K.S. Marsden's Blog

The Futureby Naomi Alderman2 out of 5
SynopsisThe latest novel from the Women’s Prize-winning, bestselling author of The Power, The Future is a white-knuckle tour de force and dazzling exploration of the world we have made and where we are going.
Lai Zhen is about to die. As an Internet-famous survivalist, she’s spent her life prepping for the end of the world. But now, desperate and cornered in a mall in Singapore, she’s mad she might go out not knowing what the hell is going on. If she makes it out alive, what kind of a future will be waiting for her?
Across the world, Martha Einkorn works the room at a gathering of mega-rich companies hell-bent securing a future just for them. Covert weapons, private weather, technological prophecy, when Martha fled her father’s compound she may have left the cult behind, but if the apocalyptic warnings of his fox and rabbit sermon are starting to come true, how much future is actually left?
Martha and Zhen’s worlds are about to collide. While a few billionaires assured of their own safety lead the world to destruction, Martha’s relentless drive and Zhen’s insatiable curiosity could lead to something beautiful … or the cataclysmic end of civilization.
ReviewIn the near future, the world feels like it could end at any moment, and many billionaires have prepared for this, so a select few can hide away safely whilst the world burns.
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The narrative is split between quite a few characters, including three billionaires who have the biggest influence over the world; Martha, the right-hand of one of those billionaires; and Lai Zhen, a famous survivalist.
I liked the world in which this was set; it's in the near future, and I could definitely see things progressing in the same way as Alderman's future. It felt realistic and grounded, and it explored both the good and the bad; and the potential for very bad to happen very quickly.It was interesting to read how AI was developing in this future version, especially as it feels like AI is starting to have a very real impact in our daily lives right now.
The not-so-good.I didn't like any of the characters. It spends too much time with the billionaires in the beginning, and it feels like their story, and they're all self-involved arses with no redeeming qualities. I mean, they weren't like supervillains or anything - they didn't intentionally make the world worse, but as the world is deteriorating, they have plans in place for how to survive and come out on top.I think that's kinda the point - you don't need an antagonist to be a moustache-twirling villain plotting and doing all the evil things - this is a much more realistic antagonist - selfish billionaires that are always chasing the next tech advancement, or industry to monopolise. It's something that I could believe quite easily.Whether that's the point or not, I found it hard to stay engaged reading this book.
Martha and Lai Zhen are more interesting, but I did question their actions throughout. 
The plot... I couldn't tell you what the plot was.Yes, ok, I could tell you the condensed outcomes of the book, and the reasons behind it; but whilst reading the story felt chaotic, switching from past, to future, to past, to current, to six months ago, to three years ahead, to whatever. It felt like it couldn't decide on the actual plot, and was a mesh of so many different stories. A lot of them were very preachy, too.I mean, I liked the emphasis on turning more of the world into wildlife habitats, and I thought those parts were done very well; but there were other parts that just completely rubbed the wrong way.
I had guessed what was happening about half-way through; but that just brought up more questions than answers, and made it hard to keep invested in the extreme situations and options the "good guys" took.
Overall, I liked the premise, but this book was not for me.

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And Put Away Childish Thingsby Adrian Tchaikovsky4 out of 5
SynopsisHarry Bodie’s been called into the delightful fantasy world of his grandmother’s beloved children’s books. It’s not delightful here at all.
All roads lead to Underhill, where it’s always winter, and never nice.
Harry Bodie has a famous grandmother, who wrote beloved children’s books set in the delightful world of Underhill. Harry himself is a failing kids’ TV presenter whose every attempt to advance his career ends in self-sabotage. His family history seems to be nothing but an impediment.
An impediment... or worse. What if Underhill is real? What if it has been waiting decades for a promised child to visit? What if it isn’t delightful at all? And what if its denizens have run out of patience and are taking matters into their own hands?

ReviewHarry is an out-of-work TV presenter, who has lived his whole life in the shadow of his late-grandmother's popular children's books. Strange things start to happen, and Harry starts to realise that the fantasy world is very much real.
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The narrative follows Harry Bodie, a 40-year-old TV presenter, who is relatively well-known, but has never cracked real fame, fortune, or success of any kind in his life. And after a popular genealogy show looked into his family's history and share to the whole world that his great-grandmother was sent to an asylum, Harry feels like success has been pushed even further away.In contrast, his grandmother's Underhill book series (very Narnianesque) has been popular for decades, and has spawned cartoons, TV shows, and a slew of passionate fans.One very normal day, Harry is forced to accept that Underhill is a real world.
I really liked this story, and the plot wasn't what I expected.It takes a lot of inspiration from Narnia, and is very open about the similarities. The portal within the wardrobe especially made me smile.But although you can feel the respect for all things Narnian, and the public love of the Underhill his grandmother created, the real Underhill feels like a horror movie.Whilst our world is embracing stories of Underhill in its prime, the real Underworld has been rotting away, literally.
I liked how the book played with tropes popular in Fantasy stories, like being the promised prince, and saving Underhill from the eternal darkness.
I also liked how it coincided with the Covid lockdown, how Harry disappeared for months (because time works differently in Underhill), and suddenly the real world became very weird - and the worst part - no one even noticed he was missing.
The not-so-good.I found it hard to get started with the book. Harry's not a particularly likeable character, and he's very narrow-minded, which made some of the fantastical elements hard to follow in the beginning.But that's kinda the point of the book, Harry isn't a hero. He wants to be liked by people, but he doesn't know how to go about it.
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Hurricane Warsby Thea Guanzon3 out of 5
SynopsisAll Talasyn has ever known is the Hurricane Wars. Growing up an orphan in a nation under siege by the ruthless Night Emperor, Talasyn has found her family among the soldiers who fight for freedom. But she is hiding a deadly secret: light magic courses through her veins, a blazing power believed to have been wiped out years ago that can cut through the Night Empire's shadows.
Prince Alaric, the emperor's only son and heir, has been forged into a weapon by his father. Tasked with obliterating any threats to the Night Empire's rule with the strength of his armies and mighty Shadow magic, Alaric has never been bested. That is until he sees Talasyn burning brightly on the battlefield with the magic that killed his grandfather, turned his father into a monster, and ignited the Hurricane Wars. In a clash of light and dark, their powers merge and create a force the likes of which has never been seen.
Talasyn and Alaric both know this war can only end with them. But a greater threat is coming, and the strange new magic they can create together could be the only way to overcome it. Thrust into an uneasy alliance, they will confront the secrets at the heart of the war and find, in each other, a searing passion--one that could save their world...or destroy it.
An exquisite fantasy brimming with unforgettable characters, sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance, and richly drawn worlds, The Hurricane Wars marks the breathtaking debut of an extraordinary new writer.
ReviewTalasyn is the only Lightweaver in the Sardovian army, but she has to keep her gifts hidden, so the Night Emperor and his Shadowforged troops.
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The narrative was split between our two main characters.Talasyn, an orphan who grew up in Sardovia. At the beginning of the book, Sardovia is under attack by the Night Emperor, and Talasyn will do everything she can to protect them. 
Alaric is the son and heir of the Night Emperor. He's been taught to fight from a young age, and it's all he knows. He's skilled with shadow magic, and thought he'd seen everything, until he crosses paths with Talasyn.
OK, spoilers ahead, because I can't work out how to write this review without them.
The first 40% of the book was awful. It was pure chaos - and not the good kind.The story jumped around so much, it gave me whiplash.To start, we're in a war, but at a wedding, but fighting breaks out, but then we get a flashback to Talasyn as a kid, which doesn't add anything to the story, except to make me wonder what the hell was happening and when.Then, her best friend's brand new husband dies, but because we've been jumping all over with the plot, this moment lacks any emotional impact.
Then Talasyn is instructed by her commanding officers to travel to another country to learn more about her mysterious lightweaver powers, and to see if they can help turn the tide of war.Talasyn spends months travelling, finds somewhere to tap into her magic, and also finds her long-lost father, discovers she's royalty (and fights with Alaric again). Talasyn then does bugger all about anything, and travels all the way back to her comrades, empty-handed.
Then the Sardovians lose the war, and suffer massive losses - which may or may not include Talasyn's heavily pregnant best friend.This is only 25% through, and already all of this has happened.Due to the chaotic nature of the plot, we still haven't gotten to know any of the characters beyond the basics of who they view as an enemy. So, again, we feel no emotional impact at the potential death of Talasyn's closest friend.
Then they go to Nenavar, for sanctuary, and Talasyn is accepted into the royal family.
I don't normally go into the plot in such detail in reviews, but... I just had to share how much and how little substance was jammed into the first part of the story. It felt like the author rushed over all the bits they knew they had to include, and really wanted to hurry onto the fun part of the plot where Talasyn and Alaric are forced to spend time together through a political betrothal.
The last 60%, I actually enjoyed the rest of the book. It wasn't without its flaws, but I enjoyed it a lot more than I was expecting to, after the first bit.
I finally got to know Talasyn and I really liked her. She's got a bit of sass about her, and although she's trying to mould herself into a respectable heir, it's with some reluctance, and I did find it quite amusing.It wasn't just Talasyn, we got to know her family and coutiers, too. Her father and grandmother give off completely different vibes, but you can tell they're both proud of Talasyn, in their own way.
Alaric is the least-explored character. This definitely feels more like Talasyn's story, and he's just the supporting character and love interest. Although you do get the sense that he had a hard upbringing, and has a complex relationship with his parents. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out.
Overall, I like the world that's been created - although we only really see the Nenavar court in detail, it'll be interesting to see more.Despite the awkward beginning, once the book found its rhythm I enjoyed it, and I would be interested in seeing what happens in the rest of the series.

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The Seawomenby Chloe Timms5 out of 5
SynopsisEsta has known nothing but Eden's Isle her whole life. Raised by her grandmother, after a fire claimed her parents and scarred her face, she's instructed to piety, to deference, and acquiescence by a religious society that will not suffer anything else. Cut off from the moral iniquity of the mainland, the island believes it can stay free of the Seawomen - creatures from the water that came upon land to corrupt God's creation and Man. The inhabitants fear the water and believe the only way to remain virtuous is to never enter it, and for the women to conceive within 12 months of their appointed motheryear.
If they do not conceive, they're cast back into the ocean as a sacrifice in an act called the Untethering.
Esta witnesses such an act as a child. Her childhood growing up on the island is fraught with tension as she comes to the terms with the prohibitive malaise of the culture she finds herself in. Before long, she gets a taste of freedom and the potential of the world that is much larger than Eden's Isle. But she is bound, like many women before her, when she is married off and her motheryear is finally declared. Will she conceive a child in her loveless arranged marriage, or suffer the same fate of many women before her, and be Untethered?
The Seawomen is a debut novel crackling with imagination and love. It's about the choices we make and challenging the myths and ties that bind us.

ReviewEsta was born and raised on Eden's Isle, where constant piety will keep you safe from the dangerous seawomen. But as Esta grows up, life on the island isn't as perfect as it seems.
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The narrative follows Esta - from her earliest memories of getting rescued from the fire that killed her parents, and being raised by her pious grandmother. To being a grown woman, discovering the dark secrets of the island.The story is slow and atmospheric. We see the world solely through Esta's eyes, and because of her connection with the other women on the island, we get to see what it is like for them, too. The other women all have different approaches and opinions on life on the island, and it's interesting to see that the result is the same for all of them. They all suffer in their own way.
This dystopian story is set in the future - in a world where the seas have risen, leaving survivors scattered. Some have evolved, and some have regressed.Eden's Isle is one of the only safe places left. Life appears very simple - filled with prayer and good, honest work. There are no luxuries in Eden, everyone is equal in the eyes of God. Except women are weaker - both physically and mentally, and need the protection and guidance of men.
The seawomen are painted as the villains, blamed for everything that goes wrong. Anything from bad weather, to illness, to miscarriages - the islanders see them as signs from a displeased god that someone on the island has invited the seawomen into their thoughts.It felt very similar to a witch-hunt, and you can feel the fear in the community. I did wonder at one point if the seawomen were real - I wouldn't be surprised if they were an invention by the men in charge.
The book is beautifully written - if a little slow-paced at times. As Esta gets older, and learns more about the island, you can feel her hope of there being more to the world, weighed down by an increasing realisation of how awful and inescapable life is.As she grows up, and goes through all the major milestones she'd once looked forward to as a child, it instead feels like being bound more tightly to the island.
I loved the ending. I thought it was very fitting to Esta's story. Her quiet strength, and saving herself, in her own way. I liked the ambiguity of it.

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The Housekeepersby Alex Hay1 out of 5
Synopsis: On the night of London's grandest ball, a bold group of women launches a daring revenge heist against Mayfair society.
Mrs. King is no ordinary housekeeper. Born into a world of con artists and thieves, she’s made herself respectable, running the grandest home in Mayfair. The place is packed with treasures, a glittering symbol of wealth and power, but dark secrets lurk in the shadows. When Mrs. King is suddenly dismissed from her position, she recruits an eclectic group of women to join her in revenge: A black-market queen out to settle her scores; an actress desperate for a magnificent part; a seamstress dreaming of a better life; and Mrs. King’s predecessor, with her own desire for vengeance.

ReviewWhen Mrs King is let go from her housekeeper position, she plans to get revenge with the biggest heist London has ever seen. They plan to strip one of the most expensive houses bare, on the night its owner holds their first ball.
I received a free copy from Netgalley.This was a DNF for me - I got about 40% in, but have not finished the book.
The story follows Mrs King and some of her comrades. Set in London 1905, it follows Mrs King as she recruits other skilled women for the heist, and tries to convince Mrs Bones (the moneylender) that it will be worth investing in.
I loved the concept of this book, but the execution left a lot to be desired.I'm nearly half-way through, and I am bored beyond belief. The various narrators talk at you about the planning process, over and over.  What could have been an exciting ride has turned into a very slow trudge.
And it's not like the characters can save it - I have no idea what the characters are like - nearly half-way through the book, and I don't know anything about any of them. (Except a little background on Mrs Bones - but feels like it's used to add pertinence to the plot, rather than add any depth to the character.)
Despite how heavy the plot details are, I still have no idea what is going on, or why.I have so many friggin' questions, and no answers.
Who is Mrs King? In fact, who are all the characters?How does Mrs King run a double life? From the sounds of it, she's a well-established housekeeper, which doesn't seem to mesh with the jobs she's previously been given by Mrs Bones.
Why does Mrs King want to run this heist - stripping the house bare, in a way that will make it impossible to collect on the insurance?She doesn't seem to have any ill-will towards her late employer, or his daughter.I mean, the way she phrases it, is revenge - but she never appears angry or insulted, etc. It's just calmly stated.
Why now?I get why they might steal from Lord de Vries, given his history; but why did they wait until he'd died and go after his daughter, who by all accounts is innocent?
Why do they make such a big deal about the heist being run by the core women in the group, when they don't do anything, and enlist the help of every man they can?I really don't know how they kept this heist secret, with all the people they told. Not that they told them they were stealing stuff, but it wouldn't take a genius to figure out something was amiss, with so much attention being paid to the house etc.
(I mean, sure, they might be answered in the second half, but I'm too frustrated with this book to continue.)

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Hiddenby Shalini Boland3 out of 5
SynopsisFalling in love has never been so dangerous...
Madison Greene is in foster care until one day she inherits a fortune, she inherits a house, she inherits a cellar full of danger.
Alexandre Chevalier lives in 19th century Paris. On an archaeological expedition, he discovers a lost underground city where his life changes forever.
A romantic supernatural adventure that spans the centuries.
Can a human save a vampire?

ReviewA hidden history binds modern Maddie, with the hundred-year-old vampire, Alexandre.When Maddie inherits a house, she uncovers a locked room, filled with strange statues...
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Our main narrators are Maddie and Alexandre.Maddie is an orphan, living with her brother in London with their foster parents. Life is hard, and people are constantly judging Madiie before they know her. Her relationship with her foster parents is close to breaking, and Maddie is only sticking around for the sake of her brother.Everything changes when she inherits an estate, which seems too good to be true.
Alexandre is a young French gentleman, from the 19th Century. After causing a scandal with an already-engaged young lady, Alexandre has to leave Paris. His whole family take the opportunity to travel with their father, to explore a dig site in Turkey.Alexandre revels in the adventure, trying to get to the bottom of the myth of the blood demons.
I really liked the first half of the book. I felt that the story had an old-fashioned, steady nature to it. It slowly hooks you in, and pulls you along.I enjoyed following the progression of the main characters.I thought that what Maddie was going through, before the inheritance was sadly awful and realistic. You can understand why she acts out when she has the chance. She's a good person at heart, and cares a lot about her little brother.After the inheritance, I felt that all of her doubts and feeling out of place were expected, and it was good to see her finally embracing her new life.
I thought Alexandre was quite shallow in the beginning - he's not passionate about anything - whereas his younger brother loves to learn, and his younger sister is excited about stepping into society. Alex is happy to coast on his good looks and good name.Travelling to Turkey to accompany his father on a dig finally gives him a purpose. He longs to know more about the hidden underground city, and is keen to do anything to help make this dig a success.
I thought some aspects to the story were very original, and I haven't come across them before - which is saying something in vampire lore!The true story of the underground city, and blood demons; and the sleeping sickness, in particular.
The not-so-good.I wasn't keen on the second half of the book. I felt that it lost its focus and momentum.It went from a building mystery, and low-key horror, to nearly 200 pages of Maddie and Alex in love on repeat.Our main characters do nothing to learn about vampirism, or how to cure the sleeping sickness affecting the others. It just totally focuses on their relationship, with absolutely nothing else.I was completely bored.
Throughout the book, there were also instances of the narrative going from third person, to omniscient. Some of it made sense, to get the big picture; but I found it jarring to go head-hopping between characters.
Overall, although I enjoyed the book to begin with, I don't think I'll be continuing with this series.

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The Foxglove Kingby Hannah Whitten3 out of 5
SynopsisWhen Lore was thirteen, she escaped a cult in the catacombs beneath the city of Dellaire. And in the ten years since, she’s lived by one rule: don’t let them find you. Easier said than done, when her death magic ties her to the city.
Mortem, the magic born from death, is a high-priced and illicit commodity in Dellaire, and Lore’s job running poisons keeps her in food, shelter, and relative security. But when a run goes wrong and Lore’s power is revealed, she’s taken by the Presque Mort, a group of warrior-monks sanctioned to use Mortem working for the Sainted King. Lore fully expects a pyre, but King August has a different plan. Entire villages on the outskirts of the country have been dying overnight, seemingly at random. Lore can either use her magic to find out what’s happening and who in the King’s court is responsible, or die.
Lore is thrust into the Sainted King’s glittering court, where no one can be believed and even fewer can be trusted. Guarded by Gabriel, a duke-turned-monk, and continually running up against Bastian, August’s ne'er-do-well heir, Lore tangles in politics, religion, and forbidden romance as she attempts to navigate a debauched and opulent society.
But the life she left behind in the catacombs is catching up with her. And even as Lore makes her way through the Sainted court above, they might be drawing closer than she thinks.
ReviewLore is whatever she has to be, in order to survive. As the mortem-welding adoptive daughter of Dellaire's biggest poison-runners, she has to adapt. Infiltrating the royal court, and befriending/spying on the prince, is her most deadly role yet.
 I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This story follows Lore - a young woman who doesn't truly fit in anywhere, but manages to ingratiate herself with her marks, spying and reporting back to her adoptive parents.Lore is different from those around her - she's the only woman who can sense and manipulate mortem. The only other people with that ability is the male Presque Mort, and only after they have a brush with death. Whereas for Lore, it has always been a part of her, and it's getting stronger.
I really liked the world-building in this book. I thought the fact that death magic is leaking from the body of the dead goddess was highly original, and fascinating. It had me hooked, trying to work out what was true, and what was myth.I liked how Lore and the Sun Prince Bastian have that instant connection, and teasing out the truth.
I really liked Gabriel, the innocent monk who is her ally/jailer/love interest. It was interesting to see his beliefs challenged, and kept you guessing to the end where his loyalties lay.
The not so good...There were a few little niggles that I had as the book went on that were just enough to stop me being fully immersed throughout.The king hired Lore to help raise the dead, to uncover how whole villages were dying; but mainly to spy on his son and give him the ammunition to disown/kill him. It sometimes felt like a heavy-handed way of getting Lore where she needed to be, and allow her to ally with Bastian instead.Yes, having read the whole plot, it makes more sense, but it's still not very elegant.
I found the second half of the book quite slow.Some of it might have been a lack of agency from the main character. Lore never feels like she's leading anything, and is always following orders from others. Although, that could genuinely be part of her character. She's spent her whole life following her mothers' orders, never questioning, she never fights for what she wants.
I thought the ending was somewhat anti-climatic. It had the potential to be shocking, but it lost momentum, became very talky, and then it was over.
Overall, I enjoyed the world and the characters, and I'm keen to read the next book.

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Clandestine Livesby Tony Duxbury2 out of 5
SynopsisA legendary assassin, the most feared in the land. A beautiful courtesan, famed for her beauty and skill; and a jester, servant to a Duke with a fearsome reputation.Three lives, one story. Their fates are bound together in a way in which none of them could ever have imagined. They are unwittingly tied together by a heinous curse. Each one slowly becomes aware of their strange existence until finally, the horrible truth is revealed.As the Empire slides into civil war, all three must confront the unpalatable truth about themselves. Unfortunately, none will be free to unravel the mystery of their past unless they first embroil themselves in the schemes of others.

ReviewThe Empire is slipping closer to civil war, and three unlikely heroes are brought together to set things back in the Duke's favour.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This story is split between three narrators.Jax is the main character. He's a jester in the Duke's court - he's whip-smart - smarter than a lot of the people in court, but Jax is content with his position and the life he leads.
Torganath is the finest assassin in the empire. His reputation is secure, and he has his pick of jobs. A stable empire is good news for him - it allows the unscrupulous merchants to have their own commercial war - providing Torganath with endless work.
Reesha is the finest courtesan in the city. Even reducing her availability and increasing her prices hasn't put people off. Instead, it seems to have increased the excitement surrounding her. She is very skilled at her job, but as she gets older, her own doubts start to creep in.

The good stuffI liked the plot. I thought it was strong, and very original. I normally guess twists well ahead of time, but I didn't guess all of yours!I liked how you gradually revealed what was going on, and allowed the reader time to catch up. I never felt lost at any point.I thought the world-building was also really good.
The bad stuffI didn't like any of the narrators, and it was hard to gel and feel invested.Fex... I'm not sure what his character is supposed to be. I found him overwhelmingly arrogant, and a complete contradiction to everything he was thinking and saying. He's supposed to be loyal,  but sells the Duke's secrets, and abandons his residence as soon as the power shifts. He's supposed to be a ladies' man, but he comes across as a dick. He's supposed to be a good guy, but he's awful to his friends.
Torganath is also arrogant, although it feels like he's earnt it. His character is easier to follow, but there were times when I really questioned his logic and actions.
Reesha - again, she feels like a complete contradiction. She's supposed to be the most expensive and most desired courtesan in the city. She's been at this for years, and knows what she's doing - but she feels like a weak and emotional wreck. I thought she'd be independent - she doesn't have a pimp, she should be in control of her own life, but she lets her house staff run her bookings with zero input from Reesha.

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The Collected Regrets of Cloverby Mikki Brammer3.5 out of 5
SynopsisClover Brooks has forgotten how to live.
It might be because she spends her time caring for people in their final days, working as a death doula in New York City.
Or it might be because she has a regret of her own - one she can't bring herself to let go of.
But then she meets Claudia: a feisty old woman who has one last wish . . .
As Clover begins a new adventure, will she remember how to live her own big, beautiful life?
A big-hearted story about figuring out what you want from life - and then finding the courage to go after it. Perfect for fans of Sally Page, Ruth Hogan and Clare Pooley.

ReviewClover is a death doula - she helps people come to terms with their ending lives. She religiously records their final words of advice, or regrets; to the point where she forgets to live.
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story follows Clover, a woman in her mid-thirties. Despite living in bustling New York, she's a complete hermit. She lives in her late-grandfather's apartment, surrounded by all of his belongings, nearly as lifeless as the rest of his collection.She lives vicariously through others, without ever connecting with anyone.Things start to change when she meets Sebastian, and his dying-but-still-feisty grandmother Claudia.
I found the first half of the book very slow and boring. We see everything from Clover's perspective,  we get to see flashes of her earlier life, where she was always introverted, but at least enjoyed travelling. Now, her life is non-existent. She avoids everyone except her elderly neighbour/surrogate-grandfather-figure Leo. Her life seems to have no value, except in observing others at a distance.Clover has developed the habit of writing the final words of the dying in books, splitting them into advice, confessions and of course, regrets. Any time she is feeling overwhelmed by the world, she finds comfort in reading them.
The book is well-written, and I liked all of the characters that are trying to be a part of Clover's life. I think the author does a great job of showing how disconnected from the world Clover is. And I think that's the problem, Clover's life is a boring thing to concentrate on for such a long stretch.
Claudia's story injects a bit of life - but again, Clover is just relaying someone else's story again.
It's only with the trip to Maine with Sebastian, that the monotonous circle really starts to break.
I really liked how this book ended. That Clover starts to live life on her terms. Yes, she has a love interest for the first time in her life, and it did help her; but the real prize is Clover embracing and being happy with who she is.
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HappyHeadby Josh Silver2 out of 5
SynopsisWe are in an epidemic. An epidemic of unhappiness. 
Friends, here is the good news: HappyHead has the answer.
 When Seb is offered a place on a radical retreat designed to solve the national crisis of teenage unhappiness, he is determined to change how people see him and make his parents proud. But as he finds himself drawn to the enigmatic Finn, Seb starts to question the true nature of the challenges they must undergo. The deeper into the programme the boys get, the more disturbing the assessments become, until it’s clear there may be no escape...
ReviewSeb has been selected to go to a remote Scottish retreat where teens will attempt an intense course in happiness. Except, not everything is as it seems.
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Seb is just an ordinary teen. He lacks the confidence of others, and struggles with anxiety, but is a likeable chap. He has been selected for the first government-backed HappyHead course, and he's going to do his best to fit in and succeed.The course starts simply enough, but soon the teens attending find themselves doing bizarre, and sometimes dangerous tests.His new friend (and instant crush) Finn, rocked the HappyHead boat, and the two of them have to get to the bottom of what is really happening.
I really liked our main character, Seb. Quite a few people do - Seb is so desperate to please others, he has a subconscious habit of altering his personality to match what he thinks is expected of him. As such, he ends up being very successful in the eyes of the judges at Happy Head.Which is quite a novelty for Seb, as he's a bit of a loaner, with only one good friend at home. Even his parents aren't his biggest supporters, always wanting him to do better and try harder.
The not-so-good.I don't get it.First, despite the review snippets on the cover, I did not find this "Dark and thrilling", nor was it "Like Hunger Games but better".It's friggin' weird, but it wasn't dark or thrilling.About 75% in, there's the "big reveal" which threatens to kill off some teens, but that's the only similarity I found with Hunger Games.
~contains spoilers~
I don't get it.I don't get the premise. I don't get what HappyHead is, or what it's supposed to achieve.I don't get how and why Seb and the other 99 teens are selected. Especially once the big reveal is revealed - it just seems like a very poor sampling choice for that particular aim.
I don't get why everyone is relaxed about having a chip implanted in their collar. I think this is based in the near future, but it doesn't sound like it's a normal thing.I don't get once the chip is implanted, how useless it is. It just monitors the person's health and nutritional needs - Seb and Finn are able to have private discussions and run away from the main compound, without being overheard or scanned.
I don't get the course and the tests. They're friggin' random and I don't get how they help the Assessors, or the participants.I don't get the adults running this course - some of them seem to think they're following Dr Stone's good version of HappyHead, but do Madame Manning's weird games that intentionally hurt the kids.I mean, seriously?
I won't be continuing with the series.
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