Half a Creature from the Sea by David Almond

This powerful set of short stories is typical of David Almond. All set

in his childhood village; some are charming, some are dark, all are

thought provoking.

The stories are beautifully crafted, most with an edge. The descriptions are

captivating, spinning the place in which they're set in such vivid detail that you

can picture it perfectly. It makes everything else seem so real that you become

attached to the characters, you feel as if they are actual people - not fictitious at

all. In part this must be because they are inspired by people the author once

knew, as you learn from the start of each story.

The autobiographical introductions are very interesting, allowing you an

insight into the thought process of the author as he was writing. They also

provide a bit of background information for each story, which really makes

them come alive.

I particularly enjoyed 'May Malone'. The ending is particularly good- not

terribly satisfying, but it gave a promise that the future would be better for all

the characters.

Throughout the book there is an aspect that normally doesn't appear much in

modern books - religion. The emphasis on it, and the changing views, are all

shown within the stories. I found this very interesting, mainly because it is

about the changing of this deep rooted faith, about the traditions of it.

I really enjoyed this book; it's perfect to dip into, and read and re-read. There's

so much depth that you feel more and more involved with every page, until you

can see the streets as well as if it was your town, and all the people as if you knew

them well.

Messenger of Fear by Micheal Grant review

Drama, intrigue and unbearable tension - Mara's fractured story is the epitome of an incredible book. The enigmatic Messenger takes her on a gruesome journey, as she remembers her troubled past.

 

In our world, many people go unpunished. Many people get away with their crimes. These people are lucky; they've never met the Messenger. Mara wakes up in a place she's never seen before, with no knowledge of how she got there, no memories of anything. The Messenger takes her on a horrific journey, but why, Mara has no clue. The twists and turns of this incredible book are guaranteed to keep you glued to the pages until the very end. I was shocked at the resolution, and left wanting more. I very much hope that there will be a sequel, as the end leaves you desperate to follow Mara, and make sure she is safe

 

 

Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz

This is, in my opinion, the last proper Alex Rider book, as the last one doesn't feature him as the main narrator. As such it needs a dramatic ending, even more tension and to be a little darker; and it had all that in spades. Alex, the amazingly talented spy we've all come to love, is truly broken in this book. He has gone through things you’d never want to go through, and seen things you never need to see. Everything throughout the series so far has had its effect on him in one way or another, but the final events in this book are something else.

It’s far sadder than the other books, and more serious. It still has the awesome fight scenes, the vivid descriptions and a twisted villain, but everything is tenser, more climatic. The plot is deeply mysterious and quite complicated, but the book is fast moving and pacey so you never get bored. Hooking and original, Alex is still the character we all know and love, and is so real that you can empathise with anything he goes through, and as I've already said, he’s been through a lot.

Most of this book is set in Egypt, which is place that Alex (in the books) has never been. The descriptions are colourful and intricate, so you feel you are really there, from the hustle and bustle of the markets, to lounging in the luxurious rooms and pools. This makes everything that goes on seem much more real, and the devastating resolution much more painful.

Over all, this is exciting, gripping and action packed. I loved this book – I couldn't put it down - and would recommend it to anyone who has read the previous books.