Hannah Marshall’s debut novel centres on the rekindling of Callum and Zelle’s friendship in small-town New Zealand. The reader learns the characters’ shared history as they are ready to confront their past. The narrative switches between Callum and Zelle each chapter, and they each have their own distinctive voice.
The book contemplates the struggles of isolation, lack of opportunities, and coming-of-age challenges faced by teenagers in rural areas. It provides an honest and realistic portrayal of life events to a mid-teen audience. It has excellent narrative structure and vigorously expressive lines that are often comical.
Marshall delivers a considered narrative with a mature approach to storytelling. She is a graduate of the Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington and has won the Maurice Gee Prize in Children’s Writing.
The book is rated with one spice level but suitable for the 15 or more age group. It does have noted themes that follow mourning, alcoholism and anxiety. These contribute to the storyline but are not the critical focus.
Overall this is a great debut novel, well written and an intelligent read for young adults.
