The Final Revival of Opal and Nev is a brilliant fictional take on an oral history of a pop-punk band that had a brief moment of stardom in the 1970s. Journalist Sunny Shelton has been given the chance to finally receive the life story of feminist icon Opal Jewel who came to fame following her punk band Nev Charles, who later became an 80s pop sensation. But Opal and Nev's rise to fame came following a horrific event that actually claimed the life of Sunny's father - drummer Jimmy Curtis. And now the two are finally going to reunite, and talk about what really happened that day.

This is a great story that's perfect for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six, or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. There's just something delicious about a tell-all story, even if it's one that fictionalised - maybe because it can be as sensational as it wants. I also always love and appreciate the journalist angle - the fine line of wanting the line or the truth that will break a story wide open, but having to thread carefully so you don't spook your subject away.

While this book is similar to Daisy Jones, it also takes on a lot more political significance due to the story heavily revolving around race relations at the time - and so much of Opal and Nev's songs and images were a reflection of the racism experienced by Opal and other Black people in the US at the time, and beyond that we see how she was treated by others such as management, and the media because she was young, outspoken Black girl. I thought all of this was done really well in the book, and at times we see Opal's struggle reflected in that of Sunny's in her role as the first Black female editor of music magazine Aural - and how her young, white 'hip' boss just doesn't understand the importance and significance of Opal's story versus that of the white, British Nev.

I do think there was a little twist/reveal at 50% through, and I felt like there was going to be some great action after that but the story ended up meandering for me instead. We see Sunny go back and forth with what to do, and while the ending and Opal's decisions were satisfactory, part of just wanted a bit more, sooner. I also thought something would come out as well with Beau Bond appearing out of the woodwork and telling his story, and revealing what really happened/what was said.

I do think this book is good. I'm just disappointed that I wasn't as invested in the story as I thought I was going to be past that 50% mark. I would definitely reread this on audiobook though as I say it's excellent!