Surfing Waves and Drama in 1980s California

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Rating: ★★★.8

Synopsis

• Set in the 1980s and centers around four famous Riva Siblings

  • Nina, Hud, Jay, and Kit

• It leads up to Nina’s big annual party but we are told that this story ends with the house burning up in flames

• Flashbacks of Mick Riva's and June's relationship and how their kids (the four siblings) grew up and how they are where they are now

Review

Plot

I think that it was a pretty good book. It didn’t blow my mind but it was good. The storyline was interesting enough, but towards the middle, I got a little confused at the new characters and figuring out and kinda got annoyed at how many different people there were. But I don’t know. This book was mediocre in my opinion and I did not get the appeal of the whole beach vibe and surfing. Which I think is my fault considering that I decided to read this book at the peak of fall when it was extremely cold and dark outside so the book did not get to me.

Characters

In terms of characters, I enjoyed how the book went back and forth between June and Mick’s story because it kept proving how much of a jerk Mick was to his family. I also loved how each sibling relationship between the Riva kids was unique in their own way and it was enjoyable seeing them grow up. Huds and Jay’s relationship was super nice to read, I related to Nina’s responsibilities a little bit (ok, I’m not that much of a role model to my siblings, but I can relate to how sometimes it feels like I have more responsibilities to take care of my brothers than anyone of my brothers taking care of me) and I thoroughly loved Kit’s character arc, even though I am bummed that we won’t see her anymore outside the book. [SPOILER] I wanted to see Kit’s character thrive into becoming this amazing surfer and having Hud photograph her just to see how it all plays out, especially with her new sexuality, and see how that goes and incorporates into her story. [SPOILER] She is my favorite sibling out of all four of them; I don’t know there was something about Kat's gusto and courage to say whatever she wanted that I liked. [SPOILER] She was not falling for her dad’s apology when he came to visit for the party, like yes, I wasn’t either. Go Kit for representing my feelings towards him in the book. I also loved how Nina towards the end of the book just did not give a FUCK about anything and when reading it, it felt like being relieved and free with her. I was rooting for her. Go, Nina. [SPOILER]

Final Thoughts, Parting Words

It was a good book, I think. And I think it would have been an even greater book if I did not read it at such a depressing time in the weather. I just felt overall confused because it was dark and gloomy outside and what I was reading was like the total opposite. I think I would need to reread this book next summer just to get all the feels. But as of right now, it was a so and so book.

Game Time! I Choose "Which Taylor Swift Song?"

"right, where you left me" truly represents June's and Mick's relationship. the number of times Mick left June and she still felt the same amount of betrayal after every time it happened too. The lyric

I'm still here at the restaurant / sitting in the corner I haunt

especially relates to them and Pacific Fish. Justice for June!