The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly

It is a secret the Chinese government has been keeping for forty years. They have proven the existence of dragons--a landmark discovery no one could ever believe is real, and a scientific revelation that will amaze the world. Now the Chinese are ready to unveil their astonishing findings within the greatest zoo ever constructed. 

A small group of VIPs and journalists has been brought to the zoo deep within China to see these fabulous creatures for the first time. Among them is Dr. Cassandra Jane "CJ" Cameron, a writer for National Geographic and an expert on reptiles. The visitors are assured by their Chinese hosts that they will be struck with wonder at these beasts, that the dragons are perfectly safe, and that nothing can go wrong. Of course it can't...

An entertaining fast paced, action packed thriller which would make a wonderful movie. 

7/10

The Lady With The Gun Asks The Questions by Kerry Greenwood

The Honourable Phryne Fisher - she of the Lulu bob, Cupid's bow lips, diamante garters and pearl-handled pistol - is the 1920s' most elegant and irrepressible sleuth.

Miss Phryne Fisher is up to her stunning green eyes in intriguing crime in each of these entertaining, fun and compulsively readable stories. With the ever-loyal Dot, the ingenious Mr Butler and all of Phryne's friends and household, the action is as fast as Phryne's wit and logic.

Some stories I have read before, some new ones, all enjoyable.

9/10

The Toy Makers by Robert Dinsdale

The Emporium sells toys that capture the imagination of children and adults alike- patchwork dogs that seem alive, toy boxes that are bigger on the inside, soldiers that can fight battles of their own. Into this family business comes young Cathy Wray, running away from a shameful past. The Emporium takes her in, makes her one of its own.But Cathy is about to discover that the Emporium has secrets of its own..

The book started out intriguing and interesting but somewhere along the way, it lost me. Overall disappointing. It had such great promise but then sort of dragged on and the ending was rushed and didn't fit.

7/10

Troll Mountain by Matthew Reilly

In a remote valley, a tribe of humans is being killed off by a terrible disease.

There is a rumour that the trolls of Troll Mountain have a cure for the illness: a miraculous elixir.

When Raf's sister gets sick and his tribal leaders refuse to help him, he makes a courageous decision. He sets out on his own for Troll Mountain ... to steal the elixir.

A fantasy journey of a boy who must triumph against ridiculous odds and powerful enemies, it's a quick and entertaining read.

7/10

The Grey Bastards by Jonathan French

Jackal is proud to be a Grey Bastard, member of a sworn brotherhood of half-orcs. Unloved and unwanted in civilized society, the Bastards eke out a hard life in the desolate no-man's-land called the Lots, protecting frail and noble human civilization from invading bands of vicious full-blooded orcs.

But as Jackal is soon to learn, his pride may be misplaced. Because a dark secret lies at the heart of the Bastards' existence - one that reveals a horrifying truth behind humanity's tenuous peace with the orcs, and exposes a grave danger on the horizon. 

On the heels of the ultimate betrayal, Jackal must scramble to stop a devastating invasion - even as he wonders where his true loyalties lie.

Plenty of action, great plot, well constructed story and characters that made me care and they ride hogs! The animal not the motorcycle and a couple of the hogs are main characters. They were wonderful. I loved some of their names too, Hearth, Ugfuck and Mean Old Man stand out.  Lots of action, humour twists and turns. A brilliant odd and weird book.

10/10

The Hallowed Hunt by Lois NxNaster Bujold

The half-mad Prince Boleso has been slain by a noblewoman he had intended to defile -- and Lord Ingrey kin Wilfcliff must transport the body to its burial place and the accused killer, the Lady Ijada, to judgment. With the death of the old Hallow King imminent and the crown in play, the road they must travel together is a dangerous one. And though he is duty-bound to deliver his prisoner to an almost certain death, Ijada may be the only one Ingrey dares trust. For a monstrous malevolence holds the haunted lord in its sway -- and a great and terrible destiny has been bestowed upon him by the gods, the damned, and the dead.

Not as good as the first 2 books. Too many characters, too much intricate detail about the religions ( I ended up skimming a lot of that) and it took me quite a while to catch on that this book took place before the first two books.

7/10

Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold

The Golden General's curse has been lifted from the royal family and Cazaril can now rest easy and enjoy his new life with his bride Betriz. However, life for Ista, the Dowager Royina has not improved. With the death of her mother, the Provincara, and with her surviving child Iselle now ruling Chalion from the Capital Cardegross, she is left without purpose. Her brother's family still think she's mad and aim to keep her locked up safely to avoid embarrasment, but she craves freedom and escape and begins to plan how this may become reality.

Fantastic world building, wonderful, likeable characters and an enthralling story. I loved this book.

10/10