Book Review: You Against Me

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Book Details

Title: You Against Me

Author: Jenny Downham

Release Date: September, 2011

Book Summary

If someone hurts your sister and you're any kind of man, you seek revenge.
If your brother's accused of a terrible crime but says he didn't do it, you defend him.

When Mikey's sister claims a boy assaulted her, his world begins to fall apart. When Ellie's brother is charged with the offense, her world begins to unravel. When Mikey and Ellie meet, two worlds collide.

This is a brave and unflinching novel from the bestselling author ofBefore I Die. It's a book about loyalty and the choices that come with it. But above all, it's a book about love.

Book Review

After reading Before I Die, I was optimistic in reading this new Jenny Downham offering You Against Me. The summary is an interesting tease that points towards another modern Romeo and Juliet theme with a tinge of crime drama. Written in an alternating narrative between Mikey and Ellie, this book dealt with the issue of rape differently. Concentrating more on the people around the victim and the assailant, it gives reader a full view of the domino effect of one single event in the life of the people that surrounds them.   

What I like…

©       The Characters. I love the characters because primarily, they are not really involved in the rape. Mikey, being the good brother that he is, had the intense drive to protect his sister and annihilate the boy who wronged her. On the other hand, Ellie chose to stick to her brother’s innocence and stay loyal to her family. Downham threaded the situation with the two families carefully and sensitively. I hate to place spoilers, but one thing is for sure - I am not a fan of people who condone mistakes.

©       The Plot. A modern tale of star-crossed lovers, the pacing of their romance was perfect. So many things came in their way, belonging to different ‘teams’. I just wanted the both of them to end up together, because they were so fun in each other’s company.

What I don’t like…

There were weak points in the story and the end made me cringe. I think it was cut short just when the book was picking up. I wanted to know what would happen with Karyn and Ellie when they meet face to face? What will happen to the case?  What is the future for Tom? There are just too many important questions that are left hanging and unanswered.

You Against Me centers on choices and the consequences that comes with it. It is about loyalty to one’s family, the ones we love, trust, importance of truth and love. 

Favorite Quotes

“Sometimes if you want something badly enough, you can make it happen. If you miss someone so desperately that it wrecks your insides, you say their name over and over until you conjure then. It's called sympathetic magic and you just have to believe in it to make it work.”

“It was strange how words meant something when they came out of your mouth. Inside your head they were safe and silent, but once they were outside, people grabbed hold of them.” 

“Do you want this to be a love story?” 

“Her skin tasted expensive.” 

Reviewed by

þ @ ChuCha