Castle of Shadows by Ellen Renner

by Zoë Bestel on January 11, 2011

Ellen Renner’s Castle of Shadows was the first the first book of Charlotte, the forgotten princess’s adventures.

After her mother disappeared when Charlie (Charlotte) was very young, her dad becomes very mentally ill, turning to giant playing cards to deal with the madness. Leaving Charlie to live a life were only a few people know who she is, one of them being the evil housekeeper, Mrs O’Dair, who also looks after Charlie, making her life even more miserable.

One day Charlie discovers a letter seemingly written from her mother to a woman Charlie has never heard if before. A letter that could help her find out about her mother and most importantly, if she is alive.

The story is about Charlie and her friend, Tobias, uncovering the secrets in and outside the castle walls. It is a dangerous mission, but nothing can stop Charlie from revealing the truth.

I am extremely happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even though I’m not usually the one to pick up a mystery, it has opened my eyes to other books that involve such topics.

I loved the characters especially the idea of forgotten princess that no one knows about. I love how Charlie is so very ‘scruffy’ and not that at all bothered about her manners or how she dresses – Almost the opposite of what you would think a ‘normal’ princess would be like. As long as it’s practical she doesn’t care.

It is has a definite ‘can’t.put.it.down’ ability, as well as mysterious edge to it forcing you to read on and keep wondering what on earth could happen next. A fantastic and enjoyable read, very well worth getting. Excellent piece of work.

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The Latest…

by Zoë Bestel on November 30, 2010

…On what I’m doing at the moment. Okay, well this post won’t be on books – Since my header is Blog ‘n’ stuff, I thought I’d do something more along the lines of the ‘stuff.’ So this is what I have been playing/doing basically.

I have decided to go a bit game-y. Which means I am now going to review some games. Now don’t get all blurgh at me, I am not going to be reviewing war or shooting or whatever games, (because I am the type of person to just press any buttons and hope for the best) I am going to tell you today about my most played iPod touch app/games. Although I use facebook and twitter alot on my iPod, they aren’t the most exciting and most played apps I use. (And they would be would be incredibly boring to review) So to start off I shall tell you about Doodlejump.

Dooblejump ~ Not the most appealing name to someone my age, but it is incredibly addictive. The object of the game, by using the alien dude, is to get as high as you can by jumping on certain platforms. You must avoid the monsters, broken platforms, UFO’s and black holes and use the trampoline, spring, rocket, spring shoes and blaster to help you get higher. The higher you go the more points. It’s the first game my friends go on when I let them play on my iPod, which I believe means my friends give it the thumbs up too! My highest score is 35,718 and my friend got 44,350, which I haven’t been able to beat yet. I think the graphics in the game are brilliant and it’s really easy to start playing. I love how the stats show you how many games you’ve played and how long you have spent playing in total. (I have played it 217 times and in total played it for 2 hours 21 minutes 35 seconds) You can connect it to facebook and twitter to upload scores too. It’s a great game for children and adults and will keep you glued to the little alien dude for quite some time.

Tap Tap Revenge 3 ~ This is a must have app when you buy an iPod Touch or iPhone. It is the smaller ‘tap’ version of guitar hero minus the guitar. With really up to date music it is a brilliant game and is an app worth having. It can also conect to the internet to upload scores, but you can chat to other players and even play against players online from across the world. It is extremely fun and never ending. I especially love how there is a two player mode, so you can play against your friend on the same device. Brill game, endless fun!

Pocket Frogs ~ My ultimate favourite game at the moment. It’s an never ending frog breeding game where you can breed different frogs to create a whole new frog then sell them, race them, breed them, gift them and send them to friends. It is very addictive and so much more interesting than it sounds lol. At the moment I have 38 frogs – Which is quite a few. I especially love how you can create really cool frogs. My favourite are the ‘glass’ frogs, which are see through ~ A bit odd yes but awesome. It’s another must have game if you like addictive never ending sort of games. Definitely worth getting.

So there you have it, the latest on almost everything I have been up to. :)

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Cherry Crush by Cathy Cassidy

by Zoë Bestel on August 23, 2010

Being one of Cathy Cassidy’s Dream Team, I got Cherry Crush before it’s even out in the shops. I have been reading non-stop and have fallen in love with the book, it’s absolutely gorgeous! The cover looks beautiful and I love the story line.

~

Cherry feels she is a misfit. She has no friends and lives with her dad and her fish Rover in a flat in Glasgow. Her mum died when she was only four, leaving Cherry with very few memories of her. The only way she seems to cope with life is by telling ‘imaginative stories’ which is basically lying – Which is never a good idea.

Then Cherry’s life changes, forever. Her dad falls in love and they both move to Somerset where a brand new mum and four new sisters await. But then she meets Shay Fletcher, who Cherry instantly falls for. But Shay is Honey’s boyfriend, the eldest of her sisters. If she made the wrong move, it could destroy everything. But does that mean she’ll stay away?

This is a brilliant book. There is no other way to say how much I enjoyed it. Cathy writes, the way every writer should, about something they love – For Cathy, that has to be chocolate!

The story line got you pined ’till the end. The most amazing descriptions, that made your mouth water – apart from the curry truffles…

A must read, one of Cathy’s Best!

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247 Tales

by Zoë Bestel on August 16, 2010

So, very short post. I should’ve posted it sooner because the website will probably change by tommorow morning – But I came runner up in a short stories competition and have been published by Bloomsbury on their 247 Tales website! Brilliant huh? Woo Hoo!

Click here to see my entry, 5th down. It’s says Zoe, Age 12 – But I am now 13. Woo for my birthday :D

Tell me what you think in comments, much appreciated.

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A Summer Break Reading Challange…

by Zoë Bestel on July 28, 2010

I noticed this on a friends blog (Love Reading X) and thought I’d have a go at ‘making’ my own virtual book.

What you have to do:

1. Go to ‘Fake Name Generator‘ The name that appears is your author name.

2. Go to ‘Random Word Generator‘ The word listed under ‘Random Verb’ is your title.

3. Go to ‘FlickrCC‘ Type your title into the search box. The first photo that contains a person is your cover.

4. Use Picnik or something similar to put it all together. Be sure to crop and/or zoom in.

5. Write a short synopsis to go along with it.

Here is my ‘book’

(Pictures with help from snazzy computer dad)

Run by Keira B. Barlette

Avalible in Paperback or Hardback…lol


The gunshot rang through my ears. I stood there, a bead of sweat trickled down my forehead. I fell against the wall behind me, too shocked to move. I watched as the limp body fell to the ground. A lump formed in my throat, making it even harder to breath. My brain felt like it was scattered into a millions pieces. What should I do? Where should I go?  I pulled in a gasp of air. I knew one thing. That this was it. I was the only one left and they knew where I was hiding. All I could do was what I do best, what I was known for, the way I escaped out of everything and anything that life threw at me…

Run.

What do you think? Would you pick this up and want to read it in real life? Tell me in comments.

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Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

by Zoë Bestel on July 22, 2010

My first summer read was a book I was extremly looking forward to reading. After reading thousands upon thousands of ‘You have to read this book’ on other Book Blogs I finally headed off to my favourite bookshop and bought my copy of Shiver.

After finishing the last book of the Twilight Saga in Janurary, I thought I would never find a book that would match up to it. But, after a (very) long time, I found Shiver.

Shiver is this amazing love story about Grace and a mysterious, yellow-eyed boy called Sam. It has been six years of watching eachother from a distance, then one hug changes Grace’s life forever. Meanwhile a local boy gets killed by wolves and proves Grace’s theory, revealing the truth behind Sam’s yellow-eyes, forcing Grace to help Sam stay with her through the ‘death’ chilling cold.

It is an amazingly written book by an amazing author and I really enjoyed reading it. It was so sad, lovely but intense and at times got me so emotional, I cried. Which for an author, is an amazing compliment! (I think?!)

So if you are into romance, drama and wolves, then this book is your kind of book. But if you are going to read it have a box of tissues at the ready – you will need them!

Oh and one more thing. Please, please remember ‘Just because a book has the same creature in it, doesn’t necessarily make them similar’ – quoted from a friend on twitter. It’s very important!

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Summer is here…

by Zoë Bestel on July 2, 2010

…finally, YEY!

My summer holidays have just started and already I am reading non-stop. Since I have about eight weeks off, I am going to pick eight books to read. It might be tricky but I will try and pick ones that are not as big Host by Stephanie Meyer. (Which, a while ago, I said I would review once I have finished it – I still am not finished!) So I will be reading eight books each week and hopefully you will get a review for each one and by the end of the summer I will have made my own Top Eight Summer Reads.

Right I’m off with my cup of tea to find a comfy seat to start reading!

TTFN

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The Name of This Book is Secret – Teaser

by Zoë Bestel on May 4, 2010

A bookish meme created by MizB from Should be Reading.

I am supporting this great idea and doing it myself. So here is my teaser of the book I’m re-reading, The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch  (Not his real name!)

“Chapter One and a Half

Apologia*

*An apologia, if you’re wondering, is not a variety of insect. Neither is it a type of tropical disease. It’s an Apology. In other words, its not worth the paper it’s written on.”

Okay I understand that isn’t exactly a teaser, it’s a start of the chapter, but then it is almost a teaser of some sort…

Anyway. This is me re-reading this book, which I read about a year ago and really enjoyed. It’s all about Mystery and Adventure and is one of those books that gets you thinking about it even when you aren’t reading it.

A brilliant one to get if your into that kind of stuff – but be warned, you might need to re-read certain parts to understand, it can get kind of confusing.

A review will be coming soon.

Zoë xoxo

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My Best Friend’s Rock…

by Zoë Bestel on April 28, 2010

…Well they do!

And if your BFF’s rock as well just enter in the most coolest comp run by Cathy Cassidy for all best friends in the UK and Eire. All you need to do is take just one piece of A4 paper, tell them why your best friend rocks. Using photos, or pictures, or words, or a mixture of all of them and send it in. (All details for competition click here) and you could win yourself:

  • The sleepover of your dreams for you and your friend including music, clothes, make-up, books, magazines, food and much much more!
  • Free tickets to Cathy Cassidy’s event at the Edinburgh Festival
  • The chance to meet Cathy and Girls Can’t Catch at the amazing award ceremony
  • A signed copy of Cathy’s new book Cherry Crush as soon as it’s out
  • Your entry published in Mizz
  • A very special and rare My Best Friend Rocks trophy!

Quite a competition huh?!

More details on Cathy’s Website by clicking here.

Zoë xoxo

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First Aid for Fairies by Lari Don

by Zoë Bestel on April 13, 2010

In depth reveiw…

Full Name: First Aid for Fairies and Other Fabled Beasts!

Author: Lari Don

Illustrator: Amanda Sinclair

Published by: Floris Books

Why I picked to read this book: My friend was introducing her at the book festival and I said I’d come along and cheer her on! I then found out that the book was my kind of book to read, from the bit my friend read to me on the school bus! I decided to buy a copy and start reading!

How did I feel when I read the book: I always felt ‘magical’ when I read the book and the feeling you have when you really enjoy it and can’t put it down! I especially felt nervous and scared when it came to the evil bits!

The main Characters:

Helen – The (So called by her new friends) Healers Child

Yan – The brave Centaur

Rona – The young Selkie

Lavender – The small flower fairy

Catesby – The flustered Phoenix

Sapphire – The Fiery, young Dragon

The Book – The book of all answers!

The Master – An evil bull/man who wants the book!

My favourite Character/why/description: Rona, because she is very peaceful and calm and will help people to calm themselves down. She is very kind and loves all her friends dearly. She has a beautiful singing voice and loves to show other people/creatures it!

Briefly, What the story is about: The friends – Yan, Rona, Lavender, Sapphire and Catesby – needed to ask the book of answers a question, but they were only allowed to at the Summer Solstice and the Winter Solstice! So when they went to have a peek, the book got scared and fled leaving them clues to find it! But the Winter Solstice was drawing near and they still hadn’t found it! Then Yan gets bitten by one of The Master’s henchmen (Who is also trying to get the book!) and has to ask Helen (The Vets daughter) to help him with his wound! Suddenly Helen wants to help them and throws herself into the adventure!

Ratings:

Characters: 9/10

Set out: 10/10

Illustrations: 9/10

Story line: 10/10

Feel for book: 10/10

Can’tputdownability: 9/10

Imaganation-abliity: 9/10

Over All:  9/10

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