Review: Dead Gorgeous by Malorie Blackman (audiobook)

Dead Gorgeous by Malorie Blackman and narrated by Nina Sosanya (June 2003, Chivers Children's Audio Books, ISBN: 075406414X)

First Lines:

1. Liam

A storm was coming. I could see it in the brackish air, hear it in the growl of the waves, see it in the darkening clouds.

Review: The Clibbens family have relocated to the coast and have bought the The Manor Hotel which they have refurbished and relaunched as Phoenix Manor. Mum and Dad run the place and get help from their two daughters, Nova aged nearly 13 and Raye aged 16. The younger twins Jake and Jude just run around making mischief.

Nova is walking in the garden when she meets the dead gorgeous Liam. She soon realises that not only is he gorgeous but he is in fact also dead and that she's the only one who can see him, at least at first. Meanwhile Raye has met a gorgeous boy of her own, Andrew who is just staying for a couple of days. Other guests at the hotel include the mysterious Mr Jackman and elderly companions Miss Dawn and Miss Eve.

The story is told from several points of view and we also get to know what happened to Liam for him to end up at the hotel.

Initially I was expecting Dead Gorgeous to be a paranormal romance but in fact it is about family relationships - in particular the two sisters who have drifted apart since the move - and Liam is just the catalyst for the two girls to realise what's going on. Liam also has his secrets and is stuck at Phoenix Manor until he can work out what's holding him there. And why does he want Mr Jackman to leave? Dead Gorgeous covers some serious issues but in a reader friendly way and there are some laughs to be had as well.

Nina Sosanya narrates well and I particularly liked her portrayal of the youthful Nova.