Daughters-in-Law by Joanna Trollope

Title: Daughters-in-law

Author: Joanna Trollope

Published: January 2011

When you've dedicated your life to your children, what happens when they grow up?

Rachel loves being at the centre of her large family. She has devoted herself fiercely to bringing up her three sons, but at their childhood home on the wide, bird-haunted coast of Suffolk, Rachel finds that her control begins to slip away. Other women - her daughters-in-law - are usurping her position. They have become more important to her boys than she is.

A crisis brings these subtle rifts to the surface. Can there be a way forward, if they are to survive as a family?

Rating: 4 Stars

I really enjoyed this book and right from the first page you feel as if you're almost a part of Rachel's family. I think the best part is she is so easy to relate to, and the story speaks of her struggle to adjust to only being a mother-in-law now. Rachel has always babied and protected her children, that's what she's good at, but now they've all married and have their own lives she just doesn't know how to adapt to the change in her lifestyle.

I think some people may find the newest daughter-in-law Charlotte a little bit manipulative, but I actually see a kindred spirit between her and Rachel. Charlotte has always been spoiled and babied ever since she was a child, so she too is finding it hard to adjust to a new lifestyle; especially when she discovers that she is pregnant!

The story takes place over the course of one summer, and we see things from every characters perspective. This gives the reader a better feel for the family and makes it easier to empathise with the characters. 

My only gripe is that this has a perfectly happy ending, which whilst it's nice that the Brinkleys are strong enough to pull through this, I really don't see Ralph and Petra working out. Ralph doesn't strike me as the type who can forgive and forget, and I get the feeling that it would be something he may use in arguments. 

However the rest of the characters really do transform themselves over the course of the book. Luke and Charlotte both become more mature and independent, and Rachel finally starts to curb her overbearing mothering instinct. 

Would I recommend this book? Yes I would, if you want a nice lazy Sunday read then this is the book for you.

Birthdays For The Dead by Stuart MacBride

Title: Birthdays For The Dead

Author: Stuart MacBride

Published: January 2012

Detective Constable Ash Henderson has a dark secret…

Five years ago his daughter, Rebecca, went missing on the eve of her thirteenth birthday. A year later the first card arrived: homemade, with a Polaroid picture stuck to the front – Rebecca, strapped to a chair, gagged and terrified. Every year another card: each one worse than the last.

The tabloids call him ‘The Birthday Boy’. He’s been snatching girls for twelve years, always in the run-up to their thirteenth birthday, sending the families his homemade cards showing their daughters being slowly tortured to death.

But Ash hasn’t told anyone about Rebecca’s birthday cards – they all think she’s just run away from home – because if anyone finds out, he’ll be taken off the investigation. And he’s sacrificed too much to give up before his daughter’s killer gets what he deserves…

Rating: 3 Stars

So I've been waiting impatinetly for a while to read this book, mainly because the blurb gripped me straight away. I was therefore a little disappointed that it took me until about two thirds of the way into the book for me to start enjoying it. 

In the first thirty or so pages I was seriously considering putting this down and not even returning to it. This was mainly because I just didn't like the characters at all. The main character Ash Henderson just annoyed me, and then the way the 'delightfully quirky' Alice (or Dr McFruitloop as she's more commonly known) would just babble on got boring very quickly. 

And then I had a serious question to ask which was never resolved in the books. The Birthday Boy sends cards showing the torture of the girls to their parents every year, even following them when they try and move house. However in the case of Ash's eldest daughter, the cards are only ever sent to Ash, and not to his ex wife Michelle at all. Now if you're going to go to all the trouble of finding out where the parents live every year then why not send the cards to both parents?

However the one thing that really really bugged me was that given Rebecca's fate, we know right from the off that she has been dead for years, MacBride should have left Ash's younger daughter Katie well alone. While a book can be dark, it shouldn't be that dark. Now obviously I won't reveal Katie's fate but that was one thing I really didn't enjoy about the book. 

On the other hand though, by the time I got into Birthdays for the Dead it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. And MacBride manages to tie up all the loose ends together as well, and keep us guessing as to the true identity of the Birthday Boy right until the end. 

Would I recommend this book? If you don't mind a darkish story with some tedious repetition at the beginning then you'll probably enjoy Birthdays For The Dead. If you persevere with this book you'll find it an enjoyable read in the end. 

The Republic Of Thieves by Scott Lynch

Title: The Republic Of Thieves

Author: Scott Lynch

Published: October 2013

After their adventures on the high seas, Locke and Jean are brought back to earth with a thump. Jean is mourning the loss of his lover and Locke must live with the fallout of crossing the all-powerful magical assassins, the Bonds Magi.

It is a fallout that will pit both men against Locke's own long-lost love. Sabetha is Locke's childhood sweetheart, the love of Locke's life and now it is time for them to meet again. Employed on different sides of a vicious dispute between factions of the Bonds, Sabetha has just one goal - to destroy Locke for ever.

Rating: 4 Stars

Okay I loved this book, but I really didn't think it was as strong as its predecessors. I can't quite put my finger on it but it felt as if the story was lacking in some way. 

The main story here being of course the relationship between Locke and Sabetha. Yes that's right, we finally meet the mysterious Sabetha. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about Sabetha, she's clearly a perfect match for Locke, but I preferred the younger Sabetha shown when we explore her backstory. Present day Sabetha is still as devious as she ever was, but I felt that maybe she was a little static. Yes she's trying to protect Locke, but when the truth about him is finally revealed she turns and flees yet again. I did like exploring their relationship though, and Sabetha is clearly the more dominant of the two, with Locke bending to her will. 

And of course the Bondsmagi play a huge part in this book. Patience, the Falconer's mother, seems nice enough on the surface, after all she does save Locke from being poisoned, but underneath it all she's just as Locke suspects, a cold hearted bitch. We learn a lot more about how the Bondsmagi work, and while I still find them extremely complicated I know for sure that they are the last people I'd ever want to cross. 

And speaking of Bondsmagi my god the epilogue. The epilogue gives us the life of the Falconer, and how it ends definitely suggests trouble is brewing on the horizon, not just for the Bondsmagi but also for Locke and Jean as well. After all the Falconer isn't likely to have forgotten about them is he?

Would I recommend this book? Yes I would, if only because it finally sheds light on a more vulnerable side of Locke. This is definitely a good read, and I want the next installment to be released already. 

Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch

Title: Red Seas Under Red Skies

Author: Scott Lynch

Published: June 2007

Escaping from the attentions of the Bondsmagi Locke Lamora, the estwhile Thorn of Camorr and Jean Tannen have fled their home city. Taking ship they arrive in the city state of Tal Varrar where they are soon planning their most spectacular heist yet; they will take the luxurious gaming house, The Sinspire, for all of its countless riches.

No-one has ever taken even a single coin from the Sinspire that wasn't won on the tables or in the other games of chance on offer there.

But, as ever, the path of true crime rarely runs smooth and Locke and Jean soon find themselves co-opted into an attempt to bring the pirate fleet of the notorious Zamira Drakasha to justice. Fine work for thieves who don't know one end of galley from another.

And all the while the Bondsmagi are plotting their very necessary revenge against the one man who believes he has humiliated them and lived; Locke Lamora.

Rating: 5 Stars

After how gripping the first book was I was extremely worried that Red Seas Under Red Skies simply wouldn't live up to its predecessor. However I wasn't disappointed. Whilst this book is set two years after the events of the first, we glean sufficient information as to what Locke and Jean have done over this period of time. Typically they've moved from Camorr to Tal Verrar and are planning their biggest heist yet, something that is even more of a feat given that their numbers are down to two now. 

Red Seas Under Red Skies opens with a gripping prologue; one where we see Locke and Jean cornered by two potential assassins, and where it appears that Jean's loyalties have changed somewhat. Eager to see what has changed Jean so much I found I had to keep on reading. 

My one potential gripe with Red Seas is that at times, especially towards the end of the book, it felt like there were too many plots and subplots happening at the same time. We have the storyline with Requin, owner of the Sinspire and the plan to rob him blind. But we also have the Archon and the fact that poison is worming its way through Locke and Jean's veins, and then there's a huge pirate battle to contend with as well. At times I did admittedly find it hard to keep up with what was going on, but at the same time Scott Lynch manages to tie it all up beautifully. 

What I really enjoyed however was the more independent storyline for Jean. I loved the relationship he develops with Ezri, and how Locke has become a big enough person to accept the two of them happily. Ezri and Jean's relationship did bring a tear to my eye, okay I lie it brought a whole flood of tears to both of my eyes, but I won't say anymore as I don't want to be responsible for any major spoilers. 

Would I recommend this book? Definitely. This looks like a very promising series and I'm about to go buy the third installment now. You should read the series and do the same. 

The Lies Of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

Title: The Lies Of Locke Lamora

Author: Scott Lynch

Published: June 2006

They say that the Thorn of Camorr can beat anyone in a fight. They say he steals from the rich and gives to the poor. They say he's part man, part myth, and mostly street-corner rumor. And they are wrong on every count.

Only averagely tall, slender, and god-awful with a sword, Locke Lamora is the fabled Thorn, and the greatest weapons at his disposal are his wit and cunning. He steals from the rich - they're the only ones worth stealing from - but the poor can go steal for themselves. What Locke cons, wheedles and tricks into his possession is strictly for him and his band of fellow con-artists and thieves: the Gentleman Bastards.

Together their domain is the city of Camorr. Built of Elderglass by a race no-one remembers, it's a city of shifting revels, filthy canals, baroque palaces and crowded cemeteries. Home to Dons, merchants, soldiers, beggars, cripples, and feral children. And to Capa Barsavi, the criminal mastermind who runs the city.

But there are whispers of a challenge to the Capa's power. A challenge from a man no one has ever seen, a man no blade can touch. The Grey King is coming.

A man would be well advised not to be caught between Capa Barsavi and The Grey King. Even such a master of the sword as the Thorn of Camorr. As for Locke Lamora . . .

Rating: 5 Stars

Okay I loved this book right from the off. Having never heard anything about the Gentlemen Bastard series I had no idea what I was going to be letting myself in for, but I'm so glad I picked this up; especially as I almost deleted it off my to be read list. 

We first meet Locke as a young child who has done something to undermine the Thiefmaker's authority causing him to be sold to Father Chains. The prologue ends with Locke about to tell Chains exactly what it was that he did, before our story cuts to the present day. 

The intricacy of the plot is absolutely amazing, everything happens for a reason and it all ties together so perfectly: Locke's current con against the Salvaras, Capa Barsavi's troubles with the Grey King and of course the nobles of Camorr. And even better is that we get left on so many cliffhangers throughout the book, because after every chapter we get an interlude where we learn something of Locke's past. 

The characters are extremely well written as well. Within the Gentlemen Bastards everyone has a role to play; Locke is a mastermind, Jean is the muscle, Calo and Galdo can do anything (I think of them as being a bit like the Weasley twins) and Bug ... Well Bug is the new boy. 

The only problem is that because everything is so crucial to the book, I can't really say much more in a review without giving away spoilers. So I'm going to be good and take a vow of silence. 

Would I recommend this book? Oh yes, even if fantasy stuff has never been your thing I guarantee that you will enjoy this book. 

Before I Go To Sleep by S. J. Watson

Title: Before I Go To Sleep

Author: S. J. Watson

Published: June 2011

Memories define us.

So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep?

Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love - all forgotten overnight.

And the one person you trust may only be telling you half the story.

Welcome to Christine's life.

Rating: 5 Stars

I absolutely loved Before I Go To Sleep. I haven't read a book this quickly in such a long time. The blurb had me hooked, and I had anxiously waited as this climbed up my to be read list until it was finally time to pick up a copy. 

The storyline itself isn't entirely original, there are a multitude of books and films out there that explore the idea of repeated memory loss and the inability to create new memories, but as long as a book is well written then I have no problem with it being similar to others. 

The way the book is structured is particularly important. We awaken with the main character Christine in the morning, and have to experience alongside her finding out about her entire previous life. When Dr Nash turns up with her journal we finally get a key to the past two weeks of Christine's life. 

The next part of the book is Christine's journal, and we start to discover not only how horrible life is for her, having to rediscover who she is everyday, but also watching her unearth secrets. She remembers being pregnant, and then is told by her husband that her son is dead. We however start to see that certain things in Christine's life don't add up, there are a number of inconsistencies and this allows the reader to start creating their own judgement of what really happened to Christine all those years ago. 

And then we come back to the present day as Christine's journal ends, the present day where the painful truth of what really happened is about to come out. And my god is the twist a good one. I really was very happy with the ending. And especially the way the book itself ends, on a beautiful open ending where the reader can decide whether or not Christine ever fully regains her memory. Personally I'm hoping she does just because I'm a sucker for a happy ending. 

Overall this was a book that I really struggled to put down, and I loved pretty much every aspect of it. Here's to hoping the film is just as good. 

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely! I couldn't put this one down, and I will almost certainly read it again in the future. Go get a copy now. 

Emma by Jane Austen

Title: Emma

Author: Jane Austen

Published: December 1815

Jane Austen teased readers with the idea of a 'heroine whom no one but myself will much like', but Emma is irresistible. 'Handsome, clever, and rich', Emma is also an 'imaginist', 'on fire with speculation and foresight'. She sees the signs of romance all around her, but thinks she will never be married. Her matchmaking maps out relationships that Jane Austen ironically tweaks into a clearer perspective. Judgement and imagination are matched in games the reader too can enjoy, and the end is a triumph of understanding.

Rating: 4 Stars

I really enjoyed Emma, a book which gives good insight as to how society works for women in the 1800's and what their prospects are like for marriage, and which is also a very fun read. 

Set in the village of Highbury we meet a close knit society which our heroine Emma feels herself slightly above. Oh she has a great many gentlemen friends, but not many close confidantes when it comes to women. In fact she is to replace her old governess with a young girl by the name of Harriet. 

The story begins showing Emma with a great love of matchmaking, and this is what the book is centred around. For while Emma herself is determined never to marry, she attracts a great many suitors, the majority of whom at somepoint or another she has meant for her friend Harriet. And Harriet herself is in for more than her fair share of heartbreak as she falls in turn for several men, only one of whom shows the slightest interest in her. 

The characters are wonderfully developed, and we certainly have all the village people needed. We have our village gossip, our vicar and his haughty wife who really does think she's doing everyone a favour whilst being a huge hypocrite, and our local playboy who showers attention on various females and definitely knows how to flatter everyone. 

My dislikes with Emma would be that apart from a range of matchmaking and Emma being completely oblivious to the real feelings of various characters, there really isn't all that much of a storyline. I suppose however Emma is probably the closest I can get to chicklit in 1815. 

Would I recommend this book? Yes most definitely. Not only is Austen a classic author who has stood the test of time, but her writing style is easy to read and Emma is a rather enjoyable book. 

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Title: Great Expectations

Author: Charles Dickens

Published: October 1861

Great Expectations traces the growth of the book's narrator, Philip Pirrip (Pip), from a boy of shallow dreams to a man with depth of character. From its famous dramatic opening on the bleak Kentish marshes, the story abounds with some of Dickens' most memorable characters. Among them are the kindly blacksmith Joe Gargery, the mysterious convict Abel Magwitch, the eccentric Miss Haversham and her beautiful ward Estella, Pip's good-hearted room-mate Herbert Pocket and the pompous Pumblechook. As Pip unravels the truth behind his own 'great expectations' in his quest to become a gentleman, the mysteries of the past and the convolutions of fate through a series of thrilling adventures serve to steer him towards maturity and his most important discovery of all - the truth about himself.

Rating: 4 Stars

I really enjoyed Great Expectations, much more than I originally thought I would. At first I was very intrigued by the character of Miss Havisham, a woman who really has been scorned by men, and I did wholeheartedly believe like Pip that she was his mysterious benefactor. 

However due to the language used, and that is no fault of Dickens, it is merely the fault of evolution and how our everyday language has changed since, that before getting halfway through the story I rather found myself losing interest in it. 

I am glad that I persevered though as around three quarters of the way through the novel when Dickens starts tying up his loose ends, it feels like curveball after curveball is thrown at the reader. Estella's true parentage, the identity of Pip's real benefactor and who exactly attacked Pip's sister way back when is all revealed, and all adds up. From that moment on even though I was still struggling somewhat with the language, I was completely gripped again and hastened to finish the book. 

Great Expectations shows that Dickens is very much, or should I say very much was, a part of the school of writing where everything, even things that the reader may think are of no consequence at the time are extremely important. Everything that happens in the novel has a reason for happening. No character is introduced without good reason, and everything is revealed at just the right time. 

Character wise whilst I am not entirely sure of how Dickens expects us to react to characters I found myself loving Wemmick, feeling somewhat sympathetic for Miss Havisham who in trying to protect Estella from her own heartbreak created a woman much worse, and I absolutely hated Estella. Yes admittedly she may have warned Pip of her nature, even in the early days, but that doesn't really redeem her in my eyes. 

Would I recommend this book? Having finally finished Great Expectations (and I would have finished it a lot sooner if I hadn't needed an emergency csection and spent every day since up the hospital with my beautiful daughter) I would definitely say that you have to read it. Take your time to make sense of the language, and you will be well rewarded with a gripping tale.