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animelanie's review
4.0
Read for Review
Set in the outer suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia, this touching contemporary novel deals with many issues that are facing teenagers and families today. From the point of view of Phoebe, a First Nation teenager with a Caucasian mother, the issues of racism, alcoholism, drugs, sexual assault and relationships are all looked at honestly. Jared Thomas has written a book that flows incredibly well, with relatable characters, all set in current, post 2020 Covid times. Various relationships fill this book – existing relationships, new friendships, new family and strained relationships. This book would suit fans of the books ‘The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling’ by Wai Chim and ‘The Library of Lost Things’ by Laura Taylor Namey.
Themes: Family & relationships, Contemporary, Mental Health, Racism, Sexual Assault, Alcoholism, Drugs
Set in the outer suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia, this touching contemporary novel deals with many issues that are facing teenagers and families today. From the point of view of Phoebe, a First Nation teenager with a Caucasian mother, the issues of racism, alcoholism, drugs, sexual assault and relationships are all looked at honestly. Jared Thomas has written a book that flows incredibly well, with relatable characters, all set in current, post 2020 Covid times. Various relationships fill this book – existing relationships, new friendships, new family and strained relationships. This book would suit fans of the books ‘The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling’ by Wai Chim and ‘The Library of Lost Things’ by Laura Taylor Namey.
Themes: Family & relationships, Contemporary, Mental Health, Racism, Sexual Assault, Alcoholism, Drugs
tahliapearl's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? No
4.0
lawbooks600's review
3.0
Representation: First Australian main character
Trigger warnings: Assault, drugs, divorce and alcohol themes
6/10, Looking back at this I definitely wouldn't consider picking this one up again and even back then when I first read it I didn't enjoy it which is a shame since I've never seen this author before up to that point but this book he's written which drags on for 400 pages has a lot of glaring flaws which I'll look at later on. It starts off with the main character Phoebe living her new life after her parents split; it seemed that I would enjoy this one but unfortunately this is where the flaws start to appear. I had issues with the writing style since it felt too juvenile for a young adult book since it's mostly comprised of simple sentences and limited vocabulary and most of the characters were flat except Phoebe who only developed her character towards the end but only after some bad choices she made. The only other characteristics she had was that she was a sports fan and a good swimmer and sportswoman, that's it. Anyways her mother had alcohol problems and Phoebe unknowingly goes on a self-destructive path by doing drugs and marijuana and I suppose that's for her to develop her character but I didn't like that part nor did I like how it preached about Indigenous Australians, racism, climate change, and health. Eventually she stops going on that figurative road and eventually heals herself and that wraps up the book nicely.
Trigger warnings: Assault, drugs, divorce and alcohol themes
6/10, Looking back at this I definitely wouldn't consider picking this one up again and even back then when I first read it I didn't enjoy it which is a shame since I've never seen this author before up to that point but this book he's written which drags on for 400 pages has a lot of glaring flaws which I'll look at later on. It starts off with the main character Phoebe living her new life after her parents split; it seemed that I would enjoy this one but unfortunately this is where the flaws start to appear. I had issues with the writing style since it felt too juvenile for a young adult book since it's mostly comprised of simple sentences and limited vocabulary and most of the characters were flat except Phoebe who only developed her character towards the end but only after some bad choices she made. The only other characteristics she had was that she was a sports fan and a good swimmer and sportswoman, that's it. Anyways her mother had alcohol problems and Phoebe unknowingly goes on a self-destructive path by doing drugs and marijuana and I suppose that's for her to develop her character but I didn't like that part nor did I like how it preached about Indigenous Australians, racism, climate change, and health. Eventually she stops going on that figurative road and eventually heals herself and that wraps up the book nicely.
charlumii's review
4.0
yeah it was a pretty good book, very real and lowk emotional at some points, but i probably wouldnt read it again simply because theres just not very much going on
taitum_5's review
challenging
emotional
tense
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
3.75
This book takes you through an emotional journey, of a 17 year old girl, dealing with a new stepmother and her birthmother being an alcoholic. The book is incredible, but the ending is a bit basic, and rushed
roaa_elgamal27's review
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mel_thereadingaffair's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
ducksarecool's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
thisgirl_writes's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Racism