Thank you Celdadon for the early copy, and read along experience, MacMillan for the audio review copy!
Penitence is a complex and intense family drama, written with care, and needed nuance, with a powerful plot amplified by Terese Plummer's narration. It's hard to say I liked this book not because it's not good, it is, but with such a challenging plot and topics I more want to say this is a great read because it is challenging but not alienating, because the writing and storytelling is careful and compelling, and because Koval does not force the story as much as truly let's the story unfold, be told and shared. Plummer's voice acting captures the style well, letting us sit in each moment as the story unfolds, to learn the backstory and present day situation, to be a part of the story. The story surrounds legal issues, courtroom themes, and family relationships but is indeed a story much more than the sum of its parts. I look forward to seeing what Koval does next following this impressive debut.