HALF BAD Trilogy by Sally Green @Sa11eGreen

My daughter, aged 12, bought these books via Waterstones recently with vouchers from her Birthday. She is a voracious reader and I struggle to keep up with her since I do try to write myself - try being the operative word at the moment (sighs).

She took the last book, Half Lost, with her on holiday and was reading away in the car. I turned to look in her direction and noticed her face had dropped, as tears started to stream down her face. I hugged her to console her, but knew whatever it was it had really got to her.

Obviously, I was worried... and then she told me it was the book. Someone had died!

I had not read any of them so I tried to understand - but, as any reader knows you can't until you read the book.

So, I decided to read this trilogy and find out what had got her into such a muddle. I did try to read the last book first, but it does not make sense this way and I got annoyed - Nathan complains a lot at first in the last book.

So, definitely has to be read in order.

Here is the link to the website, HALF BAD, where you can find out more about the books before you read my reviews. There is a lot of information on here about the characters - black & white witches, half-bloods, etc. 

If you don't need any of this, read on...

I started Half Bad and I found it hard to get into. The writing style is different to others, and like Divergent, Hunger Games, etc it was brutal! I thought a lot of Girl with a Dragon Tattoo at one point.

My 3 star review on Goodreads

Let's start with the good... Obviously, I enjoyed this book since I read it in a day. The style is quite unique and I am amazed this was written by a female writer. Even though many times I could easily have placed the main character, Nathan, as a girl!

But, I do have issues. It just goes on and on... Torture, more torture, and yet more torture! How much can a kid take, even if he can heal himself?
It seriously made me think of some existing best sellers.

• He is an orphan & a witch - rings of Harry Potter

• He in obsessed with a white witch (who he barely knows) and has to drink blood to change - Twilight themed.

• There is a LOT of brutality, even though he is a child, by those in control (white witches) who are obviously not so pure - Hunger Games anyone?

So, yeah, I will read on. My daughter bought the set on paperback and is raving about it. 
I really can't stand too much violence........

From this you can gather than I was interested, but not impressed by some of it. My brain had not engaged yet and started to think... I love books that get me wondering. The Lord of the Flies, Maze Runner, and other books like it are also pretty brutal. My son (aged 13) is a fan of the Gone series and I could not read past the first few chapters of the second book, after a horrific scene where a boy gets eaten by worms! Authors have wild imaginations.

Anyway, the second book, Half Wild, was something else. Now, we get into alliances, etc. I start to think of the Second World War, Star Wars, X-Men. Also, how society has changed and evolved over time and people don't always agree on this. How some have and others don't... the obsession of certain individuals on purity - illustrated in Divergent by the Erudite hunger for control and knowledge. But, I have to admit that I thought of Jacob in the Twilight Saga - especially how he went off on his own and lived as a wolf when Bella decided to marry Edward. Sometimes, reading other books taints how you view another.

My 5 star review...

OMG. I was not convinced by the first book, but this is something else!

So much going on. I can't help thinking about WW2 and the effect it had as I read this. But, there are so many threads alongside the theme. On to the next one... :)

Anyway, I was hooked on the story, so off I zoomed to read the last book, Half Lost.

I read until midnight last night & finished it in floods of tears....

My 5 star review this morning.

Wow... I do not want to give too many spoilers, but the ending to this book took my breath away.

I have read some of the reviews on Goodreads which hated it and I can see what they mean, BUT we will all die eventually unless you are a ... Read the book!
Nathan and Gabriel will be together for eternity, and if you believe in the soul this is the perfect ending.

I also suspected about Annalise all along and am happy it ended this way too. She was never a bad person, just confused and she made a bad call. Or did she? When in a war, both sides argue their case, or do they not?

There were so many threads in this trilogy. life & death, sacrifice, torture, true love, diversity, the role of men & women, the need to experiment, etc.

If you read Hunger Games or Divergent and want something different read this, but I warn you it is not what you expect. I have to admit the first book took a while to get used to, but the writing is addictive.

Like I said on my first review, I have to be honest, Nathan felt like a girl to me. But then, isn't that the point? We all have masculine & feminine qualities. Is it fair to say that we should not judge? For example, I have been told myself that I write like a male writer... What does that mean?

If a books makes me think as much as this one did it has to be a winner! Highly recommend.

So there you have it. Something unique and different
Vanessa :)

SWAYING by Lucinda Blanchard

*~NEW RELEASE on #KindleCountdown deal~*

I met this local author recently and have started reading her book - a world I never knew existed... enjoy & Happy New Year! 

Vanessa :)

'Swaying' is Lucinda Blanchard's debut novel which is set on the Isle of Wight. Charlotte has one desire in life - she wants a daughter. But you can't choose what you have... can you?

Desire soon turns to obsession as Charlotte embarks on a difficult and controversial journey to sway the odds to have a girl; even though it threatens her marriage, her sanity, her two sons happiness and her friend's life.

How far is she prepared to go, and at what cost?

'Swaying' is available from Amazon in paperback and kindle. The kindle version is currently reduced to 99p/99c offer ends 5th January 2016.

Amazon - UK - US -

Social Media links - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

My Review... 3 Stars

I have just finished reading this and I feel emotionally drained...

When I first found out about this book, I had my reservations about reading it, since I knew it would hit  a sore nerve. However, since I had met the author at the local library and I saw it on a KDP Countdown deal for only 99p I thought I'd give it a go.

Now, I have to say up front this is a very hard review to write. I know that getting a review that is a 3 may be considered by many authors to be a failure BUT let's be clear that this book is well written and an incredible debut. The problem is the subject-matter was one I found hard to stomach for personal reasons.

The premise of this story is about swaying the odds to have a girl not a boy.

When I found out I was having a baby I was over the moon and frankly did not care what it was. My parents were desperate for a boy and got three girls! When I found out I had had a boy after a difficult caesarian section I was overjoyed. But, in this book the character, Char, goes into a meltdown.

Char's relationship with her husband is so strange and I did not like him one bit. I could understand he was frustrated by her reaction, but I could not see what was special about their relationship. Ultimately, this is why we have children, isn't it? To have a family? I found their relationship hard to understand...

Then when she falls pregnant again after "swaying attempts" she again finds out its a boy. Now, at this point I'll admit that I had a girl - after another horrendous caesarian experience! Again, personally, I was glad that I was fine and that the baby was okay - the girl bit was a bonus (although a part of me felt bad for my son not having a brother)!

In this story, Char is scarred... she loves her boys but wants her girl!

I know of many couples who have had to resort to IVF and then adoption to have children and I find the whole premise of this book hard to swallow. However, I admire the author for tackling this head on and giving us an insight into the world others live in. Unfortunately, the damage caused by these obsessions is not always irreversible. 

I felt so sad when events unfolded and will not say more to not give too many spoilers. There are so many children looking for a good home in England at the moment. Is going to the expense of having a child, or in this case swaying, worth it? The pain caused by the need to have the perfect baby is surely not worth it... Parenthood is about more than having the perfect child. I know I always wonder how other parents do what they do, and many look at me wondering how I do what I do, and you know what? We all do our best.

In China, I believe parents prefer boys, so obviously in every culture, your personal upbringing, circumstances, etc, dictate what you view to be ideal. No-one ever seems satisfied! I missed my career for many years...

I am glad I read the book and hope you understand why for me it had to be a 3. When you have seen someone lose a child, or be unable to conceive... the sex of the child is irrelevant! Either way, like I said this is an incredible debut novel. I will be interested to see what the author comes up with next.

*~New Release & Author Shout-out~*

I started a blog for my love of books and movies in 2012, and then deleted it after a year since I could not cope with so many blogs. Now, the time has come to bring it back. There are a lot of authors and books I want to promote and I think it's easier to give them their own space. We'll see how it all works out.

So, for my first blog post I'd like to give a shout-out to Gary Alan Henson, a US author who I have known for a few years, since he graciously let me use his short stories for Anthologies I published for Charity. In addition, I would also like to mention Kevin Marsh, a UK author I met online.

Thank you for reading. Remember to review the books you read if you enjoy.

All the best,

Vanessa

***~***~***

So, first for a NEW RELEASE by Gary.

Our brave compadres have embarked on another spine-tingling adventure that's fraught with danger in every corner of the Galaxy.

They battle new EUAPs (evil ugly alien predators). What has three legs, three arms, and a tri-faceted face only it's mother could love and we're not sure about her?

There are more dazzling space battles with lasers, particle beams and kitchen sinks being thrown at high speed against overwhelming odds. Has the FTG Triumph met it's match? Why is Jake spinning like a top OUTSIDE the battleship?

There are hopeless conundrums, brave acts of daring-do, strange worlds where small partners must survive and as always lots of just plain FUN!

Join my heroes and their shipmates on the space battleship FTG Triumph as we dive into another adventure with 'Arlo and Jake Lost Partner'.

BUY now via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, etc...


Software coder by day, story teller by night and as much weekend time as I can.

'Genome' is my first completed novel and I'm working on a humorous SciFi series called 'Arlo and Jake'.

I live in beautiful north central Texas with my lovely wife Debbie.


I raise a glass of Texas Red in your general direction!

***~***~***

Now, for some fiction by Kevin Marsh...

England 50 BC - A Celtic symbol of power and wealth, a Torc wrought from white gold, a trophy for a king. Luain Mac Lanis, warrior turned metal smith, is commissioned to make a magnificent Torc, but he knows nothing of the curse surrounding the strange metal. The only way to lift the curse is to offer the Torc to the Gods in a sacrificial ceremony. 

Two thousand years later the Torc is listed on the inventory of a sunken ship. Dr Orlagh Gairne, a leading archaeologist, is sent to work with Jack Harrington and his crew of salvage experts. It's Orlagh's job to identify the Torc and ensure its safe delivery to the National Museum, but the operation is not as straightforward as expected. Aided by his team of mercenaries and an historical expert, Jack unearths a wave of hatred spreading across Europe. 

With the past weaving tightly with the present, they must infiltrate the terrorists' lair in order to prevent a worldwide catastrophe.

BUY now via Amazon

Twelve months has passed since the traumatic events that almost claimed her life and Dr Orlagh Gairne is looking forward to a well-earned holiday. With her partner, Jerry, they jet off for the Aegean coast where they plan to make the most of the Mediterranean sun and visit the ancient sites of Anatolia.

The Phoenix Legion, still reeling from a humiliating defeat, have re-grouped and are now planning the next phase of their quest. They are in possession of the Belgae Torc, but this is not enough to ensure total power so they must rely on the druids and their connection with the spirit world.

Whilst searching for treasure in the Sea of Azov, Jack Harrington and his team make an unexpected discovery and with the past merging with the present are unable to avoid being drawn in to another deadly battle.

The Belgae Torc, Jack Harrington and The Phoenix Legion are far from her thoughts, but as Orlagh enjoys her holiday with the man she loves, these forces come together. Will she manage to avoid another conflict or will she become a victim of circumstances that are beyond her control?

BUY now via Amazon

Landscape artist Josie MacDonald is coming to the end of her stay in Scotland. Whilst out on a painting trip early one morning she witnesses a horrific murder. Mr Mac, the deranged killer, is aware that she has seen him at work and sets out to kill her but Josie manages to escape by plunging desperately into the North Sea. 

Mr Mac, convinced that she has perished, discovers a few days later that she has survived and sets out to track her down. He follows her to London where he subjects her to terrible psychological torment as one by one her friends are drawn into the nightmare. Josie returns to Scotland in order to discover the truth where her worst fears are realised. With time running out and a killer on the loose she must survive long enough to bring their horrifying ordeal to an end.

BUY now via Amazon

Kevin Marsh was born in Canterbury, Kent in 1961. He lived and went to school there before attending the Technical College, (now Canterbury College), as an apprentice sheet metal worker. During his five years of training he worked in a small local company with his father and brother. In 1981 he was married and moved to Whitstable, (his father's home town).

He currently works in further education teaching steel fabrication and welding whilst writing novels and painting in his spare time. His first published novel, The Belgae Torc, was launched on 30th June 2012 and his second book, The Witness, published in March 2013. The second novel in the Torc Trilogy, The Gordian Knot, was published in July 2014.

Web address:- www.kevinmarshnovels.co.uk