The Authentics by Abdi Nazemian Published by Balzer + Bray on August 8th 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Young Adult
Goodreads
The Authentics is a fresh, funny, and insightful novel about culture, love, and family—the kind we are born into and the ones we create.
Daria Esfandyar is Iranian-American and proud of her heritage, unlike some of the “Nose Jobs” in the clique led by her former best friend, Heidi Javadi. Daria and her friends call themselves the Authentics, because they pride themselves on always keeping it real.
But in the course of researching a school project, Daria learns something shocking about her past, which launches her on a journey of self-discovery. It seems everyone is keeping secrets. And it’s getting harder to know who she even is any longer.
With infighting among the Authentics, her mother planning an over-the-top sweet sixteen party, and a romance that should be totally off limits, Daria doesn’t have time for this identity crisis. As everything in her life is spinning out of control—can she figure out how to stay true to herself?
I received a copy of this novel for review. This does not influence my thoughts on the review or the book itself.
I’m always on the lookout for great and fresh YA contemporary novels, and The Authentics definitely filled that gap for me. If you’re looking for a contemporary novel with a unique and fresh voice, I highly recommend The Authentics.
Daria is an Iranian-American teen who has always prided herself on keeping it real, especially when she compares herself to her former friends. Her friend group calls themselves “the authentics” but when Daria learns something about her parents that shocks her, she’s realizing that being authentic isn’t exactly as clear-cut as she thought.
I loved The Authentics. Daria’s voice was just so great and real, I could definitely see her voice being relatable to so many people and especially to teens, as questioning who you are and where you belong in the world is something that is definitely relatable. I’d also recommend this one to someone who’s looking for a YA with a diverse world and an engaging character. I loved that Daria’s world, her friend group and her family dynamic, was just diverse in a realistic way that’s sometimes missing from contemporary YA (I’m looking at you all-straight white YA).
Overall, if you’re looking for a fresh voice and premise in contemporary YA, I highly recommend this one.
