The writing of this book was beautiful, and I really wanted to like it, because I love a “tough issues” book, but the it felt too juvenile for the things happening/being discussed. (E.g. unnamed “white powder” drugs being referred to only as “ziplock bags”, even as the characters are snorting said unnamed drug.)

I was curious to finish it, but after what happened with Liam I knew these characters wouldn’t grow on me. I found a spoiler about the mystery narrator and I guessed correctly, so no loose ends. Happy to put it down when I could be reading something I enjoy more.

I might pick up Amy Zhang’s next book The Cartographers because she’s older now and, hopefully, her writing has a bit more substance.