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Wrecked
Looking for Alaska meets Breaking Bad in this piercing novel about three teens, caught in the middle of the opioid crisis in rural Appalachia, whose world literally blows up around them.
For as long as Miri can remember it’s been her and her dad, Poe, in Paradise—what Poe calls their home, hidden away from prying eyes in rural Kentucky. It’s not like Miri doesn’t know what her dad does or why people call him “the Wizard.” It’s not like she doesn’t know why Cal, her one friend and Poe’s right-hand man, patrols the grounds with a machine gun. It’s nothing new, but lately Paradise has started to feel more like a prison.
Enter Fen. The new kid in town could prove to be exactly the distraction Miri needs…but nothing is ever simple. Poe doesn’t take kindly to strangers. Fen’s DEA agent father is a little too interested in Miri’s family. And Cal isn’t satisfied with being just friends with Miri anymore. But what’s past is prologue—it’s what will follow that will wreck everything.
Shining a klieg light on the opioid crisis coursing through this country, Wrecked will have readers on the edge of their seat right up until the explosive ending.
For as long as Miri can remember it’s been her and her dad, Poe, in Paradise—what Poe calls their home, hidden away from prying eyes in rural Kentucky. It’s not like Miri doesn’t know what her dad does or why people call him “the Wizard.” It’s not like she doesn’t know why Cal, her one friend and Poe’s right-hand man, patrols the grounds with a machine gun. It’s nothing new, but lately Paradise has started to feel more like a prison.
Enter Fen. The new kid in town could prove to be exactly the distraction Miri needs…but nothing is ever simple. Poe doesn’t take kindly to strangers. Fen’s DEA agent father is a little too interested in Miri’s family. And Cal isn’t satisfied with being just friends with Miri anymore. But what’s past is prologue—it’s what will follow that will wreck everything.
Shining a klieg light on the opioid crisis coursing through this country, Wrecked will have readers on the edge of their seat right up until the explosive ending.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published March 15, 2022
12 people are currently reading
633 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
August 6, 2022
Breaking Bad meets Euphoria and Weeds vibes: such a quick, gripping, heart throbbing debut novel I devoured in few hours!
Love triangle mixed with forbidden love with multi POVs and intriguing plot line keep your attention intact!
Poor Miri is looking forward to leave the town when she hits 18! Being the Wizard’s daughter ( mostly reminds us of Heisenberg), knowing less but still being involved into her father’s meth business that already gives her anxiety issues.
Poor Clay becomes the part of the family after his mother has been dragged behind the bars for cooking meth. Mira’s father Poe fully trusts him. (He just reminds me of Euphoria’s Angus Cloud just a little bit: he has to work with the shittiest hand life life has dealt him: he has no choice, becoming criminal to survive) He always has a big crush on Miri and now he wants more! He doesn’t want to stay friends with her.
But Miri already gets attracted to Fen: the new boy in the town who is also son of federal agent which alerts Miri’s father! That boy may bring only trouble to his business.
I mostly enjoyed that thrilling ride! I found the conclusion semi satisfying but overall: it was great start for debut author! I already rounded my 3.5 stars to 4 action packed, character driven, addictive stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon&Schuster Children’s Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
Love triangle mixed with forbidden love with multi POVs and intriguing plot line keep your attention intact!
Poor Miri is looking forward to leave the town when she hits 18! Being the Wizard’s daughter ( mostly reminds us of Heisenberg), knowing less but still being involved into her father’s meth business that already gives her anxiety issues.
Poor Clay becomes the part of the family after his mother has been dragged behind the bars for cooking meth. Mira’s father Poe fully trusts him. (He just reminds me of Euphoria’s Angus Cloud just a little bit: he has to work with the shittiest hand life life has dealt him: he has no choice, becoming criminal to survive) He always has a big crush on Miri and now he wants more! He doesn’t want to stay friends with her.
But Miri already gets attracted to Fen: the new boy in the town who is also son of federal agent which alerts Miri’s father! That boy may bring only trouble to his business.
I mostly enjoyed that thrilling ride! I found the conclusion semi satisfying but overall: it was great start for debut author! I already rounded my 3.5 stars to 4 action packed, character driven, addictive stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon&Schuster Children’s Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
August 8, 2021
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Wrecked in exchange for an honest review.
I don't have much to say about Wrecked. It definitely didn't work for me but I knew that from the get go because the writing style and the cool edgy teen characters are not the type I typically go to. I found both Miri and Fen to be unbelievable and occasionally groan inducing and that definitely carried over into how I read the rest of the story. That being said, I recognize that they're archetypes that a lot of readers enjoy so I do see how some readers might like this one.
I don't have much to say about Wrecked. It definitely didn't work for me but I knew that from the get go because the writing style and the cool edgy teen characters are not the type I typically go to. I found both Miri and Fen to be unbelievable and occasionally groan inducing and that definitely carried over into how I read the rest of the story. That being said, I recognize that they're archetypes that a lot of readers enjoy so I do see how some readers might like this one.
September 3, 2021
Many thanks to EdelweissPlus and the publisher for providing me with a DRC of this title for review. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, it had interesting (to me) characters, and I liked the different points of view. My one complaint, which knocked it from a 5 to 4 stars, was the ending and the "twist" that comes up at the end. It felt a bit too "cliche" for me, but I still liked it.
Miri knows her dad is The Wizard. She knows what he does in the lab down the path in the woods, the one that he has told her is off-limits. And she knows that when she turns 18, she is definitely going to leave. Because she doesn't want to be involved in cooking meth.
Fen moves out of Detroit, leaving his mother behind and staying with his dad. A dad who is busy all the time with work and who keeps giving Fen warnings to avoid any and all "funny business."
Clay has loved Miri his whole life. And he's always been grateful to Poe, her father, for letting him be part of their family after his own mother got sent to prison for cooking. But now he hopes to be more than just family. He wants to Poe to see him as an equal.
These three lives will soon intersect and combust.
Like I said, I liked this book. I would recommend it for readers in grades 8 and up.
I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, it had interesting (to me) characters, and I liked the different points of view. My one complaint, which knocked it from a 5 to 4 stars, was the ending and the "twist" that comes up at the end. It felt a bit too "cliche" for me, but I still liked it.
Miri knows her dad is The Wizard. She knows what he does in the lab down the path in the woods, the one that he has told her is off-limits. And she knows that when she turns 18, she is definitely going to leave. Because she doesn't want to be involved in cooking meth.
Fen moves out of Detroit, leaving his mother behind and staying with his dad. A dad who is busy all the time with work and who keeps giving Fen warnings to avoid any and all "funny business."
Clay has loved Miri his whole life. And he's always been grateful to Poe, her father, for letting him be part of their family after his own mother got sent to prison for cooking. But now he hopes to be more than just family. He wants to Poe to see him as an equal.
These three lives will soon intersect and combust.
Like I said, I liked this book. I would recommend it for readers in grades 8 and up.
November 12, 2023
I honestly really loved the story. The instant love didn’t bother me especially since I know Shakespeare was a source of inspiration. I’m proud to say I met the author last year in Louisville, KY and this was a great read.
October 31, 2022
taking a ya lit class and this is the book i a) was really excited to read and b) decided to skip to before the few days i had until the class we were going to talk about it. mostly because of how it was advertised as something similar to breaking bad and i just started watching that show and i'm absolutely devouring it. this was so good! i was rooting for miri and fen, and my heart broke when i got further into clay's story. given what happens at the end i feel like it could have been a bit longer, but that's my only gripe. i'll probably reread this when i'm on winter break!
January 22, 2022
I was given a special opportunity to read an advanced copy of Wrecked, which is written by Heather Henson, a local author. It's a young adult novel that's based slightly off of Shakespeare's "The Tempest."
Honestly, in my reading journey over the past few years, there haven't been many books that transported me out of my bedroom and into the world of the characters-- but "Wrecked" totally did. Granted, I live in Kentucky--where the book takes place-- but I could picture this curvy road, the sound of the chickens, and I could just see the woods around me. I LOVE it when books do this, and it just kind of took me back to summers at my old house in the knobs near Junction City. Granted, we uhh... I didn't grow up around meth. But I did grow up in the woods!
It took me a few chapters, but I ended up really liking the main three characters too. Each character had their own negative qualities that made them really human. Clay, the character who kind of screws up the most-- honestly, I felt so sad for him at a few points through the story. Like I wanted to give him a hug!
And let me just tell you-- there's a helluva twist that surprised me at the end! Legit did NOT see it coming.
Anyways, I could see this being a movie easily. This is a quick read for adults, and I think it would be a fun read for teenagers. Personally, I would recommend it for like... ages 15-18. There is quite a bit of reference to drug use, a little PG-13 romance, and some foul language. Nothing a teenager wouldn't be exposed to, but maybe preteens would be a little sensitive to it.
Edit: this book will be released in mid March! Definitely read this one when it comes out!
Honestly, in my reading journey over the past few years, there haven't been many books that transported me out of my bedroom and into the world of the characters-- but "Wrecked" totally did. Granted, I live in Kentucky--where the book takes place-- but I could picture this curvy road, the sound of the chickens, and I could just see the woods around me. I LOVE it when books do this, and it just kind of took me back to summers at my old house in the knobs near Junction City. Granted, we uhh... I didn't grow up around meth. But I did grow up in the woods!
It took me a few chapters, but I ended up really liking the main three characters too. Each character had their own negative qualities that made them really human. Clay, the character who kind of screws up the most-- honestly, I felt so sad for him at a few points through the story. Like I wanted to give him a hug!
And let me just tell you-- there's a helluva twist that surprised me at the end! Legit did NOT see it coming.
Anyways, I could see this being a movie easily. This is a quick read for adults, and I think it would be a fun read for teenagers. Personally, I would recommend it for like... ages 15-18. There is quite a bit of reference to drug use, a little PG-13 romance, and some foul language. Nothing a teenager wouldn't be exposed to, but maybe preteens would be a little sensitive to it.
Edit: this book will be released in mid March! Definitely read this one when it comes out!
November 25, 2023
This was originally a 4-star, but after a bunch of bad writing, I had to drop it to a 2
-Characters had ONE interesting point about them, and after that, their whole personality revolved around that one interesting point, and that's it. The only character that had a complex personality was Clay, who technically wasn't even a main character, and even he existed just so there was conflict, which is kinda sad
-Love at First Sight is bad here: Even though yeah yeah Miri's dad also met her mom like that the only reason Miri liked Fen was because he was new and different from the environment he lived in. The author didn't expand on that at all and it was just to make Miri and Fen's relationship more convenient for the plot. Miri and Fen's relationship could've been expanded more, but it was more them exploring Kentucky probably becaues the author either lived there or went there and thinks its the coolest place on earth. (It's fine if you like Kentucky, but it literally becomes the main point of the book)
-Too many plot twists at the very very end of the book. The whole book was going at cruise control until the last 20 pages where someone decided to turn on Sports Drive mode and hit the pedal because there was so many new information that was probably uneccesary or should've been shown eariler. The fact that everyone was in fact just "misunderstood" and "you shouldn't judge a book by its cover" was just boring
-The synopis spoiled half of the book right off the bat. Some is kinda vague but most of them is there and you can guess the gist of the final event
-The only thing I liked about the book is Fen
-Fen just wants to record his little sounds
-He just wants to live life
-He literally didn't ask for all of this
-Treat him better, and give him and Miri a better way to develop their relationship
-This book could've easily been a short story, it dragged out too long
-Characters had ONE interesting point about them, and after that, their whole personality revolved around that one interesting point, and that's it. The only character that had a complex personality was Clay, who technically wasn't even a main character, and even he existed just so there was conflict, which is kinda sad
-Love at First Sight is bad here: Even though yeah yeah Miri's dad also met her mom like that the only reason Miri liked Fen was because he was new and different from the environment he lived in. The author didn't expand on that at all and it was just to make Miri and Fen's relationship more convenient for the plot. Miri and Fen's relationship could've been expanded more, but it was more them exploring Kentucky probably becaues the author either lived there or went there and thinks its the coolest place on earth. (It's fine if you like Kentucky, but it literally becomes the main point of the book)
-Too many plot twists at the very very end of the book. The whole book was going at cruise control until the last 20 pages where someone decided to turn on Sports Drive mode and hit the pedal because there was so many new information that was probably uneccesary or should've been shown eariler. The fact that everyone was in fact just "misunderstood" and "you shouldn't judge a book by its cover" was just boring
-The synopis spoiled half of the book right off the bat. Some is kinda vague but most of them is there and you can guess the gist of the final event
-The only thing I liked about the book is Fen
-Fen just wants to record his little sounds
-He just wants to live life
-He literally didn't ask for all of this
-Treat him better, and give him and Miri a better way to develop their relationship
-This book could've easily been a short story, it dragged out too long
March 8, 2023
Have you ever wondered what the world of influence and love would look like? Heather Henson’s book Wrecked comes at your heart with a harrowing story about meth addiction and its effects on family and close friends. The book is told in different perspectives of the three main characters which I personally love. This style helped give me insight about each character's personal problems, background, and secrets. Taking place in Kentucky, two teens are growing up in families who are involved in a business that will change one's life forever. Who are these teens you might ask? Clay is the son of an unknown father and his mother who was dragged behind bars for going down the path of meth addiction. Clay has also spent his whole life in love with Miri. Miri is the daughter of Poe who is also known as “The Wizard '' due to his business involvement but Poe also serves as a father figure for Clay which he is very grateful for. Lastly, we have Fen who comes along from Detroit. As Fen comes is introduced to the town by Miri, the two seem to have some special connection. This love that the two share can lead to surprising twists and turns throughout the lives of the three.
I wrote that this novel comes at your mind with many unexpected events and twists. First, I am someone who has always been interested in the psychology of what influences choices people make in life which is why I think this book is so intriguing. I believe that kids tend to follow the paths that their parents take in life. Clay spent time grieving the fact that he had no one in his life to support him due to the poor decisions of his parents. Which is why Poe and Miri play the role of his closest “Family”. What was so shocking to me is that Poe was a cook in a meth Lab hidden in their town. I find that twist so dramatic because the one person who Clay had as a father figure was also involved in the meth business. Clay eventually falling into the Meth cooking business is mainly because of the choice his mother made along with the fact that Poe is involved. The way Henson had me watching Clay stray away from the people he had in his life and gradually falling down the recurring path of his town was thrilling to me. The writing really gives you a picture on how addiction can dehumanize people and tear their lives apart.
Second, while the theme of addiction is present, love is also one of the main themes in this book. The love between Fen and Miri gives a good structure to the two characters. I find their love journey very heartwarming but it also is fake in ways. Fen and Miri are the definition of love at first sight. Ever since Fen moved in, Miri would take him on motorcycle rides and adventures. The two could not be separated. The reason why I liked this relationship so much is because of the secrets that Miri kept from Fen in order to keep their relationship alive. The big secret is the fact that Poe is involved in the meth business. If Miri lets that get out to Fen things will go very wrong due to Fen's father being a DEA agent. I found it very fascinating to read about their unpredictable love life. This novel dug deep into my mind which leads me to give it 5 stars. I give it 5 stars by virtue of the great depth of characters and an intriguing plot.
If you love getting into the personal lives of characters and unraveling their deep secrets within their families, then this novel is for you. This book will have you coming back for more.
I wrote that this novel comes at your mind with many unexpected events and twists. First, I am someone who has always been interested in the psychology of what influences choices people make in life which is why I think this book is so intriguing. I believe that kids tend to follow the paths that their parents take in life. Clay spent time grieving the fact that he had no one in his life to support him due to the poor decisions of his parents. Which is why Poe and Miri play the role of his closest “Family”. What was so shocking to me is that Poe was a cook in a meth Lab hidden in their town. I find that twist so dramatic because the one person who Clay had as a father figure was also involved in the meth business. Clay eventually falling into the Meth cooking business is mainly because of the choice his mother made along with the fact that Poe is involved. The way Henson had me watching Clay stray away from the people he had in his life and gradually falling down the recurring path of his town was thrilling to me. The writing really gives you a picture on how addiction can dehumanize people and tear their lives apart.
Second, while the theme of addiction is present, love is also one of the main themes in this book. The love between Fen and Miri gives a good structure to the two characters. I find their love journey very heartwarming but it also is fake in ways. Fen and Miri are the definition of love at first sight. Ever since Fen moved in, Miri would take him on motorcycle rides and adventures. The two could not be separated. The reason why I liked this relationship so much is because of the secrets that Miri kept from Fen in order to keep their relationship alive. The big secret is the fact that Poe is involved in the meth business. If Miri lets that get out to Fen things will go very wrong due to Fen's father being a DEA agent. I found it very fascinating to read about their unpredictable love life. This novel dug deep into my mind which leads me to give it 5 stars. I give it 5 stars by virtue of the great depth of characters and an intriguing plot.
If you love getting into the personal lives of characters and unraveling their deep secrets within their families, then this novel is for you. This book will have you coming back for more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2023
TW: Descriptions of drug manufacturing, use, and addiction
Full disclosure - I have a personal connection to this book! Along with the author, Heather Henson, my friend Elizabeth Haigh has received an NEA grant to fund a very cool collaborative project (in Kentucky).
From Elizabeth: "Heather will read from her YA novel while I cue sounds and original music to augment the experience. We'll present this at two public high schools, where she'll do writing workshops, and I'll do sound design workshops. Students will then create their own soundscape, which will become interactive displays at the local library."
This book stems from Shakespeare's The Tempest, but isn't so much a retelling of that story as it is, in the author's words, a jumping off point (but don't worry if you're not familiar with the play - it's a great story without that background knowledge).
Wrecked / The Tempest character comparison:
- Miri, female teen protagonist = Miranda, same
- Fen, male teen protagonist = Ferdinand, same
- Poe, aka "The Wizard," Miri's father = Prospero, magician, Miranda's father
- Clay, family friend, Poe's employee = Caliban, Prospero's disfigured servant
Miri, her father Poe, and his girlfriend Angel live an isolated life in the hills of rural Kentucky. Miri is a motorcycle enthusiast, and spends her time building and maintaining them in the garage, and dreaming of her 18th birthday, when she plans to leave town. She also works hard to actively ignore what her family does for a living. Poe is known locally as "The Wizard" because of his business making and selling meth. Angel assists in the lab, while Clay helps patrol the area to keep out trespassers.
When Miri meets a new-to-town classmate, Fen, the two strike up a fast friendship, quickly leading to a young-love romance. Fen has just moved from Detroit, where he lived with his mother, to live with his father, who only recently moved to the area himself - doing some mysterious job that we don't learn about until much later. Fen loves Miri's passion for motorcycles, and knowledge of nature and the hills that surround them. Miri loves Fen's obsession with sound. He records sounds everywhere he goes and creates "soundscapes" on his computer - combinations of city sounds from Detroit, voices, birdsong, etc.
In the background is Clay, quietly pining for Miri, and trying to find his own way. He grew up with a mother who was a meth maker, user, and seller (now in prison), and though he's never done the stuff himself, his upbringing and current employment situation do not set him up for success.
All the disparate emotions and motivations of these characters lead eventually to an explosive combination. Wrecked is an absorbing, fast-paced, character-driven story that is great for a YA audience (though maybe a YA audience on the older end, given the descriptions of drug manufacturing, use, and addiction). My only complaint is that I think the story wrapped up too quickly. There is a series of about six major revelations that all happen on one page, which made the thoughtfully-paced novel feel rushed at the end, and left me with questions about the specifics of those revelations. I think the book could have been maybe just one chapter longer, to stretch out the surprise twist and the climactic conclusion.
All in all, though, a really fun read with very likable and relatable characters!
A link to my friend Elizabeth's SoundCloud page with the piece she made inspired by the book:
https://soundcloud.com/elizabitcrushe...
More full reviews at www.NewYorkTate.com.
Full disclosure - I have a personal connection to this book! Along with the author, Heather Henson, my friend Elizabeth Haigh has received an NEA grant to fund a very cool collaborative project (in Kentucky).
From Elizabeth: "Heather will read from her YA novel while I cue sounds and original music to augment the experience. We'll present this at two public high schools, where she'll do writing workshops, and I'll do sound design workshops. Students will then create their own soundscape, which will become interactive displays at the local library."
This book stems from Shakespeare's The Tempest, but isn't so much a retelling of that story as it is, in the author's words, a jumping off point (but don't worry if you're not familiar with the play - it's a great story without that background knowledge).
Wrecked / The Tempest character comparison:
- Miri, female teen protagonist = Miranda, same
- Fen, male teen protagonist = Ferdinand, same
- Poe, aka "The Wizard," Miri's father = Prospero, magician, Miranda's father
- Clay, family friend, Poe's employee = Caliban, Prospero's disfigured servant
Miri, her father Poe, and his girlfriend Angel live an isolated life in the hills of rural Kentucky. Miri is a motorcycle enthusiast, and spends her time building and maintaining them in the garage, and dreaming of her 18th birthday, when she plans to leave town. She also works hard to actively ignore what her family does for a living. Poe is known locally as "The Wizard" because of his business making and selling meth. Angel assists in the lab, while Clay helps patrol the area to keep out trespassers.
When Miri meets a new-to-town classmate, Fen, the two strike up a fast friendship, quickly leading to a young-love romance. Fen has just moved from Detroit, where he lived with his mother, to live with his father, who only recently moved to the area himself - doing some mysterious job that we don't learn about until much later. Fen loves Miri's passion for motorcycles, and knowledge of nature and the hills that surround them. Miri loves Fen's obsession with sound. He records sounds everywhere he goes and creates "soundscapes" on his computer - combinations of city sounds from Detroit, voices, birdsong, etc.
In the background is Clay, quietly pining for Miri, and trying to find his own way. He grew up with a mother who was a meth maker, user, and seller (now in prison), and though he's never done the stuff himself, his upbringing and current employment situation do not set him up for success.
All the disparate emotions and motivations of these characters lead eventually to an explosive combination. Wrecked is an absorbing, fast-paced, character-driven story that is great for a YA audience (though maybe a YA audience on the older end, given the descriptions of drug manufacturing, use, and addiction). My only complaint is that I think the story wrapped up too quickly. There is a series of about six major revelations that all happen on one page, which made the thoughtfully-paced novel feel rushed at the end, and left me with questions about the specifics of those revelations. I think the book could have been maybe just one chapter longer, to stretch out the surprise twist and the climactic conclusion.
All in all, though, a really fun read with very likable and relatable characters!
A link to my friend Elizabeth's SoundCloud page with the piece she made inspired by the book:
https://soundcloud.com/elizabitcrushe...
More full reviews at www.NewYorkTate.com.
May 26, 2022
Add me on BookTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@blissandbooks
Book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
Miranda or Miri to her family lives in rural Kentucky with her father Poe and stepmom Angel. Miri's father is known in the community as "The Wizard" and he is one of the biggest methamphetamine dealers in the area. A family friend named Clay portrols their farm to keep trespassers out and Miri is never quite sure what will set her father off.
Miri meets a classmate Fen, who is new to the area. Fen is immediately taken by the quiet girl who prefers to spend time fixing her motorcycle than doing the things the other girls at school do. The two spend time together, but there's only so much that can be shared. Each harbor a secret that threatens their burgeoning relationship.
At the center of Wrecked is Miri's struggle to live a somewhat normal life as the daughter of a meth dealer. Conditioned to be suspicious of everyone, Miri bonds with Fen who sees the world as a place to explore with endless possibilities.
Author Heather Henson finds success with her scenes that are an ode to the beauty of the Kentucky knobs. Miri's home feels claustrophobic yet beautiful on purpose as essentially her father has trapped her at home to control the entire family narrative. I also thought the pace was perfect, the romance between Fen and Miri didn't feel rushed even though the chapters are fairly short and switch between different POV's.
Trigger warning: The subject matter of Wrecked is for older YA's as the subject of drug use and addiction is told through the eyes of Clay who lost his mother to the drug and ends up using himself.
Book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
Miranda or Miri to her family lives in rural Kentucky with her father Poe and stepmom Angel. Miri's father is known in the community as "The Wizard" and he is one of the biggest methamphetamine dealers in the area. A family friend named Clay portrols their farm to keep trespassers out and Miri is never quite sure what will set her father off.
Miri meets a classmate Fen, who is new to the area. Fen is immediately taken by the quiet girl who prefers to spend time fixing her motorcycle than doing the things the other girls at school do. The two spend time together, but there's only so much that can be shared. Each harbor a secret that threatens their burgeoning relationship.
At the center of Wrecked is Miri's struggle to live a somewhat normal life as the daughter of a meth dealer. Conditioned to be suspicious of everyone, Miri bonds with Fen who sees the world as a place to explore with endless possibilities.
Author Heather Henson finds success with her scenes that are an ode to the beauty of the Kentucky knobs. Miri's home feels claustrophobic yet beautiful on purpose as essentially her father has trapped her at home to control the entire family narrative. I also thought the pace was perfect, the romance between Fen and Miri didn't feel rushed even though the chapters are fairly short and switch between different POV's.
Trigger warning: The subject matter of Wrecked is for older YA's as the subject of drug use and addiction is told through the eyes of Clay who lost his mother to the drug and ends up using himself.
January 17, 2022
Wrecked is evocative and beautifully wrought. Henson borrows the universal elements of the Tempest; fable, magic, betrayal, revenge and family dynamics, and situates them in rural Kentucky. In so doing, she is able to use the very particular details of that setting to portray the beauty and consequences of teen lives deeply affected by the opioid crisis.
The Knobs region of Kentucky, which consists of hundreds of isolated hills, is unique, surprising and beautiful. It contains the mystery of a remote island whose inhabitants find themselves wrecked there, willingly or not. Henson uses the landscape as a canvas to hold the details that bring the universal themes to life with particular detail.
Miri, Fen and Clay are woven together. The relationship between the three of them is realistic and well drawn. They are teens who all find themselves in the midst of lives defined by circumstances beyond their control. They experiment with the power and freedom available to them, bringing their own unique talents and points of view to the story. Teens will relate to their experiences and appreciate being seen and portrayed as well rounded people.
I highly recommend this book to anyone. If you are interested in a well written modern fable that probes the lives of teens affected by the crisis of drug addiction beyond stereotypes, so much the better!
The Knobs region of Kentucky, which consists of hundreds of isolated hills, is unique, surprising and beautiful. It contains the mystery of a remote island whose inhabitants find themselves wrecked there, willingly or not. Henson uses the landscape as a canvas to hold the details that bring the universal themes to life with particular detail.
Miri, Fen and Clay are woven together. The relationship between the three of them is realistic and well drawn. They are teens who all find themselves in the midst of lives defined by circumstances beyond their control. They experiment with the power and freedom available to them, bringing their own unique talents and points of view to the story. Teens will relate to their experiences and appreciate being seen and portrayed as well rounded people.
I highly recommend this book to anyone. If you are interested in a well written modern fable that probes the lives of teens affected by the crisis of drug addiction beyond stereotypes, so much the better!
March 31, 2022
I liked this from page one. Miri and Fen are initially wary of each other, but that changes very quickly, partly because they find the local school as unappetizing as dirty socks. Both have unusual passions that the other respects. For Fen, it's creating natural sound mixes, for Miri, it's rebuilding motorcycles from pieces bought or recycled. While their attraction grows, Clay, who Miri sees as an older brother, struggles with his feelings for her, his connection to her dad Poe (Clay sees him as a father figure) and his humiliating reputation among other people living on the 'knobs' as the remote Kentucky hills are called. Clay's crack addict mother is serving an extended stay in prison, but often lives in his head.
Meanwhile, there are other games afoot involving crystal meth and the governments' efforts to bust the manufacturers. Just when you think you have all the puzzle pieces in place, the author strides up and kicks them off the card table, but does it in a way that makes you shake your head and give a thumbs up. Now I want to read her earlier books.
Meanwhile, there are other games afoot involving crystal meth and the governments' efforts to bust the manufacturers. Just when you think you have all the puzzle pieces in place, the author strides up and kicks them off the card table, but does it in a way that makes you shake your head and give a thumbs up. Now I want to read her earlier books.
January 1, 2025
This was fine, seriously just fine.
Wrecked attempts to handle some pretty serious topics but falls short of creating a meaningful story.
It could’ve been great, the plot twist honestly wasn’t something I saw coming, and I enjoyed that, but the ending and romance just felt so rushed and the general plot wasn’t as coherent as it could've been.
The entire writing style is just far too adolescent and simplistic, and the characters have one interesting thing about them, but there's no actual substance to them, Clay may have been the most compelling, but even then his viewpoint was discarded after the fire, and the epilogue was even worse.
To be honest, there’s nothing much more to say really, it was a bit of a drag to get through, and Miri and Fen were both unbelievable (also, how did Fen skip so much school and his DEA father not know? Do American schools not call parents if children no-show?)
I can see how this may attract younger readers or even teachers, as the premise, while dark, still has a comedic, light-hearted touch, but I would never recommend ‘Wrecked’ to anyone wanting to spend meaningful time reading.
January 17, 2022
I'm a children's bookstore owner and was able to access an advance reviewer copy of this new novel from Heather Henson. It's a quick read...because you won't be able to put it down. I loved the structure of the book, with alternating chapters from different characters' viewpoints. Each chapter is only a few pages long, which just fuels the reading binge. I kept telling myself "just one more chapter" (and then one more...and one more....).
The characters are the heart of the story, and they are utterly compelling. The small details make them come alive. Miri's fascination with motorcycles. Fen's incredible soundscape art projects. Clay's heartbreaking downward spiral, rooted in his own trauma. And the overarching enigma that is Miri's father - "The Wizard."
With the opioid epidemic raging throughout the US, this book provides a window into the world of meth production, delivered with deep empathy for the lives caught up in it.
The characters are the heart of the story, and they are utterly compelling. The small details make them come alive. Miri's fascination with motorcycles. Fen's incredible soundscape art projects. Clay's heartbreaking downward spiral, rooted in his own trauma. And the overarching enigma that is Miri's father - "The Wizard."
With the opioid epidemic raging throughout the US, this book provides a window into the world of meth production, delivered with deep empathy for the lives caught up in it.
May 3, 2022
I've taught Shakespeare's The Tempest twenty times over the course of my career. I've shown my classes classic performances in The Globe Theater and new productions taped by a prison acting troupe in the film Shakespeare Behind Bars. But I know I'll be adding this incredible retelling of the tale to my college classes every semester from now on. Henson places her modern interpretation in the knobs of central Kentucky, smack dab in the middle of the meth crisis that has plagued so many communities. The island of the play is here an isolated farm, high up on the hill, and the cast of characters, for all their modern trappings (motorcycles, assault rifles, meth labs), are instantly recognizable as Shakespeare's own cast. Henson tells a riveting modern love and adventure story that just shows how very relatable the old play still is. It's a great book in its own right, but it will be stellar when taught alongside the play.
February 14, 2024
I don't read YA too often, but this was a pleasant surprise. I liked the characters and their development, some would say they don't feel very realistic but I feel as if it's just the way that the YA Romance trope goes.
One thing I would say that I disliked, and the reason I didn't give this book 5 stars, was the ending. IMO the reveal that Poe and Angel were both DEA Agents was extremely unrealistic because of the attitudes and length that they displayed towards their facades. If it was slowly drip-fed that it could be a possibility through hints from Clay or Miri then I could almost see it as acceptable. I also feel as if it would have been better if Clay ended up dying in the trailer fire while successfully saving his two "subjects". It would have made for a more powerful and impactful ending rather than what the epilogue reveals of Miri leaving Fen in the dust and sanctioning him to just call and text.
One thing I would say that I disliked, and the reason I didn't give this book 5 stars, was the ending. IMO the reveal that Poe and Angel were both DEA Agents was extremely unrealistic because of the attitudes and length that they displayed towards their facades. If it was slowly drip-fed that it could be a possibility through hints from Clay or Miri then I could almost see it as acceptable. I also feel as if it would have been better if Clay ended up dying in the trailer fire while successfully saving his two "subjects". It would have made for a more powerful and impactful ending rather than what the epilogue reveals of Miri leaving Fen in the dust and sanctioning him to just call and text.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2024
I loved this book.
Wrecked is, simply put, an outstanding novel. It's the perfect example of how a book can be both entertaining and profound.
I adored Henson's characters to the point that I felt completely invested in their story. I rooted for them both while reading the book and long after it was over.
I also love that Henson isn't afraid to take on one of the most challenging issues of our time—the opioid epidemic—and I admire that she handles it with such grace and gravitas.
Finally I love that this is a book sent in Kentucky and about Kentuckians. We need more books about people living in the middle of the country.
This is the kind of book I want to read AND I want to write. I guarantee I'll be reading everything Henson writes from here on out.
Wrecked is, simply put, an outstanding novel. It's the perfect example of how a book can be both entertaining and profound.
I adored Henson's characters to the point that I felt completely invested in their story. I rooted for them both while reading the book and long after it was over.
I also love that Henson isn't afraid to take on one of the most challenging issues of our time—the opioid epidemic—and I admire that she handles it with such grace and gravitas.
Finally I love that this is a book sent in Kentucky and about Kentuckians. We need more books about people living in the middle of the country.
This is the kind of book I want to read AND I want to write. I guarantee I'll be reading everything Henson writes from here on out.
May 13, 2024
I loved this book.
Wrecked is, simply put, an outstanding novel. It's the perfect example of how a book can be both entertaining and profound.
I adored Henson's characters to the point that I felt completely invested in their story. I rooted for them both while reading the book and long after it was over.
I also love that Henson isn't afraid to take on one of the most challenging issues of our time—the opioid epidemic—and I admire that she handles it with such grace and gravitas.
Finally I love that this is a book sent in Kentucky and about Kentuckians. We need more books about people living in the middle of the country.
This is the kind of book I want to read AND I want to write. I guarantee I'll be reading everything Henson writes from here on out.
Wrecked is, simply put, an outstanding novel. It's the perfect example of how a book can be both entertaining and profound.
I adored Henson's characters to the point that I felt completely invested in their story. I rooted for them both while reading the book and long after it was over.
I also love that Henson isn't afraid to take on one of the most challenging issues of our time—the opioid epidemic—and I admire that she handles it with such grace and gravitas.
Finally I love that this is a book sent in Kentucky and about Kentuckians. We need more books about people living in the middle of the country.
This is the kind of book I want to read AND I want to write. I guarantee I'll be reading everything Henson writes from here on out.
November 15, 2022
I have really mixed feelings about this one. High interest, short, good for reluctant readers. My issues lie more with content. I have concerns about the the listing of ingredients to make meth, as well as the really descriptive scenes about burping the baby. The natural consequences of those behaviors is important, but I still struggled with that content being so descriptive. I also didn't feel like Clay's character would have jumped to meth the way he was described. Lastly, the ending wrapped up just a little too quickly and neatly for me. I'm not sure if I'm adding this one to our collection or not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2023
A quick, fast-paced read that I think will appeal to some of my reluctant readers. I debated whether this was a 3 or 4 for me, but decided that I liked it... right up until the end. I didn't love Poe and his off-the-grid conspiracy theories. And it makes me a little sick to think that DEA agents do things that are in the gray area for "the ultimate prize". I feel really sorry for Clay and the way he has been manipulated by everyone in his life, but I did like Miri and Fen, even if their romance was a little quick to ignite. A 2024 Sequoyah Book that I will eventually put in my Quick Reads section.
March 8, 2024
This book was hard for me to get into, because the writing was very inconsistent. It seemed pretty simple and YA for the most part, and then there were complicated metaphors that were hard to understand, mixed with a few pretty quotes with totally different language than the rest of the book.
It says on the back of the book that the age level is 12+, but there’s some pretty graphic stuff that I don’t think kids should be reading. There’s scenes where they are cooking meth and the author goes into suuper detailed descriptions of the process… basically teaching the reader how to cook meth lol!
The symbolism was really good though, and it had a good twist at the end I did NOT see coming!
It says on the back of the book that the age level is 12+, but there’s some pretty graphic stuff that I don’t think kids should be reading. There’s scenes where they are cooking meth and the author goes into suuper detailed descriptions of the process… basically teaching the reader how to cook meth lol!
The symbolism was really good though, and it had a good twist at the end I did NOT see coming!
August 13, 2022
Despite the heavy subject (drugs) the book deals with, I found it too juvenile and simplistic for me. The characters and plot fell flat, and the big reveal/twist was too unrealistic and left me with more questions than answers. I considered DNF-ing this so many times, but Clay's POV stopped me as it was the most compelling. I was hoping to see his character develop from his very toxic mind set at the end of the story, but was disappointed to see his character simply abandoned.
*2.5
*2.5
August 16, 2022
Another 3.5 rating. This was a one day reading. Really fast-paced and realistic. Poe is definitely scary. Clay was not set up for success from birth with a terrible example of a mom. These kinds of depictions always make me so mad because I realize that these awful parents do exist. The love story develops a bit too swiftly for my taste, but maybe if my dad was The Wizard of the meth world, I would be falling head over heels for the first outsider as well.
February 14, 2023
A very gripping thriller/love story with a twist that I did not see coming! I was engrossed from the very beginning, but I absolutely could not put it down for the last 100 pages!
At first, I was annoyed by Clay's chapters and thought they didn't add much to the story. But by the end, I totally understood why his perspective was included and thought it added an important element to the story. His story is the slow-motion trainwreck that plays out all too often in these situations.
At first, I was annoyed by Clay's chapters and thought they didn't add much to the story. But by the end, I totally understood why his perspective was included and thought it added an important element to the story. His story is the slow-motion trainwreck that plays out all too often in these situations.
June 4, 2022
(1.6) um this. i mean. no comment really. only read this for my sisters and i book club. didn’t love didn’t hate a teeny tiny bit bored in some places ending was rushed Fen and Miri cute but not her having A FOOT FETISH AHAHAHAHA um….yeah. oh but love cover but bruh usually i keep looking back at cover to see the face of characters to remind me but it was too small to see on phone but cover is 🫶✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2022
When they say it’s a mix of Breaking Bad and Looking for Alaska, it is and I loved every page. Miri and Fen meet when he’s standing in the middle of the road after his truck “broke down.” She’s speeding about on her motorcycle escaping her dad and girlfriend. Fin’s and Miri’s need to be understood bring them together in Kentucky’s knobs where Meth is ever so present.
April 14, 2023
This was a fast read. I did enjoy the story, but I didn’t enjoy the way it was written. The skipped words, sentence fragments, and brackets (yes brackets… see what I did here) made my brain hurt. Also, what was up with that ending. I can’t get the logistics to work. Still though, four stars. Kept my attention and I didn’t hate any of the characters.
July 1, 2023
Holy wow! It has been a while since I have read a book that I simply could not put down, but this book hooked me so hard and so quickly that I devoured it in less than 12 hours!
Following the story of Miri, Fen & Clay, I found myself very quickly falling in love with them. I just know that the twists and turns of this story will have this book staying in my brain for a while yet!
Following the story of Miri, Fen & Clay, I found myself very quickly falling in love with them. I just know that the twists and turns of this story will have this book staying in my brain for a while yet!
February 6, 2024
Got this book for free and read it before I was going to give to my 14 year old. Pretty heavy description of meth use and making of but other than that I thought it was a pretty good book. I mean suspense is definitely built based off the drugs but oddly I really liked it and thought it was a coming of age story that seemed kind of relatable for teens otherwise.
May 13, 2024
This book was good at bringing new conflicts at the right times keeping me intrigued. The multiple side characters stories kept me interested (Fin’s story). The “teenage talk” is always a bit icky to me from older generation. The rush to love was also pushy. Getting to the end everything was rushed. Overall the book was alright.
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