Review: Trash - Andy Mulligan

Raphael and Gardo are dumpsite boys. They, like many others alongside them, survive by rooting through what the rest of their city throws away. If they're lucky, they'll find something they can use or sell on. Mostly what they find is human waste, and what little money they're able to raise from all this labour goes on food or videogames at an arcade. Day after day, the same routine. But then comes a once-in-a-lifetime find. A bag belonging to a stranger. And inside that bag, a mystery that might just change their lives. But to find out, they'll need to risk everything.

With the futuristic worlds of dystopian fiction so popular right now, Trash gives us something of a reality check. Set in a world that's poles apart from the consumerist societies the majority of Western readers are used to, it's a book that reminds us that not everyone has it so easy. On this planet, right now, only a plane journey or two from where we live, human beings live on dumpsites. In Trash, we explore this unfathomable existence through the eyes of characters who themselves are so accustomed to it that to them, it's mundane. It's their everyday reality, and that's what's so mindblowing.

Against this remarkable backdrop, the story of Trash unfolds. It's a story of many voices, the narrative shared between the dumpsite boys and those who have a part to play in their tale. Brave and honourable Raphael; his shrewd cousin, Gardo; Jun-Jun, who has nobody in the world to take care of him and lives alone amongst the rats. Generously, the job of narrator is passed to whoever has the most useful viewpoint to offer for the story's telling - each voice distinctive and likeable in its own way. They're characters who have nothing, but they risk their lives and their freedom for their faith in the actions of a man they've never met.

Full of mystery and intrigue, Trash is a page-turning tale of corruption and cunning and valour. Two boys find a single bag of apparently discarded belongings, and suddenly they can't ignore the adventure that's calling them. With the odds - and the ruthless authorities - against them, our unassuming heroes use their wits and their determination to evade capture, enlist the help of allies and crack the complex code at the heart of the mystery they've stumbled upon. For a relatively slim volume, this is a book with major impact. It's a book that forges an emotional bond with the reader; a book that, if you're anything like me, will draw you in and make you care - really care - about the outccome.

Trash expands our worldview and pushes the limits of our experience. It's gripping and humbling and filled with lifelike characters you'll take to your heart. It's an amazing journey. I loved it, and I'd urge anyone to pick up a copy. This one's unforgettable.

Out: September 2nd 2010, UK / October 12th 2010, US

A huge thanks to Random House / David Fickling Books for providing a review copy of Trash.

Review: Cherry Crush (Chocolate Box Girls) - Cathy Cassidy

Take a lonely thirteen year old from Scotland, combine with four very different new stepsisters, and add one gorgeous but already taken love interest. Stir it all together, and you've got Cherry Crush, the first book in a super sweet new series from Cathy Cassidy.

When loner Cherry Costelloe's dad falls in love with Charlotte Tanberry - who already has four daughters of her own - the couple decide to move in together and start a family business making exquisite handmade chocolates. While Cherry soon finds a connection with three of her new sisters, the eldest - the beautiful but not-so-sweet Honey - makes it clear she doesn't want anything to do with the Scottish newcomers. And Cherry's crush on the swoonworthy Shay Fletcher doesn't help matters, especially since he's her new arch-enemy's boyfriend. Cue major dramas...

In this first instalment of Chocolate Box Girls, our narrator is shy but imaginative Cherry, whose tendency to confuse fact and fantasy gets her into trouble on a regular basis. Half Scottish and half Japanese, she's never felt that she fit in anywhere - except with her dad at home. And she soon realises that moving in with the Tanberrys isn't going to be all plain sailing. Her journey is mirrored endearingly by that of her beloved golfish Rover, as they both adjust to the pros and cons of being a little fish in a big pond for a change.

Cherry Crush also introduces us to all four Tanberry girls, but we get to know oldest sister Honey the best. While her hostility towards Cherry means she's in some ways the villain of the story, we gradually realise that she hasn't had such an easy time of it herself. The other sisters - dedicated ballerina Summer, her quirky twin Skye, and tomboy Coco - are torn between their loyalty to Honey and welcoming Cherry to the family. They're all so individual and easy-to-relate-to that I'm sure readers won't be able to resist choosing a favourite. The book even includes a 'Which Chocolate Box Girl Are You?' quiz in case you have any trouble deciding.

I'd never read a Cathy Cassidy book before this one, and I have to confess that Cherry Crush really surprised me. I can usually guess what's going to happen in a book, but there's more to Cherry's story than meets the eye - and it didn't end how I expected at all. While it's a cute read, it also explores the real-life problems that tweens and teens face when their parents split up or get remarried. I'd recommend this one to tweens looking for a series filled with romance, friendship and fun.

Out: September 2nd 2010, UK

Thank you to Puffin for providing a review copy of this book.

In My Mailbox (55)

This week, I was all about the Mockingjay. I mean seriously: on Wednesday, I took the earliest lunch possible so I could rush straight over to my nearest bookstore and have that orange paperback in my hands asap.

My mailbox, on the other hand, was full of assorted tasty treats. Woot! All links go to Goodreads.com.

For review:

Blood Ransom - Sophie McKenzie

I'm reading the first book in this series, Blood Ties, right now, so this makes me VERY happy. Thanks S&S!

Immortal Remains - Rook Hastings

Oh em gee, could I be more excited to read this?! I adored Nearly Departed, the first book in this amazing spooky series, so I can hardly wait to uh, turn all the lights on full and get someone to hold my hand while I read this sequel. Bring on the scary! Thanks HarperCollins for this one.

The Moon of Gomrath - Alan Garner

Weirdly, I have never read an Alan Garner book. This one has elves, which I love. Thanks again to HarperCollins!

The Enemy and The Dead - Charlie Higson

These books have zombieness. Have I mentioned I LOVE zombieness? I'm crazy excited to read them. Thanks to Puffin.

Bought:

Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

Honestly, there's nothing original I can say about this one, is there? Everyone knows what it is, everyone has probably read it by now, and everyone will have an opinion. I might post about it, but then again I'm not sure anyone needs to read yet another review of the same book right now. Maybe later.

I Am Number Four - Pittacus Lore

Aliens. I love 'em. You know what else I love? Having a choice of covers. I went for the grown up cover with this one, because it's prettier and girlier than the YA one.

Gifted:

Assorted Awesome Swag!

Jenny from Wondrous Reads surprised me with a parcel of fantastic book swag this week, because she remembered how much I love this stuff. It's all lovely, and I'm especially thrilled with the bookmarks (including a signed Kay Cassidy one!) because just between us, I'm one of those people who turns the corners of pages down to keep my place. And now I have no excuse. Thanks Jenny!

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.

Review: Almost True - Keren David

Earlier this year, I found myself stepping out of my comfort zone to read Keren David's debut novel, When I Was Joe, about London teenager Ty, who finds his life changed forever when he witnesses a knife crime. Placed on the witness protection programme, shy schoolboy Ty becomes popular Joe, but finds that he can't escape his past that easily. When I Was Joe was an instant hit with me, and I've been desperate to read the sequel, Almost True, ever since.

From the first page, Almost True hits the ground running. When his mum's boyfriend is killed by attackers who mistake him for Ty, our hero finds himself packed off again to hide out at a new location. But instead of assuming yet another false name and identity, he comes face to face with a part of his history he'd forgotten all about. This time around, Ty isn't running away from his past: instead, he's forced to confront who he is and where he comes from in a way he never expected to. We're back inside Ty's head as he struggles to deal with the mistakes he's made, uncovers deeper causes for his actions and takes responsibility for his role in the tragic event that left one schoolboy dead and another on trial.

In Almost True, Ty finds himself holed up in far more cushy surroundings than he's used to. Having been raised in a tough part of London by a single mum, he now gets a chance to sample the more privileged life he could've led - with the other family he's never known. While this might sound like a sweet deal, for Ty it brings its own challenges in the host of new family members awaiting him: a gruff grandfather, a kindly grandmother, and a father who's not at all what he imagined. Best of all, there's posh cousin Archie, who seems worlds away from Ty at first but has the potential to become a much needed ally.

Of course, Ty is still being hunted by criminals who want to kill him, so we're never far away from the possibility that the most terrifying part of his past is about to catch up with him. There's plenty of action here as Ty embarks on a mission to meet up with his girlfriend Claire, who knows he's hiding an explosive secret from the police. When his journey takes him back to the neighbourhood where all the trouble began, we know that the inevitable confrontation and retalliation is drawing ever closer. Tense, dangerous and nerve-wracking, this is real edge-of-your-seat stuff.

Once again, Ty's voice is pitch perfect, so that reading Almost True feels almost like listening to an actual teenage boy relating his own story. He's funny and infuriating and heartbreaking all at once, and it's downright impossible not to be on his side - even when he's making seriously bad choices. And while he sometimes talks rubbish or flies off the handle too easily, sometimes he talks a lot of sense. Take his reaction to his girlfriend Claire's explanation of Twilight, for instance: a girl loving a vampire who kind of wants to hurt her just doesn't sound right to him, despite the fact that millions of us eat this stuff up as 'romantic'. Although he's still got a way to go, you never lose faith that he'll get there.

One of the reasons When I Was Joe was so compelling is that it didn't preach to its audience or tell them what to think, and Almost True takes the same approach. It's about Ty first, and the issues second. Ty explores the consequences of his choices and Keren David gives the reader credit for being smart enough to make their own mind up. The result is an edgy and seriously gripping sequel with every bit as much impact as the previous book. I'd urge everyone to pick up Almost True, because once you do there's no way you'll want to put it down again. Powerful and real, this one will stay with you.

Out: September 2nd 2010, UK

Thank you to Frances Lincoln for providing a review copy of this awesome book.

Review: Shade - Jeri Smith-Ready

With so many paranormal titles being published right now, it's easy to feel that the genre is becoming a little tired. Vampires, werewolves and ghosts jostle for shelf-space in bookstores' YA sections, and even dark romance devotees can be wary of taking home yet another over-hyped clone.

While the basic premise of Jeri Smith-Ready's Shade won't be the most unique that you'll hear this year, prepare to be impressed. Because this is a book that's far more than the sum of its parts. Like everyone else born after the Shift, sixteen year old Aura sees dead people. Ghosts of people who died suddenly, to be exact. They're violet in colour, they can appear anywhere they visited in life, and Aura believes that most of them just need a little help moving on. Sometimes they can be helped - for instance, if their killer can be brought to justice - and sometimes they can't... in which case they're in serious danger of turning into angry, dangerous Shades. And when Aura's boyfriend Logan dies tragically on his seventeenth birthday, she finds herself with a ghost as a boyfriend. His parents want justice, but Aura's not ready to let go - and neither is he.

There's a lot going on in Shade. We're introduced to the world the way it looks sixteen years after the Shift, and it's a fascinating place to be. Everyone younger than our main character Aura has seen ghosts since the moment they were born. Everyone older is free to walk around in blissful ignorance most of the time. Around this basic premise Jeri Smith-Ready has constructed a complex and richly detailed world where the Shift defines how those sixteen and under live their daily lives. For example, the colour red wards ghosts off, so you can tell someone's age from the colour of their clothing... unless they're sneaking into a club, in which case they'll be forced to put up with ghosts harassing them all evening. And when someone dies suddenly, their loved ones are divided into those who still get to hang out with them everyday and those who can grieve in the normal way. Then there's the mysterious government organisation who want to recruit post-Shifters to work for them.

As narrator, sixteen year old Aura is the type of heroine who, despite being in love, has a brain in her head and isn't afraid to use it. She's believable and flawed and all-round excellent. While she's devastated by Logan's death, and definitely blames herself a little, she sets her own boundaries and doesn't respond well to macho possessiveness. Her voice crackles with dry humour, and she even manages to convince the reader that she really does have a deep connection with not one but two swoonworthy guys: long-time boyfriend Logan, who died on the very night he and Aura were planning to go all the way, and a mysterious-in-a-good-way newcomer... who isn't a ghost. Alongside the romantic storylines, the consequences of Logan's fatal drug overdose are explored in a way that ultimately has a postive message without ever seeming preachy or detracting from the story at hand. As we accompany Aura on her journey through the grieving process, readers also get a real sense of how a person gradually puts their life back together after losing a loved one.

Shade is a truly enthralling addition to the YA paranormal genre. It's got it all: a strong heroine, fantastic world-building and compelling romance. In fact, it's the kind of book that'll remind you why you liked this genre so much in the first place.

Out: 2nd September 2010, UK

A big thanks to Simon and Schuster UK for providing a review copy of this book.

In My Mailbox (54)

This week, I received three very different books for review and bought a US title I've been coveting for some time now. In other words: yay!


All links go to Goodreads.com.

For review:
Finding Sky - Joss Stirling
What drew me to this one was definitely the fact that the heroine has a really complex sounding past. I think she'll make a real change from the everygirl we're used to seeing in paranormal YA. Plus, she's a Brit chick in the US, which should be interesting too. Thanks to Liz for this one.

Elliot Allagash - Simon Rich
When I first saw the press release for this one, I wasn't sure if it was my kind of thing. But then I read the first few pages, and if the rest of the book is as brilliantly witty, I'm going to love it. Thanks to Profile / Serpent's Tail for this one.

The Badness of Ballydog - Garrett Carr
This is another book that sounds different to what I've been reading lately, but it's the first in a series and I'm kind of intrigued. Also, when I was little I had an imaginary friend called Garrett, so the author's name has kind of intrigued me too. Thank you to the author for this one.

Bought:
A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend - Emily Horner
LGBT romance with a road trip? Sounds unmissable. I've read some wonderful reviews of this one, and I just know it'll be WIN.

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.

Review: The Alchemyst - Michael Scott

The Alchemyst is the first book in Michael Scott's popular Nicholas Flamel series, which sees twins Sophie and Josh Newman unwittingly drawn into a centuries-old conflict between opposing magical forces. When Josh finds the bookshop where he works suddenly becoming the setting for a magical battle, the twins' eyes are opened to the existence of magic, alchemy and The Book of Abraham - the book that holds the secret of his employer's immortality. For the bookshop is owned by Nicholas Flamel, who - together with his wife Perenelle - has for centuries kept the book from those who would seek to steal it and unleash its darkness on the world.

Fans of the genre will appreciate the awe-inspiring level of detail that Michael Scott has put into the fantasy world we enter in The Alchemyst. Drawing on familiar mythology and legends from a myriad of different cultures and historical origins, this otherworld is deftly and convincingly woven into our own everyday one. It's as though Elders and auras and magic might really be there, just at the edge of our vision, but we've never known to look for them. The result is a dark and dangerous world that's the perfect setting for the epic fantasy adventure we're about to embark upon.

It soon becomes clear that twins Sophie and Josh have not stumbled into this other world by accident. Their arrival has long been prophesied, and is sure to have major repercussions within it - and for themselves. Independent from their parents, they rely on each other more than most siblings and are used to functioning as a unit. They share a blog, and consider having part-time jobs right across the street from each other a perfect arrangement. But as their involvement in the otherworld deepens, the twins' closeness is threatened. We learn that this is a world full of ambiguity and deception, and that if the twins are hoping for anything as simple as a battle between good and evil, they're in for a shock. The more they learn of magic, the more it changes them... and there's no changing back again.

The Alchemyst is an intriguing introduction to an epic fantasy adventure series. It's a book that transports the reader to another reality, and fans of the genre will find much to marvel at in the cleverness, imagination and sheer depth of Michael Scott's world-building. Impressive.

Out: May 24th 2007, UK / May 22nd 2007, US

Thank you to Random House UK for providing a review copy of this book.

Review: Troy High - Shana Norris

Troy High is a contemporary retelling of the story of the Trojan war, recasting Helen of Troy as a pretty but shallow cheerleader and two sides of a legendary conflict as the student populations of rival American high schools. All the key ingredients are here, in the fierce competition that's sparked when the beautiful Elena dumps her Spartan boyfriend for Troy High's star football player. Our heroine, Cassie, takes on the role of the mythical Trojan princess Cassandra, who warns of Troy's downfall but is destined not to be believed.

Despite its classical roots, Troy High is a fairly light-hearted, superficial reimagining of its source material. That's not to say it isn't enjoyable - it most definitely is - but readers shouldn't expect anything too heavy here. Both plot and characterisation have been adapted to suit today's YA readership, and the result is a much simpler version of the familiar story. But what Shana Norris's retelling loses in complexity, it gains in the romance between narrator Cassie and her Spartan best friend Greg. Despite being caught up in all the drama of their respective high schools' popular crowds, they're a pretty sweet pair who met at band camp and spend most of their time together playing their favourite videogame. Cassie herself is the kind of character most readers will be able to relate to. She's shy, she doesn't fit in, and although she wants to stick to her principles she sometimes finds all the high school peer pressure too hard to resist. While her ability to see that the two schools are heading towards disaster is born out of common sense rather than the gift of prophecy, she's endearingly clueless when it comes to Greg's true feelings towards her.

Although Troy High depicts a 'war' between two schools, the author has opted to keep the violence to a minimum here. The two sides attack with extravagant pranks rather than weapons, with results that are often as comical as they are dramatic. This sense of fun is reflected in the dialogue, with frequent witty banter and the occasional Illiad 'in' joke. Still, it's almost impossible to read it without feeling a sudden urge to read up on the Greek mythology behind this entertaining story.

Troy High is a smart and engaging take on a classical favourite. It's accessible and relevant to its YA audience, and the high school setting lends itself perfectly to the original story. The pages fly by, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for an upbeat read that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's a blast.

Out: September 1st 2010, UK / August 4th 2009, US

Many thanks to Abrams and Chronicle for providing a review copy of this book.

Waiting On Wednesday (41)

This week I'm waiting on...

Entangled by Cat Clarke.

Summary from Amazon: The same questions whirl around and around in my head: What does he want from me? How could I have let this happen? AM I GOING TO DIE?

17 year-old Grace Carlyle wakes up in a white room with a table, chair, pens and paper. Ethan must have brought her here. There's nothing to do but write. As she writes, with visits from the mysterious Ethan, Grace relives the last year, and faces her demons. As she describes her relationships with her gorgeous boyfriend Nat and her best friend Sal, we slowly realize that their bonds are fatefully tangled. But Grace must also face her own part in the triangle: how much is their story a result of her painful past and her passionate and wayward nature? As Grace uses every ounce of her strength to remember, has she also the generosity to forgive?

So, um, WOW.

Seriously, how intriguing is that premise? I'm absolutely loving the sound of the tangled relationships here and the whole set-up for why this character Grace is going to be telling us her story. I've been desperate to WoW this one for some time now, but in a rare show of self-restraint I forced myself to wait until I had a cover image. Which, now it's here, just so happens to be an amazing and eye-catching and gorgeous cover image. Win!

I also just have this feeling that I am going to LOVE debut novelist Cat Clarke's writing. See, I've been following her blog for some time now here, and her tweets here, and she is supremely funny and interesting.

Entangled hits UK bookstores on January 6th 2011. I can't wait.

Waiting On Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Review: My Rocky Romance Diary - Liz Rettig

My Rocky Romance Diary is the fourth book in Liz Rettig's YA ChickLit series about the life and loves of a Glasgow schoolgirl. As you may have guessed from the title, this instalment of Kelly Ann's diary is all about her troubled relationship with sensible boyfriend Chris. Now a medical student, he's moved out of home - but Kelly Ann soon discovers that between his studies, work commitments and irritating housemates, it's not going to be easy to find time alone together. And while Chris is looking at life in the long-term, Kelly Ann is finding all his talk of 'settling down' a bit stressful. Especially when her eye is wandering towards mysterious new boy Matt, who plays the guitar and rides a motorbike and definitely isn't the type to be discussing ten-year career plans.

In many ways, disaster-prone diarist Kelly Ann is like a teen version of Bridget Jones. She's funny, flighty, and incredibly easy to relate to. She makes bad decisions sometimes, and falls (literally) flat on her face sometimes, but most importantly she follows her heart. Of course, this time around she's not exactly sure what her heart wants: Chris, who loves her but is safe and predictable, or rebellious Matt, who she knows very little about... except that she can't stop thinking about him. Her friends think she's crazy for even contemplating risking what she has with Chris, but it soon becomes clear to the reader that a catastrophe of some kind is invevitable - and we wouldn't have it any other way. Because whether she's accidentally sitting on her employer's toy pedigree dog or finding her most embarrassing moment going viral on YouTube, Kelly Ann's catastrophes are invariably of the side-splitting variety.

While I picked up My Rocky Romance Diary expecting a light-hearted escapist read, in some ways Kelly-Ann and her friends are among the most believable British teens you'll find in the pages of a YA novel. Their antics are hilarious and often cringe-worthy, but they're also ordinary. They go to the local pub and get drunk and dance on the table... and then spend the entire next day nursing a hangover. Kelly Ann herself has a love-hate relationship with her parents, who embarrass her one minute, insult her the next, but occasionally do something that makes her realise they're not that bad after all. Even the love dilemma at the heart of this story is one that will strike a chord with anyone who has been in a 'serious' relationship: while many YA heroines seem intent on finding 'the one', Kelly Ann is a girl who has already found him... but can't help worrying that she's missing out on the fun she should be having.

My Rocky Romance Diary is rambunctious, girly, and laugh-out-loud funny. The Glasgow setting makes a refreshing change, and I think readers from all over the world will appreciate Kelly Ann's unique approach to life. This is one for readers who like their YA ChickLit with a healthy helping of humour.

Out: August 5th 2010, UK

Thank you to Random House / Corgi for providing a review copy of this book.

In My Mailbox (53)

This week, I received a couple of review books and bought just one. How's that for restrained? I almost don't recognise myself. Ooh, but lookie here what I got...

For review:

Crescendo - Becca Fitzpatrick

Why yes, I did scream and jump around when a surprise package arrived this week and it turned out to be the much-awaited sequel to last year's Hush, Hush. However did you guess? Thank you so much, S&S!

Young Samurai: The Ring of Earth - Chris Bradford

Since I'm fascinated by all things Japanese, I'm pretty psyched to read this one. It looks so exciting! I fully expect to want to take up martial arts by the time I've finished reading it. Thanks to Puffin for this one.

Bought:

Wildthorn - Jane Eagland

This week, I found myself about to embark on a two-hour journey without a book to read. The horror! So I ducked into a nearby bookstore and Wildthorn caught my eye. It's the story of a Victorian girl who is sent to a lunatic asylum, and it's awesome. I'll be reviewing it here very soon.

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Review: Accomplice - Eireann Corrigan

Accomplice is one of the darkest YA titles I've read in a long time. It's an absorbing tale about two friends who concoct a plan to fake a kidnapping: beautiful Chloe will disappear into thin air, and after eleven days - time enough for the mystery to make headlines - her less-photogenic best friend Finn will rescue her.

Initially, narrator Finn isn't the most likeable of characters. While Chloe's parents are desperate with worry over their supposedly missing daughter, partner-in-crime Finn focuses on arranging her facial features into expressions that reflect what she should be feeling. She recites her lines, masks her scorn at her classmates' overblown displays of emotion, and mentally congratulates herself on the effect the plan is having. Apart from a snarky sense of humour, she at first makes for a cold and self-serving protagonist. However, it's not long before Finn realises she's losing control of the situation. Chloe's disappearance has consequences that neither girl seems to have forseen, and as events escalate it soon becomes clear that the two have quite different reactions to the chaos they've caused. Gradually we begin to see the true dynamic between them, and to genuinely care what happens to Finn.

Accomplice is at heart a psychological thriller. This is complex, uneasy storytelling, laced with subtle foreshadowing and wickedly clever imagery. Finn's paranoia is practically contagious as she finds herself caught between wanting to end the nightmare she and Chloe have created, and knowing that if she does she could lose everything.

Full of edgy, dark atmosphere, Accomplice is the kind of book that fills the reader with apprehension about what lies ahead. It also makes you think about our society's values and our readiness to buy into our own manipulation at the hands of the media. It's chilling and twisty and compulsive. Read it.

Out: July 5th 2010, UK / August 1st 2010, US

Thank you to Chicken House for providing a review copy of this book.

Review: Empress of the World - Sara Ryan

I've read more than my share of YA coming out novels, and Sara Ryan's Empress of the World is undoubtedly one of the best. It's a book about beginnings; a book that says that sometimes, the happy ending can wait. It's the journey that's important.

In Empress of the World, Sara Ryan gives us a romance between two characters who are complex and believable and not the slightest bit stereotypical. Attending a summer program for gifted students, protagonist Nicola spinkles her endearingly honest first-person narrative with 'field notes' about her new group of friends, herself, and particularly her crush, history student Battle Hall Davies. She's enrolled in the program to decide whether she wants to be an archaeologist, believing it's important to decide her future path in life now. Battle, in contrast, seems to have spent her life being defined by her parents. They want to keep her confined - to dress how they want her to, and to keep her beautiful wild hair in a braid. And while it's this chaotic beauty that seems to draw Nicola to Battle in the first place, her urge to analyse herself and others is what threatens to destroy the fragile love between them.

While Nicola's newfound friends on the program aren't always as sensitive as they could be about her feelings for Battle, they're no more or less sensitive than she is about their crushes. There's exuberant Katrina, who loves computers, sensitive Isaac, who loves Katrina, and Kevin, who may either be really smart or really stupid. They tease each other, they step carelessly on each other's feelings sometimes, but in some ways that's because they're an accepting crowd: nobody gets treated differently. At the same time, Ryan keeps it real by demonstrating that in the wider world, even so-called smart people can believe that they have the right to judge those who are different. There are no rose-tinted glasses here.

Where Empress of the World really excels is in the way it acknowledges that sometimes, the answers don't all fall conveniently into place... and that's perfectly okay. Nicola's struggle to define her identity is resolved not by finding a definition that fits, but by accepting that she doesn't need to define herself right now. Or maybe ever. Her feelings for Battle are the important thing. This is a book that goes beyond the traditional coming out story because it doesn't rush those readers who might be in a similar situation into thinking they need to make a choice or label themselves. And for readers who happen to be sure of their own identity, it gives an insight into what some of their peers might be struggling with.

Empress of the World is a poignant and thoughtful take on the YA coming out story. With a captivating and vivid cast of characters, it's a novel that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page. Highly recommended.

Out: since 2001.

Book news: gossip from the Random House Blogger Brunch

Way back in July, I was lucky enough to be invited to a bloggers' brunch at the Random House offices in London. It was an awesome morning, and definitely one of my blogging highlights so far: meeting the RH publicity team, mingling with other bloggers, and returning home with armfuls of wonderful books.

But the most exciting part of the day had to be getting the gossip on upcoming Random House titles. So, instead of a regular 'Waiting On Wednesday', today I thought it would be fun to share with you details of some upcoming titles discussed at the brunch...

Trash - Andy Mulligan
Out: September 2nd 2010, UK

Summary from Amazon.co.uk: Raphael is a dumpsite boy. He spends his days wading through mountains of steaming trash, sifting it, sorting it, breathing it, sleeping next to it. Then one unlucky-lucky day, Raphael's world turns upside down. A small leather bag falls into his hands. It's a bag of clues. It's a bag of hope. It's a bag that will change everything. Soon Raphael and his friends Gardo and Rat are running for their lives. Wanted by the police, it takes all their quick-thinking, fast-talking to stay ahead. As the net tightens, they uncover a dead man's mission to put right a terrible wrong. It's three street-boys against the world...

The beauty of Trash is that it explores a part of the world that's real, but also a million miles away from most readers' experiences. I guess you could call it dystopian, but the world it depicts is ours. I have to admit that I probably wouldn't have picked up a book set on a dumpsite myself, but having read it I'll be doing everything I can to get other readers to try it. Look out for a review here in the next couple of weeks.

Torment - Lauren Kate
Out: September 30th 2010, UK

Summary from Amazon.co.uk: In Torment, fallen angel Daniel and his mortal love Lucinda think they are safe but evil forces are massing against them. As Luce learns more about her past, and discovers that the lives she's already lived hold the key to her future happiness; she starts to wonder if Daniel has told her the whole truth. What if his version of events isn't the way things happened? What if that means that she's really meant to be with someone else?

This one needs no introduction, I'm sure. Fallen was one of my favourite paranormal YA titles of 2009, and considering how many books in the genre I read last year, that's saying something. Torment lives up to its promise, and I also noticed a little bit of self-referential humour sneaking in there. That's all I can say for now, except that I'll be reviewing Torment in September.

Boys Don't Cry - Malorie Blackman
Out: October 28th 2010, UK

Summary from Amazon.co.uk: This is the explosively page-turning new novel for teenagers from the author of the award-winning "Noughts and Crosses" sequence. You're about to receive your A-level results and then a future of university and journalism awaits. But the day they're due to arrive your old girlfriend Kendra turns up unexpectedly ...with a baby ...You assume Kendra's helping a friend, until she nips out to buy some essentials, leaving you literally holding the baby ...Malorie's dramatic new novel will keep you on the edge of your seat right to the final page.

Now, this one I haven't read yet... but I'm definitely intrigued by the premise. Very few YA books deal with the subject of pregnancy or parenting, and yet this is a reality that many teens face. What's even more interesting is that Malorie Blackman has decided to explore this theme from a much-needed boy's point of view. I'm expecting this to have an older feel than the other books I've read from Malorie Blackman, and I can't wait to read it!

Time Travel Tuesday: Fifteen by Beverly Cleary

Fifteen was first published in 1956, and is probably one of the oldest YA novels I've ever read. It's a story of a small-town girl's first romance, written by none other than the legendary Beverly Cleary of Ramona fame.

Main character Jane Purdy is, somewhat obviously, fifteen. She spends her time babysitting, envying the more sophisticated and popular girls in town - what she calls the 'cashmere sweater type' - and wishing she had a boyfriend. We've all been there, right?

(Well, except for the cashmere thing. Because when I was fifteen, the only place you'd see a cashmere sweater is on my grandmother at Christmas. And while my grandmother was awesome, she was more the 'take your teeth out at night' type.)

Sadly, my twelve year old self managed to read the whole of Fifteen without realising that it was already decades old. It's tragic enough that all the convertibles and visits to the local soda fountain didn't tip me off. But what's even worse is that I didn't question Jane's old-fashioned attitude to dating one tiny bit. Pssst, twelve year old self: go ask your mother to remind you what feminism is.

Because when I picked up Fifteen again this week to reread it, I was a little bit shocked. What I remembered was an eighties-tastic story of an easy-to-relate to heroine falling in love for the first time. What I got was something quite different.

I mean, there's something undeniably innocent about Jane Purdy's first love. When new boy in town Stan Crandall asks Jane out, she's over the moon. Finally, it's her turn to get a little romance. And actually, the way they interact is genuinely sweet. They only kiss for the first time on the next-to-last page, and Stan has been sure to get Jane's permission in advance. You're left with the impression that after a shaky start, Jane has realised the importance of being herself... and she's rewarded by Stan asking her to go steady, giving her a chaste peck, and letting her wear his ID bracelet. Squeal!

But at the same time, by today's standards there's something a little bit troubling about the message we're getting in Fifteen. It's the fifties. Girls who have boyfriends have status and popularity: other girls envy them. And even once Jane has realised that she should just be herself and not aspire to be like the so-called popular crowd, her reward is still measured in terms of being 'Stan's girl', because that's all that matters. Barf!

And the fact that at twelve years old, I didn't even notice that this was outdated? Worrying. It's like Pleasantville, before Tobey and Reese drop by and kick the world into technicolor. There's even a scene where Jane tries to act sophisticated at a Chinese restaurant despite the fact the food scares her, but when she confesses all to Stan he gets her a good old fashioned American hamburger. She's a small-town girl after all: she's modest and good-mannered and wholesome, she doesn't need to be adventurous too. And while 'be yourself' is a good enough message, 'be yourself so you can become someone's Girl' kind of ruins it for me.

Verdict: Nostalgic, but you wouldn't want to live in it. Should today's teens read it? Yes. But in context, folks.

In My Mailbox (52)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.

This was a HUGE week for me. I'm thrilled with the books I received, although slightly intimidated by my once-again towering TBR pile. Ooops. All links go to Goodreads.com.


Bought:
Della Says: OMG - Keris Stainton
I've been meaning to read this one for ages! It sounds like one of those stories that'll make me cringe and laugh at the same time. Can't wait.

For review:
Accomplice - Eireann Corrigan
I read an intriguing review of this one over at Wondrous Reads this week, which compared it to one of my favourite movies, The Hole. Irresistible, right? Thank you to Chicken House for this one.

Almost True - Keren David
Keren's first novel, When I Was Joe, played a big part in getting me interested in grittier, more realistic YA fiction. It's awesome, and it also played a big part in prompting my (now) twelve-year-old niece to start reading books from my YA collection. And ever since she finished When I Was Joe, she's been bugging my sister to get her a copy of the sequel, Almost True. Which means she is going to be super jealous of my amazing signed copy. Huge thanks to Keren and to publishers Frances Lincoln for this one.

Blood Ties - Sophie McKenzie
I'd seen this book in stores, but didn't really know what it was about. The press release indicates that it deals with issues of cloning, which is a subject I'm fascinated by. I'm really excited to read it! Thanks Simon and Schuster UK.

Girl, Missing - Sophie McKenzie
I actually read this book some time ago, before I started blogging. I think of it as an updated version of The Face On The Milk Carton, with added thrillerness. I'll definitely be rereading this one. Thanks again Simon and Schuster UK.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer 1 - John Vornholt / Arthur Byron Cover / Alice Henderson
This is a new bind-up of three Buffy novels based on the TV series. Which just so happens to be one of my favourite TV series EVER. I'll be hosting a contest for a copy of this next month, so I'm looking forward to reading it myself first. Thanks again Simon and Schuster UK.

The Fallen 1 - Thomas E. Sniegoski
This is one I know very little about, but from the cover I immediately guessed: angels! And I love angels, especially those of the fallen variety. Bring it on! Thanks again Simon and Schuster UK.

The Night of the Solstice - L.J. Smith
Apparently this is the first book that the legendary L.J. Smith ever wrote. It's for younger readers, and looks like lighter fare than The Vampire Diaries. It sounds magical. Thanks once again Simon and Schuster UK.

Chocolate Box Girls: Cherry Crush - Cathy Cassidy
How incredibly sweet does this sound? It's about a stepfamily who own a chocolate business, and each book focuses on a different one of five stepsisters. Great stuff! Thanks Puffin for this one.

Release day reminder: Dark Life By Kat Falls

Back in April, I reviewed a new dystopian novel by debut author Kat Falls. Dark Life is a pretty unique futuristic story with a bit of a frontier flavour, and it hit shelves in the UK yesterday.

Since I reviewed it so long ago, and since it has a gorgeous new cover to ogle, I figured I'd post a little reminder about this one.

Here's my summary...

In a future where the rising seas have left humankind crammed onto what little land is left, the brave have begun to migrate to new homes on the ocean floor.

Ty is the only teenager in the undersea Benthic Territory, where his parents farm crops to sell to those still living on dry land. It's a perilous life, especially when Ty accidentally stumbles into the path of the dangerous Seablite Gang.

But when Ty meets Gemma, a runaway topsider looking for her missing brother, Ty is determined to help her. No matter what secrets may lie beneath...

You can read my full review (and compare covers!) right here.

Review: Jealousy (A Strange Angels Novel) - Lili St. Crow

Although the main character is just sixteen, in some ways Jealousy - the third book in Lili St. Crow's Strange Angels series - reads less like the YA I'm used to than Paranormal Romance of the 'grown up' variety.

As I hadn't read a Strange Angels novel before, I have to confess that I did have a little trouble catching up on certain elements of the story so far. In Jealousy, we find Dru at the Schola Prima, enrolled in training classes under the watchful eye of the Order - and evil eye of queen bee svetocha Anna. Lili St. Crow's 'real world' of djampirs, svetochas and wulfen is both original and fascinating, but newcomers to the series may find it takes a little while to get a grip on their hierarchy and Dru's history among them. My guess is that book one is definitely the place to start on this occasion. While heroine Dru narrates with a wry humour that is both clever and engaging, her tone hints at someone older and more emotionally sophisticated than your average YA heroine. I'd have estimated her age to be in the early twenties if it weren't for the fact she's still at school. Since some of the other main players here are not as young as they look, they also bring a more adult feel to the story as a whole.

Dru herself is an interesting and fairly formidable heroine. She's practical and likeable and fights with a ferocity that's frankly breathtaking. A female in a largely male world, there's definitely a tension between her readiness to be one of the boys and the boys' eagerness to treat her like something special. The djampir boarding school at which Dru finds herself is drawn with an attention to deal that makes for plenty of uneasy atmosphere, heightened by the fact that Dru never really knows who to trust. Dru's main problem - apart from the risk of being killed by nosferatu attackers at any given moment - is the less than warm reception she receives from bitter but powerful Anna, who may have more to do with Dru's past than she's letting on. Then there's Dru's romantic feelings for her protective wulfen best friend Graves and the mysterious djampir Christophe, which waver tantalisingly between the two.

Jealousy is a pleasingly dark and suprisingly witty tale with serious crossover appeal. While not my usual type of read, I quite liked it. I'd recommend it to those who enjoy Paranormal Romance for adult readers, and I'd definitely advise checking out the earlier books in the series first.

Out: July 29th 2010, UK / US

Thank you to Quercus for providing a review copy of this book.

Waiting On Wednesday (40)

Waiting On Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

Today I'm waiting on The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney.

Summary from Goodreads.com: Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.

When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect.

Quite honestly, I was going to wait until I had a UK cover image to WoW this one... but I just couldn't! And besides, the US cover is frankly awesome. Loving the iron tattoos.

I don't read that many Faerie books, largely because I'm not super keen on the sweet and sparkly variety. But The Iron Witch has me intrigued with that summary, and words like 'dark' and 'vicious' are getting my hopes way up. Sounds like the MC is going to be of the complex variety, too.

The Iron Witch hits the US on the 1st February 2011, and the UK on February 3rd.

Review: TimeRiders: Day of The Predator - Alex Scarrow

Maddy, Liam and Sal are teenagers recruited from the past, present and future into a secret organisation with one aim: to 'clean up' the mess made by time travellers. Saved by the mysterious Foster shortly before they were each meant to die, they'll never be missed from their former lives. They now live at a base in New York City that's on a perpetual time loop, so for them it's always September 10th and 11th, 2001. Except, that is, when they're time travelling.

I didn't read the first TimeRiders book before picking up this one, but I'm happy to report that wasn't a problem at all. Alex Scarrow throws just the right amount of backstory into the mix to make sure that readers have all the information they need to follow the action. And when I say action, I mean it! We're talking fast-paced, twisty storytelling full of mindbendy time travel awesomeness. This time round, timerider Liam and support unit Becks (think mega-strong human girl with the mind of a supercomputer) find themselves accidentally propelled to approximately 65 million years B.C. Which means: d-i-n-o-s-a-u-r-s. But while we all know how evolution treated the dinosaurs in our history, the mere presence of Liam and Becks sets a chilling alternative timeline in motion - and it's down to the timeriders to fix it.

Day of The Predator is definitely the kind of book that'll appeal to both male and female readers, thanks to a brilliant cast of characters you'll soon be thinking of as old friends. In this instalment I favoured Liam, an Irish shiphand recruited minutes before he should've died on the Titanic. He's a happy-go-lucky type who takes his time-travelling adventures in his stride. American Maddy is the one running things back at the base, and she sometimes seems to have the weight of the world on her shoulders. Then there's Sal, who we don't get to know as well here, but hopefully she'll feature a little more in other instalments.

In TimeRiders, it's as though author Alex Scarrow is letting us in on a part of our world we never knew existed - it's incredibly convincing, and so exciting that at times I almost wished that it were true. But it's also a dangerous world, where the tiniest intervention from time travellers can have devastating effects on the world's history. Amidst all the excitement, there are a few poignant moments too. Maddy and Liam and Sal may have narrowly escaped death, but they've had to leave their old lives - and their families -behind. Plus, only Maddy knows about the most dangerous side effect of time travel... and she's not sure whether she should tell Liam about it. It's clear to see that this series has some huge storylines in store for its characters, and for us.

Day of the Predator isn't just the kind of book you should pick up: it's the kind of book you should take a running jump into. One for teens and adult readers alike, it's a tasty blend of fantasy, sci-fi and history. I'd recommend TimeRiders to male or female readers looking for a gripping, non-slushy new series to get hooked on.

Out: August 5th 2010, UK

A big thanks to Puffin for providing a review copy of this book.

I Was A Teenage Book Geek is one year old today

When I started I Was A Teenage Book Geek last year, I didn't have any long term blogging plans. I'd been inspired by the brilliance of a couple of other YA bloggers I'd discovered (that means YOU, Steph Su and Jenny) whilst trawling for new reads, and I figured reviewing books on my very own blog would be fun.

And: Woot! It really IS.

So, to my surprise, I find that I'm still here posting away one ENTIRE year later. And I love it. I love feeling like I'm part of a worldwide community of readers. I love how much I've broadened my reading horizons, thanks to all the fantastic bloggers out there and the amazing variety of books I get to review. I love the fact that new blogs pop up all the time because so many people want to shout out their love for YA fiction. Hell yeah to that!

Since this milestone seems to have snuck up on me, I'm still mulling over contest ideas to say thank you to those who have followed, commented and welcomed over the past year. But right now, I have some personal thank yous for those bloggers who have made this year such an awesome experience for me. In no particular order....

Steph Su, for welcoming me into the blogging world with an interview request last year. It was super exciting for me as a new blogger, and I'm sure I'm not the only person who appreciates your blogging-community spirit.

Jenny of Wondrous Reads. Your blog is so incredibly professional, and I admire your high standards. I think everyone would agree that you're the top UK blogger of YA, and there's a reason for that: you either work really hard at it, or you're just really efficient, but either way you achieve so much with your blog and I admire that.

Rhiannon Hart, for being my go-to blogger when it comes to all things dystopian. And, you know, for the fact that I just know you'll be one of my favourite authors one day. Fact!

Becky of The Bookette, for your generosity and your super-enthusiastic reviews. Your blog has heart, and I love that.

Carla of The Crooked Shelf: you crack me up on twitter, you let me read your copy of Matched before you (that's practically sainthood right there), and your blog is always so completely... you. Way to go, dude.

Sya of Mountains of Instead, for having a blog that I feel a definite kinship with. I'm not sure I've ever used the word kinship before, but that's what it is.

Ari of Reading In Color: your dedication gives me a nudge every now and then to keep my reading as diverse as I can. I know I can do better, but I feel that I'm on my way there.

Caroline of Portrait of A Woman, for bringing a little intellectualism to the UK blogging scene. Not that the rest of us aren't intellectual of course, but your reviews often have an extra insight that's fascinating.

Kris of Voracious YAppetite: as a relative newbie to the YA blogging scene, your ability to stand out and making blogging your own is inspiring. I read every single post you write, and you add titles to my wishlist at an alarming rate.

So, thank you all, and thanks to everyone who has helped me hang in here so far. You all rock. :D

A Most Improper Magick - giveaway winner announcement

Today is the official UK publication day of A Most Improper Magick by Stephanie Burgis (yay!), so I figured it's the ideal time to announce the winner of my recent giveaway to win a proof copy of this brilliant book.

The winner, as selected by Randomizer.org, is:

Kendra S

Congratulations Kendra! Your prize should be with you shortly, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. (Which is, you know, a LOT.)

There were 94 entries in total, so I'd also like to say a big thanks to everyone who entered. :D