is the final part of Lauren Oliver's superb trilogy for young adult readers. Set in a dystopian near-future, the story exploits the classic teen romance (love triangles, over-blown emotions, poetic language) to extraordinary effect. The plot focuses on two characters. Lena, our heroine, has chosen to escape what seems to be her fate: like all teenagers, she is "doctored" to remove any trace of romantic or erotic feeling. Running off to the Wilds, she joins a group of rebels, and ping-pongs between two boys: dark, brooding Alex and blond, cheerful Julian. Lena's alter ego is Hana, who chooses the "Cure", and prepares to marry her nasty "pair", Fred Hargrove. Both heroines are smart, strong and independent. Both wonder whether they have made the right choice: Lena can't decide between her two beaux; Hana wonders whether there is more to life than wealth and power. Sexy, exciting, political and clever, is a fitting conclusion to one of the best young adult series of recent memory.

- a fitting Jeffrey Archer title if ever there was one - is the third part of the Clifton Chronicles. Harry Clifton is self-made, unashamedly heroic, and a budding crime novelist: much of his story involves his burgeoning career in Britain and America. His best mate, Sir Giles Barrington, born into privileged aristocracy, is a left-wing member of Parliament. In the early exchanges, the pair is at odds, thanks to Giles' wonderfully awful fiancée, Lady Veronica. Following the death of Giles' smart mother, Lady V encourages him to grab the richest pickings at the expense of his sisters, one of whom, Elizabeth, is married to Harry. But all is well as the pair pursue their respective careers. Perhaps the most intriguing characters are the subsidiary ones: Elizabeth is emerging as a pioneer in the business world. Her son, Sebastian, goes on an adventure of James Bond-like proportions. Stage actor Alex Jennings reads with assurance, negotiating Archer's clunky opening and enjoying the drama of Sebastian's travails in South America. Great fun.