Review: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud (Lockwood & Co #1)

Publisher - Random House Children’s Books

Publication Date – August 29th 2013

Softcover – 440 pages

Genre – Young Adult; Paranormal

Source - Received from publisher for review

Rating - 4 out of 5: I really liked it

Reviewed by - Amy

Book Info- 

When the dead come back to haunt the living, Lockwood & Co. step in . . .

For more than fifty years, the country has been affected by a horrifying epidemic of ghosts. A number of Psychic Investigations Agencies have sprung up to destroy the dangerous apparitions.

Lucy Carlyle, a talented young agent, arrives in London hoping for a notable career. Instead she finds herself joining the smallest most ramshackle agency in the city, run by the charismatic Anthony Lockwood. When one of their cases goes horribly wrong, Lockwood & Co. have one last chance of redemption. Unfortunately this involves spending the night in one of the most haunted houses in England, and trying to escape alive.

Set in a city stalked by spectres, The Screaming Staircase is the first in a chilling new series full of suspense, humour and truly terrifying ghosts.

My Thoughts- I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the mystery and ‘The Problem’; despite such an unordinary story arch I felt it all linked well enough and frankly- many elements just seemed to click for me. I suppose I love quirks, in the main novel itself, the characters and the way in which it flowed! I couldn’t figure out whether the series is supposed to be futuristic (but not very far in the future) or an alternate universe but either way this is intriguing. The history behind the issue of ghosts is one that is hard to summarize; clues keep being given as we discover much about the ‘lay of the land’. The book’s a perfect mystery with action plentiful also.
Each of the characters in Lockwood & Co’s trio are epic- Lockwood, Lucy and George are such an entertaining bunch- and Lucy, protagonist of ‘The Screaming Staircase’ is a solid character, sophisticated beyond her years. The connection I had to her was sort of ruined by the fact that sometimes I had to hunt down definitions for more than the odd word frankly.
Lucy’s vocabulary- it’s extraordinary. She’s supposed to be my age, maybe even younger. Oh, and, at one point, she said she didn’t read a lot in the circumstances. As a child, she just didn’t so I wonder, where did she get these words from? I think she’d have mentioned finding a dictionary as a ghost’s source or something... Was the only way to eradicate a ghost, once, to skim the dictionary until you learnt dozens of new words? Even though, I think, the novel is written in hindsight it’s not exactly appropriate in my opinion.
Lucy’s charming, sure, and an interesting character but one thing I’d very much enjoy is to hear the sequel(s?) from other point of views as we don’t discover much about Lockwood, and even less about George as a result of Lucy’s narration. Basically, I get the impression her perception of the trio is jaded. The agency seemed so fresh from Lucy’s eyes yet she’s the newest recruit and I wonder how long it’s been around... You discover so much about her, her background and just HER that it’s peculiar- too jaded. How did Lockwood come to set it up, for instance? Talking about agency- it’s something the characters very much have. Their lives are very restless and they seem to have a lot of power for ‘children’ as it were.
My criticisms aside, I shall just sit and wait for the story to be continued in a novel which looks very promising now.

Summary- I enjoyed the way the Lockwood and Co. has such intricacies; it was a very surreal ride but who cares? I loved the imagination- everything just seemed more exciting and I was gobsmacked quite frequently. Event after event, I found myself falling deeper and deeper into a fantastically engaging adventure. I would recommend this but not for reluctant readers as such- if the size of the book hasn’t put a kid (teens included) off they’re probably good to go...

Review: Wicked Business by Janet Evanovich (Lizzy and Diesel #2)

Publisher - Headline
Publication Date - 20th November 2012
Paperback - 352 pages
Genre - Paranormal/Mystery

Source - Received from publisher for review

Rating - 3 out of 5: I liked it.

Book Info - After the mysterious death of Harvard University English professor and hopeless romantic, Gilbert Reedy, Lizzy Tucker's once normal life as a pastry chef in Salem, Massachusetts is turned upside down. Following in Reedy's footsteps, Lizzy and her very attractive - but very unobtainable - partner, Diesel, take up his twenty-year quest to find the Luxuria Stone, an ancient relic believed by some to be infused with the power of lust.

But soon Lizzy and Diesel discover they are not alone in their search for the stone. Diesel's cousin, Gerwulf Grimoir, also wants to wield its power to fulfil his own wicked plans, and will stop at nothing until he finds it.

Treasures will be sought and the power of lust is undeniable in this ancient quest that is full of twisted riddles and high-stakes hide-and-seek.

My thoughts - Okay, so I've said this before and I'll say it again... the best thing about Janet Evanovich's writing is the humour. It is impossible to read one of her books without laughing out loud - a lot! That makes this book a perfect light-hearted read to relax with after a busy day. Something that doesn't tax the brain too much but is sure to cheer you up and make you laugh.

The other thing that Ms. Evanovich excels at is creating loveable and very colourful characters. It's absolutely impossible not to love all of the characters in this book. Even the villain of the piece is so over-the-top evil that she's funny. In Wicked Business, even a monkey and a broom become characters in their own right, and that takes a lot of skill.

The one main downfall of this book, and I have found the same to be true of most other books I've read by this author, is that the plot is fairly predictable and simple. There were no real twists along the way and there were no really exciting events either. So, all-in-all, the plot was pretty bland.

Summary - Although the plot leaves a fair amount to be desired, the characters and the humour do make this an enjoyable read. If you are looking for a light and humourous read to make you laugh out loud, while not making you have to think a whole lot, then this is the book for you.

Other books in the series:
1. Wicked Appetite
2. Wicked Business

Review: Another Jekyll, Another Hyde by Daniel and Dina Nayeri (Another #3)

Publisher - Candlewick Press
Publication Date - 27th March 2012
Genre -  YA Paranormal

Source - Received from NetGalley for review

Rating - 4 out of 5: I really liked it


Reviewed by - Ally

Book Info - An elusive stalker is targeting Marlowe kids - and something unearthly has gotten into its wealthiest student - as the Another series builds up to a fiendish finale.

When his billionaire father marries French governess Nicola Vileroy, high society is all abuzz - but Thomas, the most popular student at Marlowe, is just plain high. Ever since his girlfriend Belle dumped him, he's been spending less time with old friends and more time getting wasted at clubs. But after someone slips him a designer drug one night - and his stepmother seems to know way too much about his private life - things really start to get scary. As Thomas's blackouts give way to a sinister voice inside his head, and as news of a vicious hate crime has students on edge, Thomas comes to the sickening realization that Madame Vileroy has involved him in a horrifying supernatural plan. How can he muster the strength and will to stop it? The pulse-quickening climax revisits Jekyll and Hyde as a current-day cautionary tale laced with a heady dose of paranormal intrigue.

My Thoughts - A loose retelling of an All-time favourite classic of mine we see the finale of this series. Again following the same villainous Boogey man versus the good-ish we see the conclusion of a very well loved series.

With a new “person” on the scene it’s safe to say we know why the book is called “Another Jekyll, Another Hyde” This entertaining re-telling feature the evil Nicola Vileroy whom I might just dub my favourite villainess.

I  have been so excited to read Another Jekyll, Another Hyde because with the way Another ended! Well let’s just say lots of breath taking twists. The plots and twists are well *spoiler ALERT* so we’ll brush over that. What I really loved was the duo personalities, the writing style was wow when it switched between Edward and Thomas. This book had a lot of parts which had me too scared to read the next just for the sheer fear of what would happen next (even if I knew *covers face*).

Summary - Sad to see this series end but A must read for ‘Another’ fans (can also be read as a stand-alone). There is not much I can say or sniffle about this wonderful retelling. Thanks Nayeri’s.

Other books in this series:
1. Another Faust
2. Another Pan
3. Another Jekyll, Another Hyde

Other reviews of this book:
Chapter by Chapter / Choose YA Books / YA Litwit

Review: Seizure by Kathy Reichs (Virals #2)

Publisher - Arrow (Young)
Publication Date - 5th January 2012
Paperback - 496 pages
Genre - Young Adult/Paranormal

Source - Received from publisher for review

Rating - 3.5 out of 5: I liked it

Book Info - Since their dangerous transformation, the Virals have been lying low. But now Loggerhead Island is at risk, and with it, their parents' jobs. The pack suddenly faces seperation, and the only thing that can save them from dealing with the fall-out from their new powers alone is money, and lots of it.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Tory Brennan, great-niece of famous forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan, thinks she's devised the perfect plan, so she rounds up her fellow Virals and persuades them that the only way they're going to get the money they need is if they find famous she-pirate Anne Bonney's legendary treasure. Rumour has it that she hid it in Charleston, but in over 200 years no one has been able to find it.

With the help of their new-found powers, and a nudge from modern technology, the Virals are on the right track. The problem is they're not the only ones looking and, as well as being followed, they discover that Anne Bonney booby-trapped the trail every step of the way, with dead bodies to prove it... One way or another, the path ahead is fraught with danger. And this time, their special powers may not be enough to save them.

Review - Now, those of you who read my review for Virals, the first book in the series, will know that I wasn't all that impressed. But I'm glad to say that I enjoyed Seizure a lot more! I didn't go into reading this book with the wrong impression, as I did with Virals, so I could focus more on the story instead of waiting for something that is never going to happen. As a result I instantly got pulled into the story and found it difficult to put down. With the mixture of action and suspense, I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat wanting to know what would happen next. And Ms. Reich's style of writing is so easy to read, with great depictions of characters and places.

My favourite aspect of the story though is the interaction between Tory and her friends, who now call themselves the Virals. The banter between the four of them provides some light relief between all the action, which was great fun to read. I love how the book doesn't focus on romance - and with Tory being surrounded by three boys all the time it would be easy to fall into this trap. Although there have been hints that one of the friends has a slight thing for Tory the author is obviously taking this aspect of the storyline very slowly. I am actually pretty happy about this though as I think if Tory did start taking a romantic interest in one of her friends it would completely change the group dynamics - which would not be good at all.

The one thing that did spoil it for me a bit though was that they were searching for pirate treasure to save Loggerhead Island. It just seemed like quite an immature thing for such mature teenagers to do and reminded me of things I used to read in stories as a child. Although this is obviously a large part of the storyline I didn't find that it ruined by enjoyment of the book by much though. More like I would get swept up in the action and mystery and then every now and then I would remember what it was they were looking for and think - Pirate treasure? Really? And even with this I still enjoyed the book.

Summary - A great mystery, full of action and intrigue, with a group of incredibly likeable main characters. After not liking the start of the series, I now find myself looking forward to finding out what else is in store for the Virals.

Other books in this series:
1. Virals
2. Seizure

Other reviews of this book:
Ella Bella Reviews / Much Loved Books / Nayu's Reading Corner

This book counts towards the following challenges:
Book #7 for 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Review: Virals by Kathy Reichs (Virals #1)

Publisher - Arrow (Young)
Publication Date - 27 Oct 2011
Paperback - 464 pages
Genre - Young Adult/Paranormal

Source - Purchased

Rating - 2 out of 5: It was ok



Book Info - Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage 'sci-philes' who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.

As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot - if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.

Fortunately, they are now more than friends - they're a pack. They are Virals.

My Thoughts - I will admit that I went into this book expecting something entirely different to what it was and I think that this may have something to do with my dissatisfaction with the story. I somehow got the wrong impression that this was a book about a group of kids becoming werewolves. Instead it is about a group of kids who get infected with a virus who then develop some characteristics of a wolf, such as super-sensitive sense of smell/hearing/sight etc. So I kept on waiting and waiting for this major event to happen but when it never did I found myself confused and slightly disappointed. Although my misconception of the book is not at all the authors fault, it did hinder my enjoyment of the book.

Also, I found the pace of the story very slow-going at the start and I found I really had to push myself to continue reading. The first half of the book focuses too heavily on setting the scene and describing the locations and I just felt as though it was too much and my attention kept on wandering.

But once the action did start, I enjoyed the story a lot more and I became a lot more engaged in the story. Also, there were some good twists near the end which meant that the killer's identity was a complete surprise for me.

One of the best parts of the book, for me, were the characters. I really liked Tory - she's brave, intelligent bordering on genius, and not afraid of anything. She is quite awkward socially with the other kids at school though and I liked the vulnerable side that this showed us. Tory's group of friends were all fun to read about too and the group's interactions were realistically portrayed. I loved the closeness that they felt for each other without there being any romantic feelings to complicate matters.

Summary - A good murder mystery that could have done with kicking into gear quite a lot sooner than it did. I loved the characters and, now that I have put myself right on the nature of the changes that have happened to them, I look forward to reading the sequel and finding out about how they learn to cope with these new-found powers.

Other books in this series:
1. Virals
2. Seizure

Other reviews of this book:
Annette's Book Spot / Between the Covers / Book Chick City / Feeling Fictional

This book counts towards the following challenges:
Book #1 for 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge