Fiction/Non Fiction: Fiction
Themes: Sisterhood, loss, forgiveness, strength.
Pages: 417
One sentence summary: A beautiful YA novel, centring on family and how we can find strength in our differences.
Overview: Our protagonists worlds collide when their father's plane goes down with no survivors. Set between New York and the Dominican Republic, this book will transport you instantly into Camino and Yahaira's lives as they negotiate love, loss and family kept secrets. The prose gives the story an addictive rhythm that you won't be able to put down.
Personal Thoughts: I absolutely devoured this book! Read in one sitting, I couldn't be torn away from the story. The prose adds an urgency to the narrative that fits perfectly, demanding your attention.
I really fell for the characters in the book, especially our protagonists.Camino and Yahaira were written so well and painted a vivid image of teenage life as women of colour from their respective cities. There was also lovely queer representation as well that I think was nicely placed as part of the narrative.
While the storyline might sound like a sad one from the overview, and it certainly does deal with grief, there is so much love to be found between the covers. The bond between half-sisters was charming, their contrasts in character reminded me of my own sister and I thought Acevedo hit the nail on the head with their sisterly disdain and love for eachother.
I'd recommend this book if you: Enjoy reading prose, want to be immersed in another story or if you enjoyed The Black Flamingo.
Would I read it again? Yes in a little while, perhaps when I needed reminding about the strength in our differences.
Read this? Plan to read it? I'd love to know! Let me know in the comments below and let me know.
Available for purchase as part of our Stronger Together box here.