What Students Think: Real Reviews from Young Readers

Blood Flowers by Jay McGuiness

“Blood Flowers is a book about a dystopian city, with two key characters which will decide the fate of their poor city. This book was very compelling and kept me reading the whole book. The storyline was one of the best that I have read and the character development was amazing. I really commend the writer’s style of writing. The ending was really good as well, with a Oscar-worthy twist. I would recommend this for people who like dystopian books and fantasy books. I would also recommend it to people above 12 years old. Some themes of the book is poverty, divide of class and addiction.”

- Tayo, Year 10

The Mystery of the Forever Weekend* by Lisa Thompson

“The Mystery of the Forever Weekend was a very enjoyable read. It lured me in so I kept wondering what was happening on every page.

The book tells the story of Cory, who gets stuck in a time loop. One Sunday he wishes Monday would never come. His wish comes true as it happened on a historic day in the village.

I really liked the book because it made me think about how lucky I am to have my family and friends, even if they embarrass me sometimes. It’s a great reminder that even when things seem rough they are the ones that are there for you.

It was a real page turner waiting to see if Cory could get out of the mess he put himself into. It’s a book I’m very happy to recommend to others!”

- Darcie, Year 8

The Boy With The Haunted Heart* by Morgan Owen

”’The boy with the haunted heart’ is the perfect sequel to a riveting YA book about two teenagers who have had their worlds ripped apart several times yet now have all this power and responsibility without the chance to stop and heal. Their trust is being tested whilst they rule over a country in which everyone is scheming.

As the son of dictator, Oliver Obscura is a figure of mixed revulsion and pity in the city of Providence. Now that his father is imprisoned a new era is ruled over by a New Order. Oliver forms part of the new democratic council along with Ruby. But when a new threat risks Ruby’s life, Oliver becomes consumed with saving her. The more he practises murkier strands of shadow magic, the further he sacrifices his soul. As the city brinks on revolution Ruby must hunt for a newly discovered sixth element of the soul if she is to hold on to what she loves.

This book asks what happens after the dictator is toppled – and in this case, it’s a power vacuum that others try to exploit. I really enjoyed getting Oliver’s perspective in this book. It’s a dual point of view book with chapters alternating between Oliver and Ruby. This lets us see the relationship from Oliver’s side as well as Ruby’s. Where the first book looked at the pieces of the soul in a quest to recover them, this one explores a new part of the magic system and how destructive it can be. Oliver absolutely falls to pieces trying to protect Ruby without every really consulting her on it, convinced he knows what’s right as he has seen many people he loves get hurt, causing issues between them and creating more interest from the reader.”

- Riddhima, Year 9