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rosieclaverton's review
4.0
Jasmine's Story takes a group of girls in a small seaside town and plays out many possible ways one event could go down. Like Lizzie's Story, the story focusses on one particular girl - Jasmine - and her decision about whether or not to go to a party. Compared to the decision faced by Lizzie - over the outcome of a pregnancy - this one at first seems more trivial, but wow, nothing could be further from the truth.
What I like about Lucy's writing is that she never pulls her punches. These characters are MAULED by their circumstances, confronted with the harsh consequences of their mistakes. The first scenario is particularly harrowing, especially if you have personal experience of mental health problems, and each and every choice leads to a different punch in the gut.
The characters are very well-realised - I was particularly fascinated by Olivia and Jenny, but the extended cast are memorable and flesh out the little town of Winby. Growing up in a small, seaside town, in the shadow of a modest city, I can attest to the accuracy of that claustrophobic atmosphere!
The issues surrounding teenage life are sometimes on-the-nose, but that doesn't detract from a well-written, captivating story about this one fateful party invitation.
Trigger Warnings:
What I like about Lucy's writing is that she never pulls her punches. These characters are MAULED by their circumstances, confronted with the harsh consequences of their mistakes. The first scenario is particularly harrowing, especially if you have personal experience of mental health problems, and each and every choice leads to a different punch in the gut.
The characters are very well-realised - I was particularly fascinated by Olivia and Jenny, but the extended cast are memorable and flesh out the little town of Winby. Growing up in a small, seaside town, in the shadow of a modest city, I can attest to the accuracy of that claustrophobic atmosphere!
The issues surrounding teenage life are sometimes on-the-nose, but that doesn't detract from a well-written, captivating story about this one fateful party invitation.
Trigger Warnings:
Spoiler
suicide, mentions of rape and attempted rapewritesofluid's review
4.0
Much more than just a teen dilemma!
~~~
Another fantastic YA novel from Lucy Hay. I must admit, that as an adult reader I didn't find the premise as appealing as Lucy's other novel, Lizzie's Story; the premise of which involved an unplanned pregnancy which felt more intriguing in an 'it could still happen to me as an adult' way. However, I totally got the emotions conveyed in Jasmine's story because I can still remember how devastated I was as a teen when friendships broke down.
Jasmine's story has much more depth than you'd expect, with twists that will genuinely surprise you. The different outcomes that stem from Jasmine's decision to be honest - or not - with her best friend about going to another friend's party without her result in some shocking, and some heart-warming, conclusions. Whether her decisions are seemingly right or wrong, the events set in motion are unpredictable but all teach us valuable lessons about friendship, honesty and compassion.
I loved how each of the chapters, or 'scenarios', led into each other seamlessly and how Jasmine kept having déja vu, bringing a whole new level to our curiosity over this phenomenon and also grounding the story. Furthermore, there are links between chapters that strengthen the core of the story and bring it all together well, such as clues and hints that ultimately piece together to paint illuminating pictures of some of the key characters and the reasons for their behaviours.
Little snippets of 'wiseness' come across throughout the novel, too; subtly and gradually getting the novel's messages across. The '[path is] written for us' philosophy on how things turn out really made me think. This, and the examination of issues such as depression, bullying and abuse amongst others, really challenge the reader - young or old[er] - to reconsider their perceptions of others and to think more carefully about how your actions could affect others.
Highly recommended for teens, and adults - don't be fooled into thinking this novel has nothing to offer by the seemingly simple dilemma of the 'do I or don't I go to the party' premise. This novel is much more than that; much deeper, much more complex, incredibly illuminating as to the issues faced by teens today, and we can certainly all relate to the difficulties caused by discord amongst family and friends.
Fun challenge: see if you can spot Lizzie's guest appearance in this novel! :)
~~~
Another fantastic YA novel from Lucy Hay. I must admit, that as an adult reader I didn't find the premise as appealing as Lucy's other novel, Lizzie's Story; the premise of which involved an unplanned pregnancy which felt more intriguing in an 'it could still happen to me as an adult' way. However, I totally got the emotions conveyed in Jasmine's story because I can still remember how devastated I was as a teen when friendships broke down.
Jasmine's story has much more depth than you'd expect, with twists that will genuinely surprise you. The different outcomes that stem from Jasmine's decision to be honest - or not - with her best friend about going to another friend's party without her result in some shocking, and some heart-warming, conclusions. Whether her decisions are seemingly right or wrong, the events set in motion are unpredictable but all teach us valuable lessons about friendship, honesty and compassion.
I loved how each of the chapters, or 'scenarios', led into each other seamlessly and how Jasmine kept having déja vu, bringing a whole new level to our curiosity over this phenomenon and also grounding the story. Furthermore, there are links between chapters that strengthen the core of the story and bring it all together well, such as clues and hints that ultimately piece together to paint illuminating pictures of some of the key characters and the reasons for their behaviours.
Little snippets of 'wiseness' come across throughout the novel, too; subtly and gradually getting the novel's messages across. The '[path is] written for us' philosophy on how things turn out really made me think. This, and the examination of issues such as depression, bullying and abuse amongst others, really challenge the reader - young or old[er] - to reconsider their perceptions of others and to think more carefully about how your actions could affect others.
Highly recommended for teens, and adults - don't be fooled into thinking this novel has nothing to offer by the seemingly simple dilemma of the 'do I or don't I go to the party' premise. This novel is much more than that; much deeper, much more complex, incredibly illuminating as to the issues faced by teens today, and we can certainly all relate to the difficulties caused by discord amongst family and friends.
Fun challenge: see if you can spot Lizzie's guest appearance in this novel! :)
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