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A review by 2treads
Jade Is a Twisted Green by Tanya Turton
sad
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? It's complicated
3.0
...I am not like I used to be. So I'm starting to wonder if it's me who has not tasted freedom, me who has not lived. —Jade
Turton writes with an earnestness that pulls readers in but can also sometimes repel when the tone and execution of the writing changes. But as a debut there is room to grow from here. Jade Is A Twisted Green is a story of searching and grief, of love and family, of doing things in your own time, and accepting the brokenness that now defines your life because of a shattering loss.
Jade is young and the ways in which she approaches life makes that obvious, but it is also real, in that young adults are still out there questioning and questing for their whole self. She makes mistakes, doesn't communicate, is afraid to confront head-on her intimate relationships, which then makes for difficult interactions and reactions.
I loved all the '90s call-backs via music, shows, and individuals. The slang that infuses the dialogue also speaks to the time and youth of these characters, although at times I felt that the slang of right now was also used and that didn't fit the time-frame over which the story took place.
Seeing her grow towards dealing with her grief, accepting her pain, and moving through to the other side where she finally was truthful about what she was feeling was great. Grief is a process, a constant, and thriving parallel to it is a path we all must walk.
Turton writes with an earnestness that pulls readers in but can also sometimes repel when the tone and execution of the writing changes. But as a debut there is room to grow from here. Jade Is A Twisted Green is a story of searching and grief, of love and family, of doing things in your own time, and accepting the brokenness that now defines your life because of a shattering loss.
Jade is young and the ways in which she approaches life makes that obvious, but it is also real, in that young adults are still out there questioning and questing for their whole self. She makes mistakes, doesn't communicate, is afraid to confront head-on her intimate relationships, which then makes for difficult interactions and reactions.
I loved all the '90s call-backs via music, shows, and individuals. The slang that infuses the dialogue also speaks to the time and youth of these characters, although at times I felt that the slang of right now was also used and that didn't fit the time-frame over which the story took place.
Seeing her grow towards dealing with her grief, accepting her pain, and moving through to the other side where she finally was truthful about what she was feeling was great. Grief is a process, a constant, and thriving parallel to it is a path we all must walk.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief