Almost Dead - Kaz Delaney

Kaz Delaney is the author of quite a few books but her new title, "Almost Dead", is - well - pretty lively! I am happy to host Kaz and her book at Spinning Pearls as part of her blog tour. Now, Kaz is a modest person (fun, bubbly, wonderful... but modest). So, I thought I'd put her just a little outside her comfort zone. This is not cruelty. It is a public service. I asked Kaz to pretend she was the ideal reader for "Almost Dead" and to write a wildly enthusiastic letter to someone extolling its virtues.

"I'll try," said Kaz.

I think you'll agree she did more than try. She totally pulled it off! Over to Kaz!

Dear Auntie Kate,

Thank you so much for sending me Kaz Delaney’s latest young adult novel, Almost Dead.

What a treat! I loved it! Suspense, mystery, romance and teen angst all in one story! It even had a ghost – a very cute and cheeky ghost  - which was such a change! I shouldn’t have been surprised that I enjoyed it so much. As soon as I saw the cover I had a good feeling creep over me. Such pretty,  bright colours! Good energy! It just screamed “I am fun!” I suspected right from that moment that this had the potential to be a great summer holiday read. (Though, when the cool change swung in and I was curled up under a doona, I realised it was a good ‘anytime’ read.)

I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Man! That Macey Pentecost has such a lot going on in her life! At first she seems kind of tough, as in strong, and so self-contained but I soon found out that she can be just as vulnerable as the rest of us.  Her outer shell is just a bit more brittle than  - well  - than mine, anyway.  Okay, I wouldn’t say she’s all marshmallow once you peel back that shell – maybe a hard caramel that gets sweeter and softer the further you get into it? What do you think? Am I right?

I really liked her! And she so smart and funny! And oh wow – that mouth! I wish I could think up lines like she can. Hilarious!  I wouldn’t like to be on her bad side though. I don’t think she’s cruel; in fact, she’s got the really strong moral streak and she fights against social injustice all the time – but if you were the underdog, she’d be on your side and I swear it would be like having Batgirl there with you!  Then again, if you were cruel or thoughtless – and especially if you act in a really stupid way – then be warned:  she doesn’t take prisoners! I really liked that about her.

My heart broke for her over the whole family thing. Man, I don’t know how she coped... I’m not sure how I’d cope if I was hit with something like that – especially right after her mother walked out.    I don’t think I’d handle it as well as Macey did though. I’d probably fall apart and never leave my room!

Still, if I lived in a place like Macey’s that wouldn’t be such a bad idea, right? What a mansion! And right there on the beach on the Gold Coast.  It sounded like paradise and it just added something to the story. I had never been that keen on the GC, but now I can’t wait to have a holiday there and walk around those streets that Macey and Finn walked. Those kebab and burger places are real you know.  I looked them up! And the markets and that beach strip... 

My fave parts? Hmmnn. I’m torn between the stalker story line and the romance. Nick of course was just too cute and at first I wanted Macey to get with him – even though that would have been weird because at that time he was astral travelling and therefore not really real... But then I met Finn. O.M.G. Is he hot or what? Please, please I hope I meet a Finn one day...

But you know, on second thought, it was definitely the stalker mystery that I loved best. I love, love a good mystery and this one kept me guessing all the way to the big reveal!  And there were some parts that were downright scary!  I couldn’t put it down; I had to keep reading to see who it was! And there were so many false clues!  It could have been any one of them. Me?  I truly had no idea who it was! It was like – whammo!  Kaz Delaney caught me completely by surprise – and that was great! Ah-mazing!

Yep, this has certainly gone down on my fave read pile for this summer.  It has great pace – it really moves along quickly.  Did it challenge me?  Well, apart from the mystery – which is kind of a great game between author and reader - I guess it’s not that kind of book. This is pure entertainment  and on that score it really delivered.

So thank you again! I laughed, I cried and I shivered with anticipation – and sometimes in fear and worry for Macey.  The perfect reading experience.   J  I am sooo going to go out and look for ‘Dead Actually’ now!  (Unless, of course, you’re thinking you’d like to get me an early birthday pressie? Okay, just kidding...)

Love K xx

There! Now, if anyone has questions of comments for Kaz, you can totally write them in the comments area below. (Oops- now I'm talking like Macey...)

And Kaz and her publisher are offering a free comp of Almost Dead. Since I know this giveaway will be popular, I'll give you the month of February to enter. At the end of the month I'll draw the winner out of a hat. And if you've already bought a copy by then, that is totally fine. You'll have an extra copy for a friend.