This coming-of-age story was beautifully tragic and unforgiving. Nico’s adventure is not just about finding her place in the world, but about grief, mental health, and relationships as well. The journey to better mental/emotional health is never a straight path and we get to see Nico’s peaks and valleys as she tries to find a new, healthier equilibrium. At her low points, Nico is extremely destructive to the point of being unlikable. However, as uncomfortable as it is to witness, I also find it to be a truthful representation of how many people (both teens and adults) try to artificially deal with deep emotional pain. Nico might be impulsive, but her actions are not without reason. I appreciate the author’s bravery in unapologetically showing this part of her. It makes it all the more rewarding whenever she reaches her peaks.

Relationships play a big role in Nico’s journey and they are really where this story shines. Though it feels like you might be falling into a trope every time a new character is introduced, you are quickly surprised by fatal flaws and quirks that make each character unique. The characters aren’t there as ‘sages’ for Nico, but as real people that help Nico discover both strengths and flaws in herself through her interactions with them. There are many great characters in this book, but the most important relationship to me is between Kristen and Nico. Despite being presented as opposites, it is clear that they were close in their own sisterly way. What Kristen means to Nico unfolds along the story and Kristen’s role in Nico’s journey is beautifully portrayed and moving.

If I were to complain about anything, it would be that this story needed to spend more time with an editor. It was good enough that I was able to ignore the errors, but someone who is more particular might be bothered by it. Additionally, this is definitely an era-specific piece. Where this is not necessarily a bad thing, I think part of why I enjoyed it so much was because I grew up in this era and could relate to most of the references and Nico’s lifestyle. There is a lot that current young readers can get out of this story, but it will resonate more with people who grew up in the 90’s and/or appreciate grunge music and culture.

I enjoyed that this book took place in the 90s and that grunge music and style were a big part of Nico ( the main charactes) life. Nico was not a real enjoyable character to read about . She acted out in a way that never had any true consequences for her action making the read not that believable for me.

I wanted to much to enjoy this book but ultimately I felt that I could not connect to the narrative or the story. I was about 45% through and decided that this wasn't for me.

This isn't to say that there won't be an audience out there. This has potential to be big, but it just wasn't for me.

Nico has a hard edge but, like so many teenagers, her edge comes from a place of unease and vulnerability. She has yet to find her place within her family or at school, let alone in the world. As a result, Nico is searching and finds solace in skipping school and reckless behavior. Nico’s universal and relatable struggle to find herself – with a hefty side of sarcasm – coupled with Lee Matthew Goldberg’s concise plotting make Runaway Train a pleasure to catch.

As Runaway Train opens, Nico is reeling from the sudden death of her seventeen year old sister, Kristen. As you may have guessed, her death was sudden and completely unexpected. Nico and her parents, not on the best of terms before Kristen’s death, now find themselves almost entirely at odds, despite the fact that they are wading through grief together. Nico, convinced that her fate will be the same as her sister’s, sets off on a road trip to get away from her parents and complete all the items on her bucket list. At the top of the list: visiting Kurt Cobain’s Seattle residence. Grunge is Nico’s musical genre of choice, Cobain her savior – especially in the wake of the tragedy. On her drive from LA to Seattle, Nico climbs mountains, meets new people and even takes a turn at the mic herself. By the time she makes her way back home, Nico gets a whole lot more out of the trip than she expected.

Nico’s story of redemption rising from the ashes of self-destruction is engaging, if a bit predictable. Goldberg has brilliantly chosen to set the plot over a brief, fixed period of time. There is some exposition, but the bulk of the story is set over the course of Nico’s road trip – about two weeks. Nico spends time in each chapter with new people and experiences new things. Timing constraints are bolstered by precision in character development. Goldberg’s focus is Nico and Nico only. It’s a constraint that intensifies the weight of Nico’s situation and allows us to forgive the fact that some of the other characters fall shy of fully formed. Nico is simultaneously immature and wise beyond her years, having experienced a loss that no child should have to endure. Her destructive actions against the backdrop of her insecurities illustrate her struggle to find balance, peace and her identity. It is impossible not to root for her.

The description of Runaway Train includes the following, “Runaway Train is a wild journey of a bygone era…” How unbelievable that the 1990's are now considered a bygone era. I realize that reveals my age. However, the premise of the book relies on the fact that Nico is on her journey alone. That is, her decision to suddenly disconnect from her life mirrors the disconnect she has felt all along, a premise that does not exist in our constantly connected culture. I suppose that makes Runaway Train bildungsroman with a touch of historical fiction. Filled with humor and heart, Runaway Train is hard to put down.

I just want you to know that I
Don't hate you anymore
There is nothing I could say
That I haven't thought before --Serve the Servants, Nirvana

Nico's entire world turns upside down when her sister Kristen suddenly dies from a brain aneurysm at the age of 17. Her parents start neglecting her because Kristen was their perfect child and Nico is anything but. So, Nico turns to her grunge music and her king, Kurt Cobain for comfort. With her bucket list and mix tape in hand, Nico runs away to find Kurt Cobain's house and make him fall madly in love with her and leave Courtney Love once and for all.

Nico does not want to end up dead at 17 like her sister, so she might as well live while she is alive. While traveling to Seattle from L.A., Nico meets a handful of interesting characters along the way, each bringing some type of revelation to Nico. But Nico is so caught up in missing her sister and trying to live, that she can't see that she is a runaway train about to crash...

I loved this book. Nico and her teenage angst were pouring through the pages. I could hear the music, hear Cobain's gravelly voice. This book transported me to an era that I am a little too young to remember, but I could see it vividly. The author did a wonderful job with the descriptions and emotions, because while everything may have been hazy for Nico, it was clear for me as a reader.

I thought the character development was great, the descriptions were superb, and the references to the 90's were spot on (and even though I am on the younger side of this era, I caught most of them.) The writing kept me interested and turning pages, and Nico's character was one of which I almost felt overprotective. I didn't want anything bad to happen to Nico even though I could feel it building.

I want to thank the author for writing this story because even if the reader can't connect with the 90's grunge scene, there are plenty of other elements in this coming-of-age novel that will resonate with almost everyone. I think it is an important reminder to check in on your loved ones, especially if they seem like a train about to crash.

5 stars, I can't give this book enough praise!