YA Fiction: 23:27 Book Review.

"Part of me wants to die tonight, part of me wants it to be an accident, and part of me wants someone to notice and save me." - Lilith Rose.

[23:27, a YA novel by H.L. Roberts]

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Fast Facts:
Title: 23:27
Author: H.L. Roberts
Genre: YA fiction
What:Lilith Rose is a  lead singer to one of the most famous rock bands around; however, she's finally had it with all the lies and secrets that comes with being famous.
She decides that it's time for it to stop and reveals everything on a Facebook live stream. From that, her actions trigger a series of responses, mostly from her "forbidden" love, Alec, another member of her band.
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The novel alternatives between Lilith's and Alec's point of view, following the moments leading up to the monumental Facebook stream and its consequences. 23:27 is a tale filled with darkness surrounding the entertainment industry that grapples with the genuine human spirit.

My reaction:

• Three words to describe this book- emotional, raw, and relatable (well, not the rock star part.)
• I found 23:27 to be entertaining. The plot catapulted me into the drama immediately, and the vivid detail kept me engaged.
• What resonated with me the most was Lilith's pain. I don't want to give the plot away, but we see a broken person. Someone who has been beat down in the industry and ready to cave in. I believe everyone these days are pushed to the brink of their job, whatever it may be. There are expectations left and right, and it almost always goes against our heart's desires.

• The book raises some pretty large issues, including self-harm/suicide and in tandem, mental health. I believe the author executed this part of the plot well- there were many points in the story that talk about seeking help, how the individual feels every step of the process, and how it impacts loved ones. It really made me think about how mental health is managed in current times- the accessibility to proper health care and our cultural views and expectations.

23:27 had "great readability", and succeeded in creating a captivating hook.  The pacing was consistent, and the characters were enjoyable-  I wanted to root for Lilith and Alec. Speaking of which, there were more chapters from Alec's point of view, but I think it worked in the book's favor. Having the perspective of a loved one react to someone in agony is emotionally-charged.

There were times I did want to shake the characters silly, namely Alec. He is very in tune with his emotions, which is actually a rare commodity, but I did notice he cried a lot. Like, a LOT. It was a little distracting at times. Also, because the main characters are a part of the band, I almost wished there was more about their music and/or gigs to incorporate that aspect of the story. However, that's simply my opinion as the novel seems to have a more character-focused plot.

I was a big fan of the ending. The novel took a lot of twists and turns that by the time I reached the end, I was very satisfied. However, I will say the epilogue was a little long and, I wondered if it could've been another chapter. When I read epilogues, I anticipate a few pages.

So what does all this mean?

23:27 is an emotionally charged, intense YA that I believe will capture the hearts of many people across the age spectrum. While there were a few things that distracted me from completely enjoying it to 100%, it is still a novel I recommend to those that love good drama. 

Happy Reading!
J.E.

23:27 Blog Post

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Disclaimer: I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review. And I always approach my reviews in the most objective way as possible.