#ebundergound

Radio Silence

by Alice Oseman

THIS BOOK SNEAKED UP BEHIND ME AND BOWLED ME OVER WITH IT'S AMAZINGNESS. Seriously, everyone has been telling me I'd absolutely adore it, and I started it and doubted that it would be amazing as everyone said, but then I looked up and it was almost midnight and my eyes were burning and I absolutely adored it.

The book is about Frances, an artist, and a fanartist for her favorite podcast: Universe City. From what it's been described as in the book, it seems kind of like a Welcome to Nightvale type of podcast, or maybe something more along the lines of, say, The Bright Sessions, or The Message in terms of storytelling. Then there's Aled, the brother of Frances's best friend who vanished a few years ago. And it turns out Aled is the creator of Universe City. 

What I Liked:

-Aled and Frances are AMAZING. Frances is this study-aholic who has done EVERYTHING she possibly can to get into Cambridge, her dream school. She has friends, but at the same time she's extremely lonely because her school friends know straight-A's-and-studying Frances, but not who she really is - an artist, a fangirl, and a massive nerd.

Aled is awkward and anxious and a total sweetheart and kind of a dork. And Frances befriends him and they start creating Universe City stuff together and the levels of DORKINESS and NERDINESS in this book is AMAZING. 

-Also??? The relationship between Frances and Aled in this book is TOTALLY PLATONIC. Frances is bisexual and kind of had a crush on Aled's sister and Aled is demisexual, homoromantic and has his own secret crush going on. THEY'RE JUST REALLY GREAT FRIENDS.

-It totally captured the anxiety and unsureness of being about to start what a lot of people tell you is the beginning of the rest of your life. College is stressful. And no matter what you do you're going to have doubts about it, because there will always seem like there's something that's more practical or maybe this will get you a better job possibly or going to this college will give you possibly a better education but this college is cheaper and you won't need to get as many loans. And it captured all of that PERFECTLY. 

-ACTUAL SUPPORTIVE PARENT ALERT. Frances and her mom get along really well and she helps out Frances when Frances needs help and wasn't just there to ground Frances and/or feed her like so many other YA parents.

-And this book's writing style was fantastic. It took me a chapter to get into it, but once I did it grabbed me by my heartstrings and didn't let go, not once. I came up gasping for air and totally, utterly, completely in love with this book.

-THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING SO READ IT.

-Also Alice Oseman needs to write something else immediately. Like, right now. Pretty please?

5/5 stars