I found Parole by Rob McKeon to be very interesting and thought provoking. I'm one of those people that didn't really know much at all about how a parI found Parole by Rob McKeon to be very interesting and thought provoking. I'm one of those people that didn't really know much at all about how a parole board functions and how they make their decisions so I was the perfect audience for this book. It was fascinating to read about different types of cases and all the information and thought processes that goes in to actually making the decision about a prisoner's release. I hadn't even known that the parole board sits as a court in it's own right, I though it was just a team meeting type scenario. So I have really learned a lot from this book. There were several references to the TV programme about the parole board that this author was involved in that I will now go and watch. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review....more
I read The Chamber over the space of a few days whilst I was in bed unwell. Between dozing and lying feeling sorry for myself I would plunge into the I read The Chamber over the space of a few days whilst I was in bed unwell. Between dozing and lying feeling sorry for myself I would plunge into the bleak, claustrophobic world of these 6 Sat Divers who were dying one by one locked in a chamber! It was a fun filled few days! The premise certainly had me interested but I think I struggled right from the start. I'm one of those people who can visualise a book playing out in my mind but because the environment this book takes place in is so unknown to me I had difficulties 'seeing ' it and placing characters. Secondly, whilst I totally understand that life for these divers is so rigid, monotonous and strict, that doesn't exactly make for gripping reading unfortunately. And lastly, these characters were so professional and calm when the deaths did start to occur that the incidents just passed in a dull way instead of creating an atmosphere of panic. I did like the reveal that came at the very end. I genuinely didn't work it out at all and never would have done. But then I was left wondering why. Overall this was an average read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest opinion....more
I normally really enjoy Christina Henry's books but unfortunately this one just fell a bit flat. There was minimal horror and it actually felt like noI normally really enjoy Christina Henry's books but unfortunately this one just fell a bit flat. There was minimal horror and it actually felt like nothing really happened for the first 80% of the book. It took me much longer to read than I normally take and this was because I just wasn't really drawn in or kept interested. Such a shame as I had high hopes for this one! Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest opinion....more
From reading the synopsis I'd assumed that She's A Killer would be a long the same dark yet fascinating and humourous lines as How To Kill Men And GetFrom reading the synopsis I'd assumed that She's A Killer would be a long the same dark yet fascinating and humourous lines as How To Kill Men And Get Away With It by Katy Brent. However, the two books couldn't be more different. The latter being entertaining and in a weird way, relatable, and the former being quite dry and thought provoking. Whilst I appreciate the social commentary on peoples' general apathy towards climate change and the destruction of the planet, and on the opportunity imbalances between those with money and those without, I just didn't find this book enjoyable. I feel like in large part this was because I didn't actually like any of the characters, and certainly not the protagonist. Unfortunately I was expecting far more from this book than what I got....more
I find it really hard to write reviews for sequels because there's so many ways to slip up and spoil the previous book(s). So I'm going to keep this vI find it really hard to write reviews for sequels because there's so many ways to slip up and spoil the previous book(s). So I'm going to keep this very simple and short. WOW! The sequel to Moths that I've been wanting and NEEDING!! Loved it! I liked that the story is told from several different perspectives and also the added mystery of figuring out who survived the initial outbreak and who they had become in later life. There was a great range of characters with people to love and people to hate. I got really invested in the story and really wanted things to turn out ok. And then the twist at the end..... fabulous! Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in return for an honest opinion....more
What an absolutely fascinating but also sad memoir. I was a Mental Health Nurse for over a decade and wasn't taught much at any point of my career aboWhat an absolutely fascinating but also sad memoir. I was a Mental Health Nurse for over a decade and wasn't taught much at any point of my career about Sociopaths however, we did have one patient that Drs said was a sociopath and it was said with such disgust and horror that I was instantly both terrified and fascinated by the patient. They were moved to a secure unit very quickly after that so I didn't get the opportunity to learn anything. It's ridiculous that even within the areas of medicine that should be more open to differences in mental health and personalities should have such a negative and discriminatory view point. It just goes to show that when the author states that more needs to be done to raise awareness about Sociopathy, she is totally correct. As well as learning lots from the book I also felt really sad at times. Especially when the author was talking about major milestones in her life where she 'should' have experienced emotion but just couldn't. The birth of her Son and her disappointment in the lack of love that she was experiencing was particularly heartbreaking. I can't imagine feeling empty all the time. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Sociopathy and learning about what life is like with it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest opinion....more
If My Words Had Wings is a well written, unique perspective on youth offenders and their experiences. I think it's very easy to label these boys and gIf My Words Had Wings is a well written, unique perspective on youth offenders and their experiences. I think it's very easy to label these boys and girls 'bad' and to lock them up, write off their futures, keep them on the wrong path. But this book does a great job of reminding readers that these are our children. Children that are quite often failed by a broken system. Children that often have little choice as to how things turn out for them. Ty certainly became someone that I was rooting for and wanted to succeed, he shows readers that some of these young people do want to change their lives and be better people, and can with the right support. However, whilst being a story filled with hope for people in Ty's situation, I do feel that it's not exactly representative of most peoples' experiences. Ty had a whole support system around him, everyone he met was willing to step up and give him a chance with total acceptance and understanding. It sort of felt a bit like a fairytale for offenders. I love how Danielle Jawando writes the stories that aren't usually told and the characters that people don't usually care about. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest opinion.
I loved this return to Sugarland after the previous book was in a different setting. Sugarland just keeps expanding with more and more interesting plaI loved this return to Sugarland after the previous book was in a different setting. Sugarland just keeps expanding with more and more interesting places. The Drive-In and the Irish pub were fantastic places for an adventure so I'm hoping they appear in more books in the future. I did feel that this book was missing some Ellis time though lol. I'm used to feeling all the love between him and Verity but he just didn't seem to be as prevalent in this story. Bring back the couple goals!!!!! Another fantastic book in the series and I can't recommend the series enough to people
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest opinion...more
OMG..... I loved this book so much. I mean, I already knew I would because I've loved the whole series so far but the added extras of a treasure hunt,OMG..... I loved this book so much. I mean, I already knew I would because I've loved the whole series so far but the added extras of a treasure hunt, deadly competition, pirates.... oh wow. Brilliant! I absolutely flew through this book. The series is so easy to read, the characters are loveable and you just want everything to work out ok for everyone. I've got to say though, even though I knew what decision Verity was going to make at the end, because it was a classic Verity response, I was desperately hoping she would make a different one. Maybe I'm turning into Frankie!!! However, despite loving the change in scenery I am looking forward to heading back to Sugarland in the next book.... hopefully. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in return for an honest opinion...more
John Marrs was already an auto-buy author for me and this is just another absolutely amazing book from him! The Family Experiment just blew my mind beJohn Marrs was already an auto-buy author for me and this is just another absolutely amazing book from him! The Family Experiment just blew my mind because once again Marrs hit the nail on the head with a believable vision what life could actually be like in the not so distant future and the problems we could face. And even though each of his speculative fiction books are standalones I love all the little Easter Eggs in them referring to his other books.
This format where we jump from character to character showing different perspectives with really short chapters is becoming a classic Marrs thing and it's genuinely fantastic. He pulls it off brilliantly and it makes such compelling reading. I think the way that each character had their storyline finished off was done really well and I wasn't left wondering what had happened to them.
Speaking of characters..... Hudson!! He seemed quite boring and bland for most of the book then all of a sudden he fast became super intriguing. Pretty sure I shouted 'Just tell me' at the book at least a handful of times following another hint about him knowing something or having a secret plan!
So now I'm back to having to find something to do with my life until John Marrs writes another book. Hurry up John mate!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review....more
I love Christina Dalcher. Her books just grab me right from page 1 and keep me engrossed right to the very last word. The Sentence was her usual specuI love Christina Dalcher. Her books just grab me right from page 1 and keep me engrossed right to the very last word. The Sentence was her usual speculative fiction that makes you wonder what the world might be like in the near future if just one thing changed and how that would shape our lives as women. I really enjoyed the idea of being absolutely certain that a person is guilty before sentencing them to death. That's how it should be, right? But could you ever be so certain that you would bet your life on it? Well that's exactly what is expected of Judges in the society that The Sentence is set in. And if it all goes wrong and you've made a bad judgement? Then you are sentenced to death yourself! Fascinating and thought provoking as usual. The only reason that I have this book 4 stars instead of 5 is that I couldn't imagine myself in that situation or having to face those decisions because I'm not, nor would I ever be, a judge. So none of it would apply to me. Whereas in Dalchers' previous books I've been able to imagine myself in the situations the MCs face and get really sucked in to thinking about how I'd handle things. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in return for an honest review....more
This book was not what I was expecting at all. From reading what I thought were similar books I assumed that Molly would be working alongside the AngeThis book was not what I was expecting at all. From reading what I thought were similar books I assumed that Molly would be working alongside the Angel of Death in some sort of urban fantasy type story and then they would fall for each other. What I definitely wasn't expecting was just a bizarre romance!! There were some cute parts but I think where I really struggled was that both characters were quite emotionless and I struggled to connect with them. The weird language and the way that the Powers That Be speak gets a bit annoying and i found myself skim reading those bits after a while. Overall an average read unfortunately. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in return for an honest opinion....more
Oh my gosh.... I LOVED this book! Being a HUGE fan of The Handmaid's Tale and Vox this book was perfect for me. It had everything that I love about DyOh my gosh.... I LOVED this book! Being a HUGE fan of The Handmaid's Tale and Vox this book was perfect for me. It had everything that I love about Dystopian.... a virus type outbreak, mass death, a restructuring of society, an oppressed part of society, and someone willing to stand up to the new government. The characters were fantastic and I developed strong love/hate feelings for them and the storyline was just amazing. Mary isn't your typical rebel but she developed so well and her back story made her rebellion so believable, she just became a character that I was rooting for to the very end. The gruesome and nightmarish scenes dotted through the flashbacks were done fantastically and really added to how disturbing the whole book is. I NEED to read the next book and find out what happens next Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in return for an honest opinion....more
WOW! I could literally feel the desperation, sadness and isolation seeping from the pages of the book! Rachelle Atalla does an amazing job of creatingWOW! I could literally feel the desperation, sadness and isolation seeping from the pages of the book! Rachelle Atalla does an amazing job of creating such an atmospheric feeling even when there are periods of nothing much happening with the characters. The daily drudgery of life with very minimal water felt so real. I really liked how it was Aida, the teenager, that was the main character rather than an adult as it showed how drastically her life changed from being relatively care free to suddenly having some major worries. The added aspect of her having insulin dependant diabetes and having to try to find and store supplies of the insulin was really interesting and I've often wondered what life would be like for people with illnesses / conditions like that if a disaster (or the apocalypse) happened. I highly recommend this book and will definitely be reading whatever is next from this author. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest opinion....more
End of Story is set in the future where fiction books are banned as they may give people the wrong ideas about things and cause trouble for the GovernEnd of Story is set in the future where fiction books are banned as they may give people the wrong ideas about things and cause trouble for the Government. The protagonist Fern used to be a fiction author but now she's a cleaner in a hospital who is being monitored by Government Officials. She still secretly writes in a notepad that she keeps hidden and gets herself involved in a secret group of like minded people who run an anonymous telephone service where children can ring at bedtime and have a story read to them. Each chapter ends part way through a sentence which at first is really intriguing as it creates a tense paranoid feeling and I was left wondering if someone had interrupted her or something had happened to make her panic and hide the notebook away suddenly. However, as the book continues this technique becomes very annoying as most of the time a sudden stop doesn't fit what's going on and the reason why she stops isn't explained in the next chapter. I started to become really frustrated by it. It is sort of explained towards the end of the book during the 'big reveal' of what is happening but I just felt like it wasn't enough justification and didn't reduce those feelings of being annoyed. The main twist in the book was one I've really enjoyed in the past but I think that by the time all was revealed I'd gone too far in to being annoyed for it to be enjoyable. The audiobook narrator did a great job and her voice really fit with the character. I think this is going to be a marmite book, some people will love it and some will hate it. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for an advanced copy of this book to review....more
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