The Socially Awkward Scientist: Book Reviews

Book Reviews

This Is Going To Hurt

22:00

This Is Going To Hurt

- by Adam Kay

5.0/5.0 stars

97-hour weeks. Life and death decisions.

A constant tsunami of bodily fluids.

And the hospital parking meter earns more than you.

Welcome to the life of a junior doctor.

Scribbled in secret after endless days, sleepless nights and missed weekends, Adam Kay's diaries provide a no-holds-barred account of his time on the NHS front line. Hilarious, horrifying and heartbreaking, this is everything you wanted to know - and more than a few things you didn't - about life on and off the hospital ward.

Genius comedy. Which, I realise, is not the (sole) intention of the book. But it's genius comedy all the same. And then, with a flick of his wrist, Adam Kay had me in tears as I read the last chapter.

This Is Going To Hurt is hilarious and devastating in equal measure. It is a book I wish everyone would (should) read because a) it is, genuinely, laugh-out-loud funny from the get-go and b) it allows you to catch a glimpse through the window into the heartbreaking, painful reality of what the NHS faces day after endless day, and that we, as oblivious, ignorant observers take for granted and so casually overlook. The gruelling hours, the brutal shifts, the severely underpaid (or unpaid) staff, the heroism in saving a life and the cruel reality check that sometimes a life is not yours to save...all of this, in a series of diary entries that Kay writes in an almost blasé way, each anecdote so casually witty yet echoing with the harsh realities that fill hospital hallways.

There are many, like me, who work in healthcare, whose professions lie within the NHS or are well-connected to it. With whom this book will resonate more than it does others. But I don't think any one person will be prepared for the sheer lunacy that accompanies not just the stories that Adam Kay walks away with, but also the way in which he and so many others are ground to the bone to keep it running.

I don't think any one person can possibly deny that the NHS front line is made of heroes. It's no secret that it's unequivocally the best healthcare system in the world. What remains secret, however, is how much of their staff take a beating to make it so. After reading this book, the word superhuman takes on a whole other meaning. The words selfless, dedicated, sacrifice, cannot describe enough what these doctors embody.

And the hardest thing to take away from it was how having single-handedly the most important job in the world can make or break you. How being a doctor can literally mean destroying yourself to save others. And it blows my mind that so many people - Jeremy Hunt included - can't fathom the truth of it.

There are times when I was reading this book and forgetting that these are real-life entries. It's a clever way to hit the message home - in a way, the stories wrote themselves and they, in turn, tell a more profound one. It's such a light-hearted approach to the difficult world that he draws out for us; I love how he states the disturbing, the gruesome, the tragic in all their glory in the most brazen, sarcastic manner that makes you choke out a laugh and then immediately feel guilty about it. The challenges and tragedies, the deaths and new births, the small victories and the devastating losses - they tell a story that is seldom heard but should be told more often. While Kay (and every doctor/NHS member alive) deserves a freaking award for literally everything he has ever been through, his diary entries deserve a merit of their own; his writing style is one of envy though its source of inspiration not so much. I guess you have to balance the humour with the hurt to soldier through in a war zone and my God is life within the NHS just that.

Book Reviews

Hero at the Fall

19:00

Rebel of the Sands // Traitor to the Throne // Hero at the Fall
REBEL OF THE SANDS TRILOGY

- by Alwyn Hamilton

5.0/5.0 stars

Desert, dust and gunpowder - and a revolution to die for. Rebel of the Sands is an epic journey of love, magic and fierce rebellion through the heat of the desert and it is a magical masterpiece.

"Tell me that and we'll go. Right now. Save ourselves and leave this place to burn. Tell me that's how you want your story to go and we'll write it straight across the sand."

She’s more gunpowder than girl—and the fate of the desert lies in her hands.

Mortals rule the desert nation of Miraji, but mystical beasts still roam the wild and barren wastes, and rumor has it that somewhere, djinni still practice their magic. But there's nothing mystical or magical about Dustwalk, the dead-end town that Amani can't wait to break free from. The desert sand is in her bones. But she wants to escape. More than a want. A need.

Destined to wind up "wed or dead," Amani’s counting on her sharpshooting skills to get her out of Dustwalk. When she meets Jin, a mysterious and devastatingly handsome foreigner, in a shooting contest, she figures he’s the perfect escape route. But in all her years spent dreaming of leaving home, she never imagined she'd gallop away on a mythical horse, fleeing the murderous Sultan's army, with a fugitive who's wanted for treason. And she'd never have predicted she'd fall in love with him...or that he'd help her unlock the powerful truth of who she really is.

I read Rebel of the Sands and Traitor to the Throne last year and immediately fell in love. Alwyn Hamilton's debut series is a whirlwind of magic and ancient mythology in which you tumble headfirst into the magical lands she brings to life with vivid imagery that buries itself deep into the imagination, and characters that steal the heart with their sense of restless adventure. You can't help but be swept away by the beautiful chaos that awakes from the very first page and which doesn't rest until long after the final page has been turned. It is one of those books that lingers long afterwards, with you itching to pick it up again and journey through the 500+ pages of a mysterious otherworld undone by a rebellion at the heart of the desert, knowing that you will love every second of it.

With its killer opening scene, led by a girl made of gunpowder and a boy created from trouble who wreak havoc in their wake and light the spark to ignite a rebellion, Rebel of the Sands pulls you into a world rich with folklore and alive with a revolution that you almost become a part of. Because Amani's escapades through the desert, fuelled by a desperate desire for freedom and something more, become your own. Her little games in the dust with a foreign stranger as they flirt with traitor eyes, a crooked smile and the taste of death, sifting through secrets and truths that are scattered like grains of sand amid a desert rife with politics and at the brink of exploding in a mess of gunpowder and innocent lives, is just the beginning of a rebellion that spans desert and ocean and that could be the freedom she has always craved.

| And then came that grin. I might have traitor eyes, but Jin had the sort of smile that would turn over whole empires to the enemy - that made me feel like suddenly I understood him exactly, even though I knew nothing about him. The kind that made me feel like if I was on the right side of it, we could do anything together.

Amani, with her smart mouth and reckless death wish, is the warrior you want to be. Jin, with his natural affinity for danger and a restless energy to his step, is the one you hope shows you the world. The Rebel Prince, with his compassion and bravery and a desire to see a desert marked with equality and peace, is the leader you want to fight for. His rebels, with their ability to entwine magic with the dust at their fingertips, their sense of self-sacrifice for a greater, worthy cause, and their missions in the desert that blow you off your feet, are the family you want to be a part of. The Sultan, with his cunning, calculating, and morally corrupt tactics is the enemy you want to see destroyed. And the rebellion, steeped with betrayal and deceit, victories and losses, scheming and plotting, is one you want to see thrive.

Where Rebel of the Sands was just the taster, Traitor to the Throne escalates the Rebellion to darker heights; it descends into utter chaos with dark and deceptive games played on a bigger chess board with more players as pawns - and it is a magical treat. I didn't think Hero at the Fall could match it but I fell right back into this world and it felt like home. It could have been 1000+ pages and I still wouldn’t have had enough of the characters who live and breathe this story. It sucker-punched me with the thrills and emotions of a tornado and the last chapter was told with such beautiful story-telling, that I was sold. As far as epilogues or finales go, Hero at the Fall takes the cake. Words defy just how much.

“But even if the desert forgot a thousand and one of our stories, it was enough that they would tell of us at all. That long after our deaths, men and women sitting around a fire would hear that once, long ago, before we were all just stories, we lived."

This series, oh man. Perfection is rare in the literary world. Five-star books are easy enough to find but those books that slowly creep up on you and steal your heart blind, those are rare. I found it with this trilogy. Some books you carry forever. This is one of them. I could read it time and time again, wearing the words thin as I commit them to memory, and it would never be enough. I would feel every emotion, every push and pull, every tug to every character, every heart-racing paragraph just the way I did the first time. It is the stuff of legends and my God does Hero at the Fall read like one. It reads like a beautifully woven myth with all the magic and heroics that make an epic tale and I’d be lying if I said I don’t already miss the dust and gunpowder and wild escapades of the Blue-Eyed Bandit. It is an intoxicating world that sucks you in and doesn’t let you leave quite the same.

Rebel of the Sands is a beautifully spun tale of magic, myth and wild rebellion, weaving within its pages complex themes of power, freedom and sacrifice...it has everything from family, friendship and romance, to the blurred lines of right and wrong and broken moral compasses that can drive people to commit unspeakable crimes. It is a book that lives and breathes everything that makes fiction such an addictive, beautiful thing.

Book Reviews

All We Have Left

22:00

All We Have Left

- by Wendy Mills

3.5/5.0 stars

NOW:

Sixteen-year-old Jesse is used to living with the echoes of the past. Her older brother died in the September 11th attacks, and her dad has filled their home with anger and grief. When Jesse gets caught up with the wrong crowd, one momentary hate-fueled decision turns her life upside down. The only way to make amends is to face the past, starting Jesse on a journey that will reveal the truth about how her brother died.

THEN:

In 2001, sixteen-year-old Alia is proud to be Muslim... it's being a teenager that she finds difficult. After being grounded for a stupid mistake, Alia is determined to show her parents that that they must respect her choices. She'll start by confronting her father at his office in downtown Manhattan, putting Alia in danger she never could have imagined. When the planes collide into the Twin Towers Alia is trapped inside one of the buildings. In the final hours she meets a boy who will change everything for her as the flames rage around them . . .

When I went to New York last summer, I remember going to the One World Trade Centre and the 9/11 Memorial Museum and feeling so haunted by the experience. It's hard to describe but standing on "Ground Zero" and seeing fragments of the destruction that those terror attacks unleashed, hearing first-hand accounts of life and death, horror and survival, watching live footage of the eerie moments before and the wreckage amid the aftermath, chilled me to the bone. It is something that I will never forget. It's like every nerve ending went haywire...it is an experience that makes you feel, from the inside out, the depths of the horror that victims and survivors alike suffered. I can't remember ever feeling so raw and emotionally disturbed.

All We Have Left, while fiction, captures that. The two "eras" between which it is split is an insight into two innocent lives that were destroyed, among thousands, by the events of 9/11 as well as into the ripple-effect that inevitably claimed the lives of loved ones as collateral damage. It is pain-stakingly accurate, as far as I'm aware, in painting the horror-scape of the explosions over the course of 102 minutes. It is a heartbreaking appreciation of how tragedy forces out the strength and fragility of human nature, how it pushes relentlessly on innate survival instinct that is both selfish and selfless...how a cruel twist of fate can bring out the best during the worst. It somehow lets us imagine a fraction of the surreal terror that hundreds of people just like you and I experienced on a day that should have been just like any other but instead became a day that changed the world...that saw a destruction of epic proportions that even to this day, feels like something of the worst-imagined nightmare.

| I realise that maybe everybody's story is important, because 9/11 didn't just happen to the people who died, it happened to the entire country. People were living their lives, doing everyday things, when suddenly the planes hit, and time ripped into two pages titled "Before 9/11" and "After 9/11". With their clumsy stories, they are saying: "We all felt it. We remember where we were when the world changed." - All We Have Left, Wendy Mills

It's also a glimpse into lives that were torn apart by the events that day. How it fuelled hatred for a religion that ironically, felt the impact of those attacks too and then had to take the brunt of its aftermath, how it created a vessel that couldn't possibly contain the grief and pain only loss can inflict and so instead, was forced to hold the fury of a nation. And it is the perfect illustration of how damaging that fury can be. How grief can blind, how ignorance can blind, how being uneducated about other people's beliefs can blind...how painting everyone of a certain religion, or colour, or race with the same brush, can blind. All We Have Left shoulders that weight.

While I feel that the post-9/11 segments felt stilted and could have been written with a more mature, authentic approach, I thought that the two time periods were distinctive, the narratives compelling, and the evocative nature of Wendy Mills' writing worked incredibly well. It is significant in so many ways; it is a lesson in compassion and humanity, and how important it is to see the wider picture enough to embrace the knowledge that not all Muslims are terrorists. It's a brave venture into exploring both sides of the coin and all things considered, it's open, honest, and a walk in the shoes of every single person - you and I and the seven billion others in this world - who felt the impact of 9/11. And beyond that, in the day and age that we find ourselves in now, it is a painfully relevant read.

Book Reviews

The Kite Runner

22:00

The Kite Runner

- by Khaled Hosseini

5.0/5.0 stars

“For you, a thousand times over...”

“And that's the thing about people who mean everything they say. They think everyone else does too.”

The Kite Runner is one of those books that only comes round once in a lifetime. It is a book, that once read, you will carry it with you until the end of time. It buries deep into your soul, etches into your very being and you are never quite the same after it. The pages and prose haunt your dreams, almost make you scared to pick it back up and carry on reading because you just know that it will break your heart in ways a book should never be allowed to. Then again, The Kite Runner never was just a book...it became a tangible thing in my hand, a living, breathing story that slowly broke me with all its cruel beauty until at the very end, I was an emotional mess.

Have you ever cried because of a book? And I mean, really cried? Not just shedding a tear, but actually crying because of what is spinning out of control on those pages in your hand, so much so, that you have to stop, close the pages and wipe away the tears coursing down your face. Have you ever felt that? Have you ever felt a book tear at your core, felt yourself being ripped apart from the inside as the words sink in and burrow into the deepest spaces of your soul? It's a strange, beautiful thing...that power of ink stains upon paper to make you feel so much that you almost wish you couldn't feel a damn thing.

That's what The Kite Runner does.

“It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime."

Afghanistan 1975: Twelve year old Amir is the son of a wealthy Kabul merchant, a member of the ruling caste of Pashtuns. Hassan, his servant and constant companion, is a Hazara, a despised and impoverished caste. When the local kite-flying tournament comes around, Amir is desperate to win it and Hassan promises to help him. But neither can foresee what will happen to Hassan that afternoon, an event that will shatter their lives.

They are wrenched apart amidst the increasing ethnic, religious, and political tensions of the dying years of the Afghan monarchy and following the Soviet invasion, Amir and his father are forced to flee to America. But despite settling into his Western life, Amir realises that he must journey back to the distant land of Afghanistan, now under the savage rule of the Taliban, to find the one thing that his new world cannot grant him: redemption.

The Kite Runner // Oxford Playhouse
It's always difficult to bring a book like this to the stage...but I'll be damned if there wasn't a dry eye in the theatre when the curtains drew close

It is impossible to encapsulate just how beautifully written The Kite Runner is. Kabul is painted through the eyes of twelve year old Amir who is selfish and cruel, and yet, he is also just a child yearning for his father's affection. It is a weakness that morphs into cowardice, a single act of betrayal in which he destroys the life of Hassan, his one true friend of undying loyalty, as well as destroying his own.

| I opened my mouth, almost said something. Almost. The rest of my life might have turned out differently if I had - Amir, The Kite Runner

As we fast forward in time, the story-telling switches into the candid, honest voice of Amir who is now a young man building a new life in America, but paying the price for his betrayal. It is a voice tainted with a deep-riddled guilt, the story of a man with blood on his hands and who cannot escape the ghosts of his past. It seeps into the story of his later years, the bone-deep desperation for redemption. You can feel the stabbing pain of his memories and sense the stench of guilt that soaks the pages...you cannot escape the horrors that haunt his nightmares and, like Amir, you are waiting with bated breath for a wave of forgiveness.

| I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded; not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night

In a brutal tale that sweeps us through the streets of Kabul to the land of America, all the barbaric, cruel ways in which humanity can be destroyed are vividly splashed across the years that span Amir's journey, from the moment in time when he commits an unforgivable act of betrayal, to the moment in time he dares to tug on the sliver of hope to which he so tightly clings. It borders on poetic, the way in which Amir's story comes full circle, the climax a savage justice for a ruined childhood.

There is no writer out there quite like Khaled Hosseini and I am convinced that there never will be. His hand pens the most devastating tragedies in the most heart-breaking of ways, his words like gunshot wounds that echo with each hit, his storytelling a brutal art that carves its mark with the force of steel nails.

Let me tell you this: you have never truly experienced a book until you are left crying at its hands. The Kite Runner dragged my emotions through the ringer with each new chapter until they bled out and I was left hanging to dry. There are no words to articulate just how much it destroyed me.

Book Reviews

Never Say Die

22:01

Never Say Die
ALEX RIDER #11

- by Anthony Horowitz

5.0/5.0 stars

Don't you hate (love) it when an author promises that their epic series has come to an end but just goes on to write more books anyway, however many years down the line, and the fan-girl in you (whose heart broke when it "ended") simply cannot contain the crazy excitement or the guilt-like anxiety at whether or not it will live up to its expectations and where the story will take your beloved characters. Bookworms, you know what I'm saying.

It's happened with a lot of the books I hold dear to me but I sure as hell didn't expect it with Alex Rider. See, I was just casually browsing the book section in Tesco while on a supermarket run - as one does - with no intention of buying anything and then this title literally jumped out at me and I swear to God I froze for a second in my utter confusion. Because wait, didn't this series end back in 2011 with Scorpia Rising (Russian Roulette doesn't technically count), breaking the fandom's hearts with that ending and so I'm mentally running through the series titles in my head convinced that maybe I was missing something *hyperventilates* BECAUSE IT TURNS OUT I DID NOT KNOW A NEW ALEX RIDER BOOK WAS BEING RELEASED. I don't know how this one slipped past my radar. Maybe because it was one of those series I put to bed when Anthony Horowitz promised us that Alex's story had come to an end. I mean, why would he even contemplate writing another book, six years later no less.

Suffice to say, I plucked it off the shelf, opened it the second I got home and finished it that very night. I was dying to find out how Alex's world shifts after the events of Scorpia Rising and Horowitz did not disappoint. It was everything familiar and nostalgic and just so Alex Rider. It's like we had never left the world of espionage and teenage MI6 missions with adventure and death at every turn of the page. I first read Alex Rider when I was thirteen; ten years on, the surprise continuation still had me gripped by the intensely detailed puzzle pieces of an operation that Alex, as always, derails and the plot twist that no one in this fandom could have seen coming. Keeping pace with Alex Rider is a thrill that every fan will understand; his natural affinity for danger, his sarcastic humour, and the magnetic attachment to this reckless teenager who becomes more damaged and broken with time, is something childhood me will always cherish and that twenty three year old me can deeply appreciate. There's no denying that the books have transitioned into something a little less adventurous-reckless and more into something that's tinged by the death and manipulation that silently chips away at the hero conflicted between the espionage that runs through his blood, and the desperate wish to live a normal teenage life. And I think that it's only taken this series from strength to strength.

Go into this book totally blind. Trust me on this one. It will blindside you and make this book one heck of a ride. Never Say Die is unexpected; it's different and it takes Alex's story in a new direction, and yet, it struck the right chord. Anthony Horowitz knew exactly what he was doing; this book is a direct hit. Because holyyyy effing shit Alex Rider is well and truly back. Read that last chapter and tell me that there isn't more to come. Explosive, fast-paced and as epic as every one of Alex's adventures, it is everything we could never have seen coming. I am so freaking excited to see what Horowitz delivers next.

Book Reviews

The Harry Potter 20 Year Special | Part One

21:00

The Harry Potter 20 Year Special
in celebration of the 20th anniversary of
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
read, discuss and delve deeper into the Harry Potter stories
by (re) reading the books a month at a time with the

P o t t e r m o r e

W i z a r d i n g W o r l d B o o k C l u b

H A R R Y P O T T E R

AND THE

P H I L O S O P H E R ' S S T O N E

Is the wizarding world as secretive as it likes to believe?

Nah. There's no way that hundreds of wizards pushing through a solid wall just before 11am on September 1st every year goes unnoticed, or that giants/dragons/unicorns, flying objects, or strange men in strange attire don't draw unwanted attention. Despite the extensive magical protection in place to ward off the more curious of the Muggles, I think they have an inkling when they stumble on something a little too bizarre for the simple mind to comprehend, or when they experience something out-of-the-ordinary and struggle to put the pieces together. Erasing the memories of unsuspecting non-wizarding folk can only work so many times, and besides, where would the fun be in having an alternate magical universe if the magic didn't slip through the cracks from time to time...

Why do you think the Dursleys are so afraid of magic?

Because it's not "normal". To the Dursleys, the world is split - very cleanly - into two types of people; the normal, and the abnormal. The Dursleys pride themselves in being the latter and fitting, pretty snugly, into societal norms as the picture perfect, middle-class family that is the very definition of "normal". Anything that chips away at that image of perfection is reason for resentment and fear. They hate that magic is a thing; a living, breathing source of something not normal, something far beyond the scope of imagination and ultimately, something that for the first time, is not in their control. They're afraid of what people would think of them being associated with such a ludicrous concept and the fact that it's now suddenly so close to home through Harry, is outright treachery to their "normal" life that they cling so tightly to.

What makes Hagrid so trustworthy?

Hagrid is so pure. His heart is always in the right place and his intentions are never misplaced even when he screws up. His friendship and attachment to Harry is so genuine, likely stemming from them both feeling a little bit lost in a world in which they feel they don't quite belong. He also never expects anything back. He literally loves Harry unconditionally because their friendship is something he's been missing his whole life - and with it comes an undying sense of loyalty.

In your opinion, what first makes Harry believe he is a wizard?

Holding the phoenix wand for the first time in Ollivander's wand shop; feeling that intense magical energy as it literally chooses him seals the deal for Harry.

What are Draco and Harry's similarities and differences?

Harry and Malfoy are both, fundamentally, lonely. Growing up in emotionally abusive environments, they've never been good enough for the people around them. It's at Hogwarts that they find their true home. Maybe that's why they're so loyal to the houses to which they belong. They also both have a background of privilege, Malfoy because of his wealthy heritage and the reputation of his family, Harry because of his infamous history. But Harry, having experienced life on the other side, never takes it for granted. It makes him selfless and compassionate while Malfoy, who has only ever known a comfortable life, is the polar opposite. He's selfish and used to getting his own way, and he takes after his father in looking down at those who don't match them in wealth and status.

Ultimately, Harry and Malfoy are more similar than different. Their early lives have shaped them into who they are and they just happen to choose different paths in their attempt to find themselves in the wizarding world.

Who learns the most from the "troll in the dungeon" incident?

Hermione. Her tendency to overlook the importance of friendship in favour of academic excellence leaves her feeling isolated and it dawns on her at this moment in the book how unpopular it's making her. It's not until Harry and Ron risk their lives to save her that she realises sometimes, luck and breaking the rules are just as life-saving - if not more so - than knowledge itself.

Is rebellion a good or bad thing at Hogwarts?

A little rebellion is healthy, especially at Hogwarts. In fact, Dumbledore not-so-subtly encourages it. If it wasn't for students embracing their rebellious side, they would never fully appreciate the art of magic, nor would they be prepared for the risks and dangers that would challenge their magic in the real world.

Do you think the house points system is fair?

I want to say yes because I'm all for Gryffindor winning the House Championship but Heads of Houses being able to gift 50 points to their own house or dock 150 points off a rival house (or a certain Headmaster blatantly turning the tables in Gryffindor's favour...) is more than a little cheeky.

Hermione says friendship and bravery are more important than books and cleverness - do you agree?

Maybe not more important, but definitely just as. It’s the perfect blend of all four traits that sees the trio through their misadventures; without Hermione’s steady flow of knowledge, Harry’s courage, and Ron’s determined loyalty, their missions would have fallen to pieces (more so than they actually did…)

Is Harry always a good friend in Philosopher's Stone?

I think he tries to be. Having lived his whole life without knowing true friendship or having people who unconditionally have his back, when he finds it with Ron and Hermione he’s determined to treasure it. He doesn’t hesitate when it comes to saving Hermione from the troll, he shares all his sweets with Ron on the train – simply because he’s never had anyone to share with and he knows the feeling of living on the less wealthy side – and he’ll go out of his way to protect those he keeps close to his heart (ergo the Hagrid-and-Norbert-escape-mission) even if it means getting into trouble. Being new to the wizarding world means that his judgement isn’t clouded, nor is his friendship influenced by shallow matters like blood status. Rather, he appreciates each of his friends for who they are and what they bring to the table. He makes questionable, sometimes stupid decisions, but it’s never out of malice or bad intention – he’s always (or most of the time) looking at the bigger picture.

Is Harry a typical hero?

We can’t deny that Harry has a hero-complex. But unlike most heroes, he's a reluctant one. He doesn't have elaborate hero antics nor does he have superpowers or a desire to save the world. He is simply walking a path that was carved out for him before he was even born; he's scared out of his wits 100% of the time and winging it all the way. There's a scene in HP film #5 that springs to mind, when they're in the Hog's Head recruiting for the DA, and his acts of heroism are being recounted and admired and he says:

"Wait... look, it all sounds great when you say it like that. But the truth is, most of that was just luck. I didn't know what I was doing half the time, I nearly always had help...facing this stuff in real life is not like school. In school, if you make a mistake you can just try again tomorrow, but out there, when you're a second away from being murdered or watching a friend die right before your eyes...you don't know what that's like."

I think it captures Harry's character perfectly. He is the very definition of anti-hero, and we love him for it.

What was your standout moment in Philosopher's Stone?

The “troll in the dungeon” scene.

| “There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.”

H A R R Y P O T T E R

AND THE

C H A M B E R O F S E C R E T S

Do you think the Restriction of Underage Magic is a good thing?

In theory, absolutely. We all know the consequences of unrestrained emotion triggering a whole range of magical mishaps and restricting underage witches and wizards from practising magic is only to protect them from hurting themselves and the people around them (and, of course, is key in magical concealment from Muggles - a brood of little witches and wizards running wild in the streets brandishing wands wouldn't bode so well with non-magical folk...). That law has to be there, especially in the case of Muggle-borns but at the same time, I think balance and education is key, and maybe teaching them how to control their magic from a young age isn't such a bad idea.

Why is The Burrow so appealing to Harry?

The Burrow is the first place Harry feels at home. Outside of Hogwarts, he's never known a place where he fully belongs but at The Burrow, he inherits a family. The little band of misfit brothers with their feisty little sister, their eccentric, laid-back father, and their spirited mother become his own. His existence has always been stifled at Privet Drive and so life at The Burrow with the Weasleys who celebrate all things wild and free and instantly make him part of their family, is a liberating welcome.

Where do you think Ron feels most at home?

With Harry and Hermione. Harry and Hermione never knew Ron's brothers, each with a trademark trait that Ron feels the pressure to live up to, and so with Harry and Hermione, Ron has never had to live in the shadows of his brothers. They genuinely see in Ron what others often miss, and for the first time in his life, he finds a place he belongs - right by their side.

Could Harry benefit from listening to Lockhart?

Judging by Lockhart of the books, no. Despite his bold stories of adventure that make him something of a legend back in the day, his words of wisdom that he generously offers up are nothing but waffle. He is blinded by his own fame, guided only by the desire to show off the talents he brazenly claims as his own while being nothing but a coward. Harry is ten times the man that Lockhart is and he's twelve years old.

What are the consequences of fame in the wizarding world?

Wizarding fame is a tricky one but I think isolation is a common theme that accompanies it. Throughout the series, wizarding fame is known to have damaging consequences; we see it with Harry, Lockhart, even Krum. It's still early days in the Chamber of Secrets but as the books progress, Harry feels quite alone in dealing with the pressure that his fame brings him. Krum feels that isolation in a different sense in book four; people only gravitate towards him because of his celebrity status. That isolation plays out a little differently with Lockhart too. He isolates himself by thinking that his magical talent puts him one step above everyone else. Maybe that's why he's so desperate to earn Harry's admiration. He knows his fame is unfounded and I think it makes him deeply insecure..it's why he's so keen to make Harry into a protégé of sorts, in a sort of warped attempt to make him feel less alone and more worthy than he knows he is. In the wizarding world, fame puts you on a pedestal that you can't descend and the pressure builds up as they expect more and more from you. As Ollivander famously says, "I think we can expect great things from you Mr Potter..."

That kind of pressure is enough to make anyone implode.

Does Harry see himself as a celebrity?

No. He hates the attention and it crops up time and time again, noticeably in the bookshop where Lockhart forces him into a photo for the front page and it makes him super uncomfortable, and when Colin Creevey persistently snaps photos of him. I don't think Harry ever feels that being somewhat of a legend in the wizarding world entitles him to privilege, in fact, he pretty much loathes the idea that his parents being murdered by the most notorious Dark wizard of all time makes him famous.

Why isn't Harry afraid of the voices he hears?

He doesn't know any different. Ron, who's grown up in the wizarding world his whole life and whose dad works for the Ministry is acquainted with what's normal and what isn't. Hermione is similarly accustomed to how the wizarding world works from her intense magical research. They both know what marks the Dark Arts. Harry on the other hand is blissfully ignorant; he had a conversation with a python at the zoo, he's seen portraits talk and objects of photographs disappear, he's interacted with poltergeists and walked on moving staircases - what's the small matter of hearing voices in comparison? He puts it down to just another magical manifestation that no one bothered to tell him about and hey, in the wizarding world where practically anything is possible, it must be normal, right?

What was the most important truth revealed in the Chamber of Secrets?

That Lord Voldemort had returned, if not entirely, then in part. It foreshadowed the existence of his Horcruxes and carefully revealed small pieces of information that would later come into play on a much bigger scale.

What questions were left unanswered at the end of Chamber of Secrets?

What kind of sorcery is this!?

Why does Harry share a connection with Voldemort and just how significant is it? How did Riddle preserve himself in a diary and what does it mean for Voldemort's return? What is Riddle's story/how did a sixteen year old preserve himself in a diary and make a mere memory trigger a chain of events that could have ended in murder/what was his end goal/ is Voldemort truly coming back???

TELL ME MORE.

H A R R Y P O T T E R

AND THE

P R I S O N E R O F A Z K A B A N

Do you think Harry regrets blowing up Aunt Marge?

Aside from not being able to visit Hogsmeade, possible expulsion from Hogwarts, and jail-time in Azkaban, no. There's no love lost between these two and after her awful comments about his parents, I can bet he felt a surge of savage satisfaction as he witnessed her inflated self float off into the night sky.

Was Fudge right to tell the Muggle Prime Minister about Sirius Black?

Yes. They may not be privy to the world of magic, but Muggles do have the right to know if/when their lives are in danger, especially when a raving lunatic has escaped from a high-security wizarding prison and is suddenly on the loose...

Does Harry believe the Grim is real?

If he hadn't seen Sirius in his animagus form the night he left the Dursleys, it may be a different story but otherwise, yes. He already knows he's walking a dangerous path mapped out by Voldemort's failed attempt at murdering him and his previous two encounters with Voldemort in his fragmented forms; the knowledge that he has an omen of death marking the end of his life simply confirms some of Harry's deepest fears.

Why does Lupin ask Neville to face the boggart?

Because dear Lupin is the champion of fighting your fears and finding within yourself strength you never thought you had.

Is Cedric more noble than he is competitive?

Yes, Cedric is a true Hufflepuff in nature; he's loyal and determined to always do right by people, and he firmly believes in a level playing field. The greatest thing about Cedric though is that he doesn't do it to prove anything, he simply has a good heart through and through and it's why all of us in the Potter fandom love him so.

Why is Harry so determined to perfect his Patronus?

He hates feeling weak and not in control. Succeeding in conjuring a Patronus would be testament to his strength in overcoming his deepest and darkest tragedies and the unhappiness that the Dementors feed on - that, coupled with the frustration at the Dementors affecting Quidditch which arguably is his favourite part of being at Hogwarts, drives him to perfect it.

Who is the better friend to Harry (when he receives the Firebolt and has it confiscated by Professor McGonagall to have it checked for jinxes) at this point in the story?

This is such a difficult one! I understand where Hermione is coming from, she's always the level-headed, logical one and she instantly worries for Harry's protection which you can't really fault. But I think Ron has a slight edge. He shares Harry's intense passion for Quidditch and I think he understands how Harry's feeling at this point in the book; they suffered a heavy loss against Hufflepuff in which Harry had to deal with not only the horror of the Dementors, but also losing his faithful Nimbus which symbolises so much more than just a broom and the arrival of the Firebolt soothes those blows a little. As much as Hermione is the one who's a little more in touch with her emotions, she missed the mark with this one.

Is Snape right to draw comparisons between Harry and James?

Of course not. I get why he does, it's hard when Harry so much resembles his father who, in Snape's eyes, stole the love of his life and who also made his life a living hell, but it's foolish of him to draw out a childhood grudge spanning decades and punish Harry for James' mistakes. Despite the history between him and James, it's bitterly unfair of him to treat Harry and his father as one and the same.

Is Hermione as close-minded as Trelawney suggests?

In this context, not really. Hermione has always favoured logic and fact over the flimsy art of Divination and to say that it makes her close-minded is probably close-minded in itself. Trelawney doesn't really teach anything that is of use and maybe if they had a competent teacher for the subject, it'd be different but I think Hermione is justified in calling Divination a "woolly subject".

Has Malfoy inherited the grudges he bears from his father?

Naturally he has. We are, after all, a product of our upbringing and Lucius Malfoy has a heavy influence on the way Draco thinks. He not only inherits his father's grudges, but also his values and beliefs and it's hard to break away from them when it's the only thing you've ever known. He's conditioned to think and act the way he does and it becomes more apparent in the later books when he's conflicted with his family's expectations and making the choice between right and wrong.

Should Lupin have kept his werewolf identity a secret?

Lupin has experienced so much prejudice from society because he is different that it was an almost obvious choice to conceal his identity as a werewolf. The idea that he would be a dangerous member of society and should be avoided at all costs would be so ingrained into the minds of students and parents alike that the risk wouldn't be worth it. It's just easier to live by the saying "what they don't know, won't hurt them".

Do the Marauders trust each other?

Unequivocally so. The Marauders are so much more than best friends, they're brothers. James, Sirius and Pettigrew practised and mastered some of the most difficult magic and risked the illegal act of becoming unregistered animagi just so Lupin wouldn't have to go through the devastating effects of his monthly transformations alone and that in itself is testament to just how deep their bond runs.

What was the biggest secret revealed in the Shrieking Shack?

The story, survival and existence of Peter Pettigrew. It was a game changer.

Do you think it is appropriate to give a Time Turner to a model student?

Hermione is the model student and she ran herself ragged keeping up with her insanely heavy timetable with the help of a Time-Turner. In the context of her studies and the toll it took on her mental and physical well-being, it's a no. But if we're looking at whether or not she was trustworthy enough to change the course of history, absolutely. She has her head screwed on right and is more responsible and mature than half the wizards twice her age - if you can't trust her to save your life, who can you trust?

Can a Patronus charm be learned from a book or does it rely on innate talent?

A little bit of both. As with anything, there's only so much you can learn from a book and translating theory into practice takes a fair bit of skill.

What was the most important thing Lupin taught Harry?

He taught Harry a great deal of things, to always see the good in people, to not judge a book by its cover, to accept that we are all human in the end...but most importantly, he taught Harry to believe in himself.

H A R R Y P O T T E R

AND THE

G O B L E T O F F I R E

Why is Mr Weasley so interested in Muggle technology?

Arthur Weasley has an unusually kind heart and open mind. Fascinated by how the Muggle world works, he is one of the rare few who appreciates all walks of life and understands that embracing wizards and Muggles alike builds a fairer, more integrated society.

Are Fred and George's experiments dangerous?

Nah, they take care in making their products (relatively) safe, not only by using themselves as guinea pigs, but also by ensuring that the damage is minimal/non-life threatening. Their little prank on Dudley was pushing it a little but they knew that no real long-term damage would be done and let's face it, he did semi-deserve it...

Does the magical world still surprise Harry?

It always does, the wizarding world is ever-changing even to those who have lived their whole life in it and to Harry, to whom this world is still so new, it never ceases to amaze him the lengths that magic can be stretched to.

Do you agree with Moody's approach to teaching?

I do indeed. It's a little unconventional but also entirely relevant; Defence Against the Dark Arts isn't a subject that can be memorised from a textbook, it takes honing the skills and spells that will save your life when it hangs in the balance and Moody emphasises just that. He prepares them for the dangers that lie in wait in the real world and so while I think that his shady, slightly dangerous teaching methods lie somewhere in a grey area, he kinda has it right with his motto of CONSTANT VIGILANCE!

Was Harry right to have told Sirius his scar hurt?

Absolutely. As he rightly points out, Ron panics and Hermione recommends textbook advice/a visit to Dumbledore whenever his scar is mentioned. Sirius is the perfect middle ground. He's a friend but also a father figure - reassuring, comforting and the one person outside of Hogwarts Harry can trust with his life. It may be a little selfish to risk giving Sirius away but he's only fourteen and both he and Sirius have spent chunks of their lives feeling utterly alone in the world; they finally have someone who cares about them deeply and who will always want to hear from the other. Given everything that they've both been through, they deserve it. Besides, what's life without a little risk...(see what I did there? ;) )

Why is Ron particularly jealous when Harry is chosen as champion?

Ron has lived in the shadow of his older brothers his whole life and for the last three or so years, in Harry's too. The latter doesn't affect him as much though because in the three years that he's known him, Harry never embraces his fame nor does he make Ron feel any less important by his side, and the situations in which Harry is looked at as a hero, are always forced on him - it's never by choice. Being chosen as Triwizard champion suddenly changes that; he believes that Harry actively chose to put himself in the path of "eternal glory" and play hero, and beyond that, chose to keep it a secret from Ron - that, more than anything, is what hurts Ron profoundly.

Do you think Harry wants to compete in the Triwizard Tournament?

Like any other fourteen year old boy, he fantasises about it, but deep down, he's looking forward to just celebrating someone else for a change with Ron and Hermione and enjoying the spectator's experience. He hates being in the spotlight and for the first time in his life, he has the chance to escape it and let someone else take centre stage but I guess that's wishful thinking on his behalf...

Whose side is Hermione on (when Ron and Harry are no longer on speaking terms)?

Neither, though she's leaning (slightly) more towards Harry's. She believes him without question and knows Ron's being an idiot about it but she also empathises with Ron and knows just why he's hurting. She doesn't have a side because she knows how much they both need each other and she just wants them to make up and be friends again.

Why does house-elf treatment particularly bother Hermione?

Because she's no stranger to facing discrimination based on her Muggle-born status and it makes her feel strongly about humans and wizarding creatures alike having justice and equal rights. She also sees it as the equivalent to human slavery. Wizarding kind who have been brought up with the concept of house elves their whole lives, struggle to see anything wrong with house elf enslavement and them having no entitlement to basic rights while Hermione sees it for what it is and refuses to take it sitting down.

How important is the tradition of the Yule Ball as part of the tournament?

I can see why it's emphasised; it encourages students from across different schools to break away from their usual cliques and connect with others from different walks of life. I can imagine it's easy to be boxed away in the wizarding world, to be only surrounded by magical folk of a certain calibre and The Yule Ball is designed to just let the students appreciate people from different magical backgrounds. (Though for the fair bit of drama it caused, I'm sure Harry & Co would be inclined to disagree...)

Is Professor Grubbly-Plank the better teacher?

Sigh. Yes. BUT I'm talking strictly from an academic perspective; I do think Hagrid's genuine love and enthusiasm for magical creatures goes a long way...it just backfires on him more often than not.

Is it fair that Harry receives extra points for the second task?

I've always thought that Harry was a bit of an idiot for taking the second task so seriously and not knowing that of course Dumbledore wouldn't let an innocent girl die at the bottom of the lake *rolls eyes*
Controversial, but I'm going with no.

Was Barty Crouch right to turn in his own son?

I think this one is a morally grey area. It can't be easy handing your own son over to a fate worse than death and though it comes across as callous and downright cruel, I can understand why he had to do what he did. They were living in a time of Voldemort's reign; the crimes committed were simply barbaric and inhumane and I can only imagine the devastation of finding out that your own son had a hand in inflicting some of that terror on innocent people - and then facing the conflict of either doing what's legally right, or losing him in the worst way possible to uphold the justice system and keep the public safe in the knowledge that the Ministry are doing everything in their power to punish those deserving of it. And while Barty Crouch shows zero emotion when delivering the sentence, I think that's in part because he's just not an expressive human being..it's easy to see that it took its toll on him and I don't think anyone could say that not a day passes where he doesn't think about the choices he was forced to make.

Does Winky complicate the argument the moral argument behind SPEW?

Absolutely. Of course Hermione has her heart in the right place, but she doesn't seem to grasp the idea that some house elves - as Ron points out - are happy in their trade. Granted, that's because maybe they don't know any different, nor do they know the rights they're entitled to, but Winky's case is proof that house elves need to be educated before they can take on the decision of whether or not they'd like their freedom. After all, if it's rights that Hermione's fighting for, she has to know that they have the right to choice. They have the right to know what exactly SPEW stands for, and then use that knowledge to make an informed decision on what they want - and if they still choose to remain in servitude to wizarding families, that's okay too.

Why do Cedric and Harry want to share the Triwizard prize?

They both genuinely believe that the other deserves it. They have a genuine admiration and respect for one another and they each believe that they can celebrate that by making it a double victory which would be a Hogwarts victory all the same. Harry's never wanted fame or glory, and he was forced into the competition which makes him feel that Cedric deserves it, while Cedric believes that he wouldn't be a contender for the competition without Harry's help with the dragons. I guess, ultimately, both uphold their respective House traits of integrity and loyalty.

Why do you think Voldemort wants to duel Harry?

Voldemort is a man (?) of ego. He needs to prove to himself, his followers, and the rest of the wizarding world that he is truly the greatest Dark wizard of all time...that The Boy Who Lived is legend no more and finally put to bed the humiliation of suffering defeat at the hands of a mere baby.

Is Harry more lucky than he is skilled in magic?

Luck definitely turns the tables in Harry's favour nine times out of ten. But it's easy to forget that he single-handedly fought off Voldemort not once but twice, he killed the basilisk, he's capable of producing a Patronus which is no easy feat for even the most skilled of wizards, he fights off the Imperious Curse...I think he (and a lot of the fandom) underestimates himself but his determination always proves to be one of his greatest strengths. Sure, he relies on the advice and knowledge of Ron and Hermione, and he sometimes needs nudging in the direction but he does have a knack for some pieces of magic (and he proves just how much when it comes to leading the DA the following year...)

Why does Fudge refuse to believe that Voldemort has returned?

Denial and fear; not only is he terrified to accept the impossible, but he also worries that his job is going to become infinitely more difficult in ways that he fears he won't cope with.

Did Barty Crouch Jr. deserve his fate?

He was handed over to the Dementors to be given the Dementor's Kiss without a trial and if we look at it from a moral/ethical perspective, he should have had the right to a fair trial. But this is the Death Eater who literally facilitated the return of the most notorious Dark wizard of all time..who crafted and schemed and paved the path for Harry to walk right into Voldemort's trap..who committed and remained unfazed by the cruel Dark arts (let's not forget the horrible way in which he made Neville re-live the tragic fate of his parents) - there's no coming back from that. You can't really fault the decision of letting the Dementors have their fun when you can hardly argue that he didn't deserve it.

Is your view of the wizarding world different after reading Goblet of Fire?

If anything, it's the politics of the wizarding world that truly come to light in this book. It's almost incredible how J K Rowling highlights the damaging influence news outlets/media can have and how much power they can actually hold...and just how much we can never place our trust in corrupt governments who will almost always go out of their way to hide or disprove the truth...

Book Reviews

Caraval

21:00

Caraval
CARAVAL DUOLOGY #1

- by Stephanie Garber

4.5/5.0 stars

Remember, it’s only a game…

Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval…beware of getting swept too far away.

Caraval is one of those books that pleasantly surprises you with how much it engulfs you in its enticing world; it has an almost dream-like element to it with an alternate universe that is dark and twisted, and yet equally whimsical in its magical realm. This book is a winner not just because of the unfamiliar, intriguing tale it tells, but because of the beautiful writing that gives it life. Stephanie Garber's writing is as magical as the world it describes; it is as enchanting and exquisite as the fairytales of which it is reminiscent. It is the perfect paradox; a delightful, dreamy kingdom ruled by the infamous Legend that runs riot with dark magic and a deception that runs so deep, it is impossible to tell dream from reality. That is the wickedly gripping thrill of this tale. Like Scarlett, we are fooled by the masks of Caraval's players and the facade of a game that knows no such thing as going too far. A game that levels life and death and justice in deliciously twisted ways and before we know it, we are entangled by secrets and lies and deceptive truths in a wild chase for answers. And the whole time, we can't help but marvel at the atmospheric, vivid setting that steals the imagination.

"The world of Caraval is one part amusement park, one part Venice, and one part game show, painted in all the colors of a gothic circus. Girls in gowns rustle their way down dark hallways, searching for clues that will win them a wish - but some girls have more need of wishes than others..."

Source

I couldn't put this book down. The air of mystery that enshrouds Caraval, coupled with the little revelations that messed with my mind, had me turning page after page well into the late hours of the night. I never truly knew what I was experiencing, but what I did know was that I was as caught up in the game as Scarlett and I was desperate to have my burning questions answered as much as she was. It is a mysterious, magical whirlwind of a tale about love, sisterhood and adventure that I thought was being beautifully wrapped up with a bow and a dreamy happily-ever-after until THAT ENDING. HOLY SHIT. I was blown off my feet with the mother of all cliff-hangers.

Kudos to you Stephanie Garber. You played us well.

Book Reviews

My Summer Wrap-Up

20:40

I can say, with some self-proclaimed pride, that I am a master at consuming books at a significantly unhealthy rate. But I've reached a point in my life where reading is now considered a luxury, and reading more than four books a month is considered some almighty achievement. So, naturally, I am bloody proud that I got through these books over the last few months.

Exam season, naturally, interrupted my reading flow. I spent a couple of months just re-reading old favourites but I haven't included them in this post because a) I've only recently posted my reviews of them and b) it would make this post unnecessarily long. On that note, I think I'm taking a break from wrap-ups. As much as I love writing reviews for every book I read, it's simply not possible anymore, at least not in the foreseeable future while I finish up uni. But of course, I will still be uploading reviews for books that take my breath away; I couldn't leave you hanging dry waiting on worthy book recommendations now could I?

And if you're a crazy bookworm and you do want to keep up with what I'm reading throughout the months, you can always find me on my Goodreads page here or access my bookshelf via the Goodreads widget on the right hand side. Happy reading folks!

Goodnight Mister Tom

- by Michelle Magorian

My Goodreads Rating: 5.0/5.0 stars

If you live in the UK, you likely read Goodnight Mister Tom in Year 6, at the tender age of eleven, as your first "classic" book. It was definitely the first time my younger self was treated to the experience of literature. And I bloody loved it. I have such fond memories of reading it; I remember reading ahead at home (despite being specifically told not to because we were reading it as a class) but I was simply too emotionally invested in it; I remember watching the film after we finished reading/studying it and it tugged at my eleven-year old heartstrings; and I remember enjoying picking a book apart and appreciating its meaning. It's lived with me since. It has so many nostalgic memories attached to it and it's the stand-out part of my primary school life that instantly takes me back to a certain time and place in my childhood.

I've never picked it up since though. I guess because I've never had reason to and sometimes, it's like you almost don't want to re-visit a book in fear that memory places it at such a high pedestal yet re-experiencing it may make it drop like a ton of bricks and you will never see it in the same light again. But then I was browsing in Waterstones with my friend and my eyes fell on this beautiful little Puffin edition and I nearly screamed in excitement when I saw it because here was one of my childhood favourites wrapped up in a lovely cover with lovely pages on the inside. (Said friend gifted it to me for my birthday which now makes it mean so much more but I digress). I was ecstatic that I had it on my bookshelf.

It took me so long to get round to reading it though because I didn't want it to rob me of its sentiments. But when I finally did, I didn't realise how much I'd forgotten about the story and when I closed the last page, tears streaming down my face with a little bit of a broken heart and a little bit of bitter-sweet joy that only a book can give, I felt like I was experiencing it for the first time all over again. It is a story about lives that live beyond the war, that are only touched at the edges by world-changing events until one day it completely shatters them. It's the story of how this foreign concept of human destruction can be a distant truth that almost doesn't exist while life still goes on for the oblivious, lucky few - but how it inevitably hits home and sends everything up in dust and smoke. It is a story of how children perceive and survive the devastating consequences of fear, grief and death..how they are thrown into a world of chaos without knowing how they got there.

But here's what it's truly about: it is about a man who has nothing but finds everything when he takes a stranger into his home; it is about friendship and courage and bravery in the face of adversity; it is about second chances at life and finding hope at a time when the world has probably lost hope; it is about how much good there is still left in the world even when the world is at its worst; it is a tale of love and loss and a little boy who comes with nothing but discovers everything when he is taken into a stranger's home and it is beautiful and endearing in all the ways I appreciated once before and I can appreciate again. This book is so quietly powerful. It takes tragedy and gives it beauty and in doing so, it made me feel every beautiful, heart-warming, heart-breaking emotion that I felt when I first read it twelve years ago. It will always have a special place in my heart; I can only hope that you too pick it up and let it find a place in yours.

When Beauty Tamed the Beast

- by Eloisa James

My Goodreads Rating: 5.0/5.0 stars

I can't remember what possessed me to buy this book on a whim, but buy it I did and it was a delight. Wickedly seductive, hilariously witty and dangerously addictive, it is a retelling with all the makings of a fairytale romance and then some. Linnet, our heroine, is a feisty, yet endearing, smart, stunningly beautiful woman whose fate has been matched to that of Piers, a selfish, arrogant, downright cranky yet brilliant doctor who is every inch a beast in nature. Their not-a-relationship (engagement?) suffers the predicament of a Beast immune to his betrothed Beauty, and her resilience in finding a shred of humanity in his shrivelled up heart that has been burned more often than not. And so their unconventional love story unravels with a back-and-forth banter that is shamelessly entertaining and an undeniable chemistry between two people who simply abhor the presence of the other. It is a love story that will have you laughing against your will while playing with your heartstrings through to the very end. And beyond the irresistible romance, there's the unusual - albeit thoroughly engrossing - story line that keeps you hooked with a cast of eccentric characters that make this read a highly entertaining one. A refreshing - and arguably the best - take on Beauty and the Beast that could exist, and one that your teenage heart will swoon over the entire time.

Point of Retreat
SLAMMED #2

- by Colleen Hoover

My Goodreads Rating: 2.5/5.0 stars

Point of Retreat is the sequel to Colleen Hoover's Slammed - which I hated for the record (review here). The only reason I put myself through reading the next instalment is because I was forced to stand for the hour train commute home one evening and it was the only unread book I had on my Kindle so I figured a book I was likely to not like, would be better than no book at all.

I didn't rate Slammed because the writing came across as amateurish; I felt like I was reading something that I would have written in English class when I was thirteen. The "forbidden" relationship between teacher and student was poorly written and felt immature at best. There was simply too much angst and melodrama, and no substance. Point of Retreat is a continuation of their relationship and is, I'm disappointed to admit, of a similar nature. I expected there to be at least some character growth and a little bit of gained maturity, if not by Will - who was the only redeeming factor in Slammed - then at least by Lake, but I found her to be just as juvenile as she was in Slammed. At risk of sounding like a broken record, there was no depth to the relationship, no plot to hold up the story, and a whole lot of unnecessary drama that was thrown in there to shift it along. The only redeeming qualities of the sequel was a) the poetry was (slightly) better than that we suffered through in book one, and b) the kids (i.e. the sassy eight year old neighbour who stole the show). The latter, my friends, should tell you all you need to know about the quality of this book/series.

Reboot // Rebel
REBOOT DUOLOGY

- by Amy Tintera

My Goodreads Rating: 3.0/5.0 stars

When Wren Connelly was shot three times in the chest, her heart stopped beating for 178 minutes. She came back as a Reboot; an upgrade of her human self with refined instincts, unnatural speed, and detached emotions. The more time spent dead, the less human the Reboot. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. A soldier for the Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation (HARC), she is expected to ruthlessly track down new Reboots before they can escape the new life that they will be forced into, and train them to become the lethal weapons that HARC want them to be. But her latest recruit is Callum 22 who may as well be human with his slow reflexes, his burning curiosity that has him asking too many questions, and an innate tendency to disobey. He is a walking disaster, and one that HARC want Wren to shut down. He has to be forced into line, or be eliminated. But Wren is drawn to this Reboot who is more human than monster, and who has her daring to break the rules. The perfect soldier is done taking orders.

This promised such an exciting, dark concept; a dystopian world where the dead come back to life in an emotionless, superhuman form to become loyal subjects for a corrupt regime hiding their real (disturbing) operation should have made a kickass read. It started off kickass, I'll give it that. Wren is all power and no emotion and it was easy to be pulled into her world of violence, all the while wondering what kind of world in hell it is. Then comes along Callum 22 and it goes downhill from there. I didn't feel the chemistry that was meant to exist. I found him to be likeable enough, but he was also dull and bland and not nearly enough to break through the shields of supposedly the most dangerous soldier in the state. It was a romance that I couldn't buy into, and one that completely overshadowed the actual plot of the story once it got rolling. The world-building/scientific explanations were rushed, if there at all, and suddenly, gone is the soldier-taking-down-the-government angle. All the dark intrigue disappeared, only to be replaced by a weak love story between a soldier gone soft and a would-be soldier with no backbone, with their half-hearted attempt to break away from HARC and find answers for the questions we were all asking (which, by the way, weren't really answers at all).

I went into its sequel, Rebel, hoping for more, and being left just as disappointed. Wren and Callum find themselves at a Reboot reservation that is led by Micah 163, the deadliest Reboot after Wren and, naturally, he has darker intentions. He plans to wipe out all humans from the face of the earth with his Reboot army in a desire for Reboot domination and as Wren and Callum are quick to find out, is about to launch his attack on the cities. Callum, with his human side still in touch, wants to stop Micah at all costs and protect the humans - he still (naively?) believes that humans and Reboots can co-exist in peace. Wren just wants to leave the fighting behind. HARC are still tracking down their Reboots-gone-rogue. Micah will fight anything and anyone that stands in his way. And with Callum and Wren at odds with one another, they have to compromise and find middle ground. And that means building a Rebel army and taking out two enemies that have nothing to lose...

You'd think there'd be more action in this one, but nope. The world just wasn't built up enough for a war to take place, and for us to be invested in it. None of the lethality and violence that was meant to exist, shone through. I think all of it was just weak; the plot, the characters, the world, none of it had any substance and for the most part, it was choppy, badly paced, and utterly underwhelming. It felt like a half-finished job.

Teach Me To Forget

- by Erica M Chapman

My Goodreads Rating: 2.0/5.0 stars

Ellery has chosen the date of her death. She has the gun. She has the details of her funeral. She has the day. She just has to pull the trigger. But it looks like the universe is putting up a fight when the gun unexpectedly falters and blows her plan to pieces. She's desperate; she has to return the gun and buy a new one. But when she accidentally tries to do so with the wrong receipt, she's turned over to the security guard of the store - Colter Sawyer, who also happens to be in Ellery's English class, and who doesn't buy her flimsy lies and cottons on to what she's up to. As she tries to put some distance between them while at the same time forming a contingency plan for her premeditated death, Colter seems to make it his life's mission to get her to change her mind. He confesses a closely guarded secret of his own and promises to keep hers and Ellery soon finds herself fighting an attraction that keeps interfering with her one life's desire - death - and the ghosts of her past that fuel it. But Ellery can only run for so long and she has to make the impossible choice between living with her mistakes that are catching up with her, or dying to pay the price.

I tend to steer clear of books that focus on suicide or rape (or similarly sensitive topics) only because rarely do I find them written well. It's hard to accurately capture their nature, to make a realistic work of fiction of them, and yet I thought Teach Me To Forget had its moments. It could have worked if the romance wasn't so forced. Ellery's back story, while predictable, worked as did her narrative, but her relationship with Colter simply didn't. It was too convenient, too much of a cop-out for the ending and ultimately, it delivered an unrealistic depiction of mental illness that lets down such books more often than not.

Mr. President
WHITE HOUSE #1

- by Katy Evans

My Goodreads Rating: 1.0/5.0 stars

Charlotte has known Matthew practically her whole life. Refined, charismatic, and intelligent, it comes as no surprise when he runs for President. It does come as a surprise when she is invited to join his presidential campaign. Matt is determined, ruthless, and is a man for the people; with his surging popularity, the opportunity to fight for his place as the next president of the United States and possibly change America for the greater good, is too tempting to turn away. And so is he. Drawn to each other by their undeniable chemistry, they're suddenly both playing with fire with Matt's potential presidency on the line - and the knowledge that losing isn't an option...and that winning will force her to walk away.

Mr President is the prime example of why you should always take reviews with a pinch of salt. Because my God is this book not worthy of a single star, let alone five. If you want a trashy read with sex scenes playing out every other page and you couldn't care less about a plot, this is for you. Otherwise don't bother.

Under Rose-Tainted Skies

- by Louise Gornall

My Goodreads Rating: 4.0/5.0 stars

(I would give this book five stars for that stunning cover - and title - alone...)

Norah is battling with agoraphobia and OCD. She has accepted that the four walls of her house delineate her life. She knows that fearing everything from inland tsunamis to odd numbers is irrational, but her mind keeps her prisoner in her own home, refusing to let her step outside into the world it claims is too big, too dangerous. And when groceries are left on the porch, she can't step out to get them. Struggling to snag the bags with a stick, she meets Luke. He's sweet and funny, and he just caught her fishing for groceries. Because of course he did. Norah can't leave the house, but can she let someone in? As their friendship grows deeper, Norah realizes Luke deserves a normal girl. One who can walk beneath the open sky. One who can lie on the front lawn and look up at the stars. One who is unafraid of kissing. One who isn't so screwed up. Can she let him go for his own good—or can Norah learn to see herself through Luke’s eyes?

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"See, anxiety doesn’t just stop. You can have nice moments, minutes where it shrinks, but it doesn’t leave. It lurks in the background like a shadow, like that important assignment you have to do but keep putting off or the dull ache that follows a three-day migraine" - Norah, Under Rose-Tainted Skies

Under Rose-Tainted Skies is a moving story about mental illness, recovery, and a friendship that blossoms into something more in the most unlikely of circumstances. Norah's narrative is instantly engaging; I found her to be funny, smart, and also vulnerable in ways that felt authentic. It was interesting to be in her headspace, to have an insight into the irrational - and yet debilitating - fears that define agoraphobia and OCD. Despite the humour and light narrative, it doesn't shy away from how deeply consuming and suffocating mental illness can be. I feel like we can all relate to Norah on some level; I saw so much of myself in her, in the thoughts and worries and doubts that are tied to anxiety, and I know that readers out there who suffer from agoraphobia or OCD or just mental illness in any form, will find comfort in Norah's story. Maybe because Louise Gornall has perfectly articulated that which is almost impossible to describe, much less make someone else understand, and through Norah reminds us that the invisible demons that grip our mind, are not entirely faithful to us alone.