We have all heard the saying “screaming like a Banshee”. I must admit I have had the horror of being tagged as the said Banshee once or twice, and have known a few that perhaps deserve the title. What is a Banshee though? And why was she screaming in the first place?

Two main schools of thought leap to the forefront. First is from the realm of English Folklore and surrounds the tale of arguably the most famous Banshee of them all- Black Annis. The English believed Banshees were an extreme form of nature-worshiping witch. Black Annis, in particular, was said to have been extremely fond of children—unfortunately as food.

Protectors of ancient sacred spaces and guardians of the untapped magic that lay in the area, Banshees would let out a terrifying scream to keep us pesky humans out of the way. It was also believed that even thinking of her could cause permanent madness. Whether or not poor old Annis deserved her horrid reputation, who can truly know; but she has certainly earned a solid place in mythical history.

(Smallville's Silver Banshee)

Now the Irish, on the other hand, were a lot kinder. Belonging to the Irish “Bean Sid-he”, Banshees were in fact the feminine guardian spirits of the fairy mounds and forces of nature. Possessing a magic with a powerful punch and being a master of disguise, it is also believed that most of the myths surrounding old hag witches stem in fact from the Banshee hiding in plain sight. According to Irish belief, Banshees were also more or less harmless unless in a state of “keening” or screaming.  Their piercing wailing, heard mostly only at night, was an omen of death straight from the otherworld. Anyone seeing the Banshee in the act was also assured of imminent death either for themselves or a close loved one.

So whether or not  the Banshee is a horror tale to scare small children, or she deserves to be revered as a powerful Fae force, the best advice would be never to mess with one.

An interesting side note I dug up in the research was the last reported sighting in Ireland in 1948. Could it really be possible the Fae are still among us?

MUSIC: Siouxsie and the Banshees – Cities in Dust

By the Bel is a woman of many talents; an expert on dating Supernatural creatures, a top notch book reviewer, a make-up connoisseur, an internet radio jock-ess and a craft whiz kid. Today she’s sharing a inexpensive way to pretty-up your hair do.

There’s been some wonderful reviews for Burn Bright the last few weeks so we thought we’d share some with you. But firstly, if you’re not on the Burn Bright Facebook page, then go and join. You get to hear everything there first! (click the links to read the full reviews)

Lyndsey at Goodreads: “It’s eerie and untraditional.”

Nice Girls read Books: “Burn Bright is absolutely raw and intoxicating. Set in a world of dark intrigue and deadly secrets, the book offers non-stop twists and turns with a brilliant lead character!”

Precious at Fragments of Life: “Burn Bright is an imaginative and shocking dystopian novel that will pull in readers with its intensity and wildness. I loved the heightened danger, craziness, suspense and subtle romance.”

Cotton Candy: “… an epic sci-fi/fantasy realm that is full of sinister and mysterious characters that you don’t know who to trust. Compelling, intriguing, and utterly fantastic.”

Book’d Out: “Burn Bright is an intoxicating and edgy adventure.”

Random Acts of Reviewing: “I was really impressed with this book, and hope that the next book in the series is not far away as it was thoroughly enjoyable.”

Entice is the third book in the Need series, which also include the books Need and Captivate.
Spoiler alerts for the review and I warn you, this is a series that should be read in order.

Zara White is adjusting to her new life as a pixie queen, Astley is moving heaven and earth to help her find the way to get to Valhalla to save Nick, the love of Zara’s life, and kids in Bedford are going missing at an alarming rate as the evil pixies are doing what they do best.

After reading the first two books in a flurry last year I was really looking forward to Entice. I found myself really excited to see Zara’s journey to achieve her goal and bring Nick home. I’m still not sure what to think of Astley. My spidey senses are flying off the scale. In this book he’s a perfect gentleman, but I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Zara’s friends seem to miss a couple of the large action scenes this time around and though I know dwelling on the death count would make the pace lag, it left me a little cold when the only person to have a meltdown was Issie. The action is well paced and is starting a huge build up to future books.

You’ll have to read for yourself to find out anything more about the storylines.

Rest assured Carrie has written another riveting instalment to her Need series. Entice is just as enthralling as the other two and you’ll be itching for more come the final page. Alas, it looks like the next book won’t be out until 2012.
Entice — Carrie Jones

Published 01/01/11 by Bloomsbury

Paperback, 272 pages

ISBN: 9781408810446

It’s no secret I’m an uber-fan of Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series. In my humble opinion, it’s one of the most well-written YA series doing the rounds at the moment. So, it’s no surprise I was chomping at the bit to get my hands on the latest instalment – City of Fallen Angels.

Cassie Clare had forewarned her faithful followers that this new book would be mainly from Simon’s point of view, where in the past, it’s been Clary, Clary, Clary. The book does, indeed kick off from the world according to Simon, but we still get to hang out in Clary’s head a fair bit, as well as the kick-arse Shadowhunter Isabelle. I was more than pleased about this – Izzy is by far one of my favourite characters, and in the past has come off a little too aloof. This time round, we get a much better idea of where she’s coming from.

City of Fallen Angels begins a new story arc in the life of Clary and the Shadowhunters, after number three (City of Glass) was tied up. This works against the plot in some ways, but unfortunately, there’s no real way around it for Clare. What she has managed to do, however, is set us up (BIG TIME) for books five and six, which will finish off the series. This book is all about the ending; a heart-thudding, sweaty-handed cliff-hanger that left me gobsmacked and begging for more.

Highlights were: The banter back and forth between Jace and Simon. Freaking hilarious in what were actually dire situations. Magnus Bane, the warlock. I’m happy to say that Magnus also appears in Clare’s prequel series, The Infernal Devices. Magnus is getting more and more intriguing with each instalment, his relationship and its possible consequences with Alec a winning storyline. Experimental half-breed demon babies. So gross, it’s brilliant. And while we’re talking grossness (a favourite topic of mine), you can’t go past very dead evil guys in glass coffins. Floating. In goop. The dead Shadowhunter who Clary still manages to get information from? More awesome in the form of extreme grossness. Simon’s new powers. Sorry, but I can’t go into detail on that one without spoilers, except to say that as a by-product, he’s suddenly loads more alluring to the ladies, and goes from the geek to the band stud with two girlfriends. Passionate scenes where Clary and Jace finally get it on. Sort of. And finally, the Ending. Yes, I said it earlier, I know -but whoooah!

Lowlights were: Well, I wouldn’t actually call them lowlights, just things I would have liked to have seen. I would love to see Clary display a bit more of her arse-kicking, Shadowhunter heritage. Sure, she hasn’t been in training all that long, but it would be awesome to see the chick slice and dice some demon flesh and save the guy for a change. Grief for a dead family member. Yeah, not going to go into who bit the dust at the end of City of Glass, but it was a shocker. City of Fallen Angels takes place just two months after those events, and although it’s mentioned numerous times, I felt it was a lost opportunity for some good old grief-stricken lunacy. Maybe we’ll see that in the next book. Finally, I have to admit I didn’t love the way Clary and Jace’s relationship has turned all angsty-like. You know, the whole ‘I’m bad. I’m dangerous. You shouldn’t be with me. I love you too much to be with you because I’ll hurt you’ kind of thing. Admittedly, when you make your characters happy and in love, it kills the fun. Characters in pain are way more interesting. And Cassandra Clare is a master of causing her characters pain. But then again, no one wants to read a six book series where they live happily ever after at book four.

Lastly, a reminder. The Mortal Instruments is one of those series that should be read in order. If you haven’t discovered this rich, beautifully sculpted world yet… what are you waiting for?

Cassandra Clare — City of Fallen Angels

Published 5th April, 2011, by Walker Books Ltd

Paperback, 448 pages

ISBN: 9781406328660