SPOILER-FREE BOOK REVIEW

Title: Goodbye Perfect
Author: Sara Barnard
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Publication date: 13 February 2018
RRP: $16.99

Synopsis:
Eden McKinley knows she can't count on much in this world, but she can depend on Bonnie, her solid, steady, straight-A best friend. So it's a bit of a surprise when Bonnie runs away with the boyfriend Eden knows nothing about five days before the start of their GCSEs. Especially when the police arrive on her doorstep and Eden finds out that the boyfriend is actually their music teacher, Mr Cohn.
Sworn to secrecy and bound by loyalty, only Eden knows Bonnie's location, and that's the way it has to stay, There's no way she's betraying her best friend. Not even when she's faced with police questioning, suspicious parents and her own growing doubts.
As the days pass and things begin to unravel, Eden is forced to question everything she thought she knew about the world, her best friend and herself.

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After reading A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard, I wanted to jump on the opportunity to read Goodbye, Perfect, eager to read more from the author. The synopsis had me very intrigued, having not read a story much like this before.

The plot itself was an interesting one and likely to some, a sensitive or taboo topic. I think Barnard delivered this incredibly well so the reader doesn't accidentally romanticise student-teacher relationships. While I don't have a lot of experience in knowing much about the subject, I felt that it came across quite realistic how all the characters involved treated it.

The story, for the most of it, was easy to read and I felt very involved. It unfortunately fell short for me towards the end - I felt the build up was leading to a crazy and intense moment however, I felt kind of 'meh' about it. In saying that, it was only the end and I thought the rest of story was actually pretty good.

Our main character, for me particularly, was easy to read from the perspective of. I'm always wary of reading from a character of that age (15-16 years), simply because of my own age but I really enjoyed reading from Eden's point of view. And her boyfriend?! He (Connor) was my absolute favourite (sorry Eden!) He was such a great addition to the story and I honestly cannot see the story without him. I also really loved Eden's older sister, Valerie, too, so I was really happy that we got to know her a bit more - maybe because she was closer to my age and also a university student??

Barnard's writing is to die for, so I would highly recommend this book based simply on that. How she includes diversity into her story is perfect; there is a flow about it that makes it smooth but also known - I hope this makes sense but essentially I think some readers will relate with some of the characters and it'll make them feel good rather than judged.


If you're into Sara Barnard's style (and who isn't?!) then I definitely recommend this book. I think this is a great read for teenage readers and lovers of young adult fiction - I think my little sister will love it! Overall, an awesomely written book with a mostly great story, enjoy it!

Rating: 4/5

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*This book was sent to me by Pan Macmillan Australia in exchange


. All opinions are my own.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME:

Contact: erenabennett@hotmail.com
Instagram: @erenareads & @erena_b
Goodreads: @erenareads
Twitter: @erenareads
YouTube: My Life As Erena or click here

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SPOILER FREE REVIEW


Title: Reign the Earth
Author: A. C Gaughen
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication date: 30th January 2018
RRP: 

Trigger Warning: Domestic Violence

Synopsis:

Shalia is a proud daughter of the desert, but after years of devastating war with the adjoining kingdom, her people are desperate for peace. Willing to trade her freedom to ensure the safety of her family, Shalia becomes Queen of the Bonelands.
But she soon learns that her husband, Calix, is motivated only by his desire to exterminate the Elementae—mystical people who can control earth, wind, air, and fire. Even more unsettling are Shalia’s feelings for her husband’s brother, which unleash a power over the earth she never knew she possessed—a power that could get her killed. As rumors of a rebellion against Calix spread, Shalia must choose between the last chance for peace and her own future as an Elementae.

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I hadn't heard of this book until I saw other book bloggers receiving this in the mail and upon reading the synopsis I was desperate to read this book. When it showed in my mail box I was stoked so firstly, thank you to Bloomsbury for sending it my way to read.

As you may have seen above (or skipped over), I'm giving this book a trigger warning for domestic violence. It shows a lot of emotional and mental abuse and small bit of physical abuse so read with care. These parts of the story are very heavy but necessary to the story.


I was really wanting to enjoy this book so with each page I was nervous however, those nerves were slowly put at ease as I finished each chapter. There were so many different elements to love in the book, the first being the main character Shalia. She was so likeable in so many ways; I loved how much she loved her family and how involved she was with her beliefs. She is a very strong character and doesn't break easily, she thinks about her words and actions yet isn't afraid to voice her opinions when she deems necessary. If you didn't get it by now, I adored her character and hope to see more characters like Shalia in 2018 across young adult fiction.

One of my other favourite characters was one of Shalia's many brothers, Kairos. He has this air of mystery about him but still very playful and his love for his sister and family is admirable.
Pretty much every other character (except the awful tosser that is the king - more on that soon) is likeable. Some of them we didn't get too much about in this book but as the series goes on, I am very certain we will.

Something that made me so dang happy was that there was no female/female 'catty-ness'. There was one instance when I thought it would happen but the main character being ever so great, played the situation cool and developed the relationship to make it pleasant to read.


So I was talking about domestic violence and the king; as many King and Queen relationships go, the king in this story - Calix, makes the decisions on everything and despises to be contradicted and shown up. After only a couple of Shalia's and Calix's encounters you will either see the emotional abuse or you won't (but you'll realise later) - and that is how, in my own knowledge, how a lot of victims experience emotional and mental abuse from their partner. Even though Calix is a complete asshat, he is very necessary to the story, not only for it to develop but perhaps also to take note of how domestic abuse can play out.

The story itself was such a pleasure to read. It had fantasy elements - which I'm so excited to see more in the next book and I love books that are part set in deserts (unsure as to why though). And while I had some inkling of what would happen in the end (you'll probably know too about a third of the way through), it still surprised me when certain events took place and it literally had me SHOOK.

I highly recommend this novel especially if you're into dark fantasies but just as another warning: there is a lot of abuse in this story (majority emotional and mental but also physical).

My rating: 5/5

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*This book was sent to me unsolicited by Bloomsbury Australia. All opinions are my own.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME:

Contact: erenabennett@hotmail.com
Instagram: @erenareads & @erena_b
Goodreads: @erenareads
Twitter: @erenareads
YouTube: My Life As Erena or click here

Follow my blog with Bloglovin'!