
The narrative style on the book is targeted at younger audiences but not in a patronizing way. Given the weight that it shoulders, it cannot be light. The story follows Rocky (as he prefers being called) who is not satisfied with his mother’s explanation for his father’s death. This is prompted in part by something he overhears (which is very realistic). Soon one change precipitates another, and he is dissatisfied with life in general till something has him strategizing differently. He has some help which, as an adult, does not seem like positive reinforcement to me.
It is a short book, with some heartfelt moments, but I wanted more substance at points and did not buy the way things ended with regards to the ‘secret’ introduced, but that is a completely personal quirk. The writing flows and it is a book one can read in one sitting.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.