A review by grettypop
Penpal by Dathan Auerbach

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I have a hard time rating this book. This is a collection of short stories that was put together to make this novel, and knowing that kind of allows me to forgive just how clunky and undeveloped the writing was.... Kind of. The story didn't read like a whole novel. It was very choppy, we kept jumping back and forth in time (which is fine) but so much was left unanswered, not addressed. It didn't feel like a complete novel.

What was the MC's name? Where was his dad? What'd his mom do? How old is he now that he's looking back? etc etc etc.