Monday 28 March 2016

The Swallow

The Swallow: A Ghost Story
Pages: 318
Author: Charis Cotter
Genre: Mystery

Polly and Rose were neighbours who lived side by side in a semi detached house over looking a cemetery. The setting took place in Toronto in the 1960's.  Polly loved roaming in the cemetery hoping to see a ghost. Rose, who constantly saw ghosts, and was also pale as one,  wished she could stop seeing them. Polly and Rose were very different and their families were very different too. However, they became friends when they discovered each other by talking through their shared attic wall. The girls decided to uncover the questions that they had about Rose. Why did she look like a ghost? Why didn't anyone ever talk to her? Why was her name on a tombstone?

 At the end of the story there is a twist and a secret is revealed. 

I rate this book 4 out of 5 because it was suspensful and I was very interested in figuring out the mystery.  The  surprising part at the end of the story made the book worth reading!   

 

The City of Ember






 http://thecityofemberinfo.weebly.com/uploads/1/6/5/0/16508708/3352828_orig.jpg
Pages: 270
Genre: Science ficton
Author: Jeanne DuPrau

Lina and Doon live in Ember. The city was built 200 years ago, in order to save humans. It is the only place where there is light. Everywhere else is dark and silent.The people of Ember call them "the unknown regions". Ember is a city in the middle of darkness, however, there is electricity, light bulbs and batteries. But, the electricity in Ember is starting to fail. There are many black outs and the city is running out of food, medicine, and daily supplies.
 
Lina found a note that her great grandfather had written but unfortunately her little sister Poppy had chewed it up.  Lina suspects that the note is an important message that she has to decipher. She tells Doon right away and together they try to figure out what the note says. Soon they  realize that it is information on how to get out of the city which could help save all the people  living in Ember. Lina and Doon make a plan. Along the way they learn about "candles", "boats" and "matches". Doon also learns that the mayor has been hiding food, light bulbs, medicine and other essential supplies that the city needs . Is there really a way out of Ember? Will Lina and Doon overcome the obstacles they face? Will Lina, Doon and Poppy find themselves alone, lost in the unknown regions? Read the book and you'll find out!

I rate this book four out of five. The City Of Ember wasn't my favourite book but I liked it. I personally think that it could've had more action. At the end there was a big twist and I am sure that you will be surprised! I know I was! This book reminded me a little of Masterminds (see review below for Masterminds). In Masterminds Eli, Hector, Malik, Tori and Amber try to escape from Serenity and they don't know what lies beyond their city. In The City Of Ember, Lina, Doon and Poppy try to leave Ember without knowing anything about what is beyond their city. If you like Science Fiction books, I recommend the The City of Ember to you.

You can read The City of Ember in two ways. It is a novel and has also been published as a graphic novel. There are four books in the series.


This book has also been made into a movie. Below is the trailor.