This week, Michael Popple explores three exciting novels for young adults. You can find more of Michael’s book reviews on his blog: unseenlibrary.com
The Secret Runners of New York by Matthew Reilly
Macmillan, $16.99
When Skye Rogers transfers to an exclusive New York high school, she finds herself drawn into the orbit of the school’s elite clique. This group, however, have the ability to visit a future version of New York, one devastated by a global catastrophe. With the end of the world only days away, Skye learns that privileged teen revenge is more dangerous than any apocalypse.
Bestselling Australian author Matthew Reilly explores the cutthroat world of ultra-rich students in this crazy and addictive hybrid novel. With some truly over-the-top inclusions, this novel is extremely entertaining and a lot of fun to read.
Slayer by Kiersten White
Simon & Schuster, $17.99
Slayers protect the world from vampires and demons, and every Slayer used to have a Watcher to guide them, before the infamous Slayer Buffy made them obsolete. Now, Nina, one of the last trainee Watchers, has become a Slayer and must reconcile her new abilities with the Watcher traditions as the forces of darkness target her.
This is an excellent start to a new Buffy the Vampire Slayer tie-in series. White digs deep into the extended Buffy lore to create a novel that will appeal to the established franchise fans, while also presenting an emotional coming-of-age story with some interesting character dynamics.
Love Lie Repeat by Catherine Greer
Penguin Books, $19.99
Annie, Ruby and Ash are the best of friends. Known collectively as the Sirens, these Sydney high school BFFs can take on anything the world throws at them, including overbearing mothers, cheating fathers and their own dark secrets. When Ash’s stepbrother Trip starts to come between the Sirens, Annie will do anything to keep them together.
This is an intriguing debut from Australian author Greer, who explores the dark side of friendship, love and betrayal in a moving and relatable story. It is a haunting and curious piece of young adult fiction that proved very hard to put down.
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