A book about family, community, local politics vs big picture, and teens from different cultures being forced to work together...who become as interesA book about family, community, local politics vs big picture, and teens from different cultures being forced to work together...who become as interested in each other as they are in electing the progressive candidate.
It was lovely and heartwarming as well as heartbreaking; how social media effects everything was deftly shown without being heavy handed. Also that fighting for a cause you believe in is important; if you don't stand up for others, who will stand for you when it's your turn?
Loved all these stories, especially Moira Fowley-Doyle's one about the Marriage Equality campaign in Dublin. Also loved Juno Dawson's introduction!Loved all these stories, especially Moira Fowley-Doyle's one about the Marriage Equality campaign in Dublin. Also loved Juno Dawson's introduction!...more
Cultures clashing, countries on the brink of war, troubled queendoms, magic, intrigue, spying and DRAGONS. Complex, multi-stranded and epic in scale, tCultures clashing, countries on the brink of war, troubled queendoms, magic, intrigue, spying and DRAGONS. Complex, multi-stranded and epic in scale, this is fantasy that doesn't feel the need to treat women as add-ons, decorative damsels or pawns in male-only power games; they are fully-formed creations with their own flaws, drives and purpose. It is telling as well that I felt such a sense of relief that girls and women aren't in constant danger of sexual assault at every page turn; death by assassination yes, rape not so much......more
We re-enter the world of Monty, Percy and Felicity we first encountered in The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue...and what a return it is! Seen thiWe re-enter the world of Monty, Percy and Felicity we first encountered in The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue...and what a return it is! Seen this time through the eyes of Monty's sister Felicity, who is aware how smart she is, and how limited her choices are - but is determined to strive for a medical education nonetheless.
Epic adventure, piracy, friendship and exploration ensue...
While this is a bit more serious than TGGTV&V it is still a wonderfully entertaining story....more
Gorgeously written YA fantasy, with lushly tactile world building, it features a spy master driven by revenge and her queen, newly ascended to the thrGorgeously written YA fantasy, with lushly tactile world building, it features a spy master driven by revenge and her queen, newly ascended to the throne, whose grasp on power is somewhat shaky.
As feelings tentatively unfurl, the tension mounts as the battle for the throne - and for survival - intensifies.
A stunning debut from a fabulous young Irish writer.
I read this and it's very sweet - nice to read about a biracial girl without her race being a huge part of the story. For me, a little bland though.I read this and it's very sweet - nice to read about a biracial girl without her race being a huge part of the story. For me, a little bland though....more
Absolutely stunning novel, fizzing with verve, scabrous wit and the darkest laughter. . if Bukowski was a woman, if Anais Nin had a heroin habit and aAbsolutely stunning novel, fizzing with verve, scabrous wit and the darkest laughter. . if Bukowski was a woman, if Anais Nin had a heroin habit and a semse of humour and was writing today, you would have something close to Problems. Seedy, filthy and buzzing with energy and laced with pitch-dark humour, the writing is scalpel sharp. Brilliant, bold and bawdy - a must-read....more
Magical and enchanting, this is a book with dirt beneath its nails...a bit scruffy and unkempt, with whiskey-breath and birds-nest hair, and a charminMagical and enchanting, this is a book with dirt beneath its nails...a bit scruffy and unkempt, with whiskey-breath and birds-nest hair, and a charming sideways grin as it sidles in your back door at two in the morning...open your heart to it, and welcome the weirdness and the wonder inside....more
I can think of no higher praise for this book than it several times reminded me of different parts of The Dalemark Quartet, a four book series by DianI can think of no higher praise for this book than it several times reminded me of different parts of The Dalemark Quartet, a four book series by Diana Wynne Jones that I consider one of the most complex, nuanced and challenging and rewarding young adult fantasy series I've read.
The world-building is vivid and real and almost tactile, yet not full of lenghty descriptions; the characters - for the most part - are rounded and believable, even when their motivations are at times mysterious to us; and the political meshing with the question of gods and their whims and wiles works in ways that surprise and compel.
In short, I loved this book and I love the main protagonist Caroline Orestia.
At seventeen, Caro has yet to communicate with the river god, the one all her family have heard, and feels close to despair. Larger events intervene when she is tasked with carrying a secret cargo downriver, eluding murderous pirates and keeping herself and Fee, the frogman who works on her father's wherry, safe...but there is more at stake than the survival of her boat and crew, and her fate is tightly bound with the fate of kingdoms.
Tremendously enjoyable - I read this in one gulp! ...more
A wonderful story, brimming with strong, believable characters, a tangled mystery, intrigue and missing family heirlooms in the summer before the SecoA wonderful story, brimming with strong, believable characters, a tangled mystery, intrigue and missing family heirlooms in the summer before the Second World War. Set in Scotland, this is also an atmospheric, crumbling big house mystery.
Also, for anyone who loved Code Name Verity, prepare to be delighted by more of Julie!...more
One of the sweetest, loveliest stories about difference and acceptance I've read in ages. It reminded me a bit of Wonder, if Augie had been a 10 year One of the sweetest, loveliest stories about difference and acceptance I've read in ages. It reminded me a bit of Wonder, if Augie had been a 10 year old boy who realised that he was really a girl...and had to figure out how to tell the people she loved....more
Sharp, smart, provocative and funny, this is a blast of fresh air - Emer O'Toole tackles subjects that affect womens' lives, from body hair to plasticSharp, smart, provocative and funny, this is a blast of fresh air - Emer O'Toole tackles subjects that affect womens' lives, from body hair to plastic surgery, the normalisation of porn and rape culture to dressing up in a gender flipped way to challenge stereotypes. A great book for young women, to encourage them to question their identities and how much the 'beauty myth' demands of them....more
Last read 20th March 2013 Fascinating to read the second time around and pick up on the clues dotted throughout the story. The writing is as beautifulLast read 20th March 2013 Fascinating to read the second time around and pick up on the clues dotted throughout the story. The writing is as beautiful as ever....more
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