Monday 23 September 2013

YA REVIEW ROUND UP

This is the first mini review-type round up that I've done. I've avoided them up until now because I'd rather just write a full review to do a book justice. However, over the summer, my reading habits became so erratic and disorganised that I'm left with no choice - if I don't write down something about these books now, then there will be no words written down about them at all, and that would be a shame. I don't post about every book I read, but I I do try to review the ones that I think I have an opinion on, good or bad, and these definitely come under that category. You might start seeing a few more of these posts from me in the future...


We Can Be Heroes - Catherine Bruton (Egmont UK, 2011)

We Can Be HeroesI had a lot to say about this one, but it's been a while since I finished it and as time goes by, it becomes a bit more difficult to articulate all those feelings in blog form. But in short, I loved it. It's so refreshing when a book manages to explore 'issues' without making it obvious that it's exploring the 'issues' - when the story and the characters take precedence over the 'issues' but never belittling their importance in the process. This deals with the after-effects of 9/11 in a bittersweet way - an interesting take on grief and present-day attitudes to race and religion with a authentic and utterly convincing voice. My only criticism is that it was a bit too long, but other than that, highly recommended for slightly younger readers.



The 5th Estate - Rick Yancey (Penguin, 2013)

The 5th Wave (The 5th Wave, #1)This is the problem with reading books that get a lot of great reviews - am I just setting myself up for disappointment? It's not that I didn't enjoy this one - it was an engrossing read, but I was expecting so much more. I don't read a lot of sci-fi, so in some ways, I don't think I'm the right person to judge, but some of the dialogue here was woeful. Think Starship Troopers, but with extra cheese. I liked the main character, Cassie and her story. That was, until a romantic element was introduced and just undermined the whole thing. He smelt of woodsmoke and chocolate. That says it all really. But my main problem was with the whole premise - as far as I could see, there was a far easier way to solve the whole 5th Wave thing than with the actual 5th Wave. I might continue with this series, I might not.



Hollow Pike - James Dawson (Indigo, 2012)

Hollow PikeReally enjoyed this one. In theory, I love mysteries. I grew up reading them. But for some reason, I've always been a bit weary about YA mysteries or ghost stories. Perhaps because there's nothing worse than a disappointing ending. But this one was more than satisfactory. Much more, in fact. Great characters, although I would have loved a bit more of Kitty, Delilah and Jack and I didn't have a clue what was going to happen next. Had a real Scream feel to proceedings, which in no bad thing in my opinion.

4 comments:

  1. I read Hollow Pike last Halloween and really enjoyed it. Cruel Summer is even better in my opinion. I haven't read The Fifth Wave yet - there is so much hype around that one, but I've read mixed reviews.

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    1. Thanks Leanna - yes, I've heard good things about Cruel Summer too :)

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  2. Yay! I'm glad you're doing mini reviews. I always have some grand review planned for a book but then too much time passes and I can't remember why I liked it so much.

    We Can Be Heroes -- 9/11 from a British perspective, middle grade (or younger YA) at that?? Innnteresting...

    The 5th Wave -- I agree with everything you said, except I won't be continuing on with the series. SO much hype for ... that?

    Hollow Pike -- I love that cover. It kind of looks like Edward Scissorhands.

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    1. Yep, definitely more mini reviews to come for that exact reason.

      God, The 5th Wave was so disappointing. That whole Ethan bit just ruined it for me. RAGE.

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