Name: Small Spaces
ISBN: 9781525276927

Sarah Epstein

''We don't pick and choose what to be afraid of. Our fears pick us.'' Tash Carmody has been traumatised since childhood, when she witnessed her gruesome imaginary friend Sparrow lure young Mallory Fisher away from a carnival. At the time nobody believed Tash, and she has since come to accept that Sparrow wasn't real. Now fifteen and mute, Mallory's never spoken about the week she went missing. As disturbing memories resurface, Tash starts to see Sparrow again. And she realises Mallory is the key to unlocking the truth about a dark secret connecting them. Does Sparrow exist after all? Or is Tash more dangerous to others than she thinks? ''A beautifully crafted psychological thriller. I couldn't put it down.'' Fleur Ferris

Small Spaces

Sarah Epstein Sarah

i read this on a spontaneous visit to the national library, simply saw the excerpt and i was like "ohoho inch resting" and so i sat in the midst of three rows of snoring senior citizens, buried in this addictive piece of literature. 

the way the plot unraveled was just fantastic, i genuinely could not stop reading, it was really good. it's exactly what i'd expect with a YA psychological thriller. starting this, i had zero expectations, and i was impressed, really. the book kept its central focus with the question on whether or not 'sparrow' genuinely existed and i really love that it didn't stray away from that, because there are some thriller books out there that kind of just.... focus way more on the subplots rather than the main mystery and i was pleased to see that this book didn't do that. 

the characters were okay, they weren't the most memorable, but they were likable enough. this was definitely more plot oriented rather than character oriented imo and i didn't mind it in this case. like the characters were developed along the book but they didn't stand out as much as the plot did, if that makes sense. 

anyways, i really liked it!

Charlotte 

A book with a two-word title ✔

2.5/5

the introduction of the book was interesting enough to draw me in, but around the 200 page mark, I became disinterested as I became bored with the characters and grew to dislike pretty much all of them. Adding to this, the same few things kept on happening. Tash would unreasonably jump to conclusions or do something stupid and it would backfire and then she'd question her perception of reality, again and again. 
The book was well written, and constructed in such a way that you had no idea what Tash was experiencing was real, if she was self centred (which she was at times anyway) or if something more sinister was at play, but it felt too 'constructed' for my liking. 
I did, however, enjoy the last 55 pages where the plot was actually moving along, things became apparent, and a sense of closure was achieved.

abbey

** spoiler alert **
           4.5 stars I think, I can’t get over the fact that no one else saw sparrow at the carnival like surely someone else saw him idk. I did enjoy it though and if the goal of this book was to scare the crap out of me, it was definitely achieved.

This was a good book. 

I'm a person who can fall out of crime/thrillers if they just don't engage me but this one I just kept wanting to find time to get back into it.

While it did touch me as a little predictable at times, I loved how everything kept shifting just enough that even though you think you know you also aren't sure. You know? And so I was hooked throughout. 

I also just really enjoy books that insert mental health in a way that is respectful of everything that it is, but still embody you in how mental health can really skew how you see reality and question yourself. I felt it so personally (but also trigger warning if this might trigger you!). 

And I know some readers might dislike the fact that a mental health professional was portrayed as perhaps not the best. But honestly, I related to this too. It didn't disregard seeking professional help at all, but there is also a chance the professional you end up with isn't the one for you.

All around, good book! I would for sure pick up Epstein again.

Lysh (She/Her)

A fun and intense read with a disappointing ending. I was drawn to this book as I haven't seen many thriller YA novels around. This is definitely a genre that I would recommend to some of my higher level year 6 readers, who are after that plot twist and need great stories modelled to them to improve their own writing. The characters were well developed and I felt deeply involved in their plights. Each chapter left you on edge, wondering what was real and what was in your own head. Unfortunately I guessed the ending about 15% of the way in....which is never fun. I kept hoping that I was wrong. But perhaps that's just because I'm an adult reading a YA novel? Maybe I brought this pain upon myself? Overall, well crafted, and it's always great to read books set in Australia.

Stefie 

What a pleasant surprise! 

I honestly was 90% not in the mood of reading but there’s this 10% part of me want to pick something up. Looked through my tbr and was hoping for something good. Then I reread the blurb at the back of this book, and I thought “Oh not bad. Let’s give it a go!”

I was thinking to just read a little bit then...
Little did I know, I couldn’t stop reading.
Small Spaces is a page turner. I love how it just keep you at the edge of your seat. There were no time to be bored. It kept you curious and wanting more and more and more. From the very first page I tell you. From the very first page! It’s so thrilling, it’s just... so good! 

The main character, Tash, I felt sorry for her and what she has to go through. But I enjoy her character development. Mallory is a sweetheart and even though she doesn’t really have much voice in here, I can also feel with her (how did the author do this?). And there’s Morgan and Sadie who I love as well. 
There are some characters that I wasn’t fond of like the parents.. well mostly adults on this book. Ughhhhh... I am so annoyed by them. But I think I like it for them to be this way because it makes the story better. I also love how the author can put a little romance in it without ruining the story rather to compliment the story. It’s just all came out together so goooooood!! 

Gosh... what’s up with me and the title “Small Spaces”? Last year, my no.1 fav read was also another book called “Small Spaces”. Different genre but both are amazing!! 

If you are a thriller lover or just in the mood for something that will keep you all night. PICK THIS ONE PLEASE! It will give you headache (I warned you! Don’t worry. It’s in a good way though :p)

Small Spaces

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