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Review: This Is My Truth by Yasmin Rahman

This Is My Truth
Yasmin Rahman
Hot Key Books, July 2021
Paperback, £7.99
ISBN 9781471410529

TW: Domestic abuse

Everyone in Amani’s life thinks that her family is perfect, but they don’t know that she has been keeping a secret about her father for years. Even her best friend Huda doesn’t know about the “bad nights” when her father’s temper rages and Amani has to comfort and look after her younger brother. But the confident and independent Huda has secrets too — her loving foster parents are expecting a baby and she’s worried that they will forget about her. Both friends keep their worries hidden until a prank blog starts revealing people’s secrets at school. This Is My Truth is a heartwarming and inspiring story about the power of using your voice.

Our protagonist, Amani, may seem quiet and shy but she is also intelligent and brave. Amani and Huda’s friendship is one of the best aspects of the book. Their dynamic is written so realistically — they fight and have their differences, but ultimately, they wish the best for each other and, as friends, they lift each other up and help each other through their struggles. Both characters are wise beyond their years and it was a pleasure to read their story.

This book deals with the difficult subject of domestic abuse which could be hard to read at times. However, the author has clearly taken a lot of time and care in order to depict this in a realistic way. The story is also full of hope, and the compassion of others is a big feature.

At times funny and always filled with drama, This Is My Truth packs a lot into a short book. If you think you will enjoy a story about friendship, secrets, finishing school and starting a new life, and if you enjoy good twists, then you’ll love this book!

Joyce Dignam

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Review: Rapids by Anna Bowles

Rapids
Anna Bowles
ZunTold, May 2021
Paperback, £9.99
ISBN 9781916204232

A valuable lesson was learned while reading Rapids: never judge a book by the first few pages. This was my mistake, and I now wholeheartedly apologise to the wonderful protagonist Yan Harris, because she did not deserve my rash judgement. Yan is a beautiful character who you are championing before you know it. The author’s portrayal of Yan’s hyper-manic state is exceptional, eye-opening and educational. Bowles gives us a character with an undiagnosed mental illness and all the while makes her an extremely lovable protagonist.

While it is a little slow to start, this book soon races along, aided by Bowles’s use of language. As the book progresses, so does Yan’s euphoria, and this is mirrored beautifully by her internal thoughts, expressed through the swift and creative language. There were aspects of the novel I previously knew nothing about, namely fandoms and online queer culture. At first, I didn’t understand that these things could be important, but I now see they are crucial. They offer Yan an alternative dynamic to her exciting life, while also educating this reader.

I had this book read in a couple of hours because of Yan. Her perspective is raw and fast: she thinks, she overthinks, she’s impulsive, and as the reader you get the joy of feeling impulsive with her. I tried to turn the pages rapidly, because Yan Harris made me! This is a novel which makes you feel euphoric and terrified all at once.

Lorna O’Dea

More information on bipolar disorder in young people can be found at www.youngminds.org and adults can find information at www.bipolaruk.org

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Review: From Little Tokyo, With Love by Sarah Kuhn

From Little Tokyo, With Love
Sarah Kuhn
Viking, May 2021
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN 9780593403082

From Little Tokyo, With Love is an intoxicating romance which takes readers into the heart of a vibrant Japanese-American district in LA. Rika is a biracial 17-year-old who feels like an outsider in her community and within her own family. In addition to not looking like anyone around her, Rika’s fiery temper often gets her into trouble, making her feel even more conspicuous. Raised by aunts after her mother died in childbirth, the identity of Rika’s father is a mystery, and she knows very little about either parent. Feeling unwanted, angry and frustrated, a chance encounter with actor Hank Chen sets Rika on a journey of self-discovery while finding clues about her mother too.

Infused with Japanese folklore and food, this story is enjoyed with all of the senses. It defies gender stereotypes and subverts the traditional fairy tale, while demonstrating how everyone deserves a happily ever after. I loved all the descriptions of Little Tokyo and LA and how both places are imbued with magical qualities.

Rika is an amazing character; she is strong and passionate, determined and tough. She refuses to change in order to feel more accepted, but instead reaches a better understanding and a greater appreciation of herself. Although this book is about falling in love, it doesn’t just concern romance. Rika must learn to love who she is and, just as importantly, realise how much she is loved by her family, friends and neighbours. A moving and uplifting story with a fascinating setting and magnificent, memorable characters.

Ciara O’Hara

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Review: Know My Place by Eve Ainsworth

Know My Place
Eve Ainsworth
Barrington Stoke, July 2021
Paperback, £7.99
ISBN 9781781129807

Amy is moving to another new “placement”. That’s the term they use: “placement”, not home or family. This will be her sixth placement since her nan died seven years ago. She was six then. Her last placement, with the Gibsons, lasted three years. It started off well. Amy liked Mum Mary, and baking with her in the kitchen. But the experience taught Amy to be cautious. Don’t let your guard down or let yourself feel at home.

The narrative shifts between the past and present, from Amy’s previous placement to her recent move to the Dawson’s, with their minimalist décor and massive TV. It is an effective device, slowly revealing Amy’s story as we progress. It enables us to better understand the protagonist, where she finds herself today, and the sore twisty feeling that fills her stomach.

Know My Place has a dyslexia-friendly layout, typeface and paperstock, and has been edited to a reading age of eight, which makes it a more accessible reading experience. It is a gentle tale, told with nuance; the characters are not trolls and witches, princesses and fairies, but humans in all their complexities. Amy is kind, and she is angry and she is hurting. In a world where we all seek to belong, Eve Ainsworth’s novel is a wonderful book about finding your place.

Brigid O’Dea

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Review: Skulduggery Pleasant: Dead or Alive

Skulduggery Pleasant: Dead or Alive
Derek Landy
HarperCollins Children’s Books,
Hardback, April 2021
ISBN 9780008386290

Derek Landy’s cast of characters return for their latest adventure in Skulduggery Pleasant: Dead or Alive, the fourteenth novel in the Skulduggery Pleasant series. Skulduggery Pleasant and Valerie Cain pursue their last remaining option to prevent the return of the Faceless Ones — to assassinate Damocles Creed. Landy’s duo, with their usual wittiness and, at times, genuine tenderness, must decide if murder is acceptable if it will save the rest of the world. The book revisits characters from previous instalments in the series, including Auger and Omen Darkly. We see Omen’s new partnership with Crepuscular develop into an intriguing and certainly entertaining dynamic.

Although this is the fourteenth novel in a series, this story is accessible independently. The narrative is rich with action and excitement, albeit with vividly violent descriptions, and gives adequate context for new readers without slowing the story down with too much information. The text also accesses and explores characters’ emotions. The story is told in different times using the present tense, and the frequency of these time hops could prove challenging for younger or less experienced readers.

The narrative feels chaotic and violent, but also sensitive and attuned to characters’ emotions. It is quick-witted, quick-paced, and will be quickly loved by fans of the series and new readers alike. The penultimate novel of the series, it leaves many questions unanswered and is sure to have fans eagerly awaiting the final book.

Grace Kelly

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Review: Blackout

Blackout
Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson,
Nic Stone, Angie Thomas,
Ashley Woodfolk and Nicola Yoon
Electric Monkey, June 2021
Paperback, £7.99
ISBN 9780755503063

When there is a blackout in New York City, six young city dwellers still manage to find a little light in their lives.

From six of the biggest names in young adult fiction comes a collection of intertwining stories celebrating family, connection and, above all, love. From the very opening page, you’ll be hook-line-and-sinkered!

The entire collection takes place over the course of an evening in various corners of the city. It’s Tammi’s first day in her summer internship; Nella is visiting her grandfather in a nursing home; Lana is saying goodbye to her best friend; two schoolmates are stuck on the subway; Kayla is caught in a love triangle on a bus; and Grace is distracted in an awkward taxi journey. They are all heading to the same destination: a block party in Brooklyn.

Every story is told by a different author, each bringing their own unique style to the table in a way that is refreshing and fitting to the characters they explore. For me, Tiffany D. Jackson and Nicola Yoon steal the show, but each story offers romance and charm in equal measures. My heart felt light as I raced through the pages.

Blackout revels in Black joy and teen love. The outcome is moving, thrilling and impossible to put down. This is the perfect YA summer romance, but would also brighten anyone’s evening as the colder months settle in — a must-read!

Sinéad Creedon

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Review: Love Me Not by Holly Smale

Love Me Not
Holly Smale
HarperCollins, May 2021
Paperback, £7.99
ISBN 9780008393526

The Valentines are a glamorous showbiz family who, to the outside world, seem to have it all. However, living in the spotlight isn’t always as it seems. Mercy Valentine, party girl and actress, is the eldest of the Valentine siblings and is not a nice character. She’s sarcastic, sharp and deliberately destructive. She herself says in the opening lines, “You’re not going to like me. I’m not nice, I’m not relatable, you’ll find it difficult to empathise with the snarky daughter of Hollywood royalty …”

Love Me Not is the third book in the Valentines series by Holly Smale. If, like me, you have not read the first two books, do not worry. Mercy’s story stands alone, and it does not matter at all if you haven’t read the previous novels.

While Mercy Valentine is not very likable, I still loved her. I found that the first-person narrative really helped me to empathise with Mercy. It helped me to understand her complex emotions of guilt, self-loathing, anger and grief. Her character is written so well and I found myself empathising with her even after she had crossed the line numerous times with her bratty behaviour. The plot was so engaging and I found myself constantly wondering what was going to happen next. This moving story thoughtfully explores sibling relationships, parental separation, teenage romance, addiction and bereavement.

If you enjoyed reading the first two books in the Valentines series – Happy Girl Lucky and Far From Perfect, I would definitely recommend reading the final instalment. Alternatively, if, like me, you read Love Me Not first, I would definitely recommend going back and reading the first two books in the series, they are well worth the read!

Laura Aylward, 16

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Review: The Forevers by Chris Whitaker

The Forevers
Chris Whitaker
Hot Key Books, July 2021
Hardback, £12.99
ISBN 9781471410956

The Forevers is a YA novel that centres on human civilisation coming to an end. An asteroid is spotted and is set to destroy the world within 30 days. The novel follows a 17-year-old girl, Mae, who grows up during this societal emergency. I found the overall plot to be simple and easy to follow, but the ideas discussed are very complex and interesting.

As the world is coming to an end, consequences are no longer correlated to actions. I loved this concept, as it leads to a world of possibilities and allows the reader to ponder. This book asks the question: “what would you do if you only had 30 days left to live?” This book lets me imagine what I would do if I was in that situation. Sensitive topics such as bullying, abuse and depression are explored briefly.

One of my favourite aspects of this book was the characters. Each one is slowly built up throughout the book, but I especially found the protagonist to be memorable. Mae is portrayed as a weak character who is an orphan, has an abusive grandmother and a young, blind sister.

Overall, this is a novel that is extremely thought-provoking and emotive. There were many humorous scenes which added a lighthearted tone to the story. I would recommend this book to everyone over the age of 12 due to sensitive topics being mentioned.

T.C. age 15

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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