Graphia, 2012
202 pages
YA; Contemporary
4/5 stars
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest reivew.
I believe this first came to my attention last year for part of the Contemps Challenge, but I think its release date ended up being pushed back and it was not a part of that. Luckily I still got a copy from Netgalley and dived in eagerly looking for a great contemporary read.
The story revolves around Austin and his last days as he reaches out to people to encourage them to really live their lives. He visits his grandmother, old school friends (and enemies), his estranged father. He also wants to experience some things like super spicy food and a beautiful vista. All of this is courtesy of the car owned and driven by his best friend and long-time crush Kaylee. Can he tell her how he feels? Does he dare to express his love for her even as he knows that he will never reach the age of eighteen?
At first I thought it was a little weird that Austin didn't specifically reference his disease especially since the title so obviously forecast that. It almost seemed like Austin just randomly decided to embark on this journey because of an epiphany rather than being motivated by his pending demise. Still the writing was lovely and I enjoyed reading most of his meetings.
However I didn't really feel like I got to know Austin or Kaylee. I mean, I still cried at the end because I cry easily and it did ruffle my emotions somewhat. But it didn't hit as hard as it could have. Austin just went from place to place, checking off meetings instead of putting me through the wringer. Still a decent contemporary and fine for an afternoon read.
Aww, this sounds exactly like the kind of sad contemporary book I'd love to read!! I have a thing for stories like this one and I also have a weakness for childhood crushes, because those are some of the easiest to relate too! <3 :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, B! I just added this to my TBR list because of you -- I can't wait to read it!! :) If you cried at the end then I KNOW I'm going to cry as well because I cry easily too! x)
I just bought this one! I've heard sad things about it, I don't think I actually ever read the summary, just new it was contemporary, ha. Will have to wait until I'm in the right mood!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I haven't heard of this one before, it sounds interesting.. but yeah it'd be a bit weird to not mention the disease a little bit..since it is the primary reason for him doing all those things! Sad you didn't get to know the characters a little more.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by my blog the other day, I'm following you in my RSS feed reader now :)
April @ My Shelf Confessions
I'm a real sook and I did get a bit teary but I had a few issues that pulled me out of the emotion of the story. Thanks for commenting on my review too.
ReplyDeleteWe seem to have similar taste in books so I've added you to my favourites blog roll :)