Chicklish

REVIEW: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Review by Luisa.

Written by the authors of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and many other books, this is the story of Dash, a snarly, witty boy who's not remotely into Christmas, and Lily, a chirpy, carol-singing, Christmas-loving girl. Dash finds a message left by Lily in a red moleskine notebook on the shelves of his favourite bookshop. When he follows her instructions and leaves a reply, an unusual game of dares begins. The notebook passes back and forth and Dash and Lily start to form a relationship. But what will happen if they ever meet?

This is a wonderfully Christmassy book, set in a wintery New York City, and I really meant to review it before Christmas! I'm going to squeak in just before New Year instead...

Firstly, I need to mention that I don't have a text copy of this book. I recently joined Audible, a subscription seller of audio books, and Dash and Lily was among the first books I bought and listened to. In some ways, this was the perfect way to experience the book - I savoured the book at a slow pace and in odd moments, and the voices sounded authentically New York to me. I thought both of the actors were fantastic. In other ways, listening to it was a bit strange - after all, Dash and Lily is, among other things, a book about the joy and power of written communication. Plus it took me a little while to click that the (absolutely hilarious) invented Disney Pixar film was called "Collation" and had nothing to do with coal. Also, I found myself frequently stopping and rewinding the recording to scribble down lines I loved. (As a bonus, I now have a Dash and Lily page filled with tasty snippets.)

Pushing aside the way I experienced this book, here are some of the things I loved about Dash and Lily's story. The personalities of Dash and Lily came across strongly and were so different that it was hard to imagine them together, and yet I could see the way they were connecting through their words. Dash had me constantly smiling at his linguistic observations, and Lily once made me laugh out loud. The dares were fun and fairytale-like. The secondary characters were great, especially Lily's brother and Aunt Basil E. I enjoyed the depiction of Dash and Lily's very different family lives, and I particularly enjoyed the sections where the characters shared their thoughts about love and romance.

A quirky, wintery and engaging love story with a difference.

Review by Luisa.

You can listen to a sample chapter of the audio book here on Audible.

Wishing everyone a very happy New Year! Thank you so much for visiting Chicklish in 2010, and see you in 2011...

 

REVIEW: You Against Me by Jenny Downham

Review by Annalie.

If someone hurts your sister and you're any kind of man, you seek  revenge, right?

If your brother's accused of a terrible crime but says he didn't do it, you defend him, right?

When Ellie's brother is accused of assaulting Mikey's sister, both their worlds start to fall apart. Especially when they begin to fall in love ... with each other.

Anyone who has read Jenny D's first novel, Before I Die, will know what a terrific writer she is. And anyone who hasn't read that book should rectify the situation immediately! It is an absolutely superb book and I literally cried for a hundred pages. And I don't mean the odd tear; I mean full-on-can't-see-the-page sobs.

Her second novel, You Against Me, doesn't disappoint. Jenny does not shy away from tricky subjects - first terminal illness and now rape. You Against Me is a modern Romeo and Juliet. It is passionate, challenging, romantic and energetic. Dialogue and clean writing are Jenny's greatest skills. Her language is clean, precise and to the point. The interaction between her characters - their shyness, awkwardness, emotions - is so real. I didn't think I could love a book as much as I love Before I Die but You Against Me is a serious contender. (I know I'm gushing - sorry!)

At its heart, this is a story about love and loyalty. When Mikey's sister is sexually assaulted, Mikey vows revenge. He goes round to the house of the attacker - an eighteen-year-old boy - looking for a fight. Instead of finding Tom, he meets Ellie, Tom's quirky, funny, shy and beautiful younger sister. And so begins a raw and evocative tale about the terrible choices we are forced to make. This story is a testament to the notion that there is no black and white where moralty is concerned, only varying shades of grey.

This is a thought-provoking book - one that is, at times, a difficult read as it forces us to confront issues we would probably rather not think about. And the ending is suitably bitter sweet. At all times, though, this is a beautifully written and compelling novel.

Review by Annalie.

Read an extract below.

NEWS: Running in Heels by Helen Bailey

This week I'm Wating on Wednesday for a new teen novel called Running in Heels by Helen Bailey, author of the brilliant Electra Brown series. (You can read our reviews of Life at the Shallow End, Out of My Depth, Swimming Against the Tide, Taking the Plunge and Falling Hook, Line and Sinker, and an interview with Helen Bailey.)

In the words of Helen Bailey:
"My next book, Running in Heels, will be published in February 2011. Featuring a brand new character, Daisy Davenport, Running in Heels is a blisteringly funny story of riches and bitches, boys and bullies, liberally sprinkled with fabulous accessories. If you loved Electra, I hope you'll take Daisy to your heart too."

Find out more on Helen Bailey's site.

Read an extract of Running in Heels by Helen Bailey.

 

Waiting on Wednesday is from an idea by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This post is by Luisa.

REVIEW: Entangled by Cat Clarke

Review by Luisa.

At the start of Entangled, Grace is trapped in a white room. She doesn't know how she got there or why the mysterious Ethan is holding her captive, but the room contains paper and a pen so she begins to write about her life, forcing herself to remember the events that led to her encounter with Ethan. As she tries to make sense of everything, the story of Grace's tangled, messy relationships unfolds...

Grace is the kind of character who builds barriers around herself, and as you read her account you can see how the outside world might view her: tough, self-reliant, outspoken. Having access to her thoughts, of course, you know there's more to it - Grace is needy, troubled and in pain. Her father is dead and she misses him, her mother is alive but largely absent, and Grace self-harms. Best friend Sal tries to help Grace, but it's clear that Sal has problems of her own, and that she often feels helpless in the face of Grace's determination to control people and situations. As the story progresses, there's an increasing sense of impending doom that almost has you reading through your fingers, and the final resolution leaves you thinking about Grace long after you close the book. Despite the tension and darkness, though, the book has a surprising amount of humour in Grace's self-deprecating voice.

Entangled is a compelling and intense story, recommended to older teen readers.

Review by Luisa.

Entangled by Cat Clarke will be published in the UK on 6th January 2011.

Note: There's currently a giveaway of two signed copies of Entangled on Once Upon a Bookcase, open to UK residents. The closing date is 22nd December 2010. Please see Once Upon a Bookcase for full details.

The Entangled blog tour:

REVIEW: The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Review by Keris.

I was extremely intrigued by the premise of 18-year-old debut author Kody Keplinger's book, The DUFF as soon as I learned that "DUFF" stands for Designated Ugly Fat Friend. Ouch. 

Out one night with her "super-hot" friends, cynical, snarky Bianca is approached by the sexy and charming Wesley, who she can't stand. Bianca thinks he's a "man-whore" and her opinion of him isn't improved when he admits he's only talking to her because hot girls like it when boys show an interest in the DUFF. Understandably, Bianca is horrified. Not just at the idea that she is the DUFF - she takes that on board fairly easily - but that Wesley is even more obnoxious than she previously thought.

But when the two of them are partnered on a school project, Bianca finds that a fling with Wesley is just the thing to take her mind off problems at home. Her parents' marriage is failing, threatening her father's long-time sobriety and she just doesn't know what she can do about it. So she does nothing, instead choosing to spend her time with Wesley. But she's just using him. Isn't she?

I found this book really quite difficult to get into. Bianca is so cynical and so snarky that it took me until about half way through the book to warm to her. But I didn't want to stop reading a) because she's also independent and intelligent and smart and b) because I loved the scenes with Wesley, which were definitely sexy (there's something addressed in this book that I don't remember seeing in any other teen novel...) but also sweet and funny. In fact, I found myself speeding through a lot of the scenes with Bianca's friends so I could get back to reading about Wesley. But from about halfway, I ended up really loving it.

It's got some pretty full-on language and sexual content, but it's also got a great message and, in Bianca, a character I think will stick in my head for a long time.

[I read The DUFF as part of an ARC tour from Holly at Good Golly Miss Holly - thanks so much for sending it, Holly.]

Review by Keris

GIVEAWAY: Arrow by R. J. Anderson (now closed)

**This giveaway is now closed.**

Arrow is the latest book in the Knife series by R. J. Anderson, to be released on 6th January 2011 in the UK.

You can read our reviews of the first two books, Knife and Rebel, and here's more about Arrow:

"Rhosmari trembled as the Empress walked over to her. ‘Oh, do not struggle. There is nowhere for you to escape,’ the Empress said, her voice silken and sweet. Then she unsheathed a small dagger from her waist. ‘This will only hurt a little...’

Rhosmari has lived her whole life on a sheltered chain of faery islands. But with the Empress's power growing, and her desire to enslave the entire faery race becoming a reality, Rhosmari knows she must fight back..."

Thanks to Orchard Books, we had 5 copies of Arrow to give away to residents of the UK.

**This giveaway is now closed and the winners have been contacted. Their initials are K.C., M.W., N.R., R.S. and A.C. Thank you for entering!**

INTERVIEW: Jill Hucklesby

Jill Hucklesby is the author of Deeper than Blue, Last Kiss of the Butterfly and her newest book, If I Could Fly (reviewed here). From the back of If I Could Fly:

"Calypso Summer. Yeah, that really is my name. 'A girl with such a name is on a journey. She will have adventures,' my mother used to murmur in my ear. And I now I am on a journey. I'm running from something terrible - but I don't know what. It's like my brain has blocked it out. For now, I'm learning to survive: to break the System and not get caught. I've found a friend I can trust. Next stop, freedom. Somehow, somewhere..."

Chicklish interviews Jilly Hucklesby about writing, reading, free-running and more...

 - Hello, Jill. In If I Could Fly, free-running is described in a wonderfully evocative way. Have you ever been free-running? How did you research this aspect of the novel?

I saw a documentary about Parkour, which has become known here as free-running, and was captivated by how agile the runners were and how expressively they moved. I loved the idea that, even though we’ve built huge cities, people can’t be contained or suppressed by them. Free runners view them as a creative challenge. It felt such an optimistic concept that I wanted to include it in ‘If I Could Fly.’ I watched lots of films about it on You Tube and saw some displays on the South Bank buildings in London (hair-raising!). Usually, the only time I run is when my Golden Retriever Henry chases a seagull and I have to catch him!
 
- The character names (and nicknames) in If I Could Fly seem to carry a lot of importance. Do you usually spend a lot of time choosing the perfect name for your characters, or do they tend to spring up in your mind? (Or a mixture of both?)

Some names just arrive, like Calypso, others I spend time looking for. I chose Alfie because Alfred means ‘good or wise counsellor’ and this was to be his role as Caly’s friend. I have a book of first names which I use for inspiration.
 
- Can you tell us about any jobs you've done, other than being an author, and whether you think they have fed into your writing?

Apart from my Saturday jobs in a sweet shop and then M & S, nearly all of my jobs have been to do with writing. I’ve worked in theatre for children, adapting stories for the stage. I trained as a journalist, and from there, moved into publicity work for a national children’s charity. The common thread was stories – I’ve always loved them and loved writing them. I felt very lucky to work with Paddington Bear bringing the charity’s medical breakthrough stories to the media. I met children who were very brave, coping with difficult, and sometimes life-threatening, medical conditions. I worked on publications for Great Ormond Street Hospital too, and these featured very moving real-life stories. I’m sure all of these emotive experiences have found their way into my creative writing. And I did run away once, but that’s another story...

- What kinds of books did you like reading when you were a teenager?

I loved books about animals – especially horses – but I read everything that looked dark and deep. By 13 I was reading books for adults across all genres. I fell in love with the James Bond movies and started to explore spy thrillers and supernatural tales, like ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley. Some were so scary I couldn’t sleep at night! By 15, I had discovered D. H. Lawrence, E.M. Forster, Thomas Hardy (my favourite book is ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’) the plays of Chekhov and the anguish of poet Sylvia Plath. There was no going back!  

- What can we look forward to reading next, written by you?

‘Samphire Song’ will be published in July 2011. It’s a story told by teenager Jodie Palmer about her relationship with a troubled horse called Samphire. Tragedy causes them to part, but Jodie vows to find him again, whatever the cost.  

Thank you very much for answering our questions, Jill Hucklesby!

Read our review of If I Could Fly.

Find out more on Jill Hucklesby's website.

REVIEW: If I Could Fly by Jill Hucklesby

Review by Luisa.

Calypso Summer is on the run - but she's not sure who or what she's running from. She has a bad leg and some kind of mental block about the past, and for now all she needs to do is to get by in any way she can. Her first thought is to find a hospital - but a viral infection has changed the world and nothing is easy...

This futuristic and unusual novel is infused with mystery from the very first page. Calypso's thoughts are filled with fleeting snippets of memories that she can't quite make sense of, but one thing is immediately clear: she is determined to survive.

Calypso is a warm-hearted, caring character who is facing difficult challenges. The friendships she develops on her journey are touching, as are the gradual revelations about her life. Free-running is described vividly in the story, forming a fitting link between Calypso's past and her present situation.

If I Could Fly's story of friendship and survival is lyrically written, surprising and original.

Review by Luisa.

Read our interview with Jill Hucklesby.

REVIEW: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Review by Keris.

Lauren Oliver's debut novel, Before I Fall, is one of the best YA books I've ever read. I adored it and have recommended it to everyone. So I was incredibly excited to read Delirium (and even more excited when I saw the stunning cover). 

The premise of Delirium is clever. We've all used (or at least heard) expressions like "madly in love", "crazy in love", "lovesick", well Delirium takes the idea of love as an illness (both mental and physical) and runs with it. The book is set in a near future in which scientists have found a way to cure people of love (basically by removing a bit of their brain). The procedure - called "the cure" - takes place once the citizens turn 18 and after that their lives, in theory, should become much easier.

Lena Holoway has been looking forward to the cure until, inevitably, she finds herself falling for a boy, Alex, and changes her mind. And it was only then, I'm afraid, that Delirium got interesting for me. The first half (or possible more like 60%) of the book is establishing the dystopian setting, introducing Lena's family and best friend, and showing the reader what the future will be like for Lena once she's had the cure. And it just didn't grip me at all.

The last half (or maybe 40%), I found pretty exciting. Once Lena's relationship with Alex opens her eyes to what the cure is actually doing to people, I was gripped. But obviously I can't really say any more about that since it would be pretty spoiler-ish. 

In the end, I did enjoy Delirium, but nowhere near as much as Before I Fall. I don't think I'll be recommending it to people. I'm not even sure I'll read the next two books in the series. Having said that, I've already read plenty of rave reviews, so don't be put off. It may be just your kind of thing. Disappointingly, it just wasn't mine. 

Review by Keris

REVIEW: Mo-Bot High by Neill Cameron

Review by Luisa.

Asha isn't happy about starting a new school in the middle of nowhere - and she's even less happy when she arrives on her first day and almost the first thing she sees is a fight... between two giant robots. And none of her classmates seem to think it's weird. Then Asha gets on the wrong side of the school bullies and suddenly she's fighting inside a giant robot herself, thanks to a special feature on her phone. She's doing pretty well, too, despite being a beginner. Meanwhile, a mysterious school caretaker seems to be keeping a close eye on Asha - and the dinner ladies aren't quite what they seem. What is really going on at Mo-Bot High, and what exactly does it have to do with Asha?

Originally one of the cartoon strip series in The DFC, Book One of Mo-Bot High has been collected in a hardback as part of the DFC Library and it would make a perfect present.

Its brilliantly drawn, colourful robots and tense action scenes will appeal to children (and grown-ups) of all ages, and the book has definite teen appeal as Asha struggles with high school cliques (with a difference - these are Mo-Bot cliques, after all). There are hints of Asha's family problems, too. Mixed in with all the mystery and drama is great humour - I especially adored the "fashion battle" experts Jessica and Sophie, who made me laugh nearly every time they opened their mouths. I loved the way the battles all centred on the female population of the school - as Asha's wannabe friend Shelley points out, the boys do have access to Mo-Bots, but "all they do is play mecha-football all day long. It's totally boring."

Filled with action, suspense, brilliant tongue-in-cheek humour and amazing illustrations, this book is wonderful and I highly recommend it. I want the next book and I want it now!

Review by Luisa

Visit the Mo-Bot High website to find out more

Read a preview of Mo-Bot High