impatientchild's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
scarlett_anais's review
4.0
A nice book to read over the weekend. Certainly doesn't leave a lasting impact, but it's an enjoyable piece, with fantastic writing. Not much special but nothing terribly wrong about it either. I'd love to read another book by Strahan, with perhaps a more investable plot.
skippyfitzroy's review
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
felixsanchez's review
2.0
I was so disappointed in this book. The premise is filled with so much potential, and, personally, something unusual but perfectly necessary in YA. If you're not into a detailed review; don't bother reading this book. It isn't worth your time. But alas. I must waffle on.
Unfortunately, the book was executed pretty poorly. The characters were snooty and privileged - and even when countered with it, didn't really approach that with any real empathy/sympathy or intellect. And sure, they're 15. But if you're going to bring it up, Strahan should've implemented some character growth. That was few and far between. I felt the references to composers was clumsy and often very showy, the use of 'rare' words was simply unlikely. It's pretentious, and any teenager in 2018 caught saying those things would be laughed at. And Vanessa's habit of spewing random facts? I've only ever seen that happen with fictional characters. That trope annoys the hell out of me.
Ultimately, the book lightly followed what it promises in the blurb. Really, it has so many tangental branches that are never fulfilled. While I appreciate the effort to integrate issues of sexuality, race, environmentalism, familial relationships and platonic relationships, it was done clumsily. I think Strahan should've stuck with Vanessa developing her sexuality.
An aside: Vanessa wasn't a terribly likeable character, but she's made out to be. I felt she was incredibly pretentious and self-righteous, and didn't really ever confront that (until the very end when discussing Aboriginal issues with Darith - but that was a mere paragraph, if less). This bothered me, because it did seem like she had gone through a revolutionary experience.
The true 'climax', I believe, was her sexual assault/attempted rape. I felt it was a bit cheap to lump this under her developing sexuality, because it was made out to be a positive journey. There were interspersed moments of her discovering sex, but it was nearly all negative until the final few pages. Whilst holistically realistic - negative sexual experiences, that is - I felt Strahan sold the book a very different way.
What was more 'important' than Vanessa's sexuality was the environmental problems / governmental cheating plot. It started as a subplot then became, well, the entire plot. It seemed rushed and slightly strange, to have a full government scheme in a YA novel that was supposed to be about sexuality. What was worse? It was resolved in a matter of lines by her father apologising. Though, it wasn't really, because that loose end was never truly tied up; the whole plan may have gone ahead, who knows.
Overall, completely disappointing. I think there is ample space for YA novels with female protagonists who are discovering their sexualities, which are well-written, not ridiculously ambitious and are clean, sharp and timely. This book completely missed the mark. Had potential, but had so many threads that remained untied that the plot was falling apart at the seams.
Unfortunately, the book was executed pretty poorly. The characters were snooty and privileged - and even when countered with it, didn't really approach that with any real empathy/sympathy or intellect. And sure, they're 15. But if you're going to bring it up, Strahan should've implemented some character growth. That was few and far between. I felt the references to composers was clumsy and often very showy, the use of 'rare' words was simply unlikely. It's pretentious, and any teenager in 2018 caught saying those things would be laughed at. And Vanessa's habit of spewing random facts? I've only ever seen that happen with fictional characters. That trope annoys the hell out of me.
Ultimately, the book lightly followed what it promises in the blurb. Really, it has so many tangental branches that are never fulfilled. While I appreciate the effort to integrate issues of sexuality, race, environmentalism, familial relationships and platonic relationships, it was done clumsily. I think Strahan should've stuck with Vanessa developing her sexuality.
An aside: Vanessa wasn't a terribly likeable character, but she's made out to be. I felt she was incredibly pretentious and self-righteous, and didn't really ever confront that (until the very end when discussing Aboriginal issues with Darith - but that was a mere paragraph, if less). This bothered me, because it did seem like she had gone through a revolutionary experience.
The true 'climax', I believe, was her sexual assault/attempted rape. I felt it was a bit cheap to lump this under her developing sexuality, because it was made out to be a positive journey. There were interspersed moments of her discovering sex, but it was nearly all negative until the final few pages. Whilst holistically realistic - negative sexual experiences, that is - I felt Strahan sold the book a very different way.
What was more 'important' than Vanessa's sexuality was the environmental problems / governmental cheating plot. It started as a subplot then became, well, the entire plot. It seemed rushed and slightly strange, to have a full government scheme in a YA novel that was supposed to be about sexuality. What was worse? It was resolved in a matter of lines by her father apologising. Though, it wasn't really, because that loose end was never truly tied up; the whole plan may have gone ahead, who knows.
Overall, completely disappointing. I think there is ample space for YA novels with female protagonists who are discovering their sexualities, which are well-written, not ridiculously ambitious and are clean, sharp and timely. This book completely missed the mark. Had potential, but had so many threads that remained untied that the plot was falling apart at the seams.
evierashell's review
1.0
Unfortunately I couldn't finish this book. For me it didn't capture what being a teenager is like. I read the blurb and thought I'd have a lot in common with the main character, Van, but I couldn't connect with her. I love to see Australian authors writing in a setting that I can relate to but for some reason this book just wasn't for me. It had all the ingredients to be a great YA but I couldn't get past the first 100 pages
missindyrose's review
4.0
Beautifully written and absolutely engaging and funny. I loved every bit of this book.
Is one I would highly recommend every 14/15+ year old teenager to read.
Deals with a lot of issues and the author has managed to weave it all together extremely well. I loved Van, and related to her on a huge level. And all the background characters were really well filled out and very multi dimensional.
Is one I would highly recommend every 14/15+ year old teenager to read.
Deals with a lot of issues and the author has managed to weave it all together extremely well. I loved Van, and related to her on a huge level. And all the background characters were really well filled out and very multi dimensional.
1madchild's review against another edition
3.0
yess.
kinda just wish she actually said the things though.
looking back, lots of poinient topics covered.
kinda just wish she actually said the things though.
looking back, lots of poinient topics covered.
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