Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris

Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris 

Reading Heather Morris's Tattooist of Auschwitz, I was always interested in what became of the character Cilka. Even just the brief descriptions showed she was such a strong woman just trying her best to survive.

Therefore, when I saw that Cilka's Journey was being released I knew that I had to make sure to get it. For a change I decided to get this one on Audiobook.  At first, I was wary that I might struggle to listen to this kind of book as hadn't tried it before, but this one didn’t disappoint me at all, I didn’t want to stop listening. The narrator really brought the story to life, and the book itself is an upsetting but inspirational tale of what life was like for Cilka.

The story splits between Cilka's life in Auschwitz and the Russian Gulag she was sent to for conspiring with and sleeping with the Germans whilst she was imprisoned. A shocking end to her imprisonment at the German Death Camps that she was lucky to survive and where she suffered greatly.

Cilka, however, was still determined to survive in the Labour Camp, where this time she at least had a date that should give her release as long as she could learn to live in this new harsh environment.

As with a lot of Auschwitz novels, this can be hard to read or listen to, but it is amazingly written and it’s, beyond a doubt, an inspiration to us all that someone could go through so much and still want to live.  It also makes me feel extremely lucky that this is not something I have had to endure in my life.

We should all remember what has happened in the past, even if it is just to try and make sure that it does not happen again. If you are a historical fiction fan or have previously enjoyed stories surrounding WWII then this is a must read.  It’s one of my top books of the year.

By Claire 

17 Church Row by James Carol

Frighteningly  Possible.

I do love a good thriller and this one I thought was great. It is brilliantly written to keep you thinking throughout the whole book.

It’s a gripping story regarding house with revolutionary new system which includes higher security which is what attracts this couple. Ethan and Nikki had lost one of their twin daughters Grace and the other, Bella has not spoken since. They therefor want a new start and to keep Bella safe and even though she isn't certain Nikki goes along with this new property after her husband and daughter love it at first sight.

However, even with this new high end technology and integrated security system are they going to be any safer?

Well it becomes very clear not long after the move things are definitely not as they seem and it was great to watch the story unfold especially as there is more than one POV and a mystery Narrator. I think that was the one thing that kept me reading as I was desperate to know who this mystery narrator was and who they were discussing.

I wasn’t overly fond of the actual characters but still found I couldn’t put down.

It’s even more thrilling and slightly terrifying to know that with technology taking over that a house like 17 Church Row may soon be in our very near future.

I definitely would recommend to any readers who enjoy a very plausible thriller.

By Claire

The Bluff City Butcher by Steve Bradshaw

Overall a very interesting book I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Bell Trilogy.

I loved the Characters of the book and look forward to finding out more about them as this is just the opening I am hoping there is much more about who they are.

The plot itself is an interesting it follows ex-pathologist, Elliot, on a hunt for a wanted serial killer. He sees more than your average investigator and has a link to the monster terrorising Memphis who he has been trying to capture for many years.

There are some twists on the story which keep you wanting to find out how it all ends however this took me a lot longer to get through than I would have expected. I wasn’t a huge fan of the narrator though can’t quite place why. There was also a lot of bits where the story started to drag and possibly too much information.  I am hoping this will not be the case in the rest of series as the background will already be set.

With the twists already in the first book I am interested to see where the rest of the book go as I am not entirely sure what will happen. Soon as I have read or listened to the others though I will make sure to review them as well.

By Claire

Terror Bites by Emma Puller, Mark Walker, Rachael Howard and Steve Pool

Great stories for a Great Charity.

I don’t read short stories very often but this seemed great idea for me. I do like horror and had a busy time ahead so little bite size stories were ideal. All except one thing I kept thinking just one more.

There is 20 stories by 4 different authors and with a wide range of topics such as zombies, ghosts and spiders just to name a select few for everyone to enjoy.

Spiders are a fear of mine and think that’s the one that will stay with me for a while. 

Although the stories gripped me to varying degrees I enjoyed them all. They are very descriptive and gruesome so not for the faint hearted that’s to be sure but that’s what I loved most about them.

If I had to pick a favourite I think it would be Black Friday as it also brings the memories of when I see crazy shoppers, especially through the holidays. It meant I was able to picture it very easily happening in a very disturbing but enjoyable way.

I would recommend to anyone who likes horror stories especially those short on time and can’t read much.

By Claire

Stop At Nothing by Tammy Cohen

I had heard so many different reviews on this that I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I started. 

Stop at Nothing is a mother's tale of her feelings of helplessness and trying to keep her family safe after one of her daughters, Emma, is attacked. 

She was brought home by a helpful witness who keeps herself involved with the family afterwards as well, Tess (the mum) cannot help but wonder how to keep her daughter safe and help her get on with her life and ends up causing a bit of trouble when she finds who she thinks is her daughter’s attacker. 

What would you do in the same situation? I don't know myself, but I do know that as a character I couldn't find myself liking Tess even though I did feel sorry for her. The same for any of the other characters. 

It therefore it seems strange to say then that I still really enjoyed reading the book. There were a few twist plots that kept the story moving and, and for the most part I still really wanted to keep reading. 

I enjoyed it even more when I read details at the back that the start of this was based on a real event the author experienced and gave more power to the feelings Tess was having of helplessness. 

It was my first Tammy Cohen book, and I definitely would read her books again, as it was well written.

By Claire 

A Shaper's Birthright by Karen MacRae

Much anticipated second in the series. 

I read and reviewed A Shaper's Promise just last month and really wanted to make the time to read this, I’m so glad I did. 

Anna continues to grow into her powers and learn more about where she came from, but you can tell there is still more to come, and that is why I am so glad to know there is another book after this for me to look forward to. 

This book felt a little slower as I went through it, as it’s about the learning of her gifts and her past.  There is some fighting going on, but not much. I still felt engaged with the characters throughout the book, and hooked on wanting to find out how it will end. 

There were surprises in the storyline which I loved and felt that they would keep me on my toes rather than guessing everything that is coming. 

I definitely would recommend the story so far and will keep you posted when I finally get to read the third instalment, which I am hoping to be soon. I know I won’t wait too long to see how Anna and the gang get on.

By Claire

Faerie Misborn by Samaire Provost

The story revolves around a homeless teenager who has lost everything finding out of her faerie parentage. Holly is offered acceptance into a boarding school where she can be fed and have roof over her head when she meets Chance who has come to fetch her. 

However, the dream of school and safe life has its troubles as Holly is "misborn" which in faerie causes problems. This is where her parents were not married. Bullying follows her and people know more about her than she does. 

I love the idea of this book and did enjoy it. I feel it is more aimed at a younger reader but certainly a nice easy read for me. I would love to see how the rest of the series goes and see Holly find more.

It did however lack in some details that might have helped get me more involved. There was nothing really on her education other than classes were hard. I also felt that as a streetwise teenager who didn't trust much didn't seem to question going with Chance very much. Plus at the beginning she didn't know basic things to look after herself like bathing or brushing her hair but once at school seemed to have no problems or ask many questions 

The story revolves around a homeless teenager who has lost everything, and then finds out about her faerie parentage. Holly is accepted into a boarding school where she can be fed and have roof over her head when she meets Chance, who has come to fetch her. 

However, the dream of school and safe life has its troubles as Holly is "misborn", meaning her parents were not married, which in the faerie realm cause problems. Bullying follows her and people know more about her than she does. 

I love the idea of this book and did enjoy it. I feel it is more aimed at a younger audience, but it was a nice, easy read for me. I would love to see how the rest of the series goes and see Holly find out more things about herself. 

It did, however, lack in some details that might have helped get me more involved. There was nothing really on her education other than classes were hard. I also felt that, as a streetwise teenager who didn't trust much, she didn't seem to question going with Chance very much. Plus, at the beginning she didn't know basic things to look after herself like bathing or brushing her hair; but once at school, she seemed to have no problems or ask many questions about what had happened. I'm hoping some of this will grow in the subsequent books. 

I definitely recommend it for YA supernatural readers, and I’ll be looking out for the new books in the series to find out what happens next.

By Claire 

Who Did You Tell by Lesley Kara

Brilliantly Written.

This can be a difficult read emotionally as it focuses on main character Astrid. She is an alcoholic who is trying to rebuild her life and stay sober. It is very well written and has some very good descriptions of the struggles of someone with Alcoholism getting through the day. It also has the twists and turns of what has happened in Astrid's past that is still haunting her.

As she tries to rebuild her life she also meets Josh and they soon become a couple but she hasn’t shared her past with him. I found this was a side note to fill the story up a bit but there wasn’t as much substance or realism for me. I just didn’t see the relationship develop the way I would have expected from the rest of the storyline.

I did enjoy the plot and history coming back to haunt us fits so well in with the character. Some of the twists where expected but it doesn’t change it from being a great read. I didn’t want to put it down.

Due out 5th December! 

By Claire 

Rosie's Travelling Tea Shop by Rebecca Raisin

Definitely a Feel Good, Laugh and Smile Novel.

Oh my God am I so grateful this book was suggested to me. I needed a light hearted book that would make me smile and this book certainly done that. The writing was great and I just wanted to be on the road with Rosie and Aria and relax with tea and a book

The book is centred around Rosie, who at the beginning is an OCD Chef who needs to plan everything but who's life changes when her husband leaves her for another woman. She gets very drunk and buys a camper van and though unsure about it decides to leave her old life in London behind and travel around selling different blends of tea. This is really difficult for Rosie as she can't plan everything like she is use to but after meeting her complete opposite Aria she does start to see the positives as well and her life starts to become more freeing for it. Plus she finally gains a true friend.

Being heartbroken and out of her comfort zone of course we see 2 romantic interests for Rosie in the book. Which one will she pick? The safe guy she has only spoken to online or the guy who makes her tingle but she can't bring herself to trust. Are they both who they seem to be? Well to be honest whilst reading the Plot itself isn't really a mystery or big twists, at least not for me, but this book really isn't supposed to have.

The writing however did keep my laughing and smiling away as well as dreaming of getting away from it all. Plus I might be a tad bit biased on the basis that the author actually included Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the story which is very close to me.

Would recommend to anyone who wants a light hearted read with a little romance for an uncomplicated read. 

By Claire

Lake Child By Isabel Ashdown

Rocky Start but Worth It.

The confusion of the first couple of chapters caused me to think this book was going to be slog but by end of chapter 5 or 6 I was hooked and couldn't put it down. I finished this book in one sitting as I needed to know how it turned out and what had really happened with Eva.

Lake Child is about a girl, Eva, who has been in an accident and has woken with memory issues in her parents attic. With no clue what has happened, what's going on or why she is being shut up there with no one else allowed to visit except occasional enquiries from the police. 

There was lots of twists and turns in the story so even though I had guessed a few bits an pieces there was always something to hold my attention and make me need to continue reading. There was a few bits that where slow but mainly once I got through the first section I knew that the rest was going to be great and I was not disappointed. It was well worth it. 

I would definitely recommend to other readers but would warn there is some traumatic events in here as well as the ideas that may come while Eva is still gets some of her memory back. If disturbed and put off books with details of Sexual Violence then this may not be for you but events and any descriptions are to minimum with more of a focus on the mystery that the author creates surrounding what happened.

By Claire