A review by hannahreadslotsofbooks
The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga

4.0

Tragic. This novel is tragic. I started this book in mid-June and had to pause for a bit because it made me feel so sad. The two main characters are Cora and Quinn and their stories alternate back and forth with each chapter. Quinn and Cora are best friends, but have drifted apart. This is due to Quinn’s brother, Parker, killing Cora’s sister, Mabel, in a school shooting. Neither can be around each other because it is too painful of a reminder of what happened that fateful day. Quinn believes that she and Cora can change things through time travel and they work together to try and find a wormhole so they can change the fates of their siblings. This story gave me Bridge to Terabithia vibes with the girls going to the woods in search of the wormhole and the tragedy that is the entire novel as well as Max’s storyline from Stranger Things this season. Quinn’s chapters start off with her writing to her dead brother. The letters are short, but are filled with sadness, confusion and anger much like Max’s letters to her brother, Billy. Quinn also feels responsible for the tragedy much like Max. The story is very well-written and really shows the emotions of the characters well. There is also growth in the characters and it doesn’t necessarily have a happy ending, but more of a hopeful tone, which I appreciate.