BC High’s Nick Hallal Reviews ‘Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told’

Nick is a rising senior at Boston College High School who’s interested in sports and fitness. He’s been on the varsity wrestling team for 3 years. At school, he is the president and founder of the Bible Club, and he is the captain of Bowman House, participating in leadership activities in and out of school. Over the summer, Nick works at SNAP camp, a special needs camp, enjoying being able to help out others. In his free time, he likes watching sports and hanging out with friends and family. He plans to major in Health Sciences in college with dreams of pursuing a career in medicine.

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Q&A with Nick

1. Who would you recommend Gripped Part 1 to and why?

I would recommend Gripped 1 to anyone over the age of around 12. The book discusses tough but crucial topics such as mental health, addiction, and toxic relationships. These are important realistic issues which are good topics to read about for anyone, letting people know they are not alone in their struggles. It also gives readers a good sense of where young adults mindsets are which will help readers better understand them.

2. How do you as a young adult relate to the story?

I can relate to Gripped part 1 because the internal and external struggles the characters face feel very authentic to what real young adults face. Even though I haven’t specifically faced all the struggles depicted in the novel it highlights how overwhelming and stressful it can be to navigate relationships, manage your mental health, and live up to expectations. Seeing the characters face challenges really comforts me knowing that everybody, even characters like Taylor, faces struggles. 

3. What did you like best about the story?

What I liked best about the story was how real and authentic everything felt. A lot of authors sugar coat their novels but not Stacy Padula. As a young adult, Gripped’s scenes truly display real situations and struggles people not only my age but everybody faces.

4. What message does this book send to readers?

I think the message Gripped sends to readers is so important and so relevant. It depicts how social pressure can really affect and hurt individuals if they address it alone. By refusing to sugarcoat things like drugs/addiction, toxic relationships and mental health the novel highlights how easy it is to lose yourself trying to fit in. Navigating through high school and life requires honesty rather than putting on a “perfect” persona. 

5. There are a few different storylines running through Gripped Part 1 because it is setting up the rest of the series. What storyline do you find the most interesting and why? (For example: Taylor and the police, Cathy and Jason, Cathy and Chantal, etc.)

The storyline I found most interesting was definitely Cathy and Jason’s. I love how them meeting was built up so much for the first half of the book and when they did meet it did not disappoint and felt very natural and not forced. Instead of a lot of novels where the characters rush into a romance, Jason and Cathy build theirs slowly, gaining each other’s loyalty and respect. I also really like how the decisions by the people around them affect their relationship and it seems like both of them always work together to try and solve the issues of their friend group. 

6. Gripped Part 1 sets up the rest of the series but leaves a lot of things “hanging.” What are you most curious to uncover by reading Gripped Part 2?

I am most curious about Taylor’s situation with the book and his dangerous drug selling. The ending of the first book left me thinking so much especially when Marc was approached by law enforcement officer. Taylor has gotten himself in so much trouble with the police and danger with the mafia, so I am excited to see how he and Marc deal with these struggles.

7. About the characters…
   1. Who do you feel bad for and why?

I feel bad for both Cathy and Chantal. Cathy holds a heavy burden and it’s like everyone looks to her to fix their problems. I feel bad for Chantal because Jon was not being a good boyfriend to her and she really cared about him. 

2. Who frustrates you and why? 

I am a little frustrated with Jordan because of the way he acts at Chris’ parties. Although he does show some good when he offers to drive Cathy home at a sleepover, it seems like he is careless. When he supplies drugs and alcohol for Chris’ friends at the parties, I just see that as careless. 

3. Who do you most relate to and why?

I think I relate the most to Bryan because of his relaxed, chill, and grounded personality. He is a guy that does not need to be the center of attention. I relate to him in the way he stays out of the spotlight and avoids high school drama. 

4. Who do you like and why? 

I really like Jason because he shows a genuine desire to change for the better in order to be with Cathy. To me he comes across as a truly good person trying to grow, which makes his relationship with Cathy feel even more authentic.

5. Who do you dislike and why?

As of right now I do not think very highly of Jon due to a few things but the main being the way he treats Chantal. Although I do get he is struggling, that does not justify everything he has done to Chantal. He takes everything very far even bringing in outside friends into his relationship problems. 

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Book Review

Gripped Part 1 by Stacy A. Padula is a good read for anyone! It is very hard to find a novel nowadays that depicts the absolute truth of situations but Gripped is one of those books. From the very first page it becomes an immersive experience keeping you on the edge of your seat, showing the authentic truth of young adult life. The story follows a few different friend groups dealing with heavy, real world issues such as mental health, addiction, peer pressure, and toxic relationships Since the novel doesn’t sugarcoat anything, every situation feels very real and alive. With so many characters and overlapping storylines, the pace never slows down, keeping you glued to the novel as you want to see how someone’s decision will affect everyone around them. 

What makes Gripped one of my favorite books is the awareness it brings to the struggles young adults and really anyone experience. I think everyone should read Gripped with addiction and depression being at an all time high and addiction becoming a global crisis the novel truly depicts these struggles. It is the type of novel that starts necessary, real conversations. After the cliffhanger at the end I am so hooked and very excited to start Gripped Part 2!