This was definitely an interesting read. I certainly wasn't expecting to see a horrible car accident in the beginning of the story, especially after reading the summary above. It really intrigued me and I couldn't wait to find out how everything was going to get resolved.
The beginning has so much tension and conflict, and the relationship that builds between Aurora and Forest is exquisite. Through Forest, we learn so much about his mom--the driver who caused the horrible accident. She seems like an evil-type person in the beginning, but we learn she isn't. It was just a bunch of really horrible situations that pushed her actions in the wrong direction, and it happened to lead to disaster. How she handles the aftermath shows us what kind of person she really is, and we learn it all through Forest. I loved that.
The middle and the end don't have the same level of tension, though. Things stop happening. There's always a threat of something happening, but it never follows through. Everything resolves itself and the ending feels like it's been tied up with a bow. So I was a bit disappointed. I wish the author had taken this story and run with it, really delving into the illegal immigrant issue in California. She could have shown us more of what it's like there, the worst that could possibly happen, without it being cliche or derivative. The beginning was so well done that she definitely has the talent for it. Perhaps in her next book...
5 comments:
It's definitely a fresh topic! Thanks for turning us onto it.
I've seen this book around the blogosphere, and I have to admit the cover is what really made me interested. Then I read the summary and was like, 'Wow. This sounds really good.' Thanks for the review! I really enjoyed it :)
Catherine - yeah, I really liked the topic, too. I can't think of any YA books out there that deal with illegal immigrants. It's definitely worth the read.
KM - the cover is what intrigued me, too. And it has much to do with the story, which makes it even better. :)
When I started reading your review after the blurb, I got the feeling it was for another book entirely. I wouldn't have thought all that would happen after reading the brief blurb. It's interesting what they decided to use as the hook.
Definitely. When I'd finished the first chapter, I'd wondered if I'd gotten this book mixed up with another. I actually think the accident is a way stronger hook, but that's me. :)
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