Book Shelf: One by Sarah Crossan

Grace and Tippi are twins - conjoined twins. And their lives are about to change. No longer able to afford homeschooling, they must venture into the world - a world of stares, sneers and cruelty. Will they find more than that at school? Can they find real friends? And what about love? But what neither Grace or Tippi realises is that a heart-wrenching decision lies ahead. A decision that could tear them apart. One that will change their lives even more than they ever imagined...

From Carnegie Medal shortlisted author Sarah Crossan, this moving and beautifully crafted novel about identity, sisterhood and love ultimately asks one question: what does it mean to want and have a soulmate?

More info on Goodreads.....

Review:

One is Sarah Crossan’s latest release and is a unique and beautiful tale of two sisters and their journey as conjoined twins.

Told in verse, One unfolds through the eyes of Grace, who alongside her sister Tippi make up a set of conjoined twins. At sixteen, both Grace and Tippi have been content with their existence, despite the difficulties they face in their day to day lives. Yet when lack of money sees their family no longer able to afford home-schooling, the girls are forced out of their comfort zone and must venture out into the world. Attending a normal high school opens their eyes and allows them opportunities they never had before; real friends, life experiences and maybe even love……

One really was a powerful, emotional and thought-inflicting, novel. Having read a few books by Sarah Crossan to date, I was excited about reading One, especially considering the concept is quite different and the fact it’s not what I would normally read. The prose within One is unlike anything I’ve ever read before, and though I worried heading into the novel if I would struggle, I found it easy to read and found myself flying through the story.

The idea of conjoined twins is something Sarah Crossan explores really well within One. Crossan gives both twins real personality and highlights their natural human flaws. One of the things I really appreciated about in this novel is that both girls really aren’t these meek individuals. They’re strong in the sense they understand their strengths and their weaknesses and know what they’re capable of.

Grace has a very powerful voice. It’s raw and real and doesn’t hold back. The girls are going through something really difficult and as different aspects of their lives crumble you really feel for them. It’s almost like they can’t catch a break, but the fierce way they keep their heads up and keep moving forward only endears them to you more.

Throughout One, it’s impossible not to hope for a happy ending. Grace and Tripp are beautiful teenagers making the most out of their circumstances. You really hope they’re going to make through everything Sarah Crossan throws at them and Crossan delivers a very powerful and emotional ending!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Bloomsbury Australia (Thanks Sonia!)
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: If you're wanting to read a novel that is truly unique, One is it!
Cover: I think it's sweet.
Will I read sequel/continue with series: This is a standalone novel.