With the festive season quickly approaching, what better way to celebrate than with a YA book club meeting in a cosy bookshop!
This month’s meeting had us discussing two vastly different novels that although the stark contrast in approach, ultimately delivered a similar message.
The books in question were: Silent Sister by Megan Davidhizar, a thriller released this year (2024) by a debut author and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs,, a debut at the time of its release.
Overall, Silent Sister received great praise, proving itself to be an outstanding addition to the YA thriller genre, with its complex characters and multi layered plot, everyone felt immediately hooked. The pacing was also commented on, being praised for the gentle changes in speed to align with the text at that particular moment in the plot. This book is most certainly perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Karen McManus but also those who are looking for a unique psychological YA thriller.
Ransom Riggs’s Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children also proved itself to be a hit. This magical fantasy installs elements of the gothic genre to achieve a thrilling adventure, that although being only one in a series, quite comfortably sits as a standalone if desired. The addition of photographs also felt poignant in its exploration of the treatment of children considered different by society. Perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and for those who enjoyed Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials.
We are very much looking forward to our next meeting in the new year (Wednesday 8th January) where we will be discussing Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman and The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden.
From everyone at Fourbears Books, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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