This was quite a nice coming of age story, but nothing startling. It focuses on what happens when assumptions are made about people and situations, and deals with the death of a family member and survivor guilt. Harry, the young teenage protagonist, is a gentle character who loves his family, has a natural curiosity, asks questions, reads book, and is struggling with the death of his younger brother. It is only after visiting his great Uncle Frank, a Vietnam veteran and groom-to-be for the fourth time, that Harry learns what is truth and gains the ability to move on with his life. ( )

Harry's younger brother died a year ago from Cystic Fibrosis and secretly Harry blames himself because of an incident on holiday when he failed to give his brother medication. His father tries to crack jokes and hold it all together, and his mother is always working at her home business and keeps his brother's room as a shrine despite the gentle proddings from both Harry and his Dad. One weekend the 3 are invited to his great uncle's Frank's 4th wedding in a remote country town. Harry doesn't want to go but is intrigued by Frank's status as a war hero from Vietnam. Once settled at the farm house, Harry must confront a strange teenager called Trent who loves guns and also the mystery of a caravan attached to the house that no-one is allowed to go into. Then, on the day of the wedding, there is a huge downpour, a flash flood and Harry must confront a past experience to rescue someone else's son. Very well-written, intriguing book that had me entralled until the end. I love teenage books that aren't predictable but still leave you with a "happy ending" or resolution of sorts. Highly recommended.
p.124 - 129. Harry goes onto a hill to check his phone signal and then stalks a rabbit, only to have Trent shoot it inches from his face! Their first meeting. ( )

James Roy uses colloquialism in his language. Easy to read with an intense storyline. The characters seem real and easy to relate to.The story is funny and I recommended every teenager read this. (Aaron D.) ( )