MM Reviews: Do Not Resuscitate

Title: Do Not Resuscitate

It's hard being a teenager. People say those are the best years of your life, and while that might be true in some ways, it's not in others. It's the period of your life when you're most likely to be misunderstood - though not in a cliche way. You're not a child, but you're not an adult yet either, and while you're lingering in the space between, you're expected to map out your future. For some, however, what's expected isn't what happens, and that's certainly true for Dannilynn Sanders.

With the powerful and blunt first sentence: "I decided to kill myself on a Tuesday," the reader is immediately alerted to the fact that everything is not entirely okay with this story's protagonist, and it is much more than the average teenage angst. The subsequent eighteen chapters following the bombshell of a prologue delve further into Dannilynn's family dynamics and emotions, taking the reader on what is sure to be a whirlwind ride while watching as she struggles to keep her head above water.

The author, Lexi Munroe, has crafted a masterpiece in Do Not Resuscitate, not only in the raw portrayal of Dannilynn's emotions, but in the way she shows us how Dannilynn affects those surrounding her. Though narrated entirely through Dannilynn's perspective, the author makes sure it's clear just how her actions impact her mother (who struggles to cope with her daughter's problems) and her father (who tries his best to get through to her).

Whether you're in the Avenged Sevenfold fandom or not, you'll be drawn into Do Not Resuscitate from the very beginning. The story of a young girl dealing with her personal issues and her familial relationships is something to which anyone can relate, and when paired with Lexi Munroe's gripping and emotional writing style, this story will really hit home with anyone who's ever felt a little out of place.

Special thanks to mmmxalright and Audrey T for editing.