3.5 stars rated upWhen I saw this book in my recommendations, the synopsis immediately grabbed me. I quickly looked it up on the kobo website to see if the price of the ebook and when I found out that it was less than $5 I purchased it right away. Goodreads synopsis: Reef is a troubled sixteen-year-old, who likes to smoke pot and drink with his friends in a derelict abandoned building. He also likes to throw stones from bridges over roads. There's a reason he throws stones - stemming from an abusive childhood - but one of his stones ends up smashing the windshield of seventeen-year-old Leeza Hemming's car, causing a horrific accident and landing Leeza in a hospital for three months, learning to walk again. Meanwhile, Reef faces charges in court and ends up being sentenced to a group home, where he will have to attend classes and volunteer at a rehabilitation center. Because of some fluke in the assignment, he ends up volunteering with Leeza - they both don't know who each other is - and they start to help each other face life. Ironically, Reef is the key to Leeza's recovery, and vice versa. Then Leeza's mother walks in her daughter's hospital room and recognizes Reef from the courtroom...My thoughts: This book started out very slow for me. After reading the synopsis I thought we would see a lot more interaction between the two characters Reef & Leeza. However, they didn't even meet each other in the hospital until almost 60% of the way through the book. Although the elements of the story that were presented during the first half of the book were important and relevant, I just wish it didn't drag on for so long.The main characters of Reef and Leeza were written pretty well in my opinion. Reef starts out as this really rough around the edges, bad boy who begins to grow and change between living in a group home and volunteering at the hospital. Leeza has already suffered a terrible loss before the accident with Reed even occurred which gives her character a very dark and depressed feel which I think was written well and was very effective. There were a few minor characters that stood out to me as well. Brett, Leeza's roommate had a very casual, fun and witty voice which was a great addition to the story and acted almost as a comic relief as well as the voice of reason in between all of the depressing parts. Alex was another character who stood out to me. Alex is another boy who is living with Reef at the group home. He has a very flamboyant and outgoing personality. We soon learn about his troubled past and how he ended up in the group home and he becomes one of Reef's closer friends even though Reef didn't particularly enjoy Alex's presence at first. Most of the other characters fell a little flat to me, maybe with the exception of Frank Colville, the head of the group home.This story was particularly depressing for the most part. Not to many happy moments occur throughout this story, and the ones that did were cut short.I've seen a couple of reviewers state that the ending didn't give enough closure and some questions were left unanswered. This is where I disagree. I thought the wrap up at the end gave quite a bit of closure. Not all stories have a happy ending and I think that was saved this book for me. It was extremely realistic and any of the events that take place in this story could take place in real life.I didn't realize this story took place in Canada (specifically Halifax, Nova Scotia) until I started reading. That was a pleasant surprise as I will always support Canadian writing and Canadian authors.I recently have found out that there is a sequel to this novel called The Fifth Rule that continues where The First Stone left off. At this point in time I don't think that I want to continue on to the next book. I actually liked the way this ended unhappily and realistically. I of course am not 100% sure that book two ends happily by any means, but I think this story should have been left as a stand alone.Overall, I would definitely check out this book especially if you want something a little different from young adult fiction. Not everything has to end happily for it to be good and I think this story did a good job in reminding me of that.Just a side note: I've also been adding my book reviews to my new blog, www.popculturecanuck.wordpress.com, as well as TBRs, Monthly Wrap Ups, Hauls, Movie Reviews, Television reviews and so much more. So if you're interested in that check it out! I'd also love to discover some more blogs on wordpress, so if you're also blogging through the wordpress platform I would love to check it out! Thanks!
Possible Spoilers.Although a lot of details were missing from this book, I think that this book was pretty good, and that the plot made up for it. I like Don Aker's style. The main characters, Reef and Leeza, seemed pretty much like complete opposites at first. Reef, the bad boy, and Leeza, the good girl; it was like that in a way. It's not really about the interactions about Reef and Leeza though, it's more about how the characters cope from that one stone thrown. Reef definitely improves a lot, and Leeza, she does improve, but with the help of Reef, the boy who practically ruined her life. I think that Reef finally understood the meaning of caring for one person, and Leeza finally understood that what's done, is done. The thing I felt so horrible about throughout the book was the obliviousness they had, the fact they didn't know who each other really were. The ending too, was not horrible, but more like a cliffhanger where you just feel terrible because you don't know what happened after. But that's when the sequel pitches in!
What do You think about First Stone (2004)?
One stone can do so much damage....After throwing one stone that almost kills some girl. And after several long boring court hours. And after that stupid judge makes him move to yet another foster home, school, and has him volunteer at this lame rehab place,all just for probation. And after he starts volunteering. And after he meets Leeza. And after his best friend's pain. And after talking and sharing. And after finding out Leeza had been that "some girl" he almost killed. And after being forbidden to contact her. And after telling others. Reef finds his way through the twisting corridors of his mind.
—Yazna
Swearing, violence, drama, young love, aggression, this is one of the most well liked novels I have encountered in the high school reading curriculum. Students who claim to hate reading even like this book, and the ones who I've been reading it out loud to, beg for me to continue. Don Aker does a wonderful job relating to readers and I have to say I am impressed with the school board for taking the chance on this novel! Aker seems to capture the cruelties of the world and how these misfortunes cause an adolescent grow up far to quickly. Saying that, he also manages to portray the innocence that surrounds these characters. He pulls sympathy and compassion from the reader and encourages the realistic need for second chances.
—Autaum
ALERT Whole story plot and comments ALERTThis book was slow to start with. A person named Reef, along with Jink, and 'bigger', all under nicknames, have just vandalised a truck. A person runs after them. After a while they decide to split up. The man apperes to go away. Reef is still angry, so he goes to an over pass, and decides to throw a rock on the on comming trafic.Three weeks pass.The writer skips to the person Reef hit that day. A teenager. It caused near a six car pile up. Lizza, short f
—Rivkah
