A review by dinipandareads
Delicates by Brenna Thummler

emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

THIS HIT. Wow, Thummler has this wonderful ability to take sad, heavy, heartbreaking moments in life and turn them into powerful stories of overcoming and hope. It’s no surprise that I was in tears by the end of this story. As wonderful as SHEETS is, I think Delicates outshines it in story, art, and so much heart.

Set in the same world as SHEETS, we are reunited with Marjorie, Wendell, and the ghost gang one year following the events of the first book in this series. Thummler does an excellent job of capturing what it’s like to be a teenager in middle school (although this could also apply to high school). Marjorie has somehow found her way in with the “popular group” and we follow along as she struggles to feel comfortable with Tessi and her bullying friends while balancing being who she is with Wendell and showing kindness to Eliza. She wants so badly to be seen as cool, especially in front of her crush, and it takes a while for her to recognise how the tables have turned; though she no longer feels invisible, being on the other side doesn’t feel good when it comes at the price of someone else’s well being. We get a satisfying full-circle moment as Marjorie acknowledges the consequences of her actions or lack thereof, and shows that she does know how to be a good friend, a good sister and in general, a good egg.

With the additional introduction of Eliza’s character, the author really gets to the heart of bullying, belonging, loneliness and grief and she captures the emotions and human experience so well. Eliza’s the daughter of the quirky teacher, Mr. Duncan. She’s often bullied by Tessi and ostracized by others for being obsessed with ghosts and her quest to capture them on camera. Her story was heartbreaking but sadly, I think it’s a situation and place that many kids can probably relate to. I loved the role that Wendell and the ghosts play in Eliza’s story, and how the depth of Eliza’s emotion is explored through that friendship and the ghostly experience of the afterlife. This does delve into darker thoughts and feelings but I think the author does a great job in handling the sensitive subjects. I also appreciated how Thummler shows that people have the capacity for kindness, should they wish it, and that people are never just what they present on the surface.

Overall, this story packs a powerful (yet subtle) punch. This series is deeply emotional and sometimes challenging to read but one I would certainly recommend!
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