Never did I think I would be typing the words spontaneous combustion in a book review…but, it’s impossible to avoid mentioning that phrase seeing as that is what happens to many of the characters in this novel. Yes, really…
Mara is a senior who, in our opening chapter, watches one of her classmates spontaneously combust. Initially, there’s a sense of shock – but as more and more seniors go the same way, it’s evident that something odd is happening. It’s probably best to not ask too many questions (as we’re never really told why this is happening) but you will find yourself drawn into the way in which those remaining respond to events.
We watch Mara as she and her friends try to come to terms with the weird events taking place in their previously nondescript town. Rather than fretting about the normal everyday teenage concerns, Mara and her peers are simply trying to make it through one day at a time.
There were scenes in this novel that I could not help but laugh aloud at. The game with Mara trying to get her shot of classmates Wie, Love and Cox sitting on a bench will remain etched in my memory. Yet there are also many touching scenes.
An odd read, that I really found myself liking. Though I would have liked a neater resolution (it felt like there needed to be a purpose to this), this was – in Mara’s words – invigorating.