A thousand eyes on you by Mia Arderne (Lapa, 2024)
Cliffordene Norton writes a regular book column for LitNet.
Title: A thousand eyes on you
Author: Mia Arderne
Publisher: Lapa (2024)
ISBN: 9780637002226
I heard there’s a girl in school growing wings. No, she’s not graduating or anything. She’s legit growing wings, just like this other oke in school. He’s doesn’t have wings though. He’s growing a tail, and he keeps skipping class. They probably think no one sees them but we’re watching them. They keep getting closer and closer to each other, so we all have to watch them. The sky and the sea. The rivers and the forest. Faeries and mermaids. It’s hectic, I know. A thousand eyes watching you, but I guess that’s what happens to us as we grow up. We either grow a tail or wings and the world watch the ugly process unfold.
A slow start that hinders engagement
Mia Arderne’s A thousand eyes on you is an ambitious novel that blends history, magic, trauma and identity into a deeply introspective narrative. However, the first few chapters drag significantly, making it a challenge to get fully immersed in the story. It took me nearly a month to push through the initial set-up, which is a shame because once the novel gains momentum, particularly from chapter 12 onwards, its potential becomes more apparent.
Character development and relationship dynamics
One of my biggest concerns with the novel is the protagonist, Cayla. While teenage protagonists often grapple with identity, Cayla lacks both self-awareness and the curiosity to find out who she truly is. She flits from relationship to relationship – with her best friend Raida, the outsider Tyler and the school’s popular kid Jarryd – without much introspection or emotional depth.
These connections often feel shallow and rushed, particularly her relationship with Tyler. The speed at which Cayla falls in love is jarring, and their dynamic would have felt more authentic if it had been explicitly framed as trauma bonding rather than genuine romance.
Tyler’s character also lacks consistency. In chapter nine, he seems vastly different from his earlier shy portrayal, and his decision to leave his brother doesn’t align with his established personality. Additionally, the lack of a clear lead-up to key events – such as Cayla’s parents paying for Tyler’s therapy – makes the plot feel disjointed at times.
Weaving history and magic
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One of the novel’s strengths is how it intertwines historical elements with magical realism.
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One of the novel’s strengths is how it intertwines historical elements with magical realism. A passage on page 48 captures this beautifully:
No one at the table lost their appetite while Ma retold her terrible history. But Cayla also wished that her Ma had never had to be that resilient in the first place, that she and Pa had never had to go through what they went through. That they never had to become so tough, they could eat so smaaklik and retell tales of horror without skipping a beat or a bite.
This moment is striking, revealing the emotional weight of generational trauma while showing how resilience is both a gift and a burden. The novel shines when it delves into these aspects, making it frustrating that the early chapters bog down the reader before they can fully appreciate these themes.
The novel also touches on environmental impacts on magical beings, a fascinating angle that could have been explored further. Instead, too much time is spent inside Cayla’s head, where she often spirals without moving the plot forward. Her unreliable narration, especially regarding relationships, adds complexity but also makes it difficult to root for her.
The role of social media and the lack of continuity
At the start, social media plays a prominent role in Cayla’s life, adding a layer of modern realism. However, it almost completely disappears as the story progresses, which feels like a missed opportunity. Given that social media shapes so much of contemporary teenage identity, its absence in later chapters is noticeable and somewhat jarring.
Similarly, there are moments in the story that lack logical cohesion. For instance, how did Mister Van Zyl survive taking ten strong sleeping pills? These inconsistencies make the story feel disconnected at times, pulling the reader out of the experience.
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The world Cayla inhabits could have been introduced in a more immersive way, allowing readers to feel grounded in her reality rather than detached from it.
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Dialogue and worldbuilding
The dialogue occasionally feels unnatural – too shallow – making it difficult to believe these are real teenagers speaking. There are also moments of “white room syndrome”, where the setting is described sufficiently but lacks sensory detail. The world Cayla inhabits could have been introduced in a more immersive way, allowing readers to feel grounded in her reality rather than detached from it.
Another issue is the lack of build-up to major social events Cayla attends. These scenes often feel abrupt, as if they were inserted for plot progression rather than naturally evolving within the story. This lack of preparation weakens the narrative flow, making certain moments feel forced rather than earned.
Final thoughts
Despite its flaws, A thousand eyes on you captures the messiness of teenage relationships and the unspoken silences within families.
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I wanted to love A thousand eyes on you, but it tries to be too many things at once, and in doing so becomes a kaleidoscope of almosts.
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I wanted to love A thousand eyes on you, but it tries to be too many things at once, and in doing so becomes a kaleidoscope of almosts. It almost delivers a powerful coming-of-age story. It almost explores pollution’s impact on magical beings. It almost provides a compelling love story. But none of these elements feel fully realised.
With a stronger focus and a tighter narrative structure, this novel could have been exceptional.
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