Early Review: Slide

Slide

-          Jill Hathaway

Publisher: Harper Collins

E-Arc courtesy of netgalley and HarperCollins

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.
Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.
Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.
Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

I’m not ashamed to admit I read Slide in two sittings – actually I would have read it in one but I was the train when I started and I had to get off, but as soon as I got home I started reading again. The story flows like a chocolate fountain sweet, delicious and with a speed where you don’t want it to end. Vee has been diagnosed with narcolepsy, but every time she ‘falls asleep’ she actually finds herself sliding into someone else and experiencing their life for a short time. Then Vee slides into someone standing over a girl with a knife in their hands...

I really liked Vee – she doesn’t have a supportive home life with her mother dead and her father less than comfortable with his daughters. But she has an integrity to her and honesty. While other teens including her younger sister are worrying about popularity and being cool, Vee is happy to curl up on Friday nights with a horror movie with her best friend. I loved it when Vee started using her gift rather than avoiding it to find the killer. She really stood up and it felt like she was coming into her own.  Her power was unusual enough that it didn’t feel like it’s been done before.

There is a great mix of relationships and mystery. Vee’s relationship with the people in her life is a highlight for me from her sister to the new boy at school Zane each showed a different side to Vee which made her feel like a real person and added depth. Overall this was a fun read, fresh and full of verve.

Recommended for fans of Jeri Smith-Ready and Jennifer Estep’s Mythos Academy. 8 out of 10

Throwback Thursday #45 - Hard Bitten

This is a great feature that Melissa at My World...in words and pictures has been doing for a while and I wanted to jump on board! There are plenty of books out there I desperately want...

But what about all those wonderful books that are ALREADY on my shelves?

Hard Bitten - Chloe Neil

Times are hard for newly minted vampire Merit. Ever since shapeshifters announced their presence to the world, humans have been rallying against supernaturals--and they're camping outside of Cadogan House with protest signs that could turn to pitchforks at any moment. Inside its doors, things between Merit and her Master, green-eyed heartbreaker Ethan Sullivan are ... tense. But then the mayor of Chicago calls Merit and Ethan to a clandestine meeting and tells them about a violent vamp attack that has left three women missing. His message is simple: get your House in order. Or else.
Merit needs to get to the bottom of this crime, but it doesn't help that she can't tell who's on her side. So she secretly calls in a favor from someone who's tall, dark, and part of underground vamp group that may have some deep intel on the attack. Merit soon finds herself in the heady, dark heart of Chicago's supernatural society--a world full of vampires who seem too ready to fulfill the protesting human's worst fears, and a place where she'll learn that you can't be a vampire without getting a little blood on your hands...

I do like the Chicagoland Vamp series but for some reason it takes me ages to read the next book. Not only do I have Hard Bitten on my TBR pile but I also have Drink Deep waiting to be read as well...hopefully I will get round to reading both soon! :)

Eye of the Tempest Review

Eye of the Tempest (Jane True 4)

-          Nicole Peeler

Publisher: UK – Orbit

Nothing says "home" like being attacked by humans with very large guns, as Jane and Anyan discover when they arrive in Rockabill. These are professionals, brought into kill, and they bring Anyan down before either Jane or the barghest can react. Seeing Anyan fall awakens a terrible power within Jane, and she nearly destroys herself taking out their attackers. Jane wakes, weeks later, to discover that she's not the only thing that's been stirring. Something underneath Rockabill is coming to life: something ancient, something powerful, and something that just might destroy the world. Jane and her friends must act, striking out on a quest that only Jane can finish. For whatever lurks beneath the Old Sow must be stopped...and Jane's just the halfling for the job.

I am a big fan of Jane True – I love the humour of these books as well as the different supernatural world Nicole Peeler has created. This world is secret from ours but fits and feels accessible while at the same time having a unique mythology and rules. Eye of the Tempest picks up where Tempest’s Legacy finishes with Jane and Anyan returning to Rockabill. This is the first book set entirely in Rockabill, but somehow manages to miss most of Jane’s day to day life with the focus very much on the supernatural mystery. Something powerful has been hidden in Rockabill and if the bad guys find it before Jane and Anyan, it could spell the end of Rockabill.

For me this was a book of two halves. The first half felt very dominated by Jane’s libido. While always vocal before, this time I couldn’t help feeling it ‘took over’ with Jane always thinking about sex – while not actually getting any! This detracted a little from the plot – especially as there was a lot going on and I wanted to focus on the threat and story rather than continually talking about peoples ‘packages’ or other word play. It was fun at first but I quickly tired of it.

The second half of the book totally raises the bar and changes everything. And I mean, everything – history, future, powers, positions in the supernatural world – it all changes. From the finding of the third lock to the last page I was just swept up in the action and the plot. Jane has changed so much since the first book as she learns to use her magic and how to fight for herself. With the introduction of Blondie and Jane’s two paramour’s taking a back seat in this story, it really does feel the start of a new series – a very different series than before. Previous Jane books have had more a mystery or detective feel to the plot, but that feels like it’s over with future stories set to be more epic and world changing. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Recommended for fans of Carrie Vaughn and Jeaniene Frost. 8 out of 10.

Book Confession: Playing Catch Up

Recently I’ve been wondering if I’m a bad fan...I’ve been falling into a bad habit with some of my favourite authors and series recently. I buy the books but I don’t read them. Not because I don’t want too, but for some reason my favourite series take ages to make their way to the top of the TBR pile. I probably read one or two books in ongoing series a month – but I have fallen so far behind with so many series! I’m not even talking about the numerous un-started series that I’ve been collecting – but series that I’ve already read at least one book and have started collecting the rest of the books. But the series just sits there even though I know I will enjoy the books, if I ever get round to reading them! To give you some examples...

Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong – I have both Waking the Witch and Spellbound in the flat unread

Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Neill – Hard Bitten and Drink Deep

Deadtown series by Nancy Holzner – Hellforged and Bloodstone

Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter – Mercy Blade and Raven Crossed

Mythos Academy series by Jennifer Estep – Kiss of Frost and Dark Frost (although as Dark Frost is an e-Arc I can forgive myself this one)

The Edge series by Ilona Andrews – Bayou Moon and Fates Edge

Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost – One Foot In The Grave and At Grave’s End

I know there are others but these are the ones that I can remember off the top of my head. And there are plenty of other series where I am only one book behind! All great series by authors I really enjoy – and I’m behind!! I feel like a bad fan of all these series. Am I the only one? Does anyone else have a series they love but are a few books behind on? Or am I alone with this habit? J

The Small Hand Review

The Small Hand

-          Susan Hill

Publisher: Profile Books

Returning home from a visit to a client late one summer's evening, antiquarian bookseller Adam Snow takes a wrong turning and stumbles across the derelict old White House. Compelled by curiosity, he approaches the door, and, standing before the entrance feels the unmistakable sensation of a small hand creeping into his own, 'as if a child had taken hold of it'. Intrigued by the encounter, he determines to learn more, and discovers that the owner's grandson had drowned tragically many years before. At first unperturbed by the odd experience, Snow begins to be plagued by haunting dreams, panic attacks, and more frequent visits from the small hand which become increasingly threatening and sinister ...

Last week something horrible happened to me. I left the house without a book! I managed to make it to the office between the metro paper and my MP3 player but I wasn’t going to suffer again on the way home. Instead I went to a local charity store at lunch and picked up this book for £1 to keep me busy on my hour commute homewards – a horror story to fit with my mood!

This is only a short book, less than 200 pages and no word is wasted. As the central character, Adam Snow is a little bland. While it is told in first person from his point of view, I never really felt like I knew Adam or what motivated him. He is a blank canvas so I was never overly bothered by his frightening experiences, although I did like his job as a rare book dealer. The strongest element was the ambience as Susan Hill manages to create an atmospheric and timeless ghost story with an intriguing central mystery. As with most good ghost stories there is an ageless element to the story which makes the odd mention of emails jar slightly.  The description of the run down gardens and White house are invocative and draw vivid images in the mind. I loved the writing style and was instantly drawn into the story.

The mysteries around the small hand are appealing, but for some reason the idea of a small invisible hand holding yours doesn’t scare me much. In fact for a ghost story it was less scary and more absorbing with the tale itself the main reason to continue reading. I am looking forward to reading more Susan Hill – hopefully with a scarier ghost!

Recommended for fans of Amanda Stevens and Michelle Paver. 7 out of 10.  

My Book Haul/In My Mailbox

The Story Siren hosts a weekly meme where bloggers can share what goodies they've purchased/received this week. If you get a chance head over to The Story Siren and check out what everyone is up to!

The Intern - Dillon Khan
Publisher: Puffin

Jay Merchant has landed an internship for the best job in music television. He has access-all-areas to the biggest VIP parties and the hottest celebrities all over the world. The velvet rope has been lifted and now he's got to capture it on camera. But behind the scenes, Jay is thrown into a life of early starts, late nights, blood, sweat and tears. He has six months to turn his intern dream into a real job - but at what price? It's time to face the music...

I recieved this from Puffin for review - it sounds like a fun glimpse into the music world!

Becoming Nancy - Terry Ronald

Publisher: Corgi

For David Starr, being cast as Nancy in the upcoming school production of Oliver! is quite a shock. But David is up to the challenge. Living in a three-bedroom semi in 1970s' working-class East Dulwich, surrounded by his somewhat colourful relatives, he is bright, smart-mouthed, fanatical about pop music and ready to shine. Rehearsals begin, and he strikes up a friendship with the handsome yet enigmatic Maxie Boswell, captain of the school football team. As their alliance deepens it appears they might become more than just good friends, but that can't be right, can it? Discovering a confidant in empathetic teacher, Hamish McClarnon, and spurred on by his no-nonsense best friend, Frances Bassey, David takes on the school bully, the National Front, and anyone else who threatens to stand in the way of true love.

I won this from Transworlds Facebook page. It looks like a funny and fun reflection on life in the seventies!

White Corridor (Bryant and May 5) - Christopher Fowler

Publisher: Bantam

It’s an “impossible” crime—a member of the Peculiar Crimes Unit killed inside a locked autopsy room populated only by the dead and to which only four PCU members had a key. And to make matters worse, the Unit has been shut down for a forced “vacation” and Bryant and May are stuck in a van miles away in the Dartmoor countryside during a freak snowstorm on their way to a convention of psychics.
Now, with Sergeant Janice Longbright in charge at headquarters, Bryant and May must crack the case by cell phone while trying to stop a second murder without freezing to death. For among the line of snowed-in vehicles, a killer is on the prowl, a beautiful woman is on the run from a man who seeks either redemption or another victim, and an innocent child is caught in the middle.

Bryant and May are a intriguing mystery pairing that I've enjoyed before - and hope to again!

Legend - Marie Lu

Publisher: UK - Razor Bill

The United States is gone, along with its flooded coasts. North America's two warring nations, the western Republic and the eastern Colonies, have reached a breaking point. In the midst of this broken continent and dark new world are two teenagers who will go down in history....
The truth they'll uncover will become legend

I had a day off this week and spent it doing my favourite things - book shopping and reading! I saw this on clearance at the Croydon WHSmith for £2 and snapped it up! They had plenty of books on offer and I allowed myself to pick a few that had been on my wishlist for a while including...

Second Grave On The Left - Darynda Jones

Publisher: Piatkus

When Charley is rudely awakened in the middle of the night by her best friend who tells her to get dressed quickly and tosses clothes out of the closet at her, she can’t help but wonder what Cookie’s up to. Leather scrunch boots with a floral miniskirt? Together? Seriously? Cookie explains that a friend of hers named Mimi disappeared five days earlier and that she just got a text from her setting up a meet at a coffee shop downtown. They show up at the coffee shop, but no Mimi. But Charley finds a message on the bathroom wall. Mimi left a clue, a woman’s name. Mimi’s husband explains that his wife had been acting strange since she found out an old friend of hers from high school had been found murdered a couple weeks prior. The same woman Mimi had named in her message.
Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally) has left his corporeal body and is haunting Charley. He’s left his body because he’s being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can’t let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they’ll have a portal to heaven. And if they have a portal to heaven…well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty. Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Will Cookie ever get a true fashion sense? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel them as they do?

Okay, so this is another series I haven't started readling yet - but Jules from The Great, The Good and The Bad just adores this series and I trust that I will too! Plus another bargain for just £2!

So what have you picked up this week?

On My Wishlist #79

This is a meme from Book Chick City. There are so many books out there that I want to read that this is the only way I can keep track! I have a bad feeling this week that the end may be nigh...

Monument 14 - Emmy Laybourne

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (June 2012)

Fourteen kids. One superstore. A million things that go wrong. A huge store isn’t the worst place to be stranded. There’s food and water, bedding and books. But what if it’s not safe to leave? 
Six high school kids (some popular, some not), two eighth graders (one a tech genius), and six little kids are trapped together in a chain superstore. Together they build a refuge for themselves inside, while outside, a series of escalating disasters, beginning with a monster hailstorm and ending with a chemical weapon spill, seems to be tearing the world—as they know it—apart.

I think we all wonder occasionally where the best place to hole up during a disaster is - and a superstore can't be too bad! I like the sound of this - how will teenager survive the apocalypse, if in fact they do...?

Unravelling - Elizabeth Norris

Publisher: HarperCollins (June 2012)

Leaving the beach, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit head on by a pickup truck.
And killed.
Then Ben Michaels, resident stoner, is leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows Ben somehow brought her back to life…
Meanwhile, Janelle's father, a special agent for the FBI, starts working on a case that seems strangely connected to Ben. Digging in his files, Janelle finds a mysterious device – one that seems to be counting down to something that will happen in 23 days and 10 hours time.
That something? It might just be the end of the world. And if Janelle wants to stop it, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets – and keep from falling in love with him in the process...

Ever since I saw the first season of 24, I can't resist a ticking clock. I don't think I've seen it done this quite openly before, but I still want to know what will happen at the end of the countdown!

White Horse - Alex Adams

Publisher: UK - Simon & Schuster (April 2012)

Thirty-year-old Zoe wants to go back to college. That's why she cleans cages and floors at GeneTech. If she can keep her head down, do her job and avoid naming the mice, she'll be fine. Her life is calm, dull even. Until the end of the world is nigh. She's listening when a preacher with a big mouth and a cable TV show declares the deadly virus White Horse will mark the end of life as we know it. She's watching the day the President announces that humans are no longer a viable species. She starts running the moment she realizes everyone who matters to her is gone. When her lover Nick, fearing he's contracted the virus, leaves to find his family in Greece, Zoe discovers shortly thereafter that she's pregnant. And so begins her trek across the desolate world to ensure a possibility of life for her baby and to unite her nascent family. In her post-apocalyptic quest to guard and protect her unborn child she encounters characters who epitomise not only the extremes of good and evil, but also an inner strength and discovery of what it means to be human in a world where all that is left is a fight for survival.

I love the sound of a pregnant woman want to find her husband - emotional overload!

So if the world is coming to an end, what book will you want to read? :)