The Thornthwaite Inheritance - Gareth P. Jones

Title: The Thornthwaite Inheritance
Author: Gareth P. Jones                    
Genre: Comedy/Mystery                    
My Rating: 4.5/5

Summary: 'Lorelli and Ovid Thornthwaite are not like most thirteen-year-old children. They live in a huge and creepy mansion, they don't go to school, and they are the heirs to a vast fortune. But what makes them even more unusual is their determination to kill each other. When their murderous sibling rivalry is called off it soon becomes apparent that one of them can't stop trying to kill the other...but who is really causing the trouble, and will they be able to survive to find out where the real danger lies?' - The blurb.

Characters:

Lorelli Thornthwaite: Ovid's twin - Only female to be born into the family - 'Bookworm'

Ovid Thornthwaite: Lorelli's twin - Loves cycling 

Lord and Lady Thornthwaite: The twins' parents

Mr Farthing: The family's lawyer
Adam Farthing: The lawyer's son
Mr Crutcher: The butler - the twins' guardian
Mrs Bagshaw: The chef - the maid
Hazel: Mrs Bagshaw's adopted daughter
Nurse Griddle: The mansion's nurse
Tom Paine: The gardener

Skinner: The village investigator
Farther Whelan: The village Priest

Review: 

One of the most entertaining books I've read so far. Jones keeps you guessing all the way through: 'Who's behind the murders?', 'Who's next?', the questions go on. It's a story of mystery and murder, but with added humour. The plot can get a little frustrating at times - for example, I thought Adam was a total sweetheart to begin with, but then he turned into a douche - but the progression throughout is definitely worth it. The one character that I really liked was Tom the gardener. He was the only character that I instinctively thought the twins could trust. The front cover sums up the book and its humour really well and I think it's what attracted me to it in the first place. I know they say "never judge a book by its cover" but in this case, I think the judgement served me well.

I highly recommend this book to boys and girls aged 13-16 (although I'm 17). It's a fantastic read. 

Until next time my little book worms!

Jaz :)

Marked - P.C & Kristen Cast

Title: Marked
Author: P.C & Kristin Cast                      
Genre: Fantasy/Supernatural                      

My Rating: 5/5

Summary: One day at school, Zoey Redbird finds herself being Marked by a Tracker. With her best friend and family making her out to be a monster, she turns to her grandmother who takes her to House of Night herself. But Zoey isn't your usual Fledgling, and no one knows why or how. 

Characters:
Zoey Redbird - The newest addition to House of Night
Erin Bates - Part of Stevie's friendship group
Shaunee Cole - Erin's 'twin'
Stevie Rae Johnson - Zoey's new best friend
Aphrodite LaFont - The leader of the Dark Daughters/Sons
Heath Luck - Zoey's ex-boyfriend
Damien Maslin - They gay best friend in Stevie's group
Erik Night - A Dark Son and eventually Zoey's new boyfriend

Review: 

Well, firstly, let me say that it only took me 2 days to read this book! That's how gripped I was! This book adds an intriguing twist on Vampire stories. It didn't take me long to figure out which characters I liked (Zoey, Damien..) and which ones I hated with a passion (Aphrodite and the "Hags from Hell").  A lot of what I read was completely unexpected, like you would have thought Heath would run away screaming when he found out that his girlfriend had been marked but noooo he decides to sleep with her best friend and pretend nothing happened. I got highly frustrated when the book finished because I loved it that much and I'm still looking for the second one. However, it did cheer me up slightly when Erik and Zoey got together: #Zorik!!! I'm not sure what else to really say other than the fact that I loved it. I recommend it especially for teenage girls (13/14 - 17). 

Until next time my little book worms :) 

Jaz

Half Wild - Sally Green

Title: Half Wild
Author: Sally Green                      
Genre: Fantasy/Supernatural
My Rating: 4/5

Summary: Nathan (Son of the most feared Black Witch - Marcus) is on the run from Hunters and White Witches. He is also on a mission to save the love of his life (Annalise) from Mercury (one of the most powerful Black Witches). When an Alliance forms against the Counsil, Nathan and his father are reunited. 

Characters:
Nathan - Main character - Son of the most feared Black Witch - Half Code (Half Black Half White) - In love with Annalise
Marcus - The most feared and one of the most powerful Black Witches - Well known as a killer -
Van - One of the more reasonable Black Witches - Undeniably beautiful - Saved Gabriel's life
Gabriel - Nathan's best friend and admirer - Doesn't trust Annalise - Trusts Nathan completely and would do anything for him
Nesbitt - Van's business partner - But he's more like her assistant 
Mercury - One of the most powerful Black Witches - Puts Annalise under a spell and keeps her hostage - Wants Marcus dead
Kieran - Annalise's older brother - One of the most experienced Hunters - Wants Nathan dead
Annalise - The love of Nathan's life - White Witch
Celia - White Witch - Member of the Council - Kept Nathan in a cage and abused him

Review: At first, I was a little apprehensive. The way the beginning is written is slightly odd, but it was highly entertaining. The rare use of swearing is both effective and amusing. As I got into the book, I found myself growing attached to Gabriel and Nathan. The connection that they share is unreal and beautiful. I enjoyed this book so much that I actually felt like crying when I found out that the final book in the trilogy won't be out until next year. Green's writing style is very different, and I found it a little hard to follow to begin with, but it didn't take me long to get into it and enjoy the novel thoroughly. I actually liked Annalise to begin with, but after what happened at the end, my like for her hit rock bottom and very quickly became a strong dislike. 

Either way, I really enjoyed the story as a whole and can't wait to read the final book! I recommend this for anyone my age (16) with a love for everything supernatural!!!

Until next time my little book worms!

Jaz :)

Red Queen - Victoria Aveyard

Title: Red Queen
Author: Victoria Aveyard                       
Genre: Fantasy?
My Rating: 4.5/5      

Summary: The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.
To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.
Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.
But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

Characters:
Mare Barrow (Mareena Titantos) - Red/Silver - Unknown Ability - Scarlet Guard Member

Gisa Barrow - Red

Shade Barrow - Red/Silver - Unknown Ability -Scarlet Guard Member
Prince Maven Calore - Silver - Burner
Prince Cal Calore - Silver - Burner
Kilorn Warren - Red -Scarlet Guard Member
Queen Elara - Silver - Whisper
King Tiberias - Silver - Burner
Evangeline Samos - Silver - Magnetron
Farley - Red - Scarlet Guard Leader

Review: 
This book gripped me SO tight that it only took me 3 days to read the whole thing! As I proceeded through the novel, I too found myself falling for Maven and Cal, just like Mare. I was greatly disappointed that Mare was not betrothed to Cal, and even more so that he was betrothed to Evangeline! As soon as she appeared in the Queenstrial, I despised her. Said 'future King' was then portrayed as a total douche-bag, to which I thought: "Well at least Maven is still a sweetheart". THINK AGAIN! Later events came at me like a slap to the face! The supposed 'cutie' turned out to be a jealous, power-hungry, selfish brat! I cannot even begin to explain how angry and frustrated I was at him! It's truly amazing how attached you can become to a fictional character; I had the major urge to pull my hair out. Cal very quickly became my new favourite as he promised to protect Mare at their execution as her powers were being suppressed: "I'll protect you for as long as I can". And the ending? WOW! Don't even get me started. The ending is the most frustrating I have ever read! TOTAL CLIFF HANGER!!! "I will kill him.": I mean seriously!? What kind of ending is that??? And now I have to wait until next year for the second book to come out! URGH the agony!!! 

Anywho...I highly recommend this book! Please read and then we can share the frustration together. I'd suggest it more for girls, because of the love story behind it. The love story plays a huge part in the plot.

Until next time my little book worms!

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