Chicklish

EXTRACT: The 10pm Question by Kate de Goldi

Chicklish is delighted to be the first stop on the blog tour for The 10pm Question by Kate de Goldi, with a fabulous extract from the book.

Here is author Kate de Goldi, introducing her extract...

Every chapter in The 10pm Question ends with a conversation between Frankie and his mother in her bedroom.  The conversations are not necessarily in chronological order; they are kind of representative and convey that this is an ongoing ritual in their relationship. The pattern is that Frankie – usually indirectly – asks Ma for reassurance over a current anxiety. They are so attuned to each other that he doesn’t have to speak directly about this fears – Ma always reads between the lines. And there is a kind of ruefulness about Frankie’s indirect confessions – he’s pretty sick of himself and his tendency to fret. At the same time he can’t let go of his desire to get Ma out of the house, somehow – to get her to live a ‘normal’ life...so, almost against his better judgment, he will occasionally blurt out an impossible suggestion (come to the Bolshoi Ballet) and then will be guilty and disappointed in equal parts at Ma’s refusal and distress.

But while these are tricky exchanges, they’re also taking place in an atmosphere of nurture and comfort – a parent’s bed, with all the accompanying sensory and nostalgic feelings. I do think, too, that all difficult moments in relationships and life take place in tandem with the ordinary and absurd as well... So, even though this is a tense, loaded dialogue between Frankie and Ma, there are also all the little nuttinesses of their everyday life – Colin and The Fat Controller having one of their regular spats; Uncle George arriving home late (in a later extract Uncle George loudly sings hymns while he’s making a dessert for himself), the tragi-comic spectacle of Solly Napier’s cousins funeral - and there is the recurring symbol and puzzle of the woman in the painting hanging on Ma’s bedroom wall...

Below is an extract from The 10pm Question by Kate de Goldi, reproduced with the kind permission of Kate de Goldi and Templar Publishing.

It was never completely dark in Ma’s bedroom, even when she’d switched off the bedside light. A diffused glow came through the window from the street lamp directly outside the front gate. Ma never drew the curtains; she liked the glow from the street lamp.

Frankie had been listening for the click of the bedside light; sometimes he preferred to ask questions in the dim colour of that outside light.

REVIEW: Bloody Valentine (a Blue Bloods novella) by Melissa de la Cruz

Review by Tamika.

Oliver Hazard-Perry arrives at the stylish bar The Holiday. The bartender there, Freya, is mysterious and sophisticated, and seems to know exactly what is on Oliver’s mind. But Oliver still can’t seem to get over that aching hole in his heart that is calling out for Schuyler...

Nevertheless Freya might just be the one to change it all. Meanwhile, in Florence, Schuyler and Jack Force are preparing for their bonding, while on the run still from the Countess. And the book goes back in time to tell the tale of Allegra and Charles Force as teenagers, and how the whole story began.

Bloody Valentine is the fifth book in Blue Bloods series, and is the first novella of the five. This makes the book a nice, quick easy read, but it’s still got an entertaining plot.

 This book only follows Oliver, Jack, Schuyler and Allegra Van Alen. Although it was a change to the normal books, I didn’t find that there was something missing (i.e. the other characters). I really liked Freya’s character; she was mysterious and smart, and came to do the one thing that I wanted to happen. 

My favourite part of the book had to be the part about Allegra and Charles. It fills in a lot of the gaps about the story overall, and I found that she was an interesting character since we haven’t actually met her before.

Once again, Melissa managed to save Schuyler and Jacks love for each other. I find it amazing how they show their love for each other and manage to overcome everything in their way. At the end of the book, there were three illustrations, all including Schuyler. I am not quite sure why they were there, but they were pretty, and I liked the last one, which shows Schuyler and Jack getting bonded.

I really loved this book like all the others, and I hope that the next one, Lost in Time, is just as good.

Review by Tamika, aged 14

REVIEW: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Review by Mel.

"Sixteen-year-old Evie has always taken comfort in the fact that she is normal, even though her best friend is a mermaid and her ex-boyfriend is a lunatic – and a faery.
In a world where paranormals are monitored and controlled, Evie works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency because of her unique ability to see through glamours. But someone – or something – starts killing vampires, werewolves and other paranormals, and Evie must figure out what’s happening before they all disappear.

Then a shapeshifter named Lend breaks into the agency, and Evie is irresistibly drawn to him, even though he makes her aware that the IPCA is not as noble as she once thought. With everything Evie believes suddenly called into question, the IPCA is attacked and she must choose who she can really trust.

And when Evie discovers she’s part of a faerie prophecy of death and destruction… so much for normal."

I've been waiting to read this book for ages, but the question is - did it live up to the hype?

Well, mostly yes.  I love Kiersten's White's sassy writing style and the way this translates through to her main character, Evie.  Evie longs to be normal even though she's spent most of her life tracking paranormal creatures on behalf of the International Paranormal Containment Agency (IPCA). She has a preference for pink and enjoys watching trashy soap operas - not your typical vampire hunter, but that's one of the reasons that the novel is so different from other books in the genre.  This isn't a mean and moody gothic tale, it's fun and girly. Darkness with a touch of diamante.  And as with all the best paranormal stories, it also has two love interests to choose from - the passionate, yet unpredictable faerie, Reth and the kind, enigmatic Lend - each with their own irresistable charms and complicated histories. The plot's good too with lots of mystery and suspense.

So why didn't it blow my socks off? Well that's a tricky one. I did like this novel, it's just that I didn't connect with it on a deep level. Evie's relationships sometimes seem a little flat, especially the bond with her mermaid best-friend, Lish.  It's as if the gags get in the way of the emotion. But please don't let that put you off. This is a great read that takes YA paranormal into new territory. It's perfect for anyone who's looking for a supernatural thriller with a shot of comedy.

Review by Mel.

REVIEW: Drought by Pam Bachorz

Review by Luisa.

Ruby and her Congregation have been enslaved by the cruel Darwin West and his Overseers, condemned to hundreds of years of back-breaking work collecting Water and constantly treated with violence and brutality. But Ruby is keeping a secret from Darwin: the magical properties of the Water are down to her alone, and she is the one keeping the Congregation (and Darwin) alive. Then Ruby meets Ford, a surprisingly kind Overseer, and she finds herself attracted to him against her better judgment. She's tempted to escape with him to the modern world... but where would this leave her Congregation?

I loved Candor, the first novel by Pam Bachorz. I found it haunting and powerful and I still often think about it now, months after reading it. Drought is a completely different novel in terms of plot and characters, but it has the same effect - it gets under your skin and keeps you mulling over the issues it raises. It also has a similar trapped, claustrophobic atmosphere and engaging, page-turning qualities.

The world of Drought is just so different from anything I'd ever encountered that it was a while before I fully grasped what was going on. The horrific, barbaric acts of Darwin and the Overseers were hard to stomach at times, especially in conjunction with the blind faith of the Congregation.

Drought is about far more than its fantastical, cult-like environment, though. It explores issues to do with growing older and rebelling against your parents, your environment and everything you've been led to believe. In a way, this is a coming-of-age story writ large. Ruby's role within the Congregation is literally vital, and for her to forge her identity and follow her own path could have devastating effects on everyone she knows. Her dilemma isn't clear-cut, and her struggle is presented in an honest and fascinating way.

A shocking, thought-provoking and original novel.

Review by Luisa

NEWS: Half-term events in Devon libraries

It's the February half-term holiday in the UK, and Devon Libraries are preparing lots of fun bookish events.

Full details are on the Devon Libraries Facebook page, and here are a couple of highlights (!)

Tuesday 22nd February, 2pm at Chagford Library - Storytime with Astrosaurs illustrator Woody Fox. No need to book for this free event.

Thursday 24th February, 10.30am at Newton Abbot Library - Creative writing workshop with Luisa Plaja, aimed at ages 11-16. Places are limited, so please contact Newton Abbot Library for a FREE ticket.

Thursday 24th February, 2pm at Exmouth Library and 5.30pm at Exeter Central Library - Neill Cameron - An illustrated talk with graphic novel author and illustrator Neil Cameron. His book, Mo-Bot High, features giant robots and his talks are fun-packed and suitable for all the family. FREE tickets available from the libraries. Neill Cameron has events at other libraries (Crediton, Tiverton, Seaton and Cullompton) on other days too - check out the full schedule on his blog.

Happy half-term week, wherever you are!

REVIEW: The Body at the Tower by Y S Yee

Review by Chelsea.

'Mary Quinn is back, now a trusted member of the Agency, the all-female detective unit operating out of Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls. Her new assignment sends her into the grimy underbelly of Victorian London dressed as a poor boy, evoking her own childhood memories of fear, hunger, and constant want. As she insinuates herself into the confidence of several persons of interest, she encounters others in desperate situations and struggles to make a difference without exposing —or losing —her identity.'
 
Before I start, I'm going to say that I have never read any of the other books in the 'The Agency' series, so this review is coming from someone who isn't familiar with the characters at all.
 
I loved the main character, Mary Quinn - she came across as kind, quite smart, sensible and fairly witty, all of which I think are important qualities in a person: in real life or in a book. I've never read a book about spies before (that I remember anyway), but I think Mary pulls it off quite nicely!
 
The plot was very different to what I'm used to reading: like I said, I've never read about spies, and I've never read a Victorian murder mystery. I liked to have a little glimpse into Mary's past, because by the end of the book I felt like I had known her all of my life (although of course I knew she was still a fictional character :P). There were a few times that I felt a tad lost in the setting of this book because I was having to learn about the setting (a Victorian building site) on top of trying to figure out the mystery. I don't want to give too much of the plot away, but to be put simply, Mary has to dress up as a 12-year-old boy, Mark Quinn, in order to get information about a body that was found at St. Stephens Tower.
 
I really did enjoy this book, and I can't wait to read more of the series.

Review by Chelsea, aged 15

NEWS: Book trailer for Dark Ride by Caroline Green

A while ago, I posted about a book I'm really looking forward to: Dark Ride by Caroline Green, which will be released in May 2011.

Check out this wonderful trailer...

 

 

REVIEW: Rosebush by Michelle Jaffe

Review by Daria.

Instead of celebrating Memorial Day weekend on the Jersey Shore, Jane is in the hospital surrounded by teddy bears, trying to piece together what happened last night. One minute she was at a party, wearing fairy wings and cuddling with her boyfriend. The next, she was lying near-dead in a rosebush after a hit-and-run. Everyone believe it was an accident, despite the phone threats Jane swears were real, but the truth is a thorny thing. As Jane's boyfriend, friends and admirers come to visit, more memories come to the surface not just from a party, but from deeper in the past. With nearly all her friends a suspect, Jane must unravel the mystery before her killer attacks again. Along the way she's forced to examine her life and change it.

Michelle Jaffe has created an excellent new book with just the right amount of 'girl power' and mystery. I found myself unable to put the book down! However, as I was reading the book, I didn't really understand why there were flashbacks or dreams to a lake with weeds where Jane is drowning. If you choose to read this book and find yourself confused by this too, then rest assured because the author explains it at the end. Overall I thought this novel was fantastic and I loved it!

I thought that Jane was a shady character. She has lived her life wanting to be accepted by everyone and I'm glad about how she develops in the end. Jane's mother, I found, wasn't a very good mother. She used to be a brilliant mum; I found this out from Jane's memories. However, I changed what I thought of her because throughout the book she changed back to the caring, loving mum Jane always knew. Jane had a lot of friends, too many to talk about, and they were all different.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a thriller with a bit of girl power.

Review by Daria, aged 14

REVIEW: Fifty Fifty by S L Powell

Review by Kate.

“Is one life worth more than another?

Gil must decide.

Gil's explosive relationship with his scientist father is brought to crisis point when he gets involved with Jude, a charismatic animal rights campaigner who is targeting his dad. At first, Gil relishes the chance to take a stand against his father, but he finds himself facing a devastating dilemma when he learns that his mother is a possible carrier for a terrible brain disease, and his dad's animal research could save her life. The tense, page-turning plot centres on an electrifying portrait of a teenager struggling for independence.”

This is a book that will really make you think about the arguments for and against animal testing, however it is cleverly written so that the reader doesn’t even realise that they are thinking so deeply about the issue.

Gil starts off as a frustrated 13-year-old boy who feels he has no independence. His best friend Louis has a lot more independence, despite being, in Gil’s opinion, a lot thicker. I think this is something that a lot of 13-year-olds can relate to - the feeling of being treated like a kid. It made the character of Gil very relatable and I warmed to him quite quickly. A lot of his bad behaviour throughout the story was a cry for some freedom.

The characters of Jude and Gil’s dad are both very different characters but they have one thing in common – they are both adamant that they are right to be doing what they are doing. What I did like however was that Powell did not write the two sides of the argument as stereotypes – Jude is extreme in his actions in an attempt to help the lab animals but he is responsible and highlights the dangers to Gil of what he is getting involved with. Gil’s dad is very protective of the animals he studies – when Gil picks up one of the mice by the tail, he is quick to intervene and take the mouse from Gil due to the stress he is causing it. It’s nice to see that the two extreme sides are still responsible despite their beliefs.

I think this is a great read for any young adult who is interested in animal rights. Powell puts across the arguments well, showing how opinions can change when certain factors are taken into consideration. A thought-provoking read for 12 to 16 year olds. 5/5

Review by Kate.

Would you like to win a copy of this book, signed by the author? Enter our giveaway, open to all UK residents.

GIVEAWAY: signed copy of Fifty Fifty by S L Powell (now closed)

**This giveaway is now closed and the winner, N.C., has been contacted. Thank you for entering, everyone!**

Fifty Fifty is a debut novel by S L Powell.

"Animal rights is a hot issue for many young people, and this gripping debut puts both sides of the debate. An exciting and thought-provoking thriller for readers who enjoy Malorie Blackman and Sophie Mackenzie."

Read more from the publisher Piccadilly Press and read an extract of the book.

Visit S L Powell's website.

Read our review here.

**This giveaway is now closed and the winner, N.C., has been contacted. Thank you for entering, everyone!**