Chloe Seager has absolutely done it again. I loved her debut Editing Emma last year. Emma is such a fresh, honest and real voice in YA and I just loved reading about her hilarious escapades. As soon as I realised there was a sequel I knew I had to get my hands on it and was lucky enough to pick up an early copy when Chloe came to an event in the city where I live.

Friendship Fails of Emma Nash is just as outrageously funny as the first book, maybe even more so. I love Emma’s personality and the fact that everything that happens to her is absolutely those things we all imagine only happen to us. Emma runs into embarrassing moment after embarrassing moment and I was cringing so hard for her at points but also desperately laughing my head off. She is such a relatable character to young girls and women and also makes it feel okay not to be perfect.

This second books sees Emma leave behind romance and embark on a journey to find new friends when she realises that with her best friends off with partners, she doesn’t actually have many people to hang around with. There begins Emma’s usual internet stalking (with some hilarious outcomes – we’ve all accidentally liked someone’s post/tweet from months ago whilst stalking online, right??) in her endeavour to make new friends. Little does she realise that the friends she will make will come from the unlikeliest of places.

Emma’s voice is still one that I find to be completely unique in YA. She is painstakingly honest about everything from periods and female masturbation (oh, those taboo topics in YA!) all the way up to friendships and relationships. I love that the books are told through the medium of blog posts because they allow for such a personal, insightful narrative and I think that’s one of the reason that I love Emma so much and am able to connect with her. Reading this book made me want to be Emma’s new BFF. Who wouldn’t want to be best friends with this hilarious, messy and brutally honest person?

I love that Chloe Seager uses these books to tackle what are considered to be the ‘big taboos’ but actually are normal, everyday things and I’m so pleased to see them being considered so mundane and normal in a book that I hope many young people will read. It’s about time that girls didn’t feel embarrassed of the norm! Emma Nash is a witty, honest and outrageously funny YA voice and I honestly find her to be a breath of fresh air. I hope there will be more to come!

I read an early finished copy of the novel which was bought at an event but I would also like to thank NetGalley, HQ Books and Chloe for giving me access to an early eARC of the book in exchange of an honest review.

Review can also be read on my blog: https://kellysrambles.com/2018/08/27/book-review-friendship-fails-of-emma-nash-by-chloe-seager/

I recently picked up Seed after having had it on my shelf for quite a long time and this book has very quickly become one of my favourite books. Lisa Heathfield has an incredible writing style that really pulls you in and she writes such layered, realistic characters that are easy to connect with. Seed is a really special book that will sweep you away.

Seed is the story of Pearl and her family who are growing up in a place known as Seed. Little does Pearl recognise just how dangerous her surroundings are to her. The luscious countryside, the simplistic life and loving family are all she ever needs to be happy, until some people from the Outside join the family and Pearl realises maybe there is more to life than Seed. Ellis’s arrival at Seed really puts questions into Pearl’s mind that she has never considered before and seeing her internal struggle with what she knows and loves and how that may not be the best thing for her makes this a very emotional read.

The tension slowly creeps as the story builds and you see the doubts starting to grow in Pearl’s mind. Seed is all she has ever known and the people there are the only people she has ever known and it terrifies her when her mind starts doubting it all. It really goes to show just how much control someone can have over other people and it really scared me in a spine-tingling way. It was really quite distressing to read how much Pearl believes in Seed and Papa S’s principals because as a reader you absolutely know that it isn’t the right thing for her.

This book has the most explosive ending I have read in a long time. There was so much drama and action in such a short space of time that it really took the wind out of me. I was crying, I was angry and I had so many emotions. But the overpowering feeling was “Wow, I’ve just read something phenomenal”.

I adored Pearl. Despite sometimes getting frustrated by the fact I so desperately wanted her to believe in Ellis, I could completely empathise with why she was struggling so much. I can’t put myself in her shoes no matter how hard I try but I do know that I love the fact she is such a loving, caring young person with so much inner strength. I despise Papa S and also the other adults in the situation. I can’t wrap my head around why someone would want to treat others in the way that they do but as adults I just cannot condone their actions. Papa S is a despicable human being (if you can even call him that) who is controlling, manipulative and abusive. Ellis is a darling and I loved how much her cared for Pearl and wanted to help her escape and live a better life.

Lisa Heathfield has written a powerful book that leaves the reader feeling powerless to stop the horror as they read Pearl’s story. A book that will leave you feeling emotional in so many ways. Incredible.

Read this review and others on my blog: https://kellysrambles.com/2018/08/20/seed-by-lisa-heathfield/

3.5 stars

This book is an absolute beauty, there is no denying that. This is a series of fairytale retellings/reimaginings by author Deirdre Sullivan. The writing is gorgeous with such a haunting, lyrical style and this book has some of the must stunning illustrations I have ever seen. There is something special about these dark and twisty tales.

I enjoyed both of these short stories and thought they were lovely additions to the series. I particularly enjoyed The Young Queens and getting a glimpse into the early lives of Arsinoe, Mirabella and Katharine. It really gave you an insight into the three Queens although be aware that it does contain spoilers if you haven’t read book 1 and 2!! I am super excited for book 3 which is out in a few weeks!!

This is a powerful story of community and using your voice. I adored Taran, Hari, Anna, Jamal and their fight for what is right. This story has moments that induce sadness, fear, anger and hope. Whilst reading this I couldn’t help but get excited for all the young people who will read this book and just GET it. This is the kind of life that is massively under represented in UKYA and I’m so glad this book exists for those young people. The UK’s answer to THUG.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Hodder Children’s Books and Nikesh Shukla for my eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

3.5 stars
review to come