by Ashley (link)
Genre drama, angst
Pairings Avery/OMC, Isaac/OFC, Taylor/OFC, Zac/OFC
Length prologue, 21 installments
Status Completed
I realize I will sound like a hypocrite, given that I’m writing a story with a similar theme, but stories that deal with terminal illness are just not my idea of a good time. That’s not to say they can’t be well written, of course. They definitely can be, and I anticipate that Avery is, but I know it will also be an emotional read.
The prologue is basically just a lot of exposition, but Avery has such a unique voice and a unique take on who her brothers and sisters are that I don’t mind the infodump at all. I’m not crazy about all the dream-flashbacks that Ashley incorporates into the story, though. It’s a bit of a cliche way to get the information across, but then again, I’m not sure what other method might have worked better.
What’s great about a first person narrator, especially one who is a step or two removed from the biggest drama, is that you can get a really interesting perspective. It takes Avery a while to realize that her brother is, indeed, sick. After that, she has to deal with her feelings about how much of a jerk she thinks Taylor is. Having gone through the cancer thing a few times, I think her reactions are all very realistic. Nothing is ever black and white, and even knowing that someone is very sick doesn’t change the bad things that have happened in your relationship with them.
Not surprisingly, Avery isn’t one of those stories that give you the warm fuzzies. Sure, there are some heartwarming moments, but there are chapters full of details about Taylor’s treatment that I find really difficult to read. But most of all, it’s the story of a brother and sister’s relationship, and it’s that perspective on the whole cancer topic that makes this a really unique read. It’s strange to say it’s enjoyable, but I don’t think anyone should avoid it just because of the chance that it will make them cry.
Review by Bethany (website)