Rape Girl by Alina Klein

Dec1

Valerie was just being a normal sixteen-year-old, like all the other kids at her school. One weekend her mom went out of town. Naturally Valerie and best friend Mimi throw a party for their Mormon and non-practising Mormon friends (though neither girl believes in the faith themselves). It’s wild, loud and everyone is having fun. Val starts drinking due to her disappointment of her crush Adam not showing up, everyone’s having a great time why can’t she?

When Adam shows up, Val is ecstatic, and drunk. They excuse themselves in front of everyone and sneak off to the living room where she proceeds to throw up all over his shoes. Hung over and miserable the next morning, Val struggles to make breakfast for her six-year-old sister Ainsley. She just wants to lie on the couch and sleep off her headache. As she drifts off she realises she isn’t alone. Adam is suddenly there, everywhere. Confused over her feelings for Adam and what he has done, Val finds strength to report what’s happened. It’s only the beginning of her lifelong journey to be more than just the ‘rape girl’.

I requested this book because I wanted a different kind of YA to read. However, I was sorely disappointed but I am also conflicted with this novella. I think the premise of the book had a lot of potential, but the execution was poor. The story was rushed and there was no time to get to know Valerie, her likes, dislikes, or any kind of personality. Also, every male character except for the brother who’s away at college is written as a ‘villain’.

I understand that this is an important story to tell and that it’s also a very personal one for the author. For that Klein has done a stand out job for describing the process of standing up as a rape victim. Even as Valerie fights with her own demons she never steps down for doing the right thing. The few parts that are well written, you can tell that the author knows what she wants for her characters and what she wants to reflect to the reader. When writing about a tender subject, it can be a challenge to follow the delicate line. I praise Klein for tackling such a personal battle, but I wish that more time were spent on the narrative. Make it 300 pages and give us more in depth characters. I was always on Valerie’s side, but I knew there was more to her and I was sad to see that.

Many thanks to the publisher Namelos for providing this ARC on Net Galley!

The Uninvited by Tim Wynne-Jones

Nov27

Mimi, an undergraduate student in New York has had a hellish year. Running away from her life for a bit she drives through Canada to an old house along the syne that her estranged father owns. It was supposed to be a perfect hiding place. It was supposed to be a space for her to write and work out her troubles. It became a treasure trove of secrets and fear. At nineteen, Mimi floats along on a river journey that she didn’t sign up for but she isn’t able to fight the current.

The Uninvited is full of suspense from the first page to the last chapter. As this is a mystery type book I can’t get too deep with the story, it’s best that others give it a shot. I found it a surprising mature read from Walker Books, usually known for publishing to a younger audience. It’s a delightful surprise and once I’d cracked the book (it did take a while to get into) I couldn’t put it down. I haven’t explored too much of Canada myself but the scenery is beautifully described and it made me long for days when travelling by canoe was an acceptable form of transport. I’d recommend this book for older teens looking for drama that’s got a sickening strain that begs for discussion. This isn’t your classic YA book and be prepared for uncomfortable confusing moments.

Comes the Night by Hollis Hampton-Jones

Nov8

Nineteen-year-old twins Ben Ho and Meade live in Paris funded by their parents. Ben Ho is an artist living the dream, his sister Meade a waif contradiction studying cookery as she struggles with an eating disorder. Tied to Ben Ho, Meade lashes out at herself when he finds himself a pretty girlfriend and ignores her. As she spirals out of control with drugs, lust and lack of calories, can she find the will to pull her life back to together?

I was not impressed with this book. I found Meade to be a whiny, spoiled little brat. Constantly craving her brother’s attention for absolutely no reason other than she’s unable to be alone. I kept reading hoping there would be a turnaround, something or anything that would make me sympathetic to Meade.

I didn’t find anything. At nineteen one can be dramatic, but I felt it was over the top with Meade. She’s in Paris! Money isn’t a concern! Ben Ho and his ignorance to his sister’s pain was smart, but I don’t think he could have helped her if she had let him. At least the book is short. Perhaps those that enjoy reading about endless black holes of one’s soul will find more enjoyment from this piece than I did.

Day 26 – 30 Day Book Challenge

Oct26

Think your life is difficult? Try imagining how it would be growing up as a foster child. Diffenbaugh’s depiction of the foster care system and how her lead character discovers what she truly wants in life will grab hold of you in a way you might not expect. No matter what age, foster children need good respectable homes.

Day 24 – 30 Day Book Challenge

Oct24

King is a brilliant writer and not just in horror fiction. Writing is more than just creating stories. It’s about communicating and King is well, a king of doing just that. Anyone that loves to read or write should give this piece of Stephen King a chance.

Day 23 – 30 Day Book Challenge

Oct23

I’ve had people on me to read this book for years. Have I? Not yet. My flatmate has even let me borrow his copy and still it sits on my nightstand. I’ve tried to read a chapter but I’ve always found myself wanting to read other things instead of this. I know I’ll get to it eventually.