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Rock Band: Music and Misfits by Leah Osakwe: Review

Aspiring star Galaxy is set on entering her school talent show to showcase her singing talent, but when troublemaker Sabrina suggests they enter as a rock band, Galaxy must share the spotlight with an unlikely group of misfits.

An upbeat and feel-good read, Osakwe’s Rock Band is perfect for any young musicians, songwriters and dreamers. From the first chapter, the plot is clearly established through a realistic teenage voice and we are thrust into Galaxy’s plan for talent-show stardom.

Galaxy was initially quite relatable in her problems: friendship worries, an irritating younger sibling, and whether to trust the rebellious but vibrant Sabrina. However, as the plot progressed I found the friend- related dilemmas repetitive to read, for example, her conflict between her best friend and new bandmate. That said, the girl group was nicely formed. Moreover, the short and snappy chapters do manage to keep the reader engaged. The inclusion of songs written by the characters offers us an insight into their thoughts and emotional state, and cleverly reflects the protagonist’s inability to define her feelings when her songwriting is interrupted. Just The Misfits – the band – are an entertaining group, exhibiting mistakes and flaws such as selfishness and bitterness, which adds some depth to their characters.

Osakwe’s novel remains an enjoyable musical book suitable for the younger end of YA readers.

Kaila Patterson, 17

Rock Band: Music and Misfits
Leah Osakwe
Little Tiger Press, 2025
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN: 9781788957519

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The Seamaiden’s Odyssey by Berlie Doherty: Review

The Seamaiden’s Odyssey is a visually striking book. Before I even opened the front cover I felt like I was holding a little treasure in my hands, a clam that opened up to reveal incredible illustrations.

The Seamaiden’s Odyssey is a folklore-style story about mermaid-like creatures. Sasha, a marine conservationist, discovers Marissa, a beautiful sea creature, trapped in a fishing net one day. She takes her in and nurses her back to health, forming a friendship with her as she regains her strength. Marissa tells her a story about the dangers of seafolk getting too close to humans, in exchange for her being returned to the ocean.

It took a while to warm to Doherty’s writing style. It’s not very descriptive, and although there’s some very detailed worldbuilding, we only get to see snippets of it. Gradually I understood that this story is narrated like a folk tale, and once I grasped this, I felt as though I was curled up by a snug fireside listening to some wise relative tell me a story. Although this style of writing works well for the story, I still wish that Doherty had included a few more descriptive passages so that we could properly immerse ourselves in this underwater world.

Tamsin Rosewell’s illustrations are what make this book remarkable, taking a sweet story and turning it into something incredibly beautiful. Her illustrations complement the story perfectly, heightening the tension at dramatic points with gorgeous, swirling images. I would recommend this book to any fans of fantasy and folklore who want a cosy book to read this winter.

Clara Kamlah, 18

The Seamaiden’s Odyssey
Berlie Doherty
Illustrated by Tamsin Rosewell
Uclan Publishing, 2024
Hardback, £14.99
ISBN: 9781916747197

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Last Seen Online by Lauren James: Review

Last Seen Online follows sixteen year-old starlet Delilah, who meets Sawyer Saffitz, the son of superstar actress Anya Saffitz, and is suddenly thrust into the dazzling yet dangerous world of Hollywood glamour, showbiz, and murder. As Delilah delves deeper, she unravels the mystery of a decade old death that has haunted Hollywood, leading her into a tangled web of obsession, internet stalking, and betrayal.

Last Seen Online by Lauren James excellently captures the essence of those chronically online. The premise of the book intrigued me and as I am familiar with Lauren James from reading her book The Quiet at the End of the World I was really excited to read this book, and rightfully so, it didn’t disappoint! The second I picked it up I was unable to put it down. It is a twisty thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire ride. It perfectly reflects internet culture and the people who thrive on it. The language used throughout feels very authentic for Gen Z, and the story offers a deep exploration of fandom culture and parasocial relationships. I especially loved the addition of the blog entries – they were a fantastic touch.

Melissa Cooney, 18

  • Last Seen Online
  • Lauren James
  • Walker, 2024
  • Paperback, £7.99
  • ISBN: 9781406397390
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Someone’s Been Messing With Reality by John Hearne: Review

Martin Ryan makes a shocking discovery – one that makes him question everything he knows. Bored enough to be spotting squirrels on video cameras, he sees something that changes his life. Now the future of the human race depends on him.

Someone’s Been Messing With Reality is action packed right from the first page. Eerie foreshadowing and the mysterious atmosphere of small town Glencooper combined with thrilling action and clever plot twists make for an engaging read. The writing style is casual and easy to read and the dialogue is funny and well written.

I would’ve liked to get to know a few of the characters better, especially Martin’s friend Enda. It feels like some of the character development had been sacrificed in order to make room for more plot points. But having said that, all the exciting events (exploding mines, stealing police cars and fighting flesheating aliens, to name a few) make the reader feel invested in even the blandest of characters.

If you’re a fan of science fiction, the TV show Stranger Things or if you’re just looking for a fun but gripping novel you’ve come to the right place. This book delivers an exciting story that makes you forget you’re reading, which is surely the mark of a great book. So, will Martin be able to save the planet? You’ll have to read it to find out…

Erin Gallimore, 14

Someone’s Been Messing With Reality
John Hearne
Little Island Books, 2024
Paperback, £7.99
ISBN 9781915071484

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Something to be Proud Of by Anna Zoe Quirke: Review

When Imogen (she/they) attends their first Pride, nothing goes as hoped. Overwhelmed by the noise and masses of people, they are left by their “friends” to recover from a meltdown in a café. While her dad thinks this is exactly what she should have expected to happen, Imogen decides that it shouldn’t have to be, and they set up an activist society with the goal of putting on a Pride festival that is accessible to everyone.

The book’s narration is split between Imogen and Oliver, an initially reluctant member of the activist society. Their individual viewpoints and developing friendship are what really drive the plot. Watching Imogen and Oliver’s friendship grow as they learn to appreciate and support each other’s challenges and ambitions was my favorite part of reading.

Often, one character will set up a secret in their chapter, only for it to be revealed to the other (and to the reader) in their friend’s respective chapter. This device felt a little overused, but each individual reveal was still exciting, and I liked how the foreshadowing made the reading experience feel very safe without being predictable.

Apart from being queer, another important part of Imogen’s identity is that they are autistic, and that side of their characterization is superbly written. Imogen is a believable, relatable, 100% their own character, with no lazy stereotypes entertained.

Something to be Proud Of is an exciting addition to the LGBTQ+ centered YA lineup. If you want a queer book where the focus is friendship and activism, you should try this one.

Review by Camille Boelt Hindsgaul

Something to be Proud Of
Anna Zoe Quirke
Little Tiger, 2024
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN: 9781788956901

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The Undying Tower by Melissa Welliver: Review

The Undying Tower is a gripping dystopian novel that excites and intrigues. Whilst the YA dystopian genre is heavily saturated, The Undying Tower manages to separate itself from the pack by harkening back to older dystopian fiction, such as George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four.

The world has collapsed and some people, known as Undying or Locusts, now have the ability to live longer and heal quicker. Unbeknownst to even herself, Sadie Abbott is one of those people. Framed for a terrorist plot that she did not commit and struggling to convince authorities of her innocence, she agrees to become a spy for the police force and get information on the terrorist organisation known as the “Alchemists”. While the pacing can be a bit all over the place, this is a solid novel and seems to be a book that could potentially become a cult classic, or even get an adaptation on the silver screen.

Welliver does a great job of keeping the reader on their toes, without making the suspense seem forced or drawn out, which is something that a lot of modern YA books are lacking.

Overall, this is a really good book and has potential to go very far. For fans of George Orwell, James Dashner, or Suzanne Collins, this book is a great way to revisit a genre that feels stale nowadays.

Lyric Moran, 18

The Undying Tower
Melissa Welliver
Uclan Publishing, 2024
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN: 9781915235862

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Rhubarb Lemonade by Oskar Kroon: Review

Rhubarb Lemonade
Oskar Kroon
Translated by A. A. Prime
Hot Key Books, June 2023
Paperback £7.99
ISBN 9781471413124

13-year-old Vinga is navigating life amid her parents’ split, and the island her grandfather lives on is the ideal escape from it all. Here, she can forget her parents’ problems and be with the only person who understands her: her grandfather. They drink homemade rhubarb lemonade and play chess under the lilac tree in his garden, far away from the city Vinga hates so much. On the island she can sit by her cliff near the lighthouse, work on her sailboat and be herself – that is, until Ruth arrives.

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Black & Irish: Legends, Trailblazers & Everyday Heroes by Leon Diop & Briana Fitzsimons

Black & Irish: Legends, Trailblazers & Everyday Heroes
Leon Diop & Briana Fitzsimons
Illustrated by Jessica Louis
Little Island Books in collaboration with Black & Irish, October 2023
Paperback, €14.50
ISBN 9781915071231

Black & Irish: Legends, Trailblazers & Everyday Heroes is a non-fiction book that shines a light on prominent Black Irish individuals from various fields such as entertainment, politics, sports, business, and the arts. This significant release in Irish history marks a joyful recognition of Black Irish heritage. The book delves deeply into the lives of 25 individuals of Black and mixed-race heritage from various regions of Ireland.

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On Silver Tides by Sylvia Bishop: Review

On Silver Tides
Sylvia Bishop
Andersen Press, February 2024
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN 9781839133589

On Silver Tides is the kind of novel that leaves you wanting more. It follows the journey of Kelda and the great lengths she goes to in order to protect her little sister, Isla. Kelda and her family are freshwater merpeople but little Isla is born different. The family protects Isla from the suspicions of the community but when they are betrayed the sisters escape. They join forces with a mysterious boy and embark on a journey that will change their lives forever.

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Great YA titles You Can’t Miss – #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks

Paper Lanterns is proud to be a part of the thriving Irish Young Adult Literature community and we are delighted to support the #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks campaign. There are brilliant YA books written by authors in Ireland and Northern Ireland. We encourage everyone to pick one up for their next read

We strongly believe it is important (and enjoyable!) to read books from a diversity of backgrounds, but equally we know how amazing it is to see yourself and your place in the books you read.

To make it easier to #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks, we’ve pulled together the Irish YA books our reviewers have read and enjoyed. What better way to discover new reads than going directly to teenagers and YA enthusiasts based all over the island of Ireland – find out what your next read should be in their words!

And of course, as well as reviews, Paper Lanterns is filled with poetry, stories, essays, art and interviews by teen contributors and older YA enthusiasts – you can pick up a copy in our shop here.

For more information on the campaign, visit http://discoveririshkidsbooks.ie

Table Of Contents
  1. Contemporary
  2. Historical Fiction
  3. Non-Fiction
  4. Fantasy
Continue reading Great YA titles You Can’t Miss – #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks