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katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Gripping child's-eye-view of a family mystery and abuse.
That makes the book sound very dark and grim. It isn't. It is upsetting at times, disturbing, but it's also full of the hope and love of July, our 10 year old protagonist.
July lives with her father, stepmother and stepsister. She's not allowed to talk about her mother or ask questions about her. Bad things happen when she does. On her 10th birthday, the class is assigned a project: to research a little-known family member. July is desperate to know more about the mother who died in a car crash when she was small.
This is where the plot really begins, as July starts to ask questions quietly. And learn more. And find out that what's she been told may not all be true.
This totally captivated me. I just loved how information was revealed, how a child researched and delved, how those around her responded and just what a child might pick up. July is of course wise beyond her years in some ways. She's also heartbreakingly just a child wanting her father's love ad approval.
Here is where the story really does prove itself a winner - the characters around July are beautifully written. Her step-sister, the same age as July, with her own jealousies and insecurities. Her step-mother seemingly quite cold actually reveals herself to be anything but. And July's father, a portrait in hot-and-cold anger, control and unpredictability.
We have small snippets inside the heads of others around July - a teacher, neighbour, that give us insight outside of July's own knowledge, and all make you want to protect and help this small, brave girl.
It's a well-constructed and played-out mystery, with some very tense moments, a few fairly graphic scenes of violence and excellent relationship drama arcs between characters.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.
That makes the book sound very dark and grim. It isn't. It is upsetting at times, disturbing, but it's also full of the hope and love of July, our 10 year old protagonist.
July lives with her father, stepmother and stepsister. She's not allowed to talk about her mother or ask questions about her. Bad things happen when she does. On her 10th birthday, the class is assigned a project: to research a little-known family member. July is desperate to know more about the mother who died in a car crash when she was small.
This is where the plot really begins, as July starts to ask questions quietly. And learn more. And find out that what's she been told may not all be true.
This totally captivated me. I just loved how information was revealed, how a child researched and delved, how those around her responded and just what a child might pick up. July is of course wise beyond her years in some ways. She's also heartbreakingly just a child wanting her father's love ad approval.
Here is where the story really does prove itself a winner - the characters around July are beautifully written. Her step-sister, the same age as July, with her own jealousies and insecurities. Her step-mother seemingly quite cold actually reveals herself to be anything but. And July's father, a portrait in hot-and-cold anger, control and unpredictability.
We have small snippets inside the heads of others around July - a teacher, neighbour, that give us insight outside of July's own knowledge, and all make you want to protect and help this small, brave girl.
It's a well-constructed and played-out mystery, with some very tense moments, a few fairly graphic scenes of violence and excellent relationship drama arcs between characters.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.
becs32's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ciaobella's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Pretty good book, didn’t realize it was from a child’s point of view so I was annoyed with that but it ended up working out. I liked the mystery and the pace
mrnsph's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rhalfie29's review against another edition
4.0
A sweet story - interesting to have such a young protagonist in a piece of adult fiction, but she has a compelling voice and you are engaged with her mission. The depiction of her relationship with her manipulative father (as well as his new partner's) is sensitively and accurately drawn, building your empathy for how July can still love and seek the approval of this awful character. The mystery and plot were quite simple and straightforward. I found this very readable, if slightly forgettable.
chrissireads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
whatvreadnext's review against another edition
5.0
What a little gem of a book set in the 90s - with a character full of heart and determination, beautifully written, breaking and mending my heart in equal measures. I absolutely loved July's wonderful character and the clever way the story is told, setting the scene and unraveling a family mystery in a brilliant and addictive way. I found the sensitive way the dark subject of abuse is approached and told through the eyes of a ten year old moving and heartbreakingly accurate. The 90s setting makes for a comforting and oh-so-familiar background.
carageous's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
shaleen_s's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mackenzeereads's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0