THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS by Chloe Gong

“The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery. A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city in chaos. Juliette Cai is the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang – a network of criminals far above the law. Roma Montagov is the prodigal son of his greatest rivals, the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. He is also Juliette’s first love…and first betrayal. When a deadly madness strikes gangsters on both sides, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, and a monster in the shadows. And as the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns – and their grudges – aside and work together. For if they can’t stop this mayhem, there will be no city left to rule.”

What is the book about?

It is 1926 and Shanghai is divided. Blood runs through its streets from the blood feud between the two gangs that each rule half of the city – the Scarlets and the White Flowers. Juliette Cai is the heir of the Scarlets and she has just come back from America and is ready to reclaim her role as one of the most important people in Shanghai. Roma Montagov is the assumed heir of the rival gang, the White Flowers, but he has yet to prove to his father that he is worthy of the title. Juliette and Roma, though from enemy gangs, were lovers once, but since Roma’s betrayal, neither has seen the other in four years and they were hoping to never have to face each other again. However, when a deadly madness strikes and no one knows who or what is causing it, Roma and Juliette must learn to set aside their differences and grudges and work together as they used to be able to do. Both White Flowers and Scarlet alike are dying from this madness – as well as many innocent citizens – and, if they don't work together, the death toll will continue to rise and the city will be lost…forever.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Ever since it was released, this book remained on my wish list and I was constantly talking to my friends that how much I wanted to read it. I'm an absolute sucker for all retellings of old fairy tales, old plays and pretty much anything else and I absolutely love some enemies to lovers romance. So when I unwrapped my unsurprisingly rectangular-shaped gift from my reader friend, I was overjoyed to see the cover of These Violent Delights. As soon as I got it, I started to look to see if there was any sequels and when I found out I could pre-order the sequel and get it in November, I immediately ordered it with a gift voucher I had been given, not even waiting to see if I was going to enjoy These Violent Delights. Impatiently, I waited until the sequel arrived because I didn't want to be left on a cliff-hanger, which I knew was what would happen. As soon as I picked up the book (once the sequel had arrived), I was overjoyed at the fact that I would finally be able to read a book that I had wanted to since the very beginning. However, when I open the first page, my high hopes for the book started to vanish. From the very beginning I began doubted that I was going to like the book as much as I thought because I found that it was a little tiny bit too slow for my taste. However, as soon as I really got into the book, I was speeding through it and I found that I could not put it down and I was constantly on the edge of my seat. I'm sure a lot of you will find the book is also a bit slow to start with, but I promise you it will be worth it if you just give it a chance.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

Before I had even started to read, I thought that this decision was going to be an easy one. I thought I'd just pick the strong female protagonist in the book, which in this case was going to be Juliette. However, her strong-headedness, impatience and stubbornness (all qualities that I know we share), was enough to make me think twice about my decision. After strong consideration, I believe that my favourite character is probably Kathleen. Although to a lot of people she probably seemed like an extremely minor character, to me she played an important role. She had all the qualities that I liked about Juliette: she was brave, smart, resourceful and she knew when to pick up a gun and wasn’t afraid to shoot it. However, she also had the opposite qualities to the ones that I dislike to actually app: she was patient, kind and she knew you that she had the think before acting. I think the best thing about her was that, although she wouldn't hesitate to act, she would certainly think on her actions and she wouldn't do anything that wasn't thought through and she knew was going to do something good. A lot of people mistook her as a pacifist but in reality she was just practical and she knew that, although violence is needed, it isn’t always the first answer.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

This wasn’t a difficult decision at all, however I don't want to ruin the book for anyone who hasn't read it so I'm going to try to be extremely discreet, but I know that all of those of you who have read it will know what I'm talking about. My favourite part of the book was when certain couple of people were at a certain bar in a certain room where they finally succumbed to some feelings. I really liked the part because of how I reacted to it. It had been a while since I read an enemies to lovers romance and I missed all the feelings of hatred and all the squeals when something really good happened and I was really glad to finally be able to feel these again in this book. This book was certainly a rollercoaster adventure, but this part made me feel like all the highs and the lows were worth it. They were moments when I couldn't stand reading the book and there were moments where I thought it was the most amazing, incredible read ever, but this part felt like the rollercoaster had finally slowed and I was just enjoying the view; it was the most amazing thing in the entire world. I know that this romance is not possible for me, but at least I have my books and they are the closest thing I'm ever going to get.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, These Violent Delights was one of the most amazing books I have read in a really long time. One thing that I absolutely loved was how I was always on the edge of my seat just waiting for the next twist. Every time I felt like I was getting closer to figuring out the truth about the madness, another clue was thrown at me and I was just as lost as all the characters. Another thing that I really loved was how I felt like the author was just stringing me along, giving me tiny little bits of information about Juliette and Roma's past, but not enough to make me actually understand what had happened those years ago. However, it didn't stop me from getting so connected to them and becoming extremely over excited at even the slightest look between them, just praying that they would get together again and I would finally get some much needed romance in an extremely violent book. One last thing that I really liked about the book was the tiny and subtle flashbacks to Juliette and Roma's past. A flashback is one of the things that I will always love in a book and, even if it is one of the worst I've ever read, this automatically makes me increase it by one star. So, when I was reading a flashback in this book, which was already on at least four stars, it made me feel like I was actually reading perfection, even though in reality the book was far from perfect. Although at the beginning I had doubted my love for the book, I realise that I shouldn't have been so quick to judge because, even though it had a slow and slightly bumpy start, in the end These Violent Delights has a quick favourite and I cannot wait to begin reading the sequel!

Would you recommend this book?  

I would 100000% recommend These Violent Delights for it is one of the most confusing and yet unbelievably amazing books I have read this year. It is perfect for anyone over the age of 15, who absolutely loves adventure, romance, action and doesn't mind for things to get a little bit bloody.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A violent and astonishing retelling of one of Shakespeare's most romantic plays.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

About Me: Merry Christmas!

Hi all! I know that this is completely random, but I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to anyone who is reading my blog. I hope that around this time of year, my blog is a little more useful than usual because now you are all probably trying to add things to your Christmas List and are looking through my blog for anything you may find of interest. The majority of the books I review are those that I get gifted around this time, so I hope that a lot of you are also hoping to get books for Christmas, though I know that the number of teens reading is quickly diminishing and soon there will be only us strong readers. 

I also wanted to say, as a reminder to you all, why I continue with this blog, even after finishing my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award (which, by the way, I finally got after completing it 2 years ago). I keep reviewing books because books are my passion and right now I feel like I don't have any purpose in life because I truly have no clue what to do in the future. But, when I read, all of those feelings disappear and its just me and the characters of the story going on an incredible adventure. It is while I'm reading that I feel completely unstoppable as I fight dragons and demons and sorcerers, which feels so much easier than facing reality. Books are my escape and all of the books that I review here, and all the ones from my childhood, are a part of me. 

Lots of people tell me that what I read isn't real and that I should stop thinking about it. But these people just don't understand. To me, and any other reader you encounter, books are not just words on paper; books are adventures just waiting to begin and characters waiting to take you on them. Deep down, I know that magic isn't real and that all the fictional stories that I read will never be truth. However, I will never admit to having these feelings because for me, books are real and all the characters I have read about are real, because they live through me.

I hope you guys understand what I am saying, and if you don't yet, then keep reading because I am sure that you will find the answer to every question buried somewhere within a book. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I wish you all the best for next year. 

GHOSTS by Raina Telgemeier

“‘There’s something different about this town…’ Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California because her little sister, Maya, is sick. Cat isn’t happy about leaving her friends for Bahía de la Luna, but Maya has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty air that blows in from the sea. As the girls explore their new home, a neighbour lets them in on a secret; there are ghosts in Bahía de la Luna. Maya is determined to meet one, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. As the time of the year when ghosts reunite with their loved ones approaches, Cat must figure out how to put aside her fears for her sister’s sake – and her own.”

What is the book about?

Catrina feels her whole life is ending when her parents announce that they will be moving to the North of California. She feels like it is ruining her life because of the lack of sunlight and lack of friends that she is going to find in Bahía de la Luna, but she has no choice but to pretend to be happy because the main reason for the move isn’t her dad’s new job, but, in fact, that her little sister, Maya, has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty, sea air from the coast. When they arrive and go exploring in their new home, they encounter a neighbour, who lets them in on a secret about Bahía de la Luna – the town is full of ghosts. Maya is beyond excited and all she wants is to meet one, but Cat is far from happy and wants to ignore the nightmare. But, as the time of year when ghosts appear and live alongside people for a night approaches, Cat must set aside her fear of ghosts and face them for her sister and herself…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

When my sister bought this book, I was beyond excited to read it. I knew it was going to be a fast and incredibly interesting read that I was going to absolutely love and I was beyond ready to read. Once I read the blurb, I was even more desperate to read the book as I was so intrigued and curious to learn more about the ghosts that would be found in Bahía de la Luna. I was really excited and, once I finally began to read, I knew that my excitement for the book was well deserved because of how I was already reaching the end, when I thought that I had only just started to read. It really was a great read and I knew that from the start.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was, no doubt, Maya. She was extremely inspirational in the way that she didn’t let her illness deter her from having fun and, in fact, I think that having cystic fibrosis made her braver than any other character. She knew that she was going to die earlier than she should if she wasn’t ill, but she didn’t let that stop her and instead she decided to live her life to the fullest and I think she was one of the happiest children I have ever read about. However, she was also a practical person and she was incredibly stubborn and it didn’t matter what she wanted, she was determined to get it, even if it was risky. She was incredibly inspirational and taught me to face my own fears and not let them stop me from having fun because life is short and it is important to live it to the fullest.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was at the end when Catrina finally set her fears aside and faced the ghosts for her sister, who couldn’t be there herself, but mainly herself. Cat had been prepared to hide away and not leave the house all night, rather than go with her friends to the Day of the Dead party. However, Maya was determined to not let Cat make the mistake of not going and somehow managed to convince Cat to go. It took her a while to get comfortable there, but finally Cat was able to let her fear of ghosts and death go so that she could enjoy the party just like everyone else. I really enjoyed this part of the book because it taught me that my fears are what are stopping me from living my life to the best I possibly could and if I didn’t face them, I would always be living my life in a box, not reaching my full potential as I should if I let my fears go and chose to enjoy a fearless, happy life. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Ghosts was a really incredible book and I really loved reading it. One thing that I really loved about it was how it began to consider big topics that a lot of us always think about, like death and the afterlife and what it is like to die. I really liked this because it was really easy to relate to what Maya wanted – to know what it was like to die and what would happen. Everyone has thought about this at least a few times in life and I really liked how I was able to explore one possibility of what may happen after we die (becoming ghosts). Another thing that I really liked about the novel was how it mixed reality with fantasy and superstitions. Death is a reality and it’s something that will happen to us all one day, hopefully after we have lead a long happy life. However, this isn’t always the case and it is extremely real that there are people whose life ends before they are able to truly live their life. Raina Telgemeier mixed this sad reality (represented through Maya) with the fantasy and superstition of becoming a ghost after you die and being able to continue leading a good life (as a dead ghost). This made death a little less scary and showed me that even if I die I will still have a chance to be happy (if this superstition is true). Ghosts was a really incredible graphic novel and I just adored reading it. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I recommend reading this book, especially for those who love some adventure and some superstition. It is a great read for anyone over 10 who struggles finding books fun and interesting to read.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An amazing, superstitious adventure.

Reviewed by Aldara Gutierrez Reviriego

DRAMA by Raina Telgemeier

“Callie loves theatre. And while she would totally try out for her middle school’s production of Moon over Mississippi, she can’t really sing. Instead she’s the set designer for the drama department’s stage crew, and this year she’s determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle-school budget. But how can she, when she doesn’t know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage AND offstage drama that occurs once the actors are chosen. And when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier!”

What is the book about?

Callie has always loved the theatre and, when she was a little girl, she dreamed of being on the stage someday, singing, dancing and acting. But soon she discovered that her dreams of stardom were impossible because she really can’t sing – she has no talent whatsoever. But soon she found her place, still in the theatre but rather than on stage, in the wings as part of the stage crew. This year, her school is planning the production of Moon over Mississippi and, though she would love to perform, she is a better fit backstage. She is determined that this play will be a complete success and that the set will be absolute perfection. But how can she achieve such a stunning, Broadway-worthy set when she doesn’t know how to do it, and there is drama on stage and off stage? Things are going crazy and somehow Callie must find a way to achieve success, despite all the drama. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

As soon as Jimena (my sister), came into my room holding Drama I knew I immediately had to start reading the book and that I was going to absolutely love it. I had already read 3 other Raina Telgemeier graphic novels, so I knew that this one was going to be as much of a success as the other ones. After reading the blurb and looking at the cover, I began to have a few doubts about the book because it wasn’t like the other ones I had read. I wasn’t entirely sure it was going to be as good as the Smile series, but I was still confident I was going to enjoy it. Finally, I started to read the novel and soon I was nearing the end, finding the book just as faced-paced and interesting as the previous 3 I had read by Raina Telgemeier. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Callie because of her self-confidence. She didn't care about what anyone else thought of her and she did whatever she wanted without caring about whether or not people would judge her. She was herself all the time and found friends that she could count on and could be her true self around. I really loved all this confidence she had in herself because it made me believe a little more in myself and made me think that maybe it wouldn't be that difficult for me to be a little more confident in myself. I care too much about what others think and Callie showed me that I can be myself and, even if other people judge me, I shouldn't care because it doesn't matter what they think it only matters what I think. Callie really showed me that I matter and no one should take that away from me. I hope that I can now take what I learnt from her and put it to use.  

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

This was a really hard decision to make because no part of the story really stood out to me very much, but I think that my favourite part is possibly when Callie manages to encourage people to buy more tickets and literally saves the day. I really enjoyed this part because Callie had spent so long working on  the cannon to make it work and she tried her absolute hardest to make sure that the production could be its very best and she was not about to give up when  she found out that ticket sales were down. A lot of people were discouraged and wanted to just give up, but not Callie, and when her hard work paid off she knew that giving up was never the answer.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Drama was a very incredible graphic novel, which I enjoyed immensely, though it wasn’t as good as the Smile series. One thing that I really enjoyed about the book was the flashback. Flashbacks are something that I find make a book 10 times better and, as soon as I read one, (as long as it’s well placed and relevant) I know I will really enjoy the book. I know that there was only a single flashback and it was extremely short, but it added some lovely backstory and it made the novel so much better. Another thing that I really liked about the book was how there wasn’t a single moment where I found myself bored. The plot was literally just a flow from one piece of drama into the next, with a few moments of resolution in between to keep the story going. I tend to find books so boring, but not Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novels! One last thing I would like to mention is that there is one little thing that I would want to add to the book: some sort of more impactful and noticeable message to take from the book. I know that there is a subtle message to keep inspiring and get inspired, and also to never give up on your dreams, even if they have to change a little to achieve them. But I feel like I wasn’t really able to feel it and it would have been nice to maybe develop the story a bit more and possibly put a deeper message in. However, Drama was an amazing book and I really enjoyed the adventure I went on. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend the book as it was incredibly fast-paced and perfect for people who normally find books boring. It is a great read, especially for readers over 10 who enjoy a bit of comedy, drama and a sprinkling of romance.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A graphic novel full of drama, comedy and romance.

Reviewed by Aldara Gutierrez Reviriego

About Me: A Levels

Now the real reason I am writing this is because of how behind I am on my book reviews, but I do have some things to update on. 

Firstly, just the other day I went back to my secondary school for what had to be the most stressful and embarrassing day ever. It was an awards evening for the last academic year, meaning the Year 8s would get awards for Year 7, the Year 9s for Year 8 and so on – so us Year 12s were getting our official GCSE certificates and awards from the school for attainment and progress in each subject. My mum had gotten an email saying that I was going to get an award, but in the end I came home with my official GCSE certificates, my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh certificate (which is why I started this blog to begin with) and 3 pieces of paper from the school – one for attainment in Maths, another for attainment in History and the last for excelling academically in all my subjects from Year 7 all the way to Year 11. And that wasn’t all, I also went home knowing that my name is on a plaque on the wall in my school there for all who go there to see because I am that academic year’s Dux, which is apparently the highest academic award that any pupil can ever achieve. It was quite stressful to have to go up in front of everyone, but I suppose I am quite glad that the school finally recognised me for all I have done.

Now it is time to explain the new parts of my life as I finally move on from my secondary school and will (hopefully) never have to return.

As I said previously, I started my A-Levels this year and I am doing Law, Economics, Maths and Spanish (only as AS-Level) and it is all way harder than I had previously though. 

Ever since starting at Godalming College, it has been a hectic whirlwind of homework after homework and then exam after exam; I feel like I never have a spare moment. I wake up at 6:00 every morning and don't come home until almost 6:00 in the evening, and it takes me more than an hour to get to college and another to get back home. And if that isn’t bad enough, I also have to learn giant textbooks full of information in less than 2 years and then do some exams in May 2024 which will determine my future at university and for the rest of my life. I thought I was stressed for my GCSEs, but this is more stress than I can handle. 

The worst thing about this all is that I literally just did my GCSEs last year and had been literally on the verge of a nervous breakdown and this is going to be even worse and I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to cope. I just wish it was possible to just pause time so I could truly recover from all of my exams last year and feel truly prepared for my A Levels in less than 2 years’ time. 

Currently, there is only one thing keeping me going: the fact that I am actually close to figuring out what I want to do with my life. I am still not entirely sure – which is extremely stressful because in less than a year I need to start applying to university and deciding the course that I want to spend 4 years of my life focusing on – but I have a feeling that I may go into Law. There is no other subject out of the ones that I am doing that is calling out to me like Law and, as soon as I started learning the content, I absolutely loved it (even though my teacher is the most irritating woman alive and there is so much work to be put in). I just hope that when the time comes for me to submit my applications for university all my doubts have been cleared and I know for sure Law is what I would like to do. 

Anyways, I will keep reviewing books for as long as I am and I will continue to update you all as I go along with my A Levels and prepare for the next giant step in my life – university! 

Keep reading and keep working hard – I promise it will all be worth it in the end. 

GUTS by Raina Telgemeier

“Raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach. Her mum has one, too, so it’s probably just a bug. Raina eventually returns to school, where she’s dealing with the usual highs and lows: friends, not-friends, and classmates who think the school year is just one long gross-out session. It soon becomes clear that Raina’s tummy trouble isn’t going away…and it coincides with her worries about food, school, and changing friendships. What’s going on?”

What is the book about?

Raina was just hoping to have a completely normal school year, but one night she wakes up with a horrible stomach ache. At first she and her parents just seem to believe that it is just stomach bug, especially as her mother isn’t feeling very well either, but it turns out to be so much more. She finally returns to school and back to the usual drama of close friends, enemies, presentations and gross classmates. Soon, it becomes apparent that Raina’s stomach ache is so much more than just a bug and might even be linked to the stress she feels from school and her home life. Her parents finally take her to a therapist who they think might finally help with the pain and stress as it becomes even more of a strain on her daily life and she is missing more and more school each day. Raina must learn to face her fears and learn that sometimes stress and pain is just a part of life and you just have to deal with it. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Obviously, as soon as I finished reading Sisters (the second book in the series), I knew that I immediately had to read Guts.  I was slightly upset because this was going to be the last book in the series, but I knew I had to read it because I was not going to lose the opportunity to read another absolutely amazing graphic novel. As soon as I got my hands on it, I started by admiring the matching cover to the first two books and then I read the blurb, which just added to my immense love for a book that I hadn't even started reading yet.  Before even opening the front cover, I already knew that this was going to be another book I was going to absolutely love and I was prepared to be amazed. Once I finally began to read, I knew that I had been more than right and I  got through the book wanting to reach its end, but also wanting to make it last because I knew it was going to be by the last one in the series.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Raina because of how courageous she was and how she managed to face her fears. My favourite thing about her was how she was like any other young girl with somewhat simple issues, like friends, enemies, schoolwork, etc. However, to her all of these problems seemed impossible to overcome. I know that she is completely based off a real person so obviously she is going to act like a real person, but I still found that the fact that she and I and all the other girls in the world are so alike made it so much easier for me to understand her and to really feel for her and everything she was going through. I also really liked how she never truly gave up, even when the world seemed to be ending, and she continued to try her best in everything, but still managed to be exactly like a normal girl.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was definitely when Raina was able to not just face her fears but learn to understand them. I liked how after this it wasn’t like all her fears just disappeared and she was all of a sudden completely ‘cured’, but instead she learnt to cope with the fact that she was always going to feel scared at times and nothing was going to go back to the way it used to be, but it could be near enough to normality if she could just live with the emotions she was feeling. This book was not a stranger to thoughts and feelings like some of the past books I have kind of read (meaning I read a few pages and gave up) but instead it deals with them as if they were real and not just parts of a person that can easily be dismissed. This part of the book made me feel like I could also overcome my fears and understand my body, as long as I was prepared to put in the effort. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really enjoyed Guts and I thought I was a really incredible read.  One of the things that I really loved about it was how relatable it was and how it really made me think about my own life. This whole book is based off a true story and is centred on the idea of gaining the courage to face your own fears.  Riana has to learn how to face her troubles and, as a reader, I was able to go through everything with her. All of the things she went through made me realise that there were a few things that I am afraid of and maybe I should start trying to gain the courage to face them. Another thing that I really liked about the book was how incredibly fast paced it was and how there wasn't a single moment where I was bored or though the plot wasn't that good. Every single moment I was reading I enjoyed it and I felt like I completely flew through the book and reached the end before I even realised that I had got so far. It really is a great book to read if you're struggling with reading books and you tend to find them boring. One last thing that I really liked about the book was, once again, the absolutely amazing illustrations. I know that's essential for a book to be called a graphic novel, but it completely amazes me just how well drawn they were and how all the drawings added to the fast pace and the way that it really made me relate to the characters and be a participant in the story and not just a witness. It really was an incredibly well-written book, and I can’t believe that the series is actually over. 

Which is your favourite book in The Smile series? (1, 2, or 3)

Although all 3 of the books were incredible, there can only be one favourite and I think that the best one out of all three was Sisters. The main reason for this was because of how relatable it was to my own life. It just described my own life and my relationship with my sister perfectly and I found that nothing could have been more accurate than this book. There were so many moments where I completely understood what Raina and Amara were feeling because something almost identical had happened between me and my older sister, Jimena, so I found that Sisters just spoke to me on a whole other level as I related to it so much. Another reason why I enjoyed this book more was because it wasn't just all about Riana and her story; it was also about her little sister and her whole family, so it was easier for me to understand the book because I could relate more easily to at least one of the characters. One last reason why I definitely enjoyed Sisters more than Smile and Guts was the flashbacks that only this book had. It was so cute to go back to when Amara and Riana were younger and that made me look a back on my own life and to all the memories I have my own sister. These were definitely the parts that I most enjoyed and they made the book stand out from the other two. All three books have been absolutely incredible, but Sisters was by far the best. I still can’t believe that I finished a whole series of books, even if they are just graphic novels, and I think that this series will always be one of my top ten reads.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend this graphic novel for anyone over 9 who are struggling to find a book that they aren’t bored to read. It is a great first read, though I do advise reading the first 2 books in the series before this one, but it doesn’t really matter that much. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An engaging and thought-provoking novel on facing your fears.

Reviewed by Aldara Gutierrez Reviriego

THE SONG OF ACHILLES by Madeline Miller

“Greece in the age of heroes. Awkward young prince Patroclus has been exiled to the court of King Peleus. Despite their differences, Peleus’s golden boy Achilles befriends the shamed prince. As they grow into young men, their bond blossoms into something deeper – despite the displeasure of Achilles’ mother, the sea goddess Thetis. But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfil his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him.”

What is the book about?

Patroclus has always been a disappointment for his father, not like a man should be: he was awkward and weak. At age 10, after an unfortunate event, Patroclus is exiled from his kingdom and forced to leave the only home he had ever known. When he arrives in Phthia, it isn't too difficult for him to settle in, as he is just as much of a shadow as in his own kingdom, except now he doesn't have his princely title – he is a nobody. The King of Phthia's son, Achilles, is everything Patroclus's dad wanted him to be – strong, brave, handsome, a great warrior – and their paths should never have crossed. But, one day, Achilles decides to take the exiled prince under his wing and soon their friendship is no longer a lie. As they grow into young men, their friendship blossoms into something more, despite the constant reminder from Achilles's mother, the goddess Thetis, that Patroclus is worth 100 times more than Achilles. When Achilles is forced to go fight to bring back Helen of Sparta from Troy, where she was taken after being kidnapped, Patroclus willingly goes with him. The many years of battle test everything they have learnt and all they love. However, the Fates are not in their favour and they can never know when it will be the last time they see each other...

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

This is a book that I have wanted to read for a while now, but never got around to actually even buying it or asking to borrow it from anyone. It was just one of those books that I admired from afar and had a wish to read but I didn't think I would actually read it. It had been recommended so many times that I knew I was going to love it, but after a while I stopped thinking about it. Then, when I spotted it on the shelf of the college library, all the thoughts I had initially had my first learnt about this book came flooding back and I knew that I need to read it. After reading the blurb of the book, I thought that I was going to most likely enjoy the book, however there are certain books that I can never really know and I was quite unsure about this one because, although it's had a tonne of Incredible reviews, it wasn't the sort of book I usually read. However, I was quite optimistic and determined to enjoy it. Once I began to read, I had some doubts because it was a little bit slow starting, however soon those doubts disappeared and I realise that it was going to be another incredible read. The whole time I was reading, I was thinking about how badly I wanted to reach the end and find out what would happen, but I also knew it was going to be a tragic ending and I wasn't prepared for a very sad finish.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

Strangely enough, there is no doubt in my mind that my favourite character was definitely Patroclus. Although to everyone else it just seems like he was in Achilles' shadow, he was incredible, brave and beautiful in his own way and, even though he didn't know how to fight very well and wasn't the traditional man that most people wanted him to be, he was still the most incredible character. At the beginning of the book I wasn't sure which of the two boys (Achilles and Patroclus) I liked better, however, once I got near the end of the novel, I knew that I would never have actually liked Achilles if it weren't for Patroclus, so it was a no-brainer when deciding who I liked better (especially after a certain attitude near the end of the book). He was so kind and sweet and thought about others rather than himself. When you found out that Achilles was going to have to go to the war, he didn't think about how he didn't know how to fight and he wouldn't be able to defend himself, all he thought about was that he wanted to be with Achilles and accompany him. He was such a special person and in a way he was like the good angel sitting on Achilles' shoulder, ready to tell him to make a different choice when he was going to make the wrong one. Without Patroclus, Achilles' path would have been very different and he would have led a more violent, bloody life. Without his dear companion, Achilles wouldn't be the hero that we know about today, Patroclus brought out the best in Achilles in every way and he was the saviour he didn't know he needed. Patroclus taught him kindness, compassion and love, and their relationship was definitely the best think to ever happen to either of them. Many people saw and still see these qualities as vulnerability and weakness, however, I believe that they show strength because you have the ability to show your emotions and confide in people. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

After thinking it through very thoroughly, I have got to say that my favourite part has got to be the moment when both Achilles and Patroclus realise that their friendship has grown into something more and that they are no longer just companions, but so much more. I loved how, although it was never directly said, they loved each other so passionately. They didn’t even need to say the words to each other; they just knew through their actions, emotions and so much more. They lived and breathed their love and they were so much more than lovers, they were soulmates and the ending completely tore me apart. The ending was definitely the part that made me realise that I was so grateful to have read the novel, and, although this seems weird, I think it was also my favourite part, but it links so much to the build-up of their relationship and without the feelings between each other, it wouldn’t have been such a strong and influential conclusion. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really loved the song of Achilles and there was nothing that I would change full stop one thing that I really loved about the book was how the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus was portrayed. The author never directly had them proclaim their love for each other; however it was shown to us through everything that the couple did. Every touch, every word, every glance was written in a way to show how much the two characters cared about each other. I especially loved how, with everyone else Achilles felt like he had to be the perfect unstoppable Hero that they all wanted him to be, but with Patroclus he was able to be his true self and he showed such kindness and affection for him that it made him such a more amazing person. Patroclus also found his home with Achilles because everywhere else he had felt like an outsider, exiled from his own home; finally he was accepted somewhere and cared for, like a real human being, and not a disappointment. Another thing that I loved about the book was the incredibly sad and tragic ending. Even though I wished that the characters would live happily ever after, I knew that descending was coming. The thing that made it much more emotional was the conversation that the two main characters had had together and how confident Achilles was when he said, “I'm going to be the first.” By the first, he was referring to the first Greek hero to be famous and happy. He then said that the reason for this was Patroclus. The fact that they swore it to each other and that they both believed that it could happen was what made the tragedy at the end more emotionally impactful. I knew there was no chance of this other happening, but I hoped with all my heart that there would be a chance of happiness for the two. One last thing that I definitely need to say about the book, which is also about the ending, is the final character that was introduced and how that showed that Achilles was definitely the person he was for only one reason: his love the Patroclus. There is a character introduced in literally the last chapter, and this character is basically the version Achilles would be if he had never even met his companion. Patroclus was the only one who stopped Achilles from becoming a ruthless, violent killer. I think this was most incredible thing for the author to do to really highlight the importance of the relationship and that there had been a purpose for there are romance and that, although Patroclus was not remembered by anyone and it was in fact Achilles who had all the fame, he was the only reason for Achilles being remembered so well. I wish I could say so much more and I am in real need of someone to talk to about this book, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone because it really is an incredible book and I believe that everyone should read it. You have not experienced books or life properly until you have read this book.

Would you recommend this book?  

I undoubtedly recommend that you immediately read this book. I particularly suggest it for over 13 year olds and I suggest you prepare yourself for a lot of tears. It is perfect for people who love romance, adventure and don't mind a tragedy, but I know anyone who reads it will love it. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A beautifully written Greek tragedy with an incredible romance and adventure.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS

What is the book about?

This book is about a princess called Snow White and her life when her mean stepmother tries to kill her. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

 My favourite character was Snow White because she was so pretty and she was nice to the dwarfs and helped and cleaned and cooked for them. Also, she was very brave when the queen tried to kill her. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

 My favourite part was when the prince kissed Snow White and saved her from dying because he made her happy and also made the dwarfs happy because their friend wasn’t dead anymore.

What did you think of the book and why?

I didn’t like it that much because the mean queen was scary and horrible to Snow White, but I did like it a little bit because the dwarfs and Snow White and the prince were nice.

Reviewed by Fabiola Gutierrez Reviriego

SISTERS by Raina Telgemeier

“Raina can’t wait to be a big sister. But once Amara is born, things aren’t quite how she expected them to be. Amara is cute, but she’s also a cranky, grouchy baby, and mostly prefers to play by herself. Their relationship doesn’t improve much over the years. But when a baby brother enters the picture, and later, when something doesn’t seem right between their parents, they realise they must figure out how to get along. They are sisters after all.”

What is the book about?

Before Amara was born, Riana had felt lonely and bored as she had no one to play with but herself. So one day she has a marvellous idea and asks her parents for a sister to play with. But when the day finally comes and her parents bring her newborn sister home, Riana isn't sure if the idea was as amazing as she had first thought. Ever since that first day, Amara and Raina's relationship hasn't been very good, as all Amara wanted to do was play alone and all Raina wanted was someone to be with. But when they get a new little brother and things with their parents aren't going very well, Amara and Raina have to fix their relationship and learn to get along. It couldn't possibly be that hard. They are sisters after all. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

As soon as I finished reading the first book (Smile), I asked my sister if she had any other graphic novels, specifically ones by the same author. When she finally came back to me with Sisters, I knew I was going to love it more than Smile because of how much I thought it would relate to my own life and my own relationship with my sister. Smile was interesting and a bit relatable itself, but I had a feeling Sisters would take my newfound enjoyment for reading to a whole new level. After reading the blurb and then the first page, I was so confident that my prediction was correct and soon I was reaching the end of the second book in the Smile series. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character (and I know that this may seem a bit strange for those who have read the book) was Amara. The main reason for which I really liked Amara was because of how much I could relate to her. I also find that I need to be alone sometimes and want to be alone, while my sisters don't seem to understand that and are constantly annoying me. I sometimes reach the maximum social interaction I can and then just can’t deal with anymore stupid, annoying people and need to be alone in my room. I especially liked how Amara didn't hide anything from her sister when she felt like she wanted to say something, even if it was something slightly rude. I'm always honest with my sisters when they're asking my opinion on something or when I'm in a bad mood, but they never seem to understand that I'm just trying to tell them the truth and not hold anything back. I know I can seem harsh sometimes and Amara was portrayed as a very rude and don't care kind of character, but I like that about her because she kind of reminds me of myself. However, I also liked how, when the time came for Amara to set aside her differences with her sister, she was able to do that and it really shows me that I can set aside my differences with my own sister and be kind and caring for once. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was definitely when Amara and Riana’s  relationship was restored and that they were finally able to communicate with each other in a more civilised way. This made me look back on the moments when me and my sister, Jimena, are able to bond and be kind to each other. To most people it seems like we are always at odds, but there are many occasions when we are the best of friends and I wish that would happen more often. This part of the book showed me that it doesn't matter what your personality is like or how much your sister’s personality clashes with your own, you are still sisters and you will always love each other, no matter what. I'm always fighting with my sister but I hope that she knows that deep down I will always love her and I hope that she feels the same. This part is definitely a moment to make you think of your own relationship with your siblings and to make you realise that deep down, no matter what they do and no matter how they act, you always care for them – even if you despise them in that moment. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Sisters was an absolutely outstanding graphic novel and I think this might be one of my favourite series so far (not that I've read very many). One reason why I absolutely loved it was how it was basically made for me and my sister. Our relationship is almost exactly identical to Amara and Riana's relationship portrayed in the novel. It was creepy how much I was able to relate to many things that happened. Another thing that I really enjoyed was the flashbacks to when the girls were much younger. I think these might have been the parts that I enjoyed the most and I was always looking forward to the slightly more yellowish pages showing that I would be able to read another one of Riana's memories. I particularly enjoyed them because they made me look back on my own life and the memories I have with my own family. This helped me realise that I do have quite a lot of good memories of my sister and that she isn't all bad. One last thing that I really enjoyed about the book was, once again, all the amazing illustrations that make this book a graphic novel. I've never been able to finish a book before and now I can show people that I have finished 2. I know that doesn’t count as a proper book in their minds, but for me they are, because they are the sort of books that were made for me. I suppose my sister was right when she said that I just had to read the right books to be able to enjoy reading.

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

Although this may seem completely surprising, I think I loved Sisters more than I did Smile, mainly because of how relatable it was to my own life. Sisters  just fit so perfectly into my own life and my relationship with my sister was definitely reflected in the novel. I feel like Amara and Riana were literally reflections of me and Jimena and there were many moments where I felt like it couldn't be more accurate. One particular moment was when Riana got her own room and Amara was so annoyed, which happened in my own house when Jimena got her own room and I was left sharing with a younger sister. Another reason why I enjoyed this book more was because it wasn't just following Riana and her story, it was also following her sister story and her whole family story, so it felt a lot wider and easier to understand and enjoy. One last reason why I definitely enjoyed Sisters more was the incredible flashbacks that I absolutely loved. It was so funny and cute to go back to when Amara and Riana were younger and that made me look a back on my own life and to all the memories I have my own sister. Both books have been absolutely incredible, but Sisters was by far the best. I just can't wait to read the third and final book in the Smile series. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would 100% recommend this graphic novel, particularly to anyone over 9 who is struggling to find the right book to read. I suggest reading Smile before Sisters, but it is not necessary because there is not much of a link between them. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A well-written, relatable graphic novel that I know anyone with siblings will adore. 

Reviewed by Aldara Gutierrez Reviriego

PAPER TOWNS by John Green

“‘The thing about Margo Roth Spiegelman is that really all I could ever do was let her talk, and then when she stopped talking encourage her to go on, due to the facts that 1. I was incontestably in love with her, and 2. she was absolutely unprecedented in every way, and 3. She never really asked me any questions…’ Quentin Jacobsen had always loved Margo from afar. So when she climbs trough his window to summon him on an all-night road trip of revenge he cannot help but follow. But the next morning, Q turns up at school and Margo doesn’t. She’s left clues to her disappearance, like a trail of breadcrumbs for Q to follow. And everything leads to one unavoidable question: Who is the real Margo?

What is the book about?

Quentin has been Margo Roth Spiegelman’s neighbour for as long as he can remember and when they were younger they were great friends.  However as the years went by Margot got more and more interesting and amazing, while Quentin just stayed the ordinary boy he always was, continuing to watch her from afar, though she barely paid any attention to him, and admiring her strength and Margo-ness,  something that no one else could possibly comprehend. So one night, when Margo climbs through his bedroom window, he can do nothing except follow her into an adventure he couldn’t have imagined. Although at the start he regretted it, later in the night he began to realise he made the right choice to follow the girl here he had loved for so long. After the trip of revenge and felony was over, they finally arrive back home and Quentin is ready to see Margot at school next morning. However, when he arrives at school Margo is not there – she seems to have just disappeared and run away from home. But she's done this before and she always leaves clues, like a trail of breadcrumbs leading to her location. Quentin doesn't believe that she's just gone, he believes that she made it so that he would find her, so he must follow the clues before it's too late and embarks on a journey to uncover the real Margo Roth Spiegelman.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

After reading The Fault in Our Stars  quite a while back, I realised how much I was going to enjoy the majority of John Green’s books so I made the decision to purchase as many as I could of the ones that I knew I was going to enjoy. Paper Towns was one of these books. As soon as I laid eyes on the cover, I knew that I was going to really enjoy it and the blurb did nothing but make me more and more excited at the fact that I was going to read another incredible and heart-breaking novel. When I finally began reading, after months of having it lying on my shelf collecting dust, I realised just how much I was missing out on from leaving it there so long. But slowly I continued to read and began to realise that maybe I had been too quick to judge. I truly did start of believing I wasn’t going to like this book, but now I am just disappointed and want those hours of my life back.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

This is one of the first few books where I truly do not have a favourite character. Although these characters felt more real than in any other book I have ever read because they act like real teenagers, annoyed and stressed and attempting anything just to procrastinate actually studying. However, how realistic they were is what made them so annoying because I personally feel like teenagers are annoying and I don’t really like many of them. I know this is quite hypocritical as I myself am a teen and I’m sure that many people find me annoying, but these characters where being just annoying and were constantly getting on my nerves. I hated Margo so much and I know for a fact that I wouldn’t even consider her to be my 10th favourite character, let alone the number 1. I found her so selfish and self-centred, and it was clear that she really believed that the world should revolve around her and that other people should worship her. The worst thing about her was how she made herself the victim saying that she found it tiresome being a perfect person that everyone liked. She also said Quentin should be grateful for how she had kept the other bullies, who were her friends, away from him, but I thought that was really annoying and selfish as she hadn’t thought of how she was just as horrid as them for allowing the bullying to happen in the first place. She really reminded me of all the horrible girls from my secondary school and how they always thought they were the most important. Quentin was also definitely not my favourite character and I thought he was really whiny and irritating. His obsession with Margo, who he didn't really even know because he just saw her from afar and thought she was amazing because of how pretty and cool she looked, was really annoying. I liked that the message of the book was really clear through his obsession because it shows us that we don’t really know people for who they really are, we only know the version of them that they choose to share and that we choose to see, but it was still hard to have to listen to him constantly talking about her and just abandoning everything for a girl who had paid no attention to him for years.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

Just like how I didn’t have a favourite character, I also don’t think that I have a favourite part of the book. Overall the book wasn’t that good, but highlighting some parts of the book and getting rid of the more boring and annoying parts doesn’t make it that bad of a book. Some of the parts that I did really enjoy were the chapters with the incredible inspirational quotes and the parts that had the funny and really ridiculous quotes. The book really did make me laugh, especially at the beginning. The ending might have been my favourite if it hadn’t have been so plain, but it really was good how it showed the true message of the book and how people aren’t who they seem, they are who they show you and what you choose to see. The beginning I think is probably my favourite then because it was a hilarious introduction to the characters and the start did actually make me laugh out loud quite a bit, but I am not sure if I could actually call it my favourite part.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, this probably wasn’t one of the best books I have read and, although I was a really big fan of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, I found this book quiet disappointing and boring. The further I got into the book, the worse I got. Firstly, let’s begin with the few things that I actually liked about the book. I think the thing that I liked best was probably the road trip. It was fun and entertaining and showed how really the only thing that teens actually want is to get the chance to drive around feeling all independent and strong and that travelling is one of the things that the majority of people want to get a chance to do in their lives. However it was a little bit unrealistic. Another thing that I did like was the quotes in the book. There were actually some very inspirational ones and this is one of the things that I enjoy the most about John Green’s books; he really is a phenomenal writer. One specific quote that I really loved was one about Margo and how she wasn’t some incredible being or mythical creature, or some “precious thing”, “she was a girl”. I really liked that Quentin finally realised that Margo wasn’t incredible; she was just a regular girl. Now let’s start listing the things that I didn’t like about the book and one giant one is Margo. She was definitely the most annoying character I have ever read about. The constant repetition of her name has made it impossible for me to ever forget the name Margo Roth Spiegelman. She was portrayed as the perfect girl. A legend that was entitled to do whatever the hell she wanted. I didn't care if she would be found or if she had killed herself, and to be honest I think it would have been a much better book if she had killed herself because then it would make sense and she could have been the girl constantly being forced into perfection and feeling the pressure. She really didn't deserve the attention she got and I am glad that I never have to read about her again.  I also got very confused at what the plot even was and it’s another thing I didn’t like because I was just so puzzled at the end at what the purpose of the book even was. There was also maybe supposed to be some romance or something but I was also really confused at what all of that was about. It truly didn’t make any sense. The pace was just really slow after a certain point and I feel like a lot could have been avoided. Another thing that I didn’t like was the fact that Quentin and his friends skipped their graduation for a road trip to find one of the most annoying human being on the planet. I found it extremely unrealistic and so confusing. After a while I started to really wish that the book would end so I could move on with my life, but a part of me wished that something actually happened at the end so that the book could have made sense. It was a decent book at the start, but I would have done a lot of things differently in the middle and at the end.

Would you recommend this book?  

I don’t really recommend the book, but feel free to read and waste your time. If you do read it I recommend it for over 14 year olds, who enjoy a little adventure and don’t mind getting quite annoyed at cheesy and needy characters. But do not read it if you aren’t prepared for a confusing and utterly pointless plot. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A slow paced road trip adventure with inspirational quotes but a pointless plot.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

SPINDERELLA

What is the book about?

A spider that does not know how to count and gets help from a hairy godmother, who tells her what numbers are.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

 My favourite character was Spinderella because she liked numbers like me and she liked football like me.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

 My favourite part of the book was when Spinderella scores a goal at the end and wins the game because it was very fun and I liked that Spinderella won.

What did you think of the book and why?

I really liked the book because it was very interesting and had lots of things that I liked in it and it was very cool how Spinderella had a hairy godmother who had magic and helped her. 

Reviewed by Fabiola Gutierrez Reviriego

SMILE by Raina Telgemeier

“Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there’s still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly. Raina’s story takes us from middle school to high school, where she discovers her artistic voice, finds out what true friendship really means, and where she can finally…smile. 

What is the book about?

This book is a true story based on the life of Raina Telgemeier. Raina seems to have a perfectly normal, drama free life. But one night, everything changes when she trips and falls while running with her friends after a Girl Scouts meeting, and knocks out both her front teeth. The story follows Raina as her dentist, Dr Golden, tries his best to fix her teeth and leave her with a healthy and normal looking mouth. On top of all that dental drama, Raina also has to deal with boys, friendships, a major earthquake and the transition from middle school to high school. Here she is finally able to be her true self and finds true friends and discovers her love of art. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I have never really liked to read and personally I think it is extremely boring, but my sister is insistent on the fact that books aren’t boring and if I think that then I’m just not reading the right books for me. So, finally after years of trying different types of genres, she found one that she was almost 100% sure that I would love – a graphic novel called Smile. When she handed it to me I wasn’t too sure what I would think of it. It didn’t look like it would be that interesting and I wasn’t really used to graphic novels so I was a bit confused as to why she thought I would like it. But, as soon as I read the first page I knew why she thought I would definitely enjoy this book – it was fast-paced and had so many pictures; it was perfect for me. I whizzed through the book and soon I found myself asking my sister for another book like it. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Raina because she was like what every person feels like on the inside when they are in their teenage years, awkward and weird and out place. She made me feel a little bit more confident in myself because I knew that I was not the only one who was feeling a little bit alone and I think now I feel like I can be more like myself now and not how other people want me to be. I particularly admired her when she finally stood up to her so-called friends, because this is something that I don't think I would ever be able to do myself because of how scary it is to be on your own and, even if they aren’t real friends, at least having someone to make it look like you aren’t a loner, makes secondary school (high school) a whole lot easier. I’m having some friendship issues myself at the moment and seeing that I’m not the only one makes it easier to keep going and to just fight back and make a stand for myself. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was definitely when Riana finally stood up to her friends because it had been bugging me from the first time I saw them being mean to her and I just really wanted to slap them all. This part really showed me that I should have more self-respect and that I don't deserve to be treated badly by anyone and no one should ever have to feel like their own friends or family aren’t there for them.  This also showed me that Raina wasn’t just some weird, awkward teen and that she was actually very brave and she had her own views and her own things to say.  This really showed me that sometimes you have to leave behind the people who you spend every day with because sometimes they are holding you back and you need to just let them go and see what you can do for yourself. Her friends had been doing terrible things to her and I had to just sit there and read through those parts when I really just wanted to tell her to man up and tell them to stop, and when she finally did it I realised that I should also be able to do that if I was ever put in that situation. It was a really inspirational part of the book and I really enjoyed it.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Smile and I sped through it completely and reached the end far too quickly. One thing that I really liked about it was how fast-paced it was and that it really just went straight in. With most books I read, I find that I get extremely bored after only a couple pages because the author introduces things too slowly or gives me an extremely boring backstory that I really don't care about, but with this book I got none of that feeling of boredom and I just couldn't put it down. Another thing I also liked about it was the incredibly drawn pictures that made it feel like I wasn't really reading at all and I was actually experiencing the story for myself. I never really thought I would feel something like this as I've always believed that books are just words on paper, but I realise now that my sister was right all along and books  can make you feel something and can connect with you on a whole different level. This graphic novel really was amazing and I just can't wait to read another book like this. I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy all of Raina Telgemeier’s books, especially if they like Smile. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I recommend this book to anyone around 9-13 years old who is looking for a book that they will finally not find boring and will actually enjoy. It is perfect for first time enjoyment readers. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An incredibly well written and drawn graphic novel based on a true story.

Reviewed by Aldara Gutierrez Reviriego

NOTHING MORE TO TELL by Karen M. McManus

“True crime can leave a false trail… Four years ago, Brynn left Saint Ambrose School following the shocking murder of her favourite teacher. The case was never solved, but she’s sure that the three kids who found Mr Larkin’s body know more than they’re telling, especially her ex-best friend Tripp Talbot. He’s definitely hiding something. When Brynn gets an internship working on a popular true-crime show, she decides to investigate what really happened that day in the woods. But the further she dives into the past, the more secrets she finds. Four years ago, someone got away with murder. Now it’s time to uncover the truth…”

What is the book about?

Four years ago, Brynn left Saint Ambrose School following the shocking murder of her favourite teacher, Mr. William Larkin. The case was cleanly solved, with a random drifter thought to be to blame for the murder, though actually the murder was never truly solved. When Brynn is heading back to her home town, she is not sure if she is ready to face her classmates again, but she is determined to stay apart from everyone and suffer through the next few months until she can leave again. When an opportunity presents itself, Brynn decides to go for a once in a lifetime internship, and in order to appear more interesting to the true crime TV show, Brynn brings up the unsolved murder at her interview. She believes that the 3 kids from her year group that discovered the body know more than they are telling, so she decides to investigate further. But some secrets are better left alone, and, even though she goes into school determined to keep her internship secret and stay away from everyone else, she ends up in a tangled web of lies and it turns out the murder is a lot more complicated than she initially thought...

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

As soon as I discovered that Karen M. McManus was writing another book, I immediately searched for it on Amazon and pre-ordered it. I had been waiting for this book for so long when it finally arrived and, as soon as I got it, I was already bursting with excitement at the thought of reading it. I have always loved Karen M. McManus' books but as soon as I laid eyes on Nothing More To Tell I realised, and I don't really know how I knew this, that this book was going to be better than any other book I have read by her so far. As soon as I read the blurb and got into the book, I was completely sure that Nothing More To Tell was going to be an incredible read that I was never going to forget. Then, after reading only the first chapter of the book, I had already been completely absorbed into the mystery and soon I was looking up completely confused at the fact that I was in my room at home and not solving a murder. The whole time I was reading I was wishing to reach the end and find out the truth, but also I was hoping the book would never end and I could just keep reading more about the mystery. This was one of my favourite books (which you can probably tell from the lengthy review below).

Who was your favourite character and why? 

This truly was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made because for some reason this is one of the books that had 2 main characters that weren’t annoying. The main character is usually some whiny person that constantly thinks themselves the best and that they are the most important in the whole book (although this is all true). . Brynn was an extremely likeable main character, always striving for perfection in every story she wrote and she wouldn’t give up until she was able to figure out the truth, no matter what happened. At the end, although I was glad that she continued and never stopped replaying the facts of the story, I did think it was a little hypocritical of her to blame herself for everything and then continue doing the same thing that got her into the mess in the first place. But she wasn’t annoying at all, and did things logically and strategically. Tripp, however, was different. At the beginning of the book, I thought that he was going to be like any other high school hot jerk and the fact that he was a scholarship kid and was still considered elite really confirmed that for me at the start – a rich boy wannabe. But when I got to know his story a little more, I started to like him a bit more. I truly felt sorry for the burden he had had to carry for years, especially at such a young age. He had to cope with so much and, hearing his story fully, I realised just how brave and strong he had to be to pull off everything he had, and in the end I really ended up liking him (it also didn’t help that he was good looking!). Interestingly both Tripp and Brynn were most likable characters the author ever created and it was also perfect that the romance in the book was between them. Despite the incredibly well written main characters, I think that my favourite character was probably Brynn’s little sister, Ellie, who I think was the one who actually solved the mystery and without her they wouldn’t have been able to do it. It was kind of embarrassing for Brynn and Tripp that they would probably not have figured it out without her trap, at least not for a lot longer. Ellie was such a great character, fun and charismatic (the friendlier, more social and more exciting sister) and I would love more of her in the future, so I really hope that the sequel stars her (like how the sequel of One of Us is Lying stars Bronwyn’s sister) or her own mystery to solve. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

The whole book was absolutely incredible and I really enjoyed every single part, so this decision is really difficult for me. It was actually so difficult that this is the first time that I actually cannot choose a favourite part; however one thing that I can tell you for sure is that it is definitely not the ending! But thankfully, now that I have nothing more to tell (pun intended) about my favourite part, there is more room for my overall impression of the book (which I have lots to say about).

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Nothing More To Tell was a marvellous read and I truly adored everything about it (except one tiny detail that stopped it from being a true 10/10). One thing that made this an absolutely incredible book is the fact that the story was told from the perspectives of two likable characters, and this made it better than Karen M. McManus’ previous works. I was so grateful for this because it wasn’t at all confusing to have multiple points of view and, as I liked both characters and they both led very interesting sides of the story, I didn’t (not even once) wish for it to switch back to either of the characters. Another thing that I will never ever stop thinking about is the fact that all of the books covers are the exact same style and this is the main reason why Karen M. McManus’ books are my absolute favourite. They just look so beautiful and organised on my bookshelf and I am a little bit (a lot!) of a perfectionist with a bit of OCD and these books satisfy me so much with how clean and perfect they are. I just cannot get over the smooth, identical perfection! One thing that I also cannot get over, which is not a good thing, is how abrupt the ending was. I was so shocked at the fact that the book ended so quickly summarising everything so quickly and just moving on. I was just so confused and it was almost like Karen M. McManus had a word limit or something and she was just trying hr hardest to fit everything in. This book had so much potential and the plot was incredible, but I think she should have changed the epilogue completely and just made a second book. But, when it came to the real epilogue I was in shock at the fact that, rather than the killer showing up, I turned the page to see that it was the epilogue, where everything should sweetly end with the characters in their lovely lives 5 years later. I was so confused and seriously believed I had skipped pages. It didn’t make any sense and I didn’t understand how we could just end up with such a rough and horrible explanation of who the killer was. Also, the biggest shock to me was the fact that Brynn was just willing to let all of this go and leave the killer to walk free when she had put in so much more before and nothing and no one had been able to stop her. However, I still suspect a follow-up to this book, even though we know who the killer was (at least I think so??) because of the shocking epilogue twist that occurred right at the last second, and I do think this could be very good if well planned and written, but we’ll just have to wait and see. But, if a sequel isn’t written I will be very angry as there are many things left unsolved and some plot holes. One last thing I would like to mention is the fact that the plot was just so incredible and you can really tell that the author put a lot of work into it, so much work that she included references to all the previous mystery cases, which I really loved and cannot stop thinking about. All of Karen M. McManus’ books are absolutely incredible and I really loved them all, but Nothing More To Tell is definitely my favourite because it had everything – amazing character development, an incredibly well written academia mystery and a dual narrated story; it completely blew my mind! This book is definitely in my top 10!!

Would you recommend this book?  

I absolutely adored Nothing More To Tell and would 100000% recommend it to anyone. Particularly, I think that you will most enjoy the book if you are over 13 and enjoy murder mysteries, crime novels, thrillers and a bit of romance. It is an amazing book and I think everyone who reads it will love it.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A shocking and thrilling mystery with a sprinkling of romance.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

SORCERY OF THORNS by Margaret Rogerson

“All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among magical grimoires that rattle beneath iron chains, capable of transforming into grotesque monsters. When an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire, Elisabeth is accused of treason. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.”

What is the book about?

Ever since Elisabeth was a little girl she has been raised with the fundamental idea that all magic and sorcery is evil. Raised as a foundling in one of the Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up surrounded by books, but not just any books, grimoires filled with magic spells and information on everything that you could possibly imagine. Although the grimoires seem completely innocent, Elisabeth has always known that there is a danger when it comes to them and she has always seen them chained in iron and treated like monsters. One day, Elisabeth has the opportunity to see a sorcerer with her own eyes, and she does not want to waste that, but she soon finds herself wishing she had never been so curious. In a dramatic turn of events, an act of sabotage in the library results in Elisabeth being blamed for the destruction of one of the most valuable grimoires in the world.  Alone and desperate, Elisabeth have no choice but to trust Nathaniel Thorn, a sorcerer who she was taught to hate, and his mysterious and rather strange servant. But this is not just a matter of sabotage in one Great Library and she ends up finding herself tangled up in a centuries-old conspiracy. Now she and Nathaniel must save the world from destruction or the Great Libraries will go up in flames and there will be no one left to save them.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

The first time I spotted Sorcery of Thorns I had just been scrolling on Amazon like I normally do when I really want to get more books. As soon as I saw it, the book called out to me and was basically screaming at me to buy it. The cover and the title just made me think I would love it and then after reading the blurb I knew I was going to really enjoy reading it. Unfortunately, I never got around to buying it, but when I went round my friend’s house and found it on her shelf I knew I had to borrow it and read it. As I had read another book by Margaret Rogerson before this one (An Enchantment of Ravens) and had found the beginning a little bit boring, I was quite concerned that I was going to find that this book would also be a bit slow to begin with. So when I opened the book and began to read it came to be as a complete shock that I was already hooked after only the first chapter and I was soon flying through the book. From the very first page I already knew that this book was going to be absolutely incredible and I was prepared for it to become one of my favourite books. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

So, although there were a lot of lovable and amazing characters in the book, I didn’t find it too difficult to choose a favourite character – Elisabeth. I think that the main reason why I found that she was my favourite was the fact that she reminded me of the head-strong, resilient reader that I hope that I can become, and each day that I read about Elisabeth I felt like I too could save the world if I continued to read books and believe in myself. She was brave and strong and she never gave up, and, even when everyone else believed that there was no hope, she continued to fight because she made the choice that, even if there was no way that she would succeed, she would try her harder because she would rather die with a purpose rather than live knowing that she could have tried and possibly succeeded I making a difference. Another thing that really made her stand out to me was the fact that she was such a relatable character in the way that she too was a misunderstood girl who always felt like an outsider due to her relationship with books. It has always been hard for me to accept the fact that I’m the weird and different one and not the majority of teens in the world that hates reading with a passion, however Elisabeth really helped me see that it is good to be different because in the end you will be rewarded for it. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

Choosing my favourite part was quite difficult because the whole book was absolutely incredible, however if I really had to pick one specific part I would probably the ending of the last chapter of the book.  Now, by the last chapter I don't mean the epilogue and now that I think about it the epilogue was probably one of my least favourite part, what I'm referring to is chapter 36 and the ending of it. I really loved this chapter because it's the chapter where I really realised just how amazing the book was and when I really started to understand that the book had affected my emotions and had connected with them in a way that not many books do. I realised that I truly felt for all the characters and fact that a certain, unforeseeable thing had happened to one of them made me really feel something deep and true for them. I know have mentioned this quite a few times but I'm going to reiterate it because it's something very important when it comes to books and that is that the book has not done its job and is not good book if it doesn't make you feel something, whether that is sadness, anger, happiness or any other feeling, but if it doesn't make you feel of anything then the author has not done their job. So when I realised that the book had really connected with my feelings I then discovered that this book was truly incredible. This was also a part where I realised that a certain character was a lot kinder and stronger than I had ever know before and I had wished that this had been something that we had been able to see earlier in the novel but I know that the author picked the right place to put it because it was a very important moment that really connected with my heart and I think it was quite talented the way that the author was able to truly connect with the readers. Although this is chapter one of my favourite I really loved the whole book and every single part was incredible. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, the whole book was absolutely incredible and I found that there was very little that I didn't enjoy. However, one thing that I did find wasn't up to my standards was the ending of the book and by this I mean the epilogue. I feel like it is a pattern with Margaret Rogerson's books because in both the novels that I have read of hers I have found that the book endings and epilogues didn't give me as much closure as I would have liked and really left me with the opportunity to figure out how things ended for the characters myself when it is something that I would have quite liked to have found out from her. I know that some people like the opportunity to expand on what the author wrote but I personally prefer it when the author creates a future of those characters and although I was giving more hope for those characters I feel like things could be in a bit better and we could have been given a little more information about them. Although, this was something that I didn't necessarily like about the book, there were hundreds of other things that I absolutely adored. One thing that I really loved was the start of the romance and how the characters kind of hid their feelings from each other and themselves and the funniest thing was that a certain character, who really didn’t know much about human interaction and romance, was the only one who actually spotted the feelings that they had for each other. It was also a slight forbidden romance, not forbidden necessarily by law but more by the morals that the characters had and, even though the characters could easily start a relationship, they attempted to stop anything from flourishing in order to avoid any future pain and suffering for themselves and each other and also to avoid breaking the moral rules that had been in place since they were little. Another thing that I really enjoyed about the book was the magic in it and how magic was something evil rather than something good like it usually is in most other books. I also really loved the addition of the grimoires and how the books themselves had a special power that should be studied and care for. I adored how Elisabeth had an incredible relationship with those books and I really liked the idea of the Great Libraries and how those books with cared for and treated. It was really incredible to see the relationship between each character and magic and personally I really enjoyed seeing Elisabeth journey from believing that magic was evil to slowly growing to realise that magic actually didn't have anything bad about it and if you used it in a good responsible way then magic could actually save lives. One last thing that I would like to mention is fact that the world building and character building in this novel was absolutely incredible and I connected with each character on a much deeper level than I ever have before. Sometimes I have not actually been able to picture certain things in books, however in this book everything was clear and perfect and I really loved her able to build that landscape and picture each room in my head perfectly. This really made the novel come alive for me. The book was absolutely incredible and I know that, although all of this is over I will see myself coming back to revisit the wonders I've been through.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone, preferably over 13, who is a lover of all things fantasy, adventure, magic and romance.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A romantic and magical adventure full of secrets, lies and sorcery.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

AN ENCHANTMENT OF RAVENS by Margaret Rogerson

“Every enchantment has a price… Isobel is a portrait artist with a dangerous set of clients: the immortal fair folk. Yet when she receives her first royal patron – Rook, the autumn prince – she makes a horrific mistake. She paints the mortal sorrow in his eyes – a weakness that could cost him his life. Furious, Rook escorts Isobel to his kingdom to stand trial for her crime, but their journey is full of danger. Forced to depend on each other for survival, will their alliance blossom into something more? After all, their love would violate the fair folks’ ruthless laws…but are some matters worth the risk?”

What is the book about?

Isobel creates Craft - stunning portraits for the fair folk, beautiful and immortal clients that would do anything to get their hands on any new human Craft. They crave human Craft as they themselves would turn to dust if they were to pick up a paintbrush and stroke a sheet of paper or hold a saucepan over a stove, so they trade enchantments for Isobel’s paintings. But Isobel and all other humans must be careful for, though these creatures cannot lie, they are able to twist words with a talent and a simple enchantment may mean be your death. When Isobel receives a mysterious, royal new client – Rook, the autumn prince – she makes a deadly mistake and highlights a (so called) weakness in her painting that could cost him his throne, and his life. In an attempt to fix his reputation Rook whisks Isobel away to his kingdom to stand trial for her crime. But the path is long and dangerous and no matter where they run they are attacked by monsters from Rook’s world. Thy have no one to rely on but each other and gradually an alliance forms and an emotion that would end with them both killed begins to blossom. They must find a way to crush that feeling or risk everything for it…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

At the start of the month I went over to my friend’s house and she is as much as a book lover as me so whenever I go round her house or she comes round mine we always seem to be going back home with at least a couple books in our arms. So, when I came home after spending the afternoon with her, I happened to have An Enchantment of Ravens in my arms and I was so excited to read it. I had been warned by my friend that the book had a relatively slow start, but I had decided to ignore it as it looked so interesting and I ended up with very high hopes for it. Therefore, when I started reading I ended up completely and utterly shocked at the fact that I was so bored. I knew in the end  I would most likely love it, because when I had read the blurb I had been so captivated by it, but when I started reading my hopes quickly went downhill and I wasn’t sure I had made the right decision in reading it. I spent ages on chapter 8, not wanting to read on but knowing I had to. Finally, I sat down one evening and read as far as I could and got so engrossed that I had soon finished the book and was completely shocked at how I could have possibly thought I wasn’t going to like it only a few days ago. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

This was a very difficult decision, strangely much harder than picking my favourite part, which you all know I tend to struggle most on. However, I finally decided on a favourite character…Rook. Although to begin with I thought he was a rather odd character, he continued to intrigue me throughout the book and I grew rather fond of him. At the start I had already begun to see how he was different to all the other fair people – kind to Isobel and not at all self-righteous or selfish. However, when he appeared in the dead of night and practically dragged Isobel into the woods over a painting I began to doubt his whole personality. Finally I started to see him soften around Isobel and let his true self shine through. Although he was self-confident and brave, he was also soft and had feelings that he himself hated but I loved because he wasn’t an unfeeling monster like the rest of them. When he finally declared his love for Isobel it was clear to me that he was the best character because he was willing to do anything for Isobel, even die, and he wasn’t afraid to make his feelings known to everyone around him, even if it would cost him his crown and his life. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part is very clear to me but a bit hard to explain without sort of ruining the plot so I will try my best, as usual to explain why I liked it without saying what it was. So, I will begin by saying that the reason this part of the book definitely stood out to me was because it was the part where I was no longer bored by the predictable story and was actually interested in what was going to happen. At this part, everything seemed to click into place and both characters seemed to realise, even though neither of them actually wanted to admit it, what they wanted and that they would never actually be able to get it unless something dramatically and drastically changed. This is also the first time where the ‘Good Law’ was mentioned with no context or any explanation whatsoever so I was even more intrigued by the fact that I had no idea what was wrong and just how terrible it would be to break such a law. This scene is where I started really rooting for the characters and hoping that they would be able to succeed in more than what they believed they would. 

What was your overall impression of the book? 

Overall, I really loved An Enchantment of Ravens and thought it was incredibly well written and had many twists that I wouldn’t have been able to spot. One thing that I really loved about the book was the (though very obvious) forbidden romance. Although it had been evident from the start that the 2 main characters would fall in love and there would be some issue, I couldn’t have known what was coming and I was shocked to realise how forbidden their love really was. I also really enjoyed how the romance took many twists and turns along the way and, at one point, even seemed lost (but I had always known that it was still there). Another thing that I really liked about the book was that this was one of the books where, although I really hoped and believed that both characters would survive and be able to be together, I seriously doubted it, especially at the end, and didn’t know if they were going to make it (to be honest I still don’t know if they will live to see a happy ending). I really liked this because in most books I know that the author would never kill off anyone important, however, An Enchantment of Ravens was different and really made me worry for the characters whenever they were in trouble. One last thing I really liked was the fact that the book was beautifully written and had the most detailed and amazing descriptions that, although at the beginning I was concerned I would find a little boring, really helped me imagine myself there with the characters. Although the book was off to a rocky (slow) start, I really ended up loving the book and my parting message to you all is to keep reading because it will be worth it in the end.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would absolutely recommend this book to any reader over the age of 14 who enjoys a fantasy adventure filled with magic, mayhem and mystery. An Enchantment of Ravens was a marvellous book and I really enjoyed it and I believe that anyone who picks it up – and perseveres through the first few chapters – will absolutely love it like I did.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A beautifully written fantasy adventure.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego