Whatever Happened to Maryanna

by Joseph Lewis Tamone

[bamxo]

I was provided with this book by HiddenGemsBooks.

This story was breathtakingly beautiful. It was dark, twisty and a hard cold reminder to the fact that the world isn't all rainbows and butterflies. We cannot just sweep everything under the rug and pretend it isn't happening.

Tamones use of a modern day world setting, was comfortable and allowed me to relate to the portrayed environment, the descriptions and areas mentioned sounded intense and realistic, I've never been anywhere outside of the UK. So I'm unfamiliar with how things really are elsewhere, it felt believable and many of the locations I hope to never ever visit.

The characters had my heart breaking at every twist and turn. The FMC was dealt a truly awful hand in life. I felt so much empathy towards her, I found myself with leaky eyes throughout the book.
We come across a few MMC across the story, after tragic events occur. I know that's not a common occurrence in a book. So just go with me on this. It made me very greatful for the fact it was in third person POV, because I don't think my poor heart could have handled hearing all the trauma from each characters POV. My soul would be crushed.

There are several very deep sensitive themes throughout this book, so it isn't suitable for most people. But it also has a strength running throughout the story too, which keeps you going page after page.

I found the theme of the book running very close to my heart, as I have loved ones who have been affected by substance abuse, DV, suicide, etc.
I loved how Tamone was able to portray these elements while still keeping this as a thriller fiction. It felt so realistic, I wondered if he took similar personal circumstance and expressed that with us all.

During the book, we are met with poetry. It's a common element throughout. I enjoyed this quite alot, the FMC used this as an expression of self/escape from reality.

There were several inconsistencies I found while reading, along with some grammatical errors, that should be addressed, because it creates weird plot holes.

Overall, I found the story a deep, intense and refreshing break from my usual fantasy reads.
It is definitely worthy of my 4⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating.

Favourite Quote:
"I walk with my darkness, but I also walk with the light."

A reminder that things are always better balanced in life. We can do both of those things and still be the same person. ❤️