Book Review: The Elites by Natasha Ngan

"There is a rumour that the Elites don't bleed..."

After I finished this book, I've been itching to start typing up my review. I think it's the fact I don't want to just forget my reading experience!

Hundreds of years into the future, wars, riots, resource crises and rising sea levels have destroyed the old civilisations. Only one city has survived: Neo-Babel, a city full of cultures -and racial tension. Fifteen-year-old Silver is an Elite, a citizen of Neo-Babel chosen to guard the city due to her superior DNA. She'd never dream of leaving - but then she fails to prevent the assassination of Neo-Babel's president, setting off a chain of events more shocking and devastating than she could ever imagined. Forced to flee the city  with her best friend Butterfly, Silver will have to fight to find her family, uncover the truth about Neo-Babel - and to survive.

 

Twitter | Goodreads | Blog

 

The Elites was such an enjoyable debut from Natasha Ngan and one of the first books for a while where I've really been able to immerse myself in the world, characters and plot-line. Ngan has here a novel that has so many cultural aspects and really makes you feel that you are part of her world - Neo-Babel and, despite being set in the future, it tackles issues that are really rooted in today's society.

The way this novel was told was a highlight of the book for me. The multiple point of views were never confusing or unclear, something I've come across a lot lately, as the characters were so well-developed and really, people that you ended up caring immensely for. The various narratives were all equally strong: with different personalities, ideas and ways of life.  The time taken to develop and understand the characters really paid off: I rooted for them(sometimes - there are a few 'villain' types written in), felt for them and even cried for/with them! I should have counted how many times I was left jaw-dropped at something I had just read, scrambling to re-read the sentence because of the surprises thrown at me.

The characters became favourite fictional friends of mine! They weren't perfect but, had flaws: things that had really taken an effect on their lives. Just like I said previously about the time taken to develop them, each character has a backstory and it's shown how it effects what they do during the novel.  There is an exotic-theme woven into this book, it combines different cultures and makes Neo-Babel come alive. The writing is well-crafted and brilliantly detailed: never losing the main focus of the novel. It allowed me to picture the scenes vividly, and was also interesting to see what would happen in a City made up of different cultures.

While I was reading, this book barely left my hand. I finished within a number of days - which would have been a lot less without the stresses of school. It was captivating, exciting and thought-provoking - and with topics that will stay with you for quite a while after reading.
 

Personally, I'm so glad this is a stand-a lone as it worked really well. I got to go on this journey with characters I loved but, Ngan was able to tie everything in the closing chapters like a boxed-gift. I was left with no burning questions that would go straight through the book - but had tears brimming in my eyes instead! Finally, I don't need to spend months waiting for a sequel!

The only reason this book didn't get five stars from me is the fact that it takes time for this book to really begin. It's a slightly slow start, with a few strands of it hard to understand, but soon after the President's Assassination you get a fell of what this book will continue to be. This is a brilliant debut and one of the best reading experiences I have had for a while.

4 Stars - Ages 12+

I was sent this book in return for an honest review by the lovely people at
Hot Key Books.

Review: 'Pretty Girl Thirteen' by Liz Coley

We tried so hard to keep you safe...

 

When sixteen-year-old Angie Chapman walks in the front door of her house, everything looks the same.

 

The same, but not quite.

Why is her handsome father's black hair completely grey? Why does her mother collapse in tears? Then they tell her: she has been missing, presumed dead, for three years. But while Angie can't recall a single detail of where she has been or how long she's been gone, there are people who do remember. People who can tell her everything. If only they weren't locked inside her mind.

 

Is she ready to learn the truth about Pretty Girl Thirteen?

 

It's not often you pick up a book that you'll never forget. That takes your emotions and scatters them across the floor. Pretty Girl Thirteen is this type of book. It's concept is a tough read, but one you can't put down. Of course, it's a book for more mature Young Adult readers but it's a really important read. Also very unsuspecting, I thought it would be a fantasy novel where it turned out to be a thriller.

 

Pretty Girl Thirteen is a haunting, harrowing and gripping read that is also heart-breaking and powerful. When I wasn't reading this, I was thinking about it. Angela Chapman has been missing for three years, and she doesn't realise it. Nor until her parents tell her, when she arrives home one day from what she thinks was a short camping trip, and they explain she was presumed dead. The novel is about unravelling what happened in the three years she has been away. The problem is, the people who do remember are locked inside her mind. Then you are faced with the question of how horrifying the truth may be. After a few chapters, the discovery takes place that she has Dissociative Identity Disorder - a mental disorder where a person has more than one personality, that has protected Angie from the truth. Her 'personalities' kept her hidden while they lived the abuse for her. I found this concept so interesting, intriguing but also shocking. The way the story was told allowed what happened to Angie to slowly become undone, and as she learnt more, she also had her 'normal' day to day life to live.

 

This book definitely deals with topics that are all too real in our society. It's an important story to be told, but frightening and something that will haunt you. I mean, I found myself sobbing throughout this book and I applaud Liz Coley for not shying away from a subject like this. I mean, it was enthralling, un-putdownable and heart-breaking. It had it's fair share of twists and turns in it's plot, I've never had such a roller-coaster ride inside a book. There are three main events that stand-out, as well as getting to know the 'alters' that have tried to keep her safe from the truth. I loved how the author was able to created all these different personalities, and make sure they all had a role in Angie's life.

 

As for the character's, I soon found out there was a back-story to them all. One character I thought was really well realised was Angie's dad, who although I wanted to tell him to stand up and stop feeling sorry for himself, by the way I understood him at the end. I thought it was the perfect reaction, because he felt guilty for not being able to protect his daughter from what had happened. I also never thought things would happen, the way the 'alters' would reveal things that would cause anger to bubble inside of me. Angie, what can I say? She was an amazing, and inspiring female. She had to accept what had happened, missing three years of her life and being used. There are scars on her wrists and around her ankles, and the only thing that happens is that she discovers more. The way she dealt with it, was not feeling sorry for herself but wanting to recover. The ending made me love her even more.

 

Honestly, at times I couldn't quite believe what I was reading and how the family couldn't accept a certain point in the novel. One thing I would point out, although the ending was wise, I wanted more. I wanted there to be an Epilogue, or for there to be more information. I mean, there were two things I wanted to know. It made sense at times to not say, but then the part of me that needs to know every detail wanted it. But, just read this book! Although I have to say it's definitely for more mature audiences. Angie deals with years of physical abuse and this novel is upsetting. Completely worth the read nevertheless. As you can see by the length of my review, I can't justify how powerful, moving and quite frankly, frightening this book was.

 

For ages 14 +

4 Stars

 

Everyone needs to experience this, in all it's haunting ways.