Review: Entangled by Cat Clarke

Title: Entangled

Author: Cat Clarke

Series: n/a

Publication Date: 6th January 2011

My Synopsis:

17 year old Grace wakes up in a write room with only pens and paper to keep her entertained. She realises she has been kidnapped, but the last thing she remembers is meeting a stranger named Ethan just before she planned to kill herself. She decides to write about what is happening and what has happened in the past that made her want to commit suicide.

Why I picked this book up:

The premise sounded really interesting and it was recommended to me by Librarything.

Did it live up to my expectations?

Yes.

What I thought:

The book had me hooked straight away. It reads a bit like a diary with Grace writing what is happening and what has happened in the past, so you are learning of it as she is remembering/writing it. Because of this you only see her side of the story. The book was a little confusing, especially the end, but I think this added to the book for me, I like a book that makes me think and lets me come to my own conclusions (it does give some kind of ending, it’s up to you how you interpret it.) This book does deal with a lot of issues, but they are not in an your face/after school special kind of way, they add to the story rather than being what the story is about.

I really enjoyed this book and will definitely more by this author.

My favourite quote/s from the book:

“For a brief moment of madness yesterday (after an entirely sleepless night), I did entertain the thought that maybe he is a vampire. Until I remembered that my life isn’t actually Twilight.”

If this book were a song it would be “Many of Horror” by Biffy Clyro, sad, good and slightly confusing, many people will interpret it in different ways.

If this book were a food it would be marmite, you either love it or hate it, but never can figure out quite what is in it. There are also many things like it, but nothing quite like it if you know what I mean.

Read if:

You liked “Scars” by Cheryl Rainfield; both books are about cutting as a way of release.

You liked “Ultraviolet” by R. J. Anderson, both books having you guessing if they are paranormal or realistic YA.

Up next for review:

The Eyes of Kid Midas by Neal Shusterman

Review: Scars by Cheryl Rainfield

Title: Scars

Author: Cheryl Rainfield

Series: n/a

Publication Date: 31st May 2011






My Synopsis 

Kendra has recently started having memories of being abused; the memories don’t allow her to see the abuser’s face though. To enable to cope with memories she starts cutting, this, her art and her therapist are the only things keeping her sane.

Why I picked this book up:

I haven’t read any books about cutting, and although I have never actually gone that far I can understand the attraction in it.

Did it live up to my expectations?

Yes.

What I thought:

The book opens with Kendra telling her therapist that someone is following her. She is already unsure if she is being paranoid or if “he” really is after her again. This was enough to pull me in straight away. The emotions in this book are so real and raw that you really feel you know what Kendra is going through. She other issues aside from the abuse, so it interesting to read about those too. I was a bit confused at first as I wasn’t sure if Kendra was a lesbian or not, and when I was sure she was, I wasn’t sure if her parents knew or anyone else for that matter. This is quite glossed over in the book, she admits her mum is homophobic and her parents do mention her being gay, but you are still unsure how many other people know. I also wasn’t as keen on the ending as the rest of the story, throughout the story we are focused on her feelings, but at the end it seemed a lot more action focused and would have liked to know more about how she was feeling then.

Overall a really good book and definitely worth the read. I loved this book.

Read if:

You liked “One Moment” by Kristina McBride; both books are full of raw emotions and about young girls struggling to remember horrific events.

You enjoy realistic YA fiction.

You need a good cry.

Up next for review:

Entangled by Cat Clarke

What I Didn’t Say by Keary Taylor

Title: What I Didn't Say
Author: Keary Taylor
Series: N/A
Publication Date: 11th May 2012

My Synopsis:

Jake Hayes is a normal 17 year old boy, until a terrible drink driving accident causes him to lose his voice box. He has been in love with Samantha Shay for years, but never got up the guts to tell her. Now he will never be able to say it. Can he find another way to tell her, and how will he cope without being able to talk again.

Why I picked this book up:

I love a bit of YA romance, and seeing how people cope with hardship and tradegy, this book had both so perfect for me. I love a good book where I can really get inside the characters and see what it would feel like to be so different.

Did it live up to my expectations:

To be honest I’m not really sure, the story had me gripped, but mostly for the romance, and for Samantha’s story rather than Jake’s. I didn’t feel as though I really connected with him and understood how he felt.

What I thought:

I loved the way the chapters were headed with references to time, usually a countdown to something, or past something. It gave the book a more personal feel and helped you always know exactly where you were as there were a few flashbacks.

The first half of the story was good, we got to see how Jake started to learn to cope with his disability, and see something starting between him and Sam.

In the second half the story changed from Jake’s story to Sam’s, it was still a good story and still had me gripped, but wasn’t what I picked the book up for, I still wanted to hear about how Jake was coping, but suddenly it seemed as though he was okay with everything that happened to him and coped fine by writing notes all the time? Maybe Sam’s story should have been a separate book.

A few things annoyed me throughout too, firstly all 6 of Jake’s siblings and himself had a name beginning with J, this just made it harder to remember which one as which especially as we don’t see very much of them except Jordan. Also Rain had a twin sister called River, seemed abit too much. We also have a few characters that don’t really seem to go anywhere or have any reason to be in the story, firstly, River, we find she is gay, and getting so much information makes t seem as though we will hear more of her, but she only makes a few appearances. The other character is Kali, he is bought in to help teach Jake sign language, and later moves into the loft space, but nothing else ever comes of him, the story would’ve fine without him.

Overall it is fine as a romance, but not so good in learning how people cope with a life changing disability.

Read if:

You like a sweet YA romance

 Up next to be reviewed: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle