Young Crime writers' Competition

                                      
          CWA Young Crime Writers' Competition
                      

                                     

                                                                  

Can you write a first rate crime story?

That’s the challenge issued to you by the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA).

You can pick up your entry form and competition requirements at your local library.  Entries will be accepted at your local library from 10 January to 18 February.

You have up to 1000 words to get the readers hooked, although you don’t have to write as much as that – perhaps you can create such a brilliant story that even 100 words will be enough to knock the judges dead…

Crime novels include a very wide variety of material – detective stories, creepy psychological thrillers, historical whodunits, spies, terrorist plots… from cops and robbers to vigilantes and robots, the choice is yours and if you’re short of inspiration, why not borrow some crime novels from the library and see how the professionals do it?

Book Review

This is a great first book of the shapeshifter series, Ali Sparkes does a great job or correctly portraying the emotions of a teenage boy, which makes her characters real and believable. The story is a great adventure that has a little bit of everything - drama, action and comedy. These books really capture your imagination  as you dive into the world of shapeshifting and telekinetic. Can't wait for the next instalment!

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!

www.alisparkes.com/Ali Sparkes is a local author to Southampton and was the winner of the blue Peter book of the year.

• What shapeshifter animal would you like to be?
• Do you think Ali Sparkes does a good job of explaining the emotions of a 12 year old boy?
• Do you think the 'evil step-mother' character was too cliche?
• Do you think Ali Sparkes portrays Dax's confusion well?
• What is it about "Finding the Fox" that is so gripping?
• Who was your favourite character?
• How would you feel being hauled off to boarding school?

Book of the Month

December - The Immortals - by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

 This review is from:  G. LAWE
The Immortals is the final instalment in the Edge Chronicles, but it can be read as a stand alone book too. It's epic, packed with adventure, I love the creatures and monsters in it. Some bits are really tense and dark, and then there are moments are real humour to keep the reader guessing. The illustrations match the text perfectly and bring the world of the Edge to life. I love the way nothing is black and white in the story, there are real moral dilemmas which the characters must face and it gets you thinking about what you would do as the reader. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it!!!

Read more review here 

Book Review

                         The Twilight Saga

I love reading and will go from one book to the next, a never ending chain of reading.

When I finally succumb to the teen phenomenon that is Twilight and decided to read Stephanie Meyers books to see what all the fuss was about ,  I think I can safely say I have never read a book which has gripped me so much!

I read Twilight In a couple of days, and when I had finished it I needed my next fix! What is it about the books that leave you wanting more? I can't put my finger on what it is that makes them so uniquely great. Is it the romance between Bella and Edward, the love triangle or the whole vampire thing? Personally I think Meyer produces a complicated love story that is believable and the audience can emotionally relate to. She doesn't produce a sugared coated love story that is all happy endings but shows that love comes with choices and consequences.

Stephanie Meyer may not be the next literacy genius but she knows how to write a compelling story that leaves you wanting more.

I love the characters, plots and clever story line, and can't wait to read anything else Meyer will write!

I give these books 5 out of 5 stars!