Author: Marley Gibson
Publication date: April 3rd 2012
Publisher: Graphia
Age group: Young Adult
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Cover rating: 4/5
Content rating: 4/5
Buy: Amazon, The Book Depository
Description:
Hayley Matthews is determined to be the best cheerleader she can. She works hardand pushes herself 110% all the time.Then Hayley finds a lump on her leg. The diagnosis is cancer. The prognosis isunclear. She could lose her leg. Or maybe her life.At first Haley is scared, terrified. In an instant, everything she’s worked for seemsout of reach. But Haley is strong. She’s going to fight this disease. She will not let it take her life or her dreams.My thoughts:
I was very much drawn to this book for a number of reasons. The cover is very striking; its bright colours certainly make it stand out. The description also managed to be both sad and hopeful at the same time and there was just no way I could not read this one as I needed to know how things were going to work out for Hayley. Radiate definitely didn't let me down and I'm so glad I got the chance to read this special book.
The protagonist, Hayley, has finally gotten everything she has ever dreamed for. She has made the cheerleading squad and life is going great. Her celebrations are short-lived, however, as Hayley finds a cancerous lump in her leg. This was so well written in the book and really made you see how Hayley was feeling when she discovered this. You could see her battling between wanting to tell someone and wanting to just pretend there was nothing there at all! The part where Hayley and her mother find out her diagnosis is heartbreaking and very raw.
I couldn't set this book down out of my hands! I was so captivated by Hayley and her story. I wanted and needed to know where it was going. The writing is brilliant and makes it easy to speed through the book. All the characters are very well developed and you can really sense the emotions her family and friends are experiencing. There are so many feelings going on in this book that it can nearly be overwhelming at points! When I got to the end and saw that the author had been drawing from personal experience, it only made the book mean even more.
Radiate is a unique and powerful tale that I would recommend to anybody.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have heard good things about this book. I am always drawn to stories about young people dealing with a serious health issue. This looks like a very good read!
ReplyDeleteThat was a great review. It was powerful at the end when you said that it was written from the authors personal experience. I will check it out! Thanks
ReplyDeleteWow, this book sounds so real and engaging; and I love when an author can translate the emotions of the characters so well. I will definitely be putting this on my wishlist. Fantastic review! =)
ReplyDelete-Shanon @ Escaping With Fiction
Thank you all so much and thanks Nicola for the AWESOME review! I'm so touched that you enjoyed the book and I appreciate your spreading the word. This is a fictionalized version of the cancer I went through in 1982 as a teenage cheerleader. I hope the message in the book translates to all age groups. This truly is the book of my heart. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Marley Gibson = )
radiatebook.com