This week we begin with a soon-to-be-classic: More Than This by Patrick Ness! Reader ABitCrazy wrote a superb review of the book, in which Seth drowns and wakes up in an alternate reality.
"More Than This wasn't quite what I was expecting. It was very philosophical, which I knew from the reviews on the cover … although I'm still pondering over whether this is the real world, I didn't like Patrick Ness's idea of two different worlds. But it was interesting to read a book that had a slightly different idea to me but was still following the main idea that I have … I didn't feel like the characters had strong enough personalities, I don't think there were enough characters and I didn't feel attached to any of them. And I think characters with good personalities and characters you can relate to are what make a good book a brilliant book … I was disappointed with the end and felt that it didn't feel quite finished and so I hope that, that means there's going to be a sequel. I felt that it was longer than it needed to be and quite repetitive. I would rate it about 4 stars."
Moving on to a Viking-esque fantasy, site member Firebird wrote a terrific review of Half a King by Joe Abercrombie. In this tale, Prince Yarvi has vowed to regain the throne and embarks on a quest to avenge his father's death.
"While the book has definite strengths, the narrative basically boils down to just disaster following catastrophe following disaster. With tighter prose and a more even pacing and structure, this book could have been brilliant. As it was, though the ending of Half A King was superb, by that point I was ready to get to the end anyway."
With similar tones of conflict, KhadijaH10 penned an outstanding review of Boy Kills Man by Matt Whyman. Based in Medellin, Columbia, this book follows the story of Sonny, a young boy who sees becoming a gangster as a way to be safe.
"I really enjoyed reading this book. I grew to really like the characters, even the bad characters. This book is really interesting in that Whyman supplies a point of view not often heard in these types of stories … Because the story is told from Sonny's point of view, it provides a look into the minds of those under the reign of the gangs and violence in Columbia, and how for them, sometimes being part of the gang is the safest option … I would recommend this to an older audience, because it is at times gruesome and scary, but is also very honest and truthful, and portrays real happenings in the world today."
Continuing the theme of war and conflict, reader CharlieB wrote an extraordinary review of The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. When best friends Amir and Hassan try to win their local kite-flying contest in Afghanistan, the contest is disrupted by war, and the country becomes a very dangerous place.
"A gripping and emotional story of betrayal and redemption, The Kite Runner had me thrilled and moved, both at the same time … The best bit about the kite runner is its sense of fate and justice, of good overcoming evil in the end, despite all odds. Without giving away the ending, Amir ends up back in Afghanistan and makes a very different set of sacrifices in order to set things straight. The final chapter of the book is perhaps my favourite, and one that I have found moving even when rereading it. The message behind the very ending could be interpreted differently by different readers, but personally I feel that it offers a small sense of hope for both the future of its characters, and perhaps for war-torn Afghanistan as well."
Now on to a rare reviewing treat: poetry! Site member JH wrote a delightful review of Egghead by Bo Burnham. This eclectic anthology features poems on diverse topics from flying to mortality.
"Burnham composes these poems with an almost musical meticulousness, showing a truly diverse range of poetic techniques, ranging from the familiar iambic pentameter to sibilant stanzas on the subject of stuttering … This amusing, peculiar and evocative collection of thoughts from one of comedy's fastest rising stars makes contemporary poetry extremely approachable, through sharp injections of humour and wordplay designed to make the reader laugh, contemplate, and then laugh some more."
On a lighter note, we end this week's roundup with a super review by Rachie of the side-splittingly funny novel: The Taming of the Tights by Louise Rennison. In this book, as Tallulah gets back into college life, drama ensues with a love triangle, clown classes and a fated potting shed incident.
"Private reading at school had become somewhat challenging as I couldn't stop myself laughing – luckily I sit at the back of the class or I think my dramatic clutching of my stomach and leaning over my desk would have caused a bit of a stir in the usually calm classroom. Don't get me wrong, it was an epic addition to Tallulah Casey's hilarious adventures but my ribs are glad of the rest! … If you are a fan of girly comedy I would absolutely recommend this book!"
That's it folks! Thank you to all our amazing site members for sending in such wonderful reviews (if only there was space to feature them all!) If your review has been included in our roundup, be sure to email the Book Elves and we will pick you out a book from our cupboards.
Happy reading!
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