“She will not stand alone.”

It’s been five years since the Darkswarm attacked the Keep of the Winds, leaving a trail of blood and destruction in their wake and irrevocably changing Malian, the Heir of Night’s, life forever.  Now thought to be dead in the wilds of Jaransor, Malian has been anything but idle in her exile. Not only has she developed her own powers into something the Swarm should respect (if not fear), she’s been hunting down every rumour of the presence of the Derai magic workers. Malian is more determined than ever that her people will not fall victim to the twisted dark tide of magic heading their way.

But not all accept tales of Malian’s death. Her enemies are on the hunt once more. Suspicion falls on the two heralds so instrumental in her survival, Tarathan and Jehane, who find themselves caught up in a web of intrigue and murder at the Ijiri Festival of Masks. Fleeing to save their own lives, they bring word of death on the wall and a call of duty and honour that Malian must answer.

Yet, despite five years of searching, the legendary weapons of the Derai’s greatest hero remain lost. Without them a return to the wall promises only defeat and death. Does Malian really stand a chance?

This Gathering of the Lost not only easily matches the brilliance of its predecessor but in many ways it surpasses it. Like all good epic fantasy sequels it’s bigger and better than ever and with another killer ending.

Lowe has taken the world to a whole new height that will leave you utterly addicted to the series. The action has been amped up another octane, the magic is more compelling than ever and the political intrigue perfectly woven throughout the plot.

I was staggered by the complex characterisation in the first book  – but this time I was left breathless.  Lowe has done a magnificent job of shaping and changing her characters, especially Malina and Kalan, by the events that have befallen them without losing that essential spark that had the reader so invested in their journey in the first place. The five year gap between adventures not only feels real when it comes to the characters, but for the reader as well.

Lowe has achieved a balance of light and dark throughout and the well-placed twists and turn will have the pages simply flying by. This is the series all lovers of fantasy young and old simply must have on their bookshelves. Lowe looks set to become a household name of the genre. I certainly can’t wait to see what new twists and turn she brings us next with “Daughter of Blood”.

The Gathering of the Lost-Helen Lowe

Orbit

555 Pages

ISBN: 978-0-356-50057-7

Released: April 2012

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn’t easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.
Julie Kagawa who is is known for her Iron Fey series has taken a turn to the darker with her newest book The Immortal Rules. A new born vampire Allison Sekemoto is struggling from inner turmoil of having become what she hates most in life.
Set in a future world, the humans have become separated into those who are willing to become registered and the unregistered. To become registered means that you willingly provide blood to the vampire leaders who have overtaken the cities; housing, food, necessities.

Allison is an unregistered human when this story begins. She lives a transient life with 3 guys in which every day is a battle for food and shelter. Unregistered’s form small groups, usually to help each other gather necessities, but also fight off the rival groups that compete for the same reasources.

In this world the cities have been walled off. Huge fences surround the cities to fend of the Rabids that have come to occupy the outer lands. These Rabids are dangerous half breeds that are zombie-like in description and are known to attack the cities and can cause complete devastation if unconstrained.

After a food run to the outer limits of the city, Allison and her group are attacked by the Rabids and to save her life, a vampire offers to turn her. Choosing to live and in turn lose her humanity, she becomes a vampire. Her hatred for the vampires drives her to try to become a better, controlled vampire, but the need for human blood, and only human blood will change the way she thinks about vampires.In turn, maybe she can change the way other humans view them as well.

The reader learns that there is no Vegan in Vampire. In this world, it’s human blood and only human blood that a vampire can survive on. The drive is unbearable and the need uncontrollable. Soon Allison is forced out of the city to live among the Rabids. She comes across a group of traveling humans in search for the mythical city of Eden in which there are no vampires. They also search for a cure for the disease that wiped out most of the humans previously. Allison pretends to be human to travel with the group. She makes friends, finds a sense of family and love. But how long can this last, especially if she has to feed?

One thing that I have always enjoyed about Julie Kagawa’s writing is the constant flow of action happening. With The Immortal Rules, Allison is not only an extremely able newborn vampire with ninja-like skills, she actually prefers to fight with a Katana, which also ties into her Asian heritage. She is always in motion and keeps the story moving. With the emotional conflicts that Allison is having to endure over her decision to become what she most despises, and having to find a way to live without hurting those she loves, this is a twist on vampires that I enjoyed – and I think you will to.

Hardcover, 485 pages

Published April 24th 2012

Harlequin Teen

ISBN 0373210515 (ISBN13: 9780373210510)

Howdy Ya’ll!

Welcome to another one of my reviews. Todays book is A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford. It’s the second book in the A Touch Trilogy. Even though the copy I had was a ARC for a book tour I was participating in, A Touch Morbid has already hit the shelves so anyone can go out to the store and pick up their own.

I hadn’t really noticed it before, but I’ve really been into paranormal – especially angel books! I’m not sure why, ut I’m pulled and attracted to them. A Touch Morbid is the book that got me into this phase!

Leah Clifford does an amazing job re-introducing all of the characters in the second book. If it’s been a while since you’ve read the first book, don’t worry, it’ll only take a few pages to get back into it. And only a few more pages before it has your attention tightly wrapped around its finger. I honestly couldn’t put A Touch Morbid down (bad idea, when laying out in the sun reading! Leads to serious sunburns! *Warning*).

There’s is a lot going on in A Touch Morbid, which can be a bit overwhelming (I had to take my time and read some parts more slowly, so I could fully understand what was going on). While Kristen is trying her best to find Gabe and not sure if she can trust Luke or not, Eden wants to save Gabe and keep their group together and safe. Jarrod wants to help a human girl who is addicted to Touch, and soon has feelings for her, and then there’s Az who just wants Eden to be happy even if it means he has to make a huge sacrifice.

A Touch Morbid, wasn’t really what I was expected! From the cover, I got a whole different vibe than what the story was actually about. But after reading the story, and LOVING it, I understand what the cover means and how it connects with the story line. If you haven’t read this book or A Touch Mortal, you really need to go out right now and get it, before I hunt you down (I swear I will!). I can’t wait to read and see what the cover of the third and last instalment of the trilogy will look like 🙂

Lisa

In the not too distant future our throw-away lifestyle has left the economy in ruins and more people are out of work and homeless than ever before. The dotcom boom has well and truly imploded and our “rubbish” is having its day in the spotlight once more.

Perry and Lester are turning the techno rubbish of the past into new inventions. From seashell toast making robots to Boogie Woogie Elmo’s capable of driving smart cars- for these two the only obstacles are the limits of their imaginations.  “New Work” is the new technological era and pretty soon bankers are criss-crossing the nation micro-investing in start-up ventures just like Perry and Lester’s. Together they are breathing new life into the economy and journalist Suzanne Church is on hand to record it all.

Not everyone is on board with this brand new economic belief system though and pretty soon the guys find themselves out of business. They may be down but they are certainly not out. After all they can still invent things. That is until a rogue Disney exec grows jealous of their rising popularity and convinces the authorities that their amazing 3D printers are being used to make AK-47s.Things are about to get bad. Really bad!

This novel is utter genius. Not only does it force the reader to take a closer look at their own use and often waste of technological devices, the relationships between our three main players will warm the heart of even the most cynical.  Perry and Lester raise geek power to a whole new level of awesomeness and their creations are absolutely awe-inspiring to behold. As for our intrepid reporter … well for those of us not as techno savvy as some, Suzanne’s layman point of view certainly helps with clarification and cuts through some of the harder concepts.

Doctorow has brought to life three amazingly complex and well rounded characters who not only standout as individuals but mesh well as a trio. The supporting cast is made up of such a range of different and intriguing personalities. They all take their turn at centre stage with full force. When I first read the blurb I must admit that for a girl who was raised on Disney movies, the idea of a twisted exec working for our favourite mouse was a little mind-blowing – but I must admit it became my favourite twist by far.

An astounding ride with a truly poignant and heart-warming ending that will leave a lingering smile on your face. Makers is fast paced, edgy and an all around moving tale that shines the spotlight onto some of the evils lurking in society. This is certainly a tale everyone can learn from techno junkie or not.

Makers-Cory Doctorow

Harper Collins

ISBN:978-0-00-732522-1

416 Pages