Dangerously Close Review

Title: Dangerously Close

Author: Sandra Glover

Release Date: 3^rd April 2008

Publisher: Anderson Press

When Dee's traumatised family start a new life, she is relieved to find two uncomplicated fun-loving friends. But with the onset of problems for one, and a controlling boyfriend influencing the other, Dee notices frightening parallels with her own troubles. Is she seeing things clearly, though?

And will her efforts to help mean revealing family secrets? Secrets they so desperately want to keep hidden.

Three friends, Dee, Hazel and Abbie are all dealing with their own problems. Dee has a past that she is trying to keep secret from her friends, Hazel is having to come to terms with her family keeping secrets from her and everyone thinks Abbie might be keeping secrets about her new boyfriend (despite talking about him ALL the time!).

I’m not sure that this book was what I was expecting. The three friends are all brilliant characters and the narrative moves fluidly through their individual family lives. I really liked the way the structure of the tales were so different, Dee’s story is revealed piece by piece and Abbie’s tale holds a surprise at the end. However, I found Hazel’s story to be a bit lacking towards the end. Although she still has to deal with what has happened to her Mum (read and find out what) and is devastated by Abbie’s selfish actions, I felt that we don’t really get to see a lot of her or her family towards the end.  

The book becomes more and more gritty towards the end, so do be prepared for some unpleasantness as Dee reveals what happened to her family. Even before we find out what went on, Dee’s family are really developed characters which makes her revelation even more dramatic, although it is dealt with in a really delicate way.

The character of Abbie reminds me of Lana in And Baby Makes Two in the way that she falls head over heels in love with Tom. She puts her life completely on hold for him, even down to leaving sixth form so she can get a job and work with him in his Dad’s hotel.

The ending of the novel is really effective, with Dee reflecting on what has happened and thinking about the future. Although awful things have happened, she still has hope that things will get better and this is especially important regarding her family.

Overall, Dangerously Close is a really good novel. The characters are all really interesting, dealing with their own problems and the tale addresses some key issues for teenagers. I would recommend this novel as something quite surprising and it packs a lot into a relatively small space! It is also set locally to me – which I couldn’t help but like!

4.5/5 Full of secrets.



Blood Runner Review

Title: Blood Runner

Author: James Riordan

Release Date: 6^th October 2011

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

Samuel's parents and sister die in a bloody massacre. His brothers retaliate by joining the anti-Apartheid movement, with guns and terrorism as their weapons. But Sam decides to fight prejudice in his own way- as a runner. Against all odds - from a poor township childhood to the Bantu homelands, from work in a gold-mine to competing for gold - he focuses his mind, body and heart on the long, hard race to freedom...

Samuel has to deal with the awful effects of a particularly brutal attack on his community which leaves his parents dead. He and his brother, Looksmart, have to move in with their Uncle Sabata, who brings the boys up as his own and gets them jobs in the gold mine. However, it is obvious that Sam is a skilled runner. Despite his brother’s violent actions in the anti-apartheid movement, Sam realises he can use his skill to his advantage and peacefully protest against the horrific prejudice that black people faced at that time in South Africa.   

This book is unique because of the way the tone changes so quickly and suddenly.  The story starts in a shocking and devastating way, with an outbreak of violence against innocent civilians. Despite his childhood (at times it is unsettling to remember he is just a child), Sam goes on to become a strong young man and the book traverses the years, with Sam becoming a loving husband and father. The teachings of his uncle and the ‘Note on Apartheid’ at the end offer a non-fictional element to the novel and also place it in context which is not just useful but also interesting. The novel is not just informative about the injustices that occurred but is also an interesting tale about a determined young man. As a character, I found Samuel to be really well constructed, with a mature outlook on how the world should be.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, both for the story and the historical note at the end. It was a well-rounded tale with a positive ending which contrasted with the tone at the start of the novel. Although the subject matter was often serious and heavy, the novel becomes a ‘feel good’ tale as Sam gets the things he wants and deserves. Even if you know nothing about the apartheid in South Africa, this novel is a brilliant stand-alone story but the way it is written will leave you with a greater understanding of recent world history.

5/5 Brilliantly constructed with a wonderful well-deserved happy ending.

With special thanks to Frances Lincoln for sending me a copy of the book.