A Place Called Perfect: 1

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Apparently the people in the town of Perfect must also act perfectly, but as Violet discovers, being a perfectionist and accepting every rule without pause for consideration or questioning the reasons can make like miserable and very dull. Determined not to become a 'perfect' citizen who follows whatever the Archers say like everyone else in the town, she fights to free everyone from perfection.

The story was written well, so I can't fault it there, and the characters were likeable and relatable. With echoes of Roald Dahl, Neil Gaiman's Coraline, the Wizard of Oz and the films of Tim Burton, this is a charming, whimsical tale sure to appeal to those who enjoy quirky, imaginative stories. Autorka kilka razy uderza w poważne tematy, ale robi to tak powierzchownie i bez przekonania, że nie idzie się wciągnąć i związać z bohaterami. One of the biggest charm points would be the fact that this takes place in a time without cellphones, with wifi/internet.Already concerned about the apparent imposter that her replaced her mother, Violet’s dispirited and increasingly jaded father suddenly disappears on a supposedly urgent opticians conference. The book makes us think how we may be unwittingly made to fit a "perfect" mould, and how we may be oblivious to it all, content with following the majority without any questioning. Gdyby nie ciekawy pomysł i prosty styl adekwatny do opowiadanej historii byłaby kaplica na całej linii.

At times he was a bit too much, at times he didn't feel like a kid, but then again, I guess that happens when one has lived in the No-Man's-Land for all their life. Although the age guidance categorises this as suitable for readers of 9 to 14, I would suggest that this depends on how much exposure a young reader has had to mystery, fantasy and magical novels as the story touches upon some weighty concepts surrounding conforming to stereotypes, the benefits of our varied imaginations and the importance of standing up for what we believe in. The little adventures were fun to follow and everything was just as wild and full of imagination as I'd hoped it would be. The cover art by Karl James Mountford captures the quirkiness of Helena’s world and I was often drawn to the detailed map to remind myself where I was in Perfect. I picked up the book because the cover reminded me of The Uncommoners by Jennifer Bell, and I liked that series.This is one of those books that you think about when you’re not reading it and can’t wait to find out what happens next. Debut author and graphic designer Helena Duggan subtlety downplays the likely existence of ghosts by linking back to the fact that they all derive from our own imaginations.