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A review by pikasqueaks
All You Never Wanted by Adele Griffin
4.0
ALL YOU NEVER WANTED is a tough story about sibling rivalry that sticks with you – because it’s amazing to look at two sisters, and see how bitterness can truly screw up a relationship.
I’ve read a bunch of books lately that have multiple points of view that are also in different perspectives or tenses. It can drive a wedge between you and the book, and shake you out of the flow. But with ALL YOU NEVER WANTED, I didn’t really have this problem. I think it’s mostly because Alex’s voice is so lyrical and strong, yet weak and scared at the same time. Her perspective suits the character, and I think it actually brings us closer, because we’re seeing how she sees herself, but not through her own eyes.
Alex is the older sister, overcome with anxiety in every way. She’s so afraid and so ridden with anxiety that she tries not to leave the house. She also develops what might at first seem like an eating disorder (she eats so little and drinks so little), but it’s a deep-rooted fear of losing control of her bodily functions that controls her, instead. It might be hard for some readers to identify with her – after all, she’s rich now, and some of it might seem like White Girl Problems: The Novel. But when you get past the glitz and glamour of a new life, you might understand: she didn’t ask for it. She didn’t necessarily want it. She was thrust into this new world, and it’s terrifying. Seriously, have you ever watched Gossip Girl? Those rich people sure have some issues.
Thea is the younger sister brimming with jealousy. The new social class her family fits into has taken hold of her, tempting her to become the person that Alex might have been. She lies to interest her sister’s old friends, she manipulates people to get what she wants, and she has no problem going after her sister’s boyfriend. That’s your standard sibling rivalry, but there’s something else going on under the surface. That something is Gia, but I’ll let you read and figure out what’s going on, there.
That’s what I really liked about ALL YOU NEVER WANTED. Adele Griffin brought forth the twisting, winding lives of these two girls and didn’t lay it all out. There’s some nuance in the way things are written. If you’re used to pounding back silly book after silly book, you might have to stop and re-read some things to understand how psychological it actually is.
But every book comes with some frustrations, and for me, Alex and Xander were my main frustration. The connection develops too quickly, and it’s once again “dude comes along and magically fixes a girl,” and although you can argue she isn’t fixed by any means, it’s at least hinted that’s what going on.
ALL YOU NEVER WANTED has an ending that doesn’t send us off with restored faith that these two will make it through and great together. In fact, it leaves us hanging – and I like it. If you enjoy books by Courtney Summers, I’m guessing you’ll love this one.
I’ve read a bunch of books lately that have multiple points of view that are also in different perspectives or tenses. It can drive a wedge between you and the book, and shake you out of the flow. But with ALL YOU NEVER WANTED, I didn’t really have this problem. I think it’s mostly because Alex’s voice is so lyrical and strong, yet weak and scared at the same time. Her perspective suits the character, and I think it actually brings us closer, because we’re seeing how she sees herself, but not through her own eyes.
Alex is the older sister, overcome with anxiety in every way. She’s so afraid and so ridden with anxiety that she tries not to leave the house. She also develops what might at first seem like an eating disorder (she eats so little and drinks so little), but it’s a deep-rooted fear of losing control of her bodily functions that controls her, instead. It might be hard for some readers to identify with her – after all, she’s rich now, and some of it might seem like White Girl Problems: The Novel. But when you get past the glitz and glamour of a new life, you might understand: she didn’t ask for it. She didn’t necessarily want it. She was thrust into this new world, and it’s terrifying. Seriously, have you ever watched Gossip Girl? Those rich people sure have some issues.
Thea is the younger sister brimming with jealousy. The new social class her family fits into has taken hold of her, tempting her to become the person that Alex might have been. She lies to interest her sister’s old friends, she manipulates people to get what she wants, and she has no problem going after her sister’s boyfriend. That’s your standard sibling rivalry, but there’s something else going on under the surface. That something is Gia, but I’ll let you read and figure out what’s going on, there.
That’s what I really liked about ALL YOU NEVER WANTED. Adele Griffin brought forth the twisting, winding lives of these two girls and didn’t lay it all out. There’s some nuance in the way things are written. If you’re used to pounding back silly book after silly book, you might have to stop and re-read some things to understand how psychological it actually is.
But every book comes with some frustrations, and for me, Alex and Xander were my main frustration. The connection develops too quickly, and it’s once again “dude comes along and magically fixes a girl,” and although you can argue she isn’t fixed by any means, it’s at least hinted that’s what going on.
ALL YOU NEVER WANTED has an ending that doesn’t send us off with restored faith that these two will make it through and great together. In fact, it leaves us hanging – and I like it. If you enjoy books by Courtney Summers, I’m guessing you’ll love this one.