Years after a violent war destroyed much of the world, Kaspar has grown up in a society based on peace and harmony. But beyond the city walls, a vicious band of rebels are plotting to tear this peace apart. It is up to the Guardians - an elite peacekeeping force - to protect the city, without ever resorting to the brutal methods of their enemy.
When Kaspar joins the Guardians, he has a chance encounter with a rebel - a beautiful girl named Rhea. Haunted from that moment on by strange visions and memories - memories that could only belong to Rhea - he realises he hasn't been told the truth about what the rebels really want, and what he's really fighting for.
Review:
In a future where nuclear explosions caused shifts in the earth's tectonic plates and made large areas of land uninhabitable society has been split in two. You have the Alliance who have built a protective city to keep their citizens safe, they are all about peace and want to live in harmony but they are under constant attack from the Crusaders who want to steal their city. The Crusaders are the ones who caused the devastation to the land and their actions forced them into a nomadic lifestyle where they are struggling to survive in the dessert.
Kaspar's parents were some of the most respected Guardian's for the Alliance and he wants nothing more than to follow in their footsteps. He has just completed the Guardian training program and is now determined to do whatever it takes to keep the city safe from the Crusader terrorists. It's not easy to fight an enemy who has guns and bombs when you're only allowed to disarm them and not kill them though. Kaspar has spent his whole life wanting to become a Guardian but now he's achieved that goal he starts to realise that not everything is what it first seems and the terrorists may not be quite as bad as he has always been told. When a terrorist saves his life rather than kill him it makes him question everything but uncovering the truth may not be an easy thing to do.
Noble Conflict is a very fast paced story with plenty of twists and turns that will surprise readers along the way. I enjoyed reading the story from Kaspar's point of view, he's a character with a strong sense of right and wrong who refuses to just believe everything he is told when the evidence shows different. He has the brains to question his orders and the courage to investigate the issue. It's very hard for him to know who to trust but he does have friends who are willing to risk everything and help him. I don't want to say too much about what happens but this is the kind of story that makes you question things and ask yourself what you would do in Kaspar's situation. Would you be brave enough to make a stand against injustice when you know it would put your life at risk? Would you be willing to trust someone you've always been told is your enemy just because she saved your life once?
One thing I would have loved would have been more information about Rhea, the terrorist who saved Kaspar's life. I would have enjoyed seeing more about the way the Crusaders lived outside of the city and perhaps had some of the story told from Rhea's point of view as she fought for her people. It wasn't a major problem but I do think that would have added something to the story. Overall I found Noble Conflict an enjoyable and fast read and it's one I'd recommend to fans of dystopian fiction.
Source: Received from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Other reviews of this book:
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.
Callum is a new short story by Malorie Blackman, written exclusively for the World Book Day App.
In a hostile alternative society, the pale-skinned noughts are treated as inferiors by the ruling dark-skinned Crosses. Callum’s a nought. Sephy’s a Cross. In their world, they simply don’t fit – it’s as clear as black and white. But their childhood friendship has grown into intense, burning love. They have to find a way to be together. Then Sephy’s kidnapped, and Callum’s faced with a choice– his love for Sephy or his loyalty to his brother. Once that choice is made, there can be no looking back.
An explosive and passionate short story, set during the timeline of Malorie Blackman’s original dystopian bestseller, Noughts and Crosses.
The World Book Day App is available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and is absolutely FREE! Download now from the App store.
Review: Callum is a short story set during the time line of Malorie Blackman's Noughts & Crosses that can be read for free via the World Book Day app from iTunes or purchased via Amazon for the Kindle.
I wouldn't recommend reading this if you haven't already read Noughts & Crosses as it tells the end of the story again but this time from Callum's perspective instead of Sephy's and therefore includes spoilers for anyone who hasn't read the original book. If you enjoyed the series you'll love reading Callum's story though.
I'm not going to say much about the plot because anyone who has read Noughts & Crosses already knows what happens. I will say that knowing what the outcome would be just made reading this story even more bitter sweet. It was really nice to get inside Callum's head and see exactly what he was thinking during Sephy's kidnapping. Reading this has reminded me just how much I loved Noughts & Crosses and that I never finished reading the series so I'm going to have to pick up the second book Knife Edge very soon.
Source: I read this via the free World Book Day app on iTunes but it can also be purchased for the Kindle
Other reviews of this book:
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.
It's time for another news roundup post but first I want to say happy World Book Day! I hope you have something bookish planned to celebrate and help spread the love of reading.
You can find out more about World Book Day and the fabulous books that are available for just £1 on the World Book Day website. You should also make sure you check out the FREE World Book Day App that works on the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. It includes short stories by Malorie Backman, Neil Gaiman, Charlie Higson, Anthony Horowitz, Sophie McKenzie and Rachel Vincent so there should be something there to appeal to everyone and it also includes extracts from some fabulous 2012 releases.
While we're on the subject of World Book Day you might want to head over to your nearest Waterstones store and see if you can grab a bargain. They are selling copies of both Department 19 by Will Hill and The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson for just £1 each!! These are both fantastic books (read my Department 19 review here and my The Name of the Star review here) so if you haven't already read them make sure you grab a copy.
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Now today is the UK release date for Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver. It's no secret that I'm a massive fan of Delirium (read my review here) so I can't wait to read this sequel! Unfortunately Lauren isn't coming to the UK for the launch but she has recorded a special message for her UK fans which you can watch below:
Do you want to know if you're ruled by your heart or your head? Find out by taking the interactive quiz on the Delirium facebook page here and you could even win copies of both Delirium and Pandemonium! I'm going to be reading Pandemonium this week so keep an eye out for my review which will be coming soon.
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Now if you're between 10 and 16 years old and want to have a go at writing your own very short story have a look at Bloomsbury's new competition:
Bloomsbury’s VERY short story competition for young writers is back LOVING FICTION TWENTY-FOUR-SEVEN. CREATING STORIES IN 247 WORDS.
247tales.com is the online writing competition from Bloomsbury that challenges young writers to create stories using only 247 words or less. Now in its fourth year the competition is set to challenge even more young writers.
In 2012, the competition returns with a blog-style website, a dedicated Facebook page www.facebook.com/247tales and nine more inspiring themes. Each month a different Bloomsbury author will pen a 247tale on a given topic. It is then over to the UK’s budding young writers aged between 10 and 16 to create their own miniature masterpiece.
One winner will be chosen each month and they will have their 247tale featured on the website as well as winning a selection of books and a framed copy of their story. Ten runners-up will get a signed copy of the latest book from that month's featured author, and their story will appear in the 247Library section of the website.
The competition launches at 2:47pm on Thursday 1st March 2012 (World Book Day) with a 247tale from bestselling author Tony Bradman on the theme of The Ship. Details on how to enter can be found at www.247tales.com. Authors taking part include Anne Cassidy, Jim Eldridge, Sarah Crossan, A.F. Harrold, Laura Powell and Sue Limb.
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If you're a fan of Michael Grant and are free on Saturday the 17th of March then you might want to head to the Foyles store on Charing Cross Road where he will be signing copies of Bzrk, Fear and the whole Gone series from 2-4pm. This is one of my favourite London book stores - they host some fantastic events and always have a fantastic selection of signed books and US imports so it is well worth paying them a visit and what better chance are you going to get to meet this best selling author?
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Now I have a cover reveal for Luminosity by Stephanie Thomas. This is Stephanie's debut novel and will be published by Entangled Publishing on the 11th of September 2012. I don't know about you but I think it sounds fantastic and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy!
My name is Beatrice. When I was born, I was blessed with the Sight. I was immediately removed from my parents and enrolled in the Institution. At the age of twelve, I had my first true vision, earning my raven’s wings. And when I turned seventeen, one of my visions came true. Things haven’t been the same since.
The Institution depends on me to keep the City safe from our enemy, the Dreamcatchers, but I'm finding it harder to do while keeping a secret from everyone, including my best friend Gabe. It is a secret that could put us all in danger. A secret that could kill me and everyone close to me.
But the enemy has been coming to me in my dreams, and I think I’m falling in love with him. He says they’re coming. He says they’re angry. And I think I’ve already helped them win.
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If you live in the UK and are 18 or over then you might want to have a go at entering the FutureScapes Short Story Competition. Stories must be no more than 3,000 words and the deadline is the 15th of March, here are the details:
Inspired by new stories by best-selling authors Michael Marshall Smith, Marcus Sedgwick, Kate Harrison and Lesley Lokko, readers can submit their own short stories, imagining the world in 2025. It’s part of a project called FutureScapes, which aims to get everyone thinking about what the world might be like in 2025. The competition winner will be published alongside our professional authors and win a Sony Tablet.
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If you're a fan of Paul Hoffman's The Left Hand of God then you might want to have a look at the new interactive game Penguin UK have created on Facebook (click here to play) to celebrate the release of sequel The last Four Things. You could even win yourself an iPad2! Here is a bit more info about the game:
The Facebook minisite features an interactive map of Thomas Cale's world, with embedded videos that take the reader on a tour around places including Tiger Mountain, Transvaaland and The Sanctuary. There is also an embedded game where users must build 3D equipment from the book. As readers progress through each 'level' within the map, they post to their Facebook wall to encourage all of their friends to participate too! Readers must complete all levels to unlock an Augmented Reality printout of the map which will result in a 3D version of character Thomas Cale, swinging his sword and talking to the reader. Thomas then says a word which will then need to enter to be in with a chance of winning an iPad2 preloaded with a copy of the The Last Four Things.
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So I think that's probably more than enough news for one post but hopefully something here will be of interest to you!
Last October I reviewed Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman (you can read my review here) which is the story of 17 year old Dante who is literally left holding the baby when his ex-girlfriend can't cope with motherhood. This was a fantastic story and one I really enjoyed so I wanted to remind you of it in case you haven't read it yet. The paperback comes out in the UK next Thursday and it's well worth picking up a copy of!
Have a look at this video of Malorie Blackman talking about why she wrote the story here:
And make sure you check out the official trailer here:
If you like the sound of the story you can read the first chapter online here
Last Thursday I was invited to the 2nd Teenage Kicks event arranged by RHCB, the event was aimed at teens and gave them the chance to answer questions and get their books signed by popular authors Malorie Blackman, Bali Rai and Jenny Downham. I loved Noughts & Crosses and Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman and really enjoyed Jenny Downham's You Against Me (click on the titles to read my reviews) so I was very excited about getting the chance to meet them. I've not read anything by Bali Rai but I've heard fantastic things about his books so am looking forward to giving them a try.
I met up with Caroline (Portrait of a Woman) and Jo (Once Upon a Bookcase) outside and we made our way into a very crowded event. RHCB had a fantastic turnout of teens of various ages most of whom seemed to be in school groups (I wish my school had arranged trips like that!). We managed to find seats on the back row but unfortunately it was quite hard to hear what the authors were saying as there weren't any microphones but I did manage to sneak closer to the front to take notes and snap a few pictures.
Caroline & Jo
Pupils from one of the schools (I didn't catch the name) started off by interviewing all three authors and then there was time for audience questions before the signing. I took a lot of notes so I'll try to share some of the answers here for you. I apologise for any mistakes I make, I was writing so fast that I'm having trouble reading my writing now (I really should try learning shorthand, it would make my life a lot easier!)
Where do you write?
All three authors confirmed that they take notebooks with them everywhere for when inspiration strikes. Bali and Malorie also confessed to listening to people's conversations all the time for ideas. I didn't hear all of the answers to this question but Bali did mention that he is planning on converting his garage into an office / boys room and he will do most of his writing there when it's ready.
What do you do to relax?
Bali actually writes to relax, he said it was a hobby before he became a professional writer so he enjoys writing whenever he gets a chance. He does also spend time listening to music and playing computer games too though. Malorie said she loves music and has a drum kit in her attic which she finds great for when people annoy her. She is also a computer addict who loves World of Warcraft and enjoys spending time on the Wii recently playing Just Dance a lot to help her get fit. Jenny writes when her children are at school and enjoys spending time with them in the evenings and at weekends, they watch films and do the usual family things but she has recently started Brain Training and also likes spending time in the garden.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
Malorie said she has no problems getting ideas, in fact she has too many of them, she also finds the first draft quite easy. The hardest thing is reworking the first draft which she does 6 or 7 times before she feels ready to send it to her editor. Jenny said that she doesn't plan her stories so sometimes she finds that she has spent ages going down the wrong path. Bali doesn't really find anything about writing particularly hard, he feels lucky to be paid to do something he loves but he does find he starts getting excited about new ideas he has had which can distract him from the book he is supposed to be working on.
Bali Rai
Do they take ideas from other authors? (I'm not 100% sure I got this question down correctly but hopefully that is about right!)
Jenny said that she often picks up new writing methods after reading other stories, the example she gave was writing in duel narrative but she said the styles she tries don't always work for her. Bali thinks that to a certain extent all writers pick up ideas when they're reading, it's impossible not to. He said that authors shouldn't be afraid to reinterpret ideas and make them their own. Malorie confirmed that she has been inspired and influenced by books she has read but she tries really hard not to read books in the genre that she is actually writing.
How do you distance yourself emotionally from the topics you write about?
Bali doesn't distance himself at all, it is easier to write about something you are emotionally invested in. He gets really angry when he hears about domestic abuse cases and that anger really helped him when he was writing his newest book Killing Honour (this is a book I've had on my wish list since the RHCB bloggers brunch and isn't being released until June). Bali gets attached to all of his characters, they are like his best friends or he wouldn't want to write about them. Malorie has to be emotionally involved in what she is writing. Noughts and Crosses was inspired by the murder of Stephen Lawrence and she wanted to write about racism in her own way. She thinks it is very important to write about something you care about and she admitted to crying as she wrote the ending of Noughts and Crosses (I cried reading it too!). Jenny said that as she doesn't plan her books she didn't set out to write a book about a dying girl when she started writing Before I Die. She does get emotionally involved with her characters though and described it a bit like being haunted by the book and the characters.
Did you read a lot when you were younger and did anyone encourage you to?
Malorie fell in love with reading during story time at school. She didn't have anyone encourage her to read or write but she started writing poems and short stories when she was about 7 years old. After an embarrassing experience when the teacher asked her to read out something she had written at parents evening she was actually put of writing anything else for a very long time. She used to spend every Saturday at her local library but she never read a book that had a black character in it until she was 23 years old (the first one she read was The Colour Purple). She wanted to be able to read about characters like her and this influenced the characters she wanted to write about. Bali said he did read but it wasn't something that he was encouraged to do. He was inspired by Roald Dahl but spent years thinking you had to be old, posh, rich and white in order to be an author! Jenny grew up in a house with no books (does everyone else find that as shocking as I did?) but she used to spend a lot of time at the library. She loved picking up a book and being transported to somewhere else, one of her favorite books was Z for Zachariah. She had a teacher who encouraged her love of reading and used to give her books to read. Her parents and siblings didn't read but it made her feel special because she did.
Malorie Blackman
How do you give each different character a distinctive voice?
This question was aimed at Malorie and she said she spends a lot of time getting to know each of her characters before she starts writing. She has to get to know what they like and creates biographies and both mental and physical descriptions for them.
Do you ever include true stories in your books?
Malorie's answer was a resounding no - she doesn't want to end up getting sued! She said that sometimes things from her past may influence her but she is very careful to change people's names when she is writing. She used a friend's name in Noughts and Crosses just because she liked the name not because the character was anything like her friend but it taught her a lesson because the friend in question was really upset when she read the story. It caused all sorts of problems and it took a long time for their friendship to recover. Bali was the complete opposite and said he uses real people all the time in his stories. He tends to make his characters a combination of at least 2 real people, using the name of one and the physical description of the other with the personality usually a combination of them both. Jenny said some of her characters are a combination of several people she knows and also include parts of herself. She hears a lot of stories from her teenage son and his friends but she had to remove some of them from the book after her son proof read the for her.
The Noughts and Crosses series was supposed to be a trilogy, what made you write a fourth book?
Obviously this question was aimed at Malorie. She found that the main character Toby was constantly whispering in her ear and telling her his story and in the end she couldn't concentrate on anything else until she'd got his book out of her system. She has no plans to write a 5th book in the series unless another character starts talking to her.
Jenny Downham
What is your writing schedule?
Jenny does most of her writing between 9am and 3pm when her kids are at school, she does sometimes write after they've gone to bed if she is on a tight deadline. Malorie also writes when her daughter is at school but she always tries to make sure that they have breakfast and dinner together. She tries to do her more creative work in the mornings as that is when it comes more naturally to her. Bali was working in a nightclub when he first started writing so he got used to writing in the middle of the night when he came home. He still does a lot of late night writing now but does try to write during the day sometimes too, especially when on a deadline.
Is it harder to write descriptions or dialogues?
Jenny finds writing dialogues really easy, she has an acting background and used to be part of a group that would make up stories and plays on the spot about topics requested by the audience. She finds descriptions are much harder to write. Malorie also finds dialogues easier to write which is why she got into scriptwriting. Bali started off finding dialogue much easier, in fact one of his early books is 80% dialogue and has very little description. He has found that he enjoys writing description more now and said it is like adding more layers to the story.
What did think of the Noughts and Crosses play and were you involved in creating it?
Malorie said that she initially sold the rights for Noughts and Crosses to someone but it didn't work out and she ended up getting them back. It was a really difficult experience and really put her off so when the Royal Shakespeare Company wanted to buy the rights her immediate reaction was to say no. Eventually she agreed to meet with them and by the end of the meeting she felt more relaxed about it and agreed. Although she knew there would have to be adaptions she wanted someone who would create something that was true to the spirit of the book. The director from RSC was great at keeping her in the loop and she was able to attend castings, rehearsals and read throughs as the play was being created. She felt really lucky and is very glad she let them do it even though it was strange to see the characters she created up on stage. The RSC are currently thinking about bringing the Noughts and Crosses play back next year and they are actually talking about doing Knife Edge and Checkmate too. The suggestion is that they would run all three plays at the same time but alternating one each night (personally I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they do this and that they bring the plays somewhere near enough to me that I can go and watch them all!)
Me, Caroline & Jo
At the end of the Q&A session we had an opportunity to buy more books and were also able to get our books signed. A lot of the teenagers had books with them so the queues were quite long but each of the authors took time to chat to us as we were getting our books signed. It was a great evening and I'd like to thank RHCB for organising the event. Of course I have to say thanks to the authors too, it was really interesting listening to your answers to all of the questions!
*** Please don't read this blurb if you haven't read Noughts & Crosses as it includes MAJOR spoilers ***
Can two wrongs ever make a right?
Sephy is a Cross - the daughter of a top politician and a member of the ruling class.
She is also six months pregnant.
But Sephy's baby will be a mixed-race child, it's father a nought - in a world where the two classes are divided by colour and never treated as equals. Even worse, the baby's father, Callum, is dead.
And now Sephy - and her sister, Minerva - must face a violent confrontation with Callum's brother, Jude, who is thirsting for revenge. For Jude reckons that Sephy was responsible for Callum's death...
Noughts & Crosses Series: Noughts & Crosses
An Eye for an Eye (Novella)
Knife Edge
Checkmate
Double Cross
Review: An Eye for an Eye is a novella that was released for World Book Day in 2003 and is now out of print. The novella can also be found as an extra in the latest edition of Noughts & Crosses.
I don't really want to go into much detail about the plot as it would be too easy to spoil the story. What I will say is that I really enjoyed the way the story was told by Jude and Minerva (Callum's brother & Sephy's sister). It was nice to get to know them both a bit better and to hear their voices. I'm very curious to see which point of view we will get to see in the next installment to the series.
An Eye for an Eye gives you a dramatic insight into the months after the end of Noughts & Crosses. For a short story it packs quite a punch, it's a tale of hate, anger and fear and is impossible to put down. If you enjoyed the first book in the series then this novella is a must read, I was on the edge of my seat and can't wait to pick up Knife Edge to find out what happens next!
Source: Received from RHCB in exchange for an honest review
Other reviews of this book:
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.
Callum is a nought - a second-class citizen in a world run by the ruling Crosses...
Sephy is a Cross, daughter of one of the most powerful men in the country...
In their world, noughts and Crosses simply don't mix. And as hostility turns to violence, can Callum and Sephy possibly find a way to be together? The are determined to try.
And then the bomb explodes...
Noughts & Crosses Series:
Noughts & Crosses An Eye for an Eye (Novella)
Knife Edge
Checkmate
Double Cross
Review:
Callum and Sephy have been best friends for as long as they can remember. They grew up playing together while Callum's Mum worked for Sephy's parents but after a falling out between the families they are now banned from spending time together. They aren't going to let that stop their friendship but will the world get in the way? Sephy is a dark skinned Cross and her father is one of the most powerful politicians in the country, she has had a privileged upbringing that couldn't be more different to the way Callum lives. Callum is a pale skinned nought, considered a second classed citizen he has always suffered from discrimination from the Crosses. In a world where Crosses and noughts should never mix can they find a way to be together?
I think this is probably the hardest review I've ever written, not because I didn't enjoy Noughts & Crosses but because I loved it so much. It was without a doubt the most thought provoking and best book I read in 2010 and I don't think I can write a review that will do it justice. I honestly think this is a book that should be read by everyone and I can't recommend it highly enough.
I found the story all the more powerful because it is so realistic, although Malorie Blackman has turned racism on it's head in the world she has created many of the injustices she describes have occurred in fairly recent history (and in some cases probably still occur today). Seeing the world through Callum's eyes doesn't make for comfortable reading and there were times I wanted to scream with anger at the things he and his family go through. Both Callum and Sephy were (and still are) so real to me that they feel more like friends than fictional characters. Their story will capture you, make you laugh, frustrate you and tear your heart to pieces in equal measures. I was literally heart broken at the end but at the same time felt the story was beautiful.
Noughts & Crosses is a powerful, emotional read that covers difficult topics like discrimination, prejudice, slavery, oppression and terrorism with a gritty realism that isn't afraid to take you to dark places. At it's heart is a superbly written love story which contains strong themes of friendship and family. Sephy and Callum both have distinctive and realistic voices that make it easy to get inside their heads and feel exactly what they are feeling. You get to see first hand how good people can be forced to do terrible things when they are desperate enough. As much as you may not agree with the decisions they make you can understand why they felt forced down what seemed like the only path available to them.
If you are only going to read one book in your lifetime make it this one - I guarantee it will leave a piece of itself in your heart and soul forever and you'll never feel the same again.
Source: Received from RHCB in exchange for an honest review
Other reviews of this book:
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.
You're waiting for the postman - he's bringing you your A level results. University, a career as a journalist - a glittering future lies ahead. But when the doorbell rings it's your old girlfriend: and she's carrying a baby. You're fine to look after it, for an hour or two, while she does some shopping. Then she doesn't come back and your future suddenly looks very different.
Seventeen year old Dante is left holding the baby. His baby. Not only does he have to come to terms with the fact that he is now a father but he is also faced with the realisation that his life is about to dramatically change. He needs to learn how to raise his daughter when he still feels like a child himself.
Boys Don't Cry releases in the UK on the 28th October and is a book not to be missed.
Review:
Dante is just seventeen years old and is anxiously waiting for his A level results to see if he can get a place at university to study journalism. He is an intelligent young man - proven by the fact that he has taken his A levels a year early - and he is looking forward to a glittering future. Everything changes the day his results arrive, but not in the way he was expecting. When his ex-girlfriend turns up out of the blue with a pushchair he is shocked and horrified - especially when she tells him the baby is his. Melanie asks him to look after baby Emma while she does some shopping and disappears before even giving him time to reply. When she calls him to say she won't be coming back Dante finds his life has been turned upside down. Although he scored top marks in his exams it looks like university is no longer an option - he is a single father now and his daughter needs him.
Boys Don't Cry is the first book I've read by Malorie Blackman but it definitely won't be the last. I've heard such good things about her Noughts and Crosses series and after reading this book I can't wait to get stuck into those books too. Boys Don't Cry is an amazing read and one I would recommend to anyone - adults and teenagers alike - it will turn everything you've ever thought about teenage parents on it's head. This book made me laugh a lot and cry a little - it really was a roller coaster of emotion and one I couldn't put down - I read it in just one sitting.
Dante is a great character - he is smart and ambitious, the last person you would expect to become a teenage father but that just goes to show how easy it is to get into a situation like this. After just one drunken, very forgettable sexual encounter at a party Dante now finds himself a single father - something he definitely wasn't planning and isn't at all prepared for. The emotions he goes through are so realistic that this book could easily be a personal account of a true story. At first he is shocked and then comes anger - he didn't ask for this & it shouldn't have happened to him - but his feelings for Emma gradually turn into love and he comes through for her in a big way. Yes he makes mistakes along the way but that just makes him more real in my eyes, I don't think anyone can say they've never done something they regretted in life. Human nature is flawed and it's how we cope with the challenges along the way that shows what kind of person we really are and as Dante becomes a man he becomes the kind of person anyone would be proud to know.
The story shows just how hard it is to be a parent at any age but it must be particularly difficult when you still feel like a child yourself. Dante is lucky to have the support of his father and his younger brother, both of whom throw themselves into helping him care for Emma. Although Dante's father is disappointed with his son he is an instant support and dotes on Emma from the beginning. Even with the support of his family Dante finds out just how difficult it is caring for a baby and gradually comes to realise how hard it must have been for Melanie who was completely on her own. Dante also has to face prejudice wherever he turns - he can't even go to the shops without people criticising him for being such a young father and he is treated even worse because of the fact that he is a single father.
Although I loved Dante I think it was Adam that stole my heart most - he is such a sweet character with a sunny attitude that you just can't help falling for. Adam is openly gay and proud to tell the world about it - a character to admire for sure and the challenges he faces along the way really were heartbreaking to read about. I just wanted to climb into the book and protect him (I'd have given Emma a massive hug while I was in there because she was just too adorable for words!). I was routing for Adam the whole way through and just wanted him to be happy.
Boys Don't Cry in no way glamorises teenage pregnancy, quite the opposite in fact as it shows just how hard parenting can be. Although it also shows the joys of parenthood I know this book would have made me extra careful as a teenager because I wouldn't have wanted to end up in Dante's situation. I really think this book is a must read for all teenagers and their parents - it would be a great way to start a discussion about using protection and being careful. I love the way the story shows that it isn't just up to the girl to take responsibility for using protection. This coming of age story may be written from the male perspective but it is relevant for both boys and girls and I think anyone would find something they can relate to in the characters. I found this was a heartwarming read that really shouldn't be missed and I'd strongly recommend you order yourself a copy of this book now.
Source: Received from RHCB in exchange for an honest review
Other reviews of this book: I Was A Teenage Book Geek Girls Without a Bookshelf
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.
