I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma Published by Algonquin Young Readers on March 24, 2015
Genres: Supernatural, YA
Pages: 336
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
Violet is an eighteen-year-old girl fulfilling her dream as a dancer.
Amber is locked up in girls’ juvenile detention center, no hope for a future beyond the walls of confinement.
Orianna is the connection, bringing these two girls together. She knows their secrets, truths that can bring their world crumbling down around them.
Two of these young girls are living; one of them is dead. However, death won't prevent the devastating truths from being revealed.
Wow. That’s all I could say as I turned the last pages of this book. When I read the premise, I thought I could assume the type of read I was embarking upon. I had no clue how brilliant and captivating this title would be.
Told through the voices of Amber and Violet, we trace how fate led them to their current existence. As a reader, we are witness to revelations that the girls are terrified will come to light. It isn’t revealed quickly, but instead deliberately and expertly revealed in a slow, planned manner, the tension building with each turn of the page.
But it this novel is so much more than a supernatural mystery. Once again, I find myself limiting how much I share about this title, for it is meant for the reader to experience, individually. It intimately traces the lives of these young women, capturing the impact monumental decisions have made upon their futures. In doing so, the author captures the emotional state of each of the young women with chillingly clear and accurate detail. We all remember what it was like to be a teenager: full of self-doubt, desperate for acceptance and love. Yet it isn’t until the three stories are one that the reader can truly comprehend the weight of the turmoil and frustration each girl has faced.
Rich with themes of friendship, of lies and guilt and consequences, The Walls Around Us is a novel meant to be shared and discussed. Its beauty and brilliance will take your breath away, a gut punch to both your heart and soul.
While technically a young adult novel, The Walls Around Us will resonate with readers of all ages. Highly, highly recommended.
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