This is a strange little book... literally. The cover is eleven by sixteen Cm's, which is much smaller than any other book I've read. The cover is very well rendered. Combining the red eyes with the black and white image of St Paul's Cathedral, this makes for a very intriguing cover that I was drawn to instantly. Also, I have read the prequel, Scared to Death. The plot is well thought out and tells the story of the one Paul Rector. In the last book he was forced to kill his own brother who was contaminated with the demon seed. Although Paul has this evil essence inside him, he does not use it. In this exciting and pulse-racing novel, Paul goes back in time to 1940, slap-bang in the middle of the Blitz. He knows he has to save the people who would die... The enemies are also exceptional. They are a demon brotherhood, all with the demon seed inside them. The best of them is Harry Rector, (recognise the name?), and the leader is King Lum, who is dying to get back to the surface. Paul meets a stupidly brave detective, George Temple, and his beautiful niece, Evelyn, who join him in his fight against the evil demons. Their lives are at stake, but more importantly, the life of Winston Churchill. Paul has to make some sacrifices for the good of the country, but is racked with guilt over leaving his girlfriend Netty an his mum. Will he triumph?
Find out in this intriguing mix of historical fantasy and horror.

Dark Alchemy is a collection of short stories by some of the most well known fantasy writers today, such as Garth Nix (Keys to the Kingdom), Eion Colfer(Artemis Fowl) and Niel Gaiman (The Graveyard Book). Eighteen short stories either written exclusively for the book or taken from novels, these provide an excellent blend of science fiction, fantasy and horror. For readers of all ages, though the stories are quite long, these are excellent writing at its best. Not many people publish short story collections any more, least of all combining different authors, and so I found this refreshing to read. One of the best stories, I found, was that of Tad Williams, The Strangers Hands. In this one, two strange Gypsies come and settle on the edge on a village. A small boy comes to see them, and as soon as he took one of the mans hands, he disappeared. Strangely emotive, it follows how people beliefs progressed, as soon after the occurrence, others come, and soon realize that when the man touched you, you got what you desired. Other stories include, Naming Day, Winters Wife, Holly and Iron, Stonefather and Barren Dance. This collection will have your pulse racing, and you will be incredibly saddened when a story ends, to fall straight into another.

Written by Sally Nicholls, I read this for the Wirral Paperbacks, and at first sight, frankly, didn't see much in it. But. When I started to read, I found it both different and enjoyable. The book is written as a kind of diary, a style of writing I don't usually enjoy, but Sally executes it excellently. It is 'written' by Sam, who has acute leukemia, and unless treated frequently, would not survive. In the book. He writes a list of things he wants to do before he dies, and questions he wants answered.
Along with his friend Felix, who also has an illness, he sets about finding answers and completing the list. Funny and uplifting, this is a very powerful book, by a promising author. Without giving too much away, you feel for the characters story, and the journey he has to make. I loved this book, and encourage other people to not be put off by the purple, childish cover.
Although an excellent read in its own right, I do think the chapters are a tad small, and some of the pages are displayed as torn out of a pad, and some have drawings in. But so long as you don't mind that then you should read it. Two hundered pages long, any competent reader should manage it, of any age.

The Cure is one of the books I read from our school library for the Wirral Paperback of the Year, and greatly enjoyed.It is much like another book I've read, called The Declaration. It follows two teenagers, Raul and Arym, who have been put in a 'nurture-house'. It accounts what would happen if religion died out. Instead of Jesus Christ as their saviour, Charles Darwin is, for his theory of evolution! Arym is easily stopped from causing mischief, by putting a small white pellet in her arm, as the carers did to everyone. But Raul found out about it upon seeing the dead body of his friend, and cut it out with a splinter, so he has his own mind. He then finds the diary of a monk, who he thought to be dead. The diary sparked off something in Raul, and he starts investigating around the house. He finds the monk hidden as a hermit, and the monk tells him and his sister that their real, Christian names, were Paul and Mary. He speaks of a chapel, of which he fled, and Raul soon realises that he knows where it is. Will he risk bringing back the old faith, or even going to the chapel? This is an intriguing book, with theories and brilliant writing, that makes you think about what would happen, and if it eventually will. Very well written , with a good lot and imaginative characters. Read it if you can!