What YA Reading?

Reviews by Polly Jude

Two Can Play That Game

by Leanne Yong

Sam Khoo wants to make a career out of creating cool indie video games. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants: even give up the prestigious university scholarship that has made her parents so proud of her. She’s risking everything. She’s got one last chance to make it – if she gets her hands on the last ticket to the game design workshop, the indie gaming world will be all hers.

When sneaking Jerky McJerkface, also known as Jay Chua, snatches Sam’s last chance, literally stealing the last ticket right out of her hand, Sam comes up with a cunning challenge to try to win the ticket back.

They agree to a competition to decide who will get to keep the ticket. They both have a lot to lose. Their rivalry and Jay’s cocky bravado quickly become the highlight of Sam’s day. But they have to hide their competitions and blooming friendship from the ever-present eyes of the Australian Malaysian community. They go to extremes to hide their relationship.

Set in Brisbane, Sam and Jay walk the delicate tightrope between Australian and Malaysian cultures. Both firstborn children of Malaysian migrants, they have a lot to live up to. Struggling with the weight of parental expectations, the Asian Gossip Network and the eyes of the aunties and uncles, Sam and Jay struggle to find their place as first-generation children of immigrants; Sam and Jay have a lot in common.

Two Can Play That Game is the debut novel from gamer and escape room creator, Leanne Yong. It is a sweet, fast read that will appeal to readers who are romantics at heart

Allen and Unwin / 384pp / $18.25

Nightbirds

by Kate J. Armstrong

Magic is illegal in Simta, where the wealthy daughters of the Great Houses are hidden by face masks and protected by lies and deceit.

But Matilde, Sayer and Aesa sell their magic to wealthy clients. When this year’s Nightbirds stumble into the middle of a political scam, their secrets and even their lives could be in danger. The truths about their magic are revealed, and they begin to see the Nightbird system with dazzling clarity.

Now it’s up to them. Expose the truth and risk everything or play the part that’s been created for them.

Nightbirds is a beautifully written fantasy where magic, luxury and revenge are blended to invite the reader into an intoxicating world. Exploring themes of magic, power and empowerment, Nightbirds will appeal to a whole generation of young women who yearn to carve out a better future for themselves. Get the TimTams ready, you’ll want to stay in bed all day to finish this one!

Allen

and Unwin / 480pp / $24.99