Wrecked
Louisa Reid
Guppy Books, September 2020
Paperback, 304 pages, £7.99
ISBN 9781913101367
Wrecked, by Louisa Reid, is an emotional rollercoaster. Eighteen-year-old Joe narrates the events of his life which hinge on a court case where he is on trial for dangerous driving that resulted in a fatal accident. Written in verse, each poem tells a new aspect of Joe’s story. It is an intense novel which subtly touches upon domestic violence, emotional abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, rape, and abortion. Romance is at the forefront of this novel. There is so much to unpack within this story, every page brings something new and worthwhile to the narrative.
Reid’s writing is clever, sophisticated and perfectly suits this coming of-age story. Using variations of typeface and font, the placement and size of the words on the page are used to reflect emotion and action. At times, the narrative is possibly too fast and could do with more expansion, but this simultaneously asks the reader to slow down while reading Wrecked in order to savour its literary craftsmanship. If it is coming-of-age novels you enjoy, this one has all of the traditional themes, although it is in an unconventional format, both in form and in perspective. This is a young-adult novel that can be enjoyed by both young and old, and should be making its way onto all school reading lists.
Lorna O’Dea
Tanya Landman’s retelling of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights brings a new sense of accessibility to the classic story. Told in first-person from Catherine’s viewpoint, this novella allows the reader to form a deeper connection with the young adult heroine as the motivation behind her thoughts and actions is clearly identified. Although shortened, this retelling captures the dark tone of the original and retains the sense of impending doom. 
Bayron’s writing shines the most when the focus shifts to individual scenes that show either the horrific cruelty exercised by Mersailles’s leadership on its people, or the sweet and tender intimacy between Sophia and her two female love interests. Bayron masterfully brings the reader into the action and the emotions of the characters. It is an intense experience, but a captivating one.
This fast-paced, engaging read is an excellent stepping stone for readers new to the story of King Arthur. It has enough dragons, magic, and prophecies to please any fan of high fantasy, but is also a story about growing up. Arthur is very relatable as a mischievous ten-year-old boy who cuts classes, fights with his cousin, and disobeys his guardians. His curiosity and restlessness as he explores and has adventures will speak to middle-grade readers, as will his butting heads with Cai and his foster parents. Meanwhile, Arthur’s growth as a hero – the empathy and courage he shows in rescuing a friend from an enemy sorcerer – makes for a realistic and satisfying character arc. Matthews brings to his writing a keen expertise in Celtic mythology, and his interpretation of Arthur’s childhood will surely inspire a love of the Arthurian legends in a new generation of readers.
There are some moments, however, where it seems the story is progressing in a certain direction only because it is how these stories are expected to develop. This makes the second half of the book seem disjointed.
This is a book about the depths of friendship and love. It is about coming to terms with your past to build a better future, and about accepting the love you feel undeserving of in order to heal. If you’re looking for magical Korean folklore in a modern, vibrant setting, a character-driven plot and a dash of romance and danger then this could be right up your alley. But read Wicked Fox first!
Twenty years after the publication of 
Another strength is the characters. Feasey’s primary antagonist is sympathetic and likeable despite his nefarious aims, the elusive and charismatic High Priestess is a particular highlight, and even minor characters like King Brundorl and Magorlana jump off the page despite brief appearances.
The novel follows two narratives: a retrospective look on Amir’s time in Rome, and Amir telling his story in an airport interrogation room in the present. I believe Ahmadi has provided excellent own-voices representation through this storyline, giving a voice to the often voiceless. I really appreciated that in the interrogation room, the only voice we hear from is that of the Ahmadi family, as the officers are often over-represented in the media. This unique writing style was incredibly engaging, and my favourite aspect of the novel.
I enjoyed this book and I thought both of the main characters were well developed. I liked hearing the two different perspectives. I loved learning about a new historical period that I knew nothing about before reading this book. I think that young adults curious about history will love it.
