Peter: An Untold True Story by Christopher Mechling.

Summary:

Chris Mechling's new historical novel, Peter, introduces readers to the amazing true story behind the fairy tale of Peter Pan. The book tells the adventures of the real boy who came to London and became a well-known figure more than a hundred years before James Barrie penned his classic. 

Peter the Wild Boy lived in eighteenth century England, through the reigns of three kings (all named George), and achieved legendary status in his own lifetime. He was not only a popular figure, but also drew intense philosophical and scientific study, and was a subject of interest to literary figures such as Daniel Defoe and Jonathan Swift. Peter retained a youthful appearance throughout his life, and had a joyful, intuitive spirit that was both challenging and infectious. 

This imaginative dramatization of the life of Peter the Wild Boy captures the joy, innocence and fire of a bright, feral child living in the midst of the Age of Enlightenment. It is narrated by the girl who perhaps knew him best. The epic story of his life, spanning approximately seventy years, navigates a tumultuous and thoughtful period in English history, rich with characters. 

  This was a story that would be able to make even the coldest of hearts melt.

  A beautifully light story that manages to take you back to the time period it was set, whilst also not being dull and boring, to even one of the younger generations minds. It was funny, charming and sad all in one, and also managed to be very interesting and informative, which I guess is the point of a historical novel.

  This one, incidentally, my first historical novel, and I have to say that I did love it - it was something different, but in this case, that was a good thing.

  The story line was clear and concise and it wasn't choppy or lost my attention at all, which I usually find with books inclined to a more older audience; which isn't a problem, but it was good that this book held that bit of an edge.

  It was written beautifully and made me feel like I was a child again, being read a story by an adult before being tucked in and falling asleep - it held that kind of innocence that took you to a floaty place and I really enjoyed that.

  So overall, this book exceeded my expectations and I look forward to reading more of Christopher Mechling's work.

  

***** 5/5 stars *****

The Midlife Of Dudley Chalk by Peter James Lamb.

Summary:

Following a near-fatal flying accident, Dudley Chalk is placed in a medically-induced coma. Before being taken to hospital, while still lying broken and tangled in the material of the paraglider he so recently failed to fly, another version of Dudley appears. The new version of Dudley watches dispassionately the scene unfolding before him, then enters a world of his own. As one Dudley is taken to hospital, the other finds himself standing in a place called Arlingberry Forest. And so begins the Midlife of Dudley Chalk. He now exists as two versions of himself—one a man close to death in a hospital bed, and the other a fledgeling Private Investigator, looking for a missing person in the depths of a forest where crimes have been committed over the centuries, where ghosts and UFOs are frequently seen, where other lives come back to haunt him. Arlingberry is a place like no other. Dudley's first attempt to fly nearly killed him. Dudley's first attempt to find a missing person proves to be as life-altering, but in a very different way. Both worlds are linked, aided by the healing hands of an eternal spirit called Kathleen Morrison, and by the ancient paths that track their way through Arlingberry Forest...

  So, the beggining of this book was very confusing for me, I didn't really understand what was going on but, as the book progressed and the plot came together it became clear what was happening and I began to really enjoy it.

  This book isn't a genre I would usually delve in, but lately I've been wanting a bit of a change and I've been checking out different types of genres, from the YA I usually stick to. Of course I have read mystery/crime type books in the past - growing up in a house of lovers of the great Agatha Christie doesn't allow not reading the books! But I found that I did enjoy it - even though it did take me a while to get through.

  This was quite a challenging read, but maybe that's just due to my age; I would definitely say it's more for an older audience or for people who are up for a challenge and who don't mind it being slow paced.

  It was a light read but definitely memorable, I especially enjoyed some of the philosophical ideas that Peter James Lamb touched on, like when he mentioned that time is nothing - 'there is only before 11pm and after 11pm' and such like that, it really made me think as a reader and challenged my thoughts.

  So, overall I did enjoy it even though I wasn't really the audience it was aimed at and I would definitely reccomend it to people interested in this genre - it was written well, the plot was well thought out and it was most definitely interesting.

***3.5/5 stars***

Sorrowline by Niel Bushnell

Summary:

Twelve-year-old Jack Morrow is used to life being complicated. His mother died five years ago, and his father is now headed for prison. But then Jack discovers he's a Yard Boy - someone with the ability to travel through Sorrowlines, the channels that connect every gravestone with the date of the person's death - and he is quickly pulled into an adventure beyond anything he could have possibly imagined.

Finding himself in 1940s war-torn London, with his then-teenage grandfather, Davey, Jack soon realises that his arrival in the past has not gone unnoticed. The evil forces of a secret world are determined to find him - and to find out all he knows.

As Jack struggles to survive, he comes ever closer to unlocking the dark secret at the heart of his family, and to - just maybe - changing his own destiny . . .

Pure brilliance.

Every word of this book captivated my attention from the very beggining - even if I wasn't the target audience I absolutely loved it and I would most definitely reccommend it for people from 12-15, even though it's a middle grade book I feel it has the potential to hold many a readers attention.

I don't know why I haven't heard about it sooner, it's written beautifully and the plot line is very cleverly put together - I know that I personally would never be able to write about time travel, I find it difficult to wrap my mind around.

I absolutely love this book and would most definitely reccomend it.

Go get your copy now - go go go!

*****5/5 stars*****

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sorrowline-Timesmith-Chronicles-Niel-Bushnell/dp/1849395233

Uglies by Scott Westerfield

Uglies by Scott Westerfield.

Summary:

Tally can't wait to turn sixteen and become pretty. Sixteen is the magic number that brings a transformation from repellent Ugly into a stunningly attractive Pretty, and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks, Tally will be there.

But Tally's new friend, Shay, isn't sure she wants to be Pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the Pretty world - and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn Pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.

  So, in my opinion, this book had a slow start; little was happening for too long, and just when I was about to give up and call it a day by closing the book for good, it suddenly picked up.

  And when I say picked up I mean PICKED UP.

  Plot twist after plot twist left me thirsty for more, unable to sleep until I managed to get as far as I could through it until I collapsed from exhaustion. I just managed to finish it today and wow. I mean wow. So many 'No way's' and 'oh my gods' were uttered till the very last page of this book.

  So, although I didn't enjoy the first half of the book as much as I would have liked, the last half definitely made up for it, sealing the deal on the fact that I will be running to buy the sequel, Pretties, as soon as possible.

***3.75 stars***

Thirteen by Tom Hoyle

  So, I won this book through first reads (the page for giveaways on goodreads.com) and upon arrival it had exceeded my expectations and already had me impressed.

  Through a screen it looks like an ordinary cover, if a little plain, but when I received it I realised across the bottom of the pages it had 'his days are numbered' along with a set of numbers which are to do with the book. I liked it already, but then again, I am quite the cover buyer (woops).

{I appologise for the state of the book in the upcoming pictures! make this be an example of why you don't read in the bath!)

  So, although I don't usually enjoy middle grade books, I delved in right away!

Summary:

Born at midnight in London, on the stroke of the new millennium, Adam is the target of a cult that believes boys born on this date must die before the end of their thirteenth year. Twelve boys have been killed so far. Coron, the crazy cult leader, will stop at nothing to bring in his new kingdom. And now he is planning a bombing spectacular across London to celebrate the sacrifice of his final victim: Adam.

  I did enjoy this book although of course, the same as every other book I have read in my lifetime, it did have it's ups and downs.

  I felt that the book on the whole could have benefited from the characters being older, as we see Adam, the main character, switch every so often from acting like the 13 year old boy he is, to acting like a 16 year old + and this became very confusing and held back the character development in the book. I also thought that it could easily become a YA book and perhaps be more suited to that age range, but maybe that's just me being selfish as I myself am in the YA category and would love to see this book aimed at an older audience. 

  At times I also became confused as the POV was changed multiple times with seemingly no order or structure to it, which, if it confused me, surely it would confuse someone of a younger age? But of course, that is just my opinion.

  Overall though, it was an enjoyable read, filled with lots of action and suspense, with scenes that will make you gasp. I will most definitely look out for the sequel!

  I would recommend this book to a 12+ age range, or if your like me an wanted to try something different you should definitely give it a spin.

  

  ***** 3.5/5 stars *****