Candy Gourlay’s debut novel is the first victim choice for my new review section. I have to say I was thrilled when I won it from Candy. I would have posted her video happily anyway – so getting a free book was great fun.( I ’ve put a link to her site here.)

You can’t really fail with a book that opens “Rush hour. So many armpits, so little deodorant” can you? There you are straight in Andi’s head – and the characterisation of Andi is spot on throughout. I liked the clarity of the alternate Andi/Bernardo chapters: you could tell who was ‘speaking’ without the chapter headings. The culture clash aspect was neatly played, and I certainly learnt more about the Philippines.

I also appreciated the credible development of their relationship and the hints of more mysterious forces were nicely done – left open to interpretation rather than spelled out. I laughed out loud at Bernardo thinking Andi was a boy and I went a bit sniffy and pink-eyed about his tumour and poor Gabriela’s end. The use of the earthquakes  was moving (pun not intended) and the rescue of Jabby a thrill.

All-in-all, I’d struggle to find fault with this book. I would think it could make an excellent class reader or basis for topic work. There are PSHE, Human and Physical Geography angles , not to mention the obvious literary facets.

A cheery cover from David Fickling books