Challenge #22 ~ “A book you have high expectations or hope for.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
My opinion in three sentences:
I'll be the first to admit that prequel Railhead was among my favourite books that I read last year, and it was hands-down my choice to win the Carnegie medal. Black Light Express, that didn't even make this year's shortlist, was a bit of a let-down, with the lack of a real driving plot to propel the reader through. In all other ways, however, Reeve nailed it - characterisation, language and the rest - so I'm hoping the final installment of the trilogy will redeem it all.
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
Black Light Express is definitely a sequel, and yet Reeve references things in such a way that it sparks a memory of the event - I certainly found myself remembering events I'd totally forgotten about. The imaginative work and beautiful language from the first book also seeps into the second, and once again Reeve transports the reader to a wonderfully-crafted universe of majesty.
A warning for the book:
The reader needs some self-motivation to get into the real action. Reeve spends a considerable amount of the book setting up for the final quarter of non-stop action, relying on the burning question of "Who were the Railmakers, and what happened to them?" to propel the reader through. The question isn't really enough alone, however, and as such it can be a bit of a drag in places.
Challenge #25 ~ "A book with an antagonist/villain's point of view."
Heartless by Marissa Meyer
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
My opinion in three sentences:
It was a really enjoyable read because I 110% fell in love with Jest (the love interest), but as a Wonderland prequel I was a little disappointed. When you boil it down, the protagonist literally spends a lot of the book whining about not wanting to be Queen, when I thought Meyer was renowned for kick-ass female protagonists! It was beautifully written, don't get me wrong, but when such Wonderland-esque adventures were lurking in the background, it was a shame for them not to be explored with dramatic prowess.
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
Jest? Honestly, the Wonderland-esque points of the book were completely nailed by Meyer, and court joker Jest was everything I would want from an enigmatic figure from Chess. Half the time I was defending him to the death and the other half I was threatening to decapitate him if he were to turn out to be a bad guy - yeah, I think it's true to say I was wholly captured by the character.
A warning for the book:
Cath, however, our protagonist and soon-to-be Queen of Hearts, was everything you didn't really want from a character. Whiny, flimsy, not-very-badass... She had such promise at the start (even with such an un-Wonderlandesque name) with her passion for baking and stubbornness to defy her parents, but she just seemed to give it all up for reasons I never quite got (and instead complain incessantly about the King of Hearts)...
(As bad as all that sounds, the book really isn't that bad, and the poor protagonist isn't too detrimental - it got four stars, it really is worth reading still...)
When series continue for a considerable number of books, there has to be something to keep the reader engaged, sate their growing interest in the universe and not overly repeat previous books. Offering up face-to-face engagement with the Junior Pinkertons in Mistletoe and Murder, Stevens offers better development of the two protagonists, as well as providing the basis for a more complex and different twist to the crime itself. My only hesitation is in how solvable such a case is for the reader who isn't really offered all basic information on several suspects until a significant way through the novel.
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
The Junior Pinkertons are back for this novel - all together, in person and in the same place as the Detective Society! With this influence, Stevens really gets the opportunity to develop and expand on both the boys' characters and that of Daisy and Hazel, much to the benefit of the book. It was great to see such rounded characters develop further in greatness rather than simply stagnate in a yet-another-murder-case way.
A warning for the book:
Elements of this one felt a lot more predictable than in the previous instalments, and the reader isn't fully introduced to several of the characters (and suspects) until a substantial way through the novel, both of which detract from the overall thrill of the chase.
Challenge #33 ~ "A book that is connected to a word or phrase born in the same year as you: date-rape."
The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
My opinion in three sentences:
I'll admit that this wasn't quite the story I was expecting it to be, mainly because the tone was much more mature than I would have thought for a 'secret society at boarding school' king of novel - not that this was at all a bad thing for the subject matter! What lost it its stars, I would say, was the strange sideplot with Martin, and the lack of enticement to keep reading (particularly when the focus was on the Martin elements). Poignant and superbly written, though - as books on this subject go, this is by far not a terrible work.
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
Whitney's tone was superb for such a book. I'll admit that I was half-expecting more of a middle grade book packed with giggly young teenage girls delving into something out of their depth, but what I got was a mature and sophisticated exploration with some real poignant points.
A warning for the book:
I thought Whitney had it nailed, but there were a couple of odd choices for side plots and a lack of driving momentum that sorely detracted from a really great exploration of the themes. It's a real shame that cost two stars of rating - for what could have been a perfect book from tone, character and literary expression, the lack of read-on-ability was torturous.
It is well-established that I am a huge fan of the Peter Pan world, including spin-offs and re-tellings galore, but this book just didn't do it for me. The Neverland element itself was minute in reality (unnecessary and hardly worth mentioning one could argue) and it took some effort to both get into the novel and connect with the characters. Once in, the plotline was well-balanced and on the whole readable, but the real mystery solving didn't occur until towards the end of the book and there seemed to be a lot of fanciful side-character and world-building that felt excessive for a standalone book.
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
When Ferrara got around to actually solving the mystery and putting the characters into the world on an adventure, the book really got going. The plotline kept things exciting with some unforeseen twists and it felt like a solid middle-grade mystery. (As a side note, however, I wouldn't necessarily say it was suited for the middle-grade, as lots of the language and some themes are for an older audience.)
A warning for the book:
It's really hard to get into at first - I did have to persevere through several chapters until Aaron found his way into the story. Also, if it's the Neverland element that brought you to the story, it may not be the best read for you...
If I hadn't known this was a John Green novel in advance, I probably wouldn't have guessed - it felt kind of different from the other books of his I've read, but that's a statement more than a pro or con. I certainly enjoyed the book and the incredible imagery Green managed to conjure around anxiety, illness and grief. Furthermore, the plot was substantial enough to support the character study around our protagonist, but not too overbearing as to detract from it.
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
Green has a way with words sometimes, and there are some quotes and images in the novel that blew me away. Not only does he grapple with the complex and sensitive themes in an understanding, knowledgeable and non-condescending manner, but he expresses facts and ideas in such a beautiful way. My words cannot do justice to some of the stunning sentiments he provides.
A warning for the book:
For me, I would have liked perhaps a touch more plot - particularly at the points where I found Aza overly self-aware (which, yes, Green was trying to draw attention to, but this was to the extent where I was enjoying the book significantly less). Exploring the disappearance from Davis' perspective would have been great - we got a lot of Davis' opinion on Aza's reappearance from his blog entries, which were a highlight of the book, but not much on Davis Sr. In terms of a warning, be aware that it is a character study, and that Aza can be a difficult character at times.
Wildcard ~ "A book you read in a different format to usual (e.g. ebook, audiobook, hardback copy etc.)"
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
My opinion in three sentences:
This book shook me to the core - I didn't even add it to my TBR because I thought it was either going to be an easy-read love story between a celebrity and fan, or feature a highly annoying, whiny protagonist. What Oseman delivered, however, blew me away and left me with much food for thought. Add in some amazing writing, two distinct character perspectives and some plotlines that had my heart a-pounding, and you've got yourself the new favourite that is I Was Born for This ( - oh, and I totally recommend the audiobook, because the actors are amazing!)
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
If I had to pick just one thing, it would have to be Oseman's thematic exploration. I know, I know, that sounds so literature student-y (which I am definitely not) but there's no other way of putting it. The discussion of friendship, fandom, non-romantic relationships, life decisions and future all left me turning things over in my own head long after I'd set the headphones down and were things I was 100% not expecting from such a book. In hindsight, of course, I should have been because it's Oseman, but I don't think I've read a book on these topics that's made me think that hard before. Kudos.
A warning for the book:
I was in a serious book hangover after I finished this book. Not only did I end up listening to over half of it in one go, but then I couldn't stop thinking about it. The ending itself had me on tenterhooks and then I was thinking over so many of the points and themes Oseman had brought up, and their relevance in my own life, that I was an emotional mess with limited mental functioning. So, be prepared, folks - you're in for a wild ride!
Wildcard ~ “A book by an author who appears more than once on your TBR.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
My opinion in three sentences:
Boy, was I not ready for this book - it was an emotional rollercoaster that, in spite of the title, I was still not prepared for. Silvera's voicing of the characters was on-point, making them relatable, realistic and not simply cut from the same cloth. Throw in the crazy plot, random side characters and cool literary tools, and you've got yourself a solid read.
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
If I had to pick just one element, it would be Silvera's characters (every aspect of - sorry, cheating a little!) The protagonist duo fitted so well together without being either polar opposites or bored monotony. Even over the timeline of a day, there is clear development and in every time and place they feel both relatable and realistic. (Minor shoutout too to the side characters whose perspective pops-up every now and then. I found it helped cement the world they live in and the craziness of life, and worked rather well on the audiobook. I'm not sure how I'd have felt in a printed version, though...)
A warning for the book:
The title says it all, but I'll say it again to hammer it home: they both die at the end. Prepare for tears and the shattering of heartfelt familial ties.
Recommended for fans of:
- The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley by Shaun David Hutchinson
