Review: Dads, Geeks and Blue Haired Freaks - Ellie Phillips

Dads, Geeks and Blue Haired Freaks by Ellie Phillips, published by Electric Monkey on 4th June 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
Sadie Nathanson spends her life trying to survive the excruciating embarrassment of simply existing. It’s hard enough being a bit of a shrinking violet within a loud and outspoken extended family, but the unexpected card from ‘Dad’ on her 15th birthday is the last straw.

As ‘Dad’ was an Internet sperm-donor, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that this is a bad joke, probably set up by her ex-best-friend Shonna. But it starts Sadie wondering – just who was her father? Is he the cause of her worry crinkle and wonky bum? What would happen if she tracked him down?

So she decides to do just that. With help from her nerd cousin Billy, his friend Nodding Tony and a regular dose of ‘Haironomics’ (Sadie’s own hairstyle-related philosophy system), they uncover a lot more than they bargain for.

Review:
The premise of this book is interesting and tackled a subject that I hadn't really read about before.  On Sadie's fifteenth birthday she receives a card from her Dad.  An ordinary enough event except for the fact that Sadie doesn't know who her Dad is - he was a sperm donor.  So she sets out to track him down with the help of her cousin and his friend.  Sperm donation isn't a topic that you usually see featured in teen fiction but I like the fact that the author Ellie Phillips wasn't afraid to write about it.

Sadie's hunt for her biological father is touching and quite emotional at times.  She tries to track him down without the knowledge of her mother and with the very few clues she manages to find about his identity.  The whole subject is dealt with sensitively and I was intrigued throughout to see how it was going to be resolved.

Although the book could have potentially been quite heavy and serious, there is a light and fun undercurrent to the story.  Sadie herself is a sweet and humorous central character and has a passion for wild and wacky hairstyles.  In each chapter of the book she tries out a different hairstyle on herself and this was fun to see.

There were a few things that I thought were left slightly unresolved in the book and not explored in enough depth.  In particular, Sadie's friendship with Shonna which I felt was left as a bit of a loose end.  It would have been good to have seen a proper resolution to this.  I would also have liked more of a focus on Sadie and Tony who she has a bit of a flirtation going on with.  There can never be enough romance for me!

If you are looking for a contemporary novel with a difference then try 'Dad, Geeks and Blue Haired Freaks' which deals with a teenager trying to establish her own identity and find her place in the world.

Review: New Girl - Paige Harbison

New Girl by Paige Harbison, published by Mira Ink on 4th May 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderley Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend…but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

Review:
'New Girl' by Paige Harbison provides a clever twist on one of my all-time favourite books, 'Rebecca' by Daphne Du Maurier.  The action is set in a boarding school called Manderley where a nameless girl is about to start her senior year.  Although I wasn't sure if Harbison was going to be able to capture the magic of the original, she did a pretty good job of recreating some elements of the original but with her own spin.

The story is told through a dual narrative and is shared between the new girl (who as in Du Maurier's tale) is nameless until the very end, and the enigmatic Becca who has gone missing from the school.  This was a clever way of allowing the story to unfold because it provided first-hand insight into the new girl's experiences at the school, as well as some important flashbacks contrasting her with fun-loving and popular Becca.  The links between the two gradually became more obvious as the story progressed.

I really admired the courage of the main character being able to stand-up to those who bullied her and talked about her behind her back.  She could have gone home and admitted defeat but she didn't and actually ended up gaining a valuable experience and learning some important life lessons which put her whole future into perspective.

Some surprising revelations come to light about Becca and what really happened to her and I thought the author created a high level of suspense throughout surrounding the mystery of where she was.  I started off having one opinion about her character but this gradually changed as I learnt more about her and discovered insights into her personality and her past.

I definitely want to re-read 'Rebecca' again now and I hope this book inspires others who haven't come across it before to go and pick up a copy.  I never would have thought of transposing the plot onto a school setting so loved Paige Harbison's idea.  Although I didn't particularly connect with the characters and I'm not always a big fan of books about mean girls, I enjoyed the twist on a classic and found the story entertaining and on the whole enjoyable.

Review: Slated - Teri Terry

Slated by Teri Terry, published by Orchard Books on 3rd May 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
Kyla’s memory has been erased, her personality wiped blank, her memories lost for ever.

She’s been Slated.

The government claims she was a terrorist, and that they are giving her a second chance - as long as she plays by their rules. But echoes of the past whisper in Kyla’s mind. Someone is lying to her, and nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust in her search for the truth?

Review:

'Slated' is set in a future society where those who have committed wrongdoings have their memories wiped and are given a second chance to start over again.  Kyla is one of those who have been slated and sent to live with a new family.  However she soon discovers that remnants of her past are still lingering in her dreams and that she may be quite different to all those others who have left their pasts behind.

This is the debut novel from author Teri Terry and it is a dystopian thriller, guaranteed to keep you glued to your seat.  I was interested to read this one as soon as I heard about it because the premise of being able to begin a new life with no memories of the mistakes you have made was just so intriguing.

I enjoyed seeing how Kyla integrated with her new family and made the transition from spending nine months in hospital to being part of a household where she gained a mother, father and sister.  She basically has to re-learn how to do things as simple as doing the washing-up and getting out of a car.  I also liked her growing friendship with Ben, another slated teen.  They have a very honest and real connection and that was refreshing to see. 

One of the things that I found really interesting about this book was the whole idea of a future society which reflects elements of the present world we live in - the fact that mobile phones are banned because they were used to organise demonstrations made me think of the London riots.  Plus the economic collapse and the coalition government all ring true today.  The slating is society's solution to dealing with people like the anti-government terrorists.

There are some huge shock revelations at the end of the book and you're left on a cliffhanger which means that I'm now dying to read book two, 'Fractured' which is coming summer 2013.  Such a long time to wait!

Review: The Gathering Dark - Leigh Bardugo

The Gathering Dark by Leigh Bardugo, published by Indigo on 7th June 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfil her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Review:
'The Gathering Dark' is the first book in a new trilogy which is set to take readers by storm!  It features an epic battle between light and dark, good and evil and at the heart of this lies the main character Alina whose power is far greater than she could ever have imagined.

The story is narrated by Alina and we see events through her eyes.  She undergoes a brilliant evolution throughout the book as she grows as a character.  She starts off uncertain about who she is and what her future holds but begins to understand more about herself as the story progresses.  She has a very special relationship with Mal, her childhood friend, which I loved and wanted to see more of.  There's also her connection to the powerful Darkling who I was mystified and intrigued about.

Leigh Bardugo has created a fantastic imaginary world with a hierarchy of magical people, many gifted with special powers.  Although the story does fall heavily into the fantasy genre, there is also action and romance and so much time has been spent crafting the characters that they seem very rooted in reality.

This book is very different to anything else I've read lately and has a highly original plot which had me captivated the whole time I was reading.  It is quite a long book at 442 pages, but as it was extremely fast-paced and exciting, I didn't notice except to wish at the end that it had been even longer so I could stay with the story and the characters as they took the next step on their journey. 

This story will seep into your dream.  It's absolutely engrossing, magical and wonderful.  I can't wait for more!

Review: Throne of Glass - Sarah J Maas

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas, published by Bloomsbury on 2nd August 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
Celaena Sardothien is a daredevil assassin with unrivalled fighting skills. After a year’s hard labour in the salt mines of the kingdom of Adarlan, Celaena is offered her freedom on one condition—she must fight as handsome Prince Dorian’s champion in a contest sponsored by the king, facing the deadliest thieves and assassins in the land in a series of set-piece battles in the country’s stunning glass palace. But there is more at stake than even her life—for Celaena is destined for a remarkable future...

Review:
To describe 'Throne of Glass' by Sarah J Maas as epic would be an understatement.  This extraordinary well crafted story is a book lover's dream.  After finishing the last page it will linger on long in the memory.

The book actually first began on the Fiction Press website where it gained legions of avid readers.  Ten years later and it's finally being published as a full length novel and is sure to garner many more devoted fans.  Maas's inspiration for the book interestingly enough came from Cinderella but the fairytale has been reimagined and reworked to create something entirely new.

This is a book which I found impossible to put down and which won me over heart and soul.  Every second I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it.  The characters became like friends which meant that I worried about them, laughed along with them, smiled and loved alongside them and didn't want to say goodbye to them when their adventure came to an end.

'Throne of Glass' perfectly combines elements of fantasy, adventure and romance.  All the things that I look for in a book were there and it has earned a permanent spot on my shelf of favourite books.  If I could make everyone I know read just one book then this would be it!

The actual story centres around Celaena Sardothian, otherwise known as Ardalan's Assassin.  Having been imprisoned in the mines of Endovier, she's given a chance at earning back her freedom by competing in a tournament where there can only be one victor.  Her opponents are other assassins, thieves and murderers, all attempting to escape a death sentence.  This is a brutal to the death tournament unlike any other and only the strongest and the smartest contestant has a chance at survival.

Celaena Sardothian is fierce but fragile at the same time.  She has faced terrible things in her life and survived.  She has been beaten and half-starved but her spirit is still intact.  She's extroverted and witty and she has an aura which seems to draw people towards her, not least Chaol Westfall, Captain of the Guards and Dorian, Crown Prince of Ardalan.

Usually in books which have two strong male figures, you end up rooting for one or the other but what's so great about this story is that Chaol and Dorian both come across as equally wonderful characters.  Dorian is the more overtly romantic figure but there's something interesting about Chaol which intrigued me and attracted me to him so that I looked forward to his appearance in each chapter. 

There is however much more to this book than just tangled affairs of the heart.  There is also a struggle between countries for freedom and power, as well as traces of magic and the supernatural which are central to the story.

I adored 'Throne of Glass' and I fell in love with the book!  Maas's writing is so vivid and powerful that I was drawn into the story and never wanted it to end.  With a storyline that has plenty of twists and turns and with characters that will steal your heart, this book is a winner on every level.

Review: Scarlet - A.C. Gaughen

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen, published by Bloomsbury on 7th June 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

Review:
I am head over heels in love with this book!  I can't wait to start reading it all over again because it was incredible.  Being obsessed with all things Robin Hood, when I first head about it I was dying to get my hands on a copy.  When I actually started reading it I was well and truly hooked.  A.C. Gaughen should be congratulated for a new spin on a traditional tale and for the the tremendous storytelling skills which are on display in 'Scarlet'.

As I was reading it, I could picture the book being made into a television series because the setting and characters just came alive before my eyes.

What's different about this story to others about Robin Hood is that Robin actually takes a backseat for once to Will Scarlet - who just so happens to be a girl.  Whereas Hood is a name which resonates with people, Will Scarlet has always been his loyal friend and member of his band.  But here the story is narrated by Scarlet who is brave and as tough as any man and determined to help the people of Nottingham whatever the cost.  Scarlet's narrative voice was really distinctive and the way she spoke fitted perfectly with the era of the story.  I loved her straightaway - she is amazing!  There's a twist involving her near the end of the book which I honestly never saw coming and which made my jaw drop.

One of the reasons I am crazy about this book is because of the relationship between Scarlet and Robin.  Although she tries to deny it to herself at times, she's mad about him.  He makes her melt when he looks at her or talks to her in a certain way.  I loved the fact that there's such a noticeable spark between them and that their romance is allowed to slowly build and develop and yet doesn't overshadow the main storyline.  The two of them really made my heart flip over when they were together.

Other familiar faces in the book include Little John who is now a young man of eighteen, as well as a Much who remains loyal to Robin whatever the threat.  There are also those figures you love to hate, the Sheriff of Nottingham and Guy Gisbourne who you know are characters to fear.

I've been desperately trying to find out if there will be a sequel to 'Scarlet' because there's so much more to tell about this band of outlaws.  Although I still don't know for sure, I'll keep hoping that A.C. Gaughen has more up her sleeve because this surely can't be the end.

'Scarlet' is one of my favourite books of 2012 so far and I would highly recommend it.