Bad and Badder is a collection of 5 short stories with the theme of badness. They are all different and, in my opinion, all great self-contained stories.
Each of these stories had me getting more and more gripped as I read on with little twists to keep me on my toes.
I think my favourite was the last one, Crow Ridge, as it was more other-worldly. More of a macabre gothic tale.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B014LKJK5U/?tag=jookuf-21
This, apparently is the first in a new series from Derek Landy. I enjoyed the first of the Skulduggery Pleasant series, but this one is aimed for a bit older audience.
When Amber becomes 16, she realises why her parents haven't really been bothered with her for all her life. Until now, when she becomes interesting to them and their friends. And so starts a mad road trip across America with her new found minder, Milo, and Glen the annoying side-kick, trying to stay one step ahead of her parents.
Following the "Demon Road" Amber and the gang meet all sorts of unsavoury characters and usually have to fight it out.
This is quite a violent story and I don't think Amber has as many good one-liners as Stephanie in the Skulduggery Pleasant series. It was a good read, however and I did enjoy it.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00UF812T0/?tag=jookuf-21
No Time Like the Past is Jodi Taylor's 5th book in the St Mary's series. This time Max and the team are in a "quieter" period of this history. Well, quiet by St Mary's standards.
Max tries to take it easy, but history doesn't like that. The team go back to their roots of rescuing artifacts that are about to be removed from existence, but things never go to plan.
I found this book to be more educational with the history they visit. That's the good thing about these stories, I learn lots as well as enjoying the journeys.
I really enjoyed the open day scenes. I'd love to have visited to see the race.
Again, another great story and since there's lots of history that's happened, there's lots for the team to visit.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00QKKWHT6/?tag=jookuf-21
This is a book of two very different halves. The first half is Caitlin's story. She starts at college and meets a guy Steven. They start off as friends, but it soon develops.
But Steven has a past he doesn't know about. And when Steven finds out about it, it's too late for him and Caitlin. The second half of the book is him finding out what he really is.
I enjoyed this story, although it seemed like two separate stories. Southampton was a long long way from the Brazilian rainforest.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0081EV8Z8/?tag=jookuf-21
I'm on holidays and fancied a bit of a bonkbuster, so I started this one. As it happens, this is not a bonkbuster, it's a story of survival.
Seven "celebrities" who are rich and shallow get invited to a charity appearance. Whilst travelling there, their plane explodes.
The first part of the book is the shallow lives of these people. We find out what their public faces are. The second part is after the crash and how they cope with themselves.
This is a blockbuster-sized book and I found myself addicted to it.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GMNZ0M2/?tag=jookuf-21
Having adored both Clovenhoof and Pigeonwings I thought I might miss Jeremy. As it happens I didn't. The "Godsquad" were almost as good as Jeremy.
A prayer has come in from Simon. Simon doesn't seem to have a soul, so Joan of Arc, Saint Christoper and Francis of Assisi have been sent back to earth to track down Mary Mother of Jesus and then find Simon. Mary has gone AWOL in Europe and Simon seems to be counting down to the Apocalypse, so it's a bit urgent that Joan and friends find them.
This story was a road trip with a difference. The cast are out of time and out of this world too. They meet up with people who help them and those that hinder them, although they certainly hinder themselves with ease.
I love this author(s) writing. It's fast-paced, funny and irreverent. A joy to read indeed.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00T8GYKKI/?tag=jookuf-21
This is the fourth story in the St Mary's Chronicles and has to advance the story from the catastrophic ending of book 3. I'm not sure if I'm 100% for the way they did it, but that's how it starts and this one is the most action packed of all the books.
The Time Police are after Max and she and Leon try to keep one step ahead of them as they jump across time, sometimes they are only half a step ahead.
The main adventure is set in Pompeii and, as usual, nothing goes to plan. This all builds up to the final fight, which may well be the final fight of all.
I really enjoy this series. As the books go on the characters develop. Max is not the young newcomer from the first book anymore. The supporting cast are well rounded and bring more to the story with their St Mary's quirks.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00L3K1AU0/?tag=jookuf-21
This is the sequel to Alloria, the tale of Alloria finding out she is the first wizard's daughter. They think they have vanquished the villain in the first book, but it seems his spirit is still alive. Alloria has join her father Ymarid, and their protectors Bane and Nathan and venture back into the labyrinths to visit other worlds to save their world.
This story is about Yrion, Alloria's brother who is jealous that she has returned. Yrion is under the influence of Glebester, one of the most gross characters I've ever read. I really disliked reading about his "seepages" to say the least. His hold over Yrion was very powerful
I enjoyed this story, even though its intended audience is the teen YA market. It had enough grown up intelligence without talking down to the younger audience.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0138FIKQO/?tag=jookuf-21
Tom Gray has settled down with his wife and child and is just running the company now. He sends people out to train up foreign armies, but tries to keep out of trouble himself. Until the day he visits his wife's uncle's shop and gets into a bit of a fracas with a local thug.
Two stories then unfold. The thug wanting revenge and an uprising in Africa. Tom is torn between the two, but needs to help his men as they are seemingly overwhelmed.
With this series of books I seem to really like the odd numbers and aren't fussed on the even numbers. This being book number 4 didn't do much for me. His team in Africa didn't appear to be in too much peril, even being outnumbered 10 to 1. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy this - the writing is good - but the subject matter didn't interest me as much as books 1 and 3.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HZ6EEKE/?tag=jookuf-21
Eddie Collins the SOCO guy is back. This time he's investigating a murder that might just go back a long way.
I do like a good murder death kill story and since the author works as a crime scene examiner I feel that the story has "bones" so to speak.
The story was a bit slow to start, but it got going soon enough. It was a good chunk of a book due to the twists and turns and many extra clues.
Eddie's personal life is going to the dogs again and there's a case that's annoying him. Something is not quite right and so he needs to go back in time to solve it.
I enjoy reading this author's stories as they keep you interested all the way.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0112A7XDS/?tag=jookuf-21
