Kill Joy (#0.5) by Holly Jackson

28 Mar 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Audiobook, Young Adult Tags: , , , , , , ,

Published: 18 February 2021 (print)/04 March 2021 (audio) Goodreads badge
Publisher: Electric Monkey/Electric Monkey
Pages: 160/2 hrs and 59 mins
Narrator: Kristin Atherton, Richard Hughes
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Young Adult Mystery
★   ★   ★   ★ – 4 Stars

Pippa Fitz-Amobi is not in the mood for her friend’s murder mystery party. Especially one that involves 1920’s fancy dress and pretending that their town, Little Kilton, is an island called Joy. But when the game begins, Pip finds herself drawn into the make-believe world of intrigue, deception and murder.

But as Pip plays detective, teasing out the identity of the killer clue-by-clue, the murder of the fictional Reginald Remy isn’t the only case on her mind…

Find out where it all began for Pip in this prequel to the best-selling A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and Good Girl, Bad Blood.

This prequel to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a captivating read. It’s definitely one I would suggest reading after you’ve finished book one, there isn’t spoilers per se, but there is a lot dependent on knowing what happens in book one that makes it more impactful. I thought it was much better to read an origin type story knowing the end with an understanding of who these characters were. Especially since they can be fleshed out much better in the novel length format.

Having said that, it’s a fantastic story on its own; Pip’s deductive mind, the great costumes, and the roles everyone plays while still being themselves all make this short novella a thrilling story. Jackson keeps the tantalising mystery alive and delivers thrills to the reader with unexpected events and surprises and a night that doesn’t entirely go to plan.

Jackson’s use of language and Pip’s imagination lead you to into theories of your own about whether they might be there only for a fictional murder or if something more nefarious is going on. Being a #0.5 prequel you have a little knowledge that nothing major will happen, but that doesn’t mean you are safe either. It is easy to become caught up in the hints of mysterious footsteps, shadows in corners, missing party members, as well as the unknown factor about what is on other people’s character cards.

There are hints to the first book, reminding us that this is a town with a real murder, and it shows how fresh it was on Pip’s mins when her project starts not long after these events. But at the same time it remains its own fun story about a fun evening between friends and a great story on its own.

It introduces us to the characters, the town, and a new side of Pip. I love how we get to see the small spark of Pip’s deduction skills and having read the main book first see how far she can go when given a real mystery to dig her nails into.

I adored the ending. I was fascinated at Jackson’s approach to the murder mystery and old style Poirot type investigations. The various levels of commitment from each person, as well as the switch between being in character and being themselves adds another level because while it is played like a real murder, it is still a group of teenagers playing a game.

It is a great book to read if you have read A Good Girl’s Guide and it’s a great introduction if you haven’t. There’s a great sense of Pip’s character if you know how she works through the main book, and it’s a wonderful lead in to see the friends and some of the main players in the bigger story.

You can purchase Kill Joy via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Dymocks

Wordery | Angus and Robinson | Blackwell’s

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (#1) by Holly Jackson

19 Mar 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Audiobook, Young Adult Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Published: 2 May 2019 (print)/5th Aug 2021 (audio) Goodreads badge
Publisher: Farshore/Electric Monkey
Pages: 432/12 hrs and 56 mins
Narrator: Jot Davies, Clare Corbett, Kristin Atherton, Olivia Forrest, Luke Poli
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Young Adult
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it.

But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the murder, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final year project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth?

I have been eyeing off this book for years and I finally started reading it and I’m so glad. It is captivating and draws you in fairly quickly and never quite lets go. Who can resist the allure of a possible mistake in a closed case and a town so ready to condemn an apparent murder? The further you go the more doubt is cast. There are hints and clues that don’t connect, the misdirection and hidden secrets from people in town and a cast of characters to keep you guessing.

Jackson has written a story that starts off so simple and yet as each chapter goes on, and Pip gets further information from the people in her tiny village, the stakes are raised and threats come from all sides. I loved the numerous angles and there’s tension and mind games that even as readers you get embroiled in.

As with a lot of things in a small town, secrets are unearthed and things that have been kept hidden come to the surface, affecting more than just one person’s life. It never felt sensationalised, but the knock on effect is clear. Pip’s innocent investigation for a school project never leads her astray from her capabilities, but at the same time her own personality latches on and her consumption of the case and the need for answers brings danger.

Pip is a great character. Her passion and dedication grows from an interest for a school project to something of an obsession as she uncovers more and more secrets and unanswered questions. Her focus and her determination to get to the bottom of this crime is something I think you can achieve with her approach to her investigation, especially as so many people think there has already been a culprit named.

Jackson is great at balancing Pip’s access to information and the reasonable assumption no one would talk to a teenager about certain things. Small town gossip and prejudice is a wonderful tool too and it works in sync with Pip’s perseverance.

Each character felt real too, which is important when creating a community. No one felt one dimensional even the red herrings all had full lives and stories, making them as likely as the next to be suspects. The realness of characters is important too if readers are meant to believe they could hide things, deceive, or have more depth than it first appears. Jackson does this well as everyone Pip interviews, helps, or is hindered by bring their own lives to the page and it is definitely a strength of the book.

I know the book is filled with great formatting around transcripts, emails and Pip’s notes, but I loved the audio version of this so much. It was a mix between an audiobook and a radio drama. The phone conversations sound like phone conversations, the recordings Pip references sound like conversations on tape recordings being played back, and the different voices bring in another great element.

I initially thought it would be a weird, off putting things to have it cut from clear narration to audio that replicated being recorded in a room but it worked remarkably well and helps place you in the scene immediately. It is definitely a bonus instead of having the poor narrators read out transcripts verbatim, having to name each character who speaks before reading their lines for page after page.

It isn’t entirely like a radio drama, there is regular narration as well which help break up Pip’s research and the outside story. It was a clever way to lay out how she was conducting her research and piecing it all together, plus those listening to the book don’t miss out on the creative storytelling Jackson has designed.

I didn’t realise just how long I had been planning to read this until I looked for the sequel and saw there was not one, but two I could get my hands on. So my bad for the delay but it is a seriously good story and one you should definitely pick up if you haven’t.

This is one you should read in order, not only because the second book spoils practically everything from book one fairly soon, but there is something wonderful about seeing Pip’s growth and her determination as she investigates.

You can purchase A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Dymocks

Wordery | Angus and Robinson | Blackwell’s

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

Royals by Tegan Bennett Daylight

02 Aug 2023 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Audiobook, Australian Women Writers, Young Adult Tags: , , , , , ,

Published: 3 May 2023 (print)/2 May 2023 (audio) Goodreads badge
Publisher: Simon Schuster Australia/Simon and Schuster Australia Audio
Pages: 280/6 hrs and 18 mins
Narrator: Shabana Azeez
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Young Adult
★   ★   ★   ★   ★ – 5 Stars

What happens when a group of teenagers is stranded indefinitely in a shopping centre, alone? With all the stuff they could possibly want … and a baby? Is it paradise – or hell?

With no phones and no internet, Shannon and her fellow prisoners are completely disconnected from the outside world… and their online lives. It’s hard to say whether they’ll be driven to delinquency, or – even worse – forced to make friends irl. Will the limitless bubble tea, Maccas, high-end trainers and tech equipment be enough to keep the six teens safe and happy until they can find a way out, or is this all the start of something more sinister?

Acclaimed author Tegan Bennett Daylight’s first novel for young adults reconceives Lord of the Flies for Gen Z, and in a suspenseful, character-driven and enthralling story, reveals that surviving in isolation just might bring us closer together.

I do love books like this where something is happening and the regular world has shifted somehow. The teens trapped alone somewhere is not a new concept, but I absolutely adore the way Bennett Daylight has constructed this. The mystery of the outside, the mystery of what’s happening inside, it’s a fascinating premise and one that has been executed beautifully. Azeez does a wonderful job as narrator for the audiobook. Shannon’s voice comes to live and immerses you deep in the story from the beginning.

Being locked inside a shopping centre unsupervised is probably a lot of people’s dreams and while I think Bennett Daylight would have done a fantastic job with any variation, I love the creativity of this story. I don’t get where the Lord of the Flies reference from the blurb come from aside from kids being alone to fend for themselves. There are better comparisons inside the story itself where the characters discuss their situation and cycle through everything from The Breakfast Club to The Hunger Games to The Truman Show.

The length of time and the activities the group does is filtered through the whole story, and while there is obvious linear progression, there are also moments where time becomes an unknown entity. The way the characters work with and around the shops and the food court, the interactions between each character and the activities they do is engaging and interesting to read. I really loved the unexpected revelations and I loved the snippets of information mentioned early on that leaves the reader wondering while the story or character has moved on.

Information about Shannon is gradually revealed and it never felt forced or out of place. Bennett Daylight is great at using the environment and the events of the story to add information and does so for each character is clever ways. As a narrator Shannon is an engaging voice making this book an easy read. Bennett Daylight has done a brilliant job giving her a voice that feel young and inexperienced while also projecting the wisdom of youth, reminding the reader they aren’t as shallow and selfish many think them to be.

I genuinely loved these characters by the end. I loved their friendship, their lives, and their relationship. I loved the found family and the community they established. I don’t want a sequel because this book is perfect by itself, but I do want to know what happens next. I also now imagine it happening again. No spoilers (despite by absolute burning desire), but I do want to know if it’s happened before or if it will happen again.

This is a fun, easy read that does what it says on the tin; it navigates the experience of teenagers living in an all access, no worries shopping centre. Bennett Daylight beautifully covers some main problems that may arise, but at the same time she offers enough issues that the characters still have to have some responsibility.

As much as I am dying to discuss the ending, I shan’t. I will say however I was very impressed with Bennett Daylight’s approach. For all my theories through the story, the ones that changed and shifted with each new little bit of information, I really loved where it settled. It was a mixture of satisfaction as well as keeping some of the mystery.

You can purchase Royals via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Dymocks

Wordery | Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon Aust | Audible

Stay Gold by Tobly McSmith

07 Jun 2023 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, Audiobook, Young Adult Tags: , , , , , , ,

Published: 3 August 2021 (print)/26 May 2020 (audio) Goodreads badge
Publisher: Quill Tree Books/Naxos Audio
Pages: 384/9 hrs and 19 mins
Narrator: Theo Germaine, Phoebe Strole
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Young Adult
★   ★   ★ – 3 Stars

Content warning: This book deals with and depicts scenes of transphobia, homophobia, suicidal ideation and violent hate crimes.

Pony just wants to fly under the radar during senior year. Tired from all the attention he got at his old school after coming out as transgender, he’s looking for a fresh start at Hillcrest High. But it’s hard to live your best life when the threat of exposure lurks down every hallway and in every bathroom.

Georgia is beginning to think there’s more to life than cheerleading. She plans on keeping a low profile until graduation…which is why she promised herself that dating was officially a no-go this year.

Then, on the very first day of school, the new guy and the cheerleader lock eyes. How is Pony supposed to stay stealth when he wants to get close to a girl like Georgia? How is Georgia supposed to keep her promise when sparks start flying with a boy like Pony?

This was an interesting mixed bag in terms of reviewing because I liked so much of it but other parts were unrealistic. I won’t list them here because while they aren’t quite spoilers it’s not entirely relevant either.

There’s content warnings for assault, brief misgendering and minor suicidal ideation but McSmith includes these in key moments from certain characters. Pony is trying to establish himself at the new school with a lot of pressure coming at him from friends and family, and it isn’t until further in the book do you realise how much that goal is holding him together. How hard everything is, how exhausting it is for Pony to be the person he’s presenting to the world. It’s also a wonderful example of how it doesn’t take much to change someone’s entire viewpoint if it comes at the wrong time. Enough blows will make anybody fall.

The further I got into this story the more grateful I was this wasn’t going to be a story of major abusive and transphobia. The positivity Pony described from his previous school, and his own happiness with himself made dealing with an unsupportive father easier, especially with his sister and mother by his side. But of course people are going to be people. The scene comes towards the end of the book, and as much as felt like it was a token scene of abuse, I kind of understand why MCSmith included it. You can’t ignore the fact transphobia exists, and you can’t help there’s horrible people around, but at the same time after a book that was 90% light hearted happy vibes of regular teen drama and identity quests, having a sudden shift was a shock. Thankfully it comes towards the end and McSmith definitely uses it as a jumping of point for major character development. It has a purpose which is something I suppose.

I was worried it would become too cinematic perfection by the end, especially with the subplot of Pony helping out the former movie star. That was an interesting side story that felt important but also wasn’t quite as significant as I expected. It helped Pony realise some things, but McSmith doesn’t use it as a saviour either which I was expecting.

All the characters grow in their own way, which is all you can ask of them. Max, Pony, Georgia and even Pony’s family evolve and while there is room for improvement hope is all you can leave a person with. Sometimes stark realities and harsh reminders are needed, even if feels out of place.

People are capable of incredibly things with the right motivation and seeing Georgia’s growth as she comes into herself and realises her own identity is wonderful. Pony’s own realisation about what kind of person he wants to be is ongoing, the shield he’s held up about His Identity through the year is allowing more of himself to come through. McSmith concludes the book knowing everyone is going to be ok, even if it feels a tad cheesy sometimes that can be ok.

You can purchase Stay Gold via the following

Booktopia | Dymocks

Wordery | Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

Peta Lyre’s Rating Normal by Anna Whateley

12 Apr 2023 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Australian Women Writers, Young Adult Tags: , , , ,

Published: 28th April 2020Goodreads badge
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Pages: 248
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

At sixteen, neurodivergent Peta Lyre is the success story of social training. That is, until she finds herself on a school ski trip – and falling in love with the new girl. Peta will need to decide which rules to keep, and which rules to break…

‘I’m Peta Lyre,’ I mumble. Look people in the eye if you can, at least when you greet them. I try, but it’s hard when she is smiling so big, and leaning in.

Peta Lyre is far from typical. The world she lives in isn’t designed for the way her mind works, but when she follows her therapist’s rules for ‘normal’ behaviour, she can almost fit in without attracting attention.

When a new girl, Sam, starts at school, Peta’s carefully structured routines start to crack. But on the school ski trip, with romance blooming and a newfound confidence, she starts to wonder if maybe she can have a normal life after all.

When things fall apart, Peta must decide whether all the old rules still matter. Does she want a life less ordinary, or should she keep her rating normal?

This is a fantastic book that gets into the mind of a neurodivergent teen and helps you understand how messy and complicated things can be and how everyday things can become incredibly complicated when you’re trying to behave like you’re “supposed” to.

Peta comes across on the page instantly and you can gauge who she is and her view on the world. Her friendships are important, she’s always trying to do the right thing and lives her life guided by the rules she has had drilled into her. Her exhaustion is evident but at the same time seeing her able to be herself and free from the rules is refreshing.

The story has a lot of sharp turns and rough edges but what I loved about that is this whole thing is being told through Peta’s eyes. She’s already told us her mind works differently so to have a story suddenly shift made sense. Logic works differently for Peta and while it can make the story take a dark or different turn it’s because situations change and life changes around Peta and she is constantly fighting to keep up. What makes sense to her won’t make sense to others but it’s always made clear just how much Peta is trying.

Whateley flips between the past and present as we see Peta’s journey and her experiences which helps us understand her and how she’s come to be where she is. I loved being inside Peta’s head because what she thinks she is doing isn’t always what others think she’s doing. Having the obvious miscommunication on the page only adds to forcing the reader to understand how the brain can interpret things differently for each person and you never know what anyone else is going through.

Seeing Peta come into her own is wonderful, finding herself and her place, as well as strengthening relationships is a great reward having seen her struggle as she recounts the issues she’s had in her past and in her present.

It’s a great achievement of Whateley to give Peta the right voice that speaks volumes about her experiences and I really hope it’s a book that provides an insight into the life of other neurodivergent people.

You can purchase Peta Lyre’s Rating Normal via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Book Depository

Dymocks | Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

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