My Small Kucing Blog

Friday, January 27, 2012

The Future Door By Jason Lethcoe

 

Book Description byBooksneeze.com

A mystery is afoot at 221 Baker Street, but will Griffin Sharpe be able to figure out the clues before the future catches up with the past?
When Sherlock Holmes moves out of Baker Street, a new tenant moves in—a mysterious woman named Elizabeth who has long been a fan of Holmes. When she discovers that Griffin and his uncle are also detectives, she becomes very friendly. So when Elizabeth goes missing along with a special invention, Griffin sets out to rescue her. But finding Elizabeth will take them on a race against the clock that bends time itself!
My Comments:
I have read "No Place Like Holmes" last year and was delight with the book. Hence I did not hesitated when I saw the second instalment of this book is being offered for review by Booksneeze. 

This second instalment did not disappoints me at all. In fact, I find it is better than the first book. Don't worry if you have yet to read the first book because you can still read this second instalment without reading the first book.

I like the way the author combine element of mystery with futuristic elements. For me, it's refreshing. It is certainly a page turner. I managed to finished this book in 3 hours.

Certainly recommend this book for kids around the age of 9 to 12 years old

I give this book 4 stars out of 5.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  . The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The Gatecrasher by Madeleine Wickham



Synopsis by http://www.goodreads.com/


The Secret Is Out!
Madeleine Wickham is Sophie Kinsella, and The Gatecrasher is just as delicious as her internationally bestselling Shopaholic series. Madeleine Wickham's bitingly funny and edgy style keeps fans coming back for more.  So hold onto your haute couture hats, as you dive into the fantastic world of Wickham! 

Everything's coming up roses for Fleur Daxeny, as she goes through more rich men than she does designer hats....if that's humanly possible.  Beautiful, charming, and utterly irresistible, her success at crashing funerals to find wealthy men is remarkable.  But behind Fleur's Harvey Nichols wardrobe, is a woman with a mysterious past. 

Fleur wastes no time in seducing her latest conquest, the handsome and rich widower Richard Favour, and she swoops into his life like a designer-clad tornado.  His children are caught up in a whirlwind as their father's new girlfriend descends on the family estate leaving chaos and excitement in her perfume-scented wake. Soon, more than one family member is suspicious of Fleur's true intentions.     Fleur is not one to wear her heart on her Chanel sleeves, but she soon finds herself embracing Richard and his lovable family. But just as Fleur contemplates jumping off the gold-digger train for good and enjoying the ride of true love, a long-buried secret from her past threatens to destroy her new family. Fleur is thrown into a race against time to prove herself to Richard before it's too late.  Can she trust her heart or will she cut ties and run away as fast as her Prada pumps can take her?

Take a wild and marvelous ride with The Gatecrasher, whose clever, chic, and sassy style will leave you desperately wanting more wonderful Wickham!

My Comment:


This has been an easy read but with nothing new or improvement from her previous work. Storyline and plot were pretty predictable.

Sad to say that I don't feel any connection with the characters. No sympathy to Fleur nor her daughter Zara. I feel the characters were a bit one dimensional .Even Richard and his family also not that engaging.

What I like about this book is that it gives a light-hearted feel when I was reading it. Fleur's attitude were rather care-free and cheerful. I laughed when she managed to get at table at the Golf course although the two men sitting at the table obviously disliked her.

Like I have said earlier. It has been an easy read. Good thing to read when you have too much trouble in your mind.

Monday, January 23, 2012

The Mad Housewife Diary by Chew Lee Li


Story is written in the form of diary entry starting from 3rd March to 19th August.

Mainly is about  Andie Ang Poh Choo who lives a privileged life in Singapore. She is married to a filthy rich banker. Lives in grand apartment in the upscale part of the town. Spends her time having lunches and tea with her friends. She does not need to lift a finger to do house chores as she have a made to take care of the dirty work and take care of her kids.

However, her life is not picture perfect. Her husband received news that he is in danger to be made redundant when the Banks merged. And there seems to be a malicious person who purposely damaged her husband's car.

My Comments:

I was attracted to the synopsis at the back of the book. At first, I thought this is would be like others Chick-lit. However, I was wrong.

The pace of this book is too slow for me. The "exciting part only comes after reading more than half of the book.

The threat of redundancy was lack of suspense.

The part that I like is about the maid and her boyfriend. I also like the part where their car were being scratched and they tried to find the culprit.

I also like the book being presented in a diary entry manner. It give a time line to the story and enable to to judge how much time had lapsed after a certain event happen.

Overall, this is not a book that I enjoyed. Nevertheless, I think my friend Cleffairy will love this book very much as we are directly opposite in terms of reading. Anything that I like she would dislike and vice versa.

Hence, feel free to give this book a try. Maybe you will love it

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Breaking Dawn (Twilight #4) by Stephenie Meyer (SPOILER ALERT)

Synopsis at http://www.amazon.com/
When you loved the one who was killing you, it left you no options. How could you run, how could you fight, when doing so would hurt that beloved one? If your life was all you had to give, how could you not give it? If it was someone you truly loved?

To be irrevocably in love with a vampire is both fantasy and nightmare woven into a dangerously heightened reality for Bella Swan. Pulled in one direction by her intense passion for Edward Cullen, and in another by her profound connection to werewolf Jacob Black, a tumultuous year of temptation, loss, and strife have led her to the ultimate turning point. Her imminent choice to either join the dark but seductive world of immortals or to pursue a fully human life has become the thread from which the fates of two tribes hangs.

Now that Bella has made her decision, a startling chain of unprecedented events is about to unfold with potentially devastating, and unfathomable, consequences. Just when the frayed strands of Bella's life-first discovered in Twilight, then scattered and torn in New Moon and Eclipse-seem ready to heal and knit together, could they be destroyed... forever?

The astonishing, breathlessly anticipated conclusion to the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn illuminates the secrets and mysteries of this spellbinding romantic epic that has entranced millions.

My Comments :

I was delighted to get this book from The Big Bad Wolf Aftermath Sale at RM5 to complete my collection of the Twilight Series.

How much did I like this book?

Well, candidly, I have mixed feelings after reading this book.

I bet fans of Twilight Series will crucify me for saying this book is unsatisfying. The part about Bella's pregnancy was rather long winded for me. And so does the part of her training. It took so long to reveal the purpose of the Volturi that I nearly lost interest.

However, I like the showdown. It was something like X-Men , the Final Stand. I like the part how Edward thought of a way to convert Bella without breaking the Pact with the Werewolf.

I don't like the part where they explained the Werewolves are shape-shifters. From book 1 to Book 3,  I was given the understanding that they are werewolves. It's hard for me to accept the explanation that they are shape shifter all along.

Overall, it's not a bad book. At the very least it gives closure to the series.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Eclipse (Twilight #3) by Stephenie Meyer


Synopsis from http://www.goodreads.com/


Readers captivated by Twilight and New Moon will eagerly devour Eclipse, the much anticipated third book in Stephenie Meyer's riveting vampire love saga. As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob —- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?

My Comments :

It was rather frustrating to see Bella mulling over her relationship with Edward and Jacob repeatedly. Going back and forth etween Jacob and Edward. I would much preferred that part to be toned down a bit while actions be given more space.

What I like is how the author incorporated the Vampire war history and how Jasper become a Vampire in this book. It was an interesting twist. It gives more suspense to the story.

By the ending, I was real curious what would happen to Jacob and whether Bella will turn into a Vampire in the end.

However, am rather disappointed that the pace of the book was rather slow for me.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

New Moon (Twilight #2) by Stephenie Meyer

Synopsis by http://www.goodreads.com/

Shoot, I muttered when the paper sliced my finger; I pulled it out to examine the damage. A single drop of blood oozed from the tiny cut.It all happened very quickly then.Edward threw himself at me, flinging me back across the table...I tumbled down to the floor by the piano, with my arms thrown out instinctively to catch my fall, into the jagged shards of glass. I felt the searing, stinging pain that ran from my wrist to the crease inside my elbow. Dazed and disoriented, I looked up from the bright red blood pulsing out of my arm-into the fevered eyes of the six suddenly ravenous vampires.

Legions of readers entranced by Twilight are hungry for more and they won't be disappointed. In New Moon, Stephenie Meyer delivers another irresistible combination of romance and suspense with a supernatural twist.

The "star-crossed" lovers theme continues as Bella and Edward find themselves facing new obstacles, including a devastating separation, the mysterious appearance of dangerous wolves roaming the forest in Forks, a terrifying threat of revenge from a female vampire and a deliciously sinister encounter with Italy's reigning royal family of vampires, the Volturi. Passionate, riveting, and full of surprising twists and turns, this vampire love saga is well on its way to literary immortality.

My Comments:

I certainly like this book much better than the first book. Got it from the Big Bad Wolf Sale 2011. Brand new!

The book have a much faster pace and more action packed.

I like the way she put he empty pages to reflect the time passed in a zombified state. But the part about Bella's best friend alienated her does not really jibe with me.  If the author could have elaborated more on what happen it would be nice.

Anyway, I started to hate the character, Bella, in this book. Well, that is a good sign of success for the author, right? The ability to arouse readers emotions.

Why I hated Bella? Coz to me she was very self-centered. I felt that in the first book she used Mike to gain acceptance among her peers. Then in the second book she used Jacob to nurse her wounds. She is a "user".

Nevertheless, the story was well written and plot were well planned..at least for me.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Twilight (Twilight #1) by Stephenie Meyer


Synopsis by http://www.goodreads.com/

Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife-between desire and danger.Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.

My comments :

I finally collected and finished this controversial series last year end. Didn't have time to post up my review till to date.

I read so many reviews about this. Some hate it some loves it I think I can see why some people love it and hate it.

Being very stingy especially after reading many negative reviews, I have decided to wait till the Big Bad Wolf Sale to purchase.

Here is what I found. I found the beginning of this book was rather slow. Too much talking about Isabella and of her day to day life. Maybe that is the intention of the author. To give readers a view of what Bella life was before Edward. After that it was Edward, Edward and more Edward.

It's not surprising as this book is aimed at young adults.

I find it rather amusing. In fact it brings back the memories of the hormone racing years.

This book have romance, suspense and even life threathening danger. I can see that why this book is a hit with many people. Forbidden fruit is the best, right?

I like the was the author play with words. She certainly have talents to play with readers emotions.

This book was not amazing but it was not as bad as I have expected it to be. In fact,  I like it well enough to continue reading the series.