Disclaimer – If you don’t like horror, blood, guts and war these books are NOT FOR YOU.

I will admit right here, right now I am not someone who has ever enjoyed this style of book, because I find I have a habit of putting myself into that character’s position and I have an attack of the wiggins.

Ashes follows 17 year old Alex through her survival of an electromagnetic pulse. Along the way we meet Ellie and Tom, and they work together to try and find other survivors. The question is, when they find other survivors, can they be trusted? Also, the story asks the question – who are the real monsters?.

Ashes really surprised me. I thought once the first set of eyeballs were consumed I wouldn’t be able to move forward, or even finish the book. I thought the gore would far outweigh the benefit of continuing. But then I was wrapped up in wanting Alex to make it; to find a safe place. And I really wanted her to have a happy ending.

Bick has a surprise waiting for us in the way the storyline pushes you along. It’s a little like that scene in the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie where they’re in the boat, in the tunnel with all the gory images flashing before their eyes. It’s enough to creep you out and more than enough to make you want to look away, but you know there’s a point to being on the boat so you hold on and grit your teeth.

Besides the eww factor, I really feel I enjoyed reading Ashes. The constant finger on the trigger approach to the suspense meant it was a very quick read. I had it read within 24 hours. The characters evolved into people you could cheer for and though the imagery was, at times, enough to make me groan in queasiness, it was extremely vivid and it had a purpose.

Now onto Shadows.

As the sequel to Ashes, perhaps Ilsa was feeling the pressure to up the ante, and make even the most jaded horror buff flinch. I was only able to get 300 pages into the 500 and something this book has to offer before I called it quits.

In Ashes we mostly stuck to Alex’s point of view, whereas in Shadows, we head hop between many different characters, and I feel perhaps the storyline suffered a little for this.  I lost that connection I felt with Alex, and though I can see the sense in broadening the reach of the storytelling, it made for far too much horror for my brain to contend with, and still feel comfortable.

The general gist is Alex surviving amongst a tribe of the changed. Tom is trying to find Alex. Peter has been abducted by a band of crazy militia and Chris is escaping judgment from the council of Rule.  These aren’t the only points of view we visit, but they’re the main plot points.

While I wasn’t able to finish this book at this time in my life, I think I will go back at some stage and continue. I still have a strong desire to see what becomes of Alex. I want to see if Tom will find her. I want things to turn out nicely for Ellie too. I want my pink fluffy bunnies damn it!

I think I’ve been bitten by the horror bug, and though I don’t have anything to compare Ilsa’s style of writing too; it certainly scared the you-know-what out of me. If you’re a fan of horror, that is what you’re looking for, right?

Now excuse me while I find a shaft of sunlight to go sit in while I immerse myself in something to chase away the scary images.

I’ve never really thought of puberty for guys as anything more than some awkward moments in public and changing the sheets a little more often than before. In comparison to periods, boobs and the removal of body hair for girls, I think guys generally cop it sweet.

Can’t say I’d really want the concerns of the protagonist in the last e-book I read; Parallel by Christopher Kneipp. I somehow think Mark would beg for a little ‘normal’ public embarrassment and not the great whopping pile of responsibility he’s been dealt. Paranormal abilities and the title of ‘World’s Hope‘ is just the tip of the slippery slope.

“Mark will be 16 soon but his birthday is the least of his worries. He has just found out a secret. His mother is not his mother, his father is not his father and the Earth is not his home.

In the shadow of an unseen enemy Mark is taunted by dreams and the harrying of his enemies growing army.

With the help of his best friend Matthew and new ally, the half-elven girl Angelie, he must escape this world. He must fight to get back home to the parallel world, Quell, where new dangers await and the hopes and expectations of all Worlds rests on his shoulders.

But on Quell he will find that a world away is not far enough to escape the reach of his own Parallel, Tyrren.”

I had the pleasure of reading this fantastic jaunt through the imagination of Christopher Kneipp. His character depictions are strong and the world building is quality stuff.

Mark evolves throughout the story from a teen with a bit of a chip on his shoulder to a somewhat more level headed young man. I guess having not one, but two worlds, relying on your latent skills would do that to anyone. Step up or get out of the way.

As for the evil nemesis, Tyrren is up there with Ghost Face for frustration factor. He’s bad, he’s demented, he’s obsessive and single minded in his desire to become immortal. His actions are hateful and Mark needs to question his morals to be able to put a stop to Tyrren’s horrid tirade.

Though I haven’t been to the Blue Mountains or any of the landmarks mentioned in Parallel, through all five senses we are grounded both in this reality and that of Quell. I can just about smell the air, and feel the ambience by the detailed descriptions as Angelie, and Mark make their way through the story.

This is book one of a trilogy and there are likely to be many more long nights and bags of jelly babies to come for Mark and his friends. I look forward to reading more.

Published December 15th 2011 by Christopher Kneipp on Smashwords

Blood Storm is the second instalment in Rhiannon Hart’s Lharmell series, which follows (Princess) Zeraphina of Amentia and her beloved animal companions, Leap and Griffin, in their ongoing campaign to defeat the Llharmellins and uncover more of Zeraphina’s mysterious past. By the conclusion of the first book, Blood Song, Zeraphina has aligned herself with Prince Amis of Pergamia’s best friend, the darkly enigmatic Rodden Lothskorn, in a victorious quest to defeat the Lharmellin leader. In book two, against the fantastic backdrop of various exotic and often forbidding lands, dark truths and curious yearnings continue to unfold.

Rodden and Zeraphina are bound by a secret that sometimes complicates their perilous mission. Along the way, their physical and mental endurance is tested as they battle for their lives against the Lharmellins and treacherous harmings, while constantly staving off their own deepening hunger – a hunger they must conceal at any cost. Meanwhile, Zeraphina’s unyielding mother, Queen Renata, is determined to see both her daughters married to princes of worthy kingdoms. Back in Pergamia, Zeraphina’s sister, Lilith, has accepted the hand of Prince Amis, and the focus is now shifting to her spirited younger sister who is turning seventeen and being pursued by the utterly loathsome Prince Folsum.

In Blood Storm, Hart’s world building really shines, too. Zeraphina and Rodden journey, via land, sea, and air, across a number of intriguing lands and we are introduced to various cultures and terrains with distinctive features. In Pol (Rodden’s home town) we meet the Jarmin — an exotic, gypsy-like tribe who embrace Zeraphina and Rodden with warmth and humour. Details about Jarmin life include folk tradition, clothing, language, and even craftsmanship, which contribute to interest and realism.

Hart also includes some lovely, innovative scenes where weapons are created for the final battle against the harmings. In a Pol glassblower’s shop, Zeraphina is mesmerised by an artisan and his apprentice as they demonstrate their craft for an audience. (Zeraphina will later discover that they are not just there to enjoy the show). Later in the novel, Rodden practises his chemistry skills (with some comical results) as he attempts to manufacture deadly Yelbar gas from Vitriol (‘the most important alchemical substance’).

Throughout both books, we are treated to scenes featuring Zeraphina working on her archery skills. Blood Storm sees her honing these, along with her equally crucial telepathic talents, including the ability to communicate with the formidable brants — their allies in the skies. The telepathic connection between Rodden and Zeraphina is a clever device Hart uses to successfully create ongoing tension and a sense of kinship and developing affection. And Zeraphine’s proficiency at mind control in the midst of harmings makes for some heart-stopping moments.

One of Blood Storm’s many pleasing themes is that of difference (royal/commoner, human/animal, human/harming). In each case, there’s a lesson to be learned about viewing the world from another standpoint. Through well-constructed interior monologue Hart creates an independent, resourceful, and sensitive character in Zeraphina. It’s very satisfying to see her passion and integrity matched by Rodden, who treats her with respect and kindness.

I particularly enjoyed the way the romance theme was handled: none of the cringe worthy love-at-first-sight stuff of fairytales; no swooning, cookie cutter damsel in distress. Instead, there is credible, simmering tension building between kindred spirits relying on each other in the face of danger (and the tension is further heightened by shocking revelations about Rodden’s past.)

You can easily enjoy Blood Storm without having read Blood Song, but I highly recommend that you get hold of both. The Lharmell series is entertaining, funny, smart, and full of adventure. And with the cliff hanger at the end of Blood Storm, you’ll most definitely want to get your hands on the third book.

Blood Storm– Rhiannon Hart (Lharmell book #2)

Random House, 1^st August, 2012, paperback, pp. 364

ISBN: 978-1-74275-478-9

You all have no idea how excited I was when I saw online that Spark had an early release date… (As long as I didn’t want to wait for the matching cover art) I swear I did a happy dag dance as I plucked the parcel out of my mail box 10 days later. Maybe I could be a little bit of a fan girl when it comes to this series.

Anyways, here’s the goodreads blurb:

“Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally.

Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can’t. Like the fire that killed his parents.

Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he’s not doing it.

More than Gabriel’s pride is at stake — this could cost him his family, maybe his life. And no one seems to hear him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Layne understands family problems, and she understands secrets. She has a few of her own.

Gabriel can’t let her guess about his brothers, about his abilities, about the danger that’s right at his heels. But there are some risks he can’t help taking.

The fuse is lit…”

The pacing is break-neck fast, but as with Storm, Brigid doesn’t pull any punches. Her guys are complex and the girls they like are generally the smart ones, the ones who have way more depth than the shallowness of the ‘popular girls’. Layne is such a different character from Becca, and yet similar in the way she can stand up to Gabriel, and calls him out on his behavior issues. She’s got baggage, but carries on with grace and a stiff upper lip.

The elements sure get a work out this time, especially when tempers flare in the Merrick home. I missed the less stressed banter from Storm, but the tension kept everything on edge and it worked beautifully to keep the pace fast, and the stakes high.

Spark is a superb book for the school holidays, and if you haven’t picked up Storm, grab it at the same time, because you’ll want to get the back story. There are novellas in e-book format as well, for those who want a little more of the Merrick boys.

You’ll love these books if you like Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Chronicles of Nick, and Crave by Melissa Darnell.

Here’s the trailer!

http://www.brigidkemmerer.com/

Paperback, AUS Edition, 350 pages

Expected publication: October 1st 2012 by Allen & Unwin

Thanks to Sue Bursztynski, I was invited to talk at Sunshine College last year. Her student book club were lovely and we had a good chat. Below is a picture of me with them and the fan video that one of the students made. Awesome huh?

MDP at Sunshine College – West campus in 2011.