Chicklish

REVIEW: Summer and the City by Candace Bushnell

Review by Keris for the New York Books Challenge.

I absolutely love Sex and the City the TV show, but I didn't like the book, so I was a bit wary of reading Candace Bushnell's first YA book, The Carrie Diaries and surprised myself by enjoying it. I then read the sample of Summer and the City and was absolutely gripped. Because now Carrie's in New York. How could it not be awesome? 

Okay, well I didn't find it awesome. I did enjoy it, but I actually found it quite a slow read and it doesn't even seem like YA to me. I know the definition of YA is slippery and since Carrie is 17 and writing in the present, not looking back on her life, it should be YA, but… I'm not sure. It has an adult tone. I think perhaps it's because most of the time Carrie doesn't seem 17. She sounds fairly close to the Carrie we know and love from the TV show. And then every now and then she does something that makes her seem more like a 13-year-old than a 17-year-old. 

The other problem I think is that Carrie is the book's only teen character. I think. I'm not sure how old her fellow students are supposed to be - Carrie's in New York to do a writing course at the New School - but they don't seem like teens. She spends the rest of her time with Miranda and Samantha, neither of whom are teens, or her boyfriend, who's in his thirties (but seems a lot older). So if a YA book is one that deals with teen issues, I'm not sure this one fits. 

Having said all that I did enjoy it - unsurprisingly Bushnell is great on the details of New York life and society - and I'm really loving getting some background on these characters I know and love (even if they're slightly different from the TV show characters). I'll be reading the next book in the series for sure. 

Review by Keris.

Join our New York Books Challenge.

REVIEW: A Tangle of Magicks by Stephanie Burgis

Review by Luisa.

This is the second of twelve-year-old Kat Stephenson's magical adventures in Regency England. (Read our review of the first book, A Most Improper Magick.)

When Kat travels to Bath with her family to find a suitor for sister, she soon discovers that there's wild magic on the loose. There's also a sinister plot to harness this magic in the Roman Baths. And it involves a member of her family. But if Kat steps in, she could be in danger of losing her magical powers forever...

This book fizzes with magic and intrigue, and kept me glued to the page from its dramatic opening. It's clear that Kat has grown up a bit since the first story, but she's still just as brave, strong, intelligent and entertaingly impulsive. She's a fantastic heroine. The other characters are equally wonderful - the charming loser Charles, who fills me with kindly despair; the brilliant Angeline, who makes me want to cheer every time she appears; the lovely and unpredictable Lucy; evil Lady Fotherington, boo hiss... I love them all!

I adored the setting of this book, too. Bath felt like the perfect place for mysterious supernatural shenanigans, and I could picture the locations clearly as I read.

An absorbing and magical novel for readers aged 10+. I absolutely can't wait to read the next Unladylike Adventure of Kat Stephenson!

Review by Luisa.

Stephanie Burgis will be starting her blog tour here at Chicklish on Monday 1st August with a fantastic guest post. Don't miss it!

GUEST REVIEW: Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready

Guest review by Clover of Fluttering Butterflies.

Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready follows on a few months after the shocking events that took place in Shade. Aura had expected that Logan would finish his final concert and pass on... and instead, he turned Shade. Since then, Aura has put her life mostly on hold while she waits for news of Logan, waits for him to come back. 

I thought Shade was an incredible book, taking the paranormal genre and twisting it into something new and fresh.  It had a brilliant cast of characters and this wonderful mix of tension-filled romance as well as an exciting mysteryto unravel. Shade is the book that most took me by surprise last year.  And Shade is completely on that same level, only without the surprise. Instead I had higher expectations this time, and Jeri Smith-Ready really delivered. Shift is very addictive reading and once I started, I didn't want to put the book down until I'd finished, desperate to know how things would play out.

 I'm still really impressed with the mythology of the ghosts in these books, and Shift really builds on what we've already seen.  The ghosts and especially Zachary and Aura, these two special people who are born so close to the Shift that changed the world, are given some incredible new abilities and different limitations throughout the course of the book.  It really changes what this world knows about ghosts and shades and these new changes play a huge part in changing the relationships between all three of the main characters, Aura, Logan and Zachary. 

And it definitely is a huge drawing point for me, these three characters and the way in which they interact with each other.  Usually when I'm reading a book with a love triangle such as this one, there is a clear winner that I'm rooting for wholeheartedly, but for the most part, I was fairly evenly divided between both Logan and Zachary during Shade, though one did pull ahead quite a bit during Shift.  I just love how clear it is how much Aura loves Logan, how much their relationship when he was alive meant to her and how willing she is to hold onto what she had.  Even though there is the absolutely smokin' hot Scottish Zachary (*swoon*) there who cares for Aura and really wants more from her.  I loved how Aura's relationships with both boys changed during Shift even though Zachary doesn't wait around for Aura to make up her mind.  And while at times, Aura isn't quite fair on either boy, she really needs more times to sort out her own feelings and to work out what she needs and what will be best for her. 

Which brings us to the mystery aspect of the story. There is still so much for Aura to learn about how and why the Shift occurred, more about her mother's personal history, the identity of her father, the different things Aura has learned about her capabilities with ghosts and especially why so many government officials so interested in her. A lot of this explored during Shift, but it's like we're given so many different jigsaw puzzle pieces but not quite told how they all fit together. Some questions are answered, and it's an exciting journey to take with some very surprising and almost shocking revelations.  This book is absolutely brilliant and I cannot wait for the next book in the series, Shine.  Bring it on!

Guest review by Clover of Fluttering Butterflies.

Check out Fluttering Butterflies

REVIEW: Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter

Review by Daria.

"When Cammie Morgan enrolled at the Gallagher Academy, she knew she was preparing for the dangerous life of a spy. What she didn’t know was that the serious, real-life danger would start during her junior year of high school. But that’s exactly what happened two months ago when Cammie faced off against an ancient terrorist organization dead set on kidnapping her.

Now the danger follows her everywhere, and even Cammie “The Chameleon” can’t hide. When a terrifying encounter in London reveals that one of her most-trusted allies is actually a rogue double-agent, Cammie no longer knows if she can trust her classmates, her teachers—or even her own heart."

Having read the second book in the Gallagher Girls series, I was expecting book four to be twice as good. My expectations were fulfilled. Only the Good Spy Young is a fantastic read, filled with mystery, lies and plenty of action. Everything that a great spy book is supposed to have. What I loved about this book was that, when reading it, you feel like you are transported into the world of a real spy. After reading Only the Good Spy Young, Ally Carter has made me wish that I could go to a school like the Gallagher Academy. This novel was completely un-put-downable, I wanted to know what was going to happen in the next chapter before even finishing the one I was reading!

In the fourth instalment in the Gallagher Girls series, we learn much more about the characters. I thought that Cammie was very brave and strong in how she handled everything that was going on around her. The relationship that Cammie and Zach have gets a new meaning in this book because it reaches a new intensity, I think. I'm also really glad that we learn more and about Zach, as he plays and important role.

Review by Daria, aged 14

GIMME FIVE: Five Great Summer Reads

Five Great Summer Reads
by Luisa Plaja.

Here are five books I've read and loved recently. They're all the kinds of books I'd want to take on holiday with me if I hadn't read them already (and some of them more than once)!

I've been meaning to write more detailed reviews for all of these, but I just haven't managed it - sigh! In the meantime, I'm going to recommend them anyway...

1. Buttercup Mash by Joanna Nadin

"OMG. I think I just joined glee club and I am NOT EVEN JOKING! Buttercup has ISSUES. Her family's dysfunctional, her best friend's a drama queen and she doesn't know who her dad is! What's a girl to do? Isn't it obvious? Join the school glee club, embarrass the hell out of yourself singing rock ballads and dancing like a demented hamster on a sugar rush and write a diary for an internet shrink about your messed up life. OK, well perhaps YOU wouldn't, but Buttercup does...The mash-ups at the glee club are nothing compared with the mash-up that's Buttercup's life!"

This book is so densely packed with jokes that I found myself relishing it very slowly, and wanting to start again from the beginning as soon as I'd finished. Hilarious and glee-tastic! 

2. Jessie Hearts NYC by Keris Stainton

"Jessie's just arrived in New York, hoping to forget about her awful ex.
New Yorker Finn is in love with his best friend's girlfriend.
They might be perfect together, but in a city of eight million people, will they find each other?"

This is by my friend and Chicklish co-founder Keris Stainton, and it's wonderful. If you've ever dreamed of being a heroine (or hero) in a romantic comedy movie set in New York City, and/or if you love breezy, absorbing stories, then this is the book for you...

3. Wuthering Hearts by Kay Woodward

"Passion, the Yorkshire moors, a wild and handsome stranger... sound familiar? When Robert arrives in town with his dark good looks and mysterious background, Emily has a huge crush! It’s almost enough to take her mind off this year’s school play... miserable, wailing Wuthering Heights. But Robert is no prince, with his black moods and fierce temper. The beautiful untamed moors would be the perfect backdrop to their fiery romance, if only Emily could work it out. On stage or off stage, will Emily ever be the Cathy to his Heathcliff?"

OK, maybe the wiley, windy moors, where you roll and fall in green, are not exactly the most summery of places, but this is still perfect summer holiday reading - a sweet, dramatic and funny re-telling of Wuthering Heights. Let it in a-your window-oh-oh-oh! (Er, or just read it.)

4. Trapped: The Cate Carlisle Files by Isla Whitcroft

"School's Out and sixteen-year-old Cate Carlisle lands a job on board a gorgeous yacht, moored in the south of France. She's working for the glamorous supermodel, actress and pop star Nancy Kyle! But mysterious, terrifying events keep happening around her. Soon Cate's resourcefulness is the only thing keeping her, and the smuggled animals she discovers, from a terrifying fate."

Mystery and intrigue mix with glamour in this tightly-plotted thriller featuring a super-fierce heroine. Gripping stuff!

5. Will Work For Prom Dress by Aimee Ferris

"Quigley Johnson has, reluctantly, given up the rest of her last year of high school to take part in her best friend Anne's Betterment Plan, which will turn them into the best-dressed, most sought-after, most admired girls at their senior formal. Because - hey - who doesn't want the perfect prom, complete with a dream dress and a devastatingly handsome date? But the prom costs money - lots of money - and even though the girls could easily have Anne's mom design their dresses (she's only Victoria Parisi, one of the most famous designers in the world), Anne insists that they pay their own way.  And that's how Quigley gets stuck making artistic topping masterpieces on frozen pizzas canvases, before becoming a live model for Ms. Parisi's fashion design class, where she meets Zander..."

Follow Quigley's adventures in odd (literally) jobs, life, love, family - and friendship with the quirky Anne. I loved this novel's focus on photography and dress design. Engaging and brilliant!

What are you reading this summer...?

Luisa
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NEWS: summer holiday

Chicklish is going into its annual holiday mode for the next few weeks.

We have lots of great posts scheduled, including visits by authors Stephanie Burgis and Keren David, some fabulous guest reviews from other bloggers and several reviews of our own, so please check back!

Also, our giveaway of Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt is open until 31st August.

I won't be able to comment on other blogs for a while or reply here, but I'm looking forward to catching up when I can. Have a wonderful summer, everyone!

--Luisa
x

NEWS: Ranger's Apprentice to be handed out at Harry Potter screenings

This news just came in from Random House Children's Books, UK....

Harry Potter fans weep no more! This Saturday (23rd July 2011) we will be bringing a new fantasy to life at cinemas around the country as they screen the final film. Teams from Random House will be donning their finest magical capes to hand out 5000 free copies of book one –The Ruins of Gorlan. Fill the  magical void in your heart and start a new adventure…

Books will be handed out in Odeon Glasgow Quay, Cineworld Sheffield, Odeon Manchester Trafford Centre, Cineworld Nottingham and Odeon Wimbledon.

NEWS: Inkpop - teen reading and writing site

Inkpop, a reading and writing site for teenagers run by HarperCollins in the US, has a new look and a new badge system. Check it out! Here's more about the site...

inkpop: Giving You a Voice in YA Publishing
inkpop is a writing community created by HaperCollins Publishers. We are devoted to give teens (and those who write for teens) a voice in YA publishing.

Find out more.

Follow inkpop on Twitter.

GIVEAWAY: Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt (now closed)

**This giveaway is now closed and winners have been contacted.**

Sean Griswold's Head is the latest novel by Lindsey Leavitt, published in the UK by Scholastic. Here's more about it:

"After discovering her father has Multiple Sclerosis, Payton Gritas's life crumbles. Aiming to save Payton from denial the school counselor gets Payton to write Focus Exercises. But all Payton can see is the over-sized head of the boy who sits in front of her Sean Griswold. Payton's stared at the back of Sean Griswold's head every day of her high school life. So why does it suddenly seem so, um, gorgeous?!"

Read our review.

Read an extract. 

This giveaway is now closed and winners have been contacted by email. Winners' names are: Jules, Zoe, Natasha, Lauren and Misha.

EXTRACT: Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt

With big thanks to Scholastic UK, we have an extract of Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt to share with Chicklish readers.

Read the extract by clicking on the link below:

Download Sean Griswold's Head Extract

 

(Read our review of Sean Griswold's Head here.)