I listened to this book as an audiobook, and it was read by Lynde Houck as Vera Dietz. At first, this book just seemed like pages and pages of pessimistic teenager complaining to me... but by the last quarter of the book, I was very intrigued by the story and what was going to happen. Overall, it was just okay.
This book is about Vera, a seemingly bitter and dark teenager who is being raised by her somewhat warped, albeit loving, father. Her best friend and love of her life, Charlie Kahn, has recently passed away mysteriously, after allegedly setting a pet shop on fire. The details of his death are unknown to the community, but Vera knows more than she is letting on. Before he died, though, Charlie and her had some major unresolved issues, and Vera is lost between both her love and hate for Charlie. He betrayed her and ruined their relationship, so does he deserve for her to come out and tell the community the truth? Does he deserve for her to clear his name?
We watch Vera continue on with her life without Charlie, a boy she bonded with over their torn family lives and quirky personalities. Now she spends her time delivering pizzas, making out with 23 year old James, and getting drunk, all while mourning the loss of Charlie and flashing back to the memories they have together, some good, some bad, and some oh-so-true.
I think the strength of this book was the developing story and the intrigue it made me as feel- I just had to know what really happened at the mall pet shop and how Charlie Kahn died. However, I thought the story was rather dark, and depressing. At least, that's how the audiobook felt. It just had such a depressing tone to it; I didn't want to pick it up for fear it would put me in a bad mood! Vera definitely had funny, but very dry personality, and the character development was nice. By the end, I felt like I knew these people, and while I didn't love every second of the book, that was the best part.
I'm not super familiar with A.S. King yet, so I hopped on Goodreads for recommendations related to this title, and I landed on On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. Check it out if you enjoyed this read.
We watch Vera continue on with her life without Charlie, a boy she bonded with over their torn family lives and quirky personalities. Now she spends her time delivering pizzas, making out with 23 year old James, and getting drunk, all while mourning the loss of Charlie and flashing back to the memories they have together, some good, some bad, and some oh-so-true.
I think the strength of this book was the developing story and the intrigue it made me as feel- I just had to know what really happened at the mall pet shop and how Charlie Kahn died. However, I thought the story was rather dark, and depressing. At least, that's how the audiobook felt. It just had such a depressing tone to it; I didn't want to pick it up for fear it would put me in a bad mood! Vera definitely had funny, but very dry personality, and the character development was nice. By the end, I felt like I knew these people, and while I didn't love every second of the book, that was the best part.
I'm not super familiar with A.S. King yet, so I hopped on Goodreads for recommendations related to this title, and I landed on On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. Check it out if you enjoyed this read.
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