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Monday, March 24, 2008

The Companions Quartet by Julia Golding
Time: 6:53 AM





This quartet by Julia Golding tells of a Society that protects other humans from the knowledge of the existence of mythical creatures. Each of those who are privy to the secret and members of the Society are 'bonded' with a particular species and have a 'companion' from the species. The protagonist of the story is Connie who is discovered to be a Universal, one who is companion to all mytical species. In this story, their main adversay is Kullervo, a shapeshifter with an army who uses force and violence against humans to punish them for ruining the enviroment the creatures live in. Connie battles to find acceptance while at the same time fends off attacks from Kullervo who wants to either make her an ally or to kill her. The story ends with Kullervo being defeated by Connie in a non-violent way, something very commendable for a children's book. Julia Golding weaves a story of mystic and adventure in this series. The series carries an underlying message to the younger generation about the harmful effects we have on the enviroment and how to face our inner and outer battles for acceptance among those around us. As such, the book is successful in conveying across moral stands and values to the children reders while at the same time being an enjoyable read that is bound to thrill its readers.
Verdict: Very Good Read


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Firebirds: An Anthology of Original Fantasy and Science Fiction
Time: 6:11 AM

This book is a compilation of short stories written by some of the world's most accomplished writers. The anthologies are wonderfully written and showcase each writer's distinct style. One of the anthologies that is rather commendable is Hope Box. This story is about a child who is abandoned with a luggage that cannot be opened in a small town. Finally on the girl's sixteen birthday, the luggage springs open to reveal guns and a dress. The story ends with the girl fulfiling her 'destiny' and ridding the world or one evil. It ends on a sad note and leaves the reader in deep thought. splendid gathering of award-winning fantasists. Feminist allegories and fairytale retellings are heavily represented, with some gems among the standard fare. Delia Sherman's "Cotillion" stands out for its fully realized heroine's twist ending, and Sherwood Smith's "Beauty" enlivens a would-be dull moral with likable characters. Tragedy and comedy are also here in force; Garth Nix's and Megan Whalen Turner's offerings both abandon not-quite-human infants in human towns, with drastically different results. Emma Bull and illustrator Charles Vess collaborate with a ballad, reworked as graphic short. Diana Wynne Jones brings fresh perspective to a deceptively simple tale of a country wizard and his cats. Her story is light hearted and amusing. Elizabeth Wein's realistic "Chasing the Wind" and Nancy Farmer's changeling tale "Remember Me" provide compelling glimpses into adolescent self-realization. This tale explores the insecurities teenagers face in their world where fitting in a main priority. The book disappoints in that only some of the anthologies are commendable while the rest are simplistic with the common storyline.

Verdict: Good Read.


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Thursday, March 20, 2008

The Perfect Kiss by Anne Gracie
Time: 6:36 AM

Happy the man whose wish and care a few paternal acres bound, content to breathe his native air in his own ground.
Alexander Pope

First appearance deceives many.
Ovid

A sweet disorder in the dress kindles in clothes a wantoness.
Robert Herrick

At times it is folly to hasten;at other times, to delay.The wise do everything in its proper time.
Ovid

Go to your bossom; Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know.
William Shakespeare

The desire of a man is for the woman, but the desire of the woman is for the desire of the man.
Madame De Stael

The voice of the conscience is so delicate that it is easy to stifle it; but it is also so clear that it is impossible to mistake it.
Madame De Stael

For they conquer who they believe they can.
John Dryden

What is a kiss?Wht this, as some approve: The sure sweet cement, glue, and lime of love.
Robert Herrick

Talking one's sorrows often brings comforts.
Pierre Corneille

Chance is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will always be fish.
Ovid

The strong seducer, Opportunity!
John Dryden

And listen why; for i will tell you now.What never yet was heard in tale or song.
John Milton

Love seekth not itself to please, nor for itself hath any care, but for another gives its ease, and builds a Heaven in Hell's dispair.
William Blake

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, old Time is still a-flying. And this same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be dying.
Robert Herrick

Many women long for what eludes them, and like not what is offered to them.
Ovid

Live well. It is the greatest revenge.
The Talmud



Grace Merridew believes she'll never find true love like her sisters.

After being invited to travel to Egypt with a family friend -- a dream she's had for years -- her best friend, Melly Pettifer, begs Grace to help her get out of a betrothal she knew nothing about. So Grace disguises herself and goes with Melly to the Lord D'Acre estate.

Dominic Wolfe swore he would destroy his ancestral home to avenge his mother's memory, but even from the grave his father is trying to run Dominic's life. The only way for him to inherit is to marry the girl his father had chosenfor him. Dominic wants nothing to do with marriage and informs the girl's father that if he forces the issue, it will be a white wedding only. Once they are wed he will leave Melly at the church door never to see her again.

Grace is quick-witted and sweet; Dominic is devilishly intriguing and wonderfully male. The rest of the characters are charming and entertaining. I enjoyed the way they interacted with one another and it was not forced or stilted. This story made me laugh and cry. I kept turning pages praying there was some way to outwit the dead, and hoping for a happy outcome for all. This story is packed with dry-wit and humor.

If your looking for a funny and entertaining read this is the book for you.

Verdict:Highly Entertaining



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Wednesday, March 12, 2008

The Food of Love by Anthony Capella
Time: 1:44 AM


The story is rather common, lovey-dovey, romantic twaddle of the sort that you have probably seen and read a thousand times before- it shouldn't work but, as a novel, it somehow does .Tommasso is a local boy who sleeps with as many foreign tourists as their pictures will fit on the inside door of his cupboard. He comes across Laura, an American student, and overhears her phone conversation with a friend whereby she says she only wants to sleep with someone passionate about food after her friend tells her this is matched in the bedroom .After bumping into her in a deli and giving her food advice, Tommaso, a waiter, comes up with a plan and tells her first that he is a chef and secondly that he will cook for her an amazing meal- the like of which she has never tasted before. The snag- Tommasso cannot cook but his friend, Bruno, is a highly accomplished chef at a top Italian restaurant.Convincing Bruno to cook for him and passing the food over as his own ,Tommasso manages to woo Laura and win her heart and her passion- but problems arise when Bruno realises he is in love with her the way his good friend never will be and so a classic love triangle is formed.Thus follows, as others have said before me, a classic reworking of Cyrano de Bergerac. The ending when it comes is a bit disappointing being too neat and tidy to be truly realistic but overall the book proves itself to be a cracking read and not too girly at all. Anthony Capella has truly outdone himself in this absolutely delicious feast for the mind as he creates the book as one would a souffle, with careful layers of romance and food descriptions and a light sprinkling of Spanish that brings out the inner Italian in every reader. It is a delicate balance that does not overpower each other and one very artfully constructed. The exquisite descriptions of food too are very detailed and imaginative I was able to taste and savour every flavour in my mind.If Italian food is your thing, then this book was written for you. You might even find it better than a lot of recipe books. The first part of the book is about Roman food, but it’s not the food the tourist gets. It’s the food Italians cook for themselves and you hear about it in detail. The story is divided up into “courses” with each one being introduced by an excerpt from Marcella Hazan’s The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking, which sets the scene for the chapters to follow. Capella has portrayed Bruno and Tommaso wonderfully, allowing the readers more than just a glimpse of their personalities. However what is disappointing is that he does not explore the personas of the other characters more deeply especially Laura who is one of the central characters. The Food of Love is a timeless classic that is a light read and thoroughly enjoyable.
Verdict: Must Read. Light Reading.


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Tuesday, March 4, 2008

The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner
Time: 6:38 AM


The story of a remarkable boy called Yann Margoza; Tetu the dwarf, his friend and mentor; Sido, unloved daughter of a foolish Marquis; and Count Kalliovski, Grand Master of a secret society, who has half the aristocracy in thrall to him, and wants Yann dead. Yann is spirited away to London but three years later, when Paris is gripped by the bloody horrors of the Revolution, he returns, charged with two missions: to find out Kalliovski's darkest deeds and to save Sido from the guillotine. With a tangle of secrets, a thread of magic and a touch of humour, the follies of the aristocracy and the sufferings of ordinary people are unfolded as their lives move relentlessly towards the tragic and horrific days of the Terror. The Red Necklace is a story magically woven with its very vivid descriptions that it feels as if the reader is at the scene witnessing the story unfold and feeling the very same emotions the characters feel. The book uncovers a range of emotions ranging from joy to dispair as sudden turns of events add a twist to the story. What is riveting about the story is the mystery of the red necklace which the author somehow links to many murders and to the evil Count Kalliovski and how it is vital to Sido's mission. The book also touches on self-discovery in the form of Sido learning of his parentage and trying to come to terms with what it means for him. There is also friendship, loyalty and love in the story.The Red Necklace is not only a tremendous adventure story but a vibrant and passionate picture of Paris in turmoil and of a large cast of memorable characters.
Verdict: Good read


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The Secret Life Of a Teenage Siren by Wendy Toliver
Time: 6:22 AM

Roxy, the main character, is a 'band geek' and gets transformed into a Siren on her 16th birthday.This book covers a very predictable plot prominent in many chick flicks and chick lit: namely, girl is not popular- girl undergoes transformation- becomes popular- neglects friends- something bad happens- goes to beg friend's frogiveness- girl is reconciled with best friend again or girl realises close friend who is boy is THE ONE for her- they get together and live happily ever after. I must admit, the part about 'live happily ever after' was just an extra bit i added in. But despite its high predictability, it does have a redeeming quality-humour. Some scenes do bring out irony and laughter from the reader. This book, like most chick lit, is light hearted reading and best read when one is realaxing by the poolside or simply not paying attention to the droning of the teacher's voice during a particularly boring lecture.
Verdict: Typical Chick Lit. Leisure reading. So-So.

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Monday, March 3, 2008

Prospect magazine ( issue february 2007)
Time: 5:01 AM

Recently i have managed to get my hands on a copy of Prospect issue February 27 with much gratitude to my sister. This year being my O'level year, i have hungry to get my hands on any reading materials that might increase my aptitude for the English language like the Newsweek issues Calvin has very kindly supplied me with. And here is my verdict : Prospect is indeed worthy of all the commendations it has gotten and will get in the future. One article that strikes me most is 'Slower Technology' by David Edgerton. This article highlights how today's society is very much misguided into associating technology with novelties in information technology or 'whizzy gadgets' as the layman's term for it is. The parameters the article explores is something that can be used for very common exam topics for English essays of today. The English language the contributers for the magazine use is very in depth and of a standard comparable to the much recommended Time magazine.Since the magazine touches on current issues, the reading of it can be of help to those wishing to get a good grade on their GP paper. However Prospect is heavy reading material and not recommended for novice readers. 'the final plate was lamb's penis and testicles :the penis had an unpleasantly slimy texture' from Matters of Taste by William Skidelsky. And with that dear readers, i end this review.

Verdict: Good for improving English
For advanced readers


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