Book Review: Runaways

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Etta Grace has crafted a story that not only brought me to my mind’s attic and took me on a trip down memory lane, but a novel that is heartwarming, refreshing, and gripping.

I won’t bore you with my own reminiscing that Runaways inspired, though I will say that it is the perfect homage to the imaginative games we’ve all played as kids. Seeing how Etta Grace has woven those elements of childhood whimsy with her world building was a lot of fun as a reader because it blended this nostalgia with a reality that would become her characters’ world. The ever practical and scientifically-inclined Hannah was like a love letter to older siblings, especially older sisters, everywhere. She’s the type of older sibling we dream of but low-key don’t deserve because let’s face it: us younger siblings are schemers and can make quite a lot of trouble for our older siblings.

Speaking of younger siblings, Cecelia was one of my favorite characters in the novel. Though the award is split between Marco and Matteo, Cecelia’s journey of self-acceptance and coming into her name was super relatable, especially at that age. Her struggle to come to terms with how her world has changed and figuring out who she is and what her relationship with Hannah could be going forward was heartwarming, especially as we get to see Hannah’s perspective too in trying to accept how Cecelia has changed.

If you love fairy lore and retellings, Etta Grace’s take on the Pied Piper is both haunting and endearing. Haunting because WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT?! (There’s a scene in the Unseelie Court that is definitely the stuff of nightmares but oooooooh it was so good)! Endearing because the sisterly bond between our protagonists was enviable. The way Etta Grace wove lore into her retelling and story of treasured sibling bonds was amazing. How Etta Grace wrote magic and fighting scenes was mesmerizing, and easy to follow, a feat that is difficult to do in writing!

While Runaways was the perfect way to start or end my day, I did sometimes struggle with dialogue/stylistic choices but reminded myself that I was pretty cheesy too at eleven/twelve. Though my twenty-something year old self may not have appreciated these expressions as a reader, they were 1,000-percent in-character for our young protagonists.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed Runaways and am likely to pester my childhood friends with it until they also read it, because the memories it brought to mind are something I will treasure forever, and I am forever grateful to Etta Grace for bringing them to the forefront with Runaways.

Find your copy of Runaways at https://books2read.com/u/mvwAJe!