The Perse Carnegians

Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
The first part of the book was quite interesting but not the most interesting so that I would immediately be hooked, however I was invested in the story by the first 50 pages because of the comedy and the interesting representations of insecurity, depression and also by the general idea and plot. The world, in a practical sense, is obviously very unbelievable, but it works really well to depict the idea of stereotypes surrounding different races or classes (or in this case, species). The pacing was good, easy to read and flowed very naturally - I didn't realise I was finished until I put the book down and picked up my pen to write this review. The idea and theme behind the story and its depictions is definitely something I haven't seen before and I don't think I will see this way of representation again. The themes were well-explored in the small amount of pages there were and I found it having a large impact on my thoughts on metaphors. I really liked the idea of the black dog showing depression and I absolutely loved the ending in which Zeke comes home from school to see his mum waiting for him instead of sitting in her bedroom. I think it really brings the relationship between those two full circle. Talking about relationships, I really enjoyed how the characters all interacted with one another and the use of comedy to make the book more fun to read for children and teenagers alike. The small cast of main characters (Zeke, Daniel, Alicia, and Miel) made the story much easier to read than if it had more characters and we needed to delve into each of their stories. I loved the way the main trio of Zeke, Daniel and Alicia were shown to have an equal relationship rather two of them being closer to each other than the other and the way that all of them depended on each other in a way. Throughout the story, I also liked how Zeke's thought process began to challenge the idea of stereotypes surrounding species (mentioned before) and how although everyone shares some things in common, everyone is their own individual and have their own characteristics. The characters definitely feel very real - their interactions really jumped out of the page! The use of comedy in the dialogue and overall writing style was also a good idea to keep in line with the unusual, more child-like representations of heavier themes. Aimed more towards children aged 8 - 12, the humorous and informal style kept the tone playful yet thought-provoking in a way I didn't expect it to be. Overall, a very compelling read indeed.

Roosha

The Boy I Love
I found The Boy I Love a very powerful and hard-hitting book. To me, it highlights the prejudice faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community while also vividly capturing the horrors and brutality of the trenches during World War I. William Hussey writes with emotional depth, making the characters feel real and their struggles and flashbacks poignant. The contrast between love and violence is especially striking, and Stephen and Danny’s bond is strong, but their need for secrecy creates constant tension and heartbreak. Beyond love, the story explores friendship, loyalty, and courage under pressure. By writing from Stephen’s point of view, Hussey immerses readers in his thoughts and feelings, creating a deep sense of empathy for his experiences. Overall, the book is unforgettable, thought-provoking, and leaves a lasting impression.

Jackie