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A review by libraryofdreaming
The Reckless Kind by Carly Heath
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. In 1904 Norway, three disabled teens run away together and enter a horse race after a dire incident. Asta doesn’t want the life that’s been set out for her: marriage and domesticity. She prefers performing at a local theater with her best friend Gunnar and his secret love Erlend. After Gunnar is gravely injured, the three carve out a new life for themselves while bucking society’s rules. But can they find happiness in the face of discrimination and hatred from the surrounding community?
The representation in this book is based on the author’s experience with hearing loss, post-concussion syndrome, and spinal cord trauma.
I’m very excited to see more disability reads, especially historical fiction, but unfortunately I did not enjoy this book. While I appreciated seeing disabled characters (especially Erlend who has anxiety and stomach problems), I didn’t feel like there was enough character development. The epic friendship between the main characters was not fleshed out enough.
I also really struggled with the level of bodily harm and violence in this book. There was just one injury on top of the other to the point where it felt gratuitous. I didn’t like how many of the characters continued to take risks while suffering from extreme pain and injury. Also, I felt like Gunnar, who experiences the most violence, needed a narrative voice so we could understand his perspective.
I liked the themes of found family and the unusual historical setting. I just wish there had been more than a few rays of light in the middle of utter bleakness. My heart hurt and I didn’t connect with the story.
Trigger/content warnings:
The representation in this book is based on the author’s experience with hearing loss, post-concussion syndrome, and spinal cord trauma.
I’m very excited to see more disability reads, especially historical fiction, but unfortunately I did not enjoy this book. While I appreciated seeing disabled characters (especially Erlend who has anxiety and stomach problems), I didn’t feel like there was enough character development. The epic friendship between the main characters was not fleshed out enough.
I also really struggled with the level of bodily harm and violence in this book. There was just one injury on top of the other to the point where it felt gratuitous.
Spoiler
Was it really necessary for Asta to break her collarbone at the end? Was the stabbing after the beating after the accident really necessary?
I liked the themes of found family and the unusual historical setting. I just wish there had been more than a few rays of light in the middle of utter bleakness. My heart hurt and I didn’t connect with the story.
Trigger/content warnings: