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violetisreading's review
4.0
Many thanks to the author for sending me an advanced copy, in exchange for an honest review.
Meet Nathan, a quirky adolescent who has always felt that he has never ‘fit in’. In the depths of the night, he suddenly hears a voice and sees a shadowed figure peering in at him through his bedroom window. Mysterious and strange goings-on are filtered through this coming of age novel with unique twists and turns.
It will hook you right from the start – and inevitably keep you reading.
Read my full review here: https://violetdaniels997.com/2020/11/09/book-review-the-stone-in-my-pocket/
Meet Nathan, a quirky adolescent who has always felt that he has never ‘fit in’. In the depths of the night, he suddenly hears a voice and sees a shadowed figure peering in at him through his bedroom window. Mysterious and strange goings-on are filtered through this coming of age novel with unique twists and turns.
It will hook you right from the start – and inevitably keep you reading.
Read my full review here: https://violetdaniels997.com/2020/11/09/book-review-the-stone-in-my-pocket/
lgbtrepinbooks's review
3.0
DISCLAIMER: This is not my typical type of read!
Since I began reading queer material, I have stayed in my comfort zone of romantic comedies about queer people finding themselves, coming out, and/or falling in love. I was lucky enough to be contacted by author, @matth, who sent me an arc to review. With all of that being said, I actually really enjoyed this new book! The Stone in My Pocket introduced me to a new world about psychics and spirits while still threading in gay themes that we all know too well about!
Recommendation: psychic/medium type stuff- 10/10, representation- 7/10
Trigger Warnings: Homophobia, neglect, religion, loss of sibling, lying, religious guilt
Representation: Gay, “Psychic stuff,” Religion
The Stone in My Pocket is an #ownvoice story about teenage Nathan who joins a spiritual circle at the local book shop he works for. Throughout the story, we uncover the truth about Nathan and his spiritual experience we encounter in the first few pages. Nathan strives to learn more about this new world, while also maintaining his story about his “book group” to his parents. His world turns upside down after a visit from his extended family threatens to destroy everything he has come to love.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy from the author.
I felt overall this was a nice story that had some underlying queer themes that any queer person can relate to. Psychic/spiritual themes aren’t my thing, but overall it was a good book! Definitely a slow burn and I would not recommend to anyone who is triggered by lying or neglect. I felt Nathan was fully developed by the end but hard to relate to due to the amount of lies he tells throughout the story. The story is very Nathan-centric so it was hard to relate to any of the side characters. Overall, I’d give it 3 stars but that may also be influenced by my lack of interest in stories without HEA!
Since I began reading queer material, I have stayed in my comfort zone of romantic comedies about queer people finding themselves, coming out, and/or falling in love. I was lucky enough to be contacted by author, @matth, who sent me an arc to review. With all of that being said, I actually really enjoyed this new book! The Stone in My Pocket introduced me to a new world about psychics and spirits while still threading in gay themes that we all know too well about!
Recommendation: psychic/medium type stuff- 10/10, representation- 7/10
Trigger Warnings: Homophobia, neglect, religion, loss of sibling, lying, religious guilt
Representation: Gay, “Psychic stuff,” Religion
The Stone in My Pocket is an #ownvoice story about teenage Nathan who joins a spiritual circle at the local book shop he works for. Throughout the story, we uncover the truth about Nathan and his spiritual experience we encounter in the first few pages. Nathan strives to learn more about this new world, while also maintaining his story about his “book group” to his parents. His world turns upside down after a visit from his extended family threatens to destroy everything he has come to love.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy from the author.
I felt overall this was a nice story that had some underlying queer themes that any queer person can relate to. Psychic/spiritual themes aren’t my thing, but overall it was a good book! Definitely a slow burn and I would not recommend to anyone who is triggered by lying or neglect. I felt Nathan was fully developed by the end but hard to relate to due to the amount of lies he tells throughout the story. The story is very Nathan-centric so it was hard to relate to any of the side characters. Overall, I’d give it 3 stars but that may also be influenced by my lack of interest in stories without HEA!
writetoexpress's review
4.0
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I had no idea how much I missed Europe until I began reading this book. Immediately, I was drawn in by Keeley’s descriptions and attention to detail. I could easily picture the quaint street Nathan lived on as well as The Book Cover, which sounds like a bookworm's dream destination. After falling in love with the setting, I was curious to see where this story was going and where it would end.
At first, Nathan seems like an ordinary seventeen-year-old. However, readers quickly learn about the strange events that seem to follow him around. Not wanting to disturb his bickering parents, Nathan keeps this information to himself until he meets Iris, the mysterious owner of The Book Cover. While walking home one day after school, Nathan sees a help wanted ad for the bookstore. Thinking it would be a great way of escaping his parents, Nathan applies. Little does he know what Iris has in store for him.
I enjoyed the progression of Nathan's character throughout his journey of self-discovery. My thoughts mirrored his as he discovered more and more about Iris' circle and his abilities. While I probably would not go as far as staking out the bookstore, my curiosity was able to run wild alongside Nathan's. I could not pull myself away as Nathan's secrets were revealed.
I admire Keeley's ability to drop subtle hints about Nathan's character. While the clue was always in the back of my mind, I was not prepared for what was coming. Readers often forget that the narrator can be unreliable and can hide secrets from the readers, despite them consistently being in their head.
A thin blanket of mystery and magic envelopes the story and leaves readers wondering about their clairvoyance levels, myself included. I think this book is a perfect way to introduce someone to the idea or even to fight the sigma through Iris' character.
I had no idea how much I missed Europe until I began reading this book. Immediately, I was drawn in by Keeley’s descriptions and attention to detail. I could easily picture the quaint street Nathan lived on as well as The Book Cover, which sounds like a bookworm's dream destination. After falling in love with the setting, I was curious to see where this story was going and where it would end.
At first, Nathan seems like an ordinary seventeen-year-old. However, readers quickly learn about the strange events that seem to follow him around. Not wanting to disturb his bickering parents, Nathan keeps this information to himself until he meets Iris, the mysterious owner of The Book Cover. While walking home one day after school, Nathan sees a help wanted ad for the bookstore. Thinking it would be a great way of escaping his parents, Nathan applies. Little does he know what Iris has in store for him.
I enjoyed the progression of Nathan's character throughout his journey of self-discovery. My thoughts mirrored his as he discovered more and more about Iris' circle and his abilities. While I probably would not go as far as staking out the bookstore, my curiosity was able to run wild alongside Nathan's. I could not pull myself away as Nathan's secrets were revealed.
I admire Keeley's ability to drop subtle hints about Nathan's character. While the clue was always in the back of my mind, I was not prepared for what was coming. Readers often forget that the narrator can be unreliable and can hide secrets from the readers, despite them consistently being in their head.
A thin blanket of mystery and magic envelopes the story and leaves readers wondering about their clairvoyance levels, myself included. I think this book is a perfect way to introduce someone to the idea or even to fight the sigma through Iris' character.
scottiesandbooks's review
3.0
The stone in my pocket follows the story of Nathan, a boy in his final year at high school struggling to find a purpose and who he wants to be in life. With no solid friendship groups, a strained family life and a move from a previous town and school for hushed reasons, this is the journey of Nathan as he comes to terms with who he is as a young adult.
After hearing a voice in the garden one night and items being moved in his room when no one was in the house, Nathan thinks he finds his true purpose in the local book store. Ran by the mystical, magical medium Iris; Nathan learns that he is perhaps a clairvoyant and starts to open up about his thoughts and feelings, including elements from his past that he finds hard to discuss.
But alas all is not what it seems. Nathan tries hard to bury deep who he is truly through lies told to explain away actions he has taken which would be seen as out of the norm. But in the end; he learns to accept himself and become more confident in every page.
This was a nice wee easy read and I think would be important for a young adult say 13/14 who is trying to find their way in the world. My only criticism is that it is written from the 1990s so maybe the modern young adult would not be able to relate.
I was surprised with the twists and turns towards the end of the book and loved the fact that there was a hidden meaning that I hadn’t quite found. All in all I enjoyed but it was a bit of a slow burner that I didn’t find myself racing to pick up again. Again, I think this might be because it’s not for my age group.
After hearing a voice in the garden one night and items being moved in his room when no one was in the house, Nathan thinks he finds his true purpose in the local book store. Ran by the mystical, magical medium Iris; Nathan learns that he is perhaps a clairvoyant and starts to open up about his thoughts and feelings, including elements from his past that he finds hard to discuss.
But alas all is not what it seems. Nathan tries hard to bury deep who he is truly through lies told to explain away actions he has taken which would be seen as out of the norm. But in the end; he learns to accept himself and become more confident in every page.
This was a nice wee easy read and I think would be important for a young adult say 13/14 who is trying to find their way in the world. My only criticism is that it is written from the 1990s so maybe the modern young adult would not be able to relate.
I was surprised with the twists and turns towards the end of the book and loved the fact that there was a hidden meaning that I hadn’t quite found. All in all I enjoyed but it was a bit of a slow burner that I didn’t find myself racing to pick up again. Again, I think this might be because it’s not for my age group.
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