***Review*** Pig-Heart Boy by Malorie Blackman

Cameron is thirteen and desperately in need of a heart transplant when a pioneering doctor approaches his family with a startling proposal. He can give Cameron a new heart — but not one from a human, one from a pig. It’s never been done before. It’s experimental, risky and very controversial. But Cameron is fed up with just sitting on the side of life, always watching and never doing. He has to try — to become the world’s first pig-heart boy.

 

I’m choosing this because:

Well, it’s *still* Malorie Blackman Month which I’m taking part in with Amy Bookworm *link*. This is also a book that’s been residing on Spencer the TBR for a very long time. I mean it. So long that it was getting quite close to the top. However, Malorie month has encouraged me to read this a bit (lot) quicker than I would’ve otherwise.

Judging a book by its cover:

This is a very bright cover, very eye-catching. I can see why I’d have picked it up. The cover appears to be a heart, works well with the title. The poison pen title style also adds to the colour and draw of the cover. It definitely makes you want to pick it up! I think it’s probably the reason why I picked it up.

Pricing the (possible) awesomeness:

So this is £4.49 for the paperback and £3.79 for the Kindle edition. I think I got my copy second hand but it looks brand new aside from page aging. So yay for quality bargain books. (I like buying books from charity shops. I get enjoyment and help a good cause!)

You know how I had trouble reviewing ‘Double Cross’ well I’m having even more trouble with this one. I can’t quite put into words how I feel about any of this. But I’m gonna give it a good go. This is a really good story, touching, realistic, heart breaking and so enjoyable. It’s a short story, I read it in only a couple of hours but it left its mark on me. It raises the dilemma of what would you do if you were dying. I have to say that the story felt well put together and felt like I could actually believe that it’s happening to someone. The way it’s been written is engaging and makes you hang on to every word and the pages are devoured as opposed to actually read.

Cameron – Cameron is the owner of the pig heart. We follow him as he makes his decision to go through with the op. I thought he was initially a lovely boy who just wanted to be normal. However, he changed part way through and became a temporary tool but he changed back at the end. So overall he’s a likeable character that handles himself well considering the situation he finds himself in.

Marlon – He’s Cameron’s best friend, I did like him but his family’s actions did taint him for me. Don’t get me wrong, what happened and why is explained but I still find it hard to trust him. However, despite the failings of those around him he was a good friend and (kind of) loyal. I don’t think he’s one of the best characters in the book though.

Dr Byron – He’s the guy who’s come up with the idea to transplant pig hearts into humans and I must say I think he’s a bit shady. I just never trust him, even though he’s helping others a part of me feels it’s purely for his own gain. I don’t think that’s a bad thing though, I don’t think anyone ever entirely trusts someone like Dr Byron,

Overall this is so touching. I didn’t quite cry but believe me there were times when I was close. Malorie Blackman knows how to write stories like this and she does it so well. It’s hard not to appreciate the quality of her writing every time you pick up one of her books. Pig-Heart Boy is, for me, hard to describe, it’s hard to capture the emotions of the storyline without revealing spoilers but it broke my heart and managed to heal it all at the same time. It gives you hope for the future and takes it away. I really can’t explain why I loved this book. I just did. 

An emotional rollercoaster of awesomeness. It didn’t make me cry like others in this genre have and I wouldn’t regard it as one of my favourites and that’s why it only gets four stars. Don’t see that as a bad thing, I really enjoyed this. It’s a stunning read. I’d recommend this in a heartbeat. Seriously, if you haven’t checked this one out, go do it.