Book Review: A Sense Of The Infinite by Hilary T. Smith

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A Sense Of The Infinite
Author: Hilary T. Smith
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: May 19, 2015
Review Source: HarperCollins

By the author of the critically acclaimed Wild Awake, a beautiful coming-of-age story about deep friendship, the weight of secrets, and the healing power of nature.

It's senior year of high school, and Annabeth is ready—ready for everything she and her best friend, Noe, have been planning and dreaming. But there are some things Annabeth isn't prepared for, like the constant presence of Noe's new boyfriend. Like how her relationship with her mom is wearing and fraying. And like the way the secret she's been keeping hidden deep inside her for years has started clawing at her insides, making it hard to eat or even breathe.

But most especially, she isn't prepared to lose Noe.

For years, Noe has anchored Annabeth and set their joint path. Now Noe is drifting in another direction, making new plans and dreams that don't involve Annabeth. Without Noe's constant companionship, Annabeth's world begins to crumble. But as a chain of events pulls Annabeth further and further away from Noe, she finds herself closer and closer to discovering who she's really meant to be—with her best friend or without.

Hilary T. Smith's second novel is a gorgeously written meditation on identity, loss, and the bonds of friendship

A story about teenage girls, friendship and what happens when that friendship gets rocked. Beth has only ever known friendship with Noe, but when that gets changed because of boys and the natural path of life, Beth isn't sure how to react.

A story that honestly has happened to almost every high school student.  I know that I experienced this my junior year, and there was a good week where I thought I wouldn't be able to function correctly. But I was able to pull myself out of my funk and make the best of my life. I also realized that life is always going to be changing, meaning not everyone sticks around for the long run.

Smith is able to show what happens, especially when the characters all have their own secrets that they're hiding from one another. This story isn't an easy one to weave, most authors will try to sugar coat it so it makes audiences feel good about themselves. This one doesn't necessarily do that. It tells it like it is, and it also gives you the everything will be okay feeling too.

I gave this book 2.5 trees because I have read too many of these books, I know that I picked to read this book. And so it's not the books fault, it is my own. I have learned that I am way more into fantasy books, or action adventure books. While some contemporary teenage high school stories are able to creep into my heart they are few and far between. So just because I wasn't completely into this book doesn't mean that you all shouldn't be!