REVIEW: Girl, Aloud by Emily Gale

Review by Luisa

Kass Kennedy has family problems. Her dad is convinced that she's a genius and/or set to be a superstar. His latest plan is for Kass to wow the judges on The X Factor. Never mind that, at 15, she's too young to enter. Or that she really doesn't want to enter. Or that she absolutely can't sing. Her dad is determined and Kass feels she has to go along with it for his sake - and for the sake of the whole family. Meanwhile, her friendships become strained after a boy with brown boots appears in her life. And Simon Cowell himself starts appearing in her dreams.

Kass's situation in Girl, Aloud isn't easy, and there are moments where it's absolutely heart-breaking. Her family troubles come across so realistically that I really felt for Kass at every turn. All the supporting characters are sharply drawn too, with their own lifelike quirks. Each also has problems which, mixed together, cause all sorts of additional misunderstandings and complications for poor Kass.

The book has many sad moments, but it is far from bleak. Kass makes lots of darkly funny and biting observations about her life and the people in it, and her dream conversations with Simon Cowell are also full of sarcasm and black humour. There is also some lighter humour, including a fantastically funny scene featuring Kass and some net curtains.

The relationships in this book are all brilliantly portrayed, and I found the developments in Kass's relationship with her little brother especially fascinating. I also loved the overall emphasis on friendship and understanding.

Girl, Aloud is a wonderfully-observed, realistic and moving mix of relationship drama and gentle comedy, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Very highly recommended.

Review by Luisa

Watch out for our future interview with Emily Gale, and a giveway of Girl, Aloud - coming soon!

Meanwhile, check out Emily Gale's site and watch a fabulous virtual reading. (Also, Emily's running a giveaway of her own right now.)

Comments

[bookalicious]

Thanks for the review, this sounds like a great book!

[Sophie]

Emily's sending me a copy of this. I'm so excited to read it! Thanks for a fab review, Luisa!

[Alexandra]

I've read this too, it's lovely! It's really, really clever.

[Lauren (I Was A Teenage Book Geek)]

Awesome review! I'd previously seen this mentioned around and thought it sounded really fun, but it actually sounds deeper than I expected too. *Loving* the idea of the dream conversations with Simon Cowell. I'll look out for this one.

[Kate Pinn]

This sounds wicked!

[Amber]

Is it already out in the UK then? I'm desperate to read it :P

[Luisa]

Hi Amber, yes it's out now. My local WHSmith has it.

[Amber]

YAAAY! I might buy it soon then, I can't wait to read it!

[Jenny]

I'm reading this at the moment! I'm not too far into it yet, but I'm enjoying it so far :)

[laura windmill]

your bookis apsulutely fantastic even though i havent read it but just by looking at the front cover and looking at the blurb i cant wait too read the book i am really exciting.