Paperweight by Meg Haston

Whilst reading this book I had the exquisite privilege of joining an anorexia nervosa sufferer and survivor on their journey to recovery. Haston's way of writing makes the sufferings of her characters seem real and brutal which makes for an interesting read.

The story centres in around Stevie, a young bulimia sufferer, who undergoes the terrible struggle of losing someone you love and paying the ultimate price for it. Horrifically enough however, it is a price that she brings upon herself, spiraling deeper and deeper in a whirlpool of guilt and denial.

Stevie goes from being a particularly normal teenager to getting sucked into seedy bars and binge drinking where she meets Eden, a hypnotic and dangerous girl who brings Stevie and her beloved brother Josh under her spell.

What made this story special is that with every chapter you get a little more insight into who the character is and how they go to where they are. If you consider the story a little boring at first, stick with it, because the story gets as warped as the mental disease itself.

As she resists the pull of her treatment and her shrink (cleverly nicknamed Shrink), Stevie reflects on her life up until her brother's untimely death in a car accident. Things start to boil between her and Eden and what Stevie thought was an ideal friendship evolves into something deeper.

Overall this novel was definitely a unique experience to read and it made me think a little deeper about life and those most affected by it's twists and turns. If a book that makes you think twice is what interests you, then this is most certainly a book worth your time.

4 out of 5 stars.

Paperweight by Meg Haston

Whilst reading this book I had the exquisite privilege of joining an anorexia nervosa sufferer and survivor on their journey to recovery. Haston's way of writing makes the sufferings of her characters seem real and brutal which makes for an interesting read.

The story centres in around Stevie, a young bulimia sufferer, who undergoes the terrible struggle of losing someone you love and paying the ultimate price for it. Horrifically enough however, it is a price that she brings upon herself, spiraling deeper and deeper in a whirlpool of guilt and denial.

Stevie goes from being a particularly normal teenager to getting sucked into seedy bars and binge drinking where she meets Eden, a hypnotic and dangerous girl who brings Stevie and her beloved brother Josh under her spell.

What made this story special is that with every chapter you get a little more insight into who the character is and how they go to where they are. If you consider the story a little boring at first, stick with it, because the story gets as warped as the mental disease itself.

As she resists the pull of her treatment and her shrink (cleverly nicknamed Shrink), Stevie reflects on her life up until her brother's untimely death in a car accident. Things start to boil between her and Eden and what Stevie thought was an ideal friendship evolves into something deeper.

Overall this novel was definitely a unique experience to read and it made me think a little deeper about life and those most affected by it's twists and turns. If a book that makes you think twice is what interests you, then this is most certainly a book worth your time.

4 out of 5 stars.

Lorali by Laura Dockrill

I honestly believe that mermaids are lore that haven't been touched on enough in fiction. Luckily enough, this book, Lorali, was a treat to read, and the artistic writing makes it unique.

Lorali is a newly surfaced mermaid who, before she can even get a taste of the human world, meets cute and level-headed Rory who most readers will fall in love with immediately. His awkward but noble take on the world will leave you wondering why most guys can't be like that.

Honestly this story had all the things that make a great story; romance, humor, culture, artistry and sexy pirates.

I prefer to liken reading this book to floating in the ocean along with it's characters. At times it was quite peaceful and then the plot starts to rumble and things get exciting.

What was most exciting was that Dockrill's writing had the touch of a true artist because not only did she put herself into the minds of her characters, something that some authors struggle with, but she captured the essence of the sea itself and turned it into a character and that is something that I admired. It also made for something unique to read.

However, the writing did get very complicated very fast and at times that made it a little overwhelming to read. It doesn't exactly beat around the bush. I'm pretty sure that if you don't catch on quick to what the characters are actually talking about then this book will be a bit of a hard slog.

But overall this novel was a pleasure to read and I greatly enjoyed it. The characters were entertaining and the refreshing take on the mermaid myth was something that I had never experienced before. Dockrill pretty much hit the nail on the head with the imagery and authenticity of her characters and plot features.

If this book doesn't become a hit fast then young readers need a serious reality check. Lorali deserves to become an instant classic because I believe that it's just what young adults need right now.

4.5 out of 5 stars : )

Lorali by Laura Dockrill

I honestly believe that mermaids are lore that haven't been touched on enough in fiction. Luckily enough, this book, Lorali, was a treat to read, and the artistic writing makes it unique.

Lorali is a newly surfaced mermaid who, before she can even get a taste of the human world, meets cute and level-headed Rory who most readers will fall in love with immediately. His awkward but noble take on the world will leave you wondering why most guys can't be like that.

Honestly this story had all the things that make a great story; romance, humor, culture, artistry and sexy pirates.

I prefer to liken reading this book to floating in the ocean along with it's characters. At times it was quite peaceful and then the plot starts to rumble and things get exciting.

What was most exciting was that Dockrill's writing had the touch of a true artist because not only did she put herself into the minds of her characters, something that some authors struggle with, but she captured the essence of the sea itself and turned it into a character and that is something that I admired. It also made for something unique to read.

However, the writing did get very complicated very fast and at times that made it a little overwhelming to read. It doesn't exactly beat around the bush. I'm pretty sure that if you don't catch on quick to what the characters are actually talking about then this book will be a bit of a hard slog.

But overall this novel was a pleasure to read and I greatly enjoyed it. The characters were entertaining and the refreshing take on the mermaid myth was something that I had never experienced before. Dockrill pretty much hit the nail on the head with the imagery and authenticity of her characters and plot features.

If this book doesn't become a hit fast then young readers need a serious reality check. Lorali deserves to become an instant classic because I believe that it's just what young adults need right now.

4.5 out of 5 stars : )

Birdy by Jess Vallance

You know that moment in a horror movie when the killer takes of his mask and it turns out to be the best friend? That feeling of shock and awe and you can't blink for fear that you'll miss some important detail? Well I can tell you one thing, this story supersedes that moment.. and it wasn't the best friend. It was someone more shocking and unimaginable. This story messed me up. You know, in a good way of course!

Birdy by Jess Vallance made me feel mixed emotions the entire ride. At first I felt curious. This curiosity was prompted by the front cover. I know the classic saying tells us readers not to judge but the inkblots and the description of "one obsession" had me wondering at how this story of two friends would turn as dark as Hot Key Books described it. Twenty-four chapters in and I'm still wondering.

It is with great restraint that I hold back from telling you how the story ends but I can tell you that if you're worried that halfway through the story gets a little dry (like I was today) keep at it, because it's all explained in a dark and very disturbing way.

And that, my friends, is why I absolutely LOVED this story!

Meet Frances, a lonesome-beyond-lonely loner who has no friends but doesn't struggle with that fact. On the contrary, she embraces it. Quite frankly she embraces everything in her depressing life; her mother's suicide, her father's anonymity and the mental deterioration of the grandparents who look after her.

Enter Alberta, nicknamed Bert, a glamorous and wealthy student who is placed in Frances' custody at school. Frances is tasked with showing Bert the ropes and how to survive the hellish torment that is public school.

The two become close friends yet Bert's horrifying past catches up with her and a mysterious trouble-maker is determined to make her adjustment to this new life as difficult as possible.

It's just... ugh... you think you know the answer! You think you know how everything is going to play out and then WHAM! The story sends you a whopper of a curve ball.

So, this story's strengths? Well for one thing, the huge plot twist at the end gives it a lot of merit (and that's as much as I can tell you). Another interesting thing about this story is that it revolves around a seemingly cheery friendship, two people becoming so enamored with each other, that you barely stop to notice the dark scenery. What I noticed after I looked deeper into this novel is that it actually takes place in quite a black and white, murky environment and I think, in a way, that foreshadows the events to come.

The story was quite realistic as well and at first that might've made it come off as a bit dry. But that is probably one of Birdy's main strengths, the shocking realism in the characters and the situation.

I'm not sure if this can be counted as a fault but one thing I did identify in this story was the feeling of being dragged on. I constantly felt that the story had yet to kick off and that when it did it better have one hell of a climax. Yes, I was satisfied with the result.

I'm going to urge all teenage readers (do be weary of the explicit content. I'd say ages 14+) as well as my school library to have this book on their shelves. Phenomenal.

4.5/5 stars. 

Birdy by Jess Vallance

You know that moment in a horror movie when the killer takes of his mask and it turns out to be the best friend? That feeling of shock and awe and you can't blink for fear that you'll miss some important detail? Well I can tell you one thing, this story supersedes that moment.. and it wasn't the best friend. It was someone more shocking and unimaginable. This story messed me up. You know, in a good way of course!

Birdy by Jess Vallance made me feel mixed emotions the entire ride. At first I felt curious. This curiosity was prompted by the front cover. I know the classic saying tells us readers not to judge but the inkblots and the description of "one obsession" had me wondering at how this story of two friends would turn as dark as Hot Key Books described it. Twenty-four chapters in and I'm still wondering.

It is with great restraint that I hold back from telling you how the story ends but I can tell you that if you're worried that halfway through the story gets a little dry (like I was today) keep at it, because it's all explained in a dark and very disturbing way.

And that, my friends, is why I absolutely LOVED this story!

Meet Frances, a lonesome-beyond-lonely loner who has no friends but doesn't struggle with that fact. On the contrary, she embraces it. Quite frankly she embraces everything in her depressing life; her mother's suicide, her father's anonymity and the mental deterioration of the grandparents who look after her.

Enter Alberta, nicknamed Bert, a glamorous and wealthy student who is placed in Frances' custody at school. Frances is tasked with showing Bert the ropes and how to survive the hellish torment that is public school.

The two become close friends yet Bert's horrifying past catches up with her and a mysterious trouble-maker is determined to make her adjustment to this new life as difficult as possible.

It's just... ugh... you think you know the answer! You think you know how everything is going to play out and then WHAM! The story sends you a whopper of a curve ball.

So, this story's strengths? Well for one thing, the huge plot twist at the end gives it a lot of merit (and that's as much as I can tell you). Another interesting thing about this story is that it revolves around a seemingly cheery friendship, two people becoming so enamored with each other, that you barely stop to notice the dark scenery. What I noticed after I looked deeper into this novel is that it actually takes place in quite a black and white, murky environment and I think, in a way, that foreshadows the events to come.

The story was quite realistic as well and at first that might've made it come off as a bit dry. But that is probably one of Birdy's main strengths, the shocking realism in the characters and the situation.

I'm not sure if this can be counted as a fault but one thing I did identify in this story was the feeling of being dragged on. I constantly felt that the story had yet to kick off and that when it did it better have one hell of a climax. Yes, I was satisfied with the result.

I'm going to urge all teenage readers (do be weary of the explicit content. I'd say ages 14+) as well as my school library to have this book on their shelves. Phenomenal.

4.5/5 stars.