Numbers 2: The Chaos [Review]

Written by: Rachel Ward.

Published by: Chicken House.

Format: Paperback.

Released: 2010.

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "Like his mother, Jem, when he looks in people's eyes, Adam can see the dates of their deaths. It's hard enough living with this terrible gift, but life is about to get tougher. Adam sees that everyone around him has the same date - January 2027. Something huge is going to happen. Something bad. But what is it? And what can he do about it?"

I absolutely devoured the first book in this series and thought it was absolutely amazing. The Chaos blew it out of the water! Honestly, this book is too amazing for words, but I will struggle to try and get across what I feel about this book.

The writing, just as with Numbers is brilliant. It's perfectly crafted, and utterly captivating. Epic is the word that comes to mind. The Chaos is just so captivating, so high-octane and... addictive, I fought so hard whenever I had to put it down. I just couldn't. I really couldn't.

Adam has his mothers gift, or more of a curse, and can see the dates when people will die. But when he sees that everyone around him has the exact same date, he realises that something major is about to happen.

As I said earlier in the review, it is epic and I would kill (not literally) to see a film adaptation of this. I think it would be brilliant, and make for a great viewing experience. Reading this book isn't like reading normally. It is exactly like watching a movie, which is why I think it would make the transition from page to screen well.

If you are going to read this, might I recommend you read the first book, Numbers (review here) first, as some aspects will confuse you if you haven't! The design of these books is amazing. The logo. The imagery. Just brilliant. They look fantastic on the bookshelf!

All I can say is that I cannot wait to read what Rachel Ward has to offer next. I'm hopeful for a third Numbers book as these have become some of my favourite books of all time.

Thank you to Claire at Chicken House for my copy!

Hunger [Review]

Written by: Michael Grant.
Published by: Egmont Books.
Format: Paperback.
Released: 6th September 2010 (previously published in hardback: 4th Jan 2010).
Rating: 4.5/5.

Official synopsis: "The clock is ticking for Sam Temple and the kids of Perdido Beach but it's not the big one-five that they face now; it's starvation that threatens the FAYZ. In an abandoned mineshaft a faceless animal lurks, pulling the strings, toying with human and mutant alike. And he's hungry - hungry in the darkness. An uneasy calm has settled over Perdido Beach. But soon, fear explodes into desperation as starvation sets in and the mob look to place blame. For the 'normals' the buck must stop somewhere: with the 'freaks'. More and more kids are developing strange powers and, just as frighteningly, so are the animals in the FAYZ: talking coyotes, swimming bats and deadly worms with razor-sharp teeth are just the beginning. For Sam Temple the strain of leadership is beginning to show and he's got more than just dwindling rations and in-fighting to worry about - Caine is back with the psychotic whiphand, Drake, by his side. And in the background lies the greatest danger of all - and he too needs to be fed."

I read the first book in Michael Grant's Gone series, also titled Gone, a week or so ago, and found it to be a pretty mixed bag. This time however, I could not of been further in this books grip. It is, quite frankly, brilliant!


Hunger takes place 3 months after the climatic events of Gone. It's darker, and definitely a lot deeper than Hunger. I feel that I connected more with the characters and events in this one. As the title would suggest, this book focuses around food, the problems it causes when it's in short supply - having been shut off from the outside world, there is no way to get food in. Kids are starving, and with kids being, typically kids, they are lazy and would rather wait for someone else to come along and sort it out. 


I really enjoyed this book. I thought the writing had progressed immensely, the plot was fantastic, it just hooked me from the start. I like that its from several different points of view, it's interesting to learn more about the characters other than just the main set. The opening scene is possibly my favourite scene of the series so far - this book certainly opens with a big bang. The twists throughout Hunger are fantastic - both in pace and plot. Grant has certainly set things up very nicely for the third book in the series, Lies which comes out today (6th September)! I can't wait to see what happens next to the FAYZ - thankfully I don't have to wait too long as it's next on my reading pile!


I cannot recommend this series enough. Although personally, I didn't enjoy Gone too much, this book more than makes up for that. And with a fourth book, Plague out next year, now is just as good a time as any to get into this series!


Thank you to Jenny at Egmont for my copy!

Buy from Amazon UK

Cover VS Cover: Mockingjay

US//UK

As you will know if you are a regular reader of Empire of Books, I am a massive Hunger Games fan (although only recently!) and adored Mockingjay. And so what better way to kickstart Cover VS Cover as a weekly segment here on EoB than this amazing book?!

I have to say that I'm torn. I love both covers. I own the UK covers and so am more biased towards them as they're the ones I've loved and read. However, the US covers are just as brilliant. I love the blue, and the actual mockingjay. The US cover gives a sense of hope. 

I love the firey colours on the UK edition. It symbolises so many things in the trilogy, Katniss is the girl on fire after all.I love the fonts used on both editions but I like the UK one more. I think it's clever how they incorporate Katniss and Peeta into the title.And I really like the HG logo. However, sometimes I feel the UK covers are a little too cluttered. If they got rid of the quote from S. Meyer on the front, it'd be better. It's really the only thing they can cut from the cover, as it doesn't really do anything for it.

This isn't a major complaint, but one thing that annoys me is the Stephenie Meyer quotes. On the front and on the spine! The spine! That annoys me just a teeny weeny bit. I think it spoils the artwork to see a quote on the spine AND on the front. That's one reason I really like the US cover. It's so simple and yet effective.

But if it comes down to it, I just have to choose the UK cover. It's what I know and love. And it looks so amazing in the flesh.

Which do you prefer?

Dark Matter by Michelle Paver [Review]

Written by: Michelle Paver.

Published by: Orion Books.

Format: Hardback.

Released: 21st October 2010.

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "'What is it? What does it want? Why is it angry with me?' January 1937. Clouds of war are gathering over a fogbound London. Twenty-eight year old Jack is poor, lonely and desperate to change his life. So when he's offered the chance to be the wireless operator on an Arctic expedition, he jumps at it. Spirits are high as the ship leaves Norway: five men and eight huskies, crossing the Barents Sea by the light of the midnight sun. At last they reach the remote, uninhabited bay where they will camp for the next year. Gruhuken. But the Arctic summer is brief. As night returns to claim the land, Jack feels a creeping unease. One by one, his companions are forced to leave. He faces a stark choice. Stay or go. Soon he will see the last of the sun, as the polar night engulfs the camp in months of darkness. Soon he will reach the point of no return - when the sea will freeze, making escape impossible. And Gruhuken is not uninhabited. Jack is not alone. Something walks there in the dark."

I’ve been a fan of Michelle Paver since Wolf Brother, the first book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series, was published back in 2004. Last year, the sixth and final book, Ghost Hunter, was published and was a stunning conclusion to the series. And now Michelle Paver proves that she has a lot left to offer.

Dark Matter is a stunning, albeit terrifying, ghost story that grips you right from the start. It’s not a case of you not being able to put the book down. It’s more a case of the book not being able to put you down! Written with consummate skill, and incredibly addictive, this is easily one of the best (if not the best) books I have read this year, so far.


Jack is a fantastic character. From the start of the book (written in first person), you feel a strong connection to Jack - possibly because everything you are seeing is through his eyes. He's a troubled character - the main reason he decides to go on the expedition is to escape his life, the mess that he feels he's living in. In a way, Dark Matter is all about Jack finding out who he is, why he feels so alone.

The tone of the book is perfect and plays on the fear of the dark. The setting, in the higher arctic circle, is perfect and only adds to the tension. Michelle paints this landscape perfectly (if you need further proof of her skill in this field, check out the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, Soul Eater and Ghost Hunter in particular). In a place where darkness lasts for months, and after several unforseen events, Jack is completely alone. At the mercy of the ‘untoward’ forces that tread the snow there.

The revelations are paced brilliantly – a trait of Michelle’s work. Just when you think things are on the turn, for the better, something terrible happens and you are thrust back into fear. Not a single moment is predictable. You’ll be left gasping for breath, shivering with fear.

The only warmth in the book, comes in the form of eight huskies. I fell in love with these dogs just as Jack did. In a place where everything is so cold, they create a brilliant contrast and are used in a genius way. Comforting you, before something chilling happens, strengthening your reaction.

Primarily, it is an adult book, but anyone above the age or 14 should devour this book with no problem at all. Michelle fans will no doubt want to read this, and will not be disappointed.

Dark Matter is a true ghost story. It will chill, terrify, and haunt you, while still leaving you feeling satisfied. I cannot praise this book enough. Perfectly written. Make sure you read it in broad daylight, preferably on a clear and calm day. I finished it when it was cold, raining and windy. The weather didn't help with my fear! The book will definitely leave an impact on the reader, that will only make you want to read it again, and again, and again. I do!

Thank you to Helen Richardson at Orion for sending me the copy. An incredibly happy reader right here. Other ghost stories, take note!

Pre-order from Amazon UK

Losing It [Review]

Written by: Melvin Burgess, Anne Fine, Mary Hooper, Sophie McKenzie, Patrick Ness, Bali Rai and Jenny Valentine. Edited by Keith Gray.

Published by: Andersen Press.

Format: Paperback.

Released: 8th July 2010.

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "Melvin Burgess, Keith Gray, Patrick Ness, Sophie McKenzie, Bali Rai, Jenny Valentine and Mary Hooper. Some of today's leading writers for teens are gathered here in a wonderful collection of original stories: some funny, some moving, some haunting but all revolving around the same subject - having sex for the first time! You never forget your first time and you'll never forget this book!"

This collection of short stories is, to put it bluntly, absolutely amazing. Featuring some of the best talent in British writing today for young adults today, Losing It is a collection of short stories about teenagers losing (or trying to lose) their virginity.

The book covers a range of situations. From a girl learning a valuable lesson from a family member, the difference between the views of sex in Victorian London to those of today, a different cultures opinions on relationships and sex, and a boy realising that being gay is nothing to be ashamed of. In just 200 pages you will laugh, cry, cringe and be shocked. 

My favourite stories have to be The White Towel by Bali Rai (possibly the most shocking and thought provoking, probably even painful story). Different For Boys by Patrick Ness is probably the most entertaining. The latter story is very clever, where Ness uses blackouts to hide "rude" parts of the story. But it's not just the odd word here and there - whole paragraphs are blanked out. Therefore, it is left to the reader's imagination to determine what happens at certain parts of the story. And one line in particular from The Age of Consent by Jenny Valentine had me absolutely roaring with laughter. Rather immature, but it didn't register until a few lines later when I thought "did I really just read that..." and went back and I had. It wasn't my imagination. If you read it, I'm sure you will know just what line I am on about!

As an eighteen year old my self, I found this collection highly entertaining and engaging. I would recommend it to everyone from the ages of 13 up. Adults too would probably enjoy this just as much. What I like about the stories is that they don't preach. They are entirely for entertainment purposes. That said, they do teach some good morals in a way that isn't instantly recognisable. Everyone should be able to gain something from this book. They offer a great insight into the teenage mind and I for one shall definitely be reading this again!

My thanks to Clare at Anderson Press for my copy!

Buy from Amazon UK

Waiting On Wednesday (7): Crescendo

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick.

Published by: Simon And Schuster.

Format: Hardback.

Released: 14th October 2010.

Amazon UK - Amazon US

Synopsis: "Nora should know better than to think her life can return to normal after falling in love with a fallen angel. And Nora's life isn't normal - her dad was murdered, and the facts about his death just don't add up. Now Nora's own life is in imminent danger. Are she and Patch strong enough for the battle ahead?"

I really enjoyed Hush, Hush, by Becca Fitzpatrick (review here) and cannot wait to read this. It sounds brilliant. Again the cover art is fantastic. Very eye catching. It's definitely going to stand out in the shops! Kudos to Simon and Schuster on that front! That cover is reason enough just to get this! Can't wait to see what happens to Nora and Patch next! It'll be interesting to see how their relationship develops.