JESS JUST READS

A BOOK REVIEW BLOG

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

Seventeen-year-old Molly Peskin-Suso knows all about unrequited love — she’s lived through it twenty-six times. She crushes hard and crushes often, but always in secret. Because no matter how many times her twin sister, Cassie, tells her to woman up, Molly can’t stomach the idea of rejection. So she’s careful. Fat girls always have to be careful.

Then a cute new girl enters Cassie’s orbit, and for the first time ever, Molly’s cynical twin is a lovesick mess. Meanwhile, Molly’s totally not dying of loneliness-except for the part where she is. Luckily, Cassie’s new girlfriend comes with a cute hipster-boy sidekick. Will is funny, flirtatious, and just might be perfect crush material. Maybe more than crush material. And if Molly can win him over, she’ll get her first kiss and she’ll get her twin back.

There’s only one problem: Molly’s coworker, Reid. He’s an awkward Tolkien superfan, and there’s absolutely no way Molly could fall for him. Right?

Written by the author of the wildly successful Simon vs. the Homosapiens Agenda, The Upside of Unrequited is a sweet story about a young girl who has always had crushes but never boyfriends. Her closest relationships have always been with her sister and her two mums, but now there are two boys in her life who appear to be interested in her. This is new territory for her.

The Upside of Unrequited explores love, loss, family, friendship and growing up. It’s a coming of age story for someone who already appears to have everything in order. Because whilst Molly is strong, smart and beautiful, she’s at times insecure and worried and she lacks confidence.

Not all readers are going to relate to Molly in the same way. Some readers may not be as interested in the romantic side of the book as others, but there are a lot of other elements to this book that are really important for readers. Yes, a huge part of the novel may be about Molly trying to get a boyfriend (which in itself is a little bit frustrating because it tries to highlight that a girl can only have self-worth if she finds herself a boyfriend). But it also symbolises how hard it can be for a teenager if he/she feels like everyone else has accomplished something and you’re the one falling apart. Molly feels like everyone else has finished the race and yet she’s still at the starting line.

This book is also about growing up, and at times, growing apart. Once Molly’s sister Cassie gets a girlfriend, Molly starts to feel like she’s being cast aside. Like she’s not as important to Cassie anymore. She doesn’t quite realise that as you get older, you’re going to have to share the people in your life once they start forming relationships. The Upside of Unrequited teaches us that growing up can be tiring and overwhelming, and that not everything is always going to be easy.

“And now Cassie’s being mysterious, and it’s really fucking weird. Normally, when she hooks up with someone, she’s bursting with the details. She’s a kiss-and-teller. Maybe that’s awful, but it’s just a part of the hookup process for her. She told me once that a kiss isn’t a kiss until she tells me about it. Me, specifically.”

I personally liked Simon vs. the Homosapiens Agenda better, but this is still an enjoyable read. It’s also a quick read, for those of you looking for something relatively short and fast-paced. This book also teaches readers that sometimes the guy you least expect is the one who is the most suited to you. Sometimes being friends first helps you build that foundation that can lead to a relationship. Sometimes being friends first means you will be dating the person that you have the most things in common with. And for those of you who are also fans of Becky’s first novel, you should know that Simon DOES make a small cameo in this book!

If I had to point out anything about the book that I didn’t like, it would be the dialogue between Molly’s mums, Patty and Nadine. Yes, it was hilarious, witty, funny and wonderful, but it felt young. Their mums often sounded like teenagers themselves and so sometimes I felt like Becky didn’t fully capture their age in their dialogue.

“Dude, no,” Nadine tells him. “Banana’s gone. You’re SOL.”

“Hey,” pipes Nadine, “don’t let her bring that Schulmeister kid. They’re still broken up, right? Because I do not need my doorstep darkened by that little shitwiper on my wedding day. Nope to the nope.”

Despite this, I did love how present Nadine and Patty were in the novel. In a lot of young adult novels, parents are either dead, missing, or have run away and abandoned their children. It was nice to read a young adult novel where the parents had such a strong presence in Molly’s life.

One other aspect of the book that I didn’t necessarily agree with was this idea that you need to have a boyfriend to be happy, or that you need to have a boyfriend to be like everyone else. It made Molly appear quite self-absorbed at times, which I didn’t like. I would’ve liked it better if Molly realised that she can be happy alone or happy in a relationship and that she didn’t need one or the other to truly be herself.

I recommend this book to young adult lovers. It’s quite cute and sweet, and so if you’re not a regular young adult reader this may not be the book for you. However, if you’re looking for a quick read with a great romance and a great family dynamic, then this is a book you should pick up when you next go to the bookstore.

The Upside of Unrequited
Becky Albertalli
April 2017
Penguin Teen Australia

Troubadour by Isolde Martyn

Forced to flee the English court after the lecherous King John attacks her, Adela, the queen’s hairbraider, finds employment in the entourage of Lady Alys. Alys is on her way to marry the Lord of Mirascon, a fiefdom in southern France. However, the south is under threat from Pope Innocent III’s military crusade against the heretics.

After trying in vain to rally his fellow lords against invasion, Richart, Vicomte de Mirascon, makes an alliance with King John. A political marriage to the Lady Alys – the king’s discarded mistress – will allow Richart to safeguard his people from a merciless land grab and cruel slaughter.

When the bridal party is ambushed, Adela is mistaken for her dead mistress by the people of Mirascon. Adela knows she must tell Richart that she is not his betrothed, but as she is dragged deeper into the deception, she is also powerfully drawn to the beleaguered man trying to protect his people and his culture. As the savage army marches south, can Richart and Adela overcome a web of deceit and treachery and evade the bonfires of the crusaders, or will their land of troubadours and tolerance be destroyed forever?

At first, this novel is a case of mistaken identity. Adela is mistaken for the dead Lady Alys and finds herself engaged to the one man she’s been hoping to unite with since she met him at the English court: Richart. She’s happy she’s with him, but she desperately wants to tell him the truth. And then quite early on in the novel, Richart finds out for himself. The two are separated. And then it becomes a novel about survival and uncovering betrayal.

Adela is a strong, resilient character, capable of surviving even in the most dire of times. Isolde Martyn has crafted a fantastic protagonist for this book, drawing us in with her plight and her dimensional construct.

“After she had scrubbed the first of Lady Alys’ underskirts, she sat back and drew her hand across her perspiring brow. Her presence had disturbed the stream’s tiny dwellers but now a damselfly clad in iridescent armour returned, then a trio of water skaters came skimming back, anxious to reclaim their manor.”

Troubadour is a lengthy book with plenty of action and plot and underpinned by truly wonderful characters that I loved reading about. I was enthralled throughout the book, eagerly turning each page to keep reading and thoroughly enjoying every chapter. The book is filled with historical information and an engaging cast of characters. This novel has betrayal, love, trickery, and gutsy courage – everything you could want in a historical fiction novel.

Adela and Richart are star characters, as are Maud and the hilarious Derwent. Right from the beginning, you’re backing Adela. You want her to succeed and flourish and you want her to survive. She’s young and naive, but she’s also strong and intelligent and compassionate.

“Adela received him courteously, but she would have preferred to swim a filthy moat rather than describe the massacre again.”

There were a few times in the book that were heavy with historical information and I felt like it was hard to grasp. A lot of the book is based on actual events and so a lot of explaining and information dumping was needed in order for the reader to get the historical significance of what was happening. I did, at times, feel like Isolde could’ve woven the historical information into the book a little more seamlessly so that it wasn’t as confusing and heavy for the reader to understand.

What I loved most about this book is that it’s a standalone, unlike a lot of other epic fantasy books where there are a minimum of six books in the series and it’s a huge investment to keep going. This novel had perfect pacing and was the perfect length to keep me entertained, and the conclusion to the novel was satisfying and engaging. I loved that this was just one novel and not a long-winded series that you had to read to find out the fate of the characters.

I recommend this to fantasy lovers and those of you who love Game of Thrones, but I also recommend this to readers who are perhaps looking to dabble in a bit of fantasy and don’t want to commit to something too heavy. This is a really enjoyable read, and I would highly recommend Isolde Martyn.

I received a copy of this book on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Troubadour
Isolde Martyn
March 2017
Harlequin Publishers

The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak by Brian Katcher

The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak explores friendship, family and the importance of managing expectations at a young age. The novel is hilarious, but also heartfelt. It’s a romance about two teens recovering from heartbreak and discovering themselves on an accidental first date.

Zak is forced to go to the quiz bowl semi-finals because he failed his last assignment but his teacher will waive it if he attends. Ana Watson is at the quiz bowl semi-finals as well, but for different reasons. She’s there for the extra credit that will help her get into a fancy college. But then her little brother Clayton secretly ditches the semi-finals to go to Washingcon sci-fi convention. Ana and Zak team up to chase down Clayton in the sea of orcs, zombies, princesses, Trekkies and Smurfs. After all, one does not simply walk into Washingcon.

“But I’m Ana Watson. I didn’t spend four years on the debate team to lose an argument. I have a thousand reasons why going to school in Seattle is the best course of action. Besides, when it comes down to it, this is my life, my education, my decision.”

This book does have a playful element, and the banter between Ana and Zak is enjoyable. Additionally, this does touch on some troubling themes that may plague teenagers. Ana is under an immense amount of pressure from her parents to do well at school – Zak is potentially ruining that by tagging along to the quiz bowl semi-finals.

Ana’s parents are always disappointed in her because when her sister was her age, she fell pregnant and ran off with her boyfriend. Her parents have taken their disappointment out on her and Ana has never felt like a normal teenager.

But I see Ana over there in line, looking confused and a little out of sorts. That must be kind of weird for her. She’s usually so on top of things.”

I loved all the pop culture references in the book, and it really illustrates how two vastly different people can actually work together despite their differences. Ana and Zak actually help each other overcome their problems and face their futures. They’re sassy, witty and confident and they light up the book and keep the reader interested.

“Zak’s easier to follow than the plot of a vampire novel, but I don’t catch up with him. I’m the last person he needs to be with right now.”

I did find my attention waning towards the end of the book – the storyline felt a little repetitive to me. Ana’s little brother disappears. Ana and Zak almost find him. They’d find trouble and would be stuck trying to get out of that. Then they’d almost find him, but lose him. And so on.

This is really the lower end of the young adult spectrum, perfect for that 12-14 age group that are easing their way from children’s fiction to books with underlying themes and life lessons. This book would also be perfect for those who love comic books and conventions similar to Washingcon. You’ll adore the setting and all the reference will keep you entertained.

King’s Cage (Red Queen #3) by Victoria Aveyard

King’s Cage is the third instalment in Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen series. I’ve reviewed the first two on the blog: Red Queen and Glass Sword. This review may contain spoilers for anyone that hasn’t read it yet.

We pick up where we left off at the end of Glass Sword: Mare Barrow is a prisoner to King Maven. She is powerless without her lightning ability (due to the presence of Silver Stone in the palace) and she is tormented by her captors. King Maven keeps her in a cell for months and she finds out very little information about the outside world. Maven’s mother may have once been controlling him, but now that she’s dead and he is King, he is every bit as lethal as she once was. He continues to weave his dead mother’s web in an attempt to maintain control over his country — and his prisoner, Mare.

Victoria has taken a very different turn with this book. Mare is no longer the strong fighter we saw in books one and two. She is helpless, forced to be Maven’s pawn in his public game. Maven parades her in front of televisions and forces her to say things to the public that aren’t true. Her allies, Cal, Cameron and Kilorn, can only watch from outside the walls of the palace as their leader Mare deteriorates and becomes Maven’s victim.

“I drift on a dark sea, and shadows drift with me. They could be memories. They could be dreams. Familiar but strange, and something wrong with each…Purple eats at the edge of my vision. I try to turn in to its embrace, knowing what it holds. My lightning is so close. If only I could find the memory of it and taste one last drop of power before plunging back into darkness. But it fades like the rest, ebbing away.”
-MARE BARROW

There is a lot on internal dialogue in this book. The book switches focus from Mare to Cal to Cameron and to Evangeline, and we come to understand all of their thoughts, fears, insecurities and worries. Victoria really gets inside their head so that the reader really understands who they are. They are three dimensional, fully-crafted characters who we sympathise with and empathise for.

King Maven is always an external character — despite the snippets we get when Mare is in the same scene with him, we don’t learn much more about him other than what others think of him. Or, from what we can read between the lines when he’s revealing something to Mare. There’s a particular scene where King Maven tells Mare about someone he used to love, and it does well to illustrate the kind of person he could’ve been had his mother not manipulated him and damaged him (psychologically) with her special ability.

The Queen used to invade his mind and force him to think things and do things he normally wouldn’t do. Maven reveals he was born disabled, but that the Queen wove herself inside his mind and forced him to walk properly. It hurt him so much that he hated her, but she still wouldn’t stop. And even until her death, she was manipulating him.

“Maven is a talented liar, and I don’t trust a single word he speaks. Even if he was telling the truth. Even is he is a product of his mother’s meddling, a thorned flower forced to grow a certain way. That doesn’t change things.”
-MARE BARROW

Most of the book is focused on Mare, but we do occasionally learn what the rest of the Scarlet Guard are up to, still fighting the cause and working to break Mare out of her cage. I did feel bored by Mare throughout the book. King’s Cage is about 600 pages, and yet Mare doesn’t fight back at all for most of it. She does as she’s told, and she doesn’t even try. I can understand this given she doesn’t have her powers, but she’s the leader of the Scarlet Guard. In books one and two, she was so fierce and I was expecting her to be more like that even whilst being held captive. But she is so complacent and plain in the book and I found myself quite bored.

“Cal follows orders, but he can’t make choices.”
-KING MAVEN

I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series because I know it’s the last and I want to know how Victoria will resolve things. Although, I don’t think this book needed to be as long as it was and I would’ve liked to see it condensed. Perhaps Victoria could’ve merged books three and four?

Has anyone else read this book? Or perhaps the first two in the series? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

King’s Cage
Victoria Aveyard
February 2017
Hachette Publishers

The Art of Discarding by Nagisa Tatsumi

The Art of Discarding was first published in 2000 and is now reprinted as a gorgeous, nifty hardback. Nagisa argues that we need to learn to let go. She tackles the psychological issues that people have with getting rid of things. In particular, a reluctance to discard things ‘just in case’, the desire to hoard things, and guilt about getting rid of things that were gifts.

“The subject of tidying first caught my attention when I was in junior high school. The catalyst was a book called The Art of Discarding by Nagisa Tatsumi…this book completely opened by eyes to reorganisation”
-Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying

The Art of Discarding is a quick, simple remedy for anyone who is struggling to declutter their lives. The advice is straight-forward, well explained, and accessible for all readers. Some of the information did seem a bit outdated, and in this reissue, Nagisu could’ve included more up to date information. For example, she talks about people who do bookkeeping/keep physical copies of all their records, but she doesn’t mention that people might keep these electronically now and perhaps that’s what people should do.

There is a lot of mention about books/magazines and how adults feel like those are the two things that they feel can’t throw away, but probably should. I found this enlightening, given I have too many books and bookshelves and I’m constantly trying to donate excess books. I have a rule: If I’ve read the book and I know that I’m never going to read it again, I donate it. There’s no use keeping a book that you’re not going to read again (or admire ever again!)

The Art of Discarding really has two sections: Nagisu goes through ten attitudes that people can adopt to help them tidy up their things. And then she goes through ten strategies fro discarding. These two sections help break up the book and the reader can flick through it really quickly.

This book is very focused on Japanese culture with Japanese customs. Nagisa talks about post-war attitudes in Japan and how that has affected people’s inability to declutter their homes. But this is really only relatable for Japanese readers. For example, Nagisa talks about her mother and how she has post-war-thinking: “As children in the post-war years her generation knew real want. They were marrying at a time when the country had begun to produce a succession of new home-electrical and other products. Things are precious to them. They can’t throw away something useable without a sense of guilt.” Whilst I found this interesting, I couldn’t relate because I’m not from Japan and I also wasn’t alive during the Second World War.

“To stop seeing things as sacred you have to tell yourself one thing: When I’m dead, it will all be rubbish.”

Even in the year 2000, Nagisa was ahead of her time. She probably didn’t predict a tidying up trend, but she’s considered one of the first authors to write a book about this topic. She definitely delivers some home truths. Things that people might not want to admit are true but really are: “Disposal of most things in the house is often down to women – clothes, shoes, socks, general household goods, etc.” Women usually are more motivated to declutter than males are, and it’s clear with every household example that Nagisa gives.

I recommend this book to those looking for other ways to declutter. This book is also good for those of you who are quite organised, but just need that bit of extra help. You might be quite tidy and you don’t have much stuff, but perhaps you have quite a lot of documents on your work desk and you’re not sure whether they should be thrown out or filed away.

Thank you to Hachette Publishers for sending me a review copy of this title.

The Art of Discarding
Nagisa Tatsumi
March 2017
Hachette Publishers

%d bloggers like this: