~Review~ What I Was by Meg Rosoff

*SPOILERS*

Title: What I was

Author: Meg Rosoff

Publisher: Penguin

Rating: 2/5

Unnamed narrator falls in love with a boy beside the beach

He goes to St. Oswald’s, a private school for boys, his third school. He skives class and goes down to the beach, where Finn, a mysterious boy with no past, is waiting for him. He feels safe there, and even starts to slowly fall in love with Finn.

What I think:

I gave What I was 2 stars because the middle is boring and the ending is totally unrealistic. The middle is just about the narrator skipping class and going to see Finn, every single day. It doesn’t even skip days, or weeks, just day after day after day of the exact same thing! *SPOILERS START HERE ~ STOP READING*  The ending isn’t believable, as everyone finds out  about him and Finn spending time together. Also Finn turns out to be a girl. Everyone accuses him of having sex with her, because they found clothes on the floor, when actually he got soaking wet in the sea, and had to change. Just because a 14 year old girl and 16 year old boy are spending time together doesn’t mean they’re having sex. A case opens up about this, which I find totally unrealistic. *SPOILER OVER.* Most of the reviews I read about it were saying how unbelievable it was and how boring it was, so I wasn’t expecting much.

I would read others again by Meg Rosoff, as I’ve heard it’s only What I was that was poor. Suitable for 13+, girls and boys.

~Review~ The Sinclair's Mysteries: The Painted Dragon by Katherine Woodfine

Title: The Sinclair's Mysteries: The Painted Dragon
Author: Katherine Woodfine
Number in Series: 3
Publisher: Egmont
Rating: 5/5

A priceless painting has been stolen from a new exhibition.

When Sophie and Lil find out about the missing painting, they decide to join in with the hunt. They are faced with fraud and shiftiness everywhere. Sophie and Lil team up with friends to unmask the villain and get The Painted Dragon painting back in it's rightful place! Sophie and Lil are brave and I couldn't do it because I'm not good at running away from dogs, or villains. 

What I think:

It's a very exciting story with great characterisation. Sophie, Lil and all their friends are easy to identify with, especially Leo, as she is wondering whether or not to stay on at her art school. You can read it as a stand-alone book or as part of the series. I'll definitely read books one and two in the series. 

~Review~ Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

Title; Hollow City
Author: Ransom Riggs

Number in Series: 2- 1) Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children,

3) Library of Souls

Publisher: Quirk
Rating: 5/5

The Adventure continues

Jacob Portman and his friends are fleeing from deadly monsters. They're trying to get to London to save Miss Peregrine, who is trapped in her bird form. In war torn London, amazing yet hideous surprises are everywhere. Can they help to find the cure for Miss Peregrine? And can Jacob decide where he belongs?

         

What I think:

I gave this books 5/5 because there's twists and turns, so it's really exciting! The photos are also in this book and I love looking through them. Great for boys and girls aged 12+

 

~Review~ What Not to do If You Turn Invisible by Ross Welford

Title: What Not to do If You Turn Invisible
Author: Ross Welford
Publisher: Harper Collins
Rating: 4/5

Ethel is invisible

She only meant to cure her acne, but after she finds out about a acne cure, Ethel accidently  turns invisible with help of a dodgy sun bed. Her family is broken - her mother died when she was little, her dad is no where to be found, Ethel's great granny is in a home and now she lives with her gran.  She goes on an adventure of discovery and friendship to find out who she is and help mend her family.

What I think:

I gave this book 4/5 because it was quite slow in the beginning, even though it's great later on. If you don't like slow starts, you might be put off reading further on.

It's interesting and for girls and boys aged 9 +

~Review~ Ink by Alice Broadway

Title: Ink
Author: Alice Broadway
Publisher: Scholastic
Rating: 5/5

Leora has something to hide

In her community, every deed, every milestone is tattooed on you. You can read people, and see if they've lead happy lives or not. When a person dies, their skin is made into a book for the relatives to look at and so that they can remember them.

When Leora's dad dies, his skin book is held back so that the government can decide whether her dad is worth being a book. No one knows why, apart from her mum.

What's the secret? Has Leora's dad lead a good life?

What I think:

I think that this book is cleverly written and if it wasn't for the beautiful cover and interesting first page, I would probably wouldn't have read it. I could never put it down and it's fun to peek into a fantasy culture! Great for boys and girls aged 12+

~Review~ Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Title: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Author: Ransom Riggs
Number in series: 1
Publisher: Quirk
Rating: 5/5

A tragic event happened in the forest, to Jacob's grandfather

 

While clearing out his newly deceased grandfather's house, sixteen year old Jacob realises all the stories he heard growing were lies. The invisible boy?  The levitating girl? Lies. He decides to set out to Wales and find 'The Bird' his grandfather mentioned in his dying words.

What Jacob finds turns his world upside down. He'll never look at the stories as lies ever again.

 

What I think:

I thought this book was really original and unforgettable. The photos included in the book are amazing and a wonderful bonus. I would love to see the film and read the other books in the series (Hollow City, and Library of Souls). Great for girls and boys aged 12+

 

 

 

 

 

 

~Review~ The Bubble Boy by Stewart Foster

Title: The Bubble Boy
Author: Stewart Foster
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Rating: 5/5

Joe lives in a bubble

 

He has SCID, which means he gets ill easier than other people. He lives in a hospital, and he can't remember a life before he moved in. Guests are rare as they could bring fatal germs into his bubble. One day, a new nurse, who believes in aliens and craziness, steps into Joe's life and turns it upside down.

 

What I thought:

I thought The Bubble Boy was moving and exciting. You're always on edge whenever Joe gets ill, and you wonder what will happen next. I couldn't put this book down. Suitable for kids aged 10+