young adult | Lost in a Good Book

Timothy Other: The Boy Who Climbed Marzipan Mountain by L. Sydney Abel

18 May 2015 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, Junior Fiction, Young Adult Tags: ebook, junior fiction, L. Sydney Abel, three stars, young adult

Published: 2nd October 2014
Publisher: Solstice Publishing
Pages: 354
Format: Ebook
Genre: Junior Fiction/Young Adult
★ ★ ★ – 3 Stars

12 year-old adventurer, the intriguingly named Timothy Other, escapes the Dreams and Hopes Orphanage and travels to the bizarre world of Marzipan Mountain, where he befriends some amazing creatures.

With the help of his friends, Timothy seeks to discover his true origins and returns to the Orphanage. He becomes embroiled in a matter of life and death and faces the evil forces that crave the secret of ‘Golden Life’.

He becomes embroiled in a matter of life and death and faces the evil forces that crave the secret of ‘Golden Life’.

Note: I was provided with a copy of this book from the author for review.

From a captivating and really sweet beginning this story turns into one that is filled with adventure, puzzles and mysteries, and a lot of other elements that are a combination of magical, bizarre, and delightful.

The narrative is interesting, it is cryptic and elusive, with tiny tit bits dropped throughout that pique your interest. The tone is light and casual, conversational almost like that of a storyteller, but it soon settles into an almost regular narrative style while still maintaining its deliberate style. There are also multiple points of view which allow an understanding of all angles and character intentions, both good and bad, and Abel makes use of these nicely to propel the story along.

There is just enough character depth and explanations to make the situations believable and the events make sense. Timothy goes off on a spontaneous adventure and is quite accepting of the strange and bizarre things that follow, but there are brief explanations that justify what happens which doesn’t make it too farfetched, and the mindset and justifications of a twelve-year-old can account for a lot of things.

Timothy is a decent main character, he is a bit snappish and he likes to tease and bicker seemingly out of the blue, plus he is slightly intolerable, all of which was a little strange but if you remind yourself he is only twelve then it does help explain his behaviour.

Other characters are interesting, unique in their own way, and a mix of quirky, eccentric, and strange with a few stereotypical figures like jolly cooks and maternal housekeepers, but Abel has them in a place that suits them, and makes it a nice environment. There are some darker characters who are not just mean but a tad threatening, but there is restraint in their behaviour and while the actions can be quite dark, Abel doesn’t make it too disturbing.

Plot wise there were a few odd things that were explained strangely or just accepted, even with a magical reasoning. Though this does add to the quirky and mysterious nature of the story, and while it feels like a few things haven’t been answered as much as you’d like, it doesn’t affect the story too much. Where the story shines is towards the end when after all the dropped hints and secrets and puzzles Abel does a great job of bring the story to a close, solving many of the riddles and offering wonderful surprises while still hinting at further adventures.

I wouldn’t call this a Young Adult book; it is more down the Junior Fiction 10-13 year old bracket, though admittedly not unenjoyable for older readers. There is adventure and mystery, with fantasy mixed in but there is also a sweet story as well. There is a slight paranormal element but it is pleasant rather than scary, and coupled with the magical and fantasy components it works really well.

Overall it is nice, complex and delightfully cryptic with secrets to reveal and a fun bunch of characters in a detailed but not over the top adventure story.

You can purchase Timothy Other via the following

Amazon

Amazon Aust

Amazon UK

The Art of Raising Hell by Thomas Lopinski

14 May 2015 1 Comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Young Adult Tags: ebook, fiction, four stars, thomas lopinski, young adult

Published: 25th March 2015
Publisher: Dark Alley Press
Pages: 191
Format: Ebook
Genre: Young Adult
★ ★ ★ ★ – 4 Stars

“There are some people that walk around on two feet and others like me that run on all four.” Newbie Johnson tries to understand the meaning of this statement while learning about friendship, loss, and love as a small town teenager.

“The Art Of Raising Hell” is a coming of age story set in the 1970s that centers around four teenagers and their involvement with a larger-than-life character named Lonny Nack.

Newbie had recently moved to Bunsen Creek, when his mother is killed in a devastating car crash. Nursing a broken soul, he soon hooks up with the three best friends a guy could ever ask for and meets the love of his life, Sally Nack.

Sally’s brother, Lonny, fears no one, including The Law, and soon takes his peculiar sense of justice, along with his love of practical jokes, to new heights while entertaining the colorful characters of Kickapoo County.

Note: I was provided with a copy of this book from the author for review.

This coming of age story has a wonderful balance of fun, self-awareness, and profoundness to make it a rather moving story. In essence it is just about growing up in the 1970s but Lopinski makes it much more than that. Newbie tells the story with a sense of reflection and while a lot of the story discusses the various adventures and misadventures he and his friends had growing up, there is a great and meaningful story as well. It becomes about making deep and important friendships, about leaving childhood innocence behind and finding your place in the world, and accepting changes and challenges both big and small.

The tone is light but is very much one of being narrated to, Newbie’s voice reads like he’s telling someone his story, which essentially he is, and with that comes a certain type of language. It does work well, even the few places where it references that a story is being told to a reader, but these are minimal and getting caught up in Newbie’s storytelling overrides any minor narration quirks.

The time period covered crosses many years and can often skip months at a time, but Lopinksi maintains the flow of the story nicely and the narrative never falters, nor do you lose track of the story. It was quite interesting to see how the characters grew and changed over the years and the differences this had on their perspectives on life and the wisdom they thought they held.

Despite being told from Newbie’s perspective, Lopinski seamlessly weaves in the stories and lives of other people in the town in a way that feel natural and real and helps you get to know them as well. Characters are connected in ways you do not understand at first and by the end everything is wrapped up beautifully and loose ends and unanswered questions you had forgotten about or didn’t realise were unanswered are all addressed impeccably.

Lopinksi treats his characters right and everyone gets a decent representation. There are no one-dimensional side kick friends or characters just for the sake of characters. Each character has their own story and even if their appearance if brief, Lopinski manages to still tell their story and bring a bit of life to them with a history and personality.

Lonny is one of these great characters, he seems wild and unruly but he isn’t a bad influence or a rough character, just someone who likes to cause mischief and live life to the fullest. In a way Lonny is both the main focus of the story while still being a semi background character. He has a huge presence in town and almost everyone admires him or knows him, and a lot of Newbie’s life centres around him. I liked that Lopinski didn’t make Lonny a bad person, or someone who only Newbie stood up for. He is complicated and energetic and having him flit in and out of the story was an excellent move, it let the great friendship between Newbie and his main friends develop and strengthen, while still enabling him to have a huge impact on their lives.

Lopinski doesn’t make this a happily ever after but he concludes it well and with a feeling that everything is going to be alright, even after all that has happened. I really liked this story, it is insightful and reflective without being too intense and over the top, and it is filled with surprises and moments, good and bad, that capture a moving tale about being young, growing up, and learning some of the harder lessons in life.

You can purchase The Art of Raising Hell via the following

Amazon

Amazon Aust

Death Wish (The Ceruleans #1) by Megan Tayte

21 Apr 2015 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Fantasy, General, The Ceruleans, Young Adult Tags: ebook, fantasy, five stars, megan tayte, paranormal, The Ceruleans, young adult

Published: 7th February 2015
Publisher: Heaven Afire
Pages: 305
Format: Ebook
Genre: Young adult paranormal fantasy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

Seventeen-year-old Scarlett Blake is haunted by death. Her estranged sister has made the ultimate dramatic exit. Running away from school, joining a surfing fraternity, partying hard: that sounds like Sienna. But suicide? It makes no sense.

Following in her sister’s footsteps, Scarlett comes to the isolated cove of Twycombe, Devon, with grand plans to uncover the truth. Alone. But she hasn’t reckoned on meeting two boys who are determined to help her. Luke: the blue-eyed surfer who’ll see the real Scarlett, who’ll challenge her, who’ll save her. And Jude: the elusive drifter with a knack for turning up whenever Scarlett’s in need.

As Scarlett’s quest for the truth unravels, so too does her grip on reality as she’s always known it. Because there’s something strange going on in this little cove. A dead magpie circles the skies. A dead deer watches from the undergrowth. Hands glow with light. Warmth. Power.

What transpires is a summer of discovery. Of what it means to conquer fear. To fall in love. To choose life. To choose death.

To believe the impossible.

Note: I was provided with a copy of this book from the author for review.

I found it so easy to fall into this story; Tayte’s writing is smooth and has a natural feel to it that allows you to focus on the narrative and not the words themselves. The narrative itself is spectacular, not that it is explicitly grand exactly, but the way Tayte brings these characters to life and creates this story is wonderful and while seemingly simple, it’s surprisingly deep. From the first page the story grabs you with drama and a brilliant narrative voice and from there it becomes a curious but fascinating story where discovering the characters helps to understand the story and vice versa.

The characters are their own person and Tayte makes sure they have the right level of detail and personality behind them to feel in place within the story. Scarlett herself is rather fascinating, she is complicated and determined but she is also unsure of herself and she is looking for answers she doesn’t know she will find. Her voice is authentic and intelligent and Tayte expresses her moods and thoughts incredibly well, meaning you get caught up in her story quickly and have a great understanding of her desires. You can clearly see Scarlett’s uncertainty and confusion as she works through recent events and revelations and with excellent pacing and gradual development there is realism in the progression.

Other characters have the same level of realism. Luke and Cara are well developed characters and they each bring something to the story. Luke is a sweetheart but he isn’t cheesy in a way that makes him unbearable; he is cheeky and loyal, and he has a good heart. Cara on the other hand is clever and passionate and Tayte captures the teen voice perfectly, the one that shows youth, exuberance and stubbornness.

The descriptions and detail of Scarlett’s experiences and emotions was divine, and Tayte makes use of her characters to bring the story to life, rather than too much detail. Information is provided naturally within the story as well as through the characters leaving little need to explicitly state or describe things. The story flows smoothly and gently and Tayte includes multiple layers and side elements to keep the story rounded, while also connecting things and weaving them together with style and seamlessness. Her depiction of the small coastal town is credible, showing just enough detail required to keep the narrative going but it is not overdone, and with seemingly little effort she encapsulates the feeling and workings of a small town without making it feel too small or intrusive. One technically minor part of the story that stuck with me was how Tayte deals with issues characters may have, both mentally and physically. She restrains from focusing on them explicitly, but they are not ignored by any means, creating a balance that feels natural within the story and feels genuine and real.

There is a paranormal component to this story and I liked that it simmers in the background, only being brought to light when the story needed it to be. What Tayte has managed to do incredibly well is connect multiple things together without appearing to do so and nothing dominates the story, instead it is all linked together and of equal value. The paranormal aspect is almost hidden in the background, but at the same time it isn’t. It feels minute in the scheme of things, almost so you forget about it at times, but when it reappears it is a nice addition to story and provides it with extra depth and meaning, and moves the story along. Being introduced gradually and randomly adds to the mysteriousness and it is wonderful in that it often it explains nothing but offers great chances and speculations and theories.

This is undoubtedly Scarlett’s story more than anyone else’s, though Tayte is careful not to narrow the focus too much on her alone. It is certainly a story about discovery and looking for answers, and while Scarlett hunts for answers about her sister, she discovers things about herself as well. Tayte has absolutely enticed me with Scarlett’s story and I am eager to continue reading about these fantastic characters and this intriguing story.

You can purchase Death Wish via the following

Amazon

Amazon UK

Amazon Aust

The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey (plus some nail art!)

13 Apr 2015 1 Comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Fantasy, General, Young Adult Tags: date a book, fantasy, five stars, hachette, melissa grey, nail art, nail art competition, sneaky pun, the bookish manicurist, young adult, young adult fantasy

Published: 28th April 2015
Publisher: Hachette Australia (ATOM)
Pages: 361
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

For readers of Cassandra Clare’s City of Bones and Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone, The Girl at Midnight is the story of a modern girl caught in an ancient war.

Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she’s ever known.

Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she’s fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it’s time to act.

Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, but if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it’s how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.

But some jobs aren’t as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire.

Note: I was provided with a copy of this book from the publisher for review.

I loved this book from start to finish, from the enchanting beginning where worlds cross over in the dark quiet of a library at night to an explosive story that is filled with amazing characters who you love and hate and understand so wonderfully. From page one Grey’s words take hold of you and bring you into this mysterious world filled with mystical races and an ancient war looming in the background. There is a great mixture of both modern and magical elements and Grey blends the fantasy and the real together extremely well.

With amazing skill Grey has created an exciting and well-rounded world, not just about the Avicen people and their history and feuds, but how their world blends into the real world and the structure of their society. The creativity she has shown, even in the minute detail, is marvellous and the build up is enthralling. As you read it makes you yearn for more, to see more, and learn and hear more about the adventures and past events discussed. Being an introduction to a new world, Grey incorporates descriptions and depicts the world beautifully and through character’s eyes people and places are described and established without ever feeling out of place or clunky. In doing so characters are introduced and described and an understanding of the rules and the society is comprehensible without needing a long explanation. This balance works perfectly and there is never a moment where the story jars or you’re taken out of the narrative due to misunderstandings or confusion.

Echo is a brilliant character, she has the right amount of spark and uniqueness without it being her sole quality and it isn’t something that defines her. Her personality is not what makes her different, Echo is just herself and this is what makes her brilliant. I loved that her tough nature, street smarts and cheekiness did not make her special, what makes her special is being human among Avicens and even then this difference is not that dominating. All of the other characters are just as wonderful though. They are vibrant, colourful, and unique and they really are their own people, not just supporting characters. One thing Grey excels at is able to give a feeling of completeness to her characters, even with just the briefest encounters.

The narrative was compelling from the early pages but by the final few chapters Grey has built up your excitement and fervour so much that as you read your heart is pounding, you are on the edge of your seat with anticipation and you wish you had the next book in the series to pick up the second you finished that final page. I loved the thrill in the final chapters when there are not many pages left and your mind races with trying to work out how the narrative can be resolved with so little space but Grey manages to bring it to a brilliant ending.

There are surprises and mysteries that make you wonder and even when the answers suddenly become clear Grey still manages to surprise you and add another element to what you thought you had already figured out. What makes this another level of brilliant is that things that seem innocent have much more meaning that they appear and when everything falls into place it makes so much sense and it is an incredible experience and realisation.

I seriously cannot praise this story enough, it was an absolute joy to read this book and I wait with eager anticipation for the remaining books in the series. If this book is anything to go by the rest will be just as spectacular and Melissa Grey is definitely an author I will be paying a lot of attention to in the future.

You can purchase The Girl At Midnight via the following when released (some have preorder!)

Hachette Australia | Waterstones

Amazon UK | Barnes and Noble

Amazon US/CA | Kobo

Amazon Aust | Other

Nail art time!

Hachette/Date a Book is running a The Girl at Midnight nail art competition for reviewers which is being judged by the skilled and talented The Bookish Manicurist. My lines are a little wobbly, but it was fun!

Close up of the feather

Nail polish art is not my forte, nor am I much of a nail polish wearer but nevertheless this was quite fun, I may need to attempt it at another point in the future. With a tiny paint brush at my disposal (with no detail brush handy) and an accent nail that’s currently annoyingly short, it isn’t perfect, but not that bad for my first attempt I must say!

Song of the Sea (#1) by Jade Varden

27 Mar 2015 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Book Bingo, Fantasy, General, Young Adult Tags: book bingo, fantasy, five stars, jade varden, saltwater secrets, young adult

Published: 24th December 2014
Publisher: Self Published
Pages: 198
Format: ebook
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

I always knew who my mother was. I always knew where I belonged. And I always knew I wanted to be on the water, like my dad.

…Until I was forced to go out into the water, anyway. Out there, you feel really lonely. But you’re never alone. There is more life and emotion under the waves than most humans will ever see, more than I could have ever imagined. Down there, it’s an entire world of rage and hate, love and hope. It’s a world of fear.

It’s a world of war.

Once, my mother told me she would sing me a song of the sea. But under the waves, the only music I ever heard was the sound of screams.

Note: I was provided a copy of this book for review.

This story captivated me from the early pages and held my attention until the final pages. I stayed up late to finish reading this book because I did not want to put it down. Varden has created a story that is simple but beautiful and one that tells a new story but still captures the familiar mystery of the ocean and the underwater world as well as the creatures that live there.

The plot is fast but not rushed, with the ideal balance of adventure, action, and suspense, while Brenna is a narrator who keeps the story flowing naturally with narration that is light and easy to read. Her determination and enthusiasm makes her a wonderful narrator and she adds a nice level of emotion to the story as she tells it. Varden balances the teenage voice without having it shallow or stereotypical, but she also manages to capture the tone and experiences of being fifteen and discovering love, losing a parent, and trying to work out a place in the world.

Brenna is a great character, she has a strong affinity with the sea and she is confident about what she wants and her bravery and ingenuity are assists in her goals. I enjoyed the relationship Brenna has with the people around her and each person brings out a different side of her in a way.

With mermaids, selkies, and humans all to deal with, the combination of worlds is wonderful. Varden is imaginative and creative with her description of the underwater environment, both physically and socially, and Brenna’s adaptation to this world is handled fittingly. The story is realistic as it can be given the nature of it and everything Brenna experiences makes you believe it is possible.

Brenna’s friendship with Dylan was done extremely well and Varden plays them off one another with ease, making their connection seem natural. The intense situations they find themselves in bring them together but it doesn’t alter who they are with both strong personalities remaining. Dylan teaches Brenna all about the underwater life she has immersed herself in while Brenna coaches Dylan above the sea, their support for one another beautifully adding to their friendship and only adds to the mythical world Varden aims to establish.

They way Varden has approached this story is a refreshing change compared to other stories with similar themes. I loved Varden’s approach to the underwater world and especially Brenna’s place in it. The underwater war was a thrilling addition and it adds another level to the story that manages to change everything you were expecting from this story and turn it into something much better. I loved that the underwater world is not made out to be perfect or ideal; instead it has conflicts and problems like the land does. This makes the story not just about Brenna and her mother and makes it a lot more complicated and made it so much more enjoyable.

This truly is an enchanting tale filled with new love, searching for what’s lost, and discovering who you truly are. There is suspense and surprises, and tiny moments of joy that make this a fantastic fantasy adventure and one that will manage to warm and break your heart at the same time. This book is a brilliant start to a series and I look forward to seeing where it goes.

You can purchase Song of the Sea via the following