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A Kiss In The Dark by Cat Clarke (view source)
Revision as of 09:30, 10 March 2014
, 09:30, 10 March 2014Created page with "{{infobox |title=A Kiss In The Dark |sort=Kiss In The Dark, A |author=Cat Clarke |reviewer=Robert James |genre=Teens |rating=4.5 |buy=Yes |borrow=Yes |isbn=978-1780870472 |pag..."
{{infobox
|title=A Kiss In The Dark
|sort=Kiss In The Dark, A
|author=Cat Clarke
|reviewer=Robert James
|genre=Teens
|rating=4.5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=978-1780870472
|pages=384
|publisher=Quercus
|date=April 2014
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780870477</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>1780870477</amazonus>
|website=http://www.catclarke.com/
|video=
|summary=The best yet from the consistently great Cat Clarke, this is a stunning story of a relationship with a secret at the heart of it.
}}
Alex and Kate meet online and there's an instant attraction between them. When they get together in person at a gig, they're just as right for each other as they are online. It seems like this could be a wonderful romance, but there's a secret at the heart of it which could destroy more than just their relationship. Will this seemingly fairytale romance have a happy ending?
I've said in the past that I'm not all that interested in reading about characters I don't like; Cat Clarke is the only real exception to that rule who springs to mind. Her main characters often aren't particularly likeable, but they're just likeable enough, because they're always sympathetic. They often make some fairly terrible decisions - both Alex and Kate do here - but you can see just why they make these decisions and it's hard to blame them too much even if you hate what they've done. Similarly, her minor characters are uniformly strong, with Alex's brother Jamie probably being the pick of the bunch. I love the way he's so supportive despite not being around for that much of the book. The parents are definitely less supportive but they're also very realistically portrayed.
As well, it's a hugely tense read - it's clear from early on in Alex's narration that something bad has happened; the question is 'how bad'? Given Cat Clarke's track record of trampling readers' hearts to pieces (thanks for [[Undone by Cat Clarke|Undone]], Cat!) I was glued to the book wondering what would happen at the end.
Highly recommended, this edges out [[Torn by Cat Clarke|Torn]] as my favourite of Cat Clarke's books. It's amazing to think that her first book was only published about 3 years ago; she's becoming one of the truly 'must read' UKYA contemporary authors, alongside others who started at a similar time like [[:Category:Keren David|Keren David]], [[:Category:Keris Stainton|Keris Stainton]] and [[:Category:Simon Packham|Simon Packham]]. All have proved to be remarkably consistent!
I think this is the best yet from Cat, but if you've only just discovered her, don't miss [[Torn by Cat Clarke|Torn]]. Of the others from the authors mentioned above, I think fans of Clarke would particularly enjoy the [[When I Was Joe by Keren David]] trilogy and [[Firewallers by Simon Packham]].
{{amazontext|amazon=1780870477}}
{{commenthead}}
|title=A Kiss In The Dark
|sort=Kiss In The Dark, A
|author=Cat Clarke
|reviewer=Robert James
|genre=Teens
|rating=4.5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=978-1780870472
|pages=384
|publisher=Quercus
|date=April 2014
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780870477</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>1780870477</amazonus>
|website=http://www.catclarke.com/
|video=
|summary=The best yet from the consistently great Cat Clarke, this is a stunning story of a relationship with a secret at the heart of it.
}}
Alex and Kate meet online and there's an instant attraction between them. When they get together in person at a gig, they're just as right for each other as they are online. It seems like this could be a wonderful romance, but there's a secret at the heart of it which could destroy more than just their relationship. Will this seemingly fairytale romance have a happy ending?
I've said in the past that I'm not all that interested in reading about characters I don't like; Cat Clarke is the only real exception to that rule who springs to mind. Her main characters often aren't particularly likeable, but they're just likeable enough, because they're always sympathetic. They often make some fairly terrible decisions - both Alex and Kate do here - but you can see just why they make these decisions and it's hard to blame them too much even if you hate what they've done. Similarly, her minor characters are uniformly strong, with Alex's brother Jamie probably being the pick of the bunch. I love the way he's so supportive despite not being around for that much of the book. The parents are definitely less supportive but they're also very realistically portrayed.
As well, it's a hugely tense read - it's clear from early on in Alex's narration that something bad has happened; the question is 'how bad'? Given Cat Clarke's track record of trampling readers' hearts to pieces (thanks for [[Undone by Cat Clarke|Undone]], Cat!) I was glued to the book wondering what would happen at the end.
Highly recommended, this edges out [[Torn by Cat Clarke|Torn]] as my favourite of Cat Clarke's books. It's amazing to think that her first book was only published about 3 years ago; she's becoming one of the truly 'must read' UKYA contemporary authors, alongside others who started at a similar time like [[:Category:Keren David|Keren David]], [[:Category:Keris Stainton|Keris Stainton]] and [[:Category:Simon Packham|Simon Packham]]. All have proved to be remarkably consistent!
I think this is the best yet from Cat, but if you've only just discovered her, don't miss [[Torn by Cat Clarke|Torn]]. Of the others from the authors mentioned above, I think fans of Clarke would particularly enjoy the [[When I Was Joe by Keren David]] trilogy and [[Firewallers by Simon Packham]].
{{amazontext|amazon=1780870477}}
{{commenthead}}