"When Lissy meets a
mysterious and strangely beautiful boy on her way to Hopesay Edge, she
is deeply unsettled by their encounter.
She discovers that the
boy, Larkspur, is a member of the Hidden, an ancient group of elven
people, whose secrets lie buried at Hopesay Reach. Before long, Lissy
and her brother Rafe find themselves caught by a powerful magic and
fighting to escape a bargain that can never be broken" taken from Goodreads
Although having a copy of this book since last year, I unfortunately hadn't gotten round to reading this. Luckily the book group I belong to chose this as our April read, giving me the much needed push to read it.
The cover is rather beautiful. The imagery going from dark to light is stunning. Somehow I totally missed the swans head when I first saw the cover and thought it was angels wings, giving me a very different expectation for the read. My lack of sight gave me a nice surprise when I finally got into it.
The book is told in parts, all of it from different perspectives. I love the fact that each person knows different things so is able to give you new and varying information, helping you to build up the story piece by piece. This is all done very gradually, so has your suspense growing steadily.
This book had a very unique aspect for me and that was that you got to read from the perspective of a mother. For me it seems incredibly rare to read a young adult book that is even partly narrated by someone that isn't a young adult. I found this so enjoyable and fresh, its made me wonder why this isn't done more often?
At times I was a little confused what with the changes of narrator and what role they were playing in the story, but with a bit of persistence things became more clear. By the time I'd finished I had sorted everything out and so the end made full sense.
That's not to say that we're not left on somewhat of a cliffhanger though. You are given some very important information on the last pages and I am desperate to find out where things will go next!!
Rating 4 Out Of 5
Published In The UK By Walker Books
This Can Be Purchased HERE and from good book sellers
Wednesday 3 April 2013
Wednesday 20 March 2013
Meeting Stephenie Meyer
I'm a fangirl. I am more than happy to admit this to anyone. I'm into a lot of fandoms past and present. I quite happily go to conventions and signings of all sorts to meet the people that have created the worlds I love so much. I've been fortunate enough to meet a lot of my idols, so when I heard that Stephenie Meyer was making a very rare appearance in the UK, I was compelled to go.
It seemed for a while that I wouldn't be able to attend and although I put this down to fate and what was meant to be, I was kind of gutted that I couldn't go. Then at the last minute, things fell into place and I could go. I was big fan of fate again now I was getting to do what I really wanted.
So accompanied by my ever patient Mum we travelled along to Waterstones at Piccadilly Circus at 10am - the signing wasn't till 6pm and we only live about an hour away. We were in for a seriously long wait!!! But were numbers 23 and 24 in the queue.
Once again luck was on our side and we had the best weather of the year so far. So although the pavement being rather hard, the day was pretty pleasant.
We got to hang out with an old friend that I haven't seen for quite some time and had an awesome queue buddy in the form of Caroline from Big Book Little Book. Although we brought books along to read, I didn't open my book once. We were far to busy gossipping and getting over excited!!
I also got to have a lovely chat with Waterstones bookseller and fellow book blogger Nicole from The Reluctant Hypersomniac
Being in the queue was a joy, getting to see lots of familiar faces from my convention life and from my book blogging life. It was like a huge collision of all my favourite things.
The long queue time went surprisingly quickly and in no time we were being ushered into the store to get into the proper signing queue. It was really exciting to see the press photographers in their pen waiting for Stephenie just as we were.
When the cheers started and the cameras started flashing I knew Stephenie had arrived. Sadly at this point I couldn't see a thing, being 5 foot and standing in a corner my view wasn't great. I could live with that though, I knew my turn was soon to come.
As I got to the table I really didn't know what to say. I knew my meeting would be brief, so I had to make it count for something and so this is what I said -
Me - Thanks so much for this
Stephenie - Oh its a pleasure
Me - I do have to tell you though, that only two authors have made me cry and you have managed to make me cry twice, so well done
Stephenie - Oh I'm sorry, but I hope it was in a good way
Me - Oh definitely, I think any author that manages to bring about psychical reactions must have a done a pretty good job, so all is good
Stephenie - Well then I am thrilled
Me - Thanks again
And that was it - my 7 hours in the queue and although short I got to say exactly what I wanted. Stephenie was an absolute joy to meet and I'm thrilled to be able to tick another of my idols of my to meet list.
Massive Thanks to Waterstones, Atom, Little Brown Books, The Host UK movie team and most importantly Stephenie. My day was amazing!!
It seemed for a while that I wouldn't be able to attend and although I put this down to fate and what was meant to be, I was kind of gutted that I couldn't go. Then at the last minute, things fell into place and I could go. I was big fan of fate again now I was getting to do what I really wanted.
So accompanied by my ever patient Mum we travelled along to Waterstones at Piccadilly Circus at 10am - the signing wasn't till 6pm and we only live about an hour away. We were in for a seriously long wait!!! But were numbers 23 and 24 in the queue.
Once again luck was on our side and we had the best weather of the year so far. So although the pavement being rather hard, the day was pretty pleasant.
We got to hang out with an old friend that I haven't seen for quite some time and had an awesome queue buddy in the form of Caroline from Big Book Little Book. Although we brought books along to read, I didn't open my book once. We were far to busy gossipping and getting over excited!!
I also got to have a lovely chat with Waterstones bookseller and fellow book blogger Nicole from The Reluctant Hypersomniac
Being in the queue was a joy, getting to see lots of familiar faces from my convention life and from my book blogging life. It was like a huge collision of all my favourite things.
The long queue time went surprisingly quickly and in no time we were being ushered into the store to get into the proper signing queue. It was really exciting to see the press photographers in their pen waiting for Stephenie just as we were.
When the cheers started and the cameras started flashing I knew Stephenie had arrived. Sadly at this point I couldn't see a thing, being 5 foot and standing in a corner my view wasn't great. I could live with that though, I knew my turn was soon to come.
As I got to the table I really didn't know what to say. I knew my meeting would be brief, so I had to make it count for something and so this is what I said -
Me - Thanks so much for this
Stephenie - Oh its a pleasure
Me - I do have to tell you though, that only two authors have made me cry and you have managed to make me cry twice, so well done
Stephenie - Oh I'm sorry, but I hope it was in a good way
Me - Oh definitely, I think any author that manages to bring about psychical reactions must have a done a pretty good job, so all is good
Stephenie - Well then I am thrilled
Me - Thanks again
And that was it - my 7 hours in the queue and although short I got to say exactly what I wanted. Stephenie was an absolute joy to meet and I'm thrilled to be able to tick another of my idols of my to meet list.
My rather awkward photo, but hey its me and Stephenie!!! |
Massive Thanks to Waterstones, Atom, Little Brown Books, The Host UK movie team and most importantly Stephenie. My day was amazing!!
Labels:
2013,
ATOM,
Book Signing,
Little Brown Books,
Meet,
Stephenie Meyer,
The Host,
The Host Movie,
Waterstones
Monday 18 March 2013
Review: Requiem By Lauren Oliver
This is the third book in the series, so spoilers are possible...
Battling against a society in which love has been declared a disease, Lena now finds herself at the centre of a fierce revolution. But the Wilds are no longer the haven they once were as the government seeks to stamp out the rebels. And Lena's emotions are in turmoil following the dramatic return of someone she thought was lost forever... taken from Goodreads
I was quite nervous on reading this book. I adored Delirium, but wasn't as blown away by Pandemonium so I really wanted to love Requiem but was prepared to not like it as much as I wanted. I actually ended up feeling a bit of both - weird I know!...
I loved that this story was being told from two very different perspectives - uncured Lena and cured Hana. The lives of both are completely different as are their views, so alternating chapters of these parallels were so absorbing and fascinating. I had trouble deciding which life would be the more favourable. It was easy to tell which life would be easier but which life would really be better that took some major thought. Given time it was actually an easy choice. Although I hope we are never put in that kind of situation.
The end - oh I feel somewhat confused. We did get an end, an end that was very enjoyable. But it was over extremely quickly, the conclusion didn't take long to happen. And when it did end, it wasn't exactly thorough. You don't find out what happens in the long run, which bothers me. I'm hoping that Lauren has some idea of extending on the story but maybe with different characters. I'm also torn as to whether the events that took place would really have had that great an effect in the future. Like I said I'm confused.
Although my reservations I did really enjoy this instalment of Lena's story and found it hard to put down. I just can't help but want more!! I am super eager to see what Lauren thinks up next.
Rating 4 Out Of 5
Published In The UK By Hodder And Stoughton
This Can Be Purchased HERE and From All Good Book Sellers.
Battling against a society in which love has been declared a disease, Lena now finds herself at the centre of a fierce revolution. But the Wilds are no longer the haven they once were as the government seeks to stamp out the rebels. And Lena's emotions are in turmoil following the dramatic return of someone she thought was lost forever... taken from Goodreads
I was quite nervous on reading this book. I adored Delirium, but wasn't as blown away by Pandemonium so I really wanted to love Requiem but was prepared to not like it as much as I wanted. I actually ended up feeling a bit of both - weird I know!...
I loved that this story was being told from two very different perspectives - uncured Lena and cured Hana. The lives of both are completely different as are their views, so alternating chapters of these parallels were so absorbing and fascinating. I had trouble deciding which life would be the more favourable. It was easy to tell which life would be easier but which life would really be better that took some major thought. Given time it was actually an easy choice. Although I hope we are never put in that kind of situation.
The end - oh I feel somewhat confused. We did get an end, an end that was very enjoyable. But it was over extremely quickly, the conclusion didn't take long to happen. And when it did end, it wasn't exactly thorough. You don't find out what happens in the long run, which bothers me. I'm hoping that Lauren has some idea of extending on the story but maybe with different characters. I'm also torn as to whether the events that took place would really have had that great an effect in the future. Like I said I'm confused.
Although my reservations I did really enjoy this instalment of Lena's story and found it hard to put down. I just can't help but want more!! I am super eager to see what Lauren thinks up next.
Rating 4 Out Of 5
Published In The UK By Hodder And Stoughton
This Can Be Purchased HERE and From All Good Book Sellers.
Labels:
2013 Release,
Book Review,
Delirium,
Dystopian,
Hodder and Stoughton,
Lauren Oliver,
Requiem,
Review
Wednesday 13 March 2013
Review: Warm Bodies By Isaac Marion
"'R' is a zombie. He has
no name, no memories, and no pulse, but he has dreams. He is a little
different from his fellow Dead. Amongst the ruins of an abandoned city, R
meets a girl. Her name is Julie and she is the opposite of everything
he knows - warm and bright and very much alive, she is a blast of colour
in a dreary grey landscape. For reasons he can't understand, R chooses
to save Julie instead of eating her, and a tense yet strangely tender
relationship begins. This has never happened before. It breaks the rules
and defies logic, but R is no longer content with life in the grave. He
wants to breathe again, he wants to live, and Julie wants to help him.
But their grim, rotting world won't be changed without a fight..." taken from goodreads
I've been intrigued by this book for ages, but with the amount of amazing books out there its one that I hadn't gotten round to reading. When I found out the book was being adapted into a movie, I found it the push I needed to actually read it.
I can't say I've read many zombie themed books, making my reading experience fairly fresh and new. Obviously I expected dead, flesh eating creatures but other than that I wasn't sure how the book would pan out.
I loved the idea of this kind of being a Romeo and Juliet reworking in a totally new setting. R somehow decides he doesn't like his zombie life anymore and wants to live. With the help of living girl Julie, they try to make it work. Its a brilliant concept but I have to say I just didn't get how this would come about. I didn't see that a living person would find any attraction to or understanding of a living dead person, especially knowing and seeing what these people are capable of. Actually writing that makes me feel somewhat racist against the zombies and I actually feel guilty. I think that is one of the things that make this book great - it makes you think. It definitely made me think of a post apocalyptic world and how we would cope. It made me think of inbuilt prejudice that came quite easily to me, which I do regret.
The more you learn of R and Julie, the more you are drawn to both of their characters and their relationship. I felt I judged them way to early and although it seemed impossible to me, they actually built an incredible relationship that was not only clever, but kind of beautiful too.
The conclusion was more than I could have hoped for. I can't say I 100% know how things happened in the way they did, but I can say that I did enjoy it. I think it would be quite interesting to read a companion story that maybe went into what happened some time after, on a more wide spread scale.
Rating 3 1/2 Out Of 5
Published In The UK By Vintage Books
This Can Be Purchased HERE and from good book sellers
I've been intrigued by this book for ages, but with the amount of amazing books out there its one that I hadn't gotten round to reading. When I found out the book was being adapted into a movie, I found it the push I needed to actually read it.
I can't say I've read many zombie themed books, making my reading experience fairly fresh and new. Obviously I expected dead, flesh eating creatures but other than that I wasn't sure how the book would pan out.
I loved the idea of this kind of being a Romeo and Juliet reworking in a totally new setting. R somehow decides he doesn't like his zombie life anymore and wants to live. With the help of living girl Julie, they try to make it work. Its a brilliant concept but I have to say I just didn't get how this would come about. I didn't see that a living person would find any attraction to or understanding of a living dead person, especially knowing and seeing what these people are capable of. Actually writing that makes me feel somewhat racist against the zombies and I actually feel guilty. I think that is one of the things that make this book great - it makes you think. It definitely made me think of a post apocalyptic world and how we would cope. It made me think of inbuilt prejudice that came quite easily to me, which I do regret.
The more you learn of R and Julie, the more you are drawn to both of their characters and their relationship. I felt I judged them way to early and although it seemed impossible to me, they actually built an incredible relationship that was not only clever, but kind of beautiful too.
The conclusion was more than I could have hoped for. I can't say I 100% know how things happened in the way they did, but I can say that I did enjoy it. I think it would be quite interesting to read a companion story that maybe went into what happened some time after, on a more wide spread scale.
Rating 3 1/2 Out Of 5
Published In The UK By Vintage Books
This Can Be Purchased HERE and from good book sellers
Labels:
Book Review,
Isaac Marion,
Randomhouse Books,
Vintage Books,
Warm Bodies
Friday 1 March 2013
Review - Zom-B By Darren Shan
Zom-B is a radical new
series about a zombie apocalypse, told in the first person by one of its
victims. The series combines classic Shan action with a fiendishly
twisting plot and hard-hitting and thought-provoking moral questions
dealing with racism, abuse of power and more. This is challenging
material, which will captivate existing Shan fans and bring in many new
ones. As Darren says, "It's a big, sprawling, vicious tale...a grisly
piece of escapism, and a barbed look at the world in which we live. Each
book in the series is short, fast-paced and bloody. A high body-count
is guaranteed!" taken from goodreads
I've been meaning to read Darren Shan's work for many years now and with the launch of his new zom-b series I thought it was the perfect time to start.
The cover is just AMAZING!! If this doesn't catch your eye, nothing ever will. Its brutal, grotesque and ever so awesome. Its just genius!!
One of the first things I noticed about this book was its compact size. I love the idea of these books being released in instalments and so you get it in easily digestible (excuse the pun) lots. It makes it a great quick read for the likes of me, but also makes it more appealing to the reluctant reader.
After hearing about Darren's love of horror I was kind of expecting the book to be horror filled from beginning to end, I was in for a surprise. Yes there is a bit of Zombie action at the start and loads at the end, but the middle really is about building a world for the main characters to exist and see how they adapt to a new world.
Darren actually hits on some huge current issues that I really didn't expect to be in a horror story. I found myself liking characters and then changing my mind due to their actions, then finding out more about their backgrounds and feeling sorry for them. I wasn't prepared to feel so much from a 'horror' story, it was a great revelation to me.
The story comes with some amazing twists and turns, that were very unexpected for me. I do love a surprise!!!
There were a few loose ends which I am very intrigued by and also wondering where the next book will start from as the conclusion definitely left me thinking where next??
I'm so glad to have finally read some of 'The Master of Horrors' work and was not disappointed what so ever. However I do know, I really wouldn't like to meet any of Darren's characters in a dark alley!!!
Rating 4 Out Of 5
Published By Simon And Schuster
This Can Be Purchased HERE and from all good book sellers
I've been meaning to read Darren Shan's work for many years now and with the launch of his new zom-b series I thought it was the perfect time to start.
The cover is just AMAZING!! If this doesn't catch your eye, nothing ever will. Its brutal, grotesque and ever so awesome. Its just genius!!
One of the first things I noticed about this book was its compact size. I love the idea of these books being released in instalments and so you get it in easily digestible (excuse the pun) lots. It makes it a great quick read for the likes of me, but also makes it more appealing to the reluctant reader.
After hearing about Darren's love of horror I was kind of expecting the book to be horror filled from beginning to end, I was in for a surprise. Yes there is a bit of Zombie action at the start and loads at the end, but the middle really is about building a world for the main characters to exist and see how they adapt to a new world.
Darren actually hits on some huge current issues that I really didn't expect to be in a horror story. I found myself liking characters and then changing my mind due to their actions, then finding out more about their backgrounds and feeling sorry for them. I wasn't prepared to feel so much from a 'horror' story, it was a great revelation to me.
The story comes with some amazing twists and turns, that were very unexpected for me. I do love a surprise!!!
There were a few loose ends which I am very intrigued by and also wondering where the next book will start from as the conclusion definitely left me thinking where next??
I'm so glad to have finally read some of 'The Master of Horrors' work and was not disappointed what so ever. However I do know, I really wouldn't like to meet any of Darren's characters in a dark alley!!!
Rating 4 Out Of 5
Published By Simon And Schuster
This Can Be Purchased HERE and from all good book sellers
Labels:
Book Review,
Darren Shan,
Review,
Simon And Schuster,
Zom B
Wednesday 27 February 2013
Review - Dance Of Shadows By Yelena Black
"Dancing with someone is
an act of trust. Elegant and intimate; you're close enough to kiss,
close enough to feel your partner's heartbeat. But for Vanessa, dance is
deadly – and she must be very careful who she trusts . . .
Vanessa Adler attends an elite ballet school – the same one her older sister, Margaret, attended before she disappeared. Vanessa feels she can never live up to her sister's shining reputation. But Vanessa, with her glorious red hair and fair skin, has a kind of power when she dances – she loses herself in the music, breathes different air, and the world around her turns to flames . . .
Soon she attracts the attention of three men: gorgeous Zep, mysterious Josh, and the great, enigmatic choreographer Josef Zhalkovsky. When Josef asks Vanessa to dance the lead in the Firebird, she has little idea of the danger that lies ahead – and the burning forces about to be unleashed . ." taken from Goodreads
This definitely isn't the typical type of book I go for. Its contemporary and about dancing, yet this had something that attracted me to it and I'm thrilled I took a chance on it.
The cover is STUNNING. You know exactly what the book is based around, with the added touches of sinister'ness and possible paranormal happenings. I can't express enough love it!!
Before starting the book I read a little interview with the author Yelena. She mentioned a love of all things Bronte And Austen, so yet again it was a major hook for me - I am a fan of all things Bronte and Austen too. She put an emphasis of Jane Eyre, which is my absolute favourite - this was just getting better and better for me as a reader.
From the beginning you have this building mystery that gets you hooked right in. I finished the first chapter with an actual Ooooh, excited to see where the story was going to go.
I adored the school setting. I loved that this was a different type of school to what I'm used to reading about, be it a school for wizards, vampires, secret agents. This was a refreshing and interesting change. Yet with the mystery kept me wanting to know more.
I'd heard that ballet was particularly brutal on dancers, both mentally and physically. This book shows that and then some. I really don't envy the things that dancers feet have to go through.
This did suffer with something that so much YA suffers from and that is very premature declarations of love. It is in most teen set books but I still find it very frustrating.
Each page turn had me suspecting all variety of things and yet I didn't guess completely correct so that was a huge bonus. I was pleased to see the incorporation of elements that I love from other books. Being cryptic to avoid spoilers is tricky sometimes.
On finishing this instalment of the book I have to say I felt it had more of an Austen feel than the Jane Eyre / Bronte links that were mentioned early on.
I'm really excited by the conclusion of this story and am so eager to see where the next part will go. I can actually say I have no idea how it will pan out and that is truly thrilling for us readers.
This story will definitely give any wannabe dancers out there pause for thought - the world of dance just got seriously scary!!!
Rating 4 Out Of 5
Published In The UK By Bloomsbury
This Can Be Purchased HERE and from Good Book Sellers
Vanessa Adler attends an elite ballet school – the same one her older sister, Margaret, attended before she disappeared. Vanessa feels she can never live up to her sister's shining reputation. But Vanessa, with her glorious red hair and fair skin, has a kind of power when she dances – she loses herself in the music, breathes different air, and the world around her turns to flames . . .
Soon she attracts the attention of three men: gorgeous Zep, mysterious Josh, and the great, enigmatic choreographer Josef Zhalkovsky. When Josef asks Vanessa to dance the lead in the Firebird, she has little idea of the danger that lies ahead – and the burning forces about to be unleashed . ." taken from Goodreads
This definitely isn't the typical type of book I go for. Its contemporary and about dancing, yet this had something that attracted me to it and I'm thrilled I took a chance on it.
The cover is STUNNING. You know exactly what the book is based around, with the added touches of sinister'ness and possible paranormal happenings. I can't express enough love it!!
Before starting the book I read a little interview with the author Yelena. She mentioned a love of all things Bronte And Austen, so yet again it was a major hook for me - I am a fan of all things Bronte and Austen too. She put an emphasis of Jane Eyre, which is my absolute favourite - this was just getting better and better for me as a reader.
From the beginning you have this building mystery that gets you hooked right in. I finished the first chapter with an actual Ooooh, excited to see where the story was going to go.
I adored the school setting. I loved that this was a different type of school to what I'm used to reading about, be it a school for wizards, vampires, secret agents. This was a refreshing and interesting change. Yet with the mystery kept me wanting to know more.
I'd heard that ballet was particularly brutal on dancers, both mentally and physically. This book shows that and then some. I really don't envy the things that dancers feet have to go through.
This did suffer with something that so much YA suffers from and that is very premature declarations of love. It is in most teen set books but I still find it very frustrating.
Each page turn had me suspecting all variety of things and yet I didn't guess completely correct so that was a huge bonus. I was pleased to see the incorporation of elements that I love from other books. Being cryptic to avoid spoilers is tricky sometimes.
On finishing this instalment of the book I have to say I felt it had more of an Austen feel than the Jane Eyre / Bronte links that were mentioned early on.
I'm really excited by the conclusion of this story and am so eager to see where the next part will go. I can actually say I have no idea how it will pan out and that is truly thrilling for us readers.
This story will definitely give any wannabe dancers out there pause for thought - the world of dance just got seriously scary!!!
Rating 4 Out Of 5
Published In The UK By Bloomsbury
This Can Be Purchased HERE and from Good Book Sellers
Labels:
2013 Release,
Bloomsbury,
Book Review,
Dance Of Shadows,
Yelena Black
Tuesday 29 January 2013
The Disappeared Blog Tour - Book Extract
I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to be a part of The Disappeared Blog tour and today is my day to post my content. I didn't realise till recently that it is impossible to add pdf files to blogger, so hope my copy and paste job is good enough......
1
‘What do you think it’s like to kiss a girl?’ Wilson says as
he scans his holocard and steps on to the metro train.
‘It’s not unpleasant,’ I say, following him.
‘Yeah, right! You’ve never kissed a girl,’ Wilson says,
in an unnecessarily loud voice.
‘Shh!’ I look round at the construction workers and
shoppers on the train. They don’t seem to be listening.
‘You don’t know everything about me,’ I say.
‘Jackson, we’ve been living at the same school since
we were five. I do know everything about you.’
‘Actually, in the past eleven years there have been a
number of occasions when you haven’t been present.
There was that intimate evening walk with Mel Ross . . .’
‘You were eight! And the only reason she wanted to
talk to you was to break the news that she’d accidentally
sat on your genetic mutation experiment.’
He’s right of course. Wilson is my best friend, but
sometimes I hate the fact that we live in each other’s
he scans his holocard and steps on to the metro train.
‘It’s not unpleasant,’ I say, following him.
‘Yeah, right! You’ve never kissed a girl,’ Wilson says,
in an unnecessarily loud voice.
‘Shh!’ I look round at the construction workers and
shoppers on the train. They don’t seem to be listening.
‘You don’t know everything about me,’ I say.
‘Jackson, we’ve been living at the same school since
we were five. I do know everything about you.’
‘Actually, in the past eleven years there have been a
number of occasions when you haven’t been present.
There was that intimate evening walk with Mel Ross . . .’
‘You were eight! And the only reason she wanted to
talk to you was to break the news that she’d accidentally
sat on your genetic mutation experiment.’
He’s right of course. Wilson is my best friend, but
sometimes I hate the fact that we live in each other’s
pockets. When the kids in our district take the Potential
Test at age five, only those with the highest scores get into
our Learning Community: it’s one of the top schools in
the country and they keep the classes small. Which means
everyone knows everything about everyone.
‘You’re not exactly a girl magnet yourself , ’ I say.
Wilson waggles his eyebrows at me. ‘Don’t you
remember my Biology project with Leela Phillips? We
spent a lot of time in that lab together.’
‘We all know that she only chose you for a partner
because you’re the biggest Science brainer in the school,’
I say.
‘No, you’re the biggest Science brainer. Actually,
you’re the biggest brainer full stop.’ He gives me a kick.
Quite a hard kick.
I smother a smile. It’s useful being smart. Everyone wants
to be in my work group and on Fridays my name is always on
the high achievers list, which means extra privileges.
The train pulls into the Business Sector and two women
in suits crowd into our carriage.
‘Maybe we need to meet a different kind of girl,’
Wilson says. He looks around as if he suddenly expects to
see a selection of teenage females. Unsurprisingly, there
aren’t any.
We’re not likely to meet a ‘different type’ of girl. We’re
not supposed to be friendly with anyone outside of school.
In fact, we’re not even supposed to think about anything
outside school. The children who get into top-rated
Test at age five, only those with the highest scores get into
our Learning Community: it’s one of the top schools in
the country and they keep the classes small. Which means
everyone knows everything about everyone.
‘You’re not exactly a girl magnet yourself , ’ I say.
Wilson waggles his eyebrows at me. ‘Don’t you
remember my Biology project with Leela Phillips? We
spent a lot of time in that lab together.’
‘We all know that she only chose you for a partner
because you’re the biggest Science brainer in the school,’
I say.
‘No, you’re the biggest Science brainer. Actually,
you’re the biggest brainer full stop.’ He gives me a kick.
Quite a hard kick.
I smother a smile. It’s useful being smart. Everyone wants
to be in my work group and on Fridays my name is always on
the high achievers list, which means extra privileges.
The train pulls into the Business Sector and two women
in suits crowd into our carriage.
‘Maybe we need to meet a different kind of girl,’
Wilson says. He looks around as if he suddenly expects to
see a selection of teenage females. Unsurprisingly, there
aren’t any.
We’re not likely to meet a ‘different type’ of girl. We’re
not supposed to be friendly with anyone outside of school.
In fact, we’re not even supposed to think about anything
outside school. The children who get into top-rated
Learning Communities like ours leave home at five years
old and from then on our teachers are always going on
about how we’re the elite and we’re being trained for
important Leadership work and how we need to focus on
our studies. Anyone who doesn’t work hard is a disgrace. I
don’t mind the hard work, but I do mind never being
allowed out. We go home for just two weekends a year and
we rarely leave the school grounds. I’d like to see my mum
more. Wilson says he never really thinks about his parents,
but I speak to my mother on the communicator a lot. She’s
cool. My dad died when I was baby so it’s just us.
Wilson pokes me in my side to get my attention. Then
he punches me in the arm. He’s a bit wired because we’re
out on a trip. It’s the first time in ages that we’ve been
given a pass out. Our teacher, Facilitator Johnson, gave it
to us so we could deliver a package for him.
Wilson jabs me again. ‘Do you think we could get an
evening pass out? Maybe we could go to an entertainment
centre and meet some girls.’
‘They don’t like us going to entertainment centres. They’re
full of kids from Second Class Learning Communities.’
‘So?’
‘I don’t know, maybe they think if we mix with average
kids it will rub off on us. Anyway, do you really want
to date some girl who’s going to end up as a nurse or a
secretary? What’s wrong with the girls at our school?
They’re the academic elite. We’re talking the finest teenage
minds in the country.’
old and from then on our teachers are always going on
about how we’re the elite and we’re being trained for
important Leadership work and how we need to focus on
our studies. Anyone who doesn’t work hard is a disgrace. I
don’t mind the hard work, but I do mind never being
allowed out. We go home for just two weekends a year and
we rarely leave the school grounds. I’d like to see my mum
more. Wilson says he never really thinks about his parents,
but I speak to my mother on the communicator a lot. She’s
cool. My dad died when I was baby so it’s just us.
Wilson pokes me in my side to get my attention. Then
he punches me in the arm. He’s a bit wired because we’re
out on a trip. It’s the first time in ages that we’ve been
given a pass out. Our teacher, Facilitator Johnson, gave it
to us so we could deliver a package for him.
Wilson jabs me again. ‘Do you think we could get an
evening pass out? Maybe we could go to an entertainment
centre and meet some girls.’
‘They don’t like us going to entertainment centres. They’re
full of kids from Second Class Learning Communities.’
‘So?’
‘I don’t know, maybe they think if we mix with average
kids it will rub off on us. Anyway, do you really want
to date some girl who’s going to end up as a nurse or a
secretary? What’s wrong with the girls at our school?
They’re the academic elite. We’re talking the finest teenage
minds in the country.’
‘Maybe it’s not their minds we should be interested in,
my friend.’ Wilson lets go of the hand grip to reach out
and pat me on the shoulder. The train jerks to a halt and
he ends up falling on to the man in front of us.
Wilson pats him on the shoulder instead. ‘Sorry! Sorry
about that,’ Wilson says.
The man stares down at Wilson’s hand. Wilson pulls it
back and folds his arms. The man eyes our school badges
and tuts.
I drag Wilson a little further down the carriage. The
train slows and we pull into our stop. We hop off and take
the high-speed lift to surface level.
‘I don’t know if I’d even want to meet an outside girl.
Have you noticed the general public aren’t exactly keen
on us?’ I say.
We step out of the lift and head into the long, sheltered
avenues of shops. The winter sun is shining, but the wind
is biting.
‘They’re jealous,’ Wilson says. ‘They think we’re
living a life of luxury at a top Learning Community.
They’ve got no idea how hard we work, or how much
pressure there is on us to get into the Leadership and sort
this country out.’
‘Jealous or not, all this stuff about us being geniuses
and the future of our nation doesn’t make us popular.’
‘I reckon we’d be popular with Academy girls. I heard
they’ll do anything you want,’ Wilson says grinning at
me.
my friend.’ Wilson lets go of the hand grip to reach out
and pat me on the shoulder. The train jerks to a halt and
he ends up falling on to the man in front of us.
Wilson pats him on the shoulder instead. ‘Sorry! Sorry
about that,’ Wilson says.
The man stares down at Wilson’s hand. Wilson pulls it
back and folds his arms. The man eyes our school badges
and tuts.
I drag Wilson a little further down the carriage. The
train slows and we pull into our stop. We hop off and take
the high-speed lift to surface level.
‘I don’t know if I’d even want to meet an outside girl.
Have you noticed the general public aren’t exactly keen
on us?’ I say.
We step out of the lift and head into the long, sheltered
avenues of shops. The winter sun is shining, but the wind
is biting.
‘They’re jealous,’ Wilson says. ‘They think we’re
living a life of luxury at a top Learning Community.
They’ve got no idea how hard we work, or how much
pressure there is on us to get into the Leadership and sort
this country out.’
‘Jealous or not, all this stuff about us being geniuses
and the future of our nation doesn’t make us popular.’
‘I reckon we’d be popular with Academy girls. I heard
they’ll do anything you want,’ Wilson says grinning at
me.
If you don’t score high enough in the Potential Test to
get into a Learning Community, even a Second Class one,
they send you to an Academy.
‘What are you saying, Wilson? The only girl who’d go
out with you would have to be too stupid to know any
better? How many Academy girls do you think would
understand your latest research?’
‘I’m sure we’d find something else to talk about,’ says
Wilson, working his eyebrows again.
In a minute he’ll be winking at me. I give him a shove.
‘What would you have to talk to a girl about anyway?’ I
say.
‘Just, y’know, stuff.’ He shrugs his shoulders.
I don’t know what I’d talk to a girl about. I can’t imagine
that they’d be interested in the things that Wilson and
I discuss. We talk about Science. And sex. And sci-fi
films. Preferably ones with sex in. And sometimes Wilson
rambles on about the novel he’s writing about a world
ruled by dragons and gnomes.
Wilson is staring at me.
‘What?’ I say.
He eyes me up and down. ‘That red jacket doesn’t
really go with your hair,’ he says.
‘My hair is black, how can it not go?’
‘But there’s so much of it.’
My mother is always telling me to cut my hair. It’s
thick and curly and grows quickly, but I like it when it’s
just starting to hang in my eyes.
get into a Learning Community, even a Second Class one,
they send you to an Academy.
‘What are you saying, Wilson? The only girl who’d go
out with you would have to be too stupid to know any
better? How many Academy girls do you think would
understand your latest research?’
‘I’m sure we’d find something else to talk about,’ says
Wilson, working his eyebrows again.
In a minute he’ll be winking at me. I give him a shove.
‘What would you have to talk to a girl about anyway?’ I
say.
‘Just, y’know, stuff.’ He shrugs his shoulders.
I don’t know what I’d talk to a girl about. I can’t imagine
that they’d be interested in the things that Wilson and
I discuss. We talk about Science. And sex. And sci-fi
films. Preferably ones with sex in. And sometimes Wilson
rambles on about the novel he’s writing about a world
ruled by dragons and gnomes.
Wilson is staring at me.
‘What?’ I say.
He eyes me up and down. ‘That red jacket doesn’t
really go with your hair,’ he says.
‘My hair is black, how can it not go?’
‘But there’s so much of it.’
My mother is always telling me to cut my hair. It’s
thick and curly and grows quickly, but I like it when it’s
just starting to hang in my eyes.
‘I like my hair and I like my jacket,’ I say. ‘Even Facilitator
Johnson told me it was striking.’
‘You’re a bit long and skinny for it.’
Suddenly I get it. Wilson is just as long and skinny as
me. He is also obsessed with finding the perfect outfit that
will make him irresistible to females. I shrug off my
jacket and hand it to him.
‘You could have just asked,’ I say.
He hands me his own plain black jacket. ‘I never like to
miss an opportunity to tell you that your fringe makes you
look like one of those dogs with all the hair in its eyes.’
I kick him in the shins.
We walk quickly down a parade of the expensive kind
of shops. The screens in the windows change constantly.
They fl ash up footage of models or music videos or arty
shots of the latest communicator. I nod my head towards
the greeter at the door of one of the shops. ‘That’s the
kind of place Second Class Learning Community girls
end up working,’ I say.
‘Does it really matter where a girl works?’
He’s trying to wind me up. ‘Shut up, Wilson, don’t give
me all that anti-Leadership crap. Of course it matters
where you work, it’s supposed to be “individuals working
to their potential for the good of all” remember?’
He covers his ears. ‘Don’t start spouting The Leader’s
speeches at me.’
‘I’m just saying: everyone’s got their place and that’s
why it works.’
Johnson told me it was striking.’
‘You’re a bit long and skinny for it.’
Suddenly I get it. Wilson is just as long and skinny as
me. He is also obsessed with finding the perfect outfit that
will make him irresistible to females. I shrug off my
jacket and hand it to him.
‘You could have just asked,’ I say.
He hands me his own plain black jacket. ‘I never like to
miss an opportunity to tell you that your fringe makes you
look like one of those dogs with all the hair in its eyes.’
I kick him in the shins.
We walk quickly down a parade of the expensive kind
of shops. The screens in the windows change constantly.
They fl ash up footage of models or music videos or arty
shots of the latest communicator. I nod my head towards
the greeter at the door of one of the shops. ‘That’s the
kind of place Second Class Learning Community girls
end up working,’ I say.
‘Does it really matter where a girl works?’
He’s trying to wind me up. ‘Shut up, Wilson, don’t give
me all that anti-Leadership crap. Of course it matters
where you work, it’s supposed to be “individuals working
to their potential for the good of all” remember?’
He covers his ears. ‘Don’t start spouting The Leader’s
speeches at me.’
‘I’m just saying: everyone’s got their place and that’s
why it works.’
‘And I’m just saying I don’t see why kids from different
schools can’t get . . . friendly.’
I shake my head at him. I don’t believe he’d really go
near a Second Class Learning Community girl and defi -
nitely not one from an Academy. He’s just obsessed with
the thought of girls full stop.
We take a right, then a left. As we approach the edge of
the shopping sector the stores get shabbier and smaller.
There’s a row of three digital poster screens; each one is
cracked but you can still see The Leader delivering a
speech. It’s one of his most famous ones.
‘If we want to survive, we must work. If we want to
prosper, we must work. If we want to keep our enemies at
bay, we must work. We must work with our minds and
with our hands to build a better nation. The power lies
with you.’
Wilson likes to joke, but even he has to admit that after
the Long War, when this country was in a mess, it was
The Leader who got us back on our feet. He’s the one that
got kids doing the Potential Test and now, unlike the
olden days, everyone is matched to the work they’re best
suited to. And that’s how we’ve become a force to be
reckoned with again.
Whenever I hear that work speech I make up my mind
to do better in my next assessment. Everybody says that
I’ll be chosen for one of the top Leadership positions
when I’m twenty-one and leave school, but I want to
make sure.
schools can’t get . . . friendly.’
I shake my head at him. I don’t believe he’d really go
near a Second Class Learning Community girl and defi -
nitely not one from an Academy. He’s just obsessed with
the thought of girls full stop.
We take a right, then a left. As we approach the edge of
the shopping sector the stores get shabbier and smaller.
There’s a row of three digital poster screens; each one is
cracked but you can still see The Leader delivering a
speech. It’s one of his most famous ones.
‘If we want to survive, we must work. If we want to
prosper, we must work. If we want to keep our enemies at
bay, we must work. We must work with our minds and
with our hands to build a better nation. The power lies
with you.’
Wilson likes to joke, but even he has to admit that after
the Long War, when this country was in a mess, it was
The Leader who got us back on our feet. He’s the one that
got kids doing the Potential Test and now, unlike the
olden days, everyone is matched to the work they’re best
suited to. And that’s how we’ve become a force to be
reckoned with again.
Whenever I hear that work speech I make up my mind
to do better in my next assessment. Everybody says that
I’ll be chosen for one of the top Leadership positions
when I’m twenty-one and leave school, but I want to
make sure.
Sometimes I wonder what my dad did before he died. I
like to imagine he had an important job in the Leadership.
My mother hasn’t told me much about him. I think it makes
her too sad. Yesterday, I finally got up the courage to try to
hack into the National Register to see if there was anything
about him on my official notes. But I couldn’t fully access
my records. I suppose the point is that I really want to do
something that would have made my dad proud.
Wilson is watching me. ‘You’ve gone all gooey eyed.’
He looks up at the digi posters. ‘You can’t wait to get into
the Leadership, can you? You love all that “strive to
serve” stuff that Facilitator Johnson goes on about.’
‘It’s going to be great,’ I say. ‘The way I see it, we’ve
spent the last seventeen years recovering from the Long
War and now the Leadership is really getting into its
stride. It’s going to be our generation making the decisions
that make this country great again. We’re going to
be so important.’
‘Yeah.’ Wilson grins. ‘I suppose we will be, won’t we?’
It’s easy to fi nd the factory workers’ accommodation
block we’re looking for because it’s in the shadows of a
huge factory which towers above the other buildings. The
factory and the block are surrounded by high fences. In
front of the main gate we fi nd a scanner. When I walk
through it the gate clicks open for me. We pass through
two more gates like this. As we approach the factory I nod
my head towards it. ‘And that’s where Academy girls end
up,’ I say.
like to imagine he had an important job in the Leadership.
My mother hasn’t told me much about him. I think it makes
her too sad. Yesterday, I finally got up the courage to try to
hack into the National Register to see if there was anything
about him on my official notes. But I couldn’t fully access
my records. I suppose the point is that I really want to do
something that would have made my dad proud.
Wilson is watching me. ‘You’ve gone all gooey eyed.’
He looks up at the digi posters. ‘You can’t wait to get into
the Leadership, can you? You love all that “strive to
serve” stuff that Facilitator Johnson goes on about.’
‘It’s going to be great,’ I say. ‘The way I see it, we’ve
spent the last seventeen years recovering from the Long
War and now the Leadership is really getting into its
stride. It’s going to be our generation making the decisions
that make this country great again. We’re going to
be so important.’
‘Yeah.’ Wilson grins. ‘I suppose we will be, won’t we?’
It’s easy to fi nd the factory workers’ accommodation
block we’re looking for because it’s in the shadows of a
huge factory which towers above the other buildings. The
factory and the block are surrounded by high fences. In
front of the main gate we fi nd a scanner. When I walk
through it the gate clicks open for me. We pass through
two more gates like this. As we approach the factory I nod
my head towards it. ‘And that’s where Academy girls end
up,’ I say.
‘All right, snobby, stop going on about it.’
‘I’m not a snob. That’s just how society works. If you
want to work in the Leadership then you can’t mix with
Academy kids or factory workers.’
Wilson smirks at me and points at the package in my
hand. ‘Facilitator Johnson knows someone in a factory
accommodation block,’ he says.
‘That’s different.’
Wilson is quiet for a minute. His face is more serious
now. ‘Do you ever wonder what it would be like though?
If you went to an Academy and ended up in a factory?’
‘If your Potential Test suggested that you should be a
factory worker then that’s the best place for you.’ I don’t
know why he’s questioning the system. It works perfectly.
Everyone has a role and everyone knows their place.
We’ve reached the accommodation block. Wilson
looks up at it. ‘I suppose so.’
‘Come on, we want the fifth floor,’ I say.
We make our way up the metal staircase clinging to the
side of the grey concrete block and quickly overtake an
old man carrying a battered shopping bag.
‘Why isn’t he at the factory?’ I whisper.
We watch the man’s quivering hand reaching for the
banister. ‘I don’t think he’s fi t for work any more,’ Wilson
says.
‘But he still gets to live here? That’s nice, isn’t it. See?
Everyone is provided for.’
Wilson shrugs.
‘I’m not a snob. That’s just how society works. If you
want to work in the Leadership then you can’t mix with
Academy kids or factory workers.’
Wilson smirks at me and points at the package in my
hand. ‘Facilitator Johnson knows someone in a factory
accommodation block,’ he says.
‘That’s different.’
Wilson is quiet for a minute. His face is more serious
now. ‘Do you ever wonder what it would be like though?
If you went to an Academy and ended up in a factory?’
‘If your Potential Test suggested that you should be a
factory worker then that’s the best place for you.’ I don’t
know why he’s questioning the system. It works perfectly.
Everyone has a role and everyone knows their place.
We’ve reached the accommodation block. Wilson
looks up at it. ‘I suppose so.’
‘Come on, we want the fifth floor,’ I say.
We make our way up the metal staircase clinging to the
side of the grey concrete block and quickly overtake an
old man carrying a battered shopping bag.
‘Why isn’t he at the factory?’ I whisper.
We watch the man’s quivering hand reaching for the
banister. ‘I don’t think he’s fi t for work any more,’ Wilson
says.
‘But he still gets to live here? That’s nice, isn’t it. See?
Everyone is provided for.’
Wilson shrugs.
We don’t see anyone else on our way up the stairs. I
guess they’re all at the factory.
‘You can see the Wilderness from here,’ Wilson says.
I lean on the rail and look out behind the block. A few
hundred metres away is a familiar style of tall fence made
of strips of metal and topped with barbed wire. You see
them wherever the district borders the Wilderness.
Beyond the fence is a wasteland littered with rubble that
stretches, without a hint of greenery, as far as I can see.
‘Do your duty, do your best, or you’ll be sent to the
Wilderness,’ Wilson whispers in a creepy voice.
‘Shut up.’ I haven’t heard that rhyme since I was a kid.
‘Remember what happened to Facilitator Amonetti?’
Facilitator Amonetti disappeared from the Learning
Community at the same time as a rebellious boy called
Fisher. The rumour was that Fisher had wound the facilitator
up to breaking point and that she had strangled him
and then been sent to the Wilderness as punishment.
‘There was never any proof of all that,’ I say.
The Wilderness is a huge area of desolate land that was
created by bombing during the Long War. Being sent
there is worse than going to prison. They say it’s roamed
by packs of feral people who will tear you limb from
limb. The rumours about the Wilderness are enough to
keep anyone’s murderous rage under wraps.
I shudder; just looking at the place gives me the creeps.
I turn back to the steps.
‘They should get a lift,’ Wilson says. ‘Imagine living
guess they’re all at the factory.
‘You can see the Wilderness from here,’ Wilson says.
I lean on the rail and look out behind the block. A few
hundred metres away is a familiar style of tall fence made
of strips of metal and topped with barbed wire. You see
them wherever the district borders the Wilderness.
Beyond the fence is a wasteland littered with rubble that
stretches, without a hint of greenery, as far as I can see.
‘Do your duty, do your best, or you’ll be sent to the
Wilderness,’ Wilson whispers in a creepy voice.
‘Shut up.’ I haven’t heard that rhyme since I was a kid.
‘Remember what happened to Facilitator Amonetti?’
Facilitator Amonetti disappeared from the Learning
Community at the same time as a rebellious boy called
Fisher. The rumour was that Fisher had wound the facilitator
up to breaking point and that she had strangled him
and then been sent to the Wilderness as punishment.
‘There was never any proof of all that,’ I say.
The Wilderness is a huge area of desolate land that was
created by bombing during the Long War. Being sent
there is worse than going to prison. They say it’s roamed
by packs of feral people who will tear you limb from
limb. The rumours about the Wilderness are enough to
keep anyone’s murderous rage under wraps.
I shudder; just looking at the place gives me the creeps.
I turn back to the steps.
‘They should get a lift,’ Wilson says. ‘Imagine living
on the twenty-fi fth fl oor. I wouldn’t want to climb these
every day.’
‘Factory workers are trained for physical work,’ I say.
‘I’d like to see how “physical” a factory lady could be.’
Wilson squeezes the air in the region where a very short
and very wide lady’s breasts would be.
When we reach the fi fth fl oor we stop in front of a set
of fi re doors that lead to a corridor. Through the misty
glass I can see someone.
‘Hey Wilson, maybe this is your factory lady.’
We push open the door. I stop dead. Wilson bangs into
me from behind.
It’s not a lady.
It’s a man with a gun.
every day.’
‘Factory workers are trained for physical work,’ I say.
‘I’d like to see how “physical” a factory lady could be.’
Wilson squeezes the air in the region where a very short
and very wide lady’s breasts would be.
When we reach the fi fth fl oor we stop in front of a set
of fi re doors that lead to a corridor. Through the misty
glass I can see someone.
‘Hey Wilson, maybe this is your factory lady.’
We push open the door. I stop dead. Wilson bangs into
me from behind.
It’s not a lady.
It’s a man with a gun.
Tuesday 15 January 2013
I miss you!!!
So I've been hugely absent since mid November, which makes me sad. I wish I had some epic reason as to why I've not been around but sadly I am lacking that.
Annoyingly my depression and anxiety have been very present of late and its killed my passion for just about everything. I've read very few books in this time, which is a huge indicator of me not being 'myself'.
I can't promise to be back blogging daily, but I do promise to try harder to get some reviews posted and hopefully find my bookish self again, I know shes still in there, shes just really good at hide and seek!!!
I shall leave you with a picture of three ladies that do make me smile
My babies Bam Bam, Pebbles & Luna |
Saturday 5 January 2013
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