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Arabesque
Amy May is the best at everything she does. But how do you know you're really the best until you're tested? Until you're pushed to the limit?
A botched kidnapping attempt drags Amy and her best friend into the depths of a criminal underworld, a world where the players think with bullets and blackmail. Where they will stop at nothing to get what they want.
And what they want, only Amy May can provide.
A botched kidnapping attempt drags Amy and her best friend into the depths of a criminal underworld, a world where the players think with bullets and blackmail. Where they will stop at nothing to get what they want.
And what they want, only Amy May can provide.
303 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
45 people want to read
About the author
Colin Mulhern
14 books8 followersColin Mulhern is the author of Young Adult novels, Arabesque and Clash.
He lives in the north-east where he works as a teaching assistant in a primary school.
He lives in the north-east where he works as a teaching assistant in a primary school.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 30, 2020
The ending completely ruined it for me...
December 2, 2020
WTF was that ending? What a way to take a book from almost 4 stars to 2 stars in one chapter.
I enjoyed the writing style , the pace and logic were good and the characters mainly well rounded. Nine of these compensate for the book ending in the way it did, it feels like it has an unnecessary twist then a non-ending.
I enjoyed the writing style , the pace and logic were good and the characters mainly well rounded. Nine of these compensate for the book ending in the way it did, it feels like it has an unnecessary twist then a non-ending.
February 14, 2018
this was so cool. like realllly fascinating cool
May 29, 2021
the damn ending ruins everything pft 🙃
November 17, 2022
Good, but the end, no wasn't clean one of the man or her dad should have died but not mia that wasnt fair and i feel like there should be an epilog.
January 4, 2013
This review first appeared on The Book Zone(For Boys) blog
This is going to be a fairly short review (honest!). Not only because I am trying to cut back on the length of my ramblings, but also because I have some frustrations regarding this book that I can't go on about too much as I would be creating massive spoilers.
I haven't (yet) read Colin Mulhern's debut YA novel, Clash, although on the strength of this one I am definitely going to try to find the time in the not-too-distant future. Crime is definitely becoming one of the genres of the moment for young adults, and Colin Mulhern is up there with the rest of the crowd as far as the quality of his writing and his characters are concerned. Arabesque is a gritty crime thriller that if televised would sit very well as a post watershed drama. It has a cracking fast-paced storyline, and I absolutely loved the main character Amy May.
Amy has been brought up by her father to be someone who strives to be the best at whatever she does. This does not just include her promising career as a potential Olympic gymnast - in the early chapters of the book we are given hints that her father has for some reason brought her up to be able to look after herself, be it through hand-to-hand combat or even with a firearm. Initially we can only guess as to why this might be, but as the story progresses we are drip-fed occasional morsels of information that add to Amy's slightly unusual upbringing.
A botched crime leads to Amy and her best friend Mia being kidnapped. Unfortunately for the girls, the group that kidnap them are more than a little inept, and they very quickly find themselves at the mercy of Andrew Galloway, a far more ruthless career criminal. Galloway has plans for Amy, and in order to ensure that she follows them he separates her from Mia, who is taken away to a place where more than her life is at risk. Amy has to decide - will she try to protect her friends by carrying out Galloway's diabolical plan? Or will she forget Mia and try to save her own skin?
I mentioned at the start of this review that I harboured a number of frustrations regarding Arabesque. Before I go on to them I just want to state that I loved the majority of this book. I found it exciting and tense, and think it would make a great read for older teens - it does deal with some fairly adult themes that would make it unsuitable for younger teens. However, there were also one or two things I took issue with. The first of these was a major coincidence that enters the story a handful of chapters before the end. Some might call it a major twist (I saw it coming a mile off), and following some time reflecting over it I can just about accept it, and on its own I think it would have gone pretty much ignored in this review. However, something happens at the very end of the book that in my opinion just does not make any sense at all. I'm trying to explain myself a bit more without creating spoilers, and I think the best I can say is that a character ends up somewhere that they really should not be. There is just no reasonable explanation for this character's presence at this stage of the story. Unless of course, I have missed something completely in the earlier part of the story.
And that's all I can say about it. Please read the book - it is well worth your time - but I would love to know if anyone out there shares my opinion.
This is going to be a fairly short review (honest!). Not only because I am trying to cut back on the length of my ramblings, but also because I have some frustrations regarding this book that I can't go on about too much as I would be creating massive spoilers.
I haven't (yet) read Colin Mulhern's debut YA novel, Clash, although on the strength of this one I am definitely going to try to find the time in the not-too-distant future. Crime is definitely becoming one of the genres of the moment for young adults, and Colin Mulhern is up there with the rest of the crowd as far as the quality of his writing and his characters are concerned. Arabesque is a gritty crime thriller that if televised would sit very well as a post watershed drama. It has a cracking fast-paced storyline, and I absolutely loved the main character Amy May.
Amy has been brought up by her father to be someone who strives to be the best at whatever she does. This does not just include her promising career as a potential Olympic gymnast - in the early chapters of the book we are given hints that her father has for some reason brought her up to be able to look after herself, be it through hand-to-hand combat or even with a firearm. Initially we can only guess as to why this might be, but as the story progresses we are drip-fed occasional morsels of information that add to Amy's slightly unusual upbringing.
A botched crime leads to Amy and her best friend Mia being kidnapped. Unfortunately for the girls, the group that kidnap them are more than a little inept, and they very quickly find themselves at the mercy of Andrew Galloway, a far more ruthless career criminal. Galloway has plans for Amy, and in order to ensure that she follows them he separates her from Mia, who is taken away to a place where more than her life is at risk. Amy has to decide - will she try to protect her friends by carrying out Galloway's diabolical plan? Or will she forget Mia and try to save her own skin?
I mentioned at the start of this review that I harboured a number of frustrations regarding Arabesque. Before I go on to them I just want to state that I loved the majority of this book. I found it exciting and tense, and think it would make a great read for older teens - it does deal with some fairly adult themes that would make it unsuitable for younger teens. However, there were also one or two things I took issue with. The first of these was a major coincidence that enters the story a handful of chapters before the end. Some might call it a major twist (I saw it coming a mile off), and following some time reflecting over it I can just about accept it, and on its own I think it would have gone pretty much ignored in this review. However, something happens at the very end of the book that in my opinion just does not make any sense at all. I'm trying to explain myself a bit more without creating spoilers, and I think the best I can say is that a character ends up somewhere that they really should not be. There is just no reasonable explanation for this character's presence at this stage of the story. Unless of course, I have missed something completely in the earlier part of the story.
And that's all I can say about it. Please read the book - it is well worth your time - but I would love to know if anyone out there shares my opinion.
September 17, 2012
Amy May is a talented gymnast with a drive to be the best. After a bungled kidnapping she and best friend Mia find themselves in the clutches of a ruthless criminal boss. Although he lets them live, the price is high and Amy is left having to make the hardest decision of her life.
This is another gritty plot from the same author that brought us ‘Clash’. The second novel is always difficult, especially when the first is a hard act to follow. Certainly, this follows the same urgent style that Mulhern showed in his first novel. It has high-octane action from the get-go right up to the final twist. It’s another a page-turner; the dynamic phrasing and punchy chapters drive the story through to the finale. It’s quite clearly aimed at the young adult, but unlike ‘Clash’ I don’t think it will appeal as much to an older audience.
Arabesque is another great story, well told. For me, though, it lacks the depth of Mulhern’s debut novel. Putting aside the final twist (which, while unexpected, I personally found unnecessary), the book generally left me feeling unsatisfied. Maybe my expectations were too high; this is, after all, an action story, but I couldn’t help feeling there was more to tell, some point that failed to get across. I would have liked more characterisation, particularly to get to know Amy better and some insight into her relationships and motivations but I guess this isn’t that kind of book. While Galloway, the arch-villain came across as sufficiently cold and calculating, Amy and Mia didn’t get to me emotionally, the way Alex did in ‘Clash’ and that had an impact on how I felt about their plight.
Technically, this was more of a challenge than ‘Clash’ with female protagonists, a sizeable cast of characters and multiple points of view. While the author mostly tackles this with fluency, it isn’t flawless. Some of the switches threw me momentarily and at times credibility was stretched a wee bit too thinly. Additionally, there are some fairly basic editing errors that pulled me away from the story; it really needed another read through before going to print. What is more important was that the denouement relies on a coincidence that borders on Deus ex Machina. While this makes for a satisfactory conclusion, it stretched this reader’s credibility a tad too far.
Worth a read? Definitely, particularly for the teenage target group.
This is another gritty plot from the same author that brought us ‘Clash’. The second novel is always difficult, especially when the first is a hard act to follow. Certainly, this follows the same urgent style that Mulhern showed in his first novel. It has high-octane action from the get-go right up to the final twist. It’s another a page-turner; the dynamic phrasing and punchy chapters drive the story through to the finale. It’s quite clearly aimed at the young adult, but unlike ‘Clash’ I don’t think it will appeal as much to an older audience.
Arabesque is another great story, well told. For me, though, it lacks the depth of Mulhern’s debut novel. Putting aside the final twist (which, while unexpected, I personally found unnecessary), the book generally left me feeling unsatisfied. Maybe my expectations were too high; this is, after all, an action story, but I couldn’t help feeling there was more to tell, some point that failed to get across. I would have liked more characterisation, particularly to get to know Amy better and some insight into her relationships and motivations but I guess this isn’t that kind of book. While Galloway, the arch-villain came across as sufficiently cold and calculating, Amy and Mia didn’t get to me emotionally, the way Alex did in ‘Clash’ and that had an impact on how I felt about their plight.
Technically, this was more of a challenge than ‘Clash’ with female protagonists, a sizeable cast of characters and multiple points of view. While the author mostly tackles this with fluency, it isn’t flawless. Some of the switches threw me momentarily and at times credibility was stretched a wee bit too thinly. Additionally, there are some fairly basic editing errors that pulled me away from the story; it really needed another read through before going to print. What is more important was that the denouement relies on a coincidence that borders on Deus ex Machina. While this makes for a satisfactory conclusion, it stretched this reader’s credibility a tad too far.
Worth a read? Definitely, particularly for the teenage target group.
September 28, 2012
If either Martina Cole or Lynda La Plante wrote Young Adult fiction, this is the kind of book they would produce. I 'm serious, it was like watching one of the BBC dramas unfold on television where as each layer of the story is revealed, an unsuspecting surprise pops out catapulting the story into a completely different direction. I went without sleep to read this book and that very rarely happens these days. I want to petition the BBC to make it into a film, with Ray Winstone as a definite candidate for one of the main characters.
If I had a hundred copies of this book, I would be handing it out like candy. It really is a must read that will have you gripped and breathless. This book is like entering an East End version of the Twilight zone. You start with one kind of story and whoosh in a downward spiral into another which you are totally unprepared for. I couldn't have predicted how this story would end in a million years. I have to give the author immense praise for such an excellent well written book.
I loved Amy! I thought she was an amazing and strong willed character who could take on any of the kiss ass fantasy heroines presently slaying their way through the fiction world at the moment. Amy is calculated - everything she does is carefully thought through in the first place - there are many layers to this character and you watch in amazement as her real personality shines through. Amy reminded me of Catherine Zeta Jones in Entrapment; she had that calculated view of life.
I refuse to mention any of the plot as I would end up giving away spoilers. This book is best served without prior knowledge of the plot!
This book is a really gritty read and very compelling, even shocking at times. I was so drawn into the drama I often found myself skipping words and sentences as I was desperate to find out what happened in the end.
I went through a roller coaster of emotions which left me gasping for air by the end. I can't gush about this book enough. It is definitely one of my favourite reads this year.
If I had a hundred copies of this book, I would be handing it out like candy. It really is a must read that will have you gripped and breathless. This book is like entering an East End version of the Twilight zone. You start with one kind of story and whoosh in a downward spiral into another which you are totally unprepared for. I couldn't have predicted how this story would end in a million years. I have to give the author immense praise for such an excellent well written book.
I loved Amy! I thought she was an amazing and strong willed character who could take on any of the kiss ass fantasy heroines presently slaying their way through the fiction world at the moment. Amy is calculated - everything she does is carefully thought through in the first place - there are many layers to this character and you watch in amazement as her real personality shines through. Amy reminded me of Catherine Zeta Jones in Entrapment; she had that calculated view of life.
I refuse to mention any of the plot as I would end up giving away spoilers. This book is best served without prior knowledge of the plot!
This book is a really gritty read and very compelling, even shocking at times. I was so drawn into the drama I often found myself skipping words and sentences as I was desperate to find out what happened in the end.
I went through a roller coaster of emotions which left me gasping for air by the end. I can't gush about this book enough. It is definitely one of my favourite reads this year.
June 14, 2015
Quite honestly I loved this book. I always find catnip titles are a little bit different with unique ideas and more than one thing that makes them special and this offering is no exception.
I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know the main character Amy. She is a gymnast who has the potential to be Olympic standard once she turns 16 and has both a quiet confidence and enough humility to know that she has to to work hard if she wants to continue to to achieve at a world class standard which comes from a mantra her father drilled into her about being her best.
The book starts dramatically with Amy and her friend Mia being kidnapped by a crew of criminals who a desperate to extort cash from Amy's mother. I enjoyed seeing how Amy overcomes all panic to focus clearly on doing what needs to done to keep her and Mia alive whilst thinking outside the box to try and make the most out of any opportunity that might arise to get free.
Despite their best efforts to escape Amy and Mia end up split up by their captors with Amy being forced into participating in the theft of an expensive painting and Mia ends up in a seedy house where the girls are involved in some kind of seedy photographing business. What I really liked about this book was that it wasn't afraid to pull its punches. The story gets gritty and nasty in places which is something some YA authors can shy away from. I was actually left feeling incredibly uncomfortable at places but I loved that the book was able to make me feel that way.
The story itself throws out loads of twists and turns once the action gets going and I didn't see any of them coming at all. The action was jaw dropping and the end left me a sobbing mess.
Think Liam Neeson's Taken for a YA audience with a young gymnast as the main character. A cracking and surprising read which I thoroughly enjoyed.
November 25, 2013
Review by Jack (year 7)
Arabesque involves the kidnapping of two girls and the struggles they face against their kidnappers. There is gun-running, forgeries in the art world alongside the kidnapping adding to the action and adventure within the plot.
The story raises a lot of questions about morality. You are constantly questioning what is right and what is wrong when faced with the different scenarios presented.
The main character, Amy May, has the motto to be the best. She is on track to be a gold winning Olympic gymnast as well as keeping all her grades at A’s. She is very driven. Amy is able to keep her cool under pressure, devising ingenious escape options. The exact opposite to her friend Mia’s reaction.
My favourite part of the book involved a robbery within the art world, the complicated layers of the plot weave together at this point, providing insight and understanding on many levels. I especially liked how all the plot threads were dealt with at the end of the book. You weren’t left hanging on any level.
Colin Mulhern is an author I will definitely being seeking more of.
Arabesque involves the kidnapping of two girls and the struggles they face against their kidnappers. There is gun-running, forgeries in the art world alongside the kidnapping adding to the action and adventure within the plot.
The story raises a lot of questions about morality. You are constantly questioning what is right and what is wrong when faced with the different scenarios presented.
The main character, Amy May, has the motto to be the best. She is on track to be a gold winning Olympic gymnast as well as keeping all her grades at A’s. She is very driven. Amy is able to keep her cool under pressure, devising ingenious escape options. The exact opposite to her friend Mia’s reaction.
My favourite part of the book involved a robbery within the art world, the complicated layers of the plot weave together at this point, providing insight and understanding on many levels. I especially liked how all the plot threads were dealt with at the end of the book. You weren’t left hanging on any level.
Colin Mulhern is an author I will definitely being seeking more of.
November 1, 2015
It seems I got a little sidetracked with writing a review for this book ah well better late then never.
I remember flying through this book and yes the shortness of the chapters helped and the writing also was an easy read so in short I enjoyed the story and the premise of Arabesque but I kind of want another book maybe a sequel?
A summery for Arabesque:
Amy May is the best at everything she does.
But how do know you're really the best until you're tested? Until you're pushed to the limit?
A botched kidnapping drags Amy and her best friend into the depths of a criminal underworld, a world where players think with bullets and blackmail. A world where they will stop at nothing to get what they want.
And what they want, only Amy May can provide.
Yeah when can we a get a book two? I want another book for this I feel like there's more that can be done or even a companion story maybe? And I wouldn't mind spending more time in this book's world so dark and fascinating so like I said can we have a sequel please?
I remember flying through this book and yes the shortness of the chapters helped and the writing also was an easy read so in short I enjoyed the story and the premise of Arabesque but I kind of want another book maybe a sequel?
A summery for Arabesque:
Amy May is the best at everything she does.
But how do know you're really the best until you're tested? Until you're pushed to the limit?
A botched kidnapping drags Amy and her best friend into the depths of a criminal underworld, a world where players think with bullets and blackmail. A world where they will stop at nothing to get what they want.
And what they want, only Amy May can provide.
Yeah when can we a get a book two? I want another book for this I feel like there's more that can be done or even a companion story maybe? And I wouldn't mind spending more time in this book's world so dark and fascinating so like I said can we have a sequel please?
September 18, 2016
Added June 22nd 2014. Read 8th November 2015.
3.5-4 stars
A thrilling book with an excellent plot-line.
'What do you have to say about the painting?'
'It's a fake.'
Really? I thought the painting (even the forgery) was going to have some deep meaning other than 'perfect form' portrayed from the view of the protagonist, as Amy discovers something about what she'd been preparing for, and had collected. But that opportunity was snatched away. I like Galloway's buyer.
One of the best/worst endings I've seen in awhile. It's happy - sad. And the author destroyed Mia, but it should have been Amy. Amy continues to disappoint me. Mia deserved a better sidekick. And I like Galloway, no matter what he did.
You can't end a book like that.
3.5-4 stars
A thrilling book with an excellent plot-line.
'What do you have to say about the painting?'
'It's a fake.'
Really? I thought the painting (even the forgery) was going to have some deep meaning other than 'perfect form' portrayed from the view of the protagonist, as Amy discovers something about what she'd been preparing for, and had collected. But that opportunity was snatched away. I like Galloway's buyer.
One of the best/worst endings I've seen in awhile. It's happy - sad. And the author destroyed Mia, but it should have been Amy. Amy continues to disappoint me. Mia deserved a better sidekick. And I like Galloway, no matter what he did.
You can't end a book like that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2015
Der ständige Perspektivenwechsel ermöglicht zwar alle Seiten im Blick zu haben und über alles informiert zu sein, verhindert aber, dass man mit den Charakteren warm wird und sich in sie hinein versetzen kann. Die Geschichte liest sich zwar gut aber irgendwie unpersönlich und am Ende ging dann doch alles viel zu schnell und mann konnte manche Handlungsstränge nicht mehr nachvollziehen daher leider nur 3 Sterne...
Trotzdem ein netter "Thriller" für zwischendurch!
Trotzdem ein netter "Thriller" für zwischendurch!
August 28, 2012
Just finished proof given to me by Colin himself, and must say I am quietly impressed, gritty, tense and an ending guaranteed to divide opinion.
October 5, 2012
Loved it.
Unexpected ending - hope there is a sequel.
interested to read previous novel now I learn some characters make cameos in this one.
Unexpected ending - hope there is a sequel.
interested to read previous novel now I learn some characters make cameos in this one.
May 16, 2014
maybe it's just the fact that i am book starved because of exams but i loved this book. i finished it in under 5 hours. It was just amazing.
March 9, 2016
Intriguing
March 17, 2013
A good action book. Enjoyable modern adventure action story.
October 7, 2015
Horrible
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews