Review: Gemini Falling by Eleanor Wood

Gemini Falling by Eleanor Wood

Author: Eleanor Wood Website|Twitter
Published: 29 October 2013 (Carina)
Format: Kindle e-book (ARC)
Pages: 43
Buy the e-book: Kindle|Kobo

Source: Received free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Carina!

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
‘First of all, let’s get something straight. This is not going to be one of those stories where the school bitch turns out to have a heart of gold,’

Amie’s the most popular – and the meanest –girl at her exclusive private school, with her trusty second in command Lexy by her side. And she likes it that way. Lexy knows that she deserves Amie’s prized position just as much but dethroning the Queen Bee just isn’t done.

Until mysterious twins Elyse and Melanie arrive mid-term, with a magnetic power that’s impossible to deny, and shake up the school’s social rules. As the twins leave darkness and devastation in their wake, Lexy’s suddenly discovering her own powers of manipulation.

Whilst Amie’s about to learn that it’s not just lonely at the top – it’s terrifying.

My Review:
I really loved Gemini Rising, so when I saw this companion novella was available to review, I just couldn't resist putting in a request! Gemini Falling gives you scenes from the perspective of Amie and Lexy as their worlds are rocked by the arrival of twins Elyse and Melanie.

This novella could either be read before or after Gemini Rising as it doesn't really spoil anything, just gives you some scenes from the POV of different characters. The first half of the novella is told from Amie's point of view, whilst the second jumps to Lexy's perspective. I think it would be a great taster of the first book for someone who hasn't read it, but as someone who has I really appreciated the insight into different characters. It was really interesting to see Sorana (who's POV we get in Gemini Rising) viewed from a different angle to show just how others see her.

What the author has done so well in Gemini Falling is get into the heads of these completely bitchy characters. Both Amie and Lexy are part of the popular gang at school, known as "the A group", and I loved seeing the story from their side, even if they do have a bit of an attitude problem! It didn't put me off reading about them, far from it! I think it's totally refreshing to have characters who are brutally honest and don't sugar coat their opinions. You really get the chance to see their way of thinking, however flawed it is. I loved the scheming and plotting and that undercurrent of jealousy running through both girls' thoughts.

I think the situations the girls find themselves in in regards to friendship drama and school are ones a lot of people can relate to. There's a lot of focus on Amie and Lexy's jealousy over Sorana's relationship with cute guy Josh which was interesting to see. Plus there's one scene where Amie makes comments about Sorana's weight, stating how Sorana can get away with eating loads and being super skinny. I thought that was a really brilliant observation and I was pleased a character could acknowledge that some people are just naturally thin, plus it highlighted some of Amie's own insecurities.

I really enjoyed seeing the relationship between Amie and the twins, who totally creep Amie out. It gives you a hint at their unnerving nature and really helped develop the story from Gemini Rising. This novella also gave you a good look at the relationship between Amie and Sorana from the other side of the coin. I already loved the incredible range of characters and getting to know them even better and get stuck into their thoughts and motivations made for a gripping read.

For a short story there was a lot of substance and some great scenes to sink your teeth into. It reminded me just how much I love these characters and the slick writing. For fans of Gemini Rising it is well worth checking out, and if you want a taster of the world then I'd highly recommend it as it'll suck you in and leave you wanting more!

Rating: 5*
What to read next: Gemini Rising by Eleanor Wood

Project UKYA Blog Tour: Interview with Eleanor Wood

Today I'm extremely excited to be part of the Project UKYA blog tour! Below you'll find my interview with Eleanor Wood, author of the UKYA novel Gemini Rising. Be sure to visit the Project UKYA blog to follow the tour throughout November and find out more about UKYA!

Interview with Eleanor Wood

TTF: Your book is set in a British sixth form. Did you draw on your own experiences from school?

EW: Definitely!  None of the characters are real and none of those specific situations actually happened to me, but the dynamic was based very much on real life.  I went to a very small, quite strict girls’ school in the west London suburbs, so it was quite an unusual environment, but I hope it has a certain recognisable British-ness.

TTF: Is there any advice you'd give your younger self looking back?

EW: Basically, all the challenges I set Sorana in the book are like a direct address to my past self – don’t care what people think, stay true to yourself, don’t waste time on people who don’t matter.  Most importantly, then and now: be kind.

TTF: I loved Sorana's obsession with her favourite band Trouble Every Day. What music did you obsess over growing up? And what music do you love now?

EW: I still listen to a lot of the same music I’ve loved since I was a kid – Nirvana, Hole, PJ Harvey, Leonard Cohen, Sonic Youth…  In my teens, I was weirdly obsessed with the band Placebo.  To a slightly crazy degree.  My friend Neil and I still go to see them once a year and reminisce about the days when our bedrooms were shrines to Brian Molko.  These days I’d add to the list: Bat for Lashes, Tied to the Mast, Cat Power, Jack Lucan…

TTF: Gemini Rising was published by Harlequin's Carina imprint. Tell me a little bit about the journey to getting published.

EW: It was, as these things tend to be, quite circuitous!  The first full-length manuscript I ever wrote was nominally an ‘adult’ novel, a coming-of-age tale, which had a couple of near-misses but didn’t end up selling to a publisher.  The best thing that came out of this was that I signed up with my fantastic agent, Caroline Hardman (who previously worked for Christopher Little, but now has her own agency Hardman and Swainson).  It was actually Caroline who then suggested I try writing a YA novel.  That seems funny to me now, as I feel so strongly that it’s my perfect style.  The result was Gemini Rising – when I finished it at the end of last year, there was some interest from a few editors, and the most enthusiastic was Anna at Harlequin, who was in the process of helping to launch the Carina imprint.

TTF: Do you have a writing routine?

EW: It’s a pretty ramshackle affair.  I try to avoid too much routine, as I find it easy to slip into superstitions – and then that destructive mindset of ‘I can’t possibly write without my favourite chair/a view of the garden/red lipstick/total quiet/etcetera’.  So I deliberately mix it up – writing on the train, in front of the TV, in bed at night or at the kitchen table.  However, I hate to write in silence and I think I write best in the mornings.

TTF: Any advice or tips for aspiring writers?

EW: It sounds pretty harsh, but my main advice to anyone is to stop talking and get on with it!  It sounds cheesy, but if I need a bit of motivation, I just ask myself ‘don’t you want to be the kind of person who actually does things?’ and it works.  I should also note that I would be lost without the help of my brilliant agent – so I would recommend doing all you can to find one, and listening to their advice.

TTF: Let's talk UKYA! What do you think makes UKYA stand out against other YA novels?

EW: I love reading books in which I can recognise myself in some way.  Obviously, the setting isn’t essential to this, but I do feel that it helps.  When I was a teenager, there wasn’t much around and I was in thrall to the exotic world of American high schools – talk of sophomores and homecoming games that had no bearing on my own existence.  Obviously there is still a place for this, but I am delighted that there is a broader spectrum now, and a lot of it is much more realistic and relatable.  Plus, I may be biased, but I think that British writers can bring a special kind of pathos and humour to the table!

TTF: Who is your favourite British author?

EW: I particularly love Emma Forrest and Esther Freud.

Favourite UKYA novel?

See the two writers above – Namedropper by Emma Forrest and Peerless Flats by Esther Freud are my two all-time favourites.  More recently, I’ve really enjoyed You Against Me by Jenny Downham, My Fat, Mad Teenage Diary by Rae Earl and The Perfect Suicide by my friend Lotte Worth.

TTF: Any unreleased UKYA novels you're eagerly anticipating?

EW: I always look forward to a new Sarra Manning.

And now some British themed questions!

TTF: Marmite: love it or hate it?

EW: I can’t get through the day without it.

TTF: Coronation Street or Eastenders?

EW: Corrie – absolute genius writing.

TTF: X Factor or Strictly Come Dancing?

EW: Strictly – Sophie E-B for the win!

TTF: Favourite seaside resort?

EW: I choose to live in Brighton (the San Francisco of the UK!), which is my favourite seaside city.  So, I’d say my favourite resort for visiting purposes is Kingsbridge in Devon.  My godmother lives there and it’s a truly beautiful place.

TTF: Favourite slang word? (Keep it clean!)

EW: There is surely no more evocative word than ‘snog’!

TTF: And finally, what are you currently working on? Any more books in the pipeline?

EW: I’ve written a companion novella to Gemini Rising (out at the end of October) – called Gemini Falling, which tells the story of Amie and Lexy, the perceived ‘mean girls’ of the original novel.  It solves a few mysteries from Gemini Rising and tackles further the idea that you can’t presume to know what another person might be going through behind closed doors.  I really enjoyed writing it.  I’m now working on a new full-length novel – another spooky YA, unrelated to Gemini Rising.  I’m nearly finished and really excited about it!

A huge thank you to Eleanor for answering my questions and to Lucy at Project UKYA for organising the tour! Find out more about Eleanor's books and Project UKYA below:

Gemini Rising: 

How far would you go to fit in? Sorana Salem is ok with being not quite bottom of the pile at her exclusive private school. Until the mysterious Johansson twins arrive unexpectedly mid-term. Hypnotically beautiful and immensely cool, magnetic Elyse and mute Melanie aren’t like the school’s usual identikit mean girls.Soon Sorana’s sharing sleepovers and Saturday nights out with the twins. But their new world of Ouidja boards and older boys might not be as simple as it seems. And the dark secrets that they share could be about to take Sorana down a path that’s impossible to turn back from…

Gemini Falling:
‘First of all, let’s get something straight. This is not going to be one of those stories where the school bitch turns out to have a heart of gold,’

Amie’s the most popular – and the meanest –girl at her exclusive private school, with her trusty second in command Lexy by her side. And she likes it that way. Lexy knows that she deserves Amie’s prized position just as much but dethroning the Queen Bee just isn’t done.

Until mysterious twins Elyse and Melanie arrive mid-term, with a magnetic power that’s impossible to deny, and shake up the school’s social rules. As the twins leave darkness and devastation in their wake, Lexy’s suddenly discovering her own powers of manipulation.

Whilst Amie’s about to learn that it’s not just lonely at the top – it’s terrifying.
 

 Eleanor Wood's Blog

Eleanor Wood on Twitter

Gemini Rising on Goodreads|Gemini Falling on Goodreads 

Gemini Rising on Amazon|Gemini Falling on Amazon

My Review of Gemini Rising

Project UKYA Blog

Project UKYA on Twitter

Review: Gemini Rising by Eleanor Wood

 Gemini Rising by Eleanor Wood

Author: Eleanor Wood Website|Twitter
Published: 7 June 2013 (Carina)
Format: Kindle e-book
Buy the e-book: Kindle|Kobo

Source: Received free copy to review from author/publisher via NetGalley

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
How far would you go to fit in? Sorana Salem is ok with being not quite bottom of the pile at her exclusive private school. Until the mysterious Johansson twins arrive unexpectedly mid-term. Hypnotically beautiful and immensely cool, magnetic Elyse and mute Melanie aren’t like the school’s usual identikit mean girls.Soon Sorana’s sharing sleepovers and Saturday nights out with the twins. But their new world of Ouidja boards and older boys might not be as simple as it seems. And the dark secrets that they share could be about to take Sorana down a path that’s impossible to turn back from…

My Review:
Gemini Rising tells the story of Sorana, whose world is tipped upside down by the arrival of two new girls at her school; twins Elyse and Melanie. Suddenly weird stuff is happening and the social spectrum is changing as Sorana and her friends get caught up in the twins' lives.

I could tell I was going to like this book from early on, because as soon as I started reading it I fell straight in love with the British setting. I love books set in the UK (and don't read nearly enough of them!) so it was really refreshing to dive straight in to a book set in a British sixth form. The scenes were so familiar and the pop culture references were spot on and made me laugh. I think I enjoyed the story even more because of that feel to it.

When Elyse and Melanie arrive Sorana finds herself drawn to them, as does the rest of the school. The twins were these fascinating characters who provide the backbone to the story, even though it's told from Sorana's point of view. I loved how different they were. Elyse was this bold, outgoing, loud character who completely dominates every scene she's in and Mel was really quiet. My curiosity about Mel was piqued all the way through and I couldn't wait to find out more about her because I just couldn't shake that feeling there was more than meets the eye! The story itself is completely gripping because of that constant feeling of there being something bigger going on and it all leading to something, and throughout the book the suspense just builds and builds. 

The characters were the real strength in Gemini Rising and they were all incredibly well developed. Sorana herself is likable and has a great voice that narrates the story. I adored the relationship with her mum and sister as well as her mum's boyfriend Pete. The family dynamic was just spot on! Her mum is slightly overprotective yet they still seem to have a strong bond underneath it. It was interesting to see how Sorana juggled her moral compass when it came to trying to gain a bit of independence.

The book tackles some really great issues and ideas. Elyse is putting a lot of pressure on Sorana and her friends Shimmi and Nathalie, and the things she manipulates them into doing aren't that nice. There's shoplifting, drugs and bullying, but it demonstrated a very realistic take on things like that. I was impressed by how well the author managed to display Sorana getting swept up in these things but without making her a horrible character. Sorana is somebody who gets manipulated and controlled by peer pressure and I think it's a situation she has very little say in. Elyse spends all this time making her feel special and important and I think Sorana is very vulnerable to that because she feels like an outcast. There's a really great line in the book where Sorana talks about finding her "soulmate like friends" and I could completely relate to that desire to want to fit in and have a place in a group of friends, because that's something we've all felt at some point, even if that desire is misplaced.

Another thing I really enjoyed in Gemini Rising was the presence of music within the story. Sorana is obsessed by Trouble Every Day - a local band. I remember what a huge part of my life music was at that age (for me the obsession was Green Day!) and so I was really excited to see Sorana getting excited about gigs and finding other people who loved the band as much as she did. It's only a small detail but I think it was hugely important in creating that completely realistic feel of the book. I also found the focus on astrology really intriguing. Elyse has all this knowledge but the author has done really well at integrating it into the story so it doesn't feel like some sort of astrology textbook. It was interesting without being dull!

It couldn't be a YA novel without a touch of a love story and I enjoyed seeing Sorana juggle her feelings for the two main male leads. There's Josh, a son of one of her mum's friends who she's got history with, and the mysterious Jago who catches her attention. It didn't dominate the story but it was really nicely weaved in. I think because I came to care so much about Sorana I really enjoyed seeing her get a chance at finding a bit of love and attention!

I think Gemini Rising will appeal to a good range of people, from fans of contemporary to those who love a good mystery or thriller. It reminded me in places of Em Bailey's Shift so if you loved that then I'd definitely recommend getting your hands on this one, because I loved it even more. Gemini Rising created the perfect balance of fun characters with great senses of humour, drama by the bucket-full and this underlying tension which made it ultra creepy. Reading it really kept me on my toes and I was so desperate to keep reading and find out just what was going on and about to happen. The ending was a fast-paced, roller-coaster ride that really toyed with the emotions! It's a book I'll definitely be recommending from now on and I hope to see more from this author in the future.

Rating: 5*
Books like this: Shift by Em Bailey