The City of Ember by Jeanne DePrau

Rating 2.5 out of 5

"It is always night in the city of Ember. But there is no moon, no stars. The only light during the regular twelve hours of "day" comes from floodlamps that cast a yellowish glow over the streets of the city. Beyond are the pitch-black Unknown Regions, which no one has ever explored because an understanding of fire and electricity has been lost, and with it the idea of a Moveable Light. "Besides," they tell each other, "there is nowhere but here" Among the many other things the people of Ember have forgotten is their past and a direction for their future. For 250 years they have lived pleasantly, because there has been plenty of everything in the vast storerooms. But now there are more and more empty shelves--and more and more times when the lights flicker and go out, leaving them in terrifying blackness for long minutes. What will happen when the generator finally fails?" Blurb from Amazon.com

I found this book to be very average. It was a good light read but nothing great. I apologise this review will be short and light on. I read this book before I got sick and the memory is now vague basically it did not leave a big impression on me and I would not rush out to read the rest of the series. There is not a lot to say really especially when my memory is failing me on this book.

The story line of this book is interesting and the world created is imaginative. I kept reading mostly to learn about the society created.

After reading this book I was suprised a movie had been made, after watching it I know why. The movie only really captures the essence of the book and even made some stuff up complely. Didnt like the movie much either in case you couldnt guess.

On a personal note my blog might suffer from a bit of neglect over the coming year. I will try to post as frequently as possible but I cant garantee anything. First thing though is to catch up on my reviews that are out standing!

Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

Rating: 5 out of 5

Stephanie is at it again. She and Morelli are currently off again and she is struggling to bring in the skips to earn her cash. Ranger is having some “security issues” and hires Stephanie to investigate his staff. Meanwhile Lula witnesses the murder of celebrity Chef Chipotle and enters the bbq spare ribs cook off in an effort to catch the killers and get the reward of $1 million.

Where to begin, firstly I think this is Evanovichs best for a long time. While I sniggered and giggled through the last couple of adventures they were just good to ok. This book is a return to Evanovich form. I could not stop laughing in this book and even had to stop reading at one point I was laughing so hard.

Lula and Grandma Mazur really are stealing the show now and are just as funny here. Most of my tears inducing laughter spots involved Lula and Grandma Mazur. I really thought this book might be the one where Stephanies mother has a complete and utter break down. The poor woman must have drunk the whole bottle of her secret liquor stash and said enough hail Mary’s to cover most of The Burbs.

I was turned off Ranger a little in this book. I’m not sure why but I found him to be a little bit of an arrogant prick in the way he spoke to Stephanie. Some of his comments I was just waiting for a “woman” to be tacked on like “get my beer woman”. I cant say I have ever noticed this before but if it was there previously it didn’t bug me like it did in this book.

Stephanies life seems to be in limbo and she admits this herself during the book. I really hope this signals a change in terms of the whole Morelli, Ranger, Stephanie love triangle thing. I think the triangle has really run its course and needs a resolution of some kind.

A great fun read. Definately worth the effort.