Category Archives: Magical Realism

Review: Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp

Title: Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Magical Realism (slight)
Length: 372 pages
Book Rating: C

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller This Is Where It Ends comes another unforgettable story of loss, hope, betrayal, and the quest for truth

Best friends Corey and Kyra were inseparable in their snow-covered town of Lost Creek, Alaska. When Corey moves away, she makes Kyra promise to stay strong during the long, dark winter, and wait for her return.

Just days before Corey is to return home to visit, Kyra dies. Corey is devastated—and confused. The entire Lost community speaks in hushed tones about the town’s lost daughter, saying her death was meant to be. And they push Corey away like she’s a stranger.

Corey knows something is wrong. With every hour, her suspicion grows. Lost is keeping secrets—chilling secrets. But piecing together the truth about what happened to her best friend may prove as difficult as lighting the sky in an Alaskan winter…

Review:

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp is a mystical young adult novel about friendship, mental illness and loss.

Corey Johnson and her family’s move from Lost Creek, Alaska to Canada means leaving behind her best friend, Kyra Henderson. The young women have sort of drifted apart since the move in spite of Kyra’s letters and Corey’s upcoming visit. Shocked to learn Kyra has died, Corey goes to Lost Creek to try to understand what happened to her friend. She quickly discovers the townspeople now consider her an outsider and despite some eerie and threatening occurrences, Corey is determined to understand what happened to Kyra in the months leading up to her death.

While Corey is more of a scientist, Kyra is a gifted painter who used art to help her deal with the manic phase of her bipolar disorder. Corey never dreamed the residents of Lost Creek would believe that Kyra’s vibrant paintings were anything other than art. Needless to say, she is stunned to learn that the townspeople finally accepted Kyra into their midst and they believed her paintings were portents of the future.  

As Corey tries to uncover the truth about what happened in the aftermath of her move, she is troubled by what seem to be ethereal encounters that she cannot decide are real or a product of her imagination. Even more frightening are the reactions of Kyra’s parents and the rest of the town when Corey refuses to stop trying to understand exactly why no one stepped in to help Krya is the months before her death.

Although well-written, the pacing of the novel is extremely slow. Neither Kyra nor Corey are well-developed and the secondary characters are somewhat superficial.  Much of the young women’s friendship is revealed through a series of non-linear flashbacks so trying to keep up with the time frame in which events are occurring is confusing. Toward the end of the novel, a few chapters appear to be written from the town’s perspective and these snippets are presented as if they are scenes from a play. The entire storyline is somewhat unrealistic and the townspeople’s collective reaction to what happened to Kyra  is too incredibly strange to believe.  And Kyra’s parents’ easy acceptance of the sequence of events is just so bizarre and the way they treat Corey is heartbreaking.

An interesting story with a great atmosphere, Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp is a unique young adult novel that touches on true to life issues.  Despite the fantastic setting, readers might be frustrated by the confusing timeline, a hard to believe storyline and a vaguely dissatisfying conclusion that leaves a few unanswered questions.

Comments Off on Review: Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp

Filed under Before I Let Go, Contemporary, Magical Realism, Marieke Nijkamp, Review, Sourcebooks Fire, Young Adult

Review: As You Wish by Chelsea Sedoti

Title: As You Wish by Chelsea Sedoti
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Magical Realism
Length: 432 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

If you could make one wish that was guaranteed to come true—what would you wish for?

Rules for Wishing:

  1. Never let an outsider find out about wishing. (Zip your lips and throw away the key.)
  2. Wishes that would impact the world are off limits (i.e. no bringing back the dinosaurs).
  3. Do no harm. (Murder = no bueno.)
  4. No time travel. (What’s done is done, pal.)
  5. No bringing back the dead. (Come on. You’ve seen what happens in THE WALKING DEAD.)
  6. NEVER BREAK THE RULES. (Seriously. We mean it. See Rule #7.)
  7. There are always consequences.

Madison is a small town in the Mojave desert on the road between nothing and nowhere. It’s an unremarkable speck on the map, which is perfect for protecting the town’s secret. Because in Madison, everyone can make one wish on their eighteenth birthday-and that wish always comes true.

Most of Eldon’s classmates have had their wishes picked out for months, even years. Not Eldon. He’s seen how wishing has hurt the people around him. His parents’ marriage is strained, his sister is a virtual ghost in their house, his ex-girlfriend is dating his ex-friend…where does he even begin?

One thing is for sure: Eldon has only twenty-five days to figure it out—and the rest of his life to live with the consequences.

Review:

As You Wish by Chelsea Sedoti is a clever, well-written young adult novel that is quite thought-provoking.

The small town of Madison, NV has a secret its residents must protect: everyone gets to make a wish on their eighteen birthday and each wish comes true.  With his eighteenth birthday fast approaching, Eldon Wilkes is agonizing over what to wish for. He knows what his mom would like him to request but he also knows the wish won’t make the difference she thinks it will. His principal is a wanna be psychologist who loves to hand out advice and he recommends Eldon talk to the other residents about their wishes to get a feel for how well their lives turned out when their wishes were granted. With the help of his best friend, Merrill Delacruz and their new friend, Norie Havermayer, Eldon tries to decide whether or not he will make his wish and if he can live with consequences no matter what he finally chooses to do.

Up until his senior year, Eldon lived a pretty charmed life. He was a popular football star with a gorgeous girlfriend. After an unexpected personal tragedy, he lost the girl and months later, he is still jealous over her new relationship.  Eldon struggles with anger issues despite counseling and helpful advice. He is initially not easy to like but over the course of the novel, he matures and changes as he gets to know the other residents in town. Eldon remains far from perfect, but he becomes more self-aware which in turn makes him much more sympathetic and likable.

The wish element of the storyline is very well executed.  Several of the wishes that have been granted over the years ended with unexpected consequences and many residents have regrets about their wishes. Seeing so much unhappiness makes Eldon’s decision even more difficult and as his wish day approaches, he is even more confused than ever. He makes an ill-fated choice that takes his wish decision out of his hands yet he still remains conflicted about the ability to make a wish.  Not everyone is happy with his final decision but Eldon will surprise everyone with how he chooses to handle the aftermath of his choice.

As You Wish by Chelsea Sedoti is a poignant, thought-provoking young adult novel that is quite unique. The storyline is entertaining and surprisingly insightful but Eldon’s journey is what makes the story so compelling. Will he transform from a self-absorbed and arrogant jock into a thoughtful young man who finally faces the consequences of his decisions?

1 Comment

Filed under As You Wish, Chelsea Sedoti, Contemporary, Magical Realism, Rated B+, Review, Sourcebooks Fire, Young Adult

Review: Hanna Who Fell from the Sky by Christopher Meades

Title: Hanna Who Fell from the Sky by Christopher Meades
Publisher: Park Row Books
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Magical Realism
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A magical, provocative tale of forbidden love and one girl’s struggle for liberation 

Hanna has never been outside her secluded community of Clearhaven. She has never questioned why her father has four wives or why she has fourteen brothers and sisters. And in only one week, on her eighteenth birthday, Hanna will follow tradition and become the fifth wife of a man more than twice her age.

But just days before the wedding, Hanna meets an enigmatic stranger who challenges her to question her fate and to follow her own will. And when her mother reveals a secret—one that could grant her the freedom she’s known only in her dreams—Hanna is forced to decide whether she was really meant for something greater than the claustrophobic world of Clearhaven. But can she abandon her beloved younger sister and the only home she’s ever known? Or is there another option—one too fantastical to believe?

With lush, evocative prose, award-winning author Christopher Meades takes readers on an emotional journey into a fascinating, unknown world—and, along the way, brilliantly illuminates complexities of faith, identity and how our origins shape who we are.

Review:

With a slight element of magical realism, Hanna Who Fell from the Sky by Christopher Meades is a clever coming of age novel about a teenager who is on the cusp of becoming a much older man’s fifth wife.

Hanna and her family are part of a polygamist community that feels more like a cult than a true religious society.  One of their practices is to send the young men off to live on their own while the young women are expected to marry the much older men in the congregation. Keeping with tradition, one week before her eighteenth birthday, Hanna is betrothed to her father’s friend Edwin. At first resigned to her fate to become the older man’s fifth wife, Hanna begins to harbor reservations about her upcoming nuptials after meeting Daniel Rossiter. Daniel and his family have just returned from a trip outside their enclave and Hanna is captivated by his stories of life away from their town of Clearhaven. With her wedding day fast approaching, Hanna’s mother Kara urges her daughter to leave town but Hanna is conflicted about leaving her younger siblings behind with their drunken, abusive father.

While Hanna is quite dedicated to all of her younger siblings, she is most committed to caring for her sister Emily. With a severe curvature to her spine, Emily’s mobility is extremely limited and Hanna devotes herself to helping her sister navigate through her daily tasks. An obedient daughter, she never questions her role in the religious community which gives women very little power over their own lives. After an enlightening discussion with one of her prospective groom’s wives, doubts about her upcoming wedding begin to creep in. These misgivings leave her questioning many of the teachings of their religion. After Kara confides the truth about her daughter’s origins, Hanna becomes even more convinced that her future might not lie within the confines of Clearhaven. However, Hanna is conflicted as she tries to decide whether or not her duty to her family carries more weight than her desire to do what is best for her.

Hanna Who Fell from the Sky is a riveting young adult novel with a wonderfully interwoven element of magical realism. With Hanna’s fate cleverly concealed until the novel’s exciting conclusion, the story moves at blistering pace. An interesting and thought-provoking American debut by Christopher Meades that I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend to adults and older teens.

1 Comment

Filed under Christopher Meades, Contemporary, Hanna Who Fell from the Sky, Magical Realism, Park Row Books, Rated B, Review

Review: If You Were Here by Jennie Yabroff

Title: If You Were Here by Jennie Yabroff
Publisher: Merit Press
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Magical Realism, Mystery
Length: 272 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

Tess used to be normal–or at least, she knew how to fake it. Then her mother started showing up at her fancy prep school and acting crazy, which turned Tess into social cyanide. Now, her days at school, once almost tolerable, are unbearable. She longs for summers at her grandmother’s lake house, binging on old movies and Oreos, and weekends with her best and only friend, Tabitha. Until then, Tess just tries to survive, with long runs through Central Park to keep the anxiety down by day, although her nights are increasingly haunted by strange, dreamlike visions that fill her with dread. Then Tabitha drops Tess without warning, switching her allegiance to the school’s clone-like popular girls, and leaving Tess without a friend in the world. Before Tess can even cope with losing Tabitha, a horrific tragedy happens one night at school, and Tess is blamed for it. Now, she must fight to find out the truth about that night, and to clear her name, all the while wondering if her visions were really a prophecy, or if she is going to end up in the grip of an uncontrollable mental illness–just like her mother.

Review:

With a cast of realistic characters, a touch of magical realism and an imaginative plot, If You Were Here by Jennie Yabroff is a riveting young adult novel that touches on some sensitive topics such as mental illness, teenage friendships and loss.

Social outcasts at their exclusive private school, Tess Block and Tabitha Smiley have been best friends for the past five years.  The summer before their junior year, Tess goes to visit her grandmother like she usually does but when she returns home, she is puzzled when Tabitha ignores her texts.  When school resumes, Tess’s puzzlement turns to hurt once she realizes that over the summer break, Tabitha has transformed herself into one of the popular girls.  Tess feels more isolated and alone than ever now that Tabitha is best friends with mean girl Amanda Price and perfect Zoe Haley.  When the unthinkable happens, Tess tries to comes terms with a devastating loss while at the same time trying to learn the truth about what happened to Tabitha.

Tess was once popular and well-liked by her classmates but after her mom’s struggle with mental illness  became public knowledge, all of her friendships dwindled away.  Five years later, she and best friend Tabitha spend all of their time together eating contraband snacks while watching their favorite movie, Sixteen Candles.  Tess’s home life is overshadowed by her mother’s bouts with depression and manic episodes and she escapes to Tabitha’s as often as possible.  Although Tess is relatively content with the status quo, Tabitha wants nothing more than to become a part of the popular crowd.

While Tess is spending the summer with her grandmother, Tabitha is busy reinventing herself.  Tess barely recognizes her friend but she is stunned when Tabitha snubs her in favor of Amanda and Zoe. Angry and hurt by Tabitha’s behavior, Tess keeps a vivid and prophetic  dream about her friend to herself.  After a horrible accident, Tess feels guilty and ashamed about keeping the dream to herself and she is haunted by the last bitter and hurtful argument between her and Tabitha.  When questions arise about the circumstances of Tabitha’s accident, Zoe and Amanda’s revelations cast suspicion in Tess’s direction.  Can Tess uncover the truth about what happened to Tabitha?

The subplot that deals with Tess’s mom’s mental illness is a little uncomfortable since Tess is not exactly sensitive when referring to her mom.  While it is a realistic representation of how insensitive and tactless a teenager can be, it is not easy seeing Tess continually refer to her mom as “crazy”.  The portrayal of the effects her mom’s illness have on the family and their home life is absolutely heartbreaking.  Tess’s dad is trying hard to give his daughter as normal a life as possible and while he sometimes falls short, Tess appreciates his efforts.

If You Were Here by is a compelling young adult novel with an intriguing storyline.  Jennie Yabroff’s depiction of teenagers struggling to fit in is poignant yet true to life.  The characters are brilliantly developed with relatable flaws and imperfections.  A clever  story with a hint of mystery and a dash of magical realism that will appeal to readers of all ages.

1 Comment

Filed under Contemporary, If You Were Here, Jennie Yabroff, Magical Realism, Merit Press, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Young Adult