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guessits_densie's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Alcohol, and Sexual content
natalie_davies's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Not my favourite by Sara Barnard... (That title goes to A Quiet Kind Of Thunder) but this was still one of the more engaging YA books I've read recently. Sara Barnard is one of my favourite UK YA writers in general
Destination Anywhere gave me another solid read. It tackled some really important subjects like peer pressure, drugs, consent and just what people would do for a sense of belonging.
The reason I rated it quite as low as I did was the inclusion of Illustrations... They just felt a bit juvenile for the topics covered, although I guess you could say that they showed the gap between the main character and the world that she was inhabiting. Still, it was a bit jarring whenever the darker themes and charcoal drawings nestled together, and that bought me out of it sometimes. I'd still recommend it though.
Destination Anywhere gave me another solid read. It tackled some really important subjects like peer pressure, drugs, consent and just what people would do for a sense of belonging.
The reason I rated it quite as low as I did was the inclusion of Illustrations... They just felt a bit juvenile for the topics covered, although I guess you could say that they showed the gap between the main character and the world that she was inhabiting. Still, it was a bit jarring whenever the darker themes and charcoal drawings nestled together, and that bought me out of it sometimes. I'd still recommend it though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
lucys_library's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Alcohol
lucy33's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Alcohol, and Drug use
Minor: Homophobia
alaskayoung1734's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Very emotional book about finding yourself and your true friends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Bullying, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Car accident
bookmarked642's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
I love Sara Barnard's writing so had no doubt I would enjoy this to some degree. However, it's not my usual style; yes, I love YA, and I love travel, but I usually like a bit more of a mystery or thriller aspect to my books. I don't particularly like romance, and this does have some aspects of romance in it, but is not centred around it which I definitely appreciated.
First of all, I have to say I related to Peyton in a few ways. No, I never experienced exactly what she did (I'll avoid spoilers, but it was certainly dramatic). But I get the feeling of needing to run away, to start over. I also understand her struggle of finding friends, of wanting to fit in and be liked; it's really quite sad how it all backfired on her. And of course, no 17-year-old should really drop out of school and run away from home, but I'm sure a lot of us had times when we were tempted, right?
The journey that Peyton undertakes is quite wonderful. It made me want to travel more myself. At times, Peyton did get emotional and overwhelmed, and I don't blame her. It wasn't a holiday. She had literally run away. But she managed to enjoy herself, meet some wonderful people, and even patch things up with her family who were halfway around the world from her. (Plus, meeting some family that's not so far away, for the very first time.)
It was a pretty feel-good book overall, despite the rather emotional and traumatic backstory. Peyton was certainly a flawed character, as every single one of us is. That made it so much easier to like her and relate to her. It was really easy to read and just enjoyable. 5 stars, though I wouldn't quite put it on my 'favourites' list.
First of all, I have to say I related to Peyton in a few ways. No, I never experienced exactly what she did (I'll avoid spoilers, but it was certainly dramatic). But I get the feeling of needing to run away, to start over. I also understand her struggle of finding friends, of wanting to fit in and be liked; it's really quite sad how it all backfired on her. And of course, no 17-year-old should really drop out of school and run away from home, but I'm sure a lot of us had times when we were tempted, right?
The journey that Peyton undertakes is quite wonderful. It made me want to travel more myself. At times, Peyton did get emotional and overwhelmed, and I don't blame her. It wasn't a holiday. She had literally run away. But she managed to enjoy herself, meet some wonderful people, and even patch things up with her family who were halfway around the world from her. (Plus, meeting some family that's not so far away, for the very first time.)
It was a pretty feel-good book overall, despite the rather emotional and traumatic backstory. Peyton was certainly a flawed character, as every single one of us is. That made it so much easier to like her and relate to her. It was really easy to read and just enjoyable. 5 stars, though I wouldn't quite put it on my 'favourites' list.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
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