Paper Lanterns

The second book of a trilogy is a complex task. It needs to build on the story from the first, lay the groundwork for the third, and also have its own narrative arc. Too much focus on building to the third book and the second will feel incomplete: not enough, and the momentum falls flat.

 O’Donoghue has mastered that balance. The Gifts That Bind Us sees Maeve and her friends dealing with the aftermath of the events of All Our Hidden Gifts: The magic they’ve gained, the enemies they’ve made, the trauma they’ve experienced. Alongside the magical transformation they’ve experienced and are coming to terms with is the more ordinary, but no less difficult, challenges that come with being teenagers. Maeve is afraid of the future, of growing apart from her friends, and the more tightly she tries to cling to the people around her the more they pull away.

The characters in this book are flawed and authentic, written with nuance and compassion. Themes like identity, friendship and love are interwoven with magic in a tale that neither shies away from difficult themes nor sugarcoats them. The intense emotions of a coming-of-age tale are combined with a gripping, twisting tale of power, magic and the things that bind us: for better or for worse. It’s a beautifully written, moving book that will leave you crying out for the third installment the moment you turn the last page.

Amy Clarkin

The Balloon Thief is the type of novel you can re-read as many times as you want and be just as engrossed in the story as you were the first time. Annesa Marufu’s stunning debut novel is wonderfully relevant and deftly tackles heavy themes woven into this fantasy adventure inspired by South Asian mythology. 

In this epic tale full of compelling characters and shifting loyalties, we are told the story from the alternating perspective of two teenagers: Khadija (a ruling Ghadaean woman) and Jacob (an oppressed hāri working as a lowly glassblower’s assistant). We follow them as they confront their prejudices in a land crippled by conflicts that extend into the supernatural realm. Marufu’s memorable and thought-provoking writing does not shy away from the rough and often painful subject of discrimination and the raw emotions that come with it.

Despite her vehement objections, Khadija is expected to find a husband, and soon. She realises that the only way to avoid a loveless marriage is to take a leap of faith — literally, into a rogue hot air balloon! She soon finds an unlikely partner in Jacob, who is fleeing his own demons. They explore their differing experiences and reactions to the deep roots of hatred that poison the world they wish to save. 

Throughout the narrative, Khadija’s femininity does not get sacrificed; she is allowed to be a teenage girl and frequently reacts in ways that reveal her age and privileged upbringing. With its fast-paced plot and highly relevant themes and commentary, this book is well worth a read … or two!

 

                                                                     Aoife McCarron, 17

When Shadows Fall is a modern classic in the making. Holding the beautifully designed hardback in your hands is like possessing your own piece of treasure, a portal that transports you to the Greenlands apartments, where Kai and his friends struggle to make sense of the ever-shifting world around them. Coping with grief and depression in a world of uncertainty presents huge challenges for our central protagonist Kai and his family. His closest friends struggle to bring back the Kai they know and love; the Kai who loves ravens, who loves laughter and song and friendship. 

The book is written in such an unusual and breathtaking way; the text is interspersed with poetry and candid illustrations. The story flows between modes with power and grace, and not a word is out of place. Brahmachari has a unique, authentic voice that rings true with our generation. Love, loss, connection and art are all explored in this masterful tale. Each character is brought to life with honesty and depth, and the illustrations only serve to emphasise this raw emotion. The life lessons hidden within the pages of this book are stark and true. It is a must read, and will resonate with young people everywhere. 

Sarah Fitz, 17

Impactful would be the word to describe this novel by Ross Mackenzie, as it is impactful in so many ways. It shows a great range of emotions from grief, denial, and loss, to hope and courage. 

Each chapter is like a story in itself, leaving you on a cliffhanger every time, making it a real page-turner. This book is about a world without colour, and society’s only hope to bring colour back is a little girl named Hope, the only person born in colour.

My favourite passage from this book is when Hope finds out the truth about colour and that it is a wonderful, shining thing. To me, this could mean almost anything, not just in the fictional world that the author chose to present it. This could represent how we view the world from a dark place, from politics to war, but deep down there really is good. Hidden messages like this make for a really good novel. 

Although this book is fictional it has made me appreciate simple things a lot more because it shows you how you could lose everything so quickly. All in all, I think this is the best book I have read in a very long time.

Abbie Nolan, 14

It is wartime in England, and at Bletchley Park two girls, Pearl and Ellen, have separate but equally important jobs. Ellen is a code breaker. During the war, code breakers served a number of roles, including operators of the complex code-breaking computers known as the Bombe machines, which deciphered the German Enigma intercepts. Ellen is reserved, analytical, systematic and beautiful. Pearl, on the other end, is a messenger, and at sixteen she is also the youngest. She’s energetic, untidy, bright and bubbly. She’s half in love with the wrong guy, Richard, who couriers the secrets that Bletchley deciphers.

After a tragic incident, the world they helped build is overturned as they are caught up in a spy plot that could destroy the whole war effort. Can Pearl and Ellen really find out who the traitor behind the conspiracy is?

This book is a page-turner and a fast read. It is filled with everything: love, drama, friendship, action and a twisting mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page. The writing is simple, easy to understand and coherent. Something very enjoyable about the book is that historical accuracies and details are included throughout the story.

Overall it was a very enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend it especially for fans of Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens.

Maya Silasi, 16