REVIEW 'After Mind' by Spencer Wolf

'After Mind' by Spencer Wolf

Goodreads Synopsis:

"Cessini Madden lives with an extremely rare medical condition… then his physical life ends before he reaches age thirteen.

After an Artificial Intelligence breakthrough, Cessini is reborn as a young AI child named Packet. Scared and living alone in a technology center, Packet recognizes nothing from his past, save for one thing: he is deathly allergic to water.

When a mysterious doctor gives him a chance to recover his memories, Packet must face the tormented boy he once was. He must be the courageous lost son his family remembers and loves. But now as his world collapses around him, one thing remains … even a child’s best memories are made to be changed.

Robot or AI, no one can ever be the same human twice.

From the near-future suburbs to the lush Australian forests, from the depths of the oceans to the promise of space, Packet’s urgent struggle for existence grabs hold in everyday victories and extraordinary dreams. After Mind tells a story about the underlying nature of humanity, the impact of undying devotion, and the incredible next generation of us."

4****

Hello Elementareaders!

I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads Giveaway programme in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not really sure how to describe ‘After Mind’ by Spencer Wolf. It has so many different themes and would fit into a number of genres (sci-fi, dystopian, coming of age, etc…) and strongly focusses of technology and artificial intelligence. Essentially, it is a science fiction novel about an AI who is trying to figure out his identity.

A boy wakes up in a hospital room unsure of who – or what – he is. But he knows a few things. The doctor, Daniel, is his father. And he’s afraid of water. He believes his name is Packet.

Packet is actually an artificial intelligence with the memories of Cessini, a boy who died in his early teens. Packet has dreams about Cessini's life, his father, his stepmom, his stepsister, but he can’t seem to connect the dots that he IS Cessini. Cessini was reactive to water. Even a small drop would burn his skin, so naturally he feared it. As a result of this he was a very withdrawn boy with no friends, but he did have a very intelligent mind and was building and creating complicated things at a very young age.

Packet sees these snippets of Cessini’s life through his dreams. Throughout the book his dreams become more vivid and abnormal. He sees himself on a ship that is dying, and figures out a terrible secret about the spray children are given to stop them getting sick.

Although this book is very futuristic science-fiction, it's really the story of a young boy trying to figure out his identity. Packet has to try and realise that Cessini isn't just a boy in his dreams, but is actually himself.

I loved the idea of this story and that we saw Cessini's life through Packet’s dreams. I did find the plot a little difficult to follow though as it tended to jump around a lot. Also, the reader is plunged into the deep end of this world, and has to figure out what a lot of the technologies are without a description. But this was a great read and a really different take on the science-fiction genre, as it was more about the journey of this boy than the futuristic technology.

Definitely not an easy read, but a great one all the same! I think this would appeal to both science-fiction lovers and those who love coming of age stories.


I would give this book 4 stars :)


Places to buy:
Amazon UK
Amazon US
The Book Depository

Follow Spencer Wolf on:
spencerwolf.com
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REVIEW 'Stardust' by Neil Gaiman

'Stardust' by Neil Gaiman

Goodreads Synopsis:

"In the sleepy English countryside at the dawn of the Victorian era, life moves at a leisurely pace in the tiny town of Wall. Young Tristan Thorn has lost his heart to the beautiful Victoria Forester, but Victoria is cold and distant as the star she and Tristan see fall from the sky one evening. For the prize of Victoria's hand, Tristan vows to retrieve the star for his beloved. It is an oath that sends the lovelorn swain over the town's ancient wall and into a world that is dangerous and strange beyond imagining..."










4****

Hello Elementareaders!

‘Stardust’ by Neil Gaiman is a fairy-tale for adults set both in the magical realm of Faerie and the English village of Wall. I saw the film of this a few years ago and thought it was such an enchanting tale. Luckily I found a copy of the book in a used book store and I'm so glad I read it! As with all adaptations the book has so much more content than the film.

Dunstan Thorn is an eighteen year old boy living in the village of Wall. Wall got its name from the long wall that runs alongside it. Beyond the wall is the realm of Faerie. There is only one gap in the wall, through which you can see the meadow beyond, but the gap is guarded night and day and no-one from Wall is allowed to cross. With the exception of once every nine years when a fair is held in the meadow and anyone from England can cross and mix with the beings from Faerie.

The market is to be held again during Dunstan’s eighteenth year and he is excited to go. He wishes to buy a gift for the girl he likes and decides on a glass snowdrop from a flower stall, however the flower isn't all he comes away with. The beautiful girl selling the flowers is the slave of the witch who owns the stall and is forced to serve her until “the day the moon loses her daughter, if that occurs in a week when two Mondays come together.” Dunstan buys the snowflake for the price of a kiss and he promises to go back and see her that evening. Months later, when Dunstan has married his girl Daisy Hempstock, a small wicker basket is pushed through the gap in the wall with a note saying ‘Tristan Thorn’.

Skip forward seventeen years and Tristan Thorn is now a young adult with a love interest of his own. Tristan will do anything to win the heart of Victoria Forrester, including crossing the wall to bring her back a fallen Star. Tristan crosses the forbidden wall and sets out to find the star, enlisting the help of a little hairy man who once stayed in Dunstan’s barn. But Tristan isn't the only one out to get the Star (who isn't a lump of rock as he believes, but a beautiful woman) and Tristan must protect her and outwit the others who wish to claim her.

I thought this was a really wonderful tale of magic and adventure. I saw the film of this first and loved it, but (as always) the book was so much better! There was just so much more content in the book, and Tristan's journey felt more real.

Tristan is such a loveable hero. And I adored his relationship with the Star. I enjoyed seeing how their relationship grew from their first meeting where she absolutely hates him, to friendship and finally love. There were lots of other great quirky characters too! I particularly liked the little hairy man, Captain Alberic and Septimus. The witches were also really great villains, and I loved the idea of the heart of a Star giving them youth, which is then taken away again when they use magic.

This was a really enjoyable read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves magic and adventure!


I would give this book 4 stars :)



Let me know in the comments if you've read Stardust (or seen the film) and what you thought of it!


Places to buy:
Amazon UK
Amazon US
The Book Depository
Audible.com

Follow Neil Gaiman on:
neilgaiman.com
Twitter
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Goodreads

REVIEW 'Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief' Graphic Novel

'Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief' Graphic Novel, story by Rick Riordan, adapted by Robert Venditti, art by Attila Futaki and colour by Jose Villarrubia

Goodreads Synopsis:

'You've read the book. You've seen the movie. Now submerge yourself in the thrilling, stunning, and action-packed graphic novel. 
Mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking out of the pages of twelve-year-old Percy Jackson's textbooks and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Now, he and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. 
Series creator Rick Riordan joins forces with some of the biggest names in the comic book industry to tell the story of a boy who must unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.'

5*****

Hi Elementareaders!

I recently discovered the ‘Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief’ graphic novel in my local library. I love the Percy Jackson series but until then has no idea the graphic novel even existed, so of course I snapped it up as I knew this was a book I just HAD to read. The graphic novel, based on the book by Rick Riordan, is adapted by Robert Venditti with art by Attila Futaki and colour by Jose Villarrubia.

Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is on a school trip to a museum when one of his teachers unexpectedly turns into one of the winged Furies from the Underworld and tries to kill him. His other teacher, Mr Brunner throws Percy a pen which transforms into a sword that he uses to slay the creature. Mr Brunner then denies all knowledge of what has just happened leaving Percy very confused. When going to confront his teacher later, Percy overhears his best friend Grover talking to Mr Brunner him saying that he, Percy is in danger.

Percy goes home for the holidays and his mother takes him to a beach cabin where he used to go as a child. Whilst there though, Grover turns up and says that something is chasing them which leads to a getaway in the car and Percy finding out that Grover is a satyr, a half-human, half-goat creature, who has been sent to protect him. Percy’s mother drives them to Camp Half-Blood where they only just escape the Minotaur and Percy finds out about who he really is.

Percy Jackson is a Demigod, son of a human woman and an immortal God; in Percy’s case, Poseidon, Greek God of the Sea, and Camp Half-Blood is a summer camp where Demigods go to train. Before long, however, Percy is given a quest. Percy, along with Grover and a new friend Annabeth, must track down Zeus’s stolen master lightning bolt and return it to him before the Gods of Olympus go to war…

I LOVED this book! I read the Percy Jackson series a couple of years ago and I just adored the idea of the Greek Gods having mortal children, and those children going on quests. The characters and stories are amazing. When I found out there was a graphic novel of the first book I had to read it.
The story is pretty much the same but, like with all graphic novels, there is a lot less text. All the descriptiveness (is that even a word?) has to come across in the artwork as the only text is speech and the occasional onomatopoeia such as ‘RAAAARRRRR!’ and ‘FLAP FLAP’.

I thought the artwork in this novel was wonderful. The characters are exactly how I imagined them in the book, way more so than their film counterparts. Annabeth and Clarisse were just spot on. The story, though simplified, was so much fun to read.

This book would be great for anyone who loves quest and adventure stories. Even if you know nothing about Percy Jackson, this novel is really great as a stand-alone for anyone looking for a new graphic novel. And if you are a fan of Percy Jackson then you should DEFINITELY give this a read.

Since reading this I have discovered that there are graphic novel versions of the next two books, The Sea of Monsters and The Titan’s Curse so I’ll definitely be looking out for those!


I would give this book 5 stars :)


Let me know in the comments if you’re a Percy Jackson fan and if you’re going to read this book!


Places to buy:
Amazon UK
Amazon US
The Book Depository

Follow Rick Riordan on:
rickriordan.com
Twitter
Goodreads

REVIEW 'The Outlaw Varjak Paw' by SF Said

'The Outlaw Varjak Paw' by SF Said (Varjak Paw #2)

Goodreads Synopsis:

Having saved the city cats from a fate worse than death, Varjak Paw finds himself the elected and popular leader of a new gang - a gang that supports freedom and kindness for all. But will the pressure take its toll on this brave yet sometimes naive cat?

Soon the city erupts in an all-out gang war as the evil Sally Bones attempts to control the lives of all cats. Horrified and outnumbered, Varjak and the others must fight for their freedom or die trying; can Jalal's Way really be the best way?

This is another thrilling adventure, eagerly awaited by all Varjak fans, both young and old.



4****

Hello Elementareaders!

'The Outlaw Varjak Paw' by SF Said is a middle-grade action/adventure set in the world of city cats. This is actually the second book in the Varjak Paw series (which I didn't realise until I was part way through!) but it can be read as a standalone.

Varjak Paw is a silver-blue cat with amber eyes living in the city with his friends Holly, Tam and a dog Cludge. It is winter and there are very few mice around so the gang are hunting for scraps of food in the city dump when they are found by a patrol from Sally Bones's gang. Sally Bones, a thin white cat with an ice-blue eye controls the largest and most menacing gang in the city. Her 'laws' make it almost impossible for the other cats to find food. Sally is in charge because she knows a special way of fighting and is unbeatable.

Varjak also knows this way of fighting. He calls it 'The Way' and was taught it in his dreams by his ancestor Jalal. A member of Sally Bones's gang, Razor, tries to take the mouse that Varjak has caught outside the dump and Varjak gets angry and uses The Way to beat Razor in a fight. Suddenly, the whole city is talking about this new cat who fights like Sally Bones, and she has put a price on the head of him and his friends. Can the outlaw Varjak Paw defeat Sally Bones and free the city from her rule?

I thought this was a great little adventure story for both children and adults alike. Partway through the book Varjak thinks that he has lost his power to fight but his friends still believe in him and he gets it back, which I think is a great message for kids about confidence and believing in yourself.

The book is wonderfully illustrated by Dave McKean. The illustrations really bring the fight sequences to life and I loved how in Varjak's dream chapters there was the blue and white background of the mountains of Mesopotamia.

I would recommend this book to both children and adults looking for a quick fun read. I enjoyed it so much that I have now bought the first book, and am looking forward to reading it!


I would give this book 4 stars :)


Let me know in the comments of you've read this book and what you thought of it!


Places to buy:
Amazon UK
Amazon US
The Book Depository
Audible.com

Follow SF Said on:
Twitter
Goodreads
varjakpaw.com

REVIEW 'The Rise and Rise of Tabitha Baird' by Arabella Weir

'The Rise and Rise of Tabitha Baird' by Arabella Weir

Goodreads Synopsis:

"When 13-year-old Tab Baird starts at a new school, she's determined to be the coolest, most popular girl there - whatever it takes. She adjusts her school skirt so it's just the right length. She has enough attitude to make it into the in-crowd. She even gets the attention of the hottest guys. But it's not easy being uber-cool. No one must find out that her mum, brother and her have moved into her Gran's house, so she tries to persuade Gran to pose as a house-keeper. And if anyone discovers her mum's blog - about her teenage daughter - it'll be the ultimate in social death."







5*****

Hello Elementareaders!

‘The Rise and Rise of Tabitha Baird’ by Arabella Weir is a middle-grade novel about a thirteen year old girl starting a new school. This is the first in a new series about this character. I won a copy of this book through the Goodreads Giveaway program to review.

Tabitha Baird, known as Tab to her friends, is a teenager from a broken home. The story starts on her first day at her new school. Tab’s father is an alcoholic who has lost all their money and her parents have split up. Tabitha, her mum and her ten year old brother Luke, have moved in with her Gran in London.

Tabitha is nervous about starting her new school. She was previously at Greyfriars, a posh private school, but is now forced into a local comprehensive Heathside Academy (HAC). Tab is determined to fit in, make friends and be popular. She thinks the only way she will get friends is to be daring and wind up the teachers.

From not fitting in at Greyfriars, Tab soon becomes the most popular girl at HAC and has two great friends, Emz and A’isha. She also meets a dreamy older boy while she is walking her Gran’s dog. But soon her pranks and cheek get her into big trouble and Tab is threatened with moving in with her dad, which would mean going back to Greyfriars…

This was such a fun read! The chapters are set out like the pages of a diary and the book is written in the first person from Tabitha’s point of view. It really feels like it has been written by a thirteen year old girl. The language is simple (great for younger readers!) and the author uses abbreviations like ‘obvs’ for ‘obviously’ and ‘geddit’ for ‘get it’.  The way Tab acts with her family is spot on for a lot of teenage girls. She’s sulky, stroppy, moans about her mum and thinks her brother is disgusting, but by the end of the book she learns that she really loves her family, which I think is a really nice moral.

The diary format also leaves space for little illustrations and fun fonts on the chapter headings.

I thought this was such a great book for both children and adults. I would recommend it to people of the younger generation looking for a quick, fun read.

I would give this book 5 stars :)

Let me know in the comments if you're read this book and what you thought of it!

Places to buy:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

The Book Depository

Follow Arabella Weir on:

Twitter

Goodreads

REVIEW 'Liesl & Po' by Lauren Oliver

'Liesl & Po' by Lauren Oliver

Goodreads Synopsis:

"Liesl lives in a tiny attic bedroom, locked away by her cruel stepmother. Her only friends are the shadows and the mice—until one night a ghost appears from the darkness. It is Po, who comes from the Other Side. Both Liesl and Po are lonely, but together they are less alone.

That same night, an alchemist’s apprentice, Will, bungles an important delivery. He accidentally switches a box containing the most powerful magic in the world with one containing something decidedly less remarkable.

Will’s mistake has tremendous consequences for Liesl and Po, and it draws the three of them together on an extraordinary journey."




5*****

Hi Elementareaders!

‘Liesl & Po’ by Lauren Oliver is a charming middle-grade book full of friendship, mix-ups and adventure.

Liesl is a lonely little girl who has been locked away in an attic by her nasty stepmother, after the death of her father. One night she meets a ghost named Po and it’s pet Bundle. Po and Bundle are visiting from The Other Side (a kind of limbo where the dead go before they can move Beyond) and Po says that it will try and find Liesl’s father and tell him that she misses him and ‘good-bye’. I love this passage from page 45 where Po tries to explain how people on The Other Side blur and lose themselves;
“The ghost did not want the girl to get her hopes up. It might not even recognise Liesl’s father if it saw him again; by then, Liesl’s father might not recognise himself. He might have begun to blur, letting the infinity tug on him gently from all sides, like sand being pulled by an eternal tide. He might have already begun the process of becoming part of the Everything. He would begin to feel the electricity from distant stars pulsing through him like a heartbeat. He would feel the weight of old planets on his shoulders, and he would feel the winds of distant corners of the universe blowing through him.” (Liesl & Po p45)


Meanwhile Will, a young alchemist’s assistant is running errands when he makes a detour to look a Liesl through her attic room window. Because of his detour he performs his errands in a different order, going to collect ingredients from Mr Grey, the undertaker, first. He then delivers the alchemist’s box of powerful magic to the formidable Lady Premiere afterwards. But Will has made a terrible mistake. While at Mr Grey’s he put the box of magic down and accidentally picked up the box of Liesl’s fathers ashes which he delivers to the Lady.

“Coincidences; mix-ups; harmless mistakes and switches. And so a story is born.” (Liesl & Po p35)

Liesl wants to take her father’s ashes to the willow tree by her old house to bury them next to her mother. Little does she know that she is actually carrying the box of magic that the Lady Premiere and the alchemist desperately want back. Liesl and Will are thrown together and set out on a journey pursued by a variety of adults all with their own agendas.

I thought this was such a lovely story. It was fast-paced with lots of adventure but was also a really beautiful tale about friendship and love. I think it gives hope that even the loneliest of children living in sad circumstances can find friends.

I adored the beautiful illustrations by Kei Acedera. They are honestly some of the best works of art I've ever seen in a children's book and they really added to the story.

This is such a wonderful book for both children and adults and I’ll definitely be re-reading it in the future.

I’ll leave you with another quote that I loved and think we can all relate to:
“(That was the kind of world they lived in: When people were afraid, they did not always do what they knew to be right. They turned away. They closed their eyes. They said, Tomorrow. Tomorrow, perhaps, I’ll do something about it. And they said that until they died.)” (Liesl & Po p96) 

I would give this book 5 stars :)



Let me know in the comments if you’ve read this book and what you thought of it!

Places to buy:
Amazon UK
Amazon US
The Book Depository
Audible.com

Follow Lauren Oliver on:
laurenoliverbooks.com
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads

Follow Kei Acedera on:
Twitter
Facebook
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Goodreads

'Loot Crate' March 2015 - Unboxing & Review

Hey there Elementareaders!

I'm rather late (again) this month, but here's what I got in my March 'Covert' Loot Crate!

What is Loot Crate?
Loot Crate is a monthly subscription service where you receive a box of awesome geek and gaming items. It is based in America but they ship to many countries including the UK. For someone in the UK the box costs $29.95 a month which usually works out at around £20 (it varies slightly depending on the current exchange rate). Shipping is included in this cost. The items you receive add up to $40+ retail value, and each box usually has some exclusive items that you can only get in a Loot Crate. By subscribing you are also entered into a draw each month for a chance to win the Mega Crate which usually has a $ value in the thousands. Each month's box has a theme. This month's theme was 'Covert'. The crates are usually posted around the 20th of each month.

The box looked like this. It comes in a sturdy black box with 'Loot Crate' across the top.

Right of the top was this (rather creased) James Bond 'This is stirred...' t-shirt. I'm not really into James Bond so this wasn't a great item for me (plus I don't really like white shirts) but I'm sure a lot of people will like it.

Next was this 'Stealth Watch'. Kinda cool I guess but I can't see that I'm ever going to wear it. You press the centre and the time appears, press it again and it goes. Though why you would need to keep the time hidden from people is beyond me! Must be a secret agent thing... This watch has Loot Crate Exclusive packaging.

When I heard there was going to be an Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D prop replica I was excited because I love the show but I have to say I was a little disappointed when saw that it was just a lanyard (I haven't opened it yet!). Still pretty cool though I guess, and it's a Loot Crate Exclusive.

Next were these pocket-sized notebooks. Two notebooks, one with squared paper and one with lined. Always handy!

Next was this Paracord Survival Bracelet and a little flyer explaining how to use it. I'd heard of these before and I think they're such a great idea if you're going hiking or something. This one is a Loot Crate exclusive with the Loot Crate colours and logo.

Also in my crate was this book of Spy Mad Libs. Hours of fun!

There was also this Orphan Black comic. I don't really know anything about Orphan Black but I'm sure this will be a good read. It has a Loot Crate Exclusive variant cover.

Finally was this months Loot Crate magazine explaining what all the goodies are and containing fun articles. Also, the Loot Crate pin for this month with the theme 'Covert'.

The box itself this month was set out like a spy's computer. Neat!










I liked some parts of this months Loot Crate but I found most of it quite disappointing. I think my favourite items were the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D lanyard and the comic.

If you want to sign up for your own Loot Crate you can do HERE

April's theme is Fantasy! Very much looking forward to my next crate :)



Let me know in the comments if you get Loot Crate, and what your favourite item this month was :)