Sync

New
91mlA5AeggL
Author(s)
Age Range
14+
Release Date
August 27, 2024
ISBN
0593463242
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From #1 NYTbestselling author Ellen Hopkins comes a new heartbreaking young adult novel in verse about twins separated in the foster care system and the different paths their lives take.

Seventeen-year-old twins Storm and Lake have always been in perfect sync. They faced the worst a parent could do and survived it together. In the wake of their mother’s rejection, they’ve spent the last five years moving from foster home to foster home—sometimes placed together, sometimes apart.

After being separated from his sister once again, Storm is devastated. He’s the older brother and promised to always take care of Lake. But after a stint in juvie, his newest placement has him feeling almost hopeful. His foster dad is kind, and his girlfriend, Jaidyn, is the first person other than Lake he feels he can trust. But when Jaidyn is sexually assaulted by a violent ex, it pushes Storm over the edge. He retaliates and lands back in lockup—and he fears this time it will be for good. He wishes he could talk to Lake, but he doesn’t know where she is, and he' s now feeling more alone and out of sync than ever before.

Lake, like Storm, has found her own happiness in a relationship with someone new—her fellow foster, Parker. Life with Parker is never boring, but Parker has her own scars. She can be withdrawn and unpredictable, and that can be dangerous, especially after Parker convinces Lake to run away from their Bible-thumping fosters after they are caught in a compromising position. With no money, shelter, or ID, they’re living on the streets. Lake thinks of Storm and his promise to take care of her, and wonders where he could be now.

Told in dual perspectives through unsent letters, at turns heartbreaking and always honest, this latest novel in verse from #1 New York Times bestselling author Ellen Hopkins is a searing and unforgettable account of two teens caught in the teeth of the foster care system, fighting their way out and back to each other.

Editor review

1 review
Dual Narratives of Resilience and Hardship in Foster Care
Overall rating
 
3.7
Plot
 
3.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Sync is a book that is told in dual perspectives from Lake and her brother, storm. This book takes you through Lake’s journey in a religious foster home and then as she is kicked out when her foster parent finds her in a compromising position with her girlfriend Parker. It also follows Storm as he is with a foster family who supports and loves him but due to an altercation as he protects his girlfriend, Storm ends up in juvenile detention and we watch his journey through there.

What I liked: I appreciate the writing style of this book and found that it made for a great audiobook. I really liked that the book goes back and forth between Lake and Storm, and we get to see what is happening in both of their lives. I also appreciated the way the author tackled some of the harder topics in this book and how certain things affect those around the person. This book covers sexual assault, suicide, addiction, family, loss, grief, homophobia, and more.

I also liked reading as Lake and Parker’s relationship develops through the book and we get to see the challenges that they face because of their queerness. I also really enjoyed seeing Storm develop his relationship with his foster parents and how supportive they are of him. Through both Lake and Storm you see how their past impacts their relationships with others and how difficult it can be to trust others in their lives.

What left me wanting more: While I enjoyed the writing style of this book and liked having it go back and forth between the two perspectives, there was some things that I wasn’t a fan of. The biggest thing about this book was the fact that anything that could go wrong did for both of our main characters. It seems that they had everything that happens to foster children happen to them and like they were just statistics. Now this book doesn’t have to be happy and upbeat the whole time, but it would’ve been nice to feel that there was some hope for our main characters. While the depictions may be reality for foster children this book felt more like a display of a google search about negative stuff foster children face.

Final Verdict: Sync is a book that young adults will enjoy reading but may have to put down because of the heavy topics that are addressed throughout the book. Individuals who have enjoyed Ellen Hopkins other books will also enjoy reading this one as the writing style is similar. This book will speak to audiences ages 13+ as there are moments that many people can relate to and there are also moments in which you can’t help but root for our characters.
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