BLOG TOUR: The Leftovers - Cassandra Parkin

 

The Leftovers is a story about sexual power and consent, the myth of the perfect victim, and a dark exploration of the things we do for – and to – the ones we love.

Callie’s life is spent caring for others – for Frey, her client, and for Noah, her brother. When a tragic car accident shatters her family, she’s left alone with her mother Vanessa. Vanessa's favourite child was Noah; Callie's favourite parent was her dad. Now they're stuck with each other - the leftovers of their family - and they'll have to confront the ways they've been hurt, and the ways they've passed that hurt on to others.

What did I think?

I absolutely adore Cassandra Parkin's books so I didn't hesitate in picking up a copy of her new novel, The Leftovers.  The writing is just stunning as the reader is taken on a journey from Callie's grief to her family's past as their relationships are put under the microscope.

Callie is living two lives: caring for her client Frey and caring for her brother Noah.  Frey does not communicate but spends his time doing jigsaws and it was heartbreaking to see him trapped inside his body, unable to say when he was scared or unhappy.  Noah's issues are more volatile as he is unable to distinguish between reality and imagination so he needs constant care, which Callie shares with her dad.  Callie's mother left many years ago and it's been no loss to Callie as she has always known that her mother doesn't love her.

The relationship between Callie and her mother Vanessa is incredibly intriguing as we read flashbacks of the past.  You just know that there's something not right there as Vanessa showers all her love on Noah whilst Callie is treated with cool indifference.  Families are complicated and it all becomes clear as layer upon layer of the past is revealed.

The storyline is breathtaking and I have to say that I was almost screaming out loud 'no, no, no' at more than one point.  I was completely addicted to the book though, so as much as I wanted to look away I was completely powerless to resist.  Part of the novel is set during the Covid-19 pandemic and I could barely stop myself from crying when Frey and his sister finally saw each other again.  Lockdown must have been so confusing for people in care and it breaks my heart just thinking about it again now.  It's such wonderful writing from Cassandra Parkin to get this point across sensitively yet strongly.

Dark, disturbing and haunting, The Leftovers is so beautifully written that it will stay with me for a very long time.  A stunning read and highly recommended.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Soldier Boy - Cassandra Parkin

 

Under the shadow of trauma, Liam has been discharged from the army. As night terrors torment him and he struggles to keep his anger intact, he finds himself in his car, his daughter Alannah asleep in the back, while his wife Emma has gone AWOL. With no idea where to go for shelter, his only goal is to hold onto his daughter at all costs. But Alannah is on a journey of her own.

As the consequences of Alannah’s choices unfold, nothing will ever be the same again.

Soldier Boy is gripping story about secrets, fear, longing, lies and the power of being true to yourself, even when the price is higher than you could have imagined.

What did I think?

I thought there was a bit of my book missing when I turned to the first page of Soldier Boy and the first line appeared to have started mid-sentence.  Sure enough, the same happened with the next chapter but what Cassandra Parkin has so cleverly done is used the final word of each chapter as the first word of the following chapter.  It's not only a very clever format, it really makes you think about how all of the threads of the story weave in and out of one another.

Soldier Boy is such a breathtaking book that I really don't know where to begin as any review I write will not do it justice.  Cassandra Parkin is not just an amazing wordsmith, she's a word thief as she stole all my words and left me completely speechless at the end of the book.  My emotions were put through the wringer as I read Liam, Emma and particularly Alannah's story. 

I'm not going to mention the story at all as I don't want to give away any spoilers of the wonderful (but rather dark) plot; this is a book that each individual reader should experience first-hand.  It's horrific at times but so heart-achingly poignant that I feel as though I left a piece of my heart behind when I turned the final page.

A highly emotional story written in an ingeniously unique format, Soldier Boy is an exceptional novel that will make your heart ache.  It's a sobering reminder to listen to what we're being told rather than only hearing what we want to hear.  So very highly recommended but be warned that there are some shocking moments that will be a bit stomach lurching for the squeamish.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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