Lost Christmas by David Logan

I get goose bumps just thinking about this book. I couldn’t read it fast enough, when I wasn’t reading it I wanted to be. I’m immensely jealous of people who get to discover this story for the first time, but I’m equally desperate for others to read it so I can talk about it.

Logan writes in a 3rd person narrative, diving in and out of quite a few different characters lives. All of whom are grieving the loss of something very important to them. Yet they are all intricately linked through the effect of one little boy’s actions – Goose. We’re introduced to this boy on Christmas Eve in Manchester; he receives an early gift from his parents, a dog called Mutt. Logan's writing prepares you for the sudden tragedy that follows. Tension builds and strikes a blow as his parents are called away and killed in a car accident. 

Fast forward a year and we meet Goose again, although he’s not the same boy. He’s turned to petty crime and only has his Godfather Frank, Mutt and senile Nan for support. That is until the mysterious Anthony appears. Anthony seems to know everything about the characters but nothing about himself. Can he help mend their damaged souls?

Each character has a heartbreaking story. I felt aching sorrow for them all, especially Helen. A mother tormented with grief over the death of her little girl. Yes, this book is full of sadness, but I can assure you, it is remarkably uplifting at the same time. I haven’t felt like this about a book in a long time, I want everyone to read it. I want everyone to meet Goose, Mutt, Frank and Anthony. It may sound cheesy, but I want everyone’s heart to be warmed through this ever impending winter. 

This is already being adapted into a Major BBC TV drama so I’m sure it is going to be impossible to ignore. Not that you’d want to! The tag line on the front of this book reads ‘It’s a Wonderful Life meets modern Manchester: a story that will tingle your spine and warm your heart this winter’. It does just this.

Dearly Departed by Lia Habel

After swearing my allegiance to vampires I was reluctant to give this a go, but I’m so glad I did. It’s now all about the Zombies for me.

Set in a Steampunk/New Victorian future we’re thrown into the year 2193. A mysterious, sickening and ‘undeadly’ disease is spreading through society and the government is trying to keep this under wraps. Nothing was going to disturb the ‘Golden Age’.

Nora’s father died a year ago, her mother before that. She’s been left with her despicable Aunt and encouraged to consider possible suitors for marriage. Upon leaving boarding school she comes across a dark hooded man. Of course she becomes wary and even a little fearful as the man desperately tries to explain that she’s in danger. The night goes from bad to worse, Nora’s world changes forever.

I’ve never read steampunk before; it was so interesting to read about a society that had reverted back to the customs of the Victorian era (fashion, manners, social class) but was then surrounded with futuristic technology. I loved it. What I loved even more was how Lia Habel introduced ‘The Laz’, a disease that if contracted, would turn a human into a Zombie. Most people go insane and hunger after human flesh. A select few seem to keep their minds and learn to hide among the living as the ‘undead’. Enter the wonderfully handsome Bram. He’s one of the latter Zombies and is Captain of a secret army of ‘good’ zombies, battling to keep society under protection. Despite his inevitable decaying body he’s one of most swoon worthy YA characters I’ve come across. Not only has he managed to sustain his beauty, but he’s honourable, trustworthy and devoted to Nora’s safety completely. Thinking back, I can’t actually believe I was willing the protagonist to get together with a decomposing dead guy, but I still totally am.

Nora has some horrific truths to face, she’s scared. I mean, the idea of being eaten alive is a pretty terrifying thought after all. But instead of whining like some namby pamby characters I’ve read in the past, she proves herself to be sturdy and sure.

Yet these two, although the main characters, are not the only ones we hear from. Each chapter is written from another characters perspective. Sometimes this can be a bit annoying as I find myself skipping through pages to read the characters I like best. This didn’t happen with Dearly Departed. As a reader we’re able to be in two places at once and find out things the other characters remain ignorant to. I particularly liked Pam, Nora’s best friend. Like Nora, she proved to be robust and wilful; but more importantly, not too squeamish too stab a zombie through the eye with a parasol!

I could go on for hours about this book, the writing style, the quirky humour, the intricate characters, the rapid plot, and of course the cannibalistic dead people are all pretty impressive. So for now, put Edward Cullen to one side and take a trip to Z Camp.

P.S I really hope Lia doesn't mind, but I just had to share this pic she sent on twitter. So funny, and soooo true.

The Snow Merchant by Sam Gayton

Hurrah for Lettie Peppercorn! This is her story. A story full of magic, action and adventure. The most imaginative tale I’ve read in a very long time. We join Lettie in what first appears to be a Cinderella sort of scene. She lives in a house on stilts and her days are filled with cooking, cleaning and attending to demanding guests. Her only friend is a pigeon made of stone, Periwinkle. Her father is a gambling drunk and they’re both grieving for the loss of her mother who mysteriously vanished long ago. Enter the Snow Merchant! This conspicuous character claims many things, one of which is that he’s an inventor of something that will change Lettie’s life forever – snow. And so begins a fantastical escapade, we’re flung into Lettie’s world as she discovers family secrets, makes friends as well as enemies, encounters danger and faces her fears. You simply must join Lettie, I love her and you will too. I promise.

Sapphire Battersea by Jacqueline Wilson

I was so pleased to receive a proof of the sequel to Hetty Feather, knowing there would be thousands of eager fans dying to get their hands on a copy. I immediately delved into this to conjure up ideas for the Jacqueline Wilson Festival happening in October, and I wasn’t disappointed. We join Hetty; or Sapphire as she likes to be called, back in the Foundling Hospital with the mother she finally found. Yet the feistiness that makes me love this character so much, was about to get her in to trouble once more. Soon enough she is separated from her mother again and sent to work as a scullery maid. After upsetting her employer she sets off to be reunited to with her mother. This time her adventures lead her to the seaside, as well as unexpected sadness.

Sapphire Battersea is full of wonderful things, descriptive scenes of a Victorian Britain, comical and fearsome characters, fabulous friendships and romantic suitors. Yet as with all Jacqueline’s books there’s an undercurrent of seriousness throughout. Hetty is a pleasure to read, she makes me laugh. I love her honesty and admire her bravery and ambition. The sad thing is; she really does have to be brave as the story takes a turn for the worst.  Some parts of this book are genuinely upsetting.

Though it seems nothing can keep our Hetty down for long, her determination shines through and we’re left waiting to see what will happen next to this extraordinary girl.

A Greyhound of a Girl by Roddy Doyle

I’ve never read Roddy Doyle before but I’m sure I couldn’t have encountered a better introduction. This is the story of Mary and four generations of feisty Irish women ‘heading off on a car journey. One of them dead, one of them dying, one of them driving, one of them just beginning’. Mary’s Granny is dying, and although this story wouldn’t be told if this wasn’t the case, I feel this book is about something else. It’s about family bonds, friendship and relationships never forgotten. It’s about the things in life that make us incredibly happy, and some of the things that make us terribly sad.

I followed Mary along on her journey with these women. One of whom was her great grandmother, Tansey. She died when Mary’s grandmother was only a baby and has stuck around ever since to make sure her little one managed through life, with an aim, when the time was right, to guide her on to the next. It’s difficult to explain really. Perhaps this book isn’t Mary’s story at all, instead it’s like Doyle has produced snapshots of a family over 100 years.  I got to know these individual characters and the people in their lives. I liked them all immensely, mainly because they were so real. This story can be enjoyed by any age, we can all relate to it.

Legend by Marie Lu

Another sensational addition to the ever growing dystopian list. Legend is set in what was once western United States and is now the Republic.  A nation at war with its neighbours and stricken with poverty.

Though where there is poverty there is always riches, and we’re introduced to two characters that represent each end of the scale. June’s brother is killed in a suspected terrorist attack against the Republic, she’s a highly skilled prodigy and hired by the government to track down his killer. Day, an outlawed criminal is suspected of the crime. Yet, we as readers are with Day when this supposed killing takes place. We’re lead to question the truth right from the start. I had my suspicions and couldn’t read fast enough to discover what really happened. Why does the Republic hate Day so much? Why has he decided to rebel? When will June discover the truth?

Both characters are intricately written and I really liked them both. I love how each chapter alternated between the two voices. We get very different sides of the same story. Day has been compared to Robin Hood, and I can see the resemblance. Nobody really knows who this legendary character was, and no one really knows who Day is. Like Robin, he’s fighting for what’s right, against a conspiring Republic and for those he loves.  Orphaned June is feisty, strong and defiant – a brilliant heroine.

As these two people’s lives collide terrible and sinister truths are uncovered. At first June is determined to destroy Day, but what she has been led to believe all her life is somewhat different to what she now faces. With clues left by her brother she realises that perhaps Day isn’t such the villain he has been portrayed as. With the film rights already sold and the producers of the Twilight Saga on board, I’m certain this new series is going to be a global success.

Lu’s writing was a thrill to read, very fast paced, lots of action, anxiety, and the all important traces of a powerful romance.  Together June and Day are a force to be reckoned with. Their journey represents truth, their story will become legend.

Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson

With the current hype surrounding the release of the latest X Men film, this comes at the perfect time. Yet Hunting Lila has a refreshing twist. The first part of this book focuses on Lila’s decision to leave her father in England, seek refuge with her ‘marine’ brother in California and his best friend Alex. She’s still dealing with the loss of her mother, the special power she can barely control, and her agonising devotion to Alex. As the plot thickens we discover her brother and Alex are part of a secret government organisation, hunting people like her. People with super powers! It all kicks off; we’re fed action, excitement and mystery as Alderson leads us through Lila’s discovery. But of course, things are never as they seem.  This is a great pace setter for a new trilogy, the perfect mix of a lustrous romance and hard hitting action.