Rest Easy Review (Part 1)

"We're not friends," he frowned sarcastically. "We're just volunteer partners. Don't get it twisted. Once our shift is over, we don't know each other." "I hate you sometimes." she laughed. "What about the rest of the time?" "...The opposite, I guess." "Ditto." - Rest Easy, @AJBloom1

In this review, I'll be discussing the first half of the Watty Award winning story, "Rest Easy" by @AJBloom1. The second part will be available later and that's where I'll give my final thoughts and concluding statements along with rating for the whole book! But, for now, let's talk about the first half of "Rest Easy"!

Non-Spoiler Commentary

"Rest Easy" has a total of twenty-two chapters and though I'm only half-way, it's easy to tell that @AJBloom1 is setting up her novel for a resonating end. It's been and absolute joy reading this book because I think it perfectly captures the teenage feeling of angst and anxiety with a simultaneous feeling of carefree joy, reminiscent to how I felt while reading "The Perks of Being a Wallflower". Our protagonist, Dudley Warrington, holds nothing back and that's the quality that I think makes his experiences and feelings all the more intense and raw for the reader. "Rest Easy" is perhaps one of the most mature reads on Wattpad, this is not to say that it is for an adult readership but instead it's telling of the talent and depth of the story. It wasn't written in a spur of the moment or by chance, the author has something to say and knows exactly how she wants to say it. "Rest Easy" is a deliberate book, unlike many found on Wattpad. Filled with relevant characters, underrepresented cultures and a unique writing style, "Rest Easy" is a book for a readership looking to consolidate their own youthful experiences and widen their perspectives.

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Spoilers

Now I'll be diving head-first into "Rest Easy" and sharing all its best (and worst) aspects. So, if you haven't read it yet, go ahead and read the first eleven chapters then come back here so we can discuss! Read it here! Now, let's get on with the review!

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A Prologue Wattpad Needs More Of

"Rest Easy" begins by introducing the readers, not to the main characters of the novel, but instead to the writer's captivating style. Whereas the brief story told in the prologue is more or less relevant to the story, it is not the focus of the chapter per say. What makes the prologue captivating is its introductory elements like its vivid descriptions, backstory and authentic characterization. All this, done in the writer's unique voice it what makes the prologue of "Rest Easy" perhaps the best prologue I've ever read on Wattpad. It serves as a true appetizer for the novel, striking the perfect balance between engaging the reader with the story without simply being a "Chapter One".

The perspective of the prologue is unlike the following chapters. The characters are brand new, the tone is almost completely different and yet still, in those few words the reader are aware that the prologue is attached to the story somehow. This makes the prologue the impactful read that it is.

The Beginnings of Dudley Warrington

"She watched as Dudley bopped his head to the rhythm. This one's a cool kid, she thought." -@AJBloom1

'No sleep for the wicked', is the only phrase that comes to mind when reading of Dudley's restlessness. In the first few chapters of the story, Dudley has no motivation neither for the story nor for himself as a character, he seems always shrouded in a cloud of his own grief-turned anger. In fact, the novel begins on quite the melancholic note with Dudley Warrington's depressing musings that turn into him calling over his ex-girlfriend in the early hours of the morning only to break down crying mid-sex. From that first incident the relationship Dudley makes with the readers has absolutely no boundaries. Dudley expresses himself ass freely as his long hair, without shame or regret. Cue drugs, alcohol and masturbation.

And as the story progresses, there is no real redemption for Dudley Warrington. His blunt nature makes him a rude character in need of a filter and some fundamental social graces but what @AJBloom1 does give him is an explanation. The source of Dudley's tragedy, lies withing his dysfunctional family, more so, his mother's death and though it doesn't excuse Dudley, it earns him sympathy at least, hope at most.

The Transformation of Dudley Warrington

And it seems like that is Dudley Warrington. The boy with the long hair-don't care attitude until his foil, Naya makes her appearance. Though the first time Dudley met her, he ignored her completely, this time, Dudley Warrington does the most selfless act he has done since the beginning of the book by participating in the summer program just for her. This begins the trend of Dudley's budding humanity. Around the other characters, he's still cold and reserved but around Naya, he is...nice. The dialogue they have is refreshing, their exchanges are pure and it is clear that Naya brings out the best in him. He goes from, closed off, to mildly interesting to "selectively passionate" and it's refreshing to read.

"You're so much more profound than you let off, Dudley. You know that?" - @AJBloom1

Though neither Naya nor Dudley are perfect they are, in a way, perfect for each other. They balance each other in the most authentic way and their differences builds their bond rather than destroy it. Dudley Warrington, paired with Naya Stephens are they glue that holds "Rest Easy" together.

The Mystery of V.M. Winslow

As the novel progresses, there is no other quality quite like the lady that Naya and Dudley take care of for their summer program. The rest of novel seems intent on introducing cultures and exposing societal ills, but with V.M. Winslow, an Alzheimer's patient, the novel gains almost a mystery thriller element. Naya and Dudley slowly begin concerning themselves more and more with the secrets of this lady and the double life she supposedly lived and though most of their theories are...unlikely, what it does is stir the mind of the reader to begin to question it as well.

The mystery is almost layered onto the story in the lightest way possible so it doesn't overshadow the rest of the plot, but when it's mentioned it nags the minds of the readers. I can't wait to find out the truth behind V.M. Winslow, or perhaps there is no truth or big reveal. Maybe that's the point.

Minor Characters

Apart from Dudley and Naya, all the other characters in "Rest Easy" seem to have no true development or importance rather than to serve as some sort of social commentary. They are all flat characters that, up until this point, have shown no dynamics unlike the multi-faceted Dudley Warrington or the over thinking Naya.

"They did everything perfectly; courted with dignity, loved purely under the Lord, and waited until marriage to start a family." -@AJBloom1

Naya's parents, The Stephens seem to be only caricatures of Christian parents who serve to only ironically juxtapose their daughter. Their house, language and demeanor are almost so zealous that the reader cannot help to cringe which makes these characters the most unrealistic characters "Rest Easy" has to offer. Hence, compared to the other characters in the novel, they appear to be some sort of caricatures in order to enable the readers to dislike institutionalized religion, or perhaps restricting religion, whatever it is that @AJBloom1 wants to make her readers dislike. The same goes for the Girls. Their obsession with social media makes them detached and plastic, searching for the next trendy gossip. But this lack of personality paired with their antagonistic motivations in the story, make them caricatures of teenagers submerged with digital age.

On the other hand, the Guys serve a simpler purpose. It seems they're only there to demonstrate the ongoing motif of how lonely Dudley Warrington can feel even when surrounded by the people who know him the best. Apart from that, their mild likeness to the reader puts them in a good light but their relevance is yet to be revealed.

Culture

@AJBloom1 tackles culture a lot in "Rest Easy". She is forced to considering her protagonist, Dudley Warrington, is of Native American descent, Naya has vitiligo and most of her cast is black. Dudley opens up to Naya about his cultural ancestry and vice versa and it's enlightening read. Before reading this, I was completely ignorant to Native American culture but as Dudley speaks about his hair, his mother's ancestry and how he intertwines his identity in a modern world I can at least say I have a greater appreciation for the race's culture.

However when it came to sexuality, things did not flow so smoothly. In the beginning it felt a little forced and "Rest Easy" almost became a novel that had LGBT characters just for the sake of being diverse but that tone soon shifted. Perhaps that quality was only done by its expository, direct way of labeling the characters.

Conclusion

All in all, "Rest Easy" is a wonderful read. The writing style is captivating enough to envelop its readers immediately and before you know it you're already halfway! I recommend this book to everyone, especially if you have a bad impression of Wattpad books. "Rest Easy" is beautifully deliberate, intriguing and without a doubt, culturally expressive.

Read the book? Comment and tell me what you thought! If you liked this post be sure to tap that little heart icon and to read more stuff from me be sure to follow me on Wattpad and Medium! To keep up with me on social media, follow me on Twitter and Instagram where I occasionally rant, share music and discuss the pains of being a creator. Oh, also, I share sneak peeks of my novel and new blog posts at times too, if you're into that. Have a great weekend, readers! Lastly, if there are any books (wattpad or traditionally published) or movies that you'd like for me to review next time, drop a comment telling me which ones and I just may review it! Thanks for reading! See you next week!