Seventeen-year-old Kiera has top grades, a great boyfriend – and Slay, a massively popular online game that she coded herself. While her friends and family know all about the grades, as well as her boyfriend and their plan to go to college together, no one in her real life knows about the game. She has an in-game friend who helps her to manage and develop the game-play, but she hides her online identity from everyone else in her life.
And there’s a twist. Slay is a role-playing duelling game with an extensive virtual world, designed to be a celebration of Black culture. Kiera’s own experiences of racial abuse and systemic racism in other online environments inspired her to create a safe space for Black gamers. Entry is by invitation, intended only for Black players around the world – and Slay has half a million of them.
When a young player is murdered for his in-game currency, everything Kiera has built begins to fall apart. There are threats of lawsuits against Slay, and when the story hits the news, Kiera finds herself accused of racism for excluding non-Black players from her game. The more Slay is in the headlines, the more certain she is that she must hide her involvement from everyone she knows.
I loved this book. I loved the joyous celebration of Black culture, in everything from the duelling cards to the players’ costumes and the virtual environment Kiera built. I loved the central characters, and their contrasting views on how to be Black and proud in the USA today. And I loved Kiera – her intelligence, her friendships, and her commitment to the game that brought so many people together. I followed her through the highs and lows of the story, feeling her heartbreak at the attacks on her creation, and punching the air with her victories. The in-game duelling scenes were exciting, and the descriptions of the players and the settings were wonderful. As the threats closed in, I couldn’t put the book down – and I couldn’t guess what would happen next.
I’m giving a very well-deserved five stars for this exciting and inspiring YA novel. Highly recommended!
Have you read Slay? What did you think of the story? And what about Kiera – were you on her side? Click through to the full blog to access the comments section, and share your thoughts! No spoilers, though – you can post those on GoodReads!
Title: King of Scars Author: Leigh Bardugo Edition:Paperback Rating:4/5
More Grishaverse! More Nikolai! More Zoya! More Nina!
I was so excited to read another Grishaverse novel that I accidentally picked this one up before the sequel is available in paperback, and now I’m counting the days until its publication. The story picks up pace as the book progresses, and the ending brings everything together to set up the second book. I can’t believe I have to wait so long to continue the story!
Nikolai Lantsov, King of Ravka, has a secret. Before the dramatic events at the end of the Shadow and Bone trilogy, Nikolai was cursed – and the curse is growing stronger. As the General of Ravka’s Grisha army, it is up to Zoya Nazyalenski to ensure the king’s safety, and the safety of everyone around him. As Zoya’s task becomes more and more difficult, she and Nikolai agree to search for a cure, however dangerous it might prove to be.
Zoya’s challenge could not have come at a more inconvenient time. There are rumours of planned invasions from Fjerda in the north, and Shu Han to the south, and Nikolai is in need of supporters to strengthen Ravka’s political and military position. A politically significant marriage offers the perfect solution, and arrangements are underway for a grand party where the King will be able to meet the eligible daughters of his potential allies. His absence would be a disaster, but so would any failure to conceal the curse. Zoya must put her own feelings for Nikolai aside as they travel in secret to discover the truth about an ancient ritual that might hold the key to his fate.
Meanwhile Nina is working undercover in Fjerda, smuggling persecuted Grisha to safety in Ravka. As a powerful Grisha herself, Nina must avoid detection and capture while seeking out and rescuing as many Fjerdan witches as she can. When she convinces her team to visit a town where the river is rumoured to be poisoned, and girls have begun to disappear, she finds more persecuted people, and nightmares she wasn’t expecting.
King of Scars is the setup for whatever will happen in the second book. The narrative jumps between three plotlines – Zoya and Nikolai, the Ravkan court, and Nina’s mission – building each to a climax and a cliffhanger ending, ready for Rule of Wolves to complete the story and tie up the loose ends. It’s not a satisfying story in itself, but as half of a Grishaverse duology it is gripping and exciting with unpredictable plot twists and plenty of peril for the characters.
Nikolai is probably my favourite Grishaverse character, and even subdued by the curse and the mounting threats to Ravka, his personality shines through. He is always quick with a witty remark and positive even in the face of a dangerous curse, while remaining aware of the reality of his position. He understands his place in the world, and the necessity for sacrifice as well as charm and charisma. I adored him in the Shadow and Bone trilogy, and King of Scars adds depth to his already wonderful portrayal. (Yes, he’s my Book Boyfriend. Definitely not sorry.)
Zoya has grown and evolved since her adventures in the earlier trilogy, and she makes a highly competent General. Her friendship with Nikolai makes the dangerous parts of the story hard to read, as it is evident to the reader how much she is suffering in her quest to protect the King, even if no-one else can see it.
Nina is still a wonderful character, only just coming to terms with her unique powers, and determined to protect as many Grisha as she can from experiencing her persecution it the hands of the Fjerdan government. While her story does not connect with Nikolai or the Ravkan court in this book, the ending places her in a very interesting position for the start of Rule of Wolves.
I cannot wait for publication day!
Have you read King of Scars? What did you think of the story? Did this return to the Grishaverse live up to your expectations? Click through to the full blog to access the comments section, and share your thoughts! No spoilers, though – you can post those on GoodReads!
Title: The Forevers Author: Chris Whitaker Edition:Audiobook Rating:3/5
This is a UK-set high school novel with a difference – the world is probably ending, and the characters are living their lives against the clock. It’s a powerful idea, following a group of teenagers as they navigate an uncertain future in a world that is slowly falling apart.
The asteroid has been headed to earth for ten years, and so far every attempt to divert it has failed. The final mission might succeed, and life might go on – but what if it doesn’t? Will the teenagers of West have the chance to live before the end?
Mae, a girl with a reputation as a troublemaker, searches for the truth about her friend’s death. Did Abi Manton kill herself, or did someone in town have a motive for murder? As normal life begins to unravel, Mae uncovers her classmates’ secrets, finding friends, allies and enemies in unexpected places.
With this setup, readers might expect a complete collapse of law and order, or a sense of apocalyptic panic, but that’s not story the author sets out to tell. As the end of the world approaches, the characters definitely become more brave and less law-abiding, but they still go to work and school, practice for concerts and make plans for the final school dance. This could have been a book about what people do when their actions don’t have consequences, but if the final mission succeeds they will all still have to get up in the morning and navigate the rest of their lives. The threat of success is a clever twist, adding balance to the story and allowing normal life to continue as the clock counts down.
I didn’t get on with the book at first. The author introduces a large cast of characters, and jumps straight into their relationships, rumours, crushes, and cliques. To begin with I had trouble remembering who was who, who was rumoured to be sleeping with whom, and who liked or hated the protagonist. While Mae’s sister and her best friend are well drawn and rounded, the other characters were harder to tell apart, and I found myself struggling to care about their stories.
The plot develops slowly, with fragments of evidence about Abi’s life and death surfacing among all the other secrets and lies. Every character is hiding something, and it feels as if Mae is constantly sidetracked by the scandals she uncovers in her classmates’ lives. There is an answer, and all the pieces fall into place in the end, but not before we’ve heard about every other scandal in town.
Mae is an interesting protagonist. She doesn’t think twice about breaking and entering, particularly in the expensive part of town. She has no problem stealing from the rich kids to support her younger sister and the grandmother who is struggling to look after them, and she’s always top of the suspect list if anything happens at school. She’s learned not to care what other people think of her, and her only soft spot is for her sister. As the book progresses, she finds herself caring about the people around her. As she finds out more about their lives, she begins to understand that life isn’t plain sailing for anyone – even the families in the biggest houses in West.
The asteroid that might tear the world apart ends up bringing the teenagers of West closer together. If you’re looking for a slow-burn murder mystery with a large cast of friends and enemies, or a high-school gossip story with a twist, this is the book for you.
Have you read The Forevers? What did you think of the story? Would you be a Forever in the same circumstances? Click through to the full blog to access the comments section, and share your thoughts! No spoilers, though – you can post those on GoodReads!
We reviewed 32 YA books on the Taller Books blog in 2021! Here’s the roundup – click through to read the full reviews, and use the comments to tell us about your favourite reads from last year.
When The World Was Ours – Liz Kessler 3/5 Inspired by a true story, When the World Was Ours follows three friends from Vienna through the Second World War. Full review.
Shadow and Bone – Leigh Bardugo 4/5 Shadow and Bone is the first of Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels, and having read Six ofCrows and Crooked Kingdom in 2020, I was eager to go back and see how the story began. Full review.
Siege and Storm – Leigh Bardugo 4/5 The second book in the Shadow and Bone series is full of action, adventure, politics, and magic. Full review.
Ruin and Rising – Leigh Bardugo 4/5 The third book in the Shadow and Bone trilogy, and an edge-of-your-seat dramatic ending for the series. Full review.
Fangirl – Rainbow Rowell 4/5 Fangirl surprised me with its addictive fan fiction, realistic relationships, and focus on mental health. Bravo, Rainbow Rowell! Full review.
Tales From The Hinterland – Melissa Albert 4/5 The book of dark, twisty new fairytales collected by Althea Proserpine in The Hazel Wood. In this not-quite-sequel to The Hazel Wood and The Night Country, we meet the stories on their home territory for the first time. Full review.
The White Darkness – Geraldine McCaughrean 5/5 A wonderful, magical story told by a down-to-earth narrator with a useful secret … Full review.
A Vow So Bold And Deadly – Brigid Kemmerer 4/5 The final book in the Cursebreakers series. I liked the first book, I loved the second book. Did the third measure up? Full review.
The Cost Of Knowing – Brittney Morris 3/5 An original take on brotherhood, Black Lives Matter, black history and heritage, and the cost of surviving traumatic experiences. Full review.
A Snowfall of Silver – Laura Wood 5/5 The gorgeous sequel to A Sky Painted Gold – I loved every word. Full review.
I Know When You’re Going To Die – Michael J Bowler 4/5 A gripping YA thriller from Wishing Shelf Award finalist Michael J Bowler. What would you do if you could see when your best friend will die? Full review.
Concrete Rose – Angie Thomas 4/5 The stereotype-busting prequel to The Hate U Give brings an engaging glimpse into the backstory of one of my favourite characters. Full review.
Vulture (Isles of Storm and Sorrow #3) – Bex Hogan 4/5 The breathtaking finale of the Isles of Storm and Sorrow series – prepare for an intense and heartbreaking read … Full review.
How the King of Elfhame Came to Hate Stories – Holly Black and Rovina Cai 4/5 A gorgeous book of stories in the Folk of the Air series, beautifully illustrated by Rovina Cai. There’s something magical about an illustrated book, and this one casts an intriguing spell. Full review.
An Abundance of Katherines – John Green 5/5 I love John Green’s writing, and An Abundance of Katherines has everything – a geeky narrator, an engaging cast, and a quirky plot. Oh – and mathematical models, equations and graphs! Full review.
Eve Of Man – Giovanna and Tom Fletcher 3/5 A YA dystopia with an interesting premise – what if you were the last girl on Earth? Full review.
Wonderland – Juno Dawson 4/5 A missing friend, a mysterious invitation – what happens when Alice finds herself at London’s most exclusive party? Full review.
Good Girl, Bad Blood – Holly Jackson 4/5 Schoolgirl detective Pip Fitz-Amobi is back, with new podcast episodes and a new investigation. Full review.
Loki: Where Mischief Lies – Mackenzi Lee 4/5 Who was Loki before he became the character we know (and love!) from the Marvel Avengers films? What were his formative experiences? Mackenzi Lee gets to play with the family dynamics of a younger Loki, Thor, Frigga, and Odin in Where Mischief Lies, and it is evident that she is having a lot of fun in the process! Full review.
Seafire – Natalie C Parker 5/5 How has it taken me so long to find this book? Pirates, rebels, sea battles and survival with an awesome all-female crew – I absolutely loved it. And just look at that gorgeous cover! Full review.
Steel Tide – Natalie C Parker 5/5 Book Two of the Seafire trilogy: more pirates, more sea battles, and even higher stakes for the awesome all-female crew! Full review.
Burn – Patrick Ness 5/5 Burn brings together dragons, prophecies, and assassins in 1950s America, and I loved it! Full review.
The Upper World – Femi Fadugba 3/5 Time travel, maths, physics, football, and trying not to be expelled from school … Full review.
Bearmouth – Liz Hyder 4/5 Identity, friendship, danger and rebellion in the dark. Full review.
As Good As Dead – Holly Jackson 5/5 The final book in Holly Jackson’s Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy is definitely the best. Stalkers, serial killers, local suspects – and the brilliant Pip Fitz-Amobi investigating one final case before she heads to university. I couldn’t put it down! Full review.
Dumplin’ – Julie Murphy 5/5 The story of plus-sized Willowdean, her former beauty-queen mother, and the Miss Teen Blue Bonnet beauty pageant. There’s friendship, romance, body positivity, doubt, failure, triumph, adventures in high heels, and a whole lot of feel-good Dolly Parton! Full review.
Jade Fire Gold – June C. L. Tan 4/5 An exciting adventure story set in a fantasy world inspired by Chinese history, myths, and legends. Full review.
Uglies – Scott Westerfield 4/5 An engaging YA dystopian adventure that takes a sideways look at what it means to grow up. Full review.
Pretties – Scott Westerfield 4/5 The second book in Scott Westerfield’s Uglies series continues the YA dystopian adventure that takes a sideways look at what it means to grow up. Full review.
Archivist Wasp – Nicole Kornher-Stace 5/5 A gripping friendship-based adventure story – I loved every page. Full review.
Believe Me – Tahereh Mafi 4/5 The final book in Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me series is sexy, romantic, dystopian, and utterly addictive – and just look at that cover! Full review.
The Supreme Lie – Geraldine McCaughrean 5/5 A serious, quirky, what-would-you-do story about a girl, an impossible situation, and a catastrophic flood. Unique, gripping, wonderful. Full review.
What did you read last year? What would you recommend to other readers of YA? Use the comments to tell us about your five-star 2021 books!
Title: One Of Us Is Lying Author: Karen M McManus Edition:Kindle Rating:4/5
A high-school locked-room murder mystery, narrated by the students suspected of the crime. One Of Us Is Lying is a cleverly constructed story that kept me guessing as the suspects slowly revealed their secrets and pieced together the evidence against them.
Five students find themselves in detention together – the athlete, the prom-queen wannabe, the gossip king, the high-achiever, and the drug dealer on probation – but only four will leave the room alive. The survivors find themselves questioning what happened during detention, and working together to understand what the murder means for each of them. All of them have something to hide – but which of them has a motive for murder?
The story unfolds gradually, with each survivor narrating their own chapters as the evidence builds. I was completely hooked, turning the pages to find the next twist and the next motive, and developing theories as each character confessed more about their lives.
Keeping secrets from the reader when the book is written in alternating first-person chapters is difficult, but the author manages to reveal her surprises and plot twists gradually, without making readers feel cheated or misled. We feel as if we’re getting to know the characters as they get to know each other, and this ensures that the first-person revelations feel entirely natural as the story unfolds.
The four suspects feel very different, with different concerns, ambitions, and family backgrounds. With each new twist, another character comes under suspicion, and the reader is constantly guessing who has a secret worth killing for. The supporting cast adds depth to the story, with friends, sisters, parents, teachers, and boyfriends and girlfriends adding to the tangled web of grudges, motives, and opportunities.
It’s a clever premise and a gripping story with a satisfying ending – and a sequel, which is definitely on my wish list.
Have you read One Of Us Is Lying? What did you think of the story? Will you be reading the sequel? Click through to the full blog to access the comments section, and share your thoughts! No spoilers, though – you can post those on GoodReads!
Title: The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks Author: Mackenzi Lee Edition:Hardback Rating:4/5
I loved the other books in Mackenzi Lee’s Stonewall-Honor-winning historical adventure series, and I’ve been waiting for the final novel for far too long!
Adrian is the youngest of the three Montague siblings – so much younger that he doesn’t remember his brother or his sister. Both left home to pursue unconventional careers and lifestyles (Henry/Monty to live with his partner Percy, and Felicity to become a doctor in spite of her gender), and their parents have hidden their existence from Adrian for nineteen years.
On the cusp of adulthood, Adrian is living in London. He’s engaged to a political activist (the wonderful Louisa), and is expected to take his father’s seat in the House of Lords. But his politics are directly opposed to his father’s Conservatism, and he’s never felt able to confess this. When a package of belongings throws doubt on the official report’s of his mother’s recent death, Adrian finds himself on an unforgettable journey in search of the truth.
Mackenzi Lee once again throws her protagonist into a grand adventure – by sea to exotic destinations, helped (and hindered) by the friends and enemies his older siblings have made in their travels. It is wonderful to meet Monty and Felicity again – older, wiser, competent (Felicity) and disaster-prone (Monty), and to see them for the first time through their younger brother’s eyes. The story is exciting and gripping, with just a touch of magic alongside the historical facts.
The most remarkable aspect of the book is the focus on Adrian’s anxiety and mental health. He experiences intrusive thoughts, spiralling emotions, and debilitating panic, all of which are described with absolute sympathy and understanding. His symptoms are based on the author’s own anxiety, and throughout the book the other characters treat Adrian with love, and with validation and positive messaging. As the story progresses, he becomes more at home in his own skin, and less ashamed of his natural reactions. It’s a brilliantly positive message, and an absolutely organic part of his adventure.
A wonderful conclusion to the trilogy, and definitely worth the wait!
Have you read The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks? What did you think of Adrian’s adventure? And what about meeting Monty, Percy, and Felicity again? Click through to the full blog to access the comments section, and share your thoughts! No spoilers, though – you can post those on GoodReads!
The Taller Books blog now features an index of all our YA Reviews! You’ll find detailed reviews of more than 100 YA novels, short stories, and non-fiction books, trad and indie published, in a range of genres. Perfect if you have a Christmas book token to spend.
Title: The Supreme Lie Author: Geraldine McCaughrean Edition:Audiobook Rating:5/5
What can I say about this book? The second book by Geraldine McCaughrean I have read proved to be every bit as quirky, wonderful, and unpredictable as the first (The White Darkness), and I was completely hooked.
Fifteen-year-old Gloria is a maid to the absolute ruler of Afalia, Madame Suprema. She is used to keeping her head down, serving meals with minimum fuss, and trying to stay invisible. When catastrophic floods devastate the country, Madame Suprema realises that she will be held responsible, and flees her home to avoid the consequences. Rather than allow the government to fall at such a critical moment, Gloria is chosen to impersonate the Suprema and bring the people of Afalia through the disaster.
Initially, Gloria is expected to follow a script and deceive the government and the people into believing the Suprema is still in control. As she finds herself drawn into the political turmoil and begins to witness the effects of the flooding, Gloria can’t help getting involved. While the Suprema’s husband is desperate to convince his young maid to stick to the script, Gloria’s interventions begin to draw attention from senators, factory owners, and the people she hopes to protect. Small decisions turn out to have catastrophic consequences, and Gloria finds herself risking the lives of her people as she desperately tries to do the right thing.
This is an absolutely gripping story with characters who grow more engaging as the complexities of the plot reveal themselves. There are no predictable moments, and no predictable outcomes as each decision brings further problems and complications. Gloria is a wonderful character, driven by compassion for the people and a conviction that she must use her new position to dispense help and justice instead of continuing the despotic self-serving actions of the real Suprema. The supporting cast includes the downtrodden husband of the Suprema, various devious politicians, Gloria’s childhood friend, and three dogs – two of whom expand the story in their own point-of-view chapters. Did I mention it was quirky?
The author uses humour and the absurdity of the situation to sneak some horrific events under the reader’s radar. Much of the narration feels lighthearted, while dealing with life-and-death decisions and disasters, and this technique allows the author to tell a sometimes harrowing story without plunging the reader into despair. Gloria’s optimism and determination to save people keeps the narrative feeling upbeat, and even when the reader can see danger in her actions, the maid-turned-Suprema keeps pushing for a positive outcome. The contrast between Gloria’s good intentions and the devious self-serving actions of the politicians adds menace to an already precarious setup, and the Suprema’s husband finds himself treading a careful line between the maid’s ambitions and the credibility of the lie.
The audiobook, read by Ailsa Joy, brings a perky 1920s newsreel atmosphere to the narration. It’s perfect for a quirky story that touches on so many serious issues, and I very much enjoyed listening.
Have you read The Supreme Lie? What did you think of Gloria’s story? What would you do in her place? Click through to the full blog to access the comments section, and share your thoughts! No spoilers, though – you can post those on GoodReads!
Title: Believe Me Author: Tahereh Mafi Edition:Paperback Rating:4/5
When I finished Imagine Me, I predicted that Tahereh Mafi would write another novella to tie up the loose ends that explode in the final chapter, and happily I was right. I also predicted that it would be narrated by Kenji, best friend to the series protagonist Juliette – but on this prediction I was wrong.
Deliciously, the entire novella is narrated by Warner, offering the reader a vivid insight into his relationship with Juliette. It also highlights his resistance to building friendships with the people they worked with to survive the rest of the series, and his own dark assessment of his value to the other characters.
Believe Me has everything we need to feel a sense of closure for the Shatter Me series. Warner’s devotion to Juliette, and his ambivalence to everyone else in their compound. The struggle to bring about a sense of normality in a dramatically changing world. Juliette’s ability to bring people together, and the support she inspires in the people around her. And of course the romantic and very sexy scenes we have come to expect from this series.
It might be a short book, but it is full of big feelings – disappointment, jealousy, surprise and devotion. Warner’s journey is tough, but the author teases us with the possibility that his infuriating inability to connect with the people around him could be redeemed by his adoration for Juliette. The Bad Boy of the series tells us that he would do anything to make sure Juliette is safe and happy, and as he frequently wobbled in his resolve, I found myself willing him to demonstrate that she was genuinely the centre of his world. Warner and Juliette’s relationship might not be a healthy romance, but it is absolutely a convincing one. This is a frustrating, rewarding, emotional, and fitting end to the series.
Have you read Believe Me? What did you think of Warner’s narration? What about the ending? Click through to the full blog to access the comments section, and share your thoughts! No spoilers, though – you can post those on GoodReads!
Title: Pretties Author: Scott Westerfeld Edition:Kindle Rating:4/5
Tally and Shay are living in New Pretty Town, but when a friend from their past arrives with surprising news, Tally is once again forced to decide how – and where – she wants to build a life, and where her loyalties lie.
Pretties is a great follow-up to Uglies, showing the reader life in New Pretty Town from the inside, and giving us an understanding of the characters’ choices – who chooses to become Pretty, who chooses to stay, and what might persuade them to leave. Once again, Tally provides a relatable point of view for the reader. We understand her motivations as we follow her life as a Pretty, and her surprise when she is offered an alternative to the easy, luxurious lifestyle of New Pretty Town.
The alternative proves to be more complicated than Tally expected, and as she discovers more about the world beyond New Pretty Town she begins to understand her place in the rigid structure of her society. Where the first book introduced Tally and her friends to the idea of living outside the society they grew up in, Pretties brings another dimension to the ‘in’ and ‘out’ groups, and what might make people reject the expected progression from Ugly to Pretty, and on to employment, family, and children.
There’s plenty of adventure and danger, and the ever-present threat of the Specials keeps Tally from fully enjoying her life, even in New Pretty Town. The bad guys are still scary and believable, and we learn more about their motivations as Tally uncovers the complexities of the wider world. Old friends return, and old grudges shape new relationships as the worlds of the Pretties and those who escaped collide.
Pretties is a fast-paced, gripping read with a breathtaking cliffhanger ending. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Have you read Pretties? What did you think of Tally’s choices in the second book? Would you have done the same? Click through to the full blog to access the comments section, and share your thoughts! No spoilers, though – you can post those on GoodReads!
