everyone has secrets, especially those Adelice loves most. Secrets they would kill to protect. Secrets that will redefine each of them. Torn between two brothers and two worlds, Adelice must choose what to fight for.

In this thrilling sequel to Crewel, Adelice is about to learn how tangled up her past and future really are. Her parents ran to protect her, but nothing can save her from her destiny, and once she uncovers the truth, it will change everything.

Crewel presented the magic. Altered presented the science behind the magic. Sequel to the brilliantly written 'Crewel', 'Altered' serves as the perfect addition to the Crewel World series. Crewel showed us Arras. Altered shows the post-apocalyptic Earth, left barren and desolate by Arras' leeching. And it was a long time coming. Taking off where Crewel left off, continuing Adelice, Jost and Eric's journey on Earth.

By all extents and purposes, Earth in a gray area. Run by a man with his own agenda. Earth is a world limping on the slow way to recovery. Arras may represent a formal setting, with all things proper, Earth on the other hand represents the ruins and the civilization on its last legs in this futuristic society. Sunrruners (harvest & collect sunlight), Remanants (soulless zombies) and the introduction of new characters gives this sequel much to tell about. This by no means is a bridge story guys, standing on its own two feet more like.

And if you think Crewel packed some mean punch then think again because whatever you thought would not be possible, comes to pass in Altered. With the introduction of new characters like Dante, Jax, Falcon, Kincaid and the man behind Kairos himself, things begin to spiral out and Adelice has no idea what to do with the situation. The romance on the other other hand goes full blown triangle. And in between Adelice with the help from Dante tries to get a handle on her ability in uncharted space, Earth's raw weave.

Of course, what is going to happen in 'Unraveled' is still up in the air (for me) but I will say this, Gennifer Albin you rock.'Crewel' introduces us to a fantastic futuristic society where almost anything can be achieved, where the art of weaving means something much more real and much more dangerous. Then 'Altered' followed. A sensational follow up with higher stakes and much more ground to cover. I am uncertain who to support - Jost or Eric, brothers with a past (much partial to Jost) ...... but hopefully the last book will clear that up and make for fitting finale to this most singular and breathtaking piece of literature.

"An enticingly sensational and an unforgettable sequel"

Genre :      Young Adult, Sci-fi, Dystopia, Post-Apocalyptic, Romance

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Release Date: 29th October, 2013

My Copy: bought (ebook)

Rate:              4/5 (Really Liked It)

Other Books in the series (review links):
                #1 Crewel

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

Wells and Wong #2 Arsenic for Tea

Presenting Wells and Wong #2 Arsenic for Tea by Robin Stevens.

Here is the summary of the book:

Schoolgirl detectives Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are at Daisy's home, Fallingford, for the holidays. Daisy's glamorous mother is throwing a tea party for Daisy's birthday, and the whole family is invited, from eccentric Aunt Saskia to dashing Uncle Felix. But it soon becomes clear that this party isn't really about Daisy at all. Naturally, Daisy is furious.

Then one of their party falls seriously, mysteriously ill—and everything points to poison.

With wild storms preventing anyone from leaving, or the police from arriving, Fallingford suddenly feels like a very dangerous place to be. Not a single person present is what they seem—and everyone has a secret or two. And when someone very close to Daisy looks suspicious, the Detective Society must do everything they can to reveal the truth... no matter the consequences.

Our joyous pair of school girl detectives Daisy Wells & Hazel Wong are back for another spiffing case. Its the holidays and they (Daisy & Hazel) are at Fallingford, Daisy's home for her birthday. Invited are family, friends and few extras for a birthday tea. And one of the lot doesn't see the light of the next day/ With storm raging and floods setting in, home suddenly feels much more dangerous.

No matter the consequences or the suspects involved, Wells & Wong must find out the killer before something bad happens. Robin Stevens really did wonders to these two girl. Just like 'Murder Most Unladylike', the Detective Society has taken to detecting again because the adults are keeping big secrets and the suspect likely points to someone close.

Of course Hazel's running commentary is welcomed again and appreciated as she compares the quirks of her own home to those of Fallingford and high strung Daisy who must battle her own fears to do what is right. Despite the stark differences in their appearances or country, these two best friends make a stellar pair. The brash English Rose (Daisy) and the voice of reason (Hazel). A tighter mystery than before, the detective society must sniff out who ruined the tea party and save the day again.

"A new and equally knotty case close to home for our audaciously bold school girl detectives Well & Wong"

Genre :      Children's, Adventure, Suspense, Mystery, Historical

Publisher: Corgi Childrens

Release Date: 29th January, 2015

My Copy: publisher and netgalley

Rate:              4/5 (Really Liked It)

Other Books in the series (review links):
                #1 Murder Most Unladylike 

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

Cormoran Strike #2 The Silkworm

Presenting Cormoran Strike #2 The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling).

Here is the summary of the book:

When novelist Owen Quine goes missing, his wife calls in private detective Cormoran Strike. At first, she just thinks he has gone off by himself for a few days - as he has done before - and she wants Strike to find him and bring him home.

But as Strike investigates, it becomes clear that there is more to Quine's disappearance than his wife realises. The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows. If the novel were published it would ruin lives - so there are a lot of people who might want to silence him.

And when Quine is found brutally murdered in bizarre circumstances, it becomes a race against time to understand the motivation of a ruthless killer, a killer unlike any he has encountered before . . .

A compulsively readable crime novel with twists at every turn,The Silkworm is the second in the highly acclaimed series featuring Cormoran Strike and his determined young assistant Robin Ellacott.

A missing husband. A dubiously libellous book. Its less than famous author and his less than fortcoming literary circle. Solving the Lula Landry case, afforded Cormoran Strike much success and a pool of rich clients vying for his services to tail their lovers/better halves. When chance comes in the name of Leonara Quine, looking for assitance in the return of a wayward husband, what appears a simple case turns out to be much more intrinsic and of mysterious proportions.

Cormoran Strike and sidekick Robin Ellacott are back eight months after the Landry case, neck deep yet again in a new case that may have been a spur of the moment decision but turns out to be even more nerve wreaking than what they have dealt with before. 'The Cuckoo Calling' set the corner stones and 'The Silkworm' ploughs on ahead. What started as a missing person case turns into the most curiouser of a murder, with a Hannibal-esque (bizarre) murder of the author and a calculating ruthless murderer on the loose.

Rowling is a master. Really to envision an idea and to put it into such perfectly suited words. A compact and complex plot with its many layers. This particular case sets the perfect tone for the suspense and thrill. Everything is there, well ordered and well paced...... Just as unputdownable and attention grabbing as the first book was...... The Silkworm raises the bar considerably higher and I am more than excited to see what new, mysterious case comes knocking on Cormoran Strike's door.

"Mysterious, suspicious and maddeningly terrific"

Genre :      Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Publisher: Sphere

Release Date: 19th June, 2014

My Copy: bought (paperback)

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Other Books from the Author:
                Cormoran Strike #1
                The Casual Vacancy
               Harry Potter (i read the series before 
                   I began blogging, so I never put up 
                     a review for them)
    
Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository

Wells and Wong #1 Murder Most Unladylike

Presenting Wells and Wong #1 Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens.

Here is the summary of the book:

Deepdean School for Girls, 1934. When Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong set up their very own deadly secret detective agency, they struggle to find any truly exciting mysteries to investigate. (Unless you count the case of Lavinia's missing tie. Which they don't, really.)

But then Hazel discovers the Science Mistress, Miss Bell, lying dead in the Gym. She thinks it must all have been a terrible accident - but when she and Daisy return five minutes later, the body has disappeared. Now the girls know a murder must have taken place . . . and there's more than one person at Deepdean with a motive.

Now Hazel and Daisy not only have a murder to solve: they have to prove a murder happened in the first place. Determined to get to the bottom of the crime before the killer strikes again (and before the police can get there first, naturally), Hazel and Daisy must hunt for evidence, spy on their suspects and use all the cunning, scheming and intuition they can muster. But will they succeed? And can their friendship stand the test?

Its charming. Its fun. Its refreshingly young. Its Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson in a rather younger female version. Set in a 1930s boarding school for girls, sees Daisy Wells & Hazel Wong, members of the Detective Society, cunningly battle lessons, Masters & Mistresses, peers and fellow dorm mates, relish some well deserved Bunbreaks, all the while on the lookout for a nice new case to solve and crime to detect ...... Or so says Daisy Wells' detective novels.

But real lie comes knocking when Hazel discovers the dead body of their science mistress Ms. Bell but when she raises the alarm the body mysteriously vanishes ..... warranting the services of the Wells & Wong Detective Society as they go on gathering evidences, eliminating alibis and suspects when nobody knows what actually happened to Ms. Bell.

Daisy and Hazel were of course the best part. The perfect English Rose Daisy (or as much you would expect of a child) and the Oriental girl from Hong Kong Hazel because of which she is treated differently by everyone. Her peers have some very weird habits and quirks and reading Hazel's running commentary at the most opportune moments put a smile on all our faces seeing as she is the voice of the book. Their friendship is a little complicated but it is interesting to see them go through highs and lows and stay tight as they are.

They are not your conventional detectives either, nor do they possess the means to investigate like grownups do so it is really interesting to see them achieve their objectives with such cleverness and dexterity with the limited amount of freedom they are afforded. A well crafted and refreshingly cunning new whodunit through the eyes of third formers. I am pretty sure that Daisy & Hazel are even younger than the Secret 7, Famous Five, Nancy Drew and those Hardy Boys .... So that's something isn't it ..... Bravo girls.

"Wells & Wong take us by storm"

Genre :     Children's, Adventure, Suspense, Mystery, Historical

Publisher: Corgi Childrens

Release Date: 5th June, 2014

My Copy: bought (ebook)

Rate:             4/5 (Really Liked It)

Buy:         Amazon | Book Depository 

Cormoran Strike #1 The Cuckoo's Calling

Presenting Cormoran Strike #1 The Cuckoo Calling by Rober Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling).

Here is the summary of the book:

When a troubled model falls to her death from a snow-covered Mayfair balcony, it is assumed that she has committed suicide. However, her brother has his doubts, and calls in private investigator Cormoran Strike to look into the case. A war veteran, wounded both physically and psychologically, Strike's life is in disarray. The case gives him a financial lifeline, but it comes at a personal cost: the more he delves into the young model's complex world, the darker things get - and the closer he gets to terrible danger.

A gripping, elegant mystery steeped in the atmosphere of London - from the hushed streets of Mayfair, to the backstreet pubs of the East End, to the bustle of Soho - The Cuckoo's Calling is a remarkable debut. Introducing Cormoran Strike, it is a classic crime novel unlike any other book you will read this year.

J.K. Rowling is back with a bang. After 'Harry Potter' and then 'The Casual Vacancy' comes this surprisingly engaging whodunit suspense/thriller with a competent and ingenious Private Detective in the form of Cormoran Strike, who we can't help but like. Of course The Cuckoo's Calling comes to us not under Ms. Rowling's own name but under a pseudonym Robert Galbraith (notice this seems to be the pseudonym of another author as well) .. Only later did it come out that it was Rowling who wrote it ...... and what a plot it is too.

War veteran. Disabled and just broken up from his girlfriend and struggling in debts. Cormoran Strike strikes gold when he is hired to solve the suspicious suicide of model Lula Landry by her adoptive brother John Bristow. With his dubiously gigantic appearance, a rather eidetic memory and logically sound mind, Cormoran Strike was an instant favorite. Add in ecstatically enthusiastic secretary Robin who had always nurtured the secret desire to be an investigator, you get one hell of a good team and an instant hit book. 

Reads like a champ this book does. There is a certain flow to the written words that just keeps you hooked. You start from the first page and by the time you realize, you will have progressed much in the book ..... And this is what I admire most about a book, its ability to keep us tethered. The suspense, the thrill, the clues and most of all Strike's way of reasoning were what had us wondering .... who did it.

Of course, Rowling maintains the suspense till the end and we are rightly left astounded by the reveal of the murderer. Admittedly I only got this book after it became known that she had written it but really it deserves all the praises. There is a new an competent detective on the horizon. With a well balanced and well developed plot, The Cuckoo's Calling easily ranks as some of the best whodunit fiction of recent years. While I liked Casual Vacancy, it will still come third to 'Harry Potter' and 'Cormoran Strike'.

I have already read 'The Silkworm' and of course loved it too ..... so stay tuned for my review of it. A gem, this book is most certainly a gem.

"Utterly compelling and irrevocably unputdownable"

Genre :      Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Publisher: Sphere

Release Date: 13th February, 2014

My Copy: bought (paperback)

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Other Books from the Author:
                The Casual Vacancy
               Harry Potter (i read the series before 
                   I began blogging, so I never put up 
                     a review for them)
    
Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository

Soulfinders #1 Shadow Study

Presenting Soulfinders #1 Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder.

Here is the summary of the book:

Once, only her own life hung in the balance…

When Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. She survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia.

Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands—and protect her relationship with Valek.
Suddenly, though, dissent is rising. And Valek’s job—and his life—are in danger.
As Yelena tries to uncover her enemies, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked.And now she must find a way to keep not only herself but all that she holds dear alive.

A CHRONICLES OF IXIA NOVEL

I may be jumping in the middle of the fray but this book was what I needed tog et out of the reading slump I have been in for a few weeks. I confess I haven't read any of the 'Chronicles of Ixia' series/books yet. That said I was hesitant because there were bound to be allusions to previous instances that may have happened in the earlier stories and I would not have understood it at all but I took a chance and was rewarded.

'Shadow Study' may not introduce us to the characters and just jumps in the actions but first timers will feel at ease. Snyder did a great job of summarizing their backgrounds for us to feel familiar with them.

Yelena, Valek, Janco, Ari and their fantastical world of Ixia. A world of magic, mystery and adventure. While a few instances did puzzle me but I was able to overlook that and enjoy it as it is. Shadow Study is a perfectly well written fantasy and I enjoyed it very much.

Yelena and Valek I loved very much. Yelena felt like the typical YA heroine. She is headstrong, independent, honorable, faces danger headlong notwithstanding that she could come to harm. Although she feels herself vulnerable without her powers but her intuitive nature is more than enough substitute for the deficiencies of the situation.

Valek is the heart-mate to Yelena. He is the loyal subject, the ardent lover and the crafty assassin of our story. The designated protector, he takes his job pretty seriously. His were the chapters that provided the most history. While Yelena and Valek did not spend much time together seeing as they were rather tied up with their issues but for the start of spin-off, they hit it off rather well. Of course, Janco's perspective alongside Yelena's & Valek's seemed a bit weird but seeing as (again I mention) I am not as familiar with the characters as I would have liked, I took it as it is.

All in all, I was pleased with what I found. Snyder has penned a well balanced fantasy. The instances. The scene changes. The twists & turns and the three perspective changes. Maria V. Snyder did a damn great job laying out all the pieces while keeping the mystery & suspense of the plot well under order. At last I would only say this while you would like this very much but make to read the other Chronicle of Ixia books first to be able to enjoy it the most ..... Seriously though Shadow Study proved to be a well endowed reading material and I don't regret any part of it.

"A captivating new fantasy and a return to the fantastic land of Ixia"

Genre :     Young Adult, High Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Publisher: Harlequin MIRA

Release Date: 24th February, 2015

My Copy: publisher & netgalley

Rate:             4/5 (Really Liked It)

Series by Author(only those reviewed on blog):
         Healer #1 #2 #3

Buy:         Amazon | Book Depository