I received a copy of ’89 Walls in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Wise Ink and Netgalley.

’89 Walls tells the story of Quinn and Seth, two teenagers living in Lincoln, Nebraska, attending the same high school and the same social sciences class. Quinn comes from an affluent Republican background; Seth comes from a disadvantaged liberal background. Despite the fact that they clash regularly in class over their political beliefs, Seth has a huge crush on Quinn and eventually summons up the courage to tell her.

I should make a disclaimer here: I’m from England and I don’t know a whole lot about American politics, other than what I’ve seen on The West Wing (it’s a documentary, right?). I know that the Republicans are basically similar to our Conservative party and that the democrats are a kind of Labour/LibDem hybrid, and that’s about it.

I say this because ’89 Walls is a very political book. The author clearly has a defined (liberal) political agenda, which she incorporates into her writing. In addition to this, the class in which Quinn and Seth meet (and clash) is a social studies class where the kids and teacher discuss politics (and they discuss it with better-informed opinions than my friends and I did when we were at school!).

I thought the choice of year that the book is set in was very relevant. 1989 was an incredibly important year, politically-speaking. Even I know that. The Berlin Wall, Tiananmen Square, the first free elections in Poland, glasnost and the fatwah on Salman Rushdie. And yet, despite the fact that ’89 Walls is set twenty-six years ago, there are echoes of what happened then in today’s politics, especially with the current tension in Russia and the Ukraine and the rise of religious fundamentalism.

Against this political backdrop, Quinn and Seth go from being attracted to each other to forming a relationship, despite the differences in their opinions and backgrounds. I thought the way their relationship was written was incredibly sweet: the author doesn’t rely on instalove or love triangles to create tension (thank god); the tension is all about their material and ideological differences and having to figure out whether their beliefs are the right ones, or whether their relationship has changed their viewpoints.

I thought the author balanced her characters out nicely and showed really good character development. Quinn’s dad, a republican, could have been painted as a full-on bad guy complete with devils horns, but in fact Ms Pierson shows the reasoning behind his politics, in a kind of ‘This is why Quinn’s dad thinks this way. He’s not the antichrist, he genuinely thinks that his policies are the best ones for the American people.’ Similarly, Seth’s mum, a former activist and liberal, now suffering from MS, could have been painted as a saint, but actually she comes across as cranky and bigoted in her own way, especially when she assumes that Quinn is going to string Seth along and then dump him, purely because she’s from a wealthy background. All the characters in the book develop as the story moves along and all of them are challenged in their beliefs to some extent.

So here’s a question I kept asking myself: Would I have enjoyed the book as much if I didn’t agree with Ms Piersons political standpoint? I’m honestly not sure. I’m trying to imagine if I would enjoy a book that advocated pro-life as firmly as the author advocates pro-choice and I’m coming up blank.

All in all, though, I really enjoyed ’89 Walls. It made a refreshing change from a lot of the YA fiction that’s going around at the moment. It had a lot of layers and gave me a lot to think about.

8.5/10

I LOVED this book! I think it is amazing coming of age story that is believable and relate-able at any age.

This is a take on the timeless idea of a privileged girl falling for a less-privileged boy.

The strongest point in my opinion was seeing Quinn and Sean's relationship with Quinn's dad and one of their teachers. Quinn develops a lot of her own political beliefs across the book and learns how to represent these with facts and with emotions. This felt very real.

Quinn and Seth's relationship was initially too cute, though the way she acted at the first party was kind of odd and jarring--I had to go back and double check that I hadn't missed anything.

I also found the setting delightful. Pierson threw in a lot of references to the time, including music as well as politics. (I instantly fell in love with Quinn's first boyfriend, Jason, for loving New Order and The Cure...) Though this may date some people, I found it really fascinating to imagine being a teenager around the time and experiencing life during the end of the Cold War.

And for that, the book loses merit. Purely based on the title and description, I expected more information about the USSR/US communism/capitalism details. I wanted to really get a feel for what it might be like living in those times. I was disappointed when the Berlin Wall came down and we only heard about it through a couple of paragraphs in a letter. The politics and time period are what sets this book apart from your run of the mill YA book, and they fall just short of their potential. Quinn also went through a challenging situation that was then rarely mentioned, though I thought it would have had a bigger emotional effect on her.

While I loved the first two thirds of this book, the ending felt a little forced to me. It may just be my having a problem with happily-ever-after endings, but I felt like there should be a bit more conflict or struggle. It just wasn't a very believable ending, having seen the characters as they grew up.

However, I did enjoy reading this and was amused by the characters. I enjoyed seeing Quinn mature and develop her own views on life, and I was never bored, reading this book straight through in one setting. I definitely recommend reading this book, especially if you're interested in politics.

Let me start by saying that I did not expect to love this book nearly as much as I did. I assumed that setting it in 1989 would make for a boring setting, but I was wrong! Being an older YA reader, I experienced 1989 but had no idea how politically and socially relevant it truly was to today's youth. What an excellent and unique time period to set a YA novel. There was nothing boring about the small tidbits of political and social factoids weaved into the story and as I experienced 1989 within the context of the setting of 89 Walls, it was "Wow!!" Teen and twenty something YA readers will get such an insightful perspective into today's social and political issues by learning about many of today's issues' roots. But, beyond all the glory of the setting, the story was terrific! The characters and their personal stories gave the reader depth and connection. From Seth's very realistic problems he encounters as he singlehandedly takes care of his sick mother to Quinn's everyday real 'teen' issues, the characters and their chemistry is perfection. I strongly encourage YA fans to pick up and devour this delightful gem. I loved its sweetness, relevance and realistic narrative told from alienating points of view. I am so glad I had the chance to preview this book! Thank you!!

This book is incredible!!!!! The political talk had me pumped up and Seth and Quinn are adorable politicians. Had me crying near the end with the *murmers quietly* , but so worth it.

'89 Walls explores the many "walls" that stood in the late 80s (and many that still stand today) - walls in politics, adolescence, romantic relationships, rights, parent/child relationships, and others. Quinn is a privileged teen living with wealthy Republican parents. Seth is an underprivileged boy in her class with more Liberal ideas. Although the two clash in political belief, they are drawn to each other. As a child of the 80s, I enjoyed the walk down memory lane. At times the setting felt forced -- this book is set in 1989, and the political events of that year are center stage. I felt that not too many High School students are usually that political, as to be involved in deep political conversations with each other and with adults on almost every page, though it was an interesting read if you can suspend your beliefs there. I found myself rooting for Seth and Quinn. I desperately wanted them to get together and work everything out, which is a sign of well written characters. Spoiler - the book deals with abortion at one point, but I felt that this section was a weak link. The character dealing with this abortion has a relatively low level of angst regarding the situation, which I found surprising. Otherwise, the characterization was excellent, and the development of Quinn was well done. As a teaching tool, this book would be great for a class covering 1980s politics. There's so much to cover, and the book allows for great connections to today's world -- have things really changed that much at all?

I thought this book was beautiful and realistic. Even though Quinn and Seth come from completely different backgrounds and while Quinn has an easy life, Seth has got it rough. They have difference in opinions and ideas but still their love is what unites them. I loved the characters and the way the story evolves with every passing chapter. Wonderful.

I enjoyed the political discussions from the classroom and family perspective--felt true to 1989. Quinn and Seth's relationship was hopeful.

'89 Walls is a refreshing take on the classic class conflict romance story.

Seth and Quinn come from drastically different backgrounds. Seth lives with his liberal mom - a single mother suffering from MS - who he takes care of. Quinn lives a privileged life with both of her wealthy conservative parents and doesn't really want for anything. Despite their differences, they find common ground and a wonderfully sweet romance blossoms between them.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book, I felt that I really connected with them, and I loved that they were well-rounded and we got to see their flaws and their virtues.

I loved the references to pop culture from the era but I skimmed over the political parts as I have never been able to pay attention to politics.

I think that the sex scenes in the book would be too much to handle for younger teens, so would probably only give it out to more mature kids.

ARC provided by NetGalley:
Confession: I wasn’t going to write a review for this book after I finished reading it. It was a good book, no major gripes, but it didn’t really compel me like most others I’ve reviewed. But the more time that passed, the more it grew on me. And I don’t mean that as a criticism in any way but instead a compliment to the author for writing such a book.

Take a step back, if you will, to 1989. If you’re around my age, that’s about the time I was graduating from high school. So it is with our characters, Seth and Quinn. But they’re on different paths in life. Quinn is from a well-to-do family and as such is on her way to college and great things in life. The same cannot be said for Seth. It’s just Seth and his mom. And his mom is very sick. So his path in life is most certainly going in a different direction from Quinn’s. Of course this means that they must fall for each other. Thus come the obstacles to their everlasting happiness.

There are many things going on with this book. I absolutely loved stepping back in time to my younger years. The cultural references were spot-on as was the description of the political atmosphere of the time. It’s now twenty-six years later and the book made me feel as if it were yesterday. The author also broaches many hot topics including abortion and political unrest.

A word of caution, however. Although it’s presented as a young adult book, there are some pretty descriptive sex scenes. Yes, it’s a teen romance at heart but still. Otherwise, read away and enjoy the trip back to the 80s!

Enjoyed this book. Gave me a new perspective on the events that happened in 1989. Refreshing to have a book that makes you think beyond the story.

A true flashback to the late 80s, I loved the story and how the main characters did not leave perfect lives but had real problems that happen to real people. Made me pause to think about the things I did and remembered from that year. The timeline at the end was a very nice touch!

It's been a while since I read YA fiction, so I thought it was time to jump back in, especially since my daughter is now fanatical about it.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It's set in the US during 1989, and American politics feature prominently. Quinn is a senior from an upper middle class family, while Seth is the son of a single mom with MS barely getting by on welfare. Their relationship plays out against the backdrop of the final days of the Cold War and the destruction of the Berlin Wall. Both teens are highly educated in the current political situation - much more so than I was in 1989 as a young adult. They struggle to define themselves separately from their parents, who hold strong political opinions. The book covers many of the hot button topics from the "80s and early '90s, and includes a handy glossary at the back to bring today's teens up to speed. Part political science primer, part romance, with a dash of honest and touching teen sex tossed in for fun, this book was a pleasant surprise.

This is the story of Seth and Quinn during their senior year of high school. You get to see them grow and discover who they are without the influence of parents and peer pressure. Relationships change some evolve into more than you ever thought they would be and some just wither and fade. I love that the book is set in 1989 it illustrates the innocence of the 80's but also shows the changing times

This brought me back to my teen years (dating myself). I thought it was a great overview of growing up, firsts, and parents.

I loved everything about this book. The characters were all well rounded and complex, with their own lives and their own problems. It was a beautiful book, truly.

I enjoyed reading '89 Walls. But before I go any further I will say that I'm from Scotland so I know next to nothing about American politics (aside from the constant Sky News coverage during a presidential election). Therefore, I learned quite a bit whilst reading and this was something that I didn't really expect to happen in such a short YA novel.

I wasn't too sure about the political premise of the story. I can't really remember myself or anyone I went to school with being as interested in politics as the age of 17 as the characters in '89 Walls. (Of course, that did change with the onset of the Independence issue in Scotland.) But perhaps it's different in America, I've not been (yet) so I don't really know to much about America other than what I read or watch. Then again both Quinn and Seth have parents with strong political views (more on Quinn's side) so this may have just rubbed off onto both Quinn and Seth. Plus, they appear to study a lot of politics in social studies, a subject that wasn't offered at my school which in hindsight is kinda stupid. So in a way, I guess the political premise really does work given Quinn and Seth's upbringing. If '89 Walls gets more young people interested in politics that can only be a good thing.

'89 Walls is told via the third person and switches between the point of view of both Seth and Quinn. I liked this as it gives the reader a clear insight into their totally different upbringings - Quinn with her privileged background and Seth who was brought up by an ill single parent. The plot is your typical polar opposite teenagers falling for each other and going through the various associated problems but the political aspect does add something different. It was enjoyable, however I wish there was more to the ending, perhaps including Seth's viewpoint in the epilogue.

I did like both Quinn and Seth but I really liked Seth. He just had so much weight on his shoulders and I just wanted to hug him. He's just so cute, independent and emotionally strong. He works a minimum wage job just so his mother doesn't have to worry. You can easily tell how much he adores his mother and will do anything for her. He is basically her carer. I just wanted everything to work out for Seth and I really hope it did in the end. Seth just doesn't see what he's worth and I'm so glad that Quinn does. I know it is first love but I really hope they found their happily ever after. Quinn is also very brave - she learns to stand up for her views and even tells her mum something that was probably quite terrifying to do.

I also liked the secondary characters of Quinn's dad and Mr Levine. They both stood up for their beliefs but also allowed the kids to work out their own beliefs whilst guiding them. Although they could both be a bit pushy in their own way. But everyone tends to get a bit pushy when politics is involved.

I would definitely recommend '89 Walls. Perhaps to young adults around 16 and older - it does contain a bit of sex. I definitely learned a lot about American politics and learning something new is always a bonus when reading. I look forward to seeing what Katie Pierson writes next.

"89 Walls really surprised me. I was never a fan of politics or the 80"s, but consider me converted because of this book. "89 Walls had a perfect mix of politics and romance. I really loved the conflict, the plot, and the setting, the were all a great fit to the story. The time period was well explained and I felt like I've lived there before, when in reality I wasn't even born yet. Most aspects of the book were great,a and the character development was phenomenal. Overall, this book was stellar and an easy read.

When I first heard about ’89 Walls I wasn’t sure about it. In my experience (and I work with young adults on a daily basis) the majority of readers in this genre are not overly savvy when it comes to politics and their understanding can be somewhat limited. With this in mind, it was pleasing to discover that ’89 Walls triumphs in not only promoting an understanding of the politics of the 1980s to young people, but also balances this perfectly with the romance in the story. The cultural aspects of the 1980s are incredibly accurate (I didn’t spot one mistake!) and serve to stir up great memories for older readers. The book switches between the point of view of the two main characters, and this works well, giving the reader a good insight into both. Both Seth and Quinn are developed well, and you really find yourself caring about them as you get further into the story. Some reviewers have commented on the sexual scenes in this book, and perhaps them being too much for younger readers. I would suggest that the book is suitable for those aged 14 and up, whilst steamy the scenes are not in any way sordid, but parents will be able to gauge the maturity of their youngsters. Overall an excellent read, and worthy of four stars.

I enjoyed this book, given that I was alive and remember some, if not all, of it. Younger readers might not, but that doesn't change the fact that this is a well-written, engaging novel. With some echoes of Eleanor and Park, The Fault in Our Stars, and the like, '89 Walls is recommended for anyone who likes emotional but also humorous tales of teen connections.

Sidenote: The political discourse in the novel is well-done. Students often struggle to reconcile what they hear parents espouse with what they hear at school, or believe is right on their own. This book allows that give-and-take some of the spotlight without hogging it all.

I really liked Seth and Quinn, the main characters in 89 Walls, and my sympathy with them made this a good read: I was genuinely rooting for them. The author has a lot to say about American politics, diplomacy and international relations (within the context of the end of the Cold War), and it's to her credit that this was actually pretty fascinating. I was particularly intrigued to read about the Republican Party before it got highjacked by fundamentalist Christians (with Quinn's father being both a card-carrying Republican and vehemently pro-choice, for example).

Seth and Quinn’s verbal sparring in social studies class turns to romance when he takes a chance and lets her know how he feels. He toils at a minimum wage job to put food on the table for him and his mom, who has MS, and thinks college bound Quinn is out of his league, but she surprises him and returns his feelings. It’s 1989 and although their politics class, their attraction for each other may triumph.

'89 Walls was originally introduced to me as a book about abortion and the politics of 1989 that came with it. '89 Walls delves into abortion, but mostly it's the story of Quinn and Seth who are at opposing sides of political parties. They engage in intense, thought-provoking arguments about the world they live in their history class. I don't know about everybody else, but I loved history class in high school yet I don't remember reading about so much of the politics that was going on today or actively watching the news. Both Quinn and Seth have immersed themselves in politics and their own political views. They question those beliefs and where they stand in their lives. Quinn and Seth must balance the fine line of political views, economic status, and where they see their unexpected romance going in '89 Walls.

Politics is always a touchy subject. There were a lot of questioning and arguments that had to do with politics and the difference of economic status between our two main characters. Luckily, it wasn't difficult to follow along with what was going on in the world even with the history lessons I was receiving. History lessons that I've never really paid attention to in the past. '89 Walls made me think of our past and the way it's changed so much today with abortion, civil rights, and war. All very touchy subjects in everyday life, but real things that need to be discussed. There was something that Quinn mentioned and her teacher did too about how we try to be neutral, but we can never be. We can't believe in the right of equality and say we are neutral. We all have different lives and points of view. Seeing Quinn and Seth's POV really puts into perspective how involved some people are in politics and how others (like me) are laid back. It made me question whether I should do something more or at least educate myself with what is going on in the world and assessing my views on it.

The other side of the story was Quinn and Seth's sudden romance. I liked them together because they respected each other and their opinions. I think respect in a relationship is one of the best thing's you can have. I didn't enjoy reading about their sexual exploits. I didn't need the step by step coverage on that. Otherwise, I liked their relationship although, it didn't have me squealing with joy or anything. I liked their family dynamics more than anything actually. Quinn has affluent parents who are conservative and talk to her about politics. Seth has to take care of his mother who has MS. Seth and his mother hurt me inside. It's such a crappy situation to know that your body is failing you and that your son has to watch while putting his life on the backburner.

'89 Walls made me think about the world and how little I know about what brought us to this point in the US. It was a very enjoyable and thought provoking read. If you like politics, you will especially like '89 Walls, but even if you don't you still can get something from Quinn and Seth's story like I did.

Really enjoyed this! I think a lot of my patrons will too. The mix of politics, romance and 80's was interesting and enjoyable and I found the characters to be well-developed too. An author to definitely keep an eye on!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review of this lovely book.

I really liked '89 Walls for several reasons. First, the characters where immediately likable and real to me. I grew up in the '80s so I really could relate to a lot of the historical references. Second, the story referred to, and discussed, a lot of difficult topics mixed in with a lot of political views - including, teen pregnancy and the right to an abortion, death of a parent, serious disease such as HIV and MS, and how all of these issues affect individuals and their families. The main character, Quinn, takes on a life of her own from the first page. You can feel her emotions and ride the rollercoaster of her journey as the story unfolds. The minute she starts to notice Seth, I could not help but cheer them on as a couple. I kept praying that their relationship would be a real long lasting one. I became fully vested in their story and just could not stop reading because I wanted to find out where their journey leads. My one disappointment is that we - the readers - do not receive a full finale, so...... I am praying their will be a second book to continue this lovely story into the next journey. An amazingly well written story with terrific details and immediate connections. I loved every minute of it. I definitely recommend this book for all.

Warning: Adult content in this book so it's most definitely for the older YA audience.

This book interested me right away, because hey--I was a high school senior in 1989. Would the author be able to take me back to that time, and still make it relatable to today's high schoolers? I had to find out. Clearly, I was destined to read this one.

The answer to both of my questions turns out to be yes. Though I wasn't nearly as politically involved/aware as Seth and Quinn while in high school, I do remember most of the major events mentioned in the book. (Though somehow the fact that the Berlin Wall actually came down in '89 surprised me. I do remember it coming down, just not that it happened that year--I'm going to plead to being distracted by my first semester of freshman year here.) For people who weren't around in the late 1980s, or who didn't pay attention in their 20th-century history classes (though the fact that events from my childhood happened long enough ago to be taught in history classes boggles my mind. Denial. It's not just a river in Egypt), Ms. Pierson gives both a glossary of terms and a 1989 timeline at the end of the book.

I especially loved the timeline...so many things on it had me nodding my head, saying, "Yep! I saw that on TV," or "Yeah, that happened." I totally remember the major controversy around Madonna's "Like a Prayer", for example, when Pepsi dropped her in less time than it took to hairspray my bangs into submission.

But back to the story...

I loved Seth and Quinn. Quinn was a bit harder to like at first--I've always had a soft spot for the quiet, geeky guys who aren't afraid to do well in school and who love their moms--but she definitely became a more sympathetic character as the book continued. I could really identify with her relationship with her dad, and of course she fell for my boy Seth, so she was all good in my book.

The story had a lot going on in it. Most of the major political/world issues of the day were discussed in Seth and Quinn's U.S. Foreign Relations class and at Quinn's home. Seth's mother has a pretty severe case of Multiple Sclerosis, and he has to juggle school, work, and being her primary caretaker. He's turning 18 and graduating, which means their Social Security checks will be coming to an end soon, so he doesn't think college is in the cards for him even though he scored in the top 5% on the ACTs. Quinn's going away to college in the fall and has had a fairly privileged upbringing. He's a liberal Democrat with the t-shirt collection to back it up; she tends toward conservative Republicanism like her dad.

On paper it doesn't seem like they could work. Even the two of them have their doubts. But somehow when they're together those doubts seem to disappear...

There were some things that I would have liked more time and attention spent on--the epilogue, for example, was really short. I was expecting a response from Seth (the epilogue is a letter from Quinn to him) but instead the book just ended there. Quinn, Seth, and Quinn's mom make a trip to Omaha at about the 50% mark, and what happens there is something pretty major. It felt like it should have had more of a lasting impact, especially on Quinn, than it seemed to. (And when Quinn's best friend Trish mentions having made a similar trip? That whole conversation was way too short and quickly forgotten. I'd almost rather it had not been there at all...)

Overall, though, I was so charmed by Seth and Quinn's relationship and the trip down memory lane the book took me on that it was easier to overlook its few shortcomings. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more from this author.

Rating: 4 stars / A-

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Cute read, slow start but picked up.

Flashback to 1989! As the novel begins, we meet two totally different characters: Seth the cynic and Quinn the optimist. Both are seniors in high school and are headed down very different paths from the beginning. However, a social studies class allows them to develop a surprising relationship. Pierson does a fantastic job addressing many difficult topics such as abortion, teen pregnancy, poverty, chronic illness and major political issues of the late 1980’s.

Walls will come tumbling down literally and figuratively in this novel!