Book Review: The Name on Your Wrist by Helen Hiorns

I really want one of those wrist guard things for some reason now.

It’s the first thing they teach you when you start school. But they don’t need to; your parents tell you when you’re first learning how to say your name. It’s drummed into you whilst you’re taking your first stumbling steps. It’s your lullaby. From the moment it first appears, you don’t tell anyone the name on your wrist.

In Corin's world, your carpinomen - the name of your soul mate, marked indelibly on your wrist from the age of two or three - is everything. It's your most preciously guarded secret; a piece of knowledge that can give another person ultimate power over you. People spend years, even decades, searching for the one they're supposed to be with.

But what if you never find that person? Or you do, but you just don't love them? What if you fall for someone else - someone other than the name on your wrist?

And what if - like Corin - the last thing in the world you want is to be found?

The gripping debut novel from the winner of the inaugural Sony Young Movellist Award.

This book won a contest that I almost entered myself but ended not doing because Stranger was not even finished a first draft and wasn't happy with it anyway so I was intrigued to see it on Netgallery.

I've gotten to say at the start it was bit toilet obsessed. I mean in the opening paragraphs feature wiping and pee. Nothing with those topics, it just really stood out to be.

This is a dystopia but it more character driven than world building. Mostly it's just Corin being critical of the government, her family and just people in general. Her relationships and general frustration at being stuck in the same place for years. Corin is very relatable as nineteen year old (probably because a nineteen year old wrote her). I've been there.

The ending isn't very satisfying. When I really think about the whole book feels a little undeveloped which isn't surprising considering it was the product of a contest. I just wish the ending was bit freshen out more and certain relationships like Corin with her sister. The ending part really annoyed me because it doesn't quite make sense for Corin just stands there and takes it.

Overall, I gave 4 out of 5 stars for nice forced accessories. It could have been better but was still good. I liked the idea. It just would have befitted with some more work. It petty short, definitely worth a read.