Book Review #6

Title: Dark Inside

Author: Jeyn Roberts

Date Published: 2nd September 2011

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

Age Rating: 13+

Genre: Post Apocalyptic

Main Characters:

• Aries
• Clementine
• Mason
• Michael
• Nothing

Plot :

 After a wave of deadly earthquakes nearly destroys the Earth, the surviving few watch as their loved ones, friends and neighbous turn in to killing machines, that will stop at nothing to slaughter the human race. Now, there only seems to be one rule, one law: kill, or be killed...

Review:
   One of the problems I found with this book, was the narration. Usually in books with multiple narrators, I don't have any trouble knowing who was who. However, in this book, I had to keep on skipping back to find out how the character got there, or who they were in the first place.
   Another problem, was how similar Aries and Clementine were. This was also the same with Mason and Michael. I would have prefered the book if they could have some obvious differences in their personalitys.

Despite these problems with four of the main characters, I really enjoyed reading Nothing's story. It helped me get some extra insight into the story, and really kept me on the edge of my seat. I hope that this character is also included in the next book, Rage Within.
   I also loved the storyline. It was fast, fun and full of surprises. I literally couldn't put this thrilling book down.
   Overall, I found this an enjoyable read, however, there were a few problems with it. I can't wait to read Rage Inside, but hope that some of the problems that I found with this book don't apply to the sequel.

Rating out of 5:

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Book Review #5

Title: Speak

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

Date Published: 22^nd October 1999

Publisher: Puffin

Age Rating: 12+

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Main Characters

     

·        Melinda

·        Andy

·        Rachel

·        Ivy

·        Heather

·        Nicole

                                    

Storyline:

   Melinda had been invited to the party by her best friend Rachel. Halfway through it, she called the police. This left her as a loner, the outsider who had ruined their party. In this stunning story, one girl is trying to break free of a silence that has gripped her and won’t let her go.

Review

   I absolutely adored this book. When I picked up this book from a genre that I usually avoid, I wasn’t expecting something this amazing and emotional.

   I loved the way that the speech in the story was usually indirect, yet when it wasn’t, it was as if the story was a play. I think that this was a very unique way to narrate a story, and I really enjoyed it.

   I also liked the way that the author created a realistic image of all the characters in my mind. It helped me really bond with Melinda and sympathise with her. I ended up feeling as if I was there, witnessing the story happening infront of me.

   Another thing I liked about Speak, was the speed that the story developed at. It wasn't so fast that you ended getting confused, however it wasn't slow and boring, which makes you want to either skip bits, or stop reading completely.
   Overall, I think that Speak was an amazing book, which drew you into the story and bought the characters to life. I really enjoyed reading it, and I can't wait to read more novels by this author.


Rating (out of 5)

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