Reviewed by violetpeanut on
This book is a character driven story centering on Nastya and Josh. Nastya is a damaged girl who has pretty much shut herself out from the rest of the world. She doesn't talk - ever - to anyone since a horrific event from her past. Josh is a lonely boy whose entire family has been taken from him in one tragedy after another. The book is told in first-person and alternates chapters between Nastya's and Josh's points of view. This was a brilliant choice on the part of the author because it really lets the reader into their minds and we get a great sense of their true feelings and motivations. It makes the reader feel much more intimately connected to each character. These characters feel like real people, not like characters from a book. The supporting cast is fleshed out well, also. From Drew to his mom and all of the rest of them, they all felt like living, breathing people.
For me, a good book is one with a great plot that compels me to read more, interesting characters that I can connect with and has great pacing. A truly great book is one that has all of those things and can also make me really feel something beyond just entertainment. This is a truly great book. I went through the entire gamut of emotion: despair, anger, elation, happiness, sadness, anguish, contentment. I was completely filled with emotion and then wrung out until I was empty - over and over again. I felt completely drained at the end - in the best way. There aren't many authors that can evoke that kind of a response from me.
I don't really know what else to say. A well-written book with amazing characters and a story that builds slowly and then punches you in the gut with emotion. I don't want to say more because I don't want to spoil anything for you. This is truly one book that you should just go experience for yourself.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 3 December, 2012: Finished reading
- 3 December, 2012: Reviewed