Challenging and amazing and relatable!

This book blew me away. From the first couple of pages, I was pulled in and pulled under.

"Y'all can keep your damn future to yourselves."

Niarah is herself a powerhouse. What a relatable character. Her darkness and her struggle and her strength are what makes this book so un-put-down-able.

And Mac? Well, he's the reason this story doesn't hurt quite so much. And also why it hurts.

More than anything, this book is about finding yourself and taking care of yourself.

"Depriving yourself of human connection isn't bravery. It's self harm."

But the best line?
"The world is always ending. We stay in love."

Thank you to #NetGalley, Jade Adia, and the publisher of this book for the eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

All Niarah wants to do is go through life unnoticed and build a doomsday bunker in her backyard. She is worried about the rising sea levels, minimum wage and people hurting her. Because of all of these, Niarah's new mantra is: Be Prepared.

A heavy book that deals with many issues that young people probably think about today. While is was heavy at times, I enjoyed the book.

This was a book I knew I was going to love. The author’s debut was one of my favorites last year, so I just knew that this was going to be amazing as well. And here we are proving myself correct. I loved this and I can safely say Jade Adia has placed herself on my favorite authors list.

Ok so I know some of you might have questions on why I added Climate Anxiety to the content warnings, but it’s a real thing. Especially if you’ve just experienced a natural disaster like I have. Even though she was nervous about earthquakes, with her explaining that these things are getting more frequent as well as worse, it really hit a nerve. As someone who experiences the threat of hurricanes every year and has read the same thing about those, this freaked me out. And after experiencing one this year and it being one we never saw before (a mostly wind hurricane where we had minimal flooding but there was so much wind damage) I know this couldn’t be more true. And because it got me, I just added it in case it would help someone else. This is the book I said reminded me too much of me because Lordt she was worried about earthquakes, but the way I related to this character and her worries was so real.

So basically I liked the characters, but I think the best part of this book was the fact that even though there is a great person she was learning to really like, there was no “cure” to this. Because in reality, most times there isn’t. And I loved that Adia didn’t shy away from her character’s feelings. They were raw and real. As someone with anxiety, I can honestly say I had to put this down a couple times because it was too much. And I thought it was really interesting to see the comparison of the two of them. The climate doomist and the climate optimist were an odd pair, but I enjoyed the two of them together. (And let me just say, Mac loved this girl lol And I loved that for the both of them. I think they both needed each other.) And the other person that was healing in the story….. I liked that Adia showed that that person’s timeline in healing wasn’t linear either. Because everyone’s story is different, and they all matter.

I will say I wish the pacing was different. The ending felt rushed. It was long and drawn out in the beginning and it felt like they literally just ran out of pages by the time they got there. I wanted more time to see her getting some help. We spent this whole time getting to know her, her anxious life, and when things got dire, it was like “so boom” this happened and it was over. I know help looks different for everyone, but I do wish we had a better look at the part where she gets the help she needs.

This book hit real deep in me. I don’t know I would have felt it as much if I hadn’t just lived through a hurricane and actually lived through at least 2 others in my lifetime that were detrimental to my house and my life. (Ike in 2008 and Harvey in 2017) I charge people to read this story and not feel for at least one of these characters. I was glad to have finished this book during Suicide Prevention Month. (If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately. OR You can also chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.)

I really enjoyed this title, and it was a fast read!

Niarah and Mac make a great duo. I wished these two had met during the school year and not in the summer before Mac graduates. I think the book needed a bit more school structure and the capstone project was an afterthought to tie the plot together.

A lot of heavy issues were featured (maybe too many). One pet peeve I have is when teens act like middle-aged adults, and Mac's friend group crossed this line.

Content Warnings: Suicide Attempts, Mental Health Struggles, Drugs, Sex/Romance, Scariness & Traumatic Experiences

This would be a great addition to a high school library or to a high school classroom reading collection. The main character is very relatable and students would be able to connect with the feelings she is having. I like that the story acknowledges feelings of fear, sickness, anxiety, anger, violence, dysfunctional families, and suicidal thoughts. But it also acknowledges love, friendships, community, positive family relationships, and the love of the outdoors. It also shows that it is okay to have scary feelings but it is also okay to ask for help. That is an important message for all teenagers to hear.

4.5 stars rounded up because I was bawling by the end.

I really enjoyed Jade Adia's first book, There Goes the Neighborhood, about neighborhood gentrification, fighting racism, the savior complex, and so much more. However, I didn't initially like the main character in that book, so it took longer for me to empathize with her.

This book drew me in immediately, and while Niarah was a character that I connected with from the beginning. While her teacher Mx. Ferrante appeared in person only at the beginning of the story, Niarah's assignment was to write a capstone project which was addressed to Mx. Ferrante and her only reasons for doing what she did throughout the summer was because of the assignment given to her by Ferrante. For that reason, they were a pivotal part of Niarah's journey.

This was a story about trauma and mental illness, and while the trauma that Niarah experienced may have been a trigger for her mental illness, I like the way the author tackled her mental illness as much more complex than a simple trigger. I felt the author did an amazing job taking us through Niarah's summer as we heard all the things that went through her head and that caused her to react the way she did. But what I absolutely loved about this book was the friendship between Mac, Sage, and Andrew (and their families) and how they eventually drew Niarah into their circle.

The book tackles so many issues that teens might be fearful about, including climate change, natural disasters not directly linked to climate change, wars, environmental poisons as a result of human irresponsibility, depression, suicide, abuse, even bullying. But the author manages to skirt that fine line between normalizing it and calling it out as legit concerns but learning how to not let it rule your life. I loved the discussions Niarah had with Mac especially, but also with Ox and others. There were many memorable quotes and I wish I had highlighted them, but I didn't think about doing that until I was near the end! But a couple of them stand out:

"What if endings, true endings, don't really exist? ... What if we let go of the ide of finite endings, and instead thought about transformations?

"I am both the happiest and the saddest I have ever been."

I think this just means I need to reread this book!

I would recommend this to any teen who enjoys realistic fiction with some content warnings about depression and suicidal ideation, as well as mention of physical abuse and instances of bullying.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Before finishing the book I thought it was good book revealing teenage angst with very little point to the story. But knowing the ending other young people may benefit from reading the book. I couldn't identify with any of the characters and thought some were shallow Took effort for me to finish the book.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Disney Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a cutesy summer read, I wish I had picked it up sooner.

Our Shouts Echo by Jade Adia is a YA contemporary novel that follows the basic premise of Survival Tip #1: The world is going to shit. Whatever you do, don’t fall in love. Sixteen-year old Niarah Holloway’s only goal in life is to get through it unnoticed. That, and to spend her first summer in LA building a doomsday bunker in her backyard. Because if the past few years have taught Niarah anything, it’s that the ocean levels are rising, minimum wage is a scam, and the people who are supposed to protect you will hurt you. Now the only thing that helps Niarah stay afloat amidst the constant waves of anxiety and dread that threaten to drag her under is her new mantra: Be prepared. But Niarah wasn’t prepared for Mac Torres. Not for his disarmingly cute face, or for his surfer lifestyle, or for the way his smile resuscitates her heart. Mac is a bomb that blows Niarah’s world to pieces, but instead of disaster, he fills it with sunset bonfires, breakfast burritos, and new friends. For years, Niarah’s life has revolved around ignoring the demons of her past, avoiding the problems of her present, and preparing for the catastrophes of the future. Now Mac—with his sunshine laugh and infectious optimism— is determined to show her another way to be. But in a world where the worst feels inevitable, can one summer be enough to light the way to a hopeful future? Can one summer be enough to fall in love?

This is a cute and out of my comfort zone read, and I'm glad I took the chance on it. My only qualm is that I wished it focused a little more on the mental health part, but hey it's a contemporary. I got what I expected.

Niarah is finishing her sophomore year in LA after moving from Syracuse, NY with her mom when she finds out she needs to finish some school requirements over the summer. She believes the world is going to end and has big plans for the summer to prepare for it, but now she also has to join a hiking group to get credit for P.E. Will some new friends change her outlook? The mom/family issues felt weak to me in this high school summer romance book that centers around mental health.

This is a good look at real teens and real teen issues. Definitely for older teens as there is very real issues and some alcohol and drug use.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

Excellent teen read! This book captures the realities of being a teenager. The main character suffers real situations and handles them realistically. The author encapsulated a not your average love story and paired it with today's teenage crises. This book was not overly preachy or dramatic. It was spot on

As a public librarian I like to read new books in order to give feedback to our purchasing team.
The main charachter is a spunky ,cynically funny sixteen year old young lady. She is new to the area and still attempting to find her "people" at school. She gets her chance during a forced summer school activity. She becomes close to a trio of locals that already have close ties to one another. She soon finds out that they all have thier personal issues and have all found ways to cope. Her achiles heal happens to be anxiety /depression. Her coping skills involve prepping for the inevitable day of doom. One of her new friends become her love intrest and he helps her navigate her phobias. This component of the book is a sweet coming of age story, the true highlight of this book. They way the issues of anxiety and depression are tackled are lovely and easy to understand.
The cons for me are the ways in which the author pushes,what I percieve,as personal agenda items like: transgenderism,anti-capitalism and racism. Combine these items with sexuality ,teenage alchol use and teenage marijuana use I believe this book should be marketed to slightly older students. I would definately suggest 16 and up. I include these noteable items in case parents are trying to stear clear of material with certain content.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC .

This was such an interesting story. I loved how the backstory was intertwined with the present. And the author did such a great job showing how our coping mechanisms are manifested in our behaviors. This was so well done because it made sense, it was intriguing and it made you have empathy for the various characters.
I loved how the "guide" was used as a manual, diary, and a type of therapy. It was informative and funny at the same time.
This is a book worth reading!
Enjoy!

It wasn't the book I thought it was going to be but it may have been the book I needed to read. I related quite a bit to the main character. It was a nice little reminder to not focus on the doom and gloom. I give it 4.5 stars and rounded up

I recieved a free eARC of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read it.

Niarah is a prepper. Being prepared, whether it's via her backpack, stuffed with essential supplies, or via the "Camp Doom" emergency shelter she's building in the backyard, makes her feel safer, helps hold off the severe anxiety and existential depression she battles daily.

I review a lot of MG and YA books. In general, if it has a flag on it related to disability, mental illness, or LGBTQ, I'm probably going to request it. I usually don't pay much attention to the descriptions, and since I often request a dozen or more books at a time, I don't necessarily remember which was which when I start reading.

"Our Shouts Echo" was one of those books where the description didn't register much. I knew the MC was a doomsday prepper who was struggling with a crush and whether to let the object of said crush in.

I didn't expect it to be the absolute best depiction of existential depression and rejection sensitive dysphoria I've ever seen in print. I didn't expect Niarah's story to pull me in, and, at the same time, want to cry because I recognized SO many kids in it. Kids that might not get to the point of carrying iodine for water purification everywhere, but at the same time now are thinking "if I grow up", not "when I grow up", who have little hope for the future. And who, honestly, are pretty justified in thinking so, because of the world they live in, having dealt with COVID and often a loss of connections with friends as a result, the political system, the climate, and, most of all,that they're expected to be the ones to change the world. Add personal trauma and it quickly ends up being just too much.

Niarah's emotions gradually develop, and it becomes clear how much anger she has. And, to a large degree, how justified her emotions are. And how every step towards feeling, even a little, and thinking about tomorrow in any way other than survival can start a new spiral.

I don't know if this book will make it into libraries. It is unapologetically real. She is an abuse survivor. There are drugs and alcohol. There is sex. The book says gay and trans. Niarah is dealing with suicidal ideation-in fact, this is what her prepping is largely helping her deal with. Her mother isn't terribly effective. Her new would be stepfather is trying,but she's pushing him away. Her father is associated with fear and panic. She wants to let Mac and to a lesser extent, Sage and Andrew in,but she knows they just graduated high school and will be leaving her, and finds it hard. This isn't a "girl falls in love and the world comes into alignment and everything is better" book. It is a "can a character trust even a little" book.

Every parent, every teacher, every scout leader, every social worker, every therapist, everyone who deals with teens at all should read this book. Because there are a lot of Niarah's out there. A lot of kids who are hurting and who cover it up by being prickly, hard to like, hard to understand. A lot of kids who can't take a shower without fears of dying. Who can't just relax and go out with friends because of the knoweldge that at some point in the future, that friend will leave. Who can't escape either their past or the future. And who are one earthquake, figurative or real, from total collapse.

A lot of kids who are more than their behavior or their grades. For whom platitudes aren't enough.

This book doesn't offer solutions. But maybe, just maybe, it's a start.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book!

As an elder millennial who teaches Gen Z students, I appreciated the seriousness and care given to Niarah's concerns about her future and the future of the world. The world that today's young people are inheriting is pretty bleak and that can absolutely impact the way they navigate school, relationships, etc. and it's important to give voice to that. This is not a cutesy rom-com, but the way that Niarah and Mac's feelings grew and their relationship was sweet and felt authentic. I see a lot of my students struggle with their mental health, and I will absolutely be adding this book to my classroom as one more opportunity for them to see themselves and hopefully come away with a sense of hope.

WOW. Adia's sophomore novel is just as grounded, real, and full of voice as her first, but with extra helpings of existential dread! I kid, I kid—watching these gen-Zers grapple with the horrors of our current capitalistic hellscape while also trying to heal, love, and care for themselves and others, is nuanced, real, and inspiring. I laughed, cried, and felt deeply seen. Adia is a talent and this book is a gift.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Our Shouts Echo. The idea of a story from a doomsday prepper's perspective was intriguing, but for me, this one fell a little bit flat. Though the start of the book grabbed my attention, I had trouble setting aside my disbelief around how the school administered summer school. As we moved closer to the midpoint of the book, I found myself skimming more than reading every word, largely because I was looking for answers to two central questions. Eventually, I was able to get back into the story, but this one just didn't hit for me. It could've been the wrong moment, or maybe I'm just not the reader for this particular book. However, I do have several students who are always searching for new titles that delve into mental health, so I will present the idea Our Shouts Echo to them and see where they fall before buying.

What an honor to go on Niarah's journey. We get to bear witness to her realizations that the world is so much bigger, that her relationships are so much richer. Jade Adia crafts Niarah's end of the world terror in an earnest way that doesn't glorify or freak out the reader. I deeply appreciate her commitment to showing mental illness with such tenderness. Thanks to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for an early read in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, we really need more books like this. Adia beautifully shared the raw and difficult side of mental health in "Out Shouts Echo" while still showing the beauty and hope that life gives us. Nirah and Mac had a type of chemistry that took me back to my own high school days. This will, without a doubt, make a huge impact in my classroom library and I wish I had something like this when I was a teenager. Thanks for the ARC - I can't wait for more from this author!