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A review by hollierose_
Keeping 13 by Chloe Walsh

challenging emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

the first 200 pages were an amazing consideration of where binding 13 left off, it felt fast paced with complex threads all weaving together and an interesting internal look at responses to trauma. 

Pages 200-400 slowed at points but are brilliant for consolidating and developing the dedication Johnny, Gibsie, Claire and Lizzie all have to Shannon and keeping her safe. It’s the foundations of perhaps what would ordinarily be developed at the beginning of a novel - even a sequel - if we hadn’t picked up straight from the cliffhanger of binding 13. 

Beginning the second half of the book, 400-600 are all about development, relationships and hope which help to build towards the climactic moments to occur later in the book. The level of communication explored in the relationship between S+J is great to read - with such heavy topics covered within this novel, I do believe that maturity in these characters not only is needed but is to be expected. After all, trauma effects maturity. We see that in the responsibility that Joey and Shannon both shoulder. But it doesn’t create well adjusted people - as seen by Shannon’s anxiety, need for reassurance, and hope for freedom, and Joey’s search for escapism. Similarly, Johnny holds the maturity and naivety balance of someone who grew up without experiencing or witnessing the same traumas as the Lynch family, but who also understands devotion and dedication and responsibility because he has been a sportsman and a leader for most of his life.  

When it comes to pages 600-800ish: the pacing and build up, the safety that we created through the beginning of the novel existing to create an emotion gut punch towards the latter quarter of the book, all works incredibly well. It is the perfect balance between character development and dramatic timing. There is this dramatic climax building surrounding Teddy Lynch throughout that book that you’re aware of yet distracted from which adds to the dramatic effect of his presence. 

There were so many emotional moments. The reading experience of this one is going to stay with me, I can guarantee that. There is a brilliant balance between explorations of trauma and complex social realities, combined with the reprieve of humour that the reader and the characters so desperately need. 

With that being said, there were some print/spelling/edit errors that stood out to me. And I wish we could have explored Darren a little bit more. He is a presence in the book I didn’t enjoy, and arguably neither did the siblings. But Shannon’s compassion for him and his rapid disappearance seems as though a disservice to the complexities that this series is not afraid to explore within relationships. 
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