From the Storm by Adrian J. Walker

Title: From the Storm
Author: Adrian J. Walker
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing
Release Date: 10th January 2017
Genre: Fiction, Thriller


Summary:The lives of several total strangers link together in a tale of mystery and espionage all because of one man

Review:

So, I read this book quite a while ago and have only gotten round to writing a review of it... partly because I have been super busy and partly because it was such a painful experience to read I did not want to think about it again! To be honest, it is mostly the second reason...

The book on the whole is extremely well written and in a easy to read writing style. The characters are well formed and the idea, on the whole, is quite interesting. However, the links between the characters (the most important bit) is confusing to understand... like really confusing unless you pay extremely close attention. To b e honest, I only really understood what was going on when I read the blurb.

The One by John Marrs

Title: The One
Author: John Marrs
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: 4th May 2015
Genre: Fiction, Thriller, Sci-Fi

Summary:
What if a quick DNA test could find your soul mate? 

Would you trust it? Would you trust them?

Review:
I was initially intrigued to this book because the idea was so interesting and different. I mean, it would definitely be something I would do - would save a lot of hassle and heartbreak for sure! However, I was not sure what to expect or what direction the book would take. I was, nonetheless, pleasantly surprised and finished it in two days!

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Title: Everything, Everything
Author: Nicola Yoon
Publisher: Corgi
Release Date: 1st September 2015
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult

Summary:
Maddy is allergic to the world, and has lived in a bubble-world inside her house for seventeen years.

Review:
I loved this book for so many reasons.

Firstly, the characters. The main character, Maddy, is loveable, innocent and so intriguing. 

The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum

Title: The Bourne Identity
Author: Robert Ludlum
Publisher: Orion
Release Date: 24th March 2005
Genre: Fiction, Thriller

Summary:
A man is found floating in the sea. He is barely alive. With no name, no past all he has is a number of a bank account in Zurich.


Review:
I really, really, really, really hated this book and could not wait to finish it, so much so that I skim read most of it. I'll keep this short.

The characters were boring, predictable and there were waaaay too many french names to remember! 

If you like the film, do not read the book!


Rating: 1/10.

You can buy The Bourne Identity from Amazon here.

To Kill the President by Sam Bourne

Title: To Kill the President
Author: Sam Bourne
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: 4th July 2017
Genre: Fiction, Thriller

Summary:
The people of the United States of America have elected an incompetent and sexist man as President. Under his rule, a number of conspirators plot his assassination amid unjustified declarations of war. 

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R. R. Martin

Title: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Author: George R. R. Martin
Publisher: Bantam
Release Date: 6th October 2015
Genre: Fiction, History, Fantasy

Summary: 
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms contains the first three prequel novels of the A Song of Ice and Fire book series. The short stories take place almost a century before the series, when the Targaryen family were still in rule of the Iron Throne.


Review:
So, I finally finished my postgraduate dissertation which means I can do things like read, eat and sleep again! Seeing as the world is in a Game of Thrones hype at the moment, when I saw this collection of short stories - it went straight in my shopping basket!

The Missing Wife by Sheila O'Flanagan

Title: The Missing Wife
Author: Sheila O'Flanagan
Publisher: Headline Review
Release Date: 16th June 2016
Genre: Fiction, Romance

Summary:

Imogen seems to have it all: a loving husband, a house, friends and an exciting job. However, everything is not as a it seems on the surface and Imogen is deeply unhappy. So she decides to disappear.

Review:

I read another book (hooray!). After getting bogged down in dissertation reading and writing, I needed something easy to read that did not require me to think too much and The Missing Wife fit the bill perfectly.

Carrie by Stephen King

Title: Carrie
Author: Stephen King
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Release Date: 31st October 1991
Genre: Thriller, Fiction, Horror

Summary: 
The events surrounding the mystery of Carrie White have baffled specialists and experts for many years. The novel revels the events surrounding the fatal night in Chamberlain through personal accounts and news experts to uncover why she did what she did and how.

Review:
I honestly have not been motivated at all to read over the past few months. I have been busy applying for jobs, writing assignments and planning my dissertation in preparation for a full summer of writing all the while trying to make sure every aspect of my does not fall apart. It is so much fun doing a Masters...

Anyway, I bought Carrie in January and have finally found some time to read it - it is pretty important to give yourself breaks when writing a dissertation!

At first I wasn't too keen on the book, as I could briefly remember the film which I was not too fussed on! However, as with all Stephen King books - if you give it time and patience, it will soon pay off. Carrie, whilst slow at first, turned out to be a page-turner that I literally could not put down.

It was not as gory as I was expecting to be though. The details of the deaths within the book were, in my opinion, often overlooked and could have been given more attention - I did not know one character in particular was dead until it was explained ten pages later! This would have made the dramatic last fifty pages a bit more interesting and happen less quickly! 

I did, however, really enjoy the style that the book was written in using extracts from accounts and publications written from the different perspectives of the characters within the book. The mix of personal and somewhat onlooker accounts really added to the mystery of Carrie White and made you all the more intrigued. 

Now to wait another four months until I finish another book...

Rating: 8/10.

You can buy Carrie from Amazon here.

The Green Mile by Stephen King

Title: The Green Mile
Author: Stephen King
Publisher: Penguin Street
Release Date: 1st September 1996
Genre: Thriller, Fiction

Summary:
It is a long walk down The Green Mile for the inmates of Cold Main Penitentiary. 

Life passes on as normal on death row until a quiet giant named John Coffey arrives and strange things and miracles start to happen. 

Review:
So, I FINALLY finished a book. Yay!

I don't really have much to say about this book apart from it is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Go read it now. Stephen King is a genius and I was gripped throughout the story - that is, when I actually had time to sit down and read.

I absolutely loved the characters - both the good and the evil. It also kept you guessing if Coffey was innocent or guilty throughout so you are never really sure who this miracle man is and whether he can be trusted. When you do find out though - it is worth the wait.

Originally, the novel was split into six parts and I cannot understand how people could have waited to see what was going to happen.