All Fiona knows about her life in Ireland is what her mother told her - that they had to leave when she two-years-old to stay safe. Years later, Fiona is back, to spend time with the father she barely remembers, her older half-brothers and a young nephew she didn't know existed until recently. She arrives in Belfast and while she's hesitant to grow close to any of them, Fiona can't deny that there's something about Ireland that intrigues her. Even so, she knows her father is keeping something from her, and she's astounded to discover his involvement in the Troubles, the turbulent time in Northern Ireland's recent history that pitted Protestants against Catholics, Loyalist against Republican, and resulted in unthinkable violence...

Danny's been trying to get out Belfast for as long as he can remember. His abusive dad and tough-guy older brother both want him to take his proper place among the Loyalist supporters on their side of Belfast, but Danny's been working hard to study for his A-levels, join the army, and train to be a nurse. Danny's mom was killed during the Troubles, and since then he's been trying to honor her memory, but as much as he attempts to do the right thing, he always seems to run into trouble.

By chance, Fiona and Danny meet and have an instant connection. Danny's intrigued by this stubborn American girl who he feels like he can truly be himself around. Fiona knows Danny has pain but appreciates that he wants to do something meaningful with his life. But as they grow closer, tensions between the Loyalists and Republicans arise, hurtful truths come to light, and Fiona and Danny are unsure of what their futures hold, and if being together is even an option...

ALL THE WALLS OF BELFAST is a heartbreaking yet hopeful young adult novel. Admittedly, I do not read a ton of YA, but I enjoyed this novel. Fiona and Danny are two characters that I think many readers will relate to and find fascinating. Fiona has to grapple with her Irish heritage, attempt to let her father back in her life, and create relationships with brothers she only knows from pictures. And when she learns more about her father's involvement during the Troubles, Fiona has to decide if this family is one she really wants to be a part of... Danny's home life is similarly strained but in a more direct and dangerous way. His family expects Danny to be one of them - even if that means by illegal and dire means. Danny's struggles were much more tangible, and his story was harrowing. I felt like Fiona's storyline was more typically "teenage," so adding Danny's issues really brought a level of brevity and immediacy that moved the plot along. The resolution comes quickly, and while it made sense, was very neat. I had a hard time believing that Fiona and Danny were a good match with so many outside factors keeping them apart, but their time together was natural and a joy to read. Sarah J. Carlson clearly did her research into this divided part of Ireland and made me want to learn more about a time in Ireland's history I was not aware of until this book.

Book Summary

The Carnival at Bray meets West Side Story in Sarah Carlson’s powerful YA debut; set in post-conflict Belfast (Northern Ireland), alternating between two teenagers, both trying to understand their past and preserve their future. Seventeen-year-olds, Fiona and Danny must choose between their dreams and the people they aspire to be.

Fiona and Danny were born in the same hospital. Fiona’s mom fled with her to the United States when she was two, but, fourteen years after the Troubles ended, a forty-foot-tall peace wall still separates her dad’s Catholic neighborhood from Danny’s Protestant neighborhood.

After chance brings Fiona and Danny together, their love of the band Fading Stars, big dreams, and desire to run away from their families unites them. Danny and Fiona must help one another overcome the burden of their parents’ pasts. But one ugly truth might shatter what they have….