Olivia Levez

I both loved and hated The Island by Olivia Levez. This debut novel tells the story of a young girl who survives a plane crash and finds herself alone on a tropical desert island. The story switches from the present as she struggles to survive and the past when she lived with her addict prostitute mother, her mother’s lecherous boyfriend, and basically raised her younger brother.

Frances was one of a planeload of juvenile delinquents and camp staffers who were headed to a skills-based rehabilitation program on an Indonesian island. When it comes to surviving, 16 year old Frances is her own worst enemy. She managed to smuggle vodka onto the plane and is drunk when the plane crashes, she gets out of the plane but in a drunken stupor she also destroys or discards most of the life-saving supplies that were on the raft. Life is difficult on the island where she needs to find water, food and shelter. With a dog as her only companion she also must face her painful memories about how her anger and need for revenge led her to do a terrible thing. It was quite difficult to like Francis, she had been hurt and disappointed so much in life that she tended to lash out quickly before she got hurt again. She acts first and then silently regrets her actions.

The book unfolds in a series of very short chapters that alternate from the present to her past. The author tells a raw, emotional story that draws the reader in but it was never explained to my satisfaction why there was a need to ship these delinquent teens from England off to Indonesia. Surely they could have arrange a survival camp in the U.K. The book was beautifully written and I particularly loved all the details that went into Frances learning to survive, but the ending of the book was so abrupt and totally came out of left field and I was left feeling very unsatisfied. So mixed feelings about the book, but I would certainly read more by this author if offered the chance.… (mais)

Although I don't read a lot of YA novels, I was introduced to Olivia Levez when I read her remarkable debut novel, The Island. So when faced with the question: 'There's a new Olivia Levez book out - do you want to read it?' The answer, without hesitation, was 'Yes please!'

The Circus introduces us to Willow Stephens as she snips the buttons off a wedding dress, on the day that 'The Handbag' is due to marry Willow's Dad. Willow doesn't hang around for the fallout, she already has her bag packed and plans to follow in her mother's footsteps by running away to join the circus. Willow can't remember her mum, all she has is a dog-eared photograph of her with a snake around her neck and part of a word '...stings'. With fate lending a hand, Willow completes the word and heads to the place where she feels that she is finally getting closer to her mother, and to a place where she belongs.

Willow meets Suz, a street performer, when Suz steals all of Willow's money. Willow walks the streets looking for Suz but when she finally finds her, her money is gone, leaving Willow penniless and homeless. Despite this, the unlikely pair forge a strong friendship as they struggle to find food and shelter in order to stay alive. Willow is fearful of being recognised as her face is all over the news, and her Dad is offering a hefty reward, so she alters her appearance as much as she can and calls herself 'Frog'. Then one day Willow meets some real circus performers who ask her to join them, but they don't have any room for Suz. Willow is faced with making a tough decision that ultimately has devastating consequences, but one which forces Willow to finally see how much she is loved.

Olivia Levez has not only raised the bar with The Circus, but has swung from it in a glittering gold costume; whereas The Island was unusual with some chapters containing only one powerful word, The Circus really stands out as the star attraction. It was heartbreaking as Willow searched for somewhere to belong and we learned more of her past - she has run away several times before, trying to get her Dad to notice her. She had everything she could ever want in her privileged life, everything except the only thing she wanted - her Dad's attention.

The Circus is a wonderful story of family, belonging and unlikely friendships that had me captivated from the tempestuous start to the emotive and uplifting finale. I felt like I was on Willow's journey with her and I was surprised to find how emotionally invested in the story I was. A powerful, uplifting story that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone who has ever felt lost and ached to be found.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.… (mais)