YA book reviews

2017-12-16 Really strong and pacey opening, then slowed into a gradually deepening mire of teen romance and passive protagonists. An okay if flawed book. Rating: 3/5 Continue reading

2017-09-07 Another book I’ve read recently where I wasn’t sure whether to rate it as a 3 or a 4, as it’s more of a 3.5. So I’ll round up again. 🙂 On the positive: his writing style is easy to read, it constantly pushes forward, and he never lets go of emotional engagement with the reader. There are plenty of twists, drama, and you’re... Continue reading

2017-01-29 On paper, it’s a Hunger Games clone – but that’s only a superficial comparison. In reality it’s a unique and interesting story in it’s own right. My one complaint is that the world-building is a little thin – something I often see in YA stories – when a little more could have really enriched it. Rating: 4/5 Continue reading

2015-09-17 This is an exceptional novel. The pace is incredible, with hard-hitting characters, and a powerful plot. It’s also intelligent, and cleverly juxtaposes the sectarianism of Northern Ireland with that of two different alien races with interests on Planet Earth. The story: John is a fifteen-year old boy, struggling to help his younger brother and sisters survive in a bombed-out Belfast, which has been left... Continue reading