"the sunday times", in its review of "stripes of the sidestep wolf", wrote "teenagers whose developing intellect is above the gossipy pap and illiterate dialogue that "young adult" writing sometimes embraces will find in hartnett's latest novel exact and thoughtful writing that gives localised events general resonance." and concluded "this book not only exercises the mind, but also stirs the heart." booktrust wrote "hartnett’s precise, graceful writing explores the tantalising potential of suspended lives. a hugely-absorbing book that repays slow reading, in which even small events are momentous".