Category: Review Archives

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Review: Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer

Defy the Night
Brigid Kemmerer
Bloomsbury YA, September 2021
Paperback, £7.99
ISBN 9781526632807

In the land of Kandala a deadly fever consumes the citizens one by one, and only the rich can afford the cure. Here, we meet Tessa Cade, an outlaw who, with the masked Weston Lark, steals food and medicine from the rich and gives it to the poor. But when disaster strikes, Tessa believes that the only way to help everyone is to take down King Harrison and Prince Corrick, the rulers of Kandala. Tessa heads into the unknown, discovering things that may change her life forever.

The world that Brigid Kemmerer has set up is very intriguing. There are many interesting characters with different personalities and backgrounds. For instance, Tessa is strong and determined, yet she is also anxious and questions herself. Each character has an array of strengths and weaknesses making them feel more real.

When you first start the book, it takes a while to essentially remember which character is which. This can make the book slightly confusing. As you make your way through the story, you come across vivid explanations of suffering, which might upset some readers. One thing I enjoyed about the book is that it shares the perspectives of two of the main characters. This gives the reader a real insight into how they feel. This book is for those who enjoy really immersing themselves in a good story, filled with unexpected twists and turns. I certainly enjoyed it!

Lily Farrell, 14

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Review: The Gone Book by Helena Close

The Gone Book
Helena Close
Little Island Books, April 2020
Paperback, €9.99
ISBN 9781912417445

The Gone Book forces you to question the consequences of one decision: whether or not to abandon your family; to go on holiday; or to learn to skate. Each decision has a definite, and sometimes catastrophic, ripple effect that echoes in the lives of those close to you.

Matt’s life has drastically changed since his mother left five years ago. In order to process this monumental disruption to his life, he writes letters to his mother in his Gone Book. This journal gives the reader a chronological insight into Matt’s emotions in the days, weeks and years that follow. He keeps the Gone Book secret and hidden, tucked away from prying eyes. Entries to the Gone Book are artfully sprinkled throughout the novel and depict the highs and lows of Matt’s family life, and the consequences of his mother’s decision to leave.

The narrative of this book begins as Matt’s mother suddenly returns to Limerick and causes great upheaval. Helena Close expertly captures the varied effects of both the absence and unexpected return of Matt’s mother on all three siblings, as well as their father. The emotional push and pull of this novel is captivating and it really drew me in. Anger, suffering and violence simmer under the surface in each chapter, but we also feel Matt’s longing to have his mother back permanently. He wishes for stability not just for himself but for his brothers Jamie and Conor. I would highly recommend this book. It’s a chaotic read, full of twists and turns. It is gritty and realistic, and highlights the anguish of an absent parent and the strife of teenage friendships.

Emma Daly, 18

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Review: The Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani

The Theft of Sunlight
Intisar Khanani
Hot Key Books, June 2021
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN 9781471410376

The Theft of Sunlight is a great sequel to the fairy tale retelling Thorn. The series is set in a Middle Eastern inspired fantasy world, and the stories largely take place in the kingdom of Menaiya. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, however, I think The Theft of Sunlight is even better.

Our protagonist, Amraeya (Rae), is recruited as an attendant to the new princess. She quickly begins working to uncover the dark secrets haunting her kingdom and to reveal the mystery behind the “Snatchers”, who have been taking children for decades. She must work with different people, from those highest at court to thieves working on the streets. Rae has many challenges to overcome along the way, particularly the way others treat her due to her country upbringing and club foot. She’s a really interesting character to follow as she grapples with themes of justice and moral codes.

On top of Rae being a great main character, the secondary characters in this book were also enjoyable. Rae’s charming allies and rage-inducing villains make you root for Rae even more. Seeing the banter she has with her friends and family helps break up some of the darker elements of the story.

Overall, I think this book is definitely worth a read for anybody who is a fan of fantasy. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series when it’s released.

Rachel Stephens, 17

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Review: The Climbers by Keith Gray

The Climbers
Keith Gray
Barrington Stoke, August 2021
Paperback, £7.99
ISBN 9781781129999

It took several days to figure out what my issue was with The Climbers. I enjoyed it, so much so that I finished it in a single sitting. But I couldn’t shake a sense of dissatisfaction with the novel until I realised my mistake: The Climbers is a short story, or something very close, and that’s the best way to approach it.

The book is set in England and follows a group of young people who enjoy falling out of trees and watching other young people fall out of trees. They really love trees. Sully, our dubious hero, is the greatest tree climber (faller) in the village until Nottingham arrives, scarred and sharp-tongued and awfully good at climbing trees.

The book is fundamentally about mistaking trivial things, like being better at climbing things than other boys, for important things, like being a good friend. It’s also about growing up and growing away from a difficult family situation. It’s smart, and sometimes it’s funny. It’s unafraid to portray its protagonists as flawed humans, real people with dark thoughts and desires.

What a shame that the last act is so rushed. It’s true that it’s closer to a short story, but even a short story must stick the landing. Still — try it on for size, especially if you like trees. Here, they have names and personalities as distinct as any of the characters. Sometimes more so.

Luke Power

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Review: City of the Uncommon Thief by Lynne Bertrand

City of the Uncommon Thief
Lynne Bertrand
Dutton Books, February 2021
Hardback, £15.99
ISBN 9780525555322

I suggest you tie yourself securely to the nearest structure before embarking upon the reading of this novel, for you are about to have the ground swept from beneath you. Much of the mysterious allure of this book is supplied by the setting: a quarantined city of 1,000 sky scraping guild towers, each with their own painstakingly crafted exports. The inhabitants of the towers never have to set foot on the streets below.

Your guide for this journey, one Odd Thebes of the knitting needle guild, is a lucky one, a runner who runs, or rather flies, errands from rooftop to rooftop. Odd feels it is his purpose in life to be a bard, to tell the stories of others, and so he does for the jaw dropping and oftentimes grisly tale of his cousin, the much loved Errol Thebes.

At some moments in this story I admit to feeling a little lost in the waves of mysteries, but I implore you not to give up, for the depth of your confusion will only add to your astonishment when the answers are brought to light. Social class is a predominant theme, with working class guilders divided from the destitute foundlings, who are deemed subhuman. Jamila Foundling is an exquisitely written character, the first I have encountered with the sensorial cross-wiring condition, synesthesia. She is rich in determination and care for her kind, but not much else.

This book contains so many mind-bending plot twists that, at the very least, you will be left reeling — and at the very most, left with a severe case of whiplash. One thing is for certain: this is an uncommon tale.

Shona Gogarty, teen reviewer.

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Review: The Spirit of the River by Declan Murphy

The Spirit of the River
Declan Murphy
Illustrated by Clodagh Power
The Lilliput Press, April 2021
Paperback, €15.00
ISBN 9781843518020

The Spirit of the River follows the writer’s experiences and awe of the captivating world around him as he follows the lives of birds and animals alike. Set in the Wicklow Mountains, Declan Murphy’s search for answers and knowledge
drives him onwards. He feels a strong connection to the animals he comes across and treats them as family.

This is a mystical and, at times, comforting novel, which explores the beauty of nature, and the loss and death that come hand in hand with it. The book follows the writer’s idea of patterns, and how he cannot help but see the patterns all living things are driven to create. Murphy also mentions the less colourful birds who almost go unnoticed, yet their lives are as busy and remarkable as their vibrant friends. The book does not present time as a key factor, and instead shares moments, past, present and future, tying the book together.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, sharing with the author his joy at finding the next nest of a kingfisher or discovering that the bird he had been tracking for weeks had found a mate. Murphy connected the book well and created a smooth flow throughout. This is a novel of lessons and journeys brought together by nature and beautiful illustrations, which I would recommend to everyone.

Lasairíona Scarff, teen reviewer.

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Review: Guard Your Heart by Sue Divin

Guard Your Heart
Sue Divin
Macmillan Children’s Books, April 2021
Paperback, £7.99
ISBN 9781529041675

Guard Your Heart by Sue Divin is a romantic tale which centres around two teenagers living in Northern Ireland. Aidan and Iona come from very different backgrounds and have different beliefs. When they meet on the Northern Irish border, their worlds collide and they begin to learn a lot about each other, and themselves as well.

The book alternates from both of the main characters’ points of view, giving us an insight into their thoughts. I found this writing style particularly gripping, as I could understand the opinions of the two protagonists from their perspectives throughout the book. I really enjoyed the way that this book was written and the language used. It is very modern and realistically portrays what a teenager would do and say, so I found the characters easy to relate to which is very important while reading a novel.

As soon as I picked up this book I felt that it was glued to my hands and I couldn’t put it down. It kept me interested the whole way through and I enjoyed reading every page. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a beautiful romance novel or to learn more about the history of Northern Ireland and the Troubles. I would rate the novel an eight out of ten.


Juliet Russell, teen reviewer

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Review: What Love Looks Like by Jarlath Gregory

What Love Looks Like
Jarlath Gregory
The O’Brien Press, 2021
Paperback, €9.99
ISBN 9781788491624

What Love Looks Like is The O’Brien Press’s newest addition to Irish LGBT+ YA fiction. Last year, The Queen of Coin and Whispers was the LGBT+ fantasy we needed. This year we get a romance that takes place on the streets of Dublin.

Ben is a 17 year-old living in Dublin at the time of the Marriage Equality Referendum. It has only been a few months since the Yes vote and our main character is in search of love. Along with friends Chelsea and Soda, he spends his time frequenting the Panti Bar drag shows or discussing bad dates. Ben is on the lookout for a boyfriend.

Overall, the story is heart-warming and bound to bring a smile to the reader’s face. As the author explained in the afterword, there are not many stories for queer teens about a happy character with a nice family and with a satisfying ending.

At the same time, the novel is realistic and attempts to face up to the challenges that are still faced by LGBT+ youths, despite the recent legal acceptance. At times, Ben himself falls victim to homophobia or other microaggressions. Still, he and his friends know how to handle such situations.

The story is not perfect, as the book may not always be as inclusive as it hopes to be, especially in terms of body positivity. Still, it gives us a happy ending that we all deserve.

Sara Chudzik

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Review: Smashed by Andy Robb

Smashed
Andy Robb
UCLan Publishing, 2021
Paperback, £7.99
ISBN 9781912979400

Smashed is a snapshot of the life of Jamie, who turns 16 as we join his story. He has a best friend, Adil and a girlfriend, Nadia. He also has a dark secret he is keeping from them, and from the reader at first. At home, things are not going well. From the first pages, Jamie’s father looms large as we are told that “something” happened, with references to “The Night Everything Gone Weird”. Jamie deals with this by pushing those closest to him away. He sees it as his duty, the “Weight of Manhood”, to be there for his mother and his younger sister Bex. However, Jamie continues to be overwhelmed and put in the undesirable position of mediator between his parents. This leads him to make some poor decisions.

The narration brings us right inside Jamie’s head and it’s a frantic place to be at times. He is trying his best to be a responsible older brother and son, but when those responsibilities become too much, he in turn becomes reliant on negative influences to try to ease the pressure.

My heart broke for Jamie as he seemed to be a decent teenager with such a weight on him. This is a tense read at times. Readers should be aware that there are discussions of physical abuse as well as scenes of alcohol abuse.

Derek Carney

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Review: Gut Feelings by C. G. Moore

Gut Feelings
C.G. Moore
UCLan Publishing, 2021
Paperback, £7.99
ISBN 9781912979431

Chris is not a typical eleven year-old. But from the moment he is diagnosed with FAP — Familial adenomatous polyposis, a rare genetic illness that causes cancerous polyps in the colon — Chris is trapped in a cycle of hospital appointments, fasting and enemas. Perhaps the only thing worse than waiting for an invasive surgery is the painful recovery and life-style adjustments that follow. Or perhaps it’s knowing that another, even more extreme, operation might be hanging over your future self like a spectre.

This remarkable coming of age story, based on the author’s own experience, is told through free verse. The writing is bold and honest, both in its portrayal of chronic illness and its examination of Chris’s hopes and fears. An account of being tricked by a modeling scam is both self-aware and heartbreaking. Complex relationships with family —particularly his mother — are beautifully captured, and the way that the poems are laid out on the page is endlessly inventive and immersive.

We follow Chris through secondary school and college life at UCD. Through painful struggles with scarring and body image. Through distressing crushes on boys, coming out, self doubt, and ultimately, embracing himself as a gay man who deserves passion and love. There is a choppy quality to the way time moves between poems that helps to convey the confusion of Chris’s experiences with health and wellness, and of adolescence more generally. Highly recommended for fans of Dean Atta and Meg Grehan.

Rachel Sneyd