Teen reads

With Christmas upon us in what seems like only five minutes, I thought it might be useful to look at some books for those aged from 13 years – to whatever age really. With Twilight as a baseline, I have had the chance to have a look at a few more…

With Christmas upon us in what seems like only five minutes, I thought it might be useful to look at some books for those aged from 13 years – to whatever age really.

I know there are plenty of us out there that loved the Twilight books (the movies not so much…) just lovely, simple, easy, page-turners.

My 13-year-old daughter on the other hand LOVES the books, and still enjoys re-reading them on a regular basis.

With Twilight as a baseline, I have had the chance to have a look at a few more books that may be good holiday reading of the teenage, and female, persuasion.

Fallen and Torment

Lauren Kate has written a series of books based around the lives of the 16-year-old Luce and the ageless Daniel. The pair are linked in their many previous lives as lovers who die each time they finally kiss… this time round though, their lives are different for some reason and for the first time are able to spend time together.

The catch, of course, in book one “Fallen” is that Luce is a mere mortal, and Daniel is an angel. “Fallen” came out last year, and its follow up “Torment” came out in October of this year. It is at times racier than Twilight (and by that I mean all the books) and I did prefer the second book as being a little more subtle and complex. It had a great ending – completely unexpected that will lead into the third book – due out, no doubt, next year. There is lots of play between the good ‘fallen’ angels and the really bad ones – the distinction you will need to read the book to discover. Definitely a good read but I will be waiting a year or two before I give it to my own daughter. ‘Fallen’ and ‘Torment’ by Lauren Kate are from Random House RRP$32.99.

Max

She at the present moment is far more into the prolific James Patterson’s teen adventure “MaximumRide” series. But then she is far more of a tomboy, and likes her story lines about feisty, stroppy girl heroes. In this case the series is about the genetically modified Max Ride – a girl with wings (hold on – no – she isn’t an angel), and her ‘family’ of other children in the same boat. They are always on the run from those that would seek to harm them and use their powers for evil (isn’t that always the way?). We have just read the 5th and 6th books from the 7 book series. The fifth is ‘Max’, focusing more on Max as she is – a strong 15 year old, who slowly discovered that she is in love with Fang, her second in command. The books are written in a breezy manner, which sounds very much how a humorous, cocky kid would speak. I think boys could definitely read it but I think it fills a great gap for those girls who like a slightly more complex story with the romance as the side issue – not the main issue!

Fang is the 6th book in the series, which sees Max, and Fang deal with the complexities of their feelings and how it affects their extended family. It just isn’t going to end well is it? ‘Max’ ($22.99) and ‘Fang’ ($19.99) by James Patterson are from Random House.

Fierce September

The last two books were my favourites, but I will save the very best for last. ‘Fierce September’ is the second book in Fleur Beale’s series that started with ‘Juno of Taris’. I have really enjoyed these books both for myself, and for my daughter. These books could be read easily from age ten onwards. The story is set in the future when the world is ravaged by disease. In an attempt to survive the many epidemics that plague the world, a closed community is formed, under a huge man-made dome on an inhospitable island in the Pacific. ‘Juno of Taris’ sets the scene with the slow internal destruction of the complicated society that has been set up to survive in such difficult conditions.

In the second book, ‘Fierce September’, the dome that they live under, splinters and destroys the entire physical structure of the community. Luckily, right before it happens, all the inhabitants are plucked to safety by a ship and crew bound for New Zealand. Juno and her baby sister appear to have the ability to read emotions and to some degree, minds (Juno), and to know the future (Hera – her two year old sister). All the young people are pleased to be leaving Taris and journeying to the ‘Outside’ as the world beyond is known. They are desperate to leave behind the hard manual work that is expected of every resident of Taris, of the weekly head shavings, of the handmade linen sack-like clothing and of the strict rules of behaviour.

The world beyond with its fashions and freedoms look frightening, but fascinating. They arrive in Wellington to find themselves in the eye of a political storm. Supplies in NZ are very short and strictly rationed. Many are unhappy that the government has chosen to accept the refugees and stretch the country’s resources too far. Juno is a wonderful tough character – again a 15-year-old girl with a strong head and heart. The book has the added bonus of being web interactive with blogs at the end of each chapter to add both more understanding and intrigue. They have both been a great read and they are on their way to my niece in the States who is an avid reader and I know she will love these. ‘Fierce September’ by Fleur Beale from Random House RRP$19.99.

Warm Bodies

My absolute favourite book though, is the gorgeous ‘Warm Bodies’ written by Isaac Marion. Now bear with me while I explain the premise of the book as this book is so much more than its brief explanation. This is not a vampire novel, nor an angel book, but a zombie love story. It is the story of ‘R’. He is a zombie with no recollection of his life, or any life, before he ‘became’. He only knows hunger for blood and most of all, for brains. But strangely he has dreams, which set him apart from his other ‘undead’. He meets a girl called Julie. She is truly the light to his darkness – the life to his death. She is vibrant and bright and he is strangely drawn to her. But not to eat and he chooses to save her rather than consume her. And so a tentative bond forms between them much to EVERYONE’S (zombie and human) horror. I will leave it at that – suffice it to say that I loved this book – and even wept at the end.

I love it when a book moves you to look at the world differently. And so wonderful to find tenderness in a strange, zombie package. It is worth the effort. I even love the cover with its meandering blood vessels that look so very beautiful on the cover. It could have done without the plug from Stephanie Meyer on the front though; it is a book that firmly stands on it own two feet. I would imagine though that it is for a slightly older audience – 14 and up as some of the content is sexual in nature – but then maybe I am just a prude where my daughter is concerned. But I think anyone over 14 would love this book if they can get through the slightly brutal nature of the beginning to the rather breathtakingly beautiful end. A big fat five out of five from me. ‘Warm Bodies’ by Issac Marion from Random House RRP $29.99 is due out 3 December.

By Anya Brighouse, 21 November 2010.