Manga Review: Silver Spoon, Volume 1, by Arakawa Hiromi

Silver Spoon, Volume 1, by Arakawa Hiromi.

This is a slice of life manga from Arakawa Hiromi, who also wrote Full Metal Alchemist, and is influenced by the part of her life which she spent on a dairy farm.

This follows Hachiken Yugo who moves to an agricultural high school in order to get away from his family, knowing nothing about agriculture. I just love Hachiken! He's just so relatable, struggling with what to do and the lack of a dream to dedicate his life to. Finding himself surrounded by all of his classmates who have their own dreams (to become a veterinarian, take over the family farm or to work with horses) only depresses Hachiken more.  

I love Yezo High School! It's just so friendly and the students are brilliant. I always thought that it would be difficult to show secondary character development in manga, but Arakawa Hiromi manages it spectacularly. There is such a diverse secondary cast that are enjoyable to read besides Hachiken and I think that it's brilliant.

Also, there is seriously so much food involved in this manga. It makes me hungry just reading it, and it all looks delicious. I feel Hachiken's struggle.  

Rating = 5* / 5*

Book Review: The Legend of the Blue Eyes by B. Kristin McMichael

The Legend of the Blue Eyes, #1. by B. Kristin McMichael

This was a really interesting book. I particularly liked the concept of the four night humans - dearg-dul, baku, lycan and tengu. Unfortunately, a lot of the novel is dedicated to Arianna, the main character, being doted on and kissed by various boys, rather than on the plot, which was the interesting aspect of this novel. I still don't know what the legend of the blue eyes is, but I don't know if I want to read the second book to find out. 

Arianna has four boys surrounding her; Devin, Turner, Andrew and Thomas. I personally found Turner the most interesting and fleshed out with actual characterisation. Devin, while I liked him at the beginning, simply devolved into "I'm protecting you because of your grandfather" and became a relatively boring character. Andrew and Thomas only came in near the end so while Arianna has already kissed Andrew, we know barely anything about him. Thomas is motivated by a family debt so maybe kissing won't be occurring for him in the near future?

I did really like the friendship between Lord Randolph and Gabriel. I did prefer Gabriel of the two, but I thought they were both interesting and I wish that more of the book had delved into their friendship, the war between the dearg-dul and the Baku and why that made Arianna so special.

Rating = 3* / 5*

Book Review: Serenity, by Craig A. Hart

Serenity, Shelby Alexander #1, by Craig A. Hart.

Shelby Alexander is dragged into a murder mystery after a local girl is found on his property. After accepting payment from the local gang leader, relative of the girl found on his property, he is dragged into a turf war.

I liked Shelby Alexander. He is older than the average male protagonist and I liked how his age is portrayed, especially through his relationship with a bartender who is the same age as his daughter. I also liked his good friend Mack, and I kinda wanted to know how his relationship with Gloria was resolved after he left Serenity.

I loved the humour of the characters and the random little tidbits involved in the books, especially the maple syrup tapping and fishing in ice. It was really interesting and I feel like I learnt something.

However, my major complaint about this book is that I feel like it's more of a sequel book rather than the first in the series. It's written almost as if you already know all the characters and I found it a bit difficult to remember all of the characters, especially the Ellis's.

Rating = 4* / 5*

Book Review: Ellie Quin: Girl Reborn, by Alex Scarrow

Ellie Quin: Girl Reborn, #5, by Alex Scarrow.

I have been loving this series and I can't wait for the next in the series to come out. I've read the first five in less than a week and I'm seriously addicted.

However, I do have some minor issues with the plot and a few mistakes, for example <spoiler> when the scorpion chops off Ellie's hand, he chops off her right hand. Later, its her left hand. Maybe that was just a mistake that got overlooked in the writing process. Being left handed, I feel for her more having her left hand chopped off. </spoiler>. My main issue with the plot however is <spoiler> that Mason made Ellie so that she wouldn't make friends easily and hence she would keep travelling, never content to stay in one place. But the major thing about Ellie revealed in this book is that she is capable of carrying and birthing a baby. But how is she supposed to do that when she's been programmed to effectively not make friends so that she stays on the run? </spoiler>. Basically, the main issue with this series is inconsistency. 

Overall, a good book with a few errors.

Re-Read 2017

This is very much a sequel to Ellie Quin in WonderLand, as Ellie and Jez are still marooned in WonderLand, only now they know that it's incredibly creepy. The murder mystery continues, though it feels more like a subplot as compared to Deacon's parallel plot. I don't find it all that entertaining, especially as it's difficult to actually relate that to the plot of the novels. 

Deacon is closing in on Mason and Ellie by hunting down the Rebornist Church and the Awoken. In many aspects, I am beginning to really like Deacon, but I have the feeling that the Administration are going to attempt to "keep him quiet" after the events of the series, much as he does to the "loose ties" he finds in his numerous cases. It's really Deacon's part that pushes the plot forward as the reader finally discovered what exactly Mason did to Ellie that makes her this target of this governmental hunt.

Mason also makes a return and parts of the novel are dedicated to his views and actions and what he's doing while Ellie is on WonderLand and Deacon is hunting for clues through New Haven. It's finally explained why he created Ellie Quin and his motivation behind the entire point of this series. I loved it, and I'm starting to really like Mason, especially now that I can establish what his motivations are.

I actually like the cliffhanger. It is part of the Alex Scarrow writing style to leave a cliffhanger, and Ellie Quin: Girl Reborn does not disappoint. You have two cliffhangers, one for Ellie and one for Deacon, and both are exciting and promise good things for Ellie Quin #6. 

However, the inconsistencies are beginning to become more obvious. There are numerous small spelling and grammar mistakes which are easy enough to ignore. The most obvious inconsistency is Ellie's hand but there are other minor inconsistencies such as the dome that Ellie's father was growing the meat plant in. In one book it's Betsy and in another it's not. Also, Ellie refers to her family occasionally, but only refers to her brother Ted and her father. It's like she's forgotten that she had a sister and a mother.

I rated this a 3.5* because I felt that the Ellie/Jez plot was really boring and not entirely relevant to the plot of the series (other than they're in one location so that Deacon and Mason's plots can be successful) while Deacon and Mason were quite interesting.

Book Review: Ellie Quin in WonderLand, by Alex Scarrow

Ellie Quin in WonderLand, #4, by Alex Scarrow.

This instalment follows Ellie and Jez as they escape the Administration and are subsequently abandoned on a theme park / pleasure resort world called WonderLand. Originally built for the rich of Celestion, it was abandoned mid-build due to the decline and later ecological disaster of Celestion.

This was very much split between two plots; Ellie and Jez living on WonderLand, and Deacon searching for clues on Ellie in New Haven.

Ellie and Jez's part feels very much like filler between book 3 and 5, with a vague murder mystery built into WonderLand. Why are there only two maintenance crew at WonderLand and why are they so odd? Grey and Shelby are indeed very strange, and you read it very much from Ellie's perspective who finds Shelby robotic and Grey creepy.

Deacon's part on the other hand, is much more interesting. I got the feeling that it was Deacon's parts pushing the plot forward, as he hunts for those helping Ellie Quin and rubs into the Rebornist Church and their violent subset the Awoken. Sean, Ellie's childhood friend is returned and it is explained who he is and what he's been doing since The Legend of Ellie Quin.

As such, this instalment felt very slow, much like The World According to Ellie Quin. I'm hoping that this doesn't become a pattern across the series. Also, the series is beginning to show the time period in which it is written. It relies heavily on famous scientists from this era when the novels are set multiple centuries in the future. With the various technological advances that have been made prior to this series, you'd think that there would be the scientists to accompany that, but there isn't. The ending is also very abrupt. It's neither a cliffhanger or has closure. It felt very strange.

Rating = 3* / 5*

Book Review: Beneath The Neon Sky, by Alex Scarrow

Beneath the Neon Sky, Ellie Quin #3, by Alex Scarrow.

Re-Read 2017

This series is getting better and better! It features Ellie, Jez and Aaron as they embark on a new shuttle business, ferrying people to see the fast disappearing snow caps. Though they only managed to make one successful trip before the Administration, in the form of Deacon, catch her trail, I really liked that subplot. It was really nice to explore the friendship between Ellie, Jez and Aaron, and even a romantic relationship is hinted at a couple times between Jez and Aaron.

We finally see more of Mason. I find Mason possibly the most interesting character in the books. The three main characters are all driven by primary desires; Ellie by the nomadic urges that Mason amped up within her psyche, Jez by the need to leave Harper's Reach, and Aaron by the need to make money and live a happy life. Mason's reasonings are not yet understood because of how little he features in the books. Parts of it are obvious as well as aspects from book one, The Legend of Ellie Quin, but I think it would be really interesting to delve into Mason's character more.

I also like the relationship between Deacon and Leonard. I find Deacon an interesting character. He is so intwined in the need for the continued existence of the Administration that he is willing to kill all the children that Mason was involved in creating. It would be just as interesting to delve into Deacon as it would be with Mason.

As for the plot and pacing, this was a much better novel than book 2, The World According to Ellie Quin. The plot was propelled and the pacing was consistent. It was an exciting novel.

I love the continued usage of the Wikipedia-style excepts, though they seemed to be somewhat lacking in this book compared to book 1 and 2.

There were a couple grammar mistakes and just general mistakes, such as the name of the dome that Ellie's father used to change the farm crop. The tubweeds make a triumphant return as a result. I do think that there is a growing usage of swearing, a lot of which feels mostly unneeded.

Rating = 4* / 5*

Book Review: The World According to Ellie Quin, by Alex Scarrow

The World According to Ellie Quin, #2, by Alex Scarrow.

Re-Read 2017

I don't like this second instalment in the Ellie Quin series as much as the first book. It's very much a character and plot development. While necessary, it feels a bit plodding.

It follows Ellie and Jez as they attempt to save money in order to make it off of New Haven. They have multiple different jobs including a burger bar, a pyramid scheme and a recycling plant. As a statement of the type of work available to young adults in the real world, it works, but as entertaining reading, not as much.

That being said, I did love the character development of Ellie and Jez. More so Jez, as she was only in a couple chapters at the end of book 1, she's explored in much more detail in this book. She's head strong, confident and the complete opposite of Ellie. It's very interesting to see the dichotomy between Aaron and Jez as Ellie's two friends.

Scarrow's world building is, as usual, pretty spectacular, especially for a short book. I did have trouble imagining the Boojam that Jez and Ellie visit, but I'm not sure if that was the description (which amounted to a person that looks like an elephant?) or my ability to imagine.

The more I read this series, the more I adore the Wikipedia style excerpts included occasionally. It gives you a sense of destination as they talk about 'the legend of Ellie Quin' and her effect on the human universe.

Rating = 3* / 5*

Book Review: The Legend of Ellie Quin, by Alex Scarrow

The Legend of Ellie Quin, #1, by Alex Scarrow.



Original Read 2016

Short, snappy and intriquing. I can't quite believe that Ellie is twenty as she doesn't act twenty years old, more like a teenager, but thats only a minor criticism. 
I can't wait to read book 2!!! :-)

Reread 2017

Having come to Ellie Quin from Time Riders, I was expecting something relatively similar. Well, it wasn't. Scarrow's writing remains brilliant and I find myself invested in Ellie's future. I wanted for her to get to New Haven and to succeed in New Haven.
I love the way that Scarrow world builds, creating so many different alien cultures, fashions, languages, worlds and I particularly liked the few short passages dedicated to the dome integrity at Ellie's home and at New Haven. I thought the link was pretty cool. 
It is pretty short, with some chapters lasting one page and some lasting five or six, and as a result some secondary characters are pretty one dimensional, especially Ellie's siblings Ted and Shona. My previous criticism stands, and Ellie doesn't act like a twenty year old, more like the teenager that she appears to be. Due to Jez's late introduction, she's not a well developed character yet, not to the same extent as Aaron Goodman (and what a brilliant name that is). 
I also really like the Wikipedia style entries that are used occasionally during the course of the book. It's interesting to see how Ellie is so important while she's at the beginning of her 'legend' and to see the comments that are written so many years after the posts and the divergent thoughts about whether Ellie was real or just a legend.
Also, how strange is it that somebody can never have seen snow?

Book Review: In The Dark, by Daniel Fox

In The Dark, by Daniel Fox

I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Steve is an ordinary man who wakes up in hospital after an accident. Suffering amnesia, he doesn't remember his wife, his son or his business.

This was such a wonderfully written novel, I couldn't stop listening. It was so interwoven that even at the end I was asking myself questions about the plot. It was easy to get caught up in Steve's confusion and to completely immerse yourself in the novel. Part of that must be attributed to the brilliant narrator, Timothy McKean, who really made Steve feel like a flesh and blood person. Every emotion was brilliantly portrayed and amazingly crafted.

I loved the psychological twist running through this book, and at times I did start to question whether Steve was really suffering from brain damage, especially after he started seeing his father. The explanation for this was so sweet and made me love this book even more.

The love triangle between Hayley and Lisa threw me a bit. I thought from the beginning that Steve was married to Hayley and Lisa had used the accident as a way of slipping herself into his life. Well kind of and not really at the same time. Lisa and Tyler I found rather interesting. Given the ending, I'm not entirely sure why the plot is as it is, but I'm willing to give it another listen to try and understand. Tyler also confused me throughout the novel because he never acted like a son to Steve, and given the ending, I do now understand, but it was a major question that I kept asking throughout the novel.

Overall, this book was amazing. Absolutely worth a listen.

Rating = 5* / 5*

Book Review: Lost in the Clouds, by R. K. Gold

Lost in the Clouds, by R. K. Gold



I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This was a brilliant novel, following a man (Neville) after his death and his attempts to cut his ties with his life and move on to the afterlife. I loved the premise of this novel, the writing, the characterisation, everything. It was extremely well written and I especially loved the scenes between Neville and his wife. In the blurb they're described as average and pleasant, but you could really feel the love between them and the heartbreak when Neville had to chose to let her go in order to move on. I loved the journey that Neville travelled in this book and I thought that the ending really befitted the plot.

Rating = 5* / 5*

Book Review: The House of Closed Doors, by Jane Steen

The House of Closed Doors, #1, by Jane Steen



This follows Nell Lillington after she falls pregnant at the age of 17 and refuses to disclose the father to her mother and stepfather to avoid the dreaded idea of matrimony. 

In the beginning, I felt for Nell and totally understood why she didn't want to marry the father. She did come across as very naive, even for a woman in 1870s America. 'I'm a moderately wealthy woman who can sew so I don't need anybody to protect my future.' Martin had the right idea telling her that she was naive thinking that she could just stroll into Chicago with an infant and a bag of change and instantly thrive.

I loved the part of the novel where Nell is at the Poor Farm. I particularly liked Tess. I loved her personality and her fieriness and it wasn't until reading the postscript authors note that I realised she had Down's Syndrome. It didn't even occur to me. I did like the author's postscript note explaining references through history to Down's Syndrome though. I also liked Mrs Lombardi and the way she cared for the people at the Poor Farm. I thought Blackie showed well as an embodiment of human nature; 'I'll help you, but only if it benefits me' is a common occurrence through history and human nature. 
I didn't like how how the other unwed mothers were stereotyped as aggressive prostitutes. Their anger towards Nell is understandable; purely by the circumstance of money are their differences and Nell kind of flaunts that in their faces during her time at the Poor Farm. Also, Lizzie's (the leader of the unwed mothers) storyline is resolved in one line not long after her arguments with Nell. Why would you build up this character just to remove her from the novel with barely any mention? 

The murder plot at the Poor Farm was rather stilted. The entire thing was short and choppy and from the first clue it was easy to figure out who had done it. You were just sat waiting for Nell to catch up with you. It was also resolved halfway through the book and actually only received a short amount of attention from the book, despite being one of the major selling points on the book blurb. The entire second half of the book, Nell is back at home with her mother, stepfather and child as she and Martin attempt to bring justice for Jo and Benjamin. Maybe I was being oblivious or something, but why did Nell feel compelled to figure out Jo's murder? The baby hormones that instantly made her want to keep her baby also made her want to solve this other mother's murder? I just don't think that life works that way.

Martin. We have to talk about Martin. It is made pretty obvious that Martin is gay (without ever saying it, considering that it's 1870s America) and Nell has yet to realise this (I'm weighing up whether the rest of the series would answer this question). That being said, I am completely jealous of Martin's ability to colour coordinate because I am absolutely terrible at it and he's the best in the book. Possibly also my most favourite character in the book. He sacrificed his chance to fight in the Army in order to help his ailing mother and sort out his alcoholic father and helps Nell no matter what throughout the novel. Martin is awesome, and is literally the man you want as your best friend (if you're Nell). Though I totally believe that it would have suited both of them had they married at the end. Martin's reputation would have improved and Nell would no longer be seen as a harlot. But they didn't and the conclusion is left very open-ended. 

Characterisation was slightly flawed in this novel. As I said previously, Tess was amazing and so was Martin, but conversations didn't tend to flow. They felt very stilted and very robotic. There wasn't much feeling behind the words. Martin and Nell are childhood friends but they didn't have natural sounding conversations. You could have transplanted their conversation onto two unconnected people and it would have read the same.

That being said, I did enjoy this novel. I haven't read many historical fiction (mainly because historical inaccuracies seriously annoy me) but I liked it. It was worth a read, despite all the complaints.

Rating = 3* / 5*

Book Review: Jack Reacher #1-4, by Lee Child

Jack Reacher by Lee Child



Jack Reacher #1

This was a great introduction to the Jack Reacher series, even though the plot was slightly confusing. The way it dealt with the monetary system was very interesting, though I did find it difficult to maintain an interest in Roscoe. I have the feeling that he's going to be like this with the women throughout the series.

Rating = 4* / 5*



Jack Reacher #2

I love Jack Reacher, I think he's brilliant, but I found this novel somewhat confusing. I struggled to follow the plot, especially why certain locations were used (that might be because I live in Britain and don't know all the different state rules in America though).

That being said, Reacher was, as usual, awesome. The interaction between Reacher and Holly was brilliant and I really liked Garber. The use of the FBI and seeing into the FBI was really interesting.

Rating = 3* / 5*



Jack Reacher #3

This was possibly my least favourite Jack Reacher novel. I found it confusing with all the various moving aspects of the plot, some of which I didn't fully understand the relevance of. However, I did guess the plot twist from about 20% in, which is very rare for me concerning Jack Reacher novels.

Rating = 3* / 5*



Jack Reacher #4 (also known as Running Blind in the US)

I think this is possibly one of my favourite Jack Reacher novels. The plot was superb, and kept me questioning until the end. I admit that I fell into the exact same trap holes that the killer planned and I loved it! I really liked Harper, less so Lamarr and Poulton, and I loved the whodunnit style that the novel is written in. I liked Jodie less and personally didn't find her all that important to the novel. Obviously she's important to Reacher, but she was more of a secondary or tertiary character in the novel. Just a question; why did the U.K. and Australia have it released as 'The Visitor' and everywhere else have it released as 'Running Blind'? Personally, I'm pretty glad that I live in the U.K. because The Visitor accurately portrays the plot. Rating = 5* / 5* In conclusion, I find Jack Reacher novels quite confusing at times which impacts on my ability to review them well, but I enjoy reading them despite the confusion. I think they're brilliant and I love the steadiness of Jack Reacher as a character. The womanising aspect I could do without, but I cope in the books with it. Overall, I like them. They're hard to follow at times and slightly confusing but I like them and I'm gonna continue reading them (also, I started on book #13 which remains my favourite so far).