I get sent a lot of manuscripts to read, in the hope that I’ll come up with a good quote. It’s nice to be sent things, but not all of them get read and I only rarely feel able to say something nice enough to print on the cover, but one I did enjoy lately was King Dork by Frank Portman. It’s a US book, I don’t know if it’s going to make it over here, but I hope so – it’s great. Still needs a bit of editing at the end, when it goes on rather, but very good. Another one I read lately is by one of my favourite young adult writers, Matt Whyman. His first one, Man Kills Boy was a really chilling book that creeps up and stabs you in the back before you know what’s going on. Chilling and brave, too, in that it looks right into the heart of a child killer. He has a real feeling for the actual sensation of being there. His new one, The Wild is also good – not quite up to Man Kills Boy though. Set in Russia and Aral, once again it evokes a strong sense of place combined with a very strong plot.

Young adult fiction is a mixed bag, but getting better all the time. The worst thing is the 'themes' – people still underestimate young adult readers and I think we have a long way to go before we’re offering a really good, wide-ranging fiction. There are some good thrillers around, though. Best by a good length just now is Kevin Brooks. I loved the first one, Martin Pig, wasn’t as keen on the follow up, Lucas, but loved Kissing the Rain. His newest is Candy, and it’s very fine indeed; good characters, exciting situation. One criticism, the demon drug dealer has been over done and isn’t quite believable. But an excellent book all the same.

Melvin Burgess Biography on Contemporary Writers.com

Melvin Burgess Books on EncompassCulture.com