Review: The Year Of The Locust by Terry Hayes

 

Rating: An excellent start but the twist might be too niche for some readers 

What is it? Fiction

Ideal for fans of: The Martian by Andy Weir, The Institute by Stephen King

What makes it special? The attention to detail, and the fulfillment of a long wait for fans of Hayes’ I am Pilgrim

Get it in South Africa from: Penguin Random House South Africa

  

Ridley works for the CIA, but he’s not your average spy. He’s a Denied Access Area spy, which means he’s been to and worked in some of the deadliest locations and the world. All in secret, of course. Naturally, Ridley has to hide his work from the world, including his partner Rebecca. 

However, that becomes increasingly difficult when he’s tasked with the seemingly impossible - tracking down a terrorist that the world - thanks to the Pentagon - believes to be dead. But as Ridley soon discovers, not only is the man very much alive, he poses a massive threat not just to the USA, but to the entire world. 

Readers of Terry Hayes’ first novel, I am Pilgrim, will be aware of the author’s attention to detail and ability to make a spy novel not just riveting, but sexy. And The Year Of The Locust is no different. 

Hayes builds a world in which espionage, technology, action, romance, intrigue, and politics merge seamlessly into a brilliant narrative. Hayes’ character building is especially impressive - none of his cast, from spymaster extraordinaire Ridley, to his partner Rebecca, the head of the CIA, or the most notorious terrorist the world has ever seen, could be called conventional or flat. 

Moreover, the author’s ability to launch into nail-biting, sitting-on-the-edge-of-your-seat with bated breath action scenes is just *chef’s kiss*. I am quite sure I’ve never held my breath or gotten goosebumps as many times in 469 pages. 

Eagle-eyes readers might be wondering at that low page count. After all, The Year Of The Locust is an impressive 663 pages - a real brick of a book. 

However, it feels more like two books. The fourth and final part of the book takes a totally unexpected twist that drives the narrative into an entirely new field. This sudden segue is as jarring as it is unexpected. Without giving it away, this change goes beyond affecting the narrative, it takes the book into an entirely new genre.

I have no doubt there will be millions of fans who adore the incorporation of something new and unexpected, but I am not entirely sure it works. As any writer will know, merging genres is not a task to be undertaken lightly, yet kudos to Hayes for trying, and for taking his story to the next level. 

All in all, The Year Of The Locust is an action-packed adventure from the first sentence, and remains one of the greatest spy novels you’ll ever read. In fact, I have no doubt the likes of Netflix or a Hollywood studio will snap it up to make their next feature film. 

The Year Of The Locust by Terry Hayes is published by Bantam, an imprint of Transworld Publishers, and a Penguin Random House company.

Review: Masters Of Death by Olivie Blake

Rating: Genre fans will lose their minds 

What is it? Fiction 

Ideal for fans of: Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef; David Mogo: Godhunter by Suyi Davies Okungbowa.

What makes it special? It puts a whole new spin on mythology, and good vs evil

Get it in South Africa from: Pan Macmillan South Africa 

Viola has a problem. It's not that she is a vampire who takes the form of a cat. It's actually work-related. Viola's trying to make a name for herself in real estate, but no one is interested in her newest property, as it's haunted by the ghost of the former owner. 

Luckily, with a network of demon friends, Vi comes up with a plan: hire a medium to exorcise the ghost. 

Enter Fox D'Mora. A surprisingly successful medium with a dark secret. He communes with the dead via an unexpected middleman - Death himself. You see, through a series of rather strange events, Death was named Fox's godfather, and ever since, he's been begrudgingly helping his mortal charge. 

But when Fox tries to enlist Death's help for Viola's haunted house, he discovers another problem. Death isn't answering. 

So what happens when Death goes missing from his post? All hell breaks loose, somewhat literally, as competitors vie for his throne, and the power that comes with being the master of Death. Unless, that is, Fox can save him.

If you’re a fan of paranormal fiction, this book will be the brightest gem in your collection. We’ve got gods, demigods, angels, demons, creatures, cryptids, shapeshifters, and then some (cough cough, Santa Claus). There’s also romance, intrigue, drama, humour and death - so much death. 

What may initially seem an overemphasis on the mythological and supernatural is in fact a clever device to illustrate the complexities of our own mortality; of love, loss, and longing. Blake essentially reminds us that virtue and vice don’t need wings or horns to exist. And yet, with a good sprinkling of humour, romance, and some well-choses cusses, Blake does not allow the narrative to become too heavy or depressing.  

Masters Of Death is as inventive as it is enjoyable, reminding us to embrace our humanity and we yearn for more. And all that leads us to the ultimate question: what would you give up to master Death?

Masters Of Death by Olivie Blake is published by Tor, an imprint of Pan MacMillan,

Review: All That’s Left To Say by Emery Lord

 

Rating: Stop what you’re doing and buy it ASAP

What is it? A teenage whodunnit  

Ideal for fans of: Nancy Drew, Watch Her Fall by Erin Kelly 

What makes it special? A balance of carefully crafted gut-punching emotion, and a regular ol’ detective story

Get it in South Africa from: Jonathan Ball Publishers

For Hannah, Sophie was more than a cousin. She was a best friend, a sister, a soul mate. The girls grew up together, shared everything, and saw each other as two halves of the same equation. There were no secrets between them.

Or so Hannah thought. Because what started as a regular Saturday ended in a hellish nightmare. Sophie, dead at a party. Sophie, dead by overdose. Sophie, dead.

Hannah cannot accept that her hard-working, chipper cousin, with a love of the environment and a contagious laugh, would ever be involved in drugs.

For months, Hannah drifts though life in a grey daze, trying to come to terms with the tragedy. She is convinced that Sophie was set up, drugged, or even worse. And she is determined to prove it.

But that means she needs to start telling lies of her own, as she changes her look and her school to covertly investigate, and discover what really happened to Sophie.

All That’s Left To Say is nothing short of a masterpiece. While the idea of a mourning teenager running around solving a case may seem far-fetched and warrant an eye roll, Emery Lord has created the perfect teen detective.

Hannah is smart, she’s strong, and she’s hurting so much. Her grief, fury and helplessness, apart from being palpable to the reader, fuel her in her search for the truth. Emery Lord has managed to provide a book shouldering a boat-load of grief, but rather than a depressing ‘woe is me’ tale, it’s refreshing, deeply addictive, and impossible to put down. The characters are easy to love, and some easy to hate, and the plot is as twisted and rewarding as anything I’ve read in ages.

There’s a dash of romance, a horde of wholesome families, and even humour. In short, All That’s Left To Say is just *French chef's kiss*. I dare you not to finish this book in one sitting, as you wade between tears and triumph. What an adventure!

All That’s Left To Say by Emery Lord is published by Bloomsbury, and is available in South Africa from Jonathan Ball Publishers.

 

Review: Silver In The Bone by Alexandra Bracken

Rating: Buy it ASAP – a bookshelf essential

What is it? Fantastic fiction  

Ideal for fans of: Cursed, The Darkest Minds series

What makes it special? Dashes of well-known myth a bit of magical realism, and a strong female protagonist

Get it in South Africa from: Jonathan Ball Publishers

 

Tamsin Lark isn’t your average teenager. It’s not because she doesn’t know her parents, or that she and her brother Cabell have been under the guardianship of a man with a bad reputation and a habit of robbing graves.

Instead, it’s because she’s a Hollower. But unlike the other people in her world, Tamsin lacks the One Vision. She can’t see the traces of magic everywhere around her. And she’s ok with that. Because she has her brother and his curse to worry about.

Yes, I forgot to mention that what makes Tamsin extra special, is that her brother is cursed to turn into a hound, and she desperately wants to find a cure.

Which is how she ends up involved in a dangerous adventure under the patronage of a sorceress – to retrieve a piece of treasure that once belonged to King Arthur himself.

Only, Tamsin soon learns that there’s more danger, intrigue, and secrets surrounding this quest than she could have guessed. And obviously, her life will never be the same.

Silver In The Bone immediately launches into action from the first word, and doesn’t let the reader go until the last page. With gorgeous imagery, poetic prose, and a mind-blowing marriage of myth and reality, this book is almost perfect.

I say almost, because its author has committed what I consider a heinous crime – ended our time with Tamsin on a sinister cliff hanger that will make you desperate for the next book, only you can’t get it yet. That’s cruel, Alexandra.

Fangirl grumping aside, this book was superb. It struck the perfect balance between sinister magic and otherworldly adventure, with romance, friendship, regret, and even more magic. On top of that, we get a totally fresh perspective of the Arthurian tale – not a retelling, but a glorious add on that makes both stories seem fuller.

Silver In The Bone is engaging, action-packed, fun, and original. I can’t wait for the rest of Tamsin’s story, and to find out what happens next. And nor will you. 

Silver In The Bone by Alexandra Bracken is published by Quercus, a division of Hodder & Stoughton, and is available in South Africa from Jonathan Ball Publishers.

  

Review: Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef

Rating: Buy it ASAP – a bookshelf essential

What is it? Magical fiction  

Ideal for fans of: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Pan's Labyrinth

What makes it special? A strong female protagonist, and a horde of mythical creatures

Get it in South Africa from: Jonathan Ball Publishers 

Marjan’s world has just been turned on her head. Although she’s just a high schooler, she’s suddenly the owner of a veterinary practice, and an orphan. Because just a few weeks ago, Marjan’s father and the original practice owner was murdered. 

And no one has any idea who the killer can be. 

Of course, Marjan is used to being on her own anyway, as her dad frequently had to travel all over to help people with their pets. Just like a normal vet, right?

Right?

Wrong. 

Because Marjan soon finds out that there was more to her dad than she ever realised, and that the fairy tales she grew up listening to were more real than she ever realised. Now that her dad is gone, it’s up to Marjan to continue his work while trying to come to grips with the world of magic, mythical creatures, and betrayal. 

As an adult, I was enthralled by this YA beauty. But can I be honest? If I was a teenager, I would be obsessed, because Once There Was has all the ingredients of a superb story that can live on for generations. 

A hidden world of magic and mystery? Check. 

A strong female lead who doesn’t get distracted by silly boys or her image? Check 

A dash of romance that doesn’t steal the show? Check.

A thrilling plot and loveable characters? Check. 

Magic, myth, and legend? Double check.

To be honest, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Once There Was becomes the Harry Potter of its age, albeit for a slightly older audience, and a more female one at that. Kiyash Monsef has added a fresh take on the trope of orphan navigating a secret world, and made it more relatable, more mature, and infinitely more interesting. She’s also taken elevated the literary teen from love interest and bystander to powerhouse and protagonist, and what’s not to love about that? 

I certainly hope there will be a sequel, because I suspect Marjan has great things ahead of her, and I can’t wait for the next adventure.

Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef is published by Simon & Schuster, and is available in South Africa from Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Review: Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

Rating: Buy it ASAP – a bookshelf essential

What is it? Mythological fiction  

Ideal for fans of: Stephen Fry and Madelaine Miller  

What makes it special? Unique retelling of a well-known Greek myth

Get it in South Africa from: Pan Macmillan South Africa

Medusa’s story is one of the best-known Greek myths. The Gorgon with the power to turn anything that met her gaze to stone, Medusa has been viewed as a monster for centuries. Similarly, the brave warrior who ended her reign of terror – Perseus – has the legacy of a hero, monster slayer and favourite of the gods. In beheading Medusa, he saved mankind from a bitter and evil woman, who relished her petrifying abilities.

But is that really how it all went down?

After all, what makes a monster?

These questions are central to Natalie Haynes’ investigation of Medusa.

In Stone Blind, Perseus is not the golden hero who saves the world from the ravages of a demented Gorgon. Instead, he has been cast as a vicious little thug, who murdered a girl for no real purpose. He is inexperienced, dim-witted and cowardly. And it changes everything.

According to Haynes, Perseus has no idea what he’s doing. He’s not cunning, but cruel.

Stone Blind is a feminist retelling of Medusa’s story. It begins long before her birth, providing context of the tragedies to which she was exposed, purely for the entertainment of the Greek gods.

Because if the inhabitants of Olympus treated people as their playthings, Medusa was their favourite toy. Her life was ruined by a meaningless battle – of egos – between Athene and Poseidon. Medusa did nothing to deserve her fate.

And then came Perseus, to give her an undeserved ending.

Of course, all mythology is open to interpretation and a bit of retelling. It’s what makes these stories linger throughout history. But Haynes has really outdone herself, and retold this piece of mythology in a totally unique way. For the first time, we see the other side of the story – a narrative forgotten or silenced or just never imagined.

In addition to giving us ample food for thought, and reason to want to demolish the patriarchy, this book features several well-known cast members of the theatre that is Greek myth. Altogether, Stone Blind is a vibrant and new way to see an old story, and it’s amazing.

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes is published by Mantle, an imprint of Pan Macmillan.

Review: Leech by Hiron Ennes

Rating: Buy it ASAP – a bookshelf essential

What is it? Fiction  

Ideal for fans of: Iain Reid, Alice Feeney

What makes it special? Totally unique story, unexpected twists

Get it in South Africa from: Pan Macmillan South Africa

The Interprovincial Medical Institute has just sent a replacement doctor to an isolated chateau in the countryside. Nestled deep within the mines and soon to be buried under the winter snows, the chateau is run by an ailing baron, whose previous doctor died unexpectedly. Now, the Institute seeks answers. However, the cause of death could shake the very foundations upon which the Institute stands. Buried deep within the deceased is a parasite of undetermined origin. And that should have been impossible, because the physicians are already under the control of the Institute itself.

As the parasite spreads, the Institute faces competition. It begins to lose its grip on the household, and as a result, deadly secrets come tumbling out.

Have you noticed that these days, the entertainment industry seems to regurgitate the same stories, plots or tropes? It’s often pretty easy to predict the plots and twists of stories these days. In fact, critics might just be tempted to loudly declare, “There are no new stories anymore – it’s all been done!” Thankfully, Hiron Ennes has just proven that to be completely incorrect. Not only have they presented a totally unexpected protagonist in a never-before-seen context, but Ennes has also managed to add a refreshing setting, language, and history to the story, to boot. Leech is the literary equivalent of a breath of fresh air. Even better, it ticks all the right boxes for a perfect thriller.

If this story doesn’t get turned into a film, it’s just because it hasn’t been read by the right people yet. So keep your eyes peeled. I would even go so far as to say it could usher in a new type of storytelling. It’s THAT good.

Also, Leech is more than just a page-turning thriller with a riveting plot. It’s an introduction to a world of endless possibility. Clever, thought-provoking, and chilling, Ennes has penned a work of art that’s also a brilliant piece of social commentary. By the time you reach the final chapter, you’ll be hard pressed not to question what you know about humanity, and the monsters that hide within it.

Leech by Hiron Ennes is published by Tor, an imprint of Pan Macmillan.

Review: Daisy Darker, by Alice Feeney

Rating: Buy it ASAP – a bookshelf essential

What is it? Fiction, mystery/drama

Ideal for fans of: The Guest List (Lucy Foley) or Sleep (CL Taylor)

What makes it special? Exceptional prose and a triple twist

Get it in South Africa from: Pan Macmillan South Africa

Daisy Darker died eight times by her thirteenth birthday. Then again, she was only given fifteen years to live thanks to a congenital heart defect. Daisy suspects this is the reason she is her mother’s least favourite child. Because she was born damaged, into an already breaking family.

But that’s all behind her now. Daisy is preparing for a family reunion. To celebrate her nana’s 80^th birthday bash, the whole family will meet at Seaglass; a ramshackle old house isolated on a tiny island. And Daisy has a secret. Yet while her family is stuck together until the tide goes out, they’re not alone. They’re trapped with a killer.

Daisy Darker can be summed up in a single word: delicious. The writing is superb, with a nod to high-brow literature, yet accessible. Daisy Darker reads so easily it feels like you’re inhaling the story. And what a story it is! We’re slowly guided back through the Darker family’s murky past, until it becomes clear that Daisy isn’t the only one who’s hiding something. Each trip back adds to the present narrative and helps build tension as we count down the hours until the tide is out.

Feeney ends of this masterpiece with a satisfying grand reveal that includes not one, or two, but THREE twists. So yes, you might be able to correctly navigate the red herrings and guess the killer correctly. But I guarantee that you will not predict the unique outcome. And that’s reason enough to try Alice Feeney. She’s put a modern spin on a well-known genre, and made it new again. Moreover, her writing is vibrant, explosive and dramatic, and this makes for the perfect literary getaway.

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney is published by Macmillan, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, and can be sourced from Pan Macmillan South Africa.

Review: Son of The Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

Danso has found himself in a unique position. Despite not being High Bassai, he is a novitiate, and while his position in the guild is tenuous, he seems totally unconcerned with decorum. Instead, Danso seeks the truth behind stories, including that of his mother’s past. His fixation has landed him in hot water a few times, much to the ire of his intended, Esheme.

Yet when events beyond Danso’s control force the land of Bassa to close its borders, and for Danso to be expelled from his university, his life changes beyond recognition. But that’s nothing compared to his discovery of a strange warrior from a distant land, with the ability to wield magic, and a price-tag on her head.

Ands it’s that discovery, along with his insane desire to help this exile, that REALLY lands him in trouble, and places his life, and the lives of everyone he loves, in danger. Because it turns out Danso has a secret of his own, which could unsettle the very history upon which the kingdom of Bassa was founded.

African fantasy has just found itself a king in the form of Suyi Davies Okungbowa. I’ve yet to discover another writer who can effortlessly weave African mythology and history with a dazzling display of fantasy to create something new and delicious. Son of the Storm is more into just a foray into the birthplace of humanity (and probably magic). It is a cleverly crafted social narrative that exposes injustices and discrimination while the camouflage of epic fiction. Okungbowa has created a page-turner that is as addictive as it is compelling. He has reintroduced to the world to the power for Africa, and an African story, and I am hooked.

But there’s a downside.

Just as the characters start to feel like real people, and the trek across unknown lands really hits its stride, we are left with an (admittedly very good) cliffhanger, and the torture of waiting for the next instalment. Which means that we have what feels like an eternity to wait before the story continues. I hate that – I want more already, so excuse me while I learn to transform a sulk session into patience. In the meantime, join the party and grab a copy of Son of the Storm before Hollywood finds it first!

Son of the Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa is published by Orbit, an imprint of Little, Brown Book Group, and is available in South Africa from Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Review: Rabbits by Terry Miles

K’s a gamer, but he’s not your average gamer. Sure, he’ll dabble in arcade games and online roleplayers, but what he’s really into is something many of fellow gamers haven’t heard of: Rabbits. The pattern-seeking underground game is the cause of much speculation, because like Fight Club, you don’t talk about it. Which is why the purpose, players, and plot of the game are all such a mystery. All K knows is that it’s real, and it’s something he wants – no, needs – to win, and not just because the prize promises to be the winner’s most heartfelt desire.

But just as the next round of the game is supposed to start, the unthinkable happens. K is approached by a former winner, who requests his help to fix Rabbits, before something terrible happens.

And as he tries to help, he realizes that something terrible isn’t just forfeiting the prize – if K doesn’t fix Rabbits, the world as he knows it will end. Literally.

Rabbits is an ambitious project, and Terry Miles has accomplished a feat in world building. Despite a somewhat slow start, once it heats up, it’ll keep you flicking through the pages at a record rate. And part of the reason for that is that so much is happening. Truly, Rabbits is the definition of ‘something for everyone’. There’s conspiracy theories, technological advances and AI, a peek at the multiverse, a love story, a dash of adventure, and of course, a little murder and mayhem.

And this combination makes it feel familiar in the best way. It makes the reader think of shows like Fringe or Netflix’s Devs meets The Matrix vibes, with an added puzzle-solving and whodunit aspect.

And for that reason, I have one very important bit of advice for you: read Rabbits before it becomes the next Hollywood sensation, because Tinseltown would be crazy to pass up this story!

Rabbits by Terry Miles is published by Macmillan, an imprint of Pan Macmillan. And is available in South Africa from Pan Macmillan South Africa.

Review: The Watchers by A.M. Shine

When Mina volunteered to act as a courier for a quick bit of cash, she had no idea that her life was about to change. It started in the woods. After taking a wrong turn or seven, Mina becomes lost, and arrives at the edge of a forest, when her car suddenly dies, leaving her no choice but to try reach her destination on foot. Yet as Mina proceeds through the woods, she can’t help but shake a feeling that something isn’t right, and as the sun sets, her discomfort increases.

When she’s spooked by a strange inhuman cry, Mina is saved from a chaotic sprint through the woods by the sudden appearance of a light, and a woman beckoning.

This is how she learns about The Watchers. Deep within the forest, is a room, where a mirror and a light are all that stand between a handful of wretched survivors and certain death. Now, Mina must come to terms with her new life: scavenging for food in the day, and sheltering in an abandoned concrete room at night, when The Watchers come out.

But how long can Mina’s new family survive like this, and what happens when they can’t outrun the darkness?

The Watchers is an unexpectedly delightful and mature horror. In a world populated with slasher films and jump scares, horror has transformed from the psychological to the visual, but A.M. Shine is changing that. Shine takes us back to the origins of horror – a slow reveal of something so unexpected, it makes you judge your sanity. This is horror for the intellectual, and it’s brilliant.

Not only does Shine build some pretty impressive tension theme of the terror of the unknown, but the author takes a step into the world of fantasy while doing this, twisting and reinventing myths and legends we’ve forgotten from our childhood. The nostalgia, combined with the creeping thrills throughout this book, guarantee an epic binge-reading session, because you will not want to put this book down.

The Watchers by A.M. Shine is published by Head of Zeus and is available in South Africa from Jonathan Ball Publishers

Review: The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

For Deka’s whole life, she has been raised according to the principles of Oyomo; that a woman’s place is to serve and honour men. Yet on the day of the Ritual of Purity, in which Deka will be cut to demonstrate the purity of her blood, everything changes. Instead of the crimson life force that flows through the veins of the other village girls; Deka’s blood is liquid gold. She is Unpure, and the sentence for this crime is death, because the Unpure are descended from demons.

Only Deka doesn’t die. Again and again, the elders try to end her life, yet her spirit and body remain intact. Just as the elders think they have discovered the way to truly kill her, she is saved by an unexpected source; an emissary of the emperor.

Instead of death, Deka must join an army of girls like her to fight the worst threat that the land has ever faced. And the emperor is willing to sacrifice them all to win.

But when training starts, Deka realises that there’s more to her new position, and the army itself, than she could ever have expected. What she learns shakes the very foundations of her world.

The Gilded Ones satisfies every possible craving a fan of Young Adult could have. Namina Forna has given us a glorious mythology with horrific yet strangely familiar limitations and social ills. We have a love story that is like no other, a generous dose of magic and intrigue, and even a range of action sequences. All of this has been woven together and perceived through a fantastic (literally) lens to make it pure magic. Once you start reading, you cannot stop. The characters are too enticing, the sub plots too arresting, and the writing too convincing and powerful to refuse.

The Gilded Ones will impress more than just YA fans – it will woo lovers of myth and legend, the seekers of fantasy, and those who want a peek of realism through struggle and inequality. It is superb.

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna is published by Usborne, AND IS AVAILABEL IN South Africa from Penguin Random House South Africa.

Review: For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing

Teddy Crutcher takes immense pride in his work. He’s a teacher, tasked with shaping the minds of some of the wealthiest kids in the country, at an elite school. Despite not coming from a wealthy background, he’s good at his job. In fact, he’s just been awarded the coveted Teacher of the Year award.

But not everyone thinks he deserves this honour.

There’s Zach, the straight A-student whose grade he just destroyed, and Fallon, a disgruntled former pupil who never misses a chance to send him a scathing email.

Yet when Fallon suddenly becomes his co-worker, everything changes, and not least because she arrives amid a series of unusual deaths at the school.

Now, Teddy must deal not only with a colleague dead set on revenge, but he’s also got to try find a way to help students like Courtney, a top pupil arrested in connection with the deaths.

Teddy knows that Courtney didn’t do it, but who did?

For Your Own Good is another brilliant example of Samantha Downing’s ability to create characters so realistic they could leap off the page. Even if they’re annoying as hell. The desire to like Teddy is continuously tested by his masterful unlikability.

Our protagonist thinks himself the only adult in a world full of children, but his actions and attitude are juvenile to the extreme, and the lows he stoops to would impress limbo dancers the world over. Yet despite his prominence in the story, Teddy remains a mystery – the character with the least developed backstory, and the most reluctant to part with his secrets.

And the frustration that is created by Teddy Crutcher simply existing is exquisite. He challenges the reader with his outlandish beliefs and opinions, while also managing to highlight the many perceived inadequacies of today’s youth. In a nutshell, Teddy Crutcher is a creation of pure genius, and an impressive literary tool.

There’s a downside to having a main character so enveloped in mystique and taboo, and so carefully juxtaposed against the supporting cast. It’s that it becomes difficult to navigate a complicated plot without giving away your hand. Unfortunately, this causes a few awkward plot holes; some clues are thrown in a little too haphazardly, with timing that’s a little too fortuitous. In the world of literary twists, Downing is royalty, but this time around, you can spot a few of those smaller red herrings long before they’re old enough to smell fishy.

For that reason, For Your Own Good cannot be called a perfect novel; but it’s pretty damn close, and absolutely worth reading. Right now.

For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing is published by Michael Joseph, a Penguin Random House company.

Review: Girl One by Sara Flannery Murphy

Josephine Morrow isn’t your average woman. Not only was she conceived totally without the input of a man, but she was the first of NINE such births. She is Girl One. But before a tenth virgin birth, disaster struck and everything changed. One night, a fire broke out at The Homestead which housed these special mothers and their daughters, killing the man that made it all possible; her namesake, Dr Joseph Bellanger. 

Now that she’s an adult, Josie is following in Bellanger’s footsteps, trying to show herself and the world that his genius was not only brilliant, but repeatable. But she’s interrupted by an unforeseen hitch: her mom, Mother One, is missing.  

In order to retrace her mother’s steps and find her, Josie must do something she’s never been allowed to do: return to the Homestead, and the other Mothers, who might be able to help. 

But her hunt is hindered by a shocking revelation: not only did Dr Bellanger have less of a role than Josephine had always imagined, but he wasn’t anythign like she remembered. And nor were the other girls; because pathogenesis isn’t the only thing that’s special about these girls. They also each have a hidden ability which makes them not just freaks of nature, but a magnet for trouble. 

Girl One is the latest in a long line of speculative feminist writing that’s recently took the literary world by storm, and it deserves its place among its peers. Sara Flannery Murphy has penned something amazing: this book contains well-written prose that has been wrestled into an astonishing story that is as unpredictable and moving as it is dark and delicious. A sprinkling of the supernatural also really elevates Girl One to something beyond dystopia; it brings a glorious color and texture to the story that can only be called art. Murphy's world is a sharp and nuanced creation filled with a satisfying balance between the mundane and the macabre, and boy does it sparkle! Add to that a dash of romance and a sprinkle of scientific horror and you have something that appeals to everyone, and ticks all the boxes.

If the story is familiar at points, it’s only because of the current prevalence of feminist stories – Girl One is an original that deserves to become a beloved classic, and I have NO DOUBT that Hollywood will agree, and snap up the rights to give the story new life on screen. Here’s hoping. 

Girl One by Sara Flannery Murphy is published by Raven Books, a Bloomsbury company, and is available in South Africa from Jonathan Ball Publishers. 

Review: Peaces by Helen Oyeyemi

When Otto and Xavier Shin decided to go on an epic train journey for their non-honeymoon honeymoon, they had no idea what to expect. Not only are they the only two passengers on board, but the vehicle is home to the mysterious Ava Kapoor and her lifetime of secrets. As the two men begin to piece together Ava’s unusual background, and the circumstances that led to her living on the train, they realize that they’re sharing more than just their time together. For some inexplicable reason, the Shins and Ava are tied by more than just geography – they also share a mystery; the curious case of people unseen.

For Ava, it’s an invisible man she refuses to believe exists. For Otto, it’s a mysterious figure he failed to save from a burning building, and for Xavier, it’s the ex whose love he didn’t fully appreciate. As their journey progresses, the unseen and forgotten players from the character’s pasts slowly begin to play a larger role, blurring the fine lines between reality, memory and delusion. All the while, it becomes increasingly clear that another line is being blurred; that between passenger and prisoner.

Peaces is more than just a story; it’s a journey. Through gloriously written prose that reads like poetry, we are able to follow in Helen Oyeyemi’s footsteps. As she takes us deeper into a world of possibility and improbability, it’s enough to make you question your own existence and be thankful for it. The care with which Oyeyemi writes, and the intricate meanings she conveys through her prose, have given this book a mirror-like quality. Not only does the language impress and sparkle like well-polished silver, but the words themselves slowly join forces to ensnare and capture the reader into a larger-than-life fairytale. And you will not want to escape. Being in a world created by this author feels like purpose; her words beg to be read, and digested, and shared. Who am I to deny that?

Peaces by Helen Oyeyemi is published by Faber & Faber, a Bloomsbury company, and can be found in South Africa from Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Review: Bullet Train by Kotaro Isaka

Kimura’s world fell apart when his son was pushed from a roof. But having a son in a coma has allowed the former assassin to do two important things; get sober and seek revenge. When he finds out that the person responsible for pushing his boy is on a train, he decides to take matters into his own hands and ensure that the culprit never reaches his stop. But there’s a catch. The person he’s hunting is just a fourteen-year-old boy, and he’s not the only hitman on the train. Five professional killers boarded the train, but not everyone will make it to their stop alive.

As Kimura’s plans fail, he realizes that the young psychopath he’s tracking is embroiled in something far bigger than he could have expected, and that he has no idea who is really orchestrating the elaborate plan that requires so much death. The only question now is who will make it to the end of the line, and at what cost?

Bullet Train is full of surprises. After a slow and jerky start, the narrative picks up momentum that is delicious and hypnotic. Slowly, the various threads woven by Isaka come together to form a complex tapestry that’s as mesmerizing as it is clever. Truly, Bullet Train is an unexpected gem that’s pure adventure and a great ride. Train puns aside, this book is marvelous – the plot is intricate and carefully thought out, with a cast of amazing characters that win you over even in their darkest moments.

Not only does Isaka tease the dark nature of humanity and the inevitable downfall of pride and rage, but he makes us question traditional storytelling and characters – with a juvenile mastermind and deaths left, right and centre, Bullet Train is more than just a clever whodunnit – it’s an exercise in predicting the unexpected, and not being distracted by the many twists and red herrings. And it’s wonderful.

Bullet Train has a little bit of everything – action, comedy, suspense, a dash of the macabre, and most importantly, elegant prose that creates a delightful juxtaposition to the criminal nature of its contents. What more could you want?

Bullet Train by Kotaro Isaka is published by Harvill Secker, an imprint of Vintage; a Penguin Random House company.

Review: Watch Her Fall by Erin Kelly

Ava Kirilova has spent her life working towards this moment. After years of practice and dedication, she’s not just ready to headline Swan Lake – she IS Swan Lake. But being the best has a downside. Because her father owns the dance company, Ava’s had to work twice as hard to prove that she is the best, and not just the favourite. And the journey to the top has been lonely.

While Ava puts everything into the role, and in ensuring that she’ll make her father proud, she’s sacrificed things like friendship, connection, and occasionally, her peace of mind. And maybe she was right to do that.

Just before her debut in the role she was born for, disaster strikes. Someone wants what Ava has, and they’re willing to do anything to get it. In a cruel representation of life imitating art, the tragedy of the Black Swan has bled into Ava’s life, and there’s no turning back now.

Watch Her Fall is like a dance itself – carefully choreographed, flawless, and unpredictable. In fact, there was a time when I started having flashbacks of Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis’ twisted relationship onscreen, and despaired that Erin Kelly would be following the same path.

I was so gloriously wrong. In just a few pages and several gasps, this book evolved from a well-known trop of jealously and despair into something so much darker and more delicious. While Ava dances as the two Swans, she deftly skips over every red herring you can imagine, until her steps, and the narrative they trace, emerge into new and unpredictable territory. This book will blow your mind, and if you love a good twist, then this will be your guiding star because it has so many, you’ll get whiplash.

Honestly, there is nothing to fault in this book, apart from the fact that it ends. From clever character development to shocking horrors and suspense, and a poetic prose, Watch Her Fall is nothing short or art, and you need it in your life. and then you’ll need more. So Erin Kelly, I hope you’re hard at work on your next literary treat.

Watch Her Fall by Erin Kelly is published by Hodder & Stoughton and is available in South Africa from Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Review: Body of Stars by Laura Maylene Walter

Celeste and her brother Miles may have been born two years apart, but they’re essentially twins. For as long as either can remember, the other has always been there. But unlike other families, Miles has always been obsessed with his sister’s markings, and what they mean. By the time Celeste becomes a changeling and her juvenile markings are replaced by adult markings, Miles is somewhat of an expert interpreter. Only, she can never let him know what her adult markings predict, because they spell out Miles’ future, too, and it’s not a good one.

However, just as she is coming to terms with what her new future will look like, Celeste becomes another statistic; she’s abducted. Two weeks later, she returns home, broken and tainted, and the life she once envisioned slips away into a river of shame and misfortune. Eventually, Celeste decides to finally show Miles her markings, but is surprised to learn that her brother has a secret of his own, and if she’d known, everything could have been different.

Body of Stars is a phenomenal book, and its dystopian message is all the more believable because it is set in a world similar to ours, with a key difference: all women are born with a set of markings that literally predict the future. Their juvenile markings change when they become adults, after a short period of being a changeling. Unfortunately, it’s a risky time in any girl’s life, as the changes cause them to be irresistible, putting them at enormous risk of ending up like Celeste: abducted, raped, only to be returned broken and without a hope of a decent future.

Reading this book left me in awe, and angry. Part of what fuelled my rage was the injustice faced by these characters, which mirrors the many challenges faced by so many women – and men- throughout history. When a social construct such as gender inequality is dissected and rearranged into fiction, it becomes so much easier to identify its flaws, and spark outrage that there’s no solution. While Body of Stars is primarily based on gender issues, the formula is applicable to any modern social injustice – from racism to class inequality. The plot is both brilliant and devastating because it could be altered to represent any form of oppression – cruelty can have many faces.

Initially, Laura Maylene Walters gives us the fleeting impression that women’s abilities to know the future and to interpret fate make them valuable and powerful, but we soon learn that is not the case. This is a world that blames broken young women for their own misfortune, and by failing to lay blame with the perpetrators, effectively offers up its women as victims, while reminding them that being abducted is determined by their own actions. In fact, there’s a line that sums up this twisted perspective; “to be abducted indicated a moral failing; a lapse of judgement and restraint that pointed to a more serious deficiency”. The stigma follows them for the rest of their lives; crushing their dreams of attending university, and robbing them of careers and pride.

As we witness Celeste’s shame and despair, and her fruitless pursuit of justice, it’s impossible not to lament the fact that no one cares. Here, the taboo is commonplace, and outrage has become complacency. In fact, abducted girls are not even considered victims; they take on the shameful persona of perpetrator and victim. In trying to cope with her new role as the one at fault and the one who was faulted, Celeste turns to fantasy, and reads a tale about people without markings, in which the future in uncertain and nothing is left to fate. Our protagonist explains, “In that book, both girls and boys grew up blank. They were the same.” She imagines a world in which there are no markings, and it changes everything.

Only, the reader does live in a world free of markings, and it changes nothing. Celeste’s story is so moving because it isn’t new. It isn’t even fictional. We live in a world of differences, and rather than embrace these and learn from them, we allow the unknown and the unexperienced to make us afraid. That fear is the root of nearly all social injustice; taboos bleed into each other and create a nightmare reality.

Body of Stars is more than just a clever story with a beautiful narrative and relatable characters, although those aspects alone make it well worth a read. It’s the type of book that plants a seed in your mind, a read that gives you goosebumps and makes you dash down your thoughts and insights in an excited scrawl; the type of book you lend to friends and family. This story has the power to incite a revolution and make history, if only we listen to its call to stop the shit, and fix our society. To do this, we need to rely a little less on judgement and oppression, and a little more on embracing opportunity and making the right voices heard.

You don’t need to be a feminist to appreciate this book, but it is a good starting point. From there, you’re free to become a global citizen and do your part to end injustice. Do you accept the challenge?

Body of Stars by Laura Maylene Walter is published by Hodder Studio, an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton, and a Hachette company. It is available in South Africa from Jonathan Ball Publishers.