A Song of Ice and Fire: A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

Not for the weak willed or the impatient; A Game of Thrones is the first mythical masterpiece in the series

that is gripping the world. The meticulously detailed book will really test your mettle, but believe me when I tell you, it is worth every second you spend reading.

This book was first brought to my attention by the smash-hit television series HBO’s Game of Thrones. I started watching the series earlier this year, and became completely enveloped in the world of Westeros and its inhabitants. I wasn't surprised to find out that it was derived from a book, as most detailed and enriching shows and films are, and I was eager to get my hand on a copy as soon as possible.

Perfect for lovers of fantasy, A Game of Thrones captures the very essence of creativity and detail. Every family tree that has been pored over for hours, every exact description of every new setting -every word in the book just spills dedication. For those of you intent of finding loopholes and slip-ups, you won’t find any in this fastidiously written novel.

For those of you who have watched the series and think its pointless reading the book, you are wrong. You get to know your favourite characters more closely and you can see their motives and incentives more clearly. As with most adaptations, there are a few things missed out in the series as well. Also, there are small details in the book that foreshadow later events, and it feels like you've been let in on a secret that you’re not meant to know when you see them.

A Game of Thrones is written from multiple view points, which personally, I tend to hate. In this case though, the writing style works perfectly. The Game of Thrones has many different players, and it only makes sense to see it from everybody’s point of view. This writing style allows you transportation from King’s Landing, the illustrious capital, to Vaes Dothrak, over the vast and torturous Dothraki Sea, in just the turn of a page.

A Game of Thrones is by no means an easy read, but it is a fantastic one. If you persevere until the end, I guarantee you will have an emotional attachment to the characters that is insurmountable.  

For this book, I would give it a Visionary rating, as I believe that George R. R. Martin’s Westeros is comparable to Middle Earth in the way it has started and will continue to revolutionise the fantasy world. 

Buy the book on paperback here or on Kindle here (Only 99p on Kindle!)

Happy Reading!

Review by Lauren Goodfellow

Quiet

Susan Cain's 'Quiet - The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking' is an excellently well written, intelligent, and highly articulate look into the differing chemistry between introverts and extroverts. Cain looks at the 'Extrovert Ideal', an idea at the forefront of Western culture, an idea that dominates over introversion, an idea that sees introversion as an inferior temperament. Traits like shyness, sensitivity and seriousness are deemed negative, making introverts feel like they are disappointments. Cain's look into brain chemistry between the two temperaments demonstrates the different preferences for different levels of stimulation. She also demonstrates how society misunderstands and undervalues introverts. She is able to give introverts the advice to better understand themselves, providing the tools that allow introverts to fully take advantage of their strengths.

Cain's areas of research include psychology, biology and neuroscience and she explains that we are born with a temperament that is at the core of human identity. Yet because of the ever growing pressure to "not be shy" and "come of your shell", introverts have adapted a way to survive, masking themselves as extroverts - an idea that is known as pseudo-extroversion. However, Cain's research aims to demonstrate that introversion is more common than you think, that the introvert/extrovert divide is a fundamental aspect of personality, as her research shows that one in three people are introverts. Cain also explains that some of mankind's most creative, successful and distinguished individuals were introverts. Without these people, we wouldn't have the Apple computer, Harry Potter, Google, the theory of gravity, the theory of relativity, Peter Pan and Van Gogh's sunflowers.

 As an introvert myself, I found Cain's book an extremely insightful read and changed the way I saw myself. I now understand myself better and know that it's okay that I spend so much time inside my own head. Cain is leading a Quiet Revolution, and this book will definitely help society understand and value introverts. It is an excellent read which is well argued, I would definitely recommend it.

"...I also believe that introversion is my greatest strength. I have such a strong inner life that I'm never bored and only occasionally lonely. No matter what mayhem is happening around me, I know I can always turn inward."

Reviewed by Brogan Wilson 

The Academie by Amy Joy

Another good read, a bit different than what I usually enjoy but the enigmatic undercurrent in this novel is very easy to sink your teeth into.

The Academie is a new scheme of schooling sweeping America, taking back anybody under the age of 23 into the most hellish place on Earth. High school. Allie Thompson has finished her first year in college, but has to go back a step in her life under these new regulations. From the very start, Allie realises something isn't right with the system. Her new boyfriend is terrified of his place of education and her brother has turned into a mindless drone that cares for nothing but his Academie.

I enjoyed this book, as it had everything young adult literature should have; a plucky, young woman with a strong will, a love interest that she is unexpectedly ripped away from, and a foreboding sense that something is not quite right. 

The Academie keeps you guessing until the very end, and engages you from every angle. The young protagonist is very easy to relate to and her inquisitive mind and her determination to find the truth is inspiring, encouraging you to read on. Her separation from her very new found love, keeps you emotionally engaged in Allie's struggle.

The place itself is easy to slide into through Amy Joy's writing. I found myself immersed in the slightly creepy, and very much odd place that is The Academie, almost as if I myself was there with Allie, noticing all the strange things that happened around us. Although, Joy did include the benefits of the system too, which helped me understand why some people believed that the system was the right way to go.

The ending was shocking, to say the least, but I was quite proud of myself as it was one of the guesses I had made in my head! I was left with many questions at the end, but I'm pleased to hear that there are going to be sequels to this book to answer them all.

I would definitely recommend this book to anybody who enjoys a good mystery, a cute but tragic relationship and an engaging range of characters. 

I would give this book an A rating for its fascinating and perplexing concept.

Buy the book on paperback here or on Kindle here

Happy Reading!

Review by Lauren Goodfellow

Bookish Jewellery!

Yesterday my boyfriend bought the most thoughtful gift for me! It's a lovely silver necklace, with a book shaped pendant. One side is inscribed with 'Luna' which is his nickname for me, and the other side says something lovely in Latin.

I just wanted to share this lovely piece of book related jewellery with everyone!

The Great Gatsby

Prior to its cinema release here in the UK this Thursday, I've decided to review F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby', as not only is it a classic, but it's also one of my favourite novels and I am excited (and apprehensive) to see the film adaptation.

Set in 1920s America, when the Jazz Age was at its peak, we are introduced to Nick Carraway, a young, ambitious financier who moves to New York to learn more about the bond business. Nick resides in West Egg, a wealthy area, one that is populated by those with "new money". Nick's next door neighbour, a mysterious man we only know by name, Jay Gatsby, lives in a large mansion and holds lavish and extravagant parties, though Nick has never been invited. All those who have exchange rumours about who Gatsby is and what he has done, these rumours fuel Nick's curiosity with him.

Nick, a well educated man who graduated from Yale has social connections in East Egg, a well established area for the upper class, mainly populated by those with "old money". Nick drives to East Egg to meet Daisy Buchanan, his cousin, and her husband, Tom, a classmate of Nick's his time at Yale. Daisy and Tom introduce Nick to Jordan Baker, a beautiful, yet cynical young woman, who has been known to lie. Despite this, Nick and Jordan begin to engage in a romantic relationship. Jordan reveals that Tom has a mistress, Myrtle Wilson, who lives in the Valley of Ashes. This area is a run-down industrial dumping area between West Egg and New York City. One evening, Nick travels to New York City with Tom and Myrtle, where a party is being held in the apartment Tom keeps for the affair. During the party, Myrtle begins to talk about Daisy, taunting Tom about her. Tom snaps and responds by breaking her nose.

As the novel progresses, Nick receives an invitation to one of Gatsby's parties. He runs into Jordan, together they meet Gatsby, a young man with an English accent, an astonishing smile that you only encounter four, maybe fives times in life, and refers to everyone by "old sport". Gatsby asks to speak to Jordan alone, and through her, Nick learns more about this mysterious man. It is revealed that Gatsby knew Daisy from Louisville, back in 1917, and he is very much in love with her. He spends many evenings staring at the green light and the end of her dock, across the bay from his mansion. Gatsby's lifestyle and outrageous parties were all in a bid to impress Daisy, to show her he had wealth and status. Gatsby has a job for Nick, to arrange a meeting between himself and Daisy, and so, Nick invites Daisy to tea at his house, without telling her that Gatsby will be there. Gatsby and Daisy overcome their initial awkward beginning, rekindling their love and beginning and affair.

After a while, Tom begins to grow suspicious of Daisy's relationship with Gatsby. One day, at a luncheon, Tom catches Gatsby staring at Daisy with such passion, that he realises they are in love with each other. Tom is appalled to think Daisy has been unfaithful to him, even though he himself has a mistress. He wants to the group to drive to New York City, Tom drives with Jordan and Nick and Daisy rides with Gatsby. While there, Tom confronts Gatsby in a suite in the Plaza Hotel, explaining that he and Daisy have a long history that Gatsby couldn't begin to understand. He then reveals that Gatsby is a criminal, all of his wealth comes from bootlegging alcohol. Upon this revelation, Daisy realises her allegiance is with Tom, and he sends her back to East Egg with Gatsby, trying to prove that Gatsby cannot win, that he has the advantage.

While on the drive back, Nick, Jordan and Tom pass through the Valley of Ashes, yet, they discover that Gatsby's car has hit Myrtle, and killed her. They all rush back to Long Island, where Gatsby tells Nick that it was Daisy who was driving the car that killed Myrtle, but Gatsby wishes to take the blame. The next day, Tom tells Myrtle's husband, George, that it was Gatsby who was driving the car. George concludes that Gatsby must have been Myrtle's lover, and heads to Gatsby's  mansion. Here, he finds Gatsby in the pool, shoots him dead, then shoots himself.

Nick holds a small funeral for Gatsby, ends his relationship with Jordan and moves back to the Midwest in an attempt to escape the repugnance he feels for those that surrounded Gatsby. He reflects on the moral decay of the East Coast, and how Gatsby's dream of obtaining Daisy was corrupted through money and dishonesty. Nick believes that although Gatsby's ability to transform his dream into reality is what makes him "great", Gatsby's dream, and ultimately the American dream are over.

Through the novel, we are introduced to the uncomfortable truths about the relationship between truth and illusion, past and present. Fitzgerald presents Gatsby as a sympathetic character and a romantic figure who will do anything for the one he loves, even corrupt his own morals and sense of self. Fitzgerald also gives us an insight to some of America's most central ideas and yearnings. The dream of a new life, the preoccupation with class and the hunger for wealth.

I personally love the novel, but I know people who absolutely hated it. Regardless, Fitzgerald's writing is impeccable and I believe it is this reason why 'The Great Gatsby' is certainly a Great American Novel.

Reviewed by Brogan Wilson

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Another dystopian delight that I've had the pleasure to read! I finished the majority of the book in a day,

whilst lying out in the sun.

Beatrice Prior lives with her mother, father and her brother, Caleb in a faction called Abnegation. Those who live in this faction value selflessness above everything, and they blame the selfish and the vain for the troubles of ages gone by. They try and do everything to forget themselves, and only see the needs of others.

Beatrice finds this lifestyle difficult, and just after her sixteenth birthday, she will have her Choosing Ceremony. This is when she could decide to stay in her faction, or move to one of the other four. Dauntless value courage. Erudite value knowledge. Amity value kindness. Candor value honesty.

Our protagonist faces one choice that could transform her into a completely different person. She faces a more difficult choice than most, as she has been told she is Divergent, which means she is suited for three different factions: Erudite, Abnegation and Dauntless. Although she doesn't know why, she has been told never to share this information with anyone, she is told that it is a dangerous thing to be.

This novel is well written and captivating. The idea of a society that is sectioned off by the traits they believe in, instead of their religion or ethnicity, is fascinating. I know it is a huge cliché, but I really could not put this book down, I found myself thinking ‘just a little more..’ until I realised I had went to the end of the novel!

The story is engaging, with mysterious sides to all the characters that make to want to read on. There are touching moments in the novel, alongside humorous and shocking moments too. Even though I enjoy a good love triangle as much as the next teenage girl, the romantic relationship that I hope will span throughout the entire series, is crystal clear from the start of the novel and I think that makes it a lot easier to really get behind both of the characters and their struggle to stay together.

Another key point that this novel highlighted to me, was that everybody will conform to a certain way of life if they think it will make them fit in. In the book, it is very clear what faction somebody comes from because of the way they act and dress. It had me questioning whether or not this is a good thing because isn't that the way stereotypes are formed?

I have high hopes for the rest of this trilogy and I sincerely hope that the next two books are as exciting as Divergent has been.

I would give this book a Erudite rating, as I think that the novel is intriguing, interesting and wholly intelligent. 

Buy the book on paperback here or on Kindle here

Happy Reading!

Review by Lauren Goodfellow

Earth’s Children: The Valley of Horses by Jean M. Auel

This prehistoric tale follows Ayla, whom we met in The Clan of The Cave Bear, in her struggle to survive alone after being cast out of the Clan.

She has always known that she was different from the clan: too tall, too willowy, too blonde. She has always thought she was ugly, with her looks that were so massively different from anybody she had ever seen. Ayla believes that she will never find a mate, that nobody will ever want her.

The fourteen year old girl becomes a nomad, travelling alone, hunting alone and sleeping alone. One day, she comes across a small cave and decides to take up residence there, if only for the winter. Little does she suspect that she’ll live in her little cave for three years.

Company for Ayla comes in the form of animals, she forms a special bond with a foal, and raises her like a child. She also tames a more frightening animal, her totem bearer, the Cave Lion. Living alone allows the child to become one with nature, and she respects all that Mother Nature has given to her.

For the first two thirds of the novel, between Ayla’s story, we follow the story of two brothers, Thonalon and Jondalar, who are like Ayla; modern-day humans.  Thonanlon is determined to go on the Journey of a lifetime, and reach the end of the Great Mother River whereas Jondalar is only eager to protect his younger brother from harm.

It is a story of friendship, love and discovery that is written as eloquently as the first novel in the series. Although, at times, I didn’t particularly enjoy the chapter’s about the brothers, I still found the book very easy to read. The way in which Jean M. Auel writes, is just short of magical, her command of the English language to form descriptions of lands forgotten tens of thousands of years ago, is second to none.

I would give this novel a Landmark  rating, as I believe that, although it was slow at times, it contains information and events that are crucial in Ayla’s journey.