cathymoore's review: "It's important to remember that the target audience for this is teenagers, not old gimmers like me. As it stands I really rather enjoyed it. Katniss is a great heroine; feisty, strong and opinionated. Her feelings in the story were a lot more complex than I had expected (I thought it was going to be a simple love story) and I'm looking forward to seeing that explored further. If I was going to have any complaints perhaps I would say it was a bit short. There was only about half the page count given to the actual Hunger Games themselves and none of the other Tributes (contestants) characters were explored at all. I also never had that edge-of-my-seat feeling when you think the main character is about to bite the dust. I never felt Katniss was in any real danger of losing or dying, perhaps that comes from the book being the first of three, and only a really brave or crazy write would kill off the main protagoaist so soon"Scholastic Press (2008), Edition: 1st, Hardcover, 384 pages
cathymoore's review: "Quite possibly the best book I've read this year. An original take on traditional fairy tales. Parts of the story were a lot darker and more violent than perhaps I had expected. There are themes including death, coming of age, Naziism, paedophilia and homosexuality all entwined in the adventures of a young boy lost and far from home. Fantastic."
cathymoore's review: "I read this as a stand alone, to be honest I'm not even sure where I got it from, but I have never read any of the other books in the series. After finishing this I'm in no great rush to go out and buy the rest. Don't get me wrong it's not bad by any stretch of the imagination, there are just many, many better books and better characters out there."
cathymoore's review: "In spite of the fact it has taken me almost two months to read this I actually rather enjoyed it. I'm not sure of Gordianus the Finder can topple my other ancient Roman love, Marcus Didius Falco, but I am definitely going to be trying another one of these to find out."
cathymoore's review: "Fictional local radio DJ and failed TV chat show host Alan Partridge presents his memoirs. Brilliantly and hilariously tracing his life from a difficult childhood "I was often left at home alone for up to a quarter of an hour" through to the challenges of working for the BBC where he unintentionally shot dead a guest on his chat show. Fans of Steve Coogan will find this an absolute classic. Those who have not seen Alan Partridge on the TV won't really get it."
cathymoore's review: "Journalist and TV presenter Andrew Marr made a documentary to commemorate Queen Elizabeth's diamond jubilee and this is the book which accompanies the series.
It charts the Queen's story from the time of her grandfather, George V, who she called Grandpa England all the way through to the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton last year. Marr presents a compelling case for the monarchy as well as telling the life story of an extraordinary woman. All the important historical events are included: the abdication crisis, the second world war, the early death if her father, George VI, the formation of the Commonwealth and the death of Princess Diana.
A very interesting and informative read, for both those who are for and against the British Constitutional Monarchy."
cathymoore's review: "Detective Superintendent Grace comes up against Romanian organ traffickers in this instalment. As usual James' research is detailed and right on the money. There are a lot of complex characters and I occasionally felt this could have benefited from slightly sharper editing. There are a couple of interesting twists in the subplot of Grace's personal life to keep the reader coming back for the next book in the series."
cathymoore's review: "This was good, not quite what I had expected. I popped up on my Amazon recommendations and I bought it to take on holiday. It's a quick and easy read. The characters are pretty likeable if not a little shallow. I'm not sure if will read anymore by this author as I have a feeling her books might be a bit samey but it was a good enough read for on holiday."
cathymoore's review: "I really enjoyed this. It's very magical, gentle and surreal. I can see why people found it slow especially through the middle section. The slow movement and lack of character development is made up for by beautiful descriptions of the circus and it's charming players. I found this to be very original and this is a genre I hope to explore in greater depth in the future."
cathymoore's review: "I found this to be a truly exceptional, genuinely enjoyable piece of fiction. I really enjoy Follet's narrative style. At times I was absolutely immersed in this and it really captured my imagination."
cathymoore's review: "This is quite a short book. It tells the story of two gun slinging brothers during the Californian gold rush. It is a very personal story narrated by the younger of the two brothers, Eli Sisters. It is in turns brutal and violent and then intensely emotional. Neither of the brothers are particularly likeable characters, yet it is difficult not to get caught up in their journey and to hope that they, especially Eli, get a happy ending."
cathymoore's review: "Falco finds himself investigating his own family and under suspicion for murder himself in this part five of the series. Clever, witty and engaging Falco and his friends never fail to bring a smile to my face. I particularly enjoyed the exploration of Falco's relationship with his estranged father."
Imprint unknown (2010), Paperback
cathymoore's review: "I made it through fifty pages before I gave up through sheer boredom. Too many words and not enough content."
cathymoore's review: "This was good. Fast paced and full of action. It's not trying to be clever and cerebral, we are definitely in beachside reading territory here. The plot is fairly original and the characters are fun, although some are more caricatures than characters. I also feel confident I could navigate my way round Austin now as parts of the book seem to double up as a tourist guide!"
cathymoore's review: "This is an interesting story about a group of American settlers who get stranded in the mountains. The story is told in two parts from the perspective of one of the settlers and also in the present day using the voice of a TV producer who unexpectedly stumbles across the remains of the settlers encampment and is endeavouring to find out what happened to them.
The author focusses on a number of intertwining themes including religion and religious faith, psychosis and madness and ghosts and spirits. It's a good read. Scarrow's other two novels are about completely different subjects and are just as captivating."
cathymoore's review: "This time Amelia and Emerson are in London for the duration of the story which is a nice change of scene, preventing the series becoming too repetitive. Not only do they have. To deal with numerous attempts on their lives but their wayward son Ramses has his cousins come to stay too."
cathymoore's review: "Davis would have to write a pretty dreadful Falco book for me not to enjoy it. This time Marcus and Helena are heading east to Syria, in the company of a theatre troupe, tracking down a murderer and a missing water organist. The murder mystery aspect of this was rather drawn out and slow to progress. By the end of the book I didn't really care much who the murderer was."
METROPOLITAN BOOKS, Edition: First Edition, Paperback