Roxy is co-written by father-and-son duo, Neal and Jarrod Shusterman, and focuses on the US opioid epidemic, where synthetic gods ‘toy’ with the fate of mortals. The book follows four characters; the Ramey siblings, Ivy and Issac, who face many struggles in their life, and Roxy (the drug Oxycodone) and Addison (the drug Adderall). Roxy and Addison have made a terrible wager. Who can be the most deadly the quickest?

I am torn about my opinion on this novel. I feel that the idea of personifying both illicit and non-illicit drugs is an interesting concept and is a good way to show the sad but common occurrence of addiction in the modern world. However, I felt at times the drugs were almost romanticised.

The reader learns the stories that emerge behind both the drug and the individual, but I felt like there was room for better execution. Moreover, the Ramey siblings were quite a clichéd duo and I knew early on how the ending for these characters was going to turn out.

Roxy has many good ideas and themes, but the clichéd relationships and almost toxic portrayals spoiled it a bit for me.

Overall though, I was certainly compelled to keep reading as I wanted to see how it ended and how all the puzzle pieces fitted together.

Reviewed by Beth, Cerdon College, Merrylands NSW
Age Guide 14+