Review: You Against Me

Title: You against Me

Author: Jenny Downham

Series: None

Release Date: Decembre 10^th, 2010 (September 13^th, 2011 US)

Number of Pages: 413

Publisher: David Fickling Books

Source: Bought (Australian Copy)

If someone hurts your sister and you’re any kind of man, you seek revenge, right? If your brother’s accused of a terrible crime but says he didn’t do it, you defend him, don’t you?

When Mikey’s sister claims a boy assaulted her, his world begins to fall apart. When Ellie’s brother is charged with the offence, her world begins to unravel. When Mikey and Ellie meet, two worlds collide.This is a brave and unflinching novel from the bestselling author of Before I Die. It’s a book about loyalty and the choices that come with it. But above all it’s a book about love.

Wow. I absolutely fell in love with this book from the first pages. It was beautiful, breathtaking and captivating to me.

We’re so used to read the story from the victim’s point of view. Or even from the person accused of the crime. Rarely do we learn what goes on for those around them. Here, Downham shows us that an act like that doesn’t only affect the victims, but those around them too.

The story got me enthralled. I couldn’t put it down, because I didn’t know for sure who was telling the truth. Why, because we hear the point of view of two persons who wants nothing more than to believe their sibling. In their place, what would you do? We see their struggle as they are caught in the middle of something that is not theirs.

Ellie was so strong to me, even if she sometime seemed lost. She wants nothing more than to believe her brother is innocent, even if it means lying for him. She wants to do what she think is right, but she is loyal to her family first, so she struggle with making the right choice. I understood so easily her struggle, because if I had a brother (or even if we talk about my father) Of course I wouldn’t want to believe he would be capable of doing something like that. If someone had been there all my life, someone I love, I would trust him or her first. I would want to protect them.

Mikey is on the other side, trying to keep his family together. He tries to seek revenge, only to fall for the enemy. I didn’t connect as much with him, maybe because I’m not a big brother. I’ve always been a little sister. I was waiting for him to act with his sister instead of trying to seek justice for himself. Even thought it did bring something positive to him. I liked him, but I did not love him.

The writing was spectacular for me. Not because it is beautiful, but because of easy it is to connect with everything that is going on. I loved it, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good book. Of course, it isn’t recommended to the younger readers, as it is a book that includes a rape accusation.

Seriously, You should get it as soon as it comes out. It is worth it.