City of Fallen Angels by Cassabdra Clare

This is the fourth book of the Mortal Instruments series so long as you don't count the prequel- Clockwork Angel

If you like contemporary urban fantasy with  bit of romance and you're not familiar with Mortal Instruments, then why are you still reading this?  Go and get City of Bones and sit down and read it right now!  Seriously it's a bit like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but the guys are pretty good at slaying bad guys too.

Ok, so we are, you've read books 1-3 and the prequel, so how does this one stack up?  Is it worth reading?  What about the romance?  Who's in it?

Simon, the daylighter Vampire who used to have a crush on Cassie is finding his life is complicated.  Bad people want him, and not necessarily alive, and Jace, well dying and coming back to life is more difficult for a Shadowhunter than anyone could have imagined, so much so that now even his dreams are putting him at risk.  Can Cassie trust him?  And how nasty are things going to get?  Well the answer to those questions is - no - and very nasty.  Yes you'll love it, the fast pace, the fun, and although the romance is a bit heavy, let me assure the less romantically inclined readers that the bedroom door isn't opened for something that could merely be insinuated behind a closed one.

This is modern teen fantasy that doesn't require a degree in English, nor is it the endless teenage angst of twilight, it's just good fun.  Maybe not quite as dazzling as books one to three, mostly because I hate stories that end on a knife edge - there's nothing worse - especially because that means I desperately want to read the next book now! 

A J Ponder

The Travelling Restaurant by Barbara Else

shhh - this book is magic - don't tell anybody.  Don't even say the word m**ic - or "she" might hear you.  It's the perfect book for nine to twelve year olds to read for themselves, or if you are younger that's great because  mum, dad, grandma or grandpa will love it too. 

Jasper, an obviously extraordinary boy, has to escape to sea in the travelling restaurant where he encounters pirates and all sorts of danger in order to rescue his little sister and in fact everyone from a very nasty lady who wants to be Queen. Seriously I'd tell you more, but I don't want to ruin a moment of fun by spoiling any of the surprises.

"a great romp" Richard Ponder
"an edge-of-your-seat tale of treachery courage and magic" official blurb yes, I know but it's true  
 "One of the most enchanting books I've read for a long time," Kate De Goldi

And me - well, it's the first book where I've seriously wished to go back in time to read it to my young children.  A very special book that will touch the hearts of young and old. 

Review: Alicia Ponder