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The Darkness Within
The Darkness Within
Lisa Stone | 2017 | Romance, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
121 of 250
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The Darkness Within
By Lisa Stone

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

 
A gripping new crime novel from the global bestseller Cathy Glass writing as Lisa Stone

‘The Darkness Within hooked me from the start. Once you start you won't be able to stop!’ Katerina Diamond, No.1 bestselling author of The Teacher

You know your son better than anyone. Don’t you?

When critically ill Jacob Wilson is given a life-saving heart transplant, his parents are relieved that their loving son has been saved.

However, before long, his family are forced to accept that something has changed in Jacob. Their once loving son is slowly being replaced by a violent man whose mood swings leave them terrified – but is it their fault?

Jacob’s girlfriend, Rosie, is convinced the man she loves is suffering from stress. But when his moods turn on her, she begins to doubt herself – and she can only hide the bruises for so long.

When a terrible crime is committed, Jacob’s family are forced to confront their darkest fears. Has the boy they raised become a monster? Or is someone else to blame?

This is a spellbinding crime novel with a dark heart from the worldwide bestseller Cathy Glass, writing as Lisa Stone

This was such a good read. You as a mother always know your own children, you notice all the little changes in behaviour. This is such a rare thing to have happen. If there was one thing I didn’t quite like was him not being held accountable for the attack on Mary he definitely should have been! But definitely a good read.
  
What Magic Is This?
What Magic Is This?
Holly Bourne | 2019 | Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Three friends, Sophia, Mia and Alexis are trying to do some magic during a sleepover at Sophia’s house. They all have something they want to cast a spell on. Sophia wants her sweetheart Aidan, Mia needs to stop harming herself, and Alexis wants to wish her dog (that she hated) a farewell. All three of these girls are very different, but they fit in together very well. Holly chose such a believable and realistic characters for this book, and the school life looks like straight from the TV screen. The story is told from Sophia’s perspective, where she is sharing details about her and Aidan’s love story.

The narrative was really gripping, I wanted to find out, what happened between Sophia and Aidan. The plot keeps changing between the events happening in the room, and Sophia’s love story in the past. This book is funny, very easy to read, and I liked the lessons it had to offer. There are not many surprises in this book, and sometimes it was quite predictable.

The writing style was really pleasant and easy to read. This edition has dyslexia friendly font, and the book itself wasn’t very long, so it was a quick read for me. The setting of this book doesn’t change much, it is either Sophia’s bedroom or the school. The ending of the book was quite predictable, but I liked the way it rounded up this story. The chapters are not very long, and this novel didn’t leave me bored.

So, to conclude, it was a great story about friendship, magic and finding what you really want. It has realistic characters and is an entertaining and educational read for young girls.
  
All Our Yesterdays
All Our Yesterdays
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Okay, the plot of this book is kind of complicated and my summary probably won't do it justice, but here goes:

Em and Finn have been held prisoners in their cells for months. The doctor puts them through horrific interrogations on a regular basis, trying to determine the location of some documents he believes to be in the possession of Finn and Em.

Em is obsessed with the drain in the centre of her cell, positive that it has some kind of important meaning. Eventually, she manages to unscrew it, and discovers something incredibly unexpected; a note from herself.

With the the help of Mike Connor, a guard that other versions of themselves had convinced to help them in the past, Em and Finn escape their cells and make their way to Cassandra. Before the doctor can stop them, they switch on the machine and are transported four years into the past.

This is written from two different perspectives; Em's, and Marina's. Through each girl's story, we discover the truth about the doctor, Cassandra, and the death of Nate, the brother of Marina's childhood love's brother.

I know this all sounds really complicated, and sometimes it does get that way, but it is written so well. Em looks at Marina like she's a different person, which I suppose she is, really. The relationships between each version of Marina/Em and the two different boys is so unique to this book. I suppose it's a regular love triangle, but at the same time, it's not.

I really liked this book. It's not quite made it's way to my favourites list due to the fact that there were times where I got a little bit lost. But it definitely deserves 4.5 stars, because it is such an gripping, unique book. I'm so glad I read this.

BookMarked
  
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Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Dracul in Books

Sep 27, 2019  
Dracul
Dracul
J.D. Barker, Dacre Stoker | 2018 | Horror
9
8.7 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
A perfectly creepy Halloween treat.
Well, the spiced pumpkin lattes are out so it must be time to hit the scary reading lists and I would recommend putting this one high on the list this spooky season if you are looking for a truly unsettling, dark supernatural tale that has a good dose of mystery and intriguing characters.

Inspired by notes by Bram Stoker this prequel to Stoker’s classic Dracula was always going to have high expectations to live up to and for me, I wasn’t disappointed. Telling the tale of the young Bram Stoker, we meet his childhood caretaker, Ellen Crone whose odd behavior sparks the interest of young Bram and his sister Matilda who of course decide to poke their noses into her business little knowing they are just at the start of what will be an ongoing nightmare for the family. With many chilling discoveries, the tension builds and an unsettling tale is revealed.

It’s a very well written book that doesn't get bogged down in trying to use too much language and style of the period it is set in, instead focusing on successfully creating the gothic atmosphere to creepy perfection. Despite different POVs and timelines, it’s never hard to follow the action. The characters are gripping, in particular, Bram’s sister Matilda comes across as a superb character with brains and determination that are not expected of a lady of the time

This is not a tale for those of a squeamish disposition but it makes a great Halloween fix and has made me want to go and re-read Dracula now.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the book in exchange for an honest review.
  
City Girl vs Country Boy (Forever Love #1)
City Girl vs Country Boy (Forever Love #1)
Jordan Ford | 2019 | Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
City Girl vs Country Boy is the first book in the Forever Love series, and we start with tragedy. Harper speaks to her mum only half an hour or so before they have a head on collision that changes the lives of so many.

Written mainly from Harper and Tane's point of view, but also with some from Stacey, this book was a delight to read, whilst also being very emotional. Harper is trying so hard to hold it together for everyone else, and yet is in desperate need herself. Tane can see the struggles she is having, and tries to help out in whatever way he can.

As for Stacey and Bianca, I can't wait for their book(s). I have no idea if they will be intertwined or separate, but either way... Stacey is dealing with her loss in the only way she knows how, the same as Bianca. Unfortunately, this is in two very different ways, and so their love for each other gets lost in the mix. I really hope they sort it out, and I want to Stacey to be happy. I just can't see it happening without some painful self-realisations. As for Bianca, she deserves someone who puts her first, and hopefully we've got a hint over just whom that might be.

Excellently written as expected, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading. This was a gripping book that will definitely leave you wanting more. Highly recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
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