Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

Delilah McPhee is a normal American teenager, doomed to never be popular (especially having broken the head cheerleader's knee) but things begin to change when she borrows a fairytale from the school library. She knows it's not normal for someone her age to be obsessed with a story written for children but she can't stop reading it until eventually she knows the book by heart. Or at least she did until one day the unthinkable happens - it changes! She soon discovers that the characters in the book don't cease to exist once the story has ended but resume their normal lives until the next time someone opens the book and they are forced to re-enact it once again. Prince Oliver is tired of this life and longs to escape. He soon discovers that Delilah may be his one hope as she is the only person he has ever managed to communicate with outside of the book. Will she help him to escape and will they both find the happily ever after they both desire?

I've read quite a few of Jodi Picoult's books, having started with My Sister's Keeper and worked my way through several more until they all got a bit predictable. Recently I decided to read a couple more as they were on offer and found myself pleasantly surprised as they didn't follow her usual pattern (Picture Perfect and Harvesting the Heart in case you were wondering - the latter affecting me as much as My Sister's Keeper). This meant I wasn't quite sure what to expect when it came to Between the Lines, her first teenage novel and co-written with her daughter. Having spoken to a few of my colleagues it seems that quite a few people are confused as to whether this is teen or adult fiction and what it is exactly that this book is about. I'd already bought it as an impulse purchase because this book is so nice and unusual and so thought I'd bump it up my reading list to see if I can have an answer.

My answer is this: Between the Lines is written for a young teenage audience and is a bit of a light-hearted and fun modern fairytale. It's definitely more for those who already have a love for books as those who aren't so keen on books will be put off by the length (and weight) of this book. It's also completely different from Picoult's other books - there's no darkness aside from the mention of divorce and being unpopular but these aren't the focus at all and the whole book has a very happy and fairytale feel.

The quality of the actual book is stunning (hence the impulse purchase). If you pick it up one of the first things you'll notice is that it's a lot heavier than you'd expect. This is due to the fact that it's printed using high-quality paper to enable the use of colour (or so I presume). There are three narrative voices used in Between the Lines: the original fairytale that Delilah fell in love with, Prince Oliver and Delilah. Each has their own colour and then Delilah and Oliver's worlds have their own font style. There are also colour illustrations to go with the original fairytale and black and white silhouette-style ones dotted throughout the text which both help to add to this book's charm. The cover lets it down slightly as it would have been nice to have one that was in the style of those you usually find on fairytales to truly complete the feel. It is instantly identifiable as a Jodi Picoult novel, although as the story is so different I don't think this adds anything to the book and may be part of the reason why some are getting a bit confused about it. It's as if they're hoping people will buy the book because it's her writing it instead of on the strength of the book itself. I can see the marketing logic but would definitely love to see it with a more stunning cover as it does just let the book down slightly.

The story itself was charming and fun. You won't end up in tears or traumatised (thinking of you C!) but will feel slightly warm and fuzzy (although not as much as you will if you watch Tangled - love that film!). It doesn't take itself too seriously and is a pleasant read with an ending that comes about in a way that I didn't predict. I think if I was a young teenager I could quite easily fall in love with this book but as an adult it doesn't quite have the depth that I'm used to and this is absolutely fine because that's the age group it's intended for. The writing style is easy to read, the characters are suitably soppy for each other and the products mentioned are perfect at speaking to that age group. However, the products do prevent it from having that timeless quality that some books have. The two inconsistencies also bugged me a little. On page 28 Delilah explains that she broke the head cheerleaders knee after swinging the bat whilst playing softball in the gym and then on page 155 Jules (Delilah's best friend who moved to the school a week after Delilah broke the cheerleader's knee according to page 28) says that she was the first one to know when a hysterical Delilah called her after breaking the head cheerleader's knee by tripping her during the Field Day hundred-meter dash. I suppose Delilah might have broken the head cheerleader's knee twice... The other inconsistency is with the famous page 43 (in the fairytale book, not the actual one in my hands) where Delilah has all of her private conversations with Oliver. The illustration that matches the description of that page is next to the title page for Between the Lines but the one next to fairytale book page 44 is completely different. Having read the book, my first reaction was a little bit of disappointment that it ended where it did without you finding out how the author or anyone else react or how they make it work in the days to come but having thought about it, the point where it ends works perfectly because it's the end of the altered story in the fairytale book which is of course supposed to be the story that you're reading and so what happens after that story ends would not be in it.

One thing I would question is the inclusion of descriptions of Picoult's other books at the end of Between the Lines. Picoult herself says at the end of Between the Lines that it "is a great fit for preteens and younger teens who may not be quite ready to tackle moral and ethical dilemmas in fiction." Moral and ethical dilemmas are usually the focus for Picoult's books (which are nothing like Between the Lines) and so do not fit with this book and it's potential preteen readers, creating a slightly confusing message. I would probably have left it with just listing her other titles in the front.

Overall this book was pleasant to read and a bit of light-hearted fun that I would recommend to young teenage girls who are confident readers and who like a good fairytale.

I give it 7/10 :)

Title: Between the Lines
Author: Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Teenage Fiction

Life Eternal by Yvonne Woon

Life Eternal is the sequel to the brilliant Dead Beautiful. Renee Winters has changed after the events of last year. She seems older, sadder and her senses have dulled except when she's with Dante Berlin, her soul mate and one of the Undead. No-one can know what happened as Dante's existence will be in danger but this leads to the rumour that she's immortal. Not a good rumour when events mean that you have to transfer to a new school, one that's only for Monitors (those whose task is to keep the Undead in check). Dante's also running out of time as the Undead can only escape the final clutches of death for 21 years and he only has a few years left. This leads Renee on a quest to solve the puzzle of the Nine Sisters to help save him after she starts to receive terrifying visions. But she's not alone in trying to find the answer to immortality and the others won't hesitate to destroy anyone who is in their way.

I really enjoyed Dead Beautiful and one of the things I liked most was that I wasn't desperate for the story to continue as it seemed to wrap up well. Looking back I'm not quite sure why as there were certain plot points that were unresolved and so perhaps I was just desperate for there to be a teen book without a sequel. It actually took me a few weeks to realise that Life Eternal and Dead Beautiful were related when Life Eternal appeared in our kids section and it's taken me a few more to finally get around to reading it because of the lack of urgency I felt. However, having just devoured it in two sittings I'm not quite sure what has taken me so long! If you loved Dead Beautiful it will not let you down.

Woon's writing style is so easy to read that I found I just kept going from one chapter to the next without really realising (occasionally I would notice the butterflies on the page and so spot that I had strayed into a new one - they're a nice touch). I really love Renee too. She's not one of the popular crowd but will stand up to them when necessary. She doesn't go falling madly in love with multiple guys and she's pretty down to earth. Dante has that nice mysterious quality about him. Plus I love their names! I also really love the whole idea of this series. Philosophical Latin-speaking zombies without the gross factor and there's the rules of their existence that make things a little more interesting. I've never read anything quite like it and it's a weird one to classify as it doesn't feel like a dark romance normally does but it's definitely out there in the fantasy world. It's brilliant!

Life Eternal does have a lot of unanswered questions and so I'm assuming there will be a third (and I'll definitely be anticipating it more this time!) and this kind of leaves it with that middle book filler feel (think Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince which is setting the scene for the big finale) except that I'm unable to predict quite what form the next one will take aside from having something to do with the Nine Sisters secret. It's well written and enjoyable and there are so many things I would love to see happen (finding out what happens to Elenor, if Clementine and Renee have a big coming together and what will be the consequences of the Nine Sisters secret, etc). It is seriously promising an excellent third installment and so I really hope Woon won't let us down. Okay, now I really can't wait for the next one!

I give Life Eternal 7/10 :)

Title: Life Eternal

Author: Yvonne Woon

Publisher: Usborne

Teenage Fiction

The Forsaken by Lisa Stasse

Alenna Shawcross is a 16 year-old orphan growing up in a strictly controlled world which was once Canada, United States and Mexico but is now the United Northern Alliance (UNA). All teenagers sit the Government Personality Profile Test (GPPT) which is used to remove the Unanchored Souls from society and send them to Island Alpha - a place filled with depravity and a short life expectancy. When it's Alenna's turn she fully expects to pass but the government has already made up it's mind about her and so she soon finds herself stranded on a tropical island where she has to fight to survive the war between tribes as well as the highs and lows of friendship and love whilst embarking on a quest to find out the truth of her parents fate.

Ok so first I need to get The Hunger Games comparison out of my system. The Forsaken is so shameless in trying to get you to make this comparison that I just had to give it a go and see how it would fare. Here's the cover of my copy of The Hunger Games:

There's the black and red theme with blood splatters and the white text. There's the brunette on The Forsaken who has Katniss' weapon of choice. There's the the tagline to entice you. The Forsaken even declares "If you love Hunger Games read this!" Once inside the comparisons continue. A controlling government, teenagers plucked out of society and left in a contained area where they have to fight to survive, an island divided into sectors, machines that pluck people out of the environment, a mysterious barrier to keep them in the right place. So how does this book compare? I'd choose The Hunger Games 100% of the time. Alenna doesn't have Katniss' strength. The UNA government isn't as intimidating. The Island isn't as terrifying as the arena. And I found that by the end I just didn't care as it all just felt too weak. You know Alenna and Liam are most likely going to help overthrow the government and most likely David will probably play a part as a second love interest (oh how I hope not!).

So on its own how does The Forsaken do? As I've already mentioned it all feels weak. One of the great things about those books that make up the pinnacle of the dystopian genre is that you really experience the fear and danger of being part of that society and even the intensity of the romance. Alenna and Liam are in love after what appears to be a week or two at most and only a couple of kisses and conversations. The sort of love where you're willing to die for the other person. How did this happen? It lacks any sense of reality. Alenna is a weak leading lady too. She never really does anything. David saves her life in the opening chapters and whilst she vows to return the favour she never does even though the opportunity presents itself. Many others around her step up and act the hero while she watches or follows their ideas. The only plot point that I didn't find myself anticipating was the identity of the Monk. The story promises a lot but just left me feeling disappointed.

Stasse's writing style is slightly peculiar too. I can't pinpoint exactly what it is but it just feels slightly dreamy and not very engaging with the reader, almost as if Alenna isn't really that interested. She also uses italics for emphasis but for weird sentences where I can't really see a reason for it. The only effect it really achieved was irritating me. She also reveals that Alenna never sat the GPPT as the government knocked her out before it begun but Alenna keeps making references to never having expected to fail the test when she didn't because she didn't sit it. It's a minor thing but for some reason it just really bugged me. Stasse doesn't really spend much time building the world either which is why I think it lacks the intensity and realistic feel to the situations and relationships. For example, one second Gadya hates Alenna and then the next she has miraculously gotten over it and all is forgiven but there's no detail of the journey to that point or any left over resentment. Gadya is a much better main character and I kind of wish Stasse had made this her story but at least there is the room for Alenna to grow as a character. There's also the resources that the island's inhabitants have at their disposal: weapons, fireworks, clothing, truth serum, needles, cooking pots, etc. They're just too convenient and easy. The Forsaken just feels a little half-hearted.

I'm probably being unnecessarily harsh. If I'd read this book 2 years ago I'd probably appreciate it more than I do now because 2 years ago I hadn't read a single dystopian novel (that I was aware of, having never heard of the word until my bookselling career began) and so I would have nothing to compare it to. But reading it now is like having eaten Lindt or Cadbury's or Galaxy chocolate and then trying to eat a large bar of cheap Easter egg chocolate. It just doesn't satisfy you as much.

I give this book 5/10. It'll occupy your time and you'll find some enjoyment out of it but it isn't one of the greats (mind you, with the shameless attempt at a Hunger Games comparison it was unlikely to be). Will I read the sequel? Possibly, depending on what it promises and how intrigued I find myself over time. Will I be desperate for it? No, not really. If I never read it then I'm okay with that.

Title: The Forsaken
Author: Lisa Stasse
Publisher: Orchard Books
Teenage Fiction

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

For once I'm not going to summarise the book myself as the thing that made me really want to read this book (aside from the awesome author) was the blurb itself and I don't think I can top it.

"This is the box, Ed. 


Inside is everything. 


Two bottle caps,
a movie ticket from Greta in the Wild,
a note from you,
a box of matches, 
your protractor, 
Joan's book,
the stolen sugar, 
a toy truck, 
those ugly earrings,
a comb from the motel, 
and the rest of it.


This is it, Ed.


The whole story of why we broke up."
(Taken from the back cover of Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler)

I've already mentioned that Daniel Handler is an awesome author. If I'm to be honest, I had never heard of the name Daniel Handler before this book was brought to my attention. That's because his other books that I've read are written under the name Lemony Snicket (who I'm excited to announce is releasing the first of his new series in October!). I really enjoyed A Series of Unfortunate Events but as they were written for a younger audience I wasn't really sure what to expect when it came to Why We Broke Up, especially as it's clear from the use of a different name that this was to be something separate.

The first thing that struck me when my copy arrived was the brilliant artwork. Maira Kalman has done a fantastic job and it really adds a striking and superb finishing touch to the book. Each item that Min (who is writing this letter) is returning to Ed is accompanied by a gorgeous illustration that really brings it to life for the reader as well as helping in the story-telling process. It almost makes it like a picture book for teens but this book is so much better than that phrase makes it sound and so don't let it put you off.

The idea of using the items to tell the story of Ed and Min's relationship is brilliant and effective. When I've come across items left over from a relationship it's always amazing how the memories come flooding back and how much something so simple can mean so much. Their use helps to bring a sense of reality to the story and makes it easy to relate to Min as well as helping to make this book something different. Handler's writing style also works brilliantly as it's exactly the sort of way a real person thinks instead of the grammatically correct text you would normally find in a novel and this intensifies the experience. At first this did take a little bit of getting used to but once I got into the flow of the text it wasn't an issue. The plot unfolds one item at a time like putting together the pieces of a puzzle with each illustration acting as a clue before it's place in this tale is fully revealed. Handler is such a creative individual who weaves his fictional details together so thoroughly and completely that his created worlds contain a depth which makes it very easy for the reader to become immersed in them. Min is also a character who is easy to identify with. She's not cool (in a mainstream sense) or perfect or damaged or suffering from major self-esteem issues or anything like that. She's a normal teenager who has her group of friends and her own defining thing that all teenagers have to some degree (in her case it's a film obsession). This makes her very likeable and easy to picture.

Overall I loved this book! It really resounds with anyone who has experienced any level of heartbreak as well as being a fantastic book that is incredibly well thought out with a story that is wonderfully told.

I give it 9/10! :D

Title: Why We Broke Up
Author: Daniel Handler
Publisher: Electric Monkey
Teenage Fiction