This is the second book in Asimov's Foundation trilogy.

The first book saw Hari Seldon use the new field of psycho-history to predict the fall of the dying empire and to map out the future of humanity and establish a new foundation at the edge of the galaxy. By creating a society under the right conditions and by predicting the course of mankind's future, Seldon was able to steer humanity out of barbarism and into a new civilisation. Seldon died but many came after him to steer the Foundation through each Seldon crisis, a crisis that threatens the Foundation but which Seldon has predicted and preemptively counteracted.

So the second book tells the story of how the current inhabitants of the Foundation, 300 years after Seldon, are continuing to try and survive based on Seldon's principles. But they are threatened by a new and unknown enemy called the Mule, a mysterious man who is slowly taking over the galaxy by forces unknown.

I loved the first book. I thought it was a really clever idea and that the characters used to act it out were some of the best I'd ever read. So I was dubious coming to the second book because on the one hand it would continue the story I had enjoyed before but would it be as good?

The answer is that it is very different and, in my opinion, doesn't measure up to

I read this book because I found myself bombarded with recommendations and was even sent a free copy in an attempt to make me read it. Not one to disappoint my fans, I read it.

And I'm glad I did because I really liked it.

The book tells the story of a magical circus that appears out of nowhere with nothing more than a sign on the gate with opening hours on - twilight until dawn. Inside this circus are a range of exciting people but in particular are two "gifted" twins and a pair of illusionists trapped in a challenge they don't understand.

This is a very pretty book. As I read the first pages I could see the glorious circus unfolding around me so vividly that I could have been watching a film. And this continues throughout the book. The circus is so well constructed that you feel as if you have actually visited it and it becomes as important to you as it is to the performers. And it's not just the look of the circus that catches your imagination as Morgenstern manages to express the sounds and scents and even feel of the circus as well.

As much time has been put into the creation of the characters and their mixed up relationships as has been devoted to the circus. The characters are so

This book follows the story of fifteen year old Kambili as she visits her cousins and discovers there are other ways to live than the one prescribed to her by her abusively evangelical father.

I really enjoyed this book. Not much happens story-wise and in that respect the book is a bit of a slow-burner but this means that more time is devoted to developing the characters, and it is completely worth it. Each character has their own distinct personality and I found myself becoming really attached to them, especially the central character Kambili. Even her dad who could have become entirely defined by his religion is developed enough to tug on your heart-strings at points and leave you as confused as Kambili about his way of caring for his children.

Perhaps because I got so attached to the characters I found sections of this book quite harrowing and hard to read as Kambili's father often resorts to