Publication Date: 29th January 2015

Publisher: Headline

ISBN: 978-1472204721

Source: Bookbridgr/Netgalley

Rating: 2/5

Synopsis:

High in the mountains of the Swiss Alps Leah Wilde is about to gamble her life to bring a powerful man an offer. A promise.

Leah has heard the dark stories about him and knows she is walking into the lion's den. But her options are running out. Her rare lineage, kept secret for years, is under terrible threat. That is, unless Leah and her mother Hannah are prepared to join up with their once deadly enemies.

Should the prey ever trust the predator?

Is hope for future generations ever enough to wash away the sins of the past?

With a new and chilling danger stalking them all, and the survival of their society at stake, they may have little choice...

Review:

I was so excited when I heard about this book and I really wanted to read it. It sounded brilliant, so I was really pleased to receive it. But, I was so disappointed! Now I've read reviews from other readers, I can only conclude that it's me. Maybe I just didn't get it?; perhaps I should have read the prequel, The String Diaries, first? Whatever the reason, I abandoned it after reading 50%.

There were aspects I liked. I found Leah an interesting character and I enjoyed some interactions. I'll give it another go at some point and update my review if I change my mind.

Finding this a bit hard going to be honest. There are 2 stories going on,  1 that interests me, the other I am finding rather dull unfortunately. I'm sure the 2 threads will weave together at some point but I hope I've not given up and relegated this to my DNF pile by then. 

Publication date: 1st November 2013

ISBN: 9781493615421

Source: Publishing Push

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: 

What if you could evolve in a moment? What if you had the power to change the genetic future of your loved ones and the people they become - simply by the way you live your life? 

When neuroscientist Daniel Hayden’s father dies, such thoughts begin to erode his very sanity, with the growing fear that he might share a dark secret buried deep in his family’s past – a past he is about to relive. The idea only seems to gain credibility from the bizarre results coming from his own laboratory, forcing Daniel to resurrect the discredited theories of an eighteenth century naturalist in the process. Was Daniel’s fate sealed all those years ago? Has he been betrayed by his own DNA? 

Review:

This is a fascinating book containing a great deal of scientific reference. The author successfully weaves together what is happening at Daniel's laboratory with his search for the truth about his family. Lead character Daniel is well written and interesting, the story plausible.

The science is rather heavy at times and there were a couple of occasions where I felt slightly blinded by it, but this is my only criticism.

*I received a free copy of this eBook in return for an honest review*

Publication date: 3rd June 2014

Publisher: Urbane Publications

ISBN: 9781909273184

Source: Publisher

Rating: 3½/5

Synopsis:

Wordscapist (n): A legendary wordsmith, usually assumed to be male, who is rumoured to be able to shape reality to his words. Limitless in his powers, and not aligned with the Guild or the Free Word. No proof or evidence of his existence has ever been found. First known usage circa 16th century. 

Everything you say is true… somewhere. But for Slick the notion of what is true is becoming very blurred indeed. He always knew the world was one of constant change. He just didn’t expect that change to include witnessing a demon tearing off the head of a stranger. That’s the kind of change that could lead to hearing voices in your head. Which is also happening rather too frequently for Slick’s liking. 
But that’s what happens when you’re thrown headlong into the world of wordsmiths, where simple words can shape and reshape reality, and the legend of the Wordscapist becomes more than just an urban myth. Slick must discover the Way of the Word if he is to shape a new reality and discover his true destiny……Buckle up. Hang on. And yes, careful what you say. Everything you say is true… becomes true… somewhere. 

Review:

The power of words isn't something I'd really thought about before, apart from the old saying 'sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me', which doesn't give words any power at all! Words cannot be taken back, so they do hurt, sometimes with devastating consequences. 

Wordscapist is well written with rich characters who take turns to narrate chapters. There are quite a lot of characters here, enough for them to get a bit muddled in my head, so I found it rather difficult to keep track of whether different characters were basically good or evil. This made the reading difficult at times, especially when I tried to get back into it after a couple of days away. This book is probably best read in a couple of sittings, as the fascinating fantasy world setting doesn't make for easy dipping in and out.

Although I enjoyed what I read, the difficulties I had are reflected in my rating. This is just my experience and shouldn't discourage others from reading Wordscapist. It remains an intriguing concept that I'm convinced will encourage me to read it again at some point in the future.

*I received a free review copy, in exchange for my honest review*