Review by: Kaylie Seed
Deborah Hemming’s debut novel Throw Down Your Shadows, which is scheduled to released in July of this year, is a breathtaking tale of finding out who you are, learning lessons, and realizing that we truly never stop growing up. Hemming’s main character Winnie brings the reader through one of the biggest moments of her life and reveals how that experience shaped her into becoming who she is today, while also having Winnie remind the reader that growing up never truly ends.
Winnie is a sixteen year old girl in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada. She lives with her mom Ruth where farmland is abundant and so is the possibility of getting away with some lighthearted mischief. Winnie spends her summer before eleventh grade with her three friends: Tom, Sam, and Jake, when a new impish boy named Caleb from Vancouver, British Columbia joins the four outcasts and quickly changes the dynamics of the group of friends. Winnie realizes that having a rotten apple amongst her and her friends truly does spoil the bunch as Caleb creates havoc throughout the Annapolis Valley.
In addition to the distinctive characters that Hemming has created, she also uses her home as inspiration for the setting of Throw Down Your Shadows. Rich detail can be seen throughout Hemming’s prose as she describes the valley and the vineyards that surround it and it is easy for the reader to picture the lush vineyards as they read along. One of the main settings in Throw Down Your Shadows is a vineyard where Winnie spends her summer working and learning about the art of wine. This plays a huge role throughout the storyline as well as in Winnie’s life as she grows up.
Deborah Hemming has created an exquisite piece of art that shows the beauty and pain in growing up, and that we truly are never done learning and growing. Throw Down Your Shadows is a wonderful Young Adult book with an enticing coming-of-age story that Hemming has created that is sure to inspire others to follow their dreams. Hemming’s characters and setting are truly memorable and will leave the reader wondering where life has taken these fictional characters long after the story ends. Throw Down Your Shadows is a wonderful debut novel and Hemming has proved that she has a gift in writing to share with the world. We are hoping to see more from this talented author in the future!
*Throw Down Your Shadows has been pushed back to July for publishing due to the COVID-19 pandemic currently sweeping our continent. I highly recommend pre-ordering this novel because it is truly the perfect summer read while you enjoy a glass of your favourite wine.*
Thank you to Nimbus Publishing for providing Cloud Lake Literary this book to review. Note that while the book was gifted, our reviews are independent and unbiased.