Not as good as the Gruffalo

After loving the Gruffalo and the Gruffalo's child we bought this with high expectations. However we did not find this book half as entertaining and have actually only read it once. The story seemed a bit incoherent and a couple of times I had to go back and see if perhaps I had skiped a page (I hadn't). Perhaps it will grow on us in time but right now I would not recomend it to anyone. The pictures are beautiful though.

Brilliant book!

One of my two year old daughters favourite books. We have read it almost every day since purchase and she has now started to finsh the sentances with me! She also loves the illustrations searching each page for all the creatures to be found. A really fun and entertaining read for all.

Fallen out of grace

I really didn't think it was possible to makeHush, Hush seem like the new Twilight but this book has achieved it. I feel bad that yet again I am giving a negative review but like my taste in films, I'm more inclined to like something then to dislike it so you can imagine how disappointed I have been with the current books I have read.<br /><br />The main problem with this book is it is so trying to be Bella Swann however Lauren Kate does not have the skill to pace the (very long) novel nor write a sympathetic main character. <br /><br />Nothing happens for a long time and I mean nothing. This not the months of tension Bella endures as she pieces Edward Cullen's life together. This is Luce, the protagonist, mopping about, lamenting her life and her unrequited love for a certain boy Daniel. Large chunks of the book do not progress the story and are quite frankly boring. It wasn't until the end that the theology the author introduces interested me, unfortunately so I will no doubt buy the sequel to see if the author will settle down and write a proper story and answer some of the questions she has thrown up (as a frustrated Lost fan, I know what it is like to never have anything answered).<br /><br />All the vital elements to make this a twilight are there: 'ordinary' girl (who doesn't know she has a special destiny/power), mysterious boy who rejects her but can't keep away, 'ordinary' boy who loves her but she doesn't return his affection and depressive, internal monologue. These should all work in Fallen but it is missing the vital spirit that make Bella such a modern and exciting character. Luce is unfortunately a little passive and doesn't ask the right questions or defend herself. This is very frustrating and towards the end you kind of hope the bad guys get to kill her so that your suffering will end!<br /><br />She offers an interesting theology (even if it is not explained) but describes Georgia (USA) beautifully. The ending was intriguing and the first chapter of the second book 'Torment' hinted that this book will be better paced. The book covers are great too (love the dress).

Fabulous!

"Clockwork Angel" is the first of a new series of books called"The Infernal Devices," which is set in London during the Victorian Period and acts a kind of Prequel to the Mortal Instruments Trilogy. Though it's probably recommended to read The Mortal Instruments first before reading this, you don't have to since the two story-lines don't interweave in any way and the fantasy elements are explained really clearly again in the first few chapters of the book. <br /> The plot revolves around Tessa Gray, a sixteen-year-old girl, who journeys from New York to London to live with her older brother Nathaniel, after the death of her Aunt, her one sole guardian. However on arriving she is meet by the strange and mysterious Dark Sisters and their coachman who insist that they were sent by her brother to collect her and it soon turns out that the sisters have a terrible fate in store for Tessa. They keep her prisoner while trying to train her to harness a unique power that she never knew she had, a power that makes her one of the most hunted people in the city. Soon Tessa is introduced to the Downworld of London, a place of warlocks, fey, vampires, werewolves and of course the Shadowhunters, a group of warriors whom she later seeks refuge with.<br />Cassandra Clare is quickly becoming my favorite author and with her latest book, it's not hard to see why. As all her books,"Clockwork Angel" is highly addictive. The plot is engrossing and filled with so many unexpected twists that you don't expect, none of which I want to give away. The fantasy elements are also really well done, so that it still fits within the realistic setting of Victorian London and doesn't become too overwhelming but the best part of the book has to be the characters. Clare has a wonderful talent in making you love and care for her characters in only a couple of chapters. All of them are fleshed out, with secrets, histories and motives for everything they do, even the minor characters all have an important part to play but each uniquely different. The most infuriating character of all has to be the handsome yet morally corrupt Will Herondale, who is similar to Jace, since Clare has raised so many questions about his elusive past and motives. One of the biggest mysteries which I look forward to seeing revealed is that of Tessa who is also a very likable and believable heroine who though strong and brave also likes to fantasize about her most loved novels and characters as plenty of teenage girls would do.<br /> I also love the way Clare develops romance in her novels sine it is not cliched or quick with an instant connection with first sight, rather more, it develops slowly so that it becomes believable. Being the first book, there is some romantic elements but the characters are developing more as friends <br />Clare paints the time period nicely as well, though don't count on it being very geographically accurate, as there is more emphasis on atmosphere that she evokes of the setting rather than the historical facts. The writing is also well done and improves with each novel she writes though the novel really primarily is a work of YA fiction. <br />So if you're looking for a fun light read and well-written escapism fiction then this really is the book. Just sit back, relax and have enjoy reading it.

Disappointing

You will probably buy this book. You will probably read this book. Of course, you have read the other three, you need to read the ultimate book to satisfy your need for more. However, prepare yourself for a totally anticlimax.

heath and zoey are the best characters

I found with this book i began to love zoey again and she wasn't portrayed as this spoilt brat who had too many boyfriends. Instead she was portrayed as a girl who is completely heartbroken with losing the person she has truly ever loved which is heath. There is much further depth about their relationship and the love between them seems so more genuine compared to all her other so called boyfriends. Heath may not be a vampire, but he showed much great strength when he let go off zoey so she could repair herself again. Can't wait for the next book i got a feeling heath is going to reemerge

mediocrity rules

A silly book for lazy minds. There are children's books that are so much more inventive and entertaining. Some kind of a spell must have been cast that has led to HP becoming a global phenomenon -- I see no other explanation for it. The mega-budget HP films with their state-of-the-art special effects and excellent actors only emphasise the complete vacuity of the books on which the films are base.

Bear hunt

This is ane excellant book for small children. My grandchildren love it to be read to them over and over again and each time its different.

jolly phonics workbooks

brilliant for extra practice at home and for helping soothe the nursery school withdrawals over the holidays! enables parents to be involved in their children's learning.

A pause to clear up before the next instalment

<br />After the struggle with Kalona and Neferet, this book feels to me like a pause to take stock. There's lots of clearing up after the chaos of the last books, wounded to be healed etc, and a return to the House of Night to be faced before the next action stage kicks off.<br /><br />Like some of the other reviewers here I'm not a great fan of Zoey and having a fourth male desperately in love with her is just going too far...<br /><br />But the development of Stevie Rae and (my favourite) Aphrodite is good, and it's a relief to move away from Zoey's point of view. <br /><br />This ends in very Twilight territory with the vampire high council in Venice but overall it feels like a filler in the series where not much actually happens.<br />

Good for Christmas

Bought this in advance for my Grandson for Christmas. He will be 5 in November and is really"into" Lego. Having looked at the Annual I am sure he will love it. It is fun and educational and ideal for any Lego little lover!

That's not my dinosaur - but this is my book!

The pages of this book are nice and thick. The pages are also laminated so it's not as edible as a lot of other baby books. The book is unisex and is made with paper from a sustainable forest (according to the back page). <br /><br />Each page has a different texture on (fuzzy, bumpy, rough, soft etc) and bright colours which helps develop babies sensory skills. There are different dinosaurs on each page but they are very cute dinosaurs opposed to scary dinosaurs. <br /><br />The writing is fairly short and simple, and the pictures are bright and glossy. Each page starts with the same phrase which babies really enjoy as it means they can join in and seem to get quite excited by (children love repetition).<br /><br />My daughter has had this book since she was born and really grew to love it. She enjoyed joining in and feeling all the different textures. She also found the book quite amusing. My daughter began to outgrow this book at about 2 years old and now prefers more 'big girl' books. In my opinion this is a good little baby book that I fully recommend.

top seller

Excellent book & CD, great learning the songs together. Rec this seller, very fast and efficient service.

Best series i have read yet!

I happened to pick up the first 4 in this series as a boxed set. i read so fast when deals come along i grab them up :) boy was i surpised at home much i love this series!!! I def recommend to anyone and everyone, PC Cast and her daughter have a dynamic duo going in this series. they have a creative outlook on vampyres changing some of what is the traditional legendary on them but in a way where you believe it and love it. i preordered the 7th one and i can't wait for the series to continue. it's the best time i have had reading in a long time! i laughed, i teared up, and everything else inbetween you could hope for in a good book!!!Marked (House of Night)

Great for on the move.

I bought these books for my 18 month old daughter and she loves them. I pop a couple in my bag for when we are shopping, in the car, out & about etc. and it definitely keeps her amused for a while. It saves lugging the bigger versions around with me!

Zero Hour

Well I am a big fan of all the H.I.V.E books and was really looking forward to this one. In this book overlord is very close to taking over the world and so Zero Hour is initiated, a plan to eliminate any villain on the brink of global elimination.<br /><br />This is a very good book and I would highly recommend it to anyone aged 11-16 looking for a good read.

Fantastic

Absolutley amazing. Got this for my 7 yr old daughter so she could listen to it on flight going on holiday to relieve boredom. Worked a treat.

Steve Backshall's Deadly 60

If you like the show you will love the book. Our boys love it, and so do we!

Set Of Books

Bought as a set. Arrived together saving postage and all were in great condition.