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A review by dani_reviews
Relativity by Antonia Hayes
4.0
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
I don't often read "adult" contemporary fiction. Not many catch my eye, and they don't hold the same grip on me as young adult or new adult fiction, which I find more relatable. That being said, even before I was asked to participate in this blog tour, I'd had my eye on Relativity.
I picked the book up at the right time. I've been going through a science kick this past week or so. For a start, a friend has got me into watching The Flash, and I've binged my way through the first season because YES PLEASE AMAZING. I've also recently finished listening to The Martian by Andy Weir, which I rated 5 stars over on Books Are My Fandom. Instead of getting tired of all the science, the combination has actually worked really well together. The way the science was worked into the story was ace. How do I know that? Because I felt like I learned while reading.
Relativity was, in some ways, difficult to read because it contained a lot of guilt and grief and blame amongst the adults, and guilt and confusion in Ethan. The story unfolded in the present with flashbacks to the past, which, coupled with multiple perspectives (Claire, Mark and Ethan's), gave us the whole story little by little. In fact, the multiple perspectives added something extra to the story: they showed how everyone's personalities and limited knowledge coloured how they saw an event. For example, Mark and Claire each saw parenthood and each other in different lights, both thinking the other didn't appreciate the work they put in. I was very frustrated with both of them, but it was very relatable.
I loved Ethan. I loved how he saw the world, and how he was so fascinated with space and science. Despite the distance between him and his father, they were both scientists to the core, and geek me very much approved. I think the one thing that got to me a little was that I felt like Ethan's voice was truly that of a 12-year-old. At times, he was too adult, and then it was like we had to be reminded he was quite young. I almost feel like his voice would have been better suited to that of a 16-year-old at times.
All in all, this was an emotional read that made me think about family and the small moments in life that can change everything.
I don't often read "adult" contemporary fiction. Not many catch my eye, and they don't hold the same grip on me as young adult or new adult fiction, which I find more relatable. That being said, even before I was asked to participate in this blog tour, I'd had my eye on Relativity.
I picked the book up at the right time. I've been going through a science kick this past week or so. For a start, a friend has got me into watching The Flash, and I've binged my way through the first season because YES PLEASE AMAZING. I've also recently finished listening to The Martian by Andy Weir, which I rated 5 stars over on Books Are My Fandom. Instead of getting tired of all the science, the combination has actually worked really well together. The way the science was worked into the story was ace. How do I know that? Because I felt like I learned while reading.
Relativity was, in some ways, difficult to read because it contained a lot of guilt and grief and blame amongst the adults, and guilt and confusion in Ethan. The story unfolded in the present with flashbacks to the past, which, coupled with multiple perspectives (Claire, Mark and Ethan's), gave us the whole story little by little. In fact, the multiple perspectives added something extra to the story: they showed how everyone's personalities and limited knowledge coloured how they saw an event. For example, Mark and Claire each saw parenthood and each other in different lights, both thinking the other didn't appreciate the work they put in. I was very frustrated with both of them, but it was very relatable.
I loved Ethan. I loved how he saw the world, and how he was so fascinated with space and science. Despite the distance between him and his father, they were both scientists to the core, and geek me very much approved. I think the one thing that got to me a little was that I felt like Ethan's voice was truly that of a 12-year-old. At times, he was too adult, and then it was like we had to be reminded he was quite young. I almost feel like his voice would have been better suited to that of a 16-year-old at times.
All in all, this was an emotional read that made me think about family and the small moments in life that can change everything.