Our Dark Unravelling

Our Dark Unravelling by Margot McGovern (Penguin Random House) RRP: $24.99 ISBN 9781761346309

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

Our Dark Unravelling is a YA ghost story that explores the dark side of relationships and grief. It's told from the viewpoints of the two main female characters - Lyssa and George.

Lyssa and George are dormmates at school, but not terribly close. Lyssa's boyfriend, Jude, dies in an accident and she's distraught - but as well as dealing with her grief, she must deal with some strange revelations that surface. For example, George had previously had a relationship with Jude. Why did Jude and George keep this a secret from her?

The story opens with a prologue that hints at dark magic. The story sometimes felt like it was set in a real world where the supernatural only existed in games and toys, and then later, where it was very real. I was a little confused about how McGovern was building the world and how supernatural she intended it to be.

Jude was clearly a charming but toxic male character from the beginning - what seems to be a popular sort of villain. He reminded me of Andrew in Freida McFadden's The Housemaid. The effect on the women in this situation is predictable: it causes conflict in their relationship, but ultimately makes them both stronger and brings them closer as they fight against a man's control.

The way both women dealt with grief was compellingly written and the real substance of the story, and of the horror. It explores control and power imbalances in a relationship. Jude attempts to influence George and Lyssa's lives from beyond the grave. It also looks at how grief can make someone lose control - especially Lyssa and her grip on reality. Either way, it's a frightening look at what people might do when feeling so lost.

Our Dark Unravelling demonstrates strong female characters who find themselves feeling less than strong haunted by this man and explores how they help each other and draw on their strength. Teens may find it comforting and useful to read about strong characters involved in situations and experiencing emotions they can relate to.

This Stays Between Us

This Stays Between Us by Margot McGovern (Penguin Books) RRP $19.99 ISBN: 9781761346286

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Four teenage girls are on a school camp in the middle of the woods with limited adult supervision and a ghostly tale of a guy called Smiling Jack, who is known to haunt the campsite. Creepy or what?!

I avoid horror movies at the best of times, and I don’t mind admitting that this story freaked me out! I was tense for most of the read, and as much as I tried to work out the outcome, I could not. Instead, I only read the book during daytime hours and tried not to let it keep me awake at night with every creak of my house.

McGovern has created four female teenage characters who are completely intriguing, all for different reasons. Mack, Priya and Raffi are all friends and have been for years, along with the new girl Shelley, Each has her own secrets, and each has her own reasons for keeping those secrets. As the three friends try to befriend the new girl, someone -- or something -- begins to haunt and torment the girls. Is it the ghost of Smiling Jack returned to terrorise them? Or worse. Is it somebody they know? Readers will be kept wondering and remain completely tense until the dramatic conclusion.

While this book is ultimately one designed to scare and entertain, it also addresses the uncomfortable and concerning subject of sexual consent. It does so in a way that, sadly, is very possible for any young person to find themselves in such a situation. It also addresses the subject of sexuality and the prejudices that can affect anyone trying to understand their own sexuality. Both important topics provide opportunities for further discussion from the storylines within this book.

This Stays Between Us is creepy, entertaining, and scary for a lone reader on a dark and spooky night. It is suitable for a 14+ year-old readership.