Candyfloss & Dreams

Tag: book review

  • Lost Boy By Christina Henry 3/52

    A few years ago I read a book by author Christina Henry called Alice. It was brilliant. Lost Boy is another such book, an interesting interpretation of the original story of Captain Hook. I really enjoyed reading it and managed to finish it in about two days. It’s the sort of book I would recommend to those that enjoy fantasy books, particularly twisted tale style books and that don’t mind a bit of gore. The books are firmly for adults with some of the language used and content described despite being about a group of children.

    I like Henry’s writing style. It’s really easy to read, interesting and makes you think a lot about these fairytale worlds we’ve been transported into and made into fluffy adaptations by Disney. It’s really fun to read a different type of tale from what we know, or think we know, with classic fairy tales and stories from our childhood. The speed in which I read the book speaks volumes I think as I couldn’t be distracted from it, except for my kids, and did not want to put it down.

    Lost Boy is told from the perspective of Jamie, one of the original Lost Boys and what Peter Pan is really like. It’s full of fights with pirates, the threat of the Many Eyed and what happens when the dynamic of a group changes completely. It’s quite surprising in places actually and Jamie is a really likeable character. It’s always very strange reading the original hero as a type of villian actually and that’s why I really like her books. They just change and alter that perspective and make you think “what if” a little bit more. I always like reading books that challenge our original thoughts and ideas of what we think we know.

    Lost Boy is available to buy on Amazon (Affiliate Link Below)

    One of my goals for 2020 is to read 52 books or around one a week. Some might be new, some are ones I’ve had for a while or been meaning to read, some I haven’t quite finished yet and some will be recommendations from others. You can see all the books I’ve read so far on my Good Reads 2020 Reading Challenge.

  • Filter Free Book Review 2/52

    Filter Free by Lauren Derrett celebrates and shares real life stories of real women and their struggles, trials and accomplishments. I’ve felt all the emotions whilst reading this collection of experiences and it’s really inspiring to read so many amazing and personal accounts from these women, many of which I could relate to. It was my secret santa present this year and it took me just a few hours to absorb.

    Amazon Affiliate Link – https://amzn.to/2Dqm9Bp

    We need more stories like this, we need to share these accounts of lives of women who have experienced real hard hitting decisions. Who struggle but cope with their mental health. Who reach out and are passionate about sharing their struggles so other women can relate and actually look at themselves and think I’m so glad to read that it’s not just me.

    That’s what I love about blogging really, I’ve been able to share personal accounts which I hope have helped others and I hope I continue to do so. Blogging also bought me the gift as I know my book was from a fellow blogger, I think I know who…

    I urge every woman to read Filter Free as there is guaranteed to be a story you can relate to. The more we share, particularly the hard times where we feel we hit rock bottom, the more we can be open about just how hard it can be to make certain life changing decisions but actually knowing that it’s not just us and that we’re not alone, well, it certainly made me feel better.

    Filter Free is available to buy on Amazon. The below link is an affiliate link.

    One of my goals for 2020 is to read 52 books or around one a week. Some might be new, some are ones I’ve had for a while or been meaning to read, some I haven’t quite finished yet and some will be recommendations from others. You can see all the books I’ve read so far on my Good Reads 2020 Reading Challenge.

  • La Belle Sauvage – The Book Of Dust #1 Review

    La Belle Sauvage – The Book Of Dust #1 Review

    The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage is the first in a new trilogy by Philip Pullman. I first saw the His Dark Materials advertised in my school library when I was young and then went on to watch the film The Golden Compass. La Belle Savauge is a prequel to The Northern Lights book (The Golden Compass in the US) and I have really enjoyed getting back into the series. I first listened to the entire original His Dark Materials trilogy a few years ago thanks to Audible. *Contains Affiliate Links

    I was gifted the first Book of Dust La Belle Sauvage for Christmas in 2017 but I have only just got around to reading it and it is the first book I am reading for my 2019 reading challenge. Below you will find what I thought of the book! People may be here for The Book of Dust review, I did not know it was a new trilogy until I was told but the next Book of Dust The Secret Commonwealth will be the second in the new trilogy.

    Left; Blue Hardback Cover of La Belle Sauvage, The Book of Dust Book One, Right; Bookmark with Owls

    La Belle Sauvage Review

    La Belle Sauvage is the prequel to The Northern Lights and really sets up the scene for Lyra’s adventures. The main character is a young boy named Malcolm and his daemon Asta. He is an inquisitive, likeable and hardworking young boy that doesn’t really want to get himself into trouble but seems to be quite good at getting himself into some sticky conversations. La Belle Sauvage is very much an adventure story primarily set in Oxford in The Trout Inn and across the river in The Priory. Many characters from the His Dark Materials series are mentioned and introduced so it’s great to hear a bit more about them and their background.

    For those familiar with the series Lyra is in La Belle Sauvage but instead of a scrappy, witty and courageous young girl we find her in The Northern Lights she is instead a young baby. However, for those that haven’t read the other series it really shows how important she is and how many people are really interested in her. The book also goes in to the exploration of Dust and what it is, talking about stream of consciousness and all sorts of other interesting things.

    The book reads very easily and is a great adventure story for pre teens and those that loved the His Dark Materials trilogy. It’s a great read for parents to read to older children too although it’s a good 500+ pages so perhaps not one to do in one night. It actually took me around a week to read a hardback copy amongst parenting and family duties that I have to keep up with.

    The book has a very pro secular stand point and quite anti-religion. There was a particular chapter in the book that introduces The League of St Alexander which really made me feel how children can turn against an authority very quickly if being told what they’re doing is God’s work, despite it not being morally good, just or kind. Morality is a strong theme throughout the story and doing what is right vs what is good is often what Malcolm feels he has to choose between.

    La Belle Sauvage, The Book of Dust front cover, Book Review, Pin Image

    2019 Reading Challenge

    One of my goals for 2020 is to read 52 books or around one a week. Some might be new, some are ones I’ve had for a while or been meaning to read, some I haven’t quite finished yet and some will be recommendations from others. You can see all the books I’ve read so far on my Good Reads 2020 Reading Challenge.