Tuesday, 19 August 2008

MAGUS OF STONEWYLDE - KIT BERRY



Author: Kit Berry
ISBN: 0-9551-4390-x
Genre: General Fiction
Pages: 312
Format: Paperback
Publisher: MOONGAZY PUBLISHING


"Stonewylde is a place of standing stones and earth energy -an idyllic refuge. But all is not quite as it seems. There's another side to Stonewylde; a darker side where brutality is rife. When Sylvie and her mother are invited to Stonewylde, an alternative community in Dorset, they believe their troubles are over. But gradually they discover the hidden aspects of life in a world ruled by one man, the enigmatic Magus. He promises them fulfilment; that they will lack for nothing. But there's a price to be paid for this sanctuary from the Outside World. There's a more sinister purpose behind the pagan rituals held in the Stone Circle than simply honouring the Earth Goddess and the elements of nature. One boy alone understands why Sylvie has been brought here - and what danger her arrival has triggered for both of them. Magus of Stonewylde is a story of ancient alchemy; of passion, cruelty and a prophecy to be fulfilled. Once you've entered the world of Stonewylde, you'll never be quite the same again."


I first heard about this book after I had been searching on Amazon one day for pagan novels, when this book was recomeneded. I looked at the reviews and saw how much people loved it and so purchased it.

When I started to read it I had two other books on the go and suddenly found myself in a weird book mood, which left me feeling uninterested in carrying on with the book. I had got 100 pages in at this time, but just felt like I didn't want to read it (I guess that's what you get for trying to read too many books at once).

Over the weeks I kept looking at the book but kept putting it back down. So yesterday I went to put the book back on my book shelf thinking I'd read it in a year or two, when I thought 'oh sod it' and I started to read it again. As I did 'WOW' I was hooked! I found myself unable to put the book down. I was gripped from then on and I totally loved the story. As I read I was able to easily visualize the characters in the book, and the environmental surrounding and I felt at home reading it.

Being a Pagan myself I loved reading about the paganism within this book which I felt was heavily integrated in the book. Well considering it is a pagan based novel written by a pagan author, it's not surprising. However it is not written in a way where it trashes other faiths which was really nice. This book brings the beauty of paganism alive.

I loved the characters, including the nasty one, Magus! Yul and Sylvie are brilliant in this novel, what two wonderful characters. I love them! I won't go in to the story, the quoted blurb is at the top of this review and so that will give you a slight intro of the book.

I definitely can't wait to read the other two installments, and yet there are two other books waiting to be written and published! As this novel is spread over into five books and only three have been published! I hope the other books are just as good as the first one, as I love this novel.

10/10 from me!

Sunday, 17 August 2008

THE NOTEBOOK - NICHOLAS SPARKS



Author
: Nicholas Sparks

ISBN: 978-0-7515-3891-5
Genre: General Fiction
Pages: 256
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Sphere



"Set amid the austere beauty of the North Carolina coast, The Notebook begins with the story of Noah Calhoun, a rural Southerner recently returned form the Second World War. Noah is restoring a plantation home to its former glory, and he is haunted by images of the beautiful girl he met fourteen years earlier, a girl he loved like no other. Unable to find her, yet unwilling to forget the summer they spent together, Noah is content to live with only memories...until she unexpectedly returns to his town to see him once again. Like a puzzle within a puzzle, the story of Noah and Allie is just the beginning. As it unfolds, their tale miraculously becomes something different, with much higher stakes. The result is a deeply moving portrait of love itself, the tender moments and the fundamental changes that affect us all. It is a story of miracles and emotions that will stay with you forever."


I purchased this book after I had watched the movie which, brought me to tears! At the end of the movie I was really sobbing and so had to watch it again and it had the same effect. :)

So I got this book and started it straight away. I was pretty hooked from page one and it is pretty easy to read, as it flows nicely and is a gentle read. I noticed the differences from movie to book or book to movie should I say, which didn't bother me at all, as I love the movie.

I don't really want to go into the story as I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it or seen the movie. But if you love to read slushy romance love stories and sentimental stuff, then this is for you.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, but for some reason I prefer the movie. For me, it's because the movie brought the characters alive more.