"Will more clinical drug trials spell disaster for Audie?"
Placebo Junkies
By: J.C. Carleson
Genres: Young Adult
Posted: February 3, 2016
Audie isn't the most likable of characters, but that's also part of the charm and message of PLACEBO JUNKIES. In fact, none of the characters are particularly likable, from Audie's best friend, Charlotte, to the disgusting, Scratch. I like that J.C. Carleson doesn't shy away from such a difficult topic or characters as we see a very different side of the medical and mental health systems in PLACEBO JUNKIES.
PLACEBO JUNKIES is a rapid descent into a maddening world, as Audie's unreliable narration leaves the reader questioning everything. The lines of reality quickly blur as Audie's own grasp on reality loosens. Just when you think you've grasped hold of the truth, bam, J.C. Carleson throws another twist at the reader! PLACEBO JUNKIES is an irreverent but thought-provoking tale that addresses a whole host of serious issues, ranging from medical ethics to mental illness. J.C. Carleson's unique approach to the storyline keeps the reader on the edge of their seat as we wonder what crazy twist J.C. Carleson will throw at us next!
Book Summary
Going Bovine meets Trainspotting in this gritty portrait of at-risk teens gaming the prescription drug trial system.
Meet Audie: Professional lab rat. Guinea pig. Serial human test subject. For Audie and her friends, “volunteering” for pharmaceutical drug trials means a quick fix and easy cash. Sure, there’s the occasional nasty side effect, but Audie’s got things under control. If Monday’s pill causes a rash, Tuesday’s ointment usually clears it right up. Wednesday’s injection soothes the sting from Tuesday’s “cure,” and Thursday’s procedure makes her forget all about Wednesday’s headache. By the time Friday rolls around, there’s plenty of cash in hand and perhaps even a slot in a government-funded psilocybin study, because WEEKEND!
But the best fix of all is her boyfriend, Dylan, whose terminal illness just makes them even more compatible. He’s turning eighteen soon, so Audie is saving up to make it an unforgettable birthday. That means more drug trials than ever before, but Dylan is worth it. No pain, no gain, Audie tells herself as the pills wear away at her body and mind. No pain, no gain, she repeats as her grip on reality starts to slide. . . .
Raw and irreverent, Placebo Junkies will captivate readers until the very end, when author J. C. Carleson leans in for a final twist of the knife.
by: J.C. Carleson
Knopf Books for Young Readers
November 1, 2015
On Sale: October 27, 2015
Featuring: Audie; Dylan
ISBN: 0553497243
EAN: 9780553497243
Kindle: B00TCI29RS
Hardcover / e-Book