Let It Burn (Malibu Rising – A Book Review)

Malibu Rising

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Published: 2021

On Goodreads

My Rating:

Rated R for a rager to remember and for one father, a reckoning unlike any other.

Malibu catches fire.

It is simply what Malibu does from time to time.

Because it is Malibu’s nature to burn.

Malibu, 1983. The party of the decade. Four famous siblings celebrate the end of the summer. Each of their lives will be changed forever. Known as the children of the famous Mick Riva, they’ve never known him. Still, they always had each other. Nina, the surfer and model. Jay and Hud follow in her footsteps with Jay coming up in the surfing world and Hud, photographing it. Meanwhile, Kit, the youngest, just wants her shot to be the next Nina, but Jay won’t share the waves.

By morning, the Riva rager is out of control and the mansion is burned to the ground. One thing is for certain, no one is sure how the fire started, but it’s definitely a night people won’t soon forget. For the Rivas, it’s about heartache, the secrets you hold, and family.

Can’t Hardly Wait meets Project X meets Party of Five in this book and it was ineffable. Every once in a while, I drift into the family drama fiction section, craving something fresh. I wasn’t disappointed. This wasn’t a typical sibling hijinks or party-hard thrill ride. The Rivas siblings’ history is recounted, showcasing who they are and how they became the Rivas. It wasn’t their dad’s success. Through two stories—one past and one present—you learn it was hard work and unforgiving sacrifice for them to get to the top. But, each of the futures they set out for changed over the course of one night. Many revelations were made between the siblings. More than that, the strength between them was unshakeable.

It’s difficult to find a place to start with this one. What an intricate story of heartache, love, trauma, and determination, but put so simply with both its past and present POVs. And, it was so beautiful with a dash of rad. Reid didn’t go over the top, but she put this story at a level that makes it incredibly real and relatable but also riveting. There was so much regarding Mick and the tribulation of growing up without parents in the middle of this huge unforgettable party. It’s an unbearable weight.

While there is family drama, Reid doesn’t let you miss the party. She kept the balance of both effortlessly. I wondered before starting this if I’d get to see any of the party and I was not disappointed. From wild hook-ups to coke platters to kleptomania, you think it and it more than likely happened. Hell, the big finale was the house burning down at the end, almost like a goodbye.

And yes, of course I have a section in this review dedicated to the Mick Riva. But that’s mostly because everything I’ve ever wanted to say to my own biological father was said to Mick, and it was a rush just to get to read the Rivas say it. What an infuriating character Mick was. His excuses about abandoning his kids and the way he thought those excuses made everything alright was crazy. I can’t imagine what possesses somebody to do this. The way he only came into the picture when it seemed he was unhappy and lonely, as if his own children were mere objects had my jaw dropping. The Rivas held their own against their father, proving that having each other was enough for them. No one and nothing could come between them and and make them question their bond.

Though the style was edgy and without a huge amount of razzle-dazzle, the characters themselves held the dazzle. Reid jumped from scene to scene, carrying all of them impeccably across the backdrop of the 80s. I was amazed at how she seemed to do it with ease, especially when it came to mingling them all together at the party. With so many characters to remember, I thought it would be overload. Let me tell you, I was eating it up! All of it! It was like getting in on the ground floor of the best gossip! Reid succeeded in taking me to a great party! What a good time!

Overall

This, though it may not be a major favorite, was remarkable and struck some intense emotions within me. Stellar writing and breathtaking storytelling. I highly recommend it. It’s worth the read.

Quotables:

“Our family histories are simply stories. They are myths we create about the people who came before us, in order to make sense of ourselves.” (p. 31)

“The good thing about getting dumped by a dickhead is that you don’t have to deal with the dickhead anymore. At least that’s how it’s supposed to work.” (p. 97)

More to come soon…

-K.

Song Today? Let’s Go Crazy by PRince & The Revolution.