First things first, please take note that this book is a preview of a book that will be published in full at a later date.
The story tells of two young people, Kaitlin Sinclair in America and Cadmon in Indonesia.
Kaitlin is living with her father's friend due to her mother having died and her father serving in the armed forces. She comes across as quite a "strong willed" young woman, but quite a likeable character.
Cadmon becomes the leader of his people after the death of the former leader. He is also a shapeshifter with the ability to take the form of a tiger.
The paths of the two lead characters cross when Kaitlin has to go to Indonesia and it is easy to see the potential chemistry early on.
Although this is a Young Adult book, don't make the mistake of thinking "oh, it's just another Twilight" - it is so much more than that.
The author has very good descriptive skills and this comes over especially well in the Indonesian section.
For me the complete version of this book cannot come out soon enough.
Saturday, 30 June 2012
Dear Crossing (by Marjorie Doering) - A Review
A brilliant start to what has the potential to be one of the next big series.
The story starts with a high profile and horrific murder. The lead character, police officer Ray Schiller starts the story having spent the night in jail for brawling. On release he is straight on the case. His chief would rather be rid of him but Ray is the best they've got.
Throughout the book we meet a mix of chracters from High Flying Exec's to Small Town Folk and they are all a good fit for the story. Each possible suspect could be the murderer.
The author does a good job of making all the characters, and situations they find themselves in realistic and puts in two twists - one at the end which leads things towards the second book, and, more importantly, one in the middle that hits like a train and changes lots of things for everyone.
In Ray Schiller we have a leading character who doesn't hold back and who, due to being separated from his wife and children, is not in a good place in his life, but comes across as a generally good guy and a hell of a good cop.
I am looking forward to the next in this series and also to reading this book again.
The story starts with a high profile and horrific murder. The lead character, police officer Ray Schiller starts the story having spent the night in jail for brawling. On release he is straight on the case. His chief would rather be rid of him but Ray is the best they've got.
Throughout the book we meet a mix of chracters from High Flying Exec's to Small Town Folk and they are all a good fit for the story. Each possible suspect could be the murderer.
The author does a good job of making all the characters, and situations they find themselves in realistic and puts in two twists - one at the end which leads things towards the second book, and, more importantly, one in the middle that hits like a train and changes lots of things for everyone.
In Ray Schiller we have a leading character who doesn't hold back and who, due to being separated from his wife and children, is not in a good place in his life, but comes across as a generally good guy and a hell of a good cop.
I am looking forward to the next in this series and also to reading this book again.
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
The Other Side by Terry Tyler (a review)
I was unsure about this book before I started reading (thought it might be a bit chick-lit ish) but I'm glad I tried it, as I enjoyed it greatly.
The story starts with four different characters (Katya, Cathy, Alexa and Sandy) each having a chapter which sets out where they are in their life now and the choices and repercussions that have led them to this point. The following chapters then go backwards through the timeline of their lives to life changing decisions.
This is a story of 'what if' - what if you'd treated this person differently, what if you'd gone left instead of right etc - and works really well. All the characters were believable (so much so that I really felt like banging their heads together at times) and all their seperate stories are different enough that you don't forget who is who). A very clever story indeed and well told.
It is not just a story for ladies, it is a story for all - so, ladies, pass it on to the man in your life when you've finished it.
The story starts with four different characters (Katya, Cathy, Alexa and Sandy) each having a chapter which sets out where they are in their life now and the choices and repercussions that have led them to this point. The following chapters then go backwards through the timeline of their lives to life changing decisions.
This is a story of 'what if' - what if you'd treated this person differently, what if you'd gone left instead of right etc - and works really well. All the characters were believable (so much so that I really felt like banging their heads together at times) and all their seperate stories are different enough that you don't forget who is who). A very clever story indeed and well told.
It is not just a story for ladies, it is a story for all - so, ladies, pass it on to the man in your life when you've finished it.
Monday, 18 June 2012
Allegiance by Derek Blass (a review)
Derek Blass came to my notice with the excellent Enemy in Blue. Allegiance, in my opinion, is even better.
The action in this book begins about four and a half years after the events of Enemy in Blue and straight away you know that the events of that book have affected the characters and continue to do so.
Cruz Marquez, the lawyer, is now providing aid to mexicans attempting to cross the border and it is while he is doing this that he is captured by an "army" trying to stop the flow of immigrants.
I could go on but spoilers would ruin your reading experience!
Allegiance is, among other things, a story of consequences and that, for me, is where this author really excells. The events of Enemy in Blue hang heavy over the characters and the spectre of Sgt Shaver too. Some authors don't do this realistically but Mr Blass does it well.
This book is gritty, violent and, at times unbearably tense. The action starts early on and doesn't really let up much all through.
I compared his last book to the books of John Grisham. With Allegiance I feel Grisham will be looking on with envy.
This author gets better by the book and I'm looking forward to reading more.
The action in this book begins about four and a half years after the events of Enemy in Blue and straight away you know that the events of that book have affected the characters and continue to do so.
Cruz Marquez, the lawyer, is now providing aid to mexicans attempting to cross the border and it is while he is doing this that he is captured by an "army" trying to stop the flow of immigrants.
I could go on but spoilers would ruin your reading experience!
Allegiance is, among other things, a story of consequences and that, for me, is where this author really excells. The events of Enemy in Blue hang heavy over the characters and the spectre of Sgt Shaver too. Some authors don't do this realistically but Mr Blass does it well.
This book is gritty, violent and, at times unbearably tense. The action starts early on and doesn't really let up much all through.
I compared his last book to the books of John Grisham. With Allegiance I feel Grisham will be looking on with envy.
This author gets better by the book and I'm looking forward to reading more.