Smashbomb

Search

Search results

All (2488)

Content

Dracula: The Un-Dead

Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt

7.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

The official sequel to Bram Stoker's classic novel Dracula, written by his direct descendent and...

Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Favian's Law (The Truth Teller Series #3) in Books

Nov 13, 2019

Favian's Law (The Truth Teller Series #3)

Kurt Chambers | 2016 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)

10.0

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

This is the third of the fantasy series for young adults involving Charlotte who, with the help of a magic pendant, is able to travel to another realm populated by elves and dwarves. In this land she is known as the Truth Teller, an almost mythical being.

But Charlotte is not the only one who travels to the other world; Favian, a theatre performer, also makes the trip and Charlotte soon discovers that things are very different as a result. With big changes both in the fantasy world and when she returns to ours Charlotte must face her fears to put everything right.

The first two books were fairly straighforward fantasy; this takes on a darker tone as Favian's meddling has caused a lot of changes none of which are for the better. Here we see a very different world from the first two books. Despite being reunited with Elderfield there seems to be nothing they can do to avoid a terrible fate.

This change in tone works well with our heroes in real peril. But where the book really shines is when Charlotte returns to our world. Things have changed here too and everything really does seem hopeless.

Chambers handles the narrative with verve, putting Charlotte through the wringer but always with an eye on the sympathies of the reader. As before the reader is encouraged to care about all of the characters. Unusually there is no ultimate villain here and that makes for a interesting read as the various plot threads work their way to their conclusion.

Kudos

Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Unknown Reality in Books

Nov 28, 2019

Unknown Reality

Kurt Chambers | 2016 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller, Young Adult (YA)

9.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

Chloe lives with her family in what seems to be a fairly normal life. But after meeting a stranger during a trip to the theatre, she starts to realise that all might not be as it seems and her world - and her entire life- might be nothing more than a simulation. Abruptly thrown out of the only existance she has known she has to face up to a different reality. She must adapt to her new circumstances and new reality when all she wants is to return 'home'.

Following on from the young adult fantasy stories of Truth Teller and The Wrath of Siren, Chambers once again sets out to encourage an interest in fiction in young adults, in this case science fiction. Once again he produces an interesting and engaging work, choc full of characters and ideas. Just the first few chapters contain enough material for the average science fiction work but Chambers goes further, layering further nuanced plots and subplots together and managing to spin them together into a terrific ending.

Chloe is a strong protagonist, intelligent and thoughtful while always remaining an 11 year old in outlook and the reader will really root for her and want her to succeed. The world Chambers creates is very well described and imagined, relying on science fiction standards for some parts but carefully avoiding cliche and doing what science fiction does best - highlight some of the folly of the real world.

Yet another terrific book from Chambers, one of those authors who is a 'must read' for my teenage sons.