Review: Savannah Grey by Cliff McNish

Author Cliff McNish is my Featured Author for April.

With its fabulous autumnal fantasy cover, what did I expect when Savannah Grey landed in my hands?

Well, to be honest, something of the standard fantasy fare of teen girl uses ‘powers’ to battle evil monster, with boy thrown in for that touch of romance teens girls seemingly always need, and no doubt including a rival, though being a McNish novel, there may be a plot twist or two.

What did I get?

A highly original, very different, urban horror fantasy.

Savannah is fifteen and an orphan. She is settled with her foster parents and has her best friend Nina life is fine except for a nagging sore throat and the feeling that things are changing. Persuaded to go to a party by Nina, she meets Reece, a boy with a scar on his neck, and there is an instant attraction. When she reacts badly at a hospital appointment, and a look at her throat shows something very wrong, Savannah is scared and worried. Whatever it is its not natural, she producing strange noises and energy and yet she is very protective of whatever it is. As other strange things happen, like birds and the winds behaving oddly, Savannah turns to Reece and we discover that he has the same affliction but the injury that left him scarred appears to have damaged whatever it is in his throat.

In the midst of this we meet the Ocrassa. Arriving on earth millions of years ago, the Ocrassa has survived using its unique abilities to adapt and assimilate; evolving over many millennia. The Ocrassa’s savage desire is to take and assimilate everything around it and use Savannah to achieve its aim; the teenager’s realisation that nature has chosen them for a purpose; and Savannah’s realisation that her throat is a weapon that she must control and master without knowing why. At the pint where you believe the story is heading towards the inevitable show-down between the two, McNish gives a monstrous twist to the tale.

In the best traditions of the horror genre, McNish takes the much used theme of good versus evil but he asked himself the question:

“To kill a monster, do you have to become one?”

There’s no make-up or clothes or drop dead gorgeous boys and bitchy girls to stress and angst over. Fascinating and intense, Savannah Grey mixes horror with elements of fantasy and science fiction to create a novel that is as darkly appealing as it is intelligent and sharply written. Brilliant!

Books To Treasure

Don't you just LOVE picture books. Weird stories, peculiar artwork - some of the oddest books that have crossed our threshold have been in this section (more on those in another post), but equally some of the most beautiful and wonderful too.

This is new.

There Are Cats In This Book by Viviane Schwarz.

Quirky, fun and makes me laugh and smile every time I look at it. I love the bright colourful artwork, and the fun way it makes you turn the page to see whats next. The interaction between reader and book is engaging and stimulating. The cats inside are friendly and want to play, they talk directly to you....there is wool, and flaps and .....well its generally just wonderful. If it can make this bookseller go back to read it time and again, it has to be good. You'll have to go get one. and to see what I mean.

Sadly, many picture books come and go, and are barely noticed. Others stand the test of time and are read by several generations.

If you live in the UK then you'll probably know, have read, or own picture book classics such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Where The Wild Things Are, and The Gruffalo, as well as character books like Kipper and Spot. Surely, there can be few people who remain unaware of Thomas the Tank Engine and his various friends.

And talking of small, easy to carry around books, (for those all important moments when your child is building up to a full scale screaming fit and you want to distract them), who hasn't read at least one of the Mr Men or Little Miss series.

One of my all-time-favourite picture books to recommend is The Kissed That Missed by David Melling.

The King blows the little Prince a kiss goodnight, but the kiss misses and flies out the bedroom window. Prince cries, Queen calls King, King calls Knight. The clumsy knight is sent to track it down and after some mishaps and misadventures, catches the kiss, makes an unlikely new friend and as with all good stories, everything ends happily. In The Kiss That Missed every time you look at the pictures you will find something new. If you know anything about David's illustrations in other books, then you see what he has cleverly included! Published in 2002, I still read it occasionally, am still finding new things in the illustrations, and as you may have guessed, recommend it often. I adore it. I've been privileged to see the sketches he made for this and his Jack Frost book. David's artwork is beautiful, engaging and worth a book on its own.

Come back for more Books To Treasure, but in the meantime, what is your favourite picture book? Tell me below.

Review: Already Dead by Charlie Huston

I came across this in the search for 'something different' in vampire books, and boy, is this different, so if you want a traditional or even semi-traditional vampire story then find another book.

Huston blows away many of the ideas we hold about vampires and sets them up in clans, societies and hoods, with all the rivalries and turf wars seen in human society, but Joe belongs to none. Set in New York (Manhattan) where vampyres live and work, their secret known only to the select few in ‘normal’ society, the clans support and protect their members, and ensure that so vital blood supply.

Joe Pitt is a tough talking Private Investigator who has no loyalties to any clan but has a current problem with one, The Coalition. He’s also trying to find a carrier of the zombie bacteria, and is obsessing about whether or not to cure his girlfriend Evie who is HIV positive and terrified of passing it on. Joe isn’t sure the consequences for her are worth it.

When Joe is summoned by the Head of The Coalition, his life just gets worse. To put things right between them, he has to find the missing daughter of a prominent New York family who know about their vampyre existence. With rivals hampering him, the clans upset with him, Joe is in a very precarious position. Getting a rough ride on all fronts, he sets about his work in what is one of the most unusual vampyre books I’ve read to date.

There is a gritty realism to the characters and setting, and the hard-hitting, wise-cracking style gives more than a passing nod to the detective novels of Chandler, et al. except our 'hero' is infected by the Vyrus - Joe Pitt is a vampire. I was quite a few pages in before I realised there were no chapters which was a little disconcerting at first, as were the dialogue markers, but I was so absorbed by the story that eventually I didn’t notice.

Huston has produced a hard-edged story that is cleverly plotted, fast paced and tenacious. It is an almost perfect genre mix of Horror and Crime that kept me glued to every page as the plot twisted and turned, with the inevitable body count, through a dark-world of vampire and human politics and power-brokerage to an edge-of-your-seat climax.

A great read - and yes, I will read more in the series.

Review: The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester

Waterstone's Children's Book Prize

Piper McCloud isn’t like any other girl her age; actually she isn’t like any other girl of any age. Piper can fly. In the farming community of Lowland County this is not a good thing, so it seemed like the best idea all round for her to go to a top secret school for children with unusual abilities just like hers, abilities such as x-ray vision and telekinesis. At INSANE Piper soon settles in and makes friends, but she soon realises that not everything is as it seems and this might be the most dangerous place to be.

A strange mixture of Little House on the Prairie meets Heroes, with enough twists and turns to make you dizzy. From start to finish, this story of courage and defiance holds the reader and won’t let go. Piper is an irrepressible character, and her story is exciting, terrifying, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Review: The Seven Sorcerers by Caro King

Waterstone's Children's Book Prize

Ninevah is the only one who remembers her brother Toby, to everyone else its as if he never existed, and because she is the only one who remembers him, Nin knows she will be next. As Skerridge the Bogeyman removes all memory of Nin from her mother, she escapes to the Drift. Skerridge, who steals the children for the mysterious Mr Strood, has never lost a child before and he’s not going to let it happen now. Nin finds help in the form of Jonas who explains what is going on and helps her in this new world peopled by mudmen, tombfolk and the spirits of the once time rulers of this land, the Seven Sorcerers. Will they escape Skerridge and Strood? Can Nin find and rescue her brother Toby? What is the secret of the Seven Sorcerers?

In the best traditions of fairytales, this is a rich fantasy, sometimes dark and gruesome, populated with fabulous creatures and woven with mystery and magic. Its well-paced and gripping, told with humour and thoroughly enjoyable.

Review: Desperate Measures by Laura Summers

Waterstone's Children's Book Prize

The serious issues in this family drama are handled with warmth and humour. Twins Vicki and Rhianna, and their younger brother Jamie are in foster care. The twins are very different as Rhianna has been brain-damaged since birth. It’s their fourteenth birthday and they should be having fun, but foster parents Paul and Sarah can’t cope and decide to give the children up. Their fate lies in the hands of social worker Mrs Frankish, and it looks like the three will be split up and sent to different families and schools. They don’t want to go; they don’t want another foster family; something has to be done and Jamie has an idea…

This is an exciting, well-paced and moving family drama where serious issues such as loyalty, responsibility, and bullying are handled with warmth and humour. I felt for the three children: Vicki the fourteen year old who acts as mother to her brother and sister; Rhianna who knows that people treat her differently to her twin, Vicky; James who has problems with anger. Thought-provoking, and imaginative, this is a really good read.

Review: Meteorite Strike by A.G. Taylor

Waterstones Children's Book Prize

A meteorite hits earth, unleashing an alien virus; its victims falling into a deep coma. On their way to join their father, Sara and Robert’s plane crashes in the Australian desert but they survive, and later begin to display some extraordinary powers. There is of course an unscrupulous agency (HIDRA) who capture, study, experiment and exploit those with new-found super-powers. Escape they must, but what awaits them in the world outside?

This is one of those adrenalin-rush, high impact books that teens love so much, but a great read nevertheless. With its dramatic start, high speed pace, and edge of the seat action, readers are hooked from the start and taken on a whirlwind flight to an ending that leaves you wanting more.

What a ride!

Reveiw: Flyaway by Lucy Christopher

Waterstones Children's Book Prize

When thirteen year old Isla’s father goes into hospital, she meets a boy there called Harry; the first to understands Isla and her love of the countryside. Although he is ill, they form a friendship, and together discover a swan detached from its flock. Isla is convinced that if she can help the swan, she will help Harry, and so the magic begins.

A little slow to start, but none the worse for that, with a good balance between the real and the fantasy. This lovely tale, laced with beautiful imagery, is about love and loyalty, friendship and family, and made a pleasant change from the usual fare of hormone, adrenalin charged teen stories.

Review: The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh

Waterstones Children's Book Prize

When a mysterious fire leaves Will an orphan, he is taken in by the monks at the abbey, but life there is hard work, and the monks are not particularly kind to him, apart from one or two. In the harsh winter, while gathering firewood, Will finds an injured hob which he rescues. The hob reveals a secret about an angel killed and buried in the woods, with the arrival of two strangers, and overheard conversations, Will’s curiosity is awakened. This is when the book starts to really take off.

With its wonderful mix of history and fantasy, a great mystery, and characters that endear, scare, and engage the reader by turns, the reader is gripped from the first page. I loved this story filled with dark foreboding and suspense.

Review: The Great Hamster Masscare by Katie Davies

Waterstones Children's Book Prize

A most awful crime has occurred; Anna’s hamsters have been attacked, leaving them dead or injured. Along with Tom, her little brother, and Suzanne her best friend, this is a crime Anna is determined to solve. A pet-hating Dad, a suspect cat with a history of violence, are just two of the cast of fabulously funny characters, helped to life by the great illustrations that accompany the story.

This story for younger readers deals with the delicate subjects of death and loss, yet it does so in a quirky and humorous way. It certainly made me giggle, but I would bear in mind that a sensitive child might find the hamsters’ deaths upsetting.

Favourite Books 2: North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

From a rural idyll to one of the new towns, Margaret Hale's life couldn't have changed more dramatically when her non-conformist minister father moves the family from a comfortable life in the south to a northern industrial town. What she finds there shocks her.

Gaskell uses her experiences of the poverty, neglect and hardship of northern industrial life to explore the differences in lives and relationships. This great Victorian novel is full of contrasts and comparisons; Margaret's view of the North and the Thornton's view of the South being the obvious example. As well as skilfully defining her characters and weaving in the small cultural differences that create misunderstandings, Gaskell gives us a gritty portrayal of life at the time. Britain was changing; people were moving from the land into the towns, mills and factories were appearing, and as always with these things, society was running to keep up.

Yet deftly laced through all the poverty and political unrest, social problems and difficulties, we have the burgeoning romance between Margaret and Mr Thornton. Complex and fascinating, Thornton is as lust-worthy and attractive as Mr Darcy!

This is book is a joy and a delight to read.

Review: E2 by Matt Beaumont

I haven’t read Matt Beaumont’s previous novel, E, so I wasn’t sure if that would make reading E2 difficult. It didn’t, so you can read this book, and enjoy it for the genius it is.

To a small dash of political spin and verbal thuggery and a sprinkle of shallow self-absorption and image obsession (think Ugly Betty and The Thick of It), add a bowlful of clever writing, razor sharp humour, and precise comic timing, and you have E2, a 21st century, electronic-age satire.

For the full review, please go to Beat online magazine.

Come along to the next Firestation Bookswap.

Review: Further Adventures of a Grumpy Old Rock Star by Rick Wakeman

I was lucky enough to secure an event with Rick Wakeman before Christmas and I have to say I was somewhat over excited at the prospect of meeting him. I'm a long time fan of YES, and Rick is not only a great musician and composer in his own right, but also legendary for his 'antics'. Meeting him was going to be interesting. The event was being held in the Firestation Arts Centre, and as Rick was promoting his latest book, it was only fair that I read and review it for our local online magazine Beat.

Rick's book, Further Adventures of a Grumpy Old Rock Star, is a second volume of tall tales and stories from his interesting life. Here is an extract from my review...

...If you buy this book expecting a conventional biography, then you’ll be disappointed. Rick’s autobiography Say Yes! was published back in 1985 but so far hasn’t been updated. Further Adventures takes a less conventional approach, following the same format as his previous book, Grumpy Old Rock Star, re-telling various incidents and episodes from Rick’s sixty odd years of colourful and eventful living. Originally a trained classical musician, Rick is now one of the legends of British Progressive Rock, as well as a world famous composer and solo artist. He has toured the world many times over and, as he would be the first to admit, tired to drink it dry in the process, so he has a vast catalogue of mishaps and misdemeanours to draw from...

...Imagine meeting up with an old friend after many years and being regaled with stories of what they’ve been up to all this time. Reading Rick’s reminiscences is like sitting in the pub with a mate who tells a great yarn exceptionally well. Written in an easy, relaxed style, these hilarious reminiscences about life on the road as a working musician, will make the grumpiest grump smile...

For the full review go to Beat.

I had a great time chatting to Rick before the event, and he entertained the audience brilliantly. Afterwards, signing his books, he had time to talk to his fans, something certain other authors would do well to note. Everyone waited patiently, knowing that when their turn came, Rick would give the same time to them, chatting, answering questions, having his photo taken. It was a fun evening in great company. I hope he'll come to WIndsor again.

Favourite Books 1 : Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain

I was going to write about my favourite books of 2009, but inbetween the new books I have read recently, I have been re-reading some of my favourites. Its comfortable, like visiting old friends, and so I thought I'd share my reviews of those books before I give you my favourites of 2009. First on the list is:

Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain

In 1893, Vera Brittain was born into a comfortable, middle-class family, leading a privileged but restricted life. Like many women of her generation, she had to fight for some kind of independence, while it was a matter of course for Edward, her much loved younger brother, to leave ome and go to university. When war broke out in 1914, Vera was caught up in the prevailing mood and encouraged Edward to join up, but she later admitted that at the time, she felt it an interruption and an inconvenience. No-one could have predicted the devastating and long-lasting impact the war would have on their lives.

Vera’s life was one filled with struggle and loss. From her fight to gain a university education, through her training as a VAD and then nursing the wounded of both sides in a war that took her fiancé, brother and numerous friends, to the re-building of her life and her world after the war; Vera Brittain was and is an inspiration. Her harrowing experiences haunted and informed the rest of her life.

So many books are written about war from the fighting man's point of view, if nothing else this shows us war from a very different perspective; from a woman who not only lived through it, but witnessed it, experiencing both love and loss. I defy anyone to read this book and not be moved. I am not ashamed to say that even now, more than 25 years after the first time I read it, certain parts still bring tears to my eyes.

The writing style is of another time, obviously; occasionally difficult to our modern ‘ear’ but elegant and effective. The latter chapters, after the war and Vera completes her education, are less powerful but it is an intensely personal and revealing view of the lives of women at the start of the twentieth century, and of the impact of the First World War on their lives.

If 'Testament of Youth' isn't compulsory reading on the curriculum, it should be.

Girl, Aloud by Emily Gale

I pulled the proof out of the box and thought wearily, ‘Not another one.’ With its hot pink and shiny silver cover, clearly this was going to be another teen girl, boy trouble, best mates fall out, average book I’ve seen a hundred times before, full of nothing more than angst, lip gloss and lurve.

Who was it that said you should never judge a book by its cover?

I couldn’t put this down.

Kass Kennedy has much to contend with in her odd, slightly dysfunctional family. She has a father who suffers with a disorder akin to bipolar or manic-depression. He believes his daughter is highly talented, and is always pushing her into things she doesn’t want to do. Her mother and brother don’t seem to want to deal with the difficulties caused by her father’s mental health problems, so when her Dad breaks the news that he has entered Kass for an X Factor audition without her knowledge, her life feels like its gone into freefall.

So begins a desperate crisis for Kass who can’t sing but can’t persuade her father of the fact; is frantically trying to balance her own needs with those of her family and best friends with whom she has fallen out; has a real life boy-dilemma to deal with; and in the middle of it all has dreams about Simon Cowell!

Emily Gale deals with some very difficult and complex topics with a sparkling mix of wit, humour, and intelligence. The characters have real depth, and while the story themes may not be new, their telling is original, and the story is moving and hilarious in just the right quantities. Girl, Aloud gives far more than perhaps it's bright pink, shiny cover promises, delivering on all fronts. Fabulous!

I hope Emily thinks about a follow up, telling us what happens to Kass, her family and friends next. I'm sure Kass's Dad has an armoury of ideas to frustrate, irritate and annoy her.

Atheist's Guide To Christmas

When writer and journalist Ariane Sherine looked up a website she’d seen with a Bible quotation displayed on a London bus, she was dismayed to find as a non-believer she would be condemned to eternal torment in Hell. Ariane decided to write an article called, ‘Atheists Gimme Five’, and during her research she discovered that the website advertised was not part of the Advertising Standards Authority remit.

At the end of her article Ariane suggested that if atheist readers donated £5, an atheist London bus advert could be funded. Many readers responded including Jon Worth, a political blogger. He suggested a Pledgebank for readers to donate and Ariane agreed. To cut a long story short, the Atheist Bus Campaign launched on Tuesday October 21 2008 with the slogan:

“There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”

In the wake of that campaign, Ariane persuaded 42 talented people from a variety of backgrounds, to write a short article about Christmas, get The Friday Project to publish it, and so was born the Atheists Guide to Christmas.


I love Christmas and was a little apprehensive when I was given a copy to read. Given the title it might be supposed that it's a diatribe against Christmas, and Christianity, but it most emphatically is not. This is a sincere, warm, light-hearted book about Christmas and inclusiveness; and if Christmas is anything, it is arguably one of the most inclusive festivals celebrated, with or without the religious element.

With pieces ranging from writers as varied as Charlie Brooker, Simon Le Bon, Richard Dawkins and Josie Long; we read about church music, reindeer games, cat dilemmas, God Trumps …. the content is as diverse as the contributors. Across 42 articles divided into six sections there is much to cheer and amuse, inform and educate. Overall, it is entertaining - I love the music and films suggestions, and it's nice to see Dawkins lighten up for once.

Why forty-two? I know from Ariane’s visit to the Book Swap that its all to do with the Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

You can read the Guide from cover to cover if you wish, I like it as a ‘dip into’ book, one you can go back to time and time again and find something new to read. Its charming, entertaining and best of all, the proceeds go to the Terrance Higgins Trust. Go buy one!

Review: The Secret - Byrne

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

I picked this up to see what the fuss was all about and hoped it might be insightful in some way. I'm still no wiser as to why anyone would part with hard cash for The Secret.

If this is a centuries old secret, how did Ms Byrne come across it? Apparently she had "a glimpse of the truth through a 100 year old book". She then goes off "through centuries, tracing and uncovering a common truth that lay at the core of the most powerful philosophies, teachings and religions in the world."

Laws of Attraction, the Power of Positive Thought, common themes in The Secret, neither of which are such a big secret after all. Clever marketing and packaging has made this a seller, along with people's need for some sort of spiritual refreshment, and a speedy way to get what we want without the need for hard work.

No doubt people will say its worked for them, and that's fine. I'd say that if you are in need of some sort of spiritual, emotional, or psychological help, and want to seek advice from a book, then there are at least a dozen other books that actually are worth their price. NOT this one.

Review: He's Just Not That Into You - Behrendt & Tuccillo

He's Just Not That into You: The No-excuses Truth to Understanding Guys

by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo

I’m not a fan of many of the self-help books out there, and don’t get me started on the rubbish in women’s magazines – this however is very different.

This is a real eye-opener of a book that I came across when tidying the shop at the end of the day. The book came out of a conversation between Greg and his fellow Sex and the City writers, and I’m glad I did. Every woman should read it, every mother should give one to their daughters. It lays out in plain English all those things we secretly or subconsciously know about men and realtionships, but just refuse to acknowledge. It explodes the myths we tell ourselves on the same subject.

If you’ve ever sat by the phone waiting for him to ring, or he’s not happy being called your boyfriend, or he keeps cancelling you for his friends then this book is for you. Every possible scenario, with every known female excuse is highlighted and answered, with insight and humour.

Read this book regardless of your relationship status, but I warn you, there will be embarassing cringe-moments when you realise what a fool you've made of yourself over a man. Stick with it, you'll be amazed at what you learn.

Review: The Faithful Tribe - Ruth Dudley Edwards

The Faithful Tribe: An Intimate Portrait of the Loyal Institutions

What I find intriguing is that the author, Ruth Dudley Edwards, is a Dublin-born, Roman Catholic. The expected response from her time with the Orange Order would be an exultant disparagement, what we get however is a sympathetic journey by a Roman Catholic writer who shows how the Protestant Orange Order has been ill-served by their leaders, is often misrepresented in the Press, but at its heart is not violently anti-catholic and they are certainly not as one review writes:

"nothing more than 1000 Ian Paisley clones marching down the street."

This is the confusion that all Protestants are Orangemen and that all Orangemen and Protestants believe the same as one man.

She quotes the Worshipful Master of one Lodge:

“The Orange Order is not bigoted... It is a religious order there to protect the beliefs of Protestant people. In the opening pages you pray for your Roman Catholic Brethren. I don't dictate to the Catholic man where he should go to church . . . I'll not condemn any man's religion except Paisley for he's divided everybody.”

Whether they are bigoted or not - she points to the disputes regarding the parades and suggests that had it not been for the Republican and Nationalist PR machine presenting them in the light of violent sectarian bigotry, the parades would have continued on the road they were heading down - becoming smaller and more centred on the band concerts and family day out with a picnic.

This may be contentious, but when she also highlights the fact that the Parades Commission took no action against the Gaelic Athletic Association parades, with its nationalist and republican political background, waving the Irish flag and playing equally provocative music, you can at least understand the reaction of the Orange Order. Unlike the IRA and Sinn Fein who embraced the use of PR, Orangemen foolishly didn’t, and as a result they have consistently suffered in the media, so this book goes someway to redressing their demonisation.

Whilst the author covers the pressures that have brought a reaction in which militant and violent people have come into the organisation and who serve the republican cause by their behaviour, I do not feel she address this problem or the unease felt about them. We are, however, taken past the cartoon image and into a culture that feels frustrated, betrayed, and at worst, under siege.

Review: The Gravedigger's Daughter - Oates

The Gravedigger's Daughter

It isn’t often I give up on a book, but this one did not capture my interest at all. Highly recommended from my reading group, I took it up with pleasure as I had not read any of Joyce Carol Oates before.
The main character is Rebecca, the daughter of German-Jewish immigrants, living and growing up during the 1930s and 40s. This is a world of abject poverty, made worse by prejudice, and a tyrannical father who fears the world. He is a bitter man and instills some of that fear in Rebecca. "Hide your weakness from them and one day we will repay them! Our enemies who mock us."

She marries, has a child, there's a tragedy - I found it tedious in the extreme. It was suggested that because the writer is American maybe those of us who disliked it, didn’t like the American style and idiom. I considered this, but I read far too many American authors for that to be the case.

No, for me this book was awful, and while the characters started as mildly interesting, what little appeal they had was lost as I read on with interminable boredom. I’m sure that those who love Oates will have much to say on the merits of the book, but dull, dreary and exasperating, just about sums it up for me.