Review: Another Life - Keren David

Kicked out of yet another boarding school, Archie couldn't be happier to find himself back in London with old friends and an exciting social life. But he's worried about his cousin Ty, who is facing a sentence in a Young Offender Institution and doesn't seem to be coping. And he's finding that his old friends have moved on and it's a struggle to keep up with their new lives.

When he begins to learn surprising things about Ty, Archie goes on a mission to discover the truth about his cousin's past. But who is the real Ty? The thrilling follow-up to When I Was Joe and Almost True takes readers on a terrifying adventure through London's gangland.

WIWJ Series:
When I Was Joe
Almost True
Another Life

Visit Keren David's blog for more information

Review:
Another Life is the third and final book in Keren David's When I Was Joe series and is the gripping conclusion to Ty's story. Ty has been sentenced to 12 weeks in a Young Offenders Institute for carrying a weapon but the gang he testified against have a long reach and he is worried that he won't be safe there. Can he keep his head down and make it through his sentence without drawing unwanted attention to himself? This is also the story of Ty's younger cousin Archie. Archie is sick of being sent away to expensive boarding schools just so he is out of his parent's way, he is determined to get back to London and live at home so he can offer support to Ty throughout his sentence. After managing to get himself expelled from yet another school Archie's parents have no choice but to find a day school that will accept him as a student. As Archie tries to learn more about his cousin's past he finds himself drawn deeper into a world of gangs, violence, under age drinking and drug taking. Can Archie find the answers he is looking for or will he just end up bringing down a whole heap of trouble?

I have to admit I was kind of sad to reach the end of this series, Keren David has created characters that I have come to really care about and that always makes it hard to reach the end of the journey, but at the same time I wanted to know how things would turn out for Ty. He has had it so tough during the events of the last two books and it doesn't look like things are going to get easier any time soon. It is easy to feel sorry for him, he was dragged into the gang by his best friend even though it was never something he wanted to join, then he witnessed a terrible event that has left him traumatised to this day and being brave enough to stand up and tell the truth about what happened has cost him and his family everything, not just once but over and over again. I don't think I would have coped as well if I found myself in Ty's situation! That isn't to say he is perfect, he has made plenty of mistakes along the way, but it was easy to see how he ended up making the choices he did. Deep down he is a good boy and all he ever really tries to do is protect his family and those he cares about.

I found it strange at first having part of the story narrated by Archie, he has had a very different upbringing to Ty and I found his behaviour much more selfish and childish but you have to take into account that Archie is a lot younger than Ty and he has a lot less life experience than his cousin. As much as Archie can be irritating at times really he is also trying to do the right thing and he just wants to get to the truth about the events that led up to Ty's incarceration. Archie has questions about Ty's past and since nobody seems willing to give him any answers he decides to go and get them for himself. Yes, that means he puts himself into some dangerous situations, yes, I was frustrated with him on occasion, and yes, I could tell that certain things weren't going to end well but I never doubted that Archie's heart was in the right place and he really did grow on me by the end of the book.

It's hard to say everything I want to say about this book without giving spoilers so I'm just going to leave it by telling you that Another Life is a must read conclusion to the series. I wouldn't recommend starting the series with this book but I do highly recommend the whole series starting from When I Was Joe. If you're looking for a series that shows the harsh and gritty side of teenage gang culture, knife crime and the shady side of London then look no further, Keren David has created a thrilling series that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Source: Received from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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Author's Animal Antics - Keren David

Author's Animal Antics is a new regular blog feature here at Sarah's Book Reviews where I'm very excited to have some fantastic authors come and chat to us about their pets.  I'm thrilled to introduce the lovely Keren David as my guest today...

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There are few noises as happy as a pair of guinea pigs munching on watermelon rinds. The crunch and snap as they nibble away is really satisfying.

I’ll be honest - we are guinea pig owners by default. The children would have preferred a dog or a cat, my husband is allergic to fur and tried to veto all animals. Guinea pigs were a compromise, chosen because they could live outside. But now Freddie and Chester are members of the family, and we wouldn’t change them for anything.

They were obviously meant for us. My daughter took the task of finding a suitable breeder very seriously and scoured the internet to identify one who lived just a few miles away. When I called her we discovered that not only did we have lots of friends in common, but also her sister-in-law used to be my husband’s secretary. Oh, and our daughters were going to the same summer camp and ended up sharing a room.

‘You’ll love them,’ she predicted, putting two balls of fur into our shoebox. ‘Who couldn’t love an animal whose main interests are food and conversation?’

Freddy & Chester

It’s true, guinea pigs love to munch and chat, and that’s about it. They are happy to be held and stroked, but they’re not desperate for attention. They’re placid, undemanding and calm little creatures, with just the odd fight to liven things up.

When they talk they have a great repertoire of squeaks and squeals, with a vibrating roar if they get cross. They’re cleverer than they look, I suspect - my main evidence in support of this theory is the house that Freddy made by rolling himself in newspaper on the way home from the vet. They’re considerate too, they obviously try not to pee or poo when they’re being held - and are usually successful.

Admittedly these are the only proofs I have of superior thinking skills, but they so often look perplexed and thoughtful that I can’t believe there’s nothing going on. And they must be talking about something.

Anyway, Freddy and Chester have finished their watermelon now, and they’re chatting to each other. When they’re really happy they ‘popcorn’ – jumping in the air. Doesn’t that beat anything a cat can do? And they never drag in dead birds.

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Thank you so much for visiting today Keren!  Keren David is the author of the fab young adult thriller When I Was Joe that was released earlier this year.  The sequel Almsost True was released last week on September 2nd.  I absolutely loved When I Was Joe and Almost True fully lived up to my expectations - I would highly recommend both books.  You can read my reviews by clicking on these links - When I Was Joe & Almost True. 

Find out more about Keren and her work here - Blog / Twitter / Facebook

For more information about the Author's Animal Antics feature click here

ARC Review: Almost True - Keren David

This isn't the first time that someone's tried to silence me forever. 

It's just the first time that someone else has died instead.

Ruthless killers are hunting Ty.  The police move him and his mum to a quiet seaside town.  But a horrific attack and a bullet meant for Ty prove that he's not safe yet.

On the road again, Ty's in hiding with complete strangers...who seem to know a lot about him.  Meanwhile he's desperate to see his girlfriend Claire, and terrified she may betray him.

Ty can't trust his own judgement and he's making dangerous decisions that could deliver him straight to the gangsters.

WIWJ Series:
When I Was Joe
Almost True
Another Life

Visit Keren David's blog for more information

Review:
Ty and his mother have been in witness protection since Ty saw a murder committed and gave a statement to the police.  After their safety was compromised they were moved again and are now living in a small seaside town far away from their home in London.  When the killers track them down yet again, a case of mistaken identity means that this time someone ends up dead and Ty is on the run again.  His family no longer feel that they can trust the police to keep them safe so they decide to take matters into their own hands.  Ty finds himself on his own and living with strangers but are they really strangers or are they people he should remember from his past?

If you've read my review of When I Was Joe you'll already know what a massive fan I was of that book and I couldn't wait to get my hands on this sequel.  Let me start by saying that Almost True didn't disappoint and if anything was even more gripping than the first book.  The story is fast paced and sweeps you back into Ty's world in a way that has you hooked from the very beginning.  It is one of those books that you just won't want to put down.  If you haven't yet read When I Was Joe I would recommend reading the stories in order but I would highly recommend both books.

Ty has been through a lot and it doesn't look like things will get easier for him any time soon.  He has to do a lot of growing up in this story and I found it really interesting watching him build relationships with the family members he has no memory of.  I don't want to give away any spoilers so let's just say that Ty gets to learn a lot of family secrets in this book which help him to understand things from his past.  I enjoyed going with him on his journey. 

Almost True gives a fascinating insight into Britain's knife culture and really makes you think about what it can be like for teenagers growing up in inner city areas with gangs.  The story has a fast paced and interesting plot but will also make you think.  I'd highly recommend this series to anyone from teen to adult and would think this story would make for a good talking point as part of the school curriculum.  I'm looking forward to seeing what Keren David comes up with next!

Source: Received for review from publisher Frances Lincoln

Other Reviews:
I Was A Teenage Book Geek
Fluttering Butterflies
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Review: When I Was Joe - Keren David

It's one thing watching someone get killed.  It's quite another talking about it.

But Ty does talk about it.  He names some ruthless people and a petrol-bomb attack forces him and his mum into hiding under police protection.

Shy loser Ty gets a new name, a new look and a cool new image.  Life as Joe is good.  But the gangsters will stop at nothing to silence him.  And then he meets a girl with a dangerous secret of her own.

WIWJ Series:
When I Was Joe
Almost True
Another Life

Visit Keren David's blog for more information

Review:
When Ty is a witness to a violent murder he makes a statement to the police telling them what he saw. He had no idea how his life would begin to unravel, but nothing will ever be the same again after a petrol-bomb attack forces him into a witness protection program. Fleeing from his home, Ty and his mother must take on new identities and remain isolated from their family and friends. Starting a new life isn't easy especially when you're trying to remember your new name and always looking over your shoulders for danger. The gang want Ty silenced before he can give evidence at the trial and they're prepared to do anything to make sure that happens.

I had read a couple of great reviews for When I Was Joe but I was still a little nervous about reading it - when I was young my Dad & Step-Mum lived in a not so nice area of south east London & I remember being chased home at knife point when I was only 8 or 9 years old. I worry a lot about my yonger brother living in an area where crime rates are high and I had a feeling that this book would hit a little close to home. In some ways I was right - Keren David has written an incredibly realistic tale of gangs and knife crime - but I'm so glad that I didn't let my nerves put me off reading this book.

Ty is an amazing character and one that has stayed with me in the days since I finished reading the story. His tale is so well written that I find it hard to believe that this is a debut novel. Ty's character isn't perfect and sometimes it can be hard to tell if what he says is the truth or not, in fact although some things are hinted at we don't get the full story of the crime he witnessed until very near the end of the book.

Although there is obviously information on gangs and knife crime this isn't the whole story - the main plot revolves around Ty's new life as Joe living under witness protection. I found it so easy to slip into Ty's head and feel exactly what he was feeling - how difficult it must be to leave everything and everyone you know and love behind, not knowing when or even if you'll ever be able to see them again. Remember how hard it was to start a new school? Now try and imagine starting a new school when you have to answer to a different name and you can't give away anything about your past. When you have to constantly lie to everyone around you it becomes hard to remember what the truth really is. Where do the lies end?

When I Was Joe is a book that will make you think and has something to offer for all ages - whether you're a teenager or an adult there is something to be learnt from Ty's story. One particular paragraph that has stayed with me was this:

Page 108 "I'm not carrying a knife because I've seen what they can do. But I need one for the same reason. It's a problem that nags at me all the time."

How many young teenagers today feel the same? It is something I find heartbreaking but it is a serious problem that needs to be dealt with. We can't brush knife crime under the carpet - it isn't something that will go away if we bury our heads under the sand. If you're only going to read 1 book this year then I'd recommend When I Was Joe - it was a compelling read that I couldn't put down even if I wanted to and although the main subject of the story was hard hitting it was still light enough in places to make me laugh out loud. This really is a book that shouldn't be missed and I can't wait to read more of Ty's story in the sequel Almost True.

Source: I won this book from author Keren David in a giveaway on Twitter - Thanks Keren!

Other Reviews:
The Bookette
Once Upon A Bookcase
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.