Life Expectancy by Dean Koontz

Life Expectancy
Dean Koontz

Front cover

Date read: 12 - 24 February 2017
Length: 531 pages

On the day of Jimmy Tock's birth, his grandfather predicts the exact time of his birth, and his exact weight. He also gives 5 dates; days on which terrible things will happen. No one knows what these things will be and no one can prepare for the truth that will unfold. Jimmy could have had a very different life. The main question is; will he survive the final date?


I really enjoyed this story and it was so easy to read. I found it hard to put down, definitely one that grabs you and pulls you in.

I loved Lorrie. She's such a genuine character and she knows what she wants. She's so different from Jimmy, who often describes himself as a lummox. An unlikely pair, but they work well together.

This story keeps you on your toes, with a few twists! Some were very unexpected, and it makes the book very hard to put down!




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2) by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter #2
J. K. Rowling

Front cover

Date read: 6 - 11 February 2017
Length: 251 pages

Harry is back for a second year, and after a rather unusual entrance, he arrives at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There is something afoot, however, as people are discovered Petrified. Harry and his gang take it upon themselves to learn more about the Chamber of Secrets and the monster lurking inside. Can they stop it and save Hogwarts? 


This year Hogwarts have a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher; Professor Lockhart. Oh, and what a pathetic excuse for a man is he. Using other people's achievements as his own to sell books and win over the ladies' hearts. Give me strength. All I'm going to say is, I'm glad he doesn't stick around for long. 

Harry discovers he's a parselmouth, which means he can talk to snakes. That explains what happened that time he went to the zoo. It's a rare talent among the wizardry community, so naturally everyone is amazed. And rightly so. I'd love to be able to talk to animals. Maybe not snakes though...

I did enjoy this story, though I think I preferred the first so far. I've heard they're meant to get really good later on, so I'm looking forward to that. 

2 down, 5 more to go! 




Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist 

Priestess of the White (Age of the Five #1) by Trudi Canavan

Priestess of the White
Age of the Five #1
Trudi Canavan

Front cover

Date read: 20 January - 5 February 2017
Length: 656 pages

Auraya is chosen as a priestess of the White and must leave her old life behind. Gifted with powers, herself and the 4 other White must make allies in order to defend against black-clad sorcerers and try to prevent a war. Can they recruit enough allies?


There are a lot of characters to get your head around, which can be quite confusing! There's the names of the gods, the priests and priestesses, not to mention other characters from different locations. Then there's words you've never heard before (there's a glossary at the back) to add to the mix. I found myself struggling, so I took a break and came back to it.

It's a good story though, and a few little side stories which are interesting. In particular I like Tryss and Emerahl. I hope I get to learn more about them in the other two books.

Dreamweavers are mysterious, and I think there's more to them than meets the eye. I'm glad the Circlians and Dreamweavers are beginning to work together, and I hope to see the prejudice against them evaporate.


Although I found it hard to finish at first, I'm looking forward to the next one so I can find out more about the Dreamweavers, and Emerahl.




Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Death of a Ladies' Man by Alan Bissett

Death of a Ladies' Man
Alan Bissett

Front cover

Date read: 9 - 19 January 2017
Length: 423 pages

Charlie Bain is an English teacher at a high school in Glasgow. 30 year old divorcee, lives with his mum, likes taking drugs. Not much is going right for Mr Bain. He's losing control of his life; he is not doing well in his career, the women are seeing him for what he really is, and not even his mother wants him in the house. What happened to the Ladies' Man?


Charlie is a thoroughly despicable character, but unfortunately very believable. He is not someone I would get on with in real life. To put it simply; he is a dick. 

I feel sorry for all the women in this novel, specifically Julie. He is a pig and just uses everyone. He is selfish and has no regard for anyone's feelings apart from his own. 

I thought the story of Death of a Ladies' Man was better than Boyracers, although I still find the writing style a bit odd with the words sort of floating on the page. 

Not sure I would recommend or read again. 




Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter #1) by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter #1
J. K. Rowling

Front cover

Date read: 1 - 8 January 2017
Length: 332 pages

Harry lives with his Aunt and Uncle with no knowledge of the fact he is a wizard. Until he is bombarded with letters inviting him to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is sorted into the Gryffindor house, makes the Quidditch team, and passes his exams. But evil is lurking, and it seems Harry and his friends are the only ones brave enough to stop it.

This book is very easy to read, I found it difficult to put down! The imagination involved is incredible, it really is like you're transported into another world. There's so much going on and a lot to learn, but not overwhelmingly so.

The characterisation is amazing too. They're believable, and have very different traits. Some are likeable, some are not.

I can't wait to read more at Harry's second year at Hogwarts!

J. K. Rowling

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Carpet People by Terry Pratchett

The Carpet People
Terry Pratchett

Front cover

Date read: 27 - 31 December 2016
Length: 190 pages

After the Munrung's village is destroyed by the Fray, they must go in search of a new home. Along the way they meet all kinds of people, not all good. They meet Brocando who was king of Jeopard before he disappeared for a year. Together they return to take over the throne and defeat the mouls who worship the Fray.


Terry Pratchett's first ever novel! I was quite excited to read this to see where it all began. The imagination of the carpet is good. To look at something so ordinary and come up with this whole world is quite a talent!

There's a good mix of likeable and not-so-likeable characters. It's quite down to earth and believable, as much as living in a carpet can be!

It can be a bit overwhelming though. The plot was hard to follow at times with so many names of various people and places being thrown at you. Once you get down to a few basic characters it's a lot easier and less mind boggling. You can tell it's an early novel, but you've got to start somewhere!


Although confusing at times, I'm glad I read The Carpet People. It gives you an insight into the early imagination of one of the best fantasy authors.




Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Demon Code (Leo Tillman and Heather Kennedy #2) by Adam Blake

The Demon Code
Leo Tillman and Heather Kennedy #2
Adam Blake

Front cover

Date read: 13 - 26 December 2016
Length: 569 pages

An ancient book has been stolen from the British Museum and Heather Kennedy is called to the case. But it turns into a lot more than just theft. With Leo Tillman and a 19 year old called Diema, they must stop the Judas people before they unleash the apocalypse. Can they be stopped?


As much as Tillman and Kennedy are an unlikely pair, they work well together. For some reason they completely trust each other and it just works. Diema is quite cool, and although I was a bit unsure of her, she seems to have paid off.

The personal relationships seemed to suffer a bit in this book, particularly between Heather and Izzy. Got a bit worried about that but I'm glad they managed to sort things.

I found The Demon Code interesting and you were always kept on your toes. I'm hoping the series isn't finished and that there will be another book!




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist