Solemn scrutiny, intoxicating lyricism and a dark imagination.

Hugely impressive… [Benson] has the modest exactitude of a true poet.

Fiona Benson’s debut collection may have been the most impressive published by a British poet last year. The 45 poems in “Bright Travellers” capture both her versatility…and her sense of balance. Themes of violence and loss, shown most vividly in her accounts of motherhood, are paired seamlessly with moments of great tenderness.

A gripping emotional rollercoaster; pressing so many buttons it’s likely to have readers examining their own what-might-have-beens.

Possesses a Hitchcockian approach to this narrative hub; tension and twists are administered in equal measure in order to retain readers’ emotional attachment to otherwise domestic scenarios. The ordinary becomes, through his carefully plotting, extraordinary. Kennedy’s trick is to pull all the strings of thriller writing in the romance genre… a novel that’s both moving and realistic as it broaches that awful chasm between what we could be and what we presently are.

It is a tribute to Kennedy’s skill that he can take such a hackneyed situation and make the protagonists richly three-dimensional… As love fizzles out, Kennedy finds something redemptive in the triumph of hope over experience.

The broad concept of Babbittry - the idea that the average American lives in a benighted, blinkered spiritual state - has been both popular and durable... Lewis's central idea, like the name of his hero, has survived depression, war, the rise of the suburbs, the revolt of the cities, feminism, the sexual revolution, the counterculture, multiculturalism and the Internet

A fantastic book that had me gripped . . . Malorie doesn't just write great stories, she also writes characters that can tell those stories with a real heart in them . . . Noble Conflict is just as much a thriller of the mind as well as making your heart race

A brilliant book which I quite literally could not stop reading

Another gripping, thought-provoking read...The essence of war and weaponry, corruption and control is explored making this a pertinent read, and one that resonates in today’s society

Noble Conflict is a very enjoyable piece of literature. Whilst it must have been very tempting to draw from other dystopian fiction and cinema, Blackman instead draws more from taking the idea of terrorism and exploring how it might actually evolve in the future. This set up allows for a very interesting cat and mouse narrative . . . A very entertaining book; it takes a very relevant topic and, with a strong narrative and lead character, allows the reader to question the arguments of each side and judge who the real villains are

A powerful story

The new UK Children's Laureate, Malorie Blackman, doesn't disappoint with her teen novel . . . a powerful examination of war, loyalty and love

A satisfying meld of fantasy and reality which will absorb readers of either sex

A thrilling, powerful, page-turning story of love, violence and betrayal, that will stay with teen readers long after they finish it

A thought-provoking novel which makes us all think about what we accept and what we really want. It doesn't pull any punches but there are touches of humour to lighten the story

A gripping, conspiracy-filled read

Stealthy … Sneaky … Gripping … It is, in short, awesome. Read it immediately.

Tigerman manages ... that elusive combination of intelligent, beautiful writing with a story that is imaginative, fast-paced and really good fun. There's plenty to make you think as well as plenty to make you laugh … Harkaway writes with such dexterity and delight … That balance of proper storytelling with literary complexity is, for me, what makes a book really special and Tigerman does this with aplomb - it's a joy to read.

Tigerman is a brilliant and unique novel which deserves to be read again and again ... dazzling display of creativity.

I was dazzled … Characterisation is as ever top notch … this is a marvel … everyone will appreciate the sheer grace and artistry of it.

Tigerman is a truly engaging and original book; for all the nail-biting tension, humour, superheroic deeds and a brilliant twist there is also a deep and honest heart to it ... This is easily one of the best books I've read this year.

With intelligent, witty writing you cannot help but warm to the unlikely and slightly hapless hero in Lester Ferris.

A virtuoso piece of entertainment which hurtles satisfyingly towards its conclusion after delivering a startling, didn’t-see-that-coming sucker-punch of a twist.

Funny, moving and thought-provoking

The key to Harkaway’s writing is the incredibly textured depth and imaginative characterisation. It is one of those books whose character are so rich that by the climax, you feel like they’ve penetrated your reality and you want to keep them close, even after the book is over.

Original and exciting, full of humanity and comedy, Tigerman by Nick Harkaway is a beautiful piece of work

Original, exciting, full of humanity and comedy, Tigerman by Nick Harkaway is a beautiful piece of work.