I feel like there are still questions to be answered so would love to see a sequel but I also appreciate and respect the idea that not every story has a happy ending and sometimes we are left without annswers. I would love to see a HEA though 🌚

Cuts Both Ways by Candice Brathwaite - LoveReading4Kids

I loved both characters I just wish there was more of a plot, as this book heavily just felt like a short period of Cynthia's life in which she was trying to come to terms with her brothers death, and if anything the book actually left more questions than answers, so the ending really did bother me. Cuts Both Ways was a really powerful read and its ending – whilst not ambiguous – certainly allows for more of the story to be told and I really home that Candice Braithwaite turns it into a series.

There were some parts of the book that really made me cringe although this was a good thing as that is exactly what the author was going for in my opinion. The first was when Cyn is at a party hosted by the Goddards and another guest is rude to her for being on her mobile phone because she automatically assumes that she is there to work and so goes to call out "the help". I thought this book had the potential to be a good book, but instead, it was underwhelming and poorly written. I am no stranger to Candice Brathwaite’s writing; I'm certainly not a fan, but I do believe she has produced much better work than this without sounding too rude. I do not think fictional writing is for everyone. The thing that causes a lot of Young Adult books to be unsuccessful is that people write for an audience that they don’t already have. Unless you're well-established like John Green, you have to develop your style of writing before trying to put yourself in a box for a specific genre. Cuts Both Ways did a poor job of targeting a particular audience.

Candice Brathwaite | The Guardian Candice Brathwaite | The Guardian

Candice captured the story of Cyn’s mum and dad beautifully - at times I was infuriated by Cyn’s dad but he was also grieving. I loved the grace Candice gave both parents and how she handled the cultural differences that have a funny way of playing out when a family is dealing with stronger forces than they are used to. Armistice Day: A Collection of Remembrance - Spark Interest and Educate Children about Historical Moments The plot wasn't believable and felt rushed. A pondering question I have upon finishing this novel... What was the message? What can people gain from reading this?

It is the story about Cynthia. She is starting a new school and leaving her old life in London behind. The murder of her older brother has had her family moving away from the living memory of the crime but Cynthia struggles when it comes to her new way of life. Another moment that made me cringe is when Thomas the white upper class foster brother of Isacc is interested in a date with Cyn and so asks her dad if he can take her out on a date - WHILST SHE IS STOOD RIGHT THERE - boy bye this is not the 1850s.