REVIEW: Flight of a Starling by Lisa Heathfield

Rita and Lo, sisters and best friends, have spent their lives on the wing – flying through the air in their trapeze act, never staying in one place for long. Behind the greasepaint and the glitter, they know that the true magic is the family they travel with.
Until Lo meets a boy. Suddenly, she wants nothing more than to stay still. And as secrets start to tear apart the close-knit circus community, how far will Lo go to keep her feet on the ground? (via Goodreads)

Like Paper Butterflies before it, Flight of a Starling is a lesson in how to write heartbreak. It didn't grip me at all at first as the story felt very slow moving, but I persevered and I'm so glad I did. The language is imaginative and colourful throughout, resulting in a beautiful story.

Even though I knew what was coming from the first chapter, the sadness still crept up on me and hit when I least expected it. Flight of a Starling is a masterpiece.

Stars: ★★★★☆

I received a copy of Flight of a Starling from Electric Monkey via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Truth Or Dare by Non Pratt

A powerful and moving novel about bravery from the Guardian's "writer to watch" Non Pratt, perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell, John Green and Holly Bourne. How far is too far when it comes to the people you love? Claire Casey hates being the centre of attention. But if it means getting Sef Malik to notice her, it’s a risk she’s happy to take. Sef is prepared to do anything to help his recently disabled brother. But this means putting Claire’s love – and life – on the line. Because when you're willing to risk everything, what is there left to lose? (via Goodreads)

I was so excited to get my hands on Truth or Dare, and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. This is a truly moving and cleverly told story of love in all its forms, and captured my heart from page one.

Non’s ability to capture the teenage voice is second to none, and it was a delight to see the same story seen from different perspectives. It really helped to understand where the characters were coming from, and why they made the choices they did. Thought provoking and emotional, Truth Or Dare is a must read for everyone.

Stars: ★★★★★

REVIEW: After The Fire by Will Hill

“The things I’ve seen are burned into me, like scars that refuse to fade.”
Father John controls everything inside The Fence. And Father John likes rules. Especially about never talking to Outsiders. Because Father John knows the truth. He knows what is right, and what is wrong. He knows what is coming.
Moonbeam is starting to doubt, though. She’s starting to see the lies behind Father John’s words. She wants him to be found out.
What if the only way out of the darkness is to light a fire? (via Goodreads) 

When I went into After The Fire I was apprehensive. It wasn't my usual type of read and I knew it would be tough, but I'd heard a lot of good things about it so I persevered. I'm so glad I stuck with it.

After The Fire is an exploration of faith and humanity, but most of all it is a story of survival. It was a privilege to follow Moonbeam’s story and see her grow into the character I knew she could be. A phenomenal read, and one that will stay with me for a long time to come.

Stars: ★★★★★

I was sent a copy of After The Fire by Usborne in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Troublemakers by Catherine Barter

Alena has never known her mum. When her brother starts working for a controversial politician and she starts to uncover her mum's activist life, she gets into the kind of trouble that changes everything.

Troublemakers is a book that took me by surprise, and I loved it. It made me think about my political beliefs without being a book about politics, and is likely to reach a lot of young people. The relationships between the characters are complex but wholesome, and you can tell that at the heart of it all they really love each other. A magnificent read.

Stars: ★★★★★

I was sent a copy of Troublemakers by Andersen Press in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Countless by Karen Gregory

When Hedda discovers she is pregnant, she calls a truce with her eating disorder until the baby is born. However, once the baby is born Hedda, who is used to counting numbers, realises that some things in life are Countless.

I really loved Countless. Many books about mental health are difficult to read, but this isn’t one of those. It’s written with sensitivity, and although Hedda counts numbers throughout her story, not once is one of those numbers explicitly mentioned. It is an emotive story of love and choices, and is easily one of the standout debuts of the year.

Stars: ★★★★★

REVIEW: Becoming Betty by Eleanor Wood

Becoming Betty is Lizzie’s story as she joins her new best friend Viv’s band and discovers the kind of person she really is.

I loved Becoming Betty. Lizzie is a wonderful narrator, and her story of self-discovery, sometimes through heartbreaking means, is one that will resonate with many. Not all the characters are likeable (there are lots of words I could use for Viv), but their roles in Lizzie’s story are vital. The tone of Becoming Betty, particularly in Lizzie’s relationship with Viv, reminded me of Beautiful Broken Things by Sara Barnard, and I'm sure many readers will love it.

Stars: ★★★★★

I was sent a copy of Becoming Betty by Pan Macmillan in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner

Goodbye Days are the days you spend with the parents of your three dead best friends. They're not easy and they will make you cry. But for Carver Briggs, the guilt of knowing his text led to their deaths makes it so much worse.

Goodbye Days was difficult to read. Carver is a likeable character, and you really feel for him as he goes through the grief of losing his best friends, all while being blamed for their deaths. I can't say I enjoyed it because of the subject matter, but it was definitely a book I couldn’t put down.

Stars: ★★★☆☆

I received a copy of Goodbye Days from Penguin Random House via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

The Upside of Unrequited is a companion novel to Becky Albertalli’s debut, Simon Vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda, and is the heartwarming story of Molly and her relationship with her twin sister, Cassie, as they both fall in love.

I knew I would love The Upside of Unrequited as I adored Simon Vs. Molly is a wonderfully relatable character whose insecurities will resound with many, and my heart sung when Simon showed up.

The Upside of Unrequited is effortlessly diverse, and it would be brilliant to see more YA written in this way. An excellent read.

Stars: ★★★★★

I received a copy of The Upside of Unrequited from Penguin Random House via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The State of Grace by Rachael Lucas

The State of Grace is Rachael Lucas’  debut YA novel, and tells the story of Grace, a teenager with Asperger’s, as she finds her way in the world.

The State of Grace is a beautifully told story that I couldn’t put down. As an Own Voices book, you really get a sense of Grace and who she is, and this will show that there is more to those with Asperger’s than the labels we put on them. Grace is a funny and sensitive narrator, and her story will reach out to everyone who reads it.

Stars: ★★★★☆

I was sent a copy of The State of Grace by Pan Macmillan in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: If Birds Fly Back by Carlie Sorosiak

If Birds Fly Back is a stunning YA debut about Linny and Sebastian, two teens brought together at Silver Springs care home in their search for people they have lost.

If Birds Fly Back may just be my favourite book of the year. It's a touching story of losses and first loves, and will reach out to a lot of people. The teen voice has been captured perfectly, talking about friendships and first love. Carlie Sorosiak writes with sunshine, and even though she tells a sad story, she does it in such a way that you can't help but smile.

Stars: ★★★★★

I was sent a copy of If Birds Fly Back by Pan Macmillan in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Margot & Me by Juno Dawson

Margot & Me is story of Fliss, taken to the country to help her mum recover from cancer, and Margot, her grandmother with a secret wartime diary.

Even though Margot & Me is very different from Juno’s other books, I really enjoyed it. It took me a while to warm to Fliss, but Margot’s diaries made up for that. Her story of a war spent in the countryside was one I couldn't put down. By the end I was in tears for Fliss and Margot, but for very different reasons. The perfect read for a Sunday afternoon, and one I highly recommend.

Stars: ★★★★☆

REVIEW: We Come Apart by Sarah Crossan and Brian Conaghan

We Come Apart is the story of Jess and Nicu, two very different teens whose paths cross by chance on a Reparation scheme.

What an incredible story We Come Apart is. I wasn't sure at first but I really warmed to Jess and Nicu as they told their stories. Their story is one of two teens battling the odds stacked against them, and heart broke for them throughout the story. A critical read in our current political climate, but also a devastating love story. Excellent.

Stars: ★★★★☆

REVIEW: Wing Jones by Katherine Webber

Wing Jones just wants to disappear so Heather leaves her alone. That is, until an accident helps her find her running feet and sets her free.

Wing Jones can only be described as inspirational. The strength Wing and her family show, even in the darkest of times, are something to aspire to. The story is beautifully written and really captures the heartache Wing goes through, as well as the joy of first love. A thoroughly stunning debut from Katherine Webber, and I can't wait to see what the future brings.

Stars: ★★★★★

REVIEW: Unconventional by Maggie Harcourt

Everyone is a fan of someone, and I am most definitely a fan of Maggie Harcourt. Unconventional is the story of Lexi and Aidan, as they get to know each other at the conventions Lexi helps run.

Unconventional is the perfect read for anyone missing the sticky heat of summer that can only mean one thing: YALC (it’s not long to go now, right?) It's great fun for a book worm to read and reminisce, as well as look out for mentions of their favourite authors, and has the greatest slow burn romance I've read in a long time.

 Stars: ★★★★★

I was sent a copy of Unconventional by Usborne in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Paper Butterflies by Lisa Heathfield

Paper Butterflies tells June’s story of abuse at the hands of her stepmother, a father who won’t acknowledge the truth, and Blister, the boy from the woods.

Despite the beautiful way in which the story is told, I found Paper Butterflies is a tough read. The scenes of abuse were painful, and more than once I had to take a break. Thankfully there are also moments of reprieve in the time June spends with Blister. The book culminates in a plot twist you won’t see coming, and will keep you reading for hours (just make sure you have some tissues!).

Stars: ★★★★★

REVIEW: A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard

A Quiet Kind of Thunder is a beautiful teen love story in the face of Steffi's selective mutism and Rhys' deafness.

Sara has really excelled herself with AQKOT. It had a lot to live up to following Beautiful Broken Things, as well as the pressure to write about topics such as selective mutism and hearing impairment and get it right. However, the characters are believable and their stories well researched. You learn about the world they inhabit and become a part of their story. By the time I finished reading, I felt like I was saying goodbye to friends.

Stars: ★★★★★

I was sent a copy of A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Pan Macmillan in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr

Flora Banks has amnesia, which means she can’t form new memories. However, that all changes when she kisses her best friend’s boyfriend at a party one night.

I was blown away by Flora Banks. Emily has built a world that is truly realistic and gives the reader an insight into the lives of those with amnesia. The story seems repetitive at times but it makes sense in context, and gives a sense of the confusion Flora would face. This is a truly stunning YA debut and I can’t wait to see what Emily writes in the future.

Stars: ★★★★★

I was sent a copy of The One Memory of Flora Banks by Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The Call by Peadar O'Guilin

Set in dystopian Ireland and based on Irish folklore, The Call starts off as any YA contemporary would. Then Nessa’s parents tell her about the Three Minutes and what happened to her dead brother. With legs twisted from polio, Nessa finds the training that all teenagers must undertake for when she is Called a challenge, but she refuses to let it stop her.

Reading The Call was a whirlwind, and left me gasping for breath. Fast paced and terrifying, this is a must read for anyone who enjoys a thriller, or even horror. Are you ready for The Call?

Stars: ★★★★★

Thank you to Darran Stobbart and David Fickling Books for an early copy of The Call. This has in no way affected my review.