Monday, 22 November 2010

Nemisis: The Beast Within by Catherine Macphail


Synopsis-

Ram has cheated death four times in the past but now finds himself stranded and with no memory. He is taken in by a man and a woman named William and Mary. Ram at first thinks they are being kind but then those thoughts turn into suspicion when they start calling Ram by another name.

Review-

I enjoyed this book because it is funny & exciting. It was not to dull & not to scary

Verdict-

4/5

Friday, 12 November 2010

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- by J.K Rowling.




Synopsis-


Harry, Hermione and Ron have found themselves leaving Hogwarts and are now tasked with locating and obtaining all of Lord Voldemort's remaining horcruxces. This task is found to be difficult for the three as the horcruxces are disguised as everyday objects (a goblet and a locket for example) and in the most unlikely of places. After almost all horcruxces are destroyed, Harry, Hermione and Ron participate in the "Battle of Hogwarts". During this climaxtic assult, Harry is able to conjure up the courage to destroy the final horcrux. With the final horcrux destroyed, Voldemort is finally killed and the wizarding world is safe.
Review-
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the last in the iconic "Harry Potter series" and is probablly J.K Rowlings greatest writing accomplishment.
The book allows the readers to understand why "YOU-KNOW-WHO" is such a devastating and dangerous foe and also why he was not able to kill Harry when Harry was an infant. The book also divulges into Dumbledores past and how this information affected the very future of the wizarding world.
Verdict-
This book is a "Cauldron cocktail" of action, romance, adventure and brilliance, which any Potter fan would see as an absoloute requirement in the vastly popular Potter collection.

Thursday, 11 November 2010

Remembrance Day 2010

Poppies (©greatwar.co.uk)

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

by John McCrae, May 1915

It is thought that doctor John McCrae (30th November 1872 — 28th January 1918) began the draft for his famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ on the evening of the 2nd May, 1915 in the second week of fighting during the Second Battle of Ypres. It is believed that the death of his friend, Alexis Helmer, was the inspiration for McCrae's poem ‘In Flanders Fields’. The exact details of when the first draft was written may never be known because there are various accounts by those who were with McCrae at that time.

OTHER READINGS -

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

Little Albert Kropp; Muller, who still carries his schoolbook; Leer, with an eye for the girls; and Pual Baumer, missed by his sick mother - these are four classmates who have volunteered for the German army in 1914, with youthful optimism. This is the story of their First World War - theirs and millions like them. We read for carnage and shell-shock, but also of small comforts and joke, tricks to get extra rations, stretches of boredom and banality. No novel has portrayed more universally what Owen, writing of the same period, called 'the pity of war'.


Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

Like many other English soldiers in WWI, 'Tommo' Peaceful is too young to fight, however he lies about his age.  The passing time, and subsequently the chapters, is marked by a watch given to Tommo by his older brother Charlie who is also at the front. Tommo looks back, while out on the front, to his childhood with Charlie, big Joe, his simple brother and the girl he loves: Molly. As the time progresses he begins to recount the events on the front; the mutual loathing he shares with Sergeant 'horrible' Hanley and the death of some of his comrades. We learn that Charlie, Tommo's guardian and protector at the front, has disobeyed a direct order from Hanley to stay with Tommo while he is injured on No-man's-land, while fully aware of the dire consequences of his actions.

The Esccape by Robert Muchamore

Summer, 1940.

Hitler’s army is advancing towards Paris, and millions of French civilians are on the run. Amidst the chaos, two British children are being hunted by German agents. British spy Charles Henderson tries to reach them first, but he can only do it with the help of a twelve-year-old French orphan. The British secret service is about to discover that kids working undercover will help to win the war.

For official purposes, these children do not exist.

Wednesday, 10 November 2010

Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone by J.K Rowling


Synopsis-

Harry Potter believes he is an ordinary boy - until he meets a beetle-eyed giant of a man, is enroled to Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry, learns to play the popular wizarding sport of Quidditch and proves himself as he does battle in a deadly duel with the most dark wizard of our time. The reason.... Harry Potter is a wizard!

Review-

I enjoyed this book because I felt like I was glued to it and I could relate it to the current world.

Verdict - 4/5

Friday, 5 November 2010

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Synopsis -

STAY BACK, HUMAN. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH.

Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a brilliant criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidanps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit. These aren't the fairies of bedtim stories. These fairies are armed and they're dangerous. Artemis thinks he's got them just where he wants them, but then they stop playing by the rules...

Review -

I like the fact that this book is different from the rest and it is mainly due to Artemis Fowl being the bad guy rather than the hero. It has a really good adventure plot which carries the story in a fast pace. Totally would recommend the book to friends.

Verdict - 5 out of 5.

Monday, 1 November 2010

Chocolat by Joanna Harris

Synopsis -

When an exotic stranger, Vianne Rocher, arrives in the French village of Lansquenet and opens a chocolate boutique directly opposite the church, Father Reynaud identifies her as a serious danger to his flock - especially as it is the beginning of Lent, the traditional season of self-denial. War is declared as the priest denounces the newcomer's wares as the ultimate sin.

Suddenly Vainne's shop-cum-cafe means that there is somewhere for secrets to be whispered, grievances to be aired, dreams to be tested. But Vianne's plans for an Easter Chocolate Festival divide the whole community in a conflict that escalates into a 'Church not Chocolate' battle. As mouths water in anticipation, can the solemnity of the Church compare with the pagan passion of a chocolate eclair?

Review -

I love this book! Its mouth-watering description of the chocolate treats are enough to give it full marks! The contrast between the strict Church during Easter and the seductive temptress Vianne who breaks the rules makes for a good battle. Harris's writing lures you into the small French village with her vivid words and makes you care about all the odd characters in the book even the strict Father Reynaud. An enjoyable read that you can will reality away easily.

Verdict -5 out of 5.