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Graffiti Heaven
Graffiti Heaven
A group of high school students deal with sex, love, bullying, family and betrayal.
Life is turned upside down for Ash Rata and Tiana Lilu after they skip school to take their relationship to the next level. When their family and friends find out, they are forced to deal with rumours, bullies, an overprotective brother and mortified parents.
Amongst the turmoil Ash grows closer to his stepdad, learning to trust again after years of holding a grudge against his jailed father. But following a guys' night out together, Ash's life is shattered when he wakes up in hospital and learns his stepdad has done something unforgivable. Traumatised, he pushes everyone he loves away, terrified that they will discover what really happened that night.
Set in the year 2000, ten years prior to Behind the Hood, Graffiti Heaven is a coming of age tale where both comedy and tragedy battle it out on a New Zealand stage.
M15+ Can be read as a standalone. No cliffhanger.
Broken English is Ash's younger brother's story, which is set in 2002.
Life is turned upside down for Ash Rata and Tiana Lilu after they skip school to take their relationship to the next level. When their family and friends find out, they are forced to deal with rumours, bullies, an overprotective brother and mortified parents.
Amongst the turmoil Ash grows closer to his stepdad, learning to trust again after years of holding a grudge against his jailed father. But following a guys' night out together, Ash's life is shattered when he wakes up in hospital and learns his stepdad has done something unforgivable. Traumatised, he pushes everyone he loves away, terrified that they will discover what really happened that night.
Set in the year 2000, ten years prior to Behind the Hood, Graffiti Heaven is a coming of age tale where both comedy and tragedy battle it out on a New Zealand stage.
M15+ Can be read as a standalone. No cliffhanger.
Broken English is Ash's younger brother's story, which is set in 2002.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2012
About the author
Marita A. Hansen
98 books858 followersSOME FACTS ABOUT ME:
I'm a New Zealander from Auckland, with dual citizenship (NZ and Croatia). I've also lived in Kerikeri, Singapore and Papua New Guinea.
CAREER PATH: I started off as a Graphic Designer, then went to Auckland University, where I got a BA degree in Art History and Italian Studies and a post-graduate Honors degree in Art History. I worked in the Art History field, then became a full-time artist, doing commissions. I eventually lost all of my senses and gave it up to be a self-published writer, publishing my first book in 2011. Though, earlier in 2023 I returned to art, shelving being a writer since book pirates made it impossible to earn a living from my work, excessively pirating my books. They basically broke my spirit. However, a very nice reader spurred me on to try again, so I'm attempting to revive my writing career.
BAD HABITS: I'm a major procrastinator, I stay up way too late, and I get distracted far too easily unless it's doing something I love. My mind never stops racing, can't turn ADHD off.
SPORTS: As a teenager my favourite sports were karate, badminton, and running. I also did unarmed combat and played in a touch rugby team (my gym teacher made me do the last one!) As an adult, I've couched soccer and have completed two marathons, numerous half-marathons and one 30K run, though I stick to the gym now, hanging up my running shoes.
STATUS: Married to my high school sweetheart (which he hates me calling him). We have two kids.
Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Marita-A-Han...
I'm a New Zealander from Auckland, with dual citizenship (NZ and Croatia). I've also lived in Kerikeri, Singapore and Papua New Guinea.
CAREER PATH: I started off as a Graphic Designer, then went to Auckland University, where I got a BA degree in Art History and Italian Studies and a post-graduate Honors degree in Art History. I worked in the Art History field, then became a full-time artist, doing commissions. I eventually lost all of my senses and gave it up to be a self-published writer, publishing my first book in 2011. Though, earlier in 2023 I returned to art, shelving being a writer since book pirates made it impossible to earn a living from my work, excessively pirating my books. They basically broke my spirit. However, a very nice reader spurred me on to try again, so I'm attempting to revive my writing career.
BAD HABITS: I'm a major procrastinator, I stay up way too late, and I get distracted far too easily unless it's doing something I love. My mind never stops racing, can't turn ADHD off.
SPORTS: As a teenager my favourite sports were karate, badminton, and running. I also did unarmed combat and played in a touch rugby team (my gym teacher made me do the last one!) As an adult, I've couched soccer and have completed two marathons, numerous half-marathons and one 30K run, though I stick to the gym now, hanging up my running shoes.
STATUS: Married to my high school sweetheart (which he hates me calling him). We have two kids.
Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Marita-A-Han...
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 4, 2020
I don't read many books with a MF theme but this Author never fails to disappoint.She's one of only three(MF Authors) that I trust to deliver something different,something gritty,something hard hitting and completely compelling.It took me a week to finish this because it definitely wasn't pretty but it's totally my thing.
It's YA.....
But it's not sweet,it's not fluffy,it's definitely not sunshine and roses.
The story centres around Ash, if you've read this Author's Broken Lives series you'll know him as Dante's older brother who was always,kind of,shrouded in mystery in that series.I was always fascinated by him and this/his back story in a way packed a powerful punch.
I want to tell you but I don't.....
If you've read Broken Lives you'll probably know what he goes through and it's powerful,it's disturbing,and the writing and portrayal of what he goes through and the aftermath makes for compelling reading.
This Author is the best at writing a gritty story,she doesn't hold back and deserves so much more recognition for her words.
Available on KU.
September 14, 2016
I read this again because the main character Ash is the older brother of Dante from Broken English. My first review below still stands. Such an intense book!!!
Original Review
This was one of the most intense books I have read, but in a very good way. At first I thought it was going to be similar to SKINS, and I suppose it was, sort of. It had the teen angst, the troubled relationships, jealousies, peer pressure, a little bit of drugs and sex, family problems, bullying, the partying, but it felt more personal if you can get what I mean. I think the reason I say this is because, unlike the TV series of SKINS, we are in the heads of these four teenagers and what we experience with them is what makes this book. We get to feel Ash's excitement over going to his girlfriend's place for a bit of nookie, then his fear when he runs into her rough brother, you feel his anxiety, and not only with his girlfriend's brother but all the other things he has to experience: dealing with his stepfather at home and his friends at school who keep telling him that his girlfriend cheated when it was all a misunderstanding. There are misunderstandings abound in this book, and that often propels the drama, like with Tiana's (Ash's girlfriend) mother and her class, who all think she's slept with Ash, which at that point in the story she hasn't. And as a result she has to deal with a lot of bullying. I liked how Tiana grew through the book. She started of as a timid thing then slowly, but gradually, she got a backbone and I loved it when she put certain people in their places. I loved both her and Ash (my favourite).
The other two voices in this story were Jenna (the bully) and Levi (Tiana's brother). They also brought a lot to the table. You'd be surprised that the bad girl Jenna actually brought humour. Along with Ash's best friend Joel, they created the majority of the lol moments. Jenna was a complete wisearse, the things that came out of her mouth were absolutely hilarious. But she was also a very troubled character that thought she could bully and punch her way through life. She was a complex and unique character that was more afraid of emotional than physical pain. She learns some very hard life lessons by the end of the book, and thankfully, hopefully, it will mean in the sequel she will be a much nicer character, although I hope she keeps her funny comments, because they definitely made for some lighter moments.
Levi, Levi, Levi... He was another complex character, someone that I really believed was the true villain at the beginning of the book. Oh how I was wrong. The real villain didn't show his face until quite a way through the book and Levi in comparison turned out to be a nice person who put aside his prejudices to help someone who he couldn't stand at the start. He grew a lot in the book too, like all of the characters.
I want to come back to Ash again, the boy on the cover, because he was THE stand out character. The changes in the book for him were the biggest and were where the tragic side of the story comes in. He experiences the normal trials and tribulations of a boy his age for a good section of the book, but as you read on you get the feeling that there is something not quite right. And when you reach about the half-way mark it blows up completely in your face with a giant shock bomb. But when you look back over what you've previously read you realise, how did I not see that, because all the clues were there, hinting at the true nature of someone in particular. And that is where the true emotion is in the book, because you are still in the head of Ash and you are witnessing all the confusion and sorrow he is going through. It thoroughly gripped me, really got a hold of my heartstrings and squeezed them. I swear I didn't cry, I didn't! no guy wants to admit to crying *sob* but grab those box of tissues because Ash will make you blubber like a new born baby. Again, he was my hands down favourite. I really want Crying Out Silent, the sequel now, because I'm assuming it continues Ash's story, and I hope the other three as well. A great cast of characters and a fantastically emotional (both comedic and tragic) story. I would give this higher starring if there was more than 5.
Now I'm sad it's finish. Where are those tissues?
I'll leave you with the gifs showing my emotions are chapter 26 and 27. Ciao!
Original Review
This was one of the most intense books I have read, but in a very good way. At first I thought it was going to be similar to SKINS, and I suppose it was, sort of. It had the teen angst, the troubled relationships, jealousies, peer pressure, a little bit of drugs and sex, family problems, bullying, the partying, but it felt more personal if you can get what I mean. I think the reason I say this is because, unlike the TV series of SKINS, we are in the heads of these four teenagers and what we experience with them is what makes this book. We get to feel Ash's excitement over going to his girlfriend's place for a bit of nookie, then his fear when he runs into her rough brother, you feel his anxiety, and not only with his girlfriend's brother but all the other things he has to experience: dealing with his stepfather at home and his friends at school who keep telling him that his girlfriend cheated when it was all a misunderstanding. There are misunderstandings abound in this book, and that often propels the drama, like with Tiana's (Ash's girlfriend) mother and her class, who all think she's slept with Ash, which at that point in the story she hasn't. And as a result she has to deal with a lot of bullying. I liked how Tiana grew through the book. She started of as a timid thing then slowly, but gradually, she got a backbone and I loved it when she put certain people in their places. I loved both her and Ash (my favourite).
The other two voices in this story were Jenna (the bully) and Levi (Tiana's brother). They also brought a lot to the table. You'd be surprised that the bad girl Jenna actually brought humour. Along with Ash's best friend Joel, they created the majority of the lol moments. Jenna was a complete wisearse, the things that came out of her mouth were absolutely hilarious. But she was also a very troubled character that thought she could bully and punch her way through life. She was a complex and unique character that was more afraid of emotional than physical pain. She learns some very hard life lessons by the end of the book, and thankfully, hopefully, it will mean in the sequel she will be a much nicer character, although I hope she keeps her funny comments, because they definitely made for some lighter moments.
Levi, Levi, Levi... He was another complex character, someone that I really believed was the true villain at the beginning of the book. Oh how I was wrong. The real villain didn't show his face until quite a way through the book and Levi in comparison turned out to be a nice person who put aside his prejudices to help someone who he couldn't stand at the start. He grew a lot in the book too, like all of the characters.
I want to come back to Ash again, the boy on the cover, because he was THE stand out character. The changes in the book for him were the biggest and were where the tragic side of the story comes in. He experiences the normal trials and tribulations of a boy his age for a good section of the book, but as you read on you get the feeling that there is something not quite right. And when you reach about the half-way mark it blows up completely in your face with a giant shock bomb. But when you look back over what you've previously read you realise, how did I not see that, because all the clues were there, hinting at the true nature of someone in particular. And that is where the true emotion is in the book, because you are still in the head of Ash and you are witnessing all the confusion and sorrow he is going through. It thoroughly gripped me, really got a hold of my heartstrings and squeezed them. I swear I didn't cry, I didn't! no guy wants to admit to crying *sob* but grab those box of tissues because Ash will make you blubber like a new born baby. Again, he was my hands down favourite. I really want Crying Out Silent, the sequel now, because I'm assuming it continues Ash's story, and I hope the other three as well. A great cast of characters and a fantastically emotional (both comedic and tragic) story. I would give this higher starring if there was more than 5.
Now I'm sad it's finish. Where are those tissues?
I'll leave you with the gifs showing my emotions are chapter 26 and 27. Ciao!
Read
February 24, 2023GRAFFITI HEAVEN is about Dante's oldest brother, Ash Rata. A young Dante has a couple of cameos in it. Also, GRAFFITI HEAVEN and CRYING OUT SILENT are companion books, not sequels. GRAFFITI HEAVEN covers a short period of time, while CRYING OUT SILENT gives a view of what happened before the tragedy in GRAFFITI HEAVEN as well as its aftermath. They can be read in any order, though I would recommend reading GRAFFITI HEAVEN first. BTW, it started off as a prologue for Behind the Tears, so it's basically Behind the Tears' prequel. https://www.amazon.com/Graffiti-Heave...
Graffiti Heaven #SouthAuckland #NewZealand #Abuse #TheRataFamily #BrokenLives #Devastating Same genre as SKINS #KindleUnlimited
Graffiti Heaven #SouthAuckland #NewZealand #Abuse #TheRataFamily #BrokenLives #Devastating Same genre as SKINS #KindleUnlimited
October 27, 2013
**(Read in August 2012 and again in October 2013**
5 out of 5 bucking stars!
Genre: YA Romance-Mature/Edgy
Heat Level: Minor
Instensity Level: Off The Charts!
Series: Book #1 in Graffiti Heaven series
.
Oh. My. Jesus.
My emotions are all over the place right now just like the first time I read the book, I can't even with these characters because this was hands down one of the most intense and shocking books I have ever read, I can understand completely why the author stresses the fact that it is an mature-edgy YA Romance and not straight up YA Romance.
We start the book on a scene that had me pausing almost immediately, re-reading the the scenes paragraph not once but twice. After you read the first chapter you will understand completely why this is edgy YA Romance and not straight YA Romance. While there is romance there is also a lot of dark areas to this book that is not for the faint hearted. Once you get past the first chapter you will have no question in your mind that the rest of the book's event will be surprising, unexpected and most of all shocking.
Graffiti Heaven is the make up of troubled teen relationships, peer pressure, female jealousy, some dabble in drugs, alcohol and sex, bullying, violent crimes, family problems and everything else that strikes you a real and not fiction.
We're inside the head's of four troubled teens who all have real life problems. Ashley Rafa is our main man in Graffiti Heaven, the other character's are main characters as well but the focus is on Ash and how they fit into his life. I find his POV chapters the most intense and captivating, his childhood is cut short in this book and he is forced to grow up in the most heartbreaking way because of a disgusting situation and vile human being. I got upset while reading what he went through, it really did break my heart.
Ash is a fifteen year old Maori/Croatian boy who lives with his mother, step father and his three younger siblings in Auckland, New Zealand. He has everything going for him, he is doing okay in school, he has decent friends, a family who love and care about him and of course the prettiest and sweetest girl at school is his girlfriend.
All that goes down the toilet and starts the ball rolling on his life going downhill when he gets caught taking his relationship with his girlfriend Tiana Lilu to the next level by none other than Tiana's mother, but before she can see who he is he bolts and on his way out of her bedroom window and into an alley next to her house he bumps into none other than Tiana's big brother, Levi Lilu aka Spike.
It is a rotten situation for the couple to find themselves in, Ash knows Levi will come after him for copping a feel with his sister and Tiana knows that her perfect Tongan daughter/good girl façade with her family and friends is ruined. Levi is enraged that his little sister did a lot more than kissing and cuddling with Ash -someone who he thinks isn't worthy of his sister after he finds out who he is- so he attempts puts a stop to it the only way he knows how, with threats and violence. His protectiveness of his sister in the book was brilliant, how he went about protecting her sometimes was poorly but his good intentions were there. His only problem was thinking Ash was all he had to deal with when it came to protecting Tiana.
While things spiral downwards for Ash after being caught by Levi they don't for Tiana, sure she gets in a lot of trouble and feels like her world is over when she runs head on into some walls life throws at her but I find that being caught doing some hanky panky was the best thing that could of happened to her. It is the start of her character taking control of her life and toughening up which is much needed when an ex-girlfriend of Ash's starts to sniff around the couple.
Jenna Hamiltion is a bitch. I'm not being rude, she really is a bitch and everyone and their dog knows it, including Jenna. Not only is she a bitch, she is a bully too, a violent one. She is a smart mouthed young girl who takes what she wants and reverts to violence if she doesn't get it. What she wants in Graffiti Heaven is Ash back as her boyfriend and she is more than willing to knock Tiana out of the picture with a big smile on her face in order to get him.
This girl speaks what she thinks, there is no filter between her brain and her mouth and I think that's why I like her so much. While I didn't like how rude she could be and what her motives were in the book, I did like her honesty, one liners and her thought process. They cracked me up.
Graffiti Heaven is a gripping read that doesn't hold back and will consume you until the very last page, it is without a doubt a page turner and a book that will find a permanent place on your bookshelf or in a Kindle collection.
.
Check out this review over at http://justmybuckingbook.com/
5 out of 5 bucking stars!
Genre: YA Romance-Mature/Edgy
Heat Level: Minor
Instensity Level: Off The Charts!
Series: Book #1 in Graffiti Heaven series
.
Oh. My. Jesus.
My emotions are all over the place right now just like the first time I read the book, I can't even with these characters because this was hands down one of the most intense and shocking books I have ever read, I can understand completely why the author stresses the fact that it is an mature-edgy YA Romance and not straight up YA Romance.
We start the book on a scene that had me pausing almost immediately, re-reading the the scenes paragraph not once but twice. After you read the first chapter you will understand completely why this is edgy YA Romance and not straight YA Romance. While there is romance there is also a lot of dark areas to this book that is not for the faint hearted. Once you get past the first chapter you will have no question in your mind that the rest of the book's event will be surprising, unexpected and most of all shocking.
Graffiti Heaven is the make up of troubled teen relationships, peer pressure, female jealousy, some dabble in drugs, alcohol and sex, bullying, violent crimes, family problems and everything else that strikes you a real and not fiction.
We're inside the head's of four troubled teens who all have real life problems. Ashley Rafa is our main man in Graffiti Heaven, the other character's are main characters as well but the focus is on Ash and how they fit into his life. I find his POV chapters the most intense and captivating, his childhood is cut short in this book and he is forced to grow up in the most heartbreaking way because of a disgusting situation and vile human being. I got upset while reading what he went through, it really did break my heart.
Ash is a fifteen year old Maori/Croatian boy who lives with his mother, step father and his three younger siblings in Auckland, New Zealand. He has everything going for him, he is doing okay in school, he has decent friends, a family who love and care about him and of course the prettiest and sweetest girl at school is his girlfriend.
All that goes down the toilet and starts the ball rolling on his life going downhill when he gets caught taking his relationship with his girlfriend Tiana Lilu to the next level by none other than Tiana's mother, but before she can see who he is he bolts and on his way out of her bedroom window and into an alley next to her house he bumps into none other than Tiana's big brother, Levi Lilu aka Spike.
It is a rotten situation for the couple to find themselves in, Ash knows Levi will come after him for copping a feel with his sister and Tiana knows that her perfect Tongan daughter/good girl façade with her family and friends is ruined. Levi is enraged that his little sister did a lot more than kissing and cuddling with Ash -someone who he thinks isn't worthy of his sister after he finds out who he is- so he attempts puts a stop to it the only way he knows how, with threats and violence. His protectiveness of his sister in the book was brilliant, how he went about protecting her sometimes was poorly but his good intentions were there. His only problem was thinking Ash was all he had to deal with when it came to protecting Tiana.
While things spiral downwards for Ash after being caught by Levi they don't for Tiana, sure she gets in a lot of trouble and feels like her world is over when she runs head on into some walls life throws at her but I find that being caught doing some hanky panky was the best thing that could of happened to her. It is the start of her character taking control of her life and toughening up which is much needed when an ex-girlfriend of Ash's starts to sniff around the couple.
Jenna Hamiltion is a bitch. I'm not being rude, she really is a bitch and everyone and their dog knows it, including Jenna. Not only is she a bitch, she is a bully too, a violent one. She is a smart mouthed young girl who takes what she wants and reverts to violence if she doesn't get it. What she wants in Graffiti Heaven is Ash back as her boyfriend and she is more than willing to knock Tiana out of the picture with a big smile on her face in order to get him.
This girl speaks what she thinks, there is no filter between her brain and her mouth and I think that's why I like her so much. While I didn't like how rude she could be and what her motives were in the book, I did like her honesty, one liners and her thought process. They cracked me up.
“Jenna walked in between desks and plonked herself down behind hers, noticing AGAIN that the teacher hadn’t graced the class with his zitty presence. She thought Mr. Kennan needed to get fired, which said a lot, because she rarely paid attention to ugly teachers. She’d discussed this with the principal two weeks back when she’d been sent to his office after getting caught sleeping. She’d told him that if he employed more hot teachers like Mr. Daniels then maybe she wouldn't pass out from boredom. The principal gave her a week’s detention because of that comment, saying that she needed to take things more seriously. But she WAS being serious."
Graffiti Heaven is a gripping read that doesn't hold back and will consume you until the very last page, it is without a doubt a page turner and a book that will find a permanent place on your bookshelf or in a Kindle collection.
.
Check out this review over at http://justmybuckingbook.com/
September 13, 2012
Spoiler Free Review
4.5 STARS out of 5
Genre: YA Romance-Mature/Edgy
Series: Book #1 in Graffiti Heaven series
Shocking, Honest and Well Crafted is Graffiti Heaven as Marita A.Hansen shows us how teens live in South Auckland, New Zealand.
This book was chucked full of surprises. Just as secrets are revealed more questions arise in my mind. I could not get enough of this gritty tale as teens struggle with sex, sexuality, suicide, rape, bullying, jealousy and betrayals.
If you are a Marita A.Hansen reader then you most likely met Ash in her debut book Behind The Hood.
Ash is the tough oldest sibling in the Rata clan. And he is not to be F**ked with. Graffiti Heaven takes us back eight years he is approaching his sixteenth birthday and has fallen in love for the first time.
Ash Rata is your average fifteen year old boy he lives with his mom and step-pop both whom love him and has three younger siblings. Ash also has a pretty girlfriend who is known as a good-girl at school. So imagine his surprise when he finds himself ditching school on the bus and on his way to her house so she can give him head.(oral sex) YUP, that bit is exactly how the book opens. Him ditching school to go to her house and this one decision putting them on a course they never expected.
Sooooo much happens in Graffiti Heaven. I love how once again Hansen conjoins the pov of multiple characters while making the story whole. I consider this her signature. A signature that I enjoy, not many authors do this. Especially without repeating themselves BUT she can and she does this well.
Instead of a traditional review I have highlighted a few storylines without giving away too much.
Everyone has an Agenda... What's yours?
I want you back
When Jenna learns that her ex Ash has left school to most likely "do" his so called good-girl girlfriend Tiana she sees red. Then makes it her mission to win him back by breaking the two up. Little does she know that she is not the only one who wants these two apart.
I trusted you. Tragedy strikes.
When Ash is betrayed by someone he thought he could trust. His brain denies it. But not because he wants to, it's mainly because his brain is having a hard time piecing together the events of the night that changes his life. Now in mourning over a tragic loss he struggles to face his mates and girlfriend.
Frienemy
After a tragedy Jenna decides to play nice with Tiana so that they can work together on finding out what happened to Ash. But her jealousy consumes her. Jenna is a bully she likes to give pain and she likes to receive it. At least that was my take on her. She was a very complex character... Her mean streak of jealousy leads her to do something that will change a young girls life forever.
Stay away from my sister
When Levi finds out his sister is seeing a kid from Wera he flips out. He tells her to stay away from him or else things will end badly for the kid. Unfortunately Ash is the least of his worries because someone else has had their eye on Tiana and he decides to go for what he wants.
Thoughts
I love love loved it!!! And I recommend it to Edgy YA lovers both parents and children. Well children sixteen and older that is.*smirks*
Hansen was not afraid to push the envelope and give a honest story. I am anxiously awaiting for the next book in this series and in her other. Marita A. Hansen is an author to look out for!
My Ratings
Characters- Likable
Writing Style- Clever, Genuine and Solid
Storyline/Plot- Cohesive, Raw and Honest
Steam Factor- Low (on a scale of low medium and High)
Overall- I loved it!!!!!
Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it on Goodreads!
4.5 STARS out of 5
Genre: YA Romance-Mature/Edgy
Series: Book #1 in Graffiti Heaven series
Shocking, Honest and Well Crafted is Graffiti Heaven as Marita A.Hansen shows us how teens live in South Auckland, New Zealand.
This book was chucked full of surprises. Just as secrets are revealed more questions arise in my mind. I could not get enough of this gritty tale as teens struggle with sex, sexuality, suicide, rape, bullying, jealousy and betrayals.
If you are a Marita A.Hansen reader then you most likely met Ash in her debut book Behind The Hood.
Ash is the tough oldest sibling in the Rata clan. And he is not to be F**ked with. Graffiti Heaven takes us back eight years he is approaching his sixteenth birthday and has fallen in love for the first time.
Ash Rata is your average fifteen year old boy he lives with his mom and step-pop both whom love him and has three younger siblings. Ash also has a pretty girlfriend who is known as a good-girl at school. So imagine his surprise when he finds himself ditching school on the bus and on his way to her house so she can give him head.(oral sex) YUP, that bit is exactly how the book opens. Him ditching school to go to her house and this one decision putting them on a course they never expected.
Sooooo much happens in Graffiti Heaven. I love how once again Hansen conjoins the pov of multiple characters while making the story whole. I consider this her signature. A signature that I enjoy, not many authors do this. Especially without repeating themselves BUT she can and she does this well.
Instead of a traditional review I have highlighted a few storylines without giving away too much.
Everyone has an Agenda... What's yours?
I want you back
When Jenna learns that her ex Ash has left school to most likely "do" his so called good-girl girlfriend Tiana she sees red. Then makes it her mission to win him back by breaking the two up. Little does she know that she is not the only one who wants these two apart.
I trusted you. Tragedy strikes.
When Ash is betrayed by someone he thought he could trust. His brain denies it. But not because he wants to, it's mainly because his brain is having a hard time piecing together the events of the night that changes his life. Now in mourning over a tragic loss he struggles to face his mates and girlfriend.
Frienemy
After a tragedy Jenna decides to play nice with Tiana so that they can work together on finding out what happened to Ash. But her jealousy consumes her. Jenna is a bully she likes to give pain and she likes to receive it. At least that was my take on her. She was a very complex character... Her mean streak of jealousy leads her to do something that will change a young girls life forever.
Stay away from my sister
When Levi finds out his sister is seeing a kid from Wera he flips out. He tells her to stay away from him or else things will end badly for the kid. Unfortunately Ash is the least of his worries because someone else has had their eye on Tiana and he decides to go for what he wants.
Thoughts
I love love loved it!!! And I recommend it to Edgy YA lovers both parents and children. Well children sixteen and older that is.*smirks*
Hansen was not afraid to push the envelope and give a honest story. I am anxiously awaiting for the next book in this series and in her other. Marita A. Hansen is an author to look out for!
My Ratings
Characters- Likable
Writing Style- Clever, Genuine and Solid
Storyline/Plot- Cohesive, Raw and Honest
Steam Factor- Low (on a scale of low medium and High)
Overall- I loved it!!!!!
Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it on Goodreads!
October 16, 2013
.... ..........why yes, yes it was!
I LOVED IT.. .. okay, I wish it had more Dante.. Review to come....
January 9, 2013
The world in this book is light-years away from the world I grew up in, and though we were far from rich and we five kids never went to private schools, you'd still have to say I was privileged. By the time we got to secondary school we'd had violent responses socialized out of us and I never saw anyone pushing anyone around, let alone getting into fights. Towards the end of my years at school it was becoming 'fashionable' to swear, but it was never part of an everyday vocabulary. If any of the girls at my school were sexually active it wasn't common knowledge, and alcohol was rarely on the scene.
A cloistered environment? Maybe so. Since then, however, (and it was quite a good number of years ago in the early 1970s that I was at secondary school) I have read much, viewed much on the TV, and been involved (at the periphery) with lives that would fit in the world of this book. So there was nothing new for me, in that way, in this book.
But I didn't read it to learn anything new, I read it because it was recommended highly by other reading-friends. And I read it in less than one day because it's the sort of book that you can't put down (though I had to put it down to sleep, and then there were other things that had to be done first today before I could sit down with it again).
This book is fast-paced and brutally honest. Marita Hansen writes with a truly authentic voice - the spelling reflects the pronunciation accurately, and the broiling emotions of teenagers are perfectly reproduced. The characters are drawn with great sympathy, while not pulling any punches (often literally in the plot), and the teen-reader is guided to an understanding that not everything is black and white, and that everybody has more to them than you see. The multicultural aspects of different cultures growing up in close proximity in suburbia are laced throughout, and no issues are avoided.
While the main characters are Ash (part Croatian, part Maori) and Liana (Tongan) and it's their 'love story' that is the main plot device, the reader also gets to know a number of other characters well, and what happens to them really matters. An excellent cast.
An excellent book.
A cloistered environment? Maybe so. Since then, however, (and it was quite a good number of years ago in the early 1970s that I was at secondary school) I have read much, viewed much on the TV, and been involved (at the periphery) with lives that would fit in the world of this book. So there was nothing new for me, in that way, in this book.
But I didn't read it to learn anything new, I read it because it was recommended highly by other reading-friends. And I read it in less than one day because it's the sort of book that you can't put down (though I had to put it down to sleep, and then there were other things that had to be done first today before I could sit down with it again).
This book is fast-paced and brutally honest. Marita Hansen writes with a truly authentic voice - the spelling reflects the pronunciation accurately, and the broiling emotions of teenagers are perfectly reproduced. The characters are drawn with great sympathy, while not pulling any punches (often literally in the plot), and the teen-reader is guided to an understanding that not everything is black and white, and that everybody has more to them than you see. The multicultural aspects of different cultures growing up in close proximity in suburbia are laced throughout, and no issues are avoided.
While the main characters are Ash (part Croatian, part Maori) and Liana (Tongan) and it's their 'love story' that is the main plot device, the reader also gets to know a number of other characters well, and what happens to them really matters. An excellent cast.
An excellent book.
August 9, 2012
Talented new author Marita Hansen is an expert at getting inside the mind of her characters. She takes a firm hold of the reader and drags them kicking and screaming into the pages with her. Not always pleasant and many times downright cringe worthy, she takes us inside the lives of four troubled teenagers. Their souls are laid bare to our eyes, every motive, good and bad, exposed, their deepest, darkest secrets held under a magnifying glass. They live in a hypocritical society, one where people prefer to stay blind to the truth and are quick to point fingers away from themselves. Often time unforgiving, a fist is the weapon of choice when it comes to handling disagreements and real, or imagined, transgressions. I found Graffiti Heaven as passionate a read as her debut novel Behind the Hood, perhaps even more intense because the characters are so young. Sixteen should be a carefree time in the lives of these teenagers, one of growth and change, of first love, a first kiss, friendship and trust. Instead we are shown a realistic view of intense conflict and pain, as much internal as external. Enter Ash, Tianna, Levi and Jenna's world, where dysfunctional families are the norm, jealousy dominates, and one dangerous paedophile lies hidden amongst them. Loyalty and trust will be tested and fail, misunderstandings common. Expect a change in the way you've always viewed the dangerous and chaotic world our teenagers must find a way to survive in today.
December 14, 2012
"Graffiti Heaven" offers a deep and frank look into teenagers and young adults and the issues they face, not only in New Zealand (where the story is set) but nearly everywhere. Marita Hansen's crisp, lean, and straightforward style plus her ability to ratch up the conflict make for an addictive read, regardless of what genre you are into. I went ahead and plowed through the novel's 359 pages because I liked what I had sampled of the book a while back. The story is told through the perspectives of four major characters, each which continued to pleasantly surprise me in the ways he or she grew (or at times, didn't). The other characters (arguably too many of them) are all also multidimensional and compelling causing the reader to feel like he or she is right there in the school corridor with them. Kudos to Marita on telling it like it is while giving a polite curtsy to Shakespeare along the way.
October 17, 2012
I read this book because I took part in a group read. Boy - am I ever glad I did! Thanks Book Loving Kiwis!
It took me a little while to get into the swing of the dialogue in this book, even though I lived in South Auckland, but once I became used to it - I was captivated.
Stuff the housework - once I was engrossed in this book - nothing else got a look-in and my house became a mess. Thanks for that Marita! :)
Not afraid to delve into the darker side of human nature, Ms. Hansen delivers a gritty and powerful book that reminded me of similar great works by SE Hinton and NZ's own Alan Duff, and I hope to see this book rise to the same heights as those just mentioned. Graffiti Heaven and Marita Hansen certainly deserve to be noticed.
It took me a little while to get into the swing of the dialogue in this book, even though I lived in South Auckland, but once I became used to it - I was captivated.
Stuff the housework - once I was engrossed in this book - nothing else got a look-in and my house became a mess. Thanks for that Marita! :)
Not afraid to delve into the darker side of human nature, Ms. Hansen delivers a gritty and powerful book that reminded me of similar great works by SE Hinton and NZ's own Alan Duff, and I hope to see this book rise to the same heights as those just mentioned. Graffiti Heaven and Marita Hansen certainly deserve to be noticed.
August 29, 2012
This was one intense read from beginning to end! It was well written, and I *got* every single character whether I liked them or not. It was so interesting to watch these characters change/grow as the book progressed. Not all of them are likeable, yet they had redeeming qualities, and the more I read from each perspective, the more I learned about each character, the more I understood them (maybe not agreed with the choices/actions, but understood a little better). Most seem to be change for the better (with the exception of Chaz). I am anxiously waiting for Crying Out Silent, which is the second book in this series, to come out! I can't wait to find out what Will happen next!
February 15, 2015
An interesting clock rewind, visiting the characters from the Behind the Lives Series, 10 years earlier to see where it all began. I loved that the characters are multi-dimensional, it makes them more real. I think the author deals well with some very tough life events - bullying, rape, teen pregnancy and sexual orientation/prejudice. I can't wait until I can get hold of huge next book in the series (hint hint lol).
October 26, 2012
I'm ashamed to admit I havn't read alot of kiwi authors over the years but thanks to GR's I am so pleased I found Marita Hansen! What a storyteller! I was engaged from beginning to end. Looking forward to the next book in this series....
January 28, 2020
Raw
This author has a way of writing that keeps you engaged. She writes raw stories that feel real. This story touches on different topics that are tough to read but she does it in a way that will keep you reading. I definitely recommend all her work.
This author has a way of writing that keeps you engaged. She writes raw stories that feel real. This story touches on different topics that are tough to read but she does it in a way that will keep you reading. I definitely recommend all her work.
April 30, 2021
I was immediately drawn into this book and really kept my attention, and I could not put it down.
July 27, 2013
Another intense book from Marita A. Hansen. After giving up with a really boring book (On Green Dolphin Street), this was just the thing I needed to get me excited about reading again :) Graffiti Heaven is set ten years before 'Behind The Hood' so the characters you know are here, they are just a little bit smaller and sidelined. However the characters you do get are well worth reading about! I loved Ash. Liked Tiana and loved Jenna's bitchy bits. But when I say I liked them, if I knew them in real life, I'd keep the hell away from them! These kids are nothing but trouble! This is a page turner, it will not take you long to read this because you will not be able to put it down. People really need to get into this series because I want Marita to write the next one. The reason I've not given it full stars is becuase it does have a few flaws. One is the writing, it can sometimes feel like it's a little immatue, obviously this is because of the age of the characters and how they speak. I would proberly have overlooked this if I had been a teenager when reading this but because I'm not, I sometimes thought 'cringe' when reading the Dialogue. The other niggle is that maybe a little to much happens in this book, don't get me wrong I loved the plot but it was good enough to stand without so much going on. Overall I loved this book and I think others will to, especially if you've enjoyed her other books.
September 11, 2016
I don't think I have read a young adult book that has such an intense and dark story line like the one in Graffiti Heaven. It is raw, real and not for the faint hearted.
The book follows four teenagers who are all dealing without private troubles and serious issues. Ashley Rata is the centre of the book but his girlfriend Tiana, her brother Levi aka Spike and Ash's ex-girlfriend Jenna also share centre stage with him.
The book follows the four of them over the course of a few months and reveals how each of them are involved with one another and how their paths cross. Secrets are exposed, tragedies strike and serious crimes are committed.
Pick up a copy of Graffiti Heaven to find out the things these teens get up to.
The book follows four teenagers who are all dealing without private troubles and serious issues. Ashley Rata is the centre of the book but his girlfriend Tiana, her brother Levi aka Spike and Ash's ex-girlfriend Jenna also share centre stage with him.
The book follows the four of them over the course of a few months and reveals how each of them are involved with one another and how their paths cross. Secrets are exposed, tragedies strike and serious crimes are committed.
Pick up a copy of Graffiti Heaven to find out the things these teens get up to.
August 27, 2012
Excellent writing style, very relevant YA issues sensitively dealt with. Cracking read.
December 19, 2012
Excellent. Left a 5-star review on Amazon.
October 16, 2013
*Review to Come*
January 10, 2024
After reading Dante’s stories first, it’s hard to beat it. I mean, who isn’t in love with Dante?
Graffiti Heaven focuses on Ash and what happens with his step-dad (which you already know about if you read the Broken Lives series first). The book also covers Ash’s relationship with Tiana, Tiana and her relationship with her brother Levi and her parents, and Jenna, Ash’s ex-girlfriend.
A lot of things happen in this book. I felt like having read the Broken Lives series first, I knew most of what was coming. However, you’re still introduced to new characters and get a lot of background knowledge on characters you already know. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be starting the next soon! I absolutely love Marita’s writing and hope she publishes more soon!
Graffiti Heaven focuses on Ash and what happens with his step-dad (which you already know about if you read the Broken Lives series first). The book also covers Ash’s relationship with Tiana, Tiana and her relationship with her brother Levi and her parents, and Jenna, Ash’s ex-girlfriend.
A lot of things happen in this book. I felt like having read the Broken Lives series first, I knew most of what was coming. However, you’re still introduced to new characters and get a lot of background knowledge on characters you already know. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be starting the next soon! I absolutely love Marita’s writing and hope she publishes more soon!
October 23, 2012
So, ummmm..... I'm scratching my head here. Lets see... Overall, the book wasn't bad.
The beginning was very tedious and had I not been reading on my iPad would have thrown the book down in frustration. Luckily I should some restraint and my iPad is still intact. (Thank God!) :) The first few chapters had this book feeling like a total chore for me. In the sense that I was dragging my feet and not into it. But my commitment to finish books I start, kept me reading. One thing that annoys me to no end in books is what I consider to be high school drama. You know: the gossip, bullying, backstabbing, lying, etc. and overall childish and immature attitude teens are known for. Well Graffiti Heaven is full of that. So in understanding that I don't enjoy this you can see why I struggled with this book. The book got better once the story line was established and progressed (although this always remained a part of the book).
Hansen kept me hooked with some good plot twist and some well thought out foreshadowing. If that last statement left you scratching your head, what I mean is that she so subtlety hinted at things and left me with a curiosity that I could not contain and forced me to keep reading. Once that whopper of a plot twist played out, she would once again stoke my curiosity and keep me hooked.
Also, Graffiti Heaven takes place in New Zealand and color me ignorant but I was so out of my element in the culture this book presents. I'll admit that this is a prime example of a situation of where Google would be my best friend- but I'm a lazy gal that figured it out with assumptions and context clues. Like starting this book I had no clue what a Croatian was. Now I have a very solid guess. So I did spend a good half of the book with a question mark hanging over my head.
This book also deals with a lot of sensitive subjects: sex, drugs, abuse, rape, bullying, and a few more things that I will reserve in the hopes of not providing spoilers. Hansen does a great job with writing about such sensitive and controversial issues. She presents a tough world for teenagers where this is their reality. She narrates in a way that allows the reader to understand the emotions that provoke and result from these actions. She also cleverly weaves positive solutions that left me with a positive outlook after everything that happened. I can imagine that although this book did get a bit tough to stomach at times that it is that kind of book that can give people in similar situations hope.
All in all, this a cleverly written book. It is honest and realistic and very well written. I don't necessarily think it was a bad book, I just think it wasn't for me.
*To see more of my reviews be sure to visit my blog
The beginning was very tedious and had I not been reading on my iPad would have thrown the book down in frustration. Luckily I should some restraint and my iPad is still intact. (Thank God!) :) The first few chapters had this book feeling like a total chore for me. In the sense that I was dragging my feet and not into it. But my commitment to finish books I start, kept me reading. One thing that annoys me to no end in books is what I consider to be high school drama. You know: the gossip, bullying, backstabbing, lying, etc. and overall childish and immature attitude teens are known for. Well Graffiti Heaven is full of that. So in understanding that I don't enjoy this you can see why I struggled with this book. The book got better once the story line was established and progressed (although this always remained a part of the book).
Hansen kept me hooked with some good plot twist and some well thought out foreshadowing. If that last statement left you scratching your head, what I mean is that she so subtlety hinted at things and left me with a curiosity that I could not contain and forced me to keep reading. Once that whopper of a plot twist played out, she would once again stoke my curiosity and keep me hooked.
Also, Graffiti Heaven takes place in New Zealand and color me ignorant but I was so out of my element in the culture this book presents. I'll admit that this is a prime example of a situation of where Google would be my best friend- but I'm a lazy gal that figured it out with assumptions and context clues. Like starting this book I had no clue what a Croatian was. Now I have a very solid guess. So I did spend a good half of the book with a question mark hanging over my head.
This book also deals with a lot of sensitive subjects: sex, drugs, abuse, rape, bullying, and a few more things that I will reserve in the hopes of not providing spoilers. Hansen does a great job with writing about such sensitive and controversial issues. She presents a tough world for teenagers where this is their reality. She narrates in a way that allows the reader to understand the emotions that provoke and result from these actions. She also cleverly weaves positive solutions that left me with a positive outlook after everything that happened. I can imagine that although this book did get a bit tough to stomach at times that it is that kind of book that can give people in similar situations hope.
All in all, this a cleverly written book. It is honest and realistic and very well written. I don't necessarily think it was a bad book, I just think it wasn't for me.
*To see more of my reviews be sure to visit my blog
January 25, 2016
I thought I was really going to dislike this book, and as I read the first few chapters I did dislike the book. It was not because of the plot or the writing still; it was because I hated Jenna and the New Zealand language was confusing. However, I am glad that I powered through and continued reading because I really liked the book. I feel that the author touched on a lot of the things that teens deal with in everyday life and she handled them well.
I did not like Jenna. Even after finishing the book, I still do not like her. Tiana was weak though. I was waiting for her to have a big moment where she stood her ground but that did not happen. I do like that Tiana's character was a way of helping the main character, Ash, get through the trauma that his stepdad caused. My favorite character was Ash, but I also liked Hunter. I wish that he was of the point of view characters instead of Jenna. Or maybe even Kelley.
I did not like Jenna. Even after finishing the book, I still do not like her. Tiana was weak though. I was waiting for her to have a big moment where she stood her ground but that did not happen. I do like that Tiana's character was a way of helping the main character, Ash, get through the trauma that his stepdad caused. My favorite character was Ash, but I also liked Hunter. I wish that he was of the point of view characters instead of Jenna. Or maybe even Kelley.
March 21, 2013
3.5 stars. I read Behind the Tears first, which was awesome. I had to find out the background on Ash, so here I am. Both of these series are really full of life issues but you need to read them with an open mind. I really love reading a different version of English. I am thinking of adding some of Their terms to my vocab. This book seemed to drag a bit.
January 3, 2013
I'm thinking this is a story based on Romeo and Juliet, but I don't care. I don't care about any of the characters. I won't even think about this book again after I hit enter on the review.
Read
August 10, 2013No words....
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