Wow I couldn’t put this book down! Hauntingly sad and quite disturbing. Read it in one day as I couldn’t wait to see what happened.

Outside is a dark and deeply disturbing book that will shake you to your core while also opening your mind to important ideas about life and its relationship with literature.

The most interesting thing about this book is the perspective from which it is written. Like the fantastic Room by Emma Donoghue, Outside is narrated by a child who knows nothing about the real world, which we inhabit. This means that, as Ele learns more about ‘Outside’ and describes what she encounters, we are able to read what she thinks and feels, while also being able to understand how she may be judged for her odd behaviour. To those unaware of her situation, her behaviour may seem weird (and we know that it is) but it makes complete sense to us as readers because it is being explained and justified by her thoughts. This is a fascinating style of writing as we can relate both to the central character, Ele, through the innocent and curious descriptions, but we can also view her from an outsider’s point of view. The way she explains what she sees is also interesting as it can be confusing but also make complete sense. For example, Ele speaks of how “there are ropes on the extra-skins round his feet that are jumping about all excited as he walks” (37%). Here, she is clearly describing shoelaces but it can take time for us to recognise what she is seeing. It is because of this perspective that one of the biggest twists in the book (I audibly gasped) is so effective and I am interested to see if this book will be optioned for film as I feel that said twist could not be done through film. The genius of it comes from how the writing is able to hide it but also fall completely into place once it is revealed.

Another interesting part of this novel was its treatment of fairytales and literature, in general. Literature is used in different ways throughout the book, for example, as a form of escapism – a use for literature that I, as I’m sure many others, know well. It also acts as a way to make the book less dark and easier to read for younger readers as particularly disturbing parts are told through the language of fairytales and references to other stories. Perhaps the most poignant use of literature in the book, however, is the fact that it is merely normality for Ele as books are her only point of reference for how the world works. She, therefore, understands the world through the fairytales she reads. For example, she believes, at one point, that she must wait in her “tower” (the place where she has been imprisoned) for a Prince to save her as this is what the books say will happen. This means that literature and reality do completely overlap in Outside as, to Ele, they are one and the same. My favourite image in the book is when decides she will no longer adhere strictly to the books she has read but will become the storyteller and write her own story. This can be read as a lesson to us all, teaching us that we can learn a lot from literature but that we should not let it control us and our beliefs entirely, rather we should use it as something to guide us in our decision-making.

My only near-criticism of this book was that about half way to two-thirds of the way through it, I began to get annoyed, thinking it was becoming slightly unbelievable. I thought that Will and Ezra were taking too long to contact the authorities about Ele due to her disturbing appearance and behaviour. However, I was glad to find that the author saved the novel later when we find that the two characters perhaps suspected more than they were letting on and we were unable to see this due to our understanding coming from Ele’s perspective only. They were able to guess more about where she had come from and what had happened to her than we might have thought and, knowing that ‘He’ is a shifty-looking person, wanted to look after her and gather more information before subjecting her to any more trauma. In fact, Ezra openly admits towards the end of the novel that he should have acted sooner but, having received all the facts, I actually believe Ele needed her time with Ezra and Will before tackling her past or future.

This was an expertly written book that sent shivers up my spine and a tear to my eye.

I feel that this is a book about horror. Children are  locked in a shed with no access to the outside world and have no knowledge of the things we all take for granted. It is a take on the idea behind "Room" but the effects of the incarceration are worse. As the end of the story approaches it becomes compulsive reading - to discover what actually happened.
It is a story about the huge impact of the crime of imprisonment but focussing on the impact on the normal minutiae of life. 
The main character learns quickly and seems to be able to speak and communicate normally, and to read. in fact she has a craving for books. This is puzzling and unlikely but makes for an action packed story as it reaches its conclusion.
I recommend it -- with reservations. not for the fainthearted!

I started reading this book and wondered what on earth I was reading, but stick with it folks, it is worth it. A well written book which is inspired by others. This young girl was living in a fantasy with reality at night and having witnessed a horrific incident with her brother when kept in the inside, managed to get out to the outside. She is terrified and the book conveys these feelings wonderfully. It will keep you interest and reveals all at the end. A good book that speaks how she would and she is lucky that he headed in the right direction.

Thank You Netgalley & Publishers For Granting My Request To Review This Book: If You’ve Enjoyed “Room”, This Is The Book For You!

Having Read “Room” Myself, Once I Was A Few Pages In, I Fell Into A Rythym With The Language Which Is Similar. The Descriptive Language Fits Perfectly With The Image The Author Portrays Of The “Girl In The Tower”. 

Although This Is A YA Novel, It Deals With Issues Very Relevant To All Age Groups, Predominantly Mental Health And Is A Great Medium To Raise Awareness. 

I Found The Book Picked Up For Me When I Entered The Second Part And That’s When I Was Hooked And Refused To Put It Down. I Liked The Introduction Of Willow, As A Way Of Answering Questions The Reader Had And Of Furthering The Character Of Ele. I Enjoyed The Twist Nearing The End Of The Book But Did Feel It Ended Too Abruptly.

Ele is being held captive in a small room by a man known as ‘Him’. She is fed like cattle with the others she shares a cell with. But these are shadowy characters I began to suspect were in her head. Ele is sure there is a world Outside. There are clues she was once on the Outside. How otherwise could she have learned to read, as reading one of her 3 books gets her though her day.
Ele starts to list the proof of Outside and keeps up the regime suggested by her brother Zeb before he was taken away. Zeb had plotted to escape, but Ele was not brave enough at the time. But then the time comes when she is.
Outside presents many fears to someone not experienced in the world. Yet Ele manages to overcome her fears and is befriended by a young boy equally alone and searching for recognition. In doing so, Ele saves not only herself, but Willow, his Dad, and going back to the cell, those left inside.
The story has to be well paced to be believable as such a transition cannot be accomplished swiftly. On the whole it succeeds and although not too much time is spent on officials following procedure, justice is done in the end which is satisfying.

Sooo... I was expecting a dystopian but I got something totally different. And that is not a bad thing, I probably wouldnt have picked it up otherwise. Cause this goes deep into really difficult subjects. 

Outside takes us into the mind of a girl whose world is very different. She has questionable friends and unbelievable living condition. Slowly the story opens up and changes the perspective and lets us see the awful truth. The truth that is happening all around the world. Statistically its very likely that someone is in the same position as that girl right now, right this second. 

Juckes also shows us the regular world from a totally new perspective. Through the eyes of a kid who hasn't been thought the words and meanings and the life of outside. 

I have my issues with the end though. I feel it was too quick and did not make sense in the context of the beginning.  Like how she found the courage so suddenly. I would've liked to see even more of the life after but it ended just when it got even more interesting. I want to know more about the brother. I want to know the backstory, where is the mother, how did this go unnoticed, whats gonna happen with them after? 


Its a very insightful and educational piece of literature while not being boring and too slow.

This was such an authentic read. I can only hope this wasn't based on any real experiences. 

The story feels so real and heartfelt. Even the language is very subject appropriate. Sarah Ann Juckes' prose is so lyrical and addictive. 

And because of the main narrator Ele's imagination, the story reads almost more like a sci-fi than horror.

It is more of a character development rather than an action plot, though. So don't expect the usual Hollywood chase down the road at the end.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this!

This book is a fairy tale with a modern twist.  It is beautifully written and totally spellbinding. Although it is primarily aimed at younger readers I enjoyed every word from the beginning to the end.  The characters are well rounded and relatable.  I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves fairytales.

This book was a brilliant read - unable to put down and finished in one sitting. Would recommend this book

Ele knows some things: she lives on the Inside with the Others, and Outside is full of ogres, giants, dragons, princes, and Him. He is all she knows of the Outside, and he’s terrifying.

Drawing inspiration from Room, Outside is the story of how children make sense of the scary things that happen to them. It’s a difficult read for a few reasons, but a lot is left to the readers imagination to fill in the gaps. There’s a lot of really interesting use of language and many passages I had to read twice to understand the hidden meaning.

(Thanks to the publishers for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

I’m a little unsure about this book. For me it was a slow starter. It jus couldn’t get into it. Whether it was because of the time it took for the story to speed up. 
Thank you to both NetGalley and Penguin Random House uk for my eARC in exchange for my honest review

Subjected to a privation reminiscent of Emma Donahue’s ‘Room,’ Ele seeks proof of Outside. She finds it in her three books, in the smell of Him and in the door through which Zeb’s body was taken.

Inside is all she’s ever known, all she understands, until one day, she gets out.

A gripping, imaginative story for young adults, I read it all in one go. Some of the subject matter is sensitive and may be triggering, but a lot is left to the reader’s imagination to fill in what has been left unsaid.

Very well written with a good use of characterisation and language, particularly for Ele.

ELE is stuck inside with the Others. She's adamant there is an outside, but she hasn't ever seen it, but she needs proof before she can do anything about it. However, all she has are the Others and Him, and he controls their cell... their Sun bars... the minimal food... and the door with the green light.. Where he comes and goes once a week.

This book has a multitude of trigger warnings, abuse - both mentally and physically. Which are shocking and upsetting but fortunately are not too graphic nor lengthy.(although the plot is a girl trapped inside a room so I guess that would contradict my statement)  I blitzed through this book within a few hours, but while it wasn't particularly exciting, I couldn't seem to put it down. I wanted to see how the book would unfold.. If Ele would escape.. what would happen to Him and the Others.

The character development within this book was brilliant. You get a deep insight to each character and you definitely develop bonds with each, but this is Ele's story.. so the main focus throughout is on her.. her mental health.. her struggles... her freedom.

I am definitely keen to read more from Sarah Ann Juckes. Straight from the cover I was immediately intrigued and that feeling remained with me the entirety of the book. Whilst excitement was certainly not present, it would be difficult to muster this emotion when the book is strongly linked to captivity and mental health. The ending was exactly how I'd predicited but I still enjoyed reading how this would unfold, so I was unsuprised with how the twists came into action, but nevertheless I still enjoyed reading.

Overall: 3.5 Stars - Although the writing didn't give too much away this book was impossible to put down. The little twists weren't surprising but were timed perfectly. Easy read if you're looking for something different.

Ele is imprisoned in what can only be described as some sort of hell.  Kept against her will, she dreams of the outside.  She doesn't even know if the outside exists, but she thinks it must due to the 'proofs' she finds.  The man who keeps Ele captive is terrifying.  She must escape or she will surely die.  Will she ever find out if the outside is real?  I thought this story was excellent and although at times it made my skin crawl, I couldn't put it down because I was rooting for little Ele and her determined spirit.  A great read.

There's Ele, and Bee, and Cow, and Queenie. There was Zeb too, before. All locked inside the tower. Waiting. Waiting for light, water, 'rain', and Him. To them there is no outside. All that exists is in that tower. But not for Ele, she has her proofs. Proofs of outside, of grass, and trees and dragons. Of freedom. 

This book was one of those books that you just could not put down. Right from the beginning, it was something different than I had read before. The narration from innocent and naive Ele was shown just by the way she talks and thinks. You get pretty invested in the whole story, hoping and rooting for her to succeed in escaping and finding the truth. Yes, it was a little frustrating at times trying to figure out what she was actually talking about, but I think it added depth to the story. 

I loved the thrill of this book. Though I was a little disappointed with the ending a little, I thought it was going to end in quite a different way, I still very much enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more from Juckes!

Thanks to net galley for a copy in exchange for a review!

I read Outside  in a single sitting, that's how gripping it was. Reminiscent of the incredibly moving film Room, starring Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay, Outside follows the story of Ele's journey to freedom and finding her courage.

The book deals with issue in a sensitive way in my opinion. I read that Sarah Ann Juckes has worked with NSPCC - National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children - in order to gain an insight into trauma and issues surrounding this, so I hope that she does indeed manage to portray these both realistically and respectfully.

Although the book deals with difficult subject matter and approaches mature topics, it still manages to retain a uniquely positive and engaging tone. This is largely due to the main character: Ele. Despite having gone through so much trauma, Ele manages to retain an innocence, largely due to the fairytales she has read and constructs an entire world in her head in order to deal with her captivity.

Reading through Eles perspective was refreshing, as a reader you get to see the world through her eyes. All she knows of the outside world is through the fairytales she has read so it's interesting and sometimes amusing, to see the way she describes things and just like Ele, we have to figure it all out as we go.

I don't want to spoil anything as the twists and turns this novel takes are part of what makes it such a great story - but just rest assured, Juckes takes a reader on a real journey and will keep you guessing.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a unique and impactful story, with a hopeful tone even in the midst of such a dark topic.

I enjoyed this novel. For a young adult novel, it does a great job of walking the fine line of mature themes, told from a naïve point of view in a sensitive way. It begins with a young girl that we can identify as someone who has been locked away Inside. She has no real concept of Outside, except what she's managed to glean from some fairy tales and the obvious idea that the man who comes in to 'visit' her every week or so must come from somewhere.

As is inevitable, the girl does manage to actually visit the Outside, and the author does a fine job of showing us our world from the viewpoint of someone who has absolutely no frame of reference to guide her. It would be difficult to say anything more without adding spoilers that I think would detract from the story as we get to learn about the world at the same time as our protagonist.

While there are some extremely mature themes, many of the more egregious ones are merely hinted at in a way that the knowledgeable reader will be able to recognise, but it isn't overt. I felt this was a good way to handle these situations.

Definitely recommended.

Ele lives in a tower with long blonde hair and has been trapped there for many years. If you think this is a re-telling of Rapunzel... it's not. It's a debit YA book about a girl locked up in this tower, where feed is given, sun bars turn on and off, and when the light turns green He's coming to visit!

Very well written, it kept me guessing right until the end. The mind is so precious and fragile. I really liked Ele. I really enjoyed the play on words and descriptions of things from a world that Ele knows of fairy tales. This thriller is not an easy read although there are splashes of humour throughout which lightens a dark story. It will definitely appeal to people who've read Room, The Bunker Diary and Blood Family.

I know this is a child’s book and I think if I was possibly age 12/13 I would have loved it. Don’t know if it crosses over to Adults as well, mainly because for me it reminded me of Room and my biggest issue why wasn’t the police called as soon as they found her in shed??