Title: Watching Willow WattsAuthor: Talli Roland
This may sound weird, but the first thing I enjoyed about this story was the fact that it was written in British English (same as South African)! Silly, I know, but I read so much American English, that it was refreshing to read the British version of words :-)
What I remember most from reading THE STORY BOOK, by David Baboulene, is knowledge gaps - and Talli does this excellently. She jumps from one character's perspective to another, so that you, the reader, usually know what's going on, but the characters may not always have a clue. Which ramps up the tension!
WATCHING WILLOW WATTS (and I like the alliteration!) was a fun read :-)
Title: Open MindsAuthor: Susan Kaye Quinn
Sometimes you can tell when a book is self-published. In this case, you can't.
OPEN MINDS is a unique story with wonderful world building. I love (really love!) that Susan made up new words and slang to go with this imaginary futuristic world. She also surprised me in a few places when the story took unexpected turns - gotta love a story that's not predictable!
I'll definitely be reading the sequel, CLOSED HEARTS, when it comes out in 2012.
Title: MockingjayAuthor: Suzanne Collins
Oh my freaking FREAKOUT!
There. Are. No. Words.
So I won't even try.
(And everyone who knows what's good for them has read this already anyway!)
Title: Daughter of Smoke and BoneAuthor: Laini Taylor
What incredible writing! And the story - the story! I could not have dreamed up something like this. No way. I have been completely captivated by Karou and the world(s) she inhabits.
It was like eating a fine handmade chocolate, dark and rich, after months of eating the cheap stuff. My literary appetite says, "Thank you, Laini, for an absolute delicacy of a novel!"
Definitely one of the best books I've read in 2011.
