Firestorm by Andrew Lane!!

Hello Bookworms!,

         I have a book review for you today! This one is another book in a series that I have been reading (in between other things ;) ). Today we return to the Young Sherlock Holmes series written by Andrew Lane! The installment? Fire Storm!

 

Summary

          In Fire Storm by Andrew Lane, young Sherlock's friend and her father have vanished. Their house looks as if nobody has ever lived in it; the neighbors claim never to have heard of them. Sherlock begins to doubt his sanity, until a clever clue points him to Scotland. Following that clue leads him into a mystery that involves kidnapping, bodysnatchers, and a man who claims he can raise the dead. Only the budding detective Sherlock can untangle the mind-bending--and dangerous--puzzles that ensnare his friends. Think you know Sherlock Holmes? Think again! (Summary obtained from Amazon.com)

Review

          I am completely serious when I say that I have not yet read a book in this series that I have not thoroughly enjoyed (and that includes the ones I’ve read since Fire Storm!) Andrew Lane has a way of creating an intricate mystery, whose solution borders on the absolutely unbelievable! And yet, all the intertwined details work! There’s no way that the mysteries are not solved exactly how Lane tells us they are! These mysteries test the boundaries of the famous Sherlock Holmes quote “Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth”. And be warned, the truth in these cases is as “improbable” as it gets!! But that’s what makes it an adventure!

          I was almost put off by the storyline about ghosts. I am not a fan of the paranormal as an explanation for anything, but reader, trust me when I say, keep reading ghosts and all!! It is well worth it!

          These books are the perfect thing to keep your mind engaged and entertained no matter your age! As I have said before, I feel that these books are PERFECT for boys who don’t like to read because “reading is boring”. These stories are FAR from boring! They are also probable what one would look for to engage dyslexic readers. There is always something of interest to keep pushing them to read just one more page.

          Fire Storm by Andrew Lane was so entertaining and mind-boggling that my only complaint was that it ended so soon! But don’t be sad that Fire Storm has ended! That just means you can move forward to the other books in the series! Read Fire Storm by Andrew Lane! You won’t be disappointed.

Buy a copy of Fire Storm

 

Until Next Time,

                Lizzie <3

Rebel Fire by Andrew Lane

Hello Bookworms,

            A few weeks ago I posted a review of how much I loved Death Cloud (Young Sherlock Holmes #1) by Andrew Lane. It was the first book in a series that I’ve come to greatly enjoy! I have currently read 5 out of the 8 novels and one short story that Andrew Lane has published in the series and I’m still loving it! Today, I’m backing up a few books to bring you a review of the second book in the series: REBEL FIRE! Watch out for *SPOILERS!!!!* if you haven’t read the first book DEATH CLOUD! There won’t be many and certainly not about major details, but if you’re like me and you hate ANY spoilers great or small, you may want to wait until you read Death Cloud to read this review. Here we go!

Summary

            It hasn’t been long since Sherlock faced Baron Maupertuis in France. It seemed like a once in a lifetime adventure. But Sherlock isn’t about to go back to his hum drum life at Uncle Sherrinford and Aunt Anna’s for very long. When Matty is kidnapped, Sherlock, his mentor Amyus, and Amyus’s daughter Virginia will have to track him all the way to America!

This adventure will test Sherlock’s mind, morals, and his strength! When the hunt suddenly separates Sherlock and Virginia from Amyus, can the pair retrieve Matty and get back to New York safely? And what does all of this have to do with a rare collection of animals and John Wilkes Booth?

Review

            Oh my goodness readers! This is another whirlwind adventure and I loved it! I was a bit leery when I read that John Wilkes Booth could be a character in this because I don’t usually like when authors use a real life person or real life events and smash them with fiction. I also wasn’t thrilled that this was going to take place in America (it’s part of what I love about Sherlock Holmes’s world is that he lives in England!). After having read the whole book, don’t fear, the setting and the real vs fictional characters do not take away from how great the story is AT ALL! It’s a true testament to Andrew Lane’s ability to write! (if you are worried about confusing history with fiction, I strongly recommend that you read the author’s notes at the end. It’s usually about three pages and he does a great job of explaining what things were real and what things were not).

            I continue to love all of the characters, everyone has their own personality and they all have something to contribute to the story! I, of course, continue to love the relationship between Mycroft and Sherlock as well (Get some tissues all you criers! I got choked up!)! There’s a new character introduced in this book and he will have a major impact on the person Sherlock is as an adult, see if you can figure out who it is!

I highly recommend that you read Rebel Fire by Andrew Lane!! You’re probably going to love it as much if not more than Death Cloud! If you are looking for this book in your local bookshop or online, if you see the title REBEL FIRE or RED LEECH, it is the SAME BOOK! I used the title Rebel Fire for this review because the copy of the book I own has the Rebel Fire cover and title. Whichever of the two you buy, it is the same story.

Buy Rebel Fire

Until Next Time,

            Lizzie <3

Death Cloud (Young Sherlock Holmes #1) - Andrew Lane

Hello Bookworms,

          I am EXTRA excited about today’s review!! I have found a new favorite series! The best one since The Harry Potter Series and once again it has come from the Young Adult genre! I am talking about the Young Sherlock Holmes Series by Andrew Lane! We’ll start at the beginning with Death Cloud!

Summary

          Sherlock Holmes is only 14 years old. After completing another frustrating semester at Deepdene School for Boys, Sherlock is looking forward to going home. What Sherlock doesn’t realize is that this break is going to be completely different from those to which he has become accustomed. Sherlock is about to investigate his first murder case.

          Matty, a young, homeless orphan is moving through the streets looking for food. When his search brings him to an alleyway, the boy hears horrific screaming. A dark cloud ascends from a window and the occupant of the apartment is found dead. What has this young man seen? How does one find the truth? It is only when Matty runs into a brilliant young man with a funny first name (What kind of a name is Sherlock anyway?) that things can begin to take shape.

Review

          Readers, I am mesmerized by Andrew Lane’s writing!!! Mr. Lane (who was a fan of Sherlock Holmes by his own admission) has taken Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic character and the Victorian era and gives us the backstory of which we Holmesians have always dreamed!

          The relationship between Sherlock and his brother Mycroft is superb (very reminiscent of the relationship we saw played out by Jeremy Brett as Sherlock and Charles Gray as Mycroft, which was always my favorite version). And as the series goes on I continue to love it! But for now let’s concentrate of Death Cloud only.

          The case is VERY Holmesian. The impossible is explained by the incredible! And every second is action packed! I was on the edge of my seat!! As a matter of fact, I sat down with the book at about 7:30pm and around 1:30am I was done (I haven’t done that in ages!) and losing it over how amazing the book had been! Moms, this book would be amazing for your boys! There is action, fighting, suspense, and surprises! AND it will make them think!

          The characters are so colorful; everyone has their own distinctive personality. No character is useless (that’s something I love). You’re going to love some characters and other characters you are going to hate…for all the right reasons (but I won’t say any more about that to keep from ruining it for you ;) ).

          Needless to say, I HIGHLY recommend Death Cloud by Andrew Lane to all Holmesians, Action lovers, and Mystery lovers! You’re going to love Young Sherlock Holmes!!

Buy Death Cloud

Until next time,

                   Lizzie <3