A review by ember_is_gay
Peach by Emma Glass

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 Definitely check trigger warnings before reading this! Very dark themes and at times graphic. 
 
The writing style and the layout of almost poet like chapters was not something that I was sure I would like, however I found it very effective in this story. The themes of this book are so important for us to being showing in media instead of ignoring or hiding. 
 
The aftermath of being raped or sexually assaulted are not often shown or discussed, however I think Emma nailed a lot of what it can be like. I don’t really enjoy media focusing on the actual rape/assault as a plot point, and I never feel it is really necessary to describe/show the event in graphic detail as more often than not it feels like a shock tactic more than anything else. However, the book having the pure focus on the aftermath was something I had not seen before. I related a lot to Peach’s thoughts and feelings, her way of coping and the way her view on the world changed (or I assume changed as we had nothing to compare to as there was no pre-assault Peach). 
 
Super weird ending that kind of came out of nowhere, but felt like it fit the rest of the story and in my head was actually metaphorical and not at all literal. I took it at a desire for punishing those close to her for not seeing her and not recognising that something was wrong in a similar way to how she was ‘punished’ by the person who assaulted her, or wanting them to understand. He forced himself on her, and she forced him on those around her.
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