My review for Knowing Jack by Julie Elizabeth powell..

Exciting!, October 29, 2012

By

Yvonne Lee

This review is from: Knowing Jack (Kindle Edition)

12 year old Jack is gifted with a sixth sense. When his parents tell him they're all going to the Lake District for a winter holiday, young Jack is beside himself with worry. He has no idea why, he just knows they shouldn't be going!
Their destination is a remote cabin high in the woods. After the long drive they stop in a village, so that Jack's mother can buy provisions. While waiting for her, Jack notices a white van, the driver a large unpleasant, shifty looking character, glares at him. Jack is panic stricken, and it turns out with good reason!
His mother returns to the car and they continue their journey to the cabin. Jack's initial delight with the place is dampened by the arrival of his obnoxious, spoilt cousin, Rosie.
Jack's continued unease, along with Rosie's annoying presence compound his sense of doom, and it's not long before disaster strikes and Jack and Rosie are thrown together, and forced to survive the freezing weather as they try to elude the horrible man, Jack saw in the village.

Knowing Jack by Julie Elizabeth Powell is an exciting read...an adventure to be enjoyed by all ages. I loved the character of Jack. For one so young, he's strong and brave.
At first I found Rosie extremely annoying, which is down to the good writing of the author. However as I got immersed in the story, I began to like Rosie more and more.
Apart from the horrid man with the white van and his equally awful wife, the remaining characters in the story are pretty light weight.
There were some miner grammar issues. Also there were times, when the author called Rosie the girl and Jack the boy, which I found jarring...it broke the intimacy and connection I had with them. However, the story is so good, it didn't detract too much.
The author's descriptive skills are excellent. She wove a tale that drew you in and held you right the end.
I'm looking forward to reading more books by Julie Elisabeth Powell.

My review for Sequester-Is the End Nigh? by Colin Owen

Exciting and Atmospheric!, October 5, 2012

By

Yvonne Lee

This review is from: Sequester - Is The End Nigh? (Paperback)

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book, as most of the action takes place in space. But it turned out to be a great read, fast paced and extremely atmospheric. So much so, I could almost feel the darkness of space and the frustration and fear of the space-ships crew as they try to distroy a huge asteroid that threatens earth.
The book was well written and the characters were real. I found myself worrying for each one as they struggled to complete their mission and stay alive.
I would have given 'Sequester-Is the End Nigh?' five stars, but for the fact that sometimes I was in space, and then suddenly found myself back on earth with the scientist, which spoilt the flow of what is a brill story. More seperation between pov's would have been good.
Nevertheless, this is a really good novel, and I must say, would make a great movie. I know there have been numerous disaster movies about asteroids threatening to hit earth. But believe me 'Sequester' comes at the subject from a different, and quite surprising angle.
The twist at the end is brill!!!

Thundersnow Amazon link.

Just reviewed this novel. Here's the link. It's a brill read.

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1XC79JB5ICULJ

Thundersnow, my five star review.

This is really good. I just reviewed it.

This review is from: Thundersnow: In the Shadow of the Cedar, Book One (Paperback)
 I was asked if I would read and review this book, and I'm so glad I did. I found it fascinating, although at times painful, as I suffered abuse in my own childhood.
Not wishing to be picky, but a couple of things did distract me. I hasten to add...not enough to put me off.
The novel is written in first person which took me by surprise, but once I got used to it, I soon found myself deeply immersed in Sarah Jane's character. But there were times when I lost track of who was speaking. And for characters thoughts, my personal preference is for them to be in italics. That said, `Thundersnow' is brilliant!
 I'm English and live in the UK. Nevertheless, I know a bit about the great depression from what we learned at school. But reading this gave me a greater understanding of the hardships people went through at this time, especially in parts of America.
Fourteen year old Sarah Jane and her family live on a farm. Life is tough and it's a struggle to make ends meet. To make matters worse Sarah Jane's mother is hard and abusive towards her.
Her father and four year old brother Zeke are the only ones who show her any love. But when Sarah Jane's beloved father dies, things with her mother take a serious turn for the worse, and Sarah Jane must protect herself and little Zeke.
I loved Sarah Jane; she is so brave and loyal. Actually, there's not a character in the book that won't leave a mark on the reader, for whatever reason. The story is so well written, and brutally honest. Thundersnow [in the Shadow of the Cedar] is a story that will remain with me always. Of that I'm sure.
The author Sheila Hollinghead has written a gem, and I eagerly await her next novel.