Plus One by Elizabeth Fama

Plus One

by Elizabeth Fama

In an alternate United States where Day and Night populations are forced to lead separate--but not equal--lives, a desperate Night girl falls for a seemingly privileged Day boy and places them both in danger as she gets caught up in the beginnings of a resistance movement.

Reviewed by reveriesociety_ on

3 of 5 stars

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“Believe me I don't want to set the world on fire I just want to start a flame in your heart”

If that isn't an awesome instand toe-curling line I don't know what is. As usual, what drew me in was the cover. I could tell there were a few issues that'd be explored in this book that I'd enjoy. The blurb presented sealed the deal. I mean, it sounded pretty interesting. And it had romance too!

Plus One's storyline is interesting. But it could've been more so. Most of the time, I know a book has been awesome because I can't stop turning pages. The lure is so great I have to do a physical effort to dettach myself from my celphone/the book/kindle/laptop and go to sleep to keep the mystery alive for the next day. This didn't happen with this book.

I didn't get why. I felt very curious about what would happen next, but not enough to keep me awake all night. I was content with reading just when I had time. No biggie.

And I just felt... sad. Because I expected it to be so much more exciting.

Now, don't get me wrong. The plot may have been not exciting enough, but it was everything else what gave this book the four stars.

Let's start with the writing.

“Four houndred billion suns spiraling through space together. Our solar system just one grain on that galactic carousel. The carousel itself a speck in the cosmos. And here I am in this small clearing, on the surface of the heart, as transient and unnoticed to the universe as the dry blades of grass that are poking into my shirt. It's too much to comprehend up there, too enormous, and I'm so small when it's on top of me. It frightens me, like I'm being crushed.”

She has a way of putting words together and make them read poetically. That is really good writing. Most writers feel the need to use big words in order to have this effect, but what they don't know, is that, simple words that are used correctly can carry even more meaning. Stacey Jay's Of Beast and Beauty does this beautifully too.

The characters were okay. And the relationship between D'Arcy and Sol started out believably, but I feel like the romance started too late and at the same time, too soon. The pacing was off.

At first they disliked each other, and then they kept on disliking each other, but noting each other's merits. Then, out of the blue, they are in each other's faces. I'd have liked to see more mushy mushy interaction between them that built to that oh-so-awaited moment. Regardless, I wouldn't tag it as insta-love.

There were no major plot twists, but series of minor ones that nonetheless, did surprise me.

I liked how everything was wrapped up. Not a happy ending exactly, but a fair and satisfying one.

Find this review and more at: A Writer's Tales

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 26 September, 2014: Finished reading
  • 26 September, 2014: Reviewed