Hello everyone. Today I have another book review for you. This one is a book I’ve come across on a couple of blogs just lately. As the review says, it put me in mind of S E Hinton’s The Outsiders with its feel and beat. I’ll let the review say the rest >>>

About the Book:

What is a family? Rick Myers is a despondent seventeen-year-old who just lost his parents in a car wreck. His family is now the four teenage buddies he’s grown up with in a run-down apartment building. Fast with their fists, flip with their mouths, and loyal to a fault, “the crew” is all he has.
At least he thinks so until he meets Daisy, an intelligent, independent, self-assured blind girl. Her guts in a world where she’s often painfully vulnerable intrigue Rick, and her hopeful outlook inspires him to begin believing in himself.
But when the dark side of Daisy’s past catches up with her, tragedy scatters the crew and severely tests Rick’s resolve to build his promising future. Fortunately, his life is changed by a couple with a pay-it-forward attitude, forged out of their personal struggle with grief and loss. Their support makes all the difference to Rick and eventually to the ones he holds most dear as they face their own challenges.
“The Bright Side of Darkness” is a story of redemption and the ultimate victory that comes from the determination of the human spirit.

My Review:

This is a story about tragedy and triumph and, somewhat, about coming of age … all told from life on ‘the wrong side of the tracks’. Much of the first half has a strong resonance with S E Hinton’s The Outsiders.

The author brought the characters to life, and the read played with my emotions. While some parts were sad and poignant, others proved amusing and hopeful. Some of the characters’ actions and decisions had me shaking my head, but then we all have to learn better at one point in our lives or another, and The Bright Side of Darkness portrayed this aspect of maturing well.

Sometimes the story left me wanting, but on the whole this was an entertaining and enjoyable read. It gets a solid 4 out of 5 stars from me.

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.