Review: Tape by Steven Camden

MODERATE SPOILERS INCLUDED

Plot

Ryan and Ameliah are both 13 years-old but live in different years: Ryan lives in 1993 and Ameliah lives in 2013 but one day their lives cross when they hear each other’s voices through a tape player.

Both characters are followed separately throughout the story although both have suffered parental losses, which perhaps explains their inter-tape player connection, and are coming to terms with a new way of life – Ryan is struggling with a difficult new step brother and a mysterious gentleman turns up at Ameliah’s home claiming to have known her dad.

Good points

The ending was my favourite bit. The way that Camden tied up all the loose ends was really great and there were some adorable teen romance moments between Ryan and his love interest and Ameliah with hers.

Bad points

All in all, I thought the story was pretty lacking until about 30 pages before the end and I didn’t really feel that it was very easy to connect with the characters. I also thought the blurb was very misleading. It gave the impression that the story was going to be a little The Lakehouse-esque. In fact, Ryan and Ameliah only spoke to each other a couple of times (although, admittedly, the final time was quite cute) which was a bit of a disappointment.

Summary

Overall, the story was quite lacking and only picked up at the end in which there was quite sweet character interaction. So, I think Tape deserves...

Rating = 3 stars