[ARC Review] The Beginning of Everything

Friday, August 30, 2013



Title: The Beginning of Everything
Author: Robyn Schneider
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: ARC received by Publisher for honest review

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Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: in one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.

No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met, achingly effortless, fiercely intelligent, and determined to bring Ezra along on her endless adventures.

But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: if one’s singular tragedy has already hit and everything after it has mattered quite a bit, what happens when more misfortune strikes?

Robyn Schneider’s The Beginning of Everything is a lyrical, witty, and heart-wrenching novel about how difficult it is to play the part that people expect, and how new beginnings can stem from abrupt and tragic endings.



What makes a good YA contemporary, is it the characters? the setting? or the combination of both? Well let me tell you that The Beginning of Everything has both great characters and great setting and it is probably one of my favourite YA contemporaries of the year.

Ezra was such a great character to read because of his past. Characters are always defined by what they have done and never by what they will do, and that is also another reason why I liked this book so much, but it showed that your past does not define you, especially in high school. Ezra used to have the perfect High School life, and then that was all shattered one night at a party where he was forever changed by two events, his girlfriend cheating, and the crippling car crash.

After the accident Ezra has to relearn his place in his school, and it is not where he thought it would be. His friends dismiss him and leave him wondering of they were ever really true friends. He sees a different side of them that he never knew existed and he doesn't like what he sees. But then he meets a new group of friends that change his perspectve, and a girl that teaches what love really feels like.

Ezra's relationships are the best part of this novel, especially his relationship with Cassidy. She is the complete opposite of Ezra in every way, but that doesn't stop him from falling for her. He learns the true meaning of friendship and is forever changed by the girl who would rather stand by the sidelines then be a part of something she didn't believe in.

The writing by Robyn Schynder is nothing short of amazing. She has amazing talent and honestly if you have never read anything from her, please do. It will change you. The Beginning of Everything will remind you how hard high school was and remind you that it is okay not to the person everyone thinks you should be. There is more out there. This is an amazing novel that needs to be read by many because it is brilliant in a way that I have never seen. it captivates a young mans struggles to fit in so well that as a reader, you actually believe it is happening to you. Breathtaking.

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2 comments

  1. So happy to hear you liked this one! I'm not a huge contemporary fan so I was a little unsure about it but your review has made me very excited.

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