Wild Awake is the kind of YA novel that gets praised by critics and leaves readers emotionally wrecked. It's literary fiction that happens to feature a teen protagonist—this isn't a beach read or a comfort book.

The good: Smith absolutely nails what it's like to experience a mental health crisis. The Disability in Kidlit review (from advocates who know their stuff) calls it 'brilliantly, masterfully crafted,' and that authenticity matters. For a mature teen trying to understand mental illness—whether for themselves or someone they care about—this offers genuine insight.

The reality: This book is exhausting. It's supposed to be—you're experiencing Kiri's breakdown in real time. Multiple reviewers describe feeling drained, overwhelmed, and emotionally spent. The pacing is chaotic because Kiri's mind is chaotic. It's effective storytelling but not exactly enjoyable.

The verdict: If your teen is 16+, emotionally mature, and specifically interested in mental health representation or literary YA, this is worth reading. If they're looking for something lighter, or if they're dealing with their own mental health struggles, maybe not. This is a book that demands something from you—and not everyone is in a place to give it.