Review: Tough Girl by Libby Heily

Title: Tough Girl
Author: Libby Heily
Genre: young-adult, contemporary
Series: N/A
Pages: 250 (paperback edition)
Published: January 14 2013
Source: author for an honest review
Rating: 4/5

Danger lurks everywhere in eleven year old Reggie's world—from the bully next door to the unwanted attentions of a creep at school. Raised by her mentally ill mother, Reggie is left to fend for herself. She escapes in daydreams, battling aliens with her alter ego, Tough Girl.

When Reggie's mother disappears, her fantasy life spirals out of control and starts to invade reality. She is hunted by a creature of her own design, and even Tough Girl is not strong enough to stop him.

Will Reggie survive long enough for her mother to return, or will her dream world take over?

This book contains adult themes and adult language.

All admissions forward: I was sent this book by the author, whom I consider a friend. This did not and does not affect my review.

It's been a real pleasure to watch Libby's growth as an author over the last two years. Having read and greatly enjoyed her short story collection back in 2011, I was anxious to see what she would come up with for her first her full-length novel. I can honestly say that I was not disappointed with the end result; Tough Girl is a clever, heart-wrenching novel with adult themes and ideas, but one that will hold appeal for a wide audience. If you enjoy honest, and occasionally harsh, views on struggles like mental illness, neglect and poverty, this is is your book. If you enjoy novels with strong and determined female protagonists, this is your book. If you enjoy unique fantasy and alternate worlds and places, this is your book.

This may get a bit spoilery, though I am going to try my best not to do. It's just hard to review a book with such a tricky plot without letting on about a few minor details. So: be warned.

Tough Girl is the story of Reggie, an eleven year old girl whom fate has not dealt the kindest of hands. From being bullied at school to neglected at home, Reggie's story is a sad, but not had to envision struggle every day. Thankfully for our heroine, Reggie is also smart, resourceful, resilient, and her own best friend. Escaping into various fantasy worlds with a tough-talking, militaristic alter-ego named Tough Girl, Reggie copes with her problems in a unique and compelling way. Like I said before, Reggie's mom, Mona, neglects her young daughter, leading to Reggie's disconnect from her real life in almost-slumlike building they live in, The Apartments. Reggie's story is a sobering one, and a lot of what she sees and goes through can be tough to read. Libby Heily is an author unafraid to examine the rougher side of life, and it's all to the benefit of the novel. For all its desperation, Reggie's story comes to life with ease.

Obviously in the grip of an unnamed and untreated mental illness, Mona forgets about her daughter for days on end, including the important task of feeding a growing girl. A lot of Reggie's narration and thoughts center around food - either getting it or eating it. I find it remarkably telling that even in Reggie's longest-running fantasy with TG, as she is called, is set on a planet named Girth. Bullied, hungry and alone, even in Reggie's dreams food is the most important part of her day. Her other struggles with classmates like Tara or even bratchild extraordinaire Jacob are painful and sadly quite real to life and carry additional weight to the storyline. There's a lot going on in Tough Girl, be it real or imaginary, and in the end, Heily manages to tie it all together with ease.

I did feel that the end was a bit abrupt. I would've like a little more time with the denoument - just to see it all play out visually. I liked the ending for what it was -it was fitting and believable, but just a very fast turnaround from the pacing of the first 240 pages. This is a shorter novel, but it still packs a punch. Another bonus is the price - it's only $2.99 to join Reggie and her alter-ego in the respective struggles. I was and still am very impressed with Libby Heily's imagination and am excited to see how she will grow and where she will go with her talent after this.

Two Minute Review: Fourth Degree Freedom by Libby Heily

Title: Fourth Degree Freedom

Author: Libby Heily

Genre: novella, general fiction, fantasy/supernatural fiction

Series: N/A

Pages: 24

Published: August 2011

Rating: 4/5

This review is bit shorter than my wont, but I'm refusing to give away too much detail about these awesome stories. Read them!

A set of five entertaining, but wildly disparate short stories, Fourth Degree Freedom is a fun, short foray into the literary talents of Libby Heily. I know Libby, we're blogger friends, but I try to be unbiased with anything I review - and this delightful twenty-five page work is more than worth reading. It's short, easy and quite engrossing to read and full of imagination.

Five different stories, ranging from the dystopic-feeling The Event to the fantasyish/paranormal-esque eponymous Fourth Degree Freedom, each were entirely fresh with a unique voice and feel. All were well-written, plotted, paced; I must admit I wished for more length with She Floats and The Event because they each had so intriguing a premise. The short story The Event in which the government sanctions a hunt for the elderly people by the young is one of the more creative avenues I've seen for a dystopic idea. It's both a chilling, and an interesting novella; my favorite of the collection.

My second favorite, and a close tie for absolute favoite, was Fourth Degree Freedom. I LOVED this story, and this idea. Essentially, radiation in the atmosphere has caused "30% of births" to be stricken with some degree of monstrosity. Pepper and Leah have a son, David, a monster of the fourth degree. This was the story I contemplated most of the five; in a world full of monsters, it is the parents in this story that seem the most monstrous.

The other three I've not waxed on specifically about (Thank You for Calling, The Last Six Miles, She Floats) are all unique and different tales. From a woman struggling to find hope and a better life to a woman determined to save her own life, each successive offers a glimpse into the very creative and fun mind of the author.

The author has an additional work out - Twist, Turn and Burn - which is currently FREE! Consisting of 12 more flash fiction short stories, I more than recommend them for a short, but fun read.

Blog Watch Wednesday!

Supercool, awesome online posts/sites found this last week:

Comic-Con was this weekend, and there was an awesome Game of Thrones panel with George R. R. Martin, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Kit Harrington (Jon Snow), Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Jason Momoa (Drogo), Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), and showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. (Whoa, the Starks are waaay underrepresented here!)

Pat's Fantasy Hotlist has the entire 40 minute panel right here.  I have NOT watched all the video so I cannot say if there are any A Dance with Dragons spoilers. But Jason Momoa does thank fantasy for "allowing him to rape beautiful women"... so there is that. In his defense, I think he was making a joke (though poor in taste) and seems like a lovely man otherwise.

Speaking of which: Game of Thrones name generators. For the ladies and the gents. 

My highborn lady name was Alerie Crakehall; lowborn name was Alerie Hill. I will protest that it is unfair that that men have four choices (Westerosi Knight, Westerosi Bastard, Targaryen King, and Dothraki Warrior) while the women only get 'Noble lady' and 'not so noble'. So, if I was a Knight: Cressen Harlaw. A bastard: Cressen Hill. Targaryen King: Jaehaerys I Targaryen. Dothraki warrior: Jhogo son of Cohollo.

Aaaaand Game of Throne LEGO characters. Sandor and Gregor are my favorites.

There's an interesting discussion at the Gripped into Books blog over just how long is long enough before you give up on a book. I personally, have very rarely given up on a novel. Even if I despise the characters, the plot, etc. I simply hate not knowing what happens at the end more.

Another great blog (and blogger) Ewa over at Palace of Distractions has her ownentertaining and link-tastic Daily Distractables. Highly fun and amusing!

Awesome blogger Libby has two fabulous posts I'd like to highlight today. One is a collection of her favorite awesome Funny or Die videos. Why not, laugh it up, it's hump day! The other is a post about her first self-published collection of her flash fiction. It's called Twist Turn and Burn and read her post for details on the stories and details on where to get it FREE!

The blog The Book Base does different interviews with authors of different blogs everyday. This week, they were kind enough to ask me. Here's the interview, if you'd like to read my answers.

I really really want to read Laini Taylor's new novel Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Bookhounds posted the new awesome book trailer and it's only made me want to read it more.

In case you haven't heard, chain bookseller Borders has gone under. Their entire labor force (more than 10,000 people across 400 stores) is out of work, but you can help them.

Are you reading YA? YA should be. (Claim for horrible pun all mine; actual title resists temptation)

Do you read steampunk? The Pen Muse has 10 Reasons Why You Should Drop Everything Right Now and Read Steampunk. I fully agree. Unless you're holding a baby, or a priceless Ming vase. Set them down and then read steampunk.

I love Dexter. I love this new promo out for Dexter. FYI: Dexter/Supernatural/Parks and Rec/Game of Thrones/Spartacus are my tv loves. I shall try not to inundate you with links about them...but it is hard. 

Daaaamn. Friends characters got arouuuund. Long but amusing if you liked the still-ubiquitous 90s show.