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ellinorreads's review
3.0
3,5 stars.
This is a book I wish I had when I was 15 and my dad passed away.
It handles some very deep topics in a way that can make an impact on people suffering from grief when you lose a loved one.
Nico isn’t always very likeable, but grief doesn’t always make us likeable. Nico shows us the ugly side of grief in a very believable and heart wrenching book.
I loved that we got to experience the 90’s and the grunge era through this book, and I loved even more that every chapter is the name of a song, so we can make a playlist just like Nico and listen to the soundtrack of her life with her. It really made the book even more immersive.
Thank you to the author Lee Matthew Goldberg for gifting me a copy in exchange for a review!
This is a book I wish I had when I was 15 and my dad passed away.
It handles some very deep topics in a way that can make an impact on people suffering from grief when you lose a loved one.
Nico isn’t always very likeable, but grief doesn’t always make us likeable. Nico shows us the ugly side of grief in a very believable and heart wrenching book.
I loved that we got to experience the 90’s and the grunge era through this book, and I loved even more that every chapter is the name of a song, so we can make a playlist just like Nico and listen to the soundtrack of her life with her. It really made the book even more immersive.
Thank you to the author Lee Matthew Goldberg for gifting me a copy in exchange for a review!
booklovinalicia's review
5.0
I highly recommend this well written coming of age novel for anyone and want to thank author Lee Matthew Robert for the chance to read and give my honest review! It was a 5 star read for me!
I finished this book a couple weeks ago and segments of the story still pop into my head from time to time. It was that good!
Read my complete review of this and other books on my blog at www.booklovinalicia.blogspot.com
I finished this book a couple weeks ago and segments of the story still pop into my head from time to time. It was that good!
Read my complete review of this and other books on my blog at www.booklovinalicia.blogspot.com
100pagesaday's review
4.0
Nico's life changes the moment she finds out that her older sister, Kristen has died suddenly from an aneurysm on Halloween 1993. Nico is still reeling from finding out about the death of River Phoenix and spirals out of control. With her parents dealing with their own issues, Nico turns to her best friends, Winter and Jeremy who encourage Nico to fulfill her own bucket list which includes an epic road trip to visit Kurt Cobain's home before an aneurysm takes her too.
Runaway Train is a young adult coming of age story set within the Grunge scene of the 1990's. Nico's character is a wonderful embodiment of a teenager in 1993, deeply emotional, but not knowing how to express themselves and finding their outlets in the lyrics of the Grunge greats that helped define the movement and generation. I could easily picture Nico and her friends' style, demeanor and rooms through the writing. I absolutely loved that each of the chapters was titled after a specific song, it helped to set the mood and tone of the scene and provided insight into Nico's emotional state. It would have been perfect if the ebook could have had links right in the chapter to play the songs along with it. Nico's journey could only take place in the 1990's and the writing totally nailed the 90's vibe. I was intrigued with each of Nico's stops on her trip and what she accomplished in coming to terms with her sister's death and moving forward. Nico's road trip was a wonderful tool to explore her grief, reasons for self-destruction and eventually finding herself.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Runaway Train is a young adult coming of age story set within the Grunge scene of the 1990's. Nico's character is a wonderful embodiment of a teenager in 1993, deeply emotional, but not knowing how to express themselves and finding their outlets in the lyrics of the Grunge greats that helped define the movement and generation. I could easily picture Nico and her friends' style, demeanor and rooms through the writing. I absolutely loved that each of the chapters was titled after a specific song, it helped to set the mood and tone of the scene and provided insight into Nico's emotional state. It would have been perfect if the ebook could have had links right in the chapter to play the songs along with it. Nico's journey could only take place in the 1990's and the writing totally nailed the 90's vibe. I was intrigued with each of Nico's stops on her trip and what she accomplished in coming to terms with her sister's death and moving forward. Nico's road trip was a wonderful tool to explore her grief, reasons for self-destruction and eventually finding herself.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
labsandliterature's review
4.0
Runaway Train is a deceptively hard hitting novel that really took me by surprise. Set in the 90’s, it is filled with grunge music references and perfectly captures the teenage experience at the time.
The book follows protagonist Nico who is desperate to be free of the stigma and association of her sister who suddenly died on the same day as River Phoenix. In her attempt to avoid dealing with her grief she ends up hitting rock bottom. It is only then that she realises who she is, that she can exist without her sister while still honouring and remembering her.
The characters are vivid and well written and really drive the narrative. I love character driven stories so this was perfect for me. The book takes you on a journey as well and is filled with shenanigans but I was particularly drawn to Nico.
A wonderful contemporary that focuses on the power of loss and grief and the steps needed to learn and grow and emerge. I loved it.
The book follows protagonist Nico who is desperate to be free of the stigma and association of her sister who suddenly died on the same day as River Phoenix. In her attempt to avoid dealing with her grief she ends up hitting rock bottom. It is only then that she realises who she is, that she can exist without her sister while still honouring and remembering her.
The characters are vivid and well written and really drive the narrative. I love character driven stories so this was perfect for me. The book takes you on a journey as well and is filled with shenanigans but I was particularly drawn to Nico.
A wonderful contemporary that focuses on the power of loss and grief and the steps needed to learn and grow and emerge. I loved it.
annie14's review
5.0
All and all is all we are ….
When a tragic event leads to a soul searching journey for troubled 16 year old Nico , a journey fuelled by emotions and powered by her dead sisters mix tape ! A bucket list adventure whilst dealing with loss that will open the path to a new beginning !!
This book took me back to sitting in the common room of six form arguing over which grunge band we were playing that day … If you were a teen in the 90’s this book is so full of nostalgia , Nico would have fitted right in
When a tragic event leads to a soul searching journey for troubled 16 year old Nico , a journey fuelled by emotions and powered by her dead sisters mix tape ! A bucket list adventure whilst dealing with loss that will open the path to a new beginning !!
This book took me back to sitting in the common room of six form arguing over which grunge band we were playing that day … If you were a teen in the 90’s this book is so full of nostalgia , Nico would have fitted right in
nimra_nazim23's review
4.0
"Bought a ticket for a runaway train
Like a madman laughing at the rain
Little out of touch, little insane
It's just easier than dealing with the pain"
.
✨I received this e-ARC from the @wisewolfbooks in exchange for an honest review and if I have to sum up the book in one line, it'll be "It was one hell of a journey".
.
✨ Everything changed for Nico when the policeman at her doorstep told her of her sister's sudden death. This lead to a cycle of Nico's estrangement from her parents. When she is about to hit her rock bottom, Nico is convinced by her friends to skip town and chase after her bucket list.
.
✨ It is 90's and Kurt Cobain is ruling the Grunge music. Nico fled from LA to go to Kurt Cobain's house in Seattle but she wouldn't have guessed it in a million years what would happen on the way.
.
✨Runaway Train is a wild journey of a bygone era and portrait of a one-of-kind teenage girl trying to find herself again the only way she knows how.
.
✨It was funny, heartbreaking and inspiring. A rather hilarious journey towards self discovery with bouts of sadness. It was a wholly entertaining read... So grab your copies as soon as it comes out.
Like a madman laughing at the rain
Little out of touch, little insane
It's just easier than dealing with the pain"
.
✨I received this e-ARC from the @wisewolfbooks in exchange for an honest review and if I have to sum up the book in one line, it'll be "It was one hell of a journey".
.
✨ Everything changed for Nico when the policeman at her doorstep told her of her sister's sudden death. This lead to a cycle of Nico's estrangement from her parents. When she is about to hit her rock bottom, Nico is convinced by her friends to skip town and chase after her bucket list.
.
✨ It is 90's and Kurt Cobain is ruling the Grunge music. Nico fled from LA to go to Kurt Cobain's house in Seattle but she wouldn't have guessed it in a million years what would happen on the way.
.
✨Runaway Train is a wild journey of a bygone era and portrait of a one-of-kind teenage girl trying to find herself again the only way she knows how.
.
✨It was funny, heartbreaking and inspiring. A rather hilarious journey towards self discovery with bouts of sadness. It was a wholly entertaining read... So grab your copies as soon as it comes out.
jade_courtney's review
3.0
Really, it’s higher than three stars but maybe not quite 4? I haven’t decided. There was definitely some clumsy writing and maybe even plotting but I forgave it because it fit the tone and character pretty well. And I ended up really liking the story. I even got choked up at times! And the character growth was so nice to see! If you like all things 90s or grunge or honesty music in general, I think this might be worth checking out.
skhbookinthenook's review
4.0
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher to read and review.
When I first started this book, I was a little weary but by the end I was completely hooked. I can’t wait to read the second one. This is a great coming of age story with a soundtrack to play along. I enjoyed the story and the main character was really relatable.
When I first started this book, I was a little weary but by the end I was completely hooked. I can’t wait to read the second one. This is a great coming of age story with a soundtrack to play along. I enjoyed the story and the main character was really relatable.
chasingholden's review
3.0
It's the early 90's when the grunge scene was at its strongest. Nico, a 16 year old girl dedicated to the scene suffers the tragic loss of her sister leaving Nico alone and acting out from the heartbreak. Out of time and out of patience she turns to the only thing she thinks can help: a road trip to her idols house, bucket list in hand to cross off experiences she feels she needs the most.
I was very drawn to this book based on the description, being a child of the 90's myself I could relate fairly well to Nico and her thoughts/feelings and love of grunge. overall I'm very happy I got the chance to read this. I devoured it in just over a day, it's an easy story to get swept up in! It's heartbreaking, raw and exhilarating all at the same time. I wish I could have read this book when I was a teen, but even now it carries a nostalgia and some excellent reminders about life, love, and heartbreak.
There is only one negative thing I can say about this book, and that is simply that I wish Nico's voice was more consistent throughout. Her way of speaking and acting change often, sometimes for the worse and it gets a bit rough pushing through the "teen speak"
Overall a 3.5 from me, though if I had read it when I was younger (or if her narrative lost the "teen speak" (overusing the word "like", odd phrases that don't make sense etc) it'd be a 4.5
This was my first introduction to the author and I will certainly be waiting for more. Thank you to booksirens for providing me with an advance copy giving me the opportunity to voice my honest review
I was very drawn to this book based on the description, being a child of the 90's myself I could relate fairly well to Nico and her thoughts/feelings and love of grunge. overall I'm very happy I got the chance to read this. I devoured it in just over a day, it's an easy story to get swept up in! It's heartbreaking, raw and exhilarating all at the same time. I wish I could have read this book when I was a teen, but even now it carries a nostalgia and some excellent reminders about life, love, and heartbreak.
There is only one negative thing I can say about this book, and that is simply that I wish Nico's voice was more consistent throughout. Her way of speaking and acting change often, sometimes for the worse and it gets a bit rough pushing through the "teen speak"
Overall a 3.5 from me, though if I had read it when I was younger (or if her narrative lost the "teen speak" (overusing the word "like", odd phrases that don't make sense etc) it'd be a 4.5
This was my first introduction to the author and I will certainly be waiting for more. Thank you to booksirens for providing me with an advance copy giving me the opportunity to voice my honest review
adventuresinfictionland's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Runaway train is a throwback to my childhood--while I was a little too young and skipped over the grunge scene until later in life, the nostalgic feel of the speech pattern, the angst, and the time before cell phones and internet was like hella dope ;-) -- while also touching on some pretty serious topics like teenage drug & alcohol abuse, depression, trauma, loss & grief, thoughts of/attempts/and successful (not of MC) unaliving.
Runaway Train introduces us to Nico, Nicole, a 16 y/o heading for her rock bottom after losing her older sister to a brain aneurism that she is convinced will take her young as well. Nico uses drugs & alcohol to cope with the pain, and after discovering some unnerving news about her parents, a crash is closer than ever. Though she self-medicates to numb the hurt, she has one thing that keeps her from losing it all, the 90s grunge music scene that seems to be made just for her. Spiraling beyond out-of-control Nico takes off on a life-changing journey of crashing, burning, and self-discovery to find the one bright light in her life--Kurt Cobain.
The way that Lee Matthew Goldberg captures the crash & burn of Nico, the angst, the grief, and what it is like to be a teenage girl that doesn't fit the social norms of what a teenage girl should be was nothing short of perfection.
***I got most triggers covered in the review but may have missed some. As this does deal with sensitive topics, readers with specific triggers should be cautious before making the choice to read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Child death, Addiction, Drug use, Alcohol, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Homophobia, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Drug abuse, Death, and Abortion