Far From You by Tess Sharpe
| Far From You by Tess Sharpe | |
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| Category: Teens | |
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Reviewer: Robert James
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| Summary: Sizzling chemistry and an emotional punch which hit me like a sledgehammer makes this one of the best of recent years. Outstanding. Tess Sharpe popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 352 | Date: March 2014 |
| Publisher: Indigo | |
| ISBN: 978-1780621654 | |
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I have no idea where to begin on this one. I'm not even sure I should attempt a plot summary. Ultra-condensed review is basically along the lines of buy this right now - top five of the last decade for me, maybe top three.
It's being billed as a story of drug addict Sophie investigating best friend Mina's death, which is remarkable for being both an honest description and completely misleading at the same time. Yes, the focus is on Sophie's hunt for Mina's killer, but the mystery aspect is the weak part of the book - there aren't enough clues given for the reader to have a decent chance of working out the solution through anything other than random guesswork.
So why is it top five of the last ten years despite the murder mystery not really working that well for me? The characters are absolutely outstanding. Sophie is a superb narrator - sent to rehab for an addiction she'd already beaten and finally out and ready to seek justice. The relationship between Mina and Sophie has incredible chemistry and made me really care about both of them - which was rather soul-destroying as we know from the start that Mina is dead! As well, the jumping from time to time - the narrative alternates between 'now' and events at various prior points in Sophie's life - works brilliantly, gradually painting a fuller picture of Sophie, Mina and Mina's brother Trev.
Oh, and it's also probably the most emotional book I've ever read. I've mentioned before that a couple of the very best books of recent years have made me cry in public - but none of them destroyed me in the way this one did, leaving me choking back sobs for hours afterwards.
Hugely recommended as an absolute must-read.
For more relationships with phenomenal chemistry, don't miss Love in Revolution by B R Collins and Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley.
Tess Sharpe was kind enough to be interviewed by Bookbag.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Far From You by Tess Sharpe at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
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