Review: The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta

Thomas Mackee wants oblivion. Wants to forget parents who leave and friends he used to care about and a string of one-night stands, and favourite uncles being blown to smithereens on their way to work on the other side of the world. But when his flatmates turn him out of the house, Tom moves in with his single, pregnant aunt, Georgie. And starts working at the Union pub with his former friends. And winds up living with his grieving father again. And remembers how he abandoned Tara Finke two years ago, after his uncle's death. And in a year when everything's broken, Tom realises that his family and friends need him to help put the pieces back together as much as he needs them.

As a general rule, I'm not the biggest fan of most contemporary novels. I think it's that its a lot harder for a contemporary writer to engage a reader because usually there isn't much action going on, so they really have to work hard at keeping us hooked with something else. With say, paranormal or dystopian, there's generally some big adventure and a bad guy and a happily ever after ending where the said bad guy is defeated. It's edge of your seat action that can keep us reading even if the characterisation and writing are somewhat flawed. With contemporary it's easier to fall short because let's face it, it's easier to write a big action scene than well rounded characters and the like.

Melina Marchetta however is one of the contemporary authors who really does contemporary well. I adore, adore all her books and come out of all of them feeling a wreck of emotions. I don't know any other author who can make me feel more despair or heart ache or joy as I read their books. And Marchetta's latest novel is no different.

The Piper's Son is perhaps less YA than the rest of Marchetta's novels, but it's just as brilliant nonetheless. The characters are older and it's a darker novel in general, in both the mindset of the characters and the issues they face. Thomas Mackee is not the most likeable character to begin with, but Marchetta's writing keeps us caring until we get to know him better and we start caring about him and his family because of who they are as well. It's a roller coaster of emotions that you ride with them and Marchetta's way of making us truly feel for her characters is amazing. And the ending is one that leaves you with a smile on your face and a happy, satisfied feeling all round.

Melina Marchetta has written a marvellously deep and engaging novel with The Piper's Son and I can't wait to read what she comes up with next!

Overall:  ♥♥♥♥♥

Published: March 1st 2010 by Penguin Australia // 9 March 2010 by Candlewick Press (in the US)

Review: Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison

THE TRANSFORMATION Beth has always been “The Beast”—that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist, and receives the makeover that will change her life forever.
 THE LOVE AFFAIR When Beth’s choir travels to Switzerland, she meets Derek: pale, brooding, totally dreamy. Derek’s untethered passion—for music, and for Beth—leaves her breathless. Because in Derek’s eyes? She’s not The Beast, she’s The Beauty.
 THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE When Beth comes home, Scott, her best friend in the world, makes a confession that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, intense new feelings she has for Derek?
 THE HEARTBREAK The closer Beth gets to Derek, the further away he seems. Then Beth discovers that Derek’s been hiding a dark secret from her …one that could shatter everything.

Heartbreaking, haunting and sweet, Sing Me to Sleep is a book that will linger in your thoughts long after you've turned the last page. The blurb of this book gives nothing away and while it's a little slow to get going, once you've met Derek it soon becomes pretty obvious what's going on, and what's going to inevitably happen. The story also starts speeding at an incredible pace from there and I wasn't able to put it down!

There's definitely a lot of sweet, romantic scenes throughout this novel and I think Morrison has done a wonderful job making them both realistic and sigh-worthy at the same time. However, even though Derek's erratic possessive and controlling behaviour is explained in the end of the book, I still felt rather put off by it. Also, the whole part of the book about how Beth was a "beast" also felt rather unnecessary for me, although I do understand why it is there.

Overall, I really did enjoy reading this book. In fact Sing Me To Sleep is one of my favourite contemporary books I've read so far this year!

Overall:  ♥♥♥♥

Published: March 4th 2010 by Razorbill

Review: Perchance To Dream by Lisa Mantchev

When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre’s caravan, using Bertie’s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie’s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie’s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it’s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess’s lair?

Perchance to Dream is just one of those novels you know you will to love by just looking at it. The stunning cover and the beautiful title just scream that it's filled with magic, love and adventure, spun together in dreamy, whimsical prose. And no, it did not disappoint.

If you're planning on reading this in short snatches of time caught between the bustle of our busy lives- don't. The amazing imagination that flows through this book is wasted if you don't let yourself go completely in it. I discovered my mistake as I tried to read late into the night after a long day (and caught in the stress of end of semester exams)- my mind just couldn't grasp all the fantastical details and I was left more confused than dazzled as I should have been. When I allowed myself a day to just immense myself into reading it (to the detriment of my study I might add), I realized what I was missing.  Trust me, this is truly a book to be savored.

Bertie is still as strong willed and lovely as ever. There are times were I admit I wish she would just back down (and be nicer to Ariel!), but then I realized that Bertie is a lot stronger in her sense of self than I am and would never let love get in the way of what she wants and needs to do. That quality is so rare in girls of young adult fiction, and it only adds to the originality and spark of this novel . And oh the love triangle! I am definitely an Ariel girl (dark and brooding always seems to get to me), but there's something to love about both him and Nate, and that makes Bertie's dilemma between the two so believable.

If you haven't read this book yet (or its predecessor Eyes Like Stars), don't delay! It is a beautiful, crazily imaginative story that will have you absolutely hooked. Or heck if that doesn't appeal to you, just get it so it can look pretty on your bookshelf (honestly that cover is the best I've ever seen!)

Overall:  ♥♥♥♥♥

Published: May 25th, 2010 from Feiwel and Friends

Source: Bought