Category Archives: Reviews

Beat the Band by Don Calame

Posted on February 21, 2012 | Leave a comment

Title: Beat the Band
Author: Don Calame
Published: 1st February 2012 (UK)
Format: Finished Paperback
Pages: 422
RRP: £6.99
Rating: 13+

Who gets more girls than a rock god? No one.

When Coop finds himself partnered with social outcast ‘Hot Dog’ Helen for a class project on safe sex, he knows he needs a way of saving his rep. Winning the school Battle of the Bands seems like the perfect solution. There’s just one small problem: neither he nor his two best friends, Sean and Matt, can actually play an instrument…

Well, I was really looking forward to this, and had high expectations and it definitely met it! Following Swim the Fly, Beat the Band follows Coop as the protagonist, instead of Matt.

Beat the Band is the school year after the summer in Swim the Fly, and Coop’s dream this year is to score with the hotties like Prudence and her entourage (he frequently has fantasies…). Although this time his friends, Sean and Matt, are a lot more preoccupied, much to Coop’s chagrin. Sean is lamenting the loss of his girlfriend Tianna, while Matt is preoccupied with his French girlfriend Valerie.

At the start of the book I just grimaced at how Coop thought about girls in his class. His attempts at flirting were hilarious, but his thoughts are… well, very close to what most boys at that age think about! Despite this set back, Coop quickly regains himself as you start to realise, as a reader, that he is very determined and ambitious, and throughout the book he develops a certain level of maturity (wait, did I really just say that? About Coop? Huh!), and you can see that he grows up – just a little bit!

Once again Don Calame has written a cracker of a book – perfect for teen boys – and further develops the characters. It was really interesting delving more into Coop’s life as he was so bold in the last book. Not only that, but his father was so well written too!

His writing style is very easy to relax into, it’s very professionally written. The language used by the kids in the book are also realistic and depict what boys are really like, very, very well!

What I really loved about Swim the Fly was the numerous times the three got into excruciatingly embarrassing situations. For me, I think there was a slight lack in them in this book, and when there were it seemed to be only Coop experiencing it. I guess it was just a bit different having it from someone else’s (particularly Coop’s) point of view. Anyway, it did not make me enjoy it less, as the style itself is just to fun to read!

I will definitely continue reading Don Calame’s work – it might not be aimed at girls but it sure is the book to perk you up and entertain you… exactly what a book is meant to do! Don Calame can easily weave humour into his stories. Humour is so difficult to get right in novels, and even harder to actually make people laugh. Kudos to you!

A hilarious novel which makes you love the time of your life when everything seems possible.

Here’s a little sample of the disgustingness (and hiiiiilariousness) that is in Beat the Band!

I shove a heaping forkful of coleslaw into my mouth. When you’re on a mission to save yourself, you’d be surprised how much raw broccoli, raw cauliflower, cold baked beans, prunes, celery, radishes and cabbagey coleslaw you can choke down.

“I’m glad I’m not going to be in that library,” Sean says, pulling the leaves off the celery for me. “Your regular H-bombs could clear a circus tent. I hate to think what kind of stench all this fuel is going to create.”

“You want me to crack you off a taster?” I say.

“Hell no!”

“Too late.” I smile, popping a cauliflower floret.

And even better, the next book in the series will be from Sean’s point of view (entitled CALL THE SHOTS)… I can’t wait!

Rating
Plot: 9/10
Not a particular plot, per se, but things keep happening that make you keep turning the page!
Writing Quality: 10/10
Definitely improved since the last book.
Originality: 9/10
Very unique.
Characters: 10/10
They continue to be very likeable and true to life!
Descriptions: 9/10
It’s not a particularly descriptive book (nothing like Twilight and Edward’s pecs kind of thing) but it is still very easy to imagine the setting, characters and such. Interwoven into the writing.

47/50 = 94% (same as last time!)

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Thank you to Templar Publishing for providing the review copy.

Check out the interview with Don Calame about Beat the Band!

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Undead by Kirsty McKay

Posted on August 28, 2011 | 3 Comments

Title: Undead
Author: Kirsty McKay
Published: 1st September 2011
Format : ARC
Pages: n/a
RRP: £6.99
Rating: 13/14+

It was just another school trip – stuck on a bus with a bunch of freaks…

When their ski-coach pulls up at a roadside cafe, everyone gets off except for newbie Bobby and class rebel Smitty.

They’re hardly the best of friends, but that all changes when through the falling snow, they see the others coming back.

Something has happened to them. Something bad. Soon only a pair of double doors stand between those on the bus and the Undead outside.

The time has come to get a life.

Undead, I am ashamed to say, was my first ever zombie book. I thought the blurb was really intriguing so I said yes to an ARC copy from the lovely Chicken House. I was initially a little bit scared, I have to admit. I knew Undead was aimed at teens but that meant it could easily have been really scary.

Thankfully, it dealt just as many comedic cards as well as thrilling, horror and a touch of L-O-V-E, loooove. Being my first “zom-com” book, I didn’t have very high expectations pertaining the plot, specifically. I’ve watched plenty zombie based television programmes and films, but to be honest I have never understood how a book could chill you to the bone. Turns out, it’s actually quite possible!

Sarcastic (and slightly facetious) Bobby, Rebel Smitty, Alice “Malice” and Smart Inept Pete are the main cast, and written so that they actually swear, have interesting but realistic personalities.

The quick pace of the novel means you delve straight into the action, meaning there is not time to stop as the zombies appear straight away!

What I loved even more about Undead was that the characters were aware of popular culture. You know in media such as books, tv and films where teenagers don’t seem to watch TV? I am happy to say that in this book the characters watch TV and have seen plenty of zombie films, much like real life! Huzzah!

All in all, Kirsty McKay has written a fabulous book, finally creating a YA novel in which the characters are relatable, average and normal. What’s even better is that the zombie aspect is well done and not in a clichéd or overdone way, either. Great plot twists and a fantastic twist (or even… cliffhanger?) at the end leaves me gagging for more.

Rating
Plot: 8/10
Fast-paced and action packed. Perfect for a genre like this!
Writing Quality: 9/10
I really loved the quality and style of Kirsty McKay.
Originality: 8/10
OK so zombies aren’t original at all but elements and the writing were definitely different and it made it very enjoyable to read.
Characters: 9/10
The characters were loveable, well developed and most of all  realistic!
Descriptions: 8/10
I really loved the descriptions of the setting, characters and the zombies!

42/50 = 84%

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Thank you so much to Chicken House for providing an ARC copy!

Undead will be published on the 1st of September (or thereabouts! :P )

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Posted in 80% - <90%, Book Review, Magic Bean Review, Rating, Reviews

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The Girl Who Leapt Through Time by Yasutaka Tsutsui

Posted on July 25, 2011 | 1 Comment

Title: The Girl who leapt through Time
Author: Yasutaka Tsutsui
Published: This edition: 9th May 2011 (UK). First published in Japan in 1967.
Format: Finished Paperback
Pages: 96
RRP: £7.99
Rating: 11/12+

One of Tsutsui’s best-known and most popular works in his native Japan, The Girl Who Leapt through Time is the story of fifteen-year-old schoolgirl Kazuko, who accidentally discovers that she can leap back and forth in time. In her quest to uncover the identity of the mysterious figure that she believes to be responsible for her paranormal abilities, she’ll constantly have to push the boundaries of space and time, and challenge the notions of dream and reality.

I was instantly drawn to this book when I was offered to review it. I am fascinated by Japanese culture, and to read a book by a Japanese author (a popular and renowned one at that) was something I had not actually done before. So, to say I was a bit disappointed is a slight understatement. I really felt that this book, if given the chance and more pages, would have been a whole lot better, because then the characters and plot could have been developed further to become a much better book.

However, that is not to say I did not enjoy it. For the most part, this book was very entertaining to read. You would not think that it was actually first published in 1967 – the ideas are very contemporary. The language seemed somewhat stilted and child-like (even though the book is branded a young adult) but I think the problem was the translation.

Kazuko is the fifteen year old protagonist, and her best friends are Kazuo and Goro, who are boys. Sometimes when I was reading it particularly fast, I would mix up the two names Kazuko and Kazuo, and ultimately confuse myself in the process! I was left a little dumbfounded at the end – it was definitely an ending which seemed rushed – and I feel, if this book was actually left to explore the regions of 200 to 300 pages, it would have been a much more enjoyable read.

When I began to read the other small story included in the book – the 61 page “The Stuff that Nightmares are made of” – I was, again, confused. But then I did realise it was a different story altogether. I felt the theme, or the moral, behind this story was a lot better. Masako is completely terrified of heights and aims to try and face that fear so she can live a normal life, whilst she also helps her little brother face his fears. Although it was a lot shorter, I think the premise behind this novella was better than The Girl who Leapt through Time.

I will definitely have to read more of Tsutsui’s books. I was definitely disappointed by The Girl who Leapt through Time, but the actual quality of writing was good – the translation did slightly ruin moments – and I think reading a book by him which is not a short story will most likely leave me wanting more.

Rating
Plot: 6/10
The only problem I had with it was the fact that the plot (and the entire book) felt rushed.
Writing Quality: 9/10
The writing quality was very good. Unfortunately, sometimes the translation left language a little stilted – leaving the book in the past at times.
Originality: 9/10
It may not be the most original thing now – but it most definitely would have been when it was first published.
Characters: 7/10
If the book was longer, and the characters were given more time to develop so I could get to know them better, the characters would probably get near full marks.
Descriptions: 8/10
There were not many descriptions but I really really loved that it was set in Japan. It was really interesting to read about life then.

39/50 = 78%

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Thank you to Alma Books for providing the review copy.

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Jenna & Jonah’s Fauxmance by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin

Posted on July 22, 2011 | Leave a comment

Title: Jenna & Jonah’s Fauxmance
Author: Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin
Published: 7th March 2011
Format: Finished Paperback
Pages: 240
RRP: £6.99
Rating: 13+

Teen TV celebrities Jenna and Jonah (real names, Charlie Tracker and Fielding Withers) make more money in a month than most people do in a lifetime. They can’t stand to be in the same room as each other, but to boost the TV ratings their agents make them a ‘real life’ couple. Then the deception is uncovered by the paparazzi, and Charlie and Fielding have to disappear to weather the media storm. It’s not until they’re far off the grid of the Hollywood circuit that they realise there’s more to each of them than shiny hair and a winning smile.

This is a classic example of the story, boy and girl hate each other, then eventually find out they are perfect for each other (but will they..?). Although, when you are reading the book, it does not seem like a cliche. It is in fact a very original and interesting book.

Jenna and Jonah, also known as Charlie and Fielding, are the starlets of the Disney-esque type TV programme, Jenna and Jonah’s How to be a Rock Star. In the show they are in an “on and off” relationship, in ‘reality’ they are a loved-up couple. That is, to everyone but Jenna, Jonah and their protege. Really, Jenna and Jonah despise each other. For most of the book their witty and quick dialogue is really fun to read – they also have comebacks and insults to throw at each other – and that is one of the strong points of the book.

I really enjoyed reading about Jenna and Jonah’s lives. It was really fascinating to read about what might happen with teen stars behind the scenes, and it really has made me think more about how genuine these couples actually are in real life.

Jenna and Jonah as characters were developed so they were not perfect. I think if they were perfect it would either be beautifully ironic/tongue in cheek or just plain annoying. However, the characters were imperfect. How so? Jenna/Charlie acted like a diva behind the scenes of the show but only because she was so insecure about herself. She felt acting was the only thing ‘interesting’ about her. Fielding feels like he is stuck in a shell – his mum picked out the name Fielding when he was a tween and he is sick of being that person.

Overall, I really loved the characters and their development. I think both writers had a really good writing quality and it was definitely enjoyable to read. Although, I was a little disappointed with the ending. I think, rather than introducing a slightly different plot angle, they could have continued with Jenna and Jonah struggling to live normally as stars once the rumour got out. Nevertheless, my enjoyment was not effected too much!

Rating
Plot: 7/10
The plot took a strange U-turn, but the beginning and middle were really fantastic.
Writing Quality: 9/10
Both Franklin and Halpin had great quality of writing.
Originality: 9/10
This was definitely original – I really want to read more books like this!
Characters: 9/10
The characters were loveable (eventually) and had a lot of depth.
Descriptions: 8/10
Another one of the strong points of the book – essential for my own enjoyment of a book :)

42/50 = 84%

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Thank you to Bloomsbury for providing the review copy.

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