by Susan Francis
Synopsis
Kai is an extravert. He likes making friends and hangs out with the close-knit group of teenagers who live in Aintree Court, West London, most of whom have grown up together and attend Aintree High School. At the end of the school term Kai's summer was all planned out: party, date the hottest girl around, play football, play basketball and pursue his hobby, taking pictures with his camera. He lands a job working for a professional photographer, and gets to spend the last weekend of summer at the Reading Music Festival.
Life is good. That is, until a new arrival to Aintree moves into the house across from his....
If Tasha could pick a superpower, she wouldn't have to think about it. It would be invisibility. Tasha is not a people person. At the end of term she leaves her old school, her mother and her friends behind and moves to Aintree to live with her estranged father, his second wife and their son, Marc. Tasha’s summer was all planned out too: settle in her new home, bond with her father’s family and (hopefully) keep a low profile. She soon discovers that not everyone in Aintree is thrilled to have her around.
Homesick and unable to fit in, life is not exactly great. That is, until she receives an unexpected, genuine offer of friendship… or is it?
My Review
There were many things about 'Butterfly Porcupine' that captured my interest right away. First off, the characters are well defined and not perfect, which makes them relateable. Tasha, the female protaginist, comes off slightly agressive at times, but other times soft and empathetic. Because the book is written from both perspectives (the other part of the book I LOVED!), you really get a sense that you understand 'why' the characters are acting the way they are. For example, we feel the struggles with Tasha trying to adapt to being relocated to London, and accepting her Dad's new wife, whom she feels rejected by. In addition she is very private and hates the attention she is getting from being 'the new girl in town'. Especially in a community like Ainslee where everyone knows everyone else's business! Kai, the stories male protaginist, in contrast, has lived in Ainslee for years. The popular guy, who's friends with everybody. He has his own issues to deal with though we soon learn. Including being a good brother after his mother left the family to move to Australia. As she explores this we begin to see another side of him, separate from the 'cool kid'. You feel for him. This story is so much more than a mediocre coming of age story, and is anything but 'typical'! It has depth, emotion, a great story line and a well written dialogue. A quick read and highly recommended. I look forward to Susan's next installment!
Find Susan on Goodreads Here
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