In a place where magic means execution, a child with extraordinary powers and the key to the fulfilment of a legend is hidden among peasants. Taken in and trained as an apprentice by a candle maker, Tallow has learnt to hide in plain sight. Silently in the shadows, three separate groups of enemies are searching and waiting: the foreign Queen, whose motives are cold and calculating; the aristocrat who dreams of his fortune returned; and the horrifying Morte Whisperers—creatures of the Limen (a mystical boundary land), no one seems to know just what they are. They all want Tallow’s ancient magic for their own means and will stop at nothing to get it. Not even murder. Only one group, The Bond Riders, stand between Tallow and the others’ malevolent plans; but are they truly allies, or do they just want control of Tallow’s powers for themselves?

Opening the cover of this amazing novel is like gazing at a master tapestry. It is visually rich and entrancing with interwoven threads of deceit, long-buried secrets and magic. From the imagery of the candle-making process to the sight, sound and smells of Tallow’s home, Brooks has created a world that is both familiar and fantastically unreal at the same time.

Set in  a richly woven Venetian setting with canals and gondolas and a fascinating dialect of both English and Italian/Venetian, you will feel instantly transported reading chair and all. Your imagination will fly picturing the magical border land and the creatures that inhabit it. Tallow is also a story that will bring a tear to your eye. It is a poignant and unique tale of self-discovery and self-acceptance, interlaced with the need to hide who and what you truly are.

Brooks has a gift for character development as well. The main characters have been given such depth that you expect to see them standing in front of you every time you manage to tear your eyes back up from the action. The lives of the secondaries will also linger with you and you will find yourself wondering about their fate. All in all, Tallow is one of those magical stories that grab hold and don’t let go, even after the last page is read. It is suitable for both sexes and a wide age range. If there is one book you seek out and read this year, Tallow is well deserving of that honor.

Tallow is the first in “The Curse of the Bond Riders” series and I, for one, will be getting my hot little hands on its sequel, Votive, as soon as possible. If it’s anything like Tallow it will be one hell of a read.

Tallow: The Curse of the Bond Riders 1-Karen Brooks

Paperback, 411 Pages

Published 2009-10-01 by Random House

ISBN:978-1-74166-435-5

Belinda follows up her written review of this book with her first video mini. It’s a lot more fun when you can see your reviewer isn’t it? Stand by for more from Bel and Jamie.

“Her beauty is a weapon–and Fire is going to use it”

The second instalment in Cashore’s Seven Kingdoms saga introduces us to a whole new bunch of  terrifically terrifying beasties and a cast of new characters to fall in love with, or to loathe with all our being. Our protagonist, Fire, is the last human monster. A stunningly beautiful creature with the ability to read minds and control others through implanting her own thoughts and will, Fire easily could have been the villain of the piece, just like her father before her.  Fire’s strength of character and strong sense of right and wrong instead give us a heroine to fall head over heels for; and she teaches us a few valuable lessons along the way.

Fire finds herself on a path of destiny where she must embrace her powers and cast her fears aside to play her part in saving her Kingdom. Having spent most of her life hiding away, at first Fire comes across as full of insecurity and deep self loathing for what she is and what she is capable of. Fire not only has to come to terms with the awful legacy her father left behind but also carve her own niche in a world where just what she is gives most enough reason to do away with her.

While being the second in the series, Fire is set in such different circumstances to Graceling that it works well as a stand-alone or first trip into Cashore; it is an intoxicating and brilliantly woven world full of magic,murder,mayhem and intricate court politics. Fans of Graceling will also find themselves breathless with meeting the Infant Leck and rising along as his early life unfolds. This frightening look into the young mind of such an evil and dangerous Graceling adds an enjoyable extra dose of spice.

Fire packs a powerful punch. It will hold you transfixed and let your imagination soar in a blur of pages. I certainly can’t wait to see just what magic Cashore weaves next.

Fire–Kristin Cashore

Published 1 July, 2010, by Orion Books

Paperback, 400 Pages

ISBN: 978-0-575-08513-8

Alona Dare seems to have it all- looks,popularity, the hottest guy in school on her arm and an attitude to match. But when she wakes up dead after a run in with a school bus, the only person who can help her find the light is the biggest outcast in school. It’s certainly not the afterlife she was expecting.

Will Killman has spent most of his life hiding his gift and hoping the dead don’t work out he can see or hear them; but that was before the recently departed cheerleading captain started haunting him. Now he finds himself stuck trying to help her solve her issues- as if he didn’t have enough of his own.

The Ghost and The Goth offers a lighthearted take on the whole life after death conundrum that will leave you dying for more. Quick witted and laugh out loud funny, Will and Alona shatter the stereotypes and what starts out as a begrudging truce soon turns into a beautiful friendship, as each slowly shed the face they show the world and show the true person underneath. The tale is told from both points of view: the lead alternating with each chapter which keeps the story fresh and the plot hopping along. And the intriguing and sometimes disturbing mix of secondary characters will have your interest piqued to such an extent you will find yourself surprised at how fast the pages have flown by.

All in all, this is one of those wonderful, fast reads that will leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

The Ghost and The Goth is the first in the series with Queen of the Dead hitting bookshelves May 31 2011.

The Ghost and The Goth– Stacey Kade

Published by Hyperion

ISBN:978-142312197-8

Hardback, 281 Pages

Check out Stacey Kade’s little spot on the web here.

The Ghoul Next Door is the second instalment in the Monster High series, following the RAD’s (Regular Attribute Dodgers)  of Merston High School, and their struggle with fitting in with normal society and trying to be themselves at the same time.

In this novel we’re following Frankie and her friends as the fallout from book one becomes the nail biting storyline for book two. There is no stopping evil Bekka’s plans to get Brett back and the RAD’s want to go public, safely. Cleo is busting a gut to become the next big thing in Teen Vogue, but what on earth are they all going to do when all hell breaks loose?

There was just as much shameless product placement in this book as there was in last one. However with the release of the merchandise, almost in sync with the book this time, I feel we have faces to add to the names in the book.  (This is, for those of us who haven’t watched episodes of the Monster High cartoons on Pay TV or on the ‘net)
I still feel that Lisi Harrison has added positive messages in the book. The importance of loyalty, how nasty peer pressure is, and being true to yourself, is just the beginning. If we scratch a little deeper there is also not making judgments on your first impressions of someone and trusting your gut instincts.

The parents took a large step back in this instalment and I’m glad. They weren’t there to totally screw up the plot and although it did seem a little weird that they went from super protective in book one, to extremely laid back in this one, it felt like perhaps they were feeling a little silly for being such butt heads previously.

This is not an intellectual’s book… only read it if you’re in the mood for fun and a few giggles. The story moves quickly and had me hooked enough to want to read through a headache.  It was worth the squinting.

Bring on book 3, Where There’s A Wolf There’s A Way, out later in 2011.
The Ghoul Next Door — Lisi Harrison

Published 1st April 2011 by Little Brown Book Group

Paperback, 256 pages