Reviews

The Brink by Holden Sheppard

inthelunaseas's review

4.0

There is something so amusing about reading a book set in my city. It throws me every time I see a reference to a particular road, highway, shopping centre or school.

Much like [b:Invisible Boys|43197935|Invisible Boys|Holden Sheppard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558613696l/43197935._SY75_.jpg|67029470], this book follows some late teens in a messy twist of high school politics, queer discoveries and far too much booze. But, unlike Invisible Boys, this one has a slightly happier ending.

I genuinely enjoyed this book. I'm not excessively fond of different narrators, but it worked here. Each voice was different and provided a unique take on the events. I also wasn't sure how each character would end up (though Mason did feel like he belonged in Invisible Boys).

Leonardo's childhood resonated the most with me, though Kaiya felt the less extreme of the three main characters. I think she was meant to be the neutral one for the reader, with her being the most sensible and level-headed.

If I'd spent more time trying to unravel the mystery, I likely would have solved it. But I enjoyed the characters stories and how they were going to get themselves out of the mess.

But damn. Two deaths, one island. What a Leavers.

lemonadegirl29's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

nicisfictionaddiction's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

If you'd like a novel about Aussie teens who feel that they don't fit in, no matter where they stand socially, and somehow all end up isolated on an island for leavers, and then go Lord of the Flies after a death occurs and fingers start getting pointed, boy do I have the book for you!

hannahsutherland's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-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? Yes

A storng first line and it keeps being a page turner right the way through. 

It captures the high school mindset/experience well. Luckily I didn't need a murder island to recover from it, just time and better friends. 

The book reminds me a lot of Lord of the Flies, but less dry and boring (sorry William Golding). 

The passages about masculinity were not relatable to me (27F), but there was enough other relatable content in the book. 

dylan2298's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

bookforestsprite's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny medium-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? Yes

5.0

I loved the explorations of masculinity and identity in general. I loved boys embracing tenderness, the characters' development, the atmosphere, the family dynamics and, as an avid avoider of crime stories, liked that the murder plot seemed more incidental and was not nearly as important as the character development. Kaiya is my hero, Mason is my lil himbo baby, Nick is my inspiring last sentence.

jess64au's review

challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book is clearly aimed at Male YA readers.  I found most of the characters unlikable and wonder if teenagers would connect with the flawed characters or not.  I did spend the first section of the book waiting for the "twist" that would change their lives.  I felt the second half of the book was quicker and stronger than the first half.  The alternating voices while very effective were sometimes hard to keep track of and I had to flip back to confirm who was telling the story at certain points.  

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Alcohol

Moderate: Toxic friendship and Sexual harassment

Minor: Drug abuse, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts

ela81's review

5.0

Loved this book about Leavers Week and the crazy events that unfolded on a remote island.

yogurtyong's review

adventurous dark inspiring tense medium-paced

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

4.75

The Brink gave us a school leavers turn disaster story, told through the povs of Leonardo, Kaiya and Mason. I could not put the book down once I started reading it: for the tight drama, the identity crisis, the suppressed rebellion, and the sexuality of it all. 

A true page turner. Holden Sheppard has done it again!

jo_and_aro's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0