Are You a Grumpy Chops?

Sometimes I hear critics say 'no book is perfect so no book should get 5 stars' although I beg to differ. Being an author myself I know how much hard work goes into a book, the time, the imagination, the sweat and the tears. And so, when I rate a book I like to give it 5 stars initially, and as I work through my criteria I wait to see if it stays there. 

A book is, quite simple a means to entertain and when I've finished reading I want to feel like I've enjoyed the experience. That the time spent going through it was well worth it and If I'm left feeling lost, empty, frustrated or annoyed then this is certainly not the desired outcome.  I mean who deliberately goes out there way to annoy themselves?

So when rating the books I've read I do so with entertainment value on my mind. Starting with maximal score then looking at plot. I liken books to a TV programme, If I'm flicking through the guide and read the info on a programme, it needs to grab my attention with a thrilling or intriguing plot line. When reviewing, if the plot played out and kept me watching or reading then it keeps its five stars. 

Characters-they have to seem real don't they? I have to engage with at least one of them. If  the character is funny, quirky, tough, mean or just damn right awesome without explanation! then chances are I'll engage with them. If the book I'm reviewing has a character I 'get' then it keeps its star.  A little mystery,  every story needs this to keep you reading as we all want to know what's going to happen don't we? whether it be romance, crime or supernatural thriller we all want to know if that person lives, dies or gets the guy. 

If the mystery is too easy, transparent or not even present then I know what's going to happen. I pay that little bit less attention and become less absorbed in the story which leaves me feeling a little unfulfilled. A good intriguing story line keeps its star.

Descriptions. I love a good story where I can really picture myself in the situation or really get a feel for what's going on. Is it a dusty battlefield where you can barely see the enemy and your heart is racing? Is there a beautiful lake view where its hard to tell where the mountain ends and its reflection begins or, is it a romantic-heart-racing scene where the girl is about to be kissed by her hero for the first time? Without well explained descriptions I'd switch off or change the channel. Good descriptions keeps the star. 

And last of all good grammar and punctuation is a must. I will liken this to a televisions aerial signal, if you've got a bad signal the picture will jump, shake or become fuzzy. It ruins the flow of the movie and in the end any sane person will just jump up and turn the TV off. Punctuation is vital for the flow of the story so the less errors the better. If punctuation and grammar are good then this point keeps its star.

So if you ever see me giving five stars to the books I've read then it means every box has been ticked and it's worth a read in my opinion. I'd love to hear how you decide what gets a five star review in your opinion? Sound off below. 

Book-Vent Days Seven, Eight & Nine

Days Seven - Nine

On the seventh, eighth and ninth days of Christmas our true love gave us... Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins. 

Chances are you've heard of these books, read these books or watched the first movie. With a mixture of opinions this trilogy has been pretty hit or miss in some cases. Personally the stories and concepts are well thought out, show emotion in a pretty heartless situation but they're not captivating enough for me to go back and re-read them. 

• The first book in the series is called Hunger Games, this book was released back in 2008. 

It become popular incredibly fast. I think after the Twilight movement this was a breath of fresh air, a concept similar in that it tells the story of young love in an unusual situation but there are no vampires or werewolves. The main character is a young lady called Katniss Everdeen who gives herself up as a tribute in place of her younger sister in the annual Hunger Games. 

The games consist of at least one girl and one boy from each of the twelve districts of Panem. The aim of the games is to fight to the death, the person who wins of course is rewarded as are their district. The games themselves are vicious, scary even but throughout this battle for survival Katniss finds love... or does she? 

• The second novel is called Catching Fire and this was released in 2009. 

After Katniss and Peeta won the Hunger Games they return back to their districts as champions, champions who have spread hope among the districts. Although they won the evil President Snow isn't falling for their love and demands that they convince all of the districts and most importantly him that their love is genuine and true. If they can't then there will be major consequences for both themselves and their district. 

During their tour of all districts they try to prove that they're love is true. Peeta asks Katniss to be his wife and marry him but this isn't enough for the President. District 11 start an uprising and the Quarter Quell which is the 75th anniversary draws Katniss once again into the scary world of the arena and the games. Will she survive?

• The third and final novel in the trilogy is Mockinjay, this was released in 2010. 

Katniss does in fact escape the Quarter Quell arena and decides to take up her role in the uprising at District 13 as the Mockinjay. Peeta at this point has been kidnapped by the Capitol (where the President and those who arrange the games stay), tortured for information on the rebels Peeta doesn't give up any information - he doesn't have any for a start.  

The rebels break in to free Peeta and a girl called Annie from President Snow's mansion. Katniss is incredibly happy to see Peeta but are the feelings mutual? 

As a trilogy I recommend giving it a read, to get the full effect of what the author's trying to show you will need to read all three books. They can be purchased at all good book shops and also Amazon of course. Hunger Games costs £3.85 here, Catching Fire costs £3.85 here and Mockinjay costs £3.85 here. These prices include p&p - fab bargain huh. 

Have you read any of the novels? what are your thoughts on this series? 

Peace & Love 

* M.R Shields *

Book-Vent Advent Day Four

December 4th 

Our fourth advent kicks off with Mater's Tall Tales behind door number four. Mater's the dizzy hill billy best friend of Disney Car's leading superstar - Lightning McQueen. 

It's a PR team kids favourite, if you're child loves Disney's Cars movie then I urge you to purchase this book or tune into the Mater's Tall Tales shorts over on the Disney Channel on Sky. So what's the difference between Disney Cars and Mater's Tall Tales? The difference is pretty drastic, Mater takes centre stage with Lightning being his accomplice. 

As a child you may have been told to stop telling 'tall tales' these stories are based on Mater's tall tales or made up scenarios. Mater likes to tell everyone stories of times he did a variety of things such as when he was a fire-truck and saved Lightening, when he was a matador and won and also when he was a superstar jumping cars and breaking records. Of course Lightning tells Mater 'It didn't happen' 

But did it happen? Is it that Lightning can't remember being apart of these scenarios or is Mater lying through his teeth? Usually at the end there's something that makes Lightning doubt that it didn't happen leaving him utterly confused. 

The stories are short but are hilarious and as a parent they're a joy to read to my son. He laughs every time Mater does something (especially when he 'jumps' the cars) which results in me laughing at his laugh - it's enough to cure any amount of stress I can promise you that. Also because the books colouring and easy to follow children of all ages will get use of it. 

You can purchase this book over on Amazon here. It's currently £4.92 including delivery and would make an excellent stocking filler for boys or girls. 

Peace & Love 

* The COA Team *

Release Date for Part II Will Be...

I am so excited to reveal that chronicles of Astoria Part II Epsilon will now be released on the first of June 2013, it will be available to purchase on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle e-book formats. 

It's felt like a long five months since part one's release. I would however describe part two as my 'baby' as the story has really started to heat up, it's all very exciting. 

I made a few changes to the look of this book, I've opted for the more traditional cream paper this time around and also increased the font size. I can confirm that there are five to six plot-lines that flow through this episode and will continue throughout to part six which is still a long way off.

Keep an eye out also for a new short story coming out which is based on the series and will follow the story of Crystal and how she came to be in Astoria. I hope you are all as excited as I am, when I hear that you've enjoyed it and when I'm asked 'what's going to happen next' it really makes everything so worthwhile and for that, I thank you greatly. 

Peace & Love

* M.R Shields *