The Misdirection of Fault Lines Published by Peachtree Teen on 2 April 2024 Genres: Young Adult, Thriller
Format: ARC, Audiobook
Source: Netgalley, Edelweiss
Buy on Amazon, Buy on Bookshop.org
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The Misdirection of Fault Lines by Anna Gracia was for me, as a tennis player, filled with nostalgia, rage, laughter, sadness, and a wish for more as I joined Alice, Violetta, and Leylah as they competed at the Bastille in a weeklong tournament that could change their lives.
Plot
Let’s get my one gripe out of the way…I wish the timeline of the book had been longer than a week. I would have loved to watch the external and internal drama unfold in the lives of our players and on the court for longer, with some more intricate scenes of gameplay. That being said author, Anna Gracia, did a fantastic job navigating the intersectionality of friendships, race, grief, societal expectations, and more in this book. I enjoyed every second of it and did not want to put it down!
Setting
The book may be set at the “Bastille,” but not the one you are thinking and I only say that because I was also thinking of Paris, France. Surprise! This book takes place in Florida at a tennis complex called “Bastille,” and is inspired all around by French design and history. The descriptions set the scene and brought to life the feel of the tournament. I pictured the campus as something akin to Wimbledon on a smaller scale but with French architecture. As a teen tennis player, I would have loved to have taken part in this kind of tournament experience based on the setting and imagery found in The Misdirection of Fault Lines.
Characters
The characters of Alice, Violetta, and Leylah were well-developed and brought 3 distinct vibes and personalities to the book and while each character had their trials to overcome the one that I connected the most with was Alice. Watching her process the grief and in turn looking at how the death of someone important, like a parent, can truly affect our relationships with family, friends, hobbies, and ourselves was heart-opening and sometimes overwhelming. These types of characters hold such importance to me and add the connection that I seek when reading.
Overall
This book was one that I wish I had had growing up when I played tennis more frequently and was involved in tournaments and school sports. I loved the intersectionality of the story but also the humor, camaraderie, and ultimately the hope for the future the characters gained at the end. It’s a solid 5-star read from me and one that I will most likely pick up for a reread in the future.
The Misdirection of Fault Lines by Anna Gracia will hit shelves this Tuesday, April 2, 2024! The perfect YA contemporary to add to your Spring and Summer reading lists!
*I do want to note that I cannot speak directly on the Asian American perspective of this book and strongly suggest seeking the reviews of others on this tour as well as the reviews of others when the book is released for a more well-rounded look at this book*
Thank you to Peachtree Teen and Colored Pages Book Tours for the ARC and for letting me be a part of the online book tour!
Take care and happy reading,
Kimberly
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