Review: A Murder of Magpies

A Murder of Magpies by Mark Edwards
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

✰✰✰✰✰ 5 Stars

What it felt like reading this book...



For a short story this really did pack a punch! It was non-stop action from start to finish.
Mark Edwards is fast becoming one of my favourite authors, he really is a superb writer. I enjoyed The Magpies A LOT so when I stumbled across this one I couldn't wait to get back into the world of psycho neighbours from Hell. Edwards did not disappoint and I'm very much hoping that there will be a third installment.

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Review: The Upside of Unrequited

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

✰✰ 2 Stars

Looking through the reviews for this book leads me to believe that i'm in the minority with my rating. Perhaps I'm just not the right audience for this book. I'll admit I'm not the biggest romance fan out there but depending on the individual book I have liked numerous romance novels in the past.
Whilst there were some cutesy sweet like candy moments in this book the whole thing just fell flat for me. I didn't connect with any of the characters unfortunately...I actually didn't like any of them.
I'll start with our main character Molly, the 'average, slightly overweight, awkward, teenager' who has never been kissed by a boy, despite having had crushes on about 26 different guys, and oh my days is her life ending because of it. The book is basically 300 odd pages of Molly complaining, being overly self-centred and just being annoying in general.



The diversity of the characters are great when it comes to race and sexuality so that gets a thumbs up from me. The feminist angle was a bit hit and miss, perhaps trying too hard? Someone can be a feminist AND a romantic, of course they can.
Overall, this wasn't my cup of tea but I'm glad I got to cross it off my reading list.

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Review: A Vegan Ethic: Embracing a Life of Compassion Toward All

A Vegan Ethic: Embracing a Life of Compassion Toward All by Mark Hawthorne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars ★★★★★

If I could give everyone a copy of this book to read, I would. Whether you are vegan, vegan curious, vegetarian or omni, this book is a must read. It just might change your life and also save many others.

A person's "right" to eat whatever they want ends where another's life begins.



I'm currently going through some lifestyle changes which include removing meat from my diet and reducing the amount of diary I consume considerably. My reasons for doing this is (1) for the animals and (2) for health reasons. I was introduced to veganism through my mum's partner and his brother, for this I am very grateful.
When it comes to veganism I knew the basics, not consuming any animal products, that was pretty much it...and to be honest I thought that was all of it. Oh how wrong I was...how very very wrong...and you know what? I'm glad I was wrong as I have learnt so much more. I learnt how being an ethical vegan includes not just animal rights but human rights as well, including racism, sexism, homophobia and feminism.
I feel that it's really important that we're exposed to how things work behind closed doors, how animals are really treated, rather than being lied to by the media. Oh here's an advert featuring a happy cow...umm...no, that is NOT a happy cow. That is a cow whose whole life purpose is to produce milk and end up on a plate.



This is a very well researched book which has been well thought out, the references are well organised which allows you to do further reading into veganism and best of all it's not preachy, it's factual.
In conclusion, if you were to read any book this year please make it this one.



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Review: Kidnapping My Daughter

Kidnapping My Daughter by Rachel Jensby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 Stars ★★★★

We knew our hours together were dwindling away and we had no way of knowing how long it would be before any of us would see each other again. Who would Cheyenne go to? What would become of all of us?

This was a truly heartbreaking story about a young child who was abused by her own father and was ultimately failed by the system who was meant to protect her. The only way Rachel could protect her daughter was to go on the run, if she was to stay then she would be ordered to put Cheyenne into the open arms of her abuser as part of joint custody. Rachel is extremely brave for writing this book and she really did an amazing job. In my opinion it's very important that the failures of the system are made public to show that many children are still not safe even after asking for help.

Parts of this book did leave me very frustrated, however. Rachel blamed her youth for her brushing off of the evidence that her daughter was being abused. Many times I just wanted to yell at her for being so incredibly naive, i wanted to step in and shake her whilst explaining that this shit is not ok! She also leaves the reader hanging numerous times. She will start to explain things that have happened but then stop part way through saying actually that's personal, I'm not going to continue. Yeah...that's frustrating to a reader.

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Review: How To Be Dead

How To Be Dead by Dave Turner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 Stars ★★★★

'You know my motto,' said Gary. 'A stranger is just an arsehole I haven't yet met'.

I must say I'm on a bit of a roll with finding books that just strike my funny bone...and I love it!

Here we meet Dave, who is a loner and an old fashioned romantic. His job is crushing his whole being and he can't bring himself to tell his colleague that he's in love with her. In an attempt to impress and be her hero he ends up having a near Death experience. Now he's part of something big, something he never knew existed...and The Grim Reaper? Well, he's just a bit of a geezer really. A geezer with great worldly advice.

'Every time you tell a lie an angel punches a unicorn in the face with a kitten.'

Death truly focuses on what's important in the world...the real big questions...

'Even though he can backflip and lightsaber duel, Yoda claims he needs to use a walking stick. What's that all about? Apart from claiming disability allowance?'

No one ever appreciates Death's efforts, like Dave, he is overworked and underpaid...so how about working together? They could have the perfect partnership...or it could just end in tears.

Random, funny, odd and weird, this short story is a great read. It was just a bit too short and ended rather abruptly. I would love to read the next books in the series.


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Review: Jesus Opens a Taco Truck

Jesus Opens a Taco Truck by Bridget Chase
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 Stars ★★★★

Don't read if easily offended, I have a very dark sense of humour with very little limitations and I found this hilarious

Jesus is bored, oh so very bored of his heavenly duties doing his father's work. So much so that he wishes to open up his very own Taco Truck because he can never find a decent Taco anywhere. Enter Lucifer, who is just misunderstood...ahh bless.
This has to be one of the most random short stories that I have ever read and it really did have me laughing out loud. I really liked the concept of comparing religion to Hollywood movies.

'Jesus soared with his fist out like Superman. He actually was a fan of the renditions that have graced the big and small screen.'

Jesus fought the devil like a 70's Hong Kong martial arts film.'

Not to mention the hat-tip to today's pop culture...

Lucifer and Bieber started making out. Their two swords grew erect and reenacted an epic medieval battle.

Oh many lols...

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Review: Blight: A Human Zoo Novel

Blight: A Human Zoo Novel by Kolin Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars ★★★★★

Please please PLEASE release book 4, I'm dying over here!

Welcome to book 3 of The Human Zoo series where the pace doesn't let up, the gore overflows and the shocks just keep getting better. This novel focuses on Juliana's son, John, and his journey through the blood soaked streets of a post-apocalyptic London. John can't remember his mother, not what she looks like or the sound of her voice. She was brutally snatched from their home when he was just a small boy hiding in the upstairs closet...will he ever see her again?
John has been spending his years living on a farm where he is safe and self sustaining. No one needs to know about the farm, others knowing leads to trouble. When his guardian, Ryan, leaves in search of the refuge and doesn't return within a year, John and his dog Murphy set out to find him. Here begins the search through abandoned towns and cities whilst avoiding the creeping shadows which seem to follow their every move.
This novel is very well written with only minimal errors compared to the first 2 books in the series. It will shock you, leave you breathless, make you cry and will leave you a mess at the turn of the final page. I need to know what happens next!

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