Young Adult – Page 69 – My Good Reads

‘Concentr8’ – William Sutcliffe

Due to be published 27th August 2015, I have to thank NetGalley and Bloomsbury Childrens for giving me an advance digital copy of this novel.

The cover stands out, but it was the description of the book that stood out for me. Set in a future London, Concentr8 is the cheaper version of drugs used to treat children with ADD. It quickly becomes the ‘go-to’ drug, and a way of keeping what are perceived to be troubled teens in line.

Blaze and his crew have been taking Concentr8 for as long as they can remember. When supplies are removed, rioting breaks out across the city. What makes Blaze and his friends take hostage one of the Mayor’s employees we never really find out. What we get is an account of the five days following this decision.

We witness these events from many viewpoints, but never Blaze’s, and this was one of the most infuriating things about the novel. We are granted a tantalising glimpse into Blaze’s mind when he arranges an interview with a broadsheet journalist. He is evidently articulate and has academic potential, but social policies have ensured he is denied opportunities that would make a difference.

This was an interesting concept, and it certainly gets you thinking about how certain behaviours are managed, but I would have liked more.

‘Another Day’ and ‘Every Day’- David Levithan

1st August – I received a free digital copy of ‘Another Day’ – which isn’t due to be published until August 25th 2015 – from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The first thing I have to do is admit that I haven’t read the companion book, Every Day. I would imagine that for people who know the story this would only be of interest to get a different perspective of events. Coming to the story fresh, as I did, meant I spent the first part of the story confused and trying to establish just who was who, and how their stories were linked. However, once the basic story was set up I was hooked.

The idea behind the story of A is fascinating. Each day allows us to see another facet of Rhiannon’s character, and to explore concepts about identity.

I will amend my review once the book has been published, but it should be enough to let you know that I’ve already downloaded the previous book and am looking forward to seeing how it changes my reading of the story.

18th August – Having now read ‘Every Day’ I found interesting to see how the two books complemented one another. Of course, nothing new is really added in this original version in terms of the plot but seeing the events through the eyes of A meant some of the blanks are filled in. If I had one gripe it’s that there’s never a satisfactory reason given for the pull between these two characters, but I am curious to see whether or not the mysterious Poole is to become the focus of another story.

‘The Memory Hit’ – Carla Spradbery

I loved the cover of the book, and the general idea of a drug that allowed you to relive your memories was intriguing. I was full of hope for this read, and I am rather disappointed that it didn’t live up to my expectations.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me a digital copy of the novel to review. I really wanted to like this book, and parts of it were great. The friendship between Jag and Cooper, and some of the ideas behind the memories that people relive had real potential.

Unfortunately, the events of the novel just seemed a little incredulous. I didn’t feel like I cared enough about the characters to really be affected by the events described, and the character that the story hinged upon had been so under the radar throughout that I had to remind myself who they were!

I’m going to pass this book on to my son, and see whether the intended audience has more of a positive reaction.

‘This is Where it Ends’ – Marieke Nijkamp

This book isn’t due to be published until January 2016, but this is why I signed up to NetGalley – to get the opportunity to get my mitts on wonderful new books before they hit the shelves.

I really hope this book becomes one that people talk about for the right reasons when it is published. I’m giving nothing away when I say that this focuses us on 54 minutes of every parent/teacher/students’ worst nightmare – a high school shooting.

From the off this had me completely gripped. Some early reviews have criticised the Tweets included, saying they are off-putting. I think they place us within a clear social context, but I did not find them overly distracting. The central characters who the story focuses on are all well-written and I felt like I wanted to know more about their backgrounds/what happens to them after the story.

I do not want to give away any spoilers as publication is some way off, but I would earmark this as one to recommend.

‘Darkest Night’, Department 19, Book 5 – Will Hill

As a fan of this series, I knew I wasn’t going to be disappointed by the concluding book.

Zero Hour has passed, Dracula is at full strength and the inevitable fight draws closer. The operatives within Department 19 are all facing their own battles, but they have to draw together in order to save humanity. The Blacklight Operatives are exhausted. The general public have discovered the truth about vampires, and there remains the small matter of what to do about the first vampire. Graphic violence and genuinely tense scenes.

At more than one point in the book I had my hand in my mouth…and, at more than one point (don’t worry, no spoilers) I was wiping away the tears. I can’t reveal my favourite parts without giving details away, but for those who’ve followed the series this is a fitting conclusion. A genuine must-read!

I would have got a copy of this somehow, but I was very grateful to Netgalley for approving my request…

‘Every Last Word’ – Tamara Ireland Stone

I received a digital copy of this from Netgalley, and I am so pleased that I did.

Sam is 16, a fantastic swimmer and part of a popular group of girls. It might sound like a perfect life, but she also has a secret. Sam has Purely-Obsessional OCD, and her life is ruled by the fear of anyone other than her family finding out.

I’ve only just finished this, and my feelings towards it are quite raw.

It was beautiful, and for so many different reasons. I loved the portrayal of a character finding their way and managing their condition. The focus on words and poetry was always going to appeal, but I wasn’t prepared for how moving some of the poems were. I loved the insight into the patient/therapist relationship, and I’d have to be pretty callous not to be affected by the character of AJ.

All in all, a book I would love to read again. It has already been recommended to a couple of students, and I will certainly suggest it should be in our school library.

‘The Witch Hunter’ – Virginia Boecker

Elizabeth Grey is one of the nation’s best witch-hunters. From the opening of the novel we are told just how hard she has trained to earn her place working alongside Caleb, her childhood friend. Yet we are also told just enough to suspect that things with Elizabeth are not quite what they seem.

When she is rescued from prison – and certain death – by Nicholas Perevil, the most powerful wizard in Anglia, everything she holds dear is called into question.

Elizabeth may or may not be the only one who can save Anglia from Blackwell, a man determined to hide his true nature as he plots to rule the country. She has to rely on the help of those she would previously have hunted, as she hunts for a cure for the curse placed on Perevil.

Some of the reviews I’ve read of this book criticise Elizabeth’s obsession with Caleb and John. I can’t help but feel this is a little harsh; the ‘love stuff’ is certainly no more distracting than the Bella/Edward/Jacob triangle in ‘Twilight’ or any other ‘teen’ read.

The depiction of 16th-century England will interest some, and the focus on witchcraft will appeal to others. I’ve no doubt that this series will have its fans, and may even make it to the screen. I enjoyed it, and will probably read the rest of the series, but I’m not sure it’s one I’d go back to.