Young Adult Fiction: The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

We have reached the end of another YA Fest, and this time we are closing out the month of June with The Reappearance of Rachel Price, by well-known thriller writer Holly Jackson. Last year I discussed Five Survive, and knew to expect that same kind of intensity and suspense from Jackson's latest release.

The Situation: Eighteen year-old Annabel 'Bel' Price would love if life could simply return to normal. Granted, 'normal' was not all that great either, mostly because she has always lived in the shadow of the mystery behind her mom's disappearance 16 years ago. Since then it has always been her and her dad, leaning on each other to make it through. But now that her father has agreed to have a  true-crime documentary made about Rachel Price's disappearance, there are camera crews everywhere Bel turns, and she is once again being asked about the day her mom disappeared. Bel was the only witness to what happened, but she was too young to remember anything. Too young to remember what happened in the car that was found on the side of the road.

The Problem: As Bel looks forward to when the camera crew leaves and they can all move on, the impossible happens. Rachel Price has reappeared, almost back from the dead, since that is what many people assumed her to be. But here she is, with an explanation of what happened to her and where she has been for the past 16 years. Bel is not sure how to feel about the reappearance of a mother she does not know, but then she starts to see what she feels are cracks in Rachel's story. But why would she lie? With the camera crew around, Bel will have a hard time doing her own investigation. But she needs to know the truth, even if finding it means a 'normal' life will never again be within reach.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult thriller focused on Bel Price, the daughter of Rachel Price, a woman who disappeared 16 years earlier and was presumed dead by many. Because of this, Bel has understandable abandonment issues, believing that everyone eventually leaves, and often pushes people away pre-emptively. Her world consists of her father, uncle and aunt, grandfather, and cousin, Carter. When it is discovered that Rachel is alive, matters are immediately complicated, including the filming of the true-crime documentary about her disappearance. There are plot twists, family secrets, hidden dangers, and the reality of living life in the shadow of a public family mystery.

My Verdict: Well, what a way to close out YA Fest. I may not be as hardcore of a fan of true crime as some, but I appreciate the odd podcast or documentary here and there. If I came across the synopsis of this story while scrolling through Netflix, I am actually not sure I would watch it, but being able to see what really happens when the cameras are not rolling makes for a heck of a novel. I will say this: A little suspension of disbelief may be required at certain moments. And not every loose thread is tied up, despite the story's clear attempt to not leave anything hanging. Regardless, true crime and thriller fans will love it.

Favorite Moment: Bel does not approach most conversations with tact or caution or diplomacy. Sometimes this works against her, but there is one occurrence where her tendency towards confrontation was a refreshing change from how most protagonists would attempt to handle the situation. 

Favorite Character: Ash is part of the crew working on the true-crime documentary about Rachel's disappearance. Every description of him and the clothes he wears is more ridiculous than the last, and while being somewhat of a liability on set, he is able to stand up to Bel's rough energy and harsh words.

Recommended Reading: Five Survive is another intense thriller by Jackson, but also very different, and more contained, giving it a sense of pressure and volatility that I do not often find in books. 

Young Adult Fiction: The Letters We Keep by Nisha Sharma

This third week of YA Fest brings us The Letters We Keep by Nisha Sharma. A freshman and a third-year at a New Jersey university stumble upon a stack of old letters that may be a missing clue to a decades-old mystery that has long been believed to have ended in tragedy. Jessie and Ravi decide to follow the trail, while wondering if their own story will have a similar ending.

The Situation: Eighteen year-old Jessie Ahuja is nervous about her first semester of college, but she is also incredibly prepared. The goal is simple: study hard, work hard, and become an engineer so that she can take care of her parents, who have done their best to provide for her and hold onto their own version of the American dream. It has not been as easy for her family as it has been for Ravi Kumar's, who is a legend on Hartceller University's campus, mostly because of his father's company and his family's connections. Sure, Ravi has zero interest in a life in the tech industry, but the job, and fortune, and secure future are practically waiting for him on a silver platter. These two have little in common aside from being in the same Creative Nonfiction class, and coveting the same study room in the library, but it may be enough.

The Problem: Jessie only wants to work, study, and never lose sight of the overall goal, which she feels she must keep a tight grip on if she wants to keep her scholarship. But after meeting her at a party right before classes began, Ravi is drawn to Jessie and will not leave her alone. When Jessie finds herself in a part of the library that is supposed to be blocked off for renovations, she discovers a hollowed-out book full of old letters, which may contain the answers to the mystery of a fire that happened in the building back in the 70s, and the two people that were rumored to have perished in it. She also may have landed on a topic for her final Creative Nonfiction project. But if she is honest with herself, Jessie has to admit she is searching the old letters for answers as to whether she and Ravi could ever really be together, or are they as doomed as the mystery couple.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set on a college campus in New Jersey, the fictional Hartceller University (the name of which references the Hart-Celler Immigration Act of 1965). It is freshman year for Jessie, while Ravi is returning for his junior year as a marketing major. For Jessie, college is a step on the path to financial security for her and her family by way of becoming an engineer. For Ravi, it is almost a formality as he is guaranteed to follow in his parent's and brother's footsteps in the tech industry, except that is the last thing he actually wants. The book explores generational trauma, as well as expectations, tradition, and the difference in struggles for various generations of immigrants, and children from immigrant families.

My Verdict: Lovers of romance will get caught up in the push and pull of Jessie and Ravi's relationship. I would not necessarily put this book in the 'enemies-to-lovers' group, but there is certainly a level of animosity in the very beginning, though mostly on Jessie's part. There is more of a star-crossed lovers angle to it, which we of course have seen before, but the addition of the mystery and the old letters gives readers another layer to the story, while also still being primarily invested in what is happening with Jessie and Ravi. There may be a few plot twists and leaps that I found hard to reconcile, but they did not take away from the overall story of two people deciding who they want to be, despite what is expected of them.

Favorite Moment: Jessie reserves a study room in the library, which is apparently a mistake as Ravi comes along to claim that it as 'his.' This is only my favorite moment because I have met students like Ravi, both as a student and now as a staff member, and the interaction was incredibly true to form, in all of its ridiculousness. 

Favorite Character: Jessie is stubborn, but focused. Both of those traits serve her well, but she also has to learn when to yield, if only a little, and also to give people a chance.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat.  

Young Adult Fiction: The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste

In this second week of YA Fest, Bethany Baptiste's The Poisons We Drink will be the focus, with its vast array of characters and intense action. Set in a world where society is attempting to reconcile the existence of witchers sharing space with humans, one teenage girl must come to terms with her past, as well as the power she holds to shape the future.

The Situation: When Venus is on the clock, working for the family business, she knows what is at stake. Or at least, she likes to believe she does. Once her mother receives a phone call from a client, Venus receives her directions and must be careful, for many reasons. Brewing love potions is already a dangerous and delicate (and illegal) business. And matters are not helped by the massive amount of animosity and fear that is directed at the witcher population every day. But brewing love potions pays the bills, and Venus will do whatever is needed to help provide for her mom and her younger sister, Janus.

The Problem: Venus was already suspicious that something was not quite right. Her feelings are more than confirmed when a bullet made of iron, the substance that is harmful to witchers, kills her mother. Now Venus is more determined than ever to find answers, and also exact revenge. And when the head of her coven, the Grand Witcher, gives her the opportunity for both, Venus takes it, despite the chance for incredibly steep consequences should things go wrong. Naturally, the Grand Witcher's offer is not a free one, and in exchange, Venus must brew potions that will help sway powerful politicians against anti-witcher legislation. It is not long before Venus is again suspicious, and it becomes nearly impossible to know who can be trusted.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fantasy novel set in modern-day Washington, D.C, with 18 year-old Venus at the center. As a witcher, her calling is as a brewer, just like her mother. But since the existence of witchers was made known to the general population, there has been much animosity between the human and witcher population. And because witchers are incredibly weak to iron, many groups and businesses have been using the metal to keep them out of certain places, or have forged the material into weapons to use to force, harm, and even kill. The story explores grief, trust, vengeance, and trauma, as well as discrimination, political violence, and hatred. 

My Verdict: This book checks many boxes, and not just the ones for those who love a good fantasy novel. There is potion brewing, and shape-shifting, with portals opening, and fierce familiars such as cats and frogs ready to jump into battle to fight for the people they have pledged to protect. But there are also strong family and friendship bonds, the kind that causes characters to react without thinking, with only the loved ones' safety being the chief concern. The interactions between family members were the most intense, and frustrating, of all of the interactions in the book. The villains were indeed larger than life, but the struggles with blood relations will feel all too real for many. It is a colorful world that has a lot going on, but for any reader ready for a fast-paced adventure full of magic, this book will be ideal.

Favorite Moment: One thing that Venus is continually discovering is just how much information has been kept from her. So every little reveal is satisfying in its own way, and provides an answer that has often been hidden for too long.

Favorite Character: I would have loved more of Uncle Bram. In the earlier parts of the book, his power is only hinted at. But then it shows up in full force and it is like the scene in an action movie when the hero gets to let loose.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Thieves' Gambit by Kayvion Lewis.

Young Adult Fiction: Kindling by Traci Chee

Welcome to DSN's 8th annual YA Fest. This little tradition was created quite by accident, and somehow I have been able to keep it up since 2017. And this year, we are starting with Kindling by Traci Chee, a YA fantasy novel that follows a group of warriors whose magic has since been outlawed now that the war is over, but that does not mean the fighting has ended.

The Situation: Young Leum has a goal, and this is to make it to Ifrine, and out of Amerand. But plans change when she comes across a young girl begging for help. Leum would love to be able to ignore her, but also cannot help coming to her aid when she is brutally harassed by a group of locals, and the other person to come to her aid is none other than Amity. Seeing another kindling - children who were used as soldiers during the war for their magic and fighting ability - while traveling is not the strangest thing, but finding Amity, the Twin Valley Reaper herself, is difficult to believe. And like Leum, Amity is restless. She also cannot ignore the young girl's pleas for help for her village.

The Problem: The village of Camas has been under persistent attack, and while Amity may be a legend in Amerand, even she knows she will need a small army of kindling to help her new cause. Leum signs up, and they are eventually joined by five others, all searching for a place to belong now that the war is over, and all with their separate hurts and memories. They are all children who were used for some bigger purpose, their magic making them special, while also effectively cutting their lives short. As preparations are made for battle, it is clear that this fight is a risk. And after a startling revelation from Amity, the group's fearless leader, the small army of kindling are not sure where they stand. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fantasy young adult fiction novel set in the fictional land of Amerand, with most of the action taking place in the small and troubled village of Camas. At the core of the story are seven kindling, Leum, Amity, Ket, Emara, Ben, Kanver, and Siddie. Each one has their story told through second person perspective, in alternating chapters, as they prepare for and fight the battle. At various levels of skill, and with their own specialties, each of them have memories and a history to come to terms with. While one may have made a decision to never kill again, another may be looking for a fight, as another wants desperately to prove themselves, and their neighbor only looks for the next drink to help them forget. Their magic made them special during the war, while also shortening their life span, and now they do not know where they belong.

My Verdict: The choice to tell the story using a second person perspective - as if the reader was the one doing the action as the characters - was off-putting at first, but I was able to get past it. Unfortunately, other aspects of the novel turned me off from the overall narrative, and at a little past halfway through the book, I found myself simply trying to get through the rest of it. The multiple character perspectives are refreshing, although this eventually led to a slow-moving battle scene, while many of the plot points were predictable. And by the end, there were too many loose ends to overlook, too many questions unanswered. The villain also felt flat, and while I am not against killing off a character or two, I am against tragedy for the sake of adding tragedy.

Favorite Moment: Any moment when Leum loosened up and showed a little humanity was a great opportunity to see the child she should have been allowed to be. 

Favorite Character: Emara has her issues just like the rest of them, but she also has a sense of humor. Her ability to call the situation what it is, and still have fun, is something I can admire. Sometimes the choice is between laughing or crying, and Emara chose laughing. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend Chee's The Reader series. All three books are worth the read.