Within the Ward by Emily Larkin

Paige is struggling. Life was hard enough, and then her best friend died and she can't go on. She attempts to make her own exit, but she is admitted to Raydale State Hospital and labeled as a 'Depressive'. Depressives are considered a danger to others as well as themselves, and must undertake the 'Journey', an immersive dream reality where patients face dangerous situations and problems to solve. It's meant to be the cure, but Paige discovers that not everything is as it seems in the hospital, and while she'd been doing her best to stay removed from the other patients, she is soon drawn into their lives. Will the patients ever leave the ward? Can Paige find reasons to live?

This novel explores complex themes revolving around depression, mental health, stigmas, and how society deals with these issues. Depression manifests differently for those experiencing it, which is illustrated well in the book. Difficult topics such as suicide are discussed, and there are a number of references found at the end of the novel for mental health assistance across Australia, such as Black Dog and Beyond Blue. Told primarily from Paige's perspective, mixed in with James, the doctor at the facility, and several other characters, the story is diverse in thoughts and perspectives. The mix of characters is well done, with the relatable and the ones that are easy to hate both being present in the novel. While this novel is primarily a dystopian/science fiction, it is also contemporary for dealing with the particular issues outlined above.

Themes: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Depression, Mental Health, Suicide, Relationships.

Melanie Pages