Review: The Enemy by Charlie Higson

Title: The Enemy (The Enemy #1)
Author: Charlie Higson
Genre: YA Horror
Publisher: Puffin
Published: September 3rd 2009
Page Number: 407
Rating: 4/5

Summary:

Everyone over the age of fourteen has succumbed to a deadly zombie virus and now the kids must keep themselves alive. When the sickness came, every parent, police officer, politician - every adult fell ill. The lucky ones died. The others are crazed, confused and hungry. Only children under fourteen remain, and they're fighting to survive. Now there are rumours of a safe place to hide. And so a gang of children begin their quest across London, where all through the city - down alleyways, in deserted houses, underground - the grown-ups lie in wait. But can they make it there - alive?

REVIEW

I've never read a book by Charlie Higson before but I definitely know that I want to continue on with this series. It's intense and so much fun.

After recently watching The Walking Dead I was needing something a little different to read. I remember a friend of mine saying that she loved this series, so I picked it up and was immediately sucked into the life of a different, more dangerous London.

We follow a bunch of different character, who all live in Waitrose trying to survive the Zombie Apocalypse. Unlike most books, The Enemy starts off with instant action of one of the kids is taken by The Enemy. The group are trying to figure out what to do and you're met with instant panic. Your heart rate picks up, you turn the pages quicker than ever because you're dying to find out what happens. Anything could happen, anyone could die. You have no idea what's coming next and that's what Charlie Higson does so well. He writes the series with intensity and a lot of action. Surprise action. There were so many scenes that caught me off guard.

What I loved in the story is the loyalty within the gangs. Waitrose and Morrison's join together and seeing them all get to know each other was so nice. Initially they are all out for themselves, but together they are a family. A dysfunctional family but a family who will do whatever to protect each other. And that is something that really connects to you to characters.

However, I will be honest and say that it did get a little confusing. We followed so many characters that I connected too and then they were.....well, dead. And while I understand that it needs to happen, I just didn't understand why we had to connect with all of the characters before they were topped off. It's meant to be a horror book, not meant to make me cry.

But it was a very engaging story. It was filled with action and I was so happy that we explored more of London. Plus Sam really stole my heart. I feel like I'm his older brother and need to protect him and that's really warming. What I want right now though is the sequel because I need to know what happens next.

Buy the book (Waterstones) | Buy the book (Book Depository)

ARC Review: Monster by C J Skuse

Title: Monster
Author: C J Skuse
Genre: YA Horror
Publisher: Mira Ink
Published: September 24th 2015
Page Number: 384
Rating: 3.5/5

Summary:
At sixteen Nash thought that the fight to become Head Girl of prestigious boarding school Bathory would be the biggest battle she’d face. Until her brother’s disappearance leads to Nash being trapped at the school over Christmas with Bathory’s assorted misfits. As a blizzard rages outside, strange things are afoot in the school’s hallways, and legends of the mysterious Beast of Bathory – a big cat rumoured to room the moors outside the school – run wild. Yet when the girls’ Matron goes missing it’s clear that something altogether darker is to blame – and that they’ll have to stick together if they hope to survive.

REVIEW

 

I requested this book from the publishers simply because of 2 things. Firstly the cover is just gorgeous, dark, creepy. Secondly I have spoken to CJ Skuse on Twitter a few times now and she's incredibly lovely.

 

I really loved a lot about this book. The characters were incredibly relatable, realistic. They are the type of characters you know in real life, whether you love or hate them. Nash, the Head Girl was one of my favourites because she reminded me of the Bitches I grew up with. She was snarky, smart. She's intimidating. Another one of my favourite character was Maggie. CJ used hilarious one liners for her and they made me laugh so much.

 

'Wake up and smell the erection."

How does anyone react to that?

The ties and loyalties made in this novel was such a refreshing thing to see in YA. Normal friendships are a must, but these characters really had to connect to find out who they could trust among them. I've always wondered what real boarding schools were like and I think CJ really tapped into that and with such precision as well. It was raw, honest but so creepy.

 

However. Despite really enjoying the writing and characters, I honestly blame myself for reading it at the wrong time. I wish I had kept it until mid/late October to really feel the eerie-ness to it. It would have added to the feelings of Halloween. But I completely, hands on heart, recommend this book. You'll love it, especially if you love anything to do with Mystery and Boarding Schools. This is a must for your craving.

 

 

 

 

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Blog Tour | Frozen Charlotte and Sleepless by Alex Bell and Lou Morgan

Red Stripes Publishing are bringing out a new YA Series that's going to be hot! So be quick to pick up a copy and let me know (And the Authors, Publishers) what you thought of them!

Title: Frozen Charlotte

Author: Alex Bell
Genre: YA Horror
Publisher: Red Stripe Publishing
Published: January 5th 2015
Page Number: 368
Rating: 3/5

Summary:

Dunvegan School for Girls has been closed for many years. Converted into a family home, the teachers and students are long gone. But they left something behind… Sophie arrives at the old schoolhouse to spend the summer with her cousins. Brooding Cameron with his scarred hand, strange Lillias with a fear of bones and Piper, who seems just a bit too good to be true. And then there’s her other cousin. The girl with a room full of antique dolls. The girl that shouldn’t be there. The girl that died.

Review:

 

Frozen Charlotte is a book like no other. Literally. It's very rare to find YA Horror, but Alex Bell has delivered something that I think could contender with Queen of Teen Champion, James Dawson.

 

When the post man handed over this parcel and I ripped it open, I knew I had to start it there and then. I ran upstairs, turned off the lights and read, read, read. I couldn't put it down. I was introduced to the (if I say so myself) generic dark creepy house that's in any horror movie/book, but the truth was, that made me love it so much more. I felt like I was at the cinemas watching a premiere to a new movie.

 

The writing is brilliant, the pacing was non-stop and I swear I got chills down my arms on way too many occasions and my book now has tea spills from one specific scene that creeped me the hell out.

 

However, I must also say that I'm not someone who's scared. Maybe that's because I have a weird personality and have dreamed to see a live exorcist since I was six years old. Who knows. I just wished that Alex took some scenes that little bit further, creep everyone else the hell out and give them an experience to never forget.

 

 

About the Author

 

Alex Bell always wanted to be a writer, but embarked upon a Law Degree as a back-up plan, writing no fewer than six novels during her time at university. Now the published author of The Ninth Circle and Jasmyn, Alex happily dwells in an entirely make-believe world of blood, madness, murder and mayhem.

 

 

 

THE SECOND NOVEL IN THIS YA HORROR SERIES

 

Title: Sleepless

Author: Lou Morgan
Genre: YA Horror
Publisher: Red Stripes Publishing
Published: January 5th 2015
Page Number: 352
Rating: 3.5/5

Summary:

 

Young, rich and good-looking, Izzy and her friends lead seemingly perfect lives. But exams are looming – and at a school like Clerkenwell, failure is not an option. Luckily, Tigs has a solution. A small pill that will make revision a breeze and help them get the results they need. Desperate to succeed, the group begin taking the study drug.

It doesn’t take long before they realize there are far worse things than failing a few exams

 

 

About the Author

 

Lou Morgan is an award-nominated fantasy and horror author, whose short stories have appeared in several anthologies. Her first novel, Blood and Feathers – an adult urban fantasy – was shortlisted for the 2013 British Fantasy Awards in both the Best Newcomer and Best Fantasy Novel categories.

 

 

 

Check out the Trailer for this series!

 

http://youtu.be/ITntAVyx0ps

 

 

October TBR

IT'S HALLOWEEN. WELL ON THE 31ST, BUT I'M EXCITED! PUMPKIN SCENTED CANDLES ARE THE BEST!

 

 

 

Now I'm not someone who really sticks to my TBR's, but I'm trying to get better as I'm trying to read one hundred books this year, so far I have read 82, which is great, but not good enough. So this TBR is split into two parts because I have my normal TBR and then my Halloween TBR. One of the books in the Halloween part is a Contemporary and that's because it's part of Carrie Hope Fletchers Booktober.

 

So let me show you what I'm hoping to read.

 

 

 

PART ONE

 

 

 

Wake by Amanda Hocking.

 

 

This book has been on my TBR list for a couple of months because my friends have enjoyed it a lot, so I wanted to read it. It's about a girl called Gemma who loves taking late-night swims and one morning wakes up on the beach with a weird feeling. She's faster, stronger, and more beautiful than ever. I know it doesn't sound epic, but I'm taking part of NaNoWriMo and I'm writing a novel about Sirens, it's called Sirena and is the first in The Sirena Legacy.

Goodreads




Queen of Zombie Hearts by Gena Showalter.

This is the third and final book in The White Rabbit Chronicles and I'm both excited and sad about this book. I'm excited because I love the world that Gena has created, but I'm sad because it's ending. This series is about a girl called Alice Bell who loses her parents in a car accident and finds out that she's special. What's unique is that in this world you have to fight the zombies in the spirit realm. It's seriously addictive!

Goodreads




You Against Me by Jenny Downham.

I read Before I Die by Jenny Downham a while back and really enjoyed it, what Jenny writes about are quite heavy subjects and this one is no different. It focuses on a guy called Mickey who's sister has been raped. The guy gets sent down and Mickey's world starts to crumble when he falls in love with Ellie. Who's brother is the one who raped Mickey's sister. I'm hoping I'll like it, but I'm not one hundred percent sure I'll love it.

Goodreads




Lips Touch by Laini Taylor.

I received this to review from Hodder and it publishes on October 23rd. I'm so excited. This is three short stories published as a full book with illustrations done by Laini's husband Jim. The illustrations are beautiful and all three stories sound great! They're about Goblins and Demons, so perfect for the Halloween time. My review of Lips Touch will be uploaded on October 21st.

Goodreads





The Jewel by Amy Ewing.

This is a new release and one I am very excited about. In this Dystopian world, young girls are auctioned off to become surrogate for posh couples. Like most Young Adult books this one has a boy involved that crashes Juliet's world to the ground. My only hesitation is that I'm not sure this is a solid idea for a trilogy.

Goodreads






 PART TWO - HALLOWEEN EDITION

 

 

 

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell.

 

This is a re-read for me, but this is the forth choice for Carrie's Booktober and I had to take part. I love Eleanor and Park so much. The story is both beauty

ful and heart-breaking, I cried so hard at this. If you haven't read this then it's about a girl called Eleanor who's overweight, ginger with wild curly hair who moves into this small village and instantly becomes the outcast. On her first day of school no one offers her a seat, until Park does. Park is Asian and loves comics and music. That first day is the start of Eleanor and Parks love story.

 

Goodreads

 

 

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa.

 

A Dystopian world where Vampires use human as their blood cattle. I read over 100 pages a while back and stopped because my fingers reacted to the covers, but what I did read was amazing. So fast paced. Plus this is the perfect read for Halloween. Blood. Death. And Vampires. What more could you want?

 

Goodreads

 

 

 

 

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake.

 

I can't really say much about this book since I don't know much about it myself. All I know is that Anna haunts this house and kills those that trespass the property, but Cas kills the dead and somehow they fall in love. This one is slightly creepy and has been warned that young readers should not read it, unless they are prepared for it. The cover is gorgeous though.

 

Goodreads

 

 

 

 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.

 

This comes out as a movie on tomorrow and I am excited for it. I'll be reading the book first, of course, but I've heard so much good stuff about this novel. The book is about Nick Dunne who's wife Amy goes missing and he is the main suspect because of the journal that Amy kept. The way this is written looks amazing as it's told in days, so chapter one is in Nick's POV and it's on the day of Amy's disappearance. I may not get to this novel, but if I don't then I'll read it in November.

 

Goodreads

 

 

 

 

So.....yeah, those are what I plan to read. My main goal is to read just 6 of the books, but if I read all 8 then I would be very happy. All the books seem great and I'm super happy. What have you planned to read? Are you going to follow a list or are you just going to grab a book off your shelf? Let me know in the comments below.