As part of my break from fantasy books, I picked up Then We’ll Be Happy by Alan Carrigan and I’m very happy I did. This is another book I discovered through Lucas Maxwell’s Booklings Chat podcast, and I think I might do a series of these. I probably won’t read every book on the podcast, but I’ll link the corresponding interview at the bottom of the review when I do so you can check it out for yourself.
This story follows Sam who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user. Excluded from another school tour due to an inaccessible bus, Sam is forced to stay behind at school. But this inspires him to embark on a mission to raise money for a bus which would be accessible for all students.
Then We’ll Be Happy explores what life is like for Sam as a disabled person and Carrigan gives a detailed account of Sam’s experiences. I can’t say I understand what it’s like to be disabled but I have a much better understanding after reading this book.
While disability is a strong theme throughout the book, it’s also filled with great characters who really stay with you. While I really like most of the characters, I particularly like Aimee, who lives at a care home due to her disability, but has this positive disposition which I think is infectious. She is a great friend to Sam, and I think anyone would be lucky to have a friend like her.
The friendships between the characters are fun and genuine but also gives them the bravery to step outside their comfort zone and try new things. This leads to some really heartfelt moments and humour throughout the book, particularly in the face of great adversity.
I recommend this book if you’re looking to read something feel good and uplifting. While the book doesn’t glaze over the realities of disability, for example ablism, Carrigan writes a heartfelt book which will stay with you long after reading.
If novels are like the written form of movies, then this will feel like bingeing on your favourite TV show!
When sixteen-year-old Cassie gets kicked out of the Flitterbick School of Magic, she’s sentenced to work as a Magical Bounty Hunter for two years. Sure, they call it an internship, but it’s a punishment rather than a job opportunity.
With the help of her Scottish mentor, Victor, Cassie is launched into the life of a Chaser to reap the magic of criminals, but these aren’t your average magical lawbreakers. From a little old lady on Dublin’s Moore Street to a mob boss from 1920s New York, none of Cassie’s targets are what they seem.
Magical Bounty Hunters includes a series of five YA novelettes taking a teen witch across the world on death-defying missions while she discovers who she is along the way.
This book includes:
- Five stories, one epic series, all in one book.
- Twisty plots.
- Awesome magic.
- Majestic Tiger Dogs! (They’re as cool as they sound).
- Giants!
- Legends and folklore.
- Girl taking down bad guys.
