Friday 25 December 2020

GLADIATOR REVIVAL BY JOHNNY ZUCKER

Gladiator Revival
Author: Johnny Zucker
Publisher: Ransom Publishing LTD
ISBN: 978-178127-712-6
Reviewed by: Sandra Scholes

When I picked this up at my local book shop, I thought for sure it would be on Goodreads so I could review it on there, but imagine my surprise when I entered the search terms and couldn't find it. There was only one thing to do if I wanted to get my review out there to the sort of audience that needs to know about really good novels young adults will be interested in. I needed to put it on my blog!

Tuesday 8 December 2020

NEO ISSUE 202


Neo Issue 202
Review by: Sandra Scholes

There are few Anime magazines out there in the UK, so this one is essential reading for those who want to read up on the latest on the Japanese culture scene. From anime, Asian film, J-Culture, music and cookery, action figures, there is an article for it that goes as in-depth as you need. 

And if you didn't already know from the cover, this issue concentrates on that firm shonen fan favourite, Akira. Originally set in the future, Akira over the years has now got to the point where it is in the past, so it gives us an idea how it's creator, Katsuhiro Otomo saw how 2019 would look. The expectations were of more technological advancements in a dystopian almost destroyed world from an atomic disaster. The story follows a handful of characters, Kaneda, Kei and Akira who act as rebels in a new world that don't tolerate those who don't conform. Unlike other kids who attend school and swot up on exams, these guys would rather race around on bikes and bunk off. Akira was required watching when I was younger and anime were being animated in more sophisticated ways, using digital graphics to create another more perfect, less fuzzy look. 

Sunday 6 December 2020

ADVANCE REVIEW: THE HUMILIATIONS OF WELTON BLAKE BY ALEX WHEATLE



The Humiliations of Welton Blake
Author: Alex Wheatle
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Pages: 144
ISBN: 978-1-78112-949-4
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

I received this novel as an uncorrected manuscript proof that contained none of the dyslexia friendly features associated with the completed novel that will appear on bookstore shelves or online; the paper used will be an off-white background and have different typesetting. Also, what I could tell was this proof copy doesn't have the cover art that I saw on the press release sheet, so I thought I had got something rare.