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Hellwach (2000)

by Hilary T. Smith(Favorite Author)

3.64 of 5 Votes: 2

languge

English

genre

review 1: The dead-sibling narrative is a popular one in YA, so I thought I had this one figured out from the moment I read the words "dead sister". I was wrong. I found this book compelling, I loved the characters (even the ones who probably shouldn't be entirely loveable), and I enjoyed the setting of Vancouver (one of my favourite places). The running themes of art and music tickled my fancy. I found the use of the term "monomania" a bit curious, as it's an antiquated term, but I feel like this word was chosen purposefully. Calling Kiri a monomaniac avoids really pinning a label on her, which means the author didn't fall into the trap of checking off hallmarks of a particular disease, one by one, effectively creating a caricature of mental illness. This is something that happens ... moreall too often in YA lit when authors tackle the subject of mental illness, and had it happened here, it would have ruined the book for me. This book doesn't have characters tell you about mental illness so much as it illustrates the way a person who's mentally ill might think. I also felt like it spun the manic pixie dream girl trope, as well. Kiri engages in those wild and free behaviours that have charmed and saved so many boys throughout pop culture history, but where the manic pixie dream girl is an empty vessel, Kiri is troubled, and her whimsical actions have consequences. Realistic consequences, like broken friendships and strained family relationships, not "I had sex for the first time and now I'm pregnant with ten babies AND I have herpes" consequences. I'm glad I read this, and I hope it's popular with young readers, because it's one of those books that can really help you understand people who are different from yourself. Which, in my opinion, is the best thing that books can do for us.
review 2: There were a lot of things I enjoyed about this book. I didn't like that Kiri's big moment got sidelined for Skunk's. I appreciate what she was doing for him and don't disagree with it, but I wanted to see Kiri get what she's worked for and she's sacrificed for. I enjoyed the way the reader learned things about Skunk and Sukey as Kiri did. There were hints as to who these people were, but never enough that I realised it before Kiri did. In some ways this book was emotionally exhausting to read. I wanted to scream at Kiri, tell her to take a nap, give herself a break and for god's sake start doing the things that she needs to do in her life. I think someone who loves/creates/plays music would especially appreciate this book. less

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