Despite attending the same school, Jeane Smith and Michael Lee are worlds apart. She’s prickly, refuses to submit to or even acknowledge convention, and spends more time with her online friends than anyone at school. He’s captain of the football team and keeping on top of his grades at school while being a perfect son and older brother at home.

They have never had a proper conversation before but when Michael suspects that his girlfriend might be cheating with Jeane’s boyfriend, things change. Suddenly Jeane is meeting Michael’s family, Michael is following her online and they can’t seem to stop kissing one another.

Adorkable does not look like the kind of book that I would ever in a million years pick up, let alone buy. The picking up was not my fault; I work in a bookstore and on occasion I have to pick up all manner of odious books. The buying, however, was voluntary; and due largely to the fact that I wanted something super-fluffy for a trip to the coast.

I sort of got it; but also I sort of didn’t. Adorkable is an adorkably fluffy read with some seriously wonderful ideals underlying it. When Jeane calls herself a feminist on page ten, I realised that the novel probably wouldn’t make it down to the coast with me. And it didn’t; I read it before I went.

Though Adorkable mostly pivots around the two main characters, these characters are strong and dynamic enough to support the plot without the whole premise disintegrating around them. They are also surprisingly and refreshingly different; and chapters alternately written from both Michael and Jeane’s perspectives play up the contrast. Jeane is sarcastic, witty and used to fighting for everything she has; while Michael is even-tempered and used to things coming easily to him. Compelling back-stories make both characters easy to relate to and, when they fight, they both do and say some terrible things but it’s impossible to side with either of them.

Therein lies the magic of Manning’s writing. She doesn’t simplify things by showing only one facet of situations. She shows them as they are; messy, convoluted and complex. Where Michael and Jeane’s ex’s could have been written off as malicious plot-devices; Manning humanises them. Jeane still wants to be friends with her ex because she genuinely likes him as a person and, while Michael probably won’t be close friends with his, it’s more because they have little in common than anything else. Similarly, Jeane’s neglectful parents are humanised to a point where you feel more sympathy for them than anger towards them.

Adorkable is a larger than life and laugh out loud YA romance. What makes it stand out so superbly is that the characters push this story along; not the events around them. Don’t judge this book by its cover; the cover undersells what is actually a genuinely moving story.

Adorkable – Sarra Manning

Atom Books (May 24, 2012)

ISBN: 9781907411007

After years of trying her poor mother’s patience, Sophronia Temminnick is being sent to finishing school. Mrs Temminnick is sure that an education in refinement will cure Sophronia’s habit of climbing, fraternising with technology and befriending lowly stable boys. Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality appears to be the perfect solution.

Appearances, however, can be deceiving. With the carriage being attacked before the party reach the school and the school itself being attacked soon after, Sophronia soon realises that Mademoiselle Geraldine’s may well be what she has been looking for. As promised, she will learn how to dress, converse, dance and charm; but only if she also applies herself to poisons, knives, diversion and lying.

Etiquette and Espionage is the first book in the Finishing School series. Set in the same world as the Parasol Protectorate series, Etiquette and Espionage is aimed at a slightly younger readership. In this case, however, I think that age recommendations should be summarily dismissed. Adults and teens alike will love this clever, irreverent Victorian-era steam-punk novel.

The writing style has been compared, with good reason, to Wodehouse. As in his works, Carriger’s voice is almost like another character in the book; quirky, witty and delightful. From the opening page it draws you in, imbuing everyday objects with motives and making the most tedious events into adventures.

Not to be outdone by the narration, Sophronia and her friends are amazing. For a group consisting primarily of girls they all have distinctive characters that aren’t bogged down in stereotype. Sidheag, with her rough manners and nonchalance about how the others see her, is my favourite, but the others are just as compelling. Dimity with her wish to be evil, even though she can’t help being lovely, and Vieve are both loyal and clever. Sophronia is the perfect lead character. She is complex and interesting; but her personality is the glue that holds this novel together. Her dynamic with other characters, her natural curiosity and her taste for adventure all meld together to keep the story moving forward.

Of the Victorian-era teen books I’ve read, this one strikes me as most historically accurate. Sorry, Cassandra Clare, and I love you, Libba Bray; but here it is. While the supernatural and steam-punk aspects would seem to counter any historical reality; the language, manners and values of the characters have something to them that just exudes old-fashioned sentiment. Characters, even the good ones, have no notion of political correctness when it comes to meeting other races. Even at the risk of blowing an operation, Sophronia point-blank refuses to wear trousers because she does not want to be a boy. The edges of the sharp bits of history have been blunted, but there’s still enough to hint at the unsavoury things that were, once upon a time, and I really liked that Carriger didn’t shy away from those things.

Etiquette and Espionage is a wonderfully funny start to what looks to be a great new series. I have seen Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series around, but had dismissed it because I haven’t read a steam-punk novel that I’ve enjoyed before. I am happy to say that this is no longer the case. I’ll be reading Carriger’s other books while waiting for the second Finishing School novel.

Etiquette and Espionage – (Gail Carriger)

Little, Brown (February 5, 2013)

ISBN: 9781907411588

the break-down of her parents’ marriage Elissa and her mum, Sarah, move to a new house away from the city for a fresh start. The house is beautiful; two storeys of polished wooden floors, expansive windows and elegant furniture. There’s just one catch; four years earlier in the creepy run-down house that Elissa can see from her windows, two people were murdered by their troubled daughter. And though she is said to be dead, her body was never found.

Settling in to the new house is not easy. Despite promises of a new beginning, Elissa’s mum goes back to her old ways, working late into the night at the hospital. The neighbours are judgemental, worrying more about appearances than basic human compassion; and Elissa’s dad has fallen out of contact all together. There is one glimmer of hope in all of the darkness though. Elissa meets Ryan, the only son of the murdered couple, and a boy who is sweet, caring and actually there. He is still living in the house his parents died in, trying to come to terms with the gravity of his loss. As he and Elissa establish a fragile connection, strange things begin to happen and she realises that the past may not have been laid to rest after all.

The House at the End of the Street is a film novelisation of the Jennifer Lawrence movie. It was written to accompany the movie and works well in conjunction with it. I watched the film at much the same time as I read the book so that I’d be able to contrast them. Both are light and enjoyable and, though only one is needed to get a sense of the storyline, reading and watching each will fill in gaps left by the other.

In this novel Lily Blake adds depth to the film’s emotional landscape without changing the atmosphere created by it. Character feelings and motivations are explored more thoroughly, as are their backgrounds. While Ryan remains largely a mysterious character in the film, in the book he has a well-developed sensitive side. Elissa too has a more well-rounded character in the books. She has a life back in Chicago and issues outside of Ryan and her mother.

It’s refreshing to read a book with a protagonist as independent as Elissa. She is strongly ethical but, beyond that, she comes across as a person rather than a character. Her relationship with her mother is rocky on the surface but strong at the core, she has a passion for music and, though she can be incredibly snoopy, it’s never unrealistic. The way she reacts to the danger going on around her is another point in her favour.

The fast pace builds to an unforgettable climax in House at the End of the Street. While the strong characterisation makes the story, you’re hooking yourself in for a plot-twister of a ride. Definitely a must read for fans of the film or anyone who enjoys a solid thriller.

The House at the End of the Street – Lily Blake

Atom (August 12, 2012)

ISBN: 9781907411991

Three years after the event that shattered the world as we know it, Sam is still walking the desolation of post-apocalyptic America. While he no longer has his father-figure and guide, Hikari, or his beloved Aimi; he is on a mission to find Grace, the only friend he may have left. She, however, is in the depths of hell; and, even if she is still alive, after experiencing its torments she may never be the same again.

Aided by the Watcher, Samyaza, and with an unexpected new ally, his fight to protect the innocents continues. However, new friends might not be enough to save him from the latest horror his father, Satan, has unleashed on him.

Tribulation is the second book in the Rapture trilogy and, like its predecessor, the action begins right from the start. With the world already set up from the previous novel, the plot commences from the first few pages as well. It is a refreshingly exhilarating way to start a book and suits this action-packed series well. Back-story is worked in as the novel progresses so, while readers starting out with Tribulation will be able to understand the events, those who have read Rapture won’t get bogged down in scenes from the past.

As he has proven in Rapture, Simpson is a master at crafting battle scenes. In Tribulation, he shines again. The way Sam sees and interacts with his surroundings in battle is almost poetic. The atmosphere and settings stand out as well; the widespread desolation almost taking on a life its own. It makes for some incredibly creepy build-up and some stunningly vivid fight scenes. New demons are introduced, far more terrifying than those in the previous novel, and that amps up the terror factor too.

While the plot has deepened and the danger and risks are both higher; Sam hasn’t developed enough as a character to meet the challenges. He makes the same mistakes he did last time. Not physically, but spiritually. He makes pacts with creatures he can’t trust without regard for the consequences and, at times, it seems as though he has no understanding of the Bible; breaking covenant and then wondering why he’s punished for it.

As a character he works well. Despite whatever heritage he has, he’s a good person. Those around him have more darkness in them than he does, though he does not seem to see it. Without Aimi and Hikari to lean on, I really wanted to see him branch out emotionally and rely on other people. Though he considers doing this with Grace, he has no understanding of complexities in relationships and can or will not adapt to her brokenness. He has developed so much as a character physically; adjusting his methods of fighting and applying them to different foes. It adds appealing depth and substance to the tale, making the battles stand out from one another. Without the accompanying emotional development, it feels as though only half of the potential is being met.

The Grace and Sam plotline is the most interesting development in Tribulation. Grace seems to be the only person in Sam’s life who isn’t perfect. She’s not the angel that Aimi is; always sweet and pliable. So willing to do what Sam wants that he doesn’t need to ask her. She’s confused, cranky and lashes out at those nearby; and she’s not afraid to show all of those facets of herself. Despite Sam’s anxiety about her behaviour they have a bond that will hopefully strengthen in the final novel, Apocalypse.

Anyone who enjoyed Rapture will love Tribulation. As fast-paced as the first, this novel treads a darker road. It expounds on the mythology; casting both Heaven and Hell in a more uncertain light than they had been. By the end of it, you’ll be waiting for Apocalypse.

Tribulation – Phillip W. Simpson

Pear Jam Books (December, 2012)

ISBN: 9781301374595

Under the name Zoe, a girl pens letters to a Texan inmate on death row. Living in a different country to him, dealing with a family that is full of fights and secrets and navigating the perils of British high-school, she is worlds apart from him. In one respect, though, they are the same. Both of them have killed. The difference is that she has gotten away with it.

Thus begins a tale as mysterious as it is riveting. Through eloquent, poetic and sometimes funny letters, Zoe lets her deepest secrets unfurl; revealing to a man who is set to die the guilt that keeps her from living. It is a tale of love, lies and betrayal.

Ketchup Clouds is beautifully written and lyrical, without being too heavy. Because of the nature of this book, it is quite difficult to write an expansive review without giving too much away. At heart it is a tale of two boys who want the same girl. On a surface level it is a story that has been told since time immemorial; it is in the writing of Ketchup Clouds that Annabel Pitcher makes this story her own. She layers mysteries and family politics to build a tale that will stay with readers long after the last page has been turned.

Like Pitcher’s first novel, My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece, the themes in Ketchup Clouds have a depth and darkness to them not often found in teen fiction. The voice it is written in is sweet, confused and naïve though, very much in line with a typical teenager’s reasoning abilities. While this book could easily become far too heavy, it is written with a degree of humour that negates that.

The family dynamics, as always, provided me with the main reason to keep turning pages here. Zoe’s relationships with her two younger sisters are delightful. The girls are very different to one another in age as well as in behaviour, and Pitcher’s writing takes that into account; giving Zoe’s family life a depth and poignancy not found often enough in novels. Friendships too, are accurately drawn rather than being reduced to power politics. Zoe’s friend Lauren is as rounded a character as the others. While she’s loyal and supportive, she also has her own personality and motivations.

From the first paragraph, Ketchup Clouds pulls readers in. It is a bittersweet tale of loss and redemption that will resonate with people well outside of the target age group of the novel. Zoe’s voice and the portrayal of the people around her make a perfect read for a rainy day.

Ketchup Clouds – Annabel Pitcher

Orion Books (December 27, 2012)

ISBN: 9781780620305

For all of her life Kami has spoken to a voice inside her head. Perhaps Jared isn’t as well-adjusted as imaginary friends should be, and he might tend to make Kami a bit of an outcast in her small town home of Sorry-in-the-Vale; but he is there whenever she needs someone. Better still, in a family where she sometimes feels like a fifth wheel, Jared makes Kami feel as though she belongs.

He is also real. But things are happening in Sorry-in-the-Vale; something is screaming in the woods outside Kami’s house late at night, the mysterious Lynburns are returning to their ancestral home and, as the school’s investigative reporter, Kami wants to get to the bottom of all of the town’s dark secrets. Her imaginary friend coming to life is just another strange event in a long line of them.

At times like these, I feel that I should be able to just say that I love this book and people should feel it strongly enough that they would innately understand that the book had touched me morally, emotionally, empathically, intensely. And yes, it has. But to quantify, Unspoken is a swirling conglomeration of all of those things that Sarah Rees Brennan does so well; humour, empathy, love that may be deep but isn’t necessarily unconditional, family and heartbreak. But better. Her story-telling, pacing, build-up and conclusion have all evolved to a whole new level in Unspoken.

I have said before that I love the way that Brennan writes families; in this book, I loved the way she wrote romance. Like any teenage girl Kami’s not really sure what she wants; but she’s pretty sure that a boy who can get in her head is not it. The bond between Kami and Jared is powerful but, when they both realise that the person in their head is real, it becomes tenuous. Rather than Kami and Jared using their link as proof that they are meant to be together, which would be so easy to do; they head down the more rocky and realistic path of wondering whether they can trust one another. Jared is hot-headed, inclined to lash out when he’s stressed; and in his whole life, Kami has been the only one to continually stand by him. When she’s in his life as flesh and blood, there’s every chance that she’ll find out what he’s really like and turn her back. As for Kami; she’s used to being the one that isn’t anything special. When Jared was in her head it was different; but everything may change now that he’s in her day-to-day life.

The dynamic between Jared and Kami works really well. His temper was something that I didn’t like; but I did like that Kami never gave in to him. As much as he might sulk or rage at her, she would hold her ground. She behaves the same way around all of the people in the novel. Her response to someone telling her to stay away from an investigation because it’s dangerous is to say: “What an interesting thought…Thank you for sharing it with me. Let me share a thought with you: Actually, I can walk myself to class. And I can also handle myself so I’ll be doing what I want.” We’re used to reading books in which males characters don’t have to apologise for the dangerous situations they get into; it’s refreshing to see the same thing happen for a female character even if it’s not always so subtle.

Jared’s violent streak is one of the only things that let Unspoken down. While I’m not squeamish about violence, I do need my protagonists to have a good reason for any damage they inflict on the people around them. As someone who hits people hard enough to draw blood when he hasn’t been provoked, Jared is not a character I can empathise with. Hopefully he will develop as the trilogy progresses.

The characters and plot pull together to give Unspoken an atmosphere of haunting beauty. While it is funny as hell and probably should not be read whilst eating or on public transport; it also has emotional and moral integrity. The next book in this trilogy will be out in August 2013; and until it finishes The Lynburn Legacy will be the series I’m waiting for. Unspoken left me yearning for more.

Unspoken – Sarah Rees Brennan

Simon and Schuster (September 11, 2012)

ISBN: 9780857078070

It is dark and cold when Goldie returns to the city of Jewel with her friend, Toadspit, and his sister, Bonnie. Though the children are tired, they know that they need to be careful if they are to reach their parents safely. What they don’t know yet is that Jewel has been captured by the Fugleman and his army of mercenaries.

With the city in the grip of terror, Goldie must find a way to be rid of the Fugleman once and for all without compromising her own morals. Even though she wants to wage this war through stealth rather than violence, she is fighting against the voice of the brutal and long-dead princess, Frisia, that is still in her head.

Path of Beasts the third book in The Keepers series starts out with as much excitement as the previous two and keeps up a swift pace from there. With the children back in Jewel, all of the loose ends that I was expecting to be tied up in the second book were tied up here instead.

As usual Tanner’s character development is realistic. Rather than shaping the characters to suit the plot; the plot is shaped to suit the characters. Some of these developments are to be expected. For instance, Goldie is as bold as she was in the first instalment but has grown mentally. Her morals have strengthened, giving the novel its driving force. Tanner does not take the easy way out with her characters, however. While I would have loved to have seen a complete turn-around from Pounce once he reached Jewel; it wasn’t a natural progression of character. He is too used to looking out for himself and Mouse to put anything else before that goal; and Path of Beasts reflects that.

Additionally to character development, the development of ideas comes into its own in Path of Beasts. In the first book, Museum of Thieves, readers are introduced to Jewel, a city filled with people who are so sheltered that they cannot defend themselves. In Path of Beasts we find a very different Jewel; one that is being smothered by invading forces. While the people of the city could revert to their former selves; submitting to powers stronger than themselves, they grow instead, developing defences that they had never needed before.

Path of Beasts is a satisfying ending to a brilliantly executed trilogy. It ties up all of the loose threads from the first two books, including one plot-line that I was expecting to stay a mystery. Having the glimpse of the future of an enlightened Jewel is a lovely, hopeful vision of the life that Goldie and her friends can share.

Path of Beasts – Lian Tanner

Allen and Unwin (October 9, 2012)

ISBN: 9781742371979

Something is wrong with the children. It starts out with a few cases of them killing family members. The attacks can only be classed as anomalies for so long before the world begins to take notice as it blossoms into an epidemic. Anthropologist, Hesketh Lock, is busy working on cases of corporation employees sabotaging their companies for no reason that anyone can fathom; something that is fast becoming an epidemic in itself. What he’s not prepared for is his ex’s son’s increasingly erratic behaviour. Soon he’ll find himself racing to find the reason for the world’s teens’ sudden and unexpected change of behaviour before he loses the things closest to him.

The premise of The Uninvited was new and creepy. A society that is being attacked by the members that it should most wish to protect brings up all sorts of moral issues. Jensen doesn’t hold back in the telling of The Uninvited either. The ‘us and them’ paradigm that is inevitable in such dire situations crops up, with the adults of the world arming themselves against the children.

Hesketh was an interesting choice of main character. He suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome which gives him a proclivity to overload emotionally in stressful situations. By using mental and actual origami, he’s found a way to counter the situations he cannot handle. He tells readers from the start that his inability to lie means that he will be a reliable narrator. He also prides himself on being a rational being who has nothing akin to what humans would call a gut-instinct. Contrasting this to a world that is growing increasingly irrational makes for an inspiring read.

While the idea behind Hesketh should have worked well, however, it fell flat for me. He was not a likeable character. There was a casual cruelty in the way he treated some of the other characters; but their angry reactions to his behaviour generally made him feel as though they were narrow-minded to judge him. On top of this, he was not honest and I was left wondering whether he was meant to be an unreliable narrator or whether Jensen hadn’t put enough research into Asperger’s. Hesketh does outright lie in the novel when he needs to spare the feelings of someone he cares about. He also lied through omission repeatedly while being interrogated, which is not something that he should be able to do in a high-stress environment. He seemed to have all of the traits a person with Asperger’s might have with none of the personal set-backs.

The cultural diversity in The Uninvited was perhaps the most interesting aspect of the novel. I imagine that the level of research Jensen put in must have been vast; and it shows. Having Hesketh work for an international company that put him on the scene in places like China, Dubai and Sweden also hits home to readers how wide-spread the events of the book are far more than keeping one setting for the story.

Jensen does a great job of writing a world-wide disaster and the people caught within it in a realistic style. Her ability to draw a truthful picture of various cultures makes The Uninvited one of the most culturally astute books I’ve read recently. Coupled with the novel’s chilling atmosphere, this is definitely the book for the intellectual horror buff.

The Uninvited – Liz Jensen

Bloomsbury (August 1, 2012)

ISBN: 9781408821152

Lawson’s life has been spent collared and held captive in hell alongside his wolf brethren. At the age of eighteen he and his pack are all too aware that they will be turned into hell hounds, the savage, mindless slaves who serve under Lucifer. Determined to escape that fate at any cost, Lawson concocts a plan that will lead his family to freedom.

Meanwhile, Bliss has been tasked with the job of finding the hellhounds. An ex-vampire who is recovering from being possessed by Lucifer and from the discovery of her relationship to him, she is no longer sure of her place in the world. She does know, however, that she will not be happy unless she atones for the sins of her father.

Melissa de la Cruz’s The Pact starts out fast. The wolves are getting older and Lawson is desperate to get them out of hell before they can be turned into Hounds. The sense of urgency never really dissipates; dragging readers along for the roller-coaster ride as the wolves try to adjust to the outside world, Bliss tries to find the Hounds and they band together to discover what Lucifer’s Hound of Hounds, Romulus, is planning. Though the momentum of the novel makes it an incredibly easy read, there are times that the novel could have dwelt on situations longer.

While the idea behind The Pact is a good one, the execution lacks the polish expected from such a renowned author. Events, characters and emotions are described too impulsively. I often reread passages and still couldn’t understand them, as the action didn’t hold together. The Pact is strewn with scenes that were brilliant theoretically but needed more description to come to life.

Morally too, I felt that Wolf Pact was lacking. The introduction of wolves as keepers of history with the ability to travel through and change past events is one of the most unique mythologies I have read. Delving into the history with the wolf pack was also exhilarating with the abundance of possibilities. Making the main characters’ ultimate goal be to keep the Abduction of the Sabine women a part of history was disturbing though. Granted, the protagonists were saving the Sabine women from something worse; but a group of teenagers fighting to have women abducted as wives shows very little compassion for the emotions of others.

The tension in The Pact is almost tangible; keeping readers speculating until the end. By turns Lawson clashes emotionally with members from his pack, Bliss and Ahramin, the ornery wolf who was once family. Bliss, being the daughter of Lucifer, treads a fine line with the truth; aware that if the wolves know that her father is the one who has kept them in slavery they are likely to kill her. The tension heightens the danger that all the characters face. In order to bring Romulus down, they need to rely on one another, but there are secrets there that may tear them apart if they come to light.

Overall The Pact is a quick, fun read. It ties in with de la Cruz’s Blue Bloods series; developing the mythology behind her werewolves and giving readers a chance to see more of their story. While it may not hit all of the right notes, the chemistry between characters makes for an enjoyable journey.

Wolf Pact – Melissa De La Cruz

Atom (November 13, 2012)

ISBN: 978190741018

Joelene’s Top Five of 2012

1. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake - The beautiful cover is what drew me to this exquisitely haunting story of ghosts, friendships and love. The writing kept me hooked.

2. Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan - While Sarah Rees Brennan is an author that I will visit again and again and again, she has surpassed all expectations with this magnificent beginning of the Lynburn trilogy. The ending leaves me desperate for more and, yes, a little angry that I have to wait for a year.

3. Unidentified by Rae Mariz - An unexpected pleasure. This Young Adult read has more emotional and moral integrity than almost everything I’ve read in 2012, while still keeping with the issues affecting teens.

4. Museum of Thieves trilogy by Lian Tanner - The entire trilogy is worth reading a dozen times over. The charm of this series adds to its appeal as an adventure novel that is as exciting as it is thought-provoking.

5. White Cat by Holly Black - Holly Black; need I say more? I doubt that anything she writes will ever let me down and thus far, these beliefs have been well-founded. I’m loving the Curse-Workers series.

Joelene’s Five Most Anticipated of 2013

1. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake - With how amazing the first in the series was; I’m anticipating great things from the sequel to Anna Dressed in Blood.

2. Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan –  Unspoken left me craving more. Come August I will devour Untold. Until then I will endure the cruelty of an author who teases her readers with excerpts as though it’s some sort of a game.

3. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray - Beauty pageants crash land on a desert island. It’s Lord of the Flies meets America’s Next Top Model. How can this not be made of win? I shall procure chocolate and watch them cry.

4. The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina - This novel looks amazing. I held off buying it for a while as I was worried that it would have an unhappy ending. Since then my sister has read and loved it; so it’s on the list for summer reads.

5. Stiff: the Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach - I’m not morbid; I’ve heard amazing things about this book. And really, curiosity is a human condition.