Harry V. Keefe '39 Library Media Center, Boston Latin School: Wolfpack Reads!

Two prescription drugs make a bet. The winner will kill their target first. The loser will be banned from the Party.

Roxy by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman – 4/5 stars

Published: 2021, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Genre: Thriller/Fantasy

Reviewer: Risa G., Class IV

Roxy was an insane read for me. It was completely captivating, hilarious at parts, and so emotional I almost cried at others. A fantasy take on the struggle with addiction, it managed to convey the hardships of the main characters in a nuanced way that had me rooting for all of them right until the last page.

The book is mainly narrated from 4 perspectives: the drugs, Roxy (Oxycontin) and Addison (Adderall), and the siblings that they are targeting, Isaac and Ivy Ramey. All four of them have distinct personalities, wants, and dreams, and I felt for all of them, even the drugs.

That brings me to my main issue with the book: the metaphor of the drugs as humans and the headspace of being high or drunk as a rager was very clear at times, but very, very vague and confusing at others. Also, I empathized with Roxy and Addison and their struggles throughout the book, even as they were slowly killing the Ramey siblings. They even had their parts narrated in first person, whereas the Rameys' were in third, which made me connect with them on an even deeper level. I think that the authors were trying to show how seductive drugs can be by humanizing them, but I think it took away from their main point: drugs don't care about you, no matter what it seems.

That aside, I loved this book! With suspense, tight family bonds, lots of emotions, and some really witty humor at times, I would recommend Roxy to anyone who's looking for a captivating fantasy book and doesn't mind if it makes them cry.