Royals (Tegan Bennett Daylight, S&S)
This compelling, character-driven novel is Tegan Bennett Daylight’s first foray writing for teens. Through 16-year-old Shannon’s perspective, we follow the day-to-day minutiae of six teens (and one baby) who have become trapped in a suburban shopping mall. They have access to all the stores’ products and the food court’s array of menus, but no access to the outside world (no phones!). Friendship, family and making connections are seamlessly interwoven through the narrative and contemporary dialogue, appealing to upper middle-grade readers and above. A broad range of topics and issues are presented, including heavier themes such as suicide, body image, sex and mental health. Extensive use of brand and store names highlights consumerism and materialism; furthermore, a multitude of pop culture references reinforce the teens’ social context. Shannon’s introspections and observations are effectively delivered through short, sharp phrasing; as are the tangible feelings of the mundaneness of everyday mall-life, interspersed with surprise and suspense. An ‘interview’ section cleverly delves into this diverse cast of characters’ mindset and ensures Gen Z readers’ sustained interest in them. Essentially a survival story, the book is reminiscent of Brendan Ritchie’s Carousel, but more a reimagining of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Instead of conflict and power, Royals provides an optimistic alternative in which trust and acceptance are the genuine foundations to living together harmoniously.
Books+Publishing reviewer: Freelance reviewer, Alida Galati, is a secondary school librarian and reading enthusiast. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.
