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A review by zebac
The Alex Crow by Andrew Smith
3.0
Although I think Andrew Smith is really clever and the ideas in this book are amazing, I found the characters a bit thin and unbelievable. The main narrator, Ariel, is interesting, but his level of written and spoken English is incredible for a sixteen year old migrant (I know, I've taught quite a few ESL learners). Cobie and Max came across as plausible teenagers, but a bit skimpy in characterisation.
That was issue one. The second issue for me was the choppy structure of the book - it does all come together in the end, but I didn't really find it satisfying, and I couldn't work out the point of some of the strands.
This is a really interesting read, but it isn't a book that I would rush to recommend. Trigger warnings for sexual assault. Definitely not gratuitous, but upsetting.
That was issue one. The second issue for me was the choppy structure of the book - it does all come together in the end, but I didn't really find it satisfying, and I couldn't work out the point of some of the strands.
This is a really interesting read, but it isn't a book that I would rush to recommend. Trigger warnings for sexual assault. Definitely not gratuitous, but upsetting.