Whether you believe in love at first sight or not, there is something magical about the idea, something whimsical and inherently young about it. Robert Kemble, Earl of Macclesfield, wasn't a believer until he stumbled across Victoria Lyndon one summer's day, and lost his heart. In a swift courtship over a halcyon summer, the pair fall head over heels and make plans to elope. However, the intervention of both disapproving fathers leads to disappointment, disillusionment and heartbreak.
Seven years later, while attending a house party, Robert discovers the family governess lost in the maze. It's her! And he's so furious he doesn't know whether to kiss or kill her. For Victoria it's just another cruel twist to an extrememly bad day, ... Read More:
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I've already read this entire series. I was in America a couple of years ago and bought all six books in two volumes. You'll be pleased to that whilst it is not in the same league as the Abhorsen trilogy, it does improve as Garth Nix reveals more of the back story about the Sunstones and the Spiritshadows and the past of the Castle of Seven. The characters develop more and you actually begin to care about them and what happens to them. I recommend that even if you're unsure about this one, stick with it, they do get much better
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George McDonald Frazer does it again in this the 7th outing for our hero Flashy. I say 7th but really this is two books in one in that the first part sees our hero in the USA in 1849. The second is a return 27 years later and my does Frazer use this to good effect. Flashman after an absolutely tip top first half gets to 'reap what he sowed' in the second.
This is an absolutely brilliant book and I learned more from this about the early USA than I have done from a lot of so called history books. Frazer is meticulous in his research and how Flashy fitted in to the key moments of the good old USA The Battle of the Bighorn is explained and the character of Geronimo, Kit Carson, Grant are carefully woven in to this brilliant tapestry
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After Stardust (a film that sounds awful but is actually very good) I was given this book to try. It is written by Neil Gaiman, who the Times newspaper said was the best thing since J.K. Rowling.
Well I have to say I was fairly dissapointed. Some are good and well thought out but others are deadpan, middle of the road and to put it into one word: Boring. Mediocre. Not what I was expecting at all. I think that he can only be brilliant when he has a team of other writers behind him.
Thanks for reading my review. I hope this has helped.
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This is one of the best books I have ever read. Particularly because it is based on a true story. Mary Broad (Bryant) is awe inspiring. Her triumph over adversity, her determination, and the whole story of her and her fellow convicts should be taught in history at schools. I had never even heard of her before reading this book. I read on another review for the book To Brave Every Danger that Mary is worthy of having a statue erected in her name in Trafalgar Square - I couldn't agree more. I saw the dramatised version of her story on DVD, but it isn't a patch on reading the book. The TV company have missed so much out that you really must read the book, ideally before seeing the film version of her story. Mary was one great lady!
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Stephe Fry's narration is far and away the best that I have listened to over many years of enjoying audio books. Each and every character has their own distinctive and perfectly-judged voice, so that you know instantly who is speaking before the name is given. This makes it so much easier to simply enjoy the wonderful story without being distracted by confusion as to who is saying what, as so often happens with other narrators. We bought all of the other Harry Potter CDs, and they have all been great. I recommend listening to these stories whilst curled up on the sofa on a Winter's evening over any T.V program that I can think of.
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I first read this series in 1986. I loved it but gave it away to a friend! Last year I bought the series again & was captivated. Especially as I realised that some of it was set in Tywyn where my partner is from! It's very spooky when you realise that all of the places in Wales are real! The American film of "The Dark is Rising" does not even compare to the stunning intricacies of the writing. These books had me on the edge of my seat both as a child and an adult. Amazing!
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This is the first book in the 'Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles series. The 162 paged rollacoaster is jam-packed with adventures and danger.
The story begins when a boy named Nick has to put up with a new stepsister called Laurie. She introduces him to the world of faeries, and soon Nick discovers a nixie. The nixie needs help to find her sisters and while Nick and Laurie look for them, they discover a giant which could easily destroy them, the nixie, their family and their house. To stop the perilous situation the pair find themselves in, an old friend is called upon...
This book was good if you enjoy fantasy and thrillers but for slightly older readers(12+)it could be a bit of a disappointment as it is reasonably short and the story itself ... Read More:
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This was my first Heyer novel and now i can't get enough of her books. Heyer combines both historical fiction and romance in a perfect blend , her writing is so detailed and it just flows.
What i love the most Heyer novels and Venetia is that the heroines are not fainting , having the vapours ( what ever those may be) or don't have anything between thier ears. Venetia is a young ( well in the novel by 25 she is seen as on the shelf) intellgent women who has to run the family estate because her brother Conway is to selfish. Venetia says what she thinks and is very matter of fact about it for example when she tells Lady Denny that she did not love her father , that she knows that her father and brothers are self centred and will not do anything to put themselves ... Read More:
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Having read the Harry Potter books and the Children of the Red King series I can wholeheartedly say that I prefer Jenny Nimmo's books to JK Rowling's. I found Midnight for Charlie Bone completely encapsulating and I have re-read it multiple times.
The story is about a 10 year old boy (called Charlie Bone) who learns that he possesses an "endowment", a type of supernatural gift. He is soon forced into attending Bloors academy (a private school for the Arts & endowed children). Whilst at the academy he uncovers a mystery of a missing girl and with the help of his friends Fidelio, Olivia, Benjamin & Gabriel and the hindrance of his horrible Grandmother and Great Aunts he uncovers the mystery lurking within Bloors academy.