Before I begin, let me tell you that I am an avid fan of Sophie Kinsella, of the Shopaholic fame. I’ve read (and loved) almost all of the titles from that series and I was very excited when I stumbled upon “The Undomestic Goddess”. Similar to her previous writings, Sophie Kinsella has kept a comic undertone throughout the story even when describing some serious dilemmas.
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A male figure appeared through the meld of orange and yellow leaves. He was young about Morgan’s age…- The Hunter’s Moon
The first thing that came to my mind when I was reading The Hunter’s Moon by Beth Trissel was that I can never hang out with this person. Bizarre thought, right? Not to me. I had to say the sentences in The Hunter’s Moon were written in a way that was a switch between first person and third person point of view. Maybe the author wrote in the first person point of view initially and just deleted the noun and left it that way and the result was that when I was reading I found it hard to follow the flow of The Hunter’s Moon. Sometimes it’s like this it’s as if she is telling a story about Morgan and Jackson and the Wapicoli clan and the next it’s like she is Morgan and is telling me about her thoughts. I even at one point felt like I was reading a Twilight fan fiction where Jacob is replaced by Jackson and courteously eliminate Edward from the equation and now we have a werewolf saga. The result was that I was bored, to say the least. Hence it took remarkable effort on my side to finish this book. The book is set in the mountains of Fort Valley or someplace cold in the mountains in a lodge to put it precisely where they have no electricity and have all the things to live like they are in the mid-1900s or some age where there was a lack of electricity. I wasn’t impressed, no wifi, no outside world, no school (school wasn’t really fun but it is a must I believe everyone has to endure it like a rite of passage). What on earth is this?
Oh, crap. Don’t let this place be haunted! She’d never seen a ghost before and didn’t want to start now, especially not in this room.
As the book cover suggests yes they are werewolves. While reading this book I had to hand out to Stephenie Meyer for Twilight and for her creativity in creating this vision of werewolves that has spurred the imagination of many to write fictions with the same idea and given light to the much-forgotten natives. Credit is given where credit is due. Jackson is a werewolf, yeah Jackson like Jacob see the similarity and he is also a native American. Stereotyping is getting so common and it is not fun. I also observed that the author used the acronym NA for native Americans, I found that rather impolite just pointing out the obvious here. I have never really read much of authors using short forms except for messaging or email parts of interactions in novels. I found this NA thing rather unsettling. Thanksgiving and Native Americans don’t mix I get the idea that she was trying to be cool or something but from what I have read Thanksgiving is rarely celebrated by the natives because of the issues with the atrocities that they went through from the occupation of foreign forces on their land. It was like very strong matter overlooked by the author. It was rather insensitive and the author should be aware that not everyone shares the same sentiment. That’s why I believe proper research is vital so that information provided or conveyed to others are worthy and do not mislead or hurt others in the process.
Were those dyed porcupine quills sewn in with the beadwork? Morgan couldn’t be sure.
The funny thing in The Hunter’s Moon was that sometimes Morgan knew stuff before it was even mentioned or the information she mentioned contradicts with the facts presented before. Like the sentence above I had to say it was mentioned in the book that Morgan was a suburban kid and all of a sudden, she knows what or how porcupine quills looks like. Well, I don’t, I would have thought what a fancy hair pin. There were holes in the plot and then Morgan was bombarded with so much information and exposed to a whole new world but as the main character she took in stride, that was just too much. Seriously what exactly does a teenager want to do in the forest full of strangers even if their intentions are good? Oh well, she does the all-knowing instant-love thing. I don’t know but I didn’t get the chemistry. Maybe the author was trying to emulate Edward and Bella’s story in werewolf form. Needless to say, the effort was a waste. Not only did I didn’t fell a thing but I also felt like the push at the end for Morgan to confess her feelings to Jackson was just ridiculous. I mean it started with a crush and became full blown love so soon. They didn’t even go out on a date!!! Morgan doesn’t even go to school, I dislike this fact I prefer the teens actually finish school rather than become dropouts. I have to wonder did the author forget that these books are for young adults? That being said young adults need creative work that can keep them engaged and capture their interest because they tend to lose interest easily. To me the best part of The Hunter’s Moon came at the end, in this part, the interaction between Morgan and Jackson is actually very sweet and believable while throughout the book the author was trying to create a relationship dynamic between them that really didn’t work.
Sobering words. Morgan wondered if she were a participant on some form of the TV show, Survivor.
The authors writing was not something I enjoyed. The author didn’t give a proper explanation about the lodge or the surroundings, there were holes in the plot like Morgan knowing things that impossible she would have known. I mean I was lost, the story moved too quick like the author was in hurry trying to show the good part or something and the ridiculous instant love chemistry felt off to me. Aside from this, I have to say the author seriously lacked in explaining and describing the physical surroundings like for example the lodge was described in a rather poetic way like burning torches and all but there was nothing about the color or more description that explained the things but was really vague about that. The Hunter’s Moon was all over the place, I can’t tell how many times I had to figure out what was really happening and how Morgan knows a lot when she is a novice in this shape-shifting world. There are a lot of things that require help and I hope maybe the author can see through that. There was also the constant barrage of TV shows that led me to think that how many a teenager watches one that is constantly on the run and watching something like Survivor. I was wondering do teenagers even watch that, sometimes school is like going through Survivor itself. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.
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“How would you live if you knew the day you’d die?
Parvin Blackwater has wasted her life. At only seventeen, she has one year left according to the Clock by her bedside.
In a last-ditch effort to make a difference, she tries to rescue Radicals from the crooked justice system. But when the authorities find out about her illegal activity, they cast her through the Wall — her people’s death sentence.
What she finds on the other side about the world, about eternity, and about herself changes Parvin forever and might just save her people. But her Clock is running out.”-summary of A Time to Die from Goodreads
A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes is one of the few books I consider to have rocked my world. The first time I read it, I was in a book coma for the rest of the day. Powerful, moving, and heartbreaking beyond words.
Parvin Brielle Blackwater is an inspiration. She is an amazing character who endured so much for what she felt was worth fighting for. Nadine Brandes does a stellar job of telling the story through Parvin’s eyes giving the reader the ability to truly live out the story in Parvin’s place. First person narration is very popular in the YA market nowadays, and I can say that I have yet to see an author who can carry it off as well as Brandes. Well done, Nadine.
One of the best aspects of the book is the amazing world it is set in. The author crafts the scenery expertly, leaving the reader immersed in a brave and terrible new world. Terrible, because of the brokenness and lack of hope that resides in the USE, but brave and beautiful as well, shown by the forward-thinking mindset and ingenuity of Ivanhoe. No, it’s not a utopia by any means, but enough light shines through to give the reader hope for the future.
The plot is very interesting in itself as well. It’s hard to get a reader to connect with an already-doomed character. After all, why bother to care about her if she’s just going to die anyway? However, as we get to know Parvin and experience life through her eyes, we begin to start pulling for her to make that last year worthwhile. We want her to win, and as her clock steadily counts down, we already begin to grieve that she won’t have more time with which to make a difference.
There’s a lot of beauty in this book, but with that comes a lot of pain. Even the second time through, when I was bracing myself for the several heart-wrenching scenes, they still hurt. I won’t go into detail so I don’t spoil it for you, but it might be wise to keep the tissue box handy.
Overall, I rate A Time to Die with five glowing stars. It’s inspiring and touching, balancing pain with whimsy. I highly recommend this book to readers 15 and up (due to a few disturbing moments and scenes of peril). I leave you all with a few reminders from Philippians that fit the tone of A Time to Die perfectly:
Philippians 3:12
“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:23-24
“But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.”
Content guide (parenthesis may contain minor spoilers):
Violence/Graphic: 10/10 (attacks by wild animals, stitches, amputations, injuries, much mention of death and dying).
Sexual: 2/10(brief kiss on the cheek, thoughts about kissing, admiring a man’s muscles, shirtless scenes-all kept in an innocent light).
Language: 0/10.
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Just when Azalea should feel that everything is before her—beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing—it’s taken away. All of it. And Azalea is trapped. The Keeper understands. He’s trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. So he extends an invitation. Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest, but there is a cost. The Keeper likes to keep things. Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late. -summary of Entwined from Goodreads
Gorgeous.
I wasn’t sure about this one at first, but on a whim, I checked it out from my ever faithful e-library. I am so glad I did! This tale was so sumptuous and gorgeous, I couldn’t help but love it from the first. The language is enchanting, and the world it is set in so perfect for the story. I could picture the setting perfectly, and it was beautiful.
The main characters were well drawn, and I really felt a connection to them. It did seem that the author was trying to flesh out all twelve of the sisters, but only three or four are really worthy of the term main character. And I’m okay with that. Any more, and it would have been too distracting. I loved how they were all named after plants, in alphabetical order. Contrary to another review that I read, I did not find this cliché. (And really, how else are you supposed to name them so the reader can keep track of them?)
The magic was beautiful as well and almost had a Beauty-And-The-Beast feel to it. The villain was deliciously creepy, and drawn so well that I almost started to like him before his dark side began to show. And when that dark side came out…look out. This villain holds the award for Creepiest Villain in history.
For fans of classic fairytales, Entwined really hits the spot. I only wished Heather Dixon would continue with the fairytales so that we could rejoin all our favorite swoon-worthy characters in yet another adventure.
All in all, Entwined is a very sumptuous novel, that I very much enjoyed. A cup of magicked tea, anyone?
Rating: 4 stars
Violence/Graphic: 5/10 (some episodes with the villain-graphic and disturbing descriptions of murder, torture, etc.)
Language: 0/10 (as far as I can remember)
Sexual Content: 2/10 (kisses, mentions of underthings)
Recommended: Yes! 13 and up.
Views: 4
“ ‘Have you ever dreamed of one thing for so long, wanted nothing more than to have that dream fulfilled, only to find out that maybe it wasn’t what you actually wanted all along?’
He juggled four stones lightly. ‘I believe that’s called growing up.’ ”
Princess Una of Parumvir has come of age and will soon be married. She dreams of a handsome and charming prince, but when the first suitor arrives, she finds him stodgy and boring. Prince Aethelbald from the mysterious land of Farthestshore has traveled far to prove his love–and to bring hushed warnings of danger. A dragon is rumored to be approaching Parumvir.
Una, smitten instead with a more dashing prince, refuses Aethelbald’s offer–and ignores his warnings. Soon the Dragon King himself is in Parumvir, and Una, in giving her heart away unwisely, finds herself in grave danger. Only those courageous enough to risk everything have a hope of fighting off this advancing evil.–summary found on Goodreads
It’s been a long time since I’ve read such a beautiful book. The gorgeously painted descriptions, the magical, fantastic world-building, the ethereal beauty, and heavenly theme… it was wonderful.
The only caution I would leave with readers is that those who are sensitive (and/or younger readers) might want to wait to read this one, as the antagonists are very dark and evil, and very much nightmare-material. Overall Rating: Five Glowing Stars
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Rating: 4 Stars
Age Recommendation: Upper Young Adult, New Adult +
Warnings: Mention of and Attempted Rape, Character Death, Violence, Slight Language
Genres: Fantasy (Supernatural), Romance, Action and Adventure
Pages: 344 (EPUB version, provided in exchange for an honest review)
“I had been unsure about the future, tossed into the rapids by things beyond my control, but I had never been so befuddled about what I was going to do to get myself where I wanted to go. Home was New York, I tried to remind myself. Or was it?”
Evelynn is not an average student. She used to be a swimmer at a school in New York before she had to move up to live with her Aunt and Uncle in Montana after the death of her parents. She isn’t thrilled about getting involved in things like the cheer team or dating a boy on the football team, but those aren’t exactly the biggest of her problems. Referencing the fall of Satan in a novel that is something of a mix between Paradise Lost and the “Hush, Hush” series by Becca Fitzpatrick, Fallen Angel, by David Lamour, tells Evelynn’s story of love, fear, and angels versus demons.
I wasn’t sure what to expect upon starting my read of this story, though I knew that Fallen Angel had received high ratings on Goodreads and similar sites. Once I hit chapter three or so, I was stuck. I stayed up past three in the morning to continue, despite having work that would need to be done the next afternoon. In truth, the story was pretty addicting.
The descriptions in Fallen Angel are beautiful. I noted that from the very beginning, and any author who can make a world feel real and who can allow me to visualize what is happening automatically gets points in my book. Equally, it took me a little while to realize that this is being partly written in Evelynn’s diary, which actually makes it more interesting, in my opinion. Typically, diary-style writing is overly detailed. Things that people shouldn’t be able to recall later on. But that isn’t the case here, and I appreciate that greatly. I do wish that there had been some sort of italics or indication of what had been written by Evelynn and what hadn’t been, though. There were a few typos, grammar issues and spelling changes in the Epub I was sent in exchange for a review, but they didn’t really distract me very much from the story itself.
One thing that threw me off, though, was the way Evelynn’s thoughts sometimes seemed a little too self-aware. Sometimes the comments seemed to come from Lamour and not from the character herself – for example, several comments are made early on about authors and writing style and even “instant-love.” I found it a little funny at first, but it did pull me out of the story a bit, as it didn’t seem to match the rest of the text.
Evelynn as a character is mischievous, rather funny, and although she is hung up on her past, she of all people has a right to be. She is a reader with a good heart, making her easy to like. There are a few things in the first couple of chapters that seem to be included specifically to set her apart from “normal” girls or the “popular” group, which I feel is a bit of a YA habit at this point. It didn’t really bother me too much, but I did notice and feel that it was a little forced.
The romantic interests in this story were portrayed in a different way than most love triangle-style characters and relationships are. In this case, it was clear who the “winner” of sorts would be, but neither really struck me as the ‘bad boy’ trope that so many are tired of.
Overall, I found the text to be very funny, and the epilogue was a brilliant set-up for the next book. I am very glad I’ve had the chance to start the Fallen Angel series and I can’t wait for the sequel!
Views: 47
The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle is a phenomenal young adult, YA, book. I immensely enjoyed it. In my opinion, The Infinite Moment of Us is a more modern take on Forever by Judy Bloom. While I think Forever is a great book that has become a pillar amongst the YA bookshelf, The Infinite Moment of Us has secondary storylines and more details than Forever included to some degree. Forever is a more direct story while The Infinite Moment of Us has a few additional underlying elements pertaining to the romance such as the family dynamics and past relationships.
Charlie and Wren were a really fun couple to read about. It’s fascinating and enjoyable that two people who went to the same high school, for all four years, could have vastly different experiences and never cross paths until graduation. Wren lived a very sheltered life, working hard to fulfill her parents’ goals and dreams for her. She was accepted to Emory University and has her future all mapped out. Charlie, on the other hand, has had a tough life and no clear career goals or college plans. When Charlie finally finds a family, his adopted younger brother is in a wheelchair and he must assist his foster parents in paying bills. The pair could not be more different. Charlie always thought of Wren as untouchable and developed a crush on her from afar, but never acted on his feelings. It is not until a graduation party that he realizes he will not have another chance. This summary may sound similar to the 1989 classic film Say Anything starring John Cusack and Ione Skye, but the stories progress differently.
I particularly enjoyed the characters were realistic and their emotions were relatable. For instance, Wren met Charlie’s ex-girlfriend, Starla, and she was not comfortable with Starla’s presence in Charlie’s life. As his love interest, why would she be comfortable with his ex-girlfriend? As a reader, Wren’s concerns were valid because it is awkward to see the person you like with someone else or strange to know that there was a previous relationship before yours. By Wren vocalizing this, she becomes a multidimensional character for the reader and a person with whom they could relate to and understand more in-depth.
On a side note, when I was on Goodreads, I came across a negative review of this book and was very upset by the write-up. The user cited Charlie and Wren’s relationship as antifeminist or portraying stereotypical gender roles. As someone who has taken numerous gender studies classes, in addition to studying gender roles in many genres, politics, films, and literature, I did not find that to be the case in the novel. Rather than think of Wren as a stereotypical girl, I found her disposition to be reminiscent of someone who is meek and new to the world, having been sheltered her entire life. I thought it made sense she turned to Charlie or her friend for explanations. Taking into account that Charlie had an unconventional upbringing, he is more worldly to some degree. That personality trait is not him being a stereotypical man but a well-written character. The pair are opposites in many ways, which is why the reader is interested in their relationship.
In the end, I highly recommend this novel for readers interested in young adult romance. Five out of five stars. While The Infinite Moment of Us focuses on a love story, there are many other details to entertain the reader such as fun secondary characters, witty dialogue, emotional elements, and some suspense.
Views: 10
Rating: 5 Stars
Age Recommendation: Upper Young Adult + (Perhaps around 16 and up)
Warnings: Character Death, Violence, Potential Triggers (mental illness)
Genre(s): Fantasy, Fairytale Retelling, Science Fiction
“We can’t go back,” said Wolf. “It’s suicide.”
To punctuate his words, a volley of bullets struck the doors, their loud clangs echoing down the corridor they were now trapped in.
“We’re not leaving her.”
“Thorne-” started Cinder.
“No!” Wriggling one arm free, Thorne swung, but Wolf ducked. In half a heartbeat, Wolf had spun around and pinned Thorne to the wall, one enormous hand at Thorne’s throat.
“She gave us this chance,” Wolf said. “Don’t waste it.”
Winter, by Marissa Meyer, is the final installment in The Lunar Chronicles (aside from the novella that Meyer released, though it does not fall within the same timeline as the other four books). Although the reader is granted a closer look at Princess Winter and the struggles she faces, we also see Cinder, Cress, Thorn, Scarlet, Kai, Iko and everyone else we have grown to love throughout the series. Their plan to take out the evil queen (pun intended) is a daunting one, and they quickly realize that they are going to need a lot of help if they want their attempt to succeed.
I want to take a minute to address the warnings I listed above before I get into the finer details of the story and writing style. This book is a great deal more violent than any of the others, as it is the actual climax of the story, and because Princess Winter has a mental illness brought on by things that are explained within the novel.
The story doesn’t glorify violence, or make out her condition to be something inherently negative, and for those reasons, I deeply appreciate this book and the way in which Meyer wrote it. But I will say that it is certainly possible that younger readers would be frightened by some of the events, this time. It might be best to read these more slowly if your reader is of the early young adult age, perhaps by gifting them one a year or every few months or so.
As for the rest of the novel, allow me to pick out a few points that I noticed along the way. First, characters within the main cast are flawed wonderfully, but Meyer clearly makes an effort to distinguish between the sorts of flaws that heroes can have. By that, I mean that characters learn to be heroes throughout, growing as people and acquiring qualities that allow them to succeed. Those who do not change, or who develop traits that directly, negatively affect others are going to find that their ways are not going to be rewarded.
Second, several types of romance have been portrayed throughout this series, and all of that becomes quite clear when looking at the final installment. Nowhere will you find an abusive relationship in this story or one that you would not want your child glorifying in their mind. Safety, confidence, equality and acceptance are some of the key themes in the relationships, and I find that incredibly appealing. I have no doubt that a young adult audience would as well, and they are definitely the sorts of examples I would want to offer my son or daughter in the future.
Another thing I recognized throughout the text was how much more realistic it is than other revolution-themed series. Some young adult series make it far too simple or give the impression that pretty much anything a hero does will succeed. In Winter, that is not the case, and it’s spectacular. The book is quite long – particularly in the paperback version I own – but it needs to be that way because the heroes come across a multitude of challenges and setbacks. Yet they stand firm in what they want to do, which is another quality that I appreciate about the cast of characters Meyer presents the reader with.
The Lunar Chronicles are, far and away, my favorite series of all time. Genre aside, the themes explored are relevant to everyone – particularly with the frightening and dangerous times that we are now experiencing all over the world. I cannot explain how well I loved this series, except like this:
If it weren’t for the essays I have due in a couple weeks, I would pick up Cinder and read the whole series all over again.
Views: 5
Rating: 5 Stars
Age Recommendation: Young Adult +
Warnings: Violence, Character Death, Potential Triggers (references to torture)
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fairytale-Retelling
Pages: 550 (Puffin paperback)
“She gasped, her eyes landing on the one screen that stood out from the rest, and the single bright green message on a field of black.
FROM USER: MECHANIC. ETA 68 MINUTES.
She heard Sybil’s steps approaching as she launched herself across the room. She shut down the screen just as the satellite door whistled open.
Heart in her throat, Cress spun around and smiled.”
Cress, by Marissa Meyer, is the third installment in the Lunar Chronicles. Focusing this time on the fantasy, sci-fi version of Rapunzel, Meyer tells the story of a girl who has been held captive in a satellite for at least seven years. Understandably, she hasn’t adapted well. As a child born on the moon, she’s now trapped between her home and the earth, where she would much rather be. Although she’s forced to work for the Queen of Luna, Cress has no desire to do so, and would much rather be part of something bigger.
This book, by far, is my favorite of the three I have read so far. I am about to dive into Winter, the fourth book in the series, but I think that Cress might have just topped my favorites list – somewhere up there with The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak. It’s funny, it’s heart-wrenching, it has phenomenally developed characters.
As a bonus, this story is also vastly different from the original tale of Rapunzel. While Cinder’s backstory as a character is rather on par with Cinderella, and Scarlet’s is indeed very different, Cress’s story is thrilling. In this book we learn more about all of the characters, from those just mentioned to Wolf, Captain Thorne, Emperor Kai, Iko and more.
I truly dislike being that reader who gets overly-invested in the romantic interest, but in this case I think the development of that particular section of the plot was incredibly well-done. In an attempt at avoiding giving away exactly who I’m talking about, so I don’t give spoilers, let me try and explain. The male romantic interest for Cress is, perhaps, who the reader might expect. He’s funny, daring, and thinks less of himself than he ought to, which all adds up to a surprisingly genuine bond between Cress and the man in question. I can honestly say that I didn’t expect it to work out the way that it did, and that only made me love the match – and the book as a whole – all the more.
There were, admittedly, a few moments where a character’s thought process surprised me. Where they somehow came to conclusions that seemed a bit out of reach, for example. And while I did pause and look at the page a bit funny, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the novel.
Cress imagines her way into and out of situations, and although she is the most naïve and excitable of the cast, she has strengths as much as the others, and it’s clear that each person brought in or out of this series is important and relevant and necessary to the actions taking place. I appreciate that much more than I can say, because I have so much trouble keeping up with stories where characters are thrown in just to have more characters. This series doesn’t need that, and while there is a large cast, it’s almost impossible to get anyone mixed up because each character is so unique and has their own purposes, goals, personality and everything else.
This series, even before its finale, has risen in the ranks to be not only my favorite young adult series, but quite definitely my favorite series of all time. I genuinely hope that anyone who reads this will go pick it up if they haven’t yet, because it is a series that anyone can like, regardless of if young adult fiction is something they typically reach for.
Views: 9
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell is an extraordinarily well written Young Adult novel. Eleanor comes from a poor dysfunctional family, being forced to share her room with several siblings. She cannot afford to wear makeup or purchase new clothes on a regular basis so she needs to make do with items around her house. The only morning ritual Eleanor really has is her mother rubbing a little vanilla extract behind her ears to give the illusion of using a scented body soap or perfume. While Park and his family are middle class, who do not have money problems in the same manner as Eleanor, he still has some issues with his family. Park and his dad do not have similar dispositions causing some strain between them. When Eleanor walks onto the school bus one morning, everyone stops and stares at her. Eleanor has scarves wrapped around her waist and is dressed in a rather flamboyant fashion. Park sees Eleanor and immediately dismisses her presence until she walks to the back of the school bus where the only vacant seat is right next to him. Rather reluctantly, Park allows her to join him in his shared seating area. This moment changes everything.
Rainbow Rowell was able to write authentic realistic characters who acted like typical teenagers. The dialogue was fun and poignant, the setting was believable, and the relationship was intriguing. Personally, I enjoyed the fact that Eleanor and Park’s relationship was built slowly throughout the duration of the novel. When Eleanor first meets Park, the two do not have this instant connection mimicking the love-at-first-sight scenario that occurs in a lot of other narratives. Instead, the pair sit by one another without speaking each morning and try not to brush up against the other (or even speak) as the school bus hits certain divots in the pavement causing them to move about in their seats.
The first spark between the two characters occurs when Park notices Eleanor reading over his shoulder. On the school bus, Park would read his comic books to pass the time. Not having the luxury to purchase her own books, Eleanor does not have a lot to keep her occupied. She casually looks over his shoulder reading as he flips the pages. Park eventually notices this and leaves comics for Eleanor to borrow. “The next morning, when Eleanor got on the bus, there was a stack of comics next to her. She picked them up and sat down. He was already reading. Eleanor put the comics between her books and stared at the window. For some reason, she didn’t want to read in front of him. It would be like letting him watch her eat. It would be like… admitting something. But she thought about the comics all day, as soon as she got home, she climbed onto her bed and got them out. They were all the same title – Swamp Thing.”
After Park lends Eleanor his comics, the pair soon strike up a conversation on the characters and story. This, eventually, leads to them talking about music, school, and a variety of other topics providing a natural progression for the characters to transition from comic books to subject matters of a more personal nature; thus, they form a bond.
As a reader it is enjoyable to see both Park and Eleanor’s perspective throughout the book, Eleanor and Park. Rowell alternates narrators, allowing a deeper understanding of their state of minds. While neither is done in the first person narrative, the narration follows Eleanor and Park’s thoughts and emotional state, allowing the reader to learn more in that moment. Rather than have the story be told purely from Eleanor or Park’s perspective, the revolving narrator allows the reader to experience both characters. Interestingly, Rowell did not alternate chapters but would interject Park then Eleanor throughout. I loved Eleanor and Park, it is extraordinarily well written and superbly executed. For anyone who enjoys YA or character-driven novels, Eleanor and Park is a story that would appeal to them.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!
Views: 1