A Whisper of Thoughts...: Review of Follow Me Down

Follow Me Down
By Tanya Byrne

Synopsis:

The sensationally good Tanya Byrne returns with her new novel - a dark, compulsive tale of obsession and betrayal.

When sixteen-year-old Adamma Okomma, a Nigerian diplomat's daughter, arrives at exclusive Crofton College in Wiltshire, she is immediately drawn to beautiful, tempestuous, unpredictable Scarlett Chiltern. Adamma and Scarlett become inseparable - until they fall for the same guy. Soon the battle lines are drawn and Adamma is shunned by Scarlett and her privileged peers. But then Scarlett goes missing and everything takes a darker turn. Adamma always knew that Scarlett had her secrets, but some secrets are too big to keep and this one will change all of their lives forever.

Source: Goodreads

My rating: 4 / 5

My Thoughts:

I know I'm starting this review the wrong way round but the ending to this book really threw me. Whether this was a good or a bad thing, I don't know! It just made me re-evaluate everything I had read so far, re-think the characters and events and try to make sense of it all. Sounds cryptic, but that's how I felt.

Adamma was an unusual character, she's like an odd version of Nancy drew. She was okay-ish during the first half of this book but then she ditched the best friend she practically worshiped for a guy. Uh oh indeed. It's not Scarlett's fault that she didn't live up to Your sky high expectations! Perhaps you should have gotten to know her before putting her up on a pedestal?

I found Adamma to be too flighty and emotional, her change over the story wasn't a good one. I understand she's in love and he's the most amazing guy to ever exist in this entire universe but Adamma went from miss super high standards to miss selfish cow in just a few pages.

I'm not justifying Scarlett's bitchy, selfish and manipulative nature but there were many times when I wondered why Adamma was being so judgemental of Scarlett's behaviour when she wasn't so honest and forthcoming herself. Maybe she shouldn't throw her heart around so easily if she doesn't want to get hurt? Adamma let Scarlett treat her like crap so who was really at fault here?

 The book is deliberately confusing and makes you question all of the characters. Without revealing too many spoilers, there are a few incidents in the book that keep the reader guessing as to who was responsible for them. Who attacked the girls in Savernake forest (it's a real place in England), was it a random creep?! Or is it someone closer to home; or their school to be more precise?

I was definitely fooled about Adamma's boyfriend right until the very end and I won't say any more just in case you're planning to read it but it took me a while to figure it out even after I had finished the book.

The story covers a while host of topics from peer pressure and sexual harassment to Nigerian weddings. I particularly enjoyed learning more about Igbo people and their culture.

I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a mysterious read but given some of the issues discussed in the book I wouldn't quite classify it as Young Adult. I look forward to reading more of Tanya Byrne's work soon.

P.s. this book had some awesome quotes...

Zed (:

Favourite Quotes:

I turned to walk away, but he changed tack. 'OK. If the face isn't working,' he said suddenly in front of me, 'I'm a billionaire.'That didn't work, either. 'Your father's a billionaire,' I replied, looking back down at my map. 'The only thing you've earned is Air Miles.'

'You're so aloof, Adamma,' they say with a smile as though they're telling me something I'd want to know about myself. If not hugging girls I don't know outside of class and telling them that I love them makes me aloof then, yeah, I guess I am.

I'm seventeen. This isn't puppy love any more. The boys are nearly men, when they bite they leave scars.

I wanted to scream. Cry. Break something. In Nigeria, death isn't something we speak of in hushed voices. We don't cry behind closed doors. But in England, grief is wrapped up. Locked away.