Review: Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

5 stars for Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan.

This is a touching novel, beautifully and powerfully written. The story revolves around a 12-year old girl coping with loss and learning to move on.

A splendid novel suitable for readers of all ages, it is a poignant reminder for all of us to cherish and spend time with our loved ones.

Review: Looking for Trouble (Sal Kilkenny #1) by Cath Staincliffe

3 stars for Looking for Trouble (Sal Kilkenny book 1) by Cath Staincliffe.

This is likely Cath Staincliffe's debut novel. Not too bad a story considering it is her first book but the editing can have been better.

The story is uneventful and does not excite me much intially. Then all of a sudden, a seemingly straightforward case of searching for a missing teenager spirals into more and I find myself turning the pages in a bid to unravel the mystery.

Review: Blink of An Eye by Cath Staincliffe

2 stars for Blink of An Eye by Cath Staincliffe.

This is the second book that I have read by Cath Staincliffe. While I love her Letters to My Daughter's Killer, the same cannot be said for this one.

This book starts off well with a family barbecue setting on a sunny Sunday afternoon. But all too soon, the sheer amount of trivial and inconsequential description make me lose interest. I stop reading at a quarter way in and simply flip to the last few chapters to see that my prediction of an ending rings true indeed.

Review: Tideline by Penny Hancock

2 stars for Tideline by Penny Hancock.

The book blurb entices me to read the book. I read it and am utterly grossed out by the story; it is not my cup of tea.

For a debut novel, I will say that it is well written with the backdrop of 'creepy and disturbing' in mind. But I am not overly impressed by the messed up characters woven into the story, a woman who is not quite sane and a teenage boy whose elevator does not go all the way to the top floor.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
Publication date: 24 May 2012

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One winter's afternoon, voice coach Sonia opens the door of her beautiful riverside home to fifteen-year-old Jez, the nephew of a family friend. He's come to borrow some music. Sonia invites him in and soon decides that she isn't going to let him leave.

As Sonia's desire to keep Jez hidden and protected from the outside world becomes all the more overpowering, she is haunted by memories of an intense teenage relationship, which gradually reveal a terrifying truth.

The River House, Sonia's home since childhood, holds secrets within its walls. And outside, on the shores of the Thames, new ones are coming in on the tide...

*Blurb from FantasticFiction*

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Review: Die Trying (Jack Reacher #2) by Lee Child

2 stars for Die Trying (Jack Reacher book 2) by Lee Child.

I start on this book almost immediately after reading book 1 Killing Floor. To say the least, my love and admiration for Jack Reacher - and indirectly, the author - almost died in trying to read Die Trying.

Sadly, not only does this story pales in comparison to the author's first novel, I am sorely disappointed that the author has changed his stance from a first person narrative which is what entices me to read this series in the very first place to that of a third person.

At 40% mark, I find myself skipping chunks and promptly flip to the last chapter for the conclusion.

Review: Killing Floor (Jack Reacher #1) by Lee Child

5 stars for Killing Floor (Jack Reacher book 1) by Lee Child.

Killing Floor is the best thriller I have read to date. It is a story that is guaranteed to blow you away as it does to me.

Review: US by David Nicholls

Did Not Finish US by David Nicholls.

This book is totally not what I have expected. I look forward to a funny, light-hearted novel but this... this is just not it. Heavy-hearted. Slow-moving. Overbearing description of European cities. In short, boring.

Review: Hunted by the Others (H & W Investigations #1) by Jess Haines

2 stars for Hunted by the Others (H & W Investigations book 1) by Jess Haines.

There is basically nothing wrong with this story, what with a plot involving the Others - vampires, werewolves and mages - co-existing with the humans, except that I have read way too many a tale on this genre that this one comes across as watching a B-rated movie - chessy and kiddish. One more thing. It may have helped some if the protagonist on the book cover is more flattering. Go figure.