This is an ARC graciously provided to me Points of departure is Emily O’Beirne’s third book and I was excited to get my hands (computer hands?) on it to read. The synopsis tells the basic story so we can skip that. It’s a YA focusing again on the 18-20 year old, about-to-be-an-adult stage in one’s life. The author describes this time very well. The start of the story introduces us to the five characters all going through something, some tension, that needs to be released on an epic trip. Unfortunately, to add to the tension, the friend that knows these girls when they don’t know each other, has to back out of the trip. The other girls freak because they suddenly realize that even with all of the other stress going on in their lives (and they have it) they are about to share themselves in tight quarters on an adventure where everyone has to get to know the others because there is no choice. We have the privilege of getting to know them as well and how this trip aids, or exacerbates all of their tensions they brought with them. I remember backpacking through Europe and I think most Americans miss out on this kind of dirty, exhilarating experience, which is sad, and may impede some wonderful personal growth, but also full understanding of what these girls go through. One can be so overloaded and very easily decide to sit on a bench eating an ice cream instead of seeing the Mona Lisa as an example of the overload a trip like this can be. This book is written in a quiet way without anything sensational happening to the group. The viewpoint skips around, in the present tense, so that the reader becomes aware of each girl’s thoughts. No. Strike that. There is a wild card thrown in here, a wild child named Mai, and much of what happens on the trip is a reaction to what Mai has planned or done. The other girls have their viewpoints shared. What is interesting is the side story of Kit, the one everyone knew who could not go with them, as she struggles to succeed in Melbourne and it was never distracting, always enjoyable. The author has created some definite characters. I loved the romance that was also a part of the story and it was very much a surprise because of…. hmmm I cannot say. I won’t say whether or not the book ends happily or not either. I can say the ending was perfect. I loved the book.
