Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Book Details

Author: William Golding
Ages: 12+
Rating: 9/10
Number of Pages: 248
Plot: Set on a deserted island, Golding portrays his views on human nature, without the restraints of society evil will always prevail, through the actions of a group of young boys escaping the hardships of war. Throughout the novel the characters, even the most innocent, become more savage and sadistic in the hopes for survival. Golding uses a range of characters to symbolise the many different people in society; Ralph is the natural leader, Piggy is the victim etc. The novel follows the group of boys as they try to find new ways of survival and ways to get rescued. As the novel progresses the characters and the island itself become more and more damaged. 

Golding wrote the novel in response to the novel 'The Coral Island' by R.M. Ballantyne; Ballantyne's novel follows the same concept as 'Lord of the Flies' but suggests that in this situation, of being away from society and civilisation, that boys will not turn savage and strictly follow the bible. Golding used the same concept idea to show how he feels boys would react in this situation. 

I studied this book as part of my English Literature GCSE course, and since then I have read this book multiple times. The characters each have their unique characteristics which make each of them memorable and relatable. Golding uses the characters to portray his views on human nature, characters like Jack and Roger are key example of this as they go through the most deterioration compared to the other characters. Some of the characters, I felt, came across as being annoying and spineless, the worst being Piggy.

Golding also uses the setting to portray the idea of deterioration. From the beginning of the novel Golding uses the setting to show how the island, much like the boys, is decaying and deteriorating. From the continuous use of fire and the fruit that causes the boys to become ill, the island is full of natural aspects that show  decay. Golding uses these methods throughout the whole novel to emphasise the negative effects humans have on the natural environment around us and the idea that good and evil coexist even in the natural world. 

'Lord of the Flies' is a great modern classic that has an easy plot to follow and is enjoyable for any age group. I really liked the characters and the use of description of the natural environment around the boys to help portray Golding's views on human nature. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys adventure novels or any novel that has a deeper darker message or meaning.

Reviewed by Daisy Wallis

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Book Details
Author: John Green
Ages: 13+
Rating: 7/10
Number of Pages: 313
Plot: Hazel, a sixteen year old teenager with terminal thyroid cancer, lives a life full of hospital appointments, reading the same book over again and watching America’s Next Top Model with her mother. Until she meets Augustus Waters, a seventeen year old who lost his leg after a battle with osteosarcoma, at a cancer support group for teens. The fault in our stars is full of humour and tragedy with points that will make you laugh or cry.

I wanted to read this book after seeing how popular it had become in the summer. I first read the book before the film adaptation, with Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, came out in the cinema and I felt that it did not live up to the high expectations that my friends had built it up to be. I thought that the overall structure of the plot was very similar to Jodi Piccoult books that I have read in the past, I also found the book predictable and didn’t feel any strong connections with the main character. Despite this, after reading it again and watching the film I began to enjoy and like the book.
I liked the ongoing idea of the book that Hazel and, later, Augustus obsess over as it made the characters seem more believable and relatable for readers who maybe haven’t gone through the same traumas as Hazel and Augustus. I like the use of the character of Peter Van Houten, the fictitious writer of their favourite book, An Imperial Affliction; the character not only made you hate him every time he spoke but also personified the idea that not all dreams come true the way you want it to. The obsession of the book also made the book more unqiue and took the attention away from the fact that the characters have cancer.
However, as much as I love Hazel and Augustus’ relationship, I felt that the friendship between Augustus and Isaac, a teenager who lost his sight because of cancer, was not addressed enough throughout the book. My favourite passage in the whole book, and the film, is not linked to the main love story in the book but the love Isaac has for his friend Augustus;

“But I will say this: when the scientists of the future show up at my house with robot eyes and they tell me to try them on, I will tell the scientists to screw off, because I do not want to see a world without him.” - Isaac

I loved the character of Isaac and really liked his humour despite having lost his sight. I think the humour of the book really took away from the idea that the book is about teenagers with cancer, but more like the life of a small group of friends.
Overall, I at first didn’t think much of the book but after reading it again I can understand why the book is so popular amongst the teenage age group. I would really love to see maybe a sequel/prologue centred on  Augustus and Isaac’s relationship and to see An Imperial Affliction made into a real book.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Book Details

Author: Gayle Forman
Ages: 14+
Rating: 7/10
Number of Pages: 210
Plot: For seventeen year old Mia life is perfect; a loving family, caring friends, an extraordinary boyfriend and a fantastic future ahead of her. However, life can change in an instant. One accident and all of Mia's choices are taken away from her - except one. All alone, Mia must come to terms with the accident and make the most difficult choice of all.

I decided to read this book as the film adaptation starring Chloe Grace Moretz comes out soon. I had already watched the trailer so I had some idea on what the book was going to be like. From the trailer, the ideas surrounding the novel and film reminded me of books written by Jodi Picoult (who wrote My Sister's Keeper).
I really loved how the writer used flashbacks to give the reader an insight into the lives of Mia, her family and how she met her boyfriend and friends. I felt that by doing this the writer helped make the relationships and heart break more realistic and more thought-provoking. It also helped create empathy between the reader and Mia; in parts you really felt the pain that Mia was feeling.

'If you stay, I'll do whatever you want... maybe coming back to your old life would be too painful, that maybe it's be easier for you to erase us. And that would suck, but I'd do it. I can lose you like that if I don't lose you today. I'll let you go. If you stay.' - Adam (Mia's boyfriend)

I feel that the novel would probably affect people in different ways, for example, people who read this genre regularly would probably be affected by the novel more. So, for me after finishing the book the ideas didn't play on my mind for hours and hours like other books.
However, I did really enjoy the whole idea of the novel. I especially liked the different relationships depicted within the many flashbacks, for example, Mia and Kim's relationship is shown through the great lengths Kim goes to to get Adam to the hospital. The author not only shows how important friendship is but also the lengths friends are willing to go to for each other.
I also really loved the characters of Mia's parents, despite only learning about them throughout the flashback periods. Throughout the novel we learn how loving and encouraging Mia's parents are towards Mia and Teddy especially when it comes to music. The author creates a realistic relationship between child and parent which I feel helps the reader relate to the relationship in the book.
To conclude, despite not being as emotionally attached to the book as I thought I would have been, I really liked the ideas and overall structure of the novel. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has read and enjoyed novels by Jodi Picoult and John Green.

Reviewed by Daisy Wallis

Thirteen by Tom Hoyle

Book Details
Author: Tom Hoyle
Ages: 11+
Rating: 7/10
Number of Pages: 322
Plot: Adam Grant is a normal thirteen year old until he discovers that a murderous cult called 'The People' need to sacrifice him in order to take over the world. Coron, the crazy cult leader, has already eliminated twelve boys who all share a similar characteristic - they were all born at midnight on the start of the new millennium; and Adam is the thirteenth and last to be sacrificed.

Not to contradict the popular saying 'don't judge a book by it's cover', the cover of this particular novel drew me in immediately. I had never heard of the book or the author and so knew little of the style or general idea of the book.
From the prologue to the end of the novel I was hooked on every word; the writer uses interesting characters and clever plot twists to keep the reader entertained. I liked how the book was set in modern day London (2013-2014)  as the majority of novels I have read in this genre are set in the future in America.
The author also used lots of action which captivated the reader and made the novel more exciting. The author in some parts, I felt, could have made the fights more realistic, for example, would a thirteen year old boy know how to fire a gun successfully.

'By the time he is fourteen, the boy has become a man...... Thirteen is the last year of childhood...... They boy must die before he is a man.' - Coron's 'Great Book' 

My favourite idea throughout the book was the use of the cult and the crazy cult leader Coron as this made the novel more unique and different to other YA books on the market. The author clearly shows how the cult leader is insane through the third person narrative and the erratic description that surrounds the character. The author also creates a dictatorial relationship between Coron and his people; this can be seen throughout the novel when Coron directs speeches or dictates others - his 'subjects' are always described as being in awe of him and his leadership skills.
Overall I thought that the novel follows a very unique idea that is executed in a descriptive and imaginative way that holds the readers interest throughout. Despite the scenes and actions that can only be described as being unbelieveable; this book is full of suspense ans is a real page turner.
I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the Gone series by Michael Grant. I look forward to reading the next in the series and future novels by Tom Hoyle.

Reviewed by Daisy Wallis