Alana Oakley: Bloodlust and blunders

Alana Oakley: Bloodlust and blunders by Poppy Inkwell (Big Sky Publishing) by Poppy Inkwell (Big Sky Publishing) PB RRP $14.99                                                                                                     ISBN 9781925275803

Reviewed by J Wishart

Bloodlust and blunders is the third Alana Oakley book by Philippine-born Poppy Inkwell. The series is aimed at 11 to 13 year-olds and follows the busy life of 14-year-old Alana, and her journalist mum, Emma, who live in a suburb of Sydney. In this installment, strange-looking neighbours have moved in nearby and – inspired by some Twilight-esque school-holiday reading – Alana’s imagination has gone into overdrive.

Inkwell introduces a squeal-worthy horror theme and sustains this throughout, with glimpses of a mysterious corpse (whose story is not revealed until the end) and more than a few nods to scary movie tropes. In addition to this, we have the trials and tribulations of secondary school and budding romance for Alana, and business/mid-life problems involving Emma’s two madcap mates, Ling Ling and Katriona.

In a pattern established in the first two books, the character point-of-view changes often. But where the story previously moved between Alana and Emma, it now juggles several threads – a couple of which come close to being lost in the action. There’s a lot going on – bodies, vampires, ballroom dancing, soccer, baby sisters, nosy neighbours, outback road-trips and reluctant ageing – but the snappy pace and bright, active characterisations keep things moving along and it’s fun just going along for the ride.

Where the story might work best for readers who are familiar with the characters, this book has a friendly tone to welcome anyone and is packed with new details to maintain interest. Inkwell also has a knack for describing her character’s antics in a visual way, evoking a good sense of comedic timing and occasional irony. As in the previous books, the characters are varied and engaging while the themes touch on friendship, integrity and learning to accept change. Alana and her friends are great role models – supporting each other, playing to their skills and working hard to achieve their best – but they still enjoy plenty of laughs. 

Alana Oakley: Mystery & Mayhem

Alana Oakley: Mystery & Mayhem by Poppy Inkwell (Big Sky Publishing) PB RRP $14.99 

ISBN 9781925275124                                                                                                                              

Reviewed by J Wishart

This debut novel by Philippine-born Poppy Inkwell is the first in the Alana Oakley series aimed at 11 to 13 year-olds. Alana has just turned 12 and finished primary school. Her father passed away three years earlier, but Alana lives an eventful life with her mum in Marrickville, Sydney – all of which is well-evoked by the author’s animated narrative. 

For its target age-group, this book is interesting in that it strongly features adult characters – albeit somewhat comical ones – with alternate chapters following Alana and her friends, then switching to focus on Alana’s groovy and young-at-heart mum, Emma – including her teen-dream job as an investigative journalist.

This dual narrative makes for a varied and lively read and enables layering of action-and-consequence that adds to the complexity and reader satisfaction. There is rarely a dull moment as Alana deals with new friendships, her first days of high school and a stolen jewellery item. Meanwhile, Emma has problems scheduling an interview with a famous and reclusive rock star around the interference of her mischievous friends, who also act as Emma’s self-appointed – and opinionated – personal stylists.

The text is filled with familiar popular-culture references and a slapstick humour that edges towards questionable in a couple of instances, but overall rollicks along and provides plenty of entertainment. The characters are likeable, diverse and fun and the narrative offers positive messages about responsibility, acceptance, friendship, support and loyalty.

Slightly wacky and sufficiently charming, Mystery & Mayhem would make a natural progression for those who enjoyed series such as ‘Go Girl’ as younger readers. As well as this, the series has the potential to appeal to older readers who still enjoy a bit of tween-age escapism.

Alana Oakley: Mystery and Mayhem

Alana Oakley: Mystery and Mayhem by Poppy Inkwell (Big Sky Publishing)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 781925275124

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Energy, madcap mayhem and eccentric personalities are the main features of this novel pitched at girls aged 11 to 13 years. The two main characters are 12 year old Alana and her journalist mother Emma, each of whose stories are told in alternating chapters. Alana, whose father died three years earlier, is dreading the approach of her birthday as catastrophes seem to be their hallmark (note: dancing llamas and juggling fire-breather). Meanwhile, Alana begins Gibson High School with her besties, an Aboriginal girl Maddie and Sophie, who is the only girl in a family of five sons and no father. On the first day of school the three girls meet up with a new Muslim girl, Khalilah, whom they quickly befriend.

Mum’s friends Ling Ling and Katriona are also a colourful duo, fashionistas who seem determined to undermine Emma’s attempts to interview the mega-famous rock star sensation Slam Guru. Emma’s exclusive opportunity goes awry when the singer freaks out at seeing Katriona, who has stalked him overseas (not that she sees this as a problem.)

At school during her first lesson, a valuable charm goes missing which sets Alana and her mates on a quest to find out who has (probably) stolen it. Non-stop action ensues as the hunt goes on and Alana and her gang try to negotiate school hazards such as their Nazi-like physical education coach and over-the-top nurse. Then there’s Emma who seems destined to date what might be a mass-murderer she’s met online. Over-hanging all the non-stop escapades is Alana’s fear of her upcoming birthday and what might go wrong this time.

The author has set this fast-paced, sometimes melodramatic tale in Sydney’s inner suburbs and there is a convincing sense of place as the characters traverse areas such as Redfern and Newtown. The book’s characters, on the other hand, are so wildly different from the norm and their antics so exaggerated that the reader simply has to go along for the ride and accept that life in the extended Oakley world is quite outrageous.

Each of the chapters is given headings which foretell what’s to come – such as ‘Tattoos, chooks and botched translations,’ ‘Intense. Insane. Same-same lah!’ and ‘Treading the fine line between fun, Fun and no fun at all.’ 

This book is certainly very different to the usual fare for teens.