Jay Asher’s 13 Reason’s Why tells the story of Hannah Baker and the thirteen reasons she committed suicide. It begins as Clay Jensen, a boy from Hannah’s class, is sent a package of cassettes. As he listens to Hannah’s recordings, he and the readers become more wrapped up in the tangles of her troubles. The night ticks on as Clay chases her stories around the city and waits to discover exactly what he did that influenced Hannah’s decision. As the story comes to a close and the thirteen reasons have unravelled, we as readers have become fully submerged in the complicated mess of romance and reputation that led Hannah Baker to end her life.

The story is written with two narratives: Hannah’s recordings and Clay’s reactions. Unlike other books where these narratives would alternate between chapter, 13 Reasons Why is told with one immediately after the other, Hannah’s part in italics and Clay’s part in normal text. This proved for a very unique reading experience and allowed insight into both characters that wouldn’t have otherwise been possible.

I really loved reading this. Jay Asher’s writing style kept the suspense growing and the sorrow building as I fell in love with Hannah and Clay and longed for the happy ending I knew could never come. As I read through Hannah’s sad and sometimes horrifying experiences I truly wished I could rewind and stop her from swallowing those pills. 13 Reasons Why keeps the plot moving and the readers caring through the very last cassette.

The book was very suspenseful. With each cassette you come one reason closer to understanding Hannah and the world collapsing around her. You read on waiting to discover how Clay played a role in her decision and what the thirteenth reason is. You weep as you watch this ever growing snowball slowly crush her. You can never put the book down. You find yourself turning page after page with no intention, or at least no willingness, to ever stop. With a flashlight under the covers and the confidence that you can read just one more chapter before going to sleep, you will stay glued to the page.

Overall the book had a nice pace that kept me engrossed from the moment I picked it up to the very last word. The characters were deep and well developed which made the pain they went through all the harder to read. I found myself not just watching Hannah and Clay but actually being there with them, feeling all the confusion and despair that rushed through these characters I felt I knew.