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A review by bubblewombat
You've Got the Map Backwards by Brian Usobiaga
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I started reading this last night and found it so hard to stop, but alas, I was getting sleepy, so I finished it today instead. It's such an easy read, despite the topics covered, so you'll have no problems finishing it in one go.
The story was intriguing from the beginning, the way it started - it could've been a thriller!! But really, it's a book about two childhood friends figuring things out while dealing with different mental health issues.
Both Sarah and Ai-eesh (yes, I had to) felt like real people to me, and I could relate to them both.
I had a family member who was an alcoholic, and who unfortunately passed away from related issues, so Sarah's behaviours were familiar to me on a deeper level.
I so badly wanted her to succeed, to go back to rehab, but she kept messing up AAAAAAH. Did I feel like hugging her? Yes. Did I feel like throwing that burnt mac and cheese at her until she stopped drinking? Also yes.
Aisha meanwhile, struggles in school, unsure if she picked the right path for herself, and if that isn't me...I 100% picked the wrong major and I'm suffering, I get you Aisha.
She meets a boy named Tim who I wish had a bigger role in the story. He helps Aisha break out of her shell a bit, and keeps trying with her, the way she keeps showing up for Sarah.
I do feel like the book is a teensy bit short, because, while it does end on a happy note, not everything was resolved fully. I wouldn't have minded an extra chapter in between chapter 29 and the epilogue filling those blanks in.
But anyway, read this if you want to see mental health, addiction and homelessness be tackled properly, and in an approachable way for YA readers, and also if you want to read about a cool female friendship where one friend has awesome music taste *cough* kpop *cough*.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
The story was intriguing from the beginning, the way it started - it could've been a thriller!! But really, it's a book about two childhood friends figuring things out while dealing with different mental health issues.
Both Sarah and Ai-eesh (yes, I had to) felt like real people to me, and I could relate to them both.
I had a family member who was an alcoholic, and who unfortunately passed away from related issues, so Sarah's behaviours were familiar to me on a deeper level.
I so badly wanted her to succeed, to go back to rehab, but she kept messing up AAAAAAH. Did I feel like hugging her? Yes. Did I feel like throwing that burnt mac and cheese at her until she stopped drinking? Also yes.
Aisha meanwhile, struggles in school, unsure if she picked the right path for herself, and if that isn't me...I 100% picked the wrong major and I'm suffering, I get you Aisha.
She meets a boy named Tim who I wish had a bigger role in the story. He helps Aisha break out of her shell a bit, and keeps trying with her, the way she keeps showing up for Sarah.
I do feel like the book is a teensy bit short, because, while it does end on a happy note, not everything was resolved fully. I wouldn't have minded an extra chapter in between chapter 29 and the epilogue filling those blanks in.
But anyway, read this if you want to see mental health, addiction and homelessness be tackled properly, and in an approachable way for YA readers, and also if you want to read about a cool female friendship where one friend has awesome music taste *cough* kpop *cough*.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*