Review: Dusk - Eve Edwards

Title: Dusk
Author: Eve Edwards
Series: Dusk #1
Format: Paperback
Pages: 400
Genre: YA, Historical
Published (UK): 6th June 2012 (Penguin)

Dusk by Eve Edwards is a beautiful love story set against the brutal back drop of WWI.

A love worth fighting for.

When Helen, a young hard-working nurse, meets aristocratic artist Sebastian, she doesn't expect to even like him, let alone fall in love. But against the troubled backdrop of wartime London, an unlikely but intense romance blossoms. And even the bloody trenches of the Somme, where they are both posted, cannot diminish their feelings for each other.

But Helen is concealing a secret and when a terrible crime is committed there are devastating consequences for them both.

When lives are being lost, can true love survive?

Dusk is a beautifully written story about a young couple mixed up in the brutality of war. Set during World War I, Sebastian is an officer in the army, doing his best to try to motivate his soldiers and keep them alive. Helen is also trying to save lives, working as a nurse behind the front lines. The narrative switches between their two perspectives as well as jumping back to their lives before the war, detailing how they met. The contrast between the two time periods serves to emphasises the horror of war. To start with I thought the constant switching would get confusing but it is done really well so it flowed nicely and I didn't once get mixed up with which character or time I was reading.

Helen and Sebastian are both really likeable characters. Helen has had a tough childhood and although shy and quiet, she's also feisty and determined when she needs to be. Sebastian is somehow adorable, even though I can't quite decide why; there's just something about him. He's a proper gentleman and I really liked that he essentially joined the army out of duty to his country and loyalty to his brother.

As I was reading the story, I was mostly expecting it to play out as a nice safe romance - not my usual thing but I do like me some historical fiction, so I tend to give exception in this genre. So, I was pleasantly surprised for there to be quite a twist towards the end and there is a bit of a cliff hanger making me eagerly anticipate the second book, Dawn, which is due out next year.

Review: Dunkirk - James Holland

Title: Dunkirk (Duty Calls)
Author: James Holland
Format: Paperback
Pages: 352
Genre: Historical, Children's
Published: 2nd June 2011 (Puffin)

Friday 24th May, 1940

Private Johnny Hawke, aged sixteen, awakens to artillery fire.

Hours later, Stukas scream down from the sky. Messerschmit fighters roar towards his regiment. Trucks burst into flames.

Now men and mules lay dead and dying, severed limbs twisted grotesquely as blood soaks the cobbled streets.

Young Private Hawke just wants to do his duty and serve his country. But as he - and his fellow soldiers - prepare to stop the German advance, there's only one question on everyone's lips.

HOW WILL THEY SURVIVE?

Sixteen-years-old and in Northern France during World War 2, Johnny is right in the thick of the action. He's the youngest of his company and fresh from training; a little bit naive but determined to play his part and fight for his country.

The book is very detailed and accurate (or at least it seems it to me, I'm not an expert lol). Some knowledge of the different ranks and other military terminology is assumed and towards the start of the book I found this a little bit confusing despite there being a glossary (and that I've read a fair amount of military based books). However, once I'd gotten into the story and googled a few words I liked that the writing seemed very true to life - to be fair, it wouldn't have flowed right if the author had explained everything too much.

At times the detailed battle scenes were a little too much for my personal preference and I did find myself skipping through a few of them. Don't get me wrong, they were good and I could totally imagine everything that happened but there was too much for me. However, considering the target group for this book is probably  younger teen boys, I'm sure they'll love all of the action.

A good story with an insight into the life of a World War II soldier. There's plenty of action with some really interesting characters.

Review: An Act of Love - Alan Gibbons

Title: An Act of Love
Author: Alan Gibbons
Format: paperback
Pages: 224
Genre: Young Adult, War
Published: 2nd June 2011 (Orion Childrens)

Childhood friends Chris and Imran celebrate the Millenium as inseparable blood brothers, they are both seven years old. But by 2011 their lives have taken very different paths. One has joined the Army and served in Afghanistan, the other is a potential jihad recruit. They are no longer friends, and there are bitter wounds between them which remain unhealed. Will their childhood bond be strong enough to overcome an extremist plot? In a highly-charged, honest and life affirming story, told in flashback from both Chris and Imran's viewpoint, Alan Gibbon's cleverly explores the very real issue of terrorism that affects everyone today.

At seven-years-old Chris and Imran are best friends. The story follows them as they grow up and apart from each other. As children they had so much in common but they end up with dramatically different lives.

The book deals with the difficult issue of terrorism which is dealt with in an accessible way by viewing historical moments such as the Bradford Riots, 9/11 and the 7/7 bombings through the eyes of two young boys who at first don't understand the importance of what is happening around them but soon find out just how these much impact these events have.

Throughout the story we get to know the two boys through their different feelings and emotions regarding their friendship as well as racism and terrorism. At times the book is not easy to read - in terms of subject matter, the writing is outstanding - and it makes you question your opinions of the whole issue.

An Act of Love is a great way for young people to learn more about the war on terrorism, particularly on how it affects individuals, and it would no doubt prompt discussion about this as well.