Written by Megan Jacobson
Contemporary, Social Issues, Realistic Fiction, #LoveOzYA
272 Pages
Published July 31st 2017
Thank you to Penguin Teen Australia
Add to Goodreads
★★★★★
He’s back.
The monster.
It’s the middle of the night and I’m awake, because even though I’m seventeen I still haven’t outgrown the childhood monster that haunts you in the dark. I haven’t outgrown it, because when I was a child, the monster was real.
He was my father.
But the thing is, the monster was the person I was closest to in the whole world, closer than I’ve been to anyone since.
That will tell you everything you need to know about me.
And still, I wouldn’t hesitate to kill the monster.
That will tell you even more about me.
Seventeen year old Iliad Piper is named after war and angry at the world. Growing up with a violent father and abused mother, she doesn’t know how to do relationships, family or friends. A love hate friendship with Max turns into a prank war, and she nearly destroys her first true friendship with misfit Mia. Iliad takes off her armour for nobody, until she meets Jared, someone who's as complicated as she is.
Spousal and family violence is predominant throughout our communities. Aggressors are habitually husbands and fathers, wives and children persecuted by noxious, patriarchal male dominance exasperated by alcohol or substance abuse.
The Build Up Season narrative accompanies seventeen year old Iliad Piper on her journey, a tormented and indignant young woman. Although Iliad was educated at boarding school after her mother and father separated, she now lives in Darwin with her surly grandmother and mother, a new age healer specialising in spiritual wellness. Iliad's narrative is one that resonates profoundly, confrontational and resembling my own childhood experiences.
The Build Up Season narrative accompanies seventeen year old Iliad Piper on her journey, a tormented and indignant young woman. Although Iliad was educated at boarding school after her mother and father separated, she now lives in Darwin with her surly grandmother and mother, a new age healer specialising in spiritual wellness. Iliad's narrative is one that resonates profoundly, confrontational and resembling my own childhood experiences.
Iliad is a family violence survivor. Family violence and abuse is a confronting narrative, Iliad is a young woman who harbours animosity towards her mother for raising her in a violent environment, her mother a woman who endured years of physical and emotional spousal abuse. Her husband is possessive, manipulating Iliad to degrade her mother with contempt.
Iliad's fear is palpable, the unease of her father pursuing them to Darwin where her mother is a small business owner specialising in spiritual health. The trepidation of leaving everything behind to begin a new life is daunting and while Iliad and her mother were fortunate to have the financial assistance of Iliad's grandmother, funding Iliad's private school education, many women escaping violence are placed in shared housing for family violence survivors, a haven for women and children who otherwise were not afforded the same assistance.
Jared is a character of contrasts. He appears to be a charismatic young man but underneath he's manipulative and noxious. He's easily angered, jealous and possessive of Iliad. It was reminiscent of the relationship between her parents and although often Iliad felt nervous of Jared's behaviour similar to many victims of violence, believed she was responsible for Jared's actions.
Throughout the narration, Iliad has a long running rivalry with Max. I adored Max. He's an intelligent and aspirational Indigenous young man of Bininj and Anmatyerre heritage from the Northern Territory. Max faces his own adversity and as the two call a truce, develop a wonderfully caring friendship. Iliad's friendship with Max was a positive experience, his family welcomed Iliad into their home with Max a testament to his loving and close knit family.
The essence of The Build Up Season is new beginnings and learning to forgive, reiterating the importance of holding perpetrators of violence accountable. The narrative although confrontational, are incredibly important for adolescents. If you haven't experienced family violence, it's likely you unknowingly know someone who has. The Build Up Season is the book I wish I'd had as a teen, an important discussion as a community in support of those family violence has touched.
For more information on help available to victims of domestic and family violence
1800 Respect is funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services to provide support for people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, sexual assault, domestic or family violence, their friends and family, workers and professionals supporting someone experiencing, or at risk of experiencing sexual assault, domestic or family violence. This is a confidential service available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
Lifeline Australia is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to twenty four hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, private and confidential twenty four hours, seven days a week phone and online counselling service for young people aged five to twenty five.
Written by Simon Butters
Contemporary, Mental Health, #LoveOzYA
288 Pages
Published June 2016
Thank you to Wakefield Press
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★★★☆
On his fifteenth birthday, Monty is at rock bottom. Ignored by his parents, bullied at school, and with a brain that’s prone to going walkabout, he’s all by himself.
Until he meets the black dog for the first time.
It’s just like any other dog, except that only Monty can see it. And it talks. And Monty’s not sure whether it’s a friend, or a foe.
The black dog gets him talking to pretty, popular Eliza Robertson for the first time. It takes him to places he’s never been.
Eventually it will take Monty, and the people around him, to the very edge.
Fifteen year old Montgomery Ferguson is inconspicuous, isolated and estranged from his peers. His father is a quiet, pragmatic man, his mother is preoccupied with a theoretical intruder, unresponsive and negligent. Monty is malnourished, his emancipated, skeletal body disciplined to survive without nutrients, his dishevelled appearance obscuring basic hygiene. His only friend an online German young man using a translator to communicate and a black canine apparition.
The Black Dog is a solemn metaphor representing mental health, depression and suicide. Throughout the narration, the Black Dog manifests as a presence only apparent to Monty, communicating with one another as the Black Dog attempts to manipulate his fragility. Eliza is a callous young woman and although revered by her peers, is isolated through the weight of expectation. Although characters of contrast, Eliza and Monty begin to seek comfort in one another, an understanding and fictitious companionship. Monty is enchanted by Eliza and it soon becomes apparent that he is dependant on the cruel and indifferent young woman as the Black Dog encourages Monty to pursue her.
Monty is an intelligent and fascinating character, although quite unlikable. The relationship with his parents is constrained and the Black Dog metaphor excuses his cruel behaviour towards his mother who is mentally unwell. Monty is malnourished with an undiagnosed eating disorder, restricting his intake as a mechanism of control. Experiencing a dissociative disorder, Monty often disconnects with his environment, unable to communicate while his body continues to moves unconsciously. Environmental, psychological, and hereditary influences seemingly have contributed to his mental health and I was disappointed that parents and the teaching facility were unable to recognise that Monty was in distress.
The Hounded is a captivating and courageous understanding of mental illness, the narrative confrontational as fifteen year old Montgomery, limited by opportunity, is a consequence of his environment.
Twenty seventeen. The year where I can't remember anything.
Fifth blogaversary giveaway
I'm celebrating five years of blogging with a giveaway. Thank you to everyone who has followed, commented, engaged me on social media and recommended wonderful new reads.
Enter to win a book of choice. Winner will be chosen at random. For an Australian winner, your book of choice will be chosen from Booktopia. For an international winner, please ensure The Book Depository ships to your country. If you are under thirteen years of age, please ask parental consent before entering.
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The year that was in Australia
In Australia we were Googling how to make Beef Stroganoff, how to make slime and Sophie Monk was the most searched Australian on the internet. We wanted to read about Cyclone Debbie and North Korea, Harvey Weinstein and the Australian Open. We still have no idea what a Bitcoin is. The distracted boyfriend meme took social media by storm, mocking Sponge Bob mocked us and Meryl Streep continued to yell abuse. Parents continue to call their spawn Charlotte and Oliver and we're still watching The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones.
Women in their thousands shared their experiences of sexual abuse across social media using the #MeToo hashtag, while actors like Matt Damon insisted decent men deserve a parade for not sexually assaulting women. I hope to see #mattdamonisawanker trending shortly. Australia's disgrace continues to be the refugees of Manus Island and the neglect of asylum seekers. The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre continue the tireless work towards human rights, join the conversation by using the hashtag #BringThemHere. We also continue to demand the government to change the day in which we celebrate Australia's colonisation by the British, resulting in the genocide of Indigenous Australians. Australian's, demand we #ChangeTheDate.
Politicians were resigning over the Citizenship debacle, Australian Conservative Cory Bernardi is an even bigger wanker than Matt Damon and Malcolm Turnbull thought it was a great idea to have the nation note on Marriage Equality. Australian's voted yes. Go fuck yourself Cory Barnardi. Victoria is the first state to legalise Euthanasia. Magda Szubanski is the darling of Australia for her tireless work throughout the LGBTTQQIAAP community. Currently researching if we can elect a member to parliament without their knowledge.
Australia was listening to Ed Sheeran. Beauty and The Beast was the highest grossing film. Richmond are the AFL premiers, Melbourne Storm won the NRL grand final, Rekindling won the Melbourne Cup. Isaiah Firebrace represented Australia at Eurovision. Yeah, we don't know why we're there either. I also surpassed half a million views. Totally bitching.
And we read!
Favourite #LoveOzYA reads
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Favourite Contemporaries
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Favourite middle grade reads
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Favourite fantasy
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Most anticipated
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Cover reveals
My twenty eighteen goals
I'll live in the moment and blog whenever I damn well want to.
Written by Beck Nicholas
Contemporary, Romance, #LoveOzYA
288 Pages
Published December 18th 2017
Thank you to Harlequin Australia and Netgalley
Add to Goodreads
★★☆
Six months ago, Zoey’s life went off the rails. After the tragic loss of her brother, she partied her way to oblivion, estranged her best friend, Cass, and pushed away her now ex, Finn. But when her destructive behaviour reaches dangerous heights, Zoey realises she needs to pull herself together and get her old life back, including her ex. There’s just one complication, Finn is now dating Cass.
Now, it’s the last week of summer and Zoey, Cass and Finn are setting out on the road trip of a lifetime to see their favourite musician, Gray, perform live, joined by Finn’s infuriatingly attractive bad boy cousin Luc and his vibrant younger sister Jolie. Zoey thinks this is her chance to put things to rights and convince Finn they should get back together. But she wasn’t counting on her friends’ lingering resentment, Luc’s disarming sincerity, and Jolie’s infectious love for life to turn her plans upside down.
Sixteen year old Zoey is embarking on a journey of reflection and discovery, attending a performance in Melbourne and accompanied by her best friend and former boyfriend. After her brother Daniel passed away, her relationships dissolved as Zoey medicated with a destructive concoction of alcohol and isolation. Although remorseful, Zoe is courageous to concede and apologise for her behaviour, she continued to endure the relationship of friend and former boyfriend Finn. Two important figures in her life seeking solace in one another, rather than support Zoey.
Accompanying them on the journey is Lucien and Jolie, siblings and cousins of Finn. A stoic young man and reluctant passenger, Lucien appears menacing while Jolie is a vivacious and effervescent fifteen year old. Zoey is attracted to Lucien. He's attentive and paternal but with no regards for her best friend, Zoey is determined to rekindle her relationship with Ryan.
I despised Ryan and his girlfriend. Zoey was intoxicated and allegedly discovered with a young man and consequently, this excused her friend and boyfriend from their behaviour. The narrative circumvents the discussion of consent and Zoey is criticised by her friend for her sexuality, implying she's promiscuous. I found the relationship between Zoey, Finn and his girlfriend noxious as Zoey endeavours to reestablish her relationship with Finn. It explores adolescent relationships and deception. Although Zoey is distressed, she attempts to manipulate Finn into a new relationship. Her friend is barely present, a character only existing to aggravate Zoey and create a point of melodrama within the narrative. She spends the entire journey either unsociable or being offensive.
I despised Ryan and his girlfriend. Zoey was intoxicated and allegedly discovered with a young man and consequently, this excused her friend and boyfriend from their behaviour. The narrative circumvents the discussion of consent and Zoey is criticised by her friend for her sexuality, implying she's promiscuous. I found the relationship between Zoey, Finn and his girlfriend noxious as Zoey endeavours to reestablish her relationship with Finn. It explores adolescent relationships and deception. Although Zoey is distressed, she attempts to manipulate Finn into a new relationship. Her friend is barely present, a character only existing to aggravate Zoey and create a point of melodrama within the narrative. She spends the entire journey either unsociable or being offensive.
Lucien is a compassionate young man and I enjoyed his gentle and familial relationship with Jolie who is spontaneous and charismatic, her enthusiasm and vitality is infectious. I'm disappointed the narration focalised Zoey when Jolie could have offered a pragmatic perspective. I applaud Zoey's character for reflecting on her behaviour but pursuing Finn was uncomfortable. Zoey's resentment of the relationship between Lucien and Jolie was exhausting as she continuously compared her relationship with Daniel.
The essence of The Last Days of Us is spontaneity, absolution and adversity. Unfortunately it's melodramatic, monotonous and not for me.
Unearthed Book One
Written by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Science Fiction, Aliens, Romance, #LoveOzYA
352 Pages
Published December 2017
Thank you to Allen & Unwin Australia
Recommended retail price $19.99
Add to Goodreads
★★★★
Science Fiction, Aliens, Romance, #LoveOzYA
352 Pages
Published December 2017
Thank you to Allen & Unwin Australia
Recommended retail price $19.99
Add to Goodreads
★★★★
We are the last of our kind. We will not fade into the dark. We will tell our story to the stars, we will be Undying.
When Earth intercepts a message from a long extinct alien race, it seems like the solution the planet has been waiting for. The Undying's advanced technology has the potential to undo massive environmental damage and turn lives around, and Gaia, the Undying's former home planet, is a treasure trove waiting to be uncovered.
For Jules Addison and his fellow scholars, the discovery of an alien culture offers unprecedented opportunity for study... As long as scavengers like Amelia Radcliffe don't loot everything first.
Despite their opposing reasons for smuggling themselves onto the alien planet's surface, they're both desperate to uncover the riches hidden in the Undying temples. Beset by rival scavenger gangs, Jules and Amelia form a fragile alliance... But both are keeping secrets that make trust nearly impossible. As they race to decode the ancient messages left by the alien race, Jules and Amelia must navigate the traps and trials within the Undying temple and stay one step ahead of the scavvers on their heels. They came to Gaia certain that they had far more to fear from their fellow humans than the ancient beings whose mysteries they're trying to unravel.
But the more they learn about the Undying, the more Jules and Amelia start to feel like their presence in the temple is part of a grand design, one that could spell the end of the human race..
The Earth is no longer environmentally sustainable, humanity has depleted nonrenewable resources, communities abandoned and surviving through impoverished environments. The Undying are a former ancient archaic civilisation of Gaia, a technologically advanced species in distress. Gaia is now an abandoned and desolate planet, archaeologists believing the survival of Earth depends upon Gaia and the Undying technology.
Amelia Radcliffe is an illegal scavenger upon the surface of Gaia, an unauthorised visitor exploring the ancient temples of the Undying for artefacts to be illicitly traded by her benefactor. Amelia is an intelligent and perceptive young woman who appears invincible, her vulnerability and compassion compelled by the freedom of her enslaved sister.
The expedition on Gaia is an opportunity for Jules Addison to explore the temples of the Undying, journeying to the sacred ruins. His father once a world renowned xenoarchaeologist now imprisoned and accused of sabotage. Seventeen year old Jules will continue his father's vocation from the temples of Gaia, determined to decipher the concealed message within the distress signal. Jules is overwhelmed by the magnitude of Gaia and proposes an alliance. Amelia will assist Jules in reaching the temple and consequently, Jules will appraise ancient Undying artefacts despite his disdain. Neither anticipated company.
On their delightfully adventurous escapade, Amelia and Jules collaborate to decipher the mysteries of the Undying, each temple chamber challenging the young explorers while avoiding capture. Although Gaia was ambiguous, the Undying temples and hieroglyphic language were elaborately illustrated. Characteristically, the romantic elements are incredibly charming, still allowing both Amelia and Jules to flourish as individuals and I also enjoyed the subtle reference to the Starbound Trilogy and the Gaia hypothesis.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Written by Charlie Archbold
Contemporary, Coming Of Age, #LoveOzYA
205 Pages
Published September 2017
Thank you to Wakefield Press
Add to Goodreads
★★★★★
Sometimes I feel like I'm neither one thing nor another. I live in the Mallee but I don't like the desert. I live on a farm but I get hay fever and I'm scared of goats. I like school but my best mates don't.
Sandy Douglas knows that life at fifteen is hard, but it's even harder when your mother died a year ago and nothing's gone right since. Sandy's brother Red, on the other hand, is eighteen now and working the farm. He's amped up on rage and always looking for a fight. And then there's their dad Tom. He does his best, but really, he doesn't have a clue.
As Sandy and Red deal with girls, dirt biking, footy and friendship, both boys have to work out who they want to be, without their mum around. The Mallee, where they live, may seem like the middle of nowhere, but it turns out this is going to be one hell of a year.
As the dust blows through the arid Mellee district, fifteen year old Sandy Douglas contemplates life beyond the farm. Eighteen year old Josh labours alongside their father, a widowed man providing for his family through adversity.
Deliberating his education and applying for scholarships to boarding schools in Adelaide, Sandy is an academic, an intelligent and sensitive young man burdened by the loss of his mother, his humility and sensitivity is nurtured by his father. Tom Douglas is a wonderful character and although the narrative centralises Sandy and Josh, their father is a prominent and affirming parent. Their relationship although occasionally turbulent, is tender and compassionate. A wonderful illustration of a father encouraging his children to become emotionally expressive rather than the patriarchal dominance of masculinity.
Since her passing, Josh has become destructive and argumentative, preferring the company of Ryan despite his father's disapproval. Josh is a character of contrasts. Although he appears resilient, he carries the burden of believing his mother's accident is his responsibility, manifesting as destructive behaviour. We also experience the societal expectations placed upon young men, in particular emotional expectations. Josh is argumentative and irate, resenting Sandy's achievements. Underneath his stoic facade, Josh is a young man grieving for his mother alone.
The Australian agricultural community of The Mallee is atmospheric and Charlie Archbold is an exceptional debut author. A dedication to rural communities throughout our sunburnt country.
Written by Cally Black
Science Fiction, Aliens, #LoveOzYA
320 Pages
Published August 1st 2017
Thank you to Hardie Grant Egmont
Add to Goodreads
★★★★★
The latest winner of the Ampersand Prize is a genre smashing hostage drama about fourteen year old Tamara, who's faced with an impossible choice when she falls for her kidnappers. Yet this is no ordinary kidnapping.
Tamara has been living on a star freighter in deep space, and her kidnappers are terrifying Crowpeople, the only aliens humanity has ever encountered. No one has ever survived a Crowpeople attack, until now and Tamara must use everything she has just to stay alive. But survival always comes at a price, and there’s no handbook for this hostage crisis.
As Tamara comes to know the Crowpeople's way of life, and the threats they face from humanity's exploration into deep space, she realises she has an impossible choice to make. Should she stay as the only human among the Crows, knowing she'll never see her family again or inevitably betray her new community if she wants to escape?
Tamara Situ converses in hushed whispers, treading lightly across the confined compartment on board the Starweaver Layla. A merchant vessel transporting minerals for the Starweaver Corporation. Although orphaned, Tamara is cared for by Lazella on board the vessel illegally. Tamara is a wonderfully gentle and compassionate young woman, isolated through circumstances and communicates by whispering and facial expressions. Tamara and Tamiki are unauthorised passengers hiding within the shadows as the vessel is commandeered by the Garuwa. The citizen of the Starweaver Layla have been massacred and although Tamiki is concealed and remains on board, Tamara has been captured, presumed incapable and submissive.
The Garuwa are a convoluted species populating interstellar space on conscious vessels requiring minerals to survive, resident to thousands of warrior Garuwa prepared to defend their populace. Humans are a necessary carnage as the Starweaver Corporation vessels are commandeered and pillaged. Tamara is being held captive and begins to assimilate, emulating the intricate language of whistles and forging friendships within the female species.
Living in isolation, Tamara has never experienced a sense of community beyond observing those on board the Starweaver Layla through the ventilation system. Her relationship with Lazella is maternal and tender, providing Tamara with comfort after the loss of her parents. Tamiki is a perceptive young boy, gentle and understanding the importance of quiet whispers. Throughout her narration, Tamara's distress is palpable as Tamiki remains on board the desolate vessel. I admired Tamara's intelligence and determination to survive. Her compassion allows her to recognise that although the Garuwa appear hostile, the species embrace Tamara as a member of their community. A wonderful illustration of inclusion.
In The Dark Spaces obscures the boundaries of morality, humans and Garuwa have created a hostile environment and interspecies conflict. It also explores colonisation and the mining of resources, a reference to the aggressive infringement on Indigenous land. An ingenious, introspective and remarkable young adult debut.
The Garuwa are a convoluted species populating interstellar space on conscious vessels requiring minerals to survive, resident to thousands of warrior Garuwa prepared to defend their populace. Humans are a necessary carnage as the Starweaver Corporation vessels are commandeered and pillaged. Tamara is being held captive and begins to assimilate, emulating the intricate language of whistles and forging friendships within the female species.
Living in isolation, Tamara has never experienced a sense of community beyond observing those on board the Starweaver Layla through the ventilation system. Her relationship with Lazella is maternal and tender, providing Tamara with comfort after the loss of her parents. Tamiki is a perceptive young boy, gentle and understanding the importance of quiet whispers. Throughout her narration, Tamara's distress is palpable as Tamiki remains on board the desolate vessel. I admired Tamara's intelligence and determination to survive. Her compassion allows her to recognise that although the Garuwa appear hostile, the species embrace Tamara as a member of their community. A wonderful illustration of inclusion.
In The Dark Spaces obscures the boundaries of morality, humans and Garuwa have created a hostile environment and interspecies conflict. It also explores colonisation and the mining of resources, a reference to the aggressive infringement on Indigenous land. An ingenious, introspective and remarkable young adult debut.
Written by Vikki Wakefield
Contemporary, Mystery, Paranormal, #LoveOzYA
309 Pages
Published May 2017
Purchased
Published by Text Publishing
Add to Goodreads
★★★★★
Everyone knows seventeen year old Grace Foley is a bit mad. She’s a prankster and a risk taker, and she’s not afraid of anything, except losing. As part of the long running feud between two local schools in Swanston, Grace accepts a challenge to walk the pipe.
That night she experiences something she can’t explain. The funny girl isn’t laughing anymore. She’s haunted by voices and visions, but nobody believes a girl who cries wolf.
As she’s drawn deeper into a twenty year old mystery surrounding missing girl Hannah Holt, the thin veil between this world and the next begins to slip. She can no longer tell what’s real or imagined, all she knows is the ghosts of Swanston, including that of her own mother, are restless. It seems one of them has granted her an extraordinary gift at a terrible price.
Everything about her is changing, her body, her thoughts, even her actions seem to belong to a stranger. Grace is losing herself, and her friends don’t understand. Is she moving closer to the truth? Or is she heading for madness?
Grace Foley is an adventurer, creating mischief and mayhem in the rural town of Swanston while continuing to endure the loss of her mother, the causality of a pedestrian accident. Swanston is acquainted with despair when Hannah Holt disappeared over twenty years ago, a presumed casualty of local teen William Dean who was then ostracised from the Swanston community, committing suicide and plunging from the quarry. Now Swanston adolescents are descending on the abandoned quarry including seventeen year old Grace. A night of frivolity is interrupted as Grace begins to hallucinate.
At home Grace is barely surviving, her father and brother Cody continue to mourn while Grace is increasingly isolated. Best friend Kenzie has become estranged and tiring of Grace and her antics, preferring the company of boyfriend Mitchell. While her friends have matured, frustratingly Grace believes they have abandoned her, except for her delightfully freeloading friend Gummer. Her terror is palpable as Grace begins to experience an apparition, believing Hannah Holt has materialised seeing Hannah's body has never been found. Authorities believe William Dean's unrequited love for Hannah lead to the young woman's demise, fascinating and incredibly disturbing.
Grace is an unreliable narrator compensating for her anguish with exhilaration. As children, Grace created bilateral friendships with other remnant children, those who were ostracised. On the verge of becoming adults, Grace displays an incredible amount of resentment especially towards best friend Kenzie, her relationship with Mitchell and popular friend Amber. Although Grace often appears conceited and obnoxious, Kenzie had already begun to distance herself from Grace's destructive behaviour. The circumstances of Hannah Holt and William Dean are sobering for Grace as she withstands an incredible character transformation.
Ballad For A Mad Girl may become a point of contention for readers, is Grace psychologically unwell or spiritual, a contemporary novel or paranormal. Determined by the disposition of the reader. Vikki Wakefield is a formidable author, the ambiguous narrative is intriguing and captivating. Absolutely phenomenal.
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