Chicklish

REVIEW: Dead Man’s Cove by Lauren St John (Laura Marlin Mysteries 1)

Review by Alexandra.

In Dead Man’s Cove you follow the adventures of Laura Marlin. She’s spent her childhood in foster care, dreaming of being a famous detective like her hero Matt Walker. Now aged 11, a mysterious uncle has been found and he wants to open his home to her. 

Laura makes the long journey to St Ives, Cornwall and meets her Uncle and other interesting characters in her new home town.  It’s not long before she finds she might now be in the environment she’s dreamed of so long, one with mysteries to solve, secrets to unlock and criminals to find. 

This is the first in a new series by this author. She has also written the White Giraffe series, which I haven’t read but sounds quite interesting.

There are four books planned in the series. Laura is an excellently created character, she’s strong, clever and willful whilst all the time mindful of everything around her. A very enjoyable read with excellent characters and a vividly written adventure story. Suitable for children and teens.

Review by Alexandra

REVIEW: Matched by Ally Condie

Review by Luisa.

Matched is a novel set in a seemingly perfect future society where health and contentment is practically guaranteed, and everything is decided for its citizens - what they eat, where they work... who they marry... when they die. Cassia is seventeen and due to be 'matched' to her life partner. She is a model citizen, secure in the knowledge that the government has her best interests at heart and that her selected partner will be perfect for her. But when a strange software glitch puts doubts in her mind, she gradually starts to question her society.

The world of Matched is brilliantly drawn and scarily easy to imagine. There are many intriguing details in the narrative which build a complete picture of the society, showing what life is like for citizens of all ages.

The story opens with a matching ceremony and the obedient Cassia, blending right in with her peers and happily fulfilling the role expected of her. Even this early on, though, there are subtle hints of things to come, and slight differences in Cassia's outlook and choices.

Cassia's voice has a bewildered tone that feels detached. I think this is authentic, considering the world she lives in, and it's certainly a fitting way to tell her story. However, it did occasionally get in the way of my emotional involvement in the things that happen to her. The storytelling, though slightly slow-paced, is always evocative. I loved the way most of the characters harbour long-held secrets, and I enjoyed the many interesting revelations as the story unfolds. The role of the grandfather in the book is moving, and he is possibly my favourite character.

This novel will be a hit with fans of romantic, mysterious and atmospheric dystopian fiction.

Review by Luisa.

Read Chapter One of Matched.

Matched website.

View a trailer below.

REVIEW: Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Review by Tamika.

Nora is going through a lot. She and Patch have just broken up, and Marcie Millar is bringing up Nora’s unhappy past. And now Patch is hanging around an awful lot with Marcie. Then there is the fact that Nora keeps seeing her dad, who passed away. So Nora tries to uncover the truth about her family, which is not expected, and ends up endangering her life.

I wasn’t sure whether this would be better than Hush Hush but it was, and, again, the ending was very different and moving. I couldn’t put it down - it was so good. I did get annoyed with Nora sometimes though, with her outbursts...

I think this is definitely a book for people who love supernatural books, but also romance.

Review by Tamika, aged 13

NEWS: Dear Dylan by Siobhan Curham wins Young Minds Award

Dear Dylan by Siobhan Curham has won the Young Minds Award 2010.

From the Young Minds website:

Dear Dylan tells the tale of 14-year-old Georgie Harris. Georgie feels as if the summer holidays are over before they have even begun. Banned from going to the drama workshop by her racist bully of a step-dad and her increasingly fragile mum, she is consigned to six long weeks of looking after her tooth-fairy obsessed kid sister. Sick of feeling like the outsider at home and at school, she starts emailing the one person she thinks might understand; Dylan Curtland, star of the popular soap opera Jessop Close. And when Dylan starts emailing back, Georgie finally feels a tiny spark of hope...

Siobhan Curham said: "I am absolutely thrilled to have won this award as I think the work that Young Minds do is invaluable. I am particularly honoured that young readers play such a key part in the judging of this award - to get such a ringing endorsement for my first book for young adults from the readers themselves is incredible."

Read our review of Dear Dylan.

Read more about Young Minds.

Siobhan Curham's website.

REVIEW: Almost True by Keren David

Review by Luisa.

"This isn't the first time that someone's tried to silence me forever. It's just the first time that someone else has died instead."

Ty is living in a quiet seaside town under police protection when a horrific attack demonstrates that he's not safe. Soon he's on the move again, and this time Ty finds himself living with strangers. They seem to know a lot about him, though... Ty is also missing his girlfriend and he's desperate to make contact with her, though he's worried about the possible consequences...

Almost True is the sequel to When I Was Joe (reviewed here) and it's every bit as gripping and filled with drama and suspense. The strain of everything Ty has been through is taking its toll. Ty is also beginning to unravel events from his past and understand his roots, altering his outlook on the world and on himself. The novel explores Ty's identity issues with a fascinating focus on the grey areas between truth and falsehood, and on the way that past mistakes can be viewed through the filter of later circumstances.

The plot moves at a fast pace, twisting and turning in believable and engaging ways, and the characters are wonderfully realistic. I particularly loved the character of Archie, and the interactions between him and Ty. Ty's reunion with a certain group of people from his past, and one person in particular, was another highlight for me, but I don't really want to say any more than that! I also loved the humour and popular culture references, and the exciting developments in Ty's predicament. Just like When I Was Joe, this is a book that will definitely appeal to fans of all genres.

Compelling, gritty and entertaining coming-of-age fiction - Almost True is as highly recommended as its prequel.

Review by Luisa

REVIEW: Flood and Fire by Emily Diamand

Review by Mel.

England 2216: the whole country is flooded and Lilly Melkun - on the run from the bloodthirsty Reavers - has in her possession the last hand-held computer in existence. When some dodgy Cambridge professors get their hands on the computer, a terrorist alert is activated and out-of-control robots try to take control. The fate of the world is in Lily's hands...

Flood and Fire is one of the very few books that has made me laugh out loud this year. It's a dystopian novel, but written for a younger audience so there's plenty of adventure and comedy to counterbalance the dark aspects of the story (and be warned, there are a few sinister moments).  The characters' voices are hilarious and very unique. I especially warmed to Lilly Melkun and PSAI, the snooty computer - an awkward double act that leads to lots of laughs and bags of trouble.  I also liked Lilly's sea cat who is a bit of a star throughout the book and saves the day on more that one occasion (I am biased though - I have two cats of my own!).

The plot wasn't as strong as the characterisation. I found that some of the twists and turns were a little predictable, but this didn't really impact on my enjoyment of the novel because the characters and premise were so vivid. I haven't read the first book, Flood Child, so it's now on my Christmas wishlist. I can't wait to find out how this swashbuckling story begins!

Review by Mel

REVIEW: Conspiracy 365 (November) by Gabrielle Lord

Review by Kate.

“On New Year's Eve, Cal is chased down the street by a crazed man with a deadly warning: They killed your father. They'll kill you. You must survive the next 365 days! 
 
Forced into a life on the run, Cal finds himself hunted by ruthless criminals and the police. Somehow he must uncover the truth about his father's mysterious death and solve the Ormond Singularity, a secret from the past, before the year is up. But who can he turn to when the whole world seems to want him dead? The clock is ticking. Any second could be his last. Callum Ormond has been warned. He has 365 days. The countdown has begun.”

The net is closing in and Cal still has a lot to do before solving the DMO (Dangerous Mystery of the Ormonds) and clearing his name. Callum’s trusted allies find their motives questioned and the police take their man hunt to a whole new level of investigation. This means that Cal spends a lot of time dodging his enemies and not as much time finding the answers he desperately needs, however there are a few small discoveries.

My favourite part of the story was a very unexpected twist in the middle of the month. I’ve been trying to guess at the plotlines but I never saw this one coming at all, it was very well written.

It seems that one of Callum’s trusted associates is feeding information to the police, a plot point that has the reader guessing at who it might be.  Lord has wrote this series in such a way that every character (even best friend Boges) has a motive for betraying Callum, so I’ll be interested to know who the culprit is.

I cannot wait to read December and find out how everything turns out for Cal, however at the same time I don’t want this amazing series to end! Once again this has been an action packed read and, considering how much work Cal still has to do, December is going to be an explosive conclusion.

Review by Kate.

REVIEW: Cross my Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter

Review by Daria.

"It is a new semester at the Gallagher School for Exceptional Young Women, and Cammie Morgan is eager to put the events of last semester behind her. After an intense CIA debriefing and interrogation, she’s ready to fulfil her promise to stop sneaking around. But then she overhears her mother and one of her teachers discussing Blackthorn. Cammie and her roommates have to know: what is Blackthorn, and does it have any connection to the east wing of the school suddenly being locked? Things are further complicated by the arrival of boys at the Gallagher school - boys who have the same training and education as them. Gallagher Girls are trained for complications, but can they remember everything they’ve been taught?"

Cross my Heart and Hope to Spy is the second great novel in The Gallagher Academy series. Even though I haven't read the first book, I am sure that if it's anything like this one, then it's a great read. This novel really showed what life for a 16-year-old spy girl could be like: all the secrets, lying and spying. I thought that this book was very light and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I also found it a bit funny that at an academy for spy girls, they found translating boy's behaviour one their biggest challenges.

Cammie was a spy girl who wasn't afraid to take risks. I appreciated her 'rebel' nature because I thought it was a funny quality, especially when she had to crawl through walls that were covered in cobwebs. One of Cammie's best friends, Macey, I don't think was mentioned enough because I wanted to find out more and about her and her knowledge of boys.

Review by Daria, agd 14

REVIEW: Losing It - short stories edited by Keith Gray

Review by Luisa.

"Melvin Burgess, Keith Gray, Sophie McKenzie, Bali Rai, Patrick Ness, Jenny Valentine and Mary Hooper. Some of today's leading writers for teens are gathered here in a wonderful collection of original stories: some funny, some moving, some haunting but all revolving around the same subject - having sex for the first time!"

This is an anthology of short stories written by British authors and edited by Keith Gray, with first-time sex as its uniting theme. The authors' different takes on the topic provided real variety, though the stories work well together, too. The positioning of Keith Gray's story as a relatively light-hearted introduction is great, and Anne Fine's story rounds up the book in a perfect final line.

I loved all the stories and their varied styles, so I'm slightly reluctant to single any of them out. I have to say, though, that Patrick Ness's story does stand out, with its eye-catching blocks of black ink used to cover  'censored' words. This device works fantastically to keep you turning the pages - though the down-to-earth, compelling and moving story does that too, of course. Another story I'd like to comment on is Anne Fine's Finding It, set during a sex education lesson. The teacher's dry observations made me laugh out loud, and I will remember for eternity Miguel-Angel's contribution to the class discussion and the reason Mrs Abbot felt she had to ignore it. I was mulling over Mrs Abbot's analysis long after I'd finished the story.

Losing It is a thought-provoking, mature and entertaining anthology.

List of stories:

Scoring by Keith Gray
The Age of Consent by Keith Gray
Chat-Up Lines by Melvin Burgess
Different For Boys by Patrick Ness
Charlotte by Mary Hooper
The Way It Is by Sophie McKenzie
The White Towel by Bali Rai
Finding It by Anne Fine

Review by Luisa.

Watch a book trailer for Losing It below.

GIVEAWAY: Glee books (now closed)

If you're a Glee fan, or know any Glee fans, read on...

We have three Glee-related books to give away. **Giveaway now closed***

100% Gleek, The Unofficial Guide to Glee by Evie Parker
Get all the facts behind Glee - the feel-good musical dramedy that everyone's singing about! High School Musical with a difference, Glee is the hottest TV show of the year. This all-singing, all-dancing musical dramedy follows a bunch of aspiring misfits and underdogs as they attempt to make their school choir cool. The perfect guide to the cynical, sweet and downright funny hit show, this companion book is packed with behind the scenes facts, set gossip and full colour photos - it's a must-read for all you Gleeks!

Glee: The Beginning (a novel) by Sophia Lowell
CALLING ALL GLEEKS! Get more of your favourite characters in this official Glee prequel!
All great performances deserve a warm-up! Enroll early at McKinley High to find out what went on before New Directions was even a glimmer in Mr Schuester’s eye. When did Rachel first decide Finn was more than just a jock? When did Puck and Quinn start their secret romance? And how did the fledgling Glee Club function without a fearless leader? Hint: It wasn’t exactly a perfect melody.
Break out the gold stars and refill the slushies: it’s time to find out what happened to all your favourite characters before the show-mance began.
(Reviewed here.)

The Boys From Glee, Inside Out by Mel Williams
You followed them from sectionals to regionals, through rock and ballads to Gaga and funk, but now's your chance to get to know the real guys behind Glee.
Find out what these hot stars are like in real life, their hopes and dreams for the future, and how they measure up to their characters. Packed full of fantastic photos and fab facts, this is a must for all Gleeks!

 

**This giveaway is now closed and the winner, H.W. from Eire, has been contacted by email. Thank you for entering!**