Canopy

The genre tags for Canopy came from the publicist and I have to respectfully disagree. There are crimes in Liz Faraim's novel, but this book is not so much a “crime” genre book. Nor is it a “thriller”. This book is...glimpse into the life of Vivian Chastain as she goes about her days.

Luckily for us she has some interesting days (laugh). Chastain is a veteran who is struggling with PTSD and is just trying to make it day by day without letting her anger lead her. Along the way we meet her best friend who served with her and who seems to get involved with something which I assume we will find about in a later book. We watch as Chastain gets involved with a new love interest which leads to some interesting consequences.

Faraim also throws in some action with Chastain stumbling on a crime, but that is wrapped up pretty quickly. Canopy does not focus on the crime, but on Chastain's struggle to survive with PTSD from her childhood and from the military.

I think if you ignore the tags and are not expecting a crime thriller and are instead just looking to read a general fiction book, you will really enjoy Canopy. Vivian Chastain is a fun character with immense depth. There is some interaction with a character throughout the book that is funny and violent, but showcases the duology of Chastain's character compared to when Ang is hugging her. I love this complexity.

Canopy is the first book in the “Vivian Chastain” series and I am looking forward to seeing where Faraim takes us and Chastain.

Warning: Graphic violence, self-harm, abuse of a child by a parent, abuse by a sibling, alcohol abuse, PTSD, and homophobia.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.