Schoolboy time-traveller Jack Christie is thrown back to 1940s Nazi-occupied France. With the Battle of Britain and the German Vengeance programme underway, the Second World War is at a crucial point. Jack and his best friend Angus take a more senior role in VIGIL's attempts to prevent intervention in history, attempting to stop the Revisionists from their highly volatile nuclear plan to stop the war. With spitfire dogfights, jeep races and thrilling chases, the boys have their most hair-raising adventure yet, including involvement in an assassination attempt on Hitler himself...

Edition: Templar, September 2011, Proof copy
Note/s: Book #3 in the Jack Christie Adventures novels
Source: Templar Publisher
Rating: 2/5

When I was contacted by the publisher to review this book, I wasn't completely sure that it was my thing, and after reading a good load of the book I began to wonder if I, in fact, was right.

I found the beginning boring and I was actually thinking about putting the book down but then it suddenly picked up and I found myself absorbed in the action. I also found it a little confusing because I don't know much about weapons or planes.

I bet you're all now thinking, well this book doesn't sound that good then I feel I ought to tell you that one enjoyable factor that I found kept me reading was the characters. The two main characters, Jack and Angus are caught up in the middle of a feud between two teams, The Revisionists and VIGIL. Jack's dad (along with some help) had managed to create a time machine, the Tauras, so they (the Revisionists) could travel back in time and prevent past disasters. VIGIL, on the other hand feel that it is too dangerous for people to re-write history so they try to stop them. Jack and Angus side with VIGIL, but, naturally, they usually end up in the past.

My favourite character in this book is Sophie. She meets Jack and Angus when they end up in the past. She's the exact brave, determined, butt-kicking girl any female reader would admire. She's similar to Angus. He too is adventurous, and brave. Jack is slightly more cautious and scared but he can shine in certain situations.

I recommend this book to readers 12+ who like weapons, action and a splash of history. Even though, I personally feel that it is just slightly more aimed at boys, if you're a girl who likes the sound of it go ahead! I love the Alex Rider novels, even though stereotypically it looks like it's for boys, so it's all about finding the books for you.

Rachel xx :)

Eldest by Christopher Paolini

Roran was left with next to nothing when his cousin, Eragon suddenly fled Carvahall. Now, the enemy has come looking for him, the enemy Eragon had flown off to pursue. With no other choice but to flee, Roran goes off to search for safety and help.
Meanwhile, Eragon has travelled to Ellesmera with Saphira for his training as a Rider, but danger is steadily catching up...

Edition: Corgi 2011
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Action
Pages: 668
Recommended Age: 13+
Source: RHCB
Rating: 2/5

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but I have to be honest, it wasn't as good as the first one. It got to confusing and after a while, I started to get a little tired of it.
The start did seem promising as it went straight into the action but afterward I was just to confused that I didn't settle into the novel as I would have liked. Overall you do sort of get the main points and all but it's the little things in books that you want to know. The language is really descriptive but I just wasn't advanced enough to understand some of it.
Judging my review so far, you're probably thinking she never enjoyed this novel at all but at some parts, I did. For example, there is a BIG twist near the end which you can't helped but be amazed by. I also enjoyed finding out more about the characters and reading about Roran.
My favourite characters pretty much remained the same (Arya and Saphira), but this time another character was introduced that I found in my favour. I don't want to say anything though because it would be a MAJOR spoiler.
Arya, the elf that Eragon seems to be falling for, has now accompanied Saphira, Orik and Eragon back to her city, Ellesmera (oh yeah, and there's another twist somewhere in there too...) and you get to see her personality blossom.
I give this book the rating of 2/5 because I feel it wasn't absolutely terrible, but OK. I would have liked to have given this a higher mark but at the end of the day, in my opinion, this book just wasn't what I had hoped.

Rachel xx :)

PS: If you ever read any book I review and want to state your view on the "twists" of the story but don't want to ruin the book for others that might be interested by posting in the comments, feel free to email me at booktasticreviews(at)gmail(dot)com :)