This novel is a rather light approach to a gritty subject. The reason I use the term ‘light’ is that it tells a realistic story of a horrible situation but never goes into the grimy details. The details of the offences are balanced by the interactions of the members of the police squad, and again, […]
“Voodoo Academy” by Theophilus Monroe
If space and horses get their own operatic genre, then surely the occult should have one of its own, and “Voodoo Academy” would be a perfect example. Let’s call it “Phantom Opera.” Lightweight in style but with a good blend of humour and serious conflict, and nothing too philosophical. Slightly stereotyped characters. Although, to be […]
“Lost Helix” by Scott Coon
This novel is pretty much a model of what YA Space Opera should be: a bit melodramatic, a bit realistic, a bit magical, and very escapist. It has a nicely complex conflict, with DJ and Paul trying to escape the repressive, corporate-focused mining colony that restricts their lives and at the same time find DJ’s […]
“Wrong Side of the Rift” a Grape Merryweather Novel by Libby Heily
Why is a good book so good? “The Wrong Side of the Rift” seems to be a standard Young Adult Paranormal novel. Magic in an otherwise normal present-day setting. Intertwining conflicts with magical beings and teenage bullies. A quest to solve an unsolvable problem. But normal as this book sounds, I found myself reading longer […]