Review of Idol by Carrie Duffy

I was so excited to receive a proof copy of Idol by debut author Carrie Duffy. This is one of the best books I have read this year and easily one of the most exciting debuts.

Idol follows the lives of childhood rivals Jenna Jonsson, an international pop star and Sadie Lane, an aspiring dancer.

Jenna has already found fame and fortune, but a chance meeting with rock band Phoenix could catapult her to superstardom. However, tensions between Jenna and the band make things not run as smoothly as she anticipated. For Sadie fame is still a dream, but an unexpected situation takes her to Las Vegas where her life changes in an instant. In Las Vegas, Jenna and Sadie are re-acquainted, but can they put events in the past behind them and work together to help one another?

Idol will take you on a non stop journey to some of the world’s most famous A-list destinations, from the recording studios of London to the laid back luxury of Ibiza and on to dizzying capital of gambling; Las Vegas. I loved Jenna’s character, despite her fame she comes across as very personable, whilst I liked Sadie, I found that I didn’t warm to her as much. There is lots of romantic detail in the book and although events seem to move quickly, there are a few twists and turns that surprised me.

Glamorous, exciting and romantic, I found that I couldn’t put this book down. It is a perfect holiday read and I certainly wanted to book a trip to Las Vegas straight after reading this! I am really looking forward to reading more books from Carrie Duffy.

Highly recommended for chick lit fans, Idol is this year's hottest read!

Idol will be released on the 18^th August 2011.

Many thanks to Harper Collins for sending a proof copy.

Review of The Wish by Sasha Blake

Review of the The Wish by Sasha Blake

A great summer sizzler – don't miss out!

The Wish is based around the glamorous and, as we learn, dangerous Las Vegas lives of Ben Arlington 24 year old, super rich son of a casino owner, Lulu his lovely PA. Sasha Arlington Ben's mother and perhaps the coldest character I have ever come across and Bessie, a somewhat shady but elusive character from Sasha's past. Ben's long suffering father Frank also has a key role along with Ben's sister Ariel and other characters including Ben's fiance, Sunshine Beam. Lulu was my favourite character without a doubt, although both Ben and Ariel come across very well.

Sofia appears emotion less and cold hearted throughout and is in my opinion impossible to warm to. Whilst, Lulu is a delight and I found myself hoping that her wish would come true. There are a lot of characters in this novel, but they are all intertwined and link together very well.

Sofia and her assistant, the henchman like Sterling will stop at nothing to halt Bessie from revealing a secret, which could ruin her life. But, what is this secret? This book takes the reader on a journey from the glamour and glitz of Las Vegas, to icy cold Mont Blanc, the exclusive and intimate Bahamas and filthy trailer parks in the dusty Arizona desert. It is a whirlwind story and is worth every minute of it.

The book is divided into four parts allowing the reader to gain information on the early lives of Sofia and Bessie, an introductory part and a concluding part. The short chapters also made me want to read on and on. I thought this worked well and would really recommend this book. It is a great thriller and family drama in one and you will not be able to put it down!

Review of The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory

The Red Queen is the second book in Philippa Gregory's trilogy 'The Cousin's War' based on the War of the Roses. In The White Queen Gregory brought the figure of Elizabeth Woodville to life and in the second book we learn about the life of Margaret Beaufort; mother of Henry Tudor and heir to the Lancastrian line often described as “ the most powerful line in Britain's history”.

Margaret Beaufort, a woman infamous throughout history for her pious and cold nature is brought to life as a cunning, scheming and unstoppable figure who will do and destroy anything to see her son on the throne of England. In the White Queen, Elizabeth Woodville is a much more personable character – determined and scheming, but likeable. Whereas, Margaret Beaufort is portrayed as cunning and someone who will stop at nothing to pursue her own dreams – that of becoming Margaret R, something she believes she is destined to become through God's own will. I found that she was much harder to connect with, however, this was perhaps due to her harsh and unthinkable upbringing – married at twelve and a mother at thirteen years of age.

I really enjoyed reading this book and found that I couldn't really put it down. I read this straight after reading The White Queen and the two books do overlap in terms of time frame, but are great to read together as the reader can see two different perspectives of events at the time. I also enjoyed reading about the figures on the such whom I knew much less about – such as the Stanley's and the Stafford's.

My only reservations about The Red Queen were that the events of the Princes in the Tower were slightly skimmed over. However, overall I thought this was a brilliant novel, well researched and which brought to life an infamous character who has perhaps been eclipsed by her more famous son and grandson.

I absolutely cannot wait to read the next installment of The Cousins War! This is historical fiction at its best.

10/10

Review of The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series and it is a great start for debut author Julie Kagawa. I was instantly swept away by this book and found that I could not really put it down.

Meghan Chase, the protagonist of the novel, wakes up on her 16^th birthday expecting a normal day, hoping that her mother will take her to get her drivers permit. However, before the day is out she finds herself transported to another world, the Faery Kingdom of Nevernever in a desperate search for her four year old brother who has been kidnapped by unknown (and un-human) forces.

I loved Meghan’s character and she really changes and becomes a stronger person by the end of the novel. I also adored the Grimalkin, the talking cat who helps Meghan in exchange for a favour.

Robbie/Puck and Ash were also interesting additions. I surprised myself by liking Ash by the end of the novel – he is the typical bad boy heartthrob!

The plot itself was fantastic and takes the reader on a non stop journey from small town America to the beauty of King Oberon’s Summer Court to the chilling, icy landscape of Queen Mab’s Tir Na Norg and onto the grey, terrifying land of King Machina and the Iron Fey. The plot itself is full of twists and turns as we follow Meghan, Ash, Puck and Grimalkin on their journey to rescue Ethan. The fantasy element and romantic side of the novel worked extremely well together.

Overall, I found that I couldn’t put this book down. I loved the main characters especially Meghan and Grimalkin. I did find the use of Shakespearian characters to be an unexpected addition, but it actually works very well. There is so much going on in this book that there was no opportunity at all to be bored, as I was always desperate to know what would happen next.

 I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

Review of The Emerald Atlas: The Books of the Beginning by John Stephens

I was lucky enough to receive a proof copy of this book and it is fabulous!
The Emerald Atlas is by far the best book I have read in quite a while. I could not put it down. It is an action packed adventure involving three young orphans who find themselves being transported to one village in various different times.
There is a real fairytale element to this story and the sense that good must triumph over evil. Evil being the beautiful, but dangerous Countess who controls Cambridge Falls in the past that the children visit.
The plot itself jumps to various different times, but i didn't ever feel lost. The different places visited by the children, such as the kingdom of the dwarf King were mesmerising.
Overall, this is a brilliant book and  was so pleased to see that this is the first book in a trilogy, so i cannot wait to read the next one.
I would recommend this to children and adults alike, you will not be dissappointed. 
In my opinion this deserves 10/10!

Book Reviews

Welcome to 'Today I'm Reading'. I have started this book review site in order to share my views on the books that I am currently reading. My favourite genres are romance, historical fiction and mystery. I also enjoy reading biographies.
If publishers or authors would like me to review a copy of their book, please contact me through the website or email: todayimreading@hotmail.co.uk