Lucy & Linh by Alice Pung

Laurinda is a posh school where every student is a high achiever and a hard worker. Only popularity isn't based on looks or grades in this school but who you're in with.

There on a scholarship is Lucy, whom witnesses a prank done by Amber, Brodie and Chelsea which sees her drawn into their group The Cabinet, purely by timing and chance. She starts to hang out with Amber especially a lot more and even goes to a party she's holding. The girls also meet up with the boys from their school too.

Lucy writes about her three terms to Linh and I found this confusing in the book as it's never made completely clear until right towards the end of the book who she is to her like a friend or relative etc. While there is some drama I found this book not exciting and a bit flat, the characters didn't seem to have distinct personalities and a lot of focus was on ethnicity which is great but only told us so much. The main focus is that Lucy changes from who she was before and becomes nothing like the person she once was or wants to be, I just feel it could've been more dramatic or easier to follow.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Girl Detatched by Manuela Salva

Aleksandra is a sixteen year old who's just lost her beloved gran and is left to live with her mum, Megan is her neighbour whom helps her by introducing her to Camilla, Dani and Kayley as well as Ruben.

Going from shy stutter sufferer though she doesn't on stage though her beloved theatre is closing down. But through it all Ruben is her new boyfriend whom she adores and as her first, is clueless to see the world she's sinking in to.

While Megan leads her into a dangerous group as girls disappear with the other guys, get bought presents of clothing and make-up and Aleks feels uncomfortable as Ruben makes her take her clothes off by drugging her with ecstasy and giving her alcohol until she can't stay awake.

As she changes her look, is failing school and was raped as she horrifically recalls her theatre friends gather her up and confront and threaten the bullying rapist and friends though they unearth a video, from that night Aleks was with them at a party.

Then they decide to get their own back and revenge on Ruben and his twisted group of so called friends, a court battle ahead with Megan finally an ally, sisters against the cruel monsters.

The book was intense, emotional turmoil for such a young teen to have to face along with so many other life changes that should be happy instead are sour after falling into the wrong crowd. A look into a life we overlook in young adult fiction as I've never read a book about this subject before. Rape and prostitution is a harrowing thing for anyone to face and go through, unimaginable but the author dealt with the subject covering all elements in a hopeful way of justice being served.

Powerful look into a dark hidden world...