Would you rather be a food critic, a book critic, or a film critic?

This is quite a hard choice, mainly because all of those 3 critic jobs are brilliant. It’s basically a choice between eating lots of lovely food, reading lots of great books or watching lots of great blockbusters. Hmm.

The Golden Compass

I’d probably be a book critic, simply because I prefer books to films and food. I have countless favourite books, though I have fewer favourite movies. And films that are based on books are never as good as the original books themselves. For example, The Golden Compass in nothing compared to the original book – Northern Lights. In the film, they missed out the last 3 chapters! The Harry Potter films, in my opinion, aren’t as good as the books. I wonder if the CHERUB movie will be any good…

I have kind of strayed off topic, so back to the point. A book critic!

CHERUB: People’s Republic – review

Today I am reviewing a book that isn’t Doctor Who-related. I know! It’s crazy! But I’ve just read this amazing book, and I had to share my thoughts.

Anyway, here’s the basic information:

• Title: CHERUB: People’s Republic
• Author: Robert Muchamore
• Release date: August 2011
• Part of a book series?: Yes, it’s the first book of three in CHERUB series 2
• RRP: £12.99 (UK)
• Pages: 407 (it’s the longest CHERUB book yet!)
• Overall rating: 10/10

So those are some of the basic facts. Now on to the actual review:

The book is a lot like any of the books in the original CHERUB series (see here), but there are two main differences:

1. The 3 books make one, long story. In CHERUB series one, each book was a different mission (and essentially a different story)
2. The main characters are different. A few minor-ish characters are back, but James Adams (the main character in series 1) and his friends are all grown up and, therefore, no longer part of CHERUB. It’s really quite weird with them gone…

People’s Republic is quite very exciting, with a few shocks are surprises, and I never wanted to put it down. unfortunately, I had to, but I still finished it in a few short days. I could go into more detail, but I don’t want to spoil anything. So you’ll have to buy the book to find out about Ryan, Ning and Ethan. Sorry.

Basically, this is an amazing book and though the old characters have gone, I can’t wait for CHERUB: Guardian Angel (the next book in series 2).

The cover!

The Magic Faraway Tree Stories – my thoughts

I’m reviewing a more children-aimed book than before. But it’s still a fantastic book. Well, 3 books.

Book One: The Enchanted Wood

Out of the 3 books, this one has to be my least favourite. It is a good story, but it doesn’t quite live up to the rest. The plot is basically some children move to the countryside, and come across a magic tree (known as The Faraway Tree) with some wonderful talking creatures. The tree has a land on top, and the land changes every so often (which is a problem in some occasions). It’s kind of interesting. 7/10.

Book Two: The Magic Faraway Tree

In this book the children’s cousin Rick comes to stay. Of course, he doesn’t believe them at all about this magical tree, but they soon sort him out. 10/10.

Book Three: The Folk of the Faraway Tree

In this story, the children’s mother’s friend’s child comes to stay. She is called Connie and in very selfish. She too didn’t believe about the tree, but the kids sorted her out. Also in this story the Faraway Tree almost dies… 10/10.

Overall

Overall the series is good for all ages. I really like it.

The Faraway Tree Stories 3-in-1 cover

Robert Muchamore reading CHERUB: The Recruit

Today I found a video of Robert Muchamore reading an extract of CHERUB: The Recruit. I personally am a big fan of the CHERUB series, and I just had to share the video. You can watch it below:

Like it? Below is the UK cover for the book:

CHERUB: The Recruit cover

The CHERUB series is absolutely brilliant in my opinion, but it is not suitable for younger readers. I had to make that clear. Below are a couple of useful links:

• CHERUB official website
• My CHERUB review

Have you ever considered writing a book?

Have you ever considered writing a book? If so what would it be about? Make a list of the ideas you want to cover, or the themes it might have. If you’ve never considered writing a book, what other major work have you thought about (a movie? a symphony?). Write a paragraph or two about what you imagine it would be like.

The simple answer: yes. Maybe even a series. And it would be nice to have the series made into some movies. The Enemy Within Saga titles are below:

Series One

1. The Enemy Within
2. The Enemy Within Saga: Forever Midnight
3. The Enemy Within Saga: Rising Sun
4. The Enemy Within Saga: The Battle Cry

Series Two

1. The Enemy Within Saga: The Lightning Strike
2. The Enemy Within Saga: The Prisoner
3. The Enemy Within Saga: Guardian Angel

Why the 2 series, you may think. Well, at the end of series one everything seems fine, then series two just messes it all up. I have actually started the first book, The Enemy Within, online. You can check it out by clicking here.

Another book would be nice. It would be called The Killing, it wouldn’t be part of The Enemy Within Saga, and it’s plot is complicated. Trust me on that. I recently turned an early draft into a drama script and the audience were very confused. In some scenes, the character is in it twice at the same time (young and old). On stage, there had to be two different actors, but in a movie that would not have to happen.

I think I’ve gone a little off topic now… Themes. Well, for The Enemy Within Saga it would be magic, mystery and maybe a bit of horror. Mystery for The Killing.

A paragraph on what it would be like. Fun. Exciting. Done.

Have you ever considered writing a book?

Books, glorious books...

Strange things and transportation

What is the strangest thing that’s ever happened to you on a bus? If you don’t take buses often, how about on an airplane? While driving to work? While walking home from school? And if nothing strange has ever happened to you while using transportation of any kind, what is the strangest thing you can think of that you wish had happened to you while using transportation?

Long topic. I’ll go for the last question, as I don’t think anything strange has happened during transportation… yet.

My Art teacher could suddenly jump out and say I no longer have to do any Art ever again. It would be nice with Maths as well.

There could be a massive earthquake that shakes all the banks (but, luckily, no where else) and cash machines so all the money comes out.

The earthquake thing could happen, but near a WHSmiths. All the books, free! Ish.

I’m out of ideas…

Have you got any? What strange thing has happened to you during some form of transportation?

 

An ordinary bus

 

 

Close your eyes. Count to ten. And then…

Close your eyes. Count to ten. Then imagine a beautiful ancient castle (tastefully remodeled to include central heating, kick-ass wi-fi and WordPress.com ready laptops everywhere). Now walk down the endless main hall, a hall filled with amazing rooms of wonder. Go into the 2nd room on the right. What’s inside? 

 

Something fun. And Doctor Who related. I’ve got it!

This would be my bedroom. It would be huge, with light yellow walls. There would be tall bookcases everywhere – enough for each book series to have its own shelf (or two). The bed would be a king-sized, with a bed-side table near it. On that table would be an iPhone 4 with a music dock. That would double as an alarm. As well as the iPhone, on that table would be an iPad 2. Both the devices would have the WordPress app.

Above the bookcases, Doctor Who posters would rule the walls. By the way, there would, of course, be a shelf dedicated to Doctor Who Magazine issues, which would be on a subscription.

I wouldn’t have an actual computer in that room – I would use the iPad for casual browsing. In the living room there would be a super powerful Windows 7 Ultimate computer, running Office 2010, IE9 and all the best software.

How I would love to live there.

What would the room be like in your castle?

iPhone 4 - I wish I had one...

Grab a sentence from the nearest…

Grab the nearest book (or website) to you right now. Jump to paragraph 3, second Sentence. Write it in a post. Wait a minute. Slow down. Right, nearest book. That is Doctor Who: Apollo 23. Chapter One. Do they mean chapter one? I’ll go for the prologue. Paragraph three… ok, got it. Second sentence…. Found it.

A brisk walk round the edge of the park, then back to the office.

What a boring sentence. I’ll do the sentence before that one instead.

Ten minutes before he died, Donald Babinger stuffed the last remains of his sandwich into his mouth, smiled apologetically at the pigeon, and stood up.

That’s better.

Make up a sentence to follow the first one, but make it go in an entirely different direction that the actual book or website does. Here goes:

The pigeon suddenly jumped up and bit Donald’s head off, because this was no ordinary pigeon – it was an alien pigeon!

That’s ok. Grab the nearest…. oh, there’s no point. You know (if you’re a regular reader) I put the question at the end, and you answer it in the comments, but today the question’s too long. And I’m too lazy. Both are correct. If you want the question click here or scroll up.

A brilliant book!

Grey Wolves – my final thoughts

Hello and welcome to part 2 of my Grey Wolves review. I’ve done my initial thoughts, so now it’s time to tell you what I thought of the actual story.

Overall, it was very good. The story started with Henderson and Marc doing a mission – and having quite a bit of trouble in the process. Very scary in some places, and when you think about what the German person did to that French girl towards the beginning of the book… horrible, but it makes for a good story. The ending is nice, as well. And you discover why the next book is going to be called The Prisoner.

Overall, the book was very good. It lives up to its name. 10/10. Below is Robert Muchamore’s (the author) guide to ‘becoming a literary genius’. Enjoy!

Henderson's Boys series logo

The Enemy Within

I’ve been working on a book recently. It’s called The Enemy Within. You can read it below:

http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/250863-the-enemy-within

Please let me know your thoughts!