Ariel Crashes a Train was my second Olivia A. Cole novel, I enjoyed both. (And in case you’re not into this style, both are written in verse.) Ariel Burns is a troubled adolescent. They struggles with their identity. Ariel is pretty sure they are gay, but is less sure about their gender. Ariel is a larger human; not necessarily described as fat, but tall and broad. It seems those around Ariel aren’t sure if they’re male or female, and that leads Ariel to question themself.

Ariel is plagued by intrusive thoughts, but they don’t know that’s what they are. All day, every day, Ariel thinks about hurting or killing the people around them. Ariel is absolutely terrified they’ll hurt someone, and it makes their world smaller and smaller. Their sister seems to get it and wants to help, but Ariel’s parents deny the problems, belittle them, or tell them that prayer can solve everything. It’s sad and painful reading.

And, there are such good descriptions. Some of the writing is so good. Some of it is harder to follow, maybe a little confusing. Ariel’s mental health diagnosis seems to come out of nowhere halfway through the book, with a bunch of new symptoms presenting themselves to align with the diagnosis. I didn’t think that worked/flowed well. Overall, I liked this book and would recommend it. 3.5 stars rounded up.

Favorite quotes:
“I realized that some people lifted weights to feel strong and some lifted weights to feel powerful which is sometimes the same thing and sometimes isn’t.

there’s no such thing as a diet that’s not actually disordered eating in disguise.

What are you looking for? What are you hoping to get out of this?
Hidden, I don’t answer, but the boys do:
Boy 1, bird-bodied: muscles
Boy 2, sparrow-boned: I want to be as strong as my brother
Boy 3, large and soft: I’m tired of being fat. I just want a good body. This feels like prison.
Cipinko tells them all the same thing: Bodies are not bad or good, the only thing they are is ours. We can’t be trapped in what is ours.

Kids are brutal, I say. I know that firsthand. I’ll never know why. A lot of kids’ first bullies were their parents, she says.”

Wow. I'd like to throw this book at all the people who have a serious misunderstanding of what intrusive thoughts actually are. They aren't choosing not to clean or eating dessert, they are genuine unwanted, usually terrifying, thoughts.

My favorite quotes:

"Car or carnival sometimes it feels like everyone around me knows something I don’t—that there was a blueprint of their identity they received at birth, and build the architecture of their life brick by solid brick while I am using Legos."

" “How do you know you’re a girl?”Sometimes my brain spits out questions like the launcher at a batting cage."

"And therefore manhood is the black box with the flaming red eyes PROTEIN TO GET PUMPED Is this where we find gender—in the boxes we buy? What happens if I buy the black box What happens if I don’t buy either What happens when womanhood is on sale $ 2 off when you buy 3 Can I buy womanhood in bulk Can I be better at this girl thing if I sign up for a Target credit card?"

"I told Rex and Ruth I am afraid of hurting the people I love but also I am afraid of the people I love hurting me, and me not loving myself enough to stop them."

I'm not sure I have really analyzed my thoughts too hard about this one besides relating heavily to the gender aspect. I really appreciate the way this book tackles all sorts of things but it's biggest strength is discussing what happens when you're intrusive thoughts are manipulated and multiplied by also having OCD. Intrusive thoughts are a symptom of OCD and can also exist on their own but they are much more extreme when happening in conjunction with another mental illness.

This is not an easy book to read. The intrusive thoughts are violence and bloody and in addition there's also unsupportive parents and more things happening beyond just the characters OCD. It's really clear to me that this was written from an own voices POV and it's one that I will recommend with the caveat that you look at the content warnings before starting.

Books that are told in verse can be some of the most important books that can ever be told.

This follows Ariel who has OCD and Intensive Thoughts to where she has to walk in circles 64 times to help keep the crocodile at bay and make sure that everyone is safe. Even if it means hurting herself in more ways than she realizes. The more that the book goes on, the more Ariel wants to find ways to help her without going to therapy or getting help that might help. With the help of her new friends, she starts to find ways to stay under control.

I really enjoyed the writing of this and thought that it was fine. But I can tell that the author tried to really capture what it is like to be in someone's head who has OCD and intrusive thoughts.

"Ariel Crashes a Train" by Olivia A. Cole is a compelling young adult novel that masterfully blends adventure, character development, and thought-provoking themes. Cole's narrative is a testament to her ability to engage readers from the outset, drawing them into a world where the stakes are high and the emotions are real.

The book centers around Ariel, a protagonist who is both relatable and admirably tenacious. Her journey is not just about the literal crashing of a train but also about navigating the complexities of growing up, facing fears, and the pursuit of justice. Cole’s portrayal of Ariel is nuanced and inspiring, making her a character that readers will root for, empathize with, and learn from.

One of the most notable strengths of the novel is its ability to balance action-packed sequences with deep, introspective moments. The plot is fast-paced and filled with enough twists and turns to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Yet, Cole does not shy away from slowing down to explore the inner workings of her characters’ minds, making the story not just thrilling but also a rich emotional journey.

The themes of courage, friendship, and resilience are woven throughout the narrative, presented in a way that feels both fresh and relevant. Cole addresses these themes with a sensitivity and insight that resonates, encouraging readers to reflect on their own lives and the world around them. The inclusion of diverse characters and perspectives is another highlight, adding depth to the novel and enriching the reader’s experience.

Cole's writing style is both vibrant and accessible, with vivid descriptions that bring scenes to life and dialogue that captures the authentic voices of young adults. Her skillful storytelling ensures that "Ariel Crashes a Train" is not just a story to be read but an experience to be felt.

In conclusion, "Ariel Crashes a Train" by Olivia A. Cole is a standout novel that delivers on all fronts. With its dynamic protagonist, engaging plot, and meaningful themes, it is a book that will inspire, entertain, and stay with readers long after the last page is turned. Whether you’re a young adult or simply young at heart, this novel is a must-read, offering a perfect blend of excitement and depth that is all too rare in the genre.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinion are my own.
I’ve never read anything from Olivia A. Cole before, but I have heard good things, so I decided to give this book a try. While I don’t have OCD, I appreciate how this book explored it, especially how it lent itself to the free-verse style of the book, feeling a little intentionally fractured at times, yet still lyrical. The growth Ariel goes through, with all her challenges, is poignantly rendered.

I am giving this opinion in exchange for having been lent a digital ARC. Thank you to Random House Children's Books for the early copy.
It took me a while to get into this book. I like to go into my books blindly--not having read a review, or preview, so I had no idea what to expect. However, by the time I was 30% done with the book, I was still so confused about what was happening--I broke down and read the preview on Goodreads. OH! We are dealing with OCD!! I hadn't picked up on that yet!!
Once I figured that out, I found the hints the author was dropping, intrusive thoughts, there were the obsessions and compulsions--ooops, maybe that toxic dad has something going on too...
I love the lyrical style of this novel-in-verse, and I loved that the author sometimes jumped out of verse for a paragraph or two to write in prose. I loved the side characters, how much they supported Ariel (except her awful parents!)
The cover is absolutely beautiful, and the relationships that are built in this book are also beautiful. I enjoyed it, once I got the hang of it.

A novel in verse that centers around a 17 yr old young woman with OCD. Teenage live is hard enough to get through, when you add mental health issues, it leads to isolation and misunderstanding. Every person's symptoms are unique to themself, making diagnosis and treatment more difficult still. Olivia Cole's characters learn how their individual unique qualities can make a contribution within their community. While this book is hard to read, it pulls heartstrings watching the pain and eventual growth of the characters, it should be read by young adults 13 and up to educate and enlighten them as they assume the "adult" status.

This YA novel-in-verse follows Ariel, a teen who's struggling with undiagnosed OCD with intrusive thoughts.

I loved Dear Medusa, so I was really eager to read Olivia A. Cole's next book. I know writing in verse isn't everyone's cup of tea, and that's okay, but I do think it worked really well here, particularly with the subject matter - there was a lot of use of repetition and shifting justification on the page that really helps the reader understand what Ariel's mind is like. And it's a scary place to inhabit - Cole certainly doesn't shy away from exploring the ugliness, paranoia, and terror that OCD brings. I definitely recommend reading her author's note, as she discusses why the topic is so important to her. OCD is an often misunderstood illness with multiple subtypes - it's not a fun quirk. At times, this book was honestly difficult to read because of the content and frequency of the intrusive thoughts and how unsettling and upsetting they were for Ariel, but that was definitely the point.

I wanted to shake Ariel's parents - I was frustrated that they were so resistant to therapy. However, I think that sadly can be realistic. It's hard to be sixteen or seventeen and be old enough to be living with a devastating mental illness and yet not be considered old enough to be in charge of your own treatment and need parental permission for everything - my heart breaks but I've been there. This book is realistic, which means it's not always happy. I wanted a little more from the ending in order to make it satisfying, but again, I think that could also be read as simply a realistic outcome.

I think this book would be a great addition to a high school or YA library.

This was a book all about mental illness. The way that the author chose to present this illness however was spectacular. The book is written through our main characters point of view as she struggles with her OCD and her intrusive thoughts. It was very sad to read about because I know that a lot of people actually struggle with illness like this on a regular basis and to get a chance to view it from an insider's point of view was very jarring. While this book tackles some very hard issues the simplicity of the dialog and descriptions really took what could have been a tough read and opened it up to the masses to really understand. While this was a simple read to get through it was also very dark and sinister in places but that was almost to be expected considering the subject. This was unlike any other book I've read before and I super enjoyed being able to read it. What I thought was the most interesting was how the author chose to write this book on verse instead of novel form. I think that was a great idea because it kept the book light and the flow was nice and quick. Really cute read and I'm very glad that I got the chance to check it out.

This is my second read of Olivia Cole's and I love how real she is. "Ariel Crashes a Train" is a novel in verse, where she is unafraid to showcase the reality of mental illness. She uses the free verse to show how exhausting and terrifying it can be in the mind of someone suffering from OCD, I appreciate this because it seems like the media tries to highlight the cute and quirky side of the disease (for example in the TV show Monk). The book is stressful, and frightening, but also hopeful as it ends with Ariel learning to cope with her reality. I did feel the book was a little bit too long and repetitive for my taste, but I understand that that aspect just further drives home the mental matter Ariel is dealing with.

This was a really eye-opening read for me. I've always felt I was pretty familiar with OCD and how it presents itself. However, this book, which allowed me into the mind of someone suffering from OCD, gave me a whole different perspective. I never knew the intrusive thoughts could be a fear of committing violence or harm towards all the people around you. I always assumed the intrusive thoughts were fears of what could happen TO you, your family, your life, etc. Not fear of the harm you think YOU will cause. So that alone was really interesting to me.

I think the topic of OCD was really conducive to a book written in verse. It worked so well for that topic, both the visual aspect as well as the writing. I liked the writing style and found myself highlighting a lot of lines.

I also really appreciate the focus on how women are expected to fit a certain mold, and how we are treated if we don't fit that mold or perception of what people think a woman should be. The constant attention to our physical appearance, size, etc - and how we may be treated differently if we don't fit the idea of what people think makes a woman "feminine".

As for the characters, I loved Ruth, Rex, Megga, Mandy, and the weight room coach. I did feel a lot of frustration towards Ariel's parents and it took me a very long time to understand why her dad treated her the way he did. But once I got it, it definitely changed my perspective.
I also would've loved more scenes with Leah, who is Ariel's closest friend. She was referenced and brought up a lot in the book, but we didn't get to experience Ariel and Leah spending time together, as I would have liked.

At any rate, it was overall a pretty good book. It was easy to read and had a really good message. I do think it could've been shorter, but it wasn't so long that the length bothered me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

A novel-in-verse that explores both OCD and the societal expectations placed on gender.

Heavy, dark and quite unsettling. Whenever I read this, I was left with a sense of unease. While the feelings were unpleasant, I have to admit that Cole did a remarkable job of dropping readers into the mind of someone struggling with OCD (with a particular emphasis on violent intrusive thoughts). Worry, anxiety, fear, struggles, and insecurities are all thoroughly conveyed.

Well written and quite informative. It did feel a bit long at times, but this is an important book for raising awareness of OCD.

5 stars

Wow, talk about a violent, unsettling, beautiful journey. This does such a good job of putting you in the head of a teen struggling with religious conservative parents, friendships, and OCD/intrusive thoughts. It isn’t comfortable, especially at first but that really highlights the point of the prose. I loved the end and how it made sure to get the point across that it wasn’t something teens could just solve by themselves. I want to protect Ariel forever. I think a lot of teens (and adults) can relate to a few of the themes here.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second novel in verse I’ve read from Olivia A Cole and I will read any future novels. It takes real talent to make a reader feel such deep emotions especially with a novel written in verse.

This book made me feel so many things: anger, sadness, anxiety, concern and I could keep going. This was a tough read for me because I found myself relating to Ariel more than I would’ve liked. I found the thoughts raging in her mind exhausting. I couldn’t imagine having to live in Ariel’s mind.

This was a five star read for me because it made me feel so many different things I felt like this novel had such a powerful message.

A moving, fascinating look at the world from the perspective of a young woman with OCD and suffering from intrusive thoughts, as she learns who she really is and connects with others who feel equally different from the people around them. Really engaging and interesting, plus it's a carnival-based coming-of-age story—I think we can all agree that running away to the circus or working summers at a carnival make for some of the most intriguing ways to come of age.

As a caveat, I try to give novels "in verse" an extra benefit of the doubt, because I consider my inability to click with them a failing of mine and not of them—but I really, really find it difficult to click with them. But here we have the absolute exception that proves the rule. Maybe it didn't do some of the things that usually so pull me out of a poetry-based novel (constant actual rhyming, line breaks in the middle of every sentence to keep the meter, etc.), or maybe I was just too engrossed and involved to care! Even if you usually read the words "novel-in-verse" or "lyrically written" and run in the other direction, give this one a chance.

I enjoyed reading Dear Medusa so I was pretty excited when I seen Ariel Crashes a Train by Olivia A. Cole was being published.
This is such a poignant story and I’m so glad I had the chance to read it.
A thought-provoking and honestly important story that should be read by all.
The writing immediately sucked me in and held me captive.
An emotional YA novel in verse.

Thank You NetGalley and Random House Children's, Labyrinth Road for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This book, in feelings, has crashed into me. That's the kind of emotional mess I feel. Also want to go ahead and recommend for any readers to please look at the content warnings for this book.

Parents that seem oppressively in control of themselves and their own separate lives, and in a sense, this includes Ariel. Ariel already feels too large to fit in and wonders at questions of gender and many things. But Ariel's real struggles are their own thoughts. Thoughts that seem to swish and slide around like a huge destructive, blood-craving crocodile. What Ariel can't figure out alone is that it's not them... it's a type of OCD.

This author is a brilliant poet, and I am once again amazed. This one was particularly emotional, I think, because it was a bit longer and had me on edge longer. It was a very intense but important read.

Out March 12, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

Ariel’s life is determined by rules. Sure, there are the infuriating societal rules about what, exactly, it means to be a girl that she, a tall young woman who wears size 12 sneakers, isn’t really sure she wants to follow. But there are also the rules she’s made for herself to protect everyone she knows from harm.

Because Ariel believes she’s a monster. Her mind is constantly filled with horrifying thoughts: What if she grabs the knives from the kitchen and kills her parents? What if she pushes an old lady in front of an oncoming bus? What if she lets the train ride at the summer carnival where she works fly off the tracks, killing all the children onboard?

When she’s not Googling serial killers to make sure she’s not like them, she’s walking six miles to work because she can’t drive or take the bus. She’s walking 64 laps around her room to quiet the “crocodile” in her mind (an apt metaphor) and keep her father safe. She’s counting, praying, and reciting mantras to avoid asking her sister and her best friend for reassurance: hasn’t she burdened them enough?

When Ariel’s sister learns about OCD and intrusive thoughts, she urges Ariel to seek help, but their religious father refuses to send her to therapy, believing prayer is sufficient. Her sister and friends, however, refuse to give up on her, and they patiently show her that, just maybe, she’s not the monster she fears herself to be.

I am beyond thrilled that this book exists. Cole is a talented writer (we loved Dear Medusa), and her gorgeous novel-in-verse perfectly captures the experience of struggling with OCD, particularly Harm OCD, an often overlooked subtype. She captures the terror, the irrationality, the doubt and uncertainty, the self-reinforcing cycle, and the immense burden of shame and isolation, but she also accurately explains the language of recovery, particularly exposure therapy, that powerfully changes the lives of those who struggle. Her exploration of religion and gender identity add additional layers to the portrayal.

OCD frequently goes undiagnosed for years, especially when it doesn’t manifest in the stereotypical contamination and organizing subtypes. This is a book that I needed to read when I was younger, and I hope it helps other young men and women know that they are not monsters, they are not alone, and they are not without hope.

The novel does include profanity, as you’re considering its appropriateness for your own classroom.

Thank you NetGalley and Sharon Robertson for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are our own.

Review will be posted at https://threeheads.works/category/blog/ya-books/ on 4/22.

Dear Medusa is one of my favorite novels in verse so I was very excited to read Cole’s next book. Ariel feels like she’s too much of everything: too big, too broad, too queer and too much. She deals with OCD and intrusive thoughts and is terrified to let anybody in for fear they’ll see what goes on in her head. This is very much a character driven novel, not a lot of action, but I still felt very invested in the story. Besides OCD, Ariel Crashes A Train covers topics like body dysmorphia, transphobia, sexual harassment, racism and grief. I thought each topic was done with such care. I absolutely loved this book Cole’s writing style and especially her note at the end about her own struggle with OCD. I highly recommend this one, but definitely make sure you’re in the right mindset to read it. It is a lot, but it’s such a necessary book.

CW: descriptions of intrusive thoughts, mental illness, ableism, body shaming, dysphoria, mentions of suicide, suicidal thoughts, transphobia

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

I got to 35% and had to stop. I have OCD and the accuracy of Ariel's intrusive thoughts were becoming too much for me to read. I know it says in the book blurb that Ariel has OCD but I was expecting it almost to be glossed over and not be so explicit (it's necessary). Instead, it dug in and kept going on and on. The use of verse instead of prose was a masterful move -- no chapter breaks allows for the story to go on without stopping which feels very real.

In summary, this is an instance where it was definitely a me problem. I may get back to this book when I'm in a better headspace but for now, I can't.