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Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Book Review:
You Are the Everything by Karen Rivers is a powerful, introspective, and emotionally raw young adult novel that explores trauma, memory, identity, and the fragile nature of reality. Published by Algonquin in 2018, the story is told through the fragmented, stream-of-consciousness narrative of Elyse Schmidt, a teenage girl who survives a devastating plane crash that kills most of her classmates, including her best friend and crush.

The novel’s structure mirrors Elyse’s psychological state—time is nonlinear, memories blend with hallucinations, and the line between what is real and what is a coping mechanism becomes beautifully blurred. Rivers writes with poetic precision, capturing the voice of a girl grappling with survivor’s guilt, PTSD, and the overwhelming question of why she lived when others did not.

While the subject matter is heavy, the book is ultimately about finding glimmers of hope and meaning in the aftermath of tragedy. It’s a deeply character-driven story, light on plot but rich in emotional depth. The writing is immersive and often haunting, pulling readers directly into Elyse’s disoriented world.

This book will resonate strongly with teens and adults who appreciate lyrical, psychological explorations of grief and recovery. It’s not a light read, but it’s a profoundly moving and memorable one. Fans of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak or Adam Silvera’s work may find a similar emotional honesty here. A standout in contemporary YA for its brave narrative style and unflinching heart.