THE SECRET KEEPER

by Kate Morton   (STAFF) (LWH)

Fabulous, fabulous book. Very intriguing, couldn't put it down. A story with many layers of mystery, secrets and deception.

Laurel witnesses a crime when she is a teenager. While hiding up a tree she sees her mother stab and kill a stranger, who comes to their home during a birthday party. Fifty years on, Laurel discovers some of the mystery of why this has happened and who this man was. Now her mother is close to death, and time is running out to get the answers to the many questions that has haunted her all her life. There are secrets and more secrets. All is not what it seems.

The story shifts between 1940's during the war, 1961 and 2011 and is woven around three characters whose lives will be fatefully entwined forever. There are twists and turns throughout which makes the story spellbinding. It touches on childhood memories, family tragedies and living during the London Blitz. A fantastic new release novel by an Australian author who has also written The Forgotten Garden and The Distant Hours.

THE FITZOSBORNE'S AT WAR

by Michelle Cooper  (STAFF)   LWH

What a fabulously captivating historical fiction, which is the last in a trilogy by Michelle Cooper. In this book Sophie and the rest of her family, the royal family of Montmaray, escape their remote island home when the Nazis attack, and flee to England, where they think they will be safe.


Written as Sophie's personal journal, the writer takes you on a ride of emotions as Sophie shares her very private secrets, her heartbreaks and fears during the six years of World War II, and what it was like living through this terrible time as a young adult. Losing family and friends, coping with the bombings and destruction in London, the rationing of food, and even the political events that were all part of this horrid time. There are so many historical facts written into this story yet it flows beautifully. I really connected with Sophie and felt her frustration and loss.


Even though I've read this trilogy out of order I think I'll seek out the other two and complete the journey.

THE QUEEN'S LADY

by Eve Edwards   (LW)

I fell in love with this book. What a lovely story, set in 1583, a period of time I don't usually care to read about, however I really enjoyed this book, having picked it up because of the beautiful cover. I didn't realise it was #2 about the Lacey's (the other being 'The Countess') but it didn't matter I slipped into it easily. 

Lady Jane is the Marchioness of Rievaulx and begins service to the Queen (Elizabeth) after the death of her husband, who was much older than herself, but who she loved nonetheless. She is caught in a fight over her inheritance between her family and her former husbands sons. She is treated wickedly and is tricked into marrying a Frenchman so her father and brother can receive respect and wealth. She however loves James Lacey but he is not there to help her as he is exploring overseas. Will he come back in time to save her life? 

THE VIOLET EDEN CHAPTERS

THE VIOLET EDEN CHAPTERS  by Jessica Shirvington

(Reviewed by:  a student)  Genre: Paranormal Romance

  

EMBRACE  -  Book 1

Violet Eden is crazy about Lincoln, who she met two years ago, but refuses to be more than friends. When she finds out why he keeps his distance, she finds that he has kept a huge secret from her. He is a Grigori, part angel part human, and so is she. Violet is shocked and turns away from Lincoln. Then she meets Pheonix, who is an exile, and an enemy of the Grigori. Pheonix may be dark, but he is always there for her and they grow closer. Soon she has some choices to make, ones that could cost not only her own, but also Lincoln's life.

Overall it is a good book, but it is a bit predictable. I also found that it can be a bit confusing if you have read a lot of other angel stories because the hierarchy and history is different, and very puzzling, but the writing is brillian and draws you in.

ENTICED  -  Book 2

Violet has come to terms with bein Grigori, but she defiantly doesn't know everything. As she learns more and more she realises there might even be a future for her an dLincoln together. but Lincoln has his own secrets, and so do some of the other Grigori in their town. Then there is Pheonix, who is more powerful than they thought, and who holds the ultimate hand over Violet. As they race to find the scriptures, Violet and her powers are tested as they are pushed to their extreme.

This is the continuing story of Violet Eden, set one month after book 1 finishes. The hierarchy gets even more confusing, but the great writing continues with a better plot. But sadly no ohappy ending, so we will have to wait for book 3 for that.

EMBLAZE  -  Book 3

 

Came out in October - haven't read it yet!

NOTE: These are books that you will either love or hate. This series is not one of my favourite, but it is a good read if you don't mind reading ANOTHER angel book!

LOTTIE BIGGS IS NOT MAD

LOTTIE BIGGS IS NOT MAD  by Hayley Long

(Review by: student)

This is the story of Lottie, whose real name is Charlotte. When Lottie receives her English coursework, she discovers that it is actually 'Extended Personal Writing'. She sets to work, and during her writing, she discovers all kinds of things, like the feel of jealousy and the truth about her own behaviour. Meanwhile, she tells us all about her job at Stole Mates, a shoe store that is stoked with hideous shoes, and Gareth Stingecombe, who she might just have a crush on. This is a light, laughable book about friendship, love and finding your true self.

About the author:  Hayley Long was born in Ipswich in 1971.  She wrote her first ever book when she was seven years old.  It was called 'Toot the Owl' and even though it wasn’t very good, her mum never threw it away.  After leaving school, Hayley went to university in Aberystwyth and then spent several years working in various countries in Europe.  She is now teaches English and writes books.

'Lottie Biggs is not Mad', the first in a series of books for young adults has now been translated into several different languages and has been awarded the White Raven label for ‘noteworthy and remarkable books’ by the International Youth Library in Munich. 

PRISONER OF THE INQUISITION

PRISONER OF THE INQUISITON by Theresa Breslin   (LWH)

I guess it was the cover of this book really grabbed my attention first and I’m glad because the story was great. A mixture of history, fiction, adventure, murder, deceit, betrayal and a little romance tossed in for good measure. I didn’t know much about the Spanish Inquisition really and this book filled me in a little. The story is about two teenagers, Zarita, a daughter of a wealthy magistrate and Saulo, son of a beggar. An incident early in the story sets the scene when Saulo’s father is killed unjustly by Zarita’s father, and Saulo is sold as a slave to a captain of a ship. This causes a hatred for the Zarita’s family and Saulo devotes himself to revenge his father and kill the magistrate’s entire family.

In the meantime the Inquisition is taking place and the town and there is torture and killings that has everyone living in fear. Family and friends betray each other to save their lives. Zarita is forced to live in a convent with her aunt and she tries to right the wrongs that have been done. Eighteen months on she and Saulo meet again but don’t recognize each other. Although the story is told in dual viewpoints narrated alternatively by Zarita and Saulo, it didn’t make the story disjointed at all and I think it added to the tension. I also liked the fact the Christopher Columbus was a minor character in the story. It was a gripping story that had me turning the pages as quickly as I could.

About the author: Theresa Breslin is the critically acclaimed author of over 30 books for children and young adults whose work has been filmed for television, broadcast on radio, and is read world-wide in many languages. She was born and brought up in a small town in the middle of Scotland close to castles, old burial grounds and the Roman Wall, all of which helped fuel an active imagination as a child, further developed by a real love of reading.

Her books have been praised for their elements of strong setting and sense of place and she acknowledges that she draws on the dramatic landscape of Scotland, its history and its culture.

SIX IMPOSSIBLE THINGS

SIX IMPOSSIBLE THINGS by Fiona Wood   (LWH)

(Short listed for CBCA Book of the Year for Older Readers - 2011)

This book is a fun book, suitable for boys and girls, and has a little drama, romance and comedy. Dan Cereill, who is a slightly nerdish 14 yr old, has his world turned upside-down when his family split, he starts a new school, his father comes-out as a gay, and they are bankrupt having to move into their dead grandmothers home. His life is a mess already, without getting a crush on Estelle, the girl who lives next door, to confuse things. Dan makes a list of 6 things he would like to happen however they seem impossible.

The book tells of his struggle to fit in at school, avoid the bullies, try to help his mum earn some money to pay their bills and now struggling with his first romance. Dan is a lovely character with good intentions and through the story he reinvents himself and finds confidence to attempt things he never would have before. Will he accomplish his 6 impossible things?  Read the book to find out!

About the author:  Fiona Woods is an Australian who usually writes scripts for television shows such as Neighbours, Home and Away and The Secret Life of Us. This is Fiona Wood's first Young Adult novel.

WICKED APPETITE (STAFF READING)

WICKED APPETITIE by Janet Evanovich      (LWH)

After reading all 18 books in the Stephanie Plum series ,by Janet Evanovich I was hoping I'd enjoy this new book Janet recently published, Sept. 2010, unfortunately it was nothing on the Plum series... I didn't laugh out loud!
It did have the same quirky lines and romance tension between Diesel and Lizzy Tucker. It was predictable and I certainly wasn't glued to the pages as I usually am with the Plum series, but it was an easy read.