Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Melody

ISBN-13: 9780765328670
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Publication Date: 3 July 2012
Format: Paperback, 320 pgs
Source: Personal Library 
I'm late to the party, at least when Kendare Blake's books are concerned. But of course, as they always say, it's better to be late than never, so here I am. 

I'm always fascinated by the ghost slayer theme, be it movies or books. I'm not talking about the hardcore horrors, just the entertaining and fun ones that allows me to escape from reality once in a while. Reality can be harsh sometimes and we all need something fun and adventurous to take our minds off even if it's only for a while. Reading Anna Dressed in Blood did that to me because it's a story between a ghost slayer and a ghost called Anna, whom he'd set his eyes on to slay since hearing about her hauntings. But most of all, this is also a love story and I knew I'd be in for a good reading treat. 

Theseus "Cas" Cassio Lowood is not your ordinary 16-year-old boy who loves having a little fun here and there. Sure, he loves good old fun but his idea of real fun is travelling to places and hunt ghosts down. He inherited his late father's athame; a deadly tool which allows him to kill the dead. His mother, on the other hand, has a knack in fortune telling and selling occult stuff online. One may call her a witch who's good with herbs but she's more like any mother who worries non-stop about their children. They also have a spirit-sniffing cat called Tybalt. 

Now Anna is a ghost unlike Cas has hunted and slayed in the past. Cas heard of her name through a friend, and apparently there's a legend of her haunting and killing people that scared most people. But, Anna Korlov actually had a sad story behind it. She was murdered in 1958 when she was on her way to a school dance; her white dress stained with blood. She'd kill anyone who steps into her old Victorian house. 

However, as much as Cas wants to slay Anna, he found out that beneath that scary demeanour Anna is simply an ordinary sixteen-year-old girl who's trapped in an old rage and revenge which makes her kills. And on top of it, Anna didn't kill Cas despite knowing that he wanted to kill her. 

There are some explanations regarding Anna's past and the way she died. But the climax of this story is when they encounter another supernatural who's more powerful and murderous than Anna, and by then Cas has found himself fallen in love with Anna. 

Told from Cas' perspective, Anna Dressed in Blood is an extraordinary ghost story in my opinion; one which is both horrific (there's gore but not many that would put you off) and romantic. Before then, I didn't know that these two elements could mix but it works beautifully in this story. So much so that it made my heart ache, just thinking about Cas and Anna and had me wonder how they'd get a happily-ever-after ending out of the mess they are in. Secondary characters such as Carmel (the popular girl in school) and Thomas (the psychic) add interest and entertainment to the story as they assist Cas in the ghost huntings. 

Overall I enjoyed this story. And I've to say the outcome of the ending left me quite speechless, which is a natural reaction given that there is a sequel - Girl of Nightmares. Needless to say, I'm going to devour it after writing this.
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The Russian Concubine by Kate Furnivall
Melody


  • ISBN-13: 9780425215586
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
  • Publication Date: 27 June 2007
  • Pages: Paperback, 528 pgs
  • Source: Personal Library




The Russian Concubine may have a romance theme, but it is also a historical fiction centering China's revolutionary stage during the 1920s, whereby there are protests and rage between the Communists and the Kuomintang Nationalists, with Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-shek as their leaders respectively. 

Weaving together with this epic historical is a love story featuring a Russian girl and a Chinese youth. Lydia, together with her aristocratic mother, Valentina, are exiled from their country Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution. All the men are not spared, including her father, and they were either being captured or killed. Lydia feared her father was dead, after being taken away by the Bolshevik army and they are then forced to take refuge in Junchow, China. 

With no skills and knowledge of the Chinese language, Lydia feels like a fish out of water, but she's a survivor and most of all, she steals to make ends meet. She'd pawn away the things she has stolen and would lie to her mother about them, not wanting to worry her mother any further. It was by chance that fate allows her to meet a young Chinese Communist, Chang An Lo, on her way home after stealing a ruby necklace. He'd saved her from being caught, after all that necklace is both valuable and important and is to be presented as a gift to a diplomat's wife. Lydia couldn't stop thinking about Chang thereafter. 

Chang An Lo, on the other hand, is mesmerised by the fiery foxy girl he'd saved that day. He felt she is courageous and unlike other foreign young women. However, their romance is threatened by the clash of the Communists and the Kuomintang Nationalists. And not to mention they are spies and bribery everywhere that one never feels safe, as there are also brotherhoods triads in the already chaotic Junchow. Some foreigners who live in the International Settlement are besieged by their own rivalries and revenges as well. Overall it was bad times. 

Despite the grave theme, I was totally wowed by The Russian Concubine. It is an epic historical story which is rich with ethnic cultures, in particularly to the Chinese. Set in pre-revolutionary China, this story tells the journey of Lydia's escapades from Russia to China, and how she survives living in a foreign country with limited skills and language. The relationship between Valentina and Lydia, as well as Valentina's affair further add intrigue to the story. 

What I also liked about this story is the intertwining of history and romance. Both have interesting elements that kept me interested throughout the story; the history wasn't too dry or boring and the romance wasn't cheesy either. I think it is a well balanced read. There is a sequel to this book and The Concubine's Secret is definitely onto my to-read list.

Here's my thoughts on Kate Furnivall's The White Pearl, (the first book I read by her) which I thought was good too. 

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Super Red Riding Hood by Claudia Davila
Melody

ISBN-13: 9781771380201
Publisher: Kids Can Press, Limited
Publication Date: 1 August 2014
Format: ebook, 32 pgs
  • Age range: 3 - 7 Years
Source: Netgalley

It's been a long time since I'd shared my thoughts on Children's Fiction I read here. While browsing through Netgalley, I found this adorable Children's Fiction featuring Red Riding Hood. Well to be exact, she's a little girl called Ruby who likes to dress in her red cloak and thinks of herself as a superhero who goes out of her way to save the day. 

One sunny afternoon, her mom asks her to pick some raspberries in the woods. With a flashlight and a lunch box in hand, she bids her mom goodbye and set out to the woods. Despite the chill drifted out from the shadowy darkness in the woods, she trots ahead and tell herself that a superhero must be silent like a cat and watch out for danger. She meets several small animals on the way, but her final encounter is one yellow-toothed and a huge-clawed wolf. 

Ruby uses her 'superhero' skills to avoid the wolf, but it turns out that the poor wolf is simply feeling hungry, after all. So what did Ruby do? Like a superhero who always helps those in need, she shares her raspberries with the wolf together under the big oak tree. 

Super Red Riding Hood is an adorable retelling of the children's favourite folk-tales but unlike the original tale, this little story has a humorous twist to it. Aside from the bright, colourful illustrations, another thing I liked about this picture book is the message it conveys - do not judge others quickly, be brave and to share. This is simply a wonderful picture book which I'd enjoyed reading with my youngest daughter (who's six). She's especially attracted to Ruby and the red things she adorns (cloak, boots, lunch box). And of course, she too thinks that being a superhero is cool. 

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Sometimes the Wolf by Urban Waite
Melody


ISBN-13: 9780062216915
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication Date: 21 October 2014
Format: Hardcover, 288 pgs
Source: Publisher

Sometimes the Wolf is a crime thriller, but it is also a story between father and son and how time distance and danger would test the limits of their relationship. 

Patrick Drake was a Sheriff but a bad decision and a reckless action had thrown him into prison. He was supposed to lead a normal life, raising his family in a small mountain town at Silver Lake, Washington, and catching bad guys, but fate seems to have another plan laid out for him. His wife passed away and he was faced with financial woes. What's a desperate man to do at that point? As foolish as this sound, he had turned to smuggling drugs and got caught. He spent twelve years in jail, and now he's out of parole under his son, Bobby Drake's watchful eyes. 

Bobby used to have dreams. He has a basketball scholarship to Arizona but he has to forgo his dream since his father’s guilt. As if that's not enough, he's now deputy sheriff in his father’s old department, and despite all those years have gone by, most people in their small town still remember his father's deeds. However, the Drakes are far from having peace as not long after Patrick’s release, a threat from his past reappears. 

The opening is quite a stunner with the murdering scene, but left enough intrigue for readers to find out what it has to do with the Drakes. What also makes this story a compelling read is the element of trust. Should Bobby trust his superior, who's used to work with his father? And most importantly, does he think his father had killed two men and had those drug money stashed away? Like a lone wolf being hunted, Bobby soon finds himself like that wolf he and Ellie, a Fish and Wildlife staff, who tried to track down after it has made its appearance at Silver Lake in fifty years. 

Filled with tension and mystery, Sometimes the Wolf is a gripping thriller not only about the crimes and murders but of family intrigue, deception and loyalty as well. Mr. Waite captured those tense feelings through his wonderful prose which I find captivating. There is something about his writing that I find quite different from other thrillers; it's like there's more finesse and artsy in his style and I find it refreshing. The way he described the relationship among the three Drakes men (Patrick, Bobby and Morgan, who's Bobby's grandfather) truly defines that saying about blood is thicker than water, no matter whatever the circumstances is and to me, that melancholy feeling is just so great given the premise. However, despite the beauty, I was somewhat skeptical towards the ending, for I felt something was amiss but I'm willing to let it go because, well, sometimes things are better if one left unsaid. 
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It Happened One Wedding by Julie James
Melody


ISBN-13: 9780425251270
Publisher: Jove Books
Publication Date: 6 May 2014
Format: Paperback, 304 pgs
Source: Personal Library

It'd been a long time since I've read a contemporary romance. Several years ago, before I started this blog, most of the books I read are romance. Contemporary romance, historical romance, romance suspense, paranormal romance. . . you name it, they are on my read list. Then I found myself in this wonderful blogging community, and it has allow me to explore other books which I don't think I'd be reading without all the lovely reviews and recommendations. Thank you, my bookbloggers friends, for sharing those books! 

Back to this post, I want to say reading It Happened One Wedding reminds me why I love reading romance in the first place. Witty, sexy and romantic; this book has all the right elements of a good romance story. 

Sidney Sinclair is a career-minded woman. She takes pride in her job as a director at a private equity firm and while she scores in clinching business deals, she finds it lacking when it comes to the love department. She has decided that men who are commitment-phobic or playboys are off from her list. 

Special agent Vaughn Roberts is the man who fits right on her list. Confident, flirty and good-looking, Vaughn is the man Sinclair who'd avoid at any costs but fate decides otherwise and they are thrown into close contact since they are best man and maid of honour for their siblings' wedding. You see, Vaughn's younger brother, Simon, is to marry Sidney's younger sister, Isabelle. 

Sidney is stuck with him no matter she likes it or not, until Isabelle walks down the aisle. Vaughn, on the other hand, is determined to win over this cool and confident redhead. After all, he has not encountered a woman who would say no to him until her. 

What makes this story a fun read is the exchanges between Sidney and Vaughn (they've some witty dialogues there.) As you can imagine, they didn't leave a good impression with each other initially and I liked the fact that they didn't fall in love at first sight. I think love at first sight do exist, but I'm a little skeptical about it. Thus, when I read that Sidney and Vaughn didn't fit into that category, I was curious on how and what it takes to make their relationship grows, especially since they rub each other off the wrong way the first time they met. 

But of course, sincerity, trust and respect play a huge part in a relationship and as the time goes, Sidney and Vaughn can't help but to be attracted to each other. But what's so memorable about the romance is Vaughn changed his mindset about commitment and the things he'd done for Sidney simply made my heart melt. Yeah. 

I really enjoyed reading this love story between Sidney and Vaughn. They had me chuckle over their squabbles; and they had me smile over their exchanges and the things they have done for each other. I also liked reading about their siblings, Simon and Isabelle, whom I felt are humble and down-to-earth people. Their sweet romance may not be the core of this book, but they do play a part in putting Vaughn and Sidney together. 

It Happened One Wedding is the third book I read by Julie James (after Just the Sexiest Man Alive and Practice Makes Perfect, that is) and I have to say each book didn't disappoint me. Ms. James is one of my favourite romance authors and I know I can always count on her books if I want something romantic and fun to read.
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Movie Review: Haemoo (Sea Fog) ( 海雾)
Melody


Director: Shim Sung-Bo
Cast: Han Ye-Ri, Kim Yun-Seok, Park Yu-Chun, Moon Sung-Geun, Kim Sang-Ho
Language: Korean
Subtitles: English, Chinese
(M18)


Based on true events, Haemoo tells a gripping story of a voyage of survival and humanity. 

Set in South Korea in 1998, a fishing vessel sets sail for their catch. The crew isn't in luck, for their catch isn't what they have hoped for. Captain Kang (starring Kim Yun-Seok) is desperate, for the times are bad and if they fail to bring in anything it'd mean the whole crew would be in trouble. 

With nowhere to go, he agrees to transport some Chinese-Koreans stowaways from China on his vessel. When the crew knew that they would be smuggling immigrants, they are worried but they have no choice. Moreover they trust and respect Captain Kang; they knew that whatever he does he always have their best interest. 

Unfortunately, the deal is a doom from the start. Apart from the large group of immigrants that leave them stunned, they are not prepared of consequences should any happens. Captain Kang has to resort to violence, and his action shakes the cores of his crew members. And that's only the beginning of the nightmares... 

Haemoo is a sad, dark and thought-provoking movie that evolves around the subject of humanity, and what drives a man to do under desperate measures. Greed is another factor, as well as lust. There is a little romance to this movie, but it is all sad and a tragedy. Dong-Sik (starring Park Yu-Chun) is the youngest crew in the vessel who falls in love with Hong-Mae (starring Han Ye-Ri), a young woman immigrant who wanted to look for her brother in Korea. Their scene also plays a major part to this film when Dong-Sik tries to protect Hong-Mae from his crazed captain and fellow mates. 


The cast did a wonderful job in their respective role. Two characters really left an impression on me and they are Captain Kang and of course, Dong-Sik. Captain Kang is a man who cares a lot for his crew (You could tell this when he still gives advance money to them even if he has to loan it.) He is simply a simple fisherman who wants to bring home money despite the bad times. He is simply down with miscalculations and bad luck. 

Dong-Sik is another simple-minded soul with a big heart. His falling for Hong-Mae has given him the courage to act devilishly. From the point of love I have to applaud him for the things he has done for Hong-Mae, but from another view it's so sad to see the crew crumbles and became the enemies instead. 

Overall I felt the direction was great, until it came to the ending part. It was a let down and I felt terribly disappointed. Walking out of the theatre I could hear some discussions and sighs from a few audiences. Truth be told, I didn't really get the ending. That said, I suppose it gives viewers a melancholy feel over what all happened to that unfortunate event. 



Note: Haemoo is listed as South Korean's submission for the Foreign Language Film for the 87th Academy Awards in 2015.
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This Dark Road to Mercy by Wiley Cash
Melody


  • ISBN-13: 9780062088260
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
  • Publication Date: 23 September 2014 (Reprint)
  • Format: Paperback, 256 pgs
  • Source: Publisher
Don't you think there's a overwhelming sense of melancholy and sadness just by reading the title itself? I definitely think so, and what made this book not an easy read is it revolves around two girls - twelve-year-old Easter and her six-year-old younger sister, Ruby, and how they are on the run with their father.

 After their mother's passing, they have been staying at their foster home. Their ex-minor league baseball player father, Wade Chesterfield, left them a few years back and they'd been living with their mother since the day their parents signed a paper on the Termination of Parental Rights. The legal document has stated that Wade would thereby relinquish his parental rights to Easter and Ruby. And from then on the girls never saw their father, again. It was then known that their father was arrested for DUI. And now he's appeared at their foster home and took them away in the middle of the night.

 On the other end, Robert Pruitt, is a mercurial man nursing a years-old vendetta. He is, however, determined to find Wade and claim his due. He and Wade had known each other way back when they were both baseball players. Pruitt is also driven by money to track Wade from a triad boss who believes Wade had stolen a huge amount of money from him.

 Brady Weller is the girls' guardian and he has a little history himself; he'd been a police officer and then a detective for almost twenty years. He has found his way being a guardian by trying to undo something that can never be undone. His current job is installing security systems but when he knew of the girls' disappearance, he began a search with the help of his ex-buddy whom he had worked with  together during his days in the police force.

 Narrated in alternating voices between Easter, Pruitt and Brady, This Dark Road to Mercy is an emotional read about the two sisters' struggles of living a new life and how fate has put their life in disarray.

 What made this a compelling read is what seems to be an impulsive act from the start could spiral out of control into something so unbelievable and horrific. The three narrators are all binded into a complicated race of an unfortunate event which started out by greed initially. Wade is another interesting character whom I felt was a pity that his voice isn't included in this story. However, he plays a crucial role to this story so I suppose by leaving out his voice would probably add to the overall mysterious effect.

 I enjoyed reading this story a lot. There are both tender and tense moments; and while I felt sympathy towards Easter and Ruby, there were also times that one has to admire their strength and courage at their age, especially Easter since she feels responsible for Ruby.

 What also makes this story memorable is each role may differ from one another but they all have one thing in common, and that is having a second chance.

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The Vault of Dreamers by Caragh M. O'Brien
Melody


ISBN-13: 9781596439382
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Publication Date: 16 September 2014
Format: Hardcover, 432 pgs
Source: Personal Library


The Forge School is an elite arts academy. What makes this school so special is they have The Forge Show; a reality show that tracked and broadcast the activity of each individual student at the school. For twelve hours each day, students are being monitored. The only places they have their privacy is the bathroom. Even their sleep is being monitored. For this show, each student is rated accordingly through the blip rank and viewers are able to select their favourite students' feeds. As if this is not enough, students who couldn't make it to the top fifty would be expelled. 

The Forge Show is inspired by a film teacher who teaches there twenty three years ago. They found out that the students who were being filmed began to work much harder. In other words, the camera eye itself has somewhat influenced their performance. 

Our heroine, Rosie Sinclair, her dream is to become a filmmaker. Coming from a poor family with a lazy and good-for-nothing stepdad, she managed to get into Forge with her little footage of her younger sister, Dubbs. Although they didn't share the same dad, Rosie loves her all the same. 

From the earlier chapters, we get this feeling that the Forge School is no ordinary elite school that nurture their students to excellence. Although they have twelve hours of sleep to ensure they perform to their best; that result comes from a pill and it is mandatory for all students to take every evening before bed. There's definitely something fishy going on here, and Rosie feels the same too. So one night, she pretended to have swallowed the pill under the attendant's watchful eyes before she climbs into her sleeping cell. And that night, she discovered something which she isn't meant to see (know). 

From there, we follow Rosie's adventures of exploring the secrets of the school. She has befriended a few friends along the way; and seems to have found her first love in Linus, a boy who works in the school's kitchen. But, there are doubts hovering in both Rosie's and the readers' minds about who not to trust, and it is no surprise that some staff do harbour some dark secrets that involve the students. 

The Vault of Dreamers is a dystopian and sci-fi thriller and honestly speaking, I'm not a huge sci-fi fan but the story captivated me from the beginning. I think it has a great premise and I thought the overall setting is pretty refreshing unlike the others. Characterisations wise, Rosie is an interesting character and she seems to be a girl with fierce determination and the fearless type, but there are times I just couldn't get past her reasons over some events and they either puzzled or frustrated me (not a criticism but simply my personal view.) 

As mentioned earlier, though I felt the premise was great, I thought it'd be better if the idea of some scientific events are further explored and elaborated. Also, I felt the last part towards the end was a bit rushed. The last scene might infuriate some, but knowing this is a series I suppose we'd get some answers in the next book. However, strange as it may sound, I felt that that scene could work as a standalone too. 
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Crooked River by Valerie Geary
Melody

ISBN-13: 9780062326591
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication Date: 14 October 2014
Format: Paperback, 336 pgs
Source: ARC from the Publisher

Fifteen-year-old Samantha and her younger sister, Ollie, stay with their father, Frank "Bear" McAlister, in a meadow by the Crooked River in rural Oregon after the death of their mother. Bear is a beekeeper and believes that bees recognise those who cherish them and they won't sting if one comes to their hives humble and gracious. 

The girls' grandmother wanted to fight for their custody, but she's willing to give Bear a chance after her husband's probing; plus their mother trusted him. Ollie has not talked since their mother's death; they all thought she would once the shock is over but Ollie remains silent. She's able to see ghosts too (she calls them The Shimmering). 

While wandering through the woods one day, they found a young woman floating in Crooked River; she was dead. They later found a bloodstained jacket in Bear's satchel after returning to their teepee, and this made Sam wonder about his whereabouts the previous night he was gone. Sam wanted to ask Bear but didn't have the chance; but when that chance came she decided she won't say anything. She's afraid that the others will see only what they want to see, not what is actually there. But most of all, she wants to believe in him although other people sees him as eccentric. 

Although there are evidence that points to Bear, Sam and Ollie still think that the police has caught the wrong person. Not wanting to see their family come crumbling down, Sam, together with Ollie, decided to take matters into their own hands and search for clues. While Sam goes about digging information, Ollie, on the other end, has The Shimmering to guide her to the right direction, if only Sam wants to accept and see through it. 

Crooked River is one fine literary mystery with a supernatural element to it. Emotional and character - driven, this is a story about family, friendship, secrets and of course, ghosts which are around us even if we can't see them. 

I've to admit I was a little skeptical over the supernatural element initially, but after reading halfway through I began to see why this is "injected" into the story. It may not be the mystery itself, but it allows the readers to understand how they'd make an impact on the sisters. 

What interest me is not only the mystery but the interactions between the sisters. I liked Ollie especially not  because she's smart but she's extremely brave too. What they have gone through is tough, but they have also made them stronger and more matured. Told in Sam and Ollie's perspectives through alternating chapter, I find this style to be appropriate and effective as their emotions and thoughts are well described through their distinctive voice. I really enjoyed this story; however I felt the closure isn't satisfying. The mystery, no doubt, is revealed but what becomes of some characters are unknown. I would, however, let it go with my hunch.

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Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld
Melody


ISBN-13: 9781481435055
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: 23 September 2014
Format: Trade Paperback, 599 pgs
Source: Personal Library


A novel within a novel. That's what Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld's is about. With two different settings through alternating chapters, readers are whizzed into two worlds; one of the present through Darcy Patel and another through Lizzie Scofield, the character from Darcy's YA novel, Afterworlds. Simply put, it's like reading two books at the same time. 

The story opens with 18-year-old Darcy sending her query letter to Underbridge Literary Agent and getting an acceptance from them. She's going to get published and she's heading to New York City. There, she befriended a few authors like her as she's trying to learn the ropes from them. The writing industry can be a competitive world, and Darcy is scared and excited at the same time. 

Lizzie's story, is equally exciting but far more dangerous. Through Darcy's imagination, she becomes the sole survivor of a terrorist attack by feigning dead. However, she must have went into it deeply because the next thing she knew, she found herself in Afterworld, a place where dead people roams. There, she met this attractive guy called Yamaraj, who happens to be a psychopomp (in other words, a reaper). Lizzie becomes one of them after her near death experience, and she's able to travel between the real world and the Afterworld (by calling out to Yamaraj at first). But, as we could tell, Afterworld is a dark and dangerous place filled with ghosts and other supernatural beings. Added to the complexity is Lizzie's attraction towards Yamaraj.  

Although the concept of a novel within a novel isn't something new (though not commonly used), it is, however, my first time reading it. I liked the two protagonists, Darcy and Lizzie. Despite the different settings, they are girls who are trying hard to fit into a place so different from their own. However, as much as I enjoyed this concept of having two stories merged into a book, my interest wavered the more I flipped through those pages. The two stories did captivate me, but I felt they are a distraction due to the alternating stories. I think it might be different if the two stories are split to parts as a whole, but then again I suppose the concept might be lost. As much as I wanted to enjoy this story, I just felt that this concept doesn't work for me. So what I did is read Darcy's chapters and then going back to Lizzie's. 

Before ending this post, I'm curious to know: Have you ever came across such a style and did it bother you? 
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The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters
Melody


ISBN-13: 9780349004587
Publisher: Virago Press
Publication Date: 28 August 2014
Format: Trade Paperback, 576 pgs
Source: Personal Library


I've only read one book by Sarah Waters - Tipping the Velvet, and loved it. There's something about her writing that feels magical to me, and I couldn't help but feel entranced by her story. I've a few of her other books on my shelves but haven't got around to reading them. Then her latest release, The Paying Guests, hit the shelves and I thought this time round I'd get to it. 

Without revealing too much, all I can say is this story is character-driven as well as plot-driven. The setting is 1920s Britain; WWI had ended and the British are trying to pick up their life after the war. Though still somewhat affected by the aftermath of the war, they too, welcomed the emerging of the new world where it'd bring them great promise and modernity. 

Frances, our protagonist in her mid 20s, lives with her mother. Her two brothers died from the war and her father had passed on thereafter, leaving them with debts. To make ends meet, they decided to take in lodgers, or "paying guests." Her boring and mundane life took on a turn after the young Barbers couple's arrival and things are never the same, again. And that's about all I can tell you, for any more information I'd risk spoiling it.

Once again, I was captivated by Sarah Waters' superb storytelling and her characterisations. She has a knack of writing unforgettable female protagonists, no matter you like them or not. Frances gave me the impression of an open minded and independent female. The Barbers couple seem like any other married couple who have their ups and downs. As for Frances' mother, she is kind and conservative and I liked her well enough.

Although this story is set in post WWI London, there's not too much of the history being covered but is more of a backdrop to the story. Readers would read about the differences of classes during that period but they are not overly elaborated. For these two subjects I felt a bit disappointed because I'd like to read more about them but alas, I suppose the plot is the main focus and another thing is, Ms. Waters is good in describing events with exceptional vividness so that took my mind off of that little disappointment. 

As much as I enjoyed the story, I felt something is lacking but I just couldn't put my finger on it. Ms. Waters' prose is lovely, but I think there are times I felt it drags a little, especially the first part of the story. However, once we are familiarise with the characters' and know where the story is leading, the pace quickens and I couldn't wait to finish it. 

So, did I like the book? Yes, but not well enough like Tipping the Velvet. I can't say I loved the characters, but they do left an impression on me. And finally, I think this is a book fits for a good discussion. 
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The Secret Place by Tana French
Melody


ISBN-13: 978-1444755572
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publication Date: 28 August 2014
Format: Trade Paperback, 528 pgs
Source: Personal Library


I wished I've got the other edition of The Secret Place. I mean, if I didn't specifically browse through the thrillers section, I'd have missed this shiny new book by Tana French. Without any option (this is the only edition on shelf), I grabbed it. And because this is Tana French, I decided to overlook the plain cover; after all I've waited for this book for a long time (I'm sure TF fans out there will agree with me.) Pardon my rant. 

In The Secret Place, we have Detective Stephen Moran as the lead character. Readers who read Tana French's earlier books would remember him. For readers who haven't read them, it's not a problem as Stephen is more of a supporting character then. This book gives us more than a glimpse of him, since he's working alongside with Detective Antoinette Conway. Detective Conway is a new character, but not one to be dismissed easily due to her strong personality. She's outright blunt and doesn't hold her punches. I suppose she has to portray that image as I can imagine how tough it'd be to be the female in a men's field, and it's the elite Dublin Murder Squad, so to speak.

Stephen Moran isn't from the Murder Squad; he's working with the Cold Cases but one day, Holly Mackey passed him a card she found posted on their school notice board (the school named it The Secret Place where students could post their thoughts there anonymously). The words glued on the card read "I knew who killed him". It also shows a picture of Chris Harper - a popular boy from a boys' boarding school not far from St. Kilda's, who was killed on the campus of St. Kilda's a year ago. This case was filed under Cold Cases since the squad couldn't find any clues no matter how much they digged. Moran, on the other end, thinks this might be his big break to making into the Murder Squad.

Moran knew Holly as she was a witness to a case years ago. Her dad is a detective too. St. Kilda's is a prestigious school where the girls of the upperclass families go to. While Conway wasn't impressed with the status, Moran was intrigued by the overall image since he didn't belong and knew he would never belong in the long run anyway.

Who killed Chris? Was it a nun who thought he had compromised one of the girls? Or was it the school groundskeeper who had a drug possession record? Detective Conway thought they would not ruled out the girls, since she knew there are cliques, in particularly two cliques who always seem to be at loggerheads with each other ("razor blades in their hair", in Conway's own term), and who wouldn't want attention from the boys from St. Colm's? However, their headmistress assured them that the girls would do no such thing, given their upperclass status and the school name.

Tana French is a master when it comes to the characterisations and building atmosphere and intensity. Right from the beginning, you could just sense the forebrooding atmosphere. That sense is subtle, yet you know something is there and it makes your mind wonder. The suspense is thick to the point that you have the overwhelming feel to finish the book, yet at the same time you want to savour the suspense which is keeping you entranced. A dilemma, I know.

What I also liked about this book is the exchanges (chemistry?) between Moran and Conway. They may not share the same wavelength and class, yet the more I read about them the more comfortable that feeling I got from them. Yes, I think Ms. French is good in building connection between characters too. She also did a great job in describing the feelings and thoughts of the teenage girls, from the mean girls right to the loyalty and sentimental ones (made me think of my good old school days, yeah).

I hope Tana French's next book will feature Detective Antoinette Conway. She may be tough and appears to be cold but I quite admire the way she works. Although The Secret Place is a good read, it's not my favourite TF book. In the Woods still remains on that favourite spot and hopefully that place would be replaced by her future releases. I'm waiting. 
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Movie Review: The Maze Runner
Melody



Starring: Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Aml Ameen, Ki Hong Lee 



I notice post-apocalyptic and dystopia themes seem to be all the rage lately. Honestly speaking, I don't minding reading them. With a good plot and great characterisations, they could linger in your mind for a long time.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner. I have this book for a while but just never got around to reading it. It is one of those reading mood thing, which I'm sure many readers are able to relate. I'm also one of those readers who would prefer to reading the book first than watching the film adaptation, but sometimes it's the timing that overtakes the mood and The Maze Runner is one of those moments.

Thomas wakes up and find himself in an elevator. He has no memory who he is and why he's lying in the elevator. When he steps out of it when it landed, all he could see is a vast land and some boys about his age. They "welcomed" him to the glade; an enclosed environment where they grow their own food and supplies given from below. Every 30 days a new boy will arrive to the glade and Thomas, no doubt is a newbie. They teach him all the knacks of living there, but told him not to enter into the maze under any circumstances.

Thomas gets curious and that feeling intensifies after he saw a few boys entering into the maze when its door opens during the day. The answer he got is they are the runners and they are trying to find a way to escape through it that surrounds their living space. However, it has taken them years as the maze changes; plus there are dangerous creatures looming around it too. Thomas wants to be one of the runners, but the others felt he isn't ready but of course there's always the surprise. 

Then a comatose girl arrives with a strange note, and they are more determined to find ways of escaping when they knew the elevator will no longer comes up to the glade. That also means their supplies would be cut off too. They are on their own, and whatever are in store for them. 

I have to say The Maze Runner has a great concept. I have always been fascinated by books or movies that have a maze or lybrinth setting. The possibilities there are endless. Intrigue or horror? Or better still, both. I remember Stephen King's The Shining and there's a scene of a maze too. That film is a classic and to this day that particular scene of a boy running from his father at the hotel's hedge maze still lingers in my mind. The concept, no doubt, is different but what I'm trying to say is mazes have a mysterious factor that is captivating.

That said, as much as I find The Maze Runner intriguing, it doesn't hook me as I'd wanted to. I think the story and the characterisations are great, but there are times it left me wondering the purposes behind the overall scenarios. I felt the boys' determination and there are a few who are courageous enough, but somehow I felt it is as if they are waiting for something bigger to happen when they have the gists of what's happening around them. Perhaps this is done so intentionally to build up the intensity, but I felt it made the characters weak, and I'm sure some of them have great potential. My favourite character among all? Minho, the leader of the runner. 

Maybe my feelings might be different if I'd read the book first, I don't know, but I was a bit disappointed with the film. However, if you are going for the visual effects, you won't be disappointed.

At this point I'm not really in a hurry to read the book after knowing the gist of this first installment. That said, I understand there are readers who love this trilogy so this is probably just me. I may want to watch the second installment, being the curiosity type and I hope it'd be better.

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Angel Killer by Andrew Mayne
Melody


ISBN-13: 9780062348876
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication Date: 23 September 2014
Format: Paperback, 368 pgs
Source: ARC from the publisher



Jessica Blackwood was five when she first started learning magic from her grandfather. She came from a family of magicians but decided to leave the glamour and her past behind after a performance almost got her killed when she was twenty. It was also the same time she decided to leave her family and be on her own.

At present, she volunteered to teach magic tricks as a form of therapy at a children's hospital since college and continued all the way through her career in the FBI. She was in forensic accounting, not really an adventurous job but she took pride in her work and had managed to crack a few cases through her persistence and observations.

However her careful constructed world was turned upside down when the FBI wanted her expertise when someone called himself 'Warlock' had hacked into their network and left them a code, which led them to a body. Jessica wasn't into homicide, but the FBI thought maybe she could help unravel the mystery, given her name as a magician years ago.

Now the mysterious part is the victim, Chloe McDonald's body is only hours old in the spot where they found it, but the fact is she was already dead for two years. What made it so horrific is Chloe face was filled with horror and her body was still half buried in the ground; it appeared she was trying to crawl her way free of the earth where she was buried. The creepiest part? Her coffin was empty. 

While Jessica managed to make an explanation about what happened is a clever and elaborate combination of illusions, the team is wondering if it's the same killer who murdered the real Chloe, since the other Chloe appeared to have the same wounds at the exact location. 

While they were speculating, another bigger and unexplainable case dropped onto their lap, this time round is an airplane which was claimed to be an original Avenger bomber which was believed to be lost in the Bermuda Triangle in 1945. Would it be the Warlock's work, again? After all, the pilot who was perished in the missing plane was found too. 

As the FBI struggled to piece things together, Jessica feared that more victims would die under the Warlock's hands if they didn't find and stop him in time. But the Warlock seems to be a step ahead of them, and this made Jessica more determined to catch this man who thought himself a god through the "miracles" he conjured.

I really enjoyed reading Angel Killer. Aside it's an action thriller, I liked it that it's also packed with a magic theme and this made my reading experience a different one from the rest as I felt myself like an eager audience, watching those magic unfold in front of my eyes, except that it's on paper instead of in a theatre. It is no wonder the author could write it that way, since Andrew Mayne is a famous magician himself and is the star of A&E's magic reality show Don't Trust Andrew Mayne.

Written from Jessica's perspective, I found the writing style to be appropriate and convincing as Mr. Mayne takes his readers into her magical world and see how her mind works as she tried to "see through" his tricks and lead them to the clues he left behind. I liked Jessica as a character, but what really intrigued me is another character whom I felt is another great mystery to this story. Damian is Jessica's ex-boyfriend and he is charming and appears to be very devoted to her. But she broke up with him after knowing that he had deceived her with his multiple identities. Is he delusional? Or does he has something to hide? Jessica never knew, but she knew he's always there for her whenever she's in danger. Damian even left a few clues to her regarding the Warlock's works, and this made him a suspect.

Like Jessica, I don't know if I trust Damian but yet an instinct told me that he might not be a bad guy, even though he could be dangerous. I hope my instinct is correct. Although the identity of the Warlock is revealed, the ending gave the readers the hope of a sequel. I definitely want to read more of Jessica, and Damian as well. 
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Like This, For Ever: Lacey Flint Series (Book 3) by Sharon Bolton
Melody



ISBN-13: 978-0552166379
Publisher: Corgi
Publication Date: 7 November 2013
Format: Paperback, 512 pgs
Source: Personal Library




Like This, For Ever is the third installment of the Lacey Flint series, featuring DC Lacey Flint and DI Mark Josebury. In the previous two installments, readers follow their harrowing journey of tracking down notorious murderers. We see a vulnerable (dark?) side of Lacey in the first installment,  Now You See Me, and till now I'd not got over her past history. But then, that's fine since I like reading a character who's flawed and show us his/her imperfect side as it reminds us we are all human beings, even superheroes. 

In this installment it revolves around a killer who's set to murder young boys in South London. Four boys dead in two months, and another one still missing. The latest victims are ten-year-old twins, Jason and Joshua Barlow. None appeared to be sexually abused or tortured. The cause of death was mostly extensive blood loss following the severing of the carotid artery.
Alongside the story is an eleven-year-old boy Barney, who seems to have an incredible power of observation and memory. He plays a huge part in this story (in fact I think he's the star of this story); apparently he has huge interest of the missing boys cases and he even set up a page on Facebook, hoping it'd would draw people's attention and share whatever information they can get. But that's only a small part of it, his main issue is finding his mother who had left him when he was four. My heart goes out to him after reading that he uses his allowances to place ads on newspapers around London, hoping that his mother would read it and find him one day.

Not forgetting our heroine, Lacey's goal is to join The Sapphire Units which handle crimes involving sexual violence, but the previous assignment affected her so much. Plus, she wasn't really over with the first Ripper case and then, there is Mark Josebury, who seems to have the capability of confusing her state of mind, that is. Lacey isn't involved in the investigation,  but somehow or rather she is pulled into it when someone texted her about the missing boy.

However, that's not really the climatic part as Barney and his mates took the investigation into their own hands. Foolish or not, Barney is still one of the bravest boy I've read in a while, not to mention that he's also the second youngest amongst his mates. Although Lacey and Mark seem to be the external parties of this investigation, I still read with interest about the progress of the investigations and the suspense had me speculating who the killer is (there are several scenarios that got you into thinking), and on top of it we read about Lacey's vulnerability and her doubts about her feelings towards Mark as well as her career as a cop.

That said, I still enjoyed this installment although Lacey nor Mark is directly involved in the case. Speaking of Mark, I liked it that this installment shows a gentler and more delicate part of him. I think the relationship between him and Lacey will take a leap if she gives him (and herself) a chance.

The ending has somewhat threw me off the edge, as I still couldn't believe the identity of the killer. He is simply... oh well, I better not say it as this will be a spoiler. And once again, author Sharon Bolton has crafted another nail biting thriller and I look forward to reading her next installment soon.
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