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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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Join Us for the Online Launch of Issue 6

Paper Lanterns Issue Six is launching online next week and we’d love if you could join us as we celebrate its release!

Our talented contributors will be sharing their work which includes poetry, prose, book reviews, art and photography.

We’ll be discussing our 2021 short story competition with Tertulia Books in Westport and one of the winners will read an extract from their story.

The launch will be on YouTube Premiere and you can set a reminder here to make sure you don’t miss anything:

Everyone who pre-orders a copy of Issue 6 will be entered into a draw to win a selection of YA books by Irish authors.
The first 20 pre-orders will also get a bookplate signed by an Irish YA author. Find out more about this great giveaway here.

Pre-order your copy of Issue 6 here.

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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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Pre-order Issue 6 to win a selection of YA books by Irish authors

Paper Lanterns Issue 6 giveaway

Paper Lanterns Issue 6 is published on Wednesday 15th September. Thanks to lovely author Sue Divin and the wonderful people in Little Island Books and Currach Books, we have an exciting giveaway to celebrate its launch!

Just pre-order a copy of Paper Lanterns Issue 6 and the following YA titles could be yours:
Savage Her Reply by Deirdre Sullivan (Little Island Books)
The beautiful new paperback edition of this multiple award-winning, dark, feminist and hypnotic retelling of a popular Irish legend.

Guard Your Heart by Sue Divin (Macmillan)
A poignant exploration of the relationship between two 18-year-olds in Derry during the summer of 2016, signed by the author.

Baby Teeth by Meg Grehan (Little Island Books)
A unique verse novel of queer love, lust, and vampires, from the award-winning author of The Deepest Breath and The Space Between.

Banshee Rising by Riley Cain (Currach Books)
A spirited tour through haunted Ireland that features figures from mythology and an assortment of spooky characters, as they prepare for a battle that threatens our world.

Everyone who pre-orders a copy of Paper Lanterns Issue 6 will automatically be entered into a draw to win all of these fantastic YA books by Irish authors.

The first 20 pre-orders will also receive a free bookplate signed by an Irish YA author, thanks to Little Island Books.  

Pre-order your copy of Issue 6 now to be in with a chance of winning – closes midnight Tuesday 14th September.

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Issue 6 Cover Reveal and Contributor Announcement – Pre-Order Now!

Issue 6 – Pre Order Now

We are so delighted to share our cover for Issue 6! ‘The Ship’ by Nanthini Rajarethinam. Cover design by Eleanor Brayden

We are also thrilled to announce our contributors for Issue 6, coming out this September! We are honoured to share the work of these talented writers, artists and readers.

You can pre-order your copy today.

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Announcing the 2021 Winners of the Paper Lanterns and Tertulia Teen Short Story Competition

Announcing the Winners of the Paper Lanterns and Tertulia Teen Short Story Competition

Paper Lanterns Literary Journal and Tertulia Books are delighted to announce the winners of their 2021 short story competition for Irish teens. Young writers from all over Ireland competed for prizes of €250, sponsored by Tertulia in association with Spot-Lit EU. Acclaimed author Deirdre Sullivan was the guest judge, and there were two categories, 13-15 years and 16-18 years. Éabha Coghlan (13) from Dublin was the junior winner for her story ‘Waves’. Eavan O’Keefe (17) from Kildare took the senior prize for ‘Our Footsteps in the Sand’. 

The competition’s theme, ‘waves’, inspired entries of an extremely high standard. Grace Kelley, co-founder and co-editor of Paper Lanterns said, ‘We received excellent stories and enjoyed reading all of them. It’s exciting to have so many talented young writers living on this island and it was difficult to select a shortlist. Unfortunately, there could only be one winner in each category, but we would like to thank all who entered and encourage everyone to keep writing.’

With so many strong stories, bestselling YA author Deirdre Sullivan said choosing the winners ‘wasn’t an easy decision.’ According to Sullivan, Éabha Coghlan’s ‘interesting character study’ and skill for ‘observation and dialogue’ were particularly striking. Sullivan was impressed by Eavan O’Keefe’s ‘use of poetic language and imagery to communicate emotion’ and how their work ‘appeals to the heart and the senses.’ Both stories will be published in Paper Lanterns Issue 6, which releases on 15th September and can be pre-ordered here.

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Art Submissions – Open All Year!

Paper Lanterns - Art Submissions Open! Paint, Digital, Charcoal, Photography, Mixed Media Open internationally to artists aged 13+ including adults
Paper Lanterns – Art Submissions Open!
Paint, Digital, Charcoal, Photography, Mixed Media
Open internationally to artists aged 13+ including adults

Don’t forget, our art submissions are open all year round! All artwork will be considered for cover art too!

Send us your photography, paintings, sketches, collages, digital illustrations, and mixed media. Open internationally to artists aged 13+ and adults! Artists will receive a fee for their work.

Take a look at our art and photography submission guidelines here

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Giveaway – Win a Copy of ‘The Climbers’ by Keith Gray

Giveaway! Win a copy of The Climbers by Keith Gray

Thanks to the lovely people in Barrington Stoke, we have a copy of The Climbers by Keith Gray for one lucky winner! This compelling tale of teenage rivalry captures the subtle agonies of growing up in a small town. It is published on the 8th August.

Here’s what Patrick Ness has to say about it: “Keith Gray is the real deal, a writer of intelligence, toughness, and heart. The Climbers is a moving, surprising story of competition, self-awareness, friendship, and the more you look, the deeper the damn thing gets.”

We can’t wait to read it! To be entered into our prize draw and in with a chance of winning a copy, just fill out this Google form.

Open to Ireland and the UK only. Closes midnight Monday 2nd August. Best of luck!

PS. Don’t forget to follow Paper Lanterns Literary Journal on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Make sure you don’t miss out on any more great giveaways!

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Teen Short Story Competition in Association with Tertulia Books – Cash Prize!

We are delighted to co-host the Teen Short Story Competition with Tertulia Books in Westport, Co. Mayo.

Our theme for this competition is ‘Waves’. Put your thinking caps on and start writing!

The competition closes on August 1st, at 6 PM.

We are thrilled to have award winning YA author Deirdre Sullivan as our guest judge.

Submit your short story to: competition.paperlanterns@gmail.com

In the body of your email, please include:

  • Your name.
  • Your age.
  • Your county of residence (you must live on the island of Ireland).
  • Your school (if applicable).
  • A little bit about yourself!

Our guest judge will read and select the winning pieces (one from each age group) from the shortlist.

The winners will be published in Issue 6 of Paper Lanterns.

The winners will receive a cash prize sponsored by Tertulia in association with Spot-Lit EU.

The winners will also receive a copy of Issue 6.

Guidelines:

  • You must be a resident on the island of Ireland.
  • You must be aged between 13-18. We have two judging categories: 13-15 years and 16-18 years.
  • Your work must be an original piece.
  • Short stories must be between 1200 and 2000 words. Please do not exceed this word count.
  • All stories will be read blind. Do not include your name or contact details within the submitted document.
  • We will not consider work that is prejudiced in nature. We will not consider work that includes, but is not limited to: sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, or classist content.
  • We cannot accept work that has already been published.
  • The judge’s decision is final. Our guest judge cannot provide feedback on any submitted or shortlisted pieces.