No Place Like Holmes By Jason Lethcoe

Book Description From BookSneeze.com

The new resident in 221A Baker Street is about to give Sherlock Holmes a run for his magnifying glass!
When Griffin is sent to stay with his detective uncle at 221A Baker Street for the summer, he is certain that his uncle must be the great Sherlock Holmes! But Griffin is disappointed to discover that Holmes lives at 221B Baker Street and his uncle lives unit 221A. His uncle is a detective, just not a very good one. But when Griffin meets a woman with a case that Holmes has turned away for being too ridiculous, he and his uncle team up to help her. Along the way, Griffin shows his uncle just what it means to have true faith in God, even when the case challenges that. The woman claims that her husband was eaten by the Loch Ness Monster, but monsters aren’t real—or are they?


My Comments:

I have always been a fan of Sherlock Holmes stories and I am delighted to be given the opportunity to review this book by Thomas Nelson Publisher through their blogger review programme. As usual, I am not required to give a positive review. Just an honest review would do.

This books is geared towards young readers of the age 9 to 12 years old. It's well written and resonant the gentle teaching of the old school like respecting the elders. I really missed this type of books. The market is being flooded by too many vampires type of books for young readers and I think it is refreshing to get a hold of books that bears some of the former theme.

Adventures and excitement awaits readers of this book. It's certainly a page turner. At times, Griffin is portrayed more mature than his age. As usual with mystery and detective novels, this story has many twists and turns. Nevertheless, it is impressive how Jason Lethcoe managed to incorporate into the story, the believe in God, Prayer and a little faith can go a long without sounding to preachy.

One thing that I don't understand is why this book is classified as Non-Fiction. Aren't Sherlock Holmes a fictional character?

Overall, this is a good read worth 4 stars out of 5.

The Saga Of Darren Shan - Vampire Rites Trilogy

This is a 3-in-1 book Part 4,5 and 6 of The Darren Shan Saga. I have posted Part 1-3, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11 and Part 12 earlier on because I could not get my hand on the full set of the books.

Book 4 : Vampire Mountain

Mr Crepsley decided that they should journey to The Vampire Mountain coz it's time to present Darren to The Council Of Vampire Generals. They meet once every twelve years. If they missed this round, it would be a long wait for the next meeting.

Mr Tiny insisted that they bring along two of his Little People. This infuriate Mr Crespsley but he was forced to accede.

It was a very harsh journey during which they found a Vampeneze's buried body and in one event one of the Little People was killed and another broken the century old golden rules of never to speak. His name is Harkat Mulds. He also brought terrible news from Mr Tiny to the Vampire Princes

They managed to reach Vampire Mountain safety. Darren was welcomed by the people there. Among which consist of Mr Crepsley's old mentor Seba, Kurda (a future Vampire Prince) and Arra (Mr Crespley's ex-mate).start learning a lot of things, one of which Mr Crepsley was not supposed to "blood" him and make him into a Vampire Assistant. Mr Crepsley was to be punished and the punishment is DEATH.

Noble Darren could not let Mr Crepsley be killed and had agreed to be subjected to five Vampire Trials without know fully what it meant. It was too late when he was informed that he had to perform the 5 Five with success or die trying.

Comments : Love the plot. It's like "honeymoon year" before the nasty things comes up. The conditions and traditions of the vampires was finely outlined.

Book 5 : Trials Of Death

Darren had unknowingly agreed to perform 5 trials in order to save Mr Crepsley and himself. To show to the Council that he is worthy to be blooded.

His friends were anxious for him to come out alive from the trials. Each evening, Darren would be allowed to draw a number from the bag. The number is the code for the task/trial which he had to go through the next day. He have 24hrs to prepare for the task and his friends taught him as much as they can .

He got thru the first three trials. There were some narrow escapes but he survived. On the fourth trial, he was nearly killed but he was rescued by Harkat Mulds. There are cries for his life as nobody is to interrupt the trial. Many calls for Darren to be executed since he did not complete the trial. It was considered that he failed.

The Vampire Princes adjourn to discuss the matter. Almost everyone knew the answer to the question already. Darren will be condemned to death.

Kurda is of the "modern" thinking Vampire and does not think it's fair that Darren be condemn to death. Hence he discussed with Darren to runaway from the Vampire Mountain.

Darren agreed to the plans. Together they used Kurda's map to journey out of the mountain. But their plans were discovered by Vanez, another of Darren's friend. He went to intercept them  for there are no escaping from the wrath of the Vampire Princes.

They bumped into a cave full of Vampeneze. Very surprising why would there be so many Vampaneze? Are they planning to attack? Is there a traitor among the Vampires?

The end result was bad. Darren was plunged into a river with strong current.

Comment: The part about the trials was rather gross/scary. Very fast paced book as there is no time to rest. Very amazed at how Darren's friends managed to find loopholes in the ancient law to help Darren.

Book 6 : The Vampire Prince

Darren nearly died when he was wash out of the mountain by the river. He was "rescued" by Rudi. A wolf cub which he befriended on his way up the mountain.

Rudi brought Darren to the she-wolf who nursed him back to health.

After a few days, Darren felt much better but deep down in his heart there is another matter to be dealt with. He have to inform the Council that there is a band of Vampeneze in the mountain and is preparing to launch an attack.

Darren managed to find his way back to the mountain with the help of an old she wolf. As he is a fugitive, he dare not show himself to others Vampires. He can only trust very few people. He can't get to Mr Crepsley but he managed to contact Seba. Seba listen to his story. At first, Darren was fear that Seba might not believe his story especially about traitors among Vampire. But Seba managed to see through Darren and believe him

They went to the Vampire Prince just when Kurda is to be "crown" as  a Prince.

Many were outraged by Darren's story and did not believe him. That is till Seba spoke and also Kurda's admission.

They then prepare for "Battle" with the Vampeneze. Both side have heavy loss but in the end the Vampires triumph. The triumph was temporary as it opens up the road for Mr Tiny's prediction to come true.

Meantime, the Vampire were grateful for Darren's early warnings. However, the fact stands that Darren failed the fourth trial and the laws says that he is to be put to death. The Vampire Princes discussed the matter thoroughly. There is no way out for Darren. Everyone except the Princes who failed the trail have to die no matter how great his service have been to the Vampires.

There is only one way out for Darren. However, there is no precedent on this. Would this move gain support of all the other Vampires?

Comments : There seems to be a lot of mystery. And it thickens by the pages. Just when I feel that I got the hang of the story, the story changed dramatically. But at least now I know what Part 10 and Part 12 was talking about. It is related to this book

Dragon Rider By Cornelia Funke

I was apprehensive whether to buy this book or not during the last BBWS as it looked a bit "young" for me.

I am glad I bought it in the end coz the other day I really need some "happy book" to read after reading Peony In Love. That was a very good but sad book.

Dragon Rider is about a quest taken on by Firedrake, a brave young dragon. The dragon have been in hiding from human for a long time because human likes to kill them. They hid in a peaceful valley but one day the serenity of the place was broken by bad news. The humans are coming. The dragons will have to find a new place to hide.

Then come a story from the old ones that there was once such a place long time ago where the dragons originated from. It was called The Rim Of Heaven. However, it was so long ago that nobody remembered where it s located and many thought it was just a myth.

Firedrake would not give up and he volunteered to go and seek out this place. The old ones cautioned him to beware of "The Golden One".

Hence Firedrake set off in search of Rim of Heaven. Along the way he had many magical adventures. Made some friends who helped him in his quest. However, his quest also attracted the attention of The Golden One, who wish to seek out and destroy every dragons.

This is a very good book to read especially for teens and those who love fantasy. It was like East meet West. The dragon, brownies, elves and fairies were very much western. It was very entertaining when she add in Djinn and Lama. No regrets in getting this book.

InkDeath By Cornelia Funke

This last book of Inkworld starts with Farid is unable to let go of Dustfinger and had Orpheus read into Inkworld to resurrect Dustfinger. Unfortunately, Orpheus was a greedy and self center man who is more interested personal comfort and getting more treasure from Inkworld than helping Farid to bring Dustfinger back to life again. Or rather he was lack of the ability.

Adderhead and his men are constantly trying to capture Mo for he wants Mo to bind a new White Book. In previous story, Mo binded The White Book for Adderhead to secure his immortality but then he also did something to the book. The book is now turning rotten and falling apart and so does Adderhead.

Meantime, Mo was getting used to being "Bluejay" and had becoming more daring and reckless. Resa noticed that and she worried. She was desperate to leave Inkworld especially now that she is expecting another child.

She went to Fenoglio for help but Fenoglio have all worn out and is nothing but an old drunk. She went to Orpheus for help but Orpheus named a terrible price. He wants Mo to summons The White Women and he plans to exchange Mo for Dustfinger.

The White Women came but Death would be bound by no one let alone that twerp Orpheus. Death agreed to release Dustfinger and Mo on condition that Mo gave him Adderhead who is immortal. Failing which, Death would not only take Dustfinger and Mo but also Meggie too.

Mo was puzzling how to do that when opportunity came in the for of Violante, Adderhead's daughter who wants to kill her father for she can't stand to see the people suffer.

Mo "surrendered" himself to Violante in order to save the children. Together they journey to the castle where the White Book is kept. But then they plans went wrong. Orpheus went and work for Adderhead and told him of Violante alliance with the robbers.

Dustfinger, Brianna and Mo was imprisoned. In order to help his daughter, Dustfinger betrayed Mo. But Resa managed to come in the form of a Swift to keep Mo's sanity. Dustfinger and Resa searched the castle for the White Book futily while Mo was forced to bind a new White Book. At the very last moment Jacopo betrayed his grandfather, Adderhead and h=gave the book to Mo so that he can write the 3 words that will brings an end to Adderhead.

Orpheus bet on the wrong team and had to flee while Fenoglio starts to write again. Violante become the new ruler of Ombra. She ruled with kindness.

Farid wanted to go travelling and asked Meggie to join him but Meggie found that she is no longer in love with Farid. Later she married Doria.

Meggie had a little brother. They continued to live in Inkworld but he is keen to come to our world after hearing so much about it.

I find that this book is less interesting than the previous two books. The supporting characters seems to be over shadowing the main ones and the story kept jumping here and there. Some part kept dragging on and on while some parts just pop up without much explanation. Needs to have a very wide imagination to keep track with it all.Could it be because the author lost her husband when she was writing this book?  



InkSpell by Cornelia Funke

Inkworld is really something. The first two books were so good that I can't help grabbing one more set of Inkworld book from the Big Bad Wolf Sale for my niece.

Gosh...the last I heard from mother-in-law is that the girl nose was in between the Inkworld pages though the next day she have examinations in school. But what can I say. The girl is a genius and have always done well in every examination.

Inspell continues with Dustfinger going away together with Farid with the only copy of Inkheart. Farid idolise Dustfinger and wish to learn to be a fire eater.

Dustfinger finally found someone who can read him back into Inkworld. That man is  Orpheus a petty criminal. Orpheus read Dustfinger back into Inkworld but not Farid. Farid was left holding the book. He got no place to go so he went back to Meggie and Mo.

Meggie discovered to her delight that she can read Dustfinger and herself into Inkworld and she did. There they met with a band of strolling player headed by Black Prince. They went to Ombra, the capital city of Lombrica. They found Fenoglio there.

Ombra was mourning at the death of their ruling prince's son, Cosimo the Fair. Cosimo was killed by Firefox, a follower of the evil Capricorn.The city also under the threat from Adderhead who ruled Argenta. Adderhead's daughter, Violante is Cosimo's widow.

Dustfinger was finally reunited with his wife, Roxane. Roxane was once a minstrel woman but now is a healer. Dustfinger was surprised to know that his daughter, Brianna was now Violante's maid and hates him.

Meantime in our world, the bad Orpheus team up with the evil Capricorn's moher, Mortola and the Hench man Basta come to Elinor's house. Orpheus is to read them and Mo into Inkworld because Mortola believe that Capricorn is still alive in Inkworld .

Mortola was very angry when she discovered it is not so and she shoots and wounded Mo. In haste, Resa grabbed Mo's hand and they went into Inkworld. There she nurses Mo devotedly and kept the White Woman away. Kept them from taking Mo to Death. They met the strolling player who mistook Mo as the Bluejay(some sort of Robinhood)

In our world, Elinor and Darius was still imprisoned in her house by Orpheus. Darius was Capricorn's former reader.

In the other world, Meggie and Fenoglio combined their talent and brought Cosimo back to life again hoping that Cosimo will be the champion of his people once again. Unfortunately, Cosimo's campaign failed and lead to many death...including himself. Fenoglio was very sad and vowed never to write again.

Mo and Resa was captured. Mo and Meggie was forced to binder a book called the White Book which would make Adderhead immortal. Adderhead promised to release them in return for that. He did released them but he also set his men against their friends.

In the confusion Farid was killed. Dustfinger bargained with the White women to take Farid place in return. Farid was distraughted to find that his "sifu" had taken his place and persuaded Fenoglio to write words that bring Orpheus into Inkworld hoping that he may be able to read Dustfinger back to life again.....

That was the end of this book...left hanging. Very  exciting. The description of Inkworld was so vivid that I can see the blue fairies and glass men running around.

InkHeart By Cornelia Funke

The first time I read this book was a few years ago. Chen Chzan loan me her nephew's copy of Inkheart and told me it's a very good book. Something like Harry Potter type.

I fell in love with it. Then, not long after that I managed Inkspell from 2009 Big Bad Wolf Sale.. Thanks to Newton who informed me of hat terrific sale.

Then last November, I saw The Big Bad Wolf Sale have the whole series. I grabbed myself a set for collection.

It sure feel great to "meet" old friends once again. Love Mortimer(Mo) the bookbinder, love Meggie his daughter and even the villain, Capricorn.

In Inkheart, Mo is a bookbinder who have a lovely voice. So lovely that it could make the characters he read in a book comes alive. But there is a penalty in that. One thing come out, another thing must go in. That was was he discover to his greatest regret when he was reading InkHeart to his wife, Resa and 3 year old daughter, Meggie. He inadvertently read some characters out from the book, including the evil Capricorn and his followers. In return, Resa was sucked into the book.Since then, Mo had stopped reading out loud.

Nine years later, Dustfinger came knocking at his door. He was one of the characters that Mo read out from the Inkheart. He was desperately unhappy and wanted to go back to his own world. He came to warn Mo that Capricorn is looking for all copies of Inkheart and wants to destroy the book so that no one can come and go between the two world and that he also wanted Mo to read treasure out for him.

Dustfinger betrayed Mo and he was captured by Capricorn. Meggie and her aunt Elinor(a book collector) and the repentant Dustfinger decided to rescue Mo. But they don't have Inkheart anymore. Mo accidentally read out, Farid, from the Arabian Night and together they thought up a plan. They decided to find the author of Inkheart, Fenoglio. He should have a copy. Unfortunately his copy was stolen too.The only copy left was in the hands of Capricorn and his with-like mother Mortola

Then Fenoglio and Meggie was captured too by Capricorn and when he discovered that Meggie also have the gift of reading things out from the book, she was forced to take her father place. The evil Capricorn planned for Meggie to read a horrible creature, The Shadow, out from the book.

Fenoglio helped Meggie to write new words for the book and managed to thwart Capricorn's plan. Capricorn falls dead. His mother vowed revenge.

Unfortunately for all is that Fenoglio was sucked into Inkworld in return.

With Dustfinger's help, Meggie and her father was reunited with her mother who lost her voice when passing in between both world.

This is a really page turning book I can still recall burning midnight oil reading this book.

Cirque Du Freak- Lord of The Shadows by Darren Shan

This is the 11th book of the series and so far one of the most intense book. In this book, Darren Shan is going home. The Cirque Du Freak is going to Darren Shan's hometown. A hometown where he left when he was turned into a half vampire. He faked his death and all his friend and family have no idea he is still alive. He had not aged much but they have all grown much older.

When the came to his home town he was apprehensive and yet keen to know the fate of his parents and sister. He discovered that his parents had moved away that his sister Annie is still staying at their old home with her son. The father was unknown. But Darren decided not to contact her. Let them think that he is dead

Apart from that, Darren also discovered a prophecy by Mr Tiny that the one who kill The Lord of Vampaneze would be the next Lord of the Shadow for that is written in destiny.

Darren hang around the Cirque most of the time and one day Harkat and Darren found a boy named Delcan snooping around the Cirque. They chatted with him and Harkat found that Delcan is more than what he lead on. Darren gave Delcan a ticket to the performance after some consideration.

That night they were looking for Declan but he did not turn up. Instead, Darren came face-to-face with his old friend Tommy. Tommy was very surprised to see that Darren is still alive and have not aged a bit. Before departing, Tommy arrange to meet Darren at the Stadium the next day and said that he have to tell Darren something about Steve Leopard.

Before Tommy managed to talk further with Darren, he was murdered.

There was a shock for Darren for at the murder scene, he saw Declan or later made know to him by Steve that Declan real name is Darius...his son. In the confusion, Darren and his allies managed to capture Darius but in turn Steve and his allies captured Shancus who is Darren's god son.

There was to be an exchange of prisoners but at the very last  minute Steve killed Shancus and he dares Darren to do the same to Darius who is his own son. Steve was pure evil through and through. Not above from using a poor innocent child 

Darren saw red and would have killed Darius if Steve had not shouted for the boy to call out his mother's name.

It was a real heart wrenching moment. 

I really really hated Steve Leopard in this book. How can he use a small child...a child who is of his own flesh and blood as a tool for his vengeance?  And also to destroy a life for the fun of it . He does not have to kill Shancus for Darren was willing to give everything for Shancus. Steve purposely snuff out Shancus life for what he thought would hurt Darren the most. And all this is for what??? Just because he mistakenly thought Darren had taken what rightfully should have been his?

Oh what a pure evil heart...guess even in the real world there are these sort of person. What horror it would be if this sort of person been given the power to rule and to teach young minds...like how Steve had twisted Darius young and innocent mind against the Vampires

Cirque Du Freak-The Lake Of Souls by Darren Shan

In this book 10 of the Series, Darren Shan went back to the Cirque Du Freak to grieve. He was like a walking corpse. Meantime, Harkat's nightmare was getting worse.

One day Debbie and Alice show up. Alice had quit the Police force. Birth of them can't go on living the life they knew knowing what they  know now. They intend to join the Vampire in the fight against the Vampaneze.

At the same time, Mr Desmond Tiny, a mysterious figure told Harkat that his dreams would eventually drive him crazy and the only way to save himself is to find out who he was. In order to do that he would have to journey to another realm and fish out his soul from The Lake of Soul. His journey would be a dangerous one. If her goes alone, he will have very little chance of surviving but if Darren accompany him, they might have a fighting chance of getting out of there alive.

Darren was all torn up whether to accompany the girls to the Vampire Mountain for their training or to accompany Harkat who have saved his life many time.Harkat insisted that Darren guide the girl but in the end he can't leave his friend Harkat to a certain death. Hence together with Mr Tiny's magic they were sent to another realm.

Mr Tiny left them with a clue and from then on they have to collect certain things in order to get their next clue to the next destination. It was a perilous journey where they encounter a savage panther, fire breathing dragon, a pirate and monstrous creature.

Needless to say, that they managed to fish out Harkat's soul from The Lake of Soul Oh...what a shock it was to discover Harkat's identity. One that nearly shake the core of their friendship. Not only that...they also discovered a horrible secret of what they thought to be the next realm.

I like this part coz I feel that I can read this book as a book by itself instead of linking to the existing series.

There are some sad moments, funny moment and some pretty shocking moments too.

The end of the story leaves me wanting for more.

Cirque Du Freak - Killers of The Dawn by Darren Shan

.

This is the 9th book of the series. I have read book 1 to 3 and reviewed it here.

In this book, Darren Shan have become a Vampire Prince and is one of the 3 people selected who can kill Lord of The Vampaneze. Killing Lord of Vampaneze will brings the end of War of the Scars.

Darren Shan and his allies were lead into a trap by Steve Leopard(once was Darren's best friend). When they were in the tunnel, they discovered that Steve is actually a half Vampaneze. Debbie (Darren's Ex-Gf) was captured by the Vampaneze.

In turns, Darren and his allies managed to capture Steve and another Vampet.

They ran to hide in their old hide out but then they were caught by the police because of an anonymous tip. Suddenly, Daren and his allies found that they are Public Enemy number one. Everyone is hunting for them.

The Police "rescued" Steve and put Darren and his allies in to jail. They thought Darren and his allies were the ones who have been killing humans. Darren tried to tell the Police that they were not the ones that the Police wanted.

Meantime, Steve regained consciousness and escaped from the hospital. In his escape, he killed two nurses and Police officers who had helped him. Ungrateful fella.

In the confusion created by Steve's escape, Darren managed to escape too. He help Mr Crepsley and Harkat to escape too.

They thought of running and hide under the tunnels but the Vampets were there to chase them out. The Vampaneze chase them to the surface so that they are exposed to the sun.

They managed to meet up with Vancha, another Vampire Prince who are selected to kill the Lord of Vampaneze. Vancha have with him the Chief of Police, Alice.

When night time, Darren and their allies realises that they must have the final showdown with the Vampaneze. Alice did not believe that they are the good guys but still gave them the benefit of the doubt. They went down into the tunnels again. This round they met face to face with Lord of Vampaneze.

Steve were there. And they traded prisoner.

It was time for the showdown. Mr Crespsley was selected for the final fight with Lord of the Vampaneze. He managed to kill the Lord of the Vampaneze. But in turns, when he was trying to kill Steve, he was sabotaged. He gave up his life o save Darren and the rests. Steve got off free. But before he went off, he revealed a horrible news to Darren.

For me it's sort of hard reading this book especially since I have yet to read book 4 to book 9 of this series. Did not know what happen in between but I slowly got the hang of it. The book was very thrilling.

I was sort of surprised to find Steve is now in league with the Vampaneze. For your information, Steve was Darren's best friend before Darren become a half vampire. Darren become a half Vampire when he was trying to save Steve's life.

Steve had wanted to be a Vampire but Mr Crepsley tested his blood and found that Steve is evil through and through. He refused to turn Steve into a Vampire but blooded Darren instead. This makes Steve hate Darren for he thought Darren had taken what should have been his. And he also vowed that he will kill Mr Crepsley.

I felt rather sad and frustrated at the end of this book. There was an unexpected ending. Looks like the chase is still on.



How the Hangman Lost His Heart by K.M Grant

Won this book from one for BookXcess Blog Bonanza quite sometime ago.

This is a historical comedy book where the heroine, Alice de Granville, is the niece of a "traitor". Her Uncle Frank was beheaded and she went for the execution. She went to take his Uncle Frank's body back but the King had proclaimed that all traitors head have to be put on a spike and to be display for the public.

Alice was convinced that her Uncle Frank body should be "reunited" with his head. She went and stole the head.

Hence begin a series of hilarious and thrilling escapes.

A light hearted book. Easy to read. Suitable for teens.