Title: The Price We Pay

Author: Nikki T. Anthony

Genre: Young Adult

 

In The Price We Pay, fifteen-year-old Zenetta Henchman witnesses a gruesome murder that changes Zenetta forever. The murder becomes just one of a series of murders, and when Zenetta finds herself at the center of a high-profile police investigation, she realizes she must protect herself and the ones she loves. But she’s not the only with secrets, and as the truth about her small town begins to unravel, Zenetta isn’t sure who she can trust.

Set in 1992, Zenetta lives with her mother and father in a small town in Alabama named Buzzardville. The book explores topics including racism, police brutality, gun violence, and murder. The book contains graphic scenes of assault and death and may be best suited for a mature audience.

In the Prologue, vivid descriptions transport readers to the Deep South.  The dramatic unfolding in the opening chapters is gripping and will hook readers immediately. One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in Anthony’s writing style, which is often reminiscent of classic literature. The prose is simple yet filled with personality, and every word propels the story forward. Every emotion is palpable and every visual is clear.

The pacing of the book strikes a harmonious balance between action, character development, and relationship building. However, during the last third of the book, when the stakes were higher than ever, the pacing slowed down, creating a bit of a lull in the story. Maintaining the action-packed, fast pace that the beginning of the book had could have kept up the momentum of the plot.

The portrayal of the relationship between Zenetta and her parents is a highlight of the book. While her bond with her mother is tender and filled with deep and vulnerable conversations, the strained relationship with her father will tug at readers’ heartstrings as father and daughter struggle to find a common ground.

Zenetta’s outlook heavily involves her experience with an episode of police brutality, and it causes her to examine areas of her life in ways she hadn’t before. However, between the serious moments, there are plenty of instances of levity with laugh-out-loud quotes. Zenetta’s voice, and all the teen characters’ voices, are authentic and natural and capture the mixed emotions and confusion that come with adolescence. Anthony captures the essence of adolescence in Zenetta’s voice and perspective as she navigates her evolving understanding of what to believe, who to trust, and the impact these murders have had on her family and community.

The inclusion of discussion questions at the end of the book enhances the book’s potential for group discussions in book clubs, classrooms, or even among reading buddies. With its multifaceted narrative and thought-provoking content, The Price We Pay is a book that invites readers to reflect on the complexities of the many themes it covers.

The Price We Pay is a page-turner that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The Price We Pay is a coming-of-age story that will resonate with a wide audience, a timely Young Adult novel filled with moments of fear and love, heartbreak and humor.

 

 

This Editorial Review was written by the Book Review Directory staff. To receive a similarly honest, professional review for one of your own books, click here.