Rain Fall

Rain Fall
Written by Ella West
Contemporary, Mystery, Romance, #LoveNZYA
218 Pages
Published January 2nd 2018
Thank you to Allen and Unwin Australia
Recommended Retail $16.99
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★★★☆
I'm not running late like I usually am. Maybe that's why I look in the river, maybe that's why I stop when I see it. A dark coloured raincoat, the arms spread wide, floating, hood first down the river.

And then it starts to rain.

Fifteen year old Annie needs to get to her basketball match, but the police have cordoned off her road. Is her neighbour, who she grew up with, still alive? What has he done to have the police after him?

A murder investigation brings new people to Annie's wild West Coast town, including a dark-haired boy riding the most amazing horse she has ever seen. But Annie is wary of strangers, especially as her world is beginning to crumble around her. In setting out to discover the truth Annie uncovers secrets that could rip the small community apart.
In the rural pastures New Zealand, the rain continues to dampen the town. Up on the sodden hill, fifteen year old Annie lives with her parents, her mother a teacher and her father employed by the local coal manufacturing industry, transporting carriages of goal along the New Zealand coastline. The atmospheric radiance of the rural New Zealand is enchanting, the soft pastoral landscape a contrast to the dry, arid southern Australian environment and a wonderful aspect of Rain Fall.

Annie is a demure young woman, she appreciates the isolation of the small town community, content to wander the flourishing landscape upon her chestnut gelding. Jack Robertson is a professional rodeo competitor temporarily relocating with his father, a metropolitan detective investigating a homicide. Upon meeting, Annie and Jack covertly rendezvous at the beach each day and although Annie believes Jack is in a relationship, is romantically involved with the seventeen year old. Their companionship will appeal to early adolescent and mature, middle grade readers but unfortunately, the homicidal mystery surrounding Annie's neighbour is unnecessary and to the detriment of character development.

The town of Westport relies upon the coal industry to create employment and with the introduction of clean, renewable energy, retrenchment seems inevitable for the hundreds of families across the region. Including Annie's father. Environmental impact is an issue rarely broached in young adult literature but an incredibly important narrative. Although personally I believe governments should invest in clean, renewable energy sources, I understand the devastating socioeconomic ramifications on families employed by the industry.

Small town chronicles in themselves are wonderful narratives. The characters, the atmosphere and adolescents discovering their environment. Unfortunately the narrative to Rain Fall although enjoyable, is overambitious. Never underestimate the quiet, small town story.

18 comments

  1. This does sound great, but I can understand what you mean about it being overambitious -- sounds like the author is trying to pack a whole lot into one story. Great review!

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    1. Which usually works in most cases for me Alyssa but it felt as though it could have done without the murder mystery aspect. There were just too few pages and I would have preferred a quiet contemporary with greater character development. Still a lovely read nonetheless.

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  2. That cover is eye catching and the summary of the book sounds very intriguing! Great review! I'll have to read this one sometime.

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    1. I'd love to see what you think of it Bailey, it's incredibly atmospheric.

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  3. I think the cover is gorgeous, but it doesn't sound like a book for me! I'm not a bug fan of murder mysteries, lol. I don't like anything even remotely scary. Fantasy and Romance for this girl!

    Do you think you would have liked this book more if there had been a second book? Maybe disperse the information a little?

    Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. Or just a longer narrative to allow for character development really. The murder mystery aspect wasn't needed, it would have been delightful without it and it's strong environmental and socioeconomic messages.

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  4. Welp, I'm definitely not a fan of "overambitious." I like books when they're more straightforward, without too many subplots distracting the original/main story. Probably won't read this anytime soon, but yay for NZ NA! <3

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    1. It's brilliant to see New Zealand young adult literature isn't it. It was a wonderful read, just the mystery aspect didn't work for me.

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  5. I honestly felt so damp reading this. 😂 Which is hilarious because it's the rainy season in FNQ right now and heck it never stops raining so RELATABLE CONTENT. I just wasn't so into why Annie was lying all the time (like why even?! I didn't understand her) or why she was so ashamed of liking Jack ooooor what was even going on with all the murders and such. All these thing always go down in small towns. Murders, werewolves, rain. Smh. My town needs to up its game here.

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    1. We're the opposite down here and it's so damn dry. I loved hearing about the rain, it's been so long since I've seen any. I'm not entirely sure either because her parents probably would have been more assured to know someone was with her and she wasn't just galloping around randomly alone.

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  6. I usually don’t like overambitious books either. There are lots of unnecessary things that sometimes don5 connect with the main story. I love your review. Thanks for sharing. 😁❤️

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    1. It's still well worth the read though Geybie, just that some aspects didn't work for me. I would love to see what you think of it.

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  7. YES! I need to read this!!! I'm a kiwi gal and I don't read enough kiwi fiction.... Mainly because I can never find much within the YA genre. Also I was just in Westport so that makes this book even more exciting. (also I love mysteries). I will definitely be tracking down a copy of this to read! Awesome review, and thank you so much for making me aware of a NZ book!

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    1. I'm so excited to see what you think of it Lara! The New Zealand countryside was magnificent and my favourite aspect actually.

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  8. I don't think I've ever read a book set in New Zealand. I would love to read this - if only to explore a country I've always wanted to go to through an author's lens. Great review!
    Rebecca @ The Portsmouth Review

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    1. The atmosphere was incredible, one of my favourite aspects Rebecca. Would love to see what you think of it.

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  9. As a New Zealander, I really want to read more books set here...but this one doesn't really sound like my cup of tea, unfourtunately. I do like atmospheric books though. Thanks for the review!

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    1. It's actually quite entertaining and might surprise you. The environmental aspects were wonderful, I really enjoyed them.

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