REVIEW: THE RADLEYS

The Radleys

Author: Matt Haig
Series: No, standalone
UK Publisher: Canongate Books
UK Release date: July 2010
Genre: Vampire, Adult fiction

In a world where vampires are the hidden scourge on society, one family attempts to deny their natural instincts and live without blood in normal middle class suburbia. Meet the Radleys. Teenagers Rowan and Clara, know nothing about their vampire nature, whilst mum Helen and dad Peter try to hide the truth and pretend that they are just like everyone else. When they discover the truth and have the freedom to chose who they want to be will they embrace their vampire side or will they maintain the morals they have grown up with?

Review: Despite their very obvious differences to normal families, the Radley family are just like any other middle class suburban family with their people carrier, a loveless marriage, and fighting teenagers. This normality sits in stark contrast to their vampire side, and makes The Radleys so different from other vampire stories and makes this one so much more believable. If you're looking for something different in the vampire genre, then this is definitely the book to pick up next. Even if you're not into vampires I would still recommend this book, because the story revolves about the people and this in itself is captivating.

What really interested me about the family was that teenagers Rowan and Clara had no idea that they were vampires. The fact that Clara tried to become vegan and Rowan was bullied for being a freak, made me feel so empathetic toward them - growing up, going to school and going on dates is hard enough, without having to battle an innate addiction to drinking other people’s blood!

Interspersed between chapters were extracts from The Abstainers Handbook, giving tips and advice to well meaning vampires wishing to abstain from blood. These snippets add an extra layer of realism to the story and shows wider vampire culture and morals with a pinch of satire thrown in.

One thing that Rowan said really stood out for me and that was “repression is in our veins”. He wasn’t referring merely to his family, but to society in general. Just like an abstaining vampire, most of us plod along with our lives, afraid to break away from the norm, worrying about show our true selves and trying to fit in. Instead we keep up appearances and repress all our true instincts and urges. Matt Haig cleverly and satirically gives us this insight into family life, societal pressures and norms and with some dark humour shows us what can happen if you succumb to your primal urges.

I really didn’t like Will, not because his character was badly written but because of the exact opposite. His selfish and cruel character was written so well, that I couldn’t help but dislike him. Okay, I might have felt a teensy bit sorry for him, but that soon flew out the window. I do have to admit that his arrival added so much to the plot. Whereas the Radley family struggled daily and tried so hard to fit in Will completely embraced his vampire side, and by showing them an alternative way of living he shakes up the beliefs that they the family have lived by for so long.

Dark and witty, The Radleys is a unique addition to the vampire genre.

Rating: 5*

REVIEW: THIS GIRL IS DIFFERENT

This Girl is Different 

Author: JJ Johnson
Series: No, standalone
UK Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
UK Release date: April 2011
Genre: Young adult
Read via NetGalley

Home-schooled Evie has decided to spend her senior year in high school. But Evie isn't like most teenagers, because this girl is different. Strong willed and independent, when Evie starts school she is drawn to change the oppressive rules and regulations. But she'll find that things don't change as easily as she might have thought they would have and some people just don't want to change.

Review: When I started reading I instantly loved Evie's alternative lifestyle. Her and her mum live in a self-sufficient eco dome home with their own cow, growing their own vegetables and fighting the 'man'. From the off, this book was different to the normal kind of book I read. Teetering very close to the edge of a stereotypical alternative home-schooled life, This Girl is Different just manages to avoid predictable stereotyping and retain a realistic and human feel.

I really liked Evie. She is unique, independent, assertive and thinks for herself. She has real values and diverse interests, and makes a great protagonist. I loved seeing her perspective as she enters the school environment with its strange rules and regulations, and I totally empathised with her as she struggled to understand these rules and break free from its oppression often causing unintentional chaos.

But I didn't completely understand her attraction to Razas, and found it very shallow for someone with such a strong moral compass. Sure I understand the fall-head-over-heels-at-first-sight thing. And whilst Razas appreciated her uniqueness, he was shallow, pestered her for sex, and didn't acknowledge their relationship to anyone other than Evie. In my opinion, she deserved someone better.

This Girl is Different tackles lots of big social issues such as oppression, freedom of speech, bullying, student-teacher relationships, justice, the school institution, and moral values. As is typical of real-life these kind of issues aren't always clear-cut black-or-white situations. For example, when standing up against a teacher that bullies students turns in an opportunity for the whole student body to discriminate against each other, who is in the wrong? Despite the fact that Evie is trying to tackle these issues in school and make life better for everyone, she sadly makes things worse because for everyone else oppression and dictatorship is the norm. JJ Johnson doesn't attempt to give answers to these big questions and dilemmas, but Evie's wholehearted approach of seeking justice certainly makes you think and reflect on the issues.

With so many issues crossing its pages I kind of expected some big social message or lesson to come across at the end of the book, which didn't happen (and I'm actually thankful for). The chapter quotes slowly filtered little messages throughout the book and worked really well relating to the context of the current chapter. I think this worked so much better than having a big moral to the whole story.

This Girl is Different is a unique and refreshing look at growing up, facing social and moral dilemmas and discovering who you are.

Rating: 4*

THE LAUNCH OF MARY HOOPER’S VELVET

As you may well know Mary Hooper’s new historical YA book Velvet came out earlier this month. Yesterdays launch of this fabulous book at Bloomsbury Publishing was my first ever book launch at a publishers, and I was really excited and nervous to attend! First of all I have to say the Bloomsbury offices are just fab! Nestled in one of London’s most prestigious and prettiest areas, they feature stunning Georgian architecture and yes, the rooms have huge floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with wonderful books!

Having read and loved Fallen Grace, the story of a young girl who becomes involved in the funeral business during the Victorian period, I was really excited to find out more about Mary and the books she has written. I’m amazingly impressed that she has written over 100 books of varying sizes, the most recent of which are historical YA fiction. Researching the historical aspects for her books sounds like a fascinating process and insight into London’s past, which for the poor was overwhelming sad and shocking by our standards. Mary read out little snippets that she found out about people living in the 18th and 19th century, and I could instantly see why the time period interests her and why her stories and characters just jump out at you.

I was also very lucky to steal Mary’s attention for a while and have the opportunity to pepper her with plenty of questions which she answered very honestly and passionately. As I really enjoy learning about the writing process it was interesting to hear that she spends about a year researching and writing a book and really enjoys the whole process. There were also lots of familiar book blogger faces at the launch, as well as some new ones (for me at least!), but sadly I didn't have my camera to take pics of everyone.

I can’t wait to read and review Velvet, which is about séances and mediums in Victorian England, and if you haven’t gone out and grabbed yourself a copy, go now!

• Mary Hooper’s webpage
• Velvet on Goodreads

REVIEW: ULTRAVIOLET

Ultraviolet

Author: R.J. Anderson
Series: No, standalone
UK Publisher: Orchard books
UK Release date: June 2011
Genre: Paranormal Sci-Fi

Sixteen year old Alison wakes up in a psychiatric unit, with little memory of what brought her there. But what she does know is that she has killed someone. She will have to face the truth of her extrasensory perceptions to remember what happened and get her life back on track.

Review: Ultraviolet isn't anything like you might expect. Alison's suffers from a very intriguing condition - she can see sounds, smell colours, and even taste lies. Sadly she can't see the difference between her condition and mental insanity especially after a breakdown where she thinks she has murdered another girl and is now on anti-psychotic drugs in a mental institution. On a light-hearted note, the description of the way she sees sounds and can describe letters is stunning and beautiful.

The fact that her unusual senses are based on a real neurological condition makes it so fascinating and really brings the story to life and makes it more believable. Learning about her mother's rejection and emotional abandonment of her from a young age because of this condition makes me instantly feel sorry for Alison and instantly disapproving of her mother. But it was Alison's down to earth, humble and shy character that made me feel more than just pity for her, but feel really affectionate towards her.

The first two-thirds of the book are based in the psychiatric hospital, but despite this the plot is fast paced and intense. The insight we're given into what sanity and insanity looks like for different people is so different and interesting, and I totally felt for Alison as she struggled to prove to her family, doctor and even herself that she might be both sane and innocent. Often her every move was interpreted as crazy, and it reminded me of this old experiment when normal sane people were put into a mental institution as tests. Their reaction to the environment and boredom was interpreted by real practitioners as symptoms of psychological disorders, despite the fact that absolutely nothing was wrong with them!

The other young people in the ward each have their own issues, from Kirk's flirtations and pyromania to Sanjoy's delusions of alien invasions. Each of the characters felt completely real and really tugged on my heart strings when I learnt more about them and saw some of the sadness in their lives. On the flipside it is also these colourful characters that bring humour and life to the story.

In the third and final part of the story the plot takes an astounding and completely crazy twist. Although I was half expecting it, for some reason it just didn't live up the rest of the book which I absolutely loved. Maybe I wanted something cleverer or even more surreal, I don't know. Overall I really enjoyed Ultraviolet, but the first half was so much stronger for me and so gripping.

Different, gripping and full of psychological struggles, Ultraviolet is a story of how one girl comes to terms with an unusual gift.

Rating: 4*

REVIEW: BLOOD MAGIC

Blood Magic

Author: Tessa Gratton
Series: Yes, #1
UK Publisher: Random House Children’s Books
UK Release date: May 2011
Genre: Urban fantasy

Grieving for the loss of her parents who died in an apparent suicide-murder, Silla receives a mysterious book detailing the magic rituals her father used. Using her own blood as a source of power, Silla discovers her enthusiasm for the magic. When Nicholas moves across the cemetery from her, she discovers a kindred spirit and together they learn the magic together. But they soon realise that someone is out to use the magic for evil and will not leave Silla’s family alone.

Review: For some reason I've only just got around to reading this book, despite buying it months ago. I wasn't disappointed as it's faced paced and exciting, although some bits were really bloody and gruesome!


Blood Magic is told from the dual perspective of 17 year old Silla and, newcomer to her small town, Nicholas. The swapping between their narratives kept the story flowing. Diary extracts from a third perspective, young Josephine who is learning and using magic, were really captivating. We don’t really know who she is, but we see her relationship with magic grow and change into something corrupt, and it is these extracts that add another layer of mystery, interest and intrigue.

Silla is a really interesting character as she is truly hurt and damaged from the death of her parents. We see the interested she used to have, as well as the masks that she 'wears' to convey her thoughts, temper, and feelings. For her this is a huge coping strategy after the death of her parents. Although she feels empty inside she still manages to convey real character and depth, which is why I liked her so much. The fact that she doesn't cling to Nick like a lost puppy is also a positive.

Being new to the area, Nicholas stands out from everyone else like a sore thumb. I like the fact he embraces this and revels in being different. I do like his nickname for his stepmother Mary, whom he affectionately calls Lilith – the name of the demon queen!

The plot was quite simplistic and with the help of some very obvious clues I easily guessed who was behind things. Despite this I still really enjoyed the story because it was so fast paced and exciting.

Having a dislike of blood, I found some details of the magic rituals a little gory. In particular the 'rabbit' scene was bloody and nauseating – personally I feel that this could have been tamed down or left out as I had to skip bits in sympathy of my sensitive stomach. I also find it odd that Silla can’t stand the sight or thought of blood because it reminds her of finding her parents dead covered in blood, yet at the same time she is happy to cut herself open and slather herself in blood. Perhaps this is meant to demonstrate Silla growing and healing thanks to the magic, but it seemed rather discordant to me.

Tessa Gratton’s writing style is wonderful - it's flowing and fluid. Here is certainly a very promising writer that we can expect great things of!

Rating: 4*

ON MY WISHLIST: FLYAWAY & THE HOST

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where you can list all the books you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming.

My two choices for this week are one yet to be released by a debut author and one that I've already read but I wish I had bought it because I enjoyed it so much I really want to re-read it. Yes I know, its by the author of Twilight but please read it - it really is an amazing book!

Flyaway by Helen Landalf 

To be published 19th December 2011 by Harcourt Children's Books 

Fifteen-year-old Stevie Calhoun is used to taking care of herself. But one night, her mom, who works as an exotic dancer in a downtown Seattle nightclub, never comes home. That’s the night Stevie’s life turns upside down. It’s the night that kicks off an extraordinary summer: the summer Stevie has to stay with her annoyingly perfect Aunt Mindy; the summer she learns to care for injured and abandoned birds; the summer she gets to know Alan, the meanest guy in high school. But most of all, it’s the summer she finds out the truth about Mom. FLYAWAY is the story of a teen girl’s struggle to hold on to what she’s always believed, even as her world spins out of control.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Published July 2009 by (Sphere) Little Brown Book Group

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed. When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans, is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.


What's on your wish list this week?

REVIEW: THE SWEETEST THING

The Sweetest Thing

Author: Christina Mandelski 

Series: No, standalone

Publisher: EgmontUSA

UK Release date: May 2011

Genre: YA/MG
Read via NetGalley

Sheridan Wells is a small-town girl, making and decorating cakes every minute she can outside of school. When her dad, a well renowned chef, gets the opportunity of a lifetime to have his own TV show, Sheridan starts searching for the mother that abandoned her to bring her family back together and keep them from moving to New York.

Review: Everything in Sheridan's life revolves around cakes, so much so she is known by the town as Cake Girl. Decorating and perfecting cakes brings her closer to her mother, who left her years ago and hasn't returned since. Sheridan has clung so desperately to old birthday cards her mum sent and their common joy of making cakes, that I feel real pity and admiration for her. She believes so much that her mother will come home to her and doesn't give up hope that this will happen.

On the other hand it was frustrating to see Sheridan constantly ignore the people around her to look for her mother. She was naive, didn't appreciate the positives in her life, didn't learn from things that happened or see the world from anyone else's perspective. It wasn't until the very end of the story that she has any major character development, which is better late than never, but it would have been good to have seen this earlier. One thing is certain - as the story continues I found my dislike for her mother growing and growing.

The secondary characters are well written and I particularly liked Mr Roz who helps out at the bakery and is endearingly thoughtful, as well as Sheridan's best friend Jack. It's just a shame Sheridan is blind for so to Jack's feelings towards her! There are also those characters who aren't particularly trustworthy but sadly Sheridan can't always see that either.

I loved the cake, bakery and foodie aspect to the story. There are lots of details about how Sheridan makes and decorates her cakes with beautiful flowers and butterflies and what's being cooked in her dad's restaurant. I also really wish I had a bakery like Sweeties near me.

Reading The Sweetest Thing made my feel like a teenager again...the way everything in your day-to-day life seems like a big deal as well as that tendency to be rather self-centred. Your first boyfriend, first kiss, first uncertainties.... Sheridan handles all of these like a typical teenager would and it reminded me of my firsts! With the exploration of these issues, this book would be really suitable for younger readers as well.

The Sweetest Thing is a bitter-sweet teenage drama that perfectly captures the ups and downs of first relationships and family troubles.

Rating: 4*

REVIEW: BETRAYAL

Betrayal
Author: Lee Nichols
Series: Yes, #1
UK Publisher: Bloomsbury
UK Release date: September 2011
Genre: Paranormal
Kindly given by the publisher for an honest review

Following on from Deception, Emma must work with the Knell, a secret organisation of ghost keepers, to fight Neos a powerful wraith. With Bennett disappearing again, the Knell suffering some major setbacks, and a new team arriving to help Emma and Natalie, Emma must learn who she can trust before the dawn of battle.

Review: There are a number of interesting subplots in Betrayal such as Emma’s family contacting her, the development of new and unheard-of powers, and other ghostkeepers strangely having their powers drained. These keep the plot interesting and add in new elements of mystery that keep you questioning and wondering what’s going on.

Emma is one of the strongest ghostkeepers there is, and I really feel for her and the burden of trying to protect everyone around her. I can see how it must be tough for everyone to rely on you in the face of danger, yet still know so little about who you are and what you can do, especially when so many people have left her. One of whom is Bennett, who has disappeared yet again, so we don't get to see much of the relationship between them. Despite this Emma is resilient and admirably fights to protect those she loves.

Whilst her ghost family doesn’t feature as much as I would have liked (I just love all the ghost servants living at the museum!), Emma now has Simon and Lukas living with her. They have come from the Knell to work as a team with Emma and Natalie to train and defeat Neos, and they make a great new addition to the family. The subtle bond between Natalie and the rebellious Lukas is interesting, particularly with the threat of one losing their powers if they ever got together.

Unfortunately Betrayal did something that I’m not sure I can forgive - it took a character I adore and twisted them into something bad. Sure I wasn’t expecting it and it was a completely unseen plot twist, but I was not happy one bit about this development. I couldn’t believe and didn’t want to believe what they had done. Perhaps if more of an argument was made to show why they did it and their remorse afterwards, I wouldn’t have felt betrayed. But I did.

Betrayal features a lot of training and preparation to fight Neos, and feels like it is just the build up to some bigger fight or battle that is coming soon. A great continuation from Deception with lots of little plot twists, however the betrayal of one particular character leaves me with a sour taste.

Rating: 3*

REVIEW: BLACK SWAN RISING

Black Swan Rising

Author: Lee Carroll
Series: Yes, #1
UK Publisher: Bantam Press
UK Release date: November 2010
Genre: Urban paranormal

Garet and her elderly father are in serious money trouble. When she is given a silver box with the same swan on it as the ring given to her by her mother, things worsen and her father ends up in hospital. Garet soon realises she is part of a world she never knew existed. 

Review: Garet is a pretty normal young woman, struggling to make ends meet running the art gallery and selling her jewellery designs in the midst of a recession. She's someone I easily related to, as she knows nothing of the Faerie and elemental world that she has been born to watch over. Although I feel like I shouldn't, I like the fact that she falls for the mysterious vampire Will Hughes. She knows she can't trust him but Garet still can't help wanting him, and think at some point we all do it and for me it makes her more human and real.

I love the New York setting for this book, as Garet travels around the city meeting elementals and picking up food. (For some reason, I love food in books). The setting becomes even more atmospheric when the mysterious fog rolls in, covering the streets and hiding Dee's summoned demons.

The cast of characters encompasses a number of different elementals and faerie characters, and it almost feels like A Midsummer's Night Dream has popped up in the middle of New York. Lol, the little fire fairy, is one of my favourite secondary characters as she is so sweet even without understanding what she says. The one character that needed expanding is the evil alchemist Dee. He has been behind atrocities for hundreds of years, but I still don’t feel I know enough about him or what motivates him.

There were lots of plot twists and plenty of secondary characters tying into Garet’s story and history. Sometimes this got confusing and I didn’t fully understand the bigger picture of the watchtowers, guardians and the black swans. Where as the first half of the book was really strong, intriguing and atmospheric, the second half was overfilled with plot and background details. Despite this niggle, I would still be interested in reading the rest of the series as I really enjoyed Lee Carroll’s [novelist Carol Goodman and husband poet Lee Slonimsky] writing style which flowed well.

Beautifully written, Black Swan Rising is the start of a promising urban fantasy trilogy.

Rating: 4*

REVIEW: AFTER OBSESSION

After Obsession 

Author: Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel
Series: No, standalone
UK Publisher: Bloomsbury
UK Release date: September 2011
Genre: Urban paranormal
Kindly sent by the publisher for an honest review

There are four stages to spiritual possession: invitation, infestation, obsession...and after obsession? Possession. When Courtney’s dad disappears on the river, she starts to change; refusing to believe that he might be dead and inviting dark forces into her life. Her best friend Aimee and her cousin Alan must use their own gifts to fight the evil spirit threatening to overrun their whole town. 

Review: From the very start there is an undercurrent of tension along with a series of spooky events that just gave me the creeps. Objects fly about, appear out of nowhere, nice people turning evil, and the river seems to have a mind of its own.

The dual narrative tells the ghostly story from both Aimee’s and Alan’s perspectives. Being half Navajo, Alan fully embraces his Native American ancestry and traditions with his cougar spirit guide as well as use of herbs and sweat lodges. In contrast Aimee has gifts which she has kept hidden to avoid being called crazy. I did find myself getting a little confused at the order of past events as Aimee’s narrative sometimes seemed to contradict itself, but despite this little quibble I really liked both her and Alan. The love story element between the pair was surprising but very adorable and helped add to the simplistic plot. Alan is a real gentleman towards Aimee and his family, and I can see why she fell for him.

The one character that didn't really capture my attention was Courtney. Despite the fact that she's lost her father and is obviously suffering a lot from her possible possession, I didn't feel as empathetic towards her as I should have done. Perhaps her character couldn't come through enough because often it wasn't her but the river spirit that we saw. I would have liked to have seen more of her as herself to build up the emotional bond that was missing.

I did love Aimee’s Gramps and younger brother Benji, who believe in Aimee's gifts and the possibility that Aimee's and Benji's mother may still be among them. I also love the fact that they have a Cheeto in the shape of Marilyn Monroe which they're selling on eBay! These two characters really help break up the tension with some humour and warmth.

After Obsession entwines different theologies including ghosts, prophetic dreams, healing powers, Navajo spirit guides and demonic possession. Despite this mishmash of ideas they all blend well together emphasising a more spiritualistic belief in god, spirits and the afterlife, rather than promoting any one particular religion.

A creepy, spooky tale of possession and spiritual power, After Obsession entwines with an adorable love story.

Rating: 4*

ON MY WISHLIST: THE PEACH KEEPER & SKARY CHILDRIN

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where you can list all the books you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming.

My two choices for this week are one yet to be released and one already released with a cover that is creepy but so adorable at the same time....

The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen 

To be published January 2012 by Hodder & Stoughton

Welcome to Walls of Water, North Carolina, where secrets are thicker than the town's famous fog. Willa Jackson wants nothing more than a life beyond her family's legacy. The Jacksons met with financial ruin generations ago, and the Blue Ridge Madam - built by Willa's great-great-grandfather, and once the town's grandest home - has stood empty for years. However socialite do-gooder Paxton Osgood has intentions for the house. She wants to restore it to its former glory, and begins a bold renovation project. But when a skeleton is found buried beneath the property's lone peach tree, the town's troubled past is suddenly brought to the surface once more. The two women must form an unlikely friendship to confront the dangerous passions and tragic betrayals that once bound their families . . .

Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrow by Katy Towell
Published August 2011 by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Twelve years ago, for 12 days straight, the town of Widowsbury suffered a terrible storm, which tore open a gate through which escaped all sorts of foul, rotten things. Strange things and strange people were no longer welcomed in Widowsbury, for one could never be sure of what secrets waited under the surface . . . Adelaide Foss, Maggie Borland, and Beatrice Alfred are known by their classmates at Widowsbury's Madame Gertrude's School for Girls as "scary children." Unfairly targeted because of their peculiarities—Adelaide has an uncanny resemblance to a werewolf, Maggie is abnormally strong, and Beatrice claims to be able to see ghosts—the girls spend a good deal of time isolated in the school's inhospitable library facing detention. But when a number of people mysteriously begin to disappear in Widowsbury, the girls work together, along with Steffen Weller, son of the cook at Rudyard School for Boys, to find out who is behind the abductions. Will they be able to save Widowsbury from a 12-year-old curse?

What's on your wishlist?

REVIEW: REMY BRUNEL (CH 7)

The latest chapter of Rémy Brunel and the Ocean of Light by Sharon Gosling is now out on Fiction Express. Each week I will be reviewing the new chapter of Rémy Brunel, an atmospheric historical fiction of a young circus performance and jewel thief.

Review: Chapter 7

This week we meet another mysterious character...Maandhata Desai, formerly consul to the British East India Company. Rescuing the group from the underground tunnels, Desai offers them refuge as well as an insight into Rémy's family history and curse and the power of gems. Desai provides critical information that starts entwining the different areas of the plot together, although there is still a lot we don't know about him and his link to the Professor.

I'm so pleased this week because we see a little more intimacy, closeness and trust between Thaddeus and Rémy. Hurray! I love it when characters are brought together! My only thoughts now are - will the curse prevent anything from happening between them? We shall have to wait and see.

This weeks choice to vote on is ... Who raided Desai's hiding place?

· Abernathy's men

· The police 

What do you think? What choice would you make?

You have until next Monday to make your decision! Hop on over to Fiction Express now!