Review - Grace / Elizabeth Scott

Grace was raised to be an Angel, a herald of death by suicide bomb. But she refuses to die for the cause, and now Grace is on the run, daring to dream of freedom. In search of a border she may never reach, she travels among malevolent soldiers on a decrepit train crawling through the desert. Accompanied by the mysterious Kerr, Grace struggles to be invisible, but the fear of discovery looms large as she recalls the history and events that delivered her uncertain fate. Goodreads.

Review - If Living Dead Girl rocked people's perceptions of Elizabeth Scott's writing then Grace will blow them up. It is different from anything else that she has published and demonstrates amazing growth and diversity as an author. Tense and political. Terse and exact. Scott sketches an image of a world where you are what you are told you will be. A life without choices and many sacrifices. A life without colour, without beauty, without connection and it is exceedingly grim. A minimal piece of writing, the reader's mind is constantly whirling as it processes new information and the actions of our protagonist and Kerr.

YA can often be put into two categories - amazing premise and expertly realised. Sometimes there is crossover but not usually. Grace walks that line like an acrobat as it quietly, subtlety, makes its way forward navigating fear, determination and ultimately hope. Grace presents a reality where society is fractured into those that blindly (and fearfully) follow Keran Berj and those that oppose his rule, those of The Hills. A world of tyranny, violence, suppression and fear where being an Angel is a great honour. An honour that Grace can't see through entirely so she runs. And this is where the story begins.

Grace isn't flashy. It is not glitzy or dimple cheeked. It is deliciously barren. A small novel, it's short chapters and at times even shorter sentences convey the trapped quality of this world and the tethers that bind. It is novels like Grace that challenge the notion that YA is fluff. There's no fluff here, only heat and oppression. Sparse, resolute and political, Scott has explored the notion of power, identity and sacrifice in a way that leaves you quiet. It creeps up on you. It is the study of a girl who straddles two world and is wanted by neither. In choosing herself, she chooses to fight for her freedom.

A beautifully realised introspective novel about life, death and the choices we make in between. The insular first person narration and few characters focus the story intently on the train ride and the steps that brought Grace and Kerr to that point. Revelations unwind like a slight breeze and wash over you as they may (or may not) get closer to escape. A wonderful and vastly different addition to the Elizabeth Scott collection and young adult literature.

A thought provoking exploration of the power of one.

Published: September 16 2010

Format: ARC, 208 pages
Publisher: Dutton
Source: author
Origin: USA

BEA, Writing and Birthdays

I very rarely write anything outside of reviews, discussion posts and the occasional list but I thought I would share some of my thoughts.

I have now been in Japan a little over four months and seen quite a lot of the country. To your left is me in front of the fifteen metre tall Buddha in Kamakura.

I have bought quite a few books since arriving in Japan - it was a necessity if I were to continue review blogging. The problem is that I won't be able to take them back home at the end of the year due to the cost. So my solution is to share. If someone expresses interest in reading a book that I have reviewed then I will contact them privately about sending it their way. There's no method to it, just sharing the joy and making the end of the year less stressful.

BEA is this week and I am both envious and thrilled. I might not be there but I can live vicariously through tweets and posts and that's just freaking brilliant. I love photos, seeing my friends meet their author idols is spine tingling good. I was talking to Sarah on Skype earlier and I find myself more jealous that the bloggers get to meet each other and hang out than sometimes meeting the authors. The books haven't really factored into my jealousy...I am weird and I own that.

I am travelling to NYC in August (July 31-August 11). It will be my first time in the States and I am beyond words excited. I have always wanted to go to the MoMA and they have three exhibitions that I am dying to see - Picasso: Themes and Variations, The Modern Myth: Drawing Mythologies in Modern Times and Pictures by Women. I am also determined to see a musical, visit The Strand with Sharon and a whole host of other things. The Empire State Building might be a must but I am terrified of heights so we shall see what becomes of that. More than anything I am truly excited to meet the people I've become friends with via blogging. There will be bone crushing Adele hugs given out a-plenty so beware. If you have any suggestions for what I should do just leave them in the comments section and I will be grateful. If you want to catch up, I am totally in for that too!

My birthday was last week and the lovely Adiba gathered up a group of bloggers and authors to vlog their birthday wishes for me. I was completely surprised, she's a crafty one and it brought tears to my eyes more than a couple of times. My birthday was hard...I was pretty sick and away from my family but you all managed to make me feel loved so THANK YOU. It meant the world and even now it's making me get a little choked up. I am very lucky to have so many friends in this little pocket of the internet. Karen Mahoney posted the videos and they are pretty fantastic from her own awesome British accent, to Kristi singing, to Adiba's Australian accent (oh how I miss it) and a whole host of others. I got a few private ones too which were heart warming thanks B, G, Khy (my blog lil sis and 'I heart Adele' gallery curator) and Capillya. Mwah to you all.

Lastly, I have been taking part in Jennifer Echols' Endless Writing May Writing Challenge. It involves setting a month word target and a daily writing target. My goal was to write 20,000 words in May and I am doing quite well. It's been the motivation I need to write daily and exert some self-discipline. My year goal was to complete a ms that I could be proud of and have to the point where I might consider submitting it should it be edited to an inch of its life. We'll see... What has surprised me is that I have taken to writing longhand in a notepad. This is something I never thought I would do being such a fan of my laptop but there you go.

I am already getting stressed about work for next year. I can't help it but it is always in the back of my mind but at least I have great people in my life who give yummy gifts.

Here's me with my beloved Mac and Cheese. A kindly YA author sent me some and I was overjoyed...seriously. I am a simple gal with simple (but yummy) tastes.

Review - Kiss It / Erin Downing

Chastity Bryan has never been shy about going after what she wants. And when sexy, mysterious, so-not-from-this-town Sebastian walks into Chaz’s life, she knows in an instant that what she wants next is him. Chaz has no intention of playing for keeps—but she most definitely has intentions. Who needs true love when you’ve got true lust?

Sebastian has no idea what he’s in for—but maybe neither does Chaz... Erin Downing's Website

Review - Kiss It was a bit of a surprise - you start reading expecting the normal contemporary YA romance path and get something racier. Chastity is an intelligent senior who's unsure of her future direction but is definite in her need to establish a sex life for herself. She's stuck in her wintery hometown where nothing is ever surprising while a stream of issues keep raising their heads. All Chaz wants is a good lay and that proves to be more challenging than one would expect.

Subject matter-wise this novel will be a problematic read for those that object to teen sex and swearing but it does have a heart to accompany its pounding libido. It offers a different perspective to the many (sometimes didactic) wait until love or marriage position we often see. However this position is represented in the protagonist's best friend. They have completely different stances in their life choices but support one another irregardless. Like most teens its a lot of talk and only a little action but that is still more than what would be found in most YA. Despite some sexual content, at its centre this book is more conventional that one would judge on face value. Instead of pushing the idea of abstinence, it subtlety addresses choice, birth control and self-worth.

The central story of Chaz's need for some action works well to highlight her emotional growth as she peruses her boy options. It is quite entertaining (and a little disturbing) to see her rationalise her actions, her treatment of Hunter and her feelings for Sebastian. At times Downing presents her protagonist as playing the guy - picking and choosing what she wants from those that are interested by her. This storyline flows well in terms of introducing a host of characters (some of which could have been sketched in further) and keeping the protagonist on their toes. However, the two minor stories - both of which I won't spoil - are intriguing. One is telegraphed strongly from the beginning, the other comes out of nowhere and doesn't hit its momentum as hard as it might. That being said, Downing tackles far more in terms of issues than you initially realise.

There's humour, pathos and a lot of sex talk- the latter might scare those who don't wish to acknowledge that female teens have urges and aren't always at the sexual whim of teen males. I found it quite illuminating and empowering to follow Chaz' self discovery and drew a deep breath of Downing's blast of fresh air.

Kiss It is following the lead of Judy Blume's Forever presenting a story where a girl makes informed decisions about her sex life in a responsible manner. Forever was written 34 years ago and its content is still considered to be risque, Kiss It will be in the same boat but what a glorious boat to be in. Kiss It is not a brand new, extraordinary take on contemporary YA but it does provide a fresh perspective with a candid look at sex, friendship and blizzard boredom. I find that brave and it's definitely a perspective we should be supporting and encouraging.

Published: June 15 2010
Format: ARC
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: author
Origin: USA

Review - The Hate List / Jennifer Brown

Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.

Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life. Goodreads.

Review - Words have enormous power. If certain words are said to you over and over again, they start chipping away until there's nothing left by anger, desperation and hopelessness. While Brown's novel revolves around a tragic school shooting and the fallout for the shooter's girlfriend, it is ultimately about the power of communication. The power to strike one down and also the power to heal breaches.

The Hate List has a very powerful premise and features strong writing by debut author, Jennifer Brown. While it made me think, feel and reflect it isn't a book that I would necessarily recommend to people. It didn't have that indefinable factor that would rob me of breath. Valerie isn't all that sympathetic, she's been tormented the last few years and as a result started working on a list of people she hated. A list her boyfriend used to compile a Hit List for his school massacre.

It's a powerful read. It is a thought provoking read. It had some challenging characters and graceful arcs but in the end I didn't really buy into it. Call me a skeptic but it felt a little flat and perhaps that has something to do with my own cynacism. Valerie continually states that she didn't see this coming and really who would? My concerns with her is that the evidence the police come across that is condemning of her - I can't believe that she wouldn't have realised that she and Nick were having so many conversations and emails about death. He was obviously aware and I don't completely buy that it was part of storytelling for her. We learn, as a minor detail in the beginning, that Nick was hanging around a guy that smoked pot and beats his girlfriend. This from a guy who killed people based on who they were friends with and how they treated others? It didn't sit well with me because Valerie chose to be with him while he was volatile, and high, and death obsessed. It's like her brain didn't switch on until he shot her and I understand that was part of Brown's intent, that Nick and her parent's issues all fogged her somewhat, but it put me at a distance.

The Hate List is an important book as it will make the reader think about their words, no matter how inconsequential. The subject matter is dark and challenging, the protagonist is complex and fragmented and the story involving but in the end, it didn't completely gel for me on a personal level. I do credit Jennifer Brown for an outstanding debut - I look forward to her future work.

Publisher: Little Brown
Format: Hardback, 405 pages
Published: 2010
Source: purchased
Origin: USA

Review - It's Not Summer Without You / Jenny Han

Last year, all of Belly's dreams came true and the thought of missing a summer in Cousins Beach was inconceivable. But like the rise and fall of the ocean tide, things can change--just like that. Suddenly the time she's always looked forward to most is something she dreads. And when Jeremiah calls to say Conrad has disappeared, Belly must decide how she will spend this summer: chasing after the boy she loves, or finally letting him go.

Review - Jenny Han - why did you have to write this book? The Summer I Turned Pretty was a lovely little story about family, history and love and worked really well as an independent read. Apparently it is part of a trilogy and while excited to re-enter this world, I was ultimately disappointed.

A few things worked exceedingly well as Han is a talented writer. The focus on Savannah's boys after her death and their ways of processing the grief (or not in Conrad's case) was exceptionally well done. Jeremiah's perspective really assisted in showing Belly's mother in a more accurate light as well as showing the pressures that effect these boys outside of Belly's sphere. This was so effective that I found myself wanting to return to his side of the story more often than not. The closer examination of Belly and Laurel's lack of communication and understanding are insightful, nuanced and unique. Observing how Laurel and Savannah work more effectively with the other's children hits home strong and demonstrates that the ones who love us most can be the most difficult. The family content works well, extremely so, even without the inclusion of Steven who was sorely missed.

The relationship drama doesn't work so well. Belly is a bit of a cypher and that worked well in the first title but by the second, she's a complete annoyance. It is befuddling why this girl seems to have so many guys dithering around her in alternating states of lust, love and curiosity. Her attraction and devotion to Conrad surpasses believability and I wanted to write the guy off. I like an uncommunicative bad boy as much (sometimes more) than the next girl but despite his hurt, I wanted to kick him in the balls. Belly's dithering reached stupendous degrees in this novel and while it eventually swayed her in a direction that is much more emotionally healthy for her, I can tell she will pursue the path of stupidity in the third title. The truth of the matter is...I like every character more than I like Belly. I don't hate her, she just frustrates me into ambivalence. I need a protagonist who can excel at more than tossing to and fro on matters that are pretty clear cut.

Ideally I would cut this book into halves and chuck out all the romantic entanglements and bring back Steven and the boys club. Whenever a girl gets between two brothers, purposefully or not, she looks like a selfish and somewhat clueless harpy. It is just not the done deal, especially if the brother's mother has just died. It undermines the character and Belly doesn't have anything else going for her.

It sounds harsh but it's true. In the first novel she states (and I am paraphrasing) that she lives for the summer and doesn't engage so much in the normal year. This was of less concern in the first title but in the second it is borderline horrific. This girl makes no effort to connect with people outside of the summer group (and her mother come to think of it). This indicates larger issues at play with Belly on a personal level and also my inability to connect to her as a character. The necklace claiming was icky as was her timing with a certain snog. She's so reactive that I want to scream. Sensing my frustration?

I was extremely disappointed in this title. I am willing to give the next title a whirl as I am fervently hoping this was a book two plateau as we often observe in trilogies. Ultimately this comes down to the rehabilitation of Belly - dithering be gone!

Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Format: Hardcover, 288 pages
Published: 2010
Source: purchased
Origin: USA

PS I would love to see Steven kick Conrad's ass...just saying.

Review - The Summer I Turned Pretty / Jenny Han

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer -- they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along. Goodreads

Review - Han's novel received a lot of complimentary reviews with its debut a year ago and it is well deserved. Yearning to belong is always a strong facet of YA and here it is depicted in a fresh way. Belly's always been on the outside of her brother's and family friend's shenanigans, the summers spent with them are the backbone to her life, as is her adoration of Conrad and his mother, Susannah. The boys are the shining star in her sky and this year might be time when they allow her to be their equal.

Belly's an interesting character, her motivations are quite simple and her reasoning is easy to follow. She's not the most active protagonist, largely following the lead of everyone else and at time this can be frustrating when she appears deliberately obtuse. Belly's very relatable in her authenticity and you willingly support her in seeing her wants come to fruition. She is the most malleable of all the characters, becoming almost fluid in each supporting character's presence.

The structure is an interesting one as it jumps from the present summer to past summers to underline characterisation, highlight relationships and sometimes just to reiterate the pure amount of history that runs between these two families. The relationship between the mothers is involving and emotional despite the scant attention they receive, the dialogue between them expertly establishes their connection, history and loyalty to each other.

Sibling relationships aren't always the most important relationship depicted in YA stories. Yet in Han's work we see two sibling relationships that are characterised strongly and uniquely. Conrad and Jeremiah are polar opposites, and sometimes combatants, united by their loyalty to one another and their love for their mother. Steven and Belly are highly volatile in a way that only a sister and brother can be and yet their is a strong sense of protectiveness and adoration on both sides. It is these connections that really sell the magic of the summer at the beach - the love these kids have for one another.

The plot meanders at times but isn't that just like the perfect summer. A great, character rich tale of first love, growing up and being strong.

Published: 2009
Format: Paperback, 288 pages
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Source: purchased
Origin: USA

Review - Playing with the Boys / Liz Tigelaar

New girl Lucy is desperate for friends. She tries out for Beachwood High soccer, but despite her amazingly accurate kick, fails to make the team. When the Coach points out that varsity football is looking for a new kicker, Lucy is skeptical. Football? Isn't that a boys' game?

But on the gridiron Lucy discovers that she feels strong—in control for the first time since her mother died. She loves football. She actually wants to play! (She also wants to hang out with super-cute quarterback Ryan Conner. But that's just icing on the cake.)

Too bad no one else wants her on the team. Not the boys' coach, not her teammates, and especially not her overprotective dad. Will Lucy cave in to the pressure? Or will she prove she's pretty tough after all? Goodreads

Review - Lucy's moved to California so her father can start afresh after her mother's death. In befriending two girls (previously seen in PrettyTOUGH), Lucy makes it her goal to make the soccer team alongside them. She fails. Instead she is coaxed into using her strong and very accurate kick to tryout for the boy's varsity football team as their kicker.

The opening chapter was difficult in that a lot of it was exceedingly simple. It was exposition heavy so it tended to feel clunky. However the deeper you find yourself in this book, the more there is to it. The difficulty in making real friends is tackled on many fronts in Playing with the Boys - whether the gender gap, sexism, lying or giving another the benefit of the doubt. I find it of particular interest that the gender issue is tackle front on with the coach's treatment of Lucy, the team's interactions with her and the over protectiveness of her father. It all assists in creating a layered depiction of a girl joining a guy's team and the problems that come with that.

The quarterback is an interesting character. He's a decent guy, a genuinely supportive dude, with horrible taste in girls. It's a nice shading on a typically cliched character.

The father/daughter relationship is played for good effect. His reaction to her being on the team is exceedingly real. He's fearful of her getting hurt but it also ties into his greater fears for Lucy, His need to keep her safe is so strong that it impinges on her growing independence. It is a strong element of the story and rings true.

Lucy doesn't know anything about football before she joins the team, neither do I. It was a great method of integrating plays and actions sequences without being heavy handed with the explanations,.

The strongest message of this book is the question - do you become someone lesser for someone you like? It is an issue that Lucy has to deal with and there is no easy answer. It is a facet of life we all have to deal with at some point in our lives whether with a romantic interest or a friend and Tigelaar presented it well.

Great fun and a good message about working hard, playing harder and being true to yourself.

Published: April 2008
Format: Paperback, 304 pages
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: purchased
Origin: USA

Liz Tigelaar Interview

Love Triangles: Are we gender biased?

Most of us get sucked into the love triangle. Teams now proliferate YA as we all pick our sides and the rest attempt to remain ambivalent. Whether Teams Jacob or Edward (Twilight), Teams Seth or Keenan (Wicked Lovely), Teams Jace or Simon (The Mortal Instruments) or Teams Peeta or Gale (The Hunger Games), we all have own preferences for who the girl should be with.

What becomes startlingly clear is that we like the triangles where there is a single girl. Not two. We prefer seeing a girl fought over by two guys, not a guy fought over by two girls. I would debate the need to fight over another human beings (or alien/supernatural being) affections in the first place but I get sucked in like everyone else. After mulling this gender inequality over, I began to realise that there are a couple of reasons we are drawn to the two guys over one girl scenario more.

Voyeurism
I don’t know about some of you but I didn’t have one guy that was really into me during high school, let alone two. It’s a situation foreign to me so it is nice to read a story and experience what it might be like to be sought after that much. It’s contemporary fantasy if you really think about it.

The prime example of this is Bella. The girl doesn’t have a lot going on except that she has a vampire and a werewolf both wanting her limpid self. Take all that away and she’s a klutz with no people skills, no personality and no drive.

Perspective
When there are two guys fighting over a girl, we get to experience that through the eyes of the protagonist. We are injected into the story and the struggle thus we find ourselves the one being fought over. It played into our need to be liked, possibly loved, enough that a guy would put himself on the line to declare himself. It is a rush because it brings a sense of worth and importance to the reader.

Yet when there are two girls, our perspective is through one of the girls, not the guy in the middle. In this situation we empathise with one more than the other. Usually the other is shallow, mean or promiscuous and is created to act as a foil for the protagonist. It is always clear that she isn’t the one for the guy (in our protagonist’s eyes anyway) and so there is less emotional investment in the choice and more in the other girl’s mean machinations. It’s less about the feelings and more about the shenanigans.

There is an example to this when it is two sisters fighting over a guy. This immediately rankles me, it’s a predicament that reflects poorly on the sisters in the end. I similarly dislike it when two brothers fight over a girl - I think the person in the middle should stop messing with families (with an exception to The Vampire Diaries.)

Girls have to choose between the guy next door and the bad boy but her choices are usually more than the cliché. When it comes to a guy choosing between the protagonist and the other girl, only one of the choices is well fleshed out and the other is a cardboard, slightly evil cut out. Even if the other girl is the protagonist’s best friend, the author tends to make the BF do really nasty things to make the protagonist more empathetic. The wrong choice’s role is to spotlight how right the protagonist is.

Masculinity
As much as we might like a sensitive guy, we like to know that our guy is capable of stepping up to the plate. Seeing two guys butt heads screams testosterone and makes our hearts race. Jealousy usually plays a huge part in the aggression that comes out and with the declaration of true feelings. There’s nothing like a threat to make a dude clear on his feelings for a gal...in YA anyway.

Seeing two girls fight over a guy is less dignified. This isn’t fair but if Jerry Springer showed us anything, it’s that two woman fighting is nasty and a bit of a spectacle. It’s never pleasant and never makes either player look good. There is a general perception that fighting over a guy is lowering one’s self yet we have no problem if it goes the other way. It’s desperate if a girl fights, noble and kind hot when a guy does. This isn’t fair.

You might be thinking that this isn’t true but how often do you see the word team followed by a chick’s name? For me, the last time was in People with Team Aniston or Team Jolie...not even a YA circumstance. Yet we see tee shirts for YA literature and television everywhere. Our loyalties are to the guy heavy triangle.

I don’t want this to become a gender issue. The reason we are so vocal on Teams in YA triangles is for one reason. We want the protagonist to choose the right guy...for her. Sometimes we get confused and like the right guy...for us. But regardless of your team leanings, remember discussion about any literature is always a good thing. But should you find yourself naming your child after your team focus, forgetting he’s fictional or practising signing your signature with his surname...it’s time to get a life!

Team Gale defence here.