Young Adult – Page 62 – My Good Reads

‘Paperweight’ – Meg Haston

This was a difficult book to get into. It tells the story of seventeen-year-old Stevie who has dealt with her mother’s disappearance and the death of her brother in increasingly self-destructive ways. When the novel begins we learn that Stevie is awaiting the anniversary of her brother’s death as this is the day that she plans to kill herself.

A lot of the details that see us come to understand Stevie are revealed slowly throughout the novel. This meant that, initially, I found the character selfish, obsessive and quite unpleasant at times.

We are witness to Stevie being checked into a treatment clinic where she is receiving support for an eating disorder. It seems an odd thing to notice, but her frustration at being diagnosed bulimic rather than anorexic was a chilling alert to just how mentally fragile she was. This was a quite intriguing insight into someone living in the grips of a mental disorder, though I was taken aback by the level of detail given about some aspects of her experience.

For me, the most interesting parts of the novel were either the developing relationships between the girls in the clinic, or the relayed sessions Stevie has with her therapist where we see her growing self-awareness and willingness to engage with the problems she has tried to escape.

‘Red Queen’ – Victoria Aveyard

Published in early 2015, I am kicking myself that it has taken me so long to feel in the place to read this debut novel.

‘Red Queen’ is the story of seventeen-year-old Mare Barrow, a Red who is regarded as lesser than the ruling Silver elite simply because of the colour of her blood. Mare is a petty thief who, through some pretty powerful intervention, finds herself living in the Royal Palace. As a threat to the established order – because she has a talent like nothing that has been seen before – Mare is given a whole new persona and so begins a very dangerous game.

From the opening pages of this book I was gripped.

Throughout the book we are introduced to numerous characters and situations that were quite compelling. Mare’s relationship with Prince Cal was an obvious device on which key plot elements hinge…but as you’re reading it, it doesn’t matter. As the characters get caught up in the machinations of the Silvers and the desire of the rebellious Red Guard to overthrow the status quo, it’s hard not to get caught in the intensity of this novel.

Mare, along with a number of characters, is but a pawn in a much bigger game and this novel perfectly illustrates the adage of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer.

While I was desperate to finish this book, I was also quite upset at the realisation that there will never again be a first meeting with a new favourite.

‘Acne, Asthma and Other Signs You Might be Half-Dragon’ – Rena Rocford

I admit that the title of this book was what attracted me when I saw it on my book group Buddy Read list. Reading the blurb/reviews, I’m afraid to say that I felt this would be a fairly lightweight read that might be good fun but nothing more. It’s fair to say that I had fairly low expectations for this novel before I began reading.

The cover evokes a real sense of mystery. It suggests foreign lands, mysterious creatures and is – if I’m being honest – totally at odds with the somewhat crass title. The image of the main character is also nothing like the image we are given in the novel – unless she is suffering from the lowest case of self-esteem I’ve ever read about!

The idea behind the novel is fairly straightforward. Allyson, our central character, has moved around a lot and is quite used to not fitting in. At her current school we are given clear reasons for her sense of alienation – she is actually part Kin, meaning she is part-mythical creature. Upon learning this fairly major detail (which nobody in her family has thought fit to mention) Allyson is caught up in events that are crazier than anything you could make up in your wildest dreams.

From the outset mysterious creatures and odd situations are thrown our way, and none of the characters in the novel bat an eyelid, which I found incredible. This was like some bizarre cartoon – nothing really made sense, events followed on from each other unbelievably quickly and you can’t help but feel that this is something people should grow out of. I’m sure this book will have its fans, but I wasn’t really one of them.

‘Birdy’ – Jess Valance

When Frances Bird is asked to show the new girl, Alberta, around school it marks the end of her isolation. The two girls strike up a somewhat obsessive relationship; with each of them recognising in the other something that they, personally, are lacking.

As time goes on, Frances learns things about her new friend that start to paint a very different picture.

Narrated from Frances’s viewpoint, this novel really captures the awkwardness that can be felt by people who are seen as a little bit different from their peers – for whatever reason. We are never quite sure of exactly what is happening in certain situations as Frances herself is not the most reliable of narrators.

Without giving away any details, the end of the novel blew me away. You sensed something big was about to happen, but the extent of the betrayal only becomes clear as you finish the book. A quick read, but highly recommended.

‘In the Dark, In the Woods’ – Eliza Wass

This novel explores one girl’s attempts to escape the confines of her upbringing. Castella Cresswell and her five siblings are used to being seen as the outcasts of their school environment. They are used to being left alone, and it is such a shame that they are.

Castella makes for an interesting narrator. Even though she is seventeen, she seems much younger and I assume this is because of her upbringing. As she starts to question the extreme religious views of her father, and to recognise that the abuse he metes out is not normal, you could see her growing in confidence.

The children’ acceptance of their home-life is horrible to read. The weakness of the adult characters and their influence over these children was truly horrifying. By the end of the novel I was desperate for something to happen to provide the opportunity to escape.

A curious read. Dark, but compelling. Thank-you to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

‘The Way I Used to Be’ – Amber Smith

The image on the cover of this novel perfectly sums up the experience of the main character, Eden. It also captures perfectly one of the only moments in the novel – though she doesn’t see this until much later – when she is happy.

I think the first thing to say is that this is a book that will divide opinion. The subject matter is not going to appeal to everyone, but for me this is one of those books that you really have to make yourself read.

While some reviewers have commented on the fact that this doesn’t add anything new to books about rape, I’d argue that it shouldn’t have to. Every survivor of rape will have a different story to tell; every survivor of rape will react differently and the outcome for each will be very different. Why should a writer feel compelled to add something new to the mix?

Putting that view aside, I think the structuring of this novel is what most intrigued me about the book. We start with the night of the rape, and there is no easing us in gently to the horror. Like Eden, we are abruptly forced into a position from which we cannot escape. I was appalled, yet horribly resigned, to the way in which she reacted in the immediate aftermath of her attack. It revealed a lot about her as a character, and the relationships that she had with her family and her attacker.

As I read the opening section which focuses on Eden at 14, I felt so angry on her behalf. I reacted very emotionally to this character, wanting her to have that all-important person to reach out to who would believe her when she told them what had happened. Unfortunately, Eden keeps quiet…and nobody seems to notice quite enough to go beyond the surface attempt to convince everyone she’s okay.

The novel is split into four distinct parts, each focusing on a different year in school. As time progresses, we see Eden more and more damaged by her experience. She finds her coping mechanism. Unfortunately, this also brings with it further problems, as she gains a reputation for being a slut amongst her peers. For this portrayal of high school alone I think the novel is worth reading.

The novel’s strength – taking us through Eden’s reaction over a prolonged period of time – is also its weakness. There are many events glossed over or ignored, but I found this a fairly minor issue.

All in all, I had a very emotional reaction to this novel. It didn’t have quite the ‘killer touch’ of Louise O’Neill’s ‘Asking For It’ but it packs a pretty hefty punch that will certainly get people talking.

‘The Sign of One’ – Eugene Lambert

With a tagline that makes it clear this is no easy world to live in, I was not sure what to expect of ‘The Sign of One’ when I received a pre-publication copy from NetGalley.

Due for release in April 2016, this novel tells the story of Kyle and the desperate world he lives in. The opening chapter was a little confusing, and I wasn’t sure I’d like it, but I quickly changed my mind. By the end, I didn’t want to stop reading and I think that’s a good sign in a book.

In the Barrenlands it is common practice to separate identical twins and, through a very public ‘Unwrapping’ procedure, identify which twin needs to be killed. That’s right, killed. Publicly. With people going to watch, for entertainment!

Once I’d got to grips with the brutality of this world – and do not under-estimate the brutality – I was intrigued by this story. The writer’s interest in engineering and science are evident throughout, but there’s a very human touch to the story that I found really exciting.

There is definitely something for everyone in this novel. A thoroughly recommended read.

‘Desolation: Demon Road 2’ – Derek Landy

Out early April 2016, the second instalment in Landy’s Demon Road trilogy.

This sees Amber and Milo desperately fleeing the five Hounds of Hell that have been sent to capture them. They make their way to the one place on the Demon Highway that they think they will be safe – Desolation Hill.

Unfortunately, this town has its own secrets.

We learn that one night a year the residents of Desolation Hill rejoice in the custom known as Hell Night. Nobody will tell Amber and Milo exactly what this entails for those residents over eighteen, but – inevitably – the night is due not long after our intrepid duo appear. As we might expect, the events of this night are closely linked to their story and the things that they’re running from.

There are some great new characters – and one or two less pleasant ones – and the humour of the first book is still very much in evidence. All in all, I think if you enjoyed the first one you’ll love this.

Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy.

‘Flawed’ – Cecilia Ahern

First things first, I love Cecilia Ahern’s adult novels. This isn’t anything like, and it was interesting to see a writer focus on very different things. Some worked more successfully than others.

The novel opens with Celestine and her family at a dinner party. We see she is part of the ‘perfect’ society that is about to be brought down. Through Celestine we are encouraged to see the perceived benefits of the society in which she lives-at least while everyone follows the expected behaviours.

In the initial setting-up of this world I felt Ahern gave us just enough information to explain what was going on, though I was keen to know more about those characters who challenge it.

Very early on Celestine carries out an action that has far-reaching consequences. She helps someone. Not a big deal, other than the man is Flawed and her actions are punishable by the Guild (which just happens to be run by her boyfriend’s father).

At this point it would have been easy in reality for nothing to happen. However, Celestine shows her true character and refuses to toe the line. For showing compassion she is branded-a constant reminder to everyone of her ‘crime’.
What follows is disgusting. Here I think anyone in their right mind would have been outraged, but Celestine is so indoctrinated that she questions herself and what she has done to cause this action.

On occasion I felt the plot could have moved a little faster or focused on some of the more intriguing characters (I wonder if some of these ‘cameo’ appearances are setting the characters up for bigger roles in the next book). Carrick Vane is obviously going to be important, and it was more than a little frustrating to not really learn more about him until later on.

As I was reading, I thoroughly enjoyed this. I didn’t want to put it down. It’s the kind of book that I will recommend to people and I will definitely be interested in finding out just where this goes in the next part. I need to see Craven brought down!

Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy – though I am really frustrated that I need to wait for the next part to find out the answers to what Celestine does next.

‘The Art of Not Breathing’ – Sarah Alexander

The cover for this makes perfect sense after reading the book, and I feel it evokes the sense of hope that I was left with as things are resolved.

At first, I was not sure what to expect from this story about a family left grieving after the death of one of the children.

When we first meet sixteen-year old Elsie we can sense the raw pain that her family still carry round with them. When Elsie’s twin brother, Eddie, disappeared five years previously it soon becomes clear that there is more to it than Elsie remembers.

Initially, the narrative focuses more on the impact of this event than explaining what happened. We see that Elsie’s parents are not dealing with their grief, and are completely ignoring the signs that their surviving children are also suffering. Each member of the family has secrets that they want to keep, and it was quite painful to see the way the family disintegrated.

In the course of the novel, Elsie learns to free dive and this helps give her the confidence she needs to find out the truth of what happened. A beautiful yet upsetting story, full of hope.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of this novel, due for publication April 2016.