Wrecked by Anna Davies (Review)

Tomorrow is the release of Anna Davie's debut novel, Wrecked. I, however, have read the book, and am here to dish the dirt.

By the way, thanks to the Bailey Cove Library for lending me an ARC copy of the book they received!

                                                       
Here is the book's Goodreads page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12022733-wrecked

I definitely did not intend on reading this book, and honestly, I don't feel like I would've missed much.


First off, that cover would never pass any parent inspection. Bad move on the marketing. I know this book is for fourteen and up, but still.


Second, right down to character names and themes, this book mirrors Aimee Friedman's Sea Change in so many ways. Even the main character's first names are the same. I prefer Sea Change for sure.


The plot holes are gaping. For example, Miranda has a car and is allowed to go anywhere any time she wants. Why doesn't she just leave if she's so desperate? Or the fact the Christian is a stalker with good intentions, but still, Miranda doesn't know these intentions. Bella Swann type behavior.


Also, I got really tired of all the boring school type things. I don't understand why an author who could have such paranormal and exciting material on their hands would choose to focus on school or hospital visits to cardboard boyfriends.


Miranda is a truly annoying character, even though she does have some cause to be that way.


The writing reads like an outline to a book that could be potentially alright, but then you realize that this is probably the final version. There was a lot of telling instead of showing, and for once I feel like the book would've benefited from first person narrative instead of the third person it uses.


There is another annoying case of instalove here. I think it takes five days for Miranda and Christian to fall in love. It didn't even try to suspend my disbelief.


The incredible amount of bullying in this book makes no sense. So Miranda wrecks the boat that kills and injures some friends, but everybody knows it was an accident. Yet favorite teachers and former friends give her the cold shoulder at every instant. It doesn't makes sense, especially not in the Southern community the book is supposedly portraying. Believe me, I live in the south, and we employ the casserole dishes and the butter excessively when stuff like this happens.


Also, there's a lot of partying-is-normal attitude here. Sorry, it's not. I don't know any high schoolers who actually act like Miranda and her friends are depicted as in the beginning chapters.


Miranda's grandma is incredibly absent, and when she's not, she's incredibly annoying and inconsistent.


And I can safely say I don't know anything cool, quirky, or unique about any of these characters. The only thing we know about Miranda is that she was good at soccor. The only thing we know about Christian is that he loved Miranda. The only thing we know about Miranda's very absent little brother is nothing. It goes on and on.


The only thing I thought was unique was the idea of betwixtmen, and how for once we got the paranormal guy's narration, which added a half inch of depth to the story. That was the only part of this book that wasn't from Sea Change.


Altogether very skippable. If you want to proceed, do so with caution.




Thoughts? I'd love to hear them.




-Randi