numbuh212's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
jenbsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was only available from my library as an audiobook ... but I'm so glad I experienced it this way! Set it Sydney, the narrators did use very strong accents to emphasis the location and time. It was very effective and pulled me into this world much more than I feel would have happened if left to my own imagination. I would have loved to have a digital "print" copy I could have peeked at too though.
There were three narrators, two women and one man. Now most books with multiple narrators (in my limited audio experience) assign one narrator to one character/POV. Almost a requirement with alternating male/female POVs, especially if in first person. Here though, it was a 3rd person POV. While the focus of the story would shift, featuring Kelphie's or Dymphna feelings, thoughts, background stories and perspective, I don't know it was necessary to switch out narrators. In fact, I must admit, I didn't even realize there were two different women narrators until the end when the credits came across. And while the male narrator tended to voice when the perspective shifted a bit to some of the male characters, he seemed to read some of the Dymphna chapters too. Some chapters would be labeled Dymphna or Kelpie, featuring their focus, while other chapters had a "title" heading. So while in other audiobooks, a change in voice really added and was necessary, here I felt any one of the narrators could have read the whole thing ... although I didn't mind the switch up either. They were all good.
For the story itself ... really not much time passes from the start to the finish, really, just a day? But there is a lot of backstory/memories added in, and we do get to know these two girls quite well. Normally I'd say I don't like so much skipping around (in time/perspectives/etc) but I just enjoyed this! In addition to the interesting tale of the gang war, both of these girls and see ghosts, adding a bit of the paranormal, although it really doesn't feel like a paranormal tale.
This is marketed as YA. The protagonists are both young women, although Dymphna comes across as much older and Kelpie much younger.. However, there is a lot of proFanity in the book, Dymphna is a "working woman" (and VERY good at it) ... nothing explicit, but quite a bit of talking about sex. Violence too. So ... just something to keep in mind from a parental perspective.
There were three narrators, two women and one man. Now most books with multiple narrators (in my limited audio experience) assign one narrator to one character/POV. Almost a requirement with alternating male/female POVs, especially if in first person. Here though, it was a 3rd person POV. While the focus of the story would shift, featuring Kelphie's or Dymphna feelings, thoughts, background stories and perspective, I don't know it was necessary to switch out narrators. In fact, I must admit, I didn't even realize there were two different women narrators until the end when the credits came across. And while the male narrator tended to voice when the perspective shifted a bit to some of the male characters, he seemed to read some of the Dymphna chapters too. Some chapters would be labeled Dymphna or Kelpie, featuring their focus, while other chapters had a "title" heading. So while in other audiobooks, a change in voice really added and was necessary, here I felt any one of the narrators could have read the whole thing ... although I didn't mind the switch up either. They were all good.
For the story itself ... really not much time passes from the start to the finish, really, just a day? But there is a lot of backstory/memories added in, and we do get to know these two girls quite well. Normally I'd say I don't like so much skipping around (in time/perspectives/etc) but I just enjoyed this! In addition to the interesting tale of the gang war, both of these girls and see ghosts, adding a bit of the paranormal, although it really doesn't feel like a paranormal tale.
This is marketed as YA. The protagonists are both young women, although Dymphna comes across as much older and Kelpie much younger.. However, there is a lot of proFanity in the book, Dymphna is a "working woman" (and VERY good at it) ... nothing explicit, but quite a bit of talking about sex. Violence too. So ... just something to keep in mind from a parental perspective.
rsarnelli's review against another edition
DNF at page 200-ish
I didn’t finish this book, but not because it’s terrible or anything. I just had a really hard time getting into it, and whenever I put it down, I never felt a burning desire to pick it back up. So, since I have hundreds of books I’d like to read, I’m not going to waste my time pushing through something that isn’t working for me. That doesn’t mean it won’t work for someone else; it’s just not my cup of tea, apparently.
Some notes: The writing felt kind of stilted, and I didn’t particularly care about the characters after a while. I wasn’t a fan of the narrative style either. I thought Kelpie’s and Dymphna’s chapters were interesting, but I didn’t like the “inserts” between chapters. Some of them do offer interesting background on the setting and other characters, but I didn’t particularly like the way it was presented and I felt that it disrupted the narrative. I was also kind of confused as to why the paranormal aspect was included in the story, since it really didn’t seem to have any significant effect on the plot. However, it’s obvious that this book is well-researched, and the setting and time period make it pretty unique - you don’t see much set in 1930’s Sydney in YA.
I didn’t finish this book, but not because it’s terrible or anything. I just had a really hard time getting into it, and whenever I put it down, I never felt a burning desire to pick it back up. So, since I have hundreds of books I’d like to read, I’m not going to waste my time pushing through something that isn’t working for me. That doesn’t mean it won’t work for someone else; it’s just not my cup of tea, apparently.
Some notes: The writing felt kind of stilted, and I didn’t particularly care about the characters after a while. I wasn’t a fan of the narrative style either. I thought Kelpie’s and Dymphna’s chapters were interesting, but I didn’t like the “inserts” between chapters. Some of them do offer interesting background on the setting and other characters, but I didn’t particularly like the way it was presented and I felt that it disrupted the narrative. I was also kind of confused as to why the paranormal aspect was included in the story, since it really didn’t seem to have any significant effect on the plot. However, it’s obvious that this book is well-researched, and the setting and time period make it pretty unique - you don’t see much set in 1930’s Sydney in YA.
hmonkeyreads's review against another edition
1.0
Not a fan. Didn’t care about the characters, found the dialog repetitive and annoying and the part about ghosts truly served no purpose.
Extra big creep factor that one of the main characters “Glory’s best girl” is a seasoned prostitute with a city wide reputation and seemingly huge list of dead lovers and it’s revealed that she’s only 16......which is just gross in about 1000 ways. The main talking ghost is her dead boyfriend...who is 36.
From an old subscription box
Extra big creep factor that one of the main characters “Glory’s best girl” is a seasoned prostitute with a city wide reputation and seemingly huge list of dead lovers and it’s revealed that she’s only 16......which is just gross in about 1000 ways. The main talking ghost is her dead boyfriend...who is 36.
From an old subscription box
thomcat's review against another edition
3.0
Two strong female characters, much of the story told through flashbacks, and ghosts as characters. On the downside, feels long for a tale of one day - the reader could spend more hours reading than actually experienced by the protagonists.
This was set in a bloody era of history, and pulls no punches - the second scene has a LOT of blood. The characters feel very fleshed out, with motivations and interests - even some ghosts. Walking tours of this neighborhood tie in nicely with the novel.
In addition to the story seeming too long, the ending is abrupt and not exactly satisfying. I liked the ghosts (and their rules), and the author used them to tell some of the story and give reason for a "feral" kid to have learned her letters. I wouldn't consider this a "ghost story" though - the supernatural act as more of a chorus than characters. This book is marketed as "young adult", but the themes are probably more to the older side.
Liked it, but didn't love it.
This was set in a bloody era of history, and pulls no punches - the second scene has a LOT of blood. The characters feel very fleshed out, with motivations and interests - even some ghosts. Walking tours of this neighborhood tie in nicely with the novel.
In addition to the story seeming too long, the ending is abrupt and not exactly satisfying. I liked the ghosts (and their rules), and the author used them to tell some of the story and give reason for a "feral" kid to have learned her letters. I wouldn't consider this a "ghost story" though - the supernatural act as more of a chorus than characters. This book is marketed as "young adult", but the themes are probably more to the older side.
Liked it, but didn't love it.
theybedax's review against another edition
3.0
This is basically a high action thriller but also historical fiction. If you're squeamish of blood or gratuitous violence it might not be the read for you. If you like strong female characters and want a taste of historical razor fights in Sydney, Australia with ghosts mixed in, then boy do I have a strange dramatic tale for you!
pkrawr's review against another edition
4.0
Compulsively readable story that stands way out of the pack, telling the story of a world-weary homeless orphan Kelpie living by her wits on the streets in 1930's Australia. She has both friends and enemies among the ghosts she sees, and it broke my heart to hear about the teacher who made a huge impact in instructing Kelpie and helping her keep her humanity, only to fade away. When Kelpie encounters Dymphnia, we get a perspective on a different kind of survival, one born of beauty and compromise. Both compelling characters sear their way into your mind as you follow them on the run from the murder of Dymphnia's latest paramour and the rival gangs of the Sydney slums. The only thing I would change is putting the glossary of terms at the beginning, since the use of unfamiliar words slightly distracts from the fast-paced action. But otherwise a compelling, wise, and heartbreaking read. Note: I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
‘They called Miss Dymphna Campbell the Angel of Death because every man she was with for more than a couple of days wound up dead.’
Sydney, Australia in 1932, provides the setting for ‘Razorhurst’. Straight-edge razors have replaced guns as the weapon of choice, and there’s plenty of blood flowing in the streets of Surry Hills despite an uneasy peace between the rival gangs lead by Gloriana Nelson and Mr Davidson.
Kelpie is a child of the streets. When her mother died, she was taken in by ‘Old Ma’. When ‘Old Ma’ died, Kelpie took to the streets, desperate to avoid falling into the hands of Welfare. On the streets, Kelpie survives – in part because she can see ghosts. While some of those ghosts help Kelpie, she knows that not all ghosts are helpful. And when Tommy tells her she can find apples in a particular house, perhaps she should have known better. For instead of apples Kelpie finds the corpse of the gangster Jimmy Palmer, with his lover Dymphna Campbell standing over him.
Kelpie knows that Dymphna Campbell is Gloriana Nelson’s ‘best girl’, her most sought-after ‘chromo’ (prostitute). Kelpie doesn’t know that Dymphna can also see ghosts.
The novel covers the events of next twenty-four hours, with Dymphna and Kelpie forming an unlikely alliance as they try to avoid the police as well as Gloriana Nelson and Mr Davidson. Dymphna is much more than a pretty face, and she’s trying to plot a way through the mess in which she and Kelpie find themselves.
While I enjoyed reading this novel, primarily it was the way in which Ms Larbalestier brought to life Surry Hills (of the 1920s and 1930s) that kept me turning the pages. Surry Hills was dubbed ‘Razorhurst’ by ‘The Truth’ (a now defunct tabloid) in 1928, and the name certainly seemed appropriate. There are plenty of colourful characters in this novel, and Ms Larbalestier acknowledges a number of sources of inspiration for this novel.
This is a violent and gory novel, representing the time and place in which it is set. While it is aimed at YA readers it is well worth reading by those of us no longer able to claim to be young adults.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Sydney, Australia in 1932, provides the setting for ‘Razorhurst’. Straight-edge razors have replaced guns as the weapon of choice, and there’s plenty of blood flowing in the streets of Surry Hills despite an uneasy peace between the rival gangs lead by Gloriana Nelson and Mr Davidson.
Kelpie is a child of the streets. When her mother died, she was taken in by ‘Old Ma’. When ‘Old Ma’ died, Kelpie took to the streets, desperate to avoid falling into the hands of Welfare. On the streets, Kelpie survives – in part because she can see ghosts. While some of those ghosts help Kelpie, she knows that not all ghosts are helpful. And when Tommy tells her she can find apples in a particular house, perhaps she should have known better. For instead of apples Kelpie finds the corpse of the gangster Jimmy Palmer, with his lover Dymphna Campbell standing over him.
Kelpie knows that Dymphna Campbell is Gloriana Nelson’s ‘best girl’, her most sought-after ‘chromo’ (prostitute). Kelpie doesn’t know that Dymphna can also see ghosts.
The novel covers the events of next twenty-four hours, with Dymphna and Kelpie forming an unlikely alliance as they try to avoid the police as well as Gloriana Nelson and Mr Davidson. Dymphna is much more than a pretty face, and she’s trying to plot a way through the mess in which she and Kelpie find themselves.
While I enjoyed reading this novel, primarily it was the way in which Ms Larbalestier brought to life Surry Hills (of the 1920s and 1930s) that kept me turning the pages. Surry Hills was dubbed ‘Razorhurst’ by ‘The Truth’ (a now defunct tabloid) in 1928, and the name certainly seemed appropriate. There are plenty of colourful characters in this novel, and Ms Larbalestier acknowledges a number of sources of inspiration for this novel.
This is a violent and gory novel, representing the time and place in which it is set. While it is aimed at YA readers it is well worth reading by those of us no longer able to claim to be young adults.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
shelleyrae's review against another edition
5.0
Justine Larbalaestier's Razorhurst is gritty, intriguing novel blending history and the paranormal to create an interesting and exciting story with crossover appeal for both young adult and adult audiences.
It's 1932 and the tentative truce between Sydney's rival underworld gangs, headed by Gloriana Nelson and Mr Davidson, is on the verge of collapse when Gloriana's right hand man, Jimmy Palmer is murdered in his bed.
For Dymphna, Gloria's 'best girl' and Jimmy's girlfriend, Jimmy's death is a problem. Was he murdered by Mr Davidson in a calculated move against Glory, or was he killed because Glory learned of his and Dymphna's plans to oust her?
Climbing into the Surrey Hills dosshouse housing Gloriana's men in search of food, street urchin Kelpie is shocked to find Dymphna standing over the body of her murdered lover.
Both are forced to flee as the police close in, with Dymphna insisting Kelpie remains with her for protection, but safety is hard to come by on the streets of 'Razorhurst'.
Razorhurst is told from the alternating perspectives of Kelpie and Dymphna, interspersed with brief omniscient vignettes. Both girls are feisty, brave, and smart, but most importantly they are survivors.
Kelpie is an appealing character. When her mother died in childbirth, she was taken in by 'Old Ma' who raised her as best she could. Upon Old Ma's death, desperate to escape the Welfare, Kelpie took to the streets, surviving with the occasional kindness of local hard man, Snowy, and the ghosts that she can both see and hear that haunt the streets.
Dymphna was born to privilege but tragedy left her orphaned twice and she was forced to find a way to survive. As Glory's 'best girl', she has earned status among the underworld, but she wants more. She too can see and hear ghosts but hiding her ability has become second nature.
Larbalaestier's gangland characters are inspired by infamous Sydney identities (most notably Tilly Divine and Kate Leigh), and the author's research into the 'razor' gangs of Sydney, so named because straight edge razors were the weapon of choice during the 1930's.
I loved the historical elements that evoke inner city Sydney during the period. Grounded firmly in fact, the setting is fascinating and vividly drawn, from the slum of Frog Hollow to the seedy streets of Surry 'Sorrow' Hills lined with bordello's, opium dens and gambling houses.
Unfolding over the course of a single day the pacing of the novel is well managed, the action is non stop as Dymphna and Kelpie scramble to survive. There are explicit, though not gratuitous, references to violence and the occasional use of language. A touch of humour and romance tempers the ever present sense of menace and danger.
Entertaining, thrilling and original, Razorhurst is a great read I'd widely recommend and I'm really hoping Larbalestier has plans for a sequel.