Originally published on the UK book blog, Serendipity Reviews.
Cat Patrick always has the most amazing story ideas when it comes to writing fiction. Possibly inspired by her own twins, she has created an original story centring around a trio of clones, all living the same life. It sounds freakishly weird I know, but you have to read it to believe it. I was completely intrigued by the whole idea behind the book.

The story is told in present tense from the point of view of Lizzie. Even though the girls are supposed to be the same person, their differences are evident early on in the book. I think the author did a fantastic job at portraying each girl individually so that they stood apart from each other. Ella is the happiest out of the three; she is content to carry on living as they are. As well as being the happiest,she is also the brainiest and at times appears to be the naïve one. Betsey is the calm, thoughtful and logical one; if they were just sisters, I would place her as the oldest. This leaves Lizzie, who comes across as more defiant; she wants her own life more than either of the others and you feel her desperation for change. They are living the life of one person - each attending school for a certain part of the day. The thought of trying to be one person when you are all so different must be draining and as the girls head towards being an adult, they are beginning to realise they don't want to live this life anymore.

I didn't like Lizzie's mum at all. I felt suffocated by the way she treated the girls. Anyone would have broken free from such tight control. To the point where she even monitors their heartbeat alongside following them with a GPS system is just wrong. It isn't until Lizzie falls for the charms of the gorgeous Sean, that Lizzie and her sisters begin to realise just how wrong their lives are. They start to doubt their mother's decisions for their lives.

The book leaves doubts in your mind. As the mother of identical twins I know how important it is to nurture their differences, but when they were younger, I have to put my hand up at being guilty of occasionally dressing them the same. If I had that time again, I would definitely do it differently. I felt this book emphasized the extremes that twins and triplets can be treated like in reality.

The book heads off on a fast pace and you find yourself totally engrossed in the story. The beginning and the middle of the book really drew me in and I was desperate to find out how it would end. My only little niggle with the book is that events at the end were not shown in detail, which left the climax a little flat. I really wanted to see what happened between Maggie and the girl's mum, but unfortunately the information was relayed second hand. I can see how this would have been difficult to show due to the story being told from the perspective of Lizzie.

Apart from that I really enjoyed the book and I'm intrigued to read more YA dealing with cloning. If you like your sci-fi a little bit different, then I would highly recommend reading this book.

I bought this for my daughter as part of her singing exams and so far she has found it really useful. The CD included helps her to practice her singing. Although some of the songs are a bit old. Other than that it is good.

Originally posted on the UK book blog - Serendipity Reviews.
This is the first book I've read by Anne-Marie Conway and it most definitely won't be last. It's one of those stories that plays on your senses allowing you to transport to another time. I was instantly taken back to recent holidays abroad, slathered in sun cream with a book in one hand and an ice cream in another.

Told from alternate viewpoints, the book introduces us to lovely girls Bee and Lizzie, each quite lonely in their own way, quite opposite in their characteristics, yet they still embark on a new friendship while holidaying with their families. Bee, the reader, was my favourite, especially when she packed her suitcase with reading material for the holiday. As the holiday nears an end, they realise their lives are more entwined than originally thought, each struggling to understand why they are forbidden to ever see each other.

As the story progresses the mystery of the past slowly unfolds and the truth finally comes out. I was completely absorbed in the story as I waited rather impatiently to find out what happened all those years ago.

This book has some strong themes in it. It looks very closely at bullying and both girls experience it in varying degrees. They both support each other as they try to confront the people who bully them. The book also examines family relationships and how easily they can unravel. Each family was suffering due to the events that were clearly an accident.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book and it will definitely be one I will be recommending. Ideal for the 9 to 12 age bracket, especially children dealing with friendship issues. Honestly a good summer holiday read.

Originally posted on Serendipity Reviews.
This is one of those books I've been meaning to read for awhile. I've heard so much about Lauren St John and I was intrigued to study her writing style. Not that I managed to study it, because I got so wrapped up in the story I couldn't put it down and raced through it to find out how it would end.

The One Dollar Horse is an emotional, yet thoroughly absorbing read. I'm not a huge fan of horses, but this book gave me urges to learn how to ride.The author must have a passion for horses too, because it spills out through the characters in the book. It took me back to books from my childhood such as Black Beauty and Flambards. It has all the signs of a classic children's story.

I learnt so much about horse riding and the UK horse racing scene from this book. The author has obviously spent a long time researching this book because the descriptions are very detailed.

The characters draw you in immediately, as the author throws every obstacle in their way. Casey is one in a million girl, who finds the one in million horse. On the verge of being destroyed at the knackers yard, Casey and her father save Storm from destruction. You follow Casey on an emotional journey as she takes on the equestrian world to achieve the dream she has cherished all her life. Casey and Storm are the underdogs, who blast tradition and competition into smithereens. From the very beginning, you are fighting alongside them, willing them to beat the system. They are the unlikely heroes.

The story pulls at your heart strings, as Casey and Storm face one catastrophe after another. On many occasions, it looks like everything Casey dreamed of would come to a premature end.

I loved this book. I thought it was flawless. A finely crafted story with unique characters ranging in quirks and diversity displaying a rags to riches plot line to its fullest. I've read so many children's books in the last couple of years but this is the closest book that has ever transported me back to my childhood. I can't wait to read the sequel

Originally posted on Serendipity Reviews.
Imagine winning your dream wedding, only to discover you are now groomless! A frightening prospect for anyone, so it isn't surprising that the main character Cat, panics just a little. She has always dreamed of the most amazing wedding, so you can't blame her for going along with it, hoping that a groom might land in her lap from nowhere. How fortunate for her that one does and what a charmer he is.

The story appears in a calendar format rather than a diary, as each new chapter is a new day in the lives of Adam and Cat. Told from alternate viewpoints, you watch helplessly as they get used and spat out by their respective spouses, until they find each other. A gorgeous weekend in the stunning and beautifully described Italian setting, seals their blossoming friendship, only to find the glue wasn't permanent by the time they returned home. Slippery exes have a habit of screwing everything up and one in particular makes their relationship a little difficult.

I enjoyed the plot of the story and some of the characters. Unfortunately one in particular really annoyed me and I found it difficult to ignore her. Fanny drove me mad. She was so bossy and rude in the first half of the book that I found it really difficult to believe her complete transformation by the end of the book. She really just didn't gel with me. Also Cat wasn't a favourite with me either, she comes across as very weak and easily led. I wanted to give her a good shake to realise earlier on what an awful choice Jack would be especially when she takes him back so easily.

I loved Adam, from his first step onto the page - even if he was a bit of a romantic fool. I'm always wary of people who rush into marriage and is this book there are a few characters who get swept away with the romance of it all far too easily for my liking. However, if Adam should fall from the shelf, I would happily swoop it to put the broken pieces back together. His gentlemanly ways of paying for everything and opening doors, caused my heart to flutter just a little.

Other than finding certain characters annoying, the book was enjoyable. The story was warm and funny, showing just how wonderful and romantic it can be when you find the right person to spend the rest of your life with. A quick and easy read, with a fairy-tale ending.

Originally posted on Serendipity REviews. This book has generated a lot of attention in the last month and rightly so as I do think it's very different from any book that I have read in a long time. I lost interest in aliens and anything remotely science fiction when Mulder and Scully bowled out of The X Files many years ago. Up until that point, I was in love the idea of visitors from another planet popping down for a quick invasion. Now, after reading The 5th Wave, I have a thirst for more sci fi thrillers, especially in the YA market.

The 5th Wave is a really rather clever book. The author has smashed the idea of little green men and brought the idea of unworldly visitors into the 21st Century. The aliens in this book cannot be seen or heard. But you know they are there. They cause mass destruction on the Earth without even setting foot out of their spaceships. And then as if by magic, everyone realises that they are already on Earth and may have been here for years. You cannot trust anyone anymore, because you just don't know if they are human or not.

The book is told from multiple viewpoints but in chronological sections. Each time you come across a black page, you are aware that someone else is speaking so you get to read the story with a more rounded view of what is going on. Each section ends on a bit of cliff-hanger and you swiftly read further to find out what happens next.

Cassie is a brilliant character. She has the hunger and drive of Katniss from The Hunger Games and will stop at nothing until she finds her little brother. Her focus and determination never falters. Evan and Zombie were utterly brilliant. Having read The Hunger Games and I Am Number Four, I can see why the book has been described as similar, as in all you have very strong teenage protagonists who are determined to save the world, at any cost.

Half way through the book there is a huge breath halting twist which I did not see coming. The author practically flips the story on it's head and wrestles it to the floor. Very very clever and a complete shock! All I can say is appearances are very deceiving and don't believe everything you read.

The ending was left at a stage where although I was satisfied, it left me wanting more. I can only hope we find out what really happens in the near future. If I had to compare it to anything, I would probably describe it as a mixture of the 80's mini series `V', Independence Day and Starship Troopers as it has those mind blowing aspects to it as well as the military involvement. It makes the hairs on the back of your neck rise, as you realise just how easy it would be for aliens to knock out the planet in one fail swoop.

A terrifying, realistic read that will have you checking your phone signal on a regular basis.

Originally posted on Serendipity Reviews.
What a gorgeous book this was! This is the first book I've read by the author and I really wish I had bought more of her books for my girls when they were younger.

Maisie Hitchins is a strong willed young lady for that time period and I love her for it. She really is a gutsy little girl full of curiosity and strong morals. She isn't frightened to stand up for what she believes in during a time period where children were seen and not heard. She desperately wants to be a detective like Gilbert Carrington and convinces herself that she can solve crimes too. With the help of her newly rescued puppy, Eddie, she takes it upon herself to solve the mystery behind the missing coins which led to George, the butcher's assistant being sacked. She will stop at nothing to find out the truth and with the help of the lodgers in her grandmother's house she finds her own methods for sleuthing.

The lodgers staying at 31 Albion Street are a colourful bunch. In this story we get to meet the new lodger, Professor Tobin, who comes up with an ingenious idea to help save Eddie from the streets. We also spend time with the actress Miss Lane, who is a master of disguises, helping to turn Maisie into all sorts of characters who can fool the public, to find out the truth. I'm pretty sure we'll get to meet all the residents and spend more time with them as the series progresses.

This book was an utter delight. I loved the idea of a such a strong, female detective during Victorian times. She could give Sherlock Holmes a run for his money. The chapters are short, yet well paced. The writing easy to read and the inner child in me was happy to step back in time to Holly Webb's Victorian London.

You can't talk about this book without mentioning the gorgeous illustrations by Marion Lindsay. At the front of the book there is a picture of the grandmother's house as if it were cut in half. It is so detailed and pretty, I had to fight the urge to get my colouring pens out and colour it! I wouldn't be surprised if children will want to give them colour as they are absolutely stunning.

This is the first book in the series and I'm sure there will be many more to follow. An ideal series for the 7 to 9 year old market who enjoy a good mystery.

Originally posted on Serendipity Reviews
I really enjoyed reading this book, even if I did cringe at quite a few scenes. And I honestly only cringed because it opened a locked door in my mind that had kept hidden my teenage years which were a lot harsher than I remembered.

The style and setting of this book is the closest I have ever come to my own teenage years. I'm not saying personally that I was the type of girl who was desperate to lose my virginity, because I was quite the opposite. However, the way Renee and Flo approach relationships is the way I remember my friends reacting to boys. I grew up fast at secondary school and learnt so much that it was surprising I ever ventured into a real relationship at all.

For YA, this book is much more realistic to the life of teenagers of today. You can't read it without comparing it a little with the American YA we read, which is much more romanticised. American YA makes you swoon - UKYA often hits you with the reality stick.

The story is told from alternating view points between Renee and Flo, who don't start off as best friends, but follow that pathway as the book unfolds. The book concentrates on the growth and development of their friendship, alongside family relationships and sexual awareness. Both girls come from dysfunctional families brought to their knees by bereavement and unemployment, showing how easily a normal, healthy family life can quickly unravel.

I know the author kept diaries throughout her teens and this book really shows the evidence of that . You almost feel like you are living and breathing in the 90's again as you get lost in the story.. When she mentioned Chicken in White Wine sauce in a tin, I instantly travelled back in time and found myself waiting for mine in front of the microwave in my parent's house.

This book will appeal to fans of Melvin Burgess. The author has captured the essence of teenage life in the UK and laid it bare. No glamour or sugar coating, just real life with real teenagers.

Originally published on Serendipity Reviews.
I had really high hopes for this book. The setting alone had me drooling. I love the sound of Nantucket since Josephine Angelini made it famous in her Starcrossed series. It is a part of New England that I hope to see one day and the author really brings it's quaintness alive in the story. She describes the streets and houses so well, you can almost picture yourself there.

The beginning of the book was brilliant. I loved the close friendship between Jules and Cricket. It was a really strong bond between them which you doubted would ever be broken. Unfortunately about a quarter of the way through the book their friendship dies and I struggled to believe it could end so easily. Jules went from practically begging Cricket to spend all summer with her to treating her like she was scum on her shoe. This gave me doubts about the future of the story.

I didn't bond with Cricket either. She assumed she would be staying with the family all summer when most people would have realised it wasn't a good idea. She was quite naive at times and that really niggle me too.

I did enjoy the growing relationship between Cricket and an unexpected admirer. That kept my interest until the end of the book. If that hadn't occurred I might have given up on the book.

I think the story has a lot of promise, but the changes in attitudes of certain characters throughout the story were too dramatic for my liking. Jules and Cricket's friendship never really recovers, which is a shame because what had occurred wasn't worth losing your best friend over. A bit of a disappointment but maybe others will enjoy it more

Originally published on Serendipity Reviews
This book really captured my attention when I heard about it. The idea of a child creating a world out of the things she finds on the ground and then using it to make miracles happen, is the ultimate wish of every child. Judith epitomises the awe and wonder of childhood.

You instantly feel sorry for Judith. She has a lot to deal with for a child. She absorbs the problems of the adults around her like a sponge. Her mother died giving birth to her, which made her feel very guilty from a young age. She is also very different to other children, which makes her open to bullying. Her father is part of a religious sect, although it is never clear which one and they regularly knock on people's doors to preach. Her life barely resembles a normal childhood, yet to a certain degree she is content as she doesn't know any different. She wants things to change and believes that she has brought about the changes that occur, even if they are detrimental to her life. I had a lot of time for Judith as I read the book, but I did have a problem with her voice. The book was written in first person from Judith's point of view. The language and prose used was not a ten year old's voice, it was that of an adult. It was far to clever and literary to be a child talking. I don't know if this was done on purpose but it did spoil the narrative for me.

This book covers some strong themes. At the centre of everything that happens is an element of bullying. From the classroom antics, to the factory strikes. Even Judith's God is bossy and ordering her about. To be honest I'm not sure what to make of Judith's discussions with God. Was God supposed to be real or a figment of her imagination? Or perhaps she was suffering from a mental breakdown. The book also looks at religion, family relationships and life in general.

By the end of the book, Judith's life changes. Although you are kept wondering what will happen right to the end and whether the changes will be good or bad.

It was definitely an interesting read, but I didn't feel as dazzled as I was hoping. I believed I was promised magic, but the magic promised was coated in a darkness that left you full of despair. Everything that happens in the plot, leaves you feeling uncomfortable and I think that's why it took me so long to read it. It's a heart wrenching read that cannot be rushed.