Tag: book-reviews

Book Review – Silver Stars by Michael Grant

M.Kielty
Banner stating: Book Review – Silver Stars by Michael Grant.

Following on from the first book of the series, Front Lines, this alternate history story continues the adventures of Rio Richlin, a small-town girl from California; Frangi Marr, a black girl from Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Rainy Schulterman, a Jewish girl from New York City as they fight in World War II for the American army.

Whilst the first book follows how each joined and trained in the army along with going into battle for the first time, Silver Stars follows these girls as experienced soldiers as they take on the war’s next challenges.

Grant ups the stakes in this book as each character takes on missions which would be fairly branded as suicidal. Rainy, in particular, has a hard time of it, though this doesn’t mean the other characters have things easy. While this book is very much fictional, Grant clearly illustrates the horrifying nature of war and its effects through his characters – both the physical and psychological.

Grant uses his extensive research into World War II to create a world that is vivid and feels real. I loved the characters and their arcs throughout the two books make for an engaging read.

This book is as exciting and enjoyable as its previous, and I highly recommend for those who like stories with an epic historical backdrop.

See my review for the first book in the series, Front Lines by Michael Grant.

Book Review – Lockwood & Co. The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud.

M.Kielty
Banner stating, “Book Review – Lockwood & Co. The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud.”

Since the ridiculous cancellation of the Lockwood and Co. TV show by Netflix, I was left curious as to what might happen next to Lucy Carlyle, Anthony Lockwood, and George Cubbins, and their precocious ghost hunting agency, Lockwood & Co.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and it’s very easy to see why Netflix identified this series as a viable project for adaptation.

Six months on from their first adventure, our favourite agents find themselves wrapped up in a new mission. Starting off with a small supervisory role at a graveyard investigating a mysterious grave, it begins a journey into the dark underworld of the illegal black market of Sources (objects with connections to ghosts) and the mysterious Bone Mirror (which I won’t say too much about but it’s as creepy as it sounds).

The book, Lockwood & Co. The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud, resting on a white windowsill. Photo taken by Mark Kielty

We have the opportunity to explore a little more deeply into Stroud’s world as we find out more about the Fittes agency through their rivalry with Lockwood & Co. (A fun wager sees them meet several times throughout the book).

But a few exciting things are revealed in this book which were introduced in the first. As the name of this book suggests, the skull starts whispering, and only to Lucy. As much as I don’t want to give anything away, the ghost is a fun addition to the gang and is as interesting and mysterious as Stroud’s other characters.

The second mystery to be revealed is what is hidden behind the forbidden door at Lockwood & Co’s headquarters. And for that, you’ll have to read the book for yourself.

What people might not expect with these books is that they’re very funny. I wouldn’t be surprised if readers revealed George as their favourite character. He offers much appreciated comic relief throughout the book. Lockwood also has his moments through his polite manner and quick wit. He’s the only character capable of complimenting and insulting someone at the same time. I think it’s characters like these that keep people coming back to read more.

Which is exactly what I’ll be doing for the rest of this series.

Read my original review here:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6494528464

Book Review – Lockwood & Co. The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud.

M.Kielty
Banner stating, “Book Review – Lockwood & Co. The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud.”

I was annoyed when Netflix cancelled Lockwood & Co. after season one, so I needed to read the books to find out what happens next and I’m glad I did.

Stroud builds a world where London has a problem with ghosts. The Visitors manifest in different ways, but they are almost always demonic/monstrous like rather than just invisible, talking people. It makes for intense scenes where you fear for the safety of the main characters.

The story is told from the point of view of Lucy Carlyle, a sensitive who hears ghosts and objects which have been touched by ghosts or death. She joins Lockwood & Co. as an agent who investigates hauntings. There she meets its two other agents, Anthony Lockwood, the suave, intelligent teenager whom the agency is named after, and George Cubbins, the chubby researcher, both of whom have the sight – the ability to see ghosts, or ghost remanence.

Lockwood & Co. The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud – book standing on a white bedside table. A grey lamp and white walls are in the background. Photo taken by Mark Kielty.

Stroud structures the magical system so that only children can sense the Visitors, hence why teenagers are the ones thrusted into life threatening situations fighting off ghosts. Most agencies are run under adult supervision except for Lockwood & Co. of course. As the children grow older, their talents fade until they can no longer sense ghosts. Stroud leverages this to make for an engaging and entertaining story.

This story, though packed with supernatural elements, is at its heart a mystery. I like how Stroud takes two different mysteries that seem unrelated and knits them together to make for a satisfying ending.

This book has likable, engaging characters; monstrous action; along with some spooky mysteries. I highly recommend this particularly if, like me, you’re still smarting about the cancellation of a great TV show.

Read my original review here:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6416956820?book_show_action=false

Book Review – Front Lines by Michael Grant

M.Kielty
Banner stating: Book Review – Front Lines by Michael Grant.

I don’t normally read alternate history books, but given how much I enjoyed the Gone series along with Messenger of Fear, I thought I’d give Front Lines a chance, and I am really glad I did.

Out of all the Michael Grant books I have read; this is possibly the best in terms of writing and storytelling. I really think Michael Grant has stepped it up a notch when I didn’t think there were any more notches for this guy to climb.

I believe this book has the potential to capture new audiences as it is a genre which Grant is not known for; however, I think fans of Grant’s other works will enjoy this book just as much. What makes this book such a good alternate history novel is its faithfulness to actual history.

The book follows the lives of three girls as they join the American army during World War II. Where this book alternates from history is a fictional court case decision which rules that women could be conscripted into the army, or could volunteer, along with men. This has opened-up the possibility of interesting plots and storytelling.

The three main characters of this book is Rio Richlin, a small town 16-year-old from California; Frangi Marr, a black girl from Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Rainy Schulterman, a Jewish girl from New York City. They all lead captivating lives as their stories follow how they each end up serving in the American army.

What I loved about these books is that each character felt very real. You would swear they were actual people from the past. They were all extremely likable, and it was very easy to root for them to succeed.

The amount of detail in this book is commendable. Grant certainly did his research, and while some may feel he got too detailed in places; I really enjoyed it. For me, learning things the characters learned, such as Enfilade and Defilade, made it feel like you were right there with them as they completed basic training.

One aspect where this book mirrors Grant’s other works is that Grant doesn’t shy away from gory details, so be warned. (It is a book about war, to be fair) I found the imagery to be clear and concise, which makes remembering this story all the easier.

This book is admittedly longer than Grant’s others, and longer than the average YA book with around 460ish pages, but it honestly didn’t feel like it. Despite the book being about war, Grant’s writing style means you can glide through the book with ease.

Read my original review here:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18743370-front-lines