(Translated from the original German By Helena Ragg- Kirkby)

Julia Frost and her brother Robert have just started at the prestigious Grace College- a school for the best and brightest stuck in isolation in the Rocky Mountains. There’s something odd about the Valley and its inhabitants and when you’re desperately trying to hide your own past, trying to uncover the secrets of others is risky business.

The best way to sum up The Game in just a few words and give you a feel for the magic within would be to call it a mold breaker. Here we are introduced to a protagonist we never truly know until the very end, and who takes us on a journey unlike any other. Then there’s the fabulous jump-off-the-page cast of secondaries so shrouded in mystery and adept at throwing up the red herrings that you never know just who you can trust. And just to amp the mystery and intrigue value to the max, there’s a murder to solve and a blackmailer afoot.

All in all The Game is a standout story that will have your pulse racing and your mind picking through suspicious behaviour at breakneck speed. My only gripe was that it is hard to feel involved in the first few chapters- mainly because I felt no connection with our main – her doing the whole ‘lady of mystery’ act and all. As the plot unfolds, the action picks up and Julia starts to let the reader “in”, you can easily forget your earlier frustration. You’ll appreciate that the mystery is an an integral part of the story, and that it makes the revelations at the end all the sweeter. Fans of mystery will fall head over heels for The Game as it certainly ticks all the boxes and then some; but I highly recommend it to all readers of any genre- the freshness and uniqueness is a treasure in itself.

This is the first installment in a series. Unfortunately for me, the author’s website is in German and I couldn’t find any information in English on when we can expect more from Julia and co. If the cliffhanger at the end is any indication, however, it will be another nail-biting ride.

The Game-The Valley — Krystyna Kuhn

Published May 10, 2011, by Atom

Paperback, 320 pages

ISBN: 9781907410567

Sixteen-year-old witch Sophie Mercer’s life isn’t going like she planned. Firstly, being a witch isn’t as glamorous as she thought it would be; there’s no broomstick riding and her magic never seems to work out like she plans. After yet another disastrous spell, Sophie is sentenced to two years at Hecate “Hex” Hall,  the reform school for witches, faeries and shapeshifters.

In true Sophie style her first day goes freakishly wrong. First, there’s the near attack by a shapeshifter, falling for the gorgeous warlock who pushes all the wrong buttons, and ending up on the wrong side of the three most popular girls in school. Throw in a vamp roommate and Sophie is still a freak among freaks. Life couldn’t get an worse- right? Add some long-hidden family secrets, a ghost that seems to follow only her around, and finding herself way out of her depth and Sophie is in for one “hex” of a ride.

Hex Hall is a brilliant, fun ride through the dramas and thrills that come with being a teen Supe. From teen crushes that end in disaster to witchy with a B cat fights, Hex Hall with have you laughing, commiserating and, at times, running for your life right along with Sophie.  Sophie is funny, funky,a tad insecure and a downright delightful heroine to get to know. Toss in an interesting array of supporting characters that you will either love to hate or just downright love and the pages will fly in a whirl of action and teen angst.

Hawkins’s style is light and fast-paced, yet still packed with plenty of intrigue and mysterious goings-on behind the scenes to keep you guessing. The ending will leave you gobsmacked and dying to ride along with Sophie and co yet again in the second book in the series: “Hex Hall 2 Raising Demons”

Fans of Lisi Harrison’s “Monster High” and Kiersten White’s “Paranormalcy will get a kick out of this fun-filled stellar series.

Hex Hall– Rachel Hawkins

Published by Simon & Schuster, June, 2010.

ISBN: 978-1-84738-722-6

Paperback, 323 Pages.

Author info can be found at www.rachel-hawkins.com

We follow the story of Moon, a solitary Raksura who has developed into manhood not knowing where he came from or even what type of people he belongs to. He is described as a shifter, one that can change from a flying creature into a walking creature. Orphaned at a young age, he has been moving between groundling camps in which he never fits, and to whom he can never reveal his true self. He lives in constant fear that if a groundling sees him shift into is Raksura form, he will be confused with the enemies of all creatures, the Fell.

One day, a flying creature like himself rescues him from a deathly situation and takes him to a floating island until he can heal. Moon and the rescuer take this time to ask each other questions about where they come from and who they are.

Stone, the Raksura who has rescued him, explains that they live in a place called the Three Worlds. There are several types of creatures living in this world, consisting of groundlings, skylings and sea creatures. Some of them are obviously interchangeable and have the ability to shift into another form. Moon decides that he will travel back with Stone to see people like himself, learn about where he may have come from, and the possibilies that his future holds.

Each step of the way they must be smarter, faster and stronger than the Fell that are taking over the world. The Fell are slowly destroying the other creatures to defy their own devastation. All the creatures in this world are experiencing sickness and low breeding numbers. But the Fell have some advantages the other creatures don’t have, and they have set their eyes on the Raksura to salvage their dire situation.

The writing is very descriptive and, overall, very vivid. There are so many levels and nuances within each type of species that it did take me quite a bit of the book to start to grasp the roles they play in their societies. Both the Fell and the Raksura had different levels of rankings in which some could shift and some couldn’t. But the twist of adding the rare shifters in as well made the book more fantastical and really envelops you in the story. The repetitive descriptions of the people throughout the story helped as well. There is so much adventure, world building and action that–literally before you know it–the story is over and leaves you yearning for more.

By the end of the book you are fighting for the happy ending, you come to understand all of the creatures, their plight and their need to grow in number and survive. How they can work for or against each other and the overall message–that we all need to find a place to belong.

The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells
ISBN 978-1-59780-216-1
Published by Night Shade Books, March 15, 2011
Paperback, 300 pages

I was thrilled to find this book on the shelves at my local Kmart, as the first book in the Chronicles of Nick had me twisted in its magic so firmly, that finishing the book felt like I was missing out on something.  The wait for this chapter of the chronicles turned out to be well worth it.

Nick Gautier (Go-Shay) is recovering from the traumas at the end of book 1, Infinity. The principal and coach are replaced before the crime scene tape is even removed, and things start looking up for his Mum, who gratefully takes a job at Sanctuary, a bar owned by were-bears.

Nick knows he’s not your run-of-the-mill teenage boy, and begins lessons with the supernatural beings sent to help him on his journey—wherever that may take him. Everything seems to bleed back into a form of normalcy until one of the new staff members blackmails Nick into criminal activity, in return for not pointing the finger at him over a spate of thefts at the school.

It is up to Nick to untangle the web to save the lives of his classmates, and to take one step closer to his destiny. He just has to step in the right direction. Will his decisions be the right ones?

I’m pleased to see Sherrilyn has kept true to her form and is blending the pictures of these chronicles to enhance those she created with the Dark Hunter and the Were-Hunter series. I am impressed at the meticulous care she takes to not sully the storylines that already exist by throwing something in from left field.

In the dedication Sherrilyn thanks her sons “who wanted a book to share with their friends.” I think she has managed to do just that. The book, I feel, would suit both sexes. There is action and angst for the boys and a hint of drama and romance for those of the fairer sex who prefer it. Humour takes some of the rough edges off, and as Nick has a very mischievous nature, his mouth is a constant source of both trouble and wit. His interaction with the other characters in this enthralling reality certainly rings true.

The only drawback to this series is the books are read so quickly. I’m left now wanting badly to be able to move onto the next book; but alas, I will have to wait patiently with bated breath.

The next instalment in the Chronicles of Nick is Infamous and it should be out early in 2012.

4/5
X Belinda X

Invincible (Chronicles of Nick Book 2)—Sherrilyn Kenyon

Published 29 March, 2011, by Atom

Paperback, 320 Pages

ISBN: 1907410236

EAN: 9781907410239

‘Merricat’, said Connie,’ would you like a cup of tea?’ ‘Oh no’, said Merricat, ‘you’ll poison me’. ‘Merricat’, said Connie, ‘would you like to go to sleep? Down in the bone yard ten feet deep!‘

We Have Always Lived in the Castle is the haunting story of Mary Katherine Blackwood, her Uncle Julian who is on the cusp of death, and her sister Constance, who cares for them and the house. They are the only people left residing in the old Blackwood home. Merricat, as she is called, is not allowed to do the dishes or the cooking; but, she is the only one who is sent into town to get the groceries. And this is where the story begins.

We see a solemn Merricat, dreading her trip into town for food and necessities. All the while, she is wishing them all dead and mentally picturing awful things happening to the people in the town as she passes them by. She plans the least conspicuous way of completing her shopping and getting back home in peace. As many times in the past, however, she is harassed by the men with badgering questions, and stared at and whispered about by the women. On her way home, kids follow her, chanting “Merricat’, said Connie, ‘would you like a cup of tea?’ ‘Oh no’, said Merricat, ‘you’ll poison me’. ‘Merricat,’ said Connie, ‘would you like to go to sleep? Down by the bone yard ten feet deep!”. Merricat does make it home in one piece, and is met by Constance at the edge of the garden (as she will go no further).

The story continues with its melancholy theme and we hear, through the ramblings of old Uncle Julian, the story of how they came to be so lonely, living quietly and contentedly with no company. Uncle Julian reminisces about the house which was once full of people,until four of them were tragically poisoned by arsenic in the sugar bowl. Uncle Julian was the only one of the four who survived. Constance had been put on trial but was acquitted of the crimes. But the deaths never seem to be able to escape those left.

The story eventually takes off when cousin Charles shows up on their doorstep, causing strife in their otherwise content and sombre house. This starts a domino effect of events that, once experienced, the family can never fully recover from.

Shirley Jackson is a master storyteller. Her writing can draw you in completely. This story is full of superstitions, paranoia, and anxiety, portrayed through Merricat. You cannot disagree with the fact that this is truly one of the classics–a fantastic mix of gothic and horror that most of us love. And at less that 150 pages, it is a fast and fascinating read.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle — Shirley Jackson

Published 09/11/2009, by Penguin Books

Paperback, 158 pages

ISBN 13: 9780141191454

ISBN 10: 0141191457