A review by coffeedogsbooks
Petrichor by Melanie Rees

4.0

While this is a YA book, Petrichor handles some heavy subjects and is not for all YA readers. Clayton and his parents are trying to survive, they live in Australia where a seemingly never ending drought is decimating everything and crops are failing. The family situation is not great, his older brother Davao died and his parents refuse to talk about him. When Clayton is visited by a spirit, Waringa, in the form of a fox, he is told he must free the rain spirits being held by the Red King. Thought the story, we see Clayton and his journey, accompanied by his brothers dog Rusty. There are several difficult topics throughout the book, which is why I don’t recommend it for younger YA readers, I will list these at the end as to not spoil anything, needless to say, life isn’t always happy and we learn more about the family dynamics. I would classify this as YA fantasy and recommend it for more mature YA readers, both teen and adult. Thank you to Blackthorn Book Tours and Melanie Rees for the review copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own. 3.5 of 5 stars – CW for suicide, grief, animal cruelty