Wednesday, September 26, 2012

ARC Review: What Happens Next by Colleen Clayton


Title: What Happens Next 

Author: Colleen Clayton 

Rating: 3.75 Stars (Nearly 4 Stars!) 

Release Date: October 9th, 2012 

What Happens Next is one of those novels that, quite honestly, you feel guilty for saying anything bad about. It’s powerful, it’s moving, it’s thought-provoking…but it also has its flaws. While this wasn’t my favorite novel that tackled on the tough topic of rape – that honor is reserved for Kirsty Eagar’s Raw Blue, - it was a story which surprised me by its unique expression of this scarring event. If anything, I am left in gaping awe of Colleen Clayton’s talent for capturing the human soul with its wrought emotions, trauma, and vulnerability so perfectly in a novel that is only her debut. I’ll be the first to admit it: What Happens Next isn’t perfect. It has its moments of weakness, its cluttered scenes, and plot threads that could have been cut out to make this novel much stronger overall, but that doesn’t detract from the provocative – and truly life-changing – story underneath.

Can one harmless school skiing trip snatch everything you loved away from you? Cassidy “Sid” Murphy didn’t think so, but when she meets the handsome Dax Windsor at a ski resort and wakes up the next morning in a strange bed, she realizes that it can. Sid has no memory of the previous night except to know that she had snuck out to meet Dax, an enigmatic guy who lavished attention upon Sid when no other guy ever would. Thus, with yawning holes in her memory and denial over what really happened to her, Sid slowly begins to spiral away from those who love – and could possibly help – her. But, as Sid will soon learn, your problems won’t go away by running away from them; you have to face them head-on.

“…the awful truth about that night, about the horrible thing that happened to me last winter, about the rape I can’t remember, and at the same time, can’t forget.”  ~ What Happens Next ARC (Page 298)

What Happens Next is one of those books which start out with a bang, the writing sucking you in from page one. Clayton takes you on the same journey Sid has been on, letting you experience her insecurities, her happiness at being noticed by a handsome guy, and eventually the horror of what really happened to her. Thus, even from the start, it is obvious that What Happens Next is both an emotional and extremely dark read. Sid, as our protagonist, is someone who is startlingly easy to understand and the drastic changes that occur with her psychological mindset after her rape are jarring. You see, Sid has a voluptuous figure that she’s always been self-conscious about, but after her rape, she begins to fear the manner in which men view her. Now, this is where the plot of this story begins to become more…complicated. Clayton introduces a variety of multiple plot threads, from Sid’s new obsession with running to her on-again-off-again eating disorder and to her conflicts at school with her best friends. While I was initially confused – and rather disappointed – by these multiple plot threads which seemed to be irrelevant, they all do come together by the end of the novel to form a bigger picture of Sid’s grief and trauma.

Nevertheless, that being said, I do believe this novel may have been stronger without, for instance, Sid’s eating disorder. It never felt fully fleshed-out to me and detracted from some of the overall message this novel gave out, but ultimately, I was glad to see some different side-effects of rape. Each rape and each victim is different and so is each rape novel and for Sid, I think this managed to work itself out. Yet, what really makes What Happens Next shine and stand out as such a compelling debut is our inside look into Sid herself. In everything she does, Sid continually sees Dax and what he took away from her. Not only did he forcefully strip her of her innocence, peace of mind, or virginity, he cut off a lock of her hair and she can’t help but constantly think of him even when she doesn’t want to. To me, this type of reaction felt so real and like a kick in the gut. We, as the reader, keep hoping Sid can be happy and find a way to move on in life despite her tragedy, but there are always small, insignificant things that make Sid go back to that terrible night. It is in these moments that we are able to experience some of the horror of this event for ourselves and Clayton’s talent as a writer shines in these areas.

“’Were you safe? Did you use protection?’ he asks, looking at me dead-on this time.                                                                                           No. I was not safe. No. I was not protected.                                    But that’s not what I say. What I say is the lie.”                                     ~ What Happens Next ARC (Page 254)

In addition to Sid, I was pleasantly surprised and moved by the rest of the cast of What Happens Next. Sid’s single-mother and her half-brother are an important part of her life and it was nice to see the lack of Missing Parent Syndrome in this story. Furthermore, Sid’s best friends were like her pillars of reason, of logic, and of love. I admired the easy manner in which Clayton managed to make them such an integral aspect of Sid’s life as well and their friendship was one that was extremely beneficial to Sid. Corey, however, was hands-down my favorite character of all. Not only was their love story slow and extremely unique, it was absolutely adorable. I loved the way in which Corey and Sid brought out the best in each other and Clayton managed to portray an extremely normal high school relationship. Contrary to what the synopsis of this book may detail, Corey wasn’t the only factor in allowing Sid to move on – so much of that came from herself which I just loved. Strong protagonists are ones I absolutely adore and Sid’s strength and independence, despite her healthy relationship with Corey, was one I truly appreciated.

In conclusion, What Happens Next is another phenomenal debut of 2012. While the ending of this book tied together everything quite nicely, I would have still liked to see more of Sid’s healing process opposed to a novel based solely on her reaction to her rape. Still, it goes without saying that What Happens Next is a novel that will make you shake with horror, laugh with joy, and sob with grief. It is beautifully written, startlingly moving, and has only made me want to further explore the effects of rape and in particular, date rape drugs. If you’re looking for a strong contemporary read that is provocative and slowly romantic, look no farther: What Happens Next is the book for you. 

*All quotes were taken from an uncorrected ARC of this novel and are subject to change in the final draft. 

I was given a copy of this book from the author, Colleen Clayton, on behalf of the DAC ARC Tours in exchange for an honest review. Thank You! 

34 comments:

  1. I think I'm a bit slow for not understanding the lock of hair at first, but now, oh lords, that is just disgustingly horrible! I'm not fond of stories about rape because I always feel sad for the character. Thanks for the review though, Keertana!

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    1. Chel, I totally understand why you'd be wary of this book and I was too. I'm not one for gritty contemporaries usually, but I'm finding that I crave the depth these books provide, so I hope you do decide to give it a try someday! :)

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  2. He cut off a lock of her hair? *shudders* That's disturbing on a variety of levels. I'm excited for this book now - I think initially the multiple plot threads would be problematic for me as well, but now that I know they do all come together by the end I would be able to deal with them better. Sid sounds like an amazing character - that first quote gave me chills. I just want to hug her:) Gorgeous review Keertana!

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    1. Thanks Jenny! Yes, it really is a disturbing book in terms of subject matter, but still one I was very impressed with and truly enjoyed. I think you'll really like this one, Jenny, so I hope you snag a copy when it releases! :D

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  3. There was a book I read a while ago (can't remember what it was titled) that included the main character having an eating disorder. Only, it was never really given the attention it needed or handled well enough to convey any messages - which sounds a little like Sid's situation to me. I have to admit, I have very little interest in reading this book (I'm almost certain it isn't for me) but I love reading your thoughts! Brilliant review as always, my dear. :)

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    1. Thanks Sam! I perfectly understand that this might not be for you and I get that vibe with so many books too, but I knew I couldn't pass up on this one. Thankfully, it does tackle the issues it takes on very well, so maybe you'll be compelled to change your mind. Still, thanks for stopping dear! :)

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  4. Ack! I totally know what you mean about books that you feel bad saying anything bad about--even when they're not perfect. I often have a pretty hard time with 'issue' books, though some of them are the most memorable and powerful books I've read. I can see how taking on multiple issues (rape and eating disorders) could make this book seem cluttered, but I also agree that it's an honest reflection of coping mechanisms and how people sometimes create more problems instead of solving them.

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    1. I was never into "issue" books before, Heidi, and while I'm not exactly "into" them now, I do like them when they are well-done and this one was still a quick read which was nice. I do think it was so honest though, which I always appreciate. Sometimes, it's the truth that's hardest to stomach or understand.

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  5. I'm dying to read this book and your review was the first I read on this book .. I will try to lower my expectations in order not to end up disappointed but it still sounds AWESOME!

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    1. It really is, Elodie! I hope you enjoy it when you read it and I can't wait to see your thoughts on it soon! :D

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  6. Wow this book deals with so many hard hitting issues! I would never have known that just by looking at the cover, sorry that some parts didn't work out for you Keertana, but from your review I can see that Clayton is one heck of a talented author! Lovely review hun! :)

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    1. Thanks Jasprit! Yes, Clayton really is such a wonderful author and I can't wait to see what she writes in the future. I enjoyed this one a lot, so I hope you decide to pick it up too, dear! :)

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  7. It's hard when a book tackles such serious topics, but you can't deny flaws so I'm glad you mentioned them here, it does sound like perhaps this books takes on too many issues but of course I still want to read this!

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    1. Yayy! I'm so glad you still want to read this one, Mandee! I think it's one you'd love, especially as contemporary is your favorite genre, so I hope you enjoy it when you pick it up! :)

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  8. I tend to get impatient with a lot of seemingly unconnected plot threads, but I do appreciate that they come together neatly in the end. You know how I tend to stay away from issue books, including Split, because I'm a big coward? I think this might be one of those. Unless, of course, you kick me in the butt and make me read it. :)
    Wonderful review, KEertana! Amazing, really.

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    1. Thank you, Maja! :D I think if I had to kick you to read an issue book, it would definitely be Split, but this one is marvelous too. I loved how realistic it was and the overall message of this one was so powerful, so I can't recommend it enough...if you were into issue contemporaries, of course! ;)

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  9. I haven't heard much about this one so it's nice to read your review for it. Although it seems like What Happens Next deals with quite a few issues - I prefer my contemp novels dealing with issues to focus on just one rather than multiple problems - I think it still sounds like something I should check out. Thanks for the recommendation, Keertana!

    P.S. I loved Raw Blue too :)

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    1. Yay! I think you'll enjoy this one, especially since you loved Raw Blue, so since this is along the same lines, I'd love to see what you think of it. I prefer my novels to deal with one issue opposed to multiple ones too, but this was still very well done I have to admit, so I can't wait to see what you think of it! :D

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  10. Wow, I've never read a book that deals with rape. While I like books with serious issues, I tend to shy away from such heavy topics. I'm intrigued to see how the author has expressed it uniquely. What the hell? He cut a lock of her hair? That's... creepy... *shudders*

    Shame Sid's eating disorder detracted from the overall book. I guess it must have been a little overwhelming with so many issues crammed into the pages.

    Glad you enjoyed this, Keertana! And I just realised, i'm not following you? Well, I am now!

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    1. Yay! Thanks Beverley!(: I loved this one and I think you'll really enjoy it too, although it deals with such heavy topics. Still, the author has dealt with this topic perfectly, so I can't recommend it enough if you want a novel dealing with rape.

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  11. Keertana, I totally get what you mean when you feel bad about pointing out the negatives of books like this. Book like this one have such a powerful and important message, and are really beautiful, yet there are actually problems that you have to address. I've definitely had this feeling so many times when writing a review (I actually just finished writing a review that I had this exact problem with, I felt so bad about critiquing a book with such a fabulous message!). But I love your honesty about admitting that there are indeed some faults in this book.

    I've never read anything as deep as this book it seems. The subject seems a bit on the mature side, so while I think I'll definitely get this book, I'll have to wait a little bit before I pick it up. But at the same time, things like this are going on in society, especially in teen society today. So I think it's great that an author wrote a book about such an underrated topic in YA.

    The faults in this book are definitely understandable. It seems like the author tried to pile on a little too much in the book, so somethings weren't really fleshed out. I don't think this would be a huge problem for me, but I can tell how this was a little problem for you.

    Fabulous review as always Keertana! I've always loved reading your reviews, since I first stumbled onto your blog, as your so thorough, and I'm always aspiring to become as good of a review writer like you! <3

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    1. Aww, thank you, Aneeqah!(: I love issue contemporaries, simply because I feel as if I learn so much from them, but they are a struggle to read sometimes. So much depends on the reader for enjoyment more than the book itself, so I'd love to see what you think of this one. I still enjoyed it a lot and it's one I'd recommend for sure - it's just SO powerful.

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  12. Lovely review Keetana. This is definitely a deep meaningful read that I feel would leave a lasting impression. It sounds like the author is really talented and managed to get the message across really well, despite the couple of small issues you had with this. One to pick up, I think.

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    1. Yes, definitely one to pick up, Suzanne! I hope you get around to reading this one and that you enjoy it! :D

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  13. Amazing review, Keertana!

    I don't think I've ever really read a novel that deal with rape. I think the closest I've come is Thirteen Reasons Why and that wasn't particularly rape. Although it makes for an interesting read.

    I'm not actually sure if I'll read it or not, but it's definitely one I'll keep an eye on. I like the concept, but maybe the lack of polish turns me away especially with a rape novel. I'm not sure if it my type of book.

    Lovely review, dear!

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    1. Thanks Olivia! I hope you enjoy this one if you pick it up and if you're looking for a rape book, I'd definitely recommend Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar. It's phenomenal, but I enjoyed this one a lot too, dear!(:

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  14. I had the opportunity to read this one recently too (through DAC ARC Tours as well!) and I really, really enjoyed it. It is a very dark book in many ways, but hopeful in others. I kind of liked how, like Raw Blue, the author went to great lengths to show just how deeply the rape affected Sid's life. I might never have connected an eating disorder and body image issues as a by-product of sexual assault but after reading this book I can totally understand how it could happen now.

    All in all I was impressed and think it's a pretty powerful book. And like you I'm astonished that it is this author's debut.

    I have enjoyed your honest interpretation, Keertana:)

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    1. Thanks Heather! I'm amazed that this is a debut novel as well and I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. It was definitely a very thought-provoking story and the amount of research the author put into delving into the mindset of a rape victim was phenomenal. I really have to applaud her for that, no doubt about it.

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  15. I think you did well in explaining that you feel bad pointing out the negatives. I TOTALLY get that. I recently read a book that hit me SO hard on such a strong emotional level, that I just felt wrong pointing out anything bad because it really was SO good. But its important to let people know them so they don't feel misled.
    This sounds very powerful and like an amazing book. I really REALLY loved Raw Blue and that book just being mentioned here got my attention even more. I will definitely watch for this one!

    Thanks so much for all your lovely comments tonight! I saw them and it made my night! I will be back to read more of your reviews as I have been meaning to comment on some others.

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    1. Thanks Candace! I think it's important to point out negatives too, even though my emotional attachment to this one is quite high. I loved Raw Blue too, so I hope you enjoy this one when you read it, dear! :)

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  16. This is such a beautiful review Keertana, and I completely understand your reservations about speaking negatively about a book that is so powerful and emotional. This one sounds precious, but I'm planning to proceed with it in caution and with your review in mind. Thank you for the wonderful, very eloquent review, love!

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    1. Thanks Leanne! I really hope you enjoy this one when you pick it up! I loved it and the emotional punch it delivered was fantastic, so I think you'll wind up really liking it despite its flaws!(:

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  17. Awesome review Keertana. I loved this one! I liked how the author made Corey and Sid's relationship a "normal" one as well. And no absentee parent either. I thought this was a wonderful debut. :)

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