Assembly of Shapes by Danielle Weiler

Title: Assembly of Shapes
Author: Danielle Weiler
Age Group: Young Adult
Release Date: 1st March 2014
Publishers: Ranga Books
Rating: 4 stars
Available from: Amazon
Source: Author

"I need a place, just for me, a place to escape, a place to just be. If I could create an assembly of shapes on endless pages…I do believe my life would be complete." 

Chas lives in a town where kids just want to get wasted, where one party melts into the next and they don't think about life beyond school. Unless you’re one of the lucky rich kids, of course. 

Chas’s I-don't-give-a-rats persona doesn’t match his secret: he loves drawing. He sketches the girls he sleeps with; all but Kira, though not from lack of trying. Worse, the guys abide by a code, and Chas wants to break the most important rule.

He’s desperate for a way out. A future that doesn't involve juvi or abusive stepfathers or friends who blame him. All he has to do is figure out how.

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Having read Danielle's two previous books, I jumped at the chance to read Assembly of Shapes. I loved the idea of reading a male protagonist, written by a female. It's always interesting to see how well the author can convey the character.  

Chas is a teenager who has no direction in life and feels like the world is against him. Without the encouragement of adults or any decent role models, you can't help but feel for Chas and his situation. He starts out as an angry young man and I loved seeing how his character evolved throughout the novel. Of course he makes mistakes and at one moment I'd want to curse him and the next cry for him. He doesn't have a great relationship with his mother and the only constant male role model is his uncle. He feels alone and isolated and as the story progresses you begin to realise how much Chas is willing to change. With the encouragement of his principal he finally begins to see that it can be different, but that you do have to work for it. Weiler does a spectacular job, immersing you in Chas's world and his mind.

Assembly of Shapes is a novel about a boy who is slowly becoming a man and that time in your life where you're no longer a child and not quite and adult. It's about understanding the consequences of your actions, and realising that some relationships will end but new ones will begin. Weiler has an innate ability to delve into the minds of teenagers to produce a gripping, emotional read, about life, love and growing up. 

Review: Reckless by Danielle Weiler

Title: Reckless
Author: Danielle Weiler
Age Group: New Adult
Release Date: 9th August 2013
Publishers: Ranga Books
Available from: Amazon
Source: Author
‘Are you going to ask me in?’ he replied, a cheeky smile forming on the edges of his lips. Then he leaned towards me conspiratorially. ‘We aren’t strangers, you know.’

Milly Benton wants it all to go away. Wants to flip the bird to the nightmares and her parent’s grief and the incessant questions about when she’s going to make something of herself.

But when her parents exile her to the country, Milly has to cope with her annoyingly helpful aunt and three cousins instead. Bitter at the hand she’s been dealt, Milly has stopped dreaming of a future. 

In steps Jerome with his tormented blue eyes. Familiar from her childhood and as broken as she. They need each other. But how can they forget?

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I have yet to fully jump on the NA band wagon, but the few NA books I have read are slowly converting me. Reckless by Danielle Weiler being one of them. Reckless is story about love and forgiveness. Milly's brother Christian has died and her family seems to be one big black hole of grief and bitterness. 

For me, I found Milly to be a very unlikable character. Even though she has lost her brother, I found I held no sympathy for her. She is rude, blunt, slightly wild and has no direction in life. Her constant bad choices will have you asking why and you may even feel like putting the book down, but don't. You will find small insights into her character that will have you realising she hides behind a wall of indifference. These small little moments give you hope for her.

Milly's story doesn't really begin until her parents send her away to live on her aunts farm. This is when you'll find yourself flipping though the pages to see how she's going. Her journey from being a bitter and broken young woman is not easy or pretty. Her overly helpful aunt and slightly annoying younger cousins all help to show her that life is worth so much more than she can see. I loved reading about Milly's metamorphosis. 

Jerome. A boy she used to know, who's just as damaged as her. Their romance is slow but real. At first they find friendship with each other, Christian being the glue that binds them. Jerome is one of those good guys; the kind, caring, and supportive type who stick by you no matter how ugly your life seems to be. The romance is sweet and you can't help but hope they find happiness together. There is a revelation though that could tear them apart and I think this is when Milly realises that even if life is hard it can also be beautiful. 

This is the second book I have read and reviewed for Danielle Weiler and I can't wait to see what she has coming up next. Danielle's books are a breathe of fresh air. I suggest you add her to your TBR.

4/5