Books Reviews
Dispatched in 20 to 25 working days
- Price
- R 597
Dark, twisty and terrifying
Reviewed by lurkykitty on
The Shadows' main character is Paul Adams who returns to his home of Gritten Wood after an absence of 25 years because his mother is in hospice, near her end. Paul left because of the horrifying murder of one of his friends by very disturbed teenagers, Charlie Crabtree and Billy Roberts. Billy confesses and is convicted, but Charlie, the instigator, disappears, never to be seen again. There are rumors that Charlie is hiding in The Shadows, the dark, sinister woods surrounding the town. There have been copycat murders over the years which fuel the idea that Charlie is still out there.
This book is told through Paul's point of view but also that of Detective Amanda Beck who is investigating one of the copycat murders.
The Shadows is an absolutely compelling read with multiple twists, turns and revelations. It is chilling, spooky, creepy and terrifying and impossible to put down.
This book is told through Paul's point of view but also that of Detective Amanda Beck who is investigating one of the copycat murders.
The Shadows is an absolutely compelling read with multiple twists, turns and revelations. It is chilling, spooky, creepy and terrifying and impossible to put down.
Dispatched in 20 to 25 working days
- Price
- R 474
Keep the lights on....
Reviewed by lurkykitty on
The Patient is written in the form of a series of blog posts by an overconfident, bright young psychiatrist called Parker H. He takes his first job at a state mental hospital in New England and really wants to make a difference.
He is assigned a mysterious, dangerous, uncategorizable mental patient called Joe who has lived in the hospital for decades, since he was a young boy. Doctors, nurses or other staff who interact with or treat this patient often go insane or commit suicide. I will not reveal the twists and turns or the end, which I did not guess. It is fast moving, relatively short and I consider it to be both horror and a psychological thriller. It was well-written, creepy, and dark. The blog post format made it even more terrifying. Keep the lights on while reading this one. Recommended for fans of Stephen King.
He is assigned a mysterious, dangerous, uncategorizable mental patient called Joe who has lived in the hospital for decades, since he was a young boy. Doctors, nurses or other staff who interact with or treat this patient often go insane or commit suicide. I will not reveal the twists and turns or the end, which I did not guess. It is fast moving, relatively short and I consider it to be both horror and a psychological thriller. It was well-written, creepy, and dark. The blog post format made it even more terrifying. Keep the lights on while reading this one. Recommended for fans of Stephen King.
Dispatched in 20 to 25 working days
- Price
- R 661
An intriguing start to a new fantasy series
Reviewed by lurkykitty on
The Kingdom of Liars is set in the Kingdom of Hollow, on a world with two moons, one of which is disintegrating. Its chunks sometimes fall and wreak havoc on Hollow. The setting feels like a medieval society with a castle and city states, except there are guns, unusual in epic fantasy. Michael Kingman comes from a family that was once renowned and close to the Royals, until his father was arrested and executed for the murder of the King’s 9 year-old son, ten years earlier. Michael’s family has fallen and he survives through scamming minor nobles. He is missing a lot of early memories, and the story mainly revolves around Michael trying to find out whether his father is innocent or guilty. There are many interesting characters in this corrupt and unstable Kingdom. The magic system is fascinating. Using magic can wipe out your own memories, especially if done without training, and the magic of some involves wiping out the memories of others. It makes for interesting plot twists and unreliable narrators. I really liked this book. The last half of the book just flew by. I will be looking out for the next one in the series.
Dispatched in 7 to 10 working days
- Price
- R 203
- RRP
R 260- (-22%)
Perfect condition
Reviewed by Cal on
Arrived well packaged and in perfect condition. Not done reading yet but its super good so far
Unreleased (Expected: 28 Jul 2020)
- Price
- R 678
High octane action in a dystopian future
Reviewed by lurkykitty on
Deal with the Devil is set in a future US in the Atlanta area in the 2080s. Solar flares and storms in the 2040s damaged infrastructure and destabilized the government. Energy wars followed. The southeastern US is controlled by a corporation called TechCorps. There is no regulation of genetic engineering, human experimentation and biometric implants. There is more cruelty than kindness, and corporations are more important than people.
Nina is an escaped genetically engineered clone and leads a group of three women. They are a team of information brokers who try to save and distribute books and help their community. Garrett leads a squad of soldiers, the Silver Devils, who defected from the TechCorps.
All of the characters are wanted by TechCorps and have a price on their head. They have special abilities so it's like reading about superheroes.
Deal with the Devil has non-stop action and intrigue and really cool tech. A steamy yet conflicted romance develops between Nina and Garrett. The banter between the characters is fun and humorous. It was a great read and I'm really looking forward to the next book.
Nina is an escaped genetically engineered clone and leads a group of three women. They are a team of information brokers who try to save and distribute books and help their community. Garrett leads a squad of soldiers, the Silver Devils, who defected from the TechCorps.
All of the characters are wanted by TechCorps and have a price on their head. They have special abilities so it's like reading about superheroes.
Deal with the Devil has non-stop action and intrigue and really cool tech. A steamy yet conflicted romance develops between Nina and Garrett. The banter between the characters is fun and humorous. It was a great read and I'm really looking forward to the next book.
Dispatched in 7 to 10 working days
- Price
- R 359
- RRP
R 460- (-22%)
Good Books
Reviewed by Erich D on
This copy is based on the 50th anniversary edition. The print quality is good, the text is a nice readable size. The story is split into three books which make the books easier to hold and page.
Dispatched in 20 to 25 working days
- Price
- R 469
A beautiful and lush fantasy based on Bolivian culture
Reviewed by lurkykitty on
Woven in Moonlight is a beautiful and lush fantasy, based on the culture and history of Bolivia. It is set in the fictional country of Inkasisa. Ximena is a stand in for the Condesa, the last remaining royal of the Illustrian people. Her people were driven from La Ciudad when Atoc, of the Llacsan people, usurped the throne using an ancient relic. The Illustrians live in isolation and poverty while the Llacsans rule Inkasisa. When Atoc demands that Catalina, the true Condesa, marry him, Ximena travels to La Ciudad in her place. Her plan is to act as a spy and retrieve Atoc's ancient deadly relic. Atoc is a cruel and dictatorial ruler, but Ximena comes to realize that not all Llacsan people are bad. She questions everything she has been told about who the true oppressors are, as the Illustrian people did not treat the Llacsans well when they were in power. She meets a kind princess, a vigilante, a healer, a guard and a maid, among others, and changes her views. The story is fast paced and the writing is beautiful. I really loved this book - great world building, fascinating magic (woven animals created from moonlight!), and wonderful descriptions of Bolivian food and clothing.
Dispatched in 20 to 25 working days
- Price
- R 441
Mozart's sister reimagined
Reviewed by lurkykitty on
Marie Lu, known for her fantasy and science fiction has created a well-written and imaginative story about the childhood of the Mozart siblings. Wolfgang Mozart had an older sister nicknamed Nannerl, and together they imagined a fantasy land called the Kingdom of Back.
Nannerl, like her brother, is a enormous talent in terms of playing and composing music, but it is 18th century Europe and women are not allowed to openly compose or have musical careers. Her greatest wish is to be remembered forever. Enter Hyacinthe, a faerie prince from the Kingdom of Back, who offers to make Nannerl's wish a reality, if she will complete a series of tasks for him. At first Nannerl is enthusiastic as she follows his wishes, but soon realizes that there is a sinister price that comes with Hyacinthe's demands. She realizes she must rethink her priorities.
A big theme is this novel is the constraints that were placed on women in this time and it made me wonder how many talented women throughout history were unable to pursue their dreams. Four and a half stars.
Nannerl, like her brother, is a enormous talent in terms of playing and composing music, but it is 18th century Europe and women are not allowed to openly compose or have musical careers. Her greatest wish is to be remembered forever. Enter Hyacinthe, a faerie prince from the Kingdom of Back, who offers to make Nannerl's wish a reality, if she will complete a series of tasks for him. At first Nannerl is enthusiastic as she follows his wishes, but soon realizes that there is a sinister price that comes with Hyacinthe's demands. She realizes she must rethink her priorities.
A big theme is this novel is the constraints that were placed on women in this time and it made me wonder how many talented women throughout history were unable to pursue their dreams. Four and a half stars.
Dispatched in 20 to 25 working days
- Price
- R 607
A compelling and intelligent mystery
Reviewed by lurkykitty on
When Claire is only seven years old, her eighteen year-old sister Alison disappears and is found dead when their family takes a vacation on a Caribbean island. This book takes place mostly in NYC where Claire, now called Emily, is a young adult working at her first job. By happenstance, she runs into one of the men from the island who was accused of killing her sister, but was not convicted due to lack of evidence. She befriends this man to learn more about what happened to her sister, to the detriment of her own mental health. The initial impression of this book was that it would be a fast paced thriller with a stunning conclusion. However, it is more a commentary on unresolved grief, the assumptions that are made based on race and class, and how one event can shatter the lives of so many. It could still be categorized as a mystery. I found the multiple points of view valuable in understanding the characters and events. Even though, at times, Saint X did not move quickly, it was still a compelling and interesting read.
Dispatched in 7 to 10 working days
- Price
- R 247
- RRP
R 310- (-20%)
A powerful story of two sisters
Reviewed by lurkykitty on
The Last Confession of Autumn Casterly hooked me from the first chapter. The sisters Ivy and Autumn lost their mother to cancer three years ago, and their father has remarried. Ivy is a nerd girl band geek and Autumn is the “bad girl”, dealing drugs and getting into trouble. They barely communicate, but when Autumn is kidnapped, Ivy knows something is very wrong and does not give up on Autumn despite others assuming that Autumn’s disappearance is just due to her own bad behavior. This book is a well written thriller with excellent characters, and skillfully explores the bond between the sisters, friendships, and families. The author also examines how girls’ lives are valued less than those of boys. It was hard to put down and thought provoking.
Dispatched in 20 to 25 working days
- Price
- R 448
Fantasy/romance for the younger YA reader
Reviewed by lurkykitty on
The Queen's Assassin is a fantasy romance geared toward the younger YA reader. It is told from the first person perspective of Shadow, who has grown up with her aunts and wants to join the Guild, an association of assassins and spies, and the third person perspective of Cal, the Queen of Renovia's assassin, dangerous, feared and highly trained. When Shadow is told she has to serve as a lady of the court to fulfil her duty, she rebels, runs away and liberates Cal, who has been imprisoned. She tells him the Queen has ordered her to become his apprentice. Together they work undercover in a neighboring kingdom to identify a dangerous enemy of Renovia. The story and characters were enjoyable, but I wish there had been less emphasis on the romance and more on the magic system. It was good, but not great.
Dispatched in 7 to 10 working days
- Price
- R 235
- RRP
R 330- (-29%)
A tense, suspenseful debut historical novel
Reviewed by lurkykitty on
The Animals at Lockwood Manor is a debut historical fiction novel. It takes place in England during the second world war. Hetty Cartwright is tasked with moving animal specimens from the Natural History Museum collection to a manor in the countryside to protect them from the German air raids. Shortly after moving to Lockwood Manor, Hetty realizes all is not quite right with the inhabitants of the manor. The novel is well-written, tense, and atmospheric. The author skillfully builds the suspense, culminating in the motive for hosting the zoological collection and the revelation of multiple secrets. There is also a romance intertwined with the plot and, although important, is not the main focus of the story. It was highly readable and difficult to put down.
Dispatched in 20 to 25 working days
- Price
- R 464
Great worldbuilding in a submerged future
Reviewed by lurkykitty on
The Vanishing Deep is set in a fascinating future world in which global warming melted the polar ice caps and The Great Waves submerged most of the planet. There is not much land left. The story is set on an island with an attached floating community called a reef. A facility called Palindromena is able to resurrect the drowned dead for 24 hours, after which they must die again. Tempest, is all alone in the world and decides to resurrect her sister who died two years ago, because she wants to find out more about their parents' death. In doing so, she meets Lor and Ray and things get complicated. This aquatic adventure is non-stop and the complex plot has many suspenseful twists and turns. The author is able to convey well the depth of emotion between the characters. A really well done YA sci-fi dystopian.
Dispatched in 20 to 25 working days
- Price
- R 623
A fantastic new series in the Shadowhunters world
Reviewed by lurkykitty on
I absolutely loved this book. The world building was amazing and turn of the century London made for an atmospheric and evocative setting. I loved the characters and became attached to them quickly. I particularly liked the characters of Cordelia, Lucie and Anna. The plot was engaging and complex with a chilling and clever enemy. I whipped through this 582 page book like lightning. I couldn't put it down. There is no doubt that Cassandra Clare is a major talent in the fantasy genre. You don't have to read the Infernal Devices series first to understand Chain of Gold although I'm sure it would enrich your reading experience. I can't wait for the next installment in the series as there are definitely some unresolved problems.
Dispatched in 20 to 25 working days
- Price
- R 487
Brilliant, I couldn't put this book down
Reviewed by Maddy S on
I had no idea just how much conflicting information and 'lies' there are about events such as Sept. 11 and JFK's assassination. This book educated in such an entertaining way. I couldn't give the Seven Lies and the author enough praise.
Dispatched in 7 to 10 working days
- Price
- R 153
- RRP
R 215- (-29%)
Almost classic Asterix and Obelix
Reviewed by Jaco V on
This is a good addition to the stories that was made famous in the past. The humour and personality of the characters pulls through and the addition of a younger cast makes for some interesting observations.
Dispatched in 20 to 25 working days
- Price
- R 281
It is nice
Reviewed by Ruan H on
The figurine feels solid, has rubbery material for the fire/hair. The figure bobbles nicely and it sings the first part of the song when the button is pressed. The sound quality is what you'd expect for the price, nothing great but clear. The songbook is very cute and has the lyrics to the entire song with matching pictures.
Note that when I bought it, it took a lot longer than expected due to supplier issues, unsure if it got fixed eventually.
All in all, very cute, good quality, decent sound and a great little book with it.
Note that when I bought it, it took a lot longer than expected due to supplier issues, unsure if it got fixed eventually.
All in all, very cute, good quality, decent sound and a great little book with it.
Dispatched in 20 to 25 working days
- Price
- R 353
An interesting thriller
Reviewed by SALOME S on
Thank you for good thriller. I imagine what could happen if some one stole my face.One can also read The Tenant's Wrath, another thriller when you finish reading it
Dispatched in 20 to 25 working days
- Price
- R 334
Open Your Mind
Reviewed by Pieter E on
This is a must read for all that wonders about the real purpose for the Son of God to be born as a human - I just love the content and the way Dolores presented it in logical manner for all to understand!
Dispatched in 20 to 25 working days
- Price
- R 932
Welsh myth inspired fantasy saga
Reviewed by Katherine L on
Beautifully and colourfully written. Each character is fully developed. Stereotypes are ignored.
Dispatched in 7 to 10 working days
- Price
- R 593
- RRP
R 760- (-22%)
Great History of of Martin's World!
Reviewed by Michael S on
Very detailed history book of the WOIAF, with excellent artwork. Rich lore that will keep you going late into the evening.
For fans of the books a must buy!
For fans of the books a must buy!
Out of Stock
- Price
- R 206
- RRP
R 220- (-6%)
Hilarious!
Reviewed by Zandile X on
This is one funny read. Of course as you know with books, they're never based on the same emotion throughout, but this was fun, heart-warming and inspiring.
The protagonist Esme is an inspiring woman, who against all odds didn't let the fire inside of her diminish.
Grab this book if you're in a reading slump or just having one of those days that are sucky. It'll make a whole world of a difference.
The protagonist Esme is an inspiring woman, who against all odds didn't let the fire inside of her diminish.
Grab this book if you're in a reading slump or just having one of those days that are sucky. It'll make a whole world of a difference.
Dispatched in 7 to 10 working days
- Price
- R 159
- RRP
R 200- (-21%)
Masterpiece
Reviewed by Zandile X on
No YA book explores the protagonist's mental health to this level. I felt like I was living in Biz's head.
Biz goes through a lot in this book. You'll cry, laugh, hurt, go on a journey. Most importantly you'll heal. The book opens our eyes on the depth of scars left by losing someone close to our hearts.
It's important to release the hurt we feel and talk about it before it suffocates us and takes over our entire lives.
Biz goes through a lot in this book. You'll cry, laugh, hurt, go on a journey. Most importantly you'll heal. The book opens our eyes on the depth of scars left by losing someone close to our hearts.
It's important to release the hurt we feel and talk about it before it suffocates us and takes over our entire lives.
Out of Stock
- Price
- R 534
An amazing journey in a Vietnam era wartime epic
Reviewed by Rogue Z on
Scott Riley’s vivid, colorful, striking, dark and gritty narrative takes you back in time to his tour in Vietnam where you're pinned down with his fire team during the monsoon season fighting to the last man as the enemy closed in. An African American soldier in the U.S. Army, Riley goes AWOL and etches out a life with his Asian wife, Ba in the back alleys of the coastal city of Qui Nho'n while hunted by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (C.I.D.), local Vietnamese law enforcement and rival criminals, which evokes the spirit of Francis Ford Coppola’s epic film Apocolypse Now and Stanley Rubrick’s Full Metal Jacket.
Riley operated with a level of sophistication more indicative of a highly trained CIA agent or British Secret Service operative rather than an Army private who regretted his decision to join the Army looking for a way out by any means necessary. The crowning jewel: This is a true story. To say that the narrative arc of Riley’s time in Vietnam is certainly a fantastic read is a bold understatement to say the least, and worthy of being adapted into an independent film.
Riley operated with a level of sophistication more indicative of a highly trained CIA agent or British Secret Service operative rather than an Army private who regretted his decision to join the Army looking for a way out by any means necessary. The crowning jewel: This is a true story. To say that the narrative arc of Riley’s time in Vietnam is certainly a fantastic read is a bold understatement to say the least, and worthy of being adapted into an independent film.
Dispatched in 7 to 10 working days
- Price
- R 496
- RRP
R 635- (-22%)
???
Reviewed by YSD on
So why isn't the DVD/Bluray of the TV series not on sale then ??????? :I