Nicholas Evans' new novel, The Brave, deals with the hard edges of life. This is a story of people and relationships interlaced with a complicated and ambitious plot.

Graham Robb has that rare gift of storytelling that compels riveted attention from readers of non-fiction as much as fiction and he understands that stories may spring emotionally from places but inevitably embrace the lives of people.

An enormously worthy and well-intentioned novel, strengthened by its ethical content, burdened by the very same ethical content.

Lean pickings on the telly leave Deborah Hill Cone fuming.

First, because it has to be done, let's get our definitions sorted. The cover of this slim volume bills it as a graphic novel.

Rating: 2.5/5. Verdict: Part III of bestselling trilogy leaves you wanting less.

Graham Reid reconsiders two classic and expanded albums from three decades ago.

Rating: 3/5. Verdict: Has no Mercy.

Rating: 2/5. Verdict: ... of the end? Well, not quite, but it sure is irritating.

Rating: 4/5. Verdict: Local dubstep debut with heart and soul.

Rating: 2/5. Verdict: A solid instalment of the Narnia chronicles that should keep its young fans happy.

Rating: 3/5. Verdict: Heaven for ballet lovers, but ballet lovers alone

Rating: 3/5. Verdict: A lot of fun, but little heart.

Rating: 3/5. Verdict: Relentless party.

Rating: 5/5. Verdict: Radio with pictures.

Anyone who went to high school will remember the holy grail of cool - and that there's nothing less cool than trying to be.

Let's face it, if you're not singing along to Livin' On a Prayer when it's playing at a party you're letting the side down - go home.

The third entry in this mildly beloved fantasy franchise benefits from being ocean-bound, but fails to offer much for the grown-ups.

John Grisham clearly felt deeply about this book - perhaps because he's recently become concerned about wrongful convictions, and the treatment of that theme here has a very passionate edge.

Don't like scary movies? The toast of the Tribeca Film Festival is much more atmospheric drama than ghost story, though the few wraiths who appear momentarily do make you jump.

In Black Eyed Peas land The Beginning comes after The END (released a mere year-and-a-half ago).

The mesmerising doco In Bed With Anika Moa kicks off the return of TV One's Artsville slot.

Rating: 3/5

Rating: 2.5/5

Rating: 4.5/5