Soulmates And Other Ways To Die - Melissa Welliver

Good News: We alll have a soulmate.

Bad News: Your soul bond means you feel their pain before you've even met.  And if your soulmate dies ... you do too.

Control freak Zoe is determined to stay alive - and single.  She carries a survival kit for every eventuality, but even she can't prepare for a match with Milo Spencer, a boy who lives for recreational danger.  It's time to find a cure...

I thoroughly enjoyed My Love Life And The Apocalypse when I read it last year (you can read my review here) so the chance to read another YA end of the world romance by Melissa Welliver wasn't something I was going to turn down.  The Easter holiday is the perfect excuse for me to curl up with chocolate and lose myself in a book, and I certainly lost myself in this book, devouring it in under a day!

Soulmates And Other Ways To Die is set in a dystopian future, in a world where everybody has a Kin Twin, somebody who is their soulmate.  People don't know when, or if, they will discover their soulmate but they know that the Kin Twin mutation is visible when people are in close proximity to their soulmate, which is how teenagers Zoe and Milo discover their connection.  It's Zoe who is injured following a near-miss which means that Milo also feels her pain and injuries.  However, the news doesn't go down well: Zoe is intent on remaining single and safe (she and her mother are survivalists) and Milo loves to court danger.  On the surface, Milo and Zoe are two very different people. In fact, until the accident and the announcement brought them together, Milo hadn't even realized Zoe was in the same classes as him. However, now they have been thrown together, will the connection prove true?  

Kin Twin sounds like the perfect way to ensure successful marriages and finding your happy ever after, but there's a down side: when your soulmate feels pain, so do you; when your soulmate passes out so do you; when your soul mate dies, so do you. As a result, the death rate in the UK has doubled which is why people like Zoe and her mum have become survivalist. They are uber-conscious about everything they do and are completely risk averse.  But then there are rumours of a lady known as Madame Scissors who has a cure that can sever the bond. Milo and Zoe set off to try to find her and to break their bond, but this could put them in even more danger than they could have possibly imagined.

The premise of the book is incredibly thought-provoking.  How would you feel if you knew you would die if your soul mate died? Is that OK if you know and love them? What if you've never met them? What if they pass out whilst you're driving which causes you to crash and die? How do you know your feelings for your soul mate are real?  

This is a love story with a difference and is perfectly entwined with the sci-fi/apocalyptic theme.  Zoe and Milo are wonderfully relatable characters and readers will enjoy getting to know them through the dual narrative. With touches of humour woven into the fast-paced plot, the book is difficult to put down.  

Out now, Soulmates And Other Ways To Die is guaranteed to make you think and make you smile - I loved it. 

Villains Academy: How To Win The Gruesome Games - Ryan Hammond

Bram and his friends are back and this time the five founders of Villains Academy are rising from their graves to oversee the Gruesome Games, a series of three events which test the talents of first-years and give them the chance to show their pranking talents. With the winners getting to add their names to the Book of Bad, it's a day that could change the lives of the winning team, especially as their families are there to watch proceedings. 

It's always a joy to return to Villains Academy as this is a series I have loved since reading the first book on my way home from the Simon and Schuster brunch last year where I heard Ryan talk (You can read my reviews here: Villains Academy ; How To Steal A Dragon), so I was absolutely thrilled when How To Win The Gruesome Games arrived on Friday.  Needless to say, it completely skipped the tbr pile and I began reading it immediately.  

The plot is full of laughs, pranks and antics that will have readers giggling and cheering as the games unfold.  And the addition of families in this book (they arrive to watch the games) helps readers to gain more insight into the members of The Cereal Killers which I loved.  This time, I felt it was Tony I got to know more about but I still have a soft-spot for Bram and his insecurities; he constantly battles with his desire to fit in.  And, of course, Mardybum will forever be my favourite teacher!

With friendship at the heart of this series, I love the way Ryan weaves messages into the humour and the antics, and does so so subtly that they are almost subliminal: sticking together, helping each other out and working together as a team all feature but it's Ryan's messages about being an individual and not being afraid to be who you are that really stood out to me (page 193 in particular made my heart sing and I am proud to say I'm a loser!)

I also want to mention how much joy I get from Ryan's illustrations which are just stunning and add so much to the book.  Some of his full page illustrations could easily become prints in their own right ... now there's an idea, Ryan!  

Villains Academy: How To Win The Gruesome Games publishes on the 25th April and is a badass book that needs to be bought and enjoyed.  I was thrilled and honoured to find my name in the acknowledgements; it's always a pleasure to shout about this wonderful series and I'm already excited to find out what's instore next for Bram and the rest of the Cereal Killers. 

The Doll Twin - Janine Beacham

Una has lived in the Home since the death of her parents who were lighthouse keepers, and she misses the sea. Her life is miserable and she is never chosen when prospective couples come looking to adopt, so Una is tentatively excited when, after 2 years, Mr and Mrs Smith arrive and choose to adopt Una. They live in Copperlins, the home they have just moved into in Knifely Stifling. The house is large with a basement and higher floors that are out of bounds, but Una settles in and helps Father with his carousel in the basement. It's not until Una joins the local school that she discovers the reputation Copperlins has and how creepy stories are synonymous with the house... then when Una discovers the life-sized doll that looks exactly like her, she begins to wonder whether there is more to the house than she first thought. 

Una is desperate to be loved and will do anything to keep her new parents happy.  At first, everything seems normal and Una's life seems to have taken a turn for the better: she is by the sea again, she is being well-fed and she is going to school. But there is only one girl in the village, Mary, who will be her friend, and even she gets spooked at the house. The more you read, the more sinister the plot becomes and you find yourself embroiled in a twisting story that is deliciously dark and creepy.  I had my suspicions as to what I thought was going to happen, but what actually happened made me shriek and gasp in equal measure - the book certainly kept me gripped! 

Carousels, a long-abandoned house with a dark history, a small village where everybody knows knows each other, set at a time when technology didn't rule the world; life-sized dolls... The Doll Twin has all the ingredients for a spine-chilling read that will keep you up at night! Looking at friendship, finding yourself and overcoming prejudice, the book is perfect for fans of Jennifer Killick and SJ Willis, and fits well into that growing band of books that help readers make the leap from middle grade to YA.  I already know many a child in my class who will devour this book.  

Louder Than Hunger - John Schu

When Jake's stomach growls, it's the Voice that answers.

Don't eat that garbage!  You already ate an apple again!  You didn't exercise enough!

But listening to the Voice isn't good for Jake.  His mom knows, his grandma knows and the staff at Whispering Pines, where Jake has been sent to heal, all know too.  If Jake is going to lead the life he wants - the one he deserves - he must learn to silence the Voice and find his own.

Jake is an American teenager who is struggling with so many things in his life, and controlling his food is one way for him to deal with things. His relationship with his parents is difficult and it's his grandmother who is the one person he feels he can rely on; however the Voice in his head is screaming at him not to eat.  Jake thinks he's hiding it well but when Ms Burns calls his mum, he is sent to Whispering Pines, a unit for teenagers, to help him heal. It's a long journey for Jake and far from straight-forward.  

A novel in verse, Louder Than Hunger is an powerful book and one that gives an incredible insight as to what it is like for a teenager with anorexia (I particularly liked the male perspective). Based on the author's own experiences, the book is certainly difficult to read at times, but is one that is also full of heart.

Cleverly written, the book is formed from a series of diary-like entries that represent Jake's journey.  With each new day identified, it subtly reminds readers how long recovery can take and that it is one that is full of ups and downs (or perhaps I should say downs and ups, as for so long, it seems as though Jake hits downs far more than ups).  The Voice is given its own font and is bolder and larger than Jake's own voice, once again a clever but very effective way of showing readers how all-consuming and overpowering that internal monologue is.

Publishing on the 4th April, Louder Than Hunger is a raw and honest insight into anorexia, OCD and depression.  It is a book many will find a very emotional read (I cried several times) and for some, it could be triggering.  The book pulls no punches, yet feels gentle at the same time; I wanted to reach into the book and hug Jake on so many occasions.  Huge thanks to John Schu for opening his heart and for sharing his experiences in this way.  I hope it helps others to silence their Voice.  

Movies Showing Nowhere

On the day Cate came into the world, her mother left it.  Her dad is often distant and silent, so she has to keep herself entertained, with kung fu films, her pet rabbit and her photography hobby.  Then one day Cate receives a mysterious invitation to an abandoned cinema, and everything changes. 

When Cate meets the peculiar Mrs Kano, she discovers a most unusual kind of movie screen - the kind that lets you step through it into a memory.  So begins a wonder-filled adventure through time that will teach Cate the true meaning of love, loss and bravery. 

I'm not certain I know quite where to begin with this review without giving anything away; however, it's safe to say that this is an incredible book.

Cate's mum died when Cate was born and it seems that her dad has been grieving this loss ever since. Although he is there in body, his spirit is somewhere in the past, leaving Cate lonely. That is until Mrs Kano comes along with the cinema of movies showing nowhere, a place where people can come and visit a memory through a photograph projected on a screen. Cate helps Mrs Kano set up the cinema and take the very few people who visit into their memory. But Cate has so many questions and Mrs Kano is very reluctant to answer them. So how can Mrs Kano's trips into her own memory help Cate?

This is a beautifully written story that gently explores the impact of grief and bravery.  I don't want to say anything that will spoil the book but it is incredibly cleverly written and will cast a spell on all who read it (it's most certainly cast a spell on me).  I audibly gasped when I read the end (through tears, I might add) and it's taken me ages to really process how clever the book is - over a week later I'm still thinking about the book and its plot. I promise that this is a book you absolutely need to read and is one that will stay with you long after you've finished the final page.  Publishing on the 4th April, Movies Showing Nowhere will generate some incredible discussions in school and I can't wait to take it in.  

Keedie - Elle McNicoll

Before there was Addie, there was Keedie.

Firecracker Keedie has had enough of bullies and has had enough of conforming to convention.  As she sets out to right wrongs and stand up for the truth, the sleepy town of Juniper is about to wake up and see that Keedie is one of a kind.

Keedie is a book I've been looking forward to reading for quite some time, so when my pre-order arrived early, it didn't go anywhere near the tbr pile!  I began reading it yesterday evening and stayed in bed this morning until I was finished: I simply couldn't put the book down.  It. Was. Brilliant. (But then I didn't expect anything else from Elle whose writing always captivates me).  

So, why did I find it so good?

Having first met Keedie in A Kind of Spark, I was keen to get to know her more in this prequel, and I definitely got to know her.  She is a force of nature whose sense of justice is strong (I love her for this amongst many other things), and she is fiercely loyal to her friends as well as her family, especially Addie who is only six at the time of this book.  I know that Keedie finds so many things in life tricky but, to me, she is a powerhouse with an inner strength I admire. 

Returning to Juniper was lovely, and there were a few subtle nods and leads to A Kind of Spark (however, not so many that you couldn't read this as a stand-alone).  Gaining an insight on the place through Keedie's eyes means I now want to go back and reread A Kind of Spark. 

Having seen the relationship between Keedie and Addie in A Kind of Spark, seeing how that builds here felt special; it was just wonderful to read and incredibly touching (yes, I cried).

The ending: oh wow!  the whole book packs a punch (rather like Keedie herself) but the final few pages ... ❤️  It was an ending that left me sitting quietly, processing and absorbing the book, and I've yet to begin a new book, such was impact (which, those of you who know me well will know is incredibly unusual).

Keedie is a book full of heart, emotion and empathy that packs one heck of a punch; it's a book about friendship, bullying, the importance of kindness and of being proud of being unique.  It's a book that made me laugh at times, and cry a lot.  Elle has a way of folding you into a story that makes you feel like you're doing so much more than reading words on a page. She makes you feel what the characters feel, experience exactly what the characters are feeling and live the life they are living. She has a way of including phrases and paragraphs that touch your heart and help readers to know they are not alone (I have numerous post-its dotted through the book to remind me of sentences that have jumped out at me) and I, for one, am truly grateful that she writes from the heart.  Thank-you, Elle, for being you and for sharing your books - the world is a better place for them.

The Wanderdays: Journey To Fantome Island -Clare Povey

Flo and Joseph Wanderday have always known their mum to be an explorer and they are used to her heading off on expeditions; she is, after all, world-famous as a film-maker and activist.  But when she fails to check-in during her latest trip, they quickly realise something is wrong, and this is confirmed by the news stations as well as the press hanging outside their apartment building. When a mysterious woman catches their eye, they think she may have answers but what she reveals is something far more shocking to them and something that leads to the siblings and their best friends, Funmi and Isaac, heading off on a life-saving rescue mission. But just exactly what will they discover when they get there?

I am a HUGE fan of Clare's writing and the Bastien Bonlivre books hold pride of place on my bookshelf (you can read my reviews here The Unexpected Tale Of Bastien Bonlivre  The Unexpected Tale of the Bad Brothers), so the arrival of The Wanderdays: Journey To Fantome Island was met with huge amounts of excitement and the book immediately skipped my ever-burgeoning tbr pile.

I loved Joseph, or JoJo as he is affectionately known by his family. He is a worrier, which is something I can definitely relate to. To see a character worry about what others might think are little things will be incredibly powerful for readers and is something I wish I'd been able to see in a book when I was younger. For Joseph, his worrying manifests as OCD, written from Clare's personal experience, which definitely gives it an authentic feel.  The relationship he has with his sister is wonderful to read, and little touches like her taking his worries for him show the respect they have for each other and made my heart sing.  I know he doesn't see himself as a strong character but I think that as the book progresses, we see that Joseph is one of the strongest characters in the book, and I adored him.

Clare is an author I have come to know as someone who writes great baddies and this book is no exception.  Readers will delight in hating the baddies and the dastardly deeds they are responsible for - I shall say no more so as not to spoil anything but the baddies definitely do not disappoint.

The book is an exciting read and one that captured me from the very beginning. It soon becomes apparent that all is not what it may seem and it's up to the Wanderdays and their friends to get to the bottom of things; the siblings' love for their mother is evident, as is the fact that they will stop at nothing to find her which creates a gripping plot and I couldn't put the book down.

With part of the book being set underwater, I found myself transported back to one of my favourite childhood movies and books, The Waterbabies, and I loved the excitement of being part of the ocean and discovering the world that exists there.  I also liked how seamlessly Clare was able to weave in environmental messages, reminding readers that humans aren't looking after the ocean. 

As the book progresses, the action ramps up even more and the ending is unputdownable. With twists you won't see coming, The Wanderdays: Journey To Fantome Island (publishing on the 6th June) is going to be the perfect read for kids this summer and I know that my class will be queueing up to read it next term.