Swings and Roundabouts

I've taken some time off the day job for now and have come back to my university town to celebrate my last achievement to date-my degree! It's odd but lovely to be back. My favourite cafe closed in the red light district where I lived, but I have been swayed by a new Green cafe and their free biscuits. Somehow have found myself drinking herbal tea in a neon green chair and fending off free cupcakes while the cafe owner gives directions to a passer by in Punjabi. God love Leicester.

How the Hangman Lost his Heart by K.M Grant

'The wooden steps creaked as Dan sat down, his legs two solid logs in front of him. He found an apple in his pocket, inspected it and rubbed at the blood splatters. 'Bite?' he offered. Alice made a revolted face and he shrugged. 'I haven't had any breakfast yet,' he told her, basking in the feeling of a job well done. 'Never do, somehow, on execution mornings, although I make sure the wife gives me a good dinner after. Mutton pie tonight.'

Alice Granville's determination to recover the recently severed head of her beloved Uncle Frank wins her an unlikely accomplice in the shape of his executioner, Dan Skinslicer. Uncle Frank has been declared a traitor to the English throne and his head is morbidly displayed as a deterrent. 

Alice drags Dan on a fast-paced and slapstick quest to steal back the head and reunite it with Uncle Frank's body. As you can probably tell, this is a light-hearted and tongue-in-cheek read. Although my local library had it listed as a teen book the simplistic style, slapdash humour and blood n' guts gore would probably better suit the 10-14 range.

It's a fast read with likeable characters and K.M Grant's humour shines through in the ironic and ridiculous dialogue and narration. Grant saves the best lines for Alice's clownish and aristocratic relatives:

'Lady Widdrington, hearing the rumpus, ordered Ursula to throw open their windows. She was fond of riots and this sounded like a good one. As Alice and Dan galloped by a second time, the old lady recognized them and waved. 'That's my girl,' she cried, imagining that she was at the racecourse. 'Did we have a gamble, Ursula?''

The language and style is fresh and imaginative throughout, and the ridiculous plot becomes part of the story's charm. Parts of the narrative did become repetitive and the sub-plots were a little disjointed at times, especially that of Lady Warrington and her hideous wigs! The romantic storyline came across to me as inauthentic and out of place. Barring that though, this is a easy, charming and funny read for gruesome kids and the young at heart.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Still job hunting for that ever illusive first paid position in publishing. In between working two jobs to save money for an internship and eating tapas with my mad friends, I'm still feeding my obsession for young adult ficiton.

Have also invested in a blackberry which is making job hunting and blogging a hundred times easier than before :D

Here's another review I've just posted of one of my favourite ever YA titles. Warning: contains spoilers! do not read if you have not already read the incredible first novel in the series, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Not only are we in the districts forced to remember the iron grip of the Capital's power each year, we are forced to celebrate it. And this year I am one of the stars of the show.
Katniss Everdeen is once again fighting for her life in this nail biting sequel. Despite surviving the deadly Hunger Games against all odds Katniss and fellow tribute Peeta are far from home safe and dry. Their survival is a direct threat to the Capital which rules them, and the gamemakers are out for revenge.

Fearing for their families' lives, Peeta and Katniss are again forced to play their part as star crossed lovers in the Capital's games. Will this be enough to keep their loved ones safe? And will Katniss succeed in her plan to keep Peeta alive by sacrificing her own life?
The incredible Hunger Games is a hard act to follow but Suzanne Collins has maintained her distinctive adrenaline fuelled pace in Catching Fire. The sequel delves deeper into the relationships between characters, especially the twisted love triangle of Peeta, Katniss and her best friend Gale.

In any other situation Katniss would come across as a spoilt brat with the choice of all the cookies in the jar. Instead, her dilemma is a direct result of the controlling and manipulative Capital. Katniss's frustration at living a life restricted by others is one which I'm sure many teenagers can relate to.

The boundaries between friend and foe blur in Catching Fire, as Katniss struggles to hold on to her sense of who and what she is fighting for. Katniss's most endearing qualities are also her faults. She is stubborn, impatient, quick to judge and completely human. By placing this apocalyptic story in the hands of such a realistic character, Collins is able to question human morals without preaching. And more importantly, this is done without interrupting the fast paced action.

A must read if you loved The Hunger Games.