The Walls Around Us
The Walls Around Us
Book Brief
336
Novel • Fiction
Juvenile Detention Center • Contemporary
2015
YA
14-18 years
Super Short Summary
In Nova Ren Suma’s young adult novel, The Walls Around Us (2015), two unreliable narrators, Amber and Violet, navigate different timelines with supernatural elements to unravel a surprising murder mystery involving complex relationships, ballet, and life inside a juvenile detention center. The book addresses themes of trauma, betrayal, and justice.
Mysterious
Dark
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
11,126 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma receives strong praise for its lyrical writing, suspenseful narrative, and intricate character development. Readers appreciate the blend of supernatural and real-world elements. However, some find the non-linear storytelling confusing. Overall, it's a haunting and thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read The Walls Around Us?
A reader who revels in psychological thrillers with supernatural elements will enjoy The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma. Fans of We Were Liars by E. Lockhart and The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold will find the blend of suspense, lyrical prose, and complex characters captivating.
11,126 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Walls Around Us received the 2015 Cybils Award for the Young Adult Speculative Fiction category, recognizing its captivating blend of mystery and supernatural elements.
The novel is inspired by Nova Ren Suma's fascination with ballet and prison environments, merging these two contrasting worlds to explore themes of ambition, justice, and the supernatural.
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Nova Ren Suma incorporated her experiences from attending a boarding arts high school, lending authenticity and depth to the book's exploration of competitive arts education.
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336
Novel • Fiction
Juvenile Detention Center • Contemporary
2015
YA
14-18 years
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