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A review by kelseamae
Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Did you like Twilight, New Moon? No? Then you'll also not like Archer's Voice!
About half way through you'll start to realise Archer suffers from chronic Edward Cullen Syndrome - and he's down bad.
Spoilers ahead!!
This book is about 100 pages too long and at times felt like I was trudging through mud towards a finish line I was no longer excited to reach. On other occasions, mainly Archer's POV, the writing felt purposeful and was striking that emotional chord just right. Then, we'd be back with Bree and I'd stagger through pages of her fawning over Archer's washboard abs and wish for Sheridan to focus on the narrative she started 4 pages ago.
Dialogue was clunky and awkward one moment, then poetic and stood off the page the next. I was often off-put and took a red pen to multiple pages. I get the impression it was neglected by its editors somewhere in the middle where things get mundane and swimmy.
I'm personally afflicted by a debilitating case of lesbianism. All the talk of masculine scents and that bit in the bonus epilogue about cavemen near enough made me gag. I did speak to my own mother about this and turns out it's a me issue. Unsurprising.
What this book lacks in its external world building is not made up for by Bree and Archer's relationship, in my opinion. Somewhere towards the end, Bree mentions having "best friends" in town, implying a closeness with Melanie and Liza. Besides Liza's presence serving the story zilch, as an audience we're privy to them hanging out, what, 3(?) times the entire story. Yes, I know they often came to visit the diner but I genuinely liked them and thought they could have been incorporated much more effectively. Give me a dog walk with Melanie as Bree confides in her about kissing Travis or teaches her a phrase in sign language or something. Anything. They just sort of... existed.
Same with Natalie and Jordan. This is when my frustration with Sheridan's writing was reaching its peak. Why on Earth introduce us to Natalie, Avery and Jordan in Bree's first chapter and then proceed to feed us one liners about Natalie until they meet up for Bree to head back to Ohio. I was perplexed. I liked Natalie. Her "Hey babes" were keeping me going for the short while she was in Pelion. I can't help but think Sheridan forgot about them until she rememebered Bree is victim to an unsolved robbery gone awry and realised that storyline needed a resolution.
Archer Hale disappearing for 3 months to find himself was necessary and I enjoyed it as a twist. Him getting shot by Bree's ab*ser however... no. Hasn't the poor man been through enough? It felt like a means to an end and, yes, I'm angry about it. And right after Anne almost pops her cloggs? I don't have the words to explain the frustration I felt.
About half way through you'll start to realise Archer suffers from chronic Edward Cullen Syndrome - and he's down bad.
Spoilers ahead!!
This book is about 100 pages too long and at times felt like I was trudging through mud towards a finish line I was no longer excited to reach. On other occasions, mainly Archer's POV, the writing felt purposeful and was striking that emotional chord just right. Then, we'd be back with Bree and I'd stagger through pages of her fawning over Archer's washboard abs and wish for Sheridan to focus on the narrative she started 4 pages ago.
Dialogue was clunky and awkward one moment, then poetic and stood off the page the next. I was often off-put and took a red pen to multiple pages. I get the impression it was neglected by its editors somewhere in the middle where things get mundane and swimmy.
I'm personally afflicted by a debilitating case of lesbianism. All the talk of masculine scents and that bit in the bonus epilogue about cavemen near enough made me gag. I did speak to my own mother about this and turns out it's a me issue. Unsurprising.
What this book lacks in its external world building is not made up for by Bree and Archer's relationship, in my opinion. Somewhere towards the end, Bree mentions having "best friends" in town, implying a closeness with Melanie and Liza. Besides Liza's presence serving the story zilch, as an audience we're privy to them hanging out, what, 3(?) times the entire story. Yes, I know they often came to visit the diner but I genuinely liked them and thought they could have been incorporated much more effectively. Give me a dog walk with Melanie as Bree confides in her about kissing Travis or teaches her a phrase in sign language or something. Anything. They just sort of... existed.
Same with Natalie and Jordan. This is when my frustration with Sheridan's writing was reaching its peak. Why on Earth introduce us to Natalie, Avery and Jordan in Bree's first chapter and then proceed to feed us one liners about Natalie until they meet up for Bree to head back to Ohio. I was perplexed. I liked Natalie. Her "Hey babes" were keeping me going for the short while she was in Pelion. I can't help but think Sheridan forgot about them until she rememebered Bree is victim to an unsolved robbery gone awry and realised that storyline needed a resolution.
Archer Hale disappearing for 3 months to find himself was necessary and I enjoyed it as a twist. Him getting shot by Bree's ab*ser however... no. Hasn't the poor man been through enough? It felt like a means to an end and, yes, I'm angry about it. And right after Anne almost pops her cloggs? I don't have the words to explain the frustration I felt.
Would I recommend it? Potentially, to someone who loves YA romance with an interest in more mature themes. I'll never pick this book up again except to prove to my book group that the creases in the spine are from actually reading the book and not throwing it at a wall repeatedly.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder