Drug Use
The Walled City
Written by Ryan Graudin
Survival, Contemporary
Published November 11th 2014
320 Pages
Thank you to Hachette Australia
Add to Goodreads
Survival, Contemporary
Published November 11th 2014
320 Pages
Thank you to Hachette Australia
Add to Goodreads
Disguised as a boy, Jin Ling searches for her missing sister, Mei Yee, who was sold into the brothels of the Walled City. It's a cut throat world of gangs, drug dealers and warlords and every day is a struggle to survive. Jin Ling relies on her speed and cunning but how long will her luck hold? When a mysterious boy, Dai, requests her help with a dangerous mission Jin Ling's inclined to say no, this is a world where no one can be trusted, but the mission offers her a vital chance to see inside the brothel where her sister may be being held.
Jin Ling and Dai join forces, but will either of them survive the mission? Is Mei Yee still alive? And how will any of them ever escape the stifling city walls?
With a fantasy setting inspired by Kowloon Walled City, Hong Kong, Ryan's novel has a rich authenticity and an intense atmosphere, and its pace will enthrall the reader from the very first page.
Written by Rebecca James
Contemporary, Thriller, New Adult
Published September 24th 2014
336 Pages
Thank you to Allen and Unwin Australia
Add to Goodreads
★★★★★
Cooper Bartholomew's body is found at the foot of a cliff.Suicide. That's the official finding, that's what everyone believes. Cooper's girlfriend, Libby, has her doubts. They'd been happy, in love. Why would he take his own life?As Libby searches for answers, and probes more deeply into what really happened the day Cooper died, she and her friends unravel a web of deception and betrayal. Are those friends, and enemies, what they seem?Who is hiding a dangerous secret? And will the truth set them all free?
No one will ever forget the call that came that morning, Cooper's body was found at the bottom of a cliff, the authorities branding his death as a suicide. His long time best friend Sebastian called Cooper's former girlfriend Claire, and Libby's mother is the first to break the tragic news to her daughter, a girl who thought Cooper may have just held her forever. But Cooper's gone and leaves behind a grieving a girlfriend, a former girlfriend whose life has spiraled into a mix of addiction and abuse, and a best friend that has lost the only person who understood his complex and damaged life. Cooper was popular, but most importantly, he was happy. So how did his life end in tragedy?
Libby refuses to believe that Cooper was depressed, he spoke of a future together and wanted more than a small town existence. He wanted, but he didn't want to end his life. It's up to Libby to retrace Cooper's final steps. Cooper's last thoughts were if only he could have told Libby the truth.
Incredible. Phenomenal. Unprecedented. Exceptional. There isn't one particular word to summarise the brilliance that is Cooper Bartholomew is Dead. It lured me in, kept me enthralled and left me with a bittersweet and emotional ending. This is how you create one of the best young adult novels that readers will inhale.Kelly's Thoughts
That's the thing about people like Cooper. They were so noticeable to us. they loomed so large and bright on our social radars. and yet to them we were barely blips. We knew stuff about them, we talked about them and watched them. We dreamed of being invited to their stupid parties. But they knew nothing about us. Not our names, not even our faces. They were indifferent. They made us feel small and boring. They made us feel invisible.
Told from four perspectives, Libby, Sebastian, Claire and from Cooper himself, the story begins with Cooper recalling his own death as he lay crumpled and fighting for life and then alternates between Libby, Sebastian and Claire as they recall their time with Cooper before his death, and the aftermath he has left behind. In a state of profound grief, Libby simply can't accept that Cooper would have taken his own life and begins to retrace what happened the night prior to when his body was found. But Cooper was the link between the three young adults and it seems everyone has a different story to tell.
The tender romance between Cooper and Libby was simply beautiful. Both from different worlds, her character offered a sense of tranquility and an alternative to the fast and furious lifestyle that Sebastian offered. But both Sebastian and Claire resented Libby, believing she was occupying far too much of his time and wanted nothing more than to ruin his relationship. But both cared deeply for Cooper and even when intoxicated or abusing narcotics, neither character could be seen as the reason Cooper is dead. The storyline weaves intrigue traces of secrets and lies, while providing heartwarming and tender moments from Cooper's life leading up to his death. The characters are all ages in their late teens to early twenties, casting Cooper Bartholomew is Dead fall into the category of new adult as it does contain mature content such as drug and alcohol abuse and sexual situations.
Rebecca James is now on my favourite author list, also having recently devoured Sweet Damage. She's an incredible storyteller with a talent for keeping readers on the edge of their seat. This is a must read, you won't be disappointed.
Head of The River
Written by Pip HarryPublished June 25th 2014
304 Pages
Thank you to UQP
Add to Goodreads
★★★☆
It's the most elite school sporting event in the country. Nine rowers, 2000 gruelling metres and one chance for glory in the ultimate team sport. Sit forward... ROW.Tall, gifted and the offspring of Olympians, superstar siblings Leni and Cristian Popescu are set to row Harley Grammar to victory in the Head of the River.With six months until the big race, the twins can't lose. Or can they?When Cristian is seduced by the easy route of performance-enhancing drugs, and Leni is suffocated with self-doubt, their bright futures start to fade. Juggling family, high expectations, study, break-ups, new relationships and wild parties, the pressure starts to build.As the final moments tick down to the big race, who’ll make it to the start line? And who'll plummet from grace?
Twins Leni and Cristian Popescu were born into rowing royalty, the daughter and son of two Olympians and gifted athletes at Harley Grammar private school. Both siblings are on scholarships and depend on not only grades, but each being able to compete on the main stage at the prestigious Head of The River, where only the elite compete.
Leni has always been not only the ultimate athlete, but she's disciplined and manages to train, maintain an impressive study schedule and fine tune her body. Not only is she a role model for the girls on the rowing squads, but she's dating the popular Adam, wealthy and an athlete in his own right on the male squad. Cristian on the other hand is struggling with his weight, his fitness and to maintain a spot at the top of his field, a place that newcomer Sam is fighting his way towards. He struggles to live within his sister's shadow, and as far as Cristian is concerned, Leni is the golden child while he'll never live up to, and the expectation of being the son of two Olympic medalists.
When Cristian loses his place in the squad, he'll do anything to regain his seat again, including cheating. Along with a fellow team mate, the two boys covertly seek out a dealer who will supply them with performance enhancing drugs, steroids that will ensure his spot on the team. But as the months lead up to the Head of The River event, Cristian's dramatic transformation won't go unnoticed. While he begins to edge his way back in, Leni's world is falling apart. Her relationship with Adam is strained and she finds herself attracted to someone else, she can't seem to bond with her team and she doesn't have the drive to win. But in a dramatic turn of events, the siblings see that there is life beyond the river, and anything is achievable if only you believe in yourself.
Kelly's Thoughts
Head of The River should be read by not only those who are interested in rowing, but for all teens who compete and strive to break into a professional level. It follows the dual points of view of siblings and twins, Leni and Cristian, whose parents are both Olympians and respected members of the rowing community, being only natural to both take up the sport themselves. I really enjoyed seeing both points of view, with Leni at the top of her sport, while Cristian struggled to maintain the same level, often feeling as though he was competing against his sister in the eyes of his parents. He sees Leni as having it all, but not realising that she struggles out of the water, socially, and finding herself in a lackluster relationship while she fights her feelings for new boy Sam. Cristian seemed terribly unhappy, his storyline was more engaging and allowed the reader to relate to his daily struggle with weight and his own mental anguish.
The storyline more than ever, is a really popular topic for discussion in Australia at the moment with the alleged drugs scandal at the Essendon AFL club, and the investigation by ASADA, the Australian Sports Anti Doping Authority. But where the media will just report on facts and accusations, we rarely see a personal side of the effects that the scandal had had on players and their families. Although Leni and Cristian are fictional, it allows the reader to see just what sacrifices athletes make for their chosen sport and that they are prone to mistakes, just as you and I are.
I wanted to enjoy it more than I did, whether it was due to being outside the intended demographic or haven't had played competitive sports outside of school, but I found myself wanting to skim over the training sessions just to reach the more personal side of the storyline. Pip Harry was able to put me right into the action from the grassy banks of the river, and loved the Melbourne locations scattered throughout. Overall, it was a fascinating story of the lives of young athletes and the pressure of competitive sports, from an author who has experienced the life firsthand.
When Amy’s mum dies, the last thing she expects is to be kicked off her dad’s music tour all the way to her Aunt Lou in a depressing hole of a seaside town. But it’s okay, Amy learned how to cope with the best, and soon finds a hard drinking, party loving crowd to help ease the pain.
The only solace is her music class, but even there she can’t seem to keep it together, sabotaging her grade and her one chance at a meaningful relationship. It takes a hard truth from her only friend before Amy realises that she has to come to terms with her past, before she destroys her future.
Almost eighteen year old Amy has just moved to the country, despite her protesting, and never plans to speak to her father again. Since her mother died four months ago, Amy has been on the road, touring venues and stage shows with her Father, well known rocker Stevie D. But Amy's father can't give her the stable life she needs and sends her to finish her schooling with Aunt Lou, hoping that clean country living will straighten out her alcohol issues.
Feeling abandoned, Amy Detrinella starts her new life at Cherrybrook High, having been homeschooled for the past three years. Wearing a hideous tartan uniform and feeling overwhelmed, she stumbles upon the alluring Luke and is instantly hooked. Luke is polite and absolutely gorgeous... He's also taken, as Amy is introduced to his sneering and territorial girlfriend, Coral. The awkward hallway exchange, catches the eye of Lily, cool girl and anti Coral enthusiast and what could possibly be the first friend Amy has had in years. But when Lily drags Amy along to a Friday night party, her world is about to become far more complicated.
Accosted by three teens, Amy is saved from a potential sexual assault by Luke. Luke is adamant that the boys were only playing and that the police wouldn't believe her once they smelt the alcohol on her breath, that it would be best if she keep the attack a secret and Amy is conflicted. The not so single Luke claims that he feels a connection with Amy, flirting secretly within the Cherrybrook halls, and the simple heated touches in their shared music class, which hasn't gone unnoticed by Nick.
Nick is a tattooed rock god, repeating his final year of school, plays in a band and bartends part time. He's everything that Amy isn't looking for, except single. The life of a musician only reminds Amy of her father, and she has no desire to be an afterthought to anyone's music, following in the footsteps of her parents. Amy continues to drown herself in alcohol, detach herself from new friend Lily and and ostracise herself from her Aunt, but when Luke admits that he is going to end his relationship with Coral, it's just the push that Amy wanted to take things further.
What ensues is a web of lies, deceit and cruel taunts as Amy's life is yet again turned upside down. Sometimes you can't judge a book by it's cover, and Amy is about to discover how true that is.
Finding Home is a novella told from Amy's point of view, daughter of an aging well known rocker. Amy is ridiculously naive, seemingly only picking up a love of alcohol from being on tour. Her father wants a stable environment for Amy, where she can stop binge drinking and interact with teens her own age, but Amy seems to involve herself in situations that could only stand to damage her further. We're offered insights into how Amy's love of binge drinking began, but the only explanation of her chasing Luke, who's already in a relationship, is purely her own stupidity.
It was engaging but touched on serious issues facing teens today, alcoholism, drug use, sexual assault and the story of a girl trying to find her own feet again.
Finding Home
Written By Lauren K. McKellar
Published 01 / 10 /2013
156 Pages
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for the opportunity to read and review.
Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations long political feud, and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths. But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection, and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city, including herself.
Manhattan is set to host the wedding event that will unite two feuding families, pity seventeen year old Aria can't remember Thomas, as she wakes up from an overdose and suffering partial memory loss. Aria Rose is a political darling, living the life of an entitled girl high in the Rose penthouse apartments. The city is now living between two castes, those living above and the needy and magical living below. Global warming has decimated so many cites around the world, but those with wealth and importance are still living in luxury. The depths are now saltwater filled canals, with the rising sea levels eventually predicted to swallow the island.
The union of the Rose and Foster families will ensure Violet Brooks will never be in power. Violet is a dangerous Mystic that believes in fairness and equality for all citizens, and Aria's pending nuptials will ensure Manhattan's safety. There is no doubt that Thomas is handsome, dashing even, but for a couple supposedly in love, why are his touches awkward and kisses chaste? Why does he still feel as though he's a stranger? As Aria's lost memories linger just out of reach, she realises this wedding will happen even without her consent. But when she finds a hidden note reminding her to remember, Aria goes searching for answers to the questions she's afraid of asking.
When Aria escapes her own engagement party for a breath of fresh air, she slips upon her balcony and mere moments from plunging to her death, a figure emerges from the shadows to save her. He disappears as quickly as he appeared, but not before Aria catches a glimpse of a small starburst tattoo on the inside of his wrist. Aria can't confide in either best friend Kiki or her personal servant Davida, who she considers a friend. But the details Aria is being fed just aren't adding up. The strange locket she finds in her purse, the lack of engagement ring, considering she and Thomas are supposed to be in love, and the love letters she finds in her room, posing under the names as Romeo and Juliet. But when Aria sneaks out looking to talk to Thomas, she encounters a group of disgruntled teens down within the depths. Angry that her family have abandoned them, and finds herself bleeding from the thugs inflicted wound. When she's saved by an illegal mystic who has retained his powers, rather than being afraid, she escapes with him towards The Block, where the mystics are contained by the powers that be.
Rebel mystics are illegal, Aria's father hunts them on a daily basis, but deep within the Depths of Manhattan, with an empowered mystic, Aria has never felt safer. She now realises that he wasn't a figment of her imagination, Hunter has now saved her twice. Aria has always known that her father was a dangerous man, but when he's called to retrieve her in the middle of the night, courtesy of Thomas, Aria experiences what a cold blooded killer he truly is. Her father has been an advocate for the torture and draining of the mystics abilities, under the guise of powering the city, but it has always been to keep them weak and to abolish any murmurings of a rebellion. The excess power used to make Stic, the drug Aria supposedly took. It's rumored that the rebels are living in the underground subway tunnels, her father and his team, including reformed mystics Elissa and Patrick, searching the city for access.
Her questions lead her to Lyrica, who resides in a hidden building outside the confines of The Block. A mystic with the ability to shed light on Aria's missing memories. Someone has stolen Aria's memories, known as tampering magic. Aria in fact has never taken Stic, with no trace of mystic energy within her body. Aria is being deceived, as it comes to light that she's undergone a procedure to wipe away a memory that her family clearly want to erase from her life. It's clear that Aria has no one that she can trust, apart from Hunter, but is he too hiding something that has been erased?
Violet Brooks is rallying the unfortunate and mystics alike, demanding to be heard while Aria's father wants her silenced. Her savior will be someone that she least suspected, and as the city plunges into mayhem and rioting, not everyone fighting for the cause will survive.
Mystic City has by far, the most incredible prologue that I've come across, I was instantly submerged into the storyline and couldn't put it down. The plot follows the story of Aria, who is a likable character and although she has been brought up as a political princess in one of the most powerful families in Manhattan, she's street smart and won't fall into the perfect public life that she's forced to endure. More dystopian with a fantasy twist, it's engaging and the forbidden romance that emerges with Hunter isn't part of the typical young adult love triangle, that becomes clear as the storyline progresses. Mystic city has all the components of an awesome dystopian with a fantasy flare, an oppressive ruler, disgruntled citizens and two groups that would rather Manhattan go down in flames, than to submit.
I loved it! Toxic Heart, book two in the Mystic City series can't come soon enough.
Mystic City
(Mystic City: Book One)
Written By Theo Lawrence
Published 09 / 10 / 2012
(Mystic City: Book One)
Written By Theo Lawrence
Published 09 / 10 / 2012
282 Pages
Sutter Keely. He's the guy you want at your party. He’ll get everyone dancing. He’ ll get everyone in your parents’ pool. Okay, so he’s not exactly a shining academic star. He has no plans for college and will probably end up folding men’s shirts for a living. But there are plenty of ladies in town.
Until the morning he wakes up on a random front lawn, and he meets Aimee. Aimee’s clueless. Aimee is a social disaster. Aimee needs help, and it’s up to the Sutterman to show Aimee a splendiferous time and then let her go forth and prosper. But Aimee’s not like other girls, and before long he’s in way over his head. For the first time in his life, he has the power to make a difference in someone else’s life, or ruin it forever
Sutter Keely will tell you that he doesn't have a problem with alcohol, he just lives for the buzz to get through his day. Sutter is a high school senior on the verge of graduating, provided he can boost his average before then. But going to college is the furthest thing from Sutter's mind. Besides, he always had community college to fall back on. All Sutter needs is his voluptuous girlfriend Cassidy, his spiked convenience store lemonade and his wheels to get to the next party.
Cassidy is a strong willed activist with a sassy attitude... And she's furious. Sutter always has a drink in his hand, he's always looking for a party and treats life like one carnival ride after another, and Cassidy's had just about enough. The problem is, she can't resist him... And he's dragging her down with him. Sutter has no idea what it means to be in a relationship. Best friend Ricky isn't able to offer any advice, he's never been in a relationship. Ricky is cute, super smart and absolutely hilarious, but he's convinced himself that the opposite sex only see him as a friend, and drowns his sorrows by smoking pot, in the same vain that Sutter uses the alcoholic buzz to get through life.
The night that Ricky and Sutter stumble across Tara and Bethany, Sutter's life crumbles. All he wanted to do was to see best friend Ricky with a girl, any girl, and the mildly attractive softball girls like to party. Ricky and Bethany hit it off, the two shy and introverted teens finding a kindred spirit in one another, but that leaves Sutter awkwardly stuck with Tara, who's emotional and needs a shoulder to lean on. But Sutter's shoulder becomes a friendly hug... But it isn't as innocent to Cassidy, who has been following the car of teens on their adventure. All Cassidy ever asked was that Sutter consider her feelings, believing that Sutter claims of innocence are typical of the party boy... And she's had enough.
Sutter's drinking spirals out of control, Cassidy is already dating someone else, basketball star and most likely to save the world, Marcus. But when Sutter wakes up in the middle of a suburban front lawn by fellow student and meek nerd Aimee, on her way to her paper route. Having no idea where he's left his car, Sutter tags along while the two teens chat. Aimee lacks the confidence that Sutter has in bounds, and allows her family and friends to take advantage of her sweet, kind heart nature. Sutter makes it his mission to flee Aimee from the confines of her life, and teach her how to party... While pining for ex girlfriend Cassidy.
But when their friendship develops into an intense relationship, partners in crime, Sutter is yet again only thinking of his own feelings, and not the girl who has clearly fallen in love with him. Aimee begins drinking, coming out of her shell and standing up for herself. Gone is the meek girl, now being labelled a lush. Another victim fallen to the misery that is Sutter Keely. But when Aimee starts planning a future together, pushing Sutter to battle his demons, does he have the strength to commit to a future he doesn't envision, or bring the aspiring and intelligent girl down with him?
The Spectacular Now isn't a romantic comedy, it's dark, brooding and the story of Sutter, problem drinker, party boy and life changer. He uses alcohol as a crutch to dull the ache of his mother, who only cares about appearances, his sister and husband, the golden couple and his father. But Sutter isn't willing to change, he enjoys the flighty lifestyle, but sadly drags everyone down with him. This is his tale of finding himself and faced with the prospect of wanting to be a better person, verses sinking even further into his depressive state.
Be warned, most readers will feel frustrated by the ending. Another perfect example why I enforce my self imposed John Green hiatus. It also applies to The Spectacular Now.
The Spectacular Now
Written By Tim Tharp
Published 20 / 10 / 2008
266 Pages
If seventeen-year old Seth Bradson were to describe his life in two words, those would be the two he’d choose. Seth prefers to cope with his crappy existence by spending his days in a drug induced haze. But when Ali Carson steps into his life, Seth finds something he’s subconsciously been seeking - a new drug, one that consumes his mind unlike any other.
Love.
In a moment of unforgivable weakness, Seth allows Ali to try crystal meth, his most addictive temptation. This single event begins the unraveling of both their lives and forces Seth to learn the definition of regret the hard way
Shattered Soul is the story of Seth, high school student and drug user. Seth is bright, charismatic an am addict. He uses to numb the pain in his life. His mother is an alcoholic, when she isn't drunk or has passed out, she's only a few drinks shy of being unconscious. Seth's older brother is a drug dealer, taking after their father who left them when Seth was only seven years old.
Seth lives his life at home trying to blend into the shadows, he knows that one wrong move could mean the difference between living the meager life he has, or his brother beating him to within an inch of his life, so he chooses to take the abuse, for the fear of the repercussions otherwise.
The only bright light in his life is the beautiful Ali. Ali represents purity in Seth's dark world, but the night when she tries Crystal Meth for the first time, neither Seth or Ali understand the true significance, or where it will end.
I was shocked reading Shattered Soul. It's like no young adult novel I've ever read before, and are unlikely to again. It's emotionally draining and Jennifer Snyder is a storyteller not interested in sugar coating her characters. It's confronting, to the point of making you feel uncomfortable, but it's gripping and that's exactly what you expect from a plot that contains heavy drug usage, alcoholism and abuse. I assumed that this was just another book with a bad boy as the main character, meeting the neglected and troubled girl from the wealthy family, who ultimately sets him on the straight and narrow... Oh heavens, was I wrong!
Not for the faint of heart.
Shattered Soul
Written By Jennifer Synder
Published: 14 / 02 / 2012
269 Pages
269 Pages
Jennifer Snyder lives in North Carolina were she spends most of her time writing young adult fiction, reading, and struggling to stay on top of housework. She is an instant coffee lover with an obsession for spiral bound notebooks and smooth writing pens. Jennifer lives with her husband and two children, who endure listening to songs that spur inspiration on repeat and tolerate her love for all paranormal, teenage-targeted TV shows. Read more about Jen at:
Everything is in ruins.
A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.
So what does Araby Worth have to live for?
Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.
But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.
And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her .
The world is under attack from within and society is separated into those who are infected, and those who are not. Araby knows first hand what happens to those who have the contagion, she has lived the same nightmare for three years. Araby's father is a scientist under the control of the Prince, who rules the land with an iron fist. The inventor of plague resistant masks for the rich and powerful in society, while the poor are denied such luxuries.
Araby finds peace within the Debauchery club, with the Prince's niece. The only way to escape is through her next high. When a drug laced drink leaves her unconscious and alone, the handsome young host at the club ensures that Araby lives to see another day. Will has enough on his plate already, caring for two younger siblings.
Vying for Araby's affections is the Prince's nephew Elliot. Elliot is somewhat of a freedom fighter, and enlists the help of Araby, to gain access to her father. Araby finds herself drawn to Will, with his tough exterior and gentle nature, while playing the part of fiancee on Elliot's arm. Mass rioting is destroying any hope of a new world. The reverent is preaching hateful religion in order to gain control, and he isn't working alone.
A new plague is striking the population down, instant death, and it seems face masks are no match for the new bacterial warfare.
This is officially the first 'Steam Punk' genre book I've read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is book is based on Edgar Allen Poe's book of the same name, The Masque of the Red Death, one I have not read I may add. But the world created by Bethany Griffin is magically. Elaborate costumes, masks, extraordinary transportation, I felt as though it was reading a modern dystopian historical novel and I was enthralled.
Masque Of The Red Death
(Masque Of The Red Death: Book One)
Written By Bethany Griffin
Written By Bethany Griffin
Published 24 / 04 / 2012
336 Pages
336 Pages
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