Trust & Obey

Do you like suspense novels? How about thriller novels? I live for the adrenaline and shock factor as the plot unfolds to reveal the truth that you have been waiting hours, days, or even a week for! If you’re like me then you would definitely be interested in this week’s novel The Window by Amelia Brunskill.

The Window is about a girl who falls out of her window and the police claim it’s suicide but the deceased has a twin sister who doesn’t believe that’s true. As Jess begins to dig, she discovers things that she didn’t want to know about people who go to her school and twin sister.

Even though I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I really struggled with the heaviness of The Window. This book deals with teenage sex and getting involved with multiple people along with kids using inappropriate images against each other. (Sorry if I am spoiling a bit, I’m really trying not to!) There is also discussions of suicide, an affair, and violence. Finally, there are swear words used, but mainly God’s name in vain. I think the drama and heaviness of this book makes this a mature teenager to adult fiction work.

On the flip side, I really appreciated how The Window shows the hardships of High School in the correct light. Everything has a cost and that was presented in this book excellently. Now, I really don’t know anything about the public high school experience. I was homeschooled from preschool all the way through high school so I really can’t relate too much. I did go to the public high school for Driver’s Ed and I would say this book fits what I saw at the school during my short visit.

The Window by Amelia Brunskill is an honest look at the dark side of teenagers and the high school experience. She doesn’t shy away from the painful and shocking situations that these teenagers face, which causes me to highly recommend that teens be cautious with this novel. Brunskill’s work is fantastic in its honesty but I think unknowing readers would be shocked by the themes of The Window.

Shout out to SGT-Fun for recommending both The Window and last week’s review The Bridge of Scarlet Leaves! She’ll be featured next week on the 21st to tell you all about her favorite genre, so be sure to check that out!