Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen – review

“You can only really fall apart in front of the people that you know can piece you back together.”

Sydney has always been the invisible one. Not beautiful or charismatic or daring like her brother Peyton, but just less. Unnoticed, in the shadows; invisible. And all she’s ever wanted is to be seen.

Peyton, on the other hand, has always had it easy. He’s the one everyone is staring at, and he knows it. He’s the one everyone aspires to be, and he knows it. He’s the bold, daring, strong sibling, and Sydney knows it. At least, that’s what she used to think.

Breaking and entering, drug arrest after drug arrest, juvie, rehab and then, to top it all off, drunk driving and crashing into another teenager leaving him paralyzed forever is what the bold, daring sibling made of his life. A prison cell, for over a year. So much for being perfect.

Now that she is finally out of her brother’s shadow, Sydney finds herself alone, with no one who understands her. Until she meets Layla. And her mother, who has MS and frequents bars along with her children; her ice skating sister who got busted for doing drugs; her previously fat but now dieting brother with soulful eyes and an understanding personality; and Layla – the girl who can only eat fries when they reach up to her standards.

So different from the rest of the world, so chaotic, so unusual. And yet, from her daily silent life, she finds that they are exactly what she needs. A home. To be seen. Love.

I expected a whole lot from Saint Anything hoping that after The Moon and More; this one would rocket back to The Truth About Forever/This Lullaby/Just Listen standards, but I guess I let myself hope a little too much. While it was a good book, with a mediocre set of characters, it wasn’t up to Sarah Dessen’s level of greatness! There was nothing about Sydney, even though I probably relate to her much more than Annabel or Macy, that makes me WANT to remember her. There was nothing about Mac that made me feel all special on the inside.

Related: How do I get involved in the Guardian children's books site?

It was good, but not great. And from the woman who first truly made me feel for young adult books, I expect greatness! Nevertheless, it is DEFINITELY worth a read – if just for remembering Sarah Dessen’s unique writing, and to take you back to your favourite Sarah Dessen book!

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