An engaging, perhaps paranormal, problem novel.
A tragic story of teen drinking and driving takes on a new twist when characters both real and supernatural challenge a young man’s psyche.
Tucker and three high school buddies are the essence of carefree, you-only-live-once teen existence: borrowed IDs and beer, tweeted updates and last-minute plans for a school bonfire, risky climbs and drinking parties in abandoned zinc mines. Their night of high school celebration changes when “silent Indian” Tucker’s sudden and unexpected decision to drink—and his subsequent inability to perform his assigned designated-driver role—precedes a horrific accident that kills his best friends. It’s shocking but predictable, except for the sudden and mysterious appearance of a three-headed dog that confronts Tucker. Mirage? Hallucination? Perhaps, but the pebble on his windowsill and the sudden appearance of best friend Trey’s lighter are unsettling tangibles. Stepgrandfather Bud provides post-accident guidance; a teacher shares Greek mythology, a boon and advice; tri-headed Cerberus reappears with a cute, blue-haired, female hitchhiker version of Charon. Together, they bring Tucker to a point of deep, personal reflection and critical decision. The dialogue and camaraderie ring true though sanitized, with nary a curse passing among the teens; adults are caring and supportive. Grove provides an exploration of adolescent guilt, responsibility and connection in this modern legend—or is it a chronicle of grief-inspired hallucinations? Readers are free to decide.
An engaging, perhaps paranormal, problem novel. (Fiction. 12 & up)Pub Date: Oct. 3, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-399-25088-0
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: July 30, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2013
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.
In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story.
Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. (author’s note, content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276229
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
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