Written By Jon Skovron
Fantasy, Retelling
Fantasy, Retelling
Published in November 2013
368 Pages
Thank you Allen and Unwin Australia
Sixteen year old Boy's never left home. When you're the son of Frankenstein's monster and the Bride, it's tough to go out in public, unless you want to draw the attention of a torch wielding mob. And since Boy and his family live in a secret enclave of monsters hidden under Times Square, it's important they maintain a low profile.
Boy's only interactions with the world are through the internet, where he's a hacker extraordinaire who can hide his hulking body and stitched together face behind a layer of code. When conflict erupts at home, Boy runs away and embarks on a cross country road trip with the granddaughters of Jekyll and Hyde, who introduce him to malls and diners, love and heartbreak. But no matter how far Boy runs, he can't escape his demons, both literal and figurative, until he faces his family once more.
This hilarious, romantic, and wildly imaginative tale redefines what it means to be a monster, and a man.
They live below New York in a series of catacombs carved beneath the theater they call home. Monsters of every creed, from the Trowe, Satyrs, Ogres, the Siren, Medusa and even faeries that are all part of the theater company, including Boy. Boy is the son of Frankenstein's monster and his bride, stitched together with a series of body parts, the seventeen year old has never left the safety of the theater... Until now. In his first taste of freedom, Boy can't help notice the gaping stares, his hulking frame either instilling fear in humans, or a strange curiosity. Who would have thought that running errands with the theater manager would have been so exhilarating, and Boy can't wait to make it a permanent outing... But his parents have other plans.
All boy has it his technology, his online friends and his self taught coding skills. He often works day and night on his latest project that he plans to release into the world, but when his brilliant plan seemingly amounts to nothing, it's the last straw in Boy's life and he decides to run. With no where to go, Boy heads to the apartment of an online friend, who refuses to help unless he contributes to the rent. But finding a job isn't an easy as it sounds. Just when Boy seems to be getting his life in order, a mysterious email brings Trowe and performer from the theater Liel to his door. With her green complexion and the lean physique of a dancer, Boy has always been smitten, but a potential relationship is the least of his worries when his failed creation seems to have morphed into a life of it's own.
Before Boy knows it, he's on the run again, but this time on a road trip of a lifetime... Until he meets Claire Hyde and Sophie Jekyll, the granddaughters of the very same Jekyll and Hyde. Sophie and Claire are two separate personalities, Claire is snide and sarcastic and Sophie is sweet with an infectious smile, but the two girls share the one body. Both are looking for an adventure after running away from their abusive brother Robert and saying goodbye to who seemed to be their only friend. But Boy needs to outrun his own creation, VI, who is now hunting to kill. The three are heading to another monster commune to seek shelter within the glamorous world of show business. But it seems neither Boy or Claire and Sophie will be able to run forever. Just like his father's creator, Boy will need to return to the place where his life begun, the theater, or he'll really just be another monster.
MY THOUGHTS
I loved Man Made Boy. It's was beautifully written, fun and full of sarcastic humour. Boy is the son of Frankenstein's monster and his bride, stitched together in much the same way. But where his parents are more robotic than human, Boy is an abundance of emotion, intelligence and even teenage hormones. But he's incredibly lonely. His only human interaction comes from internet friends, where they discuss hacking and coding. Besides his big project, Boy occupies his time watching Liel. As intended, Liel will irritate readers at times, being more cagey than most of us would give her credit for. But rest assured, Boy isn't naive.
For a group of monsters, the characters are incredibly enchanting. Each with a unique personality and well developed. Besides Boy, I adored the Dragon Lady. Her use of 'little monsters' was far too cute to be legal. Man Made Boy is pure entertainment, brilliant characters and a unique storyline that's intelligent and fun. I would love to see this one made into a series and given the ending, it might just be a possibility.
Bird
Written By Crystal Chan
Published in Australia January 29th 2014
295 Pages
Thank you to Text Publishing
Nothing matters. Only Bird matters. And he flew away.
Jewel never knew her brother Bird, but all her life she has lived in his shadow. Her parents blame Grandpa for the tragedy of their family’s past; they say that Grandpa attracted a malevolent spirit, a duppy, into their home. Grandpa hasn’t spoken a word since. Now Jewel is twelve, and she lives in a house full of secrets.
Jewel is sure that no one will ever love her like they loved Bird, until the night that she meets a mysterious boy in a tree. Grandpa is convinced that the boy is a duppy, but Jewel knows that he is something more. And that maybe the time has come to break through the stagnant silence of the past.
Entrenched secrets, mysterious spirits, and an astonishing friendship weave together in this extraordinary and haunting debut.
Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical stores or online bookshops, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course eBooks. Hosted by Tyngas Reviews.
News
● This week I nabbed author Sarah Fine and Walter Jury, who under his real name produced the Divergent movie. Stop by next week to read the full interview and how they were able to collaborate to write SCAN.
● Cait from The Notebook Sisters won a paperback ARC of SCAN. It's in the mail Cait, happy reading!
● In unrelated news, the hot, dry weather has brought me ants. Apparently a delicacy in some countries, but not in my kitchen you little bastards. They seem to be wandering around aimlessly, as there are no crumbs, a clean floor and we've been fumigated against them, so how do I show them the door? Suggestions welcomed.
● And stop by on the 2nd of February for an Aussie and New Zealand giveaway of Bird by Crystal Chan, thanks to Text Publishing. It's the middle grade equivilant of John Green's The Fault in our Stars.
Purchased | Publisher | eBook Review |
 |  |  |
Tandem by Anna Jarzab. Thank you to Random House Australia.
Vampire Academy: Movie Edition by Richelle Mead.
And Sunrise by Mike Mullin. Thank you to Tanglewood Press via Netgalley.
Unite (Project Integrate: Book One)
Written By Jamie Campbell
Published 3rd December 2013
288 Pages
Thank you to Netgalley and Jamie Campbell
United They Stand.
Seventeen years ago an entire generation of aliens were sent to Earth in order to save their home planet and integrate into the human population. Now, those aliens are being hunted. Amery Jones is your typical teenager, except for the fact she is an alien and a member of the government’s secret Project Integrate.
When Amery’s best friend Lola is kidnapped in order to get to her, there is only one person that can help, the exceedingly annoying and charming Lochie Mercury. Together, Amery and Lochie must put aside their differences and attraction in order to rescue Lola before it’s too late.
Horde (Razorland: Book Three)
Written By Ann Aguirre
Published 29th October 2013
432 Pages
Salvation is surrounded, monsters at the gates, and this time, they're not going away. When Deuce, Fade, Stalker and Tegan set out, the odds are against them. But the odds have been stacked against Deuce from the moment she was born. She might not be a Huntress anymore, but she doesn't run. With her knives in hand and her companions at her side, she will not falter, whether fighting for her life or Fade's love.
Ahead, the battle of a lifetime awaits. Freaks are everywhere, attacking settlements, setting up scouts, perimeters, and patrols. There hasn't been a war like this in centuries, and humans have forgotten how to stand and fight. Unless Deuce can lead them.
This time, however, more than the fate of a single enclave or outpost hangs in the balance. This time, Deuce carries the banner for the survival of all humanity.
Aussies are proud, able to laugh at ourselves and let's face it, we're among the friendliest nations you'll ever have the privilege of visiting. But sadly, there are far too many misconceptions about Australia. So as our great national celebrates the Australia Day long weekend, here is a friendly guide for non Aussies to clear up any confusion.
● We rarely use the word G'day. I've personally never used it or heard anyone else use it for that matter.
● Kangaroos don't roam our streets, nor do we all own one that we ride to and from work, the supermarket or casually taking our Kangaroo for a spin.
● A dingo isn't considered as adequate child minding.
● We don't throw shrimps on our barbies. Shrimps, otherwise known as midgets, don't tend to tenderise well.
● Not all of us enjoy beer.
● Lorde is from New Zealand.
● New Zealand isn't in Australia.
● Our Prime Minister makes Barack Obama look like the Old Spice model.
● I haven't met your distant cousin who moved here in 1985.
● Nor do I know either Hemsworth brother personally.
● We all however know Keith Urban, he often calls random citizens to invite us over to dinner.
● None of us really liked Tom Cruise when he was married to Nicole Kidman.
● You can keep Kylie Minogue, we already have one Minogue too many.
● Drop bears are real. They look like regular Koala's, often luring in tourists with their cute facade, then WHAM. Dead tourist.
● Vegemite is our national dish, we incorporate it into every meal.
I hope my guide to Australia has been helpful. Aussie's, feel free to comment and add your own customs and tips to help out our non Australian friends.
Have a question you've always wanted to ask about downunder? Simply comment below.
Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical stores or online bookshops, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course eBooks. Hosted by Tyngas Reviews.
● This week I was lucky enough to have another article published on iBrary. Click to check out my top kick ass hot book chicks. Did I leave anyone out? Leave a comment under the post and set me straight.
● I've culled the amount of blogs I'm following via Google. It's not me... It really is you. Any blog that hasn't posted in the past year, I've set you free.
● Awesome news, These Broken Stars is coming to the small screen. Read all about it here.
This week I received a few publisher paperbacks by surprise. Who doesn't love goodies in the mail?
News
● This week I was lucky enough to have another article published on iBrary. Click to check out my top kick ass hot book chicks. Did I leave anyone out? Leave a comment under the post and set me straight.
● I've culled the amount of blogs I'm following via Google. It's not me... It really is you. Any blog that hasn't posted in the past year, I've set you free.
● Awesome news, These Broken Stars is coming to the small screen. Read all about it here.
This week I received a few publisher paperbacks by surprise. Who doesn't love goodies in the mail?
Publisher Paperbacks
The Strange And Beautiful Sorrows Of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton. Thank you to Walker Books.
The Firebird Mystery: A Jack Mason Adventure by Darrell Pitt. Thank you to Text Publishing.
The Love Oracles: Nymph by Tonya Alexandra. Thank you to Walker Books.
Purchased Paperbacks
Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan. I've read this one, but wanted to add another first novel of a series to my collection.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Not sure whether to read before seeing the movie, or vice versa.
Huge discounts on big release eBooks
A few big name book bargains this week on Amazon Australia to feed your Kindle. All prices are in AU.
Crash Into You by Katie McGarry. On sale for only $1.69.
Captivate by Vanessa Garden. On sale for $1.69.
Alice In Zombieland: White Rabbit Chronicles by Gena Showalter. On sale for $1.99.
Flat Out Love by Jessica Park. On sale for 99 cents. Loved this one. Very quirky and touching.
The Perfect Game and The Game Changer by J. Sterling. Both on sale for 99 cents each.
Dance Of Shadows by Yelena Black. On sale for 99 cents.
What did you stack your shelves with this week?
Flat Out Love by Jessica Park. On sale for 99 cents. Loved this one. Very quirky and touching.
The Perfect Game and The Game Changer by J. Sterling. Both on sale for 99 cents each.
Dance Of Shadows by Yelena Black. On sale for 99 cents.
What did you stack your shelves with this week?
Whatever you're doing this weekend, check out Sporadic Reads and join her Weekend Readings.
This weekend, I had planned on heading onto Amazon and picking up a Kindle copy of Evertrue, but Amazon are having issues with the eCopy and sadly it's not for purchase as yet. So this weekend I plan on finishing:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)