Review: 'The Astrid Notes' by Taryn Bashford

Synopsis: 'Astrid Bell. Dutiful daughter, classical singer. Secret pop songwriter. And suffering from stage fright. Jacob Skalicky. Trust-fund kid. Indie singer. Immensely gifted performer. And refusing to sing again. Are they polar opposites? In his grief and fury at the world, Jacob certainly thinks so. But when Jacob loses everything and Astrid uncovers a shocking family secret, they may need each other to make sense of their lives."

If there is a book that is premised around music, particularly classical music, then I am 100% down to read it, so I was very excited when this book turned up from Macmillan in the pile of mail waiting for me when I returned home from work one afternoon.

Starting reading it that same evening, I was instantly drawn into the story and found myself reading chapter after chapter wanting to read more about the characters. In particular, I liked how Jacob was presented. In pain and grief he does not want to sing again, and it became an obstacle that he had to overcome which I commend Bashford for in the way that she portrayed this element of the character. So often the build up and the angst surrounding such a plight becomes the central focus of the plot and it is only at the end that it is magically fixed for quite a tacky ending the ruins what I liked in the first place. So I was pleasantly surprised when instead, his pain becomes something that he has to work through, ever present and usually at the forefront of his mind but not a part of the story that drags on forever. Jacob grows and adapts and changes, just as most people do after a devastating loss and as this occurred, I felt his pain and really related to him in a way I so rarely am able.

However, for as much as I liked Jacob, the presentation of the other main character, Astrid, is what let the book down slightly for me. The journey that she went on is one that I have not read a whole lot of, but it had its moments of feeling a bit corny or written without the same justice that it deserved, coming off as a little hastily thrown in to create the story arc for the book. Don't get me wrong, I still loved reading her parts in the story, but compared to Jacob, she just didn't quite meet the same standard for me.

As mentioned before, I loved that this book was focused on music. It was also focused on the world of opera and professional signing, something I would actually love to see more of in YA fiction (and I'll admit my bias given my own musical training). Part of this book focuses on entrance to the Sydney University Conservatorium of Music. I have never been to Sydney in my life, nor have I pursued music to a tertiary level, but comparing what was written in the book to my friends' experiences of wanting to study there, it was an incredibly plausible part of the story. Jacob's talent however, and how quickly he became recognised internationally, I did find a little harder to believe, but I am nitpicking, and given his training and the fact that this is after all fiction, it could potentially occur.

On the whole this was an enjoyable and engaging read. Perhaps prone to its moments of predictability, but it was still a great #LoveOzYA book with an original plot and some wonderfully written characters.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ISBN: 9781760552213

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication Date: 23/07/2019

RRP: $18.99 AUD