Reviews

Nate is such a likeable character and there are some terrific moments in this novel. Equal parts heartbreaking, funny and poignant the story moves along at a good pace. The writing is very good. I would definitely recommend it to any age group however it would be interesting to hear from a reader in the 14-18 range as to me this feels a little like what older adults think younger readers want to read.

0live_tr33's review against another edition

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3.0

This is How We Change the Ending continued opening my eyes to the difference between my life and the life of others in my country. The book was quite slow with very little progression from the beginning to the end but to me, it felt like that related to the ideas Vikki was trying to show. I liked the way words were used to tell the story and that there was no real reliance on romance. The ending disappointed me, it just wasn't what I was hoping for.

This is How We Change the Ending has left me in deep thought so despite its flaws... 3.5/5 (but round down to 3/5

misha_ali's review against another edition

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5.0

Dark and hopeful. I love main characters with strong voices. I'll definitely be checking out more of Vikki Wakefield's writing in the future.

cec_loves_to_read_books's review against another edition

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4.0

Raw and real. I love Vicki’s writing. In 2019 I read so many books about toxic masculinity- brothers, fathers, lovers, “friends” & colleagues who were inflicting so much damage on others. ‘This is How We Change the Ending’ was a book I picked up a handful of times off my TBR pile but the first chapter had me so worried about what was to come for the main character Nate that I had to put it down. In 2020 I’m determined to read more Aus YA and I’m starting with ones that I’ve heard great things about so I finally invested time to push past the first chapter and get stuck into ‘This is How We Change the Ending’. I am so, so glad I did. This is no lighthearted coming of age story but it’s about love and learning who you are written in a very raw, honest and clever way. Read it!

angelreads's review against another edition

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5.0

A powerful read that explores the low socioeconomic communities in Australia and how it impacts daily lives, especially teens trying to make their way through school. This novel follows Sixteen-year-old Nate McKee as he tries to hide from most of the world. And he is worried about a lot of things, especially the way that his dad treats Nance and his half-brothers. To get away from it all, Nate escapes the local youth center. There he fills his notebook with this he can’t say aloud. I want to say that I loved this book, but it’s also hard to say because of everything that it explores. And while This is How We Change the Ending is hard to read at times it is also such a powerful read.

This book made me feel so many things from anger to hope. From sadness to being proud. This poignant coming of age story that captures the lives of those that struggle day by day. That tries to make the best of what they have.

jamiethomasss's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

textpublishing's review against another edition

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The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing – publisher of This is How We Change the Ending

‘When I finish a Vikki Wakefield novel I get a tiny ache in my heart because I’m already missing her gutsy characters.’
Melina Marchetta

'This is How We Change the Ending is [Vikki Wakefield’s] best book and my YA novel of the year. It may well be the perfect YA novel.’
Joy Lawn

‘I’m not sure what we did right to deserve a writer as fine as Wakefield, who captures the bruised vulnerability and tremulous potential of youth with so much honesty and power.’
Readings

‘[A] powerful, affecting story…stories like Wakefield’s are essential reading.'
InDaily

‘My YA novel of the year...[Vikki Wakefield] writes brilliantly from inside a teen boy’s head, illuminating his thoughts and words with searing understanding and empathy, along with hints of hope.'
Australian

‘Wakefield gets better with each book, and this one BURNS it’s so good.’
AlphaReader

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