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kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
The Voice in My Head by Dana L. Davis is a poignant yet humorous young adult novel.
Indigo Phillips cannot imagine life without her terminally ill twin sister Violet who is on the verge of dying. Just as she is about to jump from a building, Indigo hears, what she believes to be, the Voice of God. In the hospital after her accidental fall, she persuades her parents, her much older sister Michelle and her younger brother Alfred that she is not suicidal. Now with the family gathering to read their last letters to Violet who is planning to die with dignity through medically assisted death, Indigo convinces everyone God told her they must go to Arizona. Despite everyone's skepticism, the entire family, along with their New Age Pastor Jedidiah Barnabas, Michelle's husband Drew and their two sons, embark on a road trip from Seattle to Coyote Bluffs where they must win a daily lottery so they can hike to The Wave.
Indigo is trying to come to terms with a plethora of issues in the face of Violet's imminent death. Her sister is well-liked, easy-going and a rule follower. Since Indigo is none of those things, she cannot understand why she is the twin who is going to live. Her relationship with her parents, especially her mom, is very complex and Indigo believes that while her mother loves her, she does not particularly like her. Indigo is also constantly butting heads with Michelle, who is very bossy and extremely outspoken. She is also very hurt and confused since Violet has distanced herself from her in the preceding months. Indigo is counting on this trip to somehow miraculously save Indigo, but are her and her family's expectations unrealistic? And, is God really speaking to Indigo?
The Voice in My Head is an engaging, laugh out loud funny novel that also deals with very sensitive subject matter. The Phillips' family leans more toward the dysfunctional side so it is unsurprising that Indigo is flailing in the upcoming loss of her twin sister. Although it takes a majority of the trip, many of the family members' issues come to light which in turn forces them to face their problems head on. Dana L. Davis brings this emotional, heartfelt novel to a surprisingly uplifting conclusion. An outstanding young adult novel that I highly recommend to older teenage and adult readers.
The Voice in My Head by Dana L. Davis is a poignant yet humorous young adult novel.
Indigo Phillips cannot imagine life without her terminally ill twin sister Violet who is on the verge of dying. Just as she is about to jump from a building, Indigo hears, what she believes to be, the Voice of God. In the hospital after her accidental fall, she persuades her parents, her much older sister Michelle and her younger brother Alfred that she is not suicidal. Now with the family gathering to read their last letters to Violet who is planning to die with dignity through medically assisted death, Indigo convinces everyone God told her they must go to Arizona. Despite everyone's skepticism, the entire family, along with their New Age Pastor Jedidiah Barnabas, Michelle's husband Drew and their two sons, embark on a road trip from Seattle to Coyote Bluffs where they must win a daily lottery so they can hike to The Wave.
Indigo is trying to come to terms with a plethora of issues in the face of Violet's imminent death. Her sister is well-liked, easy-going and a rule follower. Since Indigo is none of those things, she cannot understand why she is the twin who is going to live. Her relationship with her parents, especially her mom, is very complex and Indigo believes that while her mother loves her, she does not particularly like her. Indigo is also constantly butting heads with Michelle, who is very bossy and extremely outspoken. She is also very hurt and confused since Violet has distanced herself from her in the preceding months. Indigo is counting on this trip to somehow miraculously save Indigo, but are her and her family's expectations unrealistic? And, is God really speaking to Indigo?
The Voice in My Head is an engaging, laugh out loud funny novel that also deals with very sensitive subject matter. The Phillips' family leans more toward the dysfunctional side so it is unsurprising that Indigo is flailing in the upcoming loss of her twin sister. Although it takes a majority of the trip, many of the family members' issues come to light which in turn forces them to face their problems head on. Dana L. Davis brings this emotional, heartfelt novel to a surprisingly uplifting conclusion. An outstanding young adult novel that I highly recommend to older teenage and adult readers.
leigh_reidelberger's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely a book I will recommend to students, which is ultimately the reason why I picked it up in the first place- hoping for a good suggestion.
Dana L. Davis writes a good story- about family, love, loss, and faith. The last few pages are dedicated to discussion questions that would be really great to use in a book club setting or classroom. There is an underlying theme of Faith in this book- initially I wasn't sure how to feel about that- would it be preachy? Turns out, it's not. The faith discussion isn't rooted so much in "Be-this-religion" as it is in the idea we are all connected by so much more than we realize.
"I think, in a true pursuit of happiness, you understand that there are infinite paths to happiness.... just because the moment flees from us doesn't take it away. We keep it forever. Think of life like a jar and happiness like pieces of candy. We're filling up the jar."
Dana L. Davis writes a good story- about family, love, loss, and faith. The last few pages are dedicated to discussion questions that would be really great to use in a book club setting or classroom. There is an underlying theme of Faith in this book- initially I wasn't sure how to feel about that- would it be preachy? Turns out, it's not. The faith discussion isn't rooted so much in "Be-this-religion" as it is in the idea we are all connected by so much more than we realize.
"I think, in a true pursuit of happiness, you understand that there are infinite paths to happiness.... just because the moment flees from us doesn't take it away. We keep it forever. Think of life like a jar and happiness like pieces of candy. We're filling up the jar."
bookinitwithahtiya's review against another edition
5.0
For a book about a girl whose sister wants a medically assisted death, this book is quite hilarious 😅😂 I was expecting one of those heartfelt, gut-punching YA contemporaries that makes me want to curl up in bed, and don’t get me wrong: this book definitely has those heartwarming moments that make you contemplate life, but for the most part, I found myself cackling. Indigo’s family is full of clearly rendered characters and charming antics, and even though Indigo feels completely misunderstood by most of them, she’s an awesome sister that would do anything for her family, especially her twin. This book strikes a perfect balance of heart and humor, but above all else, it’s a subversively hopeful novel.
alifromkc1907's review against another edition
4.0
Gut Instinct Rating: 3
Characters: 4
Believability: 3
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 5
Excitement Factor: 3
Story Line: 5
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Audiobook Narration: 4
Overall: 4.20
Characters: 4
Believability: 3
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 5
Excitement Factor: 3
Story Line: 5
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Audiobook Narration: 4
Overall: 4.20
sc104906's review against another edition
4.0
Find my original review on my blog: https://wp.me/p8jcuj-2m9
Indigo Phillip's twin sister has a terminal illness and has decided to end her life with medically assisted suicide. Indigo doesn't know what her life is without her other half and decides that she will commit suicide first, by leaping from a building. However, as she is leaning from the building, she begins to have doubts and hears what proclaims itself as the voice of God. He claims that Indigo's sister can be saved, if her family takes a road-trip and hikes through the desert to the waves. With the help of a goofy, yet well-meaning mega church pastor, Indigo's family is able to use a para-transit van and all-terrain wheelchair to take this pilgrimage. Like many road-trips, this one takes many zany twists and turns.
I love road trip books and this one was awesome. The dynamics between Indigo and her family were well-balanced and layered. The push and pull between Indigo feeling like the black sheep of the family and her mother giving all that she knows how. Indigo learns the role that her bossy older sister Michelle fulfills within her family. Her relationship with her twin sister changes and grows. This book was a great insight into family, the roles everyone plays, and how they deal with challenges. I thought the voice of God was hilarious and would have loved to have more of it. I would actually even enjoy another book in this same world.
Indigo Phillip's twin sister has a terminal illness and has decided to end her life with medically assisted suicide. Indigo doesn't know what her life is without her other half and decides that she will commit suicide first, by leaping from a building. However, as she is leaning from the building, she begins to have doubts and hears what proclaims itself as the voice of God. He claims that Indigo's sister can be saved, if her family takes a road-trip and hikes through the desert to the waves. With the help of a goofy, yet well-meaning mega church pastor, Indigo's family is able to use a para-transit van and all-terrain wheelchair to take this pilgrimage. Like many road-trips, this one takes many zany twists and turns.
I love road trip books and this one was awesome. The dynamics between Indigo and her family were well-balanced and layered. The push and pull between Indigo feeling like the black sheep of the family and her mother giving all that she knows how. Indigo learns the role that her bossy older sister Michelle fulfills within her family. Her relationship with her twin sister changes and grows. This book was a great insight into family, the roles everyone plays, and how they deal with challenges. I thought the voice of God was hilarious and would have loved to have more of it. I would actually even enjoy another book in this same world.
kellyreadingbooks's review against another edition
I listened to the first 40 minutes of this audiobook and I think this one just isn't for me. The writing wasn't pulling me in and the entire plot of the MC's voice in their head and seemingly how it was going to be handled was just not for me.
brynebo's review against another edition
God as a petulant teen? Nope, can't do it.
fyreglo's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. Gave me so many chuckles and so many tears. And so many life lessons.
amcg102321's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely loved every part of this book. Definitely shed some tears reading this one.
srmilesauthor's review against another edition
4.0
Indigo and Violet are sisters. Twins, with a bond that's so essential to both of them that when Violet is diagnosed with a terminal illness, Indigo can't imagine what it would be like to live without her. She decides she's going to kill herself the night before her sister is scheduled to end her own life using medication. She wants to die with dignity, but Indigo can't abide it.
When Indigo slips and falls instead of leaping from the building that's supposed to kill her she wakes up with a noticeable breaks, bruises and a voice in her head. God. And God, tells her her sister can live, if only she can convince her and the family to postpone the euthanasia and make it to The Wave, a national park.
At it's heart, "The Voice In My Head" is a classic road-trip novel. The family packs into a handicap accessible van with the their pastor and head from Seattle to the Southwest. Hijinks ensue. It's heatbreaking at times and unbelievably funny at others. There is a strong, deep and undeniable Christian throughline, which I dig. There are lots of things we talk about in books, but God isn't one of them. Death, sometimes. Extreme violence, sure.
I can't say you won't be able to predict what's coming because you will, but that doesn't make it any less impactful.
If you've read Jodi Piccoult's The Other Sister then you'll love it. If you haven't then definitely pick it up after you've finished this one. Also, anyone who liked any of John Green's sick-kid lit will be into this one too.
When Indigo slips and falls instead of leaping from the building that's supposed to kill her she wakes up with a noticeable breaks, bruises and a voice in her head. God. And God, tells her her sister can live, if only she can convince her and the family to postpone the euthanasia and make it to The Wave, a national park.
At it's heart, "The Voice In My Head" is a classic road-trip novel. The family packs into a handicap accessible van with the their pastor and head from Seattle to the Southwest. Hijinks ensue. It's heatbreaking at times and unbelievably funny at others. There is a strong, deep and undeniable Christian throughline, which I dig. There are lots of things we talk about in books, but God isn't one of them. Death, sometimes. Extreme violence, sure.
I can't say you won't be able to predict what's coming because you will, but that doesn't make it any less impactful.
If you've read Jodi Piccoult's The Other Sister then you'll love it. If you haven't then definitely pick it up after you've finished this one. Also, anyone who liked any of John Green's sick-kid lit will be into this one too.