The House of Mountfathom - Book Review

The House of Mountfathom

Nigel McDowell

MG FANTASY

UK PUBLISHER: Hot Key Books

Synopsis:

The House of Mountfathom. A place of wonder, magic and mystery. A house with doors that lead to faraway places, where shape-shifting and smoke-summoning are as commonplace as the rising and setting of the sun.

Luke is the son of the noble house with a magical education to fulfil; Killian, a sharp-tongued street urchin with an agenda of his own. Together the pair will have to tread a unique and brave path if they are to save the House of Mountfathom and preserve the very peace of the land…

Review:

This book was more unique than most. I throughly enjoyed the enchanting descriptions that contributed to the world building, as well as the author’s choppy yet poetic writing style. However the story itself was nothing like I expected, and while I can’t say I loved the plot, it did strike a chord that left me thinking about it long after the last page was turned. 

Luke is the only child of Lord and Lady Mounthfathom, one day to inherit the family’s magical mansion, along with the responsibility to remain a peace keeper for the realm. But as Luke’s training progresses, unrest and uprisings break out across the country, and suddenly he and his family are stuck between two warring sides - both of whom thirst for the destruction of Luke’s family, and all who wield the power of magic… 

 I found this a very difficult book to review.

The opening prologue is rather confusing (although you will get an “A-HA” moment near the end of the book) but that, mixed with the clipped writing style makes the first few pages difficult to navigate. However I soon found myself really enjoying the choppy writing. It keep’s you present, allowing you to live in the story alongside the characters, and I felt it really enhanced the descriptions.

However while the writing felt quick, it also helped balance the slow unfurling of the plot. And by slow I mean crawling. You literally follow the main character Luke from cradle to mid-teens, and while I wasn't bored reading through his childhood, after I finished the book I couldn't help but wonder WHAT the point of it all was - other than a chance to enrich the world. 

Mid-way through the book though, we are introduced to a new character, Killian, who spices things up as he is the opposite to Luke in every way. From Killian’s point of entry, the story is then split into Killian and Luke’s dual narratives, which really helps up the pacing. 

By the time you are two thirds into the story, the action really begins to snowball, faster and faster… until it suddenly stops. Not just stops, but the action literally disappears, and the story takes a sudden new route. As a reader this really threw me, and left me completely baffled with the ending. 

However, what kept me reading was throughout the book there was an underlying theme surrounding Luke, centring around his fear of stepping away from his sheltered life into the unknown - in this case - a magical void of darkness in which lurks a monster.

Is that monster death? Life? Fear itself? In many ways - this sudden philosophical turn in the story is left to the readers imagination, but this was the moment I found Nigel McDowell’s writing truly beautiful, and extremely deep. I also felt like the book was trying to send some kind of message or life lesson, and unfortunately, I hate when books do that. 

Therefore somewhat disgruntled by the ending, I then went on to read the authors Bio as I usually do, only to discover that Nigel McDowell passed away at the age of 34, shortly after completion of this novel. 

Cancer. 

I’m not sure why, but suddenly I appreciated this book a lot more. I’m only surmising, but I felt this story was very personal to the author and is perhaps even a echo of his thoughts and what ifs. 

It turned what I thought was a preachy ending, into a story that required some more time for contemplation and quiet reflection.

Even so, I don't think this book is for everyone. Sold as a middle-grade novel, I think children will be ensnared by the magic and imagination of the world and characters, but regardless of age - I think most readers will still find the story itself somewhat flat. All in all, I’d give this book 3 stars. However I will most definitely be reading Nigel McDowell’s other two books, THE BLACK NORTH, and TALES FROM PITCH END. 

RIP Nigel McDowell. 

Talk with me :)

Have any of you read this book? If so what were you're thoughts? Or did you prefer another of the authors books?

Sticking to your Goals!

(New Years Eve Bonfire in Allendale - warm and toasty!)

Sticking To Your Goals (Writing Edition!)

#Lifestyle

Hey everyone. HAPPY NEW YEAR! I wish you all health, happiness and the best of luck for achieving everything you want in 2018 :) With a clean slate ahead of us, I hope we can all make this year a memorable one!

So today I wanted to talk about methods that help me stay on track with my goals. I’m sure many of you have written lists, set new year’s resolutions, and made plans about all the things you want to achieve… but while the good intentions are always there, I for one find sticking to my goals super difficult.

After doing lots of research into the habits of successful people (I found many of them do very similar things) here are the tips and tricks that help make me more productive.

MORNING PAGES 

If you google this term, so many things will come up, but the basis of the idea is to HANDWRITE three pages by letting everything that comes to mind spill out onto the page. Don’t worry if it makes no sense - just write it down - even if your writing, “I don't know what to write.” Sit there for five minutes and something will come... Probably.

I like morning pages because while I only write them every other day, they leave me clear headed and with a much better grasp of exactly WHAT is going on in my brain! It allows me to see any obstacles, making morning pages my peak problem solving time. 

My pages tend to vary day to day. Sometimes they are more like diary entries, often recounting things I did the previous day, other times they focus on my future goals and dreams. For the most part though, they give me the opportunity to brainstorm ideas (without feeling guilty that I’m cheating on my current project), even if the ideas are only half formed. 

Sometimes I jot down my frustrations at myself, my characters, my story in general, and more often than not, solutions soon present themselves.

I would really, really recommend giving morning  pages (or nighttime pages  - time doesn't really matter) a go. They have helped not just with my writing, but often with my day to day life as well.

EXTRA TIP FOR WRITERS:

Another trick is to use writing prompts. Even five minutes spent on a fixed task can loosen up those writing muscles and get your creativity flowing! 

You can find plenty of story prompts online, but some books I would recommend are:

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott 

Anything written by James Scott Bell

The Magic Words by Cheryl B. Klein 

PLAN AHEAD WITH ACTIONABLE GOALS!

I love t0-do lists. I'm always making them... and until a few months ago, nearly always ignoring them. Yet I found early on, if my list looks like this:

• Make Doctors Appointment
• Write 1000 words
• Write a Book Review
• Critique 1 Chapter for X

….. NOTHING EVER GETS DONE! Not only would my list just grow, but I would procrastinate the day away! However when I write my list like this, everything seems so much more achievable:

• Ring Doctor’s on 0123456789 at 9.30am to make an appointment. (+ set a timed reminder on your phone)
• Write Classroom scene:

       - Introduce Will-o-the-wisp teacher + Petey & Ajax. 

    - Rin gets bullied (stings, bites, raised hand)

    - Explain magic system of the school x 3 types of monster

• Review Wendy Darling Book 3: Spend 30 minutes 
• Read & Critique 3 pages for X: Spend 30 minutes

Don’t just write down WHAT you need to do. Write down HOW these things will be done, and WHEN they will be done by. Bigger tasks you can break down into bitesize chunks, for example rather than just writing 1000 words, my target is a specific scene, and from that scene I have three smaller goals which can be tackled one at a time.

If you can’t break your workload down physically, then I suggest cutting it into chunks of time. Often if I set myself 30 minutes to do something, I often find that I will actually sit there for an hour or more. It’s all about getting that momentum going.

EXTRA TIP FOR WRITERS: I mentioned in a previous post, WRITING HACKS AND TRICKS, that one of my favourite tools is an App called WRITERS BLOCK. Like it says on the tin, it blocks me from doing anything else on my computer until I hit my word count goal. 

If I’m being extra tricksty with myself, I load it up the night before. That way, when I open up my computer the next day, writing is literally the only thing I can do! The other option, to sit and type a_space_a_space a thousand times over to clear my screen - is oddly - not that appealing. This is a good trick to get your fingers typing at the start of the day!

PRIORITISE YOU LIST

We will always have a 101 things to do - that’s life. However each week I write out all my upcoming tasks, then every night I pick no more than FIVE THINGS  that I definitely want to get done the next day. 

However my GOLDEN RULE is this - Every day, at least ONE item on that list needs to help me work toward a LONG TERM GOAL. As an aspiring writer - usually that thing for me is writing, or reading about writing, looking for critique partners, or even attending a writing class. I’ve even written down “movie marathon” on my list once, while I was in search of inspiration. Hey, it all counts! - though try not to cheat too often :P

DON’T CONFUSE ERRANDS WITH GOALS! You will always feel better about yourself if you do one thing that will bring you closer to fulfilling your dreams!

(Only 8K into edits - I really need to push on....)

HAVE A REWARD SYSTEM!

I know many bloggers who are really into bullet-journalling, and while I love seeing the creative spreads that people do, for the most part, I’m quite happy with a plain old diary.

However when it comes to hitting word counts (and oddly - meeting my financial goals) I love creating pretty trackers that I can colour in at every milestone (or stepping stone) I reach! Much like the STICKY STAR SYSTEM I use for writing - (Writing Hacks & Tricks) -colouring in a tiny square in my bullet journal gives me the same sense of pleasure and achievement. 

However if you can TURN A TASK INTO A REWARD than even better! Right now I’m trying very hard to knit a patchwork blanket. I’m slowly getting close to finishing, but rather than write: Knit one Square onto my to-do list, I keep this project off my list entirely. Instead, this is my reward for completing the day’s tasks. When I tick off my five to-dos, then I get to knit one square, put my feet up and listening to an Audio Book. Win win for me :)

Other Self-rewards:

• Bullet Journaling - like I said, I enjoy creating my tracker pages, so this is an end of day reward (again while listening to an Audio Book).
• Cooking - I love trying out new recipes or baking things.
• Writing - Yes, you read that right! Sometimes when I’m really in the flow of my story - or have left off in an exciting place - I can’t wait to get back to my book! If that’s the case, writing is my reward for completing the more boring tasks like laundry and admin.

Chat with me

What methods do you use to stay on task? Do any of these methods work for you? I would love it if you could let me know in the comments. I’m always on the look out to try new things that will help me boost my productivity!

Flame in the Mist - Book Review

Flame in the Mist - Book Review

Renee Ahdieh

YA Fantasy

UK Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Synopsis:

The only daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has always known she’d been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. Never mind her cunning, which rivals that of her own twin brother, Kenshin, or her skills as an accomplished alchemist. Since Mariko was not born a boy, her fate was sealed the moment she drew her first breath.

So, at just seventeen years old, Mariko is sent to the imperial palace to meet her betrothed, a man she did not choose, for the very first time. But the journey is cut short when Mariko’s convoy is viciously attacked by the Black Clan, a dangerous group of bandits who’ve been hired to kill Mariko before she reaches the palace.

The lone survivor, Mariko narrowly escapes to the woods, where she plots her revenge. Dressed as a peasant boy, she sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and hunt down those responsible for the target on her back. Once she’s within their ranks though, Mariko finds for the first time she's appreciated for her intellect and abilities. She even finds herself falling in love - a love that will force her to question everything she’s ever known about her family, her purpose, and her deepest desires.

Review:

I enjoyed this book, but didn't really see it as the big “Mulan” retelling many have labelled it as. Not only is the story set in Japan, but the pages carry hints of mythology, dashes of fantasy and a nice slow-burn romance. I will most definitely be reading the next book.

Mariko knows her greatest weapon is her mind. Yet being born a girl, she grimly accepts her fate to marry and remain silent like any good future empress should. But when her carriage is attacked and Mariko left for dead, she rises from the ashes and sets out to find the men responsible for her supposed demise.

Disguising herself as a boy, she succeeds in infiltrating the enemy camp, but there she discovers more than just her family’s best kept secret. For the first time Mariko’s opinions are valued, and she learns there is more to these thugs and thieves then she could ever have imagined. Now Mariko must choose between following her heart… or protecting her family from the man she loves…

I enjoyed this story, but it was slow to start and took me a few chapters to sink into. It wasn't until I was nearly a third of the way through that I became really invested in the story, but after that point the pacing really picked up and I devoured the rest in a night.

And boy does this book pack it all. Samurai, Ninja, Demons, Magic, Emperors, Betrayals… the list goes on and on. These elements were creatively woven together to produce some great imagery that made for a winding tale dotted with hidden twists and surprises. 

However in terms of world building, I occasionally struggled to keep track of all the politics and reasons behind who was fighting who and for what reason. The same with the magic system. I didn't fully grasp the mechanics of it, especially since the magic exploded into the story nearer the end of the book. However I’m sure this will be explained more in book 2. Yet despite these few gripes, I still really enjoyed this book. The descriptions were detailed and the prose flowed very smoothly. 

As for the characters, I think many girls will relate to the heroine, Mariko. While not physically strong, she was in no way a helpless maiden. She put effort into learning new skills, while calling on her other, hard-won abilities to ensure her own survival. 

Having said that, another gripe I had was that we spent the first half of the book hearing (generally from Mariko herself) about just how clever she was, but we didn't really get to see her sharp mind put to use until near the end. I often found myself questioning her decisions throughout the story, but then again, the plot was often fuelled by her choices which led to the story’s progression.

Romance also has a part, but it’s a back burner to the main plot. However the unexpected love adds extra conflict and intrigue to the plot and I’m looking forward to seeing how it develops. 

The Black Clan were also a very diverse group of characters, and I really hope in the next book we get to dip more into their backstories. I’m also intrigued to see the fates of everyone else mentioned. The ending wove in plenty of new subplots which I’m sure will expand the world and perhaps even add in a few more POVs to the story. 

All in all - FLAME IN THE MIST was a nice read. While I’m not thirsting for the next book, I’m definitely hooked enough to pick it up. I’m also very much in love with this cover! It's gorgeous!

3 stars!

What were you’re thoughts on this book?

The One Memory of Flora Banks - Book Review

The One Memory of Flora Banks

Emily Barr

YA Contemporary 

UK Publisher: Penguin

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Flora Banks has no short-term memory. Her mind resets itself several times a day, and has since the age of ten, when the tumour that was removed from Flora’s brain took with it her ability to make new memories. That is until she kisses Drake, her best friend’s boyfriend, the night before he leaves town.

Miraculously, this one memory breaks through Flora’s fractured mind. And sticks. Flora is convinced that Drake is responsible for restoring her memory and making her whole again. So when an encouraging email from Drake suggests she meets him on the other side of the world, Flora knows with certainty that this is the first step toward reclaiming her life. 

With little more than the words “be brave” inked into her skin, and written reminders of who she is and why her memory is so limited, Flora sets off on an impossible journey to Svalbard, Norway, the land of the midnight sun, determined to find Drake.

But from the moment she arrives in the artic, nothing is quite as it seems, and Flora must “be brave” if she is ever to learn the truth about herself, and to make it safely home. 

Review:

The One Memory of Flora Banks is a very accurate title for this book. It sums the story up neatly, and I loved the protagonists unusual voice - childlike, but with flashes of the woman trying to fight through. A most intriguing story. 

Flora is seventeen, and she has kissed a boy. Yet the true shock of this tale is, she remembers it.

When Flora was ten, she suffered a trauma to her brain. Unable to make new memories, she must rely heavily of her trusted notebook to tell her who she is, and any important events that have happened. But that all changes when she remembers kissing her best-friend’s boyfriend on the beach. Convinced love is the cure she is looking for, Flora sets off on a journey to find the boy that can bring back her memories, and give her the fairytale ending she deserves...

Both the beginning and end of this book really wowed me, although parts of the middle dragged on a bit and I found myself impatient for something to happen. However Flora’s journey to Svalbard, the sheer bravery and determination behind it, really moved me. It showed she was so much more than the tragic, parent-dependent girl everyone labeled her as. 

Flora’s character is awesome in her simplicity. A rather unreliable narrator, the reader is caught up in her world, knowing only what Flora herself chooses to remember. This leads to some nice twists later on in the story, and given Flora’s chosen optimism, makes for a pretty positive read. 

However I both love/hated the repetition of information. In many ways, Flora’s constant rehash of events was annoying, yet at the same time, it really ties you to the realities of her life. It also helps you sympathise with the less-Flora-friendly decisions made by some of the other characters, because despite her childlike innocence, Flora’s condition does require a lot of patience from the people around her. 

At the same time, I admired the glimpses we got of grown-up Flora, that are mixed in with her ten year old self. While Flora accepts her situation, she understands she is no longer a little girl - although she often forgets this face - and most importantly WANTS her own life and independence. 

The ending also had me tearing up. I love how Flora’s brother - a character we never actually meet - could have such a huge sway on the story. It really packed and parcelled the ending with a nice shiny bow. I can’t wait to read more of Emily Barr’s work.

3 stars.

The Red Ribbon - Book Review

The Red Ribbon

Lucy Adlington

YA Historical 

UK Publisher: Hot Key Books

Synopsis:

As fourteen-year-old Ella begins her first day at work she steps into a world of silks, seams, scissors, pins, hems and trimmings. She is a dressmaker, but this is no ordinary sewing workshop. Hers are no ordinary clients. Ella has joined the seamstresses of Birkenau-Auschwitz.

Every dress Ella makes could be the difference between life and death. And this place is all about survival. 

Ella seeks refuge from this reality, and from haunting memories, in her work and in the world of fashion and fabrics. She is faced with painful decisions about how far she is prepared to go to survive.

Review:

I teared up so many times through the course of this story. A few times with happiness, but so often at the cruelty and injustice the prisoners suffered. However despite the grimness, hope flowed - a hidden undercurrent - through each and every page. THE RED RIBBON is a spectacular work of fiction, woven with shocking truths to form an incredibly emotional read. Warning: do not attempt to read without some tissues nearby!

Ella’s identity is gone. Snatched from her family, denied a name and any worldly possessions, she has become a stripey. Just another number in a roll-call of black and white uniforms. But unlike many in the Auschwitz work camp, Ella is determined to survive.

A skilled dressmaker, Ella claws her way into the tailors workshop - a better job than most - but with over ten thousand new arrivals everyday, no position is safe. In Auschwitz, everyone is replaceable. Now Ella must make a moral choice: help others and risk death, or help herself and risk losing her humanity… 

I had a hard time putting this book down. Anxious over which characters would and wouldn't survive, I devoured this story overnight. It is a tactfully told, haunting tale that somehow brings to life the horrors suffered, but without going into graphic detail. Steeped in emotion, this book really questions what it is to be human. 

Ella is strong protagonist. I loved how she assigned her fellow prisoners animal-titles, referring to them as a bear, or hedgehog, squirrel or shrew. It instantly opened up their personalities in a single line of description. But what caught me about Ella, is that from the get go, she knows she can’t be a mouse if she is to survive. 

In contrast to Ella is Rose. Generous, positive and kind, Rose signifies what every person hopes they would be in a time of crisis. Her friendship, I believe, kept Ella from becoming one of the darker characters who looked out only for themselves. However without Ella pushing Rose to be a little selfish at times, Rose would have been swallowed by the more bloodthirsty creatures. 

A line near the end of the books said something like, their came a point when all the mice, squirrels and ducklings were gone. Only the predators remained. This was in reference to the prisoners, and it broke my heart. 

Overall this is a real shades of grey story. Set in a place where you can’t judge who to trust, the book is written with a complexity where morals can’t be simplified into either good or bad. Even the prison guards couldn't be truly hated. 

I think  however the real beauty of this story was how it didn't focus on one group. It didn't zero in on any one race, religion or political belief. Instead it encompassed them as a whole, telling everyones story. In doing so, this book did a fantastic job of putting me, the reader, in that prison camp. Because Ella lacked description, and was stripped to very base of what it is to be human, her character will resonate with all. 

A truly unforgettable read. 5 stars!

Talk to me 

Have any you read this book? How do you feel about war stories as a whole? I must admit they aren't generally my thing, but this book really blew me away!

The Disappearances - Book Review

The Disappearances 

Emily Bain Murphy

YA Magical Realism

UK Publisher: Pushkin Children’s Books

Synopsis:

Every seven years something disappears in the town of Sterling: people’s reflections, the stars in the sky, the ability to dream. Aila realises that her mother may be to blame for the curse. But some mysteries are buried very deep, and some secrets want to stay hidden - and one young woman’s desire to uncover the truth may not be enough to save Sterling from the past. 

A beautifully told story of love, loss, and finding the truth - no matter how difficult that may be.

Review:

I have read a lot of magical realism lately, and this one has been by far one of my favourites. With elements of magic, grief, romance, and a fantastically twisted plot, this story had it all. 

When Aila and her brother move to small village of Sterling, they begin to notice that things aren't quite normal. Scents have disappeared. Reflections aren't there. The stars no longer shine... and the people of Sterling are certain Aila's mother is the cause...

This is a slow burn story. Time is taken to build the world and the characters, so that when the magic is revealed, it blends seamlessly into reality. I often found myself waiting for something to happen, only to realise that something HAD happened several pages ago, I just hadn't picked up on it’s relevance straight away. That probably sounds strange, but if you read the book I’m sure you would understand.

However I also feel this is a story where you really need to pay attention to the details. There is a lot to absorb so I took my time with it, only reading a couple of chapters each night over a few weeks - crazy considering I read most books within two days, but some stories you really need time to digest. This is one of them. 

I also really enjoyed the writing in this book. There were some really poignant descriptions and I liked the main characters quirk of having a “finishing word” for every conversation, which summed up both her feeling and attitude toward things. 

However what I loved most about the characters was their ordinariness. Despite suffering under a magical curse, day to day, the tried to continue on with normal lives.  Dating, schoolwork, family dinners… while I thought this was sweet, it does keep the pacing fairly slow. That doesn't mean its boring in anyway, but for those of you who like an up and down beat, be aware that the pace of this book stays pretty steady throughout. 

In regards to the characters, most of the story is told from Aila's Pov. However there are interludes of another character, whose true motives and identity aren't revealed until very near the end of the story. Huge congrats to the author for keeping the reader guessing so long, it was certainly unpredictable. 

This of course meant that the plot had several seemingly unrelated threads, however by the last page, everything does come together nicely, with only a few things left a little open.  

Overall, this is a great read for fans of Shakespeare, Magical realism and although witches aren’t ever mentioned, I feel if you like a good story steeped deep in a curse, then this is a book for you. It reminded me a lot of Moira Fowley-Doyle's, Spellbook of the Lost and Found, so if you were a fan of that, then be sure to pick this one up too.

4 stars!

Chat with me

What are your thoughts on magical realism? Anything books you would recommend?