‘A ride you’ll never forget. I loved, loved, loved The Brink.’

‘Raw, exhilarating and emotionally charged, an absolute must read!’

‘A vivid, thrilling, edge-of-your-seat read. These characters are teetering at the very brink of who they are and who they could be.’

’Sheppard dismantles and interrogates stereotypes of masculinity and sexuality, showing a great generosity to his characters…[His] writing is gripping and authentic, and The Brink acknowledges and amplifies the real challenges that face young people as they step into adulthood.’

‘The Brink is an explosive story about friendship, love, grief, and trauma. Holden Sheppard brings his uniquely gritty voice to a novel that is part coming-of-age, part thriller, and part social commentary. The result is dark, gripping, and utterly compelling, moving at breakneck speed from the very first page. And beneath its hormone-fuelled exterior, the book is a nuanced deep-dive into sexuality and masculinity, and the sometimes perilous intersection between the two. Sheppard is a fearless writer, and The Brink is testament to that. I absolutely tore through this book. I could not put it down.’

‘Wild and questioning, tender and fearless, The Brink is filled with characters who, due to their expertly rendered flaws, will break your heart. The novel is a rallying cry to encourage people—young people especially—to be themselves by following whatever path makes them feel most alive; it opens up such space for self-expression that it feels as though Holden Sheppard has created an entirely new universe. His voice is utterly unique and a great, roaring breath of fresh air.’

‘Sheppard successfully explores the meaning of masculinity…The Brink is an ode to self-discovery and self-love.’

‘The Brink succeeds in establishing Sheppard as a young writer with huge potential in the Australian literary scene…It is frank, fresh and unapologetic …There is so much to admire about this novel—the plotting and structure are impeccable, the tropes run thick and fast. All this is underpinned by beautifully drawn characters.’

‘Wow! Wow, wow! Sheppard’s latest upper YA novel (but seriously, adults would love it too) has achieved so much! It’s a captivating, true to life story of a group of teenagers on a schoolies (or leavers) trip; it’s a compelling commentary on Aussie masculinity and queer identity; it’s a murder mystery and Lord of the Flies and Survivor - it’s just a really good book.’

‘Sheppard doesn’t shy away from depicting his characters’ bad behaviour…while also representing their struggles with frankness and considerable empathy.’

‘Sheppard has absolutely nailed this story…This book is totally immersive, the characters so alive and throbbing and real that you’ll feel yourself invested in their arcs from their first chapters… A totally brilliant read.’

‘Thoroughly gripping.’

‘Sheppard doesn’t shy away from the uglier bits of beings a teenager, and doesn’t provide a pat, didactic solution, either…The exploration of masculinity and sexuality in The Brink is nuanced and subtle. I’d recommend it to anyone who has ever been, loved, or raised a teenage boy.’

‘An absolute rollercoaster of dramatic tension and sun-soaked mayhem…I inhaled this.’

‘[A] well-plotted, twisting mystery…Perfect for teenagers approaching adulthood, or for the adults in their lives who want to connect with and understand their experiences as they come of age.’

‘Incredibly tense…superbly written…it’s awesome.’

‘[Holden Sheppard] has delivered a dark tale, full of tension and deep, complex characters.’

‘You don’t need to be a young adult to enjoy this popular local author’s story…Sheppard has such a fun, insightful and distinctly Aussie voice.’

‘Another cracking young adult novel that offers a thoughtful exploration of masculinity, sexuality and class.’

‘An unflinching, tension-filled story…An excellent thriller, enjoyable both for YA and adult audiences alike.’