The Burden of Lies by Richard Beasley

Released: 1st December 2017

Published by: Simon and Schuster Australia

Genre: Legal thriller

Source: Publisher

Pages: 277

My Rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Cocaine. Construction. Corruption. The unholy trinity of Sydney.

Self-made property mogul Tina Leonard has already lost her business, her home and custody of her children because South East Banking Corporation left her bankrupt. Now it appears she is being framed for the murder of her banker Oliver Randall, a senior executive of the corporation. Her motive? Revenge for ruining her life and her business. When maverick lawyer Peter Tanner is brought in to represent Tina, he bends the law to learn the truth. Was the real killer employed by the bank to silence Randall, who knew too much about their corrupt clientele and business dealings?

Tanner digs deeper the truth is harder and harder to find. Drug dealers and dodgy cops are a breed apart from corrupt corporate bankers, who’ll do anything to keep their names in the clear. Who really silenced Randall? Tanner gets more than he bargained for as he tangles with craven bent banks and a client who can't talk, and danger lurks far too close to home. Bestseller Richard Beasley's latest sharp-edged, gritty Peter Tanner thriller.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I do love a good thriller, though I haven't read many like this which focus specifically on the legal drama behind the crime. In The Burden of Lies, Beasley has brought corporate and financial crime to the fore, with a side of high-rollers and corrupt millionaires in the drug trade. Add into the mix a maverick lawyer in the form of our protagonist Peter Tanner and you get a story which explores all the seedy characters and their connections to a murder itching to be solved. 

This book is full of legal jargon, but that's to be expected from this genre. It makes the set-up of the plot all the more realistic, and relevant also with the mention of all the corporate scandals and banking cover-ups which we hear about in the news on a regular basis. Beasley hit home with references to Sydney, making this a true Australian legal crime novel that people who live in the city can find some familiarity with. 

Tanner as a character cut through the technical side of solving the crime with his unconventional methods and real passion for justice. While he didn't always go about things 'by the book', sticking by his own ethics and always having a witty quip on hand made him a somewhat endearing character who at the end of the day just wanted to spend more time with his family. It was good to see both sides of his personality in and outside of his work. My one issue with the story was that there was a lot of unnecessary 'telling' instead of 'showing', making getting to the point of a chapter or particular plot point more tedious than it perhaps needed to be. But, once we got there it was clear to see that there will be room for the next book in the series where Tanner's unique legal problem-solving skills will make another appearance. 

In all, if you're a fan of John Grisham or Michael Connelly, it's definitely worth giving Richard Beasley's books a try. 

Review: The Devil You Know by Trish Doller

The Devil You Know by Trish Doller
Released: 2nd June 2015
Published by: Bloomsbury
Genre: YA Thriller
Source: Publisher
Pages: 244
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars
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Eighteen-year-old Arcadia wants adventure. Living in a tiny Florida town with her dad and four-year-old brother, Cadie spends most of her time working, going to school, and taking care of her family. So when she meets two handsome cousins at a campfire party, she finally has a chance for fun. They invite her and friend to join them on a road trip, and it's just the risk she's been craving-the opportunity to escape.

But what starts out as a fun, sexy journey quickly becomes dangerous when she discovers that one of them is not at all who he claims to be. One of them has deadly intentions. A road trip fling turns terrifying in this contemporary story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The Devil You Know is a short thriller which hits the mark in some places, though didn't fully deliver for me in others. There's no doubting the chilling undertones of Arcadia's reckless escapades with two guys she hardly knows, but the weirdly paired romance and somewhat predictable plot took away from the wow factor I craved. I did enjoy this book, but was looking for the quality which makes it something that will stay on my mind, instead of being, unfortunately 'meh'. 

BUT it's not all bad! Arcadia was at least in the beginning, a character I could connect with. She's struggling to be a 'normal' teenager when given the responsibility of keeping the family togetehr after her mother's death. But once she goes to that fateful party and starts rebelling full throttle, any notion of thinking rationally basically goes out the window. I mean, you get involved with a guy who you know isn't all that stable, and then you meet his cousin who, you know - seems more normal but still can't really trust. 

Yet, you take a few days off just to hang out with them? And hardly update the family on what's going on? 

BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY SAFE RIGHT?

Hmmmm.

Then again, without her stupidity, there would be no story. So...moving on!

What I did like about this book is that it's fast paced and the characterisation of Noah and Matt was quite good, citing all the underlying tensions and old wounds. There were definitely some shocking moments which left me going 'OMG', but I didn't get the same impact as if the other secondary characters were developed further and in more pages. There is just that little extra something missing here to turn it from 'good' to 'mindblowingly great'. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Teenage debauchery and imminent danger converge in this thriller which despite its flaws, still managed to keep me hooked. My high hopes are intact for Trish Doller's books, and I am looking forward to reading Where The Stars Still Shine. 

Review: Love Bomb by Jenny McLachlan

Love Bomb by Jenny McLachlan
Series: The Ladybirds #2
Released: 12th March 2015
Published by: Bloomsbury
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Publisher
Pages: 304
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars
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Perfect Valentine's reading for fans of Geek Girl and Louise Rennison. Betty Plum has never been in love. She's never even kissed a boy.

But when H.O.T. Toby starts school it's like Betty has been hit with a thousand of Cupid's arrows. It's like a bomb has exploded – a love bomb! More than ever Betty wishes her mum hadn't died when Betty was a baby. She really needs her mum here to ask her advice. And that's when she finds hidden letters for just these moments. Letters about what your first kiss should feel like and what real love is all about …

 Is Betty ready to fall in love? Will she finally have her first kiss?

Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

In this second book from 'The Ladybirds' series, you'll find the same lighthearted vibe for the most part, with some teenage drama relating to friendship, boys and family. While this book may seem superficial at first with the seemingly immature choices of the characters, there was a deeper message which I really appreciated.

Betty's mother passed away when she was only two years old, but wrote her birthday letters before she died that her daughter could read each year. This was a really sweet element of the story, and reading these letters and the love which her mum wrote about, and of her own experiences was truly touching. Some of them brought tears to my eyes, especially when it came down to the fact that this inextricable mother-daughter connection could still be maintained in that way.

One of my qualms though was the character voices and how they sounded so much younger than fifteen. Sure, hormones are raging, though when it comes to the point of going through all this infatuation and literally picking out a 'kissing outfit', it does seem a bit excessive. I suppose that's what contributes to this probably being suited to a younger YA audience if that sort of thing would annoy you. 

Yes, some of Betty's actions annoyed me - but when you're young and 'in love', everything else could fall by the wayside. Combined with facing the fact that her dad may be moving on with someone new, it's no wonder that it was hard to navigate the line between seeing someone as they really were and trying to conjure up a reality where the 'hot guy' really was perfect. With that in mind, there were some realistic issues explored here, with the ups and downs, misinterpretations and finally an awakening to what's important in what a girl deserves in her life - someone who appreciates her for who she is.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Though the first book is still my favourite, Love Bomb still has its merits. Beneath the facade of melodrama lies a genuine story with a message that anyone could appreciate: Realising that you are worth something, and that true love will come naturally if you search for it in the right places.

Mini Reviews: Ballet Madness Conjured on a Starry Night before the Flywheel Fire

As you can probably tell from the title, this post is going to include my condensed thoughts on a range of books (with titles that can make some pretty interesting sentences). 

Thank you to Allen and Unwin for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Hope in a Ballet Shoe by Michaela and Elaine DePrince
Released: 30th December 2014
Published by: Faber and Faber
Genre: Memoir
Source: Publisher
Pages: 249
My Rating: 5 of 5 stars
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Orphaned by war, saved by ballet. Growing up in war-torn Sierra Leone, Michaela DePrince witnesses atrocities that no child ever should. Her father is killed by rebels and her mother dies of famine.

Sent to an orphanage, Michaela is mistreated and she sees the brutal murder of her favourite teacher. But there is hope: the Harmattan wind blows a magazine through the orphanage gates. Michaela picks it up and sees a beautiful image of a young woman dancing. One day, she thinks, I want to be this happy. And then Michaela and her best friend are adopted by an American couple and Michaela can take the dance lessons she's dreamed of since finding her picture. Life in the States isn't without difficulties. Unfortunately, tragedy can find its way to Michaela in America, too, and her past can feel like it's haunting her.

 The world of ballet is a racist one, and Michaela has to fight for a place amongst the ballet elite, hearing the words "America's not ready for a black girl ballerina". And yet...

 Today, Michaela is an international ballet star, dancing for The Dutch National Ballet at the age of 19. A heart-breaking, inspiring autobiography by a teenager who shows us that, beyond everything, there is always hope for a better future.

Thank you to Allen and Unwin for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 

WHAT AN INSPIRATION. I feel like there is some sort of stigma around memoirs - for how can you rate them badly when they are around someone's life story? Regardless of that fact, I would have given this book five stars anyway. Michaela's journey from the beginning of a life of hardship having lost most of her family in the worst of circumstances. This chronicles her life and how ballet became a big part of it, and is told in a way which makes for a quick yet overall satisfying read. The inclusion of the photos in the middle were a great addition, and gave a visual element to enrich the simple words.

We need more stories like this in today's day and age where hope and possibilities of overcoming adversity are real. If you want a story about ballet, or are looking for something to make you appreciate the opportunities you have and how with hard work you can reach your dreams, then this is for you.

A Small Madness by Dianne Touchell
Released: 1st February 2015
Published by: Allen and Unwin
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Publisher
Pages: 240
My Rating: 2 of 5 stars
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Rose didn't tell anyone about it. She wondered if it showed. She looked at herself in the mirror and turned this way and then that way. She stood as close to the mirror as she could, leaning over the bathroom basin, looking into her own eyes until they disappeared behind the fog of her breath. Looking for something. Some evidence that she was different now. Something had shifted inside her, a gear being ratcheted over a clunky cog, gaining torque, starting her up. But it didn't show. How could all of these feelings not show? She was a woman now but it didn't show and she couldn't tell anyone.

A devastating, compelling novel that will get everyone talking, from the author of Creepy and Maud.

Thank you to Allen and Unwin for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 

This is a book that's difficult to look at objectively, because of the confronting, and dare I say at times downright disturbing nature of the story. So as a disclaimer, I'm reviewing this subjectively and on that note, it was a pretty difficult story to get through. That's not saying that it doesn't have value - because teen pregnancy is something that happens in the real world, and there's no reason why YA literature shouldn't venture into that topic.

There's not really much that is seen as 'taboo' in books these days, and looking back at some of the texts I'm studying now for English and what people in the 1950's saw as unthinkable is so much different to what we think today, as we are much more open-minded and expressive. Rose's story is a somber one, and her reaction to the situation she finds herself in isn't easy to read about. It can be difficult to truly empathise with someone in her position, and by the end I was left not really knowing what to think of the outcome. This is definitely a raw story that doesn't shy away from grim realities and tough choices, though I can't say it's one that I enjoyed.

Conjured by Sarah Beth Durst

Released: 16th September 2014

Published by: Bloomsbury

Genre: YA Fantasy

Source: Publisher

Pages: 384

My Rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Eve has a new home, a new face, and a new name - but no memory of her past. She's been told that she's in a witness protection program. That she escaped a dangerous magic-wielding series killer who still hunts her. The only thing she knows for sure is that there's something horrifying in her memories the people hiding her want to access - and there is nothing they won't say - or do - to her to get her to remember.

At night she dreams of a tattered carnival tent and buttons being sewn into her skin. But during the day, she shelves books at the local library, trying not to let anyone know that she can do things - things like change the color of her eyes or walk through walls. When she does use her strange powers, she blacks out and is drawn into terrifying visions, returning to find that days or weeks have passed - and she's lost all short-term memories. Eve must find out who and what she really is before the killer finds her - but the truth may be more dangerous than anyone could have imagined. 

Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 

 

So this book sounds pretty creepy at first right? I thought so too. Eve's state of being left in the void of the unknown is an unsettling one for her, and for the reader as well. Though I couldn't connect to her as much as I hoped I would, the magical settings and dark undertones made Conjured a solid on the whole. 

There's something undeniably unique about this story, and the way Eve and Zach, the boy who works at the library, try to navigate through her strange situation is interesting. Their characters were well developed overall, though some aspects of the plot were a little too strange to connect with. I would still recommend this if you're looking for a magical read that is different, and are prepared for a touch of weirdness that will leave you going.....I don't even know what.

Starry Nights by Daisy Whitney
Released: 16th September 2014
Published by: Bloomsbury
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Publisher
Pages: 304
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars
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Seventeen-year-old Julien is a romantic-he loves spending his free time at the museum musing over the great works of the Impressionists. But one night, Julien sees something strange-a peach falls out of a Cezanne and Degas ballerinas dance across the floor. The art reacting to a curse set by Renoir-a curse that trapped a beautiful muse, Clio, in his painting forever. Julien has a chance to free Clio . . . but love is a curse in its own right. Because Julien has fallen for Clio and to save the world's greatest art, Julian must give up the greatest love he's ever known.

 Perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins and Gayle Forman, this romantic, suspenseful, and sophisticated novel will enthrall as masterfully as the paintings it features.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Ahhh Paris - what a setting. I really enjoyed Anna and the French Kiss which also took place there, and I can definitely say that it's fascinating to read stories set in European cities. The culture, the places of interest and the people are all different. This is what I found alluring in Starry Nights, and one of the reasons why I did end up liking it.

Julien and Clio did have that insta-love connection *sigh*, but I did like his character in that he had a passion for the artworks and wasn't shallow in himself. That being said, the idea of paintings coming to life wasn't quite enough to cover up their seemingly superficial connection which was just a bit too cheesy for me. This would definitely work for younger readers though, who are fans of Night at the Museum, are looking for a quick read and want a cute romance.

Before the Fire by Sarah Butler
Released: 12th March 2015
Published by: Pan Macmillan
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Publisher
Pages: 256
My Rating: 1.5 of 5 stars
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The stunning and timely new novel from Sarah Butler, author of the international sensation Ten Things I've Learnt About Love It's June 2011. Stick and Mac are a couple of months shy of eighteen; summer's approaching and they're about to leave their north Manchester estate for the beaches of southern Spain. But the night before they're planning to go, Mac ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time, the victim of a random knife attack, and suddenly Stick's going nowhere. His mum doesn't want him to leave the house; his dad's desperate to be his best friend; and his nan's boyfriend keeps telling him Mac's doing just fine in the spirit world. Then he meets J and she might just be everything he needs. Except she's a firebrand with a grudge against the police, and the August riots are just around the corner...

Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 

There's a line when it comes to unlikable main characters, and this is one which despite trying to see reason behind the action, I just couldn't connect with. Dealing with grief and the tragedy of losing a friend is one thing, but even before Mac's passing I just could not see how to justify his and Stick's obscene language ALL THE TIME and their total disrespect for pretty much everything, including women. Look - I get it, these types of people exist, and so why shouldn't we represent that? However, personally my ability to empathise was hindered by the fact that I could not see how drinking all the time and acting like a jerk was ever going to help. I don't often rant about books I dislike, and I wish that this hadn't affected me in this way, but I have to be honest with myself. 

The Flywheel by Erin Gough
Released: 1st February 2015
Published by: Hardie Grant Egmont
Genre: YA Contemporary LGBT
Source: Publisher
Pages: 242
My Rating: 4 of 5 stars
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Seventeen-year-old Delilah’s crazy life is about to get crazier. Ever since her father took off overseas, she’s been struggling to run the family’s cafe without him and survive high school. But after a misjudged crush on one of the cool girls, she's become the school punchline as well. With all that’s on her plate she barely has time for her favourite distraction – spying on the beautiful Rosa, who dances flamenco at the tapas bar across the road. Only her best friend Charlie knows how she feels about Rosa, but he has romantic problems of his own. When his plan to win an older woman’s heart goes horribly wrong, Del is the only one who can help Charlie stay out of jail.

 All this leaves Del grappling with some seriously curly questions. Is it okay to break the law to help a friend? How can a girl tell another girl she likes her without it ending in humiliation and heartbreak? And – the big one – is it ever truly possible to dance in public without falling over?

Thank you to Hardie Grant Egmont for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 

This book was a diverse, quirky and fun read that's about being true to yourself and finding your way in the world. Del managing running a cafe wasn't easy, and I'm sure is relatable to other teens trying to find the balance between work and study, even if it means sacrificing one over the other. Being put down and ostracized for her sexual orientationat times was something unacceptable, though it was good to see that she did have support.

Aside from the budding relationship between herself and Rosa, her friends also added more depth and dynamic to the story. Even Charlie's melodrama was somewhat endearing, and I loved how the writing style had that saracastic edge and one-liners which was compelling. For a heartwarming story that embraces diversity and explores realistic teen issues, this ticks the box.

 

ARC Review: I Was Here by Gayle Forman

I Was Here by Gayle Forman
Released: 1st February 2015
Published by: Simon and Schuster
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Publisher
Pages: 288
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars
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Cody and Meg were inseparable. Two peas in a pod. Until . . . they weren’t anymore.

When her best friend Meg drinks a bottle of industrial-strength cleaner alone in a motel room, Cody is understandably shocked and devastated. She and Meg shared everything—so how was there no warning? But when Cody travels to Meg’s college town to pack up the belongings left behind, she discovers that there’s a lot that Meg never told her. About her old roommates, the sort of people Cody never would have met in her dead-end small town in Washington. About Ben McAllister, the boy with a guitar and a sneer, who broke Meg’s heart. And about an encrypted computer file that Cody can’t open—until she does, and suddenly everything Cody thought she knew about her best friend’s death gets thrown into question.

I Was Here is Gayle Forman at her finest, a taut, emotional, and ultimately redemptive story about redefining the meaning of family and finding a way to move forward even in the face of unspeakable loss.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

I Was Here in some aspects is a book that I at first found difficult to rate - it tackles a tough issue in a realistic way, but unfortunately I still had my qualms with it. Even so, this novel, like others by Gayle Forman, places the focus on the emotional turmoil of its characters. The pain and the grief, and the frustration at losing someone so close, was explored deeply and with an edge that felt authentic. 

Meg was my best friend, and I thought we were everything to each other. I thought we told each other everything. But it turns out, I didn't know her at all.

When Cody realises just how much she didn't know her best friend Meg, she is understandably devastated, but sets off on a mission of her own, along with some help from Meg's ex Ben to find out why she had decided to take her own life. This isn't exactly an uplifting read, and there certainly isn't any humour to break up the tension. For the whole duration you're walking on a wire that's tense with emotion. However, despite this - in terms of plot developments and action, there wasn't much that actually happened. Very early on in the story it took a darker turn with the discovery of some files on Meg's computer, which was a twist that changed the direction of the plot. I was expecting a few huge revelations, but when they didn't come, or were anti-climatic, I did feel a little let down. I can't help but compare this experience to how I felt about If I Stay, which I had the same issue with. This author's style is one that won't appeal to everybody, but if you don't mind focusing on the characters' inner thoughts and sentiments rather their outward actions, then this could work for you. The message that did clearly come through to me though was one of forgiveness  - which is an important one to remember, and I'm glad I could get that out of the story.

How can you believe someone to be beautiful and amazing and just about the most magical person you've ever known, when it turns out she was in such pain that she had to drink poison that robbed her cells of oxygen until her heart had no choice but to stop beating?

Alongside the agony of coping with Meg's carefully orchestrated 'Final Solution', was a romance that just didn't feel right. It's understandable that in such an taut situation with all emotions running high that such events could unfold, but the inevitable bond that developed was one I couldn't understand or support. Cody's decision-making at times, going to stranger's houses on her own where who knew what could happen, and grappling with feelings for her now dead best-friend's ex were things I didn't like. Moving forward is something that is part of the grieving process, and I'm sure is different for everybody, but Cody's actions didn't resonate with me. However, what did in some ways balance that out was the fact that Meg's parents were in the picture. This gave the novel a more holistic and multifaceted insight into the devastation left behind after Meg's death - and it was those moments which I found especially moving. As for Cody's mother Tricia - well, she wasn't the most nurturing at the beginning, though she did undergo some character development by the end which was nice to see.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I Was Here is an emotional read as a whole, but its flaws for me not being able to fully connect with Cody's character and lack of plot developments brought down my rating. However, If you're already more of a fan of Gayle Forman than I am, I still think there's still a possibility you'll like this one and should give it a try.