Reading Corner: Book Review 

Book Title: How We Fall Apart

Author: Katie Zhao

Publisher/Year: Bloomsbury YA, 2021

Genre: Thriller

Number of Pages (According to Goodreads): 352

Halloween has passed, but the spirit did not! It still feels like Halloween to me, so it’s appropriate for me to do a thorough and proper book review. I chose to review How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao.

Before starting this review, I want to make it clear that there are some challenging themes. This book may not be for you if you’re sensitive to discussions/depictions of racism, violence, panic attacks, self-harm, parental neglect/abuse, suicidal thoughts, violence, drug use, and an inappropriate student/teacher relationship.

The novel’s basic premise is that it follows a group of friends who attend an elite prep school and have to confront their dark secrets when their ex-best friend goes missing and is found dead. It complicates matters further when someone anonymously incriminates them through the school’s gossip app.

The book’s setting is a prestigious private school called Richard Sinclair Preparatory (or Sinclair Prep). While reading, I thought of the school as a character. The author constantly emphasizes the competitiveness of Sinclair Prep, and it affects the characters in more ways than one. It leads them to do anything to maintain their positions at the top. A decision that will cost them when their secrets get exposed to the school. 

Another thing I enjoyed about the book is the diversity. Not only is the main cast entirely Asian, but side and minor characters are also pretty diverse. It adds a layer of realism because so many kids come from different cultures and look different. It was interesting seeing how the culture and experiences affect the character’s psyches. It helps create exciting dynamics between the characters, and slowly you understand why they feel the way they do toward each other. 

There is a little build-up to the identity of “The Proctor.” The author executes a plot twist that is not entirely a surprise.

Overall, I recommend How We Fall Apart to readers who enjoy a good mystery.