Book Review

Title: Henry Hamlet’s Heart
Author: Rhiannon Wilde
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Charlesbridge Teen
Publish Date: October 18, 2022
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

I enjoy a good coming-of-age story, and Henry Hamlet’s Heart is no exception to this.

Henry Hamlet’s Heart is the story of 18 year old Henry Hamlet who is in his final year of High school in Brisbane, Australia. Henry, his best friend, Len, and the Boiyss (the rest of their group of friends), navigate the stressful final terms of their secondary degree. The story navigates what seems like a predictable year for Henry as he tries to maximize final high school experiences alongside his friends. However, things become suddenly less predictable when, on a dare at a party, Len kisses Henry, and Henry realizes that he wants more than just that single kiss.

Overall, I found Henry Hamlet’s Heart a solid story. The characters were relatable. At the beginning, I found myself nodding along to Henry’s thoughts and reactions. When he expressed the wish for there to be a cat at a party, so he could hang out with it, I wanted to get to know him more. I also found that the writing successfully carried me along on Henry’s emotional rollercoaster.

Originally, I found the plot a bit slow, but I realized that this was purposeful. The inciting incident of the story doesn’t occur until nearly a third into the book, and, while studying in English class, Henry observes that “inciting incidents can bulldoze into everyday life” (94). I think the author mirrors this well with the slow build to Henry’s realization of his sexuality and consequently coming out.

If you have read and enjoyed, Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe or Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda, you should check out Henry Hamlet’s Heart when it comes out this fall.

Thank you to @charlesbridge and @netgalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.