"A Monster Calls" by Siobhan Dowd and Patrick Ness

Side note: This book was started by Siobhan Dowd and finished by Patrick Ness because, sadly, Dowd died before she could finish it, which is a real shame. If you haven't read any of Dowds earlier books then your doing yourself an injustice. I strongly recommend them to all those who enjoy a good mystery and also a gripping fantasy; one of my personal favourites is "The London Eye Mystery". Drop a comment if you would like to see a review on it later on. 
Thanks,
Louis

The opening scene is in a house; the bedroom of a teenage boy, Conor O'Malley when he's experiencing a horrific reoccurring nightmare... Or so he thought.
He envisions the giant, towering yew tree in the back field, alive. As it moves; shuffling towards the bare brick outer shell of the house, and Conor's window, it speaks his name in a deep, resonating voice; I've come to get you Conor O'Malley...
The monster proceeds in telling 3 stories in return for a 4th; the truth about Conor's reoccurring nightmare. The stories uncover the truth about the monster and Conor in ways he could never have imagined and cure Conor of the thing he has been plagued by, that horrible thing that had been visiting his dreams ever since his mother fell ill...

RATING: 10/10- A superbly crafted book with plenty of twists and turns along the way; all the way up to a really emotional end. A brilliant read! One of my favourite books.

ELLAS FILM REVIEWS

Hi guys, just wanted to let you know (after much annoyance on my behalf) that my sister created a film reviews blog page so go check it out and leave some support in the comments!! 

Cheers,

Louis

ellasfilmreviews.blogspot.com.au

P.S. A review of "A monster calls" by Siobhan Dowd and Patrick Ness is coming out soon so watch out for that!

"Wicked" the musical blog review

I thought this would be a nice addition to this blog as it's something a little different. Comment if you enjoy and would like to see more and leave a suggestion if you want to see your favorite musical reviewed.
Side note- These musical reviews won't come out as frequently as my book blogs (which isn't saying much as I haven't posted in Aeons!!) because of their length, detail and research (it's a lot of writing!)

Thanks for the support,
                       Louis

Review:

Introduction- 
Title- Wicked
Director- Joe Mantello
Company- @thewickedcompany.co.uk - This company does specialist transport for theatre shows.
Opening date- May 28th 2003

PLOT INTRO:

The story begins with the death of the Wicked Witch Of The West being announced by Glinda the good witch. The scene then switches to the birth of the sorceress Elphaba; the offspring of her mother and a mysterious man who carries with him a liquid green drink.  Later Elphaba is born with green skin; the possible result of the green liquid her father used. Her illegitimate father orders for her to be cast away.
The play then shifts to a scene in which Elphaba and Glinda are attending college for the first time. Glinda is popular and respected whereas Elphaba is shunned and ignored. Nessarose, Elphaba's half-sister, then enters with Elphabas illegitimate father (nessas real father) and proclaims that the only reason she attends this college is to look after his pride and joy; Nessarose.

Later; after being ridiculed, Elphaba flies into a rage; producing enormous amounts of power. Her raw talent of sorcery is spotted by none other than the head teacher and exclusive sorceress; Madame Morrible. As a result of her prowess in the art of sorcery she is offered an invitation to see the Wizard in the Emerald City...

Rating: 8/10- All round a very high-class musical with an amazing set and brilliant costume and lighting. The only fault I can point out would be the fact the first half dragged on slightly.

Percy Jackson Heroes of Olympus- The Blood of olympus by Rick Riordan

This is the final book in the Percy Jackson chronicles and, personally, brings this amazing series to a jaw dropping close.

In this book, The team on-board the Argo-II find themselves on their way to Athens, the centre and most important place to all the Greek Gods. Meanwhile, Reyna, Praetor of new Rome and Nico son of God of the Underworld, Hades are on a quest to bring the Athena Parthenos (a giant golden statue of Athena that was made and originally placed in amongst the pavilions of the acropolis) too Camp Half-Blood to stop the Roman and Greek Demigods Warring with each other. The entire New Roman army arrived thirsty for Graecus or "Greek" blood. Every single cohort has turned up to fight. Camp Half-blood has only a few campers in their midst. The fate of Camp Half-blood rests on the shoulders of Nico Di Angelo and Reyna. If they can bring the Athena Parthenos back to camp in time, the war will be stopped. 
It is in Athens that Gaia plans, with her Giant sons and daughters, to overthrow Olympus, Just as the Gods had done to her son, Kronos. Each ghastly Giant was created out of the murkiest and most monstrous parts of Tartarus for two purposes. One is too serve Gaia and the other is to oppose and destroy a certain God. Her overall plan is to water the stones of the Ancient lands with the blood of a male and female Demi-God; half god, half mortal. This, and only this, will wake the Earth mother. Don't forget, the giants, including their king, porphyrion, can only be defeated with the combined powers of both God and Demi-God together. Can Percy and the crew of the Argo II save the world and stop Gaia and her Giant spawn running rampant? Find out in this final thriller of the Heroes of Olympus saga.

RATING: 9/10! A fitting end to the Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus sagas.