Review: The Hunger by Alma Katsu

4.5 stars for The Hunger by Alma Katsu.

I really have no idea that this book is based on a true story, the ill-fated Donner Party, until I read the author's acknowledgements at the end. Once the realisation hit home, I am filled with awe at the amazing way the author weaves a tale by combining history with fiction, and a supernatural one at that.

For the benefit of those who have yet to come across this true story, the following is the gist of it.

The Donner Party was a group of American pioneers who migrated to California in a wagon train from the Midwest. Delayed by a series of mishaps, they spent the winter of 1846–47 snowbound in the Sierra Nevada. Of the eighty-three persons who were snowed in at Donner Lake, forty-two perished, and of the thirty-one emigrants who left Springfield, Illinois, only eighteen lived to reach California.

Frankly speaking, because I am not familiar with the above tragic events of the Donner Party, when I look back at The Hunger, I cannot be sure which portion of it is real and which fiction. Good thing is, the author acknowledges that while much else have been changed to fit her story, names, locations and dates have remained.

In the book, there is talk of supernatural elements such as spirits, demons, skinwalkers and the like and then, there is the natural occurrence of things such as human nature, anger, jealousy and resentment. When combined, it makes for a powerful storyline, one where you cannot be sure which is more dangerous when it rears its ugly head.

As to the wagon party, the author does a remarkable job giving life and depth to some of the more important characters. All of them have a reason for making this perilous journey from Springfield, Illinois to the West, to California, the land of opportunity, and each has his or her own secret to tell. Secrets that are revealed through an inner voice that the author cleverly furnishes the characters with.

The thing most worthy to note in the entire tragedy of this story is that of the human mind. Trapped by mountain of mountains, vast desert, endless prairie, wide rivers, deep snow, it is scary to think what the human mind is capable of. The human mind is, after all, susceptible to insidious influence, especially when people are hungry, tired, and afraid.

Much as I love this story and am prepared to give a 5-star rating at halfway mark, I cannot help but feel disappointed with the ending. Not that the ending is no good, but it feels kind of abrupt when there are still some loose ends to tie up. Perhaps it is a deliberate move by the author to go ambiguous and leave it to the reader's imagination. Still, I will have preferred a more definite ending, not one that triggers a need to find out more by reading the real story behind the fictional one.

Then again, regardless of the closure, the Donner Party true story, has piqued my interest. Yes, I will like to follow up on the two books recommended by the author for further reading. It will be an eye-opener to learn more about the events in this doomed wagon train.

Review: Hiroshima: The Autobiography of Barefoot Gen by Keiji Nakazawa

4.5 stars for Hiroshima: The Autobiography of Barefoot Gen by Keiji Nakazawa.

Keiji Nakazawa was born on 14 March 1939 in Hiroshima, Japan and was 6 years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on his hometown.

This book is an account of his life during and after the second world war: fleeing the hell of the atomic bomb in a bustling city wiped out and buried in corpses, overcoming with great difficulty the postwar shortage of food and struggling against all odds to survive.

There is much horror, sadness, anger and unhappiness in Nakazawa's narratives. But there is also hope and optimism as he seek ways to channel his pent-up frustration and bitterness about the war and aftermath of the atomic bomb through the world of manga to create awareness for the next generation.

Review: How to Stop Time by Matt Haig

4.5 stars for How to Stop Time by Matt Haig.

How to stop Time is a beautiful work of fiction. It is a thought-provoking tale of living with a condition where time stretches out towards an almost infinitely distant point in the future, a condition that sounds like a blessing but which, in itself, is also a curse.

Written with a time perspective that does an impressive job to comfort and terrify, the story flits seamlessly between the past and the present to span centuries where everything changes, yet nothing changes. Chapter to chapter, scene to scene, time to time, flashback to flashback, everywhere but nowhere, everything but nothing, all at once torn between centuries, between place and time, now and then. The author brilliantly delivers an effect which is a poignant combination of mesmerizing surroundings and tragic history. The entire story will have been perfectly executed if not for the slight tweak towards the end which I feel kind of bring the story down a notch.

Estienne Thomas Ambroise Christophe Hazard has many, many names, and been many, many things. Because of a - speed of ageing at 1:15 ratio - condition, he has been roaming Earth for four centuries and then some. This is his story. Read it, live it and join him on his quest on how to stop time.

"What are you scared of?"
"I am scared of time."

Review: A Winter Dream by Richard Paul Evans

4.5 stars for A Winter Dream by Richard Paul Evans.

A Winter Dream is a dramatic yet heartwarming story about dreams and dreams come true.

Throughout history, dreams have been a source of wonder to humanity. While some believe that dreams are the very secret to understanding life, others believe that life itself is a dream.

Do we dream our dreams and have them too? Dreams.. there are those that come to us in our sleep when our mental gates are unlocked and unguarded and there are those that we create with our hearts. A Winter Dream has got both kinds, thus gifting the story a surreal mix of fact and fantasy and making it an enjoyable tale of wonders.

It is a fact of life that we may be cuising through life on a set course, then, in just one day, everything as we know it changes. Ultimately, this story is about learning to accept changes, daring to dream and making it come true by finding the courage, heart and discipline; a theme that can not be more apt to be read at Christmastime.

Review: The Burning Land (The Last Kingdom #5) by Bernard Cornwell

4.5 stars for The Burning Land (The Last Kingdom book 5) by Bernard Cornwell.

It has been a really long while since I read a series in succession, five books in a row. If my memory serves me right, the last was The Walk series by author Richard Paul Evans (book 1 The Walk, book 2 Miles to Go, book 3 The Road to Grace, book 4 A Step of Faith, book 5 Walking on Water), and I remember feeling deeply inspired for starting off the Year 2015 with the Walk series as it has brought along hope, faith and a sense of peace at that time.

Before I rattle off with reviews of old, let me get back to the topic at hand, the gathering of my thoughts and feelings on book 5 of The Last Kingdom series.

More years have passed and Uhtred, the pagan in service to a Christian king, is now in his mid-thirties. He longs to go North, back to his ancestral home besides the Northumbrian sea, to Bebbanburg, a home usurped by his father's brother.

As the title dictates, The Burning Land is mostly about fire and skirmishes. Burn Wessex Burn. Besides the burning, the killing and the plundering, it is interesting to note that the fights and battles are not just about men or food supplies, it is also about the hills and valleys, the rivers and marshes, as well as the places where land and water will help defeat the enemies. To this end, the author has done an impressive job propelling Uhtred to ever-greater heights as a strategist. A scheming man he is not, yet Uhtred has earned the readers' trust to have the best-laid plans.

In a time where a man is judged by his deeds, his reputation, the number of his oath-men, his generosity and his gold, to gain everything a man must risk everything. Dressed in his war-glory, mail and helmet and sword and arm rings, the Uhtred as we have come to know so well so far, is all about hopes, futures and dreams (of freedom).

Once again, the story and adventures of Uhtred, an exile and a warrior who straddles two worlds, the Danish North and the Saxon South, checked all the right boxes.

Treachery checked
Betrayal checked
Inferno checked
Chaos checked
Oath checked
Duty checked
Love checked
Devotion checked
Courage checked
Battle checked
Pride checked
Allegiance checked
Loyalty checked
Honor checked

Notwithstanding the above, I do have one grievance, and that is, I start to see the emergence of a certain pattern to the happenings and it somewhat dries up and slowdown the development of the story by this fifth instalment. Perhaps that is also the reason why I take much longer to finish this book.

Regardless of my grievance, I am still awed by author Cornwell in his choice conclusion of this tale. Indeed, I cannot help but do a double take when I reach the end of this story for the final scene of book 5 The Burning Land and the last act of book 4 Sword Song mirrors each other. How cool is that!

Book 5 The Burning Land

The long oars dipped, the river banks closed on us, and in the west the smoke of Lundene veiled the sky. As I took Æthelflæd home.

Book 4 Sword Song

The long oars dipped, the riverbanks closed on us, and in the west the smoke of Lundene smudged the summer sky. As I took Æthelflaed home.

Uhtred takes Æthelflæd home. The endings are the same but yet they are different. Why? Because the state of Æthelflæd's mind is at odds with each other in both instances. Well.. I'm not going to tell you the details. If you want to know, read this Last Kingdom series to find out for yourself.

Fate is inexorable. Wyrd bið ful āræd.

Review: Red Rising (Red Rising #1) by Pierce Brown

4.5 stars for Red Rising (Red Rising book 1) by Pierce Brown.

This novel is labelled under the Science Fiction genre, but with the exception that it takes place on Mars, there is hardly any science in this fiction. Nevertheless, I have a great time trapped in the layered society of Colours, the Golds, Silvers, Bronzes, Coppers, Obsidians and Reds to name a few. The initial 15-20% of the story is slow moving but hints of potential and great things to come. Boy, am I glad to have persisted beyond because after that, I willingly hold myself captive between the pages of this book.

Oppression. Lies. Rebellion. Freedom. Every sin, every death, every sacrifice, is for freedom. This story is a study of humanity; of political, psychological and behavioural science, how human beings react to one another, how armies function and how tactics win battles but strategies win wars.

I like the placement of Roman mythology in the story even though it is loosely based upon. Twelve Houses, each named for one of the gods of the Roman pantheon. But somehow I feel the need to voice out that the author fails the Mathematics test. When I finally decide to do a count, I find out that there is one extra House to account for. Shouldn't it be twelve Houses in twelve castles based on twelve great Roman deities? And don't get me started on where the twelve Roman Gods reside in - Mount Olympus. OMG! Mount Olympus is the dwelling of the Olympian Gods according to Greek, not Roman mythology. Well, it seems to me that the author wants the best of both mythologies, Roman and Greek. But please, get them right and don't confuse readers by blending them together.

Jupiter-Juno
Neptune-Minerva
Mars-Venus
Apollo-Diana
Vulcan-Bacchus
Mercury-Ceres
Pluto

Now, here comes the irony. Regardless of all the above grievances, Red Rising, with the adult-centric themes of justice, power and war, is a book worthy of my time.

Review: The Paper Magician (Paper Magician Trilogy #1) by Charlie N. Holmberg

4.5 stars for The Paper Magician (Paper Magician Trilogy book 1) by Charlie N. Holmberg.

The Paper Magician is a charming Young Adult Fantasy set in a world of magicians who animate man-made materials such as glass, metal, plastic, rubber and yes, paper. It is beautifully written to convey the message that life is worth living and there is hope - and love - yet to be.

I bought this book from Amazon Kindle First on 3 August 2014, yet for one reason or another, I did not read it until 5 days ago. Oh, how I love this story and chide myself for not reading it earlier. On the other hand, perhaps it is a blessing in disguise that I have procrastinated in reading this book which I thought is a standalone at the time of purchase, for three years later, the trilogy is completed and I can have the luxury to read them back-to-back.

Review: Percy Jackson's Greek Gods by Rick Riordan

4.5 stars for Percy Jackson's Greek Gods by Rick Riordan.

This Greek mythology is certainly a welcome change from my last book. In fact, I feel so mentally exhausted after my last two trips to the Andes mountain and back that I am not sure if I can finish reading any book within the next thirty days. I do not know about you, but I do find reading non-fiction to be more intense and draining.

How to describe Percy Jackson's Greek Gods? One word. Uplifting. My mood literally soars as I smile and laugh my way through the short stories with each of the Greek Gods. Also, it helps that I have background knowledge of Greek myth in the first place which makes for an even better dry sense of humor.

Review: Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors by Piers Paul Read

4.5 stars for Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors by Piers Paul Read.

‘I come from a plane that fell in the mountains. I am Uruguayan.…’

This is the story of sixteen survivors; how they have suffered the plane crash, what they have done to remain alive and how their ordeal in the Andes have changed their attitude towards life. And because I have already read the book I Had to Survive, I can appreciate and understand this book in depth.

This book does well to offer the bird's-eye-view of all the goings on. The author provides a chronological order of the event, clearly depicts the occurrence of the plane crash, lays down the horrors of the aftermath and even presents analysis to break down the causes and likely culprits leading to the tragedy. However, due to the third person narration, the story coverage comes across as detached and somewhat lacking in warmth, faith and friendship among the survivors. I am also kind of disappointed that the book does not offer perspectives of the event as seen through the eyes of any or each of the survivors.

Review: The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

4.5 stars for The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware.

The Woman in Cabin 10. The book title by itself is creepy enough to reel me in, and since I have such an enjoyable time scaring myself reading the author's debut novel, In A Dark, Dark Wood, I decide to wait no longer and plunge headlong into the story.

True to its title, I am creeped out. And because this novel is brilliantly written with effective use of imagery, the flow of pictures in my mind's eye is so vividly created that I feel as if I am Laura Blacklock, the British travel journalist who is invited - to the wrong place at the wrong time - to the maiden voyage of the Aurora Borealis, a boutique super-luxury cruise liner bound to travel around the Norwegian fjords to catch the spectacular majesty of the northern lights.

Reading the book feels exactly like watching a suspenseful psychological thriller film, a jigsaw with too many pieces to fit the frame, only that it is right there in my head, one exclusively aired for my viewing pleasure.

Review: In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

4.5 stars for In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware.

Who can I trust, if I cannot even trust myself?

Read this psychological crime thriller and you get a front row seat to all of the action that set the stage for a solitary writer, Leonora Shaw, who is invited to a bachelorette party by her best friend from school, a friend who she has not seen in a decade.

I learn from the author's website that "Film rights have been optioned by New Line Cinema, with Reese Witherspoon attached to produce". Wow! I am definitely looking forward to catching this dark, spooky setting of a story on the big screen at a movie theatre when the time comes.

Review: Half the World Away by Cath Staincliffe

4.5 stars for Half the World Away by Cath Staincliffe.

This is every mother's worst nightmare come true.

Distance. Culture. Language. You name it, the story has it. Across the vast ocean from one end of the globe to the other, from Manchester in the UK to Chengdu in the Sichuan province in China, it is indeed Half the World Away. But when physical barrier no longer becomes an issue, the breakdown in communication and cultural differences become everything that stand in the way of reaching out to a loved one.

Having visited Chengdu before, I can relate easily to what the author is trying to bring across in her story. I love the way the author brings this big city to life with its spicy fiery food, the custom of adopting a Chinese name and the hustle and bustle of a typical day in the park to name a few.

Equally impressive are the little details, simple as it may seem, that add charm to the story. The author has either done a fantastic job in her research or she has gone the extra mile to visit this city where the sun never shines.

If you like mystery stories that revolve around family life, then this one is for you.

Review: Stone Cold Red Hot (Sal Kilkenny #4) by Cath Staincliffe

4.5 stars for Stone Cold Red Hot (Sal Kilkenny book 4) by Cath Staincliffe.

No two cases are ever the same. I marvel at the brilliancy of the author to continue spinning cases that have me on my toes.

In this fourth instalment, the missing person case is like the Pandora's box of secrets. As the story unfolds, the skeletons in the closet take on their queue numbers and tumble out one after the other, leaving me breathless and stone cold. Needless to say, red hot is another story (case) altogether.

A well paced and definitely mind absorbing great read.

Review: Project 17 by Laurie Faria Stolarz

4.5 stars for Project 17 by Laurie Faria Stolarz.

Project 17. This is one book I set my eyes on right after I have finished reading the Dark House series - book 1 Welcome to the Dark House and book 2 Return to the Dark House - by author Stolarz. For the reason that I so enjoy the Dark House series, I search for and read up on the blurb of all the other books penned by this same author; among which is this book, Project 17, which simply screams at me to be read. And so, I tell myself that the next book by author Stolarz that I shall read will be Project 17. By sharing this review, I am glad to say that I have not let myself down.

In terms of story presentation and way of narration, I will say that Project 17 is very similar to the Dark House series. But as much as similarities go, that is just about it. Project 17 is very much a story on its own with no lack of originality. The first-person narratives – by the six different characters – are well thought-out and take the reader on a journey from Salem High School to a place which is closed down more than ten years ago. Slowly but steadily, the author builds the story towards its climax while at the same time, does a great job keeping the reader deep in suspense. Yes, I get hooked to this spine-tingling story from the moment I start reading.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Six of them; each with a different reason. They go to Danvers State Hospital (DSH), the old abandoned asylum at the peak of a hill, with the intention of spending one night there before the place is demolished to make way for condos and luxury apartments. Little does any of them know how haunting the experience is going to be; how the experience will come to change their lives. Forever. For there is something bigger going on there than just abandoned huge brick buildings with tons of pointed roofs and steeples, and debris.

Credit Roll
Derik LaPlaya LaPointe
Elizabeth Blackwell Miller aka Liza
Miriam aka Mimi aka Halloween
Greta aka Ashley Barbosa
Tony Cassis
Chet

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion; Reprint edition
Publication date: 9 Jun 2009

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High atop Hathorne Hill, near Boston, sits Danvers State Hospital. Built in 1878 and closed in 1992, this abandoned mental institution is rumored to be the birthplace of the lobotomy. Locals have long believed the place to be haunted. They tell stories about the unmarked graves in the back, of the cold spots felt throughout the underground tunnels, and of the treasures found inside: patients' personal items like journals, hair combs, and bars of soap, or even their old medical records, left behind by the state for trespassers to view.

On the eve of the hospital's demolition, six teens break in to spend the night and film a movie about their adventures. For Derik, it's an opportunity to win a filmmaking contest and save himself from a future of flipping burgers at his parents' diner. For the others, it's a chance to be on TV, or a night with no parents. But what starts as a playful dare quickly escalates into a frenzy of nightmarish action. Behind the crumbling walls, down every dark passageway, and in each deserted room, they will unravel the mysteries of those who once lived there and the spirits who still might.

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: Dead City (Dead World #1) by Joe McKinney

4.5 stars for Dead City (Dead World book 1) by Joe McKinney.

I have always thought that I have seen enough zombie movies to last me a lifetime though I can easily count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I have watched such shows. Due to this reason which I am not even sure how it originates, I have not the inclination to actively seek out books related to the walking dead. So, it is by pure luck that I chance upon the Dead World series.

To be honest, I am a little put off by the not-so-appealing picture of a book cover on Dead City. While the cover picture is typical and illustrative of its content, it does neither to excite nor guarantee me a good story. The good thing is, I have long since learnt that sometimes the best of a story can hide behind the facade of a not-so-attractively designed book cover. With this in mind, I put my luck and chance to work and suddenly find myself coming to life in this city of the dead and living a series of nightmares through the eyes of lead character, Officer Eddie Hudson.

It all starts with hurricanes. Mind you, not one but five major hurricanes that hit the City of Houston - less than 250 miles away from San Antonio where eventually all actions take place - in a span of four weeks. What follows in the wake of these extremely large, powerful and violent storms is flooding, debris and death; basically, destruction beyond our worst imagination.

Dead City, fast-paced and action-packed, is a story so utterly engaging that even with knowing it to be a tale of horror and terror has not stopped me from reading it late into the night and scaring myself silly. Once the lights are out, I literally jump into bed and cover myself up with a blanket. Yes, the zombies in Dead City are genuinely scary; though the rational part of me says there are no zombies in the real world, I cannot help that my imagination takes on a life of its own and runs wild.

For a debut novel running on the theme of horror, the writer has unquestionably hit the nail on the head and made an impressive impact. The writing is smooth and the story flows realistically well, so much so that I feel as if I am one with the protagonist facing off the undead with brutality, bloodshed and gore; something straight out of a nightmare.

Reading Dead City feels like watching the transformation of humankind from a pleasant dream to a dream gone horribly wrong. I like the story so much that I find myself singing its praises to friends alike. The only plaint I have is the final event leading to the wrap up of the story, which in my opinion, is a tad too good to be true in the apocalyptic destruction of the Lone Star State.

Through the story, the author also raises thought-provoking questions about humanity, about life and death.

First, there is this question that revolves around the subject of consciousness. How much of it do the undead have left? If they retain even a tiny fraction of cognizance, should they be guilty of attacking the living? Second, should the zombie or even a near-zombie be arrested for killing and eating somebody? Should the uninfected shoot the undead in self-defense or in pre-emptive attempt for fear of being attacked? Third, do the livings have an obligation to contain the infected and find a cure for whatever virus is plaguing them? Or should they take the utilitarian approach and kill all the infected before they have a chance to spread the virus to the rest of the world? Indeed, the legal and ethical issues brought up by the author are food for thought.

All things considered, this adrenaline pumping novel of horror in first person narrative is worth every minute of my time reading. I will highly recommend it to those of you - not for the faint-hearted - who are seriously up for a horror challenge.

Publisher: Pinnacle; Reprint edition
Publication date: 1 Oct 2010

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Battered by five cataclysmic hurricanes in three weeks, the Texas Gulf Coast and half of the Lone Star State is reeling from the worst devastation in history. Thousands are dead or dying--but the worst is only beginning. Amid the wreckage, something unimaginable is happening: a deadly virus has broken out, returning the dead to life--with an insatiable hunger for human flesh. . .

The Nightmare Begins
Within hours, the plague has spread all over Texas. San Antonio police officer Eddie Hudson finds his city overrun by a voracious army of the living dead. Along with a small group of survivors, Eddie must fight off the savage horde in a race to save his family. . .

Hell On Earth
There's no place to run. No place to hide. The zombie horde is growing as the virus runs rampant. Eddie knows he has to find a way to destroy these walking horrors. . .but he doesn't know the price he will have to pay. . .

*Blurb from Goodreads*

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Review: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

4.5 stars for Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.

Not sure what possesses me lately but I have the sudden urge to read a classic novel. To date, far as I can remember, I have only read young adult and children’s classic books, never adult ones. So yes, it does take some time – at least for me – to warm up to the style and language of a classic novel. Nevertheless, I am able to enjoy and appreciate author Brontë's manner of writing and her powerfully expressive descriptions of the lonely moorland and its alienated inhabitants; both of which are redolent of everything that is English.

With regard to style and language, I am certainly amused by Brontë's choice of words in penning Wuthering Heights, particularly her preference in frequently using 'ejaculated' to bring across the meaning of saying something quickly and suddenly. Thus far, I have not the chance to come across this word being used in modern-day novel writing to denote anything else other than its other literal meaning with sexual connotation. Well, actually I think this is just another sign that times have changed; after all, Wuthering Heights is originally published in the year 1847.

Amusements aside, for those of you who are wondering about the meaning of Wuthering and its significance to the story, which I certainly do when I read the book, here it goes. Wuthering as used in the book title is taken to describe the turbulent and noisy winds that blow across Mr Heathcliff’s dwelling – an ancient mansion sitting on a remote moorland farmhouse – which thus earns its name as Wuthering Heights.

Wuthering Heights is essentially a story within a story where the elderly housekeeper, Ellen Dean, eventually becomes the main narrator and tells the story of how a Mr Heathcliff comes into existence in the residence of the Earnshaws and sees to it the beginning of a wildly romantic and complex story. In truth, more of a tragedy I will say.

Before I go any further, I admit that I find it next to impossible to talk about Wuthering Heights without saying too much even though I try my best to keep spoilers at bay. So if you prefer to know nothing about the book, please stop reading right after this paragraph.

Heathcliff is a gypsy boy who is taken in and raised by this pristine family, the Earnshaws. As time passes, Heathcliff and the girl, Catherine Earnshaw, fall in love with each other. Unfortunately, due to Heathcliff’s background, the family thinks he is dirt and not worthy of the proprietor’s daughter.

Try as he may, nothing that Heathcliff does can convince the Earnshaws that he is good enough and change their opinion of him. In the end, he goes away, educates himself and returns a gentleman. But still, the people think very lowly of him. In the end, Heathcliff decides to fulfil the judgement of these people by becoming what they think of him. He turns into a brute and let loose the evil within him; he becomes a most diabolical man, delighting to wrong and ruin those he hates.

Publisher: Collector's Library; Second Printing edition
Publication date: 1 Aug 2010

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Wuthering Heights is a wild, passionate story of the intense and almost demonic love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, a foundling adopted by Catherine's father.

After Mr Earnshaw's death, Heathcliff is bullied and humiliated by Catherine's brother Hindley and wrongly believing that his love for Catherine is not reciprocated, leaves Wuthering Heights, only to return years later as a wealthy and polished man. He proceeds to exact a terrible revenge for his former miseries.

The action of the story is chaotic and unremittingly violent, but the accomplished handling of a complex structure, the evocative descriptions of the lonely moorland setting and the poetic grandeur of vision combine to make this unique novel a masterpiece of English literature.

*Blurb from Goodreads*

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Review: Maternity Leave by Julie Halpern

4.5 stars for Maternity Leave by Julie Halpern.

This book is a must read for all - particularly the 21st century - mommies out there. It is a realistic, down-to-earth story which most, if not all mommies, can understand and relate to. As real as it gets, it details the start of motherhood from the onset of labor right up to raising the baby at the end of the protagonist's maternity leave. Of course, in reality, we know that there is so much more beyond the first few months of paid maternity leave, but to fit in with the timeline as dictated by the book title, that is as far as the story goes.

There are a number of things I really like about this novel.

One is the overall presentation of the story. Instead of the usual numbering of chapters in ascending order, the author chooses to present her story by the '# Days Old" of baby Samuel Schwartz-Jensen. This method of chapter differentiation is certainly brilliant; not only does it aid in easy reading and monitoring of the baby's growth and development, it acts as a countdown to the end of the maternity leave.

Two is the voice of the protagonist - Annie, a 36-year old middle school English teacher - which speaks volumes with regard to the ups and downs of motherhood. The joys versus pains, togetherness versus loneliness, courage versus fear, assurances versus doubts of a full-time stay-at-home mom are creatively yet accurately laid out by the first person narrative. To my great delight, I find them to be echoes of my own sentiments and am glad that these are proof enough that I am not the odd one out!

Three is the intermittent update of facebook status. This is so in line with the lifestyle adopted by many ever since the invention of smartphones. While stay-at-home moms with newborn babies are generally too busy and tired from lack of sleep to keep up with friends, they can still connect with people through the various modes of social media.

Four is the close-to-heart way the author puts across on the dilemma which practically all parents, especially mommies, will experience when the time to return to work is round the corner. The million dollar question is "who will look after the child?". Be it going back to work or quitting the job to be a 24/7 mom, there will always be this guilt and internal struggle within a mother for whichever decision that is made because she can never know what the other outcome will be due to the opportunity cost involved.

One thing for sure which I totally agree with the protagonist is that no mommy will want to miss out on the milestones - first words, first crawling, first steps, first on solids, etc - of her own child.

Five is the similarities of 21st century motherhood experienced in present day across space and culture. Although the story is set in the Chicago suburbs, which happily coincides with the residential area of the author and her family, the difficulties and anxieties encountered in child birth, nursing and taking care of a baby are more or less the same. Gone are the days of infant formula. Now we all know that the greatest gift a mother can bestow upon her newborn baby is the mother's milk. I love the determination and perseverance of the protagonist in advocating breastfeeding.

It is remarkable that the author can write a full-length novel with the entire time span being a woman's maternity leave, that is, twelve weeks until the end of the school year on top of the twelve weeks of summer holiday. One may ask, what more is there to looking after a newborn baby than the expected endless routine of sleep, wake and feed. Well, read Maternity Leave and you will be in for a treat.

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Publication date: 1 Sep 2015

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The profane, profound and just plain funny story of a professional woman who thinks she's ready for a baby but her maternity leave proves otherwise.

Thirty-six-year old Annie Schwartz-Jensen and her husband, Zach, waited to have a baby until the time was perfect. Annie got pregnant as planned, she hid her puke breath from the students in her seventh grade class, and drew up a detailed birth plan. She knew what to expect. She couldn't wait to raise her child in the most expertly precise way, using the trials and errors of all the parents who came before her in her ten years of teaching. She couldn't wait to feel the unconditional love, that moment everyone told her about, when she had a baby of her own.

"Maternity Leave" begins nine months later, as Annie gives birth to Sam, who comes out perfectly formed and screaming. After all those years of dreaming about a baby, this one is real.

And he scares the living crap out of Annie.

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: Welcome to the Dark House (Dark House #1) by Laurie Faria Stolarz

4.5 stars for Welcome to the Dark House (Dark House book 1) by Laurie Faria Stolarz.

If you ask me: physical book or digital book? I will tell you, for the sake of ease and convenience, I take the e-book version - blame it on techology - anytime over the dead tree version. But deep down inside, I am still a great lover of books, physical that is, be it paperback, hardback, large print books or even timeworn books. I love the smell of books in libraries and old book stores; it not only relaxes me but fills me with warmth, happiness and a strange sense of peace.

Unfortunately, no matter how handy it is to read by the use of an e-reader, there are some things about the reading experience which simply cannot be replicated from holding, flipping and perusing a tangible book. Sometimes, due to the way a story is written and presented, it remains best to read the novel the old-fashioned way. Welcome to the Dark House is one such book that makes me grateful to have laid my hands on the paperback. Though I do not possess the digital version, I dare say with certainty that should I have read it on my e-book device, the pleasure I gain will surely be different and likely one of considerably diminished enjoyment.

When I first start reading, I know this is a first person narrative - narrator being Ivy, a 18-year old girl – but what I am not aware of is that it covers first person point of view from six totally different characters. As I read on, I feel a kind of respect towards the author whom I think is gutsy enough to have attempted this adventurous feat which is by no means easy. But boy, do I get blown away! The author does it so astonishingly well with no unnecessary overlap that I do not feel in the least mind trapped in any one of the six characters while seeing events unfold through the eyes of each and sweeping me off to the next level of heightened episode.

Regardless of the above merits, I do have two small objections. (1) As fast-paced as the plot goes, there is a small portion which I find is a touch too slow-going and a tad too draggy. (2) I have to constantly flip back – lucky me reading an actual book and not e-book which wastes precious seconds while refreshing - to the start of each chapter, where name of the narrating character is imprinted, to remind myself of who the speaker is. Nevertheless, these two grievances of mine do not impede on the overall reading experience and I am still able to enjoy the mind-boggling story tremendously.

For the past 6 years, Ivy Jensen has been living in the shadow of the nightmare that has seen the tragic demise of both her parents. More than anything, she wants to shake off the horrors of that fateful night and her terrors of the bogeyman coming back for her. While she understands that it is unlikely she can live life with no fears, it is possible to choose living with fear rather than in fear. With this determination in mind to conquer her fear, she takes part in the 'Nightmares Be Gone Contest' and becomes one of the seven participants hand-picked to enter the Dark House.

As the story develops and progresses, the motive that drives each of the seven characters - other than Ivy - to take part in the contest is slowly revealed.

Seven participants.
Seven different reasons.
One common goal.
Welcome to the Dark House.

The story, ominous and creepy, flows fluidly from beginning to end in such a remarkable way that I feel as If I am watching a 3-D motion picture – from the moment of entry into the Dark House and later on into the heart of the horror-themed amusement park - instead of reading 2-D pages out of a book. I am so looking forward to getting my hands on the sequel to Welcome to the Dark House - Return to the Dark House.

Credit Roll
Ivy Jensen
Natalie Sorrento
Shayla Belmont
Garth Vader
Parker Bradley
Frankie Rice
Taylor Monroe

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion; Reprint edition
Publication date: 23 Jun 2015

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What's your worst nightmare?

For Ivy Jensen, it's the eyes of a killer that haunt her nights. For Parker Bradley, it's bloodthirsty sea serpents that slither in his dreams.

And for seven essay contestants, it's their worst nightmares that win them an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at director Justin Blake's latest, confidential project. Ivy doesn't even like scary movies, but she's ready to face her real-world fears. Parker's sympathetic words and perfect smile help keep her spirits up. . . at least for now.

Not everyone is so charming, though. Horror-film fanatic Garth Vader wants to stir up trouble. It's bad enough he has to stay in the middle of nowhere with this group-the girl who locks herself in her room; the know-it-all roommate; "Mister Sensitive"; and the one who's too cheery for her own good. Someone has to make things interesting.

Except, things are already a little weird. The hostess is a serial-killer look-alike, the dream-stealing Nightmare Elf is lurking about, and the seventh member of the group is missing.

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: The Disappeared (Retrieval Artist #1) by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

4.5 stars for The Disappeared (Retrieval Artist book 1) by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.

It is hard to come by a science fiction fantasy novel which I am able to enjoy immensely. So you can imagine how pleased I am to have picked this book and the first of a series at that out of my ever growing list of to-be-read. It is with great pleasure as I write my review to share.

Written in third person narration, The Disappeared kicks off in bits and pieces in a world with no obvious linkage to the co-existence of humans and aliens. Fortunately, I do not have to wait for long as the pieces of puzzle fall into place pronto and by the end of chapter 4, about one fifth into the story, I am able to see the dots connecting the overall plot in my mind's eye.

As cryptic as the book title goes, the story tells of the price the humans are paying for interstellar commerce. Trade agreements with aliens across the known worlds have led to some people living on borrowed time, that is until the ghosts of their past resurface to haunt them all over again. These people soon learn that when an ugly past catches up with its owner, be it of one's own makings or otherwise, there is pretty much no choice to be had let alone to choose from.

Set in Armstrong Dome, one of the colonies on Moon, two detectives are hard at work dealing with the various alien cultures that exist in their part of the universe. Miles Flint, newly promoted to detective from space cop, together with his partner, Noelle DeRicci, are dragged into a mystery surrounding space yachts of the same make, model and year arriving on Armstrong Dome with no identification. This enigmatic case is but the tip of the iceberg that leads to a series of investigation that require both detectives to deal with the subtleties of interstellar law and the vast differences between races and cultures, of which at the end of the day, shake the very foundation of their beliefs in the laws they have sworn to uphold.

Smooth flowing and well written, the author pulls off an increasingly intense narrative by weaving skilfully the subplots which not only integrate well into the main plot but are easy to read and understand. Rich is the imagination as the writer introduces not one, not two but three (with a hint of more to come) very different groups of aliens with their unique code of ethics. We have the Disty from Mars, the Rev from Revina/Revnata and the Wygnin from Korsve. I find it relatively easy to relate to the cases these extraterrestrials bring forth against the humans as the ignorance and/or innocence of the parties on the receiving end tug at my heartstrings.

Last but not least, I think Retrieval Artist is a brilliant name for this science fiction series. This is, after all, a story about the art of disappearing without a trace. And where there are disappearance services available, there are bound to be equivalent services rendered of the exact opposite nature.

Publisher: WMG Publishing, Inc.
Publication date: 6 Feb 2011

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The Disappeared is Flint’s very first adventure, the story that turns him from a police detective in the Armstrong Dome on the Moon into a Retrieval Artist.

In a universe where humans and aliens have formed a loose government called the Earth Alliance, treaties guarantee that humans are subject to alien laws when on alien soil. But alien laws often make no sense, and the punishments vary from loss of life to loss of a first-born child.

Now three cases have collided: a stolen spaceyacht filled with dead bodies, two kidnapped human children, and a human woman on the run, trying to Disappear to avoid alien prosecution. Flint must enforce the law—giving the children to aliens, solving the murders, and arresting the woman for trying to save her own life. But how is a man supposed to enforce laws that are unjust? How can he sacrifice innocents to a system he’s not sure he believes in? How can Miles Flint do the right thing in a universe where the right thing is very, very wrong?

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: Mockingbird (Miriam Black #2) by Chuck Wendig

4.5 stars for Mockingbird (Miriam Black book 2) by Chuck Wendig.

I start out on Mockingbird almost immediately after finishing book 1 Blackbirds. At that time, I did not think of myself enjoying book 2 more than book 1 since it is a dark urban fantasy with a lot of violence and brutality. But boy, am I wrong!

At the end of book 1, we know that Miriam has unlocked the secret, the one special exception to her psychic ability. As it is, there is no free lunch in Miriam's world, and she pays a price, that being the cost of her interference to change the outcome in her visions of death.

Mockingbird kicks off with Miriam's attempt to live a normal life working as a check-out cashier wearing gloves, gloves that Louis buys for her and insists she wears. Following a run-in with the store manager, Miriam gives in to her true self, dumps the gloves and unleashes the lingering promise of death - a feeling she misses in the past year - to witness the last moments of the lucky ones whom she makes skin-to-skin contact with.

An unexpected turn of events leads Miriam to a school that takes in troubled girls, girls with disorders such as bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, depression and anxiety. What Miriam sees in her visions upon touching some of the girls there deeply disturbed her. It is so unnerving that it spurs her on a mission with the mantra "She is who she is", and she has work to do.

Though Mockingbird continues to be a dark fantasy in Miriam Black's urban world, there are touches of humor amd wit sprinkled like fairy dust throughout the book. I find myself liking Miriam more and more as the story unfolds to reveal more shocking details. In my opinion, the author has brilliantly created a female protagonist who may not be prim and proper girl next door, curses and swears at every opportune moment available, but is definitely one with a heart of gold.

I like the irony setting the author cleverly carves out for Miriam in that she can find out how and when anybody is going to expire but yet her own doom remains a mystery always; a mystery that eats into her day by day. Most of all, I love the way the story twists and turns and fills me with lots of heart-stopping thrills as Miriam races against time to redirect fate.

All in all, a notably dark and gritty read that makes me feel as if I am riding shotgun with Miriam. Her mission becomes my mission. I am who I am.

Publisher: Saga Press
Publication date: 5 May 2015

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Miriam is trying. Really, she is.

But this whole "settling down thing" that Louis has going for her just isn't working out. She lives on Long Beach Island all year around. Her home is a run-down double-wide trailer. She works at a grocery store as a check-out girl. And her relationship with Louis--who's on the road half the time in his truck--is subject to the piss and vinegar Miriam brings to everything she does.

It just isn't going well. Still, she's keeping her psychic ability--to see when and how someone is going to die just by touching them--in check. But even that feels wrong somehow. Like she's keeping a tornado stoppered up in a tiny bottle.

Then comes one bad day that turns it all on her ear.

*Blurb from Goodreads*

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