What Beauty There Is is Cory Anderson’s stunning YA novel about brutality and beauty, and about broken people trying to survive—”Intense, brutal, and searingly honest,” What Beauty There Is is perfect for fans of Patrick Ness, Laura Ruby, and Meg Rosoff.To understand the truth, you have to start at the beginning.Winter in Idaho. The sky is dark. It is cold enough to crack bones.Living in harsh … is dark. It is cold enough to crack bones.
Living in harsh poverty, Jack Dahl is holding his breath. He and his younger brother have nothing—except each other. With his father incarcerated and his mother addicted to opiods, Jack faces a stark choice: lose his brother to foster care or find the drug money that sent his father to prison.
He chooses the money.
Ava Bardem lives in isolation, a life of silence. For seventeen years Ava’s father, an abusive and merciless man, has controlled her fate. He has taught her to love no one. Now Victor Bardem is stalking the same money as Jack. When he picks up on Jack’s trail, Ava must make her own wrenching choice: remain silent or speak, and help the brothers survive.
Choices. They come at a price.
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Beautifully written and superbly constructed, Anderson pulls you onto a chilling footpath of love and loss ― and keeps you there until you’ve read every last word.
Man, listen…this books starts off heavy. And stays pretty heavy throughout. It’s a very haunting and heartbreaking book. And with that comes trigger warnings such as suicide and that’s right off the bat. Then there’s absent parent, enclosed spaces, gore and murder to name some. So I want to say that right at the beginning and not the end but when I say it can be a heavy book for some I mean it’s HEAVY.
Jack Morton has had to grow up and do it fast. Life has not been easy for him at all and all he has left is his little brother. Now he has to decide if he will let his brother go to foster or find the drug money his father hid. Jack doesn’t know Ava Bardem. But Ava know Jack.
Ava Bardem was told her whole life by her father to love and trust no one. And she has to choose…find the money for her father (who was Jack’s father partner in crime) or help the brothers get the money so they can survive.
This was all in all a very good thriller that gave me more than I was expecting to be honest. Especially for YA, which is a plus for me.
In my first impression I was drawn to the cover and had the feeling this would deliver something deliciously dark and magical. Dark is an understatement when it comes to the context of this novel and the magic I expected was more in the sense of hope and feeling. The best way to describe this novel is haunting and heavy. From the start it has a heartbreaking atmosphere with suicide and two brothers left alone to survive together. While Jack grows up too quickly making decisions that not only include protecting his little brother from the foster care system; he’s also trying to provide shelter and food in poverish conditions. Ava was raised with an almost soulless father who taught her to love no one and trust even less. Her narrative voice was beautiful and poetic as she recounts her encounters with Jack and his little brother.
These characters are so well developed and fleshed out with a remarkable and piercing depth. You can’t help but be drawn to the chaos in their lives and how their parental relations have molded them into who they are. There is no mercy in the plot of what they go through and what we learn of each of them. I can’t tell you how many times my heart broke and slowly the author found way to piece it back together only to pull it all apart again.
I won a copy on Bookishfirst but also had the ability to listen to the ALC from Macmillan. The duel narration between Dan Bittner and Emma Galvin was exceptionally done. They both presented the tone of each character fluidly and with the emotional depth expected of a novel like this. Their tandem narration was exactly what I highly recommend either versions for those who enjoy reading and listening. You will not be disappointed.
Thank you to Cory Anderson, Macmillan Audio, Bookishfirst and Roaring Brook Press (Fierce Reads / Macmillan ), for the ability to immerse myself fully into this novel. This is a read that will stick with me for a very long time. True rating 4.5/5.
Life is packed full of decisions and choosing to take the correct path. It can also be a journey of what if’s as it is in this beautifully written,fast paced,debut thriller. What if Jack hadn’t decided to visit his father on the fatal day that plunged both him and his younger brother Matty’s life into a battle of survival in the unforgiving wilderness of Idaho. What if Jack hadn’t came to Ava’s rescue that day in the school corridor and Ava hadn’t decided to let Jack into her isolated life. The problem with decisions is, you never know if you have made the correct one until things start going wrong and by then it’s far too late to choose a different path.
The story was voiced from the perspectives of multiple characters including Jack, Matty, Ava and Sheriff Doyle, all of whom were very likeable characters, especially Jack. The author certainly put the poor boy through the wringer a number of times, I think I spent most of the book with heightened senses of anxiety over his well being as he found himself caught up in various life threatening situations. Being a parent, I also felt a lot of anxiety over young Matty’s well being as the story unfolded, he was such a innocent little boy and it was heart warming how much love there was between the two brothers. If I’m honest, I was never sure about my feelings about Ava, there were times when I liked her and times when I didn’t but I did feel a lot of sympathy for her because of the way that she was treated by her controlling father. I was quite surprised that I ended up liking Sheriff Doyle because when he was first introduced into the story, he didn’t come across as either likeable or trustworthy.
Each chapter started with words that were written in italics that are written from Ava’s perspective. They appear as if they are extracts from a diary or as if Ava is telling the story personally to the reader.
The setting for this book was a character in its own right with its own personal character traits. The bleakness and contrasts between the ghostly silence and muffled atmosphere after a heavy snowfall, the colours caused by the sun rays reflecting off the ice and the dangers that come with the freezing temperatures, wildlife and the various other threats that are prevalent to that environment.
Wow….Just wow, this is an extremely well written, fast paced, roller coaster ride that hardly gives the reader an opportunity to breathe as you, Jack, Matty and Ava are launched from one life threatening situation to another. It’s an intense, thrilling page turner that is packed full of danger that had me glued to my copy of the book, with the wonderful tree branches in the corner of each page I found myself frantically turning the pages. The secondary characters were a mixed bag of diverse, realistic individuals, many of whom were not very likeable and the story that covers a wide range of emotions and issues had a heart warming and unexpected conclusion. I would love to watch a film adaptation of this outstanding debut that is worth far more than five stars and is very very highly recommended. This is definitely going to be one of my favourite reads of this year.
This book rocked my entire world. Upon seeing the cover, it instantly drew me in but the story line hooked me. From page one, I knew this was going to be a unique plot line that was sure to hook me! This story mostly follows Jack, his brother Matty and Ava (a deep female character with complexities which quickly grew to become my favorite character in the book!). We see the struggle of these characters bond to the past, relationships between mothers & fathers, to family.. loyalties and most of all – the struggle of simple survival. I’ve never read a book that was written quite as this was one and it was very welcomed. It was a definite page turner and I read it in one day! I literally could not put it down. I hate marking inside my books but there were so many tragically beautiful, quotable lines in this book I had to keep a small journal nearby to write them down for future use. Cory Anderson is sure to become a very beloved author with a long career ahead of her. I loved the book so much that I followed her on Instagram to ensure I didn’t miss any news on follow up books or novels. I’m so happy I read this and already recommended it to my huge book club, friends and family. You will NOT regret reading this story!
What Beauty There Is by Cory Anderson is an action packed, heart wrenching thriller with an ending that will leave you speechless. Obsessed with the entire aesthetic of this book.
5/5 stars
Jack Dahl comes home to find his mother missing. His father was imprisoned 7 years ago for robbing a pawn shop, and since then his mother has checked out leaving him and his much younger brother Matty to fend for themselves.
Jack and Matty were such a cute duo of siblings. It’s very rare for a female to write from a male (even third person) perspective, and I found myself really enjoying that. Ava was such a gem, and such a fantastic character I loved her. Even our villains in this book are very memorable!
What I loved about this book: Cory Anderson was not afraid to throw everything and the kitchen sink at her characters. She wasn’t afraid to put them through hell. It’s very rare that you get authors who put the same character through the worst things you can imagine, and don’t let up. I found myself appreciating her willingness to really come at them with everything.
The plot felt a little bit everywhere, but it actually flowed really well. There was a lot going on that we flip between different characters, which occasionally pulled us form the original plot, but overall I feel like those were necessary to really set the scene.
I think this is perfect for fans of Beautiful Creatures, House of Hollow, What Big Teeth, and it may just be because I read it right beforehand, but a more contemporary ya version of We Begin at the End (less extreme)
I started this book expecting primarily an adventurous quest-for-the-missing money story, with a bit of heartwarming brotherly storyline on the side. Both of those items were definitely present, but as a whole the book was so much MORE than what I was expecting.
First, the treasure hunt storyline: High school student Jack finds himself (and his younger brother Matty) suddenly orphaned and imminently homeless. His father is currently serving time in prison for a robbery, and the stolen money was never recovered. Jack figures his best hope is to find the money and use it to make a new life for himself and Matty. Unfortunately, the original owners of the money are also highly motivated to retrieve it, and Jack’s sudden interest attracts their attention. This is a ruthless faction with no scruples regarding threatening or hurting children (or anyone else in their way) to get what they want. As Jack takes increasingly greater risks to try to insure his future, the reader is taken along on a crazy ride with plenty of twists, turns, and danger. I enjoyed this cat-and-mouse game, and speculating about where the money might be and who (if anyone) would find it.
While the adventure storyline was very good, the character storyline and development was even better. My favorite part of the whole book was reading about Jack’s relationship with Matty. This young man, who never had an easy life with reliable adults to guide him, has somehow grown into an incredibly caring and responsible teen who will stop at nothing to make sure his little brother feels safe and loved. When Jack’s new friend Ava is added to the mix, things become even more complicated (and more beautiful). Ava has issues of her own, and it was interesting to watch how her presence affected the boys’ lives, as well as Ava’s own. Profound (and often poetic) observations from Ava start each chapter.
Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely. It’s easily one of my favorites of the year so far; expect to see it on my Top 10 annual wrap-up.
Definitely five out of five slices of perfect Havarti!
I am a complete and utter wreck. I don’t know how I’m supposed to go on. I knew from the blurb that this book was going to be tough, but I didn’t know just how brutal it would be. I almost stopped reading before I even really got started, but for Jack and Matty, like Jack and Matty, I had to keep going.
This story tore my heart apart, but it stole it as well. Jack and Matty own that battered and bruised organ and I don’t care if I ever get it back. This book will haunt me for a very long time. It will be joining my favorites on a very special shelf.
It’s hard to believe this is Cory Anderson’s first book. I’m so blown away by the writing and the story. What Beauty There Is is a stunning, poignant, and powerful debut novel and I cannot wait to read more by this author.
The cover of What Beauty There Is is beautiful and intricate, like a work of art. The story is set in the depths of winter in rural Idaho. The main characters are Jack and Matty Dahl, whose father is in jail for a convenience store robbery, and whose drug-addicted mother has just committed suicide. They have no resources, no home and are fighting for survival. Jack is desperately trying to find the money from the robbery that his father hid years ago. The adults in the life of these boys have so far, failed them. Jack does not seek out help from authorities because he is worried his little brother Matty will be taken from him. They are helped by Ava Bardem, the daughter of Victor, a ruthless and violent criminal, who was involved in the same crime as Jack’s father. Ava has been isolated by her father and has no one else. Victor is also after the hidden money.
The writing is beautiful, raw, detailed and lyrical. The bitterly cold winter is so well-described, like a beautiful but dangerous character, a constant threat to Jack, Matty and Ava. The plot is perfectly paced, haunting and heart-wrenching. with skillfully built tension. The characters have depth and the reader can feel their struggle and emotions. This dark story will stay with you. I really look forward to reading the sequel.
Book source ~ TWR Tour
Jack Dahl and his younger brother Matty are in a bad place. Their life has imploded and Jack is trying to keep them together. But they need money to survive. The only thing he can think to do is go after the drug money his dad stole and then hid. But when he goes to the prison to ask his dad where the money is and his dad refuses to tell him, that’s when things get worse. So much worse.
Ok, so this book will not only rip your heart out, it will stomp on it then kick it around a bit before devouring it whole. If you don’t come away from this read with an aching chest cavity then you aren’t human. I read with an impending sense of doom. Each turn of the page I was filled with such horrific dread at what I was sure was coming that I got to the point, there toward the end, that I didn’t want to finish it. But I had to. I. Had. To. It was their story and they deserved nothing less. So, I hitched up my Big Girl jammie bottoms, took a deep breath, and continued on to the end. Whew!
The things that happen make me wish I was a superhero that could save the day for all people like Jack, Matty, and Ava. This is a story that will stick with me for a very long time. Jack and his stoic strength, Matty with his faith in his brother, and Ava. Oh, Ava. I can’t even imagine what it was like for her all those years. And that ending. Fuck, that ending. I really thought this was a one off, but now I see it’s a Book 1. Holy shit. Do I have the strength to continue their story when it comes out? Only time will tell. I mean, time heals a broken heart, right? Right?
What Beauty There Is is the beautiful, tragic debut novel by the very talented Cory Anderson. The cover of this novel is breathtaking; as are the chapter pages which depict the bird, wolf, butterfly, and knife. Each of these signify something important in the story. Anderson’s writing is lyrical on the page, capturing the attention of her audience by bringing them into the story. We are rooting for our protagonist and our heartbreaks for his struggles. This is true from the very first chapter until the end.
What Beauty There Is, is the story of Jack Dahl and his younger brother, Matty. We quickly find out that Jack and Matty live in poverty, their father is in jail, and mother has committed suicide. These boys face adversity that most adults would not be able to handle. Jack never gives up and fights tirelessly for his brother. The love they share is admirable and one of my favorite parts of this book.
Our other main protagonist is Ava Bardem. We don’t know this at first, but Ava is our narrator who speaks to us (sometimes passing that fourth wall) at the beginning of each chapter. Ava’s narrations are my absolute favorite part of this book. Ava’s voice is one of my favorite female voices in a novel to date. Her words are powerful, compassionate, and thought provoking. But who is Ava? Ava is the daughter of the antagonist of our story, which puts her in a very awkward situation: between Jack and her father.
After Jack’s and Marty’s mother has passed away, Jack knows that he must do whatever he can to provide for Matty. His father is in jail for robbery, however, no one has been able to locate the briefcase of money. Jack realizes this is the only way for him to protect him and Matty- money will fix everything. Unfortunately Jack isn’t the person looking for the briefcase. Men, who will stop at nothing to retrieve the money, have their eyes on Jack; the most evil being Bardem- the man who Jack’s father robbed the pawn shop with years before and Ava’s father. Ava knows that her father is a bad man. When she meets Jack, she feels an instant connection with him. There is something about him; she is drawn to him. Behind her father’s back, Ava begins to help Jack and Matty, but when Bardem realizes what Ava is up to will she risk her life for the brothers or walk away?
From the beginning, What Beauty There Is keeps you wanting to turn the page. Anderson writing allows you to connect with each character on an emotional level as she writes this story in third person and in several different view points. It leaves you wanting the best and fearing the worst. It is a book that you will not want to miss.
I leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Ava:
“This is one small story in an infinite number. But it is mine.”
Overall, I enjoyed What Beauty There Is by Cory Anderson. The writing style was interesting, and the storyline itself kept my attention. The story’s themes were dark, so be prepared for that.
The ending of the book was a bit confusing, and even though there was a big loose end left untied, I’m not really sure how this is going to turn into a series. Also, I’m 50/50 on whether I’d want to read a sequel.
***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***
Oh the feels. Death, suicide, child abuse, hunger, so much hardship and yet it was beautiful. Jack a teen, is stronger than most adults, when his mother commits suicide he is alone, his father in prison. He struggles to keep his brother with him, hiding their mothers death from authorities. Desperation drives him to his father who stole money and stashed it somewhere near just to feed his brother. His father is not a nice man, and Jack doesn’t get the help he wants. What he gets is even more hardships.
These kids are put through some seriously hard times. This book is very visually written, I could see and feel it all. I cringed, cried, and cheered, such a great read.
I received a copy of this book from the publishers for an honest review.
This is an outstanding and unforgettable novel; the surprising fact that it is also a debut novel makes it all the more remarkable!
With stunning skill, Anderson paints her characters and scenes with a bracing realism and words that have the power to stop you in your tracks. You are not just reading about young Jack, Matty, and Ava as they fight both the bitter cold and calculating evil for their survival – you are WITH them: feeling the cold, feeling their pain, feeling their fast-beating fear-filled hearts, feeling their resolve. It is easy to love this trio, who have never had the chance to be children, and may not live long enough to be adults.
Jack has been the man of the house for years. His father, a drug dealer, is in prison for robbery and murder. His mother, a drug addict, has been unable to care for Jack and his younger brother, Matty, and so Jack does. He loves his family, and would give his life for Matty, but he’s not going to care about anyone else – it hurts too much. After his mother takes herself out of the picture, Jack is left to care for Matty with only $13 in his pocket and a house that has been foreclosed on and will be sold in two days. The only way he can possibly take care of the two of them is to find the ill-gotten gains from his father’s robbery. No one has been able to find the stollen money yet, and Jack knows that his father’s partner in the crime is looking for it too, but it’s the only choice he has.
Ava has also learned the bitter lesson that if you can’t trust and count on your parents, you’d better know how to take care of yourself. She has walled herself off from people in her attempt to keep disappointment and pain at bay. But Jack has been kind to her in school, and when she finds he and Matty in danger she wants to help them as Jack helped her. She knows the evil they are running from better than anyone.
Filled with danger and suspense, the pages whip by like the cold wind that batters the children. I was so captivated by this well-written story that I read it in one day. Put this book on your TBR pile; you won’t want to miss it!! And add this new author on your list of authors to watch – she has earned her spot most gloriously!
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this book which is scheduled to be published on April 6, 2021. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Well this was disappointing.
The writing was good, totally up my alley; Anderson is great at tone and using sparse language effectively and in the beginning this is what really had me excited to read more. There were moments, though, usually in dialogue, that I found unconvincing. I couldn’t suspend my disbelief for portions of the book which made it hard to stay invested. The main characters, Jack and Ava, didn’t help any as I didn’t particularly like either of them. I thought they were bland, and the author tried way too hard with the romantic tension.
As for the story, it wasn’t bad. It started off strong, but around halfway in I really started to lose interest. Reading became a slog. To make matters worse, the ending was unsatisfying… Oh, but there seems to be a reason for that. This book is apparently the first in a series, and the ending implies that the sequel will be a retelling, which, seriously? Well, no matter what the sequel is like, it won’t make this book any better and I won’t be reading it.
*I received an early copy of this book through BookishFirst
I didn’t realize this was going to be the start of a series when I requested it or started reading it, so the ending left me wanting. I only know it’s the start because it’s labeled that way on GR. I didn’t find myself drawn into the story until the second half, and that’s where it picks up. I know people that have reviewed this so far have really loved the book. I’m more lukewarm to it. It’s clear I’m in the minority on that, so I would definitely encourage interested readers to give this book a shot. Thank you, Macmillian Children’s Publishing Group, for sending this along.
Heavy and emotional yet elegantly refined, this YA thriller will capture your heart and leave you hanging on every word. With some difficult subject matter my recommendation would be for high school age and above, but I would not limit its audience to YA alone. The prose is breathtaking, the depth and development of the characters are brilliant, and the descriptions have you experiencing every physical and emotional feeling with haunting clarity. Fast paced edge of your seat action with a complex narrative that will stay with you long after the book’s conclusion.
Thanks to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Roaring Brook Press for providing a digital advanced reader’s copy via NetGalley.
This story grabbed me and would not let go.
If you’re looking for something gritty, suspenseful, and heart-achingly tense, this is it.
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This is a story about outrunning terrifying, dangerous men—and the life you were born into.
A story about protecting the person you love the most.
A story about surviving.
18-year-old Jack Dahl has had a rough life. At the book’s outset, his father is in jail for stealing money from a dangerous drug dealer. His mother is addicted to pain medication and can barely function. Jack’s always been the one responsible for taking care of his little brother, Matty. But they’ve got less than fifteen dollars left, Jack can’t get a job, and the water and electricity have been turned off. They’re running out of two things crucial for surviving the bleak Idaho winter—food and heat.
As a last resort, Jack sets out to find the money his dad went to jail for stealing—money that seemingly disappeared the day of the arrest.
But at every step, Jack has three different men trailing him, hoping Jack will lead them to the money. One is deadly, one is kind, and one is so dangerous he’s almost not human.
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My heart was aching the whole time I was reading this. Cory Anderson’s storytelling and writing skills are immensely powerful. She builds and manages suspense so well – there were so many times I felt like Jack was mere seconds away from a bitter end.
The setting was bleak and frigid and quiet—and beautiful in its own terrifying way. I could feel the painfully cold winter creeping into every corner and stealing every last bit of warmth from homes, from hearts. I loved the impeccably well-drawn characters, and their voices will echo in my heart for a long time.
This was an adrenaline-fueled, bloody, and intensely suspenseful ride, and one I’m so glad I got on.
(Librarians! Jack’s character is so perfectly tuned – this book might find an audience with teen boys in a way that many YA novels don’t!)