What Beauty There Is.

Oh goodness where do I start with this one? What originally drew me into this one was the beautiful cover. I mean just look at that!

This was quite the heavy and dark book. There are a lot of heavy content triggers in this one. I felt the pain with each and every character. It was a little hard for me to rate overall since there were things I loved about this one and things that I wasn't a big fan of.

I struggled with the first half of the story. The writing style was good but felt that more then half of it we were dealign with the same issue over and over. I feel like it was also a tad over the top with drama, violence, and action.

I did enjoy the different perspectives of the characters but was left wanting more feeling. Overall, it wasn't bad it just wasn't the best YA I've read.

Overall, thank you so much to Netgalley and Macmillian Children's Publishing Group for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

3/5 stars

Pub date: 4/6/21
Published to GR: 2/28/21

This is not a happy book. It is, however, very well written.

The characters are compelling and likeable. You root for them throughout. However, the amount of terrible things that befall them were triggering for me, and made it incredibly hard to keep reading at times. It took me far longer to read this than I thought it would, because I kept having to take breaks to read other books and give myself time to process.

I kept reading because I was hoping for a redemption in the end...and found the ending disappointing--highly unsatisfying.

To be honest, I would not have continued reading this book had I not been reading and reviewing via an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. My sincere thanks for the opportunity to read. Just, fair warning to all--this book is hard.

TWs: suicide, opiate addiction, Child Protective Services/foster care, neglect, child abuse, child abduction, (Possibly) child molestation

This is a title that I was invited to review, and I gave it a try but I just could not get into it... The writing style was stark, the characters felt oddly flat to me, and I just couldn't get into it. Many other reviewers seem enraptured by it so take a look for yourself before judging, but I personally couldn't find my way into this one.

What an unusual, memorable story! It's hard to describe this book, but while it had bleak aspects, it also felt strangely hopeful. The writing was elegant and the story flowed easily. I will be thinking about this book for some time to come.

If I had realized that this book was going to be the first in a series, I probably never would have requested it because the last thing I need in my life is to be invested in a YA series of books, particularly one that is only on book #1.

BUT.

I'm so glad I did request and read this book because I ended up LOVING it.

This book hit so many of the weird things that I like but barely ever get to read about. Bone-chillingly cold setting that makes me want to be snuggled under a blanket the entire time I am reading it? Check. Characters struggling to survive against all odds with a tiny amount of money and some ingenuity? Got it. Pursuit by random, shadowy "bad guys" that are completely unimportant other than to get the characters on the run and hiding out in questionable locations? ABSOLUTELY.

I loved reading this book and was sad to finish it (this book hasn't even technically been released yet, so I'm obviously going to be waiting a while to get my hands on the second one), but there are a couple of things that could have been done better and kept it from being a five star read for me. The insta-love was way too quick and without any explanation whatsoever. The two main characters go from not even knowing each other to being all-in and ready to die for one another literally overnight without even so much as an in-depth conversation between the two of them. Most of the story is told in third person, but there are these little snippets at the beginning of each chapter in first person, and they were mostly super cheesy and took away from the story instead of adding to it. Later in the book, the perspective suddenly changes to first person for a short time, and I thought it was a bad choice. And finally, the villain was so overdone...I could tell what the author was going for (a cold, untouchable, scary-smart mastermind), but the end result was a cringe-inducing caricature of what a teen boy in a fedora hopes to grow up to be.

Where this book really shines is in Jack and Matty and their struggle for survival in a world that is stacked against them. I got very invested in Jack and his love for his brother Matty, and even in the romantic tension between Jack and Ava (although I wish it had been better developed). The prose is unique and might not be for everyone, but for me it was just different enough to be intriguing without going over the top. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a unique YA read that is not an epic fantasy (bonus points if you're into the hurt/comfort trope).

*eARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to love this book. I thought I was going to love this book. And the other early reviews of this book are glowing. But a lot of this book felt very off to me.

The premise drew me in. Jack's mom commits suicide, leaving him to take care of Matty. He has to be careful not to let anyone know she has committed suicide because he knows they will take Matty away. They have less than $20, no food, no heat. So Jack decides to try to find the money that his father stole that landed him in jail. Jack's dad's partner is not in jail but is on his tail, also wanting the money and not stopping at anything to get it. 

But a lot of the book felt gratuitous. It felt unrealistic in many ways. It was ... boring.The ominous first person reflections in the beginnings of the chapter didn't work for me. More character development was needed. And the ending felt rushed and unresolved. 

This book has been compared to The Road, which I absolutely hated, so I guess it's no surprise I didn't like this one. 

TW: suicide, violence

I am obsessed with this book. Spare, haunting prose, an emotionally intense plot, and a setting that will chill you to the bone, you'll be rooting for Jack, Matty, and Eva through the very last page.

Well written, very original, and engaging. This story type isn't my usually go to, but it left me itching for more and sad when the last page ended.

To be fair, this review is based on the first 30% of the book, I tried really hard to get into it but just couldn't and finally had to move on. The start of this book feels super slow to me, which was surprising since it was blurbed as "edge-of-your-seat, can't-look-away."

But honestly I would probably be okay with the pacing if the writing style worked for me. The voice is incredibly stark and minimal, and I can understand the choice, it's unique and stylistic, but it kept me at arm's length. The bare bones, sometimes stilted wording pushed me away rather than pulled me in. The situations that the characters are going through make me want to care about them, but I feel like I'm fighting against the wiring style in order to do it.

I feel like for others, who enjoy this writing style, this could be an amazing read, it's just not for me.

Rating 3.5

It's hard for me to rate "What Beauty There Is" because there are some things I loved and some that I hated. Let's start with the writing style. While I understand what the author was going for I do not think their style of writing was for me. In the beginning the writing kept taking me out of the story and almost made me not continue. The writing was well done and this could have just been a personal problem and something others might not notice. I struggled with the first half of the story but it started picking up for me around 75% through. While the first half was progressing it all seemed to deal with the same issue over and over and this felt a little tedious. While I liked Jack's character he never seemed to learn from his mistakes and I was hoping for more from him. What we did learn from Ava was interesting and I'm not left wanting more. I enjoyed seeing the different perspectives from the side characters and how that helped shape the story. The description in the book was well done making the reader feel as though they are right beside Jack. In my opinion, this book was written to be a movie. How it unfolds and how the characters act would be perfect for the big screen. Overall, this book was good if you want a book filled with over the top drama, action, violence, and insta-love. 

**Received an advanced copy through NetGalley in return for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

This book had such promise but the conversation felt SO stilted that it really ruined the entire book for me.

Jack has to deal with problems that most teenagers don't. Instead of worrying about homework, he's worrying about being about to put food on the table for his little brother Matty. His mother is dead and his father is in prison and he's scared of being separated from his brother. His only choice to to find the money that lead to his father' going to prison. Only, he's not the only person looking for that money. Ava's father is also looking for the money. Her father has controlled her life for far too long and now she's ready to regain some of that control.

This isn't lighthearted and it deals with sensitive topics like murder and suicide, but overall I enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and plot driven. I could see this appealing to both the YA and adult audiences.

**Review to be posted to goodreads and blog closer to publication date.

This had me holding my breath most of the time but that made it so much fun!
This book was wonderful! Full of exciting wonderful heartfelt book!
So much emotion is written in this novel!
I'm excited to see if there will be a second book!

I received an ARC Kindle edition of this book from NetGalley.

Let's get the trigger warnings out of the way: suicide, child abuse, graphic violence, kidnapping, murder

This is one of those books that will leave you speechless (in a good way). It's a fast paced read and the suspense will keep pulling you along. There is some graphic violence, but it does not slow the story at all.

Based on what I am seeing, this book is the start of a series. The book offers closure so it will be interesting to see where the second book takes us. I look forward to it.

I read this book as part of the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2021 - A book that's published in 2021.

I have mixed thoughts on this book.

I thought it was a great story idea and well told. I loved who the characters were. I could totally see this as a movie..

But... yes, there is a but.. But it felt as if this book were TOO story driven. Personally, I like to "feel" for the characters - good or bad. When i am held in suspense for a story, I want it to be because I care what happens to the characters, not just because I think it's really interesting.

That being said I have felt that way about great literature (like Mice and Men), so take it with a grain of salt. I do want to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the advance copy to read. This did not impact my review.

Where do I begin?! This was a beautiful, haunting and rare book that stays with you long after you read it. From the beginning sentences, I was immersed in the brutal, yet tender story that unfolds. Poetic and unrelenting, the story takes the reader on a journey that is reminiscent of Fargo meets No Country for Old Men meets a love story and what you will do to keep family safe.
I highly recommend this extraordinary YA novel for high school and public libraries. I can't wait to read what Ms. Anderson writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

What Beauty There Is gives us a fast-paced adrenaline rush with each chapter. 17 year old Jack remembers the good times with his family before drugs and prison took over. Now he must protect his little brother Matty and make sure they stay together. The new girl at school, Ava, opens each chapter to draw new pangs of suspense. Stolen money, an evil man out for revenge, and a harsh winter environment all contribute to the anticipation. Is Jack doomed or will everything be okay? Where is the briefcase and would it even help? Who can you trust? This book is about survival. There are bad people/bad families, but some good too in the world. I totally loved this book until the last 2 pages. I read them twice but just didn't get that wrap up. Otherwise, 2 thumbs up!

I saw this one in an email from Netgalley and the first 100 users could get this as a “read now”. Of course, I jumped at the chance! The cover is gorgeous and the blurb had me really courious.

Although there were parts I liked about this one (and overall I did like this book), there were also parts that I didn’t like as much.

One of the things I didn’t like was that this is more plot-driven and because of that it is a bit hard to fully connect to the characters. There are some awful things that happen to them. This isn’t an easy read by any means. The events never really surprised me either because one of the characters, the villain if you will, was never in good light. From the beginning we are meant to hate him. I don’t think there will be a redemption arc for him and I’ll be glad not to see one. I hope he gets what he deserves.

The other thing that was hard was the writing style. There isn’t anything wrong with it, but it’s one that is always hard for me to enjoy. It’s just very straightforward.

Other than that, it was a pretty good book. The plot was interesting enough for me to continue with. There is a lot that does go on and it all comes quite quick. The book also has multiple point-of-views to help understand the characters but like I said above, it just wasn’t enough to fully connect with them. There is also past and present. Some weren’t always easy to distinguish but that’s okay.

Overall, this was a good book and the ending did have me curious about the sequel. I will definitely be keeping an eye on it since I would like to know what will happen next.

Interesting premise. Likable/hated characters. Cool plot. I would recommend this story to others. Some spots I found that didn't hold my attention, but overall, I still liked it.

So incredibly well-written that the characters feel like real people. Ones who could jump right off the page and join the real world.

And the story is just as amazing. I was quite blown away and didn’t really expect to be.