2008-05-20 The first book i ever fell in love with

I am not a big book reader, far from it actually, but Ruby in the Smoke just had me cooped up indoors. This was actually the first real book i sat down and read in my own time, a good 5 years ago. I was on holiday, bored stiff because i was too young to go clubbing with my brothers and i was stuck in with mum and dad. So, mum suggested i read a book and handed my Ruby in the Smoke, she hadn't read it but bought it out of her love for the 'His Dark Materials' series. So i thought, what the hell, i'll give it a try.

Sally Lockhart is a sixteen year old orphan living in Victorian London, living with an education, which extends to - straight shooting and military tactics, business is her only educational strong point. When Sally's father is drowned in suspicious circumstances in the South China Sea, she soon begins to find herself in terrible danger, and at the rotten heart of it all lies the deadly secret of the Ruby in the Smoke.

I am not big into thrillers, nor Victorian history. I enjoy movies in either the Fantasy genre or something a little more modern-realistic (KiDULTHOOD/Green Street). But this series of books makes that one exception - the characters are so lovable, the story is told with such beauty and the plot is filled with a history of violence - but don't let that change your mind, this book is a must have for anyone who reads or doesn't - no matter who you are there will always be one book that you will love with all your heart - and for me, this is it. The entire series is fantastic - but this is my favourite, mainly because it is the first. I strongly suggest you give this a read, you won't be disappointed.