Book-review post!
Very behind on my book reviewing altogether! These were read months ago. YAish.
Laurie Halse Anderson – The Impossible Knife of Memory
Eighteen-year-old Hayley’s life is focused on her father, a war veteran whose PTSD affects every aspect of their lives. Now they’re settled, no longer on the road, she has a shot at a normal life – particularly when she meets Finn, one of the good guys. This is a honest, unflinching (it’s Laurie Halse Anderson, so, y’know, that should go without saying) look at the effects of war on families, and the stresses of being a teenager in a home where you’re never quite safe.
Polly Johnson – Stones
Coo’s older brother has recently died of alcoholism, so naturally she starts hanging out with a homeless alcoholic. This is a really interesting – and often depressing – teen read; there are no easy answers and the look at a grieving family and the complexities of friendship is well done.
Viv Daniels – One & Only
Diana Peterfreund’s New Adult alter ego focuses on Tess, a smart and ambitious future scientist whose mother has been the mistress of a powerful man for many years. At college she discovers that she has a half-sister – who’s dating the boy from summer camp Tess can’t forget, and who seems to be unable to forget her. This all sounds a bit soapy, and it is in parts (there’s an illness subplot, and money and power issues) but the characterisation is strong and there’s enough nuance there to make it interesting. Certainly one of the more rounded NA titles out there.
Sally Nicholls – Close Your Pretty Eyes
Olivia is convinced she’s bad and evil – so when she goes to a new foster home, it’s no surprise that sooner or later the badness will come out. She’s convinced that the old Victorian lady who used to live in the house is haunting her, the scary woman who murdered all the babies. This is not quite a ghost story – it’s a fairly heartbreaking (gosh, Sally Nicholls, who’d have thunk it… oh wait) tale of a girl traumatised by the care system. I wanted to hug Olivia. There’s some hope, but no easy answers here. Great voice, terrific writing.
Ann M Martin – Family Tree #3: Best Kept Secret
Historical book number three! Dana’s daughter Francie struggles with dyslexia and with the secret about the scary man in her neighbourhood – a plot point I wish had been developed more. I’m still very much enjoying seeing the dynamics of this family play out, though – the heroines of the previous book along with supporting characters remain part of this world, and it’s fascinating to see how the family develops over the years.
Helena Close – The Clever One
Maeve’s the clever one in her family – not that it means much. Her sister’s in trouble, involved with a boy who’s up to no good (to put it mildly), but no one wants to interfere or make a fuss. It’s up to her to concoct a scheme, regardless of how badly it might go. This is set in Limerick, and is fairly bleak at points, but the dialect is authentic and the situations realistic (if depressing). I’d certainly be interested to see another YA from Helena Close (this was originally published as an adult novel and then repackaged, with a bright pink cover that belies the darkness of the subject matter).
