Today I will be sharing my thoughts about Running Scared by Susan J Bruce.
Details
Running Scared by Susan J Bruce
Young Adult Contemporary Thriller
Set in Brisbane, Queensland
Blurb
What if the boy you love is hiding a dark secret?
My name is Melinda and this has been the worst
year ever … We had to leave our family farm,
Mum is in hospital, Dad is losing it and my
freak-out-and-run arachnophobia is getting worse.
The one good thing in my world is Rory.
Maybe he sees things differently because he’s
been in a wheelchair for the past eight years,
but Rory always knows how to make me laugh.
Problem is, Dad doesn’t want me anywhere near
him. He doesn’t trust Rory or his family,
especially as Rory’s brother is wanted
by the police.
And now I’m scared Rory is hiding something …
My Review
Loved this debut YA novel by Susan J Bruce from the eye-catching cover all the way through to the satisfying conclusion.
Melinda has moved to the city after her family lost their farm. With further tragedy, her mother isn’t doing so well and her father is tense and angry. Her vegan-loving but perceptive aunt and her cool next-door neighbour, Rory, help to keep Melinda grounded. But her dad doesn’t want her seeing Rory ever since his brother went on the run from the police. Starting at a new school just adds another layer of complexity and challenges. Melinda is not sure who to trust and needs to conquer real threats and her own fears.
The story is fast-paced, with heart-wrenching drama as the Melinda and Rory’s lives seem to spin further and further into danger. Many of the issues would be a common experience for teens – families struggling with financial concerns, mental health and displacement, dealing with bullying, peer pressure, trying to fit in.
I liked the witty dialogue, the reference to art and animals and I especially loved the characters. Melinda is passionate, caring and prone to mistakes and slipups. She has to wrestle with doing the right thing even when it’s tough and overcoming her fears. Rory is cool, artistic, strong, loyal and sweet. I particularly liked that fact that being wheel-chair bound is a part of his normal life. Sure it causes some hassles, but is not something that holds him back. Melinda’s aunt and Tahlia, Mel’s school friend, provide great foils for Melinda and Rory while the back story to the ‘villains’ and to Rory’s brother Luke add depth and a great twist at the end.
There are a lot of layers in this short book. An excellent, gripping, fast-paced read with touching sweet romance, heart-stopping action and a great narrative arc. I’ll be looking to more books from this author.
