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The Pirate's Daughter

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Margaret Cezair-Thompson

June 12, 2008
This book is readable, but only just. There is a story, as the other reviewers have explained, but I found myself uncaring of the ending. The writing lacks depth and the narrative style is commonplace. There is no more to the story than what happens, unless perhaps, the tropical setting, which, for one based in rain-soaked England, is alluring. I wonder what makes the book successful for others? Perhaps the link to Hollywood? Perhaps the lack of profundity? I don't know, but I hope that this review will enable readers to consider a range of views about this rather 'so what?' book.

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Executioner: Pierrepoint

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by: Albert Pierrepoint

June 14, 2005
I must have bought four copies of this as it gets borrowed and never comes back!

Albert Pierrepoint was the last in a dynasty of executioners. As such he wrote a book that is a record of his early life and immediate family history that is couched in the language of the working class man who considers himself the upholder of dignity and standards. This comes across strongly in his references to his work. Albert was very much a man of his time and considered executioner to be a post which carried a great deal of both importance and the need to be dignified at all times.

He pointedly refused to be swept up in the rights or wrongs of any case that ended up before him. To him a condemned prisoner was to suffer death and pay ... Read More:

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Cityboy: Beer and Loathing in the Square Mile

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by: Geraint Anderson

June 20, 2008
As one other reviewer said: could have been written by anyone who kept a diary. I have lost interest after 3 chapters ( the trading floor had traders AND Market makers ????)
Save your money and buy liars poker instead.

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Hostage to Pleasure (Berkley Sensation)

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by: Nalini Singh

September 01, 2008
I have waited for Dorian book from the begin and the wait was well worth it. He was the character that your heart bled for in first book and his pain his anguish was there to be seen.

A year later his pain hasn't diminished and the "Boy Genius" is back with a vengeance, blazing across the pages. His relationship with Shaya is complicated but did we expect it to be any less?

I love hearing about the Pack interaction it's as normal as any large extended family only they have claws. The background story is getting more and more meatier as each book gets published.

I know I haven't critiqued the storyline, but why spoil the fun!!!
All I can say is that it was well worth my fiver!

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Tricks of the Mind

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by: Derren Brown

October 08, 2007
To be honest, I don't think this book needs another review, as much of what makes this title great has already been expressed on here. Work is quiet, however, and so it is too hard not to say something about a book I so thoroughly enjoyed.

As many people have said, Brown's writing style is very entertaining, lines such as "read on you clever sausage, you," give it the light-hearted tone that makes it such an easy read. Obviously, any one who picks up this book will be doing so because they are curious about Brown's techniques, and I really felt that the content did not disappoint in the slightest. Near the start of the book, Brown gives a discourse in the powers of misdirection as he goes through a vanishing coin trick. The general premise is: You do one thing ... Read More:

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A Darker Domain

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Val McDermid

September 01, 2008
To be honest, I don't think this book needs another review, as much of what makes this title great has already been expressed on here. Work is quiet, however, and so it is too hard not to say something about a book I so thoroughly enjoyed.

As many people have said, Brown's writing style is very entertaining, lines such as "read on you clever sausage, you," give it the light-hearted tone that makes it such an easy read. Obviously, any one who picks up this book will be doing so because they are curious about Brown's techniques, and I really felt that the content did not disappoint in the slightest. Near the start of the book, Brown gives a discourse in the powers of misdirection as he goes through a vanishing coin trick. The general premise is: You do one thing ... Read More:

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The Boleyn Inheritance

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Philippa Gregory

May 01, 2007
This is the story of 3 women, 3 very different women and 1 very odd man.

Katherine is just fourteen when she lands a job that thrusts her into the spotlight of Henry, the man whose riches and homes she wants to share but at the moment this is only a dream, in the wilful childlike head of hers, a head which does not understand the consequences of any of her actions.

Anne is new, she has been contracted into an arranged marriage to Henry, has only seen a portrait of him and him of her. However their first surprised meeting is not successful as she inadvertently pushes away the stranger who approaches her as a vagrant or ruffian; it is in fact Henry come to surprise his new bride.

Jane is the third and final women in this story. She is hanging ... Read More:

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Dark Fire (Matthew Shardlake 2)

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by: C.J. Sansom

May 18, 2007
I have just finished this book and, after Dissolution, I am well and truly addicted to this series. I really like the lead character of Matthew Shardlake and the other characters in this and the previous book. Will be starting on Sovereign asap and can't wait to read Revelation from what I've read on Amazon about that story. There seems to be a plethora of murder-thriller type books set in the 15th-16th century around at the moment but this is without doubt the best of them all.

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Azincourt

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Bernard Cornwell

October 01, 2008
I have just finished this book and, after Dissolution, I am well and truly addicted to this series. I really like the lead character of Matthew Shardlake and the other characters in this and the previous book. Will be starting on Sovereign asap and can't wait to read Revelation from what I've read on Amazon about that story. There seems to be a plethora of murder-thriller type books set in the 15th-16th century around at the moment but this is without doubt the best of them all.

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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Mark Haddon

March 31, 2004
This book is bloody awful. The entire central premise is patronising gibberish. If this book was written by an aspergic person about his life it would excuse the bad writing. If it was an intelligent, well written explanation of an aspergic child's life then it would be alright but it's not. This book is poorly written gibberish with the pretense of being written by an Aspie to cover up its bad writing. This is so patronising it's unbelievable. If this was done of any other social group there would be howls of protest and quite right to. It's no more subtle than a white person putting on blackface for a good 'ole minstrel show.

The worst thing is that this isn't even a particularly accurate portrayal of an aspergic person. It's a ridiculous caricature with a generic group ... Read More: