BOY21 by Matthew Quick | Book Review (SPOILER FREE)

Title: Boy21

Author: Matthew Quick

Genre: Contemporary / YA
Originally Published: 2012

Page Count: 277 pages

Published by: Headline

Date Read: 10th July 2014

*Note: Book sent by publisher through Bookbridgr for review. All thoughts & feelings 100% genuine*

Boy21 is a multi-layered Young Adult contemporary novel, in which we follow the protagonist, Finley, a high school basketball player. Finley's life is a combination of looking after his 'Pop', sitting on his roof with his girlfriend, Erin, and basketball. When his Coach one day asks him to reach out to new student, Russ, as a favour, Finley's life gains a shadow and a friend who continues to go by the name 'Boy21' and believes he is from outer space and has a mission to complete. As the two boys develop a friendship in their town of gangs and racial divides, it becomes clear that their friendship is beneficial for both, as they both hide a past that they are refusing to confront. 

While the synopsis may sound a tiny bit ridiculous when I put it like that, the novel was infact quite breathtaking. I've never read any of Matthew Quick's work and I'll tell you straight away that I will be picking another of his novels up as soon as possible! It's so short and wonderful that I read it in an afternoon. 

There's more than just that synopsis I put together, there's the wonderful characters. (Note-to-self: Stop saying wonderful). Anyway, Finley is wonderful a breath of fresh air as a protagonist. He's a very quiet individual, but one who is always present and never judging. His growth in the novel is outstanding and you can't help but sympathise with him. Russ, or Boy21, was fantastic also. He was so imaginative and caring, there was definitely a sense of connection with the two boys. And finally an ode to Erin, for she was hilarious. Her interactions and mannerisms were so beautiful, you couldn't help but want to be best friends with her. 

The plot itself is intriguing. It can become clear that basketball was the centre of this novel, and that sport gave each boy a drive in their life when they needed it. In reality, however, its their friendship that drives this novel. The time they spend together, unjudging of one another, and discovering each other is what drives this novel and it was great that, although the love interest plays a big part of this novel, friendship was the glue that held together this YA novel, something which I feel is forgotten about with some of my recent YA reads. 

If you get a chance, pick this book up, it's much more powerful and warm (can a book be warm? I'm saying it can) than I first thought and I'm so grateful that Bookbridgr gave me an opportunity to read it. Definitely check it out. ★★★★☆ (4.5)

WIDE AWAKE by David Levithan (SPOILER FREE)

ALLEGIANT | Book Review

Title: Allegiant (Divergent #3)
Author: Veronica Roth
Genre: YA / Dystopian
Published by: HarperCollins Children's
Originally Published: 2013
Page Count: 526 pages

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

(Source: Goodreads)

First of all, I don't want to spoil anything really and didn't want to publish the real blurb here incase anyone stumbles upon this review and finds out plot points to the first and second book, so I'll keep it simple.

The writing of this book was one that we've come to expect and enjoy with Roth. Her writing is effortless and just keeps you turning the page as she has definitely found her writing style. The characters in the book become slightly more developed, especially in regards to Four. We finally get Four's perspective in the book, allowing entry into his thought processes, and into how he sees the conflict going on around him. He does at times come across as petty, which I feel was Roth's intentions but it fell a little flat at times. Tris has continued to grow throughout the novels. The first novel really saw her develop, the second saw her make mistakes, and this final novel sees Tris learn from her mistakes and essentially become a really strong person, let alone a strong protagonist. We are introduced to new characters from whom, come answers. The whole of the series has been based on the faction system that has dominated society, separating you into either Amity, Abnegation, Candor, Dauntless or Erudite, depending on how your mind works and how you view society. Tris, finding out she's 'Divergent' in book one, and that she doesn't fit into either of these still has much relevance in the third book as it did in the first. I feel like what Roth did is what many writers fail to do, especially with dystopian, and that is explain how everything came about and what everything meant. 

It does become pretty complex at times and you become pretty unsure on who are actually 'the good guys' as there are many different groups in turmoil with each other. It does seem like one conflict after another. Yet this conflict provides some brilliant metaphors for today. I feel that Roth perfectly conveyed how corrupt society can become by trying to change someone, trying to fit them into a box of what you see as normal. It's something that's been done many times yet Roth did make it very interesting. 

With the dual perspectives the novel found some flaws. Tris and Four are together for a massive portion of the novel, and the chapters continue to switch between the two of them. With Roth having her identifiable writing style, it was sometimes hard to determine whose chapter you were in until it referenced the other protagonist. It became unnecessarily confusing and often tedious. It's when the pair aren't together that this really works and you get to see both sides of their stories and of the action that novel provides (although, comparatively little in regards to the first two books). 

I must note how slow the middle became, I feel the only reason I was continuing was because I was on a high from seeing the film that had just come out. 

The ending was brilliant, all answers had been provided, all loose ends tied up. And although it was a predictable ending it's one I enjoyed and thought was very powerful. A little slow at times, yet still a good ending to a great series.

4 stars.

WONDER | Book Review

Title: Wonder
Author: R.J. Palacio
Genre:YA / Middle-Grade 
Published by: Random House
Originally Published: 2012
Page Count: 310

"WONDER is the funny, sweet and incredibly moving story of Auggie Pullman. Born with a terrible facial abnormality, this shy, bright ten-year-old has been home-schooled by his parents for his whole life, in an attempt to protect him from the stares and cruelty of the outside world. Now, for the first time, Auggie is being sent to a real school - and he's dreading it. The thing is, Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, underneath it all?" (taken from goodreads)

I picked this book up at my local library due to recommendation of a friend and the ever-growing booktube community that have garnered much praise around it. I started hesitantly but grew to become fairly fond of this book.

The characters in this book are incredibly well-thought out, it's nice to read a perspective from someone younger than who I normally read about. But the book does not just have August's perspective, but many people who interact with him throughout his first year at middle school. His sister Via probably has the most thought-provoking narrative and perspective, she offers another view to August's story, one that is in itself rather sad at first, but also rather wonderful. It was a great idea on the author's part to divide perspectives to gain a real sense of the world 'Auggie' is living in. I wish we had a perspective perhaps from one of those people who had taunted August, but this was not to be. 

The writing of this book is very simple, but that is to be expected, in part due to its younger characters, but also its audience. I would probably recommend this for a younger audience, those in middle school themselves, not necessarily for me. But that does not mean I did not appreciate this book. 

I won't say too much because not only has a lot been said already by many reviewers alike, but this book is such an easy read that I think you should make up your own mind as always. 

Definitely worth a read; it has its touching moments and heart in abundance. ★★★★☆.

UGLIES | Book Review (NO SPOILERS)

Title: Uglies

Author: Scott Westerfeld
Genre: YA / Dystopian
Published by: Simon & SchusterOriginally Published: 2005
Page Count: 425

"Tally Youngblood is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait for the operation that turns everyone from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty. But new friend Shay would rather hoverboard to "the Smoke" and be free. Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world and it isn't very pretty. When Shay runs away the authorities offer Tally an ultimatum, find her friend and turn her in or never turn pretty at all."

You've probably worked out that this is another dystopian YA book, one that has actually garnered a lot of attention and praise. Sadly, I am still unsure on this book's appeal, it has an interesting premise but ultimately does not deliver.

I'm going to first start off by talking about the world that Westerfeld has created. In which, I am incredibly conflicted. On the one hand it's incredibly well-thought out, Westerfeld clearly has this world in his head, he just fails to introduce us to it well. We are almost plunged into the world, sort of in media res, but not quite. We aren't plunged into the story, really, more the world. The world is described to us, but I didn't feel as well introduced or interested. The language and names used are incredibly juvenile, whether this was intentional or not, I'm unsure but I wasn't too keen on the names 'Uglyville' and 'New Pretty Town'. It's a very apt description, but come on, in a dystopian novel you have so much breadth to invent names and histories and he chooses 'Uglyville'. 

When Tally is on her quest to find Shay and 'the Smoke', we finally get a sense of world-building but even then my attention for some reason was not being held.

The characters aren't anything to be desired, I was left unattached and not bothered what would happen to them. Tally isn't anything special, she doesn't have the key to the future but the end of the novel really makes her role a much more significant one. 

The plot is slow and I think a story only really kicks in at about page 100, maybe even 200. You would think this is because the first 100 was for 'world building', but it was kind of just Shay and Tally bonding, which was good to see but I had no interest because each character was dull and boring. Tally wants to be with some guy, who is now a pretty, while Shay wants to explore their world and elope with the mysterious David. 

Now you just know there's a love story sub-plot here, don't you? And of course, we find one! It isn't that badly put together but once again unneeded. I didn't mind it as much as I have done with other YA books, but I fear the sequel is going to produce some conflicted love / love triangle that I will most likely despise. 

The book had its moments, and its premise was brilliant. I thought it was very interesting to see such a future, a future that isn't so hard to imagine. However, the lack of story at several points made my attention shift to other books and for that it can't receive anything other than 3 stars. 3 stars meaning it's okay, but you should probably read it to make up your own mind. I'll probably pick the sequel up if it's at the library, but if not, oh well.

THE MAZE RUNNER | Book Review

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Genre:YA / Dystopian
Published by: Chicken House
Originally Published: 2009
Page Count: 371

"When the doors of the lift crank open, the only thing Thomas can remember is his first name. But he's not alone. He's surrounded by boys who welcome him to the Glade, an encampment at the centre of a bizarre maze.

Like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they came to be there, or what's happened to the world outside. All they know is that every morning when the walls slide back, they will risk everything to find out."

I picked this book due to the overwhelming attention that has gone with it. I first heard about it on the likes of Joey Graceffa's youtube channel, and had since been recommended to read it by my friend, Sean. I've just finished it and these are my thoughts.

I'm going to talk about this book chronologically. 

The opening. I don't think I can articulate my anger at the first, what, 100 pages of this book. Luckily, I'm allowed to type ARGHHHHHWHATISTHIS, and you will probably grasp my point. The novel is written in third person, and we follow Thomas throughout the entirety of the book, almost. When Thomas is welcomed into the maze, no one is willing to help him. This may be good writing about how tired the other boys have become with this world, but I don't get that impression, I feel Dashner was trying to build suspense. He instead drove me away from this novel. I read two other books alongside this, just to feel sane. Every character would tell Thomas things but then when Thomas asks a question he is immediately shot down and not told anything. It became a viscous circle of characters not saying anything and being annoying. 

The language of the boys in this novel is interesting, they appear to remember so much of the outside world without directly remembering the outside world itself. However, they invent names to call things, to call people. At first I thought it ingenious, a new world, a new language. Then it just seemed a little irrelevant, surely if they remember words, they remember offensive ones?

The book has many promising moments when the plot picks up, but it's through stupid decisions of Thomas, that have no real reasoning, that we are finally able to taste a slight bit of action. After that it is left to the final third of the book to convince you that what you read was worth while. The plot picks up, questions are finally going to get answered, and then it ends. It's just one big build up to the sequel and it was annoying.

The premise of this book wasn't even so original that I can praise it, we're pretty aware what's happening in the outside world if we know dystopian YA. And frankly, I'm sure I understand dystopian YA. 

I can't say I'm going to read the sequel anytime soon, but overall, even though I did rant a lot in this review. It wasn't the worst book I've read, but it's definitely not the pinnacle of dystopian YA. It has its moments where it sucks you in, it's short chapters mean it's an easy read and you pretty much breeze through it after the initial bump in its opening. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

City of Bones | Book Review

Title: City of Bones

Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: YA / Fantasy
Published by: Walker Books

Originally Published: 2007

Page Count: 442

"Clary Fray is seeing things: vampires in Brooklyn and werewolves in Manhattan. Irresistibly drawn towards a group of sexy demon hunters, Clary encounters the dark side of New York City - and the dangers of forbidden love."

The first thing I should probably reveal is that I had a lot of issues with this book, and I guess it has to start with this obnoxious blurb. I don't usually go off blurbs a lot, nowadays, I usually read books that have been recommended or have decent goodreads reviews. When I do read a blurb, I understand that it probably isn't going to be the best representation of the novel, but that blurb, my, they must know their target audience, and I'm pretty sure I'm not that.

The novel follows Clary Fray, a fifteen-year old girl who at the beginning of the book is in a club, seemingly for all ages, when she witnesses what appears to be a murder. However, it seems no one else can see what's going on. From there the plot develops as Clary discovers that she is a part of this world that she's suddenly become aware of, and has 'shadow hunter' blood within her. A shadow hunter being someone who hunts demons. She meets Jace Wayland, a young shadow hunter, who is obviously very dark, brooding and naturally, incredibly attractive (hello typical YA trope). Clary is now on a quest to understand who she is and what she is. 

I think my main issue with this book lies within its wafer-thin characters. Clary is thrust into this world with her best friend, Simon. And despite maybe a slight fear, the pair suddenly become completely okay and natural with this crazy world around them filled with werewolves, vampires and warlocks. Clary succumbs naturally to the charm of Jace and he being the arrogant sod that he is, loves it. 

Jace is cocky and yet slightly alluring, as all YA guys tend to be. He has a charm of honesty and fearlessness. And yet, he is maybe the only redeeming part of this cast of characters. He certainly seems to have some character development in him... somewhere. 

Simon is Simon, the geeky best friend who is naturally in love with his girl best friend. 

Then we have Isabelle, Alec and Luke. The saving characters of this book, and of course, Clare uses them sparingly. Maybe wisely so. Isabelle and Alec are a brother a sister shadow-hunting duo, who are energetic, intriguing and... attractive. (No one's mediocre looking in this book). They are proactive and seem to be at least two dimensional. 

Luke is mysterious and cooky, and I like him. (He's Clary's mum's very close friend.)

Okay, I've rambled way too much about the characters. Time to talk about the plot.

Wow. The domino effect is strong in this book. It seems everything links to another thing, which in turn links to another thing, and finally another thing. These characters are rarely stood still, collecting their thoughts. They're always in the middle of something. Which is great! It keeps the plot rolling, keeps the action coming, but my, you better keep up because before you know it, they'll be discussing what a nephilim is, and you best hope you've been paying attention! Because of this, I found my eyes skipping across pages, getting bored of this terminology we're just supposed to understand. It's great that this world is so planned out, but Clary seems to understand it instantly, while as a reader, I found it rather difficult. 

The novel harbours a nice little plot twist in its finale. Although, it isn't nice, can be seen a mile away and doesn't make sense. The ending destroyed the hope I had for this, it promised  fight scenes, but before we could get a sense of the action, Clary was off with the reader trailing behind her. 

I did enjoy certain aspects of this book, however. The shadow hunters use runes to help them in their quests. They mark symbols onto their bodies with a 'stele', a small stick-shaped device, and it is to help them if they are hurt, or give them certain abilities and agility. It's a handy weapon that I don't think I've seen used much, so I enjoyed that aspect of it. I also enjoyed the fact that these beautiful human beings were scarring their bodies to protect themselves, it just seemed... fitting. 

Overall, what I liked about this book was the idea of it. I think I'm getting rather sick of teenage YA girls and how they picture and are obsessed with these YA teenage boys who are so often either jerks or insufferable soppy messes (this book, conveniently has both). In the end, I guess I would read the second book as I have been assured that it is better, and I do think this is one of the better typical YA novels.

Three out of five stars, I think is an accurate rating.  

Review: Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan.

Title: Boy Meets Boy

Author: David Levithan

Genre:YA / LGBT / Romance

Published by: Alfred Knopf 

Originally Published: 2003

Page Count: 185

"I was the first openly gay president of my third-grade class. I have seen men holding hands walking down the street in a big city and I have read about women getting married in a state that's not so far away. I have found a boy I might just love, and I have not run away. I believe that I can be anyone I might want to be. All these things give me strength." 

Boy Meets Boy follows the protagonist, Paul, an openly gay sophomore in high school. At the beginning of the book the captivating Noah tumbles into his life, and the pair are soon romantically linked as they both develop feelings for each other.  The town they live in is a paradise, an idyllic refuge for gay, bisexual, transgender, and frankly, every type of person. The book epitomises "YA romance" but has a whole cast of characters who are growing in character in each and every page.

The setting of this town is completely science-fiction, yet somehow believable. Every one in Paul's town seems wonderfully accepting and beautiful, they all embrace difference, and there's no one who epitomises difference than the homecoming queen and star quarter back Infinite Marlene (formally known as Daryl).

What I adore about this book is its collection of characters. You obviously have Paul at the centre of the story, he is the root that stems to each connecting character. Paul is likeable and relatable, he's your typical teenager. Noah is interesting and loveable. But besides these characters you have Tony (who I personally adored), he lives in the town next to Paul and lives in a religious household, where his parents try to ignore his homosexuality. His friendship with Paul is completely platonic and utterly perfect, the pair do not judge each other and are always there for each other.
You also have Joni, Paul's former best friend, isolating herself from her friends due to her boyfriend, Chuck. (We've all known a Joni, haven't we?)
You have Kyle, Paul's former ex who is now straight and claims Paul 'tricked' him. And you have Paul's parents, Tony's parents, Paul's brother Jay and Noah's sister Claudia.
Throughout the 185 pages you get a glimpse of people you have known in real life, fictionalised in Levithan's work but so beautifully. It's so sad that we don't see more of some characters. I personally would love to know more about Tony and Claudia.

There's not much I can say about this book, it follows and confines to certain tropes such as boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy tries to win girl back. But no, we have two males at the centre and its refreshing and original. It's a juxtaposition of the norm, yet it is completely the same. With Paul's town being so accepting, the novel portrays a gay relationship as similar and as typical as any other, and that's what I like about this book. I believe it is a few years before its time. It perfectly depicts what teenagers go through and it has nice references to popular culture and certain issues, such as the US's boy scouts issue, in which gay boys had been excluded from the scouts (something which has now changed). It refers to Paul's town having 'Joy Scouts', which I think is just wonderful.

The novel is a very character-driven book, like I said, and it has become one of my favourites, which I feel is a necessity for all gay teenagers. If I had read this at fifteen, I would have treasured it so much. Sadly, 15-year-old me was not much one for books, nor one to be suggested this kind of book by the people I surrounded myself with.

A quirky little book with a lovely ending. 4 out of 5 stars.

Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. (NO SPOILERS)

Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Genre: YA / Romance 
Published by: Penguin books
Originally Published: 2012
Page Count: 318


I've only recently got around to reading one of the most-talked about and anticipated book from 2012, and wow am I glad I did actually buy and read it.

The book is written in first person, from the perspective of Hazel Grace Lancaster, a sixteen-year-old girl suffering from Thyroid cancer, as a result a tank of oxygen is constantly trailing by her side. Hazel's life almost certainly changes instantly when she meets Augustus Waters, a seventeen-year-old plot twist in remission after losing his leg to osteosarcoma. It is a cancer support group where they meet and it is from there that this story develops into a breathtaking adventure about love and the meaning of life.

First of all I completely avoided this book after reading Paper Towns by John Green as I thought this book would almost be the same; annoying, a let down and incredibly pretentious. Now this book doesn't shy away from its dabble in pretentiousness, but you have to allow John Green to do this, as it adds to the likability and allure of his two main characters.

I had very little idea of the plot when going into this, in fact I thought it was going to be the same basic idea of a film I'd recently watched, Now Is Good, which starred a 'British' Dakota Fanning, and the gorgeous Jeremy Irvine. However, this book had so much more substance than the film I had watched. The film I had watched was very much counting down to the day the protagonist died, this book however may have had cancer at its core, it is the agent that pulls Hazel and Augustus together, but it doesn't necessarily drive the novel all the time.

The two main characters is where my love for this book initially came. Hazel and Augustus have this almost witty way of speaking and they're incredibly clever and well-spoken. In Paper Towns you could argue 'Q' is the same, but frankly he's boringly irate compared to these two. It may be said that this is not typical teenage behaviour or speech, but these two protagonists are not typical teenagers. Hazel has this view on life that is so refreshing and raw, she's not afraid to say what she thinks about those who treat her differently because of her cancer, she's not afraid to be blunt or hide away due to cancer. You end up respecting Hazel, she's just a teenager who happens to have cancer, and is terrified she's a grenade. A word she uses to describe herself, she feels if certain people form attachments to her its a matter of time until the grenade explodes and they are all left inconsolable and heartbroken. It's heartbreaking when you hear Hazel describe herself like this, as as a reader you want nothing more than for her to be happy and safe.
Augustus or 'Gus' is another wonderful character, he's witty, charming and in my head, he's incredibly attractive. He's not afraid to joke about what may be seen as sensitive issues, he finds humour in everything and he'll be damned if anything stops him from doing what he wishes. He's romantic and charming and you can see why he's so appealing to Hazel.

The plot follows the two as they get to know each other, we meet their mutual friend Isaac, who sadly is about to lose his eyesight due to his condition. Isaac is another heartwarming and funny character you can't help loving and feeling sorry for.

There's a quote on the edition that I own by Jodi Picoult that describes this book perfectly:

"Electric... filled with staccato bursts of humour and tragedy."

If a book can make me feel emotions and make me long for these characters then to me, it's a pretty good book. This book plunged me deeper into my emotions than I cared to think a book could take me.
I found myself laughing out loud several times, and I found myself crying at 1am over this book, actually not being able to breathe properly because my heart was breaking. Even in moments of sheer heartache this book still manages to make you laugh and immediately whimper after it.

Closing this book was like leaving friends behind. It was a journey that struck a note with me. It's filled with so many wonderful quotes that you can take with you on your way, my favourite being something that I associate with this book:

"As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once." 

I don't want to be cheesy but this quote resonates so much with me for this book, you come accustomed to the wonderful writing and the magnificent characters John Green has created and you feel yourself being succumbed to the book's charm. And then you suddenly realise when you close this book that its nothing like anything else. It is perfect:  ★★★★★