Black Cairn Point by Claire McFall

And now, ladies and gents, another book that had me rocking in a corner. And not in the good way.

If Birdy had you creeped out and questioning everyone you meet, then Black Cairn Point will not just have you questioning strangers. But have you question your friends as well. And you'll never want to go camping again, no way Jose.

My original opinion on this novel from writer Claire McFall was dull. Dull and in desperate need of some answers. One hundred pages in and I'm still left wondering where this is going and when it's going to take off.

The action starts and more questions are raised. My brow is furrowed in the what-the-hell-is-going-on kind of way and I'm left seriously confused. I had my suspicions and, similarly to Birdy, they were shot to death by an ultimate plot twist that was also deeply disturbing. You know, the best kind!

This book did have it's flaws though and they numbered more than most.

I've already mentioned the dry plot (up until the end of course) but there's also the generic characters to consider. Subtract the twist at the end I was getting a sort of Breakfast Club vibe from each character in this story. Darren, the jock, Emma, the princess, Martin, the brain etc. This could be just an added feature to highlight the intricately proceeding plot but I just found the characters difficult and pandering.

The one thing I did like about this story however, was what I mentioned before, it's intricacy. The plot, though dry, evolved into something very neat and it's creepiness was set up in a series of minor leaps and bounds that was just enough to keep it going towards an exciting climax. One thing I will point out is though, I only wish that this could've begun right from the beginning. The start didn't grab me like I think most books should.

Black Cairn Point was a somewhat interesting read. Definitely unique and cleverly put together. My only problem is that the plot did not grab me from page one.

3 out of 5 stars.

Black Cairn Point by Claire McFall

And now, ladies and gents, another book that had me rocking in a corner. And not in the good way.

If Birdy had you creeped out and questioning everyone you meet, then Black Cairn Point will not just have you questioning strangers. But have you question your friends as well. And you'll never want to go camping again, no way Jose.

My original opinion on this novel from writer Claire McFall was dull. Dull and in desperate need of some answers. One hundred pages in and I'm still left wondering where this is going and when it's going to take off.

The action starts and more questions are raised. My brow is furrowed in the what-the-hell-is-going-on kind of way and I'm left seriously confused. I had my suspicions and, similarly to Birdy, they were shot to death by an ultimate plot twist that was also deeply disturbing. You know, the best kind!

This book did have it's flaws though and they numbered more than most.

I've already mentioned the dry plot (up until the end of course) but there's also the generic characters to consider. Subtract the twist at the end I was getting a sort of Breakfast Club vibe from each character in this story. Darren, the jock, Emma, the princess, Martin, the brain etc. This could be just an added feature to highlight the intricately proceeding plot but I just found the characters difficult and pandering.

The one thing I did like about this story however, was what I mentioned before, it's intricacy. The plot, though dry, evolved into something very neat and it's creepiness was set up in a series of minor leaps and bounds that was just enough to keep it going towards an exciting climax. One thing I will point out is though, I only wish that this could've begun right from the beginning. The start didn't grab me like I think most books should.

Black Cairn Point was a somewhat interesting read. Definitely unique and cleverly put together. My only problem is that the plot did not grab me from page one.

3 out of 5 stars.

Trouble is a Friend Of Mine by Stephanie Tromly

What a flawless read! Like the Spring days to come or receiving a surprise birthday card, this story was a delight to experience. It was just one of those things that tends to brighten someone's day.

I will admit, I am one of those readers that looks at the crime-solving genre and immediately hits the snooze button in my brain. And I look at teenage mystery stories with even less excitement. So naturally I had low expectations going in.

How wrong I was! Not only was the writing fluid and expressive but Tromly manages to make each one of her characters lovable. Yes, even the bullies that you just want to love to hate. Also, if you're a teenage girl and you don't end up falling in love with Digby even just a little by the end of the book then you may have something seriously wrong with you.

This book was similar to watching a TV show. Not as mind-numbing, but just as effortless. Our protagonist, Zoe, is ordinary. That's it. She's just a regular girl (not unlike you or me) who finds an adventure on her doorstep. This adventure comes in the form of Digby, the school's local troublemaker/detective/brutally-honest-outcast-with-a-kind-of-dark-past.

There is something so beautiful about this though. This book didn't make me wish guys were like this in real life. It didn't give me unreal expectations about friendship or enemies-turned-friends. This book made me believe that if you don't got out searching for adventure than eventually it'll find you and turn your seemingly ordinary life into something special. It may come in the form of some sexy stranger on your doorstep or in the form of a new friend but this book gives me hope that adventure will come. No matter what.

5 out of 5 stars.

Trouble is a Friend Of Mine by Stephanie Tromly

What a flawless read! Like the Spring days to come or receiving a surprise birthday card, this story was a delight to experience. It was just one of those things that tends to brighten someone's day.

I will admit, I am one of those readers that looks at the crime-solving genre and immediately hits the snooze button in my brain. And I look at teenage mystery stories with even less excitement. So naturally I had low expectations going in.

How wrong I was! Not only was the writing fluid and expressive but Tromly manages to make each one of her characters lovable. Yes, even the bullies that you just want to love to hate. Also, if you're a teenage girl and you don't end up falling in love with Digby even just a little by the end of the book then you may have something seriously wrong with you.

This book was similar to watching a TV show. Not as mind-numbing, but just as effortless. Our protagonist, Zoe, is ordinary. That's it. She's just a regular girl (not unlike you or me) who finds an adventure on her doorstep. This adventure comes in the form of Digby, the school's local troublemaker/detective/brutally-honest-outcast-with-a-kind-of-dark-past.

There is something so beautiful about this though. This book didn't make me wish guys were like this in real life. It didn't give me unreal expectations about friendship or enemies-turned-friends. This book made me believe that if you don't got out searching for adventure than eventually it'll find you and turn your seemingly ordinary life into something special. It may come in the form of some sexy stranger on your doorstep or in the form of a new friend but this book gives me hope that adventure will come. No matter what.

5 out of 5 stars.