If we're talking boats, Devil's Ballast is a grand, seaworthy ship, offering and delivering safe passage over some choppy waters - that is, it's a strong, well-researched book with an intriguing and varied plotline. Caddy complements this with some literary finesse in techniques that have tripped many a writer, such as time jumps and establishing a strong historic setting. However, without a significant connection to the protagonist (or even another of the recurring characters), it doesn't quite worm its way into the depths of the reader's heart, leaving it a good book rather than the new mass favourite.
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
Caddy navigates the tale as well as Calico navigates the seas. There are time jumps, alternate settings and perspectives, and obligatory world-building to establish the historical context, yet Caddy makes these literary devices seem like child's play, becoming a seamless addition to the book. Not once was I stumbling over a change in setting or left reeling by a two month transition from chapter to chapter. I felt reassured in Caddy's hands, however tempestuous the seas in the actual plotline.
A warning for the book:
Connecting with the main character isn't the easiest of feats. It took me a significant while to establish a relationship with Bonny - the female pirate we're supposed to be cheering on - and even when I did, it was quite superficial. It doesn't detract from the story, per say, as the drama and plot are largely unaffected, but it does leave it as just another story rather than a novel I feel a deep connection to.
Recommended for fans of:
- Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
- Iron Cast by Destiny Soria
- A Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee
N.B.: An e-ARC of this book was received from NetGalley in return for a reflective and honest review.
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Challenge #9 ~ “3 books set on three different continents: Book 2 ~ NORTH AMERICA.”
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
My opinion in three sentences:
The book tackled some increasingly relevant themes in an accessible manner for the middle grade audience, but at times a rounded perspective was required so as to not bias or influence the reader. Personally, I really struggled to find the momentum in the book, too, as there were lots of side plots but no real central focus or drive. Campbell’s characterisation and, most importantly, development was especially welcome, although I do question how problematic a character the protagonist was at the start (particularly in ways that are never really explicitly addressed in the rest of the book…)
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
Opioid addiction, rehab, and unconventional family structures are all increasingly relevant themes to be discussing and portraying for younger audiences, and Campbell does it well. There’s sensitivity, accessibility, and evidence of great research, which are all extremely necessary for such a complex and challenging topic.
A warning for the book:
Young minds are so easily influenced and that’s a large part of why I can’t recommend this one on (despite some of the themes being well-researched). Some elements are only shown very negatively, and there are words and actions from the main character that go unaddressed, although I’ll admit there is development and redemption towards the end. Still, it’s too little, too late, and fails to provide the explicit challenging of such problematic behaviour that I’d expect from a middle grade read.
N.B.: With thanks to Edelweiss+ and the publisher who provided an e-ARC in return for an honest and reflective review.
Spalding promises a exposition of a friendship falling apart told, interestingly, in two POVs - one with a forwards timeline, and one backwards. Unfortunately, with unrelatable characters and an unbelieveable friendship in the first place, such a premise isn't delivered, and the dual timeline proves more confusing than anything else. It's readable, mainly helped by the background dressing designed to encourage the character developments, but that's probably as high a praise as I'd be willing to give it.
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
There was momentum to keep the book going, even if it wasn't from the characters, key plot or main themes promised. That is, there were smaller side plots (or really just background elements to beef the character exploration, if I'm honest) that held more interest to me than anything else, and they helped me find the will to move through the chapters if nothing else. A small distinction, perhaps, but one that elevated it above a DNF or an absolutely excruciating read in my opinion.
A warning for the book:
Ignore the blurb? There's a promise of great character exposition which, even if you take just lightly, offers more than is delivered. To me, the characters are probably the worst element of this book (and I'm all for gray characters, just give me something small to make them relatable or root-for-able!) I couldn't buy into the friendship that supposedly existed and was now falling apart, and I couldn't even really empathise with the characters (and, like us all, I've seen friendships I'm in dissolve). That's why I wouldn't recommend this further, although sadly can't really point to any books that do successfully tackle such a theme (if you know of any, please let me know!)
Challenge #18 ~ "A book by an author you’ve only read once before."
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
My opinion in three sentences:
My previous experience with Thomas' work was a real thriller, so I was definitely looking forward to her interpretation on a familiar trope. Unfortunately, with several dry episodes and a culprit-reveal I saw coming for more than half the book, I was left rather disappointed by the plotline offered. Let it be said, however, that on a technical level, the characters and relationships were strong and well-written - if only there was more life to the main tale...
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
Thomas nails the people elements of this book. From characterisation to relationships, there's complexity, strength and uniqueness abounding. Each character, both main and side, stood clearly alone and felt different and distinct from each other, which is very important in a mystery such as this. Furthermore, Thomas' portrayal of the complex tangle that friendships take (especially among high school girls) was really laudable and a key strength of the book as a whole.
A warning for the book:
If you've read a something with a similar premise before, you've read this one too. Unfortunately, Thomas doesn't manage to achieve much to make this stand about above the others, and actually struggles to make it stand with the others. I had the surprise-reveal culprit pegged from quite early on (maybe a result of reading too many similar books), and had quite a job finding the momentum to get through some very slow and dry portions of the story. Had I not been reading the audiobook, this may very well have stayed half-read on my Kindle somewhere for many more months...
Recommended for fans of:
- Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus
- See All the Stars by Kit Frick
- Fix Me by Lisa Cronkhite
Challenge #7 ~ “A book set in the Southern Hemisphere.”
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
My opinion in three sentences:
This was a tale of two halves - both intentionally as Morpurgo switched protagonist, but also unintentionally (I'd hope) in finesse. Whilst the opening part tells us of Arthur's life in Australia with a winding plot, host of simplistic-but-strong characters and readable writing style, the second part feels bland, repetitive and focuses on a character we have no connection to. I also implore all authors to think carefully before using abstract punctuation, capitalisation and text speak as general prose, because after just a chapter it had me putting this book down while I mentally prepared myself for said torture.
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
Morpurgo tackles a topic I've not read much on before, and does so in a way that is clearly well-researched but also informative to an older middle-grade audience. The author's afterword adds more depth on this idea, too, adding strength to the idea that reading the novel is worthwhile. And, actually, if you're not too fussed about reading the whole book, I'd definitely recommend the first part in isolation - part 2, unfortunately, does enough damage that I can't find myself recommending it further as a whole work.
A warning for the book:
Part 2 is very different to part 1. It's a point that keeps surfacing in this review, I know, but I feel as if I can't state it enough. Was it necessary? The jury's out. She probably could have just taken an airplane. Was it readable? Honestly, I struggled. Morpurgo made a stylistic choice to use odd capitalisation and punctuation to create the "log book" emails, but there was no consistency to it and thus didn't feel credible. Was it engaging? Not for me. Before this point, we'd barely been introduced to the character suddenly leading our prose and becoming the new focal point, and lots of elements felt repetitive, forced and added no value (I'm looking at you, poem she decided to tell us all about memorising!)
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Challenge #32 ~ “A book related to the 2020 Summer Games in Japan.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
My opinion in three sentences:
Having had a good and bad experience respectively from Iacopelli's two last novels, I wasn't quite sure what this one would hold, and ended up being pleasantly surprised. There was a new level of sophistication to this book from both the last, and even the strengths had been built upon - relatable, complex characters, establishing a world many of us are unfamiliar with in an entertaining way, crafting a twisting plotline with all the requisite up-and-downs, the works. Plus, to top it all off, Iacopelli exhibited top-class handling of some challengeing themes to create a hard-hitting but empowering story, offering some of the hope we've all been looking for in 2020!
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
Maybe it was just right place right time, but for me one of the best things about this novel was the added poignancy by the cancellation of this year's Olympics. We, as a reader, grow to love the characters, fight for them, support them, and all the time are made aware of how time sensitive things are, whether from injury, age, other competitors reaching their peak, or the multitude of other factors involved. It's safe to say that the outcomes from the 2021 games will not be the same as they would have for 2020, and Iacopelli's story brings that message home in an intimate fashion - I really had to take a pause and think. Unintentional it may have been, it's an additional level of depth that really struck a chord with me (and was the icing on the cake to such a well-crafted novel.)
A warning for the book:
It tackles some serious and dark themes, much more so than either of Iacopelli’s previous works. Whilst there's nothing graphic, the dominant focus thematically is sexual assault survival and, as in reality, it resurfaces again and again, especially when you're least expecting it. So, please take care of yourself first and heed any trigger warnings you may need to, but rest assured that Iacopelli does a fantastic job at sensitively handling the topic and representing it realistically.
Recommended for fans of:
- Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton
- The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed
- Beartown by Fredrik Backman
I'm all for an easy read every once in a while, where things muddle along quite simply with little need for the reader to employ their brain 100% of the time. Requiem for a Mezzo, however, fell too far the other way - with no real points of interest at all, barely-introduced characters and a lacklustre climax. In trying to have so many potential suspects with their own complex sideplots, what Dunn actually succeeded in doing was making a watery tale where no aspect held any real substance.
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
Whilst maintaining a standalone nature to the novel, Dunn also enables a longer term exploration of the main characters, and I particularly enjoyed seeing how Alec and Daisy's relationship developed in this installment. As familiar characters, there was the opportunity to delve deeper into them both, and whilst this was mainly concerned with Alec in Requiem for a Mezzo, the promise of further development exists for the next few books. It seems a small detail, but placed against the rest of the book, finding out more about Alec (and hearing his dry wit in the initial chapters) was a great respite.
A warning for the book:
There are so many characters we're supposed to consider suspects, many of whom aren't substantially introduced, and none of whom we're really led to connect or empathise with. Even three-quarters of the way through I was confusing key suspects and not recognising the names of others. Dunn tries to execute some clever twists and time-period-appropriate side elements to give a sense of authenticity and complexity, but without laying the requisite groundwork, it all falls a little flat. I can only hope Requiem for a Mezzo is the black sheep of the series, and things rebound up to their normal standard in the sequel!
Challenge #8 ~ “A book with a two word title where the first word is ‘The’.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
My opinion in three sentences:
I saw this book many times on Goodreads, read the blurb and then ruthlessly didn't add it to my TBR (as I'm currently trying to cut that down as much as possible to something manageable, or at least realistic). An excerpt at the end of The House in the Cerulean Sea, however, grabbed a firm hold of my interest, and the next morning found me seizing the last available copy at the local library and, whenever possible, with my nose between the pages. I laughed out loud (several times), I almost cried and, once again, Klune took my breath away with his quirky writing style and wacky characters - a testament that needs no real further recommendation, in my opinion.
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
Everything came together in a literary sense to not only craft the characters but convey and portray them in the best light. It was the kind of light relief we're all in need of this year, and I was unashamedly laughing out loud (much to the confusion of my housemate and (probably) fellow occupants on the bus). Not only does Klune hook you in and give you an amazing story, but he presents all the feels to go along with it, and I'm already eagerly awaiting the sequel (although it does make a fantastic standalone, too!)
A warning for the book:
Don't try to take it too seriously. Klune is here with the series for a fun time, and openly points and laughs at the clichés and stereotypical tropes along the way. This is something in the past I've not been a great fan of, but in The Extraordinaries it's done in such a manner that it works. Come here with a love for awkward gays or as a fan of superheroes (or both, but that needn't be the case), and Klune will reward you in return with a delightful, humorous read.
Recommended for fans of:
- Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
- The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
- Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
