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Teen & YA Book Reviews
Between Ghosts and Gods
Ann Sei Linn, pub. Walker Books
Between Ghosts and Gods is a dark fantasy novel about Kasu, a young woman who’s sold her soul to a demon lord in exchange for reincarnation. Kasu is determined to earn her way back to the mortal world, but when Arun, a mortal prince, enters the under-realm to search for his missing mother, their paths cross. As they venture together on a dangerous journey that involves demons, ghosts, gods and secrets, Kasu soon starts to question everything she previously believed about the afterlife.
Ann Sei Linn’s novel combines an evocative teen fantasy with Chinese mythology. The fast-paced narrative is intertwined with macabre humour and an enemies-to-lovers romance. The two main characters have personalities with which readers can associate. Kasu, the ultimate good girl in Ghost City keeps her head down and follows the strict moral codes of the ‘Heavenly Principles.’ Arun is brash, arrogant, impulsive and good at testing Kasu’s patience. What starts off as Kasu trying to save a foolish mortal prince soon turns into a shared journey and a developing love story through the under-realm, with Kasu realising her logic is flawed as the very people who make the rules do not necessarily follow them.
Pet lovers need not fret. Kasu enlists the help of her companion Ruo, a wise-cracking cat with an appetite for eyeballs, which provides the story with some light-hearted humorous moments against the backdrop of the more serious plot at play - that every character has a motive, with nobody being completely innocent (not even the Gods). An interesting point in the narrative is that reincarnation has to be earned, depicting an intriguing dynamic between the decision-makers and those who want to earn it. Readers will be able to empathise with Kasu, who desperately believes that she can earn her reincarnation, with a small house on the edge of a small orchard. But while helping Arun, she soon starts to question her ideals and remember her mortal self.
Between Ghosts and Gods posits questions of identity, religion, faith and of following or breaking the rules. The under-realm is portrayed as a lush world with nightmarish themes, complete with masked demons and hungry ghosts, and where nothing is as it seems. Helpfully, there is a double page map at the start supporting visualisation. Also, despite the mostly dark narrative, Ann Sei Lin manages to maintain a cozy narrative that is wry, poignant, and will have readers flipping from page to page.
Chris J Kenworthy
The Bookshop Below
Georgia Summers, pub. Hodderscape
It may seem an obvious statement ‘the bookshop must have an owner.’ After all without an owner there would be no bookshop but this is not an obvious statement. It is one layered with meaning, magic and mystery. It is one whose story is about to unfold and as much as the bookshop whose story it tells is one that could change your life the story itself could do the same. It will, without doubt, change the way you look at bookshops forever more.
It’s Cass Holt we meet first. Cas Holt the book thief, the woman who helps to make ends meet by writing essays for students and being good at stealing books on demand. But it is also Cass Holt who is now in trouble with one of her customers, one who she is worried but also hopeful might be dead. As if that wasn’t enough to think about, she discovers that the man who raised her, the owner of the bookshop, Chiron, is dead and that he has left the bookshop to her. Or so it seems. He may have also left it to Lowell Sharpe and he may have been murdered. Then there is the problem of the bookshop itself. It may have accepted her, let her in, let her access parts of it she has never seen before, may even be trying to show her the river underneath, the river which guides all the bookshops, but it is also possibly trying to tell her something. It seems there is far more at stake now in Cassandra Fairfax’s world than simply being the new owner of the bookshop.
Georgia Summers has woven a tale of mystery, murder, intrigue, rivalry, rare books, magic and a touch of romance. Just as the bookshops of the story welcome only certain readers in, perhaps even luring them, this book feels as though it is doing the very same thing, luring in readers and then keeping them there with its twists, turns and unexpected developments. References abound to other literature, entirely appropriately for a book about a bookshop, you don’t need to have been an avid or well-read reader before picking up this book, it will be happy to show and share. You may however need to be a believer. In magic above all else.
Louise Ellis-Barrett
Earth Ever After
Elin Manon, pub. Bonnier Books
Every now and then a book comes along which takes me completely by surprise, Earth Ever After, by the wonderfully talented Elin Manon, is one of them. A carefully woven tapestry between folklore, history and the science of evolution, this stunningly illustrated graphic novel is a glorious feast of breathtaking artwork and wonderous lyrical text which tells the tale of Earth’s creation through to the present day. It is a story about our world with a difference, told by Mother Earth herself, it’s our planet’s own voice and own view on how it came to be, how it has evolved, and of the impact humanity has had on it.
As I read it felt like I’d been given a rare opportunity in our fast-paced lives to pause, take a breath and reflect on the wonder of our home and the part we have played in its evolution. More than a story, Manon offers a gentle, yet stark reminder of the beauty and at times hostility of our planet, of our responsibility to nurture and take care of this wonderful world we have been gifted. She has given Mother Nature a voice, a soft, caring voice, full of wonder and admiration ‘Some of their creations stretched beyond the limits of my own imagination, and I listened with awe as their words formed into new and unseen images.’ and at times full of disappointment ‘They stopped speaking with me, and when I tried to reach out, they refused to listen.’
In every glorious, evocative illustration there is so much to note and discuss and as Manon’s poetic words drift and dance from page-to-page she takes us on a journey which celebrates the uniqueness of our situation here on earth, celebrating our connection to nature, and sadly our destruction of it. Perhaps most importantly however Manon offers us hope, and as the journey draws to a close we are left with a call to reconnect and imagine the possibility of a future in which we can live in harmony with this glorious planet.
Timely and relevant, this book should be a must, particularly in schools where it can spark much needed conversations about our relationship with the earth and the future of humanity. Both a masterpiece and a masterclass, Earth Ever After is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.
Tracey Corner
I Am Not a Vampire (Anymore)
Darcy Miller, pub. Random House Books for Young Readers
This is Miller’s first foray into teen fiction and it really is a great start. A new twist on an old favourite, our teenage vampire, or should that be ex-vampire is Lily, who having been a vampire for hundreds of years has managed to find a way to return to being human. Her new life has taken her to Florida and she is living (!), if it can be called that, the life of a senior at high school, focussing on the upcoming Prom, her boyfriend Max, and her best friend Sarita.
It all sounds wonderful and it should be for one who was a vampire and has seen hundreds of years pass. However, things take a turn when she recognises that her boyfriend’s best friend Ezra, has been bitten and is turning into a vampire. In a unique position to help, Lily spends more and more time with Ezra and their feelings become as complicated as the rest of their lives! It is a very clever and unique twist on teen romance and vampire romance, carefully crafted and captivating.
Add in some revenge, of course, it’s not possible to live for hundreds of years without someone having a grudge against you, some witches and all the usual teenage dramas that happen in the last year of high school and you have a recipe for a fun and thrill-filled ride. With plenty of twists and turns to keep up the energy, the friends find a way to face the challenges but remain ‘human’ and true to themselves.
I suspect this is the first in a series and I will look forward to reading the next chapter in this new vampire storyline.
Marianne Degiovanni
Into Thin Air
S.E Durrant, pub. Nosy Crow
Instantly I found the start of this book to be engaging, with an interesting plot and character perspective. While the idea of a child looking for or missing a disappeared parent is not new, Durrant has, nonetheless, achieved a new spin on this, so it by no means felt repetitive.
The writing is rather simplistic, but suits the story, and the protagonist herself, who is extremely well-rounded and fairly unique. It is easy to pick up things about the type of person she – Luna – is, without it overshadowing the main storyline or being a result of info-dumping, a skill Durrant pulls off exceptionally well with this book and storyline. Her child’s view and opinions are depicted realistically, highlighting how Durrant understands her characters and how their ages are essential to, and develop, the plot. In essence, all the characters truly felt their age, without overwhelmingly feeling like it was solely for plot convenience. Overall, the characters are smart and know how to achieve their goals, and yet not so much that it feels like they are not children at all.
The important topics of the story are covered in an age-appropriate manner without demeaning them, and I could really feel the impacts of the environment Luna and her sister had to grow up in, both through how they acted, and also how they reacted. In essence, this is a great book that suits its genre and target audience well and is an easy read while remaining exciting to consume. The pacing is nicely pulled off, and the ending is perfectly satisfactory. 4/5 stars!
Arianna Campobello
The Lure of Wolves and Whispers
Amanda Connolly, pub. Hodderscape
The Lure of Wolves and Whispers is a new romantasy and the start of something promising. Maeve is on a quest to acquire a dangerous magic that could save her sister's life, but there are consequences - magic demands blood, and love demands sacrifice. On selling her soul to a less-than-trustworthy rebel leader, Maeve finds herself in a deadly tournament and is tasked with assassinating the tyrannical King to become the kingdom’s next Queen. On her journey she meets Wolf, and though they're initially sworn enemies, they soon develop a friendship and, later, deeper feelings.
Maeve’s combative personality lends her an advantage, as she is able to easily pass the trials while having had very little preparatory training. As the heroine of the story, this is in complete contrast to the many male characters who instead rely on intuition and learned skills.
As the first in a trilogy, the pacing of the novel is well handled. Whilst initially slow at the start, the story ramps up in the latter half, especially after Maeve meets Wolf - a prince rumoured to be more brutal than his tyrannical father. Seeing the world from her perspective, with a first-person narrative, helps with the world-building of the mist-shrouded Isle of Eireann, which is steeped in Irish folklore and gives the novel a unique twist with its dark and moody atmosphere. Even the political conflicts are intriguing and compelling, meaning readers will be looking forward to the release of the sequel.
Connolly’s vivid descriptions of Eireann are fantastic, particularly with regards to buildings and political structures, although a map at the beginning of the novel, or illustrations in each chapter, would have helped to fully visualise this magical world. Ultimately, however, The Lure of Wolves and Whispers is a great fantasy book to pick up and read this autumn.
Chris J Kenworthy
Natural Selection
Clare Edge, pub. Bloomsbury Children’s Books
From the get-go this book instantly captured my attention, the idea of a feminist revenge being greatly intriguing. Clare Edge managed to blow my expectations out of the water, brilliantly executing the story and the small details that built it up. The supernatural plot and twists were perfectly scattered throughout, and nicely foreshadowed the ending, greatly satisfying me with the ending.
In addition, each and every character, including the main girls, the supporting roles, and, of course, the villains themselves, were all distinctive and well-executed. I felt deeply for the victims, as their violent experiences felt extremely real, and tensed up whenever the antagonists appeared – they almost felt real, emphasising what a great writer Clare Edge is. This isn’t to say that all the men were villainised in this book, because they truly weren’t. Clare Edge has successfully highlighted the differences in how those who we might admire and surround ourselves with impacts on or own, theirs and the attitudes of others.
As we, unfortunately, live in the time of red-pill movements, this really stood out to me. The writing flows naturally, suiting the genre well, and the changes in perspective are flawless – Clare Edge is a phenomenal writer, and the constant symbolism littered throughout shines. A reread could only boost this further. I can only say positive things about this book, and if I were to describe everything to the very last, nitty-gritty detail, it would probably end up being an essay! This book really is one you truly cannot put down after picking it up, as the girls’ story is insanely captivating. In short, this is 100% an essential read – 5/5 stars!
Arianna Campobello
Neverlast
Sue H. Cunningham, pub. Scholastic
An engrossing, pacy YA tale about modern-day Immortals with a twist: at the very outset, Sixth Former Gracie discovers that she is not immortal after all!
Unlike all of her family and friends who are able to heal themselves after even the most terrible injuries, it turns out that Gracie is not a Perpetual, but a Neverlast - in other words, mortal. But it gets worse. When she tricks her parents and joins her friends at Comic Con, Gracie is devastated to find that she has lost her ability to enjoy parkour. Where once she would lead the charge in scaling buildings and performing daring acrobatics, now Gracie suffers from vertigo and is scared to try even the most basic of jumps. To add insult to injury, her boyfriend Arty has turned against her, presumably because he knows he will outlive her by hundreds of years.
But no, that’s not right. It turns out that Arty has landed himself in deep trouble which could jeopardise the Perpetuals’ secret and expose their abilities to the world. His free-running social media feed has attracted the attention of some lawless individuals who want to harness his abilities to line their own pockets. Gracie and her friends need to pool their knowledge and abilities to save their friend from danger - and their whole international community from the public eye.
The international locations and events featured in the story help to pin the narrative to the real world and I appreciated how the various characters’ cultural differences and experiences blended to create a positive and united ethos which is equitable and just. Sue H. Cunningham’s believable teenagers - many of them already centuries old - would fit right in with any group of youngsters I know.
Hilary Kemp
Nobody in Particular
Sophie Gonzales, pub. Hodder Children’s Books
A sapphic romance set in a prestigious boarding school for girls in the fictitious European country of Henland this story revolves around two of its students. Told from dual perspectives, we share in the unfolding friendship and then romance between Danni – a scholarship student from the USA who is very aware of how different she is to her classmates in terms of money and outlook, and Rose – or Princess Rosemary to give her full title, the troubled and ‘in trouble’ princess and heir to the throne of Henland.
With such a context you can imagine the layers of intrigue, influence and interference that they both experience. As their feelings for each other grow so does the media interest and the manipulation of those around them. What sets this novel apart is some of the writing, whilst some of the plot is predictable, Gonzales manages to sidestep most cliches and keeps the story fresh and interesting. There is respectable depth given to depicting both Danni and Rose’s feelings toward each other but also toward other life ‘lessons’ that they are experiencing. There is still an overarching narrative of young women being at school/college despite the rather extraordinary circumstances that unfold around the young princess. This helps keep the story playful even as it tackles some weighty subjects such as drug use, mental health and control.
Nobody In Particular feels like a better than average school romance and has some interesting points to make about how the media manipulates us all and how we, in turn, can manipulate it back.
Marianne Degiovanni
Sentinel of the Sun
Eira Morgan-Jones, pub. Graffeg
Eira Morgan-Jones has set her debut novel in a brilliantly realised alternative world, in which most of the people live in distinct communities, and obsessively worship The Source, as instructed by the Luminary, who lives in more luxurious surroundings of the Ziggurat.
Seventeen year-old Alexis is a strong-minded girl, like her mother Carys, so much so that she is called ‘feral’ by some members of the community in the Powlen Valley. She is dodging the service in the Temple by climbing the tower when she sees a giant wave approaching the nearby beach, and watches in horror as it sweeps away the temple and all the houses in the village. She and her enemy, Cadi, are washed further down the valley, and she pulls Cadi out of the water, using superhuman strength that makes the strange markings that she has on her arms glow. Cadi is badly injured, but realises that she needs to stay with Alexis to enable them both to survive, and their bickering gradually thaws into a sort of friendship. A natural leader, if flawed and impulsive, Alexis becomes responsible for a small group hiding from the guards. One guard, Thuya, has been explicitly ordered to find Alexis and her mother, though he is not allowed to know why, and his story is interspersed with hers, and with that of the Luminary, who is ruling under the spell of Lady Lara, supposedly mouthpiece of the Source.
Eira Morgan-Jones skilfully interweaves the stories in sections so that we follow each character for a few chapters, then goes on to another, often at an exciting moment- we are certainly kept interested in all the threads, including the boorish guards. There is romance: Theo joins the group and enables Alexis to understand the meaning of her markings, which leads to new possibilities. As these stories converge and reach a climax it is clear that there is more to come, and four books are promised.
Eira Morgan-Jones has written three picture books with Welsh connections, and this, her first foray into YA fiction, is exciting to read and very promising indeed.
Diana Barnes
This Divine Revelry
Bea Fitzgerald, pub. Penguin Books
I was sad to learn that this will be Bea Fitzgerald’s last Greek myth retelling but at the same time I understand. It’s wonderful fun to take old stories and myths, give them a new spin, retell the stories from a new perspective but with so many possibilities offered by the Greek myths alone to continue might have meant to only tell these stories when she has many more to explore across different genres. Having said that, I am still sad for this, and its three predecessors have all been fantastic stories, entertaining and lively.
The Divine Revelry might be the most entertaining of them all, thanks to its cast of characters including the god of wine, merriment and mirth, Dionysus. Of all the Greek myths this is very well known, Dionysus is a well-known god but his story is also perhaps the one shrouded in the most misunderstanding and secrecy. Bea Fitzgerald doesn’t attempt to untangle the history of this god and his stories, instead she gives us her own version of one of many possible stories which might belong to him. After all, gods are immortal beings, their stories span millennia and involve more characters than we might ever be able to name. This one begins with the mystery of the Labyrinth and its fearsome monster. Ariadne, princess of Crete and sister to the fearsome Minotaur said to stalk the tunnels of the Labyrinth, has vowed to save her brother from the cruelty of their father. She hopes to also free herself and the people of Athens. But her supposed saviour, Theseus abandons her on a desert island to fend for herself. Fortunately, it’s the same island that Dionysus and his followers use on occasion. Cue the god himself, his motley crew and of course his beautiful pet.
Neither Dionysus nor Ariande expect the story of their lives which unfolds. They want to help one another, both having their own plans for revenge, albeit against different people. They want to create a story, one that will be told so far and wide, one that will be so powerful that they will both become legends and Dionysus will strengthen his power. They also want to help the subjugated people of their world - through joy, happiness and of course, wine! The women who they draw into their lives, into their story are going to become a power no one is expecting and they? Ariadne and Dionysus are going to create a story with an outcome neither of them are expecting.
A captivating, warm, funny and addictive retelling of a lesser-known Greek myth.
Louise Ellis-Barrett