Saturday, September 18, 2010
Review: Fury by Shirley Marr
It’s been awhile since I’ve reviewed a book, nearly two weeks I think, but fear not I am back I handed in all my assignments and now I have two weeks off uni to just to read and catch up on reviews, yay.
I’ve got reviews for Matched, Mockingjay and Return to Paradise coming up in the next week or so plus two author interviews one with Fiona Wood who wrote Six Impossible Things and the other with Kirsty Eagar author of Saltwater Vampires. I’ll also have a giveaway coming up next week so keep your eyes peeled! I hope you guys all have a great weekend, now for the review, enjoy.
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Review: Fury by Shirley Marr
Release Date: May 1, 2010
Publisher: Black Dog Books
Genre: Contemporary/Realistic Fiction
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 277
Source: Bought
Blurb (from Goodreads)
Let me tell you my story.
Not just the facts I know you want to hear.
If I’m going to tell you my story,
I’m telling it my way.
Strap yourself in...
Eliza Boans has everything.
A big house.
A great education.
A bright future.
So why is she sitting in a police station confessing to murder?
Not just the facts I know you want to hear.
If I’m going to tell you my story,
I’m telling it my way.
Strap yourself in...
Eliza Boans has everything.
A big house.
A great education.
A bright future.
So why is she sitting in a police station confessing to murder?
The Quickie Review
Impressive debut novel with murder, intrigue and a dose of bitchiness for good measure.
The Full Blown Review
Fury begins with our protagonist Eliza Boans telling us readers she is a murderer in the first sentence, yes the first sentence, amazing, if this doesn’t draw you in I don’t know what will.
“My name is Eliza Boans and I am a murder” - Page 1.
Now your probably asking what’s going to transpire in the rest of the book if you know what’s already happened, well we don’t know who she murdered or why she did it, so what follows is Eliza recounting her story, in flashbacks, of the events leading up to the murder and boy strap yourself in for a riveting ride.
Oh Eliza Boans you are a right old bitch, I couldn’t stand you at all for most of the book and yet I couldn’t put your story down, I needed to know what you were going to do next, your story was utterly compelling. So basically as you can tell I did not like the lead protagonist too much, she was terrible she had no remorse for what she did in any way. I definitely give Shirley props for writing a character who is not very likeable I mean how many books have you read like that, I for one haven’t read many at all and when I do I tend to not like the book which didn’t happen here.
Through the first couple of chapters of the book I found myself disliking Eliza more and more, on the surface here was a girl with everything she could possibly want yet she was so angry for no real reason I could determine. Then slowly as I read more and more I began to understand her a bit better that said at the end of the book I still wasn’t loving her but I didn’t dislike her as much. Whilst to someone looking in it would seem Eliza had everything, living in a huge house in an exclusive gated community, money, expensive clothes, but these are all material possessions, Eliza’s family life was basically non existent her father was absent as was her mother whose idea of making school lunch was to leave $20 in the fridge, there was no love in that house at all. One of Eliza’s redeeming qualities was her love of her friends - who were Eliza’s real family - particularly Lexi who went through something no one should go though. This incident is the driving force behind the murder so finally when the time came to reveal who was murdered I understood why Eliza did it, I mean it doesn’t justify her actions, murder is never a solution to anything no matter what happens, but from her point of view I can see why she did it.
I just have to say that the first chapter would have to be one of my all time favourite first chapters in a novel I have ever read, I was instantly drawn in, I wanted to know who Eliza murdered, but first we had to go through the events that lead up to the murder which was just as compelling as the actual chapter which described the act itself.
As the book is told from the point of view of Eliza I was never sure how believable her account of the murder and the events that lead up to it were, was she telling the truth or not? I guess we’ll never know, some things are best left to the imagination and it’s left up to the reader to decide. I’m still not sure and I read Fury nearly two weeks ago.
Out of all the characters I liked Neil, Eliza’s childhood friend, the best, he was a bit of an enigma to me, there was definitely something about him that I liked though. I don’t want to give anything away but there was this sudden bit of information we’re given that just floored me, I wasn’t expecting that at all, and I found myself really feeling sorry for Neil when I probably shouldn’t.
I also have to mention how much I loved Shirley’s writing, the way Shirley crafted Eliza’s voice was simply fabulous. I especially loved Eliza’s sarcasm I’m a huge fan of sarcasm, as my parents can attest, so anything with sarcasm always leaves me wanting more.
Basically fury is a gripping psychological read with an unlikable protagonist who is strangely compelling. I highly recommend it.
The Good
* The first sentence, amazing!
* Shirley having the chutzpah (I love that word) to write a character that was pretty unlikable
* The narrative being told in flash backs
The Not So Good
* I actually can’t think of anything
Rating
4 out of 5
Cover Notes
I just love the cover, it is so beautiful. For anyone who is interested Shirley has written a post about the rejected Fury covers with piccies, so simply click HERE to view some of the rejected cover designs. I have to say I’m glad they used the cover they did.
Goodies
Friday, September 17, 2010
Book Blogger Hop #11 & Follow Friday #5
Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer @ Crazy for Books whilst Follow Friday is hosted by ParaJunkee’s View. ‘The Hop’ and ‘Follow Friday’ are a great way to find other people who love to blog about books just like me! So if you’re interested in participating why not check out both Crazy for Books and ParaJunkee’s View for more information.
Jennifer also asks us hopper’s to answer a new question each week, so today’s question for the Hop is (*drum roll please*):
In honor of Book Blogger Appreciation Week, let's take time this week to honor our favorite book bloggers and why we love them!
There are so many great book bloggers out there I don’t even know where to start. Below are a few of my favourites but there are many more!
Words on Paper – I love Cass’s blog she has great reviews and is always up to date on all the contests that are going on around the blogosphere.
Inkcrush – if you want anything to do with aussie YA look no further than Nomes at Inkcrush plus she’s just a really nice person J
21 Pages – Linna’s reviews are so beautifully written how can you not love her blog.
Girls Without a Bookshelf – Great reviews, great giveaways, just a great blog.
ParaJunkee also asks us follower’s to answer a question each week, so today’s question for the Follow is:
Favourite YA, or do you stick to the adult reads?
I tend to read anything YA (romance, paranormal, mystery, fantasy, contemporary, what can I say I have an eclectic taste) but that said if I find an adult read that sounds interesting I’ll read it.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Waiting on Wednesday: Vampire Crush by A. M. Robinson
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" is:
Vampire Crush by A. M. Robinson
Release Date: December 28, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult
Perfect for fans of the Vampire Kisses and Vladmir Tod series, A. M. Robinson’s debut novel sparkles with action, intrigue, irresistible wit, and sizzling romance.
I know, I know another vampire novel you say, what can I say I’m a sucker for anything with vampires in it, well as long as it’s entertaining and I have a feeling this is going to be a fun read judging from the early reviews I’ve read on goodreads.
Well that’s my “waiting on” pick, what's yours this week?
Sunday, September 12, 2010
In My Mailbox #11
In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren once a week which explores the weekly contents of your mailbox and books bought.
For Review:
Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen (Penguin/October 12, 2010 - Australia
THE YEAR IS 1929.
NEW YORK
FLAPPERS AND SOCIALITIES SEEKING THRILLS AND CHASING DREAMS
IN THE ANYTHING-GOES EAR OF THE ROARING TWENTIES
FLAPPERS AND SOCIALITIES SEEKING THRILLS AND CHASING DREAMS
IN THE ANYTHING-GOES EAR OF THE ROARING TWENTIES
Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey have escaped their small Midwestern town for
Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamours than she could have imagined-and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for . . . and someone will.
The only person Cordelia can trust is Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets.
Thanks to Penguin Australia
Bought:
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic Press/August 24, 2010)
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (Margaret K. McElderry/August 31, 2010)
Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles (Flux/September 1, 2010)
It came, it came, it came, Mockingjay finally came! I’m really excited to get into it, I’ve only read a few chapters so far but I’m loving it. I’m excited to start Return to Paradise as well because I adored Leaving Paradise, there have been a lot of mixed reviews around I hope I wont be disappointed. Finally, Clockwork Angel this book is bigger than I expected I mean it’s like a brick good thing I have a two week break coming up so I can read all of these books!
So that’s it from me, I hope you guys all had a great week, what books did you receive?
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