What Beauty There Is

It made me cry, it made me feel everything

What Beauty There Is works to keep you reading that ‘just one more chapter,’ which in turn means you’ll end up pretty much devouring this book in a matter of days – for me it was two days, but had I have been able to sit and read this book without stopping, I would have done!I found it was so easy to become invested in these two boys, Jack and his little brother Matty, from the very start of the book. Struggling to survive each day and subject to one of the most heart-breaking and traumatic living situations possible for their age, it wasn't hard to imagine the stress and sheer terrifying responsibility that Jack had weighing on his shoulders.Yet, despite the bleakest of family situations, Jack is an instantly likable character who you find yourself championing (alongside Matty and Ava) throughout the entire book.The writing style of What Beauty There Is remains fluid and compelling from start to end and the pacing is spot-on throughout. As a reader, you feel you are with the brothers every step of the way as circumstances build to terrifying levels. Overall, the entire structure and construction of this book are perfect!It’s remarkable to discover this is a debut novel for it is written with so much confidence.Though I think this book is marketed towards the YA market, I think those older than this reading group will enjoy it this just as much. Reading this as a mother, I just wanted to reach into the book and give both the brothers and Ava a big hug. But, I can also see that this book will work perfectly for the YA group that are looking for a more intelligent read and one that doesn’t shy away from some of the darker elements of the character's unfortunate circumstances.As for the ending, once again Anderson credits the YA audience with intelligence and doesn’t offer a happy ever after finishing, as such. However, it is a satisfying conclusion to a book that is almost perfect in every way.(I could also see this being effortlessly adapted for the screen)An outstanding read, I can’t rate this book highly enough. What’s more, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another book written by this author in the future.

This atmospheric novel certainly gets you with the snowy setting. You know how dull and muted the sound becomes when there is snow? Well, I think that Anderson totally conveys this in their narrative. However, sadly I think this is also a reflection of the plot development.I was excited by the blurb of this story and felt a tingling like a child watching it snow! When it becomes clear that brothers, Jack and Matty, have to fend for themselves, things take a turn for the worse when angry men are after them. Readers learn that Jack and Matty's imprisoned father has buried a whole heap of money - it is this money that would create a safe, secure and stable life that Jack and Matty need. But no one, except Jack's father, knows where it is. And he isn't telling anyone.However, with Jack making enquiries, his actions raise the attention of Victor Bardem. He was also involved in the theft of the money... and is also looking for it. Little do Jack and Matty know that their new friend, Ava, is Bardem's daughter. As you may guess, this creates a game of cat and mouse as Ava tries to keep the brothers safe; the brothers need to find the money; and Bardem, among other dodgy characters, want the money and the brothers out of the way. It's a bit messy.Yet, this interesting premise did fade away and I felt that I was reading a chilly story that never really got anywhere. It was a bit like trudging through deep snow! I completely sympathised with the brothers but wanted to see more progress with finding the money - in other words, for the story to be more like a treasure hunt. Personally, I did not get a feel of pace or intensity; there was no suspense in the novel as it just moved from the brothers escaping one dangerous situation, only to land in another tricky one.This explains why I felt bored by the narrative. On the other hand, I do think Anderson has crafted a beautiful narrative and was particularly impressed by the italics at the start of each chapter. We grow to realise that this is from Ava's perspective and I liked the frankness of her narrative voice. It added a different perspective to the story and I think I found this section of each chapter the most interesting. Indeed, it took me a very long time to notice the chapter labelling and I thought it was clever how this eventually connects with the story.I liked this novel but I was not excited by it. I don't think it is a thriller, but more of a slow mystery featuring two brothers, a whole lot of snow and some gunshot wounds in the process.

This is such a beautifully written story and one that I found very hard to put down even for a moment.Jack has to make a decision, either get what meagre belongings he has left and with his brother try to make a life of their own. Their father is in prison, their mother has gone. Their father has not seen either of the boys for years, but Jack does decide to go and visit him to see if his father will finally stand up and help them. Such a simple decision but one that kickstarts events that will have the boys in danger.Ava, a new girl at school. A loner and one who can stand up for herself. Her father has taught her survival skills, to be independent and not to fall for anyone. Keep her heart and feelings closed off. A simple act sees her start to look at things slightly differently.This is such a beautiful story and one that is full of intrigue and danger for various reasons. The author has really captured the dangerous atmosphere in which the characters find themselves. The characters are not sure who they can trust, but they do realise the sense of doing the right thing. For Jack, his priority is his younger brother Matty, everything that Jack does is for the good of Matty and for a better future for him.There is danger at every turn for the characters and the author does this with at times almost lyrical writing. The words just flow wonderfully and even though this is a young adult book, I, an older reader adored it.This is a story that readers of contemporary fiction, family drama and young adult stories. It is a gorgeous story that is heartbreaking and very poignant. It is one I would definitely recommend.

I found this book gripping and a real page turner despite being marketed towards YA. It follows two main characters Jack and Ava, both with different problems that ultimately unites them.Jacks father is in prison, his mother gone and now he is the sole carer of his little brother Marty. To be honest, a role he has been completing before now as his mother was unfit to do so. However, with no money coming in Jack realises his only option is to find the money that sent his father to prison or risk losing Marty to foster care.Ava lives with her controlling father, he has taught her to shut of her emotions and not let anyone in, as they could hurt you. But there is something different about Jack that she is drawn to.Jack goes in the run with his brother and encounters many obstacles along the way while looking for the money. It is a dangerous world and individuals he is messing with.Ava joins them and it becomes apparent that her father and Jack are looking for the same money. She desperately wants to help and begins to rebel against her situation, putting herself in danger, her father is not he type of person who tolerates disloyalty.This is a very engaging story, you find real empathy with the characters and the urge to read on is compelling. I found the story flowed well and was enthralling. So much courage displayed by one boy in the defence of his brother. A great read.