Monday, June 5, 2017

The Runaway by Claire Wong

The Runaway

Rhiannon is heading out of town. An orphan being raised by a widowed aunt, she has known her share of sorrow and struggles. An argument is alluded to but the reader never really does learn what precipitated her running away.  I can appreciate suspense but to not fully explain it by the end of the book is rather unfair to the reader (things are hinted at but not fully explained). I have to say that was a little off putting to be thrown into the aftermath of something so monumental but be completely in the dark.

Story development was rather slow with much detail about her leaving and how she sets up for herself in the woods.  Book skips around between her location and the town she left. There is a search for her but it almost seems half-hearted and her disappearance doesn't seem to bother her guardian all that much which made me rather ill-disposed towards the aunt.

Readers will get an interesting glimpse at village life and the ways in which people often repeat the failures of the past. One wise woman of the village does her best to impart wisdom but only a handful are willing to listen.  The coincidental arrival of a brother and sister provides an interesting view of the village from an outsiders perspective. They added an interesting facet to the history of the village.

Generational secrets and grudges have had their hold on the village and Rhiannon's escape may just be the shake-up needed to confront the mistakes and regrets of the past.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of The Runaway from Kregal Publications for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.

No comments:

The Ghost in the Garden by Alisse Lee Goldenberg

  Sophie Madison, 12 years old, is moving to the small town of Stratford, Ontario. She can't help compare her new small town to all the ...