REVIEW - Going Under by S. Walden

Take the Plunge!

Going Under was so much more than I expected.  At the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I’d like it.  I need to like my main character, my hero/heroine, most of the time to really enjoy a book.  I’m just goofy that way.  The back story comes pretty quickly in this book, and when I found out what our heroine, Brooke, had done in reference to her best friend, I thought, “Uh oh.  Here it goes.”  I wasn’t sure I could get past it, but I did.

I got past it because Brooke is not just an interesting, funny, smart and incredibly caring character, but she’s fully realized.  The author, S. Walden, does a great job of fleshing her out, of making her real; and by real, I mean completely human—young, selfish, stupid, caring, compassionate, determined, loving, loyal and capable of learning from her mistakes, both big and small.  Who among us wasn’t a stupid teenager?  Unfortunately, some people grow up to become equally stupid and heartless adults, but not Brooke; and that’s why I came to just love this girl.  (I love our hero, Ryan, as well.  Sweet, funny, sincere—he just made me happy every time he walked onto the page; but I think this story is really about Brooke and her growth.  Ryan definitely has a part in that, but unlike a lot of other NA stories, he is not the biggest part.)

But here’s what I loved most:  This author went out on a limb—and it easily could’ve broken under the weight of this story.  She took things to a level I never thought she’d go to and when I finished the book, I was proud of her!  I don’t know Ms. Walden, but I was damn proud of her!  It would have been so much easier not to step over that ledge, but she did it and that’s what made the book.  Ever read The Lovely Bones?  There’s a point in that book when Alice Sebold opens a door for the reader, and when you go through it, the book will either be completely made for you or ruined.  I went with the curve ball and embraced it.  I applauded like a maniac, but I remember thinking at the time, ‘Danger, Will Rogers!! Abort! Abort!”  I was scared, not for the character, but for the author.  I was scared that she might throw an amazing book out the window—but I think she made the book fly.  At the same, I know people who said that this same part ruined the entire book for them and they hated it.  That’s the risk an author runs when they leap into the dark (esp. a place that is as emotionally dark as S. Walden takes us); kudos to S. Walden for risking it all.

Now, was I upset when all this happened?  Hell yes!  I was yelling, “No!!” and “Don’t do it, S. Walden!!” but I am so glad she did.  It was painful and scary and uncomfortable but it was true.  I’m a big reader, and I can’t tell you how often I can see an ending coming by the end of chapter 1.  Not Going Under.  I never thought it would actually go as far as it did.  This was “full circle” at its greatest.

This book runs the emotional gamut, and it does it beautifully.  I loved Brooke, I loved Ryan, and I LOVED all of the supporting characters, as well.  The story kept me turning pages and running back to read when I had to break for life, like feeding my children and bathing.  Be warned:  I would caution that there are scenes that are very disturbing and if there’s a history of sexual assault or abuse in your life, approach with caution.  There are definite triggers here.

P.S.  If you’re a fan of the epilogue, this book has a GREAT one!

S. Walden used to teach English before making the best decision of her life by becoming a full-time writer. She lives in Georgia with her very supportive husband who prefers physics textbooks over fiction and has a difficult time understanding why her characters must have personality flaws. She is wary of small children, so she has a Westie instead. Her dreams include raising chickens and owning and operating a beachside inn on the Gulf Coast (chickens included). When she's not writing, she's thinking about it.

She loves her fans and loves to hear from them. Email her at swaldenauthor@hotmail.com and follow her blog at http://swaldenauthor.blogspot.com where you can get up-to-date information on her current projects.

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