Anthony Horowitz' RUSSIAN ROULETTE gets UK cover!

The US artwork for Russian Roulette, the last foray of Anthony's into the world of Alex Rider, this time focusing on the love-to-hate assassin Yassen, was released a few weeks ago, and now it's the UK's turn to see what we're going to be nabbing for our book shelves!

Ooh! I think Walker have done a great job. I like how it matches the covers for the main books in the Alex series but also manages to look like it's something completely different, which in essence I suppose it is. Either way I can't wait to own this one! 

What do you think? Do you like the cover? Are you going to be reading Russian Roulette when it comes out? Which cover do you like best? The UK one or the US one?

Anthony Horowitz' The Power of Five gets new UK cover look

Walker UK have unveiled the new cover look for Anthony's The Power of Five series which concluded last year with the publication of the epic Oblivion. I for one am a big fan of the series, and adore the original artwork, so this new look may take some getting used to, but it is nice! Check it out below...

The new look Power of Five series will be available from 4th July in the UK!

Anthony Horowitz' RUSSIAN ROULETTE gets US artwork

So the long awaited Yassen book is finally coming out. Anthony has been talking about this book for years. The last time he'll tackle the world of Alex Rider and it's something of a prequel, surrounding a certain assain, Yassen! I for one am looking forward to it, and now we get our first glimpse into what Anthony has in store for us. The US artwork has appeared online, on Borders and Amazon so it's safe to say things are about to kick off. I can't wait to see what Walker have up their sleeves for the UK cover!

"Every story has a beginning. For teen secret-agent Alex Rider, that beginning occurred prior to his first case for MI6, known to all as Stormbreaker. By the time that mission came to be, Alex's father, a secret-agent in his own right, has been murdered. And when Alex's uncle was murdered by the assassin Yassen Gregoravich, Alex was essentially left orphaned. Yet at the conclusion of the novel, when Yassen has the chance to kill a vengeful-minded Alex, he chooses not to. This story tells us why.

Much in the way that Alex's uncle mentored Alex, preparing him for a life in espionage, Alex's father once mentored Yassen. Yassen was the original Alex Rider—a teenager meant to work for MI6. Instead, he turned rogue assassin.

This web of emotion and deceit forms the basis of the last of the Alex Rider novels, a spy thriller in the vein of classic James Bond for teens.

From the #1 internationally bestselling author of STORMBREAKER, ARK ANGEL, CROCODILE TEARS, SCORPIA RISING, and the rest of the acclaimed Alex Rider novels comes the spy thriller readers have been waiting for."

Russian Roulette is out in October.

Oblivion by Anthony Horowitz [Review]

Written by: Anthony Horowitz/

Published by: Walker.

Format: Hardback.

Released: 4th October 2012.

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "Having escaped from Hong Kong, the Five Gatekeepers - Matt, Pedro, Scott, Jamie and Scarlett - are scattered in a hostile and dangerous world. As they struggle to re-group and plan their next move, the malevolent King of the Old Ones gathers his forces in Oblivion: a desolate landscape where the last survivors of humanity must fight the ultimate battle."

-

When you are dedicated to a series for so long, from start to finish as it were, the end is always such a bitter-sweet moment. You're looking for a great conclusion, all the threads of the story brought together, and tied in a pretty little bow so that it all makes sense. You want a sense of closure, both for yourself and for the characters. But then it is also a sad occasion, as you know the characters you love so much are all about to be left behind, no more adventures, you've reached the end of the line. Oblivion is such a book for me. I remember reading Raven's Gate when it first come out, way back in 2005. I'd always loved Anthony's work, and while I enjoyed the Alex Rider series, Raven's Gate really got me going, it got me excited, and I loved it. For me, The Power of Five is a fantastic body of work - all five books - and is easily the best thing Anthony has written.

From the start of Oblivion, it is clear that the world as we know it is gone, and the world as it stands now, albeit ten years in the future, is hanging in only by a thread. Things are changing and at a rapid pace. Economies have crumbled and fallen away, governments have been extinguished, chaos reigns, and indeed Chaos, King of the Old Ones does indeed reign. There's no order any more, and things are only getting worse. The Five appear, ten years later, scattered to the four corners of the globe, further apart than they ever have been before. But weren't they just in Hong Kong? How can they now be all over the world, and have skipped the last ten years?

Oblivion itself poses many questions. Both regarding the series and it's characters, and on a wider scale. It's a tale of pure destruction. A tale of human self-destruction. Man turns on man in Oblivion. The Old Ones themselves initiate it, but this book is very clever in the way that it shows human behaviour and we can see that when faced with horror, we as a race, a species, fall. The book has really touched a nerve with me and made me think big time. Big time! I'll be honest, I like order. I like knowing what's going on, where I'm going and when, what time I have to be there, why I'm going somewhere, and so on. So the world that we're presented with within Oblivion terrifies me. I hate the thought of the End of the World. Just as much as everyone else does, right? When I knew this book would be just that, the End of the World, it did scare me a little before I even sat down to read it. But it's in a far more subtle  and I want to say terrifying, way. Anthony has obviously put so much thought into this book it's unreal. There are so many parallels to what is going on in our own world today - and this for me only made the book all the more effective. The book has a real message and one that shouldn't be shied away from.

And at 668 pages it is pretty damn epic. It's really hard not to say anything which is going to spoil it. By now, it's the fifth in the series, so much has happened, and is in the process of happening when you start the book, that pretty much anything I say will spoil it. So, thanks Anthony for making this book so damn hard to review!

What I can say is that it is beautifully written. I've always been a fan of Anthony's, so his style and well loved in my eyes, but even I did wonder if nearly 700 pages was too much? He's said himself, it's his biggest, longest, and most ambitious body of work ever. And you know what? It's perfect. I wouldn't change it in any way. Not at all...

Well, that is a lie. The concluding scenes, set in Oblivion itself, in the frozen wastes of Antarctica, are stunning, both visually and superbly written, but I felt that because they were so action packed and well written, they seemed to flash by. I was left battered and bruised by what was going on, and I just sat there in a daze. I loved that section so much I read it again before actually going on to finish the remaining pages of the book. Yes, I'd of liked that section to of been a bit longer - but Anthony... wow! You have done yourself proud. Stunning.

I'm going to finish this review before I do spoil anything, so I'll finish it like this. Please, whatever you do, do not let this extra-ordinary series pass you by. In a world at the moment that is filled with paranormal romance, yada yada yada, I do feel that truly amazing pieces of work, like this series, go amiss. I implore you to please, just pick up Raven's Gate, and see what I mean. This series is so intoxicating, so rich, that it just blows you away. Just do it. Please. 

My thanks to the awesome Paul at Walker, for my copy!

P.S... And can I just say, wow, well done to the Walker design team. The book is a stunning thing to look at. I love how the cover actually glistens like snow. Beautiful!

-

Buy from Amazon UK

Spooky Reads - Recommendations this Halloween!

October, and in fact autumn and winter in general, is the perfect time of year to snuggle up and read a good book. And there are plenty out there. But at this time of year in particular, around Halloween, a good spooky, often scary, read is just what the doctor ordered. Something to get your adrenaline going, get you scared, make you jump, or even squeal.

Today I'm going to be highlighting some books that I think you should all add to your Halloween/Spooktastic reading lists! First off, I haven't read all of these books. One is next on my to read pile and I shall be making a start this weekend... so here we go...

(Please note, for your ease, I have linked the titles to Amazon. Just click, and away you go!)

Zom-B by Darren Shan.

One that I haven't read yet but cannot wait to start. I've heard nothing but praise for this and with zombies, it's perfect for Halloween. Apparently, it's gory as hell, but what else do you expect from Mr. Shan? The cover says it all. The master of horror! The first in a twelve book saga, it sounds like one to miss at your own peril!

Official synopsis: "Zom-B is a radical new series about a zombie apocalypse, told in the first person by one of its victims. The series combines classic Shan action with a fiendishly twisting plot and hard-hitting and thought-provoking moral questions dealing with racism, abuse of power and more. This is challenging material, which will captivate existing Shan fans and bring in many new ones. As Darren says, "It's a big, sprawling, vicious tale...a grisly piece of escapism, and a barbed look at the world in which we live. Each book in the series is short, fast-paced and bloody. A high body-count is guaranteed!"

 Oblivion by Anthony Horowitz.

The finale in the epic The Power of Five series, this book is equal parts horror and awesome. From start to finish it is a rollercoaster as you see the complete and utter destruction upon the world, wrecked by the Old Ones. A stunning conclusion, my full review is coming next week, but make sure you check out the book itself, weighing in a hefty, and justifiable, 672 pages. And of course the first four books in the series, Raven's Gate, Evil Star, Nightrise and Necropolis!

Official synopsis: "Having escaped from Hong Kong, the Five Gatekeepers - Matt, Pedro, Scott, Jamie and Scarlett - are scattered in a hostile and dangerous world. As they struggle to re-group and plan their next move, the malevolent King of the Old Ones gathers his forces in Oblivion: a desolate landscape where the last survivors of humanity must fight the ultimate battle."

 The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker.

It's dark, creepy, and there are the Weepers - I can't even desribe the fear that they struck in me when I read the book late last year. And with the release of the second book, The Life Beyond just beyond the horizon, March 2013, there's no better time than now to pick up the first instalment!

Official synopsis: "The Other Life: who we were before the virus. How we'll never be again. It's been 3 years, 1 month, 1 week and 6 days since Sherry has seen daylight. When things went wrong up above, she was sealed off from the world in a bunker with her family. But when they run out of food, Sherry and her dad must venture outside. There they find devastation, desolation...and the Weepers: savage mutant killers. When her dad is snatched, Sherry joins forces with gorgeous but troubled Joshua - an Avenger, determined to destroy the Weepers. But can Sherry keep her family and Joshua safe, when his desire for vengeance threatens them all? The seeds of first love are sown amongst the death and destruction of a nightmare future in this incredible debut novel. Beautifully formed and gut-wrenchingly gripping, it's essential reading."

 Department 19: The Rising by Will Hill.

The second book in what is already shaping up to be a fantastic series, it is a big book, coming in at just over 700 pages, but boy is it worth it. It packs a massive punch, and there are buckets of blood, guts and gore to keep you entertained the whole way through. Again, the timing is perfect for you to pick up both the first book, simply Department 19, and The Rising, because the third book, Battle Lines, is due in March, so get on it! What are you waiting for?

Official synopsis: "The pulse-pounding sequel to DEPARTMENT 19 – “The best action horror story I have ever read” according to Bookzoneforboys… 91 DAYS TILL ZERO HOUR. THAT'S 91 DAYS TO RUN. 91 DAYS TO HIDE. OR 91 DAYS TO PRAY FOR DEPARTMENT 19 TO SAVE YOU… After the terrifying attack on Lindisfarne at the end of the first book, Jamie, Larissa and Kate are recovering at Department 19 headquarters, waiting for news of Dracula’s stolen ashes. They won’t be waiting for long. Vampire forces are gathering. Old enemies are getting too close. And Dracula… is rising."

Unrest by Michelle Harrison.

Hands down, this is perhaps the most un-nerving, terrifying books I have read this year, if not in a long time. The chills I got when reading this - it's insane! I can't even desribe it. Just... go. Get it. It's got ghosts. Enough said! Michelle, you're a genius! But you did stop me from sleeping. Thanks, thanks a bunch!

Official synopsis: "Seventeen-year-old Elliott hasn't slept properly for six months. Not since the accident that nearly killed him. Now he is afraid to go to sleep. Sometimes he wakes to find himself paralysed, unable to move a muscle, while shadowy figures move around him. Other times he is the one moving around, while his body lies asleep on the bed. According to his doctor, sleep paralysis and out of body experiences are harmless - but to Elliot they're terrifying. Convinced that his brush with death has opened up connections with the spirit world, Elliott secures a live-in job at one of England's most haunted locations, determined to find out the truth. There he finds Sebastian, the ghost of a long-dead servant boy hanged for stealing bread. He also meets the living, breathing Ophelia, a girl with secrets of her own. She and Elliott grow closer, but things take a terrifying turn when Elliott discovers Sebastian is occupying his body when he leaves it. And the more time Sebastian spends inhabiting a living body, the more resistant he becomes to giving it back. Worse, he seems to have an unhealthy interest in Ophelia. Unless Elliott can lay Sebastian's spirit to rest, he risks being possessed by him for ever, and losing the girl of his dreams..."

So, there you go. Whatever you decide to read this Halloween, even if it isn't scary at all, happy reading!

Anthony Horowitz visits the Antarctic - Oblivion is coming!!!

Regular readers of the blog, and people that follow me on twitter know that my most anticipated read this year has to be Oblivion by Anthony Horowitz. It is the fifth and final book in The Power of Five series, which began with Raven's Gate in 2005. Well now, at long last, and after a four year wait between now and the last book released, Nocropolis, we are just under 3 months away from finding out just how it all ends! Argh! 3 months! 3 months yesterday to be precise! Eep!

Anyway, Mr. Horowitz took himself off to the Antarctic earlier on in the year to research for the book, and actually wrote the closing scenes whilst there. I'm sorry, but that is just downright awesome! Check out a little video of his trip, released by his publisher, Walker Books.

Wow! Seriously cannot wait! Oblivion is published on 4th October. Bring. It. On!

Cover for Anthony Horowitz' OBLIVION revealed!!

One book really stands out for me this year in terms of sheer anticipation. And that one book is Oblivion. It's the fifth and final book in what has been a stunning series, The Power of Five by the very clever and obviously incredible, Anthony Horowitz. 

I've spoken about the book several times already over the last few months. The exclusive chapter he posted online for Christmas - and has since said on Twitter no longer appears in the book (so it's going to be a rarity now, I guess..) and the release date and so on. 

Well now, after months of waiting, well years really (the last book, Necropolis came out in 2008!!!) the cover for Oblivion has finally been released!

I for one think it looks great. I'm guessing they're going for a literal term of oblivion, as it's pretty empty. I love the whole kind of cloud effect, the title font is awesome. Lightning. It looks well designed and no doubt it's going to look stunning on the finished hardback. And running in at around 200,000 words, that's going to be one heck of a hardback!

 Seems weird to think that it's nearly at an end. The first book, Raven's Gate was published way, way, WAY, back in 2005! So far away! And it's such a good story. If you haven't already read them, I cannot recommend them enough. Dark, scary at times, and quite disturbing in places too, yes. But they are beautifully written, and have a great story running through them. Should not be missed!

We also have a synopsis for Oblivion too, and it goes as follows...

The epic fifth and final instalment in the bestselling fantasy series The Power of Five by Anthony Horowitz.

Having escaped from Hong Kong, the five gatekeepers - Matt, Pedro, Scott, Jamie and Scarlett - are scattered in a hostile and dangerous world. As they struggle to re-group and plan their next move, the malevolent King of the Old Ones gathers his forces in Oblivion: a desolate landscape where the last survivors of humanity must fight the ultimate battle.

Argh! Can't wait! It's out on 4th October here in the UK, and 1st November in the US!

Pre-order from Amazon UK

Pre-order from The Book Depository 

Alex Rider gets new look...

Scorpia Rising, the ninth and final Alex Rider book by the incredible Anthony Horowitz was released last March and sported a completely different look for our favourite teen spy. Closing the series with a colossal bang, part of me was a bit annoyed that I would never have a complete set as they'd changed the look a few times over the series, then switch to hardback, then back to paperback... And I did wonder if this new look that we saw with Scorpia Rising would seep into the rest of the series. And finally it has... Below are the covers for the first eight books, ranging from Stormbreaker to Crocodile Tears. 

I for one really like this direction. It's clean and uniform. And some of the covers are quite striking. I am in love with the Eagle Strike cover. Bravo Walker. Bravo!

News: Anthony Horowitz and the Christmas Surprise

Christmas has just come 9 days early for me, thanks to Anthony Horowitz who, yesterday (yes I'm late again...) released the first chapter from the long awaited (and eagerly anticipated, I should add), fifth and final book in the incredible The Power of Five series. The book is called Oblivion and is out October/November 2012! So that for me is a big one to look out for too!

Now, the chapter is a gift from Mr. Horowitz, but he's not just going to post it up for you, is he? Oh no! You have to work for it - trust me, it's worth it! Just follow the clue on the following link (Anthony's Christmas Blog And Surprise!) and you should hopefully find it. If not, well it's only another 10 or 11 months until the books actually out! Not that long of a wait?! (Yeah, right!!)

I'm not going to lie, this chapter has me very excited for what is to follow! Bravo Anthony! Can't wait!

News: Scorpia Rising Trailer

If you like me are eagerly counting down the days till the release of Scoripa Rising, the ninth and final Alex Rider book by the legendary Anthony Horowitz, and are one of the lucky ones who haven't read it yet, (Yes, I'm looking at you The Book Zone!!!!) then here is the brand spanking new trailer to whet your appetite! Roll on 31st March!

Cover Watch: Witchfinder 3 and Scorpia Rising

Some beautiful covers have been released over the last few weeks! 2 such beauties right here!

The first is for The Last Nightfall, the third and final book in William Hussey's brilliant Witchfinder trilogy. It's out in September 2011 and sounds amazing! Check out the cover and the synopsis below!

With a sickening jolt, Jake realized that everything before this had been just a prelude to terror. Now he could see and hear the darkness of demonkind. Now he had reached the Shore of Damnation. Now he had truly entered Hell . . . The Demon Father has taken control of the United Kingdom. He is on a mission to open the door to the demon realm, destroying all of humankind. Jake would go to hell and back to stop him . . . but will that be enough?

And the second beaut to be revealed is the cover for the ninth and final of Anthony Horowitz' Alex Rider series, Scorpia Rising. Out on 31st March, and strictly embargoed, it is set to close the series with a collossal bang! Check out the stunning cover which is sure to stand out below, as well as the synopsis!

"This gripping final mission brings together Alex Rider's old enemies to frame the teenage superspy in an unstoppable plot of revenge, from which he can never return. Pursued from Europe to North Africa and Cairo's city of the dead - this is the twistiest and most deadly plot of any Alex Rider mission yet, and will reveal Smithers' ultimate gadget and see the shock death of a major character."

Raven's Gate: The Graphic Novel [Review]

Written by: Novel: Anthony Horowitz. Adapted by:  Tony Lee.
Illustrated by: Lee O'Connor and Dom Reardon.

Published by: Walker Books.

Format: Paperback.

Released: 2nd August 2010.

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "Sent to Yorkshire on a rehabilitation programme, Matt finds himself in the midst of a conspiracy of witchcraft and murder. The Old Ones – monstrous godlike beings once banished from our world – are trying to return. Matt is about to discover that he alone stands between the forces of evil and the annihilation of humanity... Featuring striking, high-contrast black-and-white art, this distinctive graphic novel captures the brooding atmosphere of the bestselling book."

This is perhaps the first ever graphic adaptation of a novel I have read. As a kid, I devoured comic books but never graphic novels, and as I got older, written word took over. I am a massive fan of Horowitz. His Alex Rider series, and my particular favourite, The Power of Five series. I remember reading Raven’s Gate when it came out and being utterly chilled to the bone. Some of the scenes that Mr. Horowitz works in to his books are brilliant at actually making you feel the terror the characters are feeling, something that I feel makes his Power of Five series so powerful.

So when I heard that Raven’s Gate was being adapted as a graphic novel, I just knew I had to see it for myself. And it didn’t disappoint! The artwork is fantastic. Some of the images capture exactly how I felt reading the book and convey just as well what Anthony said in work. Dom Reardon and Lee O’Connor have done a fantastic job on the interior of the book, and Tony Lee has done an equally amazing job taking a 250 page book, condensing it all down and still keeping the chilling feeling that runs all the way through.

Something that I also like about this, is that it stays in line with the entire Power of Five series. The design. The logo. Everything. It is instantly recognisable as part of the Power of Five family.

As I said earlier, I’ve never really been much of a fan of graphic novels, but this adaptation just shows that what we may not always like can sometimes surprise us. A fantastic adaptation that fans of Anthony Horowitz will devour with joy, and horror!


My thanks to Sean at Walker Books for my copy!

Buy from Amazon UK

Necropolis [Review]

Written by: Anthony Horowitz.

Publisher: Walker Books.

Format: Hardback (now available as paperback).

Published: 31st October 2008.

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "Hong Kong has been taken over by the Old Ones and has become Necropolis, city of the dead. Once in, there is no way out...Evil has been unleashed on the world and only five children - with special powers - can save it. Matt and the other three desperately need to find Scar, the final gatekeeper, who has been trapped in Hong Kong, where puddles of water turn into puddles of blood, where ghosts, demons and hideous creatures stalk the streets. Matt has no choice but to follow her. Now, both imprisoned, their only hope of survival is to reach a secret door in the Man Ho temple. But even if Scar can find her psychic power, it may already be too late."

Necropolis is the fourth book in the utterly phenomenal Power of Five series. Many rave about Horowitz's Alex Rider books, and over look the Power of Five. This is just plain wrong wrong wrong!

For me, the Power of Five books are amoung my all time favourites. Absolutely stunning books. The first book, Raven's Gate, was published in 2005 and set a horrifying pace. A stand out scene has to be when a man is made to stab himself by an evil evil woman. Evil Star followed in 2006, with Nightrise following in 2007.

Necropolis is by far the most terrifying book in the series so far. It's the peniltimate book, and the evil is closer than ever before. The Old Ones have been banished before, but after escaping from the second gate in the Nazca desert, it it time for revenge. They have taken over Hong Kong, poisoning the air.

The race is on for them to find the five Gatekeepers before they meet. When the Gatekeepers meet, there will be no stopping them, and the Old Ones know that they will be destroyed. They will do anything to destroy the Gatekeepers so that they can wreak their havoc on the entire human race. Torturing and killing every living thing.

A terrifying read that froze me with fear, aptly released on Halloween. I cannot recommend these books enough. Horror. Fantasy. What more could anyone want?

And with the fifth and final book due for publication later this year, now is as perfect a time as any!

Buy from Amazon UK

Buy from Amazon US