Drop by Katie Everson

Drop by Katie Everson

Release Date: August 6, 2015
Publisher: Walker Books
Rated: YA 14+
Format: ARC
Source: Pansing
Buy: Available at all good bookstores!
Goodreads ● Website

I wasn’t always like this. I know what you’re thinking: druggie, junkie, wreckhead, trashbag. But I’m not sticking needles in my arm or sleeping on the streets, or stealing to feed the habit. I’m not one of those.

Carla has just moved to London and starts at yet another new school; she is desperate to fit in. Though she makes a couple of friends, she soon meets the charismatic, good-looking Finn and their whirlwind romance begins. Carla, an A student and gifted artist, lets her schoolwork slip as she enters Finn's world – a world of partying and drugs. Friends tells her that Finn is no good – even his brother, Isaac. But Isaac has an ulterior motive, doesn't he? Is either brother right for Carla?

I didn’t really know what I was about to read when I started Drop. I think only recently the second part of the synopsis was added, but all I had to go on was a vague paragraph that talked about drug usage. So yeah, that’s pretty much all I knew: that this was a book about drugs. I could obviously infer that the main character had made some bad decisions but was somewhat in denial. And that is literally IT. I went into this one pretty blind.

And I came out loving it.

Drop is one of those books that completely took me by surprise. I found myself not wanting to put this one down, and immediately picking it back up again, despite the recent decline in the amount of books I’ve been reading.

This is probably one of the only books I’ve read where I hated the main character and I was completely fine with it. Okay, “hate” is a strong word, but I definitely didn’t like Carla’s character very much. But that’s what made her story so much more powerful. I found myself rolling my eyes at the labels she gives herself and others. I’ve moved schools just as many times as she has–which is around 8 or 9 times–but I don’t feel the same way as she does. I do understand though the desire to change who you are with every move. But of course, you always tend to land up as you’ve always been with the same kind of people. Despite how much I disliked her attitude in the beginning and middle of the story, what I thought totally redeemed this was her growth. Her flaws were completely realistic, and I thought the author is a fabulous job with portraying them. She actually learns from her mistakes and moves on.

I haven’t read too many books on drug use, but this book was very scary. Honestly, I would have backed the eff away from the situation. Of course, though, it’s a very realistic possibility. I thought Everson’s take on it was very well done, and conveyed the consequences of using such substances, as well as the problems that can arise after taking these drugs, powerfully.

I absolutely MUST praise Katie Everson on her writing. It was probably the best thing about this book, on top of all the other amazing parts of this novel–the beautiful imagery (especially concerning butterflies) and the unique writing style really made reading this book a more profound and enthralling experience. Drop was raw, compelling, and sharp. Katie Everson’s debut is beyond impressive, and there’s no doubt that I’m eagerly waiting for her next book.

▪ ▪ ▪ Thank you so much to Sasha at Pansing for sending me a copy for review! ▪ ▪ ▪

If you like this, try...

• Impulse by Ellen Hopkins ● Goodreads
• Dreamland by Sarah Dessen ● Goodreads

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