Solo

Solo chronicles Daisy's last year of school. Feeling detached and empty after a sudden breakup, Daisy returns from summer break to face broken friendships, the pressure of upcoming tests, and disappointment from others seeing the results of her neglected music practice. Thanks to the new girl Flora, she isn't completely alone, but the time they spend together picks at Daisy's old wounds, forcing her to confront buried feelings toward herself and her family, and what all she unintentionally sacrificed for a boy who threw her away.

I wasn't sure what to expect from a verse novel, and I'm happy to report that the format works really well. This novel has little action and lots of introspection, and I think the styles of poems effectively convey the content without coming across as repetitive or melodramatic, and allows us to explore Daisy's headspace from many different angles. After a while, some of the poems do start to sound the same, but there's also several that stand out as powerful even when read outside the context of the story.

Despite the cheery cover, it's not a happy read. Daisy is spiralling after her breakup, the guy was and continues to be scummy, Flora is supportive but working through her own issues, and Daisy's family isn't equipped to give her all of the help she needs. By the end, things are better, but far from perfect, and that makes it feel very real.

One of the main mysteries is Flora's history - her family tension, how she feels about music - but the reveal, when it happens, doesn't seem worth the build up. While I wished the story gave a stronger sense of climax, I really enjoyed the portrayal of musicianship throughout. Daisy is recognized to have natural talent, but her skills suffer from neglect and disinterest. She can start to practice again, but more than the technique, she struggles to shake the disappointment in the skills she once had but lost.